Curious travellers who delve behind Tasmania's scenery this winter will discover there's plenty to be found. The team from MONA are at it again, this time with Dark Mofo - a celebration of the usual MONA obsessions of darkness and light, birth and death, fire and ice and the old and new with large-scale public art, music and winter solstice feasting. Also new from MONA is the museum's latest exhibition, The Red Queen, exploring how humans adapt and evolve - through art, of course. A blazing bonfire and soul-stirring music await attendees of the Festival of Voices, while Tastings at the Top, the Chocolate Winterfest and the Pinot and Truffle Weekend will show visitors just how delicious Tassie in winter can be.

*NEW* DARK MOFO, 13 - 23 JUNE 2013

One of the most anticipated additions to Tasmania's winter events calendar is Dark Mofo, the darker sister to MONA's summer MONA FOMA event. Dark Mofos can expect 10 days of art, music and noise, a journey into mythologies both ancient and new, themes of birth and death - and because it's winter - fire and ice, darkness and light. Dark Mofo is host to MONA's first large scale public art program, 'Beam In Thine Own Eye' featuring open-air, large-scale art projects, interactive performances, sculptures and projections in and around Hobart. In another first, Dark Mofo Films, MONA's first curated film program will bring a Scandinavian crime wave to the State Cinema in Hobart. In a turn towards the twisted, guilty terror of Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland, the feature films are intense, violent, brutal and painful. The Hobart City Council Dark Mofo Winter Feast will enliven the Hobart waterfront with food, fire and dance while headline acts including the legendary Martha Wainwright and electronic duo, The Presets, will beckon Mofos from near and far.

What: An inaugural winter celebration from the creators of popular summer festival, MONA FOMA.

When: 13 - 23 June 2013

Where: MONA and venues throughout Hobart's city and waterfront precinct

How: For bookings and more information visit www.darkmofo.net.au

 

*NEW* THE RED QUEEN, 20  JUNE 2013 - 21 APRIL 2014

MONA's next major exhibition The Red Queen explores the way art operates as part of the messy machinery of human nature and questions why humans make art. Is it integral to human evolution? In evolutionary biology, The Red Queen Hypothesis proposes that organisms must constantly adapt and evolve - not merely to gain a reproductive advantage, but simply to survive. To beat the odds of extinction, there must be an art to staying in the race. The exhibition's title is taken from the Red Queen's race in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, which involves the Red Queen and Alice constantly running, yet remaining in the same place. More than 100 works - special commissions, national and international loans along with works from the MONA collection - will lead visitors on a playful and curious journey.

What: MONA's next major exhibition which questions why humans make art

When: 20 June 2013 - 21 April 2014

Where: Museum of Old and New Art, 655 Main Road, Berriedale, Hobart, Tasmania

How: For more information visit www.mona.net.au   

 

TASTINGS AT THE TOP, 22 - 24 JUNE 2013

Now in its 19th year, Tastings at the Top, renowned as one of the country's best food and wine experiences, takes gourmet dining to new heights at Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge. From degustation dinners, cooking demonstrations and fresh produce markets to wine and cheese tastings and decadent spa treatments at the famous Waldheim Alpine Spa, Tastings at the Top encompasses the very best Tasmania has to offer. The event will be hosted by Peter Bourne ('The Wine Man') who has an intimate knowledge of Tasmanian produce. A special 'Tastings at the Top' package includes three nights' accommodation at Cradle Mountain Lodge; a hearty full lodge breakfast each morning; selected lunches; dinner each night including a five-course dinner on Saturday and a gala dinner with entertainment on the last night; entry to all Tastings at the Top events; and sampling of a wide variety of local fare at the Marketplace, a gathering of local gourmet producers. The package costs $1695 per person twin share and is subject to availability.

What: A three-day celebration of Tasmanian food, wine and indulgence

When: 22 - 24 June 2013

Where: Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, 4038 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

How: For information and bookings phone 1300 806 192 or visit www.cradlemountainlodge.com.au

 

FESTIVAL OF VOICES, 5 - 14 JULY 2013

Hobart will light up this winter with the illuminating Festival of Voices; Tasmania's landmark winter cultural event and Australia's premier celebration of the human voice. In 2013, the Festival will deliver a smorgasbord of over 70 performances and workshops, including celebrity and local singers, choirs, cabaret artists, actors, vocal teachers, speakers and thinkers. The star-studded 2013 line-up features international and national award winning artists including multi-Grammy winning American vocal group Take 6, award winning Australian singer-songwriter Kate Ceberano, Paul McDermott with his new show, Paul Sings, Christine Anu performing her soulful interpretations of Aretha Franklin's most memorable songs, Darren Percival fresh from his astounding appearances on The Voice, Tom Thum; compulsive noise-maker and one of Australia's most prominent and respected beatboxers, Asta; Triple J's Unearthed High 2012 Winner, Ali McGregor; direct from her smash hit season in Edinburgh, Monica Trapaga; one of Australia's most loved jazz and swing entertainers and Spanky; recent winner of the 2013 Melbourne Green Room Award for best Cabaret Artist. The Festival kicks off with First Light; a spectacular opening bonfire event featuring Christine Anu and a choir of 300 children singing My Island Home. Voicebox: a cabaret style series of world class performances and Festival favourite is back, bigger, brighter, slicker and sexier than ever and the 2013 closing night event, Kringle - Winter Wonderland will see North Hobart transformed into a wonderland of Christmas decorations, carols and eggnog. Starting at dusk, Kringle will meld all things Christmas, food, joy, decorations, family and, of course, singing.

