Latest Posts

HOP ON DOWN TO KING & GODFREE FOR GOOD BEER WEEK

Published by

 The newly refurbished King & Godfree will be playing host to three of the hottest events on the Good Beer Week calendar for 2019. Whether you’re a beer novice or brewing connoisseur the Italian food precinct has something for you, including a rooftop party, tasting session and a sit down six-course matched dinner. 

Salt. Fat. Acid. Heat. – Tuesday 14 May, 7.30pm, Agostino Cellar 

Join Two Bird Brewing’s Jayne Lewis on a sensory exploration of beer and food, held in the beautiful cellar at Agostino. Lewis will help you discover the unique ways that beer styles interact with tastes; from salty, sweet, fatty and acidic. 

For example, salt will be showcased with a salt cod fritter with aioli and heat with spicy nduja, white bean and octopus crostini. There will also be a grazing table complete with a variety of cheeses, salumi and pickles. 

Si Parla Italiano – Thursday 16 May, 7pm, Agostino 

The most refined out of the three events will be Si Parla Italiano, a six-course dinner at Agostino King & Godfree’s soon to be open wine bar, matched with the delicious and innovative beers from Garage Project. 

To start, chicken liver parfait with vincotto and crostini will be paired with Pas de Deux (a Belgian beer fermented together with champagne yeasts). For mains, you can expect venison with white polenta, cimi di rapa and chestnuts matched with a Mutiny on the Bounty stout. Garage Project’s take on the stout is brewed with breadfruit, roasted, plantain, coconut and Tahitian vanilla. To finish, neighbours Pidapipo will be providing a sour peach gelato to go with a White Mischief – a kettle soured wheat, lightly salted and infused with white peaches. 

This will be one adventurous and tasty dinner. Tickets are limited – so hop to it. 

Moon Dog Rooftop Tap Takeover – Friday 17 May, 5pm, Johnny’s Green Room 

The rooftop bar at King & Godfree – Johnny’s Green Room – will be taken over by the folks at Moon Dog for one night only. All taps on the rooftop will transform to Moon Dog’s range, including pale ales, tropical lagers, dark ales and IPAs. 

There will also be a Tinnie Bar, where you can explore the more adventurous Moon Dog beverages, including the 2019 Jumping the Shark and Black Lung IX. Wash it all down with BBQ beer snacks, including pork and fennel sausage in milk buns, Piedmontese style roasted peppers and BBQ octopus with salmoriglio. The best bit? In true Moon Dog style, it will be a full moon on the night of the party. 

Event Details 

Salt. Fat. Acid. Heat 

Agostino Cellar – 297 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053 

Tuesday 14 May  – 7.30pm – 10.00pm  – $65 – purchase tickets here 

Si Parla Italiano 

Agostino – 297 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053 

Thursday 16 May  –  7.00pm – late  – $150 – purchase tickets here 

Moon Dog Rooftop Tap Takeover 

Johnny’s Green Room – King & Godfree Ln, Carlton VIC 3053 

Friday 17 May  – 5.00pm-7.00pm  – $55 – purchase tickets here 

GOOD FOOD MONTH

Published by

Good Food Month presented by Citi returns to Melbourne in June with several incredible feature events, consisting of exclusive dinner experiences and tantalising lunches held at this year’s Good Food Month Restaurant at Canvas House, South Melbourne. The diverse and inspiring program once again welcomes one of the world’s biggest culinary legends, Marco Pierre White, alongside Australia’s hottest homegrown talent including Andrew McConnell, Phil Wood, Matt Stone, Paul Iskov and Joel Valvasori-Pereza.
Tickets are on sale now at www.goodfoodmonth.com/melbourne

This year, Good Food Month has chosen one of Melbourne’s most exciting spaces as the new home for its series of unique feature events. A spectacular warehouse space in South Melbourne, Canvas House, will play host to an exciting program of dinners with Marco Pierre White, including a collaboration with Phil Wood of Pt Leo Estate and Laura (Good Food Guide’s New Restaurant of the Year), pasta showcase with Andreas Papadakis (Tipo 00) and Joel Valvasori (Lulu La Delizia), Young Chefs Dinner with the young guns of Australia’s top kitchens and a very special Sunday Roast. More exciting events will be announced soon.

