Melbourne's favourite controversial stage practitioners, Malthouse Theatre, have announced an intriguing, weird and broad 2017 program. Malthouse are known for pushing boundaries with their next-level productions but this year is particularly saucy with a big international quotient. They've announced that 13 productions will make up the 2017 program, featuring a mix of Aussie and international talent. Some of the highlights include the spine-tingling The Black Rider, by Matthew Lutton and Tom Waits. The Black Rider is based on the German folk tale of the freischutz, a marksman in contract with the devil for bullets that always hit their mark, and stars Kanen Breen, Paul Capsis and cabaret dynamo Meow Meow (otherwise known as Melissa Madden Gray). We also like the look of Wild Bore, created, directed and starring Zoe Coombs Marr, Ursula Martinez and Adrienne Truscott (so much talent in one play — bring the smelling salts, we're overwhelmed). They aim to turn the tides on critics and criticism they've received over the course of their illustrious careers and give it right back in their characteristically sassy and off-centre way. The Homosexuals, or Faggots, is another not to be missed — it's self-described as "[swerving] across the road like a drunken driver to create a howlingly funny hour of blistering satire". Written by funny man and one-half of theatre group Sisters Grimm Declan Greene and directed by Griffin Theatre's artistic director Lee Lewis, the play explores hypocrisy and political correctness from the point of view of two married gay men. The rest of the jam-packed program includes an exploration of the psychological effects of China's one child policy directed by Wang Chong, an unapologetically furious critique of language, behaviour and feminism written by Alice Birch, and the story of an up-and-coming country music star and her tumultuous road trip love affair by siblings John and Margaret Harvey. Hold on to your butts. Check out Malthouse Theatre's entire 2017 program at their website.
In a piece of news we're filing under 'how is this just happening now?', New York City is getting ready to host its first ever Donut Fest. Taking over Verboten, a music venue and bar in the heart of Williamsburg, the festival will see the finest bakers in the city gather for a day of deep-fried, sugar-glazed, sprinkle-coated goodness. It's all set to go down on Saturday January 23... giving you just over two weeks to sort out a plane ticket. Vendors in the lineup include The Doughnut Project, whose far out flavours include pineapple with habenero and salted chocolate with buttered pretzel; Erin McKenna's Bakery, whose doughnuts are egg, dairy and gluten free; and Dun-Well Doughnuts, who boast a range of more than 200 flavours including Peach Cobbler, Raspberry Pistachio and Pina Colada. A number of New York's specialty coffee outfits, including Cafe Grumpy and Brooklyn Coffee Roasters, will also be on hand for dunking purposes. Now that's all very well and good, but technically speaking Melbourne actually beat NYC to the punch with Day of the Donut in June last year. Classic New York... always two steps behind. Each vendor at Donut Fest 2016 will submit their favourite creation to compete for the title of New York's Best Donut. All entry fees will be donated to Food Bank for New York City, an organisation that helps combat food poverty in the five boroughs. Via The Gothamist. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Need a bit of a break and love your music? Sure you could leave it all behind and head up to Splendour, if you were lucky enough to get tickets. You didn't? Why not look a little further afield for your music festival fix? Festival season is about to kick into action in the Northern Hemisphere. With a plane ticket in your hand, you need never quit the dancefloor. Take a coffee break and take a scroll through some of the world's most incredible music festivals. We've teamed up with NESCAFÉ to help you take the desk break you, as a hardworking human being, deserve. They're events we'd nab an airfare for just for the festival itself — from big name-driven classics like Glastonbury to boutique gatherings in extraordinary settings, like Japan's mountaintop festival The Labyrinth. The lineups are a bonus. [caption id="attachment_569154" align="alignnone" width="1280"] littlebreadtoast.[/caption] PRIMAVERA SOUND, BARCELONA, SPAIN If you were championing Courtney Barnett before anyone else was listening and spend more than your fair share of hours searching YouTube for undiscovered artists, you'll love Primavera Sound. Just a few of the acts to have made their Spanish festival debut here are LCD Soundsystem, Franz Ferdinand, Wilco, Arcade Fire and Bon Iver. Primavera is all about giving stages to indie and alternative music. When the show's over, hang around for a few days at least to explore Barcelona's winding alleyways, sparkling coastline and late, late (lockout free!) nightlife. This year, Primavera's scheduled for June 1-5. [caption id="attachment_569179" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Labyrinth.[/caption] THE LABYRINTH, JAPAN Lovers of mountains and electronica, add this one to your bucket list. Held among the spectacular peaks of Japan's Niigata Prefecture, The Labyrinth is famous for its amazing surroundings, as well as its hours and hours of uninterrupted music. DJ sets run back-to-back, so you'll have to bring a deckchair to catch your breath. Acts to have made previous lineups include Peter van Hoesen, Donato Dozzy, Svreca and Petar Dundov. The only catch is that only 5 percent of tickets are sold outside Japan, so you need to get smart to get hold of one. Labyrinth 2016 is yet to be announced, but you can expect it to happen in September. [caption id="attachment_569170" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Love International.[/caption] LOVE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL, CROATIA Started in 2006 as Garden Festival, this event has morphed into the Love International Festival. Lesser known than many listings here, it's a week-long, boutique affair, set in a magical garden in Tisno, Croatia, right on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. In fact, there's even a private beach, so you can cool off after sweating it out on the dancefloor. You have a choice of six stages, including one on the sand, one in an olive grove and two on wooden boats. The program is mainly electronica, with a smattering of live acts. Get to Love International 2016 between June 29 and July 5. [caption id="attachment_569144" align="alignnone" width="1280"] SXSW.[/caption] SXSW (SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST), AUSTIN Back when Bob Hawke was Prime Minister and shoulder pads were boss (we're talking 1986), a bunch of music-loving folks in Austin, Texas, got together to talk about the future. What bothered them most was that so many stupendously talented local musicians were struggling to attract interstate — let alone international — attention. So, they decided that if Austin couldn't get to the world, they'd bring the world to Austin. And in 1987, the first ever South by Southwest Festival was held. 29 years on, the event is one of the planet's most influential tastemaking music happenings, featuring more than 2000 acts, 200+ workshops and over 100 stages. The 30th edition is programmed for 10-19 March, 2017. INTO THE VALLEY, SWEDEN Sweden's Into the Valley might be the only festival in the world held in a limestone quarry, which was formed by a meteorite. Not only does such a setting make for infinite Instagramming opportunities, it's also means cracking acoustics. The organisers get the best out of both, with a solid house and electronic lineup booming through super powerful sound systems, as well as fantastical light shows. Plus, there's a brilliant, turquoise swimming hole. Into the Valley takes place in Rättvik, 280 kilometres north of Stockholm. This year, it'll be on July 29-31. [caption id="attachment_569150" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Douglas Mason/Jazz Fest.[/caption] NEW ORLEANS JAZZ AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL, LOUISIANA Jazz makes up just one chunk of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (aka Jazz Fest). You can also count on blues, soul, R&B, rock, Latin, rap, country and bluegrass. Take 2016's program, for example — it's spearheaded by Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Neil Young and Snoop Dogg. Running for eight days, the extravaganza takes over New Orleans' every nook and cranny. To keep you fuelled up between sets, there are more than 70 food stalls, serving up soulful nosh — from crab po' boys and boiled crawfish to fried green tomatoes and oyster patties. 2016's Jazz Fest is running April 22 - May 1. [caption id="attachment_569167" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Meadows in the Mountains.[/caption] MEADOWS IN THE MOUNTAINS, BULGARIA If smaller crowds are more your thing, book a ticket to Bulgaria's Meadows in the Mountains. Set high in the Rhodopes Mountains, this four-day festival offers a blend of live acts and DJs — and loads of time to settle into a hammock and relax. There's also a dedicated 'healing field', where you can partake in yoga lessons, meditation sessions, tantra workshops, cacao ceremonies, sound baths and wholesome food. Stay in a genuine Bulgarian rustic mountain hut or a teepee or carry your own tent with you. Meadows in the Mountains 2016 is on June 10-13. [caption id="attachment_569168" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Nat Urazmetova.[/caption] GLASTONBURY, UK Should Byron Bay's Bluesfest fail to deliver your annual quota of mud, you can always try again at Glastonbury. Held every June on a farm in Somerset, this legendary event often cops a good ol' British deluge — but that only doubles the fun. What's more, if you've just hit sunny Primavera, it's a refreshing sequel. Glastonbury's lineup is always littered with massive names — this year, Muse, Adele, Coldplay, Disclosure, PJ Harvey make up just a sprinkling of them. Needless to say, the tough bit is getting your mitts on a ticket — they sell out faster than Usain Bolt can smash 100 metres. Glastonbury 2016 is coming up June 22-26. [caption id="attachment_569176" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Matias Garabedian.[/caption] MONTREAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, CANADA After Glastonbury and a couple of days at Love International, jump the Atlantic for a change of scene. Like New Orleans Jazz Fest, the Montreal Jazz Festival isn't only about jazz, but also covers its close musical relatives. 2016 headliners include Rufus Wainwright, Ben Harper and Noel Gallagher, alongside jazz stars like Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea and Christian McBride. All in all, you can prepare to see 3000 musicians, representing more than 30 nations, across 650 shows (of which 450 are outdoors and free!). The 35th Montreal Jazz Festival is on June 29 - July 9 2016. [caption id="attachment_568795" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Geoff Stearns.[/caption] BURNING MAN, NEVADA Each year, as the Northern Hemisphere's summer draws to a close, tens and thousands of people gather in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, to take part in Burning Man. It's the only festival on this list to create itself as it happens. In other words, all attendees are participants — rather than followers of a neatly organised, timetabled plan. Over the course of seven days, they build art installations, themed camps, mutant vehicles and performances, thereby creating a temporal and ever-changing metropolis named Black Rock City, which vanishes when the event finishes. If you're travelling solo, you can hook up with others by volunteering. Burning Man 2016 is on August 28 - September 5 (and you'd better go soon before Silicon Valley suits eat it up. Top image: The Labyrinth.
Continuing the theme of this year being the absolute worst, the world lost a music legend today when it was announced that Prince had passed away in his home in Minnesota. He was 57 years old. "It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning," read a statement from his publicist this morning. Tributes have been flowing in on social media for hours. US President Barack Obama described the singer-songwriter as a "creative icon", while Snapchat has unveiled a Purple Rain filter that lets users add purple raindrops to their photos. Here at home, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews tweeted his condolences, and mentioned that the spire at the Melbourne Arts Centre will be lit purple in Prince's honour. Doves are crying in Victoria. RIP Prince. Tonight the Arts Centre's spire will be lit in honour of the purple one. pic.twitter.com/Vd9N1SiAu1 — Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) April 21, 2016 The Arts Centre previously took on a purple hue when Prince performed at the venue in February, as did the sails of the Sydney Opera House during a show there that same month. Many landmarks in the United States have also been lit purple, including Target Field, home to Prince's hometown baseball team the Minnesota Twins. Fitting that it's raining in Minneapolis today. pic.twitter.com/s5KFurDhHi — Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 21, 2016 Via Junkee. Image: Kate Ballis and Tom Blachford for Arts Centre Melbourne.
Low restaurant lighting, basic plating and ineffective Nashville filters ruining your damn life? This social media-savvy restaurant knows your struggle. Israel establishment Carmel Winery have been working tirelessly against low-lit, poorly-composed foodstagrams, teaming up with Tel Aviv restaurant Catit to create special Instagrammable meals on tailor-made crockery. Available only on certain nights, the art project/gastronomy experience/publicity stunt is called 'Foodography' and is probably the most serious control we've ever seen a restaurant take over their social media presence. Created by ceramic design artist Adi Nissani, the Foodography dishes have been crafted to make your food look as good as it possibly could on Instagram. There are two types: This one comes with a little shelf to pop your smartphone into, to minimise pesky hand-created blur and give you that studio backdrop your poor dinner's been missing. Then things get truly crazy... It's like a Lazy Suzan, or the rotating pedestal they had Sofia Vergara perched on at the 2014 Oscars. 'The 360' allows you spin your food around to either get the perfect angle for your snap or take a weirdly hypnotic Vine of your dinner slowly rotating and let's be honest, probably getting truly cold. Look at it go! To be fair, that's some near-perfectly distributed sauce. It's not a cheap escapade of online whimsy; one Foodography session runs at $155 an hour. Yup. Granted, it's five epic-sounding courses (just the first course is bonito fish cured in red wine with grilled organic beetroots and carrots in salt and pomace crust dough, malt crumble, rhubarb jelly, red tune prosciutto, Uzbek apricots) and cheaper than a Blumenthal sitting — and obviously you'll take significantly superior Instagram photos — something that's only sort of acceptable and important with this level of food presentation. It gets better though. Because a bespoke studio setting doesn't make a primo foodstagrammer out of a novice. There are workshops (yep, workshops) on offer with leading Israeli food photographer Dan Perez to maximise your snapping wizardry. Although the concept isn't available in Australia as yet, Carmel Winery told BuzzFeed they were looking to expand internationally. Suck it, Nashville. You never truly work anyway. Via BuzzFeed. Images: Carmel Winery/YouTube.
