In 2012, Imogen Heap appeared on a Wired stage wearing what seemed to be magical gloves. Every time she moved, the music responded. One sweeping gesture would incite a dramatic crescendo; one wiggle of the index finger would provoke a shift from major to minor; one flick of the wrist would mute an entire string section. Liberated from laptops and mixing decks, Heap was transformed into a wizard/conductor/interpretive dancer who seemed to have every sound in the universe at her command. She liked it so much that she wants to pass her superpowers onto the world. She and a team of tech-experts have been hard at work creating a set of electronic gloves that anyone can use. Having come up with a prototype, they’re now looking for Kickstarter support to raise the £200,000 necessary to facilitating a first production run. The gloves, dubbed Mi.Mu, allow the user to interact with their computer through gestures. A series of sensors measure the hand’s position, direction and force of movement and this data is transported wirelessly, then transformed into musical elements. Heap has been developing the technology for four years, initially motivated by a desire to inject more expression into her live performances. "In order to free myself up on the stage from my various bits of technology and to bridge the gap between what’s going on on stage and the audience, I wanted to create something where I could manipulate my computer on the move wirelessly so that music becomes more like a dance rather than a robotic act like pressing a button or moving a fader," she told Dezeen. Early versions of the gloves were connected to a pack worn on the upper body and required elaborate set-up procedures. But the latest are much more accessible. The inclusion of an x-IMU board containing an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer and wifi has rendered the pack unnecessary. "It's really simple," Heap explains. "It just sees this exoskeleton as a device and then it comes up on your computer as a wifi device and you're ready to go. It's super simple and it's great." It’s expected that Mi.Mu’s uses will expand beyond music, to include design, sign language and, um, driving a vehicle. "I suppose as long as you can access your computer inside your car, there's no reason why you couldn't just sit in the back of your car and indicate right or left," Heap muses. "It's a remote control. It feels like an expressive musical instrument sometimes but it's essentially a remote control and anything that you could potentially do with your hands, you could do with your gloves." With Heap at the wheel, that could be one interesting ride. [via Dezeen]
Housed in a converted warehouse space in Brunswick, Bhang offers a range of regional Indian street food. It incorporates lighter cooking styles from the southern regions with lots of coconut, red chilli, seafood and pork. Its latest offering is a series of super affordable dinners called Thali Nights. The dinners will be held every four to six weeks and each one will be influenced by a different region in India. The first — held on Tuesday, March 27 — will kick off with Goan-inspired fare. Goa is located in the south-west of India and its food has a heavy Portuguese influence. On the night, generous vegetarian and meat thali platters will be available for only $30. For the uninitiated, thali platters are Indian meals made up of lots of small dishes — so it's basically the dream dish for the indecisive. The Goan platters will include spiced eggplant curry, pakoras, hot and sour salmon, prawn-pickled radish — among other dishes — and a range of pappadum, pickles and rice. There will be drinks specials on offer, too — including mango lassi ($5), Kingfisher beer ($5), glasses of Indian shiraz ($10) and mango lassi and vodka cocktails ($10). Bookings are essential and can be made via the website.
The Inner East's accommodation game is already strong, with the likes of The Ace Hotel and Crystalbrook Albion offering characterful guest rooms with plush facilities and top-of-class hospitality. However, a newcomer to the area is ready to loft this standard to even greater heights. The EVE — a luxury boutique stay operated by TFE Hotels at the newly minted Surry Hills Village development — is set to open on February 13, 2025 and the first guests to check in can expect an exclusive package in celebration. The brainchild of SJB's Adam Haddow, 360 Degrees' Daniel Baffsky and Interior Architect George Levissianis, The EVE is designed to reflect the vibrant and dynamic energy of its urban neighbourhood while offering a lush retreat that feels a million miles from the hustle of the city: a stylish intersection of art, hospitality and culinary excellence. This trio of creatives has crafted a series of spaces that pair their beautiful aesthetics with thoughtful functionality, delivering a stay that has all the mod cons you'd expect from a five-star stay as well as a whole lot of personality. [caption id="attachment_982262" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The EVE Hotel lobby[/caption] Visitors enter via an airy art-filled lobby bar, immediately immersing them in a world of vibrant creativity. The vaulted ceilings, curated interiors and bespoke art installations — including several pieces from prominent Surry Hills artist and gallery owner, Louise Olsen — offer a striking introduction to The EVE's design ethos. Next, guests can explore a rooftop garden landscaped by Daniel Baffsky combining native and exotic plants in layered arrangements that meld architecture with nature. The 20-metre rooftop pool, finished with natural stone and imported Sukabumi tiles provides the perfect setting for a lush urban haven with panoramic views over Redfern and Surry Hills. Baffsky's planting extends seamlessly into Wunderlich Lane, Surry Hills Village's hospitality and retail precinct, creating a conscious connection between the hotel and the area's varied dining options. [caption id="attachment_982258" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rooftop garden and pool[/caption] At the heart of The EVE's hospitality offering is Bar Julius, the European-style neighborhood bar created by Liquid & Larder, the team behind celebrated Sydney venues including Bistecca and The Gidley. With an all-day dining concept, Bar Julius seamlessly transitions from morning espressos to evening cocktails, offering a menu that celebrates fresh, bold flavours and new takes on beverage classics. The inviting space, highlighting rich burgundy tones, tactile marble, and a striking ceiling mural captures the charm of a European bistro while staying firmly rooted in Sydney's dynamic culinary culture. To inspire visitors to become a part of The EVE's new beginning, the hotel will be offering a curated package titled The Reveal to welcome its first guests. Highlighting the hotel's celebration of culinary artistry, cultural immersion and luxurious ameneties, guests will be able to indulge in a Bar Julius signature cocktail and bespoke EVE gift to remember their stay. [caption id="attachment_982263" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bar Julius[/caption] "The EVE is about creating spaces that inspire and connect, while paying homage to the rich cultural and natural heritage of Sydney," says Haddow. "Every detail — from handcrafted lighting to the Australian palette — has been designed to reflect this vision." You can find The EVE Hotel Sydney at 8 Baptist St, Redfern starting Feb 13, 2024. For bookings and more information, visit The Eve website.
Victoria's Grampians National Park is already home to a number of world-class hiking trails, but, come next year, it will have a giant new one that's will be a whole trip in itself. Start stretching, because this will be a big one. When completed in late-2020, the Grampians Peaks Trail will cover 160 kilometres and take 13 days to traverse. It'll connect some of the Grampians' best mountain peaks, providing panoramic views of the southern volcanic plains from Mount Abrupt, winding through the parks low-lying greenery and waterfalls to Mount Zero in the north. The track has been designed so everyone can get some use out of it — whether you're looking for a leisurely day trip or an overnight hike, or ready to commit to an epic two-week adventure. Gariwerd — as it's known by the land's Traditional Owners, the Jardwadjali and Djab Wurrung people — is more than just its rugged, sandstone mountains. The park is heritage listed for its Aboriginal significance (there is a large number of ancient rock art paintings and shelters in the area), its abundance of animal and plant life, and its damn spectacular views. If you're raring to get started, a section of the Grampians Peaks Trail is already open — and it's a three-day circuit, so you can easily make a weekender out of it. As it stands, the 36-kilometre walk starts and ends at Halls Gap and has two campsites — Bugiga Hiker Camp and Borough Huts Campground — and takes in highlights like the Pinnacle, Spitters Falls, the Gate of the East Wind, Mount Rosea and Bellfield Lake. The Grampians Peaks Trail will open in full in late 2020. We'll keep you updated with new details on the track as its launch gets closer.
When you're after some live comedy in Melbourne, you don't have to wait for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to roll around. There are pubs and comedy clubs all over the city that host local and international acts all year long. Some of them give newbies the opportunity to try and make strangers laugh for the very first time, while others prefer showcase more experienced performers who are either putting on a proper show or just warming up for something bigger. At these Melbourne comedy spots, you'll likely be a part of some awkward silences and come across a few ill-advised amateur hopefuls who should maybe call it quits, but that's a part of the whole experience. Great comedy takes some time to finesse, and watching comedians workshop shows can be great fun — especially when you're with a few mates and you've got a beer in hand. But to help you find the best Melbourne comedy, we've rounded up the organisers that gather together some of the funniest people around. Read on to find where you'll get your next full belly laugh here.
If you're the kind of person who loves new years for new calendars — and, the thrill of filling in all of the fun things on your agenda for the 12 months ahead, specifically — then you just scored something huge to pop in. It wouldn't be a winter in Australia without Splendour in the Grass, which has locked in its 2024 midyear dates. From Friday, July 19–Sunday, July 21 this year, North Byron Parklands beckons. That timing might be exactly what you expected; however, knowing the exact dates means that you can start planning, booking your leave and getting excited. Camping will be available from Wednesday, July 17 if you'd like to make more than a few days of it for Splendour's 22nd birthday. Now that you've blocked out a massive weekend, you're probably wondering who'll be on the bill. That hasn't yet been revealed, but organisers promise that details are coming soon. 2023's full lineup arrived in April, with Lizzo announced as a headliner in March. Pre-COVID-19, Splendour's lineups would start being unveiled between February and April. For now, the Splendour crew is promising "your favourite, freshest and most-exciting global acts" to follow in the footsteps of everyone from Flume, The Strokes, Lorde and Mark Ronson to Outkast, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Florence + the Machine and more from past years. Ahead of the 2023 lineup announcement, Splendour Member applications are now open until 5pm on Tuesday, January 30 for guaranteed tickets in a dedicated presale. To qualify, you need to have purchased tickets and attended Splendour five times or more before. And, if approved, you can buy up to four tickets. Who are you hoping will be on Splendour's 2024 bill? Start speculating. Splendour in the Grass will take over North Byron Bay Parklands from Friday, July 19–Sunday, July 21, 2024. We'll update you with the lineup details when they're announced. For more information in the interim, head to the festival website. Images: Charlie Hardy, Bianca Holderness and Claudia Ciapocha.
A perfectly made cocktail is one of life's simple pleasures, though the process of whipping up creative beverages is far from simple. A moment on the lips is the result of minutes of hard work at a minimum, not to mention the time spent concocting recipes, perfecting them and shopping for ingredients. In short, unless you're a professional mixologist, it's not always something you can replicate at home. Enter The Mixery, the new Australian service that knows we all like drinking cocktails, and that we all often have the plonk, but not the rest of the requirements or the know-how. Delivering everywhere across the country, the subscription-based outfit brings monthly boxes to your door, filled with almost everything you'll need to mix up 12 delicious beverages. We say almost, because they're stocking you up with the items you won't have — including three recipes, plus enough bits and pieces for four drinks of each — while relying upon you to provide your own alcohol. To make things simple, each delivery focuses on one type of tipple, with The Mixery's first box showering the love on gin. Cocktails such as the spicy Earl the Grey, herb-infused The Basilisk and refreshingly floral Rosed Up on the menu, aka stellar spring drinks. Those eager to imbibe can order boxes on a one-off basis, or sign up for an ongoing shipment for $40 per month plus a $5 monthly delivery fee. A party box is also on offer, with prices starting at $70. It features a big enough stash of ingredients to make either eight or 15 of each cocktail — as well as an 'easy mix' option, which means you can just throw everything into a jug, add booze and stir. For more information about The Mixery, visit their website.
Another one down: in a year that keeps bringing bad news for music lovers and festivalgoers, Spilt Milk has joined the long list of events that aren't going ahead in 2024. In 2023, the touring event announced its lineup in July. As the month draws to a close this year, it has revealed that there'll be no Spilt Milk again until 2025 rolls around. The festival advised of its 2024 cancellation via social media, in a brief and informal post on Friday, July 26. "Sorry pookies, we couldn't get you the Spilt Milk you deserve this year," the announcement begins. "Sooo imma dip for a bit and come back when I can make all ur dreams come true. i miss u xx," it continues. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Spilt Milk (@spiltmilk_au) Last year, Post Malone, Dom Dolla, Latto, Tkay Maidza and Aitch led the Spilt Milk lineup, hitting up a fest that plays Canberra, Gold Coast, Ballarat and Perth. Talent details hadn't yet been advised for this year, unlike two other big festivals that also haven't taken place as normal. Both Groovin the Moo and Splendour in the Grass dropped lineups, then scrapped this year's fests mere weeks later. Australia's music festival scene has been suffering of late, with Summergrounds Music Festival, which was meant to debut at Sydney Festival 2024, also ditching its plans. As announced in 2023, Dark Mofo took a breather this year — and Mona Foma, the summer fest also held by Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, advised that its 2024 event was its last ever. Yours and Owls has postponed its next fest until 2025, too, but is hosting a pre-party in October this year. [caption id="attachment_851187" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] Originally only popping up in Canberra, then expanding to Ballarat, then the Gold Coast and finally also to Perth, multi-city one-dayer Spilt Milk had cemented its spot as a must-attend event on the annual Aussie calendar, including for its lineups — and for its food offering as well, which spanned bites to eat from Chebbo's Burgers, 400 Gradi, Chicken Treat, and the BBQ and Beer Roadshow in 2023. Flume, Stormzy and The Wombats were named as headliners in 2022 — the first Spilt Milk since the pandemic began — although Stormzy subsequently dropped out and cancelled his Australian tour. Khalid and Chvrches topped the bill in 2019, and Childish Gambino did the honours in 2018. [caption id="attachment_851188" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] [caption id="attachment_674160" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cole Bennetts[/caption] [caption id="attachment_674158" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pat Stevenson[/caption] Spilt Milk isn't taking place in 2024, and instead plans to return to Canberra, Ballarat, the Gold Coast and Perth in 2025. Head to the festival website for more information. Top image: Billy Zammit.
