Built on implausible plot twists and steamy lesbian sex, at a glance South Korean thriller The Handmaiden doesn't exactly cry out to be taken seriously. Frankly, it's part of the genius of director Park Chan-wook that the film can be enjoyed as nothing more than a piece of arthouse pulp – albeit an immensely stylish and entertaining one. But look beneath the B-movie trappings and you'll uncover a deceptive intelligence. At its core, this is a film about the unspoken link between seduction and deception, as well as the collective male sexual ego that has been warped and inflated by the consumption of way too much porn. After dipping his toes into the English-language market with the neo-gothic Stoker, Park seems to be much more at home back in South Korea working in his native tongue. Ironically, The Handmaiden is actually based on the novel Fingersmith by UK author Sarah Waters. The location has been changed from Victorian-era England to 1930s Korea, but the story remains more or less the same: a pickpocket (Kim Tae-ri) becomes the handmaiden of a wealthy heiress (Kim Min-hee) with the aim of helping a con-man (Ha Jung-woo) seduce her and steal her fortune. But loyalties are soon tested, and motivations blurred, when the two women fall in love with each other instead. That's just the first of the film's three distinctive chapters, but to reveal anything more would be to ruin all the fun. Suffice it to say, over the course of a breezily paced two-and-a-half hours, Park leads the audience down a winding road of perspective shifts, flashbacks and preposterous twists – some of which are predictable, some of which are not. Regardless of how much you see coming, you would do well to suspend your disbelief, because The Handmaiden goes to some fairly unlikely places. Yet no matter how silly it gets, the story and the characters are never anything less than enthralling. It's the kind of movie we'd happily watch twice in one sitting – and unlike many films that rely on surprise revelations, we can confirm that it actually gets better the second time around. Repeat viewings will no doubt be aided by the movie's exquisite appearance. The Handmaiden is without question one of the most beautiful looking films of the year, the work of a master in complete control of his craft. The images ooze sensuality long before anybody gets naked, with every camera move and close-up an act of cinematic seduction. The costumes, sets and natural locations are stunning without exception. Park exhibits a similar level of control over the film's fluid tone, which shifts from silly to sexy, from funny to frightening, from depraved to uplifting, without ever missing a beat. By every measure it's his most assured work to date. To compare him to an American contemporary in David Fincher, if the violent cult hit Oldboy was Park's Fight Club, then The Handmaiden is his Gone Girl – less raw, more elegant and all the more subversive for its (comparatively) restrained approach. As restrained as a film with several explicit lesbian sex scenes can be, anyway. Like Fincher's recent masterpiece (come at me), The Handmaiden is a tale of female empowerment masquerading as something much more tawdry. At times, perhaps, it fits the part a little too well, with the aforementioned sex scenes playing an awful lot like heterosexual male fantasy. Then again, at least the film depicts lesbian sex and romance as just that: sexy and romantic. The same certainly cannot be said of the erotic forays made by the movie's various men. Indeed, whether it's a self-described seduction expert mansplaining to a woman what women want in a man, or a group of high society types listening with rapt, sweaty attention to a reading from an erotic novel, The Handmaiden mocks common male attitudes towards women and sex, both of which it posits are at least partially linked to lurid fantasies pedaled by pornographers. Contemporary studies around online porn and its impact on adolescent boys suggest the movie is right on the money. As for those men who seek to exploit or prey upon women? Let's just say that, by the time the story ends, the ladies make sure they get their just desserts. Park's cast is uniformly terrific, but special attention must be given to Kim Tae-ri and Kim Min-hee. In a film that has so much to do with the performative nature of sexual relationships, and how we shape and cultivate our image and behaviour in order to meet (or sometimes hoodwink) the expectations of a potential mate, their marvelous, multi-layered performances are the glue that holds everything else together. Like the puzzle-box plot and immaculate aesthetic, their work is packed with levels of hidden intent that make the second viewing of The Handmaiden even more rewarding than the first. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHOmrolJEiY
Ever pondered what the human body might be like a couple more decades into the future? What sort of weird and wonderful things it'll be able to do by the time next century rolls around? Award-winning Aussie-born, Los Angeles-based artist Lucy McRae sure has, and she's offering a peek at her most captivating musings in a new free exhibition at NGV Australia, titled Lucy McRae: Body Architect. As a designer, science fiction artist, filmmaker and 'body architect', McRae's on a constant journey of contemplation, her work reflecting on the future of human existence through collaborations with everyone from scientists, to pop musicians. Kicking off today and running until February 2020, this survey of her work — which has strong The Fifth Element vibes — dives deep into these questions, showcasing a body of work that will not just pique the interest of art lovers, but sci-fi fans and philosophers, too. For Lucy McRae: Body Architect, you'll see the artist's filmmaking skills at play in seminal work Institute of Isolation: an observational documentary exploring the concept of isolation and the impact it might have on people when experienced for decades at a time. It's questioned through the lens of space travel and how human resilience might be tweaked in order to better handle it. Meanwhile, immersive work Future Day Spa will see you hanging out in a vacuum pressure chamber, which mimics the feeling of being hugged tightly, boosting relaxation levels in the process. You can also get your own face up on the gallery's walls — and tweak it — with Biometric Mirror. Elsewhere, you'll spy the series of bold and ethereal digital images McRae created alongside Dutch textile artist Bart Hess. The pair's work imagines high-tech, futuristic body functionalities – like colour-excreting skin – captured in striking lo-fi imagery using things like pantyhose, balloons, grass and bath foam. Then, there are the pieces from McRae's many collaborations with musicians, both local and international. The iconic image created for pop-star Robyn's Body Talk album cover is on show, as are the artist's music videos for bands including Architecture in Helsinki and Reptile Youth. For a quick intro to her work, watch this TED Talk. As one of the youngest ever TED Fellows and having earned a spot on Fast Company's list of people shaping the future, McRae's an exciting pull for the NGV's next season of solo exhibitions, which is set to feature the work of Aussie photographers Polixeni Papapetrou and Petrina Hicks later this year. Images: Installation shots by Tom Ross; Lucy McRae portraits by Eugene Hyland; © Lucy McRae.
Greville Street has itself a dapper meat destination in Angus & Bon, a New York-inspired steakhouse that set up shop in the former Prahran Post Office. The brainchild of Liam Ganley (who brought you Lemon Middle and Orange, Freddie Wimpoles and The Bay Hotel), the offering here is all about heroing the kitchen's woodfire grill. It's used across an unpretentious menu of veggie, fish and meat dishes, though the steak selection is the indisputable star of the show. Alongside plates like fried chicken tenders and wood-grilled octopus, there's a truly hefty array of beef options; choose from quality cuts like a 300g porterhouse, or a grain-fed scotch fillet, teamed with a range of classic sauces and sides. The wine list proves a worthy match, with plenty of choice by the glass and a special focus on local pinot noir varieties. Angus & Bon's space itself is both stylish and comfy, the work of Melbourne studio Bergman & Co. The front bar and streetside areas are primed for summertime sipping sessions, while the back restaurant space tempts long, lazy dinners with its luxe banquettes and moody lighting.
If there's one type of hospitality offering that Melbourne is lacking, it's the all-day venue. You know, somewhere that you can sit with a coffee and read the paper, whether it's 8am or 5pm. Somewhere that you can go to finish off some work and then transition straight into knock-off drinks. But the CBD is getting there, especially when Morgan McGlone opens his new morning-to-night all-rounder on Collins Street in February next year. Natural History will be the Belles Hot Chicken chef's biggest venue to date. That's because it won't just be one venue, but, effectively, it will be two. Up front will be the cafe, which will serve up the more casual fare: coffee, doughnuts, pastries and porchetta rolls. But venture further into the space and you'll find the bar and grill — a huge 350-seat venue in the vein of upmarket bistros you might find in NYC. It doesn't look like fried chicken is on the menu, either. Rather, diners will be able to choose from steak tartare with fried oysters, pork chops and a one-kilo T-bone steak. Desserts will be distinctly American — think key lime pie and peach cobbler. What we're perhaps more excited about is the drinks list. McGlone has been championing natural wines for a while now, and Natural History will give him the chance to stock a full bar with them, along with local craft and non-pasteurised beers. He's teamed up with the 100 Burgers group (Mr Burger etc.) and Michael Delany and Jaimie Wirth (of hospo partnership International Worldwide) to make the space a reality. The design sounds like it's aiming to transport diners far away from Melbourne with vintage 60s tiling, 19th century stained glass and a straw ceiling. There will also be a 15-metre-long taxidermy 'diorama' set up along the dining room wall, which sounds...interesting. Natural History will be open Monday to Saturday from 7am to late from February 2018. We'll keep you updated on an opening date — but until then, we'll anticipate a new space that we can visit any time of the day.
Tasmania may sit forgotten and ridiculed on the outskirts of our borders, but every January it truly shines. Attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all over the country, MONA's annual Festival of Music and Art is a cultural icon. Now, in its seventh year, it's still bringing in the goods. The 2015 lineup will include legendary post-punk outfit Swans, Dan Deacon, Amanda Palmer, Paul Kelly and — because why not — author Neil Gaiman. And that's not even mentioning the art. Curated by Brian Ritchie of the Violent Femmes, the musical program is incredibly eclectic — a tasting plate of genres for those not quite so fascinated with predictable summer festivals like Laneway or Future. In their 2015 festival you can relax while Neil Gaiman reads you a story accompanied by the ambient sounds of Jherek Bischoff, go local with Paul Kelly's Soul Sessions featuring Dan Sultan and Kira Puru, or melt your brain with some Dan Deacon goodness. MOFO caters to all. The art on display will be just as strange. UK group Architects of Air will be bringing their giant inflatable sculpture — read: artsy bouncy castle — EXXOPOLIS down south from the Brisbane Festival. Melbourne artist Atticus J. Bastow is acting as maestro to an orchestra of iPhones. Johannes S. Sistermanns will be wrapping thing (and possible people) in cling wrap to create terrifying sound art. Then, Alvin Curran will combine both art and music while mobilising rafts and dinghies to make music on the Derwent River. "We are thrilled that the audience for MOFO has developed to the point where we can present this dazzling array of creativity and know the people are ready, willing and able to come along for the ride," said Ritchie. "It’s a party with brains, heart and soul." For a little look at what you're missing, check out our write-up from last year's Dark Mofo. January's festivities are bound to be about the same with 100 per cent more sunshine. What's not to love? MONA FOMA will run from January 15-18, 2015 in Hobart. Tickets are on sale now via the festival website. Full lineup: Alvin Curran Allan Halyk And Adam Wojcinski Amanda Palmer & The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Amir Farid Anna Von Hausswolff Architects Of Air Ava Mendoza Atticus J. Bastow Ben Frost Brendan Walls Chordwainers Dan Deacon David Francey Trio Debashish Bhattacharya Emma Dean And The Hungry Truth Faux Mo Francesca De Valence Gabriella Smart Genevieve Lacey Jim Moginie Johannes S. Sistermanns Li Binyuan Marduk Martine Corompt And Philip Brophy Melisandre Michael Kieran Harvey MOFI Eastern Sho MOMA (mona Market) Neil Gaiman Omar Souleyman Paul Kelly Presents The Merri Soul Sessions – Featuring Dan Sultan, Clairy Browne, Kira Puru & Vika And Linda Bull Phillip Johnston Rektango Robyn Hitchcock Ruth Roshan And Tango Noir Senyawa & Lucas Abela Shonen Knife Speak Percussion Swans The Clean Tim Hecker Xylouris White Young Wagilak Group & Australian Art Orchestra Zammuto
If we had to come up with a shortlist of sentences that we don't think we'll ever get tired of writing, "Melbourne is getting a brand new burger joint," would definitely be close to the top. Which is lucky, because frankly, it's something we have to write a lot. Case in point: restaurateur Dani Zeini is about to fire up the grill at Royal Stacks, an American-style fast food eatery with locations in Brunswick and the CBD. It's the latter that throws open its doors today at 470 Collins Street, near the southern end of the city. With a resume that includes Dandenong Pavilion, Grand Trailer Park Taverna, Easey's and Truck Stop Deluxe, it's safe to say that when it comes to hamburgers, Zeini is no slouch. At Royal Stacks he's pledged to use high quality Australian ingredients, including beef free from GMO, hormones and antibiotics. "Fast food is a bit of a guilty pleasure for the occasional treat day," says Zeini. "At Royal Stacks we’re taking that guilt away." Which is not to say that Royal Stacks will be serving health food. Burgers and fries aside, there dessert options are insane. Customers can expect stacks of waffles and doughnuts, as well as an honest-to-God frozen custard machine. Ice cream will be provided by St Kilda's Seven Apples Gelato, while on the beverage front they'll offer shakes as well as local beers and wines. The first Royal Stacks will open at 470 Collins Street, Melbourne at 11.30am on Monday, January 18. This will be followed by a second store on Sydney Road, Brunswick sometime in February or March. For more information, visit their Facebook page. Updated: January 18, 2016 Images: Eugene Hyland
If you're a fan of author, comedian and NPR humorist David Sedaris, then you'll know that he's a frequent visitor Down Under. Missed him on his last trip in 2023? 2025 is your next chance to experience his snappy wit, as well as his discerning and astute ability to observe life's moments — both trivial and extraordinary — in both an observational and unique way. This will be Sedaris' seventh trip Down Under, spanning stops in both Australia and New Zealand — in Auckland, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane — across January and February. If you haven't seen Sedaris live before, his shows are part of the reason that he's built up such a following. Onstage, he regularly weaves in new and unpublished material, too — and the satirist will throw it over to the crowd for a Q&A as well, and also sign copies of his books. Sedaris has more than a few tomes to his name, so you have options for him to scribble on, including Happy-Go-Lucky, Calypso, Theft by Finding, Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Holidays on Ice, Naked and Barrel Fever. [caption id="attachment_862850" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anne Fishbein[/caption] Sedaris is equally celebrated for his constant This American Life appearances and must-read pieces in The New Yorker, and boasts everything from the Terry Southern Prize for Humor and Jonathan Swift International Literature Prize for Satire and Humor to the Time Humorist of the Year Award among his accolades. If you've been searching for a supportive environment to use the phrase "how very droll", this is it. [caption id="attachment_862851" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] An Evening with David Sedaris 2025 Australia and New Zealand Tour Dates: Friday, January 31 — Auckland Town Hall, Auckland Saturday, February 1 — Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra Sunday, February 2 — Regal Theatre, Perth Tuesday, February 4 — Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide Thursday,February 6–Friday, February 7 — Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne Saturday, February 8 — Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle Tuesday, February 11 — Sydney Opera House, Sydney Thursday, February 13 — Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane David Sedaris is touring Australia and New Zealand in January and February 2025. For more information, or for general ticket sales from 9am on Thursday, June 27, 2024, head to the tour website. Top image: Anne Fishbein.
Trattoria Emilia is all about that refined rustic Italianate vibe, as if you're putting your feet up at a waterfront cafe in Sorrento. Owners Francesco and Luca have created a restaurant with a special focus on the ambience, allowing the diners imagination to take them back to the sunny shores of Italy. It's all about tradition here, while using modern cooking techniques to create something unique. The menu begins with classic small bites, including marinated olives, gnocco grotto with prosciutto di Parma, and Cantabrian anchovies in whipped butter and crostini. Entrees include Fremantle octopus with potato, celery, chives and olive dust, while vegetarians can enjoy some roasted Jerusalem artichokes with cashew, chestnut and black garlic. The Trattoria Emilia mains include a handful of pasta dishes, with the pork and beef ragu being a highlight, while the roasted lamb rump with eggplant and zucchini is deliciously succulent and full of flavour. A proper Italian restaurant isn't complete without a tiramisu, and the one here was coated in a Frangelico sauce with coffee and cacao. Delicious. Back in the day this joint was BYO on certain nights, but as the restaurant has evolved so has the wine list, so leave your bottles in the cellar. The list is impressive with a heavy focus on Italian bottles, while some stellar Aussie drops get a look in too. [caption id="attachment_608218" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Brook James[/caption] Appears in: Where to Find the Best Pasta in Melbourne for 2023
Gold Leaf has a couple of very important drawcards. One, is there are many around for your convenience — Preston, Burwood, Springvale and Sunshine. It seems likely that whatever far reaches of Melbourne your weekend might lead you to, Gold Leaf has got you, and will feed you up nice and good. Thirty years old and smashing out delish Cantonese food since way back then, Gold Leaf has more dumpling options than you have fingers to count 'em on. You're absolutely spoilt for choice. Make your way here – it's even worth braving going to the Docklands for – when you're really hungry and ready to roll, and expect tasty, fresh fare. Just make sure you save room for a custard tart or six for dessert.
Lygon Street doesn't have any shortage of Italian wine bars, but Agostino is certainly notable — if not due to its food and wine offering, then because of its history. Making its home in the strip's King and Godfree building — that recently reopened after a huge multi-year renovation and relaunch — Agostino was named in a nod to one of the area's original Italian food pioneers. It's a homage to Vincenza-born Carlo Valmorbida, the man who originally opened grocery store Frank Agostino's and whose family has owned (and continues to run) the building since 1955. The space itself boasts a rich riot of textures against clean lines, brought to life under the guidance of award-winning Melbourne architect Chris Connell. You'll spy further collaborative efforts in the commissioned collection of ceramics, featuring exclusive pieces by local artist Shari Lowndes. From the kitchen, comes a food offering that's concise, yet punchy, starring drinking fare with a clear northern Italian lean. You might find plates like grilled octopus teamed with nduja new potatoes and salsa verde; sardine beccafico with bread crumb, pine nuts and parsley; and a calamari fritti with lemon. But it's the wine program that takes centre stage, heroing a diverse spread of drops from across Australia and the homeland, including a rotation of tap wine. A solid retail selection offers bottles to enjoy in-house or at home, while the temperature controlled cellar plays host to a covetable reserve list, filled with rare labels that have been housed here for years. It's all backed by a classic-leaning cocktail lineup and a beer list offering both local brews and Italian craft labels. Drop by Agostino for an after-work drink, then finish off with a scoop of Pidapipo on the way home. Appears in: The Best Wine Bars in Melbourne for 2023
Sydney’s Sepia has won prime position on the Australian Financial Review’s inaugural
Melbourne's NGV International is celebrating the unique designs and lasting legacy of fashion icon Christian Dior, in a world premiere exhibition launching this Sunday, August 27. Running until November 7, The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture will be one of three major surveys of Dior's groundbreaking work, alongside exhibitions in Paris and New York. The Melbourne show will include more than 140 show-stopping garments, stretching the length and breadth of the label's extraordinary history. "Highlights of the NGV's House of Dior exhibition will include one of the few surviving examples of Christian Dior's New Look collection, which revitalised women's fashion in the post-war era," said gallery director Tony Ellwood last year. "And of course it wouldn't be a Dior exhibition without their sculptural tailoring, their signature ball gowns and their glamorous evening dresses which have become synonymous with the fashion house." "Audiences will discover the nuances of Dior's fashion design, and observe the ways in which these have evolved through the decades. The exhibition will also celebrate the milestones of Dior's six successive designers," he added. A key element of the exhibition will be an exploration of Dior's historic 1948 spring fashion parade at David Jones in Sydney, considered to be the first complete Dior collection to be shown outside of Paris. The exhibition will also tie in with the gallery's first ever Gala Ball on Sunday. Images: Installation view of House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture at the National Gallery of Victoria. Shot by Sean Fennessy.
In the middle of a gloomy Melbourne winter, we need all the cheer we can get. If that cheer comes dipped in melted cheese, so much the better. The team at Chandon has risen to the occasion this year. From July 8 to July 19, they're running a 'Fizz & Fondue Feast' at their Yarra Valley Winery. That's a custom Chandon wine flight, matched with a chef-made cheese fondue. An excellent combination for winter. Chandon's fondue is cooked on-site, using local Yarra Valley cheeses mixed with a dash of wine. You'll get your own fondue burner to keep everything hot and gooey, plus an array of gourmet goodies for dipping. Three matched sparkling wines will also be served throughout the session. Tickets for this one are $80 per person, and Chandon will be running two sessions each day. Grab your mates, grab a long fork and tuck in. Images: supplied.
One of the first recorded reports of the Negroni came from Orson Welles in 1947. While working in Rome, he wrote, "The bitters are excellent for your liver, the gin is bad for you. They balance each other." Sixty years later, bartenders and home cocktail enthusiasts are still perfecting the Negroni. And after so long, people get confident. And creative. And they make ridiculous things that we want to inhale with vacuum force. Here are five awesome takes on the Negroni, most of which aren't actually Negronis but have all the right ingredients — gin, Campari and vermouth. Bottoms up. THE GRUMPY NEGRONI Sydney's Grumpy Donuts are getting in on the Negroni Week action, with a special edition doughnut version. 'The Grumpy Negroni' is covered in a freshly squeezed orange and gin glaze, and filled with a Campari spiked creme patissiere. This doughnut creation will be available via the Hey You app on Wednesday, June 8. Orders will open at 10am. The doughnuts will be available in boxes of four, for $20 including delivery within the CBD only — World Square to Circular Quay, including Barangaroo, while stocks last. Grumpy Donuts will be donating $2 per doughnut (or $8 per box) to the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, the only not-for-profit pound in Sydney. Legends. NEGRONI BREWNUT Sydney's Brewtown Newtown is getting in the spirit of Negroni Week this year with their own Negroni Brewnut. This croissant-doughnut hybrid comes coated in a blood orange sugar, topped with a lightly bitter Negroni cream, and finished with blood orange meringue, Campari gelée (gel) and dehydrated citrus. It'll be available to smoosh into your face for $6 for the length of Negroni Week exclusively at Brewtown. [caption id="attachment_573609" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Butter & Scotch.[/caption] NEGRONI PIE You can have your Negroni and eat it too with this adorable dessert version of the cocktail. Brooklyn bakery Butter & Scotch has created the ultimate boozy after-dinner adventure. According to B&S, the pie has "bittersweet custard infused with orange zest and a hefty pour of botanical gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari liqueur, all cradled inside a flaky all-butter crust. Top with a dollop of whipped cream for an unusual, delicious, and boozy treat!" [caption id="attachment_573607" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pear & Ash.[/caption] NEGRONI ICE CREAM SANDWICH New York City's Pearl & Ash has taken our cocktail hero next-level. Chef Richard Kuo is the brains behind this Negroni-inspired ice cream sandwich, a boozy confection involving Campari-infused ice cream, gin and semi-sweet vermouth rosso, smooshed between thin pieces of orange-vanilla cake. [caption id="attachment_572288" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Hawthorn Lounge.[/caption] CHOCOLATE NEGRONI Wellington's Hawthorn Lounge shakes things up, Negroni-wise. Snuggle into a Chesterfield lounge by the fireplace at this cosy little '30s-style speakeasy, and roll the dice on a special edition experiment. Bar wizard Jamie has created a fresh and chocolatey take on the Negroni, with Aperol and Ramazotti taking the place of Campari. It'll set you back $18 and a cheeky airfare. [caption id="attachment_573613" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Craftsman and Wolves.[/caption] NEGRONI MARSHMELLOWS Another way to eat your Negroni! Weeeee! San Fransisco's Craftsman and Wolves is a contemporary patisserie making 'seasonal marshmellows' — and they've done a Negroni version for past Negroni Weeks. Adorable little striped layers of fluffy, sugary handmade glory. Not easily shared. [caption id="attachment_573616" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Humphry Slocombe.[/caption] NEGRONI ICE BLOCKS Freezing your favourite cocktail is the best way to turn your regular dessert cocktail into an actual dessert, which you can pair with an actual cocktail. San Francisco ice cream parlour Humphry Slocombe made these awesome little Negroni Ice Pops for Negroni Week last year. Consider these perpetually in our freezer next summer. Want an actual Negroni? Negroni Week 2016 runs from June 6 – 12. Check out our list of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane's best.
Dark and debaucherous banquets from Bompas and Parr, immersive art sleepovers at Cradle Mountain and all the demon purging and ceremonial death dances you could want in a festival. Dark Mofo has announced its 2015 program. Centred around the winter solstice and running June 12-22, MONA's annual June festival celebrates the Neolithic-started tradition over ten days of weird and wonderful art, performance, music and happenings around Hobart. Last year's festival attracted more than 130,000 Mofos, and with this year's lineup, they're looking at a lot more pilgrims. Coinciding with MONA's huge Marina Abramovic retrospective Private Archaeology, this year's Dark Mofo is deeper, creepier and darker than ever before — with art, food, music and performance pioneered by 250 artists from around the world. For one of the biggest events of the festival, the brave and adventurous at heart will want to lock in June 15-17 for a two-night immersive art experience sleepover within Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. That's right. Immersive art sleepover. It's called Wild At Heart and is curated by the Unconscious Collective (Motel Dreaming). British jellymongers and universally applauded food artists Bompas and Parr are hosting a full-on, debaucherous banquet. Huge. And Melbourne contemporary artist Ash Keating will open an exhibition called Remote Nature Response as part of the whole WAH shebang. Music-wise, Dark Mofo is as brooding and gloomy as ever at Hobart's historic Odeon Theatre, with already-leaked, heartbreaking headliners Antony and the Johnsons leading the charge with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. British art-pop collective The Irrepressibles are also locked in, alongside Arkansas experts in doom metal Pallbearer. Seattle's 'horror-country' rocker King Dude will be there, as well as German industrial dance outfit Oake. There's plenty of Australians in the bunch too, from The Drones' brooding folkster Gareth Liddiard to Melbourne's '60s-inspired crooner Brous and performance vocalist Kusum Normoyle, modern day Divinyls-like Sydneysiders The Preatures, Hobart's eclectic pop group Tiger Choir and Melburnian chillwave must-see Klo. Also hailing from Melbourne, gloomy electronica artist Jake Blood and frenetic rock outfit My Disco. Then there’s Japan's electro-conducting EYE, who will be premiering new work CIRCOM, especially for Dark Mofo, presented by Red Bull Music Academy. Immersive art and experimental theatre fans, you'rve got plenty to look forward to. Dark Mofo set to unveil a brand new festival precinct dubbed 'Dark Park' at Hobart's Macquarie Point. Huge public artworks will invade the park, from a high-octane Fire Organ by German chemo-acoustic engineer Bastiaan Maris with producer Duckpond, to a Night Ship cruising around the river, and a full-body sonic massage immersion of Bass Bath by Melbourne’s Byron J. Scullin in collaboration with Supple Fox. Virginia Woolf’s Orlando will be performed by Victoria’s THE RABBLE theatre company at the Theatre Royal (Australia’s oldest theatre) and you'll find a dark take on Roald Dahl's The Witches at Salamanca Arts Centre’s Peacock Theatre. Plus, you won't want to miss Dark Mofo's new late-night ceremonial death dance Blacklist curated by Supple Fox. We don't even know what that means. Those keen to lose themself in a dark, dark cinema have plenty of Nordic dark folkloric films to sink their teeth into. North Hobart’s century-old State Cinema is presenting a super niche series featuring A Second Chance, A Spell to Ward off the Darkness, Down Terrace, A Field in England, Partisan, Severed Ways: The Norse Discovery of America, Valhalla Rising and more, curated Nick Batzias and James Hewison. Dark Mofo Films will also see the red carpet world premiere of Tasmanian-filmed Foxtel adult drama series The Kettering Incident at the Odeon. Last but not least, we feast. Dark Mofo's annual bacchinalian food festival returns to Princes Wharf Shed 1 — the ever-anticipated Winter Feast. Guest chefs Jake Kellie, Martin Boetz, Sean Moran, Mike McEnearney and O Tama Carey and the Mona Source restaurant team head five nights of feasting and performance, culminating in a Balinese ogoh-ogoh parade to purge all those demons and burn all those fears. Really. Then there's the annual Nude Solstice Swim — nothing like an early morning swim in Tasmanian water to cure your Mofo hangover. Dark Mofo runs June 12-22 in various locations across Hobart, Tasmania. Tickets are on sale from 10am Monday, April 20 from here. Registration for tickets for Antony and the Johnsons with the TSO over here. Images: Beth Evans, Matt Glastonbury.
UPDATE: DECEMBER 12, 2019 — If you've been umming and ahhing about getting tickets to this show, you now have an additional reason to buy them: the MSO has just announced another magical Ghibli night under the stars. The second show will take place the following night, on Sunday, March 1. Tickets are on sale now over here. For more than three decades, Hayao Miyazaki has been hailed as the shining star of Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli, spinning gorgeous on-screen stories about magical worlds, buses shaped like cats, moving houses, friendly fish and more. No one can tell an enchanting tale like the masterful filmmaker — but, no one can make melodic music to match like Joe Hisaishi. First collaborating with Miyazaki on 1984's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the composer has provided the score to every one of the director's features since then, spanning everything from My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away to Ponyo and The Wind Rises. That's quite the collection of moving movie music, and it's coming to Melbourne for two nights with Hisaishi himself at the podium. After taking over Hamer Hall for four sold-out shows in 2018, Hisaishi and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra are heading to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday, February 29 and Sunday, March 1 for Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki. The sounds of Ghibli will echo through Kings Domain while Hisaishi conducts the full orchestra and the MSO Chorus, and a montage of clips from the likes of Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke — and the rest of Miyazaki and Hisaishi's shared filmography — plays on the huge screen.
This sushi bar/supermarket is the mysterious Japanese food repository you never knew you needed. If you're looking to make something yourself, the shelves are your friend. Find anything from koroke to katsu, gyoza to green tea Kit Kats, and a mammoth amount of bottled sauces and everything you need to make ramen. Oh, and sake and shochu. Over at the sushi counter, a range of 89 options will be available. There are more traditional varieties like your sashimi and nigiri platters, and then more unique creations like the salmon aioli with squid and egg salad. Th packs include a maki mix of hoso maki, cucumber shake, ebi, tekka and avocado while the deka maki packs include a California vegetarian option with avocado, takuan, kanpya, shiitake mushrooms, cucumber, mayonnaise and seaweed salad. From the a la carte menu try the stunning inari DX prawn with white salad or the lightly seared mackerel. The platers are large and designed to be shared with the sixty piece hoso maki platter the perfect option for a group booking. From the pantry enjoy hard to find treats such as yuzu jam, buckwheat soba noodles, Japanese craft gin and handcrafted chilli oil.
“People are realising that they’ve become pretty disconnected from their food — where it comes from, who grows it and what goes into it,” says Indira Naidoo. “And that’s why a lot of people are growing their own. They’re learning to grow organically, without pesticides, and discovering the taste is so much better because the food is grown fresh and picked as you need it, without storage or refrigeration or transportation.” Since transforming her inner-city balcony into a fresh feast, Indira has been promoting Australia's urban farming revolution. In her new book, The Edible City, she visits some of the nation’s most productive community gardens, including a rooftop retreat for Sydney's homeless, a bush-tucker patch connecting Indigenous school students with their heritage and a worm farm helping a Melbourne restaurant to reduce food waste. In the process, Indira gives readers inspiration and tips for starting their own projects, as well as 40 urban garden recipes. The Edible City follows her popular growers guide for beginners, The Edible Balcony. “More and more, our cities are becoming about concrete and steel,” she says. “There aren’t too many green spaces around. So starting a community garden is a beautiful way to connect with nature. And it’s also a place where you can make social connections. With iPhones, and travelling in cars, we are really isolated from our communities and disconnected from our neighbours. But gardens allow us to work towards something together.” Indira shared with us five of her top tips for starting an urban garden — be it your own project or a community venture. YOU’VE GOT TO LEARN HOW TO POT BEFORE YOU LEARN HOW TO FARM “I think the first mistake that new gardeners make is that they can get a bit too enthusiastic. They go to their garden centre or hardware store and pick up lots and lots of seedlings and things – tomatoes and capsicums and chillis – and head back and plant a lot of stuff. And it gets overwhelming and a bit out of control. So, I recommend starting small. “Start with some woody herbs, like oregano, rosemary and thyme. They’re hardy. They don’t need as much water and they can take higher heat or higher cold. Then move onto soft-leafed, green herbs, like basil and parsley, and then lettuce. After that, try tomatoes and fruit, and then root vegetables.” FIND THE RIGHT SPACE — AND SIZE DOESN’T MATTER “The key thing is to find the right space to grow in. Make sure that it gets at least six to seven hours of sunlight per day. Vegetables love sunlight. You need a water source as well, whether that’s a watering can or hose. “If you don’t have much space, grow in pots and choose plants that you eat a lot of. I eat plenty of salads and greens and herbs. So, on my window sill, I have one long, thin, pot that fits nicely, and sits on a little tray, so it catches the water. I put all my lettuces in and just give them a bit of water every morning. It’s so easy. I pick the outer leaves and the plant keeps growing, so one can last me three or four months. It’s perfect. If you have more space, for a bigger pot on the ground, put in a tomato seedling – a cherry variety. They’re fun and delicious. Nothing tastes better than a home-grown tomato.” ONLY GROW WHAT YOU HAVE TIME FOR – AND STAY REGULAR “Think about how much time you have. I set aside about ten minutes a day for my plants. I’ve got about thirty pots and they keep me busy enough. Don’t put in too many if you don’t have much time. “Once you start planting, make sure you do things systematically. A garden needs regular attention. You can’t just look after things on a Wednesday and then ignore them for two weeks. You don’t need a lot of time, but you do have to be noticing changes daily or every second day, doing some watering, doing some weeding and checking for bugs or pests. It’s about putting in a little care over a period of time.” PROMOTE PLANT HEALTH TO KEEP THE BUGS AT BAY “Plants are just like humans. When you get run down, that’s when you get sick. So, if you keep your plants healthy – if you feed them well, make sure they’re in nutritious soil, fertilise them every two weeks – they’re less likely to get a bug problem. “I like using organic sprays, like Neem. They don’t harm the environment, so you still have good bugs in your pots, but they do put off an odour that moths and butterflies don’t like, so they don’t lay their eggs. And I also do a lot of companion planting. Bugs don’t like the smell of marigolds, so I put them around my basil. Sage and rosemary are good like that, too. “But you can always get bug problems, even if you’re the best gardener in the world. Insects are amazing colonisers and they find a way to get into everything. So, don’t get too despondent. I just say to myself, ‘Oh well I’m giving food to other creatures on the planet.’” GET THE TIMING RIGHT “As I explain in [Edible Balcony and Edible City], most vegetables are season-sensitive, so there’s only a few you could plant all through the year without any problem. It’s important to look at the seed packet or the little label on the seedling. “The beginning of spring is a really good time for planting across most of Australia. It’s perfect for greens, tomatoes, capsicum, chilli, eggplant ... You can put your seeds or seedlings directly into your beds or pots. I’ve a got a sunny windowsill, where I have a seed-growing tray, with a seed-growing mix which is lighter and sandier than normal potting mix. So I just pop in a few seeds and wait for them to germinate.” Tour Europe's urban gardens with Indira Naidoo in 2016 In 2016, Indira will travel to Europe to visit urban gardens in four cities – London, Amsterdam, Vienna and Berlin. And you’re invited. “It’s a way to show people that there are cities (unlike in Australia, sadly), where urban growing is taken very seriously. As the UN says, 20 percent of our food now comes from urban farms around the world, and there are lots of spaces we don’t think of that work – like underground tunnels for growing mushrooms and aquaponics systems. It’s just extraordinary, all the ways that we can grow food in cities, close to where we live.” Indira's book, The Edible City, is out now through Penguin Books.
Between an immersive dinner experience in a historic house, performances by The Flaming Lips and Kamasi Washington and a swag of captivating theatre experiences inviting audiences into parallel worlds, this year's Melbourne International Arts Festival (MIAF) will be tough to ignore. The festival's 2019 program is set to deliver a diverse, vibrant celebration of dance, music, theatre, visual arts and architecture from October 2–20, with the entire city as its stage. For one of 12 Australian premieres, famous illusionist Scott Silven will host multi-sensory dinners for 24 people inside Chapter House, combining magic and storytelling (and, hopefully, some food). Another Australian premiere that'll be equally captivating is Yang Liping's contemporary dance masterpiece Rite of Spring. Tokyo-based art collective teamLab — made up of mathematicians, architects, animators and engineers — will take over Tolarno Galleries with sculptures of light and "cascades of shimmering luminescence", which will make you feel as though you're standing on a floating wave of light. If you've been lucky enough to visit Tokyo's Digital Art Museum or Shanghai's pop-up digital waterfall you'll know what to expect — they're both works by teamLab. Over at the Arts Centre, Black Mirror actor Maxine Peake will lead 15 musicians in a captivating exploration of enigmatic artist Nico and her 1968 masterpiece The Marble Index, in an Australian exclusive. In terms of music, there are some big names heading Down Under for the two-week festival. Psychedelic rock legends The Flaming Lips will perform their ninth, and most celebrated, record The Soft Bulletin in full to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The band's performances are never run-of-the-mill either — so, expect confetti cannons, elaborate costumes and neon unicorns. Jazz king Kamasi Washington — who has collaborated with everyone from Herbie Hancock to Kendrick Lamar and St Vincent — will be performing his latest album Heaven and Earth, as well as other top hits. Grammy Award-winning string quartet Kronos Quartet will be heading to Melbourne, too, and if the name doesn't immediately sound familiar, you'll most definitely recognise their Requiem for a Dream soundtrack. Elsewhere on the program — which, yes, continues – will see the return of Melbourne's beloved art trams, Nakkiah Lui's new show Black is the New White, a thought-provoking look at (and questioning of) 2019 Melbourne in Anthem and a world premiere of Chunky Move's new contemporary show Token Armies. This will be the last MIAF in its current format, too. Starting from 2020, MIAF will also form part of a new and bigger winter festival, in conjunction with White Night. Image: Borderless Tokyo Digital Art Museum by Sarah Ward.
Put your popcorn and choc top down for a sec and switch to tea, scones and a cheeky Pimm's Cup — it's British Film Festival time. Every year, the annual cinema showcase gathers up the best new movies Old Blighty has to offer, bringing them to Palace Cinemas for our antipodean viewing pleasure. From October 24 to November 15, the fest is back for its 2017 run. As always, BFF is a positively jam-packed affair, spanning true romances, hard-hitting dramas, music documentaries, literary origin stories and a retrospective feast of mystery flicks — and they're just some of the highlights from what promises to be a busy few weeks of British movie-watching. If you're feeling a little overwhelmed with options, stick with our five picks of the festival below. MARY SHELLEY On a rainy summer night just over two centuries ago, a teenager, her future husband and their friends sat around a Swiss log fire and gave themselves the challenge of writing a ghost story. The competitors included English poets Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley — but it was the latter's girlfriend, young Mary Wollstonecraft, who easily won their contest. Pondering the concept of a reanimated corpse, she started penning Frankenstein (or The Modern Prometheus — aka the greatest horror novel ever written). Starring Elle Fanning as the author, and directed by Wadjda's Haifaa Al-Mansour, Mary Shelley relays her efforts, telling the intriguing tale behind her famous creature. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukJ5dMYx2no THE DEATH OF STALIN He has turned British bureaucracy and US politics into a smart, hilarious farce across two stellar TV comedies, but The Thick of It and Veep's Armando Iannucci isn't done satirising the powers that be — or, that once were in The Death of Stalin's case — just yet. Given its title, there are no prizes for guessing what his second big screen directorial effort is about. With a cast that includes Steve Buscemi, Jason Isaacs, Jeffrey Tambor, Paddy Considine and Michael Palin, Iannucci adapts the graphic novel of the same name into an amusing and irreverent look at the aftermath of the USSR dictator's passing in 1953. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yurPcX4xrqI HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS AT PARTIES Trust Neil Gaiman to write a short story about a shy '70s punk teenager crossing paths with a curious visiting alien. Trust Hedwig and the Angry Inch's John Cameron Mitchell to turn the tale into an interesting and engaging sci-fi rom-com. As offbeat as its sounds, How to Talk to Girls at Parties corrals ever-busy The Beguiled co-stars Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman into its account of love, rebellion, taking risks and fighting for what you want in life. That might sound like your average teen romance, but this zesty, imaginative and thoroughly likeable effort is anything but. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQmBd5-ITyA ENGLAND IS MINE "Stop being a mardarse," Steven Patrick Morrissey is told early in England Is Mine. Of course he is. But, if he'd taken that advice, everything from The Smiths to this film wouldn't exist. Yes, this biopic of British singer and songwriter's early years in Manchester plays out just as you'd expect — the moody brooding, the lines like "life is too short for cliches", and the distinctive appeal of its central figure (played by Dunkirk's Jack Lowden) included. It won't convert anyone new to the Morrissey cause and you won't hear any of his hits, but the end result certainly is as melancholy as an unauthorised flick about 'the pope of mope' should be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppBlSpdVlEA JAWBONE A knockout boxing film that demonstrates how a familiar, frequently seen genre can still pack a considerable punch, Jawbone also marks a landmark effort for British actor Johnny Harris. Previously best known for the likes of Snow White and the Huntsman and various incarnations of the This Is England TV series, Harris stars, writes, produces and loosely bases the feature's narrative on his own teenage fighting experiences. Ray Winstone, Michael Smiley and Ian McShane also pop up on screen in this social realist boxing offering, but there's no doubting that this compelling and convincing underdog story belongs to Harris from start to finish. The 2017 British Film Festival screens in Sydney from October 24 to November 15, Melbourne from October 26 to November 15, and Brisbane from October 25 to November 15. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
Just a cheeky heads up for local legends like Liquorun, Jimmy Brings, Friday Beers, LiquorDrop, Dial-A-Drink, QuickBottle and WineRun — the big guns have jumped on the booze delivery bandwagon. Online shopping behemoth Amazon is trialling one-hour alcohol delivery, starting in Seattle. Announced by Amazon this week, Prime Now will take human laziness and demand for things now to the next level, dropping wine and beer at your doorstep within 60 minutes. From burger delivery by drone to ordering pizza with one emoji, humans just want things faster, faster, faster now. The Prime Now service, which is Amazon's fastest yet, will be exclusively available to members of Amazon Prime — and it's not just for booze. Tens of thousands of items will be available for one-hour delivery, from wine and beer to milk and ice cream, televisions, Kindles, paper towels, you name it. Throwing a last minute party or treating yourself to one heck of a night in just got pathetically easier. Local startup booze delivery crews, don't freak out just yet. Prime Now is currently only available Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland in the States, but the company has plans to expand the service to localities across the country and worldwide, eventually. Via CNET. Images: Dollar Photo Club and Walnut Studio.
Ever been gettin' loose out on the town and thought, “I could destroy a round of mini-golf right now.” Procure an Argyle-patterned vest and beige slacks immediately, because the good folk at Howler are bringing back their custom-made nighttime mini golf course to conquer. One heck of a drawcard launched in July, the triumphantly returning Howler Mini-Golf-O-Rama features nine holes each complete with a classic theme (think windmills, volcanos and jungles, classic mini-golf). It'll be back at Howler from Sunday December 27 to Wednesday, January 6, from 3pm on weekends and 6pm on weekdays. And it's FREE if you buy a bev. To use the course, all you have to do is turn up to Howler, buy yourself and/or your golfing buddies a drink and choose your putter. The course will be set up in what was once Howler’s bandroom, and to keep the good times flowing, guest DJs will pump up the jams (and hopefully play a non-stop dubstep remix of Lee Carvallo’s putting challenge. In fact, consider this an official request). Check out Elliphant and MØ carving up the course in July, to give you an idea. Now, let's all dig out our Happy Gilmore VHS's and prepare to just taaaap it in. Find Howler Mini-Golf-O-Rama at 7-11 Dawson Street, Brunswick from Sunday December 27 to Wednesday, January 6, from 3pm on weekends and 6pm on weekdays. Golfing is free if you buy a drink from the bar. Image via. Marcus Hansson.
You like gin. You drink G&Ts on a regular basis. But how well do you know the botanicals you're drinking? Bombay Sapphire has teamed up with a group of artists, chefs and bartenders to take you on a sensory adventure of where its botanicals are sourced. During the two-hour experience, aptly named Project Botanicals, guests will be given the global botanical tour — just pretend you're sampling coriander in Morocco and picking cubeb berries in Java. An important part of the sensory experience is the food and drink. Four dishes, cooked by Studio Neon chef Aaron Teece, will be paired with four cocktails created by some of Sydney's favourite bars. It's not just a standard food and drink pairing, though — the tasting experience will be interactive. You'll pick lemons, which are actually lemon cheesecakes, under a grove of trees in Spain while sipping on a drink created by Sydney's Mjolner. Next, wander down backstreets in China drinking Bar Moncur's liquorice-laced Jasmine Bloom and eating duck pancakes. You'll then travel across the globe some more before ending in Morocco with a lamb tagine and a vibrant cocktail from Union Electric. Throughout the immersive journey a 360-degree audio-visual artwork, created by Australian musician and producer Ta-ku together with award-winning animator Sam Price, will be playing around you. The multi-dimensional artwork, composed of music made exclusively for the event and a vivid light installation, will shift with each jump to a new location and hopes to alter perceptions of taste. Each session will run for two hours at the following times: 8.30pm on Thursday, 6pm and 8.30pm on Friday, 2.30pm, 5.30pm and 8.30pm on Saturday and 1.30pm, 4.30pm and 7.30pm on Sunday.
A new chapter is being written in the annals of Melbourne cafe culture. Opening this week on High Street in Prahran, Fourth Chapter is serving up breakfast and lunch every day of the week, and boasts a menu we can't wait to try. The sunny new spot is owned by chef Sarah Whitfield, whose other venture, Trei Cafe, has become a Glen Waverly staple. This time she's teamed up with her sister, Jessica, and the results look absolutely stellar. Their all day breakfast menu includes such appetising options as baked rhubarb, apple and blackberry porridge, paleo toast with avocado and lemon, and that old Melbourne favourite, smashed avo, served on pumpkin sourdough with pesto and haloumi. Of course those all pale in comparison to the standout items: peanut butter s'more waffles with salted caramel, grilled banana and marshmallow. Peanut Butter S'more Waffle // Grilled bananas, marshmallow & salted caramel ✌🏼️ #Melbourne #Cafe #Lunch #Breakfast #BreakfastInMelbourne #Smores #FourthChapter A photo posted by F O U R T H C H A P T E R (@fourth_chapter) on Jun 3, 2016 at 3:05am PDT In addition to their sizable list of breakfast options, Fourth Chapter also offer a small number of lunch dishes from 11am. Think Southern fried chicken bao with pickled cabbage and sriracha aioli, and a pulled beef brisket cheeseburger with chilli mayo, American cheddar and sweet potato fries. Their beverage fare includes the usual mix of coffees and teas, along with kombucha and an array of extravagant smoothies. We're particularly taken with the strawberry shortcake variety, made with coconut mylk, almond crumble and strawberries, along with maca, chia, maple and whipped coconut cream. Fourth Chapter is located at 385 High Street, Prahran. For more information visit www.fourthchapter.com.au.
While wine and deep fried drumsticks might not seem like the most obvious of pairings, it’s certainly been a winning combination for Fitzroy fried chicken joint Belle's Hot Chicken. Since opening on Gertrude Street last year, Belle's has clocked up plenty of praise for its spicy, Southern-style fried chicken, but also has found itself becoming something of a hot spot for lovers of natural wine. Inspired by their surprise success in the fermented grape realm, Belle's have announced Bar Clarine, a spinoff natural wine bar set to open right next door. Natural wine – for those of you out of the loop — is wine made with minimal chemical or mechanical intervention, allowing for a more natural appearance and taste. The wine list at Belle’s features a number of local natural wines from producers such as Bill Downie, Tom Shobbrook and Patrick Sullivan. Bar Clarine is likewise expected to offer a broad variety of natural Australian wines, as well as a smaller selection from France, Italy and Spain. The food, on the other hand, will be a different beast entirely. Belle’s chef Morgan McGlone will concoct a French-inspired menu of light, seasonal market food, with plenty of cured meats, cheeses and terrines — and not a skerrick of hot chicken in sight. The teeny Bar Clarine will share an internal entrance with Belle's, and is expected to be able to seat around 20-25 people. It's currently expected to open in the first week of April. Via Good Food.
Continuing in the tradition of online services that ensure you never have to leave your living room, a brand new website and app is launching in Melbourne that will deliver groceries right to your door. Inspired by their success in Germany, ShopWings launched in Sydney in April, and now they're expanding to our fine city. The service lets you select your groceries over the web or the brand new app, before dispatching one of its shoppers to do the busy work for you and deliver within about two hours. Basically it’s like The Iconic, but for food. After entering your postcode, visitors to ShopWings can browse offerings from Aldi (other grocery chains will inevitably follow). From there, it’s simply a matter of filling your virtual shopping cart and heading to the checkout. The delivery fee comes in at a flat $8.90 — although in order to entice customers, your first use of the service is free. Once you’ve paid via credit card or PayPal, ShopWings guarantee delivery within two hours. They currently deliver to addresses in Southbank, South Yarra, Hawthorne and Fitzroy, with plans for expansion week by week to include most postcodes within a few months. Of course ShopWings isn’t Australia’s first online grocery service. Both Coles and Woolworths already offer home delivery, while Grocery Butler has been operating since mid-2013. Where this new operation aims to stand apart is in the quality of their service. ShopWings shoppers will even get in touch with you from the grocery store if an item you selected is out of stock, so that you can pick an alternative rather than going without dinner. Test out ShopWings over here, or download the app from the Google Play store — it'll be available in the App Store for iOS in the coming weeks. Image: ShopWings.
UPDATE: FEBRUARY 14, 2018 — This Saturday, February 17 the city will welcome White Night, an all-night arts festival that runs from 7pm till 7am. While the city stays up all night, so will Supafish — it's been granted an all-night licence so it can serve drinks and play tunes until the sun comes up on Sunday. Say g'day to the Yarra River's newest resident, Supafish — a 300-capacity floating pop-up bar in the form of a giant futuristic fish. It's the brainchild of DJ Grant Smillie (Melbourne City Brewing Co, and LA's E.P. & L.P.) and Andrew Mackinnon (from marketing communication agency The Taboo Group), and is set to drop anchor just metres from the boys' previous collaboration, Ponyfish Island. Launching early December, Supafish will be settling in for the long, hot months of summer, slinging cocktails and Mexican fare daily up until February 26. At 38 metres long, this one's a little smaller than The Arbory's just-launched floating summer bar Arbory Afloat, though there's certainly no missing it, what with the huge glowing eyes and neon ribcage made from galvanised steel and recycled materials. The team's set out to create an immersive experience, from top to toe. Nick Peters and Matt Lane — who are behind Mexican eateries Hotel Jesus and Mamasita — have taken the reins on the food offering, so you'll be noshing on punchy plates like ceviche and huitlacoche (which is a type of corn fungus) quesadillas. Meanwhile, a range of refreshing tap cocktails run from margaritas and espresso martinis through to signature kombucha infusions, and Smillie himself is curating the summer's music program. Supafish will open daily from 11am till 1am, until February 26.
If you thought seafood was best suited to sultry summer days, Port Melbourne's favourite seafood restaurant might change your mind. The Aussie-born chain Kickin' Inn already has 12 NSW restaurants under its belt, with this first in Melbourne opening back in 2021. Kickin' Inn took over the former Rose Hotel site and has cured those lingering winter blues with a signature offering of seafood tossed through punchy house-made 'Kajun' sauces. For the uninitiated, Port Melbourne's Kickin' Inn offers an all-in, bibs-and-gloves experience, where diners do away with cutlery and get their hands messy with bags full of prawns, mud crab, pipis and shellfish — using only the tools that your god gave you. The Cajun-inspired house sauces — here, dubbed 'Kajun' — are more than mere support acts, with the venue boasting five flavour-charged secret recipes. If feasting is on the agenda, you'll find an abundance of snacks to kick things off. These include baby octopus, mozzarella cheese sticks, freshly-shucked Sydney rock oysters and wings galore. After that, you've got some big decisions to make. Choose your main event from a slew of ocean-fresh goodies including Alaskan king crab, pounds of peeled prawns, a pile of baby octopus, blue swimmer pieces, or a mess of mussels and pipis. Pick a matching sauce, whack in some additions like corn or chorizo, and dial up the heat level as high as you dare — keeping in mind the 'inferno' option is only halfway up the scale. Meanwhile, a separate lunch menu features more solo-friendly feeds from a prawn spaghetti to a mini mixed bag of seafood served with rice. It's one of the tastiest and most fun seafood restaurants in Melbourne.
The 2017 Melbourne International Film Festival is already slated to start with a Jungle trek, take audiences on a retro sci-fi trip and showcase a hefty dose of Cannes titles. But that's just the first act — there's way (way) more where that came from. This year MIFF will screen 358 films in total, representing 68 countries, and including 251 features, 88 shorts, 17 virtual reality experiences and 12 talks. Phew. Taking over 13 venues across Melbourne from August 3 to 20, the 2017 festival — the event's 66th — also boasts 31 world premieres and 135 Australian premieres. That's quite the batch of numbers, but cinephiles only need remember one more: how many films you can cram in over the fest's 18-day run. Leading the charge among the complete program is closing night's Gurrumul Elcho Dreaming, which will enjoy its world premiere at MIFF. The documentary explores of the life and music of Aussie artist Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, formerly of Yothu Yindi, and ensures that this year's festival is bookended with local flicks. Elsewhere, fellow Australian picks span street art documentary Have You Seen the Listers?, Melissa George and Ewen Leslie in The Butterfly Tree, and a virtual reality peek into asylum seeker life in VR short Inside Manus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJweqjIWtbg Other new titles include the Jon Hamm and Geena Davis-starring Marjorie Prime, about holographic recreations of deceased loves ones; Beatriz at Dinner, featuring Salma Hayek, Chloe Sevigny and John Lithgow; Lucky, which sees Twin Peaks' Harry Dean Stanton and David Lynch appear together on screen; and Beach Rats, this year's Sundance US Dramatic comp director winner. An IMAX screening of Terrence Malick's 40-years-in-the-making documentary Voyage of Time, the David Wenham-directed walk-and-talk effort Ellipsis, and Swedish indigenous drama Sami Blood are also on the bill, alongside a triple dose of Hong Sang-soo thanks to Yourself and Yours, Claire's Camera and On the Beach at Night Alone, as well as the world premiere of Ben Elton's newbie Three Summers. Of course, MIFF isn't just about screening films — it's also about showcasing the talented folks behind them. One of the best movies of the year so far, the Armie Hammer-starring romance Call Me By Your Name, comes to MIFF with Italian director Luca Guadagnino in attendance, while iconic Aussie filmmaker Jane Campion will introduce a screening of her new TV mini-series Top of the Lake: China Girl. Plus, diving deeper into its themed strands, this year's festival will also feature a program of '80s and early '90s Australian films directed by women, a tribute to The Party filmmaker Sally Potter's cinematic output to date and a selection of animal docos (expect chicken, rats, dolphins and more). Getting into genre territory, MIFF's usual Night Shift lineup jumps from real-life serial killer thrills with My Friend Dahmer to Takashi Miike's Blade of the Immortal to the US-made, Colombia-set The Belko Experiment from Jungle filmmaker Greg McLean, with plenty of others in between. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi2KRS_hinE All of the above joins a sizeable selection of already-revealed, excitement-worthy flicks, including The Killing of a Sacred Deer from The Lobster director Yorgos Lanthimos, '90s-set AIDS activism drama BPM, Palme d'Or winner The Square, Robert Pattinson crime flick Good Time, Michael Haneke's Happy End and the Andy Samberg-produced Brigsby Bear. Plus, more RPatz in The Lost City of Z, Aussie actress Emily Browning playing a Melburnian in New York opposite Jason Schwartzman and the Beastie Boys' Adam Horovitz in Golden Exits, swoon-inducing queer romance God's Own Country, transgender drama A Fantastic Woman, New Zealand horror amusement park-based Spookers, and Aussie efforts Ali's Wedding, Australia Day and That's Not Me are also on the stacked bill.
Take an after-dark stroll along Gertrude Street in Fitzroy and you'll find your whole world lit up in lights. Returning to the northside thoroughfare from July 15 to 24, the Gertrude Street Projection Festival will once again see a stretch along the 86 tram route transformed into a dazzling outdoor art gallery. Now in its ninth year, GSPF has well and truly hit its stride, lighting up everything from shopfronts to footpaths to the Atherton Gardens. In total, this year's program features 38 different projections from new and established artists, on display from 6pm until midnight. Once you've wandered up and down the block a few times, you can also pay a visit to the festival hub – that is, The Catfish – where you'll find everything from immersive sound installations to rockin' late night dance parties.
Smith Street is collecting good things at the moment. Jimmy Grants, Gelato Messina, Smith Street Alimentari — the list goes on. But there have been some keepers there for a while, quietly luring food lovers to the grungy Collingwood street. One of these keepers is Panama Dining Room. High above the street — some serious stairs are involved, short dresses and heels make for an awkward entrance — you'll find this loft-style dining room and bar. With huge windows there are views worth the hike alone. The bar section can get rather rowdy but the dining room remains separate allowing seclusion for optimal enjoyment of both the drinkables and eatables. The dining room menu is laid out for a three course affair. Starters like anchoiade dip with crudites ($13) and salmon rillettes with herb salad and toast ($10) stand in to whet the appetite. When it comes to the entree you can start big with the divine and gooey Australian burrata — a soft-centred mozzarella — served with salsa rossa, grilled focaccia, olive oil and rocket ($15). Seriously, do it. Or if you're feeling a little more reserved you can go for a delicate warm prawn and smoked octopus salad with kipfler potatoes, green olives and espelette pepper ($16). Mains come in the form of pillow-soft citrus infused potato gnocchi served with fresh peas, tomatoes, leek and almond puree and parmesan crisps ($26.50), or hearty chargrilled grain-fed porterhouse steak (medium rare) with a porcini, truffle and confit garlic butter, duck fat chips and watercress salad ($33). Now, to the sweeter side of things. A flourless chocolate cake served with cherry compote and milk chocolate ganache ($14.50) is a decadent choice, while a bite-sized option comes in the form of a salted caramel praline macaron ($4.50 each). You can also go for a cheese platter of two, three or four cheeses. The Beeler Hoch Ybrig from Switzerland is strong with a sweetness to it, while the Woodside Figaro from SA is a crumbly soft goats cheese with a rich texture and flavour. The wine list is lengthy. Starting with a selection of Italian Prosecco and finishing on 25 year old Pedro Ximenez, you'll find something to match perfectly with your meal. Go for the food, stay for the view.
There's no shortage of bright lights in Tokyo, but one particular patch of grass is currently shining more vividly than most. Indeed, located next to an inner-city mall until November 5, a pop-up plastic greenhouse is positively glowing — all in the name of combining agriculture, technology and design in a fun and immersive fashion, and with a swelling soundtrack to match. The interactive installation might be called Digital Vegetables, but no one in its vicinity will feel like they're being forced to consume something they don't want. Rather, trying to avoid The Garden Square outside Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi is futile — the lure of technicolour illumination paired with symphonic music is something you can't ignore. A project by creative firm PARTY, Digital Vegetables combines its greenery-filled structure with plenty of incandescent bulbs, and asks visitors to not only watch, but touch, play, wander, listen and drop their jaws in awe. As attendees walk through the free-to-enter space, they're encouraged to gently roam their hands over the cherry tomatoes, eggplants, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, radishes, carrots and cabbages blossoming in the soil inside. With patrons getting hands-on with the growing plants with each touch — and taking in not only their texture, but their scent — the LEDs and sounds respond. [caption id="attachment_644147" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarah Ward[/caption] While the bright lights part of the piece may seem straightforward, the display includes animated projections of fresh produce twinkling up and down the greenhouse's ceiling. On the music side of things, sound designer Ray Kunimoto actually recorded real plants (that is, the sounds that emanate from rubbing their seeds, touching their leaves and eating their fruit). He then mixed them with orchestra instruments such as the violin, trumpet, oboe, flute, piano, harp and clarinet, and created a melody. Basically, if you've ever wanted to control your own multi-sensory, multi-coloured light show — and you happen to be in Japan at present — this is your chance. If you've ever wanted to use a veggie garden as a musical instrument, here's your opportunity as well. Unsurprisingly, the results are overwhelmingly gorgeous. Seeing folks audibly exclaiming in wonder (when they're not staring up and taking a constant stream of snaps, that is) is all part and parcel of the experience. https://vimeo.com/238703497 If you're in Tokyo, Digital Vegetables is now open outside Tokyo Midtown until November 5. For more info visit digivege.jp. Images: Sarah Ward and Kenta Hasegawa.
There are movies, and there are movies. At MIFF you'll find the latter. The largest and most prestigious event of its kind anywhere in the country, the latest edition of the Melbourne International Film Festival will feature more than 350 films over two and a half weeks, spanning every imaginable genre, language and style. MIFF 2016 kicks off on July 28 with the world premiere of Australian sci-fi drama The Death and Life of Otto Bloom. From there it's off to the pictures — and with literally hundreds of options to choose from, there'll always be something to see. There's a stream dedicated to movies made in Australia, and another one on films about food. Fans of arthouse cinema can catch the latest titles from Sundance, Berlin and Cannes in the 'Headliners' section, while horror buffs get to stay up late with the weird and wonderful 'Night Shift'. Below, we've put together a list of ten must-see films at the festival this year. Tickets for many of these titles are already selling fast, so unless you want to be stuck watching Hollywood blockbusters all August, you'd best start lining up sessions lickety-split. THE NEON DEMON When it comes to director Nicolas Winding Refn, the more twisted and controversial, the better. The latest effort from the man behind Drive and Only God Forgives is an ultra-stylish horror/thriller set in the cut-throat world of LA fashion. The Neon Demon has divided audiences and critics alike, derided as trash and hailed as a masterpiece. We can't wait to decide for ourselves. Alternatively: Refn is far from the only noteworthy filmmaker to be featured at MIFF this year. The 'Headliners' section is full of new films from celebrated auteurs, including Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne's The Unknown Girl, Asghar Farhadi's The Salesman, and Olivier Assayas' Personal Shopper. That last one features Kristen Stewart sending text messages to a ghost. What more could you possibly ask for? CERTAIN WOMEN Laura Dern, Michelle Williams, Lily Gladstone and Kristen Stewart star in the latest contemplative drama from writer-director Kelly Reichardt. Adapted from a series of short stories by Maile Meloy, the low-key indie is split into three separate vignettes about women living in rural Montana. A quiet but extraordinarily compelling film, Certain Woman is an absolute must-see this year. Alternatively: MIFF artistic director Michelle Carey has always championed female directors, and this year's program features plenty. We're especially excited about Chevalier, the new film from Greek filmmaker Athina Rachel Tsangari, described in the program as "a bizarre and formally adventurous study of male antagonism set aboard a luxury yacht." AQUARIUS A worthy winner of the Sydney Film Prize at SFF earlier this year, Aquarius is an arresting, politically loaded Brazilian drama starring the magnificent Sonia Braga as an aging music critic at war with property developers who want to throw her out of her apartment. A masterclass in dramatic restraint bolstered by a phenomenal lead performance, it also boasts one of the best soundtracks of the year. Alternatively: Award winners from further afield include Mia Hansen-Løve's Things to Come, which earned its maker the Best Director prize at the Berlin Film Festival in February, and Oliver Laxe's Mimosas, which won the Critic's Week Grand Prize at Cannes in May. THE HANDMAIDEN Another major SFF standout to make its way to MIFF is the latest film from South Korea's Park Chan-wook, the deliciously ludicrous period thriller The Handmaiden. With the same abundance of style he displayed in Oldboy, Thirst and Stoker, Park weaves a twisted tale, about a pair of con artists out to steal a rich woman's fortune, that is at once darkly funny, immensely sexy and gripping from beginning to end. Alternatively: The 'Accent on Asia' section is invariably one of the strongest at the festival. Exciting titles in the lineup this year include Right Then, Wrong Now from Park's compatriot Hong Sang-soo, and After the Storm from Japanese master Hirokazu Kore-eda. GIRL ASLEEP Of all the local efforts on this year's MIFF program, it's the filmmaking debut of Windmill Theatre artistic director Rosemary Myers that has really caught our eye. A coming-of-age comedy set in suburbia in the 1970s, Girl Asleep looks like a cross between Alice in Wonderland and a Wes Anderson movie, and scored great reviews at the Seattle Film Festival, where it won the Official Competition Grand Jury Prize. Alternatively: Other Australian standouts include psychological thriller Bad Girl, anticipated black comedy Down Under and aptly named musical Emo the Musical. The festival will also screen a number of newly restored versions of older Australian titles, including Innocence, Proof and The Boys. TICKLED A documentary about the world of competitive tickling. On those eight words alone, we reckon we could convince you that this film was worth watching. But as it turns out, there's a lot more to Tickled than initially meets the eye, with Kiwi filmmakers David Farrier and Dylan Reeve pulling back the curtain on a strange and possibly nefarious subculture, facing threats and legal roadblocks along the way. Alternatively: Similarly odd is Lo and Behold, the latest documentary from German filmmaker Werner Herzog in which he ruminates on the mysteries of the internet. For something a little more hard-hitting, National Bird takes a look at the grim implications of the US aerial drone program, while Newtown explores the aftermath of the Sandy Hook mass shooting. THE DEVIL'S CANDY Sean Byrne's follow-up to underground hit The Loved Ones combines old school home invasion horror with headbanging heavy metal. Set in rural Texas, The Devil's Candy concerns a family of rock 'n' roll lovers being terrorised by a mental patient who may or may not be possessed by evil spirits. Byrne crafts a stylish-looking feature and lands many genuine scares, but the biggest selling point is the seat-rattling soundtrack. Catch it at the festival, because their sound system is going to be way better than whatever you've got set up at home. Alternatively: The Night Shift section is full of strange and spooky offerings, ranging from Iranian ghost story Under the Shadow to Polish killer mermaid musical The Lure. No, you didn't misread that. A killer mermaid musical. GIMME DANGER Indie film legend Jim Jarmusch turns his camera on Iggy Pop, in this documentary about legendary punk rockers The Stooges. Mixing interviews, archival footage and even animation, Jarmusch charts the rise of one of the most influential bands in history, with the film described in one review out of Cannes as "essential viewing for Stooges fans." If that label applies to you, best jump on tickets quick. Alternatively: Get up close with Janis Joplin in Janis: Little Girl Blue, sing along with the titular soul singer in Miss Sharon Jones!, and meet legendary DJ and industry icon James Lavelle in The Man From Mo'Wax. ANTS ON A SHRIMP: NOMA IN TOKYO In 2015, chef René Redzepi shut down his legendary restaurant in Copenhagen and relocated to Tokyo for a five week Noma pop-up. The resulting chaos is chronicled in this appetising doco that takes its name from just one of the strange dishes Redzepi decided to serve. Just whatever you do, don't go and see it on an empty stomach. Alternatively: There are plenty of tasty treats in the 'Culinary Cinema' sidebar, but it's hard to go past Bugs, a documentary about eating... well... bugs. Remember what your mother told you: it's important to try new things. SONITA The winner of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary, Sonita shapes up as a powerful true story about a 14-year-old Afghan refugee who dreams of becoming a rapper. Filmmaker Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami examines a culture of misogyny and oppression, even as her subject tackles these very same concepts in her lyrics. Alternatively: Sonita is one of many films on the program that deals with refugee issues this year, with the festival hosting a dedicated stream to that very topic. In Fire At Sea, documentarian Gianfranco Rosi offers a portrait of the quiet island of Lampedusa, a common landing spot for migrants fleeing across the Mediterranean Sea.
Less is traditionally more in the tiny homes that have boomed in popularity over the last few years. This is not the case with Stella the Stargazer, an exceptional pop-up that will tour regional Victoria over the next six months. Stella's unique approach to luxury is considered and environmentally sensitive. The distinct interior design headed up by Port Fairy-based Ample champions upcycled and repurposed materials, including the use of corrugated iron and Victorian hardwood in the construction process. An indulgent, annular shower is surrounded by adjustable glass louvres designed to envelop you in the natural surroundings. Plus, there's an outdoor fire pit that doubles as a barbecue. Glass sliding doors open onto the modular deck with openair seating, and you'll find plenty of local wares featured throughout; from Dindi Naturals toiletries, to threads from Weave Home Australia, Society of Wanderers and Grampians Goods Co. [caption id="attachment_879299" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Ample, Brook James[/caption] But the crowning jewel of this enchanting tiny palace is a roll-out, queen-bed-sized sleeping platform that's primed for stargazing on calm evenings. Provisions boast a local lean, with guests enjoying a curated welcome hamper of cheese and charcuterie, a bottle of wine and breakfast provisions — showcasing regional bread, bacon, eggs and granola. Famed chef Alejandro Saravia (Farmer's Daughters, Victoria by Farmer's Daughters) can also ensure you don't have to venture far, with a DIY dinner experience available to add to your stay. The evening's menu runs to the likes of Farmer's Daughters pork terrine served with Snowy River black garlic chutney; a warm roasted pumpkin on a bed of creamy stracciatella; and Cherry Tree Organics roasted lamb shoulder served with roasted carrot and marjoram. Currently, the limited-time tiny stay by Visit Victoria is situated at the idyllic Blue Gables vineyard in Maffra, but she'll move on from Thursday, December 15, and head to the Great Ocean Road for the end of summer. [caption id="attachment_879298" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Ample, Brook James[/caption] Stella the Stargazer will make her home in Maffra, Gippsland, from October 14–December 15, 2022. She'll then stop in a new location along the Great Ocean Road from February 3–April 6, 2023, before moving to the Grampians from April 17–June 18, 2023. Rates are $330 per night Monday–Thursday, and $390 per night Friday–Sunday.
Spirits fans, this one's for you. One of Melbourne's best bars, Beneath Driver Lane, is joining forces with award-winning WA distillery, Republic of Fremantle for an exclusive pop-up. Republic of Fremantle is taking over the bar as a special guest, until 25 June, with new bottles, a limited-release cocktail menu, live blues music and the first sips of their multi-award-winning product on the east coast. Until now, if you wanted to taste this stuff, you had to either fly to Perth or buy online. This pop-up is the official launch of the brand in Melbourne, and it sounds extremely delicious. Republic of Fremantle is Western Australia's leading producer of spirits, and one of only a handful of distilleries in the country to produce their own base spirit from wine (in this case, Verdelho grapes harvested from 100-year-old vines in the Swan Valley). This gives Republic's spirits a unique flavour, and it's seen them scoop plenty of awards, including a gold medal at the coveted ADI International Spirits Competition. [caption id="attachment_902981" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Head Brewer Tom Hutchings from Republic of Fremantle[/caption] "We're excited to be working with Republic of Fremantle on this exclusive preview of their range of spirits. The Republic Gins have a distinctive flavour profile, while their Signature Vodka has a really good texture and backbone," Beneath Driver Lane's Venue Manager Kealan Brady says. The pop-up will be running every day until 25 June, and cocktails will be shaken to the sound of live blues on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Entry is free, booze costs extra. Images: Supplied
In case you hadn't noticed, it's already December, and that means Christmas is just a few weeks away. And if you're anything like us, you were probably planning on leaving all your seasonal shopping until the last, panic-filled minute. Instead, why not check out the Craft Christmas Market this weekend? Featuring handmade items from some of the most creative makers from all over Victoria, it's the perfect opportunity to get ahead of the gift-giving time of year. For a change. Hosted in C Shed at the Queen Victoria Market between 9am and 4pm on Sunday, December 13, this year's Christmas Market will feature the very best of ceramics, jewellery, clothing, bags, accessories and homewares, as well as all manner of other trinkets and goodies that you don't necessarily need, but most definitely want. And since you're already out shopping for other people, you may as well pick up a few things for yourself, right? Tis the season, after all.
Sweeten up the day of somebody you care about — even if that somebody is yourself. LVLY, a new Melbourne-based gift delivery service, have announced a five-day partnership with Short Stop Donuts. Monday through Friday next week, you can get freshly made rings of delicious, doughy goodness delivered directly to your door. For their inaugural partnership, LVLY have cherry-picked the best of Short Stop’s flavours, with the hand delivered six packs including a mix of Vanilla Bean, Apple Pie, Boston Cream, Macadamia and Orange Blossom, Hazelnut Chocolate and Banana, Earl Gray and Rose and the classic Cinnamon, Cardamom and Sugar. You can preorder online now, or head back next week for guaranteed same-day delivery. Before you whip out your credit card, however, be warned that these donuts don’t come cheap: $38 for a box of six. As a point of comparison, Krispy Kreme will deliver twice that many donuts for $17.95 plus $6.28 shipping, although to be fair they don’t offer the option of including a flower arrangement with your sugar-glazed snacks. It’s safe to say LVLY might be a service best suited to people with a little bit of disposable income. In addition to donuts and flowers, they also sell hand cream, candles and chocolates. You can find a full list of suburbs that they deliver to on their website.
Lovers of mountains and adrenaline junkies, meet your new bucket-lister. An old-school ski resort in Switzerland's Kandersteg Mountains is giving you a way to get your thrills and your incredible panoramas at the same time. It's an epic bobsled (better known in Europe as rodelbahn) that twists and turns down nearby mountains for 750 metres. Introducing Mountain Coaster. Frequenters of attractions Jamberoo Action Park or Merimbula's Magic Mountain might already know the drill — both parks are home to bobsleds that have featured in many a South Coaster's childhood. But the Mountain Coaster experience is looking far more spectacular. Rather than cruising around open hillsides, it plunges you down steep slopes and deep into some of Switzerland's most famous wilderness. In fact, its territory is smack bang in the centre of the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is renowned for its extraordinary High Alps and numerous glaciers. Actually, you'll find the biggest glacier in Eurasia right here. Watch some of the runs on YouTube, they're nuts. Once you've conquered the Mountain Coaster, you might want to consider taking matters to scarier heights with the Alpine Coaster. Also found in Switzerland, it's the highest rodelbahn in the world and takes you through a kilometre of curves, waves, jumps and bridges, including a giddying 520-degree spin. Via Infinite Legroom. Image: Aleš Novotný.
There are certain things that shouldn't find themselves blended into milk. Salmon, for instance. Wine, also. But Vegemite is up there as one of the aw hell no's of the shake ingredients — until now. An Australian-owned cafe is serving Vegemite shakes in Los Angeles. Dear sweet mother of Benedict Cumberbatch. Just opened at 456 North Fairfax in LA, Paramount Coffee Project have expanded their Surry Hills cafe to the City of Angels. Hoping to bring an authentic Australian cafe experience to the States, the PCP team teamed up with their mates Russell Beard (Reuben Hills) and Mark Dundon (Seven Seeds) for the American venture. The menu was a bit of a mystery until now, and this little gem will sort the culinary soldiers from the civilians. According to Good Food, PCP's serving up a Vegemite and butterscotch shake to give the locals something to tweet about. "We've had a few asking WTF Vegemite is," Beard told GF. "They're digging it though." Yeah, yeah, yeah, we get the whole sweet, salty thing. This might be like that time Cadbury tried to smuggle Vegemite in their chocolate blocks. Interesting in theory, interesting for the first taste, horrific for the rest. Well, we'll just have to book a flight to LA and take a serious heap of time off to make sure. Via Good Food. Image: Wiki.
Fancy yourself a citizen of the world? An ambitious new startup could help you make it so. Roam is a co-living service that gives you access to communal living spaces in countries around the globe. With spaces currently available in Bali and Miami, and with further locations in Madrid, Buenos Aires and London set to open soon, Roam isn't designed for holidaymakers, but rather "location-independent people" looking for a way to combine work and travel, and to find a community in a city that's not their own. You can book for a week (US $500) or a month (US $1800), although residents are encouraged to stay longer in order to promote "better friendships and a stronger community". Once you've signed up, you're free to come and go as you please, and can book into different locations through their online system. "With new opportunities for location-independent work, we can now mix careers and travel in ways that haven't been seen before," reads a statement on the Roam website. "Over time, we want to have our spaces mix and integrate newcomers with the surrounding community and its longstanding local institutions and culture." The properties are large, with 38 rooms available in Miami and 24 in Bali, respectively. Each room is fully furnished, with its own private bathroom along with a queen or king size bed, while residents share communal spaces like living areas and kitchens. [caption id="attachment_571002" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Roam Ubud, Bali[/caption] The whole premise is built around giving people the freedom to live a nomadic lifestyle but still maintain their careers at the same time. Each property has high-speed internet and a co-working space for optimal productivity. Certainly sounds better than working from a hostel bunk bed, battling shitty Wi-Fi just to send an email. For more information about Roam, visit roam.co. Via Co.Exist.
It's great that rum is no longer only associated with pirates and over the top tiki bars. In the past few years we've seen a resurgence of this spirit that's born from sugarcane — it now doesn't just appear in the mojito, but is a staple of the bar menu. Bartenders regularly use rum to spice up classic cocktails and create over the top drinks. Sydney has many specialty rum bars in which knowledgeable bartenders (who know the difference between light and dark rum) perfectly mix up rum cocktails and know exactly what to mix with each type. In partnership with Baron Samedi Spiced, we asked our friends at The Lobo Plantation in Sydney for a few ways to use rum — so we can reignite our love for this tropical spirit and shake up our at-home cocktail routine. TASTE THE FLAVOURS IN AN OLD FASHIONED An old fashioned is a classic cocktail, often enjoyed with whisky, but best enjoyed with rum. It's a simple combination of rum, bitters and orange peel — easy to make, and a great way to take time to taste the flavours in your rum (rather than having it mixed into a tropical cocktail where the other flavours will overwhelm it). To make the The Lobo Plantation old fashioned, simply fill an old fashioned glass (the same size as a Negroni glass) with ice, add a shot of Baron Samedi Spiced (4oml), a splash of bitters and sugar syrup and stir it all together gently for 30 seconds. Top with an orange peel for a little citrus twist. TRY SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE TROPICAL Another classic way to enjoy rum is to mix it into a tropical, colourful cocktail and pretend you're on holiday. This type of drink should preferably be served in an extravagant glass, or served with a creative garnish (The Lobo Plantation serve theirs with a mini pineapple on top). To make The Lobo Plantation's Carribean-inspired Bajan Julep, build crushed ice into a tall glass and add a shot (40ml) of Baron Samedi Spiced. Mix in a dash of blackberry liqueur and a dash of fresh lemon juice, then add a teaspoon of passionfruit, a teaspoon of sugar and top it all off with ginger beer. ENJOY ON ITS OWN If you've decided that you really like rum, an easy, delicious way to enjoy it is to drink it on its own, stirred with a little ice. Rum was manufactured, distilled and made long before any other spirit was, and each brand has developed its own particular flavours and methods of distillation. Baron Samedi Spiced is infused with vanilla, cocoa, cinnamon that give off rich flavours of butterscotch, coffee and vanilla. Like whisky, when you sip rum the flavours are much more apparent. Although rum is made by distilling the byproducts of sugarcane — that long grass that's prevalent in countries like the Carribean and the Philippines, it tastes much more complex than that. It's delicious. Images: Kimberley Low at The Lobo Plantation.
It's truffle season in Australia which is heaven for truffle lovers (and a fungus minefield for everyone else). Most restaurants run truffle specials during the colder months for the short-lived season but Mister Bianco in Kew is going all out: they've got three exclusive truffle-themed events coming up. The first is a truffle cooking demonstration and dinner on Friday July 28, in which Joe Vargetto is bringing back Giuseppe's Cooking School to run guests through the basics of cooking with this most indulgent of ingredients. You'll get to watch his truffle masterclass then eat the results along with matched wines. Next up is a special Truffle Dinner on Tuesday, August 8. This is the ultimate truffle dining experience: four courses, all showcasing local Buxton black truffles, each matched with cocktails and wine. A seat at the table will set you back $189. Dishes include raviolo with a caramel truffle butter centre, which sounds absolutely insane in the best possible way. Lastly, we have the Truffle Farm Drive on Sunday, August 20. This one's pretty epic: guests meet at Mister Bianco, then take a bus out to Utter (the home of Buxton black truffles) for a day on the farm, foraging with the truffle dogs and tucking into delicious truffle-infused treats. This one's limited to 24 guests, and you can opt to meet the group at Utter, if that's easier. For more information on all these events, check out Mister Bianco's events page. Images: Supplied
In the week leading up to Splendour in the Grass 2016, we dared to dream of blue skies and mild weather. The Bureau of Meteorology warned us the weather in coastal regions can be changeable but in the end we proved that if people want it enough, we can influence the weather with our thoughts alone. In the middle of winter (and after last year's Splendour in the Mud disaster) the last thing we planned for was balmy, 26 degree days and pleasantly crisp nights, but that's what we got (cue frantically buying up sunscreen, bucket hats and water vessels from highway petrol stations). Australia's biggest winter festival (and one of the country's biggest festivals in general) has become a well-oiled machine in recent years (for the most part, but we'll get to that). This year's lineup, from legends The Cure, Sigur Ros and The Avalanches to newcomers Kllo, Sampa the Great and Jess Kent, was more varied than ever — with a strong local flavour and something for every age group. This seemed to solve a lot of the timetabling problems as well as they produced one of the least clashy schedules we've had yet (praise be). But the weekend wasn't without incident. On Friday night, and to a much lesser degree on Saturday and Sunday night, long bus delays and general anarchy at the bus rally points saw off-site punters waiting for hours in the cold to get home and they were not happy about it. After social media erupted on Friday night and Saturday morning, Splendour released a statement the next day saying, "We had a significant change in the number of people getting dropped off and collected ... which threw our traffic plan into disarray." And they did fix it, eventually. Monday morning wasn't much better, thanks to a few bungles on the freeway. Camping punters waited in car lines for up to seven hours trying to get out of the campsite when they would really rather have been in bed. We only hope they sort it out for next year. Luckily, everyone was pretty well-behaved — and the po-po were pleased with our collective behaviour, citing only 323 drug related arrests (less than one percent of attendees) across the entire festival. Snaps all round, everyone. So what of the nosh and mosh scene for this year? We chomped and stomped our way through Splendour 2016, here's a little snippet of the best bits. EATS Like many festivals, the food lineup at Splendour is getting better each year and truly deserves a heading of its very own. Gone are the days spent subsisting on stale chips and soggy hot-dog buns, the SITG food offering is gourmet AF. Sydneysiders were suprised to see a recreation of The Unicorn pub right in the middle of the festival, from the brains behind Mary's, Porteno and Young Henrys. This pop-up pub would mark the entrance to The Very Small Suburb, with fellow locals Gelato Messina, Doughnut Time and Bourke Street Bakery peddling their wares to hungry punters. Single O, coffee roasters from Surry Hills, enjoyed lines around the (makeshift) block because if there's one thing hungover folk need, it's real coffee and lots of it. They were joined by Noosa's ever popular Nimo's Schnitzels, Sydney's Tsuru food truck serving up their fluffy pork belly bao buns, Govindas famous vegetarian fare (kofta balls will bring you back to life after a big one), best-in-show winners Brazza BBQ from the Gold Coast with their Brazillian chow and French fry cones, and everyone's favourite Hungarian festival treat, langos. And for dessert? Australia's insanely popular Doughnut Time even got their holey mitts on a Splendour stand — and it was bloody popular. Or you could have stood in line at the giant pink inflatable poo emoji (hilariously titled Mr Poopie by Cool Shit artists Hungry Castle) and grab a toilet ice cream. You heard me. But the real MVPs? Get Toasted, Byron Bay's OG toasted sandwich food truck, cranking out their insane mac and cheese toasties. The GT team served up their crispy, buttery life-saving sandies with more chirpiness and kind words than anyone has a right to expect at midnight on the third day of a festival. Hot tip for next Splendour, don't waste time with supermarket snacks — save up and ready yourself for a culinary tour of the festival grounds. [caption id="attachment_582301" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Dro Carey[/caption] BEATS THE CURE What can be said about the Cure apart from lines of love-heart eye emojis? They're a band almost beyond critique and their tenure as the most relevant, long-serving players in rock is still deserved. Their physical vessels may have aged, but Robert Smith's voice has not and they're still as tight as a drum. They casually slayed a 2.5-hour set, breaking only occasionally and briefly to suck down essence of youth (and water, maybe). Tears flowed freely and 'Friday I'm in Love' was screamed to the stars. THE STROKES The Strokes played their only Australian show at Splendour and rounded out the first day of the festival with the veteran ease you'd expect, mixing fan service with some of their newer cuts and of course, encoring with 'Last Night'. If there is a better way to fall asleep than with Julian Casablancas' voice reverberating around your head, we haven't yet found it. THE AVALANCHES The Avalanches were the legendary wildcard of the lineup — and one of the most anticipated sets of the whole event. They haven't played a festival in over a decade and while the group has rocketed back into prominence recently thanks to their huge comeback album, Wildflower, they're as yet untested in the modern context. The result was little bit thrown together — including, y'know, lyrics read from an iPhone for 'Frankie Sinatra' — and there's something a wee bit unsatisfying about a sample-based show amongst a sea of live music. But we still loved it. Depending on how close you stood to the sound desk could have affected your experience, and we hope more intimate shows are ahead for this iconic crew. SIGUR ROS Icelandic angels Sigur Ros may have been the quiet hero of the whole festival. They didn't perform at the amphitheatre (which is a slight, in our opinion), but the Mix Up tent was more intimate and, thanks to a well-timed clash with Flume, the crowd was slightly older (imagine a lot of actual lighters in the air, coffees clutched to sensible skivvies and wet eyes). They brought their technical prowess to bear alongside their dramatic showmanship (there was a spine tingly-dingly moment when main man Jonsi held a sweet note for an inhumanly long time) and it was spectacular. They played a medley of their well-knowns and not-so-well-knowns to a backdrop of captivating, trippy visuals — quite possibly some of the best visuals of the festival, or were we just exhausted and emotional? We'll never know. JAMES BLAKE James Blake's music was made for festivals, not necessarily for the headbangers or kids who just want to see Flume, but for everyone who was after some texture in the lineup. Blake packed out the amphitheatre and from behind a synth, delivered his brand of crisp, complex, emotional music. His live show was impeccably timed, building in rhythm and intensity before unloading goosebumps on the crowd with feels-heavy hits 'Limit to Your Love' and 'Retrograde'. [caption id="attachment_582304" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Kllo at the Tiny Dancer Stage[/caption] UP AND COMERS The SITG lineup always delivers some quality (and we mean quality) local talent. In fact, the pointy end of the lineup, usually housed at the Tiny Dancer stage, proved some of the most enjoyable surprises of the weekend. Melbourne cherubim Kllo destroyed the Tiny Dancer stage with their tight beats and clear vocals (their catchy AF single 'Bollide' sent shivers up collective spines). Brisbane boy and electronic muso Feki delivered a banging, dancey set, very different from his usual chill, and had the TD crowd frenetic at dusk on Sunday (check out his souped-up remix of James Blake's 'Retrograde' here). Melbourne producer Paces was joined by Guy Sebastian (can people stop robbing Shannon Noll of his due already?) to perform their Like A Version cover of LDRU's 'Keeping Score' (check out this vid of LDRU getting into it side of stage). While it's a disappointing to see only one woman and one female guest vocalist (Santigold and Avalanches guest vocalist Eliza Wolfgramm) in the first dozen acts on the lineup, the women who did make it absolutely nailed it. Big, official props to Melbourne's Sui Zhen and Banoffee, the OG babes Tegan and Sara, Courtney Barnett, Sampa the Great, Little May, Brisbane darling Emma Louise, Ngaiire, Kacy Hill, Lucy Cliché, Montaigne, Jess Kent, Wafia and all the other women grinding to make it in the music industry — you were splendid. Images: Luke Dalton.
