Going to the theatre is expensive in Melbourne. Going to a main stage theatre is super expensive. 4…read moretimes the cost of a movie ticket. MTC, with their fabulous Southbank Theatre, and interesting well produced plays makes that worthwhile, every once in a while. We'll be talking about the Cherry Orchard for easily four times longer than a film. Inspiring, intriguing, interesting.

I came for the Kylie on Stage Exhibit - a small but thoughtful display of her stage costumes. They…read moreare gorgeous and it's nice to see all the detail up close, plus learn more about the designers and the inspiration for them. (And it was free!) This venue is also home to ballet performances, stage productions, city tours, and workshops for people of all ages. It's definitely worth checking out their schedule of events. It's a very easy walk from Flinders St Station.

Currently undergoing some re-development; it will be so extraordinary and fantastic once those…read morerenovations are completed next year. A great hang out spot where there is a Melbourne Festival lounge available for when this event is on, and of course this establishment is also home to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl for concerts and christmas carol events in the Domain area. The main entrance is situated on St Kilda Road, just opposite the NGV International, and it is divine with quality theatre and classical events. It was interesting taking the tour of the facility, which goes for about an hour off hand. I think off hand the earliest time is 11am, and for $15 a pop; not the best value for money in town; however it was time fairly well spent, plus your given a glass of bubbly all inclusive. A great day design plan would be to enjoy this tour, and then head further down St Kilda Road till you get to the domain and the botanical gardens to finish it off with some high quality nature. Overall, I think this establishment will be more inviting and spectacular once the renovation works are complete. We will have to wait until 2012 and see.

I support the arts, unabashedly and whole heartedly. Footscray community arts centre has the best…read moregallery spaces in the west. The centre consists of two major spaces. The Warehouse, and Henderson House. Henderson House is a bluestone building that is listed on the National Trust Register of Historic Buildings. Spaces in Henderson House include the Basement Lounge, Basement Theatre, the Gabriel Gallery. It also houses the offices of a variety of arts tenants and two Artists-in-Residence studios. The Warehouse The recently redeveloped warehouse building, located immediately next to Henderson House, is home to the Roslyn Smorgon Gallery, the Performance Space, the Digital Media Hub, the Warehouse Meeting Room, two Visual Art Studios and the Centre's administrative offices. The Warehouse Basement has also been redeveloped, and now is home to Enza's Studio (a large rehearsal space) as well as Mario's Studio (a new art studio). Footscray Community Arts centre, offers many many services opportunities for all the arts, music, dance, performance, visual, all in the one place. Afterwards pop into the happy river cafe for brunch, lunch or a coffee!

The portrayal of Ann Darrow, the young and naive girl from the farm who is put face to face with a…read more40 foot gorilla did not have the opportunity to materialise the bond with kong in the play. The play seemed to fast track to quickly through the story and was slightly confusing from a narrative perspective. The songs were drawn together with the same chains in which Kong was held; breaking so easily prior to the climax. For a story which I know was an expensive endeavor, you would have thought the investors would have demanded more -- cohesive movement through the story. Hats off to the puppeteers! They kept me hooked onto the stage with the large kong. A see if you have never been to a broadway show, maybe. Perhaps wait till Les Mis comes to Melbourne...

Piknic has ruined my Monday…read more I've been to Piknic Electronik (the family-friendly, foodie-friendly Sunday dance festival below Fed Square) twice now, and the following day has consistently been a struggle for me. Dancing and screaming and eating and drinking on a Sunday = struggletown on Monday. Having said that, I REGRET NOTHING. Piknic is a super fun day and while I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for families (there is a lot of booze and oddly-dressed people jumping around) it's a damn fine time if you want to let loose before heading back to the real world. The maximum capacity at Piknic Electronik is not that big, meaning you still have room to dance and never have to wait too long in a line. All bars are completely cashless (on entry you load some money onto a card and use that) so you don't have a pocket full of coins at the end of the day. If you love electronic music and a good boogie while looking out at the stunning Melbourne skyline - Piknic is a must before it finishes up at the end of March.

What a great afternoon. A well organised series of events held in the CBD. Piknic Electronik had it…read moreall. Great food stalls, awesome DJ's - was stoked to see Kate Miller live. Awesome set. We had a wonderful time dancing and eating. It was also great to see families there too. I hope this event happens every year.

This gem of a performance space is nestled on a lot in Carlton. The Melba Spiegeltent (literally…read moremeaning 'mirrored tent') is beautiful. It was originally built 100 years ago in Germany. Mirrors adorn the wood posts and coloured glass fills the windows. There are cosy booths circling the back. But I prefer a seat out on the floor where my view isn't obstructed by those pesky (but pretty) mirrored posts. There is also a basic bar at the back with beer and wine to quench your thirst during performances. The venue is home to Circus Oz, but truth be told, I've only seen one-off performances by other artists here. The programming seems to lean towards the safe side - with cabarets where your work colleagues or mother could join you for a show. I recommend the Spiegeltent for an atmospheric night of theatre.

The Fairfax Studio is my preferred sort of theatre. Why, you ask? Is it because of the stage? No,…read moreeven though the ampitheatre style space challenges the production to create something far more interesting than would happen with more forgiving props and scenery options. Is it because of the seating? No, for even though each seat is given a clear view of the stage (with all acoustic considerations) they are quite dated and not as comfortable as some of the others in the Arts Centre. You are getting quite frustrated with this game. Is it because of the setting? I am tempted to say yes, for descending an unassuming staircase to arrive in a 90s foyer deep underneath St Kilda Road really makes for an escapist sort of evening. It's quite other-worldly, especially once we're seated in such an intimate space; for, despite the size of the theatre, it feels, even in the back row, as if you're only a few steps away from the action. You raise your hands in frustration. Why? Why do I like this space so much? It's because when latecomers arrive, as indeed they will, they are straight away ushered into what can only be referred to as the naughty seats. And for this, I thank the designers with all my heart.