Tender, smoky, rich meaty goodness — this is Meatmother in a nutshell. Swan Street's Slip sleek and minimalist space in Richmond has been long-celebrated for its shudderingly delicious pulled pork, so praised that punters waltz past the Richmond digs just to get a mere whiff of the smoky aroma. But nothing pairs with lip-smackingly good American-style BBQ than crisp, cold beer — and Richmond's Mountain Goat Brewery is just the ticket. The Melbourne-born brewery is inviting the glorious carnivores from Meatmother to set up their epic Silver Creek Smoker inside the Mountain Goat beer hall, serving up that meaty, meaty goodness ever Friday night for the next three weeks. Think Brisket Buns filled with 12-hour oak smoked Wagyu brisket, as well as pulled pork and chipotle slaw buns. We're already showing signs of the meat sweats. Mountain Goat have also invited their mates from California's North Coast Brewing to pour three rarely seen tap beers at the beer hall's mini bar. But the brewery's got a few tricks up their own sleeve; Mountain Goat will be debuting their new Nitro-Hightail Ale over the three Fridays. If you're wanting to work off a few of those brisket buns afterwards, you can jump on a tour of the brewery. Find the Meatmother pop-up at Mountain Goat Brewery, Cnr North & Clark Streets, Richmond. Fridays 5-11pm from December 5-19. More info over here. Image: Nice Bike.
Hating on everything in your seasonally inept wardrobe? Feeling like dropping a sizeable chunk of your paycheck on some new threads? You're in luck. Incu are set to host their second showroom sale in Fitzroy, from May 29 to 31. Best bit? The reductions are going up to 80 percent. Yep. EGADS. You'll find the Incu wholesale showroom sale at 83 Kerr Street, Fitzroy. Snap up Incu one-offs, samples and previous season stock for relative peanuts. There'll also be grabworthy stock from the brands represented at the Incu Showroom — including Incu’s own label Weathered (both for dudes and ladies), cult label Saturdays Surf NYC, basics go-to Richer Poorer and New York-based label The Hill-Side. Something to remember before you go hassling poor Incu staff, this is a showroom sale, so it won't include every single brand stocked in the Incu retail stores. But with everything reduced like crazy, you'll have plenty to pick from here. Cash, EFTPOS and credit cards will be accepted, so maybe skip a few coffees this week. INCU SHOWROOM SALE OPENING HOURS: Friday May 29: 10am - 6pm Saturday May 30: 10am - 6pm Sunday May 31: 11am - 2pm
Spotify had best watch its back, because there's a brand new music streaming service in town. Launching this week, BitTorrent Now is an Android and soon to be iOS and Apple TV app that lets users stream ad-supported music and video, with a special focus on curated content that might otherwise fly under the radar. While BitTorrent is probably best known as a way of sneakily pirating TV shows, the company has actually been helping artists distribute their work for years. Since launching their BitTorrent Bundle service in 2013, they've worked with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, comedian David Cross and countless other lesser-known filmmakers, musicians and miscellaneous creatives. Artists who make their work available via BitTorrent Now can choose whether or not they wish to participate in the ad program. If they opt not to, they can instead make their work available for purchase, or upload it for free without any ads whatsoever. According to the company, artists will receive 70 percent of revenue generated by ads on their videos, and 90 percent of revenue if they chose to place their content behind a paywall. BitTorrent will also make a concerted effort to curate content on the app, in order to help artists find an audience and vice versa. The app includes trending and new release sections, and allows users to build a list of favourites. Nothing too revolutionary — perhaps the most interesting thing about it is the focus on smaller artists, who'll hopefully be able to use the platform to make a name for themselves. No word yet on if/when BitTorrent Now will be available in Australia. Via Engadget.
Asylum seekers, drone warfare, women's rights and the environment are just a few of the issues under the microscope at this year's Human Rights Arts and Film Festival. With its main arm returning to ACMI in Melbourne, along with condensed programs for cities including Sydney and Brisbane, the latest edition of this socially conscious festival is sure to get audiences all fired up. The festival begins with the Australian premier of Chasing Asylum, a confronting and extremely timely look at mandatory detention from Oscar-winning filmmaker Eva Orner. Other highlights include Sundance prize winner The Bad Kids, about at risk high school kids in the Mojave desert, and Prison Songs, Australia's first ever musical documentary about the inmates of the Northern Territory's notorious Berrimah prison. Audiences in Melbourne will also get the chance to catch a whole heap of special screenings, ranging from a selection of African heritage cinema curated by the Melbourne Cinematheque, to a special screening of The Pearl Button with a live original score by Dirty Three guitarist Mick Turner. For those of you having a tough time narrowing down what to see, here are five standout titles you can't afford to miss. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=So7iA9xFrB4 CHASING ASYLUM This year's opening night film tears back the curtain on Australia's brutal immigration policies. Directed by Eva Orner, the Oscar-winning producer of Taxi to the Darkside, this confronting documentary explores the human cost of mandatory detention, combining interviews with whistleblowers — who risked jail to speak out — and sickening hidden camera footage from inside detention centres on Manus and Nauru. With Australia having been repeatedly condemned for its inhumane treatment of asylum seekers, Chasing Asylum could hardly be a better opening film, or more vital viewing in the lead-up the federal election. Opening night has already sold out, but there are multiple encore screenings scheduled with tickets still available. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJSkQa3Ieps THEY WILL HAVE TO KILL US FIRST: MALIAN MUSIC IN EXILE When Islamic extremists took control of Northern Mali in 2012, they introduced a law banning all forms of music. This documentary — which has been selected as the spotlight film at HRAFF — tells the story of the people who refused to fall into line. Featuring a number of Mali musicians including international breakouts Songhoy Blues, as well as Brian Eno and Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, They Will Have to Kill Us First explores music both as a form of cultural expression and a powerful weapon of resistance. And of course, the soundtrack is sure to be great. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXbq-VpFbxc DRONE Winner of the Amnesty International Award at the San Sebastian Human Rights Film Festival, this English-language doco from Norwegian director Tonje Hessen Schei examines one of the murkiest issues in the arena of modern warfare. From the floors of video game conventions, where the U.S. military hunts for new recruits, to the streets of Pakistan, where the impact of drone strikes is felt first hand, Drone explores the morality of combat technology that allows us to snatch someone's life from halfway around the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o5wO664P4A HOOLIGAN SPARROW Anyone who caught the recent Ai Weiwei exhibition at the NGV should make a concerted effort to see this covert doco about his fellow dissident, Chinese human rights activist Ye Haiyan, aka Hooligan Sparrow. Shot guerrilla style over three months by first time filmmaker Nanfu Wang, the film follows Sparrow as she campaigns for justice on behalf of six elementary school girls who were sexually abused by their principal. Rather than aid them, the government labelled the activists enemies of the state. So intense was the attention of the authorities that the footage had to be smuggled out of the country. Nanfu Wang will appear via Skype for a post-film Q&A. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnjGKyEJTBw THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT A rare narrative film on the documentary-heavy lineup, this dramatisation of the notorious psychological experiment won the Best Screenplay award at the Sundance Film Festival last year. Featuring the likes of Ezra Miller, Tye Sheridan, Thomas Mann and Billy Crudup, The Stanford Prison Experiment concerns the attempts of Stanford University researchers to examine the causes of violence within the prison system. In order to do so, they recruited two dozen student volunteers, placed them in a makeshift jail, and randomly assigned them roles as either prisoners or guards. The results live in infamy even to this day. Want more film? Check out our guide to what's in cinemas this month.
This year's Melbourne Fringe invites to swap your usual reality for something a little more lighthearted, with its 2018 theme 'Are You Game?' embracing the playtime in everyday life. Featured in this year's edition of the independent arts fiesta are a whopping 150 venues, as over 440 events and performances are brought to life across the city. Whether dipping your toe or diving deep, there's something in this diverse program for every kind of audience. Expect laughs aplenty with Selina Jenkins' dark comedy Thy Neighbour; hilarious, experimental theatre like you've never seen before for Sammy J – The 50 Year Show; and a truckload of chuckles at Highlander's free series of Fringe stand-up. Jude Perl embraces the art of angst in her work I Have a Face, Little Ones Theatre goes big with their ode to Whitney Houston Queen of The Night, and a boisterous serve of sound effects and impersonations are on the cards for Pablo Francisco's Australianator Tour. And, taking the concept of audience participation to a whole new level, Aphids and Field Theory will team up for ICON: an intensely participatory artwork that'll see one willing local selected randomly to become a legend. The randomly selected person will be trailed and studied carefully — Field Theory team members will sleep on your floor and, even, taste your breakfast — for 48 hours, and then celebrated with their very own festival in Fed Square. Head down to Fed Square between 12–4pm on August 18 or 19 to sign yourself up. If you want to get involved, but not that involved, you can head to a celebration of everything female, a comedic re-make of a Year 10 Formal — with, maybe, actual Passion Pop — karaoke, drag queen bingo, circus-themed wrestling (think clowns vs acrobats) and a glittering opening party. Image: Theresa Harrison.
The arrival of spring might have you wanting to get out among nature and baby animals — and you can do just that at Melbourne Zoo this month as it hosts National Geographic's 50 greatest wildlife photos. The outdoor installation is now on display in the zoo's Carousel ParkCarousel Park, and also includes an augmented reality experience that will transport you to a watering hole in Africa. This is its world premiere, so don't miss it. But even if you do, there's still lots of art to get amongst. NGV Australia's new Ken Unsworth exhibition features skeletons and murderous pianos, RMIT Gallery is exploring the representation of air and Melbourne Museum is hosting a huge Nelson Mandela tribute. On top of that, you can also catch works by some of Australia's best artworks if you're willing to travel to Ballarat or Geelong.
The man behind Laneway Festival, St Jeromes - The Hotel and a number of Melbourne bars has copped a $40,000 fine over significant hygiene problems uncovered at his former CBD venue Sister Bella. According to The Age, Jerome Borazio fronted the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday, where his company pled guilty to ten charges under the Food Standards Act, relating to an inspection in April 2014 that uncovered rodent droppings throughout the kitchen and dead mice on the floor. Sister Bella was closed for three weeks in the aftermath of the inspections, which also found holes in the walls and floor, greasy walls and equipment, and unsealed bags of food. Borazio would eventually sell the venue in November 2015. "Looking at these photographs it's incredible that anyone could unlock the door and turn a blind eye," said magistrate Peter Reardon. According to defence council John Larkins, Borazio had relied on a management team to oversee operations at Sister Bella, but that "his faith was clearly misplaced." He conceded that responsibility for the "lamentable situation" ultimately lay with the then owner, stating that "the buck stops with him." In addition to the fine, Borazio was ordered to pay a further $10,000 in court costs. Via The Age. Image: St Jeromes - The Hotel.
By now, we thought we'd seen it all by way of food pop-ups. In the last year alone, Melbourne has hosted a pop-up whisky bar in a jail, a floating pop-up bar on the Yarra and a pop-up entirely dedicated to lobster rolls. But nope, there’s still something we haven’t seen before, and that's an immersive, post-apocalyptic themed food and drink pop-up. The Richmond Yard will see a humble Cremorne carpark transformed each Saturday into a creative installation that explores a post-apocalyptic world — presumably one that ensues after Melbourne implodes from one too many food pop-ups. The zany idea comes from creative production team The Seven, who were behind epic Melbourne Music Week venues Where?House and Kubik. The post-apocalyptic theme will be played out with multiple installations in The Garden, and a mock-trailer park in the Residential zone. Here they'll have eight trailers stationed for public use — you'll be able to book them out for two hours so you can sit back with some food, booze and your mates and avoid the hustle for seating space. The outdoor dining area, The Commons, is where everyone else will be hanging out though. Each week, five food vendors will join the party; Easey's, Mamasita and Burn City Smokers have already been locked in, with more to be announced. The bar, which will operate out of a vintage Airstream-style trailer, will stock the likes of Handpicked Wines, Flying Brick cider, Quiet Deeds beer, and a selection of summer cocktails. Things kick off at 4pm and will kick on until midnight, with DJs playing throughout the night. The Richmond Yard is also super sustainable (hurrah!), making use of renewable energy, food composting, an onsite vineyard display and no disposable food service wares. The pop-up is the first in a series of activations from the creative team, so expect to see more things like this in the future. A post-post-apocalyptic food installation, anyone? The Richmond Yard launches this weekend, and will pop up every Saturday from 4pm - midnight until February 20, 2016. It is located in the carpark at 55-67 Cremorne Street, Cremorne. To be the first to check it out on opening night, you can book a free preview ticket here. Image: Steve Walser, Flickr CC.
It's been 11 years since Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio decided to fill a Melbourne alleyway with tunes in 2005. Heading back to their collection of unconventional venues for another year, Laneway Festival have announced their dates and venues for 2016's Australasian run. Returning to the five established Australian Laneway go-to cities as well as the Singapore and Auckland legs, Laneway will raise a plastic cup to the middle of summer with an undoubtedly killer lineup and unique, random locations. Kicking off in Singapore on Saturday, January 30 at Gardens by the Bay, Laneway will then head over to Auckland’s Silo Park on Monday, February 1. Then it’s off to Adelaide on Friday, February 5 to kick off the Australian leg for the first time at Harts Mill, Port Adelaide, before heading to Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday, February 6, Sydney College of the Arts on Sunday, February 7, Footscray Community Arts Centre (FCAC) on Saturday, February 13 and finishing up at Fremantle’s Esplanade on Valentine’s Day. The full festival lineup for all three countries will be announced at 9am AEST on Tuesday, September 22. ST JEROME'S LANEWAY FESTIVAL DATES AND VENUES FOR 2016: Saturday, January 30 — SINGAPORE (THE MEADOW, GARDENS BY THE BAY) Monday, February 1 — AUCKLAND (SILO PARK) Friday, February 5 — ADELAIDE (HARTS MILL, PORT ADELAIDE, 16+) Saturday, February 6 — BRISBANE (BRISBANE SHOWGROUNDS, BOWEN HILLS, 16+) Sunday, February 7 — SYDNEY (SYDNEY COLLEGE OF THE ARTS, ROZELLE) Saturday, February 13 — MELBOURNE (FOOTSCRAY COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE (FCAC) + THE RIVER’S EDGE) Sunday, February 14 — FREMANTLE (ESPLANADE RESERVE AND WEST END) Image: Andy Fraser.
Forget about the mouldy old sandwich you’ve got sitting in the communal office fridge. Today only, ride sharing service Uber and food charity OzHarvest have teamed up with some of the best chefs and restaurants in the country, and will be delivering gourmet lunches right to your office door. Starting at noon today, hungry Uber users in the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Gold Coast CBDs will be able to log into the app and request a lunch box. The meal will cost you just $12, and will be delivered to you by an Uber driver. Better yet, your money will go straight to OzHarvest in order to help them feed impoverished Australians. Uber has already donated $10,000, which will be used to fund 20,000 meals. So what does your money get you? Sydneysiders will chow down on a corned beef burger from Neil Perry’s Burger Project, while Brisbanites can enjoy a Reuben Sandwich from Matt Moran’s ARIA, and Melburnians get stuck in to a George Calombaris mix plate that includes mini spanakopita from Hellenic Republic, flat bread from Gazi, grain salad with chicken from Mastic and petit fours from The Press Club. Neil Perry pops up again in Perth with a Reuben from his Rockpool Bar & Grill, whereas Adelaide gets a Jock Zonfrillo vegetarian option of fire pit pumpkin with goats curd, spiced macadamias and crispy salt bush. Last but not least, diners on the Gold Coast can choose between slow-braised beef brisket with pearl barley and garden salsa, or roast butternut squash, capsicum, zucchini, pearl barley & sun dried tomato pesto — both courtesy of Dennis Duncanson’s Paradox Coffee Roasters. You’ll have to get in quick though. There are just 200 meals available in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and even less in Perth, Adelaide and on the Gold Coast. The promotion runs until 2pm, but odds are they’ll sell out long before. To order your lunch, log into your Uber app starting from 12pm today and put in a request. For more info, go here. If you’d like to donate directly to OzHarvest, visit www.ozharvest.org. Image: George Calombaris' Grain Salad.
If you’ve been feeling lousy about procrastinating and putting off your dreams to watch cat videos on YouTube, prepare to feel even lousier. A resourceful rapper from New York City has made a legitimately amazing album solely using the display computers available in Apple stores. Prince Harvey, a 25-year-old rapper from Brooklyn, was floored when his laptop and music equipment was stolen and he couldn’t afford to replace them. But instead of doing what the Average Joe might have done (buying a bucket of caramel corn to cry-eat in the shower while pounding red wine), Harvey worked his way across New York and put his album together at Apple stores. "New York is expensive. I couldn’t just buy another laptop," he told Daily Beast. "I just thought, ‘I’m going to die before anyone knows I’m hot.’" Harvey's debut album is straight-up wonderfully-named PHATASS, which stands for 'Prince Harvey at the Apple Store, Soho', and the beats were made entirely by manipulating vocal recordings. He also befriended his neighbourhood Apple store Geniuses who showed him how get around obstacles (read: security), let him save his work instore, and generally helped the guy out over the four-month creative process. Talk about helping someone make the best of a shitty situation. They say hardship makes you stronger and Harvey joins a lineup of creatives who’ve overcome poverty and disenfranchisement to realise their dreams."I don’t think I’m poor. Poor is a mentality," Harvey told Daily Beast. "I mean, I can be broke — no money in my pocket — but I’ve never been poor." Mary J Blige survived a childhood of violence, poverty and sexual abuse only to be signed on the strength of a cassette tape of a karaoke recording. J.K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book in cafes while raising her daughter and scraping by in London and Jay Z grew up in the notoriously rough Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, sold drugs to make ends meet and is now married to Kween Yonce and worth $550 million. Damn. Round of applause. Harvey is now making waves for his tenacity, inventiveness and talent while further highlighting important issues that face young people across America. So let’s all of us get up off the couch, block YouTube for a while and go do. Via Elite Daily. Image: Sarah Wang.
If you've been searching for a supportive environment to use the phrase, "How very droll," listen up. NPR humorist, bestselling author and creator of uncomfortably real windows into human existence David Sedaris is coming back to Australia. Returning for a national tour in January 2016, the beloved American humour writer will bring his trademark sardonic wit and social critique to the stage for An Evening with David Sedaris, his third tour to Australia. Celebrated for his constant This American Life appearances, must-read pieces in The New Yorker and his unputdownable books Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You Are Engulfed in Flames and his most recent book, Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls, Sedaris is no stranger to telling it like it is — and don't expect our own country to get away unscrutinised. "I love the airports of Australia," says Sedaris. "Security wise, they’re like stepping into a time machine and coming out in 1975. No one yells at you, you get to keep your shoes on. It’s heaven. Coming from the UK, I also appreciate how open the people are, how willing to talk about money. ‘How much did your house cost?’ I ask. ‘How much do you make per year?’ In Europe people pass out when you ask that question, but in Australia, they just jump right in and answer." Sedaris's last Australian tours sold out quicksmart, so you're going to want to lock these down when they're on sale 9am August 14. AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS TOUR DATES: January 17 — Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Tickets via ticketek.com.au. January 18 and 19 — Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall. Tickets via sydneyoperahouse.com. January 20 — Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane. Tickets via ticketek.com.au January 21 and 22 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne. Tickets via artscentremelbourne.com.au. January 23 — Theatre Royal, Hobart, Tickets via theatreroyal.com.au. January 24 — Octagon Theatre, Perth. Tickets via ticketswa.com. Tickets on sale 9am Friday, August 14. Image: Anna Fishbein.
More than 30 feature films will screen at ACMI this May as part of the eighth annual Human Rights Arts and Film Festival. Beginning Thursday May 7, this socially-conscious film and arts forum will once again shine a light on a wide range of ethical issues, ranging from sexuality to censorship to the perils of globalisation. The festival begins with opening night documentary I Will Not Be Silenced, which recounts the harrowing story of Australian Charlotte Campbell Stephen and her seven-year fight for justice after being gang-raped in Kenya. Other noteworthy titles include the award-winning documentary Marmato, about villagers in Columbia struggling to save their home from miners, as well as Pervert Park, a challenging film about a halfway home in Florida for recently released sex offenders. In addition to the film program, HRAFF will present a number of art installations, including a pair of works from Kurdish artist Rushdi Anwar and a pop-up photography exhibition held inside St. Paul’s Cathedral. Festival organisers will also host a series of mid-morning discussion forums, on topics such as women's rights, climate change and domestic violence. For the full HRAFF program, visit their website. Image: Marmato
Arts House and Melbourne Festival in association with New York's Performance Space 122 present Bronx Gothic, a one-woman show about adolescence, sexuality and race. Created by writer, performer and choreographer Okwui Okpokwasili along with director and designer Peter Born, the show is described as existing "at the intersection of theatre, dance and visual art installation", and draws from influences as disparate as Victorian-era literature and the oral storytelling traditions of West Africa. Taking over the stage at Arts House for five nights only, Bronx Gothic is set in the eponymous New York borough during the 1980s, and explores the relationship between two pre-teen girls as they tip over into adolescence. Tackling both the physical and psychic transformations that occur with puberty, the show won a 'Bessie' for Outstanding Production at last year's New York Dance and Performance Awards. Not to be missed. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Festival. Check out the other nine.
It's happening, you guys — we've arrived. We're living in the golden era of music festivals. In the same week as Meredith, Beyond the Valley and MoVement Sydney have revealed their jam-packed programs, Lost Paradise has just released their 2016 lineup for the three-day New Year's festival. We've been dealt such a glut of quality acts it's definitely going to spoil us. But resolutions can wait. In an effort to make you NYE not the shittiest, most over-hyped night of the year, LP are bringing you a slam dunk of a headliners Sticky Fingers, Flight Facilities, Gang of Youths and Fat Freddy's Drop to ring in a most auspicious 2017. The rest of the lineup is equally impressive, a great mix of local and imported talent. This is Lost Paradise's third year and while that's quite young in festival years, they keep proving they mean business. Their ethos extends past music too and the festival — held in Glenworth Valley (just an hour north of Sydney) — is built around a mix of art, yoga, performance and food. Because there's nothing like a little yoga to dust off a festival hangover. Anyway, we know what we're here for. Check it out. LOST PARADISE 2016 LINEUP Gang of Youths Hot Chip (DJ Set) Hudson Mohawke Eats Everything Big Scary Kölsch (DJ Set) Skream Harts Montaigne, Mark Pritchard Methyl Ethel Motez Lunice Doorly Bad//Dreems Heidi Optimo Young Franco Leon Vynehall Dro Carey The Belligerents Ocean Alley Harvey Sutherland & Bermuda No Zu KLLO Set Mo Luke Million Mossy Mosquito Coast Human Movement Goodwill Wild Honey Lost Paradise will take place from December 29-31 in Glenworth Valley, NSW. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, August 16 through their website.
