UPDATE, Friday, February 7, 2025: Blur: To the End and Blur: Live From Wembley Stadium are both available to stream via DocPlay. In Blur: To the End, headlining London's famous Wembley Stadium is the pinnacle of Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree's careers so far. For two nights in July 2023, the Britpop band played their biggest-ever gigs to a crowd of 150,000 — shows that had been a dream not just since the group initially formed in 1988, but when high-school friends Albarn and Coxon watched 1985's iconic Live Aid concert on TV. Blur enjoyed no shortage of highlights in 35 years beforehand, of course; thinking about British music in the 90s means thinking about the foursome instantly. Still, in the latest documentary to turn the camera their way, which is playing big screens in Australia thanks to the 2024 British Film Festival, there's no doubting what standing on Wembley's stage at this point in their journeys, after reinventions, hiatuses, reunions, solo projects and more, means to the band. If the feeling that's written across Albarn, Coxon, James and Rowntree's faces when To the End finishes could be summed up by a snippet from one of their songs, the "woo hoo!" chorus from 1997 hit 'Song 2' would actually work nicely. That sensation — that immense emotional reaction, too — is evident not only in the intimate doco from Transgressive record label co-founder, filmmaker and lifelong Blur fan Toby L, however. It's also clear in accompanying concert film Blur: Live From Wembley Stadium, which captures the first night's show in like-you're-there detail (including largely sticking close to the band, so that viewers can truly witness what the gig means to them as they work through a two-hour set filled with everything from 'Popscene', 'Girls & Boys', 'Parklife' and 'Country House' to 'This Is a Low', 'To the End', 'Tender', 'The Universal' and 'The Narcissist'). Asked about what that pure joy was like to witness — Albarn comments in the film that the moment was as good as it gets — Toby L stresses how it genuinely did feel like the pinnacle for the band. "I can honestly say yes. And I know that if all four of them were asked that question, they would all agree. Which is amazing, because what must be it like to be at this point in your lives where you feel you've done one of your best albums, and you've done your best and biggest gigs?" he tells Concrete Playground. "I think just on a completely subconscious level for any performer, even if they pretend they don't want to get to that level, I think there's that sense of attainment and achievement that is the zenith of possibility. To not only play it, but to headline it and sell it out, I think it is the bucket list for every artist, potentially, that wants to get to a certain level." "And the feeling in the stadium both nights was so electric. I've been through a lot of big gigs and a lot of stadiums and a lot of festival shows, and they're always fun but, truthfully, sometimes the scale is just hard to make it feel personal and intimate. But somehow those gigs were. And anyone that was there — people that work in the music industry, everyone has recounted how something happened that was next-level in terms of the emotional connection," Toby L continues. "So yeah, it really was what the film portrays, that sense of it being a bit magic, and Damon being quite rarely open about the fact it's kind of the pinnacle, that was the truth. And I feel honoured and privileged to have been part of that in a small way." [caption id="attachment_980200" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Reuben Bastienne-Lewis[/caption] Toby L's own Blur journey also began decades back, as a fan since he was a kid. He has an early tie to Wembley, too, but at the indoor Wembley Arena, which sits next to the stadium. In the 90s, he saw his first-ever live gig at the venue — and yes, at that show when he was at age of ten, he was watching Blur. From his mid-teens, a career linked to music beckoned. He's blogged, founded music sites, organised live events, hosted TV, started his label 20 years back, and directed Olivia Rodrigo's Sour Prom, Rihanna's 777, Liam Gallagher: Knebworth 22 and more. Collaborations Albarn and Coxon first came through Transgressive, before he heard word about Blur's Wembley Stadium shows. That connection didn't mean that Toby L was a sure thing behind the camera when the idea of immortalising the gigs arose. His plan was always exactly what audiences can experience now, though: the full concert experience in one film — plus the path to it, through Blur reuniting in Albarn's country house in Devon to make their first album in eight years, then doing warm-up gigs, playing other festival sets and finally hitting Wembley, in another. The latter eschews the biodoc treatment for the here and now, for four men musing on their twists and turns together and apart, and for diving into friendship and mortality as well. Live From Wembley Stadium and To the End make a helluva pair, which Melburnians can see in a double feature at The Astor Theatre for one night only. How did the band respond to the two-movie plan? How did Toby L carve out a space for To the End when past documentaries such as No Distance Left to Run and Blur: New World Towers exist? How open were Albarn and company to such a close-up approach? We also chatted with the filmmaker about the above — as well as how being a fan shaped his role as a director, ensuring that the concert film felt equally intimate, and the longevity of both Blur and Oasis. ("Let's put it this way: I think Blur were my first band, and working with Liam was also a completely wonderful experience. Totally different. But a wonderful thing," he advises.) On the Pitch to Make Two Films About Blur's Wembley Gigs — and the Band's Reaction "It all stemmed back from me discovering about the gigs on the d-low, as it were. I was with Damon talking about a completely different project, and Wembley came up in discussion. I think he might have cheekily brought it up with that cheeky glint in his eye and his shining gold tooth, probably he was quite excited about the surprise element of it about to hit the newswires. I'd already done some filming with Damon around his second solo album, so he knew that I was in that world slightly. I think I probably quite embarrassingly and tritely said 'I'd love to throw my hat in', quite literally that basic. And I remember him just saying cryptically, both supportively but then also very vaguely, 'I would like that, too'. Then that was it. It wasn't spoken about for with him probably for another six months, during which time I felt that that was enough latitude for me to put a treatment together of what I would do with the documentary and the concert film. The original treatment and proposal that I put together, which was the written treatment, it was quite extensive, it was quite specific, and it stipulated that I felt there were two films. I felt that people would want to see a concert film, almost eternally as an evergreen Blur piece of memorabilia or document of that moment. But then I felt there was an opportunity for a wider story, hence the documentary, which was about getting older and growing up, and reconciling friendship, and mortality, and I guess some deeper human themes. And I just thought that'd be interesting to transpose into the situation Blur were finding themselves in, where they were getting back together for the first time in almost a decade, and they were that much older and about to undertake their biggest challenge yet, which was their biggest-ever gig. So it felt like to me there was a really cool story there that wasn't necessarily predicated on 'and then this album came out in this year, and then they had this fight with Oasis' and all the shit that most people can find on a Wikipedia page. So that was the premise of it, really. It was that — and then me waiting for months and hearing nothing. I thought I might have disgraced myself or embarrassed myself. Then suddenly, quite out of nowhere, I had a breakfast with the band's manager. I thought she was going to let me down because I hadn't heard anything. We're talking about other things and other projects, and then about an hour and a half into two-and-a-half hour breakfast, that's when she dropped the bombshell that they'd gone through the treatments and they thought mine was the strongest, regardless of relationships, which was really flattering. Then I had to have a meeting with all four of them the following week or so to convince them I could do it. Ten days later, we were filming in Devon." On Making To the End to Complement, Not Repeat, Past Documentaries About Blur "In a weird way, there was a relief that No Distance Left to Run had come out. Because that film did the job of 'if you don't know who Blur are or even if you do, here's their story'. It was the legacy story, if you will. It talks the viewer beautifully through how they came to be, and some career highs and lows, and key eras in their career, and the initial downfall. I thought that film did that job, so it was a relief that I didn't have to retread that old ground. But the one thing I felt that was completely up for opportunity was 'where are Blur at now?'. They're mid-to-late 50s, they're about to do, again, genuinely their biggest-ever gigs. There's nothing bigger than doing Wembley Stadium, in a way. So it just felt like this was a pivotal moment to reflect on their present state of being rather than reflecting on their career as a whole. Inevitably there are moments and flashbacks to their career, but really it's all in the context of the here and now. And I guess I wanted to do a bit more of a philosophical, emotional character portrait of the four of them, which I felt hadn't necessarily been done in the other documentaries. The other documentaries, even though this has a specific journey of sorts, they had more of a clear function than an emotional character study. Ultimately, I was lucky that the band were up for going there. Because I could have had this in my head and then, understandably, they might have been like 'fuck off, that's a bit personal'. Thankfully, they didn't respond that way. They understood what the essence of the project was — that my intent wasn't to expose them or show them up, it was to unveil a perspective that many people don't often see in a stadium band, which is the vulnerability and the drive and the motivation behind what it takes to be that kind of individual. And also what it takes to maintain a relationship after such a long time, which isn't easy. A lot of people have this entitlement that bands can and should live forever but, I don't know about you, how would you like it if you were stuffed in a tour bus for years on end even with your closest friends or family, and being forced to smile for the media and perform on no sleep? I think it's going to drive anyone a bit bananas. So I think that's kind of where I was coming from with the project. I was wanting to show something that could create a real bridge between the viewer and the subject, and hopefully a totem of empathy in this fractured age of ours." On the Band's Openness to To the End's Intimate Approach "We all agreed that was the way it was going to be best. That was the way I portrayed it in my treatment, and that was the way they were comfortable with it being captured. I think they had maybe moments before where they've been filmed for other projects and television, where they were just a bit — they're at this point in their career where they don't need to do this, right. It's like they don't need to do any of it. Their career is set. They don't necessarily need to reunite at all. They don't necessarily need to come back with a great album. They don't even necessarily need to make a documentary of any of that activity. But the reason they're doing it is because they want to, and they feel that there's a purpose to it. So equally the filmmaking had to have that element to it. It needed to not be interruptive to the point that the band couldn't do what they needed to do. And it needed to be an honest portrayal and a mirror to their activities. I actually think that's way more interesting than 'let's get the lighting up, let's sit them down, let's ask them the same questions — oh, retake that answer because we didn't get audio'. I just think it's so much more exciting to be in the present. It's technically quite a hard thing to do as a documentary crew because on the one hand, you're trying to be invisible and fly-on-the-wall — but then on the other, you need to also make sure you're guiding the viewer at points so it doesn't just feel like complete empty, vapid voyeurism with no purpose. So it's this tightrope you're walking between being sensitive to what's going on, but then also making sure that you're getting the insights that will contextualise the moment in real time. It's a tough thing to get right, and there are many famous examples of filmmakers being barked out by artists to 'get the eff out of the dressing room'. And that's always the risk, that you go too far or, equally the other way, you don't go far enough and then you haven't really got much to work with. Thankfully, the band were open to that way of working, and I think it's hopefully to the film's credit that the viewer gets that level of intimacy and access that is probably increasingly uncommon in these sorts of projects." On How Seeing Blur at Age Ten and Being a Fan Since Childhood Shaped Directing Two Films About the Band "I think being a fan is really useful, actually, because you just got that knowledge. It's quite an embarrassing, hilarious thing to say, but occasionally there'd be moments where they're trying to recount a song title from 1992 that was the B-side to a single — and being a massive nerd, you can go 'oh, was it this one?'. And then they all look at you and go 'yes, that's what it was'. And the irony is, apart from being vaguely helpful in moments like that, there's also just that sense of trust. You're not there to do a hatchet job. You're not there to trip them up. You're not there to be secretly a dissenting voice that's trying to throw them down. You are a fan. So you're coming at it from a pure place. So then the challenge becomes, in terms of credible filmmaking and documentary-making, how do you straddle that fandom with telling the truth and making sure you're being as objective as any one person can be objective? So that then is probably the other tightrope to walk, ensuring that your enthusiasm and your passion and your love for your subjects doesn't contaminate the need to extract truth, and to make sure that there's an honesty to the whole thing. Because otherwise it could just fall into being sycophancy or just a PR puff piece. And that was another thing we said when we all got together, that we hated documentaries that were too clean and too 'and isn't life perfect'. To that end, I think I really made sure that the enthusiasm of being a fan of the band didn't cloud my judgment. And hopefully anyone that watches it will agree that it's rare to see a band this vulnerable on-camera of their level, and so hopefully people will appreciate the fact that this is definitely a real account of who they are." On Finding Intimacy in Live From Wembley Stadium, Too, to Convey the Experience of Being There to Cinema Audiences "I love the way that you picked up on that approach because that was definitely, again, conscious. I just thought that the worst way to capture this gig was going to make it just be 'look, it's the Wembley Stadium gig, let's have fucking loads of wides and let's make it just look big, and yeah!'. It just felt naff. I also just feel that the art of Blur live is the emotion and the chaos, and then countered by the beauty and the ballads, so the only way to really portray that for me is to have cameras quite close to them. The idea of just dotting the cameras at some distance — obviously we've got lots of dynamic shots at various ranges in the stadium, but most of the cameras, over 50 percent of them, are just in and around the stage, and all on the audience, really close-up on the audience. Because I just thought the story is going to be on stage and the story's going to be in the moshpit. That's going to be where this magic happens. And yeah, we're going to have some big shots at the stadium, yada yada yada, but that stuff's fairly generic to me. You could put those in any concert film of any stadium shoot and it could just apply to stock footage for any artist. But the bit that was special for me was going to be the reactions of the band playing this environment and the excitement of it all — and, again, the audience and their adulation for the moment." On Where You Land on What Gives a Band Longevity When You've Made Films About Both Blur and Oasis "I think obviously it's the songs. I think songs have to permeate not just in the era in which they're conceived, but most truthfully resonate with periods beyond that. A great folk song that was written probably in the 1700s or whatever travels around the hills and finds its way to become a traditional song all around the world, and then eventually becomes blues music. Good songs travel and they last, and I think songwriting is at the core. I think then beyond that, obviously the performance of the song, the recording and the way in which it becomes indelibly linked to people's lives. If you capture the zeitgeist, which both Blur and Oasis did, as examples, it brings people back that were there first time round — or even people that weren't there, they feel that essence of connectivity and culture just resonate in the chords and in the performances and in the vocals. And that's what is effectively bottling magic. That's what music is, it's trying to find magic and it's bottling it, really, either in performance or in recording. Both bands just had that essence of reality. They came at writing and culture in completely different ways, but totally valid respective ways. And they just endured. I know for a fact that you could play most Blur songs to a small child and they're going to enjoy them because the melodies are good. And then most adults are going to connect to them because the themes lyrically still resonate to this day. The album Modern Life Is Rubbish by Blur, that could have been released last week, sadly. And that's ultimately what makes great art: stumbling across something that in the moment feels real, but then for decades onwards still manages to resonate. That's the art of it all, really: trying to find something eternal in the moment. " On What You Learn About Blur When You're Making Not Just One But Two Documentaries About Them "I think you learn that everyone, even if we've all got our own personalities, our own characteristics, we're all kind of the same person really. We all have our own needs and vulnerabilities, and strengths and weaknesses, and really that's what binds us all as a human race. And that's why I think it's so harrowing, the state of the world that we find ourselves in right now. Because I think that there are forces that are trying to falsely attribute disparity to our state of being, when actually we're all fucking similar and that's what we should be focusing on, our common ground, not our points of distinction. I think what I learned was that the fallibility and the brilliance in them is eminently what unites us all. It's kind of in all of us and in all of them. So in that way, it was very grounding. As the ten-year-old fan, what did I learn? I just learned that my favourite band were a great band to get behind. They were really complex in many ways, in terms of their unique quirks and things. They were very, very entertaining and very funny. They were very sweet and emotional people. And, ultimately, there's no other band like them to go on the stage. They really tear it up in a way that I don't think anyone before or since them has been able to do. And so for me, what I learned was, yeah, it was a great band to fall in love with at the age of eight years old or whatever it was." The 2024 British Film Festival tours Australia in November and December, wrapping up on Sunday, December 8. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website. Both Blur: To the End and Blur: Live From Wembley Stadium are playing at the festival's stops across the country, with the Blur double feature showing at Melbourne's Astor Theatre on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Images: Altitude.
