Here's the Food and Lifestyle Weekly once again! In this week's issue: Dave Grohl's documentary, Ricki-Lee and Cotton On, Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show, AIR Independent Music Awards, Dog's Big Day Out, Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge Food and Wine Knowledge event, La Svolta in Melbourne, and more!
DAVE GROHL’S SOUND CITY ON MAX
Rock icon Dave Grohl (of Nirvana and Foo Fighters) will make his directorial debut in the feature length documentary Sound City. The documentary features the Sound City recording studios, revealing the story of real rock ‘n’ roll history and will premier on MAX on Thursday September 12 at 9pm AEST. The studios were a birthplace for some incredible music including Nirvana’s Nevermind, Johnny Cash’s Unchained and Fleetwood Mac’s eponymous album to name a few. Interviews with legendary musicians and producers include Neil Young, Stevie Nicks, Rick Rubin, Lars Ulrich, and Mick Fleetwood. The film finished by bringing some of these artists together at his Studio 606 to record a new album on the original Sound City console.
RECORD GROWTH IN VEVO STREAMS
Vevo in Australia has had a record month in July with over 80 million streams. Vevo, in partnership with MCM Media is Australia’s biggest online music video and entertainment platform, and the third biggest online video platform behind YouTube and Facebook according to Neilsen.
BELUGABEATS
Belugabeats, an online community-driven electronic playlist, has launched their custom tool to automatically retrieve songs from music websites across the globe. This is in response to the growing demand by electronic music fans for highly-accessible, new music. With the prototype, songs from music websites, including Beatport and 1001 Tracklists, are automatically pulled on Belugabeats ad ranked according to the date it was published, the number of times it was played, and the response given by the listener on the other website. CEO of Belugabeats, En-Ming Ong (pictured) launched the website in March 2013, and since then the site has grown in popularity.
COTTON ON BODAY AND RICKI-LEE
Cotton On Body has teamed up with Aussie artist and songwriter Ricki-Lee Coulter for Ricki-Lee Army by Cotton On Body. The collection is made up of dancewear pieces and an intimates range, including sequin printed tanks, all-over sequin hooded jacket, mesh long-sleeve tops and a collected of printed knickers. Ricki-Lee Army by Cotton On Body will be available online at cottononbody.com.au from 22 August and in-store from 26 August.
CLEAR IMAGE HUNTER VALLEY WINE SHOW
The 39th annual Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show was held at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley on Friday 16th August. With a strict regional focus, 23 trophies were awarded with Tyrell’s Vineyards, Tulloch Wines, Pepper Tree Wines, Drayton’s Family Wines and Margan Family Wines among some of the winners. A special VIP trade and media tasting hosted by 2013 Hunter Valley Wine Show judges and winemakers featuring the award-winning wines will be held in Melbourne on 10 September and in Sydney on 11 September.
MOVIDA AT SYDNEY AIRPORT’S T2 DOMESTIC TERMINAL
Sydney eatery MoVida will open their newest restaurant at the end of August in Sydney Airport’s T2 Domestic Terminal. The new 137 square metre tapas bar will seat 80 and serve a selection of tapas and raciones to share, as well as breakfast, pastries, and sandwiches. MoVida Owner and Head Chef Frank Camorra (pictured) has said the experience will be just like a traditional Spanish tapas bar. MoVida at T2 will be open daily from 6am – 9pm.
AIR INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS (Sydney)
The Australian Independent Record Labels Association has announced this year’s Independent Music Awards will see Carlton Dry as sponsor partner with them to present the 2013 event. The eighth annual Carlton Dry Independent Music Awards will be held on Wednesday October 9th at Revolt art space in Kensington. Awards to be presented during the evening include Best Independent Album, Best Independent Artist, Best Independent Hip Hop/Urban Release and Best Australian Independent Label among others. For more info on the Awards, Charts and Independent music check out www.air.org.au
NEW MENU AT THE BAR AT THE END OF THE WHARF (Sydney)
Fresh Catering has launched a range of new menus at The Bar at the End of the Wharf at Sydney Theatre Company’s home base. New all day dining, lunch and dinner menus will offer an extensive selection of dishes, including Roast Lemon & Thyme Organic Chicken, Braised Lamb Shank, Wet Polenta & Herb Pistou. Open 10am until late Monday – Friday and midday until late on Saturday, with event bookings are welcome outside these hours.
DOG’S BIG DAY OUT (Sydney)
Warringah Council’s Dog’s Big Day Out, sponsored by Purina, will take place at French Forest Showground on Sunday 25 August. Dog lover will get free hands-on professional advice on the day, with a special appearance from Purina Ambassador Dr Lisa Chimes from Bondi Vet, as well as Purina Ambassador and animal behaviourist Dr Joanne Righetti. There’ll also be grooming demonstrations, family photo shoots and face painting amongst other activities and competitions.
LA FEMME BOHEME AT THE SPICE CELLAR (Sydney)
The women behind La Femme Boheme, Penelope Morgan and Mariesa Mae, are returning to The Spice Cellar tonight for a night of classy, cabaret style entertainment. While La Femme Boheme perform on stage, The Spice Cellar has crafted a 4-course degustation menu accompanied with champagne on arrival. Dinner & show table bookings are $85 per person for groups of up to 6. General admission show tickets are $35 per person. Head to here to book.
WILCOX & CO PUBLIC DINING & BAR (Sydney)
Wilcox & Co Public Dining & Bar will be the newest addition in Cammeray. The venue has been designed and renovation completely by Architrend Designs, and architectural and interior design company that specialises in hospitality and commercial designs. The name of the venue is taken from family business Wilcox Butchers, that occupied the site for over 90 years prior. Owners Anthony Leenders and Carlo Maggio have experience in restaurants in the US, Australia and New Zealand. Wilcox & Co Dining & Bar will open in early October.
JANELLE BLOOM JOINS WILLIAM ANGLISS INSTITUTE OPEN DAY (Sydney)
TV chef and food writer Janelle Bloom will join the lineup of industry heavyweights at William Angliss Institute’s annual Open Day on Saturday September 14. From 10am – 2pm attendees can take part in demonstrations by Janelle. The day will give attendees the opportunity to find out more about courses available in 2014.
PINOT NOIR TASTING AT GAZEBO WINE GARDEN (Sydney)
15 of New Zealand’s Central Otago’s finest wineries and producers will take over Gazebo tonight from 6-8pm. Lamb on the spit will be served until 7:30pm, and the night will cost $45 per person. To book call 9357 5333.
UPDATE: RIP IT UP AND START AGAIN: A WORKSHOP ON MUSIC WRITING WITH SIMON REYNOLDS (Sydney)
Last month we told you about an intimate music writing workshop with Simon Reynolds, but we have good news about the slightly changed event! The workshop has now been replaced with a discussion event on ‘music writing in the 21st century’ on Tuesday 3 September, and it’s absolutely free! Simon Reynolds will now be joined by Anwyn Crawford, Craig Mathieson and Rebecca Sheehan at the University of Sydney. While it is free, you need to register a place here. Simon will also be a guest at the Melbourne Writers Festival and at the Brisbane Writers Festival.
AGWA YACHT CLUB (Sydney)
Sydney boat party AGWA Yacht Club will make its return on Saturday 5 October at The Starship, Sydney Harbour’s elite cruise ship service. The event is brought to Sydneysiders by events and touring agency Finely Tuned, with a whole lot of house music including performances from Montreal duo Blond:ish and Hunter/Game. The Starship will board at King Street Whard at 5:30pm, departing at 6pm and returning to Pyrmont Bay at 11pm. Tickets can be bought at: pulseradio.net/events
THE GLENMORE ROOFTOP SPRING LADIES’ LUNCHEON (Sydney)
On Thursday 26 September, the Glenmore in The Rocks will host its first ever Spring Ladies’ Lunch in conjunction with the League of Extraordinary Women, a group empowering and education young female entrepeneurs to build better businesses. With views across Sydney harbour, The Opera House and Harbour Bridge, ladies will enjoy canapés, sit down for lunch from 12-2pm and enjoy Pimm’s and bubbles for a good cause. Prizes will be drawn throughout the day and all proceeds will go to the Gidget Foundation, a not-for-profit organization who promote awareness of perinatal anxiety and depression amongst women and their families. Tickets are $45, head to http://tix.yet/springladiesluncheon.
THE WORKERS LAUNCH BALMAIN’S BIGGEST LAUGH (Sydney)
The Workers on Darling Street are launching a brand new comedy night tonight. Curated by the Campfire Collective, it’s set to be Balmain’s biggest and best laugh every Wednesday. Doors open at 6:30pm and the first lot of comedians are Cameron James, Jacques Barrett, Jarred Jekyll and Ray Badran.
THE 9TH ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN BEER FESTIVAL (Sydney)
The Australian Heritage Hotel in The Rocks will again play host to the 9th Annual Australian Beer Festival from 18 – 20 October, extending opening hours to give beer lovers more time for tasting, and introducing a brand new award. For the first time the festival will start on the Friday at 4pm and run right through the weekend, with Gloucester Street closed off for the festival, with 24 stalls hosting brewers and showcasing the best beers and cider Australia has to offer. There’ll also be food stalls for the pub’s famous range of pizzas. Entry is free and tasting tickets are $15 for 10. Pre-purchase tickets available online now at www.australianheritagehotel.com.
PEPPERS CRADLE MOUNTAIN LODGE FOOD AND WINE KNOWLEDGE EVENT (Tasmania)
Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge will host gourmet event ‘The Winemaker, The Local Grower and You’ on 13 September. Expert winemakers from Tasmanian winery Josef Chromy Wines will host, with wine matched to fine local cuisine prepared by the Highland Restaurant team led by Chef Jee Whan Lee. The event is a celebration of the finest Tasmanian gourmet fare while being immersed in the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. The event is part of the Peppers Gourmet Food Trail program which includes events, packages and offerings that celebrate regional food and wine at over 20 Peppers retreats and resorts.
LA SVOLTA (Melbourne)
La Svolta is a pizzeria, trattoria and family kitchen, run by Valerio Calabro and Pino Russo, two Italian home cooks and friends. La Svolta is located in Melbourne in both Prahran and Hapton, serving Italian fare completely made on site. The two venues hold AVPN Accreditation awarded by the official association in naples, meaning La Svolta’s pizzas are prepared as per the specific guidelines, making them one of only a few in Melbourne preparing authentic Italian pizzas.