Venessa Cowell, Director of Food Events, Fairfax said: “After last year’s custom-built, pop-up restaurant in the heart of Federation Square, we are excited to evolve our program and launch our new home for the 2019 event series. Canvas House provides the perfect setting for a myriad of food experiences, as we play tribute to the inimitable Marco Pierre White and celebrate the local superstars who are shaping our culinary future. We are pleased to be working with our friends Canvas House and Tommy Collins by Atlantic Group. Canvas House, the centrally-located and unique warehouse space designed specifically for those looking for a distinctive and beautiful experience, and Tommy Collins, Melbourne’s premier event caterers.

The much-loved Let’s Do Lunch series returns with new wine partner, Church Road, opening up Melbourne’s amazing lunch offerings at Good Food Guide hatted restaurants, for a specially curated price of $45 including a glass of Church Road, beer or soft drink throughout June.

ARCHITECTS OF BEAUTY

Published by

The ultimate beauty event series is set to make over Melbourne’s west. Architects of Beauty will return to Highpoint Shopping Centre for its fourth consecutive year, taking place on Thursday 9 May until Sunday 12 May 2019. This year’s curated program of hands-on workshops and masterclasses will inspire beauty lovers to ‘Glow Your Own Way’ – from natural to neon, simple skincare to stage makeup, and so much more.

Uniting the biggest names in Australian beauty, this category-defining event series will welcome an impressive line-up of beauty business experts, make-up visionaries and podcasting pioneers to deliver an experience like no other. This year’s ‘beauty architects’ include:

• Erika Geraerts, Founder of casual cosmetics brand, Fluff, and Shella Ruby Martin, renowned Melbourne make-up artist, who have teamed up to deliver a striking conversation about the future of beauty, as well as a lesson to mastering Fluff’s iconic ‘makeunder’

• Globally recognised drag queen, Karen From Finance, who will step through the essential tips, tricks and trends in drag transformation

• Jack Cail, the Melbourne-based celebrity make-up artist known for his gorgeous glow, who will teach beauty lovers how to recreate this trending look by highlighting, contouring and adding pops of neon

• Celebrity make-up artist, Chantelle Baker, who will share her insights into achieving her signature glam. Guests can also indulge in Champagne and cronuts by Rustica while soaking in Chantelle’s professional expertise

• The podcast pioneers behind Shameless, Zara McDonald and Michelle Andrews, who will bring their tongue-in-cheek lens on life and pop culture to the event series through hosting each of the headline masterclasses

In addition to attending events led by these beauty luminaries, Highpoint customers will also have access to workshops by leading beauty retailers including Dior, L’Occitane, Inglot, Innisfree, LUSH Cosmetics and Ottoman3.

Architects of Beauty will be held from Thursday 9 May to Sunday 12 May 2019, at Highpoint Shopping Centre, Level 2 (outside David Jones), 120-220 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong, Victoria. To find out more and book in for Architects of Beauty events, visit www.highpoint.com.au.

BARKLY BARKS IS BACK!

Published by

 Barkly Barks dog festival returns for a fourth year to Brunswick’s Barkly Square from 10am until 3pm on Saturday 25 May 2019. Developed in response to Brunswick’s barking mad dog ownership, the beloved free festival is an annual celebration of canine companionship and the local community’s love for their four-legged friends. 

This year, Barkly Barks will transform the Square’s laneway into a puppy paradise with the biggest program to date featuring pooch performances, paw-sonalised products, dingo discoveries and decadent doggy dishes. 

The crowd-favourite Dog Parade will make a triumphant return with categories including Fastest Floof, Most Obedient, Best Costume, Best Owner Dog-elgänger and more. Registration for all events and activities can be made on the day; first in, first served. 

Housing the best products available for your canine, the doggy mini market will see personalised pet accessories, hoodies and neckerchiefs by ID PET, as well as sleek and stylish seat covers from Sling Guard designed to keep your pooch comfy and car clean! 

Making their festival debut, Dingo Whiskers (an offshoot of the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary and Research Centre) will educate locals about our country’s iconic native dogs by busting common misconceptions and raising awareness for the Sanctuary’s important conservation work. Visitors will also have the chance to meet real life dingoes Pumbah and Aussie – snapping a selfie for a $5 donation to the Australian Dingo Foundation. 

Local dog trainer and behaviourist, Tim Watson from Good Dog Behaviour & Training will present tips and tricks for travelling with a furry friend, proper lead control, puppy socialising and decoding local laws. 

Doggy food truck, Canine Wellness Kitchen will serve up canine-friendly snacks including puppy street food, bone broths and even dog-friendly beer. After your pooch has broken the seal, be sure to make a beeline for the custom created paw-toloos. 

Humans can also fetch a feed with an abundance of scrumptious eateries throughout Barkly Square, get their face painted, and soak up the live music and entertainment throughout the day. 

Don’t have a dog? Barkly Barks is the perfect place to meet a pet playmate, new or old. Everyone is welcome! 

Barkly Barks is a free event located in the Barkly Square laneway, open to all from 10am until 3pm, Saturday 25 May 2019. For more information, visit the Barkly Square website. 

Verdi’s Rigoletto

Published by

 In an opera trifecta, the people’s baritone Amartuvshin Enkhbat, award winning tenor Liparit Avetisyan and local rising star Stacey Alleaume come together to star in Elijah Moshinsky’s resplendent production of Verdi’s Rigoletto in Melbourne. 

Making his Australian debut in the role of Rigoletto is booming Mongolian baritone Amartuvshin Enkhbat. Mongolia’s first ever entrant to the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition in 2015 where he was crowned the Dame Joan Sutherland Audience Prize Winner, Enkhbat was named the Honoured Artist of Mongolia in 2010 at the age of 24 and has since performed in cities around the world including Paris, New York, Seoul and Kiev. 

Joining Enkhbat onstage will be arguably one of the most exciting young singers performing today, remarkable Armenian tenor Liparit Avetisyan, in the role of the Duke of Mantua singing the classic aria ‘La donna è mobile’. Recipient of the 2017 Golden Mask Award (Russia’s highest theatre award) for best opera actor, Avetisyan made his Australian debut with OA in 2017 performing the role of Alfredo Germont in Moshinsky’s production of La Traviata. 

Performing alongside them will be local Melbourne girl, Stacey Alleaume, making her role debut as Gilda. Known as opera’s rising star soprano, Alleaume’s career has been going from strength to strength, with this production marking her third principal role debut with Opera Australia within a year. 

The trio will perform under the baton of Italian Maestro Andrea Licata. Licata worked with Opera Australia as recently as 2018 where his conducting of the Opera Australia Orchestra in Moshinsky’s production of La Traviata at Sydney Opera House received a standing ovation. 

The classic production, by renowned director and Opera Australia Trophy recipient, Elijah Moshinsky, embraces the full glamour of Fellini’s La Dolce Vita with sumptuous costumes and an elaborate revolving set, as well as what has become known as OA’s famous scene-stealing car. 

Moshinsky’s production is ritzy, rough and bursting with colour. Rigoletto is both compelling and repulsive in his accentuated makeup and bright jacket and Verdi’s lush music plays out against the backdrop of opulent interiors, with a chorus in sharp gangster suits and magnificent evening gowns, all designed by Michael Yeargan. 

With characters that are unconventional, music that is unforgettable and a story that is as much about obsession as it is about love, it is easy to see why this three-act opera, based on a Victor Hugo play, is widely thought to be the first of the operatic masterpieces of Verdi’s mid-to-late career. 

SET SAIL ON A CELTIC ODYSSEY WITH THE IRISH FILM FESTIVAL 2019

Published by

This May, The Irish Film Festival returns to Melbourne with an award-winning program, studded with gems all the way from the Emerald Isle. This year’s all-inclusive Festival is home to seven full length feature films, five documentaries and six shorts, ranging from compelling dramas, hilarious comedies and hard-hitting real-life stories.

Feature Films:The official opening night film  is the internationally acclaimed Float like a Butterfly, an uplifting drama from the producers of Sing Street and the Oscar winning film Once. Set in 1972 when Muhammad Ali was set to fight in Dublin, the film follows Frances, a young Irish traveller girl, with big dreams of becoming a champion boxer.

Comedy: No Party for Billy Burns follows a would-be cowboy Billy, an innocent farm hand about to leave his dreary life behind him for big dreams of excitement, adventure and romance on the open road. Another offering is Metal Heart, a poignant coming of age comedy that follows twin sisters Chantel and Emma who couldn’t be more different. One Goth and one beauty queen, the sisters’ sibling rivalry and teenage angst make for a rollercoaster emotional ride.

