Summing up the year is always reflective. But summing up a year of food? It's stomach rumbling stuff. In the last 365 days we've seen scores of restaurant openings, new seasonal menus and pop-ups, eaten around 1,095 square meals and squeezed in approximately 1 billion snacks. It's a lot to consider. But when we threw the question open to the Concrete Playground team, we got some swift responses. Because that's what it's all about, right? It's about those meals that stick in your sensory memory all year-round. The moment that melt-in-your mouth wagyu touched your tongue; the crack of a perfect creme brulee. So here they are, the tastes we've been thinking about all year and the dishes we dream about ordering again: our favourite meals of 2014. PEANUT BUTTER TOFU BAO AT KONG Did they say 2014 the year of the burger? Or the bibimbap? If you ask us, it was all about the bao. No matter what you wedge between those sweet fluffy bun pillows, with a little hoisin and coriander, it always tastes good. There are plenty of places to get them, but the best we've had this year would have to be at Kong. Taking leave from more traditional pork belly and brisket buns, these peanut butter crusted salt and pepper tofu buns take tofu out of bland territory and into the land of holy wow. These aren't cheap at $6 a pop and you'll have burnt chilli mayo running down to your elbows, but you'll still want a few more once you're done. GRADE 7 WAGYU BEEF AT LUCY LIU This dish is the not-so-silent hero of Melbourne CBD's new modern Asian eatery. Whispers of this succulent meat dish have been heard whistling through the wind since Lucy Liu opened its doors. Strips of juicy wagyu are accompanied by a delicious honey-soy BBQ dipping sauce (yakiniku) and fluffy, clear-your-nostrils mustard horseradish (which, if you're not careful, you might mistake for a perfect scoop of vanilla ice cream, it looks so smooth and creamy). The textures and flavours come together in such beauty and balance it's like a sophisticated BBQ-slash-wild party-slash-yoga session in your mouth. If such a thing was possible. CRAB SPAGHETTINI AT FATTO Arriving at your table perfectly twirled and perched in the centre of the plate, this spaghettini is that perfectly balanced dish that will win you over from the first mouthful. The sweetness of the crab is offset by a lemony tang and finishes with a touch of fresh chilli. Fatto Bar & Cantina is the cibarious diamond in the rough of Melbourne's theatre precinct, and this dish makes a perfect encore to a show or holds its own as the main event. CREMA CATALANA AT BOMBA A creme brulee is a creme brulee right? Nothing too fancy about it — not worth the hype? Wrong. A creme brulee can be done one of two ways: badly, or well. Like most things really. Bomba does it well. Very well. They also call it a Crema Catalana as they're using Spanish influences. Cream, milk, sugar, and egg yolks are a good start. The cinnamon, orange, and lemon really make it. Perfectly crisp on top and light, fluffy, sweet, and slightly tangy underneath. We'd be lying if we said we were able to hold a real conversation while eating this. TRUFFLED POLENTA AT STAGGER LEES We never thought polenta would make it onto a 'best-of' list, but here we are. In 2014 Melbourne, European peasant food is on the menu — and it's good. In fact, one of our favourite breakfasts this year was all about polenta: Stagger Lee's Shrooms 'n' Truffles. A big bowl of creamy, rich polenta, served with pine mushrooms, pecorino and topped with an egg yolk is the ultimate remedy for a chilly morning. We don't quite know how they get polenta to taste this good — all we know is we want to lick the bowl clean. WHIPPED COD ROE AT CUTLER & CO. Classified more as an appetiser but no less a memorable piece amongst the varied magic of Andrew McConnell, the whipped cod roe at Cutler & Co. lingers in our minds for its elusive flavour and moreish texture. Perfect slathered over crudites and bread, yet not too overpowering that it ruins the palette. We'd take it home with us if we could. Image credit: Delanie at And So I Don't Forget... SOUTHERN STYLE PORK BELLY CHOPS AT NIEUW AMSTERDAM It felt like Melbourne was moving on from their obsession with pork belly but, luckily, Nieuw Amsterdam kept the train rolling — and we guarantee this’ll be one of the most memorable dishes you'll eat. The Southern Style Pork Belly Chops are put together in a slightly deconstructed way with the melt in your mouth pork belly sitting beneath perfectly-crisped sheets of crackling. The dish is also served with a fresh sauerkraut that alleviates the all too common heaviness that can come with pork belly dishes. Nieuw Amsterdam has the 'wow' factor but is grounded in honest and comforting dishes like this one. Combined with the ambience of their Hardware Lane digs, it's definitely worth the trip. DUCK IN CHOCOLATE AT DUNORD On our visit to DuNord this year, the duck in chocolate had us immediately intrigued, as did the potato 'stones' that came with it. What we got was a large piece of juicy duck in chocolate covered with lingonberry and blood jus, and accompanied with boiled potatoes covered in a grey substance, making them look like little boulders — the presentation was gorgeous and incredibly detailed. Everything about this meal was magnificent: the flavour, the presentation, and the generous size. SLOW COOKED LAMB SHOULDER BASTILLA AT TALL TIMBER When it comes to a lunch break, Tall Timber is an oasis from the slim pickings on St. Kilda Road. The slow cooked lamb shoulder and caramelised onion parcel is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The pomegranate yogurt dressing rounds the juicy flavours of the lamb out with a refreshing finish, making this dish a perfect selection for an autumn or spring day alike. Coffee isn't the most obvious beverage to complement, but we'd suggest you go for it anyway. It's the perfect meal to savour through the long afternoon of meetings ahead. Image credit: chefryan85 via Instagram. PEANUT BUTTER PARFAIT AT SUPERNORMAL This one's been around for a while. It's Andrew McConnell's Eureka moment. Well, it certainly was when Golden Fields was still sitting in St Kilda. But since moving the operation to the city and calling it Supernormal, he's had a few more of those moments. Admittedly, dessert is our preferred course of choice here — the miso and Pink Lady soft serve came extremely close to making this list — and you absolutely cannot go past the infamous peanut butter parfait. Topped with salted caramel, peanuts and a ball of soft chocolate ganache, this is the sweet course of choice for anyone that loves a rich finish. It's so good that, even after ordering it for the third time, it still sticks out as one of the best. Just like this list, it's the note you want to end on. Tried, tested and compiled by the Concrete Playground team.
Don't you love it when neighbours get along? On Sunday, May 28, Richmond-based Japanese diner Future Future — home to the best darn yakitori in Melbourne — is joining forces with the latest neighbourhood sensation, Clover, to host an absolutely killer block party. The aptly named occasion, Over The Fence, will kick off at 12pm and run until 4pm, with tickets dividing guests to start their meal at either Future Future or Clover. Halfway through the event, everyone will switch and jump over the fence (figuratively speaking) to the next door venue. At each restaurant, you'll get a signature boozy beverage and three delicious plates of food. And if you've ever eaten at Future Future before, you'll know we're talking about some seriously good Japanese nosh. Think hibachi grilled cabbage and burnt shiso miso butter, smoked pork scotch with quince and hot mustard, the classic prawn kakiage sando and a seasonal nigiri plate. The event will conclude with all guests partying in the shared courtyard at the back. There'll be resident DJs spinning the decks all afternoon, an open firepit (it's May, after all) and a sweet afternoon snack: caramelised white chocolate and burnt vanilla cookies. Tickets start at $110 per person, and you can whack on another $50 if you want the optional drink matching. Images: Supplied.
More than 20 spectacular productions — including 12 world premieres — will make up the program at Dance Massive 2017, the fifth edition of Melbourne's explosive festival of contemporary dance. Co-presented by Arts House, Dancehouse and Malthouse Theatre in association with Ausdance Victoria, Dance Massive V will run from March 14 to 26 at the above venues, and feature brand new works from acclaimed companies and choreographers, including Chunky Move, Lucy Guerin, James Batchelor and Nicola Gunn. In addition to the shows themselves, the festival will play host to a series of workshops, panel discussions and supplemental events, including a writing workshop for professional writers and dancers, and a wide-ranging conversation series that will explore questions of financing, criticism and collaboration as it relates to the medium of dance today. For more information about Dance Massive V including the full program visit www.dancemassive.com.au. Image: Between Tiny Cities, shot by Thoeun Veassna.
Need an escape from the the winter weather? Then escape from the chill to a warm, dark cinema, where you can watch movies from places even colder than here. Returning to Palace Cinemas in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart, the Volvo Scandinavian Film Festival will once again showcase the best of Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Icelandic cinema, from award-winning dramas to esoteric comedies and the very best of Nordic Noir. While the 2017 program is yet to be announced, to give you an idea of what to expect, one of the big highlights from last year's program was the Golden Globe-nominated The Fencer, a Finnish-German-Estonian co-production — dubbed by Finland Today as "the best Finnish film in a decade" — about a fencing instructor hiding from Soviet forces in Estonia in the years after the war. This played alongside oddball Icelandic rom-com The Together Project which took home a screenplay prize at Cannes, and the excruciatingly tense Danish drama Land of Mine.
If you've caught Tkay Maidza's singles 'Switch Lanes', 'U-Huh' or 'M.O.B.' (that's 'Money Over Bitches') on radio of late, you'll know that the 19-year-old is all about putting in the hard yards. The Adelaidean youngster's touring schedule is evidence that she means what she sings. Maidza spent last summer rapping her way from one festival to another, appearing at Falls, Southbound, Beat the Drum and St. Jeromes Laneway. And now she's kicking off a national tour, which has almost sold out, and includes gigs at Mountain Sounds and Groovin' the Moo, as well as supports for Charli XCX. Since Maidza released her huge breakthrough hit 'Brontosaurus' in 2014, Australian music fans can't stop jibbering about the young artist. International booking company The Agency Group were immediately smitten and signed the teenager before launching her on an epic tour through the UK and the US. Maidza will be supported at every gig by two fellow bright young things from Brisbane — 19-year-old producer UV boi, and 17-year-old classically trained multi-instrumentalist JOY.
