Social Enterprise Free to Feed knows better than most, the power that food has to connect people and communities. It regularly works with its culinarily gifted participants to run dinners where people from all backgrounds can come together to better understand the experiences and needs of refugees and people seeking asylum. Money made during these nights also feeds right into supporting those within said communities. The latest Free to Feed venture comes in the form of The Story Table — a dinner series that spotlighta the voices and experiences of refugees and individuals seeking asylum. The first dinner — named 'Beyond Arrival' — is taking place on Friday, October 18, and will be led by led by Bahaa — a refugee from Aleppo — and Thae — a Karen woman from Burma. Guests will enjoy a large pescatarian feast, featuring dishes like sabzi polo and baked tamarind fish. Tickets for the dinner are going for $85 a pop, or $45 for low-income earners, students, and people from refugee and new migrant backgrounds. [caption id="attachment_939899" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Biddle[/caption]
For the next twelve months, visitors to Uluru will get the chance to see the sacred rock in a whole new light, thanks to a massive installation transforming the surrounding desert into a spectacular ocean of colour. Incorporating 50,000 glass lights across an area of 49,000 square metres, it is the latest (and largest) incarnation of artist Bruce Munro's Field of Light, which has previously illuminated the grounds at the likes of London's Victoria & Albert Museum and the Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. Run on solar power, the installation took 40 people six weeks to set up. The British-born Munro first came up with the idea for Field of Light while visiting Uluru back in 1992. "Field of Light was one idea that landed in my sketchbook and kept on nagging at me to be done," the artist told the ABC. "I now have the honour and privilege of returning to create an iteration of this artwork for the place that inspired it." The new incarnation is named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku, which translates to 'looking at lots of beautiful lights' in local Pitjantjatjara. It will remain in place until March 31, 2017. Via Traveller and ABC Online. Images: Bruce Munro.
For most people who grew up in Australia, primary school excursions left you thinking that Canberra was all about politicians and roundabouts. Years later, that concept couldn't be further from the truth. Over the past few years, Australia's capital city has had quite the food, drink and cultural revolution. Spend a weekend in Canberra and you can wander through breweries, eat at spectacular restaurants and cafes and stay the night at what we think is one of Australia's most beautiful accommodation spots. To ensure you go beyond the excursion favourites, Questacon and Parliament House, here's your guide to spending a weekend in Canberra as a food and wine loving adult. From pristine beaches and bountiful wine regions to alpine hideaways and bustling country towns, Australia has a wealth of places to explore at any time of year. We've partnered with Tourism Australia to help you plan your road trips, weekend detours and summer getaways so that when you're ready to hit the road you can Holiday Here This Year. Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, there are restrictions on where you can go on holiday. Bookmark this for when you can explore once again. [caption id="attachment_750222" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Barrio via VisitCanberra[/caption] EAT AND DRINK After cruising up the Hume Highway, you'll want a refuel in the form of a damn good coffee. Get started at Highroad on the corner of Cape and Woolley streets. Run by boutique roastery Ona, this specialty coffee house serves a mean cup of joe as well as inventive cafe fare — think kimchi waffles with gochujang butter, prawn toast benedict and corn bread french toast. It also has a diverse selection of wines and craft beers from local and interstate breweries. Meanwhile, Barrio is a Braddon cafe dedicated to simple and high-quality coffee and food with a seasonal and local focus. It makes its own nut milk and, for breakfast, you can expect stroopwafels, marrow butter with fried egg and shallots on sourdough and rye with avocado and togorashi seasoning. When you're ready for a mid-morning treat, head to Braddon's Scandi-inspired Rye. It has brews from Sydney's specialty coffee roaster, Five Senses, and a lengthy food menu, with dishes such as dutch baby skillet pancakes for breakfast and a range of smørrebrød (Scandinavian open sandwiches) for lunch. Better yet, it serves breakfast cocktails, too. Then, get yourself to Silo Bakery and Cafe in Kingston. Collapse onto a wooden banquette before starting on the hard bit — making your choice from the massive array of freshly baked cakes and pastries in the cabinet. If you're vegan, get your sugar fix at Sweet Bones back in Braddon. [caption id="attachment_613859" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Rochford[/caption] While in Braddon, visit Bentspoke Brewing Co, a microbrewery and taphouse combining beer with bicycles — it works, trust us. More than 21 brews — from the much-loved Crankshaft IPA to How's It Gosen tropical gose — are on tap at any one time. For more Canberra craft beer goodness, make tracks to Capital Brewing Co. Situated within the city's new creative hotspot, the Dairy Road District, the expansive brewery and taproom is the first permanent home for Capital Brewing — who had previously been gypsy brewing across several sites in Sydney. And it has a taproom like no other, with a massive outdoor area, lawn games, a cubby house and Brodburger food truck. Come lunch or dinner, some of the tastiest Italian in the ACT is found at Italian & Sons. This fun-loving place champions old-school warmth and traditional regional cooking. Dig into duck and porcini gnocchi or take your pick from the simple pizza menu. Speaking of pizza, be sure to drop by Mama Dough pizza shop — this teeny-tiny venue slings incredible woodfired pizzas cooked in an impressive imported pizza oven. If you can't score a highly coveted seat, order a pie to take away. [caption id="attachment_751448" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rebel Rebel by Nathan Harradine-Hale[/caption] Craving a more upmarket feed? There's a bunch of hatted restaurants in Canberra, offering unique and refined fare. We suggest stopping by Aubergine, where head chef Ben Willis is lauded for his local produce-driven wonders. Make a long afternoon or evening of it and take your time over the seasonal tasting menu. Or, you could check out refined all-day diner Rebel Rebel, in the New Acton precinct, led by chef Sean McConnell — the corn and manchego croquette with prawn head aioli is a must-order. Later on, if you're looking to kick back in a small bar, try Amici on Northbourne Avenue. The deli-cum-wine bar has an excellent selection of vinos, plus cocktails, cheese, meats and hand-stretched pizzas. If you're keen for something a little more dark and mysterious, try Bar Rochford for a quiet glass of wine among the vinyl and pot plants, or Molly for a speakeasy atmosphere in a former bank vault lined with booths. [caption id="attachment_700170" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yayoi Kusama at NGA[/caption] DO No visit to Canberra is ever complete without a wander through the National Gallery of Australia's enormous space and epic works. There's always a temporary exhibition that draws crowds, such as the upcoming Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London. The permanent collections are equally worthy of a visit, with Yayoi Kusama's Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens, James Turrell's Within Without Skyspace and Urs Fischer's candle sculpture, Francesco, all housed within the gallery's walls. [caption id="attachment_760510" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mount Ainslie via VisitCanberra[/caption] Once you've got your culture fix, it's time to get outside and stretch your legs. Check out Canberra's hilly surrounds by visiting a local lookout — Mount Ainslie and Black Mountain (home to the Telstra Tower) are among the most popular. If you're keen to beat the crowds, try Red Hill in the south or Mount Pleasant, where you'll find the grave of General Bridges — the only Aussie soldier who died in Gallipoli to have had his body returned to his homeland. You can find more walks to conquer around Canberra here. If you're in the mood to splash some cash, the Braddon precinct is packed with specialty stores, including the excellent one-two punch at 27 Lonsdale Street of boutique bottle-o Blackhearts and Sparrows and high-end ceramics label Bisonhome. [caption id="attachment_735917" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ovolo Nishi via VisitCanberra[/caption] STAY One of Canberra's most design-centric stays is Ovolo Nishi. The award-winning hotel is a self-described 'collaboration with designers, artists, artisans and fantasists'. Each and every one of the 68 rooms is unique and categorised according to feel: choose from Cosy, Snug, Original, Creative or Meandering. What they have in common is their references to the quintessential Aussie bush. Think clay walls, beds made of recycled oak, oversized rain showers, found objects and artworks. [caption id="attachment_763127" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Little National by Nathan Harradine-Hale[/caption] Another designer option is QT Canberra. This 205-room hotel hinges on the fun and unexpected, featuring tongue-in-cheek political references. Walking into the dark, marble-lined lobby, you'll notice famous world politicians portrayed in left-of-field, neon-lit portraits, as well as a TV screening major historic moments. Some rooms come with views and Lake Burley Griffin is just a stumble away, as is the well-stocked hotel bar. To stay in compact comfort with a sleek, New York-style aesthetic, book in at Little National. This conveniently located, 120-room hotel is fitted out with rich timber furnishings, has cracking city views and, quite uniquely, is situated on top of a car park, right next door to Parliament House. It has a 24-hour lounge and library with a roaring fireplace in winter, plus guests have access to a nearby gym, two day spas and a wellbeing centre. Whether you're planning to travel for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks, Holiday Here This Year and you'll be supporting Australian businesses while you explore the best of our country's diverse landscapes and attractions. Top image: Bentspoke Brewing via VisitCanberra.