Having said au revoir to the French Film Festival, it's now time to slip over the border into Spain. Returning to Palace Cinemas around the country, this year's Spanish Film Festival will once again showcase some of the biggest and most critically acclaimed Spanish and Latin American films from the past 12 months. How's that for a cinematic siesta? The festival — which will feature at The Astor, Chapel Street's Cinema Como, Northcote's Palace Westgarth and Kino in the CBD — begins with the highest grossing film at last year's Spanish box office: rom-com sequel Spanish Affair 2. Other comic standouts include espionage spoof Spy Time, madcap ensemble My Big Night, and dark domestic comedy Happy 140. Of course, not everything on the program is quite so light and breezy. Critically acclaimed drama Much Ado About Nothing confronts legal and political corruption in modern day Chile, while Ma Ma stars Penelope Cruz in one of her most nuanced roles to date, as a put-upon single mother diagnosed with breast cancer. Below, we've put together a list of the five films on the lineup that have caught our eye. For the full program, go here. https://youtu.be/K_NMyRjL8dM THE THIN YELLOW LINE This comedy-drama hybrid, directed by first time writer-director Celso Garcia, is a road movie, but not in the way you'd expect. The Thin Yellow Line follows a misfit group of five cash-strapped men tasked with painting the dashed yellow line along more than 200 kilometres of Mexican highway. You only need to take a brief look at the trailer to appreciate the film's gorgeous cinematography and bittersweet tone. If that's not enough to convince you, consider the fact that it's executive produced by Pan's Labyrinth, Pacific Rim and Crimson Peak director Guillermo del Toro. https://vimeo.com/131531005 THE CLAN Based on a chilling true story, this Argentinean thriller tells the story of the Puccios, a seemingly normal family living in Buenos Aires in the 1980s who made their living kidnapping people and holding them to ransom. The film broke box office records in Argentina, screened in competition at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival, and has scored plenty of positive critical buzz, with Variety comparing it to the movies of John Carpenter, Brian De Palma and Martin Scorsese. Consider our expectations set very, very high. https://vimeo.com/153227513 MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Another true story from Latin America, Much Ado About Nothing is a far cry from the light-hearted Shakespearean comedy with which it shares a title. Instead, Alejandro Fernandez Almendras' film takes place in present day Chile, and follows a young man who finds himself framed for a fatal hit-and-run committed by the son of a powerful politician. A grim indictment of corruption in the upper echelon of Chilean society, the film received strong reviews and a Grand Jury Prize nomination at Sundance earlier this year. https://youtu.be/I8TiFAdvqLM EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT This year's closing night film floored audiences at Cannes and scored a 2016 Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. Inspired by the journals of two separate Western explorers who travelled to the Amazon decades apart, Embrace of the Serpent is described in the festival program as "a breathtaking cinematic odyssey". With startling, unsettling imagery shot in hypnotic black and white, and dialogue spoken in over ten different languages, the film promises to be like nothing else you'll see at the festival — or indeed, the movies — this year. https://youtu.be/XIwPPoWPlmo NOTHING IN RETURN In Daniel Guzmán's Nothing in Return, 16-year-old Dario finds himself on the search for a surrogate family in the wake of his parents' divorce. Enter his best friend Luismi, a car mechanic named Caralimpia and a sweet little old lady named Antonia. At first glance the film looks like a fairly standard coming-of-age tale, but the fact that it scored a pair of gongs — for Best New Actor and Best New Director at Spain's most recent Goya Awards — has us curious to check it out. And as an added bonus, Guzmán is a guest of the festival this year, and will be on hand at screenings in Sydney and Melbourne for a post-film Q&A. The Spanish Film Festival will run from April 13 until May 1. For more information, visit the festival website.
When it's so cold your fingers are stiff, you can't feel your nose and going outside seems as much of a challenge as running Tough Mudder, we're all inclined to reach for the radiator. Which is fine. But here are a few more creative, money- and planet-saving winter warmers to try first. DIY TEA LIGHT HEATER The suitably named Dylan Winter — journo, YouTuber and boat lover — has come up with an ingenious way of getting more than you'd ever imagine possible from your average tea light. He's able to keep his house warm for eight hours or so using just four candles, a bread tin and two flower pots. We have convection heat transfer to thank. Check out his instructional video to find out how you can DIY (and score a quick science lesson while you're at it). GET BUSY ON ETSY Etsy's creative types don't want to see you suffering any more than we do and quite a few of them have come up with the products to show it. First up, if the tiny cracks and crevices in your house are sending icy draughts your way, get your hands on a lovingly handcrafted snake, or equivalent. Those who aren't into handmade reptiles can opt for pretty much whatever they are into — be that cats, snowmen, crocodiles, tiger prints, abstract patterns or plain colours. Second up, keep your hot water bottle warm with a super-cosy, hand-knitted cover. SPICE UP YOUR LIFE For some reason, winter never seems quite so unbearable when you're holding a warm, mulled beverage in your hand. Hot toddies, mulled cider, mulled wine; these are your go-to buds over the next three months. There are plenty of top notch recipes online, all featuring glorious combinations of whiskey, rum or red wine with lemon juice, honey, cinnamon sticks, cloves, aniseed, vanilla, even chilli — seriously, give it a go if you're feeling both cold and brave. [caption id="attachment_231862" align="alignnone" width="636"] Yumi Sakugawa.[/caption] RECYCLE YOUR SOCKS - ON YOUR TOILET SEAT We really don't need to go into detail regarding the ins and outs of mid-winter toilet-going, but before you toss those holey, good-for-nothing socks in the trash, think again. If your toilet seat doesn't quite cut a full oval, you can slide a sock on each 'arm' and thus bid a warm and cheerful farewell to unpleasant experiences. For circular seats, try an old T-shirt or jumper. GET CREATIVE WITH CARDBOARD Cardboard is one of the most effective (not to mention cheapest) insulators around. So next time you head to a winter festival or sports match or just want to perch on your front lawn, arm yourself with a box or two. Lay the card out on the grass, throw a blanket on top and there you have an enviably toasty picnic blanket. Add a tarp underneath if the ground is wet. REWARD YOUR DOG WITH A SLEEPING BAG Earlier this year, Seattle-based designer Andy Storms successfully crowdfunded the BarkerBag. It's a tear-drop shaped sleeping bag designed especially for your dog. By zipping it to yours and strapping your friend in via a cinchable collar, you're in the position to take advantage of some serious doggy body heat throughout the long, dark night. Whether your best mate's a chihuahua or a German shepherd, there's a BarkerBag for him/her. It's available in small, medium and large sizes. GET OFF YOUR COUCH Once the cold's set in, it's ridiculously tempting to let yourself transform into a sloth — just ask black bears, ground squirrels, hedgehogs, wood frogs and box turtles. But the bad news is, despite extensive Googling, we couldn't find you on a hibernating creatures list — anywhere — so we'd think you'd best keep moving. An enthusiastic leap off the couch, five minutes of intense cardio or yoga and you'll be warm in no time. [caption id="attachment_231922" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] FIX YOUR FAN Sure, you might usually associate your ceiling fan with warm summer days (*sigh*), but did you know that it can work in your favour in winter, too? All you have to do is set it to low and ask it to spin in reverse (i.e. clockwise). Warm air that's trapped close to the ceiling will be recirculated and sent downwards — where it should be.
Longtime gaming and beering aficionado, America has a booming barcade scene. From Portland's Ground Kontrol to New York City's Barcade and Two-Bit's Retro Arcade, dive bars are popping up left right and centre; brimming with retro arcade games, pinball machines and Daytona set-ups. Melbourne's been getting in on the arcade action with the likes of Forgotten Worlds and Beta Bar, but now even more so with the opening of Pixel Alley — from the crew behind Mr Wow's Emporium. After an eye-opening trip through America's flourishing barcade landscape, the Mr Wow's crew decided to level up their Fitzroy location. Setting up shop on Smith Street right next to Mr Wow's, Pixel Alley will be an '80s-style retro arcade meant for grown ups. The crew have landed their hands on the likes of Donkey Kong, Street Fighter II, Pac-Man, Daytona and Tapper for a start; all housed amongst original pixelated art by Sketchet Illustration artist Justine McAllister. With lego shot glasses, pixelated Link decorations and Mario-style hearts on the beer glasses, this newbie overall looks a lot like a bar version on Footscray's Eat8bit burger joint. Of course, we're going to need some liquid courage to really tap into our expert Street Fighter skills. Adorably themed cocktails like the Konkey Dong (a barrel-aged rum banana milkshake) and the Pac-Man Bubble Tea should get your head in the right space, and the bar will be stocked with local and American tinnies. Plus, we hear Little Smith Brewing will be providing Bastard Son Pale Ale on tap (with a free game token every time). Just look at this adorable menu: Pixel Alley is set to open in late May at 95 Smith Street, Fitzroy, right next door to Mr Wow's Emporium. Here's the Facebook page for more info.
An exploration of an exiled poet. The Australian premiere of legendary filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky's latest feature. An effort that's being called Peru's first bona fide horror movie. They're just three of the films in the freshly unveiled, first-ever Cine Latino Film Festival lineup, as Australia's first national fest dedicated to showcasing the best in Latin American cinema prepares to tour the country in August. While the complete program features more than 30 movies from Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Cuba, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Guatemala and Puerto Rico, there's a reason that the first of the flicks mentioned above, the Pablo Larraín-directed, Gael García Bernal-starring Neruda, has been plucked straight from Cannes to open the festival. The last time the filmmaker and actor worked together, the excellent No was the end result, so expect another insightful look at Chilean politics from their second collaboration. Jodorowsky's Endless Poetry should rank among the festival's just-as-eagerly-anticipated titles, especially by fans of the director's '70s cult classics El Topo and The Holy Mountain and his most recent effort The Dance of Reality — or anyone who marvelled at what could've been when they watched the entertaining documentary Jodorowsky's Dune. And while The Womb doesn't come with quite the same pedigree, it does boast a chilling storyline involving one of the horror genre's favourite topics: motherhood. Elsewhere, a chronicle of the pop star known as the 'Mexican Madonna', an insight into current state of a formerly luxurious Havana hotel, and more than a couple of soccer-themed efforts all feature among the feast of Spanish and Portuguese-language fare, as do Peruvian road movie Solos and Venezuelan beauty queen black comedy 3 Beauties. Just perusing the program is enough to make you want to jump on a plane for Latin America, however for those who can't enjoy an overseas holiday at the moment, immersing yourself in the films of the region really is the next best thing. The Cine Latino Film Festival screens at Sydney's Palace Norton Street and Verona from August 9 to 24, Brisbane's Palace Centro and Barracks from August 11 to 24, and Melbourne's Palace Como and Westgarth from August 17 to 31. For more information, visit the festival website.
