The best way to really explore a place? Taste it. We're all about food tourism and farmgate experiences in 2023, so it's delightful (and delicious) that our glorious Sunshine State is serving up a jam-packed season of delectable festivals. If you nab tickets to any of these stand-out events, you'll be well placed to eat and drink more fresh and local fare than you've done in your life. Next year's lineup will have you encounter celebrity chefs, salt-of-the-earth farmers and artisan crafters of all things gourmet and gorgeous. It will have you spend sunny days (yes, even in winter — it's Queensland) at markets and masterclasses, tours and guided tastings, feasting on farmland and sampling frothy bevs by the salty sea. You'll see the source of every bite, discover the land, sea and people behind the flavours and, of course, just consume everything the Sunshine State has to offer. Together with Queensland, we've found the intel on five fantastic foodie experiences that you'll want to get yourself to. So, pack your stretchy pants and loosen your belt, and head to Queensland for a gourmet adventure. EAT LOCAL MONTH, SCENIC RIM BRISBANE This festival is a guaranteed locavore's delight, placed in the aptly-named Scenic Rim, just a short drive from Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Running annually, Eat Local Month offers a slew of foodie and farming activities — including free and family-friendly events and the Winter Harvest Festival. The lush area is home to renowned cooks, distillers, growers, brewers, makers of all things delicious — such as award-winning camel milk gelato — and some pretty famous carrots (the region is actually known as Australia's Carrot Capital). Eat Local Month is a month of tastings, food trucks, tours, meet-the-maker events and the best chefs from Queensland and beyond coming to work their magic with the local abundance. Kids can learn about cheesemaking and gardening, all while you sip locally made liqueurs and spirits, wines from just over the hill and beers brewed just around the corner. If you're a foodie who cares about fresh produce, provenance and artisan makers, come feast on the Scenic Rim. Eat Local Month, Saturday, June 2023 THE CURATED PLATE, SUNSHINE COAST This delicious festival debuted in 2019 before being rudely interrupted by a certain pandemic. In 2022, it was offered in a smaller 'side-plate' format, but it's returning with a bang in 2023 with the full The Curated Plate festival from Friday, July 28 till Sunday, August 6. Over 10 days, you will have the chance to encounter the varied flavours of Queensland and immerse yourself in the region — this is as farm-to-table (and still-to-bottle) as it gets. You'll get the chance to meet the growers and artisans on their home turf — the Sunshine Coast — as they show off the best of the local food scene alongside guest chefs. Previous events have included fermentation and bush tucker classes, long lunches and degustations as well as boat trips and farm-gate experiences. Whatever the 2023 line-up holds, it's a food tourism extravaganza no gourmand can afford to miss. The Curated Plate, Friday, July 28 till Sunday, August 6, 2023 TASTE BUNDABERG FESTIVAL, BUNDABERG Go troppo for 10 days of pure Bundy flavour. This region is about way more than just its iconic brands (although you'll find those here, too). From Friday, August 4 until Sunday, August 13, discover the best of the locale at Taste Bundaberg with everything from farm tours and feasts to markets, masterclasses, music and maker-led events. In previous years, there's been in-orchard dining, sun-soaked long-table lunches, celebrity chef demonstrations, guided cheese-tasting, cocktail making and gourmet picnics where you can sample the produce from the land beneath your very feet. With glorious weather, there's a full program of indoor and outdoor activities for foodies and families to take advantage of. Taste Bundaberg, Friday, August 4 till Sunday, August 13, 2023 CRAFTED BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL, BROADBEACH Sprawling across Broadbeach's Kurrawa Park, the Crafted Beer & Cider Festival welcomes the best local breweries and bigger names from around the country. You're in for two expertly curated days of ice-cold frothies and foodie delights beside the beach. Last time, there was nearly 60 breweries and over 400 beers. Sound overwhelming? Don't worry, the full list and tap map are released ahead of time so you can plot your golden haze of a journey along the rows of beers, ciders, seltzers, ginger beers and more (there's vinos, spirits and cocktails too). You can expect a few festival exclusives, specialty beers and non-alc options as well — plus live music to feed your ears and food trucks for your bellies. Vendors are still TBC, but you can expect all you need for a day of beer and sunshine. For tunes, a full spectrum of musicians will take to the stage, from established acts (2022 saw British India headlining) to emerging artists. Crafted Beer & Cider Festival, Saturday, September 9 till Sunday, September 10, 2023 MORETON BAY FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL, MORETON BAY BRISBANE Showcasing the culinary delights and fine fresh foods of southeast Queensland, the Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival is taking over Woody Point's Apex Park for the first weekend in August, 2023. The celebration is part of the epic six-week Tastes of Moreton Bay Festival. In 2022, more than 20,000 people rocked up for the weekend, and you can be sure that eager, hungry crowds will once again converge beside the glittering waters of Moreton Bay to savour fine foods. A smorgasbord of foodie experiences will roll out over one long weekend — everything from maker's markets, performances and masterclasses to classic games of beer pong and spectacular fireworks. Sip cocktails by the water or watch as celeb chefs take to the stage to demonstrate their recipes demonstrations that make the most of the fine foods from the land, sea and artisans in this prodigious pocket of the Sunshine State. Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival, Friday, August 4 till Sunday, August 6, 2023 To explore more of the food and wine events taking over Queensland in 2023, head to the website.
If you've got tricky dietary requirements — or are cooking for those who have — Aunt Maggie's may be your heaven. Providing quality organics, health foods and local brands to the people of Fitzroy, this well-stocked Aunt also has a solid web presence with recipe ideas galore, and runs food-related events from time-to-time. Pop into the Gertrude Street store for monthly fruit and veg specials, Rustica breads, gluten-free snacks, some Vego vegan chocolate bars and everything in between. Aunt Maggie's can also be found in Malvern and Carlton.
Taking a large-scale event to the next level just got easier, as The Timber Yard has just completed a top-to-bottom $3 million makeover. Tucked away in the backstreets of Port Melbourne, this sprawling warehouse venue is designed for versatility, with its sleek, blackout aesthetic providing event hosts an ultra-modern blank canvas to shape an attention-grabbing showcase. But don't think the venue's upgrade begins and ends with mere design. It now features a state-of-the-art audiovisual setup and full-scale climate control, making larger and more ambitious events a reality. Already a choice destination for automotive launches, charity galas and premium expos, expect The Timber Yard's event schedule to get even more high-end. While Melbourne is no stranger to massive events, finding a suitable venue to host can be a challenging prospect. Yet the improved Timber Yard offers an unlikely combo of scale, character and versatility, making its expansive industrial site an appealing choice. Now with upgraded architectural lighting and customisable layouts, the venue is ripe for just about any brief. Delving into the details, the audiovisual advancements shouldn't be underestimated. Priced at an eye-watering $1.5 million, events are elevated with 100 moving spot and wash fixtures, primed for larger-than-life lighting. Meanwhile, there's a nine-metre-wide high-res adjustable LED screen, d&b Audiotechnik distributed audio and plug-and-play technical infrastructure. "We are constantly striving to improve every aspect of the venue so that our clients and their guests have impactful and unique experiences, whether they are coming to the venue for the first or tenth time," says The Timber Yard owner and director, Adam McKenzie. Conceived as a multi-functional landmark, The Timber Yard has hosted its fair share of memorable moments in recent years. Even before the renovation, iconic carmakers like Ferrari and Lamborghini had launched full-throttle supercars at the venue, while contrasting events, such as the Wine & Cheese Fest and Ministry of Sound, proved its flexible credentials. The Timber Yard is now open at 351 Plummer St, Port Melbourne. Head to the website for more information.
Over the last few years, Brisbane has quietly become one of the best spots for a weekend escape. It's got the climate of a tropical holiday, the creativity of a capital city and a local food and drink scene that punches well above its weight. Across the city, there's art, architecture and plenty of green space, but also incredible spots to dine and unwind that are world-class without trying too hard. Whether you're looking for a few days of luxury, a culture-filled weekend or just a change of scenery (and weather), Brissy makes it easy. Here, we break down where to stay, what to eat and how to spend your time while you're there. Where to Stay The Calile Hotel If you're a person who wants the relaxation to start the second you check in, The Calile will be right up your alley. This pastel-drenched, luxury hotel is the kind of place you'll struggle to leave (and honestly, you don't need to). The rooms are built for relaxation with cool stone, brass accents and breezy balconies, while the pool area is more like a scene from a Slim Aarons photograph than your standard hotel setup. It's also in the thick of James Street, Brisbane's designer shopping and dining precinct, so everything you need is within walking distance. Beyond the rooms, there's a full day's worth of indulgence on-site, including a library stocked with art books and journals, a gym with personal training available, and Kailo Wellness Medispa for top-tier facials, massages and LED sessions. When hunger strikes, you can walk straight from the pool into Hellenika restaurant, or grab an afternoon spritz in the Lobby Bar. Whether you're swimming, shopping or slipping into a deep-tissue massage, The Calile makes you feel like you're on holiday, even if you're only up for the weekend. Book your stay here. Where to Eat SK Steak & Oyster Opened in 2019 by the St Albans restaurant group, SK Steak & Oyster has slowly but surely become a James Street institution. Conveniently located within The Calile Hotel, the restaurant has a light and bright, mid-century aesthetic and the kind of polished yet unpretentious service that makes you feel at ease from the moment you walk in. The menu leans classic in the best possible way. The team of chefs delivers expertly grilled steaks, market-fresh oysters with caviar and showstopper seafood dishes like the Moreton Bay bugs and spanner crab pasta. Alongside these big hitters, diners also have an impressive choice of pastas, soups, salads and sides. Oh, did we mention there's an entire 10-option menu dedicated to potatoes? Yep. It's a cheeky flex that fans of the restaurant have come to love. But beyond the delicious food, the high standard service and attention to detail is what makes SK Steak & Oyster an exceptional experience. This isn't just one of the best steakhouses in Brisbane, it's one of the best restaurants, full stop. There's a reason locals book this place for special occasions, and why visitors should make it one. Book a table here. Joy Hidden down a laneway in Fortitude Valley, Joy is a tiny restaurant with a big reputation. The space seats just ten, with chef Sarah Baldwin and her small team running the entire show – from the kitchen to the floor – which makes every service feel extremely personal. But it's not just the size that sets Joy apart. There's no printed menu and no choices to be made. You're served what Sarah is cooking that day, which is always a seasonal and multi-course tasting menu that's part fine-dining, part performance art. While you'll never know exactly what's on offer before sitting down, you can expect delicate, clever dishes with creative and unexpected flavour combinations. Choose the matching drinks options, and you'll enjoy sake or natural wine pairings that are carefully chosen to complement each dish. When you dine here, it's as much about the moment as it is about the food. The intimate setting, minimalist aesthetic and one-chef kitchen all create a unique tension that heightens the experience. Getting a seat takes some planning, but don't let that deter you, it's a meal you'll remember long after you leave Brisbane. Book a table here Gerard's Bistro Gerard's is one of those restaurants that's been around long enough to be considered a classic, but continues to evolve and surprise. Positioned just off James Street, the bistro has long been known for its contemporary Middle Eastern menu and cool, textural fit out featuring warm clay tones, timber and rammed-earth walls inspired by Lebanon's ancient Temple of Baalbek. The vibe here is lively in all the right ways, with an open kitchen, a buzz of conversation and a menu designed for sharing. The best time to go is for a late lunch on Friday and Saturday, or an early dinner, when the light softens and the wine starts flowing. Yes, the space is beautiful, but what you're really coming for is the food. The menu draws on Levantine, North African and Mediterranean flavours, giving traditional dishes a modern twist. Housemade breads, charcoal-grilled meat and fresh produce lead the charge, and regulars rave about the lamb shoulder with parsley tahini, woodfired octopus from Western Australia and chickpea hummus with black barley. If you have any space left for dessert, the Turkish coffee pastry cream with meringue is a must-try. It's generous food made to be eaten with friends. Book a table here. Supernormal Andrew McConnell's Melbourne institution, Supernormal, finally landed in Brisbane in 2024, and the team hasn't missed a beat. Located on Queen Street, both Supernormal and its sister terrace spot, Bar Miette, look out over the CBD skyline, making them the perfect duo for a sunset dinner and drinks. Inside, the restaurant mirrors the minimal, high-functioning design of the Melbourne location. There's an open bar feature, spacious layout and timber tones throughout. But this isn't a carbon copy – the Brisbane team, led by Executive Chef Jason Barratt, has added just enough local energy to make it feel grounded in its new home. The menu is built around bold Asian flavours and textural contrast. Must-tries include the prawn and chicken dumplings, five spice half chicken, a rich pork tomahawk with fermented chilli, and of course, the signature lobster roll. The drinks are just as enticing, with Supernormal's take on a Margarita Koshó with yuzu and fermented green chili a crowd favourite. Book a table here. Hellenika If you're staying at The Calile, you have to try Hellenika. You'll spot the green and white striped umbrellas from across the pool, but this restaurant is very much a destination in its own right. It's the kind of place you come to for lunch and find yourself still at the table by sunset, bringing a slice of Mediterranean life to inner Brisbane. The space is open, breezy and built for long, lazy meals with plenty of natural light by day and a romantic glow by night. You don't need to be staying at the hotel to dine here, but if you are, it's a convenient (and frankly irresistible) option for an afternoon of indulgence. The menu is Greek-influenced and the service is impeccable. Highlights include the spanakopita, saganaki, grilled octopus and the signature whole baked fish. Pair it all with a bottle of Greek white or a spicy margarita and you've got yourself a very good time. Book a table here What to Do Kailo Wellness Medispa If you're going to book one thing while you're here, make it a treatment at Kailo. This is Brisbane's premier medispa and regularly ranked among the best in the country, offering everything from LED facials and lymphatic drainage massages to more advanced therapies like injectables and vitamin therapy (yes, that's a thing). Located conveniently inside The Calile, it's the kind of place you can weave into your day around lunch or shopping without needing to go out of your way. The space itself is serene and architecturally designed, with treatment rooms that feel both luxurious and calming. The spa is run by a team who know what they're doing, with service that's thoughtful and discreet, and an extensive menu of clinical-grade treatments. Whether you're popping in for a pick-me-up or carving out a few hours for total relaxation, you'll be sure to walk out glowing. Book a treatment here Albion Bathhouse Australia's bathhouse scene is having a moment and Albion Bathhouse is one of the standouts. Housed in a converted warehouse with huge ceilings and atmospheric lighting, it's easily one of the most stunning spaces in the city. In fact, walking inside feels like you've entered a whole different world. Every detail here is considered, from the curve of the archways to the texture of the towels, and the experience is elevated further by a truly premium offering. You'll find not only the usual suspects (steam room, magnesium plunge pool, cold dip) but also infrared saunas and bespoke wellness experiences that you can book alongside your soak. Perfect for a solo recharge or an afternoon with friends, Albion Bathhouse is equal parts stunning and soothing, and well worth carving out an afternoon for while you visit Brisbane. Don't forget to book ahead – it's popular for a reason. Book a session here Brisbane Powerhouse Housed in an old power station on the Brisbane River, the Powerhouse has long been a cultural hub for the city. And it's only getting better. The calendar is packed year-round with performances ranging from experimental theatre and indie music to comedy, contemporary dance and festivals. Coming up this winter, you can book tickets to see comedians Wil Anderson, Anisa Nandaula and Will Gibb. Plus, there's the World Press Photography Exhibition and performances by the Brisbane Ballet to look forward to. No matter what you see, the venue itself is worth a visit: a towering structure with exposed brick walls and years of history. Plus, the outdoor bar with food vendors and sunset views is a great place to kill time before a performance. Whether you plan your trip around a specific show or just pop in to see what's on, this place is always checking out. Book your tickets here. Whether you're up for a long weekend or just a couple of days to recharge, Brisbane is ready when you are. And with The Calile Hotel as your base, you won't need to go far to find the city's best bites, sips and spa sessions. Discover accommodation, spa and dining options at The Calile Hotel website.