UPDATE: MAY 24, 2018 — Brisbane City Council has officially approved plans for BrewDog's proposed development, meaning that construction will start on a the $30 brewery in July this year. If all goes to plan, construction should be finished by the end of the year, and the first Brissie-brewed beers will be pouring within the first few months of 2019. Watch this space for more information as we get closer to the opening. Brisbane's craft beer scene just scored itself a very high-profile new addition, with legendary Scottish brewer BrewDog announcing it'll build a state-of-the-art $30 million brewery in Murarrie. The city nudged out Newcastle to be chosen as BrewDog's first Australian home, following six months of public submissions, location scouting trips and feasibility studies. And the plans for these new riverside digs are nothing short of grand, incorporating a 3000-square-metre brewing and canning facility, as well as a visitor centre, taproom and restaurant. The brand's first brewery outside of the USA and the UK, the Brisbane operation will be crafting all of BrewDog's core beers — like the Dead Pony Club pale ale, the Jet Black Heart and the Punk IPA — alongside a selection of small-batch creations designed especially for local beer drinkers. It'll also showcase plenty of locally grown hops, from across Australia and New Zealand. "Australians are some of the most passionate and informed beer drinkers on the planet," said BrewDog co-founder James Watt. "I'm glad our Australian fans at home and in the diaspora were relentless in pushing for a brewery, and I look forward to sharing my first can of Aussie brewed Punk IPA with them." Construction on BrewDog Brisbane set to kick off in July 2018, with the first of the label's locally brewed beers slated to hit shelves in early 2019. For updates, visit brewdog.com.
There was a time in the not-so-distant past when snacking in the city returned a very low success rate. A time when lunch breaks meant toasted focaccias, a $6 curry don with a gratuitous piece of broccoli (love you Don Dons) and a 90% chance of sushi rolls. It was a time when coeliacs stuck to rice cakes, and fruit salad was the only raw thing on any menu — a time pre-health food, pre-Paleo, pre-Emporium cafe court. Maybe it was a more innocent time. Who knows. But in 2016 you can get acai bowls in takeaway containers, Brazilian cheese rolls made out of a mysterious Brazilian vegetable flour, almond milk that's been squeezed that morning and everything you've ever eaten 'cooked' now comes in raw form. Of course, Mr Burger is still on the agenda. As is a peanut butter shake or a 3pm nip to Short Stop for a cruller. But for the days you're still feeling virtuous, it's nice to be able to grab something sans sugar — something that's actually going to fulfil some of your daily nutrient requirements. Whether you're on your lunch break or just passing through, here are five places you can drop into for something raw, gluten free and good for you.
From naturally-occurring wonders to marvels of architecture and design, this great nation of ours has no shortage of photo-friendly locations. Year after year, tourists and locals alike flock to Australia's most famous destinations, looking to capture that picture-perfect shot. Now, with just a few weeks left in the year, Traveller have revealed a list of the most snapped places in Australia. And while none of the locations are particularly surprising, they do serve as a reminder of just how goddamn crazy beautiful this country is. 5. MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND (MCG) A photo posted by artinayar (@artinayar) on Aug 16, 2015 at 1:03am PDT The most iconic sporting ground in Australia, when you consider how many people are regularly packed into the MCG throughout the year, its inclusion on the list makes a lot of sense. That said, we can't help but wonder if it would have appeared even higher if Instagram had waited until after the Boxing Day Test to release their rankings. 4. BONDI BEACH A photo posted by Adam Bull (@bulladam) on Dec 3, 2015 at 3:12pm PST Synonymous with Australian beach culture, Bondi offers Instagrammers the perfect opportunity to casually show off their tans against a backdrop of crystal waters and sandy shores. With an oceanside cinema, food pop-ups and a brand new dining precinct on the way, we don't expect to see Bondi drop off this list anytime soon. 3. SURFERS PARADISE BEACH A photo posted by Sharon Lewin | Australia (@thenomadictraveller) on Dec 1, 2015 at 12:52pm PST Pipping their NSW rivals to the proverbial post, Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast beat out Bondi as Australia's most Instagrammed beach. And with photos like these, it's rather hard to argue. Paradise indeed. 2. DARLING HARBOUR, SYDNEY A photo posted by Nimesh Yadav (@nimeshnimze) on Dec 3, 2015 at 5:37pm PST A bustling harbourside hub smack bang in the centre of Sydney, Darling Harbour has long been one of the city's biggest tourist destinations – and that was before they opened up their giant new urban playground. Just make sure you don't get your eye taken out by an errant selfie-stick. 1. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE A photo posted by Tom Rex Jessett | Australia (@trex.photography) on Dec 1, 2015 at 1:01pm PST What a shocker! To the surprise of absolutely no one, the top spot on the most Instagrammed list goes to the most famous landmark in the country. From the dazzling displays seen during Vivid Sydney to the sobering site of the sails lit up in the colours of the French flag, the Sydney Opera House remains the number one place in Australia that inspires visitors to whip out their camera phones. And frankly, it's hard to imagine that changing any time soon. Via Traveller. Top image: Alan Lam via Flickr
The pod bay doors have opened on Sydney's space-themed cat cafe. Named Catmosphere, this new food 'n' feline venture is home to fifteen cats in total, all of whom reside in style and comfort on the second story of a refurbished terrace on Fouveaux Street in Surry Hills. There's Deckard (named after Harrison Ford in Blade Runner) and Leeloo (Milla Jovovich in The Fifth Element) and Fuzz Aldrin (you get it) and a particularly striking black cat named Darth Beauty. Personally, we're smitten with Ewok. The cat's room is separated from the food service area by special airlock doors — a council requirement, although it does fit quite nicely with the space age vibes. The cats, for the most part, seem unperturbed by our presence, although one or two of them eventually saunter over in the hopes of getting a pat. Still, it's safe to say, it's us fawning over them, and not the other way around. Catmosphere Sydney is owned by Thomas Derricott and his partner Wenee Yap, who were inspired after they visited the original Catmosphere in Chiang Mai, Thailand. After returning to Australia they set up a Facebook page to gauge community interest — and the community didn't disappoint. Local cat-lovers were soon falling over themselves to volunteer their time, while their IndieGoGo campaign raised more than $40,000. Derricott and Yap also struck up a partnership with the World League Protection of Animals. As a result, the cats at Catmosphere are all rescues — and while they themselves aren’t up for adoption, Derricott does hope visitors to the cafe might be inspired to foster a furry friend of their own. So now that they're open, how does it all work? Visitors to Catmosphere Sydney can pay $20 to spend an hour with the cats, a deal that also comes with a complimentary coffee and cat shaped cookie. A maximum of 15 people are allowed in the cat room at a time, ensuring the feline-to-human ratio is never more than 1:1. Downstairs, the cafe is run by Yun Xia, who previously managed the cafe in Kinokuniya. According to Derricot, the plan is for Catmosphere to provide a quality food and beverage experience independent of the cat theme, to ensure longevity once the novelty starts to wear off. Hence the menu, which features smoothies, teas, juices and barista-made Karmee coffee alongside handmade cakes and a wide selection of gourmet sandwiches. Even if you're strictly a dog person, it's hard to go past roast pork and sesame mayo on brioche. Catmosphere is located at 66 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills. For more information, opening hours and to book your very own cat cuddle session, visit www.catmospherecafe.com. Images: Andy Fraser.
One of New York's initially best and eventually worst kept secrets is coming to Melbourne for one of the most squealworthy pop-ups we've seen in an age. East Village's Please Don't Tell (or PDT) is locked in to take over Fitzroy's Black Pearl this August, with legendary PDT bar team Jim Meehan and Jeff Bell at the helm. Ever found your way to PDT? Hidden behind a secret wall in a vintage phone booth, inside Crif Dogs hotdog joint on St Marks Place in the East Village, PDT is one of NYC's most beloved speakeasies — and the cocktails are seriously next level. Bell, who was crowned 2013 Diageo World Class US Bartender of the Year, is one of the best in the game, with marvels like the Bulleit Bourbon Sweet Tea Smash. But you won't just be sampling Bell's world-famous cocktails, Bell and Meehan will join forces with Bluebonnet Barbecue chef Chris Terlikar for an Australian version of PDT's menu — featuring two hot-dog variations: 'The Spicy Redneck' (house dog, bacon wrapped, with chilli, coleslaw and jalapenos) and a yet to be announced local adaptation. Locked in for August 6 to 9 in The Attic at Black Pearl, PDT's trailblazing cocktail aficionados will have three sittings available at Black Pearl: 6-8pm, 8-10pm and the last at 10pm-12am — and it goes without saying, you're strongly advised to make reservations to avoid disappointment. PDT pops up at Black Pearl (304 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) Thursday 6 – Sunday August 9. Sittings are 6-8pm, 8-10pm or 10pm-12am, Reservations through Eventbrite. Image: PDT.
It's hard to believe we're nearing the end of the year already, but the creative arts rest for nobody as we welcome another top selection of contemporary art exhibitions to Melbourne this November. Everything in this city seems a little bit brighter at this time of year, and headline art exhibitions are no different with the National Gallery of Victoria hosting Del Kathryn Barton's eclectic collage and video works. Meanwhile, the annual Linden Postcard Show presents the best 8x10 inch works by casual and experts alike and the Contemporary for Contemporary Photography showcases cutting-edge photomedia. There's also a behind-the-scenes take on photoshoots, and the work of eight 'fictional' artists to consider in challenging work at Blindside. Sounds good, right? Read on for all the details.
Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei: both superstar artists, both groundbreaking Damn The Man-ers, both crazy cat ladies (really). And now, in one of the best team-ups we've seen in ages, they're both the focus of the National Gallery of Victoria's next epic summer exhibition, Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei. This is going to be quite the retrospective. Two of the most significant artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, Warhol and Weiwei have left their mark on global modernity, whether flipping the bird to American art or dropping a Han vase on Chinese tradition. The NGV will present over 200 of Warhol's most celebrated works — including the Campbell’s Soup Cans, Three Marilyns, Mao, Elvis, Flowers, Electric Chairs, Skulls and Myths series and sculptures like Brillo Boxes , Heinz Tomato Ketchup Boxes and Silver Clouds. If you've got a spare eight hours, kick back and watch Warhol's wildly influential films Empire, Blow job and Screen Tests and pore over early commercial drawings and '50s advertising illustrations. There's even going to be over 500 Polaroids documenting Warhol’s friends, colleagues, and artistic and social milieux. Now, Weiwei. The famously controversial Chinese artist has had his fair share of Warhol influence, having lived in the US from 1981 to 1993 — and taken a photographic self-portrait in front of Warhol's multiple self-portrait. The first book he bought in NYC? The Philosophy of Andy Warhol (From A to B & Back Again). “I believe this is a very interesting and important exhibition and an honour for me to have the opportunity to be exhibited alongside Andy Warhol," said Weiwei. "This is a great privilege for me as an artist.” For the NGV exhibition, Weiwei will premiere new major commissions, including an installation from the Forever Bicycles series and a monumental addition to Chandelier. Of course, glimpses of Weiwei's colossal catalogue will also be on display — from his early 1970s drawings to 1980s readymades, and provocative painting, photography, film and social media of the last four decades. If you're wondering why we called two of the greatest artists in history 'crazy cat ladies', it's because it's true. According to the NGV, Warhol apparently lived with a herd of Siamese cats in the '50s, all of whom, except for one, were named Sam. He photographed and ink blotted them often. Weiwei's studio is home to over 30 cats, who have free reign and constantly pop up in the artist's social media. There's going to be a special part of the exhibition dedicated to this shared feline love, a bit of trivia we won't get over for quite a while. Andy Warhol | Ai Weiwei comes to the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne from December 11 to April 24, in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh. For info and tickets, head to the NGV website.
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Melbourne is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to celebrate the landmark 40th anniversary of their iconic small cars, and in turn, help you celebrate the little things that bring that sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Melbourne. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, get competitive with a round of film trivia at Lido Cinemas in Hawthorn, treat yourself to a sweet and savoury meat dessert at Dexter in Preston, then spend your Saturday night celebrating the winter solstice by a campfire. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the new few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
Pinchy's lobster-loaded linguine normally sets diners back a cool $48. But if you visit this CBD restaurant on a Thursday night, you'll score over 50% off, getting the dish for just $20. It's a proper bargain. In May this year, the Bourke Street lobster and champagne bar received a big makeover, getting a new look, new chef and new menu. This pasta dish, packed with lobster and lifted by miso butter, tomatoes and basil, is a recent addition to the Pinchy's menu, but has already become a fan favourite. This change — and the pasta deal — was inspired by all of Melbourne's recent restaurant closures. Director Jeremy Schnick notes that: "With the constant cost-of-living pressures, nearby closures, the ongoing difficulties of CBD operation (particularly during winter), and a huge increase in wage costs post-Covid, the decision was clear for me." "I found an amazing new Executive Chef [Barret Jones] and together we decided we needed to give guests something larger and distinctive in our delicious menu offering — something they can feel more value in, and slow down to spend time eating with friends or a loved one, appreciating what's in front of them." And what better way to take in all the changes than with a generous bowl of lobster pasta for just $20? Images: Jana Langhorst.
