By Cristina Natoli
Music
TRIBUTE
After the success of his Burt Bacharach tribute show at the Flying Saucer Club last year, trumpeter and singer Jack Howard presents another one. Howard, his band The Ambassadors of Love, and a string of special guests share interpretations of the legendary songwriter's hits, including Say a Little Prayer, Alfie, and What the World Needs Now.
Opera in the Bowl.
Today, 8pm, Flying Saucer Club, 4 St Georges Road, Elsternwick, $23-$38, flyingsaucerclub.com.au
JAZZ
Adelaide-raised, Boston-based jazz singer Liz Tobias performs a two-hour show of her original tunes as well as a few classics. Tobias has received the nod of approval from some of the industry's heavyweights, winning the 2009 Jazz Voicingers Competition in Poland and ranking third in Australia's 2012 National Jazz Awards.
Today, 8pm, Paris Cat, 6 Goldie Place, city, $30, 9642 4711, pariscat.com.au
Jazz singer Liz Tobias.
OPERA
Pack a picnic blanket and spend an evening under the stars listening to opera greats at Mazda Opera In The Bowl. Anthony Legge conducts Orchestra Victoria, the Opera Australia Chorus and four leading soloists in a program that features scores from Carmen, The Barber of Seville and Il Trovatore.
Today, 8pm, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, 21 Linlithgow Avenue, city, free, opera.org.au
ROCK
Kath and Kim star Peter Rowsthorn hosts the Oz Rock Experience, an evening dedicated to Aussie rock. The actor and comedian will co-ordinate stories from the Australian rock scene with live music from the Oz Rock Band, taking the audience back in time and introducing younger listeners to great rockers of the past, among them INXS, AC/DC, Skyhooks and The Easybeats.
Today, 7.30pm, Memo Music Hall, 88 Acland Street, St Kilda, $26-$35, 9534 3556, memomusichall.com.au
Live
PARTY
Local artists come together for the Arts House's annual Summertime Party. The all-ages celebration includes interactive workshops, games, live music, DJs and free food. Mojo Juju will have partygoers on the dance floor and secondary students join Speech Percussion for Bell Curve, a mass, electro-acoustic sound performance using Federation hand bells.
Today, 4pm-10pm, Arts House, 521 Queensberry Street, north Melbourne, free, 9322 3719, artshouse.com.au
.Credit: Chris Parker
COMEDY
Suitcases, Baggage and Other Synonyms returns after a sellout season at the 2013 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Writers and stars of the show Hannah Daniel, Sarah Jackson, Casey Dolcetta, Melissa Kahraman and Barnaby Reiter play five friends who try to decide on an appropriate holiday destination.
Today, 2pm and 7.30pm, Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran, $38.50-$43.50, 8290 7000, chapeloffchapel.com.au
THEATRE
Writer and poet Koraly Dimitriadis makes her theatre debut in Koraly: I Say the Wrong Things All the Time. The one-woman performance is about misunderstood Koraly, who begins to break out from her compliant ways and speak her mind. Koraly explores the themes of womanhood, societal expectation, family, culture and love.
Today, 7.30pm, tomorrow, 4pm, La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond Street, Carlton, $15-$25, 9347 6142, lamama.com.au
PERFORMANCE
It's closing weekend for Hotel Now's What's Yours Is Mine, an exploration of Australian values, ownership and pop culture. Part of the Poppy Seed Theatre Festival line-up, the show explores how the modern-day Australian dream has changed as a result of materialism and excess, evoking cultural touchstones such as Antiques Roadshow, Pauline Hanson and Ken Done.
Today 5pm and 8.30pm, tomorrow, 8.30pm, The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, city, $25-$35, 9663 8107, thebutterflyclub.com
Food
MARKET
Visit the pop-up eateries at the Queen Victoria Summer Night Market.
The Queen Victoria Summer Night Market is back, supplying a melting pot of multicultural food, beverages and entertainment every Wednesday night. Market favourites 400 Gradi, Southside Smokers, Taki's Balls and Forbidden Apples are among the pop-up eateries, and visitors can also beat the summer heat and quench their thirst at a new frosé (frozen rosé) and frozen cider bar. Until March 8, 2017 (excluding December 28).
