Melbourne: A Cultural Exploration

You will often hear Melburnians professing to travellers that, while Sydney may have the stunning sights, there’s a reason why so many refer to Melbourne as the ‘cultural capital of Australia’.

Melbourne is a destination for explorers; it’s one those cities with so many hidden nooks and crannies that you always come away with a hunger for more and a longing to return.

Foodies will just gobble Melbourne up, for not only is the city culturally rich, it is also deliciously cultural.

American chef, Anthony Bourbain once professed, “I’d rather eat in Melbourne than Paris”.

From your fine dining restaurants such as The Age Good Food Guide 2012’s three-Hat restaurant, Attica, to eating ‘Pintxos’ (tasty bites on toothpicks) while you sample imported beers and infused vodka at Brunswick St’s Naked For Satan, Melbourne has it covered.

The city also has suburbs that ‘specialise’ in particular culinary delights. Go to Fitzroy for Spanish, Richmond for Vietnamese, Brunswick for Lebanese and Carlton for Melbourne’s own ‘Little Italy.’ And they’re all just a tram ride away from the city.

Melbourne coffee is also world-class. Australian chef, Curtis Stone has boasted that Melbourne coffee is, “Just so much better than anywhere else. It’s better than in Italy and I travel a lot.”

There’s no better way to enjoy a cup of Melbourne brew than by sipping and strolling down one of the city’s many bustling streets. This is also the perfect time to do a spot of shopping, as most travellers also know Melbourne as Australia’s shopping capital.

From innovative designs, right down to the old treasures you dig out of a vintage bin, you can find it all in Melbourne.

Bourke St and Delgraves St in the city and Chapel St and Brunswick St in the inner suburbs are all staples for stylish and alternative fashion.

For a family outing, scrape the sky in Melbourne’s Eureka Tower, located in Southbank. The Eureka Skydeck 88 is the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere.

Whilst up there, live life on ‘The Edge’, a glass cube which slides out from the building.

Whilst in the Southbank area, take a stroll along the Yarra River, enjoy a drink or a light bight at one of the many glamorous bars and restaurants lining the water and don’t forget to check out the Crown Casino, even if only to ogle at its grandness.

The Southbank precinct is also home to many of Melbourne’s leading art galleries, including the Victorian Arts Centre, the Malthouse Theatre, the Recital Centre and the National Gallery of Victoria's international collection.

Or wander down the road to Federation Square and be inspired by visual exhibits at ACMI, the permanent collection at the Ian Potter Gallery, or see a recital at the BMW Edge Theatre.

For those who love their food, art and shopping, but who also like travelling off the beaten track, Melbourne has concentrated pockets of life and culture hiding away in its laneways, just itching to be discovered and explored.

Melbourne may not be renowned for its waves but if you’re a beach bum who just can’t get enough of Aussie beaches, Melbourne’s are still worth a meet-and-greet.

Don’t miss the colourful display of one-of-a-kind beach huts at Brighton Beach, which are highly coveted in the Real Estate market, or for a walk on the wilder side, visit St Kilda beach and have a play at Luna Park.

For sporting fans travelling to Melbourne between March and September, an Aussie Rules football game is a definite winner.

The first question asked to Melbourne children on their first day of kindergarten is not. “What’s your favourite colour?” But rather, “Who’s your team?”

There aren’t many cities around the world that unites the entire community through a sport. Even the non-sporty Melburnians have a team.

The old song goes that, “You’re nobody ‘til somebody loves you,” but to Melburnians, you’re nobody until you identify your footy team.

The dynamic city that is Melbourne has something for everybody.

Whether you’re out for a fleeting, adventurous love affair, or a place to explore cobblestone laneway by cobblestone laneway, one thing is for certain; Melbourne is a city which, once visited, every time you hear its name, your heart will feel that longing pang… and you’ll sigh to yourself, “Oh, Melbourne”.

	Flinders Street Station Image courtesy of The Melbourne Travel Guide
	Brunswick Street Image courtesy of Soho52
	'The Edge' at Skydeck 88 Image courtesy of konradlew
	A Melbourne Laneway Image courtesy of Gourmet Traveller
	Brighton Beach Image courtesy of Alexe!Paedia
	Footy Fans Image courtesy of The St Kilda Football Club View Source

Melbourne Day - Thursday 30th August 2012

The city of Melbourne comes alive in August when it celebrates its 177th Birthday. The Piazza and Promenade at Waterfront City will host free entertainment from 10am to 2pm on the Main Stage. School groups are welcome to join the fun with free activities on the Promenade. Bookings essential, limited numbers available.

