8 Things to do in Melbourne in April

words by niall roeder

No matter the month, day or hour, there are loads of things to do in Melbourne. From perusing exhibitions to café crawls, catching shows and eating your way through the city – it’s impossible to do it all – all we can do is give it a red hot try.

We look at 8 things to do in Melbourne in April.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Alongside Montreal’s Just for Laughs and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this is one of the biggest comedy festivals in the world. More than just stand-up, the riotous program includes cabaret, theatre, street performance, film, television, radio and visual arts. In 2017, the mega line-up includes the hilariously dry Daniel Kitson, the scruffy Chris D’Elia, the epically shameless Shirley Gnome, and local larakins Aaron Gocs, Matt Okine and Alex Williamson.

NGV Friday Nights
At the moment, Melbourne is counting its lucky, arty stars to have its mitts on an exclusive Van Gogh exhibition. Make your way over to the National Gallery of Victoria on a Friday night and experience Van Gogh and the Seasons after-hours. In addition to the masterpieces by Van the man, there’ll be classical string quartet recitals, exhibition talks, food and drink.

Book of Mormon
This could be the funniest musical of all time – there, I said it. The maniacal geniuses behind South Park have produced a very enlightening production called, The Book of Mormon. Am I taking the piss? No, but they most certainly are. Since its debut in 2011, The Book of Mormon has won nine Tonys and a Grammy – so, go see it at the Princess Theatre.

Wine and Cheese Fest
The Wine and Cheese Fest at the Meat Market is a beautiful thing – an atmospheric heritage building, filled with the best cheese creators, wine makers, cider experts, beer brewers, as well as olive oil and charcuterie enthusiasts from around the land. Connect with your inner connoisseur and get stuck in April 2 from 11:30am.

Lord of the Flies
Some stories never get old. This is one. In an Australian premiere exclusive to Melbourne, William Golding’s timeless novel, Lord of the Flies, has been transformed beautiful new production by Sir Matthew Bourne’s (OBE) New Adventures & Re:Bourne (Edward Scissorhands and Swan Lake). This is showing the Arts Centre Melbourne from April 5 – 9.

Mud Morganfield
Who the hell is Mud Morganfield? He is, in fact, the eldest son of Blues great Muddy Waters… who is playing a very affordable gig at the Northcote Social Club April 10. Blues fan or not, Mud’s sexy baritone voice and wounded lyrics are pretty damn close to his old man’s, and will have tapping your feet, sipping bourbon and wondering why you never learnt the harmonica.

The World’s Best Chefs
#50BestTalks is a gathering of next-level chefs from The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Culinary conversations and appetising ideas will be shared by the likes of Jordi Roca of El Celler de Can Roca (World #2 Restaurant), Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park (World #3 Restaurant) and Grant Achatz of Alinea (World #15 Restaurant).

Underworld Live
Karl Hyde and Rick Smith are bringing bright lights and intense electronica to the Arts Centre Melbourne April 12. If not for classics like Pearl’s Girl and Rez, go for Born Slippy .NUXX and Trainspotting and memories of raving in the mid 90s. This gig will go absolutely mental, like Jumanji, but in concert form.