Think exceptional wine regions and Bordeaux, the Napa Valley and Bilbao likely come to mind. Lausanne in Switzerland, Portugal's Porto, Mendoza in Argentina and Adelaide right here in Australia might as well. So should New Zealand's Hawke's Bay, your next must-visit destination for a vino getaway, with the Aotearoa locale just earning a massive honour: being named the 12th Great Wine Capital of the world. The global program celebrates spots responsible for top-notch drops, and it's a prestigious list. All of the above places have received Great Wine Capital status already, and so have Cape Town's Cape Winelands in South Africa, Mainz and the Rheinhessen wine region in Germany, Valparaíso Casablanca Valley in Chile and fair Verona in Italy. Joining the ranks isn't easy, involving a tough selection process that examines the region's winegrowing industry and vino tourism alongside its history, educational opportunities and more. Hawke's Bay has been recognised for its 200-plus vineyards, 125 wine producers and more than 30 cellar doors — and growing more than 40,000 tonnes of grapes in 2022 alone. The North Island region's variety of tourism experiences also boosted its fortunes, as well as its popularity with both NZ and international travellers. Visitors to the area can enjoy everything from bike tours between cellar doors and long vineyard lunches to picnics and picking parties, plus ample opportunities to pair a glass or bottle with something to eat. The worldwide kudos comes as Hawke's Bay continues to recover from Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023, offering a much-needed piece of good news in a tough year. "Cyclone Gabrielle may have dealt us a blow, but this recognition shows that Hawke's Bay is still the top-quality wine destination it always was," said Hawke's Bay Tourism CEO Hamish Saxton, announcing the Great Wine Capital status. "Hawke's Bay's inclusion as one of just 12 Great Wine Capitals of the world is of regional and national significance. It is recognition that Hawke's Bay wines are among the world's best, and that our nation's wine growing industry, while still young, offers quality to rival the world's oldest," he continued. "We have long known that Hawke's Bay, as New Zealand's Food and Wine Country, stood out for its winemaking. This new achievement gives Hawke's Bay a unique positioning in New Zealand and the world. The climate, unique soils and the innovation of so many talented individuals, have come together to deliver an accolade the region wholeheartedly deserves. It is a true legacy for the region and will continue to deliver benefits to industry, education, business and tourism for the years to come." The Great Wine Capitals Global Network dates back to 1999, was unsurprisingly started in Bordeaux to showcase and support the very best wine-producing regions, including helping foster collaborations between them. Now that Hawke's Bay has gotten the nod — after first trying back in 2009 — it's Aotearoa's one and only inclusion, because each country can only grace the list with a single location. Find out more about the Great Wine Capitals of world over at the program's website. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
After 18 days of the world's finest and most cutting edge films back to back to back, the Melbourne International Film Festival has packed up the popcorn and projectors. Here's what our critics loved, loathed, admired and squirmed over. The Best Films MOMMY The latest film from 25-year-old enfant terrible Xavier Dolan pours unconstrained emotion into a claustrophobic space. Shot in boxy 1:1 aspect ratio, the film tells the story of fiery widow Dianne and her troubled teenager Simon, a pair of bombastic outsiders in a white-bread, buttoned-down world. Anne Dorval and Antoine Olivier Pilon are both stunningly good, their performances positively glowing with uninhibited feeling. The tightness of the frame, meanwhile, reflects Di and Simon's limited options, even as their energy threatens to force the edges apart. This is a funny, earnest, devastating film, one that's vitalised, rather than limited, by its intriguing technical conceit. -Tom Clift https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ifhu51tLv5g FORCE MAJEURE I really wish this wasn't my favourite film of the festival. For the sake of my own credibility, I would prefer that my favourite film wasn't a film released by the company for whom my wife works as marketing manager. But the heart wants what it wants, and I'm talking about both her and the film when I say that. Force Majeure, which won the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival, is a film that manages to completely deconstruct the concept of masculinity while also being utterly hilarious at almost every moment. It leaves you in a state of shock, but it's so entertaining and funny, you immediately want to watch it again regardless. An amazing achievement on every level. -Lee Zachariah https://youtube.com/watch?v=Jkjn5ICqmJI LISTEN UP PHILIP The blending of ambition, arrogance, inspiration and irrelevance troubles Jason Schwartzman's titular Philip in Alex Ross Perry's third feature. His second novel isn't garnering the requisite attention, and his girlfriend, Ashley (Elisabeth Moss), is better off without him. So when his mentor, Ike (Jonathan Pryce), offers up his holiday home, Philip quickly accepts. Yet, as astute as Perry's rendering of the familiar writer's self-absorbed struggle is, the film tells not just his story but Ashley's and Ike's too. Such structural daring matches an embrace of the abrasiveness of artistry, as played with acerbic comedy, cast with perfection and shot with the warm texture of super-16mm. -Sarah Ward https://youtube.com/watch?v=cX4Hhqjt6J8 BLIND Forgive the pun, but sometimes at a festival, it's best to go in blind. A film without a huge amount of pre-MIFF buzz, the directorial debut of acclaimed Norwegian screenwriter Eskil Vogt concerns a woman named Ingrid struggling with the loss of her sight. Alone in her apartment, she constructs an elaborate fictional narrative through which she works through her fears and insecurities — particularly in regards to her husband, who she fears may be having an affair. It's compelling, self-reflexive, sensual and funny. Think Stranger than Fiction — only full of incredibly graphic sex. -TC The Boldest Experiments MAIDAN You'd think that a largely static camera quietly observing the protests in Ukraine, with no narration and very little context, would be dull as dishwater. Yet Maidan is one of the most incredible documentaries I've seen in a very long time. When the protests begin in the Ukrainian square, they are peaceful and friendly. Children sing on a stage to an appreciative crowd. As the months drag on, the authorities become more tense, and we observe the situation devolve into something horrific and violent. The final moments, which include possibly the most beautiful sequence ever captured on film, leave not a dry eye in the house. -LZ https://youtube.com/watch?v=UgwSi3XVT4E LA ULTIMA PELICULA Alex Ross Perry didn't just direct one of the best features of the festival, he also stars in a creative highlight. Focused on a filmmaker trekking through Mexico circa 2012 to make an apocalyptic effort on the last reels of celluloid, La última película channels a distinct sense of the disjointed in its pseudo-documentary callback to Dennis Hopper's The Last Movie. Formats switch alongside tone and intention, the narrative meanders and rambling improvisation reigns — yet so does affection for its thematic aspiration and aesthetic beauty. That Mark Peranson and Raya Martin's film both probes and parodies the conversation surrounding its conceit also adds to its offbeat appeal. -SW https://youtube.com/watch?v=r2GN3wdfqbA OBVIOUS CHILD A brilliant response to weirdly conservative pregnancy comedies like Juno and Knocked Up, Gillian Robespierre's Obvious Child is probably the most entertaining movie about abortion you'll ever see. Former SNL cast member Jenny Slate is hilarious as Donna Stern, a struggling New York comedian who gets pregnant after a drunken one night stand. The film's progressive, level-headed treatment of abortion makes it a rarity amongst American films, which when you think about it is fairly depressing. In any case, Obvious Child was early one of smartest, funniest comedies at the fest. -TC Most WTF Moments https://youtube.com/watch?v=ibffxoK5gs0 GOODBYE TO LANGUAGE 'Trolling' is something that is usually the domain of adolescents on social media. It's rare that an 83-year-old director will engage in such behaviour, but that's where Jean-Luc Godard — hero of the French New Wave — disagrees. Following on from his nigh-unwatchable Film Socialisme in 2010, Godard again creates something deliberately designed to irritate his audience. Goodbye to Language is filmed in 3D, and some shots contain the most impressive 3D I've ever seen. There is a depth to many of these shots that no Hollywood film has yet achieved. Yet for the majority of the running time, the 3D is specifically designed to make you cross-eyed, pushing the two angles just a little too far away from each other. Or in some cases, way, way too far away from each other. Detachable eyes are essential to watching this film without incurring a migraine. -LZ OUT 1: NOLI ME TANGERE The entirety of Jacques Rivette's 13-hour opus invites exclamation; it's not called the cinephile's holy grail without reason. Seemingly impenetrable extended sequences of experimental theatre, intertwined with a man (Jean-Pierre Leaud) caught in a conspiracy and a woman (Juliet Berto) fleecing the unsuspecting, evolve into a patchwork portrait of a time, place and mood. As it ebbs and flows, plays and provokes, everyone strives for but struggles to achieve their target. Though Out 1 offers no neatness in narrative or certainty in climax, neither does it leave the viewer unsatisfied. Instead, Rivette constructs an experience unparalleled in its insidious intrigue. Once you commit, you can't look away. -SW https://youtube.com/watch?v=_-ZtW5fWRjI WHY DON'T YOU PLAY IN HELL The shining star of the otherwise tepid Night Shift section, the latest film from Japanese splatter-head Sion Sono is a blood-soaked love letter to the movies. An absurd, exuberant mix of western, mob movie and samurai flick, the story follows a group of amateur filmmakers who get hired to 'direct' the showdown between two rival Yakuza clans. Packed with profanity, gore and over-the-top action, Why Don't You Play in Hell? is two straight hours of cinematic insanity. -TC Most Disappointing Films https://youtube.com/watch?v=aCponfeWNOI WISH I WAS HERE To say we were disappointed by Zach Braff's Wish I Was Here implies we were looking forward to it. Even those with fond memories of his debut Garden State (and hey, we count ourselves among them) will find it hard to stomach this privileged, tone-deaf family dramedy. It's a shame the phrase 'first world problems' has now been overused into oblivion, because it would be aptly deployed in this film, where very few of the problems faced by the leads are possible to sympathise with. Rich people struggling with not being quite rich enough? Yeah, it's not exactly Sophie's Choice. -LZ JACKY IN THE KINGDOM OF WOMEN It's a premise with promise and a production and pedigree with the same potential: a Monty Python-esque skewering of gender stereotypes and fundamentalism, filtered through a Cinderella-like story from graphic artist turned filmmaker Riad Sattouf (The French Kissers), and brought to life by a cast including Charlotte Gainsbourg and The Artist director Michel Hazanavicius. It's also a plain example of an idea ill served by its execution, with everything broad and blatant in the role-reversal comedy that eventuates. Laughs are few, as are subtleties, despite the spirited attempts of the director and performers. Jacky in the Kingdom of Women should boast ingenuity but instead languishes in obviousness. -SW https://youtube.com/watch?v=9KrhMbS9uh8 THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELEANOR RIGBY The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby was one of the more unique entries of the program, in that it's actually two separate films that together recount the breakdown of a marriage. Eleanor Rigby: Her is told the perspective of the wife, Eleanor, played by Oscar-nominated actress Jessica Chastain. Unfortunately, while the formal conceit is fascinating, the script leaves a lot to be desired. Dull, mopey and full of unconvincing dialogue, the first film ended up being so disappointing that we didn't even bother with part two. -TC By Tom Clift, Sarah Ward and Lee Zachariah.
Brightening up winter has always been Vivid Sydney's mission. Turning as much of the city as possible into a glowing sight has also been the festival's remit since its beginnings. Announcing its return for 2024, Dark Spectrum isn't the only example of how those aims come to fruition, but it's still a dazzling case in point. The luminous event heads into the Harbour City's depths, unleashes lasers and lights, adds electronic dance music as a soundtrack and gets attendees exploring a lit-up subterranean labyrinth. Dark Spectrum debuted in 2023, as a world-premiere installation in Wynyard's unused railway tunnels, which was the first time ever that the spot had been opened to the public. The light show beneath the streets has now joined the 2024 program, again in the same location, but this time as Dark Spectrum: A New Journey. Just like last year, we hope that you like lasers, secret passageways and bright colours, which will all be on offer from Friday, May 24–Saturday, June 15. As the name makes plain, this is an all-new version of Dark Spectrum, but the basic setup, of course, remains the same. A collaboration between Vivid Sydney, Sony Music, Mandylights and Culture Creative, this underground spectacle will again feature eight rooms, all heroing a different hue, with the entire concept initially inspired by raves and their dance floors. Across a one-kilometre trail — up from 2023's 900 metres — 300 lasers and strobe lights, 500 lanterns, 250 search lights and 700 illuminated arrows will make a shining impression. Wondering which tunes accompany this maze-like experience, which tasks everyone that enters with wandering through its expanse from start to finish as lights flash and flicker, and smoke and haze effects add to the mood? Dark Spectrum: A New Journey will draw upon club-favourite tracks from the past 30 years. And yes, if you want to dance your way through the chambers and tunnels, that's allowed (and understandable). "Vivid Sydney 2024 is exploring what makes us uniquely human, with a diverse program designed to foster connections, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity enriches our lives. We are so excited to welcome back Dark Spectrum: A New Journey to Vivid Sydney 2024 to bring the festival theme to life with a brand-new wholly immersive experience," said Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini. Also adding gleaming sights to the fest's lineup: the return of Lightscape, again at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney; 40-kilometre-long laser beams shooting out of Sydney Tower; artwork by Archibald Prize winner Julia Gutman on the Sydney Opera House's sails; projected pieces on a range of buildings in the CBD; 4000 solar-powered LED candles glowing amid the sandstone blocks at Barangaroo Reserve; and Barangaroo's Stargazer Lawn welcoming a circular projection of the brolga's mating dance. Dark Spectrum: A New Journey will run from Friday, May 24–Saturday, June 15, 2024, during Vivid Sydney 2024. For further information and tickets, head to the event's website. Top image: Dark Spectrum 2023, Destination NSW.
On your waltz home from work, stop by Flinders Street Station's Degraves Lane underpass. Here you'll find The Dirty Dozen, a public art gallery of 12 display windows, each showcasing an ephemeral installation. Artists aren't only on show, 'creative practitioners', as dubbed by Melbourne City Council — meaning tradies, lawyers and everyone in between — can also set up installations reflecting their professions and a theme or issue within it. Slow your mid-week rush, and see what the people of Melbourne have to show, from the meeting point of art and science by the engineers and scientists of Skunk Control, to the morphing, evolving art by Monash University fine art honours students.
You're feeling festive. You're also feeling like tucking into some fried chicken. But, because it isn't December yet, your two-piece feed probably doesn't feel all that merry. Enter KFC's latest piece of merchandise, which is being released to celebrate Christmas in July — but can obviously be worn whenever you need some yuletide cheer and some of the Colonel's secret herbs and spices in your life at the same time. The item in question: a red-and-white Christmas jumper. To use the very words stitched onto it, alongside tiny little chicken drumsticks and buckets of KFC: 'tis the seasonings. Clearly, it's the only thing that you should be decked out in whenever you treat yo'self to some of the fast food chain's fare. If you like to pair your chook pieces with VB for some reason, and you already bought one of the beer brand's own Christmas sweaters last year, you'll now have two festive pieces of apparel to choose from. KFC's version costs $59.95, comes in seven sizes spanning from extra small to triple extra large, and is available to purchase now. That said, they're a limited-edition item, so you'll need to get in quickly if you just can't imagine eating chicken while donning anything else. The brand is donating all of the proceeds to charity partners The Black Dog Institute, ReachOut Australia and Whitelion, too, so you'll be giving them a Christmas in July gift as well. Because KFC does like to theme as many things as it possible can with its own brand — it has given the world KFC cocktails, a KFC meditation track that sounds like chicken frying and gravy simmering, a KFC wedding service and a KFC augmented reality game, after all — it has paired the new jumper with a new Christmas tune as well. Well, a fresh spin on the classic carol 'Deck the Halls', to be exact, with Dune Rats doing the honours. You can listen to the new track below, probably while you're trying to ignore your chicken cravings: KFC's 'Christmas in July' jumper is available for purchase online now, but it's only available for a limited time.
With racially motivated discrimination, oppression and injustice in the global spotlight over the past few weeks, one confectionery company has taken the opportunity to rebrand two of its lollies that have names with racist overtones. Nestlé has announced it will rename its chewy red lollies, currently called Redskins, an antiquated and derogatory term for Native Americans, and its chocolate-flavoured, people-shaped Chicos, which means 'children' in Spanish and is considered offensive to people of Latin American descent. In a statement released today, on Tuesday, June 23, Nestlé said it will change the names of the two lollies and "acknowledges the need to ensure that nothing we do marginalises our friends, neighbours and colleagues. These names have overtones which are out of step with Nestlé's values, which are rooted in respect," the statement said. New names have not yet been finalised, according to the company, but it is moving to change them "quickly". Race and discrimination is a subject that always demands action and attention, both worldwide and within Australia, however, it's been particularly thrust to the fore due to the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement, and protests over the death of American George Floyd at the hands of a police officer — as well as, at the local level, the ongoing fight to end the systemic mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Māori by law enforcement. A similar long-running debate about the offensiveness of the Washington Redskins NFL team has ramped up again in the US, too, with The Washington Post calling on the team's owner Daniel Snyder to change the name in an editorial published earlier this week. Calls for Nestlé to change the names of its two products, which are manufactured in New Zealand and Australia under the company's Allen's brand, also isn't new — with the debate raging when they were featured in a 2013 episode of MasterChef Australia — and they're not the only controversially named product on Australia supermarket shelves, either.
