Melbourne Guides Attractions Events in Victoria

The National Gallery of Victoria is proud to present the 2009 Clemenger Contemporary Art Award, a triennial exhibition and award that celebrates the ongoing achievement of some of Australia's most distinguished contemporary artists. This will be the sixth and final award in the series.


In 1991 a generous gift from Joan and Peter Clemenger enabled the National Gallery of Victoria to establish the Clemenger Contemporary Art Award. Since then, the Award has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the most prestigious and exciting visual arts events in Australia.

Presented by Craft Victoria the annual Fresh! exhibition is an exciting showcase of the most innovative work by graduating craft and design students across Victoria.


Each year a team of invited professionals preview graduate exhibitions in over 35 departments across Victorian Tertiary and TAFE institutions. Works displaying exceptional quality craftsmanship, creativity and innovation are hand-picked from the fields of ceramics, glass, jewellery, gold and silver-smithing, fashion, textiles, industrial, product and furniture design.


This year the annual Fresh! graduate exhibition will feature fashion garments created using millinery techniques, a range of glow-mesh jewellery, an installation of blown glass, sculptural works created with IKEA bags and more. Craft Victoria is pleased to announce the 2009 Fresh! exhibitors:


Biatta Kelly (Monash University), Emi Fukada (RMIT), Emma Lashmar (Monash University), Jessica Knell (RMIT), Justine Rouse (Monash University), Kaori Kato (VCA), Madeline Sharrock (VCA), Mary Hackett, (NMIT), Matthew Briscoe (University of Ballarat,), Michaela Bruton (RMIT), Sarah Deed (RMIT), and Sian Edwards (Monash University).

The air crackles with red firecrackers, the clanging of cymbals and the rhythmic bass beating of drums.


The smell of gunpowder hangs in the air as the rainbow colours and fluid dance of the traditional Chinese Lion weaves through the crowds.


Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Melbourne have begun; a vibrant yearly event full of ancient tradition, culture and excitement.


Welcome the Year of the Tiger! To celebrate the Lunar New Year, Fo Guang Shan Melbourne (Buddha's Light Mountain), one of Victoria's largest Buddhist Temples, invites all to experience a fundamental aspect of Lunar New Year traditions - the Chinese Lunar New Year Buddhist Blessing Ceremony on Chinese New Year's Eve.


It is a unique opportunity to reflect and give thanks for the past year of the Ox, to wish peace and wellbeing for all in the New Year to come and to welcome in the auspicious Year of the Tiger.


The traditional Buddhist Blessing Ceremony commences in the heart of Chinatown on New Year's Eve at 10.30pm, with special guest, Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne, Cr Gary Singer.


It will be held at a special visiting shrine on the site of the Chinatown Carpark, 132-136 Little Bourke Street (between Russell and Exhibition streets).


The traditional Lunar New Year Blessing ceremony will consist of ceremonial chanting by Venerables from Fo Guang Shan Melbourne; the First Light Offering and First Incense Lighting of the New Year.


In conjunction with this special event, Fo Guang Shan Melbourne will hold Lunar New Year ceremonies throughout various locations in Melbourne's suburbs

The 2010 FORMULA 1(tm) Australian Grand Prix is the country's premier sporting event and offers an action-packed extravaganza of on-track and off-track activities for people of all ages to enjoy.


Besides a stellar line-up of elite motor racing, a host of other offerings will keep you entertained throughout the day.


Set in the stunning surrounds of picturesque Albert Park and offering striking views of Melbourne's skyline, the 2010 FORMULA 1(tm) Australian Grand Prix will be a feast for the senses. If you've never witnessed the sensation of the world's fastest men racing before your very eyes at speeds of more than 300 km/h, make 2010 the year to do it.


Nothing compares to the adrenalin-charged action of Formula One. F1 racing is synonymous with glamour, sophistication, cutting-edge technology and meticulous teamwork, all combining to present the perfect day out for you and your friends. And don't forget that the Grand Prix is so much more than the world's fastest cars.


An array of first-class support categories and a carnival of off-track entertainment come together to give you a day you'll never forget.

Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow is bigger than ever. Victoria's annual Caravan Camping and Touring Supershow will roll into Caulfield Racecourse from 9 March to 14 March this year and will be the biggest ever. Over seven days, visitors have the unique opportunity to view hundreds of the very latest industry products including all caravans, campers and motorhomes, tents and camping equipment, 4-wheel drives, accessories and more while also learning all about caravanning, motorhoming and camping in Australia through tourism displays, free seminars and activities for the whole family. For more information visit our website.

The traditional Boxing Day Test at the MCG is the most anticipated cricket match each year in world cricket and this year will be no exception.


The last time the Proteas played Australia in Melbourne 72,000 spectators were on hand for Day 1 to see the fiery clash and another big crowd is expected to be on hand for one of Melbourne s major annual sporting events.


As well as the action on the arena there will be plenty of activities in and around the MCG. The Outfield precinct will provided interactive cricket displays for families in Yarra Park, Federation Square again hosts a live site including all the action on the big screen. Merv Hughes will also be returning to host Merv s Walk to the G on the morning of Day 3.


For fixtures, match information and ticket prices, please visit our website.

Not molecular gastronomy, but a wickedly funny Murder Mystery Dinner.



Set in 1928, Lord Quinten Daventry hosts his party bash. Rumour in social circles is that he will announce his engagement to Miss Fanny. Agatha Christie in spirit - all cut glass accents, pearls, flapper dresses, army outfits and monocles - with lashings of sexual innuendo and double entendres.



The core cast include the delightfully flighty Miss Fanny, besotted and oblivious to the designs on her fortune. Uncle Bernie, former army colonel, a blustering, big-bellied chauvinist. Gertrude Glossop, much put-upon maid and the piece de résistance has to be Nanny Maude, Quinten's childhood Nanny. Scottish down to her brown boots, this is one of the best drag acts since Mrs Doubtfire.



Dinner guests are allocated a role and encouraged to indulge their inner artiste by dressing and behaving in character. Mingling over a three-course dinner, subplots emerge and the evening begins to gather pace and spices up into a hilarious romp peppered with murder, mayhem, disembodied limbs and suitably hysterical screams. Interactive entertainment at its best!

Do not miss this great performance, set in the idyllic setting of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne with a young, vibrant and comical cast.



"This production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Glenn Elston, transforms the park into a wonderland. The larrikin fun, the playful approach to the text, the contemporary quips, are all there in this highly entertaining, populist rendition of Shakespeare." Sunday Age.



"This is one of those rare productions of which you can say with absolute confidence that everyone will enjoy it. This is how Shakespeare should be produced, freed from the chains of scholarly respectability." The Bulletin.


Enter through the Observatory Gate on Birdwood Avenue, directly opposite the Shrine of Remembrance.

A New Year's Eve Spectacular stars Australia's favourite leading lady Marina Prior and the Australian Pops Orchestra, 30 & 31 December, Hamer Hall, Melbourne.


Befitting the launch of a new decade, the magnificent 60 piece Australian Pops Orchestra's A New Year's Eve Spectacular boasts extra star power this year, featuring Australia's famous The Phantom of the Opera duo Marina Prior and Donald Cant, the brilliant violinist Sally Cooper, Operatunity Oz tenor Roy Best and The Ashton Smith Singers, under the baton of the award-winning Australian conductor Benjamin Northey.


"This is truly a treasure trove of Australia's favourite artists, which invite our audiences to celebrate with them in a show that has been entertaining Australia for more than 20 years," says Australian Pops Orchestra Managing Director, David Ashton-Smith.


Music treats include 'My Favourite Things' from The Sound of Music, the show-stopping duet 'Music of the Night' from The Phantom of the Opera, 'You Raise Me Up' and many more. This concert is the live equivalent of your favourite artist's 'Best of' Album, inspiring everyone to join in the fun.


The concerts also feature everyone's favourite 'Amazing Grace' and many other widely loved pieces from musicals, operetta, stage and screen. No New Years Eve celebration would be complete without an emotionally charged 'Auld Lang Syne' which concludes the performance.


A New Year's Eve Spectacular is proudly presented by the Australian Pops Orchestra which has been performing its own blend of popular classical and contemporary music to Australian audiences for nearly 30 years.

This international exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the stunning World Heritage site of Hampi in southern India.



Using state of the art digital technologies, this new experience presents stereographic panoramas of an extraordinary site, with all its mythological, archaeological, artistic and historic significance.



Ancient Hampi includes animations of Hindu myths and stories, aerial and projected photography, an immersive digital interactive space showing 360-degree panoramic images of the site and is landscape, as well as stunning night photographs of the temples taken by John Gollings.

Anna Pappas Gallery is committed to 'art unlimited'; that is, art without borders of any kind. The gallery represents and exhibits the work of established Australian and international artists actively contributing to contemporary art discourse and promotes the work of emerging artists who possess the potential to do the same.


Next exhibition: 'Indigo Kingdom' Vipoo Srivilasa + 'Stockroom Show' Sam Grigorian, Elizabeth Weissensteiner, David Palliser, Paolo Consorti, Matt Coyle, Justine Khamara


2-23 December 2009

Around the Bay in a Day is Australia's premier mass participation bike ride. Leading into its eighteenth year, the event is experiencing significant growth, with over 15,600 riders participating in 2009. With a final figure yet to be finalised, it is anticipated that these riders will raise a record tally for the official charity partner, The Smith Family.


The event offers a choice of five ride distances: 50km, 80km School Challenge, 100km, 210km and 250km. With the exception of the 100km ride, which starts in Sorrento, all rides start and finish at the same location - Alexandra Gardens in the heart of the city of Melbourne.


You can also look forward to another bumper weekend of cycling activities with the Melbourne Cycling Festival.

Audi Docklands Invitational is a world class yachting event where the best of the best compete. See some of Australia's best yachts gather at Waterfront City for a five race series. The invited fleet includes some of the best performed IRC yachts from Australia and beyond with a vast majority making their return from the gruelling Rolex Sydney Hobart yacht race.


