25 Mar March 27-29: Melbourne International Comedy Festival with Sammy J
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
DATE: Until 19 April
TIME: Various
LOCATION: Various
COST: Various
WEBSITE: www.comedyfestival.com.au
What’s going on: For its 29th year, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival will provide many a girly giggle, belly laugh, hearty chuckle and pant wetting. Take your pick of comedy – because, by golly, there’s plenty to choose from. Besides world class stand-up comics, there’s also great programs such as Raw Comedy, Class Clowns and Deadly funny which provides platforms for young and aspiring comedians.
Australian Motoring Festival
DATE: Fri 27 – Sun 29 Mar
TIME: Fri and Sat 10am – 8pm, Sun 10am – 6pm
LOCATION: Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale
COST: $30 Adult, $25 Concession, $20 Child, $60 Family
WEBSITE: www.motorshow.com.au
What’s going on: Join ambassador, Shane Jacobson, for an epic weekend of motoring – Cars, new and old, motorbikes, scooters and electric bikes – it’s all here! There’s also live music, competitions, test tracks and fun for the whole family. So get motor-vated to check out a whole bunch of motor vehicles this weekend!
Winestyle Autumn Wine Market
DATE: Sat 28 Mar
TIME: 2pm – 5pm
LOCATION: The Botanical, 169 Domain Road, South Yarra
COST: $10 online, $20 on the door
WEBSITE: www.winestyleonline.com.au
What’s going on: It’s wine-time everybody! Come along to the Winestyle Autumn Wine Market to suss out the best new releases from local and international producers, distributors and importers. Get some serious bang for your buck with up to 50% off purchases. And it’s going to be happy days because it’s Happy Hour at the bar for the entire event!!
Tip: Register in advance for $10 entry which also includes a Riedel tasting glass for all the sampling and a tasty roast pork roll from the BBQ!
Festival of Feral
DATE: Fri 27 – Sat 28 Mar
TIME: Fri from 5pm, Sat from 12pm (VIP sessions Fri 6:30pm, Sat 2pm)
LOCATION: Foresters Hall, 64 Smith Street, Collingwood
COST: Free, VIP $35
WEBSITE: www.forestershall.com.au
What’s going on: Every last tap in the bar will turn Feral! Yeap that’s right – over 2 days, all 50 taps at Foresters Hall will be turned over to 32 of Feral Brewing’s award-winning beers. Some of which, us Victorians haven’t had the privilege of sipping yet. To complement the fine brews there will be food supplied by Bluebonnet BBQ, hillbilly bands, line dancing, games and more. Expect a good old fashioned ho down!
Tip: Included in the VIP tickets is a Q&A tasting session with head brewer, Brendan Varis.
Old Melbourne Gaol: Gin Pop-Up Bar
DATE: Fri 27 Mar
TIME: 6pm – 9pm
LOCATION: 377 Russell Street, Melbourne
COST: $40 (includes 2 drinks)
WEBSITE: www.nationaltrust.org.au
What’s going on: After work drinks at Old Melbourne Gaol – that just sounds crazy. But no – the good folk at the National Trust Victoria are unlocking the prison doors to allow the public in for a pop-up gin bar. Come along for gin-inspired cocktails and access to all areas of this historic Gaol where some of Australia’s most infamous crims were locked up. I’ll drink to that!
Tip: There will also be intimate master classes on offer in the Magistrates Court 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.
Small is Beautiful documentary
DATE: Sat 28 – Sun 29 Mar
TIME: Fri 6pm, Sat and Sun 6:30pm and 9pm
LOCATION: Monster & Bear, 13 – 19 Leslie Street, Brunswick
COST: $25 Adult, $20 Concession
WEBSITE: www.smallbeautifulmovie.com
What’s going on: Small is Beautiful is a rather unique documentary looking into the tiny house movement which is taking off in the developing world in response to the housing affordability situation. A tiny house will also be on display for you to take a peek in!
Dinner in the Dark
DATE: Sat 28 Mar
TIME: 6pm
LOCATION: Secret location is revealed 24 hours prior to event
COST: $149
WEBSITE: www.limeandtonic.com/melbourne
What’s going on: The notion of “you eat with your eyes” is not relevant at this particular foodie event. As the name suggests, this dinner makes sure you are in the dark. Held in an award-winning secret venue, you will be blindfolded upon arrival and will be seating to a three-course meal with paired wines. Because your eyes are not needed for this meal, your sense of taste will be heightened resulting in a truly unique and memorable dining experience.
An Evening with Sammy J and Randy (MICF)
DATE: Sat 28 Mar – 19 April
TIME: 7pm
LOCATION: The Hi Fi, 125 Swanston Street, Melbourne
COST: From $30
WEBSITE: www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/
What’s going on: Sammy J and Randy are the stuff of musical-comedy genius! Get ready for a unique performance filled with shenanigans, smut and songs from the ARIA-nominated duo.
Luisa Omielan’s “What Would Beyonce Do?” (MICF)
DATE: Sat 28 Mar – 19 April
TIME: 9:30pm
LOCATION: Swiss Club, 89 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
COST: From $20
WEBSITE: www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/
What’s going on: What WOULD Beyonce do? I think we can all safely say she would be out enjoying the Comedy Festival if she were here in Melbs. And that’s exactly what YOU should do. Start with Luisa Omielan’s debut show – It’s sassy, daring and utterly original. And you have never seen anything like it before!!
Kensington Community Festival
DATE: Sun 29 Mar
TIME: 9am – 4pm
LOCATION: JJ Holland Park, Corner Altona Street and Kensington Road, Kensington
COST: Free
WEBSITE: www.urbancommunities.com.au
What’s going on: Kensington is all about commUNITY and that really comes through for this delightful festival. Come and celebrate this multicultural neighbourhood with live world music performances, markets, food, kids activities and giveaways. Coinciding with the festival, is the Unity Cup, an AFL competition with culturally diverse teams vying for the trophy.
Clever Polly’s 1st Birthday Party
DATE: Sun 29 Mar
TIME: 4pm – 10pm
LOCATION: Clever Polly’s, 313 Victoria Street, West Melbourne
COST: $25
WEBSITE: www.cleverpollys.com.au
What’s going on: What a first birthday celebration Clever Polly’s has in store – 12 winemakers, 1 BBQ pig and Market Lane Coffees! Wowee!! Your ticket includes wine tasting and small eats, so there is really no excuse not to come along and wish Clever Polly’s a happy birthday!
Drivetime with Two Leggy Redheads (MICF)
DATE: Sun 29 Mar – Sun 19 Apr (Sat and Sun only)
TIME: 4:30pm
LOCATION: The Famous Spiegeltent, The Arts Centre, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
COST: From $18
WEBSITE: www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/
What’s going on: Rod Quantock and Fiona Scott-Norman are the Two Leggy Redheads and they are hosting their own chaotic and hillairious guide to the Comedy Festival. Take a comfortable seat in the Spiegeltent and enjoy interviews with performers, appearances from beloved festival characters, hot tips, showcases and show-offs, a quiz, audience reviews, random feuds and afternoon tea with cream buns!