Descending on the city from August 30 to September 8, this year's edition of the Melbourne Writers Festival is set to be an especially amorous one, dishing up a jam-packed program that's all about L-O-V-E (yep, luuuuurve). From the sappy soulmate stuff, to all-important self-love, MWF has pulled together a diverse lineup of talent to help get to the heart of it all. Pulling inspiration from Raymond Carver's short story collection What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, the program sets out to explore our love for everything from people, sex, politics and country. And, no matter where you sit on that spectrum, it's got a little something for everyone. A slew of loved-up special events includes a rowdy rendition of a hen's night, helmed by comedy writers Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan (the Kates from Get Krack!n and The Katering Show), and a faux wedding reception for author and presenter Yumi Stynes. And we'll all be getting nostalgic about past heartbreaks, when the Museum of Broken Relationships exhibition makes its Aussie debut, bringing pieces from its permanent collections in Zagreb and LA and showing them alongside a few tear-jerking local contributions. You'll also catch conversations with some heavy-hitting international talent, including the USA's Tayari Jones (An American Marriage), Canadian novelist Patrick deWitt (French Exit), Scottish crime-writing star Val McDermid and experimental rock writer and Sonic Youth co-founder Kim Gordon. Elsewhere, legendary singer-songwriter Tina Arena joins Yorta Yorta soprano, composer and educator Deborah Cheetham for the festival's popular Duets series; Cold Chisel's Don Walker chats with Paul Kelly, reflecting on a couple of impressive musical careers; Daniel Mallory Ortberg — host of Slate's Dear Prudence podcast and founder of The Toast — digs deep into all those occasions when love just hurts; and even a performance by Ben Folds. Book Club will see a group of broadcasters, comedians, former politicians and authors discussing their favourite tomes, or you can enjoy a selection of the city's cringiest DIY wedding vows, as performed by comics Anne Edmonds and Nath Valvo. In short, you'll have a lot of new additions to your Goodreads list.
Between an immersive dinner experience in a historic house, performances by The Flaming Lips and Kamasi Washington and a swag of captivating theatre experiences inviting audiences into parallel worlds, this year's Melbourne International Arts Festival (MIAF) will be tough to ignore. The festival's 2019 program is set to deliver a diverse, vibrant celebration of dance, music, theatre, visual arts and architecture from October 2–20, with the entire city as its stage. For one of 12 Australian premieres, famous illusionist Scott Silven will host multi-sensory dinners for 24 people inside Chapter House, combining magic and storytelling (and, hopefully, some food). Another Australian premiere that'll be equally captivating is Yang Liping's contemporary dance masterpiece Rite of Spring. Tokyo-based art collective teamLab — made up of mathematicians, architects, animators and engineers — will take over Tolarno Galleries with sculptures of light and "cascades of shimmering luminescence", which will make you feel as though you're standing on a floating wave of light. If you've been lucky enough to visit Tokyo's Digital Art Museum or Shanghai's pop-up digital waterfall you'll know what to expect — they're both works by teamLab. Over at the Arts Centre, Black Mirror actor Maxine Peake will lead 15 musicians in a captivating exploration of enigmatic artist Nico and her 1968 masterpiece The Marble Index, in an Australian exclusive. In terms of music, there are some big names heading Down Under for the two-week festival. Psychedelic rock legends The Flaming Lips will perform their ninth, and most celebrated, record The Soft Bulletin in full to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The band's performances are never run-of-the-mill either — so, expect confetti cannons, elaborate costumes and neon unicorns. Jazz king Kamasi Washington — who has collaborated with everyone from Herbie Hancock to Kendrick Lamar and St Vincent — will be performing his latest album Heaven and Earth, as well as other top hits. Grammy Award-winning string quartet Kronos Quartet will be heading to Melbourne, too, and if the name doesn't immediately sound familiar, you'll most definitely recognise their Requiem for a Dream soundtrack. Elsewhere on the program — which, yes, continues – will see the return of Melbourne's beloved art trams, Nakkiah Lui's new show Black is the New White, a thought-provoking look at (and questioning of) 2019 Melbourne in Anthem and a world premiere of Chunky Move's new contemporary show Token Armies. This will be the last MIAF in its current format, too. Starting from 2020, MIAF will also form part of a new and bigger winter festival, in conjunction with White Night. Image: Borderless Tokyo Digital Art Museum by Sarah Ward.
It's not uncommon for Aussie pubs to be named after famous lords and statesmen. A new bar in Prahran, on the other hand, is named after one of their pets. Opening this week on Greville Street, Rufus takes its name from Winston Churchill's beloved poodle, a faithful friend so adored by his master that it's said that no-one at the PM's table ate until the butler had served Rufus his meal. Visitors to the pooch's new namesake can expect similarly sophisticated service. Open from 4pm daily, Rufus is billed as a champagne parlour and terrace, with the intimate space ideal for groups of 2-4 people. The swish interior includes mirrors along the walls and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, giving the impression that you are enjoying a tipple in Sir Winston's private parlour. Drinks include dry martinis mixed at the bar's special pink martini station, and a selection of spirits which sit proudly on display in the Rufus' drawing room cabinet. Melbourne, we will be mixing martinis from our pink martini station until 1am. #rufusprahran #martinipleasejeeves A photo posted by Rufus (@rufusmelbourne) on Apr 29, 2016 at 5:30am PDT Rufus is located at 143 Greville Street, Prahran. Their operating hours are 4pm-1am, seven days a week. For more information find them on Facebook or visit www.rufusbar.com.au.
Melbourne's latest CBD pub looks set to tower over the competition. Opening on Tuesday, July 19 after years of planning, the Garden State Hotel is a sprawling four-storey watering hole complete with public bar, beer garden, private dining room, subterranean saloon and New York-style grill. The way things are shaping up, we'll never have to go anywhere else. Garden State is located at 101 Flinders Lane, inside a 130-year-old building that began its life as a saw mill before playing host to Rosati, one of Melbourne's top dining destinations in the '80s and '90s. Now, under the new ownership of Sand Hill Road Hospitality – the same team behind the Prahran, Bridge and Terminus Hotels – the space has been transformed once again. In the centre of the building, punters will find a multi-level beer garden built around three large ficus trees. The space is served by a long bar, with a self-order kiosk that delivers snacks and toasted sandwiches in a flash. At the rear of the beer garden is the venue's main dining area, the appropriately named Garden Grill. There you'll feast on Modern Australian cuisine including an array of fresh seafood. Also on the ground level is the Garden State's public bar, featuring booth seating, bar tables and views onto bustling Flinders Lane. Shuckin' for days #gardenstateblooming #menutasting #flinderslane #melbournebarsandrooftops #blkboardmelb #melbourneeats RG @dp_chef A photo posted by Garden State Hotel (@gardenstatehotel) on Jul 13, 2016 at 11:19pm PDT Head downstairs and you'll end up face to face with the Rose Garden, an intimate saloon decorated with French crystal chandaliers, vintage vases and rose bouquets, with a cocktail menu overseen by ex-Eau de Vie barman Kevin Peters. The first floor, meanwhile, is home to the Balcony Dining Room, a private space for 18 people with its own bar and balcony. And on the second floor? The venue's premier function space, described as "a glamorous, light-filled space for up to 120 people." Find Garden State Hotel at 101 Flinders Lane from Tuesday, June 19. For more information visit www.gardenstatehotel.com.au.
Collingwood has a brand new event space and cafe that provides support to homeless and disadvantaged youths. Cromwell STREAT is the latest project from local social enterprise STREAT (and, yes, it's located on Cromwell Street), who for the past seven years have offered opportunities and hospitality training to at-risk young people, via employment in their numerous cafes as well as fundraising initiatives such as their annual Melbourne Central Sleepover. Opening on Friday, September 16 after securing funding through a successful crowdfunding campaign, Cromwell STREAT isn't just a cafe, but an artisan bakery, coffee roastery, function space and youth training academy too. The 80-seat eatery — which is located in a renovated 150-year-old heritage-listed Cromwell Manor — will also feature a big outdoor area, all-day breakfast and lunch from 11am. Pastries and fresh loves of bread will be available from 7am and STREAT's own blend will be going into coffee cups. Cromwell STREAT is now open at 66 Cromwell Street, Collingwood. It's open from 7am till 4pm on weekdays and 8am till 4pm on weekends. For more info, visit STREAT's Facebook page.
Enjoy a breakfast of champions at whatever hour you please, courtesy of Australia's first ever cereal cafe. Opening its doors in Melbourne in just over a week, this pop-up snack hub will be serving all your childhood and/or late-night share house favourites, including Froot Loops, Coco Pops and Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut. Launching February 12, Cereal Anytime is the latest temporary tenant of Richmond’s year-long food and retail precinct, Swan Street Chamber of Commerce. Supposedly, the aim of the cafe is “educating people on foods in moderation”, which might get tricky given the sugar content of what they serve. Perhaps a limit of one bowl of Frosted Flakes per customer? The cafe will operate via a “pay-it-forward” payment system. Upon entry, diners simply peel a Post-it note off the wall, which they can then use to pay for their bowl of cereal. The Post-its can be replenished for $4 a pop, ensuring that those who are a little less fortunate don’t miss out. A recent cereal cafe that opened in London served over 120 different kinds of cereal, 13 milks and more than 20 additional toppings, so our iteration has something of a reputation to live up to. It sparked huge demand, followed by something of a culture war when some very practical types balked at paying £3.50 for flakes out of a box. Melbourne's version, with its element of feelgoodery, should sidestep that issue. Hungry members of the public can help decide the cafe’s final menu and gain entry on day one (February 12) via a ballot on their Cereal Anytime Facebook page.
