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Barkley Square Open Air Cinema

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Following an impressive inaugural year, Brunswick’s beloved Barkly Square is set to launch its Barkly Square Open Air Cinema programming in a big way, with proceeds to be donated to seven charities across the new summer series.

In partnership with The Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL), the Square’s iconic McDougall Lane, Brunswick will transform into a French-inspired oasis Saturday 2 December, for a spectacular launch event celebrating all things magnifiquement français with a special screening of Amelie.

Across the summer program, ticket-holders will be provided the opportunity to get comfy, unwind and catch a wide variety of films ranging from seasonal favourites to cheeky classics in the heart of Brunswick’s bustling Sydney Road.

Movie-lovers can rest easy knowing the series of screenings will boast the best of both worlds by delivering the ultimate cinema experience while ensuring a unique charitable edge.

Guests of the weekly screenings will have the exclusive ability to indulge in tasty treats from Barkly Square food retailers, as they undergo extended opening hours for the duration of the summer programming.

Barkly Square will devote this year’s programming to a wide range of charitable causes local to its wider community, while guaranteeing guests a chance to indulge in balmy nights within a unique urban environment.

Taste of Melbourne

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A​ ​colourful​ ​collision​ ​of​ ​​art,​ ​entertainment​ ​and​ ​food​​ ​will​ ​transform​ ​the​ ​MCG’s​ ​Yarra​ ​Park​ ​from 30​ ​November​ ​to​ ​3​ ​December​ ​2017​ ​as​ ​​Taste​ ​of​ ​Melbourne​ ​in​ ​partnership​ ​with​ ​Electrolux prepares​ ​a​ ​feast​ ​for​ ​all​ ​senses​ ​with​ ​​world-first,​ ​top​ ​secret​ ​collaborations​​ ​from​ ​the​ ​city’s favourite​ ​chefs,​ ​artists​ ​and​ ​musicians.

By​ ​day,​ ​families,​ ​foodies​ ​and​ ​curious​ ​shoppers​ ​will​ ​meander​ ​through​ ​laneways​ ​of​ ​more​ ​than 100​ ​artisan​ ​producers​ ​and​ ​gather​ ​for​ ​gourmet​ ​picnics.​ ​By​ ​night,​ ​the​ ​park’s​ ​canopy​ ​of​ ​trees will​ ​glow​ ​with​ ​glittering​ ​and​ ​neon​ ​lights​ ​as​ ​delicious​ ​dishes​ ​and​ ​drinks​ ​traverse​ ​the​ ​festival. Taste​ ​Festival​ ​Australia​ ​director​ ​Kristy​ ​Austin​ ​said​ ​this​ ​year’s​ ​festival​ ​embraced​ ​Melbourne’s creative​ ​heartbeat​ ​to​ ​celebrate​ ​good​ ​taste​ ​in​ ​its​ ​many​ ​manifestations.

In​ ​the​ ​festival’s​ ​spirit​ ​of​ ​creative​ ​fusions,​ ​top​ ​chefs​ ​will​ ​collaborate​ ​with​ ​graffiti​ ​artists, designers​ ​and​ ​sculptors​ ​in​ ​secret​ ​kitchens​ ​and​ ​studios​ ​around​ ​the​ ​city​ ​to​ ​concoct​ ​unique creations​ ​revealed​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​festival. To​ ​complete​ ​the​ ​visual​ ​feast,​ ​paper​ ​engineer​ ​Benja​ ​Harney​ ​was​ ​commissioned​ ​to encapsulate​ ​Taste​ ​Festivals​ ​in​ ​paper​ ​form,​ ​from​ ​zucchini​ ​flowers​ ​in​ ​a​ ​forest​ ​of​ ​mushrooms and​ ​gold-flaked​ ​meringue​ ​to​ ​glazed​ ​figs,​ ​gooseberries​ ​and​ ​chili-peppered​ ​prawns​ ​–​ ​the ultimate​ ​collision​ ​of​ ​cuisine​ ​and​ ​art.

