Newsletter | #256 | What's On this Week Newsletter | #256 | What's On this Week

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for Tuesday to Monday, November 29 to December 5.

This week... things are looking rather saucy on the movie front with the return of the Sexy International Film Festival. Cinephiles can also enjoy the return of another long-standing favourite with the Japanese Film Festival.

There's also a great deal of tinsel about town as Christmas festivities get well under way with Federation Square hosting Spirit of the Square with light displays, music and more, while just a stone's throw away you'll find Melbourne's City Square occupied by our fair city's Christmas Tree.

Far from Melbourne and the pre-emptive jingling of bells, Ballarat will be celebrating the 157th anniversary of the Eureka Stockade Rebellion, an event that was key to the formation of Australian Democracy.

Normally there'd be much more fanfare with a day of celebrations and music held at Ballarat's Eureka Centre and Stockade Gardens. However, with the centre currently undergoing a much-deserved redevelopment, the main drawcards are special dinners, a 12-hour tour and a day at the track which the kids probably won't be into.

Granted, there's the odd event for the school children local to Ballarat, but given the significance of the event to our history, you'd think there'd be much more fanfare that would create an interest for the younger community. Lord knows they drag out the bells and whistles for any other festival of cultural significance.

And please, don't take this as me proudly raising a meat pie aloft and belittling the proverbial melting pot of festivals that we have. Both my feet very much veer to the left, and that has nothing to do with my dubious dancing prowess.

Not that that counts for much these days when there's little black and white between the big guns. It's mostly just grey with a hint of green amidst the point-scoring and playground politics.

Duh! I don't make monkeys, I just vote for them...

'Scuse the rant.



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

The Wiggles Big Birthday in the Big Tent, taking place at Flemington Racecourse, celebrates 20 years of The Wiggles with the best live show yet from Australia's favourite children's performers with songs and some fabulous new tunes that will have children dancing in the aisles.
When: Thursday to Sunday, December 1 to 4



Christmas Guides & Events
Spirit of the Square presents fabulous Christmas activities for the whole family at Federation Square. Mixing much-loved Christmas traditions with contemporary and cheeky surprises, attractions include live music, over 100 animal stencils, light displays and a giant wishing penguin.
When: December 1 to 30


Creators by Candlelight, presented by Asha India, is a fundraiser involving inspiring spoken word, music, and dance performances. Held at Northcote Uniting Church Hall, there'll also be Christmas gift stalls, raffle prizes, and an art auction with pieces by local artists and local Indian children.
When: Friday December 2 - Doors Open 7pm


Kriskindl Festival, formed to help children find gifts for their parents, sees Canterbury's historic shopping village Maling Road host a vibrant range of attractions that includes free gift making activities for kids, live music, fun rides, Christmas showbags, an animal nursery and more.
When: Friday December 2 - 5pm to 9pm


Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar celebrates Christmas in a very uniquely Scandinavian style at at Toorak's Swedish Church. The free event features gift stalls with items from Sweden, Denmark and Norway, craft displays, Scandinavian foods, children's activities, music and more.
When: Saturday & Sunday, December 3 & 4


Melbourne's BEST Christmas Lights, our guide to the best Christmas Lights in town has now been running for 11 years. With our popular site, Christmas Lights Melbourne, you can also list your own lights or any others you know of in your area for FREE!!
Visit Christmas Lights Melbourne


Christmas Carols Guide - With Christmas approaching, you'll find many events across Victoria that include not only the traditional Carols by Candlelight, but also plenty of fun and attractions for the children before the big sing-a-long, with most Carol events free to attend.
View OnlyMelbourne's Christmas Carols Guide


Major Events
Beaumaris Concourse Twilight Carnival will provide the Bayside Community with an opportunity to rediscover The Concourse and to reconnect the traders, locals, community groups and visitors who'll experience wonderful shopping, live entertainment, children's activities and eateries.
When: Friday December 2 - 5pm to 8pm


Fair@Square, held at Federation Square, is a free Fair Trade and Ethical Festival with displays from ethically minded businesses and services for people of all ages. The festival includes cultural and educational activities along with fashion, music, workshops and kids' activities.
When: Friday to Sunday, December 2 to 4


Seafarers Multicultural Festival showcases the best of Lakes Entrance with this year's Ambassador Stefano de Pieri demonstrating some of his delectable dishes on the Foreshore with other highlights including a Multicultural Parade, Koorie Art displays, live entertainment and more.
When: Friday to Sunday, December 2 to 4


