Important Diary Notes
Melbourne
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, 1 to 5 April
The world-renowned Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is the largest and most successful horticultural event in the Southern Hemisphere. Staged within the world heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, this prestigious show is a must-see for garden-lovers. View the work of some of Australia’s best landscapers and floral design artists alongside an extensive array of the latest plants and garden products.
For further information: visit www.melbflowershow.com.au
Melbourne International Comedy Festival, 1 to 26 April
This hilarious annual event literally takes over Australia’s comedy capital, Melbourne, each autumn with an enormous program of stand-up comedy, cabaret, theatre, street performances, film, television, radio and visual arts.
For further information: call (03) 9417 7711 or visit www.comedyfestival.com.au
Media contact: Tatia Sloley, TS Publicity Ph: (03) 9419 8837 or email: tatia@tspublicity.com.au
Melbourne International Jazz Festival, 26 April to 3 May
Jazz enthusiasts will enjoy a breathtaking line-up of acclaimed Australian artists as well as performers from across the globe including France, Italy, Norway, Poland, Brazil, USA, South Africa and Australia.
For further information: call (03) 9001 1388 or visit www.melbournejazz.com
Regional
Castlemaine State Festival, Friday March 27 to Sunday April 5.
This 10-day multi arts festival includes the inaugural Quiet Music in the Churches series presented by V/Line, which showcases unique largely un-amplified musical performances which take place in some of Castlemaine’s historic churches. The program has been specially developed around the V/Line timetable so that guests can travel up and back from Melbourne on the same day. All venues are within easy walking distance from the Castlemaine station.
For more information: go to vline.com.au/discover or www.castlemainefestival.com.au
Dinostory sand sculpting exhibition, Frankston, until 26 April
The Frankston Waterfront has been transformed into a prehistoric sand exhibition with the arrival of Dinostory, a sand sculpting exhibition presented by Sand Sculpting Australia. Dinostory will feature creatures from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. There is also a variety of activities to keep the whole family entertained including sand sculpting workshops and the opportunity to meet the resident sculptor. The exhibition is open daily from 10am.
For further information: call (03) 5986 6684 or visit www.sandstormevents.com.au
Montalto Sculpture Prize and Exhibition, until 26 April
Explore diverse sculptures from different artists at the Montalto sculpture prize and exhibition held at the Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove in the Mornington Peninsula. Now in its seventh year, this highly regarded prize is a must-see for art lovers and visitors alike. Sculptures are located along a picturesque walking trail taking in vines, olive groves, lakes, wetlands and gardens.
For further information: call (03) 5989 8412 or visit www.montalto.com.au
Man from Snowy River Bush Festival, Corryong, 2 to 5 April
The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival is an annual celebration of bush folklore, skills and traditions and is the chance to commemorate ‘The Man from Snowy River’ himself, Jack Riley. Enjoy a true Aussie bush gathering of mountain riders, poets, artists and lovers of Victoria’s High Country.
For further information: visit www.manfromsnowyriverbushfestival.com.au
Anderson’s Mill Festival, Smeaton, 5 April
Promoting the riches of the region - food, wine, music, art, crafts and heritage, the festival is a great way to explore the region. Enjoy, taste, try and buy in a setting that is breathtaking and offers a glimpse of the past industry of the early days of the Goldfields.
For further information: call Kerry Leishman on (03) 5334 6010 or visit www.andersonsmillfest.org.au
Murray Darling Palimpsest, 3 – 15 April,
Murray Darling Palimpsest is an Australian contemporary visual arts event remarkable for its locations in distinctly regional places rather than capital cities and significant for its direct engagement with issues of environmental and social sustainability.
For further information: visit www.artsmildura.com.au
Media contact: Helen Healey: Ph: (03) 5021 5100 or email: helen@helenhealy.com
Rip Curl Pro, Bells Beach, 6 to 18 April
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. 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 further information: call (03) 5261 2907 or visit www.surfingaustralia.com
Australia Post Stawell Gift, 10 to 13 April
The Australia Post Stawell Gift is a professional athletics meet with 66 events held over three days, with athletes running off handicaps. It is a true carnival atmosphere with plenty of action off the track for all the family, including a betting ring, fashion parade, live music and children’s entertainment.