Every so often I find myself staring at my rug and thinking of Lebowski. Rugs really do tie a room together, and their absence can very easily render something like a living room nothing more than a collection of 'things' with no real connective tissue. In The Big Lebowski, of course, Jeff Bridges was that rug: a slovenly yet cohesive force of White Russian-fuelled lethargy who kept an otherwise sprawling and surreal piece of cinema from descending into incoherent nonsense. Central characters are always important, yes, but in specifically psychedelic cinema where style is often in equal or greater measures than substance, a well-defined, well-performed protagonist can be the single determinative factor between success and failure. Inherent Vice — the seventh film by Paul Thomas Anderson — is one such example. Based on the Thomas Pynchon novel, it is confusing and bewildering cinema at its absolute best, guided through the haze courtesy of Anderson's deft hand and another exceptional performance by Joaquin Phoenix. Phoenix plays Larry 'Doc' Sportello, a perennially stoned private investigator in 1970 California who's hired by his ex-girlfriend Shasta (Katherine Waterston) to track down her missing lover (Eric Roberts). In principle it seems largely straightforward, but the set-up alone contains so many twists, double crosses and tawdry affairs that within five minutes of the opening titles there's a sense of being overwhelmed in a manner that doesn't improve over the remaining 147 minutes. Though Doc shares your confusion, he never shows it. Instead, he cruises unflappably through every conversation and encounter, pausing only occasionally to jot down irrelevant one word notes in his flipbook. Imagine the Dude, only without the hobby or mantra to guide him: an underestimated sleuth combining the substance abuse of The Rum Diary's Paul Kemp with the quirky intuition of Columbo. Surrounding him, the list of cameos is both enormous and divergent, contributing in no small way to the film's labyrinthine plot. There's the strait-laced assistant DA with a secret, Penny Kimble (Reese Witherspoon); the tell-all nurse's secretary, Penny Leeway (Maya Rudolph); the drug-addicted dentist Dr Rudy Blatnoyd (an entirely lecherous Martin Short); Doc's mysterious lawyer, Sauncho Smilax (Benicio Del Toro); and Owen Wilson's Coy Harligen — a musician/heroin addict/missing person/cult spokesperson/political renegade. Even he doesn't quite know who he is. Finally, there's Josh Brolin as Lt. Detective Christian F. 'Bigfoot' Bjornsen — a hard-nosed, hippie-hating cop sporting a Dragnet crew cut and a penchant for sucking down chocolate-covered bananas on a stick. He and Phoenix put in the film's best performances, and it's their shared scenes that boast the most engaging screen time. "A hidden defect (or the very nature of a good or property) which of itself is the cause of (or contributes to) its deterioration, damage or wastage". That's the legal definition of 'Inherent Vice', and for Pynchon it represented the uncomfortable truth about America's decline. In the wake of the Charles Manson killings, the failings of the American Dream were to be found within the dream itself: corrupt, flawed and prey to the darker nature of man. That's what's at the core of this film (however difficult it might be locating it), and while it won't be to everyone's taste, Inherent Vice is an impressive piece of filmmaking that warrants your time and attention.
If you're planning on spending this gig mildly toe-tapping, you might want to wait in the car. Sydney's long-labouring beatsmiths Hermitude are back with a brand new album already sitting pretty on winter playlists Australia-wide — and a national tour ready to bust a few hard-dancing ligaments. Start stretching y'all. Hermitude's new album Dark Night Sweet Light takes the lads' unmistakeable blend of heartfelt hip hop, majestic build-ups and big bass drops to a new level; standing firm on a #1 ARIA chart spot and one hell of a rapidly expanding fan base. Luke Dubber (Luke Dubs) and Angus Stuart (El Gusto) have plenty to celebrate on this national tour. After nabbing the Australian Music Prize in 2012 for their straight-up killer album HyperParadise, they're riding a sweet wave of toastworthy accolades surrounding their new album Dark Night Sweet Light. The LP debuted at #1 on the ARIA chart (a first for Hermitude's label Elefant Traks) and has been featured as album of the week on FBi and triple j, alongside serious airplay for lead single 'The Buzz'. So it goes without saying, you're going to have to get in quick for a ticket to this show. The lads have come a long way from their early days of performing entire shows dressed as neanderthals with their decks covered in vines (actual thing), but the bombastic energy and unpredictable live instrumentation of Hermitude's live shows remains an unmissable combination for longtime fans and newcomers like. Do yourself a favour and don't read the tweets the next day, get to this show. Supported by Basenji + Jayteehazard.
Get lost in a maze of mirrors at NGV International where a brand new installation work is now installed. Semicircular Space is a new piece by Berlin-based Danish artist Jeppe Hein, and consists of dozens of polished steel pillars more than 2.5 metres tall. Erected in a labyrinthine pattern, the work aims to distort the observer's perception of reality and call into question the way they view the world. The maze-like sculpture has been installed in Federation Court in the foyer of the NGV building, where it can be accessed by the public without charge. Point is, if you've ever wanted to run through a hall of mirrors like the hero and/or villain in a Saturday morning cartoon, this is your chance. You can visit Semicircular Space at NGV International until Friday, September 16. It's the latest in a series of contemporary art commissions for Federation Court, made possible by the support of the Loti & Victor Smorgon Fund.
If Black Swan didn't make the ballet world look tough enough, the boys from The Dream are sure to fix that. The Australian Ballet put its dancers through their paces ahead of the production's premiere in Sydney in April. A fascinating rendition of Shakespeare's iconic A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Dream is part of a triple bill of works by leading 20th-century choreographer Frederick Ashton at his spectacular best. Expect magic and musicality, and did we mention men en pointe? That's right, forget boys in tutus: these guys will be dancing on the very tips of their toes, using the notoriously difficult technique normally only practised by female dancers. And they're mastering the brutal art in just 12 short weeks. It's all part of how Ashton envisaged the hapless actor-turned-ass, Bottom. Coryphée Christopher Rodgers-Wilson gives the warts-and-all goss on what it takes to transform into this loveable, eccentric donkey. TURNING THE TABLES A hulking pair of hairy legs en pointe is a rarity in ballet, where the technique is usually reserved for female dancers. There is a bit of history of men taking part in the practice — specialised companies, such as the American all-male drag parody group Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, do it regularly, while unorthodox roles have seen guys slip into these satin numbers on a variety of occasions. "There has been a previous production of Cinderella with the Australian Ballet with Stanton Welch which had the stepsisters played by males en pointe," tells Rodgers-Wilson. So The Dream is not the first to ask this of its males, but for audiences, the sight is still a novelty. A wonderful, muscly-calved novelty. THE BALLET MISTRESS, PILATES AND GETTING STARTED EN POINTE Professional ballerinas make tiptoe twirling look like a walk in the park, but years of gruelling training goes into perfecting the positions of their satin-wrapped trotters. Despite a lifetime of stage experience, Rodgers-Wilson had to go back to the barre to tackle the fundamentals with the help of conditioning coaches and London's Royal Ballet heavyweight Christopher Carr to pull this off. "We actually learnt a lot of the ballet, the steps, late last year in December ... just in our normal, flat shoes to get a feel for what we actually needed to do," says Rodgers-Wilson. With two decades of pointe expertise from the company's (amazingly titled) ballet mistress and rehabilitation specialist Megan Connelly at the ready, the guys were then taken through their paces lying down on a humble Pilates reformer to learn "how to manipulate the shoes without your full body weight". MAKING THE SLIPPER FIT The next step towards the stage saw these boys head off for a spot of shopping (of the less conventional variety). Acquiring the all-important shoes proved to be no mean feat. "[There] can be slight little discrepancies in the shape," says Rodgers-Wilson. "You do find some pairs that you pop on and you find that they’re really great straight away and there are other pairs that are just not going to work". Then it's time to really strap in. Many hours of sewing, scraping and softening later, and each dancer's perfect pair was born. These adjustments can have more of an impact than you'd think. "That’s been one of the biggest challenges for me," says Rodgers-Wilson, "working out how best to prepare the shoes before you actually get en pointe, because being comfortable and feeling like you can work your feet and manipulate the shoe is really important. Sometimes the way the shoe breaks down, it can end up pulling you off pointe ... like you’re working extra hard just to stay up." And the bloody battle scars? A veteran in the way of bumps and blisters, Rodgers-Wilson says "I think we’ve all found that our feet are stronger for [dancing en pointe], aside from the odd sore toenail or odd bruise here and there." AND JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU'D SEEN IT ALL: A GIANT HEAD The Australian Ballet doesn't do things by halves. Those learning the role of Bottom have been dealt the short straw in terms of challenging costuming. Not only will they be dancing en pointe, they'll be doing it from inside a life-size donkey mask. "The first time," Rodgers-Wilson says, "it’s like shutting your eyes and standing on one leg a little bit." With vision blocked to the point of obscurity, dancers can "sort of see out the donkey’s nostrils", making mastering this new skill about as challenging as it gets. But for these guys, obstacles like this are de rigueur. "Gradually it feels more and more normal ... and obviously, practice makes perfect". BALLET FOR THE NON-BELIEVER Aside from the novelty of boys en pointe, The Dream packs a serious punch in the way of performances. Bringing Shakespeare's most magical work to contemporary audiences, think of this as the perfect first-taste of ballet for anyone who's never dared step foot inside the Opera Theatre. "It’s got a beautiful variety," says Rodgers-Wilson. "It’s dramatic and funny and there’s magic and it's got all these beautiful elements." Throw in compositions by Felix Mendelssohn, plus a choir of singers tucked away beneath the stage, and this show guarantees a seriously surreal theatre experience that will say with you long after you've left your seat. The Dream opens on Thursday, June 4, at the Arts Centre Melbourne. Tickets can be purchased online from the Arts Centre website.
