Melbourne
TARGET DECK YOUR TREE CELEBRATION, PATCH CAFE
Are you up, are you dressed?
Licensed to thrill: Samantha Harris at the Flickerfest launch. Photo: Peter Czeczon
Are you up, are you dressed? More importantly, is your Christmas tree up, is it dressed, beautifully decorated, twinkling and sparkling? On Wednesday, Target was determined to help get us started and hosted a Deck Your Tree celebration at Patch Cafe in Richmond. Against the background of four Christmas scene themes ��� vintage luxe, timeless, dazzling brights and modern monochrome ��� we wondered, what is your most special, unique Christmas tradition?
Party people
From tree celebrations to Flickerfest, here's a rundown of last week's events in and around Sydney and Melbourne. Photo: Shaney Balcombe
"The most unique is that it always ends up in a fight," Chrisanthi Kaliviotis said. I'm not sure that is unique ��� "Well, we're Greek, so there's always a lot of noise and a lot of shouting, and Dad always does prawns and lamb. I've never, ever had a Christmas with turkey."
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"Me and my sisters all get a new set of pyjamas on Christmas Eve and then we wear them together and have a slumber party," Jess Dupe said. "I have three sisters, and my older sister is nearly 30, and I'm, like, 'When will this end?'"
"It's not necessarily unusual but it may be a little bit strange; I'm 24 and my sister is 27 and we still get our presents in sacks," Bree Hodder said. "The presents are still wrapped individually and shoved in there and Mum does it through the night. I'm like, 'Mum, I'm 24 now, come on! ... But seriously, keep doing it'."
THE WATER DIVINER PREMIERE, RIVOLI CINEMAS
"It goes everywhere this story, it's pretty big," Russell Crowe , the director and star of The Water Diviner said at the movie's Melbourne premiere on Wednesday. "It's exciting to show Australia in its glory, but also to show Istanbul of that time period."
The first-time director was easygoing on the red carpet but quick to acknowledge the sometimes heavy going of filmmaking. "It's an art form first, but I do respect the fact that it's the most expensive commercial art form that exists. I love having that pressure ��� here's your budget, here's your available assets, here's the time frame you have to work in. It's a relentless pursuit making a feature film."
What advice do you have for aspiring Australian storytellers? "To be exactly that, be a storyteller, don't get caught up in the ease of how you can finance a genre-based movie. In every person here there would be a feature film ... a story of loss and grief and love and adventure and that's what you have to focus on, that kind of human engagement."
VAMFF CAMPAIGN LAUNCH, CREMORNE
On Thursday in Cremorne we were encouraged to get close. It was the launch of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival campaign, designed to encourage all of us to come out from behind our screens and get close, up close, to all things fashion.
Next year's festival (14-22 March) will close with a one-off presentation at NGV International featuring Romance Was Born, so we asked half of the National Designer Award-winning team, Luke Sales , what he would like to get close to. "I'd like to get closer to more contemporary art," he said. "We've collaborated with a lot of contemporary Australian artists but I'd like to work on my personal collection a bit more, artists like Sarah Contos, Kate Rohde and Rebecca Baumann."
Josh Goot , who will be featured in the festival's Grand Showcase, a celebration of his label's 10 thanniversary, would like to get closer to himself: "I feel like we all have various versions of ourselves and sometimes we realise some areas of ourself and we don't realise others. We can all be more true."
Sydney
FLICKERFEST STARTS ROLLING
The Flickerfest International Short Film Festival launch, at Bondi Icebergs Dining Room, followed a James Bond theme, echoing the festival's trailer starring Samantha Harris and Rodger Corser. Guests were treated to the unveiling of the 2015 Flickerfest program, as well as a world-first screening of Florence Has Left the Building , starring Jacki Weaver and directed by Mirrah Foulkes (Flickerfest best director 2013).
DIRTY DANCING OPENING NIGHT
The classic movie came alive on stage for its Sydney run, with an enthusiastic audience including the cast of Wonderland: Laura Dundovic, Dr Katrina Warren and Timomatic. Stars Kirby Burgess and Kurt Phelan sizzled, and every line was cheered all the way to the standing ovation.
PIZZAPERTA LAUNCH PARTY
The aromas of pizzas from Australia's godfather of Italian cooking, Stefano Manfredi, wafted over Pyrmont from this new eatery at The Star, while celebrities crowded in to sample the artisan flours and fresh produce used at Pizzaperta. Tucking in were Richard Wilkins, Fitzy and Wippa, Stefano's daughter Isabella Manfredi and her band the Preatures, Laura Csortan and chef Luke Mangan.
CHARING CROSS HOTEL'S FRESH LOOK
Eastern suburbs landmark venue The Charing Cross Hotel (aka "The Charo") opened its Waverly doors after a transformative renovation that's filled the old pub with light, beautiful colour and delightful detail. Chef Matt Kemp proved the food tastes as good as the Charo looks, and proud owner Warren Livingstone gave guests a sneak-peek at the new boutique-style rooms and party suite upstairs.
THE BUTLER VIP LAUNCH
Potts Point's newest star showed off its stunning location and French menu to more than 100 guests, including Zoe Marshall, Justine Schofield and Matt Doran, Joe Snell and Anna Bamford. Many hovered by the staircase, taking in the panoramic view of the city made famous during the restaurant's former incarnation as Mezzaluna.
ADAM DIXON STORE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY
Gown guru Adam Dixon celebrated the first birthday of his flagship Woollahra store with champagne and guests including Catriona Rowntree and Dixon's fellow designer Sonya Hopkins.
CHRISTMAS AT THE MORRISON
The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room kicked off Christmas early and emphatically with 800 close friends and a deluge of cocktails and canapes from its culinary director, Sean Connolly. Santa even turned up with gifts for guests, who included Nicola Atherton from Bondi Rescue, model-actress Erin Holland and actress Mary O'Neill.
LOYAL FOUNDATION SAIL WITH THE STARS
Theirs is the glamour vessel of the Sydney to Hobart, and Perpetual Loyal's crew put the glitz factor to good use at a gala dinner, raising $500,000 for sick children at this annual fundraiser. Karl Stefanovic hosted the gathering for 450 at Doltone House. Tables were filled with Loyal connections, including the supermaxi's skipper, Anthony Bell, wife Kelly, and the latest celeb face to jump aboard, boxer Danny Green.