Dark Mofo, as the Tasmanian winter solstice festival's name might suggest, has a penchant for that which is usually relegated to the shadows. This is now more true than ever with the announcement that Ulver, one of Norway's premier black metal bands, making the crossing to indulge our dark habits come June. Kritstoffer Rygg, lead vocalist of the self proclaimed "pack of Vikings", has called their addition on the line up "a trip extraordinaire and no doubt a once in a lifetime opportunity for Ulver". They'll take the stage at the Odeon Theatre in Hobart on June 15. Ulver are known in their native Norway, and around the world, for their experimental take on an often misunderstood genre. Since their formation in 1993, the group has pushed the boundaries in their music, blending elements of electronica, industrial, and symphonic sonics to create a unique sound. Their 2016 album, ATGCLVLSSCAP, experiments with driving rhythms and binding guitar riffs echoing on the tracks, creating an album that builds a mood rather than simply telling a story. This kind of experimentation makes them the perfect fit for a festival about the darker side of things. Last year's Dark Mofo festival featured the Hymns to the Dead event, which boasted a lineup of international death and black metal bands. The event, which took place a week before the winter solstice, a day that celebrates rebirth cycles, mythologies and mysticism in many ancient cultures, and Ulver's announcement on the 2017 program looks to similarly pull the audience into a hypnotic that promotes a deeper exploration of the more sinister side of our existence. Dark Mofo, taking place between June 8 and June 21 in Hobart, is not only a celebration of art, music, and all things aesthetically pleasing. The festival explores themes of mythology and nature, darkness and light, death and renewal, and takes its audience on a trip that delves into the deeper mysteries of our world. Including Ulver on the bill adds a certain dark, ethereal element to the program. Image: Ingrid Aas.
Melbourne is a city of cyclists. Sure, the bike paths in the CBD could use more work. Sure, tram tracks are basically the enemy of everyone on two wheels. But still, there's no better place to be on a bike. Except maybe Amsterdam. They're so good at it, they don't even have to wear helmets. Urban Bicycles is a store that gives you the best of both worlds — Dutch-made bikes sold in Melbourne's inner suburbs for cheaps. This weekend they're having a one-off warehouse sale where bikes from premier brands Lekker and Vanmoof will be discounted up to 50 percent. As well as helmets, saddles, lights and locks, there will be everything from leisurely single speeds to slick European wheels befitting a pro. Get down to 392 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne between 11am and 5pm on either Saturday or Sunday and barter your way into a slick Dutch ride.
Your home bar game is about to level up a few notches, regardless of wherever your own mixology skills are at. Maybe Sammy —aka the Sydney bar that took out 11th spot in last year's World's 50 Best Bars list — has just dropped a new line of premium signature bottled cocktails that'll basically turn your living room into a world-class drinking destination. Two years in the making, and created by Maybe Sammy's crack team of shakers and stirrers, each of the three new releases comes pre-batched, ready to chill and pour. There's the tequila-based eucalyptus gimlet jazzed up with grapefruit bitters and mango, and a chic take on the negroni that's infused with jasmine. Or, opt for the floral notes — and pepper and cedar, too — of the chamomile martini. Each comes with tailored serving instructions so you can enjoy the drink exactly as the experts intended, whether that's in a frozen martini glass garnished with a lemon twist, or tumbled into a rocks glass with a wedge of orange. The Maybe Sammy crew has taken care of all the hard work for you, experimenting with various plant infusions and testing and fine-tuning its way to some premium top-shelf cocktails. Which, as anyone with a kitchen cupboard full of random, almost-full spirits and liqueurs can agree, is a very handy thing. The new cocktails are all available as 100-millilitre solo serves, as well as by the 500-millilitre bottle. You can also snap up a gift pack featuring small serves of all three drinks. Maybe Sammy's new eucalyptus gimlet, jasmine negroni and chamomile martini cocktails are each available by the single-serve 100-millilitre bottle ($18) or the 500-millilitre share bottle ($69). Head over to the bar's website to order, with home delivery available Australia-wide.
It's time to clean out your stein, wash off your lederhosen and reacquaint yourself with the wonders of oom pah pah music, because Oktoberfest is back again. The world's most (in)famous piss-up has outdone itself again this year with 6 million people expected to show up for the 179th instalment. As always, the real winners of the festival shall be the brewers, who are expected to sell in excess of last year's 8 million litres at a touch over US$12 a glass. The festival was kicked-off in traditional fashion on Saturday, September 22 with Munich mayor Christian Ude's tapping of the first keg. With a cry of "O'zapft is!" ("It's tapped!") the Bavarian festival, in all its dirty, drunken, debaucherous glory, was launched for another year of liver-beating, cardio-destroying-mayhem. Here is a little peek into the thrills and spills of the first week of Oktoberfest 2012. Oom Pah Pah, Oom Pah Pah That's How it Goes! Beer-drinkers Wonderland Ordinary Man Drinks Beer: Becomes Legend A Boy in Traditional Dress Surveys the Damage A Tiny Snapshot of the Estimated 6 Million Oktoberfest Revellers It's On for Young and Old A Man Wearing Hops on his Head: Doesn't it look so innocuous like this... Oktoberfest - When One Beer is Never Enough Polish Girls in Traditional Polish Dress Get In On the Oktoberfest Action Bavarian Men in Traditional Dress Totally Look the Part: Moustaches and All "Prost!" ("Cheers!")
Thought there was room in this town for just one retro-inspired line of Melbourne beer merch? Well, think again. VB has been dropping different collections and items over the past couple of years years, including Christmas sweaters and swimwear — and, after first releasing some sweet new merchandise of its own back in 2018, too, Melbourne Bitter has just announced its latest range. Once again, it's a collaboration with fuss-free menswear label Mr Simple. And once again, it's taking its cues from history. This time around, the collection draws upon Melbourne Bitter's archive, with four different graphics on offer. Melbourne Bitter's reputation as a hipster sip of choice should give you some idea of the vibe of this latest collection — think, vintage-style tees showcasing old-school logos, plus long-sleeved shirts, bucket hats and caps. Basically, now that Melbourne's pubs and bars have reopened, it's the perfect wardrobe choice. Unlike the largely unisex offerings of VB's range, this one's marketed more towards men — as Melbourne Bitter's first collab with Mr Simple was as well. Still, we think it can rocked by all beer lovers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZfw9lZTojQ For more information about the Melbourne Bitter x Mr Simple Pt II clothing line, head to Mr Simple's website.
Summer at the Mornington Peninsula just got a lot hotter (in a good way). Hotel Sorrento, a mainstay since 1872, is set for a grand unveiling in December — revealing a luxurious transformation that's all about premium leisure and maximum relaxation. The renovation was announced early last year, and the team is ready to show off the new and improved Mornington fave. Let's start with the new digs. Thirteen new Sunset Suites have been constructed, starting from $550 per night. These suites will feature expansive windows with lush views, outdoor marble baths, rooms filled with bespoke Jardan furniture and amenities from Hunter Lab. The love isn't confined to the new suites — the existing rooms have also received a facelift. Meanwhile, the new Marlo Spa, hidden away in a private part of the hotel by a peaceful Japanese-inspired garden, is ready to pamper guests with massages, fire and ice therapies and more. And here's where it gets exciting: a 30-metre lap pool set in a travertine-walled terrace, surrounded by greenery and olive trees, has been installed. It's like swimming in the Mediterranean, without the hassle of a 16-hour flight. Add a nice cocktail while relaxing on the new poolside custom-made sun lounges by Grazia, and you've got a recipe for the perfect sunset relaxation session. Bookings are now open for December 2023. Find Hotel Sorrento at 5/15 Hotham Rd, Sorrento.
Like all significant art forms, dance is a medium that transcends language, culture and geography. This September, The Australian Ballet will explore the contemporary dance canon from three distinct corners of the globe in Instruments of Dance, a triple bill at Arts Centre Melbourne featuring three evocative ballets that showcase ground-breaking modern dance from the world's top choreographers. Each choreography talent has created a work inspired by musical scores by contemporary composers who work in very different musical fields. The resulting performance will be a spectacular showcase of modern dance and the music that inspires it. First on the bill is Justin Peck, the resident choreographer of New York City Ballet who is making his Australian debut. Everywhere We Go is set to a score commissioned from acclaimed singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens and is a nine-part ballet for 25 dancers streaming in and out of complex group formations and expertly executed pas de deux which brings the energy of Hollywood and Broadway to the classical stage. Next up, Wayne McGregor's all-male Obsidian Tear explores the dark shadows of the planet and psyche. McGregor, who is the resident choreographer of The Royal Ballet, has created a performance that touches on a range of disciplines, from geology to mythology to the powerful effects of emotion on the body, set to a suite of violin works by Finnish conductor-composer Esa-Pekka Salonen. A range of fashion designers including Gareth Pugh and the legendary Vivienne Westwood have been enlisted for the costuming, ensuring a true visual feast. Finally, The Australian Ballet's own resident choreographer Alice Topp will present her new work, the appropriately titled New Work. The piece continues the celebrated choreographer's journey into the emotional core of the lived human experience, and features Australian design and a commissioned score by AACTA Award-winning composer Bryony Marks. Sound like something you want to see? We've teamed up with The Australian Ballet to give away one double-pass to what promises to be a spectacular showcase of 21st century ballet. You and a lucky plus one will score two premium tickets to a performance of your choosing. To really make a night of it, the prize also includes $100 to spend at Arts Centre Melbourne's sleek Mod Oz venue The Barre, where you can enjoy a pre-or post-show feast of seasonal local produce. Just drop your details below to go in the running. [competition]866781[/competition]
Melburnians, if you like celebrating warm weather, adorable animation and mini golf all at once, the part-tee is just about to begin in Frankston. Everyone's favourite Pixar characters are popping up at a putt-putt course inspired by the Disney-owned studio's loveable films. Yes, Pixar Putt is returning, with the kidult-friendly course heading to Frankston Foreshore from Friday, December 16–Sunday, January 29. Designed to challenge both eight-year olds and adults, Pixar Putt features nine- and 18-hole courses that take you past childhood heroes like Buzz Lightyear, Sheriff Woody and Elastigirl. Flicks such as Monsters Inc, Onward, Finding Nemo, Up, A Bug's Life, Wall-E, Inside Out and Soul all get some putting love, too. Clearly, there's no need for a trip to Disneyland — and this year's course features new holes inspired by Pixar's recent Turning Red and Lightyear. So, if you don't think you'll beat your cousin at backyard cricket over the summer, challenge them to a match here. All you need is your hat and A-game (and no pressure if you remain defeated, there's always the nineteenth hole nearby). Pixar Putt is also open for after-dark sessions every Thursday–Saturday night — and they're only for adults. Operating from 7–10pm, the late-night putt-putt hours are perfect for those date nights when you want to do more than just have dinner and see a movie. Otherwise, head along from 10am–8pm Sunday–Wednesday, and be prepared to have littlies for company.
