Dark Mofo
By some stroke of luck (i.e., a motivated partner), I found myself attending Dark Mofo 2021 in Tasmania's capital city of Hobart. For you non-Australians, Tasmania is one of Australia's six states and an island off the southeastern coast. But enough about geography because I need to tell you that Dark Mofo is the best festival you've probably never heard of.
To paint a quick backdrop of Hobart for those who've never been, picture a bustling wharf, seaside city, and rolling green hills dotting the landscape. In other words, Rio de Janeiro meets a chilly San Francisco with an unconsciously charming lack of pretension. Now add neon red lights, black crosses on red flags, fire pits on the streets, and mulled wine. With me yet?
How better to celebrate the longest nights of the year than by watching talented musicians liven the streets before stumbling into hidden alleys with DJs pumping late night dance music aside rows of delicious food trucks? And for you foodies out there, there’s the Winter Feast and festival staple, an indoor-outdoor warehouse equipped with long tables, world-class food vendors, live music ranging from Scottish bagpipes, to Abba covers, and Nawlins' jazz pleasing upwards of 36,000 ears per night (that’s 18,000 people for the English majors). Nobody leaves unhappy, including those of us forced to loosen our belts a few notches to make it through the exit.
Winter Feast
A live music banquet serving 18K people per night.
If you're still not with me, maybe you'd rather start the night at the symphony and finish at a death metal concert (it happens and I'm proof). Or if you like a chiller vibe, you could hang out by the towering statues of false gods shooting lasers from their eyes before walking through an immersive light and sound installation to draw up the closest encounter of the third kind I’d ever experienced. These were only a handful of the incredible moments I enjoyed at Dark Mofo 2021 and already I can't wait to return in 2022.
Whether you like contemporary thought-provoking art that is unafraid to push boundaries, or simply want to get out for some merrymaking amongst a sea of smiling faces, I highly recommend Dark Mofo be added to your bucket list.
As for Hobart, we barely scratched the surface in our 5-night visit, but know it's just the beginning of another long-term relationship. Nature enthusiasts and tree-cutters alike will appreciate the botanical gardens and find stunning walks on the outskirts of the city; for the foodies, a bustling cascade of international cuisine; and for everyone else - be you an art enthusiast or petulant teen - there’s the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) which is, hands down, the coolest museum around.
MONA
Be prepared to spend the entire day and still not want to leave.
Inside and out, it's an architectural masterwork with a profound collection of amazing art (and I'm not even thinking about the poo machine when I write this) that is sure to stretch your imagination beyond its bowels. Just be prepared to spend the entire day and still not want to leave.
The ferry ride alone is worth the visit, if not for the scenery, then for the memorable experience you’ll enjoy from the moment you board to the point of disembarkation. Unlike the NYC ferries I'm accustomed to, which have been designed with the sole purpose of shipping boatloads of cattle from point A to B, these were created for human users. Great coffee, pastries, pies, and Moo Brew (the locally-produced beer of choice) are all deliciously on tap.
I cannot wait to return to Hobart and Dark Mofo. The experience was a refreshing reminder of the breadth of talent waiting to heighten our senses and how rewarding it feels to appreciate it.
