Category: Performances

Upcoming and past MRB performances.

  • Small Ensemble Showcase, 12th Sep

    The Melbourne Rainbow Band brings back its Small Ensemble Showcase for 2026!

    Our members have put together smaller groups or solo performances for an intimate cabaret show. This beautiful performance showcases the individual talents of our members as they express themselves outside of a large concert band format.

    This show is a celebration of our members, and is a free event to attend. Please join us!

    Time : 2pm, Saturday 12th September
    Place : Library at the Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands
    Tickets: Free

    Last Year’s performance at the Victorian Pride Centre

  • Melbourne Rainbow Band presents: Opening Night!

    Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon as the Melbourne Rainbow Band brings its vibrant musical prowess to the heart of St Kilda!

    We’re thrilled to invite you to an exhilarating afternoon of music and celebration at the magnificent Pride Centre. This isn’t just a concert; it’s a celebration of diversity, unity, and the power of music to bring us together. Immerse yourself in the joy of all your favourite musical theatre delights, all performed with the unique flair that only the Melbourne Rainbow Band can provide.

    Whether you’re a long-time supporter or new to the magic of our music, we promise an afternoon filled with spectacular tunes, a warm atmosphere, and the spirit of celebration.

    When: Sunday 25th February 2024, 2:00pm

    Where:
    Victorian Pride Centre
    79-81 Fitzroy Street
    St Kilda, VIC 3182

    Tickets: Trybooking.com

    We hope to see you there!

  • Melbourne Rainbow Band presents: Carols by Queerlight 2023!

    Days are getting longer, and warmer. Decorations are going up in stores. Mince tarts are in the shops, and the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg teases your nostrils. It’s the sense of Christmas, which means that it’s time for Carols by Queerlight!

    Join the Melbourne Rainbow Band, along with our special guests and seasonal choir – the CbQ Singers – as we kick off the silly season in style.

    Gather your family and friends and get ready to sing along with what has been billed the “Campest thing since Christmas” and “A rainbow Christmas for everyone”. There is nowhere like Carols by Queerlight, where being home with the LGBTIQA+ for Christmas puts the sparkle and glitter back into the festive season and brings together the Diverse Gender and Sexuality (DGS) communities.

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

    When: Saturday 9th December, 7pm

    Where:
    St Kilda Town Hall
    Corner of Carlisle Street and Brighton Road, St Kilda

    Tickets: Trybooking.com

    Child, Concession, Family & Full table discounts apply!

  • MRB Presents: Spectacular! Spectacular!

    Join the Melbourne Rainbow Band as we take you on a journey through some of our most Spectacular music. From movies and musicals to landscapes and strange lands, get ready to be swept away into mystical hunting fantasies, fight fantastical battles, and meet daring bushrangers.

    Featuring pieces from Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, as well as composers among the likes of Gustav Holst and Robert Sheldon, this is definitely one you don’t want to miss!

    Date: 1st October

    Time: 2.30pm

    Where:
    James Tatoulis Auditorium
    MLC
    207 Barkers Rd, Kew

    Tickets: Trybooking.com

    $25/$20

    Group Discounts available
    Early bird discount before 14th of September

  • Summer Season 2023!

    Welcome to 2023! It’s officially our favourite time of year…Midsumma!!

    As always, its a busy two months – here’s what we have planned:

    22 January – Midsumma Carnival: See us on the main stage between 1:30pm and 2:00pm, and then listen out for us as we roam the grounds playing more music!

    2 February – MRB at the Pride Centre: Performing for the first time in the Pride Centre Theatrette, this will be an intimate one hour show featuring a mix of the popular as well as some classics. We guarantee to get your toes tapping. This is your chance to hear the Melbourne Rainbow Band perform an hour of our favourite music in the incredible Victorian Pride Centre as part of Midsumma Festival!

    www.midsumma-premier.eventfinda.com.au/2023/mrb-pride-centre/melbourne/st-kilda/tickets

    5 February – Pride March!

    We can’t wait to be performing out in the sun again, always such an amazing vibe!

    Unfortunately, we will not be holding our usual Picnic at Forest Glade this year.

    As many of our followers would already be aware, 2022 sadly saw the passing of the Late Cyril Stokes.

    As a result, MRB will be taking a break from our much loved Picnic at Forest Glade in 2023 to allow the Stokes Collection to reconvene and plan for the future.

    Thank you all for your understanding!

  • Emerging from Chrysalis

    We know you’ve heard it all before, but 2020 was one heck of a year.

    Here at Melbourne Rainbow Band, we are lucky enough to be part of a strong and resilient community and were able to stick together and continue to create some truly amazing memories despite the challenges.

    Originally commissioned for our 25th Anniversary Concert in 2020, Jared McCunnie’s Emerging from Chrysalis has become one of these fantastic memories following a long year of anticipation. Due to COVID, our anniversary concert was sadly cancelled, and we were unable to perform this piece as planned. As a result, Emerging from Chrysalis has taken on an entirely new meaning, enabling each band and audience member to take away something completely different.

    Originally broadcast live on 21 April 2021, our world premiere video is now available to view , featuring both the performance and a chance to meet some of our band members and gain an insight into how they view the piece.

    We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

  • Picnic at Forest Glade – 26th January 2020

    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 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday, 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.

    Forest Glade (2)

    Date/Time: Sunday 26 January 2020 – 10am to 4pm
    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

  • Open Connections

    The Melbourne Rainbow Band, Shepparton Brass and Wind and the OUTintheOPEN festival invite you to to the City of Shepparton for a one night only gala concert, Open Connections!

    This show will connect City to Country, and stimulate pride and diversity through music.

    The two bands will perform a selection of their favourite music, and then team up with over 50 musicians on stage for a huge big band experience. This concert will feature the world premiere of a brand new concert band arrangement, ” The Road Returning” by celebrated composer Matt Klohs.

    OUTintheOPEN is Shepparton’s annual festival celebrating LGBTI+ pride and community diversity.

    This concert is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. Entry is by gold coin donation to Goulburn Valley Pride and it’s nominated charities.

    DateSaturday, 9th November
    Time7:00pm
    VenueWestside Performing Arts Centre
    141-179 Echuca Rd, Mooroopna VIC 3629
    CostGold coin donation to GV Pride

  • 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

  • Carols by Queerlight 2018 – St Kilda Town Hall

    Carols by Queerlight returns to St Kilda Town Hall for 2018 as the Melbourne Rainbow Band presents a fabulous night of celebration and festive entertainment for the DGS community. Hosted by Damian Nicholas and with special guest artists Lisa-Marie Parker, Justin Clausen & Sue Bradley, you’re invited to sing along with The CbQ Singers Choir and the Melbourne Rainbow Band.

    Gather your family and friends and get ready to sing along with what has been billed 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.

    Saturday, 15 December 2018 @ 7:30pm (doors open 6:30pm)

    St. Kilda Town Hall

    Corner of Carlisle Street and Brighton Road, St Kilda

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

    Online ticketing is closed – Tickets are available at the door

    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.

     

    We are pleased to be able to offer cheese platters for your nibbling pleasure.

    Serving two people, these cheese platters include one soft and two hard cheeses, served with quince paste and crackers alongside a selection of dried fruit and nuts, hummus dip and a crudité of vegetables*.
    * Slight variations may occur due to availability of stock

     

    Check out some pics from last year’s Carols by Queerlight.

    [ngg src=”galleries” ids=”18″ display=”basic_thumbnail”]