It's no surprise that many of us are looking to upgrade our home comfort level at the moment. Aussie furniture brand Koala is keen to help you do just that with its end-of-financial-year sale, where you can nab major discounts on Koala's bedroom range, sofas and even its brand new desk built for WFH. That sturdy desk is made in Ballarat from hand-sanded timber, is easy to assemble and designed specifically with home office use in mind. During the sale, you'll get ten percent off this WFH lifesaver (which brings it down to $360). Other living room products on sale include 25 percent off the two-seater sofa, bookshelf (in three different sizes) and television unit, as well as 15 percent off the three-seater sofa and sofa bed. If it's the bedroom you're looking to elevate, you can also score 15 percent off the award-winning Koala Mattress, the Koala bed base, the gel-infused memory foam pillow and the incredibly silky sheets. The mattress, for the uninitiated, feels a little like memory foam and latex, but without the sink factor. All products come with free four-hour delivery (to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) and a 120-night trial — though, it might be hard to give any of these up after four-months of pure comfort. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Social Enterprise Free to Feed knows better than most, the power that food has to connect people and communities. It regularly works with its culinarily gifted participants to run dinners where people from all backgrounds can come together to better understand the experiences and needs of refugees and people seeking asylum. Money made during these nights also feeds right into supporting those within said communities. The latest Free to Feed venture comes in the form of The Story Table — a dinner series that spotlighta the voices and experiences of refugees and individuals seeking asylum. The first dinner — named 'Beyond Arrival' — is taking place on Friday, October 18, and will be led by led by Bahaa — a refugee from Aleppo — and Thae — a Karen woman from Burma. Guests will enjoy a large pescatarian feast, featuring dishes like sabzi polo and baked tamarind fish. Tickets for the dinner are going for $85 a pop, or $45 for low-income earners, students, and people from refugee and new migrant backgrounds. [caption id="attachment_939899" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Biddle[/caption]
Pepe's Italian & Liquor on Exhibition Street is heading to the Alps this winter with the launch of Pepe's Winter Chalet. A celebration of everything Northern Italy and the Dolomites have to offer, the team has transformed the restaurant into a mini ski chalet to welcome the colder months. Expect a custom-built sleigh, fairy lights, timbre skis and a giant snow machine. The menu is getting a suitably-themed makeover too, with plenty of handmade pasta and specialty winter-themed cocktails. Take a seat in the Garden Lounge, under the twinkling lights, and tuck into crispy Venetian quail fritta and Polpo Alla Pizzaiola, a charred octopus dish with tomato, olives, capers and jalapeños. Save some room for macaroni too: there's a Mezzaluna pasta stuffed with roast pumpkin in a butter and sage sauce. To finish, think apple strudel with vanilla ice-cream, or maybe mini profiterole 'snowflakes' with pistachio and hazelnut. Pepe's Chalet will be running throughout winter. You can book your table through the website. Images: supplied.
On a constant quest to challenge the norms of beauty, New Zealand-based label Lonely has launched a new lingerie campaign that's nothing short of defiant. Starring 56-year-old model Mercy Brewer, the campaign continues the design house's crusade to reflect authentic beauty and celebrate women in all forms. Former London punk of the '80s and runway star alongside Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, Brewer smoulders as Lonely's AW17 muse, defying the conventions of how lingerie 'should' be modelled. The campaign just goes to show that the boundaries of what or who is beautiful are much more vast than the current standard. Lonely and Brewer embrace feminine beauty and sexuality at all ages. "'Perceptions of beauty have and always will change," the muse offered. "Therefore, I think we can conclude its standard is not set in stone and new beauty is always waiting to be discovered." In feminine lace silhouettes with gracious sensuality, Mercy joins the Lonely Girls tribe, a crew that celebrates all shapes and sizes via a visual journal of women wearing Lonely pieces in their own ways, in their own habitats. Adding another layer of girl power, the campaign was shot by Harry Were at an iconic New Zealand home that was once occupied by women pivotal to gaining the female vote in the country in 1893 — let us remind you, NZ was the very first country in the world to allow women to vote. The historic surrounds further enforce Lonely's position that ageing is beautiful, that it enhances, enriches and brings wisdom. "Personally I have a love/hate relationship with it," Brewer said. "[But] on the upside, it can bring a quiet confidence unknown in youth, and what use is beauty without the confidence to recognise it in yourself?" Lonely delivers the ever-important message to love thy self regardless of size, shape or age — plus, it doesn't hurt that their lingerie is incredibly lovely. The new pieces modelled on Brewer are part of Lonely's autumn winter collection for 2017. You can browse and shop the collection here.
A fresh incarnation of the former Pontoon site and casual sibling to Stokehouse above, Stokehouse Pasta & Bar is the laidback, all-day spot we fell in love with last year. Now, there's yet another reason to visit: with a brand new dining series that will see big-name guest chefs celebrating the humble pasta. The Humble Pasta program kicks off with Karen Martini on Thursday, June 15, serving up an exclusive, three-course menu inspired by her cookbook, COOK. She'll be followed by guests chefs Victor Liong (Lee Ho Fook) on Thursday, July 13; Ross Magnaye (Serai) on Thursday, August 10; and Danielle Alvarez (ex-Fred's) on Thursday, September 7, each of whom will bring their unique culinary skills to the special menus. [caption id="attachment_879074" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Stokehouse pasta[/caption] Liong will take patrons on a Cantonese-infused culinary journey, while Magnaye is set to play with Filipino and Mediterranean flavours. Finally, Alvarez brings the essence of her Latino heritage to each pasta dish. Magnaye's menu will run to the likes of tuna tonnato with smoked bone marrow. Moreton Bay bug tortellini will be paired with smoked bagoong butter and coconut "laing" sauce and pomelo ensalad. Plus, for an additional $19 per person, a classic Filipino Ube Flan for dessert. Stokehouse Pasta & Bar's wine list, where all bottles clock in at $79 a pop, as well as special cocktail, mocktail and beers will be available to add on. Top image: Tom Blachford.
Come festive season, finding a happy, willing designated driver is tougher than claiming a square metre of sand to yourself on Bondi Beach. Who wants to be the sober one in the corner, while everyone else is knocking back the boss's free Verve Clicquot at the Christmas party? That being said, someone's gotta do it. So we thought we might cheer you up and take a look at the upside of being responsible. Not only will your mates owe you one for potentially saving their lives and licences, you'll avoid drunken social media fails, have a higher chance of not getting sacked, do your liver a favour and wake up feeling like a million bucks, ready to kick all the goals. In partnership with Coca-Cola and their Designated Driver program that's celebrating us all getting home safe by giving us free Cokes throughout the night, here are eight reasons why it'll benefit you to volunteer to deso over the holidays. DO IT FOR THE HEALTH BENEFITS Apart from your friends, if there's one party that's going to be grateful for your decision, it's your liver. Drinking can cause it all kinds of nasties within your body — especially when you get into having too much of a good time over too long a period. Possible consequences of overdoing it include fatty liver, alcohol-related hepatitis and cirrhosis. But, even if things don't get as bad as that, a liver under pressure can cause fatigue, weight gain, digestive issues and mood swings. The good news is that your liver can repair itself — take on the designated driver mantle for a few weeks in a row and you're likely to have clearer skin, better vision and a more positive mindset. Boom. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT DRUNK TEXTING THING YOU DO The first step to feeling good about being a designated driver is contemplating the things you'll avoid doing. Top of the pile are all the drunken texts and social media posts you won't send if you choose to forego alcohol for the night (or day). You won't message that ex-partner, rant about how much you hate your job or embarrass yourself with obvious spelling mistakes. YOU'LL REMEMBER EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT BEFORE We recommend using this one to your advantage. When you wake up bright-eyed, recalling with glee all the things you didn't do, your friends will be groggily struggling to put together the pieces — and agonising over what might or might not have happened, with or without who or what, when or where. This is where you can get smug. Knowledge is power. Don't hand over all the details straight away, but parcel them out slowly, like every good story teller does, and, wherever possible, use them as bargaining chips for future payback. (If you're stuck for ideas, see below, under "Your Mates' Worship"). YOU'LL WAKE UP FEELING DAMN GOOD The next day, while your friends are commando crawling to and from the bathroom, you'll be feeling like a million bucks. It's time to squeeze yourself a kale juice and start kicking all the goals. Always wanted to start a start-up? Set up the website and contact a designer. Been trying to get yourself into a consistent yoga routine? Roll out your mat and salute the sun. Been meaning to catch up with your mum for a coffee? Give her a buzz. One of the drawbacks of Australia's passionate drinking culture is the toll it can take on motivation to get things done. THERE WILL BE NO BAD DANCE MOVES, OR KARAOKE ATTEMPTS Now that everyone carries a HD camera in their pocket, one bad dance move can mean a lifetime of ridicule. Yet, even the most self-conscious of us, after a champagne or two, get to thinking we're Prince when the funk hits the airwaves. But not you. The only time you'll be making moves like these will be at No Lycra, No Lights, in the dark. The same goes for karaoke — as strains of Mariah Carey soar across the air, your lips will be firmly, blissfully sealed (maybe, it can be hard to resist the temptation of a Mariah singalong). YOUR FRIENDS WILL WORSHIP YOU You gotta milk this one for all it's worth. Every time you offer to hang out with your mates, while they get messy and you stay sober, you're doing them a major solid by looking after them and saving them a pricey Uber fare. And, we say, don't let them forget it — ever, ever, ever. We're thinking lots and lots and lots of presents, dinners in ferris wheels, sleepovers in luxurious hotels, spa experiences, Facebook pages set up in your honour and altars draped with incense and flowers. YOU'LL KEEP YOUR JOB (AND YOUR DIGNITY) As uncomfortable as this might make you feel, the fact is, employers scour social media accounts. They like to know who their employees (and prospective employees) are outside of business hours. And, by having a quick squizz at how you spend your time, they can work out a bit about your personality, values, family members, friends, opinions and, importantly here, drinking habits. So, creating a feed packed with photos that look like scenes out of The Hangover isn't putting your best foot forward. A shot of you as the designated driver, however? That's practically a job offer or promotion, right there. YOU'LL SAVE YOURSELF SOME MONEY As your friends weep over their empty wallets the next morning, you'll be taking yourself out to breakfast in a fancy, fancy cafe and ordering anything you damn well like. It's no secret that drinking isn't cheap, but once you get to feeling merry, it's all too easy to forget about that and let cash slip through your drunken hands quicker than water. Meanwhile, designated drivers all over the country are amassing fortunes.Become one of them and, when you're jetting off on your next international holiday, the few drunken nights you missed out on will disappear into nothingness. If you're a designated driver over the holiday season, ask a bartender for a driver's Coca-Cola and a wristband — they've teamed up with venues across the city to celebrate the hero of the night and give you free soft drinks from their range. The Coca-Cola Designated Driver program will run until the end of January. For a full list of participating venues, visit the website.
Renowned Melbourne street artist Rone is no stranger to the intersection of beauty and decay, and you'll find this theme tying together much of what he puts his hands to. But his latest work really slaps you in the face with it — part exhibition, part installation, the artist's newest large-scale works are located inside an abandoned weatherboard house in the Melbourne suburb of Alphington. Dubbed The Omega Project, Rone has transformed each room in the house — including the kitchen, dining room and bedroom — into haunting mini installations. He spent weeks working his magic within an actual demolition zone, given free reign by developers to transform the last remaining house on the former Amcor paper mill site from an early-1900s weatherboard cottage into what he describes as 'a fantasy film set'. In striking contrast with the surrounding destruction, the space features the artist's signature Jane Doe portraits adorning the walls, while interior stylist Carly Spooner has gone all out with the chenille bedspreads and wood-grain telly sets to recreate the look of a classic, mid-century suburban Aussie pad. This isn't Rone's first time at the demolition zone rodeo, either — last year he held a solo exhibition Empty in Fitzroy's about-to-be-demolished Star Lyric Theatre. And, adopting the transience of the street art you spy splashed across the urban landscape, this exhibition isn't sticking around for long at all — catch it from Saturday, July 22 until Sunday, July 30 before it, too, meets the demo crew. The Omega Project by Rone will open to the public from July 22–30. RSVP to have the exhibition's exact location revealed to you via email. Find more info here.
