Category: MELBOURNE

Melbourne: Ketel One Vodka takes over the city’s Arbory Afloat riverside bar

Posted: 25/11/2019

Vodka is versatile. And so is the range of things to do in Melbourne in the summer. Combine the two and you get Ketel One Botanical; a new vodka range by the brand that combines the throat-burning deliciousness of vodka with the fragrant and floral notes of, well… Flowers. Arbory Afloat, Melbourne’s latest summertime destination, is all about summer in the city and vodka, so they’ve combined the two in honour of the new batch, creating a lush oasis on the venues’ upper deck to celebrate the launch of the new spirit. Arbory Afloat is serving each of the three new Ketel One Botanical varietals in a simple yet elegant, smooth-sipping spritz. You can enjoy these: Ketel One Botanical Cucumber & Mint spritz; Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose spritz; Ketel One Botanical Peach and Orange Blossom spritz; To accompany the take-over, Arbory Afloat has created a range of merchandise; T-shirts, hats and towels inspired by the botanicals from Ketel One Botanical. Find it all at Arbory Afloat, opening hours: daily 11am – 1am, from now until 23 February 2020.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: arbory afloat, Melbourne Arbory Afloat, Melbourne bar, melbourne bars

Melbourne Night Noodle Markets: What to expect

by James Banham

Posted: 05/10/2019

The hotly anticipated carb fest that is the Melbourne Night Noodle Markets will return to Australia’s glorious food capital from 7-24 November, pumping out all your Asian faves. As usual, it’ll move south after having just smashed Sydney with the likes of food people Katherine Sabbath and Shannon Martinez and all the good things that come with that. With a slightly tweaked line-up of delectable delicacies on offer, the Melbourne run is looking good. Here’s what to expect: Hoy Pinoy’s famous Filipino BBQ and Street Food, Poklol x Puffle’s quirky cone-shaped cheese waffles, Wonderbao’s fluffy steamed buns, Miso Fresh’s soba noodles, Kumokumo’s fluffy pillow-soft pancakes, and Scoopy Milk Bar’s Korean shaved ice desserts. Other stalls include Gelato Messina, Shallot Thai, @Roll Up, Bao Brothers, Bangkok Street Food, Calabang, Donburi Station, Drumplings, Flying Noodles,Fry’D Ice Cream, Fusion Paella & Tapas, Let’s Do Yum Cha, May’s Malaysian, Nem n Nem, Okonomiyaking, Pham Sisters, Pinchys, Raijin, Sambal Kampung, Teppanyaki Noodles, Twistto, Tokosan, Waffleland, WAWA and Wok Master. Oh and if you’d rather be bougie and grab a lift there, use Didi and score 2x$10 vouchers (new users) and 2×20% (existing users) with code “DIDINNM. Eat up!

Category: ASIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: melbourne night noodle market, Melbourne Night Noodle Markets what to expect, melbourne noodle markets, noodle market, THE F Melbourne Night Noodle Market

What is human perfection? Melbourne Uni takes a look with its new art commission

by James Banham

Posted: 22/07/2019

Melbourne University is doing something interesting with art. They’ve given 30 emerging artists the chance to work across three locations, alongside some of the world’s most famous works of art – all without as much as a brief. A challenge? Yes, but one the artists whose own take on creativity and the historical beauty of so many of the pieces they work alongside, have proven great inspiration for the projects they undertook. Called First Commissions, the Uni’s project is purposed to present these 30 unique responses from the artistic troupe. It asked them to reinterpret world-changing historical commissions for the present moment, all of which were pretty broadly reaching; Think, the Titanic to Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty, to Michaelangelo’s David, a vision of human perfection. In fact, five of the 30 artists worked with David, working back from the finished product to create pieces that told the story of being a person in the modern day. Through each of their five disciplines, Esther Stewart, Aboriginal Australian visual artist Ashley Perry choreographer and dancer Jack Riley, interactive composer Samuel Kreusler and classical composer Danna Yun, churned out works that did just that. The University of Melbourne was able to launch the project at the statue of David in Florence, from where the exhibition will then make its way to Melbourne, taking place over Open House weekend (27-28 July) in the Martyn Myer Arena on the University of Melbourne Southbank campus. The exhibition will include 30 works responding to the 7 commissions and involve over 100 emerging artists… Read More

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: First Commissions, Melbourne University, Michaelangelos David