High Tide Festival, held in Torquay, is a cultural and arts event celebrating the environment and diverse community of the popular coastal town. With a theme selected each year, this year the festival features a program of attractions reflecting the theme of 'Awakening the Senses'.
When: Saturday & Sunday, December 3 & 4


Kilmore Show offers a diverse range of events and activities for the whole family with traditional dog, horse and home-craft competitions. Celebrating its 149th year, the event at Kilmore Racetrack features children's performances, art workshops, rides, stalls and much more.
When: Saturday December 3 - 9:30am to 4pm


Eureka Festival commemorates the anniversary of the 1854 Eureka Rebellion with a fun festival for the whole family. With the Eureka Centre and Stockade Gardens in Ballarat closed for redevelopment, there are a range of special talks, tours and dinners available.
When: Until December 4


Music & Arts Festivals
Stereosonic returns to Melbourne Showgrounds with an impressive line-up showcasing the best of electronic music. Now in its 5th year, headline acts this year include Armin Van Buuren, Carl Cox, LMFAO, Empire of the Sun and Afrojack in the biggest line-up yet.
When: Saturday December 3


Film Festivals
Japanese Film Festival, held at Melbourne's ACMI Cinema and Hoyts Melbourne Central, offers an exciting program that celebrates the best of Japanese cinema with events that include panel discussions with special guests and over 30 Australian premieres in the program.
When: November 29 to December 6


Sexy International Film Festival showcases films from across the globe with themes that include love, relationships and sexuality. Held at St Kilda Memo, the festival features short films, full-length dramas and much more with cheeky burlesque performed at the Opening Night.
When: Sunday & Monday, December 4 & 5


Exhibitions - Art | Festival | Show
Visions, held at Malvern Artist Society Gallery, is an exhibition by Ulrich Stalph, a highly respected artist with an established following and winner of numerous prestigious. Showcasing his most recent works, featured pieces are primarily focused on pastels and charcoal drawings.
When: November 30 to December 14
Official Opening: Wednesday November 30 - 5pm to 8pm


Colour Study, held at Prahran's one hundredth gallery, is an exhibition of works by Tony Edelman, an artist who uses colour and abstraction to capture many elements around him, and Tina Alesi, whose works are a vibrant exploration of the use of colours and where it takes her.
When: November 30 to December 18 - Wed to Sun
Opening Night: Thursday December 1 - 6:30pm


Under Standing Loss, showing at fortyfivedownstairs, is a series of works by New Zealand artist, Michael Hewson. Reflecting his personal experience of the Christchurch earthquake, the works display turbulent emotional landscapes that also hold a measure of resilience.
When: November 29 to December 10 - Tues to Sat


Pre-Fab, held at Hawthorn's Town Hall Gallery, highlights creative processes that re-purpose manufactured and mass-produced objects into works of contemporary art with the exhibition featuring novel works by Rosi Griffin, Margot Westhorpe, Carly Fischer and others.
When: Until December 17 - Wednesdays to Saturdays


Pattern Spill, one of two exhibitions held at Karen Woodbury Gallery in Richmond, features a range of small-scale objects created by Lionel Bawden, whose works use vibrantly coloured pencils that are fused together and then sculpted to form shapes that convey movement and flux.
When: Until December 17 - Wedensdays to Saturdays


Made in Hollywood, presented by Bendigo Art Gallery, is an exhibition of photographs drawn from the archive of the John Kobal Foundation, the legacy of the film historian and collector. Over 90 images capture portraits of Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Clark Gable and other greats.
When: December 3 to February 12


View More Exhibitions


Expos, Launches, Open Days & Lectures
Pottery Expo, appearing at the Atrium of Federation Square, is an annual showcase of unique works with high quality and innovative ceramics by Australian studio artists. The exhibition is also a chance to meet not only local potters but those from all across Victoria.
When: Sunday December 4 - 10am to 5:30pm


Victoria Park Community Celebration marks the re-opening of the venue as a major community recreation space with a day of entertainment that includes displays of football memorabilia, Aboriginal Traditional Games, a Mass Umpire Dance, choir performance, stalls and more.
When: Sunday December 4 - 1pm to 5pm


Laurimar Calisthenics Open Day takes place outside Laurimar Town Centre in Doreen where you can meet the coaches of Laurimar Calisthenics College, and learn about available classes. During the day there'll be Calisthenics on display, balloons and giveaways for kids.
When: Saturday December 3 - 11am to 3pm


