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Australian Movie & Comic Expo

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The Australian Movie and Comic Expo is Melbourne’s ultimate entertainment event. Running every October since 2007 (formerly Armageddon Expo), the new name brings a new direction featuring a heavy influence from movies and comics.

With everything we are known for and more including celebrity guests, autographs, photo ops, discussion panels, costumes, over 10,000 sqm of collectable dealers, gaming, sci-fi and fantasy, multimedia, family events and interactive displays.

Guests this year include Seth Gilliam (The Walking Dead, Teen Wolf), Daniel Davis (The Nanny) Larry Hama (Marvel, DC) plus more.

When: October 15 -16

Where: Melbourne Showgrounds

Visit the website here. 

Kinky Boots

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Cyndi Lauper’s huge-hearted hit is coming to Melbourne!

Based on the movie starring Joel Edgerton and inspired by a true story, KINKY BOOTS is about a young man’s struggle to save the family business and the unexpected people he meets along the way.

With Tony and Grammy winning songs by pop icon CYNDI LAUPER, book by Broadway royalty HARVEY FIERSTEIN (La Cage aux Folles) and direction and choreography by Tony-Award Winner JERRY MITCHELL (Legally Blonde, Hairspray), KINKY BOOTS is a celebration of love, friendship and the power of believing in yourself.

Don’t miss the musical that has captured the hearts of Broadway and the West End, at Her Majesty’s Theatre from October.

When: 12 October – 27 November

Where: Her Majesty’s Theatre

Visit the Kinky Boots website. 

We want you to enjoy this fantastic time of year and there’s no better way to revel in the summer action than a mini staycation in Melbourne. Stay at the  Ibis Melbourne, Little Bourke Street this summer and enjoy free breakfast. Book online for this exclusive deal.*

Ibis Little Bourke

*Book before 15th February 2017 for stays until 31 March 2017.

Banksy Comes to Melbourne

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The world’s most famous street artist, Banksy is bringing his works to the streets of Melbourne. This October, Melbourne will be able to view a retrospective of more than 80 of his best works, curated by the artist’s former manager, Steve Lazarides. Inspired by the streets of London, this exhibition will take visitors on an artistic adventure, exploring the mind of Banksy and his satirical street art.

The exhibition will open in The Paddock in Federation Square and will also feature some of Melbourne’s best food trucks, courtesy of Welcome to Thornbury, along with a bar and live DJs in ‘The Railyard’.

As the street art capital of Melbourne, we couldn’t think of a more fitting place for the exhibition.

When: 7 October  2016 ~ 22 January 2017

Where: The Paddock, Federation Square

Visit the website here. 

The Pleasure Garden

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This December, Melbourne will add a shiny new festival to it’s  list. Billed as an immersive, creative arts and music feast, the Pleasure Garden will take over the Catani Gardens on December 10, with a diverse and unique musical programme, mischievous roving theatrical performances, inspiring art installations and large, thematic stages.

The lineup for the festival includes local legends The Cat Empire, the funky The Opiuo Band from NZ, London duo The Consultants, Tash Sultana, Blue King Brown, Dub Pistols, Sound System and more.

As with every other festival, punters can expect  plenty of  boutique cocktail and food options, plus some thrilling carnival rides.

Our friends at Rydges St Kilda are giving away a double pass to The Pleasure Garden with 2 cocktails at Mavis Browns. All you have to do is tell them in 25 words or less why you love summer! More information here.

When: December 10

Where: Catani Gardens, St Kilda

Visit the Pleasure Garden website here. 

Fringe Review: It’s my funeral & I’ll throw glitter if I want to

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As an independent woman, taking charge of one of the most significant, and well let’s face it, last, major events of one’s life is a pretty huge, albeit important task. So, ‘after a (tiny) mental breakdown, Isobel Marmion decided to throw her own funeral (fancy dress and lots of glitter) rather than wait for her untimely and obviously impending death from one of the many illnesses she’s currently suffering from…’ which she goes on to list at the start of her aptly-named show.