Melbourne's Gracie Greco feels like Greece. It's airy and bright, the furnishings are wooden and worn, whicker baskets act as chandeliers lending a soft orange glow late in the evening, and the room is always full of laughter, boisterous conversation and plenty of hugs and back-slapping. The two brothers who opened the restaurant grew up around the family business, which taught them to have a passion for food and hospitality. It was always their dream to open a restaurant together, and luckily for the people of Camberwell and all of Melbourne generally, they've gone and done it. The cuisine here has a special focus on the sea and everything is chargrilled or spit-roasted. To start with, look towards the caviar dip with pita bread, some marinated olives in fennel oil, grilled haloumi with honey and toasted sesame along with some eggplant dip and tzatziki. Moving on to the small plates, which are designed to be shared, order a plate of chargrilled octopus with lemon and oregano, some spicy, shallow fried school prawns, Hellenic croquettes with potato, fish and tarama aioli and a bowl of traditionally cooked whitebait. Pair them with a Cypriot gran salad of grains, nuts and pulses with yoghurt dressing. A bowl of lamb or chicken gyros completes the starters. For mains, highlights include the moussaka, a traditional beef, eggplant and potato bake; a gemista with peppers stuffed with beef, rice and seasonal vegetables; barbecue grilled calamari; char grilled king prawns or the fish of the day. If you've left room for dessert we're impressed, so treat yourself with a baklava, a custard filo or some Greek doughnuts. When it comes to wine, it's got an approachable and well-curated list, with Aussie, Greek and French drops intermixed. There's the obligatory list of ouzu, too, as well as beers and cocktails, including a few classics, such as negronis, cosmos and mojitos. Gracie Greco is clearly focusing on the classics, doing them to the book. It's not reimagining the cuisine. It's not trying to be fine dining, either. And there's absolutely no need to when you're working with Greek dishes and drinks that have been perfected over centuries. If it ain't broke.
It's safe to assume there are many questionable things hidden in the Yarra's murky depths. But something you might be happy to unearth about our city's famed river is this little morsel of history: the river was actually once home to gushing falls, located where Queens Bridge sits today. Why the impromptu history lesson? Well, it's this landmark — a significant meeting place for First Peoples and a big part of the reason why Melbourne is located where it is — that was the inspiration for new 25-seat CBD watering hole, Yarra Falls. Located not too far from that spot, the bar sits within Flinders Lane's historic Tavistock House — a 172-year-old building with a heritage-listed facade that remains one of the few pre-Gold Rush structures in the metro area. Owner Brendan Keown (The Baxter Inn, Restaurant Hubert) was captured by the tale of the rocky river barrier that once stood nearby, separating the freshwater from the bay and providing a crossing point at low tide. In a nod to the historic site, Yarra Falls embraces the concept of place and wholeheartedly champions this pocket of the world; from its booze and produce, to its musicians. 'Local' and 'seasonal' are far more than mere buzzwords here, with a strong commitment to working with Indigenous-owned or -supporting suppliers. Ingredients and products are carefully chosen for their origins and the stories behind them, while a deep respect for the seasons — our region actually has six of them, as observed by First Peoples — ensures they're only ever showcased at their best. In keeping with the venue's own small stature, both the drinks list and food menu are concise, though they're expertly considered and rotate on the regular. The potato bread is a staple — a nod to Keown's Irish roots — plus you'll usually find a house soup and freshly-shucked oysters. A 'snack of the season' makes the most of nature's gifts; maybe pairing finger lime with smoked eel and creme fraiche on lavosh. The ever-evolving drinks list is well thought out and generous with its tasting notes. The two beer taps might be pouring drops like Westside Aleworks' full-bodied Electric Socks APA (Melbourne/Boonwurrung Country), while the spirits list heroes creations from labels like 78 Degrees and Melbourne Gin Company. In the wine (and wine-adjacent) corner, expect goodies like a floral moscato giallo orange by Little Brunswick Wine Co (Heathcote/DjaDjaWurrung Country) and the Stanton + Killeen muscat (Rutherglen/ Bangerang Country). And a tidy crop of mixed drinks stars ingredients like lemon myrtle, wattleseed and teas by Indigenous cafe Mabu Mabu. Try the apricot brandy-infused Emu Juice, or the Mornington — a funky blend of silver rum, macadamia, golden wattle and grape.
Bone up on your cooking or bust out your best freestyle dance moves, at Melbourne's new pop-up creative hub. Located in the Docklands adjacent to Library on the Dock, the Knowledge Market is being sold as a cross between Ted X and the School of Life – a community learning space that'll play host to workshops and adult education classes on everything from corporate team building to hula hooping. "Open to everyone, the Knowledge Market has been curated with a compelling range of events and experiences designed for the whole Docklands community, with programmed activity during the week, on weekends and at night," reads a mission statement on the Knowledge Market homepage. "With an emphasis on peer-to-peer learning and collaboration, the Knowledge Market provides an engine room for cross-industry cooperation, ideas sharing and greater community connectivity." The pop-up will host workshops by professionals and creatives across a variety of disciplines, including food, art, dance and technology, as well as personal and professional development. Events currently on offer include a six week meditation course and nightly hula hoop exercise classes. For more information about the Knowledge Market visit their website.
Johnston Street continues to be one of Melbourne's coolest strips — packed with some of the city's top bars, cafes, restaurants and boutique stores. But the sheer amount of places to drop by can be really overwhelming. You'd need days to properly explore all of its best bits. Knowing this, three neighbouring businesses — JUDE, Shop Gal and Addict — have joined forces to create a mini-shopping trail that includes free styling sessions and a ramen workshop — an unlikely but still brilliant pairing (that's also very Johnston Street). [caption id="attachment_982871" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Addict[/caption] Starting at 6pm on Thursday, December 5, you'll first drop by JUDE — an independent fashion label championing Melbourne-made and gender-neutral clothing — to get free styling advice and do a spot of Christmas shopping. You'll then take a few steps down the strip to Shop Gal — Melbourne-based designer Tara Whalley's boutique fashion store that's home to her own colourful creations as well as a heap of other local designers' wares — for more styling tips and shopping opportunities. This is a must-stop spot for those looking to add a bit of colour and pattern to their summer wardrobe. [caption id="attachment_982877" align="alignnone" width="1920"] JUDE[/caption] The final stop is Addict — a cafe and ramen haunt — where punters can join a hands-on ramen workshop ($20) that comes with a complimentary cocktail. Either spend the rest of the night drinking and eating here or head back to JUNE and Shop Gal for more shopping. As a special treat, the teams have also created a limited-edition JUDE x TARA designer tote bag filled with goodies from all three stores. These will be available for purchase exclusively on the night, which is running up until 9.30pm. The event is free to attend, but booking is essential. [caption id="attachment_982870" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shop Gal by Tara Whalley[/caption]
Not a day goes by that we’re not thankful for the resurgence of American-style cuisine and this day is no different. Please join us in welcoming the newest family member into the fold, The Hot Chicken Project, which opened this month in Geelong. The Hot Chicken Project (hint: it specialises in hot chicken) is the brainchild of award-winning chef Aaron Turner and inspired by the fiery palate of Nashville-style cooking. Turner recently returned from a stint in the US and we’ve no doubt he’s brought back with him a recipe of secret herbs and spices that will send the Colonel bankrupt. Pairing this hot, hot chicken with cool, cool wine, we can't help but notice the unmistakable similarity to Belle's Hot Chicken and Bar Clarine here. The Hot Chicken Project operates under the banner of 'Chicken for the People' (hello, yes, we’re the People, can we have some chicken yet?) and is open Tuesday through Sunday. The menu is plain and simple with half a dozen mains, including various pieces of hot chicken, fish sandwiches, both a tofu and a chicken burger, each with a side of white bread and pickle (it’s so damn homey we’re drooling).Their heat gauge, which starts at 'Southern' and peaks at 'Evil Chicken', has us intrigued and slightly terrified. Also… what is a hand pie? If it is, as it sounds, a pie that goes in your hand, then our lives are about to change irrevocably for the better. God bless chicken and god bless America. Via Good Food. Hit up The Hot Chicken Project at 84a Little Malop Street, Geelong. Open Tuesday to Thursday 3–10pm, Friday to Saturday 12–10pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm. Image: The Hot Chicken Project.
Conversations surrounding the best artists on the international rap scene today inevitably include mention of Danny Brown. The Detroit-born rapper's incendiary performances and the berserk originality of his songs have shellshocked his fans and rap enthusiasts alike. Now, this innovative and ever-surprising artist returns to Australian shores for a teeny two-stop tour. Brown made waves in 2010 with the release of his debut album The Hybrid, before gaining massive recognition a year later for his second album XXX. In 2013, he released his most recent album Old, which spawned the birth of three singles 'Dip', '25 Bucks' with Purity Ring and 'Smokin & Drinkin'. Brown hit our shores last year for an exclusive, sideshow-free Splendour in the Grass appearance, and hits Perth's Origin NYE 2014 and Sydney's Field Day 2015 on this visit. Danny Brown will be playing at Brisbane’s The Hifi on the January 3 and The Corner Hotel, Melbourne January 4 and 5. Don't miss the mad and talented antics of this contemporary hip hop great.
