Diary Notes
February 2008
Summer Fun in the City, Melbourne, 2 January to 24 February 2008
Pack a picnic, grab a group and enjoy Melbourne's sunny days and balmy nights at Summer Fun in the City. Featuring a jam-packed program of free events, entertainment and interactive activities, Summer Fun in the City is sure to have something to enchant and excite people of all ages. The various activities will be held at parks, gardens and public spaces across Melbourne including Fitzroy Gardens, Royal Park, Alexandra Gardens, Birrarung Marr and Federation Square.
For more information: call 9658 9658 or visit www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
2008 Midsumma Festival, Melbourne, 19 January to 10 February 2008
Midsumma Festival is Victoria's premier gay and lesbian arts and cultural festival, showcasing the finest queer performing and visual arts, cabaret, spoken word, film, food and wine and family events. Covering five municipalities and over 60 different venues across the state, Midsumma presents a unique and eclectic array of events that are both engaging and accessible to the whole community. For more information: call 03 9415 9819 or visit www.midsumma.org.au
Sidney Myer Free Concerts, Melbourne 13, 16, 20, 23 February 2008
The annual Sidney Myer Free Concerts series, held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, is one of the highlights of Melbourne in summer. Presented by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, in association with the University of Melbourne, the concerts feature glorious music and talented Australian and international artists set to entertain all. Gates at the Myer Music Bowl open at 4pm and the shows start at 7pm.
For more information: Visit www.mso.com.au
Sustainable Living Festival, Melbourne, 15 to 17 February 2008
Visit the heart of Melbourne at Federation Square and be part of the 2008 Sustainable Living Festival, a three-day celebration of cultural innovation and creativity. This year's theme is ‘sustainability - make it your sport' and there will be a huge range of information and inspiration to improve lifestyle and the health of the planet.
For more information: call 03 9249 1888 or visit www.slf.org.au/festival
NAB Cup, 15 February to 8 March 2008
All the AFL action begins when the 16 teams go head-to-head in the pre-season 2008 NAB Cup. Witness all the spectacle of Australian Rules, the trial rules and the new team 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.
For more information: call 03 9643 1999 or visit www.afl.com.au
Sony Tropfest 2008, Melbourne, 17 February 2008
Sony Tropfest is the world's largest short film festival and features 16 finalist films which are selected from over 700 entries. The films will be beamed live via satellite from Sydney's Domain to festival sites in Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Hobart and Brisbane on Sunday 17 February. The festival is a full summer's day of entertainment featuring DJs, bands, a surprise celebrity judging panel and the much-anticipated awards ceremony. The festival is free and will be held in Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
For more information: call 02 9368 0434 or visit www.tropfest.com.au
Bright ‘n' Sandy Food and Wine Festival, 24 February 2008
From Brighton to Beaumaris, the fourth annual Bright 'n' Sandy Food and Wine Festival celebrates the best of Bayside on Sunday 24 February. Experience a smorgasbord of activities that will showcase Bayside's fresh foods, fine wines and restaurants. There will be cooking demonstrations, and new for 2008 will be children's cooking workshops, winemaker forums, live music (featuring Deborah Conway), entertainment with roving performances as well as fun-filled children's activities.
For more information: call Magda Petkoff at Purple Media on 03 9328 4522 or visit www.bayside.vic.gov.au.
Grampians Jazz Festival, 8 to 10 February 2008
Musicians and lovers of jazz will flock to Halls Gap for the annual Grampians Jazz Festival. The town's street venues will ring to the sounds of saxophones, trombones, banjos, trumpets and more as a record number of bands perform over the weekend. All programmed venues are located within 500 metres allowing easy walking between venues, which all have seating provided.
For more information: call 03 5356 4616.
Echuca-Moama Riverboats, Jazz, Food and Wine Festival, 15 to 17 February 2008
Celebrate spectacular jazz and blues, contemporary food styles and great Aussie music beside the mighty Murray River, during Echuca-Moama's 2008 Jazz, Food and Wine Festival. Highlights of the three-day festival include the riverboat ramble with jazz musicians on board paddle steamers, a jazz concert and a jazz picnic at the Aquatic Reserve. The event will be featuring a great line-up of performers over the three-day festival including: Lisa Edwards and friends; New Melbourne Jazz band; Matt Launer Sextet; Venetta Fields; Creold Bells; Sarah McLaine; Des Camm Jazz band; Maryborough Tradition Jazz Ensemble; plus many more great bands.
