Newsletter | #276 | What's On this Week Newsletter | #276 | What's On this Week

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for Tuesday to Monday, April 17 to 23, 2012.

This week... it's a mixed bag of events with the overwhelming barrage of comedy winding down to a close, making room for the thespians and musos to once again tread the boards, or pavement as is the case with the return of St Kilda Busking Festival. Those happy to take the weight off their own feet and plonk their derrieres on some coastal ground, might want to attend the Apollo Bay Music Festival.

Cinephiles can rejoice with the return of two major film festivals. There's the Audi Festival of German Films with yet another program of films and special guests, while Bendigo again plays host to their annual Queer Film Festival and art exhibition.

Also on the arty side of things, there's the PAVE Festival in Emerald with a program of arts, theatre and music leading up to a family friendly soiree with the Emerald FunFest. There's also the Mulgrave Fun Day for anyone with kids that were supposedly deprived over the holidays, which have now thankfully ended.

Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have quality time with the kidlets, but it's the quality time they themselves have with the home internet that's proved literally draining. Don't go thinking that my holidays were plagued with desktop potatoes - it was far from the case. It was more or less also playing host to nieces, nephews, teenagers with their own laptops, etc.

Somehow across the holidays the accumulative and ever-growing number of sneaky web-urchins managed to churn through a whopping 200 gigabytes, something only made clear to me last night when my bandwidth was abruptly capped... and right on the night before it would reset, too, ironically.

In short, that side of the holidays has left me with a sour taste and feeling like Pacino in The Godfather III...

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!

Albeit very slowly at 256 kilobytes per second.



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Bring Back the ShowGirl, appearing at Thornbury Theatre, presents a living fantasy of Showgirl style and Burlesque beauty all rolled into one fabulous show that features award winning Australian performers, stunning back‐up dancers, big props and bold costumed glamour.
When: Friday May 11 - Bookings Advised


Major Events
Mulgrave Fun Day, held at Wellington Reserve, offers a great day of entertainment for families with guests such as celebrity gardener Vasili, Paul Jamieson and Bongo the Cheeky Monkey, The Mudcakes, a recycled arts workshop, display stalls and much more.
When: Saturday April 21 - 11am to 3pm


Amazing Stories: Innovation & Invention, the theme of this year's National Trust Heritage Festival, offers a vibrant and diverse celebration of Victoria's rich history, be it natural, cultural or indigenous. With special events held throughout Victoria, the program features over 160 events.
When: April 21 to May 20


Melbourne International Comedy Festival [last week] presents some of the best and newest entertainers drawn from Australia and overseas. With shows for people of all ages held at various venues in Melbourne, the festival offers comedy, circus, burlesque theatre and more.
When: March 28 to April 22


Music & Arts Festivals
PAVE Festival, held each year in the township of Emerald in the scenic Dandenong Ranges, offers a great program that celebrates music and arts with free and low priced events for people of all ages with concerts, art exhibitions, live theatre, a battle of the bands and much more.
When: Until Sunday April 22
Also See: Emerald FunFest - Sunday April 22


Apollo Bay Music Festival, one of the most celebrated music events in Victoria, features a diverse mix of music with guests that include The Bearded Gypsy Band, Grey Ghost, The Melbourne Ska Orchestra and others in a program that also features markets, workshops and more.
When: Friday to Sunday, April 20 to 22


Supafest returns to Melbourne Showgrounds, delivering music by some of the most exciting and leading performers in the Urban Music world today. The star-packed line-up features performers that include Chris Brown, Missy Elliot, P. Diddy, Kelly Rowland, Lupe Fiasco and Rick Ross.
When: Saturday April 21


St Kilda Busking Festival celebrates and showcases colourful entertainment from Melbourne's best hidden artists. With fun performances held on Sundays from 1pm to 4pm, the free entertainment offers a colourful, bizarre and often hilarious afternoon for the whole family.
Fitzroy Street: Sunday April 22
St Kilda Sea Baths: Sundays April 29 & May 6
St Kilda Village: Sundays May 13 & May 20


