Multisensory cooking, auto suggestion and a robotic desserts trolley: these are just a few of the things diners can expect when famed chef Heston Blumenthal restarts service at his three-Michelin Star restaurant The Fat Duck later in the year. After undergoing extensive renovations — during which time Blumenthal popped up in Melbourne's Crown Casino — the original Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, England is set to reopen this October. Interviewed by The Observer restaurant critic Jay Rayner, Blumenthal dropped a number of tasty tidbits as to what has changed. "The move to Australia was a great opportunity to question what the Fat Duck is," Blumenthal told Rayner. "In the sense that we cook food and it’s served to people, we’re a restaurant. But that’s not much, is it? The fact is the Fat Duck is about storytelling. I wanted to think about the whole approach of what we do in those terms." In addition to consulting with Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall on the idea of turning the menu into a story — complete with introduction and chapter headings — one of the most intriguing/terrifying things Blumenthal mentioned in the interview was that he had spoken with mentalist Derren Brown, star of Derren Brown: Mind Control, about ways of extracting information about his customers "without them being too aware", and using auto suggestive techniques in order to convince diners they're getting what they most desire. Yeah, that doesn’t sound sinister at all. The Fat Duck (along with other destination restaurants) has apparently long been in the habit of Googling guests in advance, but such prosaic sleuthing is no longer enough to sate Blumenthal. Other features of the "maturing" Fat Duck include a £150,000 robotic sweetshop shaped like a dollhouse and a new online booking system to help sort through the more than 30,000 table requests per day. You can, naturally, expect the prices to go up too — although considering the tasting menu was £220 a head before the renovations, that might keep you, and your suggestive mind, out of Blumenthal's orbit. Via The Observer..
Fire up the cornballer and bust out your best chicken dance, because it would appear Arrested Development is on the verge of making a return. Almost two years after our last excursion into the lives of the dysfunctional Bluth family, executive producer Bill Glazer has confirmed 17 new episodes of the cult comedy, although he neglected to mention where and when they’ll be released. But they're coming. Glazer made the casual announcement while speaking to Grantland founder Bill Simmons on an episode of the B.S. Report Podcast. “I love Arrested Development, but it was never a huge thing,” said Grazer, referring to the show's less than stellar ratings during its initial three season run between 2003 and 2006. “But people are loyal to it. We're going to do another 17 episodes, so stay tuned.” Rumours of additional episodes are nothing new to Arrested Development fans, who suffered seven years in the wilderness before the show was resurrected by Netflix for 15 episodes in 2013. The streaming service has always maintained that a fifth season was likely, but Glazer’s comments seem to be the most concrete confirmation so far. That said, he did leave out a few important details, most notably an air date. Clearly, he never learnt to always leave a note. Netflix declined to comment on Glazer's announcement, but given the busy schedules of the show’s ensemble cast, it’s safe to assume that a trip back to the Bluth model homestead is still a ways away yet. Until then, take 15 minutes for this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWcsIMKAvUw Via A.V. Club
Renowned Melbourne street artist Rone is no stranger to the intersection of beauty and decay, and you'll find this theme tying together much of what he puts his hands to. But his latest work really slaps you in the face with it — part exhibition, part installation, the artist's newest large-scale works are located inside an abandoned weatherboard house in the Melbourne suburb of Alphington. Dubbed The Omega Project, Rone has transformed each room in the house — including the kitchen, dining room and bedroom — into haunting mini installations. He spent weeks working his magic within an actual demolition zone, given free reign by developers to transform the last remaining house on the former Amcor paper mill site from an early-1900s weatherboard cottage into what he describes as 'a fantasy film set'. In striking contrast with the surrounding destruction, the space features the artist's signature Jane Doe portraits adorning the walls, while interior stylist Carly Spooner has gone all out with the chenille bedspreads and wood-grain telly sets to recreate the look of a classic, mid-century suburban Aussie pad. This isn't Rone's first time at the demolition zone rodeo, either — last year he held a solo exhibition Empty in Fitzroy's about-to-be-demolished Star Lyric Theatre. And, adopting the transience of the street art you spy splashed across the urban landscape, this exhibition isn't sticking around for long at all — catch it from Saturday, July 22 until Sunday, July 30 before it, too, meets the demo crew.
For everyone who can't make a trip to IKEA to buy furniture and homewares without eating meatballs, but also doesn't eat meat, the Swedish retailer has added both vegetarian and plant-based versions to its range in recent years, including Down Under. But what if you feel the same about the chain's hot dogs? Enter IKEA's plant dogs, which have just hit Australian stores. Let's be honest — getting through a visit to the brand's warehouse-sized outlets doesn't just involve shopping, and also deciding that everything in your house could use a facelift, but also working up an appetite while browsing and buying. Accordingly, it usually entails tucking into one of IKEA's famed bites, whether you're sitting down for those meatballs mid-shop or nabbing a hot dog on the way to the car. Obviously, the original meaty hot dogs that've been on offer for more than four decades aren't going anywhere; however, these new plant dogs expand the range. They're made from rice protein, plus carrot, onion and apple — and they'll set you back $2 a dog. IKEA is working to make 50 percent of the meals in its restaurant meals plant-based by 2025, with offering plant dogs the next step in that direction. In Sydney only, on four individual dates, the brand is also busting out a plant dog truck to hand out freebies. You'll find it at IKEA Marsden Park from 2–6pm on Tuesday, May 28 and at IKEA Tempe from 11am–3pm on Wednesday, May 29. After that, it's popping up at Centenary Square in Parramatta from 12–4pm on Thursday, May 30 and at Dolphin Court at Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach, from 11am–3pm on Saturday, June 1. To nab a free taste — your choice of a plant dog or plant balls — from the yellow-hued truck at its Sydney stops, you will need to show your IKEA Family membership (and if you're not already a member, you can sign up for free online). IKEA's plant dogs are now available at its Australian stores — head to the chain's website for further details. The IKEA plant dog truck is popping up across Sydney from Tuesday, May 28–Thursday, May 30 and on Saturday, June 1.
Fair is foul and foul is fair, and both words can be applied to the harrowing new film adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. Foul in that Australian director Justin Kurzel evokes the pervasive bleakness and epic tragedy of the source material in a manner that few other screen adaptations have ever managed. And fair in that the film's hypnotic aesthetic, along with the incredible work of its cast, ensures that it will be remembered as one of the most awe-inspiring movies of the year. Fans of local cinema may remember Kurzel's name from his debut feature, Snowtown, which hit cinemas back in 2011. Based on a notorious South Australian murder case, the film's immaculate craftsmanship is matched only by its repellent content — it's the kind of movie critics appreciate and admire but find almost impossible to recommend. Either way, it could hardly have been a better audition piece for a director looking to tackle what is arguably one of Shakespeare's grimmest plays. Plenty of talented filmmakers — including Orson Welles, Roman Polanski and Akira Kurosawa — have made adaptations of the Scottish play, but rarely has the dialogue sounded darker or more enthralling. It helps that Kurzel has recruited two of the greatest actors alive in his quest to bring literature's ultimate power couple to life. Michael Fassbender is magnetic as the eponymous Scottish thane, a good man brought low by his own overleaping ambition. His whispered delivery in the film's early scenes brings the audience in on his character's moral misgivings. Yet it is his work in the second half, as Macbeth descends rapidly into cruel, paranoid madness, that will stick with viewers for days. Marion Cotillard, meanwhile, is steely-eyed and silver-tongued as Macbeth's conniving lady wife — and like Fassbender, she saves her best work for the back end. Kurzel shoots Lady Macbeth's famous "Out, damned spot!" scene in a single unbroken close-up, and it proves to be a very smart choice. Think Anne Hathaway in Les Miserables. Minus the singing. But while Macbeth contains no shortage of great acting moments in which the cast get to bear their soul for the camera, there is nothing remotely stagey about Kurzel's adaptation. From the opening frame to the close, his stylistic fingerprints are all over this film, and the results are absolutely magnificent. The selective employment of slow motion and evocative use of colour — along with the imposing images of the Scottish landscape captured by cinematographer Adam Arkapaw, and the haunting score of droning strings by Kurzel's brother Jed — make this unquestionably one of the most cinematic Shakespeare adaptations ever put to screen. It's as compelling in its moments without dialogue as it is when the characters are speaking. So heavy is the atmosphere that the film feels almost like a nightmare; one in which you're slowly being smothered and from which you cannot seem to wake. Now you may not think all this sounds like a particularly pleasant viewing experience, and to be honest you'd be right. Kurzel, to his credit as an artist, never attempts to make the film more palatable for a mainstream audience. Despite the period setting, the grizzly violence and the power plays, this is not Game of Thrones. It's a hard watch. A gruelling watch. But it's also an intensely rewarding one. All hail Macbeth.
Located in a small but charming storefront in West Melbourne, adorned with a tiled floor, wooden stools and a simple wooden bar showcasing pastries and coffee blends, The Flour is a calm, inviting cafe that entices people with excellent French pastries and unique coffee brews unlike any they've had before. Started up by April Yoonhee Bae, a wonderfully talented pastry chef, and her husband Harry Hyun-suk Go, as an online bakery business back in 2017, today it is a vibrant and relaxing bricks-and-mortar cafe where cake and coffee lovers can really treat themselves. The cakes and pastries are all baked on-site and change regularly — depending on seasonal ingredients and what the pastry chefs were inspired to dream up that day. You'll often find madeleines, canelés, financiers, plum jam cookies, galettes, green tea dacquioses and Basque cheesecakes. And while these are damn good, it's not just the French-inspired pastries that shine at The Flour. The coffee selection is Melbourne-worthy, too. Expect a revolving selection of its own roasted coffee that has won a stack of awards — brewed however you like it. But if you're after something a bit different, we strongly recommend trying its coffee sour. For this one, baristas slowly pour the house filter blend and then chuck it into a soda stream to add some fizz. It's then served on ice with a dash of fresh lemon juice and some blackcurrant juice. This is one of our very favourite coffees in Melbourne. And while the pastries, cakes and coffees are beautifully prepared and presented, The Flour is completely free of the pretentiousness you might find at other cafes that offer up such refined and classy fare. If you're up by the Queen Vic Market sometime soon, be sure to cross the road and stop by for a cheeky cake and coffee at The Flour. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Coffee in Melbourne
Smith Street is collecting good things at the moment. Jimmy Grants, Gelato Messina, Smith Street Alimentari — the list goes on. But there have been some keepers there for a while, quietly luring food lovers to the grungy Collingwood street. One of these keepers is Panama Dining Room. High above the street — some serious stairs are involved, short dresses and heels make for an awkward entrance — you'll find this loft-style dining room and bar. With huge windows there are views worth the hike alone. The bar section can get rather rowdy but the dining room remains separate allowing seclusion for optimal enjoyment of both the drinkables and eatables. The dining room menu is laid out for a three course affair. Starters like anchoiade dip with crudites ($13) and salmon rillettes with herb salad and toast ($10) stand in to whet the appetite. When it comes to the entree you can start big with the divine and gooey Australian burrata — a soft-centred mozzarella — served with salsa rossa, grilled focaccia, olive oil and rocket ($15). Seriously, do it. Or if you're feeling a little more reserved you can go for a delicate warm prawn and smoked octopus salad with kipfler potatoes, green olives and espelette pepper ($16). Mains come in the form of pillow-soft citrus infused potato gnocchi served with fresh peas, tomatoes, leek and almond puree and parmesan crisps ($26.50), or hearty chargrilled grain-fed porterhouse steak (medium rare) with a porcini, truffle and confit garlic butter, duck fat chips and watercress salad ($33). Now, to the sweeter side of things. A flourless chocolate cake served with cherry compote and milk chocolate ganache ($14.50) is a decadent choice, while a bite-sized option comes in the form of a salted caramel praline macaron ($4.50 each). You can also go for a cheese platter of two, three or four cheeses. The Beeler Hoch Ybrig from Switzerland is strong with a sweetness to it, while the Woodside Figaro from SA is a crumbly soft goats cheese with a rich texture and flavour. The wine list is lengthy. Starting with a selection of Italian Prosecco and finishing on 25 year old Pedro Ximenez, you'll find something to match perfectly with your meal. Go for the food, stay for the view.
Japan’s beloved illustrator, director and Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki is once again helping us believe in the good of humanity with his latest passion project. Miyazaki is building a park on Kume Island, in the Okinawa Prefecture, a park intended to preserve and celebrate nature and remind children that, to quote Miyazaki himself, “It’s good to be alive.” Pass the tissues please ;_;. The park, which is scheduled for completion in 2018, will inhabit 10,000 square metres of pristine forest and Miyazaki has donated $2.5 million towards the project. Although he is often touted as the Walt Disney of Japan, their parks couldn’t be more dissimilar. Miyazaki’s park will have room for just 30 guests, which leaves a whole lot of space for running through the woods and recreating iconic scenes from Princess Mononoke. And construction and development will be centred around using only local building techniques, resources and labour so you know, it’s the exact opposite of a soulless Disney theme park (and far removed from the beautifully depressing Banksy kind). Here's the plan for Miyazaki's pristine nature park: Perhaps you'll find a few little trolls in the woods: Or little kodama doing their thing: Or a casual forest spirit, hangin': Miyazaki has always been an unwavering social critic, picking apart the wrongs of society in both his films and his public commentary. The countless allegories for environmentalism in his films are not lost on the audience but unlike many celebrity crusaders, he can often be found quietly doing the hard yards as well. Earlier this year he ran a mass public clean-up of the Fuchi no Mori forest, which he saved from development 20 years earlier with a $2.56 million dollar donation, and which is believed to have inspired the setting of My Neighbour Totoro. In the 2013 documentary The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness he told documentarian Mami Sunada of walking to work every day with a rubbish bag in hand to clean up the streets and spending his weekend in gumboots, cleaning up the local river. He might actually be the river spirit from Spirited Away. So, now we all have a few new items to add to the bucket list, including ‘clean rivers’, ‘visit Kume’ and ‘become modern day version of Princess Mononoke’. All are now possible. Via Good Magazine.
Planning on heading away over the Easter break? You better get your skates on, because the best places are filling up fast. Luckily Airbnb have got plenty of cool and quirky listings for people in need of a holiday. Whether you're organising a group getaway or want something a little more intimate, here are ten awesome spots we reckon are worth a look. DRIVABLE FROM SYDNEY BYRON'S BRAE, POSSUM CREEK Located roughly twenty minutes inland from Byron Bay, this massive property boasts spectacular views, a pool and pool house, five bedrooms, two kitchens and a firepit. It's not cheap, but damn is it pretty. RIVER SHACK, BAR POINT A great spot for an adventurous couple, this luxurious cabin on the Hawkesbury River can only be accessed by boat! Once you're on solid ground you'll find comfortable accommodation including a bedroom, kitchen and indoor/outdoor living space, complete with outdoor fire and two-person hammock. BUSH PARADISE, MT TOMAH Gaze through enormous floor to ceiling windows at the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Mountains. This stylish cabin on the edge of the national park includes a spacious living area, fully equipped kitchen, and even has its own resident peacock, named George. DRIVEABLE FROM MELBOURNE W-CLASS TRAM, LAURISTON An hour drive from Melbourne, this rustic cottage backs onto Lauriston forest and comes complete with its own tiki bar, undercover BBQ area and W-Class tram. That's right, a tram, one that has been carefully converted into its own separate two-bedroom unit. Between that, the main house and a vintage caravan, there's room here for up to nine people. BINAH GUESTHOUSE, GLENBURN This charming two bedroom guesthouse in Glenburn, Victoria sells itself as the perfect bush retreat. The private deck provides you with uninhibited views of the natural landscape, before you venture out to explore the neighbouring Yarra Valley. YARINGA, KENNETT RIVER Why choose between visiting the beach and the bush when you can do both? This three bedroom holiday house on the Great Ocean Road sits on stilts on the edge of a eucalyptus forest, with views overlooking the ocean. DRIVEABLE FROM BRISBANE ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY, FERNVALE With 360 degree views of the secluded Brisbane Valley, this five bedroom property in Fernvale seems like the ultimate place to relax. Laze about in either one of the two sun lounges, or go for a paddle in the heated outdoor pool. If you're in a more recreational mood, you can also go fishing in the nearby Brisbane River. COUNTRY CREEK RETREAT, COOROY This one bedroom house surrounded by rainforest and rolling hills looks absolutely gorgeous. Enjoy a cookout under the stars, or go hang with platypus and turtles at the nearby billabong. BRIGHTON KITE SHED, BRIGHTON Spacious and modern, this studio apartment in Brighton is located right by the seaside, and just twenty minutes from the centre of Brisbane. It's also only a quick walk to Sandgate village, replete with shops, restaurants and cafes. NEEDS A FLIGHT PRIVATE RIVER VALLEY SUITE, UBUD For those of you with a bit more disposable income, why not try jetting off to Bali. Located around thirty minutes out of Denpasar, this luxury retreat is 200m from the beach and includes a plunge pool, private outdoor bathtub, four post queen bed and an in-house chef. Don't act like you're not tempted. NZ ARCHITECT'S HOLIDAY HOME, WAIHEKE ISLAND This ultra-modern lodging on Waiheke Island near Auckland was recently shortlisted for the NZ Home of the Year Award. After snooping around the Airbnb listing, it's certainly not hard to see why. If it weren't for all the surrounding foliage, you'd think you were holidaying in the not too distant future. THE BOOT, TASMAN, NEW ZEALAND Why bother visiting the Lord of the Rings set when you can spend your entire holiday living in a fairy tale? Describing this one bedroom lodging seems a little bit redundant. You're not blind. It's a boot. You shouldn't need us to tell you why that's awesome.