It's official: sport in Melbourne is back. After a year of having to watch from afar, fans of all codes can once again turn out in full force to cheer their team on at Melbourne's world-class arenas. And with AAMI Park playing host to a number of different clubs and codes — including the A-League's famous Melbourne Derby — there's usually something on at one of the city's finest venues to watch live sport. It's also a short walk or tram ride to the nearby Swan Street, which in recent years has turned itself into one of Melbourne's buzziest places to eat and drink. We've put together a list of our favourite Swan Street restaurants and bars to head to after the final whistle – win, lose or draw. UNION HOUSE A beautiful heritage-listed pub with hearty fare to match, Richmond's Union House is run by the same team behind Fitzroy's crown jewel of watering holes, the Marquis of Lorne, so you can be sure you're in for a classic pub experience. A balanced tap list covering everything from Moon Dog's crushable lager to Boatrocker's robust, roasty stout will keep beer lovers happy, while an extensive wine list, including some natty orange options, provides something for every palate. Foodwise, expect modern gastropub fare such as a chicken schnitty with baby cos and tarragon aioli ($26), and wagyu rump cap with crumbed bone marrow, caramelised onion, silverbeet and red wine jus ($39). Union House closes at 1am on Saturdays, so you can take your time with the post-match catch-ups. Find Union House at 270 Swan Street, Richmond. [caption id="attachment_807122" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Robenstsone[/caption] NEW QUARTER Part of the Hanoi Hannah family, New Quarter is a buzzy 80-seat restaurant serving up contemporary takes on classic Vietnamese dishes. The menu is designed for sharing, so it's a solid post-game option if you're with a group — and they're also open until 11.30pm on Saturday. The menu includes tasty starters such as the innovative banh mi finger with whipped chicken liver parfait, chicken skin and pickled qukes ($8) and beef tartare with egg yolk, beef pho jelly and anchovy tapioca crisps ($20). There's also larger plates like cha ca barramundi fillet with burnt butter nuoc mam ($32) and grilled short rib with burnt chili and charred betel leaf ($34). Wash it all down with a Stomping Ground pale ale on tap or a selection from the inventive cocktail menu. Find New Quarter at 79 Swan Street, Richmond. PUBLIC HOUSE The team behind this sprawling venue really took advantage of the 2020 lockdown, extending what was initially supposed to be a short upgrade renovation into an 18-month, $3 million overhaul. Spread over four floors on the corner of Swan and Church Streets, the space boasts three separate rooftop sections, offering an internationally inspired menu of street food, craft beer, cocktails and an extensive wine list. The ground-floor bar offers all the comforts of a traditional boozer, with plenty of space for casual walk-ins, while the second floor is geared towards functions and events. The major flex of this venue, however, is the double-tiered rooftop garden, offering spectacular 360-degree views of the CBD skyline and surrounding suburbs, which you can soak up until 2am on a Saturday night. Find Public House at 433-435 Church Street, Richmond. SAINT URBAN Open until midnight on Saturday, the cosy but bustling Saint Urban is a quintessential neighbourhood wine bar. A concise seasonal menu of sharing dishes might include plates like crumbed quail with serrano ham, goats cheese, peas and mint ($24) and the grass-fed Cape Grim black angus porterhouse with chimichurri, persian feta and compressed watermelon ($44). You can also let the kitchen team decide for you with the $75 banquet selection of small and large plates. As for the drinks, wine is the preferred tipple here with some great local and international options available by the glass and bottle, alongside a fun cocktail list of signatures and classics, while a concise list of beers and ciders is also available. Find Saint Urban at 213 Swan Street, Richmond. FARGO AND CO Housed in a former bank, Fargo and Co is an impressive space that exudes both old-world and new-world charm, with a snazzy rooftop bar that stays open until 1am on Saturdays. Comfort food is the name of the game here, with the menu of burgers, bowls, fried and grilled chicken and caviar making a great post-game shout — think Cheezel-crumbed mac and cheese ($12) paired with a whole fried chicken ($38) and a selection of sauces and pickles. There are also a number of plant-based options that are just as indulgent, like roasted cauliflower ($15) with house pickles. Wash it down with a selection from the killer cocktail list, innovative house shots, or one of the 14 tap beers. Find Fargo and Co at 216 Swan Street, Richmond. COCHIN Head to Cochin for French-Vietnamese sharing dishes served up in a setting that manages to perfectly strike a balance between smart and casual, with its mixture of high and low seating, dark wood interior and moody lighting. Start with the tom chien com, prawns in a green rice batter served with pineapple mayonnaise ($18 for three pieces), before tucking into the shaking beef, which sees cubed eye fillet wok-tossed with onion, capsicum, garlic and black pepper in oyster sauce ($38). Sides run the gamut from chilli-dusted french fries ($10) to Vietnamese-style fried rice with shrimp and lap cheong ($16), while an extensive wine list of Australian and French selections will keep the good times going. Find Cochin at 256 Swan Street, Richmond. Head to one of these great Swan Street venue after this weekend's Melbourne Derby. Head here to buy tickets. Top image: Public House
We've all heard tales of scaling Mount Everest – of the resilience and fortitude it takes to reach the highest point on Earth. But like so many other epic stories of man versus nature, it turns out the truth is a little bit more complicated. For every climber to make it to the summit, a team of Sherpa guides haul gear, food and oxygen up and down the treacherous terrain, risking their lives to help foreign visitors tick an item off their bucket list. Australian documentarian Jennifer Peedom is no stranger to the mountain or the Sherpa community, having worked as a camera operator on numerous Everest documentaries including the Discovery Channel's critically acclaimed Everest: Beyond the Limit. But in 2014 she returned to make a different kind of Everest movie, one that explored the growing tensions between the Sherpas, their employers and their wealthy Western patrons. Of course, Peedom couldn't have foreseen was what took place that year on April 14. An avalanche in the Khumbu Icefall claimed the lives of 16 guides in a single day — and suddenly all that resentment boiled over. The footage Peedom captured makes for some of the most incredible and uncomfortable viewing you'll experience in cinemas this year: a tense, troubling doco about industrial action at more than 17,000 feet. After considerable attention on the international festival circuit, including a win for Best Documentary at the BFI London Film Festival, Sherpa is now screening in select cinemas around Australia. In the lead up to the release, we spoke to Peedom about her intentions in making the film, delved into the uncomfortable whitewashing of Everest narratives, and discussed what needs to change on the mountain going forward. SHERPA ISN'T A FILM ABOUT CLIMBING EVEREST "I had access to the Sherpa community, and when you're a filmmaker, access is everything," explains Peedom. "When you're looking at what stories you want to tell, you often look in your own backyard, and I was looking right under my nose at a story that I knew pretty well, and felt needed to be told. It wasn't about going back to Everest — that was the last thing I felt like doing. But I felt really motivated to tell this story." "Ultimately it's an industrial dispute film. I never set out to make a climbing film. It was always a film about a people, and a culture, and an inherent conflict within a relationship. Everest was the backdrop. The ascent of Everest formed the spine of the story through which we could explore those tensions. And then when the avalanche happened, that became a different vehicle to explore those tensions." DISRUPTING THE HERO NARRATIVE For all the movies made about Everest, it's rare to see the Sherpa depicted as anything other than bit players. "It doesn't suit our ego," says Peedom. "It doesn't suit that hero narrative to say that someone carried all my stuff through the icefall, my oxygen was carried all the way to camp three, and I only had to carry the one bottle I was using, and blah blah blah. So much of the work, and so many of the risks, are taken by somebody else." "I spoke to this American guy who said that on average, five or six people are employed to get one person to the summit. That's kind of embarrassing to admit. People don't want other people to know that. And maybe it's a female perspective, but I just got sick of all these men taking credit for what other people had done." WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE? "David Michôd — the guy who directed Animal Kingdom, who is a really good friend of mine — said that what he loved about the film is how morally complex it is, and that was something that we worked really hard to achieve," says Peedom. "It would have been much easier to make goodies and baddies, but it just didn't feel honest. It would be wrong for me to say that everyone who goes to climb Everest is an idiot, because it's not the truth. Not only that, but it would be irresponsible, because the Sherpa community rely on that income." "One of the Sherpas says at the beginning of the film that everyone used to do the work together, the foreigners and the Sherpas. But now the Sherpas do all the work, and I guess that's what needs to change. Foreigners need to go with their eyes open. Don't bury your head in the sand about the fact that you're asking other people to take risks on your behalf. Be cognisant of that, and put pressure on your expedition leader to make sure they have proper insurance, and to make sure they're not carrying triple loads. And if the worst does happen and a Sherpa is killed, you probably do have a responsibility for his children's future and his family." https://vimeo.com/139654857 Sherpa is in cinemas now. Read our full review here.
We're pretty lucky on the east coast of Australia because the big vacay destinations are only a few hours away by plane. But Australia is a lot bigger than just the eastern seaboard. While the west side of Australia is so far-flung it's practically an international flight to get there, Perth has a vibrant bar and foodie scene that could rival any eastern capital. Still need some convincing to book that four-hour-plus Jetstar flight? In partnership with the Hahn Brewers, we've put together a list of ten very persuasive reasons why you should visit Perth. Spoiler alert: they're all bars. You're welcome. HULA BULA BAR If anyone claims they wouldn't love to sip on a drink while surrounded by kitschy jungle paraphernalia, they are lying. In Perth, you can have that experience at Hula Bula Bar while working your way through their entire menu. But remember, the jungle vibes are for show only – don't think you can get away with rocking shorts and thongs. 12 Victoria Avenue, Perth. GREENHOUSE For a genuinely unique west coast experience, head straight to Greenhouse. The restaurant-bar hybrid is encased in a façade of greenery courtesy of Melburnian Joost Bakker and his sustainable approach to hospitality. The green rectangle (nestled in amongst sterile corporate blocks) offers a quiet place for a beer, and has an extensive menu made with ingredients from their rooftop garden. 100 St Georges Terrace, Perth. EZRA POUND If you're after a lush courtyard and chill atmosphere where you can grab a drink, Ezra Pound is your new stomping ground. The sweet little bar on Williams Street in Northbridge serves up classic bar snacks (courtesy of No Mafia, an Italian eatery next door — expect a lot of quality olives and cheese) and has a Saturday night happy hour. What more does anyone need in life? Williams Lane, 189 Williams Street, Northbridge. CHOO CHOO'S Choo Choo's on St Georges Terrace is the kind of place where letting your hair down is mandatory. Seriously, it's pretty chill so leave your suit and tie at home and be yourself. The menu is extensive and changed on the reg, so head to Choo Choo's with no preconceived notions beyond max chillaxing. Industrial fittings, hip murals and a small, clicky (in a good way) bar crew will make you wish this was your regular. 125 St Georges Terrace, Perth. [caption id="attachment_589771" align="alignnone" width="1280"] @breaking_bias via Instagram[/caption] BOBÈCHE If your tastes run to the dramatic, check out Bobèche on St Georges Terrace. The dark, moody basement is named after a performing street clown from the '20s who would distract the crowd and sneak kisses from the gathered ladies. Modern day Bobèche has his own charms – beer, teapot cocktails, complimentary popcorn and an indulgent bar menu. We recommend the pulled venison croquettes with wild citrus. Basement 131 St Georges Terrace, Perth. WOLF LANE Wolf Lane is considered one of Perth's most popular small bars. The interior decorations alone are worth a trip. The industrial space has been decked out with mismatched velvet lounge chairs, leather ottomans and Persian rugs with trippy vintage suitcases on the ceiling and fairytale murals throughout. It's a real Alice in Wonderland atmosphere. Once you've settled in, grab a beer and build your own gourmet cheese board from the cheese, cured meats and dips available. Rear 321 Murray Street, Perth. MECHANICS' INSTITUTE Mechanics' Institute in Northbridge is a great all-rounder bar, perfect for a big night out on the weekend, after work drinks or a burger the next day for lunch. They've got the look nailed, with a slick industrial shine throughout the whole bar and (the pièce de résistance) a sweet, sprawling rooftop bar. Rear 222 William Street, Northbridge. LOT TWENTY Lot Twenty appreciate the good things in life — and they serve them in bulk. By good things, we mean oysters, doughnuts, booze, cheese, coffee and a large outdoor terrace. The menu at Lot 20 is amazing; after chowing down on roasted mushrooms served with pistachio puree, slow-cooked egg, truffle oil or house-cured coffee and maple bacon with cornbread, you'll never be able to go back to a standard cheeseburger (and nor should you). 198-206 William Street, Perth. ENRIQUE'S SCHOOL FOR TO BULLFIGHTING If you're in Highgate, Enrique's is perfect spot to drop by for a beverage and a bite. The warm and inviting restaurant bar serves up authentic Spanish cuisine, served up in the share style (tapas for a little, raciones for a lot) and always attracts a great weekend crowd. They have a damn fine happy hour every day from 5-6pm. 484 Beaufort Street, Highgate. PETITION BEER CORNER Petition is a beer corner, wine bar and kitchen all in one. So no matter what drink you're into, there's something here for you. We recommend you head to the beer corner and get the bartenders to pick you some for a tasting. The taps are constantly rotating (there's 18 of them), and they serve international beer as well as local suppliers alongside tasty bar snacks. Sign up to Hahn Brewers and use your weekend to take a trip to Perth.
The work of one of Japan's most popular and prolific artists, Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), will be the subject of a major exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. On display from July 21 until October 15, Hokusai will feature more than 150 works by the eponymous painter and printmaker, including several remarkable pieces that have never been seen in Australia before. Produced by the NGV in partnership with the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum, the exhibition will feature a number of the artist's most iconic creations. These include the instantly recognisable The Great Wave off Kanagawa, as well as the complete Hokusai Manga, which helped shape the development of manga as we know it today. NGV director James Ellwood has called Hokusai "unprecedented", and said that it would offer Australian audiences "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the artist's influential legacy in one of the most comprehensive exhibitions ever staged outside of Japan". Image: Katsushika Hokusai, Japanese 1760–1849, The great wave off Kanagawa c. 1830, from the Thirty-six views of Mt Fuji series, 1826–33, colour woodblock, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Felton Bequest, 1909 (426-2). UPDATE OCTOBER 5, 2017: Due to popular demand, the NGV has extended the Hokusai exhibition for another week, until Sunday, October 22. The gallery will stay open until 7pm on both Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22 just so you have an extra chance to get there.
