Victoria's Hot Chocolate Festival is back again this August. And it's just in time, too. To save Melburnians from these blustery days, they'll be churning out 31 hot chocolate flavours over 31 days. This year, the festival will be run across three locations: the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie in Bellbrae and the Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie. Eight different flavours will be served up each week, so make sure you plan your visit(s) carefully as to not miss out on the best. Fan favourite flavours like triple chocolate brownie and Nutella will return to this year's menu, along with the more adventurous likes of Mocha Margarita, Hot Shoey, which is served with a mini chocolate shoe, and the Green Goddess with kale and coconut All limited edition hot chocolates will be served with an extra shot of hot couverture chocolate and a giant handcrafted marshmallow. Some of the highlights will arrive topped with fairy floss, melting chocolate discs and edible drinking cups — the perfect antidote to any winter blues. The chocolateries together creates over 6000 hot chocolates per year, so newcomers can trust they know their way around this winter-warmer. If exploring the festival and enjoying all the free chocolate tastings isn't enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, you can also book into a 45-minute tasting session at both the Yarra Valley, Great Ocean Road and Mornington Peninsula stores. For $20 you'll be able to sample eight hot chocolates and make three of your own 'hot chocolate spoons' from over 50 ingredients to take home. The Hot Chocolate Festival will run daily from 9am–5pm, August 1–31 at the Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie, 1200 Great Ocean Road, Bellbrae; the Yarra Valley Chocolateire, 35 Old Healesville Road, Yarra Glen; and the Mornington Peninsula Chocolaterie, 45 Cook Street, Flinders.
The boutique hotel Melbourne Place has been in the works for a few years, but we are finally getting more details about what we can expect from the CBD property. We were recently told that the 14-storey hotel will house a rooftop restaurant helmed by hatted Young Chef of the Year Nicholas Deligiannis (ex-Audrey's), and that the whole site is set to open in October this year. But until today, the details of what's happening down in the lower levels remained a mystery. We can now reveal that Ross and Sunny Lusted (Sydney's Woodcut and Aman Resorts) will be opening a coastal Portuguese- and Spanish-inspired restaurant as well as a late-night basement bar. [caption id="attachment_963669" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ross and Sunny Lusted by Jason Loucas[/caption] Marmelo (the Portuguese word for quince) will feature vibrant snacks like silver-served anchovy fillets and two savoury takes on the much-loved pastel de nata. The first version comes with crab meat and custard, and the second is filled with sheep's cheese crisp and salted pork. Ross is also well-known for cooking with charcoal and wood, so you can expect plenty of flame-kissed eats to slide across the pass. You'll find wood-grilled southern calamari with green coriander seeds and goat milk butter; suckling pig shoulder served with oranges and bitter leaves; whole john dory with kale; and O'Connor grass-fed beef with pickles. As seen with these bites, the menu strongly focuses on meat and seafood. You can also head down a grand chartreuse-hued staircase to find the duo's Mr Mills basement bar. It will be an altogether moodier and cosier space with intimate booths as well as the option to dine at the bar or open kitchen (a big win for solo diners). Here, the inspiration is also Spanish and Portuguese, but drinks are more the focus. Small plates of Iberian classics and more substantial bites are paired with an extensive cocktail menu and wine list showcasing drops from Victoria and Europe. "Ross and I feel so energised by the whole process of creating these two special venues," shares Sunny Lusted. "Melbourne is one of the world's most vibrant food cities and we look forward to this new chapter and to joining Melbourne's hospitality community." Marmelo and Mr Mills are both slated to open in October 2024, and will be found within Melbourne Place Hotel at 130 Russell Street, Melbourne. For more information, visit the venues' website.
And boom, just like that, we're a brief nine weeks out from Christmas. We don't quite know where the time went or what happened, but present-buying season is upon us. What better time to kick into gear and avoid the dreaded last-minute shopping scramble, by hitting the Virtual Ethical Christmas Market this weekend. This annual event is normally an IRL situation, but it's headed online this year, now open to shop at your leisure, right up until the big day. Once again, organisers have curated a bumper selection of goodies from a range of small, ethically minded local businesses. If you're after gifts that are fair-trade, eco-friendly, socially-conscious, vegan or all of the above, consider this marketplace your one-stop-shop. Catch homewares from the likes of Plant Lab, Food Wraps 101, The Karma Collective and The Other Straw, or deck out that wardrobe with finds from labels like Colour Coded, Frske and Remuse. There are skincare and beauty products courtesy of The Essentials Lab and Nur Organics, alongside a diverse range of accessories, stationary, kids' gear and food products. Tick off your entire gift list at once and make this Christmas one with a conscience.
Hidden in a quiet section of Abbotsford between residential apartments and concrete buildings lies this homage to French baking and Parisian fare. JC Patisserie Boulangerie, named after chef and owner Jonathan Camilleri, is a no-frills pastry shop yet to be discovered by croissant-loving Melburnians. Wander between maroon marbled walls and duck under the roller door to choose from the daily lineup of cakes and baked goods. Cheesecake, opera cake, a range of madeleines along with Saint Honores, a puff pastry filled with vanilla custard, mascarpone cream and topped with a caramel choux, are regulars on the menu. "Melbourne has some of the best croissants outside of France, so I wanted to create a croissant that has all of my favourite bits," Camilleri explains. After studying in Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, Camilleri returned to Melbourne when COVID-19 hit. Initially an online pastry delivery service, demand grew until Camilleri decided to open his own brick-and-mortar shop. Crowd-favourite croissants come in a signature cube, its angular shape creating a crispier croissant with no trace of denseness. "It's a got lot of butter," Camilleri admits. But its worth it for the result, a feather-light, flaky and buttery take on the traditional treat. Patrons can expect limited-edition specials across the weekend too, while savoury items might run to chicken salad sandwiches between freshly baked baguettes, or a caprese sando with basil oil, tomato and buffalo mozzarella. Images: Ellen Seah
What do BHP Billiton, Dolce & Gabbana and Andrew McConnell have in common? Come next year they'll be housemates in 171 Collins Street, Melbourne. Big business and office space feels like an odd backdrop for Andrew McConnell to open a new restaurant. But as owner and operator of Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co, Golden Fields, Moon Under Water and The Builders Arms Hotel, he is one of those lucky and talented few who seems to nail it every time. Maybe he's the guy who can make large corporations sexy. The McConnell effect, you might say. Early 2014 is the timeframe surrounding this new venture, and there is little in the way of information being released. But what is known is that 171 Collins Street is going to be the place to be come early next year. Tucked in the Flinders Lane tenancy of the space, maybe can we expect Melbournian charm alongside McConnell's known and loved modern produce-driven food. When it comes to the cuisine to expect, a trip to Tokyo is sparking rumours that Japanese may be on the cards, but this is just speculation. Development partners Cbus Property and Charter Hall are, unsurprisingly, thrilled at McConnell's involvement in this new project and hope it will secure the building as a place for quality and style. We’ll be watching this one with a keen eye. Drive-by of 171 Collins anyone? Images: Artist's renders of 171 Collins Street.
Negronis go down well after a hard day at work. Espresso martinis go down well at a boozy weekend brunch. Aperol spritzes go down well... well, most of the time. But, shelling out for these, oft $20-plus, cocktails on the reg doesn't go down well for our wallets. Luckily, there's a slew of Melbourne bars and pubs serving up these libations for a tenner — every day of the week. MONDAY [caption id="attachment_660467" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Jane Doe[/caption] JANE DOE BAR, PRAHRAN What's the deal? $10 tap cocktails from 2pm, Monday. Bottled, batched and tapped cocktails hit cocktail bars across the city last year. Jane Doe has embraced the trend, serving cocktails on tap every Monday night for a bargain $10. While options do rotate, expect to find drinks such as espresso martinis, old fashioneds and brambles. TUESDAY [caption id="attachment_553553" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Archie's All Day[/caption] ARCHIE'S ALL DAY, FITZROY What's the deal? $10 negronis all day, every day. No matter what you're after, Archie's has you covered — from that first morning flat white to a nice red wine and cheese platter late at night. They've gone one step further, too, offering $10 negronis all the time. All. The. Time. Business lunch? Tick. Boozy breakfast? Tick. After-work drinks? Tick. Tick. Tick. Archie's really does have you covered. WEDNESDAY [caption id="attachment_497308" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Baby Pizza[/caption] BABY PIZZA, RICHMOND What's the deal? $10 Aperol spritzes between 3pm and 6pm, daily. Child of Chris Lucas, the famed restaurateur behind Chin Chin, Baby Pizza serves up one-metre pizza every day. To whet your appetite for this daunting undertaking, the restaurant is serving up cheap drinks during its daily aperitivo hour. Running from 3-6pm, you can choose from$10 Aperol spritz or Campari tonics (or if you find an extra gold coin down the back of the couch, grab a $11 negroni). THURSDAY HELLO JOSÉ, WEST MELBOURNE What's the deal? $10 margaritas all day Wednesday and Thursday There's nothing like a refreshing tequila-spiked drink to get you through the final days of the working week. The lovely people at Hello José agree, and they're serving up four different types for a tenner. Grab your mates and order a round of classic margaritas, ones laced with chilli, orange and passionfruit margaritas or, the crowd favourite, frozen. FRIDAY [caption id="attachment_576518" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Massi[/caption] MASSI, CBD What's the deal? $10 Aperol and Campari spritzes and negronis between 5.30pm and 6.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday. This CBD joint fully embraces the Italian tradition of aperitivo hour. And from 5.30-6.30pm Tuesday to Saturday, your negroni, Aperol or Campari spritz will set you back a measly $10. Peckish? Order a round of stuzzichini. Starving? Its braised beef pappardelle is a standout. SATURDAY [caption id="attachment_642040" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Ascot Lot[/caption] THE ASCOT LOT, ASCOT VALE What's the deal? $10 espresso martinis Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Ascot Lot is Melbourne's newest food truck park. Previously a deserted car yard, the Mt Alexander Road space has been transformed into a colourful venue for delicious food and ice-cold refreshments. It plays host to some of Melbourne's most adored food trucks, and has an epic lineup of bar offerings — including $10 espresso martinis on tap. They're available whenever the park is open, so head along anytime after 5pm on Friday and from 11am Saturdays and Sundays. THE LEVESON, NORTH MELBOURNE What's the deal? $10 summer cocktails from 12pm, Saturday and Sunday The folks over at the Leveson have been pouring pints of craft beer for 11 years. But that's not the extent of its drinks list — it has a healthy selection of wines and cocktails, too. And during the warmer months, they want you to spend a while mulling over the cocktails — so they're offering $10 summer cocktails all day on Saturdays and Sundays. So, order a glass of something refreshing and carbonated and soak up the sun in the leafy beer garden. SUNDAY THE VIC, ABBOTSFORD What's the deal? $10 bloody marys from 3pm, Sunday. When you wake up slight dusty on a Sunday morning, there's one guaranteed fix: a bloody mary. Thankfully, the team over at the Vic is serving them up all day for a measly $10. It's not the only marys it's slinging over the weekend, either. On Fridays and Saturdays, from 6–9pm, you can purchase $10 espresso martinis, long island iced teas and margaritas.
All birthdays require some sort of celebration — it's the rules. Whether your idea of a celebration is a round of tequila shots, a weekend away, or a nice cup of tea a Woolies chocolate cake, it's the one day of the year you can do you and no one can even begin to begrudge you for it. Hawthorn's Muharam is certainly taking that to heart this year — the cafe is celebrating its 11th birthday in 2018, and it's decided to throw a bit of an all-year shindig to mark the occasion. Eleven years of going strong means that it's doing its regulars a solid, slashing everything on the menu down to a mere $11. That's right, approximately the price of three x lattes, one x fancy green juice, or half x the smashed avocado tomfoolery. And it's not just running for a day, or even a week — it's on offer until the end of this year. Yep, everything on the food menu will be just a blue note and a coin until December 31. Definitely doable on a Sunday morning — even if you've spent pretty much everything else in your wallet the night before. ✖11 years, 11 dollars✖ To celebrate 11 YEARS of Muharam Cafe, EVERY DISH on the menu will be $11.00 for the WHOLE YEAR 〰 Starting on the 1st of May! #11for11 A post shared by Muharam (@muharamcafe) on Apr 30, 2018 at 12:43am PDT So what can you get for your 11 bucks? The menu includes red velvet pancakes, spiced corn fritters with avo and bacon, and an acai smoothie bowl. The real star of the show might just be vegan black buckwheat waffles with activated charcoal, maple glazed banana, pitaya cashew cream and pistachio crumble — which is basically $1 per ingredient, so you've no good reason to not get yourself to Muharam immediately. You're welcome. Muharam is located at 97 Burwood Road, Hawthorn and is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week. For more info, visit muharam.com.au.