Australia's love affair with the meat pie has reached extravagantly unfathomable new heights, with today's unveiling of a pie worth a whopping $12,000. Billed as the world's most expensive pie, the gold-encrusted pastry is the result of a partnership between the Lord Dudley Hotel in Paddington and Groupon Australia; celebrating the sale of the website's two-millionth food and drink voucher. Baked by Lord Dudley's executive chef Paul Medcalf, the so-called posh pie is made with David Blackmore's Wagyu beef eye fillet, rock lobster from Western Australia, Italian porcini mushrooms, 500g of black truffles and a selection of organically-grown vegetables, as well as two bottles of Penfolds Grange Reserve. The top of the pie consists of puff pastry covered in shaved truffles and — wait for it — 23 carat gold leaf from Germany. Yes, it sounds delicious and opulent and outrageous. But $12,000? To put that price into perspective, this pie costs roughly the same amount as 2500 Four 'N' Twenty Pies from 7-Eleven, or fifty-two thousand frozen party pies from Coles. But their gravy ain't made of the Grange. Groupon have released a video of the baking process, complete with inspiring MasterChef-style music, viewable below. Drooling is permitted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnjpc_9auDA Anyone with a casual 12K lying around can make a purchase offer here. The rest of us plebs can also win a free taste, through a competition on the Groupon website.
Two professional Aussie cricketers sporting an insatiable love of coffee start their own coffee pod company. Boom. It's true, meet Tripod Coffee. Cricketers Steve Cazzulino and Ed Cowan were perpetually on the road playing state cricket, and brought along a Nespresso machine with them for much-needed cups of coffee in the morning before matches. Seeking a local, sustainable alternative to the George Clooney-fronted pod giant proved difficult, so the pair saw a glimmering niche in the coffee-obsessed Aussie market. Steve and Ed decided to create their own small company making pods filled with high-quality coffee that fit perfectly in the Nespresso machine. "On a rainy day we thought, why don't we have a crack and take on the big boys?" says Ed. "We could fill the capsules with coffee that we really enjoy drinking". With Steve and Ed touting a pretty gutsy attitude to take on the pod monopoly, they cooked up a bit of clever naming ('tri' for their three foundation coffee blends and 'pod') and Tripod Coffee was born. You'll find a lot of Central and South American and African (namely Ethiopian and Kenyan) coffees in their store because "the coffees from those areas really suit the [capsule] extraction process." After their coffee has been ethically sourced, it's given the special treatment by a local award-winning roaster, packed and shipped. During the process, all oxygen is vacuumed from the pod so when you pop it in your machine, it'll be like it was freshly ground. The best bit? The capsules are recyclable. Sustainable, local coffee — yep, that's music to our ears. Ed and Steve started the business in order to provide a green alternative to the aluminium pods of Nespresso. Ed and Steve's sense of humour comes through the product names, using of different hats for different blends and strengths — Grey Gaucho, Red Fedora, Blue Beret, Black Panama, Gold Sombrero. The reason is pretty damn simple. "When you turn the capsule upside down, they look a little bit like hats." Aside from their mainstays, like the Red Fedora which works as a great citrus-y espresso, they're keen to run special edition capsules and expand their single origin series. Yes, with Tripod Coffee, single origin Panamanian might be coming to your Nespresso machine soon. So where can you find Tripod? As well as being stocked in every single QT Hotel across Australia, Tripod Coffee is available online or Harris Farm, IGA, and independent grocers across NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Learn more about Tripod Coffee on their website.
In 2013, a factory collapsed in Dhaka, Bangladesh, killing approximately 1130 workers. The building, named Rana Plaza, housed five garment factories and more than 3000 workers, all working under inhumane and unsafe conditions. Ever since, ethical clothing has been a big question mark hanging over the fashion industry. Living wage, fair labour conditions, sustainability, tracing raw materials back to their source, corporate transparency and accountability all blend to make one complicated and bleak tapestry. But each year since the accident, more and more is done to help consumers make more sophisticated and informed ethical choices. There's even an app to steer you in the right direction. It can be devastating when your favourite brands don't pass the ethics muster — but don't worry, you won't have to start sewing all your own clothes just yet. There are still some fashion companies, both large and small, that are trying to be ethical — and they're doing a damn good job at it. Here are our top five local picks. ETIKO Etiko is the poster child of ethical fashion. The Melbourne-based brand has been trading since 2005 and are certified fair-trade and halal. They consistently blitz the competition whenever ethical ratings are assessed, but their products remain quite reasonably priced (a basic tee will set you back $30 and a pair of Converse-esque canvas sneakers cost around $90). Although the pervading stereotype is that ethical/fair-trade/handmade products are expensive, it's not surprising that Etiko can deliver good quality, ethical garments. International aid and development org Baptist World Aid Australia's 2016 fashion report estimates that to achieve a living wage (that is, an income necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs) in Bangladesh, the base cost of a t-shirt would go from 66 cents to around a dollar. We can definitely afford that. [caption id="attachment_572501" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Audrey Blue[/caption] AUDREY BLUE Audrey Blue is up there with Etiko as a shining example of sustainable, ethical fashion. The company exclusively uses Global Organic Textile Standard certified cotton from India. Like Etiko, they're all over every stage of production, from manufacturing all the way down to raw inputs, and can prove a living wage is paid to workers at both stages. They also spruik a more sustainable approach to consuming fashion, encouraging their customers to buy classic, flattering, low-maintenance pieces designed to last for many seasons instead of throwing them away for more current styles (a fab piece of style advice, as far as we're concerned). STUDIO MÜCKE Studio MüCKE is the project of RMIT student Ellie Mücke that aims to solve the problems she observed while coming up in the fashion world. What she saw was wasteful attitudes towards materials, and seasonal fashion trends creating a cycle where perfectly good garments get replaced every few months. Studio MüCKE aims to address the implicit engineered redundancy in fashion by using upcycled and recycled materials and running their studio on 100 percent renewable energy. Every piece is made in-house, meaning it's produced both ethically and locally. They've also adopted a practice of customising and designing for the user to avoid wastage (because we all know the feeling of turfing something because it looked great in-store but terrifying in the harsh light of our bathroom). KITSU One of the factors to consider when trying to buy ethical is where the products are being made. The closer to home an item is produced, the fewer kilometres it has to travel to make you look fab. So the fact that Kitsu jewellery is not just insanely cute but also handcrafted in Melbourne is music to our squiggly, pastel-styled ears. The label produces a range of sweet jewellery, including loopy earrings and marbled rings, bracelets and necklaces. Cute, weird, ethical and supporting local artisans? Yes puh-lease. VEGE THREADS Vege Threads is living, breathing, thriving proof that there's a big, hungry market for ethical fashion in Melbourne. They employ 100 percent Australian production, use locally-sourced and environmentally sound dyes and fabrics, have accreditation from Ethical Clothing Australia, donate a portion of all proceeds to a Balinese charity, and pack their products in recycled materials too. And if that isn't enough for you, their collections are unbearably chic (but still classic), trans-seasonal and perfect for layering so you won't have to pack anything away for winter. Yes, yes, a thousand times yes — thank you Vege Threads for proving that it can be done without compromises. HONOURABLE MENTIONS There are a few big retailers that, despite how time-consuming and complicated it may be, still manage to stay ethical. It may surprise and delight you that a mammoth company like Zara (owned by parent company Inditex) is one of these retailers — and, in fact, since the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster and implementation of the Bangladeshi fire and building safety Accord agreement, they've been making strides to improve their ethics rating. They score well on labour conditions, guaranteeing living wage, and have signed up to the ACT agreement and the Better Cotton Initiative (both aimed at improving conditions for workers at various stages of production). However, according to the Good On You ethical fashion app, they don't do so well on environmental policies. If you're looking to shop Australian brands, Cue is certified by Ethical Clothing Australia for their Australian-made range of clothes, and Cotton On do alright as well. They were signatories of the previously mentioned Accord agreement, Good On You rate their labour policies as "robust" and, and 2016 fashion report commends them for the traceability of their materials and awarded an overall grade of B+ in 2015. It's a solid start and hopefully, with consumers demanding more transparency, these brands will continue to improve. Top image: Vege Threads. Want to shop more sustainably as well? Find out where to buy more Australian sustainable fashion here.
In the heart of Chinatown, China Red is one of those spots that is deceptively small at first glance. But you should always try your luck, even if it looks too busy, as there's a downstairs dining room that always has space for hungry dumpling seekers. Inside is a classic dumpling house specialising in xiao long bao, veggie dumplings and salt and pepper squid, as well as bigger more traditional dishes like pipis in a spicy XO sauce. The gimmick of China Red is ordering everything through a touch screen menu at each table. Great for getting carried away and over-ordering — or adding extra dishes when you're halfway through and realise how delicious everything is. China Red allows BYO beer and wine. Start by ordering some dim sums, with the prawn and chive perfectly flavoured and the peking pork dumplings a real hit. The scallop and prawn dumplings don't miss a beat while the vegetarians options is there to cover all bases. Follow it up with a seafood and bean curd soup and some chicken san choi bao before moving onto a main. We'd suggest the fish fillet with pickled cabbage and the sliced beef in satay sauce. Images: Tracey Ah-kee
Food enthusiasts in Fitzroy are in for a good time at Bontempo Pizzeria. In fact, that's literally what the name of the restaurant means, 'good time'. The second venture from the team behind Fratellino in South Yarra, this newly opened Brunswick Street eatery is serving woodfired pizza alongside an array Italian staples, and is generally doing everything it can to deliver what it promises. "With the space we have we can cater to everyone, from couples to families and larger groups," says co-owner Joe Kavanagh. "We know that if we keep it simple by teaming good quality pizza and pasta with affordable drinks in a casual atmosphere, the rest will take care of itself." Kavanagh points to The Bont, the restaurant's signature pizza made with whiskey-infused Western Plains pulled pork, fresh basil, garlic, sage, tomato and mozzarella, as a menu highlight. Other standout options include the Salsicce e Funghi with pork and fennel sausage, mushrooms, garlic, parsley and mozzarella; and the Zucca, a vegetarian number with roast pumpkin, feta, basil, pine nuts, spinach, rosemary, garlic and tomato. All Bontempo's pizzas are made in a Valoriani clay wood-fire oven imported from Italy and custom-built on site. If you're not in the mood for pizza (although we can't fathom why that would be), you might want to try the Fettuccine Gamberoni made with king prawns, white wine, garlic, cream and a dash of napoli. Alternatively, you can sink your teeth into a chargrilled swordfish steak. For dessert, choose from classic Italian sweets such as affogato and chocolate calzone. As for beverages, Bontempo offers a wide range of local and Italian wines, as well as beers from Fitzroy Cellars and Thunder Road Brewing, and cocktails from The Everleigh Bottling Co. Find Bontempo Pizzeria at 416–418 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. For more info, visit their website. Images: Tom Ross.
