MELBOURNE BELOW
- The Calendar of Times Past -

Farming and food production have strong connections to us all. Join us on a journey through three film nights as we explore some of the darker sides of our relationship with food. Issues ranging from industrial factory farming and genetically engineering of food to the loss of food sovereignty and threat to food security will be addressed. We’ll have a short discussion of some of the problems raised and pose solutions and actions we can all take.

The short documentary on Melbourne's 'Food not Bombs' (6 min) will be followed by a documentary titled 'We feed the world' (95 min - subtitles) which Desert consists of the spoof Matrix animation titled ‘Meatrix’ (5 min) where Moothius and Leo discover the impacts of factory farming.

WHERE: Loop Bar, 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne CBD near Spring and Bourke Streets.

WHEN: From 6:30PM.

Free Entry.

Drinks and food available from the bar.

Seating is limited and RSVP is preferred.

Dorothy Porter has published thirteen books: six collections of poetry, two novels and five verse novels. Her most recent verse novel is EL DORADO - a noir crime thriller set in Melbourne. Her best-selling crime thriller in verse THE MONKEY'S MASK has been adapted for the stage, radio, and released internationally as a film. Dorothy has read all over the world, from London to Medellin. She was awarded the FAW Christopher Brennan Medal for Poetry in 2002. Dorothy has also written two opera libretti and a double CD, BEFORE TIME COULD CHANGE US. In 2006 Dorothy Porter edited THE BEST AUSTRALIAN POEMS.

Andrea Goldsmith trained intially as a speech pathologist and worked for many years with children with cerebral palsy and severe communication impairments. Her novels include Gracious Living and The Prosperous Thief, (short-listed for the Miles Franklin award.) Andrea's new novel is Reunion. A story of friendship, love, intellectual strivings and untimely death, it will be published by 4th Estate next year. Andrea's essays have been published widely. Andrea has taught creative writing throughout Australia, and mentors new writers.

'ink: celebrating writers' is a partnership between Stonnington Libraries and the Fellowship of Australian Writers.

Entry $5 - includes a drink.

Doors open at 7pm.

Council Chambers,
Prahran Town Hall,
Cnr Chapel and Greville Streets,
Prahran 3181.

Written by Derek Benfield,
Directed by Brian Uniacke.

Two couples, an isolated hotel, a romantic weekend away - what could go wrong? Plenty! Little do they know that each couple is married to the respective partner! Throw in a porter who is running the hotel while his sister is on holiday who finds himself caught up in the lies and deception as these couples find out the other is in the same building. A very funny comedy, not to be missed.

WHERE: Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd Beaumaris 3193. (Melway 86 G6.)

WHEN: Ensemble rehearsed performances Friday July 4th, Saturday July 5th at 8pm.

COST: Prices for July 4th and 5th are adults $18, all others $15.

Bookings 9583 6896 or email beaumaristheatre@optusnet.com.au

Food and Quiz Night at the MSFC!

American Food.

We have a great pleasure in serving up hot dogs, french fries & salad, followed by apple pie and ice cream.

Doors open 8.00pm.
Quiz starts 9.00pm.

COSTS:

• Food: $6.50 Members, $7.50 Visitors.
• Trivia: $3.00 Members, $4.00 Visitors.
• Food and Trivia: $8.00 Members, $9.00 Visitors.

Socialising and use of the library: FREE!

DIAMOND VALLEY SINGERS presents "KISMET."

Performances are on Friday July 4th (8 p.m.), Saturday July 5th (2 p.m.), Sunday July 6th (2 p.m.), Wednesday July 9th (8 p.m.), Friday July 11th (8 p.m.) and Saturday July 12th (2 p.m. and 8 p.m.).

Opening night (Friday July 4th) is sold out. Tickets are still available for all other performances.

Ticket prices are $25 adults, $20 concession and $60 family, with a low price of $18 for large groups.

You can obtain tickets by ringing Callum (9444 0537), sending an email or by printing out a booking form and posting it to the address on the form after filling it out.

Opens: Thursday 3 July 2008 (from 6:30pm).
Exhibition Dates: 4 July - 23 July.

Angelique Houtkamp is an internationally renowned artist with her roots in tattoo culture. Her new works evoke a world of sweet-hearts, broken-hearts and wearing your heart on your sleeve.

Love and darkness are always present in an uneasy duality throughout Angelique's new body of work for Outré Gallery; "Till Death Do Us Part". Delicate sorrow, loving looks and painful nostalgia.

This exhibition comes on the tail of the release of her recent monograph "Tattoo Darling" published by Outré Gallery to an international crowd of avid fans.

"The last year I have been spending more time on painting than tattooing, but if I haven't tattooed for a while I really start to miss it. The difference between them is that tattooing comes with so much responsibilities, like putting a mark on somebody for life and it has to be perfect. Opposed to painting, I can just do my own thing and if nobody likes it that's cool too." - Angelique Houtkamp 2007.

Angelique evokes tattoo culture in her art through a shared discursive language. The style of bold line work and strong symbolic combinations. All the while implying elusive stories of time, loss, love, death, beauty and pain. Expect dreamy dollfaces, classic tattoo imagery, twisted iconography and some unexpected magic out of the Angelique bag in the form of some technical sidestepping.

ALTONA CITY THEATRE presents "CATS."

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Based on "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" by T.S. Eliot

By arrangement with ORiGiN Theatrical
on behalf of The Really Useful Group Limited

Cats Logo TM © 1981 The Really Useful Group Limited.

