Your weekend: our guide to what's on around Melbourne
MUSIC
CLASSICAL The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra presents Beethoven, Mozart and Sibelius performed by Italian pianist Alessio Bax. The show will feature three dramatic works: Beethoven's Egmont overture, Mozart's last piano concerto and Sibelius' first symphony, which pays homage to his native Finland. Saturday, 7.30pm, Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, city, $40-$123, 1300182183, artscentremelbourne.com.au
FOLK Scott Cook has been on the road for 11 years, performing songs from his extensive catalogue. He joins forces with the She'll Be Rights – Bramwell Park on banjo and mandolin, Esther Henderson on violin and Liz Frencham on double bass – for an afternoon of soulful folk. Sunday, 3pm, Spotted Mallard, 314 Sydney Road, Brunswick, $14.50, 93808818, spottedmallard.com.au
ELECTRONIC Three-piece Cool Explosions, whose sound is described as arrhythmic and intergalactic, have released a self-titled debut EP featuring singles Runaway and Glass Jars. Fronted by vocalist Elle Young, with drummer Alex Roper and keyboardist/producer Matty Vehl. Saturday, 8pm, The Toff in Town, 252 Swanston Street, city, $15, 96398770, thetoffintown.com
SOUL The Soul Movers blend uplifting soul with rock, folk and funk. Led by vocalist Lizzie Mack with a tambourine in hand, the band will perform tracks from their newly released sophomore album Bona Fide, ahead of an appearance at Boogie Festival in April. Saturday, 8.30pm, Evelyn Hotel, corner of Brunswick and Kerr streets, Fitzroy, $15-$20, 94195500, evelynhotel.com.au
STAGE
CIRCUS Head First Acrobats' Elixir combines physical comedy and circus tricks. The show follows three acrobat-scientists as they attempt to create the elixir of life. Saturday, 10pm, The Famous Spiegeltent, Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, city, $35-$39, 92453788, comedyfestival.com.au
THEATRE The Importance of Being Earnest is considered Oscar Wilde's most enduring play. Its witty repartee and satire of Victorian social customs caused a stir when it premiered in 1895. Presented by Artefact Theatre Co. Saturday, 7.30pm, Sunday, 6pm, Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran, $35-$40, 92453788, comedyfestival.com.au
DARKDark comedy Stark and Dormy is set in a seaside town where strange things happen: alien creatures, captive apes plotting and sinister sci-fi elements. Presented by Bunk Puppets, who combine shadow puppetry, sketch comedy, and lo-fi effects. Saturday, 6.45pm, Sunday, 5.45pm, Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank, $25-$28, 92453788, comedyfestival.com.au
NEW TALENT Catherine Bohart, Chris Washington, Mawaan Rizwan and Rosie Jones are members of the New Order, a show that brings together rising comedians from the UK and Ireland. Saturday, 9.30pm, Sunday, 8.30pm, Melbourne Town Hall, corner of Swanston and Collins streets, city, $27, 92453788, comedyfestival.com.au
ELSEWHERE
MARKET The Boroondara Farmers' Market is large, so best to start off with an Australian-grown coffee from the Eureka stall. Once you have picked up your essentials, try the ready-to-heat falafels from Bite Me, fresh pasta from the Pasta House or family-sized pies from Chef's Fine Food. Saturday, 8am-1pm, Patterson Reserve, Auburn Road, Hawthorn, gold coin donation, vfma.org.au
GARDENS The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show comes to a close this weekend, with stunning floral displays and landscape design show gardens being the main attractions. The event also includes floral design workshops, market stalls, floral fashion and art and sculpture exhibitions. Kids under 14 enter free. Saturday and Sunday, 9am-5pm, Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton, $26-$45, 98641114, melbflowershow.com.au
FOOD Award-winning Berwick restaurant MPD Steak Kitchen comes to the city for a three-week pop-up. Menu highlights include spanner crab and gin-cured Ora king salmon, Flinders Island lamb shoulder, and tender cuts of Sher Wagyu scotch fillet. Serving until April 13. Saturday, 5.30pm-late, MPD Steak Kitchen pop-up, Beaney Lane, city, 97020758, mpdsteakkitchen.com/pop-up
FESTIVAL The High Country Hops festival is a chance to taste craft hop beers from high country brewers. There will also be local wine and spirit producers, food trucks, kids' activities and live music. Entry to the grounds is free, with limited tasting and glamping packages available. Saturday, 11am-8pm, Sunday, 11am-4pm, Bridge Road Brewers, 50 Ford Street, Beechworth, free entry, 57282703, bridgeroadbrewers.com.au
ART Head to the Yarra Ranges for the TarraWarra Museum of Art's Open Weekend. There will be live painting by Melbourne artist Ash Keating, landscape sketching workshops, a maker's market, museum tours, entry to exhibitions by Tracey Moffatt and Katie West, and children's workshops. Saturday and Sunday, 11am-5pm, TarraWarra Museum of Art, 313 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Healesville, free entry, 59573100, twma.com.au
FAMILY The Friend in Me Party is an inclusive event that aims to connect children who may be feeling isolated, specifically children with autism, medical conditions or anxiety, victims of bullying, or refugees. Expect jumping castles, laser tag, face-painting, an animal farm, fairies and more. Sunday, 11am-3pm, Seaworks, 82 Nelson Place, Williamstown, $5-$10, 93978528, seaworks.com.au