Some of Melbourne’s hottest DJs including rising star Banoffee, Toff in Town’s resident DJ Edd Fisher and Melbourne party masters I OH YOU DJs will join a lineup of international and local headliners including Finnish dream-pop musician Jaakko Eino Kalevi (Finland), ARIA-award winning contemporary jazz group, the Paul Grabowsky Trio and Augie March’s Glenn Richards at Friday Nights at NGV at Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great.
The Drone’s Gareth Liddiard, folk singer Laura Jean and the ARIA-Award winning Underground Lovers complete the headline line-up with support from festival favourite Airwolf, exciting new family duo Klo and Darcy Baylis, a DJ who had already toured nationally by the time he finished high school.
In addition to after-hours access to the Masterpieces from the Hermitage and The Horse exhibitions, a winter warming food and drinks menu and a stellar lineup of performances, visitors can also experience the new Minute Masters program, which will see art history experts share some of the most fascinating facts about the artworks in just a few short minutes. Each week of Minute Masters will focus on a new and exceptional aspect of Catherine the Great’s collection.
For the first time, activities including drop-by-drawing and performances will take place in the galleries, including fast-paced Drop-By-Drawing challenges by Melbourne artist Kenny Pittock, connecting Catherine the Great through sketching. Choral performances from the Consort of Melbourne within the gallery spaces will evoke 18th century Europe, showcasing the style of music popular during Catherine the Great’s era.
Persimmon restaurant will also remain open on 2 and 23 October and 6 November with a Friday Nights at NGV 3-course set menu, with a matched wines option.
Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV, said, ‘Friday Nights at NGV is a fantastic way to experience the NGV after-hours: from seeing our current exhibitions Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great and The Horse to listening to some of the best live musicians. Friday Nights at NGV are always dynamic, lively evenings and this year visitors can also explore Catherine the Great’s collection through a range of fun public programs.’
The series regularly sells out, so book tickets early for Friday Nights at NGV. Tickets are on sale now. See ngv.vic.gov.au for details.
Melbourne Winter Masterpieces – Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great features more than 400 works from the personal collection of Catherine the Great including works by Rembrandt, Velasquez, Rubens and Titian.
The exhibition is organised by The Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg in association with the National Gallery of Victoria and Art Exhibitions Australia.
FRIDAY NIGHTS AT NGV
Friday 2 October – Friday 6 November 2015, 5.30pm-9.30pm, NGV International
NGV’s Friday Nights return during Masterpieces of the Hermitage: Catherine the Great. Meet with friends and enjoy the exhibition after-hours, along with DJs, pop-up talks, bars and dining.
Fri 2 Oct Paul Grabowsky Trio | DJ set Darcy Baylis
Fri 9 Oct Jaakko Eino Kalevi (Finland) | DJ set Banoffee
Fri 16 Oct Glenn Richards | DJ set Airwolf
Fri 23 Oct Gareth Liddiard | DJ set I OH YOU DJs
Fri 30 Oct Laura Jean | DJ set Klo
Fri 6 Nov Underground Lovers | DJ set Edd Fisher
Online tickets $28 Adults / $23 Members / $10 Child
Door tickets (limited on the night) $33 Adults / $28 Members / $15 Child
Venue Ground level, NGV International
Bookings Book early to avoid disappointment, www.ngv.vic.gov.au