Category: FEATURES

Learn to draw during COVID-19 lockdown with the National Gallery of Victoria

TVBLOpBA

With the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic taking over the world, we’re in this for the long haul. So, why not learn to draw? Chances are you haven’t since high school, so, with plenty of time ahead of you and nothing but still life objects to focus on right in front of you, join some leading Australian artists in relearning how, all in collaboration with Melbourne’s greatest gallery, the NGV. They’re launching a new four-part virtual series for the Drop-by Drawing program, putting pencils back into the hands of many. At a safe distance. This virtual iteration of the program invites audiences to watch a video tutorial of a Drop-by Drawing class, which features tips and tricks on how to draw from some of Victoria’s most engaging contemporary artists. It features Victorian artists Minna Gilligan, Lily Mae Martin and Kenny Pittock giving a step-by-step guide on how to draw, whilst taking inspiration from some of their favourite artworks in the NGV Collection.  It all comes in three parts, the first of which starts this weekend! Here’s a run-down… PART ONE: PRESENTED BY LILY MAE MARTIN ON NGV CHANNEL SUNDAY 5 APRIL The first virtual drawing class hosted by Lily Mae Martin, takes viewers into the NGV’s 19th Century European Paintings Gallerywhere she takes inspiration from the life-size marble sculpture Musidora, 1878 by Marshall Wood. Musidora was a mythological ancient Greek goddess, who inspired all forms of literature and the arts and is the striking centrepiece of the gallery. Martin encourages at-home participants to focus on simple drawing exercises, including observational drawing and mark making,… Read More

W Hotel Sydney and Alyssa Edwards teach Sydney to Love Out Loud this Mardi Gras

Alyssa Edwards drag Mardi Gras 1

The queen of tongue pops, Alyssa Edwards is in Sydney for this year’s annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, pretty much posing as the face of the forthcoming W Hotel Sydney. She’ll be a special guest on the W Hotels LOVE OUT LOUD float at this Saturday’s Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. After the news of W opening in Melbourne in August 2020 and W Sydney slated to open 2021, the hotel will inspire Sydney folks and visitors to celebrate equality and general gayness. They’ll jam their float this year with over 80 guests, including Vera Blue and local personality people on W Hotels’ supercharged fluoro boom box. It’ll be camp. Keep you eye out for it this weekend! See more about drag queens here.

8 super gay things to do at the Beresford this Sydney Mardi Gras

Beresford cocktail

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is on again and the Beresford by Merivale, right in the middle of Surry Hills is serving up all the things. Minnie Cooper Cabaret Show Tuesday 25 February, 7pm-late Minnie Cooper is ready to bring it, with an all new cabaret and drag show, ‘It’s Not Just for Gays Anymore’. This 2 ½ hour spectacular is set to be all things fabulous upstairs at The Beresford. Book to avoid disappointment: 02 9114 7328. Bingay Wednesday 26 February, 7pm-late Bingo? Hell no. Say hello to Bingay – a night of fabulous tunes and crazy-ass rules, with hilariously camp prizes to boot. Bookings are essential: 02 9114 7328. Passport Party Thursday 27 February, 9.30pm-late The annual Mardi Gras Passport Party will welcome international guests with open arms and show them how we party down under, with a great line-up of DJs and a special performance by drag queen hostess, Decoda Secret. Free entry. Super Camp Friday 28 February, 8pm-late Beresford Sundays, Absolut and DJ Dan Murphy are bringing a super-sized CAMP Party to The Beresford for one night only. Get in and get down to all your favourite camp anthems, from the 90s onwards. Think Kylie, Tina Arena, The Spice Girls, Mariah Carey, Shania Twain and more. Big production, big energy, drag shows and camp AF DJs guaranteed. Tickets on sale now: $10 presale from this link. Mardi Gras Parade Saturday 29 February, 7pm-late Revellers can don their wildest attire and join the party at The Beresford for Gay Christmas, where… Read More

Words do hurt: Why we need to stop the hate with #LoveSpeech

LoveSpeech

Watch the video above (below on mobile). Triggering, right? There are, on average, 43 hateful anti-LGBT words posted a minute around the world. The time for that to end has long since passed. With the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras taking over the city of Sydney in March, it’s a timely reminder and firm shove in the right direction of acceptance, diversity, inclusion and people. And it’s good. There was some new research recently, which had some shocking findings, though. And all of this, despite how cosmopolitan Australia’s city centres wholly are. Here are some stand-out bits. Check it out: 74% of the Australian LGBTIQ+ community believe hurtful language directed at members of their community is a major issue in Australia today 26% of Australian LGBTIQ+ adults say the first time they were the victim of hurtful language specifically about their gender or sexual identity, it was from a friend or family member Online abuse has affected 40% of LGBTIQ+ millennials and 43% of LGBTIQ+ Australians under the age of 24 What the fuck?! The sad reality is that, though marriage is legal, equality is on the rise and acceptance is growing, the sad reality is that acceptance is still a major are for growth. Just look at the stats. That’s why, this Mardi Gras – and just throughout life in general – the #LoveSpeech campaign has such a powerful message. “Hurtful language can have a negative impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ people, and that’s why ANZ has launched this powerful and… Read More

