What’s on
Are the Melbourne v Sydney opera wars finally coming to an end?
Opera Australia’s new program is trying to restore some balance between Australia’s biggest cities.
- by Elizabeth Flux
Latest
Zahra Newman’s transcendent tribute to jazz legend Billie Holiday
This wrap of shows around Melbourne includes Zahra Newman’s five-star Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, and The Song Company at Trinity College Chapel.
- by Cameron Woodhead, Jessica Nicholas and Tony Way
‘So rare to see musicians like this’: Jazz stars swing into Melbourne
We asked local musicians for their must-see acts in the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, ahead of its launch on Friday night. Here are their tips and advice on the gigs you really don’t want to miss - especially if you’re a drummer.
- by Martin Boulton
Blades of Glory meets South Park in sports spoof Bradbury the Musical
Melbourne Fringe theatre ranged from the ridiculous to the thought-provoking. Here’s a wrap of some of the shows you may have missed.
- by Cameron Woodhead, Lefa Singleton Norton and Cher Tan
Chaka Khan and Nile Rodgers at the Bowl – like an open-air Studio 54
This wrap of shows around Melbourne includes Chaka Khan, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Red Stitch’s Flake, Hour of the Wolf, The Visitors, The Chicks, Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh, jazz saxophonist Troy Roberts, Elvis: A Musical Revolution, and Mamma Mia! The Musical.
- by Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Tony Way, Cameron Woodhead, Kate Herbert, Kate Lahey, Bridget Davies, Tyson Wray and Jessica Nicholas
Mob has a meeting place at Melbourne Fringe’s Blak Lodge
A multidisciplinary hub at North Melbourne’s Meat Market has been home to a range of Deadly Fringe shows in this year’s festival.
- by Stephen A Russell
Exclusive
Arts
The first Aussie novel Reese Witherspoon chose for her book club is hitting the Melbourne stage
Pip Williams’ acclaimed Dictionary of Lost Words is now a hit play – but that’s not all; there’s a TV series in the works too and even a “book-concerto”.
- by Hannah Story
How to have fun in Melbourne for less than $25
As the evenings grow longer, from exhibitions to comedy to indie games, there are plenty of events in Melbourne to catch that won’t crush your budget.
- by John Bailey
‘Dazzling’: Jose Navas’ homage is an exceptional night of dance
In other Fringe dance productions, Mechorstra shakes and shimmies, Shower Thots drips with sensual energy, Shian Law carries the weight of history, Leisa Prowd shows resilience and Joel Bray blurs gender and genre.
- by Andrew Fuhrmann, Vyshnavee Wijekumar, Cher Tan, Stephen A Russell and Lefa Singleton Norton
Inspired by School of Rock, these Aussie punks are making music their way
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers are preparing to support rock legends Foo Fighters following the release of their debut record.
- by Hannah Story
‘Louder, bigger, more exaggerated’: How a Grammy-winning singer learned to love audiences
Jazz singer Cecile McLorin Salvant says once upon a time the thought of performing in public horrified her.
- by Jane Cornwell