August Newsletter | Why can’t Floriade be cool?

Welcome to our August newsletter!
Each month we will keep you up to date with our favourite things inside and outside the restaurants. There will be interviews, recipes, and reflections written through our experience of the best place to be:
Canberra.

Images: Cassie Abraham

Back here again for our second monthly newsletter! We received a great response and heaps of engagement from our first newsletter which is exactly what we wanted. We are excited to see where this goes and we hope you are too.

Benn and Mork Ratanakasol have been nominated for Restaurant Personality of the Year in this years Gourmet Traveller awards! We are so proud of them both and are really looking forward to them getting the air time they deserve. If you have not yet been to Minima, this is your excuse. Lunetta in Red Hill is also nominated for Best New Restaurant! Gone are the days of little to no Canberra recognition. The more good venues the better we think. Go team Canberra! Tintino opened in Kingston, and Outtro opened in Braddon as well. Two more great additions to the city.

Sandoochi teamed up with artist-run Horseshoe Gallery to showcase Nathan Nahn and Soloman Karmel-Shann for a one night event. With both artists working at Sandoochi since its beginning it was a special event celebrating friendship and artistry with a side of chicken schnitzel dooches and natural wine. Gang Gang hosted Shady Nasty for the second time, One Four played at Fiction; both events we were keen to see and certainly delivered. Sport wasn’t forgotten about with Brumbies vs Lions, Canberra Brave games now at AIS and Raiders fever starting to take hold.

There’s plenty we missed out on we’re sure as Canberra has heaps going on. You just need to be ready and willing.

Outside of Canberra more than 100 000 people turned out for Sundays protest in Sydney calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza. We really hope that this brings further action from our government and media organisations.

Du Jour
Flavour of the month, interviews, and interests

Poonam’s Potatoes

This sparked an idea that we hope to continue. Favourite staff meals.
Not just ours, but the favourite meals of the places that usually cook for you.

Whatcha listening too?

Max Walker music extraordinaire and owner / operator of our favourite wine shop Paranormal Wines gave us his top album at the moment.

‘I've been listening to the debut album from the Aotearoa-based band Phoebe Rings called 'Aseurai'. Amazing dream-pop with a wonderful singer who sometimes sings in Korean. It's got a Mazzy Star vibe with bits of Stereolab thrown in. Chilled yet jazzy!’

We agree, you can also play their online game an unreasonably easy way to waste time whilst enjoying their soothing sounds.

We visited Dark Mofo in June. There is something so intriguing about the weeks-long festival. It’s had its fair share of ups and downs with a great lashing of controversy, albeit desired.

There were a few things that really stuck with us after leaving that glowing red city for our Canberra reality.

Honest thoughts…
Why can’t Floriade be cool like Dark Mofo?

Images: James Erskine Spelling errors: Dash Rumble

We spent three days in Hobart (not enough in my opinion) and easily spent our fair share over those days. Not everyone likes food and wine as much as us, but we have noticed over the years particularly in Canberra you can really see the desire for curated experiences most of which come across as authentic and unique. It is experiences like these that not only bring people to a city, but make them stay a little longer, spend a little more, and leave a little brighter.

Time was limited and we wanted to see the festival so we booked two restaurants to visit while we were in the city. Dier Makr, a tasting menu restaurant owned by chef Kobi Ruzicka with a focus on the best of Tassie produce and natural wines from around the world, and Ogee a cute little wine bar in North Hobart with a confident and concise food and wine list for any occasion.

We love going to restaurants that remind us of ours. The small ones with no big investors. You can see similarities and gain inspiration and sometimes be hit with that feeling of imposter syndrome. You can see what people care about and what they choose to let slide. It’s safe to say that both those experiences were not cheap, but they were well worth it and lived up to the hype.

We did some touristy Hobart things like Salamanca Markets, Mona and downed a couple of oysters in the arvo. Saturday night we prepared for Dark Mass, the late night party event known for its wild and exploratory (sometimes confrontational) atmosphere.

Unlike other music festivals or events there is no line up, no map, and no descriptions. Most people like us bought tickets with little to no explanation of what was to come.

Live performances, art installations and an adult playground of sorts greets you in what feels like a bunch of abandoned buildings in Hobart CBD. You can meet the eyebrow barber and leave with one or none of your original brows, melt into a beanbag with brainrot visials and some live string, or perhaps throw some crushed tomatoes at a man in a gimp suit.

Regardless if you came by yourself or with a group of people, exploration and ‘shape-shifting’ is encouraged and almost enforced by the structure and feel of the venue and event.

On Sunday we joined the procession of the Ogoh-Ogoh, a demon-like sculpture crafted by Balinese artists Ida Bagus Oka, Ida Bagus Antara, and Komang Sedana Putra. Filled with the attendees' worst fears, it was later burned to mark the end of the festival. Each year a Tasmanian animal that is under threat or endangered is chosen as the effigy, in this year's case it was the Maugan Skate. It was so great to see the range of ages and demographics of people getting involved in this event and joining both the procession and the burning.