Chef Paul Iskov from The New Vanguard on Melbourne Good Food Month

by James Banham

Posted: 18/06/2019

Melbourne Good Food Month is back in town now, so we spoke to one kitchen man in the know who’s got some exciting things on the go. Name’s Paul Iskov from The New Vanguard in Melbourne and he’s leading the charge on what the restaurant’s name legacy will be in the southern food scene. Iskov will be cooking alongside Matt Stone in their Good Food Month event, which needless to say, he’s pretty stoked for. “I’m really looking forward to getting over to the East Coast and cooking for Melbourne Good Food Month. Matt is a great chef, really leading the way in Australia and changing the way people think, cook and eat, it’s going to be a really fun event and look forward to checking out the rest of the Festival,” said Iskov. We had a chat to him about what to expect and how it’s all going to go down. Why is food so good in Melbourne? Melbourne has some of the best restaurants in Australia and the world, it is so multicultural and you have a huge amount of choices, when it comes to dining out. There is a huge amount of talented cook’s and when you pair that with great produce from the region, you get to experience some great food. How do you think what you do sets you apart from the rest of the Australian food scene? I would say Fervor is different in a few ways, but the main thing would be we don’t have a permanent restaurant,… Read More

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: melbourne good food month, Paul Iskov New Vanguard, the f good food month

All about Negroni Week and the 100th birthday of the Negroni

by James Banham

Posted: 11/06/2019

Not only is it Negroni Week from 24-30 June, but we’re also celebrating the 100th birthday of the cocktail, so if every you were going to get on board, now’s the time. It’s the one period of the year where bars, restaurants and retailers around the world, dedicate themselves to celebrating the red cocktail, with Campari at the heart, over the common goal of raising money for charitable initiatives. And this year is even more special, as 2019 marks the 100-year anniversary of the Negroni: #N100. The week of celebration’s been around since 2013 with around 100 participating bars in Australia with a total of $585,000 for charitable causes in 2018 being raised around the world. On 24th June, festivities will commence in Florence, the birthplace of the Negroni, triggering a series of charity events due to take place around the world to honour Count Camillo Negroni, the man who inspired the cocktail. International bartenders will gather from around the world to prepare their interpretations and twists on The Negroni in Florence. Australian bars will be pumping out contemporary interpretations of the Negroni created by Australian artists like Jamie Preisz (winner of the 2018 Archibald Packing Room Prize and 2018 People’s Choice Prospect Portrait Prize). His Negroni masterpiece “Gliding Bloom Drift” will go into a sweepstake prize draw with all proceeds being donated to the ReachOut.com organisation. Here’s a list of bars to go that are joining in the party. Sydney: maybe sammy, big poppas, bulletin place, burrow bar, continental cbd, door knock, earl’s juke… Read More

Category: BRISBANE, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, PERTH, SYDNEY

Tags: Australian Negronis, Best Negronis Australia, negroni, negroni bars, Negroni guide, negroni week, Negroni week bars, Where to go Negroni Week

MELBOURNE: Chicago is coming to stage in Australia

by James Banham

Updated: 13/06/2019

So, Chicago’s back in town and turning it out with big dancing name Jason Donovan as Billy Flynn. He’ll take on the role of the cunning and charismatic lawyer, making Donovan’s first time in such a role on stage, alongside Australian products Natalie Bassingthwaighte and singer Casey Donovan as everyone’s favourite Matron ‘Mama’ Morton, famous for her song ‘When you’re good to mama’. The Kander & Ebb musical has been seen by over 31 million people worldwide in 36 countries and is the winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy Award. Chicago continues to play on Broadway and around the world in multiple languages and is the longest running American musical in Broadway and West End history. Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer Billy Flynn to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids. It’s a sensation of a story that’ll be a sensation on stage. For more info and to get your own tickets, check out the Chicago website.