Celebrations will start from Saturday 25 August with the Herald Sun's Corinella competition and free and discounted entry to city attractions.

For more information about the Festival of events leading up to Melbourne Day go online at www.melbourneday.com.au

Location - Piazza and Promenade, Waterfront City

Docklands 3008

Show on the map
Parking from $5 per day at Harbourtown. Trams run direct to Waterfront City, check tram tracker for more details.

Contact details 03 9639 6950

admin@melbourneday.com.au
www.melbourneday.com.au

Date & times  30/08/2012

Thursday: 10am - 2pm

How to get there

Trams and buses: Metlink

Price

This is a free event, Schools welcome, bookings essential.

Features

Child-friendly, Wheelchair accessible

Bookings

Bookings available via
admin@melbourneday.com.au

Click here to book

Shows Australia: JLO - Dance Again World Tour (Jennifer Lopez)

Tuesday 11th December - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

The wait is over! The Frontier Touring Company is thrilled to announce that global superstar Jennifer Lopez (a.k.a. JLO) will be touring Australia for the first time ever in her impressive 13 year long career!

JLO will be touring down under as part of her 'Dance Again World Tour' which has already visited countless cities across North America, South America, Europe and Asia in recent months.

On the 'Dance Again World Tour', JLO will be performing hits from across her expansive and impressive career, which features seven studio albums that have sold more than 70 million records worldwide.

Those lucky enough to attend one of JLO's Australian performances will be treated to songs that brought JLO to the world's attention including 'If You Had My Love' and 'Waiting For Tonight' as well as those that have introduced her music to a new legion of adoring fans like 'I'm Into You' and 'Dance Again'.

JLO's impressive catalogue is also celebrated on her recently released greatest hits collection Dance Again...the Hits (out now through Sony Music Australia).

JLO is a woman who knows how to get the party started with her signature blend of killer vocal hooks, pulsing beats and storming synthesizers.

Her arena shows in December are destined to be amongst the dance parties of the year, don't miss the opportunity to join the fun on JLO's first ever Australian tour!

"Jennifer Lopez was glitz and glam through her set. At 43, Lopez is in perfect shape, and it showed through her stepped up choreography." - Edge, Boston

Melbourne's Docklands Pulls Its Weight

DOCKLANDS, which is 48 per cent complete, has shifted the geographical heart of the Melbourne CBD to the west and is now the second-largest office precinct for prime-grade stock in the CBD.
According to Jones Lang LaSalle research, the 437,100 square metres of prime-grade stock in Docklands is more than all of Adelaide's.

It now constitutes 18 per cent of the Melbourne CBD's 2.44 million square metres of prime-grade stock, which in turn makes up more than half of the 4.27 million square metres in the CBD office market. Urban renewal authority Places Victoria says $8.5 billion worth of development has taken place in Docklands in the past 12 years.

JLL's Victorian managing director, Andrew Wood, said Docklands had been fully endorsed by the investment market, which was the ''ultimate test''. Tenants now include ANZ, NAB, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank, Axa, Medibank, Fairfax Media, Channel Nine, NBN Co, the Tax Office and Melbourne Water.

Mr Wood said many commentators maintained that Docklands had been a drag on the market and had stopped rents rising above a threshold. ''There may be some truth to this, but if it wasn't there I wonder where those tenants would have gone to satisfy the demand for campus-style, 'green', single-tenanted buildings - maybe to the suburbs, like Coles, or maybe interstate,'' he said.

''So, Docklands keeps the users in the Melbourne central activities district, which now includes Southbank, Docklands and the traditional grid. It has restaurants, entertainment, retail and hotels, so it is a fully integrated part of the CBD that over time will ensure Melbourne's broader CBD continues to build its credentials as a major international city.''

Mr Wood said some critics complained Docklands was too sterile, but all international cities had different precincts with their own feel. ''Docklands will never have the laneway vibe of the CBD's core precinct, or the retail appeal of Collins Street.

''However, Docklands offers a harbour feel around its campus office and residential areas, plus entertainment and connections not available to the CBD grid. These are of significant appeal to many major corporates.''

According to Places Victoria, more than $2.4 billion worth of private development (commercial and residential) was under construction on 16 projects in Docklands in 2011-12 - the most development in its 12-year history. This totalled about 350,000 square metres of gross floor area, including about 1500 apartments.

As of last month, there was $1.8 billion worth of construction under way in Docklands on 11 projects. When these are completed, the prime office market in Docklands is expected to grow to about 626,000 square metres by mid-2014 - about 24 per cent of CBD prime-grade buildings.

By 2025, Places Victoria forecasts that the area will have attracted a further $9 billion worth of private investment, with the number of residents expected to nearly triple from 7000 today to 20,000, and with the number of workers anticipated to double to more than 60,000.

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Melbourne Stars chasing Bolt for Big Bash League

'M' for Melbourne? Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt (above) celebrates his third London Olympics gold medal with the signature move of British dual gold medallist Mo Farah (left). The Melbourne Stars is hoping Bolt will play for them during the Big Bash cricket series.


 
The world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, could be steaming in from the Members End at the MCG this summer with an audacious plan hatched to have the Jamaican track superstar play in the Twenty20 Big Bash League.

The Melbourne Stars franchise has confirmed it is in negotiations with the six-time Olympic gold medallist and his management company and spin king Shane Warne, the team's marquee player, launched a campaign via social media on Sunday in an effort to build support for the recruiting coup. The move has the formative backing of Cricket Australia.

Bolt, who repeated his treble of gold medals in Beijing with victory in the 100 metres, 200m and 4x100m relay at the London Olympics, played junior cricket before ruling the track and has long voiced his love for the game. He famously clean bowled then West Indies captain and good friend Chris Gayle in a charity match in 2009, having earlier belted him down the ground for six, and the vision became popular on YouTube.

The 25-year-old was first approached about joining the Stars before the Games by the franchise's president Eddie McGuire, who was interviewing him in his capacity as a broadcaster at the London OIympics with Foxtel. Bolt said Warne had now spoken to him about playing in the BBL and he would consider whether to take up the offer.

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Melbourne Named World's Most Liveable City

MELBOURNE has claimed gold as the world's most liveable city but Sydney has lost its status as Australia's second-most desirable destination to Adelaide. 

Melbourne has edged out Austria's capital Vienna to claim the Global Liveability Survey title of the best city in the world to live in for the second year running.

Adelaide, Sydney and Perth have also featured in the top 10, while Vancouver - rated third - is one of three Canadian cities listed among the top destinations.

But it's Adelaide's ranking above Sydney that is likely to be the biggest local talking point, with the City of Churches ranked equal fifth, two places above.

Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) survey editor Jon Copestake says while Melbourne enjoys top bragging rights, there is little separating the top Australian cities.

Four of the five surveyed made it into the top 10 globally and were separated by just 1.6 percentage points. Brisbane was number 20.

"Australian cities continue to thrive in terms of liveability - not only do they benefit from the natural advantages of low population density, but they have continued to improve with some high profile infrastructure investments," Mr Copestake said in a statement.

"In Adelaide, projects completed in recent years under the Strategic Infrastructure Plan for South Australia have been enough to move the city above Sydney, whose score is unchanged (from 2011)."

The global liveability survey is an annual list compiled by the EIU, initially as a test of whether human resource departments needed to pay a hardship allowance in expatriate relocation packages.
Melbourne's score of 97.5 per cent is close to the perfect score, with the city only losing points for climate, culture and petty crime.

Adelaide lost points on culture and environment but new infrastructure in the city catapulted it above Sydney.

The harbour city scored well in health care, education and infrastructure but was regarded the least stable among the list of top 10 cities in a category that considers crime, the terror threat and the risk of civil unrest.

Mr Copestake said the impact of the Arab Spring and the Euro zone crisis were significant factors in the 2012 global rankings.

At the other end of the scale Dhaka in Bangladesh was rated the least liveable city of the 140 considered in the survey.

The world's top 10 most liveable cities:

1. Melbourne, Australia.
2. Vienna, Austria.
3. Vancouver, Canada.
4. Toronto, Canada.
5. Calgary, Canada.
5. (equal) Adelaide, Australia.
7. Sydney, Australia.
8. Helsinki, Finland.
9. Perth, Australia.
10. Auckland, New Zealand.
20. Brisbane, Australia.

Source: The Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Survey 2012.
The survey measures cities across five categories: stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. It surveyed 140 cities worldwide.

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AN EVENING WITH DELTA GOODREM WITH SPECIAL GUEST RACHAEL LEAHCAR

Exciting news Delta fans! Delta will be hitting up Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne with her "Top Of My World Shows".

"Dainty Group and NINE LIVE are proud to announce that chart-topping Australian songstress Delta Goodrem is heading home to perform a limited run of intimate and exclusive theatre concerts in October and November.

Delta will play shows in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, thrilling fans with all her hits, plus previewing songs from her highly-anticipated new album, Child of the Universe."

TICKETS WILL GO ON SALE THURSDAY 16TH AUGUST.

