Sexy pop-inspired sculpture. Sub-sea level photography. Work by the mother of American Modernism. Whether you're looking to escape the heat or simply looking for something to look at, Melbourne's galleries have something to make them open wide. Swing by Spenceroni's first ever solo show after work one night or block out a day to head to Heide to see the work of Georgia O'Keeffe before the exhibition finishes up — and if you're not into those, one of the other shows on this list should pique your interest. Top image: Who's Afraid of Colour at NGV Australia, photographed by Wayne Taylor.
Visiting Sydney's rugged Blue Mountains region is always worth the two-hour drive from the city. There are hundreds of things to do — from bushwalks, to abseils, to waterfalls, to standing around and generally admiring the view. There's also the option to do all of that in one go — with a Blue Mountains canyoning adventure. The description on this RedBalloon adventure says you don't have to be a professional adventurer (no abseiling or canyoning experience is required). But requirements are being able to walk up steep steps for 20 minutes and swim for 25 metres, which we discovered makes it a full on adventure that even the more experienced in the group will enjoy. Dedicate one day out of your weekend to abseiling off cliffs over massive valleys, jumping over rocks in freezing water, canyoning, and swimming in waterfalls. The day starts with some beginner abseiling over the Megalong Valley (see below). Later, you'll go rock jumping through caves, and eventually abseil a 30 metre waterfall. Read this and find out what you're really in for. THE MORNING Arrive at The School of Mountaineering at 8:45am. There are two instructors per group of ten, so you're sure to get individual attention throughout the day. In the Megalong Valley you'll start off with a couple of practice runs abseiling off a cliff. The shortest is five metres, and the longest is thirty metres — they vary in difficulty and overlook the massive valley below, so if you're not too terrified you should look down and enjoy the view. You're only abseiling a minuscule portion of the distance to the ground, but you'll feel the height in your gut. These smaller trips are 'practices' because they're intended to get you ready for the tough abseil of the 30 metre Empress Falls at the end of the day. THE AFTERNOON The next part of the adventure is a twenty-minute hike down a mountain. Enjoy this trip down, because soon you'll be going the other way and you'll feel every step. Once you reach the creek at the base, change into a wet-suit and pop your clothes into a dry bag – make sure you close it properly, the water you're about to jump into is cold. Very cold. Your instructors will mention how cold the water is several times, but there is no way to properly oversell this point. You'll get used to the temperature pretty quickly, but you'll definitely want your clothes nice and warm when you're out. Your group will be instructed how to trek through the canyon you're in, which can be a dangerous activity if your head isn't screwed on straight. There are four water jumps through the canyon, at varying difficulty and at a maximum height of 5 metres. The safest option is the 'Grandma' jump, but once you get confident you can go for the more extreme 'Keanu Reeves' and 'Mission Impossible' styles. Take a breather and look up among the oasis of the temperate rainforest within this sandstone gorge. The peaceful air is unparalleled and makes it easier to forget the cold. The only way out the canyon is to abseil the Empress Waterfall. This is why the adventure is not for onlookers or the faint of heart – once you commit to the canyon, you're in it. THE WATERFALL Harnessed in, you go over the ledge of the waterfall and immediately duck into its cave. This rope is heavy duty and it's the most important time to remember your abseiling training because the waterfall crashing over your head is a major distraction (even though it's beautiful). At the end of the rock, take a final leap and land in the waters of Jamison Valley. Savour your success – a few minutes later you'll be heading back up those steep steps. Change out of your wet-suit and get going while the adrenaline is still kicking in. Book your Blue Mountains canyoning adventure (or gift it to someone else) at RedBalloon. Images: Marissa Ciampi and RedBalloon.
The word 'mansae' is Korean for 'hip hip hooray', which is appropriate as this is the type of authentic Korean restaurant where the food is a real celebration. The atmosphere here is casual and fun, so bring a group of mates for that upcoming birthday or drag your family along for a much-needed catch-up. This is a destination restaurant in Melbourne, and it is bound to be a dining experience you won't soon forget. Mansae Korean BBQ doesn't take bookings, and there is often a line, so be sure to turn up ready to wait. Then, once inside and seated, quickly start ordering as there is a strict 90-minute limit on seatings. The vibe here is hectic and heaving, with a real market atmosphere to complement the smells and sounds of the sizzling Korean barbecues. The barbecue meat includes wagyu scotch fillets, short ribs and oyster blades, while the striploin is especially lean. There are also more exotic options such as the thinly sliced ox tongue, the prime pork belly as well as prime pork jowl. Pair the barbecue with sides and appetisers including lightly spiced edamame, a healthy serving of school prawns dished up like french fries or a kimchi jeon. The hotpot options are not be missed at Mansae with the seafood feast — haemul doenjang jiggae — the highlight. The mural on the wall shouts 'Go beef or go home', which might scare off vegetarians, but being a barbecue it's hard to get too offended. There is however a veggie platter with zucchini, mushrooms and pumpkin, which can be had on its own or shared between servings of meat. But if this doesn't suffice, you might prefer changing up cuisines and heading around the corner to The Happy Mexican's CBD location — a super veggie-friendly diner.
Life moves very slowly on the Con Dao Islands. Lying just 45 minutes by plane from Ho Chi Minh City, the archipelago of 16 mountainous outcrops couldn’t be further away from the hustle and bustle of Vietnam’s frenzied capital. Our destination is Con Son, the largest in the chain, covering roughly 50 square kilometres. Once considered ‘the devil’s island of Indochina’, Con Son is ringed by golden sand beaches and covered in verdant rainforests, and looks anything but intimidating. Now, the island is better known as a luxury spa destination thanks to the arrival of Six Senses Con Dao, named by National Geographic Traveler as one of the world’s best ecolodges. ARRIVE AT THE END OF THE EARTH Described by chief designers Parisian architecture firm AW2 as ‘luxury at the end of the earth’, Six Senses Con Dao is first glimpsed across the waters of a large turquoise bay. Arriving at the property’s front gates, the sleek design lines and playful colour palette of the resort’s 50 villas becomes apparent, with swaying palms framing a scene that’s custom-built for Instagram. Reclaimed teak and sustainably-sourced materials abound but the aesthetic remains a contemporary one; less Robinson Crusoe than other Six Senses properties around the world. We’re quickly introduced to the effervescent Minh, our dedicated ‘Guest Experience Maker’ for the duration of our stay, before being whisked off to our villa in a golf cart. Minh insists that she unpacks our bags so that we can get straight down to relaxing, and we’re not inclined to argue. But with a host of activities, beachside restaurants and bars, an outdoor cinema, private infinity pools, a Vietnamese cooking school and a world-renowned holistic spa all waiting to be explored, it’s hard to sit still for long. SETTLE INTO YOUR BEACH VILLA Our room, the self-explanatory Ocean Front Deluxe Pool Villa, has an open plan layout that proves fluid and functional. Moving from the back to the beachfront, the villa contains a large private garden (complete with a mandatory outdoor shower), an enormous bathroom containing an oversized bath and multiple day beds, a large bedroom and sitting area, and an outdoor sun lounge area that overlooks the private infinity pool and ocean beyond. Rounding out the villa is a Bose sound system, a rather nifty espresso machine (that I have absolutely no clue how to operate), free and insanely fast wi-fi, tablets, and a well-stocked wine cabinet, ensuring that you want for nothing during your stay. All of the resort’s villas come served with stunning views of the sea, and are offered as single-level and duplex standalone structures containing anywhere from one to four bedrooms. An efficient timber frame construction means that each building operates at low energy levels, designed to maximise natural ventilation provided by the prevailing trade winds. Materials and labour for the property were locally sourced, as were more than a quarter of the resort’s employees. Even the drinking water is eco-friendly, bottled to the sound of classical music in a desalination plant on site. Yep, to classical music. PLAY 'FEED THE FISH' GOLF AND STUFF YOURSELF SILLY Minh works with the Experience Team to make sure that the coming days are as full as our oft-fed bellies, and some of the highlights on offer include fishing trips, kayaking, diving, snorkelling, sunset boat charters and ‘feed the fish golf’, a driving range that provides guests with biodegradable golf balls which dissolve into fish food in less than 24 hours. Myriad beach activities are available along the one kilometre stretch of sand too. The heart of the property was dreamt up by AW2, responsible for the design of some of the world’s more opulent hotels. Their intention was for the main collection of buildings to resemble a Vietnamese village-style market, complete with dining, drinks and shopping. The openair Vietnamese Kitchen quickly becomes a favourite pit-stop, where delicious pho, banh mi and rice paper roll creations are the order of the day. At night, we’re talked into the traditional hot pot for two, and we’re blown away by its rich flavours and spices. The transition from our table onto the designer hammocks placed in front of the outdoor cinema screen is not a complicated one, and as we sit back with home-cooked popcorn and freshly-made ice cream (which is on offer for free in the deli at all times of the day and night) the opening credits of Four Weddings and a Funeral start to roll. DISCOVER THE ISLAND'S DARK HISTORY Like much of Vietnam, history is all around you here, and the island is best explored on bike or scooter. We commandeer one of the resort’s bright red Vespas and navigate our way across most of Con Son, winding around spectacular hillside roads that drop hundreds of metres into the waves below. Of most interest is the island's dark military history. Con Son served as a prison island during the French colonial era, then later housed Vietcong political prisoners from the North during the Vietnam War, where inmates were imprisoned in infamous ‘tiger cages’ until 1975. Some 20,000 inmates lost their lives in custody here, and the jails and museums dotted around Con Son town prove at once interesting and eerie. A large group of ex-VC soldiers, on the island to pay their respects to fallen comrades, does little to lessen the intensity as we meander through Phu Hai, the largest of the island’s prisons. PREPARE TO TAKE YOUR NEWFOUND ZEN HOME Before we depart for the Vietnamese mainland Minh makes sure to book us into the Six Senses Spa, recently a winner at the 2014 World Luxury Spa Awards. Sculpted bamboo fences frame numerous indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, pools and salas, and the Six Senses spa menu provides endless ways to spend inordinate amounts of time and money indulging. We meet with Dr Aneesh, an ayurvedic consultant at the Six Senses Spa who originally hails from India, and he takes us through a 60-minute consultation to determine our overall ‘wellness’, providing some tips to help take the slower pace of Con Dao back into our everyday lives. LET'S DO THIS, GIVE ME THE DETAILS: To get there, fly to Ho Chi Minh City — Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), then take a 45-minute commercial or chartered plane to Co Ong regional airport (VCS) for a short transfer to the resort. The distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao is around 230 kilometres or 145 miles. Rooms start at US$428/night and can be booked online at the Six Senses Con Dao website. The writer stayed as a guest of Six Senses.
One of the most perpetually praised coastal towns in Australia, Byron Bay is home to breathtaking beaches, mountains, rivers and rainforests, as well as a diverse, often experimental, grassroots foodie scene. This North Coast town is more than worth the ten-hour road trip up from Sydney, the easy two hours' flight from Melbourne or a two-hour drive from Brisbane and perfect for a summer adventure with your mates. This is, after all, a town that's best enjoyed together. To help you start planning your trip to Byron, we've teamed up with Jim Beam and mapped out some of the top spots to go to. Take note of the spots you want to hit, so you can detour from your regular routine and inject a little adventure into your life. Here's how to spend your days in Byron Shire — what to eat, drink and do in Byron Bay. STAY One of the best things about staying in Byron is its proximity to the beach. So, you'll want to stay as close to it as possible. Of course, beachside accommodation can get pricey, but luckily there are a few affordable options available close by, including Byron Bay YHA. Located in the centre of town and less than a ten-minute walk to Main Beach, this is not your average backpacker hostel. The facilities include private ensuite rooms, a lush pool courtyard and custom murals by Sydney artist Mulga and renowned artist Robert Moore. Spend the day out biking, surfing or boogie-boarding (which can all be hired from the hostel) and once you've enjoyed that sunset on Main Beach, head back for one of the nightly barbecues. Upstairs, you'll find the kitchen and two sprawling decks overlooking the pool where you can meet fellow travellers, and downstairs, there's a games and reading room where you can book swap and catch up on some holiday reading. Embracing the community vibes of the Byron area, the hostel also offers pancake breakfasts during the week and its large deck is an excellent spot for some BYO sundowner sessions. EAT AND DRINK Byron's serious food scene is plentiful and diverse, offering up everything from casual eateries to fine dining with a sincere focus on sustainable eating. Our favourite shop in town is Orgasmic Food, which hands down offers the best falafel we've ever had. This little Middle Eastern eatery provides some serious bang-for-your-buck eating, with the naked balls only 70 cents a pop and the half pita pocket just $7.50. If you'd prefer some meaty protein, the menu has plenty of Middle Eastern favourites like beef kofta and lamb skewers, too. For another budget option, head to the nearby town of Mullumbimby where Milk and Honey slings artisanal wood-fired pizzas like charred onion, gruyere and rosemary or wood-roasted pork sausage with tomato and mozzarella. Aussie wines and craft brews round out the offering here. If you're looking for some superfoods to start your day, Folk is the way to go — the adorable hut-like cafe focuses on organic, ethical and plant-based dishes that will get your engine going. And of course, there's The Farm, a must-visit spot sitting just outside of town. From the Three Blue Ducks crew, this agricultural playground is dedicated to ethical, collaborative and authentic practices, functioning as an eatery, bakery, shop and, of course, a farm. Take a seat on the terrace and order off the seasonal menu featuring dishes crafted from ingredients fresh from your surrounds. Dig in while breads by The Bread Social are kneaded and baked just next to you and some of the farm animals like chooks and pooches make cameo appearances. After your meal, digest with a walk around the farm and through the on-site macadamia farm. [caption id="attachment_606776" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Cape Byron Distillery.[/caption] A must visit at dinnertime is The Roadhouse. The menu changes daily and the dishes use fresh, locally sourced and sustainably grown produce. Think a pulled pork open sandwich on wood-fired flatbread or organic sweet potato tacos with drinks like house-made kombucha and signature negronis. They also boast the biggest whisky collection on the North Coast, if that's your libation of choice. If beer is more your thing, a trip to Byron isn't complete without a visit to Stone and Wood brewery, one of our ten New South Wales breweries worthy of a road trip. The born-and-bred Byron Bay owners love the region and are a friendly, welcoming bunch. The demand for Stone & Wood led to the 2014 opening of their nearby Murwillumbah brewery, making the Byron shed a place for limited release and experimental batches. For those more into spirits, get a designated driver and head out to Cape Byron Distillery where you can savour Brookie's gin, infused with the flavours of neighbouring rainforest. Order a cocktail and take a seat outside overlooking the tropical rainforest preserved by owners Pam and Martin Brook. DO If you're staying in Byron, a morning trek around the Cape Byron Walking Track is a must-do. The 3.7-kilometre loop takes you through rainforest gullies and cliffs, complete with beach vistas and views of the Byron Bay Lighthouse — which Byron Bay YHA offers guided tours of. It's an ideal walk for spotting whales and dolphins. And on your way back down from the lighthouse, you'll pass by the launch point for Byron Airwaves Hang Gliding. Book in for a tandem flight that'll take you soaring above the Cape Byron Headland cliffs and down to Tallow Beach below. If staying firmly on solid ground is more your thing, watching the take offs is (almost) just as exhilarating. Another outdoorsy experience worth exploring is Tyagarah Nature Reserve. The seven kilometres of protected coastline offer swimming, sunbathing, fishing and birdwatching with not a car in site. Visitors can relax in the picnic area or hike along the bush trails studded with banksias, midgen berries, wallabies and bush turkeys. For those who prefer to skinny dip, the nearby Tyagarah Beach is clothing-optional. Another way to enjoy Byron from the water is on a sea kayaking tour with Cape Byron Kayaks. The three-hour trips will get you up-close-and-personal with bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales and various species of sea turtles. Your guide will also delve into a bit of Byron Bay's history, most notably its Indigenous heritage. The group will pause to refuel mid-tour, too, with snacks and refreshments on the beach. If you prefer to do your own thing, the golden shores and crystal-clear waters of Clarkes Beach and Main Beach are just a stone's throw away from town centre. Plus, Main Beach is an ideal spot to watch the sunset soundtracked by free local music from the talented buskers who frequent the beach. Like Jim Beam, surfing and other outdoor adventures are all about bringing people together, so get out there this summer and find your tribe in the great outdoors.