Whether you've got a mum you'd like to spoil or you just want to treat your own damn self, Jayda's upcoming feasting series has you sorted. The CBD cocktail bar — and next-door sibling to Shane Delia's Maha — is dishing up high tea with a Middle Eastern twist. Held across two weekends (Saturday, May 6, Sunday, May 7, Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14) with three sittings each day (10am–12pm, 12.30–2.30pm, 3–5pm), it's a lavish riff on the classic high tea, filled with sweet and savoury delights. You'll sit down to bites like toasted lobster buns with zaatar mayo, tarama tarts paired with salmon caviar, harissa chicken sandwiches and Turkish beef dumplings with spiced yoghurt and foraged mushrooms. Sweet treats run to the likes of handmade chocolates and Turkish delight doughnuts, and there'll be a range of tea and French-press coffee to match, too. The high tea spread comes in at $135, which includes a glass of Louis Roederer champagne to kick things off. And if you're feeling fancy, you can add on free-flowing flutes of the bubbly for an extra $100 per person.
When winter begins to thaw, with leaves growing back on trees and flowers coming into full bloom, we want to celebrate the warmer weather and the world's annual rebirth. And, come September, Australia's biggest festival of spring will roll around. Now in its 34th year, Floriade will once again fill Canberra's Commonwealth Park with more than one million blooms. But this month-long flower festival is more than just smelling the tulips. After a successful introduction last year which saw more than 80 community groups plant a stunning tulip trail through Canberra's suburbs, the Floriade Community initiative will return with an additional 300,000 bulbs and annuals available. While you're in town, you may as well take the time to check out Canberra's best microbreweries, cafes and cultural hotspots, too. Start looking at accomodation ASAP. [caption id="attachment_736041" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Martin Ollman Photography[/caption] Top image: VisitCanberra
Serving up homely yet modern takes on Indonesian fare on Franklin Street, Yoi is a family-run affair. It's helmed by Ibu Lie Tjoa along with her two sons Dion and Michael Sanusi who are together hoping to share a part of their culture, history and family traditions through their meals. On the menu, you'll find popular Indonesian dishes like mie tek tek ($10), a Hawker-style stir fried noodles; spicy beef rendang ($10.90); soto betawi (a coconut beef soup served with rice, $12.90); and fried chicken covered in Yoi's signature salted egg sauce ($12.90), which is best paired with a thick avocado smoothie ($4.50) or an iced teler ($5) made with avocado, jackfruit and coconut gel in a mix of coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk. Looking for something sweet? Martabak ($11.50), a thick stuffed pancake popular on the streets of Jakarta, comes with your choice of sweet and savoury fillings. The Indonesian classic and Yoi recommendation, however, is a combination of condensed milk, chocolate and cheese. Open for lunch or dinner on the bustling Franklin Street, Yoi is not only serving up a tasty feed, but it's doing so for cheap with everything on the menu under $20.
"Eventually, I've come to realise that there are bad guys," says Julia Louis-Dreyfus (You Hurt My Feelings) as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in the just-dropped teaser trailer for Thunderbolts*. "And there are worse guys," she continues, "and nothing else". So goes the setup for one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's next big-screen releases — and it plays with a familiar template. Banding together a disparate group of characters is MCU 101. Teaming up antiheroes to take on worse folks as mandated by the government is also how Suicide Squad and The Suicide Squad from DC have played out. The Thunderbolts* version hits cinemas in May 2025 Down Under, also starring Florence Pugh (Dune: Part Two), David Harbour (Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story), Sebastian Stan (Dumb Money), Wyatt Russell (Night Swim), Olga Kurylenko (Paradox Effect) and Hannah John-Kamen (Breaking Point) in their Marvel returns. Pugh is back as Yelena Belova after Black Widow and Hawkeye, while Harbour again plays Red Guardian, Stan returns as Bucky Barnes and his The Falcon and the Winter Soldier co-star Russell is back as John Walker. Kurylenko played Taskmaster in Black Widow, too, while John-Kamen's Ghost was part of Ant-Man and the Wasp. This is a flick with a bit of homework, then, if you're keen to know the ins and outs of every character before they get thrust together in Thunderbolts*'s storyline, becoming a band of misfits and going on missions. The film marks the 36th in the MCU, and will follow fellow 2025 release Captain America: Brave New World into picture palaces. Behind the lens on Thunderbolts*: director Jake Schreier, who has helmed episodes of Beef, Minx, the Russell-starring Lodge 49 and more, plus films Paper Towns and Robot & Frank. Marvel has had a light year on the silver screen in 2024, with just Deadpool & Wolverine releasing. That definitely won't be the case in 2025, however, with not only Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* slated to drop, but also The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Check out the first teaser trailer for Thunderbolts* below: Thunderbolts* releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Images: courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 MARVEL.
The Good Food & Wine Show is set to return to Melbourne at the end of May this year, promising a stacked schedule of shows with notable chefs and the chance to discover artisanal goods from over 300 producers and brands. The celeb chefs that will take the stage include Ready Steady Cook's Miguel Maestre and pastry queen Kirsten Tibballs, along with MasterChef Australia alumni Emelia Jackson, Sarah Todd and Dani Venn, TV personality Alastair McLeod, and Aussie Barbecue Heroes host Jess Pryles. Between demos and talks on the Cooking Main Stage, attendees can expand their gastronomic horizons at various other events. Explore the world of tea with tea-infused bites and cocktails at The Art of Luxury Tea with Dilmah 85 Reserve, sample elegant wines at the RIEDEL Drinks Lab and Wine Selectors Tasting Room, or visit the Singapore Airlines VIP Lounge for your choice of three meals and five wines or beers. The Good Food & Wine Show will take place from Friday, May 31–Sunday, June 2 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. General admission tickets start from $39 and are available to purchase at the website.
Melbourne has no shortage of cheap eats for students, rents weeks and people just generally trying to save a dime. Chinatown's newest opening, however, is combining budget eats with sophistication and fancy surrounds — so you can feel like you're dropping big cash on a nice dinner, when you're actually not. Located in the heart of the bustling city centre, Le Charme is filled with long teal banquettes and lotus flower-shaped light fittings hanging from the ceiling. Matching teal shutters keep the restaurant's interior sheltered from the frenetic foot traffic happening right outside its doors. It's inside this seemingly serene — and definitely charming — restaurant that you'll enjoy Executive Chef Gary Lau's extensive and affordable menu. It's filled with lots of pescatarian and vegetarian options, too, so everyone can get in on the action. Set to be a sure-fire hit with CBD workers, Le Charme's $9.90 lunch menu features generous bowls of beef pho and bun bo hue, while its $11.90 menu is filled with hits like spicy chicken laksa, stir-fried beef with rice and mapo tofu. During lunchtime hours, you can also add a drink — including tea, soft drink and Vietnamese coffee imported directly from Hanoi — to your meal for an extra $2. [caption id="attachment_726782" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] Head here at night and you'll find an a la carte that pulls its inspiration from across Asia. There's a Hong Kong-style soft shell crab with black beans ($11.90), dumplings ($6.90–7.90) — served steamed or pan-fried — chicken mee goreng ($14.9) and a lineup of popular Vietnamese noodle soups and cold vermicelli dishes. But for the the best bang for your buck, order the $30 'feed me' menu (for a minimum of two people), which includes a whopping six dishes: four entrees, one main and a dessert. While exactly what you'll get changes regularly, expect the likes of crunchy wasabi prawns, pan-fried chicken and prawn dumplings, chicken san choy bao and a rich Saigon curry with beef brisket, potato and okra. For dessert, you'll get banana fritters and coconut ice-cream. There's a vego option available for meat-free folk, too The Chinatown diner also has a range of Asian-inspired cocktails and mocktails on offer, with standouts being the opulent salted caramel espresso martini ($19) — made with Kahlua, Baileys and a Nutella rim — and the fruity Royal Rose Fizz ($20). A tidy lineup of beers, ciders and wines are available, too. While Chinatown's newest offering steers away from the traditional, it will surely be a hit with those looking for a fun, tasty and affordable feed. Find Le Charme at Shop 3, 178 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne. It's open from Tuesday–Friday 11.30am–3pm and 5–10pm; Saturday 11.30am–11pm and Sunday 11.30am–10pm. Images: Julia Sansone.
If you've been making plans to revamp your style, but haven't been able to rustle up the coin or are sick of online shopping, here's your chance. Hugo Boss is hosting a mega sale at its outlet stores. You'll be able to score a further 30 percent off menswear, womenswear, footwear and accessories. Whether you're after a suit for a special occasion later in the year or looking to level up your work wardrobe stat, Hugo Boss's mid-season outlet sale will have you sorted for a fraction of the fashion label's usual prices. You'll have to get in quick to score though, with the sale running from Saturday, April 3 until Sunday, April 18 (or until stocks last). In Melbourne, you can head to the Boss Outlet in Preston and DFO Essendon to get these quality threads for such a steal. Current opening hours at Preston are 10am–6pm Monday–Friday, 10am–5pm on Saturdays and 11am–5pm on Sundays. DFO Essendon is open from 10am–6pm daily. Hugo Boss mid-season outlet sale will run from Saturday, April 3 till Sunday, April 18, or until stocks last (excludes new season stock). To find your closest outlet, visit the website.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Rekorderlig. Sweden has a lot going on for a small country shrouded in darkness and snow for most of the year. Take a look around at the headliners of music festivals, at the clothes you’re wearing and the cider you’re drinking. You may have more in common with the sauna-loving nation than you’d think. Here are ten elements that define Swedish cool, compiled by Laura Phillips, editor of Mr Wolf Magazine, the journal of Nordic style. Raised in Melbourne, she was lured to the north with a promise of attractive men and affordable smoked salmon. Kanken backpacks Launched in 1978 in response to Swedish school children experiencing back problems, the Kånken is as minimal in design as you get. It’s everything a backpack should be — nothing more, nothing less. The weight of the pack is distributed evenly, its handles make it easy to hold as a handbag, its one front pocket and single internal compartment allow you to organise your keys and your notebook respectively. The fabric, sourced from yacht sail manufacturers in Japan, shifts from crisp to soft and glossed over time, commonly remaining a faithful companion to a Swede for 40 or so years. Saunas If sweating naked in a room full of strangers before plunging into a pool of ice doesn’t sound like you, Sweden will change your mind. Surprisingly relaxing and without doubt refreshing, the sauna is the place to make friends and bond with your fellow Swede. Some saunas, such as the Bjärred Saltsjöbad in southern Sweden, add stunning waterside views and rooftop sun bathing platforms for your cleansing enjoyment. Weekday Denim Forget the US, Sweden is the irrefutable capital of denim. For Swedes, denim is a way of life. No school uniforms and a year-round cool climate has nurtured a national attachment to jeans. It’s no wonder that the leading denim brands are all Swedish owned: H&M, Nudie Jeans, ACNE, Dr. Denim, to name a few. Weekday, responsible for the Cheap Monday label, has designed a jean for everyday of the week, perfect for the daily life of a Swede. Rekorderlig Cider Rekorderlig has captivated the globe with its cult of cider. Its tag line, 'Beautifully Swedish', has converted even the most staunch beer drinker and wine connoisseur to join the cider bandwagon. Savouring the feeling of fresh air, the woods and the comfortable welfare state, Rekorderlig (pronounced re-core-deer-lig) is the ideal accomplice for your induction into the Swedish way of life. Little Dragon Sweden’s recent electro music success is enough to believe the likes of Lykke Li, Robyn, The Knife, Swedish House Mafia, Avicii, Adrian Lux and Rebecca & Fiona all hang out with each other, and swap industry tips over fika (see no.7). Groups such as Little Dragon, however, have developed an international following with records characterised by smoothly evocative lyrics. Their self-proclaimed ‘global sound’ is experimental and consistently enjoyable. Their latest album, Nubuma Rubberband, is absolutely worth a listen. Way Out West Festival Every August Sweden’s second biggest city, Gothenburg, plays host to Way Out West, a staple of the Scandinavian summer festival circuit. Swedes are lured outside by the warm weather to dance through the night, dress so well it hurts and keep ahead of the next international Swedish music sensation. Johan & Nystrom Specialty Coffee Concept Store, Stockholm How do Swedes function on winter days with two hours of sunshine? It’s all in the coffee. This is epitomised in the cultural establishment of fika (pronounced fee-ka). A Swede is known to fika multiple times in the day. It’s a ritual of sitting down with a coffee and a cinnamon bun to take a break and socialise with colleges, family and friends. The specialty coffee movement in Stockholm is elevating the quality of the standard cup in Sweden; Stockholm’s Johan & Nyström in particular offer patient education on the art of coffee. ACNE The only kind of acne you want all over you, the Swedish fashion retailer epitomises Swedish minimalism. From its block colours to its clean branding, ACNE sells the composed self-assurance at the essence of Swedish cool. ACNE makes no frills look good. With a legion of loyalists from New York to Melbourne willing to renounce all things obnoxious and studded in the name of Swedish design, it’s onto something. If in doubt, dress head to toe in black and paint your apartment white; you’ve got Swedish minimalism in the bag. Restaurant Tusen at Ramundberget Ski Resort If you could generalise contemporary Swedish architecture at all, an attachment to nature would be the common ingredient. To understand a Swede, you must appreciate a deep connection with the environment. Sweden’s seasons occupy both extremes. As well as the temperature, their year is dictated by serious variation in light, fluctuating between complete darkness in the north during winter and 24 hours on sunlight during the summer. The built environment hence must accommodate for the extremes and adjust for the inhabitants within. Using natural materials and neutral colours such as blond wood and white walls keeps interiors adaptive and simple, allowing the transition from outdoors in to be seamless. The Restauant Tusen at Ramundberget Ski Resport by Hans Murman Arkitekter is a magnificent example. Dads with prams A progressive approach to paternity leave is the cornerstone of Sweden’s culture of gender equality. The result: a lot of dads with prams. Strolling through Stockholm’s hipster haunt, Södermalm, the packs of fathers-with-child would drive the most cynical bachelor to jealousy. No wonder Sweden is in a baby boom. Top image by Rekorderlig ambassador Agnes Thor.
