06 May May 8-10: Strictly Ballroom, Mothers Day Classic and Aloha Sailor Pop Up Bar
Strictly Ballroom The Musical
DATE: Fri 8 – Sun 10 May
TIME: Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm and 8pm, Sun 3pm
LOCATION: Her Majesty’s Theatre, 219 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
COST: From $60
WEBSITE: www.strictlyballroomthemusical.com
What’s going on: If this isn’t the best idea for a Mother’s Day surprise, then I don’t know what is! Strictly Ballroom was everyone’s favourite movie all those years ago, now it’s been adapted into a very successful stage show directed by Baz Lurhmann. You know Mum will love the music, the costumes, the nostalgia and the fun – so don’t think twice!
Tip: Treat Mum to tickets for Mother’s Day and receive a free gift pack – then you’ll definitely be her favourite child!
Backstreet Boys
DATE: Fri 8 May
TIME: 7:30pm
LOCATION: Rod Laver Arena, Corner Batman Avenue and Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne
COST: From $132
WEBSITE: www.backstreetboys.com
What’s going on: Backstreet’s back, alright!!! Yes that is alright with us, as a matter of fact. How fun would these guys be live? We don’t even need to talk this up, just get yourself some tickets!
French-Inspired Vietnamese Cooking Experience
DATE: Fri 8 and Sat 9 May
TIME: Fri 6pm – 9pm, Sat 10am – 1pm
LOCATION: Otao Kitchen, 360 Victoria Street, Richmond
COST: $135
WEBSITE: www.otaokitchen.com.au
What’s going on: Bonjour and Xin Chao to all you French Vietnamese food lovers. Isn’t it just the best combination? Through this 3 hour hands-on cooking class, learn how to prepare a range of French-Vietnamese dishes, get some tips and tricks from the pros and enjoy eating the fruits of your labour accompanied by some sparkling wine at the end of the class!
Aloha Sailor Launch Party
DATE: Fri 8 May
TIME: From 8pm
LOCATION: Aloha Sailor, Basement, 284 Smith Street, Collingwood
COST: Free entry
WEBSITE: www.alohasailor.com.au
What’s going on: Have you ever popped any Polynesian or Tiki-inspired food in your gob? No? Well tonight is your chance to get in before the rest of Melbourne jumps on this new flavour fusion and runs with it. It is sure to be unique and it is sure to be delish, with exotic tiki cocktails and treasure chestfuls of booze to wash it all down!
Darkness Into Light
DATE: Sat 9 May
TIME: 5am
LOCATION: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra
COST: $35 adult, $20 concession
WEBSITE: www.dil.pieta.ie
What’s going on: This 5km run is quite unique, in that, across 80 venues around the world, tens of thousands of people will run from darkness into light and cross the finish line at the break of day! The event raises funds and awareness for suicide and self-harm prevention. Come along and do your good deed, then maybe treat yourself to a delicious brekkie or go back to bed! Ahhh sounds divine.
The 1st Annual Tarantino Ball
DATE: Sat 9 May
TIME: 8pm
LOCATION: 24 Moons, 2 Arthurton Road, Northcote
COST: $20 pre-sale. More on the door.
WEBSITE: www.24moons.com.au
What’s going on: This is a costume party with attitude, alright. This will be the costume party of the year! You know the man, you know the movies. Now there is a party to celebrate the genius that is Quentin Tarantino and give you an excuse to dress up as one of his countless iconic characters from Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown and the Kill Bills. Oh and by the way, do you know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in Paris?
Tip: There will be best dressed prizes, so make sure you pull out all the stops!
Mother’s Day classic
DATE: Sun 10 May
TIME: 6am
LOCATION: Alexandra Gardens, Boathouse Drive, Melbourne
COST: Various
WEBSITE: www.mothersdayclassic.com.au
What’s going on: The Mother’s Day classic is an annual fun run and walk that raises funds and awareness for breast cancer research. Families, friends, colleagues, schoolmates, and corporate teams get into the spirit of the day with many sporting fancy dress and an abundance of pink. The festival atmosphere is also an opportunity to celebrate the life of survivors and enjoy a fun and healthy morning on Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day with Mum at Mister Bianco
DATE: Sun 10 May
TIME: 12pm
LOCATION: Mister Bianco, 285 High Street, Kew
COST: $75 three courses, $85 four courses (includes a gift bag for Mum), $38 childen
WEBSITE: www.misterbianco.com.au
What’s going on: Mister Bianco has devised a cracker of a menu for Mother’s Day this year. Shout your special Mum either a three or four course meal, finishing on tiramisu for a decadent dessert. As a special treat, Joe Vargetto has designed the perfect gift pack to keep mum smiling all day including aromatic t2 tea and L’Occitane hand cream. It would seem all the hard work is done for you!
Mother’s Day “Mum Cha” at Sarti Restaurant
DATE: Sun 10 May
TIME: 12:30pm
LOCATION: Sarti Restaurant, 6 Russell Place, Melbourne
COST: $95 (includes a glass of prosecco on arrival), $25 children
WEBSITE: www.sartirestaurant.com.au
What’s going on: Italian style Yum Cha at Sarti. Brilliant. Think of an endless grazing menu of Chef Paolo’s beautiful signature Autumn dishes, including such delectable things like duck roll pasta with field mushroom and parmesan foam or seared quail with polenta, crispy cabbage and balsamic reduction. Mmmmm Mum Cha!