Opening the festival, and on until 10 October is the astonishing K@osmos, a 21st Century aerial theatre show.  The dynamic visual spectacular K@osmos is brought to you by Argentinean production company Grupo Puja! and combines theatre, circus, dance, aerial sport, architecture, engineering, multimedia and music in a performance that is out of this world.

Those pondering their own existence will love MORTALITY, a visual journey from the cradle to the grave at Australian Centre for Contemporary Art.  The free exhibition is curated by Juliana Engberg to reflect the Festival’s visual arts themes of spirituality, death and the afterlife by some of the world’s leading artists.

If you’re wanting to sneak a peek into the minds of the artists involved in this year’s Festival, the daytime Melbourne Festival Artists In Conversation could be for you.  An intimate series of discussions held at BMW Edge in Federation Square will leave you inspired by the diverse imaginations of some of the world’s most creative minds, from Melbourne Festival director Brett Sheehy, through to songwriters from Seven Songs to Leave Behind.

Or if it’s a digital post-modern experience you’re after, venture to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image to revel in Bill Viola’s The Raft.  This video homage to The Raft of the Medusa by French Romantic painter Théodore Géricault is recorded in high-speed film and described by the artist as “an image of destruction and survival.”

At the end of an illuminating day of artistic discovery, take a dazzling journey from the NGV to the Forum and let the Halo project light up your night. Lighting designer Allan Parkinson brings the Festival precinct to life with a specially designed lighting project, flooding the space with a through a purple haze. From the footpath, to the trees, to the roofline, wherever you look you may discover exquisite lighting installations designed to bring some more spark to your 2010 Festival experience.

Melbourne International Arts Festival runs 8 – 23 October at a myriad of venues across the city.

Tiffany Cherry’s life and loves seem to match those of many Melburnians: sport, the city and a Saturday morning coffee with a dear friend. Seems you can be a super athlete, a sports presenter, totally glamorous and still treasure simple pleasures.

Tiffany Cherry spilled some of her city secrets in today’s City Weekly. Here’s the extra intel she saved especially for you!

What is your absolute favourite sport to participate in, in the city?

I LOVE running the Tan.

What’s the best time to run the Tan?

Best time to run the Tan is in the morning all year round… and especially on the weekend when, after your run, you can kick back with a friend, share a coffee and a laugh and catch up on the weekend’s papers. It is my absolute favourite run in the world.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen either on a city bike track or running track?

Santa running on Christmas Day.

Best place to grab brekkie in the city after a workout?

Liaison Cafe, Monaco House, 22 Ridgeway Place is the BEST place in the city for brekkie or simply a coffee.

Best place for ‘pre-gaming’ in the city, uh, pre-game?

Transport Hotel, Fed Square is the perfect location for your pre-game warm-up.

Best non-sport-sport and favourite place to play it?

Crown has the best non-sport sport … take your pick with bowling, poker or simply watching sport on the big screens.

How do you think Melbourne came to be so sports mad?

Melbourne is so sports mad because we have such a great layout for sporting facilities. If you build the stadiums, people and sports stars will come.

Greatest Melbourne sporting legend?

Raelene Boyle is Australia’s greatest sporting legend who deserved to be an Olympic champion. Kevin Sheedy and Craig Bellamy close runner ups.

 Greatest moment in Melbourne‘s sporting history?

Phar Lap’s 1930 Melbourne Cup-winning run.

Five words to describe Melbourne‘s sports scene?

Educated, passionate, world class fanatics.

You can catch Tiffany every Friday night as part of SEN radio’s broadcast of the AFL, as well as weekdays Monday to Thursday during 6-8.30pm as sports presenter on SkyNews and as one of the hosts of Foxtel’s coverage of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. 

Here’s what she told us.

Define Melbourne’s style. 

Melbourne’s style is unparalleled by any other city in the world. Its unique culture clash of urban chic, eclectic vintage and corporate couture is always bound to impress.

Who is the most stylish Melburnian you know?

Style comes in many different shapes and forms. The great thing about Melbourne is that it’s a place that allows you to express yourself!

If I had to nominate anyone, it would be my friend Bree, she has a natural sense if style with retro pieces and experiments with new styles all the time.

If I had to nominate anyone famous, I’d actually say Ruby Rose! She is this year’s ambassador to MSFW so I think everyone thinks the same thing. She is cool!

