It can be tempting to stay indoors and avoid the cold all winter long (especially with a heated blanket fresh out of hibernation), but this month I’m rugging up and heading out to ice-skate under the stars and drink Negronis out of a massive floating tank at Rising. Plus, we’re heading south to try regional Spanish desserts and discovering wines and ciders by top Victorian producers all over the city. Here’s where you’ll find me and other Broadsheet editors this month.

Rising to the occasion
Where to start with the massive Rising program? With 400 artists, 185 events and 12 world premieres, it’s been hard to narrow down where to go and what to see.

Euphoria is a no-brainer. The ambitious multi-screen film installation, by German filmmaker and artist Julian Rosefeldt, involves a spiralling vortex of screens, 360-degree visuals, duelling jazz drummers, a children’s choir and Cate Blanchett. It opens on June 1, before the festival officially kicks off on June 7, and runs until the 18th. And despite a near-crash two years ago, I’ll be giving ice-skating at The Rink another go, especially now that it’s twice the size, has skyline views of the city and there’ll be three-metre-tall technicolour wallabies (by an Archibald Prize finalist) jumping around.

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Also on our hit list: Shadow Spirit, taking place in the derelict upper level of Flinders Street Station (most recently used by Patricia Piccinini and Rone) with works by 30 First Peoples artists and collectives; Consort of the Moon, a haunting new choral work taking place at Fitzroy Gardens after sundown; and Night Trade, essentially a free party in a little-used CBD carpark with giant surrealist puppetry, DJs and live performers, roving oyster shuckers, a massive tank of pre-mixed Negronis by Archie Rose and a “reality-breaking bus” – no clue what that means, but I’m keen to find out.

Strokes of genius
Three new exhibitions, featuring works by masters of their respective styles and crafts, open this month. Two are premiering at the NGV – first up is Rembrandt: True to Life, the biggest exhibition dedicated to the Dutch artist’s life and work to open in Australia in more than 25 years (a coup for the city). Then Pierre Bonnard: Designed by India Mahdavi opens with more than 100 works by the post-impressionist painter, set against colourful backdrops by a highly regarded architect and designer.

The Jewish Museum of Australia also unveils a celebration of 20th century modernist Marc Chagall, with the gallery rooms transformed into a whimsical wonderland inspired by his evocative paintings.

South-side bakeries proving themselves
Living in the inner north means easy access to delicious baked goods, but new bakeries further afield are tempting me to cross the river. A colleague recently brought seeded focaccia and rugelach from Little Sister’s newly opened McKinnon location to the office and we all agreed we need more.

Another south-side bakery worth checking out is La Colmena, which specialises in regional Spanish pastries and sweets (including tocino de cielo, one of the oldest documented desserts in Spain) you’re unlikely to find elsewhere around Melbourne.

And after reading Broadsheet’s Ruby Harris describe the signature treat at Sebby’s Scrolls – “super-soft layers of dough, cinnamon and caramelised brown sugar topped with silky cream cheese icing” – the Caulfield South bakery is calling my name.

And keep an eye out for our story on the second location for To Be Frank, which will stock a new twist on babka not available in the Collingwood store.

We’ll drink to that
French wines, Italian aperitifs, Scotch whisky, German lagers – all well and good, but you don’t have to look past the borders of Australia (or Victoria) for a great drink. Especially in June, when more than 100 venues in Melbourne put more locally produced booze on the menu.

It’s for Drink Victorian Month, which is bringing revamped drinks lists to Cumulus Inc, Farmer’s Daughters, Hazel, Her, Bahama Gold, Etta, Marion, Carlton Wine Room, Lilac Wine, Neptune, Young Hearts, Stokehouse, The Espy and plenty more.

That means more places to try Victorian wines, beers, ciders, spirits and more – *clink*.

For more restaurants, exhibitions, activities and pop-ups, check out our regularly updated guide of Things To Do in Melbourne.