Brickvention: Lego Exhibition 2010 January Long Weekend

Brickvention is Australia’s premier LEGO® convention Brickvention is an Australian based convention for LEGO® fans. It’s a two-day event that brings together LEGO® fans from all over Australia to view original and unusual creations. The next Brickvention will be held over the weekend of 23rd- 24th January 2010. Saturday 23rd January 2010 is devoted to Adult Fans of LEGO® and features competitions, games and activities involving LEGO®. Sunday 24th January is the Public Open Day part of Brickvention where anyone can come along and view the amazing creations made out of LEGO®. LEGO® fans of all ages are welcome on the Sunday from 11am – 4pm. Entry is $5 for adults, $2.50 for kids, $15 for a family with 2 adults and up to 4 children. If you love LEGO®, why not join us on the Public Open Day at Level 12, Victoria University Building, 300 Flinders Street, Melbourne.

For more information, please contact us.

Renaissance Bookbinding – St Georges Rd, Fitzroy

On my forays from old haunt Preston to the city and back, I passed Renaissance Bookbinders on a daily basis.  The handbound books in the window and intriguing contraptions within held my curious eye on each occasion until, finally, I fashioned an occasion to step inside and enquire about what on earth this cabinet of paper curiousities really is.

As it turns out, the description is helpfully literal.  This shop binds books, using traditional and very beautiful binding methods around since the Renaissance.  They promote the art of book binding in addition to making their honest living through binding books for others.   Their paper presses and other by-hand binding contraptions are fascinating to behold.

Their official spiel is as follows:

Renaissance Bookbinding  was Established in 1981 to promote and enhance his ancient craft of bookbinding and the book arts.Specialising in fine bookbinding & conservation in historical and contemporary designs. Artists’ Books bound in Unique State and Limited Editions. Renaissance Bookbinding is located in a Edwardian shopfront located at 493 Brunswick Street Fitzroy Nth. Melbourne Victoria. The shop window has a display to public of some past and current  work commisioned by artists, designers and printmakers.We have in stock quality Leather Bound Journals, Book Boxes and Albums. Renaissance Bookbinding has unique collection of historical Bookbinding Presses from 1880, Alboin Printing Press from 1858, Vandercook proofing press 1961, Marshall and MaCkay Bristol Gold stamping presses from 1900. Large collection of Gold finishing tools, handset type, brass and foundry. Renaissance Booklbinding offers consultancy for both conservation and binding, all enquiries are welcome.

At the very least, a curious peer through the window of this intriguing establishment is essential on your next Brunswick St trawl.

Their details:

RENAISSANCE BOOKBINDING

493 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy North, VIC 3068

p: (03) 9481 8402  f: (03) 9481 8402

They don’t have a website.

thanks to:

http://meliors.blogspot.com/

for the photo.

Malt Whisky Society of Australia – Melbourne Tasting 12th Nov

 

 

Malt Whisky Society of Australia

Melbourne Malt Whisky Showcase

Whisky Tasting Event

 

 

12th November, 2009 – Presse Wine Bar, Elwood

 

This tasting showcases the difficult-to-find award winning malts from the 2009 Whisky Awards, conducted in August with the trophies and medals awarded in September 2009 in Adelaide. We judged 52 whiskies submitted by producers and agents. We awarded 26 medals – 3 Gold, 10 Silver and 13 Bronze. To be awarded any medal the whisky had to impress a panel of 9 judges and average a score over 80/100.

Highlights of the Awards include:

Lark Distillers, LD #39  was the Trophy Winner for best A ustralian malt and was Craig’s third highest scoring malt. The Benromach Peat Smoke (46%) was the second highest ranking malt overall and one of only three Gold Medal Winners. The Isle of Jura Superstition was awarded Craig’s Trophy or Best Value for Money.

