Brunch is always great, and it tastes even better after a good old-fashioned sweat sesh. But, instead of collapsing into any old cafe after your spin class, on Saturday, October 26, you'll be able to do both the exercise and eating components of your morning in the one place: Chin Chin. First up, you'll get the blood pumping, pulling moves to one of Retrosweat's 45-minute 80s-inspired aerobics classes. Think, neon lycra and plenty of Olivia Newton-John 'Physical' vibes. Then, tackle that appetite with a five-course, post-workout shared brunch feast, working a few signature Chin Chin twists. You'll dig into the likes of a wok-fried spanner crab omelette with coriander and sriracha, stir-fried egg noodles starring duck, and corn fritters with shisho. And, to finish, you'll get coconut sago with lime curd and pineapple granita. Of course, your aerobics efforts deserve something boozy, so there'll be a range of retro-themed cocktails also on offer. Try the fruity watermelon Fonda Flick Kick, or maybe cool down with the Aperol-infused Lychees in Lycra. Tickets clock in at $55, which include the Retrosweat class and a shared brunch (but no drinks). Come in your activewear and with an empty stomach. Images: Steven Woodburn.
There are still a few weeks before the Jewish Museum of Australia reopens its doors post-lockdown. But in the meantime, you'll find its latest project gracing Birrarung Marr, in the form of a colourful sculpture from renowned architect Zahava Elenberg. Titled Sukkah, the pop-up structural work nods to the temporary huts created and used by the Israelites as they wandered the Sinai Desert. Here, Elenberg has crafted a new meeting place for Melburnians, crowned with a kaleidoscopic canopy made frpm the same components used in her new mobile distancing product Clikclax. Taking cues from popular 70s children's toy Playplax, the functional system was designed for improved social distancing in offices and public spaces, though here has been reimagined as part of a vibrant piece of public art. It's hoped the work will be a symbol of unity and hope for locals as the city crawls out of a long few months of lockdown and its residents reflect on the idea of humanity. Currently, you can visit Sukkah to admire from the outside only, though it's soon set to open further and allow visitors inside the structure itself. Images: Marie Luise Photographer
There's nothing like a little dose of outdoor cinema to have you feeling summer vibes. Blade Runner maybe not so much. But, nonetheless, Fed Square will screen the definitive — and some say, superior — 'final cut' version of for free on Saturday, November 9. Hope for balmy weather and head to the precinct's Digital Facade to catch the cult classic shown in all its glory up on the outdoor big screen under the stars. And even if you've seen Ridley Scott's breathtaking 1982 sci-fi noir (and Harrison Ford as Deckard) a million times before, it's always an enjoyable watch. There'll be about 50 deck chairs up for grabs, so get there early if you want to watch the film in comfort. Otherwise, it's recommended that you bring a blanket and a pillow to see you through the film.
If you can't make Bluesfest in Byron Bay this year, fear not. A slew of the most popular artists will be playing sideshows right here in Melbourne. Be your thing blues, roots, funk, soul, rock or a good old singer-songwriter, there's a gig happening to sate your musical appetite. Among the headliners is Ray LaMontagne, who's returning to Australia for the first time in ten years, with bassist John Stirratt (Wilco), to play a series of intimate, acoustic shows. Snarky Puppy have also joined the lineup, an instrumental collective that has 25 musicians from across the world on rotation and three Grammy awards under its belt. If you're up for making shapes, then catch George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, who specialise in 70s grooves, roller skates and all-round good vibes, or The California Honeydrops, who've been touring the world with their soulful, New Orleans-influenced sounds for ten years. Also on the program are wandering troubadour Nahko Bear with Medicine For The People (US); English crooner David Gray ; and American blues-rock band Larkin Poe, who have just released their fourth studio album. Check out the full lineup of Bluesfest sideshows below: Allen Stone: Sunday, April 14 at The Corner Keb Mo': Monday, April 15 at Melbourne Recital Centre Flogging Molly: Wednesday, April 17 at 170 Russell Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real: Wednesday, April 17 at The Corner I'm With Her: Thursday, April 18 at Melbourne Recital Centre Trevor Hall: Thursday, April 18 at The Corner David Gray: Saturday, April 20 at Palais Theatre Nahko and Medicine For The People: Sunday, April 21 at 170 Russell Arlo Guthrie: Tuesday, April 23 at Melbourne Recital Centre Shakey Graves: Tuesday, April 23 at The Corner Larkin Poe: Wednesday, April 24 at The Howler The California Honeydrops: Wednesday, April 24 at The Corner George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic: Thursday, April 25 at The Forum Vintage Trouble: Thursday, April 25 at The Corner Snarky Puppy: Friday, April 26 at The Forum Ray LaMontagne: Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28 at Palais Theatre For more information and to book tickets, visit the Bluesfest website.
If you're partial to a big, cheesy serving of gnocchi, you'll be happy to know that Mamma's Boy Trattoria is once again serving bottomless bowls of the stuff. Matched with free-flowing cocktails, no less. And like last time, this is an inclusive carb party, with a stack of vegan and gluten-free options also on offer. The Brunswick restaurant has brought back its endless gnocchi feasts across a couple of two-hour Sunday sittings. Book a table for 11.30am or 2pm and you can tuck into unlimited helpings of the classic potato dumpling dish, plus bottomless drinks and garlic bread for an easy $69. If you're going for the vegan or gluten-free items, it'll cost you an extra $5 per person. As far as the gnocchi lineup goes, all palates are covered. It features Mamma's rich slow-cooked lamb ragu, alongside a simple napoli number, and a truffle mushroom and spinach bowl. With 120 minutes up your sleeve, you should be able to sample them all, no problem — along with the matched homemade garlic bread, of course. During your sitting time, you'll also enjoy unlimited cocktails, including tropical punch, mojitos and a variety of spritzes. To get in on the bottomless gnocchi deal, you'll have to book online in advance. Everyone on your table will need to partake in the bottomless action, though we don't imagine it'll be too hard to rustle up a crew of eager gnocchi-loving mates.
A passionate young cast of West Melbourne actors will wear their hearts on their sleeves, with a contemporary take on Shakespeare’s Othello at the Malthouse Tower Theatre from May 7 to 9. Set inside a rat-infested boxing gym, Iago updates Shakespeare’s original text to further explore issues relevant to the modern world. Misogyny, male violence, raunch culture and pornography will all coalesce in a gritty, physical performance from the Edge Ensemble; with each young cast member calling on his or her distinctive cultural background to confront questions of diversity and sexual politics in present day Australia. The Edge Ensemble is a part of Western Edge Youth Arts, a community-focused arts company based in Footscray; so you'll be simultaneously rethinking Shakespeare and flying a flag for Melburnian theatre. For more information, visit the Western Edge Youth Arts website.
