Newsletter | #154 | What's On this Week

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for Tuesday December 15 to Monday December 21, 2009.

This week.. Things are still quiet on the festival front, but behind the scenes (or seams, if we're talking front and back analogies) things are already starting to heaten up with Christmas and New Year's only a short while away. Not to mention School Holidays, which we have mentioned, so ignore that and just have a looksee at our School Holiday Guide, along with our guides for Christmas and New years.

In line with the Yule time cheer you'll find Federation Square tipping its skullcap for Chanukah In The City with a festival that honours another side of what inspires the whole Christmas shenanigans.. No, you cynic! I mean religion, not corporate materialism. There's also the Newtown Christmas Festival in Geelong and for a taste of something completely different, and perhaps a little spicy, there's also the Hola Mexico Film Festival. Even that has a bit of Christmas cheer, but it comes with salsa, I hear.

School Holiday Guide

Check out our School Holiday Guide for all the latest on what to do with the kids during the Summer School Holidays beginning Saturday December 19. The holiday guide offers some of the best things to do over the holiday period for the young and young at heart, with events, tours and holiday care programs.. all in marvellous Melbourne!

View School Holiday Guide

Christmas Events

Christmas Events is on its way, but why wait when there's plenty of fun to be had right now? With a wide range of events and activities held in Melbourne and Victoria, get in early and treat the kids to some of the fabulous events on offer. There are many events that are free and you'll find them in jolly old Melbourne. Ho! Ho! Ho!

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve - The year's almost been and gone and hasn't it snuck up quickly! With New years on the way, everyone's gearing up for Melbourne's biggest night of the year, so get ready to count down the New Year into 2010!
New Year's Eve Planning Guide
What's On in Melbourne - New Year's Eve

Major Events

Chanukah In The City, held in Federation Square, is a free event presented by the Jewish Community Council of Victoria and supported by the City of Melbourne. The festive event features thrilling rides and activities for kids, Israeli dancing and a huge line-up of live and local Melbourne talent.

The Newtown Christmas Festival brings Geelong's Newtown Shopping Strip alive with sidewalk sales, prizes and entertainment on offer for the whole family. A celebration of art, culture and creativity, funds raised will go towards redeveloping the Children's Ward at the Geelong Hospital.

Film Festivals

The Hola Mexico Film Festival returns to ACMI Cinemas with a bigger and more diverse selection of films that showcase the best in Mexican filmmaking. With feature films, documentaries, comedies and family films, the festival includes a special Mexican Christmas event for kids.

Upcoming Events

New Year's Eve Gala - Melbourne's best value New Years Eve Party is at The Riverview Function Centre in Footscray, located on the banks of the Maribyrnong River. You'll have two great rooms to party in with a huge balcony, offering fantastic views of the fireworks exploding over the city!

NEW LIVE CALENDAR
To find out about future events in Melbourne, have a look at our new calendar, with details about many more events that lie ahead so you can jot them down on the to-do list , including Exhibitions, Live Gigs, Theatre, Markets, Expos and more..
View Future Events on any day of the week

Exhibitions - Art | Festival | Show

Natural History, on display at Cyclone in South Melbourne, is a series of works by Jason Moad that present images of contradiction by featuring museum subjects in abnormal settings. Inspired by his first childhood sighting of Phar Lap, the works capture the stillness and illusion of museums.

Emma de Clario is currently exhibiting at MARS Gallery in Port Melbourne, showcasing her work over the last three years, during which she's taken photographs on her mobile phone as she's captured the background of her surroundings in an effort to find the quiet spirituality beyond domestic life.

Unfasten, held at the Owl and the Pussycat in Richmond, features a ten metre scroll that visually explores what it means to be an artist itself. Held in the ten days prior to the summer solstice, the exhibition is a ten-day ritual that uses movement, sound and play to explore the inner self.

'til you drop, held at the State Library of Victoria, is a free exhibition that celebrates Melbourne's passion for shopping, from the Paris end of Collins Street to the local corner store. The exhibition features historic photographs and nostalgic items on display such as wartime ration cards and more.

