Experience the past, present and future of the circus, up close and personal. Taking over the Royal Botanic Gardens as part of this year's Melbourne Festival, Lexicon is the latest acclaimed work from No Fit State, the UK's leading large-scale contemporary circus company. From clowning and juggling to gasp-inducing, death-defying trapeze work, the show promises to both embrace and subvert 250 years of big top tradition.
Round two of perhaps one of the most talked about event from last year's Good Food Month, the Night Noodle Markets is back — bigger and better than before. This year it's moved across the river to Birrarung Marr, but the old favourites from last year will return, including Chin Chin, Mamak, Izakaya Den and Longrain. There will be over 50 food stalls and trucks in action from November 14-30, so you're winning on that front. DJs will be spinning tunes during those balmy spring nights, and for post-dinner treats, get yourself some Messina or a coffee from the St Ali pop-up. This year you should give one of the new kids on the block a go: Kong, Charlie Dumpling and Mr Miyagi are just a few of the exciting new additions. This was chosen as one of our top ten events of Good Food Month. See the full list here.
The coming together of the words Shebeen and Speakeasy sounds very underground and illegal, however we have it on good authority that association with this new collaboration won’t land you in any trouble. Shebeen, the newly opened not-for-profit bar on Manchester Lane, sends proceeds to projects in the developing world, while Speakeasy Cinema seeks out the weird and wonderful of the film world, offering viewers something not on offer at the local Village. It seems to make sense that these two are coming together for Moonshine Cinema, playing four films in February and March. Blank City, screening Tuesday, February 26, gives a raw depiction of the underground filmmaking scene in New York in the '70s and '80s. The documentary features interviews with filmmakers and really captures the spirit of DIY filmmaking in a tale that shows us how No Wave and the Cinema of Transgression began. Bombay Beach, screening Thursday, February 28, follows the journey of three protagonists through southern California — each with their own story, yet bound by their shared outsider status. Music from Bob Dylan and choreographed dances by Zach Condon are featured in the film. On Saturday, March 2, Girl Walk // All Day takes viewers on an unexpected ride through dance that sits somewhere between a music video, a recital and a musical, set to mash-up artist Girl Talk. A boogie is advised and in order to encourage this, seating will be minimal. The final screening for Moonshine Cinema, on Sunday March 3, will be the Australian premiere of Valtari Film Experiment, a collaboration of 16 directors' responses to Valtari, the latest album from band Sigur Ros. With a common budget 14 directors were asked to create a film in response to the sounds. Fans were asked to do the same and out of 834 submissions two were chosen to make up the 16 films featured. Image via speakeasycinema.com.au
So Melbourne Now may have late-night art, but Arts House is bringing you a sleepover. From 11pm on Saturday, March 22 till 9am the following morning, Sydney artist Sarah Rodigari will be taking a leaf out of Wendy Davis's book by performing an awe-inspiring filibuster. No, it might not be all kick-ass lady power and reproductive rights, but it will surely be a thing of beauty as Rodigari talks about love, loss, honour and hope. Cheer her on through the fatigue and BYO blankets and pillows. This event was featured in our top ten things to see at the Festival of Live Art. See the full list here.
ACMI sure know how to deliver the goods. First they set us up with unlimited Mario Kart at Screen Worlds, then they delivered a huge DreamWorks showcase that saw Flinders Street decorated with a giraffe's butt, now this — free cartoons. ACMI are playing a selection of the world's best animated shorts in their Mediatheque, free of charge and on demand. The nine short animations on offer were originally compiled by Edinburgh International Film Festival in celebration of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. As all the featured animators are from nations within the Commonwealth, this unfortunately means there's no Pixar or Dreamworks fare, but don't worry, you won't be disappointed. Featuring work from as far as Trinidad & Tobago, Singapore and South Africa, the showcase is incredibly diverse. In one sitting you are treated to a story of a cyborg chicken, a struggling musician, and a man with terrifying social anxiety. No, it's not obnoxious giraffes or kind-hearted ogres, but it sure is entertaining. Head over to the ACMI website to see the full list of shorts.
'Whip' Whittaker (Denzel Washington) wakes up in a hotel room, disentangles himself from last night's paramour, Katerina (Nadine Velazquez), surveys the wreckage of liquor bottles, does a line of cocaine, argues with his ex-wife, then heads to his day job. As a commercial pilot. While his co-pilot, the straitlaced Ken Evans (Brian Geraghty) thinks something is amiss with Whip, it is smooth sailing as Whip pulls off an audacious move to get the plane through some bad weather then rewards himself with a mid-flight vodka and orange juice. Then things start to go very, very wrong. In one of the most gripping set pieces seen on the big screen in years, the plane finds itself in trouble and not responding to any of the usual fixes. It is soon plummeting towards earth and the passengers and crew resort to panic and prayer. Whip, however, remains cool and in a brilliant piece of quick thinking, inverts the plane to take much of the force out of the landing. The manoeuvre mitigates what could have been complete calamity and when the wreckage is surveyed, only six people have lost their lives. After such a bold start, the film moves into the more familiar territory of addiction drama, but there is far too much complexity and moral nuance here for the film to be anything less than intriguing. It is revealed the plane wasn't properly maintained and was an accident waiting to happen. Whip's audacious actions were not performed in spite of his state of inebriation but actually because of it. Another pilot, one free of drugs and alcohol, could not have done what he did and saved as many lives as he did. He meets heroin addict Nicole (Kelly Reilly) in hospital, and the pair are soon shacked up at a secluded cottage, hiding from the world. But when the legal ramifications of the crash ramp up after Whip has a testy meeting with Hugh (an excellent Don Cheadle), a driven criminal lawyer who is confident he can have Whip's toxicology report thrown out as evidence, he falls back off the wagon, skulling vodka with a vengeance and hatching plans to escape to Jamaica in a small plane. Whip's actions become increasingly pathetic as his supporters try to curb his powerful self-destructive streak and keep him from having a public meltdown before the hearing that will hopefully clear his name for good. Still, he insists he drinks because he wants to. He's had years of practice at getting away with it and finds himself on the brink of freedom. If Flight loses its nerve somewhat in the closing minutes, it only serves to cast the truthful and arresting drama that has come before in an even brighter light. Featuring one of the best performances in Washington's career, it's a tough and taut film which asks questions that linger long after its closing credits.