Melburnians are getting a nightmarish dose of Christmas spirit this festive season as Bar Humbug pops-up along North Melbourne's Queensberry Street from December 7–23. In true Bad Santa style, all the Christmas tunes will be on loop as you wander through a range of immersive installations — (bad) singing along to Mariah Carey is to be expected. Sit on Santa's lap in the Grotty Christmas Grotto, kiss your loved one (or a stranger) in the Mistletoe Corner and sip on naughty-or-nice-themed cocktails from the bar. Tickets get you two hours in the bar, where dress-ups, heaps of candy canes and all-levels of Christmas debauchery will add up to a (not-so-jolly) good time.
The description of this event makes it sound like the greatest thing ever. When I read that it's a "late-night haze of neon and performance, live art, and discotheque", all I could think of is this. Irish theatre dynamos THISISPOPBABY — the ones behind this enigmatic cluster of buzzwords and fluro-fantasia — look like they know their way around both a stage and a dancefloor, so something fantastic is sure to go down. I know this is a vague description, but when an event is forced to describe itself as a 'happening', it's best to go in with an open mind. That way when you walk out half-covered in spandex, sweat, and someone else's body glitter, you can aptly remark "Well, that happened." Check out the rest of our picks for the Melbourne Festival here.
Sydney lad Kilter (aka Ned East) is a beatmaker well and truly at ease in the current electronic scene. The locally-applauded producer has already supported Australian electronic bigwigs RÜFÜS, The Kite String Tangle and Art vs. Science, also remixing cuts from the likes of Duke Dumont, London Grammar and Jamie xx. But make no mistake; you won't see this 22-year-old Sydney producer playing a show solemn-faced behind the bright lights of a laptop screen. Kilter much prefers playing a more physical part in his live music, keeping mighty busy with all those keys and knobs on his MPC and microKorg, while working up a real sweat with synths and drum pads. Kilter's brand new EP Shades is released on July 11 — the same date that his 16-venue Australian and New Zealand tour hits the ground running. With the very talented producer Hatch playing in support, Kilter will turn it up at Shebeen the next night on July 12. https://youtube.com/watch?v=fFHI_iyB6QM
Whiskey, beer, tasty eats and live music will get together for one mighty afternoon on November 24 when JJ's Place takes over a space on Easey Street. The occasion for this shindig is the launch of Jameson's latest creation: Caskmates IPA, a whiskey aged in IPA beer barrels. It's also the first day of summer. Get down there from 3–10pm to sample this new drop, as well as a limited edition Irish Pale Ale from Young Henrys, made especially for the event. Leonard's House of Love will be bringing its burgers from South Yarra as well as its pool table for a friendly competition. Providing the soundtrack will be a bunch of live acts, including Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Bec Sandridge and Bitch Diesel and DJs from PBS. You'll get a free drink on arrival, but you'll have to pay for everything else. And here's the catch: you have to enter a ballot. If you're lucky, you'll score two tix.
If you're partial to a big, saucy serve of lasagne, you'll probably already know that July 29 just happens to be National Lasagne Day. But how to celebrate? Well, Mamma's Boy Trattoria has that side of things sorted. The Brunswick restaurant is getting into the spirit of the occasion by dishing up bottomless lasagne feasts until the end of August. Head in for lunch between Friday–Sunday or dinner from Tuesday–Saturday, and you can tuck into unlimited helpings of the classic pasta dish for a tidy $29. With this lasagne lineup, all palates are covered. There's a traditional bolognese number in both beef and chicken varieties; a seafood version featuring squid, prawns, mussels and clams in a cheesy béchamel sauce; and even a plant-based option layered with mushrooms, peas, zucchini and vegan cheese. You'll be finishing on a high note, too, thanks to Mamma's signature dessert lasagne — a sweet concoction of biscuits, chocolate cream, strawberries, whipped cream and dried mint. With a two-hour time limit up your sleeve, you should be able to sample them all, no problems. Everyone on the table has to partake in the bottomless menu, though that shouldn't be a problem — we're sure that you don't have many mates that aren't keen lasagne lovers, too.
This weekend, the country's best First Nations musicians will come together for the 2020 National Indigenous Music Awards. Taking over TV screens, mobiles and social feeds, the annual music awards will be live-broadcast across NITV, Double J, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube from 7pm AEST on Saturday, August 8. And there'll be quite a few special guests making an appearance, too. For the awards part of the evening, the country's best musicians will be battling out across seven categories: song of the year, album of the year, film clip of the year, community clip of the year, new talent of the year, Indigenous language awards and, the big 'un, artist of the year. Electric Fields, Emily Wurramara, Jessica Mauboy, Mau Power, Thelma Plum and Baker Boy (who's back to potentially snag the prize two years running) are up for artist, while film clip contenders include 'House Fyre' by Briggs featuring Tim Minchin, Dallas Woods' 'If It Glitters It's Gold' and 'Drowning' by Miiesha. In between announcing winners, there'll be shows from the likes of Archie Roach, Thelma Plum and Mau Power, as well as a special performance of 'My Island Home' by songwriter Neil Murray and Christine Anu, in tribute to the song's original performers, the Warumpi Band. The one and only Midnight Oil will also be making an appearance. The Aussie rockers are back — with new music, no less. They'll be performing 'Gadigal Land' — their first new song in almost two decades — off their new mini album The Makarrata Project. The band is donating its share of profits from the project to organisations raising awareness about The Uluru Statement from The Heart. While you're waiting for the awards on Saturday, you can listen to NIMAs 2020 Spotify playlist over here. [caption id="attachment_778722" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Electric Fields[/caption] NIMA will be live-broadcast across NITV, Double J, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube from 7pm AEST on Saturday, August 8. Images: David Hancock
Given that weekend mornings are made for eating, drinking and being merry, doing so with an endless supply of tipples is a treat worth celebrating. Luckily, Fargo and Co has got us sorted — and its partnered up with jewellery brand Lovisa this winter. At Richmond's Fargo and Co, you can expect an indulgent, leisurely brunch every Saturday and Sunday, from 11am–2pm. That's three hours of booze and food. Plus, to make things even more extravagant, the 200-seat bar will be giving away some Lovisa goodies at this winter brunch series. Not only will you be sipping endless cocktails and wine, but when you book your brunch spot, by you — and your brunch companions — will nab a code that'll put you in the draw to win one of 25 Lovisa jewellery and accessory gift packs ($100 value). Running until the end of August, The Fargo x Lovisa Winter Brunch includes endless spritzes, mimosas, prosecco and moscato alongside a brunch dish of your choice. For this, think fried chicken and waffles with bacon butter, smashed avo with cinnamon roasted pumpkin and smoked turkey and cranberry bagels. The Fargo x Lovisa Winter Bottomless Brunch series is running from 11am–2pm every Saturday and Sunday until the end of August. To book your spot and go in the draw to score some dazzling jewellery, head here.