Melburnians, you're a mere three hours away from a weekend filled with epicurean adventure in the Victorian High Country. Grab your car keys, because you're going on a road trip out of the dense city and into the wide-open spaces of north-east Victoria — which at this time of year, is tinted a vivid gold as the leaves change colour with the onset of a proper, country autumn. SATURDAY MORNING: BEECHWORTH Your exploration of the High Country starts in the historic town of Beechworth. Grab a country-style breakfast from Beechworth Bakery to set you up for the day, then pick up some of the area's most famous produce from The Honey Shop. After that, it's time to explore the mineral-rich hills around Beechworth, which are home to more than two-dozen vineyards. One-hundred-and-fifty years of wine-growing history in the region have birthed diverse styles, grape varieties and wineries. Visit young guns Vignerons Schmölzer and Brown and Sentio Wines, whose winemakers have worked at prestigious producers both domestically and abroad before striking out on their own to create some of the most exciting drops in the region. Then there's the iconic producers Castagna, who specialise in biodynamically grown fruit, and Sorrenberg, whose iconic Gamay sells out in record speeds every year (their Chardonnay is also worth picking up). Most of the wineries and cellar doors in Beechworth are by appointment only, so book a tour through Beechworth Barrel Tours, who will liaise with your chosen wineries and create a custom itinerary for your morning adventure in wine country. Autumn is a great time to visit, as it is post-vintage when the winery is a little quieter, giving guests the opportunity to taste the wines that are currently fermenting in oak and out of tank. AFTERNOON: BEECHWORTH TO RUTHERGLEN The short half-hour drive between Beechworth and Rutherglen is the perfect opportunity to check out some of the local haunts of the winemakers in the region. Tessa Brown (from Vigneron Schmölzer and Brown) is a fan of Provenance in Beechworth. Built in 1856 (during the height of the gold rush era) this two-hatted restaurant creates contemporary food from quality regional produce with a focus on seasonal awareness. If you want to drive straight through to Rutherglen, your first stop needs to be All Saints Winery and Terrace Restaurant to have one of the best-value meals from a one-hatted restaurant (three courses with matching wines from their estate for only $110 per person). For those wanting something a little more relaxed (and to take advantage of those last warm rays of autumn sunshine), stop in at Campbells Wines. Pick up an iconic Rutherglen fortified wine, along with a locally sourced vineyard platter (featuring cheeses, antipasto and terrines) to feast on at one of the great picnic spots on the banks of Lake Moodemere. For late-afternoon tipples, check out local winemaker Simon Killeen's (from Simao and Co) favourite wine bar, Thousand Pound, for the best wines the region has to offer (plus some classics from further afield). RUTHERGLEN But where to rest your head after a full day of vinous activities? Rutherglen offers you the best of both worlds. Grapevine Glamping at Cofield Estate allows you to stay in the midst of a real working winery and vineyard while enjoying all the comforts of home. The king-size-bed canvas bell tent (complete with split system heating and cooling) comes with wine and the option to cook your own meal in the fully equipped camp kitchen or order up a vineyard platter to feast on while you enjoy the fire pit just outside your tent. For those who like their accommodation with a side of luxury and history, Mount Ophir boasts 360-degree views of Rutherglen, including the Murray River Basin and the Victorian Alps to the east from its incredible 'tower room'. Here you stay over three floors in a French provincial-styled tower, with a spiral staircase that leads to the private sitting room on the second floor and a luxurious bedroom suite and marble bathroom on the top floor. SUNDAY MORNING: MILAWA Here is your chance to work off all the food from Saturday's gluttony. Cycle through the autumnal foliage and pass cellar doors and farms on the Milawa Gourmet Ride (the morning hours of autumn are the perfect time of year to cycle around, as it's not too hot). Hire a bike in town or borrow one from Brown Brothers Winery and stop in at their fantastic cellar door for a morning coffee and a couple of bottles of their Patricia sparkling wine to go. Grab yourself a map and take the leisurely 10-kilometre ride through the region, stopping in to see as many cellar doors, farm gates and gourmet food stores as you like before ending up at self-confessed cycling addict Sam Miranda's joint, the Sam Miranda Winery at Oxley. AFTERNOON: KING VALLEY AND PROSECCO ROAD Complete your journey along the King Valley's 'Prosecco Road' after Brown Brothers and Sam Miranda in the morning with an afternoon visit to Pizzini Wines. The Pizzini family are passionate about family, friends, food and wine. Their vineyards are a mosaic of Italian varietals (like Prosecco, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese), all of which can be enjoyed in their cellar door. You can even try your hand at making some traditional Italian dishes to accompany the wine at Katrina Pizzini's A Tavola cooking school. Then head to Chrismont for inspiring architecture, more Prosecco and an Italian long lunch on the terrace. EVENING: KING VALLEY Stay the night on the homestead where Australia's prosecco vines were first planted (and your last stop on the Prosecco Road), Dal Zotto Cellar Door and Accommodation. Immerse yourself in all things Prosecco by taking part in their 'pick your own Prosecco' adventures. During autumn is when you can witness the drying of the Prosecco grapes to be made into Otto Dal Zotto's 'natural' Prosecco (or 'Col Fondo' style, as they call it). Taste your way through their five different styles of Prosecco at the cellar door before picking your favourite to take back to your accommodation for a nightcap with house-made antipasto and charcuterie. Autumn scenery and produce won't last — to plan your full itinerary in the High Country and explore more of regional Victoria this season, visit the Wander Victoria website.
Good news for any Mr West fans who live in Melbourne's north: the brains and souls behind the iconic Footscray venue will be taking over 4 Saxon Street in Brunswick. Previously occupied by community favourite Theodore's, the team at Mr West say they're "humbled to be entrusted with continuing its legacy and shaping the next exciting chapter". Luckily, the old Theodore's space is in good hands, given Mr West is one of our fave bars in Melbourne. Over the next 12 months, the venue will run as a collaborative pop-up project, with the Mr West team serving drinks and taking care of service, while their mates at Dingo Ate My Taco provide signature tacos, as well as some exclusive dishes. After the initial pop-up phase, the Mr West team will transform the space into a new wine bar that will take on an identity of its own — complete with a new name (apparently, it won't be called Mr North). Mr West's Group Marketing Manager (and Head of Snacks) Dimitra Sarakinis tells Concrete Playground she's excited to emulate the neighbourhood bar feel they've achieved at Mr West. "For us, being a neighbourhood bar that becomes part of the Brunswick community is something we really aspire to be," Sarakinis says. "Although we don't want to give away too much at this stage, our plan is to lean into the styles of food and beverage that we are most passionate about which will include a focus on spontaneous fermentation." "We also have big plans to continue working creatively with thrice championed best Australian Bartender Nathan Beasley, who has been hiding out of the limelight as our bottleshop manager for the past few years, to craft some creative new cocktails and perhaps something more," Sarakinis added. For the pop-up project, the venue will retain the distinct charm of Theodore's, but the team has ambitious plans for the space. "The bones of this building are so beautiful. We haven't done any major renovations to start with, just a few minor tweaks to aid the flow of service and a lick of paint. We're quite enamoured with the warehouse aesthetic and it does remind us of Mr West. We are really excited to get stuck into a full renovation within the year but also can't wait to share our new venue with the local community," Sarakinis says. Mr West Bar & Bottle Shop first opened in 2016, after mates Josh Hodges (Cookie, Feral Brewing Co, Mr West) and Caleb Barker (Greenhouse by Jost, Bluebonnet BBQ, Mr West) combined their extensive experience to create the multifaceted drinking space. The move has particular significance to Josh, who grew up in Brunswick. "There are many crossovers between Brunswick and Footscray beyond the iconic Franco Cozzo stores," he tells Concrete Playground. "It is the vibrant and bustling community that drew us to both locations. I had lots of mates living in the Inner West growing up and have always had a strong connection to Footscray but I grew up in Brunswick and my mum still lives a stone's throw from 4 Saxon Street so it very much feels like home to me." 4 Saxon Street is open Thursday – Saturday, 5pm–midnight. The kitchen closes at 10pm daily and bookings are available on the website.
Local Newtown legends Young Henrys are taking their brewhouse to the next level — and it's all in the name of sustainability. The beer brand has added a glowing bioreactor among its tanks, which they hope will drastically reduce the brewery's carbon emissions. While the green tank may look like a radioactive science project, it's actually just a big ol' vat of microalgae. The single-celled organism is basically the super computer of photosynthesis and produces more than 50 percent of the world's oxygen. It does so by consuming CO2 (carbon dioxide) — one of the main byproducts of the brewing process — and produces O2 (oxygen) in its place. To give you a sense of the impact, it takes a tree 48 hours to absorb the CO2 emissions created from brewing just a single six-pack. Young Henrys' 400-litre bioreactor has the potential to produce as much oxygen as one hectare of Australian forest and to consume a lot of the brewery's CO2 byproduct in the process. If you're wondering why producing lots of CO2 is a bad thing, let us detour into some chemistry 101 for a hot minute. Carbon dioxide is a key greenhouse gas, which collectively trap heat from the sun and keep it close to the earth's surface. Initially that was great, it meant the earth was habitable for humans and animals — but, thanks primarily to the burning of fossil fuels, the earth's atmospheric levels of CO2 are the highest they've been in the past 400,000 years, which has lead to global warming and the increase in extreme weather events, ie. climate change. This project is partly funded an Innovation and Connections government grant and is in partnership with the scientists from the Climate Change Cluster (C3) at UTS. The group is working to find and develop uses for algae that can help combat climate change, and this project aims to pave a path for the wider brewing industry to become a carbon neutral process. Young Henrys' microalgae bioreactor is just the first phase of the partnership with C3. The second phase will involve a large biomass of algae that will provide even more carbon capture and help the brewery to eventually become carbon neutral — more details on this will be released later in the year, so keep an eye on this space. Find Young Henrys at 76 Wilford Street, Newtown.
You're in a rush trying to make it to work on time when you see them — that one acquaintance that just does not know when to stop talking. You try to duck into the nearest alleyway, but they've already spotted you. Cloak, a new app for the iPhone that calls itself "the antisocial network", can now help you avoid these situations. Cloak gathers location information from Instagram and Foursquare and uses this knowledge to create a map of where the user's 'friends' are currently based on places they have recently tagged as their location. It then creates a map that displays the distance between a user and their friends built around where the user is situated. Cloak allows users to flag particular people they are not especially keen to run into on the street, so when that person comes within a pre-determined radius, a notification is sent directly to the user's phone. Living in self-obsessed time, where friends are constantly sharing their latest haircut on Instagram, mundane thoughts on Twitter and relationship status on Facebook, more and more people are becoming fed up with the barrage of useless updates from friends, co-workers and acquaintances. This feeling of fatigue is met with the rise of the antisocial network. Instead of creating the next Facebook, app developers are more concerned with creating the complete antithesis to Facebook. Nextt is designed to help users plan in-person meet-ups with their friends, and Rando is a picture sharing site similar to Instagram, but users have no followers and no ability to like photos; instead, they randomly view photos from users all over the world. No stranger to antisocial networking, former creative director of BuzzFeed Chris Baker is one of the creators of Cloak. He has also developed apps like unbaby.me that replaced pictures of babies in your Facebook newsfeed with pictures of cats, which expanded into Rather, a Google Chrome extension that blocks unwanted Twitter and Facebook content. Hate with Friends, another app Baker created, allows the user to select Facebook friends they hate and will notify the user if the feeling is mutual between any of these "friends". Currently, the only apps Cloak collects location information from are Foursquare and Instagram, but the creators hope to eventually incorporate Facebook as well. Via Mashable.
If you're going to sit yourself down in someone's restaurant, eat their specially cooked food from their own personal dishes, drink their juices and leave them to clean up your mess, you'd feel like paying right? You'd think most Australians would, but Melbourne-founded 'pay-what-you-feel' restaurant Lentil as Anything is watching customer by customer happily walk out without paying much (or anything) at all. Reported by Good Food, the popular chain is losing money — a lot of money. Apparently people aren't as generous as they thought when the not-for-profit organisation first set up the bill honour system — mainly as a means to get much needed, good vegetarian food to people of a lower socioeconomic status. But it looks like people are genuinely stingy bastards and treating the joint as a free feed. LAA is operating at a major loss — GF reports the Abbotsford restaurant lost $4000 in one night, despite serving 1500 people (who'd just returned from Rainbow Serpent festival). This averaged out to about $2.75 a head. Well done, y'jerks. Lentil as Anything has no prices on their menu. The Melbourne and Sydney restaurants are entirely funded by donations with the kind and probably naive motto "everyone deserves a place at the table". GF reports roughly one million meals are served by LAA across the four restaurants each year, with running costs getting up to $24,000 per venue per week. To help this even out, you're advised to leave around $12 to cover the meal and the general running of the joint. But if you don't pay them properly, they pay for your dinner themselves. They pay for you to eat their deliciously healthy food in their dining room from their plates. If you can't pay, you're encouraged volunteer in the kitchen or come back later and pay the difference. Amazingly, Lentil as Anything intend to keep running their business with their philosophy intact. So, if you're the giant stingebucket robbing this goodhearted chain of their livelihood, or you've seen 'friends' leave a couple of bucks for a giant LAA meal, check yourself. Don't be a tightass and leave Lentil as Anything what they're due. Via Good Food.