Love a cheeky G&T? You're probably someone who's noticed gin's undergoing a massive revival in Australia, with new gin bars seemingly popping up every other day, and local distillers pushing boundaries with bold, experimental flavours and colours, and all of it is thanks to those miraculous little things known as 'botanicals'. But what are they exactly? What are you even talking about when you're loftily referring to 'aromatic botanicals' in your nip of Tanqueray No.TEN? This iconic, award-winning gin, launched in 2000 as an evolution of the original Tanqueray, is handcrafted in small batches that combine the four botanicals of juniper, angelica root, coriander and liquorice. It's the only gin to be inducted into the San Francisco Hall of Fame — not too shabby. Every type of gin has a unique blend, but botanicals are the key in every bottle. Let's get to know them. [caption id="attachment_580018" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Jonas Tana.[/caption] BOTANICALS By EU law, all gin has to be made using a 96% ABV (alcohol by volume) highly rectified spirit, and must taste predominantly of juniper — the small shrub from the mountain slopes of Italy and Macedonia whose name itself is from where the word 'gin' is derived. Juniper's taste is one of bittersweet pine, lavender, and camphor, but it's from the other botanicals — those select natural additives with which the spirits are distilled — that we get the uplifting, complex and unique aromas of spicy, floral, woody and citrus. SPICE Key amongst the spicy botanicals is coriander, whose seeds are second only to juniper in terms of their importance to the process of gin distillation. Coriander is grown throughout southern Europe, southern Asia and North Africa, and its tiny fruits release spicy sage and lemon flavours that contribute a dry, peppery finish to your gin. The other major spicy botanical is ginger root, one of the earliest spices known in Western Europe. In its pure form, it's capable of raising your body temperature, and when distilled in gin it imparts a dry, spicy character. [caption id="attachment_580016" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] FLORAL Chamomile is perhaps best known to tea drinkers and aromatherapists courtesy of its reputation for reducing stress and assisting with sleep. As a gin botanical, however, this creeping plant found throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and North America imparts distinctive light apple and faint straw aromas (indeed, its name means 'ground apple') as well as a sensation of dryness. Chamomile's most frequently used floral alternative is the leaf of the bay laurel tree, with its pungent, bitter taste and an aroma most closely resembling thyme. WOODY Amongst the earthy, woody botanicals, there is no greater ingredient than Angelica root. Once rumoured to cure the plague and stave off witchcraft, the angelica root from the subarctic regions of the northern hemisphere is renown for its medicinal purposes. Yet in gin, it's an indispensable component that not only makes it dry, but provides its typically earthy base. Liquorice root, too, is another woody mainstay that hails from southwest Asia, India and some parts of Europe, and whose sweet and bitter compounds produce similarly woody flavours. Liquorice root is responsible for adding length and base to your gin, softening and rounding out its 'mouth feel' or texture. CITRUS NOTES Finally, there are the citrus botanicals, led most famously by bergamot peel. Grown in Italy's southern Calabria region, bergamot orange peel is just as likely to turn up in perfumes and lotions as it is gin, possessing a distinctly bright, citrusy aroma and taste. More broadly, then, comes the conventional orange peel botanical, which — in dried form from both sweet and Seville oranges — is similarly used in gin to offer a light, citrusy note capable of balancing out the more pungent botanicals. Top image: Jez Timms.
Over the past few years, Melbourne's famed floating bar has become a summer staple — because soaking in the warm weather and partying on the Yarra clearly go hand-in-hand. That wont't change in 2019, with Arbory Afloat back for spring and summer. Arbory Afloat, which made its debut in 2015, has reclaimed its prime position in front of on-shore sister venue Arbory Bar & Eatery on the Yarra. It's will hit the water earlier than last year, which already marked a significant extension to its season. That's not the only change, either. As part of its annual revamp, the temporary bar and restaurant is taking inspiration from Miami — which means palm trees, pastel blue and pink hues, art-deco touches and a 70s vibe. Chef Nick Bennett has again designed the menu, which is inspired by all things Latin American, including the Caribbean, Cuba and Mexico. A woodfired pizza oven will once more take pride of place in the open kitchen, pumping out American-style pizzas. You'll also be able to tuck into grilled meats, empanadas and lots of seafood — think oysters, ceviche and anchovies. Would it be a visit to Miami without cocktails? We think not. Luckily, there'll be plenty. Patrons will also be able to sip their way through an extended rum menu, peruse a curated gin offering or opt for one of the many spritzes on offer. [caption id="attachment_754394" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Shiff[/caption] To complete the picture, the floating bar also has an upper deck complete with — wait for it — an onboard swimming pool. Sticking with the bar's breezy Miami theme, the eight-metre-long pool is flanked by its own bar, sun lounges and five private cabanas, which can be booked out for your next poolside sojourn. Towels, hats and sunscreen are all available to purchase from the bar, and there'll be a lifeguard on patrol whenever the pool's open. The opening hours are set to vary depending on the weather, but you can jump over to Arbory Afloat's Instagram to keep an eye on the schedule and plot your visit. The bar will be open every day from 11am–1pm until the end of summer — and yes, that includes Christmas Day and New Year's. Updated December 11, 2019. Images: Simon Shiff
Hawthorne's Tao Tao House is your classic white linen Chinese restaurant complete with lazy susans, with a strong focus on traditional and aromatic dishes served with just barely the hint of a smile. The menu here is everything you dream of when heading to a Chinese-Australian restaurant. Tao Tao House has an impressive and notably delicious yum cha selection including classics such as prawn dumplings, spare ribs in black bean sauce and mushroom and duck roll. The poultry dishes are also big hits. These include diced chicken in a teriyaki sauce and a succulent sesame duck — stuffed with prawn paste, coated with sesame and served with mushroom sauce. Vegetarians can indulge with the 'typhoon shelter' eggplants that are wok fried with garlic and chilli and a side of Chinese broccoli and fried rice. Wash it all down with a hot a sour soup or a crab meat sweet corn soup. For dessert, get around Tao Tao House's egg custard tarts, a mango pudding or some very charming Cadbury chocolate sesame dumplings. If you're in Hawthorn and haven't tried Tao Tao House, add it to your list right now.
How good at Pictionary would Grimes be? Would Mac Demarco's sketches found in an art gallery? How would Future Islands go in a life drawing class? Sydney's FBi Radio intended to find out, by inviting a list of over 30 musicians to try their hand at a handdrawn masterpiece. Bringing back their wildly successful 'Brush With Fame' art auction, FBi asked a serious banquet of bands, rappers, ARIA-nominees, folksters, singers and beatmakers to create drawings on canvas especially for the station, ready for auction from Thursday 10 March (9pm AEDT) until Sunday 20 March (9pm AEDT). All proceeds raise funds for the independent, not-for-profit, top notch station. Kudos to FBi for one of the best group show lineups around, y'ready? You (YOU) can own a handdrawn work by these guys. FULL ARTIST LIST: Alabama Shakes Albert Hammond Jr (The Strokes) Alison Wonderland Benjamin Booker Best Coast Cosmo’s Midnight Courtney Barnett DIIV Django Django Dune Rats Elliphant & MØ Future Islands Grimes Hot Chip The Internet Little Simz Mac Demarco Matt Huynh Metz Neneh Cherry Parquet Courts Perfect Pussy Perfume Genius Peter Bibby Purity Ring The Rubens Run The Jewels* Rustie Thundercat Total Giovanni TV On The Radio Tycho Vic Mensa * Two individual canvases by Killer Mike and El-P respectively, sold together All works are on display over here. The auction will run on eBay from Thursday 10 March (9pm AEDT) until Sunday 20 March (9pm AEDT). Each piece comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity from FBi. Here's a couple of our favourites in the bunch, that you'll have to furiously outbid us on.
Grief can take any number of forms. Yet the same isn't necessarily true of funerals. While coming together with friends and family is a vital part of celebrating a lost loved one, the trappings that surround this process – the hearse, the funeral home, the traditional overpriced coffin – can often seem a little impersonal. It's for this reason that The House has us so intrigued. Co-founded by Kylee Stevens, Morna Seres and Christian Wills, all of whom share a background in design and the arts, this new Sydney-based funeral service is offering an alternative to the industry standard, allowing for a truly personal celebration of a person's life. "We service memory artistically through curated reflection, music, light, sound, performance, food and ritual held within our exclusive venues," reads a mission statement on the company website. "Whether it is a large affair, or a simple gathering of friends and family, The House provides the opportunity to say goodbye in a compelling, cultural and modern manner." "Our way of working with clients doesn't really exist in the industry," Stevens told Concrete Playground. "I believe there's space for tradition, particularly in a moment of grief...but if someone doesn't want something traditional, what are their options?" While The House has only been operating since the tail end of March, Stevens sees a world of "infinite possibilities." Their first service, for example, was held in a gallery, and featured a room full of suspended images and incorporated poetry written by the deceased. Friends and family were also invited to be involved in the planning and installation stages, which in turn became another way for them to process their grief. "I think each family will be quite different, said Stevens. "Some will want to come forward and work [with us], and some won't. It's our role to navigate that." Despite their ambitious and personalised approach, the cost of a funeral at The House is in line with industry standards. "We talk about substituting costs within the traditional framework," explains Stevens. "You can spend $3500 to $6500 on a coffin. Making a more ecologically friendly, better designed choice, you can go as low as $550. So you can substitute out existing cost structures that a traditional model offers, and replace them with things that are more memorable." For more information about The House, visit their website at www.thehouse.global.
If you, like us, plan your holidays entirely around food, you're in luck. We've teamed up with Zantac and we're giving away three mini holidays in Melbourne, Hobart and the Barossa Valley in South Australia. You'll wine, dine, sleep and adventure in luxe surroundings until you simply no longer can — how does that sound? Choose Melbourne and you and a guest will spend two nights at QT Melbourne in the CBD, have lunch and attend a coffee cupping course at Collingwood's famous specialty coffee house Proud Mary, and have dinner (and dessert) at Andrew McConnell's pan-Asian restaurant Supernormal on Flinders Lane. In the Barossa, you'll stay at The Louise (an incredible hotel that's side-by-side with a vineyard), head to St Hugo for a wine tasting and delicious winery lunch, then wind up at Fino at Seppeltsfield for dinner. Head to Hobart, and you'll stay at the Henry Jones Art Hotel, visit Bruny Island for a day of food, sightseeing and lighthouses thanks to Experience Oz and then feast on a South American-style dinner at Frank. Each prize includes return flights from any Australian capital city, two nights of accommodation and two foodie experiences (lunch and dinner). All you need to do is tell us your details and where you want to go — Hobart, Melbourne or the Barossa. It breaks our heart to tell you that you can only pick one destination, and you can only enter this competition once, so think long and hard about where you really want to go. If you're available to go on your adventure between Friday, July 28 and Sunday, September 10, head here to enter. To find out more about Zantac and how it tames heartburn fast, head to the website.
For a big three days — from Friday, November 29–Sunday, December 1 — the latest iteration of Melbourne's The Big Design Market will feature 250 stalls showcasing homewares, fashion, jewellery, stationery and more by local independent designers at the Royal Exhibition Building. It's tailor-made for early Christmas shopping. There'll also be a slew of tastemakers serving up exceptional food and wine experiences, including coffee from ST ALi, hot chocolates from Mork, pasta from That's Amore Cheese, tacos from CDMX, sweet treats from Gelato Messina and innovative cocktails from Sydney's Archie Rose, among others. The event will also see the return of the popular showbags and art installations, as well as great visitor prizes and a colourful play space for kids created by Claire Mosley. Images: Blake Walshe.
