All posts filed under: culture

The Finest Après-Ski Lodge – Mont Plonk

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Mont Plonk; a complete alpine-themed takeover of Melbourne Public’s terrace, opens for its second season from 28 June – 26 August, promising an authentic après – ski experience slap – bang in the middle of Melbourne. Having teamed up with Ugg Australia to provide fur blankets, sheepskin rugs, and deliciously cosy fire-pits – this urban ski lodge creates the true look and feel of an après-ski bar, despite being over 200km away from any hint of snow-kissed mountain caps.   Featuring a selection of warming wintery offerings, passionate (après) skiers will keep toasty with mulled wine, boozy hot chocolate and hot toddys. Mont Plonk will also be home to an array of traditional food that wouldn’t be out of place on the Alps, with cheese fondues and bratwurst sausages.  Owner of Melbourne Public, Alysha Darcy, can’t wait for this second season. “Mont Plonk was such a success last year that we are excited to see what our guests think of our new additions, including our dazzling new terrace bar.” Access to Mont Plonk is free, but …

The Music Gym opens at Melbourne’s Galleria

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Galleria is thrilled to announce an all new music hub in the heart of the CBD, The Music Gym officially launching on Make Music Day, 21 June. Make Music Day is a worldwide phenomenon observed by hundreds of millions of people in 800 cities across 120 countries. The day brings people of all styles, ages and skill levels together to make and enjoy music, with 2018 the first year Australia is participating. The Music Gym is the brainchild of Catherine Prifti, a music teacher of 21 years. Catherine has been immersed in the world of music for over two decades, working across Australia and Europe with her specialised skill set as a pianist, conductor and teacher. The concept for a music gym came about after Catherine noticed that while many adults have a strong interest in learning and performing music, expensive instruments and costly private lessons stopped many from realising their passion. Enter, The Music Gym: grown-ups only group classes with state-of-the-art instruments provided, at a convenient location where you can fit in a class …

Bastille Day French Festival 2018

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Back for its fourth year, winner of the 2017 Award for Contribution to Multiculturalism by a Corporation, this popular festival brings together all the major French-Australian associations and businesses in Victoria to celebrate the best of French culture and its national day. Calling Francophones and Francophiles of all ages, our program ensures there is something for everyone. Held under the iconic arches of the heritage-listed North Melbourne Meat Market, the festival will be hosting movie screenings, an art exhibition, talks, masterclasses, live performances and a kid’s corner. Navigate the stalls and taste our selection of delicious food and drink: whether its pastries, raclette cheese, snails, wine, beer, crepes or macarons. There will also be a raffle with some sensational prizes to be won thanks to event sponsors. Tickets are $10 or 3 for 20$, and can be purchased on-site or online before the draw on the 15th July at 4:45pm. Prizes include: Paris for two on Singapore Airlines with 5 nights accomodation in Sofitel Paris Baltimore Tour Eiffel hotel New Caledonia for two on Aircalin …

Leaps and Bounds Music Festival

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What originally began as a push to back local venues, musicians and business through the quiet of winter, Leaps and Bounds Music Festival continues to nurture our thriving music community, showcasing homegrown talent from up and coming locals, to internationally acclaimed artists alike. Leaps and Bounds Music Festival brings the warmth that our thriving music community inevitably craves at this time of year, and provides continued support to local artists, venues, and businesses with a smorgasbord of gigs to suit any punter’s palate. Leaps and Bounds is a venues focused live music festival that specifically showcases home grown talent and in music venues and music outlets across the City of Yarra. It nurtures the next generation of musicians, celebrates the unique Australian music voice of our musical legends and makes connections for audiences. There are gigs to suit music fans of every genre from electronic to hip hop and jazz to rock, for all age groups and every budget, including many free gigs. This year Leaps and Bounds has enabled Yarra venue bookers to put on some …

2018 Melbourne Cabaret Festival

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The ninth annual Melbourne Cabaret Festival bursts onto the stage with some of the most fabulous and seductive cabaret from across Australia. Returning to Chapel Off Chapel with an even bigger program, up to 10 performances daily, from Tuesday 19 June to Sunday 1 July 2018. Featuring 20 brand new cabaret shows, the festival again provides an opportunity to see new works from established and emerging artists before they tour to take on the national and world festival stages. Queen of Cabaret, Dolly Diamond returns as the festival’s Artistic Director. ‘Well there’s no denying that 2017 was a fabulous year for the Melbourne Cabaret Festival, so the pressures on to make this year’s festival even bigger. We’ve absolutely loved gathering such an eclectic line-up of performers for 2018, See you at The Chapel…’ Program highlights include: Opening Gala Some of the best highlights from shows from across the festival in the one extravaganza, hosted by the one and only Dolly Diamond. God Only Knows: The Brian Wilson Songbook Brian Wilson is undisputedly one of the …