Following the tragic death of Apple innovator Steve Jobs, a digital book containing his 'best' e-mails has been released. Letters to Steve: Inside the E-mail Inbox of Apple's Steve Jobs has been compiled and commentated by Mark Millan, a technology writer from CNN who has gathered the e-mails through various forums and blogs. Importantly, there are also some 'never-before-published e-mails' which are featured. It is said that this book will offer fans an insight into the character of Jobs, a passionate man who often replied to customer queries himself. It also shows his deep connection with his own products, as Millan notes that "he’d write long missives about Flash or the H.264 video codec or the Objective-C programming language." Millan also goes into great detail to analyse Jobs' online communication. He notes that "he was also inconsistent about whether he’d sign his name or include 'Best' in his sign-off signature. Some of the sources I interviewed for the book believed he had assistants help him with his mail, but I didn’t find any evidence to support that." At $2.99, this is a cheap read that will appeal to the most dedicated Apple technology enthusiasts. [via Mashable]
In May 2024, Mornington scored a luxe new cocktail bar that's bringing old-world luxury down to the coast. The Bon Vivant's Companion is all black finishes, brass trimmings, art deco pendant lights and marble counters, and makes for a moody and lavish setting for cocktail-sipping. Behind the bar, you'll find over 200 Australian spirits, with a particular focus on gin and whisky. These are served up as they are, or mixed into a collection of signature cocktails or reimagined classics. The Clarified Paper Plane made with whiskey, amaro, Aperol and lemon is a particular standout. As is the Manhattan, made using Hellyers Road pinot noir-cask whisky, rose vermouth, cherry glaze and chocolate bitters. But if you'd just prefer a dirty gin martini, you'll have no trouble getting a mighty good one here. When it comes to food, there are just a few snacking options. Expect small plates like coconut ceviche with pomegranate arils and chilli and smoked trout rillette with salmon roe and house-made chips. Platters of cured meats and cheeses are also easy choices for those looking to graze, but there isn't a whole heap to eat as this haunt is primarily a drinking destination. But make sure you don't just rock on into the front bar and leave it there. For there's a Japanese-inspired speakeasy bar hidden behind a false wall somewhere in the building. Either feel for it yourself, pushing every wall in The Bon Vivant's Companion, or ask the staff for 'Jane'. They'll take you to the secret bar with its huge whisky collection. If you're in Mornington and have a hankering for fine whisky, gin or luxe cocktails, this'll be your spot.
For viewers, three years have passed since Squid Game became an award-winning Netflix hit. For Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae, The Acolyte), the same amount of time has elapsed in the show's storyline. Audiences and Player 456 are alike are in for a new round of life-or-death matches when the streaming smash finally returns on Boxing Day 2024 — but only the series' protagonist will be fighting for survival again while on a quest to shut down this chaos forever in season two. No one watching should ever want Squid Game to end; however, the show itself will wrap up in 2025 with season three. First comes the long-awaited second season to end 2024, though, where Player 456 is back in the game with new fellow competitors for company. "We are not trying to harm you. We are presenting you with an opportunity," the guards tell the latest batch of contestants battling it out for 45.6 billion won in the series' just-released full season-two trailer. Another pivotal line in the latest sneak peek: "the game will not end unless the world changes". Netflix has been dropping multiple early looks at season two, including a teaser trailer to kick off November — and its finishing off the month with a new glimpse at what's to come. These games don't stop, clearly, even after three years. As the show's protagonist dons his green tracksuit once more, his new fellow competitors are wary of his motives. Also part of the recent teases: Lee Byung-hun (The Magnificent Seven) as Gi-hun's nemesis Front Man, plus Wi Ha-joon (Little Women) also back as detective Hwang Jun-ho. Squid Game was such a huge success in its first season that Netflix confirmed at the beginning of 2022 that more was on the way, and also released a teaser trailer for it the same year, before announcing its new cast members in 2023 — and then unveiled a first brief snippet of Squid Game season two in a broader trailer for Netflix's slate for 2024, as it releases every 12 months. For season two, Gong Yoo (Train to Busan) also returns as the man in the suit who got Gi-hun into the game in the first place; however, a show about a deadly competition that has folks battling for ridiculous riches comes with a hefty bodycount. Accordingly, new faces were always going to be essential — which is where Yim Si-wan (Emergency Declaration), Kang Ha-neul (Insider), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory) and Yang Dong-geun (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations) all come in. If you somehow missed all things Squid Game when it premiered, even after it became bigger than everything from Stranger Things to Bridgerton, the Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning series serves up a puzzle-like storyline and unflinching savagery, which unsurprisingly makes quite the combination. It also steps into societal divides within South Korea, a topic that wasn't invented by Parasite, Bong Joon-ho's excellent Oscar-winning 2019 thriller, but has been given a boost after that stellar flick's success. As a result, it's easy to see thematic and narrative parallels between Parasite and Squid Game, although Netflix's highly addictive series goes with a Battle Royale and Hunger Games-style setup. Netflix turned the show's whole premise into an IRL competition series as well, which debuted in 2023 — without any murders, of course. Squid Game: The Challenge has already been picked up for a second season. Check out the full trailer for Squid Game season below: Squid Game season two streams via Netflix from Thursday, December 26, 2024. Season three will arrive in 2025 — we'll update you when an exact release date for it is announced. Images: No Ju-han/Netflix © 2024.
When it comes to Windsor's newest drinking, dining and entertainment hot-spot, there's roughly zero chance that any two visits will be the same. Instead, High Street newcomer Young Hearts is embracing a state of constant reinvention, championing an ever-evolving offering of eats, drinks, music and art. Taking over the space once home to Galah, it's the brainchild of Nic Coulter, the guy behind Neptune Food & Wine a couple of doors up. He's revived the second-floor site as a multi-faceted venue that's out to offer a choose-your-own-adventure experience, "designed for easy listening", as he describes it. If you're here to be entertained, you'll find plenty to sink your teeth into. The custom DJ booth is set to play host to a stacked rotation of selectors through the week, there'll be regular live gigs to catch and you'll have monthly Sunday day parties to add to your calendar, too. Meanwhile, Young Hearts' wall space will act as a gallery of sorts, hung with works by both up-and-coming and established Aussie artists for a roster of regular exhibitions. The drinks offering is a fuss-free, easygoing affair that's focused on celebrating quality local drops. Natural sips reign supreme on the wine list, the house Run Free Rosé is pouring on tap and the beer lineup currently heroes brews from the likes of Mismatch and Bodriggy. And if it's cocktails you're after, you'll find a handful of minimalist signatures being shaken up alongside the classics. In keeping with Young Hearts' penchant for change, the kitchen will operate via six-month residencies, hosting a diverse program of chefs both from interstate and closer to home. The culinary fun is kicking off with a pop-up by Chapel Street favourite Freddy's Pizza, which has departed from its usual offering and conjured up an exclusive new menu of Italian-inspired drinking food. It's a celebration of things you can enjoy with one hand while the other's occupied with a bev. Think, cacio e pepe croquettes, chicken cotoletta sandos, seafood fritto misto and mixed salumi plates. Freddy's famed pizza fritta (yep, that's deep-fried pizza morsels) also gets a look-in, while for dessert, you can have a go at a cocktail slushy spiked with Tommy's Booze — the team's own brand of limoncello. Find Young Hearts at 216 High Street, Windsor. It's open from 5pm–1am Thursday to Sunday. Images: Pete Dillon
This two-level Mornington precinct is the latest addition to Johnny di Francesco's award-winning pizza empire, featuring a 400 Gradi restaurant; a Zero Gradi Gelateria and Dessert Bar; and an outpost of di Francesco's delicatessen concept, Gradi Mercato. Inside, earthy tones, elegant finishes and terrazzo countertops carry on the familiar 400 Gradi aesthetic. Downstairs houses a casual wine and snack bar, plus a chic dining room, while the upstairs restaurant space boasts its own bar, al fresco terrace and balcony with bay views. A kitchen headed up by Pierre Khodja (Pinchy's, Camus) and 400 Gradi pizzaiolo Giuseppe Fortunato is serving the full lineup of 400 Gradi favourites, alongside a raft of seafood-centric 'al mare' additions inspired by the venue's coastal location. Classics like the meatballs in napoli ($18), spinach-ricotta agnolotti ($34) and the legendary World's Best Pizza titleholder Margherita Verace ($23) sit amongst newcomers including a spaghettini al granchio with lobster bisque and crab meat ($38), and a dish of local mussels cooked on the Josper ($44). A supporting cocktail list employs plenty of creative flair, with sips like a passionfruit and cardamom margarita ($18), a bacon-garnished Breakfast Old Fashioned ($20), and the Ruby Rose Martini sporting a crown of dry ice ($18). Zero Gradi and Gradi Mercato have their own space on the lower level, with the former slinging the brand's trademark offering of hand-churned gelato and artisan sweet treats. Meanwhile, the deli promises to be a one-stop shop for at-home Italian eats, stocked with ready-to-heat meals, fresh pasta, antipasto trimmings, pantry goods and more. [caption id="attachment_819510" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Breakfast Old Fashioned, by Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] Images: Kristoffer Paulsen
Want to up your culinary game, but don't want to shell out on a whole heap of exxy kitchen gear? Well, the newly hatched Carlton Kitchen Library has your back. The volunteer-run hub operates like a regular library, only, instead of books, it's loaning out a broad catalogue of kitchen utensils, appliances, bakeware and glassware. And all those cool culinary gadgets you've been adding to cart, but hesitant to buy? There's plenty of them here, too — from slow-cookers to pasta machines and deep fryers. Headed up by food security not-for-profit Cultivating Community, the Kitchen Library hopes to encourage locals in their home cooking endeavours, while also saving them from dropping money on one-off purchases and racking up more stuff for landfill. It's a big win for new residents and those moving into their first homes who haven't had the funds or time to set up their own kitchen. An adult yearly membership will set you back just $40 — it's $20 for concession card holders and $50 for businesses — with proceeds used to maintain the library, beef up the equipment inventory and fund a program of community workshops. In the library, you'll find bamboo steamers, blenders, baking trays, bowls, flour sifters, ice cream machines and even event kits stocked with plates, platters and glasses from $20 (for those keen to keep their next party or celebration low-waste). And there are plenty of cookbooks to borrow, too, if you're looking for dinner party inspo. You can suss out the full inventory over here. https://www.instagram.com/p/B7p4_8BAoIY/ Members are allowed to check out five items at a time, to keep and use for two weeks. And if there are still a few recipes to tick off your list when that due date rolls around, borrowed items can even be renewed one at a time. Obviously, you'll also need to make sure loans are nice and clean upon giving them back. The team is always on the look-out for new volunteers to help run the library and they'll happily take donations of pre-loved kitchen gear, as long as it's in good nick. Before you take in your pre-loved utensils, check out the library's wishlist. Find Carlton Kitchen Library at 480 Lygon Street, Carlton. It's open from 3–6pm Tuesday and 9.30am–12.30pm Friday. Images: Cassandra Hogan and Reusable Nation
Lonely Hunter is the monthly market that's beautified Sydney's inner west with needlepoint and ultra-funky tights in recent times. But in the grand tradition of the Melbourne vs. Sydney cool-shit-to-do comp, Melbournites won't have their shopping bags left empty. Yep, Sydney's fave indie-design market – that showcases the best in local handmade fashion, accessories, art, homewares and jewellery – is making its Melbourne debut. Lonely Hunter creators Claire and Courtney will be launching the Melbourne markets on Saturday December 14 at The Cape Lounge on Johnston Street in Fitzroy. From then, the markets will be returning to the Cape every second Saturday of the month from noon till 5pm. Just imagine a real-time Etsy with your fave beverages (dangerous). On top of being a go-to destination for all your prezzies (just in time for Christmas, too!) and introducing punters to up-and-coming talent, Lonely Hunter is bringing DIY workshops from Lost In The Craft along. So head to the Cape on December 14, and if you're a known crafty — apply for a stall ASAP.
When Australia started to get excited about Brisbane potentially hosting the 2032 Olympic Games — with the Queensland capital named as the preferred host last month — one important detail stood out. Planning for an event 11 years away is all well and good (and necessary, of course), but the 2020 Tokyo Olympics hasn't yet been held, with the Games postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. Given that COVID-19 case numbers are still high around the world, there has been much speculation about whether the Tokyo Olympics will go ahead this year, too; however, Japan is currently forging ahead with its plans. Much will likely be different about the event, which is slated to run from Friday, July 23–Sunday, August 8 — and a total lack of overseas spectators is one of the big changes. First reported earlier in March, and confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday, March 20, the five Japanese bodies organising the games — the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG), the Organising Committee Tokyo 2020 and the Government of Japan — have decided to exclude international fans from attending both the Olympics and the Paralympics. "Currently, the COVID-19 situation in Japan and many other countries around the world is still very challenging and a number of variant strains have emerged, whilst international travel remains severely restricted globally," the Tokyo Olympics organisers said. "Based on the present situation of the pandemic, it is highly unlikely that entry into Japan will be guaranteed this summer for people from overseas," the statement continued. At present, restrictions on international travellers entering Japan are in place in general. With that in mind, organisers said that "in order to give clarity to ticket holders living overseas and to enable them to adjust their travel plans at this stage, the parties on the Japanese side have come to the conclusion that they will not be able to enter into Japan at the time of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This conclusion will further contribute to ensure safe and secure Games for all participants and the Japanese public. In line with their principle of safety first for all participants and out of respect for all the parties on the Japanese side, the IOC and IPC announced in today's Five Parties meeting that they fully respect and accept this conclusion." Refunds will be issued to current ticketholders from overseas, who'll be contacted with more information about getting their money back. Tokyo Olympics organisers are yet to confirm capacity levels for the Games, including whether Japanese spectators will be permitted to attend at all, too; however, a decision on the topic is expected in April. For more information about the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, which are due to be held from Friday, July 23–Sunday, August 8, 2021, head to the event's website. Images: IOC Media.