This​ ​year’s​ ​Estrella​ ​Damm​ ​Bar​ ​will​ ​also​ ​see​ ​genuine​ ​Spanish​ ​imports​ ​flow​ ​on​ ​tap,​ ​offering festival​ ​goers​ ​an​ ​ice-cold​ ​break​ ​in​ ​a​ ​gastro​ ​garden​ ​bar​ ​setting. Five​ ​glamping​ ​tipis​ ​will​ ​welcome​ ​friends​ ​to​ ​sit​ ​back​ ​and​ ​relax​ ​together​ ​while​ ​a​ ​dedicated butler​ ​ferries​ ​refreshments​ ​from​ ​a​ ​private​ ​bar.​ ​For​ ​a​ ​first-class​ ​Taste​ ​experience,​ ​the​ ​new​ ​VIP Luxe​ ​Lounge​ ​and​ ​stylish​ ​corporate​ ​suites​ ​are​ ​also​ ​available​ ​for​ ​group​ ​entertaining. Those​ ​with​ ​an​ ​appetite​ ​for​ ​more​ ​than​ ​tasting​ ​can​ ​discover​ ​edible​ ​education​ ​and​ ​insider​ ​tips from​ ​top​ ​culinary​ ​talent​ ​at​ ​the​ ​Electrolux​ ​Taste​ ​Theatre,​ ​while​ ​some​ ​of​ ​Melbourne’s​ ​top​ ​chefs will​ ​share​ ​insider​ ​tips​ ​in​ ​intimate​ ​masterclasses​ ​at​ ​Electrolux​ ​Chefs’​ ​Secrets,​ ​cooking​ ​a signature​ ​dish​ ​alongside​ ​guests​ ​before​ ​sitting​ ​down​ ​to​ ​enjoy​ ​their​ ​creations​ ​together.​ ​A popular​ ​festival​ ​favourite,​ ​sessions​ ​are​ ​limited​ ​to​ ​16​ ​people​ ​on​ ​a​ ​first​ ​come,​ ​first​ ​served basis.

In​ ​a​ ​protein-rich​ ​session​ ​with​ ​Meat​ ​&​ ​Livestock​ ​Australia​​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Cooks’​ ​Corner​,​ ​MLA’s resident​ ​butcher​ ​Doug​ ​Piper​ ​and​ ​corporate​ ​chef​ ​Sam​ ​Bourke​ ​will​ ​demonstrate​ ​nose-to-tail eating,​ ​from​ ​butchery​ ​to​ ​cooking,​ ​as​ ​families​ ​and​ ​home​ ​chefs​ ​gather​ ​on​ ​the​ ​hay​ ​bales​ ​and balance​ ​a​ ​plate​ ​of​ ​lamb​ ​or​ ​beef​ ​on​ ​their​ ​lap.

A​ ​hands-on​ ​baking​ ​class​ ​with​ ​premium​ ​butter​ ​Lurpak​ ​will​ ​invite​ ​festival​ ​goers​ ​and​ ​fledgling patissiers​ ​to​ ​create​ ​danishes​ ​and​ ​shortcrust​ ​pastries​ ​in​ ​the​ ​new​ ​Lurpak​ ​Bakery.

Meanwhile,​ ​for​ ​those​ ​who​ ​prefer​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​without​ ​getting​ ​their​ ​hands​ ​dirty,​ ​the​ ​stories​ ​and history​ ​behind​ ​ingredients,​ ​recipes​ ​and​ ​products​ ​handed​ ​down​ ​through​ ​generations​ ​will​ ​be shared​ ​over​ ​Table​ ​Talks​ ​presented​ ​by​ ​Smith​ ​Journal,​ ​an​​ ​unexpected​ ​series​ ​of thought-provoking​ ​discussions​ ​providing​ ​rare​ ​insight​ ​into​ ​the​ ​food​ ​industry,​ ​its​ ​people​ ​and their​ ​success​ ​stories.

