Bedroom producers are the self-publishers of the music world, DIY crusaders making music on their own steam and striving to be the next Flume, Grimes or James Blake. It's a pervasive assumption that home production is a stop-gap for struggling musicians before they manage to get themselves into a professional studio. In practice, electronic music in particular lends itself beautifully to MacGyvered production methods, not just as a way to keep costs down but for the gritty imperfections that come innately from making music in a home studio. For Melbourne's phreshest electronic duo Kllo (Simon Lam and Chloe Kaul), recording in their own home bungalow was as DIY as it gets. "We used a doona as the vocal booth," laughs Chloe, explaining that DIY production helps to soften the polished and artificial sheen that stigmatises so much electronic music. "We want a homely, organic sound, so we use analogue synths and home-made sounds like beating pots and pans. We didn't want it to be too clean." Kllo are having one hell of a year. They've got two singles under their collective belt, both well received, just nailed their appearance at Splendour in the Grass (for the second time), DJed at the official Splendour pre-party, and played a killer party set at Concrete Playground and Sonos's Beach Break with Good Manners labelmate Banoffee. This August, they'll be releasing their album Well Worn and touring nationally. They're proving exactly what a couple of DIY musos with drive can do when they put their minds to it. We sat down with Kllo to mine some of their best working-from-home advice. EVEN BEDROOM PRODUCERS DON'T SLEEP WHERE THEY WORK The first thing any work-from-homer will tell you is that you should never work in bed (and not just because you will get crumbies in the sheets). In fact, this was Simon's first suggestion and a tested truism. "You've gotta separate your living and working space. It's so important, even if you've only got one room to work out of, just draw a line down it," he suggests. "I've worked out of bedrooms for a long time and when it kind of all bleeds together, it becomes unhealthy. It's nice to shut the door at the end of the day and feel like you've left work". Separating work and play is universally acknowledged as a crucial part of not completely losing your mind while working from home. To this end, Kllo work out of two spaces, the bungalow (a room off Simon's house in the 'burbs) and a studio in the CBD. "The energies are different," says Simon. "It's good to be able to walk through the city and come [to the studio] and maintain that high-paced energy. Whereas at the bungalow, it's really isolated, we can work a whole day without talking to anyone but ourselves… you can really get into your own head." TREAT YOUR CREATIVE JOB LIKE A REAL JOB Like so many things in life, a big part of a creative career is turning up. Not turning up at the clurb but physically (and mentally) turning up to your work space and grinding away even when there's no-one but yourself to report to. Throw the sporadic nature of creativity into play and the isolation of working from home and you've got yourself a bit of a quagmire. "Sometimes you can be so disciplined, but then you go to make music in your scheduled time and nothing happens," says Simon. "You can't prepare for when blocks come on." "Times like those are when it's good to do other things and then come back to it," Chloe adds. IF YOU HAVE TO PROCRASTINATE, DO IT WITH A SIT-DOWN MEAL "When we're having a mental block, we eat. We congregate in the kitchen, kettle on, lots of food and coffees. Or treats if we're really down," Chloe says "Then we try to fill ourselves with a lot of carbs and then sugar." "We tend to just have full meals," Simon adds. "A lot of breakfast foods." "We'll have a sit down meal of eggs, avocado, toast," says Chloe. "I also like a Kit Kat Chunky, Sim got me into them. I love that first bite, when it's all chocolate — so good. I've got to stop talking about this, I want one now." MAKE SURE YOU'RE COMFORTABLE IN YOUR SPACE On screen, crispy, white, Tumblr-esque minimalism is king, but in real life it's unnatural, not to mention impractical. This rings especially true for electronic musicians. "Some studios are just so sterile, a vacuum for sound and creativity," says Simon. "I think being comfortable is more important, to make sure you're comfortable and not being put off by anything." Kllo's studio in the CBD is a collaborative space where they're currently working on their album. It's a busy space, littered with knick knacks, beer cans sprouting fluffy cacti, slick high-tech gadgetry including Sonos's smart speaker system, oddments of furniture, shelves clustered with figurines and piles of gear, hedged with endless bundles of cords. In the well-walked studio space of pre-tour musicians, in the midst of promoting an upcoming album, there's no room for impractical minimalism. "But plants are good. Plants are helpful, they bring some life amongst all the metal," Chloe says. "And for us, it's important to play a lot of music at home and in the studio to get inspired and feel at home. You've gotta have a good sound system set up, for sure." DON'T BE AFRAID TO DREAM A LITTLE BIGGER What does Kllo's ideal studio look like? "I reckon it's all wood, with a nice spa," Chloe says. "Big windows and a lot of forest around it." Simon's on board with the window game. "For me it's definitely big windows and when you look out of the window there's a huge garden but then it's actually somewhere really central," he says. And an in-house chef? "Oh, of course. That would be our main thing," Chloe says "if there was an in-house chef I'd just ask him to make me cocktails all day." "I think I'd like a private Coles or Safeway downstairs too," Simon adds. We couldn't agree more. And now for a little music. Here's what Kllo are listening to right now, crank it up. Want to have studio-level sound in your own home? We're teaming up with Sonos to giveaway one of their coveted PLAY:1 speakers, valued at $299. ENTER HERE. Images: Jam on Your Collar, Alexandra Anderson.
An exploration of an exiled poet. The Australian premiere of legendary filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky's latest feature. An effort that's being called Peru's first bona fide horror movie. They're just three of the films in the freshly unveiled, first-ever Cine Latino Film Festival lineup, as Australia's first national fest dedicated to showcasing the best in Latin American cinema prepares to tour the country in August. While the complete program features more than 30 movies from Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Cuba, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Guatemala and Puerto Rico, there's a reason that the first of the flicks mentioned above, the Pablo Larraín-directed, Gael García Bernal-starring Neruda, has been plucked straight from Cannes to open the festival. The last time the filmmaker and actor worked together, the excellent No was the end result, so expect another insightful look at Chilean politics from their second collaboration. Jodorowsky's Endless Poetry should rank among the festival's just-as-eagerly-anticipated titles, especially by fans of the director's '70s cult classics El Topo and The Holy Mountain and his most recent effort The Dance of Reality — or anyone who marvelled at what could've been when they watched the entertaining documentary Jodorowsky's Dune. And while The Womb doesn't come with quite the same pedigree, it does boast a chilling storyline involving one of the horror genre's favourite topics: motherhood. Elsewhere, a chronicle of the pop star known as the 'Mexican Madonna', an insight into current state of a formerly luxurious Havana hotel, and more than a couple of soccer-themed efforts all feature among the feast of Spanish and Portuguese-language fare, as do Peruvian road movie Solos and Venezuelan beauty queen black comedy 3 Beauties. Just perusing the program is enough to make you want to jump on a plane for Latin America, however for those who can't enjoy an overseas holiday at the moment, immersing yourself in the films of the region really is the next best thing. The Cine Latino Film Festival screens at Sydney's Palace Norton Street and Verona from August 9 to 24, Brisbane's Palace Centro and Barracks from August 11 to 24, and Melbourne's Palace Como and Westgarth from August 17 to 31. For more information, visit the festival website.
Home to an endless variety of Asian cuisine, a single street in Melbourne's east houses some of the best honest, hawker-style food in the city. On Kingsway, Glen Waverley, deceptively delicious eateries run rampant. The epitome of casual eating, Glen Waverley’s dirt-cheap Asian food is kind to both your stomach and your purse. Although often associated with notoriously poor customer service, it's quite arguably one of Melbourne's most loved and regarded cheap eating scenes. Bring some good humour and you'll enjoy a simple, tasty meal — and in classic Glen Waverley style, it won't cost you more than $15. CHIVE DUMPLINGS AT HONG KONG DIM SUM: $3.80 It's one of the smaller restaurants in Glen Waverley, but that makes Hong Kong Dim Sum ideal for grazers reluctant to break the budget on high-class yum cha. This eatery doesn’t wheel around trolleys filled with food — instead opting for a small, specialised yum cha menu made to order. Stick to classic dim sum options like the scallop or chives dumplings ($3.80 for three) and you'll walk away pleasantly topped up with quality Chinese fare. If you're particularly impressed by the food, you can purchase a freshly frozen set of items from the freezer. 77 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9545 3886; facebook.com PRAWN MEE AT PAPPA RICH: $12.90 Always the crowd pleaser, dining at Pappa Rich usually involves a short wait at peak times. But don't be deterred by the queue — you'll be seated surprisingly quickly with expert staff cleverly maximising the spacious interior. Although technically a Malay eatery, the menu is heavily influenced by Indian and Chinese flavours. There's a variety of dishes to choose from, and a pleasantly creative drink menu. The Pappa Prawn Mee is a highlight here, with a balanced broth of rich prawns and tangy Asian spices. The flavours at Pappa Rich are a little more intricate than some other Glen Waverley eateries, which is surely reflected eagerly by the restaurant's devoted following. 92-94 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9560 0968; papparich.net.au YONG TOFU AT THE GRAND TOFU: $9.80 Here at The Grand Tofu you'll find one of the biggest, steaming hot bowls of noodle soup available for a mere ten bucks. This is classic Asian street-style soup at its best. There are a few other standard hawker flavours on the menu, including some notable vegetarian options, but Yong Tofu orders dominate most nights. Choose from a braised, tom yum, or curry soup base. Add your choice of noodles (or choose a mix) and six feature items. As a little delight, the generous range of dumplings, fish-stuffed vegetables and bean curd items are displayed in a glass case for you. The vegetarian bean curd roll and stuffed eggplant are particular standouts. 102 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9560 1700 PORK DUMPLINGS AT RARAMEN: $8.80 If crowds are anything to go by, this inconspicuous dining hall serves some of the best budget dumplings in Melbourne. The menu is extensive, but most patrons don't read beyond the dumpling list. Which is fair enough, really, when a mere $8.80 will buy you 12 of the juiciest pork treasures in town. Steamed or fried, these succulent, warm parcels are easily some of Glen Waverley's most popular hidden gems. A two-storey restaurant, RaRamen is a treat for groups with the upstairs section featuring lengthy tables specifically designed to accommodate sharing and general festivity. And if you needed another reason to visit, there are also free slurpees. 114 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9561 5665; facebook.com HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE AT STRAITS OF MALACCA: $9.80 Traditional Malaysian dishes with a western-friendly influence reign supreme at this lively restaurant. There's a genuine mix of conventional and modern Malaysian flavours, but the "most popular" Hainanese Chicken Rice is a particular standout. Beautifully light chicken rice with sharp and sweet sauces complement softly steamed meat — be patient for this one, it's worth it. If you feel adventurous, try some Malaysian drinks including the classic Kopi ($3) and the Three Layered Teh ($3.5). Ambience can be lacking occasionally, but the food is so gloriously cheap here that it's hard to mind. 78 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9561 3880 Malacca Straits image credit: annieenguyenn; The Grand Tofu image credit: foodiebebs; Hong Kong Dim Sum image credit: Alpha via Flickr
Meg Mac has been busy. In this year alone she's performed at SXSW, toured the U.S. with D'Angelo, made appearances at Splendour and Groovin The Moo, and was signed to New York label 300 Entertainment. She also scored two ARIA nominations, had three songs in the Hottest 100 and is in the middle of writing her new album, a follow-up to her debut EP MEGMAC. And she only won Triple J's Unearthed Artist of the Year twelve months ago. Arguably her most successful single to date, 'Never Be' debuted at number one on the AIR charts. On the back of this, Meg Mac (or, Megan McInerney) has embarked on an east coast co-headline tour with fellow Aussie Jarryd James. What a way to cap off the year. Everyone needs a little holiday, even if you’re road tripping around the country’s venues. And touring artists can’t help but love paying a visit to their hometowns on the way, dropping into all their old haunts and stocking up on solid family and friends time. So ahead of her huge gig at The Forum tomorrow night, we asked Meg Mac what she'll be doing when she gets to the city she calls home: this little ol' place called Melbourne. FITZROY GARDENS "My house doesn’t have a garden or any outdoor area, so I love to walk here. You can always find somewhere to be by yourself — you could walk through the park for hours. This is where I like to go." East Melbourne VINTAGE GARAGE "Every time I go into this store — and usually on the exact same rack — I will find an outfit for Meg Mac. This is where I bought my first black cape and jumpsuit." 318 Smith Street, Collingwood CINEMA NOVA "It is just a cinema, but if you go on a Monday night, it's $9. I only go on Mondays." 380 Lygon Street, Carlton ADMIRAL CHENG HO "I can walk here and have a hot chocolate made with hazelnut milk — it tastes like liquid Nutella." 325 Johnston Street, Abbotsford ABBOTSFORD CONVENT "It's like entering another world, an old convent with amazing old buildings, grounds, cows, sheep and horses. There are markets, art spaces, food, everything. My little village close to home." 1-16 St Heliers, Street, Abbotsford JARRYD JAMES AND MEG MAC’S EAST COST TOUR DATES: December 4 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney December 10 — The Tivoli, Brisbane December 14 — The Fourm, Melbourne Fitzroy Gardens image: Rexness via Flickr.
In Melbourne's fast-changing restaurant scene, upgrades are always inevitable, even for a culinary institution like Andrew McConnell's Cutler & Co. So, after eight booming years, the Gertrude Street fine diner is looking at a timely revamp, shutting its doors yesterday and promising to unveil a new look and menu when it reopens mid-March. "Restaurant years are like dog years, especially in this town," says McConnell. "So I'm pretty happy to still be here; still receiving enthusiastic diners. But just because people enjoy it, doesn't mean that I can rest on my laurels. I have been looking at this space for eight years and I can see new potential for it, but it is very much an evolution rather than an revolution." Design for the new C&C space will be helmed by IF Architecture's Iva Foschia, who's come up with a fit-out to complement her previous work next door, at McConnell's wine bar, Marion. Foschia first sparked McConnell's attention after she pitched an early design for his Fitzroy butcher Meatsmith. Cutler & Co's new design will boast a trio of distinct dining spaces set around the existing Pilbara marble bar, including an open Chef's Table, a luxe dining room, and a front bar that'll be worth a visit even on its own. Think bronze details, leather chairs, slate-flecked stone and green granite. "When we were ready to press 'go' on Cutler & Co 2.0, Iva knew the processes, the scale of operations, the spaces and the people working in them," said McConnell. "I didn't want her piggy backing on Marion, but a re-design of Cutler & Co had to complement it, had to manifest our design DNA. In my brief to her it was also important that the front bar become a destination in its own right — a stand-alone venue that catered for the quick drink, a platter of fruits de mer, or an abalone tonkatsu sandwich." Meanwhile, there are some equally grand changes in store for the menu, with long-time collaborator Chris Watson (Luxembourg) stepping into the kitchen to help push Cutler & Co's culinary offering into its next evolutionary phase. Diners will still be able to feast their way through a splurge-worthy degustation or a la carte selection, though now there'll be even more of those share-friendly statement dishes, like a whole roasted, dry-aged duck from Great Ocean Ducks. Plus, with an eye to making that front bar a drinking destination in its own right, the team will be offering a separate, seafood-heavy bar menu — an exciting proposition given the quality of drinking snacks McConnell's long been dishing up at places like Cumulus Inc., Marion, and The Builders Arms. Cutler & Co reopens mid March. Marion will continue to trade throughout the renovation.
