Italian wine bar and restaurant Casa Mariotti just landed on Richmond's Swan Street, and the team is celebrating by running a special aperitivo session from Wednesday–Sunday until the end of October. Drop by anytime from 4–6pm and you can score a selection of wine, beer and cocktails starting at $9 a pop alongside complimentary snacks. And these aren't just free peanuts or popcorn — the crew is giving away top-notch bar snacks. Think bruschetta al pomodoro, bowls of lupin and seasonal frittata. You could simply drop by the new Casa Mariotti Bar & Cucina for beers and free small bites, but you'd be a fool if you missed out on some of its larger dishes. Get around its deep-fried mozzarella and anchovy crostini and rice balls, or try bigger dishes like its handmade pastas and warming sugos. The brothers running the show — Guido and Guiacomo Mariotti — have been inspired by their nonna's old family recipes, plus their experience working in Roman restaurants for over 20 years. If you want to sample a little slice of Rome in Melbourne, be sure to check out this new wine bar and restaurant's temporary aperitivo special. Images: Jack Carlin.
Messina diehards, we've got some bloody good news for you. There are now three locations to satisfy your gelato urges in Melbourne: Fitzroy, Richmond and now, Windsor. Yep, Gelato Messina is opening their third Melbourne store today. Sitting on Chapel Street right beside vodka bar Borsch Vodka and Tears, Messina's Windsor venture is cranking out the gelato and cakes Melbourne knows, loves and Instagrams well. The new store will have a 'secret room' out the back for GMA meetings (Gelato Messina Anonymous) otherwise known as private degustations. According to the Messina team, this could be one of the prettiest yet. "Without being biased, our soon-to-be third Melbourne store on Chapel Street, Windsor, is one of our best-looking kids with fully wood panelled walls, some very snazzy red cool rooms and we’re hoping, some very handsome staff." Messina's new Windsor gelateria is the 12th for the empire, joining Melbourne's Fitzroy and Richmond chapters, alongside Sydney's flagship Darlinghurst and subsequent Surry Hills, Bondi, Parramatta, Miranda, Rosebery and The Star casino spinoffs and Coolangatta's beachside joint. They've got their Las Vegas store of course, and they're opening another store soon in the former Rozelle tram depot in Sydney. Gelato Messina's newest store opens at 171 Chapel Street, Windsor at 5pm on November 2.
It's a longstanding qualm some people have with female comedians that they're always talking about their genitalia. Those people might not enjoy this show. Returning to Australia for one-night-only after sold-out performances and seriously high praise, US comedian, performance artist and one half of the Wau Wau Sisters Adrienne Truscott is quite literally baring all in her critically-acclaimed, one-woman show about rape culture. Dressed only from the waist up, Truscott is taking aim at the likes of Daniel Tosh and his controversial comments of last year, and is dragging the art of the 'rape joke' to breaking point. After five-star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe, Adrienne Truscott's Asking for It is one the most-talked about shows of the past year (for better or worse).
This year's West Projections Festival is lighting up with the literary theme of 'non/Fiction'. Running every night from August 17–26, the annual after-dark festival will see an entire area bathed in breathtaking light as more than 36 unique spaces around Footscray play host to specially commissioned works of pop-up public art. Supported by Victoria University and Maribyrnong City Council, this year's festival promises to be the most expansive yet. Sites include Harley & Rose, Mr West, SIMS Supermarket, Seddon Wine Store and Chambers Street. Forming the spine of the festival are seven hour-long art walks, each of which will take participants on a different route around the suburb and end at a participating bar. There'll also be spoken word performances, roving projections, a VR dance party and a pop-up bar – and don't be surprised to see a convoy of food trucks rolling around the neighbourhood, either. The festival will kick off with a launch party at Nicholson Street Mall on Friday, August 17, from 6–9pm, which will feature plenty of food, art and live music. This year, the festival spreads across the inner west, too — with a pop-up in Seddon's Victoria and Charles Streets running across two nights, August 3 and 4; and West Footscray's pop-up in Barkly Street running from August 10–11. Images: Shuttermain.
The stage has been set and the battlelines drawn. People of Melbourne, prepare yourself for war. This Saturday, hundreds of combatants will descend upon Flemington Racecourse for an afternoon of drinking, dancing and tomato-hurling mayhem. It's our very own version of Spain’s La Tomatina, with a little bit of Oktoberfest thrown in. Participants in Melbourne's inaugural Tomato Battle will pelt each other with upwards of one hundred thousand kilograms of over-ripe Roma tomatoes, in an event that will probably end up being marginally less messy than the Spring Racing Carnival. Everyone involved will be expected to play by the rules, which explicitly forbid profanity, unsportsmanlike behaviour and nudity. You'd think that last one would go without saying, but we suppose it's better to be safe than sorry. Gates open at noon for preregistration, while the fruit starts flying at 4pm sharp. The main event will be preceded by a lineup of live music, headlined by local favourite Some Blonde DJ.
It's been 11 years since Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio decided to fill a Melbourne alleyway with tunes in 2005. Heading back to their collection of unconventional venues for another year, Laneway Festival have announced their dates and venues for 2016's Australasian run. Returning to the five established Australian Laneway go-to cities as well as the Singapore and Auckland legs, Laneway will raise a plastic cup to the middle of summer with an undoubtedly killer lineup and unique, random locations. Kicking off in Singapore on Saturday, January 30 at Gardens by the Bay, Laneway will then head over to Auckland’s Silo Park on Monday, February 1. Then it’s off to Adelaide on Friday, February 5 to kick off the Australian leg for the first time at Harts Mill, Port Adelaide, before heading to Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday, February 6, Sydney College of the Arts on Sunday, February 7, Footscray Community Arts Centre (FCAC) on Saturday, February 13 and finishing up at Fremantle’s Esplanade on Valentine’s Day. The full festival lineup for all three countries will be announced at 9am AEST on Tuesday, September 22. ST JEROME'S LANEWAY FESTIVAL DATES AND VENUES FOR 2016: Saturday, January 30 — SINGAPORE (THE MEADOW, GARDENS BY THE BAY) Monday, February 1 — AUCKLAND (SILO PARK) Friday, February 5 — ADELAIDE (HARTS MILL, PORT ADELAIDE, 16+) Saturday, February 6 — BRISBANE (BRISBANE SHOWGROUNDS, BOWEN HILLS, 16+) Sunday, February 7 — SYDNEY (SYDNEY COLLEGE OF THE ARTS, ROZELLE) Saturday, February 13 — MELBOURNE (FOOTSCRAY COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE (FCAC) + THE RIVER’S EDGE) Sunday, February 14 — FREMANTLE (ESPLANADE RESERVE AND WEST END) Image: Andy Fraser.
It's not just a case of the show needing to go on for the folks at the Moulin Rouge. It must, and it is. 17 years after the big-screen release of Baz Luhrmann's smash-hit movie musical, the story of doomed lovers Christian and Satine has made its way to the stage in an expectedly spectacular fashion — and now it's headed to Broadway. The lavish adaptation premiered in Boston in July, and will bow on Broadway bow from June 28, 2019. If you're planning a New York visit next year, the official opening night will take place on July 25, 2019. Moulin Rouge! the Musical follows the tale film fans fell in love with, as well as the music, with the addition of new pop tracks that have hit the airwaves in the nearly two decades since the movie's original release. It's directed by two-time Tony nominee Alex Timbers — who also has a Golden Globe to his name for co-created TV series Mozart in the Jungle — with music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by his frequent collaborator Justin Levine. Aaron Tveit (TV's Gossip Girl; stage productions of Wicked, Rent and Catch Me If You Can) will continue in the role of Christian, as played by Ewan McGregor in the movie, while Tony-winner Karen Olivo (the revival of West Side Story, In the Heights, Hamilton) keeps stepping into Nicole Kidman's shoes as Satine. "I first encountered Alex Timbers through the remarkable and inventive production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and the brilliance of Here Lies Love," said Luhrmann in a statement when the state adaptation was first announced in 2016. "I immediately recognised the young director's creative spirit and felt we shared similar sensibilities and instincts." Continuing the show's list of talent, writing duties fell upon acclaimed playwright and screenwriter John Logan, whose resume includes Skyfall, Spectre and Alien: Covenant as well as the Tony Award-winning play Red. "It's immensely gratifying to know that a new wave of artists will be leading Moulin Rouge! into its rightful theatrical realm," said Luhrmann. Tickets for the Broadway run go on sale at 10am on Monday, December 3 (US time), and you can sign up for updates now. If a trip to NY isn't on your agenda any time soon, fingers crossed that the production will make its way down under. Come what may, and all that. Image: Moulin Rouge the Musical/Matthew Murphy.
Gather the troops — and your stretchiest clothing — for a solid ten days of sipping and sampling. It's March, and that means the dinner plates are out for the city's biggest excuse for eating and drinking itself silly: the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Running from March 4-13, there are over 290 events on offer. So whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just looking for something new to learn, do or taste, there’s a smorgasbord of events to try. Mooch some mussels, get the lowdown on mushrooms or see how food pairs with fiction. This year's festival hub will be an urban dairy at Queensbridge Square, where a feast of cheese, yoghurt and ice-cream makers will gather from around the corner and across the globe to produce their signature creamy delights. Home and homage to all things dairy, the likes of Big Gay Ice Cream, Gelato Messina, Gontran Cherrier and make an appearance, as well as world-leading experts who’ll be leading dairy workshops.
Wannabe wordsmiths, listen up. If you're tired of scribbling away stories to no avail, this festival could be just the thing to nurture your unrealised potential. Across 11 days, the Emerging Writers' Festival brings over 2000 members of Australia's literary community to Melbourne to celebrate and the explore the magic of the written word. Posing the question 'how do you be a writer in the world?', this event promises to deliver practical, no-nonsense nuggets of wisdom to those both entering and established in the literary field. Across the program there's plenty to keep to busy. Kicking things off is the Opening Night Storytelling Slam, which sees four writers share their best and worst pieces of advice to eager ears (along with the announcement of the winners of the Monash Undergraduate Prize for Creative Writing plus the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript). Graphic Translations offers a fascinating snapshot into Japanese zine culture using the work of artist Okan Do Zine, while the festival's YouTube Party sees ACMI's big screen come alight with what's described as 'the natural evolution of any drunken dinner party', hosted by Emily Naismith. Head along to the National Writer's Conference for two days of industry-focused talks, masterclasses and information sessions hosted by some of Australia's brightest talents, based out of the State Library of Victoria. Find out how to write a captivating profile or host the perfect podcast at the Writer's Night School, or hear how get cold hard cash for your creative endeavours at the Industry Insiders: Money, Money, Money event. Wrapping up with the Closing Night Party, hosted by Plaything Magazine, the EWF is a must-see for anyone wanting a closer glimpse into the world of writing.