Drawing on more than four decades of work from Belfast-born artist David Thomas, RMIT Design Hub hosts a major exhibition presenting in excess of 100 of the artist's 'deeply human' paintings. Presented together for the first time and displaying the evolution of Thomas' work from the 1970s until the present day, Colouring Impermanence conveys Thomas' belief in arts practice and paintings to convey empathy and displays his constant re-evaluation of colour, duration and time. Colouring Impermanence takes place in two interconnected spaces, with Project Room 1 showing contemplative works from Thomas' archives, as well as new works produced directly into response to the Design Hub space. Project Room 2 largely reflects a typical art studio and features early drawings, past collaborative works and art from Thomas' peers on display. The two rooms are also linked by a 'mobile monochrome' series entitled Taking a Line For a Walk. Drawing on his role as a professor of fine art at RMIT, throughout the exhibition Thomas will be holding a free eight-lesson 'micro-course' that explores the importance of teaching in Thomas' art practice, and considers how empathy can be encouraged through art. David Thomas: Colouring Impermanence runs from Friday, July 28 until Saturday, September 23 at RMIT Design Hub. Image: Tobias Titz.
Located on South Wharf, The General Assembly is brought to you by the good people of Matilda Bay Brewing Company, and is the only venue outside the brewery itself to stock all of the Matilda Bay beers on tap. The clean, open space is filled with with long wooden tables and an inventive beer bottle light fixture makes the venue a pretty prime location to sample a few beers by the river — and while you're there you should definitely grab something off the menu. Matilda Bay is the brewery that brought you Fak Yak, Beez Neez, Alpha Pale Ale and other staple Australian craft brews. If you can't decide what to drink, they do beer tasting paddles which includes 5 glasses for $16. For those of you who are well acquainted with the Matilda Bay selection already, don't fret, they also stock one-off seasonal beers on tap, as well as other bottled local and international ones. If wine is more to your taste, they've carefully selected wines that are 'minimal intervention', which includes biodynamic, organic and preservative-free drops. Their beer taps are really interesting here — arranged lightest to darkest, the taps are transparent so you can actually see the colour of the beer before it starts pouring. The menu appears uncomplicated, with each dish focusing on few ingredients to make the most of excellent produce. It's part of the simple but effective philosophy going at The General Assembly, and it makes for tasty and satisfying fare. The prawn bun with cos and Marie Rose sauce ($10), is a nice way to kick things off if you just want something small off the snack menu. The fiore di burrata ($12) was one of the more intriguing smaller dishes we've had in a while, with an interesting mix of flavours and textures. Baby cos is drizzled in a creamy anchovy dressing, and the delicate burrata is surrounded by stronger flavours of liquorice and candied olives. The anchovy doesn't overpower the dish, allowing everything on the plate to have a distinct taste, while still working well together. Candied olives sound a bit unusual but, let us warn you, they're addictive. For something a little larger that's ideal for sharing, try something from the Josper grill, which is a hybrid of a charcoal grill and an oven. We can vouch for the whole snapper, which is wonderfully cooked and covered with capers, lemon and beurre noisette, with a side of a refreshing watercress and fennel salad ($32). As with this dish, the beers on tap and the simple aesthetic of this riverside pub, The General Assembly comes out as a winner with their keep things simple approach. This venue will be quite the crowd pleaser this summer.
If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and reconnect with nature, then it's time to pack the car, cruise through Anglesea and Lorne and head to the Otways. Not only does the National Park have rugged coastland, beaches, rainforest and mountains, but it's also home to Otway Fly Treetop Adventures where you can walk in the treetops, climb to the canopy and zip through lush greenery. Located just 20 minutes from the Great Ocean Road, the adventure park features a stunning 600-metre treetop walk ($25). The elevated track is 25 metres from the ground (acrophobics beware), putting you right among the branches so you can observe the flora and fauna more closely. There's also a cantilevered lookout above Young's Creek and, for those wanting to scale to new heights, the 45-metre tall Spiral Tower provides unparalleled views. For those seeking thrills, Otway Treetops Fly Adventures has a forest zipline tour ($120), where you'll be flying through the trees at 30 metres above the forest floor. The guided tour lasts about 2.5 hours and you'll learn all about the forest's history. Your ticket also includes access to the Treetop Walk. Otway Fly Treetop Adventures is open from 10am–5pm every Thursday–Monday, with last entry at 3.30pm. Prices range from $20–120.
Roll up, roll up, to Birrarung Marr — Circus Oz are putting on a brand new show. Australia's premier circus troupe is back from a whirlwind trip to Sao Paulo, Brazil, and is ready to dazzle local audiences once more. Described by the company as "a refreshing cocktail of new and old, innovation and tradition", TWENTYSIXTEEN promises to be everything you love about the circus. Flying trapeze, clowning, juggling and even unicycling will all be part of the two-hour extravaganza, overseen by guest director Anni Davey. The fun kicks off on Wednesday, June 15 and continues until Sunday, July 10. After that, you might just have to run away and join them.
While unscrewing the cap of a bottled cocktail was the closest many of us got to a bar for a large chunk of 2020, some clever Melburnians actually opened a bar this year. And they're an impressive bunch, too. Our fair city is now home to an urban winery in the north, an opulent three-balcony champagne bar in the CBD and a Miami-inspired boozer floating smack bang in the middle of the Yarra. That's just the start. As the storm clouds start to clear and we reach the end of a weird (and sometimes horrific) 12 months, we're taking a moment to celebrate the good that's come from 2020 by rounding up the best new bars to open their doors this year.
After three years without sugar, Damon Gameau has come off the wagon in a big, bad way. Intent on uncovering amount of processed sugar in an average Australian diet, the actor-turned-documentary filmmaker puts his own health on the line, consuming the equivalent of roughly 40 teaspoons of sugar a day. The result is a lively and eye-opening documentary on a subject that needs as much attention as it can get. Gameau’s most obvious compatriot is Morgan Spurlock, who likewise put his own health on the line back in 2004 with the Oscar nominated Supersize Me. The comparison is an obvious one, and you’d be right in thinking that That Sugar Film seems suspiciously similar. But where Gameau has an edge is that his focus is on so-called health food. When a man dines on McDonalds for a month, of course he packs on the pounds. But when you get the same results with vitamin water and low-fat yogurt, the story is suddenly very different. Behind the camera, Gameau does everything he can to keep his viewers entertained. Music and colourful graphics are in plentiful supply, giving the film an at times hyperactive quality that fits the subject matter to a tee. Information often comes delivered with the aid of unexpected celebrity cameos, including appearances by Hugh Jackman, Isabel Lucas and Stephen Fry. There’s an initial temptation to dismiss the movie out of hand; after all, Gameau’s diet doesn’t exactly constitute sound scientific method. Yet despite the film’s gloss and gimmickry, Gameau could never be accused of sugar coating the facts. That Sugar Film attacks its subject from every conceivable angle, including sugar’s effect on children’s learning habits, the correlation between high sugar diets and poverty, and perhaps most unsettling of all, the lobbying efforts of billion-dollar food corporations, whose strategies seem frighteningly similar to those of big tobacco. Still, the scariest thing about this doco is the way in which it confronts us with just how much sugar we all consume. In one of the movie's most memorable sequences, rather than eating a day’s worth of sugary food, Gameau simply eats the equivalent amount in white sugar crystals, providing viewers with a visual reference point that’s both funny and revolting. While its message can seem obvious at times, That Sugar Film has the potential to change the way people think and behave. What higher compliment can a documentary film be given?