Get your fill of the best vegan food in town at the fourth annual Vegan Day Out. This weekend in Sydney and Melbourne, The Cruelty Free Shop is putting together a walking tour of vegan cafes, restaurants and retailers, many of which will be offering discounts, deals and free samples to anyone who stops by. On March 5 and 6, socially conscious eaters can stop by The Cruelty Free Shop on Glebe Point Road in Sydney or Brunswick Street in Melbourne and grab a map outlining their route. Whether you're a dyed in the wool vegan or just giving it a go, you'll find a whole world of retailers catering to animal-free eating, offering meal deals, two-for-ones, complimentary coffee, wine tastings and savings on vegan groceries. The Cruelty Free Shop will also be running its own tastings throughout the day, as well as offering discounts on more than 400 different products.
There's never a bad time to pop into Andrew McConnell's Supernormal. However, timing your visit just as temperatures start to drop means you can indulge in the restaurant's cherished, but limited-run ramen. Back on the menu for the season, it's served up for $24 on weekdays from lunch until sold out. If you were lucky enough to score a bowl or two (or more) last year, you'll be happy to know the formula remains much the same. Based in a rich chicken bone broth, tender noodles combine with grilled chicken alongside prawn and chicken dumplings. Then, this nourishing creation is finished with a soy-marinated egg. Just know, the chefs at Supernormal aren't cutting any corners. Refined over two days, the rich double chicken stock is slowly infused with dried shiitake, kombu and white miso to create multiple flavourful layers. With so much umami goodness packed into each bowl, it's no surprise this ramen has become a wintertime essential. Images: Parker Blain.
There's nothing like the freedom of the wide open road, and there's never been a better time to spread your vehicular wings and explore. The best part? If you're keen on top nosh, you can basically eat your way from Melbourne to Sydney — and eat well. Cities don't have a monopoly on amazing food. In fact, road trip eats are perfect for hardcore locavores, since travelling through rural and regional areas gives you the opportunity to sample ingredients directly from the source. Just imagine hitting the coast for fresh-off-the-boat seafood, discovering hidden gems of farmside fine dining or tucking into a rough-and-ready American-style barbecue. Helping to make your food-filled dreams a reality in 2021, we've plotted a Melbourne-to-Sydney journey worthy of the finest diners. Strap on your seatbelt and your bib — you're in for a treat. Please stay up to date with the latest NSW Government health advice regarding COVID-19. [caption id="attachment_802765" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Banksia[/caption] BANKSIA, PAMBULA You might not expect a pedigree of upscale dining in this wee heritage-listed cottage just outside of a tiny seaside town, but here we are. Within the walls of Pambula's Old Bank building, Head Chef Huw Jones, formerly of Zanzibar in Merimbula, marries his fine-dining credentials with home comforts. Banksia offers a three-course set menu with matching wines, served in a homey space with an open fire. The menu is ever-changing but leans Italian, tapping into the ethos of selecting high-quality ingredients and letting them shine. Expect some fried polenta here, prosciutto there, and perhaps a roasted pork collar with potato gnocchi or zucchini flowers with romesco sauce. Finishing on desserts like hazelnut ice cream with fresh fruit and a brandy snap, a meal at Banksia manages to be delightfully old-school but not old-fashioned. [caption id="attachment_795571" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dulcie's Cottage, Claudine Thornton, Destination NSW[/caption] DULCIE'S COTTAGE, MERIMBULA Dulcie's Cottage is filled with old-world charm, but keeps a youthful edge — think vintage heritage meets fresh-as local produce and craft brews. The walls of this chilled-out craft beer and cocktail bar are decked out in taxidermy and photos from its nearly hundred-year history. The food is served from a genuine 1950s kitchen caravan in the light-festooned beer garden. It keeps things simple: either hit fresh oysters with lemon and nuoc cham or grab one of the hefty burgers. While it's hard to go past the classic Dulcie Burger, fussy (or ambitious) diners can select the build-your-own option instead and load on extra patties, bacon, slaw and jalapeños. Would you like fries with that? Choose between A Few Fries ($4) or A Lot Of Fries ($8) — finally, sizing that makes sense. Dulcie's is also a buzzing live music venue, making it the perfect wind-down pit-stop for some road trip R&R. [caption id="attachment_804034" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Poacher's Pantry, Destination NSW[/caption] POACHER'S PANTRY, SPRINGRANGE A restaurant with its own vineyard and artisanal smokehouse? This is your ultimate charcuterie stop. Poacher's Pantry offers an award-winning range of handcrafted, smoked smallgoods, from classic bresaola and bacon to kangaroo prosciutto. You can sit in at the Smokehouse Restaurant for multi-course brunches and lunches seven days a week, enjoying unique specialties like vodka and lavender cured salmon, labneh, charred citrus, bottarga and chives, or hot smoked ocean trout and herb crepe with lemon ricotta, asparagus, green apple and mustard cress. The vegetarian dishes are no less impressive, putting the Poacher's organic kitchen garden produce front and centre — like heirloom garden vegetables with whipped feta and pea shoots. Don't have time for a long lunch? Pick up a picnic hamper instead, complete with the venue's Wily Trout Vineyard wine. [caption id="attachment_802695" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rick Stein at Bannisters, Jesse Smith, Destination NSW[/caption] RICK STEIN AT BANNISTERS, MOLLYMOOK Rick Stein became a household name for putting coastal produce at the forefront of his dining, and his restaurant in Mollymook, Rick Stein at Bannisters, is no exception. Naturally, the menu changes daily depending on the catch, but that's the way you want it. Survey the ocean from on high as you tuck into freshly shucked oysters, or salmon, swordfish and tuna sashimi. The menu is peppered with Southeast Asian elements, such as Cambodian-dressed Eden mussels, or fusion-style Hervey Bay scallops with toasted hazelnut and coriander butter. For a more casual affair, The Rooftop Bar and Grill at Bannisters Pavilion offers the likes of salt and pepper calamari, fried cauliflower, prawn linguine and chargrilled chicken. [caption id="attachment_792595" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Three Blue Ducks, Kitti Gould[/caption] THREE BLUE DUCKS, NIMBO Three Blue Ducks has taken its traditional farm-to-table style and set it in the Snowy Mountains. In the light, airy lodge of Nimbo Fork, the restaurant's menu celebrates the produce of the Riverina district with an ethos of simplicity, honesty and sustainability. From hefty tomahawk lamb chops and duck fat-roasted potatoes to smoked Nimbo trout with dill and crème fraîche, the simple approach lets the quality of the ingredients do the heavy lifting. It extends the same care to vegetables as it does to meat, with satisfying, meatless main events like oven-roasted potato gnocchi with pea and ricotta sauce or harissa-spiced roasted cauliflower. Finish with sea salt meringue with lemon curd and chantilly cream or a special house cocktail, like the Smoky Spritz. [caption id="attachment_795568" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Argyle Inn[/caption] THE ARGYLE INN, TARALGA If you're as much a fan of historic restorations as you are fine dining, you'll want to stay the night after your dinner at The Argyle Inn. The warm lighting on the dark wood walls of the main dining room sets the tone for cosy country hospitality in this recently restored 19th-century inn. Being co-owned by two sustainable farmers means the menu skews seasonal and as local as possible, even down to the wine list. The contemporary Australian menu is hearty in winter and light and fresh in summer. The dishes are genteel but unpretentious: fresh pasta, local beef, house-made pickles, terrines, rillettes and some of the best sourdough you'll find in the Southern Tablelands. [caption id="attachment_795564" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Paste[/caption] PASTE, MITTAGONG Prepare for a memorable Thai-style dining experience at Paste. Chef Bee Satongun's menu is centred on the rediscovery of old recipes, traditions and forgotten culinary techniques of Thailand. Using fresh Australian produce, Paste offers refined Thai cuisine in an ever-changing seasonal menu — think roasted duck with lychee, hot mint, banana flower and blood lime; Moreton Bay bug with chu chee curry; 'crying tiger' aged T-bone with phaya rum, ghee, sticky rice, lemongrass and tamarind jaew; and, of course, special crab fried rice. Robust flavours don't end at the main course, with show-stopping desserts like fermented rice sorbet with passionfruit and mango encased in a delicate chocolate dome. [caption id="attachment_795575" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Two Smoking Barrels[/caption] TWO SMOKING BARRELS, WOLLONGONG You'll find this Carolina-style low-and-slow barbecue joint smack-bang between two car yards. It's an impressive set-up at Two Smoking Barrels with a grill rig used to smoke and season meats with native ironbark. It has everything from melt-in-your-mouth pit-smoked brisket to pork rolls, house sausages and short ribs on offer. There's a feed for every appetite, whether you need a quick, smashable burger or you want to settle in for a big ol' meat platter before you hit the road again. The sides are classic barbecue soul food: potato gems, slaw, cornbread, mac 'n' cheese and speciality burnt-end beans (the crispy, well-seasoned end bits of smoked meats). Warning: this is not food for the faint of heart, so wear your loosest pair of jeans. Start planning your great escape to New South Wales this season by visiting the Visit NSW website. Top image: Poacher's Pantry, Destination NSW
Mornington Peninsula's Red Hill Estate has opened its new outdoor dining and drinking offering in time for the summer months. Gigi's Piazza, set on the lawns of the estate, invites guests to enjoy the Italian way of life, featuring a share-style Italian menu and crowd-favourite wines by the glass. The new casual hang-out spot is suitable for everything from first dates to family days out. The picnic-style menu, served from the nearby cottage kitchen, showcases casual Italian fare. Think arancini, antipasto, focaccia, pastas, salads, tiramisu and more. Red Hill Estate's General Manager, Dominic Fabrizio says, "No one does long lunches better than the Italians — everybody together, unrushed, enjoying the outdoors and appreciating good food. Gigi's Piazza was designed for visitors to slow down, unwind, and sip and savour every moment." The estate's renowned wines, including the rosé, pinot noir, chardonnay and newly released Blanc de Blancs sparkling, are poured by the glass, perfect for roaming the lawns and playing a game. There's giant Jenga and Hoopla, and your pooches are also welcome to enjoy the outdoor setting. Fabrizio says Gigi's Piazza offers the ultimate "dolce vita" experience, where guests can relax and enjoy life's simple pleasures. "We want our guests to feel right at home — enjoy a glass of wine, a bite to eat and take in the stunning surroundings of Red Hill Estate while you pause from the hustle of everyday life." Images: C McConville.
You may not know the name Clark Terry, but odds are you've heard of the people he inspired. Quincy Jones, for example? What about Miles Davis? With a career that spans a whopping seven decades, Terry is undoubtedly one of the most influential people to ever pick up a horn. But he was beloved in jazz circles not just for his mastery of the trumpet, but for his commitment to passing his love of music on to others. Shot over four years by Australian director Alan Hicks, Keep On Keepin' On provides an overview of Terry's incredible career, while also chronicling his relationship with his most recent protégée, 23-year-old blind piano player Justin Kauflin. It's a charming story that offers a much needed breath of air after this year's other big jazz picture, Whiplash, about a student-teacher relationship of a very different kind. Aided by the old jazz man's nostalgic narration, Hicks takes viewers back to 1920s St Louis, home to a vibrant jazz scene even then. Growing up dirt poor, Terry's first trumpet was paid for in loose change from his neighbours, an act of generosity that clearly left a mark. From there the young musician rose quickly, playing with the likes of Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Later he found a home for himself as the first black staff musician at NBC. Regardless of your interest in jazz history, it's hard not to be impressed by Terry's resume. Yet it's the present day sequences, featuring Terry and Kauflin, that ensure the documentary leaves a mark. Indeed, despite their more than 65 year age difference, the two are just a couple of peas in a pod. To Kauflin, Terry is a friend, a mentor and a gateway to an era long since passed. To Terry, Kauflin is someone with whom he can share his years of experience, and find kinship as his own health begins to decline. They're a hugely endearing duo, and their love of their craft is infectious. When presented with his honorary Grammy, Terry is credited with having "the happiest sound in jazz," but the truth is that it's a sentiment that reaches far beyond his music. It's remarkable, and inspiring, how upbeat the pair remain in the face of their respective adversity. You don't have to be a music fan to appreciate that.