Next Matriarch Exhibition 2018

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Next Matriarch carries a conversation between First Nations female artists and artworks, from ancestral healing and the dystopia of modern society, to the language of pop culture and the Sovereign female body as a carrier of children, resilience and knowledge at the Koorie Heritage Trust.  ‘’We are delighted to be presenting Next Matriarch, as part of our activities for Reconciliation and NAIDOC Week.  This year, NAIDOC’s theme Because of her we can – celebrates the invaluable contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made – and continue to make – to our communities, our families, our rich history and to our nation,’’ says Tom Mosby, CEO, Koorie Heritage Trust. Next Matriarch calls on the strength of First Nations women past, present and future and presents new and recent photography, painting, video and installation works by seven leading First Nations female artists from across Australia: Paola Balla, Ali Gumillya Baker, Hannah Brontë, Miriam Charlie, Amrita Hepi, Nicole Monks and Kaylene Whiskey. Highlights include Hannah Brontë’s fierce new rap music video, Umma’s Tongue-molten at 6000˚, …

Mabo Day Celebration

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Join with the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal communities in Victoria to celebrate one of the most significant dates on the Indigenous calendar, Mabo Day on Sunday 3 June 2018, Deakin Edge, Federation Square. Hosted by the multi-talented Lisa Maza (of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage), this free family friendly concert will feature performances by the acclaimed Torres Strait Islander dance troupe Gerib Sik, as well as live music from Luke Captain and Monica Weightman, together in their unique blend of song, and the Black Sistaz. Bringing together the voices of Aboriginal Australia, this unique performance celebrates the achievements and remembers the struggles of Indigenous people since this landmark decision. From the Torres Straits, Gerib Sik is an internationally acclaimed dance troupe.  This community dance group is dedicated in promoting Torres Strait Islander culture and continues to grow with the constant advice from Murray Island Elders. Luke Captain is from Murray Island in the Eastern Group of the Torres Strait Islands and his songs reflect his home and zogo – spirit of his ancestors. He is a …

National Celtic Festival 2018

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Held annually in Portarlington, Victoria, Australia on the June long weekend. From near and far we gather in the wonderful township of Portarlington to Unleash the Spirit, Discover the Passion and Experience the Culture. An easy 90-minute drive from Melbourne, the township of Portarlington is ready to welcome you with open arms. Nestled between the Bellarine Peninsula’s renowned vineyards and the famous mussel farms of Corio Bay, this normally quiet bay side village comes to life with the music, laughter and passion of the Celtic spirit This winter festival is regarded as Australia’s premier Celtic Festival and attracts over 15,000 people to the region over the three day long weekend event each June. The event commences on Friday evening and concludes on Monday afternoon (over 4 days). The Festival uses a range of venues within the town, including community halls and spaces, the hotel, restaurants, cafes and churches. Marquees are also set up on the foreshore to provide additional venues; these include the Village Stage, Celtic Club, Wine Bar, and Celtic Markets. The National Celtic …

Buddha’s Day and Multicultural Festival

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The free annual Buddha’s Day and Multicultural Festival is a not-for-profit festival, which promotes inclusiveness, cultural awareness, cultural understanding; and enhances community spirit and social harmony. The 2-day festival celebrates Buddha’s birthday and the diversity of our multicultural and multi-faith society through traditional Buddhist Ceremonies, arts, music, cultural performances, social and spiritual wellbeing lectures, world peace prayers, blessing ceremonies, children’s activities, vegetarian food and much more. The festival contributes to the arts, civic culture, interfaith dialogue and cultural dimensions of this great city. Recognised as a significant event in the Melbourne calendar by the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Multicultural Commission, its primary goals are: To promote peace and harmony, respect and magnanimity, compassion and cultural awareness; and To share the spirit of joy and happiness within the community and families. When: 19 – 20 May 2018 Where: Federation Square More information: Check their website.

Join the ultimate celebration of jazz

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An elegant event for our East siders this April. Join the music and jazz lovers to the highly anticipated Jazz Greats Weekend on Saturday, 28 and Sunday, 29 April 2018 at Monash University’s Robert Blackwood Hall. This year’s ultimate weekend of jazz kicks off with ARIA award winners Vince Jones and Megan Washington joining a 17-piece orchestra to revisit “Come In Spinner, ” Australia’s most successful jazz album. Through celebrating the soundtrack of the popular 1990’s television series, the evening promises to blast a fresh and surprising energy into beloved jazz standards courtesy of all-new arrangements by Steve Newcombe. The Jazz Greats Weekend culminates with The Edge of Reality – The Elvis Presley Songbook  where the talented Joe Camilleri and Vika Bull will unite with six-time ARIA winner Paul Grabowsky to bring a radical new perspective to the music of the “King”. Filled with not-to-be-missed Elvis classics, the concert promises a highly enjoyable night of inspired musical alchemy. The evening begins with a mesmerising performance by the hugely passionate, soulful powerhouse, Mojo Juju. Following the success …