Upcoming Events & Experiences
Image Credit: (left to right): Mary Tonkin, Ramble, Kalorama 2017-19 (detail) oil on linen,Fred Williams (1927 - 1982), UPWEY LANDSCAPE, oil on canvas, , Miles Evergood (1871 - 1939) c. 1935 – 1938, oil on canvas
The Ranges | 3 Perspectives
exhibition extended to 24th of July, 2021
15 May - 24 July | Burrinja Gallery
Drawing from the vivid and lush landscape of the Dandenong Ranges, a place each artist once called home, the works in this exhibition showcase three distinctly different perspectives.
Be captured by the unique majesty of the ranges, seen through the eyes of these brilliant Australian landscape painters.
Mary Tonkin - Ramble : Contemporary plein air landscape artist whose detailed large scale representations reflect the forest at her family’s property in Kalorama.
Fred Williams -The Upwey Years : Australia’s most iconic landscape artist redefined painting in the Australian bush during his ‘Upwey years’ from 1963-68.
Miles Evergood - Vistas : An impressionist whose 1930’s Kalorama paintings are characterised by strong colours and expressive brushstrokes and use of palette knife.
See the digital experience here
The Ranges | 3 Perspectives - Curator Guided Tours
Thu 8 Jul - Fri 23 Jul | Burrinja Gallery
Take an in-depth curator guided tour of these three unique exhibitions.
Mary Tonkin - Ramble : Contemporary plein air landscape artist whose detailed large scale representations reflect the forest at her family’s property in Kalorama.
Fred Williams -The Upwey Years : Australia’s most iconic landscape artist redefined painting in the Australian bush during his ‘Upwey years’ from 1963-68.
Miles Evergood - Vistas : An impressionist whose 1930’s Kalorama paintings are characterised by strong colours and expressive brushstrokes and use of palette knife.
Sessions are 30 mins with a maximum of 15 people.
Thu 8 July @ 2pm // Fri 9 July @ 10am
Thu 15 July @ 2pm // Fri 16 July @ 10am
Thu 22 July @ 2pm // Fri 23 July @ 10am
the habour agency presents
Dami Im • SOLO TOUR
An intimate evening of Piano, Songs & Stories
POSTPONED: Sat 10 Jul 8.00pm
NEW DATE : Wed 28th July 8.00pm | Burrinja Theatre
Unfortunately due to the national outbreak of COVID-19, Dami Im's show at Burrinja Cultural Centre on Saturday 10th July can’t go ahead and is postponed to Wednesday 28th July.
Our box office has sent an email to all patrons in order to move you over to the new date.
Message from Dami:
“I’m absolutely devastated that I’m not able to perform at Burrinja this weekend as part of my Piano, Songs & Stories tour. I hope everybody stays safe and I can’t wait to see you on the 28th of July!”
Dami Im brings her first ever SOLO TOUR for a special and intimate evening of Piano, Songs & Stories.
“The intimacy of these solo shows and being able to feel the connection with the audience has been so special” Dami said.
Beginning her musical journey as a virtuoso pianist, Dami is renowned for her emotive and powerful vocals since winning The X-Factor Australia. She has released a string of hits such as ‘Alive’, ‘Super Love’ and ‘Gladiator’. She went onto become ‘Eurovision Royalty’ in 2016 when she earned the highest score ever achieved by an Australian entry.
Recommended for all ages (PG) | Runtime - 70 mins
Tickets - $49.90 Admission*
*This show is NOT elligible to use "the one free ticket" benefit included in the Friends of Burrinja Membership.
Creative Movement & Drama Classes
Weds from July 14 for 10 weeks | Uniting Baptist Church in Upwey
PLAY UP: Grades Prep – 2 or Ages 5 – 7 years
The emphasis for this age group is on creative play and improvisation. Classes are designed to stimulate the imagination of young children, through participation in various drama, music and movement activities.
ACT UP: Grade 3 – 4 or Ages 7 – 9 years - 5.15pm - 6.15pm
These classes are designed to encourage children to become confident in presenting their own ideas and to work together in a group. This is achieved through movement, poetry, songs, scripts and theatre games; providing safe, supported performance opportunities.