More Expos & Launches | More Open Days | Talk To Me In Two Suites, held at Revolt ArtSpace in Kensington, is a presentation of works by graduates of Verve Studios' Professional Actor Studio. Suite One follows two girls and their travel to Paris, while Suite Two explores a meeting between a boy and girl in a coffee shop.
When: November 25 to December 3


The Story of Mary MacLane by Herself tells the shocking confessional of a 19-year old girl who refused to succumb to the corset-bound prudery of her age. Performed at South Bank's Malthouse Theatre, it stars Andrew Baylor, Bojana Novakovic, Tim Rogers and Dan Witton.
When: November 25 to December 11


Of Mice and Men, based on John Steinbeck's 1937 novella, features award-winning tenor Anthony Dean Griffey in the signature role of Lennie, companion to George as the pair work as migrant farmhands during the Great Depression with their only home a communal bunkhouse.
When: November 30 and December 3 & 10


Through the Looking Glass, presented by the Childrens Performing Company of Australia and the Young Australian Broadway Chorus, showcases the skills of students from the most dynamic musical theatre course for 8 -18 year olds in Australia. It's held at St Kilda's National Theatre.
When: November 23 to December 4 - Various Dates


One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, performed at Prahran's Chapel Off Chapel, brings to stage the exuberant, boisterous and devastatingly honest portrayal of the boundaries between sanity and madness. The sharp and whimsical production is presented by Human Sacrifice Theatre.
When: November 24 to December 11


Grey Gardens - The Musical, held at the Arts Centre, tells the story of Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter, 'Little' Edie, eccentric relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The play spans the two eras of when their mansion was at its prime and when later reduced to squalor.
When: November 24 to December 4


Musical Works - Double Bill features two new musicals, developed and presented by St Kilda's Theatre Works under the artistic mentorship of Aaron Joyner. The two productions "Housewarming: A New Musical"and "Give My Regards to Broady"feature some of the hottest new talent.
When: November 28 to December 10


Day One. A Hotel, Evening, performed at St Kilda's Red Stitch Actors Theatre, is a startling and observant examination of contemporary values. It's written by Joanna Murray-Smith, a Melbourne based playwright revered for her fearless portrayals of the global middle class.
When: November 16 to December 17


Under Milk Wood, presented by Heidelberg Theatre Company in Rosanna, brings to the stage what was originally a radio play by the iconic writer, Dylan Thomas. The darkly hilarious yet poignant production follows the characters of a tiny Welsh seaside village called Llareggub.
When: November 17 to December 3


Jigsaws, presented by The Basin Theatre near Boronia, is the heart warming Australian drama by Jennifer Rogers. Directed by Joe Tuppenney, the play set in Perth in the 1980s charts the course of three generations as they come to terms with changing circumstances and attitudes.
When: November 10 to December 4


The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde's most enduring play, will be performed by Southbank's Melbourne Theatre Company. Regarded as one of the greatest comedies ever written, the tale of mistaken identities and stars the talented Geoffrey Rush as Lady Bracknell.
When: November 12 to December 30


Return to Earth, presented by Melbourne Theatre Company, is a quirky production from award-winning playwright Lally Katz. Following the story of Alice, a girl who returns home to find that nothing seems as familiar as it should, performances are held at the Arts Centre's Fairfax Studio.
When: November 4 to December 17


Love Never Dies brings the phenomenal musical hit to Melbourne with performances at the Regent Theatre. Continuing Andrew Lloyd Webber's greatest love story, The Phantom of the Opera, the musical follows on ten years after the Phantom's disappearance and his new life in New York.
When: Until December 17 | Book Now


Classical, Choral & Recitals
Don Giovanni, presented by Opera Australia, brings one of the world's most performed operas to life at the Arts Centre. The classic opera by Mozart and Da Ponte tells the story of a charismatic womaniser whose unrelenting ways begin to catch up with him from beyond the grave.
When: December 2 to 17 - Various Dates


Christmas Concertos, performed by The Melbourne Musicians in Southbank, sees the impressive orchestra joined by Geoff and Julie Payne on trumpet. Directed by Frank Pam, the program includes popular baroque Christmas Concertos by Corelli, Manfredini, Torelli and others.
When: Wednesday November 30 - 8pm


