Picture this: it's the middle of the work week, you're already exhausted and feel like you're crawling to the Friday finish line. Sound familiar? If you're considering taking the night off doing the dishes or you want to treat yourself to a midweek lunch out of the office but don't want to blow your budget, then listen up because EatClub's Feast Week will be right up your alley. EatClub is an app for people who love to eat and be fiscally responsible at once. It helps connect hungry humans with vacant restaurant tables to ensure you can enjoy the best food in the city more often and business owners can feed as many mouths as possible. And, from Monday, May 24 to Sunday, June 6, you can score $5 takeaway dishes from some of Melbourne's top dining destinations for breakfast, lunch and dinner for Feast Week. But, don't let the name fool you, this is actually a fortnight worth of tasty treats for the average price of a coffee. To get involved, all you have to do is order and pay through the app then pick up your food from the venue to tuck in to a delectable and affordable dinner. Grab $5 eats from places like Hunger Den and Pho Nung during Feast Week and then thank us later. Feast Week is running from Monday, May 24–Sunday, June 6. For more information and to see all the participating restaurants, visit the website here.
UPDATE, November 16, 2020: The Peanut Butter Falcon is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Playing a fisherman grieving for his older brother, barely scraping by and unafraid to skirt the law when necessary, Shia LaBeouf is at his soulful best in The Peanut Butter Falcon. Forget Transformers-era, phoning it in LaBeouf, or even his bag-wearing phase — here, he's as dynamic and textured as he was in 2016's American Honey, his last great on-screen role. And yet, LaBeouf isn't this indie comedy's main attraction. He's one of its leads, and he's surrounded by the similarly well-known likes of Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, Jon Bernthal, John Hawkes and Thomas Haden Church, but this little film with a big heart actually belongs to first-time performer Zack Gottsagen. In fact, writer/directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz created their first feature especially for Gottsagen, in order to showcase his acting talents. After Gottsagen has spent mere seconds on-screen as The Peanut Butter Falcon's wrestling-obsessed Zak, it's obvious why Nilson and Schwartz were determined to make this movie around him. The trio met at a camp for actors with disability, as Gottsagen has Down syndrome — and the way that adults with the genetic disorder are typically treated by society is key to this adventure. This isn't a message-driven feature, but a picture that places a man living with the health condition at its centre, letting his hopes, wants, needs and desires lead the story. Zak's dream couldn't seem more simple, with the 22-year-old so eager to attend his idol's wrestling school that he breaks out of the nursing home he's been forced to live in. But the reality of actually getting to his destination is far more complicated than it should be. As someone with Down syndrome — and someone housed in a care facility for the elderly because there's just nowhere else that caters for him — Zak's dreams, ideas, and general ability to do anything and everything are all constantly overlooked. His primary carer Eleanor (Johnson) treats him like a friend, but it's only after his roommate Carl (Dern) helps him to escape that Zak is really able to make his own decisions. With nothing but the underpants he's wearing to his name, he bunkers down in a boat, only to find himself caught up in its owner's mishaps. That'd be Tyler (LaBeouf), who is soon on the run from local crab trappers. Heading to Florida, he agrees to escort Zak to the only place in the world the runaway wants to go: the North Carolina wrestling academy run by faded icon Salt Water Redneck (Haden Church). Cue a series of Huckleberry Finn-style escapades, as The Peanut Butter Falcon's central duo ry to evade the folks on their tail while trudging through fields, building a raft to help them float along the coast and, eventually, unleashing Zak's wrestling persona — which gives the feature its name. Plot-wise, Zak and Tyler's exploits play out exactly as expected, but there's such a wealth of earnestness, affection, tenderness and charm to this movie that no one should mind that the story follows a predictable path. There's an enormous difference between films that stick to a template lazily, because it's easy and because they have no real reason to exist otherwise, and those that mould familiar parts into their own distinctive creation. Anchored by Gottsagen's effortlessly engaging presence, as well as by a protagonist too rarely given such a spotlight, this highly likeable picture falls into the latter category. Thoughtful, meaningful, realistic and empowering representation matters, which The Peanut Butter Falcon boasts in spades. That said, movies like this shouldn't be such a noteworthy occurrence — however addressing that imbalance is far from the film's only strength. So crucial to this warm-hued, good-natured feature is its breezy attitude and approach. This is a coming-of-age buddy comedy about two adults traversing America's south in often over-the-top circumstances, but every element is treated as though it's the most common thing in the world. A blind preacher shooting at Zak and Tyler, then baptising them, is just one of many components of the pair's journey that's simply part of their adventure. So too is a drunken night by a bonfire, a spirited service station encounter between Tyler and Eleanor and, most importantly, everything about Zak. Indeed, recognising that life's chaos happens to everyone is The Peanut Butter Falcon's remit — and showing that even the most ordinary events and extraordinary developments do as well. It's noticeable that, despite Johnson's efforts, Eleanor isn't afforded as much depth as the film's male characters. Actually, it's the feature's main disappointment. But when The Peanut Butter Falcon focuses on Zak's enthusiastic pilgrimage, the sincere bond he makes with another lonely soul, and the change it inspires in both him and Tyler, it's a warm-hearted hug of a movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkH7KUlInPg
There's nothing like a spot of retail therapy to help blast away the winter blues, and with the Melbourne chill starting to take hold, Greener House's Indoor Winter Market plans to do just that. Along with neighbours Nordik Living, Greener House will turn its Collingwood nursery into a market over two days, showcasing its own plants as well as ceramics and homewares from a broad array of local makers. Designs from Elk & Horn, Melbourne Candle Company, Ed Pascoe Textiles and Adele Macer Ceramics, plus loads of others, will be on offer. What's more, Greener House will be swinging visitors a cheeky 15 percent off storewide across both days, meaning you'll be able to pick up bargains on a whole range of pots and plants, from calatheas and monsteras, to birds of paradise. Meanwhile, Nordik Living is also slashing prices, taking 10 percent off all in-store purchases, including its gorgeous line of homewares and ceramics. If your gaff's been craving a spruce-up, head down this weekend — the market will be open from 10am till 4pm on both Friday and Saturday.
Step into some of the most dangerous places on earth. Screening at ACMI as part of this year's Melbourne Writers Festival, Textures of Conflict is a program of five documentaries that showcase the power of the still image, as captured by photojournalists in conflict zones around the world. The films will screen at the Fed Square cinema throughout the week beginning Monday, August 24. Shooting Robert King chronicles the photographer of the same name, as he journeys from Bosnia to Chechnya and Iraq. Likewise, McCullin follows legendary English photographer Don McCullin, while the simply titled War Photographer concerns the exploits of American James Nachtwey. Under Fire: Journalists in Combat takes a broader view of war zone journalists, whose job has never been more dangerous than it is today. Rounding out the program is Wim Wenders' recent Oscar-nominated doco Salt of the Earth, about photographer Sebastiao Salgado, who has recently turned his lens from human conflict to the environment.
Well, folks, the rain is starting to subside and we're edging closer and closer to summer, so what better time for a wardrobe refresh. This Saturday, November 17, your pals at 91Vintage are coming to the party, hosting the last edition of their ever-popular vintage sportswear market for 2018. Head along to Fitzroy pub The Evelyn to check out this hefty haul of retro threads, sneakers and accessories, with 15 stallholders slinging old-school gems from the likes of Adidas, Fila, Nike, Fubu, Dada, Sergio Tacchini and Juicy Couture. This time around, the market's running from 10am to 5pm, with prices starting at a neat $5 and both racks and tubs filled with plenty of pieces for every budget. Head over to the 91Vintage Instagram page for a sneak preview of some of the gear that's set to make an appearance and start plotting some bangers for the festival season to come.