We then headed to Winter Feast for dinner with the rest of Hobart. We managed to grab an abalone skewer from Analiese Gregory before leaving to chase the last hours of the festival.

It was at Dark Park where we viewed our favourite work of the festival, Sora. Created by the French-Japanese art duo Nonotak Studio and described as ‘Inside a dark warehouse, kinetic light beams undulate at the whim of an invisible wind, summoning the hypnotic landscape of the Japanese night sky.’ The work went for 45 minutes and we were completely enthralled. Again we noticed families, couples, oldies, teenagers, individuals, all on the floor, sitting in silence, collectively hypnotised by lights and sounds. The way the simple use of light, dark and sound create and built tension was so impressive. We are still talking about that work and are excited to experience something like that again.

There were things we did and didn't love about Dark Mofo but we left inspired and kind of sad that we don’t have something like this in our own city.

The best festivals have something for everyone, free events, paid events, food, drink, and experiences. Check the exhaustive 2025 program.

In Dark Mofo’s case they utilise the whole of the city for these events. They show you something you haven’t seen whilst creating an environment comfortable enough to visit again. The entire city is painted red with an unashamed endorsement of all things Dark Mofo. Some events that exist during the period of the festival are even just created by businesses wanting to jump on board.

Why don’t we have this in Canberra?

We think Canberra has the natural beauty, small town vibe and concentration of great venues similar to Hobart.

For a small city we have more than enough venues and activities to sustain a four day visit, but many people don’t stay more than two, and that is if they visit for the festival at all.

As a local you may visit the festival for one day. But what if there were multiple events over the period of the festival that got you involved?

Could Floriade be our Dark Mofo?

and if yes,

How do we make Floriade cool?

Floriade is recognised as the biggest flower show in the southern hemisphere but it lacks the inclusion of contemporary artists and ideas preventing growth and attendance from many demographics of visitors and locals.

This could be Canberra’s answer to Dark Mofo. Instead of a flower show being the main highlight of the Floriade it can be one part of a bigger picture, a celebration of spring, art and music. There can be sideshows, large scale gigs, paid events and workshops opening the festival up to the city with more than a few tulips in a wheelbarrow.

We need to have confidence to back new ideas and support contemporary, boundary pushing musicians, artists and businesses at festivals like these. Most importantly we need to not be afraid to have conversations with those that are leaders in collaborating industries and we need to be ok to break a few ‘rules’.

We don’t have David Walsh, but we do have a community. More conversations in the lead up to events like these with venues can allow them to organise and promote their own events as a part of the festival. This was addressed this year with ‘Floriade about Town’ but gave just a few weeks to put something together. Allowing a longer lead time and having early conversations will invite more collaborations and events of a higher quality. After all good things take time.

Reach out if you want to chat more about this.
We are lucky enough to be having multiple conversations with government and others in the industry about these suggestions and want to welcome ideas and feedback. So if you own a venue, work in music or the arts or just have thoughts, we would love to see how we can make our own Canberra Dark Mofo but with a little more sun.

Art, Design, and Grace

Local curator and artist Grace Blake talks gallery guides and what to buy this month.

Image: Adam Bell in the Bureau. Photo by Wouter Van de Voorde.

Gallery Guide

Possibly Canberra’s newest commercial gallery space, Civic Art Bureau, opened its doors less than a year ago, but it’s been a long time coming. I sat down with gallerist Adam Bell to talk about the slow and patient game of pulling together the sleek little white cube and the important gap Civic Art Bureau is filling in the Canberra art ecosystem.

The space emerged from a stroke of spatial serendipity. Adam, who had previously been invited to curate at Smith’s Alternative, had been waiting for an opportunity that was more substantial. When Smith’s expanded into the second floor of the Melbourne Building, a charming 50m² pocket became available, ideal for a dedicated gallery sublet.

Civic Art Bureau runs on a flexible commercial model. Adam represents a small roster of artists and has a stockroom arrangement with several more - but crucially, he leaves space in the calendar to work with unrepresented artists too. New shows roll out every three weeks, opening on Saturday afternoons. In that short time, Adam has shown a huge number of artists.

The current show, by Wouter Van de Voorde, is intimate and affordable, featuring intimate photographic vignettes that can only be described as moments of Canberra Gothic. The prints are on paper that yields less conventional results, resisting slickness and holding onto texture. Some intriguing works are still available, but anything I say will pale in comparison to the catalogue essay by Professor Martyn Jolly.

In addition to the main gallery space, there’s a tight little stockroom worth snooping through, packed with consignment works, notably artist books and prints, Adam’s format of choice.

Opening Civic Art Bureau within a few years of the closure of other notable Canberra galleries like Beaver and Nancy Sever has resulted in the gallery inheriting a strong Canberra identity. Several of the artists Adam represents are members of the well-established Canberra old guard. The gallery also sits geographically within that orbit, between CMAG, Drill Hall, and the ANU School of Art—further emphasising its position as another satellite of a very comfortable and claustrophobic local style, a Canberra-centric view of what good art is and can be.

