If you're on the hunt for some new-school fun to make the impending frosty months go faster, you can stop searching right now. Someone, somewhere, has dreamed up the impressive combination of bumper cars and ice-skating — and is bringing the concept Down Under. In an Aussie first, Bumper Cars on Ice will hit Docklands' O'Brien Icehouse for three days this November. Oddly, it will happen after winter's finished — but, knowing Melbourne's weather, there's a high chance there will still be a frost in the air. Not a whole lot of info has dropped just yet, though, from the photos, it looks like this unique activity will have you pinballing around an ice rink in a bubble-shaped bumper car, slipping and sliding into mates. Tickets will set you back $37.84, which gets you ten minutes on the ice and all-day access to ice skating, which will have DJs and a bar serving mulled wine (of course). Bumper Cars on Ice runs in sessions from 5–11pm on Friday, 1.30–11pm on Saturday and 12.30–6pm on Sunday. Adults only sessions run from 7–10pm on the two nights. Updated: September 3, 2019.
Back in June, we excitedly announced the reopening of cinemas. While, unfortunately, that excitement was short-lived, with cinemas closing a couple of short weeks later, we can once again announce some good news for cinephiles: Classic, Lido and Cameo are firing up the projectors for their outdoor cinemas from Monday, November 2. All three cinemas will be screening a selection of new flicks and concert films, as well as a 30th-anniversary edition of Goodfellas and a dog-friendly session of Lassie Come Home as part of the Children's International Film Festival (but kidults are definitely welcome, too). As part of the new lineup, you can catch an advanced screening of Sam Neill-starring Aussie flick Rams on opening night, excellent comedy Bill & Ted Face the Music, An American Pickle with two Seth Rogans and David Fincher's new black-and-white flick Mank. [caption id="attachment_783548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An American Pickle[/caption] Those itching to head back to a live gig can relive some of the best with Stop Making Sense, a 1984 film of a live Talking Heads performance, as well as Stevie Nicks: 24 Karat Gold the Concert and Idiot Prayer: Nick Cave Alone at Alexandra Palace, which are both new releases. Depending where you live, and how far you can travel come November 2, you can watch the above flicks at Hawthorn's Lido on the Roof, overlooking Glenferrie Road; at Cameo Cinema's magnificent outdoor movie screen in Belgrave; or atop Elsternwick's Classic Cinema, which has its own bar open every day of the week (usually). All three cinemas have started accepting bookings for the first two weeks of screenings, so, if you're keen to head along, we suggest you lock in a session ASAP. Classic Rooftop Cinema, Lido on the Roof and Cameo Outdoor Cinema are set to reopen on Monday, November 2. Tickets are now on sale for the first two weeks of sessions.
Johnston Street's neon-drenched Shu is no stranger to innovation, having earned a solid reputation for its envelope-pushing take on modern Sichuan fare. But now you can prepare those tastebuds for some of its most creative grub yet, which is set to be delivered as part of the restaurant's new series of weekly experimental vegan dinners. From 6pm each Tuesday, the kitchen's offering a changing selection of innovative new dishes, showcasing seasonal produce and fun techniques that the kitchen's been playing around with. And while you might expect such crafty eats to come with a hefty price tag, Shu's Tuesday night feasts clock in at just $25 for five dishes — almost cheap enough to rival a midweek pub parma — yet way, way more exciting. Recent creations have included the likes of grilled okra with burnt chilli salsa and puffed rice, tempeh crackers topped with apple, avocado and green chilli mayo, and slow-cooked Asian mushrooms teamed with black sticky rice and sweet soy.
Located just a few doors down from Entrecôte, Hopper Joint – the Sri Lankan restaurant in Prahran from Jason M Jones (Caboodle & Co and Entrecôte) and designer Braham Perera – champions the humble hopper. These light and crispy bowl-shaped pancakes are a staple of Sri Lankan cuisine. At Hopper Joint, they're made to order in the 80-seat restaurant's open kitchen, giving diners a chance to see the dedication and skill that goes into constructing these delicate shells. Head Chef Ronith Victor Arlikatti (ex-Sunda and Marion) leans on the experience of Perera, Jones and Jason Rodwell (Executive Chef of Caboodle & Co) to create a carefully considered food offering. They have adapted family recipes handed down through generations, deciding when to stay traditional and when to add more contemporary flourishes. Apart from hoppers, there's also a tight selection of curries, sambols, street food snacks and desserts. The team has worked hard to infuse the dining experience with Sri Lankan culture beyond what's on the plate. Punters are encouraged to eat with their hands, and are directed to the communal washbasin and a commissioned artwork by Edwina Thomson illustrating the 'how-to' of eating hoppers. Each table also gets an antique brass bell, a nod to Sri Lankan customs, that, if misused, incurs a 'fine'. Ring the bell when it's inappropriate (to be honest, we aren't entirely sure what constitutes an appropriate time for ringing it), and you'll be asked to donate some cash to a charity of Hopper Joint's choosing. Perera has designed the space, which feels like stepping into a traditional colonial bungalow high up in the Tea Country of southern Sri Lanka. It's filled with rattan seating and fans, amber glassware and chandeliers, timber shutters, and blood-red cork floors. Jones and Perera have been working on Hopper Joint for over eight years, spending this time collecting decor as well as fine-tuning the menu and atmosphere they've been wanting to get just right. Hopper Joint can be found at 157 Greville Street, Prahran, open Monday–Thursday from 5pm till late, and Friday–Sunday from 12–2.45pm and 5pm till late. For more information, head to the venue's website. Images: Annika Kafcaloudi
Melbourne's west doesn't get as much love as it deserves. Too often we focus on the CBD and our inner northern, southern and eastern suburbs. But the crew behind Inner-West Sessions, a new monthly event series, is doing its bit to change that. On the first Thursday night of every month, a curated lineup of local DJs is spinning a broad range of beats at Footscray's new bar and performance space Misfits. Sometimes, Inner-West Sessions teams up with food and drink vendors and brings in artists working across different mediums, but music is at the core of every party. And it's not just about championing the big names. On both Thursday, July 4 and Thursday, August 1, the team is hosting a Freshman Roll Call session, which sees budding DJs play in front of a crowd for the first time and alongside seasoned veterans. It's a great opportunity for young DJs to get their names out there and for us punters to discover some new talent. Inclusivity, creativity and community are at the heart of each event. For the team that runs it, "[Inner-West Sessions is] a warm embrace by a collective of kindred spirits united by a love of the arts and a desire to connect". As of writing, the only Inner-West Sessions are happening at Misfits on the first Thursday night of every month, but there are plans to run events at other western suburbs venues throughout the year.
If you like pretty things and tasty things in equal measure, chances are you're already well acquainted with the beautiful bloom-filled space that is Carlton's florist-meets-cafe Flovie. Well, your brain's happiness receptors are in for another treat, with the launch of Flovie's new sibling venue, La Fantaisie. Owners Jia Wang and Valerie Wang are up to their old tricks, this time creating a café, patisserie, florist and event venue, all rolled into one aesthetic delight in the heart of Abbotsford. [caption id="attachment_841776" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lillie Thompson[/caption] A certified mood-booster of a space, La Fantaisie — 'fantasy' in French, if you're wondering — boasts enviable interiors by the renowned Bergman & Co (Poodle, Chancery Lane) and two levels filled with Provencal touches. Expect dreamy marble accents, soft archways and lots of artful bouquets on display, ready for sale. Want some coveted local knowledge? The warehouse site is actually owned by AFL legend Dustin Martin, though whether he'll be a regular here for pastries and flowers is yet to be seen. If you're here for the gustatory pleasures, you'll find a specialty patisserie offering with coffee by Berwick roaster Zest to match. Daintily decorated cakes include the likes of a blueberry-filled choux number topped with a butterfly, and the Strawberry Love Bite featuring chiffon sponge and vanilla mascarpone whip. More aesthetic goodness fills the brunch menu, in dishes like the vibrant curry scrambled eggs with chilli tiger prawns, a triple cheeseburger on black brioche, and a chocolate sable dessert creation with filo pastry and cherry gel. A smashed avo number comes paired with burnt corn and edamame, and an eggs benny teams pulled pork with a yuzu hollandaise. [caption id="attachment_841780" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lillie Thompson[/caption] There's a slew of photogenic signature drinks, too; from a rose tea latte to a strawberry mimosa and a classic French 75. During regular programming, you'll find a high tea offering serving goodies sweet, savoury and liquid. And, since it'd be a shame to only show this stunning space off by day, it's only fitting La Fantaisie doubles as an event venue, available for private occasions grand and small. And if your event needs flowers? Well, you won't need to worry about a thing. Find La Fantaisie at 297 Victoria Street, Abbotsford. It's open 8am–4pm Monday to Friday, and from 8am–5pm on weekends. Images: Lillie Thompson
Enter the Great Otway National Park and wind your way up into its lush landscape before arriving at the tiny community of Forrest. Home to about 230 permanent residents, the town is a popular base for serious mountain bikers, who can be seen hurtling through the surrounding hills most days. But another main draw is the hilltop Forrest Brewing Company, which has helped breathe new life to the town. Beer is, of course, the main attraction here, with the 600-litre brew house offering four permanent frothies — a stout, irish red, pale ale and lager. For those feeling a little adventurous, there's always a selection of seasonal craft beers that'll satisfy any serious beer drinker. The laidback on-site restaurant also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with many options designed to pair with a bev or two. [caption id="attachment_711466" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Top image: Visit Victoria
This year, due to Australia's efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, Sydneysiders won't be heading to the now-cancelled Sydney Royal Easter Show. Brisbanites won't be heading to the Ekka, either, or Melburnians to the Royal Melbourne Show, with both of those events cancelled, too. But no matter where in Australia you're located, you can now order showbags online and get them delivered to your home. After the Sydney show's scrapping for 2020, showbag company Chicane Showbags is moving most of its range into a web store that's fittingly called Showbag Shop. Whether you can't get enough Bertie Beetles, have a hankering for a bag filled with KitKats, or would prefer pop culture-themed merchandise (think: The Simpsons, Star Wars and The Beatles), you'll find bags filled with your favourite items here. At the time of writing, only a small variety of bags are available; however Chicane Showbags is aiming to have the majority of its bags in its online store in the coming weeks. We mentioned Bertie Beetles first, of course, because they've become such a show favourite — and to reflect that fact, there are ten different options available. These self-isolating, stay-at-home, generally restricted times might go smoother with a big stash of insect-themed chocolates, after all, with three showbags available for $8, a huge 80-Bertie Beetle bag on offer for $29 and a box of 350 Bertie Beetles (with your choice of a Bertie Beetle mug or a Bertie Beetle plush toy) costing $99. [caption id="attachment_765741" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Chicane Showbags[/caption] Other items currently available include Smarties, Wonka and Snakes Alive bags stuff with lollies; Captain America and Black Panther bags filled with Marvel merchandise; Stella Athletic bags with sporty fashion items and Coast to Coast Skincare bags featuring the obvious. Bags ship Australia-wide, arriving in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane within one to three business days — and in Perth in around five to seven. There is a weight limit on each purchase, though, if you're currently thinking of filling your cupboards with showbags, with only 40 kilograms available per order. Chicane Showbags is now selling showbags online via the Showbag Shop — visit the store's website for further details. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
A long-standing local favourite, Poppyshop is the toyshop that you might remember from your childhood, if you grew up in the area. The store's display of toys, from tiny wooden figurines right up to huge blow-up creatures, is wonderful to wander through — for adults and children alike. As they say, all ages can play! If you're after a gift for someone small, you're likely to find something here. As well as the toys and other objects there is a beautiful range of cards. Images: Parker Blain.