Each winter, inside a brick-walled suburban garage, hundreds of families brave the cold for the start of the salami season. All hands young and old, are on deck to clean and clear space, so that hundreds of kilos of meat, can be turned into neatly packed parcels of pork. For Frank Bressi, co-owner of North Melbourne's Saluministi, this is bigger than tradition. Salumi making is an art form — an epicurean labour of love. And as anyone who grew up in and around these garages would know, these recipes have origins deeply rooted in necessity. As Frank explains, the difference between a homemade and store-bought salami is starter culture. "All commercially made salami needs a starter culture," he says. "It's illegal to sell without it." But it's this starter culture that increases the acidity in the meat, causing it to change flavour and sometimes become tangy. Alternatively, the people making it without the culture have had to show that their process is equal, if not more effective than what a commercial starter culture might be able to do. This process is reliant on moisture instead of acidity, and depending on the variety, homemade salami may have to reduce in weight by half before it’s safe to eat. The result is a salami with a much more complex and delicate flavour profile. These days, homemade salami isn't an activity just for Italian families; with companies such as Home Make It selling specialist equipment to those new to the process, there's clearly a new wave of salami makers looking to try their hand at the homemade stuff. And this weekend's Melbourne Salami Festa (now in its fourth year), will be showcasing just how good homemade salami can be. The amateur salumi-making competition sees a wide range of entrants vying for the title of best salami maker — and with team Saluministi having placed in the top three two years running, we caught up with Frank to learn more about why people are so passionate about homemade salumi, and to get some tips on making your own. BREAKING DOWN THE PIG In the old days, a salami would’ve never been made in isolation. A whole pig would be broken down into its different parts and used to make prosciutto, porchetta and a range of other cuts. "Everything else, all the other bits of meat and fat, were chopped up, ground and turned into salami," says Frank. There are eight main cuts of pork used in the Italian school of curing, and each has a traditional purpose. A salami is ground meat, so it can come from any part of the pig — but female pork is a must. Male pigs will produce a 'boar' taste, which is undesirable in cured meat. "Once you get a cut of meat, it can be hard to tell whether it's male or female," he says. "But a female pig should smell perfectly clean." If you're not game enough to tackle an entire pig, find a butcher that you trust and go from there. According to Frank it's the shoulder, due to its sweetness and good, lean meat-to-fat ratio, that's the cut of choice for many. However, it all comes down to what you like. "Everyone has ideas about what part of the pig produces the best salami," Frank says. "But ultimately, as long as the meat is fresh, it's personal preference after that." THE EQUIPMENT For the best chance of getting your salami working, Frank recommends a good mincer. But if you can't afford one, there are definitely ways around it. Mincing by hand is still an option. It's also a good idea to sterilise and wash your tools, then stick them in the freezer before you use them. That means your bowls, knives and anything else that will come into contact with the meat. They should be so cold you shouldn’t be able to touch them. You'll need gloves. Good temperature control is what stops your salami from going bad. If you're mincing by hand, try to work quickly to limit the time the meat is out of the fridge. Although Frank has a trick: "Stack a steel bowl on top another bowl filled with ice," he says. "That way, whatever goes in is always going to stay cold until you can get it back in the fridge." If you're serious about your salami and want to buy some proper equipment, Home Make It is a good place to start. THE RECIPE The main ingredient in salami is salt. In fact, in the old days, salt and pepper would be nearly all you'd use. As both an ingredient, and as a core part of the curing process, it's important to use a good-quality (non-iodised) salt. You'll need to use 3% of the total weight of meat, but no more, as the salami begins to become too salty. With very fresh meat and a very clean process, lower dosages may work — but anything closer to 2.5% starts to become risky, and may not be salty enough for the salami to cure. Popular additions include chilli flakes, paprika and red wine. Fennel is the traditional ingredient of northern Italians, while pepper sauce (a wet, capsicum-based sauce), is more popular among southerners. But that’s not to say there aren’t younger salumi makers breaking trends and blurring lines. THE CASINGS While the sausage casing you choose won't impart much in flavour, your choice will have an impact on the process. There are both natural casings, which come from the hog, and artificial casings, which are made of a natural collagen. If you're hoping to make a very large-sized salami, you may have no choice but to choose an artificial casing, as hog casings lose up to anywhere between 30-50% of the weight in the curing process. Plus, artificial casings come pre-formed and pre-tied on one end — a real convenience if you're hanging several hundred kilograms of meat at a time. But if you're looking to let in more of the outside world — such as smoke or an aromatic profile from your curing room — the natural casing will absorb this better. Otherwise, stick to using them for your smaller sized salamis. DRYING TIMES Drying times will depend on your meat-to-fat ratio. For a homemade salami with a fat ratio of 20-30%, you will need to lose 30% of the total weight before it should be safe to eat. It's also dependant on the diameter of the salami, as it will take much longer for a thicker salami to cure. So how do you keep track of the shrinking? "If you have two or three different sizes to hang: take one of each, weigh them and start a diary," Frank says. From there, monitor their progress regularly — and once your salami has reached that 30% weight loss goal, it should be safe to eat. For a firmer salami, continue drying until it's reached a 40-50% reduction in weight. On the opposite end of the scale, 'nduja, which is a spreadable fermented sausage, only needs to lose 15-20% of its weight. Due to its 50-60% fat ratio, it requires little drying time and is normally cured in two weeks. As a rough guide, a small, cacciatore-sized salami may take three to four weeks, while a larger salami may take six to eight. If you're still curious, book yourself into one of the salami making courses at the festival. They're being held in a pop-up garage, with DIY salami specialists Home Make It, whose Team BGS were crowned the winners of the first Salami Festa (pictured above). STORING YOUR SALAMI If stored in the right environment, a salami can last indefinitely. Frank admits that the right conditions are hard to come by, so "unless you’ve got that, or a cave in the middle of the sea, the best way around it is to vacuum pack them." Vacuum sealing machines are relatively common and pretty affordable. By vacuum packing your salami, it can easily last for a year in the refrigerator. Unless, of course, you eat it. For those who seek instant gratification, this year's Salami Festa will also play host to a Salumi Market and a range of pop-up food stalls. You may fill your baskets with a range of cured meats from around the country, and fill your bellies with the best of D.O.C., Ombra Salumi Bar and Frank's own baby, Saluministi. Espresso will be served by none other than St. Ali, and sweet treats will be courtesy of Gelato Messina. View the full program at the Salami Festa website. Top and third images: Dollar Photo Club. Second and fourth images: Home Make It. Final image: Saluministi.
Life on the streets of Melbourne is tough for bright-eyed, bushy-tailed restaurants. New eateries appear just as quickly as they disappear — a reflection of Melbourne's high expectations for quality food, organic atmosphere and something uniquely special. We're a difficult crowd to impress. So if a restaurant can stay busy and bustling for over 30 years, they're clearing doing something right. Whether it's a distinct atmosphere or authentic, rich cuisine, these are the restaurants Melburnians have been visiting (and revisiting) for decades. Image: France-Soir by Brook James.
Chandon's splendiferous estate, 40 kilometres of gloriously car-free rail trail and piles of valley-grown local produce — the Yarra Valley, one of Victoria's favourite wine regions, is only an hour west of Melbourne, but it could well be the Garden of Eden. And you can plan your stay any way you like. Find some posh lodgings with a fireplace and spa, dig in deeper than a wombat and get a bunch of local bottles delivered. Or, put your adventurer's foot forward and go exploring. There are enough cellar doors to keep James Halliday on his toes, lazy long lunches to be indulged in, rainforest-ringed waterfalls to sit by and spectacular lookouts to dream from. Together with our Victorian road trip partner RACV, we've put together a guide to a perfect weekend in the Yarra Valley and Healesville. And don't forget — if you're planning on having a drink, make sure there's a designated driver to keep you safe on your travels. [caption id="attachment_581983" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Chandon[/caption] EAT AND DRINK Wine is a very good place to start in the Yarra Valley. The hardest bit is deciding which wineries to give your time to. At one end are the big-names with whizz-bang cellar doors, like Chandon, where you'll learn the ins and outs of French champagne and try some drops that aren't sold anywhere else. At the other end are boutique operations, where the focus is on small batches and exotic varieties. One of the most interesting is Yarra Yering, founded in 1969 by an eccentric graduate with a PhD in plant physiology from Oxford University called Dr Bailey Carrodus. Meanwhile, at Serrat, husband-and-wife team Tom and Nadege Carson managed to create James Halliday's 2016 Wine of the Year (one of the estate's many accolades) from just three hectares. Also worth sampling is the Giant Steps range, sold via its pop-up cellar door [caption id="attachment_581988" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Supplied[/caption] A stumble down the road is Four Pillars Gin. Established in 2013 by mates Stuart Gregor, Matt Jones and Cameron MacKenzie, who were on a mission to put Aussie spirits on the map, this distillery is now a household name in both home and professional bars all over the country. At its recently renovated headquarters, you can have your own private tasting and try new experiments before they hit the shelves. For excellent country pub fare, slide into a wicker chair in the high-ceilinged dining room of the Healesville Hotel. During the week, casual, hearty meals are on the menu, but, come the weekend, fine dining takes over. For a more holistic dining experience, head to No. 7, a winery, cellar door, restaurant and event space that champions emerging winemakers and a series of progressive tasting menus to match the minimal-intervention wine list. [caption id="attachment_581989" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Adrian Patino[/caption] Want to create your own spread? Head to the Kitchen & Butcher, a charming deli where you can stock up on a range of produce sourced from local makers, including small-batch jams, relishes, pickles and preserves, granolas and spiced nuts all made on site. [caption id="attachment_581990" align="alignnone" width="1280"] TarraWarra Museum of Art.[/caption] DO Now that you're all loaded up with wine and cheese, let's get moving. Start easy with a wander through the TarraWarra Museum of Art. The permanent collection features works by Brett Whiteley, John Olsen and Albert Tucker, among others, while the temporary exhibitions bring names like Judy Watson and Pierre Huyghe to town. Also worth popping into is YAVA Gallery and Arts Hub, which provides a platform for local artists across a range of disciplines. If you're more interested in living things, swing by the Healesville Sanctuary. Here, you'll get to meet dingos, koalas and mountain pygmy possums (you'll want to take one home, be warned!). There's also a world-first interactive platypus show and a walk-through aviary, where you can hand-feed a parrot. [caption id="attachment_581991" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Martin Bull[/caption] Keen to get more active? You're in luck, because Healesville is a cycling mecca. Mountain bikers might know it as the starting point of the Bicentennial National Trail, which finishes 5330 kilometres later in Cooktown, Queensland. You don't have to go the whole way, of course — it's easy enough to make a day trip out of the first section. For road bikers, the classic ride is the Panton Gap climb. But an easier, traffic-free route is the 40-kilometre, Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, which takes in rolling farmlands, stretches of forest and, most importantly, pubs, cafes and wineries. There are walks a-plenty, too. To see lyrebirds, get started at the Badger Weir Picnic Area just seven kilometres south of Healesville, where you'll find three easy, half-hour tracks. Another nearby option is the idyllic Maroondah Reservoir Park. Its short trails include the one-kilometre Lookout Track and 1.4-kilometre Henderson's Hill. [caption id="attachment_581998" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Mountview Estate[/caption] STAY For a truly luxe escape, check into Mountview Estate. The expansive property boasts sweeping views of the Yarra Valley, as well as a design that combines Balinese and Mediterranean aesthetics, not to mention one of the more impressive infinity pools you'll see anywhere in the state. Looking to woo your boo? Head to Myers Creek Cascades and cosy up in one of its secluded cottages. You'll find Myers Creek Cascades a few kilometres north of Healesville, encircled by lush, wild forest and singing cascades. The interiors are designed to merge seamlessly with their surroundings — think timber cathedral ceilings, low lighting, log fires and picture windows. If you're planning on going absolutely nowhere, this is the spot to choose. Also found just outside of town are Lyrebird Cottages. These stunning, free-standing one-bedders are made of mud brick and timber, and are set on ten acres of forest and landscaped gardens. The views over the Yarra Valley are panoramic — on a clear day, you can see all the way to Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_581996" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Airbnb[/caption] Or, a snug, old-fashioned stay is on offer at this revamped Miner's Cottage, listed on Airbnb. There's room for just two and you and your plus one will be cosying up in front of a log fire and kicking back in an outdoor spa, with Healesville only a short walk away. Travelling with a crew? You could try nabbing this charming three-bedroom farmhouse which sleeps up to six and is set on 13 acres of garden, farmland and orchards. Just don't get into fights over space in front of the fireplace or who scores the first soak in the spa bath. Road tripping this summer? Make sure you're covered with RACV. Top image: Sergio Sergio (Flicker)
Melbourne's summer festival calendar scored a wild and wonderful new addition: Can't Do Tomorrow is taking over the warehouses of Kensington's famed underground space The Facility with a ten-day festival of music, discussion and art. The new festival promises to be immersive, eclectic and entirely thought-provoking. The lineup includes more than 100 artists, galleries, crews and collectives who will transform the former wool stores into a large-scale smorgasbord of urban art for you to look at, interact with and even buy. One of the highlights of the event will be a giant hand-painted boat floating in a shipping container by Archibald Prize finalist and Melbourne artist Michael Peck. Elsewhere on the program, new media artist Nick Azidis will take over the exterior walls and tunnel of The Facility with mind-bending projections, UK artist Mysterios Al will transform an area into a multi-dimensional work with "hidden secrets" and street artist Kaffeine's Infinite Thanks will celebrate LGBTQI+ icons with paintings and stories inside a shrine, which you'll also be able to add to with your own offerings, too. Callum Preston — who's behind Melbourne's famed milk bar installation — will create a new work inspired by 80s gangster movies that'll make you feel like you've stepped into Scarface. Street artists Ruskidd, Jason Parker, Unwell Bunny, LucyLucy, David Hooke, Steve Leadbeater and Heesco are some of the other big names on the bill, too. As well as looking at (and contributing to) the artists' works, you'll be able to chat to them, thanks to a series of talks and workshops. Rone, who recently transformed a deserted 30s mansion into a haunting installation earlier this year, is one of the artists who'll be sharing their tips. To round out the festivities, there'll also be live music, pop-up food stalls and bars and warehouse parties at Tallows Club, which will be open until 1am throughout the festival.