Melbourne likes movies. Melbourne likes rooftop bars. Little wonder then that the Rivoli Cinema in Camberwell is about to start serving cocktails at a slightly higher altitude. Set to open next month, nineteenforty will be a garden-inspired rooftop bar that offers panoramic views of the surrounding suburbs. Named for the year that the now-iconic picture palace first began operations, the east side's newest watering hole sounds like an ideal date spot, with drinks and a movie all rolled into one. The look of the bar will be designed to complement the cinema's art deco trappings, with timber cladding, potted plants and festoon lighting. Food-wise they'll offer a selection of bar snacks including wedges, veggie spring rolls, and cheese and dip platters, along with pizzas and gourmet popcorn options like salted caramel, white raspberry, maple bacon cheese and pecan pie. As for drinks, moviegoers can pick between an array of wines, beers and ciders, or sample cocktails like the Athena (apricot brandy, cloudy apple and lime) and the South of the River (Star of Bombay, St Germain Elderflower, apple, lime and mint). "We've always been enamoured by the history of the cinema," said Rivoli site manager James Zwack. "The rooftop bar seems like the perfect way to invite guests to enjoy the space as much as we do." The Rivoli isn't the only cinema to look to the sky in recent times, with the recently opened Lido on nearby Glenferrie Road offering rooftop screenings throughout summer. nineteenforty will open at Rivoli Cinema, 200 Camberwell Rd, Hawthorn East, after September 16.
UPDATE, August 19, 2021: After Bluesfest was originally cancelled just days out from its usual Easter slot, and then later postponed to October, the long-running fest has now announced that it's abandoning plans to go ahead this year — and will return for Easter 2022 instead. For more information head to the Bluesfest website. Mid last year, after its 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic, Bluesfest announced the first 50 acts for its 2021 festival. That lineup has changed in the months since, with an all-Aussie roster now set to hit the fest's stages — headlined by Aussie icon and the human scream Jimmy Barnes, Tash Sultana, Ocean Alley, Ziggy Alberts and The Teskey Brothers. Also on the bill: John Butler, Xavier Rudd, The Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers, The Church, The Waifs, Jon Stevens and John Williamson, plus Ian Moss, The Angels, The Living End and Tex Perkins. The list goes on, and includes new additions Pete Murray, Kate Ceberano, Electrik Lemonade and Palm Valley. In good news after a year lacking in large-scale music festivals, the event has been given a provisional green light, with organisers announcing that they've received NSW Government approval to run the festival at 50 percent capacity this April — as long as no outbreaks occur beforehand. The festival is set to return to Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm — just outside Byron Bay — for its usual Easter time slot, from Thursday, April 1 to Monday, April 5. When the festival was cancelled last year, it was the first time in 30 years it had not run, but the second year in a row it had come under threat. In 2019, the Festival Director threatened to move the festival to a spot outside of NSW because of the State Government's strict music festival licensing regime. Here's hoping that it does go ahead as planned in 2021 — with tickets on sale now. BLUESFEST 2021 LINEUP Pete Murray Mark Seymour and The Undertow Kate Ceberano Fiona Boyes and The Fortune Tellers Lambros The Regime Round Mountain Girls Electrik Lemonade Palm Valley Ocean Alley John Williamson Tex Perkins The Man in Black Jon Stevens Ash Grunwald and Josh Teskey Vika and Linda Garrett Kato Mia Dyson The Church Kate Miller-Heidke The Living End The Angels Ross Wilson and The Peaceniks Blue King Brown Jeff Lang Kara Grainger Tash Sultana Ziggy Alberts Kev Carmody Ian Moss Hiatus Kaiyote Russell Morris Briggs Kim Churchill Mama Kin Spender All Our Exes Live In Texas Jimmy Barnes The Teskey Brothers John Butler Xavier Rudd The Cat Empire Kasey Chambers The Waifs Troy Cassar-Daley The Black Sorrows Melbourne Ska Orchestra Chain Backsliders Harts Plays Hendrix Ash Grunwald The Bamboos Mick Thomas' Roving Commission Dami Im Pierce Brothers Emily Wurramara Roshani Ray Beadle Henry Wagons Hussy Hicks Pacey, King and Doley Daniel Champagne Nathan Cavaleri Little Georgia Bluesfest Busking Competition and Winners The Australian Americana Music Honours Bluesfest 2021 will run Thursday, April 1–Monday, April 5 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. Tickets are on sale now via Moshtix. Image: Joseph Mayers.
Summer is officially over. We know that not just because it's March, but because, as has become custom at this time of year, Vivid Sydney has this morning announced its program for 2018. Get ready to be ensconced in projections once again — the festival of light, music and ideas is returning for 23 days from May 25 to June 16. The first tidbit from this year's program was handed to us a few weeks ago, with the announcement that Solange will do four shows at the Sydney Opera House from June 1–4 — her only Australian shows this time round. Tickets have already been allocated via ballot, so we hope you jumped on that already. The most overt (and unavoidable) aspect of the program is the lights, and this year their glow will extend across the bridge to light up Luna Park for the first time. A new precinct for 2017, it will extend the reach of the CBD's Light Walk from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour and Barangaroo with a collection of large-scale projections and a new light fit-out for the Ferris wheel. Should make good viewing from the ferry. The Sydney Opera House's sails will this year be lit up with hyperreal images of Australian flora, fauna and natural elements from artist (and former Flume collaborator) Jonathan Zawada, and Customs House will be home to an adorable projection of May Gibbs' Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Fans of Sir David Attenborough will be able to head down to the Maritime Museum to watch scenes from Blue Planet II projected onto the building's roof, and interactive light installation Aqueous will head to the Royal Botanic Garden via Burning Man. Vivid light hotspots, Circular Quay, the MCA, Chatswood, Taronga Zoo and Martin Place will all be lit up as well. Vivid Music is once again in fine form. Joining Solange for the Vivid Live component of the program at the Opera House will be hip hop legend Ice Cube, 90s favourite Cat Power and Mazzy Star, who will come to Australia for the very first time since forming in 1989 (if you don't know the band by name, you probably know the song 'Fade Into You'). Dreams — a new project from Silverchair's Daniel Johns and Empire of the Sun's Luke Steele — and performances from Iron and Wine, Neil Finn and Middle Kids around also on the Opera House's 20-night Vivid lineup. Another big one is a one-off performance from St Vincent at Carriageworks, and the City Recital Hall has a solid program this year, including a musical comedy show from Orange Is the New Black's Lea Delaria. Vivid Ideas is, of course, back for those keen to delve into creativity, science and technology — and this year it's scored James Cameron as its big-ticket speaker. Cameron will be in town to open his new exhibition at the Maritime Museum and do an in conversation with comedian Adam Spencer. There's plenty more where that came from, check the Vivid Sydney website for more details.
Good news for those into theatre of the irreverent and independent persuasions. Just announced, the program for the third annual instalment of the NEON Festival of Independent Theatre is here— and it's the kind of staged indie gold we’ve come to expect at this time of year from the normally more mainstream-bent Melbourne Theatre Company. NEON 2015 runs from May 14 to July 25. Like its previous iterations, five independent theatre artists/collaboratives are invited to commandeer the Lawler at Southbank Theatre with a work of their own, for ten days apiece. Aussie theatre mavericks and champions of new, alternate voices in theatre MKA are first up with Double Feature, a two-for-the-price-of-one, booze-soaked tirade. Tobias Manderson-Galvin's post-punk prison fantasy Lucky is double billed with Morgan Rose’s Lord Willing and The Creek Don't Rise — a "broken kitchen-sink drama of carnivals and cannibals". Next up, The Zoey Louise Moonbeam Dawson Shakespeare Company presents Calamity. This part musical, part western, part biography tells the story of Calamity Jane in a way that's a lot less Doris Day circa 1953 and a whole lot more gun-slinging, foul-mouthed, alcoholic cowgirl — apparently a much more accurate depiction. Long-time collaborators Susie Dee and Patricia Cornelius like female characters you don’t often see on stage. Their play SHIT is about Billy, Bobby and Sam — girls who spit, swear, scream, shout, flash, fight with fists and moon pedestrians from cars. SHIT's creators say they wanted to empower their female characters, to give them "the chance to come back at a world which despises them". If recreations of classics are your thing, check out Dirty Pretty Theatre’s The Lonely Wolf, an anarchic, dance-theatre version of Steppenwolf; or Elbow Room’s We Get It, a retrospective of history's great heroines of the stage. NEON is all part of MTC's aim to strengthen its ties with the independent theatre landscape and the artists that make it tick. "The previous two NEON Festivals have brought audiences works of great integrity and variety, and the discussion that ensued has been inspiring, saysBrett Sheehy, MTC’s artistic director. "I have no doubt NEON 2015 is going to do the same." In addition to the five new works comes NEON EXTRA (think masterclasses, workshops and open rehearsals), NEON READINGS (readings of brand new plays) and the special closing night event Pimp My Play, presented by The Last Tuesday Society. It promises to put a pretty raucous end to the festivities, using a simple formula: take boring old play, give collaborators scene each, put pieces back together, and present resulting miscreation to horrified/delighted audience. Sounds like a suitably Frankensteinian way to end a jam-packed, raucous couple of months. NEON 2015 runs from May 14 to July 25 at Southbank Theatre. For more info or to book tickets, head over here.
You can walk to the shops. You can walk to work. But no walk will feed your soul like a walk by the water. And if you're travelling to Sydney soon, your soul should be pizza-party-level full with the number of walks around town featuring stellar water views. These ten coastal walks have it all — wild scrub, picturesque paths, yacht clubs and war ruins. Bar stops right where you need them. Parts of the Bondi to Coogee you can blitz in an hour, while the Bundeena to Otford track is an overnighter. Here's your next ten weekends' worth of active leisure. BEST HARBOUR VIEWS: BRADLEY'S HEAD TO CHOWDER BAY WALK For the yoga-posing enthusiast, this leisurely five-kilometre walk begins over the bridge from the CBD at Taronga Zoo and extends to the deliciously charming Chowder Bay. The trail hugs the coast tightly and its proximity to Sydney Harbour allows for completely unobstructed views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and city skyline. Once you work up an appetite, plan to have a well-deserved lunch at one of the bay's many seafood restaurants. BEST FOR YACHT-WATCHING: CHINAMANS BEACH TO BALMORAL BEACH While this trek can be walked in either direction, the best course is down through the overgrown Parriwi Lighthouse Walking Track. The steep steps lead to sudden views of Middle Harbour, and the trek becomes an unexpectedly rocky adventure as the path to Chinamans Beach is only available at low tide. Once arriving at the tiny and peaceful Chinamans, the short one-kilometre walk to Balmoral includes exquisite beachfront properties that line the shores and views of the yachts that often dock along the way. MOST CHALLENGING TREK: BUNDEENA TO OTFORD COASTAL TRACK If you're looking for more than a day trip, this 26-kilometre track around the Royal National Park boasts a combination of rugged bushwalks with Cliffs of Moher-type views across the Tasman Sea. For those who are not incredibly fit, it is best to spend a night camping at North Era campground, but make sure to wake up in time for the stunning sunrise over the ocean. BEST COASTAL BUSHWALK: NORTH HEAD While this historical, 9.5-kilometre walk does contain a driving path, the true beauty of this trail is seen through the dirt road bushwalk. Take the ferry from Circular Quay towards Manly and begin this trek at North Head Sanctuary. Walk through the former North Head Army Barracks before heading out to the bush to potentially spot an echidna or bandicoot lurking in the burnt orange and yellow brush. The wild path then opens suddenly to a mix of coastal views; the best are located at the Third Quarantine Station Cemetery, which looks across to Middle Head and Manly, and the Fairfax Walk, which looks far out over the Tasman Sea. From here, it's easy to end your afternoon at Manly Beach, stopping at the petite Collins and Little Manly beaches along the way. BEST TREK TO THE CBD: ANZAC BRIDGE TO PYRMONT BRIDGE This seafood frenzy of a walk is the most scenic way to head into the CBD from the city's inner west. Begin by crossing the austere-looking Anzac Bridge over to Blackwattle Bay, where you should settle in for a bayside lunch at the iconic Sydney Fish Market. Continue on through Darling Harbour and cross into the CBD over the Pyrmont Bridge, which offers the best views of Cockle Bay. This four-kilometre bridge hike merits a cocktail and some nibbles at one of the restaurants and bars at nearby Barangaroo. MOST ICONIC STROLL: MANLY TO SPIT BRIDGE SCENIC WALK This ten-kilometre walk, combined with the ferry ride to Manly Beach, is one of the best and most easily accessible treks in Sydney — and comes highly endorsed for a reason. This varying coastal walk of bush, ocean views and even rock engravings by the Gai-mariagal people make the entire trip compelling and a true Sydney experience that shouldn't be missed by even the most seasoned veterans. BEST PANORAMIC VIEWS: MIDDLE HEAD While the multiple WWII batteries located at Middle Head certainly set this walk apart, it is the expansive views of the eastern suburbs, Middle Harbour and Manly that really make this trek worthwhile. Still, climbing through underground tunnels and gun pits on the edge of the coast is a big part of the thrill. Don't miss the Vietnamese 'Tiger Cages', where trained military men simulated prisoner of war conditions. You'll find these ruins throughout the Middle Head Fortifications, but the surrounding sheer cliffs are what give the remnants their eerie and significant effect. BEST HISTORIC SIGHTS: COCKATOO ISLAND A UNESCO world heritage site, Cockatoo Island has an illustrious history. Once a convict colony and industrial island, it has 360-degree views of the water, including the surrounding bays and the Parramatta River. Tours, events and daily talks focus on environmental and historical issues related to the island, and regular art exhibitions run throughout the year. Spend a leisurely afternoon playing tennis on some of Sydney's most scenic courts then hire a barbecue and show off your grill-skills. If you still want more, Cockatoo can easily be turned into a getaway for your getaway with campgrounds and holiday houses available. BEST FOR PICNICKING: BALLS HEAD RESERVE The reserve affords exceptional views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the north and is a great place to have a short walk and picnic on the rocks overlooking the CBD. The bushwalk tracks open up to a secluded park where barbecues stand at the ready. Once you finish grilling up your sausages, head back over to the rocky area to have your picnic while watching the harbour boats mosey by. This is a proper lazy man's trek and should be enjoyed at a slow pace. MOST QUINTESSENTIALLY SYDNEY: BONDI TO COOGEE No list is complete without including this six-kilometre trail, which gives visitors and locals alike a true sense of Sydney's coastal beauty. The trek's steep gradients are well spaced between the city's most loved beaches, making this trip part-workout, part-beach bum afternoon. While the walk could be completed in as little as two hours, it's best enjoyed with long breaks by the ocean. Come in the spring and parts of the trail become extra majestic (and extra crowded) for iconic art event Sculpture by the Sea. Ready to get away and experience Sydney? Book with Qantas for great fares to Sydney and NSW until 24 September. Terms and conditions apply. Images: Marissa Ciampi and Grant Bates.
With the working year back in full swing and winter fast approaching, you're probably already nostalgic for summer nights sipping brewskis or soaking up the heat at your favourite beach. But with temperatures set to stay higher than average for autumn, you don't have to retire your summer wardrobe just yet. Plus, there are still plenty of ways to take advantage of the warm weather and have a blast. We've compiled six ideas to keep the summer vibes going for a little while longer. [caption id="attachment_704319" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] HEAD UNDERWATER Warm weather means warm waters — even in Melbourne. So why not pack your towel and swimmers and plan your next beach adventure? Water temperatures are currently sitting around 19 degrees, so now is the perfect time to grab some mates or enjoy some you time by the water. Whether you're a fish in disguise or more of a landlubber, there are plenty of swimming holes and beaches, and pools where you can swim some laps or sprawl out with a good book. Or if you're planning to explore the depths, you can even do a day trip to these top-notch snorkelling spots like at Half Moon Bay or off the St Leondards Pier. CAMP OUT ON THE SAND This one is fuelled by 100-percent bonafide seasonal denial. Hit the road, find that temporary piece of paradisiac real estate and wake up in on own little patch of beach. Australia's end of summer is the best time to beach camp, with clear days, cool nights and warmer water temperatures all round. Whether you're looking for a spot close to home or planning a road trip, it will be tough to choose from these tent-friendly beaches scattered across Victoria. If you're wanting to make a longer road trip, make tracks to one of the best beach camping spots around the country. Doze off to the sound of crashing waves and wake up with a morning dip in the ocean. Plus, you can wow your mates with these campside food hacks and all it takes is a bit of planning and a few handy tools. WATCH THE SUNSET (AND A MOVIE) Outdoor cinemas are a staple of summer and there's still time to take a date or your mates to catch the latest flicks under the stars. Plus, you can bring along a picnic of your favourite treats and drinks or enjoy what's on offer on-site. While some have already packed up for the year, there's still time to head down to the Botanic Gardens' Moonlight Cinema or Cameo's outdoor season down in Belgrave. If you'd rather stick to the CBD, Rooftop Cinema will run its stellar program right through until the end of March. [caption id="attachment_695540" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Annika Kafcaloudis[/caption] COOL DOWN WITH AN ICE CREAM Summer days and ice cream go hand in hand, and escaping from the office to pick up a cone of classic pistachio or untraditional Aperol Spritz gelato is a great way to enjoy the final days of summery sunshine. Melburnians are spoilt for choice, too, so pick up a scoop (or two) from one of our top 11 ice-cream and gelato joints around the city. For those looking for something traditional, take a trip to the Compá or Gelateria Primavera. If you're looking for smore unusual, you'll find some unique treats at Aqua S and Milkcow. Plus, if you're around this Saturday, Lavezzi in Carlton is celebrating its first birthday by giving away scoops for free. EAT AND DRINK BY THE WATER What's not to love about sipping a refreshing cocktail while you soak up stunning views of beaches, harbours or rivers? Whether you're planning your next date night or an outing with friends, there are a bunch of spots where you can spend your final summer nights. And there's somewhere for every occasion, from Williamstown's Spanish diner on the sand and St Kilda's beachside spot to the Yarra's long river bar. Bring your togs and relax with a cocktail at the newly opened Reunion Island Pool Club on top of Melbourne Central, or get a bunch of mates together for drinks at these waterside bars. Or, if you want a dose of salty air, head to one of these restaurants by the beach. [caption id="attachment_650215" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Great Ocean Walk, Visit Victoria[/caption] GO DAY TRIPPING If you're missing the excitement that comes with travelling, or you've been meaning to hit the road all summer, there's still time to explore somewhere new for a day. So grab the car snacks, make a jamming Spotify playlist and pick one of these summer day trips. Head down the Mornington Peninsula and you can stop off at a winery on your way to one of the area's many beaches, or go the other way to the Great Ocean Road for some surf and a ride on a zip line. For those looking for a cooler climate getaway, hideaway at Hepburn Bathhouse in Daylesford. If you still need guidance, check out our handy road trip guide.
To welcome winter for another year, the team at Welcome to Thornbury is bringing back one of its most intuitive warming weekend events — a mini festival dedicated to mulled wine and hot cheese. Following successful runs last year, the party returns to the High Street food truck park from noon, Saturday, June 1, pulling together a selection of hot, gooey creations from some of the city's favourite cheese-slinging vendors. This is where all your cheesiest dreams come true — and while the food lineup hasn't been announced as yet, last year's menu included lush cheese fondue, mulled wine doughnut balls, cheesy pierogi and a raclette burger. Of course, you won't find a better drink match to all that rich, melty dairy than some hot, spiced booze, so the bar will be rounding out its usual offerings with five different mulled wines. Available all day, you'll be apple to pick from mulled wine spiked with apple pie, chilli chocolate, cherry or sticky date pudding — amongst others.
It's that time of year where you should probably start getting your New Year's Eve plans in order. To help you out, Beyond the Valley has just announced the lineup for their celebrated four-day festival in Lardner, Victoria and it's pretty.bloody.good. Just two years old, the Victorian festival is fresh on the New Year's circuit, starting out in 2014. Despite this, they've managed to secure a rather colossal lineup featuring Hudson Mohawke, Phantogram and ZHU among plenty of others. The lineup has some solid Australian flavours, including festival favourites Sticky Fingers, Safia, Dune Rats and Alex Lahey, who absolutely killed it when she opened up Splendour in the Grass last month. We think DZ Deathrays summed it up nicely with this post: Enough chat, here's what you're after. BEYOND THE VALLEY 2016 LINEUP: Alex Lahey Bag Raiders Bakermat Chance The Rapper Dena Amy DUNE RATS DZ Deathrays Eats Everything Emma Louise Giraffage GoldLink Harts Hermitude Highasakite Hot Chip Hudson Mohawke Japanese Wallpaper Jarryd James Jme Kllo Kölsch Ladyhawke Lastlings LUNICE Montaigne Motez MSTRKRFT Oliver Huntemann Paces Pachanga Boys Hippie Dance Phantogram Running Touch Ryan Hemsworth Safia Skream Slumberjack Sonny Fodera Sticky Fingers Thundamentals TOKiMONSTA Total Giovanni Vera Blue Wafia What So Not ZHU Tickets go on sale Thursday, August 11 at 9am from beyondthevalley.com. Images: Beyond the Valley.
OK Go, that band whose music videos consistently outperform their music, would find it hard not to be impressed by Birdman. That's because the film features one remarkable, continuous shot that goes for 119 minutes and is called Birdman. It's a cheat, of course. Like Timecode before it, there are cuts amid the long takes, but much of director Alejandro González Iñárritu and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki's remarkable achievement is how seamlessly they’re all pieced together. Filmed like a play but choreographed like a dance, Birdman is cinematic ballet where the way the story is presented is just as critical to its telling as the story itself. And what of that story? It’s a simple one, but like all good tales, the simplicity of plot is offset by characters possessed of deep complexity. None more so than Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), a washed-up movie star whose career faded into obscurity after turning down the lead in ‘Birdman 3’ (allusions to Keaton’s career post Batmans 1 and 2 are clearly — and gleefully — embraced by all). Thomson has gambled everything on one final shot at restoring his credibility: a Broadway adaptation of a Raymond Carver story that he has singlehandedly adapted, directed and is starring in. There's a matryoshka doll feeling to it all: the movie, filmed like a play, about the movie star putting on a play. The effect is at once mesmerising and unbalanced, neatly reflecting Thomson’s own tortured subconscious. When narration sporadically occurs, it is not in the voice of Thomson, but Thomson ‘doing’ Birdman — the same gravelly exercise in duality that defines the Bruce Wayne/Batman dichotomy. Then there’s the supporting cast, albeit one where ‘support’ is a giant misnomer since Keaton needs no assistance and each of the supporting actors puts in a lead-worthy performance of their own. As Thomson’s friend and agent, Zach Galifianakis shows remarkable, understated reserve, while Emma Stone is refreshingly dark as Thomson’s recovering drug addict daughter Sam. Naomi Watts and Andrea Riseborough both demonstrate incredible depth as Thomson’s on-stage co-stars, but the standout is unquestionably Edward Norton. He plays Mike Shiner, an unspeakable egotist and critical darling whose dedication to method seemingly knows no bounds. Norton's scenes with Keaton showcase two of the finest performances of the year, and are spectacularly — most notably in their self-aware jibes at actors and critics. This is a film that almost commands repeat viewings, if only to marvel at its mechanics. Yet Birdman offers so much more than form. Darkly comedic, intellectually challenging and emotionally confronting, Iñárritu's film is a tantalisingly original piece of cinema that belongs on everyone’s must-see list for 2015.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Melburnians love Nutella. Like, love Nutella. In fact we love it so much that we may have accidentally caused a nation-wide shortage earlier in the month. Oops. Sorry everyone in the rest of the country. That one was on us. Now you might have hoped that we'd have learnt something from that experience — that perhaps Melbourne should be enjoying Nutella in moderation, to ensure that we're never confronted with such a scarcity again. But that just wouldn't be our style. Instead, we're doubling down, with a full blown Nutella pop-up. We're talking s'mores, truffles and tarts by the hundreds. Because if anyone is going to wipe those heavenly nuts off the face of the earth, then you better believe it is going to be us. Organised by City Lane, the pop-up pops up at The Alehouse Project in Brunswick East on Saturday, September 12. The service window opens at 9am sharp, at which point you'll be able to grab yourself a $10 'bento box' containing a Nutella and peanut butter s'more, a Nutella and salted caramel chocolate truffle, and a Nutella and maple syrup tart with smoked hickory Italian meringue. If 9am sounds too early to be scoffing all that sugar then move to Adelaide, you traitor. Besides, they've only made 500 boxes — and we have a sneaking suspicion they're not going to last. Hell, we're planning on grabbing at least a dozen boxes for ourselves. The pop-up will also be serving Japanese style V60 pour over coffee at $3 a cup. Their set-up is cash only, so make sure you bring the Benjamins. You'll also be able to grab a glass of beer or wine once The Alehouse opens at midday — although again, that's only if you're willing to run the risk of missing out on the sweet stuff. Your call. The Nutella pop-up will open at The Alehouse Project, Brunswick East at 9am on Saturday, September 12. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
The KitchenAid Artisan Mixer is now smaller — which means they're perfect for that infuriatingly tiny amount of bench space in your house. Whether you whip out the classic Empire Red, go for something more tropical like the Orange Sorbet, or opt for something a little newer and classier like the Matte Black – KitchenAid Artisan Minis are just as pretty as they are practical. To celebrate its launch in Australia we've got five (and one attachment) to give away. Choose your colour, and then choose from one of the fifteen KitchenAid Artisan Mini attachments available (food processor, pasta maker, spiralizer are just a few — you can do much more than bake with this thing), and enter your details below. Make sure you agree to the competition terms and conditions, and be quick, entries close at midday on Sunday, October 30. [competition]592968[/competition] Image: Samantha Hawker.
For the first time, a generation (or, at least, a privileged segment of it), can work from anywhere, anytime, anyhow. Which means that joyous feeling of holiday mode can be as long as you have imagination enough to keep it going. No more confinement to white cubicles. No more bosses breathing down your neck. No more debating triple j's playlists while languishing in peak hour traffic. And, most gloriously, no more having to get dressed. Yep, with a laptop under your arm, an ability to make the best of an awful to-do list and a few handy tips from us, you can turn your life into a permanent holiday. Here are five ways to make your working days equal parts business and Bahamas (just go with it). GET A DECENT DONGLE AND HIT THE BEACH With a good dongle or smartphone hot spot, connected to a quality service provider, you can consider any beach your office. Just don't forget to fully charge your devices before you get going. Pack a picnic blanket or, for even more flexibility, buy a light, portable laptop stand. That'll let you set up anywhere without wrecking your back and neck — and sand is a punish on laptops, so be wary. If you're in for a long day, a sun shelter can be handy too. Not keen to carry so much gear? Scope out beaches with picnic tables. Whatever you do, throw your swimmers into your bag — you'll need breaks in between typing and posting and emailing. And most obviously, don't leave your laptop on the beach while you're paddling. FIND A BAR WITH FREE WIFI Another advantage of escaping the office is that you can spend time in your favourite bar and be productive (i.e. make those dollars) at the same time. Nothing quite says boss like ticking off things from your to-do list and screening calls in-between cocktails — especially if you can make that happen on a lounge in a cosy bar. So, do some Googling or wandering, until you find a drinking hole with wifi, and you'll be channelling your inner tortured writer in no time. Of course, now's not the time to let things get out of hand. Be smart. There are deadlines to meet, after all. [caption id="attachment_564835" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bench Accounting via Unsplash[/caption] GO CAFE HOPPING IN A NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD Turn your work day into a travel adventure — in your own city. Even if you've lived in said city all your life, chances are there are neighbourhoods you haven't yet visited — or don't know so well. So, choose one that's unfamiliar and map out a bunch of interesting-looking cafes (oh hai, Concrete Playground can help you there) within walking distance of one another. Spend an hour or two working in each, before heading to the next one. To maximise your productivity, set clear, achievable goals for every session. Not only do you get to discover new places, you also fit in some walking, which, according to this report, might reduce your mortality risk by up to 46 percent. [caption id="attachment_563818" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Dave Meier[/caption] TAKE YOUR LAPTOP ON A DAY TRIP Choose a place just out of town that you've always wanted to visit — but not quite got around to checking out — and take your laptop day tripping. If you can, opt for a destination that's reachable by train, so you can work while you're travelling. This option lets you roll the first three hacks into one — with some planning, you can organise time in cafes, bars, beaches and parks. Also, think about how you'll spend break times — getting outdoors for a dose of swimming, paddling, cycling or hiking can clear your head and help you concentrate better when you're back at your computer. [caption id="attachment_563817" align="alignnone" width="5184"] Henry McIntosh[/caption] PUT ASIDE SOME DOSH AND CHECK INTO A HOTEL One of the challenges of self-employment can be keeping focused while working from home. Some people opt for offices or co-working spaces, but, every now and again, it can be fun to go for a total change of scene. So, treat yourself and check into a hotel or resort for a night — or several. This is an excellent option if you're working on a particular project or collaborating with others. Try to find a place with a pretty pool — there's nothing quite as refreshing as jumping into the water in between work sessions, brainstorms or meetings. An onsite cocktail bar can come in handy, too.
In what could prove to be a market-changing plot twist, online retail behemoth Amazon has set its sights on the startup world. It’s just gone live with Launchpad, a new specialist shopfront that will only sell products from startups. Combining the marketing, selling and distributing functions of other platforms — and possibly putting them out of business — Launchpad is an all-in-one service for bright-eyed inventors and visionaries with something to sell. The site is pretty tech-heavy so far, with gadgets you never knew you needed (and maybe still aren’t sure about) like an activity tracker that teaches you not to slouch, a Bluetooth speaker in floating orb form, and a 3D printer that’ll set you back $2,499 (US dollars, so probably double that, who even knows). But you’ve also got your artisanal pet treats, farm-to-bag popcorn, a smart indoor herb garden and a deck of cards ominously titled The Love Game. If you’ve got your own venture going on in, I don’t know, biodegradable socks, you can sign up to Launchpad for free and get Amazon’s help with marketing and distributing. Just make sure your products will be ready to ship within 90 days, and watch the cash dollars roll in. (Extra points if you’re already connected to one of their 25 partner organisations, which include venture capital firms, start-up accelerators and crowdfunding platforms.) Or just take a browse and get familiar with your scroll keys. Thus far the range is fairly limited, with just 200 products. But we predict that once this blows up, Launchpad will become something like the Etsy of the crowdfunded tech world — a time-sucking vortex of part wonder, part second-hand regret. Via Macworld.
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. FLORENCE + THE MACHINE 2015 TOUR DATES: Saturday 7th November - Perth Arena, Perth Tuesday 10th November - Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Friday 13th November - Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney Saturday 14th November - Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney Wednesday 18th November - Riverstage, Brisbane
Will a beloved icon ride off into the sunset, or will a last-minute reprieve save the day? It's a dramatic storyline worthy of enlivening The Astor's glorious single cinema screen; however for the past few years, such suspenseful questions have surrounded the Melbourne landmark's very existence. In August, the art-deco cinema’s fate was seemingly sealed, for worse rather than for better. Operator George Florence announced that the forthcoming calendar of screenings – running until March 2015, and including the usual array of cult and classic films alongside newer releases – would be his last, his reign ending when his lease expires. The sad developments provided the latest chapter in an ongoing dispute between Florence and the building’s owner, Ralph Taranto, with the two unable to agree on terms to continue the cinema’s operation in its current state. Florence has run The Astor since 1982. Taranto bought the site from St Michael's Grammar School in 2012, during the venue’s last closure scare. Now, news has surfaced that Palace Cinemas could be the knight in shining celluloid cinephiles have hoped for. The Melbourne-based national chain is reportedly in discussions about leasing the cinema, and continuing The Astor’s operations largely untouched. Their plan includes the involvement of Florence. Palace’s custodianship would see The Astor to continue operating as a single-screen, 1,150 seat auditoria, with programming of both new release and classic films to continue and showing on 35 and 70 millimetre prints as well as 2K and 4K digital projectors. Palace Cinema's CEO, Benjamin Zeccola, is determined to keep the identity of the Palace intact for nostalgic reasons. "I am in love with the ambience and unique sense of cinema at the Astor, it reminds me of the Metro Malvern Cinema where I grew up and the loss of which still saddens me. So it is with a great deal of affection and nostalgia that we approach an arrangement between Palace Cinemas and the Astor," he said. "Palace Cinemas are keenly aware of the importance in preserving The Astor experience and, to that end, we see the business operating very much as it does today: one cinema, the continuation of the brilliant programming and maintaining the building in the art deco style in direct consultation with Heritage Victoria." Such a prospect is welcomed by everyone that has enjoyed the magic of movie-going at The Astor over the past 32 years. Whether catching a double feature of films missed upon their first release; dressing up and singing along to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Grease or The Blues Brothers; or watching one of the many retrospective seasons focused on great directors or undersung masterpieces — all while devouring one of the venue’s famous choctops — The Astor has offered audiences a cinema experience unparalleled not just in Melbourne, but in Australia. The Astor's twitter account has advised that, "No formal agreement has been entered into, [but] we are hopeful for the future." Their hope is shared by their many fans and patrons. Watch this space. The Astor cinema’s current calendar runs from December 20 through to April 5, 2015. More program and development announcements will be made in early 2015. Via The Age.
Riding on the back of his last success, Tremors, multitalented Vienna-based singer and producer, SOHN (aka Christopher Taylor) is returning to Australian shores. You've probably heard his raw electronic renditions of traditional R&B before, influenced by the moody vocals of James Blake and How to Dress Well. Recorded entirely at night, Tremors is an immaculately crafted album; drawing together tales of Taylor's relationship-induced emotional melancholy. A London expat now living in Vienna, his music is enamoured with his newfound geographies — with hit tracks like 'Artifice' and 'Lessons' embracing a kind of laidback European pastoralism. If you missed out on last year's sell-out shows, hopefully you'll catch some better luck this time. Grab 'em quick.
If Black Swan didn't make the ballet world look tough enough, the boys from The Dream are sure to fix that. The Australian Ballet put its dancers through their paces ahead of the production's premiere in Sydney in April. A fascinating rendition of Shakespeare's iconic A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Dream is part of a triple bill of works by leading 20th-century choreographer Frederick Ashton at his spectacular best. Expect magic and musicality, and did we mention men en pointe? That's right, forget boys in tutus: these guys will be dancing on the very tips of their toes, using the notoriously difficult technique normally only practised by female dancers. And they're mastering the brutal art in just 12 short weeks. It's all part of how Ashton envisaged the hapless actor-turned-ass, Bottom. Coryphée Christopher Rodgers-Wilson gives the warts-and-all goss on what it takes to transform into this loveable, eccentric donkey. TURNING THE TABLES A hulking pair of hairy legs en pointe is a rarity in ballet, where the technique is usually reserved for female dancers. There is a bit of history of men taking part in the practice — specialised companies, such as the American all-male drag parody group Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, do it regularly, while unorthodox roles have seen guys slip into these satin numbers on a variety of occasions. "There has been a previous production of Cinderella with the Australian Ballet with Stanton Welch which had the stepsisters played by males en pointe," tells Rodgers-Wilson. So The Dream is not the first to ask this of its males, but for audiences, the sight is still a novelty. A wonderful, muscly-calved novelty. THE BALLET MISTRESS, PILATES AND GETTING STARTED EN POINTE Professional ballerinas make tiptoe twirling look like a walk in the park, but years of gruelling training goes into perfecting the positions of their satin-wrapped trotters. Despite a lifetime of stage experience, Rodgers-Wilson had to go back to the barre to tackle the fundamentals with the help of conditioning coaches and London's Royal Ballet heavyweight Christopher Carr to pull this off. "We actually learnt a lot of the ballet, the steps, late last year in December ... just in our normal, flat shoes to get a feel for what we actually needed to do," says Rodgers-Wilson. With two decades of pointe expertise from the company's (amazingly titled) ballet mistress and rehabilitation specialist Megan Connelly at the ready, the guys were then taken through their paces lying down on a humble Pilates reformer to learn "how to manipulate the shoes without your full body weight". MAKING THE SLIPPER FIT The next step towards the stage saw these boys head off for a spot of shopping (of the less conventional variety). Acquiring the all-important shoes proved to be no mean feat. "[There] can be slight little discrepancies in the shape," says Rodgers-Wilson. "You do find some pairs that you pop on and you find that they’re really great straight away and there are other pairs that are just not going to work". Then it's time to really strap in. Many hours of sewing, scraping and softening later, and each dancer's perfect pair was born. These adjustments can have more of an impact than you'd think. "That’s been one of the biggest challenges for me," says Rodgers-Wilson, "working out how best to prepare the shoes before you actually get en pointe, because being comfortable and feeling like you can work your feet and manipulate the shoe is really important. Sometimes the way the shoe breaks down, it can end up pulling you off pointe ... like you’re working extra hard just to stay up." And the bloody battle scars? A veteran in the way of bumps and blisters, Rodgers-Wilson says "I think we’ve all found that our feet are stronger for [dancing en pointe], aside from the odd sore toenail or odd bruise here and there." AND JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU'D SEEN IT ALL: A GIANT HEAD The Australian Ballet doesn't do things by halves. Those learning the role of Bottom have been dealt the short straw in terms of challenging costuming. Not only will they be dancing en pointe, they'll be doing it from inside a life-size donkey mask. "The first time," Rodgers-Wilson says, "it’s like shutting your eyes and standing on one leg a little bit." With vision blocked to the point of obscurity, dancers can "sort of see out the donkey’s nostrils", making mastering this new skill about as challenging as it gets. But for these guys, obstacles like this are de rigueur. "Gradually it feels more and more normal ... and obviously, practice makes perfect". BALLET FOR THE NON-BELIEVER Aside from the novelty of boys en pointe, The Dream packs a serious punch in the way of performances. Bringing Shakespeare's most magical work to contemporary audiences, think of this as the perfect first-taste of ballet for anyone who's never dared step foot inside the Opera Theatre. "It’s got a beautiful variety," says Rodgers-Wilson. "It’s dramatic and funny and there’s magic and it's got all these beautiful elements." Throw in compositions by Felix Mendelssohn, plus a choir of singers tucked away beneath the stage, and this show guarantees a seriously surreal theatre experience that will say with you long after you've left your seat. The Dream opens on Thursday, June 4, at the Arts Centre Melbourne. Tickets can be purchased online from the Arts Centre website.
In the latest addition to the ever-growing trend toward themed wine festivals, Oinofilia will hit Melbourne's Meat Market on June 24 as Australia's newest event entirely focused on Greek wine. The festival is brought to you by Bottle Shop Concepts, the crew behind wine events Pinot Palooza and Game of Rhones, and will celebrate all things Greek wine, food and culture. The name appropriately comes from the Greek term for "a love of wine". As the oldest wine-producing region in Europe, the festival will showcase 80 wines from 20 of the country's best producers, with wines made everywhere from the Aegean and Ionian Islands to Crete. To accompany the drinks, sister restaurants Elyros and Epocha will join forces with Prahran Market's Sweet Greek and Collingwood's Meatsmith to curate an authentic feast of spit-roasted meats, grilled seafood, pickles, breads, cheese and pastries, among other Greek delicacies. The location is ideal as Melbourne has the largest Greek population outside of Greece. Bottle Shop Concepts' wine festival empire will also continue to expand, with the company recently announcing a new Barossa Valley event, launching this July.
It's the yearly exhibition that leaves us with jaws on the floor; the 59th annual World Press Photo exhibition is coming to Australia for another year. Beating 97,912 submissions by 5692 photographers from 131 countries, Denmark's Mads Nissen took out the top spot for 2014 Photo of the Year for his intimate, poignant portrait of Jon and Alex, a gay couple in conservative St Petersburg, Russia. After almost six decades of beautiful and devastating photojournalism, the WPP contest continues to be one of the world's most important platforms for art, journalism and humanising the headlines. The World Press Photo exhibition can be seen at Sydney’s State Library of NSW, May 23 - June 21; WA Museum in Perth, July 4 - 26; and Brisbane Powerhouse, August 8 - 30. Before the exhibition makes its way to Australia, take a look through some of the landmark images that caught the eye of the WPP judges; from an orphaned rhino in Kenya to Lionel Messi at Brazil's World Cup, Istanbul's anti-government protests to a young Kamilaroi girl in Moree, New South Wales. With many of the photographs documenting the more saddening news headlines, they're often not easy images to look at, but it's the work of these photojournalists that wakes up an otherwise ignorant world. Jon and Alex (St Petersburg, Russia) — Mads Nissen 2014 Photo of the Year and First Prize Contemporary Issues, Singles "Jon and Alex, a gay couple, share an intimate moment at Alex’s home, a small apartment in St Petersburg, Russia. Life for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people is becoming increasingly difficult in Russia. Sexual minorities face legal and social discrimination, harassment, and even violent hate-crime attacks from conservative religious and nationalistic groups." Istanbul Protest (Istanbul, Turkey) — Bülent Kiliç First Prize Spot News, Singles "A young girl was wounded during clashes between riot police and protestors after the funeral of Berkin Elvan, a 15-year-old boy who died from injuries suffered during anti-government protests. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons at protestors in the capital Ankara, while in Istanbul, crowds shouting anti-government slogans lit a huge fire as they made their way to a cemetery for the boy’s burial." Laurinda (Moree, New South Wales, Australia) — Raphaela Rosella First Prize Portraits, Singles "Laurinda, a young Kamilaroi girl, plays with her dress as she waits for the bus that will take her to Sunday school. Many disadvantaged communities in Australia face entrenched poverty, racism, trans-generational trauma, violence, addiction, and a range of other barriers to health and wellbeing." Monkey Training for a Circus (Suzhou, Anhui Province, China) — Yongzhi Chu First Prize Nature, Singles "A rhesus macaque cowers as its trainer approaches, while training for a circus act, in Suzhou, eastern China. Performing animals in circuses and zoos are enormously popular in China. After years of pressure from animal-welfare groups, the Chinese government has banned animal circuses, and implemented regulations to stop abuse at state-owned zoos, but many trainers say they have not heard of the ban, nor have any intention of stopping. Authorities in Suzhou, which with its 300 troupes is known as the hometown of circus in China, have announced plans for developing alternative circus entertainment, without performing animals." The Final Game (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) — Bao Tailiang First Prize Sports, Singles "Argentina player Lionel Messi faces the World Cup trophy during the final ceremony at Maracana Stadium. His team lost to Germany 1-0, after a goal by Mario Götze in extra time." Mindsuckers (Santa Barbara, California, USA) — Anand Varma First Prize Nature, Stories "When a male sheep crab (Loxorhynchus grandis) is infected by Heterosaccus californicus, a parasitic barnacle, it stops developing fighting claws, and its abdomen widens, providing a womb for the barnacle to fill with its brood pouch. Nurtured by the crab, the eggs hatch. Thousands of baby barnacles disperse to infect anew. Many parasites not only feed off their hosts, but appear to manipulate the host’s behavior in a way that is advantageous to the parasite’s life cycle." The Beckham Catch (East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA) — Al Bello Second Prize Sports, Singles "Odell Beckham (#13) of the New York Giants makes a one-handed touchdown catch in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium." Blue Sky Days (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) — Tomas van Houtryve Third Prize Contemporary Issues, Stories "People exercising in central Philadelphia. Drone operators may consider such ‘signature behaviors’ as evidence of the existence of a training camp. Since 2002, the United States has used unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, or drones) to collect intelligence and carry out airstrikes in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. The aircraft are guided via satellite by distant operators. The attacks have resulted in a large number of fatalities, including hundreds of civilians. The photographer bought a small drone, fitted it with a camera, and flew it in the US over the sorts of gatherings that have become habitual targets for airstrikes abroad—weddings, funerals, groups of people praying or exercising. He also used it to photograph settings in which drones are used to less lethal effect, such as oil fields, prisons, and the US-Mexico border." Orphaned Rhino (Kenya) — Ami Vitale Second Prize Nature, Singles "A group of young Samburu warriors touch a black rhino for the first time in their lives, at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, in northern Kenya. Black rhinos are almost extinct in Kenya. This young calf had been orphaned when poachers killed its mother, and was hand-raised at Lewa. Most people in Kenya never get the opportunity to see the wildlife living around them, especially at such close quarters. Attention is often given to the effect of poaching on wildlife, but there is little focus on indigenous communities, who are on the frontline in the clash between poachers and armed game wardens. Birthday Chocolate (Baroncea, Moldova) — Åsa Sjöström Second Prize Daily Life, Singles "Igor whispers into his friend Renat’s ear, at school in northern Moldova. It is Igor’s birthday, and his grandmother has given him chocolate to hand out to his classmates. Moldova is Europe’s poorest country. In the past ten years, one third of the working population has gone abroad in search of better-paying jobs. Children often find themselves looked after by elderly relatives, or left in orphanage boarding schools. Igor has a twin brother. They do not know their father and their mother died soon after leaving to work in Russia, when they were two years old." Cadets (Koninklijke Militaire Academie (Royal Military Academy, Breda, the Netherlands) — Paolo Verzone Third Prize Portraits, Stories "Portraits of cadets in some of Europe’s most prestigious military academies." Rescue Operation (Mediterranean Sea, Italy) — Massimo Sestini Second Prize General News, Single "Refugees crowd on board a boat some 25 kilometers from the Libyan coast, prior to being rescued by an Italian naval frigate working as part of Operation Mare Nostrum (OMN). The search-and-rescue operation was put in place by the Italian government, in response to the drowning of hundreds of migrants off the island of Lampedusa at the end of 2013. The numbers of people risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean Sea rose sharply in 2014, as a result of conflicts or persecution in Syria, the Horn of Africa, and other sub-Saharan countries. OMN involved the Italian Red Cross, Save the Children, and other NGOs in an effort not only to rescue lives, but to provide medical help, counseling, and cultural support. Naval officers were also empowered to arrest human traffickers and seize their ships. In its one year of operation, OMN brought 330 smugglers to justice, and saved more than 150,000 people, at least a quarter of which were refugees from Syria. The operation was disbanded in October, and replaced by Triton, an operation conducted by the EU border agency Frontex, focusing more on surveillance than rescue." The Bull Market (Niuniuba, Sichuan, China) — Cai Sheng Xiang First Prize Daily Life, Singles "Yi villagers hold a cattle market in a forest outside the town of Niuniuba, near Liangshan, in Sichuan. The Yi ethnic minority live largely by agriculture, livestock herding and hunting. There are around 7.5 million Yi in China, concentrated principally in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces." The 59th annual World Press Photo exhibition can be seen at Sydney's State Library of NSW, May 23 - June 21; Perth's WA Museum, July 4 - 26; and Brisbane Powerhouse, August 8 - 30. Check out all the 2015 winners and runners up here.
For a fourth consecutive year, the team behind the Emerging Writers' Festival will host an online festival aimed at digital writers in Australia and around the world. The Digital Writers' Festival will bring together more than 120 storytellers to explore the future of writing in the digital era. Over 11 days, there will be live-streamed events focusing on new forms, content trends and digital literacy, as well as seminars, panel discussions and interactive projects. The festival is designed to foster new relationships between writers and connect likeminded individuals from all over the world. Learn to pitch stories, watch an editor in action, discover self-publishing or even explore writing for games. Plus, in an effort to transcend geographical boundaries, the entire festival will be broadcast on the website, but city-dwellers will also be able to attend a select few events in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. The IRL events include: The Future of Storytelling — Tuesday, October 24 (Melbourne) Mapping Ecologies of the Digital — Saturday, October 28 (Perth) West Meets West — Tuesday, October 31 (Melbourne and Sydney) QUT Lit Salon — Wednesday, November 1 (Brisbane) Inside the Publishing House — Thursday, November 2 (Sydney)
Whether you're heading to the cinema with friends or curling up on the couch with your significant other, a night watching movies remains a fantastic source of entertainment, enjoyment and escapism. Sitting in the dark, switching your mind away from your regular worries and slipping into another world — if you're catching the right flick, few things can top it. Cinema-wise, 2018 has thrown up plenty of films that tick all of the above boxes — and now we're just past the halfway mark, it's time to look back. Maybe you missed one of this year's hits when it was in theatres. Perhaps it's still showing and you haven't made it yet. Or, there could be a few gems that just slipped your attention. Of course, there's always the ace movies you saw, loved and want to see again. Whichever category fits, here's 12 films from 2018 that you you need to catch up on. Head to the cinema and grab a choc top or organise your streaming queue and cook up some popcorn, as we've sorted out your viewing for the near future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQH3jqetJoY THE SHAPE OF WATER What our critic said: A sea of perfectly assembled elements, The Shape of Water truly feels like a film that no one else could have made. Working from a script co-written with Vanessa Taylor (Divergent), director Guillermo del Toro is operating at the top of his game, and his fingerprints can be seen in every exquisitely detailed image. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKbjnLpxv70 FACES PLACES What our critic said: If everyone looked at strangers in the same way as French New Wave icon Agnes Varda (Cléo from 5 to 7, Vagabond), the world would be a much kinder place. Roaming through small yet lively villages, Varda makes new memories while reminiscing about older ones — about love, work, times passed, friends lost and past moments immortalised in earlier photos. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCYB28iknIM PHANTOM THREAD What our critic said: Every textile metaphor you can think of applies to Phantom Thread. It's a film that's carefully woven from the fabric of human urges, teeming with hidden layers and positively bursting at the seams with emotional detail. It's also one made by the finest possible craftspeople, with Anderson and his three stars fashioning the cinematic equivalent of haute couture. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzgTHyEv5Ng LADY BIRD What our critic said: As impressive a list of plaudits as Lady Bird has amassed, they pale in comparison to the movie itself. While it can seem like high school coming-of-age films are more common than actual high schoolers, Greta Gerwig gets everything right with her entry into the genre. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJHex4ZitgA A FANTASTIC WOMAN What our critic said: It can't be overstated how wonderful it is to see transgender representation on the big screen (no offence Eddie Redmayne, but this is how it should be). Vega's performance as Marina feels authentic, in no small part because it is authentic. Every movement, every delivery is subtle, considered and real. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNtLIcyjsnI GAME NIGHT What our critic said: At its best, Game Night is laugh out loud funny, subverting some classic comedy tropes and delivering scores of killer one-liners. It's probably one of the better Hollywood black comedies we've seen in the last few years, and ultimately entertains enough to justify the price of admission. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqy27Bk0Vw0 A QUIET PLACE What our critic said: John Krasinski's stripped-back use of sound reflects his entire approach, crafting a masterfully sparse movie from start to finish — and a downright masterful one too. Forget questions about why the monsters are there and where everyone else is: they couldn't matter less in this taut, fast-paced thriller, and they shouldn't even cross your mind. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9iVra2kdD4 TULLY What our critic said: Tully's motherhood scenario inspires rich performances from a particularly raw Charlize Theron and a suitably sparkling Mackenzie Davis — the former committed to conveying the hardships of maternity in all of its unglamorous glory, the latter calm and kind as Tully brings Marlo back from the brink of desperation. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4_79dnJeNU BPM (BEATS PER MINUTE) What our critic said: Set to a soundtrack that flits from electronic beats to sorrowful piano, to the pleading chants of ACT UP taking to the streets, what emerges is a movie that's both intimate and expansive. Just as BPM's first scenes leave a definite imprint, so does the cumulative effect of its 143 minutes, weaving personal tales into a sprawling snapshot of a real-life movement. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3__y-uPwbe8 HEREDITARY What our critic said: Ari Aster plagues the movie's protagonists with weird occurrences, including strange words etched into walls, odd flashes of light, upsetting strangers and alarming seances. He is making a horror film, after all. But more than that, the writer-director doubles down on tragedy, stretches the characters' emotional limits and heightens their psychological strain, Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEnRNIvEKu8 UPGRADE What our critic said: Bone-crunching, blood-splattered revenge is a dish best-served with an AI sidekick in Upgrade. Although the concept might sound more tired than wired on paper, it makes for a sharp, sleek and savage wander into genre territory. Read the full review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6o5WPcCgT0 FOXTROT What our critic said: Foxtrot asks the audience to stare at its main cast harder than most films; to feel their aching hearts, to dive into their despairing minds, and to experience their unshakeable sorrow. Writer-director Samuel Maoz doesn't just call upon his actors to attract attention, though, but ensures that every meticulous shot reflects the characters' internal states. Read the full review.
Summer is usually the time when we let go of our culinary pretension. Dirty fish and chips on the beach? Why not. Eat nothing but overripe mangoes all day? Sounds good. But this year, you won't have to sacrifice any of that trademark Melburnian foodie love. The guys behind Huxtable and Huxtaburger have teamed up for a mouth-watering new venture on Smith Street, and they'll be serving up cheap lobster rolls all summer long. That's right — not flake, not prawns, but lobster. Running next to the group's ever-popular Collingwood burger joint, Mr Claws will be slingin' rolls stuffed with pieces of lobster meat and dripping with your choice of three sauces: miso and wasabi, Sriracha spiced mayonnaise or buttermilk ranch. A single roll will set you back just $12, or $15 if you feel like adding straw potato chips and pickles. While the organisers say it's an idea they got while in London, we've seen a bunch of places take an interest in these small kinds of luxuries. It's no longer unusual for lobster to pop up on your local pub menu occasionally and restaurants in Sydney are all over it. It's definitely a trend we can get behind. Just like Huxtaburger there will be limited seating available in store, but if you do find the space they'll be serving a bunch of tasty drinks to wash down all that decadent goodness. We're talking craft beers, Pimms and Gordon's Elderflower Spritz. Proper lush stuff. Mr Claws was first tested out at Taste of Melbourne earlier this month and punters predictably loved it. In a press release this week they've stated the Smith Street store will be open "indefinitely", but "updates on the duration of the pop up can be found on the Mr Claws Facebook page". They're also scouting out permanent sites for 2015. But all that's besides the point — the sun is out and the smell of cheap lobster and Sriracha is in the air. Get down to Smith Street ASAP. Mr Claws is located at 104 Smith Street. It's currently open Monday-Friday 12pm-3pm and 5pm-9pm.
Just when you thought Melbourne's festival calendar couldn't get any more packed, Summersalt springs into town. From January 23 -February 21 next year this monumental outdoor arts festival will be bringing you giant inflatable whales, artsy bouncy castles, roving street theatre, artworks exclusively for dogs and more. With all events taking place around Southbank and most being completely free, it's safe to say, your summer is looking just that little bit more sunny. Summersalt is the baby of all our best cultural institutions. MTC, Malthouse, ACCA, Melbourne Recital Centre, Arts Centre, VCA, Chunky Move, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, The Australian Ballet and the NGV will all be involved and it's the first kind of Melbourne event that has such high levels of collaboration. The recently announced Sugar Mountain Festival will be run in collaboration with the festival as will next year's White Night. Though the full lineup is yet to be released, what we've seen so far is definitely exciting. If you didn't catch Architects of Air's much-loved EXXOPOLIS at the Glow Winter Arts Festival, it will be back in town after its run at MONA FOMA, or you can opt to get cosy in the belly of a whale or check out the biggest human puppet in the world if you're up for something new (and slightly terrifying). This interest in large-scale, outdoor works is no coincidence — the whole aim of the festival is to draw in new audiences. Come for the giant inflatable whale, stay for the art. Some theatrical favourites from the past year will also be making a welcome return in the form of Malthouse's Blak Cabaret and MTC's Cybec Electric series of cheap play readings. The highly-acclaimed, intimate Cherry Cherry (A Dining Room Tale) will also be back in action as Neda Rahmani invites you over for a BBQ. This theatrical program is looking much stronger than the musical offerings; aside from the glorious Sugar Mountain Festival, not much has been released aside from the always beautiful MSO sessions at Sidney Myer Music Bowl. There are also a couple of odd, miscellaneous works which really stand out from this first round of events. Asking audiences to sleuth through the city and hunt down clues, Sour Times is a wholly interactive work that leads you along secret trails with the help of a special smartphone app. Or, if you'd rather bring along a furry friend, Anastasica Klose will be setting up the Farnsworth Republic for Dogs in the ACCA Forecourt. An off-leash play area of activities and luxury dog beds, the site will complement Menagerie, her new exhibition inside exploring the connection between humans and dogs. Get your calendar out now and start counting down the days. Not only is the start of the year going to be beautiful and sunny, it's going to be full of roving dogs and giant puppets. Bring it on. Summersalt Outdoor Arts Festival will run from January 23 - February 21. Read more at their website.
Ever wanted to work directly with the world's most recognised performance artist? Here's your chance. Kaldor Public Art Projects are looking for project facilitators to lend a hand for their upcoming escapade, Marina Abramovic: In Residence, in which the controversial artist brings new and existing performance works to Pier 2/3 in Walsh Bay. Yep, Marina Abramovic wants you for her Sydney army. Over June 22 June to July 5 (with three full days of personal Abramovic training from June 15 - 17, alongside collaborator Lynsey Peisinger), you'll be part of the Gallery Team, present in Abramovic's installations with the artist herself, helping guests with guided interactions in the works, coordinating visitors amd supporting Abramovic to deliver one kickass exhibition all-round. Keen? Let's see if you've got the goods. According to Kaldor Projects, "Applicants should have an interest in long-durational performance art and be comfortable interacting with the public. Performance experience is not required but is welcomed. The role requires the ability maintain focus for long periods; people with long-durational practices, such as dance, meditation, sports and yoga, are encouraged to apply." You'll also need to be over 18, and experience interacting with an audience and engaging with the public is preferred. Got that CV ready? If you're interested in applying, you'll need to submit a short biography by Monday, April 13 April "detailing your artistic practice, professional experience or interests that relate to the requirements of the role" to project30@kaldorartprojects.org.au. For more info on Abramovic's Sydney project, click here. For more info on the facilitator role, click here.
An exploration of an exiled poet. The Australian premiere of legendary filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky's latest feature. An effort that's being called Peru's first bona fide horror movie. They're just three of the films in the freshly unveiled, first-ever Cine Latino Film Festival lineup, as Australia's first national fest dedicated to showcasing the best in Latin American cinema prepares to tour the country in August. While the complete program features more than 30 movies from Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Cuba, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Guatemala and Puerto Rico, there's a reason that the first of the flicks mentioned above, the Pablo Larraín-directed, Gael García Bernal-starring Neruda, has been plucked straight from Cannes to open the festival. The last time the filmmaker and actor worked together, the excellent No was the end result, so expect another insightful look at Chilean politics from their second collaboration. Jodorowsky's Endless Poetry should rank among the festival's just-as-eagerly-anticipated titles, especially by fans of the director's '70s cult classics El Topo and The Holy Mountain and his most recent effort The Dance of Reality — or anyone who marvelled at what could've been when they watched the entertaining documentary Jodorowsky's Dune. And while The Womb doesn't come with quite the same pedigree, it does boast a chilling storyline involving one of the horror genre's favourite topics: motherhood. Elsewhere, a chronicle of the pop star known as the 'Mexican Madonna', an insight into current state of a formerly luxurious Havana hotel, and more than a couple of soccer-themed efforts all feature among the feast of Spanish and Portuguese-language fare, as do Peruvian road movie Solos and Venezuelan beauty queen black comedy 3 Beauties. Just perusing the program is enough to make you want to jump on a plane for Latin America, however for those who can't enjoy an overseas holiday at the moment, immersing yourself in the films of the region really is the next best thing. The Cine Latino Film Festival screens at Sydney's Palace Norton Street and Verona from August 9 to 24, Brisbane's Palace Centro and Barracks from August 11 to 24, and Melbourne's Palace Como and Westgarth from August 17 to 31. For more information, visit the festival website.
In huge art news, the National Gallery of Victoria has announced that a massive exhibition will be hitting our shores in June 2018, coming direct to us from New York's Museum of Modern Art. Over 150 works from some of the most renowned modernist artists, sculptors, photographers, furniture designers, graphic designers and illustrators will be shipped over for the exhibition, named Masterworks from MoMA (literal and direct, we likey), showing exclusively at the NGV. The exhibition will run from June 8 – October 7 2018 and feature pieces from seminal artists, including Paul Cézanne, Salvador Dalí, Marcel Duchamp, Edward Hopper, Jeff Koons, Henri Matisse, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Lyubov Popova, Mark Rothko and Vincent van Gogh. It's a big deal for the Australian art scene, as we often miss out on international blockbusters like this due to the logistics and cost of transporting priceless art halfway around the world. But not this time. So which works are coming? In goes without saying MoMA has a world-famous collection of works to select from including Dali's The Persistence of Memory (arguably his most well-known piece), Pollock's infamously divisive drip painting Number 1A, Mondrian's controversial Compositions series and Vincent Van Gogh's outrageously famous The Starry Night. It's not clear exactly which pieces will travel with the exhibition but with this catalogue, expect masterpieces. While 2018 is a distant dream right now, but modernist art lovers can get their fill this winter at the NGV's epic Degas exhibition, which starts on June 24. Masterworks from MoMA will show at the NGV International, ground level, from June 8 - October 7 2018. Image: Salvador Dali, The Persistence of Memory, WikiArt.
Have you ever wanted to be the very best, like no one ever was, a Pokémon master in real life? Stop lying, because the answer is obviously GOTTA CATCH 'EM ALL GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY. Well now you can, thanks to Pokémon Go, a new augmented reality mobile game that lets you capture and train virtual Pokémon right here in the real world. Out now in Australia on Android and iOS devices, the game uses your smartphone's camera and sensors to 'detect' when wild Pokémon are near. You'll find different Pokémon depending on where you are — for example, you're more likely to encounter a water-type Pokémon near a body of water. You can join teams, trade Pokémon with other players, and battle for control of gyms. You can also visit notable locations around your city, such as public monuments, where you can stock up on PokéBalls and other necessary items. In addition to the app, Nintendo have also developed the Pokémon Go Plus, a small device that can be worn on your wrist and lets you play the game without having to look at your phone. Which is probably a good idea, since the last thing you want to do when battling a wild Charizard is accidentally walk in front of a bus. Pokémon Go is free to play, although there are in-app purchases available. Of course the most important piece of information is that the game only includes the original 150 Pokémon, making this the perfect time to bust out the following: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMk8wuw7nek
Prancing through fields laced with the charm of provincial France? Casual summer weekendery. Returning for its fifth year, the ever-popular So Frenchy So Chic in the Park is waltzing back to Melbourne's Werribee Park Mansion and Sydney's St John's College for an entire afternoon of French-inspired niceties — think gourmet picnic hampers, tortes 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. There's Moroccan-born folk-blues artist Hindi Zahra, who's been described as a North-African Patti Smith and likened to a modern day Billie Holiday, lounge pop '70s-like diva duo Aurélie Saada and Sylvie Hoarau, aka Brigitte, and talented chanteuse Lou Doillon makes her highly anticipated So Frenchy debut. Last, but in no way, shape or form least, Balkan-electro collective Soviet Suprem bring their light punk, Bolshoi gypsy beats, hip hop and OTT iron curtain theatrics to get everyone up off their picnic rugs and dancing the blazes out of that lawn. 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 Bright Young Things and Simmone Logue. Filled with crusty baguettes, salad jardinière and petite four chocolate ganache tarts, 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, macaroons and ice cream available on the day. And of course, there'll be plenty of Laurent Perrier Champagne, French beer, Provence rosé, Bordeaux reds and whites, and special cocktails at the SFSC vintage caravan. Don your best floral-headband-and-sundress-combo and gear up for un merveilleux après-midi. SO FRENCHY SO CHIC IN THE PARK 2016: Sunday, January 10 — Werribee Park, Melbourne Saturday, January 16 — St John's College, Sydney Tickets via Ticketmaster and SFSC, on sale from 9am, Wednesday, September 23 to Monday, September 28 or until sold out. Earlybird tickets $69, standard $89, on the door $99.
Last February, we lost our collective shit over these adorable little souls. Now, because it's spring and dreams can come true, dumpling monarchs Din Tai Fung have gone ahead and brought back those cute, cute little morsels — the sweet lamb buns are back. Available from throughout Sydney and Melbourne from September 26 – November 30, Din Tai Fung's sweet little buns are limited edition, Instagrammable goodness. Just LOOK AT THEM. They're called 'Baa Buns' because sometimes life just gets it right. Good news, you don't have to connect the dots between the lamb inside and out of the bun — they're desserty little blighters. Baa buns come steamed-to-order with a formidable filling of molten dark chocolate and taro, $3.80 each. The little edible lambies will be available in Sydney at World Square, Central Park, Westfield Chatswood, Westfield Miranda, and in Melbourne at their Emporium chapter. There'll be limited quantities at each venue, available daily. But if you visit on the same day as us, we take no prisoners. Din Tai Fung's limited edition spring sweet lamb buns are available from throughout Sydney and Melbourne from September 26 – November 30 (not available at Din Tai Fung cafe court venues).
