Things to do in Melbourne in October

Golden Blood is now playing at Arts Centre Melbourne as part of Melbourne Theatre Company's 2024 season. Read on for our critic's review of the recent Sydney season. Girl (played by Merlynn Tong, who is also the playwright) is 14. She dreams of moving to Australia. She wants to be a veterinarian, and to help all the marsupials she’s read about. The plush koala she clings to is a salve and a symbol of her ambitions.  Boy (Charles Wu, Miss Peony) is 21. He dreams of wealth – vast wealth. He wants to be a gangster. Maybe he already is one. He wants to attain the respect he’s seen his fellow criminals command. His father’s parang (a large knife, not unlike a machete) is a salve and a symbol of his ambitions. To be clear, Girl and Boy are siblings. Their alcoholic mother’s death has brought them back together, Boy having left the family home years ago for reasons we’ll later learn. Boy promises to protect Girl. In his way, he does – but being dirt poor in Singapore’s criminal demimonde is a tough row to hoe.  Bringing with it a strong sense of self, place, and culture... it’s a remarkable work. Golden Blood comes to Melbourne Theatre Company after a Sydney Theatre Company season and an acclaimed indie premiere season with Griffin Theatre (the company behind the winner of Best Play in the inaugural Time Out Sydney Arts & Culture Awards) in 2022, bringing with it a strong sense of self, place, and culture.  It’s a remarkable work. Over the course of its brisk 90 minutes, we follow B

Tina Turner was the bread and butter of our household TV screen. She belted alongside Mick Jagger at Live Aid, leather-clad and big hair, raced her supercharged engine across Coober Pedy in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome and assured the world that everything would be alright as David Bowie slipped out of the shadows during her Private Dancer Tour. She was one of music’s indomitable icons, a powerhouse; she was the Queen of Rock‘n’Roll. When Tina – The Tina Turner Musical finally rolled into Melbourne’s Princess Theatre after its West End debut and national run, it arrived with sky-high expectations. Having stacked up Tony and Olivier nominations as well as praise from Rolling Stone for its ability to simultaneously “entertain and enlighten”, I’m relieved to say that this Melbourne production did not disappoint. Leather, shoulder pads and sequins that would make Tina herself proud, danced across the red carpet on opening night with hundreds, including local Australian stars, paying homage. For someone like me, who never experienced Tina live beyond the glow of a television screen, the energy certainly made it feel like the real deal.  The musical, written by Katori Hall alongside Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, and directed by Phyllida Lloyd, stays true to Tina’s journey – thanks, in part, to Tina herself. From her early days in Nutbush, Tennessee, with gospel choirs and dusty churches, to the St. Louis blues scene where she met Ike Turner, across the globe to the soggy streets of

From the story’s origins hundreds of years ago, to its transformation into the classic 1991 Disney film, Beauty and the Beast really is a tale as old as time. In its musical form, the production hasn’t been seen in Melbourne since the ’90s, when Hugh Jackman famously performed as Gaston in his first professional role. Fast forward three decades and we’re once again seeing a Melbourne stage transformed into the provincial town and Baroque castle we know so well. Only this time round, the lavish set design is augmented with cleverly integrated digital screens. It’s just one of several updates that ensure this reimagined production of the beloved fairytale keeps up with the times. From the moment the curtain rises, it’s clear this is a large-scale musical with all the belles, whistles and big bucks. Visual splendour is the MO here – think kaleidoscopic costumes, gasp-inducing illusions and spectacular lighting – and it’s easy to see why this show broke box office records at Brisbane’s QPAC.  However, all that Disney investment would be useless without the gifted cast. Shubshri Kandiah exudes whimsy-with-a-backbone as bookworm Belle, charming us with her sweet songs and sassy moments – though the folks in her provincial town just don’t get it.  Brendan Xavier’s beast is alternately ferocious and boyish. His startled squeals and hair-twirling moments help make Belle’s dramatic change in feelings a touch more believable. Both leads shine in their solo numbers, with Xavier’s ‘If I C

