Grand Opening - Celebrate MIFF's 65th Birthday

Blackhearts & Sparrows, Melbourne’s favourite wine store, is thrilled to invite you to join them at The Blackhearts Club, the official bar of the 65th Melbourne International Film Festival, located inside the CBD’s iconic Forum Theatre, from Friday 29 July through to Sunday 14 August. 

The Blackhearts Club festivities kick off with a Grand Opening – celebrating the 65th MIFF. Featuring legendary guitarist/songwriter/producer Ray Parker Jr (creator of the original Ghostbusters theme song), The Drones’ Dan Luscombe swapping out his beloved axe for a stint on the keys, and DJ sets from RRR’s master of eclectica Woody McDonald and the far-flung funk of PBS FM’s DJ Manchild playing well into the small hours. 

All welcome - no entry charge.

RAY PARKER JR. (DJ SET) 
Ray Parker Jr invites you to join him and Hired Gun director Fran Strine for The Blackhearts Club's Grand Opening. Ray will DJ, spinning songs that he has both performed on and written, including the Ghostbusters theme song. He will also play tracks from the documentary Hired Gun, which is screening as part of the festival. Ray says "I’m very excited to be here at MIFF 2016 and being a part of this great festival and participate in a Q&A after the Hired Gun screening on July 30. See you all down under!" 

DAN LUSCOMBE ON PIANO 
Guitarist for beloved rock non-conformists The Drones, Dan Luscombe allows his considerable piano skills to take pole position for MIFF. A committed agnostic, Dan takes piano inspiration from Matthew 6:3 "Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing". Prepare to be semi-dazzled. Catch him at The Blackhearts Club Fridays from 9pm.

WOODY MCDONALD (DJ SET)
Woody McDonald is a Melbourne institution. Whether it’s across the airwaves on 3RRR FM, DJing about town, promoting shows or programming festivals, Woody’s hands-on approach reflects his unbridled enthusiasm for music across a vast gamut of genres. He's appearing opening night, Friday 29 July, from 9pm; and with crew for a Stooges-inspired set following the Gimme Danger screening on Saturday 30 July, from 11pm.  

DJ MANCHILD
Manchild is all about the funk. His show on PBS FM, The Breakdown, bounces around from James Brown to Nigerian afro-funk, from underground NYC disco to fiery Colombian salsa. He’ll be bring the funk to the festival opening night party, playing late Friday July 29.