08/04/2022 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm $49.50 The comedian touted as Australia’s answer to Seinfeld is back with a brand new show for 2022 – and with most of us needing a good laugh after the events of the last two years, his tour will be just the ticket. After surviving the world’s longest lockdown in Melbourne, Joe is bursting with new…
10/06/2022 @ 9:00 pm $40 – $50 We are excited to bring you a much anticipated live event. Join us in the beautiful Minerva Space at the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute, for a night of pure entertainment and cheesy disco classics with Ballarat's most notorious television duo Lance DeBoyle and Gabriella Labucci. This event will be broadcast live to community television station C31…
24/02/2023 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Class Clowns aims to inspire, engage and elevate teens aged 14-18 who are hoping to flex their funny bone and get into comedy. All you need is 3-5 minutes of original comedy material of any genre. Stand-up, sketch, narrative, solo, group, musical, physical – all are welcomed. Heats are held around the country and comprise a…
30/04/2023 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm $40 – $45 Grab a mate, grab a date... grab a ticket to the Roadshow! Australia’s biggest and best comedy festival is hitting the road for a huge 25th year! Featuring the best and brightest of the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, we’re bringing the funny to you! Get ready for a stellar line-up with Roadshow favourites alongside the…
28/05/2023 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm $15 Buster Keaton in The General. Silent film with Live Band. Join us for an unforgettable night of entertainment as we take you back to the golden era of cinema with a silent film screening of The General, starring the legendary Buster Keaton. The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute will provide the perfect backdrop for this special event. You'll be…
12/08/2023 @ 8:00 pm - 9:15 pm $27 – $29.50 Daniel Connell (As seen on the MICF Gala and Comedy Allstars (ABC)) brings his brand-new show to the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute for one night only. Are you nursing some physical (and emotional) aches from life knocking you about as you get older? They say laughter is the best medicine, and luckily for you, affable Aussie…
26/08/2023 @ 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm $25 – $29 After sell-out seasons across Australia and New Zealand, Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh are coming to Ballarat for one night only to wrap up a 15-month tour with this special live taping of their award-winning show. Presentation is Everything is an hour of fast-paced stand-up comedy that is visually complemented through the medium of Microsoft…
02/03/2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm $33 – $45 Ladies, grab your crowns and let's reign supreme over the most epic women's night out of the year! Women Just Want to Laugh! You're in for an evening of uproarious laughter, unforgettable stories, and, of course, WINE Brace yourselves for the uproarious talent of one of Australia's finest female comedians, led by the sensational Janelle…
07/04/2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm $36 – $40 Australias most wanted comedian is back After three years off... and he's not here to f*ck spiders! That's right. Not even if they're dressed in a sexy spider nurse outfit. He just hasn't got the time. And neither do you. Because life happens whether you like it or not. You can tiptoe around it, have a whinge or…
19/04/2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm $46.00 A show where Kinne shares too much information about all of the things wrong with him. And when you’re in your mid 40s dating someone in their 30s, those things wrong with you are going to become slightly more apparent. But hey, if it means you get to walk away from the show feeling better…
26/04/2024 @ 7:30 pm - 8:40 pm $46.40 "Pavey's stand-up delicately weaves elements of darkness and light, moving the audience to the brink of tears, before landing a hefty punchline that leaves them in (metaphorical) stitches.” - The Age After a sold-out debut tour in 2023, Blake Pavey’s plan of dying early didn’t exactly pan out. To celebrate him Still Kickin’… he’s decided…
19/05/2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm $55 Australia's biggest and best comedy spectacular is setting off again on its annual road trip around the country! Showcasing the finest talents from the 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, we're delivering a dose of laughter right to your doorstep! Featuring a line-up of beloved comedy royalty alongside the freshest sensations from the Festival, all in…
Minerva's Secrets Night Tours
Tue 19 May with special visit to Lantern Vaults
Tour 1 at 7pm – Tour 2 at 9pm.
Remembrance Day:
A Surgeon Commander & A Leading Cook - Recent War Memoribilia
Wed 29 Oct & 5 Nov, 5.30pm.
Calling for Pre-loved books
These donation assist in our Library Fundraising Activities
We can take delivery during regular Library operating hours. See website footer.
Coming in November…
Stella Day Out, Ballarat, Rachael Johns & Margaret Hickey
Australian Heritage Festival
Minerva's Secrets
25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets.
Spring Season, History Talks:
Ballarat's Henry Lawson - The Dragon's Den - Gold! Gold! Gold!
Wed 3, 17 & 24 September, 5.30pm.
Bubbly on arrival featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop
Pre-Sale $60 from 6 Aug to 9 Aug - $65 thereafter
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2026 Calendar
Featuring illustrations from our Heritage Book Collection $40
Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.
Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges.
2 course dinner & lots
of dancing