Just around the corner from Richmond station, Ms Frankie allows diners to get up close and personal with a glass-enclosed pasta-making room. Take a seat at one of the bar stools and watch them make your order from scratch — whether you've picked the pumpkin and ricotta stuffed tortellini topped with amaretti crumb, slow cooked beef ragu with gnocchi or Giorgio's signature spaghetti marinara. Gluten-free options are also available which is a big win for those in need. Drinks-wise at Ms Frankie, there are two beers on tap and a selection in the fridge, including everyone's favourite Peroni Red. By the glass, the wine selection isn't huge but is well thought out, with a nice selection of each colour. Cocktails include all the classics as well as a healthy selection of spritzes, while the Frankie's Sour with Montenegro, rosemary honey and mandarin juice is an instant classic. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Pasta in Melbourne for 2023
Finally, coveted New York fashion label rag & bone has landed in Australia. Now open in Melbourne's CBD shopping district, The Strand, the US brand has unveiled a characteristically minimalist, 1150 square feet space. Haven't stumbled upon it yet? Take a look. Features include a glass façade and interiors decked out in rag & bone's signature industrial style with exposed ceilings and concrete floors. Endeavouring to become a true Melburnian, the brand has also collaborated with local Australian designers to include unique fixtures in the space, like custom tube pendant lighting, brass shelving and walnut detailing. To complete this highly visually satisfying space, the label will host media installations in-store, kicking off with the SS17 campaign film playing throughout. Among the modern industrial look of the new store, rag & bone's women's ready-to-wear, /JEAN, accessories and footwear collections sit, ready to tempt your wallet with tailored silk shirts, satiny slip dresses, wide-neck and off-the-shoulder knits and plenty of denim. Australia, it's time to inject some New York style into your wardrobes. Find the new rag & bone shop at 320 Elizabeth Street, Shop T21 in The Strand.
If you look hard enough, you'll find INI Studio hidden within what looks like a small garage that's been painted white and decked out with white cube furniture. Minimalism is the name of the game here — that is until you purchase some of its pastries and coffees. The sweets are fairly next-level, with the croffless (part croissant, part waffle) topped with ice cream and chocolate syrup being a crowd favourite. We're also big fans of the tiramisu, made with INI Studio's own coffee. And as these folks roast their own coffee, it's no surprise that they do it damn well. You can go for your usual flat whites, filters and ice lattes, but INI Studio's more experimental coffee drinks are what we love the most about this cafe. The iced citrus long black made with a shot of coffee, a few slices of lemon and a dusting of lemon rind is one of the most refreshing and vibrant caffeinated drinks we have ever tried. The cream iced latte and the honeycomb affogato are also absolutely perfect for summer days — especially if you want something a little richer. Food- and drink-wise, INI Studio doesn't do much more than coffee and pastries, but it doesn't need to when they are this creative. And if you are super keen on getting the perfect shot of these aesthetically pleasing items for Instagram, you can even hire out the upstairs photography studio. Although, we would say that is a bit overkill. The interiors of the cafe are basically a blank cavas anyway. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Coffee in Melbourne
Meredith is a festival where you're guaranteed to have a good time, no matter what. But whatever your reasons for heading to the three-day December festival in central Victoria, you won't be disappointed with the acts Aunty Meredith has lined up for this year. They're absolutely spiffing awesome. Superwoman and curator of all things wacky, Peaches, will be headlining the bill, bringing her extravagant live show to The Sup. Kelela will be coming all the way from Washington to kick off the after-dark vibbes on Friday night, and Geelong boys King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard will be providing that dose of psych rock every weekend at Meredith needs. BADBADNOTGOOD will be fusing jazz and electro, while Angel Olsen will be bringing all them feels and The Triffids will be there for a shot of nostalgia. And that's not even a half of it. Aunty has really covered all bases here. We hope you got tickets in the ballot. Fingers crossed that we can all hang out in The Sup on December 9, 10 and 11. Here's the full lineup. MEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL 2016 LINEUP Peaches Sheila E King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard BadBadNotGood Angel Olsen The Triffids Kelela Ben UFO Japandroids The Congos Baroness Archie Roach Jagwar Ma Mount Liberation Unlimited Fred & Toody Cole Chiara Kickdrum Cass McCombs The Goon Sax Ross Wilson CC: Disco! Cable Ties Wilson Tanner Silence Wedge The Sugarcanes Terry Judith Lucy Sheer Mag Dungen
The Vegie Bar has been kicking around for almost thirty years. The all-vegetarian restaurant was ahead of its time when it opened three decades ago, and is all the more in-vogue now. Monday through Sunday, lines of people will put their name down and wait for a table — sometimes a pokey communal one — just to get a feed. The open plan warehouse-style room is filled with exposed brick, wooden tables and a whole lot of history. With a pinboard listing rooms for rent on one wall and a separate room with a liquor licence, this venue is a Brunswick Street institution. As you weave your way through the menu, you'll find everything is vegetarian, a lot is vegan, and gluten free options are plentiful. More recently, raw dishes have been added to the already vast lineup. Start with the classic veggie spring rolls with sweet chilli sauce or the vegan chicken bao with crispy chilli oil and Asian herbs. Mains are broken down into wraps and burgers, salads, pizzas and other main dishes. The vegan beef rendang serves up succulent vegan beef with onion, capsicum, carrot and potato, while the Mexican burrito is packed full of beans, baby spinach and Spanish onions. This bad boy has been on the Vegie Bar menu for almost the entire 30 years, too. Desserts are rather impressive. There is a rotating assortment of cakes from a gluten and dairy free chocolate mud cake, to baked berry cheesecake to raw macaroons. How they make it all taste so damn good is a mystery, but we're happy to just enjoy the goods. When it comes to the drink list, Vegie Bar has anything from the super juice of beetroot, spinach, carrot and cucumber and smoothies, to a bottle of organic German Riesling from Gunderloch. Vegie Bar is the kind of place where any lifestyle can be catered for, but no one will impose one on you. You don't have to be vegan or be a champion of the raw food movement to enjoy your dhal or a big fat piece of vegan chocolate cake. Appears in: The Best Vegan Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
UPDATE: APRIL 14, 2020 — This popular restaurant chain's Windsor, Richmond and Hawthorn stores are still open for takeaway and delivery, so you can get cheeseburger burritos, sweet potato quesadillas and charred corn delivered right to your door. To place an order, visit the website. Once upon a time there was Taco Bill — Australia's answer to an American success, renamed after a guy whose name isn't exactly Hispanic, synonymous with meal deal coupons and fish bowl cocktails that are destined to come back up shortly after consumption. Nothing wrong with that; it is "Australia's favourite family restaurant", according to their website anyway. Somewhere along the line the cheese-laden burrito got a makeover (or under) and today, if you don't know your fajitas from your ensaladas — not to be confused with enchiladas — or molays, you're seriously uncouth. Thank goodness for Fonda, David Youl and Tim McDonald's humble, family-style eating hall, which laid out the welcome mat for a second, Windsor-based offering to accompany the original Richmond eatery in March this year. In addition to the paper menus, lollipop-coloured Jarrito sodas and familiar bottles of red salsa picante de chile habanero hot sauce that have become de riguer in Mexican joints around town, amigos can expect an expanded menu by chef Ravi Presser, with a heightened focus on homemade produce (fresh ingredients are sourced from the Vic Market and the bread is made daily at Abbotsford Convent's onsite bakery) and a similarly extended, loftier physical space. The geometrically patterned, brightly coloured floor, visible kitchen and overhanging lights inspired by popular Mexican bar stools turned upside down are products of a collaboration between Techne Architects, Goldenhen Interiors and naturally, the sensibilities of Youl and McDonald. As the friends started Fonda with basically zero experience, they are always happy to ask for expert opinions where due, which McDonald sees as a major strength. "Having no hospitality background has actually been a real blessing, because it means we're not too proud to ask for help and input. Fonda is a community, rather than the fulfillment of an ego trip and this filters down to how the menu is regularly tested on groups, to how the staff are treated — that is, as people," he explains. Confirming this culture of inclusiveness, Youl later asks for my opinion on the positioning of the bar cushions with the earnest enthusiasm of someone who is actually interested in the answer. Rounding out our conversation, McDonald again individually personalises the experience that Fonda is trying to create by posing a question, the answer to which he goes on to confidently guess. "What do our clientele want on a Wednesday night, for example? Hopefully to come to Fonda and leave thinking 'I ate some good food, met a cool waiter, sat on these weird seats fashioned from string and I really liked that song.'" He got it in one — see you at the Fonda.
You know it's summer in Melbourne when the outdoor cinemas start flickering back to life. In the past few weeks we've seen brand spanking new programs from the folks at Rooftop Cinema, Moonlight Cinema, Lido on the Roof and the newly opened QV Outdoor Cinema. And now Shadow Electric are getting in on the action, dropping their own rock-solid lineup of recent and retro films along with a selection of music documentaries, live gigs and killer grub to match. Located within the grounds of Abbotsford Convent, Shadow Electric will kick off its four-month season on January 2 with the Australian premiere of New World Towers, which chronicles the unexpected reunion of '90s Britpop legends Blur. It's one of several films in rotation aimed specifically at music lovers, with features like Eden and Straight Outta Compton appearing alongside concert films such as The Last Waltz and Stop Making Sense. The remainder of the program consists mostly of recent releases, including Spectre, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Martian, Macbeth and The Dressmaker, plus a smattering of nostalgic faves in the form of The Breakfast Club, The Big Lebowski and a Valentine's Day showing of Dirty Dancing. Select dates will also play host to live shows in the bandroom — keep your eyes on the Shadow Electric website for more on that front. This year will also see the venue partner with the guys behind Longhorn, Le Bon Ton and Chingon for pre-film food offerings. Talk about a step up from overpriced candy bar popcorn. Tickets for the first half of Shadow Electric's 2016 program will go on sale later today. For more information, hit up their website.
If you're heading to New Zealand's Christchurch region for a short holiday, you can't leave without going bungy jumping. There are plenty of opportunities to get your adrenaline going, so why not live on the wild side of life? Experience breathtaking views of the Southern Alps, beautiful coastal vistas and lush green forest while you get reacquainted with the thrill-seeking side of yourself. If you're into the kind of fun that leaves your stomach in knots, then this guide will not disappoint. The adrenaline-junkie kiwis seem to know a thing or two about going on an adventure. TACKLE THE RAPIDS IN HANMER SPRINGS Drive for 90 minutes to Hanmer Springs and book yourself in for a white water rafting adventure. You'll find yourself situated within a stunning mountain range, with pink marble land formations heading all the way down the Waiau River canyon. The rapids are Grade 2 in Hanmer Springs, so expect medium-size rapids and low drops with waves less than a metre high. After all the twists, turns and drops you can still get your fair share of serenity — Hanmer Springs is known for its beautiful blue water and stunning scenery. Don't forget to pack something to swim in, there's no doubt you're going to want to relax with a swim at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools after a day out on the rapids. Even adrenaline junkies need some time to chill out. GO JET BOATING IN WAIMAKARIRI GORGE The Waimakariri River, translating to 'cold water' in Māori, is the home of jet boating in Christchurch, with canyons, gorges, rock faces and native forest lining an adventure trail through the water. You can choose between a 30- or 60-minute jet boating adventure in the beautiful blue water — expect 360-degree spins, hairpin turns and a high-speed ride that'll get your heart racing. The Waimakariri river is 90 minutes from Christchurch, but Alpine Jet organises transfers that pick you up from the city and drop you back when the day is done. Because there are so many beautiful rivers in the Christchurch region, there are many places to go jet boating. Another option is at Hanmer Springs. Once you've tested the strength of your stomach there'll be plenty of opportunities to sit back and take in the fresh air in both locations — catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Southern Alps if you're lucky. BUNGY JUMP AMID STUNNING SCENERY You're heading to New Zealand, which means you're going to want to throw yourself from a tall structure connected to an elastic cord — this is the home of bungy jumping after all. Why not let yourself free fall from a bridge for 35 metres towards a surging river to get the blood pumping and the bones jumping? It's an adrenaline rush like no other and one that you're bound to get addicted to. The idyllic Hanmer Springs Bungy, 90 minutes from Christchurch, is the perfect spot for first timers who may need to distract themselves with stunning scenery before taking a leap of faith. MOUNTAIN BIKE THE EDGE OF THE CITY The Christchurch region's beautiful scenery and stunning mountains make it an ideal destination for avid mountain bikers. There are many cycling tracks to discover, but the Port Hills is one of Christchurch's best kept secrets and one of our favourites. With its dramatic landscape of tussock grasslands and rugged mountain terrain, it's easy to see why. Ten different trails in this area each have their own unique highlights — and they're perfect for both new and experienced riders. The new Christchurch Adventure Park is another mountain biking option. The huge trails inside range in difficulty — from beginner courses to those designed for experts only. If you're new to mountain biking and want to learn some skills in a safe environment, head here. It's the biggest mountain biking path in the Southern Hemisphere — you won't be short on space. FLY THROUGH THE ADRENALIN FOREST If you consider yourself to be a little bit of a George of the Jungle, here's your chance to prove yourself in the tree tops. A 20-minute drive from Christchurch is the Adrenalin Forest, a two-kilometre aerial obstacle course set in the beautiful Spencer Park. We can't promise you'll have the opportunity to hang from vines, but there's more than enough to keep you challenged with over 100 activities and six courses to sink your teeth into. If you're a real adrenaline junkie, tackle the high-wire course. It's not quite walking between the twin towers Man On Wire-style, but you're sure to get up to 20 metres into the forest canopy — that's at least two or three stories off the ground and more than enough to get you shaking in your boots. Maybe you've been to New Zealand's North Island, but have you ever ventured down South? Christchurch, and New Zealand's surrounding Canterbury region, is the perfect place for a quick holiday. Use our planning guide to book your trip, then sort out your itinerary with our food, nature and relaxation guides.