It's safe to assume there are many questionable things hidden in the Yarra's murky depths. But something you might be happy to unearth about our city's famed river is this little morsel of history: the river was actually once home to gushing falls, located where Queens Bridge sits today. Why the impromptu history lesson? Well, it's this landmark — a significant meeting place for First Peoples and a big part of the reason why Melbourne is located where it is — that was the inspiration for new 25-seat CBD watering hole, Yarra Falls. Located not too far from that spot, the bar sits within Flinders Lane's historic Tavistock House — a 172-year-old building with a heritage-listed facade that remains one of the few pre-Gold Rush structures in the metro area. Owner Brendan Keown (The Baxter Inn, Restaurant Hubert) was captured by the tale of the rocky river barrier that once stood nearby, separating the freshwater from the bay and providing a crossing point at low tide. In a nod to the historic site, Yarra Falls embraces the concept of place and wholeheartedly champions this pocket of the world; from its booze and produce, to its musicians. 'Local' and 'seasonal' are far more than mere buzzwords here, with a strong commitment to working with Indigenous-owned or -supporting suppliers. Ingredients and products are carefully chosen for their origins and the stories behind them, while a deep respect for the seasons — our region actually has six of them, as observed by First Peoples — ensures they're only ever showcased at their best. In keeping with the venue's own small stature, both the drinks list and food menu are concise, though they're expertly considered and rotate on the regular. The potato bread is a staple — a nod to Keown's Irish roots — plus you'll usually find a house soup and freshly-shucked oysters. A 'snack of the season' makes the most of nature's gifts; maybe pairing finger lime with smoked eel and creme fraiche on lavosh. The ever-evolving drinks list is well thought out and generous with its tasting notes. The two beer taps might be pouring drops like Westside Aleworks' full-bodied Electric Socks APA (Melbourne/Boonwurrung Country), while the spirits list heroes creations from labels like 78 Degrees and Melbourne Gin Company. In the wine (and wine-adjacent) corner, expect goodies like a floral moscato giallo orange by Little Brunswick Wine Co (Heathcote/DjaDjaWurrung Country) and the Stanton + Killeen muscat (Rutherglen/ Bangerang Country). And a tidy crop of mixed drinks stars ingredients like lemon myrtle, wattleseed and teas by Indigenous cafe Mabu Mabu. Try the apricot brandy-infused Emu Juice, or the Mornington — a funky blend of silver rum, macadamia, golden wattle and grape.
Prancing through fields laced with the charm of provincial France? Casual summer weekendery. The ever-popular So Frenchy So Chic in the Park is waltzing back to Melbourne's Werribee Park Mansion for its seventh year running. If you haven't been before, expect an entire afternoon of French-inspired niceties — think gourmet picnic hampers, tartlets and terrines, offensively good wine, furious outdoor chess, casual gypsy beats. So Frenchy hinges around a solid lineup of eclectic artists you may be yet to meet. Or maybe you have, if you went along in 2012 or 2014 and enjoyed Féfé's beats. Elsewhere, Juniore brings their retro meets modern sound, General Elektriks his keyboard and L.E.J their percussive, harmonic pop covers. Last, but in no way, shape or form least, there's Frànçois & the Atlas Mountains — they will be belting out their unique blend of poetry-infused guitar pop to get everyone up off their picnic rugs. If you're not the most organised of picnickers, So Frenchy is putting on the works again with their beloved picnic boxes and cheese plates from Ed Dixon. Filled with stuffed baguettes, nicoise salad and goose egg meringue, the picnic boxes are one to preorder if you don't want to miss out. But So Frenchy won't let you go hungry; there'll be a huge banquet of seafood, crepes and more available on the day. And of course, there'll be plenty of Laurent Perrier Champagne, French beer, and rosé, red and whites whines as well. Don your best floral-headband-and-sundress-combo and gear up for un merveilleux après-midi.
If you're planning on spending this gig mildly toe-tapping, you might want to wait in the car. Sydney's long-labouring beatsmiths Hermitude have their newest album already sitting pretty on playlists Australia-wide — and another national tour ready to bust a few hard-dancing ligaments. Start stretching y'all. Luke Dubber (Luke Dubs) and Angus Stuart (El Gusto) have plenty to celebrate on this national tour. After nabbing the Australian Music Prize in 2012 for their straight-up killer album HyperParadise, they're riding a sweet wave of toastworthy accolades surrounding their 2015 Dark Night Sweet Light. The LP debuted at #1 on the ARIA chart (a first for Hermitude's label Elefant Traks) and has been featured as album of the week on FBi and triple j, alongside serious airplay for lead single 'The Buzz'. So it goes without saying, you're going to have to get in quick for a ticket to this show. The lads have come a long way from their early days of performing entire shows dressed as neanderthals with their decks covered in vines (actual thing), but the bombastic energy and unpredictable live instrumentation of Hermitude's live shows remains an unmissable combination for longtime fans and newcomers like. Do yourself a favour and don't read the tweets the next day, get to this show.
Missed The Preatures on their huge sold-out 'Cruel' tour this spring? How'd you like to catch them live this summer, for free? The Sydney fivesome are gearing up for another national escapade, this time joining forces with Corona Extra for a huge free November tour. Locked in for 20 locations across the country, Corona Sunsets will see the Sydneysiders play unplugged shows everywhere from Bondi Beach's Bucket List to the Portsea Hotel. Kicking off in Yallingup, Western Australia on November 6, the tour will wind through some of The Preatures' favourite bars in WA, NSW and Queensland before finishing up in Victoria on the last weekend in November. Isabella Manfredi, Gideon Bensen, Jack Moffitt, Thomas Champion and Luke Davison will be careening through their 2014 debut album Blue Planet Eyes, from crowd favourite singles like 'Cruel', 'Somebody's Talking' and 'Is This How You Feel?' to lesser known album gems like 'Ordinary' and 'Whatever You Want'. Fingers crossed for a raucous pub singalong to The Preatures' go-to cover, The Angels' 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again'. All shows are free entry, over-18s only and it's first-in, best-dressed. If Corona Extra's previous free Australian tours, like Cloud Control, are anything to go by, you're going to want to get there pretty damn early. For details head to Corona's website. THE PREATURES' CORONA SUNSETS VICTORIA TOUR DATES: November 27 Lambys, Geelong, 9pm November 28 The Deck est 2013, Frankston, 3pm Westernport Hotel, San Remo, 9.30pm November 29 The College Lawn, Prahran, 2.30pm Portsea Hotel, Portsea, 7pm
It's been three years since Florence + The Machine last toured Australia and we were beginning to think it'd be another three years before they toured again. Oh how wrong we were. Not content with just headlining this year's Splendour In The Grass and playing two packed sideshows, the group have announced that they'll be back in November. British powerhouse Florence Welch and her crew will be touring the country with a set list from their third studio album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. Guess they like Australia after all (and if the album's debut at #1 on the ARIA charts is anything to go by, we seem to have a bit of a thing for them too.) 2015 has been a busy year for the group, with performances at Coachella and Glastonbury, plus Austin City Limits this coming October. Now they'll be going solo, performing five dates across Australia. This includes two show at one of the country's most iconic venues: the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, an area reserved for the most popular of acts. You'll be able to enjoy an evening of infectious powerhouse art rock against one of the most perfect backdrops in the nation. Tickets to their Australian tour go on sale from 10 am (AEST) on Monday August 3 – and judging from how popular their Splendour sideshows were, you'll have to be extra quick to get your hands on them. Get ready to get your jive on.
If you're going to fork out an arm and a leg for candy bar concessions, the food may as well be good. That's the thinking behind the Coburg Drive-In Food Truck Festival, which after tantalising our tastebuds in previous seasons is back for a spring run. Sit back in your car and enjoy the latest Hollywood releases while chowing down on delectable offerings from Melbourne's leading mobile food vendors. Look out for the likes of Kurbside Kravings, Beatbox, Happy Camper Pizza, Bibimbap, Those Guys Food, Toasta, Manny's Donut Cafe, Nuoc Mama’s Food, Truck, Greek Street Food, Tasty Taters, Mr Burger, Senor Churros, Pasta Face, A Salted Squid and Manny's Donut Cafe.