Pre-show we are warned to brace ourselves for what is described as an ‘intimate look at mental illness and the fear of dying alone, but in an uplifting, funny way’ – this was delivered loosely wrapped around what comes across as an intimate 50 minute long confessional.

From this description, and as the show unfolded in front of us, it became clear that it was less about the funeral, and more so about Isobel’s very real struggle with mental illness – balancing bipolar disorder in a society which demands high function, something that Isobel appears to have a hold of in the way that someone might throw forward jokes to cover up awkward and uncomfortable moments.

Let’s face it, we’ve all been there.

IMFAITGIIWT (the official acronym) is like stepping into Isobel’s bedroom for a girly sleepover, sharing her deepest darkest secrets, fears and feelings, and watching her give birth to a three-litre bottle of milk full of glitter.

It then goes out with a glorious, pyjama-clad, boss-shoe wearing bang.

When: Until 25 September
Where: Courthouse Hotel, Melbourne
More Information: Check out Isobel’s website

 

Fringe Review: CULL

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This show is self-described as a ‘trashy, David Lynchian, wet nightmare sketch show about deleting your Facebook friends and the absurdity of social media’ and yep, that just about fits the bill perfectly.

Cull is dark, dark humour. The kind that comes fresh from a deep well of millennial cynicism, finally jaded enough to burst the social media bubble of perfection.

Duo Honor Wolff and Patrick Durnam Silva have a pretty cool groove going on, even if at times it’s a little rough around the edges, it’s funny. We laughed the whole time.

This show in short, is dark, but fun.

Honor and Patrick have almost too much intensity between them, but it’s necessary to lift the audience out of the dark content, back into their very fabulous balance with high-energy cray.

The best part of Cull is the enjoyment taken from poking delicious fun at the ‘Cute Cats of Instagram’, the ‘Fitspo’ tools who do anything but inspire the average punter, ‘awareness challenges’ and a physically awkward look at the people who are socially inept outside of their carefully cultivated Facebook image and ‘I’m so fun’ online chat dialogue.

This 50 minute package is peppered with really clever parts, mixed with moments of uncomfortability, it’s visually in-your-face, but it will make you laugh. Hard.

If you love black comedy of the darkest level, you will love this, even if you are a little challenged by the content. But really, what on earth would a Fringe show be without pushing the boundaries of creativity and humour.

You’ll probably be inspired to cull a few of your Facebook friends in the process.

Liked and shared guys.

Where: Courthouse Hotel, North Melbourne
When: 6pm, until 23rd September
More Information: (ironically) Check out their Facebook page.

Where to watch the AFL Grand Final

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The AFL Grand Final is almost upon us and while it’s still up in the air as to who will be playing, you’ll want to start making your plans now for Australia’s most celebrated Annual sporting event. A tradition on every Aussie’s calendar, Grand Final Day is a time for friends and family to fire up the bbq and cheer on their sporting team. Here’s our pick of the best grand final parties around town.

Fed Square | Melbourne

Soak in the AFL Grand Final atmosphere with your family and thousands of your ‘closest friends’. There is no reason to stay home when you can come and celebrate one of Melbourne’s iconic events watching it live on the Big Screen.

Don’t miss a minute of air time with a variety of food trucks onsite to fuel your enthusiasm.

The Food Truck Park | Preston

Calling all of Melbourne’s BBQ and AFL fans to Preston! The smokiest BBQ food trucks of Melbourne are going to cook it out for three days in our tastiest cook up yet.

Watch the match of the year with the AFL Grand Final on Saturday our big screen projector plus screens throughout the park. Food trucks for the day include Smokin Barrys, Street Feast,Chevapi Kings, Flamin Lamb Spit Bbq, Real Burgers, From the Butcher to the Chef and Copa Food Truck.

