Pioneers (1904) by Frederick McCubbin at the Ian Potter Centre NGVA (see No.1 below) Click here to buy this print

1. The Ian Potter Centre (or the National Gallery of Victoria - Australian Collection) at Federation Square provides a superb overview of Australian art. As well as containing important works by most major Australian artists since European settlement it also has a fine collection of Aboriginal art from before that time. While you are they take note of the contemporary architecture of the gallery which blends modern engineering with century-old recycled materials.

For anyone interested in classic cars, White Hat can recommend the Fox Classic Car Collection as a 'must visit'. It is open on Tuesdays (Feb to Nov). More information at The White Hat Guide to the Fox Classic Carr Collection.

3. The Queen Victoria  Market is closed on a Monday and Wednesday so White Hat suggests you take advantage of Tuesdays to visit one of Melbourne's most popular destinations. It is a large covered market selling fresh produce and general goods and has been central to Melbourne's life for over a century. Alternatively you can search out another Tuesday market. You can find a comprehensive list of Tuesday markets at The White Hat Guide to Tuesday Markets in Melbourne
4. You could start the day with free Tai Chi classes at Federation Square. These sessions are suitable both for newcomers or experienced practitioners.
5. Australia has a large Greek population; in fact it is the largest Greek city in the world outside of Greece. The Hellenic Museum showcases some of the contributions of Greek people towards Australia as well as featuring small exhibitions of Greek antiquities. It is all housed in the Former Royal Mint Building which is a fine example of 19th century architecture.
6. Take a leisurely wander through the Flagstaff Gardens in the midst of the city buildings. During summer you may find free concerts or free painting classes taking place. During winter you can sit and ponder the rich vein of history this place represents in the development of Melbourne. More information at The White Hat Guide to the Flagstaff Gardens.
7. Tuesday nights offer the opportunity of half price skating at the Icehouse where you need not feel embarrassed at bumbling around amongst the professionals.
8. Tuesday also offers a chance to catch up on some movies on the cheap. Many cinemas offer cheap or half price tickets on a Tuesday. Currently (May 2011) you may find Hoyts offering $11 tickets and Greater Union $8 tickets. Some pizza chains and DVD hire places also offer special prices on a Tuesday so it is worth checking them out.
9. The Block Arcade is a wonderful place to wander through and soak up the sumptuous atmosphere of up-market shopping a century ago. However it is a living building and you can get a look behind the scenes on a guided tour.
10. Melbourne comes alive at the weekend with a myriad of outdoor craft markets, but there are few during the week. One exception is the Altona Beach Market which is about 30 minutes by train from the city.
11. Melbourne's lanes & alleys give it a distinctive flavour with lots of cafés, galleries, designer studios and graffiti art hidden away from the main streets. Why not investigate?
12. Melbourne is a flat city which means the views from our tallest buildings go on for miles as well as providing a more detailed overview of the city and inner suburbs. White Hat can recommend a vest to the viewing platforms at the Eureka Tower.
13. Take a free tour through Melbourne Town Hall and and view its impressive chambers and view the wonderful pipe organ close up.
14. During summer enjoy rooftop cinema under the sky on top of a city building. There are regular screenings on the rooftop of Curtin House.
15. Take the kids to Story Time at the Polly Woodside. Let them her tall tales about pirates and life on the high seas.
16. Take a tour of Docklands Stadium.
17. If you are looking for something relaxing or romantic, every Tuesday during Spring Autumn and Summer there is an afternoon harp concert in the Royal Botanic Gardens. For more details see The White Hat Guide to the Harp.
18. Jazz lovers may be interested to visit the Victorian Jazz Archives in Wantirna.
19. Visit the Duldig Studio in Malvern and learn how two artists fleeing the Nazi's made an important contribution to Australian life
20. And finally, if it's raining then you could have a look at The White Hat Guide to 50 Things to do on a Rainy Day in Melbourne.

Some forthcoming events on a Tuesday in Melbourne

The Merry Widow

The Australian Ballet invites you to step into the ballrooms of Paris and join them for their production of The Merry Widow; - a light-hearted production filled with tangled affairs, narrow misses and jealous lovers. This production features plenty of wow moments, lavish glamour, show-stopping costumes and first rate dancing.

Prices and ticket purchase available on the Australian Ballet website.

State Theatre, Melbourne Arts Centre

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Oklahoma!