So, you've done your dash with all the chardy, the big shirazes and even that obscure Italian varietal your mate got you onto over summer. Now, it's time to scope out some fresh wine talent — and the Builders Arms Hotel is just the place to do so. On Monday, March 6, winemakers from the vineyard-filled Greek region of Naoussa will be dropping by the Fitzroy pub to show off their wares at a free evening wine tasting. They'll be pouring 14 different wines for you to sample, with the lineup centred on Greece's xinomavro varietal — a style that boasts similarities to Piedmonte's nebbiolo. Sip, swirl and unearth some new favourite drops as you chat to the winemakers about this rich, tannic, full-bodied wine. The kitchen will also be putting on some nibbles to keep you fuelled throughout the evening. Entry is free, although you'll need to reserve your spot online as capacity is limited.
Join the men and women of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, as they go boldly where no other orchestra has gone before. Kicking off the year in interstellar style, the MSO’s inaugural concert for 2015 will see the 100-strong ensemble take a trip on the Starship Enterprise, accompanying a screening of 2009’s Star Trek reboot with a rousing live rendition of the movie's score. Star Trek: Live in Concert screens at the Melbourne Convention Centre twice, on Saturday January 31 and Sunday February 1. If you didn’t catch the film in cinemas — and don’t mind forking out $50 for tickets — then this seems like a pretty awesome way to experience it for the first time.
Stalwarts of the Australian comedy scene, musical trio Tripod has been gracing theatre stages and comedy clubs for more than two decades. The three comedians have performed in comedy festivals, near and far, were regularly featured on the sketch-based tv series Skithouse and hold an important place in the hearts of dads everywhere. And this May, they're taking their laughs to the next level — teaming up with an orchestra for one night. Classical music might not usually be associated with the gaffs of Tripod, but for this special Hamer Hall performance the trio will go head-to-head with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Taking cues from revered American composer Leonard Bernstein, the trio will combine its beloved satire and parodies with music in a night of side-splitting laughter. It's an adults only session, too — so expect the crude, rude and (maybe even) nude. The MSO's associate conductor Ben Northey will lead the orchestra, while Tripod will add another wonderful — and eclectic — event to its 20-year history. Image: James Penlidis
There's nothing like a bit of big screen movie magic to get you into the Christmas spirit, especially when that involves diving deep into some classics. This year, you can get your festive fix courtesy of Federation Square, when it screens a range of festive and all-ages-friendly flicks in the lead up to December 25. For free. Running on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Friday, December 10–Saturday, December 18, the movie lineup includes recent instant festive classic Happiest Season, the animated Arthur Christmas, 80s comedy National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, the most recent version of The Grinch, the Will Ferrell-starring Elf and cult favourite Gremlins — and yes, the latter counts as a Christmas movie. Oh, and Love Actually is on the bill because it wouldn't be the jolliest time of the year without it. You can also see Aussie rom-com musical Bran Nue Dae, and vote for the program's last slot — so, you'll be picking between It's a Wonderful Life's merriment, Martin Scorsese's glorious Hugo, Steve Martin and John Candy in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and terrible sequel Daddy's Home 2. The flicks will screen on Fed Square's Digital Facade — and the times vary, with some titles showing at 3pm and others at 8pm. We suggest getting there relatively early to snag a primo spot.
There's no denying the power of a seeing a movie on a big screen with an audience, as the Melbourne International Film Festival celebrates every year. One thing that the fest's winter event doesn't include, however, is outdoor sessions amid the city's frosty weather — so it pops up each summer at Bunjil Place instead. Between Thursday, February 1–Sunday, February 4, you can head along to check out a selection of past MIFF flicks from 2023's fest on the site's outdoor screen. Nightly tickets cost $10, a price that includes a drink upon arrival. Or, see all four sessions for $35. The movie setup also includes pre-film DJs and live performances, as well as a range of other food and drink options. As for what you'll be watching, it all kicks off with a range of short films on the Thursday evening, with focusing on cultural experiences the common theme. Then, Friday night sees documentary Australia's Open get a-flickering, while Saturday is all about Noora Niasari's Melbourne-shot Shayda. The Sunday program celebrates a music legend via Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story. Pre-screening festivities begin between 6.30–7pm depending on the night, with the night's movie — or shorts — commencing at 8pm.
When MPavilion hits Melbourne each year, it gives the city two gifts in one: a stunning new temporary structure built in the Queen Victoria Gardens, and a jam-packed lineup of events in and around the freshly erected space. Perfect for summer hangouts, the specially commissioned spot arrives when the weather is warm to add workshops, talks, performances and more to everyone's diaries. For its 2022–23 run, the time for all of the above is now. As announced back in July, this year's winning MPavilion design is a vibrant canopied structure driven by celebrated architect Rachaporn Choochuey. Now open in its short-term inner-city home, the venue designed by Bangkok-based architecture and design practice all(zone) marks the ninth MPavilion in the series. After a couple of years spent indoors due to Melbourne's pandemic lockdowns, it also aims to offer a celebration of outdoor living. Also part of this year's MPavilion: a lighting concept by Melbourne-based lighting design practice Bluebottle, illuminating the space each night to showcase its intricate features. It'll also add colour to the live music program across the summer, although bright hues are set to be a feature of the venue anyway, with Choochuey picking four new tones to paint the kiosk in each month that it's open. MPavilion 2022 will sit at Queen Victoria Gardens to host a season of events, before being relocated to a permanent home elsewhere in Melbourne after this year's lineup wraps up on Thursday, April 6. That gives the space four huge months to host an impressive array of festivities, starting with a dance party featuring John Gomez, Nick the Record and Dita, as well as a Thai Festival that includes a lantern-making workshop and Thai dances — all on this year's opening weekend from Friday, December 9. The venue's events program changes its theme regularly — like its hues — starting with 'Under One Roof' in December, which is all about championing shared experiences. From there, January and February turns the space into a 'Material Lab', focusing on humanity's use of different materials, while March and April have 'Unseen Design' in mind, aka spotlighting how the best design can be invisible. Across a lineup that includes more than 250 free events and spans the involvement of 500-plus creatives, that means specific sessions celebrating Indigenous voices in architecture, getting Cheated Hearts to unleash its party tunes, and screening ten short films about the experiences of individuals of African ancestry living in Melbourne. Also on the bill: DJs aplenty, pilates in the park, a chat-heavy summer salon, talks about concrete's afterlife and recycled plastics, and a Strictly Vinyl party to close things out. Also, in a first, the MPavilion Food Truck will make Queen Victoria Gardens its home all summer. Yes, that's your leafy picnics taken care of, complete with an MPavilion Pale Ale by Preston brewery Tall Boy & Moose. Across two sets of dates — from December 15–18 and March 30–April 2 — the food setup will collaborate with Parcs, too, with chef Dennis Yong creating a 'bootleg fish & chip'-themed menu that's all about sustainability. Find MPavilion 2022 at Melbourne's Queen Victoria Gardens from Thursday, December 8, 2022–Thursday, April 6, 2023. For more information, and the full events program, visit the MPavilion website. MPavilion images: Casey Horsfield and John Gollings.
