Winter Solstice at Collingwood Children’s Farm
Film
Bicycle tour
School holidays
Bodyworks Festival
Feats of daring and skill
Book fairs
Country Victoria
Open days
Be afraid – be very afraid!
Music
World Refugee Day
Readings
Reader feedback
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WINTER SOLSTICE AT THE COLLINGWOOD CHILDREN’S FARM
A celebration reviving the ancient celebrations of the winter solstice with entertainments a bonfire and no doubt culminating in the tradition ritual virgin sacrifice – that is if the organisers can manage to find a virgin in Collingwood. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Places/CollCFarm.asp
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FILM
There is an Animation Festival at ACMI and a winter film festival in Warburton. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Festivals/Film.asp
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BICYCLE TOUR
You can join a bicycle tour of Commonwealth Games sites this weekend. If you find yourself petitioned by the inhabitants of South Parkville to ‘save our park’ you might ask them when they plan to move out – South Parkville’s houses were all built on the parkland of Royal Park. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Activities/Cycling.asp
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SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
School holidays are approaching so it’s time to plan some quality time with the little darlings. There are free pantomimes at Fed Square and night activities at the Fitzroy Gardens. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Lifestyle/Children.asp
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BODYWORKS FESTIVAL
This is not an international festival of panel beaters, but an annual dance festival featuring workshops and performances. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Festivals/ArtMusic.asp
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FEATS OF DARING AND SKILL
The New Shanghai Circus is performing this week at Crown Casino. Enquiries: (03) 9292 5103. You can also watch some of the world’s best bartenders performing bar routines at the Jam Factory in South Yarra. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Events/Dates/06June/21.asp
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BOOK FAIRS
Every Saturday in the Atrium at Fed Square there are a number of book stalls. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Markets/MarketsM.asp
Also, Holy Trinity in East Melbourne is holding a Book Fair on Saturday and the following weekend is the Big Red Book Fair at Trades Hall. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Festivals/FairsFetes.asp
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COUNTRY VICTORIA
We did manage to get away this weekend and attended the Echuca Steam, Horse and Vintage Rally. There are various history and heritage theme parks around Victoria, but this weekend provides probably the best experience of life in country Victoria over the last 150 years. If you have overseas visitors around next Queen’s Birthday, I thoroughly recommend a visit to this festival. As expected we ended up in a country pub at Rochester with a mysterious self contained wing to just ourselves and the presence of those long past – but that is another story for another time. This weekend there is a textile, art & craft festival in Wang. If you don’t know where Wang is ask someone from the bush to tell you. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Victoria/Events/EventsV.asp
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OPEN DAYS
Open Day this weekend at Parliament House. This is one of Melbourne’s most significant buildings and a chance to explore parts of the building not normally accessible during standard tours. The parliamentary library is a gem, and one of my favourite exhibits is a copy of Johnny Fawkner’s first Melbourne newspaper – every copy was hand written. There is also an open day at St Hellier’s Convent in Abbotsford. The convent is next to the Collingwood Children’s Farm and is about to be turned into a community arts complex. It’s time to pull out your Sound of Music costumes and head down to the convent. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Events/EventsM.asp
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BE AFRAID – BE VERY AFRAID
This weekend is the Bridal Fair & Expo at Jeff’s Shed – seriously scary stuff. By the end of the day you can have chosen the dress, the invitations, the cake, the catering, the photographer, the reception venue, the honeymoon destination and the (not too atractive) bridesmaids’ dresses. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Places/JeffsShed.asp
Then there’s only one small detail to fix – find a groom. Never mind, out to the speed dating fundraiser at Bundoora. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Lifestyle/Singles.asp
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MUSIC
It has become fashionable in Melbourne to strip the sexual and musical tension out of gypsy music performances to make them sufficiently politically correct for a certain style of audience. If you prefer your gypsy music with more energy, try the Concertino Trio at Czech House in North Melbourne this weekend. If you enjoy them you will probably also enjoy the gypsy inspired black cabaret of Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Music/Folk.asp
Czech House also has a concert called Classical Journey this weekend. And if you prefer your classical music accompanied by prancing horses (and don’t we all) there is always The Lipizzaner Stallions with the Mozart Orchestra. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Music/Classical.asp
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WORLD REFUGEE DAY
Activities associated with World Refugee Day at St Michael’s in the city and at the Fitzroy Town Hall. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Events/Dates/06June/20.asp
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READINGS
There is a free reading of the winning Wal Cherry Award play at the Arts Centre. There are also open mic readings from teen diaries in North Fitzroy. Talent scouts from reality TV programs are likely to be there with a keen ear for the most vacuous and self absorbed contributors. Details at: http://www.whitehat.com.au/Melbourne/Events/Dates/06June/20.asp
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READER FEEDBACK
“I usually check out your newsletter in a rather quiet almost lurking fashion - mainly to make sure I don't bypass some cultural tidbit that would normally tickle my tickly bits. I have forgotten how I stumbled onto your website and, quite frankly, it's irrelevant now. However, I'm becoming more and more drawn to your reader feedback, with a peculiar voyeuristic tint that is inexplicable to me - for now. That people have taken exception to your throwaway lines is very very funny. I'm often misunderstood for the 'under-my-breath' comments and have, hence, decided to holler them out and offend everyone instead of the small minority in my immediate earshot. My comment? "Please don't let me come in there and have to teach you what purpose Jesus really serves in your life, okay?" It's a line I always feed my children when they challenge the blurry lines of my reasonability. You newsletter is fantastic! I don't have to agree with your opinions or comments. I DO appreciate your sardonic presentation though, which makes me forget that, sometimes, my little niche in suburbia is being taken the piss out of.
Cheers Big Ears”
"Dear Whitehat and fellow readers,
Thank you for the frank and delightful explanation! I enjoyed reading it and appreciate your sense of humor. As an American, I truly enjoy learning the opinions of others, even if I may not agree, I learn something from everyone! It actually makes sense and I had a great laugh!
Thanks!!!
Ladawn, Seattle WA USA
“I love you, White Hat man. Will you marry me?
Sue”
Sue you’ll just have to take your chance with the others at the speed dating fundraiser.