Not be outdone by their neighbours, whose own festival du film celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the latest line-up at the Audi Festival of German Films is guaranteed to give the French a run for their money. Presented by the Goethe-Institut in conjunction with Palace Cinemas, the 2014 festival boasts a selection of more than 50 German language films, as well as parties, lectures, special screenings and Q&As. Just a few of the highlights include Marc Rothemund's The Girl with Nine Wigs, about a young woman struggling with a cancer diagnosis; Constanze Knoche's simmering family drama, Visitors, about the strained relationship between a father and his three adult children; and Jan-Ole Gerster's black and white, day-in-the-life dramedy Oh Boy, which scooped up the top prize at the 2013 German Film Awards. This year's program also has something of a historical focus, with 2014 marking an important centennial. As part of the Goethe-Institut's year long commemoration of the millions of lives lost during World War One, artist Justus Neumann will present a lecture on Karl Kraus's satirical play The Last Days of Mankind, followed by a screening of the acclaimed naval drama Odyssey of Heroes. A more joyous milestone is the quarter century that has passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The festival's evening-long celebration will include two documentaries, separated by a live multimedia performance piece by Berlin cabaret band The Beez. For the full Audi Festival of German Films program, see the festival website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Xlyt_IRWM30
Pasta and parmesan are one of Italian cuisine's perfect pairings. Eat the former without the latter, and your tastebuds will know the difference. And while sprinkling your spaghetti with fine shavings of hard, granular cheese is all well and good and delicious, that's nothing compared to devouring a bowl of pasta that has been cooked in a parmesan wheel. If it sounds like all of your culinary dreams come true, that's because it is — and it's the dish in the spotlight at Cucinetta's Parmesan Wheel Week. From July 30 until August 3, the South Yarra restaurant is serving up the Italian traditional specialty pasta Cacio e Pepe straight out of a wheel of 18-month Grana Padano. Given that Cacio e Pepe is a spaghetti concoction already made with parmesan and pepper — think fancier, tastier mac 'n' cheese — the results promise quite the cheesy meal. Available for lunch and dinner for five days only, it's the kind of dish that has to be eaten to be believed. We'd tell you to arrive hungry, but we're sure you already are just thinking about it. Image: Naotake Murayama via Flickr.
Cue prepubescent joy squeals: '90s R&B legends TLC are kicking off their first tour to Australia, stopping by the Palais Theatre this June. In a time when 'Genie in a Bottle' and 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' dominated the charts, Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins, Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas and Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes taught a whole generation about girl power, cargo pants and combat boots. These were the ladiez who told me not to waste my time with scrubs (FYI: a scrub is a guy who can't get no love from me). Although nearly two decades have passed since their standout hits 'No Scrubs' and 'Waterfalls', TLC will be hitting up the Palais on June 11. Of course, since the passing of Left Eye in a 2002 car crash, the band will be performing with just two of the original three members. Although TLC's reps have stated there will be some inclusion of Lopes through audiovisual means (though definitely not a hologram a la Tupac). Beaten only by the Spice Girls, TLC still stand as the second highest selling girl group of all time with a mammoth 65 million album sales recorded worldwide. The trio are also universally acknowledged as the number one iPod selection at both karaoke and horrifically late portions of house parties when everyone feels the need to rap terribly and grind on the d-floor like it's 1994. Although TLC have confirmed they are working on a new album set for release sometime this year, this is inevitably going to be a gig for pure nostalgia. Bonus points for anyone who rocks up in white diamantes or primary-coloured overalls, Converse trainers and condom badges. Also, if you don't know all the words and relevant sassy head bobs to 'No Scrubs', you're straight-up not allowed inside the Palais foyer. Tickets on sale 9am on Thursday, April 24 via Ticketmaster.
Throw on your dancing shoes — the young legends at St Martins Youth Arts Centre are hosting a very different kind of bush dance. The latest project from the celebrated youth theatre company, Banjos, Boots and Beyoncé will take over The Substation in Newport from July 6 through July 8. In a hilarious subversion, kids will call the shots over three nights of rowdy dance and bants for grown-ups. This interactive performance is billed as a contemporary reimagining of an Aussie folk tradition and an examination of the conventions and relevance of social dance. Directed by Luke Kerridge and choreographed by Ghenoa Gela, the show will also feature sound by iconic local DJ MzRizk. The company has quite the resume, having previously presented works in partnership with Dance Massive, Dark Mofo and Melbourne Festival. In a cheeky effort to bring out your inner youth, guests will be treated to Iced Vovos throughout the night. For those who are not quite ready to jump on in, wallflower tickets are also available for five bucks — but the dancefloor will of course be where the party's at.
