Metro's Mad March

The Age

Thursday March 1, 2007

Jan Breen Burns, Jim Schembri, Stathi Paxinos, Michael Lynch, Annie Lawson, Liz Cincotta, Tim Richards

Twelve months ago, the Commonwealth Games dominated Melbourne's calender. This year, it's the world swimming championships. But there's much more besides - whether you fancy fast cars, film, food or fashion, the options are endless. Here are 15 of the best.

1 L?OREAL MELBOURNE FASHION FESTIVAL

When: March 4-10

Where: Across Melbourne, opening party at Government House (invitation only).

Detail: Autumn/winter collections of leading designers.

We say: The L'Oreal Paris Runway series in the Fashion Cube (a purpose-built venue in the forecourt plaza of Melbourne Museum) should be the key event of the festival. The seven shows (between Monday and Friday) are open to the public ($42.50 a ticket) and will compose crystal-clear pictures of the season?s key looks.

Visit: lmff.com.au

2 NAB CUP

When: Quarter-finals this weekend; semis the week after; grand final March 17.

Where: Telstra Dome, Aurora Stadium, TIO Stadium.

Detail: The AFL?s hit-out is a knockout competition. Losing clubs are relegated to the NAB Cup challenge.

We say: A much-needed taste of footy for starved fans or too much, too early? Supporters have differing views on the pre-season NAB Cup - as contrasting as the clubs, some of whom need success to attract members and sponsors, some preferring to keep their more experienced players indoors and give their youngsters a run without the pressure of needing to win. After week one we know that the Bulldogs, Hawks, Cats, Kangaroos and Blues are playing for keeps.

Visit: afl.com.au

3MOOMBA WATERFEST

When: March 9-12

Where: Alexandra Gardens, Docklands, along the Yarra River and Birrarung Marr

Detail: Australia?s largest free family festival.

We say: There?s no more Zig and Zag, and Moomba Monarchs were given the flick years ago.

But the Birdman rally lives on - this year on March 11. The Moomba Parade (on Labour Day) has also been preserved with five floats and more than 2000 performers spicing up the event. A live performance by SBS?s music trivia show Rockwiz in the Alexandra Gardens on March 10, with guests including Daddy Cool, Missy Higgins and Paul Kelly, could be interesting.

Visit: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au

4 CINEMA INDIA: THE ART OF BOLLYWOOD

When: From March 9

Where: National Gallery Victoria International (St Kilda Road)

Detail: Exhibition charting historical, political and cultural change in India, seen through the eyes of the Bollywood film industry.

We say: Bollywood movie devotees shouldn?t miss this.

Drawcards include the colourful art of Indian cinema promotion, plus movie costumes and cinematic samples (trailers and on-screen snippets).

Visit: ngv.vic.gov.au/cinemaindia

5 STITCHES AND CRAFT SHOW

When: March 14-18

Where: Caulfield Racecourse

Detail: Craft suppliers and craft lovers come together.

Don?t miss: The workshops - these include candle, jewellery and card making. Or, learn how to make a velvet pouch for your iPod. Essential. Less hands-on seminars include knitting with beads and patchwork made easy.

Visit: stitchesandcraft.com.au

6 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX

When: March 15-18

Where: Albert Park

Detail: Car lover?s dream, in its 11th year.

Don?t miss: World champion Fernando Alonso making his debut for the McLaren team, which he joined this season after quitting Renault. Another big attraction will be Kimi Raikkonen, who is seeking to fill the biggest shoes in motorsport when he jumps into Michael Schumacher?s seat as the legendary German?s replacement at Ferrari.

Visit: grandprix.com.au

7 QUEER, SPANISH, FRENCH FILM FESTIVALS

When: Queer, March 15-25, Spanish, March 1-11; French, March 20-April 3

Where: ACMI, Como, Westgarth, Balwyn.

Detail: Celebrating the many genres of film.

Don?t miss: Australia?s oldest and biggest Queer Film Festival will kick off with Infamous on its gala opening night at the Astor, that now-famous other movie about Truman Capote. Unlike Philip Seymour Hoffman?s understated, Oscar-winning turn in last year?s Capote, British character actor Toby Jones plays up the writer?s gay flamboyance, while writer/ director Douglas McGrath concentrates on Capote?s social circle and his attraction to murderer Perry (played fabulously by a pre-007 Daniel Craig).

Visit: lamirada.org.au frenchfilmfestival.org www.melbournequeerfilm.com.au

8 BRUNSWICK MUSIC FESTIVAL

When: March 15-April 1

Where: Various Brunswick venues

Detail: Held annually in March since 1989, one of the state?s premier music festivals.

We say: If you like your music diverse, this festival?s for you.

Highlights include a spread of Italian-flavoured sounds from world music group Banditaliana and its acclaimed accordion player Riccardo Tesi; Gonebanda, an Italian jazz group who slip in a bit of folk and world influence; and sassy choral matriarchs La Voce Della Luna. Another feature is No Borders, a line-up of music crossing cultural, religious and geographic boundaries.

Visit: brunswickmusicfestival.com.au

9 MELBOURNE FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

When: March 16-30

Where: Various city and country locations

Detail: A celebration of all things culinary including masterclass sessions, duck crawls, bakery tours, slow food and long lunches.

Don?t miss: MasterClasses will be a big drawcard this year with celebrity presenters including Jennifer McLagan, the author of awardwinning cookbook Bones, and European star chef/Spanish gastronome Andoni Luis Aduriz. There?s plenty of freebies, too, including the International Flour Festival at Federation Square on March 24 or the hilarity of a head-to-head culinary cook-off as part of the Culinary ProAm on March 24 and 25.

Visit: melbournefoodandwine.com.au

10 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

When: March 17-April 1

Where: Rod Laver Arena (swimming), Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (water polo), St Kilda Beach (open water swimming).

Detail: 175 countries, 2000 top athletes competing.

Don?t miss: The women?s 100- metre freestyle final. Australians Libby Lenton and Jodie Henry will be looking to reclaim the top ranking from Germany?s Britta Steffen and hold off a challenge from American pair Natalie Coughlin and Amanda Weir. In the men?s 1500 freestyle event, an underdone Grant Hackett will try to hold off the biggest challenge to his 10-year rein from American Larsen Jensen, Britain?s David Davies and Korea?s Tae Kwan Park.

Visit: melbourne2007.com.au

11 FINA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FESTIVAL

When: March 23-25, plus an opening night concert on March 17.

Where: Federation Square and along the Yarra and Birrarung Marr to Rod Laver Arena.

Detail: A program of free music, circus, street theatre, flame and visual art installations and children?s activities - involving 500 artists.

We say: Billed as one of Australia?s most accessible arts shows, it features South Africa?s legendary Mahotella Queens and other diverse musicians, including hip-hop outfits Diafrix and True Live at an opening night concert, and Tripod at the Deep End Cabaret and Dance Club at BMW Edge, Federation Square. There?s also a children?s dinosaur petting zoo, though fortunately its inhabitants are giant, kidfriendly puppets.

Visit: melbourne2007.com.au/festival

12 AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW

When: March 23-25

Where: Avalon Airport

Detail: 800 military and vintage aircraft on display, including three Super Hornet fighters, F15 and F16 fighters, and a B52.

Don?t miss: Special guest General Chuck Yeager, an American World War II veteran famed for being the first pilot to break the sound barrier. The world freestyle aerobatic champion Jurgis Kairys will also return this year.

Visit: airshow.net.au

13 FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW

When: March 28-April 1

Where: Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens

Detail: The biggest annual garden show in the Southern Hemisphere, now in its 12th year.

We say: This is not your garden variety horticultural event. It is rated in the top five flower and garden shows worldwide and 120,000 people are expected to see the 300 flower and landscape displays. Saving water is this year?s big theme, with everything from water-saving crystals to drought-proof plants.

Visit: melbflowershow.com.au/

14 AFL ROUND ONE

When: March 30-April 1

Where: MCG, Telstra Dome

Detail: High on the the wish list in Victoria is bringing the premiership back home.

The season kicks off with the Demons and the Saints at the MCG.

Adding a soupcon of spice to this match-up is that the two met in the first round of the finals last year and Melbourne put paid to the more fancied St Kilda?s season.

The next day, the Kangaroos host Collingwood at the `G, Hawthorn heads to Brisbane and in the round?s heavyweight clash, Sydney and West Coast meet in Sydney - although it?s an interstate clash, most footy fans will have an eye on the teams who have produced two such compelling grand finals. On the third day the Bombers are in Adelaide, the Bulldogs - tipped to be the season?s ?it? team - meet the Cats, and in the season?s first twilight match, those old adversaries - Carlton and Richmond - will attempt to reignite the passion.

Visit: afl.com.au

15 AUSTRALIAN IMPRESSIONISM

When: From March 31

Where: NGV Australia (Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square)

Detail: As a kind of sequel to the enormously popular Golden Summers exhibition from 1985, this showing focuses on the Heidelberg School?s first phase from 1885 to 1897, in the ?Marvellous Melbourne? years when impressionism was still frightening the horses. It?s set to introduce the work of Tom Roberts, Frederick McCubbin, Arthur Streeton, Jane Sutherland and Charles Conder to a new generation.

Don?t miss: Roberts? Shearing the Rams, Streeton?s Fire?s On and McCubbin?s unforgettable Down on His Luck and A Bush Burial.

Visit: ngv.vic.gov.au/australianimpressionism -- Compiled by Jan Breen Burns, Jim Schembri, Stathi Paxinos, Michael Lynch, Annie Lawson, Liz Cincotta, Tim Richards.

Arts & Culture appears on the back of today?s Business section.