A handy little guide to some of the best entertainment coming your way this month
Did you know that on October 4, 1986, CBS news anchor Dan Rather was attacked in New York City by a man yelling “Kenneth, what is the frequency?” And here we have the story of R.E.M.’s ‘What’s the frequency, Kenneth’. Sure, it doesn’t tell us the frequency being asked of Kenneth, but maybe you learned something. And maybe moving forwards, artists could be a little kinder when it comes to question songs. There are so many things we need to know.
What we do know is there are some pretty sweet festivals this month…
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Moama Lights
Echuca Moama – Until August 21
Let them light up your life
Red gum bushland and the Murray River provide a gorgeous backdrop for Moama Lights. Production and lighting company Mandylights are the brains behind the immersive experience, which takes place in Horseshoe Lagoon. Follow the trail of lit-up red gums and venture into the bushland towards a triumphant finale.
More through echucamoama.com
Borealis on the Lake
Daylesford – throughout August
Northern lights filled our skies, empty nights synchronised
The northern lights are illumining Daylesford throughout August and early September. The creation of Switzerland-based artivist Dan Acher, art and technology meet when laser beams and theatrical auroras are beamed across Lake Daylesford. Set to a tranquil soundtrack, Borealis on the Lake is a place for strangers to connect.
More through borealisau.com
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Hot Chocolate Festival
Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, Bellbrae – August 1-31
Drink ’em while they’re hot
With hot chocolates so decadent you will need to go to confessional, the Hot Chocolate Festival is serving up a month-long festival of deliciousness. Choose from 31 different flavours, including boozy creations. You can also enjoy tasting sessions, or purchase DIY kits for sipping at home in your PJs.
More through gorci.com.au
Unheard Stories Film Festival
Cameo Cinema, Belgrave – August 4 & WPACC, Wangaratta – August 17
Stories that deserves to be heard
Presented by Soundfair, the Unheard Stories Film Festival spotlights deaf and hard-of-hearing storytellers. Films include Hear Me Out, We Hear You, Deafying Gravity and Amplify This!.
More through soundfair.org.au
Melbourne International Film Festival
In the City – August 4-21; In the Suburbs – August 12-21; In the Regions – August 12-21
Let’s go to the movies
MIFF returns for its platinum anniversary, forever striving to build an enlightened and engaged society through film. Already selling fast is Hear My Eyes: Chopper x Springtime & Mick Harvey which features Melbourne supergroup Springtime joining forces with Mick Harvey to create a new score for the classic 2000 Australian film, Chopper.
Other films include Berlinale’s Golden Bear for Best Film winner Alcarràs, the Aubrey Plaza vehicle Emily the Criminal, the activist-driven Franklin, an ode to the New York aughts rock renaissance Meet Me in the Bathroom, horror-comedy Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, coming-of-age road movie Sweet As, an animated retelling of Anne Frank’s story Where is Anne Frank and Riley Stearns’ Dual.
More through miff.com.au
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LUNAVERSE
Bodriggy Brewpub, Abbotsford – August 5-7
A toast to independent beers
The “moon to summer’s Electric KoolAid Festival”, LUNAVERSE is a three-day festival that aims to dissolve the lines between sound, space, craft and taste. Performers include Alien Nose Job, Mikey Young, Parsnip, Pious Faults, Cale Sexton, Golden Hour, Foggy Notion, Milo Eastwood, San of the Rambutan, Mightiest of Guns, Mitch Dillon and the Compulsive Ramblers and more.
More through bodriggy.beer
Burning of the Canes
Austin’s Winery, Sutherlands Creek – August 6
A fine time to enjoy a wine
The Burning of the Canes celebrates the end of pruning and the rebirth of vines. Opened to the public for the first time, Nama Please will be cooking up a feast while DJ Edd Fisher will be spinning tunes. Stay toasty warm next to the bonfire of the canes and fire pits.
More through austinswines.com.au
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Surf Coast Arts Trail
Surf Coast – August 6 & 7
A picture paints a thousand words
Art lovers have the opportunity to chew the fat about the artistic process with artists across Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Anglesea, Torquay and more at the 10th Surf Coast Arts Trail.
More through surfcoastartstrail.com.au
Ego Expo x District Docklands
The Throwback Lounge – August 6-28
For the hustlers and the homies
Ego Expo is having a winter pop-up throughout August, with two venues set to be transformed into throwback lounges dripping with the ’90s. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be a mix of performances, cereal bar, arcade zone, pop-up stalls, prizes and more. A key event is Westside Apparel’s EgoFest music festival, which will take place on August 27. This is a free, all-ages event – but RSVP is compulsory.
More through egoexpo.com.au
FemmeCon
39 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf – August 12
Full force feminine power
FemmeCon’s aim is to inspire women to embrace their full force feminie power with “zero fucks”. Ten high-profile female speakers, boutique pop-ups, gift bags and interactive experiences will all feature. DJ Claudia Allegro will provide tunes, while the day includes full catering (including breakfast snacks on arrival).
