Newsletter #260 | What's On Melbourne Newsletter #260 | What's On Melbourne

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for Tuesday to Monday, December 27 to January 2, 2012.

This week... it's the lead up to the biggest shindig of the year, and also the last, with New Year's Eve on the horizon. As we bravely cross that threshold, going boldly where Aztecs wouldn't dare, there's still the odd tumbleweed that you'll find rolling past theatres and galleries. There's no such quiet for those with kids to entertain, however, so you'll find much ado across Melbourne with the School Holidays now in full swing.

With Christmas out of the way and recycling bins across Melbourne now offering a veritable rainbow of wrapping paper, we just have to get past that other weekend now that finds them full to the brim with empty bottles and cans (both your own and your neighbours).

We hope you all have a very safe, happy and wonderful New Year's people!

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 King and I, presented by PLOS Musical Productions, is one of the all-time musical marvels with the popular story of love found between an English widow and the King whose many children and wives she tutors brought to life with performances held at Frankston Arts Centre.
When: December 31 to January 8


OZACT's Romeo & Juliet, presented by one of Australia's leading outdoor Shakespeare companies, brings the beloved play about star-crossed lovers and feuding families to unique and spectacular locations from garden to seaside and mountains to mansions across Victoria.
Lorne: January 2 & 3 - 4pm
Olinda: January 7 & 8 - 6:30pm
Mornington Peninsula: January 14 & 15 - 3pm
Geelong: January 21 & 22 - 4pm


Shakespeare Under The Stars presents Glenn Elston's brilliantly funny new adaptation, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Behind The Scenes. Held in Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, the hilarious production showcases Shakespeare's best known scenes with a special comic twist.
When: December 20 to March 10 - Various Dates


Songs for Nobodies returns to Melbourne's Arts Centre with the hit show featuring songstress, Bernadette Robinson as she portrays five anonymous women whose brushes with fame had a profound effect on their lives, interleaved with the songs that gave them heart.
When: December 23 to January 29 - Various Dates


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


Classical, Choral & Recitals
New Year's Eve Philharmonic PHIREWORKS, held at the Arts Centre, celebrates the year's end with the magnificent 72 piece Australian Philharmonic Orchestra accompanied by some of Australia's most loved performers with Melinda Schneider, Lucy Maunder and other guests.
When: Friday & Saturday, December 30 & 31


View More Performances & Concerts


Entertainment & Nightlife
DR.RES, hailing all the way from Barcelona, Spain, will bring his characteristic Spanish style to Revolver Upstairs in Prahran. Exploring new territories in Techno, Dubstep and electronic music, his songs are full of atmospheres, deep melodies and hypnotic percussions.
When: Thursday December 29 - 8:30pm


Cosmology, held at Melbourne's Loop Project Space & Bar, presents an intimate and mid-tempo alternative to the music scene. With a strong emphasis on local producers and 12' vinyl, Cosmology explores the subversive side of deep house, disco, jazz, funk and soul with special guests.
When: Friday December 30 - 7.30pm to 9pm


The Church, performing as part of their "Future Past Perfect Tour", will appear at Melbourne's Forum Theatre. Celebrating the band's 30th Anniversary year and last year's induction into the ARIA Rock and Roll Hall OF Fame, they'll perform an album from each decade of their existence.
When: Friday December 30 - Doors Open 8pm


Sharks of Shipwreck Cove, presented at Melbourne Aquarium, features a full-scale replica of a shipwreck looming from the darkness of the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium, creating the awesome feeling of being submerged at bottom of the ocean surrounded by shark infested waters!
When: December 26 to January 31


Summer Holidays @ Melbourne Skydeck in Southbank gives kids the chance to see Melbourne from up high, while also enjoying a host of activities and learning fascinating facts. Kids can also receive a FREE activity book and pencils plus meet Deckstar, Melbourne Skydeck's mascot.
When: December 26 to January 15


Circus
Silvers Grand Magic Circus will be holding performances in Mornington and Nunawading. Established in 1976, the circus offers a great show for people of all ages with performers including everything from jugglers and clowns to acrobats, international performers and more.
Mornington: Dec 27 to Jan 22 - Various Dates


Stardust Circus, Australia's largest circus with animals, will be performing in Rosebud and Hastings during the holidays. The performance features lions, monkeys, Liberty horses and trick ponies, acrobats, Aerialists, the sensational flying trapeze, clowns and more for the whole family.
Rosebud: December 29 to January 15


Perry Bros Circus Australia's oldest circus, will be appearing in Moolap, offering quality entertainment to please the entire family. With wire walkers, Jugglers, Whip crackers, balancing acts and more the circus also features performing ponies and camels along with their very funny clowns.
When: December 26 to 31 - Moolap


Markets, Fetes and Fairs
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
New Year's Day Recovery Breakfast BBQ, held at Melbourne's Wharf Hotel, is a chance to sit back, relax and enjoy acoustic entertainment on the garden deck overlooking the Yarra. $15 gets you a BBQ bacon and egg roll along with a Bloody Mary to ease into the New Year.
When: Sunday January 1 - Midday Onwards


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
Cricket
Boxing Day Test, the biggest event on Australia's cricketing calendar begins this week when the Boxing Day Test match sees Australia takes on India.
Australia vs India
December 26 to December 30
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)


Horse Racing
Friday Twilight Racing at Cranbourne Turf Club boasts superb member and public facilities for a great night out at the races.
Next Race Date
Friday December 30
Gates Open 1pm


Racing at the Rock, presented by Kyneton & Hanging Rock Racing Club, offers a unique experience in a tradition that's been held now for over 125 years. With Hanging Rock Races held just twice a year on New Year's Day and Australia Day, it's an event not to be missed.
When: Sunday January 1


New Year's Day Raceday @ Flemington offers a great way to see in the New Year with all the excitement of world-class racing on the day along with free activities for children with outdoor games, face painting and crafts. Free pony rides will also take place on the public lawn.
When: Monday January 2 - 12pm to 6pm


Cycling
Jayco Bay Cycling Classic, the world's fastest criterium series, celebrates its 23rd birthday with this year's four day event again presenting a world class field, starting on the exciting Ritchie Boulevard hot-dog circuit in Geelong and ending with the grand finale in Williamstown.
When: January 1 to 4


7 Peaks Alpine Ascent Challenge is a chance for riders of all levels to take on the peaks of Victoria's High Country to win a trip to next year's Tour de France. With climbs in Mt Baw Baw, Dinner Plain and other areas, riding four of the seven courses puts you in the running.
When: Until March 31


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!


Never Look A Guest Horse In The Mouth...
When the Olympics were first held in Australia, hosted by Melbourne in 1956, there were several world firsts that occurred that year and entered Olympic History. One of the more peculiar of these was that for the first time in the Games' hundred year existence, the unity of time and place, which is stipulated by the Olympic Charter, could not been observed.

Due to quarantine issues that caused problems with horses entering Australia, the Equestrian sports of that year's Olympics saw the Games take place in two different cities (Stockholm and Melbourne), in two different countries (Sweden and Australia), on two different continents (Europe and Oceania) and also in two different seasons (June and November).

Read more about Melbourne's 1956 Olympics | Read Melbourne Trivia...


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