Downtown Melbourne St. Patrick's Day Parade

Every year around St. Patrick's Day, but always on a Saturday morning, Meg O'Malley's http://www.megomalleys.com/ and the Ancient Order of the Hibernians  http://www.aoh.com/ sponsor a St. Patrick's Day Parade through downtown Melbourne.  I have been attending and participating in this parade since 2009 (or maybe before that) and it has grown into a bigger more popular event every year. 

There are all of the normal small town parade participants.  Civics groups, scouts, clubs, bands, police, fire trucks, old cars, shriners, and in recent years, more and more organizations are bringing floats.  Lots of beads get handed out and candy too.  The parade participants are not allowed to actually thrown beads and candy to the spectators due to the risk of hurting someone, but that doesn't stop the crowd from yelling for them.

With it being St. Paddy's day and all, there is a lot of green going on.  And kilts.  And bagpipes.  And strange version of weird combinations like a Star Trek Storm Trooper in a kilt. 



After the parade there is time for lunch and shopping around downtown.  Usually the bar/restaurant Mainstreet Pub has visiting bag pipers on and off all day.  Meg O'Malley's is understandably busy throughout the day.  And around 5pm or so, they start shutting down the street for the street party.  All in all a very fun day out. 

Tips:  The parade is free, but bring some cash to support the downtown businesses.

Bring something to carry candy in, especially if you are bringing children.

Arrive early to get a good seat on the parade route.  The heart of downtown is the most crowded area.

Wear green and join in the fun.  It is what you make of it!

Melbourne Civic Theater (Downtown Melbourne)

This place is such an unknown gem in Melbourne!  Maybe I shouldn't even post about it because sometimes secret places should remain secret.  But I can't not share this with you.  I have been going to this tiny little theater for three years or so.  They put on the VERY best shows I have seen in Melbourne.  The sets are well done, the acting is extraordinary, the musical talent is exceptional, and the directing is perfect.  So why is it so unknown?

Set for Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol

It could be that it is housed in a building that one would never think of as a theater, right in the heart of downtown Melbourne.  It is near shops, restaurants, and bars, not big parking lots and theater type accoutrements (the Melbourne city parking lot is across the street).  They have an agreement with Meg O'Malley's that includes a coupon for food with your ticket. 

It could be that the theater only seats 105.  Such a tiny place can't put on good shows, right?  Wrong!  I have been to exactly one show there that I didn't enjoy.  I have been to at least 25 shows here.  Some of the shows have been so amazing that I can't even imagine how they did it. 

Regardless of how little known it is, the shows sell out all the time.  They sell what is called flex pass tickets in advance.  If you are a flex pass holder, you pay in advance for a ticket to every show of the season, but not on a specific date.  Flex pass holders call a few days before general admission and reserve seats for the day they want to see each show. 



Set for the Curious Savage (not a cast member)

On the night of the show, they usually have a waiting list.  If you are late, they will call you to be sure you are coming.  If you are running a little late, they will hold the show for you.  If you can't make it, they will try to sell your seats to someone on the wait list (and let you reschedule).  Where besides a small theater in Melbourne could you get service like that? 

Once you are seated in your soft theater style seats with a pillow for back support (or however you want to use it), you are practically on the small stage with the actors.  There is no yelling actors or squinting to see the action.  There is nothing but good acting and singing, because there is no place for hiding on the stage. 

Set for the Underpants (also not a cast member)

The people who run the theater are unfailingly friendly.  The concession has (bad) wine, beer, coffee and snacks for donation.  There is a 50/50 drawing every night, which I have never won, but my friend has won several times. 

Tips:  Park at the city parking garage across the street.  There are lots of very good restaurants in walking distance.  Bring cash for concessions and the 50/50 drawing. 

website:  http://www.mymct.org/