If there's one thing Michael Madrusan and his team have a knack for, it's creating strong characters. The founders of hospitality group Made In The Shade nailed a distinctly elegant vibe with award-winning cocktail bar The Everleigh, and followed up with the wild child party animal that is Russell Street's Heartbreaker. And in 2019, Michael, alongside wife Zara and the rest of the crew, turned his hand to yet another personality-fuelled venue, taking cues from the french brasseries of The Big Apple for the effortlessly sophisticated Bar Margaux. It's a long-discussed concept for which the team finally found the perfect home in a CBD basement — complete with very handy 24-hour licence. Rocking a sprawling underground space on Lonsdale Street, Margaux is one of Melbourne's finest places to go to for wining, dining and late-night good times. The vibe was pitched somewhere in between her two siblings. "She's a wild horse, she's got that wild late-night feel," says Zara. "It's going to be fun, it's going to be casual. A bar before a restaurant, but also a bit glamorous and sophisticated." Here, the fun kicks on till midnight weekdays and 3am Fridays and Saturdays (a rarity with venues of this sort in the CBD), with a substantial supper menu of classic French fare on offer right through to close. It's also the Madrusans' biggest dive into the culinary game yet. Sophisticated, comforting French fare is the schtick — the lineup of escargot, seafood gratin, duck frites and bavette steak are very similar to what you'd find in one of New York's well-loved brasseries. But, while Bar Margaux's key culinary focus might be on those classic French flavours, it's also out to deliver Melburnians a top-notch late-night offering. Shift workers and hospitality night-walkers can now tuck into the likes of steak frites, poached salmon with caviar or a decadent cote de boeuf, right through until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. The rest of the week is also a win for late-night appetites, with the kitchen plating up until midnight. [caption id="attachment_743072" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] Then, there's the specials. Bar Margaux's 'Golden Hour', which runs daily from 10pm until close, promising eats and drinks at wallet-friendly prices. You might pop in for a burger matched with a glass of Burgundy, or perhaps a serve of oysters, steak tartare and Champagne when you decide to feed your late-night munchies in the most luxurious way possible. Of course, with this team at the helm, the drinks list was always going to be gold as well. Madrusan's biggest cocktail list yet features a choose-your-own-adventure 'This & That' section, a solid spread of lower ABV creations and some longtime owner favourites, like the stout-infused Black Velvet, and a classic Irish coffee. Throw in a strong list of European beers, French wines and an impressive selection of Champagne and you'll be very glad this place kicks on late. Venue images: Parker Blain. Food images: Gareth Sobey. Appears in: The Best Bars in Melbourne for 2023 The Best French Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
This article is sponsored by our partners, Mr & Mrs Smith. Explore your sensual side with a coral reef backdrop, sip a cocktail flanked by elephants or get pampered in style at the boutique boltholes, luxury lodgings and relaxing resorts crowned the best in the world in this year’s Smith Hotel Awards. Shining a light on notable newcomers, stunning stalwarts and all-round amazing accommodation, the team at Mr & Mrs Smith pitted more than 950 hotels in the collection head to head, emerging with 12 luminaries of luxury. Best-Dressed Hotel: El Fenn, Marrakech, Morocco The bold and beautiful interiors of El Fenn in Marrakech captured the imagination of the judges and public alike, enticing them with its colossal custom-built baths, six-foot-wide beds and creature comforts. The hotel’s impressive art collection boasts sculpture, paintings and photography by David Shrigley, Bridget Riley, Antony Gormley and Batoul Shimi, but they’re not the only standouts in this once-derelict riad. Perfectly polished tadelakt in arsenic-blue and rose-pink and carved cedarwood provide the backdrop to the artworks; camel-leather flooring, Berber rugs and traditional Moroccan tiling treat your feet. Rainbow-hued fabrics woven by loom cover the communal furniture on the rooftop terrace, continuing the jewel-coloured mishmash of patterns and textures. Sexiest Bedroom: Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Nha Trang, Vietnam There are no doors in the five ravishingly romantic water villas at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay; instead a private seaside staircase yawns down to the hillside. All the villas are set right on the ocean but Number Five is the best of the bunch, with an infinity-edge pool set amid the coastal rocks, a private ladder leading into the ocean and a coral reef as its backdrop. Guests can wake up to the gentle sound of waves and the view to match, or enjoy a bath for two in complete serenity as the sun sets. The deck comes complete with sunbeds and privacy courtesy of the surrounding rocks, meaning a steamy outdoor session isn’t out of the question. A dedicated butler, available 24/7, will look after your every whim, so leaving your wood-and-white villa is optional. Hottest Hotel Bar: The NoMad Hotel, New York The magnificent master-in-residence, decadent decor and cosmopolitan crowds made the Elephant Bar at The NoMad Hotel the judges’ favourite. The mahogany pachyderms (after which the bar takes its name) guard the brilliant bartenders, who will whip up something from the fascinating cocktail menu curated by master mixologist Leo Robitschek. His passion for under-the-radar spirits, sought-after wines and craft-beer collaborations results in an intoxicatingly good selection. The Satan’s Circus cocktail, made with rye whiskey, chilli-infused aperol, cherry heering and lemon juice, makes a cheeky nod to the area’s mischievous past – it was once drenched in debauchery, with a number of dance halls and gambling haunts. Lashings of leather and dark-wood furnishings contribute to the sultry surroundings; the only thing sexier is the two-person-deep claw-foot bath tub, set beside the windows, in the Atelier rooms upstairs. Best Hotel Restaurant: Hartnett, Holder & Co at Lime Wood, Hampshire, UK Hartnett, Holder & Co, the signature restaurant at Hampshire’s Lime Wood proves that sometimes two chefs are better than one. Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder are a delicious duo, presenting a clever blend of comfort cuisine and seasonal sourcing and merging Italian culinary ideologies with classic British dishes. The menu changes regularly; expect a choice of starters, pasta, meat, fish and sharing dishes. Hartnett and Holder aim to produce home-cooked food, grounded in a respect for local produce and served in a relaxed eating atmosphere. Their team also forages for fungi in neighbouring woods and hand-rear their meat and cure it in the onsite smokehouse, resulting in organic offerings that are guaranteed to tempt your tastebuds. Best Spa Hotel: Dormy House, Cotswolds, UK The recently opened Dormy House has become a hit with Cotswolds spa-goers, boasting not just one but five drawcards. This 17th-century farmhouse has been given a 21st-century twist, retaining its honey-hued exterior but with pepped-up interiors that emanate a clean-lined, Scandi-chic feel. The 16m candlelit infinity pool may be the centrepiece of the spa, but the rhassoul-mud room, fragrant thermal suite, Veuve Clicquot nail bar and host of Temple Spa treatments are equally attractive to pamper aficionados. An outdoor hydrotherapy pool and tropical rain shower complete the package. Fitness fans can work out at one of two gyms — one for a leisurely session and the Studio for pre-booked personal training sessions and a range of classes. Soothe sore muscles with a treatment in one of the six rooms; couples can share the experience in the double room. The Eco Award: Sal Salis, Ningaloo Reef Situated in the remote Cape Range National Park, Sal Salis is a prime example of how to protect a fragile eco-system. The hotel’s luxury seaside tents rely solely on solar power, use composting toilets and have a tightly controlled water system, reducing their environmental footprint. Besides other campmates, the only visitors at this secluded spot will be kangaroos, so guests can enjoy the splendour of nearby Ningaloo Reef in peace. Days can be spent underwater, mingling with the manta rays, dolphins, turtles and sparkling shoals of fish that also call this part of the world home. Each time someone stays here, the camp makes a donation to the Australian Wildlife Conservatory — guests contribute to the protection of the area as they enjoy it. Best for Families: Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, Blue Mountains Zoos are one thing; 4,000 jaw-dropping acres of pristine natural wilderness (with a world-class spa and restaurant) are quite another. Families are in for an-eco adventure of a lifetime at Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, the luxury lodging just out of Sydney. Kids and adults alike will love looking for the local wildlife — including wallabies, wombats, kangaroos and cockatoos — in jeeps, by bike, on foot or even horseback. Knowledgeable guides can lead the whole clan on a wildlife, Aboriginal history, colonial heritage or guided mountain bike tour, all included in the room rates. The Federation-style bungalows are sumptuously styled — with stained-glass door panels, natural stone, timber and fabrics — they’re also perfectly positioned to take in the stunning surrounding scenery. Best budget hotel: 1888 Hotel, Sydney The only thing old-fashioned about 1888 Hotel is its price tag — its gorgeous young staff and vibrant interiors make it seem far more expensive than it is. Smack bang in the middle of Sydney, the hotel’s rooms feature reclaimed Ironbark beams and period windows combined with the most mod of cons, including an in-room iPad and a designated ‘selfie spot’ in the lobby. The bedrooms are stylish and cosy, with natural light, exposed brick walls and punchy Australian artworks. Those who want to take full advantage of the hotel’s location should stay in the Attic, which boasts the best views of the harbour city; a sociable lounge area; and a sun-kissed patio, perfect for soaking up those afternoon rays. A smart bar menu and delicious food courtesy of 1888 Eatery and Bar cap off the thoroughly enjoyable experience at this harbour-side haven. Best Hotel Pool: Monastero Santa Rosa, Amalfi Coast, Italy Monastero Santa Rosa’s high-rise heated infinity pool has set a new standard for man-made bodies of water. Carved into the terraced clifftop with jaw-dropping views of the Amalfi Coast, its beach-like edge offers the perfect perch to enjoy an unbroken panorama of the Bay of Salerno. The clever lighting and perfectly placed sunbeds make it the ideal spot to spend an afternoon, before watching the sun set over the coast. With a perimeter that blends seamlessly into the horizon, you’ll struggle to figure out where the pool ends and the sea begins. When you tire of the view, turn back towards the 17th-century monastery for a treatment at the Santa Maria Novella-stocked spa or a meal at the Santa Rosa Ristorante, where chef Christoph Bob plucks produce from the surrounding gardens to produce extraordinary interpretations of traditional Campanian dishes. Above and Beyond: Southern Ocean Lodge, South Australia Luxe Kangaroo Island resort Southern Ocean Lodge offers cool and contemporary suites and all-inclusive rates in one of the world’s most secluded and serene locations. Sitting at the bottom of South Australia, this designer haven is the last stop before Antarctica, making it a superb spot for some solitude. The calming suites take full advantage of the outdoors, with jaw-dropping views from the freestanding tub, fireplace and spacious private terrace, complete with a dreamy day bed. Luxury lovers should opt for the opulent Osprey Suite: the separate lounge, freestanding handmade stone bath and terrace spa are incredibly indulgent. The multifaceted lobby features a bar and restaurant, walk-in wine cellar, a shop selling local produce and a sunken lounge with a French fireplace suspended from the ceiling and enough books and magazines for even the most literary of lovers. All food, drinks and activities are included in your fare, so once you arrive, there’s no need for arithmetic. Best Newcomer: Ham Yard Hotel, London, UK Perched by Piccadilly Circus, Ham Yard Hotel’s vintage-inspired bowling alley, rooftop terrace with Soho views and restaurant-supplying garden are just the tip of the iceberg at this designer den. Featuring designer Kit Kemp’s signature multipatterned, multi-oloured style, the spacious bedrooms are individually designed with their own mix of art, textures and bright bursts of colour. The headboards are particularly impressive; so is the compact kitchen stocked with Sipsmith spirits in the larger rooms. If the hustle and bustle of London gets a tad tiring, guests can retire to the Ham Yard theatre—– continuing the crazy colour scheme with tangerine seats, electric-blue walls and fuchsia silk curtains — for a film screening, or head to the retro bowling alley for entertainment of a different kind. The honesty bar in the guests-only library will keep everyone’s thirst quenched when the competition heats up, and the bustling restaurant will keep every guest well-fed. Best Smith Hotel 2014: Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa, Bahia, Brazil The Best Smith Hotel is a competitive class: with over 950 hotels to choose from, the winner has to be doing some spectacular things to take out the top gong. This year, breathtaking Brazilian beauty Uxua Casa Hotel & Spa won the judges over with its stunning beachside location, dedication to sustainable tourism and interiors you’d expect to see in a design magazine. Tucked between clifftop Trancoso and postcard-perfect Bahian beaches, the hotel boasts ten restored fishermen’s casas and treehouses bestowed with island-chic styling. The traditional touch comes courtesy of mini stained-glass windows and small oratorios in these rustic-chic villas, whose other features include outdoor showers, private plunge pools and repurposed pipes made from eucalyptus. The beach bar (complete with a restored fishing boat as its counter) and restaurant look over the glittering, aventurine-quartz lined pool, offering a shady spot to escape the Brazilian heat. No stay is complete without a visit to Almescar Spa, home to Bahia’s first Vichy treatment suite. Warm water pours down from carved eucalyptus trunks in the tree-flanked pavilions and therapies use indigenous ingredients such as cacao and almiscar. Find out more about the Smith Hotel Awards 2014, browse the full collection of hotels or contact Smith’s expert Travel Team on 1300 896 627.
Meatstock Festival is setting up its smoky self in the Melbourne Showgrounds on the weekend of April 22 and 23, and if you're the sort of person who likes to eat meat until you start shaking with the meat sweats and can (m)eat no more, then we have an opportunity very relevant to your interests. Enter your details into the box below and you'll not only go into the draw to win two VIP passes to the festival, you'll also win the chance to become a fully-certified barbecue judge. Over the Meatstock weekend, you'll participate in a barbecue-tasting training course and sit at a judging table to taste test 30 courses of the finest barbecue Melbourne has to offer. If you're going to go to one barbecue festival this year, make it Meatstock. Not just your regular food festival, Meatstock has a music lineup that includes The Delta Riggs, The Davidson Brothers, The Tomahawks and Bullhorn. Sure, there'll be less music than there is at Woodstock, but there will be 200% more tasty meat-related foods. The food stars of the show are Jack The Ribber (smoky, slow-cooked goodness), and The Real Jerk (Caribbean street food). Try both, or all of the 13 food stalls and then fall into a sweaty, cholesterol-heavy heap — don't say we didn't warn you. There's more to see once you walk that off, like a live demonstration from The Sausage Queen or representatives from your favourite chilli sauces (Melbourne Hot Sauce) and knife brands. Finally, for a little old-fashioned rivalry, the festival will be running both Barber Wars and Butcher Wars, which will basically be a bunch of hopefully unbloodied people running around competing and wielding various knives. What a weekend. To win the barbecue-tasting prize, you must be available from 8am to 4pm on Sunday April 23 — there are 30 courses of barbecue to taste, it's going to take a while. If you don't win, tickets are $35 per day or $55 for the whole weekend. [competition]617370[/competition]
Music, as with any art form, can serve as a means to escape; therapeutic and magical, infectious and addictive. For Adit Gauchan of Horrorshow, making music is a labour of love — actually, it's his every waking moment. "I love and breathe music so heavily that it's all I can do," he says. Horrorshow is an Australian hip hop duo from Sydney's inner west. The band is made up of producer, Adit Gauchan, and Nick Bryant-Smith (or MC Solo) on vocals. The two met at high school and released their first album in 2008 through Sydney label, Elefant Traks. Adit explains, "we started out making music in our dad's houses. We'd write and record in our bedrooms and I guess that way of working has never really stopped for us". In partnership with Sonos, we've been delving into some of our favourite artist's home studios – here is where the Horrorshow magic happens. THE MAGIC HAPPENS IN A CONVERTED BEDROOM Three years ago, Adit moved in with Sarah Corry, his partner in life, love and music (she's one half of Sydney electronica duo, Left). They soon converted the second bedroom of their Newtown house into a studio space. "One of the best things about having a home studio is the creative people that come through regularly", he says. "Every couple of months we'll have a party, and what happens when you get a bunch of musicians in the same room, dancing and drinking? They want to record some demos in the studio". His second-bedroom home studio serves as a safe, creative space for many of the other musicians the pair work with (Left and the One Day project, to name just two). "This is where we write a lot of the music". 'Sleep', a song by Hau (the solo project of Hau Latukefu, formerly of Koolism) was worked out at one of Adit's parties. "Capturing that kind of energy, it's a real positive for me". Of course, music is played at parties and music gets heard at parties. If you create the right environment, music can be created at parties. He continues, "Luckily we have some very lovely neighbours who support us and don't mind the noise". THEIR HOUSE IS NEVER, EVER SILENT I ask him what's it's like living with another creative - after all, Sarah is a successful vocalist and musician herself. "It brings an interesting dynamic. Creatively, there's an understanding", he says. Music pulsates through their house almost constantly, through his Sonos speakers. Good sound is important to him. Especially, Adit says, when the pair (or anyone that happens to visit their house) are recording. Our conversation continues and he voices a well-humoured frustration with Bluetooth. "Like most people, I don't have the best relationship with Bluetooth. It's just so unreliable, which is why I'm so pumped that Sonos speakers connect with Wi-Fi". FIGURE OUT WHAT WORKS FOR YOU AND RUN WITH IT After almost a decade, Horrorshow's method of writing and recording hasn't really changed. Adit's home studio functions as a writing space where he crafts and layers beats, usually on his own. Once he feels he's onto something good, Solo will come over and the two will jam out the direction the song will take. "We'll work on songs together, but Solo might go and chill in the back yard and work on raps and melodies for beats I've already laid down". Like many musicians, Horrorshow started out with home recording and stresses how important it is to figure out what works for you. "I would love to have a studio at my place of residence, but not necessarily inside the house. If one day, I had a bigger back yard and there was a bit more space, I'd love to house a recording space in a different building", he says. Everyone works differently and there are certainly challenges to working from home - concentration, motivation, loneliness. WORK EVERY DAY, UNTIL YOU LOSE YOUR FLOW. THEN GO TO THE BEACH There are few things more frustrating than a creative block, when the pace slows and your fingers are giving you nothing. For Adit, his creativity suffers when he loses momentum. "When I've been writing a lot, the ideas will flow. Shooting videos, going on tour - these things get in the way. I really find routine is the most important thing when it comes to creativity", he says. "Create a space that you want to spend time in and work on something everyday. That's how you'll make great stuff and get better". What about when the dreaded creative block hits? "Just stop. Go outside, have a meal, go to the beach, enjoy the sunshine". Yes, sir. SWITCH OFF, AND LOVE WHAT YOU DO When it comes to switching off, Adit doesn't struggle too much. "Being in the studio is never work to me. Sure, there is work relating to what I do — meetings, tour rehearsals, that sort of stuff — but when I'm in the studio, that's a whole different thing. It's important to have a space that encourages your creativity, that you're happy to use regularly". Naturally, when you spend every waking minute practicing your art, it can be difficult to switch off. "Even when I'm doing my tax, it's related to music in some way. Switching off can definitely be a problem, but it's not insurmountable. It doesn't make me want to change the way I do things, it's something I'm happy to put up with", Adit continues. "With music, it's fun and all that, but if you want to make a living out of it, you have to live and breathe it. But, if you love what you do, it's worth it right?" Get studio-level sound in your home with Sonos. Walk from one room to another and hear the same song in perfect quality – speakers are powered by wifi and tune automatically. Horrowshow are pumped for their thirteen date national tour. It's their first time on the road in nearly a year, and they're promising new tracks alongside old favourites.
Gather a gaggle of your best mates and get ready to hit the town. White Night, Melbourne's massive all-night arts bash, is back for another year, with a jam-packed program of music, film, performance, light shows and interactive art. Perhaps you'll see a school of jellyfish floating down Flinders Lane, or pay a visit to the NGV's Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei exhibition. Alternatively, you could spend the whole night skateboarding or dancing up a storm. The only thing that's for certain is, with so much on offer, you'd better know ahead of time what you really want to see and do. That's where we come in. We've pored over the program, combed through hundreds of events and artists, and narrowed it down to the ten events you simply can't afford to miss. Circus acts, grumpy cats and a giant golden monkey are just a few of the things you'll find on our list, which we've conveniently ordered by location (starting north and heading south). Dive in! FOR PROJECTIONS: PITCHA MAKIN FELLAS Anyone who was out and about at White Light last year would tell you the projection at the Royal Exhibition Building was one of the absolute highlights. Luckily for us, Portuguese creative studio OCUBO are returning to the historic building, and this time they're collaborating with Indigenous arts collective Pitcha Makin Fellas. The resulting work will see traditional Aboriginal stories reinterpreted and brought to life via a mesmerising light show. Sounds like the perfect way to kick off (or close out) your evening, depending on which direction you're heading. FOR ACROBATICS: CIRCUS CIRCUS Run away and join the circus at the Melbourne Museum Plaza, where some of Australia's most talented acrobats will be putting on a show. Artists from Circus Oz and the Women's Circus will join students from NICA and various other community circuses for a non-stop, 12-hour display of aerials, acrobatics and death-defying stunts. You'll also get the chance to see behind the scenes and even learn a few simple tricks yourself. Think juggling and hula hooping — tightrope walking might be a little too advanced! FOR AQUATIC VISUALS: INCUBATOR Something strange is bubbling just beneath the surface at the iconic Melbourne City Baths. Using a combination of projections and 3D animation, celebrated artist Craig Walsh will turn a 30m lap pool into an oversized glowing petri dish positively writhing with strange and sensational life forms. You'll likely never want to go swimming again, but we'll be damned if it doesn’t sound fascinating. Or maybe we're confusing 'fascinating' with 'horrifying'. It's such a fine line. FOR SPARKLY SKIPPING: JUMP ROPE It's back to the playground at the RMIT Alumni Courtyard, where illuminated skipping ropes will weave rainbows through the darkness. Designed by public artist Ainslie Macaulay, a team of rope twirlers will be on hand all night to keep the glowing ropes moving and provide participants with a few helpful pointers. Anyone is welcome to throw themselves in, regardless of age or ability. Although, come to think of it — if you've been pre-drinking, you might be better off watching from the sidelines. FOR LIBRARY LIGHTS: IDEATION Step into what the White Night program describes as "a multi-sensory ecosystem of imagination", when a group of artists invade the State Library of Victoria. Ideation will give visitors the chance to explore the magnificent building, and see the iconic dome lit up as part of a spectacular light and sound show. Basically, it's the perfect event for any bookworms out there who've dreamed of spending the night locked in the library. FOR A SURPRISE: GOLDEN MONKEY There's an air of mystery around this particular artwork, with the White Night website promising that "all will be revealed on the night". What we do know is that this major installation, from acclaimed Melbourne artist Lisa Roet, involves a 10-metre high golden monkey and the facade of the Melbourne Town Hall. If you just had a vision of the end of King Kong, then rest assured, you're not alone. Sounds like a whole lot of monkey business to us — but we have to admit, we're intrigued. FOR SMALL-SPACE PERFORMANCE: NEON LANEWAY Graffiti and contemporary dance may not seem like a natural pairing, yet they're being smashed together on Rutledge Lane as part of this collaborative piece of after-dark promenade theatre. With eight performances throughout the night (at 8.30pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm, midnight, 2am, 4am and 6am), expect a vibrant mix of street art, mime, clowning, dance, contact improvisation and physical theatre — all accompanied by a beat-driven soundtrack from sound artist Sam McAuliffe. FOR KITTIES: INTERNET CAT VIDEO FESTIVAL Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. This White Night, ACMI are hosting a film festival dedicated entirely to internet cat videos. Screening every half hour, this compilation of the web's most amusing felines should provide a welcome reprieve from the more serious, thought-provoking stuff on the program. While you're at ACMI, you can also check out the Next Level Games Lounge, their collection of virtual reality shorts, or pay a visit to Julian Rosefeldt's ongoing Manifesto exhibition. FOR INTERACTIVITY: CMD. CTRL. DECIPHER Seize control of one of Melbourne's most recognisable landmarks, as part of a large-scale interactive light show at the Arts Centre. White Night revellers will be asked to work as a team, using touch sensitive floor tiles in the Arts Centre forecourt to change the colour of the building's 162-metre spire. Meanwhile, sensors in front of the NGV North Wall can be used to unlock a hidden puzzle, triggering waves of light and sound. FOR ALL-NIGHT BOOGIES: MUSIC PRECINCTS This one's cheating a little, since it's actually several dozen events in one. In fact, this year's music lineup is so massive that organisers have had to spread it over four separate stages. At Live on Lonsdale you'll find a whole heap of Melbourne-based acts, including Thelma Plum, Emma Donovan, Briggs and The Harpoons, while the Bourke Street Mall stage will be partying NOLO style with the likes of Donut, Kylie Auldist and Horns of Leroy. Trip the Light Fantastic will turn Birrarung Marr into one gigantic dance floor, with beats by Sol Nation, Funk Buddies and Quarter Street. And lastly, Alexandra Gardens will welcome musicians from Melbourne's thriving blues scene, including Miss Whiskey, TK Reeve and The Screamin' Honkies. Phew. White Night kicks off at 7pm on Saturday, February 20 and runs until 7am on Sunday, February 21. For more information, including the complete program, visit whitenightmelbourne.com.au.
If you love cookies, you've no doubt tried one of Butterbing's cookie sandwiches. The delicious morsels can be found in cafe cabinets across the city, but this weekend, Butterbing is bringing back its super-popular Flavour Frenzy pop-up to Brunswick's Code Black Coffeee. The crew has been busy whipping up a whole range of brand new flavours, which'll be showcased alongside the classics at the Flavour Frenzy pop-up this Saturday, October 6. There'll be a total of 50 tasty varieties up for grabs during the two-hour event, including a few wild and wacky concoctions born of recent fan requests. What's more, they'll be slinging each of them for more than 35 percent off the standard retail price. Also on the program is the one-off Code Black Coffee collaboration, featuring a scoop of Piccolina gelato and a Butterbing doused in coffee. What's more, these beauties are freezer-friendly — so bring a bag, stock up now and have sweet treats on hand for whenever you get a rampant cookie craving.
Move over, Sydney Harbour. Lake Macquarie, just 90 minutes drive north, is two times bigger than you. In fact, it's the largest full-time saltwater lake this side of the equator. There are 167 kilometres of shoreline for strolling, swimming and paddling, and 90 villages for coffee-ing and feasting, just a short cruise up the Legendary Pacific Coast. Meanwhile, a short scurry overland to the coast leads to a string of pretty, pretty beaches, including Caves Beach (where there are real, actual caves on the beach), to quaint Catherine Hill Bay, dotted with 1890s miners' cottages. And, just to the west, lie the mountains, waterfalls and rainforest gullies of the Watagans National Park. Here's your guide to a dreamy lake weekender. [caption id="attachment_575383" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Lake Mac Kayak.[/caption] DO To get your bearings — and stretch your legs after the drive — start with a walk. You can take your pick, in terms of length, difficulty level and scenery. One of the easiest and most popular is the 8.9 kilometre, water-hugging Warners Bay Foreshore. It's a shared path, so you can saunter or cycle, and there's a handy, 24-7 bike hire station onsite. A mightier adventure is the 25-kilometre Yuelarbah Track, which forms part of the Great Northern Walk and takes in coastal rainforest, plus two waterfalls, before finishing at Glenrock Beach. For epic views, pop inland to conquer Mount Sugarloaf. When you're done with those, you'll find stacks more walk ideas over here. After seeing Lake Macquarie from the dry safety of land, the next step is to launch yourself onto the water. Pick up a kayak or paddleboard from Lake Mac Kayak and get shaping up those biceps. If you're the intrepid type, choose your own adventure. Otherwise, book a guided tour with School of Yak, whose itineraries include uninhabited Pulbah Island and secretive Dora Creek. Both two-hour and half-day trips are available. [caption id="attachment_554861" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Robert Montgomery.[/caption] More interested in lazy beach days? Make tracks to the coast to visit Caves Beach at low tide and you'll be playing The Goonies in a network of sea caves. For safe, patrolled swimming, head to Blacksmiths, which is at the southern end of a 14-kilometre strip of sand, ending in the rocky formations of Redhead Beach. And, at Catherine Hill Bay, you'll feel like you've stumbled into the 19th century. Once a mining village, it's heritage listed, so developers have kept away for the past 100 years. While you're there, drop by the Catho Pub for a beer in a refreshingly un-renovated, un-themed, old-school, Aussie watering hole. If you're looking for a beach inside the lake, swing by Murrays. [caption id="attachment_575386" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Sephardim.[/caption] EAT AND DRINK After completing the Warners Bay Foreshore track, tuck into a Mediterranean feast at Sephardim, where the motto is, "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we may die." Amen. When we say Mediterranean, we really mean it. The menu is a kind of circumnavigation of the Sea, with tapas-style dishes covering Spanish, Turkish and Persian influences. Be sure to try something from the Ottoman grill, which is fired up every single day, powered by Aussie charcoal. Seasoned with herbs, standouts include the swordfish, the gypsy steak and the Zhoug chicken. Vegetarians, don't panic, there are loads of dips, salads and fancy veggies. To dine surrounded by trees with water views, grab a table at The Lakehouse Cafe, at Murrays Beach. Their hearty breakfasts, like the monster bacon and egg roll or the mega signature breakfast, will sort you out for a day of action, and lunch and high tea are on the menu, too. Special events, like tapas nights, are held every now and again — keep an eye on the website for details. [caption id="attachment_574793" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Olde Bakehouse.[/caption] Get your Italian fix on the western shore at The Olde Bakehouse, Morisset. But you can forget your usual country town spag bol or chicken parmi. Head chef Dan Way is a master of his craft and unafraid to experiment, working with the best produce that the seasons bring to his door. That's why the restaurant made the finals of the 2015 NSW Regional Restaurant Awards. So, gear up for house-made pastas, exotic inventions like wasabi-infused flying fish roe, and perfect panna cotta. Of course, the Hunter Valley's not too far away, so expect plenty of wines from the region on most wine lists in the area. If you have the time, then work your way through a degustation. On cold evenings, you won't want to rush, anyway — the fire's always a-crackling away. Another waterfront option is the Swill 'n' Grill Bistro at the Gunyah Hotel, at Belmont. Unfortunately, it was closed by a basement fire in early April, but the owners are promising to reopen soon. When that day comes, claim a spot on the verandah if you can (locals love this place). Freshly-shucked local oysters are dished up natural, Kilpatrick or mornay, while the generous Atlantic salmon steak is glazed with maple. There's also a bunch of premium quality meatiness, like the surf 'n' turf, which comes in the form of a 400 gram King Island rump with chilli garlic prawns. [caption id="attachment_575381" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Airbnb.[/caption] STAY For an old-fashioned stay on the lake's eastern edge, check into Selby Cottage at Mark's Point. You'll be cosying up among antiques and black-and-white photos, soaking in a claw-foot tub, pottering around in a private garden and catching sunsets from a waterfront verandah. Or, to be encircled by Wallarah National Park, opt for Bluebell Retreat at Murrays Beach. Designed by Queensland architect Gabriel Poole, this cottage won a UDIA for Sustainability and a HIA Greensmart Design Award. It features two large, sunny bedrooms and loads of luxe touches, from Sheridan linen to a Bose entertainment centre to decks overlooking landscaped lawns. There's also a selection of beauties on Airbnb. At The Boathouse, Wangi Wangi, on the lake's western shore, you and up to six friends can kick back in a spacious, open plan living-kitchen-dining room on waterfront reserve. Doing the romantic thing? Book peaceful Cedar Cottage, with its bamboo floors and fancy-pants bathroom and kitchen. Top image: Bill Collison.
In the week leading up to Splendour in the Grass 2016, we dared to dream of blue skies and mild weather. The Bureau of Meteorology warned us the weather in coastal regions can be changeable but in the end we proved that if people want it enough, we can influence the weather with our thoughts alone. In the middle of winter (and after last year's Splendour in the Mud disaster) the last thing we planned for was balmy, 26 degree days and pleasantly crisp nights, but that's what we got (cue frantically buying up sunscreen, bucket hats and water vessels from highway petrol stations). Australia's biggest winter festival (and one of the country's biggest festivals in general) has become a well-oiled machine in recent years (for the most part, but we'll get to that). This year's lineup, from legends The Cure, Sigur Ros and The Avalanches to newcomers Kllo, Sampa the Great and Jess Kent, was more varied than ever — with a strong local flavour and something for every age group. This seemed to solve a lot of the timetabling problems as well as they produced one of the least clashy schedules we've had yet (praise be). But the weekend wasn't without incident. On Friday night, and to a much lesser degree on Saturday and Sunday night, long bus delays and general anarchy at the bus rally points saw off-site punters waiting for hours in the cold to get home and they were not happy about it. After social media erupted on Friday night and Saturday morning, Splendour released a statement the next day saying, "We had a significant change in the number of people getting dropped off and collected ... which threw our traffic plan into disarray." And they did fix it, eventually. Monday morning wasn't much better, thanks to a few bungles on the freeway. Camping punters waited in car lines for up to seven hours trying to get out of the campsite when they would really rather have been in bed. We only hope they sort it out for next year. Luckily, everyone was pretty well-behaved — and the po-po were pleased with our collective behaviour, citing only 323 drug related arrests (less than one percent of attendees) across the entire festival. Snaps all round, everyone. So what of the nosh and mosh scene for this year? We chomped and stomped our way through Splendour 2016, here's a little snippet of the best bits. EATS Like many festivals, the food lineup at Splendour is getting better each year and truly deserves a heading of its very own. Gone are the days spent subsisting on stale chips and soggy hot-dog buns, the SITG food offering is gourmet AF. Sydneysiders were suprised to see a recreation of The Unicorn pub right in the middle of the festival, from the brains behind Mary's, Porteno and Young Henrys. This pop-up pub would mark the entrance to The Very Small Suburb, with fellow locals Gelato Messina, Doughnut Time and Bourke Street Bakery peddling their wares to hungry punters. Single O, coffee roasters from Surry Hills, enjoyed lines around the (makeshift) block because if there's one thing hungover folk need, it's real coffee and lots of it. They were joined by Noosa's ever popular Nimo's Schnitzels, Sydney's Tsuru food truck serving up their fluffy pork belly bao buns, Govindas famous vegetarian fare (kofta balls will bring you back to life after a big one), best-in-show winners Brazza BBQ from the Gold Coast with their Brazillian chow and French fry cones, and everyone's favourite Hungarian festival treat, langos. And for dessert? Australia's insanely popular Doughnut Time even got their holey mitts on a Splendour stand — and it was bloody popular. Or you could have stood in line at the giant pink inflatable poo emoji (hilariously titled Mr Poopie by Cool Shit artists Hungry Castle) and grab a toilet ice cream. You heard me. But the real MVPs? Get Toasted, Byron Bay's OG toasted sandwich food truck, cranking out their insane mac and cheese toasties. The GT team served up their crispy, buttery life-saving sandies with more chirpiness and kind words than anyone has a right to expect at midnight on the third day of a festival. Hot tip for next Splendour, don't waste time with supermarket snacks — save up and ready yourself for a culinary tour of the festival grounds. [caption id="attachment_582301" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Dro Carey[/caption] BEATS THE CURE What can be said about the Cure apart from lines of love-heart eye emojis? They're a band almost beyond critique and their tenure as the most relevant, long-serving players in rock is still deserved. Their physical vessels may have aged, but Robert Smith's voice has not and they're still as tight as a drum. They casually slayed a 2.5-hour set, breaking only occasionally and briefly to suck down essence of youth (and water, maybe). Tears flowed freely and 'Friday I'm in Love' was screamed to the stars. THE STROKES The Strokes played their only Australian show at Splendour and rounded out the first day of the festival with the veteran ease you'd expect, mixing fan service with some of their newer cuts and of course, encoring with 'Last Night'. If there is a better way to fall asleep than with Julian Casablancas' voice reverberating around your head, we haven't yet found it. THE AVALANCHES The Avalanches were the legendary wildcard of the lineup — and one of the most anticipated sets of the whole event. They haven't played a festival in over a decade and while the group has rocketed back into prominence recently thanks to their huge comeback album, Wildflower, they're as yet untested in the modern context. The result was little bit thrown together — including, y'know, lyrics read from an iPhone for 'Frankie Sinatra' — and there's something a wee bit unsatisfying about a sample-based show amongst a sea of live music. But we still loved it. Depending on how close you stood to the sound desk could have affected your experience, and we hope more intimate shows are ahead for this iconic crew. SIGUR ROS Icelandic angels Sigur Ros may have been the quiet hero of the whole festival. They didn't perform at the amphitheatre (which is a slight, in our opinion), but the Mix Up tent was more intimate and, thanks to a well-timed clash with Flume, the crowd was slightly older (imagine a lot of actual lighters in the air, coffees clutched to sensible skivvies and wet eyes). They brought their technical prowess to bear alongside their dramatic showmanship (there was a spine tingly-dingly moment when main man Jonsi held a sweet note for an inhumanly long time) and it was spectacular. They played a medley of their well-knowns and not-so-well-knowns to a backdrop of captivating, trippy visuals — quite possibly some of the best visuals of the festival, or were we just exhausted and emotional? We'll never know. JAMES BLAKE James Blake's music was made for festivals, not necessarily for the headbangers or kids who just want to see Flume, but for everyone who was after some texture in the lineup. Blake packed out the amphitheatre and from behind a synth, delivered his brand of crisp, complex, emotional music. His live show was impeccably timed, building in rhythm and intensity before unloading goosebumps on the crowd with feels-heavy hits 'Limit to Your Love' and 'Retrograde'. [caption id="attachment_582304" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Kllo at the Tiny Dancer Stage[/caption] UP AND COMERS The SITG lineup always delivers some quality (and we mean quality) local talent. In fact, the pointy end of the lineup, usually housed at the Tiny Dancer stage, proved some of the most enjoyable surprises of the weekend. Melbourne cherubim Kllo destroyed the Tiny Dancer stage with their tight beats and clear vocals (their catchy AF single 'Bollide' sent shivers up collective spines). Brisbane boy and electronic muso Feki delivered a banging, dancey set, very different from his usual chill, and had the TD crowd frenetic at dusk on Sunday (check out his souped-up remix of James Blake's 'Retrograde' here). Melbourne producer Paces was joined by Guy Sebastian (can people stop robbing Shannon Noll of his due already?) to perform their Like A Version cover of LDRU's 'Keeping Score' (check out this vid of LDRU getting into it side of stage). While it's a disappointing to see only one woman and one female guest vocalist (Santigold and Avalanches guest vocalist Eliza Wolfgramm) in the first dozen acts on the lineup, the women who did make it absolutely nailed it. Big, official props to Melbourne's Sui Zhen and Banoffee, the OG babes Tegan and Sara, Courtney Barnett, Sampa the Great, Little May, Brisbane darling Emma Louise, Ngaiire, Kacy Hill, Lucy Cliché, Montaigne, Jess Kent, Wafia and all the other women grinding to make it in the music industry — you were splendid. Images: Luke Dalton.
Touring outside of France for just the third time since it was designed in Paris circa 1500, medieval masterpiece The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry cycle comes to the Art Gallery of New South Wales this month and everyone's pretty excited. On special loan from impressively named Musèe de Cluny – Musèe National du Moyen Âge, the six exquisitely beautiful, mind-blowingly intricate wool and silk woven tapestries span over 20 metres in length and are considered to be some of the greatest surviving textiles from the European Middle Ages — the French national treasure has been dubbed the 'Mona Lisa of the Middle Ages', after all. (Can you imagine being in charge of packing these things up and getting them to — literally — the other side of the world? No pressure.) Embodying meditations on earthly pleasure and courtly love, they depict a bejewelled lady in richly adorned costume alongside a majestic unicorn set against a luscious millefleur ('thousand flowers') background. Five tapestries explore the senses of touch, taste, smell, hearing and sight, with the sixth said to represent an internal sense — usually interpreted as the heart, desire or understanding. There's a whole host of talks, activities and workshops designed to complement the exhibition (textile fans may want to take Natalie Miller's tapestry masterclass) so you can make an entire morning or an afternoon of it. Take note: this is going to be busy. It's not every day that you get to see a 15th-century national treasure up close, not to mention one that has directly inspired everyone from George Sand to Rilke to Jean Cocteau. You'll want to book ahead. Image: Sight c1500 (detail), from 'The lady and the unicorn' series, Musée de Cluny – Musée national du Moyen Âge, Paris Photo © RMN-GP / M Urtado.
If you hadn't noticed, fermentation is a bit of a thing. One of the driving forces behind the movement is the fact that fermented food and drinks can help promote good bacteria in your gut. So it's not surprising that one of the more popular workshops at Cornersmith — who dish out hearty breakfasts and hold workshops in cheesemaking, pickling and fermenting among others — is the wild soda class, where you learn to make a fermented, fizzy fruit beverage that's both delicious and good for your digestion. That's the domain of Cornersmith's head fermenter Jaimee Edwards, a veteran in teaching lucky folks how to make wild soda, and then supervising as they make their own. For those who haven't attended one of her sessions — which have fittingly taken over nature-filled houses — go DIY and follow the instructions below. WHAT ACTUALLY IS WILD SODA? A wild soda is a fizzy fruit drink with a slightly sour, yeasty taste that's derived from the fermentation process involved in making it. The flavour is richer and more complex than any fizzy fruit drink you could pick up from a store because — like sour beer or wild fermentation wines — they're a product of nature. There are no artificial ingredients added. The fermentation process is unpredictable and gives each batch a unique flavour — even if you use the same ingredients and follow the same method each time. The process of making wild soda is similar to that of making wild fermentation wine. In winemaking, the yeast overpowers the lactic acid and turns the drink into alcohol, but in wild soda the lactic acid overpowers the yeast and creates carbonated water. Winemaking is best left to the professionals, but you can easily create wild soda on your own. Here's how. GET OUT THERE AND FORAGE To make wild soda, pick some of your favourite native plants, flowers and fruit. Edwards encourages you to get out there and forage. Supermarket fruit has likely gone through numerous cleaning processes, which means the natural microflora living on it (essential to the fermentation process) has likely been washed away. The more microflora, the easier the fermentation process — and the tastier the drink. "Foraging is pretty key," says Edwards. "That way you're not dealing with stuff that's gone through excessive washing." She recommends foraging for clean leaves and bark for bacteria, and wild flowers and fruit (strawberries, lemons and blueberries) for flavour. Once you've foraged, break up your flowers, leaves and bark, pulp your fruit and place it all into a plastic bottle. "Experiment with almost anything — that's part of the fun," says Edwards. "You're going to have some failures, and you're going to have successes. The ingredients you've added are obviously going to add a strong flavour, so you have to like them." GET THE FERMENTATION GOING When starting out, Edwards says it's a good idea to use plastic bottles. The natural carbonation that results from the fermentation process could cause glass jars to crack, and the last thing you want is a kitchen filled with half-finished strawberry and lemon verbena soda. Making a carbonated soda relies on the natural yeasts and bacteria that are available on the surface of plants. These microorganisms turn sugars into lactic acid and produce CO2 to make your soda bubbly. Because there is very little sugar in the foraged material in this recipe sugar is added. Mix all ingredients in a clean jar of filtered water and cover with a clean tea towel. Stir three times a day while the soda is fermenting. This will take between two and three days. Then strain the soda from the plants and bottle. Carbonation will occur as the CO2 builds up in the bottle over a few days. Refrigerate, and when it's nice and cold, take it out of the fridge and enjoy. HOW DOES ALL THIS RELATE TO WINE? Stoneleigh use a similar process of natural fermentation to make the wild fermentation wines in their Wild Valley range. Rather than adding a yeast known to produce a certain flavour, the yeasts and bacteria that naturally present on the grapes (aka microflora), are tasked with the fermentation. By letting nature do its thing (and because of the many different types of yeast getting involved), the wine ends up with a more complicated flavour profile. That means that just like wild soda, each vintage has its own unique flavour. Follow Jamiee Edwards' adventures at @fermentingprojects. Images: Steven Woodburn.
Ah, Melbourne — sunny one minute, pouring the next. If it wasn't already hard enough to get outside and go for a run, it's much more difficult when your fingers and nose are close to freezing off. Of course, it's much easier to stay wrapped in a doona beside the heater — but no more excuses. We've got ten refreshing ideas to get you up and moving with some indoor workouts that are nothing like your average treadmill slog. PEAK GYMNASTICS, WINDSOR You could have been a world-class gymnast if you'd started training early enough. Well, press pause on Stick It and get down to Peak Gymnastics to stick it IRL. Running three times a week, the adult gymnastics sessions will work your core stability and flexibility on the high bar, beam, rings and trampoline. Classes are suitable for beginners and seasoned gymnasts — for a full workout, join a gymnastics-led HIIT class and even a gymnastics take on CrossFit. There's also open gym sessions if you just want to have a go at the equipment. While you may never achieve Olympic glory or score a perfect ten, you'll build up some serious strength and flexibility. And maybe even learn how to do a handstand. CHUNKY MOVE, SOUTHBANK One of Melbourne's most respected dance studios is opening its doors for a series of unique dance classes. No matter how unco you may feel, Chunky Move's fun and supportive classes will leave you feeling energised and more connected with your body. Experienced dancers have the opportunity to experiment with improvisation classes or learn Countertechnique to take their mobility and movement up a notch. Classes are taught by professional dancers that work in the industry, so you're in fantastic hands. It's a great opportunity to explore your creativity through movement — and get fit as you do so. ROLLERFIT, FLEMINGTON If you felt inspired by Ellen Page's roller derby skills in Whip It but you're not willing to lose any teeth attempting to recreate her moves, RollerFit is for you. Let your skates guide you towards greater strength, flexibility, endurance and balance, assisted along the way by accredited coaches. Dodge, weave and glide in a series of exercises designed to push your body to the limit. Oh, and it's also a hell of a lot of fun. As you draw on the muscle memory from your 80s or 90s childhood, you'll wonder why you ever threw out your rad retro skates. NORTHSIDE BOULDERS, NORTHCOTE Bouldering is the ultimate workout for the body and brain. By the end of a session, your arms will be shaking and you'll be content in your problem solving and strategic prowess. For bouldering beginners, picture indoor rock climbing with low walls, no ropes, plenty of matting and heaps of fiendish routes to climb. Chalk up and hit the walls at Northside Northcote — the new light-filled addition to the gym family — there are options for every level from freshie to fanatic. If you're keen to take your skills to the next level, keep an eye out for the Boulder Bootcamps which run fortnightly at Northcote, or Sunday School which is hosted weekly at the Lactic Factory. HEAVY HAULERS, DONCASTER Sure, the idea of dragging a tyre around a parking lot may not inspire you to get out of bed on a chilly day, but hear us out. Heavy Haulers uses resistance training to supercharge your strength, endurance and aerobic abilities. The measurable results and sense of accomplishment which accompanies this workout is sure to motivate you and get you back on track. Don't be put off by the mental image of Guinness Book of Records-style musclemen — this high-powered workout can accommodate all genders, ages and body types. MELBOURNE SCHOOL OF CLASSICAL DANCE, BRUNSWICK Get your leotard and pointe shoes on — adult ballet is a fantastic way to work on your flexibility and control. Melbourne Classical Dance School's classes embrace new learners in any stage of life, with teachers ready to help you perfect your plies and learn the secrets of an A-grade arabesque in a supportive and non-competitive environment. Work on the fundamental techniques in the ballet classes or, if your goal is to become a prima ballerina, drop into an align and tone class. POLE AND AERIAL DIVAS, RICHMOND Have you seen FKA Twigs' Instagram lately? Her incredible aerial and pole skills are enough to make any couch potato dream of being able to dance with similar delicacy and strength. Enter Pole and Aerial Divas, who will show you the moves on the spinning pole, static pole or the suspended lyra hoop. The team runs six studios in Melbourne — as well as two specialised Aerial Divas studios — with classes tailored to boost your confidence, core stability and control. If you're not ready to hit the pole, try a Fly Yoga class where you can test some moves suspended from a fabrics sling, or a dance conditioning session to get those plies on point. [caption id="attachment_678290" align="alignnone" width="1920"] North Walls via Facebook.[/caption] NORTH WALLS, BRUNSWICK If anything's going to warm you up this winter, it's the shot of adrenaline that comes from climbing a big wall. Newbies need not fear, the North Walls team will guide you through the basics, while more experienced climbers can conquer those harder top-rope routes. With a cafe serving coffees and energy-extending treats, you also can reward yourself for taking your fitness to new heights. ALTERNATIVE WOMEN'S FITNESS, THORNBURY First things first: Alternative Women's Fitness is not a gym. It has no competitive macho vibes, no cheesy music, no treadmills and no same-same classes. Founder Sabina Turner envisioned a diverse community of supportive women working towards their individual fitness goals — and she's created just that. The Thornbury Clubhouse is a queer/trans-friendly space that champions diversity. If your idea of a great workout includes unique themes, rocking tunes and cool company — jump straight in with the low-impact burn of a Sculptallica class or the intense full-body blitz of a boxing session. If you've always been bored by yoga, let AWF change your mind with its fierce Furiosa yoga, inspired by the heroine of Mad Max: Fury Road — you'll come out refreshed and ready to face the world. F*IT, ASCOT VALE Barre? We'd prefer a bar. Luckily, fitness studio F*it features a smoothie bar by day and boozy bar by night. You won't have any trouble letting F*it tempt you into a workout because, alcohol. And trust us, that post-sweat-sesh cocktail will be well earned. The bespoke boxing classes will get you into peak condition — try Boom or The Wall to make you feel like Million Dollar Baby, or join All Shots for an explosive full-body workout. Lovers of a cheeky gym selfie, this place was made for you — the neon lights hit you at all the right angles, no filter needed. And, the bathrooms have fancy toiletries that'll seal the deal.
It was announced in May, that acclaimed New York artist Spencer Tunick would be returning to Australia this July to stage another famed mass nude photograph as part of Chapel Street Precinct's Provocaré Festival of the Arts. It has been 17 years since Melbourne's first taste of the polarising artist's work, when 4500 naked volunteers posed for a snap near Federation Square as part of the 2001 Fringe Festival. Tunick then photographed around 5000 nude people in front of the Sydney Opera House during the 2010 Mardi Gras. Since then, he's photographed the public painted red and gold outside Munich's Bavarian State Opera, covered in veils in the Nevada desert and covered in blue in Hull in the UK. Now, the artist is returning to our shores, and his sights are set on Melbourne's Chapel Street. Tunick will assemble another contingent of naked (and pretty brave) folk between July 7–10, for a work titled Return of the Nude. The exact locations were, until recently, a secret, but this morning it was announced that the artist had intended to stage the hero shot on the Prahran Woolworth's rooftop carpark against a Melbourne skyline backdrop at 9am on Saturday, July 7. Plans have, however, come to a standstill as Woolworths has declined access to its rooftop carpark, quoting 'potential loss of trade' as its reasoning. A spokesperson for the supermarket giant told news.com.au, "we will always put the convenience of our local customers first" and "the request for the photo was for the weekend, which is the busiest time of the week for shopping in our stores". In response to Woolworth's decision, the Chapel Street Precinct Association (CSPA) — the festival's host organisation — has launched a petition in an attempt to put pressure on the supermarket chain and get it reversed. You can sign the petition here. John Lotton, CSPA's executive chairman, said in a press release: "[CSPA] undertook detailed reconnaissance before approaching Woolworths to ensure Spencer's installation would not cause a detrimental impact to trading in the store. We have photographic proof that only four cars used the carpark at this time on a Saturday." While the location of the hero shot is being debated, the rest of the shoot will still take place somewhere in the Chapel Street Precinct. And, if you'd like to participate — anyone over the age of 18 can git their kit off and get involved — there's still time to register. Participants each get a print of the photograph, and, we're sure, a big boost of body confidence. Provocaré will take place across the Chapel Street Precinct from July 5–15, with Return of the Nude being shot over two days between July 7 and 10.
A Purity Ring gig is not just a concert, but an experience. This is due to three factors. One: their unrestrained dedication to deep, deep bass. Two: their hypnotising light show, which they've created themselves. And three: Megan James's extraordinary, soaring vocals. And their sci-fi costumes are pretty damn impressive, too. Hailing from Canada, the duo — who is made up of James and producer Corin Roddick — have been mesmerising crowds at festivals and clubs all over the planet. Following their breakthrough album, Shrines, they've since collaborated with the likes of Danny Brown and Jon Hopkins. Coming our way to play St Jerome's Laneway Festival in Melbourne and Perth, Purity Ring will make two headline appearances while they're here — one at the Sydney Opera House on February 9 and at Melbourne's Forum Theatre on February 11. Then they're off to the States to play a bunch of festivals, including Coachella.
Vivid Cafe and Lounge has been up and running on Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn since March 2023, originally only serving up classic Melbourne cafe fare. But a few months after opening, Chef Nobphadon Kaewkarn (AKA Chef Bird) started slowly introducing more and more Thai eats to the menu — until the lunch offerings were dominated by curries, noodles and spicy seafood dishes. And as of February 2024, the team took the leap into becoming an all-day venue, transforming into a Thai restaurant once breakfast is over — and it's now running a booming dinner trade from Wednesday–Sunday. On the menu, you'll find classics like soft-shell crab bao, spicy coconut prawns, fish cakes, roti and chicken satay to start, as well as bigger dishes like hot and spicy tom yum soup, a stack of salads, curries, pad thai, pad kra pow, slow-cooked lamb and a crispy prawn (or crab) omelette. Come weekend lunchtime, Vivid is serving one of the most affordable all-you-can-eat meals in town. For just $29 per person, you'll get 90 minutes of unlimited red, green and massaman curry, plus endless amounts of spring rolls, pad thai, pad see ew, fried rice and roti. And you get to choose what protein goes in each. We're all about bottomless brunch deals, whether it's the luxe Conservatory buffet at Crown or the old Smorgy's offerings (RIP), so this new addition to Melbourne's all-you-can-eat scene is firmly on our radar. And to top it all off, Vivid now has an alcohol license — you've got $10 wines by the glass, plus happy-hour deals on beers and cocktails. Shit's expensive these days. But Vivid Cafe is serving up genuinely good eats for so little. Get on it.