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Melbourne is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you celebrate the little things that bring a sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Melbourne. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, head out on a Monday for some free comedy, take time out to ride through Merri Creek and snag $1 oysters with a view over Smith Street. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the new few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
It's not very often that umbrellas inspire a curator's vision for a new group show, but that's sort of exactly what happened when the Heide Museum of Modern Art's curator Sue Cramer came across Melbourne artist Belle Bassin's video work. In the video, Bassin is filmed moving around the Paris Metro system dressed in a bright flurry of umbrellas — and nothing else. These theatrics — as well as the elements of movement, light, surrealism and performance — have provided the basis for Heide's newest group show, Dancing umbrellas: an exhibition of movement and light. Along with Bassin's two-channel video installation, the exhibition will also include a range of film, performance, painting and object-based works from contemporary Australian artists, including Minna Gilligan, Peter Cripps and Michelle Ussher, amongst others. You'll notice a theme in their works — all of them have been selected for their ability to evoke a sense of otherwordliness through cultural references, artefacts and ideas. The exhibition will run at the charming Bulleen gallery until June 5.
No one makes movies quite like the South Koreans, one of the powerhouse nations of international cinema. Celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2014, the Korean Film Festival in Australia will once again deliver the best of the Hallyuwood industry to our shores. The festival kicks off with Cold Eyes, a cat-and-mouse surveillance film that blitzed the Korean box office last year. Other thrillers (a genre in which Korean filmmakers seem to flourish) on the program include mafia movie New World, featuring Oldboy star Choi Min-sik, and big-budget action flick The Suspect. But there's more to Korean cinema than just bloody tales of crime and revenge. Fashion doco Nora Noh recounts the life and times of the Korean Coco Chanel, while animated kids film The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow has possibly the greatest title of all time. There's also a selection of comedies, including '80s-set high-school tale Hot Young Bloods and age-swap movie Miss Granny. For the full KOFFIA program, visit the festival website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=hZ4iPhhvAY4
Singaporean artist Sam Lo has been causing a bit of a stir for years now, offering up urban works that provide sharp social commentary and reimagine current political issues. Formally known as "Sticker Lady" due to her constant sticker pasting runs and graffiti works (which landed her in trouble with the Singaporean authorities), Lo's interactive work Progress: A Game of Leaders invites the audience to take on roles in the building of a hypothetical nation. Asking participants to consider how the newly founded country's funds should be spent and what should be prioritised, players fight to become the nation's leader – often leading to catastrophic outcomes.
Admit it, you're the sort who skins your empty beer bottles. Friends say you're frustrated, but we know you just need an outlet to unleash your inner artist. Learn how to put your idle hands to use by making 'beer-rariums' and turning bottle lids into earrings, while you spend the afternoon sampling beers with lady brewer Miryam Piechocinski, founder of the brand-new Kettle Green Brewery. This event is part of Good Beer Week's 2015 program, running from May 16-24. For more festival picks, click here.
Put down your milkshakes and cue-up because the brewers from Red Hill are joining the sharks from the Red Triangle for an evening of sharp round-robin shooting. You can choose to pot a ball or two while rubbing shoulders with professional players, or just happily sink a few hand-selected Red Hill beers while you heckle the night away. This event is part of Good Beer Week's 2015 program, running from May 16-24. For more festival picks, click here.
When one of Victoria's favourite bottled waters turns ten, you throw a party. And considering a glass of beer is at least 90 percent water, what better way to celebrate than by joining forces with local beer brewers. Over two nights at Ladro TAP in Prahran, they'll be hosting the ultimate keg-off. It will involve 3 Ravens Brewery, Cavalier Brewing, Holgate Brewhouse, Red Duck Beer and Two Birds Brewing, who will each create a Daylesford-Hepburn mineral water infused brew. Topping it all off will be six courses of food from the Daylesford region, so it promises to be an evening of sheer gastronomic delight.
When it comes to iconic drinks, Campari is most definitely one of them. Of course, that's mainly attributed to its vibrant red colour — but probably also because it's been around for over 150 years now. It's quite the established aperitif. If you're keen to pay your due respect to the Italian drink — or just want to pretend we're in the midst of European summer — you'd do well to get down to The Ludlow this month. For the four Saturdays in August between 8pm and 10pm, the Campari cart will roll into the Southbank venue and deliver complimentary Campari Tonic tasters (as well as some Italian snacks, naturally) to some very lucky aperitif lovers. It's called the Rediscover Red Lounge and, along with the signature drink — which perfectly blends the bitterness of tonic with the orange of Campari — you'll also be able to order a range of other cocktails expertly mixed with the enduring red liqueur. The lounge is being held in conjunction with Campari's Rediscover Red exhibition at QV's No Vacancy Gallery, which will display vintage Campari artworks and advertisements until Sunday, August 7. Plus, if you swing past on Friday, August 5 or Saturday, August 6 between 3 and 5pm, they'll even give you a Campari Tonic taster to accompany the artworks.
After a series of sell-out shows in 2012 as well as a brief tenure as a member of the Philosophy Department at the University of Woolamaloo, British comedian John Cleese is bringing his one-man show back to Australia. Combining classic clips with candid personal anecdotes, An Evening with John Cleese will cover the comedian’s entire life and career, from his experiences as a gangly, six-foot-tall 12-year-old to his work with the Monty Python troupe and the much-loved comedy series, Fawlty Towers. No word on whether he’ll touch on his role in the much maligned Bond flick Die Another Day. Presumably, he won’t be mentioning the war. Cleese’s solo Australian tour will precede the feverishly anticipated, live on-stage Python reunion in London this July. But there still hasn't been any announcement on whether the troupe is planning any international dates, with Cleese himself remarking that the problem with travelling to Australia is that “there are planets closer than that".
