Upcoming Events & Experiences
Chrysalis
Dandenong Ranges Open Studios Group Exhibition
Fri 21 Mar to Sun 27 Apr | Burrinja Gallery
The annual Open Studios group exhibition is designed to produce a cohesive and diverse range of artwork to showcase the creative energy and skill of each artist. This year’s theme is Chrysalis.
The Chrysalis exhibition invites artists to explore personal or collective evolution, the shedding of old identities, and the emergence of new perspectives. It encourages reflection on the cycles of change, resilience, and the beauty that often arises from moments of quiet introspection and metamorphosis. Through various mediums and interpretations, the exhibition seeks to highlight the delicate yet powerful process of becoming.
With 42 studios showcasing nearly 60 artists, the Chrysalis exhibition is the perfect place to whet your appetite with this ‘taster’ of the diverse talent the hills has to offer, before embarking on your journey to explore the studios.
Don’t forget to vote for your favourite piece in the People’s Choice Award.
Burrinja Presents
Charm of Finches - Festival of Folk
Support Act - Baby Velvet
Fri 28 Mar 8.00pm | Lyre Room
Australian sister duo Charm of Finches delivers intricate folk-pop that is simultaneously graceful and darkly bewitching. Their seamless blood harmonies traverse melancholy and wonder in equal measure.
They return performing songs from their latest album as well as exciting new material. The sisters, Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes, have toured extensively through the UK, Europe and Canada in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Their fourth studio album ‘Marlinchen In The Snow’ was recorded in rural Nova Scotia with acclaimed Canadian producer Daniel Ledwell (Jenn Grant, Oh Pep!), inspired by the frozen beauty of the landscape and their transient life on the road with their music. It was released on iconic Australian Indie label Spunk Records in April 2024, debuting on the national ARIA charts Top 30 Aus Albums.
Their third album ‘Wonderful Oblivion’ released in 2021 through New York-based label AntiFragile Music saw them win the Australian Folk Music Awards Best Folk Album (2022) and Music Victoria Best Contemporary Folk Act (2021).
They have been nominated twice for the prestigious Australian Music Prize.
“Wonderful Oblivion is a triumphant indie folk effort – nostalgic yet fresh, haunting, but at the same time serene. ” - We Found New Music
“Melbourne sister duo Charm of Finches are perched for stardom. For lovers of tight sibling harmonies, chamber folk, and those who long to be carried-away by a lullaby...” – Ariana Morgenstern KCRW Today's Top Tune
Check out the music video for Middle Of Your Mess on YouTube.
Doors: 7:30pm
Support Act: 8pm
Charm of Finches: 9pm
Duration: approx 2.5 hours
Age suitability: at parental discretion. This event may not be suitable for babies and younger children due to content and/or noise levels.
Tickets - $28 ~ $33
Burrinja Presents
Outside of Me | Leticia Hodson & Wade Keighley
Sat 29 Mar - Sun 11 May | Aerie Gallery
This compelling exhibition by mother and son, Leticia Hodson and Wade Keighley, captures a pivotal moment in their relationship—where a parent steps back, allowing their child’s unique artistic voice to shine.
Wade (13), born with Down syndrome, creates with instinct and expression, contrasting with Leticia’s narrative portraiture, which documents his creative journey.
"Wade has taught me the art of being unapologetically yourself. As a mother and a realist artist, Outside of Me is about letting go—watching him step into a world of his own making, in all its chaos and colour." – Leticia Hodson
Free exhibition - Wed to Sun 10am - 4pm
Exhibition Opening - Sat 5 Apr 2pm (all welcome)
Join Wade and Leticia for drinks and nibbles as they launch their first joint exhibition and discuss the themes and ideas that make up this significant moment in our lives.
Flying Saucer Presents
Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks
Sun 6 April 2025 4.00pm - 6.00pm | Burrinja Theatre
With special guest support, artist - Nikki Nicholls
Ross Wilson is hitting the road with his all-star band The Peaceniks to celebrate over “50 Years of Hits” including all the Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock favourites you’d expect along with the latest offering from an almost 6-decade career, tracks from his latest EP on Bloodlines Records, “She’s Stuck On Facebook All The Time”, and everything in between.