The ploughman's lunch: it's a meal packed with old-world connotations of country living and hard labour, loved by many, even those who have never touched a plough in their lives. A standard definition is a small meal of bread, cheese and pickle, generally eaten in the middle of the day, usually served in a pub. From its time as a farmer's mainstay to the pub classic it is today, the dish has gone through many changes. When we tried the ploughman's at the White Rabbit Brewery in Geelong, we wondered, where does the dish actually come from? What is it that makes it such a legend? Here's a little bit of history, from ye olden days to the here and now. [caption id="attachment_584446" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Flickr.[/caption] YE OLDEN DAYS Back in the day, the world ran almost exclusively on agriculture. Aussies were farming as early as 1788, and agriculture remains a large part of Australian trade today. This is likely why the dish remains so prominent and evokes such overwhelming cultural nostalgia – even in those who have never stepped foot on a farm. For the farmers of old, the meal made perfect sense; clearly, the ploughmen of centuries ago didn't return home for a long lunch and siesta before finishing the day's work. Nor did they spend lunchtime hours hanging at the pub over a few pints — tough days, we know. Historians surmise that it is more likely farmers took with them some cheese, bread and pickles for luncheon, which didn't need to be refrigerated and could last out in the heat of the day. The notion of a 'pub lunch' is a much more modern and luxurious one than could have been afforded centuries ago. FROM RAGS TO RICHES While the meal itself was certainly a mainstay of farmers, its name, and indoctrination into society, came way, way later. The meal actually gained popularity after a nation-wide marketing push that happening between 1958 to 1977. At this time, post-war rationing was a thing of the past and businesses were not happy with the swift decline in the amount of cheese being eaten. To whip up nostalgia for this time-honoured dish, a marketing company made a bold claim that English cheese and beer have for centuries formed a perfect combination enjoyed as the 'Ploughman's Lunch'. This is the first historical reference to the dish, which was essentially invented as a marketing ploy to sell cheese — and not just one type of cheese, but all cheeses, thus making the dish popular across all regions and allowing for the creation of endless regional versions. Of course, the combination of bread and cheese was a timeless one and an obvious accompaniment. At that time, many rural pubs wouldn't have had a proper kitchen, so the Ploughman's Lunch was embraced as it could include simple ingredients that would be stored in the cellar and assembled easily by staff. THESE TIMES, THEY ARE A-CHANGIN' Once the dish was named, it was swiftly taken from the fields into the pubs. The emphasis on fresh produce, which in the past was a necessity, is a big part of why it fits so well into today's organic culture where we expect nothing less. Since the derivation of the dish is a farce, the components of a 'traditional' ploughman's lunch are also widely open to interpretation. An entire book was written on the subject – The Definitive Ploughman's — which found that one region of England uses thirteen ingredients in their ploughman's, adding sweetcorn, olives and beetroot components to your average cheese and bread. The variations don't stop there – Jamie Oliver's version contains spinach and fennel artisan bread and a scotch egg, while Barfoot Contessa's Ina Garten prefers an English-American fusion of thickly sliced Virginia ham and English cheddar. The restaurant within Geelong's White Rabbit Brewery allows patrons to pair any number of craft cheeses and meats, like wagyu bresaola paired with a Barossa triple cream. Each platter is served with a baguette from local bread makers Born & Bread and Yarra Valley's Cunliffe & Waters chutneys and spreads, along with pickled veg galore. This is truly the crème de la crème of ploughman's. Also agreed upon is that a good ploughman's lunch is a true testament to the overall quality of a pub. The dish continues to take many forms, and at its fanciest, better resembles a charcuterie. But even in its simplest form, there really is nothing better than a plate of crusty bread, homemade chutney, pickled vegetables and of course, a wedge of artisan cheese. Don't forget to wash it all down with a nice cold pint — it makes the dish taste just right. Find White Rabbit Brewery at 221 Swanston Street, South Geelong. Open Sunday to Thursday 11am – 5pm, Friday to Saturday 11am – 9pm.
Smith Street rejoice! The universe has heard your cry for more meat, cheese, wine and all things deli and has answered with an ambitious new butcher shop and eatery named Meatsmith (and politely asks if you would stop sending letters about the matter). Meatsmith is a collaborative effort between chef and restaurateur Andrew McConnell (of Cumulus Inc., Supernormal amongst many) and butcher Troy Wheeler, once of Peter Bouchier. Meatsmith, which is slated to open next week, features an in-house deli with a fine dining twist. Alongside the standard deli fare, you’ll find pre-prepared, take-home versions of fancy Cumulus dishes, like the whole slow-roasted lamb shoulder and other mouthwatering cuts (hello, braised beef cheeks) that ensure you’ll never eat McDonalds on the run again. The eatery will also serve up a divine selection of charcuterie, pates, house-made preserves and mustards, homemade terrines and lots of French and European style cold-cuts and smallgoods. If this Cumulus roast is any indication of what to expect, we're on board. Wheeler says the point of difference for the Meatsmith butchers is the expertise of the staff, who all have extensive practical knowledge (and more than a little charm) from working in hospitality, as opposed to the classic brusque butcher stereotype. “If you walk in not knowing what you want for dinner or if you want to impress at a dinner party, our staff can help," he says. "We would like to think we're accessible to people who know good food and want good food, as well as people who want some confidence in the staff and want clear information. The design of the shop reflects this idea; we don’t have the big high butchers counters and the barrier between us and the customer, so we’re accessible”. Find Meatsmith at 73 Smith Street, Fitzroy, meatsmith.com.au. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Seafood towers are so underrated. The masses love a boozy brunch, big set menus and seafood deals, but a seafood tower combines a whole lot of these all in one. And right now, Etta's has got to be one of the best in Melbourne. Every Friday and Saturday arvo, you can drop by one of the best restaurants in Melbourne for a totally luxe seafood tower offering that'll cost a very reasonable $75 per person. On the tower, you'll find woodfired sand crab; chilled king tiger prawns; smoked mussels; raw snapper with sambal; watermelon and green mango; champagne-battered fish bites; and a bunch of different mayos and oils for dipping. As Etta is also one of the city's top wine bars, you can also pair this feed with incredible champagnes. You can add on NV Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV Frédéric Savart 'l'Ouverture' Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, NV Larmandier-Bernier 'Rosé de Saignée' or Egly-Ouriet Ratafia de Champagne to make it even more lavish. But be aware that there will only be a limited-number of seafood towers available each lunchtime, so be sure to request one when making your booking. Yo're not going to want to miss out on this deal, which runs throughout November and December. Images: Jana Langhorst.
There is nothing quite as comforting as a perfect cheese toastie. Both delicious and nostalgic, it is a go-to on any day. And luckily for us, Maker & Monger will once again elevate the toastie experience with the fifth instalment of its famed Friends of Fromage series. Every Saturday, from August 31–September 28, Melbourne's favourite cheese connoisseurs Maker & Monger are letting a different top Aussie chef take over its Prahran Market stall — each creating a one-of-a-kind toastie. The series will include Micha Tropp (Toddy Shop), Rosheen Kaul (ex-Etta), Shannon Martinez (Smith & Daughters), Blayne and Chayse Bertoncello (O.My), and Jeung Eun Chae (Chae). Tropp kicks it off on Saturday, August 31 with his riff on a Bombay veggie sanga, and is followed by Kaul's tuna sambal toastie on Saturday, September 7. Martinez is running the stall on Saturday, September 14, pumping out stacks of her Mexican cobb loaf, before Blayne and Chayse Bertoncello work together on their 'textures of artichoke' sandwich on Saturday, September 21. This year's Friends of Fromage ends on Saturday, September 28, when Chae whips up an epic cashew doenjang and comté toastie for the Prahran Market masses. The FOMO is real with this one pals, as these toasties have been created just for this cheesy event. If you want to sample one of them, you'll only have single day to do it.
