Support the Arts: Where to find Victoria's best entertainment
Supporting the arts is crucial as the sector struggles to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. To help you do that, MOJO News has compiled a list of the state's best arts events for April and May.
BY FELICE LOK
The City of Melbourne has invested $17 million in grants and organisations to revive the arts and entertainment industry hard-hit by COVID-19 lockdowns.
In a 2020 report, the City of Melbourne found there were 5300 job losses and a $756 million drop in economic output between 2019 and 2020 within the arts and recreation sector.
The near impossibility of social distancing and the inflexibility of the supply chain in the arts industry meant those businesses have been some of the last to bounce back to their usual operating models, a City of Melbourne report found.
With border restrictions significantly prohibiting international and interstate visitors from travelling to Victoria, local support has become crucial.
Here are some current and upcoming arts and entertainment events you can attend to support the industry in 2021.
Imaginaria
Imaginaria is an audiovisual immersive experience comprised of technology, light and sound installations to create an interactive landscape suitable for all ages.
Sounds, scents and lights are activated when movement is sensed by visitors walking through the installations, creating an alluring and futuristic experience.
The one-hour session includes popular interactives such as light mazes, echo waves and giant inflatables which give off light and sound.
The installation is situated at District Docklands until May 23 and tickets can be purchased online.
Prices range from $23.95 to $29.95.
Malthouse Outdoor Stage
For those looking for some evening entertainment in the open air, Malthouse Outdoor Stage has nightly shows lined up until April 18.
The show combines a range of live entertainment including music, comedy, dance, theatre and talks by various local artists.
The artist line-up includes comedy duo Lano and Woodley, musical artist Jude Perl and comedian Eddie Perfect, among many others.
With the artists performing on various nights, a list of the upcoming shows can be found online.
Ticket prices start from $35.
Harry Potter
Harry Potter and The Cursed Child is keeping the magic alive until early October at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre.
Co-written by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne, the two-part play is the eighth instalment in the iconic Harry Potter series.
The story, which picks up immediately from the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, follows Harry Potter’s son, Albus Potter, as he struggles to move out of his father’s shadow during his time at Hogwarts.
To enjoy the full experience, audiences are recommended to watch Part One and Part Two on the same day, or on two consecutive nights.
Ticket prices range from $65 for one part to $450 for both parts and can be purchased via this link.
Rone in Geelong
Rone in Geelong is an exhibition by Geelong-born street artist Tyrone “Rone” Wright at the Geelong Gallery.
Collaborating with interior stylist Carly Spooner, Rone’s exhibition features dilapidated rooms consisting of old furniture and Rone’s renowned large wall paintings.
The exhibition, which will run until May 16, will showcase both Rone’s early designs on street murals and a new collection that represents themes of beauty and decay.
Rone is known for his large street installations commonly seen on the streets of Melbourne.
Tickets for this exhibition range from $7 to $16 and can be purchased here.
YIRRAMBOI Festival
YIRRAMBOI Festival is a First Nations arts and cultural festival that will run from May 6 to 16 across Melbourne.
In the shared language of the Boonwurrung and Woiwurrung peoples, YIRRAMBOI means ‘tomorrow’ and reflects the festival’s celebration of diversity and the future of the culture.
The festival consists of a variety of free and low-cost events from theatre, film, exhibitions, fashion parades and other cultural activities.
Featured events include the Blak Makers Market and the Deadly Funny Showcase, which will be running at the Malthouse Outdoor Stage on May 9 and 14 respectively.
The festival runs every two years with the 2021 YIRRAMBOI Festival being the second event led by Creative Director Caroline Martin.
Tickets to the events can be purchased online.
NGV Triennial
The NGV Triennial is a free exhibition at the National Gallery Victoria running until April 18.
The exhibition showcases a variety of international designs consisting of 86 projects by more than 100 artists and designers from more than 30 countries.
The projects include light displays, sculptures, large-scale paintings, architectural designs and other works that touch on social issues such as environment, gender and culture.
A notable feature of the exhibition is a 14 metre-wide octopus by South African designer, Porky Hefer, consisting of cigarette butts created using felt.
The display sheds light on the adverse effects litter and pollution cause to the ocean and its animals.
Tickets to the NGV Triennial are free but should be booked online to avoid missing out, with a small number of tickets available at the door.
