11 Mar March 13-15: Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne Coffee Expo and VAMFF
GO Festival
DATE: Fri 13 – Sun 15 Mar
TIME: 10am – 5pm
LOCATION: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
COST: 1 day ticket – $12 online, $15 on the door, $10 concession
WEBSITE: www.gofestival.com.au
What’s going on: Alright ladies, this one’s for you. All weekend GO Festival is catering to the girls among us with a fun, female-focused festival. Experience exhibitors in health and wellness, massage, entertainment, cooking, fashion and spirituality – all 100% aimed at women. You GO girlfriends!
Australian Grand Prix
DATE: Fri 13 – Sun 15 Mar
TIME: Gates open 10:30am each day
LOCATION: Albert Park Race Circuit, Melbourne
COST: From $55
WEBSITE: www.grandprix.com.au
What’s going on: The Australian Grand Prix is the first race of the F1 season, and for 2 decades now, it’s been held in Melbourne. That’s kind of a big deal. This global event brings our city to the World Stage for another first class sporting event. Even if motorsports are not quite your thing, the power and atmosphere of this event will surely excite you and get your engine revving. Get behind our Aussie, Daniel Ricciardo, for the podium finish he deserves!
Tip: Download the 2015 Circuit Map to decide where the best vantage point on the day might be.
Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival
DATE: Until 22 Mar
TIME: Various
LOCATION: Various
COST: Various
WEBSITE: www.vamff.com.au
What’s going on: Fashion. Turn to the left. Fashion. Turn to the right. Fashion. Yes that’s right, as of this weekend we are surrounded by fashion, as the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival begins. Suss out the program online for Runway and Cultural events featuring local and international designers of the highest calibre.
Worlds Greatest Shave at Federation Square
DATE: Fri 13 Mar
TIME: 8am – 6pm
LOCATION: Federation Square, Corner Swanston and Flinders Streets, Melbourne
COST: $20 for a shave, $5 for colour
WEBSITE: www.worldsgreatestshave.com
What’s going on: The Leukaemia Foundation staff members are doing their bit for the World’s Greatest Shave and you can join them! Get behind this great cause – be brave and shave or show your support by chosing some crazy colours for your do.
Tip: Sign up online and the shave or the colour is free on the day. There are several Greatest Shave events on around Melbourne this weekend, so check the website to find the one that’s most convenient for you.
Good Beer Week Gala Showcase
DATE: Fri 13 – Sat 14 Mar
TIME: Fri 5pm – 9pm, Sat 12pm – 4pm and 5pm – 9pm
LOCATION: Fitzroy Town Hall, 201 Napier Street, Fitzroy
COST: $40 online, $45 on the door
WEBSITE: www.goodbeerweek.com.au
What’s going on: Hop along to the Good Beer Week Gala Showcase to suss out launch of the 2015 program. Get ready for 23 brewers sharing their newest creations as well as some old faves. Taste your way through all the lagers, ales and pilsners and chose your favourite brew for the people’s choice award.
Tip: With each ticket you receive 20 x 60ml beer samples and a food voucher to use at the food trucks. 5pm sessions on Fri and Sat are sold out – so get in quick. Saturday day sessions about to sell out!
Mount Gay Rum and Cider Pop-up Bar
DATE: Fri 13 Mar
TIME: 6pm – 9pm
LOCATION: Polly Woodside, 2A Clarendon Street, Melbourne
COST: $40 (includes 2 drinks)
WEBSITE:www.nationaltrust.org.au
What’s going on: The National Trust are becoming known for putting on some rather unexpected and cool pop-up bars for Friday night drinks – and this event is no exception. Polly Woodside, a historic tall ship, becomes the scene for this treasure of a pop-up bar. Don’t miss this swashbuckling soiree!
Tip: There will also be intimate master classes on offer where you can learn from experts. These classes cost an additional $10 in advance (if bought with an admission ticket) or $15 on the day if space is still available.
Cake Expo
DATE: Sat 14 – Sun 15 Mar
TIME: 9:30am – 4:30pm
LOCATION: Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale
COST: $15 online, $18 on the door
WEBSITE: www.cakeexpo.com.au
What’s going on: Did somebody say cake? I’m so there! The Cake Expo runs over 2 days and will surely satisfy the sweet tooths among us. Between the cake stalls, demonstrations, decorating comps, classes and giveaways – this expo might take the cake as your fave event this weekend!
Tip: Thinking about going to the Melbourne International Coffee Expo too? You can get entry to both for only $30. Mmmm coffee and cake..
Melbourne International Coffee Expo
DATE: Sat 14 – Sun 15 Mar
TIME: Sat 10am – 5:30pm, Sun 10am – 4pm
LOCATION: Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale
COST: 1 day ticket – $25 online, $30 on the door
WEBSITE: www.internationalcoffeeexpo.com
What’s going on: You aren’t a true Melburnian unless you’re a coffee nut and if that’s the case, then you simply must attend the Melbourne International Coffee Expo. Sip your way through premium international coffee samples, get up to speed with the latest coffee technology and watch some champion baristas take each other on in the ultimate coffee comp.
Tip: Thinking about going to the Cake Expo too? You can get entry to both for only $30. Mmmm coffee and cake..
