Diary Notes
Februay 2007
Chocolate Monkey, January 31 - February 18, 2007
After four sell-out seasons in Melbourne, Dublin and Sydney, The Amazing Business' remarkable tale of urban adventure returns to Melbourne for a much-anticipated season in the Arts Centre, BlackBox. A non-stop, hilarious, poignant and moving tour of Melbourne and its intriguing underbelly.. Adults $27 / Concession $19 / Previews $15
Bookings & inquiries: Ticketmaster 1300 136 166, www.theartscentre.net.au, the Arts Centre Box Office or at the door
Otway Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon and Forrest Festival, 3 February
This event involves a 100km mountain bike race through the Otways, some of toughest terrain in Victoria. Organisers expect between 2,000-4,000 people. Starting at the ocean, competitors will ride into the mountains through rainforest, around lakes and across rivers along 100km of single-track and forest trails.
Inquiries: visit www.otwayodyssey.com
Grampians Jazz Festival, 9 – 11 February
Musicians and lovers of jazz will flock to Halls Gap for the annual Grampians Jazz Festival. Streets, organised venues and any patch of bare ground will ring to the sounds of saxophones, trombones, banjos, trumpets and more as a record number of bands perform over the weekend.
Inquiries: 03 5356 4616
Sustainable Living Festival, 16 – 18 February
Come and be apart of the Sustainable Living Festival in 2007, at Federation Square. This free event is a celebration and showcase of leading examples of sustainable living in Australia right in the heart of the city of Melbourne.
Inquiries: 03 9249 1888 or visit www.slf.org.au/festival
Echuca-Moama Riverboats, Jazz, Food and Wine Festival, 16 – 18 February
Celebrate spectacular jazz and blues, contemporary food styles and great Aussie music along the banks of the mighty Murray River, during Echuca-Moama's 14th Jazz, Food and Wine Festival.
Inquiries: 1800 804 446 or visit www.echucamoama.com/jazz
NAB Cup, 23 February – 17 March
All the AFL action begins when the 16 teams go head-to-head in the 2007 NAB Cup. Witness all the spectacle of Australian Football, the trial rules and the new line-ups as the battles heat up in this knock-out style competition. The 16 teams will play across Australia with the Melbourne matches played at Telstra Dome.
Inquiries: 03 9643 1999 or visit www.afl.com.au
March 2007
The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award, 1 Mar - 27 May
The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award is Australia's richest prize for sculptors in Australia. The Award culminates in a stunning 12 week outdoor exhibition of the 30 finalists' works at Werribee Park.
Inquiries: 03 9654 0299 or visit www.lempriereaward.com.au
Yamaha Phillip Island World Superbike Championship, 2 - 4 March
Victoria's unique and challenging Phillip Island Circuit hosts the Superbike World Championship. This event provides some of the closest competition of any racing championship, while bringing together the major motorcycle manufacturers and high-profile international riders.
Inquiries: visit www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au/superbike.php
Media Enquiries: Peter Mitchell ph: 5952 2710
Red Hill International Cool Climate Wine Show, 7 & 9 March
The International Cool Climate Wine Show attracts over 700 entries from Cool Climate regions in Australasia including the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Tasmania and New Zealand. The event is held at the Red Hill Showgrounds from 6.30pm - 8pm and costs $10 which includes a tasting glass.
Inquiries: Phone 03 5983 2400 or visit www.coolclimatewineshow.org.au
Echuca Cup Carnival, 9 and 11 March
Echuca Cup Day featuring the Deniliquin RSL Echuca Cup. This is a great day out with live bands, fashions on the field, free children's activities and great local food and wine available.
Inquiries: 5482 2487 or visit: www.echucaracing.com.au
Media Inquiries: Liz Ritchie, phone: 5482 2487
The 31st Port Fairy Folk Festival, 9 – 12 March
Port Fairy Folk Festival presents International and Australian artists over four days of folk, blues, jazz, bluegrass, celtic, country, jazz, rock, contemporary and other world roots music with over 130 acts and more than 500 artists.
Inquiries: call 03 5568 2227 or visit www.portfairyfolkfestival.com
The 2007 FORMULA 1(tm) Australian Grand Prix, 15 - 18 March
The 2007 Grand Prix will offer an action-packed extravaganza of on-track and off-track activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Set in the stunning surrounds of picturesque Albert Park nothing compares to the adrenalin-charged action of Formula One.
Tickets: GP hotline on 131 931 or visit www.grandprix.com.au
For travel package information, visit the Grand Prix Travel Office at www.grandprixtravel.com.au
Montalto Sculpture Prize and Exhibition, 11 February – 31 April
Explore diverse sculptures from different artists which form the Montalto Sculpture Prize & Exhibition. Now in its 5th year, this highly regarded prize is a must-see for all art lovers and visitors alike. Held at Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove.
Inquiries: Phone 5989 8412 or visit www.montalto.com.au
Twilights at Melbourne Zoo, 20 January – 24 March
Enjoy one of Melbourne's best loved summer events with all the fascination of the Zoo's wildlife, beautiful garden setting and a twilight festival featuring great entertainment. Performers include big bands, jazz, tribute bands, swing, show bands and more. Twilights at Melbourne Zoo will run on weekends beginning at 6.30pm and finishing at 9pm.
Inquiries: 03 9285 9300 or visit www.zoo.org.au
Harvest of Gippsland, 11 March
This annual food and wine event is a showcase of Gippsland's organic, gourmet and boutique food and wine products. Celebrity chef, Gabriel Gaté together with the finalists from the Gateway to Gippsland Signature Dish Cook-off, will cook up a storm with local produce to inspire and entertain the crowds, along with live music from the New Melbourne Jazz Band and the Hot 'B” Hines Jazz. Entry to Harvest of Gippsland (held at Lardner Park, Warragul) is $15 for adults; children under 16yrs are free. Hours are from 10am – 6pm.
Inquiries: 03 5626 1373 or visit www.lardnerpark.com.au
12th FINA World Championships, 17 Mar - 1 Apr
Athletes will compete in swimming, open water swimming, diving, water polo and synchronised swimming events. The venues are - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and St Kilda beach.
Inquiries: 03 8866 2007 or visit www.melbourne2007.com.au
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, 28 Mar - 1 Apr
Head to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show to escape the city bustle and literally smell the roses - and the begonias, the geraniums, rhododendrons, warratahs, agonis, banksia, dryandra, kangaroo paw, mountain daisy, ti tree, Eucalyptus, stirlingia and more.
Inquiries: 03 9864 1111 or visit www.melbflowershow.com.au
Man from Snowy River Bush Festival, 30 March – 1 April
The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival is an annual celebration of bush folklore, skills, and traditions using the icon Jack Riley, commonly known as “The Man from Snowy River”. It is a unique bush gathering of mountain riders, poets, artists and lovers of the Victorian High Country.
Inquiries: visit www.manfromsnowyriverbushfestival.com.au
The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award, 1 Mar - 27 May
The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award is Australia's richest prize for sculptors in Australia. The Award culminates in a stunning 12 week outdoor exhibition of the 30 finalists' works at Werribee Park.
Inquiries: 03 9654 0299 or visit www.lempriereaward.com.au