By Cristina Natoli
Music
OPERA
Korean soprano Sumi Jo performs her favourite arias and pays homage to legendary opera singer Maria Callas, with interpretations of the bel canto style scores that made Callas one of the most famous sopranos of the 20th century. Acclaimed pianist Gary Matthewman joins the Grammy Award-winner for the two-hour performance.
The Doug Anthony All Stars share gags about death, sex and horror.
Today, 7.30pm, Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt Street, Southbank, $99-$149, 9699 3333, melbournerecital.com.au
RHYTHM 'N' BLUES
Nundle's rhythm and blues crooner Toni Swain concludes her Australian and New Zealand Deepest Water album tour, with guitarist Roy Payne, keys and rhythm guru George Bibicos, double bassist Mike Rix and drummer George Brugmans. Joining the afternoon's line-up as support are Suzannah Espie and The Last Word.
Tomorrow, 3pm, Caravan Music Club, 95-97 Drummond Street, Oakleigh, $17-$23, 9568 1432, caravanmusic.com.au
CLASSICAL
The Australian Chamber Orchestra celebrates the iconic composers who bridged the classical and romantic eras, and the "polystylistic" style of Alfred Schnittke. The Soviet-German musician's Sonata for violin and chamber orchestra features on the program, alongside Schubert's 5 minuets and 6 Trios, D.89 and Beethoven's favourite String Quartet Op. 131. A second concert will be performed on Monday.
Tomorrow, 2.30pm, Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, city, $43-$137, 1300 182 183, artscentremelbourne.com.au
BLUES
Self-taught Californian blues guitarist Henry "Coco" Montoya serenades in a series of gigs, playing his guitar left-handed and upside down. Montoya learned his skills and distinctive style from watching other guitarists, such as Albert Collins, and spent most of the '80s with John Mayall as a member of the Bluesbreakers.
Today and tomorrow, 8pm and 10.30pm, Bird's Basement, 11 Singers Lane, city, $40-$59, 1300 225 299, birdsbasement.com
Live
COMEDY
Paul McDermott, Tim Ferguson and Paul "Flacco" Livingston, together known as the Doug Anthony All Stars, share gags about death, sex and horror in their latest show Near Death Experience. They invite the audience to join them in facing life's challenges, such as Ferguson's multiple sclerosis, with ruthless comedy.
Today, 7.30pm, Yarraville Club, 135 Stephen Street, Yarraville, $35-$50, 9689 6033, yarravillelaughs.com
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CABARET
Veteran performer Chrissie Shaw brings Hungarian photographer Brassai's famed photograph of the solitary and bejewelled Madame Bijou to life in her award-winning show, Bijou – Secrets and Seduction. Accompanied by pianist Alan Hicks, Shaw explores the unknown woman that is Bijou, imagining her Parisian glory days and sharing stories of love, loss and triumph.
Today and tomorrow, 7pm, The Butterfly Club, Carson Place, off Little Collins Street, city, $28-$32, 9663 8107, thebutterflyclub.com
explores the impact of climate change.Credit: Nico Keenan
THEATRE
Shakespeare's The Tempest merges with global climate politics in Georgia Symons and the Edge Ensemble's latest creation, Caliban. The play's original characters are reimagined, as Ferdinand becomes an oil baron and Ariel an artificial intelligence system. The work explores the impact of climate change, from Africa to the Pacific Islands.
Today, 7pm, The Coopers Malthouse, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank, $28-$38, 9685 5111, malthousetheatre.com.au
BALLET
The Russian National Ballet Theatre takes Tchaikovsky's classic Swan Lake back to its Slavic roots. Derived from Russian folk tales, Swan Lake is the tale of Odette, a princess who is turned into a swan by the magician Rothbart. Duplicity, love and betrayal are explored when Prince Ziegfried falls for the evil Rothbart's sorcery.
Today, 2.30pm and 7.30pm, Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, city, $90.50, 1300 111 011, ticketmaster.com.au
Food
FESTIVAL
Families, including canine members, are invited to pack a picnic rug and spend a day in the park sipping vino and dining on dishes from some of Melbourne's foodie favourites. The East Malvern Food and Wine Festival features 22 winery exhibitors from the Bendigo and Heathcote regions, and a line-up of several eateries, including That's Amore Cheeses, Richmond Oysters, The Brulee Cart, Spanish Gourmet Caterers and Top Grill Teppanyaki.