It's an accepted truth that the best things in life are free. But when it comes to the dating game, the best things are actually kinda pricey. Now, we're all keen to impress that Tinder hottie with seafood buffets, bottles of Moët and sweeping romantic gestures, but they're not what all dates are made of. Even those on a beer drinker's budget can take a lucky someone out on a sweet date. In fact, a cheap, activity-based date could be the best way to get to know your potential new lover without the pressure of trying to elegantly eat crab without splattering some on your face. Dating doesn't have to be all low-lit wine bars and fancy restaurants. It can be outdoors, in art galleries or at the pub — and it can be, you know, actually fun. [caption id="attachment_577886" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Anita Peeples.[/caption] GO BUSH(WALKING) Now, you may not want your potential new bae to see you sweating like a pig, dragging your failing body through the scrub and panting like a baboon in heat. But hear us out: it's free. Completely free! And if you can keep a lid on the sweating and moaning (save it for later *winks*), hiking through the lush bush or along a craggy cliff and quoting Walt Whitman poems (that you memorised that morning) could be a pretty cute date. Sydney has some stunning walks through the bush, along the beach and up mountains, while Melbourne boasts some sweet city hikes that'll keep your heart rate down. [caption id="attachment_578074" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Meghan Yabsley.[/caption] GO FOR A LONG BIKE RIDE Again, the idea of exercising with a new friend might gross you out, but, again, it's very free. You'll get to show off your activewear in a legitimate setting, fooling your new love into thinking you're sporty. Plus, bike riding is pretty easy if you have a bike with many, many gears and choose a path devoid of large vehicles and hills. Take your pick from our best bike tracks in Melbourne and Sydney. If you keep the speed down in order to chat and pack a cute, protein-heavy picnic, you'll be telling your grandkids about this date one day. Or your friends at the pub later. Either way. [caption id="attachment_577854" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Adrianna Calvo[/caption] CHECK OUT SOME LOCAL GALLERY OPENINGS If your new boo is an art fanatic, puff yourself up (while keeping your wallet plump) by taking them to an art show. The best thing about local art events is that they're usually cheap (or even free) and serve up equally cheap or free booze, leaving most of your date budget for a bohemian night of shenanigans. Nothing will put your date in the mood for a bottle of red wine on a rooftop or sharing Pez while strolling along the beach than a night of rebellious art — a reminder than you're only young and foolish once. IMPRESS THEM WITH USELESS KNOWLEDGE AT TRIVIA As mid-week trivia nights are generally populated by poor students and bohemian grown-ups, the getting is good (but cheap). It's a smooth idea for the group date, to introduce your date to your friends or — if you want to create a little us-against-the-world division — go it alone in a team of two. Perhaps one of the most romantic features of a trivia night is the standard 'phones away' rule which should, frankly, be a rule at all social occasions. Make sure you've got some conversation topics up your sleeve though because you won't be able to hide behind your phone if the chat dries up. (But don't worry, you're gonna do just fine.) SET UP A CUTE PICNIC This is a classic first date idea — and even though you're being a cheapskate, you can pass it off as sweet. The trick is to put some pre-planning into the park selection (a Melbourne secret garden is always a safe bet). If you want a talking point and potential puppy pats, woo them at one of Sydney's best dog parks. A few more tips: avoid playgrounds (which are often riddled with children), plan for the weather (no one likes a soggy sandwich) and learn the scientific names of the surrounding plants so you can really impress. And as the location is free, you can drop all your funds into a lush picnic basket stuffed full of cheese, bikkies and wine.
What would you do if you were a little less freaked out by consequences? Would you talk to more new people, fear a bit less, dance a little more like FKA Twigs, or quit your desk job and start that business you've always wanted to give a red hot go? Some sparkling young Australians are already flinging their inhibitions into a ziplock bag and seizing this little ol' life with both hands. Concrete Playground has teamed up with the Jameson crew to give you a sneak peek into the lives of ten bold characters who took a big chance on themselves. They've gone out on a limb and rewritten their path, encapsulating 'Sine Metu', the Jameson family motto which translates to 'without fear' — getting outside your comfort zone and trying something new. After all, we only get one shot at this. Take notes. No stranger to the idea of taking a massive risk and steering one's life on to a completely new path, founder and co-owner of Sydney's Ramblin' Rascal Tavern Charlie Lehmann had a completely different plan before opening his own bar. From his early days as a bright-eyed bar back to the opening of his first venue, Charlie affords much of his recent success to the talents of those around him. Encouraged to turn away from politics and dive head first into the bartending world, his story shows just what can unfold when you're willing to take a chance. CHOOSE BARTENDING OVER POLITICS — REALLY Like a lot of us, Charlie first found himself behind the bar as a way of putting himself through university. Spending his days at UTS with his head in the books, his nights were filled with the less than glamorous duties of a bar back at the Hilton Hotel's swanky Marble Bar in Sydney. "I was clearing glasses like any great bartender starts off... and at the time I was studying, I thought I was going to go into politics or something like that," says Charlie. After paying his dues here for nearly a year, Charlie landed his first lucky break as a 22-year-old-student. "I got a chance to work up in Zeta Bar [the Hilton's premier cocktail bar] one night when they were down a man, and I watched the sequence of service, the professionalism and standards set by some great bartenders," he explains. But it didn't all go quite as planned. "I was making a whisky sour and completely kooked it — I forgot to put egg white in," he says. After being "taken aside and shown everything that's put into the cocktail and why," a burning curiosity for knowledge was sparked that, to this day, remains very much alive. SEIZE OPPORTUNITY IN UNEXPECTED PLACES "Studying politics, I became very jaded, and watching people who are a part of the political machine... I really didn't like it." Three unhappy months in the big smoke were more than enough to get Charlie searching for greener pastures — working casually for a share trading company didn't help either. Itching for an escape, his nights kicking back with a well-earned drink coincidently happened to offer up the perfect solution. "During that time I had been going to The Baxter Inn heaps and saw a job opportunity going there," says Charlie. Built on the philosophy 'everyone's welcome', owners Anton Forte and Jason Scott (responsible for the Swillhouse locations Shady Pines and Frankie's Pizza) gave Charlie the change he'd been craving for with a full-time post at Baxter's. A far cry from the cutthroat corporate attitudes of his last gig, Baxter's "had this family culture... We look after each other. Every single shift was like having a party, but with the highest of standards of service and interactions with customers," Charlie says. And it didn't take long for his 'rents to jump onside, with the venue placed in the Top 10 of the World's Best Bars for 2015, as voted for in Drinks International. TAKE A BIG OL' CHANCE — LIKE OPENING YOUR OWN BAR Amidst the tower seas of liquor, Charlie pulled long nights at The Baxter Inn for the next two years. "Learning the ins and outs of the bar, that's how you get to that level where my mentors or idols were," he says. Quenching his thirst for knowledge with every cocktail book he could get his hands on, Charlie rose up the ranks to become one of the most senior bartenders of the Swillhouse Group. Surrounded by such a talented crew of bartenders (turned fully-fledged mates) got Charlie considering his next projects. Alongside ex-Swillhouse pals Sebastian Soto and Dardan Shervashidze, years of bartending expertise and a few friendly knock-off sessions inspired the lads to open up a bar of their very own. Spoiler: it's a damn good one too. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Charlie rose to the task of delivering a knock-out proposal to secure a space for what would become the inner-city drinking den Ramblin' Rascal Tavern. "We were one of twelve people to put in our proposal for the site," he says. "I sat for two days busting out this proposal of what we wanted to do. It's pretty much just like selling yourself and your vision for the site." ENJOY THE BIG PAYOFF (AND TAKE A LITTLE ADVICE) Charlie's unwavering gusto worked and saw the birth of Ramblin' Rascal in April 2014, specialising in tongue-in-cheek cocktails, dark spirits and $6 tinnies. Charlie still nods back to the influence of his time working as a bar back and the general sense of camaraderie he felt as crucial to pushing him towards this latest venture. So what nuggets of wisdom does this seasoned bar owner have to offer up? First rule: "You have to do the hard yards." All of us have to start somewhere, as Charlie reveals, "I watched some of the best people in the game... and read a lot." Sure, turning down a stable corporate spot might seem like a step in the wrong direction. But as Charlie shows, taking a bit of a chance, channelling a little 'Sine Metu' and venturing into the unknown can go on to pay off big time in the end. "I have a degree. I finished my degree and really didn't want to use it. I was going out into the world and finally finding this place where I was really comfortable." Want to experience a little bit of 'Sine Metu' yourself? Thanks to Jameson and The Rewriters, one extremely fortunate Concrete Playground reader (and their even more fortunate mate) will get the chance to 'fear less' and go on a big ol' adventure to Ireland. In addition to two return flights departing from your choice of Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, this epic giveaway comes with five night's accommodation and $500 spending money you can use to paint the Emerald Isle red. ENTER HERE. For more about how 'Sine Metu' influenced John Jameson's journey visit Jameson's website.
It's the end of a midweek working day, so you're hankering for a spot of internet whimsy. Lucky for you, a group of film-savvy go-getters have created one hell of a cinematic mash-up: The Uncanny X-Men by Patrick Willems. Asking the question we've all wanted to ask, 'What if Wes Anderson Directed X-Men?' this movie-lovin' crew took months and months to create this little smirk-inducing video. Sure, it's not made by the Duke of Twee himself, but it's a nice way to appreciate both your favourite mutant taskforce and your go-to picture book director. This isn't the first time Willems and the crew have dabbled in parody. They also made What if Tommy Wiseau Directed 'Batman'? and What if Sergio Leone Directed 'The Punisher'?. In their latest Wes-capade, Professor X, Jean Grey, Wolverine and the Devo-looking mutant crew get the Tenenbaum treatment, with plenty of adorable references to Rushmore, Bottle Rocket and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. There's even a few cross-section house shots, and that Futura overlay. X-Men needs more slow-mo Wes moments, is all we can say. Via Polygon.
Beer Wine & Calzone may sound like a list of life's greatest offerings, but it's actually the name of your new favourite CBD restaurant. They're setting up shop on William Street and bringing a little pizza to a pocket of the city usually characterised by corporates and grey office buildings. And best of all? They do takeaway for those lazy days you when want to curl up in bed (or under your desk) with the best pizza variation ever invented. Opened by Jerome Dadon, the guy behind nearby CBD cafe Brother Thomas, this ode to calzone is now open above brand new jazz club Bird's Basement. The kitchen is manned by Marino Maffi, a professional pizzaioli who's studied at the Accademia Italiana Della Pizza — because both those things exist, what a time to be alive! — and the food menu is split evenly between pizza, pasta and calzone. Calzone, just FYI, are those delicious food lumps stuffed with smaller (but equally as delicious) food lumps, beloved by people everywhere, including Ben Wyatt on Parks and Rec. You'll only find the classics here, so leave your contemporary pineapple on pizza ideas at the door and learn to love a well-made margherita. But even traditionalists aren't above the inclusion of some heinously good dessert creations, like a banana, Nutella and custard calzone or panna cotta pizza slathered in berry compote. You might want to wear your loosest muumuu for this restaurant adventure. Beer Wine & Calzone is now open at 350 William Street, CBD. It's open seven days a week, noon to midnight. Find out more at beerwineandcalzone.com. Images: Simon Shiff.
You're going to need two hands for this one. And a pile of serviettes — or an exceptionally long tongue — for mopping up your mouth. And your hands, your wrists and maybe even down to your elbows. If you're looking for all the signs of a damn good burger, Chew Burger's got 'em — and the hipsters of this up-and-coming part of the north are swarming. It's nothing we haven't seen or devoured before. But something about Chew makes us feel like it is. They've toed the line of exposed brick walls and industrial lighting, and a plant box in the centre of the breaks up the surprisingly vast space with a bit of foliage, but white enamel plates upon shiny green tiled tables are convincing enough that they've somehow done this scene better. The Chew ($12.50) mimics the multitude of classic burgers that have come before it with the seemingly stock standard brioche bun, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef, cheddar, fresh cos lettuce, tomato, pickles and the stunning combination of mustard and aioli that makes you think: this is it. Not to mention, you'll never forget Preston's postcode again; the 3072 ($12) comes with more of that succulent wagyu, cos lettuce, jalapeños and a sriracha slaw that will bleed down your arm while stealing your heart. In the never-ending battle of fries versus thick-cut chips, Chew offers shoestring ($4), with the choice of parmesan or chilli dust as a seasoning. They also do three lighter, vegetarian burgers such as the Magic Mushroom with a crumbed and fried mushroom and gaucamole ($15), if you're so inclined. Head in on a Tuesday and you can even score one of those namesake Chew burgers for a bargain $10 — if that's not a reason to get in and get chewing, we don't know what is.
Spirits fans, this one's for you. One of Melbourne's best bars, Beneath Driver Lane, is joining forces with award-winning WA distillery, Republic of Fremantle for an exclusive pop-up. Republic of Fremantle is taking over the bar as a special guest, until 25 June, with new bottles, a limited-release cocktail menu, live blues music and the first sips of their multi-award-winning product on the east coast. Until now, if you wanted to taste this stuff, you had to either fly to Perth or buy online. This pop-up is the official launch of the brand in Melbourne, and it sounds extremely delicious. Republic of Fremantle is Western Australia's leading producer of spirits, and one of only a handful of distilleries in the country to produce their own base spirit from wine (in this case, Verdelho grapes harvested from 100-year-old vines in the Swan Valley). This gives Republic's spirits a unique flavour, and it's seen them scoop plenty of awards, including a gold medal at the coveted ADI International Spirits Competition. [caption id="attachment_902981" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Head Brewer Tom Hutchings from Republic of Fremantle[/caption] "We're excited to be working with Republic of Fremantle on this exclusive preview of their range of spirits. The Republic Gins have a distinctive flavour profile, while their Signature Vodka has a really good texture and backbone," Beneath Driver Lane's Venue Manager Kealan Brady says. The pop-up will be running every day until 25 June, and cocktails will be shaken to the sound of live blues on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Entry is free, booze costs extra. Images: Supplied
After Kate Reid's booming croissant business outgrew its tiny, Elwood shopfront, they moved to bigger and better digs in Fitzroy, with the baker launching Lune Croissanterie 2.0 with brother, Cameron, in 2015. The queues these buttery baked goods have been pulling ever since are testament to their cult status, with Melburnians more than happy to trek across town and forego weekend sleep-ins, just to get their hands on Reid's creations. While the croissant reigns supreme here, featured in various forms of twice-baked, filled, sweet, or savoury deliciousness, the rest is well worth a look in too. Think traditional French-style Danishes and pain au chocolate, sitting alongside more adventurous treats, like the signature cruffins. Inside the sprawling Rose Street warehouse is a sleek retail space and a handful of bench seats, where the less impatient punters can tuck straight into their pastry purchases, matched with a Small Batch coffee. And just as impressive as the textbook-perfect pastries is the bakery itself is a central glass studio, set permanently at the optimal croissant-crafting temperature. This is where the magic happens, on display for all to witness. And for a unique dining experience to tempt even the most avid of croissant fans, there's the Lune Lab. This hosts intimate degustation sittings, where diners are treated to a flight of three different pastries, running from oven-fresh classic croissants to Reid's latest envelope-pushing inventions. Images: Visit Victoria/Josie Withers.
Next week marks the beginning of Art Basel Hong Kong, one of the biggest art fairs in Asia. Painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, video and installation will all be on display, in an event designed to showcase the work of thousands of artists from all around the world. But the work of one man in particular appears to be in particularly good taste (geddit?). Uwe Opocensky, the German chef at the Michelin-starred Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, has put together a menu that blurs the line between food and art. The aptly named Art Menu at the Mandarin Grill + Bar begins with an entree inspired by the most iconic artwork of Englishman Damien Hirst. The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living features a 14-foot shark suspended in a tank of formaldehyde. Opocensky's version consists of a mackerel floating in horseradish-flavoured cucumber jelly. The main course is modelled after a box of paints, with different coloured purees including mashed sweet potato, brown truffles, black garlic paste and red peppers, as well as a slice of beef covered in edible flowers. And for dessert, an ice cream filled chocolate mountain on a bed of popping candy, inspired by the mountaineering photography of Chinese artist Xu Zhen. As with many things in the world of high art, Oponcensky's elaborate dinner doesn't come cheap: $HK1888 ($AU320) a head. Pretty pricey, especially when you won't have anything to show for it at the end of the night. "What we make has a very short life span," Opocensky said to Quartz. "It is very exciting though. I cannot draw to save my life, but I can put things on a plate, and I love that we can be associated with art as a movement" Via Quartz.
