Melburnians love a market — especially one that specialises in top-notch pre-loved clothing. There's nothing like finding a quality item at a clothing market. There's the thrill of searching through the racks to stumble upon the piece, plus shopping secondhand and upcycled clothing is more sustainable than buying your clothes new. If this all sounds entirely relatable to you, head to the Second Life Markets when it hits Melbourne for spring on Sunday, October 15. The event will host 70-plus pop-up stores boasting vintage, secondhand and upcycled clothing. The stalls will span all ranges of clothing, including masculine, feminine and unisex pieces. The Second Life Markets run successful quarterly events across Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, London and, of course, Melbourne. The seasonal events bring together local sellers and independent designers, as well as a heavy dose of good vibes. Melbourne's spring market will run from 10.30am–4pm. Entry is $15 from 10.30am, $10 from 1pm, $5 from 2pm and free for the last hour. And, in the sustainable spirit of the market, it's asked that you bring your own reusable shopping bag(s) with you on the day.
"History has a way of repeating itself. The dangers we've seen foretell an even more menacing future." After growling about understanding real fear for the first time in the initial trailer for The Witcher season three, Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill, Zack Snyder's Justice League) is still painting a dark and brooding picture for the Netflix fantasy hit's big return, which also sees Princess Ciri (Freya Allan, The Third Day) with ghost cavalry on her tail — plus more sinister forces. Yennefer (Anya Chalotra, The ABC Murders) also has her own scares to deal with, and things are looking chaotic in general — not just in that debut sneak peek from a few months back, but in the just-dropped new trailer for The Witcher's third season. When this next batch of episodes tosses a coin to its namesake, it will take its cues from Time of Contempt, the second book in writer Andrzej Sapkowski's series. Season three hits streaming queues this winter Down Under, featuring eight instalments split into two parts. Volume 1 arrives on Thursday, June 29, with Volume 2 following on Thursday, July 27. Need a refresher on the story so far? Haven't watched the first two seasons yet? If The Witcher's name sounds familiar, that's because it's based on Sapkowski's short stories and novels — and, as well as being turned into comics, it was adapted the video game series of the same name. A Polish film and TV show also reached screens in the early 2000s, although they were poorly received. In the Netflix series, Cavill plays the witcher of the title. Geralt of Rivia is a monster hunter who prefers to work — aka slay beasts — alone in a realm called The Continent. But life has other plans for the lone wolf, forcing him to cross paths with powerful sorceress Yennefer and young princess Ciri. One of Netflix's hefty successes, The Witcher has been renewed for a fourth season, too, which happened back in 2022 long before its third had any trailers — something that also occurred with season three before season two dropped as well, and with season two before season one debuted before that. But instead of Cavill as Geralt, The Hunger Games, The Dressmaker and Independence Day: Resurgence's Liam Hemsworth will replace him, as also announced in 2022. The Witcher franchise doesn't just include the show itself, but also animated flick The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, which hit Netflix in 2021. And, there's 2022 prequel series The Witcher: Blood Origin, which takes place 1200 years before Geralt's time, spans four episodes and stars Everything Everywhere All At Once Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh. Check out the full trailer for The Witcher's third season below: The Witcher's third season will hit Netflix in winter 2023 Down Under, releasing in two parts — with Volume 1 arriving on Thursday, June 29 and Volume 2 on Thursday, July 27.
Dark Mofo, the Museum of Old and New Art's Hobart winter arts festival, has done what everyone thought impossible — it's managed to lure people to one of the coldest places in Australia in the most freezing months of the year. (Which is no easy feat — that place is cold.) And as a big pat on the back for both bringing in a heap of extra cash to the Tassie economy (and just being downright incredible), the Tasmanian Government yesterday announced a new five-year funding agreement to support Mona and the festival. Dark Mofo will receive a whopping $10.5 million over five years to continue to grow and throw the festival until 2021. This cash splash doesn't come without some caveats though. As part of the funding, Dark Mofo will have to deliver a regional program each year and invest at least $250,000 of that money to support Tasmanian arts-based organisations. Plus, they obviously want them to increase the number of visitors to Tasmania over winter, grow festival attendance and up the media exposure too. Seems like a no-brainer for the Tassie Government. Because while it seems arts funding is sadly getting cut left, right and centre around the country, we can see why they want to invest in this program. Last year's Dark Mofo returned an estimated $46 million to the economy and created about 400 new permanent and short-term jobs. On top of the funding news, Dark Mofo also announced their 2017 dates: June 8-21. The festival, which started in 2013, is centred around celebrating the winter solstice — or the longest night of the year. Image: Rosie Hastie, courtesy Mona Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
The footy season has hit its final weekend, those morning temperatures are getting slightly more bearable and good ol' summer feels like it's inching closer every day. And Melbourne, what better way to celebrate, than with a brand new beachside gelato store? By now a firm neighbourhood favourite in both Hawthorn and Collingwood, Piccolina Gelateria is set to spawn a third location, with owner Sandra Foti announcing plans to open in sunny St Kilda next month. The new Acland Street store will sport a Hecker Guthrie-designed fitout like its siblings — the design a playful nod to the 1950s in Southern Italy — but it'll also have a few key differences tying it into this new locale. Expect a big, open facade embracing St Kilda's streetside buzz, with gelato-hued interiors offset by a glorious serving bench of square-cut Italian tiles. Here, you'll be able to get your mitts on 20 of Piccolina's all-natural, handmade gelati, as well as four granita varieties. And prepare to go a little bit nuts with the chocolate and hazelnut — Piccolina St Kilda will be kitted out with its own liquid chocolate fountain, drizzling signature house-made Nutella-style sauce 24 hours a day. Find Piccolina St Kilda at 137 Acland Street from Friday, October 12. Images: Elisa Watson
When the COVID-19 pandemic first started spreading across Australia and the country went into lockdown, New South Wales did not close its borders to domestic travellers. But when cases started rising again in Victoria, it first banned Melburnians from hot zone" suburbs, and then closed its border to the entire southern state — for the first time in more than 100 years, since 1919 during the Spanish Flu. With both Victoria in general and the metropolitan Melbourne area specifically now easing out of the most recent stay-at-home restrictions, and with case numbers low throughout the state, NSW has announced today, Wednesday November 4, that it'll be reopening its border to its southern neighbour. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian advised that "we need to keep moving forward as we live with COVID-19. I have confidence that everyone will continue to work hard to keep everyone safe". https://twitter.com/GladysB/status/1323777523293933568 The change will come into effect at 12.01am on Monday, November 23, meaning that Victorians can enter NSW and vice versa from that point onwards (and just in time for both summer holidays and Christmas, too). NSW residents were already permitted to visit Victoria, as Victoria didn't shut its border during its lockdowns; however, NSW's border rules meant that residents were then required to quarantine upon their return — unless they had a special permit, or lived in the strict border zone that also required permits. Announcing the border reopening, Premier Berejiklian said that the move was based on NSW Health advice — and noted that Victoria "may have, because of the lockdown, actually gone down a path of having eliminated it [COVID-19] at this point in time". Victoria has reported zero new coronavirus cases for the past five days, while NSW has reported 27 over the same period. Also today, Premier Berejiklian announced that all NSW hospitality venues will be required to use QR codes to track patrons from November 23. "We believe the dual strategy — of opening up our borders to all Australian citizens, all New Zealand citizens, in addition to making use of QR codes compulsory for hospitality businesses — is an important step forward," she advised. You can find out more about the status of COVID-19 at the NSW Health and Victorian Department of Health and Human Services websites. Top image: Mulwala Bridge by Yun Huang Yong via Flickr.
If you're looking for a private dining room to book for a mate's birthday or a work lunch, Melbourne has plenty of options. And it's just scored one more: a plant-filled champagne den inside the QT Melbourne. The boutique CBD hotel has launched a 'multisensory' private dining experience that can only be described as lavish. The Art of the Wild room is filled with lush greenery and a long table that seats 20 people for multi-course champagne banquets. And, better yet, it's been created in partnership with Perrier-Jouët, so champagne is the drink of choice. As you step into the hotel's upstairs King Room, you'll feel like you've stepped into a new world that's far away from the bustle of Russell Street below. The completely private room — which isn't unlike a flower garden — is fitted out with green, purple and pink neon hues, hyper-real flower graphics are constantly projected across the room. These motion projections are inspired by the anemone flowers, which match those on the Perrier-Jouët Epoque collection bottles. Fittingly, you'll find many of them in the room. The long dining table — which can seat up to 20 guests — is made for feasting. And that's exactly what you're here to do. Andy Harmer — executive chef of QT Melbourne's venues, including the one-hatted Pascale — has created a menu exclusively for private dining guests. Seafood dishes include cured hiramasa kingfish with jicama, yuzu and dashi, and a piece of WA marron with that comes resting in a pool of broccoli, smoked eel and caviar. A piece of wagyu porterhouse is artfully plated with with tarragon, artichoke and beetroot. Each of the dishes are designed to pair with a particular drops of Perrier-Jouët. These pours include the likes of Belle Epoque 2012, Belle Epoque Rose 2006 and the Grand Brut NV. The room can be booked for groups of 18–20 people, although slightly smaller groups can be accommodated, too. A range of tiered packages are available, with the cheapest being four courses (with a glass of champagne on arrival) for $125 per person. This runs all the way up to extra special occasion territory, which sees a five-course banquet with matching champagne served up for $324 per person. If you've got a birthday coming up, we'd start sending hints to your mates ASAP. QT Melbourne is located at 133 Russell Street, Melbourne. The Art of the Wild private dining room can now be booked — if you're keen to know more, make an enquiry here. Images: Parker Blain.
When there's all that vino to drink, no one really needs another reason to book in a holiday to the Barossa. Still, a towering new six-star hotel smack bang in the middle of the vineyard is certain to catapult the South Australian wine region to the top of your must-visit list. That's what's coming to the famed Seppeltsfield winery, as first announced back in 2020 — and the $50-million, 12-storey spot has just gotten the official tick of approval. Given that the Oscar Seppeltsfield has only just received that planning go-ahead after a period of community consultation, don't go backing your bags just yet — it isn't set to open until 2024. But it'll make one helluva impressive spot to visit when it does start welcoming in wine-loving guests, and also give the Barossa a new landmark. Named after winemaker Oscar Benno Seppelt, the hotel will be surrounded by century-old bush vines — and every room will feature a private balcony so that you can soak up that view. Speaking of spots to slumber, there'll be 71 rooms in total, including penthouses and suites. Also included: a fine-dining restaurant, private dining room, boardroom, fitness studio, day spa and infinity pool. And, to literally cap it all off, a top-floor viewing deck with 360-degree views over the region will sit on the highest level. Just think, after hitting up a bunch of cellar doors, sipping local vinos and eating lots of cheese, you can come back and have a dip in the pool, peer out over the vines from a great height, then sit down for more wine and a white-tablecloth dinner. If you're looking for indulgence, this is it. Designed by Adelaide-based firm Intro Architecture, the towering 12-storey design was inspired by wine barrels and is set to bring a modern edge to Seppeltstfield, which is one of Australia's oldest wineries and was lauded as one of the top 50 vineyards in the world in 2019. The new hotel also looks a lot like La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, also one of the world's most prestigious wine destinations. Construction on the Oscar is expected to start this year. And yes, it's destined to become a tourist attraction. It's anticipated that the hotel will bring in an extra $90 million in tourism dollars, and also drive an increase in both Aussie and international visitors, within the first five years of opening alone. "The Oscar Seppeltsfield will complete the grand vision of our tourism master plan — to be the most desirable epicurean destination for tourists worldwide. A national icon for South Australia, a Sydney Opera House for the Barossa," said Seppeltsfield proprietor and Executive Chairman Warren Randall. Oscar Seppeltsfield is slated to open at Seppeltsfield Winery's Great Terraced Vineyard, Barossa Valley, South Australia, in 2024. For more information, head to the winery's website.
