Looking for something to do? Check out these festivals and events in and around Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine and more!
There’s something going on this month and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Got any ideas, 2000 Nelly? Oh, why must I feel this way? (Hey, must be the mummy). Ah yes, Mother’s Day is coming, folks. Thanks, Nelly. So, what do you get the mum who has everything? Well, that’s silly. No one has everything. Can you imagine how much space and time you would require acquiring everything? I mean, an elephant alone can stand at more than three metres and weigh in excess of 6000kg. Who has room for that? Plus, they rarely compromise on television viewing. Oh, look, it’s Babar. Again.
Or how about the collective works of actor Eric Roberts, who has amassed more than 700 credits? You have a library of choice including Bigfoot vs. D.B. Cooper, Alien Vampire Busters and Umbrella Killer: When it Rains, It Gores (not real, but could be if the price is right). Even if you were to forgo the only DVD collection you’d ever need and instead eye-patch it up, it’s a big commitment – not unlike Roberts’ character Alex Grady who embarked on a gruelling three-month training block to take on the South Korean Taekwondo team in the most excellent 1989 film Best of the Best.
I guess that fella that shares a name with a certain perfumed pink stick of confectionary that is equally as divisive might have a chance at everything. Did you know that particular confectionary is in Sweden’s Disgusting Food Museum? Oi Sweden, what have you ever done? Other than the Pacemaker and Ultrasound and the Ljungström turbine and the safety match and Bluetooth and the LUCAS device and the Mecanum wheel and the three-point seatbelt and Spotify and IKEA and the Tetra Pak and the adjustable spanner and the zipper and dynamite and laminate flooring and the walking frame and Skype and the Celsius thermometer and the blow torch and the propeller and the Coca-Cola bottle and rechargeable batteries and oat milk, I guess, and a high standard of living for your citizens and why isn’t that other one in your museum and I’ve lost my train of thought.
Ah yes, the elusive gift. When all else fails, you can always weigh up a gift with purpose, against one that has practicality. I mean, who wouldn’t want something that illuminates the path in a darkened forest; a guiding star that helps our wandering soul in finding something greater than ourselves along with the realisation that, as time marches on, purpose is not a fixed destination but rather a journey of discovery we all crave and deserve? On the other hand, a ratchet set is immensely helpful – unlike this suggestion, but much like Roberts’ character Alex Grady who helps former teammate, Phillip Rhee’s Tommy Lee, avenge their friend in the not-quite-as-excellent 1993 film Best of the Best 2.
I hope you enjoy May’s festivals and events…
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Ballarat Cabaret Festival
Ballarat – May 1-4
Life is a cabaret of charm
Set forth on a most adventurous venture and come celebrate the human spirit in all its wonderful and unapologetic glory in a festival of beauty, excitement and a touch of magic. With acrobatics, circus, opera, comedy and more, the Ballarat Cabaret Festival will make you go ‘oooo’. Performers and events include the time-travelling songbird Adore Händel, multi-instrumentalist and acrobatic Cyr wheel extraordinaire Andi Cooper, Mama Alto, Identity Quest: A Trans-Existential Drama by Julie Peters and Circus Dreams.
More through https://www.ballaratcabaretfestival.com/
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Geelong Pride Film Festival
Geelong – May 1-11
’Cause I am who I am. Happily, na, na, na, na, na
Gather your mates for festival number eight as the Geelong Pride Film Festival showcases a selection of LGBTQA+ stories, while also playing a vital role in raising awareness, promoting inclusion and supporting representation in the arts in a fun and festive atmosphere. Films and presentations include Chuck Chuck Baby, Sebastian, Sally!, The Summer with Carmen, Unusually Normal, Crossing, Baby, Gay Shorts, Fixations + In the Meat Rack, Lesbian Shorts, Lesvia, Drive Back Home, Foreign Language, High Tide, A Culinary Uprising: The Story of Bloodroot, Gender Frontiers and Happy Endings. You can also enjoy a special performance by The Melbourne Rainbow Band.
