Discovering your home town

I am always surprised when people say “I didn’t even know that was there” when regarding places/events in this fair city of mine, Melbourne. Personally I am of the belief that Melbourne will not come to you, you have to go to her. You need to make the effort to walk down the alleyways, to read the papers and see what’s on. And here in Melbourne there is always something going on. So in an effort to explore and share my home town I thought I’d tell you about some recent gems in my home town that made me get out of the house
Dachshund U.N may not be words you utter very often but as part of the new wave festival celebrating and showcasing new artist this is quiet normal. Perth-based artist Bennett Miller has been camping out in a rugged West- Melbourne warehouse for six weeks constructing his Next Wave Festival installation, Dachshund U.N. He’s building a timber model of a United Nations meeting room to dachshund-scale because in Bennett’s performance piece, the 47 delegates, speakers and interpreters of the UN Human Rights Committee are represented by live sausage dogs. Dachshund U.N. is the third Next Wave Festival project that has been partnered by Melbourne Museum and is also supported by the Western Australian Department of Culture and the Arts, Australia Council for the Arts and the Keir Foundation. Performances will be held from 2 – 3pm on 15, 22 and 29 May 2010. The sculpture will remain on site throughout the Festival.

And if that’s not your thing…..how about a bit of light in the darkness with the federation square “light in winter” festival. Here you will find everything from large-scale light installations, projections and torch-led tours to Indigenous storytelling and Sudanese hip-hop, The Light in Winter celebrates the warmth of our community and shared cultural experiences. And of course the biggest part, which is also may favorite celebration (yep out comes the pagan hippie in me)
Solstice Celebration

19 June, 5.00pm - 8.00pm in the Main Square and The Atrium, FREE
Join us as we celebrate the coming of the Winter Solstice - the longest night of the year and the moment at which the days start to lengthen towards Spring. Fifteen community groups will offer their gifts of light, enlightenment and hope to the people of Melbourne, with traditional food, installations, music, dance and stories. From whirling dervishes and Sudanese hip hop to apple tea and origami, the free festivities will bring a special glow to the city's heart.