To Market, to Market

There is a universal charm to markets that seems to draw in people of all types. Fresh food, hot food, sweets, spices, bric-a-brac, clothing, books or art, the treasured, the ugly, the unexpected or the unknown, it's all appreciated by someone at one time or another. 

I've seen whale meat on the streets of Norway, portrait drawing in Paris, and more platform boots than I think should exist on Portobello Road. But you know what? Melbourne markets rarely leave me wanting. In fact, they get bonus points for not selling whale meat. 

There is a fantastic range of markets in Melbourne, suiting all needs and budgets. I wouldn't be able to list them all if I tried, but here are a few of the more popular and interesting of Melbourne's markets...

The Arts Centre Market
'More than just a market, the Sunday Market showcases over 150 stalls of Victoria's finest artisans. Enjoy the sights, delight in the sounds, and savour the flavours of Melbourne's finest art and craft market. Located along St Kilda Road between Hamer Hall and the Theatres Building as well as in the Undercroft of Hamer Hall, beside the Yarra River.'

Sunday, 10am-5pm

St Kilda Rd, city
Theartscentre.com.au

Camberwell Market

Super popular with the cool crowd, Camberwell Market is best known as a good place to score well priced second-hand clothing and other odds and ends. Conducted by the Rotary Club of Balwyn, the market has been responsible for raising over $8 000 000 for the community since 1976.

Sunday, 7am(ish)-12.30pm
Station St, Camberwell
Sundaymarket.com.au

The Esplanade Market, St Kilda

'Every Sunday since 1970, The Esplanade Market St Kilda has been the destination for those searching for something special, somewhere special. Established as an outlet for local artists, there are now nearly 200 of Victoria’s best artists and craftspeople displaying and selling their work direct to the public.

Sunday, 10am-5pm
Upper Esplanade St Kilda
Between Cavell & Fitzroy Streets
Stkildamarket.com

Prahran Market

Very popular due to the quality fruit and vegetables that can be found here, 'The Food Lovers Market' sells fresh produce and ready-to-eat food.

Tuesday & Thursday-Saturday, dawn till 5pm/6pm, Sunday 10am-3pm

163 Commercial Rd, South Yarra

Prahranmarket.com.au

South Melbourne Market

'The South Melbourne Market is Melbourne's oldest continuing market - since 1867. Located entirely undercover and close to the city and public transport, it is one of Melbourne's most popular markets. The  Market has 137 permanent undercover stalls' selling fresh food, take away food, coffee, homewares, fashion, travel goods, and plants.

Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 8am-4pm, Friday 8am-6pm
322 Coventry St, Melbourne
Southmelbournemarket.com.au

Queen Victoria Market

Yuuum. This particular market was a big part of my childhood - not so much for the cheap clothing and Australiana memorabilia, but more for the vans selling hot jam donuts, the mouth-watering caramel fudge, and all the cute little animals. (I ignored the tiny little cages and brought as many of them home we with as I was allowed.) 'The Market is divided into a number of Market Precincts; the Deli Hall, Elizabeth Street Shops, F shed laneway, Vic Market Place Food Court, Fruit and Vegetables, The Meat Hall, Organics, General Merchandise, Victoria Street Shops and the Wine Market.' If you want to get a little taste of Melbourne, go to the Vic Market.

Tuesday & Thursday-Sunday, various opening hours
Corner of Queen St and Elizabeth St, city
Qvm.com.au

7 Days in Melbourne (where to find your culture & entertainment this week)

What a beautiful time of year this can be. Summer and the holiday season are nigh. Yet, for most of us, this is also the business end of the year - a time for deadlines, never ending to-do lists and a big dose of stress. Stop, breathe, smile - eat a vegie burger - and take the time to do something for yourself (or for others, or for the planet, so long as you do it in good spirits). Here are a couple of suggestions...

•  Hello Darkness Film Festival
  Just in time for Halloween, this inaugural film festival will show a selection of well-crafted horror films from around the globe, culminating in a full-costume Halloween party on Saturday night (venue tba, see website for details).
  
  October 26 - 19
  ACMI, Federation Square, city
  Tickets: $12/$15
  Hellodarkness.com.au
  Acmi.net.au
  
  
• Melbourne Buddhist Film Festival
  Starkly contrasting to the above, the MBFF is presented by the Buddhist Council of Victoria and involves the screening of six films showing the transformative power of Buddhist practice to people's lives, ranging from that of prisoners and punks to inspirational practitioners.
  
  October 31 - November 1
  ACMI, Federation Square, city
  Melbournebff.com
  Acmi.net.au
  
  
• For the Love of Egypt!
  A unique festival held to celebrate Egyptian culture, old and new. The Egyptian artwork exhibitions are open all weekend, but go on Sunday to catch a performance by the folkloric dance troupe 'El Horrya' (2.30-3.30pm and 5-6pm) and an Egyptology lecture by Dr Colin Hope (3.45-4.30pm).
  
  October 31 (11am-5.30pm) - November 1 (11am-7pm)
  Melbourne Town Hall
  100 Swanston St Walk, city
  
  
• World Vegan Day
  65 years after the term 'vegan'  was coined, World Vegan Day will once again be celebrated at the Abbotsford Convent. The day's festivities will include live music, vegan food and campaign stalls, cooking demonstrations, raffles and curiously, speed-dating sessions. There will also be talks from notable speakers.
  
  November 1, 10am-5pm
  1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford
  Wvd.org.au
  Abbotsfordconvent.com.au
  
  

7 Days in Melbourne (where to find your culture & entertainment this week)

Here are the picks of what to see and do (and hear and buy) in Melbourne this week:

• Walk This Way
  'When you really want to know a place, to be privy to a city's secrets and its unexpected gems, wouldn't it be great to have a map designed by locals, complete with hand drawn directions to the places that matter to them?' Part of the MIAF, Walk This Way comprises a series of unique walks around the CBD and suburbs of Melbourne, designed by prominent Melburnians (Matt Preston, Rob Adams, Kate Ceberano, Julia deVille, Bert Newton, Alan Brough, Neil Mitchell and Kaz Cooke), allowing us great insight into their personal experience of this city. Download hand-drawn maps from the MIAF website.
  
  Until October 24
  Information booth, Federation Square, City
  Melbournefestival.com.au
  Image and quote from website.
  
  
•  Lost and Found Market
  There is little information to be found on this, other than that it is a large (40 stalls) indoor market full of vintage furniture, lighting, art, fashion, books, records, and bric-a-brac. Store pictures and requests available at the facebook page: The Lost and Found Social Club.
  
  Open 7 days, 12-6pm
  12 Smith St, Collingwood
  Lostandfoundmarket.com.au
  
  
•  Fashion with Heart
  Hosted by Corrine Grant (with special guest Bob Downe), Sacred Heart Style Mission 2009 is a cocktail party in which Op-shop pieces chosen and embellished by leading fashion designers and RMIT designers be showcased and sold, with proceeds going to Sacred Heart Mission. Tickets should be bought from the Sacred Heart website.
  
  October 22, 7pm
  The Banking Chamber, KPMG
  147 Collins St, City
  Tickets $125, incl. drinks and nibbles
  Sacredheartmission.org
  
  
• Canterbury Twilight Market
  For those who want to get a head-start on their Christmas gift shopping: Stalls are of the skincare/soaps/photography variety, with proceeds going to the Playstation Childcare Centre. Entry is $5 and includes a glass of bubbly and a ticket to a Lucky Prize Draw.
  
  October 23, 7-10pm
  190A Canterbury Rd, Canterbury
  Playstationcanterbury.com
  
  
• Music with cred!
  First brought to my attention by The Age's M magazine, popsters Crayon Fields are launching their second album 'All the Pleasures of the World' (on influential Japanese label Rallye, home to other lo-fi twee favourites such as The Whitest Boy Alive and Au Revoir Simone) over two nights. Friday's guests: Panel of Judges, the Twerps and Swedish indie icon Jens Lekman (sadly just DJing tonight). Saturday's guests: Pickelet and Minimum Chips.
  
  October 23 and 24, 8pm
  Bella Union, Trades Hall, Lygon St, Carlton
  Tickets: $12 online/$15 at door
  Bellaunion.com.au
  

Vox Pop

Ben H, 20, is a saxophone player who also pulls beers for elderly gents (and their friends) at the Fitzroy Bowls Club. Ben, who has recently moved to South Yarra, shares his Melbourne Top 5...

1. Best area: Smith St

2. Best night spots: Black Cat, Fitzroy - 'A cool place with a good crowd and djs on weekends'; Red Triangle, Fitzroy - 'One of the few pool halls with both 3/4 and full size tables. Best milkshakes in Melbourne!'

3. Best eating: Wing Loong - 'Cheap Chinese restaurant in a lane off Little Bourke St. Free unlimited green tea and $7 meals = win!'

4. Best shopping: Northside Records, 236 Gertrude St Fitzroy - 'Awesome selection of second-hand and new funk, hip hop, breaks and all sorts of cool stuff. And Chris the owner has a sweet afro so you know it's all legit.'