 Duke of Wellington | Melbourne

As the official pub of the Melbourne Football Club and the close proximity to the ‘G, the Duke of Wellington always throw an awesome Grand Final party. This year, they’ll be open from 7am, with $7.50 happy hour on the Ground Floor and a selection of cocktails for just $10 on Level One between 4pm and 6pm.

Turf Sports Bar | Melbourne

Turf Sports Bar will be screening the Grand Final live and loud on their big screens. Also on offer will be a special Footy Menu running all weekend so book yourself a table or choose one of their exclusive private booths, and your Grand Final needs are pretty much sorted!

The Wharf Hotel | Melbourne

The Whar Hotel are throwing a massive Grand Final Party with a riverside mega screen plus 10 large plasmas so you don’t miss any of the action. Drink specials include $8 Heineken Schooners and $20 Pizza & Heineken Schooner. Live tunes will continue after the final siren so you can party well into the night.

St Hotel | St Kilda

Catch the Game at the St Hotel on October 1st. Doors open at midday and ticket holders can purchase drinks until start of the game and food will begin to be served from 1pm.

Each ticket comes with a full drinks and food package that will be served from starting siren to full time siren. Food options will include a delicious Gamekeeper Burger, never ending Belgian fries, gourmet pies and sausage rolls made at St HOTEL. There’ll also be prize giveaways so make sure to don your best costumes!

The Swanston Hotel | Cocoon Bar

Join the Swanston Hotel in Cocoon on Grand Final Eve and Game Day for happy hours on all beer, wine and spirits from 12pm – 2pm and 5pm -7pm, or tuck into our Footy Meal Deal – $18 Meat Lovers Pizza and a pot of Furphy.

Want to know what’s happening in Melbourne? Sign up to the We Know Melbourne mailing list here to stay in the loop.

Tesselaar Tulip Festival

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Take a drive out to Silvan for a smell to remember!

The 63rd Tesselaar Tulip Festival returns this year and visitors will be amazed by the beauty of  a million Tulips across 25 acres of farmland. Expanding their grounds this year, this year’s festival will have over 100 000 more Tulips than ever before, including over 150 varieties.

Celebrating different cultures from around the world, each weekend will have different themes, ranging from Turkish through to Irish. There’ll also be live entertainment, market stalls and tempting foods on offer every day.

When: September 8 – October 4

Where: Silvan

Visit the website here.

Malaysia Street Festival

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Taste authentic Malaysian food at the Malaysia Street Festival at the Queen Victoria Market this October.

The day will filled with Malaysian culture and games with activities including a game of congkak, henna art, sarong tying, balloon making and cultural performances. Plus there’ll also be an ‘Amazing Race’ competition for the family to enjoy.

Celebrating it’s 6th year, this festival welcomes all who are looking to experience the tastes and sounds of Malaysia

When: 9am-4pm, 9 October

Where: Queen Vic Markets

Visit the website here. 

Jamaican Music & Food Festival

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Melbourne is getting Australia’s first ever Jamaican Music & Food Festival. Get back to your reggae roots  with a world class line up of DJs spinning reggae, dub, and dancehall classics against the stunning dockside backdrop and city skylines of Seaworks.Four stages will serve up eight hours of live music in one vibrant celebration of

Four stages will be serving up eight hours of live music in one vibrant celebration of music of Jamaican origin. Soak up live reggae on the Main Stage or Ska and Rocksteady outdoors, get busy in the Dancehall, get vital Ital vibes in the Roots Man Corner, catch top performances from all the Reggae Queens and enjoy children’s activities and performances in the Pickney Play Area. Plus Boss Man Foods and Bickle are on hand to feed you the best authentic cuisine Jamaica has to offer from Jerk Chicken to Rice n Peas.

After you’ve blissed out to the sweet sounds of reggae, hit up the Food Festival bar where you can treat yourself to some traditional Jamaican food and drinks!

When: 12pm – 8am, November 6

Where: Seaworks, Williamstown

Visit the website here.