ChillOut 2011 – your day by day guide

There’s so much happening around Daylesford this weekend we can hardly keep up. Here’s your guide to what’s going on when.

Friday, March 11

Longest Lunch
One of ChillOut’s most successful fundraisers, The Slowest Lunch at Sault Restaurant, is on again this year. Proceeds will go to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation to help schools deal with online bullying. 12.30pm – 4.30pm at Sault restaurant.

Opening party
Start your festival off with a bang at the opening night party at Horvat’s Cellar Door. Taste local wines and try scrumptious delicacies from local chefs. A great chance to meet fellow ChillOut-goers. Gold coin donation entry fee. 6pm till late. 37 – 39 East St, Daylesford.

Movie marathon
Fancy kicking back and relaxing into the long weekend? ChillOut Twilight Cinema will screen a selection of Bollywood, gay and popular films inside the Savoia Hotel throughout the festival. Food and drinks available to purchase. 69 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs. Visit www.twilightcinemas.com.au

Music trivia
Test your music knowledge at the Rainbow Music Trivia night. Great prizes and fun to be had, along with bar snacks, meals and a licensed bar. Starts 7.30pm at the Harvest Cafe, 29 Albert St, Daylesford.

Girls rock
Local all-girl rockers Lilith’s Revenge will play covers of ’70s, ’80s and ’90s hits to get your ChillOut groove on. A popular event at last year’s festival, the girls are sure to rise to the challenge again. Entry $10. Old Hepburn Hotel 236 Main Rd, Hepburn. 9pm till late.

Saturday, March 12

To market
The wonderful Makers Market has loads of goodies for the discerning craft lover. Featuring work from more than 50 local artists and makers, exhibitors have a strong focus on recycling and using vintage materials. At Daylesford Primary School Hall, 102-128 Vincent St, Daylesford, 10.30am – 4pm.

Raunchy rodeo
Trivia with a twist, this team sport is a fun way to show off your knowledge of sex. Tables of six will compete for prizes. A Country Awareness Network and ALSO Foundation project, the event will be hosted by Vanessa Wagner. On at Horvat’s Cellar Door, 11am – 2pm.

Wine tours
Sample some of the best the region has to offer with a Daylesford Wine Tour. Stop in at local wineries and grab lunch along the way. Meet at the Visitor Information Centre at 11am.

Rock and rolling
Take a look at the crash-and-bash hijinks of the roller derby girls, who face off at Daylesford High School. The bout sees Ballarat Roller Derby and Dragon City Derby Dolls (Bendigo) go head-to-head. At Smith St, Daylesford. 3.30pm – 5.30pm.

Go golfing
The popular golf tournament attracts a bevy of enthusiastic golfers with a range of handicaps. Set in tranquil bushland, the 18-hole course will host three events including the women’s, men’s and mixed tournaments. At Golf Links Rd, Hepburn Springs. Starts 11am with a BBQ, play from noon till 6pm.

Cooking curry
Harvest Cafe and the Red Beard Bakery are both hosting Indian feast nights on Saturday night. Tuck into some scrumptious curries, poppadoms and raita, dress up in your most sparkling Indian costume and enjoy the entertainment. Visit the ChillOut website for information.

Darling Dolly
Join in the fun with cabaret regulars Dolly Diamond, Luke Gallagher and Rose Garden. This threesome is a barrel of laughs and not to be missed. A show not for the faint-hearted. Old Hepburn Hotel, 236 Main Rd, Hepburn, 4pm – late.

Bushdance
It’s the best boot-scootin’ event in town. ChillOut’s Bush Dance is great fun with dance callers on hand to help you learn the steps and plenty of good-time music. This year the event has moved to the more spacious Town Hall in Daylesford. Make sure you don’t miss it. Cost $20, bookings essential.

Sunday, March 13

Proud parade
If you need proof we queers like to create a bit of colour and noise wherever we are, look no further than the ChillOut Street Parade. While the parade’s more modest stroll around Daylesford’s main shopping drag doesn’t quite rival the revelry on Oxford St, the event still has its sparkle and fun. Starts 10.30am along Vincent St.

Carnival time
ChillOut Festival’s signature event, Carnival Day, draws crowds from far and near and for good reason. Featuring pop-jazz artist Kimbra, the Blow Waves, Michelle Parsons, Drags Aloud, Lee Rosser, the Singh Sisters, and Dolly Diamond and Luke Gallagher on the main stage. Blues and folk duo Dirty Lucy will join Cyndi Boste, Kodiak, The Hazelman Brothers and Leda and Caleb on the second stage. Tickets $20 at the gate, free for children under 14 years. Gates open 11am – 6pm.

Let’s dance
The ChillOut Dance Party is on again at Daylesford Town Hall and with Monday off work, the dance party is a perfect way to keep the party going on the Labour Day long weekend. Featuring DJs Miss Eleni and David Thrussell. Tickets are $50 pre-sale only (no ticket sales at the door).

Bollywood beats
Feel like something different from the Town Hall dance party? Try the intimate club-style Indian dance party at DBAR. DJ Pauli will hit the decks with some smooth Indian-inspired dance and trance music. 10pm till late at 1/47 Vincent St, Daylesford. Entry $10.

Monday, March 14

Big breakfast
Recover from the night before at the Harvest Cafe’s recovery brunch, specialising in vegan and vegetarian organic meals. Breakfast will be served all day, so it doesn’t matter how late you rise. 29 Albert St, Daylesford.

Go barefoot
A great way to unwind on the last day of the festival. Daylesford Bowling Club will open its doors for some barefoot bowling. A great inclusive event, all ages and all fitness types can take part. 11am – 2.30pm, Camp St, Daylesford.

Poster art
A retrospective exhibition of more than 100 HIV/AIDS health campaign posters will be on show at The Rex. An interesting look at the shape of HIV prevention campaigns over the decades. Open all weekend at 47 – 53 Vincent St, Daylesford.

Hit a six
Cricket-lovers, the Cricket Willow tour is for you. From ‘Bud to Bat’ the tour looks at the growing, cultivation and production of Australian cricket bats. Includes guided tour of Cricket Willow and the Museum of Unique Australian History. From 11am, Hepburn/Newstead Rd, Shepherd’s Flat.

Mini golf
After an action-packed weekend, take to the Daylesford Mini Golf course for a good old-fashioned way to see out the weekend. Enter the ChillOut mini golf competition and compete for prizes. Entry $12. 11 Main Rd, Daylesford.

info: For more information on all ChillOut Festival events, visit www.chilloutfestival.com.au or text ‘ChillOut’ to 0418 479 500 to receive free text message updates over the weekend. Standard text messaging charges apply. Organisers promise no spam.