Eight Reasons for Rugging Up and Leaving the House This Weekend

Yeah, yeah it's chilly. We know. We get it. Polar bears get it. Uniqlo gets it. Layer up, ditch that scummy polar fleece rug and get out of the house this weekend. After you've briefed up on Melbourne's latest music strategy and settled dinner plans, hit up one of these sweet things happening aroundaboutown. At the very least you'll have 'grammable material for your friends still wallowing at home.

Domestique Tour de France Pop-Up Bar

Is your sleep schedule still ruined from the FIFA World Cup? Are you gradually making your way to being fully nocturnal? Good news, sleepyheads: the Tour de France is about to touch down on the streets of France (and late night SBS), and we have the perfect place to huddle up and watch it. Presented by the legends from The Shadow Electric, Domestique is a pop-up bar now in its third annual form. Far from the bogans that pack our your local while the footy's on, the organisers of this slick little happening knowingly describe it as "a sports bar for those who prefer bars to sport". Domestique will feature a live feed of the mountain stages and time trial via HD projection, music, drinks, food, heating and ping pong. Friday and Saturday nights will offer food from Fancy Hank's BBQ and DJs, and every other night you can snag yourself some Polish dumplings from Peirogi Peirogi.

Domestique will be open 7pm till late on select dates of the Tour de France. Head to their Facebook page for more details.

When: Saturday, 5 July - Friday, 25 July
Where: Domestique Pop Up Bar , 83 Kerr Street, Fitzroy
How much: FREE

Alien

In space, no one can hear you scream. But the darkened aisles of the Astor Theatre are quite another matter. 35 years after changing the face of science fiction forever, the terrifying final journey of the star-freighter Nostromo will light up the screen once more, followed by a special Q&A with two of its ill-fated crew. Presented at The Astor on 35mm in its extended director's cut version, there will never be a better way to view Ridley Scott's masterpiece, a film that demands to be seen in a theatre. After the screening, actor Tom Skeritt aka Captain Dallas will take to the stage to answer questions about their experience making the film.

For more information and to book tickets, visit The Astor's website.

When: Friday, 4 July - 7:30pm
Where: Astor Theatre , 1 Chapel St, St Kilda
How much: $24 - $28

Independence Day at Le Bon Ton

Known for their smoky meats, stiff drinks and saloon style, these proven purveyors of American eats, Le Bon Ton, are hosting a big party on Sunday, July 6 from 2-9pm. And, though it may not be the official date of Independence Day itself, everything else about the event screams tradition. For $75, patriots can treat themselves to a fully-fledged Texan barbecue of pulled pork, smoked chicken and brisket with all the trimmings. There will be brass bands, hot rods out the front, and a portion of the street closed to accommodate all the rollicking New Orleans jazz. Time to forget your winter woes, and grab an ice-cold Budweiser.

Book your tickets by emailing [email protected] or calling (03) 9416 4341.

When: Sunday, 6 July - 2:00pm
Where: Le Bon Ton , 51 Gipps Street, Collingwood
How much: $75

Henry V - Bell Shakespeare

Battles will be had, blood will be shed, and brothers will unite on stage in this Bell Shakespeare production of Henry V, but not quite as you remember it from high school lit. Shakespeare's tale tells the story of King Henry V who, having ascended the throne following the death of his father, promptly — after a few people tell him he should probs do something else — declares war on France. In this production, director Damien Ryan is bringing the story to life with a contemporary take, inspired by a true story. During the London Blitz in 1941, a group of young men, bored and stuck in a bunker, started a club, where they would rehearse and perform plays to others in the shelter.

When: Tuesday, 1 July - Saturday, 12 July
Where: Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio
How much: $65 - $79

Aldous Harding

Heads up Australia, Aldous Harding is one of those Kiwi musical talents we'll casually be calling our own in a few years. You may not have heard much from her yet, but this Christchurch folk queen is just about to drop her debut album and head out on her first tour of Australia. Be sure to check her out — by all accounts, she's killin' it across the Tasman. Her self-titled debut so far has just the one single, 'Hunter', with the rest to be released on July 25. Harding's shows are sure to be a very chilled affair — perfect for red wine, big jumpers and melodious swaying.

When: Sunday, 6 July - 7:30pm
Where: The Public Bar , 238 Victoria Street, North Melbourne
How much: $FREE

Tim's Vermeer

Watching a man painstakingly recreate an oil painting doesn't exactly sound like the basis for a winning documentary. Yet in the hands of popular TV double act Penn and Teller, that's exactly what it turns out to be. Told in clear, accessible terms that laymen can understand, Tim's Vermeer is a lively, intriguing look at the line between artist and inventor, one that challenges the very notion that the distinction should be made at all.

When: Thursday, 3 July - Wednesday, 30 July
Where: Selected Cinemas
How much: $15 - $25

Melbourne Magic Festival

While there are lots of words you might use to describe Northcote, 'magical' wouldn’t normally be one of them. But that all changes for two weeks in July, with the arrival of the largest magic showcase the Southern Hemisphere has to offer. With more than 50 different acts hosted at the Northcote Town Hall, the seventh annual Melbourne Magic Festival looks to have plenty of tricks illusions up its sleeve. The MMF Galas highlight top acts from the festival, although you'll need to act fast to grab tickets before they sell out. Of the individual shows, some of the more intriguing titles include Sarah Jones' Talking to Yourself: A History of Ventriloquism and Dane Certificate's Vanishing Elephant. High profile international performers, meanwhile, include America's Got Talent finalist Dan Sperry, and Singapore's enchanting Yong Tian. Just try not to set yourself on fire.

For more information about the Melbourne Magic Festival, check out the website.

When: Monday, 30 June - Saturday, 12 July
Where: Northcote Town Hall , 189 High Street Northcote VIC 3070
How much: Various

Unplugged Live: Portrait of an Artist

The National Gallery of Victoria are hitting all the right notes this month with the introduction of their musical programs. Last week the much-loved Friday Nights series kicked off for another year, now there's this: a series of thoughtful discussions examining the boundaries of art with some of the country's top musicians. Led by Jae Laffer of The Panics, these weekly laid back wrap sessions will see the likes of Bob Evans, Adalita and Paul Dempsey tackle the themes and meanings of art in the NGV Australia collection as well as some related songs. With all sessions being followed by an intimate live performance, this a great chance to see some amazing Aussie talent on the cheap. And by cheap, we mean entirely free.

Unplugged Live: Portrait of an Artist will be held on Level 2 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Check out the full program here.

When: Sunday, 6 July - Sunday, 7 September
Where: National Gallery of Victoria , 180 St Kilda Rd, Southbank VIC
How much: FREE

Words by the Concrete Playground team.