All hail the Keanaissance — for bringing him back to our screens, and often; and for giving everyone an excuse to shower his past hits with love as well. Before he was Neo and John Wick, he wasn't just one half of Bill and Ted or Point Break's surfing FBI agent Johnny Utah, but also a guy trying to stop the bus that couldn't slow down. We know you're a fan, because who isn't? Alongside the aforementioned Point Break, Speed is one of action gems of the 90s — and Keanu is at the heart of both of them. And, we know you've always wanted to relive the latter film's high-stakes action movie magic, so here's your chance. Melburnians, get ready to step onboard a vintage bus and prepare for the ride of your life. After thrilling fans and making plenty of new ones during several stints in Brisbane, Speed: The Movie, The Play is bringing its high-octane thrills back to Melbourne Fringe in 2023. It's taking on passengers between Tuesday, October 10–Sunday, October 22 at Prahran Square, with shows held Tuesday–Sunday — and this is one stint of public transport chaos (and 90s nostalgia) that you should willingly sign up for. Need to whet your appetite? Check out the trailer for the original film:
Arts collective Field Theory is paying tribute to a Melbourne institution. A year after the iconic venue closed its doors, Cafe Romantica is being brought to life in this commemorative show. A 24-hour performance broadcast in which the audience will play an active role, Endless Romantica will feature discussions about what the beloved Italian diner meant to Brunswick locals, along with an array of other topics including gentrification, romance and late night culture. There'll be wine (of course) as well as Field Theory's best attempt at Romantica's famous 'Romeo and Juliet' pasta. If you can't make it in person, the broadcast will also be available online.
Late night shopping has never been quite so al fresco. South Melbourne’s Style After Dark markets, which run from 5.30pm to 9.30pm every Thursday evening until December 20, bring together independent fashion, hawker-style food, live music and a great local shopping vibe. Found under the verandahs on Coventry and Cecil Streets, you’ll find stall holders like Pleasure Little Treasures, who create hand-made fashion accessories, and Captain Robbo, where you can pick up bright and bold handprinted leggings. Plus vintage-inspired home wares, cutesy crafts, and excellent food options from tapas to Teppanyaki.
America's avant-garde pop group, Xiu Xiu, have returned to our town to celebrate the release of their latest album, Always. The band are fascinated with the horrors that bubble just under the surface of society and their disturbing visions of the world flicker through their music. Xiu Xiu are notorious for their unique electro-pop sound that has a distinct flavour of post-punk. Their latest musical offering, Always, features tracks that explore relevant topics such as pro-choice and immigration. Xiu Xiu aren't afraid of blending their political views with their music. These guys are a long way from home and are only playing one show in Melbourne for a power-packed 90 minute set. Xiu Xiu's performance is not to be missed. Strap yourself in for a night of experimental tunes, fresh lyrics and lush synths - it'll be one to remember!
Feeling cravings for salt spray, bourbon and sunburn, perhaps in that order? Wait no longer — over the next two weeks the Rip Curl Pro, located just a shimmy down the coast from Torquay at Bells Beach, will see the world's gnarliest surfers descend for competition, festivity and a fair bit of blonde, tousled hair. The Pro is the world's longest running surf comp and rolls in each year over the Easter long weekend. This year champs like Mick Fanning, Kelly Slater and Stephanie Gilmore will hit the waves for their chance to ring the famous bell trophy. Bells Beach has been used by surfers since 1939 and the Pro, which has been running since 1961, plays homage to its fierce heritage by playing AC/DC's Hells Bells every morning pre-comp. If you start to get intimidated by all the tanned people with skills you'll never have, don't worry, there's plenty to do nearby — rewind to the beginning of surfing at the world's largest surf museum, pick up a locally made board or get your kit off at Point Impossible, a clothes-optional beach. To get you into the swing of beach life we've found some surfy slang that might help you sound the part. While the rest is up to you, we suggest dressing like this guy. Image via live.ripcurl.com
Exhibition 53, c3 Contemporary Art Space's latest offering, will see six artists take on six vastly divergent concepts in the one gallery space, located in the basement of the Abbotsford Convent building. Exhibition 53 will see Sharon Billinge’s paintings and prints explore images of loved ones, how they fit into our world and what they mean to us, alongside drawings by Sarah Hendy that look at those places within Melbourne that remain untouched and yet to fully flourish. With a more specific focus, Emma Hamilton looks at the pink lakes of Victoria's Mallee region and seeks to better understand the concept of landscape. Work by Natalie and Pip Ryan (exhibiting as the Ryan Sisters) Laureen Lansdown, James Murnane and Justin Williams will round out the exhibition. One space and six artists all asking different questions means the viewer is likely to walk away with one or two of their own. Image by Sharon Billinge
Regardless of whether you're an Elaine or a Honey (with a really poorly dubbed voice over in this instance) on the dance floor, Dance Massive 2013 has something to get you krumping, twerkin', or if it's for the best, just sitting and observing quietly from the safety of your seat. Hosted by Arts House, the Malthouse Theatre and Dancehouse, the event is an extensive program of dance work held between March 12-24. Each venue is set to curate a separate program of performances, ensuring you’ll be privy to a specially tailored selection of flexible fun wherever you go. As tickets are sashaying out the door at the speed of Beyonce's booty, we've picked out a few shows for everyone to enjoy, whether your signature move is the sprinkler, the Harlem Shake or the pirouette. Behold, The Really Bad Dancer's Guide to Dance Massive 2013. Image via dancemassive.com.au
Theatre maker Roslyn Oades spent 18 months following the journey of a boxer from Bankstown as he prepared for a world-title fight. Armed with a tape recorder to document the boxer’s preparation, Oades also came across past legends, up-and-comers, and even a few failed contenders. I'm Your Man is a dramatic look at these people and how the sport shaped them. Oades' script is entirely constructed of word-for-word accounts from the people she met at the gyms, dressing rooms and ringside. The actors wear earpieces and recite lines directly from interviews she conducted during her research. This may require some suspension of belief on the audience's part, for example a young gruff-looking character plays the role of an 82 year old at one point. However, it is the authenticity of the tales of courage, failure, and the cost of success that makes the performance raw and convincing. I’m Your Man is set to challenge pre-conceived notions of a brutal, testosterone-filled sport, by offering up a lot of heart. Read our review of the Sydney run of this production here.