Master of surreal everything (movies, TV shows, music, coffee), David Lynch has released a new track titled 'Crazy Clown Time' through his Facebook page. The experimental track is as weird as you would expect (see Twin Peaks soundtrack and Lynch's 'Good Day Today') and is part of Lynch's debut album of the same name, due to be released in November. It sounds like anything he'd include in his cooky cinematic or television work - a touch of weird appearing in the non-descript auto-tune vocals provided by Lynch himself. Of the album the song is on, Lynch thinks it's full of accidents and "should be in hospital." Is there anything the man can't do? https://youtube.com/watch?v=2GXGc4EobS8 [via Stereogum]
Every year, Australia's finest horse riders converge on stunning Werribee Park for three days. And you're invited to watch them in action. The competition will start on Friday, June 6 with dressage, which carries into Saturday. The following day, the riders will let loose on a cross-country course around the property's beautiful grounds. Then, come Monday, it's show-jumping time. Whoever performs best across all three events will be announced champion and take home some serious prize money. In between watching, head to the Trade Village to wander among horsey-related stallholders. You'll come across apparel (for animals and people) by Valley Horsewear, saddles by Bates, equestrian gear by Castlefin and loads more. Plus, on Sunday evening, catch the indoor speed jumping competition, set to music. Entry on Friday is free; tickets range from $12.50–$110 Saturday–Monday. You can book ahead online.
Perhaps this is the legacy of being brought up an only child, but half the time I'm walking down the street I'm involved in elaborate daydreams soundtracked by my iPod. This is why audio guides have always held a certain attraction for me, because they have the potential to give you the daydream pre-packaged. Now the French Institute Alliance Française's annual New York-based festival piece Crossing the Line has taken the idea to a completely different level, transforming your run of the mill walking tour into an intrepid adventure merging fact and fiction, with the help of conceptual sound collective, Soundwalk. Crossing the Line leads listeners on an hour and a half's merry journey down New York's Museum Mile. Five writers devised narratives for the new and improved audio guides, inspired by landmarks, objects or the neighbourhood around 5th Avenue, combining authentic and imaginary stories which all aim to answer the question "what do we rely on to determine the truth from fiction?" The tour begins at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, winds its way through the Neue Gallerie and the Guggenheim, and finishes up in Central Park. The narratives are combined with experimental sounds to frame the stories, making the distinction between fiction and reality even more blurry. Available in both French and English, the audio guides can be downloaded individually or as a set from the Soundwalk website. The festival runs through until October 16, but for those of us who have neither the time nor the cash to go for a casual meander through the streets of Manhattan, you can download the audio guides or listen online at the Soundwalk website for a vicarious walking tour aided by the magic of Google Maps. [Via Cool Hunting]
What do Picnic at Hanging Rock, Romper Stomper, Wake in Fright, Puberty Blues, The Devil's Playground and Mystery Road all have in common? As well as being exceptional Australian movies, they've all made the jump to the small screen, too. Television shows based on all of these great flicks have reached TVs over the past decade, in fact — and now a series inspired by 1999 classic Two Hands looks set to join them. Screen Australia, the country's screen development, production and promotion support agency, has just announced that it's providing funding for the new TV version of Two Hands. At the moment, the series has the same working title as the Heath Ledger- and Rose Byrne-starring hit flick, and also boasts the same creative driving force, with writer/director Gregor Jordan (Dirt Music) working on developing his stellar crime film into a television show. Like the movie, the series will be an action-charged comic revenge thriller. Obviously, it can't star Ledger, who catapulted to fame thanks to his iconic role. Whether any other original cast members might pop up, if the show will link in with the feature or be set in the same world, or if it'll act as a small-screen remake — these are all questions that it's too early to answer. The same goes for whether Powderfinger's 'These Days' will feature on the soundtrack, and then get stuck in everyone's heads for years again afterwards. Jordan is developing the series with help from writers Melissa Bubnic (Shameless), Gretel Vella (The Great), Sarah Bassiuoni (The Heights), Greg Haddrick (Pine Gap) and Meyne Wyatt (play City of Gold), as well as producers Justin Davies (Psychoville) and Marian Macgowan (The Great), plus executive producers Tim White (The Luminaries) and Chris Oliver-Taylor (Glitch). Need a refresher on the original movie? Haven't seen it yet, somehow? As well as starring a fresh-faced Ledger and Byrne, it's one the best Australian films of the 90s, and one of the best Aussie movies in general, too. It follows Jimmy (the one and only Ledger), an ex-street kid and strip-club bouncer who is charged with delivering some cash for his boss (Bryan Brown, Hungry Ghosts). That doesn't turn out as planned, so soon he's on the run — alongside Alex (Byrne, worlds away from her recent role in Physical), the girl of his dreams. If you're suddenly and understandably now keen to watch Two Hands, the movie, it's currently streaming via Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Binge, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Check out the trailer for the film below: The Two Hands TV series has just received development funding from Screen Australia, so it doesn't yet have an airdate — but we'll update you with further details as they come to hand.
To say that Secret Garden Festival is improving with age is a deadset understatement. Next month marks the flamboyant forest party's tenth turn around the sun and it's celebrating with a music program and lineup of fun as good as any it's dished up before. Taking over its usual lush green home of NSW's Brownlow Hill Farm on February 23 and 24, the grassroots festival promises a weekend of dress-ups, dance floor antics and forest adventures to remember. Those lucky enough to snaffle one of this year's tickets (which are sold out, sorry) will find themselves in utter aural heaven, the bill sprinkled with exciting acts like Queensland dance-punk duo DZ Deathrays, powerhouse Melbourne artist Ecca Vandal, acclaimed indie rockers Holy Holy and soul-pop four-piece The Harpoons. Even more music goodness will be served up by hard-hitting hip hop artist Miss Blanks, Sydney singer-songwriter Alex The Astronaut, and Triple J's Unearthed Artist of The Year, Stella Donnelly. Of course, the live tunes and the 14 dance floors are just one part of this jam-packed weekend. Also helping Secret Garden ring in its first decade will be the Annual Feast, hosted by The Great Fatsby, appearances aplenty from the Camp Queen drag queens, the debut of the Shout Something Nice Bar, a kissing booth and a seated theatre flowing with a whole lotta Champagne. Last year a couple got married among the madness, so who knows what will happen this time round. As always, a festival-wide fancy dress theme will help kick everything off in style on opening night. This year, in homage to Secret Garden's tenth birthday, it's a throwback to your year ten formal — don your wildest old-school party duds and relive those teenage wonder years, with a little help from 11-piece Blink 182 cover band, Bris 182.
When international art collective teamLab launched Borderless, its Tokyo-based permanent digital-only art museum, the dazzling space became the most-visited single-artist site in the world in just its first year of operation. Wherever the outfit pops up — be it in Shanghai oil tanks, Japanese hot springs or Melbourne — its installations are always hugely popular. So it's no wonder that the group is expanding its footprint by opening more permanent locations. Late in 2019, teamLab launched a new venue in Shanghai, which is also called Borderless. Come this March, it's also opening a museum called SuperNature in Macao. Located at The Venetian Macao, the latter site will sprawl over 5000 square metres, filling the space with the kind of immersive, interactive installations that have gathered the collective of artists, programmers, engineers, animators, mathematicians and architects such a devoted following. [caption id="attachment_758086" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] teamLab. Expanding Three-Dimensional Existence in Transforming Space - Flattening 3 Colors and 9 Blurred Colors, Free Floating, 2018, Interactive Installation, Endless, Sound: Hideaki Takahashi © teamLab[/caption] In good news for anyone who has visited a teamLab venue or installation previously, SuperNature will also include a selection of brand new works — although, even if you're a seasoned teamLab visitor, these are the types of pieces that you can visit over and over and never get bored. Much will look familiar, playing with concepts and designs that the collective is clearly drawn to, such as floating balls, projected flowers and animals, and other kaleidoscopic imagery Chief among the highlights is The Infinite Crystal Universe, which uses light points, pointillism-style, to create three-dimensional objects. While you're interacting with the piece, you can use your phone to select the elements that make up the universe. The artwork will also response to the presence of people, as most of teamLab's installations do. [caption id="attachment_758090" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] teamLab. The Clouds that Self-Organize, 2019, experimental photo of the new artwork © teamLab[/caption] Then there's Massless Clouds Between Sculpture and Life, which plays out just as its title suggests. In this installation, giant clouds will float between the floor and the ceiling — and even when you walk through them, breaking them up, they'll form back into shape. Also on the bill: Mountain of Flowers and People: Lost, Immersed and Reborn, which'll let digital flowers bloom and change with the seasons, and Expanding Three-Dimensional Existence in Transforming Space — Flattening 3 Colors and 9 Blurred Colors, Free Floating, where bouncing spheres float above visitors, changing colour when they're touched. Like Borderless, SuperNature will also feature an Athletics Park, where you'll really get physical traversing graffiti-covered valleys, climbing a ropes course, scaling a light forest, jumping or playing hopscotch, as well as an educational, kid-focused Future Park. Located in the resort hotel's Cotai Expo Hall F, and set up like a labyrinth — making you wander around and around to find all of its nooks and crannies — SuperNature will welcome visitors through the doors from January 21 for previews ahead of its official opening date. Find teamLab SuperNature at Cotai Expo Hall F, The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, s/n, Taipa, Macao SAR, P.R. China from a yet-to-be-revealed date in March. It'll be open from 10am–10pm daily. Images: teamLab. teamLab is represented by Pace Gallery.
If your winter routine usually involves not only a trip to Tasmania, but a stint at music and arts festival Dark Mofo, then you probably have June permanently blocked out in your diary. With 2022 ticking by, that wintry time is fast approaching — and the Museum of Old and New Art, the venue behind Dark Mofo, has started revealing what's in store at this year's fest. First up, it has also announced the festival's dates — even though it already did just that back in late 2021. In great news for folks planning a jaunt south, Dark Mofo 2022 will run for a week longer than originally planned, kicking off on Wednesday, June 8 instead of Wednesday, June 15. It'll still finish up on Wednesday, June 22, but that'll now give you two weeks to soak in the fest's program. The full bill won't be revealed until April; however, a few headliner highlights have been unveiled now — in what festival organisers are calling a 'resurrection'. That label comes after Dark Mofo scrapped its 2020 festivities due to the pandemic, then returned in 2021 amid controversy over an artwork that was announced and then ditched. [caption id="attachment_846522" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 3.2, 404.zero, Dark Downtown, Dark Mofo 2021. Dark Mofo/Remi Chauvin, 2021. Image Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] On the lineup for 2022 so far, starting with week one: the return of The Blue Rose Ball and its costumed debauchery; an art program that'll feature both video and new media artist Bill Viola and multi-channel video artist Doug Aitken; and a Mona Up Late event to launch exhibitions by Jeremy Shaw, Fiona Hall and AJ King, and Robert Andrew. In week two, Berlin-based composer and producer Nils Frahm will play Music For Hobart, after hitting Sydney's Vivid festival with Music For Sydney — and Spiritualized will also play both fests. Exclusive to Dark Mofo, Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon will bust out songs from her 2019 solo release No Home Record, Deafheaven will take to the stage and classically-trained multi-instrumentalist Lingua Ignota will also join the bill. A few signature Dark Mofo events are on the lineup as always, too — including the Nude Solstice Swim, because it wouldn't be Dark Mofo without it. The City of Hobart Winter Feast will take place on the waterfront and Night Mass: Transcendence will make a splash in the In The Hanging Garden precinct, while the Reclamation Walk is also back. [caption id="attachment_846523" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Winter Feast, Dark Mofo 2021. Dark Mofo/Jesse Hunniford, 2021. Image Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] As for what else is on the cards, Dark Mofo is always full of surprises, serving up a fantastical combination of musical performances, performance art and large-scale installations — so watch this space. In 2021, the program included a vibrating chamber filled with light, guided night walks through Hobart led by teenagers, 49 search lights beaming up into the sky and multiple performances by Sonic Youth founder Thurston Moore. And back in 2019, the fest featured the likes of artists Ai Weiwei and Mike Parr, American musician Sharon Van Etten and one of the world's largest glockenspiels. Dark Mofo will run from Wednesday, June 8–Wednesday, June 22 in Hobart, Tasmania. The full 2022 program will be announced in April — head to the festival website for further details in the interim. Top images: Home State Reclamation Walk, Dark Downtown, Dark Mofo 2021. Dark Mofo/Remi Chauvin, 2021. Image Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia / THE BURNING - OGOH-OGOH, Dark Mofo 2019. Photo Credit: Dark Mofo/Rémi Chauvin, 2019. Image Courtesy Dark Mofo, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Since Australia started easing out of COVID-19 lockdown, the country's internal border restrictions have earned plenty of attention. With tactics to stop the spread of the coronavirus implemented at a state-by-state level — and case numbers in each state varying — different parts of the country have navigated the situation in different ways when it comes to letting non-residents visit. In Western Australia, that has meant a hard border and strict quarantine requirements. For folks who don't normally reside in WA, you could only visit the state if you're classified as an exempt traveller, applied for a G2G Pass and, if approved, then went into self-isolation for 14 days. If you didn't have somewhere appropriate to do the latter, you had to go into a mandatory state quarantine facility for 14 days, too. As initially announced at the end of October — and confirmed by WA Premier Mark McGowan yesterday, Friday, November 13, just before changes came into effect at 12.01am on Saturday, November 14 — the state has started to relax its border restrictions. Moving to a system it has dubbed a 'controlled interstate border', it's now allowing travellers from very low-risk states and territories to enter under eased conditions — people from places that haven't had any community transmission of COVID-19 for 28 days, who can now head to WA without isolating. https://twitter.com/MarkMcGowanMP/status/1327112476857548800 At present, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory fall into that category. So, residents from those states and territories can now venture west. You do still have to complete a G2G Pass declaration, and you'll undergo a temperature test and health screening upon arrival — and you're advised to be prepared to take a COVID-19 test if necessary as well. If you live in New South Wales or Victoria, you're in a state that WA deems low risk. Stats-wise, that means there have been less than five community cases per day on a 14-day rolling average. For travellers, it means still self-quarantining for 14 days, and taking a COVID-19 test on the 11th day. And, this is likely to remain the case until those states have had 28 days without community cases, which is what WA requires to be considered very low-risk. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Western Australia, and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub. Top image: Tourism WA
The 23rd annual Queenscliff Music Festival is swiftly approaching — and, boy, is there a lot to celebrate. As always, the lineup offers an great mix of talent, with Missy Higgins, The Cat Empire, Newton Faulkner, Fools, The Delta Riggs and Clare Anne Taylor all on the bill. In total, 60 acts and events are slated across the three days from Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24. Tickets always move quick for this annual fest, whether you're keen on a pass for the whole weekend or just heading along for one day. This festival is a prime music event for those who like to kick back and soak up the friendly atmosphere of a well-organised festival, just before the madness of summer hits. If this sounds like something you can get down with, hit up QMF.
