Beat's 2015 Xmas Gift Guide

Guide

The Kensington Market If you’ve got absolutely no bloody idea on what to buy for anyone this Christmas, you oughta’ pay a visit to The Kensington Market this weekend. With a minimum of 70 speciality stalls, this boutique market offers the public an eclectic mix of treasures from fresh produce, homemade foods, great coffee, designer fashion, children’s wear, jewellery and an array of visual art creations. You’re basically going to be able to find the perfect present for every single member of

your family that you love, and that second cousin you also think is a bit of a toss. All of this is encompassed within an environment filled with live music and family entertainment. The Kensington Market takes place monthly at the Kensington Town Hall. The next incarnation takes place this Sunday December 13, from 10am - 3pm. Hit kensingtonmarket.com.au for more information.

Kit Kat Studio Melbourne Turn your Christmas into Kristmas by adding in some of everyone’s favourite alliterated chocolate bar. The official ‘make your own Kit Kat’ store is here. Having caused a frenzy in Sydney, and rightly so, the Kit Kat concept store has come to Melbourne in honour of the iconic brand’s 80th birthday. The people of Kit Kat are letting us slaves-to-chocolate create our own Kit Kat, while trying 17 limited edition flavours that have never had the privilege of touching our lips. These include

salted caramel, tart raspberry pieces, pink rose petals and caramelised meringue. The studio also welcomes renowned punk princess of pastry, Anna Polyviou, who has been cooking up a storm of original flavours for the Melbourne studio. Kit Kat Studio Melbourne is located on the ground floor of Melbourne Central.

Gibson 2016 Model Guitars Gibson USA, producer of some of the world’s most iconic guitars including the Les Paul, SG, Flying V, Explorer and Firebird, have announced their highly anticipated new 2016 model year. With all guitars now available in two versions to suit specific performance needs, guitarists can invest in the ageless beauty of traditional guitars faithful to Gibson’s time-honored legacy, or experience the thrill of Gibson’s all new high performance guitars that reach-all new heights of playability, innovation, and style. All 2016 models deliver the signature Gibson sound - tone with depth, resonance, purity, and sustain - thanks to superior tone woods, pickups, materials, and handmade-in-the-USA craftsmanship. And as always, playability remains second to none with Gibson’s superb action, silky

smooth deep-oiled fingerboard, and expert precision setup. The traditional models are built to the same specifications as the classic Gibson guitars that have powered decades of hits, but also take advantage of advances in production and engineering that result in superb playability, consistency and superior quality.

The high performance guitars invite a new addition to guitar collections, with infinitely customizable action adjustment, titanium hardware, an all-new “fast-access” neck heel for effortlessly reaching the neck’s highest notes, enhanced automatic tuning, new fortified aluminum case and multiple deluxe features that redefine the playing experience. There’s a range of guitars with something for everyone. Head to gibsonami.com for more information.

Xmas EVEN The Xmas EVEN tradition continues into its 15th year this month and this year’s concerts will be in sunny Fitzroy at a venue the band played at a lot in their formative years, The Evelyn Hotel. The show on Saturday December 19 will be over 18s only in the main band room, when they’ll be joined by special guests Sun God Replica, Wesley Fuller and DJs KBS

Express & Bunny, while on Sunday December 20, weather permitting there will be a kid friendly show from 3pm on the rooftop with The Pink Tiles, Tooth & Tusk and Typical Girl DJs. If it’s pissing down they’ll reconvene downstairs. Buy your best mate a ticket from Oztix.

Summer of Soul Tim Rogers and the Bamboos are set to headline Mossvale Park’s Summer of Soul this January.

Presented by the Lyrebird Arts Council, the mini day festival brings together some of Australia’s most sought after talent for a day of live music in an idyllic park just two hours from Melbourne. Also featuring on the bill are Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Saskwatch, Olympia,

Dorsal Fins, Emma Donovan and the Putbacks and the Melbourne Mass Gospel Choir. It’s all happening on Saturday January 9 at Mossvale Park. Tickets and more information can be found at lyrebirdartscouncil. com.au. Keep it real, soul sisters.

