The BBC Earth Experience – the jaw dropping new attraction that premiered in London earlier this year – will open exclusively in Australia in Melbourne on the 27th of October.
The BBC Earth Experience, with bespoke narration from Sir David Attenborough, has been enjoyed by all age groups who have experienced the extraordinary diversity of our seven unique continents, on the most epic scale. The BBC Earth Experience feels like you have stepped into the natural world and lost yourself in boundless wonder, as you travel to far flung places. And the best bit? No passport required!
The BBC Studios Natural History Unit’s television series Seven Worlds, One Planet, is projected on multiple multi-angle screens using the very latest digital screen technology. Visitors will take a majestic 360-degree audio visual journey as they marvel and explore iconic landscapes and connect with mesmerising animals on an epic adventure bringing environments to life. From fireflies putting on a spectacular light show in North America, to snub nosed monkeys huddling together to stay warm in Asia, and cassowary fathers protecting their tiny chicks in Australia, visitors will get to experience our seven continents in all their glory, like never before.
Spanning across over 1608m2 of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the BBC Earth Experience promises to be Melbourne’s most joyful and rousing tourist attraction of recent times.
Seven Worlds, One Planet was the BBC’s most-watched factual tv show of the year when it premiered in the UK and the most popular BBC natural history series in eight years to be screened in Australia. The series took viewers on a journey that not only celebrated the beauty of life on each of the seven continents, but also highlighted the many challenges faced by nature in a modern world. Over 1,500 people worked on the award-winning series, with 92 shoots across 41 countries, revealing an unseen wilderness of Earth’s diverse continents.
‘Stunning. Exhilarating. The footage is, naturally, stunning with pin-sharp sound design.’
Time Out, London
‘I did feel a lump in my throat as we went through the entrance where the dulcet tones of Attenborough and his narration echo around a huge room full of screens onto which nature’s finest is projected in giant glory’
City AM
‘We were impressed with how much new knowledge we gained during the experience. Visiting all seven continents of the world is no easy feat, but the BBC Earth Experience manages to do it in one hour!’
Radio Times
BBC Earth Experience
Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf
Opening: from 27th October 2023
https://bbcearthexperience.com
FOOD, WINE AND COMEDY FESTIVAL
COMEDY IN THE VINES
DELIVERING MORE THAN YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM A FESTIVAL ON THE FOOD AND WINE FRONT
A SPECTACULAR FUSION OF WINE, FOOD AND COMEDY ON A PRIVATE ISLAND IN NAGAMBIE VICTORIA
Comedy in the Vines, which will be held on a private island in Nagambie on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th November, is hosting the biggest comedy line-up ever seen in regional Australia featuring the likes of Tommy Little, Celia Pacquola, Anne Edmonds, Rhys Nicholson, Luke McGregor and so many more (check out the full line up here) but its massive food, wine and drink offering sets it apart from every other festival out there right now.
Headlining the culinary program is Nat’s What I Reckon, the Aussie online superstar who has amassed millions of followers, fans, and views with his no-nonsense approach to the kitchen. Nat will showcase one of his favourite recipes and challenge a special guest to have a crack on stage as well.
Off the main stage, festival punters will be able to sample the very best of the Nagambie lakes wine region in a walk-in world of wine. Wineries represented at the festival include some legends and icons of the Australian wine industry as well as some smaller producers making great wine from this very special micro-climate.
In the legends and icons category, one of Australia’s first families of wine Tahbilk, will be showing some of their incredible wines including their iconic Marsanne (which Merrick Watts remembers as his dad’s favourite wine). Fowles will be well represented with the fan favourites Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch Shiraz, and the Are You Game? Pinot Noir. Mitchelton Wines will have their critically acclaimed Blackwood Park Riesling available for all to try.
Other wineries on site include the boutique operation by Wines X Sam, from local husband and wife winemaking team Sam Plunkett and Bron Dunwoodie, as well as the incredible and sustainably made Box Grove Vineyard.