Presented by MWSoA Chairman Craig Daniels, the Whiskies on offer at this one and only Melbourne tasting for 2009 are:

v  Glenmorangie 18 Extremely Rare 43% (Silver)

v  Bruichladdich 16 Cuvee E 46% (Bronze)

v  Lark Distillery LD #39 43% (Silver)

v  Isle of Jura Superstition 43% (Silver)

v  Benromach Peat Smoke 46% (Gold)

 

UPSTAIRS AT PRESSE CAFE & WINE BAR – 97 BRIGHTON ROAD, ELWOOD, VICTORIA

THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2009, 6.15 FOR 6.30PM

COST $45 FOR MEMBERS -$50 FOR NON-MEMBERS

There is a limit of 25 attendees so BOOKINGS are ESSENTIAL

A light supper will be served. Please arrange to travel by public transport.

Bookings: Adam Walker of Presse on (03) 9537 7500 before 4.00pm on 11 November 2009

 

 

Worn Wild Alternative Designer Market – On again Sep 5th

Received from Worn Wild Headquarters…

Worn Wild

The Alternative Designers Market

New Venue: The Colonial Hotel
240 King Street (cnr Lonsdale Street)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Date: Saturday 5th September 2009
Time: 1pm-6pm
Cost: $5.00 earlybird entry / $10 after 3:30pm.
Fashion show at 4:30pm

Ever been to Japan’s Harajuku on a Sunday? Get a taste of it right here in Melbourne!

Showcasing the best of Melbourne’s underground & alternative designers with select interstate guests. Fashion, jewelry, hair artistry, accessories & body art for rockers, ravers, queers, punks, cyberpunks, goths, hippies, metalheads, emos, lolitas, clubbers, fans of corsetry & burlesque & general street-stylin’.

For customers & industry buyers “Worn Wild” is the one-stop shop for all styles alternative. It’s a chance to see the full range of products on offer from each designer, try on items you have only ever seen on the net or order a custom-made design. You’ll be amazed at the huge diversity and volume of products on show.

If it’s jewellery you’re after Worn Wild will be showcasing a stunning variety adorned with feathers, flowers, cameos, beads, ribbons & steel from the romanticly elegant to the more chunky, industrial & masculine in design. There are hair accessories too in the form of cyber lox & hair additions, rockabilly & skull clips, voodoo combs, lolita headpieces & fascinators to name a few.

You’ll find plenty of individualistic & unique couture – corsets, street wear, occasion wear & club styles that can be custom ordered or off the rack, one offs and standard stock. Our unique designers are less likely to be influenced by the latest season’s looks, hemlines, celebrities or new blacks!

But it’s not just about clothing and accessories, Worn Wild is committed to bringing to its audience products and services which influence every aspect of alternative lifestyle. There’s artwork, bags, manchester or perhaps you’d fancy a new hairdo?

Worn Wild is the first show of its kind in Australia. It’s a hotspot for all genres of alternative design and portfolios some of the most innovative wearable art forms as well as the most exciting ‘niches’ in the underground of fashion.

Finally there is a captivating and high energy event that does more than just put fashion on show.

Presented by GeoMythik / Starseeded Productions with fashion shows, performance, discounts, music, food service & full bar! Be there early to plot your course and take advantage of our specials.

Are you interested in being on our database? You’ll receive all the latest news and top-secret information about our discounts, shows etc
Email us at wornwild@starseededproductions.com with the header ‘E-List’ and we’ll add you to our bulletin group.

Shadows Cinema – Catch it before the lights go up

http://pj-shadow.blogspot.com/

SHADOWS WINTER PROGRAMME

Six cinematic dissertations on the proposal: people ain’t no good even when they’re god.

With a selection of short subjects.

Do you miss cinemas like the Lumiere, the Carlton Movie House and the Valhalla as much as I do? Well come along to Shadows, a screening of unusual and locally unavailable films every Friday over winter. Bursting with opinions? Stay afterward for good music and a drink at the bar.

The Place:

ABC Gallery is an ex warehouse/factory set deep in the heart of auld Collingwood, now serving as a Gallery for the painter Milos Manojlovic who also serves fine drinkables and worldly wisdom at the bar.

