Author: Katelyn Rew

A Spectacular Journey: Bluesfest finally returns to Byron Bay

The excitement was palpable as we crunched our way through mud and pebbles towards the 33rd annual Byron Bay Bluesfest. After two years of cancellations, the 2022 festival was not just a celebration of music but a true celebration of life and the joy of human connection. I’d had my first Bluesfest experience back in…

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Dine With Them: Best Melbourne venues to order from while stuck in iso

Lockdown has made a comeback in Melbourne, meaning more time at home and less time sunning ourselves on a secluded tropical island. While our social lives may be on hold, at least we don’t have to wave goodbye to delicious Melbourne food. Though dining out isn’t an option right now, plenty of our favourite venues…

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Dine With Them: 5 Sydney restaurants reopened for dine-in (2nd edition)

The sound of creaking hinges echoes around Sydney as restaurants reopen their doors to brunch starved patrons looking for a quality foodie experience once again. With new menus, weekday specials, live performances and scrumptious food, your grand debut back into society will have been worth the wait.  This should be obvious but if you do…

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10 of the Best Immersive Online Experiences to be enjoyed from home

With international travel off the cards for the moment, virtual exploration has grown in popularity. From museums, galleries, and immersive documentaries, the world is full of wonders even if viewed on the screens of our electronic devices. So please sit back, relax and be inspired by art, institutions and our incredible planet.  Beneath The Waves…

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Top 10 at-home workouts for that post-iso body

After months of binge-watching Peaky Blinders and only wearing pants with elasticised waists or let’s be honest, no pants at all. I knew it was time to start salvaging my beach bod. After all, how could I expect Cillian Murphy to run away with me when I’m sat on the couch eating dry noodles and…

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Theatre Review: Billy Elliot The Musical taps its way into Melbourne

Billy Elliot was a hard-hitting film that intertwined the beauty of dance with sentiments of toxic masculinity, as well as giving us an intense glimpse into the class struggles working-class England faced in the early 1980s. Not your obvious choice of musical magic; however, Elton John was so moved after seeing the film at Cannes…

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Theatre Review: Your favourite big green ogre takes to the stage in Shrek The Musical (Melbourne)

Calling all magical fairytale creatures, pack your bags, vacate the swamp, and fly on down to Her Majesty’s Theatre to see everyone’s favourite green ogre belting out a tune in Shrek The Musical! When I first heard that they were turning Shrek, arguably one of the greatest animated cartoon’s of all time into a musical,…

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The Bali Spirit Festival – a seven day eclectic experience

Every year in March thousands of spiritually enlightened individuals flock to Ubud for the Bali Spirit Festival. This 7 day event promises everything from yoga, ecstatic dance, workshops, meditation, sound healing and so much more. I was beyond excited to be taking part in such a special event, so with yoga mat in hand I…

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Theatre Review: Evita – Arts Centre Melbourne (Performances to 23rd February)

The opening night of Evita was met with praise and applause as Tina Arena took to the stage in her starring role as Eva Perón. Adapting her wonderful pop vocals to such an iconic role would of been a challenge for the most seasoned performer, however Arena carried herself with poise and grace and pulled…

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Open House Melbourne was a day spent exploring our beautiful city

Open House Melbourne is always a captivating event full of history, mystery and intrigue, and I was delighted to participate in this years exploration. On one weekend of the year an array of buildings around Melbourne open their doors to the public, who don their explorer hats and gain access to spaces that would usually…

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Theatre Review: Blanc de Blanc is salaciously seductive take on cabaret circus (MAP57 in St Kilda’s Winter Garden until 30th July)

Do you enjoy watching scantily clad men and woman perform tantalising tasks, whilst  sashaying across a stage enclosed in the famed Speigeltent? Well do I have a treat for you, Blanc de Blanc has just landed in Melbourne! So come one come all to St Kilda’s Winter Garden where things are about to get just…

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Theatre Review: The Extravaganza that is Aladdin: The Musical is here in Melbourne (performances until October 22nd)

Our tale of love, magic, and adventure takes place in the fabled city of Agrabah where unusual friendships are formed, heroes outwit villains, and true love conquers all. Whilst most of the world knows the story of Aladdin, nothing quite prepares you for the absolute extravaganza that is Aladdin: The Musical. When it comes to…

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MICF Review: Puppetry of the Penis is as quirky as one can be… down there (performances until 9th April)

It was just like any other Sunday evening as I sat in the audience of the Palms theatre at Melbourne’s Crown Casino. However, on this particular evening, two men were about to walk onstage, throw off their cloaks, and perform for a paying audience the ‘ancient art of genital origami.’ For those a bit slow…

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Opera Review: Melbourne Opera’s HMS Pinafore is a really special opera performance (14.03.17)

Gilbert & Sullivan’s H.M.S Pinafore sailed into Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre this week to the sound of resounding applause. It was Melbourne Opera’s first time tackling G&S, and I was extremely intrigued to see how this comedic opera would play out on stage. For me there’s something so special about the Athenaeum Theatre, it allows for…

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Review: The Atura Hotel (Albury, Victoria) is the perfect stopover in a welcoming town

Situated in Albury’s central business district, the Atura Hotel is the perfect stopover for those not only travelling for business, but also for those that simply want a unique stay in a culturally diverse and welcoming town. Upon entering the foyer the staff welcome us with warm enthusiasm as we take in the unusual decor….

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Accommodation Review: A weekend on the slopes at QT Falls Creek Resort (Victoria, Australia)

While driving up the majestic Mt Bogong en route to Falls Creek low lying clouds began to decorate my view, splashes of green turn to white. The road twisted and turned past luscious bush and small torrents of water sprinkle down facades, hinting at the recent arrival of Spring. As I took in the immense…

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Progressive Dinner at The Alfred: Fratelli Fresh & The Cut have arrived in Melbourne

Having recently been voted most liveable city in the world for the sixth year in a row, it’s no wonder Melbourne is constantly opening new culinary experiences for us to sink our teeth into. One of the latest examples: a dual offering from two new sister restaurants who have made their way from Sydney to…

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My Big Fat Greek Lunch: Dining with George Calombaris at The Press Club (Melbourne)

As torrential rain fell heavily on the streets of Melbourne, and people sought cover from the wild weather, the inviting warmth and vibrancy of The Press Club was a very welcome sight. In celebration of the DVD launch of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 I was invited to enjoy a Greek style menu prepared by…

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Theatre Review: The Sound of Music – Regent Theatre (performances until July 30)

Melbourne was alive with The Sound of Music on Thursday night as the who’s who of the social elite came out for the opening night. With the thought of Julie Andrews prancing through hills conjuring up beautiful memories in my mind, I sat down delighted to see this long running show. It was a packed…

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Amaro Montenegro relaunches in Australia with stylish soiree at Melbourne’s Fall From Grace

Melbourne is one of those brilliant cities where you can literally get lost for hours down little alleyways, and with the right knowledge can find yourself in one of many hidden bars. Fall From Grace is one of those said hidden bars, accessible only by pulling out a book in a secret bookshelf and thus…

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First Impressions: Saké Flinders Lane – CBD (Melbourne)

As someone who absolutely loves their Japanese cuisine, I was overjoyed to be invited to a private dinner at Saké’s new Flinders Lane location nestled in one of Melbourne’s most iconic gastronomical strips. Three-star Michelin chef Jean Paul Lourdes would be showcasing some of his mouth watering signature dishes, accompanied by an array of impressive…

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New smartphone app Skip makes the case for cashless transactions at over 600 Australian cafes

To put it simply: Australians are obsessed with their morning cup of coffee – and why wouldn’t they be with some of the best coffee in the world available down those many hidden alleyways in every city across the country. People are constantly looking for ways to navigate this rich coffee culture more efficiently and…

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Review: The Academy Kitchen & Bar – Richmond (Melbourne)

A warmly lit interior greeted us on Friday night as we arrived at The Academy Kitchen & Bar, highly anticipating their new Autumn menu. We were seated by our lovely waitress Krissy and informed that owner/chef extraordinaire Will Manning would be cooking us up a feast. It’s an instantly comforting feeling being part of the…

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Theatre Review: Night Sings Its Songs – La Mama Theatre, Melbourne

On a cold Wednesday night in Melbourne a small selection of ‘in the know’ theatre goers headed down to La Mama Theatre in Carlton, Melbourne for the opening night of esteemed Norwegian play Night Sings Its Songs. Patrons mingled in the outside courtyard, anticipation growing with every passing moment, wondering just what they were in…

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Circus Review: Cirque Adrenaline – Arts Centre Melbourne – 02/04/16

Melbourne’s Arts Centre was buzzing on Saturday night with excited adults and children alike awaiting the start of the highly anticipated Cirque Adrenaline. As the name suggests, the show aims to wow audiences with edge of your seat displays, and showcase circus artists performing death defying stunts. As the sound hushed and the curtain rose…

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Evian bring the ice to Federation Square to celebrate new look (Melbourne)

Melbourne has come alive over the last few weeks with Moomba in full swing and Federation Square a brimming hub of excitement. Part of the excitement stemmed from one metre snowflakes floating through the city air, enamouring passersby. Curious onlookers were drawn to the Evian activation where snow machines were blowing snow in various directions,…

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Review: Santoni (new breakfast menu 2016) – Hawthorn (Melbourne)

Nestled on a bustling corner in metropolitan Hawthorne lies Santoni, a pizzeria known for it’s beautiful dough and laid back atmosphere. Having just released a brand new breakfast menu equipped with a mouth watering breakfast pizza, I went down to see if this lunch/dinner restaurant could add ‘trendy brunch cafe’ to its long list of…

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Hitchcock & Hermann – Melbourne Symphony Orchestra – Melbourne Arts Centre 06/02/16

Music and cinema go hand in hand, however do we truly appreciate the power of music in film, and the ability it has to heighten the viewers emotions? We hear foreboding music and we feel fear, a slow forlorn piece concocts sadness, and an upbeat melody ensures elation. Music and film are beautiful in their…

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Review: 400 Gradi – Brunswick (Melbourne) (revisited February 2016)

Italian restaurant 400 Gradi in East Brunswick is synonymous with delectable cuisine, impeccable service, and an atmosphere that always seems to be buzzing. Having previously visited esteemed chef Johnny Di Francesco’s restaurants twice before, I was sure that third time would certainly be just as charming, with even more to try. Dim lighting greeted us…

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Circus Review: La Verità – State Theatre, Melbourne Arts Centre (21 to 23 January 2015)

La Verità could only be described as a swift fall down a rabbit hole where reality is warped and nothing is as it seems. Surrealist tones are prevalent throughout this offbeat circus extravaganza which revolves around the discovery of one of Salvador Dali’s scrims that was found in a wooden box in a theatre after…

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