File this one under news that probably won't happen, but damn would it be cool if it did: Italian architect Piero Lissoni has won a competition to design New York City's new aquarium, and it's easy to see why. The proposed 'Aquatrium' would be situated at Long Island City's Anable Basin, and would consist of two circular elements submerged in the East River. Picture the underwater lair of a '70s era James Bond villain, and you probably won't be too far off the mark. The plans feature an open-air basin sitting just below water level, boasting eight clear 'biomes' that would house aquatic creatures from the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Southern oceans along with the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Red and Tasman seas. An iceberg in the centre would represent the poles, while at night the space would be covered by a sliding domed roof, transforming it into a planetarium (casually). You can't accuse this guy of having a lack of imagination. "Having the water level define the starting point of the project, the site is excavated to become a spacious and innovative water basin," Lissoni's team told Dezeen. "The main idea is to generate an environment whereby visitors feel that they themselves are entering the water to discover the beauty of the marine life on display." Sadly, the design competition isn't anything official, so don't expect to be walking through Lissoni's futuristic aqua-dome any time soon. But feel free to stare longingly at the pretty pictures. Via Dezeen.
If you can find it, Eau de Vie is one of the best cocktail bars in Melbourne. Down Malthouse Lane, next to a hotel car park, slip through the large wooden door and enter a new world. An intimate space, Eau de Vie is the kind of world where you feel as though you could find yourself sitting next to Jay Gatsby or Mr Fitzgerald himself. Choose a spot at the bar, or perhaps retire to one of the more private booths towards the back. Headed up by Greg Sanderson, the spot is a perfect balance of artistry and fun. Cocktails, made by seriously talented bartenders, can be finished with liquid nitrogen or served up in a giant lady's shoe. Whatever you may be in the mood for, it's likely they've got the perfect tipple. Cocktail drinkers should try the Noble Experiment, an ice-cold martini finished with liquid nitrogen, or perhaps The Aviator, a mix of handmade rhubarb and juniper puree with Tanqueray Gin, lemon juice and a touch of maraschino. For something a little fun, try the Peanut Butter Jelly Time, a combination of peanut butter rum, hazelnut liqueur, lemon, cassis, maraschino and plum bitters. The menu is sure to include something to take your fancy, and the bartenders are keen to whip up a drink to attend to personal taste. [caption id="attachment_700888" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eau de Vie Melbourne[/caption] For the champagne drinkers, bubbles include Moet Brut Imperial N.V. or 2006 Kreglinger Brut Vintage. A good selection of red and white wines is also on the menu, with the 2011 Red Claw pinot gris and the 2009 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone from France being highlights. Beer drinkers are looked after with a small but considered list — go for the Beechworth Pale Ale or, for something heavier, try the Red Duck Porter. Match your drinks to a plate of freshly shucked oysters, tuna tartare, braised beef cheeks, fried cauliflower or crispy potatoes with truffle aioli and comte cheese. Indulge in a luscious creme brulee torched tableside or a traditional almond Santiago cake. Or keep it simple with a stocked charcuterie or cheese board (or a mix of both). If all this decision-making gets too much, there is a chef's choice 'Feed Me' degustation that will take you on a journey through both the cocktail and the food menus. To top it off, they've got a 10-page whisky list that will make the most discerning whisky drinker smile.
Beyond the freeway, hidden behind that thick shrub, off that back street — that's where a secret garden is waiting. With no shortage of blissful spring days on the horizon, there's no better time to be a little adventurous and explore one of these lesser known gardens. Why wouldn't you want to swap the cement jungle for a green oasis and breathe in the heavenly scent of eucalyptus trees? Sit back, slip off your shoes, feel the grass between your toes and chase a frisbee around one of these top secret spots. MARANOA GARDENS Tucked away off the main strip of Balwyn, this impressive garden of lush green lawns, sweet-smelling wattle, ancient trees and native plants has everything you need to escape the daily grind. Take a stroll and you will discover an Arid Zone, Indigenous Garden, Rainforest and Cottage Gardens. With all plants labelled, it's an educational experience for keen or wannabe botanists. For those searching for peace and quiet, there's ample park benches for book-reading or for quiet reflection, but you'll have to leave your doggies and skateboards at home. Yarrbat Avenue, Balwyn ORGAN PIPES NATIONAL PARK There's a well-kept secret phenomenon just past Airport West, off the Calder Highway. Hidden beyond the electricity poles and the busy road are naturally formed prehistoric basalt columns shaped like (you guessed it) organ pipes. Formed about 400 million years ago by molten lava, the Organ Pipes are now home to wedge-tailed eagles, cockatoos, wrens and shrubs such as the beautiful spring wattle blossom. There are a few walking tracks along the creek, but mostly it's a great place to polish up your high school geography. What are sedimentary rocks again? Calder Highway, Keilor North. Image by Nick Carson via CC licence. GUILFOYLE'S VOLCANO Melbourne's Botanical Gardens are marvellously huge — so huge that Guilfoyle's Volcano can nestle within it as a secret gardens not hugely frequented by tourists. Built in 1876 for water storage, it is now part of a wetlands project, showcasing spectacular water flowers and plants. The boardwalk and viewing platforms make the garden easy to explore and also provide an amazing view of the city's skyline. Guilfoyle's Volcano is in the south-east corner of the gardens and is easily accessible via C Gate (enter via Anderson Street) and D Gate (enter via Birdwood Avenue). CANTERBURY GARDENS Transformed from a snake-infested swampland to English-styled grounds in 1896, this old-school garden is the proud centre of Canterbury. Long-standing majestic trees drape their wide branches across the rolling green slopes. These are perfect hills for some good old-fashioned rolling. For those who don't like being itchy, there is a luxurious amount of picnic space near rose gardens and hedges, or you can take a seat in the 100-year-old rotunda. Canterbury train station is close by, but perhaps a little too close if the sound of trains slicing through metallic tracks isn't your idea of tranquility. Canterbury Road, Canterbury HEIDE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, SCULPTURE PARK It's easy to hide and slip away in the Heide Museum of Modern Art's Sculpture Park. Spread across 15 acres of garden are 30 sculptures to admire. Day-trippers may like to throw a picnic mat down or just meander across the old dairy farm and stop and smell the unusual roses in the garden beds, many of which have heritage status. For those more social types, there's a cafe nearby as well as the art gallery. 7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen SCHWERKOLT COTTAGE AND GARDEN How's the serenity? It's pretty good in the outer eastern suburb of Mitcham, where a historic stone cottage sits on beautiful Yarran Dheran bushland park. The fragrance of lilies will greet you as you enter the gardens, and also a sense of stepping back to a simpler and quieter time. There's also an old wine cellar, smoke house and museum to explore as you learn more about the German family who lived on the property in 1884. Take a wander down to the creek and you can watch the tadpoles, spot colourful parrots and perhaps, if you're lucky, even see a koala. Deep Creek Road, Mitcham GEORGE TINDALE MEMORIAL GARDENS If you don't believe in fairies, you'll reconsider after visiting the George Tindale Memorial Garden. Flowers of all colours are thriving in the cool temperature of the Dandenong Ranges. Follow the winding track around and spot magnolias, camellias, fuchsias and more. With no green-thumbed gardeners in sight, you can't help but think that this well-nurtured garden must be the work of some type of magic. 33 Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke. Open 10am – 5pm every day. POP-UP PATCH An unused car park be transformed into a community garden? How perfectly Melbourne. This urban garden located on Russell Court car park rooftop combines 140 veggie crates rented by the public with amazing 360-degree views of the city skyline. Even if you're not looking to rent a little plot, you can still enjoy the green space as a nice, quiet spot to have lunch. For something a little less introverted, attend one of their events; BBQs, movie nights and table tennis comps are all on the program. Russell Court (the continuation of Russell Street after crossing Flinders Street) behind Fed Square CRANBOURNE BOTANICAL GARDENS Rock garden fans (holla!) will appreciate this garden where red earth and desert flowers come alive. In the outer suburbs of Cranbourne, Australian native plants are cultivated over 363 hectares and grown in a contemporary style. Not to be missed is the impressive and award-winning 'Australian Garden', which celebrates the beauty of native plants through sculptures and garden displays. There are 10km of walking trails in the nearby bushland to get lost in and creeks to dip your toes in. Corner of Ballarto Road & Botanic Drive, Cranbourne ALFRED NICHOLAS MEMORIAL GARDENS If you'd prefer to sit under the cool canopies of mountain ash trees than slog over the nearby infamous (and overpopulated) 1000 Steps, this is the spot to sit back and hear the birds chirp. Flowering cherry trees are vibrant and the air is fresh and sweet-tasting. Walk down to the little lake and cute boathouse, where a certain romantic The Notebook scene would be perfectly re-enacted. If that fails, it's still a great spot to have your lunch. 1A Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke Top image: Dollar Photo Club.
Inspired by the grand old brasseries of New York's Meat Packing District, the Atlantic, located within Crown, oozes sophistication, class, and excellent dining. With a stylish interior, decked out with artistic flourishes, dim lighting and old world furniture, it's the kind of place to come for a special occasion or an important lunch. There are over 300 seats here and yet it always books out. Thankfully, with an 80-seat oyster bar and another cocktail bar downstairs, they'll always find a way to squeeze you in. Just make sure you wear the right shoes. The Atlantic dining room menu has a philosophy of ocean to plate and everything here is sourced in a sustainable fashion. From the starters, enjoy a Milawa duck and smoke paprika croquette served with aged manchego cheese and fermented romesco, or the Yurrita anchovy and chicken liver toast. If there's just two of you, the cold or hot seafood platters make an excellent choice and come loaded with delights such as Moreton Bay bugs, Cloudy Bay diamond clams, king prawns and Pacific oysters. Speaking of oysters, the Oyster Bar & Grill is modelled on New York's Grand Central Station's Oyster Bar has an unparalleled selection of Australian oysters. It also features caviar bumps with Herradura tequila, Hoya anchovies, Mooloolaba prawn rolls and fried calamari. Back in the dining room, mains include a 1000 Guineas eye fillet, a wood fired baby chicken, Western Australian crayfish at market price and a wild mushroom risotto with celeriac and black truffle. Luxury ingredients are clearly scattered throughout the entire menu. When it comes down to wine, let the expert team of sommeliers guide you through their extensive list, that has a heavy focus on local Australian producers. Dessert-wise, dig into a 'Snickers Bar' parfait with roasted peanuts and salted caramel and call it a day. This sweet treat is next-level indulgent. And goes down well with a fine dessert wine from the Atlantic cellar.
Danny Boyle’s iconic 1996 film Trainspotting is finally getting the sequel you kind of don’t want to see but can’t look away from. Boyle officially confirmed the news an interview with Deadline — the sequel has a script and is definitely going ahead. The only problem is coordinating the schedules of the now-famous OG actors. The sequel will be based on Irvine Welsh’s 2002 novel Porno, which was released six years after the film of Trainspotting. The film version of Porno will pick up eight years after Trainspotting left off, with the same crew. But the biggest difference is in the title — obviously, this one is about porn. While Trainspotting was perhaps the most effective campaign against shooting up heroin (and the need to learn the dialect and slang of Edinburgh youth), Porno may well do the same for the amateur porn industry. Don’t worry, there'll probably still be gratuitous drug use. Boyle told Complex that Porno will bring back the “four main actors” which the Internet has interpreted to mean Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle and Kevin McKidd. Even John Hodge, the screenwriter of Trainspotting, is working on the sequel. There has been no confirmation whether Ewan Bremner or Kelly Macdonald will be included, however the plot of Porno has a sizeable role for Bremner’s character 'Spud', so we’re cautiously optimistic. For those of you wanting to read the book before seeing the film, be warned: the plot might be changed when it goes to the silver screen. The project has been in the works for the while now and author Irvine Welsh told The Big Issue two years ago that, "The sequel I wrote — Porno — is already ten years old, so I don't think you can just use the book as the source for the script. You need other stuff that makes it more fresh and contemporary. The porno stuff might feel a bit passé now after Fifty Shades of Grey." It would seem that Welsh and Boyle have some (probably not very) sexy surprises in store for us. Via Deadline and Complex.
Global ride sharing service Uber have teamed up with the legends at Gelato Messina for a one day only office ice cream delivery service. This Friday July 24, heroic Uber drivers will be dispatched across Australia with ice cold scoops of fudgy, wafery, milk choc chippy goodness. As if you needed another reason to look forward to Friday. Here's how it all works: Step One – Starting at 11am, Uber users can log into the app and enter the promotional code 'IceCreamOz' along with their location. Step Two – There is no step two. Your tub of ice cream is already on its way. The #UberIceCream promotion is being run in Sydney, Parramatta, Wollongong, Byron Bay, Canberra, Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth and Bunbury. Existing Uber users will be charged $15 for the transaction, while first time users get their ice cream free of charge. The company has also teased some less conventional delivery methods, including dog sleds and jet skis. This could be very interesting. Messina have even created a new flavour for the occasion, consisting of hazelnut gelato with white chocolate, hazelnut fudge, chocolate chips and cream filled wafers (unfortunately there's no backup option for people with egg or nut allergies.) Uber have actually offered ice cream delivery before, along with a number of other novelty promotions such as gourmet lunches and kittens (the kittens were not for eating, thankfully.) And while their legal status in Australia is still a little murky, as long as they keep pulling clever stunts like this – not to mention just being better than regular cabs in pretty much every way – we get the feeling that they won't be going anywhere.
Hendrick's, the Scottish gin distillers who would have you believe their product is harvested fresh from a Monty Python animation, are embarking on a 'horticultural quest' to make Australia their new veg patch. No longer content to raid Mr. McGregor's garden, the liquidologists and drinkticians at Hendrick's are teaming up with the University of Sydney to create the first truly Australian-grown species of cucumber. Despite the presence of a horticulture professor in their fellowship, Hendrick's are asking the public to head to Facebook and vote on soil ingredients that will produce the most distinctly Australian crop. Day One is a choice between kangaroo and emu poop. There's every reason to believe Day Ten will see Barnesy or Farnesy forced to stand waist-deep in fertiliser for six weeks. Planting begins on October 4 and the harvest will take place in mid-November, with a subsequent soiree for attendees to sample the cucumber from down under. To further celebrate the efforts of their botanical pioneers, Hendrick's are giving a Concrete Playgrounder and ten friends the chance to win a sumptuously provisioned cocktail masterclass valued at $3000. Enter below, and remember, you need to vote for your chosen ingredient on the Hendrick's Gin Facebook page to be eligible to win. [competition]589976[/competition]
For most of us, the uncomfortable feeling that creeps in when you share a social justice status (linking a petition or an article, or writing a strongly-worded open letter, as is the fashion) is accompanied by the thought: is this enough? Am I keyboard warrior? How can I effect real change? The couple behind the newest Richmond cafe might be able to help you out with that. Jane and Francois Marx are the husband and wife team from Long Street Coffee and their aim is to bring you coffee and bring jobs to refugees. But making the transition from social justice keyboard warrior to real-life warrior is not an easy feat, nor is it cheap. Long Street Coffee has been the product of a three-year long journey. They've been the worthy recipients of an Australian Women’s Weekly grant, successful Pozible campaign and generous community donations from everyone from photographers to stonemasons to get them on their feet. The community response to the enterprise, which trains refugees over a six-month period and helps them find ongoing work, has been overwhelmingly positive — and a breath of fresh air in the face of the Abbott government’s draconian refugee laws. "I think that we’re seeing the backlash against the hostility towards refugees." says Jane. "We are part of a larger movement that opposes the overwhelming hostility from the media and punitive measures from the government. In the face of all that, there’s a movement of people saying you are not representing us as a nation; we want to be a place that welcomes refugees." While the kitchen isn’t yet in action, the trainees are pumping out coffee and the interior is looking sharp as hell. Jane says that while there’s a big risk in setting up any small business, and particularly in employing untrained staff, Long Street Coffee is not a charity. Jane and Francois have 20 years combined experience in the industry and understand what it means to be a competitive small business. The cafe is a hybrid: part social justice enterprise and part booming small business with its finger on the pulse. “Part of the mission with Long Street was to be able to employ people with a refugee background who wouldn’t otherwise be able to get jobs. And part of the scaremongering that comes from the government and the media is coming from ignorance. People don’t actually know refugees but if they were able to see the people in the boats as oppose to the boat itself… If you could go to place that and be served coffee by a refugee and hear their stories, you would see that they are people. We want to break down the stigma. We didn’t see that ‘fair go’ being extended to the refugee community. It is only a fair if it applies to everyone. Everyone who lives here should be able to fulfill their potential and realise their dreams.” Get down to Long Street Coffee and do your part in showing these total legends some hard-earned support. Find Long Street Coffee at 45 Little Hoddle Street, Richmond. Open Tuesday–Sunday 8am–4pm. www.longstreetcoffee.com.
Trying to stay healthy while eating the food you love can sometimes feel like an exercise in futility. Basically, we want to have our cake, and eat it too, but to also have that cake not ruin any chance at being healthy as blazes. Luckily, the good folk at food delivery service Youfoodz have put together a couple of recipes that offer unexpectedly healthy takes on some of our all time culinary favourites. Say goodbye to the grease-sodden offerings from your local fish and chip shop because, for dinner, they suggest a healthy, homemade alternative, that subs out those deep-fried chippies for baked roast veggie chips and a good-for-you superseed crust instead of batter. Alternatively, if you've got a hectic sweet tooth, they've got the perfect protein packed recipe for blueberry pancakes with a light honey ricotta that looks every bit as good as it sounds. Add some extra berries on top for added antioxidants and deliciousness. Healthy eating ain't so bad after all. Check 'em out and enjoy the spoils. FISH AND CHIPS Ingredients (fish) 120g cod 1tbs almond meal 1tbs slivered almonds 1tbs quinoa 5g chia seeds 5g sesame seeds Lemon wedges Salt Ingredients (chips) 60g sweet potato 60g carrot 60g potato Paprika Ingredients (tartare sauce) 2-3 tbs of your favourite prepared aioli 2 large Gherkins (chopped) 1tbs Capers (chopped) Juice of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon 2tbs fresh dill (chopped) 2tbs continental Parsley (chopped) Method 1) Pre heat oven to 180 degrees. 2) Cut vegetables into chip shapes and sizes and combine with some paprika. Bake in oven until roasted and delicious. 3) Combine almond meal, nuts and seeds and mix well, sprinkle heavily on top of cod and bake for 12-15 minutes or until cooked. 4) Add chopped gherkins, capers, dill, lemon juice and zest and parsley to prepared aioli and mix well. 5) Garnish with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of sea salt. BLUEBERRY BAKED PANCAKES AND HONEY RICOTTA Ingredients (pancake mix) 4 eggs 1 cup almond meal Half cup gluten free flour 100g protein powder Lemon zest of 2 lemons 1.5 cups natural yoghurt Quarter cup white sugar 1tsp bi carb soda 1 cup blueberries Ingredients (ricotta and honey mix) Ricotta cheese Honey Method 1) Lightly beat eggs with sugar till combined well. 2) Add almond meal, gluten free flour, protein powder and bi carb soda and mix well. 3) Add yoghurt, blueberries and lemon zest, combine all ingredients and cook in medium hot non stick fry pan till risen and golden. Combine ricotta and honey, spoon over cooked pancakes with additional berries and honey. Want someone else to cook these for you? Youfoodz will bring them right to your door. To view the full menu, head to youfoodz.com.
Electronica megastar Omar Souleyman is on his way to engulf you in Arabic techno beats with a national tour this January. Souleyman has reached cult status internationally for his patented sound of insanely fast synths adapted to Syrian folk music and his "epitome-of-cool" persona, with Bjork herself labelling him as one of her favourites. Never seen without a pair of aviators and his red and white kaffiyeh, Souleyman has long been famous in his homeland of Syria, with, believe it or not, a rumoured 500 separate bootleg cassette releases recorded straight from his many performances at weddings around the country. His 2013 album, Wenu Wenu, was his first recorded outside Syria, and its blending of Western electronica beats and traditional dabke music (an Arabic form of folk dancing) promises live performances filled with electric sax solos, super high-tempo synths and vocals given alternatively in the tone of commanding pronouncements and trance-inducing chants. Supported by Fabulous Diamonds.
Two of the greatest artists in history, who happened to have one of the most volatile relationships in recent memory, will be the focus of the Art Gallery of New South Wales' brand new exhibition in 2016. Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera is coming to the gallery next year, running June 25 to October 9, 2016. BOOM. Nice one AGNSW. Kahlo and Rivera's artistic and personal rollercoaster ride will be the focus, with 40 artworks, self-portrait paintings, drawings and canvases from the pair, all from the renowned collection of Jacques and Natasha Gelman. Alongside these works will be approximately 50 photographs by the likes of Frida’s father, Guillermo Kahlo. Edward Weston and Lola Alvarez Bravo, so you can take a peek into these two artist's intimate world. Australia doesn't actually have a Frida Kahlo on public display, so this is one heck of a slam dunk for the gallery. The exhibition marks the cornerstone of the 2016 exhibition program for the Art Gallery of New South Wales, announced today. There's plenty more where that came from, including the upcoming blockbuster exhibition, The Greats, featuring Botticelli, Vermeer, Rembrandt and more masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland. German artist Julian Rosefeldt will bring the Cate Blanchett-starring video installation Manifesto to the Gallery from May 28 to November 13, after a huge exhibition of gold, silver, glass and ceramics from the Chinese Tang dynasty in April. Beloved Australian artist Tracey Moffatt will see a huge exhibition of her work dubbed Laudanum and other works, featuring the namesake photographic series and her famous montage videos Love and Other. It's an on-year, so the Biennale of Sydney will return to the gallery from March 18 to June 5, alongside the ever-popular ARTEXPRESS from March 16 to May 15. For the AGNSW's whole 2016 program and beyond, head to the website.
Before social media, the local milk bar was usually where youngsters went to socialise. Though there's still a few of them about (including 2223 in Sydney and Rowena Corner Store in Richmond), they're fast becoming a thing of the past. That's why Melbourne-based artist Callum Preston has gone to painstaking lengths to recreate one, detail by detail. You'll find his incredibly realistic, immersive artwork Milk Bar in RVCA Corner Gallery, Collingwood, from Friday 1 December. Walking in, it'll be easy to imagine you're in a bona fide corner shop, as the installation is fully operational. But take a closer peek and you'll notice the chocolate bars, magazines and soft drink cans aren't what they seem. They're pretend versions of themselves that Preston has created by hand. "For most of us, these simpler times might have passed," Preston said. "Sure, the memories may be a little blurry now, but it's my hope that when all the elements are recreated you can be transported right back to 'when going down the shop' was an experience of pure joy." This isn't Preston's first venture into nostalgia. In 2015, he revisited Back to the Future via his artwork Bootleg to the Future, which featured a life-sized replica of a DeLorean. Milk Bar will be at Melbourne's RVCA Corner Gallery, 82 Stanley Street, Collingwood. The exhibition runs from December 1-10.
As many films do, The Space Between begins with a series of influential events that shake up an otherwise stagnant life. When his stint in New York came to an unplanned end through a family tragedy, Marco (Flavio Parenti) returned to his home town of Udine in Northern Italy, gave up on his dream of being a chef and carved out a routine existence — and just as he has somewhat accepted his fate, more hardship strikes. But at the same time, he meets Olivia (Maeve Dermody), an Australian in the country wading through her own family and career matters. A connection forms as the two try to find their path forward. The film's narrative isn't just an interesting story worth spending 98 minutes watching — it's also somewhat based on reality. In fact, The Space Between is partially inspired by the day that Melbourne-based writer-director Ruth Borgobello met her husband Davide Giusto (who also serves as one of movie's producers), and the bond they forged as he coped with his real-life grief. In turning the tale into a film (her first feature, no less), Borgobello has not only transported parts of her life to the big screen, but has also crafted the first-ever Australian-Italian co-production in the process. While the former feat has personal significance, the latter is no lesser of an achievement; indeed, a filmmaking treaty between the two countries was signed back in 1993. Just how did Borgobello draw from such intimate experiences? And how did she manage to make history with her debut feature? With The Space Between currently touring Australia as part of the Italian Film Festival, we chatted with the filmmaker about finding inspiration in Italy, working through trauma and turning an aspect of your life into a feature film. ON LETTING REALITY INSPIRE THE NARRATIVE "I met my husband the day he lost someone very important to him unexpectedly. We'd sort of already had this plan to spend a couple of weeks together, because he's a good friend of my cousin in Italy, and he was planning to come to Australia, and he had his visa ready. And so, in spite of this loss and grief he was going through, we spent a couple of weeks together, and I guess that always stayed with me as a very transformational moment for both of us. We were in our early 20s, so it kind of throws everything into question and makes you think very carefully about the life path that you want to choose when something like that happens. You tend to think you're quite invincible when you're that age, I think. Years later I kind of was developing another project focused more on a migration story of my family and my father, but I guess just spending time in Italy and thinking about that moment, I was sort of quite inspired and pushed to do something a bit more personal as my first film. And talking about contemporary Italy within that as well. So, it was inspired by that moment — but the actual characters and the journey that they go on is very fictional, and very, much more connected to Italy today than back in that time." ON DRAWING FROM EXPERIENCED GRIEF AND TRAUMA "When I set out to write this script, I was sort of basing it on my husband's experience of losing someone close to him — and I had never lost someone, especially not a close friend in the way that he had. So I tried to get inside his head, I guess, and his grieving process. And then also working with my co-writer who had lost his father when he was quite young, so he had gone through that. But then, strangely, in the journey of writing it — and it was something that really kind of terrified me when it happened — my best friend actually was in an accident, a very unexpected accident, and was in a coma for a few weeks hovering between life and death. Luckily now she's fine, she's got through it, but I guess it strangely sort of brought me very close to that experience, which can be quite challenging because when it happens to you — you don't know if you can actually go there to bring it into the script. But, I tried to write during that period just to tune into the emotion of it all. I guess with the grief, I think the lesson that came for us that was very powerful — it was that he left...but then someone else arrived in that moment that would be very important and play a similar role, I guess, in Davide, my husband's, life. Just that sort of interesting thing that someone leaves and someone else arrives, and I guess to trust in life sometimes that it will bring you support in those kind of moments, and then opportunity to maybe grow and evolve." ON MAKING THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN-ITALIAN CO-PRODUCTION "It's just enormous, and I think it's not just sort of all the relationships and paperwork and trying to make the two governments sort of work — or their rules — really work together. Also, then you've got to translate everything and every time it changes you've got to re-translate it. So it is an enormous amount of work. I guess, at the end of the day, it's just kind of willingness and determination to make it work. And we sort of sensed that if we could make it work, then there would be a lot of positivity that would come out of that — obviously for the film, but also creating future possibilities between the two countries. So it's worth it. When you know you're going to make history, it's worth it to persevere. And we had a lot of willingness from Italy and the Italian government too, that really supported us in wanting to make it work, so that helps." ON SETTING HER FILM IN ITALY — AND FINDING THE RIGHT LOCATIONS "We spent years of research looking at locations that are not the typical tourist locations. They're not the places you could open a book and find out where they are — they're all sort of quite hidden and you have to know people who know people. So it took a lot to find those places that would really serve the psychology and the narrative of Marco's journey, and with Olivia. So I spent time myself there in Italy, living for periods of six months or so, just to also really get to know the people and the place. And trying to perceive the current climate of today, and what's going on, and the relationship between the environment and this sort of crisis as well, which I always found quite contradictory because there's so much beauty and inspiration in what's been created in the past, but it feels very stagnant in the present. So it was about sort of being able to marry those two together." ON HER TIES WITH ITALY "I've got two projects that I'm working on, and both are connected with Italy again. One of them is also sort of connected to climate change, and I really want to do a sort of original creative story around that, kind of featuring nature as a main character — and it's positive, not fear-driven. So that's something that I'm heavily researching at the moment. And then another film, perhaps with Italy dealing with refugees and what's happening at the moment in Europe with that crisis, through quite a courageous character who goes out on a limb to help the refugees. So sort of inspired by a true story that we've come across. I think we've learnt so much, so it will make the next one easier. I'm sure it will always be challenging, but it feels like there's a clear path now." The Space Between is currently screening at the Italian Film Festival, which tours Australia until October 19. Check out our top five picks of the festival.