It's no surprise that regional travel has exploded in recent months. And there's a plethora of great escapes right on our doorstep. Less than three hours from Melbourne, Wangaratta is a booming rural city with plenty to offer, both in town and in its surrounding townships. It's probably best known as a gourmet destination, with some of Victoria's most notable exports calling the region home, but we've taken a look at some of its lesser-known — but no less spectacular — gems that are sure to put it at the top of your list next time you're looking for a city escape. Here are our favourites. HOT AIR BALLOONING IN KING VALLEY One of Australia's prime regions for European grape varieties, the picturesque King Valley is even more beautiful when seen from the air. Goldrush Ballooning offers luxe hot air balloon experiences, starting and finishing at Brown Brothers estate. Following your sunrise liftoff, you'll take in breathtaking views of the vineyard and patchwork farms, Milawa's famed Prosecco Road, as well as impressive natural sights such as the King and Oxley Rivers, Mt Buffalo and The Warby Ranges. After an hour of sailing through the skies, you'll land back at Brown Brothers where you can relive it all with a full breakfast spread and a glass of prosecco. PARADISE FALLS Deep in King Valley and well off the beaten track you'll find the aptly named Paradise Falls. This natural scenic wonder is part of the Alpine National Park, so there's plenty of beautiful foliage to enjoy as you make your way to the falls. Despite its remoteness, Paradise Falls is a relatively easy destination to reach by car, and you can park just a short stroll away from the falls themselves — a well-signed and stepped walking track, which is good for most ability levels, will lead you straight there. Head here for a slightly more adventurous picnic and an epic photo op, with these falls a must-visit for nature lovers and adventurers alike. MILAWA PROVIDORE This charming tea room and cellar door is a perfect pitstop for a busy day visiting the region's excellent wineries. Swing by to enjoy a selection of cheese, charcuterie, a woodfired pizza or even a toastie, which you can pair with organic tea, coffee or, of course, a glass of wine. There's also an excellent dessert menu that showcases local produce and makers — we recommend pairing your sweet treat with a cup of the excellent house-made sticky chai. Right next door is the cellar door for Redbank Wines, which is open for tastings seven days a week. EL DORADO GARLIC AND CHILLI CO You don't have to travel to the lost city of gold to acquire these god-tier chillies and garlic, though there is a bit of mysticism around how they're grown on this farm. Crops here are grown entirely on winter rainfall and minimum watering from underground springs, and the yield is a product that is completely natural and devoid of any chemicals. The fresh harvest runs from the new year through until May, but you can buy seasonal produce all year round, including local honey, from a historic shed on the farm. BAILEYS OF GLENROWAN While the exact date is contested, the story of this historic winery begins as far back as the 1860s, when the Bailey family of Yorkshire first arrived in the region. One of northeast Victoria's very first vineyards, the first vintage was produced here in 1870. Over 150 years later these certified organic vines are still going strong, producing a great selection of full-bodied reds and bold flavoursome whites, rosés and globally acclaimed fortified numbers — there's also a shiraz block that was planted in 1904 and is still producing a top-shelf drop. While the wines are the star of the show here, don't miss out on a stroll through the native garden dotted with historic buildings, including the original 1870 vineyard, stables, a blacksmith's forge and a century-old cellar door, which is also home to a heritage museum of winemaking. [caption id="attachment_808335" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brooke Keam Photography[/caption] HURDLE CREEK DISTILLERY Family owned and operated, this distillery in the tiny town of Bobinawarrah champions local produce in its small-batch runs of (mostly) gin. All products are made and bottled in a former shed that was renovated with reclaimed materials. It now houses the distillery, where you can see the gin-making process up close, meet the distiller and also try a sample. As for the gin itself, the base spirit is made from a local grain and is twice distilled to ensure a smooth mouthfeel. It's infused with juniper and a select blend of local and native botanicals, some of which are grown in the on-site garden, resulting in a delicate and nuanced spirit. There are a number of year-round and seasonal products in the range, though for a truly local drop try the seasonal Aronia, made from a locally grown sloe-like berry which is steeped into the gin, lending it a deep purple hue and a touch of sweetness. Can't make the trip? You can pick up a bottle via their online store. SAWMILL COTTAGE FARM Tucked in the foothills of the bucolic high country of northeastern Victoria is the charming Sawmill Cottage Farm. This fully self-contained cottage has been beautifully renovated from an former sawmillers workshop, and is a perfect retreat for visiting couples exploring the area. The cottage is situated on a working farm, which is also home to a small menagerie of animals including cattle, sheep, goats, a miniature pony. There's also a wide variety of fowl including peacocks, plus a friendly alpaca named Lenny. During your stay, you can stroll around the farm and meet the animals, enjoy a bottle of wine around the fire pit, or even take a dip in the in-ground mineral salt swimming pool (weather permitting). THE YURT ALPINE RETREAT A perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, the Yurt Alpine Retreat has three Mongolian-style tents located on a working farm in the heart of the King Valley. Each yurt features a wood heater and pure wool felt lining, so the tents are able to remain warm in winter and cool in summer. The secluded, 345-hectare farm is surrounded by mountain ranges and bushland, so expect sweeping views and plenty of privacy. The land is home to cattle, sheep goats and alpacas and there's an on-site, 20-acre vineyard, too. For more about what the Rural City of Wangaratta has to offer, and to plan your trip, head here.
The Chaser gang are getting back to their roots, with plans to publish a brand spanking new print magazine. The team behind The Hamster Wheel, Yes We Canberra, Sydney's Giant Dwarf theatre and the Make a Realistic Wish Foundation have recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to get the satirical publication off the ground, with the aim of releasing their first edition in the next couple of months. According to the group's Pozible page, The Chaser Quarterly will be a 96-page colour magazine that will address "the key problem of our time: namely — there is not enough content in the world." They're hoping to raise $50,000, money they say will be use to establish a "'tax effective' offshore corporate structure" so as to ensure the project isn't stymied "by the onerous burden of paying tax to fund Australia's hospitals, schools and roads". Truly this campaign video says it all. Right now, a $25 pledge will get you a copy of the magazine, while $50 will see it signed by the entire Chaser team. More extravagant rewards include the chance to pitch your own article for $500 (although there's no guarantee it will be published), or the opportunity to run your own full page ad for $1500 (on the condition that it "fundamentally undermine the product it is seeking to sell".) Although best known for their highbrow political satire on television, The Chaser team actually started out publishing a fortnightly newspaper that ran for six years between 1999 and 2005. Among their memorable stunts from this period was the time they published Prime Minister John Howard's home phone number on their front page. Assuming they reach their Pozible target, the first edition of The Chaser Quarterly will be published in spring 2015 and feature articles by many familiar Chaser contributors, including Andrew Hansen, Chris Taylor and Craig Reucassel. In order to keep up the appearance of a successful company, head team members will be payed in Beluga Caviar, while the rest of the creatives, including writers, cartoonists, illustrators and graphic designers, will divvy up $300 between them. Pledge via Pozible and keep an eye on the Chaser Quarterly website for updates.
As Sydneysiders, we're lucky to be situated so close to so many of Australia's most celebrated wine regions — Orange, Mudgee, Hunter Valley et al. Whether you're looking for organically-produced, family-operated, or even inner city-located, wine lovers have got it all at a stone's throw away. If you're a fan of the plonk and you're not taking advantage of NSW's seriously kickass vineyards, it's time to get those engines revving. Here are ten top notch vineyards in your own backyard, from the best wine regions in NSW. Take a few pro tips before you head along though. Cellar doors and tastings are, for the most part, free. FREE. Some you'll have to book in advance, but most just let you rock up on the day. You're not obliged to buy anything, but you do have to be polite and respectful (don't guzzle yourself into oblivion on someone's hard work). Have a chat, talk to the winemakers, taste as many wines as you like, and you'll probably buy a bottle of something — and prices are usually wholesale, so cheaper than buying it later at the bottle shop. Also, do not drive home. Have a plan. The rest? These winemakers will take you through the tasting process (novice winos are always welcome). You just have to get there. ORANGE The Orange region is known for its sophisticated winemaking and cool climate which creates wines with bright fruit and deep, balanced flavours. [caption id="attachment_565814" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Andy Fraser.[/caption] PHILLIP SHAW Lead by Orange wine pioneer Phillip Shaw himself, this family-owned and operated vineyard has been kicking goals since 1988 and they take wine very seriously — award-winning seriously. The wines are 100 percent sourced from the 47-hectare vineyard and their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are both life-changing. Believe us, this is a Chardy not to be missed. A trip to the cellar door is more akin to visiting a wealthy friend's country house; the building is distinguished by a stone exterior and interior, with large share tables for tastings and stunning mountain views. You might even meet the famous Big renovations are planned for this site, and could change the game for Orange cellar doors across the board. 100 Shiralee Road, Orange; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sun 11am – 5pm [caption id="attachment_565815" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Image: Andy Fraser.[/caption] SASSY WINES This single vineyard winery is family-owned and operated by husband and wife duo Rob and Felicia 'Fliss' Coles. Their signature wine, the Arneis, is an ancient Italian white varietal that dates back to the 15th century. Their newish cellar door is simple and modern, with glass walls showcasing their vineyard views. The head winemaker, none other than Peter Logan of Logan Wines, is a big part of the process; the two vineyards share grapes and techniques, the Coles taking over the process in barrel phase. 569 Emu Swamp Rd, Emu Swamp; Cellar Door Hours: Sat 10am – 5pm; Sun 10am – 4pm KANGAROO VALLEY The Kangaroo Valley region is distinguished by its rich volcanic soil which is ideal for viticulture — aka growing grapes. YARRAWA ESTATE The winding pathway to the remote Yarrawa Estate is not an easy one to follow, but you'll be pleasantly surprise as the path opens to this lakeside vineyard. If the golden retrievers and frolicking children remind you of a visit to your family country home, well, it should — the cellar door is quite literally set in the Foster family dining room, where strangers momentarily become relatives. Apart from the incredible wine, they also offer a range of nuts, jams and pickles made from homegrown produce. Be sure to taste their homemade walnut liquor wine, a combination of both passions. 