One fine city

 

If there’s something Melbourne loves, it is an event - another week, another festival, another show, another concert, the calendar runs deep and strong. Brimming to say the least, there’s something about being at the centre of it all that brings a smile to our face.

We’re spoilt. We sit surrounded by galleries and world-class spaces that offer unique perspectives and access to art and artists not seen anywhere else, and a chance to see work before it makes mainstream impact. Of course, we’re only a short walk from the NGV and the Ian Potter Centre, which at any given time punches above their weight on the world stage. The NGV Triennial has returned for summer through to April ’24 and features more than 120 artists using art, design and architecture to provide a powerful and moving snapshot of the world today. We love the way the Triennial seamlessly connects the city to art and big ideas while still making us feel special and a part of something bigger.

Not forgetting the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), a few more steps south of NGV. It promises “To Do Art Differently” and delivers this with a changing roster of artists and works that “challenge, connect and resonate”. More importantly, ACCA showcases local, indigenous and international art, supporting and commissioning artists to produce experimental and ambitious work that truly engages with transformative qualities. Housed in a building designed by Wood Marsh, its sharp, rust-panelled exterior is worth a trip in itself.

High art and cultural adventures aside, Melbourne goes properly international for tennis in January. It always feels like high summer when the Australian Open is on. Slip into the bar before walking across to Rod Laver Arena or pop in after a match to cool down with some chilled noodles and a beer.

 
 

We always look forward to concerts at The Forum. It’s excellently over the top: a Florentine Garden décor complete with Greek statues and a midnight blue ceiling reminds us of Mediterranean nights. The room fills us with joy as some of our favourite bands and musicians tour Australia over the warmer months.

The Forum also plays host to many films of the Melbourne Film Festival. We’re here to offer a safe place for film critique, dissection and discussion at any time of year, which we find works particularly well with a skin-contact Fruilano, challenging at first, rewarding to the end.

Never more than 15 minutes from the action and only 5 minutes from Flinders Street Station, Supernormal is in the unique position of being central to Melbourne’s sometimes disparate and eclectic cultural calendar. Add summer to the mix, and fresh seafood from our raw bar, and we start to get more than a little excited. Cold drinks to match and a warm night, who could ask for anything more?

 
 

Get the diary out:

 

NGV Triennial
3rd December 23 - 7th April 24
120 Artists, designers and collectives, spread across all 4 levels of the NGV International. A powerful portrait of the world today. Best of all, it’s free.

Moonlight Cinema: Summer Program
Begin with a long lunch and follow with a night on the picnic rug in front of the big screen. The line-up covers it all - from 80’s nostalgia in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to Saltburn, a quirky thriller by Academy Award winning director Emerald Fennell.

January at The Forum
Heading to see Gracie Abrams on the 22nd as a worthy consolation for missing out on Taylor Swift tickets? This gig is set to be the most intimate of her Australian concerts after a recent 30-date stint supporting the Taylor Swift Eras Tour.

ACMI: Marshmallow Laser Feast
23rd November 23 - 14th April 24
A world premiere exhibition featuring four major large-scale screen works and interactive experiences. A sensory journey where one can see the world from a new perspective.

Australian Open
14th January 23 - 28th January 24
There’s 15 days of tennis action in the program this year including a special Kids Day on Saturday the 13th. And if tennis ain’t your thing, Groove Armada headline a stellar line-up of music for the AO Finals Festival.

The Regent Theatre
After two sell out seasons, Moulin Rouge leaves Melbourne for good on the 4th of February to make way for Wicked making this the last opportunity to see this 10-time Tony Award winning show.

 
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