TROUPE: Grade 5 – 8 or Ages 10 – 13 years - Troupe 6.30pm - 7.30pm
These classes are designed to encourage children to become confident in presenting their own ideas and to work together in a group. This is achieved through movement, poetry, songs, scripts and theatre games; providing safe, supported performance opportunities.
Further information:
Classes are facilitated by Dee Whittington who has many years' experience with children and youth of all ages in the areas of creative movement, drama and music, with fabulous outcomes for the participants.
Please note these classes are moving for term 3 to the Uniting Baptist Church in Upwey
All Classes $160 per term
Trial Class $16 - Trial Class Bookings via the Box Office on 9754 8723
ANY ENQUIRIES please CONTACT the Box Office: Tue-Fri, 10:00am-4:00pm, 9754-8723 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Yarra Ranges Council Early Years
Bookaburra Storytime Term 3
Join a Bookaburra Volunteer Storyteller for interactive stories and songs.
Every Fortnight from Thu 15 July @ 10.30am*
Bookaburra Volunteer Storytellers run FREE interactive sessions including stories, rhymes and fun (excluding school holidays). No booking required!
These sessions are open to all families with children aged 0-5 years.
Bookaburra Storytime supports young children's early literacy skills and fosters a love of reading.
Reading to children from a young age can have a positive effect on their emotional, social and language development while also supporting their future ability to succeed at school and learning.
Bring along your child and join the storytime fun.
*Dates subject to change. School and Public holidays excluded.
Dance Factory presents:
Dance Factory End of Term Performance
Sun 18 July 3.00pm | Burrinja Theatre
Postponed
A chance to see our full time, part time, VET and junior students performing in a range of different dance styles
Inline with the snap lockdown restrictions for Melbourne and Victoria, Dance Factory End of Term Performance has been postponed.
Run Time - 105 Minutes including 15minute interval | Suitable all ages
*Tickets - $42 Admission*
*This show is NOT elligible to use "the one free ticket" benefit included in the Friends of Burrinja Membership.
The Lux Radio Theatre presents
Gone with the Wind
Sun 25 July 2.00pm | Burrinja Theatre
The perennial favourite Gone with the Wind is currently being performed on stage as a classic radio play by the Lux Radio Theatre. Set against the American Civil War, it is the stirring story of Scarlett O’Hara and her romance with the debonair Rhett Butler. The story has intrigued several generations since the book was first published, and the 1939 movie is still the highest grossing film of all time. The Lux Radio Theatre company has become an audience favourite. It started with a series of productions at Arts Centre Melbourne and has toured widely in Victoria and Queensland, to the Brisbane Festival, Noosa Longweekend, and the Castlemaine Festival. A group of distinguished actors double roles, create live sound effects and perform classic soap commercials. The audience is also very much a part of the action - playing the guests at a ball and applauding on cue.
‘It was like stepping back in time to days when the family would gather around the wireless to listen to their favourite radio play.’
Running time 90 minutes | 20 interval
Tickets - $18.00 - $36.00
Live in the Lyre
Carolyn Oates | Khristian Mizzi
Fri 30 July 7.30pm | The Lyre Room
Carolyn Oates
Roots/pop artist, Carolyn Oates mixes jaw dropping guitar work with heartfelt songs that speak to the human condition. Known for her staggering array of guitar chord voicings, she adds to this a fine mastery of the lyric form, creating beautiful stories. "Unique" is a word that genuinely describes what Carolyn Oates is doing. With vocal stylings of Suzanne Vega, she combines the adventurous guitar tunings of Joni Mitchell with the dexterity of Paul Simon.
Khristian Mizzi
With a ‘strong and gentle’ voice, and an art for weaving beauty and truth into the words of each song, Khristian Mizzi reaches the hearts of his audiences with performances that are joyful, uplifting, confronting, spiritual, comedic and vulnerable all at once.
Tickets - $30
Live in the Lyre
Maroondah Symphony Orchestra
Sat 31 July 1.00pm | Burrinja Theatre
An afternoon with the Maroondah Orchestra, presenting three beautiful compositions. Enjoy the cool winter afternoons of the hills, with a hot program of works from Maroondah Orchestra:
Guiseppe Verdi: Nabucco Overture
Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 6 Pathetique
Tickets - $24.00 - $28.00
Single $3 ticketing fee applies per total transaction
Aquatic Realms | Ches Mills
Sat 31 Jul - Sat 18 Sep | Burrinja Gallery
These paintings were triggered by my awe and wonder of our oceans, their fascinating shorelines, cliffs and glorious coral reefs that as a result of global warming are being compromised. In these paintings, I hoped to portray the beauty, intricacies, diversity, complexities, atmospheres and interconnectivity of our ocean environs and in doing so, the urgent need for action to be taken to protect them. (Ches Mills)
Alice "How long is forever?"
White Rabbit "Sometimes just one second".
Alice's adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
Join us for the Opening Celebration Sat 31st @ 11am
of the infinite possibilities of reconstruction | Joy Serwlyo
Sat 31 Jul - Sat 4 Sep | Burrinja Gallery
After a pandemic and a super storm, the bushfires that ravaged Victoria and NSW seem to have paled into legend. Yet we welcome each new year with an uneasy awareness that it is bushfire season. Again. However, the destruction is always followed by breathtaking regeneration. New green shoots, rebuilt homes, rallying community.
Here is a saga of deconstructed books and burnt fabric, reconstructed into a story of renewal. (Joy Serwylo)
Join us for the Opening Celebration Sat 31st @ 11am
Some they do and some they don't and some you just can't tell | Rona Green
Sat 31 Jul - Sat 4 Sep | Burrinja Gallery
Rona Green’s fanciful hand coloured linocut prints of anthropomorphised native and introduced animals explore ideas about the nature of individuality. In particular the artist is interested in the body and its potential to be the stem point for transformation.
Join us for the Opening Celebration Sat 31st @ 11am
Live in the Lyre
Bec Sykes | Daisy West
Sat 31 July 7.30pm | The Lyre Room
Bec Sykes
Bec Sykes is a singer-songwriter from the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Layering moody melodies upon minimalist piano and guitar, Bec uses her voice as an instrument and masters the art of emo-folk. Bec has spent the past eighteen months honing her songwriting skills and playing at many of Melbourne’s most beloved intimate venues including The Wesley Anne, Grace Darling, and Some Velvet Morning. Having been crowned the winner of Melbourne label, Pieater’s ‘Pie School’ competition in late 2019, Bec has recently been in the studio with Tom Iansek (Big Scary, #1 Dads, Airling) to record her first single, 'Edithvale'.
Daisy West
Daisy West are an exciting soul rock band hailing from the Dandenong Ranges. Daisy West play music that has deep musical substance, their sound is based on the essential elements of great songwriting and long honed, tasteful musicianship. Fronted by the sublimely gifted Blin Vanheems, whose voice is as supple as it is powerful, the band has a sound that is at once timeless yet contemporary.
Tickets - $30
Live in the Lyre
Grand Baxter | Clint Wilson
Sun 1 Aug 3.00pm | The Lyre Room
Grand Baxter
Grand Baxter is the introspective folk project of Melbourne singer-songwriter Ben Langdon (The Bean Project). With artists such as Jason Isbell, Dawes, James Taylor and Paul Simon in his easel, he paints vivid pictures of social anxiety, deep depression, interpersonal struggles and growing older. This project captures the darker, more candid part of Langdon’s songwriting soul.
Clint Wilson
Melbournian Singer/ Songwriter Clint Wilson possesses that rare and special something in his songwriting, that makes his fans instantly connect to his story. Justifiably compared to the likes of Paul Kelly and Crowded House, Clint’s nostalgic Folk, Alt-Country music is an enjoyable amble through the tradition of storytelling in song..
Tickets - $30
DAPS Entertainment presents:
The Cocker Ronstadt Experience
Two of the greatest rock vocalists of all time…..together for the first time!
Sat 7 Aug 7.30pm | Burrinja Theatre
Re-live an amazing era of music as acclaimed performers and entertainers, Susie Davies-Splitter and Phil Splitter pay tribute to two powerhouse vocalists, Joe Cocker and Linda Ronstadt.
All the hits you know and love, backed by an incredible live 5 piece band featuring some of Australia’s most respected musicians.
With Colour, Costumes, Cabaret and Charisma; this is a show not to be missed!
Hear timeless Ronstadt hits ‘You’re no good’, ‘Blue Bayou’, ‘When Will I Be Loved’, ‘It’s So Easy’, ‘Poor Poor Pitiful Me’ and Cocker classics such as ‘The Letter’, ‘You are so beautiful’, ‘Up where we belong’, ‘You can leave your hat on’, ‘Hitchcock Railway’ and many more.
The Cocker Ronstadt Experience- an Experience like no other!
Run Time -145 Minutes including 25minute interval | Suitable ages 12+
Tickets - $39.00 - $52.00 Admission*
*This show is NOT elligible to use "the one free ticket" benefit included in the Friends of Burrinja Membership.
Belgrave Heights Christian School presents
The Little Mermaid
A cast of 70 students from Years 2-12 at Belgrave Heights Christian School are pleased to present Disney's The Little Mermaid!
POSTPONED Thu 12 Aug - Sat 14 Aug | Burrinja Theatre
NEW DATES Thu 4 Nov - Sat 6 Nov | Burrinja Theatre
Beautiful mermaid Ariel should be a happy girl -- she lives in an enchanted undersea country, her father is a King, and she has the most beautiful singing voice. But she is a passionate, headstrong teenager, and wants what she cannot have -- to live on land. When she falls in love with a handsome human prince, Ariel is more determined than ever to gain a pair of legs. But her only option is to defy her furious father, and bargain with Ursula the Sea Witch, giving her voice as the price of entry onto dry land. With the help of Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, and officious court composer Sebastian the crab, Ariel must wordlessly gain Prince Eric's love within three days -- or lose her soul to the ambitious witch! Based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, and the wildly popular Disney film, this musical staging of The Little Mermaid features a funny and fanciful book by Doug Wright, with the beloved score by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Glenn Slater in an expanded but completely faithful form, featuring the rambunctious and persuasive 'Under the Sea,' the romantic expectation of 'Kiss the Girl,' and that anthem to longing and belonging, 'Part of Your World.'
Due to the impacts of lockdowns and re-opening capacities the school has decided to postpone their production "The Little Mermaid" at Burrinja until early November. Your tickets have been automatically transferred to the new dates.
If you are unable to attend the new dates please send your refund request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Fri 6 Aug, with the subject line: REFUND FOR THE LITTLE MERMAID (or click the link HERE)
Thank you for your understanding and we are looking forward to seeing you at the production in November
Thu 4 Nov 7.00pm // Fri 5 Nov 7.00pm
Sat 6 Nov 1.00pm // Sat 6 Nov 6.00pm
*Tickets $24 - $30
*This show is NOT elligible to use "the one free ticket" benefit included in the Friends of Burrinja Membership.
www.alist.com.au presents
Arj Barker • Comes Clean
Thu 19 Aug 8.00pm | Burrinja Theatre
“Do I swear to tell the whole truth? No, but I'll swear while telling the partial truth. And trust me, it's a lot more fun that way. If you truly want to laugh, then take my word for it. This is honestly the best hour of BS around; I kid you not...” Arj Barker
And he’s not wrong. Australia’s adopted son of comedy returns to Melbourne to premiere his brand-new hour of riotous comedy in Arj Barker ‘Comes Clean’.
Be prepared for some home truths, some vague truths and some information none of us are ready to hear, but won’t be able to forget any time soon, because Arj brings the hilarity and lots of it.
WINNER - 2019 ARIA Award for Best Comedy Release – ‘Organic’
“It’s a joy to spend an hour in his world” ★★★★★ The Advertiser
“A must see for anyone who loves a laugh…” Adelaide Now
“Excellent stand-up by an exceptional comedian.” ★★★★ Broadway Baby”
Recommended for ages 15+ | 90 mins no interval
Tickets - $49.90 - $54.90*
*This show is NOT elligible to use "the one free ticket" benefit included in the Friends of Burrinja Membership.
Ruccis Circus & Burrinja presents
Burrinja Circus Festival
Postponed until the September School Holidays | Burrinja
The Burrinja Circus Festival is back with a jam-packed week of circus fun for the whole family! Flip, climb and tumble your way through school holiday circus workshops for kids of all ages, 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
The Burrinja Circus Festival has been postponed until the September School Holidays, the schedule is currently being finalised, current ticket holders have been notified via email regarding their ticketing options.
shake & stir theatre presents:
Animal Farm
Shocking, relevant and wickedly funny. Pig in now to avoid disappointment.
Tues 14 Sep 7.30pm | Burrinja Theatre
Animal Farm, one of the most controversial and studied political commentaries returns in a multi-award winning, critically-acclaimed physical theatre production.
George Orwell’s simple yet intensely powerful fairy tale illustrates with stunning clarity and grotesque beauty how greed and power corrupts and with devastating consequences, can change the course of history. Revolution has taken place at Manor Farm. The pigs have assumed control and under the principles of Animalism a better life free from human service is promised to all. Guided by a simple set of rules and an unrelenting respect for authority, it is not long until the rules that promised freedom become the chains that bind the animals once again. Directed by Michael Futcher and realised by shake & stir theatre.
Haze, smoke and strobe effects, loud music
Run Time - 90 Minutes | Suitable ages 12+
Tickets - $18.00 - $38.00 Admission ~ on sale soon
The Crossing Machine plays Juliet Letters by Elvis Costello
The Crossing Machine bring this stunning work to life at Burrinja.
Fri 1 Oct 7.30pm | The Lyre Room
In 1993, Elvis Costello stunned critics and audiences alike with his gorgeous and ambitious album and song cycle, The Juliet Letters, recorded with The Brodsky Quartet. Against all predictions, the live-recorded classically leaning album, comprised of imaginary letters to Juliet Capulet climbed the charts worldwide.
Elvis Costello described The Juliet Letters as “a song sequence for string quartet and voice and it has a title. It’s a little bit different. It’s not a rock opera. It’s a new thing.”
Warning: Contains potentially triggering content or themes, including Death
Run Time - 90 Minutes | Suitable ages 15+
Tickets - $18.00 - $28.00 Admission ~ tickets on sale soon
LAB Kelpie & Burrinja presents:
Become the One
A live play reading of ‘Become the One’ and community dinner.
Sun 3 Oct 4.00pm | The Lyre Room
Noah, a young queer man, captures the attention of Tom, a closeted high-profile AFL player nearing the end of his career. Delving into the hyper-masculinity of sport, BECOME THE ONE asks what happens to such clandestine relationships when good intentions and patience aren’t enough anymore.
This is a celebration of difference, a call to bravery, and an examination of what it takes to do the right thing – as a lover, as a high profile sport star, as a human being – to BECOME THE ONE.Join us for this live play reading, followed by a community dinner in solidarity and support of our LGBTQIA+ community.
“Heart wrenching, raw and categorically brave. Become The One doesn’t let you off the hook. We need more of this on our stages.” Dani Rothwell, Theatre People
Run Time 120 Minutes
Tickets - FREE ~ tickets on sale soon
Regional Arts Victoria presents:
Mental as Everything
Bringing mental illness & music together with transparency, comedy and a deep personal narrative.
Sat 16 Oct 7.30pm | The Lyre Room
Damon Smith has spent 50,000 hours of his life checking on stoves & involuntarily spinning in circles. Join Damon, along with his nervous cohort, Adam Coad, as they take you on a journey through the obsessive and compulsive mind with hilarious onstage buffoonery & songs about anxiety.