Fans of sneaky street art, rejoice! The acclaimed works of Banksy, the mysterious master of graffiti, are coming to Australia, and you won't even need to scour the city's laneways to see them for yourself. The Art of Banksy: Without Limits is a blockbuster exhibition that will feature murals, sculptures, photos, mapping shows (aka images or animations projected onto irregularly shaped surfaces), installations (including an “infinity room” filled with mirrors) and a simulation of ‘Dismaland Bemusement Park’ (for those who’ve never heard of it, it’s a gritty, dark theme park that was created by Banksy in 2015). It will also include a mix of replicas and originals of some of the artist's most famous works, like 'Rude Copper', 'Flower Thrower' and the instantly recognisable 'Girl with Balloon'. But wait, that's not all: Banky's recent Ukraine murals will be referenced, and there’s even a space that pays homage to the MV Louise Michel, the high-speed boat that Banksy financially keeps afloat in the Mediterranean Sea to rescue refugees. The exhibition will take place at The Disctrict Docklands, and has just been extended until December 21. You can snap up a ticket here.  Will Banksy be in attendance? Is this the moment Banksy's real identity will be revealed? The artist hasn't endorsed the exhibition, but knowing him, anything could happen!  Get pumped for the Banksy exhibition by checking out the best street art in Melbourne.

Melbourne’s cutting-edge digital art gallery, The Lume, brings Europe’s artistic masterpieces to life. Its immersive experiences have featured the works of renowned painters including Van Gogh, Monet, and most recently, Leondaro Da Vinci.  For its latest multi-sensory tribute to Italy’s famous polymath, artist and inventor, The Lume is taking things to new heights (quite literally) with an additional VR experience as part of Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius. Through the use of state-of-the-art technology, visitors are able to book in for VR Florence Flyover and soar like a bird above Renaissance-era Florence, peering down at the city’s notable landmarks. The VR technology allows you to embrace the exhilaration of flight – you’ll feel like you’re literally soaring through the sky like a bird as you navigate your way around Florence – just like Da Vinci always dreamed of. To complement the experience, 500 Years of Genius also utilises The Lume’s colossal exhibition space with projections of Da Vinci’s original drawings and writings – including his sketches for a flying machine that predates human flight by more than 400 years. There’s also a one-of-a-kind, 360-degree replica of the ‘Mona Lisa’ created by French optical engineer Pascal Cotte. (Who used pioneering research to scan the famous painting with his 240,000,000 pixel multispectral camera, so visitors can study her cryptic smile like never before.) This is the first time Da Vinci’s artwork has made its way to Aust

Melburnians, it’s high time to grab a pair of drumsticks and head out for a bev, because the godfathers of Aussie pub rock have announced a tour. Cold Chisel is going on a national tour around Oz to celebrate their 50th anniversary, and we’re pleased to say it’s stopping in Melbourne. The legendary band will perform in 11 cities and regional towns across the country throughout October and November 2024. So, when is the band performing in Melbourne? Cold Chisel is playing at Flemington Racecourse on Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26. So strong was demand for the band in Melbourne, they've decided to circle back around for two more shows at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on November 22 and 23.  Sydney-based indie rockers The Cruel Sea and the multi-talented musician and singer Karen Lee Andrews, will be the supporting acts for both sets of dates. These shows are just about certain to sell out, so find out more and grab your tickets at the Cold Chisel website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox. Is Beyoncé actually coming to Melbourne? Here's what we know  

Italian polymath, painter, inventor and astounding genius Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most celebrated artists and scientists of all time, yet seeing his works is typically out of reach for the average Aussie. Well, all that’s about to change thanks to the Lume Melbourne’s new immersive experience.  Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius will feature massive projections of some of the world’s most famous works of art, including the ‘Mona Lisa’ and ‘The Last Supper’. These four-storey high projections showcase da Vinci’s breathtaking Renaissance paintings in a way that’s much more accessible than a trip to the Louvre.  Alongside da Vinci’s visually stunning artworks, this exhibition will also focus on his excellence as an inventor with ideas far beyond his era. His pioneering work in architecture and engineering laid the foundation for the technology we enjoy today. That’s why alongside his art, the exhibition will also feature groundbreaking inventions from his notebooks recreated to scale by Italian artisans, including flying machine concepts that predate human flight by more than 400 years.  As if that wasn’t exciting enough, for the first time in history, original pages of da Vinci’s sketches and writings will touch down in Australia. The Codex Atlanticus is a 500-year-old collection of Leonardo’s innermost workings, previously displayed in the likes of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Louvre. Now, Melburnians and visitors alike will be able to examine these prec