When life moved indoors in 2020, viewing adorable animals via streaming became a key coping mechanism. Now that Melbourne has emerged from three separate lockdowns over the past 12 months, you're probably keen to get your cute critter fix in-person, rather than through a screen — so one of the city's most popular tourist attractions has reopened to let you do just that. Shut since the beginning of the pandemic, the St Kilda Pier Breakwater is finally welcoming back visitors. Yes, that means that its penguin parade has just reopened as well. The beloved spot is home to around 1400 Little Penguins, with the colony calling the location home for decades — since the harbour was built for sailing for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. The blue-feathered creatures roost in the Breakwater's rocks, and Melburnians can see them three times a night. Between now and April, hour-long self-guided viewing sessions are being held at 8.30pm, 9pm and 9.30pm, with staff on hand to answer any questions. If you're eager to check out the Little Penguins — which every Melbourne resident should at least once — booking in for a free tour is the only way you'll be able to. While there'll hopefully be plenty of aquatic flightless birds to see, you won't have too much company. Under COVID-safe arrangements, tours are limited to 30 people per session. And if you need any further motivation to head along, Little Penguins are the smallest species of penguin in the world, and only grow to around 33 centimetres tall. So yes, they really are adorable. To enhance viewing conditions in the future, the St Kilda Pier is slated to undergo a $50.3-million development, with a specific focus on providing a better place to watch the Little Penguins. First announced in 2019, construction on the rebuild is now set to start this year, working towards a 2023 completion date. The St Kilda Pier Breakwater is located at Pier Road, St Kilda. Penguin-viewing sessions are being held at 8.30pm, 9pm and 9.30pm each night from now until April — with bookings available online.
When Netflix officially launched on our shores back in 2015, three things happened. First, everyone without a VPN rejoiced. Next, anyone already familiar with their US offering couldn't help noticing that the Aussie catalogue was considerably smaller. Finally, while the streaming service was eager to sign up Australian customers, it didn't show any signs of putting those subscription fees towards making local content. It might've taken two years, but they're finally addressing the latter issue. Behold, Netflix's first original Aussie series. Due to be made in Queensland in 2018, and presumably providing fuel for late 2018 binge-watch sessions, Tidelands is a supernatural crime drama series about a fishing village with strange inhabitants: a group of dangerous half-Sirens, half-humans called 'Tidelanders'. Ten episodes, each running for 50 minutes, will be made, with Brisbane's Hoodlum Entertainment doing the honours. And Tidelands won't just gift Australian users with a new favourite series, with the show set to land in all 190 countries that Netflix is available in. Thinking you've seen plenty of Aussie stuff on Netflix already? You're not wrong, however, there's a difference between throwing old sitcoms and standup specials into a range inexplicably overflowing with new Adam Sandler movies, and actually funding brand new Australian material. Last year, it was announced that they'd join forces with the ABC to co-produce a second season of Glitch, which showed them dipping a toe in the water — but now they're completely diving in. Tidelands will join the platform's hefty stable of original series, which started back in 2013 with House of Cards, and just keeps growing (Orange Is the New Black, The Get Down, The OA, Wet Hot American Summer, Master of None, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Dear White People, BoJack Horseman, four Marvel series with one more to come — the list goes on). Given the premise, here's hoping it'll be the next Stranger Things, and not the new Hemlock Grove.
Just because The Boys loves satirising pop culture's superhero obsession, that doesn't mean that it can't spark its own franchise. So, when the series quickly proved a hit, of course a whole Vought Cinematic Universe started springing up around it. First came the animated The Boys Presents: Diabolical. Then, Gen V arrived to take on the 'We Gotta Go Now' storyline. Get ready for more of the latter — because Prime Video has just renewed it for a second season. Gen V's freshman outing debuted back in September and won't wrap up until November; however, the streaming platform behind it has already re-enrolled. "We couldn't be happier to make a second season of Gen V. These are characters and stories we've grown to love, and we are thrilled to know people feel the same! The writers are already working on the new season — sophomore year is gonna be wild, with all the twists, heart, satire and exploding genitalia you've come to expect from the show," said showrunner Michele Fazekas (Agent Carter) and executive producer Eric Kripke (The Boys) about the second season. There's no return date for Gen V as yet, just as The Boys' fourth season doesn't yet have a release date either. But when the former does get a second spin, it'll dive back into the chaos at Godolkin University, the college for superheroes that's meant to help prepare the best of the best for caped-crusader life — until exploding classmates, creepy secret facilities and untrustworthy professors complicate matters. Season one spends time with the blood-bending Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), who knows that attending God U is a pivotal opportunity. After a traumatic experience when her powers kicked in, this is her chance to completely change her life — and achieve her dream of becoming the first Black woman in The Seven. Then, nothing turns out as planned. Also, things on campus (and underneath it) get shady, fast. Also starring in season one: Lizze Broadway (Based on a True Story) as Marie's roomate Emma Meyer, who can change her size; Patrick Schwarzenegger (The Staircase) as Luke 'Golden Boy' Riordan, the school's literally hot number one-ranked pupil; Maddie Phillips (Teenage Bounty Hunters) as his persuasive girlfriend Cate Dunlap; Chance Perdomo (also Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as the magnetic Andre Anderson; and London Thor (Never Have I Ever) and Derek Luh (Shining Vale) as the gender-shifting Jordan Li. Check out the trailer for Gen V's first season below: Gen V streams via Prime Video, with a release date for season two not yet announced. Read our review of season one.
Gin lovers, rejoice. Melbourne's CBD now has its first craft gin distillery, with Little Lon Distilling Co opening its doors. Steeped in history, the distillery is named after the infamous red light district that sat between Lonsdale, Spring, Exhibition and La Trobe Streets. The notorious area — that operated around 150 years ago and had bootleggers, prostitutes and sly grog aplenty — was divided by small laneways and cottages, most of which were destroyed in the 1950s. The distillery site, on Casselden Place, is one of the few historic spaces that remain. Little Lon owner and distiller Brad Wilson said the heritage-listed cottage from the 1800s was a passion project many years in the making. "After travelling to Europe, I thought it would be great to have my own spirit brand," Wilson said. "I was inspired by a 400-year-old distillery called Wynand Fockink in Amsterdam to start a project of my own." Drinks such as the mulled apple Ginger Mick are standouts on the menu, with each batch paying homage to the real-life characters that inspired the building's name. Using Victorian Police records, and the knowledge of a Melbourne tour guide Michael Sheldon who runs crime tours in the area, Wilson became familiar with the key figures of the time. "We wanted to personify the characters that used to live and kick around these laneways," said Wilson. Maude Compton, who ran a brothel and was jailed for stealing money out of customer's pockets, and Constable Hickling are some of the characters that feature on the distillery's menu. Little Lon Distilling Co, which has the capacity for around 200–300 litres of fermentation, is churning out batches on regular rotation, featuring local ingredients and fragrant notes such as rosemary, oranges and lemons — all things which have historically grown in the area. Images: Julia Sansone
One of the Mornington Peninsula's go-to summer hot spots has had one heck of a makeover, and reopened just in time for the balmy days to come. Famed for its waterfront beer garden and sweeping bay views, the Portsea Hotel is now sporting a dapper new look, helping launch the 142-year-old building into its next phase of life. The $7 million transformation nods to the past, while embracing the contemporary, with plenty of original tiling and artwork making a return appearance. The acclaimed beer garden remains, though now it's joined by a moody whisky haunt dubbed the RIP Bar, a California-style burger bar known as Cliff's, and a stunning second-floor events space, called Bertrand Bar. Walls by the front entrance are set to play host to a rotating curation of local and international art, while in the reimagined dining room Longshore, a big open kitchen is serving up a menu filled with top local produce and healthy touches. Think, whipped cod roe served with pita, Mooloolaba swordfish teamed with panzanella, and a creamy burrata cheese and caprese salad, alongside pub classics and loaded pizzas. A planned series of yoga, pilates and fitness classes will grace the Portsea Hotel's beer garden over summer, as will a hefty program of live music and parties. Kyle Lionhart, The Babe Rainbow and Didirri are just some of the acts that'll help christen the pub in the coming months, with Spacey Space headlining a Christmas Eve Eve fiesta and Tom Tilley leading a dance-worthy NYE ensemble. Find the new-look Portsea Hotel at 3746 Point Nepean Road, Portsea. It's open from 11am–10pm daily.
Fill your mid-week with cosy vibes, as the Winter Night Market returns to QVM for another 13-week run. Kicking off at 5pm every Wednesday from Wednesday, June 4–Wednesday, August 27, expect another fascinating program brimming with tantalising street food, hot drinks, retail experiences, live music and free entertainment. Taking up residence in the Queen Victoria Market's sprawling laneways and sheds, the event has a host of foodie newcomers ready to serve up comfy cuisine that ensures your chilly evening is a snug one. Think Cannoleria's Sicilian-style treats, La Trafila's artisan pasta and The Little Paris's raclette and garlic butter snails. There's also plenty of returning favourites from past editions of the Winter Night Market, with the likes of Churro Kitchen, Smashville and the Soup Factory serving everything from chocolate-drizzled desserts to king crab chowder spooned into bread rolls. Plus, there's mulled wine, alongside spiced Milo cocktails and warm butter beer, to enhance the rugged-up ambience. Beyond the extensive food and drink selection, the Winter Night Market is home to stellar shopping and entertainment. Stock up on vintage clothing and handmade jewellery, or see what awaits in your future with tarot card reading. Meanwhile, the Guru Dudu Silent Disco returns, taking groups on a 20-minute dance tour through the market.
Melbourne's biennial showcase of young and emerging artist has unveiled its latest program. Running from May 3 to 20, the 2018 Next Wave Festival will highlight some of the coolest, most exciting and most innovative up-and-comers working across theatre, dance, video, music, sculpture and everything in between. The festival will kick off with a free opening night party at the Brunswick Mechanics Institute. The soiree is being sponsored by the Archie Rose Distilling company, so you know the booze will be good. It's one of a number of epic shindigs on the program this year, with Sezzo Snot and Makeda Zucco set to take over the Tote Hotel for a night of electronic music, sound art, performance and installation, and DJ Sista Zai Zanda headling an Afro-futuristic Mother's Day eve celebration of dance, music, poetry and storytelling. The lineup is packed full of events, so we've rounded up our top five below — and they include everything from freestyle dog dancing to a democratic dinner party. To see the full lineup and buy tickets, head to the Next Wave website.
Peanut butter and blueberry jam. Vanilla creme and chocolate ganache. Lime curd with toasted meringue. These are just a few of the diabetes-inducing flavours that have earned Doughboys a reputation as one of the best doughnut outfits in town. For the past couple of years, Will McKenzie and his team of dough-fiends have popped-up in shared spaces, coffee shops and markets around Melbourne, spreading joy and tooth decay wherever they go. Now they've got their first official store. Located towards the Southern Cross end of Bourke Street in the CBD, Doughboys HQ has been a long time in the making, with McKenzie teasing plans for a permanent storefront almost six months prior to their January 2016 opening. Still, it's worth the wait. Designed by Studio Esteta, the store boasts tiled floors, high ceilings and ample display cases, so sugar-obsessed doughnut lovers can press their noses against the glass. Small Batch Roasting Co. provide the coffee, and hopefully they'll keep up their partnership with Gelato Messina as well. Because if there's one thing better than a doughnut, it's a doughnut stuffed with chocolate fudge brownie ice cream.