As plant-based eating gains momentum worldwide, the quality and abundance of choice rises with it. And Melbourne's ever-evolving culinary scene means that the city is brimming with some of the finest plant-based food you can find. We've teamed up with Vegkit to round up some of Melbourne's best spots to tuck into quality plant-based brunch plates. [caption id="attachment_830492" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hugh Davies[/caption] POWER PLANT, TEMPLESTOWE Whether it's a seat in the relaxed, plant-filled outdoor courtyard overlooking the greens of the local bowlo or a table in the expansive dining room, visiting this aptly named Templestowe haunt is always a good idea. The all-day menu features a great selection of plant-based breakfast and lunch dishes that will please even the fussiest of eaters, with daily pastries, cakes and sandwiches also available to grab and go. The dishes here are inventive takes on classic cafe staples — think scrambled tofu tossed with mushrooms, zucchini, spinach and pesto or 'notella' choc chip waffles featuring a house-made hazelnut spread and coconut ice cream. MATCHA MYLKBAR, ST KILDA Puns, pancakes and plant-based fried 'chicken' — there's plenty to love about this buzzy St Kilda spot. The impressively extensive menu at Matcha Mylkbar is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the stomach, with signature dishes like a fried 'chicken' burger served in a bright green matcha-infused bun (the dish is also not-so-subtle nod to fact that KFC opened next door). Other items on the fully plant-based menu include vegan 'eggs' (which you can pimp out with a bunch of decadent sides like truffle-roasted mushrooms, turmeric scrambled tofu or fried cauliflower), wholefood bowls and a wordplay-heavy list of acai bowls and smoothies — it's hard to say no to an Almond Schwarzenegger or I Once Was Blind But Now Acai. There's also a dedicated pancake menu with a range of sweet and savoury options that taste as good as they look. For the full experience, pair your meal with one of the cafe's signature matcha drinks, or venture further with a mushroom and date, blue algae or spiced beetroot latte. Matcha Mylkbar is open daily for takeaway via its website and for delivery via Uber Eats. [caption id="attachment_710001" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] SISTER OF SOUL, RICHMOND There really is something for everyone at this breezy Swan Street spot. The all-day menu draws on culinary influences from all over the globe and offers a range of dishes to cater to all palates. Starters include pumpkin, cabbage and zucchini okonomiyaki and polenta chips with cauliflower purée and cashew parmesan, while mains range from a hearty black dhal with cumin poppadoms to a crumbed tempeh burger served on a bright beetroot brioche bun. Throw in some local beers, an Aussie-dominated wine list and fun vegan-friendly cocktails, and this might just be your new go-to. Sister of Soul is open daily for takeaway via its website and delivery via Uber Eats. SMITH & DELI, FITZROY Under the steady hand of Shannon Martinez — the legendary chef behind Fitzroy's Smith & Daughters and South Yarra's Lona Misa — this Moor Street deli slings vegan sambos, baked goods and provisions to suit all tastes. It can be hard to narrow it down with such a vast selection on offer, but the charmingly titled two-hander Club Sandwiches Not Seals, with plant-based turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheddar and mayo, is a great place to start if you're a first timer. Plant-based croissants, cakes and doughnuts are also available, as is a range of frozen meals. Martinez recently announced that Smith & Deli will be moving into larger premises with sister venue Smith & Daughter, so watch for that when it opens in Collingwood later this year. In the meantime, the powerhouse chef is also busy working on a vegan mortadella that we can't wait to try when it's unveiled to the world. Smith & Deli is open from Tuesday to Sunday for takeaway and delivery via its website. [caption id="attachment_829210" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charlotte May (Pexels)[/caption] MONK BODHI DHARMA, BALACLAVA In the back of a small car park in a Balaclava side street, a brick shed covered in graffiti gives way to this vibey cafe with a focus on coffee and tea that's complemented by a tidy plant-based menu. Breakfast here is a great way to kickstart your day, particularly if you're partial to a brekkie in hotcake form — try the zucchini and mint hotcakes with beetroot relish and pickled cucumber, or for something sweet, go for the buckwheat banana pancakes topped with dulce de leche ice cream, maple syrup and banana chips. Drinks-wise, the range of single-estate coffees is roasted in-house and served in biodegradable cups to go, while the house-made chai — which is such a big deal that it has its own Instagram page — can be finished with your choice of soy, oat or homemade organic almond milk. There's also a seasonal range of tea and house-made hot chocolate, perfect for pairing with a pastry — the baked goods selection changes daily and everything is prepared in house. Monk Bodhi Dharma is open daily for takeaway. PARTICLE CAFE, AVONDALE HEIGHTS This cute neighbourhood cafe serves a great range of approachable plant-based dishes in a welcoming, homely atmosphere. And what this Avondale Heights spot might lack in size, it more than makes up for when it comes to flavour. Meat-free toasties and burgers with inventive takes on classic fillings are winners here — and the appropriately named VIP Burger, stacked with shiitake mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pineapple, 'cheese' sauce, smoky sauce, jalapeños and rice paper 'bacon' might just be enough to make you question the need to eat a meat burger again. The colourful smoothies, packed with fresh ingredients, are another flavour-packed highlight — try the Sunset Blush with raspberry, mango, dates, turmeric, ginger and cinnamon. Particle Cafe is open daily for takeaway and delivery via Uber Eats. SEROTONIN EATERY, BURNLEY As its name suggests, this bright and airy Burnley eatery is all about achieving happiness through food. Its approach to this lofty goal? A thoughtful menu boasting creative plates and excellent coffee. The menu offers dishes with names like Positive Pancakes and Medicinal Waffles — the latter is a Mexican-style corn waffle topped with heirloom tomatoes, turmeric popcorn, fresh local herbs and house-made chipotle sauce. Almost every dish here is entirely plant-based, and most have a gluten-free option too. Also on the menu is a cracking range of smoothies — designed, according to the menu, as 'a day spa for your gut' — as well as organic, colourful desserts that are all but guaranteed to put a smile on your dial. Serotonin Eatery is open daily for takeaway and delivery via its website. MOON RABBIT, PRESTON This welcoming Preston social enterprise cafe demonstrates its ethos of 'little cafe, big heart' through its commitment to sustainability, community and delicious food. An initiative of the non-profit Bridge Darebin, Moon Rabbit provides opportunities for young adults with additional learning needs through its High Street cafe and roving food truck. On the mostly plant-based menu, you'll find dishes that champion seasonal and local produce — try the blue corn tacos with organic black beans, salsa, avo and chipotle mayo. Nothing goes to waste here, with any ingredients that cannot be used turned into compost for local gardens. Moon Rabbit is open for takeaway from Monday to Friday. The Moon Rabbit food truck is trading at Mayer Park, Tuesday to Friday from 8am to 2pm. For more plant-based dining and recipe inspo, head to the Vegkit website.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Flickerfest. Sydney seems to have all the fun when it comes to short film festivals. Huge crowds descend on Centennial Park for Tropfest (no matter how divisive the films are), and Flickerfest runs for over a week at Bondi Pavilion. Sure, we have MIFF, but there's something great about the short form, and as the nation's self-professed culture capital we deserve at least a night of it. Thankfully, Flickerfest are bringing that night to us on Wednesday, February 12. Setting up in Palace Kino Cinemas on Collins Street, this special Flickerfest event will bring us eight Melbourne-made offerings that featured in the festival's larger Sydney showing last month (plus one very special US doco). Each film, with an average run-time of 15 minutes, will be shown in succession and the screening will be followed by a catered afterparty with drinks from the likes of Little Creatures and Crystal Head Vodka — a liquor with its own legacy of strange short film thanks to owner, Dan Aykroyd. Now in its 23rd year, Flickerfest is an institution, and the films on show are the best of the best. Chosen from over 2,300 entries, featured works such as The Kingdom of Doug and The Last Time I Saw Richard have won numerous accolades in their Sydney run and are exemplary of the most innovative work being done by our local filmmakers. The short American documentary Slomo will also be featured in the night's viewing — a film that tells the tale of a retired neurologist who now spends his days rollerblading up the Pacific Beach boardwalk in slow-motion. Such films definitely serve as a reminder that great stories can be found in small (and strange) packages. Tickets can be purchased prior to the event via (03) 9650 2100 or bought at the door on the night.
Summer is made for nights at the Convent. Between dinner and a bottle of BYO wine at Lentil as Anything and a sporadic outdoor flick at the Shadow Electric, you really can make a whole night of it in those beautiful grounds. Now — as if you needed another excuse — you may find your Fridays accounted for with the inclusion of a weekly Supper Market. From 6pm every Friday, the grounds of the Convent will be transformed into a smorgasbord of local crafts, fashion, and most importantly — food. Offerings will include that all-time market staple: Mama's Gozleme, as well as calamari and chips courtesy of Mr Calamaro, Ghost Kitchen Taiwanese street food, On Thai's local takeaway dishes, Vietnamese pork belly rolls from Banh Mi Boys, Smokin' Barry's slow-cooked BBQ ribs and Belgian waffles fittingly served to us from Waffle Waffle. To cover the sounds of all that munching, there will also be local musicians playing each week. Bon appetit. The Supper Market runs from 6pm-9pm every Friday night until March 7. Entry is free.
Footy's biggest day is here, and as you might expect, it's taking over the entire city. If you're looking to do more than kick around at home, just about every pub, bar and restaurant puts on a game-day screening with the perks to match. From catching the action in the shadow of the 'G to refined encounters fit for the prawn sandwich brigade, these Grand Final experiences will see you through from siren-to-siren and beyond, whether you're a Cat, a Lion or someone without a dog in this fight. The Posty, Cremorne The Posty has a simple formula: pizza, margs and good times. But for the Grand Final, the crew is switching things up, hosting a laneway party decked out with the only megascreen on Swan Street. Taking over from 10am–late, this live and loud experience will keep rocking long after the siren sounds, with this hallowed strip often the go-to spot for post-match revellers. [caption id="attachment_1021356" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Zennieshia Butts[/caption] Hickens Hotel, CBD Hickens Hotel is a new addition to the CBD pub scene, but it's undoubtedly primed for the last Saturday in September. On Level 2, Abe's Athletic Hall offers wall-to-wall screens, made even better with booth packages, a pair of private viewing rooms and post-game bands. Meanwhile, the ultra-retro Carlton Lounge is ripe for waxing lyrical about the sport's greatest moments. Quarterhouse, Docklands Quarterhouse is another new arrival, offering three levels of top-notch drinking and dining opposite Southern Cross Station. The venue is going sky-high for the Grand Final, presenting an exclusive Rooftop Viewing Party. Featuring a four-metre screen, roaming canapés, bottomless drinks and live entertainment before and after the siren, you're invited to score the basic package for $110 per person. Post Office Club Hotel, St Kilda Sorry, Saints fans, the Premiership drought continues. But at least the Post Office Club Hotel, a much-loved local, ensures those in and around St Kilda catch all the action. Stacked with pre-game specials and elevated pub cuisine for the big occasion, The Posty has Coopers pale ale pints for $10 and schooners for $8 from 12pm until it's time for the first bounce. Marmont, Southbank Punters will flock to Crown on Grand Final day. However, you might skip the gaming floors for the restaurants, as Marmont is complementing its screening with limited-edition bar snacks. Renowned for its Cali-inspired flavours, this is your chance to bypass frozen pies and sausage rolls for slightly more refined options, like buffalo wings with blue cheese dressing and Marmont-style hot dogs. Le Méridien Melbourne, CBD With the MCG within walking distance of Le Méridien, there's a good chance the sounds of footy fever will reach the five-star stay come Saturday. From inside the hotel's luxe Intermission Bar, you'll catch every second of the game on multiple screens, while enjoying $10 beers all day alongside a special siren-to-siren beer, pie and salad combo for $20. Harvey's Sports Bar & Grill, St Kilda Harvey's Sports Bar & Grill is hard to beat when it comes to catching live sports. Yet it's taking things to the next level for the match with Harvey's AFL Grand Party Final. Priced at $110 per person, this four-hour experience features bottomless canapes and drinks. Plus, live DJs, bands and drink specials kick off from the final siren until 3am, making for an all-in final's footy event. Beverly, South Yarra Melbourne goes more than a little mad for the AFL Grand Final. However, not everyone cares about who can kick it through the big sticks best. With this in mind, Beverly is hosting Ladies Lunch — an elevated experience on the 24th floor offering a two-course shared set menu highlighting the venue's most beloved dishes. This way, you can relish the citywide atmosphere without feigning interest in who wins out. Want even more options for catching the game? Check out these beer gardens and bottomless banquets screening the AFL's biggest day.