Cinema Nova is ramping up its repertory credentials with Nova Iconic, a newly launched lineup of big screen classics. From quintessential sci-fi to one of the greatest gangster films ever made, this fortnightly rotating program will see each title screen multiple times in pristine quality, giving cinephiles the chance to catch some of their all time favourites in the cinema — just as their directors intended. The season begins with Blade Runner: The Final Cut, the definitive version of Ridley Scott’s breathtaking sci-fi noir that returns to the Nova after sold-out sessions in May. Next up is Jim Henson’s puppet-filled family fantasy The Dark Crystal, followed by Lindsay Anderson’s landmark counterculture film If. First-time director Ben Stiller lays the '90s disaffection on thick in late July with Reality Bites, before the season comes to a close in August with Martin Scorsese’s undisputed masterpiece Goodfellas. For more information and session times, visit the Cinema Nova website.
Film lovers of Melbourne, prepare to get square eyes and sore backs. Once you see the entire Melbourne International Film Festival lineup in all its 370-title glory, however, you won't be complaining about the prospect of either. Certain to make fans of Frances Ha squeal with glee, MIFF have slotted in Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach's second co-written collaboration, Mistress America, as their closing night feature. Indeed, American indies are in the spotlight in 2015, with 7 Chinese Brothers and The Overnight starring Jason Schwartzman, Mississippi Grind from Half Nelson's Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, and Sleeping With Other People with Alison Brie and Jason Sudeikis also screening. Still looking at the indie scene, MIFF will welcome filmmakers Josh and Benny Safdie, as well as Chilean director and screenwriter Sebastian Silva, to the festival for retrospectives of their work. After wowing audiences at SXSW, the Safdies' drug drama Heaven Knows What is one of the picks of the fest, while Silva presents his latest effort, Nasty Baby, as well as earlier offerings such as Magic Magic and Crystal Fairy and the Magical Cactus. All this is in addition to earlier announcements — a sneak peek back in May, a list of Cannes titles in June, and the David Wenham-starring Force of Destiny for opening night — and the program also includes a 12-movie tribute to psychedelic fare, an ode to Australian icon David Gulpilil, a spotlight on true crime cinema, and a special selection of shorts designed to be watched vertically. The problem facing fest-goers isn't what to see, but what they can live with missing. Yes, MIFF 2015 isn't just about film — it's also about FOMO. The Melbourne International Film Festival runs from July 30 to August 16. For more detail on this year's program head over here, or for our top ten things to see head here.
A brand new solo dance work from KAGE co-founder Gerard Van Dyck will tackle questions of privilege, creativity and the place of the artist in the contemporary world. Performed by the veteran dancer and theatre-maker at the fortyfivedownstairs gallery and performance space, PICNIC is described as "a surreal physical poem" and "part nightmare, part time capsule, part gift". The world premiere show runs from August 18–30 ahead of a national tour in 2016. Van Dyck's collaborators include writer, producer and arts curator Marieke Hardy and composer Alisdair Macindoe. Together, the trio will offer up an original treatise on our country's frequently rocky relationship with the arts and creative industries in general — fields which according to Van Dyck are too often dismissed as not being worthwhile. Expect a work that's political, intimate and more than a little absurd.
Two of our favourite things — good food and fantastic film — are coming together at Caulfield Racecourse in March. For five consecutive nights starting on Wednesday, March 2, five of Melbourne's top restaurants will serve up a mouth-watering menu, each specially paired with a critically-acclaimed film. Bring your picnic blankets, but leave the baskets at home – at Gourmet Cinema, dinner is taken care of. Each film on the program has been matched to a corresponding restaurant. The Grand Budapest Hotel should go quite nicely with high-end European cuisine from Epocha, while The Big Lebowski seems better paired with Le Bon Ton's Southern-style brisket. Take a decadent trip around Rome in The Great Beauty while munching on pizza from Baby, watch Jon Favreau cook up a storm in Chef with a feast from Mamasita, or journey back to the Belle Epoque with Midnight in Paris as you eat French fare from The European. While each restaurant will present a specific screening, you don't have to worry about picking your favourite, since all five will be operating stalls throughout the entire five-night season. You'll also be able to purchase coffee from St Ali and sweet treats courtesy of LuxBite. Picnic rugs and deck chairs will be available to hire on the night, although patrons are also welcome to bring their own blankets it they prefer. Gates open at 6pm with screenings set to commence at 8.30pm. Tickets are $19.50 (plus booking fee) for adults, and don't include food. You'll have to purchase that separately.
For one spirited week of libation exploration, Melbourne’s best bars and cocktail specialists are opening their doors for you to learn the ins and outs of cocktail making. For whisky lovers, there’s Whisky Versatility, where you'll navigate the many intricacies of single malt whisky — and the best food to pair with it. Bartenders at the Black Pearl will be joined by ex-Hammer and Tong 412 chef Madeline Watmuff to create the ultimate evening for whisky lovers. For those looking to brush up on the classics, there's the Taste Of The Classics at Eau de Vie. Explore the history of cocktails through eight signature cocktails, each unique and influential in its own right. We should note that this is a tasting session, rather than a how-to class, so you’ll get to sample the goods and understand how these cocktails came to earn their 'classic' status. These are just two of the many cocktail-focused events happening throughout this delicious, delicious week. For more information on where you can gain a deeper appreciation of your favourite Tom Collins or Penicillin (or perhaps you'll find a new go-to), head to the World Class Cocktail Week website for further details.
After blazing through the end of 2014 with sold-out shows in Sydney and Melbourne, Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders are back. And this time, they're taking on the nation. New album Playmates, released in November, inspired many a rave review from the critics and featured on Double J, FBi, 3RRR and 2SER. It's also been released in the big ol' U.S. of A. by Fat Possum (Black Keys, Spiritualized), which meant that March took Jack to gigs New York, Los Angeles and SXSW, Austin. NPR even named him one of the 'Musicians You'll Tell Your Friends About In 2015'. Plus, he casually recorded a killer duet with Sharon Van Etten, so extra kudos. Catch Jack Ladder and The Dreamlanders at Melbourne's Howler on May 8, Perth's Amplifier on May 9, Brisbane's Brightside May 15 and Sydney's Oxford Art Factory May 16. They'll be supported at every show by Sydney-based singer-songwriter Alex Cameron, who first became known as the percussionist in Seekae but has since been getting attention for his solo adventures.
After a solid three year stint in Adelaide, Vinteloper Urban Wine Project are bringing their deliciously indulgent events to Melbourne. Total egalitarians, VUWP is all about making the creation of wine an accessible art form for those who might not usually get the chance. That means you, city folk — while there’s plenty of places to drink nice wine in Melbourne, sadly there's nowhere close by to learn how to make it. Grapes are transported to the microwinery's secret urban space — whose location remains a mystery until you buy a ticket. From there, participants will foot crush, ferment, basket press and allow the wine to mature in oak while you sample Vinteloper wines made at previous Urban Winery Project seasons and other drops from their range. The Vinteloper wines will be matched with a feast put on by Pot and Pan culinary tailoring. For those addicted to foodie reality TV shows, this is Sam Gant's business (of Masterchef fame), so you're in excellent hands. Vinteloper will run the event on three separate evenings in March, so there's no excuse to miss out on this feast fit for a king. Winemaking interaction and immersion from 6pm, feast served from 7pm.
This week has more Australian '80s-style synth pop, unforgettable dance moves and enviable hairstylin' than usual, with Sydney duo Client Liaison rolling into town for their national Pretty Lovers tour. Renowned for their infectious '80s synth and '90s pop influences, this pair continues to pack a punch with the release of their debut EP, Queen, last year. If their sold-out Spiegeltent shows at Sydney Festival this year, or their recent confetti cannon-finale at Secret Garden Festival are anything to go by, 170 Russell better fortify their floorboards — furious dancing is mandatory. Extravagant and over-the-top in every way, Harvey Miller and Monte Morgan are well worth checking out, revisiting or continuing your straight-up superfandom for. If a high-energy, synthy dance party sounds like your jam, check out Client Liaison on Wednesday, March 18 and Friday, March 20. Supported by Retiree and Wrooks. Words by Lucinda Starr and Shannon Connellan.
After NorthCider festival whet appetites last weekend, it's pretty clear that Melburnians love to celebrate their cider. Add some delicious, rare, stinky cheese to the table and you’ve got one heck of an afternoon. Setting up shop at the magnificent Werribee Mansion for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Fromage a Trois: Cheese and Cider Festival will showcase Australian boutique cider producers and artisan cheesemakers, who'll be displaying their tasty wares for you to sample and inevitably take home by the wheel-load. For those particularly interested in the process behind the practice, there'll be a demonstration stage where you can get educated on cheese appreciation, as well as some more intimate masterclasses on offer. If you want to get the best tips for your own cider or cheesemaking adventures, we recommend having a chat to the stallholders — they'll undoubtedly talk your ear off about the good stuff. Can't wait until Sunday for your fix? Check out our round-up of Melbourne's best spots to stock up on very, very good cheese right here.
If you're already squealing, this is the gig you've been waiting for. Bright Eyes frontman and bonafide dreamboat of your formative years Conor Oberst is returning to Australia to play some very special shows for your fast-beating heart. Since the early '90s, Oberst has spun tales of heartbreak, love, joy, life and serious depression, gradually moving from Bright Eyes to the Mystic Valley Band and Monsters of Folk in recent years. Now he's heading back to Sydney, armed with tracks from his most recent album, 2014's Upside Down Mountain as well as those tunes that made you weep, fall in love and appreciate the little things. Fingers crossed for 'Lua', 'First Day of My Life'; you know the drill. This isn't your regular giggin' in pavilions tour though. As well as hitting up Brisbane's Triffid, Melbourne's Corner Hotel and Sydney's Metro's Theatre, Oberst is set to play a series of unconventional gigs among the giraffes, hitting Sydney's Taronga Zoo and Melbourne Zoo Twilights. Bet even the bilbies have a bit of a tear-up. Conor Oberst will play two Melbourne shows, February 26 at the Corner Hotel (sold out) and February 28 at Melbourne Zoo Twilights. Supported by The Felice Brothers.
