What’s On

Welcome to our events, exhibitions and showcase listing page. If you have a special showcase, exhibition or event that you’d like us to promote on this page, please email us the full details of the program along with the relevant photos to editor@dailystraits.com. We accept listings from around the globe, just be sure to shoot us an email with the complete details and we will do the rest.

Fujifilm Melbourne Pop-Up

Fujifilm House of Photography will appear in Melbourne for the first time with an interactive pop-up at Chadstone Shopping Centre, running from 3 to 22 March 2026.
Located on the lower ground level in front of David Jones, the space invites visitors to explore and trial Fujifilm’s latest imaging products and services.
The pop-up will showcase the Fujifilm X | GFX Series cameras, FUJINON XF and GF lenses, instax devices, and on-site printing via a dedicated print bar.
Interactive play tables and a film simulation wall will allow photographers, videographers and content creators to experience Fujifilm’s signature looks firsthand.
For one day only on Saturday 14 March, Fujifilm will host complimentary “Shoot Your Style” fashion photography sessions led by Danielle Castano, with limited bookings available.
Visitors who share their pop-up experience on Instagram will also have the chance to win prizes, including a $1,500 Fujifilm House of Photography gift card.

Jim Beam Roadhouse

Jim Beam will launch its first-ever Jim Beam Roadhouse in Melbourne during Australian Grand Prix week, taking over the Village Belle in St Kilda from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 March with race screenings, live music, entertainment, comfort food and signature drinks.
“With our shared American spirit, Jim Beam is proud to join forces with the Cadillac Formula 1® Team as they make their debut on the grid, ushering in a new era of the sport—one rooted in connection, culture, and shared moments,” said Rashidi Hodari, managing director, James B. Beam Distilling Co.
The pop-up will include themed areas such as the Original Bourbon Bar and a Cadillac-inspired balcony, plus DJ sets, line dancing and a “meat and greet” meat raffle. The drinks menu features The Golden Mullet cocktail made with Jim Beam Pineapple ahead of the flavour’s April launch.
Freddie Noe, eighth generation master distiller, James B. Beam Distilling Co., said “At The Kitchen Table, the culinary program reflects the way we host in Kentucky — with big flavors, generous plates, paired with Jim Beam and an open invitation to pull up a seat to the table. For Melbourne, we’ve created a menu that’s made to be shared, bringing that same sense of comfort and connection to the Roadhouse.”

Maiden Film Hits

Universal Pictures International has confirmed the title and Australian release plans for the Iron Maiden feature documentary IRON MAIDEN: BURNING AMBITION, set to open in cinemas nationally on May 7, 2026, with tickets on sale from March 19.
Directed by Malcolm Venville and produced by Dominic Freeman, the feature-length documentary traces the band’s five-decade journey and includes on-camera reflections from admirers Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich and Chuck D.
New key artwork for the film has been revealed, created by Albert “Akirant” Quirantes. The release coincides with Iron Maiden’s ongoing Run For Your Lives world tour, with additional 2026 celebrations including EddFest at Knebworth Park on July 11.
Tickets go on sale March 19 via ironmaidenfilm.com.

Teen Eco Adventure

Gold Coast student and environmental advocate Arshaan Ameer, 13, will release his debut middle-grade novel The Guardians of the Shift: The Coral Quest, an eco-adventure aimed at readers aged 8–14 that blends fantasy with themes linked to climate change and marine conservation.
Arshaan, a young filmmaker behind the climate documentary Generation Green, has received recognition from the Australian Book of Records and a letter of support from David Attenborough. The book follows Leon Ascanius through an ocean-based fantasy world connected to the Great Barrier Reef.
“I want to spread hope, not fear, about climate change,” said Arshaan. “My book is designed to inspire young readers to take action and understand the importance of marine conservation and environmental awareness.”
A pre-launch reading and Q&A will be held Thursday, February 26, 2026 (10am–12pm) at Level 1, 280 Lahrs Road, Ormeau, followed by the official launch on Thursday, March 5, 2026 (2pm) at the Speakers Hall, Queensland Parliament House Annex. The book will be available globally, including via Amazon, with RSVPs for the pre-launch via info@thegenerationgreen.com or 07 5560 8100.

Cup Buzz Builds

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 Final has emerged as one of the country’s most anticipated sporting events of the year, according to new research commissioned by MATCH Hospitality. Based on a nationally representative survey of 1,212 Australians conducted in early 2026, the study found the final ranked ahead of the NRL Grand Final, the Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix and State of Origin in fan excitement.
The research found 42 per cent of Australians plan to watch the tournament, while 26 per cent said they would travel interstate to attend matches live. The competition will be hosted in Perth, the Gold Coast and Sydney, with 12 of Asia’s top national teams set to compete. Confidence in the Matildas is also high, with 70 per cent of Australians backing the home side to win the tournament.

“With so many Australians planning to tune in, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ represents a defining moment for Australian sport,” Byrom said. “It offers a rare opportunity for people to see history made, at a time when women’s sport is experiencing unprecedented momentum across Asia. We’re proud to be part of it.”
MATCH Hospitality is promoting official hospitality packages for the tournament, including Open Box, Club and Private Suite options, with prices starting from A$459 per person.

Art Call Opens

Perth, March 18: A new painting exhibition in Penang is calling for submissions from artists across Malaysia, with organisers aiming to showcase the breadth and diversity of contemporary Malaysian art.
Titled “Equatorial Art, Nanyang Breeze: An Elite Malaysian Painting Exchange Exhibition 2026,” the exhibition will be held in June 2026 at the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery’s Level 7 Special Exhibition Hall. It is initiated by the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery and co-organised by the Penang State Museum Board and the Global Chinese Arts & Culture Society.
The nationwide open call will bring together artists from different states, ethnic communities and cultural backgrounds, with about 60 to 80 paintings expected to be featured. Organisers said the exhibition is intended to strengthen artistic exchange, promote Malaysian contemporary art internationally and position Penang as a regional cultural hub.
Professor Lin Xiang Xiong, founder of the Gallery said, “While art may not directly change the world, it has the power to transform the way people understand one another. Through visual language and aesthetic experience, art transcends the boundaries of language, culture, and background, fostering deeper resonance and meaningful communication. To me, ‘Art for Peace’ is not merely a slogan, but a sustained cultural practice. “Equatorial Art, Nanyang Breeze” is not only a painting exchange exhibition, but a tangible expression of this cultural vision, one that invites artists, the public, and cultural institutions to participate in shaping an open, evolving, and future-oriented artistic ecosystem.”
Submissions close on April 7, 2026, with jury selection set for April 21 and the shortlist to be announced on April 24. Selected artists will then be invited to send their physical works to the gallery in May.