In his first stripped-back solo shows since 2005, singer-songwriter CW Stoneking will be touring his much-loved old-timey blues for Heavenly Sounds in June. The short tour — which sees him playing in the grand cathedrals of Melbourne and Sydney — will definitely make for a unique experience. While Stoneking's music is already rooted in soulful storytelling, giving it an intimate reception in a church will no doubt add an extra bit of depth and meaning. For someone who has only two albums to his name, Stoneking has an incredibly dedicated following. Debuting with banjo-heavy blues album King Hokum in 2005, this Australian oddball set himself apart from the local talent by flawlessly delving into the music of America's deep south. Then, his 2008 release of Jungle Blues expanded into the 1920s realms of calypso, hillbilly and jungle jazz. These two shows for Heavenly Sounds will see him preview music from a yet unreleased album. Your guess of the genre is as good as mine. For this tour, Stoneking will be joined by soulful Novacastrian Kira Puru — the former vocalist for The Bruises — who has collaborated with the likes of Illy, The Preatures and Paul Kelly. Inevitably, though, all eyes will be on on the main act. Not only is it rare to see a blues artist take the stage, but Stoneking will be one of the only men on a tour which has so far hosted talented but similar songstresses such as Laura Marling, Sarah Blasko, Julia Stone and Lisa Mitchell. Tour dates: Sydney: Wednesday June 11, St Stephen's Uniting Church, 197 Macquarie Street Melbourne: Friday June 13, St Michael's Church, 120 Collins Street Tickets are available through Ticketek from Monday, April 14, for $62.50 + transaction fees. Members of the Heavenly Sounds mailing list can access pre-sale at 9am on Friday, April 11. Sign up at www.heavenlysounds.com
If you were to see a fridge standing in the middle of Queensbridge Square, what would you do? And, perhaps more importantly, what would you hope to find inside? On Saturday, January 20, you can put this situation to the test IRL — and we can tell you now that gelato awaits, plus flavoured milks. Gelato Messina and Westinghouse are teaming up on a giveaway, so one of the latter's refrigerators will indeed be onsite. You'll need to head in front of the red steps between 10am–4.30pm, but getting in quick is recommended as the freebies are only available while stocks last (and any chance to grab some Messina for nothing is bound to be popular). On the menu: mini ice cream pops in choc jersey milk and coconut passionfruit varieties, as well as choc malt, dulce de leche and strawberry flavoured milks. One person will also win the fridge itself, so you might end up treating your kitchen as well as your tastebuds.
If Melbourne Spring Fashion Week has left you in a dizzy headspin of colours and fabrics and prints and jackets cut so perfectly your body simply aches for them — or if, y’know, you just like some fancy new clothes now and then — you might have already heard that the annual Big Fashion Sale is coming up pretty soon. The name pretty much says it all. This thing is big. You’ll find lush items from past collections, samples and one-offs from over 30 cult Australian brands, both well-known and emerging, including Karla Spetic, LP33.3, Elke Kramer, Gary Bigeni, Verner, Uniform, Benah, Celeste Tesoriero and many more. This latest instalment will also feature international designers Alexander Wang, Kenzo, Marni, Christopher Kane, Helmut Lang, Mary Katantzou, Opening Ceremony, Erdem, Stella McCartney, ALC, Elizabeth & James and Lanvin. With discounts of up to 80% off, this is one way of upping your street cred with designer threads that’ll leave your bank balance sitting pretty too. Prices this low tend to inspire a certain level of ruthlessness in all of us, though, so practise that grabbing reflex in advance. This is every man and lady for themselves. Opening hours are: Wednesday, October 21 — 3–8pm (VIP preview) Thursday, October 22 — 9am–6pm Friday, October 23 — 10am–7pm Saturday, October 24 — 10am–6pm Sunday, October 25 — 10am–5pm
Science Gallery Melbourne has just kicked off its latest immersive exhibition, Swarm, which dives into the concept of collective behaviour and what it means to be part of a pack. And just like the city's other cultural institutions, the gallery will be backing its usual daytime program with a series of fun after-hours happenings. The next Friday Night Socials will run the first Friday of each month for the duration of Swarm — September 2, October 7 and November 4 — and they're all free. Each instalment is set to serve a different after-dark lineup aimed at curious minds, though you can always expect eats, drinks, bands, DJs, performances and more, plus extended access to whatever exhibition is showing. Kicking things off on Friday, September 2, you'll catch a drag performance by Dandrogyny, a dance-friendly set from DJ Katie Pearson and some killer moves courtesy of a VCA student dance group. [caption id="attachment_867479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dandrogyny[/caption] You can take a guided drawing session with artist Kari Lee McInneny-McRae, check out designer Morwenna Schenck's majestic seed propagation booth, take comfort in other people's tales of failure thanks to the F*ck Up Nights crew, and experience all sorts of spooky tricks at a show by magician and author Nicholas J Johnson. As with the exhibition, each Friday Night Socials event is free — though you'll need to book online to secure your spot.