A real life Willy Wonka is on his way to Melbourne. Catalan designer Martí Guixé has made a name for himself at the intersection of food, art and design, with works ranging from flavoured postage stamps to breathable cuisine. Now the so-called father of food design will present his first major Australian exhibition at NGV International, in the form of a colourful, custom-designed kitchen designed to teach kids and families about their attitudes to what they eat. Running from mid-June until mid-September, the free interactive exhibition, entitled Fake Food Park: Martí Guixé for Kids, will consist of "hands-on activities and digital design challenges" that encourage visitors to "sprout new ideas for food concepts and flavours" — and create their very own 'Fake Food Park' menu. The exhibition will also feature a selection of Guixé's drawings and illustrations as well as his famous fruit-and-vegetable wallpaper, which has previously been featured in galleries including MoMA, Design Museum London and the National Art Centre Tokyo. "We are delighted to bring the ground-breaking ideas of Martí Guixé to the NGV Kids exhibition space," said NGV director Tony Ellwood. "Guixé is a pioneer in his field; designing, innovating and challenging notions of how we eat in often whimsical and surprising ways... Fake Food Park will ask budding young designers to think about the future of food and reconsider familiar food items, from inventing snacks which can be eaten underwater to drawing novel combinations of everyday ingredients." Find Fake Food Park at NGV International from June 11. For more information visit the NGV website.
While Reykjavik is praised for its "ability to make the most of an inhospitable climate", Auckland for its "unbelievably friendly folk", Budapest for "music... not just concerts, but in the streets, on the radio, and in cafés," and "wonderful pubs filled with laughter", Sydney has taken out the top spot as the friendliest city in the world. Run as a Reader’s Choice award by Condé Nast Traveler and focused on how a visitor feels in each city, the Friendliest and Unfriendliest City in the World poll asks readers to submit reviews of each city with a focus on the overall warm fuzzies generated by their experience. “Everything from location (no one likes an airport city) and political perception (everyone watches the news) to size and basic language barriers can make a destination unattractive to tourists and be a factor in their evaluation of a place’s ‘friendliness’," according to CN. Sydney's been praised for its people skills, regardless of what you might see on George Street any day of the week. "Such friendly people," enthused one voting reader. "So much so that after we met an Australian woman on our flight there, she offered to pick us up at our hotel and spent a whole day showing us her favourite parts of the city." Sydney earned snaps for the Bridgeclimb, the Cruise Like a Local Sydney Harbour boat tour, and Bonza Bike Tours got a big ol' high five as "a great way to see some of the lesser-known sights." Overall, readers found simply "nothing to not like" in Sydney, although importantly, all mentioned experiences are tourist-focused. Last year's friendliest winners were tied: Melbourne and Auckland. Sydney came in at number five; tied with Dublin, who just narrowly missed out on the top spot this year. Of course, Sydney was supremely modest about it. Ha! IN YOUR FACE @dubcitycouncil!! We're the friendliest city in the world! http://t.co/T1WgOPUVu7 via @CNTraveler pic.twitter.com/9rIafVZ59o — City of Sydney (@cityofsydney) August 18, 2015 Australia and New Zealand have done pretty nicely on worldwide city rankings of late — the Great Barrier Reef nabbed #2 on Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travelist and Melbourne ranked #1 Most Liveable City on the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) liveability survey. So Sydney's apparently the friendliest, Melbourne's the most liveable, what do you reckon? CONDE NAST'S 2015 FRIENDLIEST CITIES IN THE WORLD: 10. Reykjavik, Iceland 9. Auckland, New Zealand 8. Budapest, Hungary 7. Kyoto, Japan 6. Edinburgh, Scotland 5. Bruges, Belgium 4. Kraków, Poland 3. Queenstown, New Zealand 2. Dublin, Ireland 1. Sydney, Australia But what of the jerks? The Unfriendliest Cities in the World side of things is a little hairier, with no Australian or New Zealand cities making the cut for another year. Up high. Cannes was dissed for being expensive and "bloated simply by the prestige of its famed film festival," while Jakarta was called "dirty and congested," despite gaining praise for its food.” Moscow got a bad wrap for "dour, unfriendly people" and "deplorable traffic", while Nairobi was flagged as "dangerous and volatile". But Caracas, Venezuela took out the top unfriendly spot as a place of "rampant crime, a scarcity of basic necessities, and a poor quality of life." CONDE NAST'S 2015 UNFRIENDLIEST CITIES IN THE WORLD: 10. Cannes, France 9. Jakarta, Indonesia 8. Moscow, Russia 7. Cairo, Egypt 6. New Delhi, India 5. Nairobi, Kenya 4. Guatemala City, Guatemala 3. Guangzhou, China 2. Casablanca, Morocco 1. Caracas, Venezuela Via Condé Nast Traveler. Image: Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel.
It might be based on a book by New Zealand author Barry Crump; however Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a film only Taika Waititi could've made. If you enjoyed the writer/director's quirky brand of humour in Boy and What We Do in the Shadows, you'll know exactly what you're in for. Here, hiding out in the wild, dreaming about being a gangster and arguing about which Terminator you'd rather be go hand in hand. Indeed, that's Ricky Baker's (Julian Dennison) story — or, it is after the 13-year-old is taken in by the kindly Bella (Rima Te Wiata) and the cranky Hec (Sam Neill). When tragedy strikes, he absconds to the surrounding wilderness to avoid the controlling plans of an over-eager social worker (Rachel House). A national manhunt ensues, as does plenty of mayhem; think nods to '80s classics, over-the-top car chases, plus Rhys Darby popping up as an eccentric conspiracy theorist. Part coming-of-age adventure, part comedic trek through the New Zealand bush, if the end result sounds both hilarious and heartwarming, that's because it is. And, it's also Waititi's last indie effort before he takes on a rather mammoth task: directing Thor: Ragnarok, and bringing his distinctive sensibilities to the superhero realm. [competition]572050[/competition]
He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake. Christmas horror movies aren't a widespread genre, with holidaying folks ditching titles like 2010's Rare Exports (in which a homicidal Santa Claus was unearthed in an archaeological dig) and 1974's Black Christmas (college dorm slasher, set at Christmas) and preferring to pick up Home Alone for the hundredth time or anything starring Tim Allen. But this year, Christmas movies take a turn for the hilariously terrifying. Krampus is your unlikely new Christmas nightmare, directed by Michael Dougherty (who gained a cult following for his 2007 holiday horror film Trick 'r Treat). Set for release December 3, the film stars Adam Scott, Toni Collette and David Koechner as your regular family holed up, snowed in and arguing over shitty turkey at Christmas time. But when they lose their Christmas spirit, a scary-as-shit Christmas spirit, Krampus, decides to pay the family a visit — the ancient hoofed, horned antithesis to jolly ol' Saint Nick. Go on, give it a watch. You'd better watch out, you'd better not cry.
The toastie has really come into its own in the last few years — it's increasingly becoming the star and namesake of countless pop-ups, permanent venues and even drive-throughs. What can we say? Ain't nothin' wrong with bread, cheese and meat. So we're happy to announce that The Bridge Hotel agrees with the toastie life too. So much so that they're launching their own toasted sandwich pop-up that'll serve fat stacks of toasties to satisfy your midday cheese cravings. From Monday, February 27, the Richmond pub will set up Toast'd. The menu will consist of four types of toasties: sticky chicken (with red onion and American cheese), pulled beef (with American cheese), three cheese (the cheese lineup includes parmesan, brie and mozzarella) and veggie patch (in-season veggie mix with goats' cheese). So hope you like cheese. Either way, they'll be served with a side of pickles to cut through the cheese if it's too much for you. The toasties will be available for ten bucks a pop between noon and 3pm, five days a week from the pub's internal laneway. Toast'd will pop-up from February 27 at The Bridge Hotel, 642 Bridge Road, Richmond.
Žalec, Slovenia just jumped right to the top of the list of our must-visit holiday destinations. Located roughly an hour outside of the capital of Ljubljana, the small town of just under 5000 people is known for its natural wonders including an underground waterfall, and historical sites such as an ancient Roman necropolis. And yet we kind of suspect these attractions will be somewhat overshadowed by the local government's latest plans to bring tourists to the area: Europe's first ever public beer fountain. The €340,000 fountain, which currently has no set completion date, will reportedly spout a variety of Slovenian beers. For six euros, visitors will be able to try three 300mL samples, served in a commemorative mug. The project was apparently inspired by a drinkable mineral water fountain in the nearby town of Rogaska Slatina (whose own local government members must be kicking themselves for not having thought of this clear improvement first). The fountain did face some opposition from people who thought that taxpayer money could be put to better use. Thankfully, common sense prevailed, and a motion to cancel the project was defeated in a two-to-one vote last week. Democracy wins again! Via Fox News. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Time is running out for those of you us who are yet to organise a present for Father's Day. Yes, you could go with socks, but that's kind of a cliché, and frankly he might be getting sick of all those Bunning's Warehouse gift cards. Instead, why not treat your Dad to the kind of classy gift he deserves, in the form of a limited edition ice cream cigar from the team at Gelato Messina. Let's see your stingy siblings do better than that. Available from Monday at select Messina locations, the Juan Hernandez Big Smoke package is named after Messina's head chefs Nelson Hernandez and Juan Camelo. Each box contains four hand rolled ice cream cigars in two extravagant flavours. The Sugar Daddy is full of salted caramel and orange gelato plus whisky cream and maple syrup honeycomb, while Fidel's Fatty consists of chocolate gelato, rum anglaise and coconut biscuit. The 'smokes' are wrapped in chocolate paper, and should make for a truly spectacular Father's Day gift – assuming you can resist devouring them yourself. Of course, you can always tell your Dad the box was only meant to contain three cigars. Not that we'd ever suggest anything so sneaky. Messina has only produced a limited number of these sweetened stogies, and as with everything they make you can expect them to sell out fast – especially if people order multiples which, full disclosure, we might be planning on doing ourselves. Each box of four costs $39 and is available from Messina's Darlinghurst, Miranda, Parramatta and Rosebery stores in Sydney, as well as Fitzroy in Melbourne and Coolangatta in Queensland. You can reserve yours online starting Monday, to ensure that you don't miss out.
The Fat Duck may have migrated back to the UK, but Heston Blumenthal isn't finished with us by a long shot. The celebrity chef and collector of Michelin stars revealed in July that the old Fat Duck site at Melbourne's Crown Casino would be reinvented as Dinner, an offshoot of his London restaurant of the same name. The venue is set to open on October 20, but don't bother marking your calendar just yet. Within hours of priority booking opening on Thursday, the first few weeks of service had already been locked up. According to Good Food, the priority booking option is currently only available to people who unsuccessfully attempted to secure a table at Fat Duck last year. That's about 75,000 potential diners, so don't be surprised if the rest of us are waiting for a table for quite some time. Dinner is yet to confirm when bookings will be open to the general public, although Good Food believes it will be around September 17. Like its English counterpart, the menu at Dinner in Melbourne is supposedly inspired by "the fanciful dramatic dishes of the Royal courts of King Henry VII," offering modern interpretations of historical British cuisine. Dishes may include powdered duck breast with smoked confit fennel, spiced blood pudding and umbles; Earl Grey Tea cured salmon with lemon salad, gentleman’s relish, wood sorrel and smoked roe; as well as Heston's notorious 'meat fruit,' comprised of chicken liver parfait within a mandarin jelly skin. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal opens on October 20 at Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank. Open for lunch Friday and Saturday, and dinner daily. For updated booking information, keep an eye on www.dinnerbyheston.com.au. Via Good Food.
