Category: CITIES

10 best Northern cities to celebrate Pride this summer

Sydney Dance Company Mardi Gras parade 1

Posted: 04/06/2019

It’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere and that means one thing: Pride. It’s the global celebration of diversity and inclusion that you know you want to be apart of, so hotels, providers, providores and basically everyone is gearing-up to either watch or be apart of this year’s celebrations. Here are the best cities and places to get amongst it in 2019. Los Angeles, California Parade Date: Sunday, 9 June Head to West Hollywood for a warm weather celebration where the neighbourhood is known for its nightlife and gayness. Tel Aviv, Israel Parade Date: Sunday, 9 June Tel Aviv has a lot to offer travellers throughout the year, but if you’re looking to step up your Pride game, the city’s celebration is worth the trip. The festivities officially start on Sunday, June 9, with events throughout the city, but be sure to stay for the parade on June 14. The parade kicks off at Gan Meir Park and weaves through the streets of Tel Aviv before making its way to Charles Clore Beach where it culminates in a giant beach party. Vienna, Austria Parade date: Saturday, 15 June Vienna plays host to EuroPride in 2019 – a European celebration that takes place in a different city each year. Events take place throughout the city from June 1 to 16, but there are a few, in particular, you should add to your calendar. Visit the Pride Village at Rathausplatz (right in front of the city hall) for four days of entertainment and celebration leading up to the EuroPride Parade on June… Read More

Category: CITIES, LIFESTYLE

Tags: Best cities for Pride America, Best cities for Pride Europe, Europe Circuit party, Europe Mardi Gras, Europe Pride, Gay Europe, Gay Europe guide, Northern Hemisphere Pride, Pride in Europe, Pride parties, The F London

The Art of Persuasion at the National Army Museum, London

by James Banham

Posted: 04/06/2019

Abram Games was one clever dude. Talk about a guy that knew the medium, smashed the message and did so with creative, desirable, artistic flair that very few possess. There’s a brand new exhibition of him and the artwork and posters he created while he was a poster artist for the Public Relations Department at the War Office from 1941 until 1945, and it’s seriously good. Thing art deco-like posters done with taste, muted 40s/50s colour palettes and messages delivered so effortlessly, they’re hard to forget despite their nowadays irrelevant message. He was the father of wartime graphic designers and just a straight-up genius. It’s a must-see exhibition – and the National Army Museum in general, as well – that will reinvigorate your appreciation of what a horrid time WWI and II were. At a time of immense social unrest, after the ‘war to end all wars’ had left hundreds of thousands of veterans and civilians on the poverty line, the country was to embark on a second world war with National Service an unthinkable necessity. Games made the message the hero and turned some small part of it around as best he could. See the exhibition at the National Army Museum London until 24 November 2019. Head to National Army Museum,Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HT.

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

Tags: Arts blog, London Army Museum, London art, London blog, London blogger, London Museum, National Army Museum London, The F London

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

Life behind the palace walls: New exhibition tells the story of Queen Victoria

by James Banham

Posted: 03/06/2019

Queen Victoria was a boss. She took the throne at age 18 and made it hers from the get-go. A lot of that revolved around her moving into Buckingham Palace right in the middle of London. Three weeks into her reign, she moved into Buckingham Palace, despite the building being incomplete and many of the rooms undecorated and unfurnished. The Palace had been empty for seven years following the death of Victoria’s uncle, George IV, who had commissioned at great expense the conversion of Buckingham House into a Palace to the designs of John Nash. The King never occupied the Palace, and his successor, William IV, preferred to live at Clarence House during his short reign. The Queen’s ministers advised her to stay at Kensington Palace, her childhood home, until Buckingham Palace could be brought up to a suitable standard, but Victoria wanted to move immediately and begin her new life. Artist Thomas Sully then painted Victoria shortly after she moved in. Then after that, a whole bunch of other works were created, items and changes made that typified her reign. To celebrate, Buckingham Palace is putting on an exhibition, Queen Victoria’s Palace, curated by the historian and biographer Dr Amanda Foreman and Lucy Peter, Assistant Curator of Paintings, Royal Collection Trust. It’s all part of a visit to the Summer Opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, 20 July – 29 September 2019. The exhibition is accompanied by the publication Inside Queen Victoria’s Buckingham Palace by Dr Amanda Foreman and Lucy Peter. It… Read More