More through https://gpff.ferve.tickets/
Rocky Road Festival
Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery – May 1-31
I love rocky road, so have another triple scoop with me, ow!
The story goes that, in the mid-19th century, the confectionary that failed to make the mission from England to Australia would essentially be glued together with chocolate. And that most wonderful creation would be known as rocky road. The month of May is a celebration of this sweet treat, with 31 flavours on offer. There will also be a menu of Rocky Road-inspired pastries, ice creams, sundaes, waffles and hot chocolates, plus several tasting sessions.
More through https://www.yvci.com.au/events/rocky-road-festival-31-flavours-in-may-2/
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Street Feast Geelong
Geelong Showgrounds, Geelong – May 2
Takin’ it to the streets
Street food is one of life’s little pleasures if ever there was one, a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity and community. We’re talking good, simple, authentic eats shared with friends, family and strangers. And Street Feast is Australia’s largest travelling gourmet food market with food trucks and dessert stalls galore. Throw in boutique retail stalls and music and you couldn’t want for anything more.
More through https://allevents.in/geelong/street-feast-geelong/200027871449120
Grampians Grape Escape
Halls Gap Recreation Reserve, Halls Gap – May 2-4
Hey! Got any grapes?
If you love food, wine and music you’ll be most grape-ful for this event. Set in the heart of the stunning Grampians National Park, Grampians Grape Escape is a celebration of Western Victoria’s finest things. Across the event you’ll be served up exhibitor stalls, guest chefs, tastings, winemaking excellence, masterclasses, cooking demonstrations and food stalls, while the Little Adventurer’s Precinct will keep the kids happy.
Your musical line-up includes The DooDads, The Double Agents, The Settlement, Flynn Gurry, Bel Kil, Crown Heights, Little Wise, Aaron D’Arcy and Smoke Stack Rhino.
More through https://grampiansgrapeescape.com.au/
TIC’d OFF
Golden Vine Hotel, Bendigo – May 3
If it’s too loud, you’re too old
You want it loud? Well strap yourselves in because you’ve got it. Presented by Heretic Frequency, TIC’d OFF is a metal fest where thirteen bands will wake up the neighbourhood. You’ve got ’em coming from Melbourne. You’ve got ’em coming from Wollongong. You’ve got ’em coming from Albury. You’ve got ’em coming from Newcastle. You’ve got ’em coming from next door.
Your line-up is Orpheus Omega, Alienist, Trancestate, Druid, Spacegoat, Artifact, Where the Devil, OCD, Arkangel, New Million, Die in a Dream, Vault Hill and The Mazies.
More through https://events.humanitix.com/tic-d-off?hxchl=hex-pfl
Bendigo Technology Festival
Fosterville Gold Pavilion (Showgrounds), Bendigo – May 4
Living a future dream, open our eyes to see technology
It’s the thrill of transforming the impossible into the possible. It’s the thrill of discovery, and the excitement of connection. What is next in the big wide world of technology? Hosted by the Bendigo Amateur Radio & Electronics Club, the Bendigo Technology Festival explores and celebrates the world of amateur radio, electronics and the wide world of technology.
More through https://barec.net.au/barec_festivals.html
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Melbourne Writers Festival
Melbourne 8-11
I’ve been reading books of old, the legends and the myths
Take flight to a whole new world while finding connection in this one at the Melbourne Writers Festival. It’s the festival that gets better with every page turned. Events include Afternoon Tea with Sarah Wilson, Anita Heiss in Conversation, Marian Keyes: My Favourite Mistake, The Writer as Witness, Jimmy Barnes: Highways and Byways, Rumaan Alam: Entitlement, Hannah Kent: Always Home, Always Homesick and Culture Club Podcast with Chloe Elizabeth Wilson.
More through https://mwf.com.au/
Illumin8
The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, Bendigo – May 10
What’s so funny ’bout peace, love and understanding?
