Victoria’s Events December 2011
Melbourne
Fair @ Square, Federation Square Melbourne, 2 – 4 December
Fair@Square is a festival that showcases goods and services provided by a wide range of ethical producers including Oxfam, Cadbury, Lush, Adorn and many others. The three-day event offers workshops, talks, market stalls, music, fashion and art and is the prefect place for some Christmas shopping. Started three years ago by a Melbourne banker determined to make the world a fairer place, the event has become Australia’s largest fair-trade and ethical festival.
For more information: visit www.fedsquare.com
Media contact: 0437 455 001
Australian DanceSport Championship, Hisense Arena, 7– 11 December
The 66th Australian DanceSport Championship brings the world’s best dancers to Melbourne for three days of glitz, skilful agility and competition. Judges from the Australian Dance Society rate the dancing couples as they burn the floor with cha cha, samba and the waltz with couples from 22 countries competing to win in the coveted Asian Pacific and Australian titles.
For more information: visit www.dancesport.org.au
Media contact: Julie Cavanagh 0419 306 540
JBWere Masters, Victoria Golf Club, 15-18 December
The JBWere Masters returns to the Victorian Golf Club after an epic 2010 tournament when Stuart Appleby held off fierce competition from international players including Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia. The 2011 competition is sure to excite fans once more when top players from around the globe compete against Australia’s greatest golfers.
For more information: visit www.australianmasters.com.au
Media Contact: 9584 1733
Hallelujah, It’s Christmas, BMW Edge, Federation Square, 21 December
Victorian Opera invites music lovers to sing along with the opera’s inimitable Music Director, Richard Gill, in a repertoire that includes Handel’s most performed work The Messiah and a range of much loved Christmas carols. This is a popular event for the whole family.
For more information: visit www.victorianopena.com.au
Media contact: 1300 795 012
Pipilotti Rist, The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), 21 December – 4 March
ACCA presents the first major exhibition of works, including a new commission, by leading Swiss international artist, Pipilotti Rist – one of the most sought after artists of this century. This summer Rist will saturate ACCA’s walls and ceilings with her sensory seasonal narrative through a sequence of immersive video works.
For more information: www.accaonline.org.au
Media contact: 03 9697 9999
Vodafone Boxing Day Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 26 – 30 December
One of the most celebrated rivalries in world sport and Australia’s greatest annual cricket match: this year’s Vodafone Boxing Test at the MCG is set to be a classic as Australia take on India in the first match of the Vodafone Test Series. Australia is looking to regain the number one Test Ranking, while India is keen to win its first Test series in Australia.
For more information: visit www.cricket.com.au
Media contact: Rebecca Appleton 03 9653 9999
2011 Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, 24 December
Melbourne’s much-loved tradition continues with the annual Carols by Candlelight. Bring a blanket, sing Christmas carols under the stars and be part of this grand occasion. The event begins at 8pm with gates opening at 4pm.
For more information: visit www.visionaustralia.org
Melbourne’s New Year’s Eve Party, 31 December
Join Melbourne’s largest free New Year’s Eve party. Celebrate with two spectacular fireworks displays, free entertainment including DJs, live bands, performers, family fun and children’s entertainment at various locations throughout the city.
For more information: visit www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
Media contact: Beck Angel on 03 9658 9858
Love Never Dies, Regent Theatre, until 18 December
See Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical masterpiece, Love Never Dies, before it leaves Melbourne. 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 suzie@howietaylor.com.au
Space on Screen, ACMI, Federation Square, throughout December until 29 January
The world premiere of this exhibition which 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
Ancestral Power and the Aesthetic, Melbourne Museum, throughout December until 12 February
An exhibition showcasing the extraordinary painted works collected from Arnhem Land during the 1930s and 1940s by Melbourne-based anthropologist, the late Professor Donald Thomson. Highlights of the exhibition include bark paintings and objects decorated with sacred clan designs.
For more information: www.museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum
Media contact: Maree Martin 0418 571 483
Tjukurrtjanu: Origins of Western Art, The Ian Potter Centre, NGV Australia, throughout December until 12 February 2012
This superb exhibition features more than 200 of the first paintings produced at Papunya in 1971 – 72 by the founding artists of the Western Desert art movement. Works by celebrated artists including Uta Uta Tjangala, Shorty Lungkata Tjungurrayi and Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula display the mastery of colour and style that characterises the work of the founding Papunya Tula painters.
Media contact: Sue Coffey 03 8620 2346
For more information: visit www.ngv.vic.gov.au
The Suzuki Night Market, Queen Victoria market, Wednesdays throughout December until 2 March
Take in the vibe at Melbourne’s most popular night market each Wednesday night (except 28 December) from 5.30pm – 10.30pm. The market showcases world cuisine and produce accompanied by local wine and beer from regional Victoria, as well as world music performances and local bands. Visit some of the 200 eclectic stalls selling fashion, handmade jewellery and artisan wares.
For more information: visit www.qvm.co
Media contact: Misti Dullard on 03 9320 5829
The Mad Square: Modernity in German Art 1910 – 37, NGV International, throughout December until 4 March
This major exhibition focuses on German Modernism and highlights the great aesthetic innovations that were made by artists throughout Germany in painting, sculpture, graphic art, photography, film and the decorative arts during the years from 1910 to 1937. The exhibition features more than 200 works from leading artists such as Paul Klee, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, George Grosz, Otto Dix, Max Beckmann and Christian Schad. The range of artwork included in the exhibition is the most comprehensive display of European Moderism ever shown in Australia.