It’s time to shimmy, shake, be-bop and dance till you drop at Anna’s Go-Go Academy. You might already be familiar with Anna from her fabulous stints at the Falls Festival — she was the one with the swishy dresses and infectiously boppy enthusiasm. If not, get ready to have a damn fun time learning the most energetic and ridiculous dance crazes from sock hops to the silver screen. Dances you will cover in Anna’s classes include Charleston, Watusi, Hustle, Thriller, Gangnam Style and many other classics. Who knows when a dancefloor may beckon you to break out your best Uma and Travolta twist performance? Or when the opening bars of a Michael Jackson tune will burst forth from the speakers at your next wedding/50th birthday party/Blue Light Disco? Bottom line: Anna will have you prepared for when your moment arrives, and the spotlight will be on you, baby. Anna encourages fun clothing (think rhinestones and fringing) and big hair when attending her class. The only thing she thinks you should be wary of is your fancy footwear — runners are not recommended to twist in, and thongs (as in the flip-flop variety) were never made for the scuffed floorboards of Trades Hall. So gear up and get down to either Bella Union on Wednesdays or The Victoria Hotel on Thursdays to unleash the dance beast within.
After 2009's piss-poor X-Men Origins: Wolverine, this latest instalment (now the sixth for Hugh Jackman's indestructible mutant) really didn't have a whole lot to live up to. That meant director James Mangold (Walk the Line) could take the story wherever he wanted, and it turns out, he wanted Tokyo. The Wolverine hence takes its plot from one of the character's better known comic book series, 'Wolverine', written by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller all the way back in 1982. It opens with a surprisingly unsettling scene just minutes before the bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, with Logan (Jackman) trapped nearby inside a Japanese POW camp. As the blast-wave spreads, he manages to save his captor's life and sets in motion a chain of events that will see the pair reunited decades later. That surviving soldier — now an elderly billionaire obsessed with his legacy — summons Logan to his deathbed in Tokyo. He craves Logan's healing powers whilst promising in return the one thing Logan can never have: death. "This is my gift, my curse" said Tobey Maguire's Spiderman back in 2002, enunciating the most compelling theme that underscores all good superhero stories. For Logan, immortality is now his torment, but he is not alone in his suffering. His Harajuku-girl escort, Yukio (Rila Fukushima), possesses the ability to foretell a person's death; a mutation that imbues her with a truly haunted existence and makes her character both tragic and engaging. Sadly, she's under-utilised by Mangold, and the only other mutant of note in the film is a statuesque blond known as Viper (Svetlana Khodchenkova), whose reptilian mutation is as forgettable as her scenes. Perhaps it's Mangold's background in drama, but the action in The Wolverine was remarkably dull, save for one entertaining sequence on the roof of a bullet train. The problem is, so long as Logan is invincible, the stakes sit at zero, yet when he's vulnerable, he loses the one thing that makes him interesting. By contrast, the quiet, intimate scenes in The Wolverine were much more enjoyable, effectively taking the Wolverine out of the movie and focusing on the man, Logan. And that's what it all boils down to: the Wolverine is a classic loner, a gruff recluse favouring the company of his own haunted memories to that of any other humans, mutant or otherwise. Throughout this franchise he has actively rejected the 'team' and only ever begrudgingly formed unions when circumstances required it. And yet, he is almost certainly that franchise's most popular character. His charmlessness is, in effect, his charm; however, the problem with movies focusing just on him is that his loner persona plays best as part of a wider ensemble. He is never more appealing than when sparring with other X-Men because it gives his isolation context. The promotional material for The Wolverine describes it as "The Wolverine movie fans have been waiting for", and certainly that is factually accurate, since it is the only Wolverine movie currently in cinemas, and until it came out, fans had to wait for it. But was it the one they'd been hoping for? Doubtful; however, if they stay beyond the credits, they'll find good cause to be excited about the next one: X-Men: Days of Future Past. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WEbzZP-_Ssc
Already scheduled to headline Listen Out 2013, dance music's brothers-of-the-moment have just announced that they'll be gracing us with sideshows in both Sydney and Melbourne. Over the past 12 months, the UK-born and raised siblings have emerged from their bedrooms to dominate the dance charts and sell out international tours. That's especially impressive given that the youngest of the two, Howard (18), is only just out of school uniform and his brother, Guy, recently celebrated his 21st. Not only have party-goers been keeping the boys on high rotation, they've also won a few critics' (often hardened) hearts. The ever-revered Pitchfork awarded Disclosure's debut album, Settle, with a whopping 9.1/10, while UK radio host Zane Lowe described it as his "favourite album of the year so far". Featuring a selection of guest vocalists (including Ed McFarlane of Friendly Fires, Jamie Woon, Jessie Ware and AlunaGeorge's Aluna Francis), Settle represents a move towards balancing the duo's two major stylistic influences: dance and pop. "The main thing we tried to do with it is get a mixture of the more clubbier sides of the music we do with the more sample based stuff that's made for the dance floor and then kinda the other side of it, which is the more pop structured songs with vocals," Howard told the Listen Out team in a recent interview. "We wanted to take a balance between those things." https://youtube.com/watch?v=4nsKDJlpUbA
The 4th Brazil Film Festival runs in Melbourne from February 20 to March 3 and presents 10 of the most acclaimed recent Brazilian film productions as well as a selection of short films. Here's a preview of five movies that have us totally intrigued. 1. Heleno is a portrait of real-life 1940s soccer star Heleno de Freito's romantic and professional exploits. Shot entirely in black-and-white, this looks to be a glamorous chronicle of the 'Cursed Prince', complete with well-dressed busty ladies, fast cars, and snappy dialogue. 2. Mulatas. The first word that comes to mind when you think of Brazil is probably 'Carnival'. This doco interviews the women embodying Rio de Janeiro's exuberant Carnival samba culture, the mulatas. Delving beneath the surface of a national symbol, the film explores the stigmas associated with the provocative dance style and its impact on the mulatas' personal lives. 3. Hauling. Sao Paulo is home to a marginalised subculture of professional recyclers, including Claudines, a man who for many years has based his livelihood on carefully salvaging what others would view as junk. He's not the only one, either. This documentary offers a fascinating look at Brazil's recycling underworld, covering both its social and environmental aspects. 4. Highrise. What does life look like from the perspective of the Brazilian upper classes, dwelling high above street level in the penthouses of major cities? Highrise scrutinises the country's social and economic disparities by entering the lofty homes of some of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Recife's wealthiest denizens, interviewing them about their motives for choosing the high life. 5. Amazonia Eterna. The Amazon is the last great forest wilderness, and the balance of its ecosystem affects all life on Earth. This documentary examines the way local inhabitants view their home, its significance and its future. The film will be accompanied by a panel discussion chaired by Green Cross Australia, raising awareness of parallels between conservation issues in the Amazon and Australia. https://youtube.com/watch?v=nq7XsCyZRVI Top image from Hauling by Sean Walsh.
