Launched in 2010, this relatively new festival was designed to celebrate Melbourne’s thriving music scene, support up and coming local talent and foster partnerships to ensure the industry continues to grow. Not just about music alone, it has been described as an ‘imaginative line-up that spans music, film, art, design and hospitality – on at various locations in and around the CBD. When: 17 – 25 Nov 2017 Where: check out their program here.
The pervasive cultural energy of Jamaica makes a triumphant return to Jamaican Music & Food Festival after a sell-out festival in 2016. This second audacious celebration will feature highly- charged performances from international headliner and Jamaican reggae superstar Bushman, and British-born artist Marvin Priest, son of Maxi Priest, alongside a top line-up of Australian talent all in one beautiful dockside location. Jamaican Music & Food Festival explores the rawest and realest corners of Jamaican culture with a uniquely Australian melting pot of world-class reggae, dancehall, ska, roots and dub talent over five stages; Fasmwa with More Judgement (Sydney), Basmati (Queensland), Mumma Trees and General Justice (Perth), PBS’s most respected radio mob Babylon Burning PBS host Jessie I, Top Ranking and Mohair Slim plus the strongest line- up of Reggae Queens Australia has ever known from Systa BB to Sista Itations, Miss Fee to pioneering DJ and absolute Boss Nadine King, infamous for supporting the likes of Lee Scratch Perry, Mad Professor and Sly and Robbie. 2017’s festival will see even more bars serving fine Red Stripe …
The 6th annual Australian Tap Dance Festival shuffles into Melbourne from 30 September – 6 October with a world-class line-up of dancers arriving for Australia’s premiere celebration of tap from across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United States. This year’s Festival faculty features an exceptional line up of tap artists including international French headliner and choreographer Roxane Butterfly (first woman to win the prestigious Bessie Award for tap dance and founder of Jimmy Slyde Institute), Winston Morrison (founder of Melbourne Tap Dance and Australian Tap Dance Festival), Nathaniel Hancock (current touring member of ‘Tap Dogs’), Jack Egan (coach of the Australian International Dance Organization tap team), Thomas Wadelton (principal dancer Tapestry Dance Company – North America’s only professional full time dance company), Darren Disney (original member of ‘Tap Dogs’), Thomas Egan (creative/ performer ‘The Tap Pack’), Peta Anderson (touring member of ‘Riverdance’), Brianna Taylor (one of Australia’s leading professional tap dance artists), and Shane Preston (teacher, choreographer and performer – currently commissioned to create the ‘Australian Teachers of Dance’ organization). Each carefully selected faculty …
Sit back and enjoy an enchanting evening of opera music under the stars at Mazda Opera in the Bowl. This free concert is a fabulous way to start the summer and features some of the greatest arias and most beautiful overtures in a fantastic program of songs and duets. The line-up includes four leading soloists, the Opera Australia Chorus and Orchestra Victoria. Don’t forget the picnic blanket! When: 8pm-10pm 3 December Where: Sidney Myer Music Bowl Visit the website here.
Melbourne Zoo’s live music program, Zoo Twilights is back for it’s third year, and the line-up for 2017 is bigger and wilder than ever! Highlights this year include Hoodoo Gurus, Peter Garrett & The Alter Egos,Warpaint, The Rubens, Kurt Vile, Tegan and Sara plus more. The evening shows kick off after 7pm and ticket holders can explore the Zoo at dusk with animal exhibits open exclusively for Zoo Twilights guests from 5:30pm. All proceeds will go towards fighting the extinction of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot among other furry friends, an initiative which is part of a five-year plan. When: January 27 – March 11 2017 Where: Melbourne Zoo Visit the Melbourne Zoo website here.
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.
Australia’s favourite boutique music festival returns to St Kilda for it’s fourth year and the line up is massive! Presented by Fuzzy – the Aussie promoters behind Field Day and Parklike, the festival will feature a bevvy of local and international electronic and hip-hop artists. Headliners for the festival this year include Baauer, A$AP Ferg and local legends, RÜFÜS. To get your booty shaking harder, Listen Out will be upping the noise levels this year and the sound on the dance floor set to be over TWICE as loud as last year, thanks to the tick of approval from the good folk at St Kilda Council. Tickets are on sale now, but get in quick, it will sell out soon. Planning a big weekend for Listen Out Festival? Avoid the hassle of getting there and back, and stay at Rydges St Kilda (a 5 minute walk from the festival) with our HOT Winter deal – stay 1 night, and get the next night FREE on weekends. Book / stay by 29 September 2016. T&C’s apply, so call the hotel directly for details …
One week. Over 50 artists. Non-stop music. For those about the rock, get on this. Returning again to St Kilda this August, Live N Local showcases Melbourne’s diverse and incredible music talent across local venues in St Kilda and the wider Port Philip community. St Kilda is renowned for its eclectic music and pub scene, and Live N Local promises quality emerging and established artists, roving performers and outdoor activities in all the usual haunts PLUS a few unexpected locations, which the organisers are keeping under wraps for now. (Check their website for updates). Full program is expected to be launched 19 July. The best part about Live N Local? The gigs are free. So if you are looking for something to do at the tail end of this Winter, grab your mates and head over to St Kilda for some fab tunes from some names you know and some names you may not. And whilst you are there, check out some of the nearby bars like Mavis Browns for a beverage for two. No …
During her 60 year career, Ella Fitzgerald lived an extraordinary life that has earned her place in music history. The inspiration that shone so brightly through the voice of Ella will find it’s new vessel in Kelsey James, a vocalist whose projects include the Furbelows, her own Quintet and her original project. When: 24 – 25 April 2016 Where: Bennetts Lane Jazz Club Visit the Bennetts Lane Jazz Club website here.
The Sydney Road Street Party is back this weekend, closing off most of Sydney Road (between Union to Victoria Street) for one giant block party! There’ll be everything from the hottest local music, dance, food and market crafts showcasing the best of the Moreland district! With its strong migrant-culture and explosive artistic population, this community is an inner-city hotspot that perfectly illustrates the bohemian and multicultural heart of Melbourne. When: Sunday, 6 March Where: Sydney Road, Brunswick Visit the website here.
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