We are Lost and Found

WIN – Pop Plant and Dagmar Rousset

admin — Fri, 03 May 2013 01:29:48 +0000

Julia Pound opened her tiny retail store and French school Dagmar Roussetback in 2010, and has since been trading in verb conjugations, independent designer women’s fashion and accessories, art objects and – most recently – plants. Don’t worry, non-gardeners. They’re practical plants specifically designed for city spaces by Pop Plant. Specialising in low-maintenance succulents housed in hand-crafted concrete pots, this joint enterprise by Andrew Walker and Gabriela Holland was inspired by Kamal Meattle’s theory of how to ‘Grow Your Own Fresh Air‘. Thanks to Dagmar Rousset, we have one medium Pop Plant (worth $45) to give away! To enter, tell us what kind of air you’d like to grow. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) by Monday 6 May.Conditions apply.

157 Gertrude St, Fitzroy. Tel: (03) 9419 2200.

CAFE/RESTAURANT – Everyday Coffee

admin — Fri, 03 May 2013 01:28:32 +0000

Everyday Coffee is the love child of wunderkind Hugo Atkins and three alumni of Melbourne’s most respected coffee peddlers. Having cut their teeth at roasters such as Seven Seeds, Brother Baba Budan and Wide Open Road; Joe, Mark and Aaron are grinding, steaming and pouring from a prime position at the front of Hugo’s new Magic Johnston Art & Design Cultural Complex. Wholeheartedly committed to the beloved caffeinated beverage, Everyday Coffee boasts a rotating roster of beans that vary depending on your preferred style – espresso, pour-over or brewed, while local bakers provide the sweet treats to compliment your Cuppa Joe. As Special Agent Dale Cooper would say, “Damn Good Coffee!” (And, as the name suggests, it’s open every day of the year.)

33 Johnston Street, Collingwood.
Tel: (03) 9973 4159.

EVENTS – NEW13

admin — Fri, 03 May 2013 01:27:03 +0000

Every year, ACCA harvests some of our best and brightest art-makers and unleashes them upon its gallery spaces in a storm of creation and installation. Hand-picked this year are Benjamin Forster, Jess MacNeil, Alex Martinis Roe,Sanne Mestrom, Scott Mitchell, Joshua Petherick and Linda Tegg. The end result is a show that does just what it says on the tin. NEW13 provides new ideas, new blends of technology and tradition, and a great new excuse to swan over to Southbank and bask in the freshness of one of Australia’s most forward-thinking art spaces. If you’re more of an after-hours type, head to ACCA’s free Art Bar party on Friday 10 May for happy hour drinks and some late-night browsing with a live soundtrack by dream popsters Fox + Sui.

Exhibition runs until 12 May. Art Bar party Friday 10 May, 6 – 9.30pm.

WIN – PAN AFTER

admin — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 23:23:15 +0000

After Store and Tractor Home have partnered up to produce a retail offspring – Pan After – in a light and airy loft space on the edge of the city. This collection of meticulously sourced hand-crafted and designer home wares, furniture, tools and jewellery is hand-picked from all over the world by mother/daughter team Mandy and Phoebe Munro. We love these ‘fibrepots’ by Belgian designer Serax – canvas-clad, fibreglass-lined waterproof vessels that are perfect for your Ficus trees and Boston Ferns. Thanks to Pan After, we have one Serax pot (worth $65) to give away! To enter, tell us what you’ll keep in it. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) by 5pm, Monday 11^th March. Conditions apply.

Rear 126 Franklin Street, Melbourne,
Victoria, Australia 3000

NIGHTLIFE – SHEBEEN

admin — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 23:20:51 +0000

The words ‘pot’, ‘pint’ and ‘profit’ have always appeared in the natural siren song of the publican. This is because one generally leads to the other. Not so, however, at Shebeen – Australia’s first not-for-profit bar – now popping the top off a whole range of potentially life-changing ales by sending all profits back to the developing countries of the drinks’ origins. It also makes for a very uplifting place to swill booze, especially because the innovative, low-cost fit-out has been overseen by Adele Winteridge of Foolscap Studio and includes design contributions from a whole host of generous local names. Tin & Ed have sketched up a personified hot dog mural, Alpha60 stitched up the mui-mui-style uniforms for staff, The Social Studio and Above have put a talented needle to work on the soft furnishings, and Coco Flip have provided a trio of brass-spun Mr Cooper’s for lighting.

36 Manchester Lane, Melbourne

EVENTS – LMFF OFF-RUNWAY EVENTS

admin — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 23:19:34 +0000

It’s L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival time in Melbourne but you can keep your elbows inside your poncho. Everyone gets a front row seat for the cultural program – a list of exhibitions, screenings and projects that’s even bigger than those Prada platforms you keep wish-listing. While all the latest fashions from local and interstate designers trot down the runways at Docklands, Windows By Design will see Kate Rohde bring her geological psychedelia to Pieces of Eight, and Darren Sylvester take up residence behind the glass at Alice Euphemia. Design label Above is part of the Offsite Runway Series, joining forces with Matthew Adey from House of Vnholy to create the catwalk/performance hybrid A Study in Perception at Shebeen, and Dior and Yamamoto are on show at the NGV in The New Look – an exhibition that considers two pivotal moments in fashion history.

LMFF runs 18 – 24 March.The cultural program runs throughout the month, citywide.

WIN – HANDSOM

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 02:10:27 +0000

Handsom is a label with the mandate to produce quality, versatile and timeless women’s and men’s fashion and accessories. Founded in 2009 by Melbourne-based, British ex-pats Sam Rush and Henry Allum, Handsom’s range of vibrantly coloured shirts, shorts, pants and dresses are now on hand at their brand new flagship store on Gertrude Street. Thanks to Handsom, we have one multi-function rucksack in orange (worth $179) to giveaway! To enter, tell us about the picnic you would take it on. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) by 5pm, Monday 11 February. Conditions apply.

163 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.

ROADTRIP – WYE RIVER AND SURROUNDS

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 02:09:28 +0000

You’ve got to be careful when you tell people you’re taking them to Wye River. Sometimes they think it’s funny to say, “I know WHY there’s a river. Can’t we go to Who River?” But this stretch of the Great Ocean Road between Lorne and Apollo Bay is no laughing matter. Well, it’s fun, but it’s also seriously beautiful. Make your first stop the Wye River General Store & Cafe, where you can order a coffee, get some beer battered rockling fillets for lunch and ask proprietor Dave Sharry for some local tips. Just in case he’s busy manning the mail counter when you arrive, we asked him for some advance hints. “Well, there are the koalas in Kennett River, up Grey River Road. And there are also glow-worms there. (They exist!)” Dave says. “The other thing is the Otway Flyin Lavers Hill, past Apollo Bay. It’s a walkway up in the canopy of the trees.” For food, Dave definitely recommends A La Grecque in Aireys Inlet. And Old Lorne Road Olives – where you can buy olive oil straight from the farm shop – which is the locals’ secret, but not for long.

Wye River General Store & Cafe,
35 Great Ocean Road, Wye River.
Tel: (03) 5289 0247.

DESIGN – MAGIC JOHNSTON’S DIARY

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 02:08:28 +0000

Magic Johnston is a new art and design complex in Collingwood offering desk and retail space to Melbourne’s assorted creative folk. It’s already home toMotto Melbourne, Wilma Framing and Smalltime Books, and soon they’ll be awarding the inaugural Junior Johnston Hall Pass Scholarship – a year’s free space (and mentorship) to future creative hall-of-famers. The February 16 award ceremony will have music by Rohan Belltowers, Andras Fox and Instant Peterson, and Jamaican jerk chicken courtesy of Sam “The Dirty Jerk” Kamienko. It’s an early exclamation mark in a long future of events.

Magic Johnston, 27–29 Johnston Street, Collingwood.
Awards event Sat 16 Feb, 1–9pm

EVENTS – WHITE NIGHT MELBOURNE

admin — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 02:07:01 +0000

The White Night Festival began in Paris in 2002 – where, of course, they call it Nuit Blanche, which probably sounds more like a chocolate than it should. But no matter how you say it it’s an amazing all-night event, and Melbourne is the latest in a network of 23 international cities to join the party. Make sure you get some sleep on the 22nd because events begin at 7pm sharp on Saturday the 23rd. Highlights include ghost tours of the Arts Centre, aninteractive laser show inside St Paul’s Cathedral, a program of music-by-artists at NGV International, including Jon Campbell, Darren Sylvester, Dylan Martorell and Bamboo Musik. Drop in on the all-night looped screenings ofAndy Warhol’s 13 most beautiful screen tests at ACMI (not to mention 101 of the world’s best zombie kills), and don’t miss the inflatable underground cinema in Fed Square’s cave-meets-loading-bay. True, it’ll be hard to miss the non-stop music program in Flinders Street Station but make sure you’re on the spot for local legends World’s End Press and Eagle and the Worm. All up, you’ll need stamina. The French would recommend chocolate for that.

Saturday 23 February,
7pm–7am,
citywide.

WIN – WITU AND MONK HOUSE DESIGN

admin — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 22:40:11 +0000

Monk House Design is a boutique in Brunswick East, stocking pieces by independent, emerging and established designers of fashion, accessories, books and more. Local label Witu is one shining example. A joint enterprise by Melbourne-based artist Natalie Turnbull and graphic designer Elise Wilken, Witu makes a range of vibrantly coloured Neoprene accessories including necklaces, camera straps, clutches and tote bags. Thanks to Monk House Design, we have a Witu Habitat tote bag valued at $95 to give away! To enter, tell us why you’ll need a waterproof bag this summer. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) by 5pm 17 December 2012. Conditions apply.

102 Lygon Street, Brunswick

CAFES/RESTAURANTS – MR BURGER

admin — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 22:38:58 +0000

The Mercat‘s Myles Munro and Daragh Kan faced a dilemma. A recent trip to Austin had inspired them to bring more US-style food trucks to Melbourne, but it would be hard to fit one down a set of stairs leading to their tiny basement nightclub. So now we have Mr Burger – a fleet of two trucks, including one (mostly) based at their warehouse location adjacent to the Queen Victoria Market, and another free to roam wherever it pleases. There are two different burgers on offer (with a vegetarian option forthcoming), which makes you wonder why any menu has more than three things on it. It’s the perfect meal to fortify you on New Year’s Day before you head to Myles and Daragh’s Animals Dancing party featuring international DJ stars Marcellus Pittman, Lovefingersand Psychemagik.

Find a truck by visiting the Mr Burger website.