Looking for the perfect long weekend? The Heathcote on Show wine festival is back for another year, and the lineup is robust, full-bodied and delicious. If you haven't heard of this one before, it's basically the biggest annual food and wine festival in north-central Victoria. Every year for the past 19 years, local Heathcote wineries get together to showcase the best of the region: cellar doors, distilleries, breweries, restaurants, cheese plates, spirit flights, live entertainment and heaps more. This year there are 25 venues participating and the festival will be running over the King's Birthday long weekend (Saturday, June 10 to Monday, June 12). This is your chance to not only taste the best of Heathcote, but also meet the winemakers and brewers whose products fill the shelves of your local bottle-o. Plenty of venues are also running special events, like the three-course Peking Duck Lunch at Wren Estate, or the Goldfields Cheese and Wine Session at Sanguine Estate. You can browse the full program over here. As this event includes more free-flowing booze than a university study session, Heathcote on Show will be providing a hop-on-hop-off shuttle bus service for $40 per day. That gets you access to all the participating wineries without the need to draw straws for designated driver duties. There are also buses running from Bendigo to Heathcote on Saturday and Sunday. Images: Supplied
Ever wanted to swap drizzly Melbourne for the Greek Islands? Harlow in Richmond has the next best thing. From Saturday, May 20, they're hosting Disco Island: a disco-themed drag show with Greek-inspired food, summer vibes and smashing cocktails. Harlow is really pulling out all the stops for this one. They're decking out the venue with Greek native plants, like fuchsia pink Bougainvillea, summer aesthetics and disco balls. Did we mention drag queens belting out ABBA's greatest hits? Food lovers can snack their way around the islands, with grilled flatbread and house-made French onion dip, dolmades stuffed with rice and herbs, chargrilled lamb skewers served with minty tzatziki and crispy chickpeas and even a Greek schnitty. If bacon and egg sangas are more your breakfast speed, there'll be plenty of those too. There's also a killer Disco Island cocktail menu on offer. Try the Lemonopita with vodka, Frangelico, vanilla and citrus, or maybe the Milopita with fireball, spiced rum and a squeeze of lemon. Disco Island will be running as a two-hour bottomless brunch every Saturday (11:30am and 2pm) and Sunday (12pm). The whole thing kicks off from May 20 and runs till Harlow is out of vodka (or all winter, whichever comes first). Get all the details on the event page. Images: Supplied
To celebrate World Gin Day and World Tapas Day, AC by Marriott Melbourne Southbank and Patient Wolf Distillery are teaming up for a month-long celebration at Sorolla. And yes, they'll be plenty of gin. It's called La Boqueria, running on Saturdays from May 27 to June 17. So what does this involve? Three words for you: bottomless G&T cart. It's pretty much the ultimate four-course tapas menu, matched with a bottomless G&T cart and specialty cocktails. [caption id="attachment_814621" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Patient Wolf[/caption] To complement the booze, you've got Spanish classics like olives, pickled guindilla peppers and white anchovy, manchego and sweet quince, Catalan salami and Sorolla's signature striploin steak, paired with pickled salsa verde, broccolini and nasturtium leaves. Finish things off with that Spanish hero, the not-so-humble churro. This one comes dipped in chilli-chocolate sauce and salted caramel. Salivating yet? You can book tickets to La Boqueria through the Marriott website. Bottomless brunch and G&Ts start at $79 per person, or you can upgrade to the paired gin cocktail option for $89 per person. Bookings are essential for this one. Images: Supplied
Experience the very best that the city’s fine dining scene has to offer at Taste of Melbourne in partnership with Electrolux. Taking over Albert Park this Thursday to Sunday, this four-day culinary cornucopia offers foodies the chance to mingle with chefs, pick up new recipes and sample dishes from some of the top restaurants in town. Bon appetit! Taste of Melbourne is split into six sessions, each one lasting roughly four hours. During their allotted time, ticketholders will be able to purchase tapas-style tasting plates prepared by the teams from Circa, Gazi, Luxembourg, Mamasita, MoVida, Pastuso, Pei Modern, Royal Mail Hotel, San Telmo, South Africa’s Five Hundred, Supernormal, Gladioli, Milk the Cow and Saké Restaurant & Bar. Once guests have eaten their fill, other attractions on the Taste of Melbourne program worth checking out include live cooking demonstrations in the Electrolux Taste Theatre, a showcase of South African wine and cuisine in the South African Garden and masterclasses on everything from creating your own gin with Bass & Flinders to going freestyle with Lurpak. You can also swing by the Artisan Producers Market and pick up a few goodies for your pantry, or kick back and relax in the Audi Brighton Platinum Lounge presented by Riedel with live music and an open bar. Taste of Melbourne is happening November 12 to 15 at Albert Park. Tickets cost between $25–140, but thanks to Taste of Melbourne, we have 20 pairs of any day passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter and then email us at win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
The NGV is throwing a party. Actually, they're throwing several. Back for its second year, think of the Summer Sundays program as a series of mini music festivals, complete with live acts, DJs, barbecued goods and a pop-up bar in the NGV Garden. Running from 1pm to 6pm every Sunday throughout February, the first event will be headlined by post-punk four-piece Gold Glass, along with DJ Annaliese Redlich. Singer Ella Thompson and DJ Planète will take the stage in week two, followed by Ainslie Wills and Rat & Co DJs on February 21. The season wraps up on February 28 with Dan Kelly's Dream Band plus DJ Fee B-Squared. In between sets, you can also explore the current Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei exhibition, which will remain open until 6pm on Sundays. See the full program here.
The premiere dance event at this year's Melbourne Festival arrives courtesy of legendary music act Silkroad Ensemble, and is inspired by one of the oldest love stories known to man. The doomed romance of Layla and Majnun predates Romeo and Juliet by over 1000 years, and is brought vividly to life in this epic dance-opera sung entirely in Azerbaijani. The production has been crafted by some big names: choreographer Mark Morris draws on ballet, modern and folk dance to create a style that's entirely unique, while a dazzling set design by late British painter Howard Hodgkin matched the dancer's flowing costumes. There will only be five performances at the State Theatre, and the more affordable tickets start at a reasonable $39 for under 30s and $49 for everyone else. An absolute must-see of the festival. Images: Susana Millman.
Ever been gettin' loose out on the town and thought, "I could destroy a round of mini-golf right now." Procure an Argyle-patterned vest and beige slacks immediately, because the good folk at Howler are bringing back their custom-made nighttime mini golf course to conquer. One heck of a drawcard launched in July 2015 (yep, that's a few years ahead of Holey Moley), the triumphantly returning Howler Mini-Golf-O-Rama features nine holes each complete with a classic theme (think windmills, volcanos and jungles, classic mini-golf). It'll be back at Howler from Monday, July 10 to Wednesday, July 19, from 3pm on weekends and 6pm on weekdays. And it's FREE if you buy a bev. To use the course, all you have to do is turn up to Howler, buy yourself and/or your golfing buddies a drink and choose your putter. The course will be set up in what was once Howler's bandroom, and to keep the good times flowing, guest DJs will pump up the jams (and hopefully play a non-stop dubstep remix of Lee Carvallo's putting challenge. In fact, consider this an official request). Now, let's all dig out our Happy Gilmore VHS and prepare to just taaaap it in, give it a little tappy, a tap-tap-tapperoo. Find Howler Mini-Golf-O-Rama at 7-11 Dawson Street, Brunswick from Monday, July 10 to Wednesday, July 19, from 3pm on weekends and 6pm on weekdays (open from 8pm on opening night, Monday, July 10). Golfing is free if you buy a drink from the bar. Strictly 18+.