Wallpaper, the end of year show held at Trocadero Artspace in Footscray, returns with the walls transformed by the work of artists who were invited to have their way with the Gallery. Floor to ceiling, the show features murals of artworks, which are drawn, painted and created directly onto the walls.

Mind the Gap, showing at the unique arts space of Melbourne's Degraves Street Subway, is an exhibition that features the works of artists who live under Sacred Heart Mission's Rooming House Plus Project. The inspiring work reflects their reconnection with the community through art.

AC/DC Family Jewels, held at the Melbourne Art Centre, collects memorabilia from Australia's most iconic band and their record company. Free to the public, it covers the 35-year career of AC/DC, one of the greatest rock bands, with original material revealed publicly for the first time.

Anatomy to Robots, showing at Southbank's Queensbridge Square, is a remarkable exhibition that brings the designs of Leonardo da Vinci to life. One of the world's greatest and inventive minds, the exhibition shows his passion for nature, science and art with life size recreations of his works.

Performances & Theatre

Irving Berlin's White Christmas, performed at Elwood's Phoenix Theatre, is an adaptation of the classic 1954 film. Presented by MLOC, the performance features seven additional songs that were omitted from the film about four entertainers who revive an inn that's left without snow.

Bathtub Gin, held at Melbourne's Forum Theatre, merges House Music, Circus Art, Dance and Burlesque with a new breed of music festival. Offering an unforgettable night, the performances bring to life a 1920's Burlesque Circus that has a dark, dirty secret that's revealed as the night goes on.

Godzone, performed at Melbourne Theatre Company in Southbank, is the new political satire by Guy Rundle and Max Gillies where Reverend Kevin of Rudd Ministries, in a sermon from the German translated via Mandarin, tells his congregation that religion is the new politics and vice versa.

The Wild Party, a performance based on a racy poem penned in 1928 by Joseph Moncure March, transforms the Bella Union on Carlton into the New York club from the 1920s tale of a booze soaked party thrown by a pair of small-time vaudeville performers whose love affair is sputtering out.

Classical & Choral

Freshwater Trio will be holding a performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre as part of this year's concert series. Acclaimed by audiences and peers as one of the foremost chamber ensembles, the group will perform works by Bach, Haydn and Schoenfield with the jazzy Cafe Music.

Orkeztra Glasso Bashalde, a large community orchestra that plays gypsy, klezmer and balkan music, will be holding their end of year concert is on 2009 at the Northcote Uniting Church Hall. With special surprise guests, the performance is a celebration of their musical community past and present.

Carols in the Cathedral, held at St Paul's Cathedral, is one of the biggest Christmas Carol events with performances by the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir, The Australian Children's Choir, RMP Brass and guest soloists that include Jonathan Bradley who'll be playing the organ.

Dance

Project Six: Moment of Inertia, presented by Melbourne Ballet Company, is a program of four works by individual choreographers, including MBC's resident choreographer Simon Hoy with his dance piece, Motion Transcend. Performances are held at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran.

Christmas Concerts

A Free Range Christmas, held at the Melbourne Recital Centre in Southbank, is a reprise of Song Company's popular show. A Christmas celebration for all creatures great and small, a menagerie of animals from around the world all join in for this extravaganza of songs, carols, stories and poems.

Carols By The Bay is one of Melbourne's premier Christmas celebrations, held at the Peter Scullin Reserve in Mordialloc. Hosted by Daryl Cotton, the carols concert features great performers that include Mark Seymour, Annalisa Kerrigan and Jane Clifton, along with fireworks come the end.

Carols on The Lawn, presented by St John's Anglican Church in Croydon, is an annual event where you're invited to celebrate the spirit of Christmas with others. With people of many races and backgrounds, St John's Anglican Church welcomes all to share the glory of their musical tradition.

Stonnington Shines at Christmas brings a stocking's worth of fun to the City of Stonnington with celebrations held throughout it's municipality, bringing Christmas cheer with library activities, Pool Parties with Santa and the Christmas Carol concerts which are listed below...