Slipping, sliding and splashing are familiar parts of every Australian summer, thanks to the nation's water parks. But Queensland's Wet 'n' Wild, Sydney's Raging Waters, Melbourne's Funfields, Adelaide's Semaphore Waterslide Complex and Perth Aqua Park — and all the other H20-filled, slide-heavy attractions around the country, too — could all soon have some hefty competition from the southern hemisphere's biggest indoor-outdoor facility of the same kind. Called SurfnPlay Aqua Park, it's due to open in Melbourne by 2024 as part of a four-hectare development in Dingley Village. Almost half of the park will be dedicated to indoor pools and recreation — 1.82 hectares, in fact — while another 1.3 hectares slides and pools will sit outdoors. Outside, there'll also be a beach pool that'll be able to generate 1.8-metre waves (so you'll really feel like you're swimming and surfing at the real thing). Also part of the current plans: an indoor wave room, water-jet powered slides that'll let you slip your way up an incline rather than just down, and a 250-metre stretch that's been dubbed a 'lazy river'. Basically, whether you like hitting a board, hurtling through water-filled tubes or just floating around, it'll be on offer at the facility, which is being developed by Pellicano. SurfnPlay Aqua Park has actually been in the works for the past couple of years — with initial plans submitted to the City of Kingston back in March 2019 — however it's now seeking final approval. Construction is expected to start within 12 months of the latter. If it comes to fruition, it'll become Melbourne's latest manmade site to catch a few waves — with not only the aforementioned Funfields featuring a heated wave pool, but surf park Urbnsurf pumping out waves since January 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BlEQt3PckY For more information about SurfnPlay Aqua Park — which is due to open in Dingley Village, Melbourne, by 2024 if it is approved — head to its Facebook page. Via Pellicano / The Herald Sun. Images: SurfnPlay Aqua Park
See a collection of photographs by Melbourne-based shutterbug Michael Thomas, in the latest exhibition at Tinning Street in Brunswick. Presented in partnership with local independent photo lab Hillvale, Night Works marks Thomas' first solo exhibition, tying in with the second instalment of Hillvale's print endeavour, We Saw It Before You. Running for two and half weeks at the Tinning Street gallery and arts space, Night Works will consist of a selection of photographs taken by Thomas over the past four years, presented via a series of large-scale lightboxes. The opening of the exhibition, on the evening of Thursday January 14, will also serve as the launch of his first publication. It's the second edition of Hillvale's photographic series, and the first dedicated to the work of a single artist.
Before you install that hot tub in your backyard, allow HotTug to welcome you to the future. A wood stove in the front of the boat heats the 2000 litres of water to a toasty temperature. You can rent the HutTug in two different versions, one with integrated electric motor of 2.4 KW and another with outboard engine. The office is located in The Netherlands, but don't panic: international rentals and sales (starting at around 9,000 Euros) are possible. HotTug is available in the standard black but is available in blue and red, too. All you have to do is find some friends, pick a colour and before you know it you'll be hanging out in water submerged in more water.
Art serves many purposes, one of which is to escape reality. Fifty of Melbourne's most imaginative artists with disability are joining forces in an exhibition that celebrates the upcoming International Day of People with Disability (on Tuesday, December 3). Each artist's goal is to create work that re-conceives reality — to envision a world that's fairer, kinder and, most importantly, within everyone's reach. Axiom: A Reimagined Reality will take over the SpACE@Collins for four days, from Tuesday, December 3 to Friday, December 6. Drop in anytime during the week to see drawings, paintings, photography and sculpture that will challenge you to see everyday life from a whole new perspective. The exhibition is a collaboration between the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Arts Access Victoria and Footscray Community Arts Centre. The venue and event space is accessible by wheelchair, and there's a sensory space available, as well as free Auslan tours, which you can register for here, and an audio described tour, which you can sign up for here. The Axiom: A Reimagined Reality exhibition will be open from 10am–4pm on Tuesday, December 3 to Thursday, December 5 and from 9am–12pm on Friday, December 6. Images (in order): Spatial Movements from our Auslan Sign Language, Chelle Destefano, paper and plaster, 2019; In the Present 1, Simon Paton, photographic print, 2019; and Frustum, Matthew Simpson, oil on canvas, 2019.
As fans across the globe gear up for the Arctic Monkeys' sixth album to drop later this week, the acclaimed English rockers have pushed the excitement levels even further, announcing a series of international pop-ups and film screenings to coincide with the launch. And even Australia's getting a look-in, with the local edition of the store — named after the forthcoming album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino — is popping up at Sydney's Golden Age Cinema and Bar, this Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12. According to the Arctic Monkeys' website, the TBHC pop-ups will offer a range of "unique and limited album and merchandise items", alongside screenings of the band's favourite 70s flicks. Titles include Le Cercle Rouge, Inherent Vice, The Last Waltz and Michelangelo Antonioni's L'Eclisse. The event's running at the Surry Hills theatre from 11am until 8.30pm each day, though as you can imagine, tickets to the screenings are already selling fast. Only a handful of other lucky cities will also host these Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino pop-ups: Berlin, Tokyo, Paris, New York and the band's own hometown of Sheffield. The Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino will pop up at Sydney's Golden Age Cinema and Bar, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills. Tickets to the Sydney screenings are on sale here.
"Writing, at its best, is a lonely life," mused Ernest Hemingway. A Nobel Prize winner who hobnobbed with Picasso, Gertrude Stein, James Joyce and Ezra Pound, the prodigal author and journalist had obviously never heard of the Emerging Writers' Festival. If Hemingway were around today, perhaps he would step away from his tattered manuscripts long enough to stop being so downright ungrateful and partake in 10 days of exciting workshops, conferences, performances, panels and collaborative events, designed to remind writers that they're all in this together…alone. The bookworm's answer to Woodstock turns 10 this year and to celebrate is hosting a real fiesta from May 23 to June 10, starting with the word party to end them all. From then it's a programme full of unexpected twists, outlandish characters and choose-your-own-adventure chapters — a real page-turner. Festival director Sam Twyford-Moore has enlisted the aid of five festival ambassadors — poet Khairani 'Okka' Barokka, literary critic Melinda Harvey, travel writer Walter Mason, fiction writer Jennifer Mills and screenwriter John Safran — to host a series of panels and Q&A's in which they will bestow their pearls of bookish wisdom on the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed next generation of upstarts. Reasons to step away from the comfortable glow of the laptop screen include the travelling independent pop-up market Page Parlour, Thousand Pound Bend's Festival Hub (go for black coffee, best accessorised with tattered paperback in hand), a book club with intimidatingly qualified members and workshops on everything from how learning to twerk might cure your writer's block to the relevance of poetry beyond Shakespeare's sonnets. See it all with the festival's equivalent to Charlie's golden ticket, see a lot at the weekend-long Writers' Conference or see a little by choosing your own individually ticketed (and free) standalone events. To quote another of the 21st century's great poets, no man is an island, not even a modern-day Hemingway.
Don't let anyone ever tell you that art and sport don't mix. Awards season, when the past year's films and TV shows battle it out for shiny trophies? That's as competitive as it gets. Guessing who'll become the next Bond? Given how seriously people take it, that fits, too. And, so does speculating every few years about who'll take over that other beloved, long-running British franchise: Doctor Who. The latest round of wondering who'll be stepping into the TARDIS has just come to an end, though — and there is indeed a fantastic winner. After proving such a hit in Netflix's Sex Education, Rwanda-born Scottish actor Ncuti Gatwa has been named as the 14th time lord. And, for the second time in a row, Doctor Who is making history. When the police box-loving, time-travelling, Dalek-fighting character next regenerates into a new incarnation — which is how the series writes in its casting swaps — Gatwa will become Doctor Who's first Black lead. He takes over from Jodie Whittaker, whose run comes to an end this year, after becoming the first-ever female lead back in 2017. The future is here! Ncuti Gatwa is the Doctor. ❤️❤️➕🟦 #DoctorWho Read more here ➡️ https://t.co/KoxPmoNAdL pic.twitter.com/peKsH6gCjI — Doctor Who (@bbcdoctorwho) May 8, 2022 As well as following on from Whittaker, Gatwa joins a long list of other British actors who've stepped into the part — 12 prior to Whittaker, obviously — including OG Doctor William Hartnell back in 1963; 70s favourite Tom Baker; and Christoper Eccelston (The Leftovers), David Tenant (Mary Queen of Scots), Matt Smith (Morbius) and Peter Capaldi (The Suicide Squad) since the show made a big comeback in 2005. And yes, the fact that it took 54 years for the character to become a woman and six decades for a Black actor to play the part is clearly far too long. Announcing the news in a BBC statement, Gatwa said "there aren't quite the words to describe how I'm feeling. A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared. This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavour my utmost to do the same." "Russell T Davies is almost as iconic as the Doctor himself and being able to work with him is a dream come true," Gatwa continued. "His writing is dynamic, exciting, incredibly intelligent and fizzing with danger. An actor's metaphorical playground. The entire team has been so welcoming and truly give their hearts to the show. And so as much as it's daunting, I'm aware I'm joining a really supportive family. Unlike the Doctor, I may only have one heart but I am giving it all to this show." Davies himself, Doctor Who's showrunner, was just as excited. "The future is here and it's Ncuti! Sometimes talent walks through the door and it's so bright and bold and brilliant, I just stand back in awe and thank my lucky stars. Ncuti dazzled us, seized hold of the Doctor and owned those TARDIS keys in seconds." Gatwa's stint as Doctor Who is slated to start in 2o23 — but exactly when it'll drop hasn't yet been revealed. In the interim, you have two ways to celebrate: watch old Doctor Who episodes, naturally, and re-binge your way through Sex Education again. Ncuti Gatwa will start playing Doctor Who in 2o23 — we'll update you with a release date when one is announced. Images: Sex Education, Sam Taylor/Netflix.