Casual face-melter Courtney Barnett is finally about to have a debut album under her already trophy-laden belt. So naturally, the Melbourne-based shredder has announced her Australian debut album tour for May 2015. This one's going to sell fast. Marking the release of her first ever LP, Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit (out Friday, March 20 via Barnett's own Milk! Records and Remote Control), this tour follows Barnett's epic performances at Laneway festival around the country over the last few weeks. Having already proved herself one of Australia's brightest sparks over the last few years with her 2013 EP release The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas, Barnett's spins one hell of a live show — having nailed sets at Lollapalooza, South by Southwest and New York City's CMJ. Barnett will cruise from Adelaide's The Gov on Friday, May 1 to Perth's Bakery on Saturday, May 2. Then it's over to Sydney's The Metro on Friday, May 8 and Brisbane's Hi-Fi on Saturday, May 9. In classic Australian artist form, Barnett will wrap things up in her hometown of Melbourne on Friday, May 15 at The Forum.
With Melbourne weather being what it is, comfort food is an absolute necessity. When it comes to keeping warm, our hearty meal of choice would have to be a good old fashioned roast, hands down. The only problem is that cooking one for yourself is no small feat – and if something goes wrong in the process it can lead to lots and lots of tears. So let's leave it to the experts, shall we? Here are ten of our favourite warming roasts in Melbourne. NEIGHBOURHOOD WINE, FITZROY NORTH Any trip to this Fitzroy North gem is nothing but an absolute pleasure, but Sunday lunches are without a doubt our favourite. For $35 you will receive a roast lunch, as well as an entrée and dessert. The roast changes every week, but as an example, think Warialda beef, potatoes sarladaise, green beans and a red wine jus. The roast lunch is available every Sunday until 5pm or sold out. Stick around for a game of pool on their massive billiards table, or kick back and listen to whatever vinyl is spinning. When? Sundays from 5pm. How much? $35. MARQUIS OF LORNE, FITZROY As much as we are drawn to roast dinners, we also crave a pub with a fireplace. Thankfully, the Marquis of Lorne in Fitzroy ticks both of those boxes. For $20 you can have a roast meal for either lunch or dinner all weekend-long. Their beer list is both local and impressive, so grab a pint and settle in for an exceptionally cosy afternoon. When? Saturday and Sunday from midday. How much? $20. ESTELLE BISTRO, NORTHCOTE With the opening of Estelle by Scott Pickett next door, Estelle Bistro has become more casual, more laidback and more affordable. But you'll get the most bang for your buck on their Sunday roast. Served every Sunday for lunch, you'll get an entree, main, dessert and a glass of wine for just $50. The meat rotates every week, and it's quite the refined roast spread. For example, an upcoming Sunday session will feature likes of ham hock terrine, roast pork loin and apple and oat crumble for dessert. Not a bad way to experience Estelle at all. When? Sundays from midday. How much? $50. MIDDLE PARK HOTEL, MIDDLE PARK Rare breed roasts for an exceptional price is what you'll find at Middle Park. Hunks of meat served up by the venue in the past include slow roasted Gippsland lamb leg, pork loin, roasted venison and corn-fed Victorian duck. For $30 you get the roast of the day, as well as a glass of Shiraz or Chardonnay. With a deal like that, you're best off booking in advance. Well in advance. When? Saturdays and Sundays from midday. How much? $30. EPOCHA, CARLTON If you can find a more elegant Sunday lunch than the specialty roast at Epocha, we'll eat our hat. This monster of a feast includes snacks, small shares, the roast with all of the trimmings and dessert, all for just $45. And they really utilise the meat they obtain for each feast — for example, when they teamed up with Greenvale farm they served crispy pig's ear, pork shoulder and pork prune and hazelnut terrine with violet mustard, plus a lemon meringue pie to bring it all home. If you have allergies or dietary requirements you're welcome to call ahead — and bookings are highly advised. When? Sundays from midday till 3pm. How much? $45. THE WOLF AND I, WINDSOR If a Sunday Scandinavian roast sounds like something you could get down with, head straight to Windsor's The Wolf and I. For a mere $20 you can indulge on some delicious roast beef, crispy roast potatoes, broccolini, carrots and pumpkin puree. Live music usually kicks off sometime around 4pm, so once you've wrapped up dinner, grab a drink and find yourself a cosy corner and watch the band play. When? Sundays from midday. How much? $20. LEZZET, ELWOOD Contemporary Turkish cuisine doesn't get much better than Lezzet. Every Sunday for lunch and dinner, visitors are treated to wood-fired lamb and chicken roasts served with bulgur and Turkish salad. Before the meat arrives you'll also enjoy freshly-made dips with warm bread. If this isn't comfort food for your Sunday, we're not sure what is. When? Sundays from 3pm. How much $38. THE GRACE DARLING HOTEL, COLLINGWOOD Sunday roasts at the Grace Darling are the perfect cure for whatever damage you may have done to your liver the night before — and for only 25 bones. Their roast changes weekly, but their last serve included slow-roasted pork belly with winter roast veggies. The roasts here are served in individual cast iron pots to keep all the heat and juicy goodness in the meat. When? Sundays from midday. How much? $25. LA LUNA BISTRO, CARLTON NORTH Feel like some modern Australian cuisine with a Mediterranean influence that's meat-centric and dedicated to sourcing local produce? Firstly, you're oddly specific, and secondly, we've found exactly what you're after. Carlton North's La Luna serves a cracking roast pork with, um, crackling, and roast parsnip, apple, leeks and sage. For those who like to share, there's also a slow cooked lamb shoulder available. The best bit? It's available every day and night of the week bar Mondays. As if you needed another reason to hate Mondays. When? Every day except Monday. How much? $42.50. THE ROAST KITCHEN, KEW Whoever told you roasts were reserved for Sundays had clearly never come across the joy that is The Roast Kitchen. These guys know the true sentimental value of a good roast — and they also understand that, as much as we would like, we can't cook one every night of the week ourselves. That's where they come in. Whether you're craving beef, lamb, pork or chicken, The Roast Kitchen have you covered, whether you want to eat-in or take away. Oh, and their signature red wine-infused gravy is a must. When? Every day of the week. How much? $23.50 regular, $32 large. Top image: Neighbourhood Wine.
Whenever an exciting tour announcement arrives, it usually heralds two pieces of good news. Firstly, someone ace is coming our way. Secondly, they probably have something new — an album or a book — to spruik. That's firmly the case with the latest revelation for 2023: David Sedaris' next Australia tour. This time, the author, comedian and NPR humorist has just dropped New York Times best seller Happy-Go-Lucky, and he's heading to Hobart, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to talk about it. Known for his snappy wit, as well as his discerning and astute ability to observe life's moments — both trivial and extraordinary — in both an observational and unique way, Sedaris is making his sixth trip Down Under to chat about the book, which focuses on the pandemic. If you haven't seen Sedaris live before, his shows are part of the reason that he's built up such a following. Onstage, he regularly weaves in new and unpublished material, too, so — and the satirist will throw it over to the crowd for a Q&A as well, and sign copies of his book. Sedaris is celebrated for his constant This American Life appearances, must-read pieces in The New Yorker and his past unputdownable books such as Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls and Theft By Finding: Diaries (1977-2002). If you've been searching for a supportive environment to use the phrase "how very droll," this is it. His live evenings always sell out quickly — all of his Aussie tours have so far — so you'll want to jump on tickets ASAP when they go on sale on Wednesday, August 3. [caption id="attachment_862851" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS 2023 TOUR DATES: Wednesday, February 1 — Theatre Royal, Hobart Friday, February 3 — Regal Theatre, Perth Saturday, February 4 — Adelaide Festival Centre Sunday, February 5 — Canberra Theatre Centre Monday, February 6–Tuesday, February 7 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Wednesday, February 8 — Brisbane Powerhouse Thursday, February 9 — Sydney Opera House David Sedaris tours Australia in February 2023. For more information, or to sign up for ticket pre-sales — which start on Tuesday, August 2, with general sales from 9am on Wednesday, August 3 — head to the tour website. Image: Anne Fishbein.
Two things we know about Australia: there’s a copious amount of sun on tap and people sure do love a good music festival. Thankfully for us, the freshly announced festival OffTheGrid (OTG) is using both these factors to put together a brand new music festival that’s 100 percent solar powered and waste free. Launched as a party concept just a few years ago, OffTheGrid is the brainchild of Ross Harding of Finding Infinity and Eyal Halamish of OurSay. The pair threw a string of battery bank operated shindigs around the world and now they’re bringing the experience in Melbourne on the December 22. The first lineup has been announced this week and includes Cut Copy DJs, Banoffee, Sui Zhen, Tornado Wallace, Silent Jay and Jace XL, Average Rap Band, Prequel and Wax’o Paradiso (that’s only the first announcement, dayum). OTG also does more than pay lip service to sustainability. The team have a comprehensive plan for ensuring the festival is entirely waste-free and powered only by solar energy. Bryce Lawrence, head of production, says sustainability is the future, not just for music festivals (which reap a huge effect of the environments they occupy) but for all industries and individuals. Power will all come directly from a 7kW solar system on the day, comprised of 28 250 watt PV panels that feed the sun’s energy into a battery pack (and a backup bio-diesel generator which runs off veggie oil). All waste will also be banned and all rubbish that is collected will be made into an art piece. “It’s a day festival in the heart of Melbourne… people shouldn’t be bringing in waste in the first place,” Lawrence notes. They’ve even collaborated with the food and drink vendors to make sure all utensils can be composted offsite and all cups can be reused. And it’s not a newfangled operation either. All technology and systems being used by OTG are readily available, to emphasise the myriad of solutions that have already been dreamed up and practically demonstrate that a) an environmentally friendly way of life isn’t a distant possibility but a choice you can easily opt into and b) even complex events like music festivals can rock just as hard on solar power. Lawrence says “OFFtheGRID is a celebration of what’s possible right now and also what’s possible into the future.” It’s an exercise in education as well as a dope all-day music festival. And the best part? All profits will be invested in a local sustainable project so you can buy your ticket knowing that Captain Planet would be incredibly proud. OffTheGrid is happening December 22 at the ACCA Forecourt. Tickets are available from the festival website. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
In the latest addition to the ever-growing trend toward themed wine festivals, Oinofilia will hit Melbourne's Meat Market on June 24 as Australia's newest event entirely focused on Greek wine. The festival is brought to you by Bottle Shop Concepts, the crew behind wine events Pinot Palooza and Game of Rhones, and will celebrate all things Greek wine, food and culture. The name appropriately comes from the Greek term for "a love of wine". As the oldest wine-producing region in Europe, the festival will showcase 80 wines from 20 of the country's best producers, with wines made everywhere from the Aegean and Ionian Islands to Crete. To accompany the drinks, sister restaurants Elyros and Epocha will join forces with Prahran Market's Sweet Greek and Collingwood's Meatsmith to curate an authentic feast of spit-roasted meats, grilled seafood, pickles, breads, cheese and pastries, among other Greek delicacies. The location is ideal as Melbourne has the largest Greek population outside of Greece. Bottle Shop Concepts' wine festival empire will also continue to expand, with the company recently announcing a new Barossa Valley event, launching this July.
From shark-infested waters to the catacombs of Paris, Airbnb isn't short of peculiar places where you can spend the night. But for anyone who grew up in the late eighties or early nineties, their latest listing might be their most exciting yet. As part of the marketing push for the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, visitors to New York can crash in an apartment inspired by the turtles' secret lair. Located in lower Manhattan, the three bedroom apartment has been decked out with all the amenities a turtle fan could desire. We're talking retro arcade games, bunk beds and a glow in the dark basketball court, as well as free swag on departure and pizza delivery free of charge. Of course if this was a true TMNT experience it'd be located in a sewer... but we suppose we can forgive them for playing fast and loose with the mythology under the circumstances. Best of all, for every guest that makes a booking, the half-shell hosts will make a donation to PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. Now the bad news: the lair has already been completely booked up. Bummer bros. Bummer.
