Newsletter | #163 | What's On this Week Newsletter | #163 | What's On this Week

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for Tuesday February 16 to Monday February 22, 2010.

This week.. Do you have wood? Because I have! You can have all the wood you want, too, if you head along to the Melbourne Wooden Boat Festival for a weekend of art exhibitions, yacht displays and more. If you prefer your wood a little drier, you'll find some crafty clogging going on at the Holland Festival, celebrating all things Dutch, which leads into an awkward segue about Dutch Boys with busy fingers and dykes in distress, thusly making reference to water so we can chinwag about the Riverboats, Jazz, Food and Wine Festival in Echuca.

I could just as easily have referred to the trees along the Murray to keep the wood theme going, but you have to agree, the Dutch Boy reference is a chuckle... unless there's a stick up ya bum, which brings us back to wood. It's the circle of life, people.


Major Events
The Melbourne Wooden Boat Festival, held at Docklands, brings together Melbourne's major wooden boat and yacht groups to create the ultimate event for classic boat lovers. With boat racing, woodworking exhibitions and sailing master classes, it includes free activities for everyone to enjoy.
When: Friday to Sunday, February 19 to 21


The Riverboats, Jazz, Food and Wine Festival sees the town of Echuca come to life with a great series of jazz performances along the Murray River and various venues, art exhibitions, family activities and also dining events and a market celebrating the food and wine of the region.
When: Friday to Sunday, February 19 to 21


The Holland Festival, held at Sandown Racecourse, is a day of live entertainment and exhibitions that celebrate the Dutch community in Australia with music performances, food and children's activities. A highlight of the event is a spectacular parade with brass bands and clog dancing.
When: Saturday February 20


The Melbourne Didjeridu Festival, held at Mia Mia Gallery in Templestowe, is a day long celebration of the didgeridoo with entertainment for the whole family that includes stalls, workshops, activities and a concert featuring world-class performers and musicians including Ganga Giri.
When: Saturday February 20


Festival Of The Photocopier, held at Sticky in the Underground Subway Arcade of Melbourne's Degraves St, is a month-long festival that offers an insight into the world of independent press. Featuring 12 zinemakers from around the country, it includes launches, readings and more.
When: Until February 28


The Sustainable Living Festival returns with a program of attractions, workshops, seminars and other special events held across Melbourne. Highlighting this year's theme of Climate Change, it features the Main Event held at Federation Square with exhibits, performances and more.
When: Until February 21
Main Event at Fed Square - February 19 to 21


The Herring Island Summer Arts Festival offers special exhibitions every Saturday and Sunday at the Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park in Toorak. Accessible by boat with a punt service, the arts festival includes special artists demonstrations, talks and activities.
When: Weekends - Until April 18


Upcoming Events
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


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Exhibitions - Art | Festival | Show
Re-imaging the Classic Print, held at Obscura Gallery in St Kilda, sees the gallery's first exhibition for the year fusing the old and the new world in Fine Art Photography with works that range from digital prints to hand made, showcasing the techniques and talents of a variety of artists.
When: February 21 to March 18 - Tuesday to Saturday
Opening Held Sunday February 21 - 4pm to 6pm


Against the Tide, showing at Axia Modern Art in Armadale, is an exhibition by Andrew McIlroy that features 15 large oil paintings that recall languid summer ocean waters. Using the techniques of the old masters, his extraordinary works are inspired by Tim Winton's book Breath.
When: February 16 to 28


Paradise in Suburbia is an exhibition of photography by Rebecca Dagnall. Appearing at Melbourne's Guildford Lane Gallery, the exhibition is a series of beautifully manipulated landscapes that explore the relationships and identities that people form with places in their suburbs.
When: Until February 28 - Tuesdays to Sundays


QUEEN - The Unseen Archive, a special presentation held at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, is a world premiere exhibition that showcases a fascinating blend of photographs and memorabilia related to the legendary English rock band Queen, providing a rare insight into the iconic band.
When: February 20 to April 11


1 Artist 3 Exhibitions is a presentation of works by award winning artist Rob McKinnon, whose works are on permanent display at the Surfworld Surfing Museum. With three distinctly different exhibitions held at Gasworks Arts Park in Albert Park, all proceeds go to the Gasworks Foundation.
When: Until February 28