December 7, 5pm-10pm, Queen Victoria Market, 513 Elizabeth Street, city, free entry, thenightmarket.com.au
MASTERCLASS
Learn how to cook a Christmas feast that is sure to impress friends and relatives in a workshop hosted by The Press Club's chefs. Pre-arranged transport will chauffeur participants to the South Melbourne Market to buy ingredients, then back to the restaurant to make a classic roast with stuffing, a salad and dessert. Re-fuel after the class with a three-course lunch of festive Christmas dishes.
Today, 11am-2pm, The Press Club, 72 Flinders Street, city, $145, 9677 9677, thepressclub.com.au
CHEESE
The cheese connoisseurs at Milk the Cow have teamed up with pisco importers The Pisco People to toast the holiday season with cocktails and fromage. The Perfect Match evening will feature a flight of four pisco cocktails matched with four of the eatery's favourite cheeses, such as Meredith Farm Chevre and Colston Bassett Stilton . If Monday doesn't suit, there'll be a second Perfect Match evening at the fromagerie's Carlton venue the following day.
December 5, 7pm, Milk the Cow, 157 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, $45, 9537 2225, milkthecow.com.au
Elsewhere
MARKET
MORNINGTON
The Mornington Racecourse will be decked out to resemble an Alice in Wonderland themed tea party in honour of the Mad Hatter's Christmas Party. Organised by the same team behind the Little Sparrow Market, the event includes more than 160 stallholders, food trucks, a beer garden and live music. Kids under 12 get in free, and can take part in gift-making workshops, visit an animal farm, and play games.
Tomorrow, 10am-5.30pm, The Mornington Racecourse, 320 Racecourse Road, Mornington, $5, littlesparrowmarket.com
SOUTH GEELONG
Buy all the essential ingredients for a summer barbecue at the South Geelong Farmers' Market. Otway Prime stocks locally grown lamb and beef, and Warrion Produce has lots of farm fresh broccoli and cauliflower. Fans of baked goods will be tempted by Sourdough Kitchen's sweet doughnuts and artisan bread flavours, including rosemary potato, walnut and raisin, and corn and chilli.
Tomorrow, 9am-1pm, Geelong South Primary School, 200 Yarra Street, South Geelong, free entry, vfma.org.au
EXHIBITION
KYLIE ON STAGE
Kylie on Stage.Credit: Ken McKay
Kylie Minogue fans get a backstage glimpse at some of the pop singer's most extravagant couture concert garments at the exhibition, Kylie on Stage. Spanning from 1989 to Minogue's more recent tours, pieces range from live footage, photographs, and the creations of some of the world's best known designers, including Dolce and Gabbana, Karl Lagerfeld and John Galliano. Closes January 22, 2017.
Today, 9am-8.30pm, tomorrow, 10am-5pm, Gallery One, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, city, free, 1300 182 183, artscentremelbourne.com.au
A LIFE IN ART: ALBERT TUCKER
Painted and photographic portraits of the artist and his loved ones are among the exhibited works in A Life In Art: Albert Tucker. The art works trace Tucker's career from start to end, exploring his stylistic development and the influence of modernism on his work. Paintings of Australian landscapes and illustrations from his travels in Britain, Europe and America are also featured. Ends March 19, 2017.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-5pm, Heide Museum of Modern Art, 7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen, free-$22, 9850 1500, heide.com.au
FAMILY
Celebrate 25 years of beloved kids' entertainers The Wiggles at Dance, Dance! The Wiggles Big Show. Original member Anthony and newcomers Emma, Lachy, and Simon are joined on stage by their friends Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the dog, Henry the octopus and Captain Feathersword to perform classic crowd-pleasers, such as Hot Potato and Rock-a-Bye Your Bear, in addition to some new songs. Today, 10am, 1pm, and 5pm, Rod Laver Arena, Olympic Boulevard, city, $35.50, 132 849, ticketek.com.au
Out of town: the Arthur's Seat Eagle Skylift.
OUT OF TOWN
It's the opening weekend of the Mornington Peninsula's newest attraction, the Arthur's Seat Eagle Skylift. The Eagle takes the shape of a cabin, and carries passengers on a 15-minute voyage through the sky from Dromana to the summit of Arthur's Seat. Wheelchair and pram friendly, the entire family can enjoy the expansive ocean views. Grand launch festivities include musical performances, face painting and entertainment. Pre-booking tickets online is encouraged.
Today and tomorrow, 10am-7.30pm, Summit Station, 795 Arthurs Seat Road, Dromana, $11-$24, 5981 1957, aseagle.com.au