Since 2017 in Sydney, 2018 in Melbourne and 2019 in Brisbane, a trip to Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq has meant stepping inside a circus-themed arcade bar that's primed for kidulting. And, that's still the case; however, once a month from May until November, the chain is ramping its core concepts of circus, arcade fun and nostalgic activities for adults up a few levels. Run by Funlab, the group also responsible for Holey Moley, Strike Bowling and B. Lucky & Sons, Archie Brothers is kicking off a new Showtime event series. After launching on Friday, May 7 in Alexandria, and on Saturday, May 8 in Docklands and Toombul, it'll take place on the second Saturday of each month at each site, turning each venue into an adults-only circus and cocktail pop-up. From 7–10pm at each event, attendees can expect stilt walkers, magicians, burlesque and beverages — and tarot card readers and face painters as well. The lineup of performers will vary depending on the city, but there'll also be juggling and snake charming in Sydney, and mime in Melbourne. Brisbanites can look forward to unicycling, acrobatics, diabolo, balloon modelling and more juggling. The carousel-themed Archie Brothers bar will be pouring Showtime Disco Mirror Ball cocktails, which combine Red Bull, passionfruit, cranberry juice, triple sec, whiskey and lime, while the rest of the chain's usual drinks list will be on offer, too. Food-wise, the theme park and American diner-inspired menu will span sandwiches, pizzas, sliders, onion rings, mac and cheese and other dishes. And, all of Archie Brothers' usual games and activities will be on the agenda, as will prizes. So, you'll be whipping out your Mario Kart skills, hitting the dodgems, bowling and just generally mashing buttons in May, and again come June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9 and November 13. Then, you'll be trading all the tickets you amass for gaming consoles, 90s paraphernalia and more (and there won't be any kids around vying for the same goodies). Showtime at Archie Brothers kicks off on Friday, May 7 in Alexandria, and on Saturday, May 8 in Docklands and Toombul, then runs on the second Saturday of each month until November. To attend, you'll need to book online. Images: Zennieshia Butts.
When the Australian Government introduced an indefinite ban on all overseas travel in late March, Qantas and Jetstar suspended all scheduled international flights and temporarily stood down two-thirds of its staff. Today, Thursday, June 25, the airline has revealed that overseas flights will not takeoff again until at least July 2021. At a press conference this morning, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce announced 6000 job cuts across all parts of the business and the continued standing down of 15,000 employees until flights return — which, for international flights, won't be for a while. Referencing a report released earlier in the year by an airline industry expert, Joyce said that it is expected to take three years for international travel to return to 2019 levels. "We think international will take a long time," Joyce said. "There'll be nothing this next financial year, July next year we may start seeing some international services and that will only get us to 50 percent. The following year, only two-thirds of the pre-COVID international schedule." [caption id="attachment_773510" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A trip to Japan won't be on the cards until 2021[/caption] The likelihood of international travel not returning for Australians until at least 2021 isn't new, news, though. Earlier this month, Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said as much, telling the National Press Club, "international border restrictions are likely to be there for some time to come" — and that "keeping those border restrictions largely in place is a price we're going to have to pay to keep COVID under control". The good news is that, as has come up frequently over the past few months, implementing a 'travel bubble' with New Zealand — aka reinstating international travel just between the two countries before Australia's international border reopens to all nations worldwide — is still under consideration according to Birmingham. Whether Qantas and Jetstar will run flights across the ditch if a travel bubble is allowed before July 2021 is currently unknown. The airlines will, however, definitely still be running domestic flights — and expect domestic travel to be back to 100 percent of pre-COVID-19 levels by 2022. "We're very optimistic about domestic," Joyce said at the press conference. "The domestic market will get back to maybe 70 percent of pre-COVID levels in the next year and the following year to 100 percent." The airlines have started ramping up domestic flights again and even held a big sale, with one-way flights as cheap as $19, last week. https://twitter.com/Qantas/status/1268341083257233408 It's worth noting, of course, that many of Australia's state borders are still closed. Queensland is working towards reopening to visitors from other states on July 10, although that hasn't been officially confirmed as yet, while the Northern Territory announced it'll reopen on July 17 — and South Australia is slated to do the same on July 20. While Victoria, NSW and the ACT currently have open borders, numerous state health ministers — including NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard today — have encouraged their residents to avoid travel to Victoria, especially to Melbourne's COVID hotspots, as the state has seen a recent uptick in new cases, with 33 recorded in the last 24 hours. Qantas and Jetstar's 6000 job cuts are part of post-COVID-19 recovery plan for the airlines, which also includes the retiring of the remaining 747s six months early and the grounding of 100 aircraft for up to 12 months. 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.
Dating apps are getting more niche by the day, because, let's face it, Tinder isn't for everyone. There's a lot of people out there and meeting up with someone because you both like The Dodo on Facebook is not the most foolproof way to date. But the newest online dating tool to launch in Australia aims to connect people with one big thing in common: they're all vegans or vegetarians. V Love has been founded by entrepreneur and long-time vegan Amber Gouzy, who noticed her own circle struggling with online dating. So she decided to create a service that would be help them meet like-minded people. While the app is primarily for vegans and vegetarians, it's designed to bring together individuals with similar values and help them avoid dates with people who are completely closed off to the idea of vegetarianism. While the app does sound like it's only hitting a small market, data from Roy Morgan Research shows that over ten percent of Australians identify as vegetarian, which is even more evident in New South Wales, where there has been a 30 percent growth in vegetarians since 2012. Market Researcher Euromonitor International has also shown that Australia's packaged vegan food market is currently worth nearly $136 million and is set to reach $215 million by 2020, making the Australian market the third-fastest growing vegan market in the world. Though the food industry in Australia is clearly taking note of this stark increase and specifically responding to the increasing vegetarian population, V Love aims to fill the gap across other sectors. V Love is free to download but a $5.99 monthly subscription fee must be paid to access all features. As with most dating apps, users create a personalised profile, conduct a filtered search and use a 'swipe' method to connect with others. Matches are based on the V Love compatibility algorithm and connects users that live in the same area. Gouzy is planning for worldwide expansion for the app, with the goal of registering 800 downloads/subscriptions in Australia this month alone. V Love is currently available on the App Store and Google Play — it's free to download but has a monthly subscription fee of $5.99 per month. For more info, visit vlove.com.au.
When Darth Vader told Luke Skywalker that they're more than just mortal enemies, it became one of the most famous lines of dialogue in movie history (and one of the most mis-quoted). If you've seen Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back, you'll know that it's a powerful, memorable moment that changes the shape of the entire space saga. Even if you haven't, you know what we're talking about. Now, imagine just how epic it'll feel when you're watching the flick on a big screen and listening to John Williams' iconic score played by a live orchestra. Yes, The Force is strong in Melbourne once more, with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra staging the next in its series of Star Wars events with four screenings and performances on December 14, 15 and 16 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Jedis, wookiees and droids alike can expect three nights of tussles between the Rebels and the Empire, Luke learning his true parentage, Han flirting with Leia and getting frozen in carbon, Chewbacca being awesome, R2-D2 being adorable and C-3PO being annoying (well, he is). Plus, it's the flick that marks the first appearance of Lando Calrissian and the first time 'The Imperial March' is heard. Conductor Nicholas Buc will be leading the charge again, and expect an energetic performance — it's his favourite Star Wars score. "Williams' bombastic music for Darth Vader has since come to represent everything evil in the Star Wars universe and, combined with his new love theme for Han and Leia, this score improves on everything that he started in Episode IV," he notes. Buc will also discuss the score with film experts Dr Dan Golding and Andrew Pogson in four pre-concert talks — at 6.15pm on Friday, 11.45am or 6.15pm on Saturday and 11.45am on Sunday. Prices start at $35 for restricted view and $49 for D Reserve. To purchase tickets, visit the MSO website. Updated: December 7
If you eagerly drink your way through the taps at most craft beer bars, then a host of tell-tale signs await the next day: headaches, cold sweats, dehydration, a queasy stomach and a strong craving for greasy food, usually. That won't be the case at BrewDog's latest venture, however, with the Scottish brewery opening up the world's first alcohol-free craft beer joint. Called BrewDog AF — with the final two letters standing for "alcohol-free", rather than the other term that instantly popped into your head — the bar launches in London on Monday, January 6. Every one of its 15 taps will pour booze-free brews, focusing on draught craft beer sans alcohol. That includes both zero-percent and 0.5-percent tipples, with the latter also officially classed as alcohol-free. On the menu: BrewDog's 0.5-percent pale ale Nanny State, as well as the alcohol-free version of their flagship Punk IPA, Punk AF. It's also creating two new booze-free brews: a coffee stout called Wake Up Call, and Hazy AF, an alcohol-free version of its New England IPA, Hazy Jane. Alcohol-free spirits and cider will be available too, as will burgers, salads and buffalo wings — and if you're looking for something to do over your booze-free pint, get ready for karaoke and bingo, among other activities. While BrewDog has been busy opening bars and breweries around the globe over the past decade — launching its first Australian site in Brisbane late in 2019, in fact — BrewDog AF marks its first fully alcohol-free venue. It's not London's first booze-free bar, or the world's, but it is the first to focus on alcohol-free (and hangover-free) craft brews. To celebrate that fact, as well as the new range of booze-free beers, the brewery has also dubbed the entire month 'drink all you can Jan' — when it comes to alcohol-free beers, that is. Not only at BrewDog AF, but at all of BrewDog's bars and breweries worldwide, drinkers can score free refills of all alcohol-free beers throughout January. BrewDog AF and its increased non-alcoholic craft brew range forms part of the company's mission to whip up a craft beer for everyone, including folks who like their brews sans booze. As brewery founder James Watt explains, "drinkers opting for low or no alcohol are in danger of compromising on quality, taste and experience. And that's just the beer – forget about places in which to enjoy it. We are going to change that. We exist to be a point of difference, and our first BrewDog AF Bar is just that." Even if a trip to London isn't in your future, BrewDog's new venture is a welcome development for anyone who has tried to forgo alcohol during Dry July, doesn't drink booze but would still like to sink a few cold ones with their mates, or can't imbibe for a number of reasons — medication interactions, other health reasons or just by choice. With non-alcoholic spirits like Seedlip and Brunswick Aces gaining more attention, bars such BrewDog AF are the natural next step. Yes, you can get non-boozy beverages like juice and soft drinks anywhere, but it's not the same as knocking back booze-free beers in a spot that celebrates the drink but not the alcohol. Find the BrewDog AF Bar at the Mews Unit of the Bower Development at 211 Old Street, London, from Monday, January 6 — open 12pm–11pm Sunday–Thursday and 12pm–11.30pm Friday–Saturday. For booze-free beer lovers in Brisbane, BrewDog's first Aussie brewery — DogTap at Murarrie — is serving up unlimited refills of BrewDog alcohol-free beers until January 31.
Remember when your parents threw dinner parties when you were a kid? Your parents had likely planned the menu well in advance, pulled out the good crockery, and cleaned the house in a frenzy. It was gorgeous, of course, but it was also a colossal effort. Thankfully, the popularity of formal dining at home took a nosedive, and now we want the kind of easy and elevated dining experience that Pinterest has championed: relaxed, but still worthy of sharing pictures across the internet. Which brings us a new kind of challenge, when you search 'dinner party ideas' you'll get 275 million results and too many options to choose from. So to help cut through the anxiety you may be feeling about hosting your next dinner party, we've partnered with super premium French vodka Grey Goose to bring you a guide on how to host an elevated evening meal at home that won't cost you your entire pay cheque (or your sanity). Read on for some sensory inspiration. TASTE Arguably the most important part of a dinner party (aside from your guests) is the food and drink, so don't let this part trip you up. Repeat after me: delegation is key. Nobody expects you to do this on your own (and foot the expenses, too), so when people offer to bring something, assign them a dish immediately. Keep it simple with cheese, charcuterie or a salad. For drinks, rest assured that everyone will bring their own beer or wine, so flex your hosting skills by having a pre-dinner cocktail ready for when everyone arrives. So fancy! So adult! The Grey Goose Peach Spritz is an elegant cocktail that's easy to make. Simply build 40ml of Grey Goose Original with 20ml of peach puree, 10ml of lemon juice, 10ml of sugar syrup and 45ml of sparkling rose in a wine glass. Stir and top with a sprig of rosemary. Look at you go! [caption id="attachment_751536" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Creative Commons: Flickr/Eva Coudyser[/caption] SIGHT Your parents were onto something with all those candles they lit at their weekend soirees; lighting really is important. Fairy lights, lamps, tea lights = good ambiance. That dodgy fluro light in the living room = bad vibes. You don't live in a dive bar. Once you've picked out the lights that suit your home, spruce up the rest of the house. Hide any clutter, put something floral on the table, and pull out some old photos. Not only will this serve as decoration, but it'll also work as an ice-breaker for any guests that might not know each other that well. Bonus points if the photos contain questionable haircuts circa 2010. [caption id="attachment_751529" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Creative Commons: Flickr/Marco Verch[/caption] SMELL They say the smell of baking bread is used by real estate agents to attract home buyers — and it's a very comforting aroma. Rather than baking your own loaf of sourdough for the occasion (#toohardbasket), stop by one of the best bakeries in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane and pick up something ready made. Heat it up in the oven, and cut up thick slices to throw on a cheese board. Your gluten-free/low-carb/Keto friends probably won't eat it, but everyone will appreciate the smell. And if your sense of smell is chef-level impressive, see if you can pick out the notes of French baguettes in the Grey Goose vodka, as the same winter wheat is used to make the vodka as bakers use to make the country's famed pastries. [caption id="attachment_751744" align="alignnone" width="1920"] InBed[/caption] TOUCH Two words: table linen. It makes a real difference — and you can create a tactile environment really easily with one throw-over table cloth from linen purveyors like InBed (from $110) to more affordable homewares stores like IKEA (from $19.99). In a pinch, you can always use a picnic rug, or a sarong, to dress the table. Next, create an inviting environment where people can congregate after a big meal. Grab all the blankets from your bedroom, and get some hygge happening. Imagine a pillow fort, but more chic. SOUND When it comes to music, people fall into one of two categories: the effortlessly cool people who have a record player (and a well-curated vinyl collection) and those who rely on the old faithful Spotify and wireless speakers, which wins points for being totally customisable. If you choose to use a music streaming service during dinner, please abide by the cardinal rules: pay for premium (so you don't have pesky ads interrupting the mood) and use 'private session' so you don't add the tracks to your algorithm. Alternatively, rely on pre-made playlists like Front Left; the latest tracks become conversation starters. [embed]https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX5WTH49Vcnqp[/embed] Upgrade your dinner party by choosing premium vodka Grey Goose. Each bottle is distilled in France, and the high quality vodka has a 100 percent traceable production process, from crop to cork.
The unofficial breakfast capital of Australia, Melbourne seemed to reach peak cafe saturation years ago. But that hasn't stopped the city's hottest talent from opening dozens of new and inventive breakfast spots this year. That said, we're certainly not complaining. This year, we've revived our love for crumpets at a CBD hole-in-the-wall, relived our childhood at a Footscray pie shop, stepped 130 years back in time at a revived Carlton icon and road tripped to a socially conscious cafe and community farm. That's just for starters. Giant cheese shops, solar-powered spots and venues helping to stop youth homelessness opened this year, too. It's been a big one. To help, we've rounded up our favourite ten new cafes to swing open their doors this year. Make a list, start checking it off (twice).
If you’ve got the blues because you’ve missed out on Byron field frolicking party times at Splendour this year, we hear you. Thankfully, many of the headliners are kind enough to put on a sideshow or two while they’re visiting — after all, many of them have come a long way for the occasion. While you've had other things like work, life and International Mojito Day on your mind, tickets have gone a-walkin' for these coveted sideshows, only adding insult to injury. Fear not, we've trawled through the best Splendour sideshows to see who’s still got tickets available if you want to join the festival buzz. Without further ado, here are the Splendour sideshows you should be slinging your dollars towards. NOTE: This is all very ‘at the time of writing’ so if something sells out in the meantime, we’re sorry for getting any hopes up.
Gone are the days of sad shopping centre food courts and the dubious contents of all-day bains-marie. This is Melbourne, and when it comes to food, we demand the best. In that light, Burwood Brickworks is more than the eastern suburbs' newest (and most environmentally sustainable) retail destination — it's also your brand new flavour hub. From now until March 28, the new Burwood East destination, located in the heart of the 'hood on Middleborough Road, is showcasing the best of dining hub Eat Street, with a range of unmissable meals at a steal. Need help narrowing it down? We've done the hard work for you — these are the nine signature dishes you should try first. [caption id="attachment_803861" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] HONEY CAKE AT ACRE CAKE AND COUNTER The journey from farm to table doesn't get much shorter than this: Acre is a functioning, sustainable urban farm — complete with a garden, greenhouse and honeybees — located on the roof of Burwood Brickworks. From the team behind Sydney's two Acre sites, the elegant farmhouse restaurant and plant-filled greenhouse cafe has a seasonal menu, but don't miss the sweet stuff. Head to Cake and Counter for wholesome classics (think toasties and sausage rolls), Proud Mary coffee and indulgent treats like banoffee pie and baked cheesecake. If you're limiting yourself to just one, though, there's no going past the signature house-made honey cream cake, made with honey from the beehive farm. From now until March 28, enjoy a creamy honey cake and coffee for $10. [caption id="attachment_803881" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] CHICKEN BURGER AND CHIPS AT GAMI CHICKEN AND BEER You probably know this group-friendly dining chain for its famous mounded platters of crispy fried chicken, tossed in spicy, garlicky or sweet soy sauces. But Gami's chicken burger deserves just as much airtime — after all, these guys are the fried chicken masters. Here, a juicy thigh fillet is deep-fried, sandwiched in a toasted bun and finished with Gami cheese sauce and a crunchy, refreshing apple coleslaw. Best eaten with a side of chips and one of those ice-cold beers, of course. From now until March 28, enjoy an indulgent chicken burger and chips for $10. [caption id="attachment_803864" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT HOT POT AT HOT HOT POT You had us at all you can eat. And no, that's not a typo in the name — Hot Hot Pot specialises in the eight-hour, 18-herbs-and-spices flavour bomb that is malatang. Book a slot for your all-you-can-eat hour and load up on all the ingredients you desire: premium meats, seafood, fishballs, tofu, mushrooms and a few greens for good measure. Choose your broth spice level (ranging from 'mild' to 'insane'), prepare your dipping sauces, and settle in for the long haul. From now until March 28, enjoy spicy, all-you-can-eat hot pot for $10. Bookings are essential. Call 0466 680 081 to make a reservation. [caption id="attachment_803866" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] ASSORTED SASHIMI AT ICHIRO IZAKAYA Can't get to Japan for a while? Let Japan come to you at Ichiro. This casual izakaya, fitted out with sustainable and recycled materials, features classic bar snacks like chicken karaage, okonomiyaki and yakitori, as well as sushi, hot pot and teishoku set meals. The star of the show, however, is the fresh sashimi platter of delicately sliced scallop, salmon and kingfish, perfectly paired with a Japanese beer or sake. From now until March 28, enjoy a platter of assorted sashimi for $10. [caption id="attachment_803869" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] FAJITAS AT ROSA MEXICANO If you'd like your feast to be more of a fiesta, Rosa Mexicano is the perfect spot to bring your whole crew. In addition to an impressive selection of cocktails, sangria, tequila and beer — as well as house mocktails and Mexican sodas — the sprawling menu showcases some of Mexico's most beloved flavours. The menu includes hefty burritos, loaded nachos, chargrilled corn and smoked jalapeños — but the sizzling fajita platter is the showstopper. Choose steak, chicken, fish or the veggie option, grab some extra sides like pico de gallo or sour cream, and load your tortilla just the way you like it. From now until March 28, enjoy a plate of sizzling fajitas for $10. [caption id="attachment_803871" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] HUNAN-STYLE STIR-FRIED PORK AT TASTE HUNAN One of the eight culinary cuisines of China, Hunan, or Xiang, is probably lesser known here than its spicy counterpart, Sichuan. Eat Street's Taste Hunan is here to put it firmly on your radar. And there's no better place to start than the chilli-laden stir-fried pork, a classic of the region that sees sliced, tender pork wok-fried with soy, garlic, veggies, and, of course, a generous helping of aromatic chilli. In fact, most of the menu at Taste Hunan promise a spice, chilli or 'special sauce' sensation. The experience is probably best appreciated by sharing a range of dishes, so bring your cadre of spice-seekers and settle in for a feast. From now until March 28, tuck into a serve of Hunan-style stir-fried pork for $10. [caption id="attachment_803874" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] SALAMI PIZZA OR THREE-CHEESE PIZZA AT NEW NORTHCOTE BREWHOUSE New Northcote Brewhouse pairs unpretentious beer with honest food. The core craft froths are from Diamond Hills' Golden Hills Brewery, with other local brews also available on tap. This ain't your average tavern, though — it's a stylish and airy space, with a very decent wine and cocktail selection to boot. On the menu you'll find refined pub classics, including a range of impressive pizzas. Our favourites are the salami with fior di latte and chilli, and the indulgent three-cheese, featuring mozzarella, ricotta and brie. From now until March 28, enjoy a salami or three-cheese pizza for $10. [caption id="attachment_803882" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] SMASHED AVO AT NORWOOD CAFE Good, honest food with heart is the Norwood Cafe way, from sustainable ingredients and farming practices to a minimal-waste approach to food prep. The menu here focuses on nourishing, mindful meals and freshly baked goods, cold-pressed juices and in-house roasted coffee from sustainably sourced beans. We're suckers for the classics, and this smashed avo definitely hits the spot. It's served on seeded artisanal sourdough and topped with a poached egg, feta, dukkah and some aesthetically pleasing flashes of colourful beetroot hummus and pickled tomatoes. From now until March 28, get your smashed avo on for $10. [caption id="attachment_803879" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] CHOC-DIPPED CONE AT BEN AND JERRY'S Stop in at the parlour for a scoop of America's favourite ice cream. Load up your waffle cone with one (or more) of the 24 flavours on offer, or get a freshly filled pint to take home — you can even have it topped with chocolate, sweets or a fudge layer. But there's no going past the most utterly extra cone in town, the Ben and Jerry's choc-dipped variety: your ice cream flavour (or flavours) of choice in a crunchy, chocolate-dipped waffle cone. Simple. Elegant. Glorious. From now until March 28, crunch into a regular choc-dipped cone (two flavours) for $5. Find out more about Burwood Brickworks' exclusive March dining offers here. Offers are available daily from 12–2pm and 5–8pm, until March 28. Top image: New Northcote Brewhouse
In any other year, the songs of the summer are those that have been heard blaring from car windows, festival stages and nightclub speakers. While we've had a few songs take on this energy despite the circumstances ('Blinding Lights', 'Heat Waves' and 'WAP' to name a few) for most of the year, it's just been us and our Spotify accounts. Now, as we head into what we are all hoping to be an action-packed, smoke-free and dance floor-heavy summer, it's the perfect time to refresh your summer playlist. Here are ten tracks you may have missed this year that are bound to give you those summer warm and fuzzies, primed and ready to soundtrack your road trips, bushwalks and pool parties. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmsvhQNuO-E GOLDEN VESSEL: MIDWEST Dive headfirst into the feeling of a summer road trip with this track of the latest Golden Vessel album colt. Each song on the album is primed for stares out of a car window, which the creative force behind the project Maxwell Byrne seemed to know, releasing it alongside a road trip-themed visual album titled eyes on the road. 'Midwest' encapsulates this the best. As soon as the first note hits and Byrne's deep baritone vocals kick in, you can see the trees passing by your window, stereo up, snacks on hand. The gentle instrumental plays off the persistent bass to create a sense of forward momentum. It's an anthemic ode to hitting the road with your crush and, while we may not be able to drive across the midwest right now, it's the perfect time to take to the road and explore regional Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc50wHexbwg KHRUANGBIN: TIME (YOU AND I) Like their music, the cover of Khruangbin's fourth studio album Mordechai explodes with colour. They're a group built on bringing forward the brightest and bounciest sounds of past generations into today. The highlight of the album is 'Time (You and I)', an easygoing soundtrack fit for any summer occasion. Sunshine exudes from every second of its five and a half minute run time. Over a smooth disco-heavy instrumental Khruangbin come to the conclusion that nothing is perfect and everything comes to an end, but that's ok. They're along for the ride, one full of baselines and dance floors. Towards the end of the track, the band recite the phrase 'that's life' translated into various languages. Turkish, Korean, Hebrew — it's universal. We're all here living our lives, just trying our best to have fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPgPHTZsGbU LIL SPACELY: STILL TRAPPIN' (FEAT. ELIJAH YO) 2020 was a landmark year for Australian hip hop. Artists like The Kid Laroi, Onefour, Sampa the Great and Tkay Maidza saw overseas success previously unseen in the local scene. The area undoubtedly leading the pack has been Western Sydney, catching the attention of US rap superstars and international record labels. Among it all, Lil Spacely, one of the area's rising stars, released 'Still Trappin', a sonic victory lap for Western Sydney. Bursting at the seams with sunshine, the track's beat glistens as Spacely tells us of his come up, ambitions and his love for his hometown of Blacktown. The track's biggest pitfall is that it was released during a winter lockdown. There couldn't a song more suited to a summer party — and luckily we have all summer to enjoy it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr_1pDBL0uc BIG DOG: FIGHT IT NOW 'Fight It Now' is the debut single from Sydney band Big Dog. Written during the devastation of the 2019/20 bushfire season, the song conceals a thread of climate anxiety under rich guitars and gentle melodies. Wrapped in warm Australiana reminiscent of Paul Kelly or The Go-Betweens, the track is filled with nostalgic energy. This warmth softens the blow of its cautionary lyrics, warning of future smoke-filled summers without immediate climate action. Musically, 'Fight It Now' conjures feelings of sitting on your porch on a balmy afternoon, but, lyrically, it's a sombre reminder of the country's climate crisis, and as a new summer begins with more extreme weather events, the song remains as relevant as ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUVcZfQe-Kw DUA LIPA: LEVITATING Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia was created for late nights and bustling dance floors, two things that seemed like distant memories throughout the majority of 2020. Despite this, the album managed to blaze a global trail of feel-good pop energy. Any of the singles from the 80s-tinged dance-pop album could fit snuggly into your summer playlist (especially as dance floors and nights out return across the country) but 'Levitating' is the most joyous of the bunch. The anthemic chorus, punchy bassline and Dua Lipa's electric vocals radiate fun. It's overflowing with the energy we've been missing in 2020 and everything we're hoping 2021 will be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ej2BiNFFgM STEVAN: WARM True to its name, 'Warm' is a sunny slice of bedroom pop. Wollongong artist Stevan lays his heart on the line over twinkling synths and a subtle bass groove. Sporadic drums run through the song providing momentum. Completing the wholesome summertime energy of the track is the video, starring Stevan and his new best friend Tilly, a blue heeler cross border collie, and their adventures checking off classic summer bucket list activities: exploring the beach, hanging out at the park and eating rainbow Paddle Pops. Whether your partner in crime is human or dog, 'Warm' will help fill you with adventurous and heartfelt energy you're in need of this summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw0zYd0eIlk PHOEBE BRIDGERS: KYOTO Phoebe Bridgers' take on the world struck a chord with many this year, with the singer going from underground singer-songwriter to Grammy-nominated Tik Tok sensation. Her music is effortlessly relatable and realistically bleak without ever slipping into overbearingly sad. She approaches topics like loneliness and anxiety with a sense of humour and wit. In a difficult year full of isolation, this perspective was comforting. 'Kyoto' served as Bridgers' breakout hit and an endearing ballad that refuses to get tired. Its bright guitars and horn section are contrasted by the track's dark lyrics of travelling through Japan while dealing with persistent calls from your ex. In Bridgers' world, just like in real life, everything can get pretty overwhelming, but we'll get through it all if we just don't take ourselves too seriously. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhS5MB9cLY8 BANOFFEE: TENNIS FAN (FEAT. EMPRESS OF) A typical element of the Australian summer is the Australian Open. The sight of an international tennis star out on a sweltering Melbourne day is as engrained in the fabric of this time of year as much as an icy pole or overcrowded swimming pool. Banoffee's 'Tennis Fan' builds itself around a series of tennis samples from umpire calls to balls being struck. Somehow, she weaves the samples into a metaphor for social anxiety and loneliness, lamenting on not being invited to a tennis match or the movies. It's layered songwriting, but, most of all, the song's a fun summer bop filled with dance grooves and high school nostalgia. With 'Tennis Fan' and its subsequent album Look At Us Now Dad, Banoffee marked herself as one of Melbourne's most exciting young artists and the queen of the tennis court, no matter what her crush says. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdvxzc7FLow THE AVALANCHES: MUSIC MAKES ME HIGH Throwing back to their classic 2000 album Since I Left You, 'Music Makes You high' throws together an eclectic collection of samples in the process of building a kaleidoscopic collage of sound. Through the magic of The Avalanches, it bottles the energy of being in a buzzing crowd hanging on every note of the music. It's the sound of a packed 1am DJ set at Freda's or an overflowing side stage, late afternoon at a music festival. The song's distant crowd noises, energised dance groove and 1980s disco sample transport you to possibly the closest thing to a dance floor many of us experienced this year. Like so many great Avalanches tracks, 'Music Makes You High' takes pieces of music history and compresses them into three minutes of joy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osz9DyfbjyQ FLEET FOXES: SUNBLIND Fleet Foxes returned in 2020 with their sweetest, most assured album yet. In many ways, it felt detached from the year's doom and gloom, preoccupied with its own journey of growth, as lead singer Robin Pecknold reckons with life and growing older. Of all the songs on the record, 'Sunblind' feels the most in touch with the year we've had. Partnered with triumphant instrumental, Pecknold sings of finding comfort in the works of late musicians (Bill Withers, John Prine, Jeff Buckley) and in nature, specifically water. While it may not have been intentional at the time of writing, when he sings "but I'm loud and alive, singing you all night", it's a perfect soundtrack to riding off into 2020's sunset. Everything may not be perfect but we're moving forward into brighter days. Listen on Spotify below. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/23TLh9PrnatiOBetr1PuNL?si=P0ohy4QnToGrceEJmvNR2g
Stop what you're doing. Get out of bed. Cancel that mid-morning meeting. Whatever it is — it can wait. Because this is happening again: In-N-Out Burger is back in Melbourne for one of its hectic late-notice pop-ups. Chapel Street's new eatery Lover will step in as the temporary home for the burger joint from 11am today, Tuesday, March 6. It's been over three years since the LA fast food legends set up shop in Melbourne, and a little over a year since they whipped together a few impromptu burgers out Sydney's Dead Ringer, so you can bet that burger aficionados will be desperate so get their hands on one of those buns. Today, the chain's Double-Double, Animal-Style and Protein Style signature lovelies will be available until they sold out. If you've been to one of In-N-Out's previous pop-ups though, you'll know those burgers sell like, well, cult-status burgers — so you'll have to get there early. Now is probably a good time. Go. The In-N-Out burger pop-up will run today from 11am till 3pm at Lover, 60 Chapel Street, Windsor.