Warnings: Potentially triggering content or themes, including mental health
Run Time - Minutes | Suitable ages 15+
Tickets - $18.00 - $28.00 Admission ~ tickets on sale soon
The Maes
Bring their soaring harmonies and instrumental prowess to the Lyre Room
Fri 22 Oct 8.00pm | The Lyre Room
Multi-award-winning Melbourne contemporary folk outfit, The Maes (formerly The Mae Trio) is the brainchild of sisters Maggie and Elsie Rigby. Born into the arms of the Folk music community in Australia, both sisters were side of stage at their first folk festival when they were four weeks old and have been absorbing and exploring folk music since that time.
Since 2014, The Maes have been full time touring in Australia and overseas, winning over audiences with their striking songwriting, intricate instrumental arrangements and stunning vocal harmonies. The band’s touring history includes a list of some of the worlds largest and most prestigious music festivals such as, the Woodford and Port Fairy Folk Festivals in Australia, The Edmonton and Vancouver Folk Festivals in Canada, Cambridge Folk and Celtic Connections festivals in the UK and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in the USA.
“Located at a crossroads where Australian, English and American folk traditions meet, The Maes are in the midst of creating something unique and very much their own” Songlines
Run Time 90 Minutes
Tickets - $25 - $30 ~ tickets on sale soon
*This show is NOT elligible to use "the one free ticket" benefit included in the Friends of Burrinja Membership.
Aborigi-LOL presents
Fire Drum Fun
44 gallons of laughs and music from two of Australia's finest First Nationers
Thu 28 Oct 8.00pm | The Lyre Room
A sizzling plate of stand-up and stories from Dane Simpson, and a hefty helping of soul and blues from Rob Edwards. Music, laughs and horsing around - you'll feel like you're hanging out around the backyard fire spinning yarns.
★★★★ “To get an insight into life as a young, indigenous Australian, and have a good laugh, see this show.” The Advertiser
★★★★“What a cracking show!” Fringe Feed (Perth)
Run Time - Minutes
Tickets - $18 - $28 ~ tickets on sale soon
Burrinja Enhanced presents
Art After Dark
Art After Dark returns for a late night summer sojourn
Fri 5 Nov 7.00pm | The Lyre Room
Join us for an enhanced experience of our current exhibitions, with curated art, music, film and food experiences.
As summer approaches, longer days call for hotter art, and Burrrinja has you covered.
Full line up to be released soon.
Tickets - $20 ~ tickets on sale soon
Regional Arts Victoria presents:
I Have A Face | Jude Pearl
An honest and hilarious discussion of mental health with a theatrical twist
Sat 13 Nov 7.30pm | The Lyre Room
Ever wondered if you’re doing it right? Well did you read the label? Life didn’t come with a label, but you will be told your whole life how you should behave or who you should be. You will be told that if you have a problem, there’s a quick fix you can buy… but somehow the problem doesn’t ever seem to really go away. Jude Perl’s insight into her personal and relatable mental health struggles of being an adult, will make you want to sing along, cry and laugh all at once. Sometimes labels are super useful, particularly when you’re washing your fave jumper. But at other times, labels can halt your growth and supress you’re very existence. Jude reminds us when to be aware of these labels, and when the labels are totally useless – and most importantly, that we are not alone. She’ll talk about some tough stuff, make you laugh and make you feel truly human.
Warnings: Contains occasional course language, mild sexual references, very mild drug references, and themes relating to mental health (anxiety/depression)
Run Time - Minutes | Suitable ages 15+
Tickets - $18.00 - $28.00 Admission ~ tickets on sale soon
Belong...
Become a Burrinja Member
Connect with your community and support arts in the Hills with your $40, and we will give you:
- One FREE theatre ticket each year to a Burrinja show *
- Member ticket discounts on Burrinja shows
- Free ticket postage
- Updates, insights and special programs
- Special event invitations
- Member priority new season booking
- 10% off Burrinja gallery shop
By becoming a Burrinja Member you will be supporting local arts and culture as well as the many local projects that Burrinja manages, supports and enable - building community through arts.
Membership - $40
By becoming a Burrinja Member you will be supporting local arts and culture as well as the many local projects that Burrinja manages, supports and enable - building community through arts.
Only available for eligble shows in the Burrinja Season, excludes venue hire 'No Free Tickets' shows. To utilise the "FREE" ticket benefit please contact our box office on 03 9754 8723
