Month: April 2017

Spanish Film Festival Competition Terms & Conditions

PRIVACY: We are committed to the privacy of your information. We do not, and will not, distribute, disclose or sell any of your personal information to third parties, other than as required by law or as necessary to process a payment. By entering the contest, you agree to release the Competition Entities, Instagram and Facebook and Twitter from all responsibility or liability for damages, losses or injuries of any kind resulting from participation in the Competition or any prize-related activities, if any, or any awarding, possession, use and/or misuse of prize(s), if any, awarded herein. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. You are providing your information to ErdiGroup Hotel Collection and not to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. This competition is also in no way affiliated with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. TERMS AND CONDITIONS The Promoter is ErdiGroup Hotel Collection (ABN 58 328 593 784 & 50 693 006 965)  of 195 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000. Information on how to enter and prizes …

MICF Review: The Morning After

Last week we were invited to check out Evan Hocking’s 2017 Melbourne Comedy Festival Show – The Morning After, basically, his ode to the next day fear one experiences after only the largest of nights…., you know, the whole – ‘what have you done’ scenario. The show started with some short banter with the audience and then we were transported to tropical Port Douglas, which made us first think of sea, great barrier reef. However, a young man nicknamed “Buddha” (Evan Hocking), then walked us through the gradual piecing together of a big night out with friends and the ensuing consequences, with a remembered flashback to his Dad’s words “If you do something wrong, you have to pay the consequences”! Interwoven with short snippets about his family, his education, his friends, society’s fascination with reality TV, his breakup with his long-term girlfriend and the culture of a small town in Port Douglas, Evan took us on a carefully crafted and compelling tale of alcohol-fuelled misadventure. What the hell happened last night? Evan’s gentle, self-deprecating humor …

MICF Review: Self Sabotage

Last week we checked out up-and-coming comedian, George Dimarelos in his Melbourne Comedy Festival stand up show – Self Sabotage, at the Bull and Bear Tavern. Self Sabotage weaves in and out of various tales and recollections throughout George’s life when, essentially, he stuffed things up for himself.  Though simplistic to describe, the stories are fun, and told in a warm, self-effacing manner through which you can’t help but be drawn in, as the story comes to life in front of you. He sure can paint a picture with his words. George has a super high energy execution, which he maintained for the entire performance, leaving literally no opportunity to tune out, a real sign of an interesting, engaging and entertaining show. Our highlight, was his musical evolution portrayal of picking up girls, from the 1950’s through to a very intense modern day interpretation of chatting up in a nightclub, which is pretty much burned into our memory. My how times have changed. Audience engagement in this show is continuous but not uncomfortable, more like …

MICF Review: Coloured Aliens

Coloured Aliens is a short insight into the interracial relationship between two main characters, Mai Nguyen a struggling female Vietnamese-Australian playwrite and Kevin, her white, western boyfriend, a security guard who grew up in the rough areas of Melbourne. Each role is ironically played by a western woman (Mai) – Melbourne-based performer Annie Lumsden, and Kevin, by Asia-Australian John Marc Desengano, a quirky twist which works to lighten some of the heavy content of the piece. The chemistry between the two characters was easy, warm and believable. Mai, the main character was narcissistic, self-absorbed, irritating and difficult to like – the kind of character that has a chip on their shoulder, who holds onto the sins of forefathers past and thus cripples themselves with blinkers, unable to embrace the positive around them. This, thankfully was balanced with Kevin’s sweeter, more simplistic nature. Though the intelligent insights, cleverly disguised as witty banter between two lovers were aimed to re-educate western audience members, we felt a little uncomfortable and guilty, for no reason which made the experience …

Kid-free activities for the Easter long weekend

The Easter weekend isn’t just for kids – adults can binge on chocolate enjoy themselves too. Foot loose and child free? Dig in, with not a rabbit in sight: Adult Easter at Chapel Street Precinct Cocktails, plus Chocolates that match said cocktails. Need we say more? Ten of the Chapel Street precinct’s most famous locations want to treat you with a stunning drink and chocolate treat to match. Check them out here and plan accordingly Catch a game at Etihad Stadium Etihad is merely a hop, skip and a jump from Southern Cross station, and is hosting three fantastic AFL matches this weekend. Catch North Melbourne v Western bulldogs on Friday,  Carlton v Gold Coast Suns on Saturday, or Collingwood vs St Kilda on Sunday. Find out more here  Have a giggle or two  – Melbourne Comedy Festival With the festival in full swing, there are plenty of acts to catch over the long weekend. From Alanta Colley’s Parasite Lost to Ahir Shah’s Appearing In Order, there’s something for everyone’s taste. Find the lineup here Sing your heart out – Rainbow Karaoke Sing …

Record store recommendations melbourne

International Record Store Day – April 22nd

At the hotels we all love our local vinyl record shops. Did you know all three of our Concierges own turntables and have substantial vinyl record collections? This month gives us the perfect excuse to go record shopping on Saturday April 22nd, the International Record Store Day. It’s the 10th anniversary of this fabulous day where special limited edition releases flood into record stores and bands play in or outside the shops. This year our choice of venue is only a few minutes’ walk from our hotels and being only 9 months old it’s one of Melbourne’s newest record shops. Situated in the gorgeous art deco Mitchell House (358 Lonsdale Street), Rock Steady Records is a really cool shop owned by Pat who is fresh from a short stint (14 years) working at Basement Discs and before that the much loved (and much missed) Au gogo Records. Pat seems to be relishing finally owning his own place and his enthusiasm is evident even before you walk into the shop when you see the amazing large …