How to spend Friday nights

By Nadia Dimattina

Friday night program is back for its fifth year, giving visitors after-hours access to Melbourne’s Winter Masterpieces exhibition.

After being introduced in 2013, the series has become an integral part of Melburnians’ lifestyles with about 72,500 visitors attending the series since it started.

For this series, visitors will enjoy the winter masterpieces exhibition of Van Gogh and the Seasons every Friday from April 28- July 7. The series will end with a special Saturday night performance on April 8.

The internationally exclusive exhibition Van Gogh and the Seasons will display works lent by leading international museums, presented within sections devoted to each of the four seasons.  

The exhibition invites visitors to look at Van Gogh’s life and experiences through his observations of the seasons.

Over 13 weeks, Friday Nights at NGV will showcase after hours art, live music and entertainment with an outstanding lineup of acts including:

Friday, April 28 – Gemma Ray;
Friday, May 5 – Toby Martin (Youth Group);
Friday, May 12 – Gareth Liddiard;
Friday, May 19 – Emma Russack;
Friday, May 26 – Gawurra;
Friday, June 2 – Two steps on the water;
Friday, June 9 – The Fauves;
Friday, June 16 – Grouper;
Friday, June 23 – The Blackeyed Susans;
Friday, June 30 – Ben Salter Band;
Friday, July 7 –  Steve Gunn; and
Saturday, July 8 – The Panics.

British, singer songwriter Gemma Ray will open the series, bringing her unique torch song Psychedelia to NGV to promote her latest album The Exodus Suite. Gemma is performing at the NGV in combination with her Australian tour where she will perform at the Northcote Social Club and Caravan Music Club on Thursday, April 27 and Saturday, April 29.

Enjoy a classical string quartet recital, drop-in exhibition talks, have something to eat and finish your night with live performances by international and Australian acts in the Great Hall.

The events regularly sell out, so book tickets online in advance.

Friday Nights at NGV.
Cost: Online: $24 Member/$30 Adult/$12 Child
On the door: $29 Member/$35 Adult/$15 Child
Time: 6.00pm – 10.00pm
Doors open at 6.00pm. Headline act from 8.30pm
Location: Ground level, NGV International.