From Daddy Cool to Mondo Rock and as a solo artist with no less than 26 ARIA Top 40 hits to his credit as a singer, songwriter and producer, Ross Wilson is one of Australia’s most awarded, respected, and well-known artists! From the legendary Band Daddy Cool whose number one anthem “Eagle Rock” and debut album "Daddy Who?" smashed all previous sales records in Australia an astounding 50 years ago in 1971, to the 1977 formation of Mondo Rock, delivering 80’s hits ‘Cool World’, ‘State of The Heart’, ‘Chemistry’, ‘No Time’, and ‘Come Said The Boy’ and into the 21st century as a solo performer, Wilson has never been out of the limelight. His latest release in 2023,n Facebook All The Time”, is a modern-day tragicomedy in the blues genre. Twice inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, Wilson’s live performances are legendary.
Duration: 120 mins including interval
Age suitability: at parental discretion. This event may not be suitable for babies and younger children due to content and/or noise levels.
Tickets - $69 ~ $74
Alist Entertainment presents
Jimeoin - Pandemonium
Fri 11 Apr 7.30pm | Burrinja Theatre
Support Act - Bob Franklin - Award-winning stand-up comic, writer, director and actor
Direct from a sell-out season at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, don’t miss Jimeoin’s hilarious new show Pandemonium.
A night spent with this comedy legend is not only funny but full of handy tips. Jimeoin will teach you how to make your bed with very little effort, how to prank your partner and get away with it and how to talk dirty in a nice way…. you’ll come out the other side having laughed yourself stupid and maybe with a life hack or two.
Have you ever wondered what goes on inside Jimeoin’s head? By the end of this show you’ll know that it’s absolute Pandemonium!
“What a fantastic performer, what a wonderful comedian” ★★★★★ Seedoeatreview
“Has his victims doubled up in agonising laughter” ★★★★★ The Herald, Edinburgh
“Wickedly Funny…Exhilarating” ★★★★1/2 The Age
Bob Franklin – 20 mins
Interval – 20 mins
Jimeoin – 75 mins
Duration: 115 mins including interval.
Age suitability: MA15+ for adult themes and coarse language. Event not suitable to babies due to content and/or noise levels.
Tickets - $54.90 - $59.90
Burrinja Presents
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow 2025
Sat 26 Apr 7.30pm | Burrinja Theatre
Australia’s most iconic comedy tour is hitting the road for a huge 27th year! Bringing together the brightest stars from the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, we’re delivering top-tier humour straight to your town!
Featuring a dynamic line-up of comedy legends and fresh faces includes:
Sam Taunton (MC)
Alex Ward
Con Coutis
Robyn Reynolds
Janty Blair
This year’s Roadshow promises nation-wide happiness. So, grab your friends, lock in your tickets and prepare for a much-needed dose of laughter as the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow rolls into Upwey!
‘A seamless and ultra-hilarious evening!’ Scenestr
‘We were laughing from the moment the lights went down, to well into the drive home.’ Scenestr
Duration: approx 2 hours including interval
Performances often contain coarse language, adult themes, sexual references and material that may offend. The show is recommended for people aged 15 years or older.
Smoke machine/hazer may be used during this performance
Tickets - $19 - $39
Burrinja Presents
Daoirí Farrell (IRE) - Live in the Lyre
Supporting act to be announced
Thu 1 May 8.00pm | Lyre Room
A product of Dublin’s famous club An Góilin Traditional Singers, since launching his solo live career at Celtic Connections in 2016, Daoirí Farrell has gone from strength to strength. He can boast numerous honours from BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and RTÉ Folk Award nominations to ALSR Celtic Music accolades, with his music and live performances earning the acclaim of respected publications including MOJO, The Irish Post, Songlines and more.
Daoirí’s fourth album, ‘The Wedding Above In Glencree’, was released in 2023, made the RTÉ Radio 2 playlist in Ireland and reached number 11 on the Official UK Folk Albums Chart.
He has toured and played major folk festivals across the world, including at the National Folk Festival in Australia, in the USA as a guest singer for Lúnasa, and with Transatlantic Sessions across the UK.
‘He has the best Irish traditional voice currently around; if there’s better, I’ve yet to hear it.’ Folk Radio UK
‘The finest Irish male folk singer-storyteller this side of Christy Moore and Paul Brady.’ The Weekend Australian
Check out Daoirí Farrell on YouTube.
Doors: 7:30pm
Support (TBA) 8pm
Daoirí Farrell 9pm
Duration: approx 3 hours
Age suitability: at parental discretion. This event is not be suitable for babies and younger children due to content and/or noise levels.
Tickets - $35 - $40
Luna Live Presents
Ed Kuepper. Solo. At Last!
