Victoria’s Events - September 2011
MELBOURNE
Melbourne Writers Festival, various venues around Melbourne, 26 August – 4 September
The Melbourne Writers Festival is the city’s premier literary event. This year, the festival will celebrate its 26th anniversary bringing together an array of talented writers, artists, thinkers and performers from across the globe. Expect the unexpected and delve into the world of novels, film, journalism, song writing, comedy, cartooning, advertising and politics.
For more information: visit www.mwf.com.au
Media contact: Prue Bassett 0419 559 040
Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, various venues throughout Melbourne 5 – 11 September
More than 100 exciting free and ticketed public events celebrate the anticipated arrival of the spring/summer fashion season. Don’t miss the glamorous MSFW Designer Series parade at Melbourne Town Hall, intimate millinery workshops, lunch-time fashion shows, exhibitions and after-party events across Melbourne’s hottest bars and night spots.
For more information: visit www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
Media contact: Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 03 9658 9658
Taste of Melbourne, Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, 15 – 18 September
Taste of Melbourne has earnt its place as a ‘must attend event’ for food and wine lovers. Victoria’s leading produce suppliers and purveyors of gastronomic goodies exhibit their delicious wares for tasting and buying. Jacques Reymond, will be showcases his expertise with Melbourne’s leading, hatted restaurants who will all be lining up to participate in this celebrated foodie event. Enjoy delicious food, fine wine, cocktails, boutique beers, and produce all under one roof.
For more information: visit www.tasteofmelbourne.com.au
Media contact: John Flower 03 9682 0222
Belong: Bangarra Dance Theatre, The Arts Centre, 16 – 24 September
Following its highly acclaimed European tour of Spirit, Bangarra Dance Theatre returns with a breathtaking new theatrical experience. Rekindling Indigenous culture, Belong features two new works; ID by Artistic Director Stephen Page and About by choreographer and dancer Elma Kris. This performance draws on ancient and contemporary stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories. View the spectacular performance before its journey draws to a close in Melbourne.
For more information: visit www.bangarra.com.au
Media contact: Carolyn Hammer 02 9258 5118
Melbourne Fringe Festival, various venues throughout Melbourne, 21 September – 9 October
Promoting independent arts in Victoria, the annual Melbourne Fringe Festival showcases groundbreaking and daring performances ranging across all art forms. From comedy to cabaret, Melbourne Fringe presents over 230 free and ticketed events in more than 100 venues.
For more information: visit www.melbournefringe.com.au
Media contact: Michelle Buxton 9537 7155
Star Voyager: Exploring Space on Screen, ACMI, Federation Square, 22 September 2011 – 29 January 2012
The world premier of this exhibition blurs the distinction between fact and fiction to examine how the creative imagination and a desire for discovery have inspired artists, filmmakers and scientists through generations. Star Voyager includes rare feature film and documentary footage, video artworks, television clips, animations, as well as costumes and production materials, which reveal the relationship between the moving image and space – fact and fiction.
For more information: visit www.acmi.net.au/starvoyager
Media contact: Claire Butler 03 8663 2415
The Royal Melbourne Show, Melbourne Showground’s, 24 September – 4 October
Held since 1884, the popular Royal Melbourne Show brings agricultural and rural excellence to the Melbourne Showgrounds for 11 days of fun and entertainment. The whole family will love the thousands of animals, agricultural displays, art, craft, food, wine, carnival rides, show bags, spectacular fireworks and much more. There is also the largest dog show in the Southern Hemisphere with more than 4,500 canine entrants.
For more information: visit www.royalshow.com.au
Media contact: Gareth Beck 03 9690 9911
Spring Racing Carnival, throughout Melbourne and Victoria,
28 September – 20 November
The Spring Racing Carnival is Australia’s premier annual sporting and social event, combining elite racing with an amazing cultural experience incorporating fashion, fun and excitement. The two month extravaganza commences in September and takes in more than 80 race meetings across the state of Victoria.
For more information: visit www.springracingcarnival.com.au
Media contact: Shaun Kelly 03 9258 4252
Vienna: Art & Design, The National Gallery of Victoria, throughout September
In this year’s Melbourne Winter Masterpieces program, Vienna: Art & Design will showcase over 250 extraordinary works from the revolutionary artists of Vienna in the 1900s, including the world-renowned Gustav Klimt, at the National Gallery of Victoria. This exclusive exhibition is the first of its kind to focus on the exquisite design of Vienna’s greatest artists.
For more information: visit www.ngv.vic.gov.au
Media contact: Jacinta Cavalot 03 8620 2222
Love Never Dies, Regent Theatre, throughout September
Melbourne hosts the Australian premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical masterpiece, Love Never Dies, following its West End opening season. Seen by over 100 million people worldwide, Webber's Phantom of the Opera is widely regarded as the most successful show in entertainment history. The dramatic love story continues in Love Never Dies.
For more information: visit www.loveneverdies.com.au
Media contact: Suzie Howie .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Rock of Ages, The Comedy Theatre, throughout September
Fresh from its successful run on Broadway, Rock of Ages continues to light up the stage in Melbourne with a show stopping performance, produced by Newtheatricals. Rock of Ages is a hilarious, feel-good love story told through the hit songs of Bon Jovi, Foreigner, Pat Benetar, Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Poison, Starship and Whitesnake.
