fortyfivedownstairs Announces Upcoming Shows, Exhibits And Performances

Since 2002 fortyfivedownstairs has offered an evocative urban space and a friendly, hands-on, personalised service to an eclectic mix of artists for theatre, visual arts, forum, music and dance events. Described by The Age as "a cultural powerhouse", this not-for-profit organisation prides itself on showcasing the emerging, the independent, the experimental and the thought-provoking. Centrally located in the heart of Melbourne, fortyfivedownstairs is found within a beautiful 19th Century building and features a theatre and two gallery spaces.

How much do we love autumn! The bushfire danger has eased, the hail storm wasn't as bad as Perth's, the mornings are crisp, and the evenings are balmy - what better time to see an exhibition, to listen to some of the wonderful music we have programmed?

Gallery: World's End Barbeque
Robyn Base
Last Days: Until March 27

In World's End Barbeque Robyn Base plays with geographic and apocalyptic imagery in her intriguing series of paintings which present an "Aussie" barbecue in an improbable polar setting. Partly inspired by Douglas Adams' The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Robyn's paintings transport us to a place where nothing is quite as it seems, the ordinary contrasts with the un-natural, the characters remain curiously oblivious of their surrounding landscape.

Gallery: Vestiges
Jo Daniell
Until April 10

Jo Daniell is a photographer with a long established reputation who has photographed people and places on four continents, but turns here to the microcosm - the tiny details of the seashore which encapsulate a world of meaning. The light fractures and changes images, depending on the time of day. These are reflective and beautiful images.

Music: Haydn the Bold, Haydn the Beautiful
Ironwood
Thursday March 25, 7.30pm

Ironwood presents an exploration of the music of Haydn, described by one of our musicologist friends as the "most under-rated classical genius"

Playing instruments of the period, the quartet will take us through the story of the little heard Opus 20 to the later, grand Opus 77 quartets. An evening of enchantment with a miniature work by Boccherini, and a world premiere of a new Australian work by composer Damian Barbeler.

Tickets: $38 Full/ $25 Concession and under 30s
Book online here

Music: Klavierstücke
Margaret Legge-Wilkinson
Wednesday April 7, 7.30pm

Canberra pianist Margaret Legge Wilkinson presents a virtuoso programme of Liszt (Sonata in B minor) and Rachmaninoff (Prelude No 1 Op 23, and No 10 Opus 32) then takes us through from Stockhausen's Klavierstucke Nos 7 & 9, to Australian contemporary composer Stephanos Malikides.

Tickets: $33/$23
Book online here

Music: Lucy Wang
Thursday April 8, 7.30pm

Emerging Melbourne pianist Lucy Wang has chosen exquisite works from the masters - J.S.Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Haydn and Scriabin. An opportunity to hear an outstanding young pianist as she begins her professional career.

Tickets: $15/$10
Book online here

Gallery: Studies of the Natural World
Peta Cross
March 30 to April 24

The commanding gaze of a snow leopard will dominate the small gallery when Peta Cross' exhibition opens on March 30.

This series of new large oil paintings by Peta Cross speak of the artist's relationship with animals and the natural world. The works create a living presence which is startling in its silence and intensity.

Gallery: Out of My Head
Margaret Gold
13 to 24 April

Intensity is a word that also describes Margaret Gold's sometimes unsettling portraits, which remain in the memory long after they are first seen. "Like apparitions, her cast of characters emerge from a haunted, fragile and uneasy world, their gaze fixed intensely on the viewer." Diane Soumilas, Curator, Glen Eira City Council Gallery
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P.S. fortyfivedownstairs has now moved into some of the grandest circles in Melbourne - The latest splendid catalogue from Henry Buck's describes us as "Melbourne's best kept secret - (where)...talent is treasured". However, we promise it won't go to our (collective) heads, although we look forward to many more handsome men in equally handsome clothing joining us for some eclectic entertainment in the near future.

Bookings for all fortyfivedownstairs shows: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com tel 9662 9966

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