Giveaway: You've made it half way

This weekend, Adelaide is going to be crazy. Not only have we welcomed the entire 2012 Australian Olympic Swimming Team to town, we are also hosting the NAB Cup Grand Final at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night, it’s the last weekend of The Festivals and The End of The World, not to mention St Pat’s Day which is sure to bring some interesting characters, some interesting wigs and some interestingly coloured beer to the city streets.

So in celebration of all this madness, and to celebrate having made it half way through March in one piece, I’m doing a little giveaway!

Here’s the deal, leave a comment below about your favourite Mad March experience – past, present or future – and you’ll go into the draw for two tickets to tomorrow night's sold out Australian Swimming Championships Night Session, Saturday 17th March. Can Ian Thorpe do it? Can he book his ticket direct to London? Be there to witness all the action live!

A little note: Entries close at midnight CST tonight (16/3/12). Winner will be chosen at random via an independent number generator. I have purchased these tickets myself and will email the PDF copy of tickets directly to the winner by 10am tomorrow (17/3/12). Click here for the schedule of event finals.

Good luck!

Update: This giveaway has now closed. Congratulations Ali! The tickets are on their way to you! 

Must Do: The Vinteloper Urban Winery Project

It’s not just another day in Adelaide when you stumble across a Pop Up Winery.

Part art installation, part working micro winery, part tasting bar. The Vinteloper Urban Winery Project is a free public space for use however attendees see fit. From a unique and casual meeting spot to hands on production, you choose how dirty you want to get.

Since Vinteloper’s first release in 2009, winemaker David Bowley has been bringing his passion, enthusiasm and talent to the general public in exciting and interesting formats. Just like his ADELO varietal blend, the more obscure an idea may sound, the better it seems to turn out. From the infamous Great Pinot Pick to Intimate New Release Tasting Sessions and now, with his best idea yet, the Vinteloper Urban Winery Project.

What’s the image you have in your head right now? If it’s rustic, if it’s a little bit alternative, and a whole lotta cool, well then heck, you’re pretty much spot on.

Running until April 1, this is a rare, conceptual event that you really don’t want to miss.

The Vinteloper Urban Winery Project
Noon to midnight daily
188 Grenfell St, Adelaide
Follow the happenings on twitter #VUWP

Fringe: Why don't you?

The buzz has been building. Some people have already seen a show or two. But Fringe official opening night is TONIGHT. People and parties pulling in every direction! Complete madness awaits. And someone turned on the weather all right!

If you’re heading to the east end of town tonight, why don’t you…

• Enjoy a glass of refreshing lemonade from the little van that could. Or pick up something a little stronger from East End Cellars.

• Take a picnic in the beautiful Botanic Gardens before the sun sets.

• Make a quick buck. Sneak into The Stag early and they’ll pay you!

• Capture a different view at the Garden of Unearthly Delights. Atop the Ferris Wheel? Or take a PEEP? 

• Grab a bargain. There’s still time to purchase $5 opening night tickets!

• Or maybe you’ll chance it on some late night Gluttony?

Have fun, stay safe and let the night lead you astray. Maybe I’ll see you there?

Do: Relive the Magic

Confession time. I'm going against my own written word. For the majority* of this month I'm not rediscovering Adelaide one drink at a time. No siree, I'm trying out no drink at a time instead. Really it's only one letter different.

In lieu of drinks, what's a girl and her gaggle of cohorts to do on a Friday night? Mini Golf of course. Putt putt it out.

So there we were. On our way to The Beachouse. And 1999. Previously in existence as Magic Mountain, the mountain is long gone but the magic remains. Marketed as an Entertainment and Amusement Centre, this is wholesome fun for the whole family. Arcade games, waterslides, train, bumper boats, dodgem cars, you get the idea. For around $9.50 you can wander around the golf course for two hours and relive what once was. For the uninitiated, why not make some new memories?

A slight skirt around the five person max rule and we were off and running. Well, walking slowly around a tightly laid out lush, synthetic green 18 hole course. Unfortunately, whoever curated this particular course must have forgotten to take their imagination pills. We encountered a repetitive theme of misplaced boxes, not that there's anything wrong with that. Luckily the view is lovely, and if you time it well enough, the sunset's a complimentary bonus.

When you're done, reward your hard work with dessert. Bracegirdles for the hole in one. Winner's shout.

The Beachouse
Colley Terrace, Glenelg
Ph. 08 8295 1511
info@thebeachouse.com.au
Click here for opening hours

*That is, until Feb 24. When all bets are, most certainly, off.

