Music
JAZZ
Award-winning American jazz artist Allan Harris brings 20 years experience in jazz singing, songwriting, and guitar to the stage, and is in town for a series of shows. It's Harris' first ever Australian tour, and he also brings with him a new release, Nobody's Gonna Love You Better – Black Bar Jukebox Redux.
Today and tomorrow, 7.30pm and 10pm, Bird's Basement, 11 Singers lane, city, $40-$59, 1800 225 299, birdsbasement.com
AFRICAN
Saba Alemayoh, the owner of Saba's Ethiopian Restaurant in Fitzroy, has launched new venue Afro Hub as a platform for African-Australians to use as a creative space. Afro Hub will play host to live music, film, and fashion events, as well as comedy nights. Tomorrow night, 21-year-old Ethiopian soul singer Soli Tesema headlines. Tesema was a contestant in the 2014 season of The Voice.
Tomorrow, 6pm, Afro Hub, 727 Nicholson Street, Carlton North, free, 8529 5311, afrohub727.com.au
ORCHESTRA
Midnight Oil's Jim Moginie is joined by painters and an electric guitar orchestra at the launch of his album The Colour Wheel. The artists create a colour wheel alongside the orchestra's performance, and each piece played corresponds to a specific colour. Moginie wants the audience to experience synaesthesia, a condition in which sounds can evoke different colours.
Today, 7.30pm, Memo Music Hall, 88 Acland Street, St Kilda, $28-$35, 9534 3556, memomusichall.com.au
Archie Roach debuts his new album. Photo: Wayne Quilliam
GUITAR
ARIA Award-winning Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist Archie Roach debuts his forthcoming album, Let Love Rule, his 10th studio album. Roach will be supported by one of Australia's emerging Indigenous music artists, Corey Theatre, as well as the Dhungala Children's Choir and Short Black Opera.
Today, 7.30pm, Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt Street, Southbank, $69, 9699 3333, melbournerecital.com.au
Live
MUSICAL
Set in the summer of 1953, The Light in the Piazza follows the story of a mother and daughter on holiday in Italy, with the lead roles played by Chelsea Plumley and Genevieve Kingsford. The romantic musical has won six Tony Awards and been praised for its operatic soundtrack. Season concludes November 6.
Today, 8pm, tomorrow, 6pm, Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne, $65-$135, 1300 182 183, artscentremelbourne.com.au
THEATRE
Inspired by the true story of a man trying to save his family's shoe business, Kinky Boots sees Charlie form an unlikely friendship with drag queen Lola. A musical celebrating diversity, its score was written by pop star Cyndi Lauper and has won numerous international music awards, including multiple Grammys. Ends December 11.
Today 2pm and 7.30pm, tomorrow 1pm and 6.30pm, Her Majesty's Theatre, 219 Exhibition Street, city, $65-$162, 1300 795 012, kinkybootsthemusical.com.au
PERFORMANCE
Veteran performer Margot Knight stars in the lead role of Christine Croyden's latest Melbourne Writers' Theatre production, The World Without Birds: A Musical Fable. Featuring original songs and cabaret music from the Weimar period, the show is about ageing gracefully and making way for the next generation. Until November 6.
Today, 7.30pm, tomorrow, 5pm, La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond Street, Carlton, $20-$32, 9347 6948, melbournewriterstheatre.org.au
THEATRE
Long-time pals Mikhaela Ebony and Lana Meltzer discuss sleep deprivation and dirty nappies, among other challenges faced by newcomers to "Babyland", in From Here to Maternity. Written by Melbourne-based playwright Elise Hearst, this light-hearted comedy aims to resonate with first-time mothers, reminding them that they're not alone in the struggles of parenthood.
Today, 2pm and 8pm, tomorrow, noon and 6pm, Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran, $28-$38.50, 8290 7000, chapeloffchapel.com.au
Food
TEA
To celebrate the opening of their new Collins Street store, Sensory Lab have widened their specialty area to include Chinese-inspired teas, and will be running exclusive tea education classes led by Ayden Graham, winner of the inaugural Australia Tea Brewer's Cup. Participants will experience a guided tasting of a range of different teas and learn how to brew them. Price includes breakfast, endless tea and gift. A second class will run on November 5.