If you've been to Sydney, the Night Noodle Markets or spent some time on Instagram any time in the last few years, you've probably seen Black Star Pastry's strawberry watermelon cake floating around in the hands of hungry sweets fiends. You'll also know it's not just any cake — no, it's a thing of intense beauty that catches the eye (and heart) of anyone who as much as glances at the pink flower-topped cube of pastry. Just look at it. A photo posted by ROBBIE (@itd_be_rude_not_to) on Sep 14, 2016 at 5:36am PDT If your sweet tooth is aching just looking at that pretty hunk o' cake, you'll be delighted to know that the Sydney-based bakery yesterday announced via Instagram that they'll be coming down south to Melbourne for a three-month pop-up. They'll be setting up shop on University Street in Carlton from in late February with a selection of their incredible cakes — and yes, their signature aforementioned strawberry watermelon doozy will be there. Other favourites include the lemon pistachio zen cake, the strawberry lychee cake and the vegan chocolate popcorn cake. They'll also open up online orders to Melbourne so you can order a huge one for an "occasion". Until now Black Star's goods have only been available at their three Sydney locations and, for the last two years, the Night Noodle Markets. The lengthy pop-up hints at the possibility for a permanent store to open here in the future — but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Be sure to make the most of all that glorious, glorious cake while it's in town. The Black Star Pastry Pop-Up will open in late February and run for three months. It will be open Monday to Saturday 9am – 8pm and Sunday 9am – 3pm. For more information, visit blackstarpastry.com.au.
The Fat Duck may have migrated back to the UK, but Heston Blumenthal isn't finished with us by a long shot. The celebrity chef and collector of Michelin stars revealed in July that the old Fat Duck site at Melbourne's Crown Casino would be reinvented as Dinner, an offshoot of his London restaurant of the same name. The venue is set to open on October 20, but don't bother marking your calendar just yet. Within hours of priority booking opening on Thursday, the first few weeks of service had already been locked up. According to Good Food, the priority booking option is currently only available to people who unsuccessfully attempted to secure a table at Fat Duck last year. That's about 75,000 potential diners, so don't be surprised if the rest of us are waiting for a table for quite some time. Dinner is yet to confirm when bookings will be open to the general public, although Good Food believes it will be around September 17. Like its English counterpart, the menu at Dinner in Melbourne is supposedly inspired by "the fanciful dramatic dishes of the Royal courts of King Henry VII," offering modern interpretations of historical British cuisine. Dishes may include powdered duck breast with smoked confit fennel, spiced blood pudding and umbles; Earl Grey Tea cured salmon with lemon salad, gentleman’s relish, wood sorrel and smoked roe; as well as Heston's notorious 'meat fruit,' comprised of chicken liver parfait within a mandarin jelly skin. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal opens on October 20 at Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank. Open for lunch Friday and Saturday, and dinner daily. For updated booking information, keep an eye on www.dinnerbyheston.com.au. Via Good Food.
Have you ever wanted to have the choice between 160 different bitters? If your answer is yes, we're here to tell you that Lily Blacks is your bar. Tucked into Meyers Place off the top end of Bourke Street, this little gem means business. Lily's is run by Lachlan McAllister and the team behind many a great Melbourne bar, including recent Smith Street addition Mr Wow's Emporium. Like all of McAllister's venues, anyone and everyone is welcome to sip a tipple with Lily. In the early hours of the evening, you'll find yourself rubbing shoulders with the after-work crowd, and the hospo crew often pop in for a pre- or post-shift beverage, too. Lily's channels 1920s glamour and exudes that speakeasy vibe with a little extra cheek. When it comes to the drinks list, aside from the wall of bitters, they pride themselves on knowing a thing or two about gin. On their cocktail list classics sit comfortably next to original creations that are all carefully labelled with their key flavour: sweet, dry, boozy, tall, sweet, sour, and bitter are all descriptions you'll have to choose from. Try Lily's decadent Eton Mess made up of Larios gin, lavender, strawberries and fresh lime ($18). Or perhaps stick with something stronger, like the Japanese Cigar made from Courvoisier VS Cognac, Ardbeg Whisky, Hickory-smoked Orgeat, and bitters ($18). If the trusty Old Fashioned is your thing, however, it's time to get excited. There are six on the menu, with an array of weird and wonderful bitters. Try Matusalem clasico rum with Bob's chocolate and house-made cinnamon and fig bitters ($19). Taking care of the beer and wine drinkers among us, craft brews like the Hawthorn pale ale is on tap ($6 a pot), and you can get a Bai Ha Noi from Vietnam ($10) by the bottle. Eight wines are available by the glass — two sparklings, three white, and three red. If you're in a celebratory mood, you can also splurge by getting the Bollinger 2002 by the bottle ($295). And if Lily Blacks wasn't already enough fun, they also run monthly Iron Bartender competitions, where Melbourne's finest bartenders go head to head in an Iron Chef-inspired battle of the shakers. Secret ingredients and an enthusiastic crowd are guaranteed to follow.
UPDATE: JUNE 3, 2020 — Nimble has postponed its sale for a week, until Thursday, June 11. The below article has been updated to reflect this. There's nothing like a fresh haul of shiny new workout gear to inspire a little fitness kick. Especially when that workout gear takes the form of some high-performance threads from sustainability focused label Nimble Activewear. Well, this June, you're in for a treat, as the local brand pulls together a swag of great pieces for its huge permanent markdown sale. Running online and in-stores from 10am on Thursday, June 11 until stock sells out, the sale will be packed full of bargains, offering a hefty range of outerwear, tights, sports bras, sweats, shorts and more, with discounts of up to 40 percent. You might even be able to catch discounted pieces from the label's core CompressLite line, which is cleverly crafted from recycled plastic bottles. Nab one of these and you'll really have something to feel good about — Nimble's saved over 900,000 plastic bottles from heading to landfill since 2015. Nimble's permanent markdown sale kicks off at 10am on Thursday, June 11 and runs until stock sells out.
Brunswick East has always been blessed with late-night joints and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth when institution Café Romantica closed last year after 30 years of serving pizzas basically 24/7. Big shoes to fill, perhaps. But the new owners — Oscar Hermann, Monty Mullooly-Hill, Ravi Thompson, Henry Crawford and Bill Howard — have redone the interior, produced an exceptional menu and drinks list. And, having been open for six months now, they're killing it. While the name Bar Romantica may conjure up images of a small, intimate, cosy bar set-up, that couldn't be further from the truth. It actually seems kind of cavernous on first approach with its high ceilings and mirrors on opposing walls, and the space goes way back past the bar to the open kitchen, booths and the pool table. But, despite that, it's actually a pretty romantic place. It might be the curves — there are some stylish lines going on in the sweeping crescent of an American oak bar, and the wooden arches spanning the ceiling from one side to the other. It might be the dim glow of the art deco milk glass pendant lights. Or it might be the lipstick-red vinyl booth seating. It's all very appealing. And if the way to anyone's heart is through their stomach, then the menu certainly will certainly raise the romance. It's got sophisticated snacks, excellent mains and, in a nod to the venue's history, the kitchen's kept the classic Pizza Romantica ($18) on there, zhuzhed a little with a Napoli crust and — if you want to pay an extra five bucks — a hint of 'nduja. The menu changes daily, reflecting seasonal nuances and goodness. Expect such delights as the veggies with smoked cashew butter ($14), an exceptionally creamy and slightly smoky dip that'll make you want to lick the plate just to get every last bit. Or the kangaroo tartare with fermented chilli, radish and egg yolk ($16). All of the pastas are made in-house and, on Wednesdays, you can get a bowl of the vegetarian pasta special with a glass of wine for a very reasonable $20. Drinks are mostly local with a range of local craft beer, Australian wines and a selection of classic cocktails. Apart from Monday and Tuesday, Bar Romantica is open late each night, and until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays. While it might not be the all-occasions drop-in spot it once was, whether you're a night owl, a party animal, looking for a good date night spot or just want to treat yourself to some delicious food, Bar Romantica is ready and waiting for you. Images: Kate Shanasy.
It's been a long, long wait, but it's finally time for Dinner. After months of build-up (punctuated by bouts of anticipatory drooling by overexcited local foodies), Heston Blumenthal's first permanent Australian restaurant — and his first outside the UK — is due to start service next week. Here's all the information we have so far. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is located on the third floor of Crown Towers Hotel in Melbourne and will be open for dinner seven days a week along with lunch on Fridays and Saturdays. Like its two-Michelin-starred London equivalent, the 120-seat restaurant will serve contemporary food inspired by 500 years worth of historical British gastronomy. Standout dishes will include Black Angus rib eye with mushroom ketchup, and 'rice and flesh' (a starter consisting of saffron, calf tail and red wine). Head chef Ashley Palmer-Watts will make use of Australian ingredients and will also introduce certainly historic local dishes including a Heston-style take on the lamington cake. Tony Conigliaro will tend the bar, serving bespoke cocktails that reference the history between Britain and Australia. The interior of the restaurant, meanwhile, has been designed by local company Bates Smart (responsible for The Fat Duck Melbourne), who have incorporated a mixture of elements including wood, leather and iron. Guests will enter via a 20-metre dark wood corridor before being greeted by the dining room, decorated by custom-made porcelain jelly moulds, sculptures commissioned by Australian artist David Bromley and a mechanical moving art piece by UK artist Robert Higgs. An open kitchen will allow diners to observe their food being prepared, with chefs making use of the latest culinary technology along with pulley-operated spit roasts. Those wanting to get even closer to the action can book a spot at the six person chef's table, located inside the kitchen itself. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal begins service on Tuesday, October 20, with online reservations opening the same day. For more information, visit www.dinnerbyheston.com.au. Images: Bates Smart, Ashley Palmer Watts.
If you're the sort of person who already has a hard time heaving yourself out of bed each morning, best look away now. The aesthetically gifted comfort connoisseurs at luxury lifestyle and homewares label In Bed have today opened the doors to their first bricks-and-mortar store. And, yep, it's the embodiment of those dreamy photos you've swooned over on the brand's online store and journal. The 80-square-metre Paddington flagship store has been imagined with the help of interiors experts We Are Triibe, using natural timbers and warm tones to create a home-like space that's stylish, comfy and downright aspirational. A mix of custom furniture and designs from Made by Morgan and Hay help bring the Sydney-based label's curation to life, including a specially commissioned camphor laurel dining table from Exit Eighty Six, which you'll probably want to take home along with the rest of your haul. In Bed's full range of kitchen, bath, bedding and home textiles products will be on show here, alongside a selection of pieces from brands like Wingnut & Co, Tara Burke, Henry Wilson and Walk in the Park. Keep your eyes peeled for a range of exclusive products and in-store events in the future, too. "We wanted to create a unique retail experience that brings the ideas and personality behind In Bed to life," explained the label's founder and director Pip Vassett. "We're excited to really connect with our customers in person". In Bed's flagship store is now open at 72B Oxford Street, Paddington. For more info, visit inbedstore.com.
Aussies are usually hard-pressed persuading overseas visitors to sample anything more than a smidgen of our beloved Vegemite. But that's far from the case with Heston Blumenthal and Dinner by Heston group executive chef Ashley Palmer-Watts, two Brits who are so taken by the iconic yeasty spread that they've made it the star of their latest ambitious dessert, a dinky di-ce cream which will launch this Australia Day. Dinner by Heston's 15-month-old Melbourne outpost has seen the chef duo spending significant time on Australian soil and, with both fascinated by the cult product, a Vegemite dessert was always on the cards. "I had never really eaten Vegemite until I came to Australia," explains Palmer-Watts. "Heston was intrigued by the flavour immediately and pretty insistent for some time that we explore a dessert dish based on the spread." Blumenthal and Palmer-Watts have been in development mode these past six months, exploring the spread's unique (and polarising) flavours and translating them into a sweet concoction that's both worthy of the Dinner by Heston menu and respectful of Vegemite's long heritage. And it seems they've hit the nail on the head, the dessert already passing muster with the brand's Category Manager, Tania Trapla. "To have their innovative take on our famous Australian spread was truly remarkable," she says. "They've managed to take Vegemite to another dimension." While the dessert's being dubbed 'Vegemite Ice Cream', it's not exactly what it sounds like, instead featuring a riot of textures and tastes — teaming sourdough crumble base, verjuice curd, and barley chocolate ganache, with the ice cream element perched right in the middle. There'll even be a drizzle of decadent caramel sauce, poured from a Vegemite jar at the table. Now that's 'Modern Australian' cuisine. The dish will be unveiled as part of Palmer-Watts' special Australia Day lunch on January 26, alongside a raft of other innovative, Australian-inspired bites and cocktails. Read our review of Dinner by Heston.
There aren't too many shoes we'd put in our own mouths, but Nike's latest release is a top contender. Set for release on April 2, Nike SB's new edition of the Dunk High takes inspiration from the ultimate fusion of fried savoury goodness and dessert breakfast — chicken and waffles. Screw inspiration, it literally looks like the damn dish, with textured waffle imprints, syrup drips and insoles covered in waffle-chicken illustrations. Only available at select Nike SB stockists, the 'Chicken and Waffles' Dunk Highs will walk out the door with hungry sneaker fans worldwide on April 2 at 10am EDT. Feast on these close-ups in the meantime and pass the napkins. Via Sneaker News. Images: Nike, SN and Dollar Photo Club.
And we thought reading was all headed for Tabletsville. Turning the book sales tide, Amazon has just opened its first physical bookstore, a first for the online retailer and an unexpected turn of events for book lovers worldwide. Opening this week in Amazon's hometown of Seattle, inside the University Village, the bricks and mortar version of the website comes 20 years after Amazon initially went live. It's just 510 square metres large — teeny tiny compared to colossus stores like the now-defunct Borders. Sitting on the shelves are titles that have wildly positive online reviews (most will be four stars and above), strong preorder and sales numbers, popularity on Goodreads and Amazon's own assessments. Each book will sit face-out (instead of spine-out) with an Amazon.com customer rating and review card, and the prices will be the same on the site as in the store. You can also test drive Amazon’s devices — Kindle, Echo, Fire TV, and Fire Tablet series — and buy eBooks instore, which seems like a pretty superfluous service (just buy 'em on your Kindle/tablet). "Amazon Books is a store without walls", said VP of Amazon Books Jennifer Cast in an online announcement. "We’ve applied 20 years of online bookselling experience to build a store that integrates the benefits of offline and online book shopping." Amazon Books is located at 4601 26th Ave. NE in University Village, Seattle. Open Monday through Saturday from 9.30am to 9pm and on Sundays from 11am to 6pm. Via Seattle Times. Images: Amazon.