Film Festivals
Bendigo Queer Film Festival showcases quality Australian and International short and feature length films, celebrating the male and female gay community. With a range of special screenings, the festival also includes a queercentric art exhibition at La Trobe Visual arts Centre.
When: Friday to Sunday, April 20 to 22


Audi Festival of German Films presents an eclectic mix of German films screening at Melbourne's Kino Cinemas and Palace Cinema Como in South Yarra. This year's festival features an exciting program that includes guests, Leander Haußmann, Hendrik Handloegten and Alice Gruia.
When: April 19 to 30


Art Exhibitions
Viewpoints, held at Steps Gallery in Carlton, brings together the works of four award-winning Melbourne artists. Featuring works by Carolyn Roberts, Jill Symes, Jennifer Fletcher and Chris Rowe, the artists use different methods and themes to express their thoughts on contemporary life.
When: April 20 to 29


Men Undressed, showing at the Centre for Contemporary Photography in Fitzroy, is an exhibition of works by Mark Beehre. An exploration of the naked portrait, the exhibition features men of various ages and from different walks of life, allowing themselves to be seen for who they are.
When: Until May 27 - Wednesdays to Sundays


In search of the picturesque, held exclusively at Geelong Gallery, brings together paintings, decorative arts and works on paper from collections around Australia to explore the subject of the picturesque ruin through works by Claude Lorrain, Salvator Rosa, Bernardo Bellotto and others.
When: April 21 to June 24


Fire, presented by Photonet Gallery & Fine Art Printing in Fairfield, is a visually exciting group show and part of the Four Elements series. Featuring works from established and emerging photographic artists from throughout Victoria, the exhibition is also held to raise funds for the CFA.
When: Until May 5


Bellowing Echoes, presented by Gertrude Contemporary in Fitzroy, explores the stories left behind, the truths untold, and exposes our immortal need for connection to place and community by having leading artists draw upon a local 1838 narrative of immersive installation.
When: April 19 to May 27 - Tuesdays to Saturdays


Only From The Heart Can You Touch The Sky, held at Melbourne's RMIT Gallery, is an exhibition of contemporary works that focus on the fusion of art and poetry, drawing its title from a from a poem by Jalal al-Din Rumi, the celebrated 13th-century Persian Muslim poet and Sufi Mystic.
When: April 12 to June 9


It's Never Too Late to Mend, held at Incinerator Gallery in Moonee Ponds, is an exhibition of works by Rayna Fahey. Best known for reclaiming ugly industrial settings and giving them new life through conscious craft love, her works have been exhibited both here and abroad.
When: April 13 to May 13
Documentary Screening: Thursday April 19 - 7.30pm


Pure Genius Exhibition, held at Brunswick Street Gallery in Fitzroy, showcases the finest work by entrants into Genius Printing's annual art competition, held to promote emerging Australian photographers and digital artists. All images featured will be available for sale.
When: April 13 to 26


Hybrid Geology, showing at Melbourne's Pieces of Eight Gallery, is a new exhibition of Kate Rohde's resin jewellery. The creative installation, reminiscent of a psychedelic crystal cave, is inspired by her interest in merging elements of natural history across zoology, botany and geology.
When: April 11 to May 19


Fire Sticks, Red Wings, showing at the Barn Gallery of Montsalvat in Eltham, is an exhibition of works by Heather Umbagai. A highly-respected Elder and artist from the Kimberley region, her contemporary abstract paintings are inspired by Aboriginal stories and culture.
When: Until June 10


Graeme Base's The Jewel Fish of Karnak will be the subject of an exhibition at MARS Gallery in Port Melbourne. The exhibition includes 30 never-before-seen illustrations, inspired by the ancient Egyptian world, from the upcoming book by the highly acclaimed author and artist.
When: April 4 to May 5 - Closed Mondays