If you're a fan of Chinese-Australian artist Zhong Chen, here's some good news. As of November 22, you'll be able to sleep with his works. The Art Series Hotel Group has just revealed the first images of the latest venture and it's a five-storey, 100-room number dedicated to him. Named The Chen, the hotel is in Box Hill, 14 kilometres east of Melbourne, within Whitehorse Towers, which, at 36 storeys, is the tallest development outside of the Victorian capital's CBD. Architects Peddle Thorp have taken care of the design, inspired by Chen's King Fu series and, as you'd expect, fun, bold, bright colours rule. There's a bunch of digital archival fine art editions of Chen's works, as well as a stack of originals, including Rooster, fitting because Chen was born in the Year of the Rooster (1969) and the hotel will open in the Year of the Rooster (that's this year). There'll be four in-hotel spots for eating and drinking, including a yum cha restaurant, as well as a gym, events space and rooftop pool (which is, unfortunately, only for guest use). You can also count on the Art Series' usual arty facilities and activities, including tours, libraries, television channels and documentaries, as well as Art Series-branded smart cars and Lekker bicycles available for guests. "I have lived and worked in Box Hill for nearly a decade," said Chen. "I am passionate about my community and its emergence as a cultural powerhouse outside of Melbourne. To have a hotel of such significance, opening in the year of my birth sign, is a true honour. I look forward to meeting guests and seeing how they interact with the hotel and my artworks. It is sure to be a surreal experience." The Chen will open at 820 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill on November 22. For more info or to book a room, visit artserieshotels.com.au/chen.
Fresh from stacking its 2018 lineup with 43 titles straight from Cannes, this year's Melbourne International Film Festival has unveiled its entire program — that is, the full range of 393 films you'll be trying to feast your eyes on between August 2 and 19. Artistic director Michelle Carey final fest — with long-term programmer Al Cossar stepping into the top spot for next year — 2018's MIFF selection includes 254 feature films, 120 shorts and 19 virtual reality experiences. Numbers-wise, it also features 27 world premieres and a hefty 168 flicks making their Australian debut. As always, MIFF's program offers a smorgasbord of cinematic delights that span high-profile must-sees, under-sung gems, and weird and wonderful surprises. After kicking off with the previously announced Wildlife, starring Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal, cinephiles can catch computer-screen thriller Profile, Laura Dern-led childhood trauma drama The Tale, Nick Hornby rom-com adaptation Juliet, Naked, and inventive movie mashup The Green Fog. There's also Robert Pattinson trying to woo Mia Wasikowska in the comedic western Damsel, Yayoi Kusama documentary Kusama: Infinity, Ellen Page living in a post-zombie world in The Cured and the stunning doco Three Identical Strangers. In addition, Winter's Bone filmmaker Debra Granik is coming to town with her excellent new drama Leave No Trace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0uZ6QbFvKk Of course, it wouldn't be a MIFF without South Korean auteur Hong Sang-soo's next soju-soaked piece of sweetness, this time called Grass. Or, without this year's Palme d'Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda and his Cannes hit Shoplifters — his previous murder mystery The Third Murder is also on the bill. Other standouts include music docos about Elvis and contemporary America, boy bands and Melbourne's independent scene; five sessions of full-dome flicks at the Melbourne Planetarium; retrospectives on African cinema, fashion and film, French directing duo Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, and 60s and 70s Italian crime flicks. Plus, if you're after something more than just the usual movie screening, sessions of noodle western Tampopo and Prince concert film Sign O' The Times will take place at the Astor. Yes, the former includes a bowl of ramen. On the local front, MIFF will play host to more than 20 new Aussie features — including world premieres in its centrepiece and closing night slot. Aussie rules comedy The Merger, which is based on the stage show of the same name, will take the middle spot, while Melbourne-made documentary The Coming Back Out Ball, charting the real-life event that took place in October 2017, will finish out the fest. Other Aussie efforts range from Acute Misfortune, starring Snowtown's Daniel Henshall as Archibald Prize-winning artist Adam Cullen; to psychological drama Celeste, featuring Radha Mitchell; to Geelong-shot thriller Undertow. From the doco slate, Island of the Hungry Ghosts delves into both migrating crabs and political detainees, Undermined: Tales from The Kimberley explores the threats currently facing the titular region, and Happy Sad Man tackles men living with mental illness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9hYUhpuc2I Plus, as already revealed, MIFF 2018 will be big on special events thanks to an all-night tribute to Nicholas Cage, a one-off screening of Drive with a live score and Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat in conversation. Today's new titles join the fest's huge Cannes haul, as well as the other 32 films that were unveiled back in June. Think documentary The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Man, exceptional crime thriller You Were Never Really Here and devastating Chinese corruption drama Angels Wear White, alongside Gaspar Noé's Climax, Terry Gilliam's long-awaited The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, and Asghar Farhadi's Everybody Knows with Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem.
With each passing festival season, music lineups dominate the hubbub. But with great grub now proving just as much a drawcard as those tunes, festivals are taking their food element next-level. Gone are the days of sad sausage rolls, scoffed speedily between stages — festival food is having a moment. Last year, Sugar Mountain Festival introduced a new onsite dining concept called Sensory, collaborating with some iconic Melbourne names to treat food-loving festivalgoers to an "immersive restaurant experiment". A mega success straight off the bat, Sensory is set to return for Sugar Mountain 2017, on January 21, having pulled together another cracking lineup of tastes, sights, and sounds. An indoor space within the festival's home at the Victorian College of the Arts will be transformed for the multi-dimensional event. There'll be multiple sittings throughout the day, with each 60-minute set-menu experience designed to take guests on a dazzling multi-sensory journey. Peter Gunn, the envelope-pushing chef behind Collingwood fine diner IDES, will be working his magic on the menu, sticking to form to deliver a cutting-edge culinary extravaganza. Meanwhile, the accompanying visual feast is sure to be every bit as impressive, with acclaimed multimedia artist Daniel Arsham taking the reins on the space design — fresh, might we add, from his collaboration with Pharrell Williams for Rules of the Game, which showed at Brisbane Festival this year. And all the while, those earholes will be in total aural heaven, thanks to a glittering, hour-long score crafted by S U R V I V E — yep, that's the Texan band behind the Stranger Things '80s-style hit soundtrack. Of course, the festival's foodie fabulousness extends beyond Sensory's walls, with eats from the likes of Kong BBQ, 8Bit, Pretty Mama and Pidapipo on hand to back up the musical treats. Summer-worthy cocktails will be shaken and stirred by the crew from The Top, while beer partner Sample Brew will be slinging a variety of tap beers and an exclusive range of tinnies. All-inclusive tickets to Sensory are priced at $70 each, and go on sale at 8am, November 16. Grab one separately, or bundle it together with a Sugar Mountain ticket.
Australians looking to travel to New Zealand must consider the current COVID-19 advice. For information on quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand, head over to the NZ Government's COVID-19 hub. When the colder months roll around, it's natural to reach for anything that screams warm and comfort — even when you're on holidays. The trans-Tasman bubble is finally open, so you might be planning a midyear jaunt to New Zealand; however, don't think you have to spend your time away staying cosy inside. There's a time and place for that, of course. But NZ's winter festivals will give you a stack of reasons to get out and enjoy the crisp air. From slopeside music festivals to month-long food celebrations and kaleidoscopic light shows, here are ten festival across New Zealand that you should drop into your winter getaway itinerary. [caption id="attachment_720775" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Audiology.[/caption] MARDI GRAS, OHAKUNE/QUEENSTOWN Mardi Gras is arguably New Zealand's biggest winter party — and this year its spreading the fun over two weekends in two different locations. On Saturday, June 19, Ohakune is the spot to catch a lineup of dance floor favourites. Promoters Audiology have teased six international acts ahead of this year's first lineup announcement, including UK-based electronic producer Dimension, drum and bass DJ Culture Shock, Australian singer-songwriter Nyxen and trap producer Quix. They'll be joined by a monster lineup of local talent. The event in Queenstown on Saturday, June 26 comes with snow-capped peaks and an intimate capacity of only 3000. [caption id="attachment_624534" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Serena Stevenson.[/caption] MATARIKI FESTIVAL, AUCKLAND While we have to wait until next year for the first-ever Matariki public holiday, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the beginning of the Māori new year in 2021. Every year Auckland Council's Matariki Festival consistently delivers a series of delightful events. The exact details are yet to be announced for 2021, but you can expect everything from street food and live performances, right through to light festivals, stargazing, Māori art workshops and film screenings. Matariki is seen as a time to reflect on Māori identity, as well as an opportunity to look to the future. The 2021 festival runs from June 19 to July 11 right across Tāmaki Makaurau. [caption id="attachment_797316" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matt Wiseman.[/caption] SNOW MACHINE, QUEENSTOWN After making its debut in Japan last year, alpine music festival Snow Machine is hitting the slopes for four snow-filled days of music and adventure. Attendees at the New Zealand edition from September 8–11, 2021 will be treated to action-packed days on the slopes, aprés ski events on both Coronet Peak and The Remarkables and a lineup of international acts against the idyllic backdrop of Queenstown. A who's who of Australian electronic acts will warm up the frosty evenings, including headliners The Avalanches, Flight Facilities, Hayden James and The Presets. Tickets to Snow Machine 2021 are all-in-one, offering a variety of accomodation options and lift passes. VISA WELLINGTON ON A PLATE, WELLINGTON After being forced out of its usual slot in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Visa Wellington On a Plate is set to return for its 13th year from August 1–31, 2021. The huge event typically sees more than 100 flavour-packed events, special dining menus, burgers and craft cocktails take over the capital city. This year's edition will keep the three-tiered format — Dine Wellington, Burger Wellington and Cocktail Wellington — celebrating the immense depth of culinary talent within the region. Sibling events Road to Beervana and (August 6–15) and Beervana (August 13–14) are there, too, giving you plenty of reasons to drop by or hang around the capital. WINTER PRIDE, QUEENSTOWN Combining winter sports with community and inclusion, Winter Pride is all about locals and visitors embracing the cool weather and their diversity. The event is typically packed with dance parties, speed dating, skiing, boarding and all-round good times. There's a number of different packages to choose from between August 27 to September 5, including passes to all events and revolving door access. Stay tuned for the full lineup announcement. SNOWBOXX, QUEENSTOWN Typically held in the heart of the French Alps, Snowboxx is a multi-discipline winter festival that shines a spotlight on electronic music and snowsports. Previously expected to arrive in 2019 — and then 2020 — the event will finally slide Down Under this September for one week of international acts, slope-side parties and off-mountain experiences in the adventure capital. Landing between Treble Cone and Cardrona from September 7–14, Snowboxx will see Shapeshifter, Lee Mvtthews and Concord Dawn hit the stage. Attendees are also invited to enjoy on and off-mountain activities like bottomless disco brunches, igloo parties, sled races, comedy nights, snowball fights and aprés ski experiences throughout the week. [caption id="attachment_636636" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simeon W.[/caption] LOEMIS FESTIVAL, WELLINGTON Lōemis Festival returns for its sixth year with a lineup of events celebrating the winter solstice from June 11–21, 2021. The winter solstice is marked by the shortest day and longest night of the year and has often been associated with regeneration, rebirth and self-reflection. Each year the festival aims to deliver an innovative program with a strong focus on the ritualistic, mystical and fantastical elements of the solstice. Previous ritualistic events have included spiritual dance theatre works, multi-course fish degustations and spooky storytelling cocktail evenings. It comes to an end with the burning of a massive art installation right on the harbour. LUMA SOUTHERN LIGHT PROJECT, QUEENSTOWN After pulling the plug in 2020, Queenstown's kaleidoscopic light festival will return for its fifth outing this Queen's Birthday weekend. Luma Southern Light Project brings together illuminated art, light sculpture, performance and community over four days from June 4–7, 2021. As the sun goes down over the long weekend, the Queenstown Gardens will be transformed into a creative outdoor stage of visual arts, performing arts, music, film and digital media. 500 local artists and contributors have contributed to this year's festival. As well as light installations dotted around Queenstown Gardens and shore of Lake Wakatipu, previous events have featured moving images projected right onto the lake, works created from recycled materials and roaming performers — from hypercolour fairies to acrobatic tree dancers. TAUPO WINTER FESTIVAL, TAUPO The sixth annual Taupō Winter Festival offers an action-packed program over two weeks in 2021. Running from July 9–25, you'll have the choice of hitting a lakeside ice rink, jumping in a giant inflatable snow globe with cold white stuff directly from neighbouring Mount Ruapehu, attending a mountain-themed film festival, catching live circus acts and downing free hot chocolates. What's more, most of the events are free to attend. [caption id="attachment_790171" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Vanessa Rushton.[/caption] WELLINGTON JAZZ FESTIVAL, WELLINGTON The capital's annual celebration of jazz music is set to return this June 9–13 with more than 100 free and ticketed gigs taking place over just five days. This year's lineup is bursting with fresh new music from around the country, including the likes of Opera House headliners Whirimako Black, The Nathan Haines Octet and Michael Houstoun with the Rodger Fox Big Band. Elsewhere, there'll be big bands, tribute gigs, world premieres and album launches. There really is something for everyone — as long as you can shake your jazz hands at it. Top image: Snow Machine, Zachary Zaza.