Remember when your mum told you that being popular wasn't everything? There are many situations where that advice holds true. Take watching movies, for example. Sure, superhero flicks look great on the big screen — but for every blockbuster you head along to, there's probably a heap of smaller films you're missing out on. They're the small players in a world that focuses on big hits, and the ones that pop up at fewer cinemas, run for shorter spans, and don't break attendance records. But just because they don't get as much love, doesn't mean they're not worth viewing. Indeed, among the ranks of the under-seen lurk some of the year's best efforts. Take these ten, which — by way of a limited screening season or lacklustre local box office performance — you may have missed, but we think you really should take the time to see. A MOST VIOLENT YEAR It has been a good year for Oscar Isaac. He's about to feature in one of the year's biggest films (that is, Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens), he made an unnerving impact in the best artificial intelligence movie of 2015 (Ex Machina), and he starred in a heartbreaking HBO TV series made by The Wire's David Simon (Show Me A Hero). But before all three, he teamed up with always exceptional Jessica Chastain in A Most Violent Year, a moody, '80s mob thriller from All Is Lost writer-director J. C. Chandor. The tale of an honest man corrupted as he follows his ambitions might seem familiar, but there's nothing that's routine — and plenty that's riveting — about this devastating dissection of the American dream. Read our full review. THE TRIBE Writer-director Miroslav Slaboshpitsky's first feature was always going to be a hard sell. The film runs for more than two hours without a word of dialogue, a hint of music or even any subtitles, with its characters — a group of classmates at a Ukrainian boarding school for the hearing impaired — communicating only through sign language. And it's not just a difficult concept; in an effort that becomes both violent and haunting — all the more so because it demands audiences pay the utmost attention to what they can see — it's also difficult to watch. Reports of fainting are widespread, but those who can stomach its brutal sights will find a movie completely unlike anything else they've ever seen before. Read our full review. LONDON ROAD When the National Theatre turned the real life 'Suffolk Strangler' case into a stage production, it probably wasn't expected. Adapting the play into a film shouldn't have been quite as surprising, but the results certainly are astonishing. Filmmaker Rufus Norris (Broken) teamed up once again with writer Alecky Blythe to bring the theatre work to the screen — not only telling the tale of the murders of five prostitutes that rocked England's Ipswich in 2006, but charting the media frenzy that followed and the reactions throughout the community. What makes London Road stand out isn't its narrative, though, but its approach. The words uttered by actual residents of the area, reporters covering the case and sex workers become a musical sung in stuttered bursts and choreographed in a highly stylised fashion. It also features a memorable performance by Olivia Colman, as well as appearance by Tom Hardy as a taxi driver. TANNA Two youths fall in love, but external forces — i.e. the wishes of their families — complicate matters. With that description, you're likely thinking about Romeo and Juliet — however, there's more to the first feature shot entirely in Vanuatu than simply following in William Shakespeare's footsteps. In fact, the film actually stems from a local tribal tragedy, uncovered by writer-director-producer duo Martin Butler and Bentley Dean after spending seven months living with the indigenous Yakel community, and then working with them to make the movie. Calling Tanna authentic is underselling its heartfelt account of the story, its impassioned performances and its arresting images — the latter of which makes the most of the South Pacific archipelago nation's lush greenery and ash-spewing volcanoes. GIRLHOOD With Girlhood, the third time is the charm for filmmaker Céline Sciamma — although, with the likes of Water Lilies and Tomboy also on her cinematic resume, the first and second times were pretty up there too. Her film might sound like a female version of Richard Linklater's 2014 hit, but even though it also serves up a coming-of-age narrative, that couldn't be further from the truth. Charting the tough times faced by 16-year-old Marieme (Karidja Touré) on the outskirts of Paris, the movie tackles maturity on the margins with a raw, realistic and intimate approach — and with stunning performances from the largely untrained cast, too. Plus, it ensures viewers will always feel fondly about Rihanna's 'Diamonds', which provides the soundtrack for the film's most striking scene. Read our full review. PARTISAN Trust a film about a charismatic figure that lures single mothers and their children into his cult-like enclave to have the same mesmerising impact upon its viewers. In relating the experience of the oldest boy in the commune, Alexander (Jeremy Chabriel), when he's deemed mature enough to complete special tasks, Ariel Kleiman's debut feature is the kind of movie you can't look away from — even if you want to. Partisan might be inspired by actual accounts of child assassins, but this is an atmospheric take on allegiance and rebellion, rather than an action flick. It's also the latest effort to feature a hypnotic performance by Vincent Cassel, who's no stranger to playing menacing men, but is rarely given a role so simultaneously threatening and understated. Read our full review. '71 The complexities and contradictions of war are thrust onto the screen in '71, and so is rising star Jack O'Connell. If both seem frenetic and anxious, that's understandable — the film recounts the terrors of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, as seen through the perspective of a rookie British solider left in unsympathetic territory by his squadron, after all. Director Yann Demange splices the two together with skill, his first-time helming efforts as intense as the movie's lead portrayal. If you thought O'Connell was good in TV's Skins, or in previous big-screen offerings Starred Up and Unbroken, prepare to see him blow those performances out of the water. Read our full review. LIFE If ever there was a match made in cinema heaven, it's the combination of Anton Corbijn and James Dean. Add actor Dane DeHaan to the equation, and you've got a movie that smoulders as much as its subject, all while peering behind the tragic star's mystique. Everyone knows that Dean was killed in a car accident at the age of 24 with just three films to his name — and while other features have attempted to give him the biopic treatment, capturing his allure is a much more difficult feat. With the same precision he demonstrated in his last account of a fallen idol, the Joy Division-centric Control, Corbijn achieves just that as he focuses on Dean's connection with Life magazine photographer Dennis Stock (Robert Pattinson). Read our full review. THE SALT OF THE EARTH If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Sebastião Salgado's efforts are worth several multi-volume encyclopaedias. Yes, his images are that intricate and informative — as they should be. The Brazilian social documentary photographer and photojournalist has travelled the world for more than 40 years, snapping the people and places few ever see. Thankfully, the film that charts his life, work and impact is just as engaging and illuminating, as directed by veteran filmmaker Wim Wenders alongside Sebastião’s son Juliano Ribeiro Salgado. Don't take the younger Salgado's involvement as a sign of the documentary's sentimentality, however. Instead, he helps craft a textured portrait of a man who has dedicated more than just his career to taking textured portraits. Read our full review. ZERO MOTIVATION One of the year's funniest and most thoughtful movies sprang from an unlikely place: within the human resources unit of an Israeli army administration office. There, two pencil-pushing women (Nelly Tagar and Dana Ivgy) dream of something more — however, they're never unaware of their status, nor of the military side of their employment. You're probably thinking that Talya Lavie’s feature sounds like it wouldn't be out of place alongside other amusing yet perceptive looks at bureaucracy and war, and you'd be right. Blackly comic as well constantly subversive, Zero Motivation is a slacker comedy and a contemplative consideration of combat, all in one package.
Another week, another chance to fill it with as much fun as possible. Thankfully, Melbourne is a place that knows how to deliver. All-you-can-eat sushi on a Tuesday, planetarium parties on a Friday, deep dives into pop culture icons on a weekend — that's just life in this busy city of ours. No day is ever the same, and no span of seven days either. Of course, we wouldn't have it any other way. Too much to do, too little time? If that's how you're feeling, don't worry, we've got you covered. To help you get the most out of every moment across this particular week, we've teamed up with Australian Red Cross and Uber to cast our eyes over the best events happening around town from Monday to Sunday. The result is a jam-packed agenda that not only takes care of your free time but makes sure you're having a mighty fine time while you're at it, too. If you need a ride to or from your destination, Uber can obviously assist — but the ride-sharing service and Australian Red Cross also have your Sunday sorted. That's when they're holding their annual Uber x Red Cross clothing drive, and will even send a driver to your house to pick up your unwanted threads. As well as helping clear out your wardrobe and helping those in need, it's the perfect way to cap off your busy week. Spend Monday to Saturday at movie retrospectives, pop-up eateries and seeing ace new plays, then chill at home, donate to a good cause without leaving the house, and make a date with your couch.
The Mouse House has brought some of its magic our way, with Disney: The Magic of Animation now on display at Melbourne's newly revamped Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Whether you've always been a fan of Mickey Mouse, can remember how it felt when you first watched Bambi, are able to sing all of Genie's lyrics in Aladdin or fell head over heels for Moana more recently, you'll find plenty worth looking at among ACMI's halls and walls. And in its doors, too — because walking beneath mouse ear-shaped openings to move from one area to the next is all part of the experience. Reopening on Saturday, October 30 and running through till Sunday, January 23 (after a lockdown-delayed season that originally launched on Thursday, May 13), Disney: The Magic of Animation is making its only Aussie stop at ACMI. The exhibition explores everything from 1928's Steamboat Willie — the first talkie to feature Mickey Mouse — through to this year's Raya and the Last Dragon. Obviously, a wealth of other titles get the nod between those two bookending flicks. Fantasia, Alice in Wonderland, Lady and the Tramp, The Jungle Book and The Lion King also feature, as do Mulan, Frozen, Big Hero 6 and Zootopia. The big drawcard: art from the Mouse House's hefty back catalogue of titles, and heaps of it. More than 500 original artworks feature, spanning paintings, sketches, drawings and concept art. The entire lineup has been specially selected by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, and will let you get a glimpse at just how the movie magic comes to life, how some of Disney's famous stories were developed, and which animation techniques brought them to the big screen. Get ready to peer at hand-drawn dalmatians (which is timely, given that Cruella released this year), stare closely at Mickey Mouse's evolution, examine Wreck-It Ralph models and pose next to Snow White. Wall-sized artworks pay tribute to a number of movies, too — The Little Mermaid piece is particularly eye-catching — and feeling like you're stepping into a Disney movie is an unsurprising side effect. The extended season will also feature screenings, including sing-along sessions of The Little Mermaid, Moana, Frozen and Frozen 2 — plus a viewing of Disney's upcoming release Encanto. Disney: The Magic of Animation is clearly designed to appeal to Mouse House fans of all ages. You, your parents, today's primary school kids — you've all grown up watching Disney flicks. So, while you're pondering tales as old as time, being ACMI's guest, contemplating the animated circle of life and definitely not letting your nostalgia go, prepare to be accompanied by aficionados both young and young at heart. Images: Phoebe Powell. Updated October 26.
Combi is all about health. Sitting in a small shopfront in Elwood, these guys have lines out the door on the weekends, so go mid-week if you can swing it. The menu reads like a health nut's dream with cold pressed juices, smoothies, kombucha on tap, acai bowls, sprouted breads, house-made nut milks, raw cakes and treats to die for. If you like your indulgences in liquid form go for the Velvet Cacao smoothie, made with raw cacao, cacao nibs, berries, coconut flesh, cinnamon, banana, raw chocolate fermented protein powder and house made nut milk. For something on the savoury side, you can grab a raw pizza made of dehydrated almond, sunflower and flaxseed topped with raw kale pesto, shredded vegetables and raw cashew cheese. And don't forget to take home a slice of the raw caramel slice. Seriously. Do it.
Every Martin Scorsese movie is worth waiting for, but Killers of the Flower Moon has been decades in the making. The nonfiction book that the acclaimed director's latest film adapts details events in the 1920s, in Osage County in Oklahoma, where members of the Osage Nation became wealthy through oil, then targets for white interlopers. And the feature that's bringing this true tale to the screen? It finally unites Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro in one of Scorsese's full-length flicks, after the filmmaker has spent decades working with both separately. Marty. De Niro. Leo. Yes, enough said. That's the basic maths behind Scorsese's first film since 2019's The Irishman, which premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in May, will hit cinemas Down Under in October and then heads to Apple TV+ after that. De Niro and DiCaprio have been in so many of the legendary director's movies that it's rare for any of his titles to not include one or the other. The former's run gave viewers gangster masterpieces such as Mean Streets, Goodfellas and Casino; also spans the iconic Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and The King of Comedy; and covers musical New York, New York and thriller remake Cape Fear, too — and, of course The Irishman. The latter began leading Scorsese's films in the early 2000s, kicking off with Gangs of New York, then starring in The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island and The Wolf of Wall Street. That's a helluva resume for both actors, and for their favourite helmer. Enter Killers of the Flower Moon — which is actually the second time that De Niro and DiCaprio have joined forces for Scorsese, after they played themselves in the director's 2015 comedy short The Audition. The actors have a past on-screen beyond that thanks to the non-Marty helmed This Boy's Life in 1993, back when DiCaprio was still a teen. That's the Scorsese–De Niro–DiCaprio history. Its main talents aside, Killers of the Flower Moon has looking backwards on its mind as well. As seen in the initial teaser in May and just-dropped full trailer now, the film jumps into a series of real-life of murders. DiCaprio (Don't Look Up) and Certain Women standout Lily Gladstone play Ernest Burkhart and Mollie Kyle, a couple that gets caught up in the investigations surrounding the mounting killings. The deaths start when oil turns the Osage Nation into some of the richest folks on the planet, and quickly, which attracts the wrong kind of notice — attention fuelled by greed and envy, and resulting in manipulation, extortion and homicide. Killers of the Flower Moon surveys that story through Burkhart, Kyle and their romance. Scorsese also co-wrote the screenplay with Eric Roth (Dune, and an Oscar-winner for Forest Gump), adapting David Gann's 2017 non-fiction book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. And, as well as De Niro (Amsterdam), the movie co-stars Jesse Plemons (Love & Death), John Lithgow (Sharper) and newly minted Best Actor Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser (The Whale). Check out the full trailer for Killers of the Flower Moon below: Killers of the Flower Moon releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, October 19, and will then stream via Apple TV+ at a later date — we'll update you with streaming details when they're announced.
