Award-winning comedian, medical doctor, and mental health author Dr Jo Prendergast is set to light up the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with her hit show, Cancer and Cartwheels. Following a sold-out Australian premiere at the Adelaide Fringe, this heartfelt and hilarious comedy explores Prendergast’s journey of resilience through cancer, aging, and menopause, blending stand-up, sketches, songs, and video clips. “I wrote Cancer and Cartwheels during my treatment as a way of coping with what I was going through,” says Prendergast. “It’s my way of showing that even in the face of something as daunting as cancer, there’s still room for finding the funny…
Author: Melbourning
Families are encouraged to enjoy the beauty of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, with kids under 16 admitted free and capped ticket prices for adults. Running from 26-30 March, this prestigious event—the largest horticultural show in the Southern Hemisphere—will showcase stunning Victorian-grown flowers and gardens in the heart of Melbourne. Adult tickets are priced at $40 for daily entry with afternoon tickets starting at $32. Families who have already purchased tickets for children will automatically receive a refund. “We recognise the cost-of-living increases are impacting Victorians, and this will help lower costs for families to visit the iconic Melbourne…
Victoria’s defence, aviation, and aerospace industries are set to soar at the 2025 Avalon Australian International Airshow. From 25-30 March, Avalon Airport will host the Southern Hemisphere’s largest aviation and defence exhibition, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and showcasing the latest innovations from around the globe. The event kicks off with an industry trade show (25-28 March), where local companies like SYPAQ, Corvus Technology Solutions, and Marand will exhibit alongside global giants such as Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems. The Victorian Pavilion will highlight 70 small and medium-sized businesses, connecting them with international decision-makers and unlocking new opportunities. From…
The Melbourne Writers Festival (MWF) has unveiled its full program for 2025, marking the first festival under new director Veronica Sullivan. Running from 8-11 May across venues in the Melbourne CBD and surrounds, this year’s theme, Magical Thinking, explores storytelling as a transformative force—a way to understand and change the world, one story at a time. The festival brings together an extraordinary lineup of local and international literary stars, including previously announced guests Asako Yuzuki, Colum McCann, Kaliane Bradley, and Yael van der Wouden, alongside new additions like Samantha Harvey, Colm Tóibín, Marian Keyes, and Mariana Enríquez. Speculative fiction fans will…
The NGV has announced extended opening hours for the final weeks of the blockbuster Yayoi Kusama exhibition, offering more opportunities to experience one of the most comprehensive retrospectives of the iconic artist’s career. Coinciding with Kusama’s 96th birthday and the Victorian school holidays, the exhibition will be open from 8am to 6pm from 5-16 April, and from 8am to midnight during the Easter Long Weekend (17-21 April). Since its opening, the Melbourne-exclusive exhibition has welcomed more than 376,000 visitors, showcasing Kusama’s near-nine-decade career. Highlights include the world premiere of Infinity Mirrored Room—My Heart is Filled to the Brim with Sparkling Light, the mesmerizing Love…
Australian music legend Marcia Hines is set to honour the legacy of disco icon – the late Donna Summer – with a nationwide tour, performing all of Summer’s greatest hits. Joining Hines on stage is the powerhouse vocalist Casey Donovan, promising an unforgettable night of disco magic. You’ll be able to see the show in Melbourne at Hamer Hall on Sunday 5 October, with tickets on sale from 4 April. Backed by a nine-piece band led by musical director Joe Accaria, the duo will bring Summer’s timeless classics to life, including Hot Stuff, Bad Girls, I Feel Love, and Last Dance. Known as the…
Australia’s premier food and drink festival is back, promising ten days of culinary excellence, innovative collaborations, and unforgettable experiences for food lovers across Victoria. Kicking off today and running until 30 March, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, features more than 200 events showcasing the best of local and international cuisine. The festival begins in grand style with the iconic World’s Longest Lunch, where acclaimed chef Curtis Stone will craft a three-course feast for hundreds of guests seated along a 600-metre table in Melbourne’s Kings Domain. Other highlights include the revamped World’s Longest Brunch, curated by beloved cook Julia Busuttil Nishimura, and…
Tucked away on Swan Street, Nixie Nox is Richmond’s smallest pub, but it’s big on charm, character, and community spirit. This intimate hideaway, co-founded by passionate publicans Stu Bellis, Marilla Gair, and Chris Dore, offers a unique Melbourne experience where expertly crafted cocktails, local brews, and hearty meals come together in a cozy, welcoming space. “Nixie Nox is more than just a pub—it’s a place where locals can come together, connect over great food and drinks, and feel at home,” says co-founder Stu Bellis. “We’ve poured our hearts into creating a welcoming space that reflects the spirit of Richmond.” Despite…
This winter, Fed Square is bringing a taste of the French Alps to Melbourne with Fondue Chalet, a cozy and immersive dining experience running from 15 May to 22 June 2025. Picture private wooden chalets, bubbling pots of authentic French cheese, and marshmallows roasting over personal fire pits—it’s a foodie adventure like no other. The experience features 18 private chalets imported from France, each seating six to eight guests. Upon arrival, visitors are welcomed with mulled wine and escorted to their chalet by a French-speaking guide. The star of the show is the fondue, a rich blend of Comté, Beaufort, Emmental,…
Prepare for a gripping theatrical experience as Shake & Stir, the multi-award-winning creators behind Frankenstein and Animal Farm, bring George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece 1984 to life on stages across Victoria this year. This electrifying adaptation delves into the chilling world of Winston Smith, an editor at the Ministry of Truth, who dares to defy the oppressive regime of BIG BROTHER. In a society where even thoughts are policed, Winston’s act of rebellion—writing in a diary—sets off a chain of events that lead to his capture and interrogation in the dreaded Ministry of Love. As he faces the relentless forces of The Party, Winston’s fight for…
This Saturday 22 March, Melbourne’s beloved bakery Penny for Pound is joining forces with Australian accessory label Erstwilder to celebrate Easter in style. The first 300 customers at Penny for Pound’s Moorabbin store will receive a FREE limited edition Hot Cross Cinnamon Scroll and an exclusive Erstwilder Hot Cross Cravings Brooch (valued at over $54)—while stocks last! From 8am, early birds can indulge in Penny for Pound’s signature fluffy scroll dough, spiced with brown sugar, cinnamon, orange zest, sultanas, and currants, topped with a vanilla sour cream glaze and a traditional cinnamon cross. Paired with Erstwilder’s whimsical brooch from their…
Melbourne’s most stylish second-hand fashion event is back and better than ever! The National Trust of Australia (Victoria)’s Vintage Clothing Sale celebrates its 15th anniversary on 22-23 March 2025 at Abbotsford Convent, offering an expertly curated selection of high-end designer pieces, collectables, and timeless fashion finds. From couture to quirky, every item has been handpicked by a dedicated team of volunteers, ensuring a premium shopping experience like no other in the city. At a time when sustainable fashion is more than just a trend, this sale proves that pre-loved doesn’t mean second best. Whether you’re hunting for vintage classics, designer gems, or…