Entertainment & Nightlife

Live Concerts & Gigs

The John Montesante Quintet, performing at The Commune Cafe Bar, brings a hint of New York Be-Bop to Melbourne with performances that include timeless Jazz standards and improvisations by John Montesante and some of the finest, hottest Jazz players in town.

Beware! Black Holes will be appearing at the Grandview Hotel in Fairfield as part of an eight band RockShow held upstairs at the venue. An eclectic 4 piece surf instrumental outfit, their music has a range of influences from Booker T & the MGS, The Ventures, Link Wray to Muse.

Burlesque

Theatrical Mayhem held each week at the Australian Centre Of Performing Arts' in North Melbourne, is a live entertainment phenomenon that captures the passionate revival of burlesque with performances by emerging talents that are sensual, sexy, confronting and often mesmerizing.

Comedy & Magic

[email protected] is a comedy night at Spleen Bar in Bourke Street, where you can enjoy a great night out with an eclectic mix of Melbourne's comedy scene featuring established personalities and comedy legends from radio and television with guests such as Glenn Robbins, Corinne Grant and others.

Melbourne For Kids

Baloomba-wop, held at the Elwood Beach Community House, is a musical adventure for kids. Performed by Donna and the Aspinauts, the show is an interactive, off the wall, musical adventure for kids and kids at heart, appealing to fans of Dr Seuss, Lewis Carroll and Roald Dahl.

The Myer Christmas Windows, which have delighted families and kids for more than 50 years now, are displayed outside the Bourke Street store where you can now find this year's offering, 'Olivia Helps with Christmas', featuring the popular children's character and adorable pig, Olivia.

Follow the Star is a free indoor sparkling Christmas light display held at the Revival Centre Hall in Box Hill. Featuring a Nativity Scene and Christmas Light Display, the presentation is a combination of the story of the birth of Christ with Christmas lights offering a wonderful Christmas experience.

Crown's Christmas Spectacular transforms the grand Atrium into a magical Christmas carnival. Presented each year to entertain children, a cavalcade of Christmas characters perform and dance under the enormous brand new Christmas Carousel each time the giant clock chimes.

Circus Shows

Circus Sunrise, an action-packed show for all the family, will be appearing in Cambellfield, with performances held at Pipeworks Markets. A true family circus with lineage going back to 1648, the performances od Circus Sunrise feature juggling, acrobatics and whip-cracking excitement!

You Can Help

There are many social causes that are relevant to people from all walks of life, many of which rely on public support to better the community or assist those who are less fortunate or to benefit others. This week we ask you to consider the following..

The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, Australia's largest Christmas gift appeal, supports some of the largest welfare organisations and has given more than 4.14 million gifts over the past 20 years. Trees can be found nationally in Kmart stores, with gifts collected up until Christmas Eve.

Markets, Fetes and Fairs

The Suzuki Night Market, held weekly at Queen Victoria Market, has become a summer tradition that offers a great mix of unique products and a great atmosphere with a stunning mix of world food, eclectic wares, bars and even two stages showcasing the best live music!

View MARKETS on any day of the week to make the most of the rare sunny days (it's a coin toss, isn't it!) and head to one of Melbourne's many excellent markets, fetes and fairs for a bargain!

A growing number of food, produce and even wine markets are always popping up around the suburbs. And don't forget garage sales!

Dining & Drink

Special Dining Offers

Menulog Dining Specials - Save Money Today!

Dining Specials - Save Up To 20% on Your Bill
Menulog is the easiest way to book a restaurant online with over 4000 restaurant listings! By booking online through Menulog you can enjoy fine food and save money with special deals offering discounts on total food bills, complimentary wine and drinks, discount group bookings and much, much more!

Carlton Curry House in Lygon Street offer the genuine taste of Authentic North Indian Cuisine along with quality service.
SPECIAL DINING OFFER!!
Book Through Menulog for the Express Lunch Special from just $10.50 Meat/Vegie curry, Dal or daily special Vegie curry.
Visit here for BOOKING DETAILS @ Menulog

Dining in Melbourne offers a splendid range of food styles to enjoy. Here are just a few classic food styles to choose from..