Pizza fiends will find a lot to love about this debut restaurant venture from Paul Kasten (Host Dining), Kate Paterson (Good Beer Week), Kyle Campbell (Beermash) and Rasmus Gundel, but they're certainly not the only ones. Located just off Brunswick Street, Deep End Pizza is proving it's got more than a few tricks up its sleeve — pizza might be the headliner, but it's supported by a primo menu of snacks and share plates, and one heck of a craft beer lineup. Three different styles of pizza feature a slew of classic and creative toppings between them. There's a New York-inspired thin-crust number — perhaps crowned with artichoke, roast capsicum and gorgonzola ($28), or whole clams and bacon ($40) — and a Detroit-style square pizza akin to a puffy focaccia with crispy cheese rim (from $26). Meanwhile, the huge Chicago-style stuffed deep dish creation treads the line between pizza, pie and lasagne (from $42). There's a 30-minute bake time on one of these bad boys and you'll need a crew of mates to help you conquer it. Kasten's fine dining background is even more apparent in the offering of clever small plates — think, saucy limoncello chicken wings ($16), whipped taleggio with charred spring onion ($18) and roasted marrow served in the bone ($15). There's a caesar salad reimagined with miso dressing ($15) and a chicken liver parfait brulée ($18). Local craft beer rules the drinks list, featuring the likes of Deeds' hazy pale ($10) and a farmhouse sour from Molly Rose ($13). Or, you can team your pizza with an interesting vino or signature cocktail like the Lion's Tail, made on bourbon and an allspice dram ($20). Deep End also boasts a lunch-only pizza window, slinging those Detroit-style pies by the slice.
Spy movies and intrigue go hand in hand. Matthew Vaughn should know. With Kingsman: The Secret Service, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, The King's Man and now Argylle, the British filmmaker has spent a decade bringing the espionage world to the big screen with splashy flair. His latest secret-agent caper isn't just filled with twists in its plot, however. The story around it has been earning its own interest and speculation, including the possibility that Taylor Swift penned the book that it's based on. There's no truth to that rumour, however, but it was a helluva way to get everyone talking about Argylle before it even hit cinemas. The fact that there's many tales about Argylle's genesis IRL befits the twisty spy caper, which stacks narratives within narratives gleefully. Chatting with Concrete Playground, Vaughn describes the film by referring to the Harry Potter franchise. If you imagine that its author "met a wizard for real and the wizard went 'you got a lot of it right, you get a lot of it wrong, and I'm going to take you on adventure," the Layer Cake, Stardust, Kick-Ass and X-Men: First Class director explains, then that's Argylle. "And by the way, Voldemort wants to kill you — let's go." Within the movie, writer Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard, Jurassic World Dominion) has done the penning. Her bestselling saga is also called Argylle, about a suave operative of the same name. The fourth book has freshly hit shelves and she's putting the finishing touches on the fifth novel, but real-life agents are now after her because she knows her stuff a little too well. Elly Conway is also the name adorning the Argylle text that's in bookstores everywhere off-screen, with little other information about the scribe initially given. Hence the Swift conjecture, although the reality is that novelists Terry Hayes (I Am Pilgrim) and Tammy Cohen (They All Fall Down) are behind it, as revealed shortly after the feature started playing to audiences. So, Argylle sparks another spy saga for Vaughn, who isn't one to back away from something he loves. See also: his role as the producer on Guy Ritchie's early pictures, not only including Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, but also Swept Away; bringing not just one but two Mark Millar comics to the screen in Kick-Ass and Kingsman; and his Taron Egerton ties, producing Eddie the Eagle, Rocketman and Tetris starring his Kingsman lead. And, Argylle spun a gambit around its own existence. It's also home to an impressive cast, and links in with the glorious Sam Rockwell dancing meme. [caption id="attachment_940444" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Green/Getty Images for Universal Pictures[/caption] Henry Cavill (The Witcher), Dua Lipa (Barbie), John Cena (Freelance), Ariana DeBose (Wish), Sofia Boutella (Rebel Moon — Part One: A Child of Fire), Samuel L Jackson (The Marvels), Catherine O'Hara (Pain Hustlers), Bryan Cranston (Asteroid City), Richard E Grant (Saltburn), Rob Delaney (Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One), Vaughn and his wife Claudia Schiffer's own cat: they're all featured. As for Rockwell (See How They Run), he plays Aidan Wilde, the agent trying to keep the film's Elly alive after nefarious forces put a target on her back. If you rightly believe that all Sam Rockwell-starring flicks should require him to bust out his fondness for fancy footwork, as the actor himself clearly does, Vaughn obliges in Argylle. We chatted to the director about the tale behind the film's source material, that cast and Rockwell's smooth moves — so, from taking inspiration from pandemic viewings of 80s action-adventure comedies to imagining Sean Connery and Roger Moore in the movie, and also making a female-led action flick that didn't feel like the character had just been gender-swapped from a male protagonist. On Argylle's Secretive Source Material — Which Isn't Written by Taylor Swift — and Vaughn's Broader Inspiration The truth behind the IRL Elly Conway mystery has now been unveiled, with Hayes and Cohen's names made public, and no mention of Swift to be heard. But Vaughn's story about the film's origins involves throwing it back several decades — and, doing what we were all doing at the beginning of the pandemic, aka viewing old movies at home. "I watched Romancing the Stone with my kids during lockdown and they were like 'why can't you make a movie that's a really good feel-good action-adventure film?'. And I said 'well, I guess I could'," he notes. "And then the manuscript came of the book, and then the script arrived as well, which is similar in the idea — and it was about a book and an author, and there was another book. And I thought 'god, I'm gonna create the meta universe of all universes here. I'm going to do it in the spy world." Cue the aforementioned wizard analogy "but translating that into a spy world — and off we went to the races," Vaughn advises. "The book has just come out, and the book's great. The movie is about book four and book five, and book one has just been published." "It was just me wanting to push the boundaries and try and do an original spy movie — or, should we say, a novel spy film." On How Vaughn Imagines His Characters Before He Starts Casting Given the hefty list of well-known names that've starred in Vaughn's work — a pre-Bond Daniel Craig (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery) in Layer Cake among them — audiences might expect that the filmmaker has his cast in mind early. But he actually approaches his features by picturing icons in the parts first, then matching today's talents accordingly. "I always imagine movie legends, because it's easier that way — and then I haven't got the baggage of real actors of my generation. So for example, Henry Cavill, when we were writing Argylle, I was imagining he was a mixture of Sean Connery and Roger Moore. Those two Bonds could be cut in half and spliced together. You have the humour, but the toughness together. So Henry Cavill, I knew he could do that," Vaughn explains. "Sam Rockwell as Aidan Wilde, I was really imagining primarily Gene Wilder but with a bit of Bill Murray and Jack Nicholson. So that became Aidan Wilde. And so on and so on." This isn't a new approach for Argylle. "Even in Kingsman, I did it. David Niven was the inspiration for Kingsman," says Vaughn. On Bringing Together Argylle's Star-Studded On-Screen Talent Once the director has done his spot of fantasy casting with film legends, how does he pick their counterparts? That's where his connections do come in handy. "What happens with actors, I knew Henry Cavill and I knew Sam Jackson, so that means I could call them up, pick up the phone and call them, and they said yes. And Bryce — I've done two movies with Bryce as well. So those were just phone calls," informs Vaughn. "And then Cranston. I think when I got Cranston, it was amazing. He's like an actor's actor — and Rockwell," he continues, noting that getting the Breaking Bad star and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Best Supporting Actor Oscar-winner onboard was like catnip for other cast members, "It was interesting watching — you can hear other actors going 'Rockwell and Cranston, I want to be in that film'. So it was just great." On Getting Sam Rockwell Not Just Playing a Spy, But Playing a Dancing Spy It's been true for decades, and gloriously: to watch Rockwell on-screen is to watch him dance. The music video for Flight Facilities' 'Down to Earth' deployed his skills, but the 2015 clip for the Australian duo's song capitalised upon a reputation built in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Moon, Charlie's Angels, Matchstick Men, Iron Man 2, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and more. Indeed, Rockwell rarely makes a movie that doesn't involve him dancing. Argylle busting out bops pre-dated Rockwell's casting, however. "It was definitely in the script. But Rockwell is like a dog with a bone when it comes to dancing — just give him an inch and he's taking a mile, and he will dance all day long," Vaughn observes. "But in this one, I wanted to do some action sequences that celebrated beauty and feminism — something where it's action sequences that a woman would be playing." "What's happened in Hollywood and in a lot of the movies, the female characters, all they did was change the name. The idea is that Philip becomes Philippa, or James becomes Jane, and that's it." "And I'm like 'well, I want to be more than that'. And I thought again, instead of John Wick-style action, let's do something where some people will think it's cringey and weird, but I think it's fun and beautiful." Argylle opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, February 1. Read our review.
Brunswick is known for many things — it's one of the city's best spots for paste-ups and yarn bombs, it's the place to go if you're after personally tailored jeans on the cheap or a trolley full of second-hand swag, and it's pretty much the only Melbourne suburb where you can still get a fully-fledged house with a backyard for under $180 per room. But as of last month, it has one more jewel in its tatty second-hand crown — it has the world's best pizza. Last month Johnny Di Francesco, pizza chef and owner of Lygon Street's 400 Gradi, took out the top honours at the Campionato Mondiale della Pizza (World Pizza Championships) in Italy. It was a strange victory. But, much like the fact a Tasmanian single malt took out the title at the World Whiskey Awards just a month earlier, it proved Australians are a worldly bunch — currently beating everyone at their own game. Now you get to reap all the benefits! In light of his unprecedented win, Di Francesco is hosting a pizza-making masterclass at his award-winning restaurant on Saturday, May 17. In what will be a regular affair — scheduled for the third Saturday of every month — Johnny will be going back to the basics teaching novice pizza-chefs how to make the perfect margherita pizza. Di Francesco is a big advocate of pizza napoletana, so the end result will look nothing like the kind you might find at Pizza Hut or Dominos. Chewy, foldable and made with traditional ingredients, the pizzas at 400 Gradi are the real deal and this masterclass will give you a special insight into tricks of the trade. Learn how to make the perfect dough, how to cook the most delectable napoletana sauce, and how to sneak some bocconcini while your world-class teacher isn't looking. For more advanced (or adventurous) students, 400 Gradi also offers pizza acrobatics classes on the second Saturday of every month taught by Australian champion Daniele Caputo. Because be honest, you've always wanted to be able to spin the dough on your finger like you're the Magic Johnston of the pizza world. Frankly, if you knew it was possible to be a champion in pizza acrobatics you probably would have given up your job years ago. Don't worry, it's not too late. All classes are $70 per person and come with a complementary glass of Italian wine (and some hard-earned pizza). To book a place call 400 Gradi on (03) 9380 2320.
As if IKEA wasn't already self sufficient enough — what with infinite clothing storage, affordable kitchenware and ready-to-eat meatballs — they've decided they don't just want you to enjoy your home like sleek, contemporary Swedish royalty, they want you to grow your own garden in it too. So they've added a new item to their expansive inventory: hydroponic indoor gardens. Hydroponics is a plant growing method that lets you grown your own greens without soil. It isn't exactly a new thing — the method has been used for years to grow plants in basically any conditions — but IKEA's introduction of their Krydda/Växer indoor gardening kits looks set to bring hydroponics out of the niche and into the mainstream. And, going by the number of people who own those Billy bookcases, it will probably do just that. The kits, which will launch in the UK later this year, are designed to sit on your benchtop so you can grow herbs and lettuce right in the middle of the kitchen, pick them, and pop them straight into your salad bowl like some fancy chef. It comes all ready to use, but you'll have to plant the seeds in absorbent plugs to get them going. Then, when the seedlings have sprouted, you'll need to replant them into tiny adorable planters with pumice stones, give them water, turn on the light (which acts as the sun) and watch them grow. Once they're big enough, you can go right ahead and pick them to eat. Like so: The indoor gardening range will go on sale in the UK in May, with the US set to follow next year. No word on an Australian launch yet, but we'll cross all our not-so green thumbs it won't be far behind. Via Fast Company.
It seems unsurprising that African Americans vote en masse for Obama and it has been well-established that women vote en masse for Obama. Much more surprising however is that 30 Rock and Game of Thrones fans also vote en masse for Obama. If this infographic is anything to go by it seems that our TV habits can be a useful barometer for understanding our voting patterns. Compiled by Engage, this fascinating graphic was created through an analysis of what TV shows and political pages voters 'like' on Facebook. Apparently, this data not only demonstrates the correlation between political preference and TV habits but also which TV fans are the most politically active and aware. While the overt (and dare I say tiresome) idealism of Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom and The West Wing (often dubbed "The Left Wing") seemed likely to produce hordes of Democrat devotees, interestingly it is Star Trek fans who are next in line as the most likely to turn up to vote come the Presidential election later this month. For the Republican camp, unfortunately Romney's frequent declarations of love for Modern Family aren't likely to swing many voters as the show's pro-gay marriage stance and ethnically diverse families appear to resonate much more strongly with more left-leaning voters. If this infographic whetted your appetite for bizarre political statistics then check out the graph below to see what your internet usage says about your politics.
