New York rocker and part time shoegazer, Devin, will hit Australian soil running. After a number exceptional SXSW shows, Devin attracted much attention from far and wide. His high energy, lo-fi, dirty rock combines with an underlying country diffusion, which will sure to have you moving in the cold winter night.

WHEN: Thursday 24 May, 8pm
WHERE: Northcote Social Club, 301 High Street, Northcote
WEB: corner.ticketscout.com.au/gigs/509-devin

Picture this: you’re watching the next wave of up-and-coming filmmakers’ movies, which have been re-scored by local musicians, who are then performing the music live on the night. All set down at Melbourne’s docks.

If this catches your attention, RESCORE is for you.

Presented by Speakeasy Cinema and Danae Valenza, as part of the upcoming Hull exhibition, RESCORE will show six short films accompanied by six live acts on the night.

The festival boosts a number of international filmmakers and a host of local indie music talent.

COST: $15 full price & $12 concession

WHEN: Friday 25 May, 7:30pm-8:30pm
WHERE: Mission to Seafarers, 717 Flinders Street, Docklands
WEB: nextwave.org.au/event/hull-rescore/

He is inspired by photos he has not yet taken.

When he isn’t holding his camera he shares our great city on a walking tour – Melbourne By Foot”

See more of Dave’s work at
davecarswell.com
flickr.com/davewell
melbournebyfoot.com

Fashion is very important, said Vivienne Westwood. It is life-enhancing and, like everything that gives pleasure, it is worth doing well.

So head down to Melbourne Central for the One Day Shopping Festival on Thursday 24th of May!

Australian fashion blogger Fashion Stylista will be hosting a Wearable Workshop, leading shoppers through the centres shopping precincts while providing insight into the winter seasons hottest looks (and deals).

There will also be a fashion show with models showcasing the next generation of Melbourne fashion design talent, and… (you’re going to like this) Melbourne Central will be holding its first-ever speed dating event! You can register online at the Melbourne Central website.

Rumour has it that there will also be music at the event. Check out the website for details.

WHEN: Thursday 24 May, 10am-9pm
WHERE: Melbourne Central
WEB: melbournecentral.com.au/content.aspx?urlkey=OneDayShoppingFestival

Picture shimmering strings, sing-along choruses and whimsical artistry, set against the classical, old green exterior and warm timber interior of the former Rob Roy Hotel.

Where the 86 and 112 graciously intersect, Fitzroy’s The Workers Club will be launching the first single by Venus Fire, the new art-pop project of Melbourne-based songstress Hayley Clare. The first single ‘The Sound’ explores Hayley’s tumultuous relationship with music, but it could just as easily be about the confusion, fear, hope and elation of any relationship.

Drop by to hear the band room oozing with the charm, edge and killer vocals of Venus Fire, with support from friends Sugarcraft and Texture Like Sun.

Tickets $10 on the door.

WHEN: Sunday 3 June, 7:30pm
WHERE: The Workers Club, Corner Brunswick and Gertrude Streets, Fitzroy
WEB: venusfire.net

The Next Wave festival is now invading the NGV Studio with their humourous exhibition The Greater Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, creating an embassy of a pan-Asian empire designed by three Asian-Australian artists from Perth. These young men will be performing in extravagant costumes as the ambassadors of this embassy, bringing Eastern and Western culture together to see how they mix and teaching you a thing or two about our neighbours from the north.

WHEN: Saturday 19 May – Sunday 27 May; 10am-5pm Sunday-Wednesday, 10am-10pm Thursday-Saturday
WHERE: NGV Centre, Federation Square, Melbourne
WEB: gacps.net/official-cultural-program

“A boundary-breaking exploration of circus through smartphone technology”

Immerse yourself in a digital world where virtual boundaries are pushed. Skye Gellman will present a colourful performance like no other at the Next Wave Festival this coming weekend. Connectivity and interactivity come together and perceptions are challenged through the guide of an iPhone in this unique show, as the audience experience fragments of the talented circus world. This one is an experience not to be missed!

WHEN: May 19-23, 25-27, 9pm (10pm May 25)
WHERE: Arts House, Meat Market, 5 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne
WEB: nextwave.org.au

Adding weight to my heady notions is Rita’s, a new all day cafe/bar/restaurant thingy that opened yesterday underneath the rumbling train line in Abbotsford, just opposite the Johnston Street Milk Bar.

Brett Graham, (that’s him flipping the pizza), Dan Spizzica and Ron Lowther are three mates from down the coast who started up Pizza Pizza and later The Bottle of Milk in Lorne. To keep themselves busy through the slower winter months the chaps decided to open a new place in the big smoke (and name it after Ron’s sister).

Rita’s is open for business every day from early till late. The feel is late night diner – booths, classic white tiles with Oregan oak tables and bar. It’s cosy.

In the morning bread from La Madre and Crumbs bakery might take the form of muffins or cakes. Breakfast includes seasonal dishes like the salt cod omelette with stuffed roast peppers ($15) and mushroom bruschetta with goats cheese, watercress and poached egg ($14). They also make their own Italian donuts and coffee’s courtesy of Seven Seeds.

Moving onto lunch and dinner the boy’s penchant for Italian food comes through – there’s a range of house made pastas – from the good old  spag bol ($14) to orechhiette, broccoli, zucchini and pangrattano ($16). The massive range of thin crust pizzas are available take-away and the lads will soon be offering a delivery service.

On the flipside a liquor license is coming this weekend, and the house beer rings at a modest $3.50 a pot. The courtyard should be done in a month too.

It might be on the beach, but there’s plenty to warm your cockles in Abbotsford this winter.

RITA’S
239 Johnston St, Abbotsford
9419 8233
Open every day 7.30am – 11pm

Green got the idea of creating her fashion and art fusion gallery space after sensing the need for a retail space that offered more than just clothes.

“While I wanted Fin to be primarily known as a swimwear store, there needed to be a quirky, original vibe to lure people in off the street,” says Green.

Against a backdrop of sculptural installations and cool canvas prints sits fresh printed swimwear and modern accessories, by local brands such as Illex Kinni and Collecting Pretty Boy, alongside Green’s own brand.

You’d think that Green’s fashion heritage- she is the daughter of Quiksilver founder Alan Green- would lead to seamless career in designing for the iconic surf wear brand. But forging her own path, with her own aesthetic, is something Green has always been determined to achieve.

“Finnigan as a label is all about a clean cut, flawless design, made with quality Italian fabrics and free of any logos or branding. I wanted to rely on the integrity of the design, as opposed to a name.”

Since it’s unveiling Fin has hosted a range of local artisans, including painter Josh Gurrie and his father, sculptor Max Gurrie (who also designed the store’s clothes hangers).

“The space is unique in that it can be moulded for the incoming artist; the whole shop can literally be moved out the back so the artist can use the space in its entirety,” says Green.

Local drawer and painter Jessica Stewart is the next featured artist, whose work will feature as backdrop to the gallery’s party opening party on May 31.

Fin Boutique
440 High St Prahran
Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm
www.finnigan.co

Kids all over the shop have been getting down to the funky outer space glitch hop sounds that have been coming out of America and Canada, as pioneered by Bassnectar and Ill Gates. Australian producers like Mr Bill (also playing at this event off the back of his latest album’s launch) have also been pioneering futuristic new dance floor sounds too on our own shores.

Freddy Todd will be coming over from America to play with his cousin producers here in Australia, along with Melbourne’s own next big light, Dysphemic and Miss Eliza. Dysphemic produces heavy drumstep combined with his girlfriend Miss Eliza’s classical violin onslaught. Support includes huge interstate glitch acts Blatwax, Mr Bill, Crazy Daylight, Kodiak Kid, and Wyldcard (with DJ Wasabi on decks).

WHEN: Friday 25 May, 10pm till late
WHERE: Roxanne Parlour, Coverlid Place, Melbourne
WEB: admin.moshtix.com.au/event.aspx?id=56989