Fem Belling & Monique DiMattina

Enchanting music, delicious stories, and electric onstage chemistry.

Join Fem Belling and Monique diMattina for an intimate show packed with enchanting music, delicious stories, and the kind of onstage chemistry that only comes from years of friendship.

From the timeless songs of Ella Fitzgerald to the brilliance of Stephen Sondheim, they'll put their own spin on jazz standards, classics, and unexpected favourites. Warm, witty, and joyfully unpredictable, this show promises plenty of laughs, a little mischief, and the occasional musical surprise.

Praise for Fem Belling

‘It’s impossible to ignore Fem Belling. Once you listen to her voice, see her perform, you know you have to pay attention, take in all that she passionately has to communicate, to narrate, to share.’ – australianjazz.net

‘Belling's husky vocal scatting breaking the original's down to delectable, bite-sized morsels. In Belling's kitchen, she cooks up slow-food jazz.’ – The Music

‘Belling’s prodigious vocal control – truly a chill-inducing performance.’ – ArtsHub

‘Belling is a pocket rocket with a versatile vocal palette and a gift for improvisation. If it's music you want to hear, you won't be disappointed by these lush and limber jazz styling’s.’ –The Herald Sun

‘Once Fem walks onto the stage you are under her spell.’ – The Age

Praise for Monique diMattina

'An astonishing player, songwriter and singer' – Music Roots & Style

'..a touch, tone and sensitivity at the keyboard which can only be found in artists of high calibre. A beautiful listening experience.' – Dr Tony Gould

'A luscious soundscape – the thinking person’s zen escape.' – Village Voice, NYC

Tickets

Standard $45 ($40 Concession)

Please note, online ticket sales for events in The Beacon close 2.5 hours before the performance. After this time, tickets can be booked by calling the MRC Box Office or visiting us in person, pending availability.

A Transaction Fee between $4 and $8.50 applies to orders made online and by phone. Delivery Fees may also apply. A ticket limit of six is in place online to ensure fair ticket access for all. Want to bring a bigger party? Call our Box Office during business hours on (03) 9699 3333 to book.

Seating Information

The Peter & Ruth McMullin Beacon offers a variety of seating options. Please select your preferred seating type when booking. Our Visitor Experience team will do their best to seat your party together within your selected seating type. Smaller groups may be seated alongside other ticket holders, and for sold-out performances, parties who booked later may need to be split across the remaining available seats.

Tables – Standard dining tables seating 2–4 people.
High Tables – Bar-height tables with stools seating 3–4 people.
Lounge – Curved banquette lounge seating for up to 4 people around a shared table.

About the Artists

South African-born vocalist and violinist, Fem Belling, is a trailblazer on the international jazz/music theatre scenes and has imprinted herself as one of Australia's most formidable and in-demand performers, curators, and creatives. Her African jazz roots powerfully augment her unique musicality and interpretations.

Playing a 5-string violin, Fem has created a unique sound through tandem voice and violin improvisation. She is a master force in the art of standards singing and equally at home with the soul, funk side of jazz. Hailing from a musical dynasty, she has performed with many jazz greats, locally and internationally.

She has performed alongside Gregory Porter, Emanuel Harrold, Reggie Watts, Women of Soul, Femi & Seun Kuti, Chet Faker, Darius Brubeck, Afrospace Interchange, Cannonball, Joe Chindamo, John Foreman, Allan Zavod, Hugh Masekela, Ebo Taylor, and The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra (ARIA nomination). A former professional ballet dancer and a true quadruple threat, Fem is a West End leading lady with a fierce CV of musicals to her name, including Liza Minnelli in The Boy from Oz, Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Fame, Cats, JC Superstar, and Cruel Intentions.

Fem shot to international attention, turning all four chairs on The Voice with Ricky Martin, Jessie J and Delta Goodrem fighting for the chance to mentor her. Jessie J won out, saying she has been “waiting for someone like this.”

Monique diMattina is an acclaimed Australian pianist, composer, and singer-songwriter. Her most recent album, ‘TIDES,’ is her third solo piano release.

Monique has released three solo piano albums in filmic and neo-classical styles, and three jazz/pop albums as singer/songwriter, including the critically acclaimed ‘Nola’s Ark,’ recorded in New Orleans with producer Mark Bingham (R.E.M., Cassandra Wilson), Leroy Jones, Matt Perrine, and June Yamagishi. Monique has composed music for various film and stage projects and is known for her ABC and Triple R radio segment ‘Shaken Not Rehearsed,’ writing and performing songs within an hour, to listener requests.

She has lived in NYC and Melbourne and has been the recipient of many prizes, including Fulbright, Queens Trust, and Australia Council awards. Monique is currently developing her musical STELLA: The Miles Franklin Story for a 2025 theatrical debut.