ACMI announces a slate of new events this winter for blockbuster exhibition Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion and free tickets for young people under 16

ACMI announces a slate of new events this winter for blockbuster exhibition Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion and free tickets for young people under 16

After unleashing the power of the screen goddess on Melbourne, ACMI has announced a second suite of vibrant events, late night exhibition access, talks, workshops and film screenings for its Melbourne Winter Masterpiece exhibition Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion, which runs until 1 October before touring internationally. A special offer allowing young people under the age of 16 to experience Goddess for free is also available from today.

The landmark, world-premiere, ACMI-curated exhibition celebrates 120 years of moving image history and the women and gender-transcending superstars who paved the way for future generations by challenging and disrupting the feminine ideal. The exhibition features never-before-seen costumes, original sketches, interactive experiences and cinematic treasures including outfits worn by Marilyn Monroe, Michelle Yeoh, Margot Robbie, Geena Davis and Zendaya.

Carrying on the celebrations this winter, ACMI is adding to its after-dark series, Goddess Nights with two more live late-night events on 27 July and 28 September, in addition to the already announced 25 May event. Goddess Nights sees the exhibition enriched by a dynamic, diverse, and shapeshifting program of live music and performances showcasing the power of ‘femme curation’.

Raising the roof on 27 July First Nations artist DJ Kalyani will perform her cutting-edge music from around the globe, whilst Komang blends groove and neo-soul with Balinese spirit and DJ Mothafunk merges all genres of Black music for a one-of-a-kind dance experience. Taking the stage on 28 September, Claddy brings catchy basslines and vibrant dance sets, whilst emerging DJ Brown Suga Princess combines UKG with South Asian riffs, GLO flaunts powerful vocals and a punchy production and C.FRIM B2B Mirasai rounds it out with pulsating beats from the diaspora.

Glamour, power and rebellion is celebrated in a jam-packed weekend of free live music, pop-up performances, screenings, workshops and demos at The Goddess Weekend on 2-3 September. The weekend will spotlight local goddesses – the business owners, creatives, screen industry shakers and innovators – to celebrate their achievements and inspire the next generation. Experts will share their expertise on a range of topics including, standing up to street harassment working in male dominant sections of the screen industry and running your own business, alongside programming including make-up demonstrations, fashion, craft and dance workshops, improv comedy and live performances.

Continuing to shine the spotlight on contemporary and classic films that have defined and celebrated the essence of the goddess over the years, Goddess Sundays will run as an extended season until 27 August. The program includes Toni Collette’s iconic role as a social outcast in in Muriel’s Wedding (1994), Kirsten Dunst as the legendary matriarch Marie Antoinette (2006), Dorothy Dandridge as a seductress in Carmen Jones (1954), and Academy-Award-winning actor Michelle Yeoh in the martial arts masterpiece Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).

From 15 July, ACMI will screen a new restoration of the iconic friendship road movie Thelma & Louise, starring Goddess ambassador Geena Davis. This new 4K restoration premieres at ACMI direct from the Cannes Film Festival.

Goddess ACMI Curator Tours will offer exclusive, out-of-hours access allowing visitors to deep-dive into the stories behind the fascinating figures who challenged and changed the role of women on screen. Auslan Tours, Audio Described Tours and Relaxed Visits will ensure our Goddess blockbuster exhibition remains accessible to a range of audiences. Additionally, School Holiday Drop-in Workshops will keep young hands and minds busy 26 June – 7 July with creative and crafty workshops to design characters inspired by kids’ favourite film and TV stars.

ACMI Director of Experience & Engagement, Dr Britt Romstad, said: “Our winter programming is designed to elevate the voices of Australia’s many goddesses. We hope audiences and artists alike revel in the shared experiences of live music, performance, discussion and debate, whilst surrounded by the goddesses in the exhibition who fought for these freedoms.”

Tickets for Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion and the exhibition’s accompanying event program are now on sale via acmi.net.au. A special offer allowing young people under the age of 16 to experience Goddess for free is available from today.