Do: Behind Closed Doors

For those wondering why the streets are so quiet, I suggest you listen harder. There's something happening behind closed doors in the burbs of Adelaide that you should be aware of, but if anyone asks, you didn't hear it from me.

The game's changed. Poker nights aren't just for the boys anymore. They're for everyone. Hosting a night of friendly Texas Hold'em is easy and the laughs are usually free, even if the entry fee isn't. It's pretty simple really, just start with making these four simple choices.

The right mix: Choose your poker buddies wisely. Short attention spans and card games don't mix well. People who bring awesome dessert platters do.

The right place: Nominate your friend with the most comfortable dining set. Offer to load the dishwasher.

The right tunes: There is just no excuse anymore. Online radio is your new best friend. My sneaky suggestion? When guests ask what they can bring, tell them to bring their ultimate poker playlist.

The right cocktail: Gin's the new vodka. Also try to make sure there's enough for everyone, 1kg of peaches doesn't actually make that much juice.

I find that my friends like a bit of direction. Outline the house rules, schedule in drinks (and bathroom) breaks and set an end time. Make sure everyone knows you're playing for keeps. And bragging rights.

Poker night, not everyone's a winner, but everyone's a playa.

Do: Pub Trivia

I like Pubs. I like Trivia. Do you?

Torrens Arms Hotel, aka The TA, runs free weekly Tasty Trivia Tuesdays. Kick off is 7pm sharp. Allow yourself a bit of pregame time to settle in, grab a drink and read through the rules and regulations. Hang on, what? Written rules? Oh yeah, this is serious. There are CASH PRIZES people! Have you ever heard of such a thing? I hadn’t.

Pub Trivia takes the fun elements of Trivial Pursuit, combines them with real prizes plus real drinks and throws away the dice. The result being just you, your mates and a true test of who has the greatest amount of irrelevant knowledge stored in the back blocks of their mind. A little bit of friendly, harmless competition is good for you on a weeknight. And a good test of friendship. Are you sure that is Adam Gilchrist in position 3? Are you SURE?

Quizmaster Lindsay runs a smooth operation and keeps everyone to a tight schedule. Which is important if you want to get home in time for Survivor. Or is that just me?

Topics range from Who Am I to Sports Cars. Something for everyone really. And your efforts will be rewarded. We came a respectable third (ok so there were only four teams) and walked away with a bounty of prizes...

Up for the challenge? Game on.

Tasty Tuesday Trivia
Torrens Arms Hotel (TA Bar)
95 Belair Road
Kingswood
Ph. 8272 9255

Mingle: In it to win it

I have a friend who likes to enter competitions. If you’ve got to be in it to win it, she’s in it. The benefit of a friend like this is that sometimes I’m lucky enough to get the call up of being her plus one. As it was this week, when we jumped on board the SAFM Party Bus.

Local radio station SAFM, in conjunction with Central Grocers, recently ran a competition to see who could throw the best party in Adelaide. After submitting their ideas, three entrants were chosen to host a party that would hold up to the scrutiny of a bus load of gate crashers. The winner receiving a grand prize of $5,000.

Any Thursday night is a good night for a party. Especially a themed one. Throw together twenty five strangers, a trio of breakfast radio hosts plus some random SAFM staff members and the guy who chipped in the prize money and off we trek all across the city and suburbs. Albeit on a dry bus with a malfunctioning strobe light.. Though I wasn’t complaining, I’m kept happy as long as goodie bags are involved.

Mel’s party was first stop. An elaborate Halloween set up. Duly noted for the extensive theming, variety of beers on offer, costumes aplenty and a dead body!

The bar had been set pretty high. But with open minds we made our way back to civilisation, phone reception and sangria. Amanda had opted for an outdoor set up, taking us back to a bygone era. A bygone era with flamingos.

Back on the bus and on route to our last stop.

The early odds had been in favour of Sarah’s Hawaiian themed party and hopes were high. We weren’t disappointed. Coronas, tropical punch, a bubble machine, hula girls, interactive limbo and a wet area. Not to mention, we all got lei'd on arrival.

Plus, more flamingos!

Before anyone could get too comfortable, we were ordered back on the bus to cast our votes and head home.

So what makes a winning party? We were asked to vote on presentation, food, entertainment and atmosphere. All vital ingredients in planning a successful function.

And the winner is..

Sarah! Congratulations!

PS. It happens to be Sarah’s 21st next weekend. Who would have guessed the theme is Hawaiian?