Don't worry if you missed out on the ballot to Golden Plains, all the A-list acts you were dying to see will also be doing the rounds at Melbourne Zoo's Twilights Series. Over six weeks of summer you can bliss out to the sounds of local classics like Sarah Blasko, Dan Sultan, Bernard Fanning as well as international artists like Conor Oberst, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, and the motherflippin' Village People. Making the perfect summer picnic destination, Melbourne Zoo will be pumping every Friday and Saturday evening from January 30 - March 7. Though tickets may seem steep at $70, that price not only guarantees you an amazing show but full admission to the zoo itself. All profits also go towards the fight to save the near-extinct Eastern Barred Bandicoot. Of course, you're welcome to bring along your own picnic basket with loads of food, but you'll have to leave that bottle of wine at home. The event is fully licensed, but there's no BYO — an important measure to keep rubbish and glass away from the poor little animals. In terms of the music, you'll be happy no matter what genre you like to get down to. The lineup has you thoroughly covered in the realms of indie, folk, rock, bollywood and cult '70s disco (because why not). If there's one thing to be upset by, it's the fact that we won't be seeing Belle and Sebastian like the folks at Sydney's Taronga Zoo. But, you have to admit, the once in a lifetime chance to groove out to 'YMCA' amidst some elephants and giraffes more than makes up for it. MELBOURNE ZOO TWILIGHTS 2015 PROGRAM: Friday January 30 - James Reyne and Jack Carty Saturday January 31 - Bernard Fanning and Little May Friday February 6 - Sarah Blasko and Luluc Saturday February 7 - Paul Kelly's Merri Soul Sessions with Clairy Browne, Kira Puru, Vika, Linda Bull and Hiatus Kaiyote Friday February 13 - Dan Sultan and Benny Walker Saturday February 14 - Boys In The Band Friday February 20 -The Budos Band and The Bombay Royale Saturday February 21 - Spiderbait and Jen Cloher Friday February 27 - Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks and Twerps Saturday February 28 - Conor Oberst and The Felice Brothers Friday March 6 - Village People and DJ Andee Frost Saturday March 7 - The Cat Empire and Dorsal Fins Tickets are on sale via the Melbourne Zoo website as of this morning.
Cafes, bars and restaurants aren't generally known for being lucratively profitable (unless you're a celebrity restaurateur, say, or a certain hospitality juggernaut in Sydney). But Cost Price Cafe is taking it to the other extreme — it makes zero profits. The cafe, which launched in March this year, serves uni students and workers alike from its truck in Marshall Park. The prices of its items are fluid, changing every fortnight. At present, it's selling small coffees for $2.50, large for $3, tea for $1 and biscuits for 50 cents. There's no extra charge for alternative milk or an extra shot and you also get a 20-cent discount if you bring in a reusable cup. The items are costed as such to cover wages, ingredients and other essentials — but if the cafe sells more than expected and "makes a profit" the price of the items will decrease. And owner Leonie Bucher expects that they will — she explains in a graph on the cafe's Facebook page that if the cafe consistently sell 150 coffees a day, the price will go down to $1.48. To maintain transparency, you'll be able to monitor the current price of coffee — as well as the cafe's other costs — on its Facebook page. It's a bold idea, but here's hoping you'll be able to swing $1 coffee sometime soon. Find Cost Price cafe Marshall Park, Kelvin Grove Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane. It is open from 6.30am to 11.30am, Monday to Friday. For more info, visit costpricecafe.com.au.
Melbournians love to get a little fancy in January. Despite the monumental heat, we don our tennis whites, pack inside scorching stadiums and fan ourselves while sipping bubbly. But, if you're feeling a little worn out from the Australian Open, we have an alternative that has all the class without the apocalyptic heat. Trade in your rackets for some croquet clubs, get some fresh air down by the Yarra, and cool off with some icy, icy Pimms. The Royal Croquet Club is coming to town. Fresh from its debut run in Adelaide earlier this year, the Royal Croquet Club is a pop-up summer haven of food, drinks, music and croquet. Set up in the city during the Adelaide Fringe Festival, the club was an absolute hit for those after a summer tipple, now it's Melbourne's turn. The venue will be set up in the grasslands of Birrarung Marr for 17 days in January 2015. Though details are pretty scarce at the moment, we know that there will be a rather impressive group of foodie favourites on board. "The Adelaide Royal Croquet Club didn’t have a serious focus on food but with Melbourne being such a food town, we felt it was crucial to get this aspect right," event organiser Grant Smillie told Broadsheet. But it's not just the food, you'll be coming for. This urban oasis will have fully-stocked bars — specialising in jugs of Pimms, of course — functioning croquet courts and musical acts on stage. Those at the Adelaide event were even treated to a show from Remi. "Everything has got to be considered across the board so we can meet Melbourne's lofty expectations and exceed them," said Smillie. "There are so many festivals now, you want a full experience. We feel this one will be pretty organic and special." Special is certainly the right word to describe it. The Royal Croquet Club seems to have everything we want in a summer hangout spot: games, sun, shade, music, and cocktails that won't stop flowing. For those feeling a little lost outside the scorching heat of Rod Laver Arena, they'll even have the tennis on big outdoor screens. Sorted. Via Broadsheet. Photos via Royal Croquet Club.
No, you're not having a stroke. Although you might be after a few dozen cheeseburgers. Everyone's favourite LA fast food powerhouse In-N-Out Burger has secretly popped up in Melbourne today. Set up at 212 Little Collins Street, these total legends are pumping out hamburgers, regular cheeseburgers and double cheese until 3pm today. Get amongst the inevitable burger-crazed mosh. This is happening right now. This isn't the first time these sneaky sneaksters have done this either. Last year, In-N-Out popped up for a one-day appearance in Sydney and stock sold out in a frantic two hour free for all. This is your time to shine, Melbourne. Get into the city immediately. There's a reason this joint is frequented by celebrities and regularly called "heaven on earth". Admittedly, it has a lot to do with cheese fries. OMG. In-n-Out pop up in Melbourne! (Not my burger, apparently couldn't do grilled cheese???????) #innout #innoutmelbourne A photo posted by j_fosk (@j_fosk) on Nov 11, 2014 at 5:15pm PST The In-N-Out burger pop up will close at 3pm November 6 or until they sell out. Move. Now.
Inspired by design greats like Dieter Rams and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Uniform Black is dedicated to producing one-off wedding bands for men. While your average wedding band tends to be pretty straightforward, that's not the case at Uniform Black, as buyers work closely alongside the craftspeople to choose the ring's shape, thickness and metal in a hands-on experience. The company's Seddon-based appointment-only showroom is housed within a 100-year-old ex-cricket bat factory, with all of its unique pieces made to fit on-site.
Last month we found out that Melbourne Music Week was planning to take over Queen Victoria Market, now we know their full plan: they want the whole city. The full MMW program will see 250 artists take part in 110 events over 10 days of festivities in 40 locations. While your usual bars and bandrooms are all accounted for, this year you'll also be seeing music in laneways and trams, at Rooftop Cinema, the NGV, MPavilion, and power stations. It'll even be in elevators. No kidding — elevators. This enormous reach comes in an effort to showcase not only Melbourne's music, but the city itself. "Melbourne is one of the world's greatest music cities," said Councillor Beverley Pinder Mortimer from the City of Melbourne. "[In this festival] the city becomes the stage." Kind of like in that film with Kiera Knightly and Mark Ruffalo... but better. The full program sees local favourites Midnight Juggernauts, Remi and The Harpoons added to a lineup that already included Architecture in Helsinki, Cut Copy, Tangerine Dream, The Church and World's End Press. Further international artists like longstanding Detroit techno collective Underground Resistance, German dance duo Pachanga Boys and Oneohtrix Point Never were also added to the bill. The latter are definitely shows you should jump on quick. Underground Resistance are presenting a night of techno jazz with label founder Mike Banks, and Oneohtrix Point Never is lighting up Queen Vic with the help of local legend Robin Fox. If you don't have the time to comb through the program for gems like that, we suggest heading along to the Live Music Safari on Thursday, November 20. Back for another year, this marathon event will offer you a whole night of amazing free gigs in 14 venues across the city. Or, if you're hesitant about heading out on a school night, there's always the Self-Made series. With impromptu performances popping up on trams and elevators, you might just encounter something great on your way to work. Whether you're having a quiet drink or simply walking around the city at night, music is bound to find you in one way or another. And, with over half the events in this year's program free of charge, there's no reason to not get involved. Even 90 per cent of the ticketed events are under $50. If you'd like to get your hands on some, ticket sales have just opened. Melbourne Music Week runs from November 14-23. Check out the festival website to see the full program.
It's a great time to be a movie buff in Melbourne — and it's going to get even better in the next few years. While the city's weather might be famously unpredictable, new cinema announcements have been proving the opposite. Every few months, another one pops up. This time, Brunswick is in the hot seat thanks to the forthcoming Sparkly Bear Cinemas. Slated to set up shop on Weston Street near the suburb's Barkly Square shopping centre by 2020 — and set to give Melburnians a great example of spoonerisms at play — it'll boast a ten-screen set-up thanks to the folks behind the Classic Cinemas in Elsternwick, Lido Cinemas in Hawthorn and Cameo Cinemas in Belgrave. As well as the usual movie screenings, the site will include a rooftop cinema for sultry summer viewings, as well as a live performance space that'll host gigs, comedy and other performances. A new dining precinct is also part of the complex, which is currently subject to town planning approval, with the foodie part of the project shining a spotlight on local makers. For those counting at home (while waiting for more out-of-home film viewing options), that makes 51 new cinema screens over five sites that'll join Melbourne's cinema landscape in the next three years. Palace is opening a 15-screen site at Coburg's former Pentridge Prison, plus 12 screens at Moonee Ponds. The team behind Yarraville's Sun Theatre are working on a second eight-screen location in Footscray, while Village is building a six-screen cinema in Clayton near Monash University.
It's a wine store and tasting room, but not quite as you know it. Smith Street newcomer Glou is shaking up the game, exclusively serving wine on tap, both to sip in and take away. An envelope-pushing concept from Rahel Goldmann (IDES, Hell of the North) and Ron Davis (Samuel Pepys, Le Pont Wine Store), the venue's built on a strong commitment to sustainability, though that doesn't mean it's about to go skimping on quality. If the thought of tap wine left you unenthused before, prepare to have your perceptions shaken. Having spent a collective three decades working in upscale restaurants and wine stores across the world, Goldmann and Davis are keen to help revamp the local wine game, stirring positive changes and a shift to embracing more environmentally minded practices from end to end. Doing away with single-use wine bottles, Glou instead pours all of its drops from taps, using an environmentally friendly Key Kegs system. And, rather than limiting themselves to the small pool of winemakers already offering tap wines commercially, the owners are working directly with their favourite sustainably focused wineries to keg a curation of top-notch wines straight from the barrel. Expect the likes of the Barossa's Rasa Wines, Adelaide Hills legend Charlotte Dalton, and Victoria's own Ben Haines and Noisy Ritual. At the venue, you can get the wines poured into 500-millilitre, one-litre, or two-litre reusable takeaway bottles, just as you might with beer growlers. Bring back a vessel to refill again and again, or return it for a rebate. Otherwise, pull up a seat in the minimalist space designed by Berlin artist Matthias George Koerner and Melbourne's Timmy Bourke Design, and quaff a couple of glasses alongside tapas-style Japanese bites courtesy of nearby Mono-XO. There'll be a program of industry tastings, masterclasses and winemaking events, too. Not only is Glou creating less waste, it has also drastically reduced its carbon footprint by not having to transport all that extra weight in wine bottles. Which of course translates to more wallet-friendly prices for the customer. Wines by the glass are available for $8 a pop, while half-litres start at just ten bucks and you can score two full litres from a very reasonably $40. You can check out the full menu over here. Find Glou at 310 Smith Street, Collingwood. It's open 12–9pm Tuesday–Sunday.
