Upcoming Events & Experiences
Image credit: Sarah Lynch, 'Above the snow line', black and white photograph.
this exhibition is audio described
burrinja presents
Between Two Sites
27 May to 1 July 2023 | Burrinja Gallery
The Between Two Sites exhibition and public programs respond to the impact of human activity on habitats in the Yarra Ranges and Alpine Shire. Curated by Madelynne Cornish and Sarah Lynch for the Bogong Centre for Sound Culture. It showcases the artwork of Victorian and international artists who participated in the centre's residency program. These artists have undertaken extensive fieldwork within the Yarra Ranges, Alpine National Park and Kiewa Valley. They have produced a new range of site-specific artworks that comprise a rich and diverse set of environmental references to deepen our understanding of these places. Artists have used audio-visual installation, photography and sound composition to reflect the ecology of these regions.
Artists include: Shannon Collis, Madelynne Cornish, Lesley Duxbury, Sarah Edwards, Amias Hanley, Sarah Lynch & Anne McCallum
Explore the public program HERE
Join us for the exhibition opening on May 27 @ 2pm RSVP HERE
aerie creative ecology presents
Fabric. Layerism. Collage. | Mark Ewenson
3 Jun - 15 Jul | aerie gallery
‘My art practice centers around the beauty of the diverse and body positive feminine form with an original collage concept ‘Fabric Layerism’; a convergence of collage, fibre arts, craft, drawing and painting, though mostly omitting paint altogether to create a fresh 2D art aesthetic. My work combines the classical with the contemporary, with influences of both masculine and feminine gaze of the female form within domestic, natural and ethereal environments. This exhibition showcases works made over the past several years including through the Covid lockdowns of 2020/21, and some dating back to the earlier stages of Fabric Layerism’.
Join us for the exhibition opening on Jun 3 @ 2pm RSVP HERE
A-list presents
Ross Noble – Jibber Jabber Jamboree
Fri 9 June @ 8.00pm | Burrinja Theatre
Jibber Jabber Jamboree marks Ross Noble’s 21st solo stand-up tour. To celebrate this milestone, he invites you to join him for an evening of the sort of inspired nonsense that has cemented his place as the supreme master of stream of conscious freewheeling stand up.
This is a chance to see Noble live on stage in his natural habitat. What’s it about? What will we learn? How will it change the world? Are all pointless questions to ask when Noble is off on one of his tangents. Grab a ticket and come and enjoy the ride.
“Beautifully twisted thoughts” The Times
“The supreme master of spontaneous stand-up and true king of surreal flights of fantasy' Time Out
‘One of comedy's greatest marvels’ The Daily Telegraph
‘One of the most brilliant hours I have ever spent in a theatre' Daily Mail
Tickets - $49.90 - $54.90
*This show is NOT elligible to use "the one free ticket" benefit included in the Friends of Burrinja Membership.
Double J presents
The Waifs ~SOLD OUT
‘Up All Night’ 20th Anniversary Tour
Sat 10 June @ 7:30PM | Burrinja Theatre
The Waifs - folk heroes, and fully independent trailblazers, are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their breakthrough album Up All Night with a massive tour of Australia, heading to every corner and crevice of this big land, including Upwey! On this special night the band will play the full album from beginning to end and then share other fan favourites.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of ‘Up All Night’ the Waifs will release the album on vinyl for the first time with a limited collector’s edition available as part of a VIP package, which includes signed vinyl, signed poster and concert lanyard. There is an option to add this VIP package to your ticket, which can be collected from the merch stand on the night of the performance
A Reserve ~ $88.50
A Reserve + VIP Package ~ $163.50 (please note only 20 available)
B Reserve ~ $78.50
Tickets ~ $78.50 - $163.50
WAITING LIST
Ruccis Circus & Burrinja presents
Burrinja Circus Festival
Winter School Holidays | Burrinja
The Burrinja Circus Festival is back with a jam-packed week of circus fun for the whole family! Kicking of with a FREE Winter Carnival day, shows and a week of circus skills workshopd to flip, climb and tumble your way through this school holiday circus plus see students from Ruccis in their annual student productions, spectacular skills in a professional circus show, plus a colourful cabaret evening featuring Ruccis coaches and students, circus industry performers and the most exciting up-and-coming circus stars. Run away with the circus as Burrinja transforms into a bustling big top of circus delights!