EVENTS – SUGAR MOUNTAIN

admin — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 22:36:22 +0000

The immense piñata that is the Sugar Mountain Festival returns this summer. Take a stick to The Forum on January 19 and await a deluge of first-rate local and international acts including Dirty Projectors, HTRK, Boomgates, Action Bronson and Brooklyn’s Woods. Obviously don’t hit anyone – that was just a turn of phrase. You don’t want to get thrown out before you see the visual arts line-up (video-maker Kris Moyes joining forces with Kirin J Callinan, an audio-visual installation by Kit Webster, choreographer Antony Hamiltoncollaborating with synth outfit Forces, to name a few). Due to the fact that one night is never enough, Sugar Mountain will also present a series of satellite shows citywide, running the gamut of exhibitions, screenings, DJs, Q&As and at least one BBQ.

19 January, 5pm.
The Forum Theatre, 154 Flinders St, Melbourne.
Satellite arts program runs 17 – 28 January.
Various locations, citywide.

WIN – THE BIG DESIGN MARKET

admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 02:58:13 +0000

The first ever Big Design Market will bring together more than 160 designers from Australia and beyond, bigging it up at the Royal Exhibition Building for three days in December. Thanks to the BDM team we have one bumper prize pack to give away! Worth $180, it includes products from a selection of BDM stallholders – Able and Game, Harvest Haversack, Stampel Studio, Ruth Allenand Kester Black. Mental note: the prize must be picked up at the market. To enter, tell us the biggest thing you’ve ever purchased at a market. Email us(use the link, don’t reply) including your answer in the subject line by Wednesday 14 November.

7 – 9 December
Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne

EVENTS – MELBOURNE MUSIC WEEK

admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 02:56:18 +0000

If it keeps growing at this rate, Melbourne Music Week will have to change into ‘Melbourne Music Two Weeks’, which is not catchy. Instead let’s just do our best not to sleep from November 16 to 24. Among many highlights is theLabels Series, which combines iconic local labels with rather epic venues.Kirin J Callinan, Forces and friends will represent Siberia Records in the ‘Mad Max’ underground car park at Melbourne University. Cutters Records and Two Bright Lakes will take over the great hall at NGV International with Tim Sweeney (USA), Collarbones and many, many DJs. Guy Blackman’s Chapter Music will celebrate its 20th birthday during the festival with a ten-act line-up including Crayon Fields, Twerps, Beaches – and Primitive Calculatorstravelling here from the late 1970s to blast out the candles.

16 – 24 November, city wide

RETAIL – THE DESIGN FILES OPEN HOUSE

admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 02:53:32 +0000

Following the success of last year’s Fitzroy pop-up, The Design Files Open House is returning for 2012. This time Lucy Feagins and the team are inviting everyone into a beautifully styled Windsor home filled with products by local artists, designers and makers. And, once again, everything but the kitchen sink will be for sale.* Furniture, artworks, ceramics, textiles. If you can lift it you can buy it. And if you can’t lift it, restore your strength with a coffee and/or snack thanks to Market Lane and Cookes Food. That’s it, we’re moving in.

*On second thought ask Lucy – you may also be allowed to buy the sink.

29 November – 2 December
Check The Design Files Open House website closer to the date for the address.

WIN – NOBODY DENIM INDIGO SELVAGE APRON

admin — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:30:23 +0000

Nobody Denim’s indigo selvage apron is the apron upon which stains aspire to spill. Originally designed for the wait staff at Smith Street’s Gorski and Jones, this apron is made of raw, premium denim and capped off with brass hardware and leather shoulder straps. Plus, it has enough pockets to store all your cooking utensils, condiments and compliments. Thanks to Nobody, we have an indigo selvage apron valued at $199 to give away! To enter, tell us why nobody but you deserves the apron. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) by Monday 8 October at 5pm. Conditions apply.

CAFES/RESTAURANTS – BRUNSWICK SPECIAL!

admin — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:28:26 +0000

John Gorilla is easily Brunswick’s most colourful café. Pastel-tinted, lined with fabric rulers and named after a lemon-jelly-eating gorilla, this new backstreet star serves coffee from the pavement window and bagels in the courtyard. A little further east, brothers Jad and Hady have opened the new Mankoushe (conveniently located next-door to the old Mankoushe), serving their mum’s Lebanese food and coffee with a modern slant. For a relaxing Brunswick drink, enter the Retreat Hotel and head straight upstairs to the real ‘retreat’: Amelia Shaw. It’s a cocktail lounge with a drink list to match its wicker furniture and ’60s Japanese hotel light fittings.

John Gorilla
49 Pearson Street, West Brunswick.
Tel: (03) 9005 8680.

New Mankoushe
323 Lygon Street, East Brunswick.
Tel: (03) 9078 9223.

Amelia Shaw
Level 1, 280 Sydney Road, Brunswick.
Tel: 0412 907 847.

MASSIVE WIENERS

Pho is good. We like Pho. When we can be bothered driving we go to I Love Pho on Victoria Street, it’s straight-up goodness. When we are lazy we go to New Wind on Chapel. New Wind’s Pho is more like something your mum would make you, if she was Vietnamese. Also, because we eat a lot of wieners the rest of the time, we like to go to Vegie Bar on Brunswick Street. It’s always a good feed and has a nice atmosphere, and it’s vegies! Our mums would be proud. Speaking of vegie food, the tofu burrito at Trippy Taco goes off.

RETAIL – HONEY!

admin — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:26:01 +0000

Mankind’s buzzing, honey-making friends are evacuating the planet in large numbers, and it’s our job to lure them back. East Brunswick’s Bee Sustainable has everything needed to unlock the urban-apiarist inside each of us – from beekeeper suits to this bee brush – while Rooftop Honey will actually ‘re-home’ destitute colonies on your own roof for you. For those looking to keep their distance, bee-wise, the discarded emesis of Melbourne’s bees (otherwise known as honey) is available at good-willed stores around town, including Albert St Food & Wine and Deadman Espresso.

Bee Sustainable
500 Lygon Street, East Brunswick.
Tel: (03) 9939 7301.

Albert St Food & Wine
382 Sydney Road, Brunswick.
Tel: (03) 8354 6600.

Deadman Espresso
35 Market Street, South Melbourne.
Tel: (03) 9686 2255.

MASSIVE WIENERS

We’re not really the kind of guys who ‘go shopping’, mainly cause we don’t have any money, however we do buy all our white shirts and bow ties (it’s all we wear) from Big W. Greville Records is dangerously close to us so we try not to go in there too much because we just wanna buy everything in the shop. Also, the Lost and Found Market in Collingwood is great to get some cool shit for your bedroom (to impress girls) or a pimpin’ velvet jacket (same reason). Chapel Street Bazaar is its Southside equivalent and is fun to get lost in for a while, but it’s pretty pricey. If you’re more of a bargain hunter you can’t beat Savers in the outer suburbs.

NIGHTLIFE – BELLE’S DINER

admin — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:23:57 +0000

With its curved ceilings, polished bar, leather-topped stools and late-night opening hours, Belle’s Diner feels identical to Edward Hopper’s famous painting in all but one respect: it’s totally packed out. Opened last month by Mamasita co-owner Reno Pontonio and Bridget Absalom-Wong, Belle’s is serving American-style burgers so fast you’d think Gertrude Street had never seen a meat patty. But it’s not fast food in that “fast food” way. Head chef Catriona Freeman has spent years perfecting these American eats, from New England-style lobster rolls to Tennessee-grade pulled pork and Special Agent Dale Cooper-worthy cherry pie.

Belle’s Diner
150-156 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.
Tel: (03) 9077 0788.

MASSIVE WIENERS

The LuWow would have to be our favourite place to party. The vibe is awesome. You feel like you’re in a Tarantino movie or something, and you can’t not have fun in there. The Old Bar is a good one for some dirty pots and to check out a new band. The Retreat has a sick garden for drinkin’ beers in the sun. The Carlton Club is the best joint to party in the city, and it’s hard not to put Revolver in here. It would have to be one of the most loved/hated places in Melbourne and you (we) always seem to end up there on Sunday morning.

EVENTS – LEARNING STUFF IN CAFES

admin — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:13:05 +0000

Coffee is all well and good (okay, and necessary) but lately Melbourne’s cafes have been striving to improve people’s brain content, as well as their basic neuron speeds. On weeknights, there’s Laneway Learning at The Little Mule. Classes of up to twenty can learn about almost anything – from karate to crochet to “the science of roller-coasters”. Over at Naked Espresso on Thursday evenings, bring your ukulele (or buy one on the night if you’re uke-less) and let Shanny and Tom teach you how to strum.

The Little Mule
19 Somerset Place, Melbourne.
Tel: (03) 9670 4904.

Naked Espresso
390 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne.
Tel: (03) 9670 3569.

MASSIVE WIENERS

This year will be the KO-OP’s 4th Annual Halloween party. It’s gonna be held in a secret underground location! Meredith is coming up soon, which is always an awesome time. Last year we sold coconuts with the Streetparty crew. This year we might be driving in our double-decker bus to sling wieners off the top. That would be mental. Also, Harvest is coming up and Beck is playing. We’re trying to get our wieners into that as well!

GUEST EDITOR, MASSIVE WIENERS

admin — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:11:36 +0000

Our guest editors for this issue are two of the dapperest snags in the business: Dave Brennan and Liam Magee of Massive Wieners. Proprietors of Greville Street’s friendliest hot dog stand, Dave and Liam are also record contenders (world’s longest wiener – eat one and be added to the wall of fame), party throwers (see their events arm THE KO-OP) and co-owners of the one-car chauffeur service Rad Limos. When they’re not manning the counter at wiener HQ you might find them shopping for bowties, restoring their old double-decker bus or scouring the backstreets of Prahran for their plaster leopard mascot (reward: one year’s supply of wieners for his safe return).

WIN – LORD UKE

admin — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 06:08:46 +0000

Paul Kite has so much love for the tiniest member of the guitar family that he opened an emporium devoted to it. Lord Uke has ukuleles for every occasion, skill level, pitch, and price range. If you’re new to the four strings, sign up for a ukelele class. Broken ukes can get fixed here too, and there’s a full range of ukelele accessories, such as songbooks and ‘finger ease’ ointment. Also available: kazoos. Thanks to Lord Uke, we have a Kala Ukadelic uke valued at $139 to give away! To enter, tell us what you are the Lord of. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) by Monday 17 September at 5pm. Conditions apply.

ROAD TRIP – THE GUILDFORD BANJO JAMBOREE

admin — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 06:07:05 +0000

The folk behind the Guildford Banjo Jamboree have been ‘kind of into’ the banjo since before it was cool again. The gathering – just in time for the rest of us to catch up – is a celebration of the Appalachian music-box in all its finger-pickin’ glory. It features international musicians, workshops for those wanting to learn the strings, and barn dances in true ‘take your partner by the hand’ style. Set up camp on the town oval, and bookend the trip with a beer atCastlemaine‘s Bridge Hotel, the rural retreat for Melbourne’s Old Bar luminaries.

The Guildford Banjo Jamboree
21 – 23 September, Guildford.
Tel: (03) 5473 4201.

The Bridge Hotel
21 Walker Street, Castlemaine.
Tel: (03) 5472 1161.

RICK MILOVANOVIC

Most weekends my fiancé and I head north east to Melbourne’s ‘green wedge’. The trip takes you to Heide Museum of Modern Art, through the suburb of Eltham and over to Warrandyte. It’s all beautiful native bushland, great summertime swimming spots and mid-century houses along the way.

RETAIL – DANE CERTIFICATE’S MAGIC TRICKS, GAGS & THEATRE

admin — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 05:50:00 +0000

Melbourne musician Dane Certificate could upgrade his moniker to Dane Trophy this year and nobody would bat an eyelid. Not only has he launched a new album (Miss Imagination); he’s also opened his own magic shop and theatre behind a computer repair centre in the otherwise not-so-illusory suburb of Brunswick. Visit his page for updates on upcoming events. Even the gigs and film screenings are followed by bedazzlement of the sword-swallowing and/or straight-jacket-escaping variety. The in-house gags and pranks shop is definitely worth a browse, although if you want to buy a rabbit you need to call ahead.

859a Sydney Road, Brunswick.
Tel: 0434 497 411.

RICK MILOVANOVIC

There’s a warehouse out in Glen Waverley called Waverley Antique Bazaarthat has just about every piece of second hand junk you can imagine under one roof. It’s so huge that you need about a day to get through it all but you’re guaranteed to find something. I love a good garden centre and there’s a really good nursery in Port Melbourne called the St Kilda Indigenous Nursery Co-Opwho only sell and grow local native plants. I go in there and ask them the dumbest questions about my garden and they’re always more than happy to help out with suggestions. Perimeter Books has a quality selection of small press books, Captains of Industry does a good cup of coffee, Record Paradisefor vinyl, but Wooly Bully in North Melbourne has all three in one – zines, records and good coffee!

NIGHTLIFE – THE LIBERTY SOCIAL

admin — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 05:46:18 +0000

Live music isn’t dead – this is why it’s called ‘live’. In fact, it’s practically kicking in The Liberty Social, a new music venue in a dinky basement nearDegraves Street. Here they’re pulling in live acts both local and international, and pumping out $2.50 pots until 8pm. In other good music, good news, iconic venue Ding Dong Lounge has recently reopened after a fire forced its closure for a year. The refit features a new PA system, a new garden balcony and a new fire extinguisher.

The Liberty Social
Basement, 279 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

Ding Dong Lounge
Level 1, 18 Market Lane, Melbourne.
Tel: (03) 9521 7447.

RICK MILOVANOVIC

You can’t keep up with all the places in this town, so I stick to what I like and know. Bebida in the heart of Collingwood is where I go for my Friday drink. It’s relaxed, unpretentious and cheap. Hell’s Kitchen in the city is another regular. But every so often there’s a Sunday arvo session called Day Care at the Carlton Hotel that’s easily my favourite afternoon in Melbourne. It’s a chance to kick back and enjoy the most diverse mix of music by guest DJs and hand picked music lovers with amazing record collections.

EVENTS – MELBOURNE FESTIVAL MUSIC PROGRAM

admin — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 05:45:35 +0000

We haven’t hosted an international arts festival for what, two weeks?Melbourne Festival is here to break the drought, and the music program is soaking. Top picks this year include the Bermuda Float dance cruise featuring local stars No Zu (on a boat!); hetero-friendly queer party troupes Thee Satisfaction and Big Freedia; and Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo doing their own, non-Sonic Youth things (which may be as close as you’ll get to seeing that outfit, since they recently ended things for a while).

11 – 27 October. Various locations, citywide.

RICK MILOVANOVIC

Legendary Melbourne record label Chapter Music is celebrating its 20th birthday in November as part of Melbourne Music Week. They’re going all out and inviting their favourite bands over two decades to play on the night. A little closer is Fine Family Living, which is a group art show that I’m involved in at St Heliers Gallery at the Abbotsford Convent. Myself and three others have pieced together a collection of works about Australian suburbia (open until 16 September).

GUEST EDITOR, RICK MILOVANOVI

admin — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 05:44:56 +0000

This issue our guest editor is Rick Milovanovic, the man behind the bass in Melbourne bands Twerps and Boomgates. When he’s not playing the music, Rick is designing the artwork. He’s a graphic designer who earned his chops working at Alter for six years, before recently going out on his own. He’s also one of the original Serps, a collective made up of all sorts of interesting humans – from zine-makers and graffiti artists to photographers and fine artists. Rick’s currently working on a zine about Modernist houses in the suburbs, which will be out through Serps Zine later this year, and he’ll be off to the US to tour with Twerps in October.

WIN – TROPHY WIFE NAIL ART

admin — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 23:01:35 +0000

The lady behind Trophy Wife Nail Art is Chelsea Bagan. She’s been decorating the tippy-tops of Melbourne’s phalanges and turning our cuticles into cute-icles for most of 2012. The menu includes everything from tastefully minimal modern french tips or striped pastels right on through to watermelons and Super Mario. Visit her website to peruse the full spread. Trophy Wife has just moved into a brand new studio, and to celebrate Chelsea has given us a manicure voucher (valid for 6 months) to give away! To enter, tell us which Disney animated villain could most use Chelsea’s services and why. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) by 27 August. Conditions apply.

Level 3, 70-80 Wellington Street, Collingwood.
Tel: 0422 052 874.

NIGHTLIFE – DAY CARE

admin — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 23:00:09 +0000

In the interests of getting club business done before bedtime, DAY CARE is a free monthly party that takes place during the respectable hours of Sunday afternoon. Resident DJs Laila and Biscuit bring along a bunch of their DJ friends to play tunes and hang out in the leafy jungle deco of the newly opened Hasti Bala Bar at the Carlton Hotel. Past guest DJ appearances have included Michael Ozone, Otologic, Mischa from PAM, and Michael Kucyk (aka Noise in my Head). Kids are welcome (with adult supervision) and there are food and drink specials all day.

Last Sunday of every month. 2-9pm.
Hasti Bala Bar, The Carlton Hotel, 193 Bourke Street, Melbourne.
Tel: (03) 9663 3246.

BECI ORPIN

For a quick drink locally I like to go to The Alderman on Lygon Street, or in the city our new favourite is Hihou (best sake menu ever!). The only other thing I’ll stay out past midnight for is a Bamboo Musik party. DAY CARE‘s Sunday afternoon fun at the Carlton Hotel is definitely more my style these days.

CAFES/RESTAURANTS – MINA-NO-IE

admin — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 22:59:14 +0000

Zenta and Megumi Tanaka are famous in Keele Street, Collingwood for their eatery/shop CIBI – where you can order a Japanese breakfast and somehow end up leaving with a Sori Yanagi kettle. Their new cafe Mina-no-ie has just opened a few streets south (at the business end of Collingwood) serving coffee, baked snacks and Meg’s home-style Japanese menu. With a name that translates as ‘everybody’s home’, Mina-no-ie can definitely seat a few more of your relatives, sharing a light-filled converted warehouse with Épatant – the new men’s outfitters helmed by Aesop founder Dennis Paphitis. Come for a flatty, leave with a Fox umbrella.

33 Peel Street, Collingwood.
Tel: (03) 9417 7749.

BECI ORPIN

Eating is a tricky one to narrow down – we are spoilt for choice in Melbourne. Right now I like a ladies lunch at L’Atelier de Monsieur Truffe. If I’m feeling like some wholefoods then Munster Haus is my spot, and for some fine dining I recently went to Moon Under Water and thought that was pretty great too.PappaRich in QV is the best Malaysian food we have found in Melbourne (Raph’s always on the hunt) and we go there for early family-style dinners a lot. And how could I not mention Beatbox Kitchen and Taco Truck? I know I have a vested interest but honestly I crave it if I don’t get to eat it once a week (my kids too).

RETAIL – KUWAII SHOP

admin — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 22:58:06 +0000

Melbourne label Kuwaii has starred on many a rack over the years – from Alice Euphemia to FAT. But designers Kristy and Laura have recently converted their sunny Brunswick studio into a shop. Now they can work out the back behind their gauze curtain and jump out to say hello whenever a customer drops in. Visit between Wednesday and Saturday to browse their rather-luxurious-but-also-a-bit-practical Spring Summer 12/13 collection Landscape. Be warned though: they also make custom shoes. Choose a style from their last three footwear collections and let them know how you’d like to tweak it – from colour, to stitching, to sole thickness. You are unlikely to leave empty handed or footed.

37-39 Glenlyon Road, Brunswick.
Tel: (03) 9380 5731.

BECI ORPIN

While working on my book it was pretty intense and it meant I couldn’t stray far for much retail therapy (internet aside of course). Further afield, I like to visit Miniscapes retail space (I LOVE a terrarium), Ganim’s Store for the most wonderful selection of home and garden wares, and the Junk Company on Elizabeth Street – I am always up for some digging in there. When I’m passing through the city I also like to duck into Pet Shop Girls and Someday. For books, I can’t go past Perimeter in Thornbury.

EVENTS – MELBOURNE SPRING FASHION WEEK

admin — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 22:56:24 +0000

Sharpen your heels if you have to. It will be worth nabbing a Wintour-worthy catwalk spot at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week. Local menswear designers Pageant have been making loud noises in far-away places but they’re keeping it local this spring and launching their latest collection as part of the Emerging Designer Series, alongside new favourites Kinoak. Look out for past Lost and Found guest editor Stephanie Downey at Runway 4 – she’s sending her label Dress Up down the aisle with Kuwaii, Alpha60 and Obus.

3 – 9 September. Various locations, citywide.

BECI ORPIN

Okay, this is going to sound pretty mum-like of me, but I’m really looking forward to the Royal Botanic Gardens spring plant sale! I’m also speaking atSemi-Permanent. The whole public speaking thing is terrifying but I’m looking forward to hearing some of the other speakers (Michael Leon, in particular). Despite being a bit more of a Golden Plains punter, the line-up atMeredith this year is so good I think I’ll be going (I’m a huge Grimes fan).