If we had to come up with a shortlist of sentences that we don't think we'll ever get tired of writing, "Melbourne is getting a brand new burger joint" would definitely be close to the top. Which is lucky, because frankly, it's something we have to write a lot. Case in point: restaurateur Dani Zeini is firing up the grill at Royal Stacks Brunswick, his second American-style fast food eatery to open this year. With a resume that includes Dandenong Pavilion, Grand Trailer Park Taverna, Easey's and Truck Stop Deluxe, it's safe to say that when it comes to hamburgers, Zeini is no slouch. The first Royal Stacks opened in the CBD in January, and this offshoot will use high quality Australian ingredients, including beef free from GMO, hormones and antibiotics. And, in a point of difference to the CBD restaurant, Brunswick will have halal options on the menu. "We're very excited to launch a Royal Stacks in Brunswick that offers a options for those who want to eat halal," says Zeini. "Catering for the local community has always been a big part of all the venues I've been involved in." The wildly popular burgers that have been going gangbusters at the CBD venue will naturally be at Brunswick too, including the Double Stack, the Prince Harry and The King (that's the one with the mac 'n' cheese croquettes). Burgers and fries aside, there's also the insane honest-to-God frozen custard machine. New flavours like rosewater and pistachio, baklava and kunafeh (a sugar-soaked cheese pastry) will also make an appearance at the new store.
While the 'Vote No' skywriting above Sydney over the weekend stirred up plenty more discord in the same-sex marriage debate, it also spurred a flurry of positive action from marriage equality supporters, with five different people taking to GoFundMe to rally support for their own sky-high counter messages. Fast-forward a few days and these five staunch strangers have met and joined forces to work together on some equally unsubtle campaigning for the Yes camp. With news that the Sydney Skywriting Company — the only one of its kind in the city — is owned by active members of the Australian Christian Lobby, a piece of 'Vote Yes' skywriting was pretty unlikely. But the team scored a win when it hooked up with outdoor experimental media company Remarkable Media, who are all for supporting marriage equality. The result of this collaboration, and a very busy week of fundraising, will be pretty hard to miss. On Sunday, October 1, an enormous, 1000-square-metre rainbow flag will be towed by a helicopter across Sydney's skies. Almost $20,000 has been raised for the project, and any leftover funds will be heading to local LGBTIQ+ charities. You can donate here, and expect to see the Team Yes rainbow flag flying over Bondi at roughly 1pm this Sunday. Image: Letícia Almeida.
Melbourne's CBD is packed full of burger joints. It's pretty much the epitome of good fast-food dining in Australia. But Royal Stacks' new two-storey flagship store has got to be one of the biggest burger spots in Melbourne. Set to open on Monday, March 11, the 280-square-foot space set within a heritage-listed building on Bourke Street (towards the Spencer Street side of town) will be home to some Royal Stacks signature burgers as well as plenty of new and exclusive creations. Being the flagship store, the crew kind of has to do something a little different here. The huge space has been designed to fit the brand's signature contemporary design and aesthetic, with plenty of exposed brickwork, graffiti and neon lights spread out among both floors. But at the end of the day, you're not going for the interior design. You're here to grab some burgers to take away or eat in, potentially nabbing a comfy spot in one of the booths. Expect crispy chicken and beef burgers, onion rings, potato gems, mac and cheese croquettes, shakes, sodas, beers and cocktails. Basically all the delicious sometimes-foods. To hoax customers in during the first month of opening, Royal Stacks also promises to run some special offers — we have our fingers crossed for free burgers — but it's yet to announce exact details. Be sure to check its socials for the most up-to-date information. The new Royal Stacks CBD site is set to open on Monday, March 11, at 670 Bourke Street. For more details, head to the venue's website.
For most Australians, the past few days have been unprecedented: not since 1952 has the country experienced the death of its official head of state. Whether your main relationship to Queen Elizabeth II is watching The Crown or seeing her face on Aussie coins and $5 notes — and whether you follow the royal family's move through the media or not at all — the monarch's passing has unsurprisingly monopolised the news. It's also now the reason for a new one-off public holiday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced today, Sunday, September 11, that Aussies will get a day off to commemorate the Queen. Mark Thursday, September 22, 2022 in your diary — that's being designated as the country's National Day of Mourning. On September 22 there will be a public holiday for the National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty The Queen. — Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) September 10, 2022 "It will be a one-off national public holiday. That's to allow people to pay their respects for the passing of Queen Elizabeth," the Prime Minister said on the ABC's Insiders. "I spoke to all premiers and chief ministers yesterday and I'm writing to them formally this morning, they will have received their letters by now. They have all agreed that it's appropriate that it be a one-off national public holiday," Albanese continued. The Prime Minister has announced Thursday 22 September will be a public holiday for the National Day of Mourning for Queen Elizabeth II. — Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) September 11, 2022 The public holiday will come three days after the Queen's funeral, which will take place on Monday, September 19 Australian time. And, the new day off means that Victorians will get a four-day long weekend, given that Friday, September 23 is already a public holiday for the AFL grand final. Aussies in other states who do the Monday–Friday grind will still have to work on the Friday, however, unless you take annual leave. Thursday, September 22, 2022 is now a public holiday in Australia, for a National Day of Mourning for the Queen. Top image: Elizabeth: A Portrait in Part(s).
It's time to put Dunkeld's Royal Mail Hotel back on your weekend getaway radar, as it has a new fine dining offering: Wickens at Royal Mail Hotel. Taking over a standalone space on the property, the remote restaurant is accessible by a bush trail the winds down from the hotel. It's been designed by Melbourne-based Byrne Architects to highlight its connection to its natural surroundings, with floor-to-ceiling windows capturing striking views of Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrupt. Inside it's a luxe fusion of sheepskin leather, sandstone and Australian hardwood. This respect for the land is mirrored in Executive Chef Robin Wickens' hyper-local menu, which'll change up regularly, dictated by the daily haul from the on-site olive groves, orchard and 1.2-hectare organic kitchen garden. The garden-fresh goodies inspire textural plate additions like soils, foams, purées and vegetable infusions. Diners can enjoy the spoils via an ever-changing chef's tasting menu ($220), with a special chef's table in the kitchen available to groups of up to four. Unsurprising, given the Royal Mail's award-winning 25,000-bottle cellar, the booze side of things sure isn't lacking, with three expertly curated wine matches on offer as well. Get a taste of the largest privately-owned collection of Bordeaux and Burgundy in the southern hemisphere with the French match ($200), celebrate locality with the all-Australian wine match, or mix things up with the cellar wine match ($130). The restaurant is a replacement of sorts for the two-hatted Royal Mail Hotel dining room, which closed in early 2017. The hotel's casual diner Parker Street Project — which is a good spot for lunch if you're staying the night — has now taken over the space, which is connected to the hotel.
Movies don't have pores, but How to Have Sex might as well. Following a trip to Greece with three 16-year-old best friends who want nothing more than to party their way into womanhood — and to get laid, too — this unforgettable British drama is frequently slick with sweat. Perspiration can dampen someone when they're giddily excited about a wild getaway, finishing school and leaving adolescence behind. It can get a person glistening when they're rushing and drinking, and flitting from pools and beaches to balconies and clubs. Being flushed from being sozzled, the stickiness that comes with expending energy, the cold chill of stress and horror, the fluster of a fluttering heart upon making a connection: they're all sources of wet skin as well. Filmmaker Molly Manning Walker catalogues them all. Viewers can see the sweat in How to Have Sex, with its intimate, spirited, like-you're-there cinematography. More importantly, audiences can feel why protagonist Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce, Vampire Academy) is perspiring, and the differences scene to scene, even when she's not quite sure herself. How to Have Sex also gets those watching sweating — because spying how you've been Tara, or her pals Em (debutant Enva Lewis) and Skye (Lara Peake, Halo), or lads Badger (Shaun Thomas, Ali & Ava) and Paddy (Samuel Bottomley, The Last Rifleman) in the neighbouring resort unit, is inescapable. Walker has been there herself, with parts of her debut feature as a writer and director drawn from her own time as a Tara, Em or Skye while also making the spring break and Schoolies-like pilgrimage from England to the Mediterranean. When the movie doesn't lift details directly from her own experience, it shares them with comparable moments that are virtually ripped from western teendom. One of the feature's strokes of genius is how lived-in it proves, whether Tara and her mates are as loud and exuberant as girls are when their whole lives are ahead of them, its main character is attempting to skip her troubles in a sea of strobing lights and dancing bodies, or slipping between the sheets — but not talking about it — is changing who Tara is forever. If a film called How to Have Sex had arrived in cinemas in the 80s, 90s or 00s, viewers would've known exactly what was in store from its title. Indeed, more than a few teen comedies of the era, American Pie especially, could've adopted the non-Google-friendly moniker. But Walker's picture isn't those flicks, despite starting with Tara and company almost dizzy with euphoria about wrapping up their exams, farewelling secondary schooling and dashing eagerly into their vision of adulthood. Rather, How to Have Sex is a portrait of the details that don't typically get seen and definitely aren't stressed when garnering laughs about coursing hormones is the aim of the game. As it unpacks consent and coercion in a real and raw way, Walker's feature is steeped in the confusion, the hurt, the quiet "yeah" that isn't a hearty yes, the peer pressure and rivalries, and the fact that sex is almost everywhere — in one based-on-reality sequence, oral sex is a basically a contest in front of a vast crowd — but any genuine and considered "how to" is far from everyone's thoughts. In its first half, there's a woozy buzz to How to Have Sex that matches the slinky outfits, glittery faces, neon lights and constant chase for the best holiday ever. Tara, Em and Skye are in Malia, Crete, but there's no time for sightseeing when there's shots after shots to down, dance floors to cut loose on, splashes to be had, and Badger and his crew to pursue. "Oi, smokeshow" is how the bleached-blonde fellow Brit first greets Tara from across their balconies. There's a goofiness to him that pairs well with her bubbliness; her "angel necklace" and his "hot legends" neck tattoo also appear to match. But Skye doesn't approve, in the way that besties who don't always want what's best for their friends can nix someone's crush because they're thinking about themselves. After dubbing Badger a clown, she suggests with forcefulness that Tara set her sights on the supremely confident Paddy instead. If you're not aware going into the movie that Walker is also a cinematographer, it's evident in every frame of a film that she doesn't actually shoot herself. Nicolas Canniccioni (A Respectable Woman) takes on that gig, but How to Have Sex is made with a meticulous sense of colour and light, as Walker's lensing on the also-visually expressive Scrapper similarly possessed. While the in-the-moment flavour to the imagery thrusting Tara's plight to the screen doesn't subside, the hues and the gleam reflect the delicate tonal rollercoaster her story takes. In its second half, then, all that shines, fluoresces and fizzes isn't shimmering with exhilaration. After Paddy takes her to the beach alone, and Tara drunkenly loses the virginity her mates have been just as adamant that she can't go home with, nothing looks or feels the same. How Tara regards herself, not clocking the myriad of reasons why her situation has been so many other teen girls' situation and the societal underpinnings behind that truth, also shifts shatteringly. The before, the after, the seesaw from hedonistic bliss to gutwrenching discomfort, the sensitive lack of judgement shown to both How to Have Sex's women and men, the utter unwillingness for the feature to never stop being frank: with them all, Walker beams as brightly as a glowstick that she's an exceptionally talented, perceptive and compassionate filmmaker. At the centre of the booze and the horniness, so does McKenna-Bruce; that they've both been collecting accolades and awards attention, including Cannes' Un Certain Regard Award and BAFTA nominations for Walker, plus the British Independent Film Awards' Best Lead Performance and BAFTA Rising Star prize for her main actor, is deeply deserved. Calling this a launching pad for McKenna-Bruce isn't accurate, though, because her How to Have Sex performance should always be mentioned whenever her name comes up from now on out. Brassy, energetic, vulnerable, insecure, disoriented, regretful, dread-filled, let down by a fantasy of growing up that's never real, still picking herself back up: her stunning portrayal has it all, and she shouldn't ever want to soar away from it. It isn't just teen-comedy antics that How to Have Sex eschews; this story would never be easy to tell or witness, and nor should it, but Walker clearly doesn't pour it into the standard dramatic template. As much as it brings them both to mind at times, her film isn't Aftersun-meets-Spring Breakers, either — two excellent pictures themselves — but it's as honest and potent, and also as intensely immersive. Charlotte Wells' tender father-daughter trip played like a haunting memory and desperate attempt to hold onto someone lost. Harmony Korine's bacchanalian crime-comedy jaunt to Florida was rendered with a dreamlike air. How to Have Sex stares unblinkingly, knowing how many women have stood in Tara's shoes, how many men in Paddy's, and how a definitive resolution where everything falls where it should is a rarity. Sweat is far from the only aspect, then, that's messily real.