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

Tags: Art blog, Buckingham Palace, Buckingham Palace London, Buckingham Palace Queens Gallery, Inside Queen Victoria Buckingham, London art blog, London blog, Queens Gallery, Queens Gallery London, the f art, THE F Buckingham Palace, The F London

The Peruvian cockail event for lovers of flavour: Noche de Cigarros at COYA Angel Court

by James Banham

Posted: 03/06/2019

If COYA in London at Angel Court isn’t hosting bottomless brunch or throwing a white party, they’re putting on something they’ve dubbed Noche de Cigarros. It’s all about Peruvian cocktails and cigars and will go down on 11 June. They’re putting their own spin on alfresco drinking by hosting the whole shebang in an informal evening soiree, kicking off with a welcome drink, before guests sit down for a cigar – voluntarily – and cocktails. For the first event, you’ll be given the chance to smoke a Montecristo Open Master cigar while enjoying two of COYA Angel Court’s signature cocktails, The Nut Nut and El Capitan. COYA comes complete with its own terrace, which they’ll be throwing to do on every other Tuesday of the month. For the refined smoker, it’s the kind of thing, lovers of flavour could easily get used to. Noche de Cigarros will happen at COYA London from 11 June, then every second Tuesday of the month. Drinks start at 6pm with the guided tasting starting at 6.30pm. Score your tickets here.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Best bars London, COYA Angel Court, COYA bar, Coya London, COYA Noche de Cigarros, London bar, London bars, London drinks, the f alcohol, The F London

New Aussie balls in London you need to try

by James Banham

Updated: 04/06/2019

They’ve got eight new balls, each one more delicious than the last and they’ll have you gagging with glee. Regardless of whether you’re after beauty, a protein snack or more energy, Health Lab‘s range of new balls will do it. And deliciously. They take the edge off hunger, are conveniently tiny making them perfect for daily everything and help to save you from yourself before you binge on other things. All the balls are made from ingredients that promote happy skin and positive gut health, too. But, ‘What flavours?‘ you ask; why, these of course: Thrive: Choc Brownie Protein Balls Game changer: Salted Caramel Protein Balls Power: Peanut Butter Choc Hemp Energy Balls Pick-me-up: Espresso Hemp Energy Balls Happy skin: Choc Sea Salt Collagen Balls Skin hero: Choc Cherry Collagen Balls Gutsy: Mixed Berry Gut Health Balls Glow: Choc Matcha Gut Health Balls

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Health Labs, Health Labs protein balls, Protein balls, Protein balls London, The F London, THE F protein balls London

LONDON: COYA’s annual summer white party takes over the city this June

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

There’s at least one place you should know (amongst thousands) in London and it’s COYA. They’ve started a bottomless, boozy brunch recently, but it’s their annual white party that really puts them top of the must-visit list, The annual summer time COYA white party right in the middle of London is coming around soon, on 20 June. They call it La Noche Blaca and it’s all about a transformation of the rooftop garden at 1 Angel Court into the back streets of Lima where guests can taste the flavours of Peru and enjoy COYA’s signature cocktails looking over the city skyline. It’s a dress-in-white thing, all part of the party vibe. Just be careful when it comes to gorging on Peruvian stalls’ street-style dishes of their popular Atun Chifa ceviche, pork tacos and the irresistible Churros con Chocolate. They’ll be pumping out pisco sours and Perrier Jouet champagne, the DJs will turn up the volume as the sun goes down and special performers will immerse guests throughout the evening, basically transporting them to Lima. If drinks are your thing and chic outfits in white also do it for you, this is for you. Head along to La Noche Blanca at COYA in London on 29 June for £25 per person. Get tickets here. Find them at Rooftop garden, 7th Floor, 1 Angel Court, 31-33 Throgmorton Street EC2N.

