Musicals,plays and live performances
Clockwise from bottom left:Judith Lucy in Happy Days;Harry Potter and the Cursed Child;& Juliet;and Moulin Rouge! The Musical.Supplied
One of the best stage shows Melbourne has hosted,,will depart Australia in just a few weeks – if you haven’t seen it already,make sure to get along before the final performance at The Princess Theatre on July 9. If you prefer musicals,there’s plenty to choose from,including the delightful at Her Majesty’s,the grown-upat The Comedy Theatre and the dazzling at The Regent,a coming-of- age story featuring the chart-topping hits of Swedish pop maestro Max Martin. Our next batch of musicals includes, and,while the Melbourne Theatre Company has an including Samuel Beckett’s absurdist masterpieceHappy Days (starring the),modern-day romanceI Wanna Be Yours andJacky,a sharp-witted play by Arrernte artist Declan Furber Gillick.The Australian Ballet‘s includesIdentity,Jewels andGisele;Bell Shakespeare’s promises to bring you closer than ever to the heartbreak of the Bard’s most evocative tragedy;andCirque du Soleil’s is set to wow audiences at John Cain Arena. Also worth a look are the male burlesque show and the one-day-only special event,featuring musical theatre legends Caroline O’Connor,Silvie Paladino and Casey Donovan together for the first time.
SPLURGE: A forCursed Child includes a premium seat,a souvenir program,chocolates,a beverage and ice cream,and priority queuing at bars.
SAVE: Sign up for last-minute discount ticket alerts at todaytix.com.
Exhibitions
From left:ACMI’s Goddess:Power,Glamour,Rebellion exhibition;Pierre Bonnard’s Stairs in the Artist’s Garden;and Monet& Friends at The Lume.Supplied
From the swagger of Mae West and glamour of Anna May Wong,ACMI’s exhibition celebrates the women and gender-transcending superstars who shaped their destinies and fought a system that tried to exploit them. In June,the National Gallery of Victoria will debut its blockbuster winter masterpieces exhibition,showcasing the work of one of the most beloved painters of the 20th century. The Lume’s,closing on June 4,is a multisensory experience that blends sight,sound,aroma,taste and touch to evoke 19th-century Bohemian Paris and countryside France. Other interesting exhibits include,revealing the personal experiences of secret agents and Australia’s history of espionage and counter-espionage;and,tracing the history of lesbian,gay,bisexual,transgender and queer people in Australia’s military service.
SPLURGE: Make a day of it at the NGV with an indulgent lunch at the.
SAVE: Check out the free exhibition – featuring the costumes,notebooks and concert posters of some of our most popular musicians – next time you visit Arts Centre Melbourne’s main building.
Festivals
Clockwise from left:Thundercat performs at Rising;the Melbourne International Film Festival;Paul Kelly;and the Lightscape festival.Supplied
Between June 7 and 18,Melbourne will host theRISING arts festival – the successor to White Night and the Melbourne International Arts Festival – in venues across the city. Be sure to check out,with highlights includingShadow Spirit,a First Peoples exhibition in the once-abandoned rooms above Flinders Street Station;Tanz,in which the “Tarantino of dance”,Florentina Holzinger,explores self-optimisation in the name of art and beauty;while Thundercat,aka LA native Stephen Bruner,brings his deep funk and cartoonish humour to the Forum. Brighten your evening with a trip to the at the Royal Botanic Gardens and be uplifted by fabulous choral performances at the. Comic book and animation lovers should head to,while aspiring illusionists can visit the. And don’t forget the,which kicks off in August.
SPLURGE: One of Melbourne’s most beloved songwriters,Paul Kelly, (complete with a full band) at the Recital Centre. Tickets:$110.
SAVE: Take advantage of the free entry to,where you can grab a cheap dinner and a drink before heading to your next event.
Family
Clockwise from bottom left:Watch Frozen with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra;catch a ride on Puffing Billy;and visit Legoland Discovery Centre.Supplied
Head to Rod Laver Arena for,featuring world-class acrobatics,skating and stunts.Frozen fans can enjoy the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra live-scoring the film across at The Plenary,while Roald Dahl enthusiasts can check out a special stage adaptation of at Arts Centre Melbourne. Other kid-friendly events include,offering passengers a chance to immerse themselves in the natural surrounds of the Dandenong Ranges while enjoying a light show;the two-week,including ice-skating,markets and free children’s activities;and a special at theLegoland Discovery Centre,with reduced sound and light levels,quiet spaces and specially trained staff. And on June 25,theCollingwood Children’s Farm hosts its 20th anniversary.
SPLURGE: Enjoy a weekend away from the city with a trip to Sovereign Hill,where the event transforms the open-air museum into a Christmas-in-July playground.
SAVE: The free,at the Royal Botanic Gardens,is specially scaled for children – encouraging them to jump,crawl,climb and crouch while revelling in nature.
Music
Pop superstar Lizzo performs in Melbourne in July.Charles Sykes
Victorian Opera‘s features Mozart’sIdomeneo,Strauss’Capriccio and the child-friendlyThe Grumpiest Boy in the World,in which a boy named Zachary discovers an imaginary world of giants,hairy creatures and flying things in this eye-opening opera.Musica Viva,now one of the largest chamber music presenters in the world,has that includes pianist Garrick Ohlsson;Chopin’s Piano,starring pianist Aura Go and actor Jennifer Vuletic;and a trio of performers inSilk,Metal and Wood. Rod Laver Arena will host musicians including, and,and;while theMelbourne Symphony Orchestra will perform withKate Ceberano in as well as honouring the music ofArchie Roach in.
SPLURGE: In addition to season passes,Musica Viva offers “mini packs” that allow you to.
SAVE: Opera lovers aged 30 or younger can buy tickets for as little as $30 via.
Other
Sample handrafted chocolates and desserts as part of a walking tour of Melbourne’s laneways and arcades.Bloomberg
Literally the coolest venue in town, – inside the Atrium at Federation Square – includes warm snow gear and an alcoholic beverage with each ticket. Winter is also a great time for wedding,design and craft enthusiasts,with an array of major events including the,,, and the. Foodies should check out the and the,both at the Queen Victoria Market.
SPLURGE: Indulge in the finest handcrafted sweet treats as part of the. Tickets:$99.
SAVE: The Immigration Museum’s talk on June 17,featuring miniature artworks by refugees as the basis for a panel discussion,costs just $12 for adults with free entry for children.