GUEST EDITOR, BECI ORPIN

admin — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 22:55:09 +0000

This issue our guest editor is the lovely Beci Orpin. Her folk art-inspired designs can be found on everything from textiles and homewares on her own label, to books, walls and even skateboards! She is the proud mum of Tyke and Ari, and other half to burger and taco pioneer Raph. Recently she’s been locked away in the home studio, putting the final touches on her second book Find and Keep (out through Hardie Grant in November). Next up is a collaboration with Urban Outfitters, a mural for newly opened Melbourne cafe John Gorilla, and artwork for Raph’s new trucks. (Scoop! There will be two new ones on the streets before summer). We caught up with Beci to find out what she likes to do when she’s not in book-writing lockdown.

WIN – KILL YOUR DARLINGS

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:54:22 +0000

Kill Your Darlings is a Melbourne-based quarterly literary journal featuring some very clever commentary, interviews, fiction and reviews. You can find it on the shelves of some of the greatest book shops in the city, including Metropolis and Polyester Books. They’ve just released issue 10, which has everything from Martin Plowman’s tribute to World UFO Day to an analysis of Ryan Gosling’s mass boyfriend appeal by Estelle Tang. To celebrate the release of this bumper edition, we have one Kill Your Darlings year-long subscription to give away! To enter, tell us which literary darling you wish was still alive – and why. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) by 5pm, 6 August. Conditions apply.

Metropolis, Level 3, Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne. Tel: (03) 9663 2015.
Polyester Books, 330 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.
Tel: (03) 9419 5223.

ROAD TRIP – THE FIELD GUIDE TO VICTORIAN PRODUCE

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:53:26 +0000

There’s only one thing better than a road trip, and that’s a road trip that ends at food. If you’re planning such an adventure, start with a coffee, a tank of petrol and a copy of the Field Guide to Victorian Produce. In this glove-box-friendly edition you’ll find profiles of hundreds of Victorian growers, suggestions for day trips and farm stays and interviews with the chefs who run the restaurants you’re planning to squeeze your tummy into. It’s all put together by Ewan McEoin (of Melbourne Design Guide fame) and his team at The Locavore Edition – who are also very good with farmers’ market tip-offs on Twitter.

Available at good Melbourne bookshops and
The Compound Interest Centre for the Applied Arts,
15-25 Keele Street, Collingwood.
Tel: (03) 9016 3607.

BENJAMIN LAW

Williamstown is only a 15 or 20 minute drive away from Melbourne and has proper beaches and wharves: perfect for when Melbourne becomes unbearably, scorching hot in summer. It’s also part of the City of Hobsons Bay, whose mayor Tony Briffa made international headlines for being the world’s first openly intersex mayor. Daylesford is 90 minutes out of Melbourne and great for a weekend away. Think: day spas, long walks, a big arts community and natural mineral springs. Daylesford is also renowned for being packed with festive, artistically inclined and queer folk, which pleases me enormously, quite frankly.

CAFES/RESTAURANTS – LITTLE KING CAFE

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:52:23 +0000

Most cafe reading materials are only good for wiping soup off your chin. But you’ll want to bib up before scanning the volumes at Little King Cafe – they have their own micro-library, curated by Perimeter Books. Every month, a new armful of handpicked, small press publications are added to the shelves so you can tuck into art, architecture and design books and zines while the chumps at other cafes re-read their menus for the fourth time. Just next door is the excellent window-space gallery Chapter House Lane, which, despite its name, has nothing to do with books at all.

Shop 4, 209 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
Tel: (03) 9654 0030.

BENJAMIN LAW

I seriously can’t think of a time I’ve landed in Melbourne and didn’t end up atJournal, attached to the City Library. My friend Emilio (Nest Architects) designed the place, and I’ve always loved the big communal table where people sit alongside each other. Also highly rated: New Day Rising in Brunswick East. Their CLT (smoked coconut, lettuce and tomato) bagel is rightly famous, and I would choose Nadia’s smoked coconut over bacon any day. Plus it has one of the prettiest damn menus in town. And for whatever reason, my friends insist on taking me to Gaylord every time we do Indian. It’s a great restaurant, but I think they’re also trying to tell me something.

RETAIL – THE HUNGRY WORKSHOP

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:51:22 +0000

Despite our obvious penchant for emails, we love getting our hands on some seriously debossed letters when we get the chance. Enter The Hungry Workshop – not only do they design and sell aerograms, posters and everything else worth its weight in hand-fed platen presses, they do all of it on arcane Edwardian machinery, and let you watch. The shopfront opens to the public most Saturdays (check online for times), but typography novices looking to learn the ropes should check out Idlewild Press, which runs workshops in letterpressing every other month.

The Hungry Workshop, 461 High Street, Northcote. Tel: (03) 9043 8444.
Idlewild Press, The Compound Interest Centre for Applied Arts, 15-25 Keele Street, Collingwood.
Tel: 0401 409 325.

BENJAMIN LAW

When I’m in Melbourne, I always get my books from Readings. Lovely bossman Mark Rubbo donates an incredible 10 per cent of Readings’ profits to arts grants (reason enough to shop there alone), but the staff are also always helpful (and ridiculously attractive) and their range of music, books and DVDs is unbeatable. For clothes, my one-stop shop is Somewhere. They stock a lot of clothes that skinny Asian homosexualists like me can happily wear. Also highly rated: Hares & Hyenas in Fitzroy, a queer bookshop that’s been selling books and hosting events for two decades.

EVENTS – MELBOURNE WRITERS FESTIVAL

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:49:09 +0000

Writers (and word lovers) take note: the Melbourne Writers Festival is just around the corner, offering ten days of events to whet your pen with. Drop in on The Thousands Editor Penny Modra in ‘A Particular Eye‘ as she chats with eavesdropping British cartoonist Badaude. Or grab the ankles of the New Yorker editorial team and don’t let go as they whisk about town for talks. For news about the news, chip in at New News, a series of open conferences featuring discussions with journalists, bloggers, tumblr-ers and tweeters.

23 August – 2 September, citywide.

BENJAMIN LAW

Melbourne truly is the spiritual home for word nerds like me, and it has the best literary events. Women of Letters is a monthly literary salon run by two of my dear chums: Michaela McGuire and Marieke Hardy. Around five exceptional women get up to read open letters on a theme (‘A Letter to the Night I’d Rather Forget’; ‘A Letter To A Secret’), and all the money raised goes to Edgar’s Mission, a lovely animal shelter and sanctuary. And then of course, there’s the Melbourne Writers Festival, the Emerging Writers Festival and the regular events at The Wheeler Centre and Readings.

GUEST EDITOR, BENJAMIN LAW

admin — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:48:04 +0000

This issue our guest editor is Benjamin Law, a Brisbane-based (but Melbourne-loving) writer and journalist whose words are regularly published by the likes of frankie, Good Weekend, The Monthly and Qweekend. In his spare time he bakes a lot, reads a lot, swims laps and grows an edible garden on his deck. Benjamin’s second book Gaysia: Adventures in the Queer East launches in September via Black Inc. Books. He says, “It’s a quasi-gonzoish adventure-type book that’s set in seven different Asian countries (China, Indonesia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar and Japan) and looks at seven different queer/LGBT issues.” We found out what Benjamin likes doing when he’s in town.

WIN – POT HEADS AT CRAFT CUBED

admin — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 02:39:56 +0000

Craft Cubed is Craft Victoria‘s month-long celebration of experimental and skills-based craft and design. Come August it will be taking over the city, showcasing thousands of our most talented local makers in more than 50 venues, studios and galleries. Right now Valerie Restarick and Kim Jaeger are hand-building and throwing their way to a collection of vessels for their exhibition Quiet Connections, on display at North Carlton Ceramics from 3 August. We have one of Kim’s friendly Pot Heads to give away! To enter, tell us what you would put in him. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) by 5pm, Monday 23 July.

Craft Cubed
3 August – 1 September
citywide

EUGENIA LIM

NIGHTLIFE – THE EVERLEIGH

admin — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 02:38:55 +0000

Melbourne’s not exactly lacking in galleries or cocktail bars, but places that combine the two and do it well are rare beasts. Sasha Petraske – owner of New York’s Milk and Honey – offers a protean corrective with The Everleigh. It’s either a prohibition-era bar that hosts occasional contemporary art openings, or a gallery with one of the best cocktail lists this side of the Pacific. Immersion – an interactive subaquatic projection commissioned for Experimenta Playground – is on show from 20 July .The Everleigh’s trademark ice (cut to order) is on show from now until eternity.

Level 1, 150–156
Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.
Tel: 03 9416 2229.

EUGENIA LIM

I live in the Brunx, so I’m very Brunswick-biased! My local is the Union Hotel. I can’t go past their pie and mash! The atmosphere is always friendly and cosy. Albert St Food & Wine is a stumble away from my house and it is here that my obsession with any food containing pomegranates was born. I go to Bar Idda to be transported to a Sicilian Nonna’s house without leaving Lygon Street. Other favourites are breakfast with a smile from Jake and Andrew at Newtown SC, Babka for a berry danish and the always bustling A1 Bakery for Lebanese spinach pies and baklava.

RETAIL – MOTTO MELBOURNE

admin — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 02:37:48 +0000

Londoner Joe Shakespeare has recently switched hemispheres, bringing a smuggler’s crate of publications and setting up a Melbourne base for renowned art book distributor Motto. Kitted out with rugs and plants, Motto Melbourne is now up and running at the Compound Interest Centre for the Applied Arts. Bring Joe a coffee and you will be rewarded with a thorough chat, not to mention a one-man library tour of publishers including Sweden’s Libraryman, New York’s N+1, Leipzig’s Spector Books – and Australia’s own Serps Zine, which has taken a round trip.

15–25 Keele Street,Collingwood.
Tel: 0468 369 030.

EUGENIA LIM

I am addicted to lip balm. I become a dithering, chap-lipped mess without it – thank goodness for Kleins Perfumery, my pusher of choice. I ride a bicycle, so I mostly shop local on Sydney Road, Gertrude Street and Brunswick Street. For gifts, I can’t go past Third Drawer Down, who stock Kiosk products – and if I’m ever feeling blue I go there to giggle at the endless supply of hilariously droll David Shrigley cards. I take my greyhound Chips (she waits impatiently outside) to occasional openings at Mr Kitly, a cosy gallery and shop on Sydney Road that consistently shows handsome exhibitions and design wares.

