This weekend you might place yourself next to an enormous Antarctic iceberg, sleep rough for charity or drool over some delicious culinary delights. Luke Henriques-Gomes has the lowdown.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txkd6nLaA5I[/youtube]
Melbourne International Film Festival
Until August 19, ACMI, Federation Square
Whether you’re a beret-wearing film buff, or just enjoy a good flick, Fed Square is the place to be this month. The Melbourne International Film Festival is your best opportunity to see some of the year’s most talked about films. Alongside a wide range of Aussie movies are features from all corners of the globe. With a range stretching from Latin-American cinema, indie documentaries from China and lots of shorts and animated films, there’s plenty for everyone. Tickets are available from the Melbourne International Film Festival website.
Having trouble curating a shortlist of films to check out? Here’s our rundown of what to watch and the directors to look out for.
Photo: State Library of Victoria
Gusto! A Culinary History of Victoria
August 3 – 28, State Library
Victoria’s history as a hub for immigrants means food is ingrained in our culture. This is the premise of Gusto, a free exhibition examining Victoria’s dining habits from way back when until now. It’s also a good excuse for you to drool over platefuls of scrumptious food. The exhibition covers indigenous foods, food rationing and the city’s contemporary culinary landscape. If it’s true that you are what you eat, then Gusto is a great way to learn all about Melbourne and its people. The State Library has more.
Photo: Ben Holt via WikiCommons
[iceberg]
August 3 – September 22, Federation Square
Visual artist David Burrows spent seven weeks in Antarctica, capturing the icy continent in glorious 3D photographs. He’s used those images to create his new installation, [iceberg]. A series of viewers (a bit like high tech View-Masters) are placed in positions that mimic the actual size of an iceberg. This creates the spatial illusion of looking out onto the stark Antarctic landscape. Beginning this weekend, [iceberg] is free and runs until September 22 so there’s plenty of time to have a look.
Photo: Mission Australia
Winter Sleep Out
August 4 – 12
Organised by Mission Australia, the Winter Sleep Out aims to raise funds and awareness to support people out of homelessness. To make a difference simply organise your own sleep out in a school hall, backyard or even your living room. Then get friends and family to sponsor you. For more information about how you can get involved, here’s a factsheet from Mission Australia.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVhNi5cU8mo[/youtube]
Mark Gardener at The Corner Hotel
August 5, The Corner Hotel
The Anglophiles out there may know Ride, a pioneering British shoegaze band from the early 90’s. Though they broke up long ago, the band’s Mark Gardener is in town and will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their classic album Going Blank Again by playing some of Ride’s best loved tunes. With local indie pop stalwarts Underground Lovers in support, Sunday night at The Corner is shaping up to be one of the gigs of the year. If you’re quick, you can still grab tickets from The Corner Hotel.