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Anytime Anywhere
  • Mirrors in the Royal Exhibition Building reflecting the dome in a soft, dark, blue.
  • Norwegian musician and composer Bendik Giske performing on stage with purple-lit cloud like patterns as a backdrop.
22 Aug

SOMNIA: William Basinski / Bendik Giske

  • Music
  • Art

Settle into your individual bed under the grand frescoed dome of the historic Royal Exhibition Building and float between states of consciousness: presence and rest, focused listening and quiet contemplation. Yes, you’re sleeping here.

The lullaby for this collective slumber comes from American composer William Basinski performing The Disintegration Loops in its entirety. For the first time, all four albums are presented continuously in a single concert setting, unfolding into a soundtrack of rare beauty and profound calm.

Joining the sleepover is Norwegian musician, composer and saxophonist Bendik Giske, with a solo performance in its most elemental form, presented especially for SOMNIA. This is music to surrender to.

As darkness gives way to morning, a special guest performance gently stirs the room awake, marking the transition from night’s deep listening to the world beyond the Dome.

Part of Now or Never. Presented with Museums Victoria.

Hours

Date Times
Sat 22 Aug
  • 10pm - 8.30am 10:00pm - 8:30am

Location

Royal Exhibition Building
9 Nicholson St
Carlton 3053

Open in maps location for Royal Exhibition Building

Price and bookings

Adult / general $130
Book online for SOMNIA: William Basinski / Bendik Giske

Contact details

  • telephone number: 03 9658 9658
  • email address: nowornever@melbourne.vic.gov.au
  • Visit website for SOMNIA: William Basinski / Bendik Giske
Facebook page for SOMNIA: William Basinski / Bendik Giske Instagram page for SOMNIA: William Basinski / Bendik Giske

Accessibility

  • Accessible toilets
  • Blind/low vision supports
  • Companion card accepted
  • Mobility access

All accessibility information is self-reported by the listing owner. It has not been verified by the City of Melbourne.

Also part of Now or Never

Red laser beams dance across the water’s surface,
20 – 30 Aug

Multimmersion: Upside Down V2

A contemplative exploration of light, space and reflection transforms the Yarra River – Birrarung.

  • Free
  • Family and kids
Two members of Octave One, a Detroit techno music group, both wearing black clothing and looking directly at the camera.
29 Aug

Finding Figaro: Octave One/Sleep D x Hybrid Man/JNETT/Baby G

An all-night journey through electronic music’s past, present and future.

  • Music
  • Nightlife
DJ and producer Zalina, her hands resting on either side of her head, wearing a strapless top, her long dark hair falling past her shoulders.
28 Aug

Chuleo Club: A.Chal/Slim Soledad/LIZZ/Dinamarca/Zalina

Rooted in Latinx club sounds, community and underground energy: loud, intimate, unrelenting.

  • Music
  • Dance
The Dome reading room of State Library Victoria showing the upper level balconies, and rows of desk fanning out from the centre, all bathed in a pink light.
21 Aug

Library Up Late X Now or Never

Experience the Library after dark as memory, music and speculative futures collide.

  • Music
  • Nightlife

Only In The City

Winter Only in the City - Checkout the cold list

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Visitors enjoying an evening event at the National Gallery of Victoria, seated on stools under shadowy lighting.
Until 2 Oct

NGV Friday Nights: Cartier

NGV Friday Nights shine with Cartier, featuring live music, flims, food and drinks.

  • Film
  • Theatre
A sunset concert at federation square

What's free in Melbourne this month

Everything to see, do and enjoy in Melbourne for free this month.

  • Free
  • Music
A line of woman holding guitars in an identical pose on a stage in front of a green curtain.
26 Jun – 4 Oct

Ragnar Kjartansson: Mercy

NGV presents Ragnar Kjartansson's first-ever Australian exhibition.

  • Art
  • Exhibition
Two First Nations individuals sitting back to back on the ground outdoors, engaged in a traditional weaving activity near a body of water.
Until 13 Sep

FUTURE COUNTRY: Country Road + NGV First Nations Commissions

The second iteration of the Country Road and NGV First Nations Commission initiative.

  • Free
  • Art
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Australian Aboriginal Flag Torres Strait Islander Flag

The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.

We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future. For more information, visit Aboriginal Melbourne.

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