After a wonderful summer of community support for our traders, we're extending our Live Love Local campaign into the winter months, as local businesses continue to deal with and are working to recover from COVID-19 disruptions.
Eating and Drinking
Our traders have been busy getting their outdoor dining spaces winter-ready, with the support of Council and the Victorian Government. Extra shelter, heaters and lighting have recently been installed at your favourite local cafes, restaurants and bars, to help you make the most of outdoor dining - even when the temperature drops.
Feeling decadent? Check out our Dessert First competition! With 60 sweet treats on the menu across our City, we're encouraging you to treat yourself this winter. You could even win a staycation at the Prince Hotel plus prizes from Starward Distillery, simply by snapping a pic of your dessert and posting it on social media to enter our competition. For more details, visit Dessert First.
Feel like going out? Rug up and head to one of the many restaurants offering outdoor dining this winter. Or grab a fireside table indoors; you can find venues with a fireplace by searching on the Australian Good Food & Travel Guide website.
Feel like dining in? There's a long list of venues continuing to offer takeaway throughout the winter period. Whether you feel like a hot Sunday roast or something a bit more exotic, follow your favourite places on social media to find out about their latest deals. And ordering takeaway or delivery directly when possible (rather than via a food delivery service app) means the full cost you pay goes straight to the business. You can call up to check with your locals if they deliver to you.
Out and About
Theatre Works
For a great night out, check out Theatre Works. Based in St Kilda for 40 years, some of Australia's best theatre has come from this stage, so you don't need to travel far to see a world-class show!
After an interrupted 2020 season, their upcoming winter program is a return to form, with new works from Romi Kupfer and Andrew Bovell.
Singing Swallows by Romi Kupfer
22 June 2021 to 4 July 2021
Singing Swallows is a physical theatre performance telling stories from four Holocaust survivors. The audience experiences all sound through individual headphones, which they are given at the beginning of the performance.
When the Rain Stops Falling by Andrew Bovell
12 July 2021 to 31 July 2021
Told through the interconnected stories of two families over four generations; between a prediction in London 1959 and its outcome in Australia 80 years later. This intricate, multi-layered story explores betrayal, abandonment, destruction, forgiveness and love.
Gasworks Art Park
An oasis in Albert Park, Gasworks Art Park has some stunning exhibitions and inspiring performances this winter to get you out and about.
Housing First Group Exhibition
15 June 2021 to 4 July 2021
In June 2020 Housing First engaged two resident artists from Gasworks Arts Park in creating two virtual workshop series for their housing tenants. A key goal of the program was to inspire tenant creativity, encourage connection from home and to increase greater participation and interest in the Housing First exhibition held annually at Gasworks Arts Park.
Symbioscenes by Karen Hopkins
28 June 2021 to 25 July 2021
Melbourne-based artist Karen Hopkins has been a professional artist for over 20 years. She has held exhibitions annually and has artworks in collections nationally and internationally.
Her latest exhibition Symbioscenes - which features paintings, poetry and sculptures - is inspired by our symbiotic relationship with the earth, its fragile ecosystems and its relationship to our inner and outer worlds.
Rebel by Highwire Entertainment
30 June 2021 to 3 July 2021
Rebel is a live circus rock tribute to the original rebel, David Bowie. Live music combined with circus and comedy brings to life an incredible body of work that spanned over 50 years, and an aesthetic that broke ground and inspired generations.
