Author: BenBoreham

  • Voyage – Journey from the Sea to the Stars, 3rd Oct

    Join us on Saturday 3 October 2026 at 7:00pm at Collingwood Town Hall for Voyage, a musical story of movement, transformation, and self‑discovery.

    Beginning at the sea — a place of depth, uncertainty, and reflection — the journey rises through the sky, a space of transition where courage grows and voices begin to lift, before culminating among the stars, symbols of hope, connection, and belonging. This arc mirrors the lived experiences of many LGBTQIA+ people, from early uncertainty through self‑acceptance to pride and visibility.

    For the Melbourne Rainbow Band, Voyage reflects our collective journey as musicians coming together in a space free from prejudice, where diversity is celebrated and every voice contributes to something brighter when we shine as one.

    Venue: Collingwood Town Hall, 140 Hoddle St, Abbotsford VIC 3067 Time: Saturday 3 October 2026, 7:00pm

    Tickets: $30 ($24 concession).

    Join us as we embark on Voyage — from the sea, through the sky, and into the stars.

  • Trivia Night 2026!

    The Melbourne Rainbow Band Trivia Night is back for 2026 — now on our rescheduled date — and it’s going to be bursting with laughter, friendly competition, and a healthy dose of camp chaos. We’re serving up another fabulous evening of brain‑bending questions, great prizes, raffles, surprises, and all the quick‑witted brilliance of our returning host, the incomparable Frock Hudson. Get ready for a night where your grey matter gets a workout and your funny bone gets a tickle.

    Bring a team of six or eight, or book individual seats and make some new friends on the night. Whether you’re a trivia buff, a wild guesser, or simply here for Frock’s fabulousness, everyone’s welcome at the table.

    🍕 BYO food — bring your favourite snacks to fuel your thinking. 🍻 Drinks available at bar prices — no BYO drinks. 🎁 Prizes, raffles, and plenty of surprises throughout the night.

    And for families: we’ve got you covered. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A dedicated children’s play area with fun, supervised activities means you can relax, enjoy the Trivia Night, and join in the excitement with peace of mind. Please note: no one under 18 is permitted without a supervising parent or guardian.

    Every ticket sold helps support the Melbourne Rainbow Band and our upcoming performances — including Voyage: Journey from the Sea to the Stars — ensuring we can keep making music, building community, and bringing colour and pride to stages across the city.

    🎟️ Book your tickets today, gather your dream team, and get ready for a fabulous night of fun. 💬 Tag your smartest (or funniest!) teammates — we can’t wait to see you there!

    Saturday 29 August 2026 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
    Doors open at 6:30pm. First round starts at 7:00pm

    Location

    Prahran RSL Memorial Hall
    301 High Street, Prahran Victoria 3181

  • Beyond The Horizon


    Presented by the Melbourne Rainbow Band 🎶🌈

    Beyond the Horizon invites audiences to look forward — toward possibility, hope, and a future still unfolding. A horizon is something we can see but not yet touch, a reminder of dreams, progress, and the promise of something better, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

    This concert celebrates the ongoing journey toward LGBTQIA+ equality. While meaningful strides have been made, the horizon reminds us that inclusion, safety, and representation are not endpoints. They are commitments we continue to pursue. Through music, we explore moments of uncertainty, resilience, and courage — honouring those who have led the way and inspiring us to imagine what comes next.

    For individuals, Beyond the Horizon speaks to growth: stepping into new chapters, claiming space, and shaping futures grounded in authenticity rather than fear. For communities, it reflects solidarity — the understanding that progress happens when we move forward together.

    For the Melbourne Rainbow Band, this performance embodies our mission to champion visibility, inclusion, and pride through music. It affirms our role not only as a musical ensemble, but as a beacon of representation and advocacy. Every note is an act of presence; every performance is a declaration that LGBTQIA+ voices belong — now and in the future.

    📍 Venue: Kensington Town Hall, 30 Bellair St, Kensington
    🕖 Time: Saturday 6 June 2026, 7:00pm
    🎟️ Tickets: $30 ($24 concession). Visit the ticket link to book.

    Join us as we look beyond the horizon and celebrate the power of music to illuminate the way forward.

    Proudly supported by the City of Melbourne

  • MRB Stonnington Picnic Series: Rockley Gardens

    Join the Rainbow Band on Sunday May 17th from 1-3pm at the gorgeous Rockley Gardens for the final of our Stonnington Picnic Series Concerts.

    Bring the family, grab some delicious goodies from a local cafe and have a gorgeous picnic with the band in a beautiful park!

    This event is supported by the 2025-2026 City of Stonnington Economic Activations and Events Grant Program.

  • Carols by Queerlight – Saturday 5 December 2026

    Save the Date!
    After the incredible success of last year’s Carols By Queerlight – a sold-out celebration filled with festive cheer – we’re already planning something magical for this year! Join us on Saturday, 5 December 2026, for an unforgettable evening of music, community, and holiday spirit. Stay tuned for more details as we prepare to make CBQ 2026 the highlight of the season!

  • Carols by Queerlight

    Carols by Queerlight returns to St Kilda Town Hall for 2019 as the Melbourne Rainbow Band presents a fabulous night of celebration and festive entertainment for the DGS community. Join by special guests Vincent Hooper, Emily Paddon-Brown and Rachel Dunham along with The CBQ Singers, this year’s Carols by Queerlight promises to be our sparkle-jolly-twinkle-jingly-est one yet.

    Gather your family and friends and get ready to sing along with what has been called the “Campest thing since Christmas” and “A rainbow Christmas for everyone”. There is nowhere like Carols by Queerlight, where being home with the LGBTIQ+ for Christmas puts the sparkle and glitter back into the festive season and brings together the Diverse Gender and Sexuality (DGS) community.  Reserve a table, bring a delicious banquet and get your drinks at our (very reasonable) bar.

    This year we are encouraging families of all ages to attend, with the new early start time of 7 pm and a visit from the Man in Red likely to occur in the first part of the program. But after interval, we’ll see how the grown-ups celebrate once the kids go to bed!

    Saturday, 14 December 2019 @ 7:00pm (doors open 6:30pm)

    St. Kilda Town Hall

    Corner of Carlisle Street and Brighton Road, St Kilda

    Tickets on sale now via TryBooking

    Tickets start from $22 for adults and $11 for children*
    *Ticket prices start at $16 for adults and $8 for children based on D Reserve.

    View a copy of the seating plan here.

    Our message is simple: anyone is welcome to come and celebrate Christmas with us; you are respected, and you are loved. ‘Carols by Queerlight’ is an out and proud celebration of – and for – the wider DGS family.

  • Open Rehearsal – Thursday 22 August 2019


    The Melbourne Rainbow Band is holding an open rehearsal!

    While new members are welcome at any time, the open rehearsal provides a great opportunity for players of woodwind, brass or percussion instruments who may be interested in becoming a member of the Melbourne Rainbow Band to sit in on rehearsal and meet the band.

    Melbourne Rainbow Band in rehearsal at the Prahran RSL Hall, Prahran Victoria. - musicians of a concert band in rehearsal

    Membership of the band is open to people of almost any musical skill level, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

    The Band endeavors to cater to a wide variety of musical abilities and its members range in skill, from a basic ability to read music to professional musicians and educators. A scholarship is awarded annually within the band to encourage members who are developing their music skills.

    The open rehearsal will be held in the Prahran RSL Memorial Hall, High Street on Thursday 22 August 2019.

    For more information email membership@mrb.org.au

    Date/Time: Thursday 22 August 2019 – 7:30pm
    Venue: Prahran RSL Memorial Hall
    301 High Street, Prahran

  • Ice-Capades – 1 June 2019

    Huddling around warm fires with toasted marshmallows, snow angels and snow men, ice skaters gliding and twirling to beautiful music. It’s time to come with the MRB on a winter IceCapade!

    Join the MRB for a toasty warm evening reliving the magic of winter through music.

    Saturday, June 1 @ 7:30pm

    James Tatoulis Auditorium
    Methodist Ladies College
    207 Barkers Road, Kew

    ~
    $25 Adults / $19 Concession + booking fee

    Early bird specials if you get in quick and discounts for families and groups of 5 or more!

    Tickets via TryBooking.com

  • Picnic at Forest Glade – 26 January 2019

    Enjoy a picnic in the beautiful gardens at Forest Glade, Mount Macedon with other members of Melbourne’s gender and sexually diverse community.

    Forest Glade (4)Pack a picnic rug and go all out with your most gourmet of picnic hampers and enjoy lunch in one of Australia’s finest private gardens, only an hour from Melbourne.

    GLIBTQ car club, Motafrenz will be there with some cars on display. And the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus and the Melbourne Rainbow Band will be adding a musical touch while you take leisurely strolls through the fourteen acres of magnificent landscaped gardens.

    Located on Mount Macedon Road, gates will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday January 26. Entry is $10 for adults and kids are free. Proceeds go towards supporting the Chorus and the Band.

    In order to keep these spectacular gardens looking just so, BBQs and pets are not permitted.

    Sunscreen, good food, good company and a designated driver are highly recommended.

    Date/Time: Saturday 26 January 2019 – 10am to 4pmForest Glade (2)
    Venue: Forest Glade Gardens
    816 Mount Macedon Road, Mount Macedon
    Cost: $10 Adult – Children under 16, Free

    Getting there:
    Driving from Melbourne, follow the Calder Freeway and take exit C322 to Mt Macedon. Once you are off the freeway follow Mt Macedon Road toward MOUNT Macedon (as opposed to Macedon). After driving through Mt Macedon, Forest Glade is on the right hand side – look for the rainbow flags and be sure to park safely and clear of the white line on the side of the road.

    Map to Forest Glade

    View Larger Map

  • Pride March 2019

    On Sunday 3 February 2019, the MRB, along with the members of Melbourne’s GLBTI communities will take to the street to show our pride!

    Pride March 2014Give us a cheer and a clap as you see us pass down Fitzroy Street, your enthusiastic support makes the long walk that much easier. Or even better, join us! Each year the MRB invites fmily and friends to wave a huge rainbow flag, or carry a banner in our colour guard. It’s a fun and very visible way to join in Pride March & support us as we play. For more information or to take part, email info@mrb.org.au.