Handpicking some of the globe's best new artists for yet another glorious year (their seventh, to be exact), Sugar Mountain has one heck of a lineup this year, with UK rapper Joey Bada$$, experimental Berlin-based producer Laurel Halo and Australia's Cut Copy headlining. Returning to Melbourne's Victorian College of the Arts on Saturday, January 20, Sugar Mountain has again balanced international drawcards with local talent this year, from Melbourne's all-female five-piece Beaches to UK producer Actress. Other Aussies converging on Mebourne for the fest include Body Type, Stella Donnelly and Indigenous collective Kardajala Kirridarra. As always though, music isn't the only thing on the menu for Sugar Mountain. There'll also be a load artists on the bill, including a collaboration between American artist and dancer Khalif Diouf and Bangarra Dance Theatre's dancer and choreographer Waangenga Blanco and work by Amrita Hepi and Japanese artists Hiroyasu Tsuri and Jun Inoue. The nosh is yet to be announced, but here's hoping Sugar Mountain's immersive on-site restaurant Sensory will be back. Enough chatskies, here's that lineup you're after. SUGAR MOUNTAIN 2018 LINEUP Actress (UK) Ara Koufax Beaches Body Type Cut Copy Dan Shake (UK) Eclair Fifi (UK) Fantastic Man Gerd Janson (GER) Honey Dijon (USA) J Hus (UK) Jamila Woods (USA) Joey Bada$$ (USA) Kardajala Kirridarra Laurel Halo (USA) Love Deluxe Project Pablo (CAN) Sevdaliza (NED) Shanti Celeste (UK) Stella Donnelly ARTISTS VIA ALICE featuring Waangenga Blanco x Khalif Diouf (USA) Amrita Hepi x Pasefika Victoria Choir Justin Shoulder x CORIN x Tristan Jalleh Hiroyasu Tsuri (JPN) x Jun Inoue (JPN) Marcus Whale x Athena Thebus
If you're the sort of person who already has a hard time heaving yourself out of bed each morning, best look away now. The aesthetically gifted comfort connoisseurs at luxury lifestyle and homewares label In Bed have today opened the doors to their first bricks-and-mortar store. And, yep, it's the embodiment of those dreamy photos you've swooned over on the brand's online store and journal. The 80-square-metre Paddington flagship store has been imagined with the help of interiors experts We Are Triibe, using natural timbers and warm tones to create a home-like space that's stylish, comfy and downright aspirational. A mix of custom furniture and designs from Made by Morgan and Hay help bring the Sydney-based label's curation to life, including a specially commissioned camphor laurel dining table from Exit Eighty Six, which you'll probably want to take home along with the rest of your haul. In Bed's full range of kitchen, bath, bedding and home textiles products will be on show here, alongside a selection of pieces from brands like Wingnut & Co, Tara Burke, Henry Wilson and Walk in the Park. Keep your eyes peeled for a range of exclusive products and in-store events in the future, too. "We wanted to create a unique retail experience that brings the ideas and personality behind In Bed to life," explained the label's founder and director Pip Vassett. "We're excited to really connect with our customers in person". In Bed's flagship store is now open at 72B Oxford Street, Paddington. For more info, visit inbedstore.com.
Aunty's done it again; inviting the whole country round for a cup o' chai and a grand ol' hootenanny — the 2015 Meredith Music Festival is finally here. Returning to beloved Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre, near Golden Plains over December 11-13, Meredith's more eclectic than ever — it's the Silver Jubilee 25th anniversary after all. Following the recent major announcement of Ex-Fleet Foxes minstrel Father John Misty as this year's top headliner, Aunty's added the likes of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Ratatat, The Thurston Moore Band, Tkay Maidza, Neon Indian, Big Daddy Kane, Shellac, Fatback Band, Jessica Pratt, Briggs, and many more to the bill. As always, Meredith's a BYO paradise, and of course, the 'No Dickhead Policy' stands stronger than ever. Like every year, tickets are already sold out — so we hope you thought ahead and got in early on that one.
We thought Pikachu-themed pop-ups were the pop culture pinnacle for Japan. But once again, the country's beating us all at the cool, novelty shit game. This one truly levels things up, with a new pop-up inspired by Super Mario Bros.. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the immortal video game, Tokyo is getting an adorable Mario-themed pop-up restaurant. Running June 22 to July 5 and run by Tower Records, the pop-up will serve up a menu inspired by our plumbing video game hero and his crew (yep, even that dastardly Bowser). Punters can chow down on Peach Panna Cotta, a Piranha Plant Soda, Bowser Castle Drink or Ground Stage Waffle, all of which are guaranteed to double your size and allow you to jump on Goomba heads like a boss. But no giant mushrooms to eat? Come on guys. Anyway, let's peruse the menu shall we? First, pick up your Super Star Omelette (and run madly around the pop-up for ten seconds): Slam a cap with Mario latte art: Give it back to the Koopa Troopas with whatever comes out of this Question Block Tiramisu: You could battle it out with Bowser Taco Rice: And finish things up by rescuing the Peach Panna Cotta from going uneaten. The Mario-themed pop-up restaurant runs June 22 to July 5 in Tokyo. Via Grub Street and Rocket News24. Images: Tower Records.
When Robert De Niro asked his reflection who it was talking to, Joe Pesci questioned whether he was funny, and Leonardo DiCaprio crawled along the ground under the influence of Quaaludes, one man was responsible. Over a career spanning almost six decades, Martin Scorsese has brought tales of taxi drivers, goodfellas and wolf-like stockbrokers to the screen — and now an exhibition dedicated to his work has come to Melbourne. From May 26 to September 18, the Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) will pay tribute to one of America's most iconic directors, exploring everything from his early experimental beginnings to the award-winning films that have shaped many a movie buff. If you're already a fan, you'll be in Scorsese heaven. If you've somehow resisted the charms of (or completely missed) the likes of Raging Bull, The Departed and Hugo — or his concert flicks such as The Last Waltz and Shine a Light, or even Boardwalk Empire and Vinyl on TV — then prepare to have your eyes opened. In its only Australian stop after wowing Berlin, Ghent, Turin and Paris, SCORSESE will present a collection of more than 600 objects spanning the filmmaker's entire cinema resume, as curated by the Deutsche Kinemathek, Berlin's Museum of Film and Television. Expect storyboards, hand-annotated film scripts, unpublished production stills, costumes, film clips and more, all drawn from the private collections of De Niro, Taxi Driver writer Paul Schrader, and Scorsese himself. No ACMI exhibition would be complete without a bustling lineup of screenings, talks and other educational events, so we'd advise blocking out a few days to delve into the influence and impact of the guy who hasn't only mastered movies, but directed the music video for Michael Jackson's 'Bad' too. Top image: Exhibition section "New York". Photo: Deutsche Kinemathek / M. Stefanowski, 2013.
Explore hidden nooks and marvel at grand designs, as doors open all around town for the latest edition of Open House Melbourne. Returning for its ninth consecutive year, this year's event is set for the final weekend of July, and will for the first time extend beyond the CBD and into the surrounding suburbs. In fact, the newly revealed 2016 program features a whopping 140 buildings, stretching all the way from Newport to Bundoora. Highlighting many an architectural marvel, the Open House program covers everything from government buildings including Parliament House and the Supreme Court of Victoria; houses of worship such as St Paul's Cathedral and East Melbourne Synagogue; cultural institutions like the Athenaeum Theatre and the State Library; and sporting venues including AAMI Park and the National Tennis Centre. Pop across the Yarra and you can also pay a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria, or stargaze at the Melbourne Observatory nestled inside the Royal Botanic Gardens. And that's just in the city, mind you. Venture north and you can explore Circus Oz HQ or wander through the Melbourne General Cemetery. Alternatively, head west for a look at Yarraville's Sun Theatre and the Footscray Town Hall. Local history buffs might enjoy a gander at the city's heritage tram fleet, housed in the Hawthorn Tram Depot. And what trip through Melbourne could truly be called complete without paying a visit to Luna Park? Open House Melbourne takes place July 30-31. Certain buildings can only be explored in pre-booked tours at $5 a piece, with bookings opening on July 18. For the full program, visit www.openhousemelbourne.org.
Eeeep. Looks like Spotify playlisters for Splendour in the Grass jumped the gun, and it appears that the 2015 Splendour lineup has been leaked as a result. Set to be announced by Matt and Alex on triple j next Wednesday as usual, the Splendour lineup could possibly have been revealed by a playlist called 'Splendour 2015 Line-up' which appeared earlier today. Noticed by eagle-eyed Geelong Advertiser reporter Paddy Naughtin, the now-deleted playlist contained some huge, we-hope-it's-real names. We're talking Blur, Mark Ronson, Florence + The Machine, Death Cab For Cutie, The Wombats, Tame Impala and Of Monsters And Men, alongside Pond, Royal Blood and the Dandy Warhols. WAHOOLIE. Here's the screengrab posted by Naughtin on Twitter — he also posted on Splendour's Facebook page to confirm and they deleted the post. So there's a little confirmation for you. Yeesh. Probably going to be some stern words between Splendour and triple j. Here's hoping it's the real thing. Via triple j.