It's been three years since Florence + The Machine last toured Australia and we were beginning to think it'd be another three years before they toured again. Oh how wrong we were. Not content with just headlining this year's Splendour In The Grass and playing two packed sideshows, the group have announced that they'll be back in November. British powerhouse Florence Welch and her crew will be touring the country with a set list from their third studio album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. Guess they like Australia after all (and if the album's debut at #1 on the ARIA charts is anything to go by, we seem to have a bit of a thing for them too.) 2015 has been a busy year for the group, with performances at Coachella and Glastonbury, plus Austin City Limits this coming October. Now they'll be going solo, performing five dates across Australia. This includes two show at one of the country's most iconic venues: the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, an area reserved for the most popular of acts. You'll be able to enjoy an evening of infectious powerhouse art rock against one of the most perfect backdrops in the nation. Tickets to their Australian tour go on sale from 10 am (AEST) on Monday August 3 – and judging from how popular their Splendour sideshows were, you'll have to be extra quick to get your hands on them. Get ready to get your jive on. FLORENCE + THE MACHINE 2015 TOUR DATES: Saturday 7th November - Perth Arena, Perth Tuesday 10th November - Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Friday 13th November - Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney Saturday 14th November - Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney Wednesday 18th November - Riverstage, Brisbane
It's not just a case of the show needing to go on for the folks at the Moulin Rouge. It must, and it is. 17 years after the big-screen release of Baz Luhrmann's smash-hit movie musical, the story of doomed lovers Christian and Satine has made its way to the stage in an expectedly spectacular fashion — and now it's headed to Broadway. The lavish adaptation premiered in Boston in July, and will bow on Broadway bow from June 28, 2019. If you're planning a New York visit next year, the official opening night will take place on July 25, 2019. Moulin Rouge! the Musical follows the tale film fans fell in love with, as well as the music, with the addition of new pop tracks that have hit the airwaves in the nearly two decades since the movie's original release. It's directed by two-time Tony nominee Alex Timbers — who also has a Golden Globe to his name for co-created TV series Mozart in the Jungle — with music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by his frequent collaborator Justin Levine. Aaron Tveit (TV's Gossip Girl; stage productions of Wicked, Rent and Catch Me If You Can) will continue in the role of Christian, as played by Ewan McGregor in the movie, while Tony-winner Karen Olivo (the revival of West Side Story, In the Heights, Hamilton) keeps stepping into Nicole Kidman's shoes as Satine. "I first encountered Alex Timbers through the remarkable and inventive production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and the brilliance of Here Lies Love," said Luhrmann in a statement when the state adaptation was first announced in 2016. "I immediately recognised the young director's creative spirit and felt we shared similar sensibilities and instincts." Continuing the show's list of talent, writing duties fell upon acclaimed playwright and screenwriter John Logan, whose resume includes Skyfall, Spectre and Alien: Covenant as well as the Tony Award-winning play Red. "It's immensely gratifying to know that a new wave of artists will be leading Moulin Rouge! into its rightful theatrical realm," said Luhrmann. Tickets for the Broadway run go on sale at 10am on Monday, December 3 (US time), and you can sign up for updates now. If a trip to NY isn't on your agenda any time soon, fingers crossed that the production will make its way down under. Come what may, and all that. Image: Moulin Rouge the Musical/Matthew Murphy.
In the words of Tyrion Lannister, it's not easy being drunk all the time. Everyone would do it if it were easy. That may be true, but you can certainly give it a go, when Game of Rhones returns for another year. An epic wine tasting event inspired by the grapes of France's Rhone Valley and the works of George R. R. Martin, this year's Game of Rhones will visit all Seven Kingdom – by which we mean Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Wellington and Auckland. Each event will welcome more than 40 different winemakers, including Shaw + Smith, Yarra Yering, Tarrawarra Estate, Olivers Taranga and Paxton Biodynamic Wine (exact producers vary city to city). There'll also be a number of food vendors on hand, to ensure you don't go hungry. In between goblets, ticketholders will get the chance to chat with sommeliers at the Rhone Bar, vote for their favourite vintages as part of the People's Choice Award, and take part in a blind tasting 'torture chamber' that we promise is more fun than the name makes it sound. It should also go without saying that dressing up as your favourite GoT character is highly encouraged. Zombie John Snow, anyone? GAME OF RHONES DATES May 1 – Adelaide May 22 – Perth May 29 – Brisbane June 18 – Melbourne June 19 – Sydney July 2 – Auckland July 9 – Wellington For more information and to book tickets visit the Game of Rhones website.
Of all the gin pop-up bars with bespoke cocktails and seasonally-crafted tapas pairings in all the world, you have to walk into this one. Bombay Sapphire, touchstone of the gin world, has returned once again with their pop-up bar and gastronomic experience Project Botanicals. The project is back, following the roaring success of last year's pop-up, to be held over three intoxicating weeks from June 24 to July 11. Where? Why, at a bespoke location of course. The newly-established warehouse digs are being taken over by guest DJs and lush live botanical walls for the event at 64 Sutton Street, North Melbourne. Project Botanicals is a collaborative effort between some of the finest gin bars in Melbourne; Black Pearl, Eau de Vie, 1806, Union Electric and Gin Palace have all created unique (and devastatingly indulgent) cocktails to feature on the menu alongside ten food pairings. MasterChef's Gary Mehigan will be whipping up textured, complementary tapas dishes to accompany each cocktail (post-first mouthful dramatic evaluation optional). For a genuinely reasonable ticket price of $45 you can sample two cocktails and two dishes from the menu. To give your tastebuds time to prepare, here's a little preview. Eau de Vie have created the 'Eastern Coriander Fix', a mix of Bombay Sapphire, fresh lime and pineapple juice, coriander syrup, Fever-Tree soda infused with Sencha tea and served with a dehydrated orange wedge; paired with crispy fried pork belly, chilli caramel and pickled daikon radish. That's just one pairing. Five of the most popular pairings from last year are returning to the menu and with plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options, there's something here for all gin-lovers. Project Botanicals will be open from June 24 to July 11 (Wednesday to Saturday) at 64 Sutton St, North Melbourne. Tickets $45pp (plus booking fee).
Many years ago, Laki Papadopoulos and Mark Price gave Fitzroy the ultimate gift, opening their vegetarian eatery, Vegie Bar. Then, over twenty years later, the team behind the cult restaurant and other inner-north success stories Rice Queen and Panama Dining Room gave another gift for the suburb: Transformer. Although not that old, Transformer Fitzroy looks like it has always been here — perhaps because the building which houses it has been part of the Rose Street landscape for a long time. Inside, a lot of attention to detail given to the former electrical transformer manufacturing warehouse. Lofty wooden ceilings, painted brick walls, recycled timber furniture and a whole lot of greenery create a natural, relaxed vibe that pulls you in and invites you to stay a while. The chefs know their way around the vegetable patch and put out thoughtful, flavourful dishes. Fresh, innovative combinations showcase the best the season has to offer, and the kind of foods our bodies crave at this time of year. Delicious ricotta gnocchi with porcine puree and mixed local mushrooms will warm you from the inside out. Goat and sheeps halloumi smothered in rich ruby red grapefruit and fennel puree come together in a dish that is not only a riot of abstract colour, but a flavour sensation. On a menu designed to share, all combinations would lead to happiness, however, the stand-out dish, both in aesthetic appeal and eye-closing, blissful sigh-inducing deliciousness is the bahar-braised eggplant with preserved lemon labnah and pickled red onion. You won't find any fake meat here. Transformer is all about pure, honest vegetable dishes. Luke and his team do enough amazing things with vegetables that you won't even miss it. The drinks list features alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages that will have goodness coursing through your veins, such as the Aromatic with Brunswick Aces 'Hearts' Sapiir served with tonic or soda. There are also some pretty impressive organic and biodynamic local and overseas wines and craft beers — not to mention the cocktails. With names such as Grassy Nola and Banana Paddlepop, and ingredients like Tasmanian pepper berry salt and pecan bitters, there are adventures to be had. Appears in: The Best vegan Restaurants in Melbourne for 2023
It may not have been the best decade for brick and mortar bookstores, but at least the ones that are left are still kicking major goals. This past Tuesday night saw some of the biggest wigs in publishing convene at the London Book Fair to award a slew of prizes, including the gong for International Bookstore of the Year. The winner? Melbourne's very own Readings Carlton. The Lygon Street institution beat out finalists from Italy, China and Estonia to claim the prestigious award, which aims to highlight "the absolutely vital role bookshops play worldwide in not only promoting new titles but also advising readers on the many excellent books already published but yet to be discovered." In giving the award, the judges commended Readings for "its community outreach, support of Australian authors and its help for non-profit organisations working on literacy incentives." "We're delighted and extremely honoured to receive this award. It's a reflection of the quality of Australian independent bookshops," said Readings Managing Director Mark Rubbo. The news was also greeted with a wave of positivity on social media, with many bookworms offering their heartfelt congratulations via Facebook. Readings is located at 309 Lygon Street, Carlton. They also have stores in Hawthorn, Malvern, St Kilda and the State Library. Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
The story of a young man staring down the barrel of an arranged marriage even as he finds himself falling head over heels for someone else, Ali's Wedding has been billed as Australia's first Muslim rom-com. It's an intriguing tag that could prove either a hook or a hindrance when it comes to attracting a mainstream audience. The good news? The film is fantastic. Director Jeffrey Walker and writer/star Osamah Sami (on whose life the story is closely based), have crafted a hilarious, heartwarming film about love, community and living up to the expectations of your family; a film that both embraces difference and celebrates the things that make us the same. And yet with the film due to hit cinemas on August 31, the question still remains: will local audiences be willing to embrace a story about a Muslim immigrant, in which there is hardly a white character in sight? "We're right on the edge of finding out," says Walker. "The way that I view it is: we've had thousands and thousands of people come and view the film, from small communities to big cities to festivals, and the feeling is the same. I think people go in, particularly if they're of a conservative background or whatever, already a little bit dubious. They go in, perhaps, with a preconceived notion. But the one comment we've had throughout all of the screenings is that by the end of the film there's a great deal of love and appreciation… and the sense is that once people have seen it, [they realise that] the things that we all have in common far outweigh the differences." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEMeZDmvYhs ON REPRESENTING A (SLIGHTLY) DIFFERENT WORLD TO YOUR OWN "In the journey of this film, I came in quite late," says Walker. "But it's relative, because [it took] about seven years to bring all the pieces together. Osamah originally told Tony Ayres of Matchbox Pictures a story about his life, and that spurred on Tony to go and chat to [co-screenwriter] Andrew Knight." "They spent a long time writing it, they spent a long time financing it, they spent a long time bringing it all together," says Walker. "I was fortunate in some regards in that I joined it at the point that it was fully financed." Walker does admit to having a sense of hesitation in attaching himself to a project set in a world he knew so little about. "I loved the story, but there was an intimidating edge to it, because I also felt like I didn't want to do the community any injustice," he says. "But rereading it I almost just discounted all that, and went really to what I thought was the heart of the film, and the story, and the characters. From there I saw what the universal things and qualities were, and I felt like I could work with that." WORKING WITH OSAMAH According to Walker, one of the keys to the film's success was his collaborative relationship with Sami — both on screen and off. "I think the very first time we met he was going to take me out to visit a couple of mosques in Melbourne, and basically begin our journey working out how we were going to approach this film," Walker recalls. "So I met him much more as a writer, and in his capacity as an associate producer, than I did as the leading actor of the film. We struck up a great friendship, and making him feel proud and happy of this film has been a great motivator for me throughout the entire journey." "He made me feel extremely comfortable, and he was so open, and tolerated all my ridiculous and stupid questions," Walker continues. "Even when I think about asking them now, it's a bit like the ABC series You Can't Ask That. I just had to go there. But then I had a greater understanding of who he was, of who his family is, and of his world and his community. He gave me the confidence to be able to tell this story." ARE AUSTRALIANS READY FOR THIS FILM? As our interview with Walker comes to a close, our conversation returns to how audiences are likely to react to the film. "My desperate hope for the film is that while you might initially be trying to play catch-up on what it is to be in a mosque, or what's unique about being in a Muslim household, eventually that all washes away as you see that, ultimately, the [things] that young people go through in their twenties in the Muslim community is a version of exactly what someone with a Western background goes through," he says. As for any Australians who might be clinging to anti-immigrant views, Walker's message is simple. "We're a very young country. For anyone to stand with any sense of entitlement to Australia whose family history only goes back four or five generations is an odd standpoint from my point of view… the only people in Australia who deserve any entitlement are the Indigenous people, and the rest of us all just need to get along. We all travelled an immigrant's path to be here." Ali's Wedding screens at the Melbourne International Film Festival on August 10, and releases in cinemas on August 31.
Clear your midweek calendars and dust off your beanies, Melbourne — one of the bright sparks that helps us get through the city's frosty winter has made its way back onto the calendar. Queen Victoria Market's beloved Winter Night Market is heating up your hump day schedule from June 5–August 28. From 5pm every Wednesday, QVM transforms into the kind of winter wonderland worth getting excited about, tempting you off the couch with a cosy program of street food, pop-up bars, live entertainment and artisan market stalls. As always, it's serving up a tantalising assortment of street eats each week, with a huge array of food vendors repping dishes from all corners of the world. Get excited for the likes of That's Amore's cheese wheel pasta, The Black Sheep's spit-roasted lamb, pork and chicken platters, Lui Boss' Korean fried chicken and corndogs, Casa Nata's famed Portuguese tarts and stacks more, all perfectly paired with warming sips like mulled wine, butterbeer, spiced Milo and hot gin toddies. As you're filling your belly with tasty winter fare, you'll be entertained with a rotation of live gigs, roving performers, Korean-style photo booths and open fires. Plus, the silent disco is also returning this year, because what better way to warm your cockles and work off a big serve of cacio e pepe than with a cheeky dance floor session? If you're a longtime fan, you'll know market stalls are also a big part of the offering here. This year, expect as vast a lineup as ever, with over 60 vendors slinging everything from jewellery and art to vinyl records, vintage fashion and books.