Favourite spot in the city to people watch?

I love Madame Brussels! Love the garden inspired ‘tea party’ set up and they have an amazing terrace overlooking the city. Beautiful!

Must have for spring in the city?

Always dress in a gorgeous flowing spring dress, comfortable clogs and sunglasses. Then you’re always prepared for a sunny afternoon reading a great book (Eat, Pray, Love is one of my faves at the moment) in one of Melbourne’s beautiful parks.

Best way to spend a spring evening in town?

Lounging on a rooftop bar, watching a movie and hanging with friends.

Favourite place in the city to shop?

The city! It has everything from high end designer labels to the funky little boutiques…I love mixing  eclectic and vintage styles with a more structured, high-end piece! 

 Most suave live music venue in the city?

In spring, I love live music festivals in the warm outdoors.

What is Melbourne’s best-kept style secret?

Melbournians are great at having such a cool style. So many people here have their own individual fashion styles – but pull it all together with ease.

 What would you pack in your handbag to prepare for a night out in the city?

The essentials – wallet, phone, house keys and lip gloss.

Five words to describe Melbourne?Stylish, trendy, chic, cultural and alternative!

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week finishes this Sunday 5 September. Lucy appears in each nightly Designer Series show. Some tickets still available – but be quick.

So straighten your skivvy, get comfy in your directors chair and let’s roll the tape.

One of our hot tips for MIFF is the opening night film, The Wedding Party, starring Adam Zwar (of SBS’s Wilfred fame). You can read all about Adam’s filmic experiences in today’s City Weekly (Thursday 22 July).

Adam’s first film was a short called My Night with Ava, based on the true story of Ava Gardner’s Melbourne romance with a male journalist. (Ava was here in 1951, filming On The Beach.)

FYI, the rumour that Ava described Melbourne as ‘the perfect place to make a film about the end of the world’ is untrue. Another journo – who wasn’t in Melbourne and clearly had no idea what he was talking about – made that up.

And besides, it’s clear Ava liked something (or someone) Melburnian!

 FYI, the rumour that Ava described Melbourne as ‘the perfect place to make a film about the end of the world’ is untrue. Another journo – who wasn’t in Melbourne and clearly had no idea what he was talking about – made that up!

Obviously, Ava liked something (or someone) Melburnian – and she wasn’t alone. Melbourne is a favoured location of film makers.

The Wedding Party was shot in Melbourne, Tim Burton spent a whole week here when his exhibition opened at ACMI, both Robert DeNiro and Clive Owen have been hanging out here in recent weeks, shooting a new thriller, The Killer Elite. So while we’re quoting (NOT misquoting) film heroes, here’s what Tim Burton had to say about Melbourne’s ACMI:

 ‘…what I love about this place (is) the interactive nature of it. It’s not as stand-offish as the museum experience.  People who don’t normally go to a museum would go to the show.’

Tim Burton: The Exhibition features more than 700 Burton creations, from paintings to puppets and from costumes to cars. (That’s right, there’s a Batmobile on display.) The exhibition closes on Sunday 10 October.

And Robert De Niro, what did he have to say about Melbourne?

‘It’s a terrific city, even in winter, not like New York, which is cold and slushy.’ And:  ‘Melbourne is a real city, it’s got different cultures, it’s got a good energy, good restaurants, it’s a great city – good place to be.’

 You talkin’ to us? Aw shucks, Mr De Niro…you’ve got that right for sure.  And our film festival kicks international celluloid butt!  

The Wedding Party screens at the Melbourne International Film Festival tonight at 8pm, Saturday 31 July at 7pm and Tuesday 3 August at 7pm. (Thursday 5 August session is sold out.)

LINKS:
Melbourne International Film Festival
Tim Burton: The Exhibition

Red Spice Road
27 McKillop Street

While it was inspired by the spice trails of Asia, Red Spice Road has made itself right at home in the iconic laneways of Melbourne.  A distinct blend of Vietnamese and Thai influences are littered across a menu that will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds if you can fit it).  You can get communal under Australia’s largest red lantern, which hangs over a unique circular table that can seat up to 60 – either bring all your friends or make some new ones!

Va Bene
 T10 Shed 9, Central Pier, 161 Harbour Esp, Docklands

Va Bene is the Italian phrase for  “it’s good!” and the name couldn’t be more fitting!  This pizzeria is a celebration of the European way of life, where community is the most important thing.  Take a seat at one of the long wooden tables, laugh, eat and take every moment as it comes.

