NGV Friday Nights returns for Pharaoh this winter, 14 June – 4 October

Welcoming in the winter months, NGV Friday Nights returns recharged and reimagined for an after-hours ode to the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces® exhibition Pharaoh. Taking place at NGV International with extended late-night access to the winter blockbuster exhibition, the 17-week season presents a diverse line-up of music residencies, pop-up performances, Middle Eastern-inspired food, and an array of drink offerings. 

Cabaret queen, Miss Cairo, welcomes guests each evening, bringing her unique brand of exuberance to the stage with songs and storytelling in the Great Hall every Friday night, presenting an evening of unexpected encounters with music and art. From 8pm, a rotating program of guest performance residencies will surprise and delight with unique musical experiences. 

Inspired by the Pharaoh exhibition, each week audiences will be taken on a different musical journey, with a selection of music and performances, from jazz to cabaret, to classical, funk and blues. 

Kicking of the season, acclaimed composer, oud player and eight-time ARIA Award winner Joseph Tawadros AM will perform original compositions that seamlessly blend Arabic modes with Western musical styles. Australian Art Orchestra continues the program, curating a variety of ensembles throughout their residency, to bring jazz, rap, folk music and beyond to the Friday Nights stage. With decades of radio experience, presenter and producer of radio program Flight 1067 to Africa, Stani Goma, will draw on his knowledge and passion of music to present curated sounds of the African continent.  

Later in the season, the team from Brunswick live-music venue, Tempo Rubato will gather some of Australia’s most highly skilled artists to create a spectrum of sounds using instruments that have been evolving for hundreds of years. For the final three weeks of Friday Nights, not-for-profit record label and artist community Music in Exile will bring their artist-first approach to NGV with a series of performances that reflect the range of viewpoints and experiences of Australia’s diverse communities. 

NGV Friday Nightsoffers late-night access to the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces® 2024 exhibition Pharaoh, celebrating three thousand years of ancient Egyptian art and culture. The exhibition unpacks the phenomenon of pharaoh through more than 500 works including monumental sculpture, architecture, temple statuary, exquisite jewellery, papyri, coffins and more.   

In the Great Hall, visitors can enjoy the unmissable Moët & Chandon bar, serving both the iconic Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut and Rosé champagne, while the Yering Station Wine Bar will serve fine wines from the Yarra Valley. Throughout NGV Friday Nights, guests can enjoy a selection of Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine including modern mezze plates for sharing, gozleme, plus a variety of irresistible desserts. 

Tony Ellwood AM, Director, NGV said: ‘The NGV Friday Nights series continues to be a highlight of the winter season. Alongside the chance to explore the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces 2024 exhibition Pharaoh after-hours, this year’s program features an even greater range of diverse musical performances from the community, carefully curated by our guest residencies.’ 

NGV Friday Nights takes place 14 June – 4 October 2024 at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne.  Pharaoh is on display 14 June – 6 October 2024. Tickets and information are available via the NGV website: NGV.MELBOURNE

NGV Friday Nights, Photo by Ben Swinnerton