Melbourne
Hamer Hall
Wed 7th November
Tickets from www.artscentremelbourne.com.au or 1300 182 183
OR  www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849

The Glenn Miller Orchestra Touring Australia

Musical Director Rick Gerber
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN AUSTRALIA
DIRECT FROM THE USA...
The Unforgettable Music of the 1940’s
From The Golden Era of Swing
including
‘Chattanooga Choo-Choo’ & ‘In the Mood’

Touring Australia in October and November -The Glenn Miller Orchestra, a concert spectacular that promises the audience a sentimental journey down memory lane on the eve of Glenn Miller’s 75th anniversary.

Featuring the internationally renowned Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Moonlight Serenade Singers and The Broadway Swing Dancers, the great ‘Big Band’ hits, the original Glenn Miller arrangements, the music of The Andrews Sisters, the Frank Sinatra Songbook, the romantic World War II melodies made famous by Vera Lynn – music which captivated millions of people worldwide- are all brought together on stage in a nostalgic concert spectacular.

Even after 75 years, Glenn Miller’s musical arrangements are still heard around the world – timeless icons of American culture such as Chattanooga Choo-Choo, In the Mood, Tuxedo Junction, A String of Pearls, Moonlight Serenade, Little Brown Jug and Pennsylvania 6-5000 to name a few.

“The Glenn Miller Orchestra is a colourful and flamboyant evening filled with fun and nostalgia of the 30s and 40s. Our unique jazz sound is sought all around the world and in addition to recreating the golden era of swing, we bring to life the colour, costumes and spirit. Having travelled across the globe, The Glenn Miller Orchestra is delighted to be bringing iconic tunes such as In the Mood and Moonlight Serenade to Australia,” said Musical Director Rick Gerber.

Bandleader and musician Glenn Miller inspired the World War II generation and boosted morale with his many popular songs. He formed the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1937, which immediately attracted attention and big crowds to venues, and a series of recordings followed. In 1939, Miller dominated the top spot on the various popular music charts for over a year, with In the Mood, a pared-down arrangement of the Joe Garland tune, holding the top spot for over fifteen weeks at the beginning of 1940 and Tuxedo Junction taking over and keeping Miller at number 1 into the summer.

On February 11, 1941 Miller was presented with the first ever Gold record for Chattanooga Choo-Choo. In 1942, at the peak of his civilian career, Miller decided to join the war effort. At 38, Miller was too old to be drafted, he persuaded the United States Army to accept him so he could, in his own words, "be placed in charge of a modernized Army band”. In 1944 Glenn Miller mysteriously disappeared whilst flying over the English channel from London to Paris. His original recordings continue to in the sell millions. His legacy as the most influential and famous bandleader of all time and the icon of the golden swing era and continues to inspire.

During the 1940’s Glenn Miller had more hit records than Elvis and the Beatles
“The Glenn Miller Orchestra is constantly touring, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world. ATA Allstars is pleased to be able to bring this wonderful and popular show to audiences around Australia,” said Producer Tony Brady.

View snippets of original footage:

http://youtu.be/V2aj0zhXlLA

http://youtu.be/xPXwkWVEIIw 

http://youtu.be/ip33g113FHc

MELBOURNE

Arts Centre - Hamer Hall

Dates: November 10

Times: Sat 10 November at 2pm & 8pm

Tickets: Premium Reserve: $98.90; A Res $89.90; B Res $79.90; Groups 8+ $79.90; Conc $84.90

Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au or 1300 182 183

www.glennmillerorchestra.com.au

Relax Visa Rules For Tourists From Developing Countries, Says UN

AUSTRALIA needs to relax its strict visa requirements for visitors from developing countries if it wants to boost tourism and effectively target the emerging giants of China and India. 

UN World Tourism Organisation secretary-general Taleb Rifai yesterday said there was no evidence that tough entry conditions on tourists were necessary to protect security, and Australia and other developed countries needed to ease their regimes.

"Visas are becoming a real nightmare," Mr Rifai told a tourism conference in Melbourne.

"It is not reasonable to still see long lines, very cumbersome, uneasy, complicated, lengthy, overpriced entry formalities all over the world, particularly facing nationals from countries that are rising and countries that are providing the base for future incoming tourists.

"There is no evidence to establish that there are close and very strong links between visas and security issues."

Chinese and Indian visitors have provided the greatest annual growth to tourism numbers over the past decade but face a number of bureaucratic hurdles to come here.

Those travelling to Australia for the first time must provide bank statements or other financial information, as well as a letter from their employer showing their position and salary, length of employment and approval for leave, or evidence of enrolment for students.

If visiting relatives or friends, a letter of invitation from the relative or friend in Australia may also be required.

While the tourism industry has bemoaned the high Australian dollar for making Australia less competitive as a destination, Mr Rifai told The Australian visa requirements and easier international travel should be seen as a greater priorities.

"The cost is not the major factor here, it's the ease of reaching here, cost of travel and cost and complications of entry," said the former Jordanian government minister.

"Cost is a very important element in competitiveness but it should not be too much of an obsession.
"Some of the most attractive destinations in the world are some of the most expensive destinations in the world as well."

UNESCO has threatened to declare the Great Barrier Reef "in danger" if conservation efforts are not improved, but Mr Rifai said Australia should be congratulated for setting itself high environmental targets.

"The fact that Australia has these very valuable reefs places more responsibility on Australia, but I think all in all you should be satisfied with what you're doing so far," he said. "On environmental counts, Australia is doing very, very well."

Tourism Victoria Says Melbourne NOW!

Australia's Tourism Victoria has launched a campaign called Melbourne NOW! to encourage tourism to its capital city. The campaign highlights the sophistication of the city, its major hallmark events, the nature and wildlife experiences, and food and wine superiority.
The objectives of Melbourne NOW! are to revitalise and increase the Victorian experiences offered by industry to the travelling consumers; to strengthen the profile and desirability of the destination with the target markets; and to stimulate immediate bookings to Melbourne with increased length of stay and visitor spend.

As part of the online arm of the campaign, Indian travel industry will be challenged to create new travel packages to Melbourne and regional Victoria including only-in-Melbourne experiences. Participating travel agents will create new, innovative and sellable travel itineraries to Melbourne/Victoria and the most innovative itineraries and those that receive the most number of votes by the customers via the social media consumer interface will be awarded. Tourism Victoria will partner with the winning entrant to develop unique cooperative marketing campaigns.
The travelers also stand to win one a once-in-a-lifetime trip which will be based entirely on their preferred itinerary. 

In order to promote the campaign to the trade partners and the audiences, Tourism Vicoria has developed a dedicated website with online media advertising, PR, Electronic Direct Mail (EDMs) and social media platforms.

Tourism Victoria regional manager South and South East Asia Celia Ho said, "The Melbourne NOW! campaign is being introduced at a time where inbound tourism from India to Australia has been on a steady rise and is forecast to increase by an average of eight per cent per annum between 2010 and 2020. If realized this will mean approximately 126,100 visitors from India and associated expenditure of almost $500 million to Victoria. As Australia's most romantic and stylish city, host to major sporting and cultural events such as the Australian Open and Formula 1 Grand Prix, and easy access to unique regional experiences - Melbourne is in prime position to capitalise on this growth."

OVO CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SHOWING IN AUSTRALIA

About The Show - OVO CIRQUE DU SOLEIL



Cirque du Soleil returns to Australia with a spectacular new production for the whole family, presented under the blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top).

OVO is a headlong rush into a colourful eco-system teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. The insects' home is a world of biodiversity and beauty filled with noisy action and moments of quiet emotion.

When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives.

It's love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye - and the feeling is mutual.

The cast of OVO is comprised of 54 performing artists from 16 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts. One highlight of OVO is the stunning flying trapeze act, in which six flyers soar 40 feet in the air, making this the biggest act of its kind to ever be presented under a big top by Cirque du Soleil. It combines many circus disciplines, including banquine, Russian swing and swinging chair. The finale features 20 artists running, jumping and leaping up a 24-foot vertical wall.

OVO is overflowing with contrasts. The hidden, secret world at our feet is revealed as tender and torrid, noisy and quiet, peaceful and chaotic. And as the sun rises on a bright new day, the vibrant cycle of insect life begins anew.

OVO is written and directed by Deborah Colker.

"Overhead and on-the-ground, OVO is a whimsical infestation. It captivates as a vibrant, magical spectacle."

Chicago Now

"Cirque du Soleil turns bug's world upside-down in spectacular OVO."

Chicago Sun-Times

"Cirque du Soleil 'OVO' delivers the unbelievable. "

Cincinnati Enquirer

"Cirque hatches visual stunner."

Houston Chronicle

"OVO is an astonishing showcase of superhuman feats of strength, balance and contortion."

Houston Press

CITY SHOW DATES:

Brisbane Opens July 14, 2012

Sydney Opens September 13, 2012

Adelaide Opens December 06, 2012

Melbourne Opens January 17, 2013

Perth Opens April 14, 2013

Book at Ticketek