Experimenta Utopia Now, held at the Arts Centre, is a free exhibition that showcases over 30 fun, engaging and interactive works from Australian and international artists with themes that explore a broad spectrum of social behaviour and the boundaries of humanity and our planet.
When: Until March 14


Fields of View, appearing at various venues, is a touring exhibition based on the Black Saturday Fires that raged through Victoria last year. Featuring work by artists that include Kerrie Warren, Leonie Ryan and Peter Biram, it's currently showing at Gippsland Art Gallery.
When: Until March 7 - Gippsland


Renewal, held at Chapman & Bailey in Abbotsford, is an exhibition of paintings by Phillip Sayers. Highlighting the regrowth since last year's Black Saturday, the Templestowe artist has painted the renewal of the St Andrews bush, showing the first signs of recovery in a range of artworks.
When: Until February 20


Chinoiserie: Asia in Europe, running at Melbourne's NGV International, is an exhibition that examines the style in Western art which draws influences from China, Japan and India. Ceramics, furniture, prints and more are presented with examples of Asian art to illustrate such inspirations.
When: Until March 14


Heroes and Villains, a special presentation of artwork and prints held at Silver K Gallery in Armadale, is an extensive collection of artwork featured in comics and animation. Showcasing many rare pieces released from Warner Bros, it includes works by the talented artist, Alex Ross.
When: Weekdays Until March 14


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.
When: Until February 28 - Open Daily


'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.
When: Until October 31


Expos, Launches & Open Days
Bark in the Park, presented by Beneful, is a free day of activities for both dog owners and their furry friends, held at Elwood Park. The day, hosted by Steve Jacobs of Channel 9's TODAY show, includes free dog washing, pet samples (not that kind!) and live music, giveaways and more.
When: Saturday February 20 - 10am to 2pm


Noni B, one of Australia's leading fashion retailers, will be showcasing its exclusive Liz Jordan Race collection at Caulfield on Blue Diamond Stakes Day. To mark being the first fashion label to take naming rights of the Fashion Stage, there'll be competitions with great prizes on offer.
When: Saturday February 20


The Annual Kiwanis All Ford Day, now in its 19th year, will be held at the Deakin University Sports Grounds of Waurn Ponds, Geelong, where car lovers and holden haters (you know the kind) can see over 1,200 Ford Show Cars, stalls offering souvenirs, music, kids' rides and more.
When: Sunday February 21


Performances & Theatre
The Seagull King, performed at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran, is a comic story of a failed actor who, having spent years in a nursing home pretending he has Alzheimer's as an alternative to unemployment, feels the stirrings of his true calling when an acting troupe visits the home.
When: February 17 to 28 - Wedensdays to Sundays


The Peppercorn Tree, performed at the Whitehorse Centre in Nunawading, is a new play starring Alan Hopgood and Kevin Harrington in a moving story of a family in turmoil and the hope for a brighter future as a biographer looks at the family and unveils secrets across the generations.
When: Friday & Saturday, February 19 & 20


Madagascar, presented by Melbourne Theatre Company, is an intriguing performance set in the room of a hotel in Rome where three versions of a story are told at three different times. Starring Nicholas Bell, Noni Hazlehurst and Asher Keddie, it's playing at the Fairfax Studio of the Arts Centre.
When: Until March 27


MAMA MIA! the hit musical that's inspired by the songs of ABBA, returns to Melbourne for a limited time with performances held at Her Majesty's Theatre. The romantic comedy follows a young girl whose efforts to meet her father reunite her mother with three lovers from the past.
When: Until May 30


The Swimming Club, held at Melbourne Theatre Company in Southbank, is a co-production with Black Swan State Theatre Company featuring Tina Bursill and John Waters in the story of six friends who reunite on a Greek island where they'd spent an adventurous summer thirty years earlier.
When: Until March 14


The Drowsy Chaperone, held at the Art Centre's Playhouse Theatre, is a nostalgic look at the golden age of musicals as Geoffrey Rush stars as a die-hard musical theatre fan who invites us into his dreary living room where an outrageously funny musical from the 1920s bursts into life.
When: Until February 20


A Midsummer Night's Dream, held as this summer's production of Shakespeare Under The Stars in the Royal Botanic Gardens, features a young, vibrant and comical cast that brings the playful tale of love, mischief and magic to life, you can bring your own picnic or order a gourmet hamper.
When: Until March 13