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, THEATRE

Tags: Chicago, Chicago Jason Donovan, Chicago Melbourne, Chicago Melbourne Arts Centre, Chicago Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Chicago review, Chicago theatre, Melbourne threatre

Melbourne Good Food Month feature events you want to try

by James Banham

Posted: 03/06/2019

Melbourne’s Custom House is about to become the hub-of-hubs for this year’s Melbourne Good Food Month. With chefs Adam Liaw, Jason Baratt and Nick Mahlook on hand, there’ll be a series of unique dining events that await any hungry foodie. Here’s what’s on: Adam Liaw x Keita Abe When: Wednesday, 12 June, 6:30pm How much: $170 Adam Liaw, television host of Destination Flavour and author of five incredible cookbooks, is inviting Melburnians on a cultural and culinary journey, with Keita Abe from Sydney institution, Chaco Bar. Abe is the master of yakitori, cultivating a cult following with his famous meat skewers, inspired by his native city of Fukuoka, Japan. Tickets include multiple courses with premium wines and beer supplied by James Squire. The Good Food Editor’s Dinner presented by David Jones When: Friday, 14 June, 6:30pm How much: $170 National Good Food Editor Ardyn Bernoth and Chief Restaurant Critic Gemima Cody have assembled the who’s who of the industry, sharing their insights and anecdotes into the wonderful world of food – Jason Barratt, head chef of Halcyon House’s two-hatted restaurant Paper Daisy, Nick Mahlook, whose ocean-to-plate philosophy keeps Melbourne’s The Atlantic Group very busy, and Nikki To, the woman behind the famous food images in the business and the person Australia’s top chefs call when they want to elevate a dish into an icon. Young Chefs Lunch with Marco Pierre White presented by Citi When: Saturday, 8 June 1:30pm In this special event, Marco Pierre White will host a four-course lunch, prepared by four hotly tipped stars of Melbourne’s culinary scene – Jessica… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: food guide Melbourne, Good Food Melbourne, good food month, melbourne food, melbourne good food month, the f melbourne

Melbourne Good Food & Wine Show: What to see this June

by James Banham

Posted: 01/06/2019

On until 2 June in Melbourne, the Melbourne Good Food and Wine Show is on again, pumping out morsel-after-morsel of deliciousness for visitors and locals alike. It’ll bring together some of Australia’s most loved chefs, alongside over 250 exhibitors (120+ cheeses, over 800 wines, and more!), and a range of masterclasses for visitors to take part in and enjoy. The show moves on to Sydney from 21-23 June, but before it does, head on down to see these guys doing their delicious thing. Pinchy’s The champagne and lobster bar in Emporium, will be hosting its first Pop-Up at GFWS, exclusive to the Melbourne Show! Pinchy’s operates under a traceable, sustainable process, distribution and production line, and focuses on a higher quality product. They work directly with fisheries in Maine and Alaska, where their world-leading international and environmental standards preserves the resources and offers the best quality and taste. Emperor’s Champagne Parlour A first for the GFWS, the new Parlour is space dedicated to champagne in all its glory, and will feature the Champagne Dame, Kyla Kirkpatrick as a host throughout the weekend. Kyla will teach guests about the history of champagne, the different types, and the best ways to drink champagne (caviar included!). The Parlour will also feature the Emperor Champagne Truck, and Emperor’s newest beverage addition, Charles Collin (which launched two weeks ago) will be available only through Emperor (both during the event and in general). Glenfiddich The Good Food and Wine Show marks the beginning of a nation-wide Whiskey Wanderer tour, including the exclusive look at the… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: Food wine, Good Food Wine Show, melbourne food blog, Melbourne food wine show, Melbourne Good Food Wine Show, the f food blog, the f melbourne

Chinese Terracotta Warriors on display with Cai Guo-Qiang’s ‘The Transient Landscape’ at Melbourne’s NGV

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

It was back in December that news the Chinese Terracotta Warriors were coming to Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria and now, the time’s come. Presented alongside of one of the most exciting Chinese contemporary artists of our time, Cai Guo-Qiang, the Terracotta Warriors are back at the NGV for the second time in history, for the enjoyment of art lovers who’re after a journey through history and a celebration of contemporary Chinese art. Cai Guo-Qiang’s exhibition, The Transient Landscape, is a presentation of all new art works inspired by his home country’s culture and its enduring philosophical traditions, including a monumental installation of 10,000 suspended porcelain birds. It’s quite epic to see. Exclusive to Melbourne and presenting nearly 170 works, the exhibition will offer a new perspective on Chinese culture, past and present and features 8 life-size Terracotta Warriors and monumental new works by Cai Guo-Qiang including, Murmuration (Landscape) 2019. See the exhibition at the NGV International from 24 May 2019 – 13 October 2019. Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality | Cai Guo-Qiang: The Transient Landscape from NGV on Vimeo.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: cai guo qiang, Chinese Terracotta Warriors, Melbourne Gallery, national gallery victoria, ngv, NGV International, ngv melbourne, terracotta warriors, the f melbourne, the f ngv