What: A festival of heart-warming song in Hobart

When: 5 - 14 July 2013

Where: Venues across Hobart, Tasmania

How: For more information visit www.festivalofvoices.com

 

CHOCOLATE WINTERFEST, 7 JULY 2013

Each year chocoholics flock to this wickedly delicious event. The Chocolate Winterfest is devoted to all things chocolate, and the quirky festival is sure to treat, inform, astound and amuse visitors. All ages can enjoy this day of indulgence and participate in eating, sculpting, decorating, drinking and celebrating the delicious wonders of chocolate.

What: A celebration of all things chocolate

When: 7 July 2013 from 10.30am - 4pm

Where: Latrobe, Tasmania (an easy 10 minute drive from the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal in East Devonport)

How: Chocolate Winterfest is a free event. For more information phone 03 6421 4650 or visit www.chocolatewinterfest.com.au

 

TASMANIAN TRUFFLE FESTIVAL - PINOT & TRUFFLE WEEKEND, 27 - 28 JULY 2013

Tasmania's European-esque cool climate lends itself well to the cultivation of truffles, and each July, the excellent crop is celebrated with a month-long Tasmanian Truffle Festival filled with events, master classes and truffle experiences in Launceston. The highlight of this is the closing weekend on July 27 & 28, where truffle aficionados gather for a decadent finale comprising Tasmanian Pinot Noir tastings at The Pinot Shop and a Truffle Degustation Dinner at Tasmanian institution, Stillwater Restaurant.

What: A month long of truffle events culminating in a pinot & truffle weekend

When: July (the Pinot & Truffle Weekend falls on 27 - 28 July)

Where: Tasmania's truffle capital, Launceston

How: For more information on the festival, visit www.facebook.com/TasTruffleFest. More information on the Pinot & Truffle weekend can be found at http://www.stillwater.com.au/indulgent-weekend-pinot-and-truffles 

 

TASMANIA UNBOTTLED, 30 JULY - 5 AUGUST

Tasmania will be bringing its award-winning, cool climate wines to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne this July and August, in a multi-day, multi-state affair including wine tastings, master classes and wine matching dinners. The event is Australia's largest showcase of Tasmanian wine and produce, featuring over 150 of the island's wines (many of which are rarely seen outside Tasmania), and the winemakers, vignerons and vineyards behind the labels. The fine wine will be accompanied by some of Tassie's top producers in the areas of cheese, seafood and cider, ensuring a truly Tassie affair. Melburnians and Sydneysiders attending Tasmania Unbottled will also be treated to a wine and seafood masterclass 'Maritime Influence' featuring Petuna Seafoods.

What: Tasmania brings its largest collection of wines to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne

When: Tuesday 30 July (SYDNEY), public tastings from 5.30pm to 8.30pm, including Masterclass

Thursday 1 August (BRISBANE), public tastings from 5.00pm to 8.00pm, no Masterclass

Monday 5 August (MELBOURNE), public tastings from 5.30pm to 8.30pm, including Masterclass

WHERE: (SYDNEY) Dockside at Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour

             (BRISBANE) Emporium Hotel, Fortitude Valley

             (MELBOURNE) Zinc at Federation Square, Melbourne

HOW: For more information, visit http://winetasmania.com.au/events/event/tasmania_unbottled_2013 closer to the date

 

For a full and up-to-date listing of Tasmanian events, information on Tasmania, and to discover the intriguing places, people and stories behind Tassie's scenery, visit discovertasmania.com.

 

 

Travel to Tasmania

Travellers can fly to Tasmania on Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Qantas, Qantaslink, Tiger Airways, Sharp Airlines or Rex Airlines, or take the Spirit of Tasmania ferry from Port Melbourne (VIC) to Devonport (TAS).

Background Notes

Tourism Tasmania's role is to maximise the contribution of tourism to Tasmania's economic growth. Tourism Tasmania is a Statutory Authority operating under the Tourism Tasmania Act 1996, and is part of the Tasmanian Government's Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts.

 

 

Media Contact

 

Tina Orr
Tel: (03) 9836 2167 ext.7
Mobile: 0413 378 081
Email: tina@mediamoguls.com.au 

 

Caryn Ng
Tel: (03) 9836 2167 ext.6
Mobile: 0488 664 857
Email: caryn@mediamoguls.com.au