When CATS first hit the theatre world the response was amazing. No human characters, only CATS. No dialogue, only singing. Dancing from start to finish. Integration of lighting into the overture and the music throughout the show. A musical that was not plot driven. A show that used famous poetry as the only lyrics. An indistinct line between audience and cast that allowed a breakthrough of the fourth wall and then, heaven forbid, direct interaction with the audience. Audiences were suspicious because of the dramatic change. But as more and more people shared the experience, CATS took the world by storm. Do not miss this chance to experience the phenomenon that is CATS.

PERFORMANCES:

• Friday, 4th July, 8pm - Gala Opening ($41 adult / $36 conc. / $144 family.)
• Saturday, 5th July, 8pm.
• Sunday, 6th July, 5pm.
• Thursday, 10th July, 8pm.
• Friday, 11th July, 8pm.
• Saturday, 12th July, 2pm.
• Saturday, 12th July, 8pm.
• Sunday, 13th July, 5pm.
• Thursday, 17th July, 8pm.
• Friday, 18th July, 8pm.
• Saturday, 19th July, 8pm.
• Sunday, 20th July, 2pm.
• Thursday, 24th July, 8pm.
• Friday, 25th July, 8pm.
• Saturday, 26th July, 8pm.

Performances are held at the Altona Theatre, 115 Civic Parade, Altona.

Show your tickets at Pier Lounge for dinner before a performance and receive a 10% discount off your meal!

TICKET PRICES:
Adults: $35
Concession: $30
Family (2 adults, 2 conc.): $120
$30 each for groups of 10+
(unless otherwise specified)

Click here to order tickets online or phone 0425 705 550 or download and mail the Booking Form.

Speaker: Dr. Ani Wierenga.
Acclaimed Scholar and Intrepid Explorer

Topic: Social Well-being, The Learning from Bhutan.

The Mission: conduct a study in Bhutan to gauge the effectiveness of current youth programs and to produce a framework for the Government's youth policy.

The Problem: How can Bhutan survive the modernisation process including the impact of television and higher education of the young people without losing the cultural values that have traditionally made it unique?

"I think we can learn a lot through our encounters with another culture. Here is a country which has shunned the notion of Gross National Product in order to focus on Gross National Happiness – a vision which guides Bhutan's modernisation."

Join us to hear the results of this fascinating research.

9am Breakfast.

Booking: Ph 9819 3239 or 9819 3502
Cost: $20 or $12 concession.
Venue: Augustine Centre, 2 Minona Street, Hawthorn.

For those of you who caught part one in 2007, here comes part two of "Collectables and Collecting."

Last year we covered autographs and how to frame autographs, lithographs and posters.

We also briefly covered action figures and their conditions.

Now we cover other topics like:

• Is it collectable just because the packet says so?
• Prop replicas: fan created and authorised replicas.
• Onscreen used props, hero props or just general background "you've seen one you've seen them all" props.
• How to get those rare, hard to get items, as well as how to care for them, display them, and what should be locked up in a safe!

So, what's it all about? In 2005, Universal released a movie called Serenity directed by Joss Whedon. The movie was based on the fan favourite TV show called "Firefly" which was created by Whedon. "Firefly" was cancelled by the Fox Network after screening only 10 episodes in the US. However, the complete series (14 episodes) were released as a DVD box set & sold in such numbers that fans around the world (known as "Browncoats" after the heroes of the show) and Joss were able to convince Universal to make a movie based on the show. In 2006, Browncoats around the world (including myself) came together to organise charity screenings of Serenity as a "Thank You" to Joss and Universal for making the movie and to raise funds and awareness for Joss' chosen charity, Equality Now.

Equality Now was founded in 1992 to work for the protection and promotion of the human rights of women around the world. Working with national human rights organizations and individual activists, Equality Now documents violence and discrimination against women and mobilizes international action to support their efforts to stop these human rights abuses.

Over the past 2 years, Can't Stop The Serenity has raised over US$160000 for Equality Now. This year, our global target is US$150,000 from screenings in 55 cities around the world.

Farming and food production have strong connections to us all. Join us on a journey through three film nights as we explore some of the darker sides of our relationship with food. Issues ranging from industrial factory farming and genetically engineering of food to the loss of food sovereignty and threat to food security will be addressed. We’ll have a short discussion of some of the problems raised and pose solutions and actions we can all take.

The feature documentary 'Lost in Palm Oil' (63 min) investigates the negative impacts that oil palm plantations have on forests, climate change, water pollution, biodiversity, with a focus on Indigenous communities in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. How does this relate to food? Palm oil shows us that food issues, forests, people, culture and animals are interconnected. Palm Oil is used in 1 in 10 supermarket products, yet there no requirement for it to be labelled. Guest speaker Jessica McKelson from the Melbourne Zoo Orangutan Sanctuary will present an uplifting slide show of her recent trip to Nyaru Menteng Gunung Leseur National Park in Indonesia where she saw the impacts of Palm Oil on the Orangutan population first hand. The wild organutan population is heading towards extinction, but the rescues and release work witnessed by Jess gives us hope that there is a future for them.

WHERE: Loop Bar, 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne CBD near Spring and Bourke Streets.

WHEN: From 6:30PM.

Free Entry.

Drinks and food available from the bar.

Seating is limited and RSVP is preferred.

*Meet us at 7pm in the foyer to buy tickets for the 7.30pm screening.*

MELBOURNE SCIENCE FICTION CLUB meet at St. David's United Church Hall, 74 Melville Road, Brunswick West from 8PM.

Tom Jones is rich, ripe and rowdy. Tom, a man much beset by women and Squire Allworthy's adopted son, falls victim to the charms of one rustic wench after another, until at last the Squire grows tired of the trouble he causes and sends him off to cause it elsewhere. Then Tom becomes entangled with three women at once - one of whom he truly loves.

WHEN:
Friday 11 & 18 July at 8:00PM.
Saturday 12 & 19 July at 8:00PM.
Sunday 13 July at 2:00PM.