What’s up with the Canberra Night Noodle Markets

Canberra Noodle Market

As every good city should, Canberra is hosting their own instalment this year of the Night Noodle Markets. And it’s looking delish. They’ve released the sizzling menus of this year’s event, with a feast of signature dishes and creative tastes from Canberra and Australia-wide favourites. Returning to Reconciliation Place for an extended stint of eleven nights due to popular demand, from 28 February until 9 March, the air will be filled with spicy, salty and sweet aromas as Reconciliation Place is transformed into a bustling Asian street food festival.  And we spoke to chef Matt Blackwell of Monster Kitchen & Bar about why he’s doing this year’s fest and what we can expect! Describe food in a sentence. Food for me is something that brings people together, weather its eating a bowl of Larb in a local street market in Bangkok, or with your close friends and family at home. Why have you dedicated your life to it?Cooking allows me to be creative and constantly gain new experiences and meet really cool new people. It has allowed me to constantly travel and keep finding new things. Why should Canberra want to eat what you make?I am trying to bring some of what we do over at GOMA so people can get a taste of it in Canberra. Most of the ingredients and dishes I am bringing with me are really unique to Queensland, and I think it will be really cool for people in another state to get to try them in the way I’m using them. … Read More

Travelling sustainably: Lonely Planet’s guide to not killing the earth while you holiday

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Think off-grid camps, community stays, responsible wildlife encounters, cultural immersion tours, conservation opportunities, green hotels and more, the new guide book by Lonely Planet, available this March, has the Earth’s back. “While the global tourism industry has made great strides towards sustainability in recent years, achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process,” Lonely Planet says. “This process is reflected in our book. When we asked travel writers from around the globe to tell us about their favourite sustainable travel accommodation and experiences, their top picks covered the spectrum of sustainability. Some options had sustainability at heart from conception, while others have made a concerted effort to improve. What unites them, is a commitment to enacting positive change.” How to use the book… There’re five chapters, each alongside a theme of escape: Nature, Relaxation, Culture, Urban and Learning. Within each chapter, the profiles are labelled with the key sustainability features you can enjoy while staying at the hotel or participating in the tour. Check it all out and get your own at the Lonely Planet website.

Where to drink pink: The Lanique pop-up bar in London

Lanique

Lanique, Spirit of Rose has teamed up with VAULT Festival 2020 (28th January – 22nd March), to bring bespoke rose tinted cocktails to London’s boldest arts and theatre celebration.  At The Vaults on Waterloo’s Leake Street, The Rose Bar is an immersive cocktail experience from Lanique, taking you on a journey through the drinks’ rich history. You’ll start in 18th century Prussia, through to modern day London. All in drink form. All delicious. All pink. And the best bit? It’s free to visit. For more and to plan your visit, head to the website.

The Winery Sydney goes gay this Mardi Gras

Winery Mardi Gras

The Winery on Crown Street, Sydney, right at the epicentre of all things Mardi Gras this year, is turning it on. Think wine, champagne, men in dresses and all the entertainment you need in the lead-up to the climax that is the after party. Have a look at what they’ve done previously to get a taste. Expect to be dazzled by MC personality, James Breko as he hosts Chalk A Rainbow for the community; sing along with the Drag Diva Lip Sync Battles to favourites like Kylie vs Pink and Adele vs Madonna; escape the crowds but not the fun at the exclusive parade viewing party; and recover in style the morning after at their official ‘Recovery Party’ with tasty, alcohol-free cocktails and massages.  For more, check The Winery’s website.

Sydney Mardi Gras: Fair Day is back and it's gay

Fair Day 1

Get your tongues ready for poppin’, fans ready for sashaying and deaths ready for droppin’; Sydney’s Fair Day is back for Mardi Gras. At Victoria Park, as per usual, Fair Day will overtake the green to the tune of over 80,000 LGBTIQ people and their friends. The stage is set to host Jess B, Jamarz On Marz, Jamaica Moana and Hoodzy, electric live sets from Ngaiire, Bec Sandridge, Architects Of Sound and Huntly, show stopping drag performances by Felicia Foxx, plus sets from beloved community DJs Division 4, Danielle Rizk and Victoria Anthony, hosted by Faustina Agolley, so get excited. Bring your dog, bring your gaggle, bring your colour and celebrate inclusivity and diversity. It’s on 16 February from 10am-9pm. See more here.

Love art? LUMAS has the tips to start your own collection

Art

From Melbourne to London and Sydney, there’s absolutely no shortage of access to art. Regardless of your flavour and personal preference, what speaks to you and what you simply like the look of, from National Galleries to local activations like Lumas in Australia there’s enough to choose from. In fact, for those of us who’re more inclined to collect than simply to view, there’s a right way to go about it. We spoke to the art legends at Lumas to decipher just how to get it done. 1. Learn what you like With so many different styles of art out there, it’s important to firstly establish what you like and what moves you. Start by visiting art galleries without the intention of buying, to get a sense of your tastes and preferences. 2. Set a budget and start small However enthusiastic you may be about a certain artwork, ensuring that you set and stick to a budget will keep you on track. Typically, first-time buyers will start with something small and build the collection from there. Works on paper, such as the photography and limited edition prints available at LUMAS are a great place to start as these are more affordable than canvas. Limited edition prints are also less risky and smaller editions create rarity. 3. Stay true to your tastes This means acknowledging that you like certain types of art, whether or not you are supposed to or what seems to be a current trend. Trends change, very fast. Your personal tastes will be… Read More