The best events in Melbourne this spring

Spring could just be the best time of the year for events in our city and surrounds. If you’re not one for giddying up, there are a bevy of other festivals, shows, exhibitions and more to celebrate the season.

So Soiree 

Imagine walking through Prahran when you stumble upon an enchanting little garden bar (in Grattan Gardens). There, a vintage caravan dishes up some cute cocktails (or other beverages) while you listen to the cool DJ sets and – if you like – head to a nearby show, featuring cabaret, burlesque, comedy and other delights.

“The program is broad in style, so there’s a show for everyone – we’ve got some late-night cheeky shows, and we’ve got more family-friendly ones with broader appeal at the 6pm time slot, although this is definitely not a program for kids,” says  Nicole Warren, from the City of Stonnington, which has put this extravaganza on as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.

The pop-up garden bar “has got a beautiful European feel”, she says. “With its festoon lighting, hand-painted circus tent and neon artwork – you can feel like you’re on a holiday.” A must-see show? Up Late With Kate, a Kate Bush tribute show. 

The rest of the Melbourne Fringe Festival includes a playground at Queen Victoria Market, while 450 shows are there for the picking.

Until October 23 \ sosoiree.com.au \ melbournefringe.com.au 

Open House Bendigo

At Open House Bendigo, “there is an opportunity to think about the symbiotic relationship between our natural environment and the built one”, says executive director and chief curator Fleur Watson.

She says that one can not only connect with the historical past of Bendigo, “but look to the future and some of these new, contemporary buildings which are shaping the future of the city, and recognising indigenous knowledge in Bendigo, thinking about what it means to design on country, and to recognise the rich heritage of Bendigo”. 

October 22 and 23 \ openhousemelbourne.org

Melbourne Queer Film Festival 

The festival, showcasing both local and international films, is now in its 32nd year. The opening-night movie is Private Desert, which also kicks off the MQFF’s spotlight on Brazil.

Meanwhile, the big Australian movie, according to chief executive David Harris, is The Longest Weekend. “It’s going to be a cult classic about three siblings who come back to their family home to reconcile with their father,” Harris says. 

Uýra: The Rising Forest closes the festival, coinciding with the Trans Day of Remembrance, to be held on the rooftop of the Victorian Pride Centre.

But it’s not all about celluloid. “The bar on the rooftop will be where audiences can socialise and meet the community, with music,” Harris says. “We’ll also be activating at ACMI, the spiritual home of MQFF, and at its Hero bar. It will be a real hub across weekends.” 

There will be a dedicated space for “rainbow families”, they say. “For queer kids, kids whose parents are queer and, you know – your favourite Guncle can come!

“Seeing yourself on the big screen is so powerful, especially for members of our community who don’t see themselves reflected often in culture. So for young people and people coming out, it really does change your life to have a positive cinematic experience.”

November 10-21 \ mqff.com.au

MORE TO EXPLORE: 

Titanic: The Musical 

It stars Anthony Warlow as Captain E.J. Smith with Theresa Borg directing and takes place in the most dazzling of venues, the Melbourne Town Hall. There are four performances. November 4, 5 and 6 \ titanicmusicalinconcert.com.au

Front Beach, Back Beach

A public art event sprawling across the Mornington Peninsula. Offerings will take different forms – sculpture, sound and installation, for example – with performances and artist talks. November 4-27 \ fbbb.com.au 

Fred Williams: The London Drawings 

Fred Williams was one of our most significant landscape artists who helped shape the way Australians saw their own country. His drawings will be on display at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. From October  21 \ ngv.vic.gov.au

Portsea Hotel’s Summer Music Series 

Cool music? The beach? The best of both worlds collide here, kicking off with Client Liaison. From October 29 \ porsteahotel.com.au 

Jewish International Film Festival 2022 

Stars including Anthony Hopkins, Anne Hathaway, Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergen and Judd Hirsch, to name a few, will feature across 52 films. All the buzz centres on the Australian premiere of Armageddon Time, and there’s also Fiddler on the Roof-themed karaoke. October 24-November 27 \ jiff.com.au