WHERE: George Jenkins Theatre, Monash University, McMahons Rd., Frankston. (Melway: 102 F4 Map 476 Building A.)

COST: Adults $26.50, Concession $24.50, Groups of 10+ $24.50. (Bookings: Phone 9905 1111 or ONLINE at http://www.monash.edu/monart/)

Friday & Saturdays 11 - 20 July at 8pm.
Sunday Matinees 13th & 20th July at 2pm.

Adults: $20.
Concession: $16.
Family: $65.

Book now: 9437 1574.
Credit card facilities over the phone now available!
(Not on night at ticketbox)

Labyrinth Masquerade is on again! Bigger, brighter and more exciting!

Held this year in the grand and glorious Regal Ballroom, Labyrinth Masquerade 2008 is swiftly shaping into a swirling splendour of mad merriness and fabulous frivolity, a glittering night realm where baronesses dance with beasties, fairies play with princes and the world is full of the colourful cornucopia of creatures that live in our unlimited imagination.

Saturday, 12 July 2008.
The Regal Ballroom
218 High St Northcote, Melbourne.
7pm - 2am.

Check out the new website for full details:

http://www.guildofthegoldenowl.com/

ART & FASHION

Labyrinth Masquerade 2008 features a Fantasy Fashion Show and Fantasy Art Competition. We're now looking for Artists for the Art Exhibition/Competition, and Fashion Designers, Hair and Make-up Artists, and Models for the Fashion Show.

Fashion entries can include costumes, wigs, hats, body art, tattoos, and anything weird and outlandish, decadent and surreal that fits a fantasy theme. Entry is FREE and all Designers and their models receive complimentary tickets to the event. Check the Fantasy Fashion Show attachment for details.

Art Competition entries can be in any medium, in any fantasy-related theme. This is a chance for your work to be shown and potentially sold to a large and appreciative audience. Entry is FREE and all exhibitors receive complimentary tickets to the event. All artworks are automatically entered in the competition for the Crystal Ball and Sceptre of the Goblin King Awards. Check the Fantasy Art Competition attachment for details.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

Regular Tickets - $25.
Door Tickets - $30 (Cash only).

The Early Worm Ticket Special is now on! Grab your tickets now for the special price of $20 each. Hurry, sale ends 30 May!

She has prepared (for a course on the history of nature) a PowerPoint presentation on the history of the naming of Australian plants, using beautiful botanical art to tell the story.

WHERE: Princes Hill Community Centre (rear 270 MacPherson Street, North Carlton) from 7:30PM.

DONATION: $5-$10.

MELBOURNE SCIENCE FICTION CLUB meet at St. David's United Church Hall, 74 Melville Road, Brunswick West from 8PM.

Dates:July 18th - 20th, 2008.
Venue: The County Court of Victoria and other venues around Melbourne

Program available: May 2008!

An annual event where the public, writers, social commentators, judicial luminaries and the legal profession come together to both celebrate and promote contemporary writings in the fields of justice and human rights, and to overlay these discussions with guest writers in the genre of crime fiction.

Festival Patrons:
International Crime Patron: Ian Rankin.
Australian Crime Patron: Kerry Greenwood.
International Social Justice Patron: Brendan Kilty SC.

For more information please contact Reader's Feast Bookstore.
Email: events@readersfeast.com.au
Phone: (03) 9662 4699.
http://www.readersfeast.com.au/

MELBOURNE SCIENCE FICTION CLUB meet at St. David's United Church Hall, 74 Melville Road, Brunswick West from 8PM.

WHEN: Saturday, July 26th & 27th,2008, from 10am.
WHERE: Victorian Trades Hall.
HOW MUCH? $7 per day / $10 weekend

WHAT IS DOUJICON?

Doujicon (pronounced Doh-OO-gee-Con) is a place where local cartoonists and
animators can sell their works without the worries of other Zine Fairs,
Pop-Culture Expos and Comic Conventions.

At Doujicon, it's all about the comics, and the artists that create them! We know how little there is encouraging new artists to spring up and create their own work. We're aware that it's impossible to get people to pay attention to locally made stuff when Yu-Gi-Oh and Spider Man are competing for your audience's attention and money. And we know all too well that there's no way in hell you're going to turn a profit when you've got to pay $100 or more for a table (although, technically, that IS an option if you want to pay that much) as well as the production costs of your comics.

Been there… Done that…

Upon registering, artists and animators will be given a table for no cost other than that of entry ... That's right, you get a table to sell your wares to the public for only $10!

Doujicon is going to be all about the people that made the cartoon & comic industry what it is today: The people that did it, and continue to do it, themselves.

What's more, we're going to show you that you can do it too!

Where:
Whitehorse Centre (Rear Whitehorse Civic Centre, 397 Whitehorse Road, Nunawading Vic.
Melway Map 48 G9)

To book tickets ring: 9262-6555. (10am to 4:30pm Mon. to Fri.)

ink presents: Kerry Greenwood & David Greagg

City of Stonnington Event
Wednesday 4 June 2008.
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM (Doors Open 7:00 PM).

Kerry Greenwood is the author of more than forty novels and six non-fiction works including the bestselling Corinna Chapman series, and is the editor of two collections. Previous novels in the Phryne Fisher series are Cocaine Blues, Flying Too High and Murder in the Dark. When she is not writing Kerry is an advocate in the Magistrates' Court for the Legal Aid Commission. She is not married, has no children and lives with a registered Wizard.

David Greagg is a pseudonym for David Greagg. He was born in Perth, which is a long way from anywhere except Perth. He is also the author of Eaglehawk, It's True! Burke & Wills Left the Frying-Pan Behind and It's True! The Vikings Got Lost. At various times he has been an economist, accountant, company secretary, policy analyst, astrologer, TV quiz show contestant and teacher of mathematics, chemistry & physics, medieval warrior and accredited wizard. He will do, at various times in the future, other equally unpredictable things.