Not going overseas this winter? Luckily, you'll still have the chance to take a bite out of some Big Apple arts and culture, as Melbourne's National Gallery of Victoria plays host to an exclusive exhibition showcasing works from New York's prestigious Museum of Modern Art. Debuting today and set to run until October 7, MoMA at NGV: 130 Years of Modern and Contemporary Art will feature over 200 modern and contemporary masterpieces, many on their first ever visit to Australia. Taking over the entire ground floor of NGV International, it's certifiably huge. The exhibition will present pieces from all six of MoMA's curatorial departments, meaning the works will span Photography, Film, Architecture and Design, Painting and Sculpture, Drawings and Prints, and Media and Performance Art. You'll catch works from all of the big names of the 19th and 20th century art world, including Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Georgia O'Keeffe, Diane Arbus and Andy Warhol. Capturing the spirit of more recent times, will be pieces from the likes of Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, Kara Walker, Olafur Eliasson, Rineke Dijkstra and Camille Henrot. Examining over 130 years of innovation, MoMA at NGV sets out to explore all the major art movements, with the exhibition spread across eight themed sections. Here are a few of the big-name works on display. [caption id="attachment_672010" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roy Lichtenstein: Drowning girl (1963)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_672008" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andy Warhol: Marilyn Munroe (1967)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_672011" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frida Kahlo: Self portrait with cropped hair (1940)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_672012" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Salvador Dali: The persistence of memory (1931)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_672013" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kara Walker: Gone: An historical romance of a civil war as it occurred b'tween the dusky thighs of a one young negress and her heart (1994)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_672014" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shigetaka Kurita et al.: Emoji (1998–99)[/caption] Needless to say, the partnership with MoMa is a pretty huge coup for both the NGV and Australian art lovers. "The collaboration with the National Gallery of Victoria provides a unique opportunity to see extremely important works from nearly every area of our collection in an exhibition that simultaneously explores The Museum of Modern Art's history as well as the history of modern and contemporary art in general," said MoMA Director Glenn D. Lowry. As an added bonus, NGV members who are hitting New York while the exhibition is running will score free admission to MoMA, and vice versa. MoMA at NGV runs from June 9 until October 7, at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Grab tickets here. Images: NGV/Tom Ross.
Filipinos may drink the most gin in the world, but they're not simply lovers of this botanical libation. While San Miguel makes the region's most popular, easy-drinking beers, Manila's emerging craft beer market has swiftly become the talk of the town. When it comes to craft beer, Manila is way ahead of the pack and on the level of Hong Kong and Japan as a leader of the craft beer revolution in Asia. While the country's capital alone houses over ten microbreweries already, a few smaller breweries are also popping up in the southern islands, including Cebu and Palawan. Filipinos are going for the range, brewing everything from deep stouts and bold IPAs to tropical, fruity beers and highly alcoholic ginger beers. If you're a craft beer fanatic heading to Manila, we've got your back — here's which beers to drink and where to find them. [caption id="attachment_618703" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katipunan Craft Ales.[/caption] WHERE TO DRINK You're spoilt for choice with Manila's nightlife, which rivals New York City in its love of late-night partying and all-hours dining. It seems there's always a new joint popping up, and this is especially true of the budding craft bar scene. It's always a party at Big Bad Wolf, with live acts a constant accompaniment to their craft brew offering. Beers to keep an eye out for here are Summer Sessions blonde ale by Craftpoint and 'Signal No.1', a stout made by Katipunan Craft. Both are Manila-based breweries so you know the brews will be fresh as. Another, simply called The Brewery at the Palace, serves up its own brews from gorgeous copper tanks visible from the restaurant floor. The rustic interior well matches the old-world-looking brewing equipment and the beers are as impressive as the place makes them look. They're brewing up some serious beers here, including an alcoholic ginger beer at a surprising seven percent ABV. The Perfect Pint is your go to for an ever-changing, extensive craft beer list and fusion Filipino-Western food that goes all too well. If you're lucky enough to find Pedro's Procrastination pale ale on tap, don't pass it by. These brewers were inspired by the craft beer scene in Hong Kong and turn out some of the most impressive brews in Manila. Out of all of the craft beer joints in the city though, Kabisera is not to be missed. They're serving up authentic Filipino pulutan, or drunk food, and craft beer in a relaxed, well-designed dining room playing some killer tunes. The menu of street food, including fish balls and kwek-kwek (deep fried quail egg) is a great drinking accompaniment, as is the sisig bangus (sizzling fish) and array of noodle dishes. Kabisera houses all of the usual craft beer suspects, along with speciality brews from the southern islands, including Cebu's Cebruery and Palaweño Brewery — Palawan's first and only craft brewery. [caption id="attachment_618701" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nipa Brew.[/caption] WHAT TO DRINK When in Manila, keep an eye out for these locals in the craft brew scene: Pedro Brewcrafters Katipunan Craft Ales Craftpoint Brewing Co. The Brewery at the Palace Baguio Craft Brewery Palaweño Brewery Cebruery Turning Wheels NIPA Brew
Start saving your pennies and cordoning off your calendar. The team behind the Melbourne Festival have unveiled their chock-a-block lineup, and as always, there's a hell of a lot to like. Spanning music, dance, theatre, film, visual art and much, much more, this year's festival will take place from October 4–22 at more than two dozen venues around town. As in previous years, the festivities will begin with Tanderrum, a ceremony by the five clans of the Central Kulin Nation. It's one of several works by Indigenous artists on the program — others include The Season, a stage comedy by Tasmanian playwright Nathan Maynard, and Our Place, Our Home, a free music showcase featuring musicians from Indigenous and refugee backgrounds. Music is, as always, a massive part of the program. Victorian Opera and Malthouse Theatre will co-present the Australian premiere of Tom Waits' cult musical Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets, while Oscar-nominated film director Rithy Panh collaborates with composer Him Sophy on Bangsokol: A Requiem for Cambodia, an orchestral performance about life under the Khmer Rouge that combines song, film, dance and voice. Meanwhile the festival's centrepiece, A 24-Decade History of Popular Music, takes audiences on a decade-by-decade walk through the history of American music reinterpreted through a radical queer lens. On stage, standout works include already-announced headliner Tree of Codes, which combines the talents of choreographer Wayne McGregor, visual artist Olafur Eliasson, musician Jamie xx and the Paris Opera Ballet — it's the visually stunning ballet we really, really hoped would come to Australia. There's also 7 Pleasures, a sensual dance work from Danish choreographer Mette Ingvartsen featuring 12 dancers kitted out in nothing but their birthday suits; and Backbone, a frenetic circus show from Adelaide's acrobatic sensations Gravity and Other Myths. Other highlights include Under Siege, the Yang Liping Contemporary Dance company's critically acclaimed take on Farewell My Concubine featuring a blend of ballet, hip hop, kung fu and Peking opera; and a special screening of Voyage of Time, the highly anticipated new film from master auteur Terrence Malick narrated by Cate Blanchett with a live score by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. "We have searched the world for the most courageous, visionary and ambitious artists: artists who are actively taking on the biggest subjects with flair, excitement and drive," said artistic director Jonathan Holloway in a statement. "This year's Festival is the result of collaboration without compromise, of great people bringing out and amplifying the best in other great people."
Ours is a generation for whom concept hotels are a wildly popular and sometimes baffling reality but hey, just lean into it. Here's a good'un that's caught our eye in central Spain: the Hotel Aire de Bardenas. The concept, executed with see-through bubble rooms, lets you sleep in the desert without roughing it — although the question of 'Do you trust the Spanish desert is not littered with creeps who want to watch you sleeping?' lingers in the air. The Hotel Aire de Bardenas is comprised of a series of bubble rooms connected by bubble tunnels and serviced by Michelin-tyre-man style bubble butlers (alright, so we made up the last one but theming provokes imagination). The bubbles don't offer much privacy but they certainly are Instagrammable (which is the whole point right?) and the views are predictably amazing. Architects Emiliano Lopez and Monica Rivera say the design is more than a gimmick and responds to the context of the site; it allows guests to take in the desert's stunning landscape but protects them from the harsh sun, wind, dust and heat that characterise a desert. #BalloonRooms #airedebardenas #hotel #luxury #balloon #sky #life #peace A photo posted by Serhat özdek (@serhatozdek) on May 25, 2015 at 9:32am PDT Amazingly enough, this isn't the world's only bubble hotel — France's version Attrap'Rêves lies outside Marseilles. While we dig the bubble life, we can't help but think windows offer the same protection — FYI the hotel also has beautiful rooms with traditional walls, ceilings and said windows. So if you're looking for a weird and wacky activity to do while cruising through the deserts of central Spain, consider dropping $200 a night to stay in a bubble under the stars. Wandering the desert has never been so luxurious. Keen to put yourself in a Spanish desert bubble? Check out the Hotel Aire de Bardenas for more info. Via The Creators Project. Images: Hotel Aire de Bardenas, Instagram.