EVENTS – MIFF

admin — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 02:35:51 +0000

Tripling the sales of takeaway coffee and hipflasks, the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) strides into town each winter bearing gifts from across the globe (usually Cannes). This year the festival turns the lens on art itself with a fantastical French animation about the life of an unfinished painting in Le Tableau, and two documentaries on very different artists: a Chinese dissident in the gripping rally cry Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, and a much-revered provocateur preparing for her career-defining MOMA retrospective in Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present.

2–19 August, citywide.

EUGENIA LIM

My all-time favourite venue is The Forum – its indoor night-sky and kitsch Romanesque vibe make me happy to be alive. Two festivals I religiously attend are MIFF and the Melbourne Festival. During either you will find me a) spilling choc-tops on my lap or b) supping wine from plastic cups, cramming in as many films or gigs as time and my eftpos card will allow. I love the kooky, fascinating films programmed by Ghita Lobenstein of Speakeasy Cinema – a gypsy cinema without a home. I’ve also been meaning to get to No Lights No Lycra a weekly dance-jam, social sweat-fest started by my friend Alice Glenn.

ART MELBOURNE – ART FAIR

admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:56:21 +0000

If you listen closely you can already hear the nails being hammered as more than 80 local and international galleries gear up for the biennial Melbourne Art Fair. You can also just make out the sound of sweat dripping off the forehead of this year’s public commission artist, Ian Burns. If you don’t manage to stuff his installation Clouds into your tote, browse for portable art objects at the Third Drawer Down pop-up shop instead. Better yet, meet some emerging artists in the Project Rooms, a studio playground for independents including Gertrude Contemporary, Next Wave and BUS Projects.

1–5 August Royal Exhibition Building Carlton Gardens.

EUGENIA LIM

I have a penchant for video-based art, and people who really know how to screen them pixels are Kyle and Simone at Screen Space. They also run a commercial gallery upstairs, Beam. In the DIY vein, Radio Valerie is an internet station that broadcasts out of a tiny carpeted room above theGasometer – they play everything from Turkish funk to noise and sometimes host motley and great parties too. I like combining food and art, so Heide is my kind of place – here I can eat a Shannon Bennett brioche burger while communing with Sunday Reed.

GUEST EDITOR, EUGENIA LIM

admin — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:30:50 +0000

This issue our guest editor is Eugenia Lim – video and interdisciplinary artist, writer, editor and one-time human tamagotchi. She recently lived in a bedroom installation at West Space gallery for a week to explore the phenomenon of hikikomori or ‘shut in’ syndrome. She has a piece in the upcoming Experimenta International Biennale of Media Art and Place of Assembly, a group show to farewell the halcyon days of her home base, the Schoolhouse Studios. Eugenia is also the editor of the newly launched Assemble Papers, an online publication about living together better. Eugenia told us all about her dog, Chips, and other things she likes about Melbourne.

WELCOME TO LOST AND FOUND 2012

admin — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 01:09:59 +0000

Lost and Found is a free email newsletter pinging news about Melbourne’s creative people, places and events to inboxes all over Australia. Collaborating with a new design studio each year, we publish regular issues including bite-sized updates on music, art, design, fashion, eating, drinking and road trips. Oh yes, also: giveaways. Previous guest editors include Dan Whitford (Cut Copy), Jo Walker (Frankie), Stella Mogzawa (Warpaint), Misha Hollenbach (Perks and Mini) and Lucy Feagins (The Design Files).

SUBSCRIBE TO FIND OUT WHO WE WILL PUT IN CHARGE NEXT.

WIN – THE HUNGRY WORKSHOP

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:23:52 +0000

The Hungry Workshop is a new letterpress and design studio in Northcote; a ‘loud and inky’ place where exciting projects and interesting collaborations go to print (they recently worked with designer Beci Orpinto make these Valentines’ Day cards, and with Adam Gower on coasters for Brisbane bar Super Whatnot). Thanks to The Hungry Workshop, we have one Take Flight three-pack of fluoro letterpress Aerograms to give away! To enter, tell us who you’re going to send them to. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) including your answer in the subject line by 5pm, Monday 14 May. Terms and conditions apply.

461 HIGH STREET, NORTHCOTE.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BY APPOINTMENT.
TEL: 03 9043 8444.

RETAIL – PET SHOP GIRLS

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:22:35 +0000

Pet Shop Girls is a Japanese fashion paradise for the ladies, owned by bubble cup princess and long time Japan-lover Chiara Ippoliti. She’s been going back and forth to Japan for the last seven years, and now she’s brought all her favourite eclectic and hard-to-find Japanese labels to a neon-lit corner of Curtin House. In there you’ll find the latest collections from Tsumori Chisato, Frapbois, Ne-Net, Mercibeaucoup, Zucca, and ultra kawaii flatforms by Belly Button. Just look for the sandstone boulders and giant clenched fists.

LEVEL 3, CURTIN HOUSE.
252 SWANSTON STREET, MELBOURNE.

ARTS – NEXT WAVE 2012

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:18:11 +0000

‘Next phase, new wave, dance craze, anyways…’ Billy Joel almost got it right. It’s called Next Wave, Bill, and it’s Melbourne’s biennial festival of new, genre-crossing art. (If you were in town last time you may remember Bennett Miller’s recreation of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights starring 47 sausage dogs.) This year, Next Wave’s mostly free nine-day program includes a breakfast club at the Wheeler Centre, a food party at the Vic Market, a peak-hour dance piece at Flagstaff Station, a tour of secret bird networks, a trip down the Yarra in a creaky old boat and a sound work you can listen to while you get your nails done.

19 – 27 MAY, CITYWIDE.

CAFES/RESTAURANTS – BLACK COFFEE AT NO FIXED ADDRESS

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:03:39 +0000

Brother Baba Budan barista Mark W Free has been pedalling the black stuff hard for years (strictly no milk or sugar, thank you very much). Now he’s taking it to the streets with his donation-funded roaming coffee stand Black Coffee. His mission: to convert coffee drinkers to siphon, pour-over and aeropress filtration methods. His bean: a range of local roasts sourced from Market Lane, Seven Seeds, Small Batch Roastersand Monk Bodhi Dharma. Check the twit to find out where he’ll be brewing next, and keep an eye out for his monthly coffee education sessions called Lowdown.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS, CITYWIDE.

ARTS – GAS GALLERY AND RADIO VALERIE

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:01:10 +0000

Co-owned by Kody Abrams (of the original Vivian Girls) and EXO Records founder Melinda Alushaj, Collingwood’s Gasometer Hotel has always been pretty music-minded. But this year they’re taking it a step further with two new projects on level one. Gas Gallery is an exhibition space for art made by music people – with openings on the last Thursday of most months. Watch out for the upcoming group show curated by Wooly Bully, featuring work by Per Bystrom (Ooga Boogas) and Steph Hughes (Dick Diver). While you’re upstairs, wave at the guys in the Radio Valerie studio – it’s a new station streaming more than 30 shows each week right into your computer machine.

484 SMITH STREET, COLLINGWOOD.
TEL: 03 9417 5539.

ARTS – INDEPENDANT PHOTOGRAPHY FESTIVAL (IPF)

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 02:40:40 +0000

The internet loves photography and photography loves it right back. But sometimes you just want to look at things without clicking on them first. That’s why Joe Miranda (of the Hard Workers Club) is putting on theIndependent Photography Festival (IPF) this April. The first annual event will include solo exhibitions byJackson Eaton and Luke Byrne, a book launch byNatalie Nikitovic, a photo prize, a zine fair and the Australian premiere of Phil Evans’s skate photography doco Format Perspective. Big program, small venues:Smiley McSlidey, Dear Patti Smith, Rae & Bennett,Parts & Crafts and the Workers Club. (Look them up on the internets!)

2–8 APRIL, CITYWIDE.

EVENTS – LMFF CULTURAL PROGRAM

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 02:39:52 +0000

The L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) is not just on the runways; it’s also on the screen, down the back streets, and in Alex Vivian’s laundry basket. The now month-long cultural program takes us deep inside the combined minds of Romance Was Born and Dell Kathryn Barton; to Neon Parc for a curated three-person homage to Comme Des Garcons Spring/Summer 1995; to Japan via Curtin House for the launch of Pet Shop Girls; and all the way to the Parisian ateliers of Hermés. But don’t bring your passport, because it’s all happening in Melbourne. Also you don’t want anyone to see that photo.

1–31 MARCH, CITYWIDE

CAFES/RESTAURANTS – MEXICAN INVASION

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:14:57 +0000

Not too long ago Melbourne Mexican meant either Taco Bill or an Old El Paso enchilada kit. These days you can’t turn a corner without running into a hand-made corn tortilla. We recommend getting on the twit to find out where The Taco Truck is taco-ing next or dropping in to the recently relocated Trippy Taco for some all-vegetarian burrito action. Paco’s Tacos in the city is great for a quick fix, or stake out a seat at Mamasita for the fish ceviche and street-style corn. If you’re headed south of the river, My Mexican Cousin‘s Creole-inspired sharing plates and Fonda Mexican‘s ice-cold horchata are el verdadero negocio.

FONDA MEXICAN, 248 SWAN STREET, RICHMOND. TEL: 03 9429 0085.

MAMASITA, LEVEL 1, 11 COLLINS STREET, MELBOURNE. TEL: 03 9650 3821.

MY MEXICAN COUSIN, 31 STURT STREET, SOUTHBANK. TEL: 03 9686 3389.

PACO’S TACOS, LEVEL 1, 500 BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE. TEL: 03 9663 3038.

TRIPPY TACO, 234 GERTRUDE STREET, FITZROY. TEL: 03 9415 7711.

ARTS – EASTLINK SCULPTURE ROADTRIP

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:14:16 +0000

There’s only one thing better than a road trip, and that’s a road exhibition trip. This involves looking at art while driving 100 km/h in the direction of the beach – and you can do it on EastLink any time you want. The giant roadside sculptures include Emily Floyd’s curious bird, James Angus’s eye-tricking blobs, Simeon Nelson’s time-travelling tree – and a 1950s-style hotel by Callum Morton that’s exactly one third the size of a real hotel. (NB: This road exhibition trip works even better if you stop at Heide, MGA andMcClelland Gallery & Sculpture Park on the way.)

EASTLINK FREEWAY. ENTER VIA EASTERN FREEWAY, ABBOTSFORD ORCRANBOURNE-FRANKSTON RD, FRANKSTON

RETAIL – TOKYO BIKE

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:07:32 +0000

Bike fans: Are you too old for a BMX? Do you spurn spandex? Does your idea of ‘mountain biking’ consist of cruising down an evenly paved hill, and only if there’s a cafe at the bottom? Good news: Tokyo Bike has opened in Melbourne. Fuyuki and Yuki Sagahara can introduce you to their light-weight Japanese-designed city bikes – built for cruising rather than bruising. Just like other Tokyo Bikes around the world, the new Collingwood shop has a big range of simple accessories. (NB: there’s no Japanese word for ‘spokey dokes’).