For more information: visit www.ngv.vic.gov.au
Media contact: Shakira Silvestri (03) 8620 2411
Regional Victoria
RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride, Swan Hill to Castlemaine, 26 November - 4 December
The 2011 Great Victorian Bike Rideis a touring cyclist’s delight. Organised by Bicycle Victoria, this stunning 590 kilometre cycling course takes in well known as well as hidden delights in the Murray and Goldfield regions, including Swan Hill, Kerang, Echuca, Boort, Wedderburn, Maryborough and Castlemaine. A highlight is the new 180 kilometres three-day Goldfields ride option.
For more information: visit www.greatvic.com.au
Media contact: John Myers 03 9818 6339 or 0409 215 120
The Australian Motorcycle Endurance Championship, Phillip Island, 2 – 4 December
The six-hour race was awarded Australian Championship status for 2011, and will see 40 teams vie for victory in four major classes including Superstock 1000, Superstock 600, Production 1000 and Production 600. A breathtaking racing destination, Phillip Island boasts panoramic ocean views and great spectator vantage points all around the track, as well as plenty to keep friends and family entertained off-track.
For more information: visit www.the6hour.com.au/index.html
Media contact: Kim Storey 03 5952 2729
Seafarers Multicultural Festival, Lakes Entrance, 2 - 4 December
The Seafarers Multicultural Festival encompasses a dynamic program of seaside themed entertainment including sand sculptures, a seafood cooking competition and a model boat regatta, all celebrating Lakes Entrance’s primary industries: tourism and commercial fishing. Family activities include a beach sports challenge and children’s art workshops. The ambassador for this year’s festival is celebrity chef, Stefano de Pieri.
For more information: visit www.seafarersfestival.com.au
Media contact: 1800 637 060
Made in Hollywood, Bendigo Art Gallery, 3 December – 12 February 2012
Drawn from the archives of the John Kobal Foundation, this photographic exhibition focuses on the stars, the sets and the scenes created by the American film industry from 1920 to 1960. It features more than 90 images including Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart and many other film celebrities.
For more information: visit www.bendigoartgallery.com.au
Media contact: Glenn Harvey 03 5434 6109
Santa visits Puffing Billy, Dandenong Ranges, 3, 10 and 17 December
Santa is coming to Puffing Billy! Travel aboard a decorated steam train through the scenic Dandenong Ranges to Emerald Station, where Santa will have a special gift for each child. Enjoy refreshments served by Santa’s helpers or hire a paddleboat, share a picnic or take a leisurely forest walk. Daytime and twilight sessions available.
For more information: visit www.puffingbilly.com.au
Media contact: Leanne Tyrrell leanne@tyrrellpr.com.au 03 9629 7000
Toytopia, Frankston Waterfront, 26 December – 26 April 2012
Located on the beach at the Frankston Waterfront, view Sand Sculpting Australia’s fun exhibition Toytopia. The exhibition is a trip down memory lane with an astonishing collection of popular old-fashioned toys carved in sand.
For more information: www.frankston.vic.gov.au
Media contact: Emma Smith 03 9784 1005
Willowfest Australian Cricket Club Championships, Mildura, 27 – 30 December
This annual country cricket event attracts teams from across Australia to the beautiful rural city of Mildura. Participants enjoy the summer weather, play cricket on first class greens and vie for the largest prize money offered at a carnival of this type in the country. This year teams from Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland will compete in front of supporters from all over Australia making this a truly national event.
For more information: visit www.willowfest.com.au
Media contact: Anthony on 0419 359 618
VicSuper Murray Marathon, Yarrawonga to Swan Hill, 27 – 31 December
One of the longest annual canoe and kayaking races in the world, the course covers 404 kilometres over five days between Yarrawonga and Swan Hill. Less experienced paddlers can join the half marathon or the relay. All proceeds go towards supporting communities in the Murray region.
For more information: visit www.murraymarathon.ymca.org.au
Media contact: Ingrid Ruff 03 5480 7555
The Falls Music & Arts Festival, Lorne, 28 December – 1 January
This is one of Australia’s great music festivals, offering live entertainment, camping, markets, arts and film in lead up to New Year’s Eve. Each year the festival attracts a world-class line-up of over 50 local and international bands, DJs and comedians. Some of this year’s headline acts include Arctic Monkeys, Arj Barker, Easy Star All Stars performing Dub Side of the Moon in full, Fleet Foxes, The Jezabels and Tim Finn.
For more information: visit www.fallsfestival.com
Media contact: 1300 891 152
Pyramid Rock Festival, Phillip Island, 29 December – 1 January 2012
Count down to the New Year with top national and international musical acts performing rock, hip hop, blues and roots, dance and electronic music. The festival will be opened by ROCKWIZ’s Julia Zemiro, Brian Nankervis and The ROCKWIZ Orkestra. Pyramid is held on a private coastal property on Phillip Island with stunning views of Pyramid Rock and Cape Woolamai. It offers three days of camping, market stalls, a food village as well as shuttle buses to nearby surf beaches and temporary car parking.
For more information: visit www.thepyramidrockfestival.com
Media contact: 03 5952 2729
Summer Art at Old Post Office Seymour, throughout December until 8 January
This year’s Annual Summer Art Show showcases work by Australian artist Richard Chamerski. This prestigious exhibition also features Australian artists David Taylor, Maxwell Wilks and David Chen.
For more information: visit www.artseymour.com.au
Media contact: 03 5792 3170
Double Visions, McClelland, Mornington Peninsula, throughout December until 5 February
Double Visions exuberantly explores contemporary art with ideas of portraiture and the body as the focus and looks at the changes that occur between painting, photography, digital image and sculpture. Artists featured include Juan Ford, Cherry Hood, Petrina Hicks, Justine Khamara, Rosemary Laing, Ron Mueck, Jan Nelson, Evan Penny, Patricia Piccinini and Julie Rrap.
For more information: visit www.mcclellandgallery.com
Media contact: 03 9789 1671