We haven't done this for years
Sat 3 May 2025 8.00pm | Burrinja Theatre
"We haven't done this for years… time flies. Surprisingly it's been some years since I've done any solo shows, so lo and behold... that is what I'm going to do in April/May. I'll be trying out some new songs, and deconstructing some audience faves and some older beloved tunes in a relatively loving and spontaneous way. Do join me, dear friends!” - Ed Kuepper
Doors: 7:40pm
Duration: approx 90 mins with no interval
Age suitability: at parental discretion. This event may not be suitable for babies and younger children due to content and/or noise levels.
Tickets - $59.90
Burrinja Presents
Garry Starr - Classic Penguins
Wed 14 May 7.30pm | Lyre Room
Warnings: Strictly 18+ years. This performance involves full nudity. There will be some audience participation.
Literature! Literature! Literature! It might not rhyme with anything but it’s still very important. Garry Starr is back and he’s hell-bent on saving books from extinction by performing every Penguin Classic novel ever written. In an hour. Mostly naked (but with flippers).
Comic wunderkind Starr takes us on a literary adventure through the world’s most iconic works of fiction. From The Little Prince to Moby Dick and everything in between, nothing is safe from being lampooned with the utmost nincompoopery.
‘A very funny man who is peculiarly averse to wearing trousers’ ★★★★★ Scotsman (UK)
‘Brilliantly ticklish… joyfully silly’ ★★★★ Guardian (UK)
Doors: 7pm
Duration: approx 60 mins with no interval
Age suitability: strictly 18 years and older.
Tickets - $25 - $32
Burrinja Presents
Grigoryan Brothers Present 'Amistad'
Thu 15 May 8pm | Burrinja Theatre
‘Amistad’ is the new album from acclaimed guitar duo, the Grigoryan Brothers.
With a repertoire spanning centuries, continents, and genres, displaying amazing telepathy and the ability to evoke emotion from every note, Slava & Leonard Grigoryan are justifiably regarded as Australia’s finest classical guitarists. Throughout their musical journey spanning over two decades, Slava and Leonard have forged connections with like-minded souls worldwide. Each track on ‘Amistad’, released by Decca, is a gift from composers met during their travels, some tailored specifically for the brothers, while others find new life through their unique interpretations.
Contributions have come from such diverse composers as Cuban guitarist Leo Brouwer, legendary jazz guitarist Ralph Towner, Sting's guitarist Dominic Miller, guitarist Gus Isidore (Seal, Peter Gabriel), Australian neo-classical pianists Luke Howard and Nat Bartsch, and more.
Crafted with love, respect, and a profound understanding, these compositions symbolise the reciprocal appreciation between the composers and the Grigoryan Brothers. Amistad, meaning 'friendship' in Spanish, is a celebration of camaraderie — a project resonating with respect and connection, a heartfelt tribute from the brothers.
This performance will feature music form Amistad and favourites from their past recordings.
Check out their music on YouTube.
Duration: 120 minutes
7:30pm Doors open
8pm-9.30pm Grigoryan Brothers
Age suitability: at parental discretion. This event may not be suitable for babies and younger children due to content and/or noise levels.
Tickets - $45 ~ $65
Image: 'Listening to the Mountain Body' (2025) by Gülsen Özer and Aarti Jadu. Photo by Fergus Floyd.
Burrinja Presents
ngurrak-al marram-u / body of the mountain
Sat 24 May - Sun 13 Jul | Burrinja Gallery
We started to feel our bodies in a continuum with the body of the mountain.
Walking together across Corhanwarrabul (Dandenong Ranges), a group of artists shared place-responsive practices and considered what it means to 'listen to Country' through their diverse perspectives.
ngurrak-al marram-u / body of the mountain is an exhibition outcome from this mobile residency.
Curated by Gretel Taylor with Gülsen Özer and Mandy Nicholson, the exhibition includes painting, screendance, sound installation, textiles, sculpture, digital and cyanotype photography.
Artists: Aarti Jadu, Rebecca Murray, Mandy Nicholson, Jill Orr, Gülsen Özer, Laki Sideris, Gretel Taylor and Tammy Wong Hulbert.
Free Exhibition Opening - Saturday 24 May 3pm-5pm
Join us to celebrate the opening of ngurrak-al marram-u / body of the mountain at Burrinja Gallery. The event will feature performances by Jill Orr and Djirri Djirri dancers and a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri artist Mandy Nicholson.