Okay, Melbourne. Slidestreet gave you a trial run, now you're ready for the big time. This local startup, Slide Melbourne, is promising you the biggest street slide in the entire world. Just like its predecessor, this blissful creation will be lining Lansdowne Street alongside Fitzroy Gardens. Unlike its predecessor, it measures up at a whopping 400-metres in length. Though there were initial concerns about the group obtaining a permit from Melbourne City Council, with less than a week to go, it looks like all systems are now go. The three-lane slide is due to be christened on Sunday, February 15 with a second session already scheduled for Monday, March 9. For $40 you can guarantee yourself a two-hour session of fun from either 10am, 12pm, 2pm or 4pm. Even better, Sunday's weather is forecast as a slide-worthy 32 degrees. If you've missed out on tickets for this one, get ready for a road trip; Slide Melbourne will be taking on Ballarat on March 1 and tickets have only just gone on sale.
The team behind South Yarra's A25 pizzeria in South Yarra has made their way to the centre of town, opening a new offshoot in the middle of the CBD. Set to start service at 7.30am on Thursday, May 12 on the corner of Lonsdale Street and Hardware Lane, A25 City will focus on Italian coffee and on-the-go breakfasts as well as their lauded pizzas, with owner Remo Nicolini promising "some interesting surprises." Obviously, you can expect quite the Italian focus at their newbie. Working with chef Raymond Capaldi, the veteran restaurateur described the A25 spinoff as "an all-day Italian eatery" that will bring "a bigger focus towards healthy, easy-to-digest pizza dough and authentic homemade pasta". They won't just be sticking to the tried-and-tested methods either — the duo plan to experiment with different flours each week to create a range of pizza bases. "I feel at home in the CBD," said Nicolini of the new location, which will reportedly seat 50 people indoors with room for another 50 outside. "It is amazing to have acquired such a prominent site on Hardware Lane." The A25 menu will have some of the South Yarra faves, like the Bim Bum Bam pizza — which is epically topped with prawns, pancetta, truffle porcini, broccolini, truffle aioli and parmesan 'snow' (that is, grated parmesan) — as well as new ones like a Black Forest dessert pizza. They'll also have a cake cabinet packed with Italian pastries and custard bombolonis (yes!) and something that looks very much like a rocky road ice cream panini. A photo posted by A25PIZZA (@a25pizza) on May 4, 2016 at 7:27pm PDT In addition to A25's two locations, Nicolini's resume includes +39 Pizzeria on Little Bourke Street, Espressino on King Street and Non Solo Pasta in the Docklands. His brother Tony, meanwhile, runs the show over at Carlton's D.O.C. Point is, when it comes to Italian dining, this guy is no slouch. A25 City will open on Thursday, May 12 at 399 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. It will be open 7.30am till 10pm Monday to Friday and 8am till 10pm on Saturdays. For more info, visit a25.com.au. By Tom Clift and Lauren Vadnjal.
A man walks into a bar. Ouch. When it comes to comedy, some people have it and others simply do not. The good news is you'll only (mostly) find the first kind on the jam-packed program at this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Striding into its third decade with all the energy of a clown on their first day of college, MICF is one of the largest annual collections of jokesters, satirists and goofballs on the face of the earth. Running for three and a half weeks from March 23 to April 17, this year's program is once again packed with a plethora of talent from both home and abroad. You've got returning favourites like Rich Hall and Ross Noble, festival debutants such as Hal Cruttenden and Penny Arcade, and local legends like Hannah Gadsby and Celia Pacquola, all of whom will be trotting out their best material in an attempt to bring some laughter into our cold, miserable lives. Also, Dave Hughes will be there. If you don't want to get stuck seeing Hughesy, pop these then shows into your comedy calendar.
You'll be simultaneously throwing shapes and ramen in your mouth this spring, as Melbourne's Supernormal prepares to host Melbourne's first ever Ramen Rave with New York’s new-wave ramen guru Ivan Orkin on October 28, as part of this year's Good Food Month, with the 2015 program announced today. Now the world’s largest food festival, GFM will see more than 240 events, masterclasses, tastings and one-off indulgences taking place across the city and regional Victoria from November 1-30, including the highly-anticipated Ramen Rave. For one night only, Orkin will be serving up his signature shio ramen alongside Supernormal's Andrew McConnell, who'll be matching his favourite in-house snacks — including matcha soft serve. There'll be highballs and sake aplenty, karaoke in the basement, while local DJs Andras Fox and Zach PM get the actual rave going. Sweets, lollies, cakes, dessert and all things sugary run the show at this year’s Good Food Month. The toothache begins with Sweetfest, a mini-festival of sugary delights at North Melbourne's Meat Market on November 28-29, featuring Instagram-happy cake monarch Katherine Sabbath, dessert queen Philippa Sibley, confection wizard Pierre Roelofs and more. Plus, during GFM, there are no less than eight hectic high teas to choose from. Hardcore sweet tooths, prepare to meet New York City's Big Gay Ice Cream legends and dulce de leche injectors Douglas Quint and Bryan Petroff, as they launch two new books with an Ice Cream Social and make the ultimate fairy bread ice cream sandwiches with Melbourne food truck My Two Mums at the ever-popular Night Noodle Markets. Due to popular demand, the Birrarung Marr markets have been extended to a whopping 18 nights across November 12-29. Expect old favourites such as Chin Chin, Bao Stop and Hoy Pinoy with newbies. Good Food Month tends to attract some pretty big chef hats, and this year you'll be able to feast on expertly smoked mussels from top chefs David Moyle of Franklin Restaurant and French chef Florent Geradin in Eclade de Moyle. Learn the Peruvian ropes with Diego Muñoz, watch Melbourne's top chefs make their mentors' specialties into Cinema Nova movie snacks, then watch the bigwigs of the culinary industry debate The Future of Food, in a lively panel between editor-in-chief of Lucky Peach Chris Ying, Pulitzer prize-winning LA Times food critic Jonathan Gold and award-winning Attica head chef Ben Shewry. GFM's ever-popular returning event series will be back with plenty of citywide feasting experiences, from Hats Off Dinners to the Eat Art series. Take a culinary tour of the graffiti capitals of the world with Easey's, take an American 'Dude Food' Walking Tour, learn how to make bagels at home with 5 & Dime, see Huxtable take on Ms Collins, see Saint Crispin take on Gelato Messina, then find the very best in food goodness at Australia’s largest charity kitchen in Abbotsford, by FareShare — where you can volunteer. Because GFM knows you can't wait that long for a taste, they've invited king of dessert-for-dinner degustations Pierre Roelofs to hand out 200 free ice creams at a pop-up in Queensbridge Square today from 12-1pm, to launch the program. Get. There. Early. Good Food Month runs November 1-30 across the city and regional Victoria. For more info, head to the website.
With the working year back in full swing and winter fast approaching, you're probably already nostalgic for summer nights sipping brewskis or soaking up the heat at your favourite beach. But with temperatures set to stay higher than average for autumn, you don't have to retire your summer wardrobe just yet. Plus, there are still plenty of ways to take advantage of the warm weather and have a blast. We've compiled six ideas to keep the summer vibes going for a little while longer. [caption id="attachment_704319" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] HEAD UNDERWATER Warm weather means warm waters — even in Melbourne. So why not pack your towel and swimmers and plan your next beach adventure? Water temperatures are currently sitting around 19 degrees, so now is the perfect time to grab some mates or enjoy some you time by the water. Whether you're a fish in disguise or more of a landlubber, there are plenty of swimming holes and beaches, and pools where you can swim some laps or sprawl out with a good book. Or if you're planning to explore the depths, you can even do a day trip to these top-notch snorkelling spots like at Half Moon Bay or off the St Leondards Pier. CAMP OUT ON THE SAND This one is fuelled by 100-percent bonafide seasonal denial. Hit the road, find that temporary piece of paradisiac real estate and wake up in on own little patch of beach. Australia's end of summer is the best time to beach camp, with clear days, cool nights and warmer water temperatures all round. Whether you're looking for a spot close to home or planning a road trip, it will be tough to choose from these tent-friendly beaches scattered across Victoria. If you're wanting to make a longer road trip, make tracks to one of the best beach camping spots around the country. Doze off to the sound of crashing waves and wake up with a morning dip in the ocean. Plus, you can wow your mates with these campside food hacks and all it takes is a bit of planning and a few handy tools. WATCH THE SUNSET (AND A MOVIE) Outdoor cinemas are a staple of summer and there's still time to take a date or your mates to catch the latest flicks under the stars. Plus, you can bring along a picnic of your favourite treats and drinks or enjoy what's on offer on-site. While some have already packed up for the year, there's still time to head down to the Botanic Gardens' Moonlight Cinema or Cameo's outdoor season down in Belgrave. If you'd rather stick to the CBD, Rooftop Cinema will run its stellar program right through until the end of March. [caption id="attachment_695540" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Annika Kafcaloudis[/caption] COOL DOWN WITH AN ICE CREAM Summer days and ice cream go hand in hand, and escaping from the office to pick up a cone of classic pistachio or untraditional Aperol Spritz gelato is a great way to enjoy the final days of summery sunshine. Melburnians are spoilt for choice, too, so pick up a scoop (or two) from one of our top 11 ice-cream and gelato joints around the city. For those looking for something traditional, take a trip to the Compá or Gelateria Primavera. If you're looking for smore unusual, you'll find some unique treats at Aqua S and Milkcow. Plus, if you're around this Saturday, Lavezzi in Carlton is celebrating its first birthday by giving away scoops for free. EAT AND DRINK BY THE WATER What's not to love about sipping a refreshing cocktail while you soak up stunning views of beaches, harbours or rivers? Whether you're planning your next date night or an outing with friends, there are a bunch of spots where you can spend your final summer nights. And there's somewhere for every occasion, from Williamstown's Spanish diner on the sand and St Kilda's beachside spot to the Yarra's long river bar. Bring your togs and relax with a cocktail at the newly opened Reunion Island Pool Club on top of Melbourne Central, or get a bunch of mates together for drinks at these waterside bars. Or, if you want a dose of salty air, head to one of these restaurants by the beach. [caption id="attachment_650215" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Great Ocean Walk, Visit Victoria[/caption] GO DAY TRIPPING If you're missing the excitement that comes with travelling, or you've been meaning to hit the road all summer, there's still time to explore somewhere new for a day. So grab the car snacks, make a jamming Spotify playlist and pick one of these summer day trips. Head down the Mornington Peninsula and you can stop off at a winery on your way to one of the area's many beaches, or go the other way to the Great Ocean Road for some surf and a ride on a zip line. For those looking for a cooler climate getaway, hideaway at Hepburn Bathhouse in Daylesford. If you still need guidance, check out our handy road trip guide.
