Summer at MONA: 42 day music marathon

This summer, MONA is hosting a marathon of sorts. Forty-two days of free live music on the lawns at the museum, from 20 December 2019 to 31 January 2020.

[from the media release]

Musicians have been plucked from a broad spectrum of genres, from Sinhalese pop to Japanese jazz, cigar-box blues to cassette tape DJs. With multiple acts lined up for each day there’ll be music to suit every summer mood – make sure not to miss Nadira and Friends, kicking off 2020 with a big band bang.

MONA music curator, Brian Ritchie, says: ’42 Day Mona Music Marathon is a gloriously sprawling ad hoc, yet systematic, multi-genre celebration of sound-making in Tasmania and beyond.

The MONA music team have recruited musicians ranging from community-based groups through to international touring outfits. We always pay attention to cultivating diversity and talent from outside the usual commercially motivated system.

This means an emphasis on female talent, immigrant musicians, people living with disability and even a special Kwanzaa stream celebrating the musical achievements of the African diaspora. It’s serious music and serious fun, with relaxation, food and drinks on the lawn and occasional forays into the gallery spaces.’

Mona’s executive chef Vince Trim will fire up the Heavy Metal Kitchen, serving up barbequed, smoked and wood-fired eats alongside the Moorilla Wine Bar and the Source restaurant offerings.

Extended summer opening hours mean the museum will close at 6pm, with extra ferry services running to and from Brooke Street Pier to accommodate punters.

Visitors to Mona can pull up a bean-bag, sip on a Moorilla sparkling wine or Moo Brew beer and enjoy live music throughout the afternoon.

What’s on at Mona this summer:

  • Mona’s 42 Day Music Marathon runs from 20 December 2019 to 31 January 2020, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
  • Live music, from midday until late afternoon, with multiple acts lined up daily
  • Mix of local, interstate and international acts from a broad range of genres
  • Food, wine and beer will be on offer from Moorilla wine bar, Heavy Metal Kitchen and the Source restaurant
  • Ferries will run more regularly, with both the MR1 and MR2 operating. The last ferry leaves Mona at 6pm daily
  • Mona will be open 10am6pm everyday throughout January. Last entry into the museum is at 5.30pm
  • For accessibility details please visit the Mona website.

Australian Jazz Net Picks

Full music line-up is available on the Mona website.