The event also includes the 'King of the Docklands' which provides a rare opportunity to view yacht racing up close within the confines of Victoria Harbour. The exciting SB3 class yachts will race with live commentary making it ideal for spectators to take in all the action. The King of Docklands will be complimented by the Yachting Victoria Youth Challenge with the champions of tomorrow racing for their clubs.


Blade Riders will also compete in Victoria Harbour where spectators will see fast and furious action of these amazing yachts.


The Audi One Metre Challenge with radio controlled yachts is open to anyone prepared to put their skills to the test.


Come Try Sailing program free to the general public will also operate from the Waterfront City marina with experienced instructors.


The event forms part of Audi Victoria Week which is Australia's largest sailing event, please visit our website for more information.

Now in its 3rd year, the Australasian Schools Cycling Cup is a competitive cycling event for secondary school students, offering the disciplines of road racing, time trialling, hill climbing, mountain bike cross country, mountain down hill and bmx.


The ASCC is an opportunity for experienced and novice cyclists to come along with their school to compete in a professional and dedicated major event. While the overall schools are awarded the prestigious Peter Bartels Perpetual Trophy, individuals can collect medals and jerseys in their individual disciplines.



The 2010 ASCC has formed an exciting partnership with the 2010 Road World Championships, whereby winning schools will be hosted in a VIP area for the World U23 Male Championship and meet Australian cycling stars.



For information please visit our website and register to receive our regular updates or email us.



Location:

Shepparton and Dookie (east of Shepparton) approximately 2.5 hrs north of Melbourne



Eligibility:

Entry must be through your school - there is no minimum or maximum number of entries (e.g. you can enter a team of 1!).



Categories:

Snr Male (Yrs 10, 11, 12)

Snr Female (Yrs 10, 11, 12)

Junior Male (Yrs 7, 8, 9)

Junior Female (Yrs 7, 8, 9)



Disciplines:

Individual Time Trial (Road)

Road Race (Road)

Hill Climb (Road)

Teams Time Trial (minimum 3 riders) (Road)

Cross Country (MTB)

Downhill (MTB)

BMX

Join in the celebrations of a centenary of Australia's flight, March 18-21 2010.


Ceremonies, airshows, auto and aircraft swap meets, air rallies and festivals to mark this important date.



The centenary of flight is the most remarkable event of Australia's aviation history. The world's most famous celebrity came to Australia to fly the most technologically advanced machine in the world so that he could take a place in time.

The first Australian survey of works by celebrated New York artist Jenny Holzer - famous for her ongoing text series Truisms - will open at ACCA in December.



The Truisms are metaphors, aphorisms and Holzer's own musings about the state of the world, which blend like advertisements into the urban environment - projected onto high-profile public buildings, LED screens, on street posters or stickers placed randomly on parking metres, telephone booths and public furniture.



Some are political, others extremely funny. The words 'Men Don't Protect You Anymore' were reproduced on condoms and street billboards, while 'Protect Me From What I Want' featured across a BMW and quotes by Presidents John F. Kennedy and Theodore Roosevelt about the role of art and culture in American society projected from the Kennedy Centre in Washington.



While Holzer has used words and ideas in public spaces for the past thirty years, she has also created large-scale projects for prominent institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum (New York), the Institute of Contemporary Art (London) and the Centre Pompidou (Paris).



In 1990 she was the first woman artist to represent America with a solo exhibition at the Venice Biennale and her installation won the prestigious Leone d'Oro award.



Most recently she has brought her projections inside, moving words along walls and floors like movie credits and for this exhibition, Holzer will create a new, constantly moving projection of poetry for ACCA's main exhibition hall.

Stories that transport you, ideas that transform you. Immerse yourself in the world of film, television and digital culture at ACMI in our stunning new free exhibition: Screen Worlds.



As the home of Melbourne's best and most popular film festivals, great Australian and international cinema and specialist programs for seniors, kids and lovers of cult classics, ACMI presents an unparalleled annual calendar. Venture into the world's largest screen gallery to discover inspirational exhibitions all year round, watch quality films in our state-of-the-art cinemas or take part in a lively discussion with TV and film personalities at one of our many screen culture events.



Visit the ACMI Store, the ultimate shop for film buffs and relax in our cafe/bar ACMI Lounge overlooking Federation Square.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2010




Where: Melbourne Park

When: 18 - 31 January 2010



The world's best tennis players took centre stage at Melbourne Park for the first Grand Slam of the year. For the tenth consecutive year, Australian Open 2009 has attracted more than half a million patrons with an official tournament attendance of 603,160.


A star-studded men's and women's singles draw included eight men's Grand Slam champions and six women's Grand Slam champions and 31 of the top 32 men and 29 of hte top 32 women. A total f 46 nations were represented in the singles main draws.


American Serena Williams won her fourth Australian Open title and a dream final line up in the men's draw featured the world No.1 Rafael Nadal challenge the world No.2 Roger Federer for the coveted Grand Slam title.


Aussie Jelena Dokic enjoyed a remarkable return to form and a fairytale journey to the quarter finals captivating hearts from all around the world.


Entertaining the crowds were some of Australia's top music acts including Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Vanessa Amorosi, Gabriella Cilmi, The Cat Empire, Daryl Braithwaite and Pete Murray.


The fastest serves of the tournament were recorded by Australia's Sam Groth (230km/h) while Sabine Lisicki topped the women's fastest serves (196km/h).


Australian Open 2010 is set to be bigger and better and with the best value ticket - why wouldn't it be?


Check the tournament website www.australianopen.com for further ticket information, or join Tennis World newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest news from the Australian Open.

This years theme is Rhythm of the Jungle . This is an excellent community-based festival that celebrates diversity in the splendid surrounds of the Altona Foreshore and Cherry Lake reserves. Attractions include fireworks, live bands, craft market, home craft show, art show, pet show, baby show, swimming carnival, street parade and pantomime, just to name a few. Fun for everyone!

Beautiful Woman exists to impact, inspire and equip women of varying ages, cultures and backgrounds to be all they can be.


Beautiful Woman reaches thousands of women across our state, our nation and now New Zealand with a message of hope and inspiration.


A beautiful women event is a special occasion like no other; a time of inspiration, fun and empowerment. These events aim to motivate, educate and support women individually as a group.

Indigenous art and objects have important stories and meanings to Aboriginal people.


They express identity, knowledge of the land, and indigenous views on history.



Many people enjoy indigenous art and objects, both for the beauty of their design and manufacture, and because they are an expression of indigenous peoples relationship to land.

Bayside is an area famed for gourmet food, five-star restaurants and a seaside cafe culture. The sixth annual Bright n Sandy Food and Wine Festival will be held on March 2010. It will be a day by the bay like no other combining fresh food, wonderful wine and live music.


* An assortment of dishes from local restaurants and cafes will tempt your tastebuds and leave you wanting more

* The best of local wines will be on offer to complete a day of indulgence

* Catch some of Australia's best musical talent

* Celebrity and international chefs as well as local restaurateurs will be in the demonstration kitchen with tips to bring out the gourmet chef in everyone

* Premier winemakers will be on hand to help solve the wine and food matching quandary

* Children's cooking sessions will be a highlight (a AUD5 product handling fee will apply)

* The Brighton Beach train station is only a few minutes walk away and limited parking is available at Green Point should you choose to drive

* Entry AUD2

* For full program details visit the website

Proudly presented by Fo Guang Shan Melbourne (FGS) and Buddha s Light International Victoria (BLIA VIC), Buddha s Day and Multicultural Festival is a truly unique annual event which celebrates Melbourne s diverse multicultural society.


Running over two days, the Buddha s Day and Multicultural Festival begins in the heart of Melbourne, at Federation Square.


The Festival commemorates the birth of the Buddha, one of the most significant days of the Buddhist calendar, and highlights and promotes cooperation, community understanding and harmony in our inclusive and culturally diverse community.


The Festival incorporates the traditions of Buddhist ceremony including the 'Bathing of the Buddha', daily Dharma ceremonies, the Wishing Bell and traditional incense offerings; a vegetarian culinary tour of Asia along the River Terrace and cooking demonstrations; cultural dance and performances from around the globe; cultural demonstrations in BMW Edge; music; art and craft, community service groups providing information and assistance; and special activities and programs for children at ArtPlay.


A festival for the mind, body and spirit.


The 2009 Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival is proudly sponsored by the City of Melbourne, Federation Square and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.

Explore the amazing world of insects and spiders!


Bugs Alive! includes over 100 species of live insects and spiders, thousands of specimens from the museum's collection, giant models and exciting interactive exhibits.

Building or renovating a home? Get advice and ideas on the latest in home improvements and home renovations at the Building & Home Improvement Expo. Discover a whole range of building products to make renovating or building your own home a breeze. Talk to the experts, compare costs, save money and walk away with a wealth of ideas and products. It's a one-stop shop from flooring to kitchens, water efficiency to building materials.


See the latest energy efficient products at Sustainability on Show a major feature of the Expo! There are hundreds of green ideas to improve the health of your home and environment - plus save you money. Reduce your carbon footprint with building and renovating ideas and products that conserve energy, save water and incorporate sustainable design.


See it all at the Building & Home Improvement Expo.

Opening 21 August, the National Gallery of Victoria will present Building a Collection: Recent Acquisitions of Prints and Drawings, a fascinating selection of the most outstanding works on paper that have entered the NGV Collection since 2002.



The exhibition will feature some 70 Australian and international works from the NGV s extensive Prints and Drawings collection, which spans the 15th to 21st centuries.



Image:

Emily Floyd

Australian 1972 A bird like that never dies 2008

from the It s time suite

colour etching, relief etching and aquatint on two sheets, ed.1/15 (a-b) (image and sheet) NGV, Melbourne

Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2008

Emily Floyd, courtesy of Anna Schwartz Gallery, Melbourne

Caulfield Racecourse - a centre of racing excellence


Ideally positioned just eight kilometres south east of the city, Caulfield is situated close to the designated geographical centre of Melbourne.