Today, 10am-noon, Sensory Lab, 30 Collins Street, city, free, eventbrite.com.au
Coburg Drive-In combines a Halloween weekend with a food truck festival. Photo: Supplied
FOOD TRUCKS
The Coburg Drive-In Cinema revels in Halloween weekend, with screenings of new blockbuster Doctor Strange and horror classic A Nightmare On Elm Street. During this especially spooky Sunday and Monday, the open-air cinema will also play host to a food truck festival. Sweet and savoury snacks will be available from vendors such as Mamma Van, Vutu On Wheels, Real Burgers, Manny's Doughnuts and Senor Churros.
Tomorrow, from 6pm, Coburg Drive-In, 155 Newlands Road, Coburg North, $16.50-$20, 9354 8633, villagecinemas.com.au
BEER AND WHISKEY
To kick off Melbourne's The Age Good Food Month, Boilermaker House will host their exclusive food event, The Art of Matching. The city bar and eatery boasts more than 850 whiskies and a wide range of beer, ensuring professional insight into the pairing of the two. Tickets to the event include six whiskies and three beers matched with cheese and charcuterie. Runs every Tuesday during November.
November 1, 7pm, Boilermaker House, 209-211 Lonsdale Street $50, boilermakerhouse.com.au
Elsewhere
MARKET
Bring only cash to the All for Kids Market. Photo: Supplied
DAREBIN
The All for Kids Market, dedicated to accessories and clothing for newborns through to seven-year-olds, takes place today in Preston. This cash-only market (no ATM on site) has stalls selling handmade, pre-loved, and boutique wares. Stallholders include Dashing Designs, The Little Gift Station and Teach Me Toys. Art activities, face painting and toy pony rides will be on hand to entertain the kids while the adults browse.
Today, 9am-1pm, Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, corner of Bell Street and St Georges Road, Preston, free-$3, allforkidsmarket.com.au
COBURG
Pick up all the ingredients for dinner at the Coburg North Primary School Farmers' Market. The Italian Chef stocks fresh tagliatelle, gnocchi and ravioli, Oz Fresh Herbs has an abundance of spring herbs and brassicas to choose from, and Milawa Cheese will have the right of formaggio to top it all off. Happy Valley Free Range Farm also has a special for shoppers, offering 10 per cent off cuts of nitrate-free, should and short bacon.
Today, 8am-1pm, Coburg North Primary School, 180 O'Hea Street, Coburg, gold coin entry, vfma.org.au
EXHIBITION
LUSTRE
From their cultivation to being symbols of wealth and prestige, pearls are given in-depth analysis in Lustre: Pearling and Australia. Interactive experiences allow visitors to engage with Aboriginal, Asian and European stories, as well as the history and cultural significance behind pearling. Also shared are the pearl harvesting traditions that have taken place in Australia for more than 20,000 years, and, in contrast, the harsh realities of pearling during the colonial era. Closes January 22.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-5pm, Immigration Museum, corner of Flinders and William Streets, city, free-$14, 13 11 02, museumvictoria.com.au
Lee Mingwei asks people to take a flower, then give it to a stranger. Photo: Yoshitsugu Fuminari, courtesy of Mori Art Museum
LEE MINGWEI
Taiwanese-American artist Lee Mingwei encourages visitors to play a part in his evolving project, The Moving Garden. The Yale University graduate welcomes one-on-one exchanges, inviting people to bring an item for Mingwei to mend and enabling them to take away a fresh flower, on the condition that they make a detour from their intended route when leaving the museum and that they give the flower to a stranger. Until January 29, 2017.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-5pm, NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, city, free, 8662 1555, ngv.vic.gov.au
FAMILY
Seven to 12-year-olds are given the chance to become an art director with the help of professional artists at ArtPlay's Studio Fantasy: Kids as Art Directors workshop. An adult must accompany each child, as they will play the role of "subject" for the day. The budding art director will craft a costume for their grown up and add the essential elements to create an artistic portrait. Bookings essential.
Today and tomorrow, 12.30-3.30pm, ArtPlay, Birrarung Marr, behind Federation Square, Flinders Street, city, $16, artplay.com.au
OUT OF TOWN
The cool climate vino and local produce of the Geelong region will be on show in a weekend-long affair dubbed the Toast to the Coast. Twenty-five wineries across the Bellarine, Moorabool Valley and Surf Coast, including Mt Duneed Estate, Oakdene Vineyards and Lethbridge Wines, will open their doors, allowing visitors to stroll through the vineyards, be serenaded by local musicians, have lunch, and enjoy some award-winning drops.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-5pm, various locations, Geelong and surrounds, $45, winegeelong.com.au/toast-to-the-coast