It's hard to know quite where to start when writing about Lin-Manuel Miranda's vastly lauded and widely appreciated creation Hamilton. The musical, which opened at Her Majesty's Theatre following a sold-out run in Sydney, is one of the most significant cultural texts of our generation. It won myriad Tonys, a Grammy, a Pulitzer Prize — one of those rare artworks that has transcended its original medium to become a bona fide phenomenon. Needless to say, it is extremely easy to find fans of this show. There are literally millions and millions of them. In fact, it's far more challenging to find people who know absolutely nothing about it. But ladies and gentlemen: we found one! Concrete Playground writer Nik Addams is a true neophyte when it comes to musical theatre and, beyond a cursory awareness of Hamilton due to its prevalence in culture at large, he knew very little about the show or the story. So, we decided to send him — a theatre-goer unencumbered by the baggage of knowledge and context — to get as fresh a take as possible on one of the most take-generating productions of all time. Fresh out of the doors of Her Majesty's, here are four observations Nik shared from his first-time Hamilton experience. THIS IS NOT WHAT YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU THINK OF MUSICALS Nik: "A common criticism of musicals is that bursting into song between spoken conversations can distract from the story, but Hamilton avoids this problem entirely as the whole thing is either sung or rapped — which came as a very pleasant surprise. In this sense, Hamilton makes a case for itself as a musical for people who don't necessarily love musicals. I had prepared myself for a kind of schmaltziness I assumed typical of musical theatre. Not so here. Even the more sentimental numbers are more understated than you'd expect given that they deal with the heavy-hitting themes of heartbreak and death." A LITTLE PRE-THEATRE READING IS RECOMMENDED Nik: "Not knowing anything of the Founding Fathers (being born and raised in a Greek household in Melbourne, I was more interested in European history), Hamilton's storyline was not always easy to follow. I got to a point somewhere towards the end of the first act where I just gave up trying to fully understand who was who and what was what. But, the production values were so high that I remained engaged even if the nuances of the relationships between characters and their significance were going over my head." "Things did become clearer in the second act, though, when the set-up was done and there was a sense of not only knowing who was who and what their motivations were, but the story itself more noticeably progressing. If you're going in fresh like me, I'd recommend a quick scan of Alexander Hamilton's Wikipedia page (or, indeed, our bluffer's guide to Hamilton) before the show so you don't need to use your brain quite as much." THE DANCING AND STAGING ARE TOP TIER Nik: "The choreography is captivating. It's almost hard to believe that such synchronised precision is taking place in front of your eyes, no camera tricks involved. The most lasting example of this is the scene depicting Alexander Hamilton's death at the hand of his political rival Aaron Burr in a duel (this isn't a spoiler by the way, it's foreshadowed in the opening number). This is a breathtaking tableau, an immersive, stop-start, movie-like depiction that makes excellent use of the stage's rotating, turntable set, creating a palpable sense of tension even though you know exactly how it ends." [caption id="attachment_817297" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Hamilton Australia', Daniel Boud[/caption] THE CAST IS STRAIGHT UP INCREDIBLE Nik: "Hamilton is a very, very good production. That I know. The show is beautifully choreographed and performed by a cast who genuinely looks like it's enjoying itself. Led by the superb Jason Arrow as the title character, the troupe delivers many of the show's 27,000 words at a breakneck pace with a clarity and diction that I can barely achieve when talking normally, let alone rapping under stage lights wearing knee-length boots and tailcoats. There is no doubt that it's hugely ambitious, but it's made to look easy, even effortless — and the result is a production that's hard to look away from." THE MUSICAL THEATRE NEWBIE'S FINAL THOUGHTS Nik: "One of the most common refrains throughout the show is "Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?" This thoroughly contemporary retelling of a significant chapter of America's history certainly does not leave that question unanswered. But the answer is such a multi-layered one that it's deserving of a second look." Hamilton is playing at Her Majesty's Theatre and is currently booking through to August. Visit the musical's website for further details. Heading to the theatre? Check out our bluffer's guide to the show, or discover some fun facts about the show with two of its stars. Images: Daniel Boud
Things are heating up at The B.East on Lygon Street, the official home of the Melbourne Chilli Eating Championship. On Sunday, March 8, 24 brave souls will put their lives on the line in this searing hot contest to find Melbourne's steeliest tastebuds. Doors open at noon, with the main event kicking off at 2pm. The contest consists of three knockout rounds, with things getting progressively spicier as the competition intensifies. Participants can be eliminated by tapping out, passing out or vomiting their guts up – although, hopefully it doesn't come to that. It starts with fresh pods and spicy food, progresses to jalapeños and all culminates with the consumption of the Carolina Reaper. If you'd like to partake, you need to sign up in person at The B.East for $10. And sign a waiver, of course. If you'd like to just watch, it's free to be a spectator. In addition to the championship, there'll be a special spicy menu available from 12pm (with spicy hot dogs and burgers), Pabst beer and tequila specials, hot sauce tastings and a pop-up hot sauce shop. There'll also be live bands and DJs from 7pm once the comp has wrapped up.
Carnivores, you might want to leave your vegetarian mates at home for this one — it's definitely for those who appreciate a fancy cut of meat. The Ultimate Wagyu Experience is a monthly dinner that'll let you live out your sweetest, fattiest, beefiest dreams. Sit yourself down at this dinner at Bendigo's award-winning steakhouse The Woodhouse and prepare for a saliva-inducing showcase of the finest wagyu meat from around Australia. Four courses (steel yourself) should be just enough to explore the various cuts and ageing methods that are used on the meat. Run by chef Paul Pitcher, the experience starts with welcome drinks and canapés by an open fire. You will then move into a private dining area and be treated to some top-notch dishes, including dessert. Each plate will also be complemented with a glass of locally produced wine. The Ultimate Wagyu Experience costs $250 per person. Tickets for the next date (Saturday, April 13) will be released on Thursday, March 7, so keep your eyes on the Bendigo Tourism website.
For most of us, a bus stop is a means to an end, a necessary layover during our daily travels, and the place that helps you get from point A to point B. In Singapore, however, the transport hub on Jurong Gateway Road is the kind of place people might actually want to spend time at. When a bus stop has a rooftop garden and free books, you won't want to leave in a hurry. The structure has the bland-sounding name of Project Bus Stop, but it's anything but ordinary, as Australian commuters will instantly recognise. The rampant foliage certainly doesn't escape attention, with the six-metre-by-three-metre green roof boasting trees and drought-resistant shrubs, as well as planter boxes and even a swing underneath. If feasting your eyes on soothing natural sights isn't enough, you can bury your head in a book courtesy of a rack of novels available for everyone's reading pleasure — and if you can't find something that you like, e-books, magazines and newspapers are available to download for free. In fact, the entire bus stop is a tech-savvy delight, thanks to free wifi, phone charging stations, and interactive smartboards that display route and arrival information, Conceived by a group of designers from DP Architects, Project Bus Stop aims to turn the commuting space into a place of social interaction and make waiting for buses an enriching experience. Imagine that — actually enjoying waiting for a bus. Aussie cities, take note. Via Travel and Leisure. Image: Infocomm Media Development Authority / Our Favourite Place.
It's been 14 years since Iron Man first soared onto cinema screens, started a huge film and TV franchise, and sparked popular culture's biggest current behemoth — and, 29 movies, a heap of streaming shows and oh-so-much success later, is there any realm that the Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn't conquered? It's the main reason that plenty of people go to the movies. It keeps pumping out new Disney+ shows every few months, too. All things Marvel were already a hit on the page, obviously, before the comic book company's wares became box-office catnip. And Marvel-themed events, including exhibitions, keep popping up as well. Back in Brisbane in 2017, the Gallery of Modern Art played host to a huge showcase of Marvel costumes and props, in fact — and while that was a one-city, once-off affair, Marvel fans can now take a gander at a new batch of MCU paraphernalia. Fancy getting a close look at mjolnir, stormbreaker, the necrosword, Zeus' lightning bolt, and Valkyrie's dagger and sword? Then you've clearly seen Thor: Love and Thunder, and you'll now want to make a date with the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne. The Federation Square venue has welcomed in a selection of items from the fourth Thor flick, including all of the aforementioned weaponry — which plays a significant part in the Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit)-directed feature. Also on display: outfits by costume designer Mayes Rubeo (an Emmy-winner for WandaVision and Oscar-nominee for Jojo Rabbit), including those worn by Chris Hemsworth (Spiderhead) as Thor and Natalie Portman (Vox Lux) as Jane/The Mighty Thor. ACMI's new Thor: Love and Thunder showcase includes pieces donned by Christian Bale (Ford v Ferrari) as galactic killer Gorr the God Butcher as well, and by Tessa Thompson (Passing) as King Valkyrie. And yes, clothing that decked out Russell Crowe (Unhinged) as a tutu-wearing, lightning bolt-flinging Zeus is also now in the museum's range. The Marvel costumes and props have joined the centre's centrepiece exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image, which is free to view — but they'll only be on display until July 28, 2023. And no, there are no screaming goats on offer, sadly — but if you've seen the movie, you probably still have that sound stuck in your head. The Thor: Love and Thunder costumes and props are on display at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Federation Square, Melbourne, as part of free centrepiece exhibition The Story of the Moving Image, until July 28, 2023. Read our full Thor: Love and Thunder review. Thor: Love and Thunder image: Jasin Boland. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved. Exhibition images: courtesy Marvel Studios, Peter Tarasiuk Photography.