When Bob Dylan last toured Australia, it was billed as a 'once in a lifetime' experience. And, for all those who went, it was. It's just that now fans will be get the opportunity to have another such experience, because the legendary tambourine man will return to Australia for a national tour this August. This tour will be less exhaustive than his 2014 effort, with Dylan set to do eight shows — one in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle and Wollongong, as well as two back-to-back shows in Melbourne on August 13 and 14. He will draw on his incredible 60-year career — which spans 36 studio albums and countless hits — for the shows, so you better start praying to the music gods that your favourite makes it onto the setlist. Dylan may be 76 years old, but he has certainly showed no signs of slowing down as he approaches 80. In 2016 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature and, just this year, he oddly released his own whisky. But still, it could be the last chance you get to see this living legend perform live. His last tour sold out, so don't wait too long to get your hands on tickets.
If you're thinking about heading along to an industry event or panel discussion at Melbourne Music Week this year, this would be our pick. Face the Music industry conference is now in its eighth year, and conveniently coincides with the festival. The session we're most interested in is Music Journalism: The Critical Mass. Music journalism comes in many different shapes and forms these days, from independent music blogs to long form magazine essays, and too many interviews to count. While it's fantastic, we have so many enthusiastic voices wanting to share their passion and knowledge of the next big thing in music. So how can you make sure your voice is heard over the others? That's where the experts come in. This panel will include Fred Pessaro (VICE Music), Mathew Coyte (Rolling Stone Australia), Brodie Lancaster (Rookie, Pitchfork) and Marcus Teague (The Age, Rolling Stone, The Guardian), and will be moderated by author and journalist Jenny Valentish. Online ticket sales have now closed, but tickets will be available from the front desk on both days. A two day pass will set you back $120, while a single day pass is $80. Image credit: Alean Penaflor
"The punchline is true about me...I did the dumb thing. But I did a lot of other things too." So says Anthony Weiner at the beginning of the documentary that bears his name. His statement is both an admission and a reminder, as presented with a level of candour that mightn't be expected from a former New York congressman. Of course, Weiner isn't any old politician ,and there's a reason that everyone knows who he is. You saw the scandals play out, giggling about someone with his particular surname getting caught texting dick pics. Now we get to see his side of the story. Indeed, we already know why filmmakers Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg were keen to peer beyond the international headlines and discover the man behind the very public mockery. What isn't always clear is just why Weiner himself agreed to be involved. Why did he agree to subject himself to a warts-and-all look at his notorious indiscretions and their impact upon his career and marriage. And why did he agree to give the film crew such extraordinarily intimate access? That's the first of many questions that springs from this astute and insightful film, and most of them don't have easy or obvious answers. In fact, when Kriegman is heard interrogating his subject about why he was allowed to chronicle the minutiae of his life, Weiner doesn't really have a response, other than later stating his desire to be seen as more than just a punchline. His loyal wife Huma Abedin, an advisor to Hillary Clinton, and an increasingly distressed figure in the feature, doesn't know what to say either. Still, as the tabloids, news reports and late-night comedians prove relentless in dissecting her decision to stand by her husband, her deteriorating facade speaks volumes. By honing in on Weiner's comeback mayoral bid, which is soon derailed when another explosive revelation rears its head, the documentary does a great many things. It acts as an all-too-familiar twist on the American dream, contemplating not just the path to success, but trying again after falling so far. It examines the difficulty of living a life of incessant scrutiny while trying to put your past behaviour behind you. It offers disarming images of a man watching his world fall down around him yet again. It points the finger at the way the media treats those in their orbit. And it provides an utterly fascinating look at the real inner-workings of a political campaign. Here, the truth is absolutely stranger than fiction — and more compelling, too. Kriegman and Steinberg present rather than judge, and flesh out rather than assume. The end result is patient and observational as it follows Weiner on the campaign trail, yet remains infused with the urgency of his rollercoaster existence. Whatever your thoughts on the man, we're guessing they won't be the same when the end credits roll.
After the downer that was 2020, we could all use a few laughs right now. And the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is happy to provide them, returning for a huge 2021 edition from Wednesday, March 24–Sunday, April 18. As always, it's dishing up a bumper program of stand-up shows, comedy showcases and other hilarious events — all featuring a top-shelf lineup of both local and international acts. You can catch global stars like Arj Barker, Carl Donnelly and Ross Noble working their magic in solo performances, or do a little globe-trotting at the International Comedy Showcase. The 31st Annual Great Debate will see six of your favourite funny folk duel it out in a battle of comedic critical thinking, while the undisputed queens of comedy take the stage for all-female extravaganza Upfront. There's also the Comedy Commutes series, inviting punters to enjoy some fresh talent right there in their own 'hood, starring Luke Heggie, Dolly Diamond, Claire Hooper and more. The Comedy Zone shines a spotlight on the next generation of stars, slinging laughs from the likes of Andrew Portelli, Tor Snyder and Floyd Alexander-Hunt. And of course, much-loved comedy venues across the city are firing up nightly for a smorgasbord of gigs and events, including the Comedy Theatre, the Butterfly Club and Chapel off Chapel. Top image: Jim Lee.