Modern Australian Cuisine

Chinese Restaurants

Italian Restaurants

Seafood Restaurants

French Restaurants

Dining Gift Vouchers

Menulog Gift Vouchers are the perfect way to treat someone special to a great dinner with vouchers available for a wide range of participating restaurants in Melbourne and across Australia. There's even the option to buy a voucher and let the lucky recipient decide which restaurant they'd like to dine at!
Learn More about Menulog Gift Vouchers

OnlyMelbourne Welcomes..

Each week we highlight some of the latest additions to OnlyMelbourne's ever growing guide to services, businesses and information sites for your community.

This week we suggest the following:

View More of the Latest Listings at OnlyMelbourne!

Advertising your Business or Event at OnlyMelbourne is not only easy, but best of all it's FREE!! - Get Listed.. - don't forget to tell your friends!

Sporting Events

NBL Championship

NBL Championship | Round 13

Melbourne Tigers Home Game

Saturday December 19 - 7:30pm
State Netball and Hockey Centre, Parkville

Soccer | Hyundai A-League

Hyundai A League | Round 20

Melbourne Victory Home Game

Saturday December 19 - 8pm
Marvel Stadium, Docklands

The Trots

Yarra Valley Racing, located at Yarra Glen, offers a great day out with the finest in racing entertainment along with great venues with regional food and wine.

Thoroughbred Racing
Christmas Meeting - Friday December 18

Naughty Gal Sports (I wish!)

The ISAF Sailing World Cup, hosted this year in Melbourne, is a showcase of world class sailing with Australia's own Beijing Olympic gold medalist Malcolm Page and his new 470 partner Mathew Belcher taking part as they go up against the world's best on Port Phillip Bay.

Community Sports

South Sea Roller Derby hold a Recruitment Day and Learn to skate session each week at Frankston Skateworld, located in Carrum Downs. The sessions are a chance to learn more about the Roller Derby and learn the basic skills required to begin training for one of the hottest sports in town.

Soccer Melbourne's Sunday Night League, held at South Yarra Sports Centre, is a chance for keen soccer players to band together and enter a team for an 8 team round robin weekly league. Held once a week each Sunday night, teams are 8-a-side with games lasting 60 minutes.

Melbourne Tours

Smartvisit Card is the best way to see the sights of Melbourne, whether you're visiting Melbourne for business, a vacation, or even if you're a local wanting to find Melbourne's hidden treasures!

The Smartvisit Card includes entry to attractions such as Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne Aquarium, Old Melbourne Gaol, Telstra Dome, Cook's Cottage, Melbourne River Cruises, and many more of Melbourne's TOP venues!

See Melbourne & Beyond - Smartvisit Card

See Melbourne & Beyond - Smartvisit Card

Learn more about Smartvisit Card

Melbourne Trivia

And If You Go Chasing Rabbits..

Did you know tunnels run everywhere under Melbourne? More than 50 tunnels dating back to WW2 run under Melbourne, including one near Dights Falls - Yarra River.

There are reports that there used to be a large underground "bunker"near Dights Falls at Abbotsford, in Melbourne, Victoria.

It is believed that this large underground "bunker"was an old WW2 air raid shelter, and it's estimated that it could hold a few thousand people.

Read more about Melbourne's Tunnels | Read Melbourne Trivia...

WHAT'S ON CALENDAR

Speaking of what's on, our new calendar allows you to select any day of the year to view everything (everything!!!) on that day in an easy to read, printable display.
-:- View What's On Calendar
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Melbourne On The Phone

OnlyMelbourne is now mobile phone compatible. Yes, our pages are formatted to be viewed on the small screen. To view our mobile phone website, go directly to our home page with your web compatible mobile phone and you will automatically be redirected to the mobile compatible version of OnlyMelbourne, so you'll be in the know on the go!

WHAT'S ON FEEDS

For those with newsfeeds, we now have a daily What's On Melbourne Today feed.

What's On this Week is an email overview and reminder of the (too many to mention) events happening this week in Melbourne.

Get your copy of What's On this Week!

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Things to see, hear & do this weekend
Make the most of your weekend in Melbourne with these fabulous events. No city does it better than Melbourne, so get out and discover the very best shows, festivals, ..

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