Somewhere deep inside, every music lover has a weakness for a Brit band. Whether you're too cool to admit you once wanted to be a Spice Girl, spent a stupid amount of money on a Rolling Stones ticket last time they toured or, like most human beings, are an out and out Beatles fan, then you're included. The good news is that, this January, Melbourne's Immigration Museum is giving you a chance to unashamedly let rip on your inner Mick Jagger — or Baby Spice. For three weeks between January 8 and 28, it's hosting a karaoke pop-up that's 100 percent dedicated to British music. You're invited to step up to the mic and bang out whatever hit takes your fancy, be it a '60s classic like 'Ticket to Ride' or a '90s pop anthem like 'Wannabe'. You Really Got Me! Bedroom Karaoke is part of the museum's public program, accompanying the British Migrant: Instant Australian? exhibition, which runs until 15 April, 2018. Access to both is included in your general entry ticket.
Paris — city of light, culture, shoebox apartments and, now, Post-it note art wars. Earlier this year, inspired by either a bout of spring fever or possibly an excess of office supplies, French video gaming company Ubisoft created an image of a space invader — made out of Post-it notes — in their office window. Shortly after, their neighbour, BNP Paribas, responded by creating their own Post-it note art in their office window. Not to be upstaged, Ubisoft responded with a new, slightly bigger and better, Post-it note creation. And that is how the 'la guerre des Post-it' began. Since then, office windows in the west of Paris and around the business district, La Defense, have been covered with colourful Post-it note artwork as new companies enter into the battle attempting to outdo each other's artwork, either in size or ingeniousness. A website has been created to showcase the Post-it creations and to keep score of each companies' contributions. To date, Ubisoft appear to be the victors in the Post-it wars; their latest creation consists of over 3,000 Post-it notes and extends over three floors. While shareholders may not be overly impressed with the level of productivity taking place, it's nice to see that French corporate types unleashing their creative sides.
Ghostface Killah constantly features as an 'honourable mention' in countless publications' lists of the greatest rappers of all time — perhaps perceived as almost too smart a lyricist for his own good to attain too many top billings in his own right. Just as RZA’s overall production vision for the legendary Wu-Tang Clan has been the sonic foundation to the diverse crew’s raw power, Ghostface has been credited with holding the at-times fractious group together over twenty years at the cutting edge of the game. The 44-year-old New Yorker is the kind of rapper who's more at home sampling You Roam When You Don’t Get It At Home (from his acclaimed solo record Supreme Clientele) than repeating the mantra "Everyday I'm hustlin'". More recently he's embraced rap's intertwined foundations in classic soul even more fully, collaborating with Black Dynamite composer Adrian Younge and the Delfonics on Twelve Reasons to Die (soon to get a sequel) for a time capsule-like recreation of live 1970s instrumentation that spawned a series of unlikely singles, capped by 'Murder Spree'. Fresh off the back of a headlining slot at Meredith — where he invited Australian paralympian Dylan Alcott onstage for 'Protect Ya Neck' — Ghostface is playing an unmissable sideshow at St Kilda's Esplanade Hotel.
When you're not watching movies and TV shows on the big screen at SXSW Sydney 2024, why not step inside a few? That's the Primeville setup, immersing attendees in pop culture-inspired spaces as folks who went to 2023's first-ever SXSW Sydney discovered. Here, Prime Video brings some of its series to life for a few days— and this year, it's doing the same with a number of flicks as well. Fancy sitting at Hannah Howard's desk or hanging out in the Flinley Craddick kitchen, complete with tiramisu to snack on? With the Australian version of The Office hitting streaming the same week that 2024's SXSW Sydney takes place, of course it's a big part of this year's Primeville — which is called Primeville Sweet Spot this time around. The full pop-up runs from Tuesday, October 15–Sunday, October 20, but making a visit on Wednesday, October 16 will mean seeing a heap of well-known faces from the shows featured, including Felicity Ward (Time Bandits), Steen Raskopoulos (The Duchess), Josh Thomson (Young Rock), Jonny Brugh (What We Do in the Shadows) and Zoe Terakes (Talk to Me) from the new The Office. When you're not clocking on and wondering if there's a stapler in jelly hidden somewhere, you can also visit Middle-earth, where The Forge, some costumes from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and something sweet to eat all await. Or, thanks to the guest list, you can celebrate all things Deadloch with Alicia Gardiner (The Clearing) and Nina Oyama (Utopia), and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart with Leah Purcell (High Country), too. From Paramount+, there'll be a nightclub inspired by Last King of the Cross, plus non-boozy jelly shots to sip and series star Lincoln Younes (Strife) in attendance. And, nodding to the big screen, Despicable Me 4 gets some love thanks to Minions to follow, plus banana macarons to enjoy. It Ends with Us is also scoring some affection via Lily Bloom's (Blake Lively, Deadpool & Wolverine) flower shop and hot cocoa cookies. If you've noticed that there's a dessert on offer with each space, that's because Primeville Sweet Spot is living up to its name. Entry is free no matter whether you're hitting up the rest of SXSW Sydney or not, but badge holders will get express entry. Also part of the pop-up: a reality TV-focused Hayu zone and a chillout space with a spin-to-win wheel — plus The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City's Heather Gay and Whitney Rose, Captain Jason Chambers from Below Deck Down Under and cricketer Meg Lanning making appearances. Primeville Sweet Spot is popping up during SXSW Sydney at Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour, 2/14 Darling Drive, Sydney from Tuesday, October 15–Sunday, October 20, 2024. Keep an eye on the Prime Video Facebook and Instagram pages for more details.
Hollywood director James Cameron has successfully completed a solo mini-submarine dive in a vertical ‘torpedo’ of his own design. For the past seven years, Cameron, who is better known for creating the epic blockbusters Avatar and Titanic, has been working in secret with a team in Australia to design and build a 12-tonne, 12 metre-long sub called ‘Deepsea Challenger’. The National Geographic Society, who sponsored the expedition, reported Cameron’s record-breaking descent to the deepest point in the ocean - over 10 kilometres down into the Mariana Trench, southwest of the Pacific island Guam. He returned to the surface after less than three hours under water. The director has been fascinated by oceanography since he was young, and he undertook 33 deep-sea dives to the wreck of the Titanic during the making of his 1997 film. Cameron planned to film what he could see during his solo dive to later share with the world in 3D. In preparation for the expedition, Cameron had researched submersible technology to find the best possible way to explore the seabed, and had practiced yoga in order to endure the mission in the one-person vessel. Swiss engineer Jacques Piccard and US navy captain Don Welsh are the only two other men to have reached the same depth, in the same place, in 1960. Their visibility was poor due to the amount of sand kicked from the ocean floor.
Update: Unfortunately, due to staff shortages, Wong's Late Night Hot Pot has had to cancel this giveaway. The CBD restaurant will still be open for normal service during these times. The Mid-Autumn Festival — also known as the Mooncake Festival — is coming up once again, and the crew at Wong's Late Night Hot Pot is celebrating by giving away 100 mini hot pots. Rock up to this Melbourne CBD hot pot spot on Tuesday, September 17, and you'll score a complimentary one-person hot pot right away — as long as you're one of the first 100 customers to visit. Wong's champions Chinese hot pot from the Chongqing region, meaning you should prepare for some proper heat. And even though these hot pots tend to be massive — best shared with a big group of mates — these mini ones should still satisfy any hungry customer. As is in the name, this spot is also open til late (2am), so if it doesn't sell out of the mini hot pots early then you'll be able to score these free eats after a big night out.
As the minds behind (and owners of) much-loved Fitzroy North haunt Neighbourhood Wine, Simon Denman and Almay Jordaan have some pretty good experience for opening a sequel venue. With the their original venue so well-loved, it's safe to expect a winning formula now that their new wine bar Old Palm Liquor has opened its doors in Brunswick East. Once again, the duo's created a comfortable, laidback destination that's on the right side of comfortable and classy, but not stuffy. But where its sibling has a jazzy, old-school lounge thing going on, Old Palm evokes feelings of some retro rumpus room, through a comfy mix of terrazzo flooring, a splash of vintage beige tilework and a healthy dose of timber veneer in the front section of the bar. And while the front is quite dark and moody, the back has lots of leafy foliage, natural light, a fireplace and a scattering of old-school light fixtures that round out the living room aesthetics. True to form, wine is a huge part of the offering here, as is an emphasis on good value, top-quality, largely minimal intervention drops from winemakers like Konpira Maru, Das Juice and Yetti & the Kokonut. Expect a carefully sourced lineup plucked from all over the world, alongside a 12-strong range of tap brews – perhaps a citrus and rhubarb sour from Collingwood's Molly Rose Brewing — and a crop of house-bottled cocktail creations, served fresh out of the freezer at minus-20 degrees. On hot days, you can cool down with sips like the signature venetian spritz — made with a biodynamic prosecco, orange and a green olive. As for the food, it's a generous menu of top-notch produce cooked over hot coals on the wood-fired grill, alongside a slew of snackier dishes that feature a bit of Jordaan's South African heritage. After-work drinks sessions might include the likes of beef tartare enlivened with biltong spices and Nardin anchovy, grilled sardines with chakalaka (a South African spicy tomato dressing), or flatbread served ready to drag through some sumac and labneh. On the heartier side, you'll spy the likes of a cider-brined pork chop matched with confit young garlic, pickled carrot and mint, and a veg-friendly assembly of tamarind eggplant, Japanese mustard greens and pickled mushrooms. Done with decisions? There's also a four-course shared feast option for $75pp, which'll take you through a diverse spread of the menu's best. Find Old Palm Liquor at 133 Lygon Street, Brunswick East. It's open from noon until midnight Tuesday to Sunday. Images: Julia Sansone.