When anyone hits 30, they tend to look backwards — to reminisce, lament leaving their twenties behind and avoid accepting that they've just hit a big milestone birthday. Ministry of Sound marked that occasion this year, and it's also getting nostalgic. The brand that started as a London club night back in 1991 is now set to tour an orchestral show around Australia, in fact, which will be filled with three decades of dance music bangers. If you've ever wanted to hear classical renditions of Basement Jaxx, Darude, Röyksopp, Robin, Underworld, Moby and more — played by an orchestra, and with live vocals — then this is your chance. Dubbed Ministry of Sound Classical, unsurprisingly, the 2022 tour will kick off in Melbourne, before heading to the Gold Coast and Darwin. Those shows all have dates and venues locked in, but more are set to be announced for the Hunter Valley, Sydney and Brisbane. Dance music fans in Perth and Adelaide will also get to listen to orchestral takes on club-filling tunes, but it'll be the second time around for both cities after shows in 2021. The vocalist and support lineup changes in each place, so Melburnians can look forward to hearing Zoë Badwi, Ben Woolner from SAFIA, 'Dreams' vocalist Reigan and Karina Chavez under a big top at Reunion Park — plus Touch Sensitive, Dirty South, Goodwill and John Course — while folks on the Gold Coast will get Miss Connie, Danny Harley from The Kite String Tangle and Reigan, as well as Sneaky Sound System, Touch Sensitive and John Course. As for what you'll be listening to, the list of tunes getting the orchestral treatment also includes songs by Robert Miles, Cafe del Mar, Laurent Garnier, Shapeshifter, Temper Trap and Fisher. And yes, it all sounds a lot like Synthony, which does the same thing — but who doesn't love getting multiple opportunities to hear dance-floor fillers given a classical spin? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ministry of Sound Aus Events (@ministryofsoundeventsau) MINISTRY OF SOUND CLASSICAL TOUR 2022: Saturday, April 9 — Reunion Park, Melbourne Saturday, April 30 — HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast Saturday, June 11 — Darwin Amphitheatre Dates TBC — the Hunter Valley, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide The Ministry of Sound Classical tour will kick off in Melbourne in April 2022, before heading to the Gold Coast, Darwin, the Hunter Valley, Sydney and Brisbane — and doing encore shows in Perth and Adelaide. For further details — and for pre-sale tickets to the Melbourne, Gold Coast and Darwin gigs until 12pm local time on Monday, December 6, or general sales from 12pm local time on Wednesday, December 8 — head to the tour website.
When you think 'patron of the arts' your local council probably doesn't spring to mind. Thanks to our Art/Work interview series, we're fully aware of the extra work our local artists put in to keep themselves in canvas and oils, and perhaps Blacktown Council could help. Now in its sixteenth year, the Blacktown City Art Prize has grown in popularity and reputation to become one of the most popular art competitions in Western Sydney. There's a grand total of $24,000 available in prize money and acquisition funds across several categories. Entries are invited for four official sections: painting, watercolour, works on paper and sculpture. There are also open prizes for Aboriginal artists, youth artists, environmental art, and local artists. Don't worry if you don't actually live in Western Sydney, that last category is the only one restricted to Blacktown city residents. Entry forms must be submitted by Tuesday August 23, and selected works will be displayed at Blacktown Arts Centre from 24 September – 22 October, admission free.
What does Brisbane have in common with music superstars Beyoncé, Björk, Lady Gaga and Rihanna, and also Oscar-winners Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton? An appreciation for fashion designer Iris van Herpen. The avant-garde Dutch talent has dressed them all, including creating the breathtaking Heliosphere dress that proved a showstopper on Beyoncé's Renaissance tour. The latter gigs haven't made it Down Under, but the Australian-exclusive Sculpting the Senses exhibition at the Queensland capital's Gallery of Modern Art will take you into the world of the haute couture figure who played a part in it. Fashion lovers have until Monday, October 7, 2024 to explore one of GOMA's big showcases for 2024, which continues to plunge the South Brisbane site into an enchanting and ethereal realm after Fairy Tales, its huge summer exhibition, did the same. Pieces by van Herpen can't be mistaken for designs by anyone else, sitting at the intersection of couture, art and design, while also exploring technological advancements such as 3D printing. In that field, she's widely considered the first to make a garment this way. [caption id="attachment_966401" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses' including Fractal Flows dress, from the 'Sensory Seas' collection 2020 by Iris van Herpen with collaborator Perry Hall; and Cosmica gown, from the 'Shift Souls' collection 2019 by Iris van Herpen with collaborator Kim Keever / © Iris van Herpen / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA.[/caption] From gowns to accessories, a massive 130 of van Herpen's pieces are now on display in the River City. Across nine chapters — some nodding to the dreamlike sheen that accompanies the designer's pieces, others focusing on skeletal structures, inspirations, and how the sea and the cosmos are an influence — Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses steps through the work of a creative who boasts stints alongside Alexander McQueen and Claudy Jongstra on her resume. It was almost two decades back, in 2007, that the Maison Iris van Herpen came to life in Amsterdam. Evoking her studio, complete with a cabinet of curiosities, is also part of GOMA's celebration. In this section of the exhibition, attendees will also see a space dedicated to fashion shows and unpack the various development stages of a dress. Hitting Brisbane after a run in Paris, co-organised by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, and boasting the organisation's Dr Cloé Pitiot and Louise Curtis on curatorial duties alongside QAGOMA's Nina Miall and Jacinta Giles, Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses takes its name seriously. This is a feast for the eyes, clearly, but also comes paired with a soundscape by Dutch sound artist Salvador Breed — not just a collaborator of van Herpen's, but her partner — to enhance the experience. [caption id="attachment_966406" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses' at the Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA[/caption] Among the specific fashion gems featured, the exhibition draws from 2010's water-themed 'Crystallization' collection, which took its cues from water being splashed at models; 2020's 'Sensory Seas', with hydrozoa such as the bluebottle an influence; and 2012's 'Micro' and 'Hybrid Holism', each teeming with microscopic detail that mimics the natural world — just for starters. Elsewhere, van Herpen's designs use X-rays, MRIs, neuroscience, mythology, alchemy, biotech, NASA's James Webb space telescope and more as guides. In one clear highlight, 2019's cape-slash-dress Hypnosis, she deploys a kaleidoscopic pattern in inky black to touch upon the mind's movement between the conscious and unconscious — and, in the process, also fashions up an optical illusion. [caption id="attachment_966399" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses' including Iris van Herpen / Netherlands b.1984 / Philip Beesely (Collaborator) / Canada b.1956. Hypnosis cape-dress, from the 'Hypnosis' collection 2019 / Laser-cut duchesse satin, mylar, tulle. Radiography dress, from the 'Magnetic Motion' collection 2014 / Laser-cut and thermally expanded PETG, silicone, microfibre. Iris van Herpen / Netherlands b.1984 / Shift Souls dress, from the 'Shift Souls' collection 2019 / Laser-cut Komon Koubou, silk organza, mylar. Courtesy: Iris van Herpen atelier / © Iris van Herpen / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA[/caption] Visitors will equally spy a range of complementary pieces surrounding van Herpen's designs, weaving in Yayoi Kusama, Cai Guo-Qiang, Japanese art collective Mé and Kohei Nawa, for instance. Megan Cope, Philip Beesley, Anne Noble, Damien Jalet, Casey Curran, Rogan Brown, Ren Ri and Courtney Mattison also have works in Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses, as does the Living Architecture Systems Group. Natural history objects add yet another layer. The dramatic staging, especially when van Herpen's work is set against a black background, achieves the same. Similarly featuring: installations, videos and photographs. Designs by van Herpen are unsurprisingly no stranger to galleries and museums, with New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Paris' Palais Galliera and Melbourne's National Gallery of Victoria among the institutions to include her work in their collections. [caption id="attachment_966414" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses'. (l) Iris van Herpen / Netherlands b.1984 / Shelee Carruthers (Collaborator) / Australia b.1977 / Hydrozoa dress, from the 'Sensory Seas' collection 2020 / PETG, glass organza. (r) Iris van Herpen / Netherlands b.1984 / Hydromedusa dress, from the 'Sensory Seas' collection 2020 / Printed organza, laser-cut Komon Koubou, mylar, tulle. Courtesy: Iris van Herpen atelier / © Iris van Herpen / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_966412" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Installation view of the Cabinet of Curiosities in 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses', Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane / © Iris van Herpen / Photograph: J Ruckli © QAGOMA.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_966409" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses' including: Tim Walker (Photographer) / United Kingdom b.1970 / Iris van Herpen (Designer) / Netherlands b.1984 / David Altmejd (Sculptor) / Canada b.1974 / Duckie Thot (Model) / Australia b.1995 / Kiki Willems (Model) / Netherlands b.1996 / Fashion: Iris van Herpen 2018 / Exhibition print / Courtesy: Tim Walker Studio. Kohei Nawa / Japan b.197 / PixCell-Double Deer #4 2010 / Mixed media / Purchased 2010 with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation. Iris van Herpen / Netherlands b.1984 / Airborne dress, from the 'Aeriform' collection 2017 / Laser-cut crepe, mylar, tulle / Courtesy: Iris van Herpen atelier. © The artists / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_966411" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Iris van Herpen: Runway films 2017-23 (installation view, 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses') / Video, colour, sound, 57:51 minutes (total, looped) / Editor: Simona Gol / Music selection: Salvador Breed / Courtesy: Iris van Herpen Atelier / © Iris van Herpen / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_966407" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses'. (l) Iris van Herpen / Netherlands b.1984 / Water dress, special project 2010 / Heat-moulded PETG / Collection: Groninger Museum, Netherlands / © Iris van Herpen. (r) David Spriggs / Canada b.1978 / Origins 2018 / PET film, acrylic Plexiglas, LED, acrylic paint, metal / Collection: Dr Pierre Miron / © David Spriggs. Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_966405" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Haruka Kojin / Japan b.1983 / Contact Lens (installation view, 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses') 2023 / Acrylic lenses, wire / Courtesy: The artist and SCAI THE BATHHOUSE, Tokyo / © Haruka Kojin / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_966400" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses' including: Iris van Herpen / Netherlands b.1984 / Kim Keever (Collaborator) / United States b. 1955 / Cosmica gown, from the 'Shift Souls' collection 2019 / Organza, tulle / Iris van Herpen / Netherlands b.1984 / Azari dress, from the 'Carte Blanche' collection 2023 / Laser-cut crepe de Chine, silk organza, tulle. Courtesy: Iris van Herpen atelier / © Iris van Herpen / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_966396" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses' including (l-r) Foliage dress, from the 'Ludi Naturae' collection 2018 by Iris van Herpen with collaborators Delft University of Technology and Stratasys Ltd.; Gaia gown, from the 'Roots of Rebirth' collection 2021 and Ammonite dress, from the 'Seijaku' collection 2016 both by Iris van Herpen; and Explosion Process Drawing for Dragon or Rainbow Serpent: A Myth Glorified of Feared: Project for Extraterrestrials No.28 1996 by Cai Guo-Qiang / © The artists / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_966410" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses' including (front) Cosmica gown, from the 'Shift Souls' collection 2019 by Iris van Herpen with collaborator Kim Keever / © Iris van Herpen / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_966397" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses'. (l) Iris van Herpen / Netherlands b.1984 / Entangled Life gown, from the 'Roots of Rebirth' collection 2021 / Hand-pleated silk organza, embroider thread, tulle, wire / Worn by singer-songwriter Lorde performing at Radio City Music Hall, New York, 2022 / Courtesy: Iris van Herpen Atelier / © Iris van Herpen. (r) Yann Arthus-Bertrand (Director and photographer) / France b.1946 / Michael Pitiot (Director) / France b.1970 / Wim van Egmond (Photographer) / Netherlands b.1966 / Terra 2015 / Video, colour, Dolby Digital, 98 minutes, France, French, English subtitles / Music: Armand Amar / Voice: Vanessa Paradis / Production: Hope Production / Courtesy: Hope Production. Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA[/caption] [caption id="attachment_966408" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses' including (l-r) Contact 2023 by 目[mé]; Hydrozoa dress, from the 'Sensory Seas' collection 2020 by Iris van Herpen with collaborator Shelee Carruthers; Mirror of the Mind dress, from the 'Micro' collection 2012 and Hydromedusa dress, from the 'Sensory Seas' collection 2020 both by Iris van Herpen / © The artists / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA.[/caption]Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses displays at the Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane, from Saturday, June 29–Monday, October 7, 2024 — for more information, head to the venue's website. Top images: Iris van Herpen / Netherlands b.1984 / Daniel Widrig (Collaborator) / United Kingdom b.1977 / Materialise (Collaborator) / Belguim est.1990 / Crystallization top and skirt, from the 'Capriole' collection 2011 / 3D-printed polyamide using selective laser sintering, eco-leather, cotton, nylon thread / Purchased thanks to the patronage of Doctor and Madam Léon Crivain, 2018 / Collection: Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. // Courtney Mattison / United States b.1985 / Malum Geminos 2019 / Glazed stoneware and porcelain / Courtesy: The artist. // Iris van Herpen / Netherlands b.1984 / Nicholas Koscinski (Collaborator)/ United States b.1992 / Futurama gown, from the 'Meta Morphism' collection 2022 / 3D-printed Bluesint (upcycled polyamide) using selective laser sintering, silver, silk, organza, tulle / Courtesy: Iris van Herpen atelier. // © The artists / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses' including (front l-r) Symbiotic asymmetric dress, from the 'Shift Souls' collection 2019 by Iris van Herpen; Fractal Flows dress, from the 'Sensory Seas' collection 2020 by Iris van Herpen with collaborator Perry Hall; and Cosmica gown, from the 'Shift Souls' collection 2019 by Iris van Herpen with collaborator Kim Keever / © Iris van Herpen / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA. Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses'. (l) Iris van Herpen / Netherlands b.1984 / Holozoic dress, from the 'Hybrid Holism' collection 2012 / Eco-leather, Swarovski crystals / Courtesy: Iris van Herpen atelier / © Iris van Herpen. (r) Tim Walker (Photographer) / United Kingdom b.1970 / Iris van Herpen (Designer) / Netherlands b.1984 / David Altmejd (Sculptor) / Canada b.1974 / Duckie Thot (Model) / Australia b.1995 / Kiki Willems (Model) / Netherlands b.1996 / Fashion: Iris van Herpen 2018 / Exhibition print / Courtesy: Tim Walker Studio / © Tim Walker. Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA. Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses'. (l)目[mé] / Japan est.2012 / Contact 2023 / Mixed media / Courtesy: The artists. (r) Iris van Herpen / Netherlands b.1984 / Shelee Carruthers (Collaborator) / Australia b.1977 / Hydrozoa dress, from the 'Sensory Seas' collection 2020 / PETG, glass organza / Courtesy: Iris van Herpen atelier. Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA. Installation view of 'Iris van Herpen: Sculpting the Senses' including (front) Cosmica gown, from the 'Shift Souls' collection 2019 by Iris van Herpen with collaborator Kim Keever / © Iris van Herpen / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA.