Recommended for all ages
see whats on at Burrinja Circus Festival
burrinja presents
Where Artists Meet (W.A.M.)
Thu 29 June @ 7.00pm | Burrinja
WAM is Back!
Here’s your chance to get out, have some fun and talk shop with other local artists and have a cheeky drink.
These regular gatherings propose space for connecting and developing conversation between local creatives. WAM provides a fun and friendly environment to talk shop with other artists, share tips, discuss creative practice, projects and local arts and culture. With the Dandenong Ranges rich and abundant cultural landscape Burrinja’s WAM events are a great opportunity to develop new creative networks, find out about potential opportunities and connect with your local arts community.
Join us on the last Thursday of every month @ 7pm at the Fat Goat (2 Morris Road, Upwey)
Put W.A.M. In your calendar!
Up coming dates: 29 June, 27 July, 31 Aug, 28 Sept, 26 Oct & 30 Nov
Image credit: Rover Thomas Joolama, Yari country, 1984, earth pigments and natural binder on plywood, 104 x 105 cm, Ebes Collection, © Rover Thomas/Copyright Agency, 2023.
burrinja presents
Rover
8 Jul - 12 Aug | Burrinja Gallery
In this iteration of the series Masters of Aboriginal Contemporary Art Burrinja presents Rover, turning the focus on one of Australia’s most celebrated, recognised and original Indigenous artists. Born in 1929 to Kukatja/Wangkajunka parents near Well 33 on the remote Canning Stock Route in Western Australia, Rover Thomas Joolama worked as a stockman on various cattle stations until 1975.
A dream was catalyst for depicting the modern Krill Krill song cycle that he introduced to his mother’s brother Paddy Jaminji and others at Warmun (Turkey Creek). It recounted stories and associated sites in the East Kimberley, told on wooden dance boards and painted with natural ochres.
Together with urban Aboriginal artist Trevor Nickolls he was the first Aboriginal artist to represent Australia at the Venice Biennale in 1990. His seamless amalgamation of figurative and abstract styles to depict topographical features and at times horrific historical events has been an outstanding characteristic of his art.
Join us for the exhibition opening in the Burrinja Gallery. Sat 8 July @ 2pm ~ RSVP HERE
Burrinja Presents
Garry Starr Performs Everything
Fri 14 July @ 7.30pm | Lyre Room
Theatre is dying. Garry is our only hope.
Disgraced actor Garry Starr defies his critics by performing every style of theatre imaginable, thus saving the performing arts from its inevitable extinction. Starr tears through genres with little regard for personal safety and even less regard for art.
"Uproariously funny...a superb, accessible clown." The Scotsman
Tickets - $19 - $29
Tickets on sale May 19 @ 9 am, 15%* off until midnight June 4, 2023
*please note that 15% off applies to Admission, Concession and Group 6+ ONLY,
NOT Youth U26 or Burrinja Encore pricing
Live in the Lyre
Shane Nicholson ~ Live in the Lyre
Thu 20 Jul @ 8.00pm | Lyre Room
Shane Nicholson is a rare talent who has bridged the gap between alt-country and the mainstream. With three ARIA awards, fifteen Golden Guitars, and a new album taking out Album of the Year, Alt. Country Album of the Year, APRA Song of the Year and Single of the Year, Shane Nicholson’s creative hunger appears more present than ever.
Seeing Nicholson live is to "experience songs that pay tribute to the unpredictability of human experience, with the ability to wrap up difficult subject matters with music of uplifting beauty and charm." Beat Magazine
"Nicholson's is a uniquely compelling voice in Australian songwriting – it lives and breathes in the songsmith's singular melodies, crooked humour, and short, pithy lines gently delivered." Rolling Stone Magazine
Tickets - $43 - $48
aerie creative ecology presents
Collections of Colour | Tracey Samios
22 Jul – 2 Sep | aerie gallery
This exhibition celebrates Tracey's artistic journey, which began during the Covid-19 lockdown and continued thereafter. Tracey had always harboured the dream of becoming an artist, and after retiring from her office job, she joined an online art challenge, discovering her talent for painting. For two years, she created a painting almost every day, gaining the confidence to apply for a studio at the Burrinja Cultural Centre in June 2022, where she has been painting ever since. Tracey's surroundings and imagination inspire her, leading to the creation of a diverse range of themed collections on display at this exhibition.
Join us for the exhibition opening in the aerie gallery. Sat 22 July @ 2pm ~ RSVP HERE
A-list presents
Anh Do ~ The Happiest Refugee Live!
Wed 9 Aug @ 7.30pm | Burrinja Theatre
BY POPULAR DEMAND ANH RETURNS WITH HIS SMASH HIT SHOW!!
Comedian Anh Do brings his best-selling memoir, The Happiest Refugee, to life in a ground-breaking stand-up show.
This moving, inspirational and unforgettable theatre experience combines humour, real life stories, photos and filmed pieces to retell Do's amazing story.
Anh Do travelled to Australia in 1980 on an eight metre fishing boat with 47 other Vietnamese refugees. Sick with dehydration and one person already dead, the journey was the first of many struggles for a young Do, who overcame all manner of difficulties throughout his life to become a lawyer and, in 2008, Australia's Comedian of the Vear.
The Happiest Refugree: A Memoir, charts his journey from starving refugee to one of Australia's best-loved entertainers, and was described by Russell Crowe as "the most surprising and inspiring read I have had in years,". It was recently awarded Book of the Year with sales in excess of 450,000.
Do's struggles as a young refugee - his difficulties with English, divorcing parents, being bullied and broke, are brought to life in this hilarious but moving stage show, garnering this happy refugee standing ovations across the country.
Recommended for ages 7+
Tickets - $69.90 - $74.90
*This show is NOT elligible to use "the one free ticket" benefit included in the Friends of Burrinja Membership.
Burrinja & Vic Health presents
Polymer Pride Earrings
Sat 12 Aug @ 2pm | Art Studio @ Burrinja
Would you like to adorn yourself with a pair of handmade earrings? Maybe you'd like to learn how to experiment with polymer clay to create sparkly handmade creations. In this workshop, you will learn how to mould and cut polymer clay to create your own pair of Polymer Pride Earrings. All materials supplied.
In this workshop you will:
~ Learn about polymer clay.
~ View lots of different queer earring designs
~ Learn step-by-step how to create your own earrings.
~ Personalise your earrings to show off your gender and sexuality.
~ Take home a pair of pretty homemade earrings!
Workshop: 2 pm – 7.30 pm
Facilitator: Adele Moleta (Delsi)
Light afternoon tea /snacks served.
Let us know you are coming by registering now HERE
Get in touch with any questions or to let us know what your access needs are at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Hosted by the Queer Art Collective (QAC) at Burrinja and respectfully acknowledging the diverse lived experiences of LGBTQI+ and BIPOC communities, this event is specifically designed as an inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ identifying people and their allies, friends and families who may or may not also be Queer. QAC is committed to creating art and social gathering events created for and with queer-identifying people. This is an event for all ages, but young people should be accompanied by an adult. And it’s FREE.
Live in the Lyre presents
Clint Wilson ‘L.A.’ Album Launch ~ Live in the Lyre
Fri 18 Aug @ 8.00pm | Lyre Room
Clint Wilson tells a distinctly Australian story through his songwriting. With a nostalgic, alt-country sound reminiscent of Paul Kelly, Wilson brings local context and real world experiences to his music, giving a suburban authenticity that artists like The Go-Betweens, You Am I and Triffids pioneered in the 80s and 90s in Australia. Join Clint and his band as they launch his third album L.A.