A lockdown project from the teams behind The B.East, Globe Alley, Ferdydurke and Henry's, Lasagna Del Rey is Melbourne's newest delivery service, primed for chilly winter nights at home. "I wanted to start a fun new venture while everything was closed," Lasagna Del Rey Executive Chef and General Manager Jarrod Moore told Concrete Playground. "So, I sat down with a bunch of restaurant owners, chefs and bartenders... we threw around ideas and before we knew it, we all unanimously agreed that what we wanted to do was eat and make amazing lasagne that was left-of-field and completely different." From here, the team came up with three core lasagne — beef, chicken and vegan — all crafted from local produce and sold by the (generous) slice. Each flavour comes in two sizes: duo ($25) and family ($40). Lasagna Del Rey's classic beef number is made with organic beef, smoked pork sugo and beef fat béchamel. Topped with a triple-cheese crust, the lasagne tastes like a smoky cheeseburger, according to Moore. That smoky lasagne recipe was perfected thanks to feedback from a whole slew of cooks, too. "Just about every second day we'd have a chef or ex-hospo staff come in to do a shift and offer a suggestion to make the sauce thicker or more flavoursome — things I wouldn't have even thought of if I didn't have this diversity of input," Moore says. Maybe too many chefs don't spoil the broth (or, in this case, béchamel) after all. [caption id="attachment_777786" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Beef lasagne[/caption] Next on the lasagne lineup is the rotisserie chicken lasagne, which is made with Bannockburn free-range chicken that has been brined for 12 hours and covered in garlic butter. In between the layers of pasta, you'll also find garlicky field mushrooms, pancetta crisps and chargrilled cavolo nero Lastly, and arguably the most notable part of Lasagna Del Rey's menu, is its plant-based offering, a dish sure to impress both vegans and meat eaters, says Moore. "Vegan cooking has been a big part of my life as a chef, working with a plant-based burger brand as well as developing vegan menus at my restaurants," Moore says. "A lot of chefs on my team are vegan, too, so this dish especially went through a lot of testing and tasting to make it as special as it is today." The meat-free alternative is made with wild spinach pasta, smoked eggplant, piquillo peppers, cavolo nero and a shiitake mushroom bolognese. While the menu only features three lasagne at the moment, Moore says that the team is currently developing a new flavour, with the goal to eventually offer a new lasagne every month. "Next on the list is something with seafood — think butter lobster bechamel lasagne." Lasagna Del Rey's focus is not only on pasta, either, but on providing employment for hospo and music industry staff currently out of jobs because of the pandemic. You'll find them helping out in the kitchen and delivering lasagne to doors across Melbourne every Wednesday and Friday. Lasagna Del Rey is available to pick up from Skinner & Hackett in Carlton, The B.East in Brunswick East and The B.East of Brunswick St in Fitzroy. Delivery is available to a heap of Melbourne suburbs between 12–5pm on Wednesday and Friday for $5. You can submit an order over here. Images: Arianna Leggiero
We know there's nothing sweeter than the sound the brown paper bag makes as you whip it off your bottle(s) of grog at a table, and nothing better than the taste of your favourite beer accompanying a delicious meal. But it's not at every restaurant you can do this — and drinking sneakily out of your handbag at non-BYO joints is both illegal and a surefire way to ruin your bag. Let us guide you to the places that allow you to BYO beer in your city to avoid any of that, with the added bonus of being A+ places to eat more than heartily. Winter is for nothing if not overindulging on dumplings or Greek feasts and then waddling home, right? Grab your six-pack and put on your eating pants. SYDNEY: CHINATOWN NOODLE RESTAURANT Before you head to Chinatown Noodle Restaurant in Haymarket, beware: if you're coming for dinner, be prepared to queue for a while and wait for a table — or you can check out the neighbouring Chinese Noodle Restaurant and see if you can grab a seat. Otherwise, set up camp in the line, send a scout out to get beers from a bottle shop (there's one in Market City next door) and wait it out. Once you're in, service is quick, dumplings are countless and spring onion pancakes are hot. Crack open a beer or two to wash down the too-many dumplings that you'll no doubt eat. Haven't you had yourself a night? SYDNEY: THE SULTAN'S TABLE The Sultan's Table in Enmore is the sort of place you want to head to if your feet and nose are numb and you're craving some hot meat. If your hunger has never been greater than consider the banquet option for $38 per head. A very reasonable price delivers plate after plate of dips, pita, kebab, pides, veg stuffed with rice and grilled meats, followed by sweets, tea or coffee. If you're not quite up for such an intense fill, the chargrilled kebabs are obviously where it's at (unless you're a vegetarian and then the ample vego menu is more your vibe). Whether you're in it to win it with the banquet or just grabbing a pide, Sultan's Table serving sizes are good value for money and great fare for cold nights. Sit a while, finish your beers, and don't forget to nab a baklava at the end. MELBOURNE: MAMAK One word: roti. Another three words: get the roti. Mamak is famous for a good reason, and that reason is flaky, buttery, delicious and dipped in curry. The Melbourne branch of the Malaysian restaurant sits in the middle of the CBD on Lonsdale Street, with branches also in Sydney and now, Seminyak in Bali. Obviously, you'll hit up the roti menu (try the roti canai at a breezy $7.50) but don't bypass the satay options — they're just as good. There's also dessert roti FYI, so make sure to try and exercise a minute amount of self-control and leave space. And on top of all that greatness, Mamak is BYO at $2 per person. [caption id="attachment_637824" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Leah Hulst.[/caption] MELBOURNE: JIM'S GREEK TAVERN It's not a proper Greek feast unless you're calling an Uber home because you've eaten too much to be able to exist in a public place such as a tram. Wear your loosest pants (a large poncho might be best) and partake in the delicious roulette that is dining at Jim's; there's no menu as such. The staff will ask you what you feel like eating and then bring out dishes for you. Trust them, they've been doing it for years — just shut up and eat the saganaki (as if you really need your arm twisted for that though). Generally, you'll get whatever is fresh and good on the day you go — fish, lamb and calamari will all probably make an appearance, as well as the homemade galaktoboureko (custard cake). The food is traditional, the vibe is bustling, and your stomach will be happy. Best washed down with a lager or two — corkage is cheap, too. BRISBANE: CHOP CHOP CHANG'S Chop Chop Chang's in Brisbane's West End serves up pan-Asian street food fare, reminiscent of what you'd be eating if you were strolling through the markets and street stalls of Asia. With a focus on fresh and locally sourced produce, Chop Chop Chang's do brunch, lunch and dinner, but also four banquet menus with options increasing in decadence and starting at only $38 a head. If you're just picking from the menu, best give the curry section a good look, and don't go past the green curry chicken dumplings ($10). On the subject of dumplings, the dessert menu is hawking spiced apple dumplings ($14), so there are lots to think about while you leisurely sip your beer and mull things over. BRISBANE: VERVE Verve in the CBD is many things: it's a bar, a restaurant, a cider house, is situated in some cool basement digs and has you sorted for your winter pasta needs. Need even more than that? You can bring your own beer in. Check out the venue, originally Brisbane's first basement bar, below ground level at the Metro Arts building. With more pasta options than you can count on all your fingers and toes, you'll be happily carbing it up here — try the homemade gnocchi for a solid feed that'll probably keep you going until dinner the next night. Verve offers ample gluten-free and vegan options too, so you coeliac carb-fiends need not miss out. There's also something called brandy tortellini ($22.90) which, well, yes, please. Gather some mates and head to one of these top-notch eateries with an appetite and a six-pack of Hahn, too.
One of our most-read stories of 2017 featured an Aussie start-up called Unyoked, which lets you stay in a tiny house in the wilderness, miles away from anyone and anything. Now, if you happen to be heading to the Northern Hemisphere, you can have a similar experience in the American middle-of-nowhere. Meet Getaway, an American start-up founded by two Harvard grads that's building tiny houses in the woods. While Unyoked lands you in total solitude, Getaway takes you to a mini holiday village. So, it's a bit like a campground, but with tiny houses instead of tents. You get trendy architect design, a queen-sized bed, picture windows, wireless speakers, airconditioning, an ensuite, basic provisions and a fire pit with wood. But there's no wifi and a secure box invites you to lock up your smartphone for the duration of your stay. Also, your dog's welcome to join. To make sure you don't become too destination-focused, Getaway doesn't reveal exactly where you'll be going until close to departure time, although their three sites so far are located outside of New York, Boston and Washington. Other than that, all you can be sure of is that you won't be driving for more than two hours from your home city. Getaway isn't the first American business to be exploring the appeal of tiny houses as holiday accommodation. (Check out these 12 tiny house hotels, for example). However, the start-up's focus on disconnecting and immersing yourself in nature sets it apart. Images: Getaway.
Keen for a beachside beverage on the St Kilda foreshore now the weather is heating up? You'll have to hold off till April. The City of Port Phillip Council has just voted in a seasonal ban on boozing, which will be in place 24 hours a day from November 1 to March 31, every year. The vote took place at a Council meeting last night and follows a night of violence on the foreshore this Saturday. It's not the first time booze has been banned on St Kilda foreshore, with a temporary ban being instated over the 2018 New Year's Eve period after a wild Christmas day party — then extended until April — but it is the first permanent ban. During the long meeting, dozens of local business owners and members of the community relayed their experiences with alcohol-fuelled violence on St Kilda beach. One local justified the ban by referring to other popular Aussie beaches — such as Sydney's Bondi and Coogee beaches and all WA beaches — that are also alcohol-free. According to the Age five of the eight councillors, including newly reelected mayor Dick Gross, voted through the ban. The new laws define the St Kilda foreshore as all beaches, reserves, parklands and carpark from Langridge Street to Thackeray Street. The summer ban will also coincide with increased police presence on the beach and a broader 'Community Safety Plan', focusing on creating a welcoming community and crime prevention. The effectiveness of the ban will be reviewed by the Council after March 2019 and before August 2019.
Thanks to a booming wholesale arm, you've likely spied plenty of Cobb Lane's legendary baked goods around town, hanging out in the cabinets at your favourite cafes and markets. And you'll know just why it's earned such a loyal following of Melbourne carb-lovers. The Yarraville-based brand is famed for its variety of sourdough breads, as well as for house creations like croissant loaves and baked cheese pretzels. But there's no overshadowing the collection of signature pastries and sweets, ranging from cookies and croissants, to cakes and plump filled doughnuts. Try the fan-favourite raspberry, lychee and rose number, and it's safe to say you'll be hooked. Get your fix while social distancing: One silver lining of these uncertain times is that Cobb Lane is now running a retail pop-up out of its Yarraville bakehouse. Swing by from Friday to Sunday, from 7am until they're sold out. There's also a new online store, where you can shop a range of breads, pastries and pantry staples, for home delivery. The service is free for orders over $20 if you're in the inner-west, or over $30 for those in other suburb Images: Armelle Habib Appears in: The Best Bakeries in Melbourne for 2023
The last time that Lady Gaga appeared on the big screen, she nabbed an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her troubles (and a shiny trophy for Best Original Song, too). Three years after A Star Is Born, she's heading back into cinemas in House of Gucci — and while no one should be speculating about accolades sight unseen, this true-crime fashion drama sure does scream potential awards contender. Haute couture. Murder. Disco tunes and Studio 54. Throw in one of the biggest names in fashion — and a tale that's filled with both glam and grim strands, too — and that's this Ridley Scott (The Last Duel)-directed film. Ranking highly among the most anticipated movies set to hit the big screen across the rest of 2021, it steps inside the Gucci family fashion dynasty, charting its successes and shocking moments over the course of three tumultuous decades. If you've read the book The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed, which this new movie is based on, then you'll know the details. If you've seen news coverage about or can remember the events that rocked the Italian family back in 1995, you will as well. The focus: Maurizio Gucci, grandson of company founder Guccio Gucci, and the head of the fashion house throughout the 80s and early 90s — until he was assassinated by a hitman in 1995. Adam Driver slips on Maurizio's unsurprisingly stylish shoes, in what's proving a big year for him in cinemas (he also starred in The Last Duel, as well as in Annette a few months ago). As for Lady Gaga, she plays Maurizio's wife Patrizia. And, as the just-dropped new trailer shows — following on from a first sneak peek mid-year — her character isn't holding back. Obviously, there's quite the story to unpack here, and Scott seems to be going big on striking threads, 70s and 80s tunes and vibes, indulgence and luxury dripping through in every frame, and also an unavoidable air of melodrama. To help, the film's star-studded cast also includes Jared Leto (The Little Things) sporting plenty of prosthetics and makeup, as well as Al Pacino (The Irishman), Jeremy Irons (Love, Weddings and Other Disasters) and Salma Hayek (The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard). As both trailers reminds us, that's a whole lot of Oscar-winning and Oscar-nominated talent in one flick. Check out the latest House of Gucci trailer below: House of Gucci will release in Australian cinemas on December 26. Image: 2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
There are plenty of ways you could experience Sydney Harbour's world famous New Years Eve fireworks show, but here's one that'll really make all those haters jealous. The Sydney Opera House has teamed up with the crew at Airbnb to offer the ultimate bucket list New Year's Eve situation, involving exclusive VIP front-row seats, dinner by an acclaimed Aussie chef, an intimate concert and a private Opera House balcony. And all that could be yours for an easy $10. This high-flying experience will be enjoyed by just ten lucky people, with the Opera House releasing one double pass each Wednesday at midday for five weeks, starting from tomorrow, November 13. The Opera House x Airbnb New Year's Eve Experience will see those ten winning punters wrapping up 2019 in serious style, partying in their own VIP area overlooking the fireworks extravaganza. Hatted chef Karen Martini will be dropping by to whip up a fitting last supper of 2019, an Opera House expert will guide guests on an educational tour and a surprise act has a special, intimate concert planned. Then, it's off to a private balcony to celebrate the turn of the decade with possibly the best view in Sydney. Each pair of tickets will cost $20, though, as you can imagine, it'll be a challenge to beat out the competition and actually snap one up. But, for 20 bucks, it's worth a shot. Elsewhere, you have to pay a pretty, pretty penny to get a view of the fireworks. For example, the Sydney Opera House's official party costs a bomb ($795 per person), a ticket to Shark Island's festivities is $245 and even a spot on the lawn in the Royal Botanic Garden will set you back $360. To be in it, you'll need to head over to the website, and be ready and raring to go when the NYE experience appears on the page at noon. If you've been conflicted about your NYE plans, this could be an easy solution — and, even if you don't live in Sydney, it's a good reason to make the trip. Double passes to the New Year's Eve Experience will be released at midday on November 13, 20 and 27, and on December 4 and 11. Images: Ken Leanfore. Fireworks image: City of Sydney
It's been about three years since Brunetti split in two, becoming Brunetti Classico and Brunetti Oro — with brothers Fabio and Yuri Angele assuming sole ownership of each arm. Since then, both brands have maintained the same old-school Italian sensibilities that made the Brunetti name so beloved, while also expanding independently. Brunetti Oro now has sites in the CBD and Brunswick, and you can find Brunetti Classico in Carlton, Moonee Ponds, Melbourne Airport — and, as of this week, Coburg. This two-storey Newlands Road concept store is home to the brand's classic mini cakes, paninis, arancini, calzones and signature coffee. But unlike the Carlton flagship that has ample seating, this new venture is mostly a takeaway situation. Rather than easing into a long coffee and cake session with mates, drop by the new northside spot to grab a quick lunch or a box of small cakes to take back to the office or home. Alternatively, you can take your pick of large, ornately decorated cakes from the fridges that line the walls, ideal for last-minute cake-requiring events. But those seeking something more special are in for a real treat at the new Brunetti Classico store. Here, you can skip the pre-made celebration cakes and book your own cake consultation upstairs. During your session, a personal cake consultant will talk you through all the options, whether you want to keep it simple or go rogue with design and flavour combos. "This is a VIP-style service, our cake consultants are experts in their field, and can create custom cakes for any special occasion, including weddings and significant birthdays," says Fabio. Either drop by to simply nab your favourite Brunetti torta, or team up with an expert cake consultant to dream up your own delicious masterpiece. You'll find the new Brunetti Classico at 107 Newlands Road, Coburg, open 7.30am–6pm every day of the week. For more information and to book your cake consultation, visit the venue's website.