"Franchise" needn't be a dirty word in Hollywood, and the Mission: Impossible movies are shining examples as to why that is. Now in its sixth instalment, this isn't just a franchise done right. It's a franchise that somehow improves with each new chapter – an ongoing escalation of stakes and stunts that never sacrifices the intelligent, honest and light-hearted storytelling that's been so critical to the series' sustained appeal. At the forefront once again is leading man and producer Tom Cruise, whose capacity for performing increasingly complex and outrageously dangerous stunts remains inversely proportionate to his age. In Mission: Impossible – Fallout his IMF agent Ethan Hunt is at it again, weaving cars and motorbikes through the traffic-packed streets of Paris, HALO jumping from 30,000ft and leaping across rickety London rooftops. Cruise even accrued over 2000 hours of helicopter flight time prior to filming, all so that he could personally perform what is arguably the film's most thrilling and death-defying sequence. His love of filmmaking is apparent in every frame he occupies, and its value to the enduring allure of the franchise cannot be overstated. That the Mission Impossible brand could survive beyond Cruise's involvement seems far less assured than, say, James Bond or Batman. Not unlike the two most recent Bond films, Fallout compels its hero to shine a light on his own past deeds, with the movie's title referring not just to the literal threat posed by three nuclear devices but also the consequences of a lifetime spent obediently killing, stealing and undermining at the behest of the US Government. Adding to the emotional stakes, Fallout also repeatedly asks its characters to weigh up the value of a human life, presenting them with multiple scenarios in which they're forced to choose between the one or the many – knowing that either path carries with it irreconcilable guilt and heartache. Written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie (whose return to the franchise marks the first repeat involvement by a director, with McQuarrie having also written and directed the previous instalment, Rogue Nation), Fallout achieves the rare feat of being an unceasing action movie that always feels more like a drama. There is no superfluity here. Every punch, shot, jump, crash and explosion exists because it must. This is a story-driven international escapade that never stops to sit down and catch its breath. Around Cruise the IMF family assembles once again, with Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Alec Baldwin and Rebecca Ferguson packing equal measures of comedy and conflict into every scene they get. Man of Steel's Henry Cavill also joins the action, with his lumbering, muscular CIA assassin representing an appealing counterpoint to Hunt's penchant for the softer, tradecraft touch. He and Hunt are at once rivals and compatriots – two competing assets unwillingly paired together in pursuit of a common goal. Or so it seems. As always, the Mission: Impossible franchise throws up all manner of red herrings, double-crosses and mask-pulling identity swaps, meaning – just like the characters – you're never quite sure who to trust. If the story borders on confusing at points, it's only because the time-honoured tradition of spy movies commands nothing less. Ever since 1996, this series has unapologetically embraced jargon-heavy dialogue and twists upon twists without ever feeling compelled to play it safe or dumb things down (Mission: Impossible 2 being the regretful exception). If most sequels fail because they're rushed into production purely to capitalise on their predecessor's success, Fallout demonstrates the benefit of having the patience and the discipline to say: we will make this film not when, but if a good enough story comes our way. So it is that McQuarrie, Cruise and company deliver a benchmark setter for action movies – a rollicking, tense and captivating piece of cinema that begs to be enjoyed on the big screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb49-oV0F78
Won't be rolling in the grass this July? Missed out on yesterday's ticket blitz? Never fear, there's plenty of Splendour in the Grass shindiggery to be had in your own city. Splendour has announced its official 2015 sideshows this morning (as have many unofficial venues). From Blur's epic arena shows to the rowdy British garage pop team-up of The Vaccines and Palma Violets, to more niche hypecard gigs like MØ and Elliphant or Years and Years, here's your rundown of the official Splendour sideshows. Exclusive Secret Sounds presale tickets are on sale 10am local time on Tuesday, April 28, while general public tickets on sale 10am local time, Wednesday, April 29. But if you're keen to nab tickets to the Blur sideshows, tickets are on sale 10am local venue time on Friday, May 1. Visit secret-sounds.com.au for more details. SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS OFFICIAL 2015 SIDESHOWS: BLUR With Jamie T Presented by Secret Sounds, supported by Spotify, Rolling Stone, The Music, Fasterlouder All tickets on sale 10am local venue time, Friday May 1 Sat 25 Jul — Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney Sun 26 Jul — Splendour In the Grass (SOLD OUT), Byron Bay Tue 28 Jul — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Thu 30 Jul — Perth Arena, Perth THE WOMBATS With Circa Waves *exc Perth Presented by triple J, The Music, Channel [V], Spotify Thu Jul 23 — Metro City*, Perth Mon Jul 27 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Tue Jul 28 — Palais Theatre, Melbourne Thu Jul 30 — Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide (*Circa Waves not supporting in Perth) THE VACCINES With Palma Violets Presented by Tone Deaf, The Music, Spotify Mon Jul 27 — Corner Hotel, Melbourne Tue Jul 28 — Metro Theatre, Sydney PORTER ROBINSON [live] With Wave Racer and Cosmo's Midnight Presented by triple j, Channel [V], inthemix, Spotify Wed 22 July — Enmore Theatre, Sydney Thu 23 July — The Forum, Melbourne AZEALIA BANKS Presented by Channel [V], Music Feeds, Beat & Brag, Spotify Fri 24 July — Metro Theatre, Sydney Sun 26 July — Prince Bandroom, Melbourne EVERYTHING EVERYTHING With Urban Cone Presented by triple j, Channel [V], Fasterlouder, The Music, Spotify Thu 23 July — Metro Theatre, Sydney Sat 25 July — The Corner, Melbourne KITTY DAISY & LEWIS Presented by Fasterlouder, The Music, Spotify Sat 1 Aug — Metro Theatre, Sydney Sun 2 Aug — 170 Russell, Melbourne Tue 4 Aug — Governor Hotel, Adelaide Wed 5 Aug — Rosemount Hotel, Perth MØ & ELLIPHANT Presented by triple j, Channel [V], Oyster, Spotify Tue 28 July — The Corner, Melbourne Wed 29 July — Oxford Art Factory, Sydney MARMOZETS Presented by Musicfeeds, Blunt Magazine, Beat, Brag, Spotify Thu 23 July — Newtown Social Club, Sydney Sat 25 July — Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne MS MR Presented by triple j, Channel [V], Spotify, Pages Digital Wed Jul 22 — 170 Russell, Melbourne Sat Jul 25 — Metro Theatre, Sydney YEARS & YEARS Presented by Channel [V], The Brag, Beat, Spotify, Pages Digital Sun Jul 26 — Oxford Art Factory, Sydney Thu Jul 30 — Howler, Melbourne WOLF ALICE Presented by triple j, Tone Deaf, The Brag, Beat, Spotify Thu Jul 23 — Corner Hotel, Melbourne Fri Jul 24 — Oxford Art Factory, Sydney THE DISTRICTS Presented by Music Feeds, Spotify, The Music Mon Jul 27 — Northcote Social Club, Melbourne Tue Jul 28 — Newtown Social Club, Sydney Visit Secret Sounds for more details. Image: Linda Brownlee.
For many moons, there’s been a secret passed around the ranks of students and young adults: Aldi sells $5 wine that’s actually not awful. In fact, those who’ve sampled it would know that ‘not awful’ isn’t strong enough. Now an official ruling body has declared what we young bohemians have known for a while now: Aldi’s $5 wine is objectively good wine. The Sydney International Wine Competition has announced its winning wine list for 2015, judging the top 100 wines from an entry pool of nearly 2000 and Aldi’s $5 bottle of 2014 South Point Estate rose has picked up a Blue Gold award in its blend category (just FYI the Blue Gold award is official proof that Aldi wine drinkers actually have good taste and aren’t just peasants). Aldi also won awards for their $12.99 bottle of Tudor Central Victorian shiraz and a $14.99 Blackstone Paddock “The Player” Barossa. So ner. So what do the judges look for in a good wine? Well firstly, the competition acknowledges that not all wines are created equal so they divide the plonk into categories according to palate weight – lighter, medium, fuller bodied dry whites (lol at wine terminology sounding like a sick burn) and dry reds. The wines are judged solo, then judged against other wines in each category. Then they pair each category with appropriate food and score on how well each variation complement the flavours of the meal. Then, and only then, do they aggregate the scores and hand out awards in each category. Check out the website to scope out the rest of the results and figure out the best and cheapest wine for your taste. But how do Aldi manage to sell an award winning wine for only $5? Aldi’s buying director told The Huffington Post that the secret is in the low overheads, a simplified range to cut distribution costs and understanding the young consumer. Oh Aldi, you do understand us. All we want in this life of sin is a $5 bottle of award-winning wine. We're just gonna leave this link to Aldi Liqueur online here, along with the fact that they deliver a case of 12 wines to metro areas for only $7. Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals. Via The New Daily. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Imagine a rolling vineyard with free-flowing wine, entertainers and famous faces in attendance. No, this isn't a plot for a mystery novel or the latest escapades of a cinematic detective. This adventure is Comedy in the Vines. It's a huge three-day celebration in Nagambie (only an 80-minute drive from Melbourne) from Friday, November 8 and Sunday, November 10. How huge can it be? How about the largest comedy festival in Regional Australian history? And this year, the event is heading to Michelton Wines in the picturesque Nagambie wine region, which will play host to some serious (and hilarious) talent. [caption id="attachment_972455" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mitchelton Wines[/caption] The talent? Jen Brister, Lloyd Langford, Melanie Bracewell, Joel Creasey, Mel Buttle, Alex Ward, Gillian Cosgriff, Rove McManus, Dave Thorton and stacks more comedians will take to the main stage. Beyond that already very impressive lineup, you can watch live podcast recordings hosted by Claire Hooper, Luke Heggie and Nick Cody, sip and snack at the Oyster and Reisling Shot Bar, wander through the Mitchelton Gallery of Aboriginal Art, eat from a huge array of food stalls, and visit the R&R (rosé and relaxation) Station for massages, nail sculpting and rosé.
Feast on some of Melbourne's best at the fifth annual Urban Winery Project, where a whole winery will be transported to the city, allowing punters to get fully immersed, knee-deep style, in the magic of wine making. The Urban Winery Project will run over four consecutive Wednesdays this March. Creator David Bowley, from South Australian winery Vinteloper, says the event is replacing the old tannin-talking guy in a tweed jacket, and giving you a much more fun way chance to glimpse behind the red wine curtain. Over the four weeks, the event will host some of the city's top chefs, including Ryan Flaherty (Mister Jennings) and Peter Gunn (Attica, and the soon-to-be permanent IDES) who will prepare a four-course feast while you crush, press and ferment your grapes. MoVida's Frank Camorra will make an appearance in week three, treating you to a night of shared Spanish cuisine, while butcher and American barbecue maestro Scott Gould will team up with Pot & Pan's Sam and Celeste Gant to teach you the art of smoking your own meats to finish up the series. The Urban Winery Project kicks off on Wednesday, March 2. To book tickets, visit urbanwineryproject.com.
Meg Mac has been busy. In this year alone she's performed at SXSW, toured the U.S. with D'Angelo, made appearances at Splendour and Groovin The Moo, and was signed to New York label 300 Entertainment. She also scored two ARIA nominations, had three songs in the Hottest 100 and is in the middle of writing her new album, a follow-up to her debut EP MEGMAC. And she only won Triple J's Unearthed Artist of the Year twelve months ago. Arguably her most successful single to date, 'Never Be' debuted at number one on the AIR charts. On the back of this, Meg Mac (or, Megan McInerney) has embarked on an east coast co-headline tour with fellow Aussie Jarryd James. What a way to cap off the year. Everyone needs a little holiday, even if you’re road tripping around the country’s venues. And touring artists can’t help but love paying a visit to their hometowns on the way, dropping into all their old haunts and stocking up on solid family and friends time. So ahead of her huge gig at The Forum tomorrow night, we asked Meg Mac what she'll be doing when she gets to the city she calls home: this little ol' place called Melbourne. FITZROY GARDENS "My house doesn’t have a garden or any outdoor area, so I love to walk here. You can always find somewhere to be by yourself — you could walk through the park for hours. This is where I like to go." East Melbourne VINTAGE GARAGE "Every time I go into this store — and usually on the exact same rack — I will find an outfit for Meg Mac. This is where I bought my first black cape and jumpsuit." 318 Smith Street, Collingwood CINEMA NOVA "It is just a cinema, but if you go on a Monday night, it's $9. I only go on Mondays." 380 Lygon Street, Carlton ADMIRAL CHENG HO "I can walk here and have a hot chocolate made with hazelnut milk — it tastes like liquid Nutella." 325 Johnston Street, Abbotsford ABBOTSFORD CONVENT "It's like entering another world, an old convent with amazing old buildings, grounds, cows, sheep and horses. There are markets, art spaces, food, everything. My little village close to home." 1-16 St Heliers, Street, Abbotsford JARRYD JAMES AND MEG MAC’S EAST COST TOUR DATES: December 4 — Enmore Theatre, Sydney December 10 — The Tivoli, Brisbane December 14 — The Fourm, Melbourne Fitzroy Gardens image: Rexness via Flickr.