Pitmaster and Co-Founder of the Australasian Barbecue Alliance Adam Roberts is bringing his unparalleled barbecue knowledge and acumen to present an incredible bespoke food demonstration in the middle of the island (did we mention the festival is on an island!?). Whether you like cooking or just eating barbecue, this meaty spectacle will be delicious. Adam’s creations on the BBQ will be matched by Merrick Watts to a local wine.
Drinks editor of Delicious magazine, wine guru, and all round top bloke, Mike Bennie will bring his unique wine knowledge to the Big Wine Tent, running masterclasses that will be unlike any wine masterclass you’ve ever experienced before. Ethan Cavanagh and Sweeney Preston will run comedy tastings in the Big Wine Tent similar to their smash hit, sell out show, In Pour Taste, they know a lot less about wine that Mike, but they are no less entertaining.
As well as the masterclasses and demonstrations, there will be food available from some of the best food trucks going, including Fugazi Pizza (who we last saw spinning dough at the Rising Ice Rink), Goldieboy Burgers, and Lucy Oi’s incredible Vietnamese food.
Nagambie’s favourite restaurant, Eighteen Sixty, will also be on site, serving up pre—ordered cheese and charcuterie boards, as well as gourmet sausages.
There will also be Gin & Tonic’s available from the Nagambie Distillery airstream caravan, and canned beer from the Nagambie Brewery, while Shepparton Brewery will be driving a converted hearse to the site to pour out a spritz and some beers.
If the massive comedy line up wasn’t enough to get you booking your tickets to Comedy in the Vines, then the massive wine list is probably worth the ticket price alone!
Event Highlights include:
Over 20 comedy performances on the main stage
Cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs
Six live podcast recordings
Roving Performers
A walk in “World of Wine” featuring the best wines and winemakers from the region.
An R&R station (Rosé & Relaxation)
Travel details
Hide & Seek Winery is located at 204 Goulburn Weir-Murchison Road, Nagambie, just under two hours from Melbourne’s CBD.
Information on accommodation options in the region and details on return bus transportation from the Melbourne CBD and local population centres including Shepparton, Seymour and shuttles from Nagambie to Comedy in The Vines will be updated at www.comedyinthevines.com.
Ticket sales
www.comedyinthevines.com
Day ticket: $125
Weekend Pass: $189
CONCERT
A HOLY POP COMMUNION THIS DECEMBER AS THE MSO PAYS TRIBUTE TO ICON GEORGE MICHAEL
GEORGE MICHAEL: FREEDOM!
A CELEBRATION WITH THE MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
FEATURING NATALIE BASSINGTHWAIGHTE, DAVID CAMPBELL, COURTNEY ACT, EMMA DONOVAN, BRENDAN MACLEAN, ADAM THOMPSON, JADE MACRAE, GARY PINTO AND CARMEN SMITH
Conducted by Benjamin Northey
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and a roll call of some of the most exciting voices in the country will perform a George Michael tribute concert, George Michael: Freedom!, to celebrate and honour one of the greatest pop icons of a generation at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl this summer on Saturday 9 December.
The singer/songwriter sold over 100 million records worldwide with a remarkable catalogue of music spanning pop, soul and disco. Fans across the world have recently reconnected with George Michael’s pure pop hedonism and artistry through the Netflix documentary, WHAM!, and have been reminded of extraordinary artistry.
For one night only Natalie Bassingthwaighte, David Campbell, Courtney Act, Emma Donovan, Brendan Maclean, Adam Thompson, Jade MacRae, Gary Pinto and Carmen Smith will celebrate the man and his legacy, alongside the glorious MSO in full symphonic sound, with a 30-song tribute of his greatest hits including Careless Whisper, Faith, Father Figure, Praying for Time and Freedom.