Phillips Shirts Factory

Tim Rogers & The Bamboos BEAT MAGAZINE PAGE 36

I don’t know how to tell you this, man. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, and I think it needs to come from me. *deep breath* OK, here it goes. The thing is, well, you kinda dress like shit. That’s why you should step inside the historic Phillips Shirts Factory and discover Melbourne’s biggest collection of pristine, unworn vintage clothing and fabric that has been housed there since 1958. Menswear includes shirts from the last four decades in every colour, pattern and style, fine knit Italian polos from the ‘60s, casual summer jackets from the ‘80s and the classic Hawaiian shirt

M E R R Y C H R I S TM A S YA F I LT H Y A N I M A L S

that every man should have in his wardrobe. Blouses made from vintage fabric, colourful tshirts and Italian knitted jumpers from the ‘80s fill up the womenswear racks. And fabric lovers will be agog at the 4,000-bolt archive of silks, cottons, linens and rare Liberty print fabrics for sale. All prices are heavily reduced until Thursday December 24 with Kris Kringle-friendly prices starting at just $1. Phillips Shirts is located at 274 Little Lonsdale St, CBD. They’re open from Monday - Friday 12pm - 6pm, Saturdays 10pm - 4pm.

Guide

Kris Kringle Night Markets Northcote Town Hall’s Kris Kringle Night Markets have returned, but you’ve only got two more chances to get over there. Celebrating our rich artistic community, the Kris Kringle Night Markets feature over 60 stalls selling unique locally designed and hand crafted items including designer fashion, jewellery, kids’ items, ceramics, woodcrafts, homewares, artisan sweets and much more.

Bring the family and enjoy free live music and face

painting on site each week. A licensed bar will be open on site throughout, allowing you to make a night of it while you browse for some genuinely special Christmas gifts, or a few hard earned treats just for yourself.

The final two markets will place from on Thursday December 10 and Thursday December 17 from 5.30pm - 10pm. Entry is free, you cheapskate.

RetroStar Not satisfied with being the largest vintage store in Australia, RetroStar has now gone digital, recently launching their online store with over 2,000 items; all of which can be purchased without leaving your bedroom. With so many Christmas gift ideas, they’ve got you covered with new and vintage band tee’s,

1,000s of dresses and enough accessories and knick knacks ready to be that perfect present for someone.

Visit them in person on the first floor of the Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston St, CBD or at retrostar.com.au.

In Search of Pharrell Williams In Search of Pharrell Williams by Paul Lester first substantial overview of the life and career of Pharrell Williams, one of the foremost producers of the modern era, and performer in his own right. It follows him from his days growing up in Virginia, his meeting with musical partner Chad Hugo and formation of The Neptunes, through his collaborations with the great and the good of pop, rap and R&B, including Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Nelly and Kelis. It assesses his groundbreaking work with the radical rap-rock-pop band N*E*R*D, his emergence as a solo superstar via Daft Punk’s Get Lucky, Robin Thicke’s controversial Blurred Lines and global mega-hit Happy. It delves behind the immaculate facade to find out what makes Williams one of the most driven and inventive musicians of the last 20 years. Visit macmillan.com.au for more information.

Po Campo Listen, your current bag sucks. You’re friends hate it, and mock you about it behind your back. That’s why it’s time to upgrade this Po Campo’s Six Corners Handle Bar Bag. Who would’ve guessed that this sleek little wristlet could pack such a punch? It’s roomy enough for a large wallet and comes equipped with their signature CONNECT™ attachments. The multi-function strap

can be worn as a wristlet, handle or as a clutch. It’s vegan too. Popular for teens and grownups alike, fits a phone wallet and keys easily. Pick one (or six) up from pocampo.com.au.

Sky Music Sky Music in Clayton has got you covered this Christmas if you’re one of the many folks out there wondering what to buy a guitarist who already seems to own all the gear in the world. These high quality Fender barstools come in two sizes - a 24-inch ($105) model ideally suited for playing guitar, and a taller 30inch ($120) alternative perfect for sitting at the bar enjoying a Christmas beverage. Drop into Sky Music at 4/2181 Princes Highway, Clayton grab a Fender barstool and check out the huge selection of guitars on hand while you’re at it. Open 10am to 5pm 7 days a week. Hit skymusic.com.au for more information.

The Melbourne Made Gift Market What do you get when you combine 90+ artists, makers and masters who have helped stamped this city’s reputation as the creative capital of the country? You get The Melbourne Made Gift Market. On Saturday December 19 from 10.30am - 4pm the finest creative’s of our city will come out of their workshops to set up shop at Melbourne Town Hall. You want an example of an interesting stall holder? Sure. Frank Green has ...AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

created reusable coffee cups and water bottles, they all have technology that is linked to a SmartPhone app so you can pay with your lid. What, you need another example? OK. Well, animation venture Saucy Elephant will be bringing you original artwork both traditional and digital to give as gifts and decorate your home.

Convinced now? I thought so. Head to threadden.com for more details.