Tickets ~ $30 - $35
Tickets on sale May 19 @ 9 am, 15%* off until midnight June 4, 2023
*please note that 15% off applies to Admission, Concession and Group 6+ ONLY,
NOT Youth U26 or Burrinja Encore pricing
Image credit: Amanda Page, Precipice ll, 2020, photopolymer etching on Fabriano 280gsm from charcoal drawings, 70 x 100 cm
burrinja presents
Transition | Amanda Page
19 Aug - 30 Sep | Burrinja Gallery 01 & 03
Transition depicts states of change in atmospheric activity. Through site-specific observations of icy vistas in Antarctica and Iceland Amanda Page developed artworks which reference that change.
Camera-less exposure processes combined with digital photography, drawing and printmaking are used to explore natural systems such as weather patterns and phenomena such as erosion to record and reveal processes of melting and the movement of energy in materials.
burrinja presents
The Land Speaks | Meg Gooch
19 Aug - 30 Sep | Burrinja Gallery 02
In this exhibition of watercolours and paintings Meg Gooch explores memories embedded in the land and elements of change that have effected the Gippsland lakes system since colonisation.
Using natural dyes from the local vegetation and made inks from the vegetation at the Barrier Landing area in Lakes Entrance.
Burrinja presents
Hard To Reach Places | Anna Lumb
Thu 7 Sep @ 7.30pm | Lyre Room
Restless, anxious and strangely liberated by having no life plan; Anna wonders is everyone else faking it too?
A day in a woman’s life is played out non-sequentially as she navigates the challenges of parenting, relationships, show business, visible ageing, and the unrealistic expectations she places on herself and others.
This new solo work combines circus, movement, text and sound in a darkly humorous, irreverent and personal insight into one person’s daily experiences and the chaos that ensues from some questionable life choices
Hard To Reach Places is a new solo work created and performed by Anna Lumb and directed by Rebecca Church. It premiered in the 2019 Melbourne Fringe Festival in the new Fringe Hub at Trades Hall and was well received by audiences and critics alike. In HTRP Anna reflects on her personal experiences as a women, mother and artist – exploring the challenges, conflict, humour and heartbreak that occurs on a daily basis – “all these things can be a total circus!” Anecdotes about the mundanity of the supermarket, the chaos of parenting, ageism, and difficult relationships are recounted with humour, pathos and a good dose of physical comedy and skill.
Tickets ~ $19 - $29
Tickets on sale May 19 @ 9 am, 15%* off until midnight June 4, 2023
*please note that 15% off applies to Admission, Concession and Group 6+ ONLY,
NOT Youth U26 or Burrinja Encore pricing
aerie creative ecology presents
TRANSCENDENCE | YJ Fauzee
9 Sep – 21 Oct | aerie gallery
The connection between humanity and the Earth has reached an impasse- as never before in our history we rest upon a precipice. To overt environmental disaster humanity must acknowledge its spiritual connection and interdependency with the Earth and all species. For only through an authentic change in our mindset can humanity live in harmony with the natural environment. This mixed media exhibition accompanied with reflective writings, explores the essence of this shift - a 'transcendence', an awakening, to enable healing of self, our planet and safeguard all living things.
Join us for the exhibition opening in the aerie gallery. Sat 9 September @ 2pm ~ RSVP HERE
Burrinja & Vic Health presents
Mini Happiness Hacks Workshop
Sat 9 Sep @ 2pm | Art Studio @ Burrinja
Want to learn what science can tell us about ways to boost our mood, mental well-being and resilience? Come and join, Unicorns creator and trained Secondary Teacher Delsi to learn a series of science-backed happiness hacks to improve mood, social connection, health, and overall happiness!
Workshop: 2 pm – 3.30 pm
Facilitator: Adele Moleta (Delsi)
Light afternoon tea /snacks served.