Vegans and lactose-intolerant folks, your ability to access iced confectionery goodness just leapt up a giant notch. Over The Moo, innovative Sydney creators of dairy-free ice cream, are set to launch their very own vegan ice cream truck. And, to celebrate, they'll be giving away free goodies. You heard us, free ice cream. If you're in Sydney, get down to the Over the Moo headquarters on Thursday, March 2 from 6.30pm to indulge. You won't be able to miss the 1981 Ford Transit truck, which has had a fun, retro makeover. At the launch, you'll be treated to beer, Prosecco or cocktails, accompanied by vegan cheese boards and dips. Then, of course, it'll be time for the sweet, sweet goodness to roll out. Gear up for sundaes loaded with brownie bits, cookie chips, gooey sauces and sprinkles — all entirely dairy-free. Also on the menu are classic cones (vegan too, "all the wow without the cow" according to the team), topped with Over the Moo's nine signature flavours – from Ginger Ninja Karate Choc and Matcha Made in Heaven to mmMangooo and Vanilla Bean Missing You. Once the launch is done and dusted, you can expect to see the truck popping up all over the place — fingers crossed for interstate road trips too. Whether you're making all the moves at your favourite festivals or kicking back at the beach, keep an eye out. Want to head to the launch? It's happening on Thursday, March 2 from 6.30pm at OTM HQ, 62 Glebe Point Road, Glebe. RSVPs required imthere@overthemoo.com.au.
Ever wanted to put a face to the gifted folk who create and curate your favourite online stores? A brand new pop-up in Melbourne, dubbed Cloud Street Store, is giving you the chance – just in time for Christmas. For a week from Tuesday, December 8, the street will transform into a mini-market. For the first four days, four retailers will be peddling their wares. Over the weekend, they’ll be joined by another six. So there won’t be any missing out for nine-to-fivers. If all things edgy and eclectic — from skull-parading t-shirts to tote bags bearing Oscar Wilde’s face to cushions covered in black panthers — are on your (or a buddy’s) Christmas list, you’ll want to visit The Club of Odd Volumes stall. Meanwhile, for furniture and kitchenware, check out Holy Funk Co. Its unique collection specialises in Scandinavian, industrial, retro and vintage designs. Christmas mania wearing you down? Take a moment out with Bellabox. They’ll be offering passersby exclusive access to a bunch of beauty products, news snippets, makeup tips and tutorials. Nearby, Kester Black will be keeping your skin clean and your nails smart with its range of ethically-sourced soaps and nail polishes. Kris Kringle, anyone? Cloud Street Store is the creation of Xero, an online accounting software company that’s passionate about helping online businesses. The store is popping up on Little Collins Street from December 8 to 13, open 10-8pm. Head to the website for more info.
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough." Mark Twain knew. Bourbon, along with its siblings scotch and rye, has long cemented its place as one of the world's go-to spirits around campfires, in dark desert highway saloons, and in the most dim-lit of speakeasies. Barrel-aged and distilled in the United States (particularly in the South) since the 18th century, bourbon's an oft overlooked but beloved spirit, forming the base for some of cocktail history's biggest classics. We've delved into the history books to find the source of our favourite bourbon cocktails, from Don Draper's favourite, the Old-Fashioned, to the elegant Boulevardier, named after a 1920s Parisian magazine Hemingway contributed to. Plus, we've found some of the best in Melbourne, so you can try them for yourself. Once you've made your way through the list, we reckon you'll be keen to get really into your bourbon. Thanks to Wild Turkey, one lucky Australian bourbon aficionado could be off to the US for a VIP behind the scenes experience at the home of Wild Turkey Bourbon in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. It's a very special five-day 'Behind the Barrel' event hosted by legendary distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell from October 5-9, 2016. Head to Wild Turkey's Facebook page to enter. [caption id="attachment_576748" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Edsel Little.[/caption] BOULEVARDIER A strong-as-blazes bourbon cocktail named after a 1920s Parisian magazine? We're on board. It's said the Boulevardier was created by American writer Erskine Gwynne, who moved to Paris and founded The Boulevardier magazine in 1927. It apparently channelled The New Yorker, was targeted at upper-class expatriates, and included a casual piece or two from Hemingway. The publication ran monthly until 1932, but its eponymous cocktail is still alive and well on cocktail menus Sydney-wide today. If you love a Negroni (gin, Vermouth, Campari), you'll probably love a Boulevardier — it's essentially almost the same drink but with bourbon in place of gin, and slightly different ratios in the prep. High West Distillery in Utah even does a barrel aged Boulevardier, left to develop in American oak bourbon barrels for 120 days. Pew pew. Where to get a good one in Melbourne: Builders Arms Hotel, Longhorn Saloon, Panama Dining Room. [caption id="attachment_576755" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Todd Page.[/caption] MINT JULEP A traditional Southern favourite in the States, the Mint Julep is a classic day drink for the picnickers and brunchers among you. This fresh little number sees a silver julep cup filled to the rim with bourbon, fresh mint, simple syrup and crushed ice. It's pretty much been the official cocktail for the Kentucky Derby for around 100 years (around 120,000 Mint Juleps are served every year over just two days). The cocktail has been sweetening up social gatherings since around the 18th century. Kentucky-raised US senator Henry Clay is attributed to its invention, whipping up a few at Washington DC's Willard Hotel. Every ingredient from the cup to the ice was originally meant to blatantly show-off wealth — not everyone had ice boxes or top shelf bourbon lying around in the 18th century. Where to get a good one in Melbourne: The Kilburn. [caption id="attachment_576766" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Bluebonnet.[/caption] OLD-FASHIONED The very definition of an 'oldie but a goodie', the Old-Fashioned is one of the greats (and Don Draper's go-to). It's often referred to as one of the first ever cocktails, developed in the US in the 19th century in various concoctions of spirits, bitters, sugar and water, and officially called an 'Old-Fashioned' (as a bourbon-based cocktail) at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky. It was a gentlemen's club founded in 1881. Robert Simonson, drinks writer for The New York Times, wrote an entire book on the history of the cocktail. "No single cocktail is as iconic, as beloved, or as discussed and fought-over as the Old-Fashioned," he wrote. "Its formula is simple: just whiskey, bitters, sugar, and ice. But how you combine those ingredients — in what proportion, using which brands, and with what kind of garnish — is the subject of much impassioned debate." One of the most debated components? Using rye, scotch or bourbon. Try all three, see how they compare and make sure someone else drives home. Where to get a good one in Melbourne: Kodiak Club, Bluebonnet Barbecue. [caption id="attachment_576754" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] WHISKEY SOUR Not always a rye venture, the whiskey sour gets a little sweeter with a bourbon base. Like all good cocktail histories, there are many versions of the drink's origin. The original recipe was included in Jerry Thomas's 1862 book The Bartender's Guide, and according to the Seattle Whiskey Collective, the earliest mention of the whiskey sour was on a Toronto saloon menu in 1865. Peruvian newspaper El Comercio de Iquique claimed the "whisky sour" was created by English steward Elliott Stubb in 1872. And there's a mention of a whiskey sour in Wisconsin newspaper Waukesha Plain Dealer in 1870. But the basic instructions for the cocktail could be much older than that. The constant? Those classic ingredients: whiskey (bourbon or rye), lemon, water and sugar (or simple syrup). The cocktail's defining touch, egg white, was added a little later — but makes all the difference. Where to get a good one in Melbourne: Eau de Vie. [caption id="attachment_576749" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Dexter.[/caption] PAPER PLANE An easy mix of bourbon, amaro, Aperol and lemon, the Paper Plane is a well boozy but refreshing cocktail for those keen for a libation with legs. It was created not too long ago by Melbourne-raised, New York-based bartender Sam Ross, according to the Village Voice. Apparently Ross named it after M.I.A.'s single of the same name. It's a great intro to amaro (a bitter Italian herbal digestif), as the bitterness of the liqueur is nicely balanced with the sweetness of the bourbon. Some modern mixologists sub out Aperol for Campari, however controversial or whatever that may be to you. Where to get a good one in Melbourne: Dexter.
Whether he's behind or in front of the camera, making his own version of Nosferatu or documentaries about volcanologists, popping up in Parks and Recreation or playing a villain in a Jack Reacher movie, there's no one in the film industry like Werner Herzog. His voice is famous, including get a use in family-friendly animation not once but twice. His work as a director is thoroughly inimitable. He's one of Germany's cinema greats — and Australia's 2024 German Film Festival is recognising him as such. This year's touring event, which has dates with Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Byron Bay between Tuesday, May 7–Wednesday, June 5, boasts a Werner Herzog retrospective on its just-announced full lineup. A documentary about him is on the bill, so get excited to see Werner Herzog: Radical Dreamer on the big screen. Also set to flicker through the projectors: Aguirre, The Wrath of God, about searching for El Dorado; Fitzcarraldo, which focuses on trying to move a steamship over a Peruvian mountain; and Nosferatu the Vampyre, featuring Klaus Kinski, as with the aforementioned two titles, but this time as Dracula. There's also Heart of Glass, which gets experimental in a Bavarian village — and The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024. Clearly, the German Film Festival has the past on its mind with its latest program. That also comes through in a second way, by marking 70 years of German Films, the organisation tasked with promoting the country's movies beyond Germany. As part of that retrospective, the Oscar-nominated Jacob the Liar, Oscar-winning documentary Serengeti Shall Not Die, Rainer Werner Fassbinder's iconic The Marriage of Maria Braun and unforgettable recent standout Toni Erdmann will all play the fest. So will Trace of Stones and Yesterday Girl, both from 1966 — the first from East Germany, the second from West Germany. Looking backwards isn't the only thing on the agenda, however. As it usually does, the event will bring some of the best German and Austrian movies that premiered at this year's Berlin International Film Festival to Australia. 2024's fest spans six such titles, starting with opening night's World War II-set From Hilde, With Love, which follows a young woman in the anti-Nazi resistance movement. From there, centrepiece choice Foreign Language features the always-exceptional Nina Hoss (Tár) in a tale about a friendship playing out through letters, while closing night's Treasure stars Lena Dunham (Sharp Stick) and Stephen Fry (The Morning Show). Plus, Andrea Gets a Divorce brings tragicomedy to the program, Scorched Earth gives the lineup a crime thriller and Every You Every Me is a social-realist drama. Elsewhere, highlights come via One for the Road, complete with a dive into Berlin's nightlife, then a switch to attempting to get sober; the Leipzig-set Dark Satellites, which tells of three love stories; Lubo, the latest must-see starring Franz Rogowski (Passages); Blind at Heart, which takes the leap from the page to the screen; and Not a Word, joining the ranks of recent films — such as Tár — to feature a conductor as a key character. And, as always, the Kino for Kids section returns with movies for younger viewers, making heading to the fest a family affair. A comedy about teen sisters who love skateboarding, an adaptation of the novel The Flying Classroom and Lassie — A New Adventure are all on that part of the bill. German Film Festival 2024 Dates: Tuesday, May 7–Wednesday, May 29 — Palace Electric, Canberra Wednesday, May 8–Wednesday, May 29 — Palace Norton Street, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central, Palace Moore Park, Sydney Thursday, May 9–Wednesday, May 29 — Palace James St, Palace Barracks, Brisbane Friday, May 10–Wednesday, May 29 — Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, The Astor Theatre, Pentridge Cinema and Palace Penny Lane, Melbourne Wednesday, May 15–Wednesday, June 5 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Thursday, May 16–Wednesday, June 5 — Luna Leederville, Luna on SX & Palace Raine Square, Perth Thursday, May 16–Wednesday, June 5 — Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay The 2024 German Film Festival tours Australia from throughout May and June. For more information, visit the festival website.
