Diary Notes
August 2007
Mix It Up, Throughout Winter 2007
Mix It Up captures the best international and local artists in a series of events that reflect the cultural diversity in music. From French electropop to local African and Indigenous performers, to hip hop, Mix It Up is a colourful kaleidoscope of colour and sound. The program, being held over several months at the Arts Centre, has been chosen to reflect the broad diversity of world music.
For ticketing and general information: Ticketmaster on 1300 136 166, or visit www.ticketmaster.com.au or www.theartscentre.net.au
Tour of Gippsland, 1 - 5 August 2007
The Tour of Gippsland, a prestigious cycling race, is the opening event in the hugely successful Tattersall's Cup series. The course displays East Gippsland in all its visual splendour and provides an incredibly tough challenge for the riders. The tour will start in the picturesque town of Mallacoota, travel through Orbost, Lakes Entrance, Metung, Omeo, Paynesville, Dargo and will finish in beautiful Bairnsdale.
For details: www.caribou.net.au
Daylesford and Surrounds Words in Winter Celebration, 3- 5 August 2007
Now in its seventh year, the annual Words in Winter Celebrations will see poets, authors, artists, musicians and wordsmiths gather in Victoria's Central Highlands to delight audiences. There are day and night events with admission to most costing between $2 and $10.
More information: call 03 5321 6123 or visit www.visitdaylesford.com.au
The Age Melbourne Writers' Festival, 24 August – 2 September 2007
The Age Melbourne Writers' Festival, now in its 22nd year, is acclaimed as Australia's leading literary event. Staged over 10 days and nights in August and September each year, the festival promotes the art and talent of more than 200 writers from Australia and around the world. The festival features literary discussions, debates, readings, film screenings, interviews, performances, workshops and master classes.
For details: www.mwf.com.au
Experimenta Playground: International Biennial of Media Art, 24 August – 23 September 2007
Interact with and explore an exhibition and screening program of world-class digital art, video projection, interactive installation, film and animation by Australian and international artists. The art exhibition presents the world from a humorous, horrifying and delightful perspective. At the Arts Centre, Black Box, 100 St Kilda Road. Free admission.
For details: www.experimenta.org
Kangaroo Hoppet, 25 August 2007
Held at Falls Creek, the Kangaroo Hoppet is Australia's premier long distance (42km) cross-country ski race and is the only southern hemisphere event in the prestigious Worldloppet series of international long distance cross-country ski events. Other races on the day are the Australian Birkebeiner (21km) and Joey Hoppet (7km) events which start shortly after the main event.
General inquiries: call 03 5754 1045 or visit www.hoppet.com.au
For details: Allan Marsland on 03 5754 1045
Tour of the Murray River, 26 August – 2 September 2007
The 2007 tour is in its 12th year and was formerly known as the Tour of Sunraysia. The tour will start in the paddlesteamer capital of Australia – Echuca. The eight-day tour is now Australia's longest road cycling classic and this year pedals from Echuca through the popular Murray River towns of Moama, Rochester, Kerang, Cohuna, Euston, Merbein, Wentworth, Mildura, Ouyen, Patchewollock, Loxton, Berri and Renmark.
For details: www.caribou.net.au
Victoria Futurity, 29 August - 2 September 2007
The Victoria Futurity is one of a series of four National Cutting events conducted under the auspices of the National Cutting Horse Association of Australia. In regard to national status, the Victoria event now ranks as the number one event of its kind. Held over five days at the National Equestrian Centre at Werribee, the 2007 event will attract Australia's best professional riders and the top cutting horses. The event has been described as equine gymnastics.
For Details: www.victoriafuturity.com.au
Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival, 30 August – 9 September
Starting on the first weekend of spring, the festival highlights include a daffodil flower show, open gardens scheme, old time ball, grand parade, antique fair and arts show, and festival of one act plays. The festival concludes with a street parade and fair in Piper Street. These events will be held in various venues around Kyneton.
For information visit: www.kynetondaffodilarts.org.au or phone (03) 5422 2282.