I have to be honest. I went into New Shanghai, nestled into the third level of Emporium, rather sceptically — and not just because it went against my rule (and that of almost anyone who's on the lookout for new and unique dining experiences) that there is nothing good to be found in a food court, ever. But I also doubted the credibility of what I was about to experience; can Chinese street-style dumplings, pitched to Emporium shoppers, really be paired with matching wines? Do matching wines even exist? Nevertheless, I was curious to find out. Getting over my innate Melbourne snobbiness that recoils from eating at an international chain (New Shanghai has restaurants all over Australia, as well as Shanghai) inside a food court, I proceeded cautiously. Normally, I would straight-up cringe at the tacky, film set-style plastic props designed to recreate a very fake Shanghai street, and sneer at the thought of unpalatably salty food court Chinese. Being pleasantly surprised, however, is a much nicer way to begin an evening. New Shanghai exceeded my expectations, and for the hour and a half I spent there, I forgot I was inside a shopping mall, riddled with fluorescent colour and overworked air conditioning. What's important to take into consideration is how everything works as a whole. Much of the pairings worked well with the variety of dishes, which ranged from deep fried pork ribs to traditional sesame dumplings in sweet rice wine sauce. Often, the wine gave balance to the dish where it was otherwise lacking: the dry, fresh taste of a Vic sauvignon blanc cut through the too-heavy-on-the-salt and pepper prawn ($24). While the pairing itself leaves more to be desired, the originality and approach to traditional, sometimes over-worked dishes is refreshing and, over all, works very well. The menu offering is extensive, with the majority devoted to dim sum and dumpling specialities and classics, as well as a good selection of meat and vegetable dishes, noodles, soups and seafood. Unless you have any favourites, dive straight in with the special 'hot broth' dumplings ($8.60-15.50), which should be first punctured to let the hot broth flow onto the spoon. Biting off the top also works quite well. Jazz it up with a sparkling white from the Barossa, which works surprisingly well against the fatty soup texture of the dish. More times than not, places become known for one or two dishes and nothing beyond that, and a detail becomes the whole. What New Shanghai does exceedingly well is drawing your attention away from the micro to the macro. Its worth isn't just its food, nor for its wine or fit-out — but together, somehow, it all just works. Who knows, maybe you'll be as surprised as I was.
Flight Facilities has announced its one and only Melbourne gig for 2015. And it’s looking like a whizz-bang affair. On Saturday, 17 October, as part of the Melbourne Festival, the Sydney-based duo will perform with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. That’s right; fans are to be treated to a classical-infused retake on Flight Facilities’ debut album Down To Earth under the stars, complete with soaring flute lines and harmonising strings. “Long before making ‘Clair de Lune’, we both shared a love for classical music,” said Hugo Gruzman and James Lyell this morning. "Playing alongside an orchestra was almost inconceivable when we started Flight Facilities, but now we've been given the chance to collaborate and perform with one of Australia's greatest." In addition to tunes from Down to Earth, you can expect a bunch of Flight Facilities’ singles and remixes, as well as some new bits and pieces, composed specifically for the MSO. And a dazzling videoscape will provide the backdrop. “We're taking on the challenge of reinventing, not only the way we approach our live show, but our original pieces of music, too. For us, the opportunity to have Melbourne Symphony Orchestra reinterpret the contemporary as classical can only be described as 'a dream come true',” said Hugo and James. During the past five years, Flight Facilities has featured in triple j’s Hottest 100 annually. At the same time, the pair has been making international incursions, with performances at Glastonbury and Coachella, as well as sold-out US and European tours, under their belt. Flight Facilities’ 2013 Melbourne Festival performance took place in the Foxtel Festival Hub, and involved the duo taking its audience on a forty-year journey through its various musical influences. Expect a similarly epic escapade for this year's show. Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 6 May at 9am. Undercover seating will cost you $69 a pop, while standing room/grass seating is going for $49. Nab yourself a spot right here. Meanwhile, you’ll have to wait until 4 August to find out what else will be happening at this year’s Melbourne Festival. Watch Sam Rockwell dance his way through Flight Facilities latest video for 'Down to Earth' right here.
Already home to a natural landmark that can be seen from space, as well as a luminous installation that brightens up the night sky, the Northern Territory is about to add another stellar sight — and site — to its list. From next year, Australia's Top End will make history when it becomes the first privately-owned location outside of the United States to launch NASA rockets. The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Goddard Space Flight Center/Wallops Flight Facility is partnering with the NT's Arnhem Space Centre, SBS reports, with private outfit Equatorial Launch Australia receiving the contract to provide temporary launch facilities in the southern hemisphere. Four rockets, measuring approximately 15 metres high, are expected to launch from the spaceport next year according to the ABC, with each spending around 15 minutes in suborbital space. Their purpose: scientific investigations. Already a lure for tourists, it was Arnhem Land's distinctive landscape and geographical location that reportedly proved an attraction — with NASA clearly taking the Top End moniker literally. The ASC is located in Nhulunbuy, around 700 kilometres east of Darwin. While NASA won't take off from the site until next year, it's expected that the ASC will be ready to launch small rockets by the end of this year. Even better — the centre is planning to launch spaceflights in 2020. The news comes as Australia keeps stepping up its space game — or reigniting it after closing down the Australian Space Office back in 1996. The federal government announced formed the Australian Space Agency in 2018, and revealed that it'd be headquartered in Adelaide from this year. In a statement, ASA Head Dr Megan Clark AC said that "NASA's interest in conducting a sounding rocket campaign in Australia shows the increasing importance of commercial launch activities from Australia". Via: SBS/ABC. Image: NASA/Bill Ingalls.
Rock legend Patti Smith will soon see her most iconic pageturner made into your newest binge watch. The 68-year-old's immortal Just Kids memoir is being made into a Showtime miniseries. The best bit? Smith is producing and co-writing the series — alongside Penny Dreadful showrunner John Logan. Announced at this year's Television Critics Association press tour, Showtime’s new series will follow Smith's National Book Award-winning memoir detailing her years spent living in New York City with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. No cast or release date has been announced, but uppity predictions will inevitably flow over the next few months. Costumes though: It goes without saying, the series already has one hell of a script. Smith, whose sequel memoir M Train is set to hit shelves on October 6, is keen to delve further into her own NYC youth with the series. “A limited series on Showtime will allow us to explore the characters more deeply, enabling us to develop stories beyond the book and allow a measure of unorthodox presentation,” said Smith in her media statement. “The medium of a television limited series offers narrative freedom and a chance to expand upon the themes of the book.” Via Flavorwire.
The tradition of the 'last meal' is a complex one. In early Europe, the gesture functioned as an act of appeasement — a small token to ward off the spirit of the accused haunting its executioners. In modern times, the act is somewhat less superstitious. A little sweetener to the incalculable moral dilemma of corporal punishment. This is what NZ-born, Brooklyn-based photographer Henry Hargreaves sought to explore in No Seconds, his series of eerie re-creations of those final bites taken by America's most wanted. At a glance, the 12 visually rich photographs seem harmless enough. The shots of chicken and peas resemble something your mother might make you on a trip back home, and the steak and eggs are reminiscent of a meal picked up at a country diner. Of course, most plates are full of comfort food; the same kind of thing you could pick up one particularly hungover morning, or devour with a hint of shame at night. This empathy is exactly what's so worrisome about the series. With the camera positioned above each meal, Hargreaves invariably puts you in the seat of the killer. He forces you to reminisce about home-cooked meals or how much you love fresh strawberries mere moments before your eye wanders to the label reading "John Wayne Gacy ... Rape, 33 counts of murder". In an interview for the exhibition catalogue, Hargreaves said he wanted "the viewer to think of [the prisoner] as a person for a moment instead of them being anonymous". "It's a subject that people can relate to and are curious about," he said. "We all eat and we all die." Of course, the circumstances do differ. The series is further complicated by the fact the tradition may be on the way out in some places. In 2011, Texas — a state well-known for its continued support of the death penalty — put an end to last meals claiming it a waste of taxpayer funds. A premise made complicated by inmates such as Victor Feguer. Hung in 1963 for kidnap and murder, Feguer asked for just a single olive with its pit. Apparently, he thought it might grow into an olive tree from inside his body and hoped it would make use of him as a symbol of peace. Regardless of your politics, the photographs are definitely food for thought. See the series in full at Hargreaves' website. Via Buzzfeed.
