JOY TO THE WORLDwhat: clean, green Christmas
when: today
Christmas is a time for giving and a time for hanging out with your family – but sadly also a time of waste. Think of all that packaging and wrapping paper that goes in the bin, and the leftover food that doesn’t get eaten. Green Renters will hold a workshop tonight on how to have a sustainable festive season. The two-hour workshop, which starts at 6pm, will cover everything from green parties and gift giving to how to cook an environmentally friendly Christmas lunch. Adult tickets are $5, bookings required. At ground floor, 247 Flinders Lane, city. Visit greenrenters.org
FREE SAMPLE
what: all mash, no cash
when: today
Anyone who has seen audio-visual DJ Sampology would confirm he is one of the most original artists around. The Brisbane-based muso uses multiple turntables and triggers animations from his drum machine on to a big screen. After performing at the Big Day Out and collaborating with Chris Lilley’s character S.mouse (for real!) earlier this year, Sampology will play Federation Square’s main stage from 6pm tonight as part of The Push’s Fed Square Live summer program, which runs weekly until the end of January. For more information, visit fedsquare.com
WALK LIKE AN EQYPTIAN
what: spring into ACMI
when: until Sunday
The politically charged cinematic scene of Egypt is the focus of a program at ACMI. Winds of Spring: New Egyptian Cinema runs until Sunday, and features four contemporary films that offer multiple views of current-day Egypt. On the bill is Mohamed Diab’s award-winning drama Cairo 678, in which three women battle sexual harassment, and Ahmad Abdalla’s latest film, Microphone, about an underground creative hub of graffiti artists, musicians and filmmakers in Egypt. Single adult tickets are $15. At ACMI, Federation Square. Visit acmi.net.au
COLOUR ME HAPPY
what: building on foundations
when: Saturday
What happens when two of the country’s best-known musicians – Spiderbait drummer Kram and singer-songwriter Ash Grunwald – join forces? All will be revealed on Saturday night when the pair take to the Prince Bandroom to raise money for Thin Green Line Foundation, which supports rangers and their families who work on the frontline of conservation. The duo – known as Krash for one night only – will belt out their tunes in between DJ sets by 3RRR’s Max Crawdaddy. Tickets are $25 plus booking fee. At 29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. Visit princebandroom.com
HOT STUFF
what: flaming good
when: Tuesday
In 2007, Matt Corby sent teen hearts a-racing when he finished runner-up on Australian Idol. Four years later, the hard-working singer-songwriter – still only 21 – is winning rave reviews for his recently released EP Into The Flame. Corby has toured solidly for the past couple of years, chalking up support slots to Mumford and Sons and Elbow. Having sold out tonight’s show at The Toff in Town, the singer will return to play a second show on Tuesday with support from Hayden Calnin. Tickets are $12 plus booking fee. At level 2, 252 Swanston Street, city. Visit thetoffintown.com
GAME ON
What: console yourself
when: opens Tuesday
ACMI will celebrate boundary-pushing video games in Best of the Independent Games Festival 2011, which opens on Tuesday. The exhibition will feature 14 Australian and international games fresh from San Francisco’s famous festival of the same name, with games available to play in the gallery. Games on show include multiple award-winner Minecraft and ‘‘psychological exploration’’ game Antichamber, which was created in Australia. Four games designed specifically for mobile devices are also showcased. Until March 25. Entry is free. For details, visit acmi.net.au
Compiled by Kathryn Kernohan. Email Top Picks here.
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