MUSIC
BOWIE
Unique interpretations of David Bowie's beloved hits will be performed in a series of tribute concerts, David Bowie: Nothing Has Changed. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performs alongside several Australian artists, including iOTA, Deborah Conway, Tim Rogers, Adalita, Dave Lane and Steve Kilbey. Final performance on October 17.
Tomorrow, 8pm, Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, city, $79-$129, 1300 182 183, festival.melbourne
ROCK
'60s music' enthusiasts, The Substitutes, revive songs from some of Australia's most popular bands in The Giants of '60s Australian Rock Show. This one-night-only gig pays homage to The Easybeats, The Masters Apprentices and The Loved Ones. Special guests include Ronnie Charles and Steve Lucas.
Today, 8pm, Satellite Lounge, corner Ferntree Gully and Jells Road, Wheelers Hill, $20-$32, satellitelounge.com.au
The Wolfe Brothers headline the This Crazy Life mini festival tour. Photo: Supplied
COUNTRY
Country music fans have the chance to see a bill of new-wave country music artists at the Melbourne show of the This Crazy Life mini festival tour. Gord Bamford, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Troy Kemp, Christie Lamb, Craig Health and Jody Direen feature on the line-up, alongside headliners The Wolfe Brothers.
Today, 7.30pm, The Palms at Crown, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, $36-$97, 136 100, ticketmaster.com.au
MOTOWN
Megan Kozak stars in musical comedy, Backseat Diamond. Straight from the Adelaide Fringe and Perth Fringe World Festival, Kozak's show is about back up singer Mary and her rare opportunity to take centre stage for Motown girl group, The Diamonds. Songs include Respect and Son of a Preacher Man.
Today and tomorrow, 7pm, The Butterfly Club, Carson Place, off Little Collins Street, city, $28-$32, 9663 8107, thebutterflyclub.com
LIVE
PERFORMANCE
Time is running out to see Ensemble Offspring's Victorian debut of The Secret Noise. Music, theatre and dance are combined to explain diverse musical practices and ways of making music as a public and private exchange. Traditional instruments are juxtaposed with unusual, sound-creating objects designed by composer Damien Ricketson.
Today, 2pm and 7.30pm, Arts House, 521 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne, $25-$35, 9322 3720, www.artshouse.com.au
The Melbourne Festival and Dancehouse present two works under the same banner of Dance Territories. Photo: Agathe Poupeney
DANCE
The Melbourne Festival and Dancehouse present two works under the same banner of Dance Territories. The combined productions by Australian artist Sarah-Jane Norman and Algerian-French choreographer Nacera Belaza aim to provoke dialogues relating to migration and cultural identity. Norman's composition takes the form of live art installations, while Belaza's piece, The Shout, is a duet. Today and tomorrow, from 5pm, Dancehouse, 150 Princes Street, Carlton North, $12-$40, 9347 2860, festival.melbourne
THEATRE
It's the opening weekend of Sunshine, Tom Holloway's choral-style play about the chaos of big city life. Set in Melbourne, the setting is the city centre, and the audience its residents who must bear witness as two strangers are flung into each other's lives as the result of a shocking event. Season ends November 5.
Today, 8pm, tomorrow, 6.30pm, Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel Street, St Kilda, $28-$45, 9533 8083, redstitch.net
The stage version of The Color Purple is making its Australian premiere in Melbourne. Photo: Supplied
MUSICAL
The stage version of The Color Purple, Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, is making its Australian premiere in Melbourne. The story centres on Celie,an African-American woman who holds on to a dream, despite being faced with continuous oppression and suffering. Jazz, ragtime and gospel scores are peppered throughout the production. Season ends November 6.
Tomorrow, 7.30pm, Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran, $49-$69, 8290 7000, chapeloffchapel.com.au
FOOD
JAPANESE
Japan is famous for its cherry blossoms, and Japanese eateries Sake are celebrating cherry blossom season in Australia with a special spring menu. The Cherry Blossom Festival set menu features a selection of dishes, ranging from sushi nigiri to crab leg tempura. Sake restaurants will also be pouring out Good Time Geisha cocktails, made with gin, Yuzu sake, cherry, apple cider and rhubarb bitters. Available until October 19.