The Words, a story within a story within a story, hinges on a moment in time that changes the lives of its protagonists and connects them across time. The three stories that comprise the film are as follows: Clay Hammond (Dennis Quaid), a well-known author, reads from his new book, The Words, to an admiring New York audience. The book is about a young aspiring writer, Rory Jansen (Bradley Cooper), who, not for lack of talent, struggles to make it in the literary world — that is, until he finds a manuscript in an old briefcase bought for him in Paris by his new wife, Dora (Zoe Saldana). Back in New York after their honeymoon, Jansen makes the discovery and retypes the manuscript in one feverish night, not with the intention to steal it but because he wants to feel what it is like to write something so brilliant, something he, in reality, couldn't write. But the temptation overwhelms him after Dora reads the retyped manuscript and tells him how proud she is. The story is about a young American man (Ben Barnes) who settles in Paris after having met the love of his life there during the war. After experiencing tragedy, he too writes feverishly over a few days, completing a book about his life — about love, escape, and devastating loss. Much like how Ernest Hemingway's first wife, Hadley, lost a manuscript of his on a train, the young man's wife loses his. And so he and Rory are tethered. Rory's life spirals out of control after he meets 'The Old Man', about whom I will reveal little here, and the pleasures of fame and fortune are drowned by the consequences of stealing another man's words. The Words is an interesting, if flawed, meditation on truth and fiction and a lushly shot film. https://youtube.com/watch?v=gjmrDDD9o_k
Gomorrah isn't your average crime thriller. Based on a book that cut so close to the bone of Naples' organised crime network that its author had to go into hiding, the film adaptation similarly pulls no punches. Naples' mafia, the Camorrah, is an enormous organisation whose power seems so entrenched that they have become an everyday part of life for the people living under it. Violence is commonplace, corruption rampant, the mob's presence inescapable. Gomorrah weaves a picture of crime in Naples, following multiple interweaving stories. While cocksure teenage boys play at being gangsters, the leaders of the Camorra are staging corporate crimes of mind boggling proportions. Not an easy watch, this brutal film, screening at ACMI, is nonetheless an impeccably made piece of modern Italian cinema that tells a story few are familiar with.
The English writer, director, radio presenter, comedian and actor, Stephen Merchant is in Melbourne for a series of stand-up performances. Although he is probably best known for his collaborations with Ricky Gervais, he also has years of experience and his roots lie in stand-up comedy. Gervais and Merchant have worked together and appeared on hit television shows such as Life's Too Short and Extras. Merchant has also worked behind the scene's as a director on successful television shows such as The Office and An Idiot Abroad, which features the lovable simpleton, Karl Pilkington. Merchant is excited to meet his Australian fans, so much so that he stated “life can be lonely as a TV writer so this tour is a great opportunity for me to get out there and meet my fans. And make at least one of them my wife." Merchant has been the brains behind some of the UK's most successful and hilarious productions, catch him live and prepare yourself for a night of laughs.
Often credited as one of the founding fathers of indie music, Morrissey rose to prominence as lyricist and vocalist for influential 1980s band, The Smiths. He maintained success as a solo artist after the demise of the band, continually making musical strides and today regarded as an iconic musician, whose signature vocal style and dynamic live performances are today deemed unmissable for the avid music enthusiast. For the first time in over a decade, Morrissey is back in Australia with a string of highly anticipated shows. He will be supported by American singer/songwriter Kristeen Young, whose aggressive keyboard-playing style and four-octave vocal range make her as dynamic a performer as the legend she’s preceding. This is a show that has been eagerly awaited for quite some time, and now that it’s finally here it’s sure to sell out. Tickets are still available, however you are advised to not leave such an experience to chance – it may be your last opportunity to see Morrissey himself in his element.