Hold onto your doughnuts and prepare to say ay, caramba! more than once, because the Sydney Opera House has just announced a huuuuge headliner for this year's GRAPHIC festival: Matt Groening. The comedic cartoonist genius responsible for The Simpsons and Futurama will make his way to Australia for the very first time to speak at the two-day festival this November, which celebrates pop culture and graphic storytelling, animation and music. Considering most of us probably acquired the large majority of our pre-Internet knowledge on global popular culture from Groening's work (well, when we could wrangle watching The Simpsons instead of the 6pm news), it seems like a brilliant full circle that we're now able to see him speak IRL as adults. He will deliver a talk titled Secrets of The Simpsons, and a Couple of Milhouse Fun Facts, which will delve into the making of the show, include hardly-seen clips and apparently even some full-frontal cartoon nudity. He will also join a session with his friend and fellow cartoonist Lynda Barry. "The most intense Simpsons fanatics I've met are from Australia, so I'm coming to Sydney to check out all you lunatics," Groening said. "I'm going to share stories of the making of The Simpsons and show embarrassing home movies and rarely-seen animation, including oddball outtakes and uncensored Itchy & Scratchy cartoons." Other highlights from the GRAPHIC 2016 program announced this morning include a screening of George Lucas' 1971 sci-fi epic THX 1138, which will be re-scored live by Asian Dub Foundation. There will be a heap of free talks from cartoonists including Leunig and First Dog on the Moon, as well as two film premieres from Nail Gaiman, who has previously called the festival "the smartest, wisest, most cutting-edge festival and celebration of narrative literature and its intersection with culture in the world". GRAPHIC will take place at the Sydney Opera House from November 4-5. Tickets go on sale on Friday, September 16 here.
Most people's reluctance to get tattooed stems from the niggling suspicion that Kermit the Frog may not be timeless. But before at least there was solace in the idea that when you died, your skin would rot away and all tattoo sins would be forgiven (unless we get that cheapo tattoo removal cream we’ve been promised). Now, as we always knew they would, tattoo artists have found a way to conquer death. Save My Ink is a tattoo preservation service that you never knew you wanted, offered by the National Association for the Preservation of Skin Art (NAPSA). And by preservation service, this is what we mean: when you die, they come and cut your tattoo off and frame it. (?_?) So here’s the deal if you want to preserve your butterfly tramp stamp to pass along to your children. The tattoo preservation service is only available to NAPSA members, which requires you to pay a sign-up fee and annual membership fee. Then, when you die, your beneficiaries (the lucky ones who will receive your decorated skin flap) will notify NAPSA who will send in their technicians to hack off your skin art. Within three to six months, your presumably still-grieving family will receive your tattoo and will be able to promptly try to clone you with the DNA therein. You can have as many tattoos preserved as you please, as long as they’re not on the face or genitals (that would be way too creepy). In all seriousness though, while this is a pretty morbid service, it kind of makes sense. Tattoos are often sentimental, unique and used to commemorate big life events, so for some it may be comforting to preserve them. And it would be an easy way to resolve the practicalities of issues like this. For more information, check out the Save My Ink website here.
Sandra Oh taking on co-hosting duties with Andy Samberg and taking home a trophy of her own. Maya Rudolph proposing to Amy Poehler. Olivia Colman proving a worldwide treasure yet again. Christian Bale not only reminding everyone that he's British, but thanking Satan in his acceptance speech. They're just some of the highlights of this year's Golden Globes, and the list only continues. Carol Burnett and Jeff Bridges picked up lifetime achievement awards, and Regina King vowed to only work on productions that achieve gender parity for the next two years. Elsewhere, Willem Dafoe got a flu shot, and Jim Carrey was forced to move from the film to the TV section now that he's made the leap to the small screen in Kidding. That's the ceremony side of proceedings. When it comes to the Globes' winners, plenty of 2018's blockbusters took home awards — Bohemian Rhapsody snagged the big one, Best Motion Picture — Drama, beating out A Star Is Born (which was nonetheless awarded Best Original Song — Motion Picture for the banger 'Shallow'). The forthcoming Green Book also got a movie accolade, and comedies The Marvellous Mrs Maisel and The Kominsky Method won out in the television realm. But now that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association have made anointed their best flicks and shows productions of 2018, we've chosen our top picks of their picks. Some you'll find at the cinema or on your streaming platform of choice right now. Some are coming soon. All of them should be added to your must-watch list. MOVIE MUST-SEES https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp_i7cnOgbQ ROMA With Roma, Gravity's Alfonso Cuarón makes his most personal effort yet, with this tale of a Mexican housekeeper partly drawn from his own upbringing. That said, the filmmaker's gorgeously shot black-and-white feature doesn't just feel like a window into the 70s neighbourhood where he grew up, or an intimate account of the political reality of the time. Rather, it feels like a personal story for everyone that the world doesn't usually see. One of the best efforts of 2018, this stunner also benefits from a quietly expressive lead performance from Yalitza Aparicio, who puts in her first ever on-screen performance. The empathetic star deserves the same kind of free-flowing acclaim that writer/director/cinematographer Cuarón has been getting — although Cuarón thoroughly deserves his accolades as well. GLOBES Won: Best Motion Picture — Foreign Language, Best Director — Motion Picture (Alfonso Cuarón). Nominated: Best Screenplay — Motion Picture (Alfonso Cuarón). Now streaming on Netflix — read our review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbfIIGRfRJg SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE "We're in an alternate universe," said writer/producer Phil Lord as he accepted Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse's award. Whichever world we're in, thankfully it includes this enthralling animated feature. Into the Spider-Verse is the perfect antidote for anyone suffering from spider-fatigue — aka a condition we've all been experiencing after seeing three different actors become the web-slinger over the past two decades. With kaleidoscopic visuals that look strikingly cinematic while nodding to Spidey's comic book days, the film doesn't just focus on the antics of Brooklyn high-schooler Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) after he's bitten by a radioactive arachnid. This smart, heartfelt coming-of-age effort lets audiences enjoy many, many spider-folk, including Peter Porker, Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man Noir, and Peni Parker and her mechanical offsider SP//dr. GLOBES Won: Best Motion Picture — Animated. In cinemas now — read our review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYb-wkehT1g THE FAVOURITE An awards season favourite, this period drama might've only picked up one gong at the Globes, but it's certain to keep featuring as the BAFTAs and Oscars roll around. It's such a delicious, comedic take on genre that's often anything but those two things — although when The Lobster's Yorgos Lanthimos tries his hand at British regal history, that's probably to be expected. Best actress in a drama recipient Olivia Colman steps into the shoes of real-life English monarch Queen Anne, while Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone also dazzle as the women vying for her attention and affection. In her acceptance speech, Colman made it clear just how much fun she had making the movie, and it shows in every frame of the finished product. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy (Olivia Colman). Nominated: Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture (Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone), Best Screenplay — Motion Picture (Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara). In cinemas now — read our review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfxerpiKGsk THE WIFE It happens every year. Sometimes it's an actor, sometimes it's someone working behind the lens — but whoever it is, they're not only earning acclaim for their latest great effort, but for their great career in general. Consider it a body of work award or a catch-up trophy, rewarding a talent who hasn't perhaps received the recognition that they've always deserved. In 2019, Glenn Close fits the bill with The Wife, where she plays the woman who's always stood behind her successful author husband. Still, hers truly a fantastic performance and one deserving of glistening accolades, all in a movie that couldn't be more timely thematically. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama (Glenn Close). Now available on DVD and Google Play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8qbq6Z6HYk IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK Two years after Moonlight's Oscar win over La La Land, Barry Jenkins returns with another intimate and affecting film. This time around, the supremely talented writer/director adapts James Baldwin's novel If Beale Street Could Talk — and if you've seen the documentary I Am Not Your Negro, which also found its basis in Baldwin's work, then you know you're in for a complex and passionate effort. Narrative-wise, the romantic drama follows couple Tish (KiKi Layne) and Fonny (Stephan James). It's the 70s, and they're expecting their first child when Fonny is falsely accused of rape. As he did with Moonlight, Baldwin excels not only in his emotional and visual storytelling, but in bringing together an exceptional cast, including Globe winner Regina King as Tish's mother. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture (Regina King). Nominated: Best Motion Picture — Drama, Best Screenplay — Motion Picture (Barry Jenkins). In Australian cinemas February 14, New Zealand cinemas March 7. SMALL SCREEN BINGES https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLfLU6-9lxY BODYGUARD There's no shortage of British TV shows about cops, politics and both, but that doesn't mean that they're all alike. In fact, there's nothing standard or routine about this recent addition to the fold. In Bodyguard, Game of Thrones' Richard Madden is a post traumatic stress-afflicted ex-soldier turned police protection officer — and one who's assigned to guard a controversial politician (Keeley Hawes) that he strong disagrees with. As well as proving gripping and tense from start to finish, this six-part psychological thriller shows that newly-minted Globe winner Madden boasts talents far, far beyond attending GoT's infamous Red Wedding. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series — Drama (Richard Madden). Nominated: Best Television Series — Drama. Now streaming on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MBjBavIC9U KILLING EVE This year's ceremony belonged to Sandra Oh, and that really shouldn't come as a surprise. Three decades after her first screen appearances, the hard-working actor has turned in the standout performance of her incredibly consistent career in Killing Eve, and she has been duly rewarded for it. Playing the titular MI5 officer, Oh immerses herself in a role that segues from bored spy to determined obsessive as she tracks the path of an alluring international assassin (Jodie Comer). Developed by Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge based on the Codename Villanelle novellas by Luke Jennings, the end result is a thrillingly twisty espionage effort that never does what you expect. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama (Sandra Oh). Nominated: Best Television Series — Drama. Now streaming on ABC iView in Australia and TVNZ in New Zealand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggDTJc470Co A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL Last time that Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw worked on the same project, it was in one of the most delightful films of this decade — and in a heartwarming family affair too. Now, the duo have leapt from Paddington 2's charms to a political controversy, or from one extreme to another. The pair take on the roles of British Member of Parliament Jeremy Thorpe and his ex-lover Norman Scott, and if you're unaware of the very English real-life scandal that arose in the late 70s, the details are best discovered by watching. Based on a true-crime novel of the same name, the three-part effort also benefits from excellent writing and direction, the former from Queer as Folk and Doctor Who's Russell T Davies and the latter from High Fidelity and The Queen's Stephen Frears. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Ben Whishaw). Nominated: Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television (Hugh Grant). Screening on Foxtel in Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8T__5EjhYs ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA If you've missed seeing Ben Stiller on your screens of late, that's because he's been busy stepping behind the camera. The actor's directorial credits already include Reality Bites, Tropic Thunder and the Zoolander flicks, but now he's added TV show Escape at Dannemora to his resume. Starring Golden Globe-winner Patricia Arquette alongside Benicio del Toro and Paul Dano, the limited series does what so many crime-focused efforts do, finding its basis in a tale that can only be true. Back in 2015 in upstate New York, two convicted murderers made a daring escape from prison, as assisted by a female employee — and how and why the whole situation came about fuels the program's seven episodes. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television (Patricia Arquette). Nominated: Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. Now streaming on Stan in Australia, and screening on SOHO in New Zealand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s64PUUHD6UQ SHARP OBJECTS When it comes to big names, Sharp Objects has plenty. Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson star, Big Little Lies' Jean-Marc Vallée directs and the whole project is based on a book by Gone Girl's Gillian Flynn. When it comes to big-impact thrills, this four-part series also ticks all of the boxes. Indeed, the show's main performers are as exceptional as they've both always been — which is no easy feat given both Adams and Clarkson's careers. The former plays a troubled crime reporter chasing a story that takes her back to her home town, while the latter plays her socialite mother. GLOBES Won: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Patricia Clarkson). Nominated: Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television (Amy Adams). Now streaming on Foxtel Now in Australia, and NEON in New Zealand.
A common problem when you're trying to be somewhat healthy is picking a place for a quick dinner — pick a spot with a limited menu and it can completely throw off all the good work you've done. But that's all set to change at BEN'S Supernatural in Melbourne's South Yarra: a 'healthy' (if not just healthier) fast food eatery. BEN'S stands for Balance, Energy, Nutrition and Sustenance, in case you just thought we were yelling the name at you. With a menu developed over two years by executive chef David Selex (ex-Florentino and London's Nobu), each item has been given the tick of approval by head nutritionist Bannie Williams of The Healthy Ingredient. Burgers? Pizzas? Pancakes? Heartily encouraged and on the menu. BEN'S master baker David Flukes apparently spent 18 months perfecting the low-carb burger buns. Each dish is also backed by macro nutritional data, and with the calculator, you can tailor your meal to focus on high protein, low sugar, or Hugh Jackman's Wolverine diet. Vegans, paleo and gluten-free diners will also be satisfied with a variety of alternatives. Customers can view the nutritional profile of not just every meal, but each individual ingredient, along with detailed information about allergens and dietary requirements. "When we set out to create BEN'S, we decided we wanted to develop a completely transparent menu — simply because our food has nothing to hide," says founder Casey George-Jolson. Find BEN'S Supernatural Fast Food at 670 Chapel Street, South Yarra. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week from 7.30am Monday - Friday and 8.30am Saturday and Sunday.
Gauchito Gil is Argentina's Robin Hood. As such, it seems fitting that Australia's own Malbec World Day has been borrowed from the South American country, where the majority of the world's Malbec comes from. If this day is a donation from the grape god, it's one we're happy to accept. And with the help of Gauchito Gil, Malbec World Day will be celebrated in Melbourne with a seven-hour wine bonanza at Ormond Hall on Friday, April 17. Back for a second year, the event comes from the organisers of the Pinot Palooza and Game of Rhones, and mirrors the free-reign tasting set up. Your $40 ticket will include a wine glass, and from there you'll be able to move around, sampling over 80 Australian and Argentine Malbec varietals. Other events have been known to get a little boozy, so to soak up all that wine, there will be top-notch empanadas from some restaurants including Huxtable and San Telmo. It really doesn't matter if you know everything there is about Malbec or if you don't know much at all, because Malbec World Day is about education and celebration of the Argentine grape. And what better way to celebrate than with an unending glass of wine?