As the temperature rises (or continuously fluctuates, as it does in Melbourne) so does our desire for coffee. But sometimes it's just too scorching to sip a hot soy latte or too humid to hold a paper coffee cup without it sliding through your hands. Whether you're an iced coffee purist or a fan of a scientifically-brewed cold drip, want something fizzy, sweet or with a big dollop of ice cream in the middle (and you do), we've searched high and low to help you get your coffee hit without the heat this summer. THE CLASSIC ICED COFFEE There can be no one victor in this category, but there are a few who are doing it right. The standard ingredients, including a shot of espresso, milk, and a generous scoop of ice cream, has taken the sting out of countless summer days — and for that, we say thanks. If ice cream is making the whole event too milky for you, swap the ice cream for ice cubes and have yourself a merry little iced latte. Lashings of whipped cream, chocolate flakes and wafers tend to dress this old classic up a bit — but like anything worthwhile in life, don't let the flashy surface distract you from what's really important underneath. We're going to go ahead and recommend Brother Baba Budan, who make a classic exceptional with the Seven Seeds espresso, lovingly poured over fluffy ice cream. The Brunswick East Project is our hot tip outside the CBD, or if you're on the south side give The Final Step a go. [caption id="attachment_545496" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Minor Figures[/caption] THE ON-THE-GO-KIND This one goes out to all the caffeine addicts out there who aren't interested in mucking about with fancy contraptions — they need their coffee cold, and they need it now. St Ali do a bottled iced latte, Everyday Coffee sell Coolers black iced coffee in some pretty great beer-like bottles, and local company Minor Figures sell the above cold brew poppers all around the country. Abbotsford's Little Big Sugar Salt do a cold flat white and cold long black come bottled, which means you can grab one of these bad boys on the go. The folks at LBSS are not just convenient, they are also considerate. Don't like drinking milk or soy? Have their almond milk cold espresso, and enjoy their Cold Squeez'd Nuts. THE AFFOGATO It's true, the Italians know a thing or two about coffee, and sometimes an affogato is just what the doctor ordered. Literally translated to 'drowned' in Italian, you take hot espresso, pour it over ice cream, and devour with a spoon. While this is traditionally an after dinner treat (and is delicious with a shot of liqueur and a homemade biscotti on the side), affogatos are being served all day, everyday, all over Melbourne. Give D.O.C. Espresso a go for the real deal. Over in Northcote, cafe-bar Il Melograno match their house-roasted blend with their incredible house-made coffee gelato. For something a little less traditional, Patricia Coffee Brewers serve the Clouds Mountains, which is an affogato with a canele in the middle. Delish! [caption id="attachment_558162" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Aunty Peg's[/caption] THE COLD DRIP Yeah, science! If chemistry sets and coffee get you going then give this baby a whirl. That unusual contraption you see in highly respectable coffee joints these days is better known as an 'ice-drip brewer'. This device infuses coffee for 6-12 hours, and a rich syrupy concentrate is the end result. While this may sound like an unusual extraction process, it retains 90% of the flavour elements and results in a sweeter taste, as it is less acidic then normal espresso. Auction Rooms are the guys to see about this particular method, as are the team at Aunty Peg's — they'll even show you how to brew it yourself if you ask them nicely. For those looking for a game changer, Touchwood in Richmond do their cold drip with coconut water and it'll knock your socks off. [caption id="attachment_558160" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Market Lane Coffee[/caption] THE POUROVER ON ICE Just like your average pourover but with a (literally) chilling twist. Brew like a typical pour-over but place ice in the base, and reduce the amount of hot water you use to brew the coffee. Flavour is not lost when the ice cubes dilute the concentrated brew, and you're left with a fragrant and refreshing coffee. The good people at Dead Man Espresso have got this one down to a fine art, as do the impeccable coffee folk at Market Lane. Cool your jets and get down there ASAP. THE VIETNAMESE COFFEE Like your coffee strong and sweet? Vietnamese coffee may be the trick for you this summer. Dark roasted coffee is individually brewed in a metal French drip filter, and then combined with condensed milk and poured over ice. N Lee Bakery in South Melbourne is a recommended destination for something traditional, as well as Phamily Kitchen, where you'll get to watch it drip into your condensed milk glass right in front of you. For full-blown creativity in the category, visit Carlton's Nora — they do theirs with Small Batch's Candyman coffee blend and pandan-infused milk. Insanely good. [caption id="attachment_539848" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Arbory Bar & Eatery[/caption] THE ESPRESSO MARTINI It just felt wrong to exclude this delicious double-tap of a drink. A caffeine hit and a shot of alcohol seems like the most logical way to get a party started, not to mention a tasty one. Combine vodka, Kahlua, a double shot of espresso and sugar syrup, shake it up, add a garnishing of coffee beans and you're good to go. Prudence in North Melbourne have this one pegged, and Arbory along the Yarra even have the stuff on tap. One of our favourites though is at Polepole, where they make it with rum, Amarula and a house-made cherry and chocolate liqueur. Cheers to that. Images: Dollar Photo Club unless otherwise specified.
Ever wanted to work directly with the world's most recognised performance artist? Here's your chance. Kaldor Public Art Projects are looking for project facilitators to lend a hand for their upcoming escapade, Marina Abramovic: In Residence, in which the controversial artist brings new and existing performance works to Pier 2/3 in Walsh Bay. Yep, Marina Abramovic wants you for her Sydney army. Over June 22 June to July 5 (with three full days of personal Abramovic training from June 15 - 17, alongside collaborator Lynsey Peisinger), you'll be part of the Gallery Team, present in Abramovic's installations with the artist herself, helping guests with guided interactions in the works, coordinating visitors amd supporting Abramovic to deliver one kickass exhibition all-round. Keen? Let's see if you've got the goods. According to Kaldor Projects, "Applicants should have an interest in long-durational performance art and be comfortable interacting with the public. Performance experience is not required but is welcomed. The role requires the ability maintain focus for long periods; people with long-durational practices, such as dance, meditation, sports and yoga, are encouraged to apply." You'll also need to be over 18, and experience interacting with an audience and engaging with the public is preferred. Got that CV ready? If you're interested in applying, you'll need to submit a short biography by Monday, April 13 April "detailing your artistic practice, professional experience or interests that relate to the requirements of the role" to project30@kaldorartprojects.org.au. For more info on Abramovic's Sydney project, click here. For more info on the facilitator role, click here.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Melburnians love Nutella. Like, love Nutella. In fact we love it so much that we may have accidentally caused a nation-wide shortage earlier in the month. Oops. Sorry everyone in the rest of the country. That one was on us. Now you might have hoped that we'd have learnt something from that experience — that perhaps Melbourne should be enjoying Nutella in moderation, to ensure that we're never confronted with such a scarcity again. But that just wouldn't be our style. Instead, we're doubling down, with a full blown Nutella pop-up. We're talking s'mores, truffles and tarts by the hundreds. Because if anyone is going to wipe those heavenly nuts off the face of the earth, then you better believe it is going to be us. Organised by City Lane, the pop-up pops up at The Alehouse Project in Brunswick East on Saturday, September 12. The service window opens at 9am sharp, at which point you'll be able to grab yourself a $10 'bento box' containing a Nutella and peanut butter s'more, a Nutella and salted caramel chocolate truffle, and a Nutella and maple syrup tart with smoked hickory Italian meringue. If 9am sounds too early to be scoffing all that sugar then move to Adelaide, you traitor. Besides, they've only made 500 boxes — and we have a sneaking suspicion they're not going to last. Hell, we're planning on grabbing at least a dozen boxes for ourselves. The pop-up will also be serving Japanese style V60 pour over coffee at $3 a cup. Their set-up is cash only, so make sure you bring the Benjamins. You'll also be able to grab a glass of beer or wine once The Alehouse opens at midday — although again, that's only if you're willing to run the risk of missing out on the sweet stuff. Your call. The Nutella pop-up will open at The Alehouse Project, Brunswick East at 9am on Saturday, September 12. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
In the space once home to student haunt Bimbo, Australian Venue Co (Fargo and Co, State of Grace, The Smith) launched Kewpie back in 2021 — a laidback neighbourhood boozer with cheap pizza and a weekly roster of DJ-fuelled party sessions. Aesthetically, little has changed since the pub's last makeover, with low booths spread across the spacious ground-floor rooms, colourful posters across the walls, and a sunny bar and terrace offering prime position on the rooftop. From the kitchen comes an affordable offering of pizza and snacks, most clocking in at cheap cheap. Vegetarian options might include a caramelised onion and potato number, or the Mexican-inspired Poncho topped with corn chips and jalapenos. There's a peri peri chicken pizza, another loaded with Calabrese salami, and a garlicky marinara creation starring calamari, prawns and capers. Throw on a side of the onion rings if you're feeling snacky. Meanwhile, the bar's keeping things simple, with a mix of crowd-pleasing brews, craft tins, wines and classic cocktails. And soundtracking the Kewpie good times, there'll be a slew of music-focused happenings across the second half of each week. Top Images: Kate Shanasy
If dropping by your local car wash makes you want to unleash your inner kidult, then you'd better get yourself to the National Gallery of Victoria's Grollo Equiset Garden from October 14. That's when M@ STUDIO Architects will be setting up a pretend car wash, which you'll be welcome to treat as one giant playground. Their brilliant idea is called Haven't you always wanted...?, it's the winner of the 2016 NGV Architecture Commission — and it's free to check out. You'll be able to find your fun easily — just look out for the old-school, glittering sign. Head inside to discover a true-to-size car wash replica, based on an actual existing one in Blackburn. But you can forget your run-of-the-mill cement and nasty fluoro lights. Instead, you'll be surrounded by walls of cricket netting, looking up at a pretty translucent ceiling, frolicking in bright pink AstroTurf and kicking back on rubber speed bumps. There'll be five 'bays' altogether, two hung with red plastic curtains and one equipped with a mist diffuser. So, though you probably won't be able to go for an all-out water fight, you won't escape totally dry (should that be your car wash wish). Plus, at night, the whole scene will light up, letting you have nocturnal adventures galore. To celebrate this epic creation, the NGV is organising a slew of events. In what seems similar to the Queen Victoria Gardens' MPavilion, this outdoor structure will host talks, live music and performances over both spring and summer. But, if you're not in the mood for shows, you can head along to hang out with friends anytime. "We are thrilled to be selected as the winner of the 2016 NGV Architecture Commission," said M@ STUDIO Architects. "Open competitions such as this provide a vital platform for architects to experiment and facilitate public discourse around the broader ideas that motivate the specific design explorations." The annual NGV Architecture Commission invites architects to come up with clever, clever installation ideas for the Grollo Equiset Garden. Entries are judged for their originality, their new ideas concerning architecture and design, and their innovation in material use, fabrication, sustainability and recyclability.
Having said au revoir to the French Film Festival, it's now time to slip over the border into Spain. Returning to Palace Cinemas around the country, this year's Spanish Film Festival will once again showcase some of the biggest and most critically acclaimed Spanish and Latin American films from the past 12 months. How's that for a cinematic siesta? The festival — which will feature at The Astor, Chapel Street's Cinema Como, Northcote's Palace Westgarth and Kino in the CBD — begins with the highest grossing film at last year's Spanish box office: rom-com sequel Spanish Affair 2. Other comic standouts include espionage spoof Spy Time, madcap ensemble My Big Night, and dark domestic comedy Happy 140. Of course, not everything on the program is quite so light and breezy. Critically acclaimed drama Much Ado About Nothing confronts legal and political corruption in modern day Chile, while Ma Ma stars Penelope Cruz in one of her most nuanced roles to date, as a put-upon single mother diagnosed with breast cancer. Below, we've put together a list of the five films on the lineup that have caught our eye. For the full program, go here. https://youtu.be/K_NMyRjL8dM THE THIN YELLOW LINE This comedy-drama hybrid, directed by first time writer-director Celso Garcia, is a road movie, but not in the way you'd expect. The Thin Yellow Line follows a misfit group of five cash-strapped men tasked with painting the dashed yellow line along more than 200 kilometres of Mexican highway. You only need to take a brief look at the trailer to appreciate the film's gorgeous cinematography and bittersweet tone. If that's not enough to convince you, consider the fact that it's executive produced by Pan's Labyrinth, Pacific Rim and Crimson Peak director Guillermo del Toro. https://vimeo.com/131531005 THE CLAN Based on a chilling true story, this Argentinean thriller tells the story of the Puccios, a seemingly normal family living in Buenos Aires in the 1980s who made their living kidnapping people and holding them to ransom. The film broke box office records in Argentina, screened in competition at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival, and has scored plenty of positive critical buzz, with Variety comparing it to the movies of John Carpenter, Brian De Palma and Martin Scorsese. Consider our expectations set very, very high. https://vimeo.com/153227513 MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Another true story from Latin America, Much Ado About Nothing is a far cry from the light-hearted Shakespearean comedy with which it shares a title. Instead, Alejandro Fernandez Almendras' film takes place in present day Chile, and follows a young man who finds himself framed for a fatal hit-and-run committed by the son of a powerful politician. A grim indictment of corruption in the upper echelon of Chilean society, the film received strong reviews and a Grand Jury Prize nomination at Sundance earlier this year. https://youtu.be/I8TiFAdvqLM EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT This year's closing night film floored audiences at Cannes and scored a 2016 Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. Inspired by the journals of two separate Western explorers who travelled to the Amazon decades apart, Embrace of the Serpent is described in the festival program as "a breathtaking cinematic odyssey". With startling, unsettling imagery shot in hypnotic black and white, and dialogue spoken in over ten different languages, the film promises to be like nothing else you'll see at the festival — or indeed, the movies — this year. https://youtu.be/XIwPPoWPlmo NOTHING IN RETURN In Daniel Guzmán's Nothing in Return, 16-year-old Dario finds himself on the search for a surrogate family in the wake of his parents' divorce. Enter his best friend Luismi, a car mechanic named Caralimpia and a sweet little old lady named Antonia. At first glance the film looks like a fairly standard coming-of-age tale, but the fact that it scored a pair of gongs — for Best New Actor and Best New Director at Spain's most recent Goya Awards — has us curious to check it out. And as an added bonus, Guzmán is a guest of the festival this year, and will be on hand at screenings in Sydney and Melbourne for a post-film Q&A. The Spanish Film Festival will run from April 13 until May 1. For more information, visit the festival website.
As much as we like to pretend we are all digital natives who will soon have our consciousness transferred into a gel-like neural network and live forever on the I N T E R N E T, the truth is that underneath it allwe're just tactile creatures who can't help but cry at sunsets. There’s nothing we like more than having something we can hold in our hands – and the people behind the droPrinter know exactly how we feel. Developed in Melbourne(!) by Zhenxun Yu, the droPrinter is one of the first portable, wireless smartphone printers available on the market – and despite being new to the scene, it isn’t as prohibitively expensive as you’d imagine. Like all cool things these days, the production of the droPrinter is being funded via Kickstarter and has already raised $43,967 – nearly three times its initial target – since launching on July 7 (see, people really love tangible old-school paper). The device clocks in at a tiny 10cm wide by 2.5cm deep and is operated via an Android or iOS app. With a 120 hour battery life you can print out literal reams of information: anonymous love notes, shopping lists, lists of baby names, wanted posters or maybe just miles and miles of emoticons – the world is now your oyster. It can even be used as a mobile power pack to charge your phone. Best of all, the droPrinter is affordable. The printer is expected to retail for $99, but for a pledge of $80 or more you can reserve yourself a printer (with an expected shipping date of March 2016) and one roll of paper. Further proof that the droPrinter folk aren’t trying to steal your hard-won Simoleans is that the device takes standard thermal paper, which can be purchased cheaply in office supply stores or online. For more information, check out the droPrinter Kickstarter.
It's been 14 years since Derek Zoolander turned left and saved the Malaysian prime minister. But the ridiculously good looking male model made his comeback on Tuesday at Paris Fashion Week, taking a powerful stroll down the catwalk at the end of the Valentino AW15 show —thus dramatically announcing the long-awaited Zoolander sequel for February 2016. Bringin' that Blue Steel to the Fashion Week stage, Ben Stiller reconnected with his old pal Owen Wilson to send Zoolander and still-hot-right-now Hansel down the catwalk to the Human League's 'Don't You Want Me'. Hansel even dropped his cape. Hansel. So hot right now. Hansel. DOES THIS VALENTINO FINALE MEAN ZOOLANDER 2 IS COMING!?!?!?!?!?!? A video posted by Man Repeller (@manrepeller) on Mar 10, 2015 at 7:05am PDT But why male models? Paramount Pictures confirmed the publicity stunt on Twitter, announcing the release date for Zoolander 2 as February 12, 2016 — that goes for Australia too. Time to throw back an Orange Mocha Frappucino and enjoy this little blast from the past in the meantime. Via TIME.
Ever driven across the Story Bridge and thought, "Wouldn't it be great to go to a market here?" We know, that might not have crossed your mind exactly. But it must've popped into the heads of the folks behind Hamilton's Eat Street Markets, because that's exactly what they're about to do. On July 5, the Brisbane landmark will be doing more than just linking Kangaroo Point and Fortitude Valley. In fact, cars will have to find an alternate route across the river, because a food market is taking over the entire bridge. Around 50 vendors have been invited to sell their delicious, delicious wares, so there'll be plenty of tasty treats on offer. A whopping 20,000 people are allowed on the bridge at a time, which sounds like a lot — but what Brisbanite would miss out on checking out this historic, ultra-novelty event? Indeed, given that everyone in Brisbane has already seen the bridge covered in fireworks many, many times, there's probably no better way to celebrate the 75th birthday of the heritage-listed icon. The bridge officially opened for business back on July 6, 1940 after five years of construction, and now sees an average of 97,000 cars zoom across it each day. While gathering for a bite to eat on the bridge might be something new, spending money there isn't. It was originally a toll road, with charges removed in 1947. Since 2005, people have been paying to scale its heights as part of the Story Bridge Adventure Climb experience. Now, for one night only, you can snack, browse and devour delicious local food with the best view in town. Brisbane's Story Bridge will closed to traffic for the food market for one night on July 5. Via Brisbane Times. Image: andzzz, judyvannorman and Tim Williams — Flickr via Wikimedia Commons and Eat Street Markets. View all Brisbane Events.
People who live in Manly have always thought they had it all. It 'all' used to be the surf, the sand, the pub, a 18-minute alcohol-serving fast ferry into the city, and a home within walking distance to all these things. But things are changing in the north shore suburb — and it's giving locals even less reasons to leave the Manly bubble. And more reasons for you to see what it's like inside. Reason one: the food. It's not just Hugo's, Manly Wine and Papi Chulo anymore. If you haven't visited in a while, you might be surprised to find the Chica Bonita team have opened a Japanese joint, The Boathouse has settled at Shelley Beach, there's a whole bar dedicated to charcuterie and cheese (!!) and even a cafe dealing in fermented foods — and that's all happened in the last year months alone. Reason two is not a new one — it's the water. The surf isn't as life-threatening as Bondi, and Shelley Beach is prime for snorkelling on a clear day. If you want to explore past the esplanade (and you do), there's plenty of kilometres for you to walk and even a few hidden coves to discover. The best part about this Manly + weekend + you equation though is that it's right down the coast or across the harbour (if you don't already live there). Sure, it's only the north shore, but it's all surf, sand, spritzes and toned beach volleyballers — tell me that doesn't sound like a holiday, inner westsiders. So forget all those reasons you don't want to go to Manly; there's some seriously good, little-talked about tasty things going on here. And they shouldn't be ignored. FRIDAY NIGHT: DINNER AT SUNSET SABI Most destinations that aren't bed are a bit tough to get to on a Friday night, but not Manly. Knock off work, head straight for Circular Quay and you could be there before you can even finish a beer. Try it: the fast ferry only takes a very precise 18 minutes, and it has a bar on board — which everyone is most definitely taking advantage of on a Friday eve. For accommodation, there are plenty of Airbnb options, but if you want to stay right across from the beach, the Novotel Manly Pacific is your best bet. While watching the sun go down over the beach is highly recommended, stray away from the beachfront to Pittwater Road for a sunset of a different kind. At Sunset Sabi, food is done in an izakaya style, but it sure ain't tradition. Ingredients like jalapeños, bacon, parmesan and Kettle chips (the chilli kind) all make their way into sushi rolls and other bite-sized morsels. Make sure you try the teeth-gluing caramel miso popcorn, the deep fried rice balls and the sweet heat roll with spicy tuna, cucumber, green beans and avocado inside, and tuna, white onion, shallots, chilli roe with sabi'q sauce on the outside. Book in advance to ensure you get a seat — this place is busy. SATURDAY MORNING: BREAKFAST BOWLS AND A BIG WALK Healthy eating seems to be synonymous with beachside suburbs, but this ain't Bondi — well, not yet anyway. Manly does have its own little health hub though, with Pure Wholefoods, Ora and Bare Naked Bowls. A contender for the best breakfast bowls in Sydney, this hole-in-the-wall cafe does seven different acai bowls, along with oats, porridge and smoothies. Best to get there early as the post-yoga crowd fill it out quite quickly — or get it takeaway, get a coffee from Barefoot around the corner and eat it by the beach. After you've finished breakfast, pull your walking shoes on and join up with the Manly Scenic Walkway and head in the direction of North Head. The track will take you past Spring Cove, uphill to the North Head sanctuary, right out to the killer views at Fairfax Lookouts and back down the other side of the head to Shelley Beach (see map). All up, it's about nine kilometres. You might want to wear your bathers for a post-walk dip. [caption id="attachment_557644" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Boathouse[/caption] MIDDAY: LUNCH AT THE BOATHOUSE Every challenge must have its reward and after that hefty, hilly walk, your reward is this: lunch at The Boathouse. Securing the absolutely kickass location with frontage at pedestrian-only Shelley Beach, the newest Boathouse has really outdone itself. You can head in salty and sandy or recently showered in your crisp white linens — it doesn't matter here. Order seafood, perhaps in the form of the tuna crackers, the trout board (with sliced trout and trout pate) or the decadent seafood platter. The hectic 'order at the counter and find a table' system still stands, so come with both patience and an appetite. It's worth it. [caption id="attachment_560528" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Manly Kayak Centre[/caption] AFTERNOON: KAYAK TO STORE BEACH Manly Beach is great for a surfing lesson (see Sunday's activities) or a quick dip, but it's pretty busy and generally feels a bit hectic. So we suggest going somewhere a bit more secluded for the afternoon. Store Beach on Manly's North Head is accessible only by water, meaning its visitors are restricted to boat owners, stand-up paddleboarders and kayaks. Rent a kayak from Manly Kayak Centre at Manly Wharf, take in a few tips and paddle around the head to the small beach. It only takes about 30 minutes, and it's well worth it for this little patch of paradise. EVENING: BEER, WINE AND CHEESE Did you know that 4 Pines was named after the pine trees that line Manly beach? Did you even know Manly had pine trees? Well, you'll be able to get a good look at 'em from the 4 Pines Brewpub, which sits just across the road from the beach on the East Esplanade. Here you can try a pint of their pale ale or their stout, or give them all a go with a tasting rack. When you're feeling peckish, wander over to Cured, which sits in one of Manly's little laneways off the main mall (which, we're warning, you should probably avoid on a Saturday night). Cured has only been open since September, and it's a wonder nothing like this has been opened before. This small bar ticks all the small bar boxes with its triple threat offering of cheese, charcuterie and wine. They've got 18 meats — most of which come from a farm up at Byron Bay — and ten cheeses, which include an epic triple cream brie, a tasty blue and some seriously milky burrata. They'll also help you out with some chicken liver pate, an Aperol Spritz if you're so inclined, or some local beers from Dad & Dave's Brewing. Buy a bottle and settle in. SUNDAY MORNING: BREAKFAST AT ORA You've ticked breakfast bowls off your list, and at Ora you can cross off fermented foods as well. Ora have a long mission statement — of which is literally written on their walls — but here's the short of it: all their ingredients are organic, healthy and locally grown. Much of their menu is good for your gut too; the fermented oatmeal with carrots and spices may just be the thing to settle your wine-addled stomach. Their breakfast plate is much more satisfying though, with eggs fried in ghee, mushroom, greens, avo, sauerkraut and their seedy 'sai' bread. Naturally, they serve kombucha, as well as tumeric lattes (and, thankfully, normal lattes) and — for the really committed — cups of bone broth for $6. [caption id="attachment_561211" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Manly Surf School[/caption] MIDDAY: JOIN A SURFING LESSON As one of our best beaches to learn how to surf at, it would be remiss for you to spend a weekend in Manly without catching a wave. Book a lesson with the guys at Manly Surf School — they'll get you kitted out with a wetsuit and a board, and then take you out for two hours on the waves. Their groups are small, the instructors are literal pros, and they're very patient with even the most unpromising of surfing students. Lessons run for two hours and cost $70. Book in advance and hope for some sweet surf. Or, head along to the Australian Open of Surfing from February 27 to March 6 to watch instead. AFTERNOON: LUNCH AT THE HERRING ROOM There's just something about swimming in the ocean that inspires a tummy to rumble, and after two hours in the surf it's probable that yours will be absolutely roaring for something to eat. If you can manage to shower without wasting away with that empty stomach, know that lunch is going to be worth it at The Herring Room. Having opened in August last year in a renovated surf shop on a quiet part of Pittwater Road, it's away from all the hubbub of Manly's main drag and is an absolute delight. The space is cosy, bright and feels somewhat like a friend's home, making it perfect for Sunday lunch. Order a bottle of sparkling (or bring your own for $6 corkage per person) and tuck in. The salt and pepper squid are a must if you're dining post-surf, and the scallops with cauliflower puree and pancetta are top notch. Cut into the squid ink ravioli and watch it ooze with egg yolk, then eat it up with the crabmeat, salmon roe and lemon thyme buerre blanc it's served with. The service here is excellent, and it's the ultimate way to wind down your weekend in Manly. Lauren Vadnjal stayed as a guest of Destination NSW and Novotel.