43B Scotts Rd, Upper Kangaroo River; Cellar Door Hours: Sat 10.30am – 5.30pm; Sun 12.30pm – 5.30pm HUNTER VALLEY Hunter Valley is known for their Semillon and Shiraz and is easily the most popular of the NSW wine regions. BROKENWOOD This vineyard was established in 1970 and they've been turning out impressive, award-winning wines for decades. In this small barn of a cellar door, you'll find a fun and relaxed staff who are clearly passionate about winemaking, giving the place an infectious energy. It's a snob-free atmosphere where you can taste some great wines without being pushed to buy. Their Semillon is a must try, having just won best varietal of the year from the Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2016, and the Cricket Pitch blends are ever-popular. Overall, the bright, airy atmosphere of the place makes it one of the more fun tastings to be had. 401-427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sat 9.30am – 5pm and Sun 10am – 5pm TEMPUS TWO Tempus Two is one of the more famous Hunter Valley vineyards for good reason — the wine here is a high-end, classy affair and the staff are extremely knowledgeable. Founded by the well-known McGuigan family, this slick, contemporary cellar door is a modern take on a country shed. The best part is that they'll let you taste the most expensive, vintage wines with no fee. The wine to try right now is their Uno Series Shiraz (2013), a cellar door exclusive. Feeling especially lavish? Set up a private tasting for up to 30 of your nearest and dearest. Corner of Broke & McDonalds Roads, Pokolbin; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 5pm SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS The Southern Highlands are characterised by the long, slow ripening period and high natural acidity which gives the wines a clean finish and noticeable fruit character. TERTINI WINES A relatively young vineyard, Tertini Wines has received much acclaim since establishing itself in 2000. Their award-winning Reserve Pinot Noir is worth the trek alone and their Riesling is especially tasty with honeysuckle and green apple notes. They hand-prune and handpick their grapes, with little cropping involved. The cellar door is a simple barn attached to the vineyard, amplifying the country feel of this notable winery. Kells Creek Road, Mittagong; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 5pm MUDGEE Mudgee styles are known for their diversity, from organic to international varietals, and turn out some seriously impressive wine for a small region. LOWE WINES For some ungodly reason, organic wine has gotten a bad rap over the years. Thankfully, Lowe Wines disproves this fallacy time and again. Owner David Lowe is extremely passionate and specialises in small-batch winemaking, his most popular varietal being the Zinfandel. The vineyard is untrellised, unirrigated and certified organic. Their wine is distributed mainly to independent bottle shops and restaurant and Lowe is truly a no-intervention grower that we'd love to see more of. Tinja Lane, Mudgee; Cellar Door Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 5pm HILLTOPS The Hilltops region sits atop a large granite rock, creating deep soils that are well drained and ideal for grapevines. FREEMAN VINEYARDS Freeman Vineyards uses this unique region to their advantage, providing Australia's only plantings of two northern Italian origin grape varieties – Rondinella and Corvina – which are the source of their flagship and award-winning Freeman 'Secco' wine. Their winemaking process is also unique; the grapes are dried in a neighbour's solar-powered prune dehydrator and then aged for 12 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels. All this work is worth it: the wine just received the Red 5-Star rating in the Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2016. 101 Prunevale Road, Prunevale; Tastings by Appointment SYDNEY CITY For the lazy Sydneysider who deserves great wine anyway. NOMAD Nomad champions the little guys in the winemaking business; they sell wine solely from local growers, giving the small producers out there the time to shine. Their cellar door offers wines that are generally not sold commercially, many of which you can also taste at their celebrated adjoining restaurant. Stop in for some charcuterie and a glass or two, or stay for the full shebang with the chef's premium share menu ($85 per person). If you're too lazy to make such a short trek, go for online delivery of these exclusive wines. 16 Foster Street, Surry Hills; Cellar Door/Restaurant Hours: Mon – Tues 6pm – 12am; Weds – Fri 12pm –2.30pm; 6pm – 12am; Sat 12pm – 2.30pm; 5.30pm – 11.30pm CAKE WINES Just opened on March 10, Cake Wines is shaping up to be Sydney's new go-to city winery. Set in a restored warehouse, the space pays homage to its industrial roots with recycled wooden furniture, barrel wall and exposed brick interior. You won't just be getting simple wine tastings here — head winemaker Sarah Burvill is running masterclasses, blending sessions and workshops. Apart from their own award-winning wines, they'll be stocking small-batch wine, craft beer, cider and spirits, all Sydney local. Add live music and late nights to the mix and you've got one out-of-the-box cellar door on your hands. 16 Eveleigh St, Redfern; Cellar Door Hours: Wed – Fri 5pm – 11pm; Sat 12pm – 11pm; Sun 12pm – 10pm. Honourable CBD mentions: Handpicked Cellar Door Urban Winery Sydney Top image: Nomad.
Anyone who's ever been on a long haul drive knows that truck stop dining can be a fairly dubious proposition. We're talking soggy chips, mouldy sandwiches wrapped in gladwrap and questionable meat products that have been sitting under a heat lamp for God only knows how long. Fortunately, a new trucker-theme diner in Werribee is set to exorcise those unpleasant memories through a combination of gourmet burgers, killer cocktails and signature alcoholic milkshakes. Due to open in the west Melbourne suburb later this week, Truck Stop Deluxe is the brainchild of burger aficionados Jimmy Hurlston (Jimmy’s Burgers and Easey’s), Dani Zeini (Dandenong Pavillion and Grand Trailer Park Taverna) and Josh Lefers (Grand Trailer Park Taverna and Pawn & Co). They've teamed up with Werribee locals James Fava and Adam Toffolon, who previously operated Joe's Bar & Kitchen on the same site. While the full Truck Stop Deluxe menu isn't currently available, we do know it'll include waffles, ice-cream sandwiches, cocktails and spiked milkshakes (presumably not unlike the ones at the Grand Trailer Park, which are excellent by the way) as well as lots and lots of tasty, tasty burgers. Oh, and before we forget, the inside of the restaurant features two actual big rigs, one of which you can sit inside while you eat your meal. Don't kid yourself: you know you'll be tempted to try and recreate scenes from Smokey and the Bandit. As well you should. Truck Stop Deluxe is located at 98 Watton Street, Werribee. Their operating hours are 11:30am til late Tuesday – Sunday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnJEeHND_lQ Via Good Food. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Richmond, prepare yourself for really f*cking hot bits of bird, courtesy of the poultry-smiths at Belle's Hot Chicken. The team behind the Nashville-style fried chicken joint and natural wine bar that has been doing a roaring trade in Fitzroy have just announced that restaurant number two will open this Friday, February 15, shacking up at 1/107 Swan Street. Or should we say... wait for it... Chicken Street? Is this thing on? Oh nevermind. Belle's Hot Chicken co-founder Morgan McGlone jumped on the lease at the Swan Street location last August. The restaurant will seat 100, and while further details are scant, we can expect a similar menu to the Fitzroy restaurant, albeit with a couple of extra sandwiches in both fried chicken and cornmeal-coated mushroom varieties. They'll also be well-stocked with the same selection of natural wines that have proven so popular north of the river. Other than that, expect fried chook and plenty of it. The chicken at Belle's comes in wingers, tenders or dark meat (drumsticks and thighs) and runs the gamut in terms of spiciness from 'southern' (don't be a wuss) to 'really f*cking hot'. Extras and side options include pickles, mushrooms, fries, waffles, coleslaw and oysters. Belle's Hot Chicken Richmond will open at 1/107 Swan Street, Richmond on Friday, February 19. In the meantime, you can visit their original restaurant at 150 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. Updated: Monday, February 15
With locations across Sydney and Melbourne and all over the USA, you know The Boiling Crab must be doing something right to be able to expand so much. The story here is a fun tongue-in-cheek idea that while other fishermen were off boozing and telling tall stories in bars, the honest and hardworking fishermen of The Boiling Crab were toiling through sleepless nights, trying to concoct the perfect spices and recipes for their restaurant. Whether this is true or not (it isn't) isn't the point; the point is this is a place that, despite having seriously good food, doesn't take itself too seriously. And you don't have to take it too seriously, either. They actively encourage diners to get sauce all over their bib and beer all over the table — just don't tell the waitstaff we said so. The Melbourne CBD venue features an interior that looks like some kind of acid trip along the San Francisco wharves, which you never quite came down from. It's all nets from the ceilings, life buoys on the walls and fake fish singing at you. In a word — subtle. If you're here for the food, though, and not interior design tips, then you're well and truly in luck. It's delicious. The Boiling Crab menu goes like this — step one: choose your catch, step two: add your sauce, step three: pick your spice level. The catch includes everything from king crab legs, live mud crab, Boston lobster, baby octopus, crawfish and abalone. The sauces feature options such as Rajun Cajun, lemon pepper, garlic sauce and the mysteriously titled Extra Juicy. Spice levels start at non-spicy for the kids to XXX (I can't feel my mouth!) for those who don't like the taste of food, just chilli. Pair it up with a cocktail such as the Blue Margarita (think a margarita, but blue) and you have yourself a wild night on the town.
Plans for Melbourne's newest openair plaza, officially named Cato Square, were released by the City of Stonnington over the weekend. The $60 million, 'European-style' project will be located on the site of Prahran's old Cato Street car park just behind the Coles on Chapel Street, turning it into an urban oasis. The plaza, said to be ten years in the making, is planned to be nearly the size of Federation Square at a huge 9000 square metres. "This public area is most importantly going to provide open space and recreation for the residents who are living in tight spaces and in dense apartment buildings," City of Stonnington Mayor Jami Klisaris told Concrete Playground. The elaborate plans reveal nine outdoor zones which will include 'themed' green zones, a central square with a water feature and free public Wi-Fi, dining spaces and a small forest. Seriously. The lawn, which Cr Klisaris says is her favourite element of the plaza, will be especially useful for public events, festivals and performances. "The lawn will not only be an open grass area that can be used by everyone, but will also be flexible with moving furniture and potted trees, so we can change the space and accommodate for any vibe or event," says Klisaris. To replace the existing parking, two underground levels consisting of 500 spaces will be built beneath the plaza, resulting in 20 percent more parking than was previously available. This transformation from drab car supermarket parking lot to public park will significantly up the green space in the Chapel Street surrounds. "This green space is particularly important because we have the second lowest amount of open space (per capita) of all councils in Victoria," says Cr Klisaris. The plaza's construction will also focus on environmental factors, using sustainably sourced, recyclable and energy efficient materials in the building process. For concerned taxpayers, the project will be funded by a combination of developer contributions, council funds and borrowings. Construction is expected to begin in the next 18 months and is due for completion in 2019; it is being designed by Australian architectural firm Lyons, who won the tender last year. The site is bounded by Prahran's Cato, Izett, Wattle and Chatham streets, so parking and surrounding businesses will be affected during this time frame. UPDATE FEBRUARY 2, 2018 — Construction on Cato Square commenced last month. This affects traffic and parking, so if you live, work or visit the area, check the project updates here.
If you've been looking for an excuse to visit Maha North, Shane Delia's elegant meze and cocktail bar, this could be it. Maha North is teaming up with Yarra Valley's born and bred Mac Forbes, who is known for his experimental cool climate wines which champion the region's unique terroir. On Tuesday, October 3, Shane and the team will throw a specially-designed, three-course culinary journey, paired with a curated selection of Mac Forbes' wines. Mac Forbes will also be on hand to share his unique knowledge on the world of Victorian winemaking. The menu for this once-off evening will run to the likes of a prawn tartare, paired with local kataifi and wakame salmon caviar. Salted cod is dressed with a dill falafel, while oysters are married with basterma and capsicum jam. Also on the lineup: a cheese and truffle medfouna, and stuffat tal-fenek bhal tal familija Delia — braised rabbit served with an array of sides. Where Delia's long-running CBD fine diner Maha is pushing the creative envelope, Maha North is the more classic-leaning, smart-yet-casual counterpart. It has similar vibrant flavours, but with a menu that beckons you to sit down and settle in for some good old-fashioned feasting. Images: supplied.
The year was 2009, and a bunch of rowdy housemates in Melbourne decided to throw a house party to raise funds to pay for a gas bill. Six years later, the brains behind I Oh You are still going strong; throwing wild parties across Australia, touring some immense international talent around the globe, as well as representing some of Australia’s finest musicians on their indie label, I Oh You Records. Clearly there's plenty to celebrate, so the housemates are getting back together this Easter weekend to put on an incredible night of music. Performances by Collarbones, The Harpoons and Milwaukee Banks will be going down this Easter Sunday at Ding Dong Lounge, and DJ sets from the likes of Gold Fields, Marquee Moon, Can’t Say and I Oh You resident DJs are sure to tear the roof off. Limited presale tickets are available, however there will be door sales for $15 from 9pm, so if you want to go, get there early. Let's help them keep the gas on for another six years.
Not every ballet features dancers forming constellations, gramophone-shaped mirrors creating kaleidoscopic visuals, refractive and reflective surfaces making it appear as though performers are overlapping, and choreography created for every leaf in a 134-page text — but, not every ballet is Tree of Codes. Music, dance, art and literature fans, hold on to your hats: Tree of Codes is a collaboration between Jamie xx, Royal Ballet choreographer Wayne McGregor, Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson and novelist Jonathan Safran Foer. First previewing in Manchester in 2016, it's named after and based on the latter's book-based artwork of the same name. Also described as a "sculptural object", the printed work took Bruno Schulz's Street of Crocodiles, cut out the majority of words and fashioned what remained into a new post-apocalyptic story. We originally wrote about the show when it showed in London, but now it's making its way to our shores for a few shows as part of Melbourne Festival 2017.
After one heck of a year in 2015 with Conor Oberst, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, and the motherflippin' Village People, Melbourne Zoo Twilights are bringing the after-hours concerts back for another summer. Announced this morning, this summer's lineup is another slam dunk for the zoo, with beloved local and international artists every weekend from January 29 to March 12. Set amongst the bilbies and kangaroos of Melbourne Zoo, Twilights will see the likes of international dreamboat José González, supported by Tiny Ruins, alongside a solid crew Australian favourites like Tex Perkins and The Tennessee Four's Johnny Cash tribute Far from Folsom, the ever legendary Jebediah, C.W. Stoneking with Marlon Williams, Birds of Tokyo with Fractures, Josh Pyke with Winterbourne, San Cisco with Last Dinosaurs, John Butler Trio with Tinpan Orange, The Waifs and 'Heaven Is a Place on Earth' pop diva Belinda Carlisle with '80s new wave heroes Pseudo Echo. Tickets are $65, and that price not only includes the concert but full admission to the zoo itself. All profits also go towards the fight to save the near-extinct Eastern Barred Bandicoot. Of course, you're welcome to bring along your own picnic basket with loads of food, but you'll have to leave that bottle of wine at home. The event is fully licensed, but there's no BYO — an important measure to keep rubbish and glass away from those poor little animals. MELBOURNE ZOO TWILIGHTS 2016 LINEUP: January 29 — Far From Folsom Featuring Tex Perkins and The Tennessee Four with Rachael Tidd, supported by Vic Simms January 30 — The Waifs, supported by Ruby Boots February 5 — José González, supported by Tiny Ruins February 6 — John Butler Trio, supported by Tinpan Orange February 12 — Josh Pyke, supported by Winterbourne February 13 — Birds Of Tokyo, supported by Fractures February 19 — Jebediah, supported by Glenn Richards February 20 — Mark Seymour & The Undertow, supported by Ben Salter February 26 — San Cisco, supported by Last Dinosaurs February 27 — Kasey Chambers, supported by Karise Eden March 4 — Colin Hay March 5 — C.W. Stoneking, supported by Marlon Williams March 11 — Björn Again March 12 — Belinda Carlisle, supported by Pseudo Echo Melbourne Zoo Twilights runs January 29 to March 12, 2016. Tickets on sale 8am Thursday, October 22 from Melbourne Zoo, and zoo members receive a 10 percent discount. By Shannon Connellan and Meg Watson. Image: Ian Laidlaw.
You may not know it, but ramen, the quintessentially Japanese dish, may have actually originated in China. Traditional Chinese noodle dishes are very similar in style to ramen, and Lamian, a Chinese noodle similar to the type you find in ramen, may be the linguistic origin of the word ramen. But this is all conjecture. Now you can try for yourself and see. Shanghai Street Noodle Wizard has recently opened on Russell Street in the city and it’s serving up Suzhao noodle soups from China’s Jiangsu Province. Apart from having the all-time best name for a venue, Noodle Wizard also wins our hearts by being a part of the Shanghai Street Dumpling family. As such, they'll not only be serving up soup, but sets of your favourite dumplings and dumpling-adjacent cuisine (hellooooo spring onion pancakes). The menu and ordering system looks slightly confusing, as there are some options for how the noodles are served, so it's best to apply the KISS approach – keep it simple, sexy. For comparative data, traditional Japanese ramen joint Menya Sandaime is just up the road and open 24/7. You kind of owe it to science to compare the pair. Shanghai Street Noodle Wizard is located at 167 Russell Street, Melbourne. Open Monday - Thursday 12:00pm -3pm, 4:30pm-9:00pm; Fri 12:00pm -3:00pm, 4:30pm - 9:30pm; Sunday 12:00pm - 3:00pm, 4:30pm-8pm. Via Goodfood. Image via Faye.