Wings Fins & Imaginings, showing at Stonehouse Gallery in Warrandyte, is an exhibition by ceramic artists Jan O'Neill and Anna Sewards and painter Sue Trevillian. The group show presents light hearted, imaginative depictions of creatures, mythical monsters and flying fantasies.
When: April 3 to 30


insiders, presented by Karen Woodbury Gallery in Richmond, is an exhibition of recent paintings by Melbourne born artist, Lara Merrett. With works represented in numerous collections throughout Australia, her colourful abstracts resonate with an almost organic life of their own.
When: April 4 to 28 - Wednesdays to Saturdays


View More Exhibitions


Expos, Launches, Open Days & Lectures
Malvern Doll Show showcases dolls from every decade of the 20th Century to the present. Held at Malvern Town Hall, there are also stalls with vintage, modern and reproduction dolls and bears, clothing and accessories, fabric, lace, bear and doll-making magazines and supplies.
When: Saturday & Sunday, April 21 & 22


New Age Healing & Psychic Expo, next appearing with an event held at Taylor's Lakes, showcases jewellery, incense, salt lamps, crystals and more. Visitors to the expo can also have a personal psychic reading with experienced mediums, clairvoyants and tarot readers.
When: Sunday April 22 - 10am to 5pm


Pet Shows
Metro Rabbit Fanciers Show, held in the community hall of Essendon West, caters to those interested in show rabbits or even those looking for a new pet. Free to attend, there are experienced breeders and exhibitors on hand along with products for sale and a pet show on the day.
When: Saturday April 21 - 11am to 3pm


Car Shows
4WD Muster, held at Lardner Park in Warragul, is a family-friendly event for the broad 4WD community. Raising funds for Variety and creating a World Record parade of 4WD Vehicles, the weekend event has camping available along with food, entertainment, exhibits and more.
When: Friday to Sunday, April 20 to 22


More Expos & Launches | More Open Days | The Plague Dances, presented by Four Larks, is a dance performance of death with a contagious undercurrent as dancing mania leaves a mysterious trail through history with entire communities infected with an urge to dance until they drop. It's held at Southbank's Malthouse Theatre.
When: April 14 to May 6 - Various Dates


Amazons: Cocktail Hour at the LuWow, Fitzroy's newest sensational venue, presents romping jungle hijinx, intrepid exploration and abandonment to mystic ritual as a troupe of wild Amazon teasers celebrate their latest victory in a show of bewitching comedy cabaret and burlesque.
When: Until April 22 - Thursdays to Sundays


Kelfi and Fikel, performing at The Butterfly Club in South Melbourne, are a quirky new musical comedy duo who sometimes go by the names of Fiona Della Ca and Kellie Higgins when they're not presenting original songs and sketches that are irreverent, crude and unapologetic.
When: Until April 21 - Thursdays to Saturdays


View More Performances & Concerts


Entertainment & Nightlife
Beccy Cole, a performer who's remained at the forefront of the country music scene for almost twenty years, will be appearing at the Commercial Hotel in South Morang. Revealing the exceptional songwriter that she is, she'll be performing as part of her Songs and Pictures Tour.
When: Thursday April 19 - 8pm


Leigh Sloggett, admired for his distinctive husk tinged vocals and compelling musicianship, will perform at the Berwick and District Folk Club at the Old Cheese Factory. With songs that are rich in story-telling, he'll be supported by Edward Nass with his own personal tales told in song.
When: Friday April 20 - 7:30pm


Phoebe Lindner Trio, formed to realise Lindner's original arrangements of jazz standards and compositions, sees the violinist and vocalist joined by guitarist Christian Meyer and Ben Christensen on double bass. They'll perform their fresh styles of jazz at Northcote's Wesley Anne.
When: Sunday April 22 - 8pm to 10:30pm


The Simon Wright Band, performers that never fail to excite when playing to small venues or large crowds on the music festival circuit, will be playing at Veludo Bar in St Kilda with an extended residency that will find the band playing two sets of great roots party tunes every week.
When: Until June - Sundays, 7pm


View More Live Gigs


Spoken (Angry) Word
Henry Rollins, the renowned spoken word artist, musician, actor and writer, will be appearing at St Kilda's National Theatre with extended shows announced for The Long March tour, sharing stories from the road less travelled and his penetrating observations of the world at large.
When: Wednesday to Saturday, April 18 to 21


