Melbourne always seems to have the widest variety of events possible. In June 2016, we party-hopped between a new fashion label launch party (with the video to prove it), got a taste of Italy in Carlton (no, not on Lygon Street), and got up close with one of Australia’s most famous actors (can you guess which one?).
Italian Food and Wine Festival
Melbourne has a rich and strong history of great Italian food and culture, especially in Carlton. The Italian Food and Wine Festival opening in The Royal Exhibition Centre, less than five minutes walk from Lygon Street (the Italian center of Melbourne), was a good fit for the area.
Taking up a quarter of the grand Royal Exhibition Centre in Carlton Gardens, the festival showcases some of Italy’s beloved food and drinks. Melbourne’s top Italian restaurants were all represented; 400 Gradi, 38 Chairs, Caterina’s Cucina e Bar, Trattoria Emilia, Bar Idda, La Bonta and Saluministi. You could see howmuch these chefs and restaurant owners loved their craft. Cooking demonstrations with some of Melbourne’s top chefs were held every hour offering some insight into making your own pasta or cooking with certain ingredients.
– Tomas
Tomas is a filmmaker, writer, coffee addict and tall person who does not play basketball. You can follow him @TomasZagoda.
The Italian Food & Wine Festival next comes to Sydney on Sunday 21 August.
Krack Lae launch
New fashion label Krack Lae launched this month with a massive party. Drawing from the adaptive nature of Japanese urban sub-cultures, particularly the re-interpretation of aesthetics specific to the millennial hip hop boom, Krack Lae seeks to re-interpret avante guard European design through the urban perspective, with an emphasis on functionality found in utilitarian wear. Beyond the domain of the fashionable, Krack Lae is for mystery, individualism, freedom and expression. Delivering democratic street-wear for the sophisticated urbanite with flare.
Watch The Plus Ones’ video:
Visit Krack Lae’s online shop and Facebook/Instagram to learn more.
Del Kathryn Barton: The Nightingale and the Rose at ACMI
Although Oscar Wilde was Irish, as an Englishman (who resided time ‘next to the River Kennet’ in Reading) it was an honour to celebrate an(y) aspect of Oscar Wilde’s life at the opening of the Del Kathryn Barton and Brendan Fletcher’s animation of The Nightingale and the Rose. The wealth of literary work and witticisms has infiltrated many of our lives, yet this short story has passed me by. Until the opening night party.
The beauty and the simplicity of the fairytale has been painstakingly (over three years) brought to life by two-time Archibald prize winner Del Kathryn Barton and acclaimed filmmaker Brendan Fletcher. The film itself is beautiful/stunning/amazing. The colours, the artistry, the loving care and of a clearly heartfelt creation is simply breathtaking. The often-haunting score by Sarah Blasko is enchanting. Geoffrey Rush (in attendance at the launch), David Wenham, and Mia Wasikowska provide much of the dialogue, giving it the gravitas that Oscar would be proud of. And the true gem? It is free for all to see!
– Duncan
Duncan was the most illegible bachelor in town, but times have changed, although he is still a purveyor of Melbourne’s surprising, quirky, and cultural events.
Del Kathryn Barton: The Nightingale and the Rose runs 21 June to 11 September 2016 at ACMI. The venue is accessible.
A Taste of Tasmania
The Plus Ones headed to dinner at Collins Quarter to taste the finest food and wine that the little Apple Isle could deliver us, and deliver they did. And I can honestly say in my three years living down south I never tasted lamb’s brain, venison or steak tartare. But try I did, and I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious these crazy dishes were. Tasmania is famed for its seafood and great quality steak, but this dinner really highlighted how much great quality produce they were still hiding from us mainlanders.
And the wine? Well let’s just say Tasmania is a small island with a disproportionate number of wineries, and I had three years to explore!
-Charli W.
Charli is a creative writer, food lover, and Harry Potter aficionada in her last year of a History degree. She is sure she will find a way combine these things one day, to great success. If not, she’ll pack up and become a bartender somewhere in the Caribbean with a fabulous year-round tan.
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-Team TPO