Jersey Boys, performed at the Princess Theatre, is the Broadway hit that charts the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons as the play takes a nostalgic look at how four blue-collar kids became one of the great music successes while showcasing the songs they became famous for.
When: Until February 28


Cabaret & Burlesque
The Mysteries of Love, held at The Butterfly Club in South Melbourne, is a performance by Green Room Award winner, Mikelangelo, who'll be joining the golden-voiced Saint Clare for an unforgettable evening of love songs where melancholy and desire gives rise to hope and optimism.
When: Wednesday February 17 - 8pm


The Whitehorse Summer Music Series, which brings together an exciting range of some of Melbourne's best performers, will present a free concert held at Blackburn Lake Sanctuary where there'll be performances by Blackburn High Senior Stage Band and The Swing Sensation Big Band.
When: Sunday February 21 - 4pm to 8pm


Michael McDonald, formerly of The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, will be appearing at The Palais in St Kilda. The Five-time Grammy Award winner will be joined by legendary singer songwriter Boz Scaggs to perform all of their greatest hits, along with songs from their latest albums.
When: Friday February 19 - Doors Open 6.30pm


The Buddy Love Jazz Quartet will be performing at Kojo Brown in Richmond, offering the perfect chance to catch some laidback jazz. The evening will see the Melbourne jazz vocalist, Buddy Love, performing an eclectic blend of soulful tunes and jazz standards with his formidable band.
When: Friday February 19 - 7:30pm


The Melbourne Folk Club meet each weekend to enjoy live acoustic music, offering a great afternoon with CDs available by local performers. Performances are held at the Grandview Hotel in West Brunswick with the next guests who'll perform being Feb Snez and Rohan Kay.
When: Saturday February 20 - 3pm


Cold Snap, specialists in performing Chicago Blues, will be appearing at Cafe Tiramisu in Eltham where they'll offer a dose of House Rockin' Chicago Blues as they rip into their tunes with a passion that's earned them a reputation as one of the hottest live blues acts in Victoria.
When: Saturday February 20 - 6pm


Melbourne Zoo Twilights is a chance to enjoy music performed live at Melbourne Zoo with this year's season boasting a great range of performers. Held on the zoo's concert lawn areas, each concert evening also includes special displays of selected species open until 7.30pm.
When: Saturdays & Sundays Until March 14


The Fairfield Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series returns with a fantastic program of free performances, held every Sunday. Presented by the City of Yarra, the family-friendly concerts feature a diverse range of performers with backgrounds and styles from across the globe.
When: Sundays in February - 5pm to 7:30pm


Jimmy Fong, a performer who draws his music inspiration from a deep Malaysian culture, will be appearing at the Acorn On Forest, located in The Basin. His unique vocal style is accompanied by his intricate finger picking style and his own arrangements on the acoustic guitar.
When: Sunday February 21


Cinema
The Rooftop Cinema flickers into action with film screenings of everything from cult favourites to new releases and documentaries, literally offering the height of entertainment with screenings held on the rooftop of Swanston Street's Curtin House along with the rooftop bar.
When: Tuesdays to Sundays Until March 28


Moonlight Cinema, held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, is Melbourne's favourite open-air cinema with a program that includes latest releases, contemporary films and cult classic movies. A great way to spend a night out with friends and family, you can bring your own picnic or buy food there. When: Tuesdays to Sundays Until March 14


Comedy
Bugger the Polar Bears: This is Serious! takes a humpourous look at some serious issues with the critically-acclaimed comedian Rod Quantock sharing his thoughts on climate change, population and the end of the world. The benefit show is held at the Warrandyte High School Theatre.
When: Saturday February 20 - 7.30pm


The Impro Cave Summer Club sees Impro Melbourne's sharpshooting players taking their stage skills out west, appearing at the Dog Theatre in Footscray. After a sell-out season of last year's Impro Cave, the troupe will hold nothing back with a totally new season at their mercy.
When: February 21 to March 21 - Sundays at 7:30pm


Comedy@Spleen 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.
When: Every Monday - 8:30pm to 10:30pm | FREE Entry


Melbourne For Kids
Twilight Jazz, held at the Northcote YMCA's Aquatic Recreation Centre, is a chance to spend a great evening out for the whole family where you can set up a picnic, enjoy the heated pool, plenty of games and entertainment with a love performance by The Band Who Knew Too Much.
When: Friday February 19


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