Newsletter | #240 | What's On this Week Newsletter | #240 | What's On this Week

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for Tuesday to Monday, August 9 to 15, 2011.

This week... School's in session with the return of National Science Week offering a fantastic program of events and entertainment for aspiring boffins. It's something that might also cater to musical tinkerers taking part in the Handmade Music Festival, a showcase of innovative musicians who've created their own instruments using no end of odds and bods. There's also a shindig this week at Federation Square to give kudos to Cadel Evans, that chap who made us all proud and pardoned the French with his magnificent cycling skills.

Foodies are in for a tasty treat with the Chocolate Rush Festival putting on a bigger spread this year at their new venue in Docklands, and those of a more practical nature can take in one of the many events held as part of the Victoria's Small Business Festival.

Speaking of business, and sticky-beaks who'd like to get into yours, the Australian Bureau of Statistics would like to know how you're all doing because it's been quite a while since they enquired. Five years in fact.

Whether that's a failing on our parts or a glitch with Facebook notifications, who knows. It's best not to play the blame game and point fingers. Not that you could convince the plentiful objectors who seem to be all over Facebook crying foul over everything from religious titles to invasions of privacy.

If you're a fan of irony, press the 'Like' button.



Major Events
National Science Week raises awareness of science and education with a series of fun, unique and quirky displays and events held at various venues throughout Victoria and Melbourne including Scienceworks and Melbourne Museum with competitions, exhibits and more.
When: August 13 to 21


Victoria's Small Business Festival, with this year's theme of 'Add One More Skill', holds a great range of events that highlight the benefits of practical knowledge and skills with seminars, workshops, exhibitions and more held at various venues in Victoria and Melbourne.
When: Held throughout August


Cadel Evans, winner of this year's Tour de France and the first rider from the Southern Hemisphere to do so, will be welcomed back to Melbourne with the public invited to celebrate by wearing yellow on the day when he travels St Kilda Road to be greeted at Federation Square.
When: Friday August 12 - Midday


Music & Arts Festivals
Handmade Music Festival (Hmm...) takes place at various venues in Melbourne with a program that celebrates the art of handmade contemporary instrument building and design. Along with performances and installations, the festival features talks and skill sharing workshops.
When: August 9 to 28


Melbourne School Bands Festival, held at Clayton's Monash University, sees school bands from Melbourne, Victoria and interstate gather to take part in tutorials and also bring performances to the stage, allowing the public to enjoy music from tomorrow's musicians today.
When: August 14 to 27


Beethoven Festival offers a rare musical experience with a program of all nine Beethoven symphonies performed by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Douglas Boyd at Melbourne Town Hall. The festival also features talks, workshops and special free events.
When: August 6 to 22


Food & Wine Festivals
Chocolate Rush Festival, held in Docklands, offers a deliciously extensive program with workshops for both adults and children, industry competitions, a chocolate market and even a lively debate along with the new addition of Open Channel's Choc Fest Films.
When: Saturday & Sunday, August 13 & 14


OnlyMelbourne Welcomes
Each week we highlight some of the new business and event listings in the OnlyMelbourne Events Calendar and Business and Services directory.

Brewtopia can provide a unique by allowing you to easily design your own labels for a range of gifts including their award winning lager, wines, specially blended coffees and even bottled water, making it a great way to personalise gifts for this year's Father's Day.
Learn More about Brewtopia


Reminder Notice
Australian Census 2011 - The 16th Australian Census of Population and Housing will take place on the night of Tuesday 9th August when all Australians are requested to help the Australian Bureau of Statistics gather information for that reflects who we are as a society.
Australian Census Night: Tuesday August 9


Exhibitions - Art | Festival | Show
Opus Artist Book Exhibition, held at Artisan Books in Fitzroy, is an annual presentation of artist made books with this year's theme of 'Opus' having inspired a diverse range of works by talented book artists from across Australia, as well as a selection of international artists.
When: August 13 to September 3


Smoke, held at Footscray Community Arts Centre, is an exhibition by photographer and dancer, Jack Sheppard. His recent works explore the notion of ceremony and the meaning that smoke carries across cultures, particularly Indigenous Australian and African.
When: Until October 1 - Wednesdays to Saturdays


From Russia With Love is a winter inspired exhibition showcasing never before seen colour and black and white works by renowned Melbourne photographer Matt Irwin, held at his own gallery, located on Scott Alley nestled in amongst Melbourne's famous bustling lane ways.
When: August 11 to 26


Yael Bartana, an Israeli artist who represented Poland in the 2011 Venice Biennale, will be featured at Southbank's Australian Centre for Contemporary Art with an exhibition of video work that includes Zamach, which explores the possibility of a Jewish renaissance in Poland.
When: August 9 to September 25 - Closed Mondays


Representation, held at Carlton's Steps Gallery, is an exhibition of drawings and paintings by Mixed Pallet, a dynamic group that was formed twelve years ago with the belief that the ultimate proof of validity of any painting style lies in society's response to such paintings.
When: Until August 21 - Closed Mondays


Wendy Sharpe, whose evocative paintings uniquely capture the female form, will be holding an exhibition that's been two years in the making at MARS Gallery in Port Melbourne. Redefining the convention of the artist model, her works present a private and intimate world.
When: Until August 21 - Closed Mondays


Cafe Scheherazade is an exhibition of drawings made in the 1980's by Susan Stamp. Held at fortyfivedownstairs in Flinders Lane, the exhibition is held there during the run of the theatrical hit that captures the charm of the iconic cafe that became part of St Kilda's history.
When: August 9 to September 10 - Tuesdays to Saturdays


