Broad invites 5 female singer/songwriters from vastly different musical backgrounds and styles to share their songs and stories in a concert that unites audiences and performers, breaks down genre barriers and exposes new talents to new eyes.

This year’s Broad line-up is
Deborah Conway
Jade MacRae (pictured)
Abbe May
Anne McCue
Sally Seltman (New Buffalo)

Broad is travelling to all states throughout Australia during August 2007. You can still catch events in Melbourne & Perth.

While reading the newspaper today, I came across two interesting but very different articles. All that comes to mind is what is this world coming too?

The first article is about a school uniform maker in England who is considering adding satellite tracking devices to its clothing range so parents will always know where their children are.

The other article is in relation to Qantas who were forced to review the licences of all its aircraft maintenance engineers after one was found to have inspected aircrafts on international flights without a valid licence.

This year the National Young Writers’ Festival is putting together the biggest showcase of small and independent press ever seen in the southern hemisphere and we want you to be part of it. Big or small, hand sewn, perfect bound or stapled, we want to hear from small press across the country.

The Mega Mega Launch is your 10 minutes to shine and woo the crowd with the awesome power of your printed products before the small press and zine fair on the Sunday of the festival. There will be champagne, there will be dancing and paper, so much paper.

The idea is to get all independent, critical, quirky and quality small press / comics / magazines / zines / websites and more together in the one place and give everyone a chance to showcase their work to everyone else. It’ll be a great way to hook up with people doing similar things, meet some kick-ass writers, editors, and feel connected as a writing community.

Dr. Sketchy’s is what happens when cabaret meets art school. Dr. Sketchy’s is the little Brooklyn event that became a movement. Founded in 2005 by artist Molly Crabapple, Dr. Sketchy’s asked a simple question. Why can’t drawing naked people be sexy?

The point is that this isn’t typical life drawing. Here, the drawing sessions are about opening your mind, pushing the envelope, encompassing the model’s personality and uniqueness, funny contests, and having a fun time. It’s also about joining various aspects of our city’s culture to the benefit of everyone, in a social and promotional way.

Come along for the Grand Opening in Brisbane on Wednesday, 22nd August 2007 at the Metro Arts Theatre, 109 Edward Street.

The Flair Fashion Awards promote talented designers in a competitive environment through excellence in fashion award presentation. Be part of the biggest fashion event outside of the big cities.

The major award winners in 2006 were Micaela Ezra from Vaucluse NSW as Designer of the Year. While the Peoples Choice Award went to Kel-Leigh Couture from Gosford NSW. Other wonderful awards presented on the night include Bridal, Afterdark, Cocktail, Swimwear, Local & Student. 

This fantastic event will be held at the Taree Wingham Race Club on the 1st September 2007. Be there for the premiere!

Barossa Gourmet weekend offers world famous wine matched with delicious food from local and Adelaide restaurants and of course a side dish of music to meet all tastes.

A fantastic opportunity to indulge in the food, wine, music and hospitality of the Barossa Valley with up to 25 participating wineries providing a range of food options from Barossa and Adelaide. Join in the fun from Saturday, 25th August to Sunday, 26th August 2007.

‘Two Flat Whites’ have today embarked on a writing series called “Regional Australia – Cities & Towns”. The aim of this series is to help our talented writers further promote & showcase their work while promoting this wonderful country of ours.

Check out the wonderful articles & creative skills displayed by our home grown talent. It’s not too late to get involved. Whether you are an up & comer or established & experienced writer, we want you!

So why not give it a go! If you are interested, please email me at ben {at} twoflatwhites(.)com & provide me with your choice of city or town.

‘Two Flat Whites’ is a network for Fashion, Design, Music, Entertainment, Food, Lifestyle, Travel and Small business. ‘Two Flat Whites’ offers the opportunity for talented, skillful and inspirational Australian fashion designers, photographers, graphic designers, musicians, entertainers, bands, chefs, personalities, fashion labels, restaurants and small businesses to be recognised while showcasing their work.

Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Two Flat Whites.

www.TwoFlatWhites.com

Discovering, promoting & nurturing Aussie talent!

What are the best Australian movies ever made? The launch of a new online archive featuring 100 years of the country’s film history is sure to reignite debate over our big screen hits – and misses.

As well as feature films, the website includes 1500 clips from, and information on, more than 500 documentaries, TV shows, newsreels, historical footage and home movies.

The first 50 movies chosen came from a list published by the National Film Archive and the other 50 were selected to ensure a good spread over various eras.

Check out more right here.

Melbourne’s restaurants have been snubbed by the judges, being soundly beaten by Sydney eateries in the Australian Gourmet Traveller 2008 Restaurant Guide Awards last night.

The awards, held at Crown’s just-opened ‘Nobu’ restaurant, honoured many of the same names who won last year. The big difference was Shannon Bennett’s much-lauded ‘Vue de Monde’ losing out to Sydney’s ‘Pier’ as restaurant of the year.

‘Pier’, at Rose Bay, beat a field of 400 to win the prize. Last night, Melbourne scored some of the specialist awards including best new talent (Attica’s Ben Shewry), maitre d’ of the year (Mallory Wall, of Cafe Di Stasio) and bar of the year (Der Raum).

Studio: Australian Painters Photographed by R. Ian Lloyd presents 61 of some of Australia’s most respected and significant painters working in the studio environment.

Studio: Australian Painters Photographed by R. Ian Lloyd

13 July – 2 September 2007

National Portrait Gallery, Commonwealth Place

In search of the meaning of creativity Ian Lloyd points his camera in three directions. He makes portraits of artists, he focuses in on the tools and materials of their art and he captures them in the theatre of creative action.

Artists’ studios are generally private places and their owners are selective about whom they choose to invite. Through his photographs, Ian Lloyd offers us the rare privilege of entering the private spaces of many significant Australian painters.

One of the most compelling aspects of Lloyd’s photographs is the great mass of detailed information they contain. This leads to a number of observations about the relationship between artists and their studios.

Secondly, Lloyd’s photographs reveal the way in which painters see themselves, consciously or otherwise, as having a connection to the traditions of painting. Finally, not only do we search the studio shelves and walls for insights into painting, but with so much detail on offer we hunt for clues by which we might better understand the personality and character of the artist.