Fringe Closing Party, Nautical Art, The Boroughs, Shoe Shines & Cocktails this Weekend

The Boroughs
Do you feel like partying in Noo Yark this weekend but don’t have the green? US music and culture festival “The Boroughs”, inspired by the underground culture of the five boroughs of New York, is coming to Melbourne this weekend. Headlining are the New York Dolls, with supports from The Hello Morning, Passport for Amy and the Fearless Vampire Killers to name a few. There will also be competitions, DJ’s, visual artists, market stalls, galleries and some gnarly skating going on.
What: The Boroughs – NYC Culture Festival. All day, licenced, 18+
When: Saturday 8 October
Where: Globe Headquarters, 1 Fennel Street, Port Melbourne
Web: http://theboroughs.com.au

Art of the High Seas me Hearties!
Tonight the Mission to Seafarers (one of our favourite places in Melbourne) is setting sail with the 2011 ANL Maritime Art Prize and Exhibition. The show ‘explores the relationship between humanity and the sea’ with paintings from salty sea dogs aft, starboard and centre. If all that water’s making you thirsty rest those land-lubbing legs at the Mission’s bar, a work of art itself made from old corks, bottles and glass.
What: Maritime Art
Where: Mission to Seafarers, 717 Flinders St, Docklands
When: Now until October 23
Web: www.missiontoseafarers.com.au

Shoe Shine & Singapore Slings
Now that daylight savings is here there’s scientifically more weekend to be had, and Bar Americano’s making sure you start it on the right foot. From 12.30pm the classy cocktail bar will be offering shoe shines (courtesy of Kay Kay from Shine Shoe Shine) and Americano’s for $10 pop. Bottoms up.
What: Shoe Shines & Boozin’
Where: Bar Americano, 20 Presgrave Place, Melbourne
When: Fridays from 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Web: www.baramericano.com

Assembly
Those cool dancing cats at Chunky Move have teamed up with Victorian Opera to present ‘Assembly’, choreographed by Gideon Obarzanek in his final and fittingly epic work with the dance company. ‘Assembly’ explores the motion of crowds and the individuals within, with over 60 performers tied together in a mesmerising display of movement and voice. A event that’s worth getting a group together for.
What: Epic performance
When: Thurs 6 – Sat 8 October
Where: Melbourne Recital Centre, 31 Sturt St, Southbank
Web: http://chunkymove.com.au/Our-Works/Current-Productions/Assembly.aspx

Get Read to Rumble
“Witness the cream of Melbourne Fringe Festival’s performers, hand picked to enter into mortal combat in the Red Bennies wrestling ring of carny carnage! Burlesque vs Vaudeville! Comedians vs Cabaret! Mime vs Circus! All to the sounds of live surf rock and hosted by non other than Melbourne’s own Mikelangelo and the Tin Star!” You know that scene in From Dusk Till Dawn at the Titty Twister before everyone turns to vampires? You know the one. I reckon it will be a bit like that but with less snakes and more wrestling, or something… I dunno, but I sure want to find out.
What: Surf Western Cabaret Wresting
When: Sunday 9 October
Where: Red Bennies, Lv 1, 373 Chapel St South Yarra
Web: www.melbournefringe.com.au/fringe-festival/show/red-bennies-royal-rumble/

Phoenix Launch & Monday Show
After warming up over the last few weeks this Friday sees the official launch of Phoenix Public House. World’s End Press will be playing. They are pretty good. I’ve met a few of the folks behind Phoneix and can vouch for at least a couple of them. They’re alright. Also playing at Phoenix on Monday are Allbrook/Avery (featuring Nick Allbrook from Tame Impala) Chook Race, These Patterns & Rabbit Island. I reckon it’s the best line up since The Donkey Room and it’s on a Monday and we all know Monday is the new Friday.
What: Launch and Show
When: Friday 7 Oct & Monday 10 Oct
Where: Phoenix Public House, 133 Sydney Road (cnr Union Street) Brunswick

Closing Time
The Fringe Festival Closing Party may sound like a good time, but to be honest it’s not. If you’re not with the right people and don’t time it properly it’s big wait in line to get in, then a lot of boring awards being handed out, then if you’re lucky a free drink or two before hobnobbing with some performers. You’ll most likely end up stuck chatting, not to an intelligent engaging and modest entertainer, or that attractive ventriloquist you’ve got a crush on, but to one of those desperate needy attention-seeker types who will make fun of your shirt. So unless you’re already a fair bit drunk or you’ve received a text message from an incredibly beautiful girl with whom you’re already rather smitten asking to come meet her there, or both, it’s an event best avoided. Come to think of it, even if you do get that text message don’t get your hopes up, no matter how much you love her she’s never going to take to the zoo. You’ll just have to accept that and let it go.
What: Fringe Closing Party
Where: Fringe Club – Arts House, 521 Queensberry St North Melbourne
When: Saturday 8 October 10.30pm
Web: www.melbournefringe.com.au/fringe-festival/show/fringe-awards-closing-party/

In The Groove
The peeps from In The Cut aren’t going to let some litigation and the threat of a $150 000 fine disrupt them from putting on their third art show, Vol. 3 this weekend. More a street party than an exhibition, Vol. 3’s about art, the music that inspires it and having a good time. They’ll be work from the likes of Deb, Braddock and Flake while music comes courtesy of The Delta Riggs, One/Six and Van Grizzly himself (the lovely chap who opened Grizzly Espresso this week). All proceeds go to the artists and there’s free beer for early birds. Get flappin’.
What: Street Art Music Party
Where: Goodtime Studio Basement, 746  Swanston St Carlton
When: Sat 8 October, 8pm – 1am, tickets $10
Web: www.inthecut.com.au