Detours Through Abstraction, held at Northcote's Arts Project Australia Gallery, features works by artists such as Tony Garifalakis, who engage with aspects of abstraction, while also finding root in disciplines as landscape painters, storytellers, image makers and realists.
When: Until September 7 - Mondays to Saturdays


FELTernative, held at Hawthorn's Town Hall Gallery, is an exhibition of works by Victorian felt makers. The exhibition reveals the varied and imaginative potential of traditional handmade felt as both fine art and a modern craft medium, which is becoming increasingly popular.
When: Until August 27 - Wednesdays to Saturdays


No Immunity, showing at Richmond's Karen Woodbury Gallery, is an exhibition of works by McLean Edwards, one of Australia's most influential figurative painters. An Archibald Prize finalist in 2007, 2006 and 2004, the exhibition includes a suite of 16 portraits of friends.
When: Until August 27


View More Exhibitions


Expos, Launches, Open Days & Lectures
Deakin University Open Days offer the chance to learn all you need about becoming a Deakin student. With plenty of information about Deakin's extensive range of courses, scholarships, accommodation and more, attendees even have a chance to win an iPad.
Warrnambool Campus: Sunday August 14
Geelong Campus: Sunday August 21
Burwood Campus: Sunday August 28


Spa and Pool Show, held at Melbourne Exhibition Centre, showcases displays from the widest range of leading pool and spa manufacturers. The event also features advice and products for landscaping, outdoor living and the latest in water and energy saving technologies.
When: Saturday & Sunday, August 13 & 14


Canada, Alaska & USA Travel Expo offers a great chance to take advantage of the current strong Australian dollar and lock in exclusive deals and packages for holidays in North America, showcased at Melbourne Exhibition Centre along with travel experts on hand for advice.
When: Sunday August 14 - 10am to 5pm


Getting Married Melbourne will present a special exhibit taking place in Port Melbourne, bringing together some of Melbourne's finest wedding industry suppliers under one roof with the event offering show bags, entertainment, a fashion show, discounts, freebies and more.
When: Sunday August 14 - 11am to 2pm


Castlemaine Health & Wellbeing Expo, Country Victoria's largest, longest running alternative health, offers an inspirational and holistic weekend. Held at Castlemaine Town Hall, the event features workshops and sessions in meditation, Dream Analysis and much more.
When: Saturday & Sunday, August 13 & 14


Victoria's New Age Healing & Psychic Expo, appearing in Geelong, showcases a wide range of stalls offering jewellery, incense, salt lamps, crystals and more. Visitors to the expo will also be able to have a personal psychic reading with experienced mediums, clairvoyants and tarot readers.
When: Saturday & Sunday, August 13 & 14


Melbourne Tours
Melbourne's Underbelly Crime Tour lets you discover the darker side of Melbourne as you walk in the footsteps of notorious criminals, exploring the scenes of some of the city's most infamous criminal events. The tour also includes 50% discount on entry to the Old Melbourne Gaol.
More on Melbourne's Underbelly Crime Tour


More Expos & Launches | More Open Days | The Idea Of North will be appearing at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran for two performances only where the a cappella group, renowned for their slick arrangements that blend jazz, soul, gospel and even cheeky wit, will celebrate the launch of their latest album.
When: Saturday August 13 - 3pm & 8pm


Cosmo Cosmolino, Melbourne's exquisite string and piano accordion quintet, will be touring Melbourne and Victoria with performances held to celebrate the release of their new album, Bel Air with original songs and instrumentals inspired by gypsy and tango traditions.
When: August 4 to September 3 - Various Dates & Venues


Burlesque, Cabaret & Dance
I left my shoes on warm concrete & stood in the rain, performed by Gabrielle Nankivell¡ in North Melbourne, combines her intricate choreography with writing to create a visual poem of how the enchanting qualities of a broken world can still inspire the heart to survive.
When: Thursday to Saturday, August 11 to 13


The Earth, The Sea and The Moon, held at Albert Park's Gasworks Theatre, is the premiere of Daniel Ryan's and Alfie Scalia's novel tale of Moon, a man who creates an alter ego to gain the confidence to win a woman's love, only to find that the alter ego plans to foil his every attempt.
When: Friday & Saturday, August 12 & 13


The Swinging 60's recaptures the charm of the 1960's with Wendy Stapleton returning to the Whitehorse Centre in Nunawading with her show that showcases all the hits from icons such as Cilla Black, Petula Clark, Dianna Ross, Dusty Springfield, Lulu and other sixties sirens.
When: Wednesday August 10 - 11am


South Side Show explodes onstage with death defying aerial performances at Red Bennies in South Yarra, while stunning acts of acrobatics, juggling and clowning roam across the stage and around the entire venue, unique for its high ceiling, making it perfect for such thrills.
When: Wednesday August 10 - 7pm to Late


The Burlesque Hour Loves Melbourne, presented at fortyfivedownstairs in Flinders Lane, features a different Melbourne icon every week with the global smash hit that has set critics raving around the world returning to Melbourne at last with big names that include Rhonda Burchmore.
When: Until August 14, Thursdays to Sundays
Rhonda Burchmore: August 11 to 14


View More Performances & Concerts


Entertainment & Nightlife
Sonya Veronica will be appearing at Alliance Française in St Kilda where she'll be joined by Mark Fitzgibbon, Howard Cairns and Raj Jayaweera as she performs stirring jazz and chanson française, including the emotional French ballad Avec Le Temps by Leo Ferre.
When: Thursday August 11 - 8pm
Richmond Performance: 
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