Location:
ABC Gallery 127 Campbell St Collingwood (See map at end of post or follow link to Google Maps with street view picture of the Gallery)
Melway Ref. 2C G8

Dvds projected on to a white wall. A selection of couches and tables. A bar with reasonable prices and a coffee machine.

All of these films will be accompanied by shorts. No shorts, no film.

“This ain’t multiplex, this is gold class art house!” — David Bowie, Diamond Dogs (paraphrase).

All that for a gold coin donation?
“Holy guacamole in a bowl of ravioli!” Pope Pius XV Celestine Decree

Tutto Benne Gelati – Saving Southbank…

Everyone has their own feelings about Southbank, yes? Tacky, tourist trap, overpriced, convenient, varied, hit and miss, the craft market on the weekend is pretty decent (I personally love those glass Kaleidoscopes). But rarely would you think of the Flinders St end for cuisine, what with Rockpool, Guilaume etc down the Crown end stealing all the limelight.

But Tutto Benne, the Italian restaurant on level 1, enshrines one of Melbourne’s hidden gems – the best damned gelati in Melbourne. Yes, I make the claim and dare you to prove me wrong. What makes it the best: well key in my mind is the diverse and interesting range of flavours, plus the fact that they keep the range small (12 flavours) but each one is amazing, and they vary the range up depending on the day and the season. It’s wonderful, fresh epiphenal-tasting gelati. Not to mention the fact that you can choose from regular size and baby-cup size, and even the baby cup is generous enough for a decent sized sweet. So far the flavours that have rocked my personal world include:

Pannetone (which was there yesterday 06 08 09 and I HIGHLY recommend).
Fig
Gin and Tonic
Campari and Blood Orange

plus the old favourites like chocolate, lemon, coconut, coffee, blood orange done very very well.

I can’t recommend this place enough. You’ll find it in the corner near the centre stairwell on Level 1 of Southbank, upstairs from the food court, outside Tutto Benne the restaurant. Winter isn’t normally the time one considers a gelati… but with flavours this great I’m pretty sure there’s an exception clause.

PS I owe this one to a tip from UM gastrosleuth Paul.  Cheers.

VNV Nation comes to Melbourne… Vegetarian Network Victoria that is

Once a month the Vegetarian Network Victoria hosts a social dinner at a different Vegetarian restaurant. If you want to stretch your tastebuds beyond the usual haunts it’s a good way to discover a new Vegie-friendly restaurant.

Details below… and more information ontheir website

Upcoming Events – 2009

SEPTEMBER	VNV SOCIAL DINNER – VEGETARIAN NIRVANA CAFE
	Date: Time: Where: Address: Details: RSVP:	Saturday, 5 September 7.30pm Vegetarian Nirvana Cafe 486 Bridge Road, Richmond North Indian cuisine. Food is high in taste and low in fat.Try the signature kofta and eggplant dishes. Vegan, wheat/gluten-free, allergy diets catered for; some dishes are free of onion, garlic etc. Fat-free dishes available on request. Please RSVP to Georgie at social.dinners@vnv.org.au by Friday 28 August at 8pm.
OCTOBER	VNV SOCIAL DINNER – WHITE LOTUS
	Date: Time: Where: Address: Details: RSVP:	Saturday, 3 October 7.30pm White Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant 185 Victoria Street, West Melbourne All vegan Chinese menu. We cater for travellers of all religious paths. A special wheat/gluten-free menu is available. All dishes are free of onions, leeks, garlic, chives and shallots. Please RSVP to Georgie at social.dinners@vnv.org.au by Friday 25 September at 8pm
NOVEMBER	VNV SOCIAL DINNER – PLUSH PIZZA
	Date: Time: Where: Address: Details: RSVP:	Saturday, 7 November 7.30pm Plush Pizza 85 Burwood Road, Hawthorn Order your pizza at Plush Pizza, then walk down the road to St James Park for a picnic (meet at the grandstand near the corner of Burwood Road and Barton Street). Plush Pizza seeks to provide its customers with an exciting and varied range of gourmet vegetarian and vegan pizzas. They are careful to select only the freshest and finest ingredients, ensuring that all their products (dairy in particular) are free from animal-derived food additives such as rennet and gelatine. No egg is used in any of their products. They make all of their sauces on site. Cheezly non-dairy mozzarella is available for vegans. They also make their own vegan garlic and herb breads. All pizzas are available gluten-free (extra charges apply). Please RSVP to Georgie at social.dinners@vnv.org.au by Friday 30 October at 8pm.

Astronomy Society of Victoria… August stargazing, membership and beyond

August Monthly Meeting

Date: Wed. 12th August, 8pm  Venue: National Herbarium, Birdwood Ave., Melbourne  Guest Speaker: Dr Bart Pindor (University of Melbourne)  Topic: The Evolution of the Universe - Our Cosmic Past: The history of the Universe is perhaps the oldest and most compelling question in astronomy. Over the past 80 years, astronomers have made a series of remarkable discoveries which have given us an ever more detailed understanding of the evolution of the universe. Our latest discoveries even give us a surprising hint of the future which awaits our distant descendants. Bart Pindor will deliver a fascinating non technical presentation on this subject that will be suitable for all to digest as he answers the ultimate questions of Love, Pain, the Universe and Everything!  All are welcome, there is no cost and supper is provided. Looking forward to seeing you there.  Special Reminder: The ASV Library is now open following the meeting, as well as the usual opening prior to the meeting.   Perry Vlahos, President

New Astronomers’ Group intake

If you are thinking of joining the August Intake of the New Astronomers’ Group (NAG) it was already 2/3rd full at the start of July. Applications close on 06th Aug so be quick. There are four Intakes per year in Feb, May, Aug, and Oct for this 12month course. To find out more visit the “What is NAG” and “How to join NAG” pages of this web-site. To apply send you ASV membership details to: nag@asv.org.au

Coffea Cafe – and castagnaccio

Coffea Cake is not exactly a hidden treasure of Melbourne’s hospitality scene.  It holds a proud position on the Elizabeth St side of the Victorian Markets, and does a thriving weekend trade, closing somewhere between 2 and 3pm each day. They sell a selection of  beans which you can also buy ground to take away – the coffee is definitely tasty and worth a try.  But that’s not revelatory news.   So why do I mention Coffea Cafe?  That’s easy.  It’s the Castagnaccio.  Those of you who have tasted it will most likely smile in satisfied agreement.  Those of you who have not tasted – or perhaps heard – of Castagnaccio need to amend this severe life deficiency pronto.

Castagnaccio is walnut flour cake.  Warmed (always ask for it to be warmed) it is like a sticky date pudding without the caramel sauce and with a slightly herbal flavour:  it is made with raisins (or sultanas) and rosemary.  There is no way to describe this sweet adequately.  On paper, unless one is italian and has grown up with it, it sounds like an odd mix of flavours.  But on the plate, it works oh so very well.  Especially with an espresso to accompany.

Recipes exist on the interwebs for making your own, but I recommend trying Coffea Cafe’s freshly baked version as the best introduction to Castagnaccio you could have.  And then you’ll be a convert, just as I and many before me have also been.

519-521 Elizabeth St Melbourne 3000 VIC

Phone: (03) 9326 7388

Allsorts Bookshop: A win for electronic music g33ks

ALLSORTS BOOKS

275 HIGH ST, NORTHCOTE, VICTORIA.
Ph: 94827930
Open 7 Days a week (12 – 6pm)

Word has reached this blog that there’s a great new secondhand book shop that has been opened by long time Clan Analogue supporter & Frostwave effects innovator Paul Perry. If you are technically minded there are heaps of books on Electronics, etc. He also has lots of books on Synthesizers and other electronic music related items. The shop just opened, so get in quick.  Alot of these books you just never find in most book shops.  If you are a Sydney person feel free to call him if you are after a particular book. He has alot of those 80’s books aimed at electronic musicians covering Midi, drum machines, sequencers, etc..