The NGV is pretty practiced in juxtaposing the classical and the contemporary, and the gallery is set to do it again with its winter exhibition celebrating acclaimed Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang and one of the world's most important ancient artworks: The Terracotta Army. And, as is now custom, with a seasonal blockbuster, so comes a brand new season of NGV Friday Nights. The gig series is now a quintessential way to end a chilly winter week in Melbourne. And, thanks to a slew of pop-up bars, you'll get to enjoy this after-dark art excursion with a cocktail in hand. It'll kick off on May 31 with a set from local indie folk band Husky and run all the way through to a Friday-Saturday finale with NZ's alternative pop band Yumi Zouma on October 11 and a Saturday party with Young Franco on October 12. As always, you'll get after-hours access to the gallery as well as the gigs. Rove between the current exhibitions and out in the garden to the soundtrack of local DJs and bands, who'll change every week. There'll also be lots of great food courtesy of Hutong Dumpling Bar, who'll be taking over the NGV's Gallery Kitchen and transforming it into a Shanghai-inspired dumpling bar. Expect all the bar's signatures — xiao long bao, spicy wontons, crab dim sums — as well as weekly specials. NGV FRIDAY NIGHTS WINTER 2019 LINEUP May 31 — Husky June 7 — Amaya Laucirica June 14 — NGAIIRE June 21 — Approachable Members of Your Local Community June 28 — Sloan Peterson July 5 — I Know Leopard July 12 — Sui Zhen July 19 — Adrian Eagle July 26 — Rainbow Chan August 2 — Kira Puru August 9 — Hobsons Bay Coast Guard August 16 — CLYPSO August 30 — Slum Sociable September 6 — The Audreys September 13 — Maribelle September 20 — LALKA September 27 — GRAACE October 4 — Thandi Phoenix October 11 — Yumi Zouma October 12 (special Saturday event) — Young Franco NGV Friday Nights run from 6–10pm.
Care for a cheeky cocktail looking out over Melbourne's pretty, pretty skyline? Melbourne has a shiny new rooftop bar. Opening at the just-opened QT Melbourne, this new addition to the CBD promises to serve up openair cocktails and brewskis from 4.30pm today. Details on the rooftop bar have been selectively hush hush over the last few weeks since the hotel's opening, but from 4.30pm today, the rooftop bar's secret will be out. To get to this high flying, just head to the hotel's front door and you'll be directed to the roof by staff — and there's no door charge. It's the cherry atop the hotel's cornucopia of food and drink offerings — check out our roundup of what you can inhale. Find QT Melbourne's rooftop bar at 133 Russell St, Melbourne, open seven days a week from 4.30pm to 1am. By Shannon Connellan with Kelly Pigram.
Summer is usually the time when we let go of our culinary pretension. Dirty fish and chips on the beach? Why not. Eat nothing but overripe mangoes all day? Sounds good. But this year, you won't have to sacrifice any of that trademark Melburnian foodie love. The guys behind Huxtable and Huxtaburger have teamed up for a mouth-watering new venture on Smith Street, and they'll be serving up cheap lobster rolls all summer long. That's right — not flake, not prawns, but lobster. Running next to the group's ever-popular Collingwood burger joint, Mr Claws will be slingin' rolls stuffed with pieces of lobster meat and dripping with your choice of three sauces: miso and wasabi, Sriracha spiced mayonnaise or buttermilk ranch. A single roll will set you back just $12, or $15 if you feel like adding straw potato chips and pickles. While the organisers say it's an idea they got while in London, we've seen a bunch of places take an interest in these small kinds of luxuries. It's no longer unusual for lobster to pop up on your local pub menu occasionally and restaurants in Sydney are all over it. It's definitely a trend we can get behind. Just like Huxtaburger there will be limited seating available in store, but if you do find the space they'll be serving a bunch of tasty drinks to wash down all that decadent goodness. We're talking craft beers, Pimms and Gordon's Elderflower Spritz. Proper lush stuff. Mr Claws was first tested out at Taste of Melbourne earlier this month and punters predictably loved it. In a press release this week they've stated the Smith Street store will be open "indefinitely", but "updates on the duration of the pop up can be found on the Mr Claws Facebook page". They're also scouting out permanent sites for 2015. But all that's besides the point — the sun is out and the smell of cheap lobster and Sriracha is in the air. Get down to Smith Street ASAP. Mr Claws is located at 104 Smith Street. It's currently open Monday-Friday 12pm-3pm and 5pm-9pm.
It might be based on a book by New Zealand author Barry Crump; however Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a film only Taika Waititi could've made. If you enjoyed the writer/director's quirky brand of humour in Boy and What We Do in the Shadows, you'll know exactly what you're in for. Here, hiding out in the wild, dreaming about being a gangster and arguing about which Terminator you'd rather be go hand in hand. Indeed, that's Ricky Baker's (Julian Dennison) story — or, it is after the 13-year-old is taken in by the kindly Bella (Rima Te Wiata) and the cranky Hec (Sam Neill). When tragedy strikes, he absconds to the surrounding wilderness to avoid the controlling plans of an over-eager social worker (Rachel House). A national manhunt ensues, as does plenty of mayhem; think nods to '80s classics, over-the-top car chases, plus Rhys Darby popping up as an eccentric conspiracy theorist. Part coming-of-age adventure, part comedic trek through the New Zealand bush, if the end result sounds both hilarious and heartwarming, that's because it is. And, it's also Waititi's last indie effort before he takes on a rather mammoth task: directing Thor: Ragnarok, and bringing his distinctive sensibilities to the superhero realm. [competition]572050[/competition]
Melbourne Music Week will take over the city from Friday, November 15, to Saturday, November 23 — and, this year's retrospective program is paying tribute to some of the highlights of its first decade. The festival is known for transforming unlikely spaces across the city into rollicking live music venues and, in the ultimate throwback move, MMW will bring back its immersive pop-up venue Kubik as the festival hub. After first appearing at the 2011 festival, it will this time make its home at Alexandra Gardens, delivering a nightly program of local and international sounds. Designed by Germany's Balestra Berlin, the outdoor structure offers up a feast for the senses, featuring technology that allows it to light up in time with the music. Headline acts including Melbourne dance legend CC:Disco!, German electronic act Monolake, and French natives Kittin and Raphaël Top-Secret promise to give Kubik a serious workout this year. Image: Kubik 2011.
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.
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.
Meredith is a festival where you're guaranteed to have a good time, no matter what. But whatever your reasons for heading to the three-day December festival in central Victoria, you won't be disappointed with the acts Aunty Meredith has announced for this year's lineup. If you've seen their Letterman set (and who hasn't by now), you'll be chest-beatingly happy to know that Future Islands will be headlining the bill, bringing their empassioned live show to The Sup. Todd Terje will be bringing his space disco all the way from Norway to head up vibes on Saturday night, as Chicago's Noname — both are coming to Australia for the first time. Warpaint, Total Control, ESG and !!! are among acts to join NZ's already-announced Aldous Harding. And that's not even a half of it. Aunty has really covered all bases here. You're wondering how you can get tickets to this aren't you? Meredith tickets are only available by entering the ballot. You can still do so at here up until 10.27pm on Tuesday, August 15. Fingers crossed that we can all hang out in The Sup on December 8, 9 and 10. But we know what you're really here for. We'll cut to the chase. Here's the lineup — and we're promised a few more are still to be announced. MEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL 2017 LINEUP Todd Terje & The Olsens Noname ESG Total Control !!! Future Islands Warpaint Downtown Boys Mark Seymour and The Undertow Aldous Harding Harvey Sutherland & Bermuda Amyl and The Sniffers Big Thief Pissed Jeans Various Asses Japanese Breakfast RVG The Teskey Brothers DJ Jnett The Senegambian Jazz Band Rings Around Saturn Kikagaku Moyo
You know summer's just around the corner when your social calendar and budget spreadsheet start filling up with must-attend festival lineups and your FOMO rages out of control. There are so many new and returning festivals coming up, we are truly spoilt for choice. But how do you decide which horse to bet on? Happy Wanderer is an off-the-beaten-track festival option, running October 31 to November 2 on an organic farm in Benalla, Victoria. They announced their headliners today and it’s a cornucopia of delight for fans of more laidback tunes and old-school Americana, with Jess Ribeiro, The Eastern, Sal Kimber and the Rollin’ Wheel, Archer, The Eighty 88s, James Kenyon, That Gold Street Sound, Nigel Wearne, Harry Jakamarra, Emilee South and Jane Sea. But the Happy Wanderer crew earn extra brownie points for letting you try before you buy, with an ongoing residency at The Gasometer Hotel that showcases what the festival will offer. The final instalment of the preview is on this Thursday, September 27, and features Melbourne reggae band El Moth, supported by The Electric I and Emi. Like many festival these days, the Happy Wanderer is a lifestyle choice as well as a sweet lineup. The HW ethos revolves around volunteerism — in fact, the festival began as a working bee on an organic farm. In its third year now, the festival has grown in scope to include three stages, a Discovery Dome for workshops, bars, food tents and trucks, coffee stations, camping and most importantly a rubber duck race on Broken River. Though it continues to expand, HW still holds onto their original purpose: a gathering of kin on a beautiful farm (and rubber duck racing, always). Happy Wanderer is happening at Yin Barun, Benalla, from October 31 to November 2. Tickets $160pp (camping and three-day admission included), available here.