Rarely has a film more perfectly encapsulated the notion of so close, yet so far. Directed by Neil Marshall, whose previous credits include the impressive horror flick The Descent and some major episodes of Game Of Thrones, Hellboy is an absolute mess of a thing, despite boasting a terrific cast, memorable set pieces, impressive CGI and one of the more intriguing and inventive protagonists in recent comic book history. Hellboy, of course, already has two films in his honour, both of them written and directed by Mr Monster himself: Guillermo del Toro. The question that loomed large over this 2019 version, then, was whether it sought to be a rebooted origin story or a semi-continuation of the pre-existing franchise. The schizophrenic patchwork of a story we end up with suggests the studio simply couldn't decide. Timelines leap from the Arthurian legend to modern day to WWII to the 80s, usually for the purpose of dumping massive loads of exposition. The entire film feels rushed and discordant; a fever dream of fight scenes and plotlines that neither link to what came prior nor have much relevance to what follows. In the lead, Stranger Things star David Harbour does his darndest to breathe life into what little script there is, imbuing his Hellboy with an admirable level of angst, sarcasm and unwieldy brawn. Credit, too, to the movie's makeup team, who've managed to wholly transform Harbour into a hulking creature from the underworld despite little to no CGI at play. Opposite him, Milla Jovovich puts in the film's most understated yet compelling performance as Nimue the Blood Queen, whose equal rights for monsters mantra offers a tantalisingly defensible motivation for her murderous ways. Sadly, Hellboy gives little time to ideas, opting instead for as many gory deaths, clanger one-liners and f-bombs that it can squeeze in. And on the gore front, Hellboy certainly makes full use of its R-rating, particularly in the film's final stages when Hell's assortment of nightmarish demons begin crushing, skewering and skinning the hapless inhabitants of London. The demons themselves are spectacularly imagined, as is the infamous Baba Yaga, the Slavic witch with an appetite for small children. Her scene with Hellboy is beautifully designed, genuinely well-written, and appropriately grotesque. But even then, there's one major ingredient missing: terror. It's a phenomenon repeated multiple times throughout the film, and one that's not easily diagnosed. Scenes that should be scary simply aren't, just as jokes that should be funny don't even come close. If you imagine the film as a piece of music, the levels are all out — as if the sound mixer dialled everything up that should be down, and vice versa. Which brings us back to so close, yet so far. Whatever forces were at play to screw this up, the fact remains the pieces were there to produce something great. Hellboy could have been any number of films: a comic book horror movie with genuine scares, a comedy action flick or even a compelling Maleficent-esque drama about misunderstood heroes and villains vying for their right to a place on this earth. Instead, it's an embarrassment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt5g5_1cKVk
When is a brewery more than just a brewery? When it's a regular roller skating disco as well. On the first Sunday of every month, Moon Dog Craft Brewery transforms its Abbotsford ballroom into a skate arena, with the next event scheduled for November 5. Held in conjunction with Malt Shop Be Bop Hop Roller Arena, Roller Disco Sundays boast everything you'd expect from a end-of-weekend session of rolling around a brewery — aka beverages of the yeasty kind, mirror balls brightening up the place, DJs and live performances setting the tone, and quite the array of outrageous fashion. Unsurprisingly, costumes aren't only encouraged but required, whether you've got some lycra burning a hole in your wardrobe or you're getting on theme. Yes, each stint has its own nostalgia-heavy flavour, with past themes stepping through the decades in '70s boogie oogie oogie, '80s electric boogaloo and naughty '90s style. BYO skates or hire some on the day — and keep your eyes glued to the Moon Dog Craft Brewery and Malt Shop Be Bop Hop Roller Arena Facebook pages for the specifics of each session
Watching television and subscribing to a streaming platform are both cheaper than going to the cinema. Should watching Netflix on your phone be even cheaper still? That's something that the international streaming behemoth is testing out, offering cut-price mobile-only plans — in Malaysia at present, although it has also flagged lower-price subscription options throughