This week, Fed Square is celebrating creativity in all forms: visual art, film, writing, music and more.
You’ve got to love Fed Square. Each week, the CBD culture and creativity epicentre gives us a perfectly curated program of mind-expanding events – and they’re usually free!
With its accessible location, varied attractions and delicious food offerings, Fed Square brings together Melbournians from all walks of life.
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Whether you’re an ACMI member who loves a good film, a contemporary art aficionado who spends the afternoons browsing the Ian Potter centre, or just a tourist looking for something to do, the Square is where it’s at.
This week, there’s a lot on the menu. A live free concert by none other than Sampa The Great will be a highlight of not just the week, but the whole summer – don’t miss it.
Cabaret in the candlelight, experimental film on the big screen, free drinks… Here’s everything happening from February 20 to 26.
Surreal Shorts with a live score by Peter Knight and Dũng Nguyễn
- Tuesday, February 20
- Main Square
- Free
- From 8pm
Film buffs, music nerds and everyone in between will enjoy this quirky event. A curated collection of some of the world’s most interesting and experimental early works of short film will be enhanced by a live new jazz score crafted by musicians and composers Peter Knight and Dũng Nguyễn.
Weaving together Surrealism, Dadaism and general 20th-century experimentalism, the films include Maya Deren and Alexander Hammid’s mid-century work Meshes of the Afternoon, Marchel Duchamp’s modernist masterpiece Anémic Cinéma and Man Ray’s poetry-inspired piece L’étoile de mer (The Starfish).
Summer of Soul with pre-feature short films
- Wednesday 21 February
- Big Screen
- Free
- From 8pm
- Fed Square will be giving away 200 buckets of popcorn thanks to Cebu Pacific
On Wednesday, ensure you check out Summer of Soul (… Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised). It’s a 2021 Sundance Audience and Grand Jury Prize-winning documentary that explores the historical significance and ongoing legacy of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. The film considers why the festival continues to be little-known today, despite attracting large crowds and big-name performers, including Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, the 5th Dimension, Sly and the Family Stone and the Chambers Brothers.
It will be preceded by three fantastic short films; a look into a fabulous up-and-coming Melbourne band in The Spaghetti Stains, a touching portrait of world-renowned pastry chef Milt Abel II in That’s My Jazz and legendary Ethiopian jazz keyboardist Hailu Mergia’s story in It’s A Soul: A Portrait of Hailu Mergia.
Reuben Kaye by Candlelight
- Thursday, February 22
- Main Square
- Free
- From 8:30pm
The wildly popular candlelight series is back for another intimate night in the Square. This time, entertainment for the evening will be provided by the fabulous Reuben Kaye.
The multi-award-winning queer comedian and singer will offer his stunning voice and quick wit to the crowd for a night of cabaret and community. Surrounded by twinkling candles, with the stars shining up above, it’s going to be an unforgettable experience.
Free cocktails at Taxi Kitchen
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- Fridays and Saturdays until Feb 29
- Taxi Kitchen
- Free
- From 5pm
There’s no better way to celebrate the weekend than with free drinks. Taxi Kitchen, located in the Transport Hotel, is offering up just that, in the form of a lemony and refreshing Tom Collins from 5pm onward.
Throughout February, dine at Taxi Kitchen and receive a free Tom Collins on arrival every Friday and Saturday evening. Bookings available from 5pm. Guests must dine in to redeem the offer. The cocktail is limited to one per guest, and is given on arrival. Available in February only.
While you’re there, swing by the Rooftop for half-priced Oyster Hour from 6pm to 7pm on Fridays and weekends, and catch a little live music in the Public Bar. This week it’s singer-songwriter and producer Michael Stangel and Alfredo the Piano Man on Saturday night and Dr Beat & The Tacht Funk Party on Sunday arvo.
La Captive Book Launch and Screening
- Friday, February 23
- ACMI
- $12+
- From 6pm
Directed by Chantal Akerman, this Belgian film is a story of obsession, love and possession. An adaptation of Marcel Proust’s classic novel The Prisoner, this film follows the overbearing relationship between a wealthy man and his girlfriend, whom he tries to hold captive in his Paris apartment.
The film screening will be accompanied by the launch of Christine Smallwood’s book of the same name, which tells the sory of the novel, the film adaptation and the author’s own life experience.
Make a Necklace with Bronwyn David for Kids
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- Saturday, February 24
- Koorie Heritage Trust
- Free
- From 10:30am
This family-friendly event is perfect for those who want to get crafty. Palawa-Tebrikunna artist and designer Bronwyn David will be hosting a children’s workshop on how to create statement necklaces or wall hangings from materials including cardboard, beads and bottle tops.
This two-hour session will cover themes including connection to country, self-expression and respecting the environment and your little one will walk away with a brightly coloured and beautifully constructed handmade item.
Sampa The Great
- Saturday, February 24
- Main Square
- Free
- From 6pm
A jewel of the Summer at the Square series, this free concert brings the magnificent Sampa The Great to the Fed Square stage. Returning to Australia for the first time since last year, she’s set to dazzle the crowd with her unstoppable hip hop tracks and high-energy performances.
Zimbabwe-born composer Brotha Asanti & Soulectric, Adelaide-based singer and producer Elsy Wameyo, Afrobeat drum collective The Tony Allen Experience and Ghanaian dancer, drummer and DJ Kofi Shabba will heat up the stage, so come early.
Browse the full Summer at the Square 2024 program here.