Illumin8 is a festival that lives by the mantra of ‘Breathe in the good, breathe out the bad’. Featuring light installations, cultural performances, food stalls (vegan and vegetarian options) and family entertainment, this is a festival of peace and light that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha according to the Tibetan festival of Saga Dawa.
More through https://stupa.org.au/illumin8/
BANFF Mountain Film Festival
The Astor Theatre, St Kilda – May 13; Peninsula Cinemas, Rosebud – May 15; Melbourne RMIT Capitol, Melbourne – May 16; and Village Cinemas, Geelong – May 20
Comin’ down the mountain
With a reputation as being the most prestigious mountain-inspired international film competition in the world, BANFF is taking you on an adventure from the comfort of the cinema. There’s no need to pack smartly, no need to worry about blisters and no need to bring along your good multi-tool in case you get your armed wedged between a rock and a hard place. Almost 400 films are entered annually, with the top 80 screened in a week-long festival in Canada. Two hours of the best bits are screened here, from remote landscapes and cultures to adrenaline-packed action sports.
More through https://banffaustralia.com.au/tickets/#vic
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Ballarat Heritage Festival
Ballarat – May 16-25
It’s who I am, my heritage
Ballarat celebrates its historical richness while keeping an eye on moving forwards as history, culture and entertainment come together. Highlights are plentiful. Craft Lab is a celebration of traditional artesian skills coupled with contemporary flair. Exhibitions and theatre will keep art lovers busy. Learn something new with talks and tours. Pick up something special at the Antique Fair. For those all about the face fuzz, the Ballarat’s Beard and Stache Competition is serious business. Where they’re going, they don’t need razors. And that’s just for starters.
More through https://ballaratheritagefestival.com.au/
Legends of Steel
Kryal Castle, Leigh Creek – May 24 & 25
I will lead the charge, my sword into the wind
None shall pass. Well, except for anyone brave enough to enter the battleground of these sword-wielding, axe-swinging, shield-clashing warriors. Come watch the bravest knights, the fiercest warriors and the most skilled fighters from across the land as they go toe-to-toe in epic duels and grand melees. More than a tournament, this honours history, bravery and the warrior spirit.
More through https://www.kryalcastle.com.au/pages/upcoming-events
Million Paws Walk
Albert Park Lake, Melbourne, Eastern Park Ovals, Geelong and Fred Smith Reserve, Mornington Peninsula – May 25
Please play with me, play with me, play with me
After three decades, the RSPCA is hanging up the leash on their beloved Million Paws Walk, their fantastic initiative to fight animal cruelty. So gather up little Ruskie, Woofenstein, Burt Barkarach, Millie, Chewbarka, Daisy, Rocco, Winnie the Pooch, Sarah Jessica Barker, Mutt Damon, Bella, Max, Ozzy Pawsborne, Doggie Howser, M.D., Hooch, Harry, Sally and Taylor Sniff for the cutest walk of them all. Register your little one for One Last Lap and enjoy a day out with pet-centric market stalls, doggy competitions, food, entertainment, raffles and more.
More through https://www.millionpawswalk.com.au/find-a-walk
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National Reconciliation Week
Australia-wide – May 27 through June 3
This land is your land, this land is my land
G’Day, mates. Here’s the good word. There have been great strides, and there have been setbacks. But if we keep giving it a crack, we’ll get there. National Reconciliation Week is a chance for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements. It is an opportunity to explore how we can all contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. This year’s theme is Bringing Now to Next, a reflection on the ongoing connection between past, present and future. The theme artwork was created by Kalkadoon woman Bree Buttenshaw.
More through https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/
Donut Festival
Queen Victoria Market (C & D Sheds), Melbourne – May 31 & June 1
I kept her serving doughnuts, till all she had were gone
Donut worry, be happy, and come along to a showcase of Melbourne’s top donut creators and bakers as they attempt to woo you with their tasty goods.
More through https://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/donut-festival-qvm
