MEL&NYC Festival: Big Apple comes to Melbourne for MoMA at NGV

MANY already like to compare Melbourne to New York but the Big Apple vibe in our town is about to become indisputable witha major new festival.

Melbourne musicians Julien Wilson on sax, Andrea Keller on piano, Gian Slater on vocals and Sam Anning on bass bring the New York jazz vibes to Melbourne's AC/DC lane to celebrate the launch of the MEL&NYC Festival. Picture: Andrew Tauber

MANY already like to compare Melbourne to New York but the big apple vibe in our town is about to become indisputable.

The first ever MEL&NYC Festival will run across Melbourne from June to August this year, coinciding with the National Gallery of Victoria’s world premiere exhibition MoMA at NGV: 130 Years of Modern and Contemporary Art.

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NGV director Tony Ellwood said the festival would celebrate the exchange of culture between the vibrant cities of Melbourne and New York.

“The festival will see the best of Melbourne and New York artists celebrated in a vibrant program of art, music, theatre, film, dance, talks, food and much more,” Mr Elwood said.

There are 15 Melbourne arts organisations involved in the festival including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne Theatre Company and the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.

The festival will feature performance, stand-up comedy, film, an extensive live music program along with events, dining activations and keynote talks that all have a New York City theme.

New York City and Melbourne food and wine experts will come together for residencies in restaurants and bars across town.

Art Deco cinema The Astor will hold New York classic films throughout July at the NGV, New York Times investigative reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones will discuss US politics and race in a live panel discussion.

Performers include comedian Ilana Glazer, singer Regina Spektor and there will be secret pop-up performances in Melbourne’s laneways.

MoMA at NGV will feature more than 200 works taking over the entire ground floor of the NGV International from June 9.