The Brunswick Ballroom Opening Gala on Thursday 4th March opened with a BANG as Melbourne’s A list crowd arrived dressed to impress to enjoy an evening of celebrating the newly refurbished ballroom with performances by some of our much-loved performing artists. Being able to be back at events and mask-free was topped off with a captivating performance by one of Australia’s most prolific and multi-talented performing artists Eddie Perfect alongside hilarious and captivating newcomer Margot Tanjutco, who both played hosts throughout the evening.
The Gala was performed as a cabaret love-letter to Melbourne, celebrating our beloved arts industry reopening its doors post-pandemic in the heart of one of its iconic neighborhoods. Revelling in the diversity, spirit, and anarchy of the people who populate Melbourne, the Gala had a sampling of our finest local artists, giving a taste of the feast to come in this everything gold-is-new-again venue.
Produced by Tinderbox Productions for BRUNSWICK BALLROOM, the Gala was be directed by award-winning director and writer Dean Bryant with musical direction by Isaac Hayward, award-winning music director, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger.
Eddie Perfect and Margot Tanjutco were joined on stage by jazz singer, cabaret artiste and gender transcendent diva Mama Alto, award-winning stage and screen leading man Bert LaBonté, indigenous performer, composer, and songwriter Jess Hitchcock, multi-award-winning writer and performer Ash Flanders, acclaimed actor, singer and composer/lyricist Vidya Makan and Green Room award-winning singer, songwriter and comedian Jude Perl.
‘One of the greatest things about Melbourne is its live music and entertainment scene and I am beyond excited to be playing a part in celebrating the opening of this brand-new venue with my co-host Margot Tanjutco. As a local, I can’t wait to get in there to soak up the unique Brunswick vibe but also introduce all of Melbourne to this most unique and inspiring display of music, cabaret, and comedy at the BRUNSWICK BALLROOM.” Said Eddie Perfect.
Adding to their excitement the BRUNSWICK BALLROOM team are tickled pink to also be hosting some of the best shows in this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival as it welcomes comedians to our stage and audiences to our brand-new venue. MICF returns in 2021 delivering much-needed laughs and good times to Melburnians and for the first time making its way down Sydney Rd to the BRUNSWICK BALLROOM with comedy superstars Tripod and the breakout cult favourite, Australia’s fake genuine Russian choir’ Dustyesky. Staying with the Russian theme, VulgarGrad’s unique folk-punk-polka-ska-swing musical take on Russian criminal activity could make them guilty of making light of these serious matters!
Featuring Jane Clifton Denise Scott, Fiona Scott Norman, Derek Guille, Brian Nankervis, Dave O’Neil, and Adam Zwar amongst many more, Pants on Fire is a live onstage panel game that started as a way to stay sane during lockdown and now explodes live with two teams of well-known showbiz types competing to see who is the greatest bullsh*t artist of them all.
The critically acclaimed one-woman show Coral Browne’s This F*cking Lady stars legendary Australian actress Amanda Muggleton based on the life of Australian legendary star of stage and screen, Coral Browne, putting the Grande Dame back in the spotlight where she belongs.
In addition to the MICF shows eclectic programming continues throughout March and April seeing legends such as Kate Ceberano, Tim Rogers, Ross Wilson, Underground Lovers, and David Helfgott don the brand-new stage. D’Arcy Spiller, Girlatones, and Bitch Diesel will feature as part of the Brunswick Music Festival which will also include a free gig on Tuesday 9th March by Loretta and her Boyfriends at the Brunswick Artists’ Bar located downstairs at the new venue.
The newly refurbished BRUNSWICK BALLROOM is located in the old Metropolis House on Sydney Road, taking the mantle as one of Melbourne’s most eclectic and diverse entertainment and events venue. This extraordinary venue has been reimagined, refurbished, and renamed and will feature the best of Australian and international music, cabaret, and comedy. The rich history of the venue dates back to the 1960s. Once a hat factory, nightclub, a wedding reception centre, French restaurant, and most recently music venue The Spotted Mallard, this reincarnation offers patrons the chance to combine a delicious meal with a glass of wine while enjoying a great show!
TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT BRUNSWICKBALLROOM.COM.AU & MOSHTIX