Sometimes you need to wait for the things you love. In Hacks, that's true off- and on-screen. It's been two years since the HBO comedy last dropped new episodes, after its first season was one of the best new shows of 2021 and its second one of the best returning series of 2022 — a delay first sparked by star Jean Smart (Babylon) requiring heart surgery, and then by 2023's Hollywood strikes. But this Emmy- and Golden Globe-winner returns better than ever in season three as it charts Smart's Deborah Vance finally getting a shot at a job that she's been waiting her entire career for. After scoring a huge hit with her recent comedy special, which was a product of hiring twentysomething writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder, Julia), the Las Vegas mainstay has a new chance at nabbing a late-night hosting gig. Fictional takes on after-dark talk shows are having a moment, thanks to Late Night with the Devil and now Hacks' third season. At times, some in Deborah's orbit might be tempted to borrow the Australian horror movie's title to describe to assisting her pitch for a post-primetime chair. That'd be a harsh comment, but savage humour has always been part of this showbiz comedy about people who tell jokes for a living, which returns via Stan in Australia and TVNZ+ in Aotearoa from Friday, May 3. While Deborah gets roasted in this season, spikiness is Hacks' long-established baseline — and also the armour with which its behind-the-mic lead protects herself from life's and the industry's pain, disappointments and unfairness. Barbs can also be Deborah's love language, as seen in her banter with Ava. When season two ended, their tumultuous professional relationship had come to an end again via Deborah, who let her writer go to find bigger opportunities. A year has now passed when season three kicks off. Ava is a staff writer on a Last Week Tonight with John Oliver-type series in Los Angeles and thriving, but she's also not over being fired. Deborah still sees it as a necessary move, and a push for her protégée to chase her own dreams. Ava feels scorned and betrayed, particularly since she was the catalyst for her mentor ditching the act that she'd been performing at a casino residency for decades, then getting raw and real by sharing stories about being a woman in comedy over that period, reinventing her image in the process. Back in Vanceland (our term, not the show's; Deborah's mansion is sprawling enough to warrant such a name), everything is gleaming without Ava — but Deborah isn't prepared for being a phenomenon. She wants it. She's worked for years for it. It's taken until her 70s to get it. But her presence alone being cause for frenzy, rather than the scrapping she's done to stay in the spotlight, isn't an easy adjustment. She's hardly fond of her new writers (Dream Scenario's Dylan Gelula and Orphan Black: Echoes' Jordan Gavaris), and crowds feeding off her merely standing onstage means that none of her material actually matters. Deborah's life is now unfettered praise and no challenges; as her Estate Manager Josefina (Rose Abdoo, Leo) remarks to her Chief Operating Officer Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins, The Beanie Bubble), the comedian staying up all night rearranging her salt-and-pepper shakers isn't a great sign. Hacks creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W Downs and Jen Statsky — all Broad City alumni, all co-writers, with Aniello also directing and Downs co-starring — were never going to keep Deborah and Ava apart in season three. The reunifying developments: first crossing paths at Just for Laughs in Montreal, then tucking into Tom Cruise's famous coconut cake, then attempting to win Deborah a hosting job that she once almost had and hasn't recovered from losing. With Ava's show on hiatus for three months over summer, she agrees to head back to Vegas to help do whatever it takes. If it sounds like a reversal of season two's finale, that's because it is — instead of Ava being free to pursue her own passions, she's parking them for Deborah's — but codependency has also long been at the heart of this always-astute gem. Although Deborah can't stomach being seen to rely upon someone, Ava has changed her. As for the latter, she can't divorce her own career from the comedy legend. But time away, and also the success of the special that neither could've made without the other, puts them on more-even footing when they reteam. Hacks season three again also explores the other pairings in Deborah's life, including her daughter DJ's (Kaitlin Olson, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) festering hurt over her mother's absence in her childhood, and Marcus feeling undervalued and stagnant while running her business empire. Now out on their own, Deborah and Ava's manager Jimmy (Downs, How It Ends) and his assistant Kayla (Megan Stalter, Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain) have their own codependency to grapple with, especially as they work their way through the industry (which is where guest stars such as Blindspotting's Helen Hunt and Knuckles' Christopher Lloyd come in) on Deborah's behalf. Hacks' third season has a comedy roast, where DJ revels in the catharsis of slinging mean words at her mum; a dress from Deborah's treasure trove that Ava describes as "giving Big Bird"; and Mad Men great Christina Hendricks as fellow big-name guest. Its main duo get lost on a hike, navigate a golf trip and weather a chaotic Christmas party. Deborah also admits to feeling the passage of time, as well as the urgency to achieve everything that she's ever wanted ASAP that snowballs with it. The season surveys humour today from high-profile ridicule sessions to cancel culture. It's unsparing about the glass ceiling in late-night TV, as it should be. Along the way, Aniello, Downs and Statsky keep improving their series — and keep proving some of the smartest and funniest writers in the business. Crucially, the pursuit of Deborah's all-time coveted gig takes Hacks into new terrain, ambitiously for the show and the character alike. A sitcom built around an odd couple, the show could've coasted by on its mismatched intergenerational lead twosome. It could've remained a must-see thanks to the excellent performances that the never-better Smart and equally engaging Einbinder bring to their parts, because they're both that magnificent. But while Deborah might've clung to a routine for much of her life, the series hasn't, and it's all the greater for it. If longevity is about taking risks, Hacks makes its latest confident and hilarious claim for a long-haul run. Check out the trailer for Hacks season three below: Hacks season three streams via Stan in Australia and TVNZ+ in New Zealand from Friday, May 3. Read our reviews of season one and season two.
A staple of holiday dining tables the world over, the humble Christmas ham is too often sidelined as a one meal wonder. Add a slice or two of really good bread and suddenly a problem leftover transforms into a culinary masterpiece. Behold, the humble ham sandwich. After the festive rush is done and dusted, and the downtime between Christmas and New Years gets underway, let Abbott's Bakery's loaves do the heavy lifting when it comes to high adventure, low touch meals. Surf and Turf Sandwich While you may be off the clock and in relaxation mode in the days after Christmas, time waits for no crustacean and is definitely of the essence if you've got leftover prawns piled up from Christmas lunch. A surf and turf sandwich is an ingenious way of using up some of Christmas lunch's most perishable ingredients and comes together in less than 10 minutes with no cooking required. All you need to do is lay out a few slices of your favourite Abbott's Bakery bread, on which you'll spread on a tangy green pickle relish, before adding lettuce and whatever ham you have on hand — that can be store-bought slices or sliced off the last of the Christmas ham. Then top the bottom layer with another slice of bread, add tartare sauce, lay down some prawns and any extra tartare to taste. Finally, top with some more greens and a final slice of bread. Lunch is served and leftovers are given new life. Provolone and Ham Melt This provolone and ham melt makes the most of the mish mash of charcuterie board leftovers that litter kitchens throughout the holiday season. Combined with leftover ham and sandwiched between two slices of Abbott's Bakery Sourdough White, this is an inventive toastie that packs a flavour punch and can be made in 20 minutes or less. Start by spreading mayonnaise and mango chutney on two slices of Abbott's Bakery bread. On the slice with chutney, add shaved ham, pear slices, roasted peppers and provolone cheese before topping it with the other slice of bread. For the perfect golden brown crunch, brush both sides with melted butter and grill on a griddle until the cheese is oozy and melted. Classic Croque Madame A croque madame is one of those indulgent breakfasts that requires time more than skill. Difficult to throw together in a rush, but deceptively easy, this grilled cheese sandwich is a classic for a reason. This particular recipe comes together in just 20 minutes and starts with a fresh slice of Abbott's Bakery sourdough. Spread on some fruit paste and your favourite chutney, layer with ham and a mix of cheeses and top the filling with your second slice of bread. Then, heat half a tablespoon of butter and cook your sandwich in a frying pan for two minutes on each side with the lid covered. Remove your sandwich from the pan, add another half tablespoon of butter and fry an egg to place on top of the sandwich. Voila, breakfast — or lunch or any old meal in between when you're pottering around and feeling peckish — is ready. Ham, Brie and Spiced Mango Sandwich Summer means mangoes and this recipe demonstrates there's more than one way to skin a mango. This sandwich starts with the mango salsa which is acidic, spicy and sweet in equal measure. Once the salsa is ready, set it aside and spread butter and mustard on a slice of Abbott's Bakery Wholemeal bread. Then, layer lettuce, ham, brie and the salsa on the buttered bread before topping with microherbs and another slice. Plate it all up with a fresh wedge of lime. Ripping Two-Cheese and Ham Toastie The combination of flavours in this toastie call for a darker bread with a slightly more nutty, malty and earthy flavour. A mixture of sharp Dijon and sweet mustard pickle adds zing, while the blend of cheeses used — gruyere and colby — elevates this sanga into something special. Layer the spreads, cheese and ham between two slices of Abbott's Bakery Dark Rye bread, give them a grill in a fry pan for two minutes on each side. Then, remove them from the heat, add rocket for a fresh, peppery and ripping toastie to tuck into. Ham, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich (HLT) Forget the BLT. Meet its Christmas cousin the HLT. Proving that there are countless ways to mix up what goes between two great white slices, the ham, lettuce and tomato sandwich is both a spin on a classic and fantastic in its own right. Ready in mere minutes, assemble this classic lunchtime feed by layering ham, sliced cheese, tomato and lettuce on Abbott's Bakery Rustic White bread that's been spread with mayo and mustard. Discover the full range of Abbott's Bakery bread and create your ideal sandwich.
Easter is creeping closer and the creative treats are flowing in hard and fast. This year, we've already seen the release of a hot cross bun-inspired rum, decadent gelato-filled eggs and Lune's beloved hot cross cruffins. And next up is one for your booze cabinet — limited-edition drop, The Dispensary Cacao Husk Liqueur. A grown-up Easter offering with a sustainable edge, it's a joint effort from a couple of Melbourne-based favourites — Brunswick distillery The Gospel and artisan chocolate label Mork, the same crew behind that cult campfire hot chocolate. The innovative liqueur is crafted using Mork's leftover single-origin cacao husks, which would normally be thrown out. Here, instead, they're macerated in a blend of the distillery's Straight Rye and Solera Rye Whiskeys to create a complex sip filled with an array of rich fruit notes. This forward-thinking duo has effectively turned trash into treasure. Despite the cacao element, the drink isn't overly sweet; rather, the husks carry a savoury profile that complements the whisky's aromatics, leaving a blend of flavours that includes roast hazelnut, dried orange and cranberry. Mork roasts its cacao in small batches before the nib is separated and used to make products from its legendary chocolate range. Now, those discarded husks are getting their chance to shine, too. The Cacao Husk Liqueur marks the latest addition to The Gospel's Dispensary series. The crew recommends sipping it on the rocks, or stirred down with dry vermouth, Luxardo Maraschino and The Gospel's Solera Rye in a cocktail. There'll only be a limited number of bottles of the liqueur on offer — you can grab yours from The Gospel's website from 8.30am AEST on Wednesday, March 29. The Dispensary Cacao Husk Liqueur will be available to buy online from March 29.
The Witcher wasn't Freya Allan's first acting role. But within a mere two years of her debut on-screen credit, she was in a streaming smash. The Netflix series arrived just as Game of Thrones ended, falling into the big wave of fantasy efforts endeavouring to capitalise upon the genre's Westeros-fuelled renewed TV popularity. It did just that, sparking two more seasons that've already aired, a fourth in the works — to be co-led by Liam Hemsworth (Land of Bad), who takes over from Henry Cavill (Argylle) — and both animated and live-action spinoffs. The Witcher also thrust Allan, the show's Crown Princess Cirilla of Cintra and one of its three central characters, to fame in a huge way. The English actor isn't done with her time as Ciri yet, but she's now added a new first to her resume: her first lead film part. In fact, Baghead is only her second movie stint, after co-starring in 2021's Gunpowder Milkshake. One thing remains familiar, as it did when she appeared in miniseries The Third Day as well: Allan and the supernatural keep being linked. While that connection isn't purposeful on her part, the two-time Saturn Award-nominee — the accolades handed out by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, with Allan twice in contention for Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series — can see why it keeps happening. "I think once you show a certain thing, people go 'oh, she's the girl that can do that'. And it's harder to break out of a certain box," Allan tells Concrete Playground. "But it's always a work in progress." [caption id="attachment_944097" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Susie Allnutt, Netflix[/caption] Baghead tasks her with getting otherworldly by talking to the dead in an eerie pub. Iris Lark, Allan's character, inherits the Berlin watering hole when her estranged father Owen (Peter Mullan, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) passes away. She didn't know about the bar's existence otherwise but, as encouraged by a disquieting solicitor (Ned Dennehy, The Peripheral), she's soon signing up to take it over. Inside, the run-down inn offers more than anyone could ever bargain for. In its basement exists an entity that can give patrons quite the deal: for two minutes, it will gift whoever sits in a chair opposite it the chance to spend time with a loved one that they've lost. It boasts Talk to Me vibes, but the premise initially fuelled Alberto Corredor's 2017 short that's also called Baghead. The full-length version is the director's feature debut. At the movie's centre sits two key elements: the "what would you do?" question, as part of its grappling with grief; plus Allan as the twentysomething woman tussling with that very query — which Iris only learns about after the mourning Neil (Jeremy Irvine, Benediction) arrives with cash for his own date with the pub's other inhabitant — and then experiencing the consequences. Taking the horror heroine route to the silver screen is a tried-and-tested path. After Baghead, however, Allan will next hit picture palaces in 2024 in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the fourth film in the latest Planet of the Apes franchise. "Apes for me is my proudest project I've done so far. I just think that everyone involved is just superb at what they do. All the actors, I watched most of the film the other day, and they just killed it. So I feel very proud of it and I'm just excited for people to see it, and I hope that they can appreciate everyone's hard work," Allan advises. We also chatted with Allan about her response to Baghead's setup, what she'd do in the same situation, how she chooses projects, her relationship with horror and taking on her first lead part — and The Witcher, of course. On How Allan Would React If She Was Given the Chance to Talk to the Dead for Two Minutes "I would. Well, I wouldn't in this film, because there's a lot of risk factors involved. But in general, if I could talk to my grandparents, I definitely would. It was two years ago we shot it, but I'm sure we must have had a conversation about it at some point while shooting. I feel like it's the inevitable question." On Allan's Initial Response to Baghead's Premise — and How She Prepared for the Part "My first response as Freya, I was drawn to that element. I think grief is such a topic that everyone can really associate to and has experienced. And so I think that's immediately something that's very easy to connect to, and is such a prevalent part of life. You can't really escape it. So I think that's profound. I just came up with a backstory and made sure I had all the details I needed, and all the questions answered that I needed. And in regards to when she lost her parents, and understanding a bit more about peoples' experience in the foster-care system where she's come from. And having just lots of conversations with people and their experiences around grief as well, even talking to my mum about it, and Alberto and the other cast as well — just having those constant conversations." On the Challenge of Taking on Her First Leading Film Role "It doesn't necessarily feel totally different to The Witcher in terms of the pressure. I think I have the same pressure on every job I do. It never really goes, whether you have a smaller part or a larger part. And also, it very much felt like I was a part of a team with Ruby [Barker, from Bridgerton] and Jeremy, who played Katie [Iris' best friend] and Neil. So, it felt like we were there to support each other." On What Appeals to Allan About New Projects — Including Baghead "It depends. I think I definitely was at a place of still wanting to learn. I mean, I want to learn on every job I do, obviously — it's just a natural part of leaving a job, you always feel like you've learned even more for the next job. I saw this as a great opportunity for that. It was my first lead in a feature and it was a great ground to learn in order to go into other projects with more experience. And I would say from here, I love to do some stuff which is completely stripped back and has no supernatural at all." On Starring in a Horror Movie But Not Being an Obsessive Horror Fan "I feel like it's an inevitability for every actor. You can't really be an actor and not have done a horror film — and actually it's, like I say, a great ground for learning a lot of things, because a lot of it actually does really revolve around physicality and building a heart rate. And you begin to realise how much physicality plays into being an actor. That really helped me for for other things. But no, I'm not immediately a horror fan — I don't know everything about horror films, but I definitely have had great experiences of watching certain horror movies. I really do think that they can be the perfect film for cinema, to go and have a have a real experience with your friends, and be scared and have a snack." [caption id="attachment_944098" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Susie Allnutt, Netflix[/caption] On Allan's Journey with The Witcher So Far "When I got that role, that was huge for me and it was so exciting. That character is always going to be hold a very dear place in my heart, and I feel very lucky to have specifically played her. I think she really gets to have such an arc throughout the whole show by the end. But obviously, you do begin to want to do new things as well. So I think when it comes to an end, it will be a bittersweet thing of saying goodbye to a character that I'm hugely grateful for, but also being excited to do new things." Baghead opened in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, February 22. Read our review.
The American suburbs are coming to the NGV thanks to a new survey of the work of acclaimed photographer William Eggleston. Known for his pioneering use of colour, the septuagenarian is widely regarded as one of the most important photographers of the 20th century – and now Melburnians will get the chance to discover why. On loan from the National Portrait Gallery in London, the exhibition is the first comprehensive museum exhibition devoted solely to Eggleston's portraits. The works on display capture "family, friends, casual acquaintances and strangers in a series of eloquent, poetic character studies" and showcase the artist's preoccupation with life in the southern parts of the United States. This Australian exclusive show will run from March 17 until June 18 as part of the NGV Festival of Photography. Image: Untitled (1965-8), William Eggleston, dye-transfer print, printed 2004, Wilson Centre for Photography© Eggleston Artistic Trust.
