Melbourne will billow its cultural cape again this winter with a show-stopping line up of inspiring international exhibitions, theatre productions and musical spectaculars, festivals, events and cultural delights. <\/p>\n
Reinforcing its reputation as a leading cultural destination, Melbourne will host two of the country\u2019s largest exhibitions as part of this year\u2019s eagerly anticipated Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, one of the biggest events on the Australian arts calendar. <\/p>\n
In a Melbourne exclusive, European Masters: St\u00e4del Museum, 19th-20th Century brings to the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International) more than 100 works from 70 of the world\u2019s most influential artistic luminaries, including Monet, C\u00e9zanne, Renoir, Degas and Picasso, as well as some \u2013 such as Munch, Beckmann and Klinger \u2013 whose work is rarely seen in Australia. Opening on June 19, this is the first time this extraordinary collection from Frankfurt\u2019s St\u00e4del Museum is to be displayed outside Europe giving Australian audiences a rare opportunity to engage with truly revolutionary examples of modern art from seven of Europe\u2019s major art movements. <\/p>\n
In a second artistic coup, Tim Burton: The Exhibition will open at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) on June 24, coming direct from New York\u2019s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Inviting visitors to step into Burton\u2019s magical worlds and experience an unprecedented glimpse into the fanciful mind of the auteur, whose vision has been admired in movies including Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, Sweeny Todd and more recently Alice in Wonderland, the retrospective showcases 700 examples of rare and never-before-seen photographs, paintings, drawings, puppets, storyboards and costumes as well as short films and animations. ACMI will have public lectures and a 10-day film festival screening concurrently with the exhibition in July. <\/p>\n
Further magic is to be enjoyed on Melbourne\u2019s stages this winter. Theatregoers will be spoilt for choice with a whole troupe of mesmerising musicals at Melbourne\u2019s historic theatres. <\/p>\n
The young and young at heart will be treated to a \u2018spoon full of sugar\u2019 with the latest blockbuster show from Disney and Cameron Mackintosh: Mary Poppins, which takes centre stage at Her Majesty\u2019s Theatre from July 29. The Australian debut of this Broadway and West End stage spectacular that has already won the hearts of audiences worldwide brings together an all-star cast (including Marina Prior, Debra Byrne and Verity Hunt-Ballard) and a joyous mix of singalong songs from the much-loved 1964 Disney film. <\/p>\n
Elsewhere 1950s street gangs, \u201880s leg-warmers and sixties-style beehive hair-do\u2019s will take to the stage for popular musical classics Fame \u2013 The Musical (Regent Theatre), West Side Story (Regent Theatre) and Hairspray (Princess Theatre). <\/p>\n
Film buffs will be able to indulge in a feast of over 300 fabulous films from over 50 countries over 18 days, plus an array of forums and panel discussions with film-makers, thanks to the Melbourne International Film Festival (22 July \u2013 8 August).<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, design aficionados can take delight in more than 75 design delicious events throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria as part of the State of Design Festival\u2019s comprehensive program of awards, exhibitions, forums, workshops and markets (14-25 July). <\/p>\n
Art hounds can find further inspiration in a broad selection of other exhibitions and events including Titanic: The Artefact Exhibition at Melbourne Museum (14 May \u2013 17 October), Melbourne Art Week (2-8 August), the Melbourne Art Fair (4-8 August) and endless artistic gems, commercial galleries and inspiring initiatives throughout the city and state. <\/p>\n
Sports fanatics won\u2019t be left on the bench either with a heart-thumping series of on-field action including the Bledisloe Cup (July 31), Four Nations England vs Australia clash at Melbourne\u2019s new AAMI Park on October 31, the 2010 UCI World Road Championships (29 September \u2013 3 October), Phillip Island\u2019s MotoGP (15-17 October) plus Aussie Rules, A-League soccer and NRL games galore.<\/p>\n
Winter is also the ideal time to explore Melbourne\u2019s myriad of lanes and arcades for all manner of hidden treasures: edgy clothes labels, eclectic jewellery, one-off homewares, tucked away cafes and underground bars. <\/p>\n
With so much to see and do, tours are a great, time-efficient way to explore Melbourne\u2019s attractions and landmarks, accompanied by a passionate local expert. Some options include:
\u2022 Hidden Secrets Tours \u2013 including Lanes and Arcades Tour
\u2022 Walk to Art walking tour
\u2022 Diggin\u2019 Melbourne \u2013 a self guided tour for vinyl record lovers
\u2022 Photography Made Easy walking tours
\u2022 Melbourne Shopping Tour \u2013 tailored luxury, chauffeured shopping tours
\u2022 Melbourne Sports Tours \u2013 including new Fame & Glory Tour<\/p>\n
Lose yourself in Melbourne during the cooler months and you\u2019ll find there\u2019s no time for winter blues. <\/p>\n