Due to popular demand, MusiKfest Kew is back for it’s fourth year!
This is a community festival designed to offer music lovers the opportunity to experience a huge range of musical acts in Kew’s many and varied venues.
With 21 acts scheduled in various venues over the month of May, attendance at most events involves only booking a table or turning up! There is something for everyone – from kids to families to adults to seniors.
Read on for information on all events and we hope to see you at many!
RnB & Soul - Fri, May 5
- Rhia and Gabriel
- Friday, May 5, 12pm – 2pm
- Q Art Gallery, 188 High Street, Kew
Rhia & Gabriel are an up and coming independent duo fresh on the Naarm/Melbourne scene. Playing a fusion of R&B, neo soul and jazz pop they created a unique sound by channelling their love for story telling and mood shifting through music.
The performance will coincide with the QArt Studio and Gallery exhibition, REFLECTIONS; observations of the everyday by the studio’s talented artists with disability.
No booking necessary
No entry charge, no booking – just pop on in and enjoy!
HandPan - Fri, May 5
- Sherif - HandPan Performer
- Friday, May 5, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
- Nazar Wine Bar, 26 Cotham Road, Kew
Sherif is an Egyptian-born, Melbourne-based multi-instrumentalist world musician with an impressive performance and recording background.
He was a finalist on “Arabs Got Talent” where his performance wowed both the judges and the audience. Sherif is a world-leading artist on the HandPan.
“Handpan” is a beautiful and mesmerising handmade instrument consisting of two glued steel domes that emit both drum-like rhythms and delicate harmonies. Played via gentle tapping of fingers on the domes, these amazing instruments produce gorgeous hypnotic peaceful sounds.
Book a table for dinner
No entry charge, simply book a table below
World Music - Sat, May 6
- Ajak Kwai
- Saturday, May 6, 8pm – 9.50pm
- Kew Court House, 188 High Street, Kew
Ajak Kwai is well known for her powerful performances and strong messages that call for inclusion and celebration of the diversity found throughout Australian society.
Originally hailing from a small town of Bor on the Upper Nile in what is now South Sudan, music has always been part of her life.
Performing in English, Arabic, and her native language, Dinka, Ajak Kwai’s music draws upon South Sudanese funk and blues influences and brings together elements of traditional music alongside more contemporary gestures. The result is something notably unique, powerful and uplifting.
Tickets
This is a ticketed event. Tickets for Ajak Kwai are $30/$24 concession. This event is brought to you by Boroondara Arts.
Acoustic Rock - Sat, May 6
- Groovy Tunez
- Saturday, May 6, 8pm – 11pm
- Fly Lie, 309 High Street, Kew
Groovy Tunez are a local Acoustic Duo (Matt & Frank) playing classic rock from the 1970’S to 2000’s.
No booking necessary
No entry charge, no booking – just pop on in and enjoy!
Disney Song & Dance Show - Sun, May 7
- Snow Sisters
- Sunday, May 7, 11am – 12pm
- Kew Court House, 188 High Street, Kew
True Fairies present two of the sweetest Snow sisters singing all your favourite Disney tunes!
Join us in this intimate stage event while we sing, dance and play games in this one hour musical adventure, plus, get up close and personal with meet and greet and photo opportunities!
This is an all ages family event.
Tickets
This is a ticketed event. Tickets for Snow Sisters are $5 for adults and kids. Non-walkers free. Doors open 10.45am and Snow Sisters starts at 11am.
NOTE: This show is sold out! Looking for another kids show? Scroll down for our Kids Karaoke Disco Show on Sun, May 28
Glee Club Sing-along to Queen Songs - Sun, May 7
- Glee Club sing-along
- Sunday, May 7, 2pm – 4pm
- Postmaster Hotel, 186 High Street, Kew
Love nothing more than belting out a great song? Then don’t miss this hugely fun and free event where you get to sing the most singable songs, with friends by your side and a beer in hand!
