Author: We Know Melbourne

Melbourne Music Week

On any day of the week in Melbourne, you can catch a live gig from some of Melbourne’s finest local musicians. That’s the beauty of Melbourne! To celebrate our incredible music scene, the City of Melbourne is throwing an eight-day party this November, dedicated to illuminating the city’s robust, world-renowned music scene, known as Melbourne Music Week (MMW). Last year’s program saw over 110 events, featuring 250 contributing artists with input from more than 60 dedicated event partners in almost 40 locations across this music city – and this year’s festival is set to be even bigger. This year, the State Library of Victoria, has been announced as the 2016 hub of Melbourne Music Week (MMW), and the original reading room, Queen’s Hall, will be the main performance space. Expect 9 days of live, independent music in and around Melbourne. Highlights include: Live Music Safari | 17 Nov Explore fourteen of Melbourne’s much-loved live music venues as they open their doors for a wild night of free gigs and parties. Opening Night: Her Sound, Her Story | 11 …

A Latin Block Party

Published by We Know Melbourne

Nobody throws a block party like the Meyer Place Latin Fiesta! Taking inspiration from the Sunday street markets of Sal Telmo, the Fiesta is made up of San Telmo, Loop, Loop Roof, Lily Blacks and Pizza Pizza Pizza. Wear your comfiest shoes as this laneway party will get you showing off your tango and salsa moves to live Latin music. As always, there’ll also be DJs, street performers, dancers and market stalls selling all sorts of Latin trinkets and wares. The festival is free, but if last year’s festival was anything to go by, we recommend getting down there early as this block party fills up fast. When: 11am – 6pm. Sunday, 16 October 2016 Where: Meyers Place Visit the Meyers Place Latin Fiesta website.

Meet Legendary Brewmaster, Chuck Hahn

Published by We Know Melbourne

This week, our We Know Melbourne writer, Nick Phillips sat down with legendary brewmaster Chuck Hahn ahead of The Swanston Hotel’s, For the Love of Beer event on September 15. I used to work on the production line at CUB’s Abbotsford brewery before it all became automated. The ‘old timers’ there would always sneak us a few bottles of beer before it went through the pasteuriser. In my memory it tasted much better than the unpasteurised beer. Is my memory playing tricks on me or do you think pasteurising changes the taste? Fresh beer is best. Properly managed, tunnel or flash pasteurisation should not be detrimental to final beer flavour. However, if the beer contains too much oxygen due to improper processing, when it is heated up, it will become slightly oxidised with stale (almost papery) flavours. At Hahn Brewing Company, we pioneered the process called “cold sterile filtration”. The beer was filtered through a sterile filter at cold temperatures in the final process to stabilise the beer. However, a number of years ago, we went …

Taste of Melbourne

Published by We Know Melbourne

Foodie friends unite! Taste Melbourne returns to Albert Park this November with all of Melbourne’s hotspots for you to try. A favourite annual event for all Melbourne foodies, the festival will run from November 10 – 13, with over 80 artisan producers, craft beers, wine tastings, live music, inspiring talks and interactive masterclasses. Buy your tokens at the ticket desk and eat your way across the park. Each restaurant will offer a choice of three delicious dishes, plus their limited edition ‘icon dishes’. When: November 10 – 13 Where: Pelican Lawn, Albert Park Visit the Taste of Melbourne website.

5 Craft Beer Breweries to Visit This Spring

Published by We Know Melbourne

The craft beer movement is in full swing in Melbourne (and surrounds). Today, there’s only the odd bar or pub that doesn’t have at least a couple of craft beers on tap. However, if you’re after the full craft beer experience we’d recommend a trip out to these craft breweries where you can down a crafty pint and learn a thing or two about the brewing process. The Crafty Squire (James Squire Brewhouse) | 127 Russell St, Melbourne James Squire, a featured name is the craft beer world, have set up their own microbrewery within the Melbourne city center (the only one in the CBD), located in the iconic venue formally known as the Portland Hotel. Sample the much celebrated range of James Squire varieties (my personal favourite, The Chancer Golden Ale) and hand-crafted special ales brewed onsite. If you’re feeling peckish, try same true Australian delicacies including crocodile meatballs, emu koftas and chermoula roasted kangaroo. Mountain Goat Brewery | 80 North St, Richmond From humble beginnings as a backyard project in the mid 90’s to now …

Melbourne Day

Published by We Know Melbourne

Melbourne is celebrating it’s 181st birthday on August 30 and everyone is invited. Celebrate everything that’s great about Melbourne and join the Lord Mayor at Enterprize Park at 10am for the official Flag Raising Ceremony followed by a birthday concert at Federation Square (from 12-2pm) with musical acts Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock), Jack Howard (Hunters & Collectors) and Lisa Edwards (John Farnham Band). There’ll also be free cupcakes and the cutting of a giant birthday cake, made by Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses. The event is free, so bring your Melbourne spirit and wish our city a big happy birthday! When: 30 August, 2016 Where: Federation Square Visit the Melbourne Day website.

The best of MSFW (on a budget)

Published by We Know Melbourne

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week is almost here! If you want to enjoy the glitz and glamour without spending your whole paycheck then we’ve found the five events for you. Book your heels into these stylish events and get inspired without blowing your budget: Makers and Shakers Emerging Design Market Be inspired by some of Melbourne’s most exciting emerging designers at Makers and Shakers Emerging Design Market. The market will have for sale, the designers’ latest ready-to-wear collections, jewellery, accessories and more for this curated shopping experience. Entry is free, just bring those extra pennies for any purchases. Fresh Floral Crown Masterclass Ever since Lana Del Rey brought back the floral crowns, the fashionable headwear is a must for adding that extra special touch to your stylish outfit. This masterclass will teach you super and easy quick techniques to create a wearable floral crown with one to take home. Entry is free with registration. Emporium Melbourne’s Opening Runway See the very best Emporium fashion on the runway at this opening night event. Transforming Little Bourke Street transforms into a …

Cake Bake & Sweets Show

Published by We Know Melbourne

Indulge, experience and be inspired by the greatest baking, dessert and entertaining show on Earth this October at the Cake Bake & Sweets Show. The show will take place over 3 days and will be filled with hundreds of demonstrations, hands-on classes and interactive workshops catering to all skill levels. Learn new techniques, get top tips and baking advice, shop for the latest supplies. Leave the diets at home, this show will be filled with everything from cakes, pastries and chocolate, to breads, savouries and other delicious temptations, so whether you’re a home baker, cake decorator, home cook, baking professional or simply a foodie with an appreciation for deliciously tasty food, your eyes (and your bellies) will be in for a treat at the Cake Bake & Sweets Show. A great day out with family and friends! When: 10am – 5pm, 21-23 October 2016 Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf Visit the Cake Bake & Sweets Show website.

Local Charity Event @ Novotel Geelong

Published by We Know Melbourne

Novotel Geelong, through the Eva and Les Erdi Humanitarian Charitable Foundation, support Give Where you Live – a community foundation which aims to solve one of the most complex and entrenched social issues in the Geelong community – disadvantage. Partnering with Kylie Audlist, the voice of European smash summer hit ‘The Girl’ by Kungs vs Cookin’, Novotel Geelong is hosting a fabulous cocktail event with canapés, live cooking stations, four hours of beverages and live entertainment in their beautiful bayside location. All proceeds go to the Give Where You Live Foundation. Sip some wine, enjoy the beautiful water views and the jazzy vibes of Kylie Audlist, whilst making a difference to the location Geelong community. It’s legitimate guilt-free fun. Be quick, places filling quickly. Where: Novotel Geelong, 10-14 Eastern Beach Road When: Friday 2 September, 7PM-11PM Cost: Tickets are $98 each Book: 03 5273 5460 or dining@novotelgeelong.com.au More info: Check their website

Take a ride on the Gin Bus

Published by We Know Melbourne

If you’re a lover of Gin like us here at We Know Melbourne, you’ll want to sign yourself up for the Gin Queen on Tour 2016. With all Victorian gin distilleries based out of the city, the Gin Queen is making it easy to avoid the “Who’s driving” conversation when your friends suggest a day out to visit said distilleries. Since launching The Gin Queen in 2013, Caroline Childerley has actively promoted Australian gins through her tastings and masterclasses, she says; “I’m so proud of our hardworking Australian distillers and am constantly telling people to get out and see the distilleries first hand, but it isn’t always that easy as not all of them are accessible via public transport, so I decided to launch Gin Queen on Tour!” As part of the Gin Queen experience, you’ll be whisked away on a private bus to one of Victoria’s leading distilleries where you’ll get to meet the distiller have a G&T, learn about their fantastic gin(s), and enjoy a light lunch before the gin bus departs back to the …