When that vacation craving hits, sometimes the best option is to have a sneaky weekend getaway without going far at all. There's something undeniably romantic about staying in a hotel room in the heart of your own city, or just a short drive away — and it's certainly an enticing choice now that lockdowns and border restrictions are part of our daily lives. Really, staycations should be mandatory for us all, at least once in a while. That way, we can all take a break from the drudgery of everyday life and become the best version of ourselves — the hotel version, that is. There's never been a better time for a staycation in Melbourne, with the events of the past year or so giving us plenty of new excuses to think local. Plus, a heap of truly stunning retreats have opened in Australia in recent years, too. Melbourne has quite the cornucopia of boutique hotels, from lush garden suites and dream escapes for wine lovers to primo urban stays with views aplenty. There are some seriously impressive (and incredibly designed) hotels awaiting your arrival. Pencil one into your 2021 calendar as soon as possible. UNITED PLACES, SOUTH YARRA United Places' remit was to create a home away from home. Its success is immediately apparent, with the greenery from the Royal Botanic Gardens across the road extending right into the 12 luxury suites, creating a space you'll never want to leave. Each offers hardwood floors and polished kitchens, while terraces with sweeping city and parkland views complement the cosy living zones. While you're there, you'll get to have a taste of acclaimed chef Scott Pickett's restaurant, Matilda. The kitchen's contemporary Australian cuisine is produced entirely over open flames and hot coals — and you won't have to leave your room to enjoy it, with the high-end meals delivered directly to your suite. Dining at the restaurant is an experience in itself though, so we'd recommend heading in one night, too. QT MELBOURNE, CBD QT Melbourne is a multi-faceted playground for its guests. The lobby and common areas are filled with lots of colourful lighting, mountains of modern furniture and elaborate wallpaper. Then, in the stunning guest rooms, you'll find timber flooring, state-of-the-art technology and designer furniture that's at once quirky and tasteful. In addition to this luxe accommodation, the hotel also has some serious eats: Parisian-style dinners at Pascale Bar and Grill, pastries in The Cake Shop, laneway bar feels and Korean food at Hot Sauce, and a glamorous rooftop bar, too. The 'secret' rooftop garden is also open to the public, showcasing bespoke Four Pillars cocktails. This leafy haven even hosts private parties of 10–25 people if you fancy a taste of luxury without booking a night's stay. JACKALOPE HOTEL, MORNINGTON PENINSULA Jackalope Hotel takes a weekend on the Mornington Peninsula to a whole new level of luxury. The boutique spot's 46 rooms offer terrace or vineyard vistas, with their double-the-size 'lair' suites offering the best views in the house. Each room boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, private terraces and hand-crafted bespoke furnishings. If you're one for a good bath, the deep-soak Japanese tubs and exclusive Hunter Lab bath products will keep you relaxed while you admire your fabulous self in the double vanities. If you're looking to venture beyond your private bath, the landscaped gardens include a black 30-metre infinity pool with an adjacent pavilion offering spa treatments. The hotel also houses an extensive art collection, commissioned specifically for the site for anyone looking to soak up some culture instead of sun. And, Jackalope is also home to not one but two restaurants headed by chef Simon Tarlington: fine diner Doot Doot Doot and the more casual Rare Hare. For other options in the area, check out our weekender's guide. NOTEL, CBD The rooftop at Notel Melbourne offers a luxurious alternative to the cramped family camper you would have piled into as a kid. This boutique venture consists of six vintage airstream caravans transported from the US and completely refitted as "designer urban accommodation", complete with a queen-size bed, split-system heating and cooling, and a fridge full of complimentary craft beer and wine. Throw in a little laneway graffiti art and this joint couldn't get any more Melbourne if it tried. In addition to the amenities listed above, each caravan at Notel Melbourne comes with an iPad Pro for Netflix sessions, linen and an ensuite bathroom with full height shower. Sounds a little cosy, but sometimes that's exactly what you need, especially when you're dealing with chilly Melbourne weather. There's also an 'Airstream with benefits' ultra-luxe option, which includes access to an openair spa outside your trailer. [caption id="attachment_690428" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikole Ramsay Photography[/caption] LON RETREAT AND SPA, POINT LONSDALE Located on a hilltop in the Bellarine Peninsula, Lon Retreat and Spa sits on a majestic piece of Point Lonsdale real estate, set within a 200-acre family-owned property and complete with 360-degree views of the bay. The luxury retreat features seven sanctuary-like suites, each one decked out differently to mirror a particular aspect of the surrounding landscape. Expect earthy, natural tones throughout, with most of the furniture, ceramics, artwork and lighting sourced or crafted locally. As well as the plush rooms, Lon boasts its own private beach access, a guest lounge with an open fire and views across the ocean, an exhibition space showcasing local works, and a heated pool fed by mineral water. In the spa, you'll also find an OTT six-jet shower. THE CHEN, BOX HILL In 2017, the Art Series Hotel Group created The Chen, a five-storey boutique hotel inspired by Chinese-Australian artist Zhong Chen. The Box Hill hotel houses 100 suites, designed by architects Peddle Thorp and taking its aesthetic cues from Chen's King Fu series — so expect fun, bold and bright colours. There's a bunch of digital archival fine art editions of Chen's works featured here, as well as a stack of originals. There's plenty of top-notch eating on premises, all thanks to the Golden Lily yum cha restaurant. You can also count on the Art Series' usual artistically-leaning facilities and activities, including in-room libraries and art television channels, plus a gym and heated rooftop pool that overlooks the city skyline. MITCHELTON HOTEL, NAGAMBIE Located in the scenic Goulburn Valley wine region in Victoria, Mitchelton Hotel's accommodation is every bit as spectacular as the sprawling winery it calls home. Featuring a palette of moody, rural tones designed by acclaimed architectural practice Hecker Guthrie, this spot is a wine lover's dream escape. Chef Daniel Hawkins (POW Kitchen, Newmarket Hotel, Stokehouse) helms restaurant The Muse, which serves ethically farmed produce sourced throughout the Nagambie Lakes district. The Provedore is the site's more casual cafe-style eatery, also offering picnic fare to enjoy on the grassy lawns, while Mitchelton Gallery of Aboriginal Art displays works from over 15 Indigenous communities across Australia. If you book a stay, you'll get a full selection of Mitchelton Wines as soon as you step inside the door, plus you can enjoy guided tours and tastings. While you're in the region, check out our guide to Nagambie and its surrounds. NEXT HOTEL, CBD The new 80 Collins precinct isn't just home to a growing number of top-notch restaurants, bars and cafes — it's also the address of the much-anticipated Next Hotel Melbourne. Launched in March 2021, this opulent 225-room escape is a design-lover's dream, fitted out with an abundance of marble, plus art by the likes of Jonny Niesche and Julia Gorman. The glam suites boast features like espresso machines, Hunter Lab toiletries and Dyson hairdryers, as well as handy in-room cocktail-mixing stations. Next Melbourne is also the first hotel in Australia to barrel-age its own spirits, the fruits of which you can experience at sprawling third-floor bar and restaurant La Madonna, as well as the adjacent Barrel Room. And yes, that drinks program translates to some pretty special hotel mini-bar offerings, too. W HOTEL, CBD With its sky-high pool adorned in gold, elaborate laneway cocktail bar and achingly trendy designer finishes throughout, W Hotel group's first Victorian venue has caused quite the splash since opening the doors in early 2021. Designed by local architect and interior design firm Hachem, W Melbourne is a study in contemporary opulence right across its 265 guest rooms and 29 suites. There's even an especially indulgent 'Extreme Wow Suite', boasting a jukebox, cocktail bar and private 40-square-metre balcony with river views. The lavish heated indoor pool with sweeping vistas and gold-trimmed surrounds offers even fancier vibes. And hidden bar Curious is just one of four primo onsite hospitality venues, featuring innovative cocktails in a stunning cocoon-esque space. HOTEL CHADSTONE, CHADSTONE Open since late 2019, Hotel Chadstone is a glamorous venture from the MGallery by Sofitel crew, encompassing 12 storeys of total luxury with sweeping vistas from city to bay. Adjacent to the ever-growing Chadstone Shopping Centre, this five-star escape features 250 designer rooms, as well as a rooftop bar and swimming pool that lend new meaning to the phrase "living the high life". Its spaces are heavy on the brass and leather accents, mini-bars come stocked with an array of premium local goodies, and Scott Pickett's celebrated Italian restaurant Pastore will beckon you again and again. What's more, on top of all the impressive high-end finishes, Hotel Chadstone has the honour of being only the second in Australia to achieve a 5 Star Green Star Design rating. CAMPBELL POINT HOUSE, LEOPOLD If you're looking for a luxurious local holiday, consider this: the oh-so-elegant Campbell Point House boasts a stunning location in the heart of Bellarine Peninsula wine country that's enough to make some other high-end getaways feel like veritable hostel stints. Originally built as a family home, this boutique hotel takes design cues from the majestic chateaux of the Loire Valley, and is now open to the public following a multimillion-dollar spruce-up and makeover. Across its eight opulent suites, Campbell Point can host a maximum of just 30 people at once, with facilities reserved strictly for guest use. Basically, visit the sprawling property and you'll pretty much feel like you've got the whole place to yourself. And those facilities sure aren't shabby, with the hotel rocking its own championship grass tennis court, day spa, infinity pool and private jetty onto Lake Connewarre. Inside, you can kick back in style in the huge Provincial-inspired lounge, or perhaps the cigar salon, conservatory or billiards room. Of course, when that level of luxury awaits, you ditch the car and instead make use of the onsite helipad. [caption id="attachment_704607" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Blachford Photography[/caption] THE PRINCE, ST KILDA Want to be beside the sea in the heart of St Kilda? Pick The Prince, which happily sits just a short tram ride away from the Melbourne CBD and a quick stroll from the sand. Here, you'll find comfortable, polished and modern rooms that look to be pulled straight out of a design magazine, with the hotel rocking an upscale beachy vibe while also highlighting the building's art deco architecture. There are six different suite styles available, decked out with elegant pops of colour and specially commissioned photography works by Tom Blachford and Kate Ballis. Onsite wining and dining options are in strong supply, between the Mediterranean-accented Prince Dining Room, the recently-revamped Prince Public Bar and boutique wine bar Little Prince Wine. And if you're up for a night out on the town, all you have to do is head to the hotel's iconic Prince Bandroom, where some of the city's best live acts have been known to frequent.
Not travelling up to Splendour in the Grass this year? Just let the headliners come to you. Following Mark Ronson's star-studded sideshow lineup announcement yesterday, Florence and the Machine have announced two headlining dates for Melbourne and Sydney. And if the group's recent Coachella slam dunk is anything to go by, you'll want to lock these tickets down. Otherworldly powerhouse Florence Welch and her sizeable crew are set to showcase music from their soon-to-be-released third album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful; locking in Melbourne's Palais Theatre on July 22 and Sydney's State Theatre on July 23 before they headline Splendour's Saturday night. Having just nailed it at Coachella despite breaking her foot, Welch assures fans she'll be back on her tootsies in time for Splendour and these shows — and if you've seen Welch jig around a stage before, you'll know why a broken foot isn't surprising. You're going to have to be lucky to catch Florence though, tickets will only be available through a ballot system. All ballot entries must be received before 12 noon (AEST) on Thursday, May 28. Successful ticket applicants will receive an email after the ballot's closed, then will be able to buy tickets between 2pm (AEST) on Friday, May 29 and 2pm (AEST) on Saturday, May 30. FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE SPLENDOUR 2015 SIDESHOWS: Wednesday, July 22 — Palais Theatre, Melbourne. Thursday, July 23 — State Theatre, Sydney. Enter the Florence Splendour Ballot here.
There's a bunch of different ways you can lend a helping hand to those affected by the recent spate of bushfires in Queensland and New South Wales, during which hundreds of people have lost their homes, animals have been injured and thousands of acres have been devastated. But if you fancy showing your support with cake, head down to Worksmith this Saturday, November 23. The hospitality-focused co-working hub is hosting a fundraiser bake sale and market at its Collingwood HQ, teaming up with an all-star cast of Melbourne foodie friends to bring it to life. Head along from 8.30am to find a sprawling array of freshly baked goodies, drinks, flowers, books and more, from the likes of Pie Thief, Bar Liberty, Meatsmith, Chin Chin, Baker Bleu and Tetto di Carolina. Burch & Purchese will be dishing up a tasty selection of sweet treats, Piccolina Gelateria will be there scooping icy cold delights and the all-new Falco Bakery will be showing off its best, too. Coffee comes courtesy of your mates at Five Senses, or for something a little stronger, you'll spy crafty liquid refreshments from new hot-ticket cocktail bar Byrdi. There'll be a limited amount of stock, so your best bet is to come early, armed with cash money. Worksmith's Community Bushfire Fundraiser runs from 8.30am–1pm. Images: Piccolina Gelateria by Peter Dillion and Falco Bakery by Jana Longhurst.
Gertrude Street has gone and got itself a brand new cafe and wine store, courtesy of the new owners at Casa Ciuccio. The two storey Mediterranean joint changed hands last June, undergoing renovations before reopening both the original restaurant and unveiling the new space next door in time for the New Year. Looking for a bit of vino or a big morning feed? Or both? This might be just what you're after. Open seven days a week, the all-day breakfast menu at Ciuccio Cafe includes crumpets with honey, berries, banana and ricotta, a goats' cheese, leek and hazelnut omelette with kale puree, and the fittingly named Big Ass Breakfast, which consists of eggs, bacon, sausage, mushrooms, bean ragu and slow-roasted sumac tomatoes. Meanwhile, your lunch options include coal pit-roasted pork on brioche, a ham and cheese croquette salad, or some sandwiches and salads, which can be eaten in-house or on the run. The new cafe also shares a space with a wine store — making it that much easier to enjoy some hair of the dog. With more than 100 different organic, biodynamic and natural wines in stock, you're sure to find something to your liking. "Customers can pick a bottle from the wine store and, for a small corkage, sit and enjoy their drink while nibbling on dinner dishes from Casa Ciuccio Restaurant," said the venue's new co-owner Fabio Candolo. "We are also planning to hold regular wine tastings in the coming weeks." Candolo and co-owner Carrie Bartonek have also made a few tweaks to the restaurant menu, with a focus on charcuterie boards, fresh seafood and slow-cooked meats. "Our menu is designed to be shared," said Candolo. "Eating is a social experience and we want our customers to enjoy a little of everything." Casa Ciuccio is located at 13–15 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. For more information including opening hours, visit casaciuccio.com.au.
Now a lot of us are spending so much time at home, it's important to be as comfy as possible. Melbourne-designed Eva Mattress is here to help up your comfort level with its biggest annual sale yet. Think half-price sheets and hundreds of dollars off mattresses — and that's just the start. For its 19-day sale, running from Wednesday, June 17 till 11.59pm on Sunday, July 5, the local Aussie retailer is offering big end-of-year discounts. Expect $150 off its Eva mattress, $50 off the Eva pillow and a whopping 50 percent off the Eva sheets, which brings the latter down to just $120 for a set. And these aren't your run-of-the-mill bedding products, either. The award-winning mattress-in-a-box has been engineered as a hybrid, which means it combines the comfort of memory foam with the support of pocket springs. The memory foam pillow uses activated charcoal to keep you cool and dry throughout the night. The 400-thread count sheets and duvet sets are made from eucalyptus fibres — making them soft, cool and completely biodegradable. If you do spring for the mattress, sheets or pillow, they come with a 120-night free trial, so you can be sure they'll help you get a good night sleep before you commit. All mattress orders come with free next-day delivery to metro areas, too. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Melbourne, you're about to discover (and taste) what can happen when an acclaimed Finnish chef and an award-winning Italian sommelier join forces. Giorgio De Maria (formerly of 121BC and Rootstock Sydney food and wine festival), is teaming up with Finnish-born Pasi Petanen (2015's SMH Chef of the Year and the guy behind Café Paci), for That's Amore — a series of food-and-wine shindigs to be held at Mecca in Crossley Street next month. Across three nights from March 16 to 18, the pair will combine culinary talents, pulling together innovative foodie flair, some serious wine knowledge, and a couple of lively personalities, for what promises to be one tasty experience. This fusion of front and back of house is bound to ensure some well-rounded feasting, including dishes such as sourdough pasta with way pecorino and pear, panfried mortadella, and potato salada with parmigiano and black pepper — all with an Italian edge. Meanwhile, De Maria's working his own brand of magic, proving the cross-cultural combo isn't the only perfect partnership on the table here. His handpicked selection of wine will also look to Italy thanks to Le Coste, Cantina Giardino, Panevino and Dario Princic, plus Australian producers such as Tom Shobbrook and Sholto & Louis Broderick.
As the people of Nepal struggle to rebuild in the wake of a second major earthquake that shook the region earlier this week, international relief organisations continue to call for donations — and people around Australia continue to answer. Stepping up to the plate this week are the legends at Shadow Electric, who’ve announced a charity gig featuring a bevy of local talent, with proceeds going directly to victims of the disaster. Scheduled for Sunday May 31, the openair bash at the Abbotsford Convent will feature live performances and DJ sets from the likes of GL, Oscar Key Sung, Edd Fisher, Simon TK, Moksha and King Puppy & The Carnivore. There will also be traditional Nepalese music and dancing, courtesy of Melbourne’s vibrant expat community. Food and beverage-wise they’ll be serving homemade Nepalese cuisine and delicious masala chai, as well as all the regular offerings at the Shadow Electric bar. Entry to the event costs $15, one hundred percent of which will be used "to meet the immediate and early recovery needs of those affected by the earthquake in Nepal". Shadow Electric’s website is also directing people to Victorians Stand Together for Nepal, a relief campaign organised by the Victorian Nepalese community that has so far raised more than $112,000. Shadow Electric’s Help Nepal event kicks off at 6pm on Sunday May 31. To book tickets, visit their website. To learn more about Victorians Stand Together for Nepal, go here. Via Beat. Image: Shadow Electric's 2015 summer closing party.
When we take that first sip of our barista-brewed coffee on a workday morning, a lot of us can't actually imagine living without coffee. But what about living without a roof over your head or a guaranteed meal? Unfortunately, this is what many homeless people around Australia face each day, but on Friday, August 7, you can help your fellow Aussies out simply by buying a coffee as part of CafeSmart. CafeSmart is an annual event from StreetSmart that raises money and awareness for the homeless and is back for its third year running. Last year, 415 cafes and 20 coffee roasters raised $120,000 to fund 91 community projects. Not too shabby. So how does it work? From every coffee purchased on August 7 at a participating cafe around Australia, $1 will be donated towards local projects. So if your go-to local isn't participating, shake things up for a day and head to one that is. Prefer a hot chocolate? You can also donate at the counter. Simply by aiming for a bighearted cafe, you'll be helping some of our country's most in-need humans, so treat yourself to a third or fourth coffee guilt-free. CafeSmart is happening around the country on Friday, August 7. Check the website for participating cafes near you. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
You know that Summer has arrived in Melbourne when the Night Market becomes your priority destination on Wednesday evenings. Now in its 17th year, the festivities will be kicking off on November 5 with all the usual goodies. And, though it'll be taking a break over Christmas, you won't have to wait long for its return. It'll be back in business from January 7. As always, the Night Market is all about the food and the sangria. This year there will be over 60 food stalls you can sink your teeth into, including the obligatory market bratwurst, summer eats from Mr Calamaro, hot stuff from Senor BBQ and the world's best pizza from 400 Gradi. For those who can fit in some dessert, check out the macarons and gelati stalls. For those that are just into the sangria, see how many cups you can enjoy before the sun goes down. We promise it won't disappoint. If shopping is more your thing, the markets are bringing back all of your favourite stalls, and adding plenty of new ones to the lot. Whether you’re after locally designed jewellery and housewares, or treasure hunting for a vintage bargain, you're bound to find something to your tastes. This year the Night Market is also teaming up with Multicultural Arts Victoria to provide live music across three stages. This is a great way to check out Melbourne’s up and coming musical talent, and have a bit of relaxation in the summer sun while you're at it. The Night Market will be running every Wednesday from 5-10pm until March 25.
After closing Vivid Sydney at the Sydney Opera House, art-rock legends TV on the Radio are heading to our fine city, ready to smash out two concerts in a row at the Forum. Since forming in Brooklyn 14 years ago, the four-piece has created six albums. These shows will cover the entire songbook, from Staring at the Sun (2004) to Seeds (2014). Chronologically, theses releases cover a decade, but the music represents hundreds of years of history; drawing together gospel, post-punk and everything in between.
Imagine a hotel room designed by Etsy. Just imagine it. Adorable, twee, Instagrammable; they're probably dominant images right now huh? Thanks to a collaboration with The Cullen, you’ll have the chance to scope out the real thing in a brand new curated accommodation experience. Melbourne-based creative consultant Marsha Golemac and photographer Brooke Holm have joined forces to take over the junior penthouse suite. They'll be using both vintage and handmade goods sourced from the Australian Etsy community to curate and style the suite. If you feel like treating yourself to a night of very social media-friendly luxury, the room will be available for overnight stays from April 13 to 29. If you’re unable to book in for a night, but are still curious to gather some design inspiration for your own digs, you can book in to their open day in the room on the April 11 — where you can take a tour and learn about the latest homewares trends and tips with Etsy specialists.
Eggs, wheat milk and animal products in general are officially off the ingredients list, at a brand new edition of the Flour Market bake sale. After a last minute postponement back in May, Wholey Day will finally launch in Melbourne on Sunday, September 18. It's the sweet, doughy spinoff that vegans, coeliacs and lactards have been waiting for: a seasonal market featuring the best local vendors of wholefood, raw, organic, vegan and gluten free treats. Let the face stuffing commence. The Flour Market team have been teasing the new initiative via social media, throwing up images of drool-worthy snacks such as ACE's raw cookies and an insane vegan cacao ganache brownie made by Citizen Cacao's Georgie Castle. Both vendors will be on the floor at the market, along with numerous others to be revealed on the day. The flour-free fanaticism will take place at Brunswick East's urban winery Noisy Ritual. All we can say is: get there early. These goodies are set to sell like gluten free hotcakes.
Fitzroy’s legendary Hammer and Tong has gone alfresco with the opening of new eatery BCKYRD. Except that it’s not exactly an eatery. As the name suggests, it’s an urban backyard — a glorious patch of greenery in East Brunswick, hemmed in by shipping containers and sprinkled with imported trees — which the Hammer and Tong food truck is now calling home. "There are apartments going up all around us," Simon Ward, Hammer and Tong owner-chef, told Good Food. "A lot of people don't have backyards anymore; BCKYRD is Brunswick's community backyard." The food truck has developed a specific BCKYRD menu. Dishes include flathead and chips, ramen and duck meatballs, charcuterie boards, croquet champignon (a toasted sandwich crowded with mushrooms, cheese and thyme) and crab and corn chowder in sourdough cobs. Yep, that last one sounds like our kind of perfect autumn dish. For drinks, you can choose between locally-brewed beers and ciders. Opened in a bit of a hurry, in time for the Easter long weekend, the site is set for further improvements and backyard-ification. There are plans for a mural and a bar. And eventually, there’ll also be an urban farm, where micro-greens will be grown, for both supplies and retail. It's a work-in-progress, like the best of backyards. You’ll find BCKYRD at 20 Nicholson Street, Brunswick. It’s open every Friday to Sunday, 11am-9.30pm. Via Good Food.
