The Weekender March 14 – 16
CATCH a flick at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, get into the ’80s mood with a double feature at The Astor Theatre, test your heat limits at the Herb and Chilli Festival, or see something different at the Festival of Live Art. Daniel Driscoll keeps you in the know this weekend.
24th Melbourne Queer Film Festival
Thursday, March 13 – Monday, March 24 (Various times); ACMI, Federation Square (Corner Swanston and Flinders St, Melbourne), Hoyts Melbourne Central (Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, Level 3, Swanston St) and Loop Bar (23 Meyers Place, Melbourne)
Image supplied.
The Melbourne Queer Film Festival is back for its 24th year, returning to ACMI at Federation Square once again.
Celebrating queer film in its various forms, the festival is full of things to see including the well received 52 Tuesdays, 16 short films and must see documentaries including Gore Vidal – The United States of Amnesia.
If you need a break from the flurry of films, the festival has alternative activities on offer with speed dating for guys and gals, gay bingo and a comedy night featuring some of Australia’s best comics situated around the venue. With films this good on offer the festival is not to be missed!
More on the 24th Melbourne Queer Film Festival can be found over at the film festival’s website.
Predator/Die Hard Double Feature at The Astor
Friday, March 14 (7.30 pm); The Astor Theatre (1 Chapel St, St Kilda)
Image: The Astor Theatre
Guns, muscles, wisecracks and dead bad guys by the dozen – it must be time for some ’80s action goodness!
What better place to catch a double feature of ’80s classics Predator and Die Hard than at The Astor Theatre! With its art deco look and state of the art sound system, you can’t get a better mix of the old and the new.
John McTiernan shot these two films a year apart – Predator in 1987, Die Hard in 1988 – and they’ve stood the test of time in the pantheon of great action movies. If you haven’t seen them before, it’s probably best if you “get to the chopper” (or get to The Astor rather) to catch them in all their action packed glory.
Adult tickets for both films will be $15 and while concession prices for both films will cost you $14.
For more information on the double or to see what else is showing at The Astor Theatre, head on over to their official website.
Herb and Chilli Festival 2014
Saturday, March 15 – Sunday, March 16 (10.00am – 5.00pm) Romantic Nursery (25 Quayle Rd, Wandin)
Image: xia.aike via Flickr
If you’re into your chilli and love good food then the third annual Herb and Chilli Festival is for you.
Situated in the gorgeous Yarra Valley, this weekend there’s a volcano of heat brewing at the Romantic Nursery. There will be 60 stalls offering wine and beer, unusual food stuffs you won’t find at your local supermarket, herbs and plants.
A chilli cook-off will be held and if think you cook a mean batch, why not enter? There’s $300 up for grabs if your chilli really knocks the judges socks off. There are 30 plants on offer including Ghost chillies and Australia’s super hot variety, Butch T.
But it’s not all about the heat as there will also be herb related dishes from around the world. Don’t leave without buying a sauce or two to add to your collection! There will also be opportunities to learn how to cook, grow and use herbs and chillies. Book online to receive a free sombrero!
Concession/Students prices will set you back $16 while Adult tickets will cost $22.
For more information check out the festival’s official website site or Facebook page
Festival of Live Art: Sunsets in the West Opening Night Party
Saturday, March 15 (5.00pm – 9.00pm); Footscray Community Arts Centre (45 Moreland St, Footscray)
Image: Festival of Live Art
The Festival of Live Art gets going with their free opening night party, Sunsets in the West at the Footscray Community Arts Centre (FCAC) this Saturday.
Spontaneous acts of live art will surprise as the line between performer and audience is blurred. Audiences will enjoy musical street performances as they make their way inside FCAC, where music acts including Sugar Fed Leopards and local band The Hakkets will rock the night.
Watch the sun set while participating in a live art experience. Sunsets in the West is a party not to be missed!
For more information check out FOLA: Sunset’s site.