Affectionately known as 'The Heath', the course is readily accessible by car, bus, tram or train. The new Caulfield track was opened in April 1996 and features banked turns and an outer circuit for 1,700 metre, 1800 metre and 2000 metre races.



The magnificent Rupert Clarke stand is glassed in for added comfort during winter and summer and offers uninterrupted viewing. Soon to be positioned as a dedicated centre of racing excellence where only feature racedays are conducted, Caulfield hosts some of the nation's most famous and historic races.



In Spring, the Caulfield Carnival comprises three days of outstanding racing through The Age Caulfield Guineas Day, Schweppes Thousand Guineas Day and culminating in the BMW Caulfield Cup Day, featuring one of the world's great 2400 metre handicap races.



The Summer Classics Carnival at Caulfield features Victoria's richest event for two-year-olds - the Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Stakes. Other time-honoured Autumn highlights include the C.F. Orr Stakes, Oakleigh Plate and Futurity Stakes.

Chocolate Rush will take place on the 14th & 15th August 2010.


The festival will provide a weekend of pure indulgence and includes a variety of hands on chocolate workshops, chocolate and wine matching classes, chocolate tasting classes, master classes, demonstrations, kid's activities, a chocolate market and much more!


An opportunity for you to learn how the bean gets to the bar! For more information please email or phone us.

Join in all the carnival fun and racing excitement and celebrate the festive season in style this year at Cranbourne Turf Club.


Our Christmas Carnival Race Days are transformed with all your favourite carnival rides and games.


The older kids (and kids at heart) can enjoy the thrill of the Pirate Ship, the Break Dance, Dodgem Cars, Cha Cha and Bungy Tramps in our special Carnival Enclosure. Tickets to rides can be purchased on the day.


If you're looking for a great day out for your workplace, family or friends to celebrate Christmas, look no further than a Hospitality Package on any of the three Christmas Carnival Race Days at Cranbourne Turf Club.


Special Offer! Customers purchasing a food & beverage package will receive a complimentary Carnival Enclosure pass for each guest. Carnival Enclosure passes provide you with unlimited rides on all of the attractions within the Carnival Enclosure.


Space is limited for this fantastic opportunity so you'll need to book early to ensure you don't miss out.

CIRCUS SUNRISE encompasses all of the traditional circus skills with a programme that includes fantastic aerial acts, graceful hand balancing, juggling, Wild West cowboys, daring trapeze and the funniest clowns that you will ever see.


The younger artists are 15th generation circus and continue to entertain audiences around the world since the year 1648. An incredible 362 years of circus history.


Stunning costumes and modern music enhance this high energy show. Sunrise is a non-stop fast-paced performance guaranteed to take your breath away.


Treat the whole family to the experience of CIRCUS SUNRISE.

City of Casey Tricodes Day is an action packed day of thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing with a different code race run every fifteen minutes.



Racing Centre is the only venue in Australia where you can see all three codes racing on the one day.





There's plenty of action on and off the track with a punters club in the Trackside Sportsbar, free kids activities and rides, the Official Tricodes Day Lunch in the Legends Room on Level One of the Grandstand and mini-marquees spread the length of the Home Straight.


It's a punters paradise with 23 races in total held throughout the day so get in quick to book your prime location on course so you don't miss a minute of all the race day action.

Clean Up Australia's 2010 campaign is now well underway and we are hoping to make it the biggest community event to date! Every year hundreds of thousands of Australians get stuck in and clean up their local environment by collecting and removing rubbish on Clean Up Australia Day.





2010 marks the 20th anniversary of Clean Up Australia Day and we hope to encourage and inspire thousands of Australians to take to their local park, beach, bushland and streets and really help make a difference. Clean Up Australia remains Australia's largest community event, it is a fun and easy event that anyone and everyone can get involved in. Individuals and local groups can either organise a clean up site or volunteer to join an existing site.


Clean Up Australia has made a huge difference since the first event in 1990. Just last year we picked up 2 million pieces of rubbish. That's pretty amazing and we want to say 'thank you'. What's even more amazing is if each and every Australian picks up JUST 1 piece of rubbish, we'll pick up 10 times more than last year. That's around 20 million pieces of rubbish. So for our 20th Anniversary, we're asking people to make this the best Clean Up Australia Day ever - by picking up JUST 1 piece of rubbish. Together we can make a difference.

Set along the waterfront promenade and Piazza, the Docklands Sunday Market offers a range of unique and original products from some of Melbourne's most talented artists.


Discover treasures including art, jewellery, retro clothing, vintage books and car boot sales. You'll be amazed at what you can find.


Waterfront City is Melbourne's newest and most exciting event and entertainment hub. Experience events, fine dining, the Ice House and Harbour Town shopping centre.


Stallholders welcome. Contact Eileen for more information on Ph 0412 910 496.

Every Monday, Comedy@Spleen is the city's FREE weekly comedy hotspot, with a packed room every week! It's every Monday night starting at 8.30pm.


With drop-in guests like Glenn Robbins, Jeff Stilson, Elliot Goblet, Lehmo, Mike Wilmot, Lawrence Mooney, Yon from Tripod, Fiona O'Loghlin, Dave Callan and Charlie Pickering, you'll never know which special guest you're going to get! And this is as well as all the hottest young acts in Melbourne that'll be household names tomorrow! And it's FREE!


Come down to the hottest new comedy room in town!

Como Gardens is a historic garden which was established in 1873. The garden contains uncommon and rare plants collected over many years. The garden boasts a fine Motor Museum which features many veteran and vintage cars including a 1896 Benz, 1927 Grand Prix Bugatti Type 35c, 1936 Mercedes Benz 540k and Australia's most famous racing car the Maybach.



The open garden weekend sponsored by "Eastern 98.1 FM Radio", "Seasol" and "Jindi Cheese" will feature Steam Train Rides, Live Music, Rainy Day Books stall, Fun by the Laughing Club, Jindi Cheese Tasting, Devonshire Teas and Sausage Sizzle, RC model boats on the lake, Horticultural Ferns and Orchids sale and children's entertainment that consists of Fairy Tree, Face Painting, Ventriloquist and Puppeteer.

Presented by Craft Victoria the annual Craft Cubed festival promotes experimental, skilled and ideas-based craft and design. It will provide a platform for conversation and exchange across all spectrums of the craft and design communities. A key feature of the event is the thematic linking of current craft trends among local, national and international practitioners.



More information coming in 2010.

Housing 3 gallery spaces and a retail outlet, it s the very best place to see and buy handmade, local craft and design product. The gallery space exhibits an ever changing selection of cutting edge, experimental work from local, national and international practitioners.


LEARN: Each year Craft Victoria presents a series of public programs and events to inspire, promote and educate, including the Craft and Design as a career seminar; the annual Professional Members exhibition; the monthly emerging designers market Craft Hatch; plus a range of workshops and artists talks.


EXPERIENCE: Craft Cubed is the new annual Craft Victoria Festival held in August each year. The festival brings you the best in experimental, skilled and ideas-based craft and design. Current craft trends are explored among local, national and international practitioners.


BUY: Visit Craft Victoria s shop Counter to see and buy the very best Australian contemporary craft and design: limited edition and one-off homewares, jewellery, objects and accessories. Services include corporate gifts, a wedding registry, commissions and design consultations.


SEE: The Craft Victoria exhibition program promotes experimental, skilled and ideas-based craft and design. Craft Victoria showcases work by local and international artists and aims to stimulate critical debate.


JOIN: Craft Victoria membership offers a variety of professional development services and industry discounts for both craft practitioners and craft lovers. You can also subscribe to our free monthly email newsletter, Craft Almanac. Join or subscribe online at www.craftvic.asn.au.

The Craigieburn Festival is a three day community festival which incorporates great food, great rides, fantastic fireworks, craft market, displays, amazing entertainment and much, much more.

Hume City Council and Stockland present:


Craigieburn Festival 2010


Make sure you visit Music on Main on Saturday, with entertainment by brilliant local performers, Sarah De Bono and NOV .


Come nightfall our headline act, international blues sensation Eugene Hideaway Bridges, brings his Soul of the Man World Tour to Carnival in the Sun. Don t miss Eugene if you like your blues music laced with soul, funk, gospel and rock and delivered with buckets of class, style and warmth.


On Sunday at Music on Main, Fashion that Rocks brings together music and fashion on the one stage. Hume Performing Arts dancers provide the moves, Broadmeadows Shopping Centre retailers and Pins and Needles provide the clothes, and KISS FM s Chris Ng provides the sound.


Council s Youth Services bring It s All About YOUth! to Carnival in the Sun on Saturday. Here you can pick up some new tricks with Skylark Circus, check out pro BMX and skateboard exhibitions, and watch in awe as the Australian Parkour Association showcase their unique running, jumping and vaulting moves.


Saturday will build to a climax as the CFA Torchlight Parade takes to the streets of Craigieburn. This beautiful festival tradition will be followed by a dazzling fireworks display.


Young children will delight in Tiny Town Wonderland, with Leigh s Farmyard animals, face painting, jumping castles, sand art, and a merry-go-round.


On Sunday, hear the thunder of the V8s, the roar of the Harleys and cheer along some of the hottest vehicles in town as they parade around the streets surrounding DS Aitken Reserve, before going on display for the annual Scouts Car and Bike Show.


Plus mind-blowing carnival rides, world-class circus performers, gravity-defying acrobats, daring unicyclists, extraordinary sporting feats, and magnificent music and dance. Experience the thrill of the Carnival - A weekend won't be long enough!

Kids Day Out is a great family race day at Cranbourne Turf Club in the heart of the school holiday period.

The day is affordable fun for all the family and this year s activities are sure to keep the kids entertained throughout the whole day.

Children s entertainers will have all the kids on their feet and dancing with fantastic interactive musical performances.

There ll be games and activities for all the family to enjoy along with all the day s racing action.

Cubism & Australian Art shows the impact of the revolutionary movement of Cubism on Australian art from the 1920s to today. It uncovers a little-known yet compelling history through works by over eighty artists, including key examples of international Cubism - by André Lhote, Albert Gleizes, Fernand Léger, Alexander Archipenko and others - and nine decades of Australian modern and contemporary art that demonstrates a local evolution of cubist ideas.



The exhibition documents the earliest incorporation of cubist principles in Australian art in the 1920s, when artists such as Grace Crowley and Anne Dangar began to transform their art in accordance with late cubist thinking. It examines the influence of Cubism on artists associated with the George Bell School in Melbourne and the Crowley-Fizelle School in Sydney; and on those who participated in the cubist movement abroad including James Cant and John Power.



While its distortions and unconventional perspectives served individual styles such as the expressionism of Albert Tucker or the experimental landscapes of Sidney Nolan and Fred Williams, Cubism's most enduring influence on postwar Australian art has been in abstraction. This exhibition traces its reverberations in 1950s abstract art by Roger Kemp, Robert Klippel and others, through to works by younger artists such as Gemma Smith and Justin Andrews.



Cubism's shifting, multi-perspectival view of reality takes on new form in moving-image works by John Dunkley-Smith and Daniel Crooks, paintings by Melinda Harper and sculptures by James Angus. The use of found objects and recycled materials by Madonna Staunton, Rosalie Gascoigne and Masato Takasaka extends ideas originating in cubist sculpture and collage. Other artists are critical of Cubism, bringing Indigenous and non-European perspectives to bear on its modernist history, particularly its appropriation of so-called 'primitive art'.



For more information and related public programs, please visit our website.



Image caption:

Robert Rooney

After Colonial Cubism 1993

Starting at the Chinese Museum, where Melbourne's Dai Loong (Big Dragon) hibernates amongst the largest collection of Chinese Australian artefacts, your guide explains how the Melbourne community brought Dragon making back to China after the art had been completely lost for 30 years.


With a tour down Little Bourke Street, you will see Chinese Australian architecture of the Victorian era of the 1880s, unique in the world, built at the height of Melbourne's economic boom time.


The oldest restaurant premises in Australia still operates after 100 years and is testimony to the street's long standing importance as a food street in Melbourne. We take a seat in a Chinese restaurant where your guide will tell the stories that abound about the bustling streets populated by gold rush migrants from the 1850s.


Tour Packages include Welcoming Drink at the Chinese Museum, History Walk, Chinese meal and Chinese tea.

Explore the processes and mechanisms of evolution.


Darwin to DNA covers three different themes: the historical background on the discovery of evolution; the underlying genetic mechanisms required for evolution to occur; and how our understanding of the evolution of ourselves and other organisms has changed through the study of DNA.


Historical showcase displays highlight the roles of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in developing the theory of evolution. Specimens collected by Wallace and Darwin, as well as Gould lithographs, are displayed here.


The genetic mechanisms of evolution are highlighted. DNA is explained as the mechanism for evolutionary change, through natural selection and genetic drift. Co-evolution between plants and their animal pollinators, as well as sexual selection in birds of paradise, are examples used to illustrate the processes of evolution.


Darwin to DNA also highlights how DNA can be used as a tool to examine questions about evolution, and the relationships between species. Possums, birds and fish, as well as humans, are given as examples of how studying DNA variation can bring about new insights into evolutionary relationships. In our own species, DNA evidence challenges previous notions of the uniqueness of humans and the concept of race.

Walk amongst skeletons of amazing animals from the past from dinosaurs, flying reptiles and megafauna.


Duck beneath the belly of a massive Mamenchisaurus and stand beside some other amazing dinosaurs including Amargasaurus, Protoceratops and Tarbosaurus.


Walk up high to where the flying reptiles soar including a Quetzalcoatlus (the world s largest flying reptile).


Get up close to Ice Age megafauna such as Diprotodon (the world s largest Marsupial) and Megalania (Australia s largest lizard).


Discover how dinosaurs moved, what they ate and how they survived and touch displays of dinosaur teeth, bones and fossilised poo.


Visit Melbourne Museum's Dinosaur Walk website to go behind the scenes of the exhibition, meet our experts and more!

Saddle up for EQUITANA Melbourne - the largest equine event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.


At EQUITANA Melbourne you will experience a world of horses, showcasing the very best of competition, education and exhibition.


Since 1999, EQUITANA Melbourne has been held in Melbourne biennially, attracting more than 50,000 visitors per event. It continues to bring the entire Australian equine industry together under one roof, to celebrate and promote the industry as a whole to the rest of the world.


In 2010, EQUITANA Melbourne will be back again featuring more than 1,000 horses, 500 competitors, 70 educators and over 300 exhibitors creating a festival of everything equine.

Ominous to optimistic. Innovative and interactive. Experimenta Utopia Now International Biennial of Media Art chases the dream of a perfect world.



Daring and double daring you to take on the fate of the world, Experimenta Utopia Now 2010 reveals the flaws in our drive to engineer a perfect world. Pull up your leg warmers and bust a move with our interactive dance party in a box; become a sticky shadow magnet and lead a chorus of interactive singing plants; take sides as Australian and international artists unite and fall out over the future survival of the planet.



Showcasing more than 25 works from countries including Australia, Japan, Austria, India, Germany, Canada, France, and the UK - Experimenta Utopia Now critiques the scope for happiness on earth as we know it, pokes fun at social and physical boundaries and questions the human race's ability to preserve itself.



Experimenta Utopia Now promises capital F fun with some capital A art. Irrepressible works include the funkadelic International Dance Party, a complete party in a box which transforms from humble transport crate into a powerful party machine that increases its frantic output the harder and faster you dance; Akousmaflore, a hanging garden composed of living musical plants that react to human gesture and gentle contact; Shadow 3, an interactive installation where the by-products of our consumerist society fall from the sky like rain, inundating your shadow with a deluge of debris; and You Were in my Dream, an off-the-wall 'choose your own adventure' dreamscape where interacting with familiar fairytale characters draws you into an enchanted fractured forest. Adding to the spectacle, renowned Japanese/American artist, Momoyo Torimitsu performs with her life-size robotic businessman 'Miyata Jiro'.



Experimenta is Australia's leading organisation dedicated to commissioning, exhibiting and promoting the most advanced media and technology based art.

The Melbourne FCA 2010 - Year of the Tiger - Chinese New Year Festival will feature traditional and contemporary Chinese cultural activities, festivities, dances, Chinese opera and singing, karaoke competition, numerous stalls of culinary delights, arts and crafts, Chinese chess competitions, lion dances, dragon parades, calligraphy and children's events.


The attractions are for young and old. In recent years the festival has been one of Melbourne's most celebrated festivals and is great for the whole family.


The 2010 Festival will begin on Chinese New Year s Eve on Saturday 13th February at 5.00pm until 1.00am and will resume on Sunday 14th February at 10:00am and run through the night until 8:00pm. At Midnight on the 13th February, the countdown will be accompanied by the lighting of strongs of firecrackers, to usher in the New Year of the Tiger and chase away the bad spirits of the old year.


In line with Chinese tradition, there will be numerous displays of lions dances punctuated by beating drums and fire-crackers. During the day, the stages will showcase many cultural performances by Melbourne's great multicultural local communities and visiting Performance Arts Group from China.


The karaoke competition starts on the main stage from 8.30pm, on the Saturday night till countdown to the Chinese New Year.


On Sunday the 14th February 2010, we will celebrate the New Year, new fortunes and prosperity. The Millennium Dragon will be awakened to parade through the streets of Melbourne's Chinatown.


Touching the Dragon will bring great luck and fortune. The Chinese Lions will be out in force and Chinatown will be abuzz with drums, firecrackers, music, singing, food and families celebrating the Year of the Tiger.

Love books? Join Melbourne's bibliophiles at the city's largest weekly book market every Saturday in The Atrium at Fed Square. Each week you can immerse yourself in over 5000 new and pre-loved titles, including literature, history, gardening, travel, art and kids stories. The Book Market regularly features around 15 of Melbourne's most experienced book dealers as well as authors and illustrators.


Find that elusive book you've always wanted to read, learn about the authors or purchase the perfect gift - a book.


In between the browsing, you can sit down and enjoy a coffee or wine in The Atrium, and afterwards visit the many related attractions at Federation Square such as the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Champions Australian Racing Museum and the Melbourne Visitor Centre.

What more could you ask for? International and Australian jazz, blues and soul artists, the 'Master Chefs at Work' marquee, gourmet food and wine from the Mornington Peninsula, a children's marquee and rides. The festival also includes a Sustainable and Environmental Living Expo. A great day out for the whole family

Over 200 to 300 stalls of gourmet produce, fresh fruit and vegetables, quality Australian made art and craft. Entry to the market is free, however parking is AUD3.00.

The gallery has a number of different exhibitions coming up this year including:



- Marika Borlase: October - November 7

- Melinda Schawel: October - November 7

- Marise Maas: November 10 - 28

- Treasures: December 1- 19


Flinders Lane Gallery is one of Australia's leading commercial galleries. Located in the heart of Melbourne's arts precinct, the gallery exhibits a select group of Contemporary and Aboriginal artists focusing on quality, diversity, and vitality.



The gallery has exhibited Indigenous art since its inception in 1989. Director Claire Harris is committed to promoting the work of Australian Contemporary and Indigenous artists, and exhibits a range of museum quality artworks. Aboriginal works from the famous Papunya and Utopia regions are of particular specialty. Such master painters as Emily Kame Kngwarreye and the late Minnie Pwerle exhibited at Flinders Lane Gallery and are represented in national and international private and public collections.