Like most of Melbourne's best, Corky Saint Clair is hidden from plain sight. Nestled beneath the cafe chatter of our busiest laneway and next to the ticket gates at Flinders, Corky Saint Clair is tucked away in the Degraves Street Subway. A local favourite for over a decade now, this quirky little jewellery store is the perfect place to pick up a special gift or a unique statement piece. Here you can find dangling pineapples, skeletons or monsters to hang around your neck or tiny little animals to keep watch from your earlobes. This is for the girls (and boys) who like trinkets but can't quite get behind the twee charm bracelets of Pandora.
Cinnabon fans were thrilled when it was announced the brand was scrollin' back to Victoria earlier this year, culminating in a long-awaited store launch at Watergardens Shopping Centre. Now, just two months later, the brand is ready to open a new location with a prime position on Friday, July 11, as Cinnabon has found a new home in Melbourne Central. It's the second of a trio of Melbourne store openings planned for 2025, and there's no shortage of sweet delights to explore for Cinnabon fanatics and newcomers alike. Indulge in caramel pecan and chocobon flavours alongside the famed frosted original roll. Plus, there are espresso-based drinks, from hot coffee to frozen Chillates, ensuring your visit is even sweeter. "Victorians proved their love for Cinnabon with a phenomenal response to the Watergardens store, but we know how many people are clamouring for a store in the CBD, so we knew the time was right to launch our second store," says Veronica Cheung, Managing Director of Always Hungry Club. "Fans have been eagerly awaiting a metro debut for Cinnabon in Victoria for a while now, so we are very excited to be opening at Melbourne Central." With the brand making its triumphant return to Victoria, devoted customers might spot the much-loved American chain looking a little different from its previous iteration. To give the stores a fresh appearance, award-winning architect and interior design firm Elvin Tan Design has been brought on board, leading the vision for both the Watergardens and Melbourne Central locations. As the Cinnabon brand continues to expand across Australia, the Melbourne Central store will represent the 25th location around the country. With crowds drawn in by the comforting caramelised brown butter notes wafting from every store, expect this grand opening to generate plenty of fanfare on the big day and beyond. In fact, getting to Melbourne Central early is a good idea, as the first 50 customers will receive a goodie bag jam-packed with exclusive Cinnabon-themed merch. "With such a positive response, we're moving quickly toward our goal," says Cheung about plans to launch a third store before the end of 2025. "With the excitement seen at Watergardens, we anticipate a bustling opening downtown." Cinnabon opens on Friday, July 11, at Melbourne Central in the lower ground food court, operating Monday–Friday from 9am–7pm and Saturday–Sunday from 10am–7pm. Head to the website for more information.
A venue's atmosphere sets the tone. So the kind of atmosphere generated by a spacious interior, booming sound system, bright neon signage and the energy of 100-plus diners is powerful. That's what you get at Hawker Hall. This addition to the shining portfolio of restaurateur Chris Lucas (Chin Chin, Kisumé, Society and more) is a bustling, scaled-up establishment that pays homage to the intimate and grounded experiences of hawker-style Malaysian and Singaporean street food. The menu is extensive, starting with shared bites like san choy bao with chicken and shiitake; salt and pepper tofu with chilli and coriander; roti; dumplings and buns — like crispy prawn and pork wontons, mushroom and cabbage dumplings or bbq char siu pork buns. There are also salads, seafood and meat mains, noodles and rice, curries, sides and desserts. Beyond the choose-your-own-adventure menu, there are set menu banquets to speed up the delivery of food to your mouth. The main two are the 'Hawker Feed Me' and the 'Chef's Banquet', built around Hawker specialties like roast duck, char siu pork or coconut roast chicken. We could go on and on about the food, but we also need to mention the other pride of Hawker Hall: the drinks menu. Hawker Hall has a truly excellent selection of beers on tap, all independent brewers selected by the team. Plus, there's a cocktail happy hour every Thursday 4–6pm and a bottomless boozy yum-cha, where $66pp gets you a huge spread of reimagined dim sum classics and 90 minutes of free-flowing bevs.
When a TV show or movie franchise returns years and years after its last instalment, there's no longer any point being surprised. It happens that often these days, with Veronica Mars, Twin Peaks, Star Wars and Jurassic Park just a few recent examples. The latest past pop culture hit set to make a comeback: Sex and the City. Thankfully, as anyone who sat through the terrible 2008 and 2010 movies of the same name will be hoping, the Sarah Jessica Parker-starring series is returning to the small screen this time around. This news was first announced back at the beginning of 2021 — and, ten months later, new HBO show And Just Like That... is now getting closer to reaching our eyeballs. Mark December in your diary and prepare to start sipping cosmopolitans over summer, as that's when this ten-episode spinoff will arrive. Parker is back, as are her initial co-stars Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon. But And Just Like That... is being badged as a "new chapter' in the Sex and the City story, rather than an additional season of the existing 1998–2004 program — and there's one clear reason for that. While the show will follow Carrie (Parker), Miranda (Nixon) and Charlotte (Davis) once more, the character of Samantha isn't part of the revival, and neither is actor Kim Cattrall, who played her. So, you'll be watching a trio of the original series' leading ladies as they navigate their lives — this time in their 50s. Although Parker, Nixon and Davis won't have Cattrall for company, the list of returning Sex and the City cast members includes Chris Noth, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler and the late Willie Garson. Yes, that's Big, Anthony, Steve, Harry and Stanford all accounted for. Also, Grey's Anatomy's Sara Ramírez will feature as well. Parker, Davis and Nixon are also named as producers on And Just Like That..., alongside Michael Patrick King, who worked as a writer, director and executive producer on the original (and on the two movies). In Australia, And Just Like That... is headed to Binge, Foxtel's stand-alone streaming service (and also home to Sex and the City's six seasons). A trailer for the new series hasn't been released yet, but HBO has dropped a date announcement video, which gives a few glimpses. Check it out below: And Just Like That... will start streaming in Australia via Binge sometime in December. We'll update you with an exact airdate once one is announced. Top image: HBO Max.
Founded in Melbourne, Lucy Folk's jewellery has become some of the most sought after in the city, as her brand's blissful line-up of designs is now stocked in boutiques around the globe. Folk draws inspiration for her work from a variety of avenues in her life, although food and travel are two of the clearest. The artist has created jewellery showcasing rose gold watermelons and silver parsley earrings, while visits to Morocco and several parts of Europe are also a constant influence on her work. The Melbourne CBD flagship store is where you'll find Folk's entire range of jewellery, sunglasses, and accessories.
Melissa McCarthy is now three-for-three in collaborations with Paul Feig. The actor-director team chase down Bridesmaids and The Heat with a goofy espionage comedy that serves as a showreel for their respective talents. In Feig’s case, that means cementing his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most rock-solid comic-directors, extracting hilarious turns from a more-than-willing cast while demonstrating a surprising amount of confidence with action scenes, which bodes well for his Ghostbusters sequel next year. For McCarthy, it means delivering one of the best performances of her career, nailing both the verbal and physical comedy while steering almost entirely clear of lazy jokes about her gender or her size. McCarthy stars as analyst Susan Cooper, a desk jockey working in the CIA basement funnelling instructions via an earpiece to operatives around the world. Her primary charge, and the subject of her unrequited affections, is the revoltingly narcissistic Bond-wannabe Agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law). But things suddenly change after Fine is gunned down by a devious arms heiress (Rose Byrne), who has somehow gained access to the identity of every active spy. With their best assets compromised, the agency has no choice but to throw the untested Cooper into the field. It’s a pretty standard comedic premise, in a similar vein to other recent spy spoofs such as Johnny English and Get Smart — the one major difference being that Cooper is actually fairly good at her new job. Feig, who wrote the film as well as directing, pokes fun at all the typical spy movie cliches, from the megalomaniacal villain all the way down to the gadgets, here disguised as everyday items such as fungal cream and laxatives. For the most part the humour is fairly broad and sweary — this is, after all, the same director who had McCarthy shit in a sink. Still, as with Feig’s previous films, the material is elevated considerably by the performances. After proving the MVP in both Bridesmaids and Bad Neighbours, Rose Byrne could well consider giving up dramatic roles altogether. Her villainous turn here is a delightful caricature of upper-crust snobbery, and many of the film’s best scenes are the ones that she and McCarthy share. Law is likewise wonderfully hammy as Fine, while Jason Statham sends up his typical screen persona as a 'rogue' CIA agent a little too convinced of his own brilliance. But it’s McCarthy who’s the real hero here, throwing herself into every scene with absolute commitment. Together, she and Feig not only deliver big laughs but also manage to skewer our expectations of what someone who looks like her is capable of. Yes, there are plenty of jokes at Cooper’s expense, but more often than not they’re the result of people underestimating her. As it turns out, that’s a pretty big mistake.
Honestly, is there anything better than soaking in the Melbourne sun on a lazy afternoon, cocktail in hand, while perched in one of the city's best beer gardens? We certainly don't think so. So, to help you plan your summer of outdoor drinking, we've partnered with Maker's Mark to bring you nine summery courtyards for when you want to catch up with friends before dark. From local hotels to cocktail bars on the Yarra, there's a courtyard to suit your vibe and a drinks list to match it.
UPDATE, November 6, 2020: A Cure for Wellness is available to stream via Netflix and Prime Video. When you're sitting through a bland attempt to remake a decades-old radio series, or a spate of diminishing sequels in an average-at-best franchise, you can forget that filmmakers don't just make movies — they also watch them and love them. With The Lone Ranger and the first three Pirates of the Caribbean flicks on his resume, it's rather easy to do just that where Gore Verbinski is concerned, but every now and then he does something to remind you. Back in 2011, the Oscar-winning animated western Rango did the trick, ensuring every viewer knew just how fond Verbinski is of the genre. Likewise, with A Cure for Wellness, his first horror film since The Ring, Verbinski wears his inspirations on his sleeve. And while it mightn't stand out as a landmark scary effort, it still makes for intriguingly creepy viewing. For the record, the veteran filmmaker appears to have seen and adored Rosemary's Baby, The Shining, Shutter Island and Crimson Peak, as well as countless '30s gothic fright fests, '70s Italian giallo films, '80s body horror flicks and everything Alfred Hitchcock ever made. Over the course of 146 minutes, A Cure for Wellness plays like the kind of feverish dream you might have after marathoning all of your favourite spooky movies, with your brain trying to mash everything into one over-the-top package. A labyrinthian sanitarium filled with complacent patients, eerie lullaby-like singing, ravenous eels no one else seems to see, and a history of unrest and incest: you can already spot how some of those filmic influences come into play, can't you? Along with a mysterious young woman (Mia Goth), this is what Wall Street up-and-comer Lockhart (Dane DeHaan) finds when he makes the trip to a wellness centre in the Swiss Alps looking for his company's CEO (Harry Groener). Lockhart thinks that he'll be in and out within 20 minutes, but after an accident he's stuck in plaster and unable to head home, which seems to suit the water therapy-loving doctor-in-charge (Jason Isaacs) quite nicely. There's no missing the fact that all of the folks seeking some rest and relaxation are high-flying business executives. Verbinski, who came up with the story with his Lone Ranger screenwriter Justin Haythe, isn't particularly subtle with some of the movie's ideas — and that's without even getting into a subplot involving pure bloodlines. But he's also largely unconcerned with splashing around in anything other than H20 galore, a mood of dread and tension, and gorgeously unsettling visuals in pale, icy shades. Diving deep into all three results in the cinematic equivalent of a gloriously macabre synchronised swimming routine; an intricately choreographed sight to behold that keeps the most interesting parts on the surface. And what a surface it is. Mastering a tone of unease, serving up a sleek, sinister feast for the eyes, and throwing in a wealth of affectionate nods to genre greats mostly keeps the feature afloat. Mostly. Unsurprisingly, A Cure for Wellness struggles with thin characterisations, and even more so when the predictable yet twist-heavy plot tries to wrap up its stretched-out antics. Still, if you've fallen down its well of unhinged delights you'll probably find them part and parcel of the fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mcVodJmBlU
Time is usually of the essence on an out-of-town trip, so you want to make sure you're hitting the best spots, particularly when it comes to meal times. This autumn, Bendigo is running a roaming tour that does all the hard work for you, so you can spend less time researching and more time feasting. Welcome to Our Kitchens, taking place on Sunday, March 17, will feature five different kitchens, a whole heap of local produce and an insurmountably tasty time in general. The tour is led by local guides Food Fossickers, who are experts at where to find the foodie goods. Across a five-hour period, you'll sample the best of Bendigo's local produce, hear from chefs and food makers and make your way around town on foot to pop into the various venues. Your produce crawl will take you to Masons of Bendigo, The Good Loaf Sourdough Bakery, Sangria Spanish Tapas Bar, Wholefoods Kitchen, Hoo-gah and Indulge Fine Belgian Chocolates. Tickets are $75 per person and partakers will get a savoury dish and a sweet treat at each venue, plus a limited-edition plate, handmade by Bendigo Pottery, to take home. For an extra fee, you can match a locally produced beverage to each dish — which is probably wise as walking and learning can be thirsty work. The Welcome to Our Kitchens tour starts at 11am on Sunday, March 17. To book your tickets, head to the Bendigo Tourism website.