Ivan Sen and Aaron Pedersen have become one of the great double acts of Australian cinema. The former is a writer, director, producer, cinematographer and composer who first burst onto the scene with his debut feature Beneath Clouds, while the latter has lit up the nation's big and small screens in everything from influential crime television series Wildside to expressive Indigenous dance film Spear. Together they're the driving force behind two of the best local releases in the last four years, as well as the reason that their central character of Jay Swan is fast becoming one of the nation's enduring screen heroes. First, they collaborated on the sun-drenched western 'noir' Mystery Road. And now they're back to serve up the second chapter that is Goldstone. Like its predecessor, this companion piece explores the efforts of Pedersen's Indigenous detective as he investigates unseemly dealings in the remote reaches of the Aussie outback. But Goldstone doesn't just offer up another Swan-centric story (as pleasing as that concept is). No, once again, it not only navigates the country's distinctive landscape, but also provides a politically-charged examination of the complex state of the nation's race relations in the process. With the feature currently screening in Australian cinemas, Ivan and Aaron sat down with Concrete Playground to discuss the conflicts of their protagonist, the process of making movies in the middle of nowhere and what comes next for the duo. ON TELLING POLITICALLY CHARGED STORIES WITHIN GENRE CONFINES Ivan: "It's all inbuilt into the fabric of the character. He's a character who's a political character. He's an Indigenous police officer, and those two words together immediately creates a conflict within him — and there's a conflict on each side of him. Not many people trust a black cop from the Aboriginal perspective, and he's looked at with suspicion from the white side as well. They see him as a tool for them to liaise with the community, whereas he's actually there in the centre trying to help this community and keep people from being locked up. So he's just got all these political, social aspects inbuilt. And I think that's why when you place that into a genre arena, automatically you're going to have a genre effort that's going to have political subtext that's inbuilt from the beginning." ON RETURNING TO THE CHARACTER OF JAY SWAN Ivan: [Looking at Aaron] "He wanted a job." Aaron: "Yeah, I wanted a job. Nah, look, I was very inspired by the first one. I thought it was saying a lot of things. I thought he [Jay Swan] walked quite strong in the world. And as Ivan says, he's just a good man doing the right things — and I liked that. It was a simple profile of the man, but it was such a beautiful in-depth conversation he was having about the type of person you should be in the world. So I just said 'let's do it again, brother', because it seemed like people had gravitated towards him in a lot of ways. And throughout the whole journey of Mystery Road, not one person questioned the colour of his skin — they just thought 'good on you, you're doing the right thing'. And that for me was a win — and a coup — because you're trying to paint strong, male Indigenous images that are pertinent to helping this country, rather than being looked down at as a lesser kind of a person. So I just wanted to bring him back. I thought he had an audience, and he had people there who loved him, and people wanted to see him again — there was a bit of a hunger there. And I wanted to work with Ivan again, which not a lot of actors get the chance to do. So, it was a great chance to work with him again. And Ivan's note was: 'well, we just fuck it up a bit. We reshape it. We make it more jagged — and make a different film'. And the truth is, it works — you know? He's a little bit more damaged, but people are with him, so immediately people are emotionally connected, like 'whoa, what's going on here?' So he's already got friends and family in amongst audiences, so it felt like a no-brainer really. Obviously it's a lot of work to do it, whether you ask it or not. Ivan had a couple of other projects he was working on that didn't go the way he thought they might at the time, so it opened the door to write it. He sat down in a small period time — less than a fortnight — and penned the film, and then called me and said 'wrote it, bro'. And I was like 'yes! Here we go!' It's one thing to ask [for a second film], but it takes a lot to [actually] do it. So I asked the question and Ivan did the hard work for it. I'm glad I asked him. I didn't push it too much, but I wanted to see if he thought it was possible. For me, Ivan is heading in a direction that, if I don't catch him and ask him to do it now, then the stratosphere is his world. In years to come, it might be something we revisit later, but it was worth asking now." ON SHOOTING THE FILM IN OUTBACK QUEENSLAND Ivan: "To us, it's nowhere. Middleton's a pub, right? There's three people who live there. To us, it's just land. There's nothing there — there's no services. There's nothing that you need to look after a crew and house them and all that stuff. And we had to actually build the sets as well as our accommodation. To shoot a film out there, full-time, for under $3 million is unbelievable. It feels like a much bigger film than what it is. It's a couple of hundred grand more than my first film in 2002. And to look at it, it's quite an epic film." Aaron: "And we worked every day, really." Ivan: "Me doing five jobs helps the budget — I don't get the money for that, by the way." ON TRYING TO MAKE GOLDSTONE BOTH MORE POLITICAL AND MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN MYSTERY ROAD Ivan: "It's another stepping stone to a wider audience...and that's partly why I wanted it to be a two-hander. So Alex Russell [who plays Goldstone's only permanent cop], his character is white, with a country background, and people connect with him. As they do Jacki Weaver, as they do to David Wenham. So that was all conscious, you know. And you've got [Indigenous actors] Tommy Lewis and David Gulpilil on the other side. And Cheng Pei-pei. It's inviting the audience in to see different perspectives. I was joking out on location that it's like a trifle. You've got your favourite piece of the trifle — whether it is the cake or the jelly or the custard — and you go for your favourite bit. But at the same time you're going to taste the custard and the cake as well." Aaron: "I like trifle." Ivan: "It was a very consciously-made trifle." ON THE POSSIBILITY OF A THIRD FILM Aaron: "I've already planted that one, too. But it's true. What happens in our careers — whether my career or Ivan's — is unbeknown, but I know Ivan is a great creator of his own destiny too. So the question is asked for that reason — but where's the window for it? That's really all it is, because I know maybe he'd love to revisit it or even just look at it, but where's the window for it? I asked the question a lot earlier in the piece. We had the discussion in the Middleton pub during the shooting of this one and talked about it in bits and pieces over the whole shoot. So, the seed has been planted and there's a little bit of watering going on, but it's just a matter of where the window is." Ivan: "I had an idea, actually, about two years or a year and a half ago about a story — and after talking to Aaron out on location I realised that that story could be the basis of another. I mean, that story could've involved Aaron and just a totally different character, but we could see how [this story and Jay Swan] could interconnect...And the whole thing would be quite radical. And very different to the other two films as well. And extremely political." Aaron: "Extremely political. It's outrageous." Ivan: "It'll blow the walls out. But in saying that, it's extremely accessible at the same time because of that. Because that outrageousness is also what's attractive at the same time." Aaron: "Yeah, totally. Look, there's a lot of unanswered questions still, as there was in the first. And the first and second complement each other in a lot of ways, and they're separate, too. It's just about the time it takes place. In the three years since Ivan and I did the last one, our worlds have shifted — personally and privately — and that happens with the characters too. And they can shift quite enormously, and there can be quite the chasm between them. I always say this: look at the last image of Mystery Road and the first image of Goldstone. There's this chasm. You go 'hang on, have I missed a film here? What the hell happened? That's not the same person'. But it is. There's great beauty in how people make that connection, too. So, whatever that is, the leap that we're talking about won't feel ridiculous — it'll feel like life has taken place, and things have happened. And that's exciting too, because the excitement of shooting this film was the fact that it's the same character, but it was like you stepped onto another planet." Goldstone is currently screening in Australian cinemas.
Tickled is, to put it mildly, pretty bloody weird. Brilliant and fascinating, sure, but also bloody weird. Directed by New Zealand journalist David Farrier along with fellow first-time filmmaker Dylan Reeve, the documentary purports to be about a strange and some would say rather homoerotic subculture that the pair discovered after stumbling across an online ad — an ad offering to fly young, fit men out to Los Angeles where they would be tied down and tickled on camera. In truth, however, the tickling is merely the tip of the iceberg. Indeed, Farrier and Reeve had barely started their investigation when they began receiving threatening emails from Jane O'Brien Media, the company responsible for the ads. Before long, the filmmakers found themselves neck deep in a story of bullying, intimidation, sexual fetishes and a search for the truth — one that is still very much ongoing, despite the film being out in theatres as we speak. Prior to the documentary's release, we sat down with Farrier at the Melbourne International Film Festival, where we spoke about everything from his first run-in with Jane O'Brien media, to being sued for defamation, to the moment when the film's villain crashed a Q&A screening in LA. Like we said… bloody weird. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOBXuCYB4jQ WELL THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY "All I've done for the last ten years are these two minute whacky subculture stories, and I just thought this would be one of those," says Farrier, when we ask about the origins of the project. "But that response I got back was so strange. I just remember being so blown away by it. And it happened very quickly. Within the first week I was getting legal threats." The threats weren't just legal, but personal too, attacking Farrier for being gay and even going after Reeves' wife and children. "I got quite upset," admits Farrier. "It was really stressful. It's hard to get across how non-stop all those emails were. It was unrelenting." Of course, the irony is that, had the company not reacted so viciously, Farrier would have probably dropped the whole thing. "If they'd responded like normal humans, there would have been no documentary. Even if they'd just said, 'We're a bit busy,' I probably would have just moved on to something else," he says. The other tipping point was when the pair found upwards of 50 websites featuring videos of former tickling competitors, complete with their names and personal information. "It was just a really clear example of doxing, where you suddenly had people's cell phone numbers and addresses, and all their tickling videos, mixed in with a whole bunch of lies about them," says Farrier. "Once Dylan found those domain names, that [existed] purely to bully people, we thought that a film was what we could use to expose this." A QUESTION OF ETHICS One of the challenges of making Tickled was the fact that many of its subjects — the people who worked for O'Brien, if she even existed — didn't want to be filmed. "When you're making a film about people who don't want a film made about them, there's going to be ethical questions," says Farrier. "If someone says, 'We don't want to be on camera, we don't want to give you an interview,' then of course you have to [ask], 'Okay, is there no film? Or do you proceed on and record them anyway?" Watching the film, you get the distinct sense that Farrier wanted to give his subjects a taste of their own medicine — that after exploiting and publicly humiliating so many people, it was high time sometime turned the camera on them. Ultimately, Farrier stands by the decisions he and Reeve made, saying that they were conscious of "the bigger picture, of what we wanted to expose," adding that he feels "very comfortable about the direction we took things." When asked to speculate on the motivations of the person who (the film purports) sits at the centre of the conspiracy, Farrier smiles before offering a carefully worded response. "I've already been sued twice for defamation, so I can't talk on my opinion on any of the characters in the film," he says. "I'd like to. I've got a lot of theories." THE STORY CONTINUES As strange as the content of documentary may seem, what's happened since the release has arguably been even stranger. Not only have the filmmakers been sued, but a website has appeared — www.tickledmovie.info — that aims to discredit the film. But the most surprising moment came at a screening in Los Angeles back in June, when two of the major players from Jane O'Brien media showed up unannounced and got into a heated discussion with Reeve. The film's US distributor posted footage of the confrontation on Facebook and, like everything else in this story, it is absolutely bizarre. "It's publicity for us, to the level where people think we've hired actors to do it," says Farrier. "I don't know. We're dealing with people who aren't fully grounded in reality, and who don't fully understand how the online world works… I genuinely don't think they were expecting us to have cameras there, but I'm sorry, you can live stream from your cell phone." Fittingly, Tickled is very much a film about that online world, and how it has become a breeding ground for harassment. "I think people respond to the film because we're super aware of online bullying at the moment," says Farrier. "It's always existed, but it seems to have reached a kind of extreme, whether it's Gamergate or this hate campaign against females because they're in a Ghostbusters film. We're at this peak level of harassment, and I think this is just another crazy reminder of that." Tickled is in cinemas now. Read our full review here.
Mona Foma, MONA's wild and weird summer music and arts festival, is back for 2018. And this time around, it's set to eclipse all previous incarnations, with the festival adding a program of Launceston events to its usual Hobart lineup. Further to the announcement of the MONA hotel and the move to Launceston back in July, this beefed-up presence also heralds the festival's biggest, most eclectic program to date, thanks largely to funding from the State Government. Unveiled today, the Mofo 2018 lineup is a cracker, delivering 11 days of thought-provoking art and music to Tasmania's two largest cities and celebrating creativity and personal expression in all forms. Running from January 12 to 14, the Launceston leg will see singer-songwriter Gotye join the Ondioline Orchestra to pay homage to renowned French electronic composer Jean-Jacques Perrey (January 12 and 13), as well as a dance performance by Canada's The Holy Body Tattoo, scored live by post-rockers Godspeed You! Black Emperor (also January 12 and 13). Mofo's northern run will culminate with a huge, free party on January 14. To follow, January 19 to 21 will mark Mofo's final MONA appearance for a while, so it's exiting with a bang. The museum's outdoor stage will feature performances from the likes of punk poet Moor Mother, all-female Argentinian act Fémina and a collaboration between Tassie bassist Nick Haywood and The Hobart Liberation Orchestra. Martin Blackwell will deliver a 24-hour continuous performance soundtracked by an array of global instruments, while the MONA tennis courts play host to a challenging fashion runway courtesy of SAAKA's Hunger for Gluttony. Elsewhere in Hobart, the Violent Femmes will perform with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, a one-day mini-Mofo will pull together local acts like Comrad XERO, Crypt Vapor and Phillipa Stafford, and the festival's official after-party Faux Mo will take over a huge new waterfront space at MAC2. Mona Foma 2018 will take place at venues across Launceston from January 12–14, at MONA from January 19–21 and across Hobart from January 15–22. Tickets are available here from Monday, October 16.
The folks over at Gelato Messina know how to whip lovers of all things sweet and frozen into a frenzy, and they've done it again, announcing that their Sydney degustation bar will be venturing south to Melbourne. The Messina Creative Department will be setting up shop in a secret room at their Windsor store for five nights only next month, from August 23-27. An offshoot of the famed gelato parlour, the Messina Creative Department offers an epic seven-course degustation, complete with non-alcoholic drink pairing. Since opening next door to their OG Darlinghurst venue in April to rapturous response, the tiny eight-seater space has proved to be immensely popular, with places booking out almost as soon as they're released. So it's no surprise that the announcement that Messina would be bringing their Creative Department to Melbourne has already seen a massive response. With three sittings per night (at 5.30pm, 7.30pm and 9.30pm) and just eight seats available per sitting, Melburnians booked out those $130-per-head spots at the ice cream sorcery table in record time. And judging by their previous creations, it's not hard to see why. Their Sydney dessert dinners have seen the likes of garlic gelato, a sugar egg filled with delights and an amazing matcha and pistachio cake concoction. Their latest offering included a lemon-like globe filled with liquorice gelato, yuzu curd and olive oil pastry accompanied by a muscatel grape, dill and black pepper oil cold pressed juice. It's dessert meets art meets one helluva tastebud adventure. If you didn't manage to get your sticky gelato fingers on a ticket, be sure to keep your eyes on the Messina Creative Department page and hope like hell they release some more sittings. But, either way, you can leave your details on the waiting list. The Messina Creative Department will pop-up from August 23-27 at their Windsor store, 171 Chapel Street, Windsor. For more info, visit the website.
Melbourne's biennial showcase of young and emerging artist has just unveiled its latest program. Running from May 3 to 20, the 2018 Next Wave Festival will highlight some of the coolest, most exciting and most innovative up-and-comers working across theatre, dance, video, music, sculpture and everything in between. The festival will kick off with a free opening night party at the Brunswick Mechanics Institute. The soiree is being sponsored by the Archie Rose Distilling company, so you know the booze will be good. It's one of a number of epic shindigs on the program this year, with Sezzo Snot and Makeda Zucco set to take over the Tote Hotel for a night of electronic music, sound art, performance and installation, and DJ Sista Zai Zanda headling an Afro-futuristic Mother's Day eve celebration of dance, music, poetry and storytelling. The rest of the line-up is packed with standouts. Crush Time, from Brisbane theatre artist Nathan Sibthorpe, serves up a democratic dinner where participants vote on the ingredients, while Estrogenesis, by performance collective Embittered Swish, will explore contemporary transgender realities through a mix of movement, lyricism, video and live sound art. There's also the intriguing-sounding Apokalypsis by local Greenroom Award nominees Zak Pidd and Charles Purcell, billed as "a high octane theatrical flipbook performance of 100 historical disasters in 60 minutes." If that all sounds a bit too intense, you can also check out Canine Choreography from Danielle Reynolds, an in-depth investigation into the world of freestyle dog dancing which is apparently a thing that exists. Image: Sarah Walker.
It’s Saturday night. You’re sprawled on the couch. You’re in the middle of a Kubrick marathon (really, watching Mean Girls yet again). Then, out of the corner of your eye, you notice all hell about to break loose. The whisky bottle is down to its final nip. You’ve had one too many to drive. The nearest bottle shop is half-an-hour’s walk away. Oh, and it’s ten degrees outside. Never have so many elements conspired to cause your disappointment. There’s only one path out of this purgatory. Introducing, Deliver Me Drinks. It’s a brand new alcohol delivery service, bringing wine, beer and spirits to home-stranded boozers all over Melbourne. If, at any point between 6pm and 11.45pm on a Tuesday to Sunday, you find yourself in your lounge room with an empty cellar, all you have to do is jump online and make an order. Whether you live in the CBD, Port Melbourne, Camberwell or Carlton (or pretty much any other suburb), Deliver Me Drinks will bring drinkies to your doorstep within 45 minutes. Their wide-ranging menu covers red wines from the likes of Wynns, Yering Station, West Cape Howe and Pepperjack; whites from Oyster Bay, Pizzini, Pikes Traditionale and Mad Fish; beers from James Squire, Little Creatures, Asahi, Peroni and others; and a bunch of spirits. Check if Deliver Me Drinks delivers to your suburb on their website. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
October. It's the month where the weather starts to warm up (well, fingers crossed), spring fashion sweeps through the city and we finally get that glorious hour of sunlight to fuel our after-work adventures. So what better time to start splorin' the CBD? Melbourne Festival is on and is taking over the city with a cavalcade of art and red webbing, there's a bunch of exhibitions (showing everything from Banksy's work to that of designers Viktor&Rolf) and a festival dedicated entirely to our preferred drink for this time of year: the G&T. Get amongst it.
