EVENTS & HAPPENINGSTHE ODD COUPLE
Melbourne, Victoria, Until 17 December
Funny men Shaun Micallef (Mad as Hell) and Francis Greenslade (Packed to the Rafters) star in
this comedy classic by American playwright Neil Simon at Southbank Theatre this month. The
Odd Couple follows a mismatched duo — two bachelors living together, both divorced with no
wives to get on their nerves. It sounds like paradise, but will a seven-room Manhattan apartment
ever be big enough for the both of them? Directed by Peter Houghton, the show is guaranteed to
have you in stitches as the pair navigate their way through this somewhat unconventional living
situation. Tickets are available now through Melbourne Theatre Company. mtc.com.au
BEN HARPER
& THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS
Auckland, Napier and Wellington,
New Zealand, 2–5 December
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals are
back for their first national headline tour in
more than ten years. The band went on hiatus
in 2008 but reunited this year with a new
album Call It What It Is, which was dropped in
April. Fans heading to the last leg of their tour
which takes place in New Zealand will have
the chance to hear a selection of new tracks
juxtaposed against the old classics such as
‘Steal my Kisses’ and ‘Diamonds on the Inside’.
benharper.com/tourChristchurch, New Zealand, 3 December
Wineries from across the South Island’s five main wine regions will converge on Hagley
Park to pour their best drops for the public at this popular summer festival. There will be
free wine-tasting seminars, cooking demonstrations and a sensational live music line-up.
Book a VIP Experience ticket to get access to a complimentary bar stocked with South
Island beverages, as well as continuous small plates being served by the team from
Christchurch restaurant Harlequin Public House.
winefestival.co.nz
Image by Dean MackenzieMANJIMUP CHERRY HARMONY FESTIVAL
SOUTH ISLAND WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
Manjimup, Western Australia,
10 December
Summer marks the start of cherry
season and the sweet fruit can be found
in abundance in the Western Australian
town of Manjimup, which is 307
kilometres south of Perth. To celebrate
the peak harvesting time, thousands are
set to flock to the region to participate
in the annual Manjimup Cherry
Harmony Festival. Now in its fifteenth
year, the event offers a chance to meet
with local producers, taste their wares
and watch cooking demonstrations.
Then, for the slightly more adventurous,
there is a cherry pip spitting
competition, as well as wood chopping,
a vintage car procession and a fashion
parade. The Long Table Lunch is always
a highlight of the day, with an exciting
menu showcasing the great diversity of
produce available in the region, served
with award-winning local wines.
cherryfestival.com.au