Stuck indoors and feeling blue? We don't blame you. So let us remind you of one of the best shortcuts to lifting your mood: music. Sure, it's not a particularly groundbreaking cure, but in these strange times, we've gotta grasp onto whatever small things will bring us joy (if only temporarily). We could launch into a lofty explanation as to why music is so important to us, relationships and culture, but that's probably not what you're here for. You're here because you're stuck at home and missing live music — the excitement when you find out a new artist you just discovered is playing at a local bar or the giddy anticipation as you walk into a huge concert arena or festival. Those times will come again. In the meantime, we're making do with gigs that are a bit more casual — so low-key in fact that you don't even need to wear shoes. Or even pants (just remember to shut the blinds). This year, we've teamed up with Miller Design Lab to showcase visionary musicians, designers and artists and celebrate our nightlife and its impact on culture to provide a safe space for creativity and self-expression. Grab a beer or make yourself a quarantini and get ready to boogie to some quarantunes (sorry). ARTISTS SUPPORTING ARTISTS Musician Milan Ring is one of the innovative artists to collaborate with Miller Design Lab this year. She's been making waves in the Aussie music industry for some time, having performed alongside names like Sampa the Great, Hermitude and The Rubens, and is currently working on her debut album. As a rapper, lyricist, guitarist and mastering engineer, her dynamic sound is best described as multifaceted — think elements of R&B, soul, electro and even reggae. So, it's safe to say that Milan's influences are pretty varied — and she certainly has her finger on the pulse when it comes to fresh sounds. Giving us a taste of what she's into right now, Milan recently created an extensive playlist that is jam-packed with the musical talent you should be listening to (if you don't already). Simply titled Friends, the playlist swings from the soulful sounds of Ngaiire and Silentjay to Arnhem Land rapper (and former Young Australian of the Year) Baker Boy, and is ideal for one of those lazy afternoons that ramp up to full-blown house party mode. CHALLENGE YOUR MATES TO A DANCE-OFF ON HOUSEPARTY Just because nights out are off the cards for a while doesn't mean your social life needs to go on hold, too. Hopefully, by now, you and your mates have video conference hangouts down pat and you've probably had some surprisingly fun nights indoors shooting the breeze and playing trivia. Next time, kick that competitive spirit up a notch with a good ol' fashioned dance-off. Turn your respective living rooms into your very own dance floors, stream the same playlist and show off your best moves — you'll think you're all at your favourite inner city bar together in no time. When it comes to picking the beats, everyone knows the best dance battle beats are those from your youth. This playlist, curated by British author, journalist and co-host of the pop culture podcast The High Low Dolly Alderton, delivers the goods. Aptly dubbed Pandemic at the Disco, it features a bunch of mostly 90s and 00s bangers, including 'Jump Around', 'No Diggity' and 'Work It'. Alternatively, check out Miller Genuine Draft's playlist, It's Miller Time, which features tunes from Mark Ronson, Lizzo and Bastille. LISTEN TO WHAT WE'RE LOVING Our mission at Concrete Playground is to guide you through the best cultural happenings across Australia. Usually, that includes outdoor adventures, electrifying gigs, epic art exhibitions and the latest restaurant and bar openings. Right now, we're focused on finding ways to bring those experiences to you, so your nights (and days) spent at home are anything but dull. And that includes new music. We can't point you in the direction of a local gig to check out, so we've created a playlist of what we're listening to during lockdown instead. This carefully curated list features some of our favourite Aussie musicians and it includes plenty of up-and-coming artists to fall in lyrical love with. Support them now by giving them a listen and perhaps donating to Spotify's COVID-19 Music Relief Project. Then, when lockdown's over you can get out and support them in person. PRETEND YOU'RE IN A EUROPEAN NIGHTCLUB Whether you've had to cancel a big trip to Europe this year or you're reminiscing a past vacation, a night spent imagining that you're tearing up a dance floor in a dark and sweaty European club will help you momentarily forget that it may be a while till you're actually able to travel again. To help create the vibes, crack out your disco ball or strobe machine, pop on the boating hat from that time you sailed around Croatia and head over to Boiler Room's Youtube channel. The platform has launched the Streaming From Isolation series, featuring sets from the likes of Berlin-based house and techno DJ Dixon and English electronic duo Disclosure. Most of the sets go for around an hour, but if you're in it for the long haul, check out DJ EZ's epic set that went for a whopping 24 hours. This is the second time the UK garage legend has done a marathon set (the first was back in 2016 for Cancer Research UK). He also recently pledged his fees for the festival gigs he did in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland earlier this year to bushfire relief — what a guy. IMAGINE YOU'RE AT A REAL-LIFE GIG We get it. Going to a gig is about much more than just the very good music. The lights, the graphics, the on-stage dancers and the crowds of people singing and dancing alongside you are all part of what makes a concert such an amazing (and addictive) experience. And, by the sounds of things, large-scale concerts are likely to be one of the last things to return as we transition out of lockdown life. While you wait, you can stream some epic productions online — and they don't get much more epic than the shows at the Sydney Opera House. While the institution is closed to the public, it's continuing to deliver its stable of quality cultural content via a free digital program, which includes full-length performances, talks, podcasts and behind-the-scenes content. You can witness (or relive) the magic of The Flaming Lips' technicolour Concert Hall performance for the 20th anniversary of The Soft Bulletin, Solange's 2018 Vivid Live gig, Bon Iver's 2016 Vivid Live gig or Missy Higgin's full 2019 Live from the Forecourt concert. For something a little different, there is also Sydney Symphony Orchestra's performance of Mahler's Das klagende Lied and the Sydney International Orchestra's stellar collaboration concert with singer Sarah Blasko. For more ways to celebrate your city's nightlife and recreate its energy in your own space, head this way.
There hasn't been much to get excited about during the pandemic, but seeing fantastic film festivals jump online and offer their usually city-limited programs to Australians everywhere is definitely a rare silver lining in these difficult times. One such fest doing just that is the Sydney Underground Film Festival, which went completely virtual in 2020 and is repeating the feat in 2021. As Sydney's go-to event for all flicks weird, wonderful, out-there and anarchic, SUFF will keep doing what it's been doing well for 15 years now — but by beaming an impressive heap of movies into homes around the country. From Thursday, September 9–Sunday, September 26, cinephiles looking for something other than the usual streaming options can binge their way through the fest's 30 features and documentaries. If you like your strange and surreal movies in bite-sized servings, there'll also be nine short film programs featuring more than 100 titles. From the full-length selection, highlights include opening night's road trip comedy Sweetie, You Won't Believe It from Kazakhstan-based director Yernar Nurgaliyev; documentary Alien on Stage, about a group of UK bus drivers who decided to create their own amateur stage production based on Ridley Scott's famous sci-fi/horror classic; and Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché, which explores X-Ray Spex frontwoman Poly Styrene's story from her daughter's viewpoint. Other standouts span Cannon Arm and the Arcade Quest, which follows an attempt to become the first in the world to play an arcade machine from the early 80s for 100 hours in a row; absurdist Japanese comedy Wonderful Paradise, as based around an eviction street party in the Tokyo suburbs; and coming-of-age comedy-thriller First Date. Or, there's Fanny: The Right To Rock, about the first all-woman band to release an album with a major record label; Ukranian effort Stranger, which sees people start to disappear from bodies of water; and Lorelai, starring familiar faces Pablo Schreiber and Jena Malone in thoughtful drama about working class life in America. SUFF will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Miss Osbourne, which stars the inimitable Udo Kier and isn't your usual take on the famous tale — because, just like attending ace film fests, celebrating big cinematic milestones is also something you can do at home.
With so many fantastic places to visit around the world, it's often hard to decide where to possibly go. A covetable experience wherever you go, is to see something so breathtakingly beautiful, it almost feels surreal. As hard as you may try, no description is quite adequate and you lock this memory away for times when you desire a happy moment and can revel in the images in your mind. With so many websites and travel books available today, it's hard to know where to start looking or whose opinion to take as gospel. We listen to total strangers on TripAdvisor, Thorn Tree and Expedia, look at friend's photos on Facebook (with smart phones we can see it at almost the same time they do), use the good old Lonely Planet, or go for guides that are catered to the stylish individual, like Wallpaper. There is one authority that doesn't follow the fashion or try to sell you heavy tomes. The very first authority on beauty and travel I ever heard about, when I was still a litte'un at school, and the ultimate title to wear - the Miss World of destinations if you will - is the Seven Wonders of the World, or the New7Wonders as it's called on the web. The process of creating the most recent list has been going on since 2007, during which time anyone could suggest sites they thought were natural wonders. Then the choices were voted on, and more than a million were tallied to cut the list of more than 440 contenders in over 220 countries to a shortlist of 77. It was then cut to 28 by a panel of experts. The provisional list of the final seven is below. Check them out and dream of holidays until the final results are announced early in 2012. Halong Bay, Vietnam Iguazu Falls, Argentina Jeju Island, South Korea Komodo, Indonesia Puerto Princesa Underground River, Philippines The Amazon rainforest Table Mountain, South Africa
While we're certainly not suggesting that a little frosty weather would be enough to keep you away from any culinary adventures, if you were prone to a bit of winter hibernation, we've found the perfect way to snap out of it. Introducing Chapter 53, a trio of passionate hospo heads who've banded together with the mission of shaking up Melbourne's food scene. They're here to get us thinking about what's on our forks with a series of themed wining and dining pop-up events, the first of which is happening this Sunday, August 21. The dream team of chef (Nicola Romano), sommelier (Osvaldo Tognella) and writer (Mandy DelVecchio) are embracing the concept of "mindful dining", dishing up thought-provoking dinners that will dive deep into the produce and techniques used, rather than just treating diners to some great food. The launch event — dubbed Winter's Burial — is set to be a corker, especially for any food-loving local who's well and truly ready to kick winter to the curb. Taking over multi-faceted Fitzroy space Something More, Chapter 53's degustation dinner will give this gloomy season a delicious send-off by celebrating some of its brightest produce. Expect six adventurous, yet minimal dishes, matched with top-notch wines from the Mornington Peninsula's Quealy Winemakers and a swag of insight, conversation and foodie knowledge, to boot. Image: Matt Jones.
