The White Hat Melbourne Newsletter

Archived Newsletter No.39 - 26 Feb 2003

Contents

Flowers
Festivals
Concerts & Performances
Popular Performers
Films in the Gardens
Vali Myers

Flowers

This is a big weekend if flowers are your thing. Let me start with the Ballarat Begonia Festival. I grew up in Ballarat so I know how it works. The begonia is a flower that looks like a large pregnant rose. The people of Ballarat get very excited about them, and when they have enough of them to fill a large hothouse it is called a festival. You then take your interstate and overseas guests down to the hothouse and explain to them "See that flower there - that's a begonia. And the one next to it - that's a begonia. Oh, and that one over there - that's a begonia too." Well-mannered children will assist their parents by uttering "Yep, begonia" from time to time.

Having mastered this technique from the Begonia festival, you can head up to the Dandenongs for the Hydrangea Festival. When you have finished there it is only a short drive to the Rhododendron Gardens.

The more botanically literate may wish to chance their luck at the Perennial Festival at St Erth. More details on all these events at Garden & Flower Festivals.

Festivals

The biggest community festival this weekend is probably the Sydney Road Street Party. There are also festivals in Ferntree Gully and Frankston. You will probably find numbers of people from East Burwood at these festivals, because there is the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Championship in East Burwood this weekend.

In the country there is the Tatura Wine and Food Festival, and community festivals at Sale, Bendigo, Tarerer (near Port Fairy), Wandong (near Seymour) and Olinda (near the hydrangeas).

Two other festivals of note are the Tibetan New Year Festival and the Sumnation World Cultural Festival. We have been out to the Tibetan temple at Yuroke before and found it a very soothing place. Lots of vegetarian food, lots of saffron robes and no tension from trying to recognize the flora - it is surrounded by over 2,000 rose bushes. I have been unable to find more information about the Sumnation World Cultural Festival. From its brief description it may be one of those festivals that plans to create world peace through bad community drumming, but I hope to be able to find out. Among other things it features "world medicine" so if you know what that is you will know whether it's your sort of festival.

Details of all these festivals at Festivals in Melbourne.

Concerts & Performances

Classical music seasons are getting under way at the Concert Hall. The next week will feature both the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Brandenburg Orchestra. Details at Classical Music in Melbourne.

The Chinese dance/acrobatic extravaganza Wild Zebra is also here for 3 performances.

Popular Performers

On Friday night you have the choice between Kiss Symphony, Yes, Village People or the Concert for West Papua. The Rolling Stones give their last concert on 2 March. I believe the concert is sold out, but never mind - you can always go and see Australia's answer to the Stones - The Seekers on 5 & 6 of March. Details at Popular Music in Melbourne.

Films in the Gardens

Last Saturday night we went to the Tropfest film festival at the Music Bowl and had to sneak past security because we were over age. You shouldn't have that problem at the Moonlight Cinema in the gardens. You might enjoy Bend it like Beckham on Sunday or Casablanca on Tuesday. Details at Botanic Gardens.

Vali Myers

Vali Myers, the well-known Melbourne artist and bohemian died earlier this month. No longer will her familiar figure be seen in the streets of Melbourne with young lover in tow. You can find our profile at Vali Myers.

Vale Vali.