When A League of Their Own hit cinemas back in 1992, it didn't just claim that there's no crying in baseball. More importantly, it told a spirited story about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League back in the 1940s — and it hit a home run with audiences in the process. It should come as no surprise, then, that it's getting the remake treatment, this time with Broad City's Abbi Jacobson leading the show. Jacobson also co-created and executive produced Prime Video's new version of A League of Their Own, which'll slide into your streaming queue on August 12. If you've seen the movie — which starred Geena Davis, Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell as members of a women's baseball team, plus Tom Hanks as their manager (and the person who famously decided that tears didn't have a part in the bat-swinging game) — you'll know the general gist of what's in store. As seen in the show's initial teaser trailer back in June, as well as the just-dropped full trailer, the series again jumps back to World War II to follow a group of women who dream of playing professional baseball. That said, it also promises to expand its story further that the film, charting a whole generation of baseball-loving ladies with that dream, including beyond the AAGPBL — and looking at both race and sexuality on and off the field in the process. Jacobson plays Carson, while Chanté Adams (Voyagers) plays Max — and they're joined by The Good Place's D'Arcy Carden among the players, plus Parks and Recreation favourite Nick Offerman as well. Also appearing on-screen: Gbemisola Ikumelo (The Power), Roberta Colindrez (Vida), Saidah Arrika Ekulona (Better Call Saul), Kate Berlant (Search Party), Kendall Johnson (Sexless), Kelly McCormack (George & Tammy), Alex Désert (Better Things), Priscilla Delgado (Julieta), Aaron Jennings (Grand Crew), Molly Ephraim (Perry Mason), Melanie Field (The Alienist) and Dale Dickey (Palm Springs). Charting its characters' efforts to make their way onto the field — and not only be part of a team, but also discover who they really are along the way — the new A League of Their Own marks Jacobson's first ongoing on-screen TV role since Broad City said goodbye. If you're in need of a weekend-long binge in August, all eight episodes of the show will drop at once, too. Check out the full trailer for A League of Their Own below: A League of Their Own will start streaming via Prime Video on August 12.
Track closures are the pre-Christmas gift that no commuter wants, but when they arrive on three Melbourne lines, they'll come with free public transport. With sections of Melbourne's Cranbourne, Pakenham and Gippsland train lines set to shut down temporarily during December, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced free travel in those areas for the first 23 days of the month. Trains won't run between Westall Station and Pakenham and Cranbourne to allow for rail works to enable the city's new high-capacity trains, which can carry 1100 passengers and are set to hit the tracks in mid 2019. "You've put up with a lot of disruption already while we've been re-building our train network," said Andrews. "It's the least we can do to thank you for your patience." Buses will replace trains across the closed sections. When you get on the bus, you won't be required to touch on with your Myki. If you're travelling onwards into the city, you'll be given a 'free travel token' that's valid for the entire week. Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan told The Age that the move is expected to cost the Victorian government "around $1 million". It's the latest transport-related development in what has proven a very busy year — and an election year at that. In addition to preparing for the new fleet of high-capacity trains, the government has been removing level crossings and opening new rail lines. It has also announced several other initiatives, including a high-speed train from the Melbourne CBD to Geelong, an airport rail link (with a 'super train' that can make the journey in 20 minutes also floated by a private consortium) and an underground network connecting the city's suburbs. Find more information on the free travel period here and check for updates on the PTV website. Updated: December 2, 2018.
Forgetting, fixating, flailing, fraying: that's The Father. Anthony's (Anthony Hopkins, Westworld) life is unravelling, with his daughter Anne (Olivia Colman, The Crown) springing the sudden news that she's about to move to Paris, and now insistent that he needs a new carer to replace the last home helper he's just scared off. He also can't find his watch, and time seems to jump suddenly. On some days, he has just trundled out of bed to greet the morning when Anne advises that dinner, not breakfast, is being served. When he brings up her French relocation again, she frostily and dismissively denies any knowledge. Sometimes another man (Mark Gatiss, Dracula) stalks around Anthony's London apartment, calling himself Anne's husband. Sometimes the flat isn't his own at all and, on occasion, both Anne (Olivia Williams, Victoria and Abdul) and her partner (Rufus Sewell, Judy) look completely different. Intermittently, Anthony either charms or spits cruel words at Laura (Imogen Poots, Black Christmas), the latest aide hired to oversee his days. She reminds him of another daughter, one he's sure he had — and preferred — but hasn't heard from for years. When he mentions his other offspring, however, everyone else goes silent. More than once, Anthony suspects that someone has pilfered his beloved timepiece, which just keeps disappearing. Largely, The Father remains housebound. For the bulk of its 97 minutes, it focuses on the cardigan-wearing Anthony as he roams around the space he calls home. But this is a chaotic film, despite its visual polish, and that mess, confusion and upheaval is entirely by design. All the shifting and changing — big and small details alike, and faces and places, too — speak to the reason Anne keeps telling Anthony they need another set of hands around the house. His memory isn't what it used to be. In fact, it's getting much worse than that. Anthony knows that there's something funny going on, which is how he describes it when his sense of what's happening twists and morphs without warning, and The Father's audience are being immersed in that truth. Anthony has dementia, with conveying precisely how that feels for him the main aim of this six-time Oscar-nominated stage-to-screen adaptation, which novelist and playwright turned first-time director Florian Zeller has helmed based on Le Père, his own play. In a looping, winding, structurally savvy screenplay by Zeller and Christopher Hampton (an Academy Award-winner for Dangerous Liaisons) that plays out like a puzzle, disorientation is the key tool. Sometimes the change in details is subtle, as one well-appointed, high-ceilinged abode with views of the street below gives way to another. At other times, the contrast is sharp and jarring, and Anthony reacts accordingly. The Father does an extraordinary job of placing its viewers in the octogenarian's head, making them endure the same jolts and jumps, and share the same disarray and loss. And make no mistake: to feel as though your grip on what's real and right in front of you is slipping is something to be mourned. Also superbly handled in the script, and in Hopkins' powerhouse performance, is the fact that Anthony is caught between two extremes. Not only to himself, but to Anne, Laura and that man that's sometimes present, he often seems enough like his old self that little appears wrong. That sensation can linger, but it can also pass in an instant — just as he can segue from fact to fantasy in the blink of an eye as he spins stories and reflects upon memories, and from merriment to menace in his mood as well. Bearing witness to Anthony's experience doesn't just inspire horror in an empathetic fashion. Feeling for anyone in such circumstances is an innate reaction, so it still does just that, but it also evokes a visceral response. Ageing is something that we all aspire to, given that the alternative is dying young — and the physical and mental deterioration that comes with the passing years is one of life's universal fears. The Father reflects this not only by putting its audience in Anthony's shoes, but also by observing how both of its two main characters handle this simultaneously evolving and devolving situation. While Anne bears the weight of her father's decline in a dissimilar way, obviously, her life has been equally affected. Balance is one of The Father's masterstrokes, getting its viewers thinking of their own futures as well as of those they love. No one can escape this subject matter, after all, and no one can evade the film's devastating and heartbreaking gaze, either. A titan of cinema for decades — with 2021 marking 30 years since he frightened his way into celluloid history as Hannibal Lecter — Hopkins is similarly unavoidable. He's an actor with physical presence, inescapable command, that booming voice and a way of demanding that every set of eyes peers his way, and his well-established talents and traits are all on offer in The Father. As Anthony's condition worsens, he also displays remarkable fragility and vulnerability. Aided by Ben Smithard's (Downton Abbey) incisive cinematography, he can tower over everyone in the room and then shrink into its corners. In one late shot — the movie's most haunting — he's infantilised by the scenario and the camerawork in tandem, and it's utterly shattering. In the film as a whole and in Hopkins' performance, sentiment has no place. Indeed, The Father and its star are ruthless in conveying Anthony's inner state and overall journey. The more recent Oscar-winner among cast (and a nominee this year again, alongside Hopkins), Colman is remarkable in a different manner. Her version of Anne is weary, plagued by sorrow and trying to soldier on all at once, and hers is the epitome of a layered portrayal. She weathers Hopkins' charisma, savagery and uncertainty, but she's unselfish in every scene. This is a generous film all-round, even in its darkest moments. As overwhelming as The Father can be as it wades through Anthony and Anne's lives, its unflinching and unsparing approach is anchored in kindness and compassion — because to truly see something as tough as this is to give it the attention and focus it deserves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0ox9ExOA1M&feature=youtu.be
When Japan reopened its borders to international tourists late in 2022, it was the news that plenty of travellers had been waiting for, helping us all live out our Tokyo-touring dreams once more. The list of sights to see in both the country and its capital is hefty, especially with a Super Nintendo theme park launching during the pandemic, plus Studio Ghibli's long-awaited park also debuting last November. But the latest must-visit Tokyo spot won't even have you leaving the airport. That airport: Haneda, one of two servicing Tokyo, and the more central of the pair. On Tuesday, January 31, it's officially opening the new Haneda Airport Garden complex, which features with a few sizeable drawcards — 24-hour hot springs with views of Mount Fuji (on a clear day) chief among them. Located 12 floors up and spanning over 2000 square metres, rooftop facility Spa Izumi at Haneda is your new go-to for soaking before or after a flight. The onsen overlooks the Tamagawa River, as the entire Haneda Airport Garden does, and operates 24 hours a day. Using privately sourced water, it comes complete with four areas that span openair and indoor baths — a carbonated water bath, ice plunge pool and jet bath included — plus dry, steam and hot-stone saunas, as well as shower, powder and dressing-room facilities. Even better: while Haneda Airport Garden's official opening date arrives at the end of January, Spa Izumi and the hub's two hotels started welcoming in guests back in December 2022. Looking for a place to stay before or after your travels, too? Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand features a whopping 1557 rooms, while the smaller Hotel Villa Fontaine Premier boasts 160. The former offers guests 12 different types of spaces, while the latter has six varieties. Crucially, visitors looking to take advantage of the hot springs won't need to be hotel guests. So, if you're only at the airport to head home or on a layover between flights, you can still make time for a dip before hopping on the plane — no overnight stay at one of the Villa Fontaine hotels needed. You will need to pay an admission fee, however. The full new complex also includes around 60 shops and 30 restaurants — those usual airport staples — and a bus terminal for easy access to Osaka, Yamagata and more. And, there's an event hall and conference rooms. Plus, handily, Haneda Airport Garden connects through to terminal 3, which is where Qantas flies into and out of. Unsurprisingly, this is now Japan's largest airport hotel — so expect to have ample company while you're there. Haneda Airport Garden will officially open at Tokyo's Haneda Airport from Tuesday, January 31, with Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand, Hotel Villa Fontaine Premier and Spa Izumi already operating. For more information, head to the Haneda Airport Garden website. 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.
The team behind restaurants San Telmo, Pastuso, Palermo and Asado have spent the better part of the past decade taking Melbourne's tastebuds on a culinary jaunt around South America. Flavours of Peru and Argentina are championed across the four menus, but now, the San Telmo Group is switching continents entirely to pull inspiration from the other side of the globe for its latest venture — Robata Japanese Grill. The kitchen is embracing the art of charcoal grilling with as much enthusiasm as the rest of its stable, but Japanese techniques and traditions are clearly at the forefront here. A custom-built robatayaki grill sits centrestage in Robata's kitchen, and mindful produce selection remains at the forefront of the menu. Former San Telmo Head Chef Stephen Clark is taking the reins and guiding the grill offering, drawing on his own experiences eating his way across Japan. "The grill has always been my greatest inspiration, and it's still front and centre even in this new chapter of my career," Clark says. "I've always loved Japanese cuisine. It's simplicity, variety and focus on freshness. This menu will offer new flavours and dishes that fans of The San Telmo Group have not seen on our menus before." Rocking a playful, minimalist space on Exhibition Street, the restaurant takes its cues from the streets of Tokyo. Futuristic elements and neon lights aplenty lend a very different feel to that of Robata's siblings, with fresh interiors courtesy of acclaimed Melbourne firm Ewert Leaf. The izakaya-style menu is headlined by a slew of yakitori and kushiyaki skewers, cooked over charcoal. Choose from the likes of chicken meatballs with cured yolk and tare sauce, Skull Island prawns with lemon, nori-salted turnip, and pork belly dressed in yuzu kosho (a type of chilli paste). Other snacks run to the likes of sashimi, onigiri and a soy-laced beef tartare, while bigger bites might include a tonkatsu pork cutlet matched with cabbage and mustard, and the Rangers Valley skirt steak done with shio koji (a fermented grain marinade). Add a side of charred broccolini and shiraee (smashed tofu salad), and a sparkling sake and sakura sorbet for dessert. An expertly curated drinks lineup ensures you'll be washing down your feed with some top-notch drops, whether that means a Coedo craft brew or a bottle of Yarra Valley chardonnay. The bar's pouring a strong spread of imported sake and the full range of Nikka Japanese whisky, while a cocktail selection features sips like an umeshu sour, a shochu-infused espresso martini and the sake martini with salted plum. Find Robata Japanese Grill at 2 Exhibition Street, Melbourne. It's open from 5pm–late Wednesdays and from 12pm–late Thursday–Sunday.