Awakenings, presented by the vocal ensemble, Choristry, greets the Advent season with a choral program celebrating the ability of masterful music to awaken both hearts and minds. Featuring JS Bach's Cantata No. 140 "Wachet Auf", it's held at St John's Southgate in Southbank.
When: Friday December 2 - 7:30pm


Musical Journey Fundraiser, held at St Paul's Church in Kyneton, is a performance of three of Bach's Suites for Solo Cello by Zoe Knighton from Flinders Quartet. All proceeds go to aiding Jacob's Well in supplying clean drinking water and education for children from tribal villages in India.
When: Saturday December 3 - 3pm


Magnolia Square, a boutique fair with women's and children's attire, homewares, jewellery and more, will be holding their popular fair at Malvern Town Hall where you'll find work from some of Melbourne's talented designers with a wide variety of unique and charming crafts.
When: Thursday to Saturday, December 1 to 3


View More School & Community Events


Melbourne Market Guide
View MARKETS calendar 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 for a bargain!

A growing number of food, produce and even wine markets are springing up around the suburbs.

Fetes Fairs & Shows
Art & Craft Markets
Food & Produce Markets
Swap Meets
Garage Sales


Wining & Dining
Bush Food Platters, held at Peppermint Ridge Farm located in Tynong North, offers a unique food using Lemon and Anise Myrtle, Warrigal Greens Pesto and native mints drawn from their organic bush food garden which showcases active sustainability practices.
When: Sunday December 4 - Bookings Required


bookarestaurant.com
bookarestaurant.com is the easiest way to book a restaurant online. With the choice to search by cuisine and location, you can find great dining offers with some of Melbourne's finest restaurants. Bookings are free and can be made online at any time of the day.
Book a Restaurant Today


Sporting Events
Golf
Golf Australia, the national sporting organisation overseeing golf in Australia, presents many events through the year, ranging from grassroots to elite levels.
Men's & Women's Dunes Medal
November 29 to December 2 - Dunes Links GC, Rye


Horse Racing
Yarra Valley Racing, located at Yarra Glen, offers the finest in exciting racing entertainment along with great venues with regional food and wine.
Harness Racing Dates:
SEW Eurodrive Yarra Valley Pacing Cup
Friday December 2


Community Sports
AV Shield - Round 7, held at various venues and presented by the peak athletic body in the state, Athletics Victoria, is part of their wide range of events held to encourage, improve and promote a wide range of sports for all of their active members.
When: Saturday December 3 - Various Venues


Albert parkrun is a FREE weekly 5km event for runners of all standards, which takes place every week in Albert Park, offers an opportunity for people of all backgrounds and ages to come together on a regular basis to enjoy this beautiful park and get physically active into the bargain.
When: Saturdays, 8am - FREE but Registration Required


XOSIZE Tri Series is one of Victoria's premier triathlon series that also raises funds for charity with exciting Summer events for all ages and abilities held in stunning bay side locations.
Race 2 - Held in Mordialloc
Sunday December 4


Come & Try Rowing - The Y Rowing Centre, located in Albert Park Lake, invites you to try your hand at rowing. Held on the first Sunday of each month, the Come & Try Rowing sessions are open to participants of all ages. Just turn up and have fun!
When: Sunday December 4


View More Sports Events


Let Melbourne Know...
Advertise Your School Fete, Fair or Carnival FREE!
Everyone wants to support their local school by going to their annual fundraiser. Last year we promoted a whopping 1,200 school events. So, make sure you let your school organizers know they can list their fete, fair or carnival for FREE @ OnlyMelbourne!
Add Your Event for FREE Today!!


Trivia & Humour
Shaggy Dog


Shaggy Dog by Deej - Click Here to find what happens!


Is That An Overturned Tram In Your Pocket..?
When Victorian Police went on strike in 1923, many of the volunteer "Special Constables"who were appointed to maintain order during the riots which took place had ironically been involved in an earlier riot of 1919 when they had invaded the offices of the Victorian Premier, using an inkstand to assault the very same man who would later appoint them as officers of the law, clearly under duress.

Looting and rioting was so severe that trams were even overturned, and while much of the chaos and theft was attributed by many of Australia's newspapers to Melbourne's criminal element, with Squizzy Taylor bearing a lot of that brunt, court records would later show that most offenders who were apprehended during the riots were in fact young men and boys who had no previous histories of crime.

More about the 1923 Police Strike | Read Melbourne Trivia...


WHAT'S ON CALENDAR
OnlyMelbourne's Calendar allows you to select any day of the year to view everything (everything!!!) on that day in an easy to read, printa

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