FILL YOUR DAY WITH JOYwhat: community radio open day
when: today
The annual Midsumma festival is in full swing, with Melbourne currently a hub of parties, exhibitions and live music events under the festival banner. Today, community radio station JOY 94.9 raise funds with an open day at Forest Glade in Mt Macedon. The private home is set on four hectares of beautiful gardens and visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic. The Melbourne Rainbow Band and the Melbourne Gay & Lesbian Chorus will provide entertainment and a collection of classic cars will be on display. Entry is $10. From 10am until 4pm.
For directions, visit midsumma.org.au
SMASHING GOOD TIME
what: Australian Open tennis
when: until Sunday
The Open continues until Sunday night, when one of the world’s top male players will write his name into the history books by winning the men’s singles title. While the main action takes place at Rod Laver Arena, there will still be fun at the Heineken Live Stage within the Melbourne Park precinct. On Saturday, Perth’s Eskimo Joe will take to the stage for a special acoustic show. The following day, last week’s CW covergirl Megan Washington will preview the new songs she has been working on in NYC. A ground pass gets you into each gig. Weekend centre court tickets are priced from $274. For more information, visit australianopen.com
THEY'R E ON FIRE
what: Kasabian sideshow
when: Saturday
Last year, English four-piece Kasabian released Velociraptor! – its fourth album and a sign the band was ready to rise to the ranks of a true stadium band. It worked – at home, at least – with the outfit now one of the most popular live bands in Europe. On Saturday, the band, led by the charismatic Tom Meighan, will play a Big Day Out sideshow with support from critically acclaimed London indie band The Vaccines. Tickets are $75.90 plus booking fee. At Festival Hall, 300 Dudley Street, West Melbourne. Visit festivalhall.com.au
MORE CAUSE TO CELEBRATE
what: Chinese New Year
when: Sunday
Chinese New Year was officially on January 23, but Melbourne will celebrate the occasion on Sunday. The annual Chinese New Year Festival will take over Chinatown, featuring everything from market stalls and firecrackers to Chinese cultural activities including singing, dancing, arts and crafts and dragon parades. Patrons won’t go hungry either, with plenty of stallholders selling traditional Chinese culinary delights. The event is suitable for all ages and festivities run from 10am until 8pm. For details, visit chinesenewyear.com.au
MUR IEL’S BACK
what: cult classic screening
when: Wednesday
On its release in 1994, comedy Muriel’s Wedding quickly became one of the most-loved Australian films of all time, making a star of Toni Collette and launching the catchphrase ‘‘You’re terrible, Muriel’’. Next week, the film will take centre stage at Southgate Cinema. The free atrium cinema is Melbourne’s only silent cinema, which means every punter is given headphones (you can bring your own if you choose) and audio kits to listen to the film while relaxing in a deckchair. Tickets are free but must be booked. From 7.50pm at 3 Southgate Avenue, Southgate,
visit celebratesouthgate.com.au
LAW IN THE RAW
what: new theatre at the Arts Centre
when: from Wednesday
Three new Melbourne theatre works are being presented ‘‘in the raw’’ as part of the Arts Centre’s music theatre series next month. The first cab off the rank is musical The New Black, which opens on Wednesday and runs for four days. Written by Stephen Helper in collaboration with members of the Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts, the musical revolves around a young indigenous lawyer entering the corporate world. Tickets are $10. At Fairfax Studio, The Arts Centre, visit theartscentre.com
Compile d by Kathryn Kernohan. Email Top Picks here.
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