The days are getting longer and the sun is shining ever warmer. Isn't this time of year just the best? You leave work and it's not pitch black, you don't have to pack a scarf and a coat, things are just nice. Spring and exhibitions just go together. And thankfully, being in Melbourne, we are truly blessed with a cornucopia of fun exhibitions to experience as we say goodbye to winter and start the exciting prelude to summer. Here's our pick of the absolutely unmissable exhibitions to check out this truly stunning time of year. DARK MATTERS AT SCIENCE GALLERY MELBOURNE Ever catch yourself staring into the night sky and feeling overwhelmed by the sheer wonder of it all? Are you enamoured by all things space, science, and the unknown? Are you just after a good old-fashioned fun time with mates? If you've said yes to any of the aforementioned, then We'd suggest hitting the group chat pronto and letting everyone know you've found the perfect exhibition to check out. Dark Matters is an exciting partnership between Melbourne University's Science Gallery and the world's top particle physics lab CERN. That's right, the minds behind the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest and highest-energy particle collider. Co-curated with Monica Bello, Head of Arts at CERN and running until Saturday, December 2, the exhibition will host a range of art and science projects with the collective aim of probing the mysterious force that quite literally surrounds us: dark matter. NOCTURNAL: MELBOURNE MUSEUM AFTER DARK Speaking of dark, Melbourne Museum's after-dark showing, Nocturnal, is not to be missed. If the chance to see a triceratops skeleton up close and personal in a fun, slightly spooky, after-dark and adults-only setting doesn't entice you, then we're not sure what will. The fun doesn't end there. Expect live music, pop-up food stalls, cocktails, trivia, enlightening talks by experts and after-dark tours of some of the most fascinating exhibits Melbourne Museum has to offer. It's a great chance to not only catch up with friends with a drink, but also uncover some of life's deep mysteries — two pterodactyls, one stone. Lovely. MIRROR: NEW VIEWS ON PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE STATE LIBRARY Have you ever snapped a photo and taken a second to really think about what you've just done? You have captured time — isn't that cool? The fact that doesn't blow our minds on the daily is a testament to how far we've come as a species. Humans have been developing the art of the photograph for almost two centuries now, and The State Library's latest exhibition, MIRROR: New views on photography, is a true celebration of what a remarkable achievement the art of photography is. 140 photographs from the State Collection star in the exhibition, alongside words, performances and sounds from emerging and established Victorian artists to tell fascinating stories of Victoria through a modern lens. BACKWOODS GALLERY — MULTIPLE FREE EXHIBITIONS THROUGHOUT SPRING Backwoods Gallery, hidden amongst the cool and shadows of Collingwood's Paradise Alley, is hands down one of the hottest spots in Melbourne. Their Friday night openings are a collection of some of the most eclectic personalities in the Melbourne art scene — and that's just the crowd. The exhibitions are an ever-changing mosaic of classic and contemporary, local and international, experimental and eclectic — and always exciting. A Friday night spent at a Backwoods opening is a Friday night you'll wish didn't end. Be warned, once you go to your first, you'll end up obsessively checking the Backwoods website or Instagram for updates on their next opening. And though the opening nights — held every three or so weeks — are undoubtedly fun, the gallery itself is open to visit at any time between Thursday to Sunday, 12–6pm, if you're after a more relaxing affair. PIERRE BONNARD AND REMBRANDT: TRUE TO LIFE AT THE NGV It would be an insult to leave the National Gallery of Victoria's spectacular double whammy off this list. The genius minds of Pierre Bonnard and Rembrandt grace the hallowed halls of the NGV this spring, in the form of two truly gorgeous exhibitions. Bonnard is widely regarded as one of the greatest painters of the 20th century. Adored for his use of colour in conveying a deep sense of emotion, the eccentric Frenchman was one of the leading figures in the transition from impressionism to modernism. Catch Bonnard from a unique lens as his works are presented within immersive scenography by Paris-based designer India Mahdavi, creating a truly enveloping experience that will surely dazzle new and seasoned fans of Bannard. Last but certainly not least, Rembrandt: True to Life, follows the Dutch genius's early life in Leiden through to his final years in Amsterdam. The exhibition will be made up of 100 etchings from the NGV collection, as well as loans from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, and the Teylers Museum in Haarlem. You'll want to hurry to catch this one, as it packs up on Sunday, September 10 — and given it's the most comprehensive exhibition of Rembrandt to be held in Australia in a quarter century, it's certainly not one you'll want to miss. Catch Dark Matters at Science Gallery Melbourne until Saturday, December 2, Image: Science Gallery Melbourne
Pay whatever you feel like at Melbourne's favourite good-vibin', community-minded vegetarian eatery. Lentil as Anything have a few locations around town including spots in St Kilda, Footscray, Preston and Thornbury, but it's hard to go past the picturesque setting and atmosphere of Abbotsford Convent. Since their ingredients are often donated, the menu changes week to week, but you can just about guarantee that whatever they're serving will be tasty – and good for you as well. There's also a fairly high chance that lentils will be involved. Their unique payment method means that you decide how much your meal is worth, so please don't be a jerk. If anyone deserves your money, it's these guys.
UPDATE, December 23, 2021: The Sparks Brothers is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes, and will be available on Amazon Prime Video from January 1. "All I do now is dick around" is an exquisite song lyric and, in Sparks' 2006 single 'Dick Around', it's sung with the operatic enthusiasm it demands. It's also a line that resounds with both humour and truth when uttered by Russell Mael, who, with elder brother Ron, has been crafting art-pop ditties as irreverent and melodic as this wonderful track since 1969. Sparks haven't been dicking around over that lengthy period. They currently have 25 albums to their name, and they've taken on almost every genre of music there is in their highly acerbic fashion. That said, their tunes are clearly the biggest labour of love possible, especially as the enigmatic duo has always lingered outside the mainstream. They've had some chart success, including mid-70s hit 'This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us', Giorgio Moroder collaboration and disco standout 'The Number One Song in Heaven', and the supremely 80s 'Cool Places'. They're beloved by everyone from Beck and 'Weird Al' Yankovic to Jason Schwartzman and Mike Myers, too. They're the band that all your favourite bands, actors and comedians can't get enough of, but they're hardly a household name — and yet, decade after decade, the Maels have kept playing around to make the smart, hilarious and offbeat songs they obviously personally adore. Everyone else should love Sparks' idiosyncratic earworms as well — and, even for those who've never heard of the band before, that's the outcome after watching The Sparks Brothers. Edgar Wright, one of the group's unabashed super fans, has turned his overflowing affection into an exceptional documentary. It's the Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Baby Driver director's first factual effort, and it's even more charming and delightful than the films he's best known for. That said, it'd be hard to mess up a movie about Sparks, purely given how much material there is to work with. Russell and Ron, the former sporting shaggier hair and the latter donning a pencil-thin moustache rather than the Charlie Chaplin-style top lip he's brandished for much of his career, are also heavenly interviewees. That's the thing about these now-septuagenarian siblings, every Sparks tune they've ever blasted out into the world, and this comprehensive yet always accessible film that's instantly one of 2021's best: they're all joyously, fabulously, eccentrically fun to an infectious and buoyant degree. There's a joke in this doco's title, in fact; when it came to naming the group after cycling through a few monikers across other projects, they firmly rejected The Sparks Brothers. That's one of the many anecdotes that fill Wright's film — some shared playfully and self-deprecatingly by the Maels, some offered by worshipping aficionados that join the entertaining love-in. There's no escaping the documentary's devoted tone, but again, that attitude is quickly contagious. As the movie steps through Sparks' ups and downs, taking the chronological approach and giving as much time to their lesser-known albums as their cult hits, being as enchanted as Wright just comes with the package. He does an exhaustive job of charting the ebbs, flows, jumps, swerves, successes, disappointments and reinventions that've littered his subjects' careers, even as he leaves viewers wanting even more detail in plenty of instances. Crucially for a feature about musicians that many watching will be unfamiliar with, Wright does just as stellar a job at conveying exactly why Sparks have always deserved far more fame and acclaim, why they're so completely and utterly beloved and obsessed over by everyone who comes across them, and why music, comedy and the intersection of the two will forever owe them a debt. The audience first meets Russell and Ron today, looking as hip and unconventional as they always have, before The Sparks Brothers jumps back to their Los Angeles childhood, their teen penchant for movies and then everything that's come since. They originally weren't certain if they'd become filmmakers instead — and there's a theatricality to the pair's songs, shows and sublimely off-kilter music videos that speaks to that cinematic fervour. Wright weaves in an abundance of Sparks' gigs and tunes, showcasing both their creativity and their presence. This is a movie with a killer soundtrack, obviously, and it also appreciates the artistry that goes into creating such clever, distinctive and amusing songs that are always one step ahead of the pack. One clear highlight: a live rendition of 'My Baby's Taking Me Home', a tune that repeats that phrase 100-plus times, doesn't include a single other word, and is an emotional tour de force. Another pivotal message: just how hard the Maels have always worked to do what they love, to make such musical pearls and to keep challenging themselves. In 2008, they did 21 shows in London in 21 nights, playing every one of their then 21 albums through in full, for instance. It's with inescapable melancholy that The Sparks Brothers is also an account of what didn't quite happen; watching it, it's almost impossible to grasp why they haven't been one of the biggest bands in the world for the last half-century. Their 1994 synth-pop track 'When Do I Get to Sing 'My Way'', a hit in Germany at the time, manages to be both an anthemic smash and a commentary on what hadn't worked out for them; yes, as Russell's voice echoes and Ron's keyboard skills constantly strike a chord, that's how witty and humorous and just all-round magnificent their music is. 2021 is the year of Sparks, though. Every year since 1969 should've been, but The Sparks Brothers sings their praises with irresistible passion. And, it gives viewers a brief glimpse at their next big project, Annette — the musical that just opened the Cannes Film Festival, is directed by Holy Motors' Leos Carax, stars Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, and reportedly features the former crooning tunes while getting rather intimate with the latter. The world has always needed more Sparks on a bigger stage; now, to the benefit of everyone that's ever loved them and anyone just discovering them, it's stopped dicking around and is finally delivering.
Move over Google Glass. After years of development, the search engine-cum-world-enveloping-super-corporation have announced the very first public rollout of their brand new modular phone. Codenamed Project Ara, Google has confirmed that the customisable device will be made available for purchase in the second half of 2015. The only downside? You'll have to live in Puerto Rico in order to do so. The Puerto Rican pilot program is part of ongoing testing for the smartphone, which consists of a special exoskeleton into which users can slide various physical 'modules', such as a camera, external speakers or an extra battery — essentially building their own phone. According to Google, the potential for modules is limitless — and we can certainly appreciate the theoretical advantages. Not only will users be able to customise their phone's appearance, they’ll also be able to incrementally upgrade obsolete hardware, cutting out the cost and general inconvenience of purchasing a whole new phone. On an even more practical level, as someone who habitually drops their phone on the footpath, the prospect of being able to simply detach a cracked screen and replace it with a new one is pretty damn appealing. Google is remaining coy when it comes to things like pricing, although according to the Project Ara website, the cost of the components will hopefully be between US$50-100. Google have also stated that they hope to have as many as 20-30 different modules available by the time the phone is on sale. Taking a tip from the mobile food industry, Google will also roll out several 'food-truck' style stores in conjunction with the Puerto Rican release, with users able to trial the device before they commit to purchase. Presumably the reception in Puerto Rico will be used as a baseline, in order for the company to tweak the device ahead of a wider release at some point in the future. Via Time. Images: Google ATAP.
In response to Melbourne's latest COVID-19 cases, the Victorian Government has changed the state's mask rules to bring back mandatory face coverings inside. As announced last night, on Wednesday, July 14, wearing masks indoors became compulsory again at 11.59am — so, Victorians, you've just woken up to the new requirement. Accordingly, face masks are now compulsory inside for all Victorians — not just residents of Melbourne — over the age of 12. The rule applies in all indoor settings that aren't your own home, including all workplaces. Also, if you're outside, you need to wear a mask if you cannot maintain a 1.5-metre distance from folks who aren't from your own household. These requirements are all very familiar, given that the mask rules only started loosening again over the past month — following Melbourne's two-week lockdown in late May and early June. In fact, people have only been able to go maskless in indoor workplaces that don't face a public-facing component for the last week, and have only been able to ditch face coverings outdoors if you can social distance since mid-June. https://twitter.com/VicGovDH/status/1415287538676158467 At present, new cases linked to Sydney's current cluster and lockdown have popped up in Melbourne, which is why the mask mandate has come back into effect. Yes, that means that the city's exposure sites list is growing again, too. As always, Melburnians can keep an eye on the local list of exposure sites at the Department of Health website — it will keep being updated if and when more sites are identified. For those looking to get tested, you can find a list of testing sites including regularly updated waiting times also on the Department of Health website. And, has remained the case throughout the pandemic, Melburnians should be looking out for coughs, fever, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste, symptoms-wise. Plus, if you're wondering where to grab a fitted mask, we've put together a rundown of local companies making and selling them. For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the Department of Health and Human Services website.
After heading our way for Laneway Festival earlier in 2023, Japanese Australian singer-songwriter Joji is finally giving his Aussie fans the chance to catch a glimpse of him at his own headline gigs when he returns for a run of arena shows. The viral hitmaker is making his way Down Under fresh from a US run of gigs, including bringing the Pandemonium tour to Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Monday, November 2o. Joji's debut headline Australian shows have been a long time coming. After fostering a cult following on YouTube, he pivoted his talents to music in 2017, releasing three studio albums across the following six years. The entire trio of albums has spawned Top 40 hits in Australia, New Zealand and the US, and Joji is one of only a handful of artists that can claim to have multiple songs with over a billion streams on Spotify — with 'Glimpse of Us' and 'Slow Dancing in the Dark' both passing this impressive milestone. Concertgoers can expect the heartfelt emotions of Joji's ballads alongside a sprinkling of humour, with his live shows receiving online notoriety for the performer's onstage hijinx between and during songs. Scottish dance producer and singer Sam Gellaitry is on supporting duties alongside rapper SavageRealm, who also opened for Joji on his North American tour.
If you're thinking of heading to Tassie for Dark Mofo this year, this could be the clincher. MONA is hosting its next big exhibition, Zero — a celebration of Germany's radical artists of the 1950s and 60s. The show gets its name from the term the artists used, collectively, to describe themselves. They didn't identify as belonging to a movement, style or group, but instead felt connected by a "vision of the things", as explained by Otto Piene, one of the founders. The show will feature artworks by original Zero artists, as well as those that have since absorbed their influence. These include Heinz Mack, Otto Piene, Günther Uecker and Adolf Luther from Germany; Lucio Fontana, Nanda Vigo, Grazia Varisco, Enrico Castellani and Gianni Colombo from Italy; with Marcel Duchamp, Yves Klein and François Morellet from France; Henk Peeters from The Netherlands; Christian Megert from Switzerland; Jesús Soto from Venezuela; and Yayoi Kusama from Japan. Given that these artworks were often ephemeral, many will be reconstructions. Expect sound effects, music, optical illusions, moving parts, shifting lights and reflective materials. There'll be a particular focus on vibration, which Mack described in 1958 as "resting restlessness…the expression of continuous movement, which we call 'vibration'…Its harmony stirs our souls, as the life and breath of the work." Taking care of curation is Mattijs Visser, founding director of the international Zero Foundation. "Zero is one of the most significant, yet largely forgotten, art movements since the Second World War...Zero needs to be discovered now, while several of their speakers are still with us," he says.
Australians have it good. While our Northern brothers and sisters have to rug up from the cold and watch awful Christmas episodes of Doctor Who, we get our peak run of music festivals, outdoor parties and plenty of trips to the beach. It only makes sense that someone combined the best of Australian summer into one amazing night. Stokehouse are hosting a party at their beach front bar and restaurant. The beachfront stage will be blown away by favourites Miami Horror DJs and Flight Facilities with support from some great Australian artists: Elizabeth Rose, Client Liaison and Graz. Tickets include an open bar of beer, wine, cocktails, oysters and other delicious canapés.
Need a little more spice in your life around Valentine's Day? Gelato Messina has combined forces with the well-loved Asian sauce brand, Lee Kum Kee, to create two bold new flavours. And for one day only this weekend, it's your chance to score free scoops at this Melbourne pop-up. Sure, classic flavours like chocolate, vanilla and strawberry are staples for a reason, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't experiment from time to time. After months of testing, Messina and Lee Kum Kee are ready to release their limited-edition flavours into the wild, celebrating Chinese New Year and the power of sugar and spice. Your first option is caramel and soy sauce gelato with Premium Soy Sauce brownies. As decadent as it sounds, Lee Kum Kee's sauce pairs with Messina's signature dulce de leche to take it to even smoother, richer heights. Next, coconut & kaffir lime gelato with peanut topping and Chiu Chow Chili Oil peanut crisps delivers a tangy and refreshing hit. If you're a spice fan, drizzle a little more of this classic sauce on top. Ready to scoop? Get down to the Bourke Street Mall from 11.30am–2.30pm on Saturday, February 15 to see what this unexpected collaboration is all about.
If you're looking for a weekend getaway that feels like a holiday without costing too many kilometres, then New Zealand's west coast beaches are the ticket. Often regarded as one of Auckland's best-kept secrets, these black sand beauties are untamed, untouched and accessible. Just an easy 45-minute drive from Auckland airport, the only time constraint is fitting everything in. Explore the tousled beaches, charming eateries and countless outdoor activities that the west coast has on offer. Whether you'd prefer to conquer the rugged cliffs of Piha, surf Muriwai or take a stroll between vines at one of the many vineyards, it's the destination for all paces and palates. Here, you'll find the food you should sample, the wine you should drink, things you should do and the places you should stay while on this wild retreat. [caption id="attachment_664056" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Hunting Lodge.[/caption] DRINK Rolling hills underfoot and glass in hand, fill your lungs with fresh air and your belly with wine. Kumeu is New Zealand's oldest wine region, so the wine is rich in tradition as well as flavour. Like its grapes, the options are plentiful when it comes to exploring the area's boutique wineries and orchards. Book a wine tour and while you sip, soak up plenty of west coast greenery, as well as (hopefully) a little bit of sunshine, too. Home to New Zealand's most-awarded sparkling wine, Soljans Estate Winery is definitely one to drop a pin on. Known as the gateway to Kumeu wine country, it may be proof that you never forget your first love. Take a tour of the winery and hear the rich history behind the vineyard, then seal the deal with a glass of wine and something to eat from Soljans Café, named as one of Auckland's top 40 restaurants and also one of the top 20 winery restaurants in the world. It's one for the memory bank. [caption id="attachment_664050" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frederick Müller.[/caption] If you think true love doesn't come by twice in a lifetime, then you need to try Kumeu River Wines. Set in green pastures, it's a picture of paradise. While you're sampling the wine, be sure to have a tipple (or a large glass) of the chardonnay. Still made in the old-world style of classic French varietals and known as being world-class, what's not to love? Fit for families, couples or the lone wine ranger, The Hunting Lodge Winery has got what you need. The 80-acre estate features a winery and bottling works, a restaurant, cafe and a family zone. With a pétanque pitch surrounded by an olive grove and kids' play area, it's a winner for everyone. There's also an option to take a stroll in the vines for those looking for a bit of romance. From pasture to plate to your mouth, it's an experience not to miss. Other cellar doors worth checking out while roaming the west are Babich Wines, Coopers Creek Vineyard, Kerr Farm Vineyard, Mazurans and Twin Totora Wines. [caption id="attachment_664058" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hallertau.[/caption] EAT While it may be wine country, the food on the west coast deserves a gastro tour of its very own. Whether you have a clifftop walk, a day at the beach or an afternoon of mountain biking planned, you must schedule some time to taste the best of the west. Known for its fresh seasonal produce, The Tasting Shed presents a unique experience for the palate. Owners and husband-wife team, Ganesh and Jo had a vision to offer the freshest ingredients and accentuate them with an array of wines by the glass. From start to finish, your tastebuds will be taken on an adventure, with food combinations that surprise and delight and an ambience so homely it'll almost be like you're dining in your own house (except that you will be dining at one of Auckland's best restaurants). [caption id="attachment_664054" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Riverhead Tavern[/caption] From countryfolk and townspeople to smugglers and clergymen, The Riverhead Historic Tavern has seen it all. Nestled on the shores of the upper Waitemata, The Riverhead is steeped in local history, acting as a gateway to lands in the north prior to the completion of roads and railway. Come and taste the offerings of this premium pub and be part of its unfinished story. For a helluva good time, visit Hallertau Brewery. Designed to bring people together over good quality German-style beer and the community feel of an Irish pub, it's a stop you'll want to schedule on your itinerary. On a sunny day, the expansive outdoor biergarten will have you covered, literally (no one needs a nasty sunburn when they're on holidays). The brewery was also featured as one of New Zealand's top 100 restaurants. Other eateries worth stretching your stomach for are the aforementioned Soljans Cafe, Blossoms Espresso Cafe and Murray at Piha for fresh tacos. And on the way home, grab a scoop of real fruit ice cream from Phil Greig Strawberry Gardens. [caption id="attachment_565445" align="alignnone" width="1283"] Woodhill Mountain Bike Park.[/caption] DO Water babies, wine connoisseurs and the daring weekenders won't be disappointed by the activities the west has to offer. If you're up for hanging ten and donning a wetty, take a surf lesson at the local Muriwai Surf School. You'll be pulling shakas and flicking that imaginary bleach blonde hair off your face in no time. If you'd rather stay out of the water, go horse trekking along the expansive beach instead. For more stunning black sand beaches, head to Piha to tackle Lion Rock or Karekare which is best known for its cameo in The Piano. For those who love a round of golf, try for a hole in one at the Muriwai Golf Links. Although we can't promise that you'll be able to play with the former Prime Minister and Obama, we can promise incredible views. If you're looking to pump a bit of adrenaline around your body, unleash your inner monkey among the treetops on Tree Adventures's high wires and flying foxes in Woodhill Forest. Or if that's not enough, try tandem skydiving over Parakai at Skydive Auckland. If you simply need another activity, race on over 100 kilometres of purpose-built tracks and jumps at the Woodhill Mountain Bike Park. But don't forget to visit the tranquil oasis that is the Corban Estate Arts Centre in Henderson for a little R&R to follow. Take a guided tour, have a look at the gallery shop and enjoy a treat or two from the Coffee Studio. [caption id="attachment_664055" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 216 Luxury Accommodation.[/caption] STAY The clifftops of Muriwai house gannet seabird colonies during the summer months and you too can wake up listening to the waves by staying at 216 Luxury Accommodation, self-contained luxury accommodation at Muriwai Beach. If you're after something a little more rustic, book into the Muriwai Beach Campground located just off the black sands of the beach. And for accommodation somewhere in between, there are several Airbnb cottages that'll set you up in the trees within the Waitakere Ranges, among the nikau palms near Piha or in the bush just near Muriwai Beach and the gannet colonies. Alternatively, you can opt to stay centrally in Auckland city in one of the many hotels or boutique apartments, just a 45-minute drive from the west coast — that way you'll get a chance to see more of the city, including its island of wine. LET'S DO THIS, HOW DO I GET THERE? Flights to Auckland from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are super short — around three-and-a-half hours on average — and Air New Zealand flies direct from all three cities and offers accessible fares. Once you arrive in Auckland, jump in a hire car and let your adventure begin. https://youtu.be/GsNKQwXRpC4 Book your flights to Auckland with Air New Zealand and start planning your next long weekend away. Header image: Russell Street.
Collingwood gallery Sullivan + Strumpf are launching a new exhibition this month: Tissu Tissue by acclaimed abstract artist Lara Merrett. Merrett is known for her mind-bending colour work, and these new canvases push her trademark style about as far as it can go. Imagine an ocean of soft, pulsing colour, where forms blur and merge into one another. It's trippy and soothing all at the same time, in a similar vein to US artist Arielle Austin. "As an ocean swimmer, I try to tap into, hold onto, and inject this state into the work. In thinking of landscape as an experience, I am connecting to this larger force – I am part of something bigger than myself," Merrett says. "In psychoanalysis, oceanic feeling is an expansion of consciousness beyond one's body, a limitless extension, and a sense of unlimited power associated with identification with the universe as a whole." Born in Melbourne in 1971, Merrett currently splits her time between studios in Sydney and Bendalong in regional New South Wales. Tissu Tissue is a rare chance for Melburnians to catch her latest work. The exhibition will run from July 20 to August 12, with a special launch event on Thursday ,July 20 (6–8pm). Follow Sullivan + Strumpf for all the updates. Images: Supplied
There aren't any specific guidelines to define how you become a 'mixologist'. Sure, everyone has that one friend who fancies themselves quite the bartender because they can make a vodka, fresh lime and soda, but somehow I think there's more to it. Okay, citrus and soda do taste good together, but if you ask any bartender what they think of that drink they'll undoubtedly groan and roll their eyes back out of their heads. Time to get serious about your drinks, people — and luckily, Melbourne's newest boutique drinks festival is here to give you a little more finesse. Coming to the Royal Exhibition Building on Sunday, February 9, the Top Shelf Boutique Drinks Festival will not only be a place for purists and professionals, but for hobbyists too. Ever wondered what goes into a good bourbon or whiskey? Check in with Harlen Wheatley from Kentucky's Buffalo Trace, the world's most awarded distillery. Thinking about delving into the world of food and wine matching? Maybe you want to learn the difference between real margaritas and the kind they serve at Taco Bill? Just ask International Bartender of the Year Jack McGarry. He'll be there with business partner Sean Muldoon, talking about his latest venture, The Dead Rabbit — a recently launched New York bar that has taken out awards for Best New Cocktail Bar and World's Best Cocktail Menu. Of course, for many, this all seems a world away. Not everyone can make whiskey or launch a bar in New York City; the vast majority of us just want to drink the stuff. Luckily, this is far from being a dry event. Punters will be able to sample drinks as homegrown as Four Pillars gin from the Yarra Valley and as far-fetched as Tokaji dessert wines from Hungary. After all your taste testing, Chingon Taco Truck will be there to responsibly fill up your stomach as the day wears on. For those who just can't wait, the festival will also be running a Top Shelf Bar Safari that parades you through some of Melbourne's finer establishments, including cocktail gems like Lily Blacks and 1806. And for those budding mixologists who want to get a head start, Jack McGarry has created a Melbourne-inspired cocktail for us in honour of the trip. That's right — a drink from the world's best bartender. A little better than a vodka, fresh lime and soda. The Melbourne Cup - 44ml Jameson Black Barrel - 22ml cranberry liqueur - 7ml elderflower liqueur - 22ml fresh lemon juice - 15ml sherbet - 3 dashes Bittermens Burlesque Bitters - 1tsp quince jam Method: Add ice and shake vigorously. Add 30ml champagne cider to the tin and strain into an ice-filled bar-glass. Garnish with berries in season and finish with freshly grated nutmeg. The Top Shelf Boutique Drinks Festival will run at the Royal Exhibition Building from 11am-6pm on Sunday, February 9, with an extra day on February 10 for trade professionals. Tickets are $25 pre-sale or $30 on the door and can be pre-purchased at the festival website.
Rock climbing can be complicated with its ropes, pulleys, teams and other gear — plus all the rocks and cliff faces — bouldering is the sport of the minimalists. It can be done outside in the wild or indoors on specially designed walls and padded rooms like at BlocHaus Port Melbourne. If you're in the market for an unconventional workout routine, bouldering could be the way to go. It doesn't require you to be Spiderman incarnate, there are various wall levels for different fitness levels. There's "Boulder Beginner" for newcomers and "Boulder Better" for intermediates and those that want to tips on tackling tricky techniques. If you're new to the sport, you don't need any specialised gear — just your hands and feet — BlocHaus will provide the chalk and climbing shoes. In addition to the rock walls, the bouldering studio has a fitness training area, slackline, classes, specialised climbing training — for those that wish to literally take things to the next level — and in-house coffee and treats.