Given Docklands' population of both residents and office workers, great coffee is a necessity. You'll find no shortage of top-notch cafe options calling this area home, from specialty coffee haunts heroing local beans and boutique brew methods, to Italian-style panini bars where fresh ingredients take your lunchtime feed up a level. Whatever your needs, you're bound to find a few new favourites among Docklands' growing collection of cafes. Here, we round up the ten cafes in the area to get your caffeine fix and maybe a spot of brekkie, too. BILLY BARISTA The Docklands venture from Melbourne's Billy Group, Billy Barista is a smart little cafe that shares its siblings' farm-to-table approach. Rocking a homestyle vibe, it's open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon caffeine hits, seven days a week. Alongside expertly crafted espresso, a generous food menu delivers a selection of gourmet flatbread pizzas, loaded sandwiches and quesadillas with fillings running from the pesto-laden Italiano to the signature US-style cheesesteak. Breakfasters on the run will also find a tidy range of egg-and-bacon morning treats to take away. CODE BLACK COFFEE Well-loved, local roasters Code Black Coffee have a dapper little space at 800 Collins Street, where regulars flock to get their mitts on quality caffeinated bevs. Like the store itself, the food offering is petite, geared towards simple breakfasts, cakes and pastries for those necessary mid-afternoon coffee breaks. The true star, though, is that coffee, offered as a versatile house blend, a filter or a rotating single origin. It's all topped off with fast, cheery service and a smile. SALUMINISTI Off the back of a successful North Melbourne pop-up, Saluministi made its way into the hearts of Docklands' diners with a permanent home on Bourke Street. The salumi purveyors are famed equally for their old-school European sense of hospitality and their banging Italian sandwiches. A tidy range of breakfast options works a treat alongside that quick morning espresso, while come lunchtime, the focus is squarely on the generous panini creations, currently stuffed with the likes of grilled pork and fennel sausage in roasted peperonata and crumbed free-range pork cotoletta. Also a winner is the rich Italian-style stovetop coffee, served with house-made biscotti. CAFFE BAMBINO As the name suggests, Caffe Bambino — located on Buckley Walk next to the community garden — is a departure from the contemporary Melbourne specialty coffee house. It takes its cues instead from the cappuccino-slingers of Italy. Espresso beans are sourced from Italian company Costadoro, while a rotating selection of baguettes, sandwiches and piadini (flatbread) are stuffed with classic ingredients like prosciutto and bocconcini. Breakfast is a simple lineup of toasts and house-made bircher muesli, and sweet tooths will find it mighty hard to refuse the freshly baked cakes and muffins beckoning from the front counter. BLENDED BEARD Its name might be a light-hearted play on the coffee-swilling Melbourne hipster stereotype, but Blended Beard still takes its brews and beans seriously. Expect a warm, polished space with plenty of cheeky cultural references, including stools crafted from upcycled bike chains and pedals and portraits of people both bearded and man-bunned. Customers flock here for the specialty coffee, with the OX3 Cumulus from Reservoir-based roasters The Bean Alliance acting as the house blend. On top of that, you'll find single-origin options and rotating guest coffees from across Australia and New Zealand, with brew methods including V60 pour-overs, Vietnamese phin filter and AeroPress. CAFENATICS Like its sibling venues, the Docklands Forte outpost of popular cafe group Cafenatics offers up top-notch espresso and seasonal cafe fare, this time within a smart setting on Bourke Street. Warm timber interiors make for a comfy pit stop, whether you're swooping in for a pre-work caffeine fix, settling in over a lunchbreak bite or grabbing an afternoon treat and matcha latte. There's a range of hearty baguettes to go, single-origin coffee options and fresh juices for when you need a vitamin hit. THE KETTLE BLACK — SOUTH MELBOURNE Located in nearby South Melbourne, The Kettle Black is a considered operation from top to toe. Acclaimed as much for its beautifully designed interiors as for the cafe fare sailing from its kitchen, the cafe certainly plates up some of the area's prettiest breakfast situations. The food offering leans to the refined, with plenty of crafty twists on both breakfast and lunch. Meanwhile, well-made Square One coffee is backed up by breakfast cocktails, fresh juices and boutique beers and wines. THE CRUX & CO — SOUTH MELBOURNE It's the notion of balance that reigns supreme at South Melbourne cafe The Crux & Co, which has its home at the bottom of The Emerald apartments. Punchy Korean flavours are reworked into a lineup of clever savoury plates, while at the same time, a hefty collection of elegant sweet treats comes from the pastry kitchen. Expect the kind of fare that's almost too pretty to eat — vibrant matcha pancakes topped with caramel popcorn, zucchini and sweet potato fritters, flaky croissants, picture-perfect eclairs and dainty macarons. The space itself is every bit as sweet, featuring dreamy interiors by local practice Architects EAT. STATION ST TRADING CO — PORT MELBOURNE A quaint corner cafe overlooking the lush green of Turner Reserve, Station St Trading Co is a little slice of serenity in the heart of Port Melbourne. The homespun decor and cosy vibe invite you to linger longer over your coffee, breakfast or lunch. The food menu offers sweet and savoury options to tempt all palates, though those prone to indecision will find heaven in the brunch platter, decked with boiled eggs, buttered soldiers, pickles, chia pudding and an invigorating shot of green juice. LONG STORY SHORT — PORT MELBOURNE This well-loved Port Melbourne cafe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Sister to the Brunswick cafe of the same name, Long Story Short Port Melbourne has a minimalist aesthetic that allows the eats and drinks to take centre stage. Replete with Insta-famous fare, the menu here runs from vibrant matcha smoothie bowls to cold drip coffee-infused pork ribs, plus some downright decadent burgers and buns. Specialty coffee is available via a range of brew methods, alongside excellent smoothies, fresh juices and even a selection of craft booze. Surround yourself with everything Docklands has to offer at the new 883 Collins Street development. Top restaurants, cafes, bars and activities are just a stone's throw away.
Have you ever found getting through more than 17 syllables of news takes far too much effort? Well luckily for you the New York Times has designed an algorithm that deconstructs news stories into everybody's favourite Japanese poem style, the haiku. For those unaware, a haiku is a short style of poetry with a specific syllabic structure of five syllables in the opening line, seven in the following and five in the concluding. Although there are other elements to haikus, this is the format the algorithm operates on as other aspects of this poetic style are "a lot harder to teach an algorithm", according to Jacob Harris, the senior software designer for the NYT and the author of the advanced algorithm. The haikus are constructed when the algorithm periodically scans articles published on the newspaper's home page. It then breaks down these articles sentence by sentence, looking for potential haikus via an online dictionary that counts syllables and even encompasses a word like 'Rihanna' to process the language employed by the New York Times. Reversing the typical trend of technology, the computer needs humans to operate successfully as it cannot distinguish between a harmonious haiku and a horrid one by itself. Once a journalist has selected a poetic pearl, many of which encapsulate the article's essence, it is then transformed into an aesthetically pleasing image in order for the poems to "retain their visual integrity" as they are shared online. The coloured lines may seem illogical but they are actually delicately designed to match the metre of the first line of the poem. Our favourites are below but check the NYT haiku blog as it is updated daily. Via PSFK.
If you're looking for the perfect date night or group hangout spot near St Kilda Beach, don't look past Radio Mexico. Perpetually packed to the rafters, it seems that the line flows out of the venue no matter what the season. In summer it's understandably hectic, but even in winter it's hard to get a table on a Friday night, such is the versatility of this bayside bar and restaurant. The interior creates a fun and fresh Mexican vibe; the walls are brightly coloured in pinks and oranges and Mexican paraphernalia hangs from the ceiling. The cosy lighting and timber furniture pair well with the indoor plants and pebble features that appear multiple times across the room. With too-cool bartenders mixing your drinks and friendly waitstaff doing their thing to a pretty great soundtrack, the general atmosphere is buzzing. If you're a self-confessed taco lover like myself, this is the place for you. On our visit, we tried the fish with corn salsa, as well as the black bean and jalapeno tacos ($6.50 each) — all of which were tasty and moreish. Natural corn chips come as a side, alongside three complimentary Mexican dips. Perfect for snacking (or just while you're waiting for the rest of your food), they join other great tapas-style options listed as botanas. Potato and chorizo quesadillas and crabmeat tostadas offer something different to the humble taco, along with chilaquiles: a nacho-like dish that comes with your choice of tomato and black bean, chicken or spicy chilli salsa. Despite tacos being as common as pizza in our current cuisine climate, Radio Mexico still does an amazing job of combining traditional Mexican with modern textures and flavours. Now into their third year of service, Radio Mexico is a St Kilda go-to rain, hail or shine — proving that it's always time for tacos. Words by Bronte Ryan
It's a new year, and with it comes a fresh crop of food trends. The twelve months of 2013 were full of sliders, Mexican waves, salted caramel anything — and it's about time those smoke alarms have a rest. This year, we've gotten a tad greener: hybrid snacks will turn some faces green (ramen burger anyone?) but spit-roasting feasts may turn others green with envy. We’re getting back to nature and becoming all green and eco-friendly by eating at zero-waste cafes, meeting farmers and salvaging scraps. Save all your jam jars, too: there’s some serious fermenting sessions bound to happen, and if we're not eating at home, we'll be dining at Korean BBQs. Hybrid snacks A new wave of outlandish fusion foods is emerging and gourmet junk is on the rise. We want high-fat, high-flavour street food. Why all this (albeit, somewhat delicious) madness? Trend forecaster Chris Sanderson of The Future Laboratory says it's all about Gen Y being "experience-hungry" and "searching for food as fun". "Some days they'll eat nutritionally well, but other days they're gorging on high-cal, high-spec treats," Chris says. Enter the cronut. A cross between a croissant and a doughnut, the calorific treat was created at a Bakery in Manhattan back in May 2013 and has attracted a loyal following since. Our very own King of Sweets — Adriano Zumbo — swiftly jumped on this fad and crafted his own version, aptly named ‘The Zonut’. What ensued were lengthy lines outside his patisserie and other bakeries across the nation dusting off their deep-fryers. Not a fan? Don't worry, it won’t be all cinnamon-sugar coated. Other hybrid snacks that are appearing include savoury waffles and ramen burgers (yes, precisely what you think they are: ramen noodles moulded into the shape of a bun with a burger patty sandwiched between). Also, keep an eye out for the fabled 'townie' — who wouldn't love a brownie and a tart all in one? Superfoods Kale and quinoa will continue to reign as superfoods. According to Sanderson, the ancient grain and verdant vegetable are still pretty obscure foodstuffs for the mainstream, so expect to see more of them for a few years yet. Oscar-worthy appearances for quinoa can be seen in dishes such as salads, soups, sushi, porridges. Sidekick freekah is set to pop up more often too: the green wheat grain from the Middle East has a nutty flavour and is also very 'super'. The 'queen of greens' has without a doubt, singlehandedly supported Breville's blender department. Morning smoothies will remain green for 2014, and keep throwing it in frittatas and salads. Kale chips are the favoured party snack now too — Smiths crinkle cut are so 2012. Hyper-provenance Hyper- what? Hyper-provenance. It involves getting up close and personal with the food we eat — literally. We’re seeking more information than just the country of origin on our food. Sanderson notes that there's a new breed of consumer demanding to know which farm produces their favourite cheese and even which cow was milked. It's all about getting back to our 'roots' and becoming deeply connected to the sources of our food. Already we’ve seen a steady increase in cafes and restaurants highlighting that the tomatoes are from Linda in Petersham and the basil is from Terry in Earlwood. Boutique butcher Feather & Bone visit every producer for firsthand experience to ensure that the farming practices are sustainable: they can tell you where it was raised, what it was fed, right through to slaughter and ageing. Pepe Saya knows the farmers down in Picton, NSW that make the cream for his cultured butter — seasoned with Murray River Pink Salt. But it's not just the small-scale quirky food producers: mainstream brands are getting involved, driving to the farms and saying g’day to Farmer Joe. Australian egg producer ecoeggs has gone one step further to allow consumers to watch its chickens live via a ChookCam. Lays Chip Company in the US has even mapped out their maize. "For a number of years now, they've been able to indicate which farm each of it hundreds of thousands of packets of tortilla chips has provided the maize," says Sanderson. Fermentation and Pickling #ferment4life #healthybugs #fermentation #picklery #picklepickle We may be indulging in the gourmet junk some days, but other days we're all about the good bacteria. We're going to get ourselves into quite a pickle this year. In a good way though — fermented vegetables are the next big thing; pickling classes are being held everywhere. So dust off the granny aprons and save all those jars for your next sauerkraut batch, because it's not just for the yoga-pant-wearing raw-food survivalists. And it is actually super-easy to make at home: all you need is salt and a vegetable in a sealed jar. Store it at room temperature for ten days or more and watch the bubbly activity build healthy bacteria. Yes — it's good for our gut. You might be squirming at the thought of it all, but fermented foods are everywhere. Who doesn't love a pungent spoonful of pickled cabbage alongside your roast chicken? Pigs on parade It might be the year of the horse, but it's all about pigs in 2014. The ovens are being fired up, the spits are turning, pork ribs are being marinated in preparation for sticky-finger feasting and charcuterie boards are being carved to lay the groundwork for a menu replete with cured meats. Continuing with the theme of sustainability, there's a new generation of butchers and chefs that are dedicated to using the entire carcass, not just the prime cuts. A new mobile phone app, called Nose to Tail, promotes full use of the animal and provides information about more than 200 cuts, including recommended preparation. Moreover, embracing a paddock-to-plate attitude means that the pigs being used are healthier and fatter. And we know what fatter means — more flavour and better texture. Hungry diners are enjoying slow-roasted spit roasts and smoky platters of sticky ribs with homemade BBQ sauce. Chefs are perfecting the art of crispy, succulent pork belly that is dripping with all the evils of tastiness: you can get it sandwiched between a soft white bun with cabbage salad and mayo now at any cafe. And if they're not roasting or BBQing it, they're curing it. Move over cheese platter, it's time for the charcuterie board to take the limelight. Think spicy salamis; rich, gamey pates; and translucent, paper-thin prosciutto. Zero waste Food waste is hitting an all-time high. We might all be embracing the sustainable food production and living culture, albeit according to Oz Harvest, Australians are throwing away 3 million tonnes of food every year — the equivalent of 136 kilos per person. So what shall we do with all this? Sanderson's trend alert team says that brands are taking action and "transforming out-of-date produce into edible feasts". Charities all over Australia such as FareShare have a team of volunteers and chefs that transform wasted food from eateries into edible, nourishing meals and also distribute all those untouched restaurant meals to the less fortunate. It may sound off, but it's not the scraps. An estimated 20-40 percent of fruit and vegetables don't reach the shops due to the supermarkets unreasonable aesthetic standards — that’s a lot of jamming and chutney-making to be done here. And if we’ve done all the jamming we can do, visit eateries such as Silo by Joost in Melbourne, who have a "loop-based system whereby packaging and waste is reduced to a minimum", says Sanderson. It literally is a zero-waste cafe: all organic waste is treated in a waste dehydrator and steriliser. Time to take a trip to Bunnings to get that compost bin, perhaps? Korean food We were all about burgers and hot dogs in 2013 — and the American cuisine is set to stick around for a bit longer. Bust out the bibs again, as there's a trending forecast for Southern fried chicken and smoky barbecue stuff to continue hitting our menus. However, Asian food is something we're familiar with and now we're starting to apply great things to it. Korean dishes are set to take centre stage. We’ve done our dash with Thai and Vietnamese, but the travelled foodies are realising that if you venture not too far east, there's an incredible Korean experience waiting to happen. The pickling affair will fit right in here too: the fermented vegetable dish kimchi hits the mainstream, along with ssamjang and gochujang. Fire up those hot pots and spicy BBQs — it's fresh, healthy, packed with vegetables and spice and an ideally complimented with an icy cold lager. One-food wonders Restaurants have been specialising in just one or two dishes for a while now, be they dumpling houses, burger joints, espresso bars, bagel places — there's even an artisanal food craze in San Francisco with cafes solely serving toast (and the lines aren't short). Is it a sign of the economic times or just the tip of the hipster spear? Either way, these extremely curated menus may only have a few items but are all about idiosyncrasy and creating an atmosphere. The increasing taste for specialisation means the chefs can focus on the ingredients and achieve the best possible buns/crepes/tacos/ramen possible. Diners are craving the authentic tastes and more characteristic variations with fewer dishes. Case in point: Mary's in Sydney has a concise food menu of only three burgers. Los Hermanos in Melbourne has only eight menu items, mainly tacos. Wonderbao only sells steamed buns. But isn't there a danger in having such limited choice? Not at all; if it means more time chatting to our pals and less time spent reading the novel-like menus, we're all for one-food wonders. To hear more from the Future Laboratory, check out their Australian events: SYDNEY TREND BRIEFING SERIES Date: Wednesday 19 February Time: 8am – Registration and light breakfast 9am – 12.30pm – Trend Briefing Venue: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh Tickets from Eventbrite. LUXURY FUTURES FORUM, SYDNEY Speakers: Chris Sanderson, Martin Raymond, Megan Quinn, Chris Kyvetos, Loh Lik Peng Date: Thursday, 20th February 2014 Time: 1.30-6.30pm Venue: Golden Age Cinema, Paramount House, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills Tickets via Eventbrite. MELBOURNE TREND BRIEFING SERIES Date: Wednesday 12 February Time: 8am – Registration and light breakfast 9am – 12.30pm – Trend Briefing Venue: ACMI, Federation Square/Flinders Street, Melbourne Tickets via Eventbrite FOOD AND DRINK FUTURE FORUM, MELBOURNE Speakers: Chris Sanderson, Martin Raymond, Jill Dupleix, Any Gaunt, Andrew McConnell Date: Thursday 13 February 2014 Time: 1.30pm to 6.30pm Venue: RMIT University Design Hub – Building 100, Carlton Tickets via Eventbrite.
