Her Majesty’s Theatre Ballarat is set to mark its 150th birthday in grand style this weekend, with a trio of spectacular events that promise to bring the historic venue to life like never before. The milestone celebration, supported by a $16.3 million redevelopment, will showcase the theatre’s transformation into a thriving cultural hub, offering the public unprecedented access to its iconic spaces. The festivities kick off on Friday, 31 January with a star-studded comedy gala featuring Australia’s biggest names, including Tom Ballard, Zoë Coombs Marr, and Dilruk Jayasinha. On 1 February, the theatre will host a local music community takeover,…
Author: Melbourning
ln a city known for its vibrant food and drink scene, two Melbourne icons are joining forces to raise the bar—literally. Hotel Nacional, Hardware Lane’s five-level, 100% gluten-free Mexican-inspired rooftop bar and restaurant, has teamed up with TWØBAYS Brewing Co., Australia’s leading independent gluten-free brewery, to launch its exclusive house Cerveza. This collaboration is a game-changer for the 25% of Aussies avoiding gluten, proving that great food and beer can truly be for everyone. To celebrate this exciting partnership, Hotel Nacional and TWØBAYS are throwing a launch party on 29 and 30 January 2025. Head to Hotel Nacional’s Level 5 Rooftop…
The dynamic duo, Arseless Chaps, featuring TISM frontman Damian Cowell and comedy icon Tony Martin will perform a show at Howler in Brunswick in April. This unique collaboration promises an electrifying blend of music and humour, delivering an unforgettable “electrobanger” experience. Both artists are celebrated for their sharp wit, clever lyrics, and unique takes on pop culture, politics, and everyday absurdities. Their collaboration combines Martin’s storytelling prowess with Cowell’s knack for crafting catchy, irreverent tunes. The Arseless Chaps project showcases Cowell and Martin’s combined talents, offering a performance set to fuse satirical lyrics with electronic beats This isn’t the first…
Legendary rock icons Toto are bringing their Dogz of Oz World Tour to Australia with special guest Christopher Cross with shows that promise to deliver a seamless blend of musical mastery and a performance of hits that have become the soundtrack of our lives. The multiplatinum hitmakers will perform this April at John Cain Arena Melbourne on Wednesday 16 April and at the ICC Sydney Theatre in Sydney on Saturday 19 April. The members of Toto and Christopher Cross have been friends and collaborators for more than four decades. Toto’s Steve Lukather said “It’s been seven years and we’ve really been trying hard to get back to Australia. We can’t wait to see…
The Yarra Ranges Regional Museum in Lilydale is set to host A Toast to Melba, a captivating exhibition honouring Australia’s first global opera star, Dame Nellie Melba. Opening on 15 February and running until 29 June, this event promises an intimate look at the extraordinary life of a woman who took the world stage by storm. The exhibition brings together rarely seen treasures from Coombe Yarra Valley, Arts Centre Melbourne and the museum’s own collection. Dame Nellie Melba (1861–1931) was renowned for her extraordinary soprano voice. Born Helen Porter Mitchell in Melbourne, she adopted the stage name “Melba” as a…
The Melton Town Centre Amphitheatre will burst with colour, music, and flavours as the Night Market series takes over on the first Friday of February, March, and April 2025. Showcasing the rich diversity of Asia, Europe, and Oceania, these events promise a cultural feast for all the senses. Kicking off on Friday, 7 February, the Asian Market will dazzle with Chinese Lion dancing, Japanese drumming, and the infectious energy of Bollywood beats. Food lovers can indulge in Asian street food, Sri Lankan Kottu, Vietnamese Banh Mi, and more. On Friday, 7 March, the European Market will bring the charm of…
The 2025 Australian Open has smashed records, cementing itself as the biggest tournament in the event’s history with over 1.2 million fans flocking to Melbourne for three unforgettable weeks of world-class tennis. This year’s Open was headlined by electrifying victories from men’s singles champion Jannik Sinner and women’s singles champion Madison Keys. Their triumphs were the centrepiece of a tournament that broke daily attendance records and surpassed last year’s overall crowd numbers by day 14 of the main draw. Melbourne’s hospitality sector felt the full impact of the surge in visitors, with 93% of hotel rooms booked at the tournament’s…
The NGV is stepping into the spotlight for the Melbourne Fashion Festival with a dynamic program celebrating some of the most influential designers of the 20th century and beyond. From the avant-garde visions of Jean Paul Gaultier, Martin Margiela, and John Galliano to the bold artistry of Yayoi Kusama, this program promises to dazzle fashion enthusiasts and creative minds alike. On Saturday, 22 February, visitors can dive into the NGV’s new Level 3 display featuring works from the mid-1980s to the 2010s by Gaultier, Margiela, and Galliano. This curated collection highlights their groundbreaking influence on fashion and their interconnected legacies.…
This February, Moorabbin Music + Arts is set to transform the Kingston Arts Precinct into a dynamic hub of live music, art, and family fun. From 21 to 23 February, this vibrant festival promises an affordable and accessible way to celebrate Victoria’s creative talent, with free and low-cost events that highlight local artists and bring the community together. The music program is packed with unmissable performances. On 21 February, indie-folk duo Tristan Heath and Harley Luscombe will deliver heartfelt acoustic tunes, followed by DJ Glow’s energetic Afro beats and global rhythms. That evening, Wild Gloriosa will light up the stage…
The kids are back at school and the year is off to an amazing start in Melbourne. Lunar New Year and Midsumma celebrations continue. There’s Valentine’s Day and plenty of festivals and other summer fun a this month. Asia TOPA – Australia’s major triennial of Asia-Pacific performance returns towards the end of February with an extraordinary program of new art and performance from across the Asia-Pacific taking over the city. This list will be updated as more February events are announced so check back regularly. Events running throughout February What’s on in and around Melbourne 1-9 February 2025 What’s on in and…
123BOOM! is an epic new game-inspired experience that’s just made its Australian debut in Melbourne. Designed for teams of 4-8 players, 123BOOM! features six distinct rooms for players to earn points, each with its own unique theme and gameplay, preparing them for the ultimate test: THE BOMB! Each team must race against the clock to disarm a paint-filled explosive or face the consequences.The six explosive rooms include: We’re giving one reader the opportunity to win four tickets to 123BOOM! at a date and time of their choosing – you can take your family, mates, colleagues – it’s totally up to…