These days, travel trends shift in the same way as food, music or fashion. Destinations that were popular a few years ago don't always stay that way, and as you scroll through Instagram, you'll often see your friends all hitting up the same travel hotspots. Instead of chasing the same locations, travelling in 2026 is about going somewhere that feels fresh, exciting and a little unexpected. Thanks to Singapore Airlines' Early Bird Fare Deals, you can book ahead to the cities that are sure to fuel your curiosity, from Manchester to Johannesburg to Ho Chi Minh City. Manchester, England London will always be a classic holiday destination and a popular gateway to Europe, but Manchester has a lot more to offer than you might think. Known for its legendary music history (responsible for bands like The Smiths and Oasis), the city has evolved over the years into a hive of live gigs, design festivals and one of the UK's most exciting dining scenes. Football fans already know Old Trafford and the Etihad are must-visit stadiums for a game, but Manchester's neighbourhood bars and galleries are just as worthy of your time. With Singapore Airlines' Early Bird fares, you can fly Perth to Manchester from $1,555 return. Brussels, Belgium Belgium's capital is full of beautiful architecture and public spaces, but it's also fast emerging as Europe's creative hub, where street art and digital design combine with the city's old-world charm. Between modern art galleries, neighbourhood breweries and its reputation as the birthplace of fries, there are so many reasons to go and visit. It's also perfectly positioned for day trips to Bruges, Ghent or Antwerp, if you feel like taking your travel plans even further. Early Bird fares from Adelaide start at $1,473 return, proving that booking ahead pays off. Istanbul, Türkiye Few cities are as interesting as Istanbul right now. Straddling Southeastern Europe and Western Asia, the city is buzzing with a new wave of restaurants, rooftop bars and contemporary art spaces that sit alongside ancient mosques and markets. Stay in Sultanahmet if you want to be right in the historic centre. For something a bit less touristy but still trendy, find a place in the Beyoğlu neighbourhood. You can spend your days wandering through the Grand Bazaar, cruise along the Bosphorus and sample modern Turkish cuisine in Karaköy. Lock in your 2026 flights now and you'll have first pick of this ever-changing city. Frankfurt, Germany When most people plan a European trip, they think of Italy, Greece or Paris. But Frankfurt has quietly become one of Europe's most exciting cities, and it's worth adding to your list. Beyond its skyscrapers and reputation for delicious sausages, it's also home to leafy riverside parks, food halls that champion local producers and some of Germany's most active nightlife districts, offering everything from old school German pubs to trendy wine bars. With Singapore Airlines' and Lufthansa's joint network, you can also connect from Frankfurt to other European cities seamlessly, making it easy to hit multiple destinations in the one trip. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam On the Southeast Asia front, Ho Chi Minh City (still known locally as Saigon) is a place of constant movement. Once you touch down, you won't need any plans other than setting out on foot to explore. Street food stalls sit beside cocktail bars, while French colonial buildings stand near cutting-edge coworking hubs. Block out an afternoon to visit the historical Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office buildings, or check out the city's many stores stocked with locally sourced streetwear, jewellery and antiques. It's energetic and chaotic in the best way, and it's impossible to visit without wanting to return again and again. Johannesburg, South Africa For those wanting to go further afield, South Africa's largest city is an eye-opener. Over the years, the city has reinvented itself with a thriving arts district, an innovative restaurant scene and a proud emphasis on heritage as the home of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. It's also the perfect launchpad for safaris or road trips across South Africa, making it a destination that feels equal parts unique and inspiring. Copenhagen, Denmark Copenhagen is one of those cities that feels old and new all at the same time. There's colourful harbour front houses and cobbled streets alongside sleek architecture, bike-friendly paths and world-leading restaurants. In 2026, plan your visit for summer to make the most of the city's long, warm evenings — perfect for rooftop drinks, open-air festivals and cycling along the canals. Book with Singapore Airlines' Early Bird Fares and you'll have first pick of the best travel dates to soak it all in. For Aussies looking to head overseas, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of fresh horizons. Thanks to Singapore Airlines' Early Bird Fare Deals, you can book now and secure your seat to over 100 destinations worldwide. Singapore Airlines' Early Bird Fare Deals end September 30, 2025, so get in early and make your next adventure one to look forward to. Find out more and book your Early Bird fare for select travel dates in 2026 here.
Despite the smorgasbord of events, activities and experiences Melbourne serves up on the daily, sometimes you can still find yourself stuck in a big ol' rut, sticking to the same game plan week in, week out. Well, we're here to remind you that there are plenty of ways to shake up your routine, and all sorts of adventures and explorations that can easily be squeezed in around your usual nine-to-five. To help you discover even more of your city, we've teamed up with our mates at Mitsubishi, in celebration of the new Eclipse Cross, to round up seven great calendar additions for the week ahead. From kicking off the week with some wholesome morning exercise and eats to creating a unique piece of designer jewellery to loading up on Mother Nature at Melbourne's own tree museum, here are seven discoveries you can make this week. [caption id="attachment_622412" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James.[/caption] MONDAY, AUGUST 27: FRESH AIR AND A VEGGIE BREAKFAST Start your week with a walk (or run) along the Merri Creek Trail. Mondays are always a little grim, so put some pep in your step with some early morning exercise and a wholesome vego brekkie. Wake up early and walk, run or ride south along Merri Creek to get your fix of fresh air. When you hit Abbotsford, stop by the convent for a touch of tranquillity before the week begins. Here, Lentil as Anything offers up a hearty vegetarian breakfast, and, if you arrive a bit later in the day, grab a plate and tuck into the Middle Eastern-style lunch buffet. TUESDAY, AUGUST 28: TACO TUESDAY No better way to celebrate a Tuesday. Forget about that moody Melbourne weather and transport yourself somewhere sunnier with a midweek Mexican fiesta at Hotel Jesus. Collingwood's bright and breezy tostaderia is doing the 'Taco Tuesday' concept proud, offering a whole range of clever taco treats for just $2 a pop from 5.30pm until sold out. And these beauties are miles better than anything you could knock together at home, with varieties like lamb barbacoa, marinated spit-roasted pork and smoked cauliflower. We'd recommend skipping lunch if you really want to give them a workout. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29: ISLAND LIFE IMMERSION Experience Caribbean culture, music and food during Melbourne Writers Festival. Swap your reality for a taste of island life, and take a deep dive into immersive installation Crawl Me Blood, at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Pulling inspiration from Jean Rhys' 1966 novel Wide Sargasso Sea, this Melbourne Writers Festival production explores the parallels between the Caribbean's colonial history and our own, served up as a sort of interactive documentary-meets-radio play. Catch captivating performances by local artists each with their own Caribbean connection, discover long-held family secrets and legacies, and fire up your senses with traditional Caribbean music and food. [caption id="attachment_658995" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stano Murrin.[/caption] THURSDAY, AUGUST 30: END-OF-WEEK CULTURE Get a double serving of theatre, then an epic pork roll. The Butterfly Club's diverse program of comedy, cabaret, theatre and music is a surefire remedy for those midweek blues, no matter what your style. This Thursday, the intimate theatre venue is dishing up a couple of pretty memorable performances — I See Me and Meryl Streep celebrates a legendary actress from the point of view of her biggest fan, while What Country Friends Is This? delivers a modern take on Shakespeare, as imagined by four of Melbourne's hottest emerging talents. After the show, duck around the corner and brave the likely queues to get your hands on one of Mr Crackles' next-level pork rolls. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31: ACCESSORIES DESIGNED BY YOU Become a designer and see your creations come to life before your eyes. Nab a covetable new addition to your wardrobe from Alpha60 piece, designed by you. For a one-night-only Melbourne Fashion Week event, the iconic label is giving fans the chance to design their own one-off piece of jewellery using special software that will then bring your piece to life (for free) with Monash University's 3D printer. And what better place to show off your new designer bling, than at a special MFW edition of ACMI's Wonderland sessions? Head in from 6pm for a curated program of circus, burlesque and drag performances; a tinsel takeover by artist Rachel Burke; and plenty of sparkly live tunes and dazzling costumes courtesy of The Huxleys. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1: A TREE MUSEUM Escape the city hustle for some fresh air among a veritable museum of trees. This weekend, let Mother Nature work her magic when you venture out to the Mount Dandenong Arboretum. Effectively a tree museum, this lush pocket of Melbourne is the ideal spot to ring in the first day of spring among its 16-hectares of gorgeous greenery and mature deciduous trees. Crunch your way through the aromatic bed of pine needles, soak up those views of the Great Dividing Range, kick back with a picnic lunch, and then walk it off with a trek along one of the many trails winding through the Dandenong Ranges National Park. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2: ART, GARDENS AND PICNICS Inject some high brow, cultural activity into your usual weekend routine. If a cruisy, yet culture-filled Sunday session is on the cards, ditch the big smoke and head out to Heide Museum of Modern Art. A celebrated public gallery and museum set on gorgeous grounds in Bulleen, this spot's the perfect antidote to your fast-paced city life. Right now, you can experience the iconic art of Dana Harris, swoon over the works of Grant and Mary Featherston at the Design For Life exhibition and take a glimpse at eras past with House Of Ideas. Afterwards, take a wander around the heritage-listed gardens, explore the 30 works dotted through the sculpture park and settle in for a picnic surrounded by stunning art. Where to next? Make the most of every week with Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and navigate to your next destination here.
If you're someone who loves chocolate and hazelnuts, and doesn't have an allergy to either, the odds are that you're rather fond of Nutella. Most folks fall into that category, which is why the world has seen everything from Nutella food trucks and dessert bars to Nutella hotels and festivals pop up — and plenty of eateries slathering the spread on and in other food stuffs, too. Your new way to get your Nutella fix? In bar form. Until now, you might've thought of Nutella bars as places that you can visit — because, as outlined above, they have definitely existed over the years. From Monday, January 4 at Australian supermarkets and convenience stores, however, Nutella bars are also something that you can buy and eat (and carry around with you in multi-packs for a Nutella-on-the-go situation). Nutella's new product is called B-ready, and it squeezes the spread into a wafer shell — with some wheat puffs as well. So, when you bite into one, you'll taste some Nutella, and get quite a crunch in the process. The Nutella B-ready bars are now available either individually, or in packs of six — if you can never seem to stop yourself when it comes to the choc-hazelnut spread. They'll cost you $2 for one, or $4.99 for a six-pack. Nutella B-ready bars are now on sale at Australian supermarkets and convenience stores.
In the heart of Williamstown is a store, larder and restaurant with a Mediterranean influence. The Greenery Store has a wide selection of stylish homewares, fashion and gifts, including ceramics from Toast and Honey Studio, Hoopla bags, Queensland skincare brand Saya and Ode jewellery handmade in Melbourne. Once you've finished browsing, pop to the plant-adorned larder and restaurant next door, where you can have sweet corn fritters for breakfast (complete with tomato chilli jam and honey bacon), or enjoy slow-cooked duck and quince with potato dumplings or braised beef cheek and roast pumpkin for lunch. The space is available for private hire for dinner parties, too. Plus, there's coffee from Industry Beans, and a good selection of wine, beer and spirits from local producers, too.
Is it your New Year's resolution to eat healthier? In that case, you should probably stop reading this story right now. It's only January 2, and already chef Pierre Roelofs has unveiled his new belt-bursting endeavour. Teaming up with Jesse Gerner of Bomba Tapas Bar and Rooftop, Roelofs will be serving sweet, sweet ice cream from a pop-up soft servery at Green Park Dining. Oh Pierre, why must you tempt us so? Best known for his extravagant (and we mean extravagant) dessert evenings, Roelofs has been teasing the pop-up on social media, promising a rotating lineup of flavours "hand crafted with love." No word yet on what those flavours will be; when he was handing out free ice cream as part of the Good Food Month program launch back in September, options included strawberry cheesecake and miso caramel. Housed at Green Park on Nicholson Street in Carlton North, Pierre's will open on Saturday January 9, and will operate from 10am to 7pm on weekends all summer long. Of course that part of Melbourne isn't exactly short on awesome ice cream spots, with Gelato Messina on Smith Street, N2 on Brunswick Street and, y'know, basically all of Lygon Street. Still, if anyone can give them a run for their money, we reckon it might be Roelofs. Pierre's will be located at Green Park Dining, 815 Nicholson Street, Carlton North. For more information, keep your eyes glued to their website and Facebook page.
Streaming platforms have become one of modern life's certainties, with new instances continuing to pop up all over the place. When Disney launches its own online streaming service, Disney+, fans of the company's Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars saga will have plenty to celebrate — and fans of Disney's animated film catalogue will now as well. Expected to launch later this year in the US — with details on availability elsewhere yet to be confirmed — Disney+ has already announced a heap of new content; however it's the full range of old favourites that'll take viewers back to their childhoods. The company has long maintained the 'Disney Vault', which involves releasing its beloved flicks on home entertainment formats for a limited time only, then taking them out of circulation. When Disney rolls out its own streaming platform, that tactic is set to end. Speaking at the company's annual meeting in St. Louis, CEO Bob Iger noted advised shareholders that "at some point fairly soon after launch, it will house the entire Disney motion picture library," as Vulture reports. To make his point clear, he went further: "so the movies that… traditionally have been kept in a vault and brought out basically every few years will be on the service," Iger explained. On the new front, Disney's recent flicks are also expected to be made available on Disney+, with subsequent cinema releases due to hit the service within a year of their big-screen release. The platform will also be home to not one but two small-screen Star Wars series, plus several Marvel series (and given that Disney owns both Lucasfilm and Marvel Entertainment, Disney+ will likely will boast an entire galaxy of shows related to each huge franchise). Fans of the George Lucas-created space opera can not only look forward to the $100 million Star Wars series The Mandalorian from The Jungle Book, Iron Man and Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau (and with Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi helming an episode), but also a new spin-off from Rogue One. The latter, called Cassian Andor, will be set before the events of the film and will focus on Diego Luna's Rebel spy, with the actor reprising his role from the movie. In the Marvel sphere, while rumours have been floating around for some time, Disney announced that Tom Hiddleston's trickster Loki will definitely be getting his own series. Just what storyline it'll follow, or when it'll be set, is yet to be revealed. That said, it's safe to assume that it might be a prequel series as well. Release dates for the three series haven't been unveiled either — and nor has any word on the other Marvel show that has long been rumoured, about Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch and Paul Bettany's Vision. Disney+ is definitely going big when it comes to bringing the company's well-known properties to the new streaming platform, with a High School Musical TV series, another show based on Monsters, Inc. and a live-action Lady and the Tramp movie also on its lineup. And while a big batch of the aforementioned existing Disney content is currently available on Stan in Australia, spanning movies and TV series, you can reasonably expect that that arrangement will be impacted by Disney+. Via Vulture.
