BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Melbourne BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20250405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20251004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20260404T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20261003T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20270403T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20271002T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261210T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261210T210000 DTSTAMP:20260506T190614 CREATED:20260129T055545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T073342Z UID:70454-1796931000-1796936400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society | Smiley Gets a Gun DESCRIPTION:Melbourne Guitar Quartet \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n August 30\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n7:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n8:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$33 – $36.30 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Minerva Space \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Melbourne Guitar Quartet (MGQ) \n \n Expanding the sound world of the classical guitar \n \n Celebrating two decades at the forefront of Australian chamber music\, the Melbourne Guitar Quartet has established itself as one of the country’s most distinctive and dynamic ensembles. Renowned for their rich\, orchestral sound and innovative arrangements\, MGQ brings a fresh perspective to guitar performance through their use of the full Guitar Family of instruments — including classical bass\, baritone\, standard\, treble\, and octave guitars. \n \n Formed in 2005\, MGQ has captivated audiences across Australia with their vibrant stage presence\, technical precision\, and artistic vision. Their repertoire spans everything from reimagined classics to contemporary works\, often enhanced by subtle percussion textures. As one of only two quartets in the country dedicated to this idiom\, MGQ continues to redefine what’s possible within the guitar ensemble tradition. \n \n The group has released four critically acclaimed albums: Four Elements (2008) Toccata (2010)\, launched to a sold-out audience at the Adelaide International Guitar Festival In Colour (2014)\, a thematic exploration of Spanish and impressionistic repertoire Blood Oath (2020)\, featuring works by Arvo Pärt\, Robert Davidson\, Philip Glass\, and Pēteris Vasks. \n \n Their interpretations have drawn praise from leading composers and performers: “I rediscovered my music… under your fingers.”— Francis Kleynjans “Rhythmic vitality and a groove that would put many percussion ensembles to shame.”— Nigel Westlake “Exactly what the classical guitar world needs.”— Slava Grigoryan MGQ’s mission is simple: to bring the sound of the guitar quartet to new audiences\, through bold programming\, refined musicianship\, and a commitment to musical excellence. \n \n The Program \n \n Fratres – Arvo PartWinter in the Forgotten Valley – Nigel WestlakeMishima – Philip GlassOpals – Phillip Houghton \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This performance is part of a special fundraising effort to suport the Melbourne Guitar Quartet's upcoming international tour in 2026 \n \n The tour will include performances across the USA\, as well as featured appearances at the Seattle\, Liverpool\, and Sydney Guitar Festivals. All funds raised will go directly toward covering essential tour costs\, including international travel\, visa processing\, and accommodation expenses. \n \n The Musicians \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Curent Members Dan McKay – Sophie Marcheff – Benjamin Dix – Rose Gonzalez \n \n MGQ proudly performs on Hannabach strings and gratefully acknowledges the support of Hannabach GmbH and Payton’s Music. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets General Admission $36.30 | Group discount for a block of 4 or more tickets (ages 8 plus) $33 includes gst\, booking fee additional. Tickets not available from the Library Box Office. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work\, learn and create. Always Was\, Always Will Be\, Aboriginal Land. URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-film-society-smiley-gets-a-gun/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/smiley-sq-promo.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR