Metro Apartments on Bank Place, Melbourne

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Melbourne Music Week 2014 Full Program Announced, And its Epic!

Back for its fifth big year, Melbourne Music Week’s 2014 program has been release today and it’s bigger and bolder than ever. The 10-day curette music program is hurting with 110 dynamic event to be held morning, noon, and night across 40 uniquely Melbourne locations.

From quirky music events in laneways, trams, power stations and elevators to experiential performances at iconic Melbourne institutions, MMW’s 2014 program celebrates the crossover between music, art, film, food and design in the country’s cultural capital.

Chair of Council’s Marketing Melbourne committee, Councillor Beverley Pinder-Mortimer said the City of Melbourne continues to work with the music industry to produce an event like no other.

“The city becomes the stage for this 10-day event which highlights the breadth of music in Melbourne. Melbourne is one of the world’s great music cities and Melbourne Music Week absolutely highlights this,” said Cr Pinder-Mortimer.

As previously revealed, this year MMW’s flagship venue, Queen Victoria Market (QVM), will transform into a vibrant performance space with an impressive line-up of local and international acts. Midnight Juggernauts will debut the Melbourne premiere of their visual and musical installation, Aerials, celebrating their tenth anniversary on Saturday 22 November.

Legendary Detroit techno collective Underground Resistance will present a night of jazz and techno music with visionary founder Mad Mike on Tuesday 18 November.

QVM will be pumping as DJ duo Pachanga Boys, the project formed by Superpitcher and Rebolledo, will be joined by Optimo on Wednesday 19 November. In collaboration with SPOOK Magazine, Guerre, Milwaukee Banks and Banoffee will take to the stage on Monday 17 November for an evening of progressive contemporary music.

Co-presented with DUST, avant-garde electronic musician Oneohtrix Point Never will present his world acclaimed visual spectacle on Friday 21 November, supported by Robin Fox and his new laser show RGB.

The Operatives will present DJ Spinn and Remi for an afternoon and night beats and bass showcase on Sunday 23 November. Food will be a highlight at QVM with curated menus drawing draw from the market’s fresh local produce stalls and a rotation of restaurants from the QVM Night Market.

Chair of Council’s Arts and Culture Committee, Councillor Rohan Leppert, said MMVV celebrates local talent and works with the industry in a distinctive co-production model. “MMW is an event that gives back to the labels, artists and venues themselves.

“Over 75 per cent of artists are from Victoria, and this yea, MMW is more accessible than ever with free events making up more than half the program and 90 per cent of ticketed events are under $50,” said Cr Leppert.

Beyond the already fast-selling show at Melbourne Town Hall, German headliner Tangerine Dream will present an exclusive interactive film event at ACMI, playing the live score to the 1977 American existential film, Sorcerer. Tangerine Dream’s front man Edgar Froese will also host a panel discussion at industry event Face The Music, sharing his much-coveted musical insights with Melbourne music lovers.

The most popular night of the program in recent years, Live Music Safari, will once again awaken the city on Thursday 20 November with 14 venues opening their doors for a free night of local music. The program welcomes two new venues, The Hi-Fi and Kelvin Club, as well as expanding to nearby laneways.

MMW’s Self-Made series will return with a new program of innovative events popping up throughout the city. With surprise performances in CBD elevators, daytime musical tennis matches, DJ roller raves, and to parties with performances by yet-to-be-announced musical guests, the series supports the ingenuity and boundless talent of Melbourne’s creative community.

The MMW program boasts a series of unique one-off concerts and artistic collaborations with NGV, MPavilion, Rooftop Cinema, SWELL and Residency that reinterpret public performance spaces and blur the line between art, film, design and music.

The full MMW 2014 program is now available online at melbourne.vic.gov.au/mmw. Tickets are available from Dash Tickets via melbourne.vic.gov.au/mmw from 12:00pm today.

Melbourne Music Week 2014 Lineup

TANGERINE DREAM
ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI
UNDERGROUND RESISTANCE presents TIMELINE
MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS
THE CHURCH
PACHANGA BOYS
DUSKY
ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER
A WINGED VICTORY FOR THE SULLEN
CUT COPY (DJ SET)
DJ SPINN
OPTIMO
TEN WALLS
REMI
ALLDAY
THE HARPOONS
LAURA JEAN
BLACK CAB
SAFIA
MILWAUKEE BANKS
AND MORE

Melbourne Music Week 2014

14th – 23rd November, 2014

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Mariah Carey "The Elusive Chanteuse” Tour

On the heels of the most critically acclaimed album of her career, ‘Me. I am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse,’ the best-selling female artist of all time, MARIAH CAREY, has confirmed Australian dates, extending her previously announced “The Elusive Chanteuse Show” world tour.

Live Nation are thrilled to announce that Nathaniel will be the support act on the Australian leg of Mariah Carey’s “The Elusive Chanteuse Show” world tour.

Mariah Carey will tour Australia in just over a month.

The five-time Grammy Award-winning songstress has extended her The Elusive Chanteuse Show world tour to include a national tour Down Under - her first in more than 15 years.

Fans in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney will have a chance to see Carey perform live, while she'll also do winery shows at A Day on the Green in the Yarra Valley and Mount Cotton, near Brisbane.

Carey’s set list will be an exciting mix of her biggest hits, fan-favourite album cuts, never-before-performed selections from her #1 R&B Album “Me. I am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse” and many more surprises!

“I want to experience the spontaneity and emotion that I put into this album on stage with my fans,” says Carey. “I can’t stop writing songs so don’t be surprised if you hear a brand new song that I just wrote the night before the show in your city!”

Carey last visited Australia for three east coast shows in January 2013.

But the highest-selling female artist of all time hasn't performed a national tour since her Butterfly world tour in 1998.

Last year, the 44-year-old was joined in Australia by her toddler twins Monroe and Moroccan and her actor and comedian husband Nick Cannon.

The couple, who married in 2008, recently split.

Carey will kick off her world tour in Japan on October 4. No further dates have been announced after the Australian leg.

"I want to experience the spontaneity and emotion that I put into this album on stage with my fans," Carey said of the tour in a statement released on Thursday.

"I can't stop writing songs so don't be surprised if you hear a brand new song that I just wrote the night before the show in your city."

Carey's latest album Me. I Am Mariah ... The Elusive Chanteuse has been a critical success, but sales since its release in May have been unspectacular.

Tickets for all shows go on sale on September 26 at 9am (AEST).

MARIAH CAREY AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES:

November 2 - Sandalford Estate, Perth

November 5 - Entertainment Centre, Adelaide

November 7 - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne

November 8 - Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley (A Day on the Green)

November 10 - Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney

November 16 - Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, Brisbane (A Day on the Green)

Mariah Carey is a true music icon and the best-selling female artist of all time, with more than 220 million albums sold to date and 18 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles (17 self-penned), including 'Fantasy', 'Always Be My Baby', 'Hero', 'Touch My Body', 'One Sweet Day', and 'We Belong Together' - more than any solo artist in history.

With her distinct five-octave vocal range, prolific songwriting, and producing talent, Mariah has redefined the modern pop performance. As a singer/songwriter/producer, she has been recognized with multiple Grammy Awards, 21 American Music Awards, Billboard's “Artist of the Decade” Award, the World Music Award for “World's Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium,” and BMI's “Icon Award” for her outstanding achievements in songwriting, to name a

Mariah Carey's ongoing impact transcends the music industry to leave an indelible imprint upon the world at large. She has made substantial marks in film with critically acclaimed roles in Precious (2009) and also in Lee Daniel’s The Butler (2013).

A Congressional Award recipient, Mariah has generously donated her time and energy to a range of philanthropic causes near to her heart including Save the Music, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, World Hunger Relief, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, among many others.

A tremendous supporter of children’s charities, both domestic and international, Mariah founded Camp Mariah in partnership with the Fresh Air Fund, a retreat for inner city children to explore career development.

Prices:

Diamond - $299.90
Platinum - $250.00
Gold - $199.90
Silver - $159.90
Bronze - $99.90

Payment processing and transaction fees apply.
Get Tickets to this show

Mariah Carey "The Elusive Chanteuse” Tour

Diamond - $299.90
Platinum - $250.00
Gold - $199.90
Silver - $159.90
Bronze - $99.90

Payment processing and transaction fees apply.
Get Tickets to this show

Monday, September 29, 2014

Showbag bonanza begins as families flock to Royal Melbourne Show

Cousins Chelsea, 3 and Carlos, 5 ride the flying elephants. Picture: Jason Edwards

FAMILIES flocked to the Melbourne Showgrounds today for the start of the state’s biggest show.

The 12-day Melbourne Show kicked off with a bonanza of rides, showbags, animal events and classic show food.

People chasing an adrenalin rush packed fast-paced rides in the Thrill Seekers Carnival, while children whizzed around on a miniature Ferris wheel.

Holding a toy pony she had won, Charlotte, 4, said the rides were the best part of the show.

Show-goers enjoy the rides. Picture: Jason Edwards

“I like the show because I like to win toys,” she said.

“The rides are good too because they are fun and scary.

“It is fun to come with my friends and go on the rides together.”

Charlotte’s father Michael Willis said yesterday’s warm weather was a perfect curtain-raiser for the show.

“The kids love the show - they love all of the carnival rides,” he said.

Alex Duguid, 4, on a quest for the best showbags. Picture: Jason Edwards

Mickey Mouse and girlfriend Minnie also made their first appearance at the show, keeping kids entertained in the Herald Sun Entertainment Dome.

Epping’s Alex Duguid, 4, was one of hundreds of children to snap up a showbag yesterday.

But it wasn’t all fun and games.

A motocross stunt rider was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital after a daredevil jump went wrong.

The teenager was performing in the Freestyle Mototcross Show about 2pm. Last night he was still in a stable condition.

The Melbourne Show runs 9.30am to 9.30pm daily until October 1.

Today’s highlights include a meet and greet with the stars of Home and Away and horses demonstrating their dressage skills in the exhibition event competition.

Puppies will also put their best paw forward during the Advance Sweepstakes Day competition.

Daniel Gurr, 17, competes in the wood chop. Picture: Jason Edwards

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/showbag-bonanza-begins-as-families-flock-to-royal-melbourne-show/story-fni0fit3-1227065094340?nk=53eff2c37c7efc38ef5aab5f5e0c72e5

Thursday, September 25, 2014

AFL Grand Final 2014: These Are The Games Won Between the Ears

AFL grand final 2014: These are the games won between the ears

Grand finals aren't always won by the best players, the strongest, quickest or the most skillful. They're won by those with the strongest minds.

Being able to perform on one of the biggest stages in world sport takes extraordinary mettle and not every player - no matter how good he may have been during the regular season - is capable of dealing with the pressure.

It's why clubs and coaches do everything in their power to maintain routine in the lead-up to the match. They plan the same way, put their players through the same training drills and reinforce the little things that have got them there.

Yet nothing is normal. You can't help but notice the increased presence of cameras around you and the extra fans at training. There's wall-to-wall coverage of the match from almost every media outlet in the country, with the grand final parade offering yet another excuse for a bad night's sleep before the big game.

Indeed, grand finals are a melting pot of emotions, and if you can't get a handle on the excitement, anxiety and probable fear that you'll experience before the first bounce, then you may struggle.

While statistics largely go out the window in games like these, there are three key measures that have consistently gauged the outcome of recent grand finals - inside 50s, the effectiveness of kicks inside 50 and accuracy in front of goal.

2012 AFL Grand Final Statistics

Inside 50s: Excluding last year, the number of inside 50s has heavily favoured the losing team in five of the last six grand finals and also Collingwood in the drawn grand final of 2010. Put simply, losing teams consistently won the ball and got it forward, but butchered their chances.

Effectives of kicks inside 50: In the same grand finals, only two teams recorded a better marking percentage from kicks inside 50 on grand final day compared to their season average. Again, it's a reflection of poor decision-making.

Playing under pressure shouldn't mean you lose your composure, but recent grand finalists have seemed intent on just bombing the ball forward, giving their intended targets little or no chance of marking the ball.

Accuracy: This doesn't need much explanation. Poor kicking in front of the sticks cost Geelong in 2008, St Kilda in 2009, Hawthorn in 2012, Fremantle in 2013, while Collingwood got lucky in 2010. I know first-hand how painful losing a grand final can be because of poor kicking. We (North) lost to the Crows in '98 because we missed so many shots in the first half. I'd much prefer to lose a game by being beaten by a better side, rather than blowing it due to basic skill errors.

As a collective, what these numbers reinforce is that players not only struggle to contain their nerves on grand final day, but they also panic. Sure, the pressure of a grand final is like no other, but should that translate into players making poor decisions?

Teams make the grand final because they usually possess some of the coolest heads in the land. Whoever best retains that composure for the big dance will go a long way towards helping their team win.

As an example, take a look at the last time these sides met in a grand final, in 2012. It's fair to say that the Hawks dominated most of the game. They went inside 50 on 51 occasions compared to the Swans' 38 times, but when Sydney got its chances, it made the most of them. Its accuracy in front of goal (70 per cent) was better that its season average (63) which was staggering. Composure won that flag for Sydney.

Fast forward to Saturday and I'm not sure we'll see the same result. Earlier this year, I suggested Sydney and Hawthorn had become clones of one another from that 2012 season and I'd argue that the Hawks - like the Swans of 2012 - are the best "team" entering this year's grand final.

The willingness of every Hawthorn player to give 100 per cent, all the time, is what has given it an edge this season, whereas I wonder if Sydney - like the Hawks of '12 - have become too reliant on too few.

There's been endless talk about Buddy and the sub-plot he has given this match and there is no doubt he will play a key role in the outcome.

Buddy has been the beacon for Sydney and its No. 1 target and easily its greatest strength, but just like the Hawks of 2012, if he misfires it could be the Swans' downfall.

Forming the other half of Sydney's new dynamic duo is Kurt Tippett. There's no doubt he and Buddy have gelled well in recent weeks, yet Tippett can also spray his kicks. He'll be looking to snag one early to boost his confidence.

The question is, have the Swans enough firepower to match the Hawks' abundant number of goalkickers? Though equally, will the likes of Jack Gunston, Luke Breust and Jarryd Roughead be able to hold their nerve and convert their chances?

Of course, any forward who takes to the MCG will be heavily reliant on his teammates up the ground delivering the ball, lace out. To that end - and getting back to my earlier point about composure - it's another reason why I believe Hawthorn can win.

The other part of that equation, as I highlighted last week, is that Sydney under Hawthorn-type pressure has been susceptible to making skill errors by foot.

And then there's the issue of the Hawks playing Cyril Rioli. We all know what Rioli is capable of and he doesn't need to be on the ground for long periods to do the damage.

Rioli has to start the match, either on the ground or on the bench. Making him the starting substitute would be too risky should he break down. It would leave the Hawks one man down, and in today's game, that's a huge disadvantage.

Whichever way you look at it, this grand final is shaping up to be a titanic struggle.

The burning question is, can a team of champions beat a champion team?

Metro Apartments on Bank Place - New Factsheet

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To book, visit Metro Apartments on Bank Place

Monday, September 15, 2014

The Royal Melbourne Show is the closest thing we get to Disneyland

Spinning around: living the high life at the Royal Melbourne Show. Photo: Jason South

By Alana Schetzer

Melbourne has long been devoid of a proper theme park. That's not an opinion, that's a fact. But for two glorious weeks of the year, Melburnians get to play at the Royal Melbourne Show - the closest thing we poor deprived beings have to Disneyland.

It's 12 days of fairy floss, dizzying rides and the aroma of farm animals. And I love it.

For many Melburnians, a trip to the Show was a highlight of their childhood. What started in 1848 as a way to bring the country to the city, the Show evolved to a fun festival that organisers expect more than half a million people to experience.

Although Melbourne is known as a major events powerhouse, most of those events centre around sports, food or art. The Show is one of the few celebrations of pure fun, where not thinking is encouraged and scoffing your face full of curly fries, ice-cream and cheese samples is the order of the day.

And it is not just kids that love to line up for showbags. Big kids love it too. The Royal Melbourne Show is enjoying a resurgence in popularity with the crowd that grew up with Cabbage Patch Kids and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The first time.

I am very much one of those people. I celebrate the beginning of September not because it is the first day of spring but because the countdown to the Show can begin. Love everything about the Show - the crowds, the endless choice in showbags full of sugar and dubious-quality toys, the baby animals that look bored and buckets of over-priced hot chips drenched in tomato sauce.

I obsessively scan the showbag guide, make a list of must-see attractions and plan them by which time is optimum for avoiding the biggest queues. In other words, I treat a day at the Show like Henry VII treated the Battle of Bosworth.

Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria chief executive Mark O'Sullivan says the Show has found a new flavour with adults. Fresh food has been a big part of that, with gourmet showbags, cooking classes, pop-up restaurants and demonstrations part of the appeal.

"The RASV has made a conscious effort to grow the Show's appeal to a broader audience by placing an emphasis on promoting and celebrating the agricultural industry's entire value chain at the Show – from paddock to plate," he says.

"The popular Tastes of Victoria Pavilion was introduced in 2012 and showcases the state's top products and foodie experiences from some of Victoria's most esteemed producers. This areas provides Show visitors an opportunity to sample award-winning food, wine, beer and cider, learn expert tips from local chefs and meet the producers behind some of Victoria's top products."

This year, Estelle, Hammer & Tong and Pho Nom will be among the pop-up restaurants to, er, pop up in the Tastes of Victoria Pavilion, plus the new Burch & Purchese Dessert Bar.

For the smaller kids - plus myself - this will be the first year guests can meet and greet Mickey and Minnie Mouse and let out their inner diva with the Frozen Karaoke Marquee.

One of the keys to freshen up the Show was the 2006 redevelopment of the showgrounds in Flemington, which has allowed an assortment of new and ever-changing indoor and outdoor events
Technology has also played a major role in changing the Show, O'Sullivan says.

"To engage Show visitors across a range of platforms, the RASV was an early adopter of social media and now has a combined online community of more than 73,650 across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter that are engaged all year around."

Personally, I'm a theme park nut. I was practically raised at SeaWorld and any holiday without a whiz on a rollercoaster is not, in fact, a holiday.

I have had the good fortune of visiting Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, DreamWorld, MovieWorld, Universal Studios, Knott's Berry Farm and Hong Kong Disneyland. Yes, theme parks can be expensive, noisy and exhausting, but that's only if you don't go in without a military-strength strategy.

My theme park motto is: You cannot expect to have fun; you have to plan for it.

And no matter how big or small a park is, the agenda generally stays the same - to avoid the crowds, not spend a squillion dollars and leave in one piece.

1. Arrive early. Make the effort to get up early and arrive about half an hour before the gates open. Do not be distracted by the sight or noise of children. If you got there first, you go in first. Little Timmy or Tina can just wait.

2. Visit the showbag hall early. It gets insane-busy very quickly but there is usually a lull in the morning. Get in and get out.

3. Bring a plastic poncho with you. The Show charges a small fortune for these, so pick one up for a few bucks at a $2 store and you'll be able to get through the water rides without needing to rinse yourself out.

4. Hire a locker. Shove your showbags and other stuff in them and your sore arms will thank you.

5. Wear comfy shoes and pack sunscreen, a water bottle, hand sanitiser and a will to live.

6. Get lunch at the Country Women's Association's canteen early. It is one of the most popular places to eat.

7. If you want to save money, go later. In its dying days, you can often get further discounts on showbags, such as two for one.

8. Fill up for free by going on a sample tour in the food pavilions.

9. If you love rides, buy tickets in bulk. You will save money and time in the queue buying them each time.

10. Go and meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse at the Entertainment Dome. This is not a drill, I repeat, go and meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

If you are anything like me, then the annual show is not enough to quench your roller coaster appetite. It is not always possible to jet off to the Gold Coast or Disneyland, but Victoria is not without its options. The most notable is Luna Park in St Kilda, which is home to the classic Great Scenic Railway and the Power Surge.

If you have a kid - or are just a big-kid at heart - there is Dockland's Wonderland Fun Park. Designed for children aged eight and under, it's a bite-sized park with a carousel, pirate ship, dodgem cars, and enough popcorn to satisfy everyone.

Outside of Melbourne, a handful of fun parks litter the countryside - Adventure Park near Geelong, Gumbuya Park in Tynong and Fun Fields in Whittlesea. Most of these parks are water-based, with slides and boats, plus the mini golf and dodgem cars.

Thirty-three-year-old Winston Tan admits he got his childhood all wrong. The communications professional only attended the Show once as a child but he started going religiously a few years ago. He has been eagerly awaiting the showbag guide to be released.

"It's a very Melbourne thing, the Show," he says. "It's very Melbourne. I recently visited the Gold Coast, where it's very glitzy glamour, and it made me realise there's something quaint about the Show. It doesn't take itself too seriously. It has a lot of heart to it, which places like MovieWorld don't have.

"I'm a sucker for showbags. There's something about opening a showbag and seeing all these lolly brands you've never heard of and toys that will break on the train on the way home.

"I remember going when I was six or seven and I got the Inspector Gadget showbag. It included sunglasses with windshield wipers. Which never worked, but you don't ever really expect them to, do you?

"It's one of those silly things about the show that I'm blindly attracted to."

As tastes change and new audiences find something to like about the Show, O'Sullivan says the Show will continue to evolve with them.

"The RASV will continue to work on enhancing the Show experience through analysing research to better understand customer needs, wants and expectations and enhancing the event program to ensure it continues to evolve, innovate and respect the event's heritage so that it remains relevant, exciting, entertaining and great value for families, teenagers and adults alike."

Personally, I have already practised my drills and will be willing to push a five-year-old out the way if they get between me and the animal nursery.

As for Tan, he's waiting to flick through the showbag guide and make a long list of goodies, which will, of course, include the famous Bertie Beetle offering. He'll be stuffing his wallet full of pineapples to splash on rides, food and games throughout the day, but given it only happens once a year, he is OK with that.

"At the end of the day, it's completely exhausting but you've had such a good time, even if you do end up paying $10 a hotdog. But that's half of the attraction."

The Royal Melbourne Show is on September 20 to October 1.
For more information, visit royalshow.com.au.

Luna Park
lunapark.com.au

Wonderland Fun Park
wonderlandfunpark.com.au

Adventure Park
adventurepark.com.au

Fun Fields
funfields.com.au

Gumbuya
gumbuya.com.au

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/the-royal-melbourne-show-is-the-closest-thing-we-get-to-disneyland-20140909-10eadw.html