Here's a night out to take a chance on in 2023: the return of MAMMA MIA! The Musical. My my, how can you resist seeing this Greek-set onstage party on its latest tour of Australia, whether you're a musical fan, an ABBA devotee or perennially keen to indulge in 70s nostalgia. The stage show's comeback was first announced in 2022 and locked in for a Sydney stop, but now it has just added Brisbane and Melbourne dates as well. By now, the hit production is well-known around the world, including from previous Aussie runs. It has spawned not one but two movies, too. And, its tale of a young bride-to-be's quest to find her father before her wedding will liven up Sydney Lyric from May, QPAC's Lyric Theatre in Brisbane from August and the Princess Theatre in Melbourne from October. Here we go again with one of the biggest jukebox musical hits of the past quarter-century, as seen by over 65 million people worldwide so far. This restaging of the popular 2017 production will unfurl its romantic chaos — and 22 ABBA tracks — with Elise McCann playing Donna Sheridan, after she played Ali in the 2009 season. Sarah Krndija (9 to 5 The Musical, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical and Friends! The Musical Parody) steps into Sophie's shoes, while Martin Crewes (Handa's The Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour), Drew Livingston (War Horse) and Tim Wright (New Amsterdam) play her three potential dads. The story, as theatre audiences have enjoyed since 1999, follows 20-year-old Sophie, who is about to marry her fiancé Sky on the fictional Greek island of Kalokairi. It's her dream for her dad to walk her down the aisle, but courtesy of her mother Donna's old diary, she learns that her father could be one of three men: Sam Carmichael, Bill Austin or Harry Bright. [caption id="attachment_890628" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sam Bisso[/caption] Calling all dancing queens, obviously — with that track, the titular number, and everything from 'Money, Money, Money', 'Thank You for the Music', 'Super Trouper' and 'The Name of the Game' to 'SOS', 'Does Your Mother Know', 'Waterloo' and 'Knowing Me, Knowing You' featuring (and 'Take a Chance on Me', 'The Winner Takes It All' and, of course, 'I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do', too). The new Australian run hails from producers Michael Coppel, Louise Withers and Linda Bewick, plus Helpmann Award-winning director Gary Young, choreographer Tom Hodgson and musical supervisor Stephen Amos. MAMMA MIA! THE MUSICAL 2023 DATES: From Wednesday, May 24 — Sydney Lyric Theatre, Sydney From Sunday, August 6 — QPAC Lyric Theatre, Brisbane From Wednesday, October 4 — Princess Theatre, Melbourne MAMMA MIA! The Musical tours Australia from May 2023. For further details or to buy tickets, head to the production's website. Images: James D Morgan.
For most of us, Pizza Hut visits have been happily locked away — or banished, if you ever ate one of those Four'n Twenty meat pie-stuffed crust pizzas — in the childhood memory bank for good. Since then, we've swapped our ten-year-old desires for more grown-up gourmet pies, preferring real pizzas with high-quality ingredients that are made lovingly by an Italian family, served with nice wine and maybe even come with the option of vegan cheese. But if you want to renege on all that pizza progress and go back to where it all began with a chewy, cheesy large Hawaiian, Pizza Hut will welcome you back with open arms. The restaurant chain this week opens its doors to a new dine-in 'concept store' in Sydney. If you haven't already, forget what a 90s-style Pizza Hut looks like. In the vein of McDonald's — which opened a concept cafe called The Corner in Sydney in 2014 — Pizza Hut's latest venture is giving a red-hot crack at being cool by distancing itself from its usual branding. The fit-out sits awkwardly between clean white-tiled minimal cafe (with neon signage!) and a small suburban pizza place circa 1992. As well as its pizzas, the restaurant menu has adapted modern food trends for a selection of 'tapas-style' entrees and a dedicated dessert bar, featuring free-flowing 'real' ice cream and frozen custard. The chain is also bringing back the vice of greedy 90s kids that is the all-you-can-eat model, in the form of unlimited pizza by the slice on Tuesday nights and Saturday afternoons. You'll be able to get a medium pizza and a soft drink for the bargain basement price of $8 and the kitchen will be open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The Waterloo restaurant will also become the brand's new 'innovation lab', where it will create and trial new (no doubt, questionable) creations. It launches today — and while there are so many other places we'd recommend you eat pizza in Sydney, if you're looking for an excuse to check it out, the store is giving out free pizza all day today from 11am. Find Pizza Hut's new Waterloo store at 7 Archibald Avenue, Waterloo. For more info, visit pizzahut.com.au.
He captured imaginations and made his artistic mark with big-screen hits like The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel. And, he once designed a Milan cafe that resembled one of his film sets. Earlier this year, he also released his gorgeous stop-motion animated movie Isle of Dogs — but that's not all that acclaimed director Wes Anderson has for fans in 2018. Known for his visual distinctive style and fondness for symmetry, Anderson has also taken his creative vision into the art world, playing museum curator alongside his partner, set designer and illustrator Juman Malouf. As announced back in February, the pair have been invited to put together an exhibition for Vienna's Kunsthistorisches Museum, which you've got to admit looks like it's been plucked from a dreamy Anderson flick itself. Called Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and Other Treasures, the exhibition is set to kick off on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 and run until April 28, 2019. The creative couple were given a task that plenty would envy: trawling through the Kunsthistorisches Museum's more than four million objects, and selecting their favourites from the incredibly broad collection of in-house artifacts. The end result includes items from all 14 of the museum's collections, which span old master paintings, Greek and Roman antiquities, Imperial coins and more. Pieces like historical musical instruments, suits of armour, foreign antiques, carriages and sleighs will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue — sure to be a swoon-worthy piece of art in its own right. And if you're not planning to be in Austria while it's on, maybe start thinking about heading to Italy. After its initial Kunsthistorisches run, the exhibition will travel to the Fondazione Prada in Milan at a yet-to-be-announced date. Here's a sneak peak of what's in store. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vTQI6Vw5nY Image: Wes Anderson and Juman Malouf in the Picture Gallery, Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna © KHM-Museumsverband .
Dining out is back off the menu once again and we're already counting down the days until we can pull up a seat at our favourite local for a nice, long post-lockdown feed. Thankfully, in the meantime, Melbourne's venues are dishing up countless top-notch takeaway options to see you through isolation in a well-fed fashion. And that includes some rather legendary menu items from some top local eateries, now available to enjoy at home. Dreaming of Miznon's world-famous pita bread? Want to get your mitts on some creamy pomme purée à la Bar Margaux? Craving some Maha hummus? Not. A. Problem. Bring the restaurant experience to your own dining table with these seven iconic Melbourne menu items now available for takeaway and delivery. ENTRECOTE'S SECRET HERB BUTTER SAUCE The butter ratio in Entrecote's secret herb sauce sits somewhere between indulgent and extravagant, creating the kind of rich, herbaceous drizzle that'll have you happily licking the plate. And you won't find a better accompaniment to the South Yarra French restaurant's signature steak frites. But, thanks to a certain pandemic, this carefully honed sauce has become the star of its own show, now available to buy packaged and ready to devour, at home. You can nab a 200-gram pouch of the special sauce for $15.90 from Entrecote's onsite pop-up Corner Store, or have one delivered to your door courtesy of online shop Co-Lab Pantry. How much? $15.90. Order here. MIZNON'S PITA With outposts in Paris, Vienna, New York and Melbourne, it's safe to say Eyal Shani's Miznon has true global appeal. And as a result, the Israeli street food eatery's signature pita bread lays claim to being an international smash-hit. Golden and chewy, the house-made bread is primed for ripping and dipping, or simply stuffing with your favourite ingredients. It's also available to enjoy at home, either picked up from the restaurant, or dropped to your door via Miznon's new delivery run. All you'll need to do is pull the pitas from their bag, sprinkle on a touch of water and give them a couple of minutes in the oven. Or let the experts take control and order a pre-loaded version, like this new brisket creation they've dubbed Deep Satisfaction. How much? $21 for the Deep Satisfaction. Order here. BAR MARGAUX'S POMME PUREE There's something almost holy about Bar Margaux's pomme purée — it's rich, buttery and dangerously smooth. And while nothing can beat feasting on this gem of a dish in its natural habitat — namely, the moody lighting and leather banquettes of Made In The Shade's underground French bar and bistro — it is guaranteed to add some Parisian flair to your next at-home dinner session. Done with local royal blue spuds, milk and lashings of butter, the dreamy $8 side dish is available in ready-to-heat format, with free home delivery to addresses within six kilometres of the CBD. If you're a little further out, you can still get your fix by ordering through Providoor. How much? $8. Order here (if you're close to the CBD) or here (if you're further out). MAHA'S HUMMUS A dish that's both humble and majestic, hummus is an international favourite for very good reason. And while you'll find scores of top-notch local renditions of the creamy chickpea dish, Shane Delia's version is up there with the best, a longtime staple across all his modern Middle Eastern restaurants. The Maha chef poaches organic Aussie chickpeas with some carrots, onions and garlic, then blends them with local tahini, garlic and lemon until velvety smooth. A splash of olive oil and sea salt finish off the mix, although if you really want to amp things up, Delia recommends some gentle microwave action before serving. Need it now? You can order the hummus as part of Maha Go's bread and dips package ($45), available for delivery via Providoor. How much? $45 for Maha Go's bread and dips package. Order here. EMBLA'S HOMEMADE SOURDOUGH AND BUTTER You know you're in for a knockout feed when the bread and butter starter leaves you swooning right from the get-go. As is always the case at wine bar Embla, where the signature house-baked sourdough has earned just as many fans as anything else on the changing menu lineup. It's a textbook version, all crusty shell and dense interior, perfectly paired with any of Embla's rotation of artisan butters. And, while you might not be able to enjoy this iconic duo as part of a dine-in feed right now, you can have it dropped to your doorstep, ready to kick off any at-home feast in style ($15). Embla's weekly-changing menu ($50) is available for pick-up and delivery to select suburbs, every Friday and Saturday. How much? $15. Order here. [caption id="attachment_662766" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] MJOLNER'S DRINKING HORNS Mjolner's legendary gold-rimmed drinking horns are a staple part of any feast enjoyed at the viking-inspired eatery. After all, there's no faster way to channel your inner Thor than knocking back a brew served in one of these bad boys. And now, the horns can add a little theatre to your own at-home viking banquet, available as an add-on when you order Mjolner's new takeaway feasting menu. Tuck into dishes like the glazed beef short rib, while sipping from your very own custom-made, beeswax-sealed horn, paired with a special stand and yours to keep for $55. The CBD restaurant is delivering the $70 banquets every Thursday to Saturday, or you can pick up from the venue directly. How much? $55. Order here. MESSINA'S DULCE DE LECHE The folks at Messina were so intent on dishing up an authentic rendition of South America's legendary dulce de leche, that they installed a traditional paila machine and started making it themselves, in-house. The thick, caramel-like jam has become a favourite, starring regularly throughout the group's gelato menu. But if that's not enough for your sweet tooth, you'll also find this dreamy concoction sold by the jar — perfect for elevating desserts, spreading atop toast...or simply scoffing by the spoonful. Hey, it's lockdown, we won't judge. The 190-gram takeaway portions come in at an easy $8, available from all of Messina's Melbourne stores for pick up as well as via Deliveroo. The dulce de leche blend is also available in pourable format, with 300-millilitres bottles of 'topping' available for $12 a pop. How much? $8–12. Order here.