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Best bottomless brunches London, Bottomless brunch London, Bottomless drinks London, Coya, Coya Anngel Court, Coya London, London best restaurants, London brunch, THE F bottomless brunch, The F London, THE F restaurants

Virgin Active’s latest gym makes working out feel luxe

by Lottie Dalziel

Posted: 02/06/2019

Spanning across not one but five levels, Virgin Active’s latest gem is a venue not to be missed. The gym is so schmick, it will convert non-gym goers into working out. Gone are the days of a sweaty, dark, gym. Bligh Street offers so many first-of-its-kind experiences you can’t count them all on one hand. With top-of-the-line equipment, ozone cleaned boxing gloves and cycling shoes (finally!), cold scented towels post-work-out, luxurious amenities like ghd straighteners and Dyson Supersonic hair dryers (no, this isn’t a dream), a members lounge with work facilities, and in-house café offering healthy food and drink options, you truly have to see this gym to believe it. Not only that but Bligh Street Virgin Active members will have access to five revolutionary classes – Boxing, Reformer Pilates, Yoga, Cycle and Grid HIIT. Plus, they’re all held in state of the art studios that are purpose-built to deliver an immersive and irresistible exercise experience. If Bligh Street isn’t the right spot for you, don’t sweat it, Virgin Active Australia has three more gyms opening in 2019, including 60 Margaret Street CBD, St Leonards and Bondi Junction.

Category: CITIES, HEALTH & FITNESS, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: fitness, fitness sydney, gym, sydney CBD gym, sydney gym, sydney reformer pilates, THE F fitness, THE F health, the f sydney, THE F Virgin, virgin, virgin active

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

The British beach right in middle London: Applebee’s Fish pops up for summer

by James Banham

Updated: 30/05/2019

Fish and chips, prawns, chip butties and more; Applebee’s Fish is bringing all the best of the English coastline right to Southbank in London this June for its very own pop-up. For four months, the fish masters will be pumping out the best the coast has to offer with a dedicated champagne and oyster bar, games sandpit, live music from some of the best buskers in London, cocktails on tap and boat-fresh seafood. What, though, is a seafood fest without drinks? Hardly a seafood fest, is what, so they’ve even teamed-up with Hingston & Co who’ll be providing the cocktails on tap including Aperol spritz, negronis while Hallgarten Wines are in charge of the vino. The pop-up will be open to everyone from 14 June at Underbelly, 30 The Queen’s Walk, Lambeth, London, SE1 8XX. See more about Applebee’s Fish at their website.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Applebees Fish, Fish Chips London, London food, London food blog, Southbank pop up

ARTS & CULTURE

Yayoi Kasuma makes more history at NGV Melbourne

22/11/2024

By James Banham

This summer, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne invites you to lose yourself in the extraordinary universe of Yayoi Kusama.

Why rush to see The Great Mughals at V&A: a celebration of opulence, art and culture

22/11/2024

By James Banham

Today, the Victoria and Albert Museum opens the doors to a landmark exhibition, The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence. For the first time in a major show, the monumental artistic achievements of the Mughal Empire’s ‘Golden Age’ (c. 1560–1660) take centre stage, showcasing the splendour, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange that defined one of the world’s greatest empires. The Glory of the Mughals The Mughal dynasty, rooted in Central Asia, was founded in 1526 by Babur, a Timurid prince who carved out an empire stretching from modern-day Afghanistan to the edges of southern India, and from Gujarat to the borders of present-day Bangladesh. At its zenith, the empire was known for its staggering wealth, progressive governance, and artistic innovation. Focused on the reigns of three of the dynasty’s most celebrated emperors—Akbar (r. 1556–1605), Jahangir (r. 1605–1627), and Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658)—the exhibition illuminates a period when the Mughal court transformed into a cultural powerhouse. These were the rulers who commissioned masterpieces like the Taj Mahal and fostered an artistic legacy that blended Persian, Indian, and European influences. Unveiling the Court’s Creative Mastery At the heart of the exhibition are over 200 objects, breathtaking in both their beauty and their historical value. Visitors can expect to marvel at exquisite paintings, intricately illustrated manuscripts, luxurious textiles, vibrantly hued carpets, and dazzling objects crafted from mother of pearl, jade, rock crystal, and precious metals. Many of these treasures have been hidden from public view for decades, making this a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in the artistry of… Read More

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