5. Melbourne tip: 'The best spots are always the ones where you feel like a local.'

Ben describes Melbourne in a word as 'funkadelic-freakout-postpop-dub-wobble-groovestep' (I hope I punctuated that correctly). Innit?

The popular Northside Records, Fitzroy.

7 Days in Melbourne (where to find your culture & entertainment this week)

Another week, another bunch of fun stuff to do. Here's a snapshot:

• Spring Racing Carnival
  Magazines, newspapers, Facebook pages and Twitterers are going nuts over the annual Spring Racing Carnival. And though I haven't been a patron since my mid-teens, it is not difficult to understand the excitement. Attending the races makes for an out-of-the-ordinary day, where you get to pull out not only your finest attire but also the stuff you wouldn't get away with anywhere else, drink from 10 am and 'cruise' the semi-above average looking crowd. If you can, talk your way into the exclusive Birdcage marquee to see celebs of all grades and the handpicked mandatory spray-tanned young men who serve them.
  
  October 1 - November 19
  Springracingcarnival.com.au

• Ride to Work Day
  This event proves popular ever year. And why not? It's for a good cause, it's good for you and then there's breakfast. Register at the website today and tomorrow claim your free breakfast, including Bakers Delight, Australian bananas and Vaalia yoghurt. There will also be fete stalls, bike engraving and a tyre changing challenge. Note: helmet hair is no excuse, as the organisers have promised a 'helmet hair repair' stand.
  
  October 14,  6-9am (breakfast)
  Federation Square, City
  Bv.com.au/ride-to-work
   
• Style After Dark
  South Melbourne Market's night market is currently running on Thursday evenings, under the usual wide verandas. 'Stalls will emphasise locally-designed, locally-made, vintage and collectible clothing and all things associated with it – accessories, jewellery, and headwear. Original artworks, photography, homewares and children’s clothing and accessories will also be on offer,' organisers say.
  
  Thursdays till November 26, 5.30-9.30pm
  Cecil and Coventry Streets, South Melbourne
  Southmelbournemarket.com.au/night_market
  
  
• Kinki Gerlinki 'garage' sale
  After the success of this event last year, the girls at Kinki Gerlinki are - somewhat paradoxically - advertising this year's sale with a cutesy 'keep quiet, don't tell your friends' line. But it's OK, they can get away with being cutesy (and quiet) because their stuff is sure to be interesting, and sure to sell. Note: sales are cash only, so come prepared!
  
  October 17 - 18, 9am-5pm
  Trades Hall, 2 Lygon Street, Carlton
  Kinkigerlinki.com.au
  
  
• Also on this week:
  Girls Night In (Cancer Council Victoria) - throughout October
  Melbourne International Arts Festival - until October 24
  OzKinkFest ('celebrating the kinkier side of life') - October 17 - 27
  

Vox Pop

Paige F, 21, is a History student at the University of Melbourne and lives in Fitzroy North. Here she shares her Melbourne Top 5...

1. Best area: Fitzroy and Fitzroy North
2. Best bar: Rooftop Bar, Melbourne
3. Best eating: Shanghai Dumpling House, Melbourne
4. Best shopping: Brunswick Street and the city

5. Best coffee: Castros Coffee

And finally, Melbourne in a word: Home

 The ever-entertaining Brunswick Street

 

Melbourne Profile: the Muso

Many moons ago, Josh Barber, 21, picked up the drums and showed immediate natural ability. This talent, combined with hard work and a healthy dose of charm and confidence, has seen Barber become a sought-after addition to many Melbourne-based ensembles, orchestras and bands over the years. Having recently returned from his first European foray, Barber still delights in calling Melbourne home. I tracked down this delightful Melbourne muso to discover his thoughts on our dear city...

 
What is the best thing about Melbourne?
JB: The space and the trees. Both of which are gradually disappearing...

Where is your favourite place in Melbourne?

JB: I love walking down St Kilda Road in nice weather, especially when there are ducks in the pools in front of the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria).

What are the best places to drink, socialise, groove and eat?

JB: Prudence bar on Victoria Street is really comfortable. 303 in Northcote is great for cheap live music and friendly people. And I'm a big fan of Thai food - Thaila Thai on Lygon Street does it well.

Where is the best shopping?

 JB: I'm not much of a shopper, and tend to gravitate towards department stores for the lack of confrontation. Westfield Doncator is vast enough for me!

Does Melbourne cater to your tastes well?

JB: Yes. The arts scene is growing increasingly pretentious, but I have faith that this facet of Melbourne will rediscover humility soon.

Anything else we should know?

JB: Spending an hour heading East is a good way to find a nice Sunday lunch, antique stores and forested hills.