The Drummer and The Keeper follows two Dublin youths with mental health issues who form an unconventional bond through the love of music. Meeting in rehab, Gabriel and Christopher join forces and form a band to help them deal with their demons.

Staying on the music theme, Dublin Oldschool is a look into the chaotic lifestyle of wannabe DJ Jason (Emmet Kirwan), and the drug-fueled Dublin rave scene of the 90’s. Jason sets out on a bender weekend filled with drug busts and old school dance music when he reconnects with his drug addicted brother in a bizarre turn of events. This film gets a late night slot on the program and is introduced by writer/director Dave Tynan who will talk about the film / theatre / club crossover culture in Ireland which is spear-headed by Emmet Kirwan and Panti Bliss.

 

Animated family feature Captain Morten and The Spider Queen is a swash buckling adventure on a miniature scale. Morten, a 10 year old ship captain’s son, has dreams of skippering his own vessel but when a magical cockroach shrinks him to the size of a pea, he sets sail on a model ship with a crew consisting of insects facing a vengeful spider queen, featuring the Irish voices of Brendan Gleeson (The Guard) and Pauline McLynn (Father Ted).

Documentary Feature films: The Northern Ireland Troubles were a sad and tragic chapter in recent Irish history. The hard-hitting documentary Unquiet Graves is an investigation into the alleged collusion between the British Government and Loyalist paramilitaries, which resulted in the murder of 120 civilians between 1972 and 1978. The writer/director, Seán Murray will introduce his documentary and take part in a Q&A afterwards.

Known for its world class documentarians, Ireland has been the subject of many fascinating documentary features. This year’s program includes the visually stunning The Camino Voyage, starring Oscar winning musician Glen Hansard and his crew of poets, musicians and tradesmen on a Celtic odyssey in a currach (traditional Irish row boat), rowing along the ancient 2500 mile Camino route from Ireland to Northern Spain.

Another documentary set on the sea, this time the Atlantic, is Between Land and Sea. Set in Lahinch, a surfer’s paradise set in the Wild West coast of Ireland, the feature follows adrenaline junkies tackling some of the most ferocious waves in the world and investigates what drives them to do so.

The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid is the all too common story of someone being forcibly removed from their home in the name of progress and development. However Thomas, a solitary farmer living on the fringe of society, vows not to bow to multinationals and fights to keep his way of life.

Irish ex-pats are under the spotlight in A Lifetime of Stories, this features the amazing lives of Sydney’s Irish seniors told in their own words. The documentary is the product of a workshop-based video production project where five elders from the Irish community in Sydney shared their personal stories with the film-makers. By telling their tales they validate their own incredible experiences and the lives of all migrants who have made a new life in Australia.

Short Films: The 2019 Festival also has a program of short films direct from The GAZE International LGBT Film Festival in Dublin. The short feature titles include Thirst, which follows Drew and his unfortunate string of disappointing hook ups leaving him wondering is there a happy ending for him. Cat Calls sees a sexual predator getting his comeuppance when he tries to target girls who aren’t exactly shrinking violets.

Tickets are on sale now! Tickets and full program available at www.irishfilmfestival.com.au

FREE Easter Putt Putt @ Eastland School Holidays

Published by

Eastland’s April school holidays FREE “Easter Putt Putt” mini-golf pop-up happening from April 8 – April 18, where kids aged 4-12 years can make their way around six stylised, Easter inspired holes featuring bubbles, moving wheels and obstacles.

Eastland April School Holidays information:

What:                  FREE Easter Putt Putt pop-up mini-golf
Date:                   Monday, April 8 – Thursday, April 18
Time:                   10:00am – 4:00pm
Where:                Level One, Central Mall outside Commonwealth Bank
Cost:                    Free Entry – No Bookings Required
Website:             https://www.eastland.com.au/schoolholidays

Charity:                Eastland will again be partnering with The Alannah and Madeline Foundation through optional donations upon entry to the activation.

The Reading Nook takes over Highpoint Shopping Centre

Published by

Strengthening its position as the community’s heart in the west, Highpoint Shopping Centre will this month welcome The Reading Nook: its newest temporary pop-up space, devoted to free book exchange.