The Production Company's presentation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical Oklahoma! with Simon Gleeson, Anna O’Byrne, Elise McCann, Bobby Fox, Robyn Nevin, Ben Mingay, Richard Piper, Grant Piro and Greg Stone.

When Oklahoma! opened on Broadway in 1943, it revolutionised the American musical, won a Pulitzer Prize and set the standard for modern musical theatre. Oklahoma! is brimming with show-stopping hits: Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, The Surrey With The Fringe On Top, People Will Say We’re in Love, I Cain’t Say No and the title song Oklahoma!

Tickets available through the two authorised resellers - Arts Centre Melbourne and Ticketmaster.

Our rating - 4½ Hats

Tue to Sat, 26th May to 3rd June 2018
State Theatre, Melbourne Arts Centre

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Tafelmusik - Bach and His World

As part of their 2018 International Concert Season, Musica Viva present Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra with Elisa Citterio (Musical Director) in a performance including light, sound and narration. The programme includes:

• J. S. Bach Brandenburg Concerto no 3
• J. S. Bach Orchestral Suite no 1 in C major
• J. S. Bach Excerpts from Goldberg Variations

White Hat recommends going out of your way for this concert. The style of presentation that adds further visual and descriptive background to quality music with quality playing can add serious value to an already fine musical performance.

White Hat also suggests that you avoid booking fees by bookings on the  Musica Viva website by ringing them on 1800 688 482 during business hours.

7pm, 22nd & 26th May 2018
Melbourne Recital Centre

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Verve

Verve showcases the depth and invention of The Australian Ballet’s choreographic talent with works by three very different dancemakers: Resident Choreographers Tim Harbour and Stephen Baynes, and Coryphée Alice Topp, who made her mainstage debut with Little Atlas in 2016.

Tim Harbour’s Filigree and Shadow cruises the cutting edge of contemporary ballet. Powerful moves inspired by dark aggression, a sleek architect-designed set, washes of ominous light and a grinding score by German duo 48nord propel this work to an electrifying climax.

Stephen Baynes’ Constant Variants is neo-classical ballet at its most hypnotic. Featuring pristine technique and a Tchaikovsky Variations on a Rococo Theme with solo cello, its jewel-like moments and pitch-perfect atmosphere beguile the mind into heavenly calm.

Alice Topp created a series of critically acclaimed pieces for our Bodytorque new-works showcase before debuting the audience favourite Little Atlas as part of our Symphony in C program. She has also made music-video choreography for Megan Washington and Ben Folds. She will premiere a brand-new work for Verve entitled Aurum, which will continue her exploration into intricate partnering and intense emotion.

Prices & bookings on Australian Ballet website
21st to 30th June 2018
State Theatre, Melbourne Arts Centre

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The Wizard of Oz

Starring Anthony Warlow, WICKED’s leading ladies Lucy Durack and Jemma Rix and rising star Samantha Dodemaide as Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz is an enchanting revision of the all-time classic. Developed from the ever-popular MGM screenplay, it contains the beloved songs from the Oscar®-winning movie score, all the favourite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Ticket prices & bookings at Ticketmaster
Tue to Sun until 22nd July 2018
Regent Theatre, 191 Collins St, Melbourne

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BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical

BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical tells the true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise from teenage songwriter to global star. She fought her way into the record business as a schoolgirl but it wasn’t until her personal life began to crack that she finally found her true voice and went on to become one of the most successful solo artists in pop music history. The show features many of her most popular songs, including You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman, You’ve Got a Friend, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, I Feel The Earth Move and many more. Fans of Carole King will not be disappointed by this staged tribute.

Our rating - 3 Hats

Ticket prices and bookings at Tickete
Tue to Sun until 30th June 2018
Her Majesty's Theatre, 219 Exhibition Street, Melbourne

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More events below

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Selected attractions open on certain Tuesdays in Melbourne

Duldig Studio museum + sculpture garden

An artists' house museum - the former home and artists' studio of sculptor Karl Duldig (1902-1986) and his wife - artist and inventor Slawa Duldig née Horowitz (c1902-1975). Both artists fled the Nazis and ended up making a significant contribution to Australian life. You can read more about their remarkable background and the studio at Duldig Studio >>

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Grainger Museum

Built by arguably Australia's finest musician, Percy Grainger, to house his collection of music-related instruments, scores and other items associated with his life and career. more info > >

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