With a lineage of 40,000 years, contemporary Aboriginal artists have generated a renaissance of visual art by translating traditional symbolism into strikingly modern images. The art of Aboriginal Australia is now regarded as a unique worldwide contemporary art movement. Flinders Lane Gallery is a member of Art Trade, a national organization committed to ethical conduct within the field of Indigenous art and is proud to have longstanding relationships with the communities represented. Exhibiting this work within the context of the contemporary international art market and with respect for its complex spiritual and cultural traditions, Flinders Lane Gallery represents some of the most renowned names from this extraordinary art movement.



Please visit our website for more information.

Discover the hidden stories of Victoria s mountain forests.


Step through the glass doors into a living verdant fern gully complete with waterfall and cool temperate rainforest plants.


Follow the pathway that leads under the creek and discover how water shapes the landscape and creates the conditions for forest life - take a close up view of small fish, frogs and skinks.


Emerge into the sunlight and smell the eucalypt trees while learning how plant species have evolved. In the creek you may see native fish and spiny crayfish that inhabit the water, and the elusive water dragon may be basking nearby.


Forest Secrets is alive with seasonal change - birds nest, flowers bloom and berries ripen. The local Kulin Aboriginal people have seven seasons marked by the life cycles of plants and animals. Have a privileged view of the home life of spiders and bull ants inside a large log. Somewhere up in the trees is the Tawny Frogmouth, while tiny wrens flit across the path and among the bushes. Listen carefully for the call of the male Satin Bowerbird trying to tempt the female into his blue decorated bower.


In a clearing huge timber poles come into view representing the impact of fire. Fire is a destructive force yet it is essential to regenerate the forest. A five-stack video display in one of the poles observes the effect bushfire has on forests and people. Seating platforms double as displays exploring human attitudes and impact on the forest. Understanding how people think of and use the bush is central to managing it wisely.


Enjoy this refreshingly different exhibition and gain a new appreciation of our mountain forests.

Feed your inner foodie


Spend a day exploring the ultimate food and wine playground. Watch live demonstrations from celebrity chefs. Indulge yourself in a delectable array of local and international produce. See the latest in kitchen appliances and cookware and stock your pantry with new and exciting products.


For further information, please visit our website.

Join over one hundred members of the Melbourne University Choral Society, as they present a glorious concert of romantic sacred choruses by the European masters, in the stunning surrounds and resonant acoustics of the newly-restored Church of St Mary, Star-of-the-Sea.



Hear magnificent choruses such as Mendelssohn's 'How lovely are the messengers', Rachmaninov's 'Bogoroditsye dyevo', Bruckner's 'Os Justi' and 'Ecce saccherdos', Mozart's 'Ave Verum Corpus', Brahms' Geistliches Lied' Op. 30, and Schubert's Mass No. 2 in G Major. Under the direction of Andrew Wailes, the choir will be joined by guest soprano Kirilie Blythman, a brass consort, and organist Joshua Van Konkelenberg.



This will be one of MUCS' final appearances before the choir embarks on its first international tour, which will see it perform in Germany, Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic throughout January, in venues ranging from the Royal Chapel of Schonbrun to the St. Nicholas Church in Prague.

About Guildford Lane Gallery


Guildford Lane Gallery is a new contemporary art gallery housed within a century-old furniture factory in the CBD of Melbourne, Australia. The Gallery is a for-hire exhibition and performance space.Our Mission is to develop an encouraging, experimental and dynamic environment for a community that values interaction, education and diversity. Its aim is to continuously evolve and generate collaboration between the international community of visual, literary and performing arts and the public.History of the Site


Guildford Lane Gallery embraces the history and character of its building and surrounds. Various clues to its previous existence as the Branchflowers Timber Furniture Factory are evident throughout the gallery along with a growing collection of items with direct links to the history of Guildford Lane. This includes a century-old sprinkler system that is still in operation today, Ted's Peanut labels, the Branchflowers sign by the Guildford Lane entrance as well as the metal working lathe and timber thicknesser on the ground floor. A non-operational turn-on-the-century hydraulic lift, solid timber columns, tongue-and-groove floors and exposed timber joists remain in their raw state for visitors to enjoy.Today the Gallery comprises 720m2 over 3 floors, dedicated to the Arts. Large timber barn doors admit access to the Ground Floor, a magnificent and versatile gallery space. On the first floor are more intimate exhibition and performance spaces, a screening area and the Open Studio. The second floor above retains the open plan of the warehouse and is host to a variety of projects including small theatre productions, lectures, workshops and forums.

Herring Island Summer Arts Festival began in 2006 as a collaboration between the exhibiting arts groups, Parks Victoria and the Friends of Herring Island.


This followed on from the work of Maudie Palmer who, as curator of the Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park, established the permanent collection of art works on the island and ran art exhibitions in the renovated scout hall.


In 2009 the exhibiting groups are the Wildlife Art Society of Australasia, the Association of Sculptors of Victoria, Ceramics Victoria, the Contemporary Art Society of Victoria Inc. and the Koorie Heritage Trust.


There will also be a special program of events on Australia Day including tours of the island and its permanent collection run by the Friends of Herring Island and arts demonstrations in the gallery courtyard.


Visiting the island is an adventure in itself in that access is across the Yarra River - most comfortably using Parks Victoria's punt service. There is coffee available at the cafe near Como landing.


The landing is adjacent to the Capital City bike trail and some cycle parking is available near the landing.


During the 2009 festival any donations will support the ongoing summer arts festival. More information on the island and its permanent collection is available from both Parks Victoria and Friends of Herring Island web sites.

Home owners, renovators and enthusiasts will find new ideas for interior and exterior makeovers for the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and backyard when they visit the HIA Home Ideas Show at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre in April 2010.



The return of the Design Precinct presentsAustralia's leading interior designers. The Designer Room Series V will featureeight cosmopolitan life-size rooms capturing emerging international trends. With the visual inspiration taken care of, enjoy a quiet drink at the Designer Drinks Bar while listening to experts at the Designer Forums. Pick up clever design techniques using colour, fabrics, furnishings and textures.



A new addition to the event is the HIA Award Winner Showcase. The best of the best will be on show with their award winning home design or product designs for visitors to view.



Whether it's inspiring green designs, water tanks, solar panels, or grey-water recycling systems, making your house sustainable saves more than just energy and water. Learn the best conservation strategies for your home and associated economic benefits at daily seminars held at the Sustainable Living Stage.



For visitors planning a renovation project, seeking the right information for the project is vital to staying on task and on budget. Ask an Expert is a dedicated free service with trades people to answer your renovation questions with ready-to-help experts on painting, building, sustainability, landscaping, building design, kitchens and bathrooms. Bring your questions and your plans along for a free consultation!



With more than 250 exhibitors showing the latest products and services, visitors are sure to leave full of ideas to enhance their homes and lives.



In 2010 the event will run alongside the inaugural Healthy Food Healthy Lifestyle Show with each event ticket providing dual access providing great value for visitors.



For more information please visit our website.

Hola Cinephiles,



As you probably know, the Hola Mexico Film Festival which started in Melbourne back in 2006 is now a multinational festival with screenings in the major cities in the USA and in January also in New Zealand. Australian screenings have also grown to screen in the six major cities with more than 10 venues for our events.



Australia has great advantages in regards to programming, since the festival is at the end of the year, many films have done their routes, so we can pretty much select any film we want. For the 4th time, we are happy to announce that the selection of films this year is the best we've ever put together. We're happy to screen the Australian premiere of Voy A Explotar (I'm Gonna Explode) and Oveja Negra (Black Sheep), impeccable films that will probably be the talk of the festival.



Our outstanding opening night selection SIN NOMBRE, a film which has been a complete success in USA, UK and Mexico had a long standing ovation at the world premiere in Sundance.



Award winning documentaries will screen to tell us stories from a different point of view, Los Herederos (The Inheritors) which artistic values are insurmountable is a great piece on Mexican poverty and the future of our country, while the recent Los Angeles Film Festival winner Los Que Se Quedan (Those Who Remain) portraits the stories of families of the ones that have to stay in Mexico and see their loved ones part ways to USA.



Finally, we'll have some fun with our newest section of SEXY COMEDIAS, films that will make us laugh and enjoy. Sexo, Pudor y Lagrimas (Sex, Shame and Tears) was the film that broke all records in the Mexican Box Office back in 1999, so join us for the 10th anniversary of the film.

The day to day lives of honey bees.


Watch these highly social insects as they collect pollen from a specially planted garden and make honeycomb in their hive.


Learn about bee dances and what they mean.

What if the greatest gift you could give this Christmas wasn't an expensive present or the latest DVD?


Help make Australia's Greatest New Year's Resolution! Join Senator Ursula Stephens, Tracy Bartram, Sue-Ann Post, Barry Dickens, Melina Schamroth and many more in making their New Year's Resolutions.



Free activities and entertainment including: bands, dancers, circus acts, Christmas carols, choirs, face painting and a visit from Santa. This is an event that will touch you and inspire you and show you how you can make a difference.


We don't want your money - we want your resolutions. Be the Difference!

Melbourne is preparing to celebrate a showcase of world class sailing as the city plays host to the first leg of the ISAF Sailing World Cup, from 14 to 19 December 2009.


Australia's own Beijing Olympic gold medallist Malcolm Page and his new 470 partner Mathew Belcher will be up against the world's best on Port Phillip Bay. Current 49er world champions Nathan Outteridge and Ian Jensen and Olympic RS:X board sailor Jessica Crisp are just a sample of the sailing elite taking part on their quest for world glory.


Hosted at the stunning, recently refurbished Sandringham Yacht Club, this 'Grand Slam of Olympic Sailing' will attract the world's best male and female competitive sailors from around the globe and acts as a key Olympic selection event.


Interactive spectator activities which include sailing lessons and on-shore demonstrations will tempt the whole family into discovering the excitement and glamour of the sailing lifestyle.


Back at the club, guests will relax whilst soaking up the vibe with entertainment, great food, fine wine and sweeping, spectacular views across the Bay.