Pinot Noir by crackling fireplaces, misty mountaintops and landscaped gardens that look straight out of Downton Abbey — Bowral is your go-to weekender when you don't have the time or cash for a mid-year trip to Europe. You'll find the 12,000-person town an easy, 90-minute drive southwest of Sydney, among the string of villages known as the Southern Highlands. Spend your stay cosying up in a 19th century hotel room staring at rolling hillsides, or get out and about, tasting wines, visiting waterfalls and feasting at hatted restaurants. However you play it, here are our tips for a couple of days in Bowral. [caption id="attachment_580846" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bendooley Vineyards.[/caption] EAT AND DRINK Let's get coffee out of the way first. One of the best caffeine-hits in town is at boutique roastery Rush. Go for the house blend or take your pick of a single origin from Brazil, Sumatra or Nicaragua. Alternatively, slip into pint-sized Flour Water Salt and match your coffee with a freshly-baked, organic-flour pastry. This mini-chain is a big hit with people south of Sydney and now has three outlets — in Bowral, Milton and Kiama. Their trick, as the name suggests, is to keep things simple. Come lunch, hide away from the main street in the quiet, leafy courtyard of The Red Tree Café. Here, the agenda is classics with tasty twists. Setting yourself up for an action-packed day? Dig into the Big Red Tree Breakfast: free-range eggs, roasted tomato, mushrooms, pancetta, chipolatas and potato rosti on organic sourdough. [caption id="attachment_580847" align="alignnone" width="1280"] @biotadining.[/caption] Another option is to jump in the car and make tracks to Bendooley Estate. Not only will you land yourself a fireplace and idyllic farmlands with your meal, you're also in for a read. Bendooley is home to the Berkelouw Book Barn — Berkelouw's official headquarters — so tables are interspersed with shelves of beautifully-kept, second-hand titles. Also worth a drive is McVitty Grove, a restaurant set on an acreage, just 20 minutes from Bowral, with an emphasis on sustainability and local produce. Tuck into the chef's own beef sliders or the organic Portuguese chicken with Dauphinoise potatoes and roasted tomato. Up for a fancier adventure? Reserve a table at Biota Dining. Chef James Vile's two-hatted restaurant is another champion of eco-friendly eating. Should time be on your side, settle into a tasting menu. Otherwise, there are loads of seasonally-driven, al carte choices. And do say yes to a cocktail based on handcrafted botanicals, like the 'Autumn Leaves' (jammy persimmon, cinnamon, calvados and citrus). If you're not able to commit to a meal, you're welcome to stick to drinks and snacks in the bar (which is where you'll find the fire). [caption id="attachment_580850" align="alignnone" width="1483"] Eling Forest Estate.[/caption] DO Although we did give you permission to do absolutely nothing, we recommend a bit of an adventure. Winos should be sure to hop on the Southern Highlands wine trail. For the most part, the region is 600 metres above sea level, so cool climate varieties, like Pinot Noir and Riesling, fare well. At Tertini (one of NSW's best cellar doors), you'll be sampling a consistently excellent bunch of small-batch, boutique, multi-award winning drops. And, if you like to know your wine habit isn't killing the environment, swing by Eling Forest Estate, where the Tractorless Vineyard wines are made biodynamically. A Hampshire Down sheep breed, imported from England, takes the place of machines and pesticides, by eating the weeds around the grape vines. [caption id="attachment_580788" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bjenks[/caption] With a bottle or three under your arm, it could well be time for a waterfall-side picnic. The area's three biggest falls are Fitzroy, Belmore and Carrington, and visiting all of them makes for a fun, circular road trip. If you're keen to combine your falls with a walk, conquer the steep, two-kilometre Erith Coal Mine track in Morton National Park, which combines a disused coalmine with cascades you can stand under. Epic views of Bowral and Mittagong are on offer at the Mount Gibraltar Reserve. At 863 metres, it's the highest point between Sydney and Canberra, and there are three lookouts, each giving you unique perspectives: Bowral, Mittagong and Jellore. In need of an art fix? In the vast spaces of The Milk Factory, you'll find changing contemporary exhibitions, as well as a cute gallery shop, selling resin jewellery and blown glass. And, within the Springetts Arcade, is Ten Thousand Paces, a self-described 'hybrid shop, gallery, art projects and regional wine hub'. [caption id="attachment_580795" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Airbnb.[/caption] STAY There aren't many places in this world where you can rent out an entire 19th century former coach house, but Bowral is one of them. And you'll find it on Airbnb (where else?). This six-bedroom Italianate mansion, which was once a home for some wealthy estate owner's coachman and horses, sleeps up to 13 people, and is situated on Bowral's outskirts — within walking distance of both town and wild places. Not travelling with a big party? Leaving your Clydesdales at home? A cosier option is the Woodland Retreat Guest Studio, also an Airbnb offering. Splashed with art and run by two warm, friendly locals, it sleeps up to four and a locally-sourced breakfast is included. [caption id="attachment_580853" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Milton Park.[/caption] If you're in the market for a hotel, there's Peppers Craigieburn. For those not planning on going anywhere, there are plenty of rooms with views of the 36-hectare surrounding garden, as well as guest lounges with open fires, a billiards room, tennis courts, a restaurant and an onsite spa. Yep, pretty much everything you need to stay put. Another lush, albeit pricier option, is the Milton Park Country House and Spa. Here, you'll be lolling about in five-star decadence on the property's tucked away, forest-covered hilltop. Just how luxe you go is your call. There are rooms overlooking gardens and fountains, and suites with their very own fireplaces and jacuzzis. Meanwhile, among the grounds, you'll stumble across a heated indoor pool, floodlit tennis courts and a wellness spa. Should you ever have wondered what it's like to be an English duke or duchess, this is your chance to experiment. Top image: Bendooley Vineyards.
If you thought seafood was best suited to sultry summer days, Port Melbourne's favourite seafood restaurant might change your mind. The Aussie-born chain Kickin' Inn already has 12 NSW restaurants under its belt, with this first in Melbourne opening back in 2021. Kickin' Inn took over the former Rose Hotel site and has cured those lingering winter blues with a signature offering of seafood tossed through punchy house-made 'Kajun' sauces. For the uninitiated, Port Melbourne's Kickin' Inn offers an all-in, bibs-and-gloves experience, where diners do away with cutlery and get their hands messy with bags full of prawns, mud crab, pipis and shellfish — using only the tools that your god gave you. The Cajun-inspired house sauces — here, dubbed 'Kajun' — are more than mere support acts, with the venue boasting five flavour-charged secret recipes. If feasting is on the agenda, you'll find an abundance of snacks to kick things off. These include baby octopus, mozzarella cheese sticks, freshly-shucked Sydney rock oysters and wings galore. After that, you've got some big decisions to make. Choose your main event from a slew of ocean-fresh goodies including Alaskan king crab, pounds of peeled prawns, a pile of baby octopus, blue swimmer pieces, or a mess of mussels and pipis. Pick a matching sauce, whack in some additions like corn or chorizo, and dial up the heat level as high as you dare — keeping in mind the 'inferno' option is only halfway up the scale. Meanwhile, a separate lunch menu features more solo-friendly feeds from a prawn spaghetti to a mini mixed bag of seafood served with rice. It's one of the tastiest and most fun seafood restaurants in Melbourne.
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Melbourne is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to celebrate the landmark 40th anniversary of their iconic small cars, and in turn, help you celebrate the little things that bring that sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Melbourne. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, glide along a pop-up ice skating rink, attend an international TV festival and smash stuff with a bat as a means to de-stress. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the next few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
Each September, as the weather warms up and spring begins to truly blossom, music fiends head to Brisbane and spend some time in, well, dark rooms. Over a few days, the Queensland capital becomes the centre of the Australian music universe, with artists and industry practitioners doing what they do best — rocking out, discovering new talent, partying and discussing the future of Australian music. First appearing in 2002, BIGSOUND is a conference, festival and celebration of Australia's best musical talent. Each year, it takes over the inner city Fortitude Valley area, attracting 1300 delegates and more than 6000 music fans. The festival's previous lineups read like a dream: Flume, Rufus, Courtney Barnett, Megan Washington, The Temper Trap, A.B. Original, REMI and Gang of Youths have all graced its stages, while Nick Cave, Neil Finn, Kim Gordon, Billy Bragg and Amanda Palmer have shared their knowledge, experience and wisdom. The event itself isn't the only source of fun, however. At this time of year, the sun is shining, the vibe is buzzing and Brisbane is truly jumping. In fact, with a vibrant cultural scene and an array of delicious dining options on offer, it's the perfect time to discover just why Australia's third-largest city is one of the country's gems. Some Australian events (like this one) are worthy of a road trip, and aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing BIGSOUND into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you plan your out-of-the-city trips ahead of time, so you can detour from your regular routine and inject a little adventure into your life. Here's how to spend your days before, during and after your trip to Brisbane — where to stay, what to do, and what to eat and drink from September 5 to 8. [caption id="attachment_498758" align="alignnone" width="1127"] Limes Hotel Rooftop.[/caption] STAY Over the past decade, Brisbane has become a boutique hotel wonderland — the Fortitude Valley area in particular. If you have some cash to spare, the Emporium leads the pack with their rock star-like indulgence — think dark interiors, a rooftop pool and a killer view of the Valley. Still staying central, the nearby Limes Hotel remains a favourite for its plush rooms and rooftop bar, as well as its proximity to beloved local haunts like Alfredo's Pizzeria and Alfred and Constance. Looking for something a little bit different (or cheaper)? For the artistically inclined, TRYP Fortitude Valley wears its love of street art on its walls — once a warehouse, it's now an affordable option that's appealing to both the eyes and the wallet. Or, look to resident budget option, the Snooze Inn, to save as many pennies as possible for having fun rather than hitting the hay. It's cosy rather than fancy, and is located literally just down the road from the Valley — meaning you'll remain close to everything BIGSOUND, as well as neighbourhood arcade-game bar, Netherworld. [caption id="attachment_622127" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tkay Maizda at BIGSOUND.[/caption] DO This year at BIGSOUND, Aussie icons Archie Roach and Tina Arena will lead the speaker program, as well as Quentin Tarantino's regular music supervisor Mary Ramos, aka the woman responsible for all of those ace tunes on the Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown and Kill Bill soundtracks. As far as the band schedule is concerned, prepare to hop around faster than a rabbit on Easter, with every bar, space, nook and cranny around Fortitude Valley boasting a gig or party. The official program will include over 150 acts at more than 15 venues, and the unofficial parties — which have included backyard blowouts and ping pong showdowns in previous years — will likely double that number. When you're not experiencing sonic wonders, you should spend your time wandering around Australia's only designated special entertainment precinct, and venturing further afield. In the Valley, keep indulging your love of music with a record store crawl — starting at Foundry Records and ending at Tym's Guitars, where you can scope out a hefty range of instruments. And while you're strolling and perusing, drop by some of the many galleries in the area — Artisan, the Institute of Modern Art and Heiser Gallery are all worth a visit (keep your eyes peeled for street art as well). [caption id="attachment_622138" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Institute of Modern Art.[/caption] If spending time inside during BIGSOUND has you hankering for some fresh air, sneak a trip to New Farm Park. Enjoy a picnic by the river, laze around on the grass, or just go for a walk through one of the city's best nature-filled spots. You could also stop by the neighbouring Brisbane Powerhouse — more often than not, there'll be an event on that's worth checking out. If the itch to keep exploring hits, jump on a CityCat and see the sights from the river. Go one way, and you can continue soaking in parklands at Northshore Riverside Park. Go the other, and you'll cruise right through the city. Disembark for a walk through South Bank, and go for a dip in the free, beach-like pools, before moseying around the Gallery of Modern Art. [caption id="attachment_581014" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Gerard's Bistro.[/caption] EAT Spending four days listening to chatter about music is enough to work up an appetite. Thankfully, you're in the right spot. Heading down to Chinatown, which runs adjacent to the Brunswick Street Mall, is the best way to get the classic Fortitude Valley experience. You can easily pick a place at random, or opt for one of the mainstays. For Chinese and yum cha, that's King of Kings, and for Vietnamese, the appropriately-named The Vietnamese Restaurant will treat your tastebuds to an explosion of flavour. Try the salt and pepper quail, and thank us later. In the opposite direction, you'll find a few Brisbane faves. If you like burgers — and this is a burger town, believe us — then Ben's Burgers on Winn Lane will satisfy your cravings with their simple, delicious menu. Or, leap over the road to Bakery Lane, where newcomer Johnny's Pizzeria combines Italian staples with a disco theme, and I Heart Brownies will have you doing just that with their jaffa, salted caramel and cherry-coconut baked goods. Sticking with the area's laneways, wander down to New Farm and off James Street to Gerard's Bistro for a relaxed, award-winning sit-down lunch or dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. Expect a blend of modern Australian and Middle Eastern dishes, including the adventurous likes of lamb's tongue toast, the meaty goodness of slow-roasted wagyu brisket for two, and sheep's yoghurt sorbet with honeycomb, milk and orange blossom for dessert. [caption id="attachment_619623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Newstead Brewing Co.[/caption] DRINK Think beer in Queensland, and everyone immediately thinks XXXX. Think breweries, though, and it's a trip to the inner north that's recently started topping booze-loving Brisbane visitors' wish lists. Newstead Brewing have spread their wings and opened a new Milton headquarters, but their original Doggett Street birthplace is always pouring something yeasty from their 12 taps. Green Beacon's multi-award-winning 3 Bolt Pale will ensure you know exactly where you are thanks to notes of fresh mango — and other fruits — in its fresh, golden ale. And a post-gig hang out over a few beverages in The Triffid's beer garden, owned by Powderfinger bassist John Collins, will do you well. Fans of spirits can get their fix at tequila bar Alquimia and whisky haven Nant, and if you like the bubbly stuff, even champagne gets its time to sparkle at Baedeker. As for every other bar in the area, you'll probably end up at most of them anyway, thanks to BIGSOUND's huge gig lineup. BIGSOUND 2017 takes place in various venues across Brisbane and Fortitude Valley from September 5 to 8. Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.
With a neon lamb flashing at you above the entrance of an assuming corner shop, which looks like a cross between a butcher and a fish and chip joint, Lamb on Chapel is a no-frills kebab joint serving up delicious chargrilled Greek meals with a friendly smile Monday through Saturday. The menu here is simple and delightful, with small bites including dolmades, spicy grilled sausages, grilled calamari and traditional Greek salads. There is also a heap of house-made dips like tzatziki, eggplant, hummus and a spicy capsicum concoction not for the weak of heart. Come picnic season, these are an easy addition to the hamper. Other traditional Greek dishes include stuffed peppers, cabbage rolls and moussaka, while the meat container is a mix of lamb and chicken. There are also lamb and chicken gyros — the Hawaiian version comes with pineapple, the Mexican version adds jalapeños while the classic Mediterranean options come with lettuce, tomato and onions. The Aussie souvlaki is a also fun take on Aussie Greek culture — think lamb or chicken gyros served with bacon and eggs, cheese and barbecue sauce. Lamb on Chapel is busy throughout the day and week, but do expect lines on a Friday or Saturday night when the shop is open till 5am, serving the drunk Chapel Street crowds. Images: Tran Nguyen
There's something about food trucks that will never go out of style. It's quality food, but instead of being artfully plated up on ceramics, the chefs lean down and hand you your meal in a paper tray. Sydney-based Eat Art Truck was one of the first to really take off, with its American barbecue street food infused with fine dining and bright, colourful trucks that feature the work of local artists. Specialities on the menu are the eight-hour smoked pulled pork bun, the slow-roasted beef brisket bun and the crispy fried chicken bun. There are nachos, salads, fancier dishes like the kingfish entrée, and desserts like flourless chocolate cake. Once a month an artist will paint a piece on the side of the truck, and at the end of the month the piece is auctioned off for charity — so folks get a serving of culture along with their fries. To celebrate the launch of the KitchenAid Mini in Australia, we created a Mini Dinners video series, asking two of our favourite Australian chefs to throw a dinner party. Brenton Balicki, one of Eat Art Truck's founding chefs, cooked us up a feast. He has a fine dining background, having spent years working at the iconic Japanese restaurant Tetsuya before moving on to Quay. When Eat Art Truck owner Mo Moubayed came to Brenton with the idea for the truck, it sounded like a challenge, so he got on board. He likes the relaxed nature of the truck in contrast to the precision of fine dining. "Fine dining is something you have to put in your calendar," he says. "But at the truck you can get the same quality food and we can share that fine dining experience without needing the fine dining environment." Brenton's professional background instilled in him the importance of good produce, so when he cooks at home he regularly takes trips down to the Sydney Fish Markets, where Australia is lucky enough to have some of the best produce in the world. "It's difficult to come up with the right outcome without the correct equipment — that includes the right produce." For his dinner party, Brenton rode down to the Sydney Fish Markets and picked up some kingfish, fresh vegetables and beef from the nearby Vic's Meat Market. It's a one-stop shop. Playing to his strengths, Brenton decided to cook up some of his specialities. All three of these dishes have appeared in some form on the Eat Art Truck menu. For entrée, beetroot-cured hiramasa kingfish, served on a plate that was given to him by Tetsuya Wakuda for his 19th birthday. It's his favourite thing to cook with. "The name really says it all — it's the best fish you can get. It's farmed in South Australia on a strict diet and grown in cold water, which is what gives it a high fat content." For the main course, a classic Eat Art Truck burger. "Everyone claims their burger recipe is the best. That's because when you make it yourself you can decide exactly what goes in there, you have more control over the flavour that you like." For dessert, he kept it simple with a flourless, sugarless chocolate cake made with almond meal. It's an easy dessert that anyone can whip up. Take a few minutes and watch Brenton plate up his Eat Art Truck food — and get inspired, his recipes are coming soon. Watch our Mini Dinner with Liam O'Driscoll, head chef at Sydney's Big Poppa's. He cooked up three courses of the rustic Italian food his Oxford Street restaurant is famous for. Images: Samantha Hawker.