Tomorrow, 10.30am-5.30pm, Central Park, Burke Road and Wattletree Road, Malvern East, free entry, eastmalvernfoodandwine.melbourne
DESSERT
The early bird catches the worm, or, in this case, a glazed doughnut. Sweet tooths could miss out on baked goods from the Flour Market's last event of the year if they arrive late. Usually sold out by noon, the popular bake sale's stallholders include All Day Donuts, Chez Dre, Luxbite, Rustica, Butter Mafia, Pure Pie and Citizen Cacao. Entry to the Sunday sugar rush is free for children under 12.
Tomorrow, 9am-noon, Collingwood Town Hall, 140 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford, $2 entry, flourmarket.com.au
Pork belly at Rice Paper Scissors.
YUM CHA
South-east Asian-style eatery Rice Paper Scissors puts its spin on the Chinese tradition of yum cha with an "all you can eat" dinner of Bangkok-inspired dishes at its Fitzroy venue. Diners attending the "Same Same but Different' yum cha festivities, in celebration of The Age's Good Food Month, can expect tray service of menu favourites, such as grilled prawns and sticky pork belly, in addition to new creations.
November 28, 7pm, Rice Paper Scissors, 307 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, $55, goodfoodmonth.com
Elsewhere
MARKET
BRUNSWICK
Christmas stocking fillers, Kris Kringle trinkets and unique artisan gifts can be found at the Sisters' Market. More than 60 stallholders are selling wares, including jewellery, toys, homewares, children's clothing and accessories. You can get your coffee fix from Avenue Des Italians or opt for an organic tea from In2tea. Food vendors include Miss Molly's Cakes and Cookies by Cook.
Today, 10am-4pm, Brunswick Town Hall, 233 Sydney Road, Brunswick, free entry, sistersmarket.com.au
ST KILDA
Baysiders can buy garlic shoots from Harmony Garlic and more spring produce from the St Kilda Primary School Farmers' Market. Although just six kilometres from the city, there will be regional offerings, such as Watergrasshill Angus from the Gippsland foothills of the Baw Baw ranges. If trawling through the stalls works up an appetite, market-goers can snack on New York-style bagels from Five and Dime.
Today, 8.30am-1pm, St Kilda Primary School, 2B Brighton Road, St Kilda, free entry, vfma.org.au
exhibition.
EXHIBITION
Award-winning artists and community groups, including the Melbourne Artists for Asylum Seekers, have created original portraits of trailblazing women for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. Art works in the Trailblazing Women of Herstory exhibition are all for sale, and proceeds raise money for The Global Women's Project, a non-profit organisation supporting the efforts of women who help the world's disadvantaged communities. Closes December 10.
Today, 11am-4pm, Neospace Gallery, 7 Campbell Street, Collingwood, gold coin donation, trailblazingwomen.com.au
ART
The Maribyrnong City Council hosts the ninth Open Studios in the West festival, giving art-lovers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the studios of artists living and working in Melbourne's inner west. The online program enables you to take a self-guided tour to each venue. These range from gallery studios and warehouses to back sheds and lounge rooms. Other activities include workshops, artist talks, drawing sessions and demonstrations.
Today and tomorrow, various times and venues, Maribyrnong, free, maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/openstudios
Viktor and Rolf at NGV Australia.
FAMILY
Budding young fashion designers can create their own pieces in a Viktor and Rolf-inspired workshop. Atelier: Viktor and Rolf for Kids enables children to use Viktor and Rolf's design codes to make elaborate outfits, with bows, collars and ruffles among the materials, and capture them in an interactive photo shoot that reflects the Dutch duo's motifs, such as their fascination with flowers and fantasy. Until February 26, 2017.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-5pm, NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, city, free entry, ngv.vic.gov.au
OUT OF TOWN
Eleven Australian artists play on the concepts of illusion and perspective in Tricking the Eye – Contemporary Trompe L'oeil. Premiering this weekend, the exhibition illustrates the traditional techniques used in trying to initially deceive the viewer, making them believe that a two-dimensional image could be real. Highlights include a wall painting by Tully Moore and Colleen Ahern, inspired by American 19th-century trompe l'oeil painter William Harnett. Ends February 12, 2017.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-5pm, Geelong Gallery, 55 Little Malop Street, Geelong, free entry, 5229 3645, geelonggallery.org.au