The Melbourne International Film Festival has teased some of the highlights of its 2015 program fresh off the hype train from Cannes. With less than six weeks to go until Australia’s oldest and largest film festival gets underway for another year, the programmers have spilled the beans on 26 titles from the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, including new films by some of the biggest names in international cinema. Standouts include multiple Cannes award-winners. Acclaimed Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos won the Jury Prize for his English language debut, The Lobster, an absurdist rom-com starring Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Ben Whishaw and John C. Reilly about single people under threat of being turned into animals. Low-key medical drama Chronic won Best Screenplay and also earned major plaudits for leading man Tim Roth, while Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien took home Best Director for his sumptuous martial arts picture The Assassin. Hou’s film is one of a number of exciting Asian titles in the mix, alongside Jia Zhang-ke’s Chinese migrant drama Mountains May Depart, Takashi Miike’s slapstick gangster/monster movie Yakuza Apocalypse: The Great War of the Underworld and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s low-key domestic drama Our Little Sister, as well as the latest dreamlike rumination from Thai master Apichatpong Weerasethakul entitled Cemetery of Splendour. Other hot tickets include Love, the new film from Irreversible director Gaspar Noe featuring several explicit 3D sex scenes, as well as all three parts of Miguel Gomez’s ambitious Arabian Nights trilogy, a scathing critique of modern-day Portuguese society which, despite missing out on a prize at Cannes, took home the top honours at the Sydney Film Festival this past Sunday. Notable Cannes titles not featured in the MIFF announcement include Jacques Audiard’s Palm d’Or winning Dheepan, Todd Haynes’ widely acclaimed Carol starring Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett, and the hotly anticipated Macbeth adaptation led by Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. The latter omission is particularly disappointing since director Justin Kurzel is Australian. The good news is that all three films already have domestic distribution deals in place, so hopefully we’ll get to see them before too long. The 26 Cannes titles join a number of films already revealed in a sneak peak last month, including Alex Ross Perry’s psychological drama Queen of Earth, David Foster Wallace biopic The End of the Tour starring Jason Segel, and Sean Baker’s outrageous transgender comedy Tangerine ,shot entirely on an iPhone. The Melbourne International Film Festival runs from July 30 to August 16, with the full program set to drop on July 7. For more information, visit the MIFF website. Image: The Lobster
Aunty's done it again; inviting the whole country round for a cup o' chai and a grand ol' hootenanny — the 2015 lineup for Meredith Music Festival is here. Returning to beloved Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, near Golden Plains over December 11-13, Meredith's more eclectic than ever — it's the Silver Jubilee 25th anniversary after all. Following the recent major announcement of Ex-Fleet Foxes minstrel Father John Misty as this year's top headliner, Aunty's added the likes of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Ratatat, The Thurston Moore Band, Tkay Maidza, Neon Indian, Big Daddy Kane, Shellac, Fatback Band, Jessica Pratt, Briggs, and many more to the bill. As always, Meredith's a BYO paradise, and of course, the 'No Dickhead Policy' stands stronger than ever. There's just one ticket type (none of this fancy schmancy VIP tiered business) and it'll set you back $338.70 + $10BF + $7.50 post. Like every year, it's a ballot system and first round ticket offers will be made today, the second on August 20. Enter over here. But enough chatskies, here's who's ringing in 25 years of glorious Meredith fun with Aunty this year. MEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL 2015 LINEUP Big Daddy Kane Bully Father John Misty Floating Points Fatback Band GL Goat Harvey Sutherland Jessica Pratt Julia Holter Levins Lucy Cliche The Peep Tempel Master Khalil Gudaz MC Jane Clifton Mighty Duke and The Lords Briggs Moon Duo Neon Indian Optimo Pearls Power Ratatat Shellac Steve Miller Band The Thurston Moore Band Tkay Maidza Totally Mild Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats Unknown Mortal Orchestra Meredith Music Festival is happening December 11 to 13 in the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, Meredith. Enter the ballot here. Image: Meredith Music Festival.
Binge-watching back episodes of all those TV shows you meant to catch up with is about to become easier than ever. Telstra have just announced a partnership with American digital set top box manufacturers Roku on an Australian platform that will be compatible with rival video-on-demand services Netflix, Stan and Presto, as well as free-to-air catch-up players and BigPond Movies. Telstra will launch the service, named Telstra TV, in September, at which point it will become the first device on the local market that offers easy access to all three competing streaming services – although you can technically get all three through a Chromecast. A Telstra spokesperson told news.com.au that Netflix and Presto would be available from the launch date, with Stan jumping on board soon after. The device will also support certain TV catch-up services, although Telstra has not yet specified which ones, and could not confirm whether Foxtel Play would be among them. A full list of supported apps will become available closer to the launch. Likewise, the pricing for Telstra TV is yet to be finalised, although the company is reportedly trying to negotiate a subscription package that includes all three major streaming options for under $30 a month. The device itself is expected to retail for $109 flat out, or $89 when included as part of a Telstra broadband plan. Via news.com.au
One of the most underrated Japanese joints in the Melbourne CBD is trading its teppanyaki grill for a collection of cast-iron French cookware. From the beginning of next month, the owners of nearby Coda are taking over Yu-U, with plans to reopen the much loved Flinders Lane eatery as a contemporary French bistro early in 2016. According to Good Food, the team behind Coda will transform the underground space into a 30-40 seat restaurant, complete with bar and open kitchen manned by Frenchman Florent 'Flo' Gerardin. A veteran of such establishments as Pei Modern and Vue de Monde in Melbourne, 59 Poincare in Paris and L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas, Gerardin told Good Food that the menu at the currently unnamed bistro would be comprised of "soul food" made using the skills he learnt from famed chefs Joel Robuchon and Alain Ducasse. In practical terms, that translates into simple French dishes such as beef cheek with onion and classic steak tartare, along with bar snacks and share dishes served hot and cold. No word on whether they'll be cleaning the graffiti off the location's hidden entrance – frankly that might take away some of the charm. Yu-U is located at 137 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Via Good Food. Image: Coda
For years Altona has sat in the shadow of its southwest bayside neighbour Williamstown. But all that may be set to change with the opening of Two Bros on Blyth, the latest eatery to open in the area from brothers Michael and Ehab Botros. The duo launched the Two Bros on Blyth brand last year as a pop-up cafe, and it was so successful they've decided to give it a permanent home just off Altona's Pier Street. The brothers chose the waterside southwestern suburb — which is not necessarily known for its dining options — because they felt locals wanted a piece of Melbourne's cafe culture and nightlife in their local area. "We wanted to open a space where people could have a good time without having to go into the city," says Michael. By transforming the double-storey space into an all-day eatery with a cafe downstairs and bar and dining room upstairs, the Botros brothers have given Altona the cultural injection that neighbouring Williamstown has been enjoying for a while, most namely with the recent opening of George Calombaris' Hellenic Hotel. Two Bros on Blyth will open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with the upstairs area converting to a live music venue during the evenings. This might be just the place to enjoy an espresso martini, while browsing the drinks list put together by Pete Giannaris (ex-Gazi and The Press Club). By the way of a food menu, the term 'Australian fusion' has been thrown around, so expect just about anything. Two Bros on Blyth is now open at 51 Blyth Street, Altona. It's open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week, and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday. For more info, visit 2bonb.com.au.
There's something so romantic about cooking food on a campfire. Something dreamy and primal about watching marshmallows blacken, and then walking away smelling like smoke for days. If smoky food and fire-starting is your jam, this class, part of the High Country Harvest program, is a must-do. You'll learn to cook campfires basics (sorry 'mallows — you don't cut it anymore) and some more exotic dishes. Expect wine and local produce a-plenty and, also, to be crowned king of the campsite every camping trip for the rest of your life. Once the learning is over, sit back and chow down on a hearty campfire lunch.