 
Melbourne in a word?

JB: Easy.

Barber has studied music at the Victorian College of the Arts, and is in a handful of Melbourne bands. One of which, The Megahorns, supported The Cat Empire at a sell-out September show at Prince Bandroom. In February 2010, Barber will be travelling to the U.S. with another of his projects, up-and-coming The Little Stevies, to showcase their wonderful music.

Check out:

www.myspace.com/joshbarberdrums
www.myspace.com/megahorns
www.thelittlestevies.com
www.twitter.com/barberjosh

7 Days in Melbourne (where to find your culture & entertainment this week)

Melbourne is awash with festivals a.t.m. which, luckily for us, provide many fantastic indoor events to make up for the downright sad-looking weather we've been having. Still not tempted to go out? Ignore the tut-tuts and instead, invite your friends over for a night in to raise money for the Cancer Council. We'll allow it this month.

• Host a Girls Night In for a good cause
  An easy way to do something good, host a night in for your friends (of any sex, let's not discriminate) during October, and ask guests to donate the money they would typically spend on a night out to the Cancer Council instead. Now in its 5th year, this initiative has seen over $12 million raised for women's cancers at over 22 000 events. Make your night as fancy or as low key as you want. Cook a bunch of Spanish food or attempt to get through the whole BBC Jane Austen collection (or Lethal Weapon legacy, if that's your thing). And don't worry if you can't get many people to commit, because if you think about it, even a two person donation is worthwhile.
  
  Visit the website for details
  Girlsnightin.com.au
  
  
• Melbourne Fringe Festival
  Old news, maybe, but still going for this week, and still exciting. So get going! And get excited.
  
  September 23 - October 11
  Various venues around Melbourne
  Melbournefringe.com.au
  
  
• Comedy at the Corner Hotel
  Help out Channel 31's 'most dynamic, exciting and fresh hour of entertainment,' Studio A and see Peter Hellier, Charlie Pickering (from Ten's The 7 pm Project), Dave Callan from Triple J and a bunch of other guys who I'm sure are worth the $20 entry. What else is there to do on a Tuesday night?
  
  October 6, 7.30pm
  Corner Hotel, Richmond
  Cornerhotel.com
  
  
• The inaugural CraftExpo
  The organisers of this debut event (those crazy kids responsible for the Craft & Quilt Fair) say we can expect the 'fresh, fun, new, and different,' along with all of our old favourites at this weekend's event. Held at the Royal Exhibition Building, CraftExpo will offer interactive features, workshops and shopping. For the very creative, there's also the Great Apron Challenge, in which participants are given an hour in the sewing room to produce the most fabulous apron they can and parade it down the catwalk for the chance to win a sewing machine. Not bad.
  
  CraftExpo
  October 8 - 11, 10 am - 4.30 pm daily
  Royal Exhibition Centre, Carlton
  Tickets: $7/13/15, available at door or online
  Thecraftexpo.com.au
  
  
• Melbourne International Arts Festival
  On many a Melbourne mind this week, the MIAF is a good, good festival. If you fancy yourself a fan of theatre, dance, opera, visual arts, film and/or music (and let's face it, if you don't then that is probably something to be worked on), then you're sure to find something entertaining and inspiring. The festival kicks off this weekend with Pealing of the Bells, Ringing of the Changes, and Mischievous Bells, and a performance by French aerial circus troupe Transe Express at the Alexandra Gardens (weather permitting). See the website for more information.
  
  October 9 - 24
  Various locations and times
  Melbournefestival.com.au
  

Dinner at Bimbo Deluxe

...was painfully average.

The beauty of Bimbos is, of course, that one can get a $4 pizza (almost) any day (or night) of the week. And really, that's the number one reason why we go there. To be fair, it's not the only reason. Bimbos is cheap, yes, but also well equipped to fit two for dinner or a big group of friends. On the downside, I always hear people comment on the how dark it is inside. On the upside, the upstairs courtyard can be a lovely place for an evening catch up or afternoon beers. 

Speaking of, Bimbos does enough good drinks (the many flavoured vodkas and the Bright Ale on tap come to mind) to keep people with a range of tastes happy. As a group of eight at 7 pm on a Saturday, we had little trouble getting a table, which is good for Brunswick St.

The venue of choice for a range of people and events, Bimbos pleases, but rarely delights.

Potato pizza and the pumpkin and spinach salad.

But whatever, I'll definitely be back. Especially considering $4 is just a cheap tip in most restaurants.

Bimbo Deluxe (Bar w pizzas till late)
376 Brunswick St
Fitzroy
bimbodeluxe.com.au
See website for details on $4 specials, etc.