In the early 90s, British artist Cornelia Parker decided to blow up a garden shed. She approached the British Army (who were more than happy to oblige), and together they detonated an explosion that saw 2000 household items fly across several fields in the countryside. Fragments of wood, broken bicycle wheels and a shattered violin — along with thousands of other objects — were collected by the officers, and Parker reconfigured the shed, suspending objects from the ceiling around one central lightbulb. That artwork, Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View (1991), is now considered Parker's most famous work, and it's currently casting haunting shadows across the gallery walls at the MCA this summer. The major exhibition, which spans three decades of the artist's career, has four large-scale artworks that transform the gallery's rooms. War Room (2015) is like walking into the Twin Peaks red room, except the blood-red walls are crafted from discarded strips of paper sourced from a Remembrance Poppy factory in London. Parker has created a tent-like structure with 'absent poppies' that's as much about honouring those who've died in conflict, as it is about the duality of war and peace. Showing both sides of the story is something Parker plays with a lot in her work. Another large-scale piece, Magna Carta (An Embroidery) (2015), is a 12-metre-long hand-stitched version of the Magna Carta Wikipedia page. Parker created the work to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Britain's earliest democratic document, and she invited 200 people from both sides of the law to embroider a panel — including notable whistleblowers Julian Assange and Edward Snowden, Pulp's Jarvis Cocker (why not?) and current prison inmates. When you look closely you'll see coffee stains from those who worked from prison — and underneath you'll see a mirrored reflection of the back of the work. There's also a satisfying violence to Cornelia Parker's practice. She's shot dice through a dictionary, precipitated a handgun and chopped a toy Oliver Twist in half using the guillotine that beheaded Marie Antoinette. She also steamrolled a collection of silver (sourced from car boot sales) to create another full-room installation, Thirty Pieces of Silver (1988–89). The 30 suspended circles of silverware represent a Bible story of betrayal — and there's a palpable sense of dread when the pools of brass and silver glisten and move with passing air. Though the larger works in this exhibition, part of the tenth Sydney International Art Series, are the ones you'll Instagram, there's a lot of joy — and foreboding — to be found in Cornelia Parker's smaller artworks. One of our favourites is News at Five (Terror-ble Joke), News at Seven (Chilling), and News at Ten (Bathtub Terror) (all 2017) — three blackboards covered with chalk writing from a five-year-old, a seven-year-old and a ten-year-old. Each child has captured the essence of televised news reports and you can make out words like 'monster', 'nukes' and 'Trump in a grump'. All terrifying and amusing at the same time. Cornelia Parker is the first major presentation of the her works in Australia, and the exhibition runs until February 16. But don't leave it until 2020 before you visit, as you'll want to return to delve deeper into the playful violence behind one of Britain's most important female artists working today. Images: Installation views of Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View (1991); War Room (2015); Subconscious of a Monument (2001-05); Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View (1991); and Thirty Pieces of Silver (1988–89). All images courtesy of the artist, the MCA and Frith Street Gallery, London. Photos by Anna Kucera.
Melbourne-based artist Adnate was just a kid when his obsession with graffiti took over. "I had my first tag when I was eight years old," he says. "So, it's something I've always been into." Since then, his obsession has grown into a full-time occupation. He spends his days on the road, painting mural after mural around Australia and overseas, and has become famous for his enormous, realistic portraits, which are influenced by the great Renaissance artists, like Caravaggio. Just outside Sydney's Chinese Gardens, on Harbour and Goulburn Streets, you'll find his epic impression of Jenny Munro, who founded Redfern's Aboriginal Tent Embassy. In partnership with Sonos, we visited Adnate's colourful North Melbourne studio to find out a little more about his work. Explore the multi-room space where he finds inspiration and gets in the zone by playing his music loud and clear. GRAFFITI, STREET ART, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? "Once I was a teenager and started visiting friend's houses, I saw the huge amount of amazing work being done on Melbourne's train lines, especially the Hurstbridge line. I discovered people like WCA [Wild Child Artists]," he said. Ten years of feverish graffiti art followed, until Adnate reached a point where "he wasn't feeling stimulated anymore". So, he thought he'd try his hand at portraiture. As it turned out, it wasn't as far removed from graffiti as you might think. "With lettering, you try and put a lot of expression, style and subconscious emotions into what you do. It wasn't too hard to transition to portraiture because, in some ways, it's easier to put expression into a face than into letters." In 2012, he painted his first Indigenous portrait in Fitzroy. And the public reaction was a "big turning point". "I wasn't sure about it, but as soon as I painted it, it created a massive dialogue," Adnate says. "I started seeing it on the Internet, people were coming down and taking photos, and it was creating excitement and pride in Indigenous communities in Victoria. It was then I realised I'd done something really powerful." ON PAINTING INDIGENOUS CULTURE RESPECTFULLY Today, you'll find Adnate's portraits as far afield as the Frog Hollow in the East Kimberley, Singapore and New York City. Among his subjects have been Adam Goodes and the 14th Dalai Lama. "Every year, I have more incredible experiences, make stronger connections and travel to more amazing places. Half the fun of my work is getting to meet the people I paint … It has been a really powerful journey and I feel very much inspired by it." Along the way, Adnate is learning more and more about Indigenous history and culture. "You don't learn much at school, so when I started out, I didn't have much knowledge … I met a cultural advisor in Melbourne, Kimba Thompson, and she quickly and strongly told me what was right and wrong … It's important to be culturally sensitive, follow protocols and be respectful to local communities. Many people think that Indigenous culture is very similar – from Melbourne to the Top End – but it's massively different. We're talking about a distance that's as far as from Spain to Germany." THE MUSIC THAT INSPIRES HIM Right now, Adnate is in Dubbo, working on a 15-metre by 8-metre high mural. Even though he works both outdoors and indoors, he has long favoured painting in the streets, with the sun on his back and music blaring in his ears. "I can't paint without music," he says. "It puts me in the zone — in a meditative state — and helps me block out everything else. My music tastes are very eclectic. I grew up listening to all forms of electronic music and hip hop." At the moment, he's listening to Kiasmos, a minimal, experimental techno duo based in Iceland. When he's at home in his studio, music is even more important. His Sonos speakers tune themselves to the environment of his spacious studio, so whether he's painting in his garage or sitting at his desk doing admin, the sound is loud and clear. He plays his music loudly for inspiration — it's integral to his artistic work. WHEN HE'S OUTSIDE THE STUDIO Adnate's next stop is Townsville and then Tahiti. Even though he occasionally misses having "his own space", having spent just three weeks in Melbourne since June, he is living the dream. He said, "It's always been a great dream of mine, to travel and paint." And for anyone who aspires to the same, here's his advice. "Don't stop. Keep painting. Everything's worth doing – whether you're painting a chicken for a chicken shop or graffiti letters for yourself. Everything teaches you something different. Nothing's not going to benefit you, as long as you have a pencil or paint brush in your hand … Eventually, it all starts making sense, though, at the same time, it doesn't always make sense to me. I'm still learning." Get studio-level sound in your home with multi-room speakers by Sonos. You can walk from one room to another and hear the same song in perfect quality. Powered by wifi, easy to tune, controlled by the Sonos app — in two steps you're ready to go. Images: Olga Rozenbajgier.
It has been over 130 years since the site on the corner of Langridge Road and Raphael Street first started pouring beers, but the Abbotsford watering hole has not too long ago undergone a significant makeover. Visitors to The Carringbush Hotel found a new team at the helm and a new menu tempting tastebuds. Plenty of brews remain, obviously, but the food lineup is now completely vegan and vegetarian. The Carringbush has ditched meat in favour of vegan burgers, chargrilled cauliflower pieces, eggplant parmigiana, plus spicy corn fritters, onion rings and miso ramens. [caption id="attachment_863427" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Carmen Zammit[/caption] The Carringbush Hotel has a great cocktail list too, featuring a pineapple vanilla mojito and a caliente margarita. The wine list is also on point, featuring ambient drops such as a 2020 Garage Project pinot noir. And for those keen on a bit of history, The Carringbush's original name — The Friendly Societies Hotel — is still emblazoned on its facade. The spot has been known by its current moniker since 1984, with the title stemming from Frank Hardy novel Power Without Glory. Appears in: The Best Vegan Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
So long, Bedford St. The Collingwood bar and cafe owned by Wide Open Road Coffee Roasters has undergone a facelift, and a fairly drastic one at that. Gone are the mac and cheese pancakes, fried chicken and toasted Wagon Wheel pies, now replaced with healthy food options less likely to clog up your arteries along with a seriously souped-up coffee menu. Now known as Terror Twilight, the newly renovated venue features a menu from Wide Open Road chef Pia Hambour. Standout breakfast dishes include three grain porridge with fresh figs, winter fruit, toasted seeds and coconut flakes, and a roast chicken sandwich with pistachio, bacon, prune and lemon mayo. Later in the day, diners can customise their own bowls, choosing from bases like steamed brown rice or sautéed broccoli, sides like roasted sweet potato or grilled haloumi, and proteins like grilled salmon or Sichuan marinated tofu. Alternatively, you can opt for a broth. There'll also be the option to upgrade your coffee with nootropic supplements and natural health-boosters, such as chaga mushrooms and MCT oil. If that's not your thing, you can grab a refreshing smoothie or a cold press juice instead. Find Terror Twilight at 86 Johnston Street, Collingwood from Thursday, May 18. For more information visit www.terrortwilight.com.au.
With more than 150 years of winemaking history, the Mudgee region is a well-known weekend destination for wine lovers exploring New South Wales. Sheltered in the Cudgegong River Valley and surrounded by fertile farm land, it's the third largest grape-producing area in the state. The warm, temperate climate is ideal for varieties like tempranillo and garnacha. And many of the varieties you'd find in the Hunter Valley are also on offer here. Whether you're taking a road trip from Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney, we've partnered with Destination NSW to bring you a guide to spending 48 hours in the wine region, from which vineyards and restaurants you should visit to the boutique accommodation on offer in the region. Start planning your road trip now. Please stay up to date with the latest NSW Government health advice regarding COVID-19. [caption id="attachment_790168" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pipeclay Pumphouse via Destination NSW[/caption] EAT Thanks to powerful promotion of local produce, Mudgee specialises in high-quality eateries. Market Street Cafe is one of them. The large, sunny space feels like a French country kitchen and the food follows suit — classic dishes, cooked with premium ingredients. For dinner, there's Pipeclay Pumphouse. It's part of the Robert Stein Winery and Vineyard, one of Mudgee's best-known winemakers. Opened in October 2013, the fine diner presents a range of seven- and ten-course degustations and you can add on matching wines from the Robert Stein range, or from Mudgee vineyards more broadly. Meanwhile, good coffee can be found at cute, French-influenced, courtyard cafe Alby + Esthers. [caption id="attachment_790162" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gilbert Family Wines via Destination NSW[/caption] DRINK Start your wine tasting experience at Lowe Wines. Headed by sixth-generation Mudgee man and intelligent farming advocate David Lowe, it's home to expansive organic, biodynamic vineyards, rescued donkeys and a recycled 'chook palace'. Take it all in on a self-guided walking tour. Next, head to one (or more) of several wineries in the area specialising in European varieties. Mudgee's warm, temperate climate is ideal for them. Vinifera is known for its excellent Spanish-inspired drops and was one of the first wineries in Australia to experiment with tempranillo. Then, at Di Lusso, you'll find a focus on Italian wines and food, and at Mansfield, you'll discover unusual Portuguese-style drops. There are another 30 or so wineries to visit, including slick, big-name operations like Robert Oatley and smaller, fifth-generation winemakers Gilbert Family Wines, so be sure to book into your favourites in advance to secure tasting sessions before you travel. [caption id="attachment_790153" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roth's Wine Bar via Destination NSW[/caption] DO When you want to drink somewhere other than at a vineyard, head to Roth's. It's the oldest wine bar in New South Wales, having set up as an illicit operation in the 1920s. And the 80-percent local wine list gives you the chance to sample anything you might have missed on your tasting adventures. Just up the road, the Mudgee Brewing Company is where to sample locally made ales and, when up and running again, hear local live music. If shopping is more your thing, check out the diverse range of native products and foods at the cafe and shop by Indigiearth. [caption id="attachment_790157" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dunns Swamp, Destination NSW[/caption] For those looking for some outdoor adventuring, there's the western fringe of the Wollemi National Park to explore, including the incredible scenery of Dunns Swamp, which forms the head of the Cudgegong River, and has plenty of opportunities for cycling, walking and kayaking. [caption id="attachment_790159" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sierra Escape via Cameron D'Arcy[/caption] STAY One of the most beautiful (albeit pricey) options for sleeping is Evanslea. The estate sprawls across nine acres on the Cudgegong riverfront, yet it's within walking distance to town. Accommodation takes the form of five-star luxury spa cottages, and there's a communal pool and a tennis court. Here's the clincher: private wine tours in a vintage Valiant can be organised on request. Alternatively, you can stay at luxury glamping site Sierra Escape, which is only 20 minutes' drive from the centre of Mudgee, but feels a million miles from anything as it's surrounded by rolling countryside as far as the eye can see. Two-person tents start at $440 per night. Or, for a more architectural experience, there's The Black Shed. The newly built shed is found five kilometres from Mudgee, set within a working vineyard with free-roaming chooks and farm dogs. Now that interstate border restrictions have started to ease, start planning a trip to this picturesque wine region in NSW. For more details, visit Destination NSW's website. Top image: Lowe Wines, Destination NSW
Japanese tea rooms, erotic dance numbers and duets performed via Skype. These are just a few of the events you'll find on the program at Melbourne's second ever Festival of Live Art. Hosted by Arts House, Theatre Works, and Footscray Community Arts Centre, this two-week marathon of exciting and experimental art is perfect for people who have no interest in wandering aimlessly around a gallery. So from March 1-13, expect the unexpected. Blurring the lines between a litany of disciplines including dance, theatre, music, film, sculpture and even knitting, this year's lineup includes more than 50 different works produced by artists from all around the country and the world. Sydney artist David Capra — creator of the wet sausage dog scent — will be in town with his pet pooch to present his playful installation Teena's Bathtime, while Tamara Saulwick and Peter Knight have created an audio-visual piece titled Alter, made up of 16 carefully positioned iPads. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Image: Alexander Coggin
Salami enthusiasts and hunters of simple, homemade Italian lunches, you'd better get yourself to North Melbourne. There's a brand new salami bar opened on Atkin Street dubbed Saluministi, run by a hard-working Melburnian team painstakingly dedicated to handcrafted, Italian-style cured meats and paninis. Owners and brothers-in-law Frank Bressi and Peter Mastro are on a mission to bring back nostalgic Italian classics they grew up with, combined with their love for making salami. The team's signature handcrafted salami (which they've been making for eight years) was judged top three in the Melbourne Salami Festa for two years running. But now their delicious cured meats have a permanent home, snuggled in a warehouse-style, exposed brick type of minimalist kitchen in North Melbourne. There’s many ways you can delve into the wondrous world of Italian-style meats at Saluministi. You can tuck into one of their absolute specialties: the humble panini, from the breakfast panini (above), to the Salsiccia (grilled pork and fennel sausage, roasted peperonata, pecorino cheese and rocket), the Cotoletta (crumbed free-range pork loin, vincotto mayo, Italian coleslaw and provolone) or the Porchetta (free-range slow-roasted pork, artichoke paste, pecorino and rocket), each sitting at a pretty damn good $11-12. Nibbles are simple and traditionally Italian — we’re keen to get our mitts on the seasoned polenta sticks ($3 each). Plus, there’s Italian-style baked goods on offer — the housemade warm Nutella bombolini ($4 each) look genuinely insane. Find Saluministi at 8 Atkin Street, North Melbourne, 0413 082 253, www.saluministi.com.au. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 7.30am - 4pm. Via Good Food. Images: Saluministi.
