Culture Around Sydney » Melbourne

Scandinavian Film Festival Brings the Best of the Great North to Australia

Greta — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 03:45:26 +0000

The Scandinavian Film Festival is taking over Australia throughout July, featuring a phenomenal and diverse array of the top Scandinavian films from the last year. The 22 features films will be showing at Palace Cinemas all around the country between 8th-26th July.

The film festival kicks off nationally with the heartwarming comedy, Here is Harold, which shows the journey of a bitter old man who seeks revenge by trying to kidnap the founder of IKEA. Other handpicked films include RAMS, which received the top prize of Un Certain Regard as well as a 10 minute standing ovation at Cannes; the thought-provoking, coming-of-age film, Young Sophie Bell; and the hilarious holiday drama featuring an award-winning performance from Bodil Jørgensen, All Inclusive. The Scandinavian Film Festival wraps up with an eye-opening documentary on one of Hollywood’s most beloved imports, Ingrid Bergman: In her Own Words.

Another highlight of the festival is the guest appearance from multi-talented actress, Bianca Kronlöf, who appears in the biting drama, Underdog. Kronlöf will appear for the opening night screenings in Melbourne and Sydney for exclusive Q & A sessions on the 10th and 11th of July respectively. We spoke with the star about the festival.

“The program is fantastic I have to say. As a Scandinavian to come here and see all the films that they got together is amazing. I hope that I will have time to see as much as possible. It’s actually weird as a scandinavian to come to Australia and be like ‘now I can see all the good Scandinavian films, this is amazing!’ It’s like travelling back to my roots through Australia.”

Miss Kronlöf said that the fact that more Scandinavian films are heading abroad is testament to the growth of the Scandinavian film industry. She said their point of difference to mainstream Hollywood films is their focus on the characters and their relationships.

“In Sweden we don’t do these huge action things. Of course we have these boring, mainstream movies that don’t say anything about anyone that are just there for people to watch when you’re hungover, which is a good thing we need those movies as well. And then the smaller, underground ones. But to compare Swedish films to Hollywood mainstream I would say that it’s more relationship based and about the characters.”

The Swedish actress also added: “Everyone should go to the Scandinavian Film Festival because it’s such a good program. So if you go, you can be an expert about Scandinavian films right now, because the program is so exceptionally good.”

Head to the Scandinavian Film Festival website for more information on the films and to buy tickets.

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Oprah’s Spiritual Mentor to Teach in Australia

Helen Nolan — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 06:11:05 +0000

Best-selling author and American spiritual teacher, Marianne Williamson, is coming to Australia this June/ July to conduct special one-day workshops exploring the deep connection between our relationships and our spirituality. The #1 New York Times best-selling author has been a pioneer of the spiritual movement for more than thirty years, influencing millions of people around the world to lead ‘happier and more fulfilled lives’.

‘Spiritual’ is a term that is bandied about a lot these days as many psychotherapies and methods often neglect the spiritual potential that can underpin and influence our relationships. But spirituality has its place and can offer a different kind of energy and enlightenment in a fast paced, technologically-driven and often selfish world. Author, John Amodeo, in the Huffington Post, offers three descriptions of what spirituality means to him.

Connecting with life’s sacredness
Surrendering to something beyond our limited self
Seeing things clearly

Like Amodeo, the personable Williamson believes that spirituality is about connecting with life rather than being detached from it. She holds that we are all interconnected; all our minds are joined. There is a pivotal focus on relationships, particularly forgiveness, through mindfulness (vissapana) – seeing others as they really are. Seeing their fears and hurt, as well as their hopes.

Having published 10 books and appeared as a special guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live and Good Morning America (amongst others). American-born Williamson was named one of the fifty most influential baby boomers in 2006 and is well-versed in delivering relatable content and teaching tools designed to lift your life and relationships to the ‘highest level of creative possibility’. The workshops include a series of teaching sessions, exercises and insights designed to encourage emotional growth and maturity. Her teachings are based on a set of books called ‘A Course in Miracles’, a self-study program based on universal spiritual themes by clinical and research psychologist and author, Helen Schucman.

Marianne Williamson will be conducting workshops in Brisbane (June 28), Melbourne (July 4) and Sydney (July 5). Course costs are between $185-$200 with the option of a ‘kindness scholarship’ for people who are financially challenged.

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SLAM Festival – World’s Loudest Beach Volleyball Festival

Greta — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 05:52:40 +0000

If the World’s Loudest Beach Volleyball Festival sounds appealing to you – you will want to clear your schedule on Saturday the 6th December for the Cronulla SLAM Festival. If it doesn’t yet titillate your interest, perhaps the fact that there is both a social and competitive comp or that it features a whole suite of live music and has heaps of prizes in the form of cash and cases of Corona may begin to arouse your curiosity.

SLAM is an Australian festival that takes place on South Cronulla Beach as well as Noosa, Scarborough, St. Kilda and Surfers Paradise. SLAM Festival is committed to nurturing the sport of beach volleyball, from the absolutes rookies just looking to ‘have a go’ to the competitive professionals wanting to pit their skills up against some of the nation’s best. The day also includes an after party where live music and Coronas will run abound.

The 2014 SLAM Festival is split into competitive teams and social teams and involves a round robin competition that determines play off rounds in three division from highest to lowest. Each of these division – Cup, Plate and Bowl – have prize money and sponsor prizes. The top prize is $800 cash, 6 cases of Corona plus more. As well as prizes for first and second place in each of the three divisions across both competitions there is also a $200 cash prize for the winners of the best dressed competition at each beach.

The competitions have a specific set of competition rules and protocols enforced by an official which can be found on the SLAM festival website. They generally follow your basic beach volleyball rules such as switching sides at the half-way point of the game, not being able to touch or go under the net, ensuring the ball is cleanly hit or pops off the hand, no open hand digs on the first contact, one toss per serve attempt, an unlimited number of substitutions per game, assigned positions at the start of the rally, clockwise player rotations upon winning a side-out and continuous play if the ball hits the inflatable line and bounces back into court.

Registrations costs $50 per player, which includes a minimum of three games. Teammates must be 16 years or older to play and teams are able to have 6-8 players in the social comp and 4 players for SLAM competitive. Registration on the day begins at 9am and competition starts at 10am. Simply register via the SLAM Festival website to enter you and your mates for the competition now.

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Comedy in Melbourne This October

Greta — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 03:06:04 +0000

We know that Sydney has a plethora of constant comedy performances inducing giggles and sniggers among Sydneysiders all across the city. However, sometimes it is well worth a change of scenery to experience some new comedians or witness your favourite comedians in a different context.

Melbourne’s stellar line up over the next few weeks is reason enough to justify making a trip to take a break while simultaneously indulging in a large dose of internationally renowned comedy in Melbourne. There’s no better time to spontaneously jet off to Melbourne, which I’ll reluctantly agree is considered the home of comedy in Australia. Get ready for a wild ride of comedy in Melbourne and prepare your stomach muscles for the workout of a lifetime.

As the esteemed Melbourne Fringe Festival comes to a close this week, fear not comedy-lovers as there is plenty more hilarity hitting the streets of Melbourne over the next month.

This week marks the final events of the highly entertaining Melbourne Fringe Festival, which will be sure to send off the festival in true uproarious fringe style. This means that some of the best acts will be performing their most hilarious shows yet, to leave viewers with an everlasting (or at least year-lasting) memory of their comedic brilliance.

An incredibly unique and worthwhile event occurring this Friday 4^th October as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival is the 24 Hour Hoo-Haa! And yes that does mean 24 hours of comedy…straight. Get more giggle for your gold with this comedy madness, which will deliver completely improvised comedy that is only assisted by audience suggestions and a handful of props.

Central Laughs is another feature event of the festival, which stars five hours of stand up comedy from a variety of comedians. Its last shows are on tonight 1^st October – Thursday 3^rd October so get in quick to secure your tickets now!

Later in the month, on 24^th October, you can witness Whose Line is it Anyway come to life on stage as Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood present their improv comedy and quick-witted humour in front of your very own eyes. Other big names in comedy will also be appearing in Melbourne including the quirky, adventurous and perfectly insulting Kathy Griffin on 17^th October as well as everyone’s favourite male Gigolo, Rob Schneider who after 20 years is returning on 21^st October to his primary love, stand up comedy.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2014 Announced

John Smith — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 04:58:53 +0000

Tickets go on sale tomorrow so get your credit cards ready to invest in the incredibly entertaining, funny-bone-tickling comedy extravaganza that is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Easily one of the most celebrated comedy events in the country, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival attracts the most hilarious and jovial comedians from all over the globe. Bringing these world-class funny men and women together in the one space, making them vie for the largest crowds, the most raucous laughter and the most esteemed comedy awards can only lead to one thing: immensely amusing, inappropriate, witty and simply unforgettable comedy.

For the most cunning banter, comments with the least amount of propriety, and stories inducing the loudest cackles, you simply can’t pass up the opportunity to visit Melbourne in March/April 2014. The lineup for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has recently been announced and even the initial few acts are enough to get your funny bone itching with anticipation.

Timeout revealed the first few announcements consist of:

- Paul Foot (UK)
– Stephen K Amos (UK)
– Jason Byrne (Ireland)
– Doc Brown (UK)
– Max & Ivan (UK)
– The Boy With Tape on his Face (NZ)
– Best of Edinburgh Fest (Carl Donnelly, Tom Stade, and Kai Humphries)
– Milton Jones (UK)
– Sara Pascoe (UK)
– Late Night Gimp Fight (UK)
– Wil Anderson (AU)
– Dave Hughes (AU)
– Bob Downe (AU)

Comedy lovers are waiting with bated breaths to see whose performance will follow in the large footsteps of Arj Barker or Mel Buttle to land them the esteemed title of the People’s Choice or Director’s Choice winner. And everyone can’t wait to find out who will take out Raw Comedy for 2014, the largest and most prestigious open mic comedy competition in the country.

While you’re booking tickets early, it is well worthwhile to secure yourself quality Melbourne apartment accommodation before it sells out also. Getting in early will not only help you guarantee great front row comedy tickets, but you could also assure your wallet cheaper flights if travelling from afar. The incredible talent appearing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2014 will undoubtedly draw in hordes of crowds just like it does every year. By booking accommodation now you could enjoy your pick of the top Melbourne Apartment accommodation hotels. After all your abdominal workouts during the comedic events you will want to ensure you have somewhere centrally located and with luxurious services and accommodation to stay, like the Grand Hotel Melbourne. So check it out now to safeguard yourself a room.

Visit the Melbourne International Comedy Festival website for more news on the upcoming event or to book yourself in for the spectacular opening night of comedy Allstars. And don’t forget to keep an eye on Ticketmaster tomorrow to snap up the best seats of the show.