In cinemas, viewers repeatedly flock to Marvel and Star Wars movies. We've had more than a decade of the former and more than four decades of the latter to prove that fact. But now that both franchises have expanded to the small screen as well, they've been making an impact there, too — and they've now got a swag of 2021 Emmy nominations to prove it. Both The Mandalorian and WandaVision have picked up plenty of nods for this year's awards, with nominations just announced in the early hours of Wednesday, July 14 Australian time. The adventures of Baby Yoda and his titular companion nabbed 24 noms, while Marvel's first Disney+ series landed 23. Among the heavy hitters, The Crown also picked up 24 nominations, while The Handmaid's Tale nabbed 21 nods, Ted Lasso earned 20, Lovecraft Country and The Queen's Gambit scored 18 a piece, and Mare of Easttown collected 16. They're the big contenders that'll be vying for shiny trophies in just over two months time — on Monday, September 21 Down Under — and their nominations are filled with highlights. Pretty much every main actor involved with the heartwarming Jason Sudeikis-led Ted Lasso scored a nod, for example, with seven cast members nominated. Just a week after Lovecraft Country was cancelled by HBO, its noms stand out as well, especially its acting nominations for Jonathan Majors, Jurnee Smollett, Michael K Williams and Aunjanue Ellis. Plenty of the other shows that everyone has been watching over the past year nabbed some attention, too. The immensely dissimilar The Boys and Bridgerton have been nominated for Best Drama — with the latter's Regé-Jean Page also getting a Lead Actor in a Drama nomination. In the comedy field, The Flight Attendant, PEN15 and Emily in Paris are all represented, some more deservingly than others. And, over in the Limited Series categories — which is where WandaVision, The Queen's Gambit and Mare of Easttown all sit — Michaela Coel's phenomenal I May Destroy You rightly got some love after being completely overlooked by the Golden Globes earlier this year. It picked up nine noms, in fact. Also doing big things: Hamilton. That shouldn't come as a surprise anywhere anymore; however, the exceptional filmed version of the smash-hit musical nabbed 12 nods, including for most of its cast members — Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr, Daveed Diggs and Jonathan Groff among them. And if you're noticing a big trend towards streaming shows this year, the fact that plenty of the Emmys' usual favourites didn't air over the past 12 months due to the pandemic — shows like Succession and Westworld, for instance — obviously played a part. There were still some noticeable omissions, though, including the lack of love for Girls5eva and for the Ethan Hawke-starring The Good Lord Bird. Also, while Hugh Grant picked up a nod for his work on The Undoing, Nicole Kidman didn't for hers. Being an Australian publication, we have to mention that. The 73rd Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, September 20, Australian time. Here's a rundown of the major nominations — and you can check out the full list of nominees on the Emmys' website: EMMY NOMINEES 2021 OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES The Boys Bridgerton The Crown The Mandalorian Lovecraft Country Pose The Handmaid's Tale This Is Us OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES Black-ish Cobra Kai PEN15 Emily in Paris Hacks Ted Lasso The Flight Attendant The Kominsky Method OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES Mare of Easttown I May Destroy You WandaVision The Queen's Gambit The Underground Railroad OUTSTANDING TELEVISION MOVIE Uncle Frank Sylvie's Love Oslo Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Dolly Parton's Christmas on The Square OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES Regé-Jean Page, Bridgerton Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us Billy Porter, Pose Jonathan Majors, Lovecraft Country Matthew Rhys, Perry Mason Josh O'Connor, The Crown OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Emma Corrin, The Crown Olivia Colman, The Crown Uzo Aduba, In Treatment Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale Jurnee Smollett, Lovecraft Country Mj Rodriguez, Pose OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso Anthony Anderson, Black-ish Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method William H Macy, Shameless Kenan Thompson, Kenan OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Aidy Bryant, Shrill Jean Smart, Hacks Allison Janney, Mom Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Paul Bettany, WandaVision Hugh Grant, The Undoing Ewan McGregor, Halston Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton Leslie Odom Jr, Hamilton OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen's Gambit Elizabeth Olsen, WandaVision Cynthia Erivo, Genius: Aretha OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES Michael K. Williams, Lovecraft Country Bradley Whitford, The Handmaid's Tale Max Minghella, The Handmaid's Tale O-T Fagbenle, The Handmaid's Tale John Lithgow, Perry Mason Tobias Menzies, The Crown Giancarlo Esposito, The Mandalorian Chris Sullivan, This Is Us OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES Gillian Anderson, The Crown Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown Emerald Fennell, The Crown Ann Dowd, The Handmaid's Tale Yvonne Strahovski, The Handmaid's Tale Samira Wiley, The Handmaid's Tale Madeline Brewer, The Handmaid's Tale Aunjanue Ellis, Lovecraft Country OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live Kenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso Brendan Hunt, Ted Lasso Nick Mohammed, Ted Lasso Jeremy Swift, Ted Lasso Paul Reiser, The Kominsky Method Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Hacks OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live Cecily Strong, Saturday Night Live Aidy Bryant, Saturday Night Live Rosie Perez, The Flight Attendant Hannah Einbinder, Hacks Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso Juno Temple, Ted Lasso OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Daveed Diggs, Hamilton Jonathan Groff, Hamilton Anthony Ramos, Hamilton Thomas Brodie-Sangster, The Queen's Gambit Evan Peters, Mare of Easttown Paapa Essiedu, I May Destroy You OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TELEVISION MOVIE Jean Smart, Mare of Easttown Julianne Nicholson, Mare of Easttown Kathryn Hahn, WandaVision Phillipa Soo, Hamilton Renee Elise Goldsberry, Hamilton Moses Ingram, The Queen's Gambit
Australians all let us rejoice, for the public holiday is here and we plan on making the most of it. As happens every year, our calendar is full to bursting, loaded with events and parties that celebrate our multicultural country and our shared exaltation of the humble snag. Whether you’re looking to take in a live performance, satisfy your tastebuds or just want to go for a dip in the sea, this list will make sure you have yourself a cracker of a day. And yes, we've included plenty of places where you can listen to the Hottest 100. Of course, it's a day of great contention in Australia, often called ‘Invasion Day’, ‘Day of Mourning’, ‘Survival Day’ or ‘Aboriginal Sovereignty Day’ (since 2006). There's a huge protest happening on the steps of Parliament House if you're interested.
If you've ever wanted to get your hands on any of Frank Green's popular products, here's your chance to score some for free. To celebrate the recent launch of the brand's new three-in-one insulated iced coffee cup with a straw, Frank Green has teamed up with Melbourne coffee brand Industry Beans to sling some freebies. For one day only, Industry Beans will give away a limited amount of free Frank Green coffee cups with every iced coffee purchase. In Melbourne, head into Industry Beans' Fitzroy cafe on Friday, February 9 from 7am to grab your very own Frank Green iced coffee cup — which is available in a range of colours, from the pearly white cloud to pastels like mint gelato and lilac haze. But be sure to get in quick as stocks are limited. The reusable cup provides a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic cups, which a classic iced coffee usually comes in. And, it also offers up solutions to pesky problems that iced coffee fanatics know all too well. Frank Green's iced coffee cups contain a double-wall vacuum insulation feature to prevent condensation and guarantee that your drink will stay cool by maintaining the ice for up to 12 hours, as well as a splash-proof lid and a stainless steel straw. Plus, you can ensure that your barista never spells your name incorrectly, as the cups are monogrammable. In extra brownie points for versatility, too, it can double as a stubbie holder or cocktail glass.