The sights, the sounds and – most importantly – the flavours of a Bangkok street kitchen are on their way to Melbourne. Set to open on Crown Riverwalk early in 2017, Long Chim Melbourne will be chef David Thompson's third Thai restaurant in Australia, following the super successful Long Chim Perth and the soon to open Long Chim Sydney. It's not often that Melbourne trails behind Perth in the world of fine dining. Still, we figure better late than never. Information about Long Chim Melbourne is still a little on the vague side, although that isn't stopping us from getting seriously worked up about it. Thompson is, after all, one of the biggest names in modern Thai cooking – his Bangkok eatery Nahm was recently ranked one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World. Assuming Long Chim Melbourne is anything like its Perth counterpart, diners can expect a laid back atmosphere with a noisy open kitchen, plus a bar serving craft beer and wine along with a selection of Asian-inspired cocktails. Hopefully we can find a few more clues at Long Chim Sydney, which is set to begin service next month. In the meantime, you'll be able find us obsessively refreshing Long Chim's Instagram and scouring the web for cheap flights to Southeast Asia. perfect weekday lunch: #longchimperth tuck shop's pork curry with ginger and pickled garlic. mon – fri, 12-2pm. A photo posted by long chim (@long.chim) on Jul 5, 2016 at 2:21am PDT Long Chim Melbourne will open at Crown Riverwalk early next year.
This year's West Projections Festival is lighting up with the literary theme of 'non/Fiction'. Running every night from August 17–26, the annual after-dark festival will see an entire area bathed in breathtaking light as more than 36 unique spaces around Footscray play host to specially commissioned works of pop-up public art. Supported by Victoria University and Maribyrnong City Council, this year's festival promises to be the most expansive yet. Sites include Harley & Rose, Mr West, SIMS Supermarket, Seddon Wine Store and Chambers Street. Forming the spine of the festival are seven hour-long art walks, each of which will take participants on a different route around the suburb and end at a participating bar. There'll also be spoken word performances, roving projections, a VR dance party and a pop-up bar – and don't be surprised to see a convoy of food trucks rolling around the neighbourhood, either. The festival will kick off with a launch party at Nicholson Street Mall on Friday, August 17, from 6–9pm, which will feature plenty of food, art and live music. This year, the festival spreads across the inner west, too — with a pop-up in Seddon's Victoria and Charles Streets running across two nights, August 3 and 4; and West Footscray's pop-up in Barkly Street running from August 10–11. Images: Shuttermain.
George Miller has done the near-impossible and made car chases interesting again. Not just interesting, mind you. Sensational. Mad Max: Fury Road is electrifying, breathtaking, white-knuckle cinema at its masterful best, and — given the entire film is a car chase — that’s no mean feat. Consider the problem. Chase sequences become interminably dull as soon as you recognise they are restricted by just two possible outcomes: ‘pursuer catches’ or ‘pursued evades’. Subject to a few notable exceptions (French Connection and Ronin being the standouts), these scenes merely interrupt the narrative and contribute little or nothing to the character arcs or overall plot. The difference is the road movie. Miller, who practically invented the genre 35 years ago, understands that everything changes when the chase is the story. It's cinematic inverted spectrum, where action is transformed from interruption to character defining narrative — an extension of the their very lives and personalities. Traditional distinctions like age and gender become irrelevant, and how a person drives, fights, shoots and stares becomes more important than what they say. Demonstrating an astonishing paucity of dialogue, the action of Mad Max: Fury Road doesn’t just speak more loudly than words — it positively deafens. In a post-apocalyptic nuclear wasteland, earth’s survivors now exist in a collection of militarised tribes fighting over the remaining reserves of gasoline and subject to the tyrannical rule of self-appointed demigods like ‘Immortan Joe’ (Hugh Keays-Byrne). The chase begins almost immediately when a one-armed big-rig driver named Furiosa (Charlize Theron), attempts to liberate Joe's young wives from their servitude as ‘breeders’ and Joe goes all out to recover them. Caught up in the action is Max (Tom Hardy), a wasteland loner captured by Joe’s minions and being used as a living blood bank for one of Furiosa’s pursuers, Nux (an almost unrecognisable Nicholas Hoult). Plot wise, it’s far from innovative; effectively Waterworld on sand with the design aesthetic of Fallout. Cinematically, however, Mad Max: Fury Road is unparalleled. The action is choreographed to mesmerising perfection, offering a balletic pageant of destruction with a refreshing absence of CGI. The sound, too, is staggering, with the menacing roar of V8 engines mirroring the Inception-like ‘BRAMMM’ that seems an almost constant fixture throughout. The combined effect is ferocious and irresistible, encapsulating all that makes cinema a uniquely immersive and transportive experience. Miller has crafted something extraordinary here, a modern masterpiece that could very well redefine the action standard. Don't wait for DVD on this one. See it where it's meant to be seen, and see it now.
When it's so cold your fingers are stiff, you can't feel your nose and going outside seems as much of a challenge as running Tough Mudder, we're all inclined to reach for the radiator. Which is fine. But here are a few more creative, money- and planet-saving winter warmers to try first. DIY TEA LIGHT HEATER The suitably named Dylan Winter — journo, YouTuber and boat lover — has come up with an ingenious way of getting more than you'd ever imagine possible from your average tea light. He's able to keep his house warm for eight hours or so using just four candles, a bread tin and two flower pots. We have convection heat transfer to thank. Check out his instructional video to find out how you can DIY (and score a quick science lesson while you're at it). GET BUSY ON ETSY Etsy's creative types don't want to see you suffering any more than we do and quite a few of them have come up with the products to show it. First up, if the tiny cracks and crevices in your house are sending icy draughts your way, get your hands on a lovingly handcrafted snake, or equivalent. Those who aren't into handmade reptiles can opt for pretty much whatever they are into — be that cats, snowmen, crocodiles, tiger prints, abstract patterns or plain colours. Second up, keep your hot water bottle warm with a super-cosy, hand-knitted cover. SPICE UP YOUR LIFE For some reason, winter never seems quite so unbearable when you're holding a warm, mulled beverage in your hand. Hot toddies, mulled cider, mulled wine; these are your go-to buds over the next three months. There are plenty of top notch recipes online, all featuring glorious combinations of whiskey, rum or red wine with lemon juice, honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves, aniseed, vanilla, even chilli — seriously, give it a go if you're feeling both cold and brave. [caption id="attachment_231862" align="alignnone" width="636"] Yumi Sakugawa.[/caption] RECYCLE YOUR SOCKS - ON YOUR TOILET SEAT We really don't need to go into detail regarding the ins and outs of mid-winter toilet-going, but before you toss those holey, good-for-nothing socks in the trash, think again. If your toilet seat doesn't quite cut a full oval, you can slide a sock on each 'arm' and thus bid a warm and cheerful farewell to unpleasant experiences. For circular seats, try an old T-shirt or jumper. GET CREATIVE WITH CARDBOARD Cardboard is one of the most effective (not to mention cheapest) insulators around. So next time you head to a winter festival or sports match or just want to perch on your front lawn, arm yourself with a box or two. Lay the card out on the grass, throw a blanket on top and there you have an enviably toasty picnic blanket. Add a tarp underneath if the ground is wet. REWARD YOUR DOG WITH A SLEEPING BAG Earlier this year, Seattle-based designer Andy Storms successfully crowdfunded the BarkerBag. It's a tear-drop shaped sleeping bag designed especially for your dog. By zipping it to yours and strapping your friend in via a cinchable collar, you're in the position to take advantage of some serious doggy body heat throughout the long, dark night. Whether your best mate's a chihuahua or a German shepherd, there's a BarkerBag for him/her. It's available in small, medium and large sizes. GET OFF YOUR COUCH Once the cold's set in, it's ridiculously tempting to let yourself transform into a sloth — just ask black bears, ground squirrels, hedgehogs, wood frogs and box turtles. But the bad news is, despite extensive Googling, we couldn't find you on a hibernating creatures list — anywhere — so we'd think you'd best keep moving. An enthusiastic leap off the couch, five minutes of intense cardio or yoga and you'll be warm in no time. [caption id="attachment_231922" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] FIX YOUR FAN Sure, you might usually associate your ceiling fan with warm summer days (*sigh*), but did you know that it can work in your favour in winter, too? All you have to do is set it to low and ask it to spin in reverse (i.e. clockwise). Warm air that's trapped close to the ceiling will be recirculated and sent downwards — where it should be.
Nothing counteracts Melbourne's frigid winter weather like drinking a glass of red or an old-fashioned by a roaring open fire. But most pubs — and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade — don't take too kindly to people lighting up their furniture, so you'll have to stick to drinking dens with built-in fireplaces. These venues will let you fill your belly and defrost your toes by a fire — and help you avoid those pesky arson charges. The only bad thing about these situations will be when you have to go head home. NEPTUNE, WINDSOR Neptune Food and Wine, as its name might suggest, has the latter. It also has a fairly impressive collection of empty wine bottles lining the window ledges down the back of the restaurant and a fireplace. Nab a spot on the leather sofa downstairs to reap its warmth, otherwise huddle nearby next to the wine wall or in one or the atrium-style booths. On cosy afternoons we recommend a plate of charcuterie and cheese, or a bowl of spaghetti. Paired with a glass of Margaret River shiraz, it's the ultimate winter dish. DR. MORSE, ABBOTSFORD Tucked away under Victoria Park Railway Station, the roaring fire in this converted Abbotsford apothecary is the perfect cure for all your winter woes. The Jr. Morse takeaway window does a roaring coffee and breakfast trade with early morning commuters, but the real fun starts later on. Comfy couches and ottomans surround the open fireplace, and are the perfect spot to chow down on what we've already dubbed one of the best value beef burgers in town. As for beer, Dr. Morse recommends pairing it with a shot of whiskey. And you should probably listen to him — doctor's orders and all. FERDYDURKE, CBD Ascend from the rowdiness of Section 8 on Tattersalls Lane and you'll be rewarded with some cosiness above Chinatown at Ferdydurke. While things get loose up here too, it's also very cosy — in large part due to the fireplace nestled into the back corner. Pull a stool up nice and close while you nurse a glass of pinot and perhaps a jalapeño and cheese toastie. NEIGHBOURHOOD WINE, FITZROY NORTH Any trip to this Fitzroy North gem is nothing but an absolute pleasure, but it's best when its fireplace is roaring. Neighbourhood Wine is open every night of the week, so any chilly eve is the perfect time to pull up a perch at the bar for a bottle of wine and some snacks. Or, head in on Sundays for the roast lunch — for $40 you will receive an entrée and dessert as well. After that, stick around for a game of pool on their massive billiards table, or kick back and listen to whatever vinyl is spinning. CIAO CIELO, PORT MELBOURNE Once a modest but respectable Italian eatery on Bay Street, Port Melbourne, Ciao Cielo has taken things up a notch with its brand new digs. In late May, the fine diner reopened in Port Melbourne's courthouse, following $1.5 million makeover to the 1860s building. It has soaring ceilings and heritage features now offset by New York-style booth seating, striking marble bars and — most importantly — cosy fireplaces. Next to the fire you can take the fine dining route for a menu of modern classics, like the king prawn risotto with bisque and marjoram gremolata, a Sardinian-style goat leg with polenta, and the Tuscan-inspired, 1-kilo grass-fed Florentine steak. They're backed by plenty of old favourites, with the kitchen's flair for house-made pasta shining through in dishes like the squid ink linguini and a bolognese ragu with tagliatelle. Meanwhile, the adjoining bar is dishing up a more casual affair within a 150-seat Amalfi-inspired marquee covered in fairy lights, which is next to the main dining room. THE LOCAL TAPHOUSE, ST KILDA We've long been an advocate of St Kilda's Local Taphouse, with the European-style tavern scoring a spot on our list of Melbourne's ten best craft beer bars. This Carlisle Street institution truly is one of the must-visit locations for draught lovers, rotating through more than 400 different beers a year. Whatever they're tapping this week, there's no better place to enjoy it than by the outdoor log fire that warms up the Taphouse's spacious rooftop beer garden. They've also got a second, indoor fireplace downstairs, for when the weather turns sour. And there's even an indoor bocce court. THE RETREAT, BRUNSWICK A point-of-call for any true Northside denizen, this Sydney Road icon can lay claim to one of the nicest beer gardens in Melbourne. It's also got a hearty dinner menu, nine different beers on tap, and is arguably one of the best places to catch up-and-coming local bands. Basically, it's a great place even without the crackling fire — with it, there's really no reason to ever leave. And if you ever do need a change of scenery, just head upstairs to the Amelia Shaw Saloon, complete with fireplace of its own. THE GRACE DARLING HOTEL, COLLINGWOOD The Grace Darling has been a staple of Smith Street for a long, long time — built in 1854, it's apparently the second oldest pub in the city. Regulars will have clocked plenty of hours knocking back drinks in the footpath beer garden out front, but with the weather the way it is, we'd rather be indoors near one of the two blazing fires. The food is classic pub fare on the fancy side, while the candlelit bar has a dozen local draughts on tap. Add to that an atrium restaurant out back plus two separate bandrooms, and it's clear why the Grace is still standing after all this time. THE TIPSY COW, PORT MELBOURNE Here's one that basically has it all. The Tipsy Cow Malt and Vine Co. in Port Melbourne boasts squashy couches, sports on the telly, plenty of great whisky and, most importantly, a toasty fireplace. Oh, and a whole lotta dogs. The dog-friendly has a solid whisky selection that'll warm you up from the inside while fire fire defrosts your toes. It's one of the only places you can enjoy a Talisker 18-year-old or a Macallan Sienna in the company of your pup. Don't have furry mate of your own? Grab a drink and head out back anyway — you're guaranteed some wet nose kisses from The Tipsy Cow mascot and resident pooch, Nisha. THE RAINBOW HOTEL, FITZROY A mere 50 metres removed from the hustle and bustle of Brunswick Street, The Rainbow Hotel is a personal favourite. Its enormous undercover beer garden (complete with pool table) is a great place to while away a lazy afternoon — especially when you're also ballooning on their spicy buffalo wings with blue cheese sauce. If things get too chilly come nightfall, you can toast your outsides by the fireplace, while warming your insides with any of 100 different beers. A great live music lineup is just the icing on the cake. THE POST OFFICE HOTEL, COBURG The Post Office Hotel is a well-rounded gastropub experience, complete with bandroom, large terrariums atop tables and a cracking open fireplace. The menu is well-priced and tasty, and includes everything from pork schnitties to mushrooms and polenta to potato gems. If that all sounds a little too much for you, the bar next door offers a more humble experience — and, yes, it has a fireplace, too. LAZERPIG, COLLINGWOOD Sometimes you just want to eat a pizza by the fire under the lights of a disco ball. And at Lazerpig you can do just that. The Collingwood bar serves up some of the best pizza in town, and does it to a very good soundtrack, lots of booze and and — if you skip the main dining room and take a seat by the bar — the crackling or a fire. Order a carbonara pizza and a spice negroni and settle in. TRAMWAY HOTEL, FITZROY NORTH Comfortable, warm and friendly, with plenty of tasty food offerings and a variety of local beers, Tramway is just about the perfect pub to get away from the cold. Soft overhead lighting matches the pleasant glow of the fire as it smoulders quietly in the corner of the room. Tramway Conductor Golden Ale headlines a list of quality draughts on tap, from Victorian breweries including Mountain Goat and Quiet Deeds. Meanwhile, your snacking options range from delectable Chinese sweet buns filled with fried chicken, pickled carrot and Coca-Cola teriyaki, to comfort food like mini-hots dog and extra cheesy mac 'n' cheese.