More through femmecon.co/etn/feminine-power
WinterWild
Apollo Bay – August 12-14 & 26-28
Take a walk on the wild side
Victoria’s answer to Dark Mofo, Apollo Bay’s WinterWild was launched in 2017 in response to the 2015 Colac Otway bushfires. Two weekends play host to music, performance, comedy and food, wrapping you up in a big warm blanket of the familiar and unusual. Performers include Amyl & the Sniffers, Cash Savage and the Last Drinks, Emma Donovan & the Putbacks, Leah Senior, Sid O’Neil and Kee’ahn.
More through winterwild.com.au
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Top Dog Film Festival
Village Cinemas, Geelong – August 17
There’s a good boy
The Top Dog Film Festival was launched in 2017 as a way to showcase the special bond between humans and their canine friends through independent films.
More through topdogfilmfestival.com.au
Winter Carnival
Anzac Park, Craigieburn – August 20 & 21
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
The Winter Carnival is here to pick up your spirits, creating a winter wonderland through an artificial snow family fun event. There will also be jumping castles, showbags, merchandise stalls, pony rides and face painting – pretty much anything to bring you joy.
More through eventbrite.com.au
Melbourne Houseplant Festival
The Wool Mill, Brunswick East – August 21
Spruce up your room with a houseplant
Based on the successful London Houseplant Festival, the Melbourne Houseplant Festival features a line-up of some of the country’s finest plant experts. Learn from the likes of Lauren and Sophia (authors of Leaf Supply & Plantopedia) and Dom (co-founder of Plant Runner, featured in The Block).
More through planthood.com.au
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RMIT Pride Week
RMIT University – August 22-26
Hope will never be silent
Teachers, students and alumni come together for RMIT Pride Week, with a series of events aimed to raise awareness of issues and barriers to inclusion for the LGBTIQA+ community. A highlight is the RMIT Pride Film Festival on August 23 (City Campus) and August 24 (Bundoora Campus) which will showcase five short films – Infinito Enquanto Dure (Infinite While it Lasts) Tell-By Date, The Best Men, Falling for Caroline and Congo Cabaret.
More through rmit.edu.au
Melbourne Retail Festival
Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton – August 24 & 25
Find a bargain for everyone
Established and emerging local and international brands will display their goods in categories that include apparel, jewellery, footwear, beauty, home, active, sleep, baby and more. Runway shows and seminar series will also feature.
More through eventbrite.com.au
Word for Word National Non-Fiction Festival
Geelong – August 26 & 27
Unlock the world around you
Put down your latest read, switch off the kettle and enjoy a weekend of writers’ workshops, author events and panel discussions.
More through wordforwordfestival.com.au
Dunkeld Writers Festival
Dunkeld – August 26-28
Read anything good lately?
The Dunkeld Writers Festival offers a series of author talks alongside food and wine, with the wonderful bonus of a Grampians National Park setting. Writers include Rick Morton, Mark Brandi, Chris Hammer, Marg Hickey, Gideon Haigh, Colin King, Tony Wright, Denise Lovett, Peter Coleman, Matt Fowles, Jess Ho and Michael Williams.
More through dunkeldwritersfestival.com.au
Drencher Festival
Barwon Club, Geelong – August 27
Get wet
You’ll have a headache for days following the hard-hitting sounds of Remains, I Am Duckeye, Vexation, System of a Don’t, Strange Unit, Deadweight 80, The Archanan, Mortuary Sickness and Get Rekt.
More through barwonclub.com.au
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Monolith Festival
Pica, Melbourne – August 27
An explosion of prog, rock and metal
A big and chunky seven-band line-up, where best of all there is no clashing. The rescheduled date features Karnivool, COG, Ocean Grove, Plini, sleepmakeswaves, Reliqa and Yomi Ship.
More through destroyalllines.com
Bendigo on the Hop
Various locations, Bendigo – August 27
Hop to it
Indie brewers from around the country will set up shop in Bendigo to showcase their beers in various bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants at Bendigo Beer’s flagship event. The music line-up features Sherri Parry, Grim Fawkner and The FJs (Funk Junkies).
More through bendigobeer.com
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Big Bike Film Night
Star Cinema, Eaglehawk – August 31
I wouldn’t sell my bike for all the money in the world
If pedal power is involved, it’s welcome. Celebrating the best cycling short films from around the world, Big Bike Film Night welcomes road cycling, single speed, mountain biking, downhill, BMX, uni-cycling, cargo bikes, bike touring, bike trekking, commuter, cruiser, cycle-cross, penny-farthing, tri-cycle and tandem enthusiasts.
More through bigbikefilmnight.nz
Great Ganesh Festival
Ballarat Showgrounds, Wendouree – August 31 through September 4
Enhance happiness in your life
The Grand Ganesh Festival heads to regional Victoria for the first time. Entertainment, cultural exhibitions, kids’ games, prayer and face painting will all feature.
More through ballarathindutemple.com.au