Let us know you are coming by registering now HERE
Get in touch with any questions or to let us know what your access needs are at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Hosted by the Queer Art Collective (QAC) at Burrinja and respectfully acknowledging the diverse lived experiences of LGBTQI+ and BIPOC communities, this event is specifically designed as an inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ identifying people and their allies, friends and families who may or may not also be Queer. QAC is committed to creating art and social gathering events created for and with queer-identifying people. This is an event for all ages, but young people should be accompanied by an adult. And it’s FREE.
Live in the Lyre
Ryley Duncan presents The Music of Bon Iver, ft. Amelia Evans ~ Live in the Lyre
Sat 9 Sept @ 8.00pm | Lyre Room
Live in the Lyre is thrilled to present an unmissable event featuring the award-winning Melbourne-based pianist Ryley Duncan and his talented crew as they delve into the captivating music of Bon Iver.
With each arrangement, Ryley and his friends promise to pay homage to the raw honesty of Justin Vernon's soulful songwriting. Together, they'll explore the vast wilderness of improvisational possibilities that these pieces present, creating a truly unique, not to be missed show.
Expect nothing less than sincere, heartfelt performances, genuine improvisations, and well-thought-out arrangements of your favorite Bon Iver songs, all featuring some of Melbourne's most promising young musicians.
Joining Ryley on stage will be the award-winning vocalist Amelia Evans and Ben Ingvarson, who will dazzle you with their powerful vocals and innovative arrangements. We truly believe that Bon Iver's music knows no boundaries when it comes to artistic individuality, and we hope to emulate that same spirit in our own unique style. Don't miss out on this unforgettable night of music, brought to you by Live in the Lyre at Burrinja!
Tickets - $30 - $35
Tickets on sale May 19 @ 9 am, 15%* off until midnight June 4, 2023
*please note that 15% off applies to Admission and Concession ONLY,
NOT Burrinja Encore pricing
Lloyd Spiegel Presents
Lloyd Spiegel Trio ~ Bakehouse Dozen Tour
Fri 6 Oct @ 8.00pm | Lyre Room
Melbourne Blues artist Lloyd Spiegel has been touring the globe for 30 of his 40 years.
The 14 time Australian Blues Award winner has one of the most interesting stories in music, having grown up on stage learning from, and touring with the founding fathers of modern Blues.
The current show features the incredibly talented Lisa Baird on Trombone and long-time collaborator Tim Burnham on drums. Combined with Spiegel’s guitar wizardry, powerful vocal performance and knack for storytelling, this trio with a twist delivers a truly unique entertainment experience that reinvents the blues and dispels the cliches associated with it. This tour celebrates the release of ‘Bakehouse Dozen’. Recorded live in session with no overdubs at Melbourne’s iconic Bakehouse studios, the album offers reimagined versions of songs from Spiegel’s last 3 multi - award winning recordings and showcases the raw energy and depth of the trio, signalling what’s to come.
“Spiegel is ALL presence, authority, rhythm and drive. He epitomises control, soul and passion with white hot ferocity and blazing instrumental mastery dangerous enough to spark a destructive inferno.”The Age
Tickets - $38*
*This show is NOT elligible to use "the one free ticket" benefit included in the Friends of Burrinja Membership.
Image credit: Clifton Pugh Memory of a feral cat, 1960, oil on composition board, 103.8 x 149.8, TarraWarra Museum of Art collection Gift of Eva Besen and Marc Besen AO 2001
burrinja presents
Live, Love and Paint
Clifton Pugh and the Dunmoochin artists colony
7 Oct - 18 Nov | Burrinja Gallery
In 1951 Melbourne artist Clifton Pugh set out to establish a commune at Cottles Bridge near Hurstbridge. It became known as Dunmoochin, and as a creative hub for painters and potters that quickly gained notoriety in conservative Melbourne. Live, Love and Paint was the adopted motto, and this exhibition revisits the colony and its artists with its idealist founder at the centre.
Clifton Pugh (1924 -1990) is one of Australia’s most successful and prominent artists of his time, a prolific portrait painter and three-time winner of the prestigious Archibald Prize for Portraiture. Through a selection of portrait paintings from the first two and a half decades of his artistic career the exhibition weaves in associates and anecdotes.