So Melbourne, get ready a good feast and purchase your tickets now.

When: 30 November ~ 3 December 2017
Where: Yarra​ ​Park​ ​(​MCG),​ ​Wellington​ ​Parade,​ ​East​ ​Melbourne​ ​VIC​ ​3002
More information: Check their website.

Time to do your Christmas shopping

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You either love it or hate it, Christmas is a fantastic time of year for focusing on the people you care about, reflecting on the year that’s been and relaxing before the new one begins. We’ve made the task a little easier by recommending some of our favourites for getting your joyful, joyful on in preparation for the happiest season.

Festive Decorations
If you’re inclined to skip the queues on Bourke Street Mall and look locally for unique decorations, Christmas Kingdom is the place to be. With 3 locations in Mentone, Flemington and Ringwood, you’ll find an enormous selection of ornaments, lights and collectables.

Christmas Feasts
Whilst you can’t go past the iconic Queen Victoria Market for unreal Christmas table produce, wander around the corner to the DOC Delicatessen (Lygon Street, Carlton) for an impressive cheese and wine selection, and the Spring Street Grocer for specialty sauces, spreads and condiments.

The Perfect Gift
Whether you’ve got tricky or simple recipients, a select few to shop for or a horde or thousands, keep your mind open and your creativity sharp. Try the Craft & Co for filling a custom made hamper, give someone a ‘Blind Date with a Book’ at Robinsons Bookshop and find the ultimate KK gift or stocking stuffer at Urban Attitude.

A Unique Touch
You can be the most organised person on the planet and the Christmas chaos can still make us forget something every year. Get ahead and shop for your cards and wrap at Zetta Florence, themed baking decorations and tools at Miss Biscuit, and tableware at The Festive Store.

We hope you’ll find the perfect gift this year for all the special people in your life. Have a joyful festive season, and let us know if you find a unique store which we forgot to mention!

Review: ArtVo – Immersive Gallery

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This one of a kind, engaging ‘trick art’ gallery features over 11 themed zones where you can immerse yourself in the pieces – literally, according to your iPhone camera.

Featuring fourteen international artists in a 1900 square metre space, you’ll be drawn into the artwork splashed all over the interior of the gallery. If that doesn’t grab you, the infectious enthusiasm of the Art Vo team providing encouragement and negotiating you into the best position for your own creative image surely will.

You can’t miss the Dimensional Dreams Zone, where you’ll produce inconceivable tricks across multiple scenes. Stand on your best friends head, hang from the roof or swish your family around in a wine glass. Anything is possible!

Handy hint – look down at the floor for instructions on the best results. The Photo Points will prompt you and your phone toward the ideal outcome.

Located in the Docklands and open until late on the weekends, ArtVo is absolutely one not to miss – loads of fun for all ages.

Reviewed and written by our guest writer –  Jessica Morris

East Malvern​ Food and Wine Festival

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Mark your diaries because the 2nd annual East Malvern Food & Wine Festival will be held again on this Sunday 19 November 2017 from 10:30am to 5:30pm.

Last year more than 3000+ Melbourne foodies and wine lovers flocked to picturesque Central Park, East Malvern for an amazing day, sipping and savouring over 100 wines and an extensive array of invited local and regional culinary exhibitors and artisan producers of international cuisines.

This year a vast range of exquisite wineries from more than 15 Bendigo and Heathcote regions including Balgownie Estate, Red Edge, Silver Spoon, Lome Vineyard, Burnt Acre, Noble Red, Coliban Valley, Mount Burrumboot Estate, Glenwillow Estate, Mount Camel Winery, Tellurian Wines and Farmer and the Scientist will be showcased.

There will also be a new local craft beer and cider producer alley featuring Two Birds Brewing, Barrow Boys Brewing, Bad Shepherd Brewing Co and Captain Vanzibar. So come and enjoy a unique and intimate experience, meet the passionate winemakers and brewers and learn about, taste and purchase their premium award-winning wines and ales.

