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2009 Melbourne International Jazz Festival

Melbourne’s week of celebrating the best sounds of jazz kicks of this year with a huge extravaganza at Federation Square on Sunday April 26 from 4pm. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie to the tunes of Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra, Actis DatoQuartet, The Mell-O-Tones and Swing Patrol at this free event for young and old.

The festival itself will play host to 55 events encompassing local and international artists including the likes of Charlie Haden, Bill Frisell, Kate Noonan, Joshua Redman Trio, Actis Dato Quartet, Paul Grabowsky and Kate Ceberano just to name a few.

See the website below for more information on events and tickets

Dates: 26 April to 2 May
Events Calender: http://www.melbournejazz.com/v2009/webpages/fnc_getfile.php?FC=PLANNER
Venue: Various
Cost: Free to $85
Website and bookings: www.melbournejazz.com
Phone: 9001 1388

Dralion by Cirque du Soleil

Be mesmerized by the type of show that only Circque du Soleil has become famous for with its Chinese origins combined with a spectacular avant-garde approach and mind bending acrobatics. This theme is reflected in the name itself, Dralion, which are half dragon from the east and half lion from the west.

Dates: April 10 to June 14
Venue: Grand Chapiteau, 430 Docklands Drive, Docklands
Cost: From $35 for Children tickets to $270 for night time V.I.P
Website and bookings: www.cirquedusoleil.com
Phone: 1300 130 300

Billy Elliot

This is the inspiring story of a young boy in the midst of the British miners strike of 1984-85, who takes an interest in stage and ballet on his way to boxing lessons. His story is one that has been published before and now is being enjoyed by hundreds each day in this very popular on stage adaptation.

Dates: Ends June 14th
Venue: Her Majesties Theatre
Cost: $47.90 - $125.90
Website: http://www.hermajestystheatre.com.au/billyelliot.php
Bookings:

Online: www.ticketek.com.au
Phone: 1300 555 593

Wicked – The Broadway Musical

The never before told story of the witches of Oz, “Wicked” is the prequel to the classic story, “The Wizard of Oz”. It explains much of why the characters in the Wizard of Oz are the way they are. Why the “Witch of the West” is wicked and “Glenda” the good witch, where the slipper came from and why the lion has no courage. These are some of the mysteries explained by this eye opening story that will have you seeing the Wizard of Oz in an entirely new light.

Venue: The Regent Theatre
Cost: $79.90-125.90
Phone: Ticketek on 1300 795 012
Web: http://www.wickedthemusical.com.au

Realism

A intense show of laughs, drama and history, this is a backstage pass to the trials and tribulations of a Moscow theatre company in 1939 rehearsing for a play to commemorate Stallin’s sixtieth birthday.

Dates: Ends May 17
Venue: Melbourne Theatre Company
Cost: $16 to $79.20
Website and Bookings: http://www.mtc.com.au/tickets/production.aspx?performanceNumber=1243
Phone: 1300 136 166

Walkin’ Birrarung – Yarra River Cultural Tour

Birrarung is an important site for the Kulin people, whose ancestors inhabited this small area for centuries. It’s hard to imagine what this place must have looked like and what took place when you look today and see the towering city skyline on both sides of the river, manicured parks and sporting arenas.

The tour will take you back to the beginnings of this place and an insight into those who lived here. You will then gain an understanding of how the area and the Kulin people have changed to date.

Venue: Monday to Friday
Cost: $25 per person
Phone: Bookings on 8622 2600
Web: http://www.koorieheritagetrust.com/

Melbourne Town Hall Tours

Melbourne town hall has great significance to the shaping of this city as a long lasting hub for civil and cultural activity. This impressive building was built in the 19th century and this tour gives you the opportunity to appreciate its delicate details inside and out. With its rich history and grand architecture this building is heritage listed.

Step inside its huge auditorium that features the largest grand romantic organ in the southern hemisphere with over 10,000 pipes. Have the opportunity to sit in the Lord Mayors chair and stand where the Beatles have stood.

Cost: Free
Phone: Bookings on 9658 9658
Web: http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm

Melbourne Greeter Service

Visiting or new to Melbourne? The greeter service is a great way for you to become familiar with the ins and outs of this city from a locals perspective.

Your guide is a volunteer who speaks your language and shares your interests so your orientation will involve the information and places that you want to know about by someone who is passionate about their city. Groups will be sized from 1-4 and the tour may be on foot or by tram.

Venue: Melbourne Visitor Centre
Cost: Free
Phone: 9658 9658
Web: http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/greeter

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