Put that back in your pocket – your money's no good here this weekend! Check out our round up of the best free events over the Easter break.
Comedy
The Very Big Laugh Out
Melbourne International Comedy Festival marks one of our favourite times of the year, but even if you're hitting up the cheaper ticket packages, it can get kinda costly – especially if you want to see a heap of shows. Happily, the Very Big Laugh Out has the answer, providing an opportunity to see some of the highlight acts from the festival (both national and international) for nothin'. The shows are kid-friendly, so expect the G rated version, but just because something is appropriate for little eyes and ears doesn't mean that it's going to be any less funny. Hula hoop extraordinaire Anna Pocket Rocket is one of our personal heroes, so catch her for sure, but the whole program is a corker. Here's the lineup for this weekend:
Fri March 25
5pm-6.30pm Fed Square Main Stage: MC Mario Queen Of The Circus (USA), Kamikaze Fireflies (USA), Tessa Waters, Anna Pocket Rocket, Justin Sane
Sat March 26
Noon City Square Pitch: Le Cirque Démocratique De La Belgique (BEL)
2.30pm-4pm Fed Square Main Stage: MC Mario Queen Of The Circus (USA), Kamikaze Fireflies (USA), Peter & Bambi Heaven, The Listies, Penny Greenhalgh
Sun March 27
Noon City Square Pitch: Le Cirque Démocratique De La Belgique (BEL)
2.30pm-4pm Fed Square Main Stage: MC Mario Queen Of The Circus (USA) Fed Square Main Stage, Kamikaze Fireflies (USA), Peter & Bambi Heaven, The Listies, Penny Greenhalgh
The Very Big Laugh Out. Federation Square & City Square. Friday Mar 25–Sun Apr 17.
Music
Chris Wilson at Cherry Bar
Chris Wilson has the sort of pipes that'll make the hair on your arms stand up and harmonica skills to leave your jaw agape. He's a dead-set legend when it comes to the Aussie blues scene, so seeing him for free at Cherry makes this one a no-brainer.
Chris Wilson. Cherry Bar. Fri Mar 25.
Tech life
The Games Lab Version 2.0
Really, who doesn't love Mario Kart? The Games Lab Version 2.0 at ACMI showcases the peak of video gaming technology and provides an opportunity to have a crack at the latest incarnation of Donkey Kong, without having to cough up for a consul.
The Games Lab Version 2.0. ACMI. Daily 10am-5pm.
Shopping
Rose Street Artists Market
Artisans and crafty folk combine under one roof selling groovy wares every weekend. Have a chat with the makers and grab an organic treat, before heading next door for killer coffee and a lunchtime refuel at Young Bloods Diner.
Rose Street Artists Market. Sat-Sun Mar 25-26.
Things to do
The Age Music Victoria 10th Anniversary Hall of Fame exhibition
One of Melbourne's best kept secrets is the giant treasure trove underneath the Arts Centre that houses the Performing Arts Collection – the largest collection of its kind in the country. While its sadly not open to the public too often, you can find the archive's gems displayed at the Arts Centre. The current exhibition hails our rock heroes and the most recent inductees to the Age Music Victoria Hall of Fame Exhibition, including AC/DC.
The Age Music Victoria 10th Anniversary Hall of Fame exhibition. Arts Centre Melbourne. Daily 10am-5pm.
Nightlife
Maddawg Mondays at Boney
Resident DJ T-Rek rips it up every Monday at Boney – spinning tracks as diverse as a spot of kraut-rock to dub and dirty rock and roll. Good times.
Maddawg Mondays. Boney. Mon Mar 28. 10pm.