Brisbane's a constantly changing city, with new rooftop bars, music festivals and outdoor food markets springing up every season. Famous for its bright, warm summery weather, blooming jacaranda trees and endless sports activities, Australia's river city truly thrives in the warmer seasons. Brisbane's weather is downright balmy, with no outdoor escapade off-limits. There's rooftop bars, openair swimming pools and outdoor cinemas aplenty and the crisp, blue days mean a uniform of sunnies, thongs and a t-shirt are commonplace, as are icy beers, night markets and seafood feasts. To help you get the most out of your Brissy getaway, here's a guide to experiencing Brisbane like the locals do — and every single entry has been tried, tested and very much approved. To experience these for yourself, head to the Visit Brisbane website and get planning. BREAKFAST AT DAVIES PARK MARKETS Start your weekend strong with a wander around the Davies Park markets in West End. While you’re there, grab a langos or two (a traditional Hungarian dish made of deep fried bread dough topped with cheese, garlic and sour cream), a cinnamon-spiced coffee and make your way to the adjacent park to watch the band and do some quality dog spotting. If you can still walk after all that indulgence, wander down the river to Orleigh Park, catch the CityCat to a sunny spot and just take in the morning. GET BACK TO NATURE AT CEDAR CREEK You don’t have to go too far out of Brisbane to be transported to completely new worlds. Cedar Creek Falls is a 45 minute drive north-west of the city and is a favourite day trip location for anyone who doesn’t have a swimming pool. After you’ve had a paddle, head to one of the hiking trails and get lost (though not literally) in the quietness of nature. To get to the creek, turn left onto Cedar Creek Road which is about 5.7km north of Samford if you’re driving along Mt Samson Road. CHECK OUT THE GALLERY OF MODERN ART It goes without saying, GOMA's got a solid local and international rep. Every reviewer and local and stranger on the street is constantly banging on about how amazing the gallery is, how balanced the architecture, how resplendent the views. Well we’re sorry to be repetitive but it’s all true and you really must join the cult of people who strongly believe GOMA should be on everyone’s bucket list. And while you’re there, head to the State Library next door and take a quiet time-out in one of the window boxes overlooking the river, grab a CityCycle and take off along the river or head around the corner to the newest entertainment precinct on Montague Road and grab a bite at The Milk Factory. GRAB AN AUTHENTIC MEXICAN DINNER AT PEPE'S Whether you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine or not, it’s hard not to love Pepe’s Mexican in Newmarket. Their menu is huge, varied and always fresh; and no matter what night of the week you go, always expect a crowd. The décor is thematic and homely but not tacky (no fake moustaches or sombreros here). You can’t really go past the chicken chipotle empanadas, unless it’s to run with open arms into a steamy chimichanga. And if you really want to indulge (and we know you do), order the chocolate fudge nachos from the desert menu and whisper “Hashtag YOLO” as they’re placed in front of you. BREAKFAST AT A WEST END ICON The Gunshop Cafe is a long-running West End standard who do a mean breakfast (the weekend lines around the block are a testament to this fact). We recommend the potato and feta hash cake with herbed sour cream, baby spinach and truss cherry tomatoes; or for those with a sweet tooth, try the brioche French toast with roasted rhubarbs, pistachio mascarpone, fresh berries and toasted flake almonds (do we even have to explain why? Pistachio mascarpone, that’s why). After you’ve filled up on tasty treats, take a wander around West End, a suburb that shines on the weekend. Stop in at SWOP second hand clothing shop next door to Gunshop Cafe and famed bookshop Avid Reader on Boundary Street. TRY BRISBANE'S BEST SUSHI Words can’t describe the bounty of delight that is Sushi Kotobuki. Words like “tastiest”, “cheapest”, “moreish” and “cream cheese” all float in the aether when you take that first bite of aburi salmon. Until recently, Kotobuki only had one location on Lytton Road in East Brisbane, where lines ran out the door and tables were scarce. Luckily, they’ve recently opened a shiny new venue in the CBD. We urge you to embark on a journey via plane, train, bus or dog sled to get there and order as much fresh sushi as your stomach can handle. Our particular favourites include the cream cheese chicken fusion roll, the tofu agesdashi and their speciality ‘Crunch Chicken’. ABSEIL OFF KANGAROO CLIFFS We know this seems bananas. Why would anyone ruin a relaxing weekend getaway by plunging feet first and backwards off a sheer cliff? But hear us out. Think of the breathtaking view out over the Brisbane river, the rush of adrenalin as you turn your back to it and the feeling of invincibility when you finally get to the bottom. Not to mention that the experience is totally safe, fully harnessed and kids as young as eight can do it. Every day the cliffs are littered with adrenalin junkies chasing adventure, so you know it’s legit. EAT STREET MARKETS The Eat Street Markets are a local commodity that wouldn’t work in any other city in Australia. But they thrive in Brisbane, where the nights are balmy and the food is steaming. The market boasts dishes from around the world: Brazilian steaks alongside Greek honey puffs and Korean BBQ; Japanese Takoyaki alongside Coffin Bay oysters and Filipino street food. It’s multiculturalism at its best. After the smorgasbord has died down, take a wander through the market and check out the ware on sale from local craftsmen, fashion designers and fudge artisans (yeah for real – check out their cute, Instagram-worthy watermelon fudge). LIMES ROOFTOP CINEMA There’s nothing more invigorating than drinking a cocktail at a rooftop bar. Why? We don’t know. Maybe it’s the rush of looking out over the city and yelling “I’m the king of the world!” or pretending that the beautifully decorated Limes bar is actually the deck of your penthouse apartment. But whatever it is, the elation pairs well with a trashy movie, cocktail and reclining in a plush chair. Catch an array of questionable titles, like Adam Sandler’s 50 First Dates, which should only be viewed while buzzed and in good company. GO BAR HOPPING THROUGH THE CBD AND FORTITUDE VALLEY A fantastic quirk of the Brisbane nightlife scene is that most of the good bars and clubs are located in the CBD or Fortitude Valley, the most happening and hedonistic quarter of Brisbane. For an appropriately paced night, start with a few classy cocktails at Super Whatnot bar in Burnett Lane in the CBD. Pick at their light and vaguely Spanish bar menu until you’re feeling jolly, then take a quick Uber or bus up the road to the Brunswick Street Mall and prepare to get silly. Start off slowly at Kerbside on Constance Street and eventually make your way over to Cloudland on Ann Street for dancing or Laruche to vibe off the resident soul and funk DJs. And just so you know, there is a New York Slice on Brunswick Street for your post-club, pre-cab midnight snack (no judgement). Top Image: Cloudland
If you can hear 'Greensleeves' on the wind, you'd better chase the ice cream truck down to Queensbridge Square. King of dessert-for-dinner degustations Pierre Roelofs will be giving out free ice creams today. Parking the truck at Queensbridge Square on Tuesday, September 29 from midday t0 1pm (yep, it's a tiny window of sweet, sweet glory, so get there early), Roelofs will be handing over the goods to the first 200 people to show up. It's all to celebrate the announcement of this year's Good Food Month program today — and you can pick up a copy while you're there, or have a sneaky peek at our breakdown over here. If you can't get down to the square today, never fear. Roelofs will be serving up the goods at Sweetfest at GFM, a dessert-only festival featuring Katherine Sabbath, Philippa Sibley and more at North Melbourne’s Meat Market on November 28-29. If you can't wait that long, Roelof's insane dessert evenings have just returned to Melbourne, this week. Roelofs will be giving out free ice creams from midday to 1pm on Tuesday, September 29 at Queensbridge Square. For more information about Good Food Month's 2015 program, head over here.
The tentpole theatre production of this year's Melbourne Festival arrives direct from London's West End. Adapted from George Orwell's iconic novel about a dystopian future governed by a totalitarian regime, the show generated rave reviews during its initial UK run, and earned a Best New Play nomination at the prestigious Olivier Awards. Festival organisers have also programmed a number of supplemental events around the production, including a film program at ACMI about surveillance in cinema and a one-off live reading of Orwell's book by a group of journalists, writers, actors and politicians in the chambers of State Parliament. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Festival. Check out the other nine.
There are movies, and there are movies. At MIFF you'll find the latter. The largest and most prestigious event of its kind anywhere in the country, the latest edition of the Melbourne International Film Festival will feature more than 350 films over two and a half weeks, spanning every imaginable genre, language and style. MIFF 2016 kicks off on July 28 with the world premiere of Australian sci-fi drama The Death and Life of Otto Bloom. From there it's off to the pictures — and with literally hundreds of options to choose from, there'll always be something to see. There's a stream dedicated to movies made in Australia, and another one on films about food. Fans of arthouse cinema can catch the latest titles from Sundance, Berlin and Cannes in the 'Headliners' section, while horror buffs get to stay up late with the weird and wonderful 'Night Shift'. For our full list of recommendations, check out our ten must-see films of the festival.
Vivid Sydney is really cranking it up this year. With a kaleidoscopic festival program of light, music and ideas, Vivid's 2016 will be taking over building facades, creative spaces and music venues throughout the city from May 27 through to June 18. Obviously, the lights are the main event here, the drawcard millions of visitors descend upon Sydney for. This year, Sydney Opera House features the absolutely stunning Songlines, with new and iconic contemporary Indigenous works from Karla Dickens, Djon Mundine, Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi, Reko Rennie, Donny Woolagoodja, and the late Gulumbu Yunupingu. The Light Walk is back, with Sydney's building facades lighting up with spectacular artistry — including Selena Griffith, Edison Chen, Nila Rezaei, Nathan Adler's I LOVE YOU, a giant heart that changes colour when you scream those exact words at it. Taronga Zoo is playing host to an illuminated animal trail, and The Royal Botanic Gardens is celebrating 200 years with its own highly Instagrammable installations — including Mandylights' Cathedral of Light. The Chatswood precinct lights up with WildLight, inspired by the animals of Gondwana, and Martin Place sees the technical debut from NIDA in Martin Place called Fountain, a giant installation of human birth rate data as 'water jets', and Simon Aitken's unmissable Geometrics. Have a flick through our gorgeous gallery from Concrete Playground's Bodhi Liggett, then rug up and get amongst the lights, music, parties and ideas. Want to have a bite while you're watching the lights? Here's ten spots with panoramic Vivid views.
Earlier this year, some of Australia's best bar teams went head-to-head to nab mad bragging rights, an epic photo shoot and a huge trip to Glasgow for Auchentoshan Whisky's national Distilled Different competition. Bar teams across Australia created an Auchentoshan American Oak cocktail for the competition, and twelve were then paired with an up-and-coming Australian photographer who worked with them to create a photographic masterpiece to reflect the team's personality. On Tuesday October 18, the winner of the cocktail competition was crowned. Sydney bar team Eau De Vie won for the originality of their cocktail and portrait, which was snapped by Brendan Fitzpatrick in a fully-styled photo shoot that judges agreed captured the essence of their bar. Eau De Vie and Fitzpatrick were chosen as the winning team by a panel of industry professionals, including our very own managing editor Shannon Connellan. The team from Eau De Vie will be jet-setting off to Glasgow as part of their prize. Glasgow is the home of Auchentoshan — the only triple distilled Scottish single malt whisky in the world. Triple distilled, people. The winners will of course get to visit the Auchentoshan distillery while they're there. The team at Ramblin' Rascal Tavern were also chosen on the night as the winners of the People's Choice Award. Take a look at what went down on the night.
This one-off event with NYC yoga instructor Dina Smirnova is swapping the traditional yoga sounds of babbling brooks and wind-chimes for Drake in a hip hop yoga class — proving that anything is possible when it comes to this strange new world of hybrid yoga classes. Dina's original teaching style combines all the classics of vinyasa, but with a R'n'B flavour. In a candle-lit room. Expect a few hip hop battles, fast-moving sequences to a live DJ set blaring all the Drake classics. It's not your average way to open up your chakras, and will be testing for those used to downward dogging at a slower pace. But YogaDrake has been praised by non-yoga lovers as a great way to find their personal namaste — albeit onewith heaps more street cred. This class will be held at Footscray's Bluestone Church Arts Space on Saturday, November 14 from 7-9pm, and vegan treats will be available on the night. Best of all, entry is by gold coin donation.