5 PEEL STREET, COLLINGWOOD. TEL: 03 9417 2845.

ARTS – SUGAR MOUNTAIN VISUAL ARTS PROGRAM

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:48:37 +0000

‘Oh to live on Sugar Mountain, with the barkers and the coloured balloons,’ sang Neil Young. Lucky he won’t be at the Forum on 14 January, because there won’t be any barkers or balloons at the Sugar Mountain festival. Instead there’ll be a huge line-up of local and international bands including Deerhoof, Thee Oh Sees and Shabazz Palaces. In its second year, Sugar Mountain includes a ten-day visual arts satellite program with workshops by international artistsVincent Moon, Maya Hayuk and Kyle Ranson plus installations by locals Dylan Martorell, Chaco Kato,Lucy Benson and more. ‘Ain’t it funny how you feel, when you’re findin’ out it’s real?’ (Thanks Neil.)

12-21 JANUARY 2012, CITYWIDE.

MATERIAL BY PRODUCT

editor — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:45:58 +0000

The Lost & Found Hotel Room has been built to showcase a selection of work from Melbourne’s creative community. Despite being a temporary space, within its walls we hope that people, objects and ideas find a home. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that this Tuesday Lost & Found is hosting the MATERIALBYPRODUCT PARTA&B presentation for Melbourne Spring Fashion Week which follows on from designer Susan Dimasi’s intimate “in house” shows at their North Fitzroy studio. The event is invite only but we will post pictures from it in the not too distant future.

WIN – MELBOURNE FESTIVAL & CHAPTER MUSIC

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:24:02 +0000

LA-based electronic experimentalists Lucky Dragons are into public engagement and weird and wonderful music-making devices. They’re bringing their collaborative performance to town for the upcoming Melbourne Festival – playing one night only at the Toff, supported by Crayon Fields frontman and Chapter Music charge Geoffrey O’Connor. We have a double pass to the gig to give away. And for one runner up, we have a bumper Chapter Music CD pack. To enter, tell us who you’d like to make music with. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) including your preference (tickets or CD pack) by 5pm, Monday 29 August.

THE TOFF IN TOWN
LEVEL 2, 252 SWANSTON STREET, MELBOURNE.
TEL: 03 9639 8770

MELBOURNE FESTIVAL RUNS CITY WIDE
6-22 OCTOBER

RETAIL – NORTHSIDE RECORDS

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:23:02 +0000

Northside Records is all about afro-haired owner Chris Gill, Melbourne’s single biggest proponent of soul music and the world’s friendliest boombox owner. Soul’s not just Marvin Gaye and big hair, he insists. “As my mum’d say, it’s a broad church”. At Northside you’ll find everything from funk, dub, reggae and hip-hop to electronic, disco, and psych. Chris is also a supporter of vinyl in general, assisting lovers of the classic collectable with Diggin’ Melbourne – a free map of the city’s more than 50 vinyl stores. Drop in to pick up your copy and get digging.

236 GERTRUDE STREET, FITZROY.
TEL: 03 9417 7557

STELLA MOZGAWA
Greville Records, for the love of God! My first few trips to Melbourne would usually revolve around Chapel Street and excessive spending at Greville. After three days I would be living like a pauper. The Chapel Street Bazaar is great for obscure (but often overpriced) bits. Polyester Books for books and bootleg conspiracy theory DVDs.

CAFES/RESTAURANTS – THE RESURRECTION

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:21:55 +0000

Not everyone who loves the annual St Jerome’s Laneway Festival knows that it’s named after a now-demolished drinking hole that once lay hidden among the wheelie bins in Melbourne’s Caledonian Lane. As of this month, though, St Jerome’s has been resurrected! In fact, it has even been re-named The Resurrection. Trading his cosy city hovel for a Lygon Street terrace, Jerome has ditched the milk crates for a more refined fit-out featuring lots of creatively recycled materials. There are a few fancy new menu items (including slow-cooked beef cheeks on mash) but enough toasties and longnecks lying around to ensure the new Jerome’s still feels like home.

135 LYGON STREET, EAST BRUNSWICK.

STELLA MOZGAWA
Vegie Bar on Brunswick Street is a staple for me, even though I’ve since shed my vegetarian commitments. The smoothies are insane. Mezzo on Little Bourke! Yu-u for delicious Japanese fare. Yum yum yum yum – that’s not actually a place. I’m just getting excited! Weird.

NIGHTLIFE – THE BUFFALO CLUB

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:20:56 +0000

The Royal Antediluvian Order of the Buffaloes (RAOB) might sound like a stuffy aristocratic organisation, but its history is a lot more bohemian than you might think – in late 18th century Britain you had to be either an actor or artist earning a living ‘treading the boards’ to join. With the re-opening of Melbourne’s Buffalo Club Grand Ballroom, the only board-treading prerequisite is dancing until you’re too exhausted to continue. There’s always a stellar rotation of DJs on hand, and past live acts include Geoffrey O’Connor, World’s End Press and BROUS.

22 SUTHERLAND STREET, MELBOURNE.

STELLA MOZGAWA
The Corner is one of my favourite venues in Australia. Hi-Fi bar is equally worthy. I’d love to explore the vast Polish vodka selection at Bimbo Deluxe again, crawl back to my alcoholic roots. Unfortunately, my knowledge of drinking holes is usually bound to the show and surrounding areas. I do secretly enjoy the rock piggery at Cherry on ACDC lane. It’s a good place to bring the out-of-towners – I would know because I was initiated there during my first trip from Sydney.

ART – ARI GIGS

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:18:53 +0000

Independent, artist-run galleries are not known for their high-falutin’ champagne openings. Large openings? Yes. Lager? Also yes. (Maybe the word is low-falutin’…) The point is: two of Melbourne’s newest ARIs have taken things a step further this year by booking bands to go with their exhibitions. The artists behind Richmond’s Paradise Hills host regular live shows in their warehouse space, while the appropriately named Dear Patti Smith is becoming a home for sound art projects – and album launches between exhibitions.

PARADISE HILLS
1-9 DOONSIDE STREET, RICHMOND

DEAR PATTI SMITH
LEVEL 2, 181 SMITH STREET, FITZROY
TEL: 03 9417 2293

STELLA MOZGAWA
ACMI is an obvious choice but whenever I’m in Melbourne I can’t seem to stop myself from going. A few years ago there was a brilliant Kubrick exhibition and it spawned a very costly and long-winded obsession which continues to this day. In terms of smaller and independent galleries, I love Blindside, Death Be Kind, Guildford Lane and Tolarno.

GUEST EDITOR, STELLA MOGZAWA

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:16:48 +0000

This issue our guest editor is Stella Mozgawa, the one clutching the drumsticks in LA-based all-femme band Warpaint. They recently brought their guitar-riffing shimmery haze to Australia for Splendour in the Grass, playing three sold out sideshows in Melbourne. Originally from Sydney, Stella has a soft spot for this side of the state line. She took time out from the tour bus to tell us where she likes to be when she’s in town, not to mention sharing her obsession with Stanley Kubrick and smoothies.

WIN – MELBOURNE WRITERS FESTIVAL

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:27:52 +0000

The Office, 30 Rock, American Dad and Letterman writer Steve Hely is responsible some of the biggest belly laughs we’ve ever wheezed. And he’s in town this month for the Melbourne Writers Festival! We have a double pass to give away for Steve Hely’s Friday Night Live event at MWF on 26 August. And for one runner up, we have a copy of Steve’s book How I Became a Famous Novelist. To enter, tell us a good joke. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) including your preference (tickets or book) by 5pm, Monday 8 August.

MELBOURNE WRITERS FESTIVAL
25 AUGUST – 4 SEPTEMBER
CITY WIDE.

EVENTS – WOMEN OF LETTERS

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:26:56 +0000

Women of Letters celebrates an era when people rushed to their letterboxes to find something other than bills, when envelopes were sprayed with perfume and words still had vowels. That being said, all the quill-sharpening and wax-stamping in the world has never been able to make up for genuine wit and clarity. Luckily, Melbourne’s much-loved literary ladies Marieke Hardy and Michaela McGuire are very well equipped in that particular department. Watch out for them each month at the Thornbury Theatre, joined by some of our best comedians, musicians and writers.

THORNBURY THEATRE
859 HIGH STREET, THORNBURY.
MONTHLY EVENTS
TICKETS $15 PLUS BOOKING FEE.

JO WALKER
One of my writers at frankie (and friends in real life) Justin Heazlewood is a musical comedian who goes by the name of The Bedroom Philosopher. His Head Sex and Bed Socks tour is playing Geelong on 18 August and Melbourne on the 20th, and as well as being a very snazzy dresser he is funny as all get out – so that’s one for the calendar. I’ll also be counting down the days till the next Fitzroy Market on 3 September – ace coffee, bric a brac, clothing and general good times.

RETAIL – PERIMETER BOOKS

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:25:34 +0000

Melbourne publisher ERM Books has opened the bookstore of their dreams, and ours too! True to its name, you’ll find Perimeter on the edge of the city (it’s called Thornbury), but the books on its shelves are all up and in it. They’ve got Cosmic Wonder, Rainoff, Nieves, The Narrows and more, bridging art, photography, architecture and design. The printed matter is supplemented by an enviable assortment of stationery and a mini gallery exhibiting work by artists with an interest in printed form. Owners Dan Rule and Justine Ellis have even built their own cabinets and display tables. So, you know, the place looks beautiful too.

748 HIGH STREET, THORNBURY.
TEL: 03 9484 8101.

JO WALKER
The prospect of a day of shopping makes me a bit ill, so I tend to go to places I know will have awesome stuff and good people behind the counter – get in, get out, breathe into a paper bag, etc. I always drop past Meet Me At Mikes for a poke around when I’m on Brunswick Street. It’s a bit of a crafty wonderland. Grandfathers Axe has lovingly restored vintage furniture, which fulfils my retro lusts, and Gewürzhaus in Carlton is like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for spices and herbs. Ooh – and Frankston Savers! An undiscovered delight!