For more information: visit www.rockofages.net.au
Media contact: Angela Ceberano 03 9092 8446
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, Melbourne Museum, throughout September
Part of the 2011 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces season, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs is a dazzling exploration of Ancient Egypt and those who ruled it. Over 7 million visitors have seen this exhibition over the past five years in London and New York. Don’t miss the exhibition in its only Australian stop before returning to Cairo.
For more information: visit www.kingtutmelbourne.com.au
Media contact: Michael Matrenza 03 8660 4816
REGIONAL VICTORIA
Tour of the Murray River, Yarrawonga and The Murray region, 28 August – 4 September
The beautiful lakeside town of Yarrawonga will host the start of the 16th Tour of the Murray River.
This year’s event is the first time the tour will visit the Moira Shire where the opening two days of the 850km event will be raced. Seven municipalities will feature in the eight-day cycle tour - Moira, Campaspe, Gannawarra, Swan Hill, Balranald, Yarriambiack and Mildura.
For more information: visit www.caribou.net.au/tour_of_murray.html
Media contact: 03 5224 2466
Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival, Daylesford and Macedon Ranges, 1 – 11 September
Welcome the beginning of spring with 10 days of vibrant celebration in Kyneton. Enjoy the beauty of open gardens, peruse for hidden gems at the Kyneton antique fair or get involved in the fun run, Alpaca Fiesta or Daffodil Old Time Ball. Entertainment will also line the streets as Kyneton bursts into colour this September.
For more information: visit www.kynetondaffodilarts.org.au
Media contact: 03 5422 2282
Yarra Valley Open Studios, various locations in the Yarra Valley, 10 – 11 and 17 – 18 September
Artists across the Yarra Valley open up their secret working spaces to the public, for this once-a-year opportunity to see artists in their private studio workspaces. This is a chance to get an intimate insight into the creative minds and processes of some extraordinary artists. In 2011 Open Studios will take place across two consecutive weekends in September, allowing more time to experience what the Yarra Valley has to offer and be inspired by people who make art their lives.
For more information: visit yvopenstudios.net.au
Media contact: Mike Emmett 5962 6166, 0418 990 813
Grampians Brushes, Grampians National Park, 10 – 15 September
Grampians Brushes is an opportunity for artists to develop their passion for art making in one of Australian’s most beautiful natural environments - Halls Gap in the Grampians. Part festival and part forum, take the opportunity to experience art tuition from some of Australia’s leading artists. Workshops range from watercolours, coloured pencils, drawing, print making, life drawing, charcoal, contemporary and traditional work.
For more information: visit www.grampiansbrushes.com.au
Media contact: 0428 825971
2011 V8 Supercars Championship, Phillip Island, 16 – 18 September
The 2011 V8 Supercars Championship sees the start of a new era for Australia's premier international motor racing category. With the eyes of the motor world watching, the Championship will again provide a weekend packed with spectacular action on the race track, and entertainment off-track, at Phillip Island. The mix of sport and entertainment will deliver a world-class spectacle to a worldwide audience.
For more information: visit phillipisland.v8supercars.com.au
Media contact: Luke Wilson 02 8353 7744
Amy Gillet Gran Fondo, Great Ocean Road, 18 September
Open to riders of all levels, challenge your fitness and cycle to raise funds to support the ‘Remembering Amy for a Reason' program. This inaugural event encourages mass participation with a competitive edge based on a finishing time- true Gran Fondo style. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and cycle 120km of fully closed roads through Lorne, Skenes Creek, Deans Marsh and along the iconic Great Ocean Road.
For more information: visit www.amygillett.org.au/gran-fondo
Media contact: Simon Gillett 0419 942 004
Ballarat International Foto Biennale, various venues in Ballarat and Creswick, 20 August – 18 September
BIFB'11 presents a line up of some of the best photography from Australia and around the world as part of the 2011 core exhibition program, plus a smorgasbord of seventy-odd shows in region. All venues for the core program are within five minutes walking distance of each other, and transform some of Ballarat's wonderful heritage buildings into contemporary arts spaces.
For more information: visit www.ballaratfoto.org
Media contact: 03 5331 4833
Cherry Blossom Day – Hanami, Olinda, Dandenong Ranges, 25 September
Visitors to the National Rhododendron Gardens will find themselves immersed in the colourful cherry blossom blooms on Hanami Day. Hanami is the custom of viewing the beauty of flowers, but it mostly refers to the Sakura or Cherry blossom, Japan’s unofficial national flower. Picnic amongst the gardens, or stroll through superb early spring gardens and enjoy displays of Japanese flower arranging, calligraphy and traditional tea making.
For more information: visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
Media contact: 13 19 63
Bendigo International Collections The White Wedding Dress: 200 Years of Wedding Fashions Bendigo Art Gallery, throughout September, until 6 November
This exhibition draws on London’s V&A Museum collection of wedding gowns from the early 1800s to the present day. A must see for all fashionistas, this exclusive range showcases beautiful and historical bridal dresses, veils, corsetry, shoes and other accessories as well as gowns by couturiers and designers including John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Vera Wang, Christian Lacroix and many more.
For more information: visit www.bendigoartgallery.com.au
Media contact: Glenn Harvey 03 5434 6109