For more information: call 1800 804 446 or visit www.echucamoama.com/jazz
Otway Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon and Forrest Festival, 23 February 2008
This event sets a challenging 100km course, starting at the ocean of Apollo Bay, where competitors will ride through the mountains and rainforest of the Otway Ranges, around lakes and across rivers to the small township of Forrest. The course climbs and descends its way through a range of wild landscapes, races along sweeping single track and dashes down flowing 4WD tracks.
For more information: Visit www.otwayodyssey.com
Mortlake Buskers Festival, 23 February 2008
Held in Dunlop Street, Mortlake, the festival presents over 150 buskers performing on nine undercover stages providing the best in bizarre, hilarious and innovative entertainment. Participants compete for cash and prizes and the award for the Australian Busking Champion.
For more information: call 03 5599 2616 or visit www.mortlakebuskersfestival.com.au
The Age Harvest Picnic at Hanging Rock, 24 February 2008
The Age Harvest Picnic at Hanging Rock is a celebration of Victorian food and wine where over 100 small food and wine producers from all around Victoria gather to promote, sell and showcase their delicious array of goods against the magnificent backdrop of Hanging Rock. Taste exotic barbecue flavours, magnificent regional wines, unusual cheeses, fine preserves, full flavoured ice-cream and a great variety of delicious small goods. The Age Harvest Picnic at Hanging Rock will also present cooking demonstrations by well known chefs, live music and free children's activities.
For more information: Visit www.harvestpicnic.com.au.
UCI Women's Road Cycling World Cup, Geelong, 24 February 2008
The UCI Women's Road World Cup is a series of 10 one-day races held around the world and is the pinnacle series of events of women's cycling. Success in the World Cups is required for qualification for a country to ride in the world championships. Geelong's combination of quiet roads, scenic bayside boulevards and challenging hills makes it the ideal city to host major cycling race events.
For more information: Visit www.geelongworldcup.com
March 2008
The 2008 FORMULA 1™ Australian Grand Prix, 13 to 16 March 2008
The 2008 Australian Grand Prix will offer an action-packed extravaganza of on-track and off-track activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Besides a stellar line-up of elite motor racing, a host of other offerings will keep visitors entertained throughout the day. Set in the stunning surrounds of picturesque Albert Park, nothing compares to the adrenalin-charged action of Formula One.
For more information: call Emma Tierney on 03 9258 7111, GP hotline on 131 931 or visit www.grandprix.com.au
Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF), 19 March to 13 April 2008
The MICF is the largest annual comedy event in Australia. It showcases and celebrates the best of Australia's comic artists, nurtures and develops new work and presents international comic talent. Each year the festival presents a combination of stand up, theatre, cabaret, street entertainment, visual arts exhibitions and music.
For more information: visit www.comedyfestival.com.au
2008 Yamaha Phillip Island Superbike World Championship, 29 February to 2 March 2008
Victoria's unique and challenging Phillip Island Circuit hosts the Superbike World Championship again in 2008. This heart-stopping event provides some of the closest competition of any racing championship, while bringing together the major motorcycle manufacturers and high-profile international riders. The weekend activities include support races and exciting on-space and off-track motorcycle entertainment.
For more information: call Peter Mitchell on 03 5952 2710 or visit www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au/superbike
Harvest of Gippsland, 2 March 2008
This annual food and wine event showcases Gippsland's gourmet food and wine products and sees local farmers and wineries displaying and selling a wide range of organics and produce. Some of these include: cool climate wines from over 20 local wineries; award-winning cheeses from Jindi and Tarago cheese-makers; speciality beers; chilli products; berries; condiments; oils along with a vast range of organic nuts; bush foods; olives; and specialty smoked and cured meats. Enjoy cooking demonstrations throughout the day as well as face painting and rides on the trackless train for the kids. Entry to Harvest of Gippsland (held at Lardner Park, Warragul) is $15 for adults and free for children under 16 years.
For more information: call 03 5626 1373 or visit www.lardnerpark.com.au
Red Hill International Cool Climate Wine Show, 4 to 7 March 2008
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. Following the judging, all wines are available for public tasting, providing a supreme opportunity to taste the delicious varieties of pinot noir, chardonnay, pinot gris and sauvignon blanc.
For more information: call 03 5983 2400 or visit www.coolclimatewineshow.org.au
Echuca Cup Carnival, 8 to 9 March 2008
The Echuca Racing Club is gearing up for the March Labour Day long weekend when it celebrates the Deniliquin RSL Echuca Cup Carnival. Stretching over the Friday 9, Saturday 10 and 11 Sunday, there is no better place to be. Friday 9 March kick starts the event with a twilight race, Saturday night 10 March is the introduction of the inaugural Tisdall Bubbly Ball; and on Sunday the Deniliquin RSL Echuca Cup Race will be run and the winner declared.