Whether Idris Elba will ever get to slip into James Bond's tuxedo is still yet to be seen, but the British actor adds another prime example of why he'd be excellent as 007 to his resume with Hijack. He plays suave and smooth, calm and collected, and resourceful and reliable in the plane-set Apple TV+ thriller series — as well as enterprising and creative while endeavouring to save lives and bring down nefarious forces alike. He's also basically in Idris Elba on a Plane, sans slithering snakes; Idris Elba Cancels the London-Bound Apocalypse, but without kaiju and giant robots; Die Hard with Idris Elba, though never just crawling around in a singlet; and, given that the seven-parter unfurls in real time, 24: Idris Elba as well. Unsurprisingly, Elba is excellent in a taut, tension-dripping nail-biter that's easy to get addicted to. Fresh from battling lions in Beast, granting wishes in Three Thousand Years of Longing, returning to Luther in Luther: The Fallen Son and popping up in Extraction II, The Wire alum plays Sam Nelson, a seasoned negotiator on his way home to the UK from Dubai. It can't be underestimated or understated how crucial that Hijack's biggest star is here. Cast the wrong person as Sam, and the show might've plummeted. When terrorists take over the flight, the series' protagonist boasts the ability to get everyone from pilots and crew to agitated flyers, wannabe saviours and air traffic control on his side. Sometimes, the hijackers join in on following his lead and taking his advice. Even if action movies have long relied upon heroes with such swagger and sway, trying to pull it off here without someone of Elba's charm and confidence would likely struggle (see: the Liam Neeson-led Non-Stop, and recent Gerard Butler flick Plane). When he disembarks Kingdom Airlines Flight 29, Sam just wants to try to patch things up with his estranged wife Marsha (Christine Adams, The Mandalorian) and spend time with his teenage son Kai (Jude Cudjoe, Halo) — aims at the top of his list before he has any inkling that this won't be an ordinary journey. Then fellow Brit Stuart (Neil Maskell, Small Axe) and his gun-toting team (Here Comes Hell's Jasper Britton, The Duke's Aimée Kelly, The Souvenir: Part II's Jack McMullen and TV first-timer Mohamed Elsandel) seize control of the aircraft before the first hour of the flight has passed. To stay alive, and to also attempt to keep the other passengers safe, Sam has no choice but to step in. Action formula dictates that he does indeed have a particular set of skills that come in handy in the situation: his way with words. Onboard, anxiety spreads fast from the pilot (Ben Miles, Tetris) down. Tracking an hour of the ordeal per episode, Hijack gets its audience experiencing the stress, chaos and life-or-death stakes in tandem with Sam and the rest of the flight's hostages — and, crucially, establishing the in-the-air space and figures that the series has to play with. The show jumps between seating classes, exploring how the ordeal affects everyone from the comfortable to the crammed-in. It ensures that viewers understand who's sitting where, and how their different personalities might have an impact. The series stalks through the aisles, making sight lines and escape routes plain, and also hovers in crew areas. In other words, it puts its various pieces in place, proving expertly aware that suspense springs not just from waiting and anticipating, but from knowing which elements could factor in. Hijack makes slick and skilled use of its main setting, but it isn't a one-location-only affair. Also getting nervous: people on the ground across several countries, all attempting to work out what's going on. Marsha and Kai are among them; the former notes that "when it all kicks off, Sam's the best at handling it", but also asks her new cop beau Daniel O'Farrell (Max Beesley, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre) to investigate after she receives a cryptic text from the air. The police officer enlists British counter-terrorism via his ex-partner Zahra Gahfoor (Archie Panjab, Snowpiercer), while various aviation bases also start realising that all isn't right, including at Heathrow where Alice Sinclair (Eve Myles, We Hunt Together) is a flight controller. Creators George Kay (Lupin) and Jim Field Smith (Litvinenko) are masterful with tone and twists, keeping the pressure up from go to whoa and never letting the plot cruise on autopilot. Together, Kay (who writes) and Field Smith (who directs) also created the interrogation-focused Criminal, and bring the same flair for teasing out pivotal details — not just in conversation, but visually as Hijack flits between the plane and terra firma. This isn't a whodunnit, put it does reward sleuthing, tasking its audience with puzzling together what's really going on, who can truly be trusted and how the show might land. Again, Apple TV+ is in its mystery element, as everything from Severance, The Afterparty, Black Bird and Bad Sisters to Servant, Hello Tomorrow!, High Desert and Silo keeps illustrating. In hooking viewers, and quickly, Kay and Field Smith are also well-versed in the kind of series they want Hijack to be. Pivotally, they're clearly familiar with the conventions and cliches that the show is leaning into, what's soared there before, and how to do it well. Having Sam rely upon the power of persuasion first and foremost might seem like a small touch, but it's an important one: Hijack wouldn't last seven hours, or keep watching eyes invested, if guns just kept blasting and fists flying. Even an aircraft-set John Wick instalment mightn't make that work ( although who wouldn't want to see that franchise — and only that franchise — try?). All the focus on talk also gives Hijack another vital angle: it sees its characters as people, rather than merely using them a means to move the plot along. Accordingly, it dives into their complications — some more than others, and no one more than Sam, but enough to examine the many complex ways that humans behave, especially in such high-strung circumstances. This is a show that's well aware that we all have baggage, and that it's with us at every turn. Thankfully, most of us aren't forced to work through it at 35,000 feet while being held hostage, but that exact scenario with Elba at its centre makes for riveting viewing. Check out the trailer for Hijack below: Hijack streams via Apple TV+.
Cocktail lovers were devastated when The Everleigh — one of Melbourne's foremost cocktail bars — closed its doors after 14 years on Gertrude Street. Yet it was hard to imagine the creative force of Michael and Zara Madrusan would disappear into the ether for long, having spent over a decade at the top of their game. The time for their return has arrived, as The Everleigh makes its first appearance since shutting its doors in March earlier this year. Appearing at the Royal Exhibition Building's Makers & Shakers Market from Saturday, September 6–Sunday, September 7, this all-Australian showcase of design, creativity and craftsmanship is the ideal match for the duo's talent. For this one-weekend-only revival of The Everleigh, Michael and Zara will serve a selection of the bar's most iconic cocktails, while highlighting new creations from their upcoming book, The Madrusan Cocktail Companion. Featuring more than 2800 classic and modern recipes, this tome might just be the essential guide to cocktail-making here on out. Meanwhile, the duo will also host a 60-minute masterclass on both market days, presented from 3–4pm. With tickets available for $55 per person, including two cocktails, visitors will hear from the best in the business as they offer a deep dive into time-tested cocktails, contemporary twists and innovative techniques that will take your concoctions to greater heights.
Melbourne loves itself some culture. We are a City of Literature. We have all the artistic acronyms in the land: NGV, ACCA, MWF, EWF, HMT, CCP. We have that one guy in Degraves Street subway who's always doing covers of 'Wonderwall'. What a champ. But if there's one thing we all hold close to our art-lovin' hearts it's the Melbourne Festival. From October 11–27, our fine city becomes host to a whole new crop of international artistic talent, and while the full program is impressive, it's also a little unwieldy. No one person could see it all. So, we've made a little list to get you through — from neon discotheques to harmonicas carved from handguns. This year's festival really does cater to all tastes. Life and Times: Episodes 1-4 Imagine your autobiography — meaningless, small, incomplete, full of diversions and 'ums' and 'likes' — was turned into a play. That went for 24 hours. Who'd watch that? Well, it turns out, if you're Kristin Worral of the Nature Theatre of Oklahoma, hundreds of thousands of people all over the world, who then rave about it as if possessed. The New Yorker calls you "a masterpiece" and the Guardian gives you all the stars. The Nature Theatre of Oklahoma (who are from NY; their name comes from a Kafka novel) are trying to remake everything we know about theatre, and for a company so experimental, they're also eminently watchable. The idea is that with each episode, the form shifts — from a musical to an '80s pop video, a murder mystery, an animated film and an illuminated manuscript. The first ten hours of Life and Times will be featuring at Melbourne Festival (the rest are still being developed), which you can watch over three nights or in one marathon performance broken up by a barbecue and snacks. October 22-26; Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse ACTIVE CHILD Active Child is my 'night walking' music. That full ethereal voice, those hypnotic synth-laden hooks, and the harp — oh, the harp. It perfectly suits that surreal yet peaceful journey between your last pint, the cold wind, and a warm bed. But as much as I love these intimate headphone sessions, this performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre is going to be a much more impressive spectacle. Active Child's live recordings really showcase the talents of lead man, Pat Grossi, and his technical prowess is sure to deliver an enriching and ethereal performance when translated to a big stage. In a Melbourne Festival exclusive, he will also be premiering tracks from his unreleased second album, as well as old favourites from 2011's You Are All I See. Supported by local talent Oliver Tank, this will be a show to tell your friends about — and maybe relive through your iPod on the walk home. October 26; Melbourne Recital Centre Tacita Dean: FILM This installation by Young British Artist, Tacita Dean, is going to be one of the most spectacular sights of this year's festival. Her surreal and finely crafted 35mm film will be projected onto a towering 13 metre vertical screen in the vast main gallery of ACCA. The sheer grandeur of the piece will be awesome to behold, but it will also raise some interesting questions about the medium itself. Does it stand in simple celebration of the artistry of celluloid cinema, or is it a bittersweet elegy for the decline of analogue art? FILM has been received well during its exhibition in the Tate Modern last year, and Dean will be speaking about the work at a free public lecture on October 10. October 10 to November 24; ACCA AN EVENING WITH YO LA TENGO Listening to Yo La Tengo is like hanging out with an old friend. It's comforting, calming and you can't help but get nostalgic. With 13 albums to their name — count 'em — Yo La Tengo are one of the true bastions of indestructible indie rock, and they're sure to draw a crowd of diehards at this one-off show. But the evening won't all be spent dwelling on the total glory of their 1997 classic I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One. Their newest album, Fade, was released in January this year, and is proving itself testament to their adaptability and ongoing popularity. For those that like the sound of all this hype, but are maybe too young to know the full story, here's a cheat sheet to get you up to speed. You'll fit in with the diehards in no time. October 18; The Arts Centre Minsk 2011: A Reply to Kathy Acker In Australia, it's common to think of theatre as a safe diversion for a small elite. Not so in Belarus, where theatre is dangerous, and the political ensemble Belarus Free Theatre is outlawed. Instead of performing for their countrymen, then, they travel the world, doing works like Minsk 2011, a combo critique of and love song to their home city. With a particular focus on underground subcultures and sexual policing under a dictatorship, their work is renowned for being inventive rather than polemic, and of striking a note of hope. This is theatre on the edge. October 24-27; Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio WERK The description of this event makes it sound like the greatest thing ever. When I read that it's a "late-night haze of neon and performance, live art, and discotheque", all I could think of is this. Irish theatre dynamos THISISPOPBABY — the ones behind this enigmatic cluster of buzzwords and fluro-fantasia — look like they know their way around both a stage and a dancefloor, so something fantastic is sure to go down. I know this is a vague description, but when an event is forced to describe itself as a 'happening', it's best to go in with an open mind. That way when you walk out half-covered in spandex, sweat, and someone else's body glitter, you can aptly remark "Well, that happened." October 26; Foxtel Festival Hub URBAN CHAMBER - BEYOND The Melbourne Festival is known for its endorsement of experimental music, but this one is a doozie. Combining young local hip-hop artists with classical chamber music, dance, and performance poetry, the event is described as both a "multi-cultural ode to Melbourne" and a "hip-hop/classical throw down". That's a lot to digest. The kids from the MASSIVE hip-hop choir look really exciting though, and we'd love to see how it all comes together. At worst it could be a bit confusing, but at best it could be a really unique and entertaining hybrid — it's exactly the kind of adventurous project festivals like this should be supporting. October 25 and 26; Melbourne Recital Centre DISARM Because 'Make Love, Not War' is so over, Pedro Reyes latest exhibition has suggested a new alternative: make music! It may be a simple premise, but the result is amazing. Using discarded weapons confiscated by the Mexican army, Reyes has created a grand total of 47 very unique instruments. Electric guitars, violins, flutes, and intriguing hybrids — all fashioned out of artillery. Of course, it has a pretty hefty political bent, but when it comes down to it there's a simple joy in watching someone play a harmonica carved out of a handgun. Keep an eye on the Melbourne Festival site to find out when the concert's going to be (oh yeah, that's happening), and check out Pedro Reyes' free talk on October 13 to hear more about it. October 12 -27; NGV International Room of Regret Amid all of the international superstars flying in, some of the most unmissable events are from locals. Newly commissioned pieces from popular indie companies THE RABBLE (with Room of Regret) and the Daniel Schlusser Ensemble (with M+M) will play at Theatre Works. Both works take a classic text as the subject for their boundary-pushing inventions. Staged in a labyrinthine network of corridors, Room of Regret will do Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray as seen through a Hall of Mirrors, while M+M is an adaptation of Mikhael Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita that introduces some equally dark references from contemporary Russia. M+M: October 8-13; Room of Regret: October 21-19; Theatre Works TANDERRUM This year's festival will be opened with a traditional tanderrum — a welcoming ceremony from elders of the Kulin nations granting permission for guests to use the land and resources. However, this won't be any ordinary Welcome to Country; the tanderrum will be orchestrated by the Ilbijerri Theatre Company and will include music and performance, as well as rich storytelling which adheres strongly to the traditions of the land. Once the ceremony is complete, Archie Roach will be performing a free concert with a 10-piece band. All on the wide, open grounds of Fed Square, the evening promises to be a respectful and community-oriented first note for a festival that showcases talent from all over the world. October 11; Federation Square THE SONIC FLOCK Have you ever been at a gig with an awkwardly small number of audience members? Felt like they were just playing for you? Well, if this was a feeling you enjoyed, you're going to love what the Click Clack Project has lined up. Over the first two days of the festival, Federation Square will be littered with a series of small black teepees, and inside of each, an artist will be performing to an enthralled audience of one. While admittedly terrifying — oh god, what facial expression am I making / how are they maintaining eye contact with me while playing the flute?* — it also sounds a little amazing. Check it out on Saturday for Shadow Tales performed by the Footscray Community Arts Centre, or head down on Sunday if Japanese sound art is more your thing. *We really can't guarantee anyone will be playing the flute. October 12-13; Atrium at Federation Square Teenage Riot/All That Is Good You don't truly realise how parental and limiting adult writers can be towards children until you've seen the works of Belgian youth theatre group Ontroerend Goed. Their self-devised pieces are anarchic, freeform, funny, dramatic, frequently loud and generally unpredictable. The seminal Once and for all we're gonna tell you who we are so shut up and listen has now spiralled out into a trilogy that somewhat progresses through the stages of youth. Melbourne Festival 2013 gets the later, angstier chapters. Teenage Riot has eight teenagers trapped in a room inflict twisted games on each other, and recording it on camera, while All That Is Wrong has single writer/performer Anna Jakoba Ryckewaert, 18, undertake a more introspective coming-of-age — what Melbourne Festival are calling "a final, poignant dispatch from the consuming borderland between youth and adulthood". October 15-20; Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio By Meg Watson and Rima Sabina Aouf
Those lucky enough to have roamed the streets of Florence might just have come across Vivoli Gelato, a family-run coffee shop and ice-cream parlour that has stood the test of time since the 1930s. While the gelato is stellar, this bustling spot is best known for its square-cut affogato, with around 350 sold day in and day out. Now you can experience this renowned affogato without travelling to Italy, as ST. ALi has teamed up with Piccolina to serve its own version inspired by the original. With the collaboration recently extended to Friday, August 22, this square-cut affogato stays true to the classic recipe while adding a little of its own imagination. Featuring a careful balance of sweet, bitter, hot and cold notes, gelato is packed into a chilled cup before a neat square is carved into the centre. Then, a hot shot of freshly brewed ST. ALi espresso is poured into the middle, creating an eye-opening beverage. In fact, this might just be the first square-cut affogato sold in Australia. Going the extra mile, each location selling this tasty collab uses La Pavoni's timeless manual lever espresso machines to achieve a deep and clean espresso shot. Plus, you're welcome to choose any Piccolina gelato flavour to be flooded with coffee. Get one for $10 at ST. ALi South Melbourne and all Piccolina stores — or start booking your airfare to Italy.