Feast from local Melbourne favourite food trucks and pop-up restaurant stalls
including Richmond Oysters & Seafood Tapas, That’s Amore Cheeses, Spanish Gourmet, Trailer Made, Burn City Smokers, French Cheese, Nepal Dining Room, Riserva and 48H Pizza and Gnocchi Bar.

Bring your shopping baskets and stock up with the best of Victorian produce, including locally produced cheeses, gourmet condiments, bespoke Christmas puddings and other festive season fare from artisanal producers such as NOGO Sauces, Tolpuddle Goat Cheese and Farm Foods, Josh and Sue, Pud for all Seasons, In2Tea, Uncle’s Smallgoods, Harper and Blohm Cheese Shop, A Thousand Trees, Street Organics, The Spice Maze, Twins Pantry, Get Farmed and many more.

We also have a full day of family and children’s entertainment planned, including roving entertainers, live music performances and magician master classes. Don’t forget to bring your fur kids too and treat them to gourmet doggie morsels from the Canine Wellness Truck.

Entry is free and wine tasting glasses and ticket packages are available starting at $20.

When: 19 November 2017
Where: Burke Road, Malvern East, Victoria, Australia
More information: Check their website.

ArtVo – Immersive Gallery

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Unlike other art galleries or museums, you can touch and interact with over 100 spectacular large scale 3D artworks covering the walls and floors using just your smartphone for the ultimate selfie. Explore and immerse yourself into different scenes, locations and famous paintings across 1900 sqm and 11 themed gallery zones.

Keen to go on a Jungle Safari? Step into the palm of King Kong and gaze up at the beast himself. Want to uncover the Pharoh’s Treasures? You’ll need to hop aboard the flying carpet to take you there! Catch a wave in the Aquatic Adventure, narrowly escape the menacing jaws of the monster croc in Australiana, or transform into a winged fairy in the Enchanted Garden.

ArtVo recruited 14 international artists with over 40 years of experience to complete the awe-inspriring paintings with works complete in just 60 days. Open 7 days, ArtVo is the perfect entertainment destination for school holidays, family and corporate groups and an unparalleled recreational adventure for all ages.

 

Opening hours: Sun ~ Thurs 10am-6pm | Fri ~ Sat 10am-11.30pm
Where: 26 Star Cres, Level 1, Harbour Town, Docklands Vic
More information: Check their website. 

Review: California Burgers

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What’s the one thing that California and California Burgers have in common? You’ll find great burgers there!

After extensive travel, sampling all that California has to offer and taking inspiration from many different burger joints including ‘In n Out’ Theo and the team have definitely hit the nail on the head. Everything is prepared fresh on the premises throughout the day, (apart from the buns… hey they can’t be good at everything!) and Theo makes and bashes all of the beef patties himself, approximately 9000 a week! That’s a lot of burgers!! The menu is simple, but don’t let that fool you, there is still plenty to choose from with each of them offering something different – all of which are delicious. Our top picks are the L.A.X – which gives you twice the yumminess, the Venice – adding a surprise tropical twist and if burgers aren’t your thing then try the Crompton (chicken) burger it’s delightful. Open every night of the week until late, so if you find yourself in Windsor on an evening be sure to stop by and satisfy your burger craving.

When: Check their Facebook for opening hours.
Where: 42 Chapel St, Windsor
More information: Check their website.

Review and written by Keelie Allen

Summer with Chandon and Seafolly

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Get ready to pop a bottle and slip into your favourite Seafolly, because this summer two of Australia’s most loved brands – Chandon, Australia’s number one premium sparkling wine and Seafolly, Australia’s most recognised fashion swimwear brand – are coming together to create the ultimate limited edition Chandon x Seafolly Summer Bottles, Spring/Summer Swimwear Collection and must-have summer accessories.

Chandon has a proud history of developing innovative partnerships born from bringing together Moët & Chandon’s French winemaking know-how with the pioneering winemaking techniques of Australia to create the number one sparkling wine in the country.