For more information: call Brendan Kneebone on 03 5482 2487 or visit www.echucaracing.com.au
The Merrijiig Twilight Rodeo, 8 March 2008
The Merrijig Rodeo attracts Australia's best rough riders for a day of thrilling competition against the backdrop of the High Country. This is an exciting event for horse lovers as it is full of local colour, cowboys and provides an old fashioned good time for the whole family.
For more information: call Mansfield Visitor Information Centre on 1800 039 049 or visit www.merrijigrodeo.org.au
The Port Fairy Folk Festival, 7 to 10 March 2008
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. There is also a children's folk circus and a free festival on the streets. Performances will be presented in the arena as well as venues throughout the town, including market stalls, buskers and street events.
For more information: call 03 5568 2227 or visit www.portfairyfolkfestival.com
Ararat Jailhouse Rock Festival, 12 to 16 March 2008
This is Victoria's premier rock ‘n' roll festival, a three-day celebration of 50s and 60s music. Highlights include hot rods, custom cars and bikes, classic cars, motorcycles, rock n' roll music and dancing, airbrush art or even the art of tattooing.
For more information: call 1800 657 158 or visit www.ararat.vic.gov.au or www.jailhouserock.com.au
Montalto Sculpture Prize and Exhibition, 17 February to 30 April 2008
Explore diverse sculptures from different artists at the Montalto sculpture prize and exhibition. Now in its sixth year, this highly regarded prize is a must-see for all art lovers and visitors alike. Sculptures are located along a walking trail taking in vines, olive groves, lakes, wetlands and gardens. Entry to the sculpture exhibition is free and will be held at Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove.
For more information: call 03 5989 8412 or visit www.montalto.com.au
2008 Carnivale Wodonga Wild, 8 March 2008
Carnivale Wodonga Wild will be held on Saturday 8 March 2008 (Labour Day weekend). In the lead up to the festival, there will be several workshop programs to engage the community in the development of sculptures, costumes, décor, music and dance. These will then be showcased at the festival during various performances and in the street parade. Roving performers will move throughout the performance space while on several stages, circus performances and musical items take place.
For more information: visit www.wodonga.vic.gov.au/events
2008 ChillOut, Regional Victoria, 7 to 10 March 2008
Country Victoria welcomes back ChillOut, the largest gay and lesbian festival in regional and rural Australia. A festival like no other in the world, ChillOut turns the beautiful and relaxing central Victoria spa town of Daylesford 'queer as country folk' for four fun-packed days. Music, dancing, art and sport, parties and dinners, shows and exhibitions, dog shows and a massive tug o'war, markets, and a great line-up of entertainment are all going to be occurring throughout our festive weekend.
For more information: visit www.chilloutfestival.com.au
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, 18 to 29 March 2008
The Rip Curl Pro is Australia's longest running and most prestigious professional surfing event. The Rip Curl Pro, held at Australia's most iconic surf spot Bells Beach, is one of six Victorian Government-designated Hallmark International Sporting Events held each year. Although Kelly Slater is a two-time winner, he rates Bells as one of the hardest waves in the world to master. Look out for the Virgin Air show and Foster's Expression Session when the pros will be boosting airs and reinventing moves for multiple cash prizes.
For more information: call 03 5261 2907 or visit www.surfingaustralia.com
Bendigo Easter Fair, 21 to 24 March 2008
The Bendigo Easter Festival is a celebration of the goldfield's heritage and boasts the annual appearance of authentic Chinese dragons including the longest imperial dragon in the world, Sun Loong. The weekend program of celebrations over the Easter period is distinguished by an evening torchlight parade and the famous Easter Monday gala parade. Also on offer are cultural and musical events, spectacular performances, free family entertainment and a traditional Chinese Spring Festival.
For more information: call 03 54346475 or visit www.bendigoeasterfestival.org.au
SheppARTon Festival, 6 to 16 March 2008
The SheppARTon festival is ready to go in 2008 with its theme of freshwater, promoting new ideas and fresh thinking. As well as signature events such as Opera in the Orchards and the Twilight Festival, the 2008 SheppARTon Festival will feature innovative art, emerging artists and new arts practice and will run for an entire fun-filled week.
For more information: call 03 5832 9501 or visit www.sheppartonfestival.net.au