Whenever a beloved sitcom comes to an end — as Brooklyn Nine-Nine will when it finishes up this year — it leaves a hole in your viewing schedule, and in your TV-loving heart. You can keep binging your favourites all over again, of course, and as many times as you like. But, although one-off specials, starry reunions and movie spinoffs keep happening more and more, you'll always be sad that you can't just look forward to a big batch of new episodes. The one silver lining: when the likes of Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock finished up their runs, the creatives behind them stayed in the sitcom game. Indeed, that's why B99 exists, and how The Good Place and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt came to our screens, too. And, over the past month or so, new shows from the key folks behind all of these series have just reached Stan. When it comes to Girls5eva, a word of warning: the hit song that brought titular fictional late 90s/early 00s girl group to fame is such an earworm, you'll be singing it to yourself for weeks after you binge through the sitcom that bears their name. That's to be expected given that Jeff Richmond, the composer behind 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt's equally catchy and comedic tunes, is one of the talents behind it. Tina Fey and Robert Carlock produce the series, too, so you what type of humour you're in for. Starring Sara Bareilles (Broadway's Waitress), Busy Philipps (I Feel Pretty), Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) and the great Paula Pell (AP Bio), Girls5eva follows four of the band's members two decades after their heyday. Their initial success didn't last, and life has left the now-fortysomething women at different junctures. Then a rapper samples their hit, they're asked to reunite for a one-night backing spot on The Tonight Show — and they then contemplate getting back together to give music another shot. As well as being exceptionally well-cast and immensely funny, the series is also bitingly perceptive about stardom, the entertainment industry and the way that women beyond their twenties are treated. Also, when Fey inevitably pops up, she does so as a dream version of Dolly Parton — and it's as glorious as it sounds. Check out the Girls5eva trailer below: Also now streaming its first season in full on Stan: Rutherford Falls. Michael Schur co-wrote and produced The Office, then did the same on Parks and Recreation and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, both of which he co-created as well. And, he gave the world The Good Place — which makes him one of the best in the business when it comes to kind-hearted, smart and savvy small-screen laughs. His new show continues the streak. Co-created with star Ed Helms and showrunner Sierra Teller Ornelas (Superstore), it boasts his usual charm and intelligence, too. And, as with every program he's had a hand in, it also boasts a top-notch lineup of on-screen talent. Plus, Rutherford Falls is immensely easy to binge in just one sitting, because each one of its ten first-season episodes leave you wanting more. The setup: in the place that gives the sitcom its name, Nathan Rutherford (Helms, Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun) runs the local history museum. One of his descendants founded the town, and he couldn't be more proud of that fact. He's also very protective of the towering statue of said ancestor, even though it sits in the middle of a road and causes accidents. So, when the mayor (Dana L.Wilson, Perry Mason) decides to move the traffic hazard, Nathan and his overzealous intern Bobbie (Jesse Leigh, Heathers) spring into action. Nathan's best friend Reagan Wells (Jana Schmieding, Blast) helps; however, the Minishonka Nation woman begins to realise just how her pal's family have shaped the fate of her Native American community. Also featuring a scene-stealing Michael Greyeyes (I Know This Much Is True) as the enterprising head of the Minishonka Nation casino, Rutherford Falls pairs witty laughs with warmth and sincerity, especially when it comes to exploring the treatment of First Nations peoples in America today. Check out the Rutherford Falls trailer below: The first seasons of Girls5eva and Rutherford Falls are available to stream via Stan.
There are few things in life that are better than pizza. That's an indisputable fact — but, as fantastic as pizza in general is, free pizza has it beat. And that's just what Small Print Pizza Bar is handing out at its Pizza in the Park Party. Taking place in Windsor's Victoria Gardens between 3–6pm on Sunday, October 28, the event will include free sourdough pizzas — including both vegan-friendly and meat-topped options — plus free house-made soft drinks and free games. Get cosy on a picnic blanket, try your hand at Finska or bocce, and, of course, eat pizza. The event will launch the return of Small Print Pizza Bar's pizza in the park delivery service, which is really exactly what it sounds like. If you're keen on having a picnic in Victoria Gardens over summer, you can order a pizza and the store will deliver it to you. It'll also loan you games or a frisbee for some added fun. Image: Small Print Pizza Bar.
Rolls Royces, Mercedes-Benzs and Jaguars aren't your typical canvases, but David Bromley isn't your everyday artist. A free openair exhibition at PROVOCARÉ, Whatever You Dream sees Bromley take luxury cars destined for the junkyard and transform them into masterful works of art. The co-founder of leading Chapel Street design studio and shop Bromley&Co, David Bromley is one of Australia's most in-demand contemporary artists working today. Best known for three long-term series Boys Own adventure, the Female Nude series, and Butterflies, for his newest exhibition — running July 5–15 — Bromley adds his unique styling to the opulent cars, employing a host of pop culture references, found images and bold colours to explore themes of nostalgia and the lost and found.
It's been a month since Melbourne's mask rules last changed, with compulsory face coverings brought back into effect in mid-July in tandem with the city's fifth lockdown. Now, in mid-August, Melbourne is currently almost two weeks into its sixth lockdown — and mask requirements didn't change during the nine days between stay-at-home stints. But, come 11.59pm tonight, Monday, August 16, the rules around donning face coverings will tighten even further. At Victoria's daily COVID-19 press conference today, Premier Daniel Andrews announced that Melburnians will no longer be allowed to remove their face masks if they're out of the house and drinking alcoholic beverages in public. The move comes in response to reports over the weekend of people flouting lockdown restrictions with venue crawls and big outdoor gatherings. So, Melburnians obviously need to keep wearing their fitted face coverings whenever they're not at home, including both indoors and outside. In fact, the only place where you don't need to pop on a mask is inside your own house, which means that you always need to carry one with you. That said, you were previously allowed to take off your face covering to eat and drink while you're out — but if you're sipping something boozy, that exemption no longer applies. On the advice of the Chief Health Officer, we will introduce additional measures to stop the spread of coronavirus in Victoria. pic.twitter.com/iCo6gzKFEs — Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) August 16, 2021 A number of other lockdown rules are changing, too, with stay-at-home conditions extended until at least 11.59pm on Thursday, September 2, a curfew put in place between 9pm–5am and authorised worker permits being reintroduced. Yes, many of these requirements applied in Melbourne's lengthy second lockdown in 2020 as well, so they'll sound familiar. Also changing: the closure of playgrounds, basketball hoops, skate parks and outdoor exercise equipment. So, if they've been a part of your out-of-the-house workout routine, they won't be anymore. And, you can now only exercise with one other person, plus any dependents you both have, even if you live in a larger household. The two-hour exercise time limit remains the same, though. If you're still wondering where to grab a fitted mask, we've put together a rundown of local companies making and selling them. For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the Department of Health and Human Services website.
As a kid, did you ever dream about getting to roam around your favourite store after hours? As a fashion-loving adult, would you adore nothing more than being surrounded by your go-to label on an overnight stay? Thanks to House of Sunny, the latter is now becoming a reality — but for just two people for one night only, at its Hackney showroom and to celebrate London Fashion Week. The good news: this collaboration with Airbnb looks like the ultimate fashion fantasy, and it's also free. The trickier news: getting to slumber in a space that's basically House of Sunny's latest collection turned into a pop-up hotel means needing to be in London this week, because the stay is for Friday, September 22. If you've seen news of Airbnb's past one-off listings — think: Barbie's Malibu DreamHouse, the Ted Lasso pub, the Moulin Rouge! windmill, Gwyneth Paltrow's Montecito abode, Hobbiton, the Bluey house, the Paris theatre that inspired The Phantom of the Opera, the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, The Godfather mansion, the South Korean estate where BTS filmed In the Soop and the Sanderson sisters' Hocus Pocus cottage and Japan's World Heritage-listed Suganuma Village — then nothing about this situation should come as a surprise. Just like previous extremely short-term themed stays, this one is only up for reservations at a set time, too, with bookings opening at 3am AEST on Wednesday, September 20. With what's been dubbed Sunny's House, you'll kick back at a spot that's been given a stunning makeover — and you'll also get to improve your own style. The digs include an entrance that's all about greenery, taking its cues from the Hockney dress; a red and orange bedroom designed to look like the sundown cardigan; a crimson bathroom that splashes the colour all over the room, this time paying tribute to the La Belle dress; and hanging out in the cloud-adorned "wardrobe of dreams". Sunny Williams will be on hand to give you design tips one on one, and your time in the wardrobe of dreams will involve trying on House of Sunny threads. Also, due to the showroom's location, you'll be able to head beyond Sunny's House for brunch on Broadway Market, visiting the Columbia Road Flower Market and grabbing dinner. "House of Sunny's design and ethos has always been inspired by the intersection of culture, architecture, interior, and our community's love for travel, home and aesthetics. I am excited to welcome you to my house; this immersive Airbnb is unique, crafted and eye-catching, the perfect partnership of fashion and special stays," said Williams. As always, whoever scores the booking is responsible for their own travel, including if they have to get to and from London. Money literally can't buy the overnight stay, however — so best of luck to your busily clicking fingers. For more information about the Sunny's House sleepover on Airbnb, or to book at 3am AEST on Wednesday, September 20 for a stay on Friday, September 22, head to the Airbnb website. Images: Alix McIntosh. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
It's not every day a Michelin-starred name makes its way to Melbourne. So it's little surprise that the queues for Hawker Chan, the new Melbourne outpost from celebrated Singaporean chef Chan Hong Meng, have been a firm fixture since its doors opened in December. The restaurant is a spin-off of Meng's original Singapore food stall, which is one of just a few hawker eateries to ever win a Michelin star. That's right — you can now get your mitts on one of the world's cheapest Michelin-quality feeds right here in Melbourne. For his Lonsdale Street venue, Meng has recreated the feel of a classic Singaporean hawker centre. You order your meal at the front counter and collect it on a tray once your number flashes up on the big screen. The lights are bright, the tables are bare and there's a buzzy atmosphere that goes hand in hand with a cheap and cheerful feed. And cheap is kind of an understatement here. The menu is a celebration of simplicity and value for money, with just a handful of favourites headlined by the chef's famed signature dish of soya sauce chicken with rice ($6.80). It's mighty hard not to love the kitchen's trademark Cantonese-style chicken — tender, juicy meat that's been braised, skin and all, in fragrant stock and spices, then chopped to order. As with the menu's other protein dishes, you can pay a couple of extra bucks to switch the accompanying rice for a pile of springy thin noodles ($8.80) or house-made hor fun ($8.80) — flat rice noodles. Meng's also kicking goals with his finger-licking pork rib recipe, which'll have you shamelessly nibbling every last bit off the bones. If you're feeling extra carnivorous, try it teamed with chopped roast pork belly and char siew as part of the three-combination platter ($18). The lineup of sides is equally minimalist, including a fragrant wonton soup ($7.80) and a flavour-packed Thai-style tofu — fried and drizzled with sweet chilli sauce and crushed peanuts ($6). Throw in a serve of house-made chrysanthemum tea ($3) or sweet plum juice ($3) and you'll find it pretty easy to imagine you're actually worlds away, living it up in Southeast Asia.
