NGV Artbeat is the dynamic new division of NGV Members.

Created specifically for young people interested in exploring Melbourne’s visual arts scene, it offers members special access to The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square & NGV International on St Kilda Road, while at the same time providing the opportunity to meet new people with a shared interest in the visual arts.

See art in a different light every Wednesday from 4 Jul to 3 Oct, when the NGV comes alive with a variety of talks, live performances, music, fine food and wine.

See more here

The era of a radio megastar is coming to an end in Australia and future shock jocks can expect more modest salaries compared to the large pay packet earned by radio legend John Laws, his boss says.

The man known as the “Golden Tonsils” announced on Monday he would pull the plug on a 55-year broadcasting career when he leaves Sydney-based radio station 2UE in November.

That means 2UE owner Southern Cross Broadcasting Ltd will escape contractual obligations believed to be between $4 million and $4.5 million per year out to 2010. 

Will you miss Lawsie? Let us know. Have your say right here…

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Perth Convention Exhibition Centre — JULY 6, 7, 8 2007

The annual WA Wine & Food Festival stages a colourful showcase of the finest wine and culinary fare Western Australia has to offer and has grown to be the most renowned celebration of wine and food in the state. Its success is built on the three fundamental elements of enjoyment – wine, food and entertainment – a formula which has been proven over time.

To tantalise your tastebuds even further, visitors can take in the activity from the many demonstration stages throughout the venue where celebrity chefs will be showing off their latest culinary delights matched by WA’s best wine.

Read more here

The Craft & Quilt Fairs are Australia’s premier craft event. The Fair tours 10 locations across Australia and New Zealand making it a must see event for any craft enthusiast. The Fairs are a dynamic combination of inspirational displays, education, and access to buy the latest products, tools, kits and accessories for every craft imaginable.

When and Where

Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair
June 27 – July 1, 2007

Sydney Exhibition Centre
Halls 1, 2 and 3
Darling Drive
Darling Harbour, Pyrmont NSW

Wednesday – Sunday
9am – 5pm Daily

Craft Classes commence Monday 25th June.

Read more here

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Another weekend and another round of price hikes at service station pumps.

With an election looming, Prime Minister John Howard says he’s willing to give the national competition watchdog greater powers to monitor oil companies amid claims of price-gouging.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chairman Graeme Samuel has warned them they will face greater regulation if bowser prices fail to rise and fall in line with benchmark Singapore indicators.

Mr Howard agrees but adds that the Federal Government has no direct power to set prices. While these powers exist at a state level, the PM questions the wisdom of trying to control prices, saying “you might interfere with supply”.

But will shaming oil companies be enough to give motorists a fair go? Tell us what you think!

A new Rugby League film hit the screens recently at the Sydney Film Festival. The Final Winter, which stars Matthew Johns, Matt Nable – who wrote the film – and John Jarratt was a last-minute inclusion in the prestigious film event.

The story centres on a team loosely based on the Newtown Jets, a foundation NSW club that was kicked out of the main competition in 1983. A gritty league documentary proving popular with the audiences. ”Whether you’re a rugby league fan or an AFL fan or union or soccer or whatever, what happens in this film is really a metaphor for what happened across all sport,” said Nable.

Read more here

The Bonyi International Youth Music Festival is an exciting new week-long event for school-aged musicians and singers from around the world.

To be held in Brisbane, Australia over the period 1 – 6 July 2007, Bonyi will offer participation in the following areas:

- Orchestra
- Strings – orchestra/ensemble
- Symphonic Wind Band/Brass Ensemble
- Choral

It is intended that Bonyi will be held bi-annually and become Australia’s largest and best youth music event.

Read more here

 The Queensland Music Festival will bring together several thousand Australian and international musicians to present a diverse program of performances to more than 100,000 people throughout Queensland.

Through the universal language of music, Queensland Music Festival will unite the disparate communities of our state in a celebration of the shared stories, cultures and experiences that epitomise the richness and diversity of Queensland’s musical and geographical landscapes.

In Brisbane, Queensland Music Festival will showcase the best of local, national and international musical talents in a program of musical excellence including old and new opera, classical recitals, jazz, chamber music, pop, rock and cross-cultural musical exchanges featuring indigenous musicians from Australia as well as our Pacific and Asian neighbours.

Performances will be staged at a number of venues throughout south-east Queensland, including QPAC, the Brisbane Powerhouse, La Boite’s Roundhouse Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium, Judith Wright Centre, Southbank Parklands, Customs House, Masonic Memorial Temple, University of Queensland, Jimbour House Ampitheatre and Caboolture Lakes.

Queensland Music Festival
Our State of Play
13 – 29 July 2007
qmf.org.au

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