Today and tomorrow, Sake Melbourne, various times, venues and prices, sakerestaurant.com.au
BAVARIAN
It's Oktoberfest at famed Melbourne fromagerie, Milk the Cow. Guests heading along to the St Kilda venue's Bavarian Supper for some Alpine fun will be greeted with Schnapps on arrival and live German music. The cost per person includes an Alpine wine and cheese flight, a Bavarian supper board, beer beef stew, and apple strudel with cream for dessert. The licensed fromagerie will host a second Bavarian Supper at their Carlton venue on October 18. Bookings essential.
October 17, 7pm, Milk the Cow, 157 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, $75, 9537 2225, milkthecow.com.au
The annual Pinot Palozza festival celebrates pinot noir. Photo: Supplied
WINE
More than 100 wine producers from Australia and New Zealand are taking part in the annual Pinot Palooza, a festival dedicated to pinot noir. Taste and vote for the People's Choice, with a line up that includes winemakers Montalto, Craggy Range, Henschke, Nanny Goat and Shaw+Smith. Other festival highlights include live music and a range of food choices from participating eateries such as Ladro, Belle's Hot Chicken and Seven Apples.
Today, 1pm-6pm, Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale, $60-$95, pinotpalooza.com.au
The Finders Keepers weekend market is back for spring. Photo: Mark Lobo
ELSEWHERE
MARKET
CARLTON
The Finders Keepers weekend market is back for spring and set to fill the Royal Exhibition Building with more than 250 independent design and artisan stalls. Several stallholders are making their debut, including Pretty Little Bunches Co, Asaka Ceramics, Kingston Jewellery, Bronsolo Illustration and KaPow Kids. Also expect food trucks, bars and coffee stalls, such as Seven Seeds, Von Crumb and Sliders on Tyres.
Today, 10am-6pm, and tomorrow, 10am-5pm, Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton, free-$2, thefinderskeepers.com
ALBERT PARK
Buy fresh produce from across Victoria on the grasslands of the Gasworks Art Park at the Gasworks Farmers Market. Highlights include spring asparagus and organic vegetables from Bridge Farm Organics, freshly picked saffron from Tolmie Gold Saffron, and Gypsy Pig's gluten-free pork sausages and burgers. Market veterans Pastry by Patersons will be selling unbaked sausage rolls, in addition to shortcrust and puff pastry.
Today, 8am-1pm, Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park, gold coin entry, vfma.org.au
EXHIBITION
GERARD BYRNE
Melbourne Festival and Irish artist Gerard Byrne present the first major examination of his work in Australia with A late evening in the future. Byrne has filled ACCA with TV monitors, video projections and architectural structures, in a survey inspired by Samuel Beckett's play Krapp's Last Tape. The reconstruction and renovation of our shared lives and history are defining features of Byrne's work. Concludes November 27.
Today and tomorrow, noon-5pm, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, 111 Sturt Street, Southbank, free, 9697 9999, accaonline.org.au
MODERNISM
O'Keeffe, Preston, Cossington Smith: Making Modernism reflects on one of the 20th century's major art movements. Comprised of works by American painter Georgia O'Keeffe and Australian artists Margaret Preston and Grace Cossington Smith, the 90-piece exhibition strives to illustrate the foundations and evolution of modernism through similarities and differences in the artists' works and their ability to re-imagine still life. Until February 19.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-5pm, Heide Museum of Modern Art, 7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen, free-$22, 9850 1500, heide.com.au
OUT OF TOWN
Devout Buddhist and rock and roll-inspired artist Nell fused her passions to celebrate the 40th anniversary of AC/DC's tour to Shepparton in Nell. Nell employs painting, performance, sculpture, ceramics, video and installation to merge several themes usually considered polar opposites, such as conservative religion and rock music, silence and noise, and light and dark. Exhibition concludes November 27.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-4pm, Shepparton Art Museum, 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton, free, 5832 9861, sheppartonartmuseum.com.au
FAMILY
Movie buffs of all ages can catch Australian and international celebrities at the 10th annual Australian Movie and Comic (AMC) Expo. Television, voiceover and comic stars will make guest appearances, such as The Nanny's Daniel Davis, Charmed's Dorian Gregory, The Vampire Diaries' Michael Trevino, and Pretty Little Liars and Home and Away actor Tammin Sursok. The weekend-long event also features memorabilia, live entertainment and activities.
Today and tomorrow, 9am-6pm, Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Road, Ascot Vale, $15-$30, ticketek.com.au