EATERY

MoVida - in Georgian means 'come on over' - however, MOVIDA is not a Georgian Restaurant! MoVida chef & co-proprietor Frank Camorra was born in Barcelona and spent his first five years in his parents' hometown of Córdoba in Andalusia, before his parents migrated to Australia. In the year 2000, Frank travelled throughout Spain and was inspired by both the modern and traditional aspects of Spanish cuisine he discovered. Returning to Australia, Frank was determined to share his inspiration. In fact, MoVida is named after the art and film movement that flourished after the death of the Fascist dictator, Colonel Franco. MoVida serve terrific tapas, main courses and of course, their selection of wines hmmmmm just complete the food so perfectly. Getting to the restaurant is as interesting as the food and the restaurant itself.
MoVida is located on one of the most artistic streets of the Melbourne CBD - Hosier Lane. To some, the walls of this lane are just graffiti... but if you look very closely, there is plenty of political expression in the art that adorns these walls. Hosier lane is a dark, secretive laneway that screams with fabulous street art. This lane can be viewed as an unofficial art gallery.

ART-ATTACK

For the 14th year, Kingston Arts Centre Gallery is excited to present its annual 24-hour event, Artz Blitz. If you are an artist aged between 3 and 103 and would like to participate in this exciting visual arts event then register your interest now! There are $3000 worth of prizes up for grabs, which will be awarded in a number of categories and age groups, so why not pick up a paintbrush or sculpt a work of art? This event is a great opportunity to get involved in the arts in an exciting and accessible way. There are only 180 places available, so be quick to be part of this dynamic event.
Adults: $25
Children/youth: $10
Registrations close: Friday 5 February 2010
Theme announced: Friday 26 February @ 5pm & 6pm on 3RRR
Delivery of works: Saturday 27 February between 4pm & 6pm
Opening event: Sunday 7 March, 1pm-4pm
Exhibition dates: Monday 8 March - Friday 26 March
Call 9556 4440 for further information.
Venue: Kingston Arts Centre Gallery
City: Moorabbin
Region: Melbourne, Australia
Start date: 4 Dec 2009 End date: 5 Feb 2010
Email: alexandra.johnston@kingston.vic.gov.au

BEAUTUFUL NOISE

If you like opera, picnics and fresh air.. then you should seriously consider going to the free Opera concert series at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Be sure to come early to get a good patch of grass. Don't forget to bring blankets, cushions, cheese grapes and wine. Read below for more details:

February 13, Sidney Myer Free Concert 1, at 7 pm at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl - playing Ravel, De Falla and Bizet.
February 16, Sidney Myer Free Concert 2, at 7 pm at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl - playing Nielsen, Elgar and Rimsky-Korsakov.
February 20, Sidney Myer Free Concert 3, at 7 pm at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl - playing Brahms, Ravel and Strauss.
February 23, Sidney Myer Free Concert 4, at 7 pm at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl - playing a mix of composers with soprano Yvonne Kenny.

HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE...

Da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503, during the Italian Renaissance and, according to Vasari, "after he had lingered over it four years, left it unfinished…." He is thought to have continued to work on it for three years after he moved to France and to have finished it shortly before he died in 1519. Mona Lisa has no visible facial hair—including eyebrows and eyelashes. It was common at this time for genteel women to pluck them out, since they were considered to be unsightly.

HIDEAWAY

This is a real find. Its not cheap, but then, its also unforgettable. There are four bungalows in this retreat. Each bungalow is entwined in the beauty of the rich natural rainforests of the Yarra Valley. The bungalows have Floor-to-ceiling windows and nature is all around, instead of paintings. There is a large open fire-place and a deluxe sunken spa set in the centre of a heated ceramic-tiled floor. Doors open right around the spa, making your senses deceive you into believing that you are actually sitting outside, in amongst the eucalyptus trees and kangaroos. It is so peaceful. You will only hear sounds made by nature. The bungalows are far from the road and are in the depth of the rainforest.