Physical theatre is one of those things that has the timeless ability to move and entertain us. Something about its characters' lack of language is instantly relatable; Charlie Chaplin's tramp, and Jacques Tati's M. Hulot remain classic characters untarnished by time. Leo, by Berlin's Circle of Eleven, follows their footsteps into the theatre, in the form of an hour-long one-man show. The twist is, through ingeniously simple techniques, the show shifts gravity around the performer: on one half of the stage is the actor, in the flesh, and on the other half is a live projection whose perspective swaps wall for floor. Suddenly, a whole new physical dimension is opened up for the performer and character. But acrobatic feats and mute pratfalls do not a theatre show make. Making these tools work toward the expression of an idea (Beckettesque absurdity, in this case) or an emotion is what makes Leo promise to be a richly entertaining hour of theatre.
Libraries are traditionally quiet places of scholarly reflection and the passage of knowledge. Fun is not a word usually associated with them, beyond perhaps a stifled chuckle at the latest Terry Pratchett novel. Librarians in general are known for, if nothing else, being unwilling to let down their hair. But all this will all change on November 3, when libraries across the world open their arms to excitable young children, bored teenagers and adults looking for entertainment. International Library Games Day is a celebration of what libraries can and should be — an exciting hub of activity and engagement. The State Library of Victoria is inviting you to come and play games of all sorts, from chess and canasta to Call of Duty and Castlevania. Bring your own Magic cards or meet other adventurers in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. From 4-5pm the State Library is also hosting a Games Gameshow, hosted by Ben McKenzie from The OC and Australian comedian and public figure Lawrence Leung. Come and see cool people say funny things about awesome games.
They are armed with just black paint, black markers, a blank white wall. This is the one and only Secret Walls and there are 90 minutes exactly to create something epic on stage and prove themselves worthy. No pressure. They range from graffiti artists with their spray cans to pro illustrators with their tablets, but step right up ‘cos this is the only place you’ll see them in action. You might recognise their work on the train tunnels, or in some of the best laneways in Melbourne, but the artists themselves barely get recognition. Now you got your chance to scream some applause now. Secret Walls (previously Secret Wars) was created in London in 2006 to give a platform to young and aspiring artists. It has now grown from the intimate battles spread through word-of-mouth to this global network that spans from New York to Tokyo, in over 25 countries. Secret Walls Australia Semi Finals 2 is between locals Jack Douglas and Eleven and is held in The Order of Melbourne. You’re lucky you heard about it here.
Hey Geronimo, the Frankenstein creation of Brisbane’s indie scene, is a mish-mash of assorted talents that have come together for the love of the catchy tune. The five-piece are assertively carving a name for themselves as an all-pop delight, one that demands to be sung along to in full voice. They will be taking their Special Best tour to The Workers Club for what is sure to be a wholly fun show that’s not to be missed. Along for the ride are special guests The Griswolds, who are equally as infectious with their dance-demanding beachy tunes. Together these bands will deliver a party packed with the unabashed enthusiasm their live shows are known for.
It might be a blazing stereotype of a nation and its people, but Italians are passionate. They know food, they know wine, they know love and, boy, do they know drama. For all of the above pictured on celluloid, head along to a Palace Cinemas late September and October for the Lavazza Italian Film Festival. This annual celebration of the creative talents of Italian filmmakers is always a sight to behold. Topping this year's fest is the comedy hit Welcome to the North (Benvenuti al nord), the sequel to Welcome to the South that won the Nastri d'Argento Award for Best Screenplay. Exclusive preview screenings of Woody Allen's new film, To Rome with Love, starring Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin, Jesse Eisenberg and Woody himself (among a cast of other familiar faces) will also feature at the festival. Other standouts are Caesar Must Die (Cesare Deve Morire), which won the Golden Bear at the Berlinale, and the divorce comedy A Flat for Three (Posti in Piedi in Paradiso). Italian comedies are big and bawdy, dramas are dark and insular, and romances make you want to find the closest person and make sweet passionate love. Nothing is sedate; Italian films are always life on steroids in the best possible way, so make sure you don't miss this highlight of the international film calendar. Image from Welcome to the North.
So you've spent a week or so at the Festival of Live Art with your brian in overdrive. Artists are raising important issues and their work is embarking on new frontiers — time to forget about all of that and get your body involved in the process. This one-night event is exactly what it sounds like. Artists, DJs, and performers such as Ash Keating, Robin Fox, and Sisters Grimm will be cutting loose in the belly of the beast at Arts House with a sensory mash-up of art, lasers and good tunes. If you were looking for an opportunity to break out that sequinned leotard or acid green feather boa, this might well be it. This event was featured in our top ten things to see at the Festival of Live Art. See the full list here.
Like most FoLA events, Drift is less an artwork and more of an experience. Described as "a space for contemplation," the work itself is a dark room full of "twinkling single vessels" that offer audience members a space of tentative refuge. The work is then accompanied by music from Sydney-based creative Ashley Scott — a composition equal parts soothing and brooding that provides soundtrack to a work with obvious but important political undertones. This event was featured in our top ten things to see at the Festival of Live Art. See the full list here.
Good things are coming in big packages these days. White Night devoured the CBD whole last month, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is right around the corner, and in the meantime we've been offered up the very first Festival of Live Art — a behemoth of a thing bustling with new and exciting work that closes the increasingly ambiguous gap between art and theatre. In a joint venture between Arts House, Theatre Works and Footscray Community Arts Centre, the festival will take place at multiple venues over the two-week period, and better yet: most events are free. Take a look at the program and plan your full experience, or drift in and out of our top ten picks. If you're up for a challenge, get stuck into the whole list — a decathlon of sorts (for us artsy types). The Festival of Live Art runs from March 14 - 30. For more information including session times and ticketing, check the website.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of those truly democratic moments in our city's cultural calendar. While the Melbourne Festival always seems a little high-end, and Melbourne Music Week is just a bit too hip, MICF is a place for all — from bogans watching Dave Hughes to hipsters hanging out at the Festival Club waiting to catch the latest show you totally haven't even heard about yet. This year's lineup is a strange one. Big international names have been replaced by a cast of familiar regulars and there's a much larger focus on local talent. This is a welcome move for an industry that doesn't get much love over the rest of the year, but a devastating blow for those of us who are still waiting for the likes of Louis CK to come down under. Regardless, check out our picks of the litter — from the most innovative internationals to the stuff that downright defies classification. See the MICF website for a full program and keep an eye on Concrete Playground for more coverage in the coming weeks.