A killer cast play cops and robbers in a down and dirty crime thriller set on the mean streets of LA. Triple 9 — a film whose script once earned a spot on the legendary Black List of the best unproduced screenplays in Hollywood — stars Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie and Norman Reedus as a group of crooked cops trapped in the web of the Russian mob. Throw in Woody Harrelson as an embittered detective and Academy Award winner Kate Winslet as a ruthless crim, and you can see why we've been looking forward to it for a while. Australian director John Hillcoat is no slouch either, having demonstrated his gift for adapting grim, compelling subject matter in earlier films like The Proposition and The Road. Just don't expect many laughs. [competition]560811[/competition]
This July sees the return of another packed program from Open House Melbourne. If you're not familiar with the annual two-day event, it opens up some of the cities most iconic buildings, new structures and urban environments for the public to explore and appreciate. And with 200 buildings included in this year's program — and 73 of these appearing on the program on the first time — you're set to be busy on the weekend of July 27–28. A highlight of the weekend will be the chance to check out the long-awaited refurbishment of RMIT's Capitol Theatre. After closing in 2014 for much needed renovations, the much-loved building now showcases its recently renovated Lounge, Salon, Foyer and Theatre. Throughout the weekend, it will be open for both guided and self-guided tours between 10am and 4pm. After that, you can hop over to the new Ian Potter Southbank Centre, which is the new home of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music — don't miss seeing the six-metre-wide oculus designed by John Wardel Architects. Or you can take a tour of Melbourne's only CBD gin distillery Little Lon, take a proper look at the revamped Espy or walk through Fitzroy's Cairo Flats. If you're invested in infrastructure, step behind the construction fence with tours of the West Gate Tunnel Project or the new Parkville Station that's being built as part of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel. Plus, with the City of Hobsons Bay joining in this year, the program will take design enthusiasts over to Williamstown, Spotswood, Newport and Altona. A new keynote program on Urban Tactility will include a public installation in the Immigration Museum courtyard, challenging participants to experience how we create more accommodating cities for the blind and visually impaired. While most of the buildings will be open for free self-guided tours, some of the more popular spots will require you to buy a tickets for five bucks in advance. These will go on sale at 8.30am on Friday, July 12. Image: Tatjana Pitt.
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
Confetti cannons up, we've got something bloody huge to celebrate. Announced this morning, Concrete Playground has been nominated for a 2016 Webby Award, in the category of General Website - Cultural Blog/Website. Look, we're not pulling your leg, here we are, with fellow nominees VICE, Nowness, Jazz at Lincoln Centre and Polygraph. So we're drinking prosecco for morning tea, what of it? Celebrating their 20th year, The Webbys have seen the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences handing out top tier awards since 1996, celebrating "excellence on the internet including websites, interactive advertising, online film and video and mobile content." Along with our mates and website designers Canvas Group, Concrete Playground is now celebrating our first ever Webby nomination. Concrete Playground founder and director Rich Fogarty was understandably excited. "FUUUUUUUUUCK!" he said in a statement this morning. Fellow Australian/NZ nominees include triple j's Hottest 100 site for Music (they're up against Beyonce's official site, kudos), and Trusted Housesitters — based in Australia as well as globally — for the Community category. Best part of the Webbys? Once the nominations have been announced, the winners are internet-voted. So you can give us a hand! Used CP to find your never-fail date spot (with BYO)? Chase more waterfalls nowadays? Look, we told you what nap desks are, so show us some love and vote for us. How about some ol' fashioned incentive? We're giving readers the chance to win a cheeky $1000 from your good mates at CP. To enter, all you have to do is vote for us on the Webby's website, email us a screenshot of the vote confirmation screen to cpftw@concreteplayground.com. That's it. Get on it. VOTE FOR CONCRETE PLAYGROUND HERE
Kraków makes for an enriching stopover if you're travelling through Europe on an extended trip. Though the city carries a notoriously sombre history, Kraków is an endlessly charming and friendly place to visit with plenty to discover. On the long list of eye-opening sights, expect castles and churches in the medieval Old Town, lush parks and bike paths, as well as Oskar Schindler's famous Enamel Factory and the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau. There's no shame in following the well-worn tourist route — but when your feet are weary, the crowd fatigue starts to set in or you simply wish to do as the Cracovians do, consult this list of less obvious activities in Kraków. In partnership with Topdeck, here's the instalment of our Less Obvious city guides. Episode four: Kraków. SAMPLE LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS IN THE JEWISH QUARTERS Venture south of the Old Town and you will wander into Kraków's historic Jewish Quarters. Once an independent town, Kazimeirz is a bustling and bohemian neighbourhood packed with synagogues, bars, cafés, food trucks and street art. Sample some of the local food truck delicacies, like polish fries or pierogi (a type of Polish dumpling) and take yourself on a street art tour. In between cobbled laneways and quaint courtyards, the area has an eye-catching range of murals, some of which commemorate the displaced Jewish community and former inhabitants. HIDE FROM THE CROWDS AT MASSOLIT BOOKS & CAFÉ On the outskirts of the Old Town you will come across Massolit Books & Café, a cosy place to whittle away an afternoon. This English language bookstore is stocked with an impressive range of literature. Although they specialise in Eastern and Central European literature, you'll find everything from classic and contemporary fiction through to politics, poetry and philosophy. They also host events such as literary readings, lectures and political discussions (though these are mainly in Polish). Settle down with some baked goods and a cup of coffee and enjoy hiding from the crowds for a little while. [caption id="attachment_595236" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Pierogi (polish dumplings).[/caption] DEVOUR HOME-STYLE POLISH CUISINE IN THE CITY'S MILK BARS Poland's milk bars are an easy way to avoid tourist traps. These unique and unassuming cafés were established as early as 1897, but became popular as government-subsidised worker's canteens in the Communist era. Typically, the menu is short and simple, consisting of pierogi (those Polish dumplings again), omelettes, goulash and potato pancakes. It's deliciously hearty, authentic and affordable Polish fare. Some old fashioned milk bars have recently been revitalised, such as Milkbar Tomasza in the Old Town which has a more modern touch. On the other hand, Bar Mleczny in Nowa Huta hasn't changed since the '70s. TRAVEL BACK IN TIME TO NOWA HUTA For an alternative spin on the city, take the tram out to Nowa Huta in Eastern Kraków. Funded by the Soviet Union and built in the architectural style of socialist realism post WWII, the area was envisaged as a utopian testament to the humble proletariat. It was also the site of many protests and solidarity movements during the dying days of Communism. These days, you can find historical remnants, such as the Ludowy (People's) Theatre and the Arka Pana church. It's an interesting place to visit — just a short tram ride from Kraków's city centre, but what feels like a completely different place. GET CULTURED AT BUNKIER SZTUKI While the monumental Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAK) is probably the cultural kingpin of Kraków, Bunkier Sztuki offers something slightly different. Burrowed in the lush gardens encasing the Old Town, this cutting-edge institution is fringed with a little café and publishing house. With a focus on innovative multimedia, the gallery spans three levels and features emerging and lesser-known artists, mainly from Poland and Eastern Europe. QUENCH YOUR THIRST AT HOUSE OF BEER While Poland is more famous for vodka than beer, House of Beer is a fun and relaxing place to sample a hefty range of brews, particularly after traipsing up and down cobbled streets. Many of the drafts come from small to medium-sized breweries across Poland, Germany, Lithuania and Ukraine. The knowledgeable staff will give you some pointers and knock together a tasting paddle. You can also curl your mitts around a mulled wine in winter. HANG OUT WITH HIPSTERS AT FORUM PRZESTRZENIE The Brutalist silhouette of the Forum Przestrzenie looms large over the Vistula River. Once a major drawcard, the Communist-era hotel has fallen into disrepair. However, it has been repurposed as a vibrant hub of cultural activity – there are a cluster of clubs, workshops, bars and art galleries surrounding it. As there's plenty of space for diversity and reinvention, it's always changing. Grab a beer and a deck chair by the river at dusk, and then explore some of the nightclubs once you're acquainted with the area. EAT ZAPIEKANKA IN KAZIMEIRZ This historic round building nestled in the heart of Kazimeirz (in Old Town) contains a number of food stalls. Built in 1900, Okraglak in Plac Nowy is a popular market square where many of the vendors sell zapiekanka, a Polish-style snack featuring your choice of topping on half a baguette. It's insanely cheap and filling, making for a satisfying stomach-liner before sampling some of Kraków's nearby nightlife. The locals have their personal preferences; however Endzior seems to be a firm favourite. ADMIRE AWARD-WINNING DESIGN AT THE MALOPOLSKA GARDEN OF ART This recent addition to Kraków's cultural landscape is renowned for its innovative architecture. Boasting a multifunctional space, the structure is sleek and skeletal – casting sharp, geometrical shadows across the street. Out the front you will see a garden with a scattering of benches and a maple tree in the middle. There's a theatre, library and exhibition centre to explore once you're inside, and plenty of festivals and events are hosted here, so you'll always have somewhere to go if you come across a spare moment on your Kraków adventure. Visit Europe (including Kraków) with a Topdeck trip and make 2017 a year to remember. Book early (that means now) and save up to $999.
Fans of the great American writer Ernest Hemingway know full well that he was a man who liked a drink. When living in Cuba in the 1930s, one of his favourite places for a daiquiri was El Floridita in Havana. But while he was certainly a lover of alcohol, he didn't have much of a sweet tooth, and so the bartender made some changes – lime juice, no sugar and twice the amount of Bacardi Carta Blanca rum. Over time grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur was also added to break up the tartness of the original concoction, which became known as the Hemingway daiquiri. To celebrate the great author’s birthday this Tuesday, some of Melbourne’s best cocktail spots will be making their own versions of the author's favourite beverage. Whether you bring along a copy of The Old Man And The Sea is up to you. MADAME BRUSSELS Tennis whites, AstroTurf, and large jugs full of saucily-named cocktails is what’s on the agenda at Madame Brussels, and it never fails to be utterly delightful. They’re sticking close to tradition here with their Hemingway daiquiri, with Bacardi Carta Blanca, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and Maraschino liqueur. There is also touch of sugar syrup to make the cocktail that little bit more inviting – and even if Hemingway may have disapproved we don’t think he’d want us to play by the rules all the time anyway. Garnished with a lime twist and ready to transport you to Havana. Level 3, 59 Bourke Street, Melbourne LILY BLACKS Melbourne is known for its hidden laneway bars, but Lily Blacks in Meyers Place is the one we like wandering down to the best – especially when it’s time for a cocktail. They have a tower of spirits, hand cut ice, an impressive collection of bitters and – the main attraction – the Breakfast at Hemmingway’s cocktail. In a massive shirking of convention, they use Bacardi 8 as opposed to Bacardi Carta Blanca, but the fun doesn’t stop there. Throw in two bar spoons Rose's breakfast marmalade, lime juice, shake and double strain. Then it’s time to make the foam, with yellow grapefruit juice, J Cartron pink grapefruit liqueur, egg white, electric maraschino juice and a small pinch of xanthan gum. The whole thing is then garnished with grated cinnamon for a soft touch of spice. 12 Meyers Place, Melbourne THE RUM DIARY BAR As the name may suggest, there is enough rum here to sink a pirate ship, with 170 varieties and counting. They specialise in rum-based cocktails and provide an environment to sip on them that is both relaxing and inviting, with staff who are knowledgeable without being pretentious. These guys love their daiquiris so much they dedicated last Sunday (National Daiquiri Day) to host masterclasses and a speed making competition. Hemming’s Wow Daiquiri is what you should be consuming this Tuesday, made from Bacardi Carta Blanca, pomegranate juice, grapefruit juice, Maraschino liqueur and cardamom syrup. Here’s cheers to the great man and the rum he loved so dear. 334 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy Top image: Cocktailmarler - Wikimedia Commons.
How much is too much to pay for a movie, particularly when you're watching it on your own couch? Film lovers have been asking this question since the days of VHS rentals; however the streaming revolution keeps bringing it up again and again. If you've spent the last year trying to work out whether forking out for Netflix, Stan or Presto is worth it, here's another service — and expense — to consider. No, we're not talking about the much-discussed Screening Room, which wants to charge a premium to stream first-release films at the same time as they're in cinemas. Instead, Sony's finally getting in the game, with a brand new service that's causing us to ponder our bank balances. Called Ultra, due to land in the US on April 4 on Android-compatible Sony 4K TV sets (yep, already niche), and kicking off with 40–50 titles such as The Walk, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Ghostbusters, the streaming platform will enable viewers to watch 4K-quality films in their own homes (something Netflix is already doing). But — and this is a very big but — it'll cost $30 per movie. Yes, if and when it comes to Australia (with details of local availability unknown at the time of writing), you'll need to lay down three tenners for every single flick — or the same amount it'd cost two people to see a film on the big screen. That's not much of an incentive to sign up, particularly given that cheap Tuesday tickets continue to excite cinema-goers in droves. On the other hand, $30 is the same price you'd pay for a new release DVD, and you do get to keep a copy on Sony's UltraViolet cloud storage solution. So, the real point of contention is: do you really want to pay extra for better streaming quality? As always, waiting and seeing is the only real answer, though we're not optimistic that anyone will rush to Ultra given the price. 4K content is already available on Netflix for $14.99 per month, after all — and even if you've lost your sneaky access to the US version of the service, their local range is still much larger than Sony's planned catalogue. Via The Next Web.
Prancing through fields laced with the charm of provincial France? Casual summer weekendery. Returning for its fifth year, the ever-popular So Frenchy So Chic in the Park is waltzing back to Melbourne's Werribee Park Mansion and Sydney's St John's College for an entire afternoon of French-inspired niceties — think gourmet picnic hampers, tortes and terrines, offensively good wine, furious outdoor chess, casual gypsy beats. So Frenchy hinges around a solid lineup of eclectic artists you may be yet to meet. There's Moroccan-born folk-blues artist Hindi Zahra, who's been described as a North-African Patti Smith and likened to a modern day Billie Holiday, lounge pop '70s-like diva duo Aurélie Saada and Sylvie Hoarau, aka Brigitte, and talented chanteuse Lou Doillon makes her highly anticipated So Frenchy debut. Last, but in no way, shape or form least, Balkan-electro collective Soviet Suprem bring their light punk, Bolshoi gypsy beats, hip hop and OTT iron curtain theatrics to get everyone up off their picnic rugs and dancing the blazes out of that lawn. If you're not the most organised of picnickers, So Frenchy is putting on the works again with their beloved picnic boxes and cheese plates from Bright Young Things and Simmone Logue. Filled with crusty baguettes, salad jardinière and petite four chocolate ganache tarts, the picnic boxes are one to preorder if you don't want to miss out. But So Frenchy won't let you go hungry; there'll be a huge banquet of seafood, crepes, macaroons and ice cream available on the day. And of course, there'll be plenty of Laurent Perrier Champagne, French beer, Provence rosé, Bordeaux reds and whites, and special cocktails at the SFSC vintage caravan. Don your best floral-headband-and-sundress-combo and gear up for un merveilleux après-midi. SO FRENCHY SO CHIC IN THE PARK 2016: Sunday, January 10 — Werribee Park, Melbourne Saturday, January 16 — St John's College, Sydney Tickets via Ticketmaster and SFSC, on sale from 9am, Wednesday, September 23 to Monday, September 28 or until sold out. Earlybird tickets $69, standard $89, on the door $99.
Tender, smoky, rich meaty goodness — this is Meatmother in a nutshell. Swan Street's Slip sleek and minimalist space in Richmond has been long-celebrated for its shudderingly delicious pulled pork, so praised that punters waltz past the Richmond digs just to get a mere whiff of the smoky aroma. But nothing pairs with lip-smackingly good American-style BBQ than crisp, cold beer — and Richmond's Mountain Goat Brewery is just the ticket. The Melbourne-born brewery is inviting the glorious carnivores from Meatmother to set up their epic Silver Creek Smoker inside the Mountain Goat beer hall, serving up that meaty, meaty goodness ever Friday night for the next three weeks. Think Brisket Buns filled with 12-hour oak smoked Wagyu brisket, as well as pulled pork and chipotle slaw buns. We're already showing signs of the meat sweats. Mountain Goat have also invited their mates from California's North Coast Brewing to pour three rarely seen tap beers at the beer hall's mini bar. But the brewery's got a few tricks up their own sleeve; Mountain Goat will be debuting their new Nitro-Hightail Ale over the three Fridays. If you're wanting to work off a few of those brisket buns afterwards, you can jump on a tour of the brewery. Find the Meatmother pop-up at Mountain Goat Brewery, Cnr North & Clark Streets, Richmond. Fridays 5-11pm from December 5-19. More info over here. Image: Nice Bike.
Hating on everything in your seasonally inept wardrobe? Feeling like dropping a sizeable chunk of your paycheck on some new threads? You're in luck. Incu are set to host their second showroom sale in Fitzroy, from May 29 to 31. Best bit? The reductions are going up to 80 percent. Yep. EGADS. You'll find the Incu wholesale showroom sale at 83 Kerr Street, Fitzroy. Snap up Incu one-offs, samples and previous season stock for relative peanuts. There'll also be grabworthy stock from the brands represented at the Incu Showroom — including Incu’s own label Weathered (both for dudes and ladies), cult label Saturdays Surf NYC, basics go-to Richer Poorer and New York-based label The Hill-Side. Something to remember before you go hassling poor Incu staff, this is a showroom sale, so it won't include every single brand stocked in the Incu retail stores. But with everything reduced like crazy, you'll have plenty to pick from here. Cash, EFTPOS and credit cards will be accepted, so maybe skip a few coffees this week. INCU SHOWROOM SALE OPENING HOURS: Friday May 29: 10am - 6pm Saturday May 30: 10am - 6pm Sunday May 31: 11am - 2pm
Spotify had best watch its back, because there's a brand new music streaming service in town. Launching this week, BitTorrent Now is an Android and soon to be iOS and Apple TV app that lets users stream ad-supported music and video, with a special focus on curated content that might otherwise fly under the radar. While BitTorrent is probably best known as a way of sneakily pirating TV shows, the company has actually been helping artists distribute their work for years. Since launching their BitTorrent Bundle service in 2013, they've worked with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, comedian David Cross and countless other lesser-known filmmakers, musicians and miscellaneous creatives. Artists who make their work available via BitTorrent Now can choose whether or not they wish to participate in the ad program. If they opt not to, they can instead make their work available for purchase, or upload it for free without any ads whatsoever. According to the company, artists will receive 70 percent of revenue generated by ads on their videos, and 90 percent of revenue if they chose to place their content behind a paywall. BitTorrent will also make a concerted effort to curate content on the app, in order to help artists find an audience and vice versa. The app includes trending and new release sections, and allows users to build a list of favourites. Nothing too revolutionary — perhaps the most interesting thing about it is the focus on smaller artists, who'll hopefully be able to use the platform to make a name for themselves. No word yet on if/when BitTorrent Now will be available in Australia. Via Engadget.
If you're on foreign soil luxuriating in the extra cash from not having to pay back your HECS debt, the party may be over. Education Minister Christopher Pyne wants you to cough up. In the lead-up to this month's delivery of the 2015-16 federal budget — in which education is expected to take similar hardline savings cuts as last year — Pyne has announced legislation will soon be introduced obliging Australians living overseas to start paying back their HECS and HELP debts. In the spirit of making everything fair, Pyne reckons that every ex-student should have to pay back the cost of their education, regardless of where they're living. "There is no good reason why someone working as a banker in London or New York and earning over the threshold shouldn't pay back what they owe Australia," he said in a statement. Which (we'll admit reluctantly under our breaths this one time) doesn't sound inherently ludicrous. Currently, there are tens of thousands of ex-students living overseas debt-free, which is in contrast to their Australian university system alumni, slogging it out at home and quietly lamenting the slice of each pay cheque that goes back to paying off their HECS debt. But if the bill passes, come July 1, 2017, it won't matter where you're living and working — everyone will be forced to start paying it off. Sorry expats. It was good while it lasted. But well-educated Australians working in hostels, kitchens and creative careers abroad need not freak out just yet. As it goes when you're living in Australia, you'll only have to start paying off your HECS once you start earning more than the threshold, currently $53,000 a year. This new rule looks set to target those bringing in the big bucks overseas, and is a much more welcome way to raise revenue than Pyne's failed attempt at deregulating uni fees. Via the Sydney Morning Herald.