It's the kind of dazzling space that you could easily lose a whole day to, and it seems that plenty of people have. A year after opening, Tokyo's teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum has revealed that it welcomed more than 2.3 million visitors in its first 12 months, making it the most visited single-artist museum in the world. In this case, the term 'single artist' doesn't mean that everything that graces the site's walls, floors and ceiling is the work of just one person, with teamLab comprised of a collective of creatives. Still, Borderless' entry figures for the year exceed the other top single-artist venues, eclipsing the Van Gogh Museum's 2017 record high, the last reported figures for Spain's Dali Museums in the same year and the Picasso Museum's numbers for 2018. The first, in the Netherlands, saw 2.26 million patrons through the door, while the second reached 1.44 million across three sites and the third hit 948,483. [caption id="attachment_701274" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Sarah Ward[/caption] While plenty of Japanese locals have made the trip to teamLab's permanent Odaiba facility, almost half of Borderless' visitors hail from overseas. Folks from more than 160 countries and regions made the trip, with the most coming from the USA, followed by Australia, China, Thailand, Canada and the United Kingdom. teamLab's other Tokyo site, teamLab Planets in Toyosu, also attracted huge numbers over its first year. Another immersive space — this time asking patrons to walk barefoot through its digital artworks — it received 1.25 million visitors from 106 global locations. It's safe to assume that patronage at teamLabs two current pop-ups — across 500,000 square metres of Japanese forest and hot springs, and in old oil tanks in Shanghai — will also prove rather healthy. For Australians keen to get a glimpse of the collective's work without jetting overseas, it's bringing its sculptures of light and "cascades of shimmering luminescence" to this year's Melbourne International Arts Festival in October. Find teamLab Borderless Tokyo: MORI Building Digital Art Museum in Odaiba Palette Town, 1-3-8 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan. It's open seven days a week — for more information, visit the museum's website. Via Business Wire.
UPDATE, March 4, 2021: Moonlight is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Amazon Video. "At some point, you gotta decide for yourself who you're going to be. Can't let nobody make that decision for you," Miami drug dealer Juan (Mahershala Ali) tells nine-year-old Little (Alex Hibbert). They're warm words of wisdom offered by someone who wouldn't be seen as a substitute father figure in most movies — and given to a shy, bullied boy desperately in need of a guiding hand. Their connection, defying expectations and complicated by Little's crack-addicted mother Paula (Naomie Harris), forms much of Moonlight's first chapter, but their interactions will influence the entire film. As the story progresses, Little grows into awkward teenager Chiron (played by Ashton Sanders), a young man who still struggles with who he is and how he feels. Then, finally, he transforms into the hardened, Atlanta-based Black (Trevante Rhodes), styling himself in Juan's image. He'll keep trying to forge his identity, while grappling with the different visions of masculinity around him, as well as his own sexuality. As he comes of age, he'll also be shaped by his mother's troubles, the nurturing presence of Juan's girlfriend Teresa (Janelle Monáe), and his friendship with his classmate Kevin (played by Jaden Piner, Jharrel Jerome and André Holland over the years). Written and directed by Barry Jenkins from an unstaged play by Tarell Alvin McCraney, Moonlight is a film of moments and mindsets, one that values sensations and textures more than any other storytelling tool. Jenkins constructs the emotions and experiences of his protagonist from the people, places, dreams and encounters that define him at any given point, plus his ongoing quest to find a persona, a companion, and a space that provides comfort and solace. Narrative-wise, it might sound slight. Thematically, visually and in its performances, Moonlight is a powerhouse. Stressing how things left unseen and unsaid are as crucial as sights glimpsed and words uttered, every frame, look and line of dialogue proves a piece of the puzzle that is Chiron in his various guises. Often, Jenkins and his college roommate turned cinematographer James Laxton make the audience stare into the eyes of their leads, conveying a pain and a yearning that borders on contagious. More frequently, the filmmaking team adopts their character's perspective, gazing into a world teeming with uncertainty. Subjectivity reigns, such as when the dialogue and imagery fall out of synch during moments of distress, or when a painful memory is cast in heightened, almost neon hues. Even when the film peers in from the outside, the little things still matter, be it green blades of grass spied up close, a hand grasping at sand during an intimate exchange, or a man removing the armour-like grill from his teeth. Jenkins seamlessly brings all of the above together, creating a cinematic symphony of the patterns and rhythms that come with deciding who you're going to be. However, he also crafts a sensitive stage for his three lead actors to infuse their protagonist with heart and soul, as a poor, black, queer boy becomes a man. Though matched in every scene by exceptional co-stars — including the charismatic, stereotype-defying work of Ali, as well as the quiet tenderness of Holland — the main trio are never anything less than devastating.
This post is sponsored by our partners, lastminute.com.au. Luxury isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Western Australia. The general impression is that it's filled with sharks, snakes, and all manner of things that can kill you. But really, it's home to some of the country's most spectacular sites and tourist attractions as well as luxurious hotels. Not only do these places have nets and fences to keep the snakes out, they do it in style. Berkeley River, Broome You know a place is fancy when you can't even get to it by car. To set foot upon the lavish ground of Berkeley River, you must arrive by air or water — a task assisted by the float plane that transports registered guests. While up in the air, you'll also have a moment to appreciate the beautiful surrounds. Situated on the Kimberley Coast, this hotel has 20 ocean views including the Timor Sea, Reveley Island and the mouth of the stunning Berkeley River. Injidup Spa Retreat, Yallingup Who better to specialise in spa and relaxation than Western Australians? In summer, it already feels a little like a sauna, and there's nowhere better than a spa bath to wash away all that red dirt. Injidup Spa Retreat is just that — a retreat. A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this hotel is an adults-only experience founded on the principles of tranquility and privacy. Guests are all offered spacious and secluded villas with private plunge pools and panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and, better yet, the wineries of Margaret River are right at your doorstep. Pullman Resort Bunker Bay, Dunsborough While you're in the wine region (if you're lucky enough to be pulling some sort of luxury-resort pub crawl), Pullman Resort Bunker Bay is well worth the visit. Located south-west of Perth, this five-star resort has taken out the top prize from the Australian Hotels Association as Best Resort-Style Accommodation, and has 150 luxurious studios and villas to fill all your exotic, leisurely needs. Swimming pool? Check. Spa? Check. Tennis Courts? Check. Access to one of the most beautiful beaches in the country? Yep. Protected by the Cape Naturaliste Peninsula, Bunker Bay has the most startlingly clear and azure water you'll ever see. Even if there were sharks, you'd see them coming a mile off. Crown Metropol Perth Hotels like this are a rarity in Australia. Overlooking the Swan River, Crown Metropol Perth proves that you really can have the exotic island life with all the perks of being in the city. While this luxury hotel has regular rooms suitable to corporate or basic traveller, it also boasts private cabanas, a day spa, a fitness centre and a huge resort-style pool. Seriously — look at that pool. It alone is worth the trip. Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, Broome Cable Beach is known for the extraordinary. The water is clear and stunning, the weather is always superbly warm, and there's the opportunity to ride camels along the sand. Camels! They're native to Australia, but I doubt most of us have ever seen one, let alone felt its galumphing hooves under us. Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa is the only resort overlooking this magical beach, and it's pretty impressive in its own right. With studios, bungalows, private villas and suites, all set alongside gorgeous, tranquil gardens, the resort echoes the nature of the region well — tranquil, spectacular and happily out of the ordinary. Book your next WA escape now at lastminute.com.au.
There are plenty of ways to mark a movie milestone. Whenever one of your favourite flicks notches up five, ten, 20, 30 or more years since first hitting screens, watching it is the easiest way to celebrate, of course. That's definitely in order when the original animated version of The Lion King — not the recent live-action take — hits three decades in 2024. How to truly do justice to the Disney smash that spawned a musical, ample sequels and oh-so-much enduring affection? Seeing it show at an in-concert session with a live orchestra playing its songs and score. Yes, The Lion King in Concert is coming to Australia, with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra doing the honours. The blockbuster movie-and-music performance was announced as part of MSO's just-unveiled 2024 season, and will take over The Plenary at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, February 3. This is an Aussie premiere, too, featuring Hans Zimmer's score and Elton John and Tim Rice's songs performed live as the movie once again graces a silver screen. As Nicholas Buc conducts, audiences will be feeling the love that night — and day, thanks to both 1pm and 7.30pm sessions — and celebrating the circle of life as well. Just can't wait to commemorate 30 years since the film debuted, instantly becoming an all-ages favourite? Add this chance to revisit Simba's journey to your calendar. Both John and Rice's tunes, and Zimmer's music, won Oscars. The former were nominated three times in the same field, in fact, with 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight?' winning out over 'Circle of Life' and 'Hakuna Matata'. So, yes, seeing any film as its score is played live is a rousing experience, but this one will feel particularly powerful. There's no word yet whether The Lion King in Concert will be a Melbourne exclusive in addition to being an Aussie premiere, or if it'll make the rounds of other city-based symphony orchestras. Some such shows hop around the country, as Star Wars, Harry Potter and Zimmer-focused gigs have. Others have stuck to one place, as seen with past The Princess Bride, Home Alone and Toy Story performances, and the upcoming Black Panther. Sydneysiders, Brisbanites and folks elsewhere, perhaps cross your fingers while you channel a "hakuna matata" mindset. You can always stream the sing-along version while you wait for local dates. Check out the trailer for The Lion King below: The Lion King in Concert will play The Plenary, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, on Saturday, February 3, 2024. Head to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra website for further details, and tickets from Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
Blending the work of a modern-day superstar and some of Japan's most renowned historical artists, Japan Supernatural is the Art Gallery of New South Wales' latest blockbuster exhibition. The exhibition features 180 works drawn from collections around the world — an eclectic mix of paintings, traditional woodblock prints, animation work and sculptures — which each delve into the Japanese folktales that continue to influence pop-culture today. The exhibition's headline act is contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, a dazzling spectacle of an artist that shines almost as bright as his massive works of art. Famous for his paintings and sculptures that incorporate motifs from both traditional and popular Japanese culture, at Japan Supernatural, Murakami debuts an enormous ten-metre-wide mural that depicts folk stories, anime characters and a litter of other cultural references. Running until March 8, 2020, the exhibition features work by other modern-day legends, such as the late manga artist Mizuki Shigeru and contemporary artist Taro Yamamoto. Meanwhile, there are also works by seminal artists from a bygone age, including Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi and Kawanabe Kyosai. Presented as part of the 2019–20 Sydney International Art Series, Japan Supernatural also includes an array of public events. Just some of the special happenings on offer include a rare lecture by Murakami, a retrospective of global horror cinema, a festival showcasing beloved Studio Ghibli films and a Japanese summer art school. With so many ways to explore the AGNSW's newest exhibition, don't miss your chance to discover the stories and magical creatures behind Japan Supernatural. [caption id="attachment_749854" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An installation view of the exhibition Japan Supernatural at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Photo: AGNSW/Jenni Carter.[/caption] TAKASHI MURAKAMI: JAPAN SUPERNATURAL The full title of Murakami's mural, Japan Supernatural: Vertiginous After Staring at the Empty World Too Intensely, I Found Myself Trapped in the Realm of Lurking Ghosts and Monsters, is quite the mouthful. But you'll likely find your mouth agape once you set your eyes upon this huge undertaking. Stretching ten-metres wide and three high, the colourful mural features an arrangement of various images drawn from ukiyo-e prints, which were reproduced by Murakami's 350 employees back at his bustling studio in Tokyo. Made from 502 silkscreens, Japan Supernatural is the largest single work to enter the gallery's international collection, which depicts demons from Japanese folklore battling it out with samurai beneath the spirit of a massive cat. KENTARO YOSHIDA: NIGHT PROCESSION OF THE HUNDRED DEMONS The first work you'll encounter as you arrive at Japan Supernatural is that of Sydney-based artist and illustrator, Kentaro Yoshida. Born in a small fishing village in Japan, Yoshida heard many of Japan's popular folk stories as a child, learning about a world of ghosts, spirits and demons. His mural takes inspiration from these tales, specifically the centuries-old legend Night procession of the hundred demons (Hyakki Yagyō). It was created in four sections and positioned at the gallery's entrance court — if you download the Artivive app (via Apple or Google Play), you can experience the stunning creation with an augmented reality twist. [caption id="attachment_749467" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Mitsukuni defies the skeleton spectre conjured up by Princess Takiyasha' 1845–46 by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, British Museum, donated by American Friends of the British Museum fromthe collection of Prof Arthur R Miller. Photo: © The Trustees of the British Museum[/caption] UTAGAWA KUNIYOSHI: MITSUKUNI DEFIES THE SKELETON SPECTRE CONJURED UP BY PRINCESS TAKIYASHA Considered one of the last masters of ukiyo-e printing and painting, Utagawa Kuniyoshi was also known for being incredibly prolific. Throughout his expansive career during the 19th-century, Kuniyoshi created some of the style's most popular prints featuring everything from warriors and ghosts to satire and erotica. Loaned from the British Museum, one of Kuniyoshi's celebrated works, Mitsukuni defies the skeleton spectre conjured up by Princess Takiyasha, is a striking triptych woodblock print telling a well-known tale about revenge. Kuniyoshi's art fell from relevance for many years until it was rediscovered in the 1920s, with his work going on to become some of the best known from the Edo period. TSUKIOKA YOSHITOSHI: NEW FORMS OF THIRTY-SIX GHOSTS Published between 1889 and 1892, New forms of thirty-six ghosts is perhaps Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's most acclaimed series. Highlighting numerous characters from ancient Japanese and Chinese folktales, it was also the final major woodblock collection he would ever produce. Having lived through many years of Japanese societal uncertainty, Yoshitoshi's work often focused on violence and conflict. But later in his career, his prints became much more reflective, capturing some of his own personal struggles. With this series drawn from the AGNSW's own collection of Japanese art, Yoshitoshi is often credited as the godfather of contemporary manga and anime. UTAGAWA YOSHITSUYA: SHUTEN-DOJI AT OEYAMA Utagawa Kuniyoshi was responsible for tutoring many of Japan's greatest woodblock artists, but few were as special as Utagawa Yoshitsuya. Emerging in the late Edo period, the political instability of the time led to artists being banned from illustrating performers in their work. Instead, Kuniyoshi focused on creating images of powerful warriors, as well as tattoo designs that he became famous for during the 1840s and 50s. This colour print highlights a well-known story where the popular hero Minamoto Yorimitsu slays the ogre Shuten-doji in his mountain lair at Oeyama, a part of modern-day Kyoto. Japan Supernatural is on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until March 8, 2020. Head to the website to grab your tickets. Top images: An installation view of the exhibition Japan Supernatural at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Photo: AGNSW/Jenni Carter.