Put down that greasy kebab. We know you're hungry, but there's a new late-night food hero in town — and its offerings are a way better match to your 1am Negroni. Michael Madrusan — the guy behind Fitzroy cocktail lounge The Everleigh and good-times den Heartbreaker — has opened a pizza joint inside the latter, serving cheesy slices to round out the CBD bar's late-night revelry. Named after Madrusan's Italian grandmother, Connie's Pizza pays homage both to the traditional, Nonna-style offerings of his childhood, and the one-hander, New York-style slices devoured during his time slinging cocktails in the US. And, available until as late as 3am, it's going to drastically improve your late-night dining game. Madrusan's tackled this project with the same considered approach as he has his acclaimed cocktail ventures, enlisting the help of chef Ben Sisley (ex-Ovest and Mr Wolf) to design some truly cracking recipes, all of which are made with top-quality, Nonna-approved ingredients. Even the water used has the same pH as New York's in order to mimic the city's beloved dough. The menu, which will give Heartbreaker a substantial food offering, will feature a trio of pizzas, each available by the slice or the pie, and for scoffing in-house or taking home. Choose from the classic cheese and pepperoni, and then there's the Sicilian, a deep-pan, square-cut pizza that does a switcharoo, layering the tomato on top of the cheese. Connie's Pizza is now open inside Heartbreaker, at 234A Russell Street, Melbourne. Slices are up for grabs from 5pm till 3am Monday to Thursday, 12pm till 3am Friday and Saturday, and 12pm till 1am Sunday. For more info, visit conniespizza.com.au. Images Brook James.
One of the most buzzed about titles of this year’s Cannes Film Festival has just dropped its first official trailer. Adapted from Shakespeare’s seminal play, with Michael Fassbender in the title role and Marion Cotillard as his ambitious wife, Macbeth has been described in early reviews as “towering,” “haunting” and “intensely compelling.” If this first glimpse of footage is anything to go by, the critics appear to be right on the money. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgH_OnrYlCk Turns out when you take two of the greatest actors in the world and give them one of the best scripts ever written, the results tend to look pretty impressive. Getting a definite Game of Thrones vibe from this one, although to be fair, when it comes to sword and sorcery scheming, William S. pipped George R. R. Martin by a margin of about 400 years. Still, what’s perhaps most impressive about this trailer are the visuals. Australian director (represent!) Justin Kurzel has made just one feature film prior to this — in the form of 2011’s highly disturbing true crime thriller Snowtown — but his work here looks extraordinarily polished. Directors that have previously tackled the Scottish play include Roman Polanski and Orson Welles. Talk about big shoes to fill. Macbeth is yet to receive an Australian release date, but should hopefully be in cinemas by the end of the year.
The man who conquered Melbourne’s laneways has set his eyes on the sky. Co-creator of Laneway Festival and the man behind Thousand Pound Bend, Ponyfish Island and Sister Bella, Jerome Borazio will stake his claim to a prime piece of high-altitude Melbourne real estate, with an upscale camping ground on the Melbourne Central roof set to open on May 20. "I was literally just looking at the building, and I had this idea," Borazio tells us. "I’ve worked with Melbourne Central on and off on projects for five or six years now, and I know they’ve been trying to activate it, so I knew the space was available. But I wasn’t just going to put another pop-up restaurant or pop-up bar up there." Christening the project St. Jerome’s – The Hotel, Borazio promises "five-star intelligent design" and "high level personalised service" to go along with panoramic views of the Melbourne skyline. The accommodation consists of 30 canvas bell tents, with a combination of standard 'rooms' and suites. There's the 'Luxe' (a four-metre Homecamp bell tent) and 'Luxe Plus' (five-metre Homecamp bell tent, with mini-bar, electric blankets and heating) option to pick from, both fitted out with pretty stunning bed linen from Linen House's latest collection — and they'll provide you with one of their fluffy white robes too. Guests will have access to a range of amenities including 24-hour concierge service, free wi-fi, a guest-only communal lawn area, complimentary breakfast hampers, morning coffee by Plantation, goodies from the Swisse Body Care range and free Tai Chi and meditation sessions every morning. The St. Jerome’s – The Hotel General Store will be stocked up with everything from postcards to bed socks, amenities to Laurent Perrier Champagne, Victorian wines from Treasury Estate to Melbourne-based Fire Drum Vodka (yeah, not your average camping ground kiosk). The five-star trappings also mean a five-star bill, and Borazio says prices would start from around $330. That puts it about in line with other high-end CBD accommodation, but a tad more expensive than just pitching a tent in your own backyard. But this is a pretty unique stay in a significantly epic setting. The Melbourne Central rooftop has seen sporadic use over the years, and was recently home to a pop-up tennis court during last year’s Australian Open. The space is expected to open for business on May 20, and Borazio remains undeterred by Melbourne’s notorious winter weather. "We actually think it’s quite romantic," he says. "You’ll be in the tent, hearing the rain on the canvas. It's a pretty unique experience." St Jerome’s – The Hotel currently intends to occupy the space for a limited time only. St. Jerome's — The Hotel opens on May 20. Stay glued to their Facebook page for more updates.
Portraits aren’t all regal furs and awkward “Oh, didn’t see you there,” poses. They can be weird, abstract, figurative, unrecognisable, or downright adorable. That last one sums up French-born Sydney artist Bruno Jean Grasswill's portrait of Australian actor and The Castle legend Michael Caton, winner of the 2015 Packing Room Prize and one of the finalists for the Archibald Prize, announced today. One of 47 artworks picked as Archie finalists in the Art Gallery of New South Wales' annual Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes, Grasswill's portrait of Caton took home a Packing Room cash prize of $1500, judged by the gallery staff who receive, unpack and hang the entries. There's no jousting sticks in sight, but we're pretty sure this one's going to go straight to a lucky gallery's pool room. Caton apparently congratulated the AGNSW packing room staff “on their excellent taste in art.” What a boss. After 832 Archibald, 653 Wynne and 518 Sulman entries, this year, these 47 Archibald finalists are the top tier of artists trying to make us wake up and pay attention (whether for great or WTF reasons) to Australia’s big ol’ faces. It's not an easy task; capturing a realistic, unrelentingly vulnerable likeness of your own reflection, someone you’ve just met or one of your oldest buds takes a fair few stories, maybe a few beers and a willingness to tackle the intimidating notion of thinking up something new after decades of Archie winners. There's a few standouts for us this year, which you can see when the exhibition opens to the public on July 18. There's this striking portrait of Australian fashion designer Jenny Kee by Carla Fletcher: This pretty damn impressive self portrait of Australian artist and political activist Richard Bell: Adam Alcorn's sharply figurative portrait of Sydney award-winning writer, comedian, podcaster and radio host Alice Fraser: Julian Meagher's candy-coloured portrait of Daniel Johns: And Stewart MacFarlane's got Corey Bernadi holding some kind of whip? The Archibald Prize exhibition opens to the public at the AGNSW on Saturday, July 18. To view all the Archibald, Sulman and Wynne finalists, head over here. Images: Archibald Prize, AGNSW.
UPDATE: NOVEMBER 8, 2019 — Unfortunately City Loop's 2019 event has been cancelled. In a post on the Facebook event, the organisers said low ticket sales forced them to reluctantly pull the event. All tickets will be refunded. If you had some, you can catch three of the international acts — Shanti Celeste, Moxie and Peach — in a triple-bill gig at new CBD club Colour on Saturday, November 23 instead. Epic party throwers Soothsayer and I OH YOU are joining forces once again this November to bring the Melbourne CBD one seriously packed day party. Dubbed City Loop, the daytime shenanigans will takeover RMIT University's city campus for a second year, running from 1–10pm on Saturday, November 23. Fittingly, the ticket pries are fairly university student-friendly, too, with all releases coming in under $100. As to who will be playing at this sunlit affair, the party duo is bringing you some good'uns. Expect DJ sets and live performances — across two massive stages — from the likes of The Senegambian Jazz Band, Melbourne's Harvey Sutherland, the UK's Moxie and Canadian rave regular Peach. Plus, Australia's own Adi Toohey, Alta and Johnny Reebok will appear, too. Yup, it's going to be a big day out. Tickets to the City Loop party are on sale now, and we suggest nabbing yourself one sooner rather than later. CITY LOOP 19 LINEUP Adi Toohey Alta DJ PGZ Harvey Sutherland Jonny Reebok Memphis LK Moxie Peach Session Victim Shanti Celeste The Senegambian Jazz Band Willaris K + 14ct Aux & Quiet Blue Images: City Loop 2018 by Duncographic
As much as we like to pretend we are all digital natives who will soon have our consciousness transferred into a gel-like neural network and live forever on the I N T E R N E T, the truth is that underneath it allwe're just tactile creatures who can't help but cry at sunsets. There’s nothing we like more than having something we can hold in our hands – and the people behind the droPrinter know exactly how we feel. Developed in Melbourne(!) by Zhenxun Yu, the droPrinter is one of the first portable, wireless smartphone printers available on the market – and despite being new to the scene, it isn’t as prohibitively expensive as you’d imagine. Like all cool things these days, the production of the droPrinter is being funded via Kickstarter and has already raised $43,967 – nearly three times its initial target – since launching on July 7 (see, people really love tangible old-school paper). The device clocks in at a tiny 10cm wide by 2.5cm deep and is operated via an Android or iOS app. With a 120 hour battery life you can print out literal reams of information: anonymous love notes, shopping lists, lists of baby names, wanted posters or maybe just miles and miles of emoticons – the world is now your oyster. It can even be used as a mobile power pack to charge your phone. Best of all, the droPrinter is affordable. The printer is expected to retail for $99, but for a pledge of $80 or more you can reserve yourself a printer (with an expected shipping date of March 2016) and one roll of paper. Further proof that the droPrinter folk aren’t trying to steal your hard-won Simoleans is that the device takes standard thermal paper, which can be purchased cheaply in office supply stores or online. For more information, check out the droPrinter Kickstarter.
It's been three years since Florence + The Machine last toured Australia and we were beginning to think it'd be another three years before they toured again. Oh how wrong we were. Not content with just headlining this year's Splendour In The Grass and playing two packed sideshows, the group have announced that they'll be back in November. British powerhouse Florence Welch and her crew will be touring the country with a set list from their third studio album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. Guess they like Australia after all (and if the album's debut at #1 on the ARIA charts is anything to go by, we seem to have a bit of a thing for them too.) 2015 has been a busy year for the group, with performances at Coachella and Glastonbury, plus Austin City Limits this coming October. Now they'll be going solo, performing five dates across Australia. This includes two show at one of the country's most iconic venues: the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, an area reserved for the most popular of acts. You'll be able to enjoy an evening of infectious powerhouse art rock against one of the most perfect backdrops in the nation. Tickets to their Australian tour go on sale from 10 am (AEST) on Monday August 3 – and judging from how popular their Splendour sideshows were, you'll have to be extra quick to get your hands on them. Get ready to get your jive on. FLORENCE + THE MACHINE 2015 TOUR DATES: Saturday 7th November - Perth Arena, Perth Tuesday 10th November - Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne Friday 13th November - Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney Saturday 14th November - Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney Wednesday 18th November - Riverstage, Brisbane