Comedy & Magic
Life is Wunderbar, held at Melbourne's Bull and Bear Tavern, is the debut show of CJ Delling. German-born but now also 8.4% Australian having lived here seven years, her show explores the lighter side of life through a punctual and mathematically challenged rollercoaster ride.
When: Until Sunday April 22


Nonsensory Overload, held at St Kilda's Palais Theatre, brings to Australia Ross Noble's new show. Following last year's successful UK tour, Noble returns to spin forth the hilarious, absurd nonsense that's made him one of the best live comics working internationally today.
When: Until Sunday April 22


Bizarre Gazzard, a fully qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist, will be appearing at Dingley International Hotel must see show where the only people having a better time than the audience are the volunteers themselves as Gazzard combines music, costumes, comedy and props.
When: Friday April 20 - Doors Open 8pm


What my Mum Taught Me, presented by Angus Brown at The Felix Bar in St Kilda, brings a unique, bizarre and very heartfelt view to his life in what's a tribute to his mother and all that she taught him with life lessons ranging from riding a bike to how to medicate a cat and get tattooed.
When: Until April 22 - Various Dates


Busting Out! is a laugh out loud musical comedy that keeps abreast of the times. Appearing throughout Victoria and Melbourne, the show celebrates lubbily-jubbily ladies as they unleash their playful puppies and walk abreast down mammary lane with uplifting songs and sketches.
When: Until May 16 - Various Dates & Venues


View More Comedy & Magic


Cinema
Stories Retold, screening at ACMI Cinema along with the iconic Australian film, Gallipoli, is a short, eight minute film honouring the stories of our local heroes at the Eltham Retirement Village. Produced by Melbourne Citymission, proceeds will help fund Melbourne's oldest charity.
When: Thursday April 19 - 7:30pm


Romeo and Juliet, presented by Palace Opera & Ballet, brings to the big screen The Royal Ballet's most loved and signature production since Kenneth MacMillan's first full-evening ballet premiered in 1965. It's screenings at Palace Cinemas in Balwyn, Brighton and South Yarra.
When: Wednesday April 18


10 Terrorists! is a politically incorrect (or is it 'correct') subversive comedy that examines our fascination with reality television, mixing it with our hyper vigilant terrorist culture. Screening at Melbourne's Greater Union Cinema, it's held as part of Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
When: Friday April 20


Art Day South, held at ACMI Cinema, showcases a collection of short films by artists with a disability drawn from the Art Day South collective. The collection covers a diverse range of media, from hand drawn animation to digital works using custom software and motion tracking technology.
When: Until May 27


The Shadow Electric, Melbourne's first large scale independent open-air cinema, is held within the beautiful grounds of the Abbotsford Convent. Along with screenings of quality films, the cinema also has a licensed bar with food, live music entertainment and a shorts film program.
When: Until April 29 - Thursdays to Sundays


View More Cinema


Melbourne For Kids
Hi-5 Holiday, appearing at various venues, brings to the stage the popular children's entertainers as they go on their special holiday with loads of singing, dancing and excitement. The brand new show features all your favourite songs plus some new ones to enjoy as well.
When: Friday & Saturday, April 20 & 21


Best of the Independent Games Festival, presented at ACMI Cinema in Federation Square, gives kids the chance to play brilliant new games by indie designers for free with a showcase of favourites from the Independent Games Festival, dubbed the 'Sundance of the game world'.
When: Until July 8


Diamond Valley Railway, located in the parkland of Eltham close to Diamond Creek, is a fun ride-on miniature railway with plenty to see during the scenic ride. Just like a real railway system, the children's ride features railway stock, bridges, shunting yards and even tunnels.
When: Sundays - 11am to 5pm


Circus
Eroni's Circus, appearing in Narre Warren South with shows held at Casey Central, are a new Australian circus. Owned and operated by the 5th and 6th generations of the Maynard circus dynasty, they pride themselves as a glamorous, professional and entertaining circus experience.
Narre Warren South: Until April 29 - Various Dates & Times


