Melbourne Festival 2011: September 10th to September 24th

The Melbourne Festival consists of an Art and Architecture Trail and a Festival of Performing Arts. The Art and Architecture Trail, the core of the Festival, takes place over the middle weekend, September 17th - 18th. The Festival of Performing Arts takes place over a fortnight from September 9th - 24th. Last year nearly 4000 people visited the Trail and over 1500 attended the concerts. We are hoping for a big turnout again this year.

Melbourne Festival Art and Architecture Trail features more than 60 private houses, public halls and churches hosting visiting artists. This year The Dower House, Castle House, The Hollow and many others houses have volunteered to host artists, none of these homes are normally open to the public. Over 100 professional artists and craftsmen and women exhibit alongside good amateurs, local schools and art groups in these houses and halls in the heart of Melbourne.

All of the work on the Trail is original, for sale and the artist and craftsman or woman all accompany their work and many will be demonstrating their skills. There will be paintings, photography, pottery, sculpture and jewellery - in fact something for every taste and pocket. We always like to include a variety of special activities over the Trail weekend and 2011 is no different! Artists @ Arts Melbourne our local group of professional artists are out in force again this year look out for their logo to identify members exhibiting around the Trail this year. We are also pleased to welcome Peak District Artisans back to Melbourne. Don’t miss the wealth of other creative talent along the Trail including the installation by Elaine Lim-Newton, public participation photography project with Angelika Dennis and and creating a huge shot of colour and energy Surtal Arts will be brightening the Trail with a Bollywood style flash mob - don’t miss it!

As in previous years, food will be in various locations around the Trail including Castle House, Bill Shone Leisure Centre, Melbourne Senior Citizen Centre and numerous restaurants and pubs in the centre of the village, local charities will also be providing refreshments.
For those visitors with restricted mobility there is an Easy Access Trail highlighting properties which can easily be visited.

Children will be specially catered for with a special, safe area for young children with plenty to amuse them at the Wesley Hall and Athenaeum in Potter Street with an Art Exhibition showing work from the local schools and playgroups.

The Festival of Performing Arts has become more adventurous and more successful each year selling over 1500 seats in 2010 we anticipate filling even more in 2011! Just to whet everyone’s appetites the 2011 starts with Rock Night and a Gala Opening Concert by A Choir’d Taste, it continues with Hothouse Big Band, Nigel John – arguably the best Elton John tribute act in the UK- and closes with the Kinder Choir. The Comedy Club is back by popular demand and for those who enjoy the spoken word Ten Poems about Tea! Also the young (and young at heart) are invited to join Mr Toad in the Wind in the Willows or learn circus skills at Magical Mayhem!
A full list of concerts and performances in 2011 is available on the concerts page of this website – call our booking office on 07962 430450 and get your tickets ahead of the crowd!

Photographs supplied by members
of Melbourne Photographic Society