Having quite literally broken the internet within 24 hours of landing — thanks to an Australian designer dress and a baby announcement — the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (aka Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) are now deep into their Antipodean adventures. During the royals' 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, they're getting up to all kinds of shenanigans — from meeting koalas at Taronga Zoo to visiting socially conscious cafes in Melbourne to hopping over to picturesque Fraser Island. Even if you don't live according to a royal budget, the royal itinerary is a handy guide for showing first-time visitors around Australia. Here's the nitty-gritty of the itinerary, with a few extra suggestions from the Concrete Playground team thrown in for good measure. Don't worry, it's nice and accessible for us mere plebs. ROYALS IN SYDNEY After meeting the Governor-General, the royals' first port of call was Taronga Zoo, where they met their koala namesakes — two ten-month-old joeys, which were wedding gifts from the people of NSW — among other unique Aussie fauna. Harry asked if the koala was a "drop bear" — and we're really glad to see that local legend has made it all the way to the monarchy. For your visit, we recommend adding an adrenalin rush with the Wild Ropes course followed by a snooze among wildlife at Roar and Snore. From there, take a brief ferry ride to Circular Quay, to see a show at the Opera House. The royals couple sat in on Bangarra Dance Theatre's rehearsal of Spirit 2018, but you can choose from a multitude of other performances and live music events. After a few days in other states, Harry and Meghan returned back to Sydney and made tracks to Bondi Beach. The couple spent time in an "anti-bad vibes circle", met local surfers and talked about mental health with OneWave. The non-profit group meets weekly on a heap of different beaches, if you want to get involved. https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1053065957571092481 To channel those good vibes on your trip, we suggest you swing by one of Bondi's vegan-friendly cafes or treat yourself to some natural wine at Bondi Hall. Alternatively, make tracks to the Harbour Bridge — where later today Meghan and Harry will tackle the famous BridgeClimb (which has just relaunched with new owners) with Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Don't mess it up, ScoMo. Or, head to Cockatoo Island, where the duo will head to attend an event at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018. Terrifying ghost tours take place after dark, if you're looking for a something a little extra spooky to do. ROYALS IN MELBOURNE The couple's Melbourne escapades included a stop by South Melbourne beach — of course, it was overcast — and a cooking class at social enterprise restaurant Charcoal Lane. The forward-thinking eatery is also covered in colourful murals paying homage to the area's Indigenous identity. You can see the royals checking it out here: https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1052823771910832128 If you're keen to mirror this socially conscious agenda, Melbourne has added several new cafes to its already impressive collection this year — including a throng of social enterprise cafes from Kinfolk, where 100 percent of profits go to charity, to Wild Timor Coffee Co., where the coffee is bought directly from Timorese farmers, at fair prices. On the shores of Port Phillip Bay, Meghan and Harry learnt all about how to keep Melbourne's beaches and waterways clean, from both school students and grown-up volunteers. If you've been thinking about lending an eco-friendly hand, get in touch with Earthcare St Kilda. ROYAL ISLAND HOPPING With 8,222 Australian islands to choose from, there's no shortage of inspiration when it comes to island hopping. The royals have their sights set on the biggest sand island in the world, the legendary Fraser Island, whose magnificent giant dunes shimmer in 72 colours. It's a shame the two don't have more time on their hands, to embark on the epic, eight-day Great Walk, which visits many of Fraser's 100 freshwater lakes. If you've been contemplating an island hop of your own, check out this handpicked selection of paradises. [caption id="attachment_681271" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nicole Reed.[/caption] ROYALS GO REGIONAL As magnetic as Australia's major cities and beautiful coastline are, no visit Down Under is complete without a trip inland. Meghan and Harry also stopped by Dubbo, which is perched on the Macquarie River, 300 kilometres northwest of Sydney, to meet drought-stricken farmers and host a community picnic. We suggest returning by car, to explore some of the Central West's other friendly country towns. There's Parkes, home to The Dish and the annual Elvis Festival; Orange, where you can hike to the summit of Mount Canobolas and go truffle hunting at Borrodell Vineyard (in between tasting scores of wines); and Bathurst, for an innovative regional art gallery and woodfired pizza inside a candle-lit former church schoolhouse. Meanwhile, in Victoria, regional adventures should definitely include a journey along the Silo Art Trail, a 200-kilometre road trip through Australia's biggest outdoor art gallery. Top image: Sydney Opera House, Hamilton Lund
The site of an old 1920s social club for workers in the CBD has reopened as a contemporary and comforting Italian restaurant. The Hardware Club, opening on Hardware Lane, is the maiden venture for childhood friends Nicola Dusi and Andrea Ceriani, who arrived in Melbourne from Verona, Italy, nine years ago. Their collective resume boasts stints at the likes of D.O.C Pizzeria, Baby Pizza, Chin Chin and +39 Pizzeria — so you know this one is going to be good. The intimate 65-seater combines elements of a neighbourhood Italian restaurant and an 80s household kitchen — homely, but refined — with marble bench tops, green banquettes, wooden tables and white tiles. A bar overlooking the laneway takes pride of place in the front space and is primed for after-work cocktails and snacks. Speaking of food, Head Chef Dusi has created a menu designed to comfort and nurture, rather than push too many boundaries. A daytime offering features small bites — think, 16-month prosciutto di Parma served with pickles, and buffalo mozzarella with lashings of olive oil — alongside classic pizzas, a handful of mains and a rotating lineup of pasta. You'll find the likes of amatriciana starring pork jowl and pecorino, seafood spaghetti and a milk bolognese rigatoni. [caption id="attachment_746955" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Josh Robenstone[/caption] Meanwhile, the dinner menu covers all the bases, running from snacks through to heartier main plates. Small plates like fried salt and pepper squid, and roasted marrow bones teamed with salsa verde make a good play for the after-work crowd, while those with bigger appetites can get stuck into dishes like an osso buco ravioli, and baked rainbow trout matched with crème fraîche and Yarra Valley roe. There's even an entire coil of Italian fennel and chilli sausage, with silverbeet and chilli oil. Sticking with the homely Italian theme, the drinks list showcases a diverse spread of Italian drops, alongside Aussie and imported brews, and a lineup of classic Italian cocktails. The upcoming summer months will be all about the negronis, Venetian-style spritzes and refreshing serves of Montenegro and tonic. Find The Hardware Club at 43 Hardware Lane, Melbourne. It's open daily from 12–3pm and from 5.30pm till late. Images: Josh Robenstone. Updated: November 1, 2019.
Could this be St Kilda's best-kept secret? An educational eco centre, a subtropical rainforest conservatory, a giant chessboard and public artwork all find a home in the St Kilda Botanical Gardens, which is tucked on the suburb's border with Elwood. Formally established as botanical gardens in 1859, this significant green space is also home to over 800 mature tree specimens, as well as seasonal displays and native flora that make the perfect backdrop for a picnic. The park also houses lovely walking tracks and a bevy of bird and animal life, including rarely seen birds like the rainbow lorikeet and crested pigeon. Image: City of Port Phillip
A lockdown project from the teams behind The B.East, Globe Alley, Ferdydurke and Henry's, Lasagna Del Rey is Melbourne's newest delivery service, primed for chilly winter nights at home. "I wanted to start a fun new venture while everything was closed," Lasagna Del Rey Executive Chef and General Manager Jarrod Moore told Concrete Playground. "So, I sat down with a bunch of restaurant owners, chefs and bartenders... we threw around ideas and before we knew it, we all unanimously agreed that what we wanted to do was eat and make amazing lasagne that was left-of-field and completely different." From here, the team came up with three core lasagne — beef, chicken and vegan — all crafted from local produce and sold by the (generous) slice. Each flavour comes in two sizes: duo ($25) and family ($40). Lasagna Del Rey's classic beef number is made with organic beef, smoked pork sugo and beef fat béchamel. Topped with a triple-cheese crust, the lasagne tastes like a smoky cheeseburger, according to Moore. That smoky lasagne recipe was perfected thanks to feedback from a whole slew of cooks, too. "Just about every second day we'd have a chef or ex-hospo staff come in to do a shift and offer a suggestion to make the sauce thicker or more flavoursome — things I wouldn't have even thought of if I didn't have this diversity of input," Moore says. Maybe too many chefs don't spoil the broth (or, in this case, béchamel) after all. [caption id="attachment_777786" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Beef lasagne[/caption] Next on the lasagne lineup is the rotisserie chicken lasagne, which is made with Bannockburn free-range chicken that has been brined for 12 hours and covered in garlic butter. In between the layers of pasta, you'll also find garlicky field mushrooms, pancetta crisps and chargrilled cavolo nero Lastly, and arguably the most notable part of Lasagna Del Rey's menu, is its plant-based offering, a dish sure to impress both vegans and meat eaters, says Moore. "Vegan cooking has been a big part of my life as a chef, working with a plant-based burger brand as well as developing vegan menus at my restaurants," Moore says. "A lot of chefs on my team are vegan, too, so this dish especially went through a lot of testing and tasting to make it as special as it is today." The meat-free alternative is made with wild spinach pasta, smoked eggplant, piquillo peppers, cavolo nero and a shiitake mushroom bolognese. While the menu only features three lasagne at the moment, Moore says that the team is currently developing a new flavour, with the goal to eventually offer a new lasagne every month. "Next on the list is something with seafood — think butter lobster bechamel lasagne." Lasagna Del Rey's focus is not only on pasta, either, but on providing employment for hospo and music industry staff currently out of jobs because of the pandemic. You'll find them helping out in the kitchen and delivering lasagne to doors across Melbourne every Wednesday and Friday. Lasagna Del Rey is available to pick up from Skinner & Hackett in Carlton, The B.East in Brunswick East and The B.East of Brunswick St in Fitzroy. Delivery is available to a heap of Melbourne suburbs between 12–5pm on Wednesday and Friday for $5. You can submit an order over here. Images: Arianna Leggiero
Get a rare glimpse into artist Mirka Mora's private universe at Mirka Mora: Pas de Deux – Drawings and Dolls. Showing at the Heide Museum of Modern Art until March 4, this show brings you never-before-exhibited works from Mora's home and studio. Among them are many of her bright soft sculpture dolls. You'll find them draped across tables, displayed upright and suspended from the ceiling. On close examination, they reveal an imaginary world, peopled by sea creatures, fantastical animals and fairy tale characters. Mora has said that her dolls are "drawings in three-dimensions". Also on show is a publication that carries you into the extraordinary life of French-born Mora and her German-born husband, Georges. After meeting in 1946, the two moved to Melbourne in 1915, where their apartment at 9 Collins Street became a magnet for artists, writers, musicians, actors and Bohemians. Together, they founded the Tolarno Galleries, as well as three popular cafes: the Mirka at 183 Exhibition Street, Cafe Balzac in East Melbourne and Tolarno in St Kilda.
If you've ever wanted to take a deep dive into some of the most iconic moments of the late 1960s, here's your chance. Kicking off this April, a major exhibition devoted to the huge international impact of these five momentous years is coming to the Melbourne Museum. Dubbed Revolutions: Records and Rebels, the exhibition originated at London's Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), and it pulls together over 500 objects sourced from the famed art and design museum, as well as international loans and Melbourne Museum's own impressive collection. It's a captivating exploration of 1960s youth culture and how collective action at the time spurred revolutionary shifts all across the Western world, from the tunes to the fashion to the political protests and defining moments and events like Woodstock. You'll revisit these game-changing elements in the context of their lingering impact today, five decades on. To that end, expect to catch a rare glimpse of items like Mick Jagger's signature stage costume, John Lennon's legendary glasses, handwritten lyrics for 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' and even a guitar that was smashed on stage by Pete Townsend of The Who. Closer to home, historic items will reference pivotal Australian moments of the time, such as the anti-Vietnam War protests and the recognition of Australia's First Peoples in the 1967 referendum. State-of-the-art audio guide technology will feature a carefully curated musical soundtrack played through Sennheiser headsets, changing according to your position in the gallery. Think, Jimi Hendrix's live Woodstock set, Bob Dylan's 'The Times They Are A-Changin' and a whole lot of The Beatles, interspersed with interviews, videos, film screenings and light shows.