The Journal Cafe
Ground 253-265 Flinders Lane

If you’re feeling a little intellectual, Journal is the stop for you.  Just next to the Melbourne City Library, it could be tempting to stock up on the latest literature and to be consumed over Journal’s fantastic coffee – but that’s not what communal dining is all about, is it?  Settle in around the vast middle table and swap tales over the latest Sicilian offering, as food here changes daily according to what is available.

Giuseppe Arnaldo & Sons
25/8 Whiteman St, Southbank

You could think of this lavish venue as a classic Roman Trattoria of the future, within the heart of Melbourne.  Confused?  Never fear, the food is fresh and uncomplicated traditional Roman fare, which makes the highly creative architecture of the venue that much easier to swallow.

Mecca Bah
55a NewQuay Prom, Docklands

There’s no need for a magic carpet to get to this waterside Moroccan eating house, though you will feel like you’ve entered a whole new world upon arrival.  Enjoy an informal, communal dining experience as you dig into a feast from the east.  Spice things up when the weather cools down, as exotic taste of Turkish Mezze and Pizzas are sure to excite your senses and make you feel all warm inside.

Finish this sentence: I love Melbourne because …
I live here.  It has family, friends, music and football.

If you could describe the city as any type of music, what would it be and why?
I don’t know why, but for some reason that 80s song ‘Electric blue’ comes to mind.

Best place to go and relax after a gig in the city?
The Supper Club.  The wine list and the spring rolls are both great and it has a big round window at the front that makes you feel as if you’re in a giant ship.

Favourite corner of the city?
The North-East Corner, that leads to the Carlton Gardens.  The park is great to keep walking around, especially at night.  The Russian dome, the ponds, the crazy possums and the arching trees are all good wandering distractions.  

Best way to embrace the changing seasons in the city?
A t-shirt under a winter jacket.  A music device and headphones to change albums accordingly.  A sturdy imagination.  A love of mood swings.  

Most inspiring Melbourne moment?
Being in the middle of the MCG when the athletes came out at the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.  There was a sea of glittering blue lights.  It was amazing and surreal. 

What’s something that most people wouldn’t know about the city that they should?
The Forum Theatre has a secret trapdoor that leads to another world under the Yarra.

How would you describe the soul of the city? 
Curious.  Proud.  Magic.  Blue.  

Pick up this week’s City Weekly to read more about Felix’s tips to finding Melbourne heart, beat and soul.

One of the problems of walking around the streets of Melbourne during the Comedy Festival is you run the very real risk of having your hand severed off by paper cuts. Many of the comics are trying their earnest lil’ butts off to hand you flyers to their show and I know it can feel a little overwhelming.

The thing you have to remind yourself is we don’t mean to harass you – we just want people to come and see our show. Philosophers have often pondered ‘if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?’ Comics have often pondered ‘if a comedian tells a joke and no one is around to hear it, am I funny?’ Well we may still be funny but the only certain thing is if there’s no ticket sale, we’re definitely poor.

The real fun happens each night after the shows are performed. We finish our arduous hour-long shift and then catch-up with other comics to see how their equally tasking hour-long shift went. A great thing to do after a show is go to a bar that is secluded and select yet with the hope that you will run into other comics who are secluded and select.

A comic’s lifestyle lends itself to the evening, we’re renowned nocturnal creatures, so late night dining is a must. Tapas are a favourite of mine. There’s Vietnamese-French Tapas served at Coda Bar & Restaurant, 141 Flinders Lane. Not only is the food top shelf, the place is one of those ‘man I feel cooler for just sitting in here’ restaurants.

Spanish donuts are a late night favourite of Hairy Canary on Little Collins, as well as Gin Palace, The Toff on Swanston St and, for fans of cosy drinking holes, the Cabinet Bar and Balcony. It’s not very spacious so to combat that they hang chairs off the walls. All you need is a three-metre vertical leap and hey presto you’re relaxed. So come down and check these places out and we can grab a drink, I might even flyer you.

Catch Dave at his Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, ‘A Different Type of Normal’, on until 18 April at Arthur’s Bar at Rosati, 95 Flinders Lane, Melbourne (Tue-Sat 8.30pm, Sun 7.30pm).