Who better to help launch you into weekend mode than the one-and-only Beyoncé? From 7pm each Friday night, hip hop-loving Mr Scruff's plays host to Bey Party — a fun, beginner-friendly, Beyonce-themed casual dance class that'll have you breaking a sweat and throwing down some serious party moves. Rock up early to fuel your session with some of the kitchen's stellar food, and stick around afterwards to show off those newfound moves once the bar's Flyday Fridays DJ action kicks into gear. You'll shake off all the week's stress and get a nice bump of endorphins in the process — for only $15 on the door.
Australia's finest gin makers are on their way to The Boatbuilders Yard for a one-day celebration of that most sensational of spirits. Juniperlooza is a home-grown gin festival that should in no way be confused with Junipalooza (spelled with an 'a'), which is a totally different thing. We know it's confusing, but are you really going to complain about Melbourne having two events dedicated to gin? Yeah, we didn't think so. Held on Saturday, November 18, Juniperlooza will showcase some of Australia's best gin. There'll also be food to help line your stomach, DJs and live music, and special talk + taste sessions to fill your brain with gin wisdom. Hopefully you can still remember it the next day.
Ask any racer. Any real racer. It don't matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Winning's winning. Especially if you make it to the end of this movie marathon. If the recently released The Fate of the Furious has you keen for some NOS-driven binge-watching, St Kilda's Astor Theatre is taking that urge to the extreme. From Saturday, July 15 through to the wee hours of the morning on Sunday, July 16, they're showing the Fast and the Furious octalogy in its entirety — all 16 glorious hours' worth. This lengthy marathon will be arranged by plot chronology, not release date, so you can truly watch your favourite pseudo family grow from humble street racers to international super spies in order. Settle in for a casual eight films including The Fast and the Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Fast and Furious, Fast 5, Fast & Furious 6, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Furious 7 and, last but certainly not least, The Fate of the Furious. It will be an explosive, all-day veg-out session, with multiple bags of popcorn and extra-large colas a must. Make sure to book early to avoid the neck-breaking front seats and get ready to live a quarter mile at a time — for 16 hours straight.
Grab a cup of coffee and your best highlighter pen because the program for Melbourne Fringe has just been revealed — and boy is it a doozy. From circus and dance to mind-popping installations and everything in-between, this year's festival consists of more than 450 events, brought to life by literally thousands of passionate artists. For punters, it's both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, there's certainly no shortage of things to see. On the other, it's basically impossible to get to them all. Inspired by the theme 'step into the light', this year's program is bookended by a pair of significant works from acclaimed audio-visual artist Robin Fox. Lighting up the city from September 15 to 18, Sky Light is a city-scale artwork that will connect iconic Melbourne skyscrapers with powerful lasers, invisible from some angles and breathtaking from others. Similarly, from September 29 until October 2, White Beam will pierce the sky above Prahran's Grattan Gardens with a focused beam of shimmering white light. But that's just the tip of a very impressive iceberg. As one of the biggest and most eclectic events on the city's cultural calendar, the Fringe lineup caters to every conceivable taste. There'll be eye-popping cabaret shows from the likes of James Welsby and Yana Alana, alongside a music lineup that covers everything from jazz to orchestral to disco. Comedy is, as per usual, a major focus of the festival, with Sammy J, Bev Kilick and rising star Laura Davis among those slated to perform. The latter, in particular, comes highly recommended. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Fringe Furniture exhibition. Showcasing the work of exceptional Melbourne designers, find it at the historic Abbotsford Convent throughout the duration of the fest. And, of course, you'll want to spend plenty of time at the Festival Club in North Melbourne, where you can mingle with like-minded patrons and catch a different show every night. The Melbourne Fringe Festival runs from September 15 until October 2. For the full program visit melbournefringe.com.au.
It seems Melbourne could be over its Asian food obsession and circling back to its European roots. In the last few months alone we've welcomed Italian joint Mr Ottorino to Fitzroy, seen A25 expand to the CBD and French bistro Ôter open up in Flinders Lane. Furthering that trend, chef Joseph Vargetto has launched his new classic Italian restaurant Massi on Little Collins Street. Opening last month, the venue is the little sibling of Kew favourite Mister Bianco, and offers a similar mix of coffee, cakes, cold meats and antipasti as well as pastas and Sicilian-style mains. Named after the acclaimed chef's youngest son, the restaurant is located at 445 Little Collins, between Williams Street and Queen. Open Tuesday to Friday for breakfast, lunch and dinner (on Mondays they'll be open until 6pm), the space can seat up to 50 people, and is described by Vargetto as "comfortable and welcoming". Diners looking for a quick bite can pay a visit to the "crudo antipasto corner", where they can watch chefs slice up a selection of salumi and terrines. Those after something heartier can opt for steak or pan-fried barramundi, or choose from a number of appetising pasta options such as black spaghettini with virgule, blue swimmer crab, garlic and chilli. Dessert is designed to be shared – because why would you choose between mascarpone panna cotta and orange cake with ricotta cream when you can just order both? Massi will also welcome the city's post-work drinks crowd, with Aperitivo Hour kicking off at 4.30pm each day. Behind the impressive marble bar you'll find a great selection of beer, wine and Prosecco. Alternatively, you can take your booze home with you from their fully licensed bottle shop. Find Massi at 445 Little Collins Street, Melbourne. For more information visit massi.com.au.
South Yarra's new healthy eatery has got us smäking our lips. Now open for just a few weeks on Daly Street near the Corner of Chapel Street and Toorak Road, Scandinavian-inspired SMÄK Food House is serving up simple, healthy food for breakfast, lunch and (in the very near future) dinner. Standouts on the breakfast menu include mixed nut granola with berries, apple, cashew yoghurt and manuka honey; silverbeet and leek fitters with poached egg, smoked miso salmon and chargrilled corn and quinoa salsa; and turkey chipolatas served with poached eggs, free range bacon, swiss brown mushrooms, truss tomato, kale and rye bread, and sweet potato rosti. The lunch and dinner options are similarly eclectic. You can opt for a salad, such as a spiced cauliflower, farro, celery, spinach, walnut and cranberry number, or one made with orange poached beetroot, thyme carrots, tomato, corn, lima beans and pepitas. Alternatively, your protein options include 12 hour juniper berry braised lamb with red cabbage and pickled beetroot, and poached tarragon chicken with an almond thyme crust and garlic. Rounding things out are a number of extravagant beverages, including spinach, celery, cucumber and parsley juice, and a banana and zucchini smoothie made with chia, spirulina, coconut milk, strawberries, granola and dates. SMÄK is located at 6C Daly Place, South Yarra. They are currently open 7am to 3.30pm seven days a week, but will extend their operating hours to 10pm starting in June. For more information visit smakfoodhouse.com.
Gelato appreciation class. It's a thing. A real thing. It's not some fake class like 'Video Appreciation Class' at high school which is straight-up just watching Ten Things I Hate About You every Wednesday. It's legit. And of course, Gelato Messina are behind it. One of Messina's fastest-selling event every time, gelato class is an event worth jumping on right now. We mean now. Join the team at Messina HQ in Sydney or Fitzroy in Melbourne every Saturday and you'll find out what goes on behind the scenes of everyone's favourite gelato joint. What a bloody glorious way to spend your Saturday morning. Classes are now open for booking from January to April 2016. There are two types of classes: a Gelato Appreciation Class for $160 per person, a part gelato making class, part info session, part science lesson, and part gelato degustation with Messina's chefs; and a Hands On Gelato Class for $250 per person, where you'll learn the finer details of making gelato — and pasteurise and plate your own gelato or sorbet. Dear sweet mother of Benedict Cumberbatch, what a classroom. Book your delicious, delicious education at Gelato Messina's website.
Test out your putting skills over an ice cold bev courtesy of Brunswick Brewery, Good Beer Week and Howler. The Brunswick bar (the latter) is resurrecting its nighttime mini golf course, Howler Mini-Golf-O-Rama. Each of its nine holes corresponds to a classic mini golf theme (volcanoes, windmills, jungles). To use the course, all punters need to do is rock up and buy a glass of Brooklyn. And who knows, after a couple of drinks, maybe your aim will actually improve?
When it comes to being male, middle-class, and white, there are few names bigger than pop icon Ben Folds. Since going on hiatus from his not-so-aptly named trio, Ben Folds Five, the eponymous figure is venturing beyond his traditional classic-pop fusion. He still sings and plays piano, but he's upgrading slightly from his three-man ensemble (bass, drums), to a legitimate New York-style instrumental group in the form yMusic (string trio, flute, clarinet, trumpet). This new ensemble has naturally influenced Fold's sound, one only needs to listen to his solo project released last year So There, heavily featuring the chamber ensemble to hear this. Folds himself testifies to his fraternal connection with the ensemble, and it will be on display all through Australia in the month to come. Starting at QPAC in Brisbane on August 18, Folds and his new band will be playing the Opera House on August 20 and 21, the Perth Concert Hall on August 23, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on August 25, the Palais Theatre in Melbourne on August 26 and 27, and finally the Canberra Theatre on August 28. If you want to see truly canonical pop, bridging the last few decades, you might want to catch these shows.