Take your dog to brunch: Good Times Milk Bar is the dog friendly cafe you need

by James Banham

Posted: 22/05/2019

Down a quiet street in Bentleigh in Melbourne’s southeast sits a corner cafe like few others. Good Times Milkbar is tutti-frutti in colour scheme, positively massive inside, pumps out some of the coolest staple and trendy menu items we’ve seen from any cafe in a while and – and this is the best part – it comes complete with its own dog-friendly courtyard! ? For Easter, they’re indulgent, for dogs they’re welcoming and for the regular weekday humdrum, they’re easy, convenient and welcoming. The menu at Good Times is always changing, but think staple bits like avocado toast, of course, dippy eggs – good for kids of adults – chilli eggs served kind of like a burrito with a tortilla and a pastrami benedict, for those who’re more bougie than bacon. While they do cater for kids with a cute separate menu made up of pancakes, milkshakes and cheesymite soldiers, they don’t have a dog menu. Just give them your leftovers and they’re happy, anyway! Find Good Times Milkbar at 83 Tucker Road, Bentleigh VIC.

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: food blog, Good Times, good times milk bar bentleigh, Good Times Milk Bar review, melbourne food blog, THE F Good Times Milk Bar

ARTS & CULTURE

A Golden Adventure awaits at the Australian Museum with new Machu Picchu Exhibition

21/11/2024

By Danielle Kirk

Sydney, prepare yourselves for a cultural gold rush. From November 23, the Australian Museum is rolling out its latest blockbuster, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. This dazzling exhibition is your passport to ancient Peru, featuring 134 priceless treasures from the land of the Incas and 14,000 years of history. Think glittering jewels, royal tomb artefacts, and a VR journey to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s more than a history lesson—it’s a time machine with all the bells, whistles, and human sacrifice relics you could dream of. Following the success of the Ramses Exhibition at the Australian Museum (fun fact, it became the highest grossing exhibition in the State’s history, selling over 500,000 tickets!), Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is created in partnership with Peru’s Museo Larco, Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon, and Neon Global, taking you on a journey through five ancient Peruvian empires, spanning over 3,000 years of rich history. Parts of the collection have only been shown in four other cities around the world, in fact, some of the artefacts have never left Peru before, and now we’re lucky to set sights on them in Sydney. Expect to see the most opulent Andean gold collection to ever leave Peru, intricate ceremonial masks, and objects that whisper secrets of long-lost rituals. For the tech-savvy explorers, the Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor VR experience will transport you above the clouds for a bird’s-eye tour of the legendary citadel. Guided by the… Read More

NGV Architecture Commission 2024: Home Truth by Breathe

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In a bold reimagining of Australian home design, Home Truth by Breathe has been announced as the winner of the NGV Architecture Commission for 2024. This captivating installation takes the form of a labyrinthine house-within-a-house, challenging the notion of ever-expanding home sizes in Australia. At the heart of this design is a powerful message: rethink how we build to create more sustainable, higher-quality, and community-orientated living spaces. Home Truth invites visitors to step into a space that questions the ethical and ecological ramifications of the sprawling, oversized homes that have become prevalent across the nation. An external frame mirrors the silhouette of the average Australian home, which, at 236 square metres, ranks as the largest globally. Nestled within this silhouette is a serene timber structure, representing a smaller, more sustainable living footprint. This juxtaposition of scales is not just an architectural statement but a call to action. By contrasting these two structures, Home Truth shines a light on how smaller, more considered homes could help reduce suburban sprawl, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance community wellbeing. It is a thought-provoking invitation for audiences to consider alternative, sustainable housing models that could lead to positive lifestyle changes. Visitors entering through the expansive garage door of the larger house find themselves navigating a maze of rooms and corridors, eventually arriving at the intimate timber retreat. This wooden haven offers a space for meditation and reflection, presenting a tangible vision of a more sustainable housing future. Constructed from framing pine and Saveboard, Home Truth uses materials emblematic of current… Read More