For further information: visit www.stawellgift.com
Media contact: Jump Media and Marketing Ph: (03) 9500 0122
Bendigo Easter Festival, 10 to 13 April
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 features 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 further information: call (03) 54346475 or visit www.bendigoeasterfestival.org.au
Easter Family Carnival, Falls Creek, 10 to 13 April
Falls Creek will host a feast of events and activities over Easter for the whole family to enjoy. Children’s activities will include a visit from the Easter Bunny, giant Easter egg hunt with hundreds of Easter eggs to give away and a big Easter barbeque breakfast. There will also be something for the adults including a champagne breakfast and the chance to participate in the ‘Eggstraordinary’ egg toss with fantastic prizes including an all expense paid winter holiday to Falls Creek.
For further information: call (03) 5758 3224 or visit www.fallscreek.com.au
Southern Grampians Promenade of Sacred Music, 16 to 19 April
Historic venues and churches of Hamilton and surrounds will be transformed into concert halls for the annual Southern Grampians Promenade of Sacred Music. The festival, guided by artistic director Douglas Lawrence OAM, celebrates early, contemporary, instrumental and choral music by acclaimed local and international artists.
For further information: call Hamilton Performing Arts Centre on (03) 5573 0429 or visit www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au
Artanica, Mt Macedon, 18 to 19 April
Artanica is an annual exhibition of garden sculpture which this year will be held in the Duneira gardens at Mt Macedon from 10am to 4pm daily. This inspirational event gives visitors the opportunity to view the beautiful gardens, enjoy music and watch artists as they create outdoor art. Artanica is presented by the Mt Macedon Horticultural Society.
For further information: call Cassy King on 0427 317 388 or visit www.mtmacedonhort.org.au/events
A Day Out at Lardner Park, Warragul, 19 April
Enjoy more than 200 stalls of Australian products at A Day Out at Larder Park. There will be something for everyone including fine arts and hand-made crafts, plants, old time and contemporary home wares, natural beauty products, clothing, furniture, exquisite jewellery, fresh produce and gourmet foods.
For further information: visit www.craftmarkets.com.au
Mount Beauty Music Muster, 24 to 26 April
Celebrate Autumn and the mustering of the cattle herds down from the High Country at the Mount Beauty Music Muster. Enjoy poetry, music, yarn telling, regional produce and country town hospitality in one of the most beautiful areas of Victoria.
For further information: visit www.musicmuster.org.au
Media contact: Kirsten Seaver on 0425 222 062
Hepburn Springs Swiss Italian Festa, 24 April to 4 May
Join the local Hepburn and Daylesford communities as they pay homage to their Swiss-Italian roots and celebrate the historical importance of the townships with an eight-day, action-packed festival.
For further information: call 1800 353 354 or visit www.swissitalianfesta.com
Upper Goulburn Vintage Celebration, Mansfield, 25 to 26 April
The Vintage Celebration features the wines and food of the Upper Goulburn region and is staged in High Street, Mansfield where the region's wineries and small food producers gather to showcase and sell their produce against the backdrop of magnificent High Country scenery. The event will be complemented by a cocktail evening on Friday and a long lunch at Highton Manor on Sunday.
For further information: call (03) 5777 3447 or visit www.uppergoulburnwine.org.au
Bright Autumn Festival, 25 April to 6 May
This two-week festival is a celebration of autumn colours and produce. The highlight is the gala day featuring brass and highland bands, stalls, craft displays and the Autumn Festival Parade full of colourful floats decorated according to a theme.
For further information: call the Bright Information Centre on (03) 5755 2275 or visit www.brightautumnfestival.org.au
Keen Adventure Race, 28 April to 2 May
The Keen Adventure Race returns for 2009 to showcase another spectacular region of Australia – the Wilsons Promontory National Park and the South Gippsland region. This year’s event will include a five-day stage race and a one-day adventure race covering a variety of disciplines including trekking / running, mountain biking, ropes activities, ocean and inlet paddling plus other water based activities.
For further information: call (03) 5261 5511 or visit www.rapidascent.com.au