Silvers Grand Magic Circus will be appearing with performances held in Frankston. 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.
Frankston: Until April 22 - Various Dates & Times


Markets, Fetes and Fairs
Playing Card Collectors Fair offers unique displays of rare and novel cards for both serious collectors and the curious. Presented by the Australian Playing Card Collectors' Society, which was first formed in 1979, the fair is held at Saint Mary's Church Hall, located in Caulfield.
When: Saturday April 21 - 11:30am to 4:30pm


All Saints Church Fete, held in Clayton, has plenty of bargains with books, clothes, jewellery and more. Along with food stalls offering produce, baked cakes, jams and more, you can also enjoy a devonshire tea and lunch with BBQ and Indian and Sri Lankan dishes available.
When: Saturday April 21 - 9am to 3pm


Yandell Kindergarten Native Plant Sale & Fair has hundreds of native plants that are perfect for attracting birds, screening, low maintenance gardens and other great uses. With stalls also offering crafts and other goods, there'll also be tasty food and children's entertainment.
When: Saturday April 21 - 9am to 4pm


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
Murder On The Puffing Billy Express presents a unique and intriguing night of murder, mystery and suspense aboard Puffing Billy's evening dinner train special. With guests invited to come dressed as their favourite Agatha Christie character, prizes are also offered to the best dressed.
When: Until November 22 - Various Dates


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
IASbet, Australia's premier online betting agency, offers better odds for Horse Racing and Sports Betting both here and overseas. An easy way to take a punt on any of the many races over the long weekend, you can even receive $100 in FREE bets when you join IASbet online.
Join IASbet for $100 in FREE Bets - Learn More


Australian Rules Football
AFL Premiership | Round 4
St Kilda V Freemantle
Friday April 20, 7:50pm - Marvel Stadium
Carlton V Essendon
Saturday April 21, 1:45pm - MCG
Collingwood V Port Adelaide
Saturday April 21, 2:10pm - Marvel Stadium
Geelong V Richmond
Sunday April 22, 1:10pm - Simonds Stadium
Melbourne V Western Bulldogs
Sunday April 22, 4:40pm - MCG


Netball
ANZ Championships | Round 4

Melbourne Vixens v Waikato/BOP Magic
Sunday April 22 - 12:10pm
Hisense Arena, Melbourne


Golf
Golf Australia, the national sporting organisation overseeing golf in Australia, presents many events through the year, ranging from grassroots to elite levels.
National Senior Masters
Until April 19 - National Golf Club, Mornington Peninsula


Athletics
Australian Pole Fitness Championship, held at Thornbury Theatre, is the very first competitive event of its kind. With a focus is on the sport of pole fitness, competitors will show displays of great strength, grace and agility, revealing what it takes to be an amazing pole athlete.
When: Sunday April 22 - Doors Open 6:30pm


Horse Racing
Country Racing Victoria represents racing clubs in outer metropolitan areas and small clubs in rural areas with race programs that include special days with kids' entertainment.

Race Dates:
Thursday to Monday, April 19 to 23


Friday Night Racing at Cranbourne Turf Club brings to its tracks the first ever series of country thoroughbred racing held under lights in Victoria, offering an exciting atmosphere of great racing action along with live sports being broadcast in the Trackside Sports Bar.
When: Friday April 20 - Gates Open 4pm


Sportingbet Park Race Days

Midweek Meeting (Hillside)
Wednesday April 18 - Gates Open 11am
Sportingbet Park, Sandown


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:
Friday April 20


Community Sports & Fitness Events
Melbourne Dodgeball League, operating out of Bundoora's Indoor Sports, have an increasing number of teams joining up each new season to play this rapidly growing sport. With new teams invited to join the competition, anyone over 18 may register as a team or as an individual.
When: Thursdays - 7:15pm to 11pm


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


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!


It's More Than Just Cricket...
Melbourne holds the world record for the highest attendance at a cricket match.

In February 1961, a staggering 90,800 people turned out to watch the 2nd day of the 5th test between Australia and the West Indies.

Read more about Victorian Cricket | Read Melbourne Trivia...


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