Immersed in the harsh and rocky surroundings of Dunmoochin Clifton Pugh developed a particular personal view of the Australian ‘bush’ and trademark style of landscape painting. The exhibition will examine these in contemporary light and explore the influence of the environment, encounters with Aboriginal people and early ideas of nature conservation in his work.
Burrinja presents
Double Feature | Damian Callinan
Thu 26 Oct @ 7.30pm | Burrinja Theatre
A romantic romp through Post WW2 Melbourne!
The surprise discovery of his mother’s 1946 diary leads three-time Barry Award nominee Damian Callinan on a cinematic, romantic romp through post-war Melbourne. However, her diary poses more questions than it does answers.
With suitors lining up for 19-year-old Kathleen Purcell, will Jack Bowlen ever get the Canadian two step right? Will Ron Rogan keep his hands to himself? But most importantly for Damian’s very existence, will she notice the dapper fly boy who has just returned from active service?
His mother’s charming journal is hilariously contrasted with his father Adrian’s retirement diary that bookends his parent’s loving relationship and sadly, reveals the tragedy that brought it to an end. The creator and star of the Netflix hit film The Merger uses his powerful gift for storytelling to recast his parents in a funny and poignant double feature of love and loss.
“Sublime, heartwarming, hilarious - an absolute triumph.” Sammy J [comedian, ABC broadcaster & presenter]
Tickets ~ $19 - $39
Tickets on sale May 19 @ 9 am, 15%* off until midnight June 4, 2023
*please note that 15% off applies to Admission, Concession and Group 6+ ONLY,
NOT Youth U26 or Burrinja Encore pricing
Live in the Lyre
Xani ~ An Inaccurate History of Electronic Dance Music ~ Live in the Lyre
Fri 17 Nov @ 8.00pm | Lyre Room
Xani, the award-winning musical alchemist, brings her latest album 'An Inaccurate History of Electronic Dance Music' to life, Live in the Lyre. Get ready to be transported to a limitless and timeless musical world, with Xani's string-filled genre-expanding tracks.
Join us for a night of boundless dancing, soulful music and powerful vocals. Experience the music of Xani, who has been awarded 'Best Musician' at the Music Victoria Awards and whose sound and voice have won over fans at packed theatres, small steamy jazz venues, nightclubs, and even on Twitch, where she has thousands of followers.
'An Inaccurate History of Electronic Dance Music' is an acutely personal interpretation of the evolution of electronic dance music, and Xani, along with her musical collaborators and friends, will take you on a journey through its (inaccurate) history chapter by chapter. From the wide-eyed naive 'Michelle' to the euphoric fast tempos of 'B U Want 2 B', this album weaves through the blurring world of acid house, disco, psytrance, and more, with Xani's two self-produced tracks, 'Astrojet' and 'Road Trip'.
Don't miss this chance to experience the musical alchemy of Xani and friends, as they bring their unique sound to the stage. Let's dance together and wonder what the future of electronic dance music might sound like.
“May this collection of songs transport you, inspire you and fill your hearts with disco smiles. This is my inaccurate history of electronic dance music, dreamed up straight from my heart to yours.” - Xani
Tickets - $30 - $35
Tickets on sale May 19 @ 9 am, 15%* off until midnight June 4, 2023
*please note that 15% off applies to Admission and Concession ONLY,
NOT Burrinja Encore pricing
Burrinja Presents
An afternoon with Maroondah Symphony Orchestra
Sun 3 Dec @ 2PM | The Park at Burrinja
Relax on the lawn to the lush sounds of Maroondah Symphony Orchestra playing well-known classical works.
Tickets ~ $19 - 29
Tickets on sale May 19 @ 9 am, 15%* off until midnight June 4, 2023
*please note that 15% off applies to Admission, Concession and Group 6+ ONLY,
NOT Youth U26 or Burrinja Encore pricing