It won six Oscars, was nominated for four more, and made a mint at the box office — and now Mad Max: Fury Road has been named the best Australian movie of the 21st century so far by the country's film critics. George Miller's high-octane post-apocalyptic effort — the fourth in his Mad Max franchise, which came 30 years after the series' third instalment — was picked as the top recent local effort in the biggest survey of Aussie critics ever conducted. And it's in great company, with the top 25 spanning plenty of highlights from the industry's last 18 years. Crime drama Animal Kingdom nabbed second place, while Samson & Delilah, Chopper and Lantana rounded out the top five — and everything from The Babadook to Sweet Country to Snowtown also ranked highly. It's a list big on drama, though musical Moulin Rouge! was 11th, comedies The Dish and Kenny came in at 16th and 20th respectively, documentary Sherpa took 21st position and the animated effort Mary and Max secured 22nd spot. The survey was conducted by Australian film website Flicks.com.au, with 51 critics — 26 male, 25 female — taking part. David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz were among the participants, unsurprisingly, with other critics hailing from a wide range of major news outlets, trade publications, magazines, commercial and community radio, websites, podcasts, TV and blogs. Disclaimer: Sarah Ward participated in Flicks.com.au's Australian film poll, and contributes to the site. She is also one of Concrete Playground's senior film writers and weekend editor.
Here in Melbourne, pub grub is something we hold pretty dear to our hearts, and it's that love affair that's set to be the star of the show at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival's inaugural Smorgasburb celebrations. Hosted by Sand Hill Road — the same guys behind some of your all-time favourite pub feeds — this promises to be one tasty afternoon. They'll be pulling together the likes of Bossam pork belly tacos from the Terminus Hotel, a sardine katsu brioche sandwich from the Prahran Hotel, kombu- cured cobia from the Garden State, and the Bridge Hotel's toasties. It's all being served up against that iconic backdrop of the Bridge Hotel's interior laneway, and teamed with a hefty drinks list worthy of any great pub sesh. Pre-purchase your tickets and you'll get tokens to use on food and drink on the day.
Each autumn, Melbourne movie lovers score a super-sized French treat: a feast of flicks hitting the big screen, all thanks to the Alliance Française French Film Festival. In 2025, the fest marks its 36th year. On the lineup: 42 pictures that span the breadth and depth of Gallic filmmaking. So, when you're not enjoying the latest version of the The Count of Monte Cristo, you'll be diving into France's newest black comedies, then plunging into French drama and seeing a restored masterpiece. In the Victorian capital, the fun starts on Wednesday, March 5, with the full 42-title program playing until Wednesday, April 9 at Palace Cinema Como, The Kino, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Westgarth, Pentridge Cinema,The Astor Theatre, Palace Penny Lane and Palace Regent Ballarat. Kicking off the fest: opening night's Tahar Rahim (Madame Web)-starring Monsieur Aznavour, about singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour — which has been doing big business in France, selling 1.8-million-plus tickets. From there, the highlights keep coming, right through to closing night's rom-com In the Sub for Love. The aforementioned The Count of Monte Cristo features Pierre Niney (The Book of Solutions) in the lead and takes AFFFF's centrepiece slot, while Jean-Pierre Melville's 1969 great Army of Shadows arrives in 4K Down Under after premiering its restored version at Cannes 2024. Or, catch a 50-years-later remake of Emmanuelle, this time starring Noémie Merlant (Lee) and Naomi Watts (Feud), with Audrey Diwan (Happening) directing — or see Mélanie Laurent (Freedom) and Guillaume Canet (All-Time High) portraying Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI in their final days in The Deluge. Plus, Meet the Leroys is a road-trip dramedy that marks Charlotte Gainsbourg's (Alphonse) latest film, while Prodigies delivers a tale of sibling rivalry with Emily in Paris' Camille Razat. Viewers can also look forward to The Divine Sarah Bernhardt, with Sandrine Kiberlain (Meet the Barbarians) as the eponymous actor; All Stirred Up, a comedy focusing on a customs officer on the border between Quebec and the United States, plus her daughter's attempts to win a cooking contest; and Riviera Revenge, where an affair almost four decade prior sparks a quest for vengeance in the French Riviera. Elsewhere, How to Make a Killing features regular AFFFF face and Call My Agent favourite Laure Calamy (The Origin of Evil), as does My Everything; Louis Garrel and Vincent Cassel (co-stars in the 2024 festival's The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan and The Three Musketeers: Milady) team up in Saint-Ex, about Argentinian pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry; When Fall Is Coming is the latest from acclaimed director François Ozon (The Crime Is Mine); and nonagenarian filmmaker Costa-Gavras (Adults in the Room) delivers the personal Before What Comes After. Or, get excited Beating Hearts, which is helmed by Gilles Lellouche (Sink or Swim), stars Adèle Exarchopoulos (Inside Out 2) and François Civil (The Three Musketeers), and played at Cannes International Film Festival 2024 — as did the music-loving My Brother's Band from The Big Hit writer/director Emmanuel Courcol. Also in the Cannes contingent are a range of movies exploring the stories of a courier facing a interview to obtain residency, plus artist Niki de Saint-Phalle, a midlife crisis, pastoral France and being a teenager amid Corsican gang politics, aka The Story of Souleymane, Niki, This Life of Mine, Holy Cow and The Kingdom.
The unofficial breakfast capital of Australia, Melbourne seemed to reach peak cafe saturation years ago. But that hasn't stopped the city's hottest talent from opening dozens of new and inventive breakfast spots this year. That said, we're certainly not complaining. This year, we've revived our love for crumpets at a CBD hole-in-the-wall, relived our childhood at a Footscray pie shop, stepped 130 years back in time at a revived Carlton icon and road tripped to a socially conscious cafe and community farm. That's just for starters. Giant cheese shops, solar-powered spots and venues helping to stop youth homelessness opened this year, too. It's been a big one. To help, we've rounded up our favourite ten new cafes to swing open their doors this year. Make a list, start checking it off (twice).
If you hit up a Melbourne restaurant and find over ten wines offered by the glass, you're doing alright. If you get 20, you're in for a real treat. But the new Circl wine bar in Melbourne's CBD is doing what few hospo venues can by offering a whopping 150 drops by the glass and 1500 by the bottle. This is hugely important to the owners, who created this Melbourne wine bar to help foster a new culture around vino — one built around accessibility, inclusivity and discovery. One way to help people explore heaps of new and rare wines is to offer them by the glass. No need to worry about trying something new, only to find you hate it after spending hundreds of dollars on an entire bottle. But that's not the only way to help people sample hard-to-find drops. The Circl crew is taking it one step further by pouring one extremely rare wine each week. These drops are limited to 75ml per person, to ensure everyone gets a go. Spanning Australian and international vineyards, the selection will be highly curated, and feature the likes of Coche Dury, Roulot, DRC, and old vintages from top producers in Australia. Head Sommelier and Venue Manager Xavier Vigier shares, "At Circl, we really want to bring our guests wines they've never heard of before. There's a new market and audience in wine that we're very much conscious of." "We will challenge the status quo by offering rare and allocated wines by the glass to allow anyone the chance to try wines they otherwise wouldn't be able to reach. It also provides the chance to have a glass rather than committing to the full bottle." Wine is most certainly the star of the show at Circl, but food is far from neglected. Executive Chef Elias Salomonsson (ex-Scott Pickett Group and Vue Group) has created a Euro-centric menu of small and large dishes that are strongly influenced by his Scandinavian background. They are also pretty luxe bites. You can start off with Sydney Rock oysters and caviar service (if your budget allows), or opt for more complex bites like the smoked eel tart, goat's cheese eclair, arrowhead squid with nduja, morcilla and celeriac, and tuna crudo with Yarra Valley caviar (yes, you know it's a fancy spot when caviar is scattered all over the menu). And it makes a whole lot of sense when you consider the fact that Circl boasts one of the biggest champagne selections in Australia, with 135 bottles available at any time. You'll be sipping and snacking all this within newly designed digs, dreamt up by MARCH.STUDIO (Baker D. Chirico and Lucy Liu). Downstairs, you'll find the main dining room and bar, which features natural timber finishes and polished concrete floors. It's all kept quite minimalist, championing a less-is-more aesthetic. But the top spot to sit has got to be upstairs by the room-length glass-encased wine cellar. Watch on as the sommeliers move around this space, picking and choosing rare wines throughout the night. You'll find the new Circl wine bar at 22 Punch Lane, Melbourne, open from Tuesday–Saturday. For more details, check out the venue's website.
A country so fond of singing other people's tunes in public, it invented the machine that revolutionised the concept, Japan has long been known for its karaoke obsession. Throw a stone in Tokyo, and you'll find a bar dedicated to crooning tunes — and now, you'll find a ferris wheel as well. Located in Bunkyo, Tokyo Dome City has been operating as an amusement park for decades, and has boasted the Big-O Ferris Wheel for the bulk of this century. Letting patrons sing within eight of gondolas is a new addition for the ride, however. In 15-minute bursts, theme park attendees with a song in their heart can gather with up to three friends and choose from up to 50 tracks. With the Big-O already considered the world's first hubless version, aka there's no spokes in the middle, joining forces with karaoke company Joysound really was the next logical way to up the ante (and eclipse Japan's other recent mashup, a hot tub amusement park). Tickets cost ¥820 (or around AU$9.40) per person for a single ride, or ¥3,900 (AU$44.90) for an unlimited day pass — because who wants to sing and spin just once? Via Travel + Leisure. Image: calbeeb.