CAFES/RESTAURANTS – WOOLY BULL

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:23:47 +0000

Mitch Marks, John Douglas and friends have always day-dreamed about a one-stop cafe/comic-book/record shop – and last month they opened one! Named after the 1965 hit ‘Wooly Bully‘ by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, the cafe serves up tasty Supreme coffee, hard-to-find single-issue comics and rare vinyl (including plenty of local garage punk) all at the same time. Well, not at exactly the same time. Keep your gin-cured salmon bagel off that Boomgates 7-inch. The fit-out, by Jess Johnson of Hell Gallery, feels fifties in a friendly rather than a frou-frou way – and Errol Street gets edgier by the month.

104 ERROL STREET, NORTH MELBOURNE.

JO WALKER
With eating out, I think I might be the equivalent of a cheap drunk. Anything yum and under 20 bucks and I’m there. Tibas on Sydney Road is my local – lovely food AND a plastic mosque clock that plays calls to prayer. CIBI, a Japanese-style cafe in Collingwood, is one of those great places that just leaves you with a big grin as well as a full tummy. And The Retreat in Abbotsford for cosy, stick-to-your-ribs pub food. They filmed The Sullivans there!

ARTS – MIS-DESIGN

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:22:13 +0000

Hey did you ever finish reading Infinite Jest? Oh don’t worry, hardly anybody has. The good news is – now you can experience it! Inspired by David Foster Wallace (the 20th century’s greatest novelist-slash-tennis-fan), US artist Adam Kalkin will be turning the Ian Potter Museum of Art into a working tennis academy. It’s part of a larger exhibition project called Mis-design, which will involve artists from Tim Fleming to the Pacific Women’s Weaving Circle infiltrating pretty unexpected venues across the city. Why? Because they’re examining the role of art in an increasingly commercial world. DFW would definitely have approved.

IAN POTTER MUSEUM OF ART
UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
SWANSTON STREET, PARKVILLE.
TEL: 03 8344 5148.
OTHER VENUES CITY WIDE,
24 AUGUST – 6 NOVEMBER.

JO WALKER
I’m such a wordy person. It’s a terrible affliction: when I go to a gallery I spend most of my time reading the labels rather than looking at the pictures. But there are certain places around Melbs that I know can float my artistic boat. I love Outré in town for cutesy retro stuff (I bought a Gus McLaren statuette there recently – I’m in love with it), and if I could become a hobo and live at Lamington Drive I would. Being a printy lady, I am also enamoured of Sticky Institute. Makes me nostalgic for my own zine days. Sob!

GUEST EDITOR, JO WALKER

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:19:07 +0000

This issue our guest editor is real-life editor Jo Walker, the lady at the helm of the straight-talking, craft-loving, Australian fashion and culture bible frankie. As well as putting together the bumper bi-monthly edition, she’s working on some top-secret frankie side-projects, contemplating buying a motorbike and enjoying the last cosy days of winter. Boots, jackets, scarves, mulled wine, hot chocolate – and the steam that comes out of your mouth on frosty mornings: these are Jo’s favourite things. But she took time out from the cold this week to tell us what she loves most about Melbourne.

WIN – POP CRAFT TOTE BAG

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:11:48 +0000

Right next door to Harvest Workroom, Pop Craft is a pop-up shop specialising in high-quality Australian and Japanese yarn and hand-made clothes and accessories from local designers. They’re doing all sorts of workshops as part of the State of Design Festival, including ‘Make a Mini Teepee‘ with Leila Sanderson and ‘Weaving Fabric‘ with Maryann Talia Pau. We have one limited-edition hand-screen-printed tote to give away! To enter, tell us what you would tote around in it. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) including your answer in the subject line by 5pm, Monday 16 July.

CAFES AND RESTAURANTS

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:10:46 +0000

The Social Studio, a growing refugee community education centre and fashion design hub, has recently uprooted its in-house cafe and moved it next door. The new space is called The Cutting Table, and you can cut your breakfast or lunch there six days a week! Following the loose theme of ‘African burger joint’, chef Enza and her team specialize in beef, fish, chicken and vegie burgers – served with home-style African potatoes. After a cup of fair trade coffee you can pop next door and browse the new Social Studio collection – also made on the premises.

128 SMITH STREET,
COLLINGWOOD.
TEL: 03 9417 2143.

STEPHANIE DOWNEY
A new crop of establishments has reaffirmed my loyalty to North Melbourne. Beatrix is a tiny cafe offering great coffee, delicious food and a cabinet of irresistible home-made pastries and cakes. Drink Bulgarian wine and listen to records in the cosy dark wood bar at The Crimean, a restaurant taking inspiration from the Eastern European cuisine surrounding the Black Sea. I’m excited to have record store/cafe Wooly Bully now open on my street.

RETAIL – HERR BLICK

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:09:32 +0000

A session in the chair at Herr Blick‘s new parquet-floored barber studio – above the old Victor Horsley Chambers on Collins Street – is basically 60 minutes of indulgence. A craftsman of the follicle, Steven Blick runs a single-scissor, appointment-only, no-nonsense traditional barber service – for ladies as well as gents. But you don’t have to stop at a chop. The new Blick salon is also a place to buy furniture by Grandfather’s Axe, vintage posters courtesy of Galerie Montmartre, and curios and ephemera from Wunderkammer.

SUITE 13, LEVEL 1,
12 COLLINS STREET,
MELBOURNE.
TEL: 03 9005 4612.

STEPHANIE DOWNEY
Edgeley is a tiny, exclusive dress shop offering spectacular hats and beautifully tailored clothing, designed and made behind a gauzy curtain by the adorable Alice – seamstress extraordinaire. Alice sews some of my samples and does a perfect job. Dagmar Roussett has a colourful collection of unique knitwear, prints and beautiful jewellery, as well as a series of night-time French classes I really want to attend. Alice Euphemia has an impressive range of locally designed, exclusively Australian made labels (including Dress Up!)

DESIGN – MIFF

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:08:23 +0000

As the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) turns sixty this year, they’re taking the opportunity to look back and reflect. Showing at ACMI as part of State of Design, the exhibition MIFF 60 features an incredible fifty-nine years’ worth of festival programs from the MIFF archives – like a flipbook of every dominant post-war design trend ever. But this year’s festival isn’t all about looking back – with films such as Japanese love epic Norwegian Wood, voyeurism doco Shut Up Little Man!, and the Australian premier of Spike Jonze’s Scenes from the Suburbs on the program, there’s plenty to look forward to as well.

20 JULY – 7 AUGUST, CITYWIDE.

STEPHANIE DOWNEY
MIFF begins on my birthday – the best present. I’m really looking forward to Richard Ayoade‘s new film Submarine, and also Cave of Forgotten Dreams by Werner Herzog. I love the chance to see films at different spots during the festival – such as The Forum – and I try to see as many films as I can find time for. ACMI‘s program is always diverse and inspiring. I recently saw some beautiful films by Kelly Reichardt, and caught the end of a Rainer Werner Fassbinder retrospective.

ARTS – NATHAN COLEY AND STATE OF DESIGN

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:07:10 +0000

What happens when you cross art and architecture? Okay, Gaudi for one. But Nathan Coley is on the list too. The Turner Prize-nominated Scottish artist loves to examine the absurdity in our built environment and (despite his lampooning of ‘architect speak’ in a video work narrated by Cate Blanchett) Coley’s Appearances exhibition at ACCA is part of this year’s State of Design festival program. Check out the in-gallery events including a Pecha Kucha night, a live broadcast of ‘The Architects‘ radio show – and a screening evening celebrating type design in credit sequences throughout film history.

ACCA, 111 STURT ST,
SOUTHBANK.
TEL: 03 9697 9999.

STATE OF DESIGN RUNS CITYWIDE,
20–31 JULY.

STEPHANIE DOWNEY
Currently on display at Craft Victoria is the beautiful Windowgarden installation by the ever-extraordinary BLESS, one of my favourite conceptual design/fashion brands, alongside another installation called Solidarity Thing by Antuong Nguyen and the talented Pageant designers. Recently I loved Martin Bell‘s new work at the launch for new underground mag Higher Arc. I have unconditional love for ACCA – I have fond memories of seeing amazing work by the likes of Gillian Wearing, Rosslynd Piggott, Sophie Calle and Nan Goldin.

GUEST EDITOR, STEPHANIE DOWNEY

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:05:44 +0000

This issue our guest editor is Dress Up designer Stephanie Downey. From one collection to the next, Stephanie makes subtle and beautiful clothing that can lady-fy even the most reluctant of fashionistas. Right now she’s working on next year’s winter collection and seeing as much of the MIFF program as possible. She’s even making her own short film – in collaboration with local directing duo KROZM – to launch Dress Up AW12 in September. Watch this space, because it soon will have Stephanie’s new website and online store in it.

WIN – THIRD DRAWER DOWN X KIOSK

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:58:39 +0000

KIOSK, the utilitarian travelling design store from New York, now has a permanent pitstop in the wings of Melbourne’s beloved Museum of Art Souvenirs, Third Drawer Down. We have one Third Drawer Down x KIOSK prize pack – including a limited-edition tea towel designed by Australian artist Tom Polo and a Juniper Utensil Set from Sweden – to give away! To enter, tell us what you keep in your third drawer down. Email us (use the link, don’t reply) – including your answer in the subject line by 5pm, Monday 27 June.

93 GEORGE STREET,
FITZROY.
Tel: (03) 9534 4088.

CAFES/RESTAURANTS – EASY TIGER

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:57:20 +0000

Recently joining Gigibaba, Huxtable and Boire at the ‘Paris End’ of Smith Street, Easy Tiger‘s take on mod Thai has quickly established it as a neighbourhood favourite for lovers of ginger, chilli and lemongrass. From street hawker snacks to the Sunday banquet, chef Jarrod Hudson loves exploring the cuisine’s complexities, combining traditional flavours with a fine-dining approach. The Tiger’s simple timber interior is accented by a bright lime window seat, coloured drinking glasses perched on backlit shelves, and an evolving wall mural by Melbourne artist Tai Snaith.

96 SMITH STREET,
COLLINGWOOD.
Tel: (03) 9417 2373.

RAPH RASHID
If friends come in from out of town I always take them to Curtin House – The Toff, Cookie and Rooftop. For coffee, I hit up Seven Seeds. A couple of my favourite food spots are Mankoushe on Lygon Street and Salateens Chicken on Sydney Road. A bit of fried chicken and a drink from Izakaya Den is always a good move.