Friday, July 1 will see Melbourne's Roxanne Parlour overtaken by a squad of Australia's most talented electronic musicians. The night, presented by local record label Good Manners, aims to showcase some of the solid gold coming out of the Australian electronic music scene. The showcase will be curated by Good Manners artist Banoffee, who'll be celebrating the release of her latest video for single 'I'm Not Sorry' alongside the excellently named experimental dance music producer Dro Carey. Loseless — the Oscar Key Sung and HTML Flowers collaboration — will also be supporting, fresh off the boat from performances at Dark MOFO with Melbourne duo Habits. Kicking off from 9pm, the evening will run late with DJ sets from The Harpoons, Jennifer Loveless and Brooke Powers. Tickets are on sale now for $23.50. Image: Freya Esders.
When we take that first sip of our barista-brewed coffee on a workday morning, a lot of us can't actually imagine living without coffee. But what about living without a roof over your head or a guaranteed meal? Unfortunately, this is what many homeless people around Australia face each day, but on Friday, August 5, you can help your fellow Aussies out simply by buying a coffee as part of CafeSmart. CafeSmart is an annual event from StreetSmart that raises money and awareness for the homeless and is back for its fourth year running. So how does it work? From every coffee purchased on August 5 at a participating cafe around Australia, $1 will be donated towards local projects. So if your go-to local isn't participating, shake things up for a day and head to one that is. Prefer a hot chocolate? You can also donate at the counter. Simply by aiming for a bighearted cafe, you'll be helping some of our country's most in-need humans, so treat yourself to a third or fourth coffee guilt-free. CafeSmart is happening around the country on Friday, August 5. Check the website for participating cafes near you.
Peel yourself away from Netflix and go digging for some cult classics at Fitzroy's first quarterly Film Fair. Frolic amongst Melbourne’s finest film buffs and collectors, where you can either buy, sell, swap or barter films and their associated paraphernalia. Discounted Blu-ray and DVDs will be available to purchase, alongside film posters, collectables, clothing, 16mm projections and plenty more. Plus, there'll be a VHS swap meet (yes, VCRs still exist, people). The fair will be held at Fitzroy’s super fun tiki bar, The LuWow, so you can be assured there’ll be live music brought to you by Mick Dog’s Boneyard and mai tais for everyone. Even if you have nothing to swap or sell, there are also door prizes on the day that dish out prizes every hour, so you’re likely to come home with something. Whether you’re a B-grade bandit or an arthouse fanatic, you’re sure to stumble across some gold that your media streaming provider of choice couldn’t offer you in a million years. Happy trading. Want more old school films? Check out our feature on Melbourne's best retro film programs over here. Image: Ludo.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Melburnians love Nutella. Like, love Nutella. In fact we love it so much that we may have accidentally caused a nation-wide shortage earlier in the month. Oops. Sorry everyone in the rest of the country. That one was on us. Now you might have hoped that we'd have learnt something from that experience — that perhaps Melbourne should be enjoying Nutella in moderation, to ensure that we're never confronted with such a scarcity again. But that just wouldn't be our style. Instead, we're doubling down, with a full blown Nutella pop-up. We're talking s'mores, truffles and tarts by the hundreds. Because if anyone is going to wipe those heavenly nuts off the face of the earth, then you better believe it is going to be us. Organised by City Lane, the pop-up pops up at The Alehouse Project in Brunswick East on Saturday, September 12. The service window opens at 9am sharp, at which point you'll be able to grab yourself a $10 'bento box' containing a Nutella and peanut butter s'more, a Nutella and salted caramel chocolate truffle, and a Nutella and maple syrup tart with smoked hickory Italian meringue. If 9am sounds too early to be scoffing all that sugar then move to Adelaide, you traitor. Besides, they've only made 500 boxes — and we have a sneaking suspicion they're not going to last. Hell, we're planning on grabbing at least a dozen boxes for ourselves. The pop-up will also be serving Japanese style V60 pour over coffee at $3 a cup. Their set-up is cash only, so make sure you bring the Benjamins. You'll also be able to grab a glass of beer or wine once The Alehouse opens at midday — although again, that's only if you're willing to run the risk of missing out on the sweet stuff. Your call. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
One of Australia's most beloved historic cinemas, for more than 75 years the Astor Theatre has been home to some of the finest movies ever made. Silent classics and masterpieces of foreign cinema regularly light up the art deco auditorium, transporting audiences to worlds beyond their imagination. But all that pales in comparison to what they've got in store this Friday night. Forget about Casablanca, Metropolis and Apocalypse Now. Things are about to get... magic. Led by Channing Tatum's abs, The Kings of Tampa will strut their stuff across the screen for both Magic Mike films from 7.30pm sharp. No word on whether The Astor will be providing any live entertainment during intermission, although it'd seem like a pretty big missed opportunity if they don't (maybe the staff will show off a few dance moves?) Either way, pre-film cocktails on Chapel Street are highly recommended.
Friday Nights at the NGV are back. Coinciding with the last few weeks of the current Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition, Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great, the gallery is inviting visitors to enjoy a jam-packed late-night program complete with food, booze, talks and live performances. The six-week program begins Friday, October 2, with a night headlined by contemporary jazz group The Paul Grabowsky Trio. Other musical guests on the program include Glenn Richards, Gareth Liddiard, Laura Jean, Underground Lovers and Jaako Eino Kalevi, as well as DJ sets from Darcy Baylis, Banoffee, Airwolf and Edd Fisher. In addition to the music lineup, other Friday night activities include drawing classes and short academic talks. Food-wise, the gallery kitchen will be serving casual dining fare and share plates in the Great Hall. All in all, top notch Friday adventuring in the gallery. Image: Banoffee, Sarah Chav.
The Preatures are back for their final national tour for the year. Not content with two critically-acclaimed EPs, the Sydney fivesome released their debut album Blue Planet Eyes late last year to many a raised plastic cup. The Sydneysiders have really been kicking goals as of late. After gaining serious momentum overseas, The Preatures are returning home for one more tour supporting Blue Planet Eyes before holing up and creating their much-anticipated second album. With applauded performances at this years Vivid LIVE and Dark MOFO festivals, The Preatures are taking their last Australian tour of 2015 with no holds barred.
Slow food? What's slow food? Nope, it's not the eating of snails. The philosophy of slow food (for those who may need a cheeky reminder) essentially boils down to produce that is good, clean and fair. If those principles resonate with you and your preferred eating habits, this farmers market is for you. Going strong since 2006, and in partnership with Melbourne Farmers Market, this smorgasbord of delectable produce calls the Abbotsford Convent home on the fourth Saturday of each month. The market features 60 of Melbourne's most hardworking local growers and food producers. These farmers' unwavering dedication to the quality of their produce and the integrity of their production methods ensures buyers that their dollars are going directly towards maintaining this high standard. It’s a $2 donation on entry, and we should also let you know that it is a plastic bag-free zone, so please BYO calico. If you have a well behaved pooch (or kitty) they are also welcome to attend, just keep them on a lead and you're golden.
Five seasons in, and you’d think Game of Thrones fans would have resigned themselves to the fact that most of their favourite characters are probably going to die. And yet, as the recent season five finale showed, audiences are still holding on to a faint glimmer of hope — and are then venting their agony on the internet when HBO stabs them through the heart. To help you cope with George R. R. Martin’s latest batch of executions, ACMI have assembled a team of four diehard Thrones fans for their latest edition of Talking TV. This Tuesday, June 30, film critic Luke Buckmaster, freelance culture journo Mel Campbell, broadcaster/writer Clementine Ford and writer/comedian Luke Ryan will examine the public reaction to the show and pitch their answers to some of the biggest questions in Westeros. Is you know who really dead? Is Daenerys ever going to fly to King’s Landing? Will anyone who swore to boycott the show next year actually stick to their guns? Just try not to like any of the panelists too much. Because you’d basically be signing their death warrant.
A big happy birthday is in order for one of Australia's greatest electronic music promoters. Over the past 11 years, The Operatives have showcased world-class electronic music figures, as well as sending Australia’s finest into the world to make a name for themselves with international audiences. The Operatives are sure as heck going to party like it’s, well, their bday, with some very special international guests dropping in to help blow out the candles. Leading the charge is LA’s rabbit-lovin' producer Jennifer Lee aka TOKiMONSTA, the darling of Flying Lotus’s label Brainfeeder. There'll also be first-time Australian performances by BBC Radio 1 regular Toddla T, and Belgium-based collective Losco. Joining this already-epic lineup is Beat Spacek, Sunit, A13, Amin Payne, Headstone, Jade Zoe and Mimi, JPS vs NAM, Kano and Lady Banton. Throw on some Camo and head down to Revolt Artspace to get amongst the birthday festivities.
If Black Swan didn't make the ballet world look tough enough, the boys from The Dream are sure to fix that. The Australian Ballet has been putting its dancers through their paces ahead of the company's latest production. A fascinating rendition of Shakespeare's iconic A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Dream is part of a triple bill of works by leading 20th-century choreographer Frederick Ashton at his spectacular best. Expect magic and musicality, and did we mention men en pointe? That's right, to play the role of Bottom the donkey, the male dancers will have to make like the ladies and dance on their toe-tips (a technique they've learnt in just 12 weeks, as dancer Christopher Rodgers-Wilson described to us for our feature). Bringing Shakespeare's most magical work to contemporary audiences, think of this as the perfect first-taste of ballet for anyone who's never dared step foot inside the State Theatre.