Helping to promote the love of reading amongst little ones and locals, The Reading Nook will encourage customers to stop by, collect a book, and leave a pre-loved book of their own in its place.

Forming as a mini library, The Reading Nook will be home to many gifted stories, providing customers the opportunity to read and unwind inside or take their discovered book to read in an oasis of their own. In addition to leisurely reading, The Reading Nook will host a program of activities throughout its time at Highpoint, including family-fun activities such as face painting, kid-friendly games and giveaways on launch day (Tuesday 23 April), weekly story-telling sessions in partnership with the Maribyrnong Library Service, and visits from local toy libraries.

The Reading Nook will pop up at Highpoint’s IN: TRANSIT precinct: an outdoor retail and casual dining hub formed by three shipping containers, taking inspiration from food truck parks and capitalising on the interest of pop-up stores and temporary retail spaces. IN: TRANSIT launched in October 2017 and has been a transient home to a diverse series of Melbourne favourites: Up In Smoke, Kenny Parker, Dex2Rose, The Sneaker Laundry, The Jerk, Legacy Barbers & Essential Pieces and Farang Thai BBQ.

For further information on Highpoint’s The Reading Nook and IN: TRANSIT precinct, visit www.highpoint.com.au.

Game of Thrones

Published by

Game of Throne is returning this April, so get ready to raise a glass to the Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection as it officially hits Australian shores this week.

To celebrate the eighth and final season of the critically-acclaimed TV series, Game of Thrones, DIAGEO and HBO have released a limited-edition collection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. The collection features seven Scotch whiskies paired with six of the iconic Houses of Westeros, as well as the Night’s Watch, giving fans an authentic taste of the Seven Kingdoms.

Diageo’s unparalleled diverse range of distilleries in Scotland, much like in Westeros, each have their own unique characteristics and produce a distinctive whisky representative of its local terroir. These similarities were the inspiration behind the collection, drawing an authentic storyline between each House and single malt pairing. Whether you want to collect them all or represent your chosen House, be sure to pick up a bottle before they leave the realm.

For more information on The Game of Thrones Collection Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection, visit www.malts.com and join the conversation using #GOTSingleMalts.

NEON PLAYGROUND – Light and Art for Wildlife Conservation

Published by

Lions and tigers and neon lights, oh my! For two weeks only this April, the city’s vibrant arts scene will come to life inside the lush grounds of Melbourne Zoo for its inaugural Neon Playground spectacular.

Experience the zoo after dark as it is transformed by lights, projections, art installations and interactive performances.

Large-scale projections will adorn the historic Melbourne Zoo mate gate façade, with the work of Kit Websterlighting up the art deco features. Journey through Awareness Alley along the historic Main Drive, where you will be engulfed in dynamic laser art by internationally renowned artist Robin Fox. Along the way, learn about Zoos Victoria’s fighting extinction species through the colourful neon artwork of Carla O’Brien.

Transport yourself into the world of Graeme Base’s Waterhole, where giant illuminated puppets from the beloved book magically come to life.

Explore the giant neon maze, inspired by the distinctive yellow and black pattern of the Southern Corroboree Frog, with 600 metres of LED neon suspended from the ground to create a labyrinth of light … and a couple of surprises along the way!

When it’s time to refuel, put your feet up in Relaxoland in the Zoo’s Carousel Park, where you can grab a bite from the food trucks or a delicious beverage from one of the pop-up bars.

The showcase of some of the best local visual artists and designers celebrates wildlife conservation, with all proceeds from the event contributing to the conservation of the critically endangered Southern Corroboree Frog. There are estimated to be only 100 individuals left in the wild, which is why this tiny amphibian is one of the 21 local threatened species Zoos Victoria is saving from extinction.

On the night, through light and art, you’ll learn more about the Southern Corroboree Frog and how your support is making a big difference.

Join in the fight against wildlife extinction and visit Neon Playground this April!

What:Experience Melbourne after dark as it is transformed by lights, projections, art installations, and interactive performances. Neon Playground is a new event celebrating wildlife conservation, with a showcase of some of the best local light visual artists and designers.
When: 5.30pm to 9.30pm, FridayApril 12thto Saturday April 27th
Cost: Adult $39, Child $19, Adult Member $35.10, Child Member $17.10
More details:https://www.zoo.org.au/melbourne/whats-on/neonplayground