Bumpy’s new work, Tooni, debuts at Arts Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax Theatre this Friday, 18 October, a raw and deeply personal exploration of survival, revival, and the urgency of sharing knowledge, featuring members of the Australian Art Orchestra. Tooni comprises a series of new compositions by Bumpy, incorporating her learnings of language and reflections on her travels on Noongar Boodja (Country) tracing the footsteps of her family and Elders.
Ahead of her show at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, here’s how she does Naarm/Melbourne.
My local is Surly’s Bar and Garden in Preston. The yummiest cocktails. Order a pizza from next door at Don Antonio, play board games, or just sit out in the beer garden and talk nonsense for a while.
I know I’m in Melbourne when there are tonnes of incredible gigs going on in one night, I have to wear six different layers to go outside to be ready for any type of weather, and I see a RRR sticker on every second car – heck yeah, community radio.
In the mornings you’ll find me at Preston Market. Contraband coffee in hand, croissant from Publique Bakery, carting my little trolley around stocking up on all the goods.
My favourite place to stock up on supplies is… the Preston Market can do no wrong in my eyes. Why not do your groceries with borek in hand? Buy an interesting veggie that you’ll try and cook with or load up on way too many loaves of bread.
My favourite spot for a pre-gig feed is Tahina. Quick, yummy, light falafel. And if we’re feeling naughty, we’ll stroll around to Shawcross for a pre-gig giant slice of pizza.
And for a post-show nightcap, it’s got to be Bar 303 in Northcote. There’s always something going on. Always someone you’re gonna know out the front. Always fun stories flying around. It’s the best just sitting down outside and hearing where everyone has spent their night before entering the 303 vortex.
When I want to go all out on a special meal I love DenDeke Japanese Bar and Dining. Yummy all round. Best to go with multiple people so you can order for the table and try a little bit of everything.
If I could change one thing about eating and drinking here it would be more beer gardens and rooftops and having more venues collaborate with local DJs to curate the mood and night.
But the one thing I hope never changes in Melbourne is the collaborative, creative and community culture. Melbourne may seem cloudy and rainy all the time but it means we are all connecting and collaborating so much more, showcasing an incredible variety of cultures, expressions and damn gooooood artistry.
Bumpy plays Tooni Friday 18 October, 8pm, Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio, melbournejazz.com