Victoria's premiere LGBTQI festival, Midsumma, is here again. This is the 25th anniversary, and to celebrate they are hosting hundreds of events across Melbourne. From dancing to parties, classes to plays, Midsumma has something for everyone, even if you're straight. Red Bennies' famous drag burlesque shows are on from January 16–19, with host Imogen Kelly. Fag Boy & the Married Guy is a play about casual sex, bullying, and revenge, playing from January 16– 27 at La Mama Theatre. Or come to The God Particle, an evening of multimedia philosophy with a group of young Melbourne artists and musicians. February 1 is the night of parties, with many events including the Blonde on the Bay cruise and Closet Party on Brunswick Street. Or, for a family-friendly gathering, come to Brimbank's Family Fun Day on February 2 and enjoy a barbecue in the park.
Still the queen of zero-phucks-given cool, Kirsten Dunst has slammed the selfie in a brand new teeny, tiny short film. Directed by Matthew Frost for Vs. magazine, Aspirational follows Dunst out her Beverly Hills driveway and into an awkward celeb selfie moment. A cheeky WTF comment on social media-obsessed fangirls and celebrity 'moments', Aspirational is a nice little reminder that humans are freakin' idiots sometimes. Via Vs.
Step right up, folks — the circus has come to town. Though it's not the kind with animals and screaming kids, but rather an extravagant circus-themed arcade bar set to boggle all the senses. Opening today within a vibrant, sprawling space at The District Docklands, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is the latest venture from the Funlab crew (Holey Moley, Strike Bowling Bars) and sibling to the Sydney venue of the same name. And yes, it's got that same fast, fun, kid-like energy that'll have you abandoning all adult sensibilities right at the front door's red velvet drapes. Prepare for a serious sensory overload as you cruise this room, between the buttery scents from the old-school popcorn stations, the tunes emanating from the DJ booth and the hyped-up sounds of 67 different arcade games. Here, you'll find everything from dodgem cars, Mario Kart and VR experiences, to six bowling lanes and Jurassic Park shoot-out games. Try your luck nabbing a prize on one of the many claw machines, or venture behind a mysterious curtain to zap zombies and blow your mind in Thrill Ride's interactive XD motion theatre. All that gaming is sure to prove thirsty work, but Archie's bar offering holds its own, with a slew of spiked shakes and cocktails as OTT as their surrounds. Your skills on the beer pong machine can only improve after sipping one of the bubble gum-infused Circus Sours, or the Shark Tanq — a blend of gin, Red Bull, blue liqueur, coconut and orange bitters that's topped with gummy shark lollies. Meanwhile, food is American-diner-meets-theme-park, with a playful circus twist. Camp out in one of the curved booths to devour bites like the Firebreather Hotdog — loaded with beef chilli and spicy mayo — the Bullfighter Burger, rocking a beef patty, pulled pork and bacon, or the flashback-inducing potato gems, topped with cheese dust and caramelised garlic aioli. Add on a nifty condiment-filled syringe to step up the Insta-worthy factor, before heading back out to that bumper car arena. Find Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq at The District Docklands, 440 Docklands Drive, Docklands. It's open from Monday–Thursday, midday–10pm; Friday, midday–midnight; and Saturday–Sunday, 10am–midnight. Images: Jacob Conner/Good Gravy Media and Eugene Hyland (food).
That's right, REMI and Sampa the Great are getting back together and touring the nation. Titled Fire Sign, their adventure will bring tunes, hip hop and poetry to big cities all over the country, where every show will see a set from each artist, followed by a joint finale. If you've been keeping an eye on the collaborations between REMI's Remi Kolawole and Sensible J, and Sampa The Great, you'll know that last year they joined forces to create 'For Good', a single that appeared on Divas and Demons, REMI's second album. Featuring a bunch of other special guests, the album took REMI to sold out gigs and several festivals, including Splendour, Field Day and Falls. Meanwhile, Sampa The Great has been going great guns since releasing The Great Mixtape, her debut album in 2015. You might've caught her at WOMAD, Laneway, Sugar Mountain or Golden Plains. From Sydney to Melbourne, Perth to Darwin, expect epic shows from the artists, plus surprises in the form of unannounced performers and a variety of support acts.
Get up close and personal with the latest innovations in virtual reality entertainment at a one-night-only event in North Melbourne. Produced in association with WIRED, the Kaleidoscope World Tour has been travelling the globe from Tokyo to Tel Aviv showcasing groundbreaking VR technology – and lucky for us in Melbourne, they've saved the best spot on their itinerary for last. The special event will feature more than 30 virtual reality experiences and films, including the new work from Oscar-winning director and visual effects whiz Phil Tippett. Punters will also get the chance to try out various VR gear including the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift headsets, hear from the medium's most promising artists at a Rising Stars of VR panel, and sneak an early look at Google's Tilt Brush, which lets you 'paint' in 3D space. General admission tickets to Kaleidoscope Melbourne are already sold out, but there are a few last minute spots still available. For more information and to book tickets, go here.
Melbourne's ongoing love affair with the not-so-humble hamburger will reach peak obsession at Welcome to Thornbury this Tuesday and Wednesday night. From 5pm on both March 8 and 9, half a dozen of Melbourne's biggest kahunas will step behind the grill at the northside food truck park for a mouth-watering burger extravaganza. Extra pickles, please! Presented in partnership with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the Melbourne Burger Invitational will feature the tastiest creations from 8bit., Mr. Burger, Beatbox Kitchen, Dude Food Man, 1090 Burger and Easey's. Tuesday night is already sold out, but you can still snap up tickets for Wednesday. Included in the entry is a burger from a vendor of your choice, a complimentary pint of Melbourne Bitter, and a commemorative invitational t-shirt. The team from Gelato Messina will also be on site, because what goes better with a burger than ice cream? Rhetorical question; the answer is 'nothing'.
The Australian Chamber Orchestra will collaborate with critically acclaimed percussion group Synergy Percussion on two concerts featuring some of the most iconic film scores in living memory. Featuring works by Thomas Newman and Bernard Herrmann along with Greek-French composer Iannis Xenakis, Cinemusica shapes up as a sonic treat for film lovers and classical music fans alike. Of course, you don't have to be a movie buff to recognise the shrieking strings of Herrmann's iconic score to Psycho. Also on the run sheet is Newman's ethereal work from American Beauty, and Bartók's Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, used by Stanley Kubrick to unsettling effect in The Shining. Rounding out the concert will be a pair of compositions by Xenaskis, along with a brand new work by Synergy Percussion artistic director Timothy Constable.
Westsiders really hit the jackpot with last year's arrival of Grazeland, a culinary hub crammed full of permanent food stalls slinging a smorgasbord of international eats. And now, they're hitting it again, as the precinct serves up a big weekend of specials, discounts and entertainment for its first birthday celebrations. Head along from Friday, March 25–Sunday, March 27 to join in the feasting and festivities. Not only will the entry fee be discounted to $3.50 per person across the entire weekend, but every single vendor will be slashing a tasty 10 percent off their full food and drink menus. That means loaded lobster rolls from Claw & Tail, plates full of Drums' Sri Lankan street food, coal-cooked African barbecue by Tasty Suya, wood-fired delights courtesy of 48H Pizza Bar, bubbles from Boulevarde Bar and Cannoleria's freshly piped cannoli — all going cheap. As you graze your way through the lineup, you'll enjoy roving entertainment, plus live tunes from the likes of Tanya George and Unlimited. For its birthday weekend, Grazeland will open from 5–11pm on March 25, 12–11pm on March 26 and 12–9pm on March 27. [caption id="attachment_845957" align="alignnone" width="1920"] SDP Media[/caption] Images: I in the Sky Productions and SDP Media
Whether you like them filled with jam and cream, or prefer plain cake all the way, the lamington is a perfect dessert. It's a piece of sponge cake covered in chocolate sauce and desiccated coconut — what's not to love? And, as excellent as it is on its own, it also fares exceptionally well when it's combined with other foods. Everything from lamington gelato to lamington milkshakes have already proven this fact, as has lamington-flavoured vodka, too. The latest creative take on this Australian favourite? A lamington-cruffin hybrid — which turns one food mashup into a bigger food mashup like the baked goods version of Inception. Sorry, lamington purists, it definitely isn't cube-shaped. But it now exists thanks to Lune Croissanterie. The bakery fills its Frankenstein's monster of a lamington-croissant-muffin with raspberry jam and whipped cream, then dips it in chocolate ganache and desiccated coconut. Without the latter, it just wouldn't be a lamington. And if that description has got your tastebuds in a tizzy, you can nab one — or several — in Fitzroy until Monday, January 31. The lamington cruffins lead Lune's January specials menu, which also includes coffee hazelnut twice-baked croissants, cinnamon buns, peach and yoghurt danishes, tomato tarts and the 'cherry ripe twice-baked' — which gives a pain au chocolat a cherry ripe-inspired twist. Like the lamington cruffins, you'll find the coffee hazelnut twice-baked croissants and peach and yoghurt danishes in Fitzroy only, while everything else is on offer at Lune's CBD store as well — most specials can also be pre-ordered online. Lune's lamington cruffins are available from its Fitzroy store at 119 Rose Street, Fitzroy, until Monday, January 31 — with pre-orders taken online.
UPDATE Monday, November 29: Friends! The Musical Parody has been postponed and will now run November and December, 2022, at Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre. We'll share the new dates as they're revealed. Australia's theatre scene didn't have much to smile about in 2020; however, now that 2021 has rolled around, some venues around the country are kicking back into gear with a little help from their friends. Well, with Friends! The Musical Parody to be specific — with the comedic, song-filled satire of everyone's favourite 90s sitcom touring the country. Initially, the show was due to hit local theatres in August and September last year. Then, when the pandemic struck, the musical rescheduled to November and December instead. But it seems that 2020 wasn't anyone's year — and it didn't include anyone's favourite day, week or month, for that matter — so the production has now shifted its entire run to 2021. Scheduled to hit Melbourne from Tuesday, November 23–Sunday, December 12, Friends! The Musical Parody will spend time with Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Phoebe, of course. Here, they're hanging out at their beloved Central Perk — and sitting on an orange couch, no doubt — when a runaway bride shakes up their day. Call it 'The One with the Loving, Laugh-Filled Lampoon', or 'The One That Both Makes Good-Natured Fun of and Celebrates an Iconic Sitcom'. Yes, no one told you that being obsessed with the Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer-starring show about six New Yorkers would turn out this way — with on-stage skits and gags, recreations of some of the series' best-known moments, and songs with titles such as 'How you Doin?' and 'We'll Always Be There For You'.
Architecture aficionados are in for a huge weekend this July if the just-launched Open House Melbourne Weekend lineup is anything to go by. Running from July 28–29, the weekend is the crowning glory of Open House Melbourne's annual, month-long celebration of local architecture — and this year's program, unveiled this morning, is its biggest yet. It sees a total of 220 buildings open their doors to the public across the weekend, including 70 new participants, 24 residential buildings and 81 City of Melbourne structures. Among the architectural delights you'll have the chance to get up close and personal is St Kilda's stunning new Stokehouse Precinct — the first five-star green-star building of its type in the country. More exciting still is that eco activist and artist Joost Bakker will be leading the guided walking tour. Explore the yet-to-be-completed 85th floor of the iconic Eureka Tower and marvel at its sweeping, 360-degree views, as part of an exclusive tour by architects Fender Katsalidas — or go back to school, with a close-up look at 37 significant sites across four of Monash University's campuses, including the striking, orange-accented biology building. Also on the program is artist Eugenia Lim's three-channel video homage to acclaimed modernist architect Robin Boyd called The Australian Ugliness. One of the stunning buildings included in the residential section is Molecule Studio's five-person, small-footprint home, Triangle House. While most of the open house tours are free, a few require pre-booking and incur a small fee. Check out our picks of the weekend or head to the website for the full list.
The mood is high in Melbourne right now, as the state continues to smash its vaccination targets and the city kicks off a long-awaited reopening. And the folks at doughnut bakery Goldelucks have created the perfect treat to celebrate both of these achievements. The store's dropped two new boozy dessert packs, which'll be available until the end of November. There's the Single Dosed Box ($48), featuring a mixed trio of Goldelucks doughnuts, one of the store's signature Nutella-filled syringes for an extra chocolate hit, a can of Public Brewing Co.'s popular Dan AnBrews beer, and an assortment of other lollies and chocolate. Meanwhile, the Double Dosed Box ($72) comes packed with a double serve of all of the above, ideal for sharing with a fellow double-jabbed mate, or simply saying cheers to post-lockdown life. Order online now for next-day delivery.
Get a crash course in Shakespeare in the Royal Botanic Gardens this summer. Running from December through to mid-March, Shakespeare's Best Bits offers a refreshing take on the works of history's most famous playwright, mashing up everything from Macbeth to Romeo and Juliet — with a healthy amount of silliness thrown in. The show follows the six amateur thespians known as The Mechanicals, who originally appeared in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Only this time, rather than the tale of Pyramus and Thisbe, they're tackling the oeuvre of the very writer who created them in the first place. How meta. Loaded with slapstick humour and at least one King Lear-themed rap battle, this production under the stars sounds utterly, intentionally ridiculous. Don't go mistaking it for the work of amateurs though. In fact, it's being run by the Australian Shakespeare Company. Not sure how the Bard would feel about all this, but at least you can expect some quality performances.
Beer and ramen. Look, we really shouldn't have to work all that hard to get you on board with this one. A standout culinary option on the Good Beer Week program this year, this five-course dinner at Shizuku Ramen in Abbotsford won't just feature beers by the beloved brewers from nearby Moon Dog. It'll also feature beer as an ingredient in the actual ramen itself. The miso beer ramen is reportedly the star of the night, although you can be damn sure we'll be trying each and every one.
Don't worry if you missed out on the ballot to Golden Plains, all the A-list acts you were dying to see will also be doing the rounds at Melbourne Zoo Twilights series. Over six weeks of summer the feathered, furred and finned will have plenty to choose from after hours, with huge concerts spanning every Friday and Saturday evening from January 30 through March 7 at the zoo. Fronting the zoo's genuinely huge lineup, Bright Eyes' soul-searching dreamboat Conor Oberst will spin his heartfelt tales among the giraffes. That's right, the Conor Oberst, hangin' out at the zoo. Victorians will bliss out to the sounds of local classics like Sarah Blasko, Dan Sultan, Bernard Fanning as well as Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, and the motherflippin' Village People. Genre-wise, there's genuinely something for everyone; the lineup has you thoroughly covered in the realms of indie, folk, rock, bollywood and cult '70s disco (because why not). Making the perfect summer picnic destination, Melbourne Zoo will be pumping every Friday and Saturday evening from January 30 - March 7. Though tickets may seem steep at $70, that price not only guarantees you an amazing show but full admission to the zoo itself. All profits also go towards the fight to save the near-extinct Eastern Barred Bandicoot. Likewise, Sydney's Twilight at Taronga series (from January 30 through March 21) is worth going interstate for. Being one of Australia's most high-fiveworthy zoos, Taronga's also fronting a huge lineup — they get twee monarchs Belle and Sebastian and the one and only Rufus Wainwright, alongside You Am I, Something For Kate, Little May, Hiatus Kaiyote and more; all fronting that top notch Sydney Harbour backdrop. Of course, you're welcome to bring along your own picnic basket with loads of food, but you'll have to leave that bottle of wine at home. The event is fully licensed, but there's no BYO — an important measure to keep rubbish and glass away from the poor little animals. Conor Oberst plays Melbourne Zoo Twilights on Saturday, March 28 — supported by The Felice Brothers. Thanks to Melbourne Zoo twilights, we have one double pass to give away to one lucky CP reader. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au
A book described as "a modern story of sex, erotica and passion. How the sexiest sales girl in business earns her huge bonus by being the best at removing her high heels," might not be anything to write home about. But what if the author of said book was someone's dad, and that someone decided it would be hilarious to read a chapter every week to the entire world, with some incredibly funny friends providing commentary? Jamie Morton did just that with his father's (pen name: Rocky Flinstone) erotic 'novels', the Belinda Blinked series. And so the audacious and pants-wettingly hilarious podcast My Dad Wrote a Porno was born. Since its premiere in 2015, the podcast about "the best/worst erotica ever written" has racked up over 150 million downloads. And now, off the back of an HBO Original Series featuring a "lost chapter", Morton and his pals James Cooper and Alice Levine are bringing their hilarious smut back to Melbourne in 2020. As part of a huge world tour, the live show will treat 'Belinkers' to one show at the Palais Theatre on Wednesday, January 15. Team Porno will read unreleased material from the erotic saga while throwing in a few surprises and interactive elements. Now four books deep — with the fifth due to be cracked opened on Monday, September 9, 2019 — the series follows the sexual escapades of Belinda Blumenthal who works in the sales and marketing department of a pots and pans company. There have been leather rooms and nipples as big as Titanic rivets, anti-erotic ridiculousness with sales reps and young-ish men, references to pomegranates and the popping of vaginal lids, and one truly disgusting flaking prosthetic appendage. If you're a fan of the show, the live incarnation should make you very happy. As Belinda says, "When you get what you want, you feel great." Tickets go on sale at 1pm on Thursday, July 18, 2019
If your love for the humble meatball knows no bounds, Mamma's Boy Trattoria might just become a second home for you this month. Off the back of its popular bottomless lasagne and unlimited gnocchi series, the Brunswick restaurant is offering another all-you-can-eat deal through the month of November. This time, you're in for bottomless meatballs. Across various sittings from Tuesday to Sunday, Mamma's Boy is dishing up unlimited saucy serves of its slow-cooked, house-made meatballs, with a two-hour feast setting you back just $30 a pop. You've got a choice of classic napoli sauce, a meaty bolognese and the boscaiola – a creamy blend featuring mushroom, green peas and black truffle sauce. Of course, each serve comes with a basket of toasted sourdough for dipping, so you can make the most of every last drop of sauce. The restaurant's regular drinks lineup is also available if you fancy matching your feed with a glass of Italian wine or classic Aperol spritz. Bookings are a must and you'll have to drop the words 'Bottomless Meatballs' when you make yours to get the deal. Bottomless meatballs are available from Tuesday–Saturday 5.30–7.30pm and Friday–Sunday midday–2pm.