The great streaming service rush, when new platforms seemed to appear every few weeks or so, is a few years in the past. Australia might still be scoring another spot to watch TV shows and movies, however — and it's a hefty one. It looks like Max, HBO's own dedicated streamer, is exploring launch Down Under, and soon. In fact, you might be watching The Last of Us, The White Lotus and Euphoria on it when they return for their next seasons. All three HBO hits are due to make a comeback in 2025, which is also when it's suspected that Max will arrive in Australia. At present, the US network's shows largely screen and stream to Aussie viewers via Binge and Foxtel. When the former launched, boasting HBO's catalogue was one of its big selling points. The deal between Binge, Foxtel and Warner Bros Discovery — which owns HBO — was extended in 2023, but it was reported at the time that Max might debut in Australia from 2025. That timing is now popping up again, with Bloomberg noting in early March that "Max will expand into new markets, including France, Latin America and Australia, in the next 18 months". Speaking at the Morgan Stanley 2024 Technology, Media & Telecom Conference also in early March 2024, Warner Bros Discovery CEO and President of Global Streaming and Games JB Perrette mentioned Max expansion plans, naming Australia as a market. "If you think about other markets, like two big Anglo markets — UK and Australia — our content travels extremely well," he said. "We know how well our content does on both existing legacy platforms, and it drives a significant amount of the viewership." "So the demand is there, and there's unquestionably easy access, because ultimately we don't have a huge amount of local originals we have to invest in. There's not a lot of other costs. And so those are markets where we are very confident — we have high confidence we can actually meet the criteria of being successful in a relatively short period of time after we launch," Perrette continued, without referencing a timeframe. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that sources advise that Max could launch in Australia 2025's first three months. Originally named HBO Max, Max debuted in America in 2020, and has been rolling out through Latin America, the Caribbean and parts of Europe since. Moving HBO's catalogue away from Binge and Foxtel would impact a huge number of shows, with the network also behind House of the Dragon and any other Game of Thrones spinoffs that make it to fruition, True Detective, And Just Like That..., The Rehearsal, upcoming The Batman spinoff The Penguin and the also-on-the-way IT prequel series that's currently called Welcome to Derry — to name just a few series that are on their way either back or for the first time. HBO's past original programming spans everything from The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Wire, Oz, Deadwood, Big Love, True Blood, Big Little Lies, Westworld and Succession to The Larry Sanders Show, Sex and the City, Flight of the Conchords, Bored to Death, Girls, Veep, Barry and Enlightened. Check out HBO's 2024–25 roundup trailer below: Max doesn't yet have a launch date in Australia — we'll update you when any details are announced. Via Bloomberg / Sydney Morning Herald. Top image: Macall Polay/Max.
It has been a busy year for Russian incompetence, on-screen at least. After Chernobyl so blisteringly explored 1986's devastating nuclear reactor explosion and its widespread fallout, Kursk jumps forward to 2000's submarine disaster, where 118 sailors lost their lives during the sinking of a nuclear-powered vessel. The arrival of both the HBO mini-series and now this film in such short succession is a clear sign of the times — as Russia's influence, especially of the covert kind, continues to loom over world affairs, interrogating the country's high-profile misfortunes is hardly an unexpected trend. Today's filmmakers can't force certain parties in power to take Russian election meddling seriously, but they can examine how the world's largest nation by area has dealt with its own catastrophes. Kursk, like Chernobyl, doesn't provide a flattering portrait. In August 2000, as part of the first major Russian naval exercise since the fall of the Soviet Union, Oscar-class K-141 submarine Kursk descended into the ocean's depths. Although it was merely participating in training, it carried live combat weapons, including practice torpedoes — and when one exploded onboard, it set off a chain reaction that would strand the vessel at the bottom of the Barents Sea. Those who survived the initial blast were stuck waiting. First, they waited for Russian authorities to realise what had happened, which took hours. Then, as water seeped in, and supplies and oxygen dwindled, they bided their time as repeated rescue efforts floundered. Ever-protective of their military technology, and just as determined to assert that they could take care of the problem themselves, the Russian Navy even refused international assistance, making the trapped men wait longer still. That's how Thomas Vinterberg tells the tale of the Kursk, with the Danish filmmaker teaming up with Saving Private Ryan screenwriter Robert Rodat to adapt Robert Moore's non-fiction book A Time to Die. For the sake of heightened drama, some facts and timelines have been massaged, however the overall premise — that a Russian submarine sank, the country was poorly equipped to handle it and people paid with their lives — remains. So too does the notion of a nation more concerned with perception than its population; one in which citizens are expected to prove their unflinching patriotism by paying the ultimate price, but where the government won't dare risk its reputation to save them in return. Understandably, this damning truth lingers over every moment of Kursk, making an already sombre story even more so. Indeed, it's as evident on-screen as the grey colour scheme, the oppressive pressure felt in the movie's submarine scenes, and the use of different aspect ratios to send an emotional message. While he's working with a budget far beyond anything he might've dreamed of, or wanted, back when he co-founded the fiercely independent Dogme 95 cinema movement with Lars von Trier, Vinterberg is in comfortable thematic territory. Boasting a resume littered with moral quandaries, including the recent The Hunt and Far from the Madding Crowd, the writer-director has always been a keen observer of folks in a bind. That's what captain-lieutenant Mikhail Averin (Matthias Schoenaerts) and his men find themselves in, to put it mildly, as the clock ticks down and the end we all know is coming inches closer. Meanwhile, Mikhail's wife Tanya (Léa Seydoux) fights for both action and answers back above sea level, numerous admirals (Max von Sydow and Peter Simonischek, primarily) either toe or flout the government line, and offers of British help by Commodore David Russell (Colin Firth) keep falling on stubborn ears. Kursk doesn't spend enough time with any one person to be called a character study, and its broad scope necessitates more than a few shortcuts and cliches. When the movie opens with the sound of gasping breaths, only to show Mikhail timing how long his pre-teen son Misha (Artemiy Spiridonov) can stay underwater in the bathtub, it's an obvious move, for example. Still, in serving up an overview of the disaster's affected parties, and cycling between them as they endeavour to weather the horrific situation, Vinterberg's film is never less than compelling and heartbreaking. While his cast helps considerably, especially Schoenaerts and Seydoux, the director paints a powerful picture of tragedy, courage and (on the part of the Russian officials) sheer arrogance. This is a story of sailors scrambling to wade through life-or-death terror, of their loved ones refusing to kowtow to the authorities, and of the conflict bubbling beneath the rescue attempts — and it's as moving and gripping as the real-life scenario and the men lost to it demands.
Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art boasts plenty of highlights, including its location right next to the Brisbane River. Art lovers can walk through the venue's halls, enjoy a snack at its waterside cafe and even relax on the grass while taking in the view — but they can't usually walk along a massive indoor riverbed. 'Usually' is the key word, with GOMA due to serve up just that during its huge 2019–20 summer program, Water. As part of an expansive exploration of the titular liquid substance in all of its forms between December 7, 2019 and April 26, 2020, the site will become home to Olafur Eliasson's Riverbed installation. Created by the Berlin-based, Danish-Icelandic artist, the huge piece will use more than 100 tonnes of rock to recreate an Icelandic stream inside the South Brisbane venue. The artwork has been described as both pre-historic or post-apocalyptic — and, to answer the question that immediately popped into your head, you can indeed walk on it. When Riverbed arrives in Brisbane, it'll be on display to the public for only the second time ever, following its debut at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark. Obviously, that means it'll be visiting the southern hemisphere for the first time as well. [caption id="attachment_725225" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cai Guo-Qiang. China, b. 1957. Heritage (installation view) 2013, Animals: polystyrene, gauze, resin and hide. Installed with artificial watering hole: water, sand, drip mechanism. Purchased 2013 with funds from the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Diversity Foundation through and with the assistance of the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © The artist. Photograph: Mark Sherwood, QAGOMA.[/caption] With more than 40 works by international and Australian artists included in the exhibition, Riverbed will have some serious company. Cai Guo-Qiang's installation Heritage will make its return to GOMA, with the piece inspired by Stradbroke Island, featuring more than 40 life-size animals drinking around a waterhole, and appearing at Water in a new arrangement. Queensland artist Judy Watson will also create a major new work with a local theme, not only drawing upon on the cultural memory of water, but reflecting upon the obvious nearby body — the adjacent Maiwar, or Brisbane river. And if you're fond of art that you can interact with and learning about the biggest threat facing humanity — and climbing — then keep an eye out for William Forsythe's The Fact of Matter, which is comprised of suspended gymnastic rings. As visitors make their way through the space, they're asked to contemplate the weight and strength of their body, the impact it has on the earth, and the power we can exert if we all come together to combat climate change. Expect topical pieces all round, with pondering the importance of water one of the exhibition's main aims. Overall, "the artworks featured in Water will make connections with many of the major environmental and social challenges faced by the world today," explains Queensland Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch. Water exhibits at the Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane from December 7, 2019 to April 26, 2020. Images: Olafur Eliasson. Denmark, b.1967. Riverbed 2014 (detail). Site specific installation. Pictured: The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebæk, Denmark. Photograph: Iwan Baan. William Forsythe. America, b.1949. The Fact of Matter 2009. Site-specific installation comprising gym rings, fabric straps, gym mat and truss system. Dimensions variable. Pictured: Installation view, William Forsythe: Choreographic Objects, The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, 2018-19. Image courtesy the artist. Photograph: Liza Voll. © William Forsythe.
The vixens from the Fox and cowboys from Cavalier want you to clue-in and come hunting. It's one of the longest running events, not to mention most popular. Be prepared for challenges as you search for great beer and collect points while roaming the streets of Collingwood. You'll work up a thirst, but the lads from Cavalier will reward your efforts with a drop or two at the end. This event is part of Good Beer Week's 2015 program, running from May 16-24. For more festival picks, click here.