Boasting scenic sights at great heights and snowy peaks aplenty, the Swiss Alps are well covered when it comes to adventure. Making this bucket-list tourist destination even more thrilling is its newest addition, a half-a-kilometre suspension bridge casually slung between two towering mountains. Opening for pedestrians on July 29, the Charles Kuonen Hängebrücke literally bridges the gap between Grächen and Zermatt — all 494 metres of it. For those keen on some more stomach-churning figures, the 65-metre pathway reaches 85 metres above the ground at its highest point, and 2200 metres above sea level as well. It's part of a six to seven hour hike from either direction, and replaces a previous bridge that closed in 2010 due to unstable terrain. Needless to say, the world-record breaking crossing isn't recommended for those suffering from acrophobia; however those eager to climb high will always have either the Matterhorn or the Bernese Alps in view, depending on which way they're trekking. As well as soaring into the sky and offering astonishing vistas, the suspension bridge also proves a feat of speedy engineering, with the entire thing erected in just 10 weeks. Via Zermatt Tourism. Image: Europaweg / Valentin Flauraud via Zermatt Tourism.
A staple for Melbourne comedy lovers, Quick Bites Comedy is the go-to night for checking out some of the best local, interstate and international comedians around — and it's free. Taking turns in a rapid-fire night of laughs, each comic delivers five-to-seven minutes of their funniest material, guaranteeing an evening crammed full of both up-and-coming and established performers across a variety of acts, styles and topics. Personalities and writers from many of Australia's most-loved TV shows are regularly in attendance and you're bound to discover someone who cracks you up. Held on Monday evenings at popular late-night spot Boney, the Little Collins location is perfect for getting some belly laughs in at the start of the week, ensuring the rest of your working week is just a little bit easier.
Melbourne's trams aren't just a handy way to get from A to B. Each year, six of the city's public-transport carriages also become mobile artworks. Melbourne Art Trams gives the vehicles a vibrant revamp — and, since 2021, the designs gracing each one have hailed from Victorian-based First Nations artists. The initiative has fallen into winter arts festival RISING's remit since then, too, with the end results for 2023 now rolling around the Victorian capital. The theme for this year's Melbourne Art Trams series: Blak futurism. As well as celebrating and exploring history, Country, community and connection, that's what the latest round of artists has responded to, as curated by visual artist Jarra Karalinar Steel (Boonwurrung/Wemba Wemba) — an alumni of the 2021 trams. "This year's First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams truly embody the transformative narratives of First Peoples Artists' creative expression, and the diversity that is often overlooked when it comes to Aboriginal Art in Australia. For me, the theme this year — 'Blak futurism' — is about reclaiming and taking back space, and breaking the status quo while maintaining culture and connection to country. It' also about learning from our past and those who came before," said Steel. "Blak futurism plays with nostalgia, pop culture and the desire to see ourselves represented in a world where we feel unseen and heard. Changing the way we are seen and the way we see ourselves." "I was looking for works that truthfully spoke to how these artists saw a Blak bright future for their community, families and country. This year's Art Trams will provide a world of colour to our grey city streets, exploring themes of community, togetherness, intergenerational collaboration, protection and care for country and our animals, future folklore, nostalgia, representation, and pay tribute to our beloved city." The first art tram to start doing the rounds boasts work by Amina Briggs (Boonwurrung/Erub). It hit the streets on Tuesday, June 13, featuring a portrayal of Bunjil the creator and Waa the protector, key figures in Boonwurrung culture. Also included, in a piece that's about reclaiming land: the Australian raven and the wedge-tailed eagle, the symbolic animals for both figures, plus a diamond, which is the traditional Boonwurrung symbol. By Friday, June 23, the remaining five trams will also get zooming, giving Melbourne a moving exhibition. Rubii Red's (Lama Lama) contribution is an ode to Naarm, including its protests, music and nightlife; Charlotte Allingham (Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa) has created a piece envisioning a future that values Blak freedom, self-expression, sustainability and innovation; and Jay Van Nus (Pibelman Noongar, and a Chilean Australian brotherboy) celebrates Indigenous knowledge and community, including diverse skills and ideologies coming together. For their tram, Lyn Thorpe (Yorta Yorta/Wurundjeri/Wamba Wemba/Wadi Wadi) and her son Coree Thorpe (Yorta Yorta/Wurundjeri/Gunnai/Gunditjmara) hone in on the Aboriginal continuum, which spans connections to ancestors and being caretakers for knowledge. And Peter Waples-Crowe's (Ngarigu) work focuses on the alpine dingo, using it as a symbol of ecosystem restoration, while contemplating restoring Indigenous knowledge. Melbourne Art Trams is a collaboration between RISING, Creative Victoria, Department of Transport and Planning and Yarra Trams, allowing local First Nations artists submit their own original tram-inspired designs — and ran as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival before RISING's arrival. The first of Melbourne's 2023 art trams hits the tracks on Tuesday, June 13, with the rest of the fleet joining them by Friday, June 23. For further details, head to the RISING website. Images: James Morgan.
From today, the launch of Reservations by DoorDash gives you exclusive access to tables at your favourite restaurants across Sydney and Melbourne — even when they are fully booked. This innovative new feature means that your go-to app for dining in can now be used for dining out. DoorDash Vice President APAC, Simon Rossi, says, "The launch of Reservations marks an exciting evolution for DoorDash in Australia. We're not just delivering meals, we're helping diners connect with some of the most sought-after restaurants. Whether it's securing a table at a hatted venue or discovering a hidden local gem, this feature makes it easier than ever to enjoy unforgettable dining experiences. For our restaurant partners, Reservations is another way we're helping them showcase their venues, attract new guests, and foster lasting relationships through exceptional hospitality." The Reservations system is being rolled out across two major cities now, with further launches coming soon. And it's stupidly simple. All you need to do is locate the Reservations icon in the DoorDash app, browse what's available, and confirm your booking, all in the one app. DashPass members will also have access to exclusive tables held especially for them during busy days and time slots. And the best part is that booking through this system allows you to earn redeemable credits that can be used for future orders. Prestigious restaurants across Melbourne and Sydney have embraced this new booking system, including Bar Julius, Di Stasio, Embla, Harriot and Lottie. James Bradey, founder of Liquid & Larder, says, "Bar Julius is proud to be part of DoorDash's Reservations debut. We're excited to welcome more guests from the greater network into our little corner of Redfern and provide the welcoming, detail-driven experience that's become a hallmark of Bar Julius and the Liquid & Larder family." "The DoorDash partnership will open the doors to a diverse bunch of potential new regulars that we might not otherwise have been able to reach. We're always on the lookout for more people who have been searching for a place like ours, and being on the platform will help us to continue to grow as we start our second decade in business," says Christian McCabe, General Manager at Embla in Melbourne. Images: George Roske. Reservations on DoorDash rolls out across Melbourne and Sydney from November 20. If you're looking for ideas of where to dine, check out the best restaurants in Sydney, and the best restaurants in Melbourne.
Watch a Mark Wahlberg-starring movie, tuck into a burg from Wahlberg's burger chain Wahlburgers, get the words 'burger' and 'Wahlberg' stuck in your head for days: that's now on the menu in Australia. After first announcing plans to open Down Under back in 2021, Wahlburgers has just launched its first Aussie store — so, Sydneysiders, it's time to pair a burger with some Sunkist. Because there's a reality TV show for everything, you've probably heard of the chain thanks to the 2014–9 series Wahlburgers, which turned its lens on the burger joints owned by the actor formerly known as Marky Mark and his brothers. Now — in Sydney from Thursday, February 17, at least — you can also eat the Wahlburgers' fast-food fare, rather than just watch a show about it. As also announced last year, Wahlburgers has now made its home at Sydney's Circular Quay, with its first Aussie outpost joining more than 50 stores in the US, Canada and Germany. Folks in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane can all look forward to munching on the brand's bites to eat, too — and in New Zealand as well — with the chain expected to launch 20 stores across Australia and NZ. On the menu: burgers, obviously, including a meat-free Impossible burg that's been dubbed 'Mark's choice', plus a barbecue bacon burger that bears his fellow actor brother (and ex-New Kids on the Block member) Donnie's tick of approval. There are 13 burg options to choose from in total, with two types of chicken schnitzel burger, a crispy fish option, and a truffle burger — which pairs a beef patty with truffle aioli — also available. Or, you can opt for salads, sides that span everything from French fries and sweet potato fries to onion rings and bacon mac 'n' cheese, and loaded versions of your favourite fries and potato gems. There's also a breakfast menu, complete with avocado on toast, granola, pancake stacks, breakfast burgers and French toast sticks. And, for dessert, you can pick from fried dough — yes, that's what the menu says — and three types of lamington from Tokyo Lamington. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wahlburgers Australia (@wahlburgersau) To answer the most important question, at least if you happen to remember that Mark Wahlberg was in the music business before he started acting and, as part of his hip hop group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, he released the 1991 single 'Good Vibrations': yes, Wahlburgers serves Sunkist, as referenced in that track's lyrics. Drinks-wise, there's also other soft drinks, coffees, shakes and spiders in both boozy and booze-free varieties, 17 types of cocktails, a small wine list, and beers that include Wahlbrewskis, the chain's signature beer. If the Wahlberg name has you thinking about movies — with Mark starring in everything from Boogie Nights to Joe Bell, and co-owner Donnie also featuring in The Sixth Sense and the Saw franchise — then that won't change with Wahlburgers' Aussie jaunt. In fact, the chain's entire venture Down Under is a collaboration with United Cinemas, and some of the former's sites will be located within the latter's picture palaces. United Cinemas now operates the cinema at Opera Quays that used to be a Dendy, for instance. The picture palace brand also currently runs venues at Narellan, Collaroy, Warriewood and Avalon in Sydney, Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, Craigieburn in Melbourne, Indooroopilly in Brisbane and Rockingham in Perth, so that's where you might be getting your Walhburger fix in the future, too — but Walhburgers will be opening stand-alone stores as well. Just when the chain will launch more locations around Australia and NZ hasn't yet been revealed. Wahlburgers is also co-owned by chef Paul Wahlberg — another Wahlberg sibling — and, given its name, the chain decks out its sites with photos and memorabilia from the brothers' lives. Wahlburgers is is now open at Opera Quays, 18a/7 Macquarie Street, Sydney, operating from 7am–10pm Sunday–Wednesday and 7am–11pm Thursday–Saturday. Further stores in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and New Zealand are also set to open in the future — we'll update you with exact locations and dates when they're announced, and you can keep an eye on the chain's website and Facebook page in the interim. Top image: Michael Rivera via Wikimedia Commons.
We sadly bade farewell to Ferdydurke earlier this year, one of our favourite bars in Melbourne's CBD. Since opening in 2012, it stood out among the sleek and highly polished bars of the city, deciding instead to embrace its rougher edges and provide an unpretentious space for both chill hangs and live music-fuelled parties. But even though it's now gone, the Office of Public Works group (Section 8, The Beast and formerly Ferdydurke) has teamed up with some of the hospo legends who originally helped set up Ferdydurke to create its replacement: Aster. Thankfully, not too much has changed. The loft's exposed brickwork and beams remain, as does the roaring fireplace. What you will notice though, is that it all feels a little more grown-up, from the contemporary wine list and refined snacks to the team replacing live gigs with DJs. Aster also has some serious date-night vibes — its design lends itself to being a playfully romantic spot that's less about big parties (you can still head downstairs to Section 8 for this) and more about intimate hangs. Nonetheless, the crew still promises dancefloor energy on weekends. We've been told to expect anything from jazzy house and cumbia rhythms to northern soul and smooth amapiano. While listening to these tunes, you'll be sipping on a range of classic and modern styles of wine, specialty beers, signature cocktails and artisanal spirits, with a particular focus on local producers. Food has also been given a big makeover, as Executive Chef Jarrod Moore has created a playfully decadent assortment of bites. You can expect dishes like saison black truffle and squid ink salami with guindillas; dark chocolate and rye whiskey marquise, fire-roasted peppers with smoked tomato and goat's cheese; and a poached prawn roll with pickled celery and burnt butter aioli. "I'm excited to show guests that going out in Melbourne doesn't have to break the bank, that they can enjoy a few drinks in a safe space, try something new or stick to what they know," says Venue Manager Manny Platsis. "We want to offer patrons a memorable experience, focusing on true hospitality in a warm, welcoming and fun environment." You'll find Aster at 31 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne, open 5pm–midnight from Tuesday–Thursday, and 5pm–2am on Fridays and Saturdays. For more details, head to the venue's website. Images: Arianna Leggiero.
Travel is a salve to all of life's problems. There's something truly healing about that first dip into a faraway sea, a bite of a food you've never heard of before, or the background hum of a language you can't understand. But sometimes, all it takes is a hotel to have you packing your bags and buckling into your plane seat. There's no better place to find that holiday feeling than in Asia. From the patchwork blue seas of the Komodo Islands to the tranquil jungles of Ubud and into the hawker centres of Singapore, Asia is dotted with spectacular hotels that are worth making the trip for. As a Marriott Bonvoy member, you can access exclusive rates immediately on stays at participating properties (700 of them in Asia alone). Membership is free, so once you've signed up, book with the app and earn points for future stays worldwide. [caption id="attachment_1045361" align="alignnone" width="1920"] TA'AKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa[/caption] TA'AKTANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo, Indonesia Depending on who you ask, there are anywhere from 16,000 to 18,000 islands in Indonesia. Flores, Bali's quiet neighbour, may just be the most underrated of them all. The town of Labuan Bajo on Flores is the gateway to the Komodo Islands—a patchwork of sparkling blue water, technicolour coral reefs and sacred Komodo dragons. It's quickly becoming Indonesia's best-kept treasure and is only a one-hour flight from Bali. When in town, TA'AKATANA, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa is the place to stay. The resort's over-water villas draw inspiration from Flores' distinctive spider-web style rice paddies, offering epic views that look out over the Komodo Islands. Here, your villa also includes a luxurious butler service. Inspired by the mystical caves of Rangko and Batu Cermin, Di'a Spa is where hot tubs and cold plunge pools overlook the turquoise Flores Sea, offering not just relaxation but also renewal. It's your chance for a soulful pause in one of Indonesia's most captivating settings. [caption id="attachment_1045362" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Athenee Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel[/caption] The Athenee Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand Bangkok is a direct flight away from most Australian capitals, but the second your feet hit the buzzing streets, you feel a world away. You arrive to tropical warmth, towering, gilded temples, and fragrant, heaped bowls of street food passing by on vendors' carts. Not to mention, Bangkok is quickly earning a reputation as one of South East Asia's creative hotspots with galleries, bars, endless vintage shopping and local fashion labels popping up across the city. When in town, our editors check into The Athenee Hotel. Here, you're staying on the grounds of Kandhavas, the palace of Princess Valaya Alongkorn, the daughter of King Rama V. The five-star, luxury hotel is also located right in the heart of Bangkok—perfect for a trip spent hitting the city's exceptional shopping malls like Siam Paragon. After a day exploring Bangkok, head back to your hotel to de-stress with a holistic treatment at the Athenee Spa. W Singapore - Sentosa Cove, Singapore Sentosa Island is Singapore's island getaway—yet, you're still connected to the mainland. Singapore's hawker centres, futuristic skyline and unrivalled shopping make it one of the best city breaks going. W Singapore - Sentosa Cove is one of the coolest places to stay when you're in town. The hotel's sleek design and freshly-renovated rooms were born from blending city and sanctuary. The result is a space that channels the tropical microcosm that is Singapore: abundant energy, buzzing atmosphere, and an element of surrealism. While on Sentosa Island, check out Universal Studios, laze your day away at Siloso Beach or Palawan Beach (the southernmost point of continental Asia) or simply unwind in W Singapore's free-form outdoor pools. Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Ubud, Indonesia Found deep inside the Balinese jungle, on the shores of the Ayung River, sits Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property. Ubud, a green, spiritual enclave in Bali, is often overlooked in favour of beach clubs. But, check into Mandapa — within an Indigenous village — and you'll soon realise that this is the best way to experience Bali. You'll find 35 suites, 25 pool villas and four unique dining concepts dotted across the resort's lush grounds. The best part, though, is their restorative spa and Disconnect to Reconnect Wellness Journey Program. You'll receive a personalised wellbeing and health program tailored just for you. The experience is guided by three pillars: wellness, gastronomy, and sustainability. For those seeking a stay that truly renews, this is your sanctuary. [caption id="attachment_1043648" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Juliana Barquero[/caption] Aloft Osaka Dojima, Japan If you're anything like us, your social feeds are currently filled with friends living it up in Japan. And, with ski season approaching, your jealousy is about to get worse. If you've always wanted to go, let this be your sign to book that trip now. The vibrant, technicoloured streetscapes of Osaka's litter social feeds everywhere — especially with the city's vintage designer shopping. But they're really just the backdrop of Aloft Osaka Dojima. The sleek, design-focused hotel is for the traveller who likes being in the heart of the city. Stay here, and you're never more than a short walk from Osaka's viral food spots and expansive train network. Take a day trip to Kyoto or Nara, stop into Universal Studios or try the world-famous Kobe beef before heading back to base. [caption id="attachment_1051746" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa, Malaysia[/caption] Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa, Malaysia Think of Malaysia, and chances are your mind rushes to steaming bowls of fragrant laksa, a buzzing Kuala Lumpur and its Petronas Towers at night (or that scene from Entrapment). But, did you know its coastline is dotted with tropical islands and pristine beaches? One of our editors' favourites is the Perhentian Islands on the east coast of Terengganu. It's here, on Perhentian Kecil, that you'll find Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa. Their private villas are perched on the cliffside with panoramic views out onto the azure shores of the Perhentians, and even come complete with a private pool and luxurious baths. Outside the resort grounds, island hop the day away, swim with turtles and snorkel through pristine coral reefs, then watch the sun slip below the horizon on a sunset cruise. Become a Marriott Bonvoy member (for free) for access to the best rates on the website. Then, download the app to discover a world of unparalleled rewards and earn and redeem points for your next trip with Marriott International's award-winning travel program and marketplace. And, to celebrate the end of 2025, you can even earn 2,025 bonus points when you book if you register at Marriott's website.
More than 60 people have been injured and 19 hospitalised after a stampede at Falls Festival's Lorne leg on Friday evening. The incident occurred after DMA's finished their set on the Grand Theatre Stage, when many in the crowd tried to make their way to see London Grammar on the Valley Stage. The Age reports that a number of patrons slipped and lost their footing during the move, resulting in leg, rib, hip, pelvic, head, facial and spinal injuries and fractures, as well as cuts and bruises. "It was quite a chaotic scene and required a major response," said Ambulance Victoria state health commander Paul Holman. Punters took to social media to post about the traumatic and chaotic experience, including reports of broken bones, panic attacks, people passing out, trampling and many fearing for their lives. "This was the most scariest thing ever! I will never forget what I saw last night," wrote one Falls attendee. "It's hectic and she said it was the worst thing she has ever experienced in her life," posted the sister of another. https://twitter.com/kewesting/status/814859083740102656 Festival organisers also took to social media to issue a statement, reflecting the fact that entertainment in the Grand Theatre was suspended for the remainder of the evening, but noting that normal programming will resume on Saturday. Many responses to their post have been rightfully critical of the setup that allowed the incident to occur in the first place — this isn't their first time hosting a popular event of this size, with a mass migration between stages and sets a common occurrence not just at Falls, but at every other music festival. The Lorne crowd crush occurs just days after a 21-year-old woman was struck and killed by a falling tree branch at the Lost Paradise festival on the NSW Central Coast. With plenty of festivals in full swing over New Year's — and the peak festival period upon us during summer — here's hoping for a safe rest of the season. If you're attending a fest, look after each other. Image: Falls Festival.
A spoonful of sugar isn't needed to make this medicine go down: the Mary Poppins musical is coming to Melbourne. Umbrellas at the ready for the most supercalifragilisticexpialidocious news that you'll hear all day, and all year as well, with the tale of the singing nanny set to take over Her Majesty's Theatre from Sunday, January 29, 2023. Mary Poppins comes to Melbourne after its Australian-premiere Sydney season and then a stop in Brisbane, and hails from Disney and theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh. This current version of the show tells the same enchanting tale that everyone knows from the hugely popular, five-time Oscar-winning 1964 film — which, as well as inspiring this stage adaptation, also gave rise to big-screen sequel Mary Poppins Returns in 2018. (Everything to do with the English governess harks back to PL Travers' books about the character, of course, and pop culture has been thankful for and downright delighted with her stories for almost six decades now.) When it soars through its Melbourne season over the summer of 2023 through to Sunday, April 2, local theatre fans can look forward to a new version of the show that last graced Australia's stages — and won eight Helpmann Awards — back in 2011. Since Mackintosh first teamed up with writer Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) to bring Mary Poppins to the theatre in 2004, the production has won four Olivier Awards and a Tony as well. The local cast includes Stefanie Jones as Mary Poppins and Jack Chambers as Bert, as well as Tom Wren as George Banks, Lucy Maunder as Winifred Banks and Hannah Waterman as Mrs Brill. Also appearing: Gareth Isaac as Robertson Ay, Robert Grubb as Chairman and Admiral Boom, Cherine Peck as Mrs Corry, Lisa Sontag as Miss Lark, Kade Hughes as Neleus, Stephen Anderson as Park Keeper and Andrew Broadbent as Policeman. If you'd been crossing your fingers that a date with Poppins, the Banks family and their Cherry Tree Lane abode might also come Melbourne's way, consider that wish granted. Consider 'A Spoonful of Sugar', 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious', the Oscar-winning 'Chim Chim Cher-ee' and 'Let's Go Fly a Kite' stuck firmly in your head until January blows in, too. Check out the musical's trailer below: Mary Poppins will play Her Majesty's Theatre from Sunday, January 29–Sunday, April 2, 2023. To sign up for the ticket waitlist, head to the musical's website — with presales from 10am on Monday, September 12 and general sales from 9am on Monday, September 19. Images: Daniel Boud.
If September weather still isn't hitting compared to a tropical holiday, then maybe it's time to book a short-haul flight with Virgin Australia's happy hour sale. From now until 11pm today (AEST), score international flights for as little as $419 return. But be quick, because you've only got until 11pm tonight to nab these deals. Travel anywhere from Queenstown and Vanuatu to Bali, Samoa and Fiji, to make the most of this limited-time offer. Deals include a Melbourne to Bali flight for as little as $419 return, or Sydney to Fiji from $489 return. Book your economy flights between October 22, 2025 and March 31, 2026, to be eligible for these red-hot deals. If you're a Velocity Frequent Flyer, then these deals are even better, because sale fares still go towards your Velocity Points and Status Credits. Just make sure to pack light, as these fares do not include baggage and seat reservations. For more information about Virgin Australia's Happy Hour Flights Sale, head to the website. Images: iStock
Today, Marvel is one of the biggest names in the entertainment industry; however it has taken 80 years for the company to progress from small comics outfit to the pop culture phenomenon behind a 23-movie franchise. To mark the organisation's massive milestone, Melbourne Central is playing host to a huge exhibition — celebrating the outfit that gave the world Spider-Man, Wolverine, Thor, Iron Man, Captain America and more, and stepping through its hefty history. On display until Sunday, September 29, the three-month-long Marvel: Journey of Heroes showcase jumps through each of Marvel's eight decades, starting with its origins as Timely Comics. The work of legendary artists such as Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko earns a sizeable mention, naturally, as does the fact that Marvel is now a big-screen force to be reckoned with (if this year's Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far From Home didn't already make that obvious). Visitors will also find a range of original artwork on display, including by local artists Patrick Brown, Jon Sommariva, David Yardin, Ben Templesmith and Wayne Nichols — plus eight special pieces by by Radio Velvet creatives, all marking a decade in Marvel's past, and all taking their cues from the company's most iconic comic book covers. The free exhibition is open daily from 10am, on level one of the Melbourne shopping centre, behind the Shot Tower. From Monday–Friday between 11am–5pm and Saturday–Sunday from 10am–5pm, you'll also be able to nab some Marvel goodies at the onsite merchandise store.
To combat the multitude of incoming phone calls which remain unheard in the depths of your purse, Nokia is seeking a patent for magnetic-ink tattoos which would alert you to every phone call. The company's 'Haptic Communication' patent describes an electronic device (your smartphone) which will generate a magnetic field. This will stimulate the ferromagnetic ink that has been stamped on, taped to, or - yes - tattooed on skin. The ink will then react with stimuli that corresponds to the digital content of the original device. Similar to the 'vibrate' setting on existing phones, different vibration patterns would be received, and felt, for a voicemail, text message, etc. This technology may aid users in distinguishing which type of notification their phone is receiving from their back packet or book bag - all without audio. It all may sound a tad drastic, but who knows? Perhaps some fresh ink will finally allow us to unglue our phones from our palms. [via Wired]
Any chance to see Yayoi Kusama's work in Australia is huge news, and reason to make a date — including travel plans, if needed — to get immersed in the Japanese icon's infinity rooms, and also be surrounded by pumpkins and dots. So when the National Gallery of Victoria announced that its big summer 2024–25 showcase would be dedicated to the artist, that was enough to make the resulting exhibition a firm must-see. Adding Friday-night parties to the mix is the cherry on top, then. How many ways can Melbourne go dotty for Kusama? It's time to find out from the exhibition's opening on Sunday, December 15, 2024, although answers have been arriving in advance. Kusama's five-metre-tall dot-covered Dancing Pumpkin sculpture has made NGV International's Federation Court its home first. Then came the revelation that the showcase will feature a world record-breaking number of infinity rooms and other immersive installations. And, outside the gallery on St Kilda Road, Kusama's Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees has wrapped the trunks of more than 60 trees in pink-and-white polka-dotted material. NGV Friday Nights often forms part of the venue's high-profile exhibitions, so it should come as no surprise that the event series is back for Yayoi Kusama. The after-hours parties kick off on Friday, December 20, 2024 for some pre-Christmas fun, then run for 18 weeks until Friday, April 18, 2025. Come quittin' time for the week, Melburnians can add spots to their late-night shenanigans. If you're making a visit from interstate, you'll want to ensure you time it to hit one of the soirees on your trip. Seeing art is obviously on the NGV Friday Nights itinerary, but so is music and culinary experiences. The NGV's Great Hall will welcome live DJ sets, including from Dijok, Small FRY, Elle Shimada, Tanzer and more. In the NGV Garden Restaurant, acclaimed chefs Martin Benn is doing a residency for the exhibition's duration, serving up Asian-inspired dishes using Australian produce, Attendees can also look forward to other dining and drinking options, such as the Moët & Chandon champagne bar, Four Pillars gin bar, Yering Station wine bar and Häagen-Dazs ice cream cart — so there's sparkling, G&Ts, wine flights and frozen treats covered — plus a Japanese-inspired menu from the Great Hall and Gallery Kitchen. Gracing NGV International's walls until Monday, April 21, 2025, Yayoi Kusama features over 180 works, in the largest Kusama retrospective that Australia has ever seen — as well as one of the most-comprehensive retrospectives devoted to the artist to be staged globally, not to mention the closest that you'll get to experiencing her Tokyo museum without leaving the country. Images: Michael Pham / Tobias Titz.
Melbourne cyclists could soon find themselves with their heads in the clouds as construction on the city's first elevated bicycle 'veloway' gets underway. We haven't had many updates on the project since it was confirmed by the government in April 2017 but Premier Daniel Andrews last week posted a video that virtually shows what it would be like to ride along the 2.5-kilometre highway. The new 'veloway' will be erected in the inner west as part of the West Gate Tunnel Project, which will see a four-kilometre tunnel and freeway above Footscray Road built as an alternative to the always-congested West Gate Bridge. Sitting underneath the future flyover and elevated from street level, it will follow Footscray Road, starting at Shepherds Bridge (which goes over the Maribyrnong) in Footscray and finishing up just over Moonee Ponds Creek as you come into Docklands. The veloway will have two lanes — one inbound and one outbound — and will be four metres wide to allow room for cyclists to stop (to, say, change a tyre) without being hit by another commuter. Many potential cyclists have raised concerns around safety on the path, but the State Government has confirmed it will also have two emergency exits, emergency access for vehicles and full CCTV. It'll also have mesh covers to allow for natural light and fresh air and, by night, will be fully lit. As well as allowing cyclists to skip six sets of traffic lights and get to the city much faster, the separation of cyclists and motor vehicles will significantly increase the safety of those on their bikes. While Footscray Road does have a bike lane, the new elevated infrastructure will allow cyclists to bypass dodgy intersections (like at Sims Street and Shepherd Bridge) and more fluidly connect with other major bike paths, such as the Capital City Trail. The Footscray Road bike path won't be disused though — in fact, it will be widened. This will probably be the preferred option for more casual cyclists. With the new flyover road and the 24/7 truck ban that's set to be instated on surrounding streets (including Francis Street, Somerville Road, Buckley Street and Moore Street) on completion of the project, we're guessing it will be a bit less precarious, too. [caption id="attachment_721387" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The veloway from Footscray Road.[/caption] With these new structures and upgrades — along with various new paths and the addition of missing links in Yarraville, Spotswood, and Moonee Ponds — the State Government is hoping to create a more connected journey for cyclists between Werribee and the CBD. Construction on the West Gate Tunnel Project has started, and work on the veloway will start once the Footscray Road overpass has been built. It's all expected to be completed and open sometime in 2022. Overall, the project is very focused on car transport, so we're happy to see that cycling infrastructure is getting a look-in, too.
