Spring is a wonderful time to get out and about. What better way to do this than attend one of the many festivals scheduled between September and November. While all visitors are welcome, many events rely on other kinds of participants including: volunteers, performers, writers, producers, actors. There is something for everyone, so think about attending or participating in some way. A number of our Spring festivals are listed below:
Melbourne Fringe Festival
The Melbourne Fringe Festival offers the Australian arts community the opportunity to flog their wares in public. In 2008, almost 4000 independent artists participated in this Festival. The accent is on independent. Some acts are excellent and others are interesting…shall we use the word experimental? The Melbourne Fringe Festival really does offer something for everyone. They love participants of all kinds – performers, visitors and volunteers.
When & Where:
23rd September – 11th October 2009 at venues around Melbourne, refer to the website below for more information.
Countries represented: Irrelevant – pay your fees, organise your venue and you’ve got a show.
Looking for the following participants: visitors; volunteers, (performers for 2010 because applications to perform in 2009 have now closed)
Link to the Melbourne Fringe Festival
Moon-Lantern Festival
The Moon Lantern Festival is celebrated by a number of Asian cultures and dates back more than 1000 years to the Song Dynasty. It is a celebration of the harvest, when family and friends come together to enjoy meals. This festival is intended to celebrate the concept of togetherness is spite of the many factors that separate us from our loved ones. The festivities commence at dusk but look most stunning after dark as ordinary streets become transformed by hundreds of brightly colored lanterns.
Activities include: Lantern making classes for children; Lantern parade; Asian food stalls; Live entertainment (usually in Asian languages).
When & Where:
This event is held at several locations across Melbourne including -
Chinese Museum, Little Bourke St, 3rd October 2009;
Box Hill Mall, date to be announced;
Sunshine, 27th September 2009;
Whittlesea, date to be announced;
Countries represented: China, Japan, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Korea
Looking for the following participants: all visitors welcome
Link to the Moon Lantern Festival Website
The Octoberfest
The Octoberfest makes me smile. I don’t know whether it’s the thought of men running around in lederhosen, big gingerbread hearts or copious amounts of beer (should that be bier?). It’s almost impossible not to have a good time. The Melbourne Octoberfest used to be held at the Show Grounds but is now hosted by the European Bier Café on Exhibition Street. Practice your slap dancing - it becomes tricky after a couple of steins!
When & Where:
Fri 2 Oct – Sat 31 Oct, European Bier Café, 120 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 3000.
Tel: (03) 9663 1222; Fax: (03) 9663 3393 or Email: info@europeanbiercafe.com.au
Countries represented: Germany, Austria, Switzerland
Looking for the following participants: thirsty visitors
Melbourne International Arts Festival
The Melbourne International Arts Festival hosts an impressive list of local and international artists over a two week period. At first glance, the program looks more high-brow in comparison to the Fringe Festival but organisers have attracted some well known artists including: Batsheva Dance Company, Patti Smith and Daniel Kitson.
When & Where:
9-24 October 2009 at venues around Melbourne. Refer to their website for more information.
Countries represented: Performers are selected from all over the world.
Looking for the following participants: all visitors welcome
Link to the Melbourne International Arts Festival
Wangaratta Jazz Festival
The Wangaratta jazz Festival is celebrating its twentieth birthday this year. Organisers promise an interesting program for 2009 with artists visiting from all over the world. Their credentials are really impressive. A nice weekend getaway?
When & Where:
30th October-2nd November 2009. Events will be held at various venues around the Wangaratta area.
You can get there by car, train, bus or charter flight. Details are available on the website below.
Countries represented: Australia, Israel, United States of America, Germany, United Kingdom, Norway and many more.
Looking for the following participants: all visitors welcome
Link to the Wangaratta Jazz Festival Website
Short & Sweet Festival and Short & Sweet Cabaret Festival
The Short & Sweet Festival gives writers, directors and actors the opportunity to present short original plays.
This festival promotes itself as the biggest 10 minute theatre festival in the world. The festival will be launched at Chapel Off Chapel on the 17th November. There are activities for all ages and this event is held in conjunction with the Short & Sweet Cabaret Festival for those who like a little music with their drama.
If you want to submit a play, guidelines and timelines are available via the website. Volunteers are also welcome to assist with administration, fundraising and production activities.
When & Where:
12 – 22 November 2009 at Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St, South Yarra, Melbourne.
Countries represented: all
Looking for the following participants: visitors; volunteers, actors, writers, producers
Link to the Short & Sweet Festival and Short & Sweet Cabaret
The Lygon Street Festa
Lygon Street is one of our most popular Italian restaurant strips. It plays host to the Italian festival in June and a huge street party whenever Ferrari win the Melbourne Grand Prix. It is always buzzing on weekends. Activities Include: Live entertainment including opera and theatre (some performances are likely to be in Italian) & food stalls.
When & Where:
November 14-15 2009, Lygon Street, Carlton.
Countries represented: Primarily Italian but other non-Italian shop owners may participate.
Looking for the following participants: visitors, volunteers
Link to the Lygon Street Festa Website
Hispanic Festa 2009
The Hispanic Festa was established in 1978 to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the Spanish language. Although there are no bulls rampaging down the street, this vibrant and colorful street party goes until all hours of the night. The huge paellas look magnificent.
Activities Include: Street stalls (these open at noon); Live music (many performances are in Spanish);
Food stalls; Street Parade; Free Latin dance classes (3-6 PM); Flamenco dancers
When & Where:
21st-22nd November, Johnston Street, Collingwood.
Countries represented: Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Chile
Looking for the following participants: all visitors welcome
Link to the Hispanic Festa Website
Comment: Have you attended these festivals in previous years?
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