DOORS 6PM // KITCHEN OPEN // SHOW STARTS 8PM

Let's make no bones about it: it's been a crazy year. Lockdowns and curfews and so forth. Necessary health measures all, of course, but it hasn't been easy.

Now, as the festive season approaches and the summer tantalises... has the time finally come? Has our diligence turned the tide? If we have a nice diligent venue and we're vaxtastic, might we even - whisper it - safely gather in public and celebrate the Yuletide? Just as we did in days of yore? 

Presenting the return of A Swingin' Bella Christmas - a finger-snappin', toe-tappin' romp through traditional carols, modern favourites and specially-written original songs of the season, executed with airy panache by a horn-laden bevy of brilliant performers known throughout the civilised world as the Bella All-Star Band!

Your MCs Casey Bennetto and Geraldine Quinn will be joined by special guests as they navigate the musical joys and sorrows of the season in a special two-night engagement in the newly-reopened Brunswick Ballroom on December 20th and 21st.

The Bella All-Star Band have been in existence in one form or another since 2007 (the first year of Bella Union at Trades Hall). Over that time, they've written and performed a host of Christmas songs, done questionable yet joyful things to a bunch of carols, and been joined by an array of special guests including (deep breath): Paul Kelly, Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier, Eddie Perfect, Tripod, Angie Hart, Tim Rogers, Virginia Gay, Tim Minchin, Ali McGregor, Rebecca Barnard, Mikelangelo, Alan Brough, Jude Perl, Ash Flanders, Mike McLeish, Xani Kolac, Kylie Morrigan, Sarah Carroll, Fenn Wilson, George Wilson and more more MORE!

ARTIST BIOS:

Casey Bennetto is increasingly unknown for writing the musical "KEATING!", but has also co-written operas ("Lorelei") and songs for documentaries ("Prison Songs", "Vitamania"), scored television shows ("Get Krack!n", "Lowdown"), and done many other things because he works in the arts in Australia and will do whatever's going just out of sheer desperation.

Geraldine Quinn is a multi-award-winning cabaret artiste and songwriter in her own right, with shows ranging from "Shut Up And Sing" to "Stranger" to "MDMA: Modern Day Maiden Aunt" and beyond. She has hosted many editions of the MICF showcase event Upfront. The approved shortening of her first name is "Gerry" and you'd best get on board with that.

Customers are required to check-in via the Service Victoria App with a valid Vaccination certificate as they enter the venue.

TICKETING INFO 

The Brunswick Artists' Bar and Brunswick Ballroom will be operating under the Victorian State Government vaccination mandate. Therefore, as outlined in the Victorian Roadmap, only patrons, staff and artists who are double vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to enter the venue. 

Customers are required to check-in via the Service Victoria App as they enter the venue.

The venue will be taking a number of precautionary measures to ensure patron safety, including:
- Hand sanitiser dispensers
- Signage and social distancing markers throughout the venue
- Regular sanitising of the venue and full clean between sittings

Photo ID is essential, acceptable ID is a current and valid Australian Photo Drivers Licence, State Approved ‘Proof of Age’ card or Passport.