It's called the Museum of Old and New Art. As that name makes plain, it fills its walls and halls with examples of pieces that've been around for some time (and then some more) alongside fresh creations. And yet, Tasmania's must-visit Mona hasn't ever hosted an exhibition that only looks backwards — until September 2023 rolls around, that is. Fresh from unleashing another Dark Mofo upon Hobart, complete with an astonishing array of weird and wild wonders, the arts institution has unveiled its big summer plans to see out 2023 and welcome in 2024. Spanning the bulk of spring this year and autumn next year, too — running from Saturday, September 30, 2023–Monday, April 1, 2024 — are three exhibitions: Jean-Luc Moulène and Teams, Heavenly Beings: Icons of the Christian Orthodox World and Hrafntinna (Obsidian). Heading to Australia after showing in a different iteration at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Heavenly Beings: Icons of the Christian Orthodox World is responsible for the venue's debut display of only old art. It'll also be the biggest-ever showcase of jewel-like icons and related treasures that Australia has ever seen. Devotional objects depicting saints, virgins and other Christian holy subjects will be in the spotlight — more than 140 of them — as Mona dives into spiritual and aesthetic traditions covering centuries, what drives human behaviour and our motivations as earthbound beings. "Visitors certainly need not be religious believers to enjoy the sheer beauty and emotional power of these artworks. While painting an icon may begin from an act of piety, the resulting object also lives as a work of art far beyond its original purpose," explains Mona curator Jane Clark. "We can look at the icon as a 'window into heaven', as believers believe, but also as a looking glass, through which we may glimpse the deeper purposes — deeper than awe and transcendence, than culture or a higher power — that are served by human creativity." [caption id="attachment_908036" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Proskynetarion or Pilgrim's Memento of the Holy Sepulchre within the City of Jerusalem. Palestine, c. 1795. Collection Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), Hobart.[/caption] With Jean-Luc Moulène and Teams, Mona will also become a temporary home to French artist Jean-Luc Moulène's debut Australian exhibition. Four newly commissioned sculptural objects will feature, alongside some of Moulène's earlier works. So, get ready for new pieces using wax, metal, Triassic sandstone and timber from Tasmanian underwater forests, plus piles of coloured cans and large-scale video projections. "Jean-Luc Moulène has been described as mercurial, experimental, erudite and poetic. His ideas evolve through a deep and considered engagement with material, form, and process. The resulting objects are at once mysteriously beautiful, and forthright about the means of their making," notes Mona curator Sarah Wallace. [caption id="attachment_908034" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Photo Credit: Mona/Jesse Hunniford. Image Courtesy MONA Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] Completing this trilogy — Mona's second in a row, after opening three showcases simultaneously in 2022, too — is Hrafntinna (Obsidian). Thanks to Sigur Rós vocalist Jónsi, attendees will get a volcano experience inspired by Fagradalsfjall in Iceland, which erupted in 2021 after almost eight centuries of being dormant. This immersive and sensory installation is designed to make visitors feel like they're entering a lava-spewing rupture's depths, using music, sound, smell and almost total darkness. Nearly 200 speakers will vibrate, while a hymn-style composition that takes its cues from Icelandic choral music will play. "Jónsi was compelled by the thought of experiencing this incredibly rare event. He wanted to recreate the phenomenon and capture the essence of what it might feel like to be deep inside the volcano, despite the obstacles of distance and logistics," says Wallace. [caption id="attachment_908031" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hrafntinna (Obsidian), 2021, Jónsi. Installation view, Obsidian, Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York, 2021. Photo by Pierre Le Hors. Courtesy the artist and Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / Los Angeles.[/caption] Jean-Luc Moulène and Teams, Heavenly Beings: Icons of the Christian Orthodox World and Hrafntinna (Obsidian) will all display at Mona, 655 Main Road, Berriedale, Hobart, Tasmania, from Saturday, September 30, 2023–Monday, April 1, 2024. Top image: Hrafntinna (Obsidian), 2021, Jónsi. Installation view, Obsidian, Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York, 2021. Photo by Pierre Le Hors. Courtesy the artist and Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York / Los Angeles. 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.
What gets a new face every couple of years, and a different tone, too — and stalks stealthily through the dark but loves being projected big upon a glistening silver screen? Fans of Gotham City's famous purveyor of justice know the answer to that riddle, of course. Actually, after oh-so-many different iterations of the Dark Knight over the decades, the world in general does as well. In 2022, The Batman gave us a new version, with Robert Pattinson following in the footsteps of everyone from Adam West, Michael Keaton and Val Kilmer to George Clooney, Christian Bale and Ben Affleck. In fantastic news, the moody, brooding and gloomy end result is one of the best Batman flicks yet — and, although it only hit Australian cinemas just over a month ago, RPatz's turn in the cape and cowl has now been fast-tracked to digital. So, here's another conundrum: catch the Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Let Me In, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes)-directed, 70s crime thriller-style superhero movie on the big screen, or settle in to watch it without leaving the house? There's no right answer, because you now have options. That said, nothing beats the cinema experience — especially for a film that makes all things Batman feel new again, as this excellent effort does. Still, if that's your couch time for tonight sorted, you'll find The Batman available to rent digitally from all the usual places. In the process, you'll also find a bruised and battered take on the vigilante, a pitch-perfect turn from Tenet star Pattinson — including far more reluctance as the titular character's alter-ego Bruce Wayne than usual, and welcomely so — and a top-notch supporting cast. Also featured: Zoe Kravitz (Kimi) as Catwoman, Paul Dano (Escape at Dannemora) as the Riddler, Colin Farrell (he North Water) as the Penguin, Jeffrey Wright (The French Dispatch) as Commissioner Gordon and Andy Serkis (Long Shot) as Alfred Pennyworth. No one really needs a plot synopsis for Batman films by now, but when The Batman begins (not to be confused with Batman Begins), it's with the slaying of a powerful Gotham figure. A shocking crime that scandalises the city, it leaves a traumatised boy behind, and couldn't be more influential in the detective-style tale of blood and vengeance that follows. But viewers haven't seen this story before, despite appearances. It isn't the start of pop culture's lonesome billionaire orphan's usual plight, although he's there, all dressed in black, and has an instant affinity for the sorrowful kid. Behold the first standout feat achieved by this excellent latest take on the Dark Knight (not to be confused with The Dark Knight): realising that no one needs to see Bruce Wayne's parents meet their end for what'd feel like the millionth time. From there, The Batman follows its namesake's efforts to get to the bottom of the crime — a tricky task in Gotham, unsurprisingly. And yes, this film meant to stand completely apart from the most recent Affleck-starring DC Extended Universe version of the character. So, basically, what DC Films and Warner Bros Pictures did with Joker in 2019 — serving up a grimmer, grittier iteration of the infamous figure that has absolutely nothing to do with the rightfully hated Jared Leto version — they've done again for Batman now. Check out the trailer for The Batman below: The Batman is currently screening in Australian cinemas, and is also available to stream online via video on demand — including via Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review.
"I’m preoccupied of late with the possibilities of shrinking," Phillip Adams says of his latest work. Thumb is a cross-disciplinary performance piece that stretches the limits of dance, theatre and visual art. Though this artistic director has achieved significant success at home and abroad over the past 25 years, his company are calling this Adams’ first solo work. Drawing on classic shrink-themed cinema like Fantastic Voyage, as well as strong elements of participatory theatre (with part of the performance offering optional hypnosis) Thumb interrogates its audience's psychology of scale by toying with space and perspective. These genre-bending ambitions, together with the opportunity to see Adams in action, makes Thumb a promising piece not just for fans of contemporary dance but lovers of art of all shapes – and sizes.
Back in the day, you could walk into any old saloon, tap the bar with two fingers and the bartender would pour you a top-shelf whisky — neat, of course. Sadly, such a suave scenario isn't possible at the moment, but just because bars across the country have been forced to temporarily close doesn't mean you must go without your Laphroaig. Keeping you suitably soused while you're stuck at home is Whisky Loot. And while it mightn't be new, there's never been a better time to get small-batch and hard-to-find whiskies delivered straight to your door. The monthly subscription service delivers a box of three 60-millilitre bottles, with a different theme every time, so you'll never drink the same tipple twice. The aim is to expand your palate and educate you along the way. So, if you're just entering the world of whisky or looking to sample something other than your go-to firewater, this is for you. This month, you'll get to sample three fine Australian whiskies: an award-winning one from Launceston Distillery; a rye by Melbourne-based distillery The Gospel; and the Whisky Loot Private Barrel made by Whipper Snapper Distillery, which is not available for retail sale. While we could go into the tasting notes of each, we reckon you should take the gamble and just drink 'em. Plus, you'll be supporting local businesses, the importance of which cannot be underestimated right now. As well as three tasty ambers, you'll receive expert tasting notes and a tasting journal (with your first box), both of which will help take you from whisky novice to aficionado. And although it's a subscription service, you can do it month-to-month, with no lock-ins. It makes for a great gift, too. Best of all, Whisky Loot is offering $10 off your first order if you opt for the subscription, making it just $49 for your first round, which includes free standard shipping across Australia. And for New Zealand, contact support@whiskyloot.com for shipping information. To get in on this sweet deal, just enter SUPPORT5 at checkout. Plus, it'll be donating $5 from each box to Hospo Voice in support of the hospitality industry, which is doing it pretty tough right now. So, you can cheers to a good cause. For more information about Whisky Look and to sign up, head here. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
However many pieces of Lego exist in the world, they're generally associated with younger fans, although everything from adults-only Lego nights to bars built out of connecting bricks have been testing that idea recently. Now, the Danish brand itself is not only embracing its adult Lego aficionados, but has created a set specifically designed to reduce stress. Think of the company's new Lego Forma line as its version of adult colouring books. Crowdfunded via Indiegogo but definitely a legitimate Lego endeavour, Forma is all about encouraging adults to get creative. The fish-themed set consists of a base koi model, which customers build from 294 pieces, including a gear system that lets the finished model move in a life-like way. While each set comes with a basic snap-on koi skin, Lego fans can also add one of three others: a shark skin, a colourful 'splash' koi skin and a black-and-white 'ink' koi skin. The foil skins are also customisable (so you can break out your colouring pencils and markers if you like), and the whole thing takes a couple hours to put together. At the moment, Lego Forma is in the pilot stage, which is one of the reasons that Lego has opted to release its first model via Indiegogo — and in the US and UK only. The limited short-run batch "is primarily designed to learn whether there is an appetite and market for the product, more so than driving revenue", explains the company. After feedback on the first run, a more global approach to releasing sets like Lego Forma is planned. Lego Forma follows in the footsteps of Lego's new sustainable, plant-based pieces, with the brand clearly keeping an eye on environmental concerns — and on the fact that everyone plays with Lego as a kid, and still retains a soft spot for its hard brick pieces as an adult. Fingers crossed that Lego Forma expands its range and makes its way Down Under in the future. For more information, visit the Lego Forma Indiegogo site. Images: Lego.