Have you ever dreamed of walking with dinosaurs? Well Melbourne, life finds a way. Jurassic World: The Exhibition is roaring into the city this year following a hugely successful stint in Sydney. This enormous and immersive experience celebrates 31 years of the film franchise that began with the ground-breaking 1993 movie Jurassic Park. At this family-friendly exhibit of Jurassic proportions, you can walk through the iconic “Jurassic World” gates and encounter a life-sized brachiosaurus and velociraptors, plus the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex. (We’re yet to receive confirmation on whether you’ll also encounter the glistening, exposed chest hair of Jeff Goldblum as you explore the richly themed environments.) Visitors will be able to imagine what it would have been like to roam amongst these breathtaking creatures (the dinosaurs, not Sam Neil and the gang), and even interact with baby dinos, including “Bumpy” from the popular animated series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (currently streaming on Netflix). Are you finding yourself thinking that the mad scientists behind this experience “were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should?” Well, hold onto your butts. They’re not playing God with real extinct creatures, but with life-like animatronics. So, Melbourne should avoid an apocalyptic T-Rex escape situation – phew! The exhibition engages audiences of all ages in settings inspired by the Jurassic Wo

Hop aboard! It's time for a new adventure with Australia's legendary steam train, Puffing Billy. The beloved railway has introduced Twilight Trains – an enchanting new way for all the family to experience the historic steam train under a canopy of stars.  Starting on October 10, Twilight Trains will run every Thursday evening until December 12, and offer passengers a three-and-a-half-hour return journey from Belgrave to Lakeside.  Board one of Puffing Billy's open-side carriages and dangle your legs over the edge as you take in the bewitching views of the Dandenong Ranges at dusk. With the setting sun illuminating the surrounding landscape to the chug of the steam engine, could there be a more perfect way to spend an evening? Find time to explore the Lakeside Visitor Centre, where you can grab a bite at the Railway Café. There's something for everyone, from local beers and wines to grazing boxes and classic scones with the team. The Lakeside Hall Museum hosts a fascinating collection of railway artefacts, including Puffing Billy's original locomotive 3A. There's also the charming Emerald Lake Park precinct for a stroll if you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground.  Ticket prices for the Twilight Train range from $31 for children (aged four to 15) to $62 per adult (16 years plus), with a combo ticket for families of two adults and two children priced at $155.  For further information or to book a Twilight Train experience, visit the website here. Recommended: check ou

The beloved regional town of Bendigo – recently awarded a silver medal in the Top Tourism Town Awards – will bask in the glow of the changing seasons with a massive, colourful festival this spring. This year, Bendigo Bloom is celebrating its 21st anniversary, bathing the town in colour with more than 60 events and experiences throughout the season.  From idyllic gardens and cultural tours to food feasts and after-dark events, there's so much to explore during the festival. An annual favourite is the tulip display, with more than 43,000 tulips painting a rainbow across Bendigo’s historic Pall Mall and Conservatory Gardens. After the sun sets, the tulips are transformed into a kaleidoscopic light walk called Bloom After Dark. Other highlights include Vegecarian on October 5 – a free, family friendly event focussed on loving food, loving animals and loving life. Held at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, it will feature cooking demonstrations, wellness activities, performances and animal blessings. And don't miss the Malamiya Mang Creative Arts Festival (November 1-3), which will be a showcase of First Nations art in the form of exhibitions, a fashion show and market. Plus, there are loads of events for foodies, including the Heathcote Wine and Food Festival on the first weekend of October, where you can sample the region's top drops and produce. Or you can check out Bendigo Wine Week (October 11-19) for tastings galore. The Bendigo Bloom program is absolutely jam-packed w