Hold onto your various HP merchandise, kids, because there are two new books comin' atcha. To celebrate 20 glorious years of making a generation of pessimistic adults low-key believe in magic, Bloomsbury publishing house has announced two new Harry Potter books. They'll be released as part of a long-ass exhibition titled "A History of Magic" that will run from October 2017 to February 2018 hosted by the British Library in London. The books are named Harry Potter: A History of Magic – The Book of the Exhibition and Harry Potter – A Journey Through A History of Magic. So, not exactly canon but still jolly good. The former is about the curriculum offered at Hogwarts and an exploration of its glorious subjects, from herbology and transfiguration, all the way through to the OHS nightmare that is Care of Magical Creatures. The latter is a more general history of magic and ancient creatures. Both include sprinklings of previously unseen bitties from J.K. Rowling and illustrations by Jim Kay (the illustrator behind the book covers). Look, it's not as exciting as a real new Harry Potter story (we're still not sure if the Cursed Child even counts) and now we'll have to sell our organs for a trip to see this exhibition, but we're cool with that. We'll just quietly continue to hold out hope that the Harry Potter empire never crumbles and/or turns out to be real all along. Via Reuters.
A staple for Melbourne comedy lovers, Quick Bites Comedy is the go-to night for checking out some of the best local, interstate and international comedians around – and it's free. Taking turns in a rapid-fire night of laughs, each comic delivers five-to-seven minutes of their funniest material, guaranteeing an evening crammed full of both up-and-coming and established performers across a variety of acts, styles and topics. Personalities and writers from many of Australia's most-loved TV shows are regularly in attendance and you're bound to discover someone who cracks you up. Held on Monday evenings at popular late-night spot Boney, the Little Collins location is perfect for getting some belly laughs in at the start of the week, ensuring the rest of your working week is just a little bit easier.
When Wonder Woman 1984 opened in cinemas Down Under at the end of 2020, it was the year's last big release. The superhero sequel was one of the very few blockbuster flicks to actually hit the silver screen since the pandemic started, too. Now, just over a month later, the Gal Gadot-starring film is doing something else notable: becoming available via video on demand while it's still showing in theatres. From Wednesday, January 27, cinephiles and caped crusader fans can stream Wonder Woman 1984 via digital movie rental services such as Google Play, YouTube Movies, Amazon Video and iTunes — to rent for AUD$29.99, or to buy for AUD$34.99. If you'd prefer to see it on the big screen, you still can at the time of writing. But if you'd like to watch it at home on your couch, that's now an option as well. The film has made over $26 million at the Australian and New Zealand box office, so plenty of folks did head out to see it in theatres — and to see what happens to Diana Prince (Gadot) in the decade that gave us parachute pants. Chris Pine returns from the first Wonder Woman movie, while Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal join the franchise as new antagonists. Before the pandemic, a huge movie like Wonder Woman 1984 wouldn't ever be available to view at home so quickly. Usually, films that release in cinemas don't make the jump to home entertainment for 90 days, in fact. But much has changed about the world in the past year, with Wonder Woman 1984 following in the footsteps of a heap of fellow flicks that did the same last March and April, when cinemas closed. Other features, including Hamilton, Mulan and Soul, bypassed the big screen altogether last year, too. Whether this'll keep happening in the blockbuster space Down Under is yet to be seen — but there is a growing precedent for it in overseas countries where COVID-19 case numbers remain high and either all or most cinemas are closed. Warner Bros, the Hollywood studio behind Wonder Woman 1984, announced late last year that it'd be releasing both the superhero flick and its full 2021 slate of movies in cinemas and on HBO Max simultaneously where the latter is available. That doesn't include Australia and NZ, though, because HBO hasn't yett launched in either nation. Check out the trailer for Wonder Woman 1984 below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFgnHhMLNJE Wonder Woman 1984 is currently screening in cinemas in Australia and New Zealand; however, it's also available to stream online via video on demand from Wednesday, January 27.
In 2022, McDonald's coveted Szechuan sauce finally became a reality in Australia, and Rick and Morty fans across the country were grateful. Here's something even better: new episodes of the hit animated series, which'll arrive worldwide in September. Everywhere across earth where television is screened and streamed — interdimensional cable, too — Rick and Morty will return in spring. US network Adult Swim has announced that the show's sixth season will hit on Sunday, September 4 in America, which is Monday, September 5 Down Under, where it beams into your queue via Netflix. Yes, that's the way the supremely great news goes today. Yes, you can get schwifty if you want to. And if you're wondering what kinds of chaos are in store this time around, Adult Swim advised that the new season will pick up with its titular pair "where we left them, worse for wear and down on their luck". "Will they manage to bounce back for more adventures? Or will they get swept up in an ocean of piss! Who knows?! Piss! Family! Intrigue! A bunch of dinosaurs! More piss!" the network also teased. Anything can happen in Rick and Morty — but you probably expect that Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith (both voiced by show co-creator Justin Roiland, Solar Opposites) will keep wreaking havoc, and that the series will keep zipping between as many universes as it can. And, it's likely that Rick and Morty's hijinks will still draw in Morty's mother Beth (Sarah Chalke, Firefly Lane), father Jerry (Chris Parnell, Archer) and sister Summer (Spencer Grammer, Tell Me a Story). Ripped and ready - Season 6 coming September 4th pic.twitter.com/RfvA1x5ELj — Rick and Morty (@RickandMorty) July 27, 2022 Also still certain to be present: the fact that the show clearly gleaned inspiration from Back to the Future, but has taken that whole setup — a genius scientist going on wild adventures with a high schooler — in a zillion out-there directions. If you're keen to rejoin the smartest Rick and Morty-est Morty in the universe, start getting excited for September — unless you're a total Jerry, that is. There's no trailer for Rick and Morty's sixth season yet, but you can watch an old clip below: Rick and Morty's sixth season will premiere globally on Monday, September 5 Down Under. It streams via Netflix in Australia and New Zealand.
The Melbourne International Film Festival will donate a portion of proceeds from this year's closing night gala to charity, in honour of late Indigenous music icon Dr G Yunupingu. MIFF organisers had previously announced that the festival would close with a screening of a documentary about Yunupingu's life, but temporarily halted ticket sales following the musician's tragic passing late last month. Dr Yunupingu's family has asked that the media refrain from sharing his full name or image, raising questions over whether the closing night film should be changed. However, the documentary makers have since sought the advice of senior Gumatj elder David Djunga Djunga Yunupingu, and on his direction have confirmed that the screening will go ahead, with ten percent of ticket sales going to Dr Yunupingu's foundation, which supports Indigenous youths in remote communities around the country. David Djunga Djunga Yunupingu will introduce the screening alongside director Paul Williams. MIFF's closing night screening of the documentary of Dr G Yunupingu's life will take place on the evening of Saturday, August 19. To book tickets, go here.
Girls to the front — Bikini Kill are coming to Australia. The iconic Kathleen Hanna-fronted, Washington-formed band instigated the Riot Grrrl movement, and will perform their first Australian shows in more than 25 years on a seven-date 2023 tour. On top of already-announced appearances at Mona Foma and Golden Plains, the trailblazing trio have now dropped the dates for a series of headline shows, appearing in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney throughout March. The solo shows will kick off at Brisbane's The Tivoli on Friday, March 3, before moving onto Lion Arts Factory in Adelaide on Sunday, March 5. They, they'll hit up The Forum in Melbourne on Wednesday, March 8, and the Sydney Opera House on Monday, March 13. In good news for the next generation of riot grrrls and underage rockers, all four of these headline shows will be all ages. Plus, Bikini Kill have also been added to the Perth Festival lineup, where they'll perform previously announced headliners Bon Iver and Björk — with the latter bringing her Cornucopia tour to Western Australia for the 2023 festival. [caption id="attachment_874299" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Debi Del Grande[/caption] "The quintessential band that blends activism and extreme fun, Bikini Kill, will take their rightful place on the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall stage for one of the most anticipated shows of the year," Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music Ben Marshall said. "Kathleen Hanna, Kathi Wilcox and Tobi Vail are feminist performance-art punks whose moment never went away and are arguably needed now more than ever. Mesmerising, clever and surreal, this is a rare chance to see this legendary, razor-sharp live band that will blow you away, while revealing the constant struggle that animates them." Tickets for the Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne gigs will all go on sale at 9am local time on Monday, October 31. As for the Sydney show, tickets will be available for Sydney Opera House Insiders from 9am on Tuesday, November 1, followed by a What's On pre-sale at midday on Wednesday, November 2, and a general sale at 9am on Friday, November 4. Yes, either watching or rewatching the exceptional documentary The Punk Singer, about Hanna, should be on your must-do list right now. Fun fact: when Hanna spray-painted "Kurt smells like Teen Spirit" across her pal Mr Cobain's wall, the name of a certain grunge anthem was born. And, if you're in Sydney in any point leading up to the tour, drop into the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo, where Bikini Kill is currently being featured in the exhibition UNPOPULAR. The exhibition dips into the musical archive of entrepreneur Stephen 'Pav' Pavlovic to unveil never-before-seen photographs and footage of legendary and beloved musicians taking to Australian stages. Hanna, Wilcox and Vail appear alongside other decade-defining artists like Beastie Boys, Nirvana, Sonic Youth and Hole. [caption id="attachment_875372" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Unpopular exhibition view featuring Video, No Alternative Girls, directed by Tamra Davis, 1994. Courtesy of Tamra Davis, credit Zan Wimberley[/caption] BIKINI KILL 2023 AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES: Sunday, February 26 — Mona Foma, Hobart Wednesday, March 1 — Perth Festival Friday, March 3 — The Tivoli, Brisbane Sunday, March 5 — Lions Arts Factory, Adelaide Wednesday, March 8 — The Forum, Melbourne Saturday, March 11 — Golden Plains Festival, Victoria Monday, March 13 — Sydney Opera House Bikini Kill will tour Australia between Sunday, February 26–Monday, March 13. For all the details on when tickets go on sale in each city, head to the band's website. Top image: Debi Del Grande
UPDATE, August 27, 2021: From Friday, August 27, Cruella will be available to stream via Disney+ — and as part of your regular subscription. A killer dress, a statement jacket, a devastating head-to-toe ensemble: if they truly match their descriptions, they stand the test of time. Set in 70s London as punk takes over the aesthetic, live-action 101 Dalmatians prequel Cruella is full of such outfits — plus a white-and-black fur coat that's suspected of being made from slaughtered dogs. If the film itself was a fashion item, though, it'd be a knockoff. It'd be a piece that appears fabulous from afar, but can't hide its seams. That's hardly surprising given this origin tale stitches together pieces from The Devil Wears Prada, The Favourite, Superman, Star Wars and Dickens, and doesn't give two yaps if anyone notices. The Emmas — Stone, playing the dalmatian-hating future villain; Thompson, doing her best Miranda Priestly impression as a ruthless designer — have a ball. Oscar-winning Mad Max: Fury Road costume designer Jenny Beavan is chief among the movie's MVPs. But for a film placed amid the punk-rock revolution, it's happy to merely look the part, not live and breathe it. And, in aiming to explain away its anti-heroine's wicked ways, it's really not sure what it wants to say about her. Here, the needle drops have it. If compiling Cruella's soundtrack involved more than typing "60s, 70s and 80s hits" into Spotify, it doesn't show. A snarling rendition of The Stooges' 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' proves as blatant as it sounds. When a plan comes together to The Beatles' 'Come Together', you'll wonder if the laziest algorithm in the world made that choice. And would it really be a film about someone called de Vil — a naming choice that's spelled out with such force, you could spot it from the moon — if The Rolling Stones' 'Sympathy for the Devil' wasn't given a spin? As the Mouse House keeps exploring its antagonists' nefarious urges (see also: the two Maleficent movies), it routinely just covers the bare necessities, story-wise. Here, it takes that approach in as many places as it can. Indeed, in telling viewers that Cruella is saddled with childhood traumas, too, it seems to think that two-plus over-stretched hours of 70s cosplay will suffice. Before she becomes the puppy-skinning fashionista that remains among Glenn Close's best-known roles, and before she's both a wannabe designer and the revenge-seeking talk of the town played by Stone (Zombieland: Double Tap), Cruella is actually 12-year-old girl Estella (Tipper Seifert-Cleveland, Game of Thrones). Sporting two-toned hair and a cruel that streak her mother (Emily Beecham, Little Joe) tries to tame with kindness, she's a target for bullies, but has the gumption to handle them. Then tragedy strikes, an orphan is born, loss haunts her every move and, after falling in with a couple of likeable London thieves, those black-and-white locks get a scarlet dye job. By the time that Estella is in her twenties, she's well-versed in pulling quick heists with Jasper (Joel Fry, Yesterday) and Horace (Paul Walter Hauser, Songbird). She loves sewing the costumes required more than anything else, however. After years spent dreaming of knockout gowns, upmarket department stores and threads made by the Baroness (Thompson, Last Christmas), she eventually gets her chance — for fashion domination, as well as vengeance. It worked for director Craig Gillespie in I, Tonya, but the wry narration that guides Cruella's story quickly overstays its welcome. The knowing tone, obvious observations and taunts of a death