Food, fashion, art, music, film and photography: you'll find it all at Afro Hub, Melbourne's new café, bar, retail and exhibition space dedicated to the work of the African Australian community. Located on Nicholson Street in Carlton North, the multi-purpose venue is the brainchild of 26-year-old Saba Alemayoh, owner of Fitzroy's (awesome) Saba's Ethiopian Restaurant. "There are so many people in the African Australian community who are doing amazing things," she said. "Afro Hub is a platform for them to showcase their creative talents to a wider audience." The space will launch on the weekend of September 17 with a two-day celebration featuring music by a range of African Australian performers, art by award-winning photographer Atong Atem, a pop-up shop selling handmade accessories, and plenty of tasty food. In the weeks and months that follow, Afro Hub will play host to music performances, comedy shows, spoken word acts, film screenings, fashion shows, art exhibitions and more. In its first three months the space will be dedicated to East Africa, with a focus on countries such as Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan. The café section will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, featuring mouthwatering meals from Saba's Ethiopian chef Tekebash Gebre. Find Afro Hub at 727 Nicholson Street, Carlton North. For more information visit www.afrohub727.com.au.
Throw us Melburnians a hint of sunshine and we'll take just about any inside activity to the great outdoors. Open-air moviegoing, however, is a clear favourite. Each year we inevitably see our favourite outdoor cinemas return for the summer and a couple of newbies pop up too. From films overlooking the Melbourne CBD to movies nestled in the Dandenongs, these cinemas showcase the best new releases and cult favourites under the stars. So pack a snack basket of wine and cheese mandatory, some Aeroguard and get your butt on a picnic rug for the evening. It's a perfect date idea or a great way to spend an evening with mates. MOONLIGHT CINEMA, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS The sun is staying out longer, and it's time to start utilising all our glorious parkland again. Whip out the picnic rugs and get the wine cooler at the ready — Moonlight Cinema is Melbourne's original outdoor cinema. Kicking off in the first week of summer in Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, this year's setup boasts all the regular features that make this one of the country's most popular summer events. 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? You betcha. Expect all the big summer releases, like sci-fi thriller Passengers, the much-anticipated La La Land with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, and Lion, based on the true story of Saroo Brierley who found his birth mother in India via Google Earth after 25 years of separation. Naturally, they'll also be playing Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (which was released today) as well as the yet-to-be-released Star Wars: Rogue One and game-turned-film Assassins Creed. As always, they'll also throw in a few cult favourites — this year it's Grease and Back to the Future — and some Doggie Nights, which will kick off with The Secret Life of Pets. Gates open at 7pm and screenings kick off at 8.30pm when the sun goes down. Make sure to bring your own picnic blanket — and a full picnic while you're at it. While the cinema is totally BYO, there are often food trucks on-site. When? December 8, 2016 – April 2, 2017. ROOFTOP CINEMA, CBD Some think summer arrives when the mercury finally soars past 30 degrees, others are convinced it's the day you muster the courage to throw yourself in the ocean but, if you ask us, summer starts the moment you know Rooftop Cinema is cranking back into gear. The programmers have long since nailed the balance between big new releases, old classics and super relevant tie-ins with other events. Kicking off on December 3 and running through until April 2017 (with the second half of the program still to be announced), there's plenty more movie fun where that came from. Haven't had a chance to catch up with Marvel's latest superhero, Doctor Strange? Keen to revisit this year's lady-centric version of Ghostbusters? Want to take the ultimate US road trip with American Honey? You'll find them all on the lineup. Amy Adams-starring duo Arrival and Nocturnal Animals, amusing action hit The Nice Guys and a dose of the skux life courtesy of Hunt for the Wilderpeople also feature among the more recent portion of the program. So do two music offerings sponsored by Levi's: Nick Cave doco Once More With Feeling, as well as a look at the fab four in The Beatles: Eight Days A Week. Don't forget that checking out classics on the big screen is all part of the Rooftop Cinema experience as well, though. When? December 3, 2016 – April 16, 2017. CAMEO OUTDOOR CINEMA, BELGRAVE If you're looking for a brief sojourn from the bright lights of the big city, the Cameo Outdoor Cinema in Belgrave is worth the half-hour drive from Melbourne. Flush out your dirty, city-dweller lungs, breathe in the fresh air of the Dandenong Ranges and take in the truly spectacular views while enjoying a selection of mainstream releases in the magical forest setting. Each moviegoer is provided with a set of Dolby Digital headphones for an intimate and high-quality experience, so the sounds of Bambi and his forest friends won't interrupt your move watching. From mid-November until April 2017, audiences will get the chance to nestle down in deckchairs and beanbags, with craft beer, homemade choc-tops and freshly popped popcorn in hand. The season begins with a midnight, moonlight screening of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Remember: if you don't come dressed as a wizard, you're doing it wrong. Other titles include new Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds doco One More Time With Feeling, the much-anticipated Trainspotting sequel, British Film Festival fave A Monster Callsand based-on-fact film Lion. There are 150 comfortable deckchairs, and the seating operates on a first-in, first-served system. They've got craft beer and boutique wines, edamame, and lollies from The Sassafras Sweet Co. Alternatively, you can also BYO blanket or rug if you want to picnic and chill out on the grass. When? November 17, 2016 – April 16, 2017. LIDO ON THE ROOF, HAWTHORN Perched atop the eight-screen picture house overlooking Glenferrie Road, the outdoor screen on the Lido rooftop in Hawthorn will light up with a selection of new release movies in the open air. The Lido on the Roof season kicks off on Thursday, October 27, with a screening of contemporary western Hell or High Water complete with western-themed party. Bring your boots, your bolo ties and your ten gallon hats, and knock back bourbon cocktails on sale at the bar. It's one of a number of special events on the Lido Rooftop program, which also includes a Halloween screening of Rob Zombie's 31, a midnight showing of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and a throwback screening of 1992's Death Becomes Her presented by Taste of Streep. Other titles to make the journey skyward include Marvel movie Doctor Strange, ensemble comedy Office Christmas Party and Mel Gibson's new WWII movie Hacksaw Ridge. When? October 27, 2016 – April 16, 2017. SHIMMERLANDS, PARKVILLE Just as uni students across the country start to finish their last exams for the semester and high five each other as they realise they don't have to step foot on campus for the next few months, the team from Shadow Electric decide to throw a huge two-month summer festival — at uni, of all places. The organisers — who are known for their summer outdoor cinema at Abbotsford Convent, among other events — will take over the University of Melbourne's impressive Parkville campus for two whole months of music, film and, of course, food and drink. Dubbed Shimmerlands, the festival will run both day and night throughout January and February. Making the most of the ghost town that is a university during summer, they'll turn the campus into a veritable feast of cultural delights. There'll be an outdoor cinema, two performance spaces (an indoor concert hall and outdoor music amphitheatre), multiple bars and a pop-up collection of 16 of Melbourne's best restaurants. The 45 title-strong film program has been developed by Lauren Valmadre, director of the Human Rights & Arts Film Festival. It will include the Australian premiere of The Rolling Stones Ole, Ole, Ole!: A Trip Across Latin America, as well as the new Nick Cave documentary One More Time With Feeling, Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals and the much-anticipated La La Land. When? January 1 – February 26, 2017. BEN & JERRY'S OPENAIR CINEMA, ST KILDA Located right by the water on St Kilda Beach, Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema is one of our favourite summer hangouts. This year's program kicks off in late November, with recent releases including The Accountant, Nocturnal Animals and Arrival alongside a smattering of classics such as Elf and Love Actually. Festivities start while the sun is still shining, with live music squeezed in before the film (plus plenty of time to suss out the bar and stock up on snacks). Head along to one of their Sundae Sessions (you guessed it, on a Sunday) to enjoy a great film, live music, and free Ben and Jerry's. No, you didn't hear wrong, that's free ice cream. The Ben and Jerry's Open Air Cinema has a much shorter run than Melbourne's other outdoor cinemas, so if you're keen on catching great film and indulging on some Peanut Butter Half Baked heaven, make sure you lock something in by December 18. When? November 26 – December 18, 2016. QV OUTDOOR CINEMA, CBD Usually the realm of hectic shopping sprees, QV Melbourne last year launched its own openair cinema, and it will return with summer screenings running every Thursday to Sunday night from November to February. It's an intimate 80-seat deckchair cinema on the astroturf outside the Queen Victoria Women's Centre, and the whole program is curated by Melbourne filmmaker and film programmer Gus Berger, who runs Red Hot Shorts at ACMI. Expect festive films in December (think Bad Santa, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Elf), an Australian film on Australia Day (The Sapphires), a focus on Melbourne independent films, alongside '80s favourites and selected special event films. There'll also be three dog-friendly Doggie + Deckchair screenings, starting with a doggy red carpet before Lady and the Tramp on December 10. All proceeds from ticket sales going to non-profit animal charity Lort Smith. With tickets at $12 (and $14 for the dog screenings) each, it's a pretty budget-friendly date option for the summer. When? November 30, 2016 – February 26, 2017. BARKLY SQUARE OUTDOOR CINEMA, BRUNSWICK Barkly Square in Brunswick will run a pop-up cinema throughout December and January. It'll go down in the laneway of the shopping centre and unlike other outdoor cinemas, this one has a difference: it's silent. Kind of like when you go to the drive-in and attach the speaker to your car, they'll be transmitting the film's audio through dedicated headphones. The best part is that all proceeds from the event will be donated to the Victorian Deaf Society. And even better, tickets are only a tenner. Take that Hoyts. There's only 60 seats per screening though, so be sure to book early — especially for the spesh Christmas screenings. On the whole, the lineup is pretty decent and eclectic, with everything from Donnie Darko to Home Alone to Whiplash. When? December 16, 2016 – January 28, 2017. COBURG DRIVE-IN, COBURG Coburg Drive-In first opened in 1965, and despite threats of closure over the years, is still kicking around. It comes complete with three screens, 850 car spaces and a diner-esque Candy Bar, and jumping in the car with a couple of doonas and homemade portion-controlled lolly bags is still just as fun as when you were seven years old. Potentially more fun. Showing a small range of current cinema releases with two session times a night, the Coburg Drive-In remains true to the original, Grease-style experience. When? All year-round.
UPDATE: MARCH 27, 2019 — If you've been meaning to explore the NGV's mind-bending Escher exhibition, but haven't had a chance yet, you don't have much time left. — it finishes up on Sunday, April 7. Luckily, the gallery is extending its hours its final week . From April 1–7, the exhibition will open at 8am (two hours early) so you can catch a glimpse of it before work. In addition to this, the gallery will stay open until 10pm Thursday through to Sunday with live music and the bar open (including the last NGV Friday Nights for the season). The National Gallery of Victoria has revealed its summer centrepiece: a bold new world premiere exhibition pairing the work of Dutch artist M.C. Escher and Japanese design studio Nendo. Much like the NGV's 2016's Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei show, Between Two Worlds celebrates two very different creators, bringing them together in an assembly of immersive art and design. More than 150 of Escher's prints and drawings created between 1916 to 1969 have made their way to Melbourne from the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague for the artist's first ever major exhibition in Australia. Optical illusion is what he's best known for — his intricate pieces use patterns and design to warp space and perception. You'll need to take second, third and fourth looks at pieces like Day and night and Drawing hands. To really mess with your mind, Nendo — led by designer Oki Sato — has created an immersive gallery space that's just as trippy. The studio has taken inspiration from Escher to manipulate geometry and space to warp perception, giving you an imagined sense of what it would be like to enter Escher's mind boggling world. Expect lots of mirrors, shrinking corridors and projections that will mess with your brain (in a good way). The exhibition will run until April 2019 alongside a public program of talks, workshops and the NGV's Friday night parties. Images: Eugene Hyland and Sean Fennessy.
Two things we know about Australia: there’s a copious amount of sun on tap and people sure do love a good music festival. Thankfully for us, the freshly announced festival OffTheGrid (OTG) is using both these factors to put together a brand new music festival that’s 100 percent solar powered and waste free. Launched as a party concept just a few years ago, OffTheGrid is the brainchild of Ross Harding of Finding Infinity and Eyal Halamish of OurSay. The pair threw a string of battery bank operated shindigs around the world and now they’re bringing the experience in Melbourne on the December 22. The first lineup has been announced this week and includes Cut Copy DJs, Banoffee, Sui Zhen, Tornado Wallace, Silent Jay and Jace XL, Average Rap Band, Prequel and Wax’o Paradiso (that’s only the first announcement, dayum). OTG also does more than pay lip service to sustainability. The team have a comprehensive plan for ensuring the festival is entirely waste-free and powered only by solar energy. Bryce Lawrence, head of production, says sustainability is the future, not just for music festivals (which reap a huge effect of the environments they occupy) but for all industries and individuals. Power will all come directly from a 7kW solar system on the day, comprised of 28 250 watt PV panels that feed the sun’s energy into a battery pack (and a backup bio-diesel generator which runs off veggie oil). All waste will also be banned and all rubbish that is collected will be made into an art piece. “It’s a day festival in the heart of Melbourne… people shouldn’t be bringing in waste in the first place,” Lawrence notes. They’ve even collaborated with the food and drink vendors to make sure all utensils can be composted offsite and all cups can be reused. And it’s not a newfangled operation either. All technology and systems being used by OTG are readily available, to emphasise the myriad of solutions that have already been dreamed up and practically demonstrate that a) an environmentally friendly way of life isn’t a distant possibility but a choice you can easily opt into and b) even complex events like music festivals can rock just as hard on solar power. Lawrence says “OFFtheGRID is a celebration of what’s possible right now and also what’s possible into the future.” It’s an exercise in education as well as a dope all-day music festival. And the best part? All profits will be invested in a local sustainable project so you can buy your ticket knowing that Captain Planet would be incredibly proud. OffTheGrid is happening December 22 at the ACCA Forecourt. Tickets are available from the festival website. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
