Volunteering @ MIFF

Love film? Then you love the Melbourne International Film Festival. Offering a bevy of unique and exciting cinema, it's a must for film fans.

The event can be a bit taxing if you're a little light in the pocket however.

Solution: Volunteer! This goes for all festivals: the Fringe, Writers', Food and Wine, and many music festivals are often looking for volunteers a couple of months out from the event (or longer for popular music festivals - it's a good idea to check before tickets go on sale). They usually require you to cover at least three to five shifts, and more if you

Added to the obvious feel-good factor, festivals often allow you to attend a number of events for free, and often throw wicked after-parties to thank the staff. You may even snag a shirt and other merch for helping out. Volunteer at enough festivals, you have a nice little addition to your resume.

Volunteer for MIFF here.

Last Weekend in Autumn

This weekend the Emerging Writer's Festival comes to an end. There's still plenty to enjoy however, including:

* This weekend Melbourne Town Hall will feature a range of panels hosted by Melbourne's emerging and emerged writers. See the full programme here.

* The Pitch: 'How to pitch your work and who to pitch it to! No-holds-barred advice from professionals.' If you're a writer, this is essential. ($10 full price/ $5 concession)

*The 'Zine Bus will be zooming around town, selling local zines, running workshops and such things.

* Style vs. Substance - Is it what you write, or how you write it? Attend this panel at Town Hall, in Fed Square to find out!

Full details are here

The Next Wave Festival also wraps up this weekend. Enjoy your final fix of off-the-wall arts and performance.

If you're seeking another warm place to hide in the city, with a little artistic stimulation to boot, head to the 2009 Top Arts VCE Exhibition, featuring the best work of the Class of 2009. From photography, and illustration to sculpture and prints, this is a mixed media bevy for the senses. Running at the Ian Potter Centre in Fed Square until June 20.

The St. Kilda Film Festival Kicks off this weekend, featuring $12 tickets for concessions. See some fine cinema from local and selected European film-makers.

Bar of the Week: The Randy Dragon

The Randy Dragon is down that treasure trove of an alleyway, Flinders Lane. While it's next to Vic Uni, this is no dodgy uni bar. A true lounge, it's dark, quirky and full of wonderfully squishy chesterfields. You never want for a place to sit, and Featuring an Alien in a terrarium, cartoons projected on the wall, and a huge portrait of a gothic mistress, it rocks the dark vibe, not without a sense of humour. You get the sense of an opium den.

Of course, this place fulfills the need for cheap booze too - every night includes a different drinks deal, including $3 wines, $10 jugs, 2 for 1 cocktails, and 'the tub' (everything inside is $5), this bar is handy for a quick drink after work or

Find Your Op Shop Soul

Vintage dressing has seen a huge revival in recent times. Your humble granny-run op-shop is both a sustainable and wallet-friendly alternative to fashion boutiques and department stores. Dedicated Op-shopper Susan Munro checks out of the scene.

See the full article here.

Join Melbourne's premier op shop blog, I Op Therefore I am, for tips and to share your finds.

Cheap Eats for Staying Warm in Winter

Winter is a time for delicious food that spreads that winter warmth all the way down to your toes! Favourites discovered lately include: Sahni's Indian in Hawthorn (delicious!), The Soup Place in Centre Place (pictured, next to Hell's), and The Oriental Spoon.

If you fancy some takeaway, but want to get out of the cold, visit Gibson's Wine Store, on Burwood Road, in Hawthorn. I stumbled upon this little gem a few weeks ago, during a flaneuring trip through the suburb. You can order in food, and can even bring your own wine! We had a sip of some nice Pinot, but a sign on the wall assured me it was true!

Weekend Love

It's getting chilly out there! Rug up with some cool exhibitions, an art festival, and a free film.

The Next Wave Festival continues to blast chilly air into every crevice of the stuffy artistic community. Check out After the Rainbow, a post-modern mash-up of The Wizard of Oz and A Star is Born. I also recommend 'A Good Death', on Sunday May 23, from 5 - 7 PM, in Mary Star f the Sea Church, 33 Howard St, West Melbourne. If seeing performance artists re-enact the grisly deaths of various Catholic martyred saints is your bag, you'll be ensured a bucked of laughs! Odd and strangely funny.

The emerging writer's festival kicked off today, and includes some interesting gems.

The Living Library, this Saturday, gives you a chance to chat to experts on various topics: they are essentially there as a book in fleshy form. You can borrow one of these real-life 'books' for 15 minutes. The living library project at the festival focuses on writing and getting published, so 'books' include Freelance writer John Bailey, Dale Campisi, Editor, and Chris Meade, Director for the Future of the Book, who will be giving advice on blogging and new media in general. For a full list go here.

There's the Page Parlour, in Fed Square's the Atrium, this SUnday - a special edition of the 2nd hand book stall emporium we all know and love.Stuck in a life with... includes a variety of literary giants as interviewed by a famous fan, and members of the audience. This Saturday's edition is Paddy O'Reilly as interviewed by Jennifer Mills. See more here.

The Classic Film Festival @ Docklands is screening a FREE movie from 7pm - 9pm every night. This continues until the 30th of July. Score! Bring a blanket and something to eat and drink.
Sunday Nights - Family Favourites
Monday Nights - The Classics
Tuesday Nights - Scary Classics
Wednesday Nights - James Bond Classics
Thursday Nights - Comedy
Friday Nights - Blockbusters
Saturday Matinee - Family Favourites Saturday Nights 7pm
NOTE: Program subject to change.

Research Participants Wanted!

Have you considered participating in a research study? I have taken part in two in the last month. One of them required me filling out a short survey on a palm pilot a few times a day, and the second required answering a few questions about my hearing. Both of these required a minimal amount of time, and resulted in gift vouchers and cash.

Where can you find researchers looking for participants? Try classifieds websites like Trading Post, Gumtree, and Leader newspapers. Also Try typing in university institutions followed by 'research participants', 'study volunteers' or 'research volunteers'. eg. 'La Trobe University Research Participants.'