A good Negroni is all about balance. It's a balance of three fine liquors — gin, Campari and vermouth — that toe the very fine line between being much too bitter and just bitter enough. It's always been about this balance; one of the first recorded reports of the Negroni came from Orson Welles in 1947. While working in Rome, he wrote, "The bitters are excellent for your liver, the gin is bad for you. They balance each other." We're happy to take his word for it. Sixty years later, bartenders are still perfecting the Negroni. Not one for the faint-hearted, it's a serious cocktail for serious drinkers. But in Melbourne — a city where there are many a serious cocktail bar — where does one get not just a good but the best Negroni? Here are ten bars we think could battle it out for the top prize. And with Negroni Week running from June 6-12, there's no better time to try them out — participating bars will even donate $1 from every Negroni ordered that week to a charity of their choice. NIEUW AMSTERDAM At Nieuw Amsterdam, they take their Negronis seriously. So much so that they haven't just worked on perfecting one rendition — they have a whole page in their menu dedicated to the drink. Although you can still get the good old standard, it might fall by the wayside with salted caramel, mezcal, bourbon and rosemary and piña colada variations on offer. And if you can't decide? Well, it's lucky that Nieuw Amsterdam's basement drinking den is dark, moody and made for sipping on a Negroni — and it's perfectly acceptable to stay on for two. Nieuw Amsterdam is participating in Negroni Week. Their chosen charity? Beyond Blue. 1806 Classic cocktails are what 1806 does best, and the Negroni is no exception. Think you're the Goldilocks of Negronis? 1806 will satiate you. These guys mix just the right amounts of Beefeater gin, Cinzano Rosso vermouth and Campari to create a drink that's not too bitter and not too sweet — but just right. A classic Negroni at its best. 1806 is participating in Negroni Week. Their chosen charity? Cancer Council Australia. THE NOBLE EXPERIMENT With a name like The Noble Experiment, which nods to the ban that we all know as the prohibition, the fact that cocktails are the order of the day is no surprise. On the second level the cocktails really come alive, as do the staff who talk about them. Bottle and barrel-aged cocktails are served on an old-school trolley — and among them is the humble Negroni. Theirs is a holy concoction of bottle-aged Beefeater gin, house-blended barrel-aged sweet vermouth and Campari, served over an ice sphere with grapefruit and a touch of orange oil. Plus, they'll be doing a coffee Negroni special for Negroni Week. The Noble Experiment is participating in Negroni Week. Their chosen charity? Breast Cancer Foundation. HEARTBREAKER When you hear that the guys behind 1806 and The Everleigh are behind this city cocktail bar, you can probably imagine it's something special. Opening on Russell Street last year, Heartbreaker is an American-style dive bar through and through — we're talking red neon signs, black leather booths and a jukebox full of '70s rock 'n' roll. The real standouts are their pre-batched bottled cocktails, of which you can choose a Negroni. You can even grab one to go — their Liquor to Go bottle shop is open until 11pm. JUNGLE BOY Three words: Negronis on tap. With none of that measuring or mixing business to slow you down, the on-tap situation lets the staff behind the bar at Jungle Boy pour your Negronis with speed and ease. And yes, it actually tastes good. Somehow, the crew have managed to keep the drink's integrity intact, even when it's pouring pre-mixed out of a tap. Jungle Boy is participating in Negroni Week. Their chosen charity? Beyond Blue. BOMBA After opening back in 2013, Bomba has cemented itself as the city's top Spanish restaurants where tapas and vermouth are king. As such, they turn out a mean Negroni, using equal parts Tanqueray gin, Campari and (our personal favourite vermouth) Casa Mariol Vermut Negre. Best of all, you can enjoy your bev (and perhaps some manchego croquettes, for good measure) on their rooftop. Bomba is participating in Negroni Week. Their chosen charity? Sacred Heart Mission St Kilda. THE WOODS OF WINDSOR You'd be forgiven for losing your sense of time in The Woods Bar of Windsor. Between the tucked-away taxidermied treasures, op shop knick knacks and speakeasy-slick, the venue somehow manages to transcend the space-time continuum and transport patrons to the pre-prohibition States. What you'll want to see is the cocktail list — they've got a whole page dedicated to twists on the Negroni. Try their Ron Zacapa rum and chocolate infused creation or our favourite, the Smoky Negroni. It's made with a brilliantly smoky mezcal. BAR NONNO Enjoy a Negroni the way nature intended — with pizza. The Italians thought it was a good idea, and so should you. Bar Nonno's cosy interior is the best place on High Street to settle in for a hearty home-cooked meal, like the duck leg with pancetta or one of those thin crust babies. There's an extensive wine list, but we recommend reaching for your favourite Campari-fuelled drink. Because in Italy, every week is Negroni Week. Bar Nonno is participating in Negroni Week. Their chosen charity? Fight Cancer Foundation. D.O.C ALBERT PARK Artisan pizza in Melbourne has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years, with D.O.C at the forefront of the revolution. If you're looking for one of the city's finest, closest experiences to the real-deal in Italy, you've come to the right place. And what could be a better accompaniment to a perfect pizza than a Negroni? There's something about that ice-cold Campari concoction that goes down a right treat with hot cheese and bread — and this is one of the best places in Melbourne to experience the two together, as they should be. D.O.C is participating in Negroni Week. Their chosen charity? Starlight. CARWYN CELLARS Didn't expect a bottle-o to be on this list? When we first entered Carwyn Cellars, neither did we. The Back Room of the High Street boutique bottle shop has 16 taps of beer, a solid wine list and an epic collection of over 100 whiskies. Cocktails are absent from the menu, save for a Negroni, which they actually have on tap. Yes, on tap. When it all starts to go to your head, you can have some cheese, or order a delicious Middle Eastern style pizza from The Moor's Head nearby, and have it delivered straight to your table. HEARTATTACK AND VINE Good things may come in small packages, but finer things come served as tasty morsels on wooden boards. The Italians call this cicchetti, and it's one of the defining features of Lygon Street's hippest bar, Heartattack and Vine. Of course, it would be remiss to chow down on cicchetti without a drink to match. That's where their spiced Negroni comes in. It's the perfect Italian aperitif to pair with some pre-dinner Italian snacks. Want to learn more about Negronis? Brush up on your history. By the Concrete Playground team.
Footscray boomed a while ago, and it's arguably cooler than uber-gentrified Collingwood these days. Case in point: the Sleepless Footscray Festival, which is back in 2023 to turn Footscray into one giant arts and live music playground from June 17 to July 1. Produced by Stargazed Productions, Sleepless is a community arts festival, which means most acts are homegrown right here in Melbourne's west. It runs for two weeks and features a huge line-up of immersive experiences, performances, art installations and food pop-ups. "Sleepless Footscray Festival has been created with an emphasis on showcasing the area's rich history, melting-pot of cultures, and potential for growth and revitalisation post-pandemic," said Sleepless Festival co-founder JJ Wilson says. "Our first festival was a hit among artists and punters alike, so we're thrilled to be back bigger and better this year." When JJ says "bigger", he means it with events sprawling over Footscray's laneways, main drags and even unused buildings. To kick things off, there's a free Live Music Safari on June 17, which runs at ten live music venues across the suburb. You're free to wander and enjoy, and it'll cost you exactly nothing. Expect a solid collection of electro-acoustic and ambient acts, including Puscha, Genevieve Fry, Yaika, Zoltan Fesco, Crumbhorn Knotting, Pat Telfer, Sofia Carbonara and Helen Svoboda, while Mamma Chen's is hosting a celebration of Asian musicians with Joelistics, Minhy, Y.C Liu and Y. Lynn and Tiana Khas. You can browse the full program here. Ticket prices will vary, depending on what you want to see. Images: Supplied, Minhy and Cafe Play.
It's not your imagination — there really has been a heap of stunning new hotels open in Australia this year. Australia's hotel scene is already stacked with some remarkable stays, both in the major cities and in the regional corners of the country. And as our tourism economy has continued to boom, the last six months has seen more boutique and luxury chain hotels open on our shores. From boutique hotels with lush gardens to a wine lovers' dream stays or vibrant 'choose-your-own-adventure' lodgings, there are some seriously impressive (and incredibly designed) new hotels awaiting your arrival — whether on an interstate trip or a sneaky staycation. Read on to find out which 2018 hotel openings to pencil into your travel calendar as soon as possible. [caption id="attachment_671141" align="alignnone" width="1920"] W Brisbane[/caption] W BRISBANE, BRISBANE Brisbanites should be well aware of the CBD's riverside stretch that's synonymous with bland buildings and a hurried expressway. But with the arrival of W Brisbane — marking W Hotels' first foray back into Australia before it opens hotels in Sydney and Melbourne — the northern bank has received a much needed spruce. Offering views across the water to Queensland Museum, the State Library of Queensland and GOMA, the five-star hotel boasts 312 designer rooms equipped with ten-gallon drum baths and in-suite cocktail stations. On the fourth-level, you'll find a pool with some funky geometric décor. There's also a 150-seat restaurant from celebrated restaurateurs Three Blue Ducks. Looking out over Brisbane River, guests can enjoy signature dishes like spanner crab scramble, congee with pulled pork and hay smoked salmon kedgeree. W Brisbane is location at 81 North Quay, Brisbane. Make a reservation here. [caption id="attachment_660519" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sharon Cairns[/caption] PARAMOUNT HOUSE HOTEL, SYDNEY When Paramount House Hotel was first announced back in August of 2017, the hotel promised it wouldn't be your standard luxury hotel, but rather an immersive experience that would embed patrons into the culture of Sydney's inner city suburb of Surry Hills. All we can say is that it's delivered on that guarantee. Set in a 1940s warehouse above Paramount Coffee Project, the 29-room hotel features soaring ceilings with exposed brickwork and rafting and even has a rooftop gym and cafe. And while there's luxury copper finishes, Jardan sofas and premium kilim rugs from Pakistan, the appeal of the place is less tangible in its nature. It's both the vibe and history of the surrounding community that make Paramount House Hotel special. Paramount House Hotel is located at 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills. Make a reservation here. UNITED PLACES, MELBOURNE Positioned opposite the Royal Botanical Gardens, United Places' remit was to create a home away from home. And its success is immediately apparent, with the outside greenery extending into the 12 luxury suites, creating a space that you'll never want to leave. Each offers hardwood floors and polished kitchens, while terraces with sweeping city and parkland views round out the cosy living spaces. While you're there, you'll get to have a taste of Melbourne chef Scott Pickett's latest restaurant, Matilda. Pickett's contemporary Australian cuisine is produced entirely over open flames and hot coals — and you won't have to leave your room to enjoy it, with the high-end meals delivered directly to your suite. Dining at the restaurant is an experience in itself though, so we'd recommend heading in one night, too. United Places is located at 157-159 Domain Road, South Yarra. Make a reservation here. THE COLLECTIONIST, SYDNEY From rooms inspired by wine vintages to rooms that a spy might book for the night, Camperdown's The Collectionist is set on offering patrons something different. The place has a rather unique approach, in that it lets you pick which one of its 39 rooms you want to spend the night in when you check in. Billed as a 'choose-your-own-adventure' hotel, it's meant to be a highly individualised experience, with patrons touring the rooms and getting their access code via SMS. The hotel has collaborated with seven designers and 13 artists to create the innovative experience and each space features its own distinctive colours, textures and mood. While there's no restaurant on-site, the lobby hosts daily social drinks from 4–8pm. The Collectionist Hotel is located at 9–13 Marsden Street, Camperdown. Make a reservation here. OVOLO INCHCOLM, BRISBANE If you're the type who appreciates a bit of old-world glamour, then Brisbane's new Ovolo Inchcolm is the hotel for you. A former residence and medical centre, the 1930s building has been returned to its roots — albeit with a distinctly modern twist — presenting a charming art deco fit-out. But the hotel doesn't get lost in the past in every aspect. The addition of Salon de Co, a sprawling bar and restaurant, serves up modern rhubarb martinis or goji berry and vodka combos. Meanwhile, chef Anthony Hales' menu adds a bit of mystique with a sparse list of ingredients to keep diners guessing. The rooms, suites and a split-level loft dial back the theme a touch, but with a free minibar, and bookshelves loaded with timeless novels, you might find yourself dreaming of a simpler time. Ovolo Inchcolm is located at 73 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill. Make a reservation here. WILLIAM INGLIS HOTEL, SYDNEY Named after Australia's renowned thoroughbred company, William Inglis and Sons, Western Sydney's latest hotel is a sure thing if you're after a mini Sydney staycation. As part of the Sofitel's MGallery collection of boutique hotels, the William Inglis Hotel's centrepiece is its fresh rooftop bar boasting a pool and stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Warwick Farm. Once you've built up an appetite, head downstairs to the Newmarket Room, a paddock-to-plate restaurant led by chef Sercan Kesici. Whisky fans will be at home here, too — the mezzanine's 1867 Lounge serves high-end cocktails and boutique wines. William Inglis Hotel is located at 155 Governor Macquarie Drive, Warwick Farm. Make a reservation here. MITCHELTON HOTEL, NAGAMBIE Set in the scenic Goulburn Valley wine region in Victoria, this recently opened accommodation is as good as the on-site winery. Featuring a palette of moody, rural tones designed by acclaimed architectural practice Hecker Guthrie, the Mitchelton is a wine lover's dream escape. Chef Daniel Hawkins (POW Kitchen, Newmarket Hotel, Stokehouse) helms restaurant The Muse, which serves ethically farmed produce found throughout the Nagambie Lakes district. Boutique chocolate producers The Ministry of Chocolate run the decadent café, while Mitchelton Gallery of Aboriginal Art displays works from 15 Indigenous communities from across Australia. If you're lucky enough to stay here, you'll get a full selection of Mitchelton Wines as soon as you step inside the door. Mitchelton Hotel is located at 470 Mitchellstown Road, Nagambie. Make a reservation here. FELIX HOTEL, SYDNEY Airport accommodations are normally pretty drab, but the lively Felix Hotel is bucking this trend with a truly first class stay. Inspired by the 1960s Golden Age of air travel — that is, before budget airlines made you pay for water — the seamless experience starts from the get-go with guests heading straight to the top-level penthouse to check-in. From here, overlooking the runway, guests can enjoy the rooftop cinema, a 24-hour general store and a colourful cocktail bar that'll undoubtedly be a departure from the monotonous airport hotels that you've grown accustomed to. Felix Hotel is located at 121 Baxter Road, Mascot. Make a reservation at here. THE BYRON AT BYRON, BYRON BAY While The Byron at Byron may not exactly be new, this year's massive revamp makes it worthy of a place on this list. Having shut up shop for six weeks to undergo the renovations, renowned interior designer practice Luchetti Krelle — and executive chef Matthew Kemp — led the extensive face-lift of the restaurant, bar and accommodations. Working closely with a range of local artists, the enhancements manifest themselves quickly. There's a fancy copper island bar and a verandah that blends into the lush surrounding forest. Kemp's restaurant serves seasonal cuisine with Asian, modern Australian and European flourishes, while the rooms and suites are warmly furnished making for a homey resort stay. The Byron is located at Byron at 77-97 Broken Head Road, Byron Bay. Make a reservation here. WEST HOTEL, SYDNEY It's hard to ignore the West Hotel's 'Chanel handbag' façade, which according to designers Fitzpatrick + partner, was the visual representation of the hotel's entire space and vibe. Set on the Darling Harbour waterfront, the 182 designer rooms feature bold furnishings aimed at judicious travellers who seek out luxury. With botanical motifs abound, there's also an openair atrium serving as an oasis from the busy city streets below. The restaurant, Solander Dining, embraces sustainable seasonal produce from across New South Wales, while the accompanying bar is the perfect spot to enjoy some boutique drops while seated at a mesmerising emerald-green terrazzo marble counter. West Hotel is located at 65 Sussex Street, Sydney. Make a reservation here. And there are more where those came from, too. Melbourne is set to score a new luxury Jackalope Hotel on Flinders Lane, a new Art Series hotel will open at Brisbane's new Howard Smith Wharves precinct, and W Hotels will be opening hotels in both Sydney and Melbourne in 2020.