NIGHTLIFE- COLLINGWOOD SKIPPING CLUB

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:55:43 +0000

In light of a New Year’s resolution to get fit, Three Thousand‘s Penny Modra began the much anticipated Collingwood Skipping Club earlier this year. The club meets on the last Tuesday of every month at the Rancho Deluxe hot rod workshop, and the rules are simple: all are welcome, BYO individual ropes, large ropes, water and orange quarters are supplied, and you’d better love early-nineties hip hop, because that’s all that blows from the boombox. If you can’t double dutch, that makes most of us. It’s mainly about putting the frivolity back into fitness.

34 BUDD STREET,
COLLINGWOOD.

RAPH RASHID
Last time we went out partying we hit Favela Rock at Miss Libertine and the monthly Wax Museum jam at the Croft Institute. My favourite live venues, for their sound systems, are The Prince and Revolver. I am into a whole bunch of different music and I really enjoyed the Happy Mondays nights that went down at the Rooftop last summer. Beach House were amazing.

RETAIL – GEWÜRZHAUS

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:53:27 +0000

Gewürzhaus (‘spice house’ in German) is the kind of place that can beef up your spice rack. Here you’ll find a range of more than 300 products and 120 unique blends of aromatic herbs, spices, salts and sugars ready to be self-scooped into gold-leaf paper bags. There’s an assortment of kitchen utensils to woo even the most reluctant of chefs, and a wealth of culinary advice from sister-owners Maria and Eva Konecsny – always on hand to advise about Tonka Beans or where to sprinkle Alaen Hawaiian Pink Salt.

342 LYGON STREET, CARLTON.
Tel: 03 9023 1028.

RAPH RASHID
My world in Melbourne revolves around food and music. I still check records from Wax Museum and Northside Records. All our furniture is vintage and Beci is an avid collector of knick-knacks, so we spend a lot of time at places like the Junk Company, Guy Mathews and Grandfather’s Axe.

ARTS – TWENTY BY THIRTY

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:51:26 +0000

Twenty By Thirty is Melbourne’s smallest artist-run gallery. “Yeah, right,” you say. “We’ve all got problems. How small?” Twenty by thirty centimetres. “Oh.” Founded a few years back, this hole-in-the-wall gallery has been on hiatus since the cafe it was attached to closed down. This month, though, it has re-opened – exhibiting a tiny maze by Melbourne artist Daniel Dorall. Why now? Because the people behind Richmond’s Der Raum have just opened their new drinking spot, Bar Americano, at the Presgrave Place address.

20 PRESGRAVE PLACE, MELBOURNE.

RAPH RASHID
I love checking shows out at Hell Gallery in Richmond and Utopian Slumps in the city, but I still get super excited about interesting graffiti. The attitude and approach of writers has changed over the years and I love seeing a cool piece or tag. There are a few writers who have taken their graffiti philosophies and flipped them into a completely different medium and I am really drawn to these guys. I’m always on the lookout for new work by Dan Moynihan and Brendan Huntley.

GUEST EDITOR, RAPH RASHID

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:15:23 +0000

This issue our guest editor is Raph Rashid, the man behind Beatbox Kitchen‘s ejecting tape deck window. Having tried his hand (and succeeded) in the t-shirt, hip hop, and publishing games, Raph is now known for grilling Melbourne’s best burger – and also for bringing the long-awaited Taco Truck to town. Right now he’s working on some new recipes, shooting a follow-up to Beyond The Beat and, most of all, spending time with his family – his wife Beci Orpin, and their two little men.

Rue de Fleurus has nice signage

editor — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 04:49:04 +0000

Today I walked along Gertrude Street and I saw a great restaurant called Rue de Fleurus. Look at the nice signage! We got 2 x spaghetti in a bag plus a beer. Go there when you need some comfort time. … Continue reading →

CIBI inside Aesop

editor — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:22:45 +0000

CIBI are inside Aesop‘s Flinders Lane store for the month. Zenta and his CIBI-ites have set up shop to sell some of the beautiful homewares usually reserved for their Collingwood store. They are also offering green tea to all visitors. So the next time you’re deciding on a serum or cream, sip a green tea slowly and enjoy the company of two of Melbourne’s best retailers.

Paul Barbera, ‘Where They Create’

editor — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 02:44:30 +0000

Daniel Barbera is the maker of our beautiful dining table. Last week his brother, Paul Barbera, launched the long-awaited print version of his website, Where They Create. Talk about a family we wish we were born into.

Paul Barbera’s photos capture the studios and homes of creatives. They remind us that the places behind the people are often as interesting as the people themselves.

Complete with interviews with his subjects, Where They Create is on sale just up the road from us at Metropolis Bookshop, Level 3, 252 Swanston Street.

We went to LongPlay

editor — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 04:43:07 +0000

Last night my girlfriend and I went to LongPlay which is on St Georges Road and a bit out of the city. The cultural concierge recommended it when we said we liked eating tapas. We shared a ceviche (which is this Mexican type of fish dish) and a risotto plus some bread and oil. The wine list was good and so were the staff. The best bit was we got to sit inside some big wooden booths, kind of like we were in a film or a game. We recommend!

Bunny and pirate at Manchester Press

editor — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:59:52 +0000

Barista at Manchester Press made us a bunny rabbit and a pirate’s face in our latte and flat white! Manchester Press is just down Rankins Lane (was very close to our hotel room) and they do great bagels.

MIFF

editor — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 05:09:15 +0000

Every year, when the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) program is announced, most of us seriously consider taking a two week hiatus from work and investing in a festival pass. Now in its 60th year, the festival has quite a following so concierge has been encouraging guests to book early.

Some recommendations from us include Beginners directed by graphic designer Mike Mills, The Future directed by Miranda July (Mike Mill’s wife whose pillows were in last year’s Lost & Found hotel room), Melancholia, Wasted Youth, The Eye of The Storm (set in St Kilda and pictured here) and more. You know what? The whole program is beyond. Just take that hiatus and go to everything.

Full program and ticketing here.

Beans there, done that: Hoboken

editor — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 02:56:14 +0000

While it’s hard to go past the Captains of Industry breakfast wafting up from just one floor beneath the hotel room, we recommend that guests stretch their legs and walk a few blocks to visit Hoboken. A recent addition to Hosier Lane (Movida, Movida Next Door, Misty, City Lights Gallery), make sure you try the red beans with rice with greens, feta, red onion relish and drizzled with hot sauce.

Habitus Living

editor — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:59:36 +0000

Lost & Found Hotel Room was recently featured in Habitus magazine’s online portal, Habitus Living. View article.

Denim. As in double denim.

editor — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 02:46:38 +0000

‘Denim’ is an exhibition curated by Melbourne artist Dell Stewart opening at Brunswick-based shop and gallery and Lost & Found collaborator, Mr Kitly, on August 4. A predominantly local line-up is complemented by a selection of interstate and international artists and designers. Visit Dell’s blog here for some fresh perspectives on an everyday article of clothing.

‘Denim’ ARTISTS:
Julie Floersch (Brooklyn), Max Olijnyk (Melbourne), Jen Bartholemew (Melbourne), Mona Electric (Melbourne), Lyn Balzer & Tony Perkins (Sydney), Renilde Depeuter (Antwerp), Penelope Durston (Melbourne) Dell Stewart (Melbourne), Maricor/Maricar (London), Brett Day Windham (Brooklyn) John Brooks (Melbourne)

Picnic and hedges at NGV

editor — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 22:30:37 +0000

The weather was nice today so we went on a picnic. Concierge recommended the back garden at the National Gallery of Victoria – which is where they keep a lot of sculptures. The best part about it was the hedges … Continue reading →

Warpaint

editor — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:32:28 +0000

We can’t put our finger on it exactly but there is something about Warpaint’s sound that makes you want to break things. With this in mind, listening to Warpaint while staying in the hotel room is strictly forbidden. However, you can listen to them if you go to one of their upcoming shows at The Corner Hotel. The first show is sold out and the second show is selling fast so be quick and keep an eye out for an upcoming issue of Lost & Found guest edited by Warpaint’s drummer, Stella.

Nice bikes in Melbourne

editor — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 04:35:56 +0000

Today it finally stopped raining so we took the Humble Vintage bikes from the hotel room for a ride to Fitzroy/Collingwood which is north of the Yarra. There were lots of people out riding! And everyone seems to have a really nice looking bike in Melbourne. Our favourite bike spotting of the day was this guy at De Clieu (a nice cafe on Gertrude Street!) who we sneakily took a photo of. He was very tall and stylish, much like his bike. Tx

BLESS Windowgarden Exhibition

editor — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 02:11:04 +0000

While BLESS aren’t from Melbourne their recent exhibition, ‘Windowgarden’ hosted at Craft Victoria, was done in collaboration with local fashion/art duo Perks and Mini (PAM) who filled their perspex “inverted patios” with all sorts of strangeness.

Perks and Mini are Shauna Toohey and Misha Hollenbach, and Misha is the artist responsible for the ‘Donutz’ hanging on the northern wall of the Lost & Found Hotel Room as well as the neon sculpture that glows mysteriously in the corner of the room.

‘Windowgarden’ runs until July 28 and a section of BLESS clothes and accessories are also available in the Craft Victoria shop, all exhibition details can be found here.

Vogue Living

editor — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:17:54 +0000

We’re pretty chuffed to be featured in Vogue Living‘s July/August edition.

Riding along the Yarra

editor — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 22:06:36 +0000

We took the south side of the Yarra to get to the Abbotsford Convent – this was a kind of round about way, wouldn’t recommend unless you want a very long ride! Along the way we came across this place called Kanteen. We got corn cakes for breakfast and sat outside in the sun on the benches pictured in this photo. When we finally got to the convent we had Japanese at Kappaya (onigiri set) and a pot of beer at Handsome Steve’s House of Refreshment.

House Wear Exhibition

editor — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 01:53:00 +0000

‘House Wear’ is a multidisciplinary exhibition that addresses the condition of impermanence in everyday life and its effect on contemporary design. After setting up the Lost & Found Hotel Room this is definitely a topic that caught our attention and we are looking forward to seeing the responses of artists, writers, architects and designers as they explore how this relationship affects the way we live, and the impact of nomadic behavior on our perception of house/home. Contributors include Dylan Martorell, Sibling, Tin&Ed (former designers of Lost & Found publication) and ffiXXed who designed and produced the Lost & Found Hotel Room lounge area rug and cork floor runner with those amazing built in pot plant holders. Opening on July 28 as part of State of Design Festival, all exhibition details can be found on the State of Design website, here.

Lots of leaves at the CIBI shop

editor — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:59:06 +0000

Everyone in Melbourne talks about CIBI and now we have been there ourselves. The traditional Japanese breakfast was delicious, the staff were so nice and the whole place was very cosy. In the shop they had this autumn leaf installation … Continue reading →