It's not every day that you're invited to play squash in a gallery. But Nick Selenitsch's latest exhibition, Play, is not your average show. In a refreshing take on the traditional gallery setting, this Melbourne-based artist has created artworks that can be both played with and observed as abstract sculptures. From the minute you step into Shepparton Art Museum, you're invited to interact with the artworks, throw a squash ball around, limbo, and get all-round handsy. Using easily available materials, Play is an exciting series of commissioned sculptures that appear to be part game and part test. Guest-curated by Danny Lacy (ex-director of SAM and current director of Westspace), the exhibition consumes the ground floor of the gallery and the sculptural forms are reminiscent of sporting games, territories and demarcated spaces. To hear more about the works, you can hear Danny Lacy in conversation with Nick Selenitsch at the SAM Out Late! artists' talk on Wednesday, March 19. But if you like your exhibitions a bit more sporadic, just turn up any time and limbo in the name of contemporary art. Image: Nick Selenitsch, Hitting the Wall, 2006 (Installation view).
Think that voting is just about which political party you want in? Well 20 Questions is here to prove otherwise. The Wheeler Centre — known for its literary exploration, will take to the streets of Melbourne with polling booths asking Melbourne about the big issues that shape our shared experience. They will also delve into the more trivial. Think questions like 'If you had to choose, would you prefer non-fiction or fiction?'; 'Happy endings or sad ones?'; 'Are you a summer person or a winter person?'; 'Do you believe in individuality or community?'; 'Gratification or anticipation?'; 'Would you rather outlive your partner or be outlived?'; 'Which is worse: war or famine?'; 'Drowning at sea or indefinite detention?' You can follow online with the hashtag #20questions if you want a piece of the action. At the end of the day — just like election day — there will be an old-fashioned election party at Melbourne Town Hall to look at the results and invite us all to think about what this means for our society. Commentators George Negus, Sophie Black, Bernard Salt and Ray Martin will be on hand to discuss the many findings. It will be an evening of comedy, thought and of course, healthy debate.
Are you an excellent dinner host? Like, 'multiple forks by the plate' good? Well, consider this exhibition a little bit of decorative inspiration. To coincide with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the National Gallery of Victoria have searched far and wide for the most incredible tablewares from the past few hundred years. Including ceramics, glass, cutlery and silverware, organisers claim the most impressive feats are those between the sixteenth to eighteenth century. And of course, the French did it best. While speaking of the collection, curator Amanda Dunsmore even claimed a lot of the tablewares developed at the court of Louis XIV are still used on our tables today. As magical as that thought is, and how interesting the history may be, you'll no doubt feel a little inferior when you head home to your dinner table and cutlery a la Ikea.
Fun runs are often not that fun. Sure, they have events at the finish line, and a whole lot of people, but at the end of the day it’s just a run. Well, enter The Color Run. Founded as a way to promote happiness and health, this 5km run involves a serious amount of paint. The rules are simple. One: everyone is welcome; walkers, athletes and everything in between. Two: wear white. Three: get covered in different coloured paints along the way and return to the finish line a beautiful mismatch of colours. There will be a party at the beginning, one at the end and four colour zones. We dare you not to smile as you go. This year it will be a Grand Prix edition, taking place around the Albert Park lake. And to top off the good vibes, The Color Run gives back to charity, with over $1 million going to charities to date. Don a white t-shirt, and get the sneakers ready. It’s Colour Run time.
The Shadow Electric — your favourite providers of leisurely bliss — are stepping up their game on February 23 to bring you a Bill Cosby-themed table tennis tournament. Why Bill Cosby? Well, why not? Don't be a killjoy. The tournament will be for teams of two, and you can register here prior to the day. Alright, let's do this thing. For those not entirely sold on the premise of Cosby alone, there will also be live music from Matt Radovich, No Name Nath, Nam (The Operatives), Kuya (The Operatives) and Regan Tate. This is in addition to the regular presence of food trucks, nitrus oxide ice cream from Them Bones, and $15 jugs of Pimms — ingredients for the ultimate Sunday session. Entry to the tournament is just $5 per player and, aside from the obvious awards for winners, there will be also be prizes for 'Most Enthusiastic Player Entourage' and 'Best Dressed Team'. Our hot tip is the Cosby sweater — any and all of them, forever.
Women, adventure and filmmaking go hand-in-hand, even if the world doesn't often recognise it. The best surfing and skydiving movie ever made — that is, the original Point Break — was directed by a pre-Oscar-winning Kathryn Bigelow, for example. At the Women's Adventure Film Tour, she has plenty of fantastic female company. Australia's first film festival dedicated to inspiring ladies doing exciting and extraordinary things, the cinema showcase launched in Sydney in May, and now it's hitting the road. On its national trek, attendees can expect a high-octane onslaught of documentary efforts from Telluride's Mountainfilm festival, all highlighting real stories about women. The fest's selection also draws from a variety of cultures, touches upon a range of sports from around the world, and shows ladies either going full daredevil or stepping beyond their comfort zones — because adventure means different things to different people. A collaboration between Mountainfilm and female-fronted collective She Went Wild, it stops by Carlton's Cinema Nova for two nights, but there are only tickets left for the September 21 sessions.
