All posts filed under: Lifestyle

SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium – Win a Family Pass

Published by

Located on the banks of the Yarra River, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium is home to thousands of animals, including sharks, turtles, stingrays, sawfish, tropical fish and much, much more. Opening our eyes to the world underneath, from the depths of the ocean to the icy waters of Antarctica, the aquarium is a favourite for many, young and old. Walk underwater through the glass viewing tunnels and see Australia’s marine life like never before! Come within inches of huge sharks, rays and turtles and see some of the remarkable marine and freshwater animals that Australia is famous for. Children will have the opportunity to explore Finding Dory and Friends: The Experience, a world first aquarium exhibit, featuring magical moments from the box-office smash hit, Finding Dory.  Throughout the interactive journey, a Pipe Pals trail will guide and surprise with tales of amazing underwater animals, leading you into Dory’s Reef. Experience fun activities including, Ridin’ the EAC with Crush, Nemo’s Anemone Challenge, and using your own echo locator in Bailey’s Maze. If you’re more into sea birds, you’ll want to visit  the …

Big Design Market

Published by

Australia’s much-loved and original design market, The  Big Design Market,  returns to Federation Square this December. The Melbourne Design Market The market will bring together the best of independent Australian and international design for 3 huge days of Christmas shopping! Discover a stellar line-up of over 230 stallholders across homewares, textiles, fashion, furniture, lighting, stationery, lifestyle & kids products. To keep you hydrated while shopping there’ll also be a cocktail bar with locally made drinks from Merricks General Wine Store, Sofi Spritz, Starward Whiskey plus specialty teas from Love Tea. As always, there’ll also be delicious food stalls from some of Melbourne’s finest including Earl Canteen, Misschu, Taco Truck and Beatbox Kitchen; craft beer from Moo Brew and Faire Ferments; coffee from Sensory Lab; and sweet treats from Gelato Messina, All Day Donuts and LuxBite. When: 2 December – 4 December Where: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson St, Carlton Visit the website here.

Mazda Opera in the Bowl

Published by

Sit back and enjoy an enchanting evening of opera music under the stars at Mazda Opera in the Bowl. This free concert is a fabulous way to start the summer and features some of the greatest arias and most beautiful overtures in a fantastic program of songs and duets. The line-up includes four leading soloists, the Opera Australia Chorus and Orchestra Victoria. Don’t forget the picnic blanket! When: 8pm-10pm 3 December Where: Sidney Myer Music Bowl Visit the website here. 

recharge: A New Mindfulness Studio

Published by

In our hyperconnected world it’s getting harder and harder to just switch off. Whether it be switching off your phone, stopping email notifications at work or even just saying no to people, we are in a constant battle to  be in the moment and content with who and where are. Luckily for us Melbourne people, Dr Richard Chambers and Ray Good are bringing to Melbourne it’s first ever mindfulness pop-up studio. Located in a sleek, light-filled warehouse space in Fitzroy, recharge is a mindfulness pop-up studio that encourages people to take their eyes off their screens, leave their stress at the door, pull up a cushion and learn how to recharge. We chatted to Dr Richard Chambers ahead of the workshop to discuss how we can find our inner zen and why it’s so important. 1. In today’s world where are we constantly connected, how important do you think it is to practice mindfulness? Modern life is definitely getting busier. We work long hours, often juggling family duties and other responsibilities too. And technology means that we are constantly connected. …

Binge on Musical Theatre

Published by

Inspired by the event of the same name in New York, and launched for the first time in November by founder and Artistic Director Trevor Alexander and the fabulous Dolly Diamond – the first ever Melbourne Musical Theatre Festival will be kicking off in Melbourne this January with a line up set to make everyone fall in love with musical theatre all over again. Priced for a serious musical theatre binge with tickets ranging from only $25-$69 this event, celebrating local performers, writers and producers will feature a classic line-up of well-loved family musical favourites, timeless adult productions and new Australian shows and will run from January 6th through to the 28th making it a fantastic (and super affordable) school holiday activity. Based out of the historic, iconic Athenaeum Theatre in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, the festival’s ethos is all about reigniting a passion for the genre in the youth market, but the ranges of shows are not all targeted at the young (and young at heart). Kicking off the festivities, and running for …

Johnston St Fiesta

Published by

Explore the sights, sounds and delicious smells of Latin America at the Hispanic Latin American Festival. From November 19 -20, Johnston St will be turned into one giant carnival with street dancers, Latino food stalls, free dance classes, DJ’s,  live entertainment and of course plenty of jugs of sangria. This colourful festival always sees a massive turnout by locals and latinos alike so we recommend getting there early. When: 21 November – 22 November 2015 Where: Johnston St, Fitzroy Visit the website here. 

Markit@Fedsquare

Published by

Save the date on the 11th of December for Markit@Fedsquare! It is a one-day event with over 100 unique independent designers and makers held at Federation Square. You can buy quirky ceramics  by Yiying Lee,  natural fibre shirts by APOM, or maybe some organic skincare by Ek-ho. So embrace yourself in the land of Australian creators on the 11th of December because you deserve beautifully designed jewellery, fashion, accessories, homewares, prints and more!                       It’s free entry from 10am to 5pm, and many of the stall holders have credit card and Eftpos facilities. However, we do recommend you get some cash withdrawals at the nearby ATM. Markit@Fedsquare will have one lucky draw for one market goer with fabulous prizes to take home on Sunday. Find out how to enter on here. P.S All Day Donuts and Sensory Lab will be joining the event in the Deakin Edge Theatre serving coffee and sweet treats, ALL DAY! Find out which designer will be there on the day on …

Fringe Review: ApocOlympics

Published by

Set in a post-apocalyptic world, where basic human needs like clean water, non-radioactive cruise ship holidays and steel may or may not still be available, and the simple act of going to work to build a sporting stadium comes with the risk of being carried off by mutant crows, ApocOlympics is smart humour for witty, intelligent people, brought to you by the fabulous comedy partnership of Dan Pavavitch and Justin Porter. The concept of an Olympics that far into the future having been re-adapted for the conditions of the modern environment, and the mutations of man is made even more absurd as the actual events over time have themselves evolved to the point of non-recognition and even fight-to-the-death level, making for some dark, but fantastic jokes. This show is a groovy, multi-layered-style sketch which coils tighter and tighter around a core central storyline, eventually funnelling out into that point where everything becomes linked for a clear, clean close off where things basically pick up where they began – for the most part. Dan and Justin …

Meet Jonathan Holloway – Melbourne Festival Artistic Director

Published by

Clear your calendars, the Melbourne Festival returns to town this October and it brings a jam-packed program to the table. Under the new artistic direction of Jonathan Holloway, the festival will celebrate our thriving arts and culture scene, taking over a number of Melbourne venues and institutions. We caught up with Jonathan, ahead of the event to discuss his direction for the festival and his personal highlights. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background? My first “professional” experience of the arts was going with my dad to see classical concerts that he was reviewing.  I enjoyed the concerts – although staying still and silent was pretty tough – but my favourite bit was afterwards, going with him to the newspaper office and watching him write the review.  When I was a bit older I’d stay and watch a man called Bernard lay out the letters, then the presses would roll.  That was when I realised that so much happens before and after a performance, and I was hooked.  I sang in …