Fresh from stacking its 2018 lineup with 43 titles straight from Cannes, this year's Melbourne International Film Festival has unveiled its entire program — that is, the full range of 393 films you'll be trying to feast your eyes on between August 2 and 19. Artistic director Michelle Carey final fest — with long-term programmer Al Cossar stepping into the top spot for next year — 2018's MIFF selection includes 254 feature films, 120 shorts and 19 virtual reality experiences. Numbers-wise, it also features 27 world premieres and a hefty 168 flicks making their Australian debut. As always, MIFF's program offers a smorgasbord of cinematic delights that span high-profile must-sees, under-sung gems, and weird and wonderful surprises. After kicking off with the previously announced Wildlife, starring Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal, cinephiles can catch computer-screen thriller Profile, Laura Dern-led childhood trauma drama The Tale, Nick Hornby rom-com adaptation Juliet, Naked, and inventive movie mashup The Green Fog. There's also Robert Pattinson trying to woo Mia Wasikowska in the comedic western Damsel, Yayoi Kusama documentary Kusama: Infinity, Ellen Page living in a post-zombie world in The Cured and the stunning doco Three Identical Strangers. In addition, Winter's Bone filmmaker Debra Granik is coming to town with her excellent new drama Leave No Trace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0uZ6QbFvKk Of course, it wouldn't be a MIFF without South Korean auteur Hong Sang-soo's next soju-soaked piece of sweetness, this time called Grass. Or, without this year's Palme d'Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda and his Cannes hit Shoplifters — his previous murder mystery The Third Murder is also on the bill. Other standouts include music docos about Elvis and contemporary America, boy bands and Melbourne's independent scene; five sessions of full-dome flicks at the Melbourne Planetarium; retrospectives on African cinema, fashion and film, French directing duo Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, and 60s and 70s Italian crime flicks. Plus, if you're after something more than just the usual movie screening, sessions of noodle western Tampopo and Prince concert film Sign O' The Times will take place at the Astor. Yes, the former includes a bowl of ramen. On the local front, MIFF will play host to more than 20 new Aussie features — including world premieres in its centrepiece and closing night slot. Aussie rules comedy The Merger, which is based on the stage show of the same name, will take the middle spot, while Melbourne-made documentary The Coming Back Out Ball, charting the real-life event that took place in October 2017, will finish out the fest. Other Aussie efforts range from Acute Misfortune, starring Snowtown's Daniel Henshall as Archibald Prize-winning artist Adam Cullen; to psychological drama Celeste, featuring Radha Mitchell; to Geelong-shot thriller Undertow. From the doco slate, Island of the Hungry Ghosts delves into both migrating crabs and political detainees, Undermined: Tales from The Kimberley explores the threats currently facing the titular region, and Happy Sad Man tackles men living with mental illness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9hYUhpuc2I Plus, as already revealed, MIFF 2018 will be big on special events thanks to an all-night tribute to Nicholas Cage, a one-off screening of Drive with a live score and Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat in conversation. Today's new titles join the fest's huge Cannes haul, as well as the other 32 films that were unveiled back in June. Think documentary The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Man, exceptional crime thriller You Were Never Really Here and devastating Chinese corruption drama Angels Wear White, alongside Gaspar Noé's Climax, Terry Gilliam's long-awaited The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, and Asghar Farhadi's Everybody Knows with Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.
To celebrate Melbourne’s innovative publishing scene, the NGV is hosting an Art Book Fair, the first of a series of annual art book events developed by one of Melbourne’s most impressive galleries. Both local and national publishers will feature in the fair that lasts all weekend, with special international guest Printed Matter (USA), who will be making their Australian debut. For this art book event there will be a curated focus on Japanese publishing, so if you’re keen to see what’s going on in the overseas publishing world, make sure you drop by. Along with the many stalls you will be able to peruse and purchase from, there will also be free talks, forums and performances running all weekend. As much as we adore acquiring art books, they often a bit hefty and can be troublesome to carry home. Our hot tip would be to mosey over to the NGV and pick up one of the official tote bags for a cool $5, making your life a heck of a lot easier and much more stylish.
The team behind Feast of Merit are bringing a touch of Vietnamese to Burwood Road in Hawthorn. Opening Friday, December 11 in what was once a multi-level furniture store, St Cloud is the brainchild of Shaun Anderson, James Klapanis and head chef Franky Pham. Together, they'll be serving tasty cuisine made with fresh local ingredients, along with coffee, cold-pressed juices and cocktails with a Vietnamese twist. Located on Burwood Road just around the corner from Auburn Station, St Cloud will be split into multiple levels. The ground floor will capture the atmosphere of a bustling, hawker-style street market, while the second floor will feature more laid back surrounds — including a rooftop garden that will be available for private functions The menu will be dominated by modern, healthy interpretations of traditional Vietnamese food, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free choices available. Lunch options include classic favourites like pho, rice paper rolls and banh mi baguettes, as well as salads and curries. The dinner menu is more extensive, with standout dishes such as braised spicy eggplant with tofu and mushrooms, caramel pork belly with egg, pickled chilli, black pepper and crackling, and whole baby fish with sweet ginger nuoc mam, watercress and herb salad. The St Cloud drinks list features a typical mix of wines, beers and ciders alongside a number of creative cocktails. The Viet Express is made with house spiced rum, drip coffee, coconut milk and candied black sesame, while the Son Tra Colada mixes golden rum, pineapple syrup and coconut cream. Even the mojito is made with ginger and Vietnamese mint. Those after a non-alcoholic option can grab cold pressed juices courtesy of Greene St Juice Co., coffee by St Ali, or hot chocolate with salted caramel by Mork. St Cloud opens Friday, December 11 at 644 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. They'll be open 11.30am until late Tuesday-Friday and 10am until late Saturday-Sunday.
Throw those GoPros, bubble bottles and novelty gumboots in your rucksack, Splendour in the Grass is returning to North Byron Parklands for another year of festival merriment. After an little ol' Spotify playlist gave the game away last week before the official announce on triple j this morning, Splendour have released their 2015 lineup. Joining the already-leaked, epic likes of Blur, Mark Ronson, Florence and The Machine, Death Cab For Cutie, The Wombats, Tame Impala and Of Monsters And Men, Pond, Royal Blood and the Dandy Warhols is one heck of a huge lineup. Odd Future's Earl Sweatshirt is back, Australia's own dancefloor kings Flight Facilities are landing back home, Azealia Banks makes her Australian festival return and Spiritualised will play their only Australian show. Ryan Adams is comin' on over, Best Coast is bringing the beachery back to Splendour, while recent Coachella-smash Jenny Lewis is one of the non-leaked bigwigs we can all get squealy about. SXSW buzz artists like Gengahr and Elliphant are coming, UK producer Shlomo will take things down a notch (and King Khan will do exactly the opposite), while Canadian duo Purity Ring should be one packed-out, all-the-emotions must-see. Australian artists really dominate the lineup this year, including Client Liaison, Elizabeth Rose, Hayden James, Megan Washington, Thundamentals, Meg Mac, Japanese Wallpaper, Dune Rats and more. Plus, there's going to be four stages this year, with the new Tiny Dancer stage joining the Amphitheatre, Mix Up, GW McLennan stages to host Splendour's DJ lineup. Anywho, here's what you came here for, get amongst it. Splendour In The Grass 2015 lineup Blur Florence + The Machine Mark Ronson Of Monsters & Men The Wombats Tame Impala Peking Duk Ryan Adams Flight Facilities Royal Blood (only Aus show) Death Cab For Cutie Earl Sweatshirt Boy & Bear Porter Robinson (Live) The Dandy Warhols (only Aus show) Xavier Rudd & The United Nations Azealia Banks The Rubens Jamie T Pond Spiritualized (only Aus show) Alison Wonderland Thundamentals Best Coast Everything Everything San Cisco MS MR Jarryd James Purity Ring Allday Carmada The Grates The Smith Street Band Tkay Maidza Johnny Marr Last Dinosaurs Megan Washington The Vaccines #1 Dads The Church Kitty, Daisy & Lewis The King Khan & The BBQ Show Alpine Catfish and the Bottlemen Paul Mac Dustin Tebbutt MØ Years & Years Jenny Lewis C.W. Stoneking Seekae George Maple Elliphant Client Liaison Palma Violets SAFIA Hayden James Dune Rats Wolf Alice Meg Mac Cosmo's Midnight Marmozets Oh Mercy Mansionair The Districts Shlohmo Elizabeth Rose The Delta Riggs Circa Waves Nancy Whang Eves The Behaviour Urban Cone Art of Sleeping Japanese Wallpaper Gengahr Bad//Dreems Ecca Vandal Holy Holy Vallis Alps UV Boi The Babe Rainbow Harts Generik Young Franco Mickey Kojak GL Benson Harvey Sutherland Total Giovanni DJs Dugong Jr I'lls Akouo Noise In My Head triple j Unearthed Winners Plus ... Joyride Post Percy Ara Koufax CC:Disco! Adi Toohey Set Mo Edd Fisher Mike Who Shantan Wantan Ichiban Splendour will return to North Byron Parklands on Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July. Onsite camping will once again be available from Wednesday 22 July. Tickets go on sale on 9am AEST, Thursday 23 April. More info available at the official Splendour In The Grass site.
The South Melbourne Night Market is back for its seventh year, with art, craft, fashion, food and live entertainment to brighten up your summer nights. The iconic market will return to Cecil and Coventry Streets every Thursday night through to March 10, with dozens of stalls by local designers and creatives, along with food vendors ready to satisfy your every gastronomic desire. Bargain hunters can peruse the market's huge collection of stalls, where they'll find bags, shoes, clothing, jewellery, homeware, stationery and more. Those looking for deals of the edible variety will be similarly pleased, with the likes of C'est Chick, Crepes for Change, Miss Molly's Cakes and The Snag Society all on-hand to help you fill your stomach. Organisers have also put together an impressive lineup of musicians, including Mighty Duke and the Lords, Kim Salmon, Mangelwurzel and the Sugar Fed Leopards. So hightail it south this Thursday.