As part of this year's ISAF Sailing World Cup, organisers are providing kids with a unique opportunity to come face-to-face with some of Australia's Olympic sailing heroes.


Youngsters will be treated to inspirational talks given by some of the sport's greats, as well as lessons on the basics of sailing. They'll also be able to try their hands at Wind Surfing, Kayaking, Kite Surfing and Stand-Up Paddle.


Parks Victoria's Mascot 'Ranger Roo' will be on hand to promote the bay and the importance of protecting our precious Marine environment, after-all, healthy parks mean healthy people! The day will be action packed and fun filled with show bags, jumping castles, delicious Sausage Sizzle and even a visit from Santa Claus himself!

Ivanhoe Makers Market showcases unique handmade quality wares by talented local "North of the Yarra" artisans and craftspeople. Now in its 2nd year, Ivanhoe Makers Market has over 30 stalls of fine textiles, ceramics, jewellery and more.


Each month the Makers Market spotlights local art/craft groups, with free workshops and demonstrations.


Ivanhoe Makers Market is on 3rd Saturday of the month, 10.00am - 4.00pm. Free parking, accessible by train and bus.


To become a stallholder, please visit our website to download an application form.

Jeremy Oliver has several things to celebrate this year. Not only has he produced the first ever wine guide written in Mandarin specifically for the China market, but Oliver also marks 25 years of writing about wine at the official launch of his 2010 edition of The Australian Wine Annual.



He will launch the 13th edition of this best-selling guide to Australian wine at a 6 course degustation dinner at the Church St Enoteca, Richmond. Featuring twelve of the highest-scoring wines from the 2010 edition, a highlight of this launch will be the presentation of the 'Wine of the Year' and acknowledgement of the other nine finalists.

Broadway s multi award-winning smash hit musical JERSEY BOYS - The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is currently rocking the Princess Theatre, Melbourne. JERSEY BOYS is the story of how four boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time.


The Four Seasons burst onto the international music scene in the 1960s to become one of the biggest names in music history. Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide, all before they were thirty! JERSEY BOYS features 20 Four Seasons hit songs including Sherry , Big Girls Don t Cry , Rag Doll , Oh What a Night and Can t Take My Eyes Off You .


JERSEY BOYS has a staggering tally of over 17 major international awards including the 2009 Best New Musical at the recent Laurence Olivier Awards in London, four 2006 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Jersey Boys has also won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album and in its award winning week topped the Billboard Album charts.


Don t miss your chance to see the show that moves like a joyride in a stolen Cadillac! - Jersey Boys!


The critics rave about JERSEY BOYS, Too good to be true! said the New York Post, Oh what a night boasts The London Times, and The Chicago Tribune called it The most exciting musical in years .

The Kew Festival offers an exciting array of events held over eleven festive days from Friday 12th March to Sunday 21st, 2010.





The Kew Community Festival showcases local community groups and businesses through fun entertainment and activities for all ages and interests and most events are free.


The Street Parade as part of the Family Fun Day begins Saturday 13th 11:30am meeting at Kew Primary Pakington Street. It showcases floats, clowns, marching bands and numerous community groups marching up High Street, and along Cotham Road to Petrie Square, and on to Alexandra Gardens in Kew where the fun continues with a food, craft and information market, rides and free entertainment until 4:30pm.


Plans are in place for a closing concert and fireworks on Saturday 20th March from 6:30pm to 9:00pm celebrating the magnificent setting at Hayes Paddock. Bring a picnic and enjoy the entertainment from singers and performers. Concluding with a spectacular fireworks display. Refreshments available.

If pre-Christmas isn't the right time of year for you, why not book a hospitality package during January at Cranbourne Turf Club.

Our Kids' Days Out and Summer Fun race days are fun for all the family with activities, games and rides to keep the kids entertained throughout the whole day.

Marquee packages include large picket fenced areas opening out onto our lawns for kids to run around, kick a footy or join in all the planned activities while you relax and enjoy a great day of racing.

Our selection of kids meals cater for all age groups and make a family race day even more affordable.

If you're looking to include children at your next work function, or just looking for a relaxing day at the races during the summer, look no further than Kids' Day Out or Summer Fun race days at Cranbourne Turf Club.

Revealing the history of Aboriginal people.


This exhibition celebrates the diversity of a culture that has withstood the impact of colonisation for nearly two hundred years.



It reveals a history of Victoria that has been hidden, even denied, for over 170 years.



Koori Voices tells the stories of Aboriginal people since the arrival of the British in the 1830s. It also looks at the impact of colonisation and the way in which Aboriginal people have struggled to maintain their culture.



Some stories speak of brutality, oppression and hardship. Other stories recall the struggles and joys of daily life.

L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival is the largest and most successful consumer fashion event in Australia. LMFF has established a vital resource to the fashion industry within the realms of marketing, promotion and exchanging of ideas. The Festival is an exceptional event that has as its core objective to engage and excite the public about fashion and all things fashionable while stimulating ideas and showcasing trends in design, business and innovation.


The Festival is a unique annual fashion event of the highest standard, with a constant focus on innovation and excellence. LMFF strives to foster extensive local, national and international partnerships to achieve targeted promotional exposure, for its participants and stakeholders.


Unlike most fashion events, LMFF provides public access to the exciting and magical world of fashion.


For more information, imagery and to keep up to date by signing up to our free newsletter, please visit the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival website.

Do you have a weakness for beautiful clothing and accessories?Want to go on a shopping spree but dread the delivery of your next credit card statement?


Well then, we have the perfect solution for you at the Ladies' Markets.


You'll find quality preloved designer and vintage fashion and accessories, no trash - only treasures at this market. You can shop til you drop, feel good about the huge savings and promote an environmentally friendly way of shopping at the same time.


It's your place in Melbourne to buy and sell quality women's preloved fashion and accessories.


If you have stunning clothing and accessories that you're not going to wear again and are just too beautiful to give away, why not reclaim your closet, book a stall and make some cash at the Ladies' Markets?


Also show casing talented local designers' stylish & unique wares.


Held the second Sunday of alternate months starting in January.

World premiere of Leonardo da Vinci s ANATOMY to ROBOTS opens in Melbourne October 2009. Direct from Florence, this brand new exhibition allows you to explore the extraordinary mind of the Renaissance Master in a way that has never been done before.



One of the world s greatest artists and engineers of all time, Leonardo was born with an insatiable desire for knowledge, at a very young age he declared Experience will be my mistress . Throughout his life, in his quest to know everything about everything, he pushed the boundaries of experience, becoming a master in his passionate understanding of nature, science and art.


This exhibition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view Leonardo s stunningly diverse imaginings brought to life with life size anatomy models, interactive robots and inventions, reproductions of his famous art, copies of rare codices and a life size reconstruction of perhaps his greatest achievement, or his most remarkable catastrophe, The Last Supper.

Get square eyes with films for kids, about kids, and some even by kids, to amaze and delight kids. Kids of all ages flock to Melbourne's International Kids Film Festival, Little Big Shots, to laugh, whoop, think and create.


Little Big Shots showcases the best in filmmaking for children and by children from Melbourne, Australia and around the world. Held over three school days and the Queen's Birthday long weekend, it s perfect for kids aged 2 to 18.


Little Big Shots is an inspiring, meaningful and fun-filled festival of the best in Australian and international children s shorts, animations, documentaries and, amazingly, child-produced films. Little Big Shots features a schools program (Wednesday-Friday) and long weekend screenings.


By offering six days of films by and about people whose creativity they would not normally be exposed to, the festival inspires discussion of world cultures, different languages, cultural diversity, emotional intelligence and human values.

The National Gallery of Victoria will celebrate the work of Christine Godden, Max Pam and Matthew Sleeth in a new exhibition, Long Distance Vision: Three Australian Photographers opening 28 August.


Long Distance Vision will include over 60 photographs from the NGV Collection exploring the concept of the tourist gaze and its relationship with the three artists.


From the nineteenth century, photography has been a means by which people could discover the world, initially through personal collection and albums, and later via postcards, magazines, books and the internet.

Makeovers Manicures and Martinis regular pamper event @ The long room!



Join us every Saturday between 5 - 8pm in the luxurious surrounds of the Longroom where our fully qualified staff are ready to treat you to the ultimate girl's night out.



We have 2 packages for you to choose from:



The Classic Pamper package which includes:

- Hit the town Makeover. An 8 - 10 minute make up consultation using INIKA mineral cosmetics. For more information please visit: www.inika.com.au



- Tension Buster Massage. 8-10 minutes of soothing stress relief focusing on the head, neck and shoulders.



- Express Manicure. Nail file and application of ZOYA nail polish or a 5 minute heavenly hand massage.



- Martini of the Moment. A seasonal cocktail served in an elegant Martini glass.



Or the Pamper Plus package which includes everything outlined in the Classic Pamper package above plus:

- Tarot Teaser. Your past, present and/or future are revealed with the opportunity to ask one question in this 8 - 10 minute reading.



Groups are welcome. (Please note that the whole group must select the same package.) BOOKINGS are essential. We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

Over 40 million people all around the world have had the time of their lives and fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show!


Writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.


The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone's having the time of their lives!


This smash hit musical returns to Melbourne for a limited 15-week season.


Book now by visiting our website and get ready for the hottest party in town!

Visit Melbourne Museum for a deep sea experience.


Journey to the bottom of the sea to discover Victoria s amazing marine life. Explore stunning sponge gardens and vibrant seagreass beds, be amazed by a giant 10-metre long squid, meet a swarm of spider crabs and come face-to-face with the fangtooth fish.


Dramatic underwater footage, digital animation and rare specimens bring Victoria s marine animals to life.

The Gardens Markets are on again at the Royal Botanic Gardens!


Set amongst the magnificent backdrop of beautiful gardens and historic buildings, the Gardens Market is on the 2nd Saturday of each month.


