All posts filed under: Lifestyle

Interview with Ben Portet – Dominique Portet Winery

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Ben Portet was always destined to be a winemaker. Growing up in the vineyards of his father, Dominique Portet, their long family tradition of winemaking dates all the way back to 1720 in Cognac France. Completing four vintages while still at university, Ben has lived and worked all over the world before returning to Melbourne to head up the winemaking team at Dominique Portet Winery in Coldstream, continuing on the family legacy for years to come.  As a 10th generation winemaker, how have you seen the wine industry change over time?   Well I guess the easiest analogy is that we work within a fashion industry so styles and regions come in and out of trend. Recently in Australia we have seen wines being produced that are made to drink now, they can be easy to drink at a young age and most importantly are fun to drink. Classics are always in style so that will never change but I  still see no match to opening an old bottle that you have aged yourself over many …

Chevalier at ACMI Cinemas

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One of the most distinctive voices in the Greek New Wave, Athina Rachel Tsangari (Attenberg) brings her latest film Chevalier to ACMI Cinemas from 6 October. Taking out Best Film at the 2015 London FIlm Festival, Tsangari’s newest work is set on a luxury yacht in the Aegean Sea where six men – all friends – embark on a competition to be crowned the ‘Best at Everything’.  Receiving kudos for her work in contemporary Greek cinema, Tsangari collaborated closely with director Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster) to produce the films Dogtooth and Alps. The two filmmakers also share common creative ground with screenwriter Efthimis Filippou (The Lobster), who transforms the straightforward premise of Chevalier into a highly amusing tale of morality, class and masculinity. We have three double passes to give away to the the special ACMI screening on Thursday 6 October at 6:10pm. Visit our Facebook page to enter.  Where: Federation Square, Flinders St Visit the ACMI website here.   

Australian Movie & Comic Expo

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The Australian Movie and Comic Expo is Melbourne’s ultimate entertainment event. Running every October since 2007 (formerly Armageddon Expo), the new name brings a new direction featuring a heavy influence from movies and comics. With everything we are known for and more including celebrity guests, autographs, photo ops, discussion panels, costumes, over 10,000 sqm of collectable dealers, gaming, sci-fi and fantasy, multimedia, family events and interactive displays. Guests this year include Seth Gilliam (The Walking Dead, Teen Wolf), Daniel Davis (The Nanny) Larry Hama (Marvel, DC) plus more. When: October 15 -16 Where: Melbourne Showgrounds Visit the website here. 

Kinky Boots

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Cyndi Lauper’s huge-hearted hit is coming to Melbourne! Based on the movie starring Joel Edgerton and inspired by a true story, KINKY BOOTS is about a young man’s struggle to save the family business and the unexpected people he meets along the way. With Tony and Grammy winning songs by pop icon CYNDI LAUPER, book by Broadway royalty HARVEY FIERSTEIN (La Cage aux Folles) and direction and choreography by Tony-Award Winner JERRY MITCHELL (Legally Blonde, Hairspray), KINKY BOOTS is a celebration of love, friendship and the power of believing in yourself. Don’t miss the musical that has captured the hearts of Broadway and the West End, at Her Majesty’s Theatre from October. When: 12 October – 27 November Where: Her Majesty’s Theatre Visit the Kinky Boots website.  We want you to enjoy this fantastic time of year and there’s no better way to revel in the summer action than a mini staycation in Melbourne. Stay at the  Ibis Melbourne, Little Bourke Street this summer and enjoy free breakfast. Book online for this exclusive deal.* *Book before 15th February 2017 for stays until 31 March 2017.

Banksy Comes to Melbourne

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The world’s most famous street artist, Banksy is bringing his works to the streets of Melbourne. This October, Melbourne will be able to view a retrospective of more than 80 of his best works, curated by the artist’s former manager, Steve Lazarides. Inspired by the streets of London, this exhibition will take visitors on an artistic adventure, exploring the mind of Banksy and his satirical street art. The exhibition will open in The Paddock in Federation Square and will also feature some of Melbourne’s best food trucks, courtesy of Welcome to Thornbury, along with a bar and live DJs in ‘The Railyard’. As the street art capital of Melbourne, we couldn’t think of a more fitting place for the exhibition. When: 7 October  2016 ~ 22 January 2017 Where: The Paddock, Federation Square Visit the website here. 

Finders Keepers Market

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With Christmas drawing nearer and nearer, it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll be buying for presents before the mad rush in December. And if you’re in need of fresh ideas then the old socks and tie trick, then Finders Keepers Market is your answer. Set over 3 days, the design market will feature the work of independent makers from across Australia.  Founded in 2008, the Finders Keepers has now grown to be Australia’s leading design market. With events now held bi-annually in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, and now annually in Adelaide, the market promotes and supports over 1200 sellers each year. In case you need another reason to check it out, there’ll also be food trucks, live music and of course a fun community spirit all under one awesome roof! When: October 14 – 16 Where: The Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton, VIC Visit The Finders Keepers website.     

Kylie has us Spinning Around

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Step back in time at the Arts Centre latest exhibition, Kylie on Stage. Officially open as of today, the exhibition celebrates our princess of pop, Kylie Minogue with 800 costumes dating back to 1989, including those infamous gold hotpants from the Spinning Around video. Expect world class designers including Dolce & Gabbana, John Galliano, Julien Macdonald, Karl Lagerfeld and Jean Paul Gaultier, as well as local designers such as Peter Morrissey and Mark Burnett. In addition to the hundreds of costumes, the exhibition will also feature stage props from her highly-successful concert tours plus a selection of designs, working drawings, photographs and footage that explore the creative process behind costumes and provide rare glimpses into the world backstage. We should be so lucky! When: September 21 – January 22 Where: Arts Centre Melbourne Visit the Kylie on Stage website here.   

Spring Racing Carnival Brunch

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Giddy up Melbourne! The Spring Racing Carnival is well underway and the Como is celebrating its long history and close relationship with the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival by hosting an exclusive racing-themed brunch with a very distinguished guest, the 2016 Emirates Melbourne Cup! Get glam with your best racing outfit and join the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) in their elegant ballroom this September 24, for a stylish and scrumptious canapé style brunch with complimentary bubbles. While dining on your breakfast, enjoy a live acoustic duet on the croquet lawn and don’t forget to snap a selfie with the prestigious Cup, made of pure 18 carat gold and worth $175,000. When: Saturday, September 24 Where: Como House and Gardens, Corner Williams Rd & Lechlade Ave, South Yarra 3141 VIC Visit the website here.

Melbourne Festival

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Melbourne Festival is an innovative festival highlighting the rich culture of the arts that exist within the Melbourne lifestyle. Watch various performances of dance, theatre, circus, music, visual arts, multimedia,  as well as free outdoor events will be held across several venues across the city. First established in 1986, the festival was created to carry the transformational nature that exists within arts and culture and the positive change it has on individuals.   Highlights this year include David Bowie: Nothing has changed | October 15 – 17 Paying tribute to the starman, musical artists will perform his music in their own unique styles, accompanied by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. M Pavillion | October 5 – February 18 Commissioning a world-leading architect to design a temporary garden pavilion for Melbourne, this year’s space is designed by influential Indian architect Bijoy Jain of Studio Mumbai. Watch a free program of talks, performances, debates in this unique experimental space. Program released September. Triptyque | October 6 – 9 Canada’s Les 7 Doigts (The 7 Fingers) straddle the gap between circus and dance …