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The White Hat Guide to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl

The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is set in parklands a short walk from the centre of the city. It is a large grassy amphitheatre with a stage and a soaring 'sound shell' roof to project the sound and shelter the front rows of the audience.

But it is not the front rows of the audience who have the best seats. It is those lolling on a blanket on the grass with a picnic basket, a glass of champagne, (a jug of wine and thou?) gazing at the stars while listening with thousands of other Melbournians to a concert by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, watching a ballet or opera performance, or enjoying a rock concert.

Admission to many of these events is free, but get there early to secure a good spot.

The Music Bowl has easy access by tram - any northbound tram in St Kilda Road or any southbound tram in Swanston Street (except No.1) and get off at stop no 16 or 17. Better still take a walk from the city through the Queen Victoria Gardens.

The Music Bowl is situated in the King's Domain and is one of the great legacies left to Melbourne as a result of the philanthropy of Sidney Myer.

Telstra Ballet in The Bowl Did you miss this event? Then subscribe to our free email newsletter to receive advance notice of events such as this one. White Hat has kept its subscribers Informed since last century and has long become a Melbourne Institution for those Intelligent and Independent souls prepared to look beyond the bounds of either the mainstream -commercial or mainstream-alternative marketing machines. (However, be warned that we can occasionally be a little Irreverent.) Bring your family and friends, a rug and a picnic and join The Australian Ballet for a breathtaking evening of ballet under the stars. This program opens with a selection of pas de deux from some of ballets best known works. Classics including La Favorita, Le Corsaire, Black Swan and The Nutcracker pas de deux plus show stoppers Spring Waters and Diana and Acteon. The evening concludes with Leonide Massine's Les Presages set in 1933 to Tchaikovsky's magnificent Fifth Symphony. This large scale work is artistically striking and full of awesome ensemble movements. This one off performance will be a fantastic opportunity to see The Australian Ballet's extraordinary dancers demonstrate their exuberance and technical brilliance in some of ballet's most popular repertoire. Please note that breakable drinking glasses, elevated seating, hard-sided hampers, coolers and eskies, weapons and dangerous items, domestic animals, items which could impede other people’s enjoyment will not be permitted into the venue. 8pm (gates open at 4pm), Friday 28 March 2008 Sidney Myer Music Bowl - Free

Singapore Day Singapore Day opens at the Music Bowl at 10.30am where there are plenty of opportunities to check out the exhibitions and sample the food. The concert begins at 1.30pm. Register at https://app.singaporeday.gov.sg/register.aspx. 4th October 2008 Sidney Myer Music Bowl -

Carols by Candlelight An event that has become a popular part of the Melbourne calendar 24 December 2008 Sidney Myer Music Bowl -

Summadayze Australia's largest dance festival. 1 January 2009 Sidney Myer Music Bowl - Bookings: 13 61 00

There are restrictions on what items may be taken into the Music Bowl. In general only plastic drinking glasses and no hard sided coolers or other items that can be used as an elevated seat. Some events will prohibit alcohol being taken in to the venue. More information on the Sidney Myer Music Bowl  and conditions of entry can be found at www.theartscentre.net.au.

Where is the Sidney Myer Music Bowl?

Click on the Sidney Myer Music Bowl link to the right of the map. Use the controls to zoom on or out on the map or change to satellite view.

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