Learn to Cook the Paleo Way
DATE: Sat 14 Mar
TIME: 10am – 5pm
LOCATION: Melbourne City Town Hall, 90 – 120 Swanston Street, Melbourne
COST: $164
WEBSITE: www.earthevents.com.au
What’s going on: Pete Evans and Luke Hines want to teach you how to cook the Paleo Way. During this special, all day workshop you will gain practical, sustainable solutions for living the Paleo way; like cooking on a budget, preparing lunches for the family, making broths and fermenting at home.
Seeing Eye Dogs Australia Public Open Day
DATE: Sat 14 Mar
TIME: 11am – 3pm
LOCATION: 17 Barrett Street, Kensington
COST: Gold coin donation per person
WEBSITE: www.seda.org.au
What’s going on: Puppies, puppies, and more puppies – that is all you need to know! Come and check out the Seeing Eye Dogs’ kennel and breeding centre. Get a tour of the facility, see the puppy play centre and attend demonstrations on training and vet health. There will be raffles and a BBQ on the day – heaps of family fun…with puppies.
Flemington Grazing Trail and Cellar Door (MFWF)
DATE: Sat 14 Mar
TIME: 11am – 5pm
LOCATION: The Front Lawn, Flemington Racecourse, 448 Epsom Road, Flemington
COST: Admission to the event is free with your Super Saturday raceday ticket. A $20 tasting glass will be available to purchase on the day.
WEBSITE: www.flemington.com.au
What’s going on: The Flemington Grazing Trail & Cellar Door returns to Flemington again in 2014! Running in tandem with Autumn’s premier race day, Super Saturday, the front lawns and rose garden at Flemington Racecourse will be filled with the Victoria’s finest boutique wineries, breweries and producers all re-creating a cellar door vibe. The event will also feature cooking demonstrations on the Smeg stage from some of Melbourne’s most renowned chefs including Jake Kellie (Estelle), Stephen Burke (Executive Chef of Melbourne Pub Group), Nicky Riemer (Union Dining), Andrew Logan (Mamasita) and Mauro Callegari (The Independent).
Flavours (MFWF)
DATE: Sat 14 Mar
TIME: 11am – 4pm
LOCATION: Grattan Gardens, Corner Grattan and Greville Streets, Prahran
COST: Free
WEBSITE: www.stonnington.vic.gov.au/events
What’s going on: A multicultural community festival that brings together a plethora of international cuisine, live performances and cooking demos from the likes of Alice in Frames. Some highlights from the food lineup are Afrofeast, Bickle, El Alamo, Hoy Pinoy and Mr Miyagi. Bring your friends and fam along for a guaranteed ‘flavoursome’ day out in Prahran.
Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival Opening Event
DATE: Sat 14 Mar
TIME: 7pm and 9:30pm
LOCATION: Central Pier, Docklands
COST: $79
WEBSITE: www.vamff.com.au
What’s going on: Slip into your slickest threads for the official opening of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival hosted by David Jones. Join over three thousand guests for a meticulously arranged runway event featuring cutting edge collections from our top designers.
Breakfast Around the Tan (MFWF)
DATE: Sun 15 Mar
TIME: 7:30am – 12pm
LOCATION: Royal Botanic Gardens, Southern Cross Lawn Observatory Precinct, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra
COST: $35 Adult, $15 Child, $80 family – 5% of ticket costs are donated to Diabetes Australia – Vic
WEBSITE: www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au
What’s going on: Ditch the cafe scene this Sunday for this moving brekkie event. Support Diabetes Australia – Vic by walking the picturesque Tan track, taking pit stops for healthy breakfast options at 5 different stations. Other all-ages activities like yoga, hip hop and tai chi will also be held before and after the walk.
Tip: Due to the nature of this event, start times will be staggered. Please enter your preferred start time when booking.
Turkish Pazar Festival
DATE: Sun 15 Mar
TIME: 9am – 4pm
LOCATION: Queen Victoria Markets, 65-159 Victoria Street, Melbourne
COST: Free
WEBSITE: www.qvm.com.au
What’s going on: The Vic Markets will be transformed into a traditional Turkish Bazaar for the day. Get your tastebuds ready for tasty Turkish offerings such as Gozleme, regional styles of kebabs and all-day Turkish breakfast. Stalls selling “magic” carpets, authentic ceramics and decorative arts will be in abundance. And Turkish marching bands, singers and folk dancers will provide the cultural atmosphere.
Fromage A Trois (MFWF)
DATE: Sun 15 Mar
TIME: 11am – 5pm
LOCATION: Werribee Park, K Road, Werribee South
COST: $35
WEBSITE: www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au
What’s going on: As the name suggests, Fromage A Trois is a cheese festival, with a little bit of cider thrown in the mix too. Delish! Meandering from stall to stall, learning about the art of cheese and cider making, meeting the makers and sampling a few of the boutique products. Sounds fab, doesn’t it? Make the trip out to enjoy the relaxing music, demonstrations and masterclasses in the grand old grounds of Werribee Park Mansion.
Reneault Torque Bar After Party
DATE: Sun 15 Mar
TIME: 8pm onwards
LOCATION: Ms Collins, 425 Collins Street, Melbourne
COST: $45
WEBSITE: www.mscollins.com.au
What’s going on: After all the action of the F1 – speed over to Ms Collins in the city for the very special Renault Torque Bar After Party. The Ms Collins crew have the one and only DJ Eric Powell status, lined up alongside some pretty awesome food brought to you by Daniel Wilson (of Huxtable) and Paul Wilson (of Icebergs).
Tip: For all y’all high rollers, there is a range of swanky customisable VIP packages for your enjoyment. Contact Ms Collins for more info.