Jumping back on the fitness train post-silly season can be a tough gig. But just think how much easier it would be if you had your four-legged bestie by your side? Well, grab your pup's leash and limber up, because South Wharf eatery Common Man has launched a new series of dog-friendly pilates sessions in collaboration with new app Patch Pets. Taking over the venue's waterfront lawn from 9am every Saturday, the 45-minute pilates classes are free for humans and pooches alike. You'll be guided through a sweat and tone session alongside other like-minded fur-parents, with pets invited to join in a few of the moves as well. Classes are confirmed up until February 29, with further dates dropping soon. Prefer a midweek pre-work stretch? The venue's also hosting riverside yoga sessions, from 8– 9am each Wednesday, right through the end of summer. These free classes are just for humans, though your furry mate is welcome to kick back in the pet-friendly outdoor area while you work out. Mats are provided at both classes and you can book in advance to secure a spot here for Saturdays and here for Wednesdays. And The Common Man's got a jam-packed breakfast menu to hit up post-class. Just saying.
It might be bucketing down with rain in Melbourne, but grisly weather won't be the only thing flooding the city tonight. A planned climate change protest is expected to see thousands of environmental activists march through the CBD this evening, heading off at 5pm from the State Library of Victoria on Swanson Street. According to The Age, as many as 10,000 protesters could be involved in the protest, which is being organised by environmental activist group Extinction Rebellion. The group says it "uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction" and raise awareness about the impacts of climate change. Organisers have shared their protest plans in a public Facebook event, dubbed Swarm the City!, saying"when business as usual means climate catastrophe, then it's time to disrupt business as usual". The group is hoping the protest will encourage the government to declare a climate emergency and commit to full carbon neutrality by 2025. Victoria Police have also taken to Facebook to alert Melburnians to the planned protest and the potential disruptions — which, on a rainy Friday at peak hour during AFL finals season, could be huge. "We're aware that there's protest activity planned for the CBD of Melbourne tonight," said North West Metro Commander Tim Hansen in a video posted to the page. "We think it's really important that [...] you make plans to get out of the city as quickly as you can before this time so you're not caught up in the disruption." https://www.facebook.com/victoriapolice/photos/a.223960551009422/3018134824925300/?type=1&theater This local Extinction Rebellion protest follows several held in Brisbane earlier this year, where protesters glued themselves to the road and marched through the CBD during peak hour. The Extinction Rebellion Protest is expected to run from 5–7pm. For further public transport and traffic updates, check Yarra Trams and Vic Traffic. Top image: Extinction Rebellion Brisbane protest
Nick Cave is embarking upon a tour of Australia and New Zealand in November and December this year, and unencumbered by new releases, he'll be playing a wide selection of classics that stretch right back into his 30-year catalogue. Unlike Cave's 2013 Push the Sky Away tour with featured his much-loved band The Bad Seeds, this will be a rare solo outing. Prepare yourself now — you're probably going to cry when he plays 'Into My Arms'. Cave's epic tour comes fresh after the run of 20,000 Days on Earth — a fictional documentary (just go with it) about this legendary musician. We enjoyed this 90 minutes of one-on-one time with the artist so much we even named the film one the best at this year's Sydney Film Festival. Now we get to make this alone time a reality; just like in the cinema, this tour will be you and Nick Cave (and a bunch of strangers) in the dark.
To celebrate Refugee Week, Belgian artist collective Schellekens and Peleman are bringing their massive inflatable installation to Melbourne's Immigration Museum. The five-metre-high inflatable, aptly named the Inflatable Refugee, depicts a refugee, crouched and wearing a life jacket. He will set sail on the Yarra on Saturday, June 17 at 11am. The inflatable will then be displayed in the Long Room of the museum from June 19 to 25. The inflatable refugee has travelled around the Europe — from Venice, to Copenhagen to Uppsala — raising awareness for the journey of many millions of people currently seeking asylum around the world. After its stint in Melbourne, the installation will move on to other destinations worldwide. In tandem, the project Moving Stories encourages refugees to write stories to their fellow citizens which collate on their website. The artists are also partnering to with No Vacancy Gallery for a series of public interventions and interactive exhibitions. Schellekens and Peleman will be giving a timely talk on their practice and motivations for developing the Inflatable Refugee Global Art Project at the Immigration Museum at 2pm on Sunday, June 18.
As Melbourne emerges from the depths of another icy winter, you've got a fresh excuse to ditch the indoors and venture outside for your next art fix. The NGV, ACMI, Fed Square and the Koorie Heritage Trust have joined forces with digital production company Acute Art to create one of the largest free augmented reality (AR) exhibitions Australia's ever seen. AR.Trail is popping up from Monday, August 22–Friday, September 30, showcasing digital works from leading contemporary artists at 22 sites across the city. Grab your smartphone and set off on a self-guided exploration, unearthing AR artworks by names like KAWS, Reko Rennie, Ron Mueck, Alicja Kwade, Olafur Eliasson and more. Exploring the human condition and our connections to the environment, the exhibition is a thought-provoking one — and it boasts some pretty high-tech design, too. With your phone in hand, you'll be able to bring to life pieces like an enormous gravity-defying skull floating above the NGV waterwall, a luminous neon depiction of a Kamilaroi warrior outside the Koorie Heritage Trust, and a brand new work by Patricia Piccinini gracing Fed Square. To experience AR.Trail, you'll first need to download the Acute Art app, available for free via the App Store and Google Play. [caption id="attachment_866261" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugene Hyland[/caption] Images: Eugene Hyland and Fed Square
Sure, this whole lockdown thing is getting pretty old. But at least you can elevate this weekend's couch time with some fancy food and a taste of indulgence. Originally scheduled for August 8, the Prahran Market's Truffle Celebration has been cancelled due to restrictions. But, in good news, you can now enjoy the festival's Truffle Trail from the comfort of home, thanks to a timely takeaway pivot. Curated Truffle Trail packs are now available for click-and-collect, filled with specialty dishes and products from the festival's planned truffle-infused food trail menu. There are bites like Naheda's truffle parmigiano dip, a truffled chicken petite pastie from Stir the Pot, truffle-topped pizza, truffle-infused eggs and a savoury black truffle mille-feuille courtesy of The Food House Deli. Plus, even dessert is sorted, thanks to Fritz Gelato's very luxurious double cream black truffle ice cream. One of these indulgent boxes will set you back $40, available for click-and-collect to anyone living within five kilometres of the Prahran Market. You'll need to order here, then pick up your pack from Market Square between 2–4.30pm this Saturday, August 7. [caption id="attachment_821347" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prahran Market trader Damian Pike[/caption]
When a food-themed day is worth celebrating, it's usually focusing on a dish you'd eat any day (and wish you could tuck into every single day, in fact). World Burger Day is one such occasion, and it's coming in strong for 2023 with free burgs. The catch? You do have to buy a glass of wine, which you'll surely be fine with. If you usually pair your burgers with beer, wine label Greasy Fingers is well-ware. That's one of the reasons that it's behind the giveaway. This drop is made to go well with burgs and whichever other greasy meals happen to tempt your tastebuds, no matter whether you opt for the shiraz, shiraz grenache or chardonnay. [caption id="attachment_902457" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Will Salkeld Photography[/caption] So, buy a glass at The B-East on Lygon Street on Sunday, May 28, then get your free burg. That's all there is to it, although you'll need to get in quick. The other key caveat: there are only 100 free burgers available, so it's a case of first in, first served.
