VISITORS to the King Valley this weekend are in for a treat when the region plays host to the annual La Dolce Vita Food and Wine festival, kicking off on Friday night and running through until late Sunday.

Everyone is invited to feast, dance and taste all the King Valley is famous for, at nine participating wineries from Milawa to Cheshunt, including Brown Brothers, John Gehrig Wines, King River Estate, La Cantina, Dal Zotto, Darling Estate, Pizzini, Politini and Sambar Hills.

The fun starts at the Prosecco Nights launch party on Friday night with the bar opening from 4pm before the band The Fresians takes to the stage from 5pm, playing great music for dancing.

Enjoy the range of wines, beers or have a cocktail, with Otto's spectacular Porchetta Rolls being served from 6pm along with wood-fired pizza, pasta and other festival favourites.

The feast and tastings continue on Saturday and Sunday, with locals Scott and Amanda performing live and heaps of activities on offer for children.

Music and dancing will also be centre stage at Brown Brothers this weekend, where visitors can relax on the lawn and listen to acoustic music on Saturday while accessing a full bar and grazing menu, before the tempo turns up a notch on Sunday when DJ John Course spins the decks, having created a Spotify soundtrack matched to favourite Brown Brothers wines.

At King River Estate, Melbourne musicians Jack & Sophie will play popular dance music on Saturday and Sunday, and new release wines including Prosecco will be available for tasting, with smoking favourites on the menu from King Valley BBQ.

Sambar Hills is opening for the festival on Saturday only, with The Bin Chickens to play classic party anthems during the day while the cocktail bar serves their signature bubbles by the glass and spritzy cocktails, alongside a menu featuring arancini, bao buns, tacos and more.

Darling Estate looks forward to launching their first Sangiovese this weekend, which can be sampled along with the rest of their range, alongside Koombahla (Italian style) housemade pork sausages, rolled goats cheese and moreish polenta chips.

The Corsini family will be warmly welcoming visitors to its Tuscan style cellar door, where Bruno Spiller will play the piano accordion both days from 11.30am, and their range of preservative free wines can be matched to delicious treats like an antipasto platter and Nonna’s Lasagna.

Enjoy a memorable taste of Sicily at Politini Wines this weekend where you can discover unique Sicilian heritage wines like the bold Nero d’Avola and crisp Grecanico, and from 12pm to 3pm, tuck into sumptuous food including golden-fried arancini and Italian pork and fennel salsicce.

On Saturday, talented Melbourne singer-songwriter Ash Kennedy will play for the crowd at Politini Wines, with Jeff Cabalar to perform acoustic covers on Sunday.

At John Gehrig Wines in Oxley, white wine fans can sample the new release Chenin Blanc and enjoy a game on the lawn by the King River, before choosing something from their lunch menu.

Embrace family fun, feasting and dancing during Gnocchi Carnevale at Pizzini's over the weekend, with live music by Paris Zachariou and Bric a Brac getting everyone dancing between 11am and 4pm.

Enjoy a wine masterclass, book a cellar tasting or simply have a taste and choose a glass to enjoy, while browsing the menu which has handmade gnocchi dishes, pasta, decadent tiramisu and more.

Tickets for the La Dolce Vita Festival are $40 per person which includes a wineglass and entry to each participating winery to taste wines and enjoy their entertainment, available now from www.winesofthekingvalley.com.au.

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What's on in brief

Running in the Shadows of Fleetwood Mac

AUSTRALIA's longest running tribute to iconic band, Fleetwood Mac, will play at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Friday, November 15 at 8pm.

Running in the Shadows is a six-piece rock band which explores Fleetwood Mac’s extensive back catalogue, covering all the classic ballads, blues and rock songs from their five decade plus career including Gypsy, Landslide, Don’t Stop, Rhiannon, Dreams, Everywhere, Go Your Own Way, The Chain and many more.

Tickets are available at wpacc.com.au or by calling 5722 8105.

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Comedy trio to perform in Myrrhee

THREE of Australia's most celebrated comedians will perform at the Myrrhee Soldiers Memorial Hall on Friday, November 15.

Adelaide Fringe Comedy award winner Kel Balnaves, Rusty Berther of Scared Weird Little Guy fame, and Damian Callinan are promising a night of non-stop laughs as part of their DIY comedy tour.

All are welcome with doors open at 6pm and the show to start at 7pm (BYO snacks and drinks) with tickets $20 available from trybooking.com/CVRFO.

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New exhibitions at Wangaratta Art Gallery

HEAR artists in conversation on Saturday, November 16 at the Wangaratta Art Gallery, when it celebrates the opening of two very special exhibitions; Counterparts: Expanded Textile Practices, and Material Implications.

Material Implications artists Carole Wilson and Tim Craker will speak about their exhibition at 11.30am, and Counterparts: Expanded Textile Practices artists Hannah Gartside and Britt Salt will be in conversation at 2pm, before the exhibitions are officially launched at 2.30pm.

Both exhibitions will be opened by Rural City of Wangaratta manager arts culture and events, Simone Nolan, and refreshments will be served, with free tickets available at wangarattaartgallery.com.au.

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Moyhu Lions Country Market

THE next Moyhu Lions Country Market will be held at the Moyhu Lions Park on Saturday, November 16 from 8am until 12pm.

There will be a variety of stalls featuring food, plants, crafts and more as well as live music, a Lions breakfast and freshly brewed coffee, plus a chance to win a $100 meat voucher in the raffle (to be drawn at 11am).

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Print exhibition at Art Gallery on Ovens

AN exhibition of linocut prints called In Bloom by artist Sam Reiher is being held at the Art Gallery on Ovens in the laneway off Murphy Street.

In this exhibition the artist celebrates the vibrant beauty of Australian blossoms, placing them front and centre within the landscape, capturing the intricate forms of native flora through the tactile process of linocut.

The exhibition is open Friday and Monday from 10am until 4pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 2pm and entry is free.

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Limelight Touring Company presents Waiting

LIMELIGHT Touring Company will present the Australian play ‘Waiting’ by Dina Ross at the Swanpool Memorial Hall on Friday, November 15 at 7.30pm, Yackandandah Court House on November 16 at 2pm and Old Stone Hall Beechworth at 7.30pm.

Featuring a cast of four local actors sharing the stories of four women who are all waiting, tickets are $25, available now via Trybooking or visit limelighttouring.com.

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Enjoy witty Romantic Comedy in Yarrawonga

ALLEGRO Theatre Company Yarrawonga is presenting Bernard Slade's play Romantic Comedy at St Andrew's Uniting Church Hall this weekend.

Romantic Comedy tells the story of Jason Carmichael, an arrogant, self-centred and sharp tongued, successful co-author of Broadway romantic comedies, who is facing two momentous events: he is about to marry a society belle, and his collaborator is retiring.

Directed by Steve Thornycroft and Shelley Bovenkamp and featuring some familiar faces to local audiences including Wangaratta Players regulars Aleeta Carmody, Jess Grant and Lyndal Cherry, as well as Joe Moran, the play will be performed on November 15, 16, 22 and 23 at 7.30pm (cabaret style BYO) and November 17 at 2pm, with a special performance at Wilby Hall on November 30 at 7.30pm (cabaret), and tickets are $25 with bookings at https://www.trybooking.com/CUZWD.

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Quilts on display at My Little Patch

A SELECTION of quilts made by local quilter Bev Lloyd is on display at My Little Patch for the month of November.

See them in the shop at the rear of 49 Reid Street during opening hours.

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Wangaratta community market

THE Wangaratta community market runs every Sunday at Moore Than Swimming, located at 11-13 Mason Street in Wangaratta, from 8am until 1pm.

There are a wide range of stalls to browse with new and used items, plants, fruit and veg and more, with refreshments also on site.

Stalls are available for just $20 each (no bookings required) and car boot sales are welcome for $15, with more information via the market's Facebook page or call Sheree on 0401 665 886.

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