LOEWE PRECO SS25 SUNA FUJITA CERAMICS RGB CROPPED 4X5 3 5

Suna Fujita, LOEWE & Melbourne Art Fair to exhibit works

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In an exciting fusion of art and fashion, Melbourne Art Fair has announced a groundbreaking partnership with LOEWE, the esteemed luxury fashion brand renowned for its dedication to craftsmanship since 1846. This collaboration brings to life an exquisite preview of Jonathan Anderson’s renewed partnership with the Kyoto-based ceramist duo, Suna Fujita, marking a world-first exhibition in Australasia. The LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection made its debut with an intimate showcase at LOEWE’s Melbourne Collins Street store, offering an exclusive viewing experience of twenty whimsical ceramic pieces. These delicate works, celebrated for their intricate hand-painted scenes featuring ocean creatures and cosmic animals, seamlessly blend artistry with everyday function, transforming accessories and ready-to-wear items into enchanting works of art. Fair Director Melissa Loughnan expressed her enthusiasm for this creative union, stating, “This partnership is a reflection of Melbourne Art Fair and LOEWE’s shared commitment to supporting living artists and creatives, and an exciting precursor to the 18th edition of the Fair, which promises to be one of our most dynamic and anticipated showcases yet.” The collaboration not only highlights the playful essence of Suna Fujita’s ceramics but also underscores the vibrant art scene that Melbourne Art Fair champions. Launching today, the LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection is available both in stores and online at loewe.com, continuing until 29th December 2024. This artistic venture paves the way for the 18th edition of Melbourne Art Fair, set to take place from 20-23 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair will present a remarkable assembly of… Read More

Labyrinth in Concert comes to London’s Royal Festival Hall

12/11/2024

By James Banham

Prepare to be whisked away to the mystical realm of Goblin City with a legendary twist, as “Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert” makes its grand debut at London’s Royal Festival Hall. On Friday, 28th November 2025, fans of this beloved musical fantasy film will experience a spectacular fusion of cinema and live music that promises to be nothing short of magical. For the first time ever, Jim Henson’s original masterpiece, starring the one and only David Bowie, will come alive on stage with a captivating live band performance. Audiences will be treated to the enchanting melodies of Bowie’s original vocals, accompanied by the band in perfect harmony, all set against the backdrop of the movie projected on a large HD cinema screen. It’s a chance to relive the unforgettable music and adventure that has captured hearts for nearly 40 years since the film’s release in 1986. Produced by Black Ink Presents, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, this unique concert experience is set to enthral long-time fans and newcomers alike. Known for breathing new life into iconic films with live orchestras and bands, Black Ink Presents has previously dazzled audiences with events like Batman, Ghostbusters, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. CEO John Kinsner shares his excitement, stating, “I have always been a huge fan of the groundbreaking collaboration of Jim Henson, George Lucas, David Bowie, and Trevor Jones on this film, and bringing it to fans in a live concert screening experience is a dream come true. Getting to hear Bowie’s vocals with a live… Read More

Why rush to National Art School postgrad show

12/11/2024

By James Banham

Step into the vibrant world of the arts at the National Art School (NAS) as it proudly unveils the 2024 Postgrad Show, a spectacular showcase of over 400 works by Australia’s next generation of emerging artists. Open to the public until 17 November 2024, this annual exhibition has firmly established itself as a pivotal event in Sydney’s cultural calendar, attracting gallerists, collectors, and art enthusiasts eager to discover fresh talent. The Postgrad Show serves as a launchpad for these budding artists, featuring the final bodies of work by the Master of Fine Art (MFA) graduates. This year’s exhibition offers an eclectic mix of mediums including painting, sculpture, printmaking, video, collage, 3D printing, performance, photography, drawing, and ceramics. Each piece is a testament to the diverse themes being explored—ranging from natural and digital ecosystems to identity, the Anthropocene, philosophy, and personal narratives. Ceramics take centre stage with artists like Benjamin Akuila, who delves into themes of construction, authenticity, and plasticity, informed by his Tongan heritage. His work offers a compelling exploration of queer and diasporic identity through hybrid cultural narratives. Meanwhile, Chrystie Longworth uses ceramic forms to navigate femininity, identity, and domesticity, drawing inspiration from historical subversive messages crafted by women in textiles. Her work, with its tactile terracotta and pigment surfaces, invites viewers to experience a subtle play of light and texture. From the drawing studios, Quan Zhu Ma marries traditional Chinese philosophy with contemporary practices, using innovative materials like heated charcoal and ash. His work reimagines traditional ink art, creating a fusion that resonates… Read More