Cinephiles, picnic-lovers and everyone in between, rejoice — the annual combination of movies, outdoor eating and park hangouts that is Moonlight Cinema is back for another round of film-watching fun. Kicking off their 2016-17 season on the first day of summer (when else?), Australia's biggest outdoor cinema returns with all the elements you know and love. Big screen shimmering beneath the stars? Check. Food trucks serving the ultimate movie munchies? Check. Letting super-organised patrons BYO their own snacks? Check. A huge lineup of new releases and cult classics? We'll confirm that when the 2016-17 film program is announced in the coming weeks. Of course, heading to Moonlight isn't just about the movies shown, as fun as getting a sneak peek of upcoming flicks or sharing the joyous glow of watching iconic favourites like Dirty Dancing and Top Gun on a big screen is. It's also about the experience, which is why you're allowed to start getting excited without knowing which films you'll be watching — and why you should be blocking out December through to April in your calendar. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2016-17 DATES: Sydney: December 1 – April 2 (Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Park) Adelaide: December 1 – February 19 (Botanic Park) Brisbane: December 3 – March 5 (New Farm Park at Brisbane Powerhouse) Perth: December 3 – April 2 (Kings Park and Botanic Garden) Melbourne: Dates and venue TBC Moonlight Cinema's 2016-17 season starts screening around the country from December 1. For more information and bookings, visit their website.
Back in March, Carwyn Cellars' inaugural Carwyn Collaborational beer festival was just a couple of weeks out from its debut when COVID-19 did its thing. Now, after a hefty seven-month postponement, the event's finally kicking off, in the form of a virtual beer celebration this October. The festival's original concept saw 12 local breweries each pairing up with an international heavyweight to create a series of exclusive collaboration beers, which would then be showcased onsite at the Thornbury bar. In its virtual iteration, the festival's serving up an only slightly smaller lineup of 11 special beers from 22 breweries, which are yours to enjoy from the comfort of home. Some of the breweries on the lineup include Boatrocker, Edge and Mr Banks from Victoria, NSW's One Drop and Felons from Queensland, plus, on the international front, Garage Project from NZ, the USA's Arizona Wilderness, Denmark's Beer Here and De Molen from the Netherlands. [caption id="attachment_761607" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The event was originally scheduled to be held at Carwyn Cellars' Thornbury venue.[/caption] The Collaborational At Home Beer Box ($95) is stocked with all of the surprise brews, along with a branded tasting glass and festival booklet, available for home delivery across Australia. While you can sample the exclusive drops at your own leisure, stay tuned for the virtual festival itself on Saturday, October 24. It's free for anyone to enjoy, featuring guided tasting sessions, brewer interviews, tours of some top international breweries and plenty more virtual fun. There are even prizes for the best at-home festival set-up. Boxes are available for to buy online from midday on Wednesday, September 2, with shipping rates starting from $10. Updated September 1, 2020.
By now you've probably heard the news that this morning we awoke to a world a little less wondrous. After a long battle with a form of Alzheimer’s disease, beloved fantasy author Sir Terry Pratchett has passed away at the age of 66. Best known for his ever-popular Discworld series, Pratchett published more than 70 books over the course of his lifetime, and won countless fans with his irreverent writing style and limitless imagination. With so much writing under his belt, there's a Pratchett line for seemingly any situation. In tribute to the well-lived author, we’ve collected some of our favourite Pratchett advice. ON OPTIMISM "There are those who, when presented with a glass that is exactly half full, say: this glass is half full. And then there are those who say: this glass is half empty. The world belongs, however, to those who can look at the glass and say: What's up with this glass? Excuse me? Excuse me? This is my glass? I don't think so. My glass was full! And it was a bigger glass!" – The Truth ON SEX “He'd noticed that sex bore some resemblance to cookery: it fascinated people, they sometimes bought books full of complicated recipes and interesting pictures, and sometimes when they were really hungry they created vast banquets in their imagination - but at the end of the day they'd settle quite happily for egg and chips.” – The Fifth Elephant. ON GENDER RELATIONS ON MARRIAGE “A marriage is always made up of two people who are prepared to swear that only the other one snores.” – The Fifth Elephant ON AMERICANS “A European says: ‘I can't understand this, what's wrong with me?’ An American says: ‘I can't understand this, what's wrong with him?’” ON DRINKING “Death: "THERE ARE BETTER THINGS IN THE WORLD THAN ALCOHOL, ALBERT." Albert: "Oh, yes, sir. But alcohol sort of compensates for not getting them.” – Death’s Domain ON FOOD “Sham Harga had run a successful eatery for many years by always smiling, never extending credit, and realizing that most of his customers wanted meals properly balanced between the four food groups: sugar, starch, grease and burnt crunchy bits.” – Men at Arms ON STYLE ON EDUCATION “Getting an education was a bit like a communicable sexual disease. It made you unsuitable for a lot of jobs and then you had the urge to pass it on.” – The Hogfather ON EXAMS “It is very important to be sober when you take an exam. Many worthwhile careers in the street- cleansing, fruit-picking and subway-guitar-playing industries have been founded on a lack of understanding of this simple fact.” – Moving Pictures ON HARD WORK “If you trust in yourself…. and believe in your dreams…. and follow your star… you’ll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren’t so lazy.” — The Wee Free Men ON GOD “God does not play dice with the universe; He plays an ineffable game of his own devising, which might be compared, from the perspective of any of the other players, to being involved in an obscure and complex version of poker in a pitch dark room, with blank cards, for infinite stakes, with a dealer who won't tell you the rules, and who smiles all the time.” – Good Omens ON EVIL “Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things.” – I Shall Wear Midnight ON DIFFERENCE ON LOVE “‘And what would humans be without love?’ ‘RARE’, said Death.” – Sourcery ON CREATIVITY "Stories of imagination tend to upset those without one." ON GETTING OLD “Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened.” – Moving Pictures ON DEATH “It is often said that before you die your life passes before your eyes. It is in fact true. It's called living.” Image: Dementia Friends.
If you're still on the lookout for Easter plans to make the most of your long weekend, look no further. The beautiful Terrace Cafe, reborn and redesigned by Darling Group (Higher Ground, Kettle Black, Stringers) late last year, is hosting an Easter Sunday high tea nestled in one of the city's leafiest spots. Running on Sunday, April 9 from 11am, the Easter High Tea will set you back $95 per person. The iconic lakeside cafe in the Royal Botanic Gardens will serve up a traditional tier of petit gateaux, scones and canapes. Expect the menu to run to the likes of lemon myrtle cheesecakes and mini smoked salmon and horseradish cream bagels. A glass of Pommery Champagne is also included in the price. Surrounded by greenery, the team's all-day cafe and adjoining event space have been designed in a nod to their lush outlook, with interiors by Technē featuring plenty of botanical references throughout. If you're after an even more indulgent experience, the Higher Ground team is also hosting a champagne and caviar brunch ($110 per person) with Pommery Champagne and Polaco Baerii Caviar served on blinis paired with fennel pollen creme fraiche. Images: Julian Lallo
Tired of gazing sadly at your grey, grey cubicle walls? Can't tell the floor from the walls and ceiling as you shuffle to the kitchen? This total boss had the same problem, he just decided to spruce things up a bit with A GIANT SUPERHERO MURAL OF POST-ITS. Whattaguy. Wielding 8024 post-it notes as paintbrushes, this Reddit user mocked up pixelated versions of Wonder Woman, Captain America, Iron Man, Superman, Spiderman — the whole gang. Just look at this adorable Batman. Mapping each pixel out before hitting the walls, this go-getting coworker invited his fellow workmates to come in on a weekend and create his mosaic masterpiece. And they did. All weekend. With no A/C. Team building exercise, out of the ballpark. So this: Became this: BAM. It cost the coworker $300 to buy the 9000 post-its needed to change his entire workplace. That's one hell of an immortalised investment. OFFICE KING. Via Reddit. Images: bruck7.
Once Victoria's longest running gaol, Coburg's Pentridge Prison is in the process of becoming a trendy arts, culture and food hub. Just this week, Palace announced that it'll be moving in with a 15-screen cinema and, over the past few months, we've been drip-fed other plans, from hotel rooms to a microbrewery. So, we thought we'd take a closer look. According to Pentridge's developers the , who bought the site in 2013, the former prison will be transformed into an urban village, combining retail, commercial and retail spaces. There'll be new buildings, but the plan is to merge them with existing, well, cells, and to keep heritage features, like the gaol's famous bluestone walls. Interested in moving in? In the site's northwestern corner, PRO-ARK architects are turning two, six-level bluestone blocks into 53 two- and three-bedroom apartments, with private balconies and views as far as the Dandenong Ranges. If a temporary stay sounds more like you, then check out the site's opposite corner, where Adina will be setting up a 120-room hotel, designed by Cox Architecture. The rooms will be spread over a new, 16-storey tower and the prison's notorious B Division cell block. It was from here that Ronald Ryan escaped in 1965, before being captured two years later and hanged, becoming the last person to be executed in Australia. Smack-bang in the centre, you'll find a multi-level retail centre. Palace Cinemas is taking over the top floor, with 15 screens, mammoth-sized comfy chairs and its usual mix of mainstream flicks, indie films and international festivals. Meanwhile, the laundry will be getting put to excellent use, given that it's being turned into a microbrewery, restaurant and beer garden. To be called Coburg Brewing Co., it's a joint venture between Coburg Lager and the Post Office Hotel's Daniel Caneva. There's a bunch of other buildings with yet-to-be-announced futures. Keep an eye on the master plan over here.
Traditional gardening takes time, effort and a propensity for getting your hands dirty. Saving you on every count, a team of art students from the University of Maribor in Slovenia have developed a CNC (computerised numerical control) machine that lets you print your own garden and pot plants, because art. And because environmental awareness. And because seeing grass grow from a mud outline of your own face is peak eerie. Called PrintGREEN, the printer pipes out a mixture of soil, water and grass seed onto a felt-covered sponge surface in sophisticated shapes — think typography, intricate mandala-like designs and yes, even human faces. For extra cool factor, it can also print along the z-axis, forming three-dimensional mud pots that sprout their own grass. [embed]https://vimeo.com/68193572[/embed] The world needs more greenery. Leaving aside the fact that if we don’t have enough of it life on Earth will literally collapse, studies have shown that trees are nature’s valium and an extra ten on every block can actually calm us down. And they're pretty. PrintGREEN is so far just an art piece, but it’s not the first venture 3D printing has made into the horticultural realm. Thanks to the wonders of technology, you can print your own grow box valve, your own urban farm, and your own hanging window garden. (That last one is also designed by a college student, this time from Philadelphia University. Kids these days.) This kind of technology has been touted as the future of manufacturing. See 3D-printed clothes, 3D-printed furniture and this 3D-printed 80s Knight Rider car. Sigh. We get these little glimpses into the future and it’s scary but beautiful. Via Mentalfloss.
The Albion Hotel is what you'd call a true 'risen from the ashes' story. Two years ago, the historic South Melbourne pub took quite the beating, burning to the ground just ten days before it was due to reopen. Now, its team of owners — which includes ex-Collingwood AFL player Dane Swan and former rugby league players Danny Williams and Robbie Kearns — have brought the venue back to life, this week opening to the public at last. We're told to expect an entirely different offering to any of the pub's many previous incarnations, as it returns to its original name of The Albion. This time around, expect a mammoth three-level space, crowned with one of Melbourne's biggest rooftop bars. Up here, find yourself quaffing gin cocktails and tap beers, matched to sweeping views of the city skyline. One floor below lies a plush lounge bar, decked out with leather booths and brass accents, while a modern front bar takes over the ground level. It's an all-encompassing venue that's been designed to cruise easily from daytime to the after-dark hours, with a state-of-the-art sound system and a nifty 5am weekend licence pegging it as a favourite for late-night dance floor sessions. Meanwhile, the brand new kitchen is plating up a menu that celebrates both local produce and global flavours, featuring the likes of soft shell crab bao, cider-braised pork belly and a seared nori tuna. This isn't the only old pub to reopen — Melbourne University's Prince Alfred is getting a new lease on life too. The Albion is now open Wednesday through Sunday at 172, York Street South Melbourne. For more information, keep checking back here and at thealbion.bar.