A black leather jacket, aviator sunglasses, and a classic guitar pose catapulted George Michael to the Top of the Charts across the world, where he stayed for four decades. Having achieved stardom as part of duo band Wham! Michael went on to release five studio albums, two compilation albums and 44 singles.
His 1987 debut solo album Faith sold over 25 million units worldwide, hitting number 1 in both the US and UK. His next album Listen Without Prejudice went on to win Album of the Year in 1991 at The Brit Awards. Older, Songs from the Last Century and Patience followed, all achieving worldwide acclaim amounting in a lifetime of awards including three Brit Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, three American Music Awards, and two Grammy Awards.
George Michael was a voice of his generation. A musical poet whose messages still resonate with the social and political realities we continue to face. James Cordon said in a Grammy Awards tribute to George Michael: “his honesty and openness in his songs excluded no-one”. This special evening with the MSO promises to not only be an irresistible nostalgic pop trip that will have you dancing in the aisles, but a poignant reminder of the artist’s musical virtuoso – a true pop craftsman who single-handedly wrote and produced most of his discography.
George Michael could deliver the chart hits, but his voice also had an unmistakable soulful, gospel-like leaning and all the artists on this special bill on Saturday 9 December will bring this magic to life for one night only at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
George Michael: Freedom!
A Celebration with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Date: Saturday 9 December, 7.30pm
Venue: Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Tickets from $89*
* booking and transaction fees may apply
More information at mso.com.au
THEATRE
& JULIET
Perth and Sydney are next for the Broadway production and West End smash hit & JULIET!
The award-winning anthemic pop musical, & JULIET, will be led by Lorinda May Merrypor in the title role. Australian music industry legend Rob Mills will hold the quill as Shakespeare while music theatre icon Amy Lehpamer tries to rewrite the narrative as his wife Anne.
& JULIET’s book is by Emmy® Award-winning Schitt’s Creek writer David West Read with music from legendary five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter/producer Max Martin, the genius behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century.
& JULIET sees Shakespeare’s most famous love story remixed with some of the most iconic pop songs of the last three decades in an uplifting story of self-discovery, empowerment and love and begs the question is there life after Romeo?
Playing that other half of the star-crossed lovers will be recent Fangirls heartthrob Blake Appelqvist. Completing the dazzling cast of principals is star of the stage and ARIA #1 winner Casey Donovan as Angélique; Broadway, West End and Australian music theatre star Hayden Tee as Lance; and newcomers Jesse Dutlow as May and Yashith Fernando as Francois.
Joining them on stage is the cast of incredible players Georgia Anderson as Susanna, Jade Delmiguez as Eleanor, James Elmer as Kempe, Riley Gill as Imogen/Benvolio, Jerome Javier as Thomas, Giorgia Kennedy as Judith, Jordan Koulos as Richard, Sarah Murr as Lady Capulet/Nell, Coby Njoroge as Augustine, Jake O’Brien as Fletcher, Clay Roberts as Henry, Jacob Rozario as Gregory, Selina Salgadoe as Gwynne, Sean Sinclair as Lord Capulet/Sly, Nathan James Tamati as Cuthbert, Romy Vuksan as Margaret, Aadhya Wijegoonawardena as Viola and Imani Williams as Lucy.
“ABSOLUTE GENIUS. A JOYOUSLY POP-TASTIC SHOW ABOUT LIFE, LOVE & STARTING OVER”
Herald Sun
★★★★★
“2 HOURS OF EFFERVESCENT RIDICULOUSNESS, LIKE A SHOT OF SKITTLES VODKA”
Time Out
“THOSE WITH AN OPEN HEART WILL LEAVE THE THEATRE INSPIRED & READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD!”
The Music
★★★★
“IRRESISTIBLE”
The Guardian
& JULIET
Crown Theatre, Perth
Strictly limited season
30 December 2023 – January 21, 2024
Ticketmaster
& JULIET
Sydney Lyric Theatre
27 February 2024 – 28 April 2024
ticketmaster.com.au
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