After a little something to brighten your mood? How does a vibrant bouquet of bright yellow blooms sound? This year, Cancer Council Victoria's Daffodil Day celebrations will be beamed into homes across the city, by way of a contact-free flower delivery service run in collaboration with Rialto Melbourne. For its 35th annual edition, the famed fundraising appeal is set to drop thousands of daffodils to local doorsteps, from Monday, August 16–Saturday, August 28. To jump aboard an excellent cause and buy a bouquet for yourself or someone else in need of some bright blooms, simply place an order online. Prices start from $30, with proceeds going to support Cancer Council Victoria's life-saving work in the field of cancer research. Having teamed up with delivery platform Zoom2u and local florist Botanics of Melbourne, Rialto is expected to send out an impressive 20,000 daffodils over the two-week delivery run. On the evening of Daffodil Day, August 27, the Rialto Tower will also be showing further support with the building lit up in bright yellow for the occasion.
The team at Lazerpig know its way around a pizza — each crust is carefully prepared and rolled, sprinkled with an epic selection of toppings and fired in the brick oven. In addition to pizza, the Collingwood bar is also renowned for an incredible wine list cultivated by sommelier Jake Winther of Trutta Wines — and now, he's ready for the wines to take centre stage. On Sunday, October 29, Winther will bring together 20 of Australia's most innovative and relevant winemakers, both big and small. The Lazerpig dining room will be cleared out and transformed into a cellar door for an afternoon of tasting, learning and sharing in conversation about the hailed liquid. Wine enthusiasts are invited to join winemakers from Alpha Box and Dice, Sutton Grange Winery, Chevre, Little Ra Ra and more to taste some of the best wines from around the country. With music provided by DJ India Grace, this'll be one heck of a wine party.
Life can be expensive these days, especially when you've got your non-negotiable daily double-shot latte to take into consideration. But one Toorak Village newcomer is here to help ease that financial pain, offering to caffeinate you for mere pocket change every day this month. For the entire month of October, newly minted corner cafe Fleur Espresso is coming to the rescue of your bank account, slinging $2 regular coffees, all day, every day. Need to supersize? The venue's also doing large coffees for just $3 a pop. The initiative is partly a celebration of Fleur's launch and a welcome gift for its new regulars, but also just a nice little gesture to take the edge off that rising cost of living. What's more, while you're sipping your budget-friendly coffee, you can relish the fact it came from a cafe that's making a big effort for the environment. Fleur Espresso has already implemented a slew of waste-minimising initiatives, using only biodegradable takeaway packaging and operating its own in-house worm farm to take care of table scraps.
If you don't follow the AFL (or you do and you don't give a toss about either Collingwood or West Coast), you might be wondering what to do on this Friday's public holiday dedicated to the game. Of course, you could do basically anything — especially if you've got the whole day off work — but you may as well make the most of it with a big ol' party. Section 8 is hosting a whole weekend of festivities, including a blowout day bash on Friday afternoon. A lineup of DJs — like Toni Yotzi, one half of Daydreams and Common Nocturne — will play into the night for a cause much bigger than your good times. All proceeds from the day will be donated to RISE, a refugee-run welfare and advocacy organisation for asylum seekers and ex-detainees. Entry is free, but you can make a donation at the door if you so wish. The party kicks off at 3pm and will run right through until 1am.
By now, Melbourne's no stranger to the boozy brunch concept, though we haven't seen it done like this before. Kicking off on Sunday, April 29, Tokyo Tina's new weekly brunch sessions come matched with a fun side of bingo, as hosted by the Granny Bingo crew: Maureen McGilicuddy, Edith Vale and Caroline Springs. The Chapel Street restaurant promises to help keep that Saturday night revelry kicking on well into the next day, with two weekly brunch sessions (12–2pm and 2–4pm) and a 10-minute bingo round happening every hour. For $69, you can spend your Sunday sipping bottomless beer, bubbly and Aperol spritzes while tucking into a shared feast from the TT menu. You'll be swapping your standard smashed avo for more adventurous plates like okonomiyaki, smoked duck bibimbap, and a bacon and egg bao. The bingo itself promises a bit of raucous fun, especially those crowned bingo king or queen. Who knows — you could end this Sunday session with a sweet prize and serious bragging rights to your name. Either way, this is not the kind your nan plays. Just be sure to book online to make sure you can get a table.
Portarlington Mussel Festival has become one of the largest yearly events to take place in the tiny bayside community. Last year, over ten tonnes of locally harvested mussels were served to 30,000 seafood-loving punters. For its 12th year, Australia's mussel capital will host over 120 food stalls, peddling not only shellfish but fresh local produce too. There'll be live music across five stages, art, cooking demos, activities for kids and, most importantly, beer and wine tastings. And entry is just five bucks. Established in 2007, the festival highlights the importance of the Bellarine's aquaculture industry — 60 percent of Australia's mussels come from Portarlington. Despite the town's remoteness, you can jump on a ferry from Melbourne or, even better, do a coastal road trip. Image: Visit Victoria.