Reminiscent of those glow-in-the-dark stars we pasted over our ceilings as kids, the creatures featured in the upcoming 'Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence' exhibit each shine with an eerie, natural light. The exhibit, held at the New York American Museum of Natural History, will contain live bioluminescent organisms, as well as scale models. Bioluminescence, the production of light by a living organism, looks like something out of a sci-fi movie but is in fact an essential function, allowing these animals to catch prey. On occasion, it may also catch a mate or two. Open from March 31, 2012 to January 6, 2013, the exhibit will explore the astounding variety of ways nature uses living light. Attendees can expect to bask in the glow of fireflies, mushrooms, scorpions, and much more. [via Wired]
Is Black Mirror a sci-fi flight of fancy or a realistic window into the future? Does it take humanity's increasing reliance upon technology to the fictional extreme, or predict what's about to happen? Whichever train of thought you subscribe to, if you're a fan of the Charlie Brooker-created series, you've probably jumped at every possible chance to immerse yourself in the television series. First, there was the interactive Black Mirror exhibition that popped up in London. Then came a super bleak board game. Now there's a retro-style video game as well. Hot on the heels of the program's just-released choose-your-own-adventure movie, Bandersnatch, comes your chance to mash buttons while diving into Black Mirror's twisted realm. The video game is called Nohzdyve, and it's seen in the series' new flick. It's one of the hit titles created by Colin Ritman (Will Poulter), the programmer that Bandersnatch's 19-year-old protagonist Stefan (Fionn Whitehead) first idolises, then buddies up to. The two become colleagues at games development company Tuckersoft when Stefan tries to turn his own dream game into a reality. Avid Black Mirror fans will have spotted that Nohzdyve is a reference to the first episode of the show's third season, Nosedive, aka the Bryce Dallas Howard-starring tale about a world where social media controls life's ups and downs. It's also the episode that was turned into the aforementioned board game — and, clearly, it's one of the series' instalments with the most glaring real-world parallels. In Bandersnatch, the Nohzdyve video game was made in the 80s, which means that social media obviously doesn't rate a mention. Instead, the game involves falling through the sky while collecting eyeballs and avoiding buildings. If you're keen to play it, Nohzdyve can be downloaded from the Tuckersoft website; however there is a catch. It will only run on a downloadable emulator that recreates the ZX Spectrum home computer system from 1982 (aka a British equivalent to the Commodore 64). Still, if you've already worked your way through Bandersnatch's interactive story — deciding what path Stefan's tale takes, picking between branching narrative arcs, and looping back again and again to find all of the endings — you can trade one type of Black Mirror game for another.
Earlier this year Christopher Lloyd and Moby broke our hearts. Knowing full well that everyone in the world was pining for a functioning hoverboard by 2015 — the year that Marty McFly travelled to in Back to the Future II — they toyed with our emotions to make a viral hit for Funny or Die. But now, we might just have the real thing. Journalists have talked to the creators, they've ridden it, they've got videos to prove it. This is not a hoax. In the past 24 hours the internet has exploded with news of the Hendo Hoverboard. Currently funding on Kickstarter, this working prototype may not exactly look like the bright pink contraption Michael J. Fox rode in the film, but it is an incredible step in the right direction. Though still in development, this certified hoverboard can carry the weight of a person while levitating one inch off the ground. It does this with the help of magnets. As the board requires a magnetic field in order to function, it needs to be used over a metallic surface. The current design has been trialled on a specifically-designed copper skate ramp — an idea which the creators plan to build upon in the future with a full 'hoverpark'. Before you ask, no, it can't fly on water. To continue developing the product, the engineers at Hendo tech need to raise $250,000 from their Kickstarter campaign. The rewards for those who pledge include a small piece of levitating technology called 'The White Box', an extended ride on the real-life board, or for $10,000, your very own hoverboard. Though they are only expected to produce 10 hoverboards for this first Kickstarter run, they'll knowingly be releasing them around October 21, 2015. They should have no trouble funding the project; the campaign has only been online for 24 hours and has already reached half of its goal. But many critics are understandably jaded. Both Gizmodo and The New York Times are expressing serious dissatisfaction with the project, claiming the technology we're seeing is disappointingly far from its filmic inspiration. Yes, the board needs to be used over a metal surface. Yes, it has a terrible battery life and makes a truly awful amount of noise. But this is the nature of invention, right? Any step closer to this, can hardly be a bad thing. Check out the Kickstarter campaign for more information about the project.
In a bid to contain Melbourne's latest COVID-19 outbreak — which as of 11pm on Thursday, February 11 sees 13 cases linked to the Holiday Inn cluster — the Victorian Government has announced a snap lockdown, which will see all of Victoria revert back to stage four restrictions from tonight until midnight on Wednesday, February 17. As of 11.59pm tonight, Friday, February 12, all Victorians will only be able to leave their home for those familiar four reasons: shopping for what you need, when you need it; caregiving and compassionate reasons; essential work or permitted eduction that can't be done from home; and exercise. Exercise must be limited to two hours a day with your household members, your intimate partner or one other person who is not from your household or your partner. Once again, Victorians must stay within five kilometres of their homes, unless you're leaving for permitted work or you're shopping for essentials if there are no shops in your radius. Masks are also mandatory everywhere outside of your home, and private gatherings are banned — so no visitors may enter your home — as are public gatherings. Weddings are not permitted (unless on compassionate grounds) and funerals are limited to ten. Hairdressing and beauty services, indoor physical recreation and sport venues, swimming pools, community facilities including libraries, entertainment venues and non-essential retail venues will all close during the five-day period and hospitality venues will once again revert back to takeaway-only. Supermarkets, bottle shops and pharmacies will remain open. https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1360050173355773953 The announcement comes as the Victorian Government this morning declared all of Terminal 4 at Melbourne Airport a Tier 1 exposure site, between 4.45am–2pm on Tuesday, February 9, after a recently confirmed positive case spent eight hours there. Anyone who has been to a Tier 1 exposure site during the designated times must immediately isolate, get tested and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the test result. The last time Melbourne reentered stay-at-home orders was back in early August, with those restrictions remaining in place for six weeks and slowly easing from mid-September. Back in August, Victoria was recording in the realm of 671 new COVID-19 cases in a 24-hour period, whereas today's new case number was five. There are currently 19 active cases of COVID-19 in Victoria. Premier Daniel Andrews says the situation is different this time, however, because of the COVID-19 variant that is circulating in the community. "Now, Victorians will be well familiar with the term 'UK strain', 'UK variant of concern'," the Premier said today. "We have talked about this for a long time, because it is so hyper-infectious, and moves so fast, that it is presenting a very, very real challenge to our status, our stay-safe, stay-open, our precious thing that we've built — all of us — throughout 2020." "I am sad to have to report, it is the advice to me that we must assume that there are further cases in the community than we have positive results for, and that it is moving at a velocity that has not been seen anywhere in our country over the course of these last 12 months." All of Victoria will revert back to stage four restrictions from 11.59pm on Friday, February 12 to 11.59pm on Wednesday, February 17. For more information about the rules, head to the Victorian Department of Health website.
After Christmas 2020 saw Australians explore their own backyards, 2021's festive season will welcome the return of a familiar end-of-year tradition. If your summer break usually involves venturing overseas, that'll be back on the cards again as the nation reopens to international travel from November. And if you're still eager to enjoy the sunny, beachy weather, you'll be able to head to Fiji. On Monday, October 11, Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama announced that the Pacific nation will reopen its borders to Australian tourists, with quarantine-free visits restarting from Thursday, November 11. Australia is on a list of travel partner countries — which also includes New Zealand, the US, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Qatar, Germany, Spain, France, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Japan, and most Pacific Island countries and territories — that are being prioritised by Fiji due to their widespread vaccination status. There will still be protocols in place, however, so that's something you'll need to factor into your plans if you can now see a tropical holiday in your future. Firstly, there'll be a no jab, no fly policy, so you'll have to be double vaccinated with the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Johnson and Johnson vaccines. You'll also need to test negative to COVID-19 within three days of departure — and, you'll have to download the country's Care Fiji app to your phone when you arrive. After that, tourists will also need to spend their first two days in Fiji in their hotels. You'll be free to use the facilities and amenities, but you won't be able to mosey any further until you take another COVID-19 test 48 hours after arrival. Once that comes back negative, you'll then be able to visit spots deemed 'safe-travel areas'. While exactly where these regions will cover is still being worked out, the Fiji Prime Minister advised that "they will be large enough for tourists to enjoy the best of Fiji, but restrictive enough to protect areas with low vaccination coverage." The two-day hotel period is expected to relax as more Fijians become double vaccinated. In response to Fiji's announcement, Virgin Australia was quick to reveal that it'll restart its flights to Nadi from Thursday, December 16. It'll fly return from Sydney up to twice daily, return from Melbourne once a day and return from Brisbane three times a week — and, it's doing a sale on fares from $289 one-way. Virgin's Fiji flights will mark its first relaunched international routes, ahead of restarting its services from Australia to New Zealand and Bali sometime in 2022. For more information about Fiji's reopening plan, head to the Fiji Government's website. For further details about Virgin Australia's Fiji flight sale, head to the airline's website.
If you've watched Thor: Ragnarok recently or, say, binged on four seasons of Vikings in one week, your quest for Norse mythology, hectic battles and hair inspiration isn't over. In fact, it may finally be fully realised with the Melbourne arrival of Vikings: Beyond The Legend. Melbourne Museum's newest exhibition opened on March 23 and it's enormous — taking the title of largest collection of Viking artifacts ever to be seen in Australia. Born from the Swedish History Museum, it's already done the global rounds, having hit up The States last year and hosted millions of visitors to date. With over 450 different artifacts on display, the exhibition will detail Viking domestic life, cultural beliefs and rituals. Among the cool antiques to ogle are the skeletal remnants of a Viking long ship, swords that date back to 700 AD and a Thor's hammer pendant (sans Chris Hemsworth, sadly). Also on offer are hands-on activities and games that further the immersive aspect of the exhibition. If you've still got a hankering for more Norse-themed offerings, check out Mjolner — the Viking-themed carvery and whisky bar hails from Sydney and is now open down Melbourne's Hardware Lane.
American choreographer Meg Stuart will bring her show An Evening of Solo Works to Melbourne's Dancehouse for two performances only this March 23 and 24. As founder of Brussels dance company Damaged Goods, Stuart has created over 30 works in her career that cover a number of mediums — this has seen her collaborate with visual artists and musicians and dabbling in theatre as well as dance. She received the Gold Lion for Lifetime Achievement from La Biennale di Venezia this year. This work showcases the oeuvre of the choreographer, and will headline the public program for this year's Keir Choreographic Award in Sydney, where it will have its Australian premiere. Stuart says her work "navigates the tension between dance and theatre, thought and action, remembering and forgetting". Through the evening, she will explore everyday movements and emotional states through one of her main tools: improvisation. An Evening of Solo Works will incorporate both performance from her own body of work as well as excerpts from full-length pieces Stuart has performed in the past. It will demonstrate just how the choreographer has developed her own language and creation methods through her work.