Immersive and Instagrammable art has been all the rage in Australia for a few years now. One of Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Rooms is heading to Adelaide this year, Sugar Republic's "dessert museum" keeps popping up, both multi-sensory playground Imaginaria and Van Gogh Alive toured the country in 2021, and Melbourne now has its own permanent digital art museum. And, after first hitting our shores in Sydney in 2020, Happy Place also jumped back on the must-photograph list. It made its way to Melbourne last year, too — and, after shutting temporarily due to COVID-19 concerns, it's now reopening for a second run. Dubbed the "world's most Instagrammable exhibit", the multi-room installation had already travelled across the US and Canada before its first Aussie stop, Happy Place will reopen at Crown Melbourne on Friday, February 11 — and is selling tickets until late March at present. Once inside the exhibition, you'll find many OTT rooms to explore, including a rubber ducky bathtub room, a cookie room that actually smells like freshly baked cookies, a room filled with 40,000 golden handmade flowers and a giant rainbow with a golden ball pit (no leprechauns though, sorry). If that doesn't have you reaching for your smartphone, there's also a mind-bending upside-down room and the "world's largest indoor confetti dome". A visit will cost adults $29.99, with the installation open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays — from 3–9pm on Fridays, 9am–6pm on Saturdays and 9am–6.30pm on Sundays. Updated: March 18
The Australian Open 2024 is set to serve up a lot more than world-class tennis, which is pretty ace if you ask us. Expect a food lover's dream, showcasing a smorgasbord of cuisines from across the planet and catering to every palate. One of the hottest seats will be Bar Atrium with its Yarra and city skyline views — the perfect backdrop to a three-course, Lebanese-inspired brunch curated by Melbourne's own Tom Sarafian. Then, as the sun sets, the venue transforms into an 'After Eight' experience, featuring bar snacks by Sarafian and cocktails from The Everleigh. Meanwhile, at John Cain Arena's Fusion Feast, you'll find dishes from beloved chefs like Ross Magnaye of Serai and Jessi Singh of Daughter-In-Law. But that's just the beginning. Enjoy tastes of Italia at Garden Square with Lygon Street Italian. Iconic Melbourne joints King & Godfree, D.O.C, and Brunetti Classico will serve up classic Italian dishes from pizza al taglio to delish porchetta rolls. Seafood lovers can head to the AO Courtside Bar, where Bondi's Fish Shop will be serving bar bites. Fishbowl will also make another appearance at Grand Slam Oval, serving items from its new Street Food concept menu. And for a taste of Spain, visit Abel Lusa's Cambio de Tercio for traditional and modern tapas. Not far away, the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bar offers a touch of fancy, perfect for sipping champagne while watching the matches. For those looking for salvation amid the Aussie summer heat, don't miss the signature Peach Melbourne soft serve at AO Ballpark. Or head to the returning Peroni Bar for ice-cold respite. Canadian Club's Cabana Bar, Terrazza Aperol and Squealing Pig Wine Terrace will also be on hand to provide tournament goers with some quality watering hole options. Rockpool Bar and Grill, Penfolds Restaurant and Stokehouse will be returning to next year's event, as will the much loved Rod Laver Arena Superboxes by Shane Delia's Maha and Nick and Nora's. So, with all that being said, our tip for next year's Australian Open? Wear loose pants. Catch the Australian Open from Sunday, January 14, 2024, to Sunday, January 28, 2024.
On March 14, Cyberdyne presented an exhibit at the 2011 Cybernics International Forum. The invention: HAL, an exoskeleton robot suit powered by electric motors that enhances physical strength and allows users to defy typical human capabilities. Creepy or cool? A little bit of both, I'd say. At first glance, it's perplexing to think that someone can slip on this suit and instantly inherit superhuman strength. The likes of Iron Man are revered in comic books and robots are cool in sci-fi movies, but to give humans that power in real life is both scary and a bit weird. Between these robot suits and the latest thought-controlled cars, the distinction between man and machine is starting to get blurred. But if you look deeper, HAL was designed to do more than just transform humans into cyborgs. Creators of HAL had a high-tech advance in industrial work in mind. The contraptions, that come in many forms, from a full-body suit to a "lite" single arm version, were initially aimed at helping factory workers who had to lift heavy objects on a daily basis. HAL would prevent joint pain and stress on the body, especially for older workers and those with limited joint function, and also aid people with reduced mobility. In addition, in light of the many recent natural disasters, developers have been thinking that robot assistance may have a future with the military, with firefighters or other rescue personnel. A group of firefighters with the ability to lift rubble on their own after an earthquake seems too good to be true, but with HAL it is a very real possibility. Yes, it is still somewhat creepy that a human being can now strap on a suit and basically turn into a cyborg. But if it can help save lives, then it's pretty damn cool. [via FastCompany]
Two decades after Hae Min Lee's murder, the Baltimore high school student's horrific plight continues to dominate the true crime landscape. After featuring on the first season of Sarah Koenig's grimly addictive podcast Serial, it's now forming the basis for a new documentary series, The Case Against Adnan Syed. The four-part HBO series will pick up where everyone's 2014 obsession left off — the trailer below promises to reveal 'a new chapter' — not only exploring 18-year-old Lee's death in 1999 and her ex-boyfriend Syed's conviction in 2000, but the latter's ongoing quest to have the extremely complex legal matter reassessed in the years since he was found guilty. Everything from Lee and Syed's relationship, to the original police investigation and trial, to the developments up until now will feature, with the film gaining exclusive access to Syed, his family and his lawyers. The series couldn't come at a more crucial time for Syed, who was convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to life in prison, and continues to fight his case through the courts. While he was granted a new trial in 2016, that ruling was subsequently appealed by the State of Maryland — only for the Court of Special Appeals to agree to vacate Syed's conviction and finally give him that retrial last March. A date for the actual retrial hasn't yet been set, however. Splashed across the small screen, it's certain to make for compelling viewing — but if you think you've spent too much time mulling it all over across the past five years, filmmaker Amy Berg has you beat. Unsurprisingly given how complicated the matter is, the director has been working on the project since 2015. And, with her excellent doco background — with Berg helming 2006's Oscar-nominated 2006 Deliver Us from Evil, about molestation in the Catholic Church; examining the West Memphis Three's quest for freedom in 2012's West of Memphis; and tackling the sexual abuse of teenagers in the film industry in 2014's An Open Secret — her new venture is certain to be thorough. Weeks out from launching the series, which is expected to land this autumn, HBO has dropped a trailer. In it, it mentions the investigation of other suspects and new evidence — saying, "the closer you look the more you see". Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA1qzo2WEew As they did for West of Memphis, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis will provide the score. 'The Case Against Adnan Syed' will air on HBO this autumn, it is then hit Foxtel for Australian viewers later this year. It's not clear yet if the show will air or stream in New Zealand. We'll update you as soon as further release dates have been announced. Image: Adnan Syed via Syed Family / Courtesy of HBO.
Thanks to streaming, you can basically watch a movie anywhere you like these days — but there's still nothing quite like feeling the grass beneath your feet and the breeze on your face as the silver screen lights up at an outdoor cinema. That's what Barefoot Cinema serves up, and has since first springing to life in Portsea in 2016. The event had to sit out the past two years due to the pandemic; however, this multi-venue setup is now making its return — including at a brand new venue. First up, from Wednesday, January 5–Saturday, January 29, Barefoot Cinema is kicking things off in Mount Martha on the Peninsula — which is where you can see old-school delights such as Dirty Dancing, Grease and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, as well as current releases like No Time to Die, The French Dispatch, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Licorice Pizza, The Matrix Resurrections, Encanto, West Side Story and House of Gucci. Then, from Tuesday, February 1–Saturday, February 26, the event will hit the St Kilda Botanical Gardens for the first time ever. There, you can once again recent and classic flicks aplenty, all under the stars — including some of the aforementioned titles, plus Ghostbusters: Afterlife, King Richard, Scream, Spencer and The 355. Finally, it's off to the Victorian State Rose Garden at Werribee Park between Tuesday, March 1–Saturday, March 19. The lineup there hasn't yet been revealed, so watch this space. Although movies are the main attraction, Barefoot Cinema isn't just about watching a film, of course — with the event also featuring live music, food trucks, lawn games, local wines and craft beers. Updated February 2.
When Sydney's Odd Culture Group arrived in Melbourne, they chose Fitzroy's old post office as their venue: a sprawling heritage spot on the corner of Brunswick and Johnston Street. It was a smart move. Brunswick Street is just the spot for a Melbourne adaptation of Odd Culture's award-winning Newtown concept bar: part-ale saloon, part-bottle shop, part-fermentation factory, with space for 300 thirsty patrons. Odd Culture Group is the hospitality crew behind Sydney's inner-city spots including The Duke of Enmore, The Old Fitzroy Hotel and namesake King Street venue Odd Culture Newtown. General manager Gerry Nass runs the venue down in Fitzroy, having previously operated the Robbie Burns Hotel in Collingwood. And he's assembled a very knowledgeable crew. If you want to learn more about wild fermented ales, or lambic beer from Belgium's Pajottenland region, just ask a staff member. They're like walking beer encyclopedias. Speaking of beer, Odd Culture has 12 rotating taps, most of them fearless and funky. Further into the drinks menu, you'll find an easy-to-explore specialty array of wine, beer and spirits, with an emphasis on wild brews and natural vino. You'll be able to browse and buy to take away, or select a drop to enjoy onsite, either settled in on the indoor banquet seating or out in the laneway beer garden. There's a small but excellent cocktail menu (the sour negroni is probably the pick of the bunch) and next-level bar snacks like charcuterie from Meatsmith, or the likes of Cantabrian anchovies served with butter and shallots. "We want Odd Culture to be the place to go if you need good booze, full stop. I don't think there's anywhere in the country you can get as pointy-end and specialised in both beer, wine and cocktails, and you can still just sink an ice-cold lager at the bar or in the beer garden if that's all you're after," Group Beverage Manager, Jordan Blackman says. "We just want there to be no question around if Odd Culture has something for you. We love Cantillon, but we also love Melbourne Bitter." Image: supplied.
Heading to a live gig hasn't been on Melburnians' agendas since early August, when the city entered its latest — and sixth — lockdown. But before October is out, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl will host a big music event. And yes, the lineup will play live and crowds will be allowed to attend. The exact details — including who'll be on the bill, how many people will be permitted to go along and how you can nab tickets — haven't yet been revealed; however, today, Sunday, October 10, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews did announce that this currently unnamed concert is happening on Saturday, October 30 for a solely double-vaccinated audience. It's due to occur shortly after the state hits the 70-percent fully jabbed mark, which is when lockdown ends and more restrictions will begin to ease. And, it'll take place before the next key vax stage, the 80-percent double-vaccinated mark, when even more rules will loosen. If you're wondering why this kind of concert is being announced when Victoria is experiencing extremely high numbers of COVID-19 cases — 1890 new locally acquired cases were reported today, after an Australian-high 1965 cases were recorded on Saturday, October 9 — the Premier advised that the concert is being held to help test the city's reopening settings. It's occurring as part of what's being dubbed 'vaccinated economy trials', with the state testing the rules and requirements that'll be in place as both Melbourne and Victoria open up even further. A series of events will be held across Victoria as part of the Vaccinated Economy trials, including a concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Watch this space, more details to come! 🎶 @VicGovAu https://t.co/K6CBDbGuGh pic.twitter.com/BlG0StwGFT — ArtsCentreMelb (@artscentremelb) October 10, 2021 "I can't provide a precise number of patrons allowed, but there is plenty more to be done there. As part of the mature vaccinated economy trials, there'll be several thousand double-vaccinated [people] who can attend that live music event," said the Premier. "That's incredibly important for them and for the live music scene. We are the live music capital of our nation that has had it very tough. We have been there to support them all the way through, but they want to get out and perform and do what they do best. That's two entertain and inspire, to question all of us, to be that incredibly soulful part of our city and state. That's 30 October," Andrews continued. The Sidney Myer Music Bowl gig is currently subject to Victorian Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton considering and approving the venue's COVID-safe plan — and will be joined by smaller gigs around the state at the same time, if also approved by Sutton. Regarding the lineup, it'll be comprised of Victorian artists — who'll "perform and celebrate the return of live music at one of Melbourne's most iconic outdoor venues," according to the announcement. Reported yesterday: 1,890 new local cases and 0 cases acquired overseas. - 39,861 vaccines administered - 74,105 test results received - Sadly, 5 people with COVID-19 have died More later: https://t.co/OCCFTAchah#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/6U7hNSXiCG — VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) October 9, 2021 The move comes after first-stage trials of new vaccinated economy settings — including the process required to show that you're fully vaccinated under the new rules — occur in regional parts of the states. They were announced in late September and will kick off on Monday, October 11, covering select pubs, art galleries, cinemas and cafes, as well as gym, a church and a beauty clinic. And, the Victorian Government will also test bigger crowd capacities on the final two days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The Premier announced that Oaks Day and Stakes Day will be permitted to welcome up 10,000 patrons, but only if the 80-percent double-jab mark has been passed by then. The Sidney Myer Music Bowl will host a big live music gig on Saturday, October 30, with further details — including the lineup, crowd capacity and ticketing — yet to be announced. We'll provide you with more information when it comes to hand. For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the Victorian Government's website. Top image: Piknic Electronik, Wade Malligan.
No one can know for certain what tomorrow will bring; however, the tales told on screens big and small, and through games and comics as well, have delivered plenty of visions of what might come. Will androids dream of electric sheep? Will a Keanu Reeves (John Wick: Chapter 4)-voiced rock star and terrorist make their presence known? Will Afrofuturist technologies transform life as we know it? These are some of the future possibilities conjured up by beloved pop-culture titles — and they're all part of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image's just-announced world-premiere exhibition The Future & Other Fictions as well. Displaying at the Melbourne screen museum across Thursday, November 28, 2024–Sunday, April 27, 2025, taking pride of place as its big summer showcase, The Future & Other Fictions is a love letter to and deep dive into futuristic storytelling. More than 180 works will be on display, including from Blade Runner 2049, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Cyberpunk 2077 and The Creator. Saltsea Chronicles, comic series NEOMAD and Björk's music video 'The Gate': they're all also featured. Before he was just Ken, Ryan Gosling (The Fall Guy) starred in the 35-years-later sequel to Blade Runner — and before he brought Dune and Dune: Part Two to the screen, Denis Villeneuve directed Blade Runner 2049. The Future & Other Fictions lets attendees follow in their footsteps via miniature sets, which are one of the exhibition's definite must-sees. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever gets the nod thanks to Academy Award-winning costumes by Ruth E Carter, while sketches from NEOMAD also feature — as do concept art from The Creator, Cyberpunk 2077 and Saltsea Chronicles. This showcase isn't just about well-known renderings of the future, though, thanks to work by Olalekan Jeyifous, Osheen Siva and Tāgata Moana art collective Pacific Sisters. Plus, via new commissions, DJ Hannah Brontë has her own take, and so does Liam Young and Natasha Wanganeen (Limbo). [caption id="attachment_974744" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Thomas Huang[/caption] As it celebrates how screens imagine the years ahead via its array of artwork, sets, props and scripts — alongside clips, costumes and original design materials, too — The Future & Other Fictions also features a film season focusing on Björk, complete with Björk: Biophilia Live on the lineup. "This exhibition reminds us that the way we imagine the future is shaped by popular film, TV shows and videogames. Many alternative visions of the future can and do exist," explains ACMI Director and CEO Seb Chan. "From two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E Carter to Italian fashion designer Alessandro Michele; New Zealand's renowned special effects studio Wētā Workshop to the Pilbara's own Love Punks. We hope that visitors leave optimistic about what might be possible — and find hope in designing the futures we need." [caption id="attachment_877485" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_974749" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mahia Te Kore[/caption] [caption id="attachment_920309" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_974745" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Thomas Huang[/caption] [caption id="attachment_974750" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mahia Te Kore[/caption] The Future & Other Fictions will display at ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne, from Thursday, November 28, 2024–Sunday, April 27, 2025. Head to the venue's website for more details.
