This was published 2 years ago
Melbourne things to do in April: Biggest month of events since the start of the pandemic
By Paul Chai
Melbourne is set to roar back to life in April.Credit: iStock
Victoria's reputation as the capital of major events suffered some major setbacks over the past two years with cancellations, restrictions and lockdowns dimming the lights of some of the state's brightest stars.
But, like the proverbial buses, you wait ages and then all the events arrive at once and there is currently a post-pandemic logjam of major events headed to Victoria from April.
Once again Melbourne, and the regions, are set to be packed full of laughs, drama, fabulous food, the roar of F1 engines and the sound of boots on leather for the AFL season.
The cast of Hamilton perform outside Her Majesty's Theatre for fans last month prior to the opening of the show.Credit: Wayne Taylor
Prior to the pandemic, a study found major events attracted almost 6.9 million visitors to Victoria, bringing an economic benefit of $2.5 billion. Melbourne's hotels are forecast to hit 90 per cent occupancy this weekend.
"What I have missed most about Melbourne are the beautiful people, delicious food, pristine galleries and stunning architecture," says Phil Wang, a British-Malaysian stand-up coming heading to Melbourne for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
"The city's commitment to the finer things in life not as mere extravagances, but as vital to living."
Ireland's David O'Doherty: International comedians are returning to the Comedy Festival for the first time since the pandemic began. Credit: Jim Lee
What started as a tentative toe in the water with the successful Australian Open earlier this year – culminating in Ash Barty's historic win – has now paved the way for a packed calendar. From famine to feast, the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (until April 9) has given a great boost to the embattled hospitality sector that has had to do a head-spinning number of pivots since the pandemic began, but is finally welcoming back diners.
"It's great to see people excited again about going out, drinking, dining and celebrating," says Andrew McConnell chef and owner of Trader House restaurant group that includes Gimlet and Cumulus Inc. "There has been a buzz in the city."
Not only is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival back tickling the city's funny bone but international guests are returning for the first time since the pandemic began. Joining Phil Wang will be a host of overseas stars including Irish comedian David O'Doherty who has a bucket list of things he wants to tick off this month.
The Formula 1 Grand Prix returns to Melbourne's Albert Park this month.Credit: AP
"I've missed eating a Weis ice cream in Fed Square while watching some bad break-dancers," he says. "I've missed getting lost up a lane off a lane and finding a 1930s Italian-cycling-themed wine bar run by a man and his sausage dog. I've missed the way Melbournians say 'you better be funny!' if they meet you before your show. I mean, it's a threat, but it's said with such charm."
Melbourne's theatre precinct is once again seeing queues stretching right around the historic buildings with audiences bidding farewell to Moulin Rouge! The Musical that finishes up at the end of April, watching a renewed all-in-one staging of the epic Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and audiences are welcoming the rap-history musical Hamilton from Lin Manuel Miranda.
In sports, surfers are back tackling the blockbuster-sized waves at Bells Beach at the Rip Curl Pro, the F1 will be running rings around Albert Park and the AFL season is back with limit-free crowds at the city's major stadiums.
Looking ahead, Rising arts festival is back in winter (June 1-12, everywhere), the NGV Winter Masterpieces series has The Picasso Century from June to October and ACMI will show ACMI MWM Light: Works from Tate's Collection from June to November.
It may seem like a busy few months ahead but Melbourne was never a city that knew the meaning of having too much on and it is great to see a major comeback on the cards.
Melbourne's packed calendar of major events:
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Until April 24
Various locations
comedyfestival.com.au
Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
April 7-10
Albert Park
grandprix.com.au
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
One-part performances beginning in May
Princess Theatre
au.harrypottertheplay.com
Hamilton
Started March 16
Her Majesty's Theatre
hamiltonmusical.com.au
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Until April 29
Regent Theatre
moulinrougemusical.com
AFL Premiership Season
Kicked off in March
Various locations
afl.com.au
Rip Curl Pro
Bells Beach
April 10-20
Bells Beach, Torquay
worldsurfleague.com/events
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