"I had to believe that people wanted to watch a pilgrim horror movie set in early New England, but I didn't think that it would be like this," says Robert Eggers. Indeed, the first-time filmmaker couldn't have predicted the reaction to his debut effort, a labour of love that took four years to research and finance, plus another year to make, shoot and edit. Since The Witch premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and won the dramatic directing award in the process, audiences and critics alike have been buzzing. Given that the film paints a nightmarish vision of a family haunted by loss and overcome with fear, complete with a creepy presence in the woods and some sinister livestock, there's certainly plenty to talk about. There's the feature's approach, for example, with Eggers taking pains to faithfully recreate the movie's setting, period and language. The writer/director laughingly describes himself as "an annoying bearded hipster, but instead of making pickles, I'm going into the past", after all. Then there's the many interpretations of the tense and atmospheric effort, with The Witch hailed by feminists and Satanists alike over the past year. With the film releasing in Australia, Eggers spoke with Concrete Playground about his inspirations, his commitment to authenticity, the responses to the movie and its place in the horror genre. ON DRAWING UPON THE CREEPY NEW ENGLAND WOODS FROM HIS PAST "I grew up in New England and you know, these rural New England towns are sort of full of the past. It can't be ignored — there's all these dilapidated colonial farmhouses and graveyards in the middle of the woods. And like many New England kids that had a house in the woods, I felt like the woods was also haunted by the past. "I was always very interested in witches. The earliest dreams of mine that I can remember are about witches. So I wanted to make an archetypal New England horror story, something that would feel like a nightmare from the past. Like an inherited nightmare, an inherited puritan nightmare that would sort of awaken ancient half-forgotten fears, and articulate the idea of New England's mythic past that I had as a kid." ON PLUNGING THE FILM BACK TO PURITAN TIMES (AUTHENTICALLY) "I love the past, and I love antiques, and I love learning about how people lived and the history of how things were made. When I went to the Globe Theatre reconstruction in London, to their museum, they had a doublet that was made out of a kind of silk that is so insanely perfect. And no one knows how to make silk like that any more — the people who made that have all died and it can't be done "Things like that are very interesting to me. So, I can fetishiSe objects and that makes me happy personally. But authenticity doesn't mean good design or good filmmaking at all. Some films that I love aren't authentic in any way, they're just good. "With this film, I really felt that if the witch was going to be real, if the evil witch was going to be real for an audience and she was going to come across as a given the way she did for these New England Calvinist puritans, we needed to go back to the 17th century and really be immersed — and really believe and be in their mindset. And without the attention to detail across the board, we wouldn't have been able to invest as an audience." ON GETTING SIMULTANEOUS SNAPS FROM SATANISTS AND FEMINISTS "I was just trying to tell a story about how this kind of family from this period would actually have believed witchcraft to be. In doing that, I discovered a lot of different things. Feminism was bursting out of the pages of history, and while I didn't intend to make a film about female empowerment, it seems that if you're telling a witchcraft story, that's kind of what you're doing — and I'm pleased with that, very pleased with it. "I aimed for archetypal storytelling. And if they work at all, then archetypes are always reconstituting again. I mean, lots of people are talking about lots of different kind of feminist issues. There are Satanists who like the film. I got an email from a Calvinist pastor who loved the film. I've had people ask me if I was thinking about Syrian religious refugees. Whatever you want to read into it, I'm happy with it." ON THE WITCH'S PLACE IN THE HORROR LANDSCAPE "I think that most horror films aren't this boring, you know? We tend to like to romanticise the past and say, 'Well Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist and The Shining, well you know those are those great films.'. And we remember them, but we don't remember the trillions and zillions of horrible movies that sucked. "As a first time filmmaker, I think some of my influences are maybe too clear. I think this film smells like The Shining in a strong way, but I think that some of the effectiveness of certain parts might not exist without that. That's a film that I watched a ton in my mid-twenties when I was trying to really to make something which sustained tension." The Witch is now showing in Australian cinemas.
Vivid Sydney is really cranking it up this year. Announcing a kaleidoscopic festival program of light, music and ideas this morning, Vivid's 2016 plans will have you squealing over social and locking in dates — lights are on at 6pm May 27 through to June 18. Vivid Ideas is of course, back for the brainiacs among you — and this year it's bloody huge. Vivid Ideas curator Jess Scully revealed the mega lineup this morning, including House of Cards creator Beau Willimon and legendary US filmmaker Spike Jonze at the top of the bill. They'll be part of the popular 'Gamechangers' series, alongside Orange Is The New Black writer Jenji Kohan and creative wunderkind Margaret Zhang. Vivid LIVE is back again with one humdinger of a lineup, revealed by curator Ben Marshall. Ready? There'll be 15 Sydney-only performances, including legendary outfit New Order, heartbreak king Bon Iver, chameleonic gem Anohni, alongside Ezperanza Spalding, Polica, Max Richter, Haitus Kaiyote with Sampa the Great (!), Tiny Ruins, Deafheaven, Oneohtrix Point Never, Future Classic nights and more to be revealed. Vivid Music will expand again, with curator Stephen Ferris behind the wheel. In one heck of a slam dunk, Carriageworks will see a contemporary program in which none other than Bjork (BJORK!) launches a huge virtual reality project dubbed BJORK DIGITAL — a collaboration with some of the world's best filmmakers and programmers. To celebrate the opening, Bjork herself will travel to Sydney to curate a one-off music event at Carriageworks, where she'll DJ with special guests. Obviously, the lights are the bigwig here, the event millions of visitors descend upon Sydney for. Sydney Opera House will feature Australian Indigenous art with new and iconic contemporary works from Karla Dickens, Djon Mundine, Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi, Reko Rennie, Donny Woolagoodja, and the late Gulumbu Yunupingu. The Light Walk will return, with Sydney's building facades lighting up with spectacular artistry. The eastern side of the Harbour Bridge will be lit up for the first time and Taronga Zoo will play host to an illuminated animal trail, celebrating its 100th birthday. The Chatswood precinct will light up with WildLight, inspired by the animals of Gondwana, and Martin Place will see the technical debut from NIDA in Martin Place called Fountain, a giant installation of human birth rate data as 'water jets'. There's plenty more where that came from, check the Vivid Sydney website for more details.
Fans of Robert Mapplethorpe will no doubt have already snapped up tickets to the new survey exhibition of his work at AGNSW. Showcasing an impressive selection of portraits, figure studies, floral still lifes and erotic imagery reflecting his participation in both New York's uptown art clique and underground gay scene, The Perfect Medium will grant fans an intimate, comprehensive insight into Mapplethorpe's distinctive artistic methods and private world. As one of the most compelling, boundary-pushing late 20th century American artists, Mapplethorpe's photography shaped an era, in part thanks to his portraits of the cultural idols of the 1970s and 80s (think Debbie Harry, Philip Glass and Mapplethorpe's longtime muse Patti Smith). AGNSW director Dr. Michael Brand says that Mapplethorpe played an influential role in establishing photography as a valid form of contemporary art: "whether he was photographing a figure, a flower or a fetish, Mapplethorpe's subjects were unified by an enduring and unflinching quest for beauty." Compulsory viewing for anyone interested in photography and the 1970s/80s New York art scene. Images from left: Robert Mapplethorpe Two men dancing 1984; Kathy Acker 1983. Promised Gift of The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation to The J Paul Getty Trust and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art © Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation. Used by permission.
Getting out of the house just got a little bit easier as the sunny spring months have finally returned. To welcome back the much needed warmth and clear blue skies, we've got another selection of contemporary art exhibitions that are full of energy and creativity. September sees a host of inspired visual delights on display as the National Gallery of Victoria presents the luminous collage works of living legend Gareth Sansom, the TarraWarra Museum of Art brings together local and international artists who explore our connection to history, and Junior Space ponders the place of tropical plants. With an abundance of art to choose from, this month's exhibitions blossom with excitement and imagination.
There are very few people that will rave about a humble sandwich. But then, only in Melbourne will you find an unassuming sandwich shop staffed and run by one of the city's finest chefs. Dom Wilton is a former Stokehouse chef. It's no wonder Hector is consistently declared 'best sandwich in Melbourne' by locals and dedicated non-locals alike, despite the steadfastly unpretentious menu. Its sando menu stars just ten signature creations. It's a concise yet considered lineup, focused on top-quality ingredients hitting all the right flavour notes. The kitchen's take on the classic chicken sanga features the largest crumbed schnitzel known to man, tarragon butter and iceberg lettuce on a steamed potato bun, while the beef number teams brisket with mustard pickle spread, dill pickles and kraut on toasted rye. Non-meat and veggie options will tempt even the carnivorous, with a tuna melt made with house tuna mix, pickled green chilli, onion and melted American cheese, or a cheesy mushroom melt with mozzarella and provolone. The specials board is one to watch, with limited-edition sandwiches popping up regularly. The Hector's Deli space itself is a minimalist one — the white brick corner spot is decked out with cheerfully low-key DIY interiors, complete with upcycled chairs from a nearby laundromat. Simple, but endlessly effective — just like the sandwiches. Appears in: Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Melbourne for 2023 Where to Find the Best Sandwiches in Melbourne for 2023
Part of the appeal of this big, buzzing, wonderful city of ours comes from the constant parade of activities, restaurant openings, festivals and cultural fun it's got on offer. But with only 24 hours in a day, how are we supposed to cram it all in and keep the #fomo to a minimum? No, the answer is not to stop sleeping. You can get out there and enjoy this fine city while still maintaining the routines of everyday life (like, y'know, sleeping eight hours a night and rocking up to work in the morning). Melbourne life can be pretty hectic, which is why we're here to help you harness the power of a coffee break — be it in the morning, at lunchtime of when you knock off work. Take the break you, as a hardworking human being, deserve. GET ON YA BIKE AND TAKE A SPIN AROUND TOWN Sure, you've got your well-trodden path to and from the office, but outside of that rushed, peak-hour commute, how much of the CBD do you really get a glimpse of? Score a fresh perspective and a healthy dose of fresh air, with a two-wheeled trundle around town in your mid-morning break. No bike? No worries! Those banks of blue bikes you've spotted around the place aren't just for tourists. Melbourne Bike Share is ideal for those casual jaunts around the city — and won't cost you a cent if your ride clocks in at under 30 minutes. INDULGE IN AN INNER CITY PICNIC Enjoy one of our city's green spaces and some of its epicurean delights simultaneously, with a mid-morning picnic in the park. The verdant surrounds of Carlton, Flagstaff, Fitzroy and Treasury Gardens are all just a few hops out of the concrete jungle and prove the perfect antidote to time spent in the office. Plus, with all the world-class foodie joints that call our city home, you're simply spoilt for choice when it comes to edible (and Instagrammable) accoutrements to your mini park party. Think, raw treats from Hunters Roots, bagels from 5 & Dime, guilt-free desserts from Raw Trader and cronuts from Rustica Canteen. [caption id="attachment_583879" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Shermaine Wee via Craft Victoria[/caption] GET CRAFTY AT CRAFT VICTORIA Shop for artisan locally-made pieces or take in an exhibition from some fresh local talent with a visit to Craft Victoria. The Flinders Lane space is a resource hub, gallery and shop all rolled into one, where you'll find the coolest hand-crafted textiles, jewellery, ceramic, glass and timber works going around. There's a vibrant program of exhibitions, as well as a curated window space offering a 24/7 design fix. Pop in on your mid-morning break for some inspiration from some very clever designers, or treat yourself to the ultimate Melbourne gift. HIT UP A POP-UP A good pop-up is the ultimate mini Melbourne mission, whether it's slinging designer threads, decadent bakery treats, or this month's newest food trend. Avoid the weekend queues and get a taste of the latest and greatest fleeting finds in your mid-morning break. Over by the Queen Victoria Markets, Ten Green Balloons currently sells a quirky mix of hand-picked vintage and new homewares and gifts, while the Original Chai Co. is your go-to for that traditionally crafted, comforting chai fix. And who knows what will be on offer next month? [caption id="attachment_554354" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pascal via Flickr[/caption] DROP IN TO THE STATE LIBRARY The State Library of Victoria has a whole lot more to offer than just books and a peaceful study space, with a program full of talks, tours, workshops and free exhibitions. Escape the office and swing by here to catch whatever they're putting on that day — perhaps it's a peek into the lives of WW1 soldiers and their families, a look at some of our country's media legends, or a glimpse of the personal stories behind the faces of Melbourne's Big Issue magazine.