"We are the smartest men in America. We literally have the resources to take over the world." When four tech billionaires on a snowy getaway in a sprawling mansion start talking that way, as the characters in Mountainhead do in the new film's just-dropped full trailer, no one else is likely to benefit. Other than audiences, that is, because this is the latest project from Succession creator Jesse Armstrong — and it marks his return to the screen after that huge HBO hit wrapped up in 2023. Here, the world is in chaos. Violent confrontations, atrocities, nations teetering both politically and economically: that's the situation. On a luxe weekend in icy climes, four titans of tech watch on. What could the US President have to say when he calls, then? "That your platform's inflamed a volatile situation, circulating unfalsifiable deepfakes, massive fraud, market instability" is one prediction that Mountainhead's sneak peeks have been teasing. Armstrong both writes and directs — and is still clearly in eat-the-rich mode as the ultra-wealthy quartet at the centre of his new movie respond, or don't, to an international crisis perhaps of their making. Steve Carell (Despicable Me 4), Jason Schwartzman (The Last Showgirl), Cory Michael Smith (Saturday Night) and Ramy Youssef (Poor Things) play the cashed-up crew, aka Randall, Souper, Venis and Jeff, who aren't above shouting about their supposed greatness from mountaintops and writing their net-worth figures on their bare chests. Mountainhead might be Armstrong's first feature as a director, but it's a straight-to-streaming flick, hitting HBO Max in Australia on Sunday, 1 June, 2025. Co-starring alongside Carell, Schwartzman, Smith and Youssef: Hadley Robinson (Anyone But You), Andy Daly (Night Court), Ali Kinkade (Lessons in Chemistry), Daniel Oreskes (A Real Pain), David Thompson (It's What's Inside), Ami MacKenzie (Pulse) and Ava Kostia (Love Across Time). Although Armstrong is best-known for Succession — understandably so given that it has earned him seven Emmys — he's an Oscar-nominee for In the Loop's screenplay, also co-created Peep Show, was a writer on The Thick of It and Veep, co-penned Four Lions and wrote a season-one episode of Black Mirror, among other credits. Check out the full trailer for Mountainhead below: Mountainhead streams via HBO Max from Sunday, June 1, 2025. Images: Macall Polay/HBO.
Collins Street's diorama-sporting, museum-themed haunt has been reborn, with a more laidback vibe, as Natural History Public Bar. Opened in early-2018 as just Natural History — a fancy all-day bar, grill and cafe — the revamped bar is keeping its bumper natural wine offering, but that's now backed by a broad-ranging gastropub menu, after-work-friendly specials and a revamped entertainment program. It will now only open on weekdays, too. From the kitchen comes a roll-call of reimagined pub classics, with plates like a spicy beef tartare with cured egg yolk and fermented chilli, buttermilk-fried chicken ribs, and sliders stuffed with soft shell crab. Bigger appetites might meet the likes of a hearty crumbed pork schnitzel, a 500-gram rib eye, or a vegetarian-friendly potato and cashew lasagne. Match that feed with an organic or biodynamic drop from one of Australia and Europe's most interesting small wine producers, or get acquainted with a classic cocktail. The bar also has a killer happy hour, slinging affordable after-work beverages from 4–7pm each weekday. Alongside the regular deal of $7 wine, $8 spirits and $9 pints, the bar has a number of daily specials going on, such as a carafe of wine and a cheese plate for just $35 on Tuesdays. On Thursday evening, pretend you're fancy with a $10 negroni, old fashioned or espresso martini. Images: Eugene Hyland.
Neo. John Wick. Johnny Utah. Ted "Theodore" Logan. Across Keanu Reeves' almost four-decade acing career, the inimitable star has played many iconic parts — but only one thrust him to stardom as a time-travelling high-school slacker who had to round up famous figures from the past to pass his history report and save the future of humanity. As a result, the Bill & Ted movies have always held a soft spot in Keanu fans' hearts. Since first hitting screens in 1989 and 1991, the franchise has long been the subject of follow-up rumours, too. And now, just when the world particularly needs a reminder about being excellent to each other, the series is returning with its long-awaited third instalment. Nearly thirty years after Reeves last rocked out, grappled with fate and used a telephone box as a mode of transport in Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, he's back doing the same thing. So is Alex Winter as Bill S. Preston, Esquire, Ted's best buddy, San Dimas High classmate and fellow founder of Wyld Stallyns, aka the garage band that'll change life as we know it and inspire a utopian society — at least according to Rufus (the late George Carlin) in film that started it all, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. But as the just-dropped first teaser trailer for Bill & Ted Face the Music shows, that plan hasn't quite panned out as yet for the franchise's central duo. Twenty-five years ago, they played a concert in front of the entire world. One month ago, they played a gig in California for 40 people — "most of whom where there for $2 taco night", they're told. After being reprimanded by the folks from the future for their lack of progress — when you're supposed to write the song that unites the globe and saves reality, a quarter-century without any progress isn't going to go by unnoticed — Bill and Ted decide to head forward in time to a point when they've already penned the tune in question. Once they're there, they figure they can just steal the track from themselves. Bill & Ted Face the Music's first sneak peek is only brief, so it reveals few other details; however, if you've watched and rewatched the comedy series' first two movies, you'll know that plenty of hijinks await. So does playing air guitar with the Grim Reaper (William Sadler), because of course it does. Not touched upon in the teaser: the fact that Brigette Lundy-Paine (Bombshell) plays Ted's daughter Billie Logan, Australian actor Samara Weaving (Ready or Not) pops up as Bill's daughter Thea Preston and Kid Cudi also has a role. Keanu does exclaim "party on, dudes!" in the 90-second clip, though, and more than one version of Bill and Ted appear on-screen. As for what else the film has in store, audiences will find out when it hits cinemas in August. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hAL7emClFM Bill & Ted Face the Music is scheduled to release in Australian cinemas on August 27.
If you're keen to raise a glass for International Women's Day, why not make it a nice pint glass filled with a special collaborative brew crafted in honour of all the women who drink, make and appreciate beer? On Friday, March 8, Blackheart & Sparrows is set to host its third annual froth-filled celebration of women who are making the beer game their own. Held at the Co-Conspirators Brewpub, it'll double as a launch party for the latest release of The Brewer — a collaboration beer made with Co-Conspirators for the occasion. This year's brew is a boldly malty ESB (extra special bitter, otherwise known as an English-style pale ale). Female-identifying beer-lovers and allies are invited along for an afternoon spent sampling the new brew (either by tap or by hand pump), while hearing from key females in the biz at a panel chat led by Blackheart & Sparrows' beer buyer Cherry Murphy. She'll be joined by co-director of Co-Conspirators and co-Vice President of Pink Boots Society Australia, Jacqui Sacco, as well as the President of Pink Boots Society Australia, Sarah Turner, founder of Full Colour Life and co-founder of Two Birds Brewing, Jayne Lewis, and founder and head distiller at Island Gin, Andi Ross. Another women-led business, Basil & Oregano Pizzeria, will also be on hand throughout the evening, pumping out woodfired pizzas. Entry is free to this year's Future Brewer event, but you will need to reserve a spot online.
If you're a fan of 90s horror getting a new lease on life, we know what you're doing this winter Down Under: watching the latest instalment in the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise. Although a TV series ran for one season in 2021, it's been almost 20 years since the last film in the series hit screens — and, as both the initial trailer and the just-dropped fresh look at the newest movie shows, familiar faces are back, and spouting familiar lines of dialogue as well. A slasher premise. A script by Dawson's Creek creator Kevin Williamson. A cast member of Party of Five being terrorised. That setup worked well twice three decades back, first with Scream and then with I Know What You Did Last Summer. Indeed, when they each initially released, sequels followed in both instances. Here's the latest part of the trend: both franchises have made or are making 2020s-era returns after jumps to the small screen, in flicks sharing the same name as the original movies in each saga and featuring OG cast members. First came 2022's Scream. Next arrives 2025's I Know What You Did Last Summer. Once again, Jennifer Love Hewitt (9-1-1) follows in Neve Campbell's (The Lincoln Lawyer) footsteps — and as Scream did, I Know What You Did Last Summer picks up with a mix of recognisable and new talents. As the sneak peeks for cinema's return to Southport illustrate, Freddie Prinze Jr (The Girl in the Pool) is also present again. Being stalked for their past misdeeds this time: Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks), Chase Sui Wonders (The Studio), Jonah Hauer-King (The Tattooist of Auschwitz), Tyriq Withers (Me) and Sarah Pidgeon (The Friend). On the big screen on Thursday, July 17, 2025 Down Under, the results will play out — aka a group of friends getting involved in a car accident where someone dies, they cover it up and vow not to tell anyone, but that secret and a vengeance-seeking killer haunts them a year later. The new film layers in the fact that this has all happened in the past, with the quintet in focus needing help from two survivors of the Southport Massacre of 1997. Enter Hewitt and Prinze Jr, as part of a cast that also includes Billy Campbell (Mr & Mrs Smith), Gabbriette Bechtel (Idiotka) and Austin Nichols (The Six Triple Eight). Starting as a 1973 novel, which Williamson adapted into the first 1997 film, I Know What You Did Last Summer initially spawned two sequels: 1998's I Still Know What You Did Last Summer and 2006's I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer. Then came that shortlived television effort. On the franchise's return to the big screen, Do Revenge filmmaker Jennifer Kaytin Robinson directs — and continues her connection with the OG I Know What You Did Last Summer cast, given that Sarah Michelle Gellar (Dexter: Original Sin) featured in that 2022 movie. Check out the trailer for I Know What You Did Last Summer below: I Know What You Did Last Summer releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Whenever a movie milestone rolls around, it sparks two things: a reminder about how much time has passed since the flick in the spotlight first hit screens, and a yearning to watch whichever classic is worthy of such celebrations right now. When a Studio Ghibli film hits a big anniversary, it also sparks a sense of urgency — although we all just feel like watching the beloved Japanese animation house's flicks right this minute all the time, don't we? 2022 marks a huge 25 years since one of Studio Ghibli's absolute best movies first graced picture palaces, which means that it's time to revel in all things Princess Mononoke. And if you're now desperate to revisit the Hayao Miyazaki-directed masterpiece, Australia and New Zealand's cinemas have great news for you: they're playing the historical fantasy gem again from Thursday, July 14. Two versions of the movie will hit a selection of Aussie and NZ venues as part of a 25th-anniversary season: the original Japanese version, which is the one that every Ghibli fan should be flocking to, and the English-dubbed version as well. And, whichever you choose, participating cinemas will also be offering a free commemorative pin featuring San's mask. It's available when you buy a ticket — although, given it's a collector's item, it's only on offer while stocks last. If you're a newcomer to this delight by the one and only Miyazaki — a film that only ranks behind Spirited Away and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind among the director's greats — get ready for a picture that makes a clear ecological statement. The iconic filmmaker has never shied away from doing just that; however, Princess Mononoke might just send his most forceful message about humanity's impact upon the earth. As set in Japan's Muromachi period (from the 14th to 16th centuries), the involving fantasy takes place among humans, animals and gods, all of which have been living in harmony until the movie starts. From there, the film charts the paths of a young prince with a curse and a young woman raised by wolves, as well as the conflict between a modernising town and the forest it's destroying. Every Studio Ghibli film is worth seeing — the animation house hasn't ever made a bad one, even if a few sit below the rest — but Princess Mononoke is a stone-cold classic. The highest-grossing Japanese feature of 1997, it's also the picture that helped bring the company's wonderful flicks to western audiences. Check out the trailer for Princess Mononoke below: Princess Mononoke returns to Australian and New Zealand cinemas from Thursday, July 14. For more information, and to find cinema locations, head to the Madman Films website.
We can't imagine prison food is normally much to get excited about. But Melbourne's latest dining destination is out to prove that theory wrong. North & Common is the sprawling new restaurant that's today made its home in the very space that once housed Pentridge Prison's mess hall. Sibling and neighbour to recently launched wine bar Olivine, North & Common has transformed the historic site into an inviting 180-seat diner, decked out with lots of soft curves and mellow hues, all courtesy of renowned design studio CHADA. The space remains cosy despite its size, its long-standing bluestone walls and the lofty original ceilings that soar 10 metres above. The main dining room plays modern finishes against the building's heritage elements, while a roomy al fresco terrace features its own giant fireplace and a retractable roof for all kinds of weather. North & Common's food offering will be an ever-evolving nod to modern Australian cuisine, deftly driven by acclaimed chef Mark Glenn, whose resume includes time at Cumulus Inc, Dinner by Heston and Pialligo Estate. Its menus are unpretentious and approachable, though also thoughtfully honed. Come breakfast, you're in for the likes of spanner crab omelette; a brekkie roll that piles sausage, bacon and house-made barbecue sauce into a soft milk bun; and lemon curd french toast reimagined using croissant loaf. The dinner menu flexes even more creativity, kicking off with smalls like the grilled ox tongue paired with a cashew cream, burrata elevated with charred green fig, and butter-poached calamari with fried sprouts. Deeper in, find plates like the spanner crab risoni, a slow-roasted lamb shoulder, and spatchcock done with fermented chilli and confit shallot. Plus, inventive creations like a sweet potato mille-feuille with bergamot and fig feature throughout the dessert list. It's just brekkie and dinner for now, though a weekend lunch service is set to kick off from June. Olivine's wine pedigree also gets a look-in here at North & Common, by way of a drinks program curated by the bar's star sommelier Liinaa Berry. There are 150-plus bottles in the lineup, sourced from near and far, spanning the full gamut of styles, and celebrating sustainable production in a big way. Alongside, a signature cocktail selection isn't afraid to push the envelope in reimagining classic sips. Expect local pours from the likes of Patient Wolf and Starward used across concoctions like a truffle and sundried tomato martini, and the Tequila, Rosemary and Thyme Sour. Find North & Common at 1 Pentridge Boulevard, Coburg. It's open daily from 7–10am and again from 5.30–11pm. Lunch will run from 12–3pm Saturday and Sunday starting from June.
Melbourne's unforgiving winter weather has put an end to our beloved weekend al fresco jaunts. But that said, the wintry chill makes for perfect museum conditions. Dedicate your day off for the Queen's Birthday to a full day at the National Gallery of Victoria, and rediscover the permanent collections of 73,000 works. Peruse the many free exhibitions including Every Brilliant Eye, and when museum legs set in, take a break and head to the Garden Restaurant for lunch — though before you settle into the ground-level restaurant, peek into the Gallery Kitchen and see if it's been styled for the Van Gogh and the Seasons exhibition. The NGV often themes the venue for big exhibitions, so you may find yourself dining among some of the artist's provincial landscapes. Image: Vincent van Gogh, Dutch 1853–90, Orchard in Blossom, Bordered by Cypresses (1888), Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, © Kröller-Müller Museum.
