Tasmania in winter; it’s dark, it’s cold but it’s unexpectedly disarming. Those willing to go behind its snow-capped scenery will discover there’s plenty to be found. The team behind MONA are at it again, this time with a new music, art and noise festival – Dark Mofo – celebrating the usual MONA obsessions of darkness and light, birth and death, fire and ice and the old and new. Also new from MONA is the museum’s latest exhibition, The Red Queen, exploring why organisms ‘constantly adapt and evolve’ – through art, of course. Tastings at the Top, the Chocolate Winterfest, Tasmanian Red Wine Weekend and Pinot Noir Showcase (which includes the tantalising Truffle Degustation Dinner) will show visitors what Tassie in winter is all about, while a blazing bonfire and soul-stirring music await attendees of the Festival of Voices.

*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 MOFO event. As with MOFO, fans can expect arts, music and noise, a journey into mythologies both ancient and new, religious and secular traditions, themes of birth and death – and because it’s winter – fire and ice, darkness and light. Festival highlights will include a large-scale fire and light event at Salamanca, a night market at Princes Wharf No 1, art installations throughout Hobart’s city and waterfront precinct, a music program by Brian Ritchie and plenty of nourishing Tassie food. The full festival line-up will be announced on April 19, but organisers have confirmed that the legendary Martha Wainwright will be part of the mix. The Brooklyn-based chanteuse will head to Hobart straight off the back of her European and North American tour to serenade Mofos with her evocative and characteristic voice as it courses its way through pop, soul, folk and torch.

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

*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 also 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.

Visitors can now get to MONA on board the recently launched catamaran; MONA Roma 1. Designed to kick off the MONA experience right from Hobart’s waterfront, the catamaran has the capacity to hold 250 passengers and is the biggest passenger vessel built for use on the Derwent in a century. Return tickets on MR-1 cost $20 per person, or $50 for a return seat in the Posh Pit; which includes access to the exclusive lounge, bar and private deck - complete with über-comfy seating, table service, and complimentary canapés, pastries and beverages. MR-1 departs Hobart waterfront and MONA at regular (almost hourly) times throughout the day.

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
 

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: Saturday 22 – Monday 24 June 2013
Where: Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, 4038 Cradle Mountain Road, Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
 

FESTIVAL OF VOICES, 5 – 14 JULY 2013

Festival of Voices is a Tasmanian cultural institution and Australia’s leading festival showcasing the voice in its many forms. In 2013, the Festival will deliver a smorgasbord of world class concerts, events and activities for all ages and abilities, presented by nationally and internationally-renowned guest artists including: Kate Cebrano, Christine Anu, Darren Percival, and the multi-Grammy winning American vocal group Take 6. Visitors can attend performances in grand concert halls, churches, historic buildings, as well as small pubs, market halls and street corners; and listen to choirs, ensembles, and solo artists singing gospel, a cappella, symphonic choral, music theatre, cabaret and spoken word.

What: A festival of heart-warming song in Hobart
When: 5th – 14th July 2013
Where: Venues across Hobart, Tasmania

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: Sunday 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.

CAPTURE THE TIGER – 6TH TASMANIAN PINOT NOIR SHOWCASE, 27 JULY 2013

More than 40 top Tasmanian pinot noirs will be showcased by 30 local producers including Dalrymple, D’Meure, Kate Hill and Moorilla in this one day showcase of the state’s best performing recent vintages. Producers will offer tastings of pinots that are rarely seen off the island and several vineyards will treat wine enthusiasts to tastings of rare, cellar release wines.

What: A day of tastings of more than 40 top Tassie pinot noirs
When: Saturday 27 July 2013, 11am – 4pm
Where: Pinot Shop, 135 Paterson Street, Launceston, Tasmania
How: Tickets cost $55 per person and include canapés, premium Tasmanian cheeses and a Zerrutti tasting glass to keep.

TASMANIAN TRUFFLE DEGUSTATION DINNER, 27 JULY 2013

As part of the Tasmanian Pinot Noir Showcase weekend, Launceston’s famed Stillwater restaurant will host a six course Tasmanian Truffle Degustation Dinner, matched with premium Tasmanian wines.

What: A six course Tasmanian truffle degustation dinner
When: Saturday 27th July at 7pm
Where: Stillwater Restaurant, Bridge Road, Launceston, Tasmania
How: Tickets cost $235 per person and include food and wine.