Inspired by a sense of fun and vibrancy synonymous with both Chandon & Seafolly, the dynamic duo will bring the spirit of summer to life by introducing two limited edition designs. Palm Beach, this season’s Chandon Brut NV design, is inspired by a stroll along a palm-lined beach and Modern Love, a playful pink floral print featuring the vibrant botanical blooms of a coastal garden wraps the Chandon Rosé NV. The bottles will go on sale in selected bars and bottle shops across the nation from 1st October.

Within the Seafolly Spring/Summer Collection, the Palm Beach and Modern Love prints will feature swimwear, kaftans, luxe beach pillows and chic cooler bags to keep bubbles chilled until the sun sets – summer starts with Chandon & Seafolly!

The partnership will come to life for consumers in venues across Australia, with Chandon x Seafolly coastal jungle pop-up bars creating the essential Summer hangout. Is there anything that says ‘Australian summer’, more than enjoying a delicious glass of Chandon with friends while lounging in your Seafolly?

Melbourne Music Week

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Launched in 2010, this relatively new festival was designed to celebrate Melbourne’s thriving music scene, support up and coming local talent and foster partnerships to ensure the industry continues to grow. Not just about music alone, it has been described as an ‘imaginative line-up that spans music, film, art, design and hospitality – on at various locations in and around the CBD.

When: 17 – 25 Nov 2017
Where: check out their program here.

WIN: Cine Latino Film Festival

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– COMPETITION NOW CLOSED –

Cine Latino, a festival that celebrates the sights, sounds and stories of Latin American Cinema. Presented by Palace Cinemas and with films from Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Chile, Cuba, Paraguay, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, Cine Latino highlights the uniquely cultural, sporting, musical, dance and filmmaking talents of that vibrant part of the world.

This year we have 10 x double passes to give away for the festival and all you need to do is fill out the form below to get a chance to win!

This year the program presents a 9-film spotlight on the best new films from Argentina with Cine Argentina. A special event screening of INSEPARABLE (INSEPARABLES), an Argentinean remake of the French hit The Intouchables, will launch a strong program including: From the international festival circuit – AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL (AL FINAL DEL TÚNEL) directed by Rodrigo Grande, a super-charged, suspense-laden film starring Leonardo Sbaraglia (Wild Tales) and Clara Lago (Spanish Affair); I’M GILDA (GILDA, NO ME ARREPIENTO DE ESTE AMOR), a grand biopic about the life of the Argentinean superstar singer Gilda; Cannes Camera d’Or winner Pablo Giorgelli’s INVISIBLE, an intimate and stylistic coming-of-age drama; and THE DESERT BRIDE (LA NOVIA DEL DESIERTO), a mesmeric, transporting and affecting drama about a quiet, middle-aged woman (Paulina García, Gloria) searching for fulfilment in the spectacular Argentinean hinterlands.

Other highlights in the Argentinean spotlight include: ONE NIGHT OF LOVE (UNA NOCHE DE AMOR), a Woody Allen style comedy about a couple whose romance is waning after 12 years together; box office hit and cheeky comedy-of-manners THAT’S NOT CHEATING (PERMITIDOS); set in the breathtaking wilderness of rural Patagonia WINTER (EL INVIERNO) recounts an allegory about an old foreman realising his days are numbered; and political thriller THE SUMMIT (LA CORDILLERA) in which Ricardo Darín stars as the President of Argentina who must navigate political strategy without betraying his country, moral principles and family.

The festival is curated by a Latin American and international film committee including Festival Spokesperson Gina Rubiano (Colombian), National Festival Manager Paulette Arvizu (Mexican), Production Coordinator Laura Emerick (Panamanian) and Curator of the Hola Mexico Film Festival section Samuel Douek (Mexican).

Competition closes on 13 November 2017 at 00:00 am EST
Terms & Conditions here.

 

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When: 16 ~ 29 November 2017
Where: Check the participating cinemas here.
More information: Check their website.