Asylum seekers, drone warfare, women's rights and the environment are just a few of the issues under the microscope at this year's Human Rights Arts and Film Festival. With its main arm returning to ACMI in Melbourne, along with condensed programs for cities including Sydney and Brisbane, the latest edition of this socially conscious festival is sure to get audiences all fired up. The festival begins with the Australian premier of Chasing Asylum, a confronting and extremely timely look at mandatory detention from Oscar-winning filmmaker Eva Orner. Other highlights include Sundance prize winner The Bad Kids, about at risk high school kids in the Mojave desert, and Prison Songs, Australia's first ever musical documentary about the inmates of the Northern Territory's notorious Berrimah prison. Audiences in Melbourne will also get the chance to catch a whole heap of special screenings, ranging from a selection of African heritage cinema curated by the Melbourne Cinematheque, to a special screening of The Pearl Button with a live original score by Dirty Three guitarist Mick Turner. For those of you having a tough time narrowing down what to see, here are five standout titles you can't afford to miss. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So7iA9xFrB4 CHASING ASYLUM This year's opening night film tears back the curtain on Australia's brutal immigration policies. Directed by Eva Orner, the Oscar-winning producer of Taxi to the Darkside, this confronting documentary explores the human cost of mandatory detention, combining interviews with whistleblowers — who risked jail to speak out — and sickening hidden camera footage from inside detention centres on Manus and Nauru. With Australia having been repeatedly condemned for its inhumane treatment of asylum seekers, Chasing Asylum could hardly be a better opening film, or more vital viewing in the lead-up the federal election. Opening night has already sold out, but there are multiple encore screenings scheduled with tickets still available. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJSkQa3Ieps THEY WILL HAVE TO KILL US FIRST: MALIAN MUSIC IN EXILE When Islamic extremists took control of Northern Mali in 2012, they introduced a law banning all forms of music. This documentary — which has been selected as the spotlight film at HRAFF — tells the story of the people who refused to fall into line. Featuring a number of Mali musicians including international breakouts Songhoy Blues, as well as Brian Eno and Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, They Will Have to Kill Us First explores music both as a form of cultural expression and a powerful weapon of resistance. And of course, the soundtrack is sure to be great. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXbq-VpFbxc DRONE Winner of the Amnesty International Award at the San Sebastian Human Rights Film Festival, this English-language doco from Norwegian director Tonje Hessen Schei examines one of the murkiest issues in the arena of modern warfare. From the floors of video game conventions, where the U.S. military hunts for new recruits, to the streets of Pakistan, where the impact of drone strikes is felt first hand, Drone explores the morality of combat technology that allows us to snatch someone's life from halfway around the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o5wO664P4A HOOLIGAN SPARROW Anyone who caught the recent Ai Weiwei exhibition at the NGV should make a concerted effort to see this covert doco about his fellow dissident, Chinese human rights activist Ye Haiyan, aka Hooligan Sparrow. Shot guerrilla style over three months by first time filmmaker Nanfu Wang, the film follows Sparrow as she campaigns for justice on behalf of six elementary school girls who were sexually abused by their principal. Rather than aid them, the government labelled the activists enemies of the state. So intense was the attention of the authorities that the footage had to be smuggled out of the country. Nanfu Wang will appear via Skype for a post-film Q&A. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnjGKyEJTBw THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT A rare narrative film on the documentary-heavy lineup, this dramatisation of the notorious psychological experiment won the Best Screenplay award at the Sundance Film Festival last year. Featuring the likes of Ezra Miller, Tye Sheridan, Thomas Mann and Billy Crudup, The Stanford Prison Experiment concerns the attempts of Stanford University researchers to examine the causes of violence within the prison system. In order to do so, they recruited two dozen student volunteers, placed them in a makeshift jail, and randomly assigned them roles as either prisoners or guards. The results live in infamy even to this day. Want more film? Check out our guide to what's in cinemas this month.
This year's Melbourne Fringe invites to swap your usual reality for something a little more lighthearted, with its 2018 theme 'Are You Game?' embracing the playtime in everyday life. Featured in this year's edition of the independent arts fiesta are a whopping 150 venues, as over 440 events and performances are brought to life across the city. Whether dipping your toe or diving deep, there's something in this diverse program for every kind of audience. Expect laughs aplenty with Selina Jenkins' dark comedy Thy Neighbour; hilarious, experimental theatre like you've never seen before for Sammy J – The 50 Year Show; and a truckload of chuckles at Highlander's free series of Fringe stand-up. Jude Perl embraces the art of angst in her work I Have a Face, Little Ones Theatre goes big with their ode to Whitney Houston Queen of The Night, and a boisterous serve of sound effects and impersonations are on the cards for Pablo Francisco's Australianator Tour. And, taking the concept of audience participation to a whole new level, Aphids and Field Theory will team up for ICON: an intensely participatory artwork that'll see one willing local selected randomly to become a legend. The randomly selected person will be trailed and studied carefully — Field Theory team members will sleep on your floor and, even, taste your breakfast — for 48 hours, and then celebrated with their very own festival in Fed Square. Head down to Fed Square between 12–4pm on August 18 or 19 to sign yourself up. If you want to get involved, but not that involved, you can head to a celebration of everything female, a comedic re-make of a Year 10 Formal — with, maybe, actual Passion Pop — karaoke, drag queen bingo, circus-themed wrestling (think clowns vs acrobats) and a glittering opening party. Image: Theresa Harrison.
The arrival of spring might have you wanting to get out among nature and baby animals — and you can do just that at Melbourne Zoo this month as it hosts National Geographic's 50 greatest wildlife photos. The outdoor installation is now on display in the zoo's Carousel ParkCarousel Park, and also includes an augmented reality experience that will transport you to a watering hole in Africa. This is its world premiere, so don't miss it. But even if you do, there's still lots of art to get amongst. NGV Australia's new Ken Unsworth exhibition features skeletons and murderous pianos, RMIT Gallery is exploring the representation of air and Melbourne Museum is hosting a huge Nelson Mandela tribute. On top of that, you can also catch works by some of Australia's best artworks if you're willing to travel to Ballarat or Geelong.
Leading the renaissance down the eastern, grimy end of Johnston Street, Abbotsford's Rita's Cafeteria has hit the sweet spot. A beacon of friendly service accentuated by Italian undertones and a classic diner vibe, it's a charming neighbourhood local that will satisfy at all hours of the day. Its positioning just-not-quite under Victoria Park station makes Rita's an intimate, low-lit space that feels as welcoming as your own dining room. With dark timber tables and glossy white walls that are at once sleek and endearing, peering through the venetian blinds will take you back to the 1960s. Mix this with Aretha Franklin's voice booming across the sound system over the buzz of conversation, and you've got yourself a local that is as much a casual all-day diner as it is an upmarket offering. Such diversity is reflected from diners both young and old; you'll find families enjoying themselves harmoniously amongst the hipster set and the boomer crowd. The brilliance of Rita's is clear in its ability to provide different moods within the one setting. The expansive wooden bar, classic booths and large communal table all give you enough room to enjoy your meal comfortably whilst still feeling a part of the community. The all day outpost plays Melbourne breakfast to a tee, with subtle variations of an Italian accent, but it's at dinner that Rita's truly stands out. Simple, honest fare is executed with the right amounts of nonchalance and passion. The fettuccine and meatballs in rich tomato sauce ($20) is authentic and all the more pleasing when noted that the pasta is cooked fresh, as is the gnocchi with mushroom ($22) that hits the perfect spot between the rich and the passionate. Rita's pizzas ($10-20) dare to push the boundaries: the bases are rolled in semolina for extra texture, resulting in a puffy, thick crust that is slightly more filling than the thin-crust style seen from many of Melbourne's other artisanal pizza makers. A simple aperitivo list that features all of the must-have favourites caps it off perfectly. Despite its youth, Rita's is already an unwavering stalwart leading the revival and progression of Abbotsford. A true local diner with a snug interior and comfort food to match — even if you aren't from a few streets over, it's well worth the visit.
The man behind Laneway Festival, St Jeromes - The Hotel and a number of Melbourne bars has copped a $40,000 fine over significant hygiene problems uncovered at his former CBD venue Sister Bella. According to The Age, Jerome Borazio fronted the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday, where his company pled guilty to ten charges under the Food Standards Act, relating to an inspection in April 2014 that uncovered rodent droppings throughout the kitchen and dead mice on the floor. Sister Bella was closed for three weeks in the aftermath of the inspections, which also found holes in the walls and floor, greasy walls and equipment, and unsealed bags of food. Borazio would eventually sell the venue in November 2015. "Looking at these photographs it's incredible that anyone could unlock the door and turn a blind eye," said magistrate Peter Reardon. According to defence council John Larkins, Borazio had relied on a management team to oversee operations at Sister Bella, but that "his faith was clearly misplaced." He conceded that responsibility for the "lamentable situation" ultimately lay with the then owner, stating that "the buck stops with him." In addition to the fine, Borazio was ordered to pay a further $10,000 in court costs. Via The Age. Image: St Jeromes - The Hotel.