Markets offer a unique experience for both stallholders and shoppers with live music, culinary delights and exclusive products, which have been especially crafted, produced or inspired by plants and/or gardens.


Products include horticultural displays, water features, jewellery, garden ornaments, handbags, fashion, plants, artwork, sculpture, photography and healthy produce to name a few.


Unlike large craft markets we have a limit of 100 stallholders to maintain the intimate, boutique feel which will complement the existing ambience of the Gardens.


New stallholder enquiries are welcome. For more information please phone 9899 5979 or visit our website.

MARY POPPINS - THE SUPERCALIFRAGILISTIC MUSICAL


Disney and Cameron Mackintosh invite you to let your imagination take flight - as you rediscover the power of family, the joy of youth and the indelible memories that come to life at Cherry Tree Lane. Come and step into the magical world of MARY POPPINS.


Brilliantly adapted from the beloved books by Australia's own P.L.Travers and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, MARY POPPINS will open at Her Majesty's Theatre Melbourne in July 2010.


This spectacular production includes all of the best loved songs from the film including CHIM CHIM CHER-EE, A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR, JOLLY HOLIDAY, STEP IN TIME and SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS.


MARY POPPINS has dazzled millions of people around the globe and now it is your chance to experience the magic. This enchanting production lifts audiences to unparalleled heights and places the show at the top of every theatregoer's "must-see" list.

Australia's iconic beach culture captured through the ages and eyes of two very different photographers: Max Dupain and John Witzig.


Described as one of Australia's most revered photographers, Max Dupain's renowned beach images will, for the first time, be joined by Australian surfing photographer John Witzig's works in a historic 50-year look at Australia's beach culture. The exhibition opens at Dickerson Gallery in Melbourne on 31 March and will be on show until 17 April 2010.


This exhibition provides a historical snapshot of the evolution of Australia's identity now intrinsically centred around beach culture. Dupain's images capture life during the 30s and 40s when ladies and gentleman walked the promenade in dresses and suits, surf lifesavers regularly marched the shoreline and a day at the beach was more of a holiday treat. Witzig's images capture the sub-culture of beach life during the 60s and 70s, a time when Australian surfers carved their names into surfing history with the introduction of the first short boards.

Expose your artistic side at Asia-Pacific s premier trade fair and public exposition of contemporary art.


Featuring more than 80 selected galleries from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, China, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, Melbourne Art Fair is the leading trade fair and public exposition of contemporary visual art in the region.


Other highlights include national and international collector programs, programs for curators, a line-up of free public forums, project rooms for emerging artists, art publications, a private lounge, guided tours and travel and accommodation packages.


Established in 1988, the Melbourne Art Fair is held at the World Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne.


Photography by David Marks

The Melbourne Ballet Company is proud to announce Project 6. This program will include "In One Day" and a new work by resident choreographer Simon Hoy.


Times and dates:

16th December- Dress Rehearsal- 7.30pm

17th-20th December - Performance - 7.30pm

19th & 20th December- Matinee 1.00pm


Ticket Prices: AUD25- AUD45



Ticket Bookings:Phone (03) 82907000 or book in person at Chapel Off Chapel Theatre.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is the largest celebration of its kind anywhere in the world. From 12 23 March, 2010, Melbourne and Victoria will burst with hundreds of flavoursome food and wine events.


Lovers of all things food and wine can choose a long lunch, extravagant dinner, wine tasting or casual bite, among many more tempting events on the menu. Novice and discerning bon viveur alike, learn the secrets of top chefs and winemakers from around the world at MasterClass.


Each year the Festival attracts experts from the globe over, including celebrity chefs and famed winemakers, growers, purveyors, authors, commentators and critics who present alongside Australia's best.


With so many spectacular Melbourne Food and Wine Festival events on offer in 2010, it s easy to see why Victoria is the epicurean epicenter of Australia!

Melbourne Fringe celebrates the fresh, the innovative and the ground-breaking in all aspects of the arts. It is the most exciting explosion of independent creativity that Melbourne sees each year. If you want to take the pulse of one of Australia's most culturally engaged cities, this is the time and place to do it.



In 2009, over 4000 independent artists created over 300 shows that took over theatres, pubs, bars, galleries and public spaces across the city. The work produced is cutting-edge, professional, and always exciting, and ranges from circus to visual arts, cabaret to dance, theatre to comedy. Many of Australia's finest talents, including Lano and Woodley, Barrie Kosky, Santo Cilauro, Rachel Berger, Rachel Griffiths, Tiddas, Julia Zemiro and Sammy J have experimented with new ideas in Melbourne Fringe.



The Festival Hub in North Melbourne presents a slice of all things Fringe within a close cluster of venues. Hub venues present work selected by the Melbourne Fringe team and is the best place to get a taster of Melbourne's thriving independent arts culture. The North Melbourne Town Hall houses the Fringe Club with a bar, free entertainment and irrepressible energy.



In addition to managing the independent program, Melbourne Fringe unearths some of the most extraordinary ideas taking shape in the independent sector and develops them into the free Made by Melbourne Fringe program. In 2009, 25 years of ground-breaking design were celebrated with Fringe Furniture, the interactive artwork Circuit showcased Victoria's community of independent galleries, Reverb(1) was a dance project inspired by memories and experiences of public places, and Take Off Your Skin, a large-scale collaborative dance performance, infected Melbourne with multiplying Japanese clones.



The 2010 Melbourne Fringe Festival will take place from 22 September - 10 October.



Don't miss it! For more information please visit our website.

Get ready to strap yourselves in for a seven day blast of exceptional local and international animation in the 10th edition of the Melbourne International Animation Festival!



MIAF is one of the largest collections of independent animation gathered at any festival in the world, screening over 350 films in competitive, student, curated & retrospective programs. The festival aims to challenge and inspire audiences with thematic, visual and technical diversity from award winners, outstanding industry veterans and those wonderful newcomers who are exploring their talent on screen for the first time.



This will be your only opportunity in Australia to see such a comprehensive line-up of animated films - undoubtedly the most imaginative art form there is! Whether poetic, narrative driven, experimental, solely digital, comical, dramatic or inspired by the documentary form, MIAF's passion for showcasing outstanding works will culminate in a not to be missed celebration for filmmakers, lovers of animation and the general public alike.



Admission is restricted to an 18+ audience, except for special sessions designed for kids & teens. Please check our website for full details. Film classification regulations in Australia require all films to either be formally classified OR restricted to an audience of 18 years of age and over. Most festivals do not have the resources to do this and it is for this reason alone that we are not able to admit any person under the age of 18 years to the main MIAF screenings.

This coming March looks totally foolish with the 2010 Melbourne International Comedy Festival rolling from the 24th of March until the 18th of April the greatest comedy caper in the Southern Hemisphere.


The Comedy Festival doesn't come cheap on talent, but the tickets are. There's even an extensive free program to suit the most fiscally challenged of punters. Great value laughs are dished out by the most popular of local comics and some very special international guests - from stand-up to theatre, music, film and even visual art.


This year gets off to, not one, but two bangs, starting with The Gala and then followed with more celebrations at The Opening Night Allstars Speccy Comedy Supershow. Then the party just keeps on rolling with three and a half weeks' worth of galactic-sized giggles courtesy of the funniest people in the universe.


There's something to satisfy the tastes of everyone - even the stoniest faced naysayers - incorporating the likes of little tykes over the school holidays right through to the midnight schmoozers who can't get enough of a good thing.

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is an iconic Melbourne event with a devoted audience. MIFF hosts a feast of cinematic delicacies from over 50 countries for some 17 days each winter, heavily garnished with a range of parties and special events that envelop the CBD. In addition to screening the very best in world cinema, MIFF is Australia's largest showcase of new Australian cinema and most vocal champion of both emerging and established local filmmaking talent.


MIFF has a rich history, celebrating 59 years in 2010 which makes it one of the oldest film festival's in the world (one year younger than Cannes!). From its earliest days, MIFF has provided audiences with a unique window on the world and has acted as the leading intellectual and artistic catalyst in Australia's screen cultural landscape.


The Festival enjoys annual admissions of 185,000, making it one of Melbourne¹s significant public events.

The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS), Wednesday 24th to Sunday 28th March 2010 at the World Heritage Listed Royal Exhibition Building & Carlton Gardens, is set to return with an explosion of colour & design & after 14 years, still remains the biggest annual flower & garden show in the Southern Hemisphere!



The 2010 Show will see the creativity & passion of Australia s top floral & landscape designers delivered in their stunning displays as well as a strong environmental message for gardening in the climate we live in. Coupled with an extensive array of garden & floral retail products from rare & unusual plants to your old favourites, gardening tools to outdoor furniture, water tanks to floral art plus many new & innovative ideas for your garden, great food & entertainment for the whole family, this is certainly a must see event for all ages!

With more than 55 events over seven days and nights, this year's Festival was a true celebration of the riches of jazz. The unparalleled 2009 Melbourne International Jazz Festival included six world-premieres and ten Australian premieres with a rich program to delight everyone from dedicated jazz enthusiasts to families and first-time concertgoers.


Celebrating the dynamic spirit of jazz, the Festival hosted iconic masters including Charlie Haden, Bill Frisell, Cecil Taylor and Joshua Redman as well as Katie Noonan, Paul Grabowsky, Kate Ceberano and many more contemporary virtuosos from Australia and beyond. There were free concerts at Federation Square, Jazz for Kids, Masterclasses, Sound Walks at the NGV, Jazz on Film at ACMI, late night jam sessions, and much much more.


Please visit our website for information on the 2010 Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

In an age where "leisure" and "lifestyle" have taken on a whole new meaning, the Caravan Trade & Industries Association of Victoria (CTIAV), Boating Industry Association of Victoria Ltd (BIAV) and the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) have teamed up to provide you with a showcase of the latest RV, camping, touring, off roading and boating products. Returning this year is the popular Off Road 4x4 Test Track as well as test towing on the Sandown circuit so visitors can experience new vehicle test drives, safe towing demonstrations and tips for best practice off roading.