If you haven't tried the savoury Japanese pancake okonomiyaki, here's your chance. For two weekends only, Hiroshima-born, London-based chef and okonomiyaki master Fumio Tanga will grace Northcote with his craft at the Broad Island Shokudo pop-up, giving you the chance to sample the Hiroshima take on what we typically know as a breakfast food. Following on from the pop-up's previous success in February, this time it will take over the indoor space at Welcome to Thornbury. Choose meat, seafood or vegetable toppings for your okonomiyaki, and layer it with a variety of additions, including kimchi, kelp, anchovies, cabbage and bean sprouts. Vegan okonomiyaki will also be available, as will Japanese snacks, such as kaki-fry (deep-fried oysters), gochujang-marinated tuna tacos, pickled cucumbers and 'Paradise Karāge'. Round off your meal with Japanese beer or your choice from a selection of local wine by Oscar Hermann of Monty's Bar and Combes Wines. UPDATE OCTOBER 3, 2017: The pop-up has just added an additional weekend and will be open from 5pm on Friday, October 6 and from midday on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8. Check out the Facebook event for more details. Images: Simon Shiff.
Like plenty of last year's events, Melbourne Fringe Festival 2021 suffered some lockdown-induced hiccups. But the long-running arts celebration is bouncing back like a pro, kicking off a special three-week makeup edition this month. The aptly titled Fringe Rebound is set to deliver a jam-packed serve of music, comedy, theatre, cabaret and more, taking over the Fringe Common Rooms hub at Trades Hall from Tuesday, February 22–Sunday, March 13. You'll have the chance to catch a stack of hotly-anticipated offerings that missed out on stage time last year; including raucous NYC-born variety show Blunderland, an award-winning homage to housemates titled Little Monster, and the hilarious exploration of single life that is Mad Woman. Elsewhere, a cast of differently-abled stars will impress you with their stories and talents for The Chronic Cabaret, celebrated comedian Lauren Bok delivers an unmissable ode to a sausage roll, and Isabella Perversi promises to have you feeling all the feels with her latest one-woman show Canary. Throw in some more stand-up, a spot of immersive theatre and a few eclectic performance pieces and you've got one heck of a Fringe fix to help you make up for lost time. And to tide you over until the full Melbourne Fringe 2022 edition, happening in October. [caption id="attachment_843206" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Sensory', Fringe Rebound[/caption] Top Images: 'Little Monster' and 'Canary'.
While Fitzroy's Johnston Street stretch has no shortage of options for working out and getting fit, its newest addition promises to be a little different to most. Nestling into a light-flooded space above The Cruelty Free Shop, Universal Practice is an all-encompassing yoga, pilates and meditation studio with a scientific edge, run by a team of fully qualified physiotherapists. In Universal Practice's second venture, the main studio boasts both a collection of pilates reformer beds and an assortment of specialist physio equipment, while the yoga room features a ropes wall — allowing students the use of props to deepen their focus on alignment. In addition to physiotherapy treatments and individualised pilates sessions, a broad range of classes is on offer, spanning from yoga asana and ropes yoga to reformer pilates, meditation and even deep-focus Yin sound bath sessions. Designed by Genevieve de Campo of de Campo Architects, the new space has a similar look to the team's original Richmond studio — which opened in 2016 — but with a more relaxed vibe to suit its Fitzroy address. Expect a feel-good vibe, fitted out with soaring warehouse ceilings, pale oak finishes and huge windows overlooking Johnston Street. Plus, to celebrate the launch, Universal Practice is offering a week of free reformer pilates, yoga and meditation classes to all visitors at their new Fitzroy digs. Jump over to the website to check out the timetable and reserve your spot. Find Universal Practice at Level 1, 124 Johnston St, Fitzroy, or check out their website.
If you're keen to raise a glass for International Women's Day, why not make it a nice pint glass filled with a special collaborative brew crafted in honour of all the women who drink, make and appreciate beer? On Friday, March 8, Blackheart & Sparrows is set to host its third annual froth-filled celebration of women who are making the beer game their own. Held at the Co-Conspirators Brewpub, it'll double as a launch party for the latest release of The Brewer — a collaboration beer made with Co-Conspirators for the occasion. This year's brew is a boldly malty ESB (extra special bitter, otherwise known as an English-style pale ale). Female-identifying beer-lovers and allies are invited along for an afternoon spent sampling the new brew (either by tap or by hand pump), while hearing from key females in the biz at a panel chat led by Blackheart & Sparrows' beer buyer Cherry Murphy. She'll be joined by co-director of Co-Conspirators and co-Vice President of Pink Boots Society Australia, Jacqui Sacco, as well as the President of Pink Boots Society Australia, Sarah Turner, founder of Full Colour Life and co-founder of Two Birds Brewing, Jayne Lewis, and founder and head distiller at Island Gin, Andi Ross. Another women-led business, Basil & Oregano Pizzeria, will also be on hand throughout the evening, pumping out woodfired pizzas. Entry is free to this year's Future Brewer event, but you will need to reserve a spot online.
Normally a fire that burns out a warehouse doesn't exactly spell good fortune, but for the creators of new events space The Third Day things turned out pretty well. Originally a costume warehouse in the 1920s, the space in North Melbourne was struck by a fire seven years ago and has laid dormant ever since — that is, until about a year ago, when The Third Day team took ownership and started work. Venue manager Rob Anthony says it's been a work in progress since then, at times slow thanks to the council, but is gaining momentum now in the new year. "We've had the venue for a year, and feel like we've been sitting on it since then and nobody knows," he says. "There's a big social media roll-out happening now and we're looking at lots of events too." The venue's first party was on Boxing Day last year, and since then they've played host to a number of other parties, mostly house music-centric and with the distinctive flavour of the Berlin club scene. "Being in Melbourne is a bit like the Berlin way too," says Rob. "You've got to seek out your parties. It might not look like much from outside, but inside it's huge — people are saying they've never seen anything like it here." The warehouse block is large, and the venue sprawling: think more openair art bar than cramped club, with space enough to expand themselves — and plans to do so soon. "Our plan in the future is to open five or six nights a week with food offerings too, and perhaps a couple of different music options and sounds. For now, we'll just do these events until we get into the groove of things. But we've got a little kitchen next to the bar and plan on moving a guy who does woodfire pizzas in by next summer." After a year ofbuild-upp, The Third Day seems to be easily in the swing of summer parties; keep an eye on their social media pages as it seems like there are hotter things still to come (no more fires though). Find The Third Day at 290 Macaulay Road, North Melbourne and www.thethirdday.com.au. Check their Facebook page for events.
Still fantasising about the standout southern Indian dishes Mischa Tropp has served up via his We Are Kerala pop-up over the years? Or perhaps the cult-favourite Delhi-style butter chicken he was slinging during lockdown? Well, get ready to reacquaint yourself, because the chef is descending on the Mornington Peninsula's Avani Wines for a summer feasting series inspired by the Keralan flavours of his heritage. Taking up residency at the Red Hill winery from Monday, December 26–Saturday, January 7, Tropp will be showcasing a vibrant four-course Keralan lunch feast that harks back to his roots. Expect generous flavours like fried Murray cod with spicy coconut curry in banana leaves; wood-fired calamari stir-fried with fresh coconut, curry leaf and fennel; a cucumber and green tomato kachumba; and goat pathiri — rice flour pastry with curried goat and a lime yoghurt. The four-course lunch comes in at $95, and Avani will have a range of signature drops available to complement the food. A vegetarian menu will also be on offer, with most other dietary requirements catered to if you call ahead. Lunch will run from 12pm daily, except for January 1.
Getting really into craft beer and growing a beard has been the overwhelming trend of the past year and while beards are apparently on the out, our love of craft beer is only getting stronger. The designers at Swedish-Italian company Sempli know this and they’ve created a set of glasses that not only look like modern art but are engineered to give you the ultimate beer experience. The Monti range includes four pieces of glassware (yes, these babies are not just glasses, they’re glassware) that look like something you'd find on a gallery plinth but are designed for optimum drinking conditions. In the four-set, you'll get a glass for pilsners, IPAs, pints and 12-ounce bottles for a cool (excuse the pun) $100. The glasses are designed to maximise bubbliness and keep the liquid at the optimum drinking temperature for each different type of beer. It’s true what they say: once you go engineered glassware, you never go back to a beer helmet. Bartenders: prepare for yourself the ultimate snobbery of patrons bringing customised IPA glasses to the pub with them. It’s the craft beer snob’s equivalent of using a tin camping mug as your takeaway coffee cup, except slightly more functional. Monti glassware by Sempli will set you back $55 for a two-set or all four for $100 at Sempli.com. Via Fast Co.Design.
UPDATE, November 10, 2020: Bunnings has confirmed that its snags will be cooking again at selected metropolitan Melbourne stores from Saturday, December 5. This article has been updated to reflect that change. It's a tradition well-known to many Australians: wake up on the weekend, make a beeline for your closest Bunnings, down a snag in bread. It's also a tradition that's been around since the 90s, and one we've been missing for eight very, very long months since Bunnings postponed its sausage sizzles back in mid-March because of rising concerns around COVID-19. In good news for Victorians, the weekend ritual is about to make its long-awaited return. First relaunching in some regional Victorian stores from Saturday, November 14, the charity sizzles are set to roll out across selected metropolitan Melbourne venues from Saturday, December 5. In a statement released today, Monday, November 2, Bunnings Chief Operating Officer Deb Poole said, "Victorians have done such an amazing job flattening the curve and we hope bringing back sausage sizzles will be yet another sign we can reclaim a sense of normality while remaining COVID-safe." Each year around 40,000 sausage sizzles are hosted at Bunnings stores, help raising much-needed funds for local charity groups and sporting teams. Community groups that had sizzles pre-booked will be prioritised, with 130 already booked in for the first weekend back. When they do return, there will, of course, be social distancing and hygiene measures in place — measures we're all very used to at this point — including spaced queues, increased cleaning and separate ordering and pick-up points. Bunnings sausage sizzles are set to return to select regional Victorian stores from Saturday, November 14, then to select metropolitan Melbourne stores from Saturday, December 5.