that can't stick in a prequel all purely hit the expected beats, as almost everything here does. Co-screenwriter Dana Fox also penned Isn't It Romantic, but trades satirising one genre's tropes for leaning into another's (yes, villain origin stories are their own genre now). Fellow scribe Tony McNamara was nominated for an Oscar for The Favourite and an Emmy for The Great, so the fact that Stone often feels like she has stepped out of the former and into this — right down to her subterfuge and scheming beneath the Baroness' feet — is no surprise. The Devil Wears Prada's Aline Brosh McKenna gets a story credit, too, because Disney isn't attempting to conceal its inspirations. Cruella may stem from Dodie Smith's book, then the cartoon, then the live-action remake, but it has been cut from a clear pattern. There's zero vampishness in the end result, but plenty of botched ideas and muddled themes. When Estella is driven to succeed, rebel against being treated poorly at work and punish the person responsible for her pain, they're far more fascinating aspects of her character than the movie meaningfully examines — perhaps because they don't quite fit her journey to the monochrome side. Empathising with her plight is easy several times over. After an early incident, understanding why she doesn't love dalmatians is as well. Gillespie and company don't come close to selling the leap from ambitious and avenging to future animal cruelty, though. The latter isn't actually a part of Cruella, but in giving its central figure the Joker treatment, the film's character arc is always a stretch. It also undercuts the much more potent notion that some people are just evil, and don't need a sob story as an excuse. If, in all of their eagerness to stick to a template, Cruella's powers-that-be just wanted to pair Stone up with another English acting titan — swapping The Favourite's Olivia Colman for the on-screen treasure that is Thompson — and then let them have at it, that's understandable. It's also as a good enough reason as any for this or any movie to exist. Alongside Beavan's Vivienne Westwood- and Alexander McQueen-influenced costumes, plus Nicolas Karakatsanis' (another I, Tonya alum) constantly moving camerawork, the acerbic Oscar-winning Emmas are the reason that the film has any bite to go along with its empty barks. But the duo's gleeful cartoonishness, flamboyance and winning ability to wear the hell out of their outfits only takes Cruella so far. Even with their obvious commitment, this intellectual property-extending exercise is more filler than killer. After you give it a whirl, you'll put it back on the rack and rarely spare it another thought. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgZgFHDGHrY&feature=youtu.be Top image: Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2021 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Imagine that someone from the year 2007 or earlier — anyone who existed before May 2008, for that matter — suddenly reappeared today, happily oblivious about everything that's happened since, and immediately asked what was doing big business on the big and small screens. To answer that question, you'd need to explain the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which kicked off 14 years back with Iron Man and has shown zero signs of stopping from then onwards. The MCU hasn't just kept on keeping on over ever since Robert Downey Jr introduced the world to Tony Stark. It has grown and sprawled and taken over not only cinemas, but streaming queues as well. And if you're wondering what's coming next — after a busy 2022 already, which has seen Moon Knight, Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, Ms Marvel and Thor: Love and Thunder arrive so far — Marvel just unveiled its plans for the next couple of years at San Diego Comic-Con. 2022 still has two MCU titles to come: She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, which stars Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) as a lawyer who learns that it isn't easy being green, and the eagerly awaited Black Panther sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The first starts streaming from August 17, the second hits cinemas on November 10, and both dropped either new or initial trailers, too. And, they'll round out the Marvel Cinematic Universe's phase four, because this non-stop saga is broken into chapters that split its enormous story up into smaller parts. [caption id="attachment_862313" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chuck Zlotnick. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Obviously, this means that phase five is on its way. Marvel has also dubbed the story from the phase four through to the end of phase six 'the multiverse saga'. Given that everything from Spider-Man: No Way Home to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been dropping that m-word, that's hardly surprising. The MCU's fifth phase has 12 titles in store — some already announced, some newly confirmed. Come February 16, 2023 Down Under, the third Ant-Man flick — Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania — will continue the pint-sized superhero's story (and bring more Paul Rudd to the MCU). Alongside that, hitting Disney+ sometime during autumn 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, is Secret Invasion. It focuses on Samuel L Jackson's Nick Fury, and will also feature the return of Ben Mendelsohn (Cyrano) as Talos, as well as Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother), Kingsley Ben-Adir (One Night in Miami), Emilia Clarke (Last Christmas) and Olivia Colman (Mothering Sunday). On May 4, 2023, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 3 will reach the big screen, while The Marvels — which teams up Captain Marvel (Brie Larson, Just Mercy), Ms Marvel (Iman Vellani) and WandaVision's Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris, Candyman) — arrives in cinemas on July 27. In-between, newcomer Echo, a spinoff from Hawkeye focusing on Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox), will make its way to streaming in winter 2023, as will season two of Loki. [caption id="attachment_862338" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chuck Zlotnick. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] November 2, 2023 heralds the return of Blade, with the half-vampire vamp hunter played by Moonlight and Green Book Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali this time around — and sometime that spring, Disney+ series Ironheart will drop, too. First, that character (played by Dominique Thorne, Judas and the Black Messiah) will feature in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. During the summer of 2023–24, Agatha: Coven of Chaos will magic itself into streaming queues as well — giving the delightful Kathryn Hahn her own witchy WandaVision spinoff series, as first revealed in 2021. And, in 2024, phase five will also see a new 18-episode Daredevil series starring Charlie Cox (King of Thieves) and Vincent D'Onofrio (The Unforgivable) hit in autumn. They return to the roles of Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk following the 2015–18 Netflix series, and this go-around is called Daredevil: Born Again. [caption id="attachment_799400" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chuck Zlotnick. ©Marvel Studios 2020. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Similarly arriving the same year: a new Captain America movie, called Captain America: New World Order, focusing on Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) with the cape and shield — on May 2, 2024. And, fellow flick Thunderbolts will release on July 25, 2024, wrapping up phase five, and focusing on a new team of characters. As for phase six, it currently has three titles in the works, with more to come. They're all massive, though, given that they start with yet another Fantastic Four film on November 7, 2024 (with no cast yet announced) and end with Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars on May 1 and November 6, 2025, respectively. Just announced in Hall H: Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four, in theaters November 8, 2024. #SDCC2022 pic.twitter.com/z4j7tsfKl9 — Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 24, 2022 For more information about Marvel's upcoming slate of films and TV shows, head to the company's website. Top image: Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2020. All Rights Reserved.
As a nation, Australians devour approximately 190,000 tonnes of meat per year. This equates to 120kg per person per annum, which is almost three times as much as the world average. Despite the phenomenal increase in meat consumption over the last few decades, particularly in pork and poultry, the number of pig producers in the country has reduced by 94 percent and there are only two major producers of chicken. This is largely why two-thirds of the world's meat now comes from factory farming. So what can you do about the animal cruelty and health problems this gross over-consumption is causing? Take part in Meat Free Week from March 18-24 to help spread the word and raise funds for this important issue. All money raised from the initiative goes to the animal protection institute Voiceless, who help protect factory farmed animals in Australia. And they're not trying to persuade you to become an avid vegan or vegetarian; it's simply about modifying meat consumption: limiting meat intake and only choosing free-range animal products in order to reduce the amount of factory farming in Australia. You could also improve your own health in the process as eating excessive amounts of meat can lead to heart disease, kidney failure or even cancer. Simply sign up and create your profile, read up and learn about factory farming so you can explain to others why it's so important, tell all your family and friends about it and get them to sign up as well or to sponsor you with a small donation, stock up on fresh ingredients and try out some delicious meat-free recipes designed by celebrity chefs, then go without meat for seven days and tell everyone how it's going through social media, particularly with the hashtag #meatfreeweek.
Due to the chilly weather, there are only some activities you truly feel like doing during the winter months. While cosying up by a fireplace and eating hot cheese are two of them, one involves actually going outside: ice skating. And this year Melbourne has three top-notch ice skating rinks you can practise your best Nancy Kerrigan moves on (as well as one a road trip away). If you don't think you're quite coordinated enough to imitate Kerrigan, fear not — we've got an ice activity for you, too. A giant ice slide has also popped up in Melbourne. So don your warmest winter woollies, grab your bestie, date or fam, and head to your closest ice pop-up — or jump in a car, bus or train and visit all three. You'll find them by the beach, in regional centres and in the middle of the city, decked out with stalls serving up mulled wine and cheese toasties, and alongside pop-up igloos and giant ice slides.
The year Falls Festival is really teasing us. After announcing that they would expand to Western Australia this year back in June, and then confirming that none other than Childish bloody Gambino would be headlining earlier this month, this morning they've let slip another headliner before the full lineup is released this afternoon. And, much to our delight, it's London Grammar. Yep, the British trio will return to Australia for Falls Music & Arts Festival over the New Years period. It's a quick return to the country — after all, they only toured last year — and they'll join musical (and acting and writing) wunderkind Donald Glover to play all four shows. As always, Falls will be heading to Lorne in Victoria for four nights, and Marion Bay in Tassie and Byron Bay on the NSW coast for three nights over New Year's Eve. They'll also be setting up shop in Fremantle for the first time with Falls Downtown, a two-day city festival slated to take place over the weekend of January 7-8. The main stage will be set up in Freo's town square, while an old-world ballroom and a stone-walled church will house the smaller ones. They'll also be taking over the abandoned Myer building, turning it into a creepy crib for art installations, "unexpected performance areas", markets and "bunkered basement danceterias". There'll even be a small number of glamping tents on the roof. It sounds similar to some of Melbourne Music Week's activations of abandoned spaces, and it sounds insane. This new iteration of the festival and the announcement of Childish Gambino as headliner is another win for Falls, who sell out their Lorne event basically every year. Since its inception in Lorne back in 1993, the festival has grown to span three cities, which include the original site on the Great Ocean Road, Marion Bay in Tassie and, since 2013, Byron Bay. But here's the dates. The full festival lineup will be announced this afternoon. Stay tuned. Lorne, Victoria: December 28-31 Marion Bay, Tasmania: December 29-31 Byron Bay, NSW: December 31 - January 2 Fremantle, WA: January 7-8 Tickets for Falls Festival 2016/17 will go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, August 30 via their website.
Staycationing in your own city? Heading interstate for a getaway? Either way, deciding which hotel to spend the night in can depend on a range of factors. Some are straightforward, such as location and price. Others span the broader experience, including amenities, facilities, ad onsite restaurants and bars — and whether the place you're bunking down in serves cocktails using spirits that it has barrel aged itself. Set to open in Melbourne's growing 80 Collins Street precinct in late March, Next Hotel Melbourne ticks the last box — and it's the first hotel in Australia to do so. It'll be home to a space called the Barrel Room, where it'll run a wood-ageing program for spirits, cocktails and herbal liquors. You'll be able to drop in, make your pick, see your choice decanted, have a taste and even make requests regarding what else should be barrel aged. Those tipples will also form part of Next Melbourne's own signature bottled cocktail lineup, which'll be stocked in the in-room mini-bars. Also on offer at the new Melbourne 24-storey spot: 225 guest rooms; design touches that span marble, eye-catching lighting and art by Jonny Niesche, Consuelo Cavaniglia and Julia Gorman; and in-suite espresso machines and cocktail-mixing stations. The site will also include a club area for working and meeting away from home, complete with its own food and drink selection, plus a fitness centre with on-call personal trainers. Overseen by Daniel Natoli and Adrian Li, Next Melbourne will feature dining and drinking venue La Madonna, too, which'll span across an entire floor. Also due to open in late March, it'll offer share plates at the bar, a lounge space for cocktails, and booth seating and large tables for meals — and it's where the Barrel Room will be located. On the site's ground floor, Ingresso by La Madonna is already open, serving up coffees to start the day, an afternoon aperitivo hour, and other drinks and bites to to either eat onsite or takeaway. Next Melbourne joins a much-talked about precinct, with 80 Collins Street also just welcoming Farmer's Daughters — and already home to opulent champagne bar Nick & Nora's and cafe Maverick. Find Next Hotel Melbourne in the 80 Collins Street precinct, with entry via 103 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, from late March.