PRODUCTS






* Latest release caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, 4 wheel drives, off road vehicles, campervans, tent trailers, boats, fishing, and other recreational and touring vehicles.

* A huge range of touring accessories from leading suppliers.

* Tents, camping accessories, annexes, equipment and clothing for outdoor enthusiasts.

* Trailers, towing equipment, parts, aids and accessories for all touring and boating needs.

* Serious 4x4 parts and accessories.

* RV and off road telecommunications products, alternative power, off road equipment and services form leading industry suppliers.

* Drive tourism destination information, products and services.

* Fishing gear and boating equipment.





ACTIVITIES


* Interactive 4x4 circuit demonstrations.

* Interactive Test Track experience.

* Free kids rides on Saturday and Sunday.

* Food, drink and rest areas at the venue.

It s a queer, queer, queer, queer world and Melbourne will be its epicentre from March 17 to 28 when the 20th Melbourne Queer Film Festival takes over the town. Over 12 days an estimated 25,000 film lovers will watch over 140 gender bending films from around the world.



The Festival will present a strong program of over 40 features, over 30 documentaries and 70+ short films selected by Festival Director Lisa Daniel and her trusty Selection Panel, who over the last 12 years have built the festival into one of the top five Gay and Lesbian film festivals in the world.


As well as showcasing the best in Queer cinema, MQFF also supports emerging Australian filmmakers with a jury award for the City of Melbourne Best Australian Short Queer Film. Presented annually with a $2,000 cash prize, an Audience Choice award for Best Feature with a $5000 cash prize, an Audience Choice award for Foreign Language Film with a $5000 cash prize, an Audience Choice award for Best Australian Short Film with a $1,000 cash prize and a Selectors Choice Jury Award for Best Australian Short Queer Film with a $500 cash prize.

The Melbourne Summer Cycle offers a unique opportunity to explore marvellous Melbourne in the summer time!


Be a part of this fun-filled leisurely bike ride and experience some of Melbourne's most renowned landmarks and scenic views while pedalling for a purpose in support of people living with Multiple Sclerosis!


For more information, please visit our website or call 1800 287 367.

Each year the Orchestra performs to more than 250,000 people in Melbourne and regional Victoria, at events ranging from the annual series of Sidney Myer Free Concerts to its Classic Kids concerts for young children. The MSO reaches an even larger audience across Australia through its regular concert broadcasts on ABC Classic FM and through recordings on the Chandos and ABC Classics labels. ABC TV has also produced documentaries on the Orchestra 'To Russia with Love' about the MSO s St Petersburg tour and 'MSO Century' in celebration of the Orchestra s 100th year.


The MSO's concert season runs between February and December performing more than 150 concerts each year primarily at the Arts Centre, Hamer Hall or the Melbourne Town Hall. The Orchestra also performs at the Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Geelong's Costa Hall and at other venues around the State. For more information visit the MSO website or call 03 9626 1111 during business hours.


With a reputation for excellence, versatility and innovation the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is Australia s internationally-acclaimed and oldest orchestra, founded in 1906. Following integration with the Melbourne Chorale in 2008, the Orchestra now has its own choir - the MSO Chorus. This fine Orchestra is renowned for its performances of the great symphonic masterworks with leading international and Australian artists, as well as hugely-successful performances with popular artists including Elton John, Harry Connick, Jr. Ben Folds, Burt Bacharach, Meat Loaf, KISS and The Whitlams.


In 2005, Oleg Caetani took up the baton as the MSO s Chief Conductor and Artistic Director.


The MSO has received widespread international recognition in overseas tours to the USA, Canada, Japan, Korea, Europe (2000), China (2002), St Petersburg, Russia (2003) and Japan (2005). In 2007 the Orchestra embarked upon its second highly-successful European tour to Spain, Paris, Berlin and Milan.

Melbourne Theatre Company is the oldest professional theatre company in Australia and is the major provider of main stage drama entertainment in Melbourne.


Our mission is to produce classic and contemporary Australian and international theatre with style, passion and world class artistic excellence in order to entertain, challenge and enrich audiences in Melbourne, Victoria and Australia.


MTC produces 12 productions each year as part of the Main Season, whilst also presenting more experimental works as part of the Studio Season. MTC performs all year round with productions held at the newly completed MTC Theatre and at the Arts Centre.


The MTC Theatre houses the Sumner Theatre - a 500 seat state-of-the-art venue - and the intimate Lawler Studio. The venue is also home to the MTC Box Office, Script Bistro and multiple bars.


MTC regularly tours productions around Victoria as well as to other capital cities and regional centres, and provides an education program for over 30,000 high school students each year.


Subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale.

The Melbourne Writers Festival brings together 250 writers from overseas, nationally and locally, for a ten day feast of ideas, debate, readings, discussions and interviews.


In its 25th year, the festival presents 250 unique sessions at venues in Federation Square and nearby venues, and provides an opportunity to relax and mingle with writers and other audience members in the Atrium - the festival hub.

The City of Melbourne is hosting a designated family entertainment event in Yarra Park at the MCG this New Year's Eve, with a free concert featuring headline acts Marcia Hines and Ross Wilson.


Kicking off from 5pm, the Family Festival at Yarra Park will be hosted by TV star and comedy actor Pete Rowsthorn and feature Bob the Builder and other characters from the stage and screen.


Yarra Park will offer the best viewing location for the 9.15pm family fireworks show, a 180 degree arc of fireworks will see the sky above the entire park alight. There will not be any fireworks launched from the river this year.


Other entertainment will include:


- Free African drumming workshops and demonstrations will be on offer throughout the festival, along with carnival rides, roving entertainers and other children's activities.

- The National Sports Museum - open until 8pm, and Cricket Victoria will host a cricket clinic with an action-packed evening of cricket skills, drills and thrills.

- Casio Brothers featuring Demi Sorono of So You Think You Can Dance fame

- Paint Pot People workshops

- Envirocraft workshops

- Facepainting

- Free giveaways and spot prizes throughout the night


Public transport to and from Yarra Park will be free from 6pm. Richmond and Jolimont Stations are the best transport hubs for families getting to and from Yarra Park, or any tram routes used to access the MCG.


Whilst the Family Festival at Yarra Park surrounding the MCG will be the main family entertainment centre and offer the best view of this year's fireworks at 9.15pm, festivities will also be happening at Waterfront City and fireworks launched from Victoria Harbour, Docklands.


For more information please visit our website.


New Year's Eve in the city is an alcohol free event.

Midsumma, Melbourne s premier queer arts and cultural festival, will bring the city to life over summer when the festival begins on 17th of January.



The festival spans three weeks and includes art exhibitions, theatre, live music and nightlife events with queer-centric themes for the queer and wider community.



Celebrating its 22nd birthday, Midsumma has grown in stature and audience and plays a significant role in the broader Melbourne arts festival scene as well as the cultural life of Melbourne s queer community.



Midsumma enhances the sense of a queer community in Melbourne, strengthens the sense of

identity, and deepens the sense of belonging within our community, which in turn makes the

community more resilient says Adam Lowe, General Manager of Midsumma.



By showcasing queer culture to the broader community, it helps destigmatise the queer community and reduce levels of marginalisation Adam says.



Lisa Watts, Chairperson of Midsumma adds The festival also provides a supportive forum for queer youth, by giving them a sense of belonging and overcome the sense of isolation they can feel .



Midsumma attracts over 100,000 people from Melbourne and interstate. making it a significant

tourist and cultural contributor to Melbourne s economy.



The festival opens with Carnival, Midsumma s single largest event, and features food, entertainment and activities and starts at 11am, 17 January.

Moonee Valley Festival 2010 - Connecting Communities This Summer!


Now in its 33rd year, the Moonee Valley Festival is recognised as one of the largest free community events operating in Melbourne, attracting significant crowds in excess of 70,000 people from Moonee Valley and beyond.


This year the Festival will be held over two days:


Saturday 27th February - The Henley on Maribyrnong Rowing Regatta presented by the Essendon Rowing Club from 11am - 6pm


Sunday 28 February - The famous Community Celebrations will take over Queens Park, Moonee Ponds from 10am - 5.30pm


So come along and join in the celebration and help connect communities this summer!

The Mother s Day Classic is a run/walk for breast cancer research. All proceeds from the event go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.


Since the event s inception in 1998, over $4 million has been raised for the NBCF. Last year, nearly 70,000 participated in the event nationally with a record 28,500 participating in Melbourne alone.


Participants can dedicate their run or walk to a family member or friend touched by breast cancer by wearing a tribute placard. There will be plenty of activities for everyone including children s face painting, jumping castles, warm-up aerobics and massage.

A one-of-a-kind event for Australasia, the Australian International Concours d'Elegance will attract the most beautiful and prestigious classic cars from collections around the world, in a display the likes of which has never been seen in Australia. Held at the iconic, World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building , Carlton Gardens, the event will attract not only the world's top collectors and their cars, but a large visitor audience who appreciate the beauty and design of over 150 prestige vintage and classic automobiles and motorcycles.


Incorporating a range of events for classic car enthusiasts of all stripes, including a series of on-road tours, a Classic Motor Show, Picnic with the Classics and classic car auctions, Motorclassica is Australia's only week long celebration of classic motoring.

Warm up this winter and walk the walk for people living with Multiple Sclerosis!


Whether you're an elite runner or a weekend walker, be a part of the action! Stroll or sprint, roll or run or even travel by pram! Whatever you choose, you will be supporting thousands of Australians living with Multiple Sclerosis.


The MS Walk and Fun Run will start and finish from the picturesque Palms Lawn at Albert Park Lake and will follow the scenic track around the lake. The course is 100% stroller and wheelchair friendly and takes in spectacular views of the Melbourne skyline. Dogs on leads are also welcome.


Start time for runners: 9.00am


Start time for walkers: 10.30am


For more information, please visit our website or give us a call.