Rounding out a couple of huge weeks for Melbourne transport proposals in the lead up November's state election, the Victorian Government has now dropped a detailed design for its monster road project, the proposed $15.8 billion North East Link. The plans, which now have the support of both major political parties, would created a more seamless traffic light-free link between the Eastern Freeway at Bulleen Road and the M80 Ring Road where it connects with the Greensborough Bypass. The proposal would see the existing Eastern Freeway junction at Doncaster Road widened to around 94 metres, making way for 14 regular lanes, four emergency lanes, two bus lanes and on- and off-ramps. This could see the existing Eastern Freeway beefed up to incorporate as many as 20 lanes at one point — that's enough to rival some of the widest thoroughfares in the world. The North East Link would also feature five kilometres of six-lane tunnels, including a large section running from Lower Plenty Road in Rosanna, linking to the Eastern at Bulleen Road. This is meant to separate local and freeway traffic and cause minimal disturbance to homes and parks in the area. All up, the road's expected to be used by around 130,000 vehicles daily and give good access to Rosanna, Bulleen and surrounding suburbs. The Andrews Labor Government has also highlighted the plans' wealth of open space and 'green bridges', and 25 kilometres of new or upgraded cycling and walking paths that will run parallel with the Eastern Freeway. The North East Link will no doubt be welcomed by those who find themselves sitting in traffic on Rosanna, Greensborough and Lower Plenty roads on a regular basis, but some Victorians have expressed frustration that there is still no viable option to link the Eastern Freeway with CityLink and the Westgate Freeway. The Liberal Party's controversial East West Link plan was shot down in 2014, but it's apparent that Opposition Leader Matthew Guy plans to propose a new East West Link to be built at the same time as the North East Link. But, if it is Labor that gets re-elected in November, it has promised the project would go out to tender within 100 days, with construction starting in 2020 and scheduled for completion some time in 2027.
Christmas may not be on your mind just yet, but it's definitely on the mind of the Four Pillars owners, who have just launched their first pop-up distillery at the Myer Melbourne Giftorium. Opening on Friday, October 19 on level 6 of the Bourke Street department store, it's sticking around straight through to Christmas Eve and includes a store and bar — so you can shop for loved ones while enjoying a tipple of your own. The gift shop will offer the entire Four Pillars core range of gins and merch, along with a few very limited releases including the Pure Kisumé, Dry Island and the much sought after Bloody Shiraz Gin. As it is a Christmas pop-up, there'll also be a special 2018 Australian Christmas Gin on offer from November 3. It's a "try before you buy" sort of deal, with free tastings of the core range on offer alongside a range of $15 gin and tonics, plus a few newly curated cocktails that showcase the distillery's limited range. For those looking to get deeper into the gin game, there's also free ambassador-run tastings every Thursday at 6.30pm — and four free cocktail masterclasses at 12pm and 2pm on November 3, 10, 24 and 25. First in, best dressed.
Things are looking a little different these days at South Melbourne's Left Handed Chef. The former breakfast hotspot has bid farewell to the AM crowd, transforming itself instead into a lunch and dinner destination. It's still chef-owner Ehud Malka at the helm, sharing the warm Israeli hospitality and Middle Eastern flavours of his heritage, only now it's all available until late, Wednesday to Monday. With its kitsch ornate cutlery and towering grandfather clock, the cosy restaurant space is like a home away from home — and those warm fuzzy feels continue when you learn Malka himself is rolling each falafel to order. The menus offer a slew of authentic Israeli fare, designed with shared feasts in mind. There's a whole range of hummus bowls (eight different ones) served with traditional pita and topped with the likes of the classic za'tar sprinkle ($14.50), fried cauliflower ($16.50) and the 'basar' blend of lamb, pine nuts and harissa ($17.50). You'll find daily changing deli salads and loaded pita wraps featuring the likes of Middle Eastern spit-roasted chicken, alongside mammoth sandwiches best split amongst a crew. One features multiple schnitzels in a whole challah loaf with matbucha (a sauce of tomatoes and roasted capsicum), chips, pickles and roast eggplant ($60). As for those freshly made falafels? They're available to add onto a dish just $1 a pop. And of course, you can round out your feed with something traditionally Israeli and decadently sweet, like classic baklava or some crescent-shaped rugelach pastries.
It might long be remembered as one of Star Wars' most cringeworthy come-on lines, but to give Anakin Skywalker a break, he did have a point when he told Padme, "I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere." Two New York-based summer surfers by the names of Charlie and Spike know what he's on about. Even if they wouldn't have used such reasoning to get fresh with Natalie Portman. Instead, they've invented a sand-solution, of sorts: the Shake Tote. It looks, pretty much, to be the mother of all beach bags. And here's why. Not only is it water-repellent, it's also fitted with a mesh bottom, which means that you simply have to give it one almighty shake and the sand falls right through. So, it's actually a bag that doubles as a giant sieve. Welcome to a grit-free summer. No more jiggling each item individually while blowing grains into your neighbour's face (or your own, for that matter). No more having to unpack your bag outside because you've inadvertently carried half the beach home with you. At 42.6 x 14.7 x 15.2 cm, the Shake Tote provides you with loads of room for your swimmers, towel, read-of-the-week and sundry beachy needs. There's also a zippered pocket for stowing your valuables. The neutral, natural-coloured canvas (with dashes of black and neon orange) goes with most get-ups and the plastic shoulder straps are anti-slip. The Shake Tote came into being thanks to Quirky, a platform dedicated to unusual inventions. Users are able to put forward their own innovative ideas and/or vote on those of others. They can also earn money by supporting successful pitches and helping out with branding and style decisions. The Quirky team gets behind the manufacturing process and provides international distribution online. Order your very own Shake Tote online for US$39.99 and watch every face on the beach gaze in awe. Via PSFK.
By the time it is completed in 2013 the 104-story One World Trade Center, more simply known as 1 WTC and formerly known as the Freedom Tower, will be the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the third-tallest building in the world by pinnacle height. Last week the Port Authority gave a press tour of the World Trade Center site, but the lucky (assuming none of them suffer from acrophobia) folk at the Architect’s Newspaper were granted access all the way up to the vertigo-inducing 103rd floor of the lofty edifice. Before that date it was only construction workers who had taken in the incredible views of New York granted by this vantage point. These include the 9/11 memorial site, the tower, about a hundred inner-city rooftops and panoramic sights encompassing parts of all five boroughs. Fortunately those given the opportunity to ride a rickety metal elevator up 103 floors managed to keep their cool long enough to snap a few hundred photos, the majority of which have been posted up on the Architect’s Newspaper blog. Wait until your breakfast is sufficiently settled then browse through our own curated selection of images below. There’s no workers shouting, metal clanging or Queen’s “We Will Rock You” playing from a radio (apparently all aspects of the tour IRL) but it’s still pretty impressive. The core at the 103rd floor. Memorial in foreground with loading dock. 103rd ledge. Workers guide container. Manhattan. Path station. Warren Street from the 103rd floor. via Curbed NY; photos by Tom Stoelker at AN blog
"You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?" Jack Nicholson's (How Do You Know) version of the Joker asked in 1989's Batman, just because he liked the sound of it. Here's another question: have you ever seen the Tim Burton (Wednesday)-helmed, Michael Keaton (The Flash)-starring classic caped-crusader movie on the big screen with a live orchestra playing its score? Whatever your answer to the first query, you can soon respond to the second with a hearty yes. To celebrate 35 years since the superhero classic initially reached cinemas, Batman is making a silver-screen comeback Down Under to see out 2024 and start 2025 — and in each of its six stops, including in Melbourne, it's giving the film's tunes the symphonic treatment. It's Batman in concert, with the movie playing the Victorian capital across Thursday, October 24–Saturday, October 26, 2024 at the Regent Theatre, complete with Foreman's Australian Pops Orchestra picking up their instruments as the flick screens. They'll be busting out Danny Elfman's Grammy-nominated score, which is just one of the feature's music highlights. The other: songs by the one and only Prince. As well as marking three-and-a-half decades since the picture debuted, these concert screenings also commemorate 85 years of the character on the page — and have been announced just as Burton and Keaton reteam again for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Keaton's stint in Bruce Wayne's slick suits by day and Batman's cape by night kicked off a big-screen four-movie series that ran from 1989–1997, and also saw Val Kilmer (Top Gun: Maverick) and George Clooney (IF) inhabit the role — a character played elsewhere by everyone from Adam West and Christian Bale (Amsterdam) to Ben Affleck (Air) and Robert Pattinson (The Batman). As part of a global tour of events, only Batman going the concert route so far, not Batman Returns, Batman Forever or Batman and Robin. If you're keen to dress up to attend, that's encouraged — and there'll also be merchandise on sale.
It might be named for its frozen yoghurt offering, but Melbourne's YOMG also makes a pretty mean burger. And you can try one for free, when the group celebrates its first foray southside, having landed at Windsor's delivery-only Deliveroo Editions kitchen. Yep — these burgers are finally available to order south of the Yarra. This Friday, September 13, the crew will be hitting spots like Balaclava and South Yarra stations, as well as St Kilda's Acland Street, to hand out hundreds of free Yo My With Cheese burgers to the masses. The freebies — crafted with all-Aussie angus beef, double cheese and secret sauce — will be dolled out on the hour, every hour, from 11am to 2pm. If you can't make it, or you simply want a surer burger bet, the next best thing awaits you on the Deliveroo app. Hit up YOMG in the app's Deliveroo Editions section between midday and 1pm and you can order the same classic cheeseburger for just $1 a pop. YOMG burgers will be given out for free at 11am, midday, 1pm and 2pm, with burgers available for $1 on Deliveroo from midday–1pm.
They're best known for their dance floor tunes, but the pair behind Peking Duk have now turned their talents to a very different sort of offering, gearing up to open their very own bar later this month. The well-known electro duo, Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles, has teamed up with Sydney's Steven Hiles — who transformed a tired Surry Hills pub into what's now The Horse — along with chef James McCall, to launch the interestingly named Talk To Me. Setting up shop on South Yarra's Commercial Road, in the space once home to Less Than Zero, the intimate bar will focus on quality bar snacks, booze and late-night partying — with, certainly, a banging music curation setting the tone. For this latest venture, the musicians have pulled inspiration from their many overseas jaunts, referencing favourite spots in New York and Asia to deliver a super comfy, chilled-out locals' haunt. This American-Chinese inspiration continues into the playful food menu, too, which also works to the same theme as the venue's name. Kicking off with 'Quick Chat', where you'll find king prawns with kampot pepper and cashew honey sauce and a spam and cheese hot dog with ketchup kimchi. You'll also spy a lineup of cheeseburger-inspired treats dubbed 'Cheesy One-Liners' — featuring fun bites like cheeseburger dim sim, cheeseburger springs rolls and a tempura nori cheeseburger teamed with ponzu ketchup — and swag of vegan-friendly fare, including jackfruit bao and twice-cooked cauliflower with a hit of furikake kewpie. And, while the menu won't feature any Peking du(c)k, it will feature a small bar-appropriate Fernet-Branca duck rillete with black ash lavosh. Talk To Me is slated to open at 153 Commercial Road, South Yarra in the last week of October.
When COVID-19 began to spread around the globe, travel was in no one's immediate plans. Australia's borders closed to international travel and, domestically, the Aussie airline industry drastically scaled down the number of local flights. Now that coronavirus restrictions are gradually easing, the opposite is happening. While Australians are still unable to leave the country, domestic travel is starting up again — and Qantas and Jetstar are putting on more flights as a result. Since the end of March, both airlines have been operating at five percent of their pre-pandemic capacity. By the end of June, the two airlines will boost that number to 15 percent, equating to more than 300 more return flights per week. Yes, that's obviously still significantly less than normal; however if the demand is there and the remaining state border restrictions are removed — such as in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia — flight numbers could return to 40 percent of pre-coronavirus levels by the end of July. Announcing the increase in domestic flights, Qantas and Jetstar revealed that some routes that have still been operating will begin flying more frequently, while some others that stopped completely back in March will resume. Intrastate flights will also increase within New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. That's great news for folks eager to travel between Melbourne and Sydney, with 67 flights available per week by the end of this month across the two airlines — up from 12 per week at present. Flights to-and-from Brisbane and Sydney will increase from 12 to 30, while Brisbane–Melbourne routes will go up from seven to 19. Flights to Canberra will also rise, from five per city weekly to 19 from Sydney, 16 from Melbourne and 10 from Brisbane. Over in Perth, flights to Sydney and Melbourne will remain the same, with seven heading to each city every week. Regionally within NSW and Victoria, a bunch of routes are upping their numbers, including from Sydney to Albury, Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Moree, Port Macquarie, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga, and from Melbourne to Mildura, Newcastle and Ballina. Also, as first announced early in 2020 but then postponed due to COVID-19, Qantas will start direct flights to-and-from Sydney and Ballina. Jetstar already flies that route, but if you're a Sydneysider looking to head to Byron Bay and don't feel like a road trip, you now have another option. In Brisbane, flights will increase to Cairns, Townsville, Emerald, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Moranbah, Mt Isa, Rockhampton and the Whitsunday Coast. And in Perth, flights will ramp up to Newman, Karratha, Port Hedland, Broome, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Exmouth. Qantas and Jetstar are also allowing domestic customers to change the date of their flight once without paying a change fee — if you book before June 30, and plan to fly between June 12–October 31, 2020. The two airlines will be changing a number of their procedures, too, to adapt to social distancing and hygiene requirements. That includes encouraging contactless check-in and self-serve bag drop, placing hand-sanitising stations at departure gates, providing masks and sanitising wipes to passengers on all flights, making everyone board and disembark in sequence, and undertaking extra cleaning. For further details about Qantas and Jetstar's plans, visit the company's website. 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.