September 2007
The Goddess grins. Albert Tucker and the Female Image, 26 May – 28 October
Heide Museum of Modern Art presents a selection of Albert Tucker’s most expressive and intimate paintings of the female form. The Goddess grins charts Tucker’s progress as a self-taught and highly skilled young artist via an exhibition of more than 50 paintings, drawings and sculptures from the 1930s to the 1990s, some of which have not been shown publicly before. The exhibition is at Heide111: Albert & Barbara Tucker Gallery, 7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen.
For information call Sarah Aitken on (03) 9850 1500 or visit www.heide.com.au
World Cup Aerials at Mt Buller, 1-2 September
Victoria will once again host the first Aerial Skiing World Cups of the freestyle season, the World Aerials at Mt Buller. Entry to the event is free and spectators are encouraged to walk down to the site and check out all the action, and then take a free chairlift ride back to the top of the run on Chamois Chairlift.
For more information phone (03) 9696 2344 or visit www.worldaerials.com
Motorola Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, 3-9 September
Motorola Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MMSFW) takes over the city with fashion. Highlights include: the breathtaking evening parades staged at the Melbourne Town Hall from Tuesday to Thursday; daytime catwalk displays; VIP salon shows; exhibitions; and panel discussions. Continue the party mood at the free MMSFW after parties at some of the city's hottest bars and nightspots.
For further information and to purchase tickets for the evening parades head to Half Tix at Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street or visit www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
Ararat Australian Cymbidium Festival, 8-9 September
Cymbidium orchid lovers from across Australia are set to converge on Ararat renowned as the 'the orchid city' again hosts the Australian Cymbidium Show at the Ararat Performing Arts Centre. This year's show will see hundreds of Cymbidium orchids on display in the historic hall with spectacular colour and beauty, including many new hybrids, some old vintage favourites and specimen plants grown by the best hobbyists and commercial orchid growers from around Australia.
For more information phone (03) 53550281 or visit www.visitararat.com.au
Tesselaar Tulip Festival, 13 September – 10 October
Welcome spring at this European-style celebration, with fields of colourful tulips, blooming daffodils and freesias, along with traditional Dutch food and music. Located in Silvan, the festival opens from 10am to 5pm seven days a week. Entry costs $15 for adults, $12 for concession and children under 16 years of age are free. Groups of 10 or more cost $10 per person.
For more information phone (03) 9737 7777 or visit www.tulipfestival.com.au
The Royal Melbourne Show, 20–30 September
Springtime in Melbourne is showtime, and this year Victoria’s largest public event - the Royal Melbourne Show - celebrates its 152nd year. Showcasing agricultural and rural excellence, the Ascot Vale Showgrounds are transformed into an 11-day celebration bringing country and city together. Wood chopping, sheep shearing, milking and blacksmith displays are just some of the treats for the show-going public. It’s the only place you’ll find prize-winning horses, sheep, goats, cattle, alpacas and chooks, just a stone’s throw away from the CBD.
For more information phone (03) 9914 2400 or visit www.royalshow.com.au
2007 Mildura Country Music Festival, 28 September - 7 October
The 21st annual Mildura Country Music Festival is Australia's biggest showcase of independent entertainers with over 100 independent country music artists including a mix of perennial Mildura favourites, award winners, hit makers and many rising country music stars. There will be more than 800 hours of free entertainment. The festival will be held in 24 venues across Mildura and district. The diamond in the crown for the past 10 years has been the live concert and radio presentation of the Southern Stars the Australian Independent Country Music Awards that recognise the achievements of the independent recording artists during the past year.
For more information phone 1800 039 043 or visit www.milduracountrymusic.com.au
AFL Toyota Grand Final Weekend, 28–30 September
The AFL Grand Final, to be held on Saturday 29 September at the MCG, is the single most important day on the calendar of Australia's largest sport. The AFL draws more than six million spectators annually through its gates with four million television viewers per week.
For more information visit www.afl.com.au
Melbourne Fringe Festival, 26 September- 14 October
The Melbourne Fringe Festival spices up the city's cultural calendar with an entertaining program of groundbreaking and daring performances ranging across all art forms. The festival will flourish as a score of vibrant artists showcase their talents with more than 230 fresh acts in over 100 venues across the city. From comedians to cabaret, the festival will transform the cityscape, including Federation Square. Some of the Fringe events are free, with the average price for a show around $15.
For more information phone (03) 8412 8788 or visit www.melbournefringe.com.au