WHERE I’D RATHER BE: MELBOURNE
Running until May 16, Melbourne’s Yirramboi festival is a First Nations arts 20 and cultural event, 22 which is held every 26 two years. Across 28 the city, you’ll find dance, theatre, 30 art, fashion, food and talks. This year, highlights include Bred by Briefs Factory International, an artistic collective who use drag, theatre and dance to explore identity and cultural connections (‘tongue-in-bleak’, they call it), and the Women’s Healing Place, a series of workshops and exhibitions which delve into trauma, self-care and healing through textile art, storytelling and movement.yirramboi.com.au Got some downtime amid the festival? Check out Sense of Self, a body-positive bathhouse, which opened in March. Built from natural timbers in earthy tones, this converted Collingwood warehouse is now home to bathing and steam rooms, massage and treatment spaces, a 39C mineral bath, and plunge pools for the brave. They also run an online body positivity course called The Naked Body Program. sos-senseofself.com Ready to eat? Lona Misa isanew Latin, heavily vegan bistro that has opened up within Ovolo South Yarra — a designer hotel on Chapel St. This 90-seat diner features tostadas of smoked watermelon and refried beans, mushroom ceviche and smashed plantain, seafood stews and chicken enchiladas (we did say ‘heavily’ vegan). There’s also a creative cocktail menu heavy in mezcal, sherry and fresh herbs. In short, it sounds delicious.