There's only a handful of sleeps until Splendour in the Grass once again blows our wee minds, and we've been whiling away the hours by bingeing on live clips in anticipation. And who better to YouTube stalk than one of our favourite artists, English bedroom producer (with pipes to back it all up) James Blake. Blake's music is made to be performed live — all the better to feel shivers up your spine. He's performing at Splendour over the weekend and a string of official sideshows — Sydney's Hordern Pavilion on Tuesday, July 26 and Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday, July 27 — thereafter so no doubt we can expect to add a few more classics to this list. Have your phone camera (and tissues) at the ready. 'I NEED A FOREST FIRE' - GLASTONBURY 2016 It's not news to anyone that Justin Vernon (better known as Bon Iver) and James Blake are good mates. Of course they are — they probably bonded over their soaring, soulful singing voices and create music that generates All The Feels. So when Vernon made a surprise appearance at Glastonbury last month, jumping up on stage to perform 'I Need a Forest Fire' from Blake's most recent album The Colour in Anything, it was pure, ethereal magic. The pair collaborated closely on the album and their chemistry shows on stage when those two unmistakable voices harmonise perfectly. GLASTONBURY 2016 'TIMELESS' During the same performance at this year's Glastonbury, Blake was joined on stage by rapper Vince Staples during his rendition of 'Timeless', also from The Colour In Anything. Staples raps, Blake plays the piano, tension builds and together they bring a whole new flavour to the song and FOMO to the streaming townspeople. It's like 'Timeless' was made for a collaboration that never materialised, but during this performance it's made whole. And it's only the start of a beautiful (and musically fertile) friendship, as Staples has enlisted Blake to produce his upcoming album. 'RETROGRADE' - DAVID LETTERMAN 2013 'Retrograde', off Blake's second album Overgrown, has to be the pinnacle of 'Blake-ism' — the otherworldly, richly melancholic style for which he's become renown — and his performance on Letterman in 2013 is still one of the most captivating renditions of it to this day. So many bedroom producers struggle to translate well to the stage, but Blake nails this performance without dropping a single note. It's no wonder America sat up and paid attention after this slam dunk. 'CMYK' — MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL 2011 'CMYK' is the title track from one of Blake's earlier EPs, the 2010 release of the same name. It's an album that's categorised as soft dubstep and samples heavily from '90s R&B staples (like Aliyah's 'Are You That Somebody'), so while it's not exactly the James Blake you know and love today, damn is it good. He performed it at the 2011 Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and even watching the video makes us want to get up to get down. As a side note, the video editing is on point, turning what could have been a static video of the stage into a visual feast that captures the feeling of being at an electric gig. Snaps all round for this one. 'LIMIT TO YOUR LOVE — MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL 2013 Here's another from the Montreux Jazz Festival, where Blake performed again in 2013. The set is more intimate, more demure, but fizzling with emotion and his performance of 'Limit to Your Love' is arguably the crown jewel. While he hits every note perfectly, there's a rough quality to 'Limit to your Love' (so different from his normally silky songs) that, in tandem with the sparse but elegant production, makes for a fascinating performance. It's also great to see the whole band enjoying themselves. You can catch the whole performance here. Geared up for a live set IRL from James Blake? He'll be here for the very sold-out Splendour in the Grass in Byron Bay, as well as two official sideshows before the festival — Sydney's Hordern Pavilion on Tuesday, July 26 and Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday, July 27. Tickets here.
You thought the time for giant slides was through. You thought you'd missed the boat. You thought you'd be doomed to slide down your own shitty bits of plastic soaked with detergent and your backyard hose forever. You're in luck, slider. There's a freakin' huge slide coming to Australia and you can skid right down the middle of it. Slide the City is a multi-city series hitting Sydney, Melbourne and Perth with more national dates to be announced. It's a gargantuan 300 metre vinyl slip 'n' slide that dares to rival the likes of Slide Melbourne, Slidestreet and every detergent-laden giant slide you've ever created in your own backyard. Apparently this is equal to nearly three football fields worth of sliding. Family-friendly and encouraging of dress-ups, Slide the City is so much more than a slide. There'll be live music, food stalls and a bar popping up on the day — all you have to do is bring your water buckets, floaties and super soakers — yep, you're actually encouraged to bring these. Unless otherwise specified, sliding starts at 9am and goes until 7pm. We know what you're thinking (after all the fun sliding bit's done), what about water wastage? In fact, the team are taking great pains to keep the event's environmental impact low, even swinging the whole thing to raise awareness of water conservation. Good stuff, team. SLIDE THE CITY 2016 DATES: MELBOURNE — Sunday, January 10 SYDNEY — Friday, January 15, Saturday, January 16 and Sunday, January 17 WOLLONGONG — TBC SUNSHINE COAST — TBC TOWNSVILLE — TBC GOLD COAST — TBC NEWCASTLE — TBC Register for tickets at the Slide the City website.
The 2018 Alliance Française French Film Festival might be one year short of a major milestone, but the Gallic cinema showcase is still celebrating its 29th iteration in style. As always, that means a feast of films is on the agenda at the crowd-drawing and -pleasing annual event — 47 features, two documentaries and one televisions series, in fact. Touring the country from February 27, starting in Sydney before heading to Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart, Adelaide, Parramatta and Casula, this year's AFFFF will bookend its program with amusement. The festival kicks off with comedy C'est la vie! from The Intouchables duo Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, before coming to a close with rom-com 50 Is the New 30. In-between, everything from acclaimed efforts to star-studded dramas to the latest work from master directors will grace cinema screens around Australia, celebrating the best in French film from the past twelve months. Sitting high amongst the highlights are the AIDS activism-focused BPM and the Juliette Binoche-starring Let the Sunshine In, which will both receive a nation-wide run after screening at last year's Melbourne International Film Festival. In the high-profile camp, they're joined by a Marion Cotillard double, with the acclaimed actress featuring in last year's Cannes opening night pick Ismael's Ghosts and comedy Rock'n Roll; romantic drama The Return of the Hero with Mélanie Laurent and The Artist Oscar-winner Jean Dujardin; Isabelle Huppert in coming-of-age effort Reinventing Marvin; and Gael Garcia Bernal in If You Saw His Heart. Or fans of prominent French filmmakers can get their fix courtesy of François Ozon's Double Lover and Xavier Beauvois' The Guardians, marking the latest flicks from the respective directors of Frantz and Of Gods and Men. The Artist's Michel Hazanavicius tackles an icon, turning the life of Jean-Luc Godard into Redoubtable, while Laurent Cantet jumps from 2008 Palme d'Or-winner The Class to thriller The Workshop. Elsewhere, actor-director Mathieu Amalric helms and features in Barbara, about an actress starring in a biopic about a famed chanteuse AFFFF 2018 will also shine a spotlight on queer cinema for the first time, to celebrate marriage equality, and also include its usual selection of family-friendly fare for younger cinephiles. And, for those keen on catching some TV on the big screen, three episodes of Paris, Etc will whisk you away to the French capital, following the lives and loves of Parisian women. The Alliance Française French Film Festival tours Australia from February 27, screening at Sydney's Chauvel Cinema, Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace from February 27 to March 27; Melbourne's Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Kino Cinemas and The Astor Theatre from February 28 to March 27; and Brisbane's Palace Barracks and Palace Centro from March 8 to April 4. For more information, visit the festival website.
Turn your Hilver into a Klimpen in just three easy steps. Homeware giant IKEA are officially developing their own ‘hackable’ furniture, monetising a concept their customers have already been embracing for years. Announced at IKEA’s second annual Democratic Design Day at company HQ in Sweden, the official IKEA hack kit will allow shoppers to alter their furniture at will. Customisable items would be marked as such in the store, with ideas for various hacks listed online. From there, customers can purchase a hack kit and voila, your desk chair is suddenly a six-piece outdoor lounge. Well, not quite. But you'll be able to change things up a little. The concept behind IKEA hacking is certainly nothing new. Plenty of customers have tried mashing different IKEA items together over the years, treating the products like the oversized Lego kits that they’ve always vaguely resembled. This Italian company, for example, has come up with some genuinely amazing designs. In the past, IKEA haven’t taken too kindly to people straying from the instructions. They even threatened legal action against the fan-run blog IkeaHackers.net, although they eventually backed down in the wake of widespread public backlash. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6XeDShIFbQ&t=0m10s From both a business and public relations perspective, it certainly seems to make a lot more sense for IKEA to embrace this trend. That being said, the fact that these would be official products, complete with instructions, does kind of take away some of the fun. That you’d have to pay for the hack kits doesn’t really help things either. IKEA haven’t actually moved past the initial design phase yet, so no word on when the hack kits will become available — if they become available at all. They’re also considering an official swap program, wherein you can trade in your old IKEA furniture and get credit towards new pieces. And yea, the circle of life continues. Via Gizmodo. Image: Teste Di Legno.
They streaked in their Birkenstocks, now they're headed our way. Portlandians Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks are touring Australia this March, hitting Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide and Wollongong, with guest appearances at Perth International Arts Festival and Melbourne Zoo Twilights and Golden Plains. The band describes their 2015 tour plans to be "a rambunctious and raucous bunch of shows", so gear up for one humdinger of a shindig. Fresh off the back of their most recent (and wonderfully-named) album, Wig Out at Jagbags, the Oregon-based crew are bringing their playful, intelligent rock-pop to your town. Jeff Rosenstock from Alternative Press rated the Wig Out album four stars, stating "this album is full of so much life and melody that it stands as a refreshing alternative to the increasingly homogeneous state of indie rock." Letterman thought they were "lovely" after their debut performance. Fresh from living the range life at the Melbourne Zoo on the weekend, the crew have announced two intimate shows in Melbourne this week — The Gasometer on Thursday, March 6, and the following night at Toff In Town on Friday, March 7 March before the band jettison off to the Supernatural Amphitheatre at Golden Plains. The legendary Dan Kelly will join his idol as the support for the Gasometer, with The Ocean Party setting the vibes at Toff In Town.
Admit it. When you hear the words 'long weekend' you immediately picture yourself jumping on a plane for a tiny slice of adventure, reclining on the beach, or sipping a cocktail. Long weekends usually involve going somewhere different. The feeling of shucking the constraints of routine are invaluable, but hear us out on this one: you should stay in Melbourne for the Grand Final long weekend. We know it sounds crazy, but there are untold adventures right on your doorstep that will make you see your city a little differently. We've teamed up with Mastercard, and we're asking you to stay home. YOU CAN ACTUALLY WATCH THE GRAND FINAL Get a ticket to the game and enjoy the atmosphere. If you can't be there, watching from a packed and buzzing pub is the next best thing. The Rose in Fitzroy is the best of the best. Book a table and surround yourself with vintage memorabilia and décor and footy themed food and drink specials. YOU CAN FLOAT THROUGH THE CITY We did promise that you would see your city in a whole new way, so here it is. Glide over Melbourne and the Yarra Valley in a Global Ballooning hot air balloon at dawn and take in a new view of the city from the air. A balloon ride at this hour will stop you from sleeping away your precious long weekend, and you'll definitely have the coolest story to share in the pub that night. IT'S PRIME HOT SPRING TEMPERATURE While everyone else is nursing (or creating) their hangovers, take a day to get out of the city and pop down to the peninsula. This is the perfect time of year (before it gets too hot and while it's not arctic) to take a dip in the famous Mornington Peninsula hot springs. While you're in that neck of the woods, take a stroll along the beach or slog out a coast walk – we recommend the Millionaire's Walk, a cliff top walk with views across Port Phillip Bay and the Bellarine Peninsula (and take a sticky beak at some truly insane mansions along the way). PERFECT AMOUNT OF TIME FOR A ROAD TRIP The Great Ocean Road is one of those experiences that we all intend to do but sometimes postpone because of, you know, general life chaos. But the Grand Final weekend is the best time to get out there and make good on your promise. Check out the famous twelve Apostles, quaint seaside villages and the rugged beauty of the Victorian coastline while everyone else is glued to their TVs. If you don't have a car, jump on a tour and feel like you're overseas for the weekend. YOU CAN MINI GOLF, THEN YOU CAN PICNIC Nestled away in the rambling Yarra Bend park is the perfect long weekend activity: a mini golf course. Take on the full 36 holes course, complete with the perfect blend of ridiculous shots, moving parts and novelty sculptures. Make a day of it. Once you've battled it out, grab a couple of beers and have yourself a picnic in the park. Visit priceless.com to see a Melbourne long weekend itinerary from @emmakateco, and more priceless experiences in your city exclusive to Mastercard cardholders.
We sadly bade farewell to Ferdydurke in 2024, one of our favourite bars in Melbourne's CBD. Since opening in 2012, it stood out among the sleek and highly polished bars of the city, deciding instead to embrace its rougher edges and provide an unpretentious space for both chill hangs and live music-fuelled parties. But even though it's now gone, the Office of Public Works group (Section 8, The Beast and formerly Ferdydurke) has teamed up with some of the hospo legends who originally helped set up Ferdydurke to create its replacement: Aster. Thankfully, not too much has changed. The loft's exposed brickwork and beams remain, as does the roaring fireplace and outdoor terrace. What you will notice though, is that it all feels a little more grown-up, from the contemporary wine list and refined snacks to the team replacing live gigs with DJs. Aster also has some serious date-night vibes — its design lends itself to being a playfully romantic spot that's less about big parties (you can still head downstairs to Section 8 for this) and more about intimate hangs. Nonetheless, the crew still promises dancefloor energy on weekends. We've been told to expect anything from jazzy house and cumbia rhythms to northern soul and smooth amapiano. While listening to these tunes, you'll be sipping on a range of classic and modern styles of wine, specialty beers, signature cocktails and artisanal spirits, with a particular focus on local producers. Food has also been given a big makeover, as Executive Chef Jarrod Moore has created a playfully decadent assortment of bites. You can expect dishes like saison black truffle and squid ink salami with guindillas; dark chocolate and rye whiskey marquise, fire-roasted peppers with smoked tomato and goat's cheese; and a poached prawn roll with pickled celery and burnt butter aioli. Images: Arianna Leggiero.