The Premier's Active April is here again — a whole month-long bonanza of free classes, discounts on sportswear and sport programs, and some pretty great two-for-one deals that'll have you rediscovering your inner kid and the energy you once had (you can go to Legoland, you're never too old). A yearly campaign run by the Victorian Government, Active April encourages Victorians to do 30 minutes of physical activity every day during the month of April. To take part, you just need to register online — it's free and you can download an app to log your progress and explore what's going on in your local area. Just to start, you get heaps of free stuff. Ten free passes to participating YMCA facilities, free tennis court hire and five free dance lessons at Dancesport Victoria. There are also a heap of discounts, including 15-percent off at Sportsmart — so you can stock up on activewear — and a two-for-one offer at Golf Victoria courses. Then there's the two-for-one Legoland scenario and two-for-one passes to the Melbourne Aquarium, too. By signing up and participating, you also go into the draw to win a slew of prizes, which include tickets to the 2019 Australian Open finals. As well as snaggin' some sweet discounts, you'll be able to prove your "drunk talking New Year's Eve post-midnight" self right – you will get more fit this year. Head here to register for Active April — you have until April 30 to signup — and start popping squats all over the place.
A spoonful of sugar may be needed to make this medicine go down: the Mary Poppins musical will soon be leaving Melbourne. Umbrellas at the ready because this supercalifragilisticexpialidocious singing nanny is only taking over Her Majesty's Theatre until Sunday, June 18. Mary Poppins has come to Melbourne after previously flying into both Sydney and Brisbane, and hails from Disney and theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh. This current version of the show tells the same enchanting tale that everyone knows from the hugely popular, five-time Oscar-winning 1964 film — which, as well as inspiring this stage adaptation, also gave rise to the big-screen sequel Mary Poppins Returns in 2018. Everything to do with the English governess harks back to P.L. Travers' books about the character, of course, and pop culture has been thankful for and downright delighted with her stories for almost six decades now. Escape the chilly Melbourne evenings as winter draws near and grab your friends for a magical night out on the town — there are fantastic seats available for midweek performances, so take advantage of early bird meals and happy hours with your mates before seeing Mary Poppins take flight. Local theatre fans can enjoy this updated version of the show that last graced Australia's stages — and won eight Helpmann Awards — back in 2011. Since Mackintosh first teamed up with writer Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) to bring Mary Poppins to the theatre in 2004, the production has won four Olivier Awards and a Tony, too. "Mary Poppins has really incredible staging, and the performances from the leads are world-class," says Suz Tucker our editorial director. "Jack Chambers [Bert] is a treat and astonishingly light-footed. But Stefanie Jones [Mary Poppins] is particularly excellent. She's got just the right amount of enigmatic Mona Lisa quality, graceful comic timing and firmness." Find out for yourself before the play's run ends on June 18. Get in fast to secure your tickets to this must-see performance, it's the ultimate winter activity for theatre lovers and Disney fans alike. If you are looking for things to do in Melbourne this winter, Mary Poppins is showing at Her Majesty's Theatre until Sunday, June 18. Tickets to Mary Poppins start from $49.90 and are available to purchase from TicketTek. Images: Daniel Boud. Updated May 24.
If Melbourne town's end-of-year weather is getting you down — sweltering one day, streaming from the skies the next — here is some small solace for you. Melbourne's Boho Luxe Market (their words, not ours) is determined to make you remember those times when you could dip your toes in the ocean without needing an umbrella, and take you to a sun-dappled place of dreamcatchers and flower crowns. Because these things are apparently synonymous with Byron Bay, the market's goal is to bring "that Byron Bay vibe to Melbourne" — so expect all of the above except for the beach bit. For their festive run, they'll be in town on Sunday, December 10, when you can treat yourself to a day of Christmas wanderlust in the Atrium at Federation Square. There'll be heaps of stalls featuring bohemian fashion, jewellery, homewares, pet products and kids stuff for tiny people too. There are even some complimentary tote bags on offer for the first 100 shoppers; the likes of cupcakes, doughnuts, vegan chocolate and Vietnamese dishes to eat, and live music amping up the relaxed vibes as well.
One of the great things about Christmas is getting your family and friends to help you out with your homewares and furniture wishlist. Got your eye on a new lamp but spent your own pennies on festive shenanigans? Need some new linen, chairs or glassware, but not enough to bust your budget? Too busy splashing cash on gifts for everyone else to worry about your own broken shelves? Cue the handy answer to your mum's annual "what do you want for Christmas?" question — and cue IKEA's new way to assist, too. 'Tis the season for the Swedish retailer to launch its IKEA Gift Registry in Australia, capitalising upon all the present-buying — and just general browsing — that everyone's doing in December. This is a year-round offering, however, letting you set up a registry filled with all the IKEA products your house really needs, ready to send to whoever's doing the purchasing. Use it for Christmas or birthdays, the choice is yours. The registry will also come in handy for couples about to get hitched, and is bound to be super popular for housewarmings. Whichever fits, it operates in the same way — and it's also designed to help making gift-shopping even quicker. You'll need an IKEA Family account to create a registry, then it's a simple matter of adding whatever your heart and home desire, sharing it when your loved ones and waiting till the relevant big occasion. The gift registry updates in real time, too, so everyone can see what's already taken — avoiding double ups. IKEA has launched the registry alongside app-based checkout, a self-service feature that lets you scan what you're buying as you're browsing its ten Aussie stores. Once you've wandered the aisles, you can then just scan the QR code at the dedicated mobile checkouts, without needing to go through your trolley or bag again (or even unpack them). That leaves more time for eating Swedish meatballs, obviously. The last 12 months has seen IKEA add a range of new services in Australia, helping you fill your house with its wares. Also on the list: an online marketplace for discontinued, ex-display and pre-loved products, plan and order point concept stores outside its usual warehouse setup and sustainable living-focused shops. For more information about the IKEA Gift Registry, head to the chain's website.
Internationally renowned sculptor Ken Unsworth was born in Melbourne, but, during his 50-year career, he's not had a major exhibition in the city. Until now, that is. This spring, he'll be bringing skeletons, crying babies and a grand piano to the National Gallery of Victoria, for Ken Unsworth: Truly, Madly. The free show will feature key works spanning Unsworth's past. Among them are When the angel of the lord came down, a tribute to his late wife, Elisabeth Unsworth, who was a concert pianist, and Mind games, in which two skeletons face one another across a table. Look out, too, for brand new pieces, including When snowflakes turn to stone, an oversized skeleton encircled with stones, and Alphaville, which immerses you in five-metre high buildings and their sounds – from barking dogs to prayer rituals. Now 87, Unsworth worked as a high school art teacher before becoming a full-time artist. He exhibited at the 1976 Sydney Biennale; numerous Australian Sculptural Triennials; Biennales in Paris, Venice and Istanbul; and several other major international shows, including Magiciens de la Terre, curated by Jean-Hubert Martin at The Pompidou Centre in 1989. Images: Mind Games 2014, Ken Unsworth; When snowflakes turn to stone 2018, Ken Unsworth; In concert (1983-84), Ken Unsworth; Below the horizon 2017, Ken Unsworth. All photos by Eugene Hyland.
UPDATE Monday, March 27: Due to unforeseen circumstances, 'Dirty Dancing: The Immersive Cinema Experience' will no longer take place this weekend. For details, see the website. With its latest movie-fuelled event, Immersive Cinema is hoping that you've never felt like this before — and that you love Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey dancing up a storm in a much-adored 1987 romantic drama. The second part is easy. As for the first, you might've actually stepped into this interactive Dirty Dancing experience back in 2019 when it first came to Australia. Who doesn't want to have the time of their life twice, though? For its second Aussie stint, Dirty Dancing: The Immersive Cinema Experience is only heading to Melbourne, taking over the Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, April 1–Sunday, April 2, 2023. If Francis 'Baby' Houseman can take a trip to Kellerman's Mountain House in the Catskills with her family, you can hit up the venue to get whisked away to the next best thing. Here, attendees will get plunged into the world of Dirty Dancing. Taking over the outdoor venue, Dirty Dancing: The Immersive Cinema Experience won't just screen one of Swayze's biggest film roles, but will recreate the world of the popular film. That means that attendees will travel back to 1963 in spirit, check into the flick's setting, and enjoy a day of painting classes, volleyball, croquet, mini golf and — of course — dance lessons. You can probably also expect a stint of carrying watermelons, and definitely a dance showcase. And yes, it all ends with an evening screening of Dirty Dancing on the big screen. You'd be just a fool to believe that's all that's on the agenda. Actors and dancers will roam around like the wind and, food- and drink-wise, Americana-style eats will be available at 12 different dining spots, while seven pop-up bars will sling summery cocktails — all on offer for those with hungry eyes (and stomachs). Also, there'll be a dedicated watermelon stand, plus a picnic area among the rose bushes. You'll also be able to wander through recreations of Kellerman's famous fictional spaces. That includes the staff quarters where Baby Houseman gets her first taste of dirty dancing, as well as the studios where she learns all the steps from and starts swooning over Johnny Castle. Wherever you head, nobody will be putting Baby in a corner. Like the film version of Kellerman's, the event is also an all-ages affair — and everyone is encouraged to dress up like it's the 60s, but appropriate footwear for dancing is a must. Also, because no one had phones back in the 60s, it's a technology-free experience as well. The only screen that matters: the big one showing the movie, of course.
One of Melbourne's favourite year-round floating bars, Yarra Botanica, is hosting a new monthly market. Kicking off on Sunday, May 28 and running each month throughout winter, some of Victoria's best producers and growers will be swinging by the Yarra River's two-storey pontoon bar and eatery. Come along on Sunday, June 25 and you'll be treated to Infinity Blue's local barra and drinks from Rye-based Penni Ave Distillery. Sunday, July 30 brings along Wattle Farm's oyster mushrooms and Banks Botanicals' alc-free selection of spirits for Dry July. Finally, Richmond favourite Brogan's Way and Thomastown's That's Amore fromage will be popping down on Sunday, August 20. To celebrate their special guests, the team at Yarra Botanica will also be curating specials to showcase all the goodies, so snag a spot riverside to sip and snack through the afternoon. Images: Supplied.