When a bomb goes off in the centre of the city, the shockwaves are followed by ripples of fear and paranoia. For people like Amor, a young man of Arabic descent running errands near the bomb site, accusatory stares and murmurs of suspicion follow him wherever he goes. Written by acclaimed Swedish playwright Jonas Hassen Khemiri, I Call My Brothers makes its Australian debut at the Southbank Theatre; directed by MTC Women Director’s Program alumni Nadja Kositch. Originally set in Stockholm, where it was written in response to suicide attacks that shook the city in 2010, the play nonetheless confronts universal issues of prejudice and racial profiling — and does so with both gravity and unexpected humour. Following its two week season in Southbank, the MTC production will tour schools in regional Victoria, where it is being studied as a VCE drama text.
We can't imagine prison food is normally much to get excited about. But Melbourne's latest dining destination is out to prove that theory wrong. North & Common is the sprawling new restaurant that's today made its home in the very space that once housed Pentridge Prison's mess hall. Sibling and neighbour to recently launched wine bar Olivine, North & Common has transformed the historic site into an inviting 180-seat diner, decked out with lots of soft curves and mellow hues, all courtesy of renowned design studio CHADA. The space remains cosy despite its size, its long-standing bluestone walls and the lofty original ceilings that soar 10 metres above. The main dining room plays modern finishes against the building's heritage elements, while a roomy al fresco terrace features its own giant fireplace and a retractable roof for all kinds of weather. North & Common's food offering will be an ever-evolving nod to modern Australian cuisine, deftly driven by acclaimed chef Mark Glenn, whose resume includes time at Cumulus Inc, Dinner by Heston and Pialligo Estate. Its menus are unpretentious and approachable, though also thoughtfully honed. Come breakfast, you're in for the likes of spanner crab omelette; a brekkie roll that piles sausage, bacon and house-made barbecue sauce into a soft milk bun; and lemon curd french toast reimagined using croissant loaf. The dinner menu flexes even more creativity, kicking off with smalls like the grilled ox tongue paired with a cashew cream, burrata elevated with charred green fig, and butter-poached calamari with fried sprouts. Deeper in, find plates like the spanner crab risoni, a slow-roasted lamb shoulder, and spatchcock done with fermented chilli and confit shallot. Plus, inventive creations like a sweet potato mille-feuille with bergamot and fig feature throughout the dessert list. It's just brekkie and dinner for now, though a weekend lunch service is set to kick off from June. Olivine's wine pedigree also gets a look-in here at North & Common, by way of a drinks program curated by the bar's star sommelier Liinaa Berry. There are 150-plus bottles in the lineup, sourced from near and far, spanning the full gamut of styles, and celebrating sustainable production in a big way. Alongside, a signature cocktail selection isn't afraid to push the envelope in reimagining classic sips. Expect local pours from the likes of Patient Wolf and Starward used across concoctions like a truffle and sundried tomato martini, and the Tequila, Rosemary and Thyme Sour. Find North & Common at 1 Pentridge Boulevard, Coburg. It's open daily from 7–10am and again from 5.30–11pm. Lunch will run from 12–3pm Saturday and Sunday starting from June.
If you're planning on staying indoors for the majority of winter, you might as well do it somewhere fun. Ideally, with plenty of good eats and drinks within reach. Luckily, Ichi Ni Nana's newly installed karaoke den will tick all those boxes. The Sing Song Room has made its home down in the 127 Brunswick Street venue's basement level, where you'll be able to belt out classic tunes at the top of your lungs, in a cosy cocoon of privacy. Available to book for groups of over five, it's got all the trimmings for a serious sing-along session: red curtains to help unleash your inner performer, a nice strong stage to withstand any enthusiastic foot stomping, and a broad-ranging songbook filled with all the best belters. Two hours will cost you $200 for five people, and $30 for every extra person. In fact, the entire basement is primed for partying, with room for up to 60 people and a snack offering to — think colourful sashimi platters, yakitori skewers and plenty of pan-fried gyoza. Pre-booked food packages run from canapés through to sit-down banquets, either from the Ichi Ni Nana kitchen, or courtesy of upstairs neighbour Village People. Prices vary through the week, starting at $40 per person minimum spend for a two-hour session, including free reign of the whole den and that all-important karaoke mic. Find the Sing Song Den at lower ground level, 127 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. It's open from 12–10pm Sunday to Thursday and midday to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Following in the footsteps of renowned ramen joint Ippudo and Manila's popular TuanTuan Chinese Brasserie, another big-name Asian restaurant chain has landed in Melbourne. This time, it's Malaysian favourite GO Noodle House tempting local tastebuds, opening its first Australian store in the heart of Melbourne's CBD. With more than 30 outlets across Southeast Asia and the original Malaysian store that pumps out up to 2000 bowls of noodle soup over a weekend, it's safe to say the brand has its fair share of fans. It's made a name for its clear seafood bisque-style 'Superior Soup' and dry mi xian noodles, the bowls are usually finished with a splash of rice wine — a trend apparently started by Emperor Kangxi back in the Qing Dynasty of the 17th century. The Melbourne restaurant's menu will carry through those classic GO Noodle House flavours, though with local ingredients. Head in for customisable bowls of that hearty, seafood-based noodle soup, or a hot and sour variation, loaded with additions like meat balls, stuffed chillies, cooked prawns or mixed mushrooms. Other dishes include the likes of homemade fish dumplings, Hakka-style pan mee noodles, slow-cooked slices of pork belly and a street snack dubbed Nine Dragon Balls. If you're feeling game (and extra hungry), there's the GNH Challenge dish — a $49 mega bowl of noodles, soup, pork and beef that's free if you can polish it all off in 30 minutes.
One of the country's longest-running music festivals is back and bigger than ever, with the iconic St Kilda Festival returning next month with a stacked program of performances across an expanded multi-day format. From Saturday, February 5–Sunday, February 13, multiple stages across the suburb's foreshore will play host to a diverse lineup of live tunes and dance performances, backed by a jam-packed offering of food, market stalls, workshops and carnival rides. Set to fire up the Foreshore Stage are big-name acts like Daryl Braithwaite, Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, Gordi, Baker Boy, Soju Gang and The Bamboos, while on February 12, you'll catch the likes of Archie Roach, Chasing Ghosts, Kee'ahn and The Merindas here as part of the Yaluk-ut Weelam Ngargee First Peoples arts and cultural showcase. Elsewhere, enjoy pop tunes courtesy of acts like Ashwarya and Devy; R&B sounds delivered by Vetta Borne and Squid the Kid; a touch of psychedelic rock via The Lazy Eyes; DJ sets from favourites like Big Rig and DJ pgz; and a dose of signature sparkle from performance artists The Huxleys. There's a whole roster of family-friendly entertainment in the works, plus many local businesses will extend their trading hours for the occasion, amplifying the precinct's summertime buzz. There'll also be an array of food and market stalls to shop in between gigs. Images: Nathan Doran
Do you know what us Melburnians can't get enough of? Little pick-me-ups to make the days a bit sunnier. It may be as small as turning a new corner on your daily walk to discover lesser-known street art in the area, or getting satisfaction from finishing off a DIY project you've had on hold. It's the little things that matter most right now. So, to help give you some ideas for your working week ahead, we've teamed up with Oporto to bring you five easy pick-me-ups to make your week a little bit better. Plus, they'll speed up the days until the weekend rolls around again. MONDAY: SEND A GREEN BABY TO YOUR FRIENDS Know a mate who's feeling a little blue? Pick them up with a present delivered right to their door. And choose one that has lasting benefits. We know of ten plant stores across the city that have the green goods to do just the trick to lift your friend's spirits — and help give them a smile every time a fresh leaf sprouts. Choose them a bestseller from Vine Boy, such as a monstera, or opt for a seasonal indoor variety from Folia House. Alternatively, Botanicah's online store has cute cacti if that's more your mate's style. It also stocks cute ceramic plant hangers, locally made pots and an assortment of accessories to throw in, too. With spring in the air, a new pop of green is just what the doctor ordered. [caption id="attachment_781727" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matt Adnate[/caption] TUESDAY: DISCOVER A HIDDEN GEM IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD There are always under appreciated spots in every neighbourhood to uncover and explore. So why not take a new path on your walk today and discover a hidden gem in your hood? While sticking to the lockdown guidelines, of course, you could find some street art by local artists, try a new takeaway coffee place and maybe even order a new type of drink to shake things up. You could visit a new-to-you local grocer or try out a different bakery and grab some pastries and pies. Getting the blood flowing always helps the mood, too. [caption id="attachment_783396" align="alignnone" width="1920"] St Kilda, Visit Victoria[/caption] WEDNESDAY: BEAT THE MIDWEEK BLUES Get over the hump that is Wednesday and beat any midweek blues that may have crept into your week by ordering Oporto's new Halloumi and Chicken Rappa. Protein, dairy and carbs. Need we say more? It has grilled halloumi side by side with grilled chicken breast fillets, crisp lettuce, slaw mix and avocado doused in creamy mayo accompanied with a tomato and capsicum relish. The best part is: this scrumptious package wrapped in a warm pita bread wrap can be ordered online and delivered to your door. Eat this feast while watching the sunset over the city (from a park near you) and if you are able to, why not meet with a friend for a socially distanced picnic (within the current guidelines, of course). [caption id="attachment_768047" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cornersmith[/caption] THURSDAY: COMPLETE THAT DIY PROJECT You know that home project you've been meaning to start since March? Maybe it's time to finally give it a good crack — or find a completely new crafty new idea to try your hand at. With spring in the air, it's a perfect time to get your hands dirty creating a veggie garden or box. The Little Veggie Patch Co has beginner seed kits, guidebooks for growing food at home and plenty of pots and planters to get your started. Jump on board the sourdough train with a sourdough starting kit from Ballarat Home Brew or Simply No Knead. Or, wow your housemates by taking an online pickling course with Cornersmith. Now's the time to start or finish something worth talking about. FRIDAY: THROW YOUR DREAM PARTY Who says that just because you can't go out (much), you can't have a party? Get out the disco ball, put on your finest or wildest outfit and throw the party of your dreams. Start by trying a new cocktail recipe to get you in the mood. Enjoy beach vibes with a coconut margarita or pretend you're in a smoky bar with a tequila old fashioned. Then, tune into an online set, such as Room 2 Radio, which will transport you into a virtual dance party with local DJs. Join in on the live chat too to mingle with the other partygoers and enjoy some solid Melbourne nightlife – just, at home. Check out Oporto's full Rappa Range here, then make tracks to your closest store — or order online. Top image: Yarra River sunset, Visit Victoria
This independent Ryrie Street gallery showcases an eclectic array of works by Australian artists and textile makers, including knitters, quilt-makers and painters. The gallery is located in a heritage building dating to 1915, established as one of Geelong's first florists. Geelong Art Space pays homage to this history by offering fresh-cut flowers and seasonal produce from the Bellarine region. Every so often, the Geelong Art Space puts out a call for emerging artists to showcase their work, or to contribute to events it holds. If you're looking online, many of their pieces are also available for purchase. Images: Julia Sansone
While it might be a multicultural food haven, and home to some of the best laksa in town, Flemington has always been a little slim on wine bars. But Nick Prendergast and Kim Heffernan, owners of Mount Alexander Road's newly hatched wine room The Fox & Daisy, are out to change all that. They've created a neighbourhood wine bar and bottle shop, where the focus is local — local wines, local cheese, local cured meats. Aimed at all degrees of wine obsession, it's a cosy, relaxed haunt, with a drinks list that runs from the old-world through to minimal-intervention drops. And, since it's sourcing most wines directly from the makers, it's delivering some seriously budget-friendly bottles, too. Expect to find plenty of great bottles for not much more than $20, takeaway. To match the largely Victorian booze lineup, the Fox & Daisy is dishing up a locally focused food offering, filled with bites that work a treat alongside a glass or two of vino. You'll find the likes of charcuterie and cheese from Savour and Grace, Thursday night's $35 wine and pâté deal (which includes two glasses), and maybe a cheesy raclette fondue once winter descends. Keep an eye out also for wine tasting masterclasses, vinyl-drenched Sunday sessions (complete with $5 pots and $10 Aperol spritzes) and the odd live act. Find The Fox & Daisy at 185 Mount Alexander Road, Flemington. It's open 3pm–10pm, Wednesday–Saturday and midday–10pm, Saturday and midday–7pm, Sunday.
