Welcome to the Jungle

If you’ve been thinking of the leafy things in life lately, make sure you head down to Geelong’s newest florist and print shop, The Jungle Room. The new store is officially open at 50 Malop St, Geelong.

Make a Difference, Make a Film

Attention all budding filmmakers (and those who haven’t yet tapped into their potential) the Gateways Film Festival of Amazing Shorts is here, and they need your work.

Time to Make and Eat

Geelong’s newest exciting business venture is officially opening its doors today. The part cafe and part creative studio, Craft Space, opens from 11am-3pm with the first 60 customers to receive a bag of goodies and everyone else able to purchase some damn tasty treats.

Double the Power

In Black Diva Power, the acclaimed powerhouse singer/actor Ruth Rogers-Wright is set to take on the roles of Nina Simone and Billie Holiday. Backed by a three-piece band, the show is set to enlighten, mesmerise and give one hell of an entertaining time.

Transparency

Colour and texture are beautiful things, especially when put together. In her newest exhibition, Leah Grant will explore these two elements through various mediums of photography, ink, gouache and resin. Opening night is tomorrow night (October 2) from 6pm at Analogue Academy in Geelong.

Expand Your Tea Knowledge

As part of the Australian International Tea Expo there are a series of workshops and classes where you can expand your knowledge on the delicious liquid and daily ritual. Classes include; Oolong Sommelier, Green Teas of China, Hands-On Tea Blending, Starting a Tea Business, Aroma Training and Tea and Food Pairing and much more. Visit australianteaexpo.com.au for more information on the event (held on October 17-18).

Finders Keepers Markets

The Melbourne Finders Keepers Market is back again with plenty of time for you to pick up something for yourself or to get in early for Christmas. Held over three days (October 2-4) the market has the best of Melbourne design ware on offer as well as selections from throughout Australia. Head to the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne this weekend.

Jimmy Carr Stops Off in Geelong

Jimmy Carr will return to Australian shores early next year. A TV regular on the likes of 10 O’Clock Live, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Big Fat Quiz, Carr will bring his Funny Business tour Down Under, on which he’s currently performed over 200 dates around the United Kingdom.

Laughter Is A Gift

Laughter is the best medicine and giving to a good cause is surely close behind that. An event you can do both at is the Comedy 4 Karma event at the Daylesford Town Hall, a fundraiser for the Daylesford Dharma School. Last year’s event saw comedians Hannah Gadsby, Sammy J & Randy, Dave O’Neil as MC and many more. At this stage Melody Moon is confirmed as the musical entertainment with wholesome food supplied by the Organic Sunrise Food Van and a silent auction on the night. The bill for this year is said to be on par (if not above) that of last year’s event. The fundraiser takes place on October 16, visit www.dharmaschool.com.au to get tickets.

The Money Makers

Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen will be discussing his new book, The Money Men, and revealing interviews with five of Australia’s most recent treasurers at Courthouse Youth Arts on October 7. Bookings are essential as seats are limited.

Face the Detail

Taking a good selfie is hard enough let alone painting a self portrait, but Chelsea Gustafsson is helping students manouvre through the minefield and guide them through the steps of executing a line drawing, transferring it to a wood panel, blocking skin tones, building layers and refining detail. Set for October 10 at Boom Gallery it’s best to book ahead for this one as spots are limited.

What We Leave Behind

Local photographers Jack Griffiths and Natalie Evans have paired up to deliver their exhibition Traces. As they so aptly put it: “We leave traces of ourselves in the warmth left in our bed in the morning, in the litter we throw away, in the structures we place in our environment. Human intervention is widespread, and it is often difficult to find a space in which we have not left traces of ourselves.” Opening night is Wednesday September 23.

Craft Space

There’s a new café coming to Geelong but this time with a bit of a twist. Craft Space is set to open soon and looks at bringing the best of coffee, food and creative inspiration into the same space through a creative studio also located at the venue. It’s also another addition to the Little Malop Street precinct (shop number 87), watch this space!

Calling All Shopaholics

Geelong shoppers, go find your wallet because you’ll be needing it. Purple Cow have been a household name for a number of years now but it’s time the store infiltrates the shopping centres. Opening a few days ago Purple Cow is officially Market Square’s newest store.

Geelong Marriage Equality Rally

It’s been around 11 years now of campaigning for marriage equality in Australia and the time has come around for those located in Geelong to get involved this Saturday (September 19). Speakers for the day will be Jye Cannon, Sarah Hathway, Greens Senator Janet Rice and Victorian Commissioner for Gender & Sexuality Rowena Allen. Meet at 1pm at the Little Malop Street mall and make some noise on the issue.

Get Printy

The Geelong acquisitive print awards exhibition is now on with 42 works by 44 leading and emerging Australian artists on show and short-listed for the prize. The awards exhibition will be on show until November 22 including Sophie Cape’s piece, who was the recipient of the award. Head to the Geelong Gallery to see what you think of the entrants.

Get Your Frock On

October means more than just a few months until Christmas, it’s also a month where donning your finest dress for Frocktober (a not-for-profit organisation raising funds and awareness for ovarian cancer research) is common-place. Adding to the usual events, the Australian International Tea Expo are throwing a Frocktober Morning Tea on October 17 with all proceeds going to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. Visit australianteaexpo.com.au for more information.

Peachy Keen

Here at Forte we love ourselves a nice smelling candle (or a nice smelling anything for that matter) and Peach Boutique in Geelong has its own sweet smelling fruity peach scent thanks to local candle maker Love Ludie. Make sure you pick yours up!

Laneway Sessions

How many times do we have to say that anything is a laneway is damn cool? Well count this as another time as Blackman’s Brewery in Torquay (26 Bell St) are having another laneway session. Set for September 5 and 12, celebrate the return of spring with live music, pop up stalls, and how could we forget, the mobile bar serving you some bevvies!

MIFF at GPAC

The Melbourne International Film Festival have just lined up their regional screenings and GPAC has gained a few to hit their screens. Results, Song of the Sea, Neon and Putuparri and the Rainmakers will screen from September 11 to 12. Mark it in your diary!

Take 2 of Everything

The Take 2 Market is back with over 30 stalls of pre-loved designer, high street and vintage fashion items. Head to the Geelong West Town Hall on August 29 between 10am and 4pm to pick up something to give your wardrobe an upgrade.

Paper and Process

Boom Gallery has a new exhibition on the walls, floors and smooth surfaces (at least it feels that way) and it’s a goodie. Running until September 5 will be works from Anita Beaney, Jiri Tibor Novak and Trudy White. Stop in for a coffee at Dirty Rascal and stay for the pretty things on the wall.

Cycle Into Spring

What better chance to celebrate the warming weather than with the inaugural Analogue Alleydogs Cycle Scavenge! Enter your team of 2-5 people for $20 per person and bring along a bike, a small day pack and a camera phone with an Instagram account and prepare for a day of hunting, photo challenges and surprise bonus point tasks. A charity BBQ lunch will follow the hunt. Keep September 5 at 9.30am free and head to Analogue Academy Cafe to book.

Static Body

Make up and fashion often go hand in hand, but for the Static Body runway set for the Courthouse on August 28, things are a little bit different. We had a chat to make up artist Ally Barbagallo and fashion designer Ally Deam about what we can expect from their collaboration.

 

Subscribe to the
Forte newsletter

Stay up to date with everything going on around your region.