Glee Club’s sing-alongs are like being in a choir without having to join a choir. There are no auditions, no solos and you can drink as much as you like while you sing! So if you’ve ever dreamed of singing the harmonies in Bohemian Rhapsody, and other Queen songs, this is your moment!
No entry charge, book a free ticket to reserve your spot or pop in on the day and see if there is any space available!
No entry charge, but book a free ticket to reserve your spot. Please, please let us know if, at any point, you no longer need your ticket so we can cancel it and allow someone else to come along! Alternately, just pop along on the day and see if there are any free tickets remaining!
Instrumentalist - Thu, May 11
- Amla - Instrumentalist
- Thursday, May 11, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
- Mirchi Indian Restaurant, 330 High Street, Kew
Amla has most recently performed and toured with Adam Hills across Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra in his recent show, ‘Shoes Half Full.’
Book a table for dinner
No entry charge, simply book a table below.
Jazz - Fri, May 12
- Jolene Moran Trio
- Friday, May 12, 8pm – 10pm
- Baraonda321, 321 High Street, Kew
Jolene Moran is a versatile jazz singer best known on stage for her love for 1930’s and 40’s swing music. She has a unique style that is influenced by the greats, combined with her own charisma. She has a great little swinging trio featuring the talents of Ben Calderazzo on guitar and Jordan Tarento on bass.
Book a table for dinner
No entry charge, simply book a table below.
Acoustic Covers - Fri, May 12
- Tom Baeppler
- Friday, May 12, 8pm – 11pm
- Fly Lie, 309 High Street, Kew
No booking necessary
No entry charge, simply book a table below.
Greek Urban - Sat, May 13
- Notes Rebetes
- Saturday, May 13, 8pm – 9.50pm
- Kew Court House, 188 High Street, Kew
Tickets
This is a ticketed event. Tickets for Notes Rebetes are $30/$24 concession. This event is brought to you by Boroondara Arts.
Swinging Jazz - Sun, May 14
- Trumpet Jazz Band
- Sunday, May 14, 2pm – 4pm
- Cotham Dining, 28 Cotham Road
Swinging band, Trumpet Jazz Band are a Melbourne jazz band featuring vocalist Sandra Charon. A born Mauritian vocalist with creole influence, Sandra’s warm and sultry tones will carry you as Trumpet take you on a journey through styles of jazz music from swing to bossa nova and more.
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE FOR THIS EVENT: As the Clifton Hotel won’t be opening in time, we’ve had to move this event to Cotham Dining.
Book a table on the Mother’s Day set menu
Book a table below for this event. Please note, only bookings for the Mother’s Day set menu, 3-courses for $70pp, will be taken.
Songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s - Sun, May 14
- Mike Daglish
- Sunday, May 14, 4pm – 7pm
- Fly Lie, 309 High Street, Kew
Love a good sing-along? Head to Fly Lie for songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s.
No booking necessary
No entry charge, no booking – just pop on in and enjoy!
Indie Soul & RnB - Wed, May 18
- Alisya & Qori
- Wednesday, May 17, 7pm – 9pm
- Wokaholic, 8 Parkhill Road, Kew
Alisya and Qori are a local sibling duo performing re-imagined acoustic covers and soul-infused original music. Their duo set up typically features Alisya on guitar/lead vocals and Qori on percussion/ backing vocals. You can also find them gigging at Melbourne’s iconic club venues as a full band.
Book a table for dinner
No entry charge, simply book a table below.
Latin Rock - Fri, May 19
- Gabriel Bermeo
- Friday, May 19, 5pm – 7pm
- Postmaster Hotel, 186 High Street, Kew
Originally from Colombia, Gabriel Bermeo is a versatile experienced guitarist and musician playing multiple genres as Jazz, Rock and Latin Folk. Gabriel has composed several original songs in Spanish which you can find on his Spotify and YouTube platforms. He has recently moved to Melbourne to continue his musical development in composition also to immerse himself in the strong musical culture that this city has to offer.
Book a table for food or drinks
No entry charge, simply book a table below or walk-in on the day.
Pop Up Musical Fun - Sat, May 20
- Katerina, Alejandro & Vikaye
- Saturday, May 20, 11am – 1pm
- Kew Junction High Street
We’re celebrating Main Streets of Australia Week between 11am – 1pm with a selection of wonderful musical acts ‘popping up’ in your local Kew Junction cafes, pharmacies, retail stores and more to entertain you with a song. The acts include:
Katerina Stevens, Traditional Greek Violinist
Katerina plays traditional Greek dance music on violin and has been involved in various bands performing at festivals and community events. Katerina also teaches violin at local Kew business, Learn Music.
Alejandro, Classical Guitarist
Vikaye, Neo Soul Singer
Vikaye is a Melbourne based artist at the beginning of her solo music journey. She performs unleased originals at gig and has music on the way.
No booking necessary
No booking necessary, just find them on the street or see them in your fave Kew Junction cafe or business
Americana - Sat, May 20
- The Momentos
- Saturday, May 20, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
- Cotham Dining, 26 Cotham Road, Kew
** Please note change of date to Sat, May 20 **
After a wildly popular celebration of The Beatles for MusiKfest ’22, THE MOMENTOS – featuring Ripley Smith, Paul Fergus Morris, James Howlett & Steven Reinhardt – return in 2023 with an exciting journey, taking their audience coast to coast through the American songbook.
From fastlanes with The Eagles, to dusty trails with Bob Dylan; piano bars with Billy, to Woodstock with Hendrix. THE MOMENTOS will be presenting their fun take on classics from one of the great eras in American music.
This very special, one-off event is not to be missed.
Book a table for dinner
No entry charge, simply book a table below.
Party Soul - Thu, May 25
- Tapes
- Thu, May 25, 7pm – 9pm
- Dawson Kew, 241 High Street, Kew
Melbourne-based party-soul band Tapes has spent the last 5 years pleasing the senses of crowds all over Australia with their blend of Neo-soul, RnB, and Funk. Most recently, they have supported well-known Melbourne artists such as Vaudeville Smash and Sex on Toast at sold-out shows at the Night Cat. Get ready to groove to their immaculate song-writing and infectious grooves.
Book a table for dinner
No entry charge, simply book a table below or walk-in on the day.
Kids Disco Karaoke Concert - Sun, May 28
- Tara & Sammie
- Sunday, May 28, 11am – 12pm
- Kew Court House, 188 High Street, Kew
BE THE STAR IN OUR SHOW!!
Join children’s entertainment duo, Tara Dowler and Samantha Middlemast in this LIVE Disco Karaoke event.
Join us for 1 hour of catchy popular tunes where your child can be the star singing along to the live band!!
While we welcome all ages to our stage, we recommend 4 – 10 years will get the most out of this entertaining and super fun live concert.
Tickets
If not sold out, tickets will be available to purchase on the door. Cash only.
Dixieland - Sun, May 28
- Shirazz
- Sunday, May 28, 2pm – 4pm
- Now & Then Cafe, 204 High Street, Kew
For over a decade Shirazz has held a reputation as one of Melbourne’s most exciting dixieland bands, playing to packed houses and standing ovations across Australia and New Zealand.
Shirazz’s irreverent take on trad jazz classics, combined with their inventive reworking of pop tunes, saucy low down blues dirges and cheeky original material gives the band their unique appeal – jazz, but not quite jazz.
In Melbourne, they perform regularly at bars, pubs and parties. They have released five albums, including one nominated for an Australian Jazz Bell Award.
“A lively dance set with a sense of fun… they delivered in spades – with some mischief, humour and a couple of singalongs!” – Michael Stewart, Director, Newport Folk Festival
Book a table for lunch
No entry charge, call 9853 8306 to book a table. Booking a table is recommended as this event was hugely popular the last two years!