Celebrate central Victoria, the warmer weather and a community atmosphere at these great events.
FESTIVALS AND FAIRS
BLUES AND ROOTS
The annual Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival is on again, celebrating various performances, open mic, jam sessions and many workshops.
Performers will be coming from across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Germany to entertain crowds.
The ninth annual four-day event will feature about 120 acts at 40 venues in Bendigo and the surrounding region.
There will also be the family favourite, day-long concert featuring more than 12 acts in Rosalind Park.
The event will also have the ever popular Blues Tram, with different artists performing on one of Bendigo's best historic attractions and the Blues Boot Camp, a fun, interactive workshop teaching music industry skills for those aged 12 to 25.
A full program and tickets are available here.
Where: Various location in Bendigo.
When: Until Sunday, November 10, various times. See program for full details.
BUDBURST FESTIVAL
Held within the wineries of the Cobaws, Macedon Ranges, this festival is a fun weekend of wine tasting, growing and making.
There will be about 25 cellar doors, offering wine tastings, gourmet foods and live entertainment.
The event also includes a "hopper bus" which will do a continual loop of the vineyards.
For more information and ticket prices, click here.
Where: Various locations in Macedon Ranges.
When: Saturday and Sunday, November 9 and 10.
IRIS PLACE
Head along to this open garden event and learn more about the colourful plant that is the iris.
There are more than 340 different iris plants to view, all in varying colours and sizes.
Iris in pots are also available to buy.
Groups are welcome. Free entry.
For more information, phone 5446 7060.
Where: 155 Booth Road, Woodvale.
When: Until Sunday, November 10, 9am to 5pm.
COMMUNITY
CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL
Now in its fourth year, this festival promises to be bigger than ever before.
There will be lots of free activities for children, including a mobile playzone, animal displays and farms, a jumping castle, The Zone's melt down challenge, face painting, balloons, henna painting, games and much more.
There will also be the Bendigo and District Band, Camp Hill and Eaglehawk Primary School's circus performances and community choirs.
A barbecue dinner with $1 sausages and veggie burgers, and drinks are also available, with free fruit for children.
Bring a picnic rug and settle in for a great afternoon of community fun.
Where: Canterbury Gardens, Eaglehawk.
When: Friday, November 15, 3.30pm to 6.30pm.
SCHOOL FAIR
Celebrate a great school community with the Marong Primary School Fair.
This event is perfect for that fun, family day out that you've been looking for.
There will be laser tag, rock climbing, a giant inflatable slide, market stalls, a barbecue, cake stall, lucky jars, showbags, snow cones, craft area and much more.
There will also be a silent auction on the day and an auction for a cubby valued at more than $2000 and a truck sandpit valued at $350.
Where: Marong Primary School, corner Calder Highway and Leslie Street, Marong.
When: Sunday, November 10, 10am to 2pm.
MALDON SWAP MEET
Stallholders from four states will head to scenic Maldon to display their antiques and bargains.
The Maldon November Swap Meet will feature a mix of items.
There will be cars, car parts, garage items, vintage items, farm implements, tools and much more.
This swap meet is wheelchair accessible and a dog friendly event (please make sure they're on a lead).
Admission, $5 a person, children free.
Stalls available, $20 for six-by-six-metre site, no booking required - day before set up allowed.
Where: Maldon Football Oval, Bill Woodfull Reserve.
When: Saturday, November 9, 7am to 2pm.
SATURDAY DANCE
Come along to this fun, dancing event held in Bendigo.
There will be a good program, music by the Family Rhythm Dance Band and a home cooked supper.
There will also be a raffle and prizes.
Admission $9 and all welcome.
For more information contact Keith on 5444 2953.
Where: Spring Gully Hall, Spring Gully Road, Bendigo.
When: Saturday, November 9, from 8pm.
EXHIBITIONS AND PERFORMANCES
SCULPTURE IN MOTION
Following on from the successful Art in the Vines - Sculpture Exhibition and Trail, the Hanging Rock Winery is pleased to announce its second exhibition, Art in the Vines - Sculpture in Motion.
This exhibition will showcase sculptures relying on motion for effect.
Some of the works exhibited are made by kinetic sculpture artist Rudi Jass; winner of Bondi's Sculpture by the Sea in 2018 James Parrett; local artists; and creator of the Federation Bells in Melbourne's Birrarung Marr, Anton Hasell.
For more information about the exhibition, click here.
Where: Hanging Rock Winery, 88 Jim Road, Newham.
When: Until Sunday, February 23.
BALENCIAGA: SHAPING FASHION
See world-class couture in Bendigo before the exhibition ends.
Bendigo Art Gallery presents exhibition, Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion.
This exhibition showcases the growth and works of designer Cristobel Balenciaga and his legacy of the modern designers he influenced.
The exhibition will feature contemporary designs by the house of Balenciaga, with video footage that shows historic garments morphing into modern interpretations.
For more information on the exhibition, the gallery and bookings, click here.
Where: Bendigo Art Gallery, View Street, Bendigo.
When: Until Sunday, November 10.
PLAN AHEAD
35TH CHOIR ANNIVERSARY
Celebrate 35 fantastic years with the Bendigo Youth Choir at this reunion event next weekend.
On November 16, choir members and their families will attend a reunion at St Andrew's Church, Myers Street.
There will be members from as far back as the foundation concert, reminiscing about their membership, meeting new people, singing their favourite songs and recording an all time favourite The Letter by Valmai Harris.
This event will showcase the members and the history of the choir.
On November 17, there will be a celebratory concert in St Paul's Cathedral in Myers Street.
Some members have gone on to become quite successful in music and will be back to sing for the community.
Featured singers are Luke Gallagher, a foundation member; Angie Hogan, who works with Australia Opera; Gina Hogan, a professional theatre performer and Zoe Drummond, who now performs as an opera singer in England.
For more information, click here.
Where: Various locations, Bendigo.
When: Saturday and Sunday, November 16 and 17, various times.
FIESTA DE SALSA
Try your hand at Latin and salsa dancing with the ever-popular Castlemaine Fiesta De Salsa.
This event will feature Melbourne's best salsa and Latin jazz orchestra.
Experience Colombian culture, traditional dances and food at this fun event.
There will be a Cuban salsa dance class, Latin foods, performances and much more.
Tumbao Social, a nine-piece Latin and salsa jazz band, will also perform, entertaining the crowds.
Tickets - theatreroyalcastlemaine.com.au
Tickets are available for purchase here for $35 or $40 at the door.
Tickets include a free Cuban salsa dance class.
Where: Theatre Royal, Hargraves Street, Castlemaine.
When: Saturday, November 16, from 7.30pm.
Do you have a community event that you think should be featured in our What's On section? Email us at: addynews@bendigoadvertiser.com.au or phone us on: 5434 4470.
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