Goddess is part of the Victorian Government’s Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, presented by Visit Victoria and proudly supported by our generous partners; Creative Victoria, Presenting Partner Visit Victoria, Lead Exhibition Partner Porsche Cars Australia, Major Technology Partner Panasonic, Major Research Partner RMIT University, Major Academic Partner Swinburne University of Technology and Supporting Partners City of Melbourne, Pixon Technology, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, U.S. Consulate General Melbourne.

ACMI’S GODDESS: POWER, GLAMOUR, REBELLION EVENTS PROGRAM 

Goddess Nights
Thursday 25 May
7:00pm – 9:00pm: DJ JNETT
9:00pm – 9:45pm: CD (live)
9:45pm – 10:30pm: POOKIE (live)
10:30pm – 1:00am: AYEBATONYE

Thursday 27 July
7:00pm – 9:00pm: KALYANI
9:00pm – 9:45pm: KOMANG (live)
10:30pm – 1:00am: MOTHAFUNK

Thursday 28 September
7:00pm – 8:30pm: CLADDY
8:30pm – 9:45pm: BROWN SUGA PRINCESS
9:45pm – 10:30pm: GLO (live)
10:30pm – 1:00am: C.FRIM B2B MIRASIA

The Goddess Weekend
Saturday 2 – Sunday 3 September 2023

Goddess Sundays
Sunday 21 May– Sunday 27 August 2023
Orlando, Sunday 21 May, 2pm
Sakuran, Sunday 28 May, 2pm
Carmen Jones, Sunday 4 June, 2pm
Niagara, Sunday 11 June, 2pm
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Sunday 18 June, 2pm
Muriel’s Wedding, Sunday 25 June, 2pm
Women Talking, Sunday 2 July, 2pm
The Girls, Sunday 9 July, 2pm
Marie Antoinette, Sunday 16 July, 2pm
Promising Young Woman, Sunday 30 July, 2pm
Polyester, Sunday 27 August, 2pm

Thelma & Louise (new 4K Restoration)
Saturday 15 July, 7pm
Saturday 22 July, 2pm
Saturday 29 July, 4pm
Sunday 30 July, 4pm

Auslan tours
Saturday 10 June, 10-11am
Saturday 23 September, 10-11am

Audio Described Tours
Saturday 17 June, 10-11am
Saturday 19 August, 10-11am

Relaxed Visit
Saturday 10 June, 10-11am
Saturday 23 September, 10-11am

Curator Tours
Wednesday 28 June, 5.30-6.30pm
Wednesday 26 July, 9.30-10.30am
Wednesday 30 August, 5.30-6.30pm
Wednesday 27 September, 9.30-10.30am

Notes to editor 

• Curated by ACMI, Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion is a world-premiere exhibition
• Goddess runs until 1 October 2023 at ACMI, Fed Square, Melbourne.
• For more information and tickets visit acmi.net.au
• Goddess is part of the Victorian Government’s Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series, presented by Visit Victoria
• Images and information can be found at the Goddess Media Centre
• For media enquiries please contact charly@commonstate.co | 0435 356 530

About Melbourne Winter Masterpieces at ACMI
ACMI has been part of the annual Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series since 2007, bringing major international exhibitions such as David Bowie Is... and Hollywood Costume exclusively to Melbourne, creating multi-award-winning blockbusters that have subsequently toured the world. More than 1.4 million local, interstate, and international visitors have experienced Melbourne Winter Masterpieces at ACMI, with the museum's homegrown touring exhibitions such as Game Masters, DreamWorks Animation: The Exhibition and Wonderland attracting over 4 million visitors across five continents.

About ACMI
ACMI is Australia’s national museum of screen culture. The museum reopened in February 2021 after a two-year, $40 million redevelopment – an architectural, programmatic, and technological transformation. ACMI celebrates the wonder and power of the world’s most democratic artform – fostering the next generation of makers, players, and watchers. ACMI’s vibrant calendar of exhibitions, screenings, commissions, festivals, and industry and education programs explore the stories, technologies and artists that create our shared screen culture. Navigate the universe of film, TV, videogames, and art with ACMI. More at acmi.net.au