'ink: celebrating writers' is a partnership between Stonnington Libraries and the Fellowship of Australian Writers.

Entry $5; includes a drink.

Doors open at 7pm.

Council Chambers,
Prahran Town Hall,
Cnr Chapel and Greville Streets,
Prahran 3181.

The School of Philosophy at ACU National in Melbourne warmly invites you to attend the 2008 Wednesday Lectures, a Free Public Lecture Series running each Wednesday for six weeks at 6.30pm.

The lectures are open to everyone and no bookings are required.

Rethinking our Place in Nature

Wednesday 4 June - Raimond Gaita 'The Significance of the Human'

Wednesday 11 June - Clive Hamilton 'Understanding Nature from Ourselves'

Wednesday 18 June - Alex Arbuthnot 'Country and City'

Wednesday 25 June - Deborah Rose 'Indigenous and Western Understandings of Nature'

Wednesday 2 July - Martin Harrison 'Sense and Sustainability'

Wednesday 9 July - Freya Mathews 'The Radical Meaning of Sustainability'

6.30pm at The Christ Lecture Theatre, ACU National, Melbourne Campus (St Patrick's), 115 Victoria Parade Fitzroy.

For further information email: jasmin.chen@acu.edu.au or phone 9953 3160.

About Our Speakers

Alex Arbuthnot is an irrigation dairy farmer from Nambrok in Victoria where he has farmed with his family for 30 years. He is the former President of the Victorian Farmers Federation and is a Director of Landcare Australia Limited. Alex was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1998 for his services to agriculture and landcare and in 2005 was appointed to the Australian Landcare Council representing the National Farmers Federation.

Raimond Gaita is Foundation Professor of Philosophy at ACU National and Professor of Moral Philosophy at King's College London. He is perhaps best known to the general reader for the prize-winning memoir, Romulus, My Father. His other books include Good and Evil: An Absolute Conception, A Common Humanity: Thinking About Love and Truth and Justice and The Philosopher's Dog.

Clive Hamilton is a visiting fellow at the Regulatory Institutions Network, ANU, and former executive director of The Australia Institute, a progressive think tank he founded. He is the author of a number of best-selling books including, Growth Fetish, Affluenza (with Richard Denniss) and Scorcher: the dirty politics of climate change. His next book, The Freedom Paradox: towards a post-secular ethics, will be published on 1 August.

Martin Harrison is an award winning poet, essayist and literary critic. His publications include The Kangaroo Farm, Summer, Music: Poems and Prose, and a collection of essays, Who Wants to Create Australia? concerned with contemporary Australian poetry and senses of place and environment. Harrison is currently Director of Writing and Cultural Studies at the University of Technology, Sydney.

Freya Mathews is Associate Professor in the Philosophy Program at La Trobe University, teaching ecological philosophy and co-ordinating the Environmental Enquiry major. Her books include The Ecological Self, For Love of Matter: A Contemporary Panpsychism and Reinhabiting Reality: Towards a Recovery of Culture. She is also co-editor of the journal, PAN (Philosophy Activism Nature).

Deborah Rose is Senior Research Fellow in the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University. Her research focus is indigenous knowledge and ethics and she has worked with Aboriginal people in their claims to land, and in other decolonising contexts. Her books include the award winning Dingo Makes Us Human and Reports from a Wild Country: Ethics for Decolonisation.

Where: Northcote Library, 32-38 Separation Street, Northcote. (Melway 30 F8).

Nicki Greenberg is a passionate reader, writer and artist. Hear her speak about her graphic novel adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" and the writing and artistic processes.

JANE BADLER (a.k.a Diana) makes a rare in-store appearance at MINOTAUR on Friday 6th June, 5.30 - 7.30pm, to promote her new album of original songwriting, THE DEVIL HAS MY DOUBLE.

The album is a compulsive mix of fame, sex and solitude, set to a sweeping soundtrack of cold soul and passionate synthetics. THE DEVIL HAS MY DOUBLE is a tale of too much, too long - how a charmed life has a price that eventually must be paid.

Giveaways up for grabs, and Jane will also sign your own "V" memorabilia. Minotaur is 121 Elizabeth St, Melbourne.

Album launch with SIR - Saturday 14th June, Toff in Town, Melbourne, 9pm, Supported by Jessica Says.

For more info go to:
http://www.myspace.com/janebadler

Food and Quiz Night at the MSFC!

Chinese Food.

Doors open 8.00pm
Quiz starts 9.00pm

COSTS:

• Food: $6.50 Members, $7.50 Visitors.
• Trivia: $3.00 Members, $4.00 Visitors.
• Food and Trivia: $8.00 Members, $9.00 Visitors.

Socialising and use of the library: FREE!

This is just to let you know that we are taking bookings for Euphoria 2008 - from February 2008. We have made some significant changes to Euphoria this year, the major ones are listed below. More information and booking details are available on our website, and if you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

NEW VENUE: About 1 - 1 1/2 hours North of Melbourne.

NEW DATES & SHORTER EVENT: Euphoria 2008 will take place over the Queens Birthday weekend - 3pm Friday June 6 till after lunch Monday June 9.

NEW MENU: Vegetarian meals as usual Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday
and breakfast Monday. Omnivorous feast Monday lunch.

NEW RITUALS.

SMALLER NUMBERS: In order to help maintain focus, numbers for
Euphoria 2008 will be limited to a maximum of 50 people only.

Have you made/sewn/drawn/computer generated anything Star Trek or Sci Fi related?

Bring it along for our Arts and Crafts session.

Got any amazing, unusual or special Star Trek or Sci Fi items in your collection? Bring them along to show off to the members and visitors.

Tell us the story of how you got it or where it came from, or maybe just give us all a chance to see what you've collected.

*Meet us at 7pm in the foyer to buy tickets for the 7.30pm screening.*

FILM NIGHT: "My Neighbor Totoro" from Hayao Miyazaki.

My Neighbour Totoro is a 1988 animated film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli.

The movie won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize in 1988. 86 mins duration.

Louise, MSFC film night curator, says it's a delightful family-friendly movie.

Discussion will contrast it with other brief anime/animation items.

COST: Now $1 members, $2 non-members.

Downloadable PDF order form (100KB).

St Mark's Anglican Church, 250 George Street, Fitzroy. (Melway Ref 2C C9).
Tickets $20 pre-purchased, $25 at the door. Bookings 0400 999 248 or email manager@gloriana.com.au

John Sheppard (c1515-c1560) Media vita.
Eric Whitacre (1970) When David Heard.
Herbert Howells (1892-1983) Take him earth for cherishing.
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) Funeral Ode for Queen Caroline (The Ways of Zion do mourn).

"You could successfully put up the Gloriana voices against any similar group in the country" - The Age.

MIDWINTER MEAL!

We're having a Midwinter Meal on the (almost) longest night of the year at
the Melbourne SF Club.

Good news: good food (menu below) and it's in the Lounge, where we have
Heaters and a Warm Kitchen.

Cost is $10.00 per head. The West Brunswick Uniting Church is an
alcohol-free zone.

We figure it's a chance for members to get together, sit around, eat and
chat.

Farming and food production have strong connections to us all. Join us on a journey through three film nights as we explore some of the darker sides of our relationship with food. Issues ranging from industrial factory farming and genetically engineering of food to the loss of food sovereignty and threat to food security will be addressed. We'll have a short discussion of some of the problems raised and pose solutions and actions we can all take.

As entrée you can enjoy the spoof Star Wars animation titled 'Store Wars' (5 min) where Cuc Skywalker and Jedi Yoghurt take on Dark Tador in a battle for the Farm. Main course consists of a documentary titled 'The World According to Monsanto' (100 min) which investigates the journey of Monsanto corporation from chemical manufactures to biotechnology giant in its global takeover of our food, farms, and agriculture heritage.

WHERE: Loop Bar, 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne CBD near Spring and Bourke Streets.

WHEN: From 6:30PM.

Free Entry.

Drinks and food available from the bar.

Seating is limited and RSVP is preferred.

Chocolate.

We explore one of the four fannish food groups: Chocolate!

As portrayed in film and television.

Peter Fagan is your host at the MSFC film night this Friday night.

PS Chocolate will be for sale in the kitchen, as usual.

COST: Now $1 members, $2 non-members.

Written by Derek Benfield,
Directed by Brian Uniacke.

Two couples, an isolated hotel, a romantic weekend away - what could go wrong? Plenty! Little do they know that each couple is married to the respective partner! Throw in a porter who is running the hotel while his sister is on holiday who finds himself caught up in the lies and deception as these couples find out the other is in the same building. A very funny comedy, not to be missed.

On Saturday 28th June at 8pm we will present this show in Anonymous Theatre style, ie the actors will all have rehearsed individually with the director, but will have no knowledge of who their fellow actors are until the curtains open and the play is performed in front of the audience.

Two more performances of this show will be staged the following week, on Friday 4th July and Saturday 5th July at 8pm, giving the actors a week to rehearse together.

WHERE: Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd Beaumaris 3193. (Melway 86 G6.)

WHEN:
Anonymous Theatre Night Saturday June 28th at 8pm.
Ensemble rehearsed performances Friday July 4th, Saturday July 5th at 8pm.

COST: Tickets for Anonymous night June 28th are all $25, which includes a discussion with the cast and crew after the show, and a gala supper.

Prices for July 4th and 5th are adults $18, all others $15.

Bookings 9583 6896 or email beaumaristheatre@optusnet.com.au

Food and Quiz Night at the MSFC!

Mexican!

Doors open 8.00pm
Quiz starts 9.00pm

COSTS:

• Food: $6.50 Members, $7.50 Visitors.
• Trivia: $3.00 Members, $4.00 Visitors.
• Food and Trivia: $8.00 Members, $9.00 Visitors.

Socialising and use of the library: FREE!

WHERE: Northcote Town Hall, Roof Top Floor, 189 High Street Northcote, Victoria.

WHEN: Doors open at 11am. Runs until 6pm.

COST: $30 for Austrek and other members of SF clubs, $40 for non members.

All Bookings to be made through First Contact Conventions.

$125 VIP tickets see First Contact Conventions website for details.

Join Austrek and First Contact Conventions in hosting Tracy Scoggins "Babylon 5, Lois & Clark, Star Trek DS9 and Highlander" for the afternoon. Check The First Contact Conventions Website for the afternoon scheduled events.

BUT WAIT..... there's still more. We will also be joined live via two way Satellite from the USA by; (well watch this space because I can't yet announce who). He will be doing a full one hour two way Q&A session. This will be a unique opportunity to meet this person as he is a very rare attendee of conventions, and this may be your only opportunity to meet him.

WHERE: The Cornish Arms. 163A Sydney Road, Brunswick.

WHEN: 9:00PM until late!

COST: Free!

First showing of a work in progress.

Monday May 5th.

At 45 Downstairs

45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

8pm $15.

Tickets at the door.

"We'll be recording this on the night, so for those of you who can't make it, I'll be able to post a snippet of it on youtube."

Helen Cerne is a Melbourne writer who has published short stories, poems and articles in many Australian literary magazines. For two decades Helen has worked as coordinator of Western Union Writers. Interested in artistic collaborations her first co-published work was a local history, Vision becomes Reality. For her MA thesis she explored creative heterosexual partnerships and co-wrote a novel Shifting with her partner Serge. Helen's first poetry collection Just Heart Work explores women artists' creative experiences. Helen has taught creative writing and last year published an autobiographical novel, Those Who Can't, about teaching.

'ink: celebrating writers' is a partnership between Stonnington Libraries and the Fellowship of Australian Writers.

Entry: $5 - includes a drink.

Doors open at 7pm.

Council Chambers,
Prahran Town Hall,
Cnr Chapel and Greville Streets,
Prahran 3181.

Nicki Greenberg discusses her wonderful graphic novel
interpretation of The Great Gatsby.

More details here and here.

In homage to F. Scott Fitzgerald's jazz age classic, this graphic novel adaptation brings to life the glitter, the melancholy and the grand and crumpled dreams of Fitzgerald's unforgettable characters.

Daisy, Nick, Tom, Jordan and Gatsby himself are rendered true to Fitzgerald's original characterisation, with a difference: they are not human. Inhabiting the authentic setting of 1920s New York, they join a throng of fantastical creatures to play out the drama, the wry humour and the tragedy of the novel.

SPECIAL FOR MSFC MEMBERS: normally $40.00 a copy, yours on the night and (if you like) signed by the author: $34.00 cash, $36.00 cheque & other. With thanks to Slow Glass Books.

http://www.greentix.com.au/evinfo.php?eventid=24559&sid=

Event Details:
Fair trade is not only about coffee, chocolate and tea! You can find out how to be a Fair Fashionista at Fashion Fights Fair, a parade and night market showcasing fair trade, sustainable, and ethical fashion, from 8pm on Friday, May 9 at BMW Edge in Federation Square, Melbourne.

Singer/Songwriter, Clare Bowditch, will host an evening of fashion from designers addressing social, environmental, and ethical issues, which means that in addition to Fairtrade and No SweatShop accredited garments, you will be treated to a stylish mix of highly desirable organic wear, recycled garments and carbon-neutral labels, topped off with fabulous op-shop finds.

Watch out for styling tips that will not only save you money, but also support Fair Trade and environmentally sustainable practices! You can satisfy your consumer cravings after the show with a little retail therapy at participating designers' stalls at the night market, located around the balcony and foyer of the BMW Edge.

There are heaps of great prizes to be won on the night too, with haircare packs from Mastey, a makeup lesson with cruelty-free makeup artist Nicole Groch, and vouchers and products from many of the great labels participating
in the show - and don't forget, goodie bags for everyone!

Tickets will be available from April, either from this site; 'Friends of the Earth' (312 Smith Street Collingwood. Victoria), the Town halls of the City of Yarra or at the door on May 9 until sold out.

Book early to ensure a great night out and make sure to highlight the details in your diary.

The first Australian musical to conquer Broadway, The Boy from Oz was nominated for five Tony Awards in 2004, including Best Musical, and our own Hugh Jackman won the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical. CLOC Musical Theatre, with its outstanding reputation for the highest production values, will present this exciting show in May 2008. You can expect only the best from CLOC, including a top cast, elaborate sets, dazzling costumes and unforgettable songs like 'When I Get My Name in Lights', 'Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage', 'Everything Old is New Again', 'I Honestly Love You', 'Don't Cry Out Loud', 'I Still Call Australia Home' and 'I Go to Rio'.

If you love musical theatre and the razzle dazzle of a toe tapping, all dancing, all singing hit show - then don't miss The Boy from Oz.

VENUE:
Alexander Theatre,
Monash University
Clayton (Melway Map 70, Ref G12).

DATES:
Friday 9 May @ 8pm
Saturday 10 May @ 8pm
Sunday 11 May @ 2pm

Wednesday 14 May @ 8pm
Thursday 15 May @ 8pm
Friday 16 May @ 8pm
Saturday 17 May @ 8pm
Sunday 18 May @ 2pm

Tuesday 20 May @ 8pm
Wednesday 21 May @ 8pm
Thursday 22 May @ 8pm
Friday 23 May @ 8pm
Saturday 24 May @ 8pm
Sunday 25 May @ 2pm

TICKET PRICES:
EARLY BIRD TICKET PRICES - for tickets purchased before March 28th 2008.
Adults $37.00
Concessions & Groups* $34.00
Child (16 and under) $22.00
*Group: 15 tickets or more (excluding children)
*Concession: Old Age Pensions, Seniors Cards, Students

FULL TICKET PRICES - for tickets purchased after March 28th 2008
Adults $42.00
Concessions & Groups* $39.00
Child (16 and under) $28.00
*Group: 15 tickets or more (excluding children)
*Concession: Old Age Pensions, Seniors Cards, Students

Sunday 11th May 2008 in Melbourne.

Nathan Fillion, Ron Glass, Jason Palmer and other guests will be appearing on the 11th May 2008 in Melbourne from 9.00am to 6.00pm.

The event features the guests live on stage for a few stories, anecdotes as well as Question and Answers. There will also be a variety of events throughout the day, such as auctions, raffles and trivia. There will also be merchandise as well as rare collectables available to purchase from the dealers. You will also have the chance to meet the VIP guest and acquire autographs and professional photographs.

Please note that autographs are provided via your seating allocations so book early to ensure availability.

For your tickets: BOOK NOW!

Absentee Packs

Should you be unable to attend the event in Sydney or Melbourne, we have absentee packs available. Make sure you don't miss out!
Download the Absentee Form

About The HUB

*Set up for Multiclub Minicon.

The Melbourne Science Fiction Club, in conjunction with StarWalking, Austrek, Convergence and First Contact Conventions would like to invite you to the May SF Minicon!

SPECIAL GUEST: Shaun Tan.

WHEN: 10:00am - 4:30pm.

WHERE: St David's Uniting Church,
74 Melville Rd, West Brunswick.

Entry is only $10 for a full day of panels, club discounts, dealers, door prizes, fun and games. Costumers also welcome, hall prizes awarded on the day.

Lunch and refreshments will be available for purchase, and the MSFC Library will be open to MSFC members during the day.

We will also be running an auction on the day at which you or your members are welcome to sell items. There is an initial limit of 3 items per person.

8.30 p.m. 'til late (Jess & the Paige Boys are on first so please come early!)

"This is a part of a special month of performances to commemorate 5 years of Indie nights for the Collage program. Their favourite female artists have been invited to play on the 20th, so I am delighted to have been invited!"

Entry is free and also playing are Jess Lee, Jacob's Ladder and Rosie Burgess.

AUTHOR NIGHT - Christopher Ride.

Templebar Restaurant at 98 Smith Street, Collingwood.

As well as having fabulous food, Templebar has Dinner & Show packages.

$35 per person for 3 course Dinner & Show (that is great value!)

or

New option: $20 per person for Finger Food & Show.
Bookings - call: 03 9417 5811 http://www.templebarmelbourne.com/

Dinner from 7 p.m. and Show at 8.30 p.m.

Jess Paige (me), my brother Josh Romig and my father Steve Romig are all going to do a gig together!

DR. SKETCHY'S ANTI-ART SCHOOL.
Dolores Daiquiri brings 1950’s glamour to Dr Sketchy’s in May.

1950’s glamour and sparkle takes the stage this month at Dr Sketchy’s Melbourne in the form burlesque beauty, Dolores Daiquiri of Hi Ball Burlesque.

WHERE: The Butterfly Club, 204 Bank Street, South Melbourne.
WHEN: 28th May from 8PM.
COST: $15 per seat.

"Bring along your sketchpad and pencils."

FILM DISCUSSION NIGHT - Star Wars Parodies.

Jill Sparrow lives in Melbourne and has been been active in social justice, education and trade union campaigns since the early 1990s. She is the author, with Jeff Sparrow, of two books, Radical Melbourne: a Secret History and Radical Melbourne 2: the Enemy Within. She is currently working in IT, studying psychology, occasionally teaching politics and taking on any other odd projects that come her way. Having recently completed her first novel, in collaboration with science-fiction writer, Paul Voermans, she is now enjoying doing more reading than writing!

'ink: celebrating writers' is a partnership between Stonnington Libraries and the Fellowship of Australian Writers.

Entry $5; includes a drink.

Doors open at 7pm.

Council Chambers,
Prahran Town Hall,
Cnr Chapel and Greville Streets,
Prahran 3181.

Food and Quiz Night at the MSFC!

Hot and Cold Desserts.

Doors open 8.00pm
Quiz starts 9.00pm

COSTS:

• Food: $6.50 Members, $7.50 Visitors.
• Trivia: $3.00 Members, $4.00 Visitors.
• Food and Trivia: $8.00 Members, $9.00 Visitors.

Socialising and use of the library: FREE!

The King and Queen plan a big party to celebrate the christening of their baby daughter, the Princess Markita. The traditional wall-papering scene gets an airing amongst the preparations. Perhaps they should have invited the wicked Horseface because she takes her revenge by cursing the child? Winnie, the good witch can only suggest keeping the child away from needles! Perhaps she should also suggest keeping the butler away from bottles!

Edmund, the King's younger brother, has designs on the throne (they should have bought him a colouring book like the other children!). He betrays them all and allows Horseface to bring a spinning wheel into the palace. His reward is the crown, but everyone else in the palace will sleep forever... unless Prince Charming can fight his way through the haunted woods and awaken the princess with a kiss.

Will Horseface the wicked witch be vanquished forever? Will principal boy win principal girl? Will everyone live happily ever after?

This pantomime has everything: familiar old jokes, traditional slapstick, villains to boo and heroes to cheer, including two vampire bats who discuss fast food and how things aren't like they used to be!

Friday, 4th April, 7:30pm
Saturday, 5th April, 2pm
Saturday, 5th April, 7:30pm
Sunday, 6th April, 2pm
Thursday, 10th April, 7:30pm
Friday, 11th April, 7:30pm
Saturday, 12th April, 2pm
Saturday, 12th April, 7:30pm

Performances are held at the Altona Theatre, 115 Civic Parade, Altona Ticket
Info:
Adults: $7
Concession: $7
(unless otherwise specified).

WHERE: Port Phillip EcoCentre,Cnr Herbert and Blessington Streets, St Kilda.
WHEN: 11am – 7pm.
COST: Gold coin donation.

The urban environment presents unique challenges to planning for sustainable living, food production and transport. Hear our three panels of speakers address these themes in the local context to educate you about some of the issues and present some solutions.

Enjoy an indigenous welcome, a brief from the City of Port Phillip on their local Community Pulse program; a tour of the Port Phillip EcoCentre. A panel session on local food production and food sustainability issues. A hearty Mexican lunch, browse over our free community and campaign stalls, listen to some local musicians and be part of the local launch of the new book 'Climate Code Red' by David Spratt and Phillip Sutton.

Return to hear panel discussions on sustainable transport and urban planning. Then stay around after 5pm and be part of the Engage Media and Plug-in TV short documentary screenings.

*Panel speakers include -
Ben Neil (Cultivating Community);
Bob Phelps (Gene Ethics); a speaker from 'Lentil as Anything';
Frank Fisher (Undertandascope); Elliot Fishman (Institute for Sensible Transport);
Anna Griffiths (unChain St Kilda); Bridget Puszka (BP Architects)
and other speakers still to be confirmed.

These speakers address issues and present a vision for what a sustainable urban future might look like with specific reference to local issues, policy and development.

WHERE: The Brunswick Hotel. 430 Sydeny Road, Brunswick.

WHEN: 9:30PM until late!

COST: Free!

Downloadable PDF order form (208KB).

Sunday 6 April 2008 at 2:30pm.
St Mark's Anglican Church, 250 George Street Fitzroy. (Melway Ref 2C C9).
Tickets $20 pre-purchased, $25 at the door Bookings 0400 999 248 or email manager@gloriana.com.au

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c1525-1594) Stabat Mater à8.
Carlo Gesualdo (c1560-1613) Maria mater gratiae; Hei mihi Domine; O vos omnes.
Antonio Lotti (c1667-1740) Crucifixus à8.
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) Nisi Dominus; Lauda Jerusalem (from the 1610 Vespers).
Giovanni Gabrieli (c1557-1612) Confitebor tibi Domine à13; Exaudi me Domine à16.
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) Ave Maria (from the Quattro Pezzi Sacri).
Ildebrando Pizzetti (1880-1968) Messa di Requiem.

"You could successfully put up the Gloriana voices against any similar group in the country" The Age

Kerry Greenwood!

Doors open 8.00pm, Kerry's author talk starts at 9.00pm, it'll be fun!

List of author's books here, including Phryne Fisher and fantasy - and from Kerry's own web site:

Kerry Greenwood was born in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray and after wandering far and wide, she returned to live there. She has a degree in English and Law from Melbourne University and was admitted to the legal profession on the 1st April 1982, a day which she finds both soothing and significant. Kerry has written twenty novels, a number of plays, including The Troubadours with Stephen D'Arcy, is an award-winning children's writer and has edited and contributed to several anthologies. In 1996 she published a book of essays on female murderers called Things She Loves: Why Women Kill.

The Phryne Fisher series (pronounced Fry-knee, to rhyme with briny) began in 1989 with Cocaine Blues which was a great success. Kerry has written sixteen books in this series with no sign yet of Miss Fisher hanging up her pearl-handled pistol. Kerry says that as long as people want to read them, she can keep writing them.

Kerry Greenwood has worked as a folk singer, factory hand, director, producer, translator, costume-maker, cook and is currently a solicitor.

When she is not writing, she works as a locum solicitor for the Victorian Legal Aid. She is also the unpaid curator of seven thousand books, three cats (Attila, Belladonna and Ashe) and a computer called Apple (which squeaks). She embroiders very well but cannot knit. She has flown planes and leapt out of them (with a parachute) in an attempt to cure her fear of heights (she is now terrified of jumping out of planes but can climb ladders without fear). She can detect second-hand bookshops from blocks away and is often found within them.

For fun Kerry reads science fiction/fantasy and detective stories. She is not married, has no children and lives with a registered wizard. When she is not doing any of the above she stares blankly out of the window.

Small print: door charge for visitors.

COST: $4 members, $6 non-members.

WHERE: Living Legends International Home of Rest for Champion Horses, Oaklands Road, Greenvale Vic 3059. (Melway ref 177 J9).

WHEN: 9am – 4pm.

COST: Entry is free.

Yes, once every hundred years or so, the MSFC allows the churchgoers of St
David's Uniting Church to occupy their church hall on a Friday night to
celebrate their centenary.

Instead, the MSFC is off to the Cinema Nova, Carlton, 380 Lygon St (between
Elgin & Faraday Sts). We meet at 7.30pm this Friday 18 April in the downstairs foyer in front of the ticket office.

The movie is "Be Kind, Rewind", which starts at 7.40pm. So be on time please. It's a SF comedy with Jack Black, Mos Def, Mia Farrow and directed
by Michel Gondry.

It's rated 'fresh' on rottentomatoes.com, who say, "This is simply a hilarious comedy, fun for film fans of all stripes, which celebrates the sheer joy of watching and making films." The Internet Movie Database says this movie's genre is "comedy/sci-fi". Reviews say it's a romance.

We had hoped to see In the Shadow of the Moon, but the Nova's session times made this impossible. We hope to have In The Shadow of the Moon as the
subject of a film discussion night later in the year. Be Kind, Rewind, looks like an excellent alternative.

Def was in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Gondry directed the brilliant Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Farrow is half Australian, was married to Frank Sinatra, and has appeared in many Woody Allen films including his fantasy The Purple Rose of Cairo.

Black is a singer with Tenacious D (a B-grade version of The Flight of the Conchords) and also starred in King Kong.

Prices are full movie prices ie no discounts. Sell a kidney if you want to buy popcorn and coke.

"A superb collection of songs from Australia’s finest folksinger" - Sydney Morning Herald.

Dublin born songwriter, Enda Kenny has lived in Melbourne, Australia since 1987. Drawing on the traditions of the seanachie and yarn spinner, his songs describe stories of life, humour, nature and injustice. Enda's gift as a performer is his ability to bring alive the individual experience in a way his audience intuitively relates to.

Acclaimed as one of Australia’s finest songwriters, Enda has produced five albums since the release of Twelve Songs in 1994. All feature the masterful fiddle playing of long time collaborator Lindsay Martin. Live performances regularly feature Lindsay and Sandy Brady on bass, who joined them for the recording of Cloud Lining.

His songs have been recorded by a growing list of local and international artists including Roy Bailey, Karen Lynne, Reel Time, Bram Taylor, Barrie Davis, Bob Eden and Markerr.

WHERE: The Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Road, Berwick, 3806.

COST: Guests $10.00 -- Members & Spot Acts $7.00.

DOORS OPEN: 7.30pm

Contact: Phone: (03) 9702 1223 or Email: badfolk@optusnet.com.au

This is another great night of music
Don't miss!