I’m excited to see a slice of emerging and risk-taking artists come into the space, not just the art school painting darlings.

@civic_art_bureau

https://www.civicartbureau.com

Personal Shopper

I love collecting art, and it all started when I got so caught up in trying to make money that I couldn't find time for my own work. Collecting brings me so much joy, and I really value the importance it has for artists. Each month, I'll share the (mostly) Canberra artists and artworks you should have your eyes on.

In House.
News and events at Pilot and Such and Such

For the month of August at Pilot we are aiming to raise funds for Encampment, hosted by A Gender Agenda. Encampment is facilitated by qualified LGBTIQA+ peer support staff and supported by mentors aged 20+ years. There are creative and resilience building workshops, community based activities, peer connections, and affirming wellbeing care. This camp is free for all attendees as the event relies solely on sponsorship. You can find more information, and book online here.

Sunday shouldn’t be scary. In preparation for the warmer season Pilot will be opening for dinner services on Sundays evenings starting the 20th August. Dinner service will be starting a little earlier than usual at 5:30pm because we understand that Sunday scaries are real, and the impending doom of Monday can only be put off as long as you get a good night's sleep.

We have also been working on a cellar list for Pilot. There are just too many bottles to share. Featuring the best of Australian wine and a dedicated Ochota Barrels page with vintages starting from 2019 there are some super exciting bottles to taste through. When you arrive just ask us for the list and we will be happy to help you out.

Business as usual at Such and Such with the addition of new uniforms made in Melbourne by Nola Mackay. We have updated our website so it's a little easier to navigate and book for larger groups.

Looking forward.

We don’t claim to know everything but here's bits and pieces from around town we are excited by this month. If we have missed something, or you want to share future events send us an email and we will try our best to include it.
Make sure you click view entire message as thre’s a bit on in August.

LOOK

Civic Art Bureau
2 August - 31 August
HOT, COLD, HEAVY, LIGHT: Jacqueline Bradley, Rosalind Lemoh, Merryn Lloyd, Dionisia Salas
Canberra Contemporary Art Space
26 July - 4 October
PARADISE* This group exhibition brings together artists exploring their Pasifika/Australian identity and community against the looming backdrop of the Pacific's rapidly increasing climate crisis preciarity
ANU School of Art and Design
8 July - 29th August
BACKBONE
Emma Beer, Estelle Briedis, Sean Booth, Chris 'Walrus' Dalzell, Louis Grant, John Hart, Mahala Hill, Catherine Newton, Emeirely Nucifora-Ryan
National Portrait Gallery
16 August - 12 October
National Portrait Prize 2025

LISTEN

Dissent
August 8 @ 7:30 pm - 11:00pm
Problem Greenn with Kilroy and Nuta Mantis
August 17th @ 7pm - 11:00pm
Sister Paul with Matriarch and Body Shirt
Baso
September 13 @ 7pm
Brace with Mighty Few
Stock Grazing
29 August @ 8pm - 3am
Local electronic music independent record label is hosting Upsammy and Orb
Free Range - Gathering
5 Sep @ 12pm - 8 Sep @ 2am
The Vault
August 23 @ 7pm
Dragon Dreaming: Warm up Party
August 29 @ 7pm
LUUDE & Decibel Creative Pres. No Instruction Warehouse

WATCH

Enron @ Mill Theatre
July 30 - August 9
Canberra Theatre
August 7 @ 6pm
Conversations LIVE with Sarah Kanowski and Richard Fidler
August 7 - 9
Lol Canberra, 10 comedy shows over 3 days
August 21 @ 6:30pm
If You’re Listening LIVE

Manuka Oval
August 10 @ 1:40pm
AFL GWS Giants vs North Melbourne
August 16 @ 5:35pm
AFLW GWS Giants vs Essendon
AIS
August 9 @ 5pm
Canberra Brave vs Central Coast Rhinos
August 10 @ 5pm
Canberra Brave vs Newcastle North Stars
GIO
August 8 @ 8pm
Raiders vs Manly Sea Eagles
August 10 @ 8pm
Raiders vs Broncos
August 30 @ 12:30pm
NRL + NRLW Raiders vs West Tigers

The Vault
August 8 - August 10
Southern Harvest winter festival
August 16 @ 11pm - 5pm
Street scene exhibition
August 17 @ 10am - 3pm
Second life markets

| PILOT | SUCH AND SUCH | GIFT VOUCHERS |

Any feedback, comments, or chats please reach out.

Dash, Mal, and Ross.

Welcome to our August newsletter!Each month we will keep you up to date with our favourite things inside and outside the restaurants. There will be interviews, recipes, and reflections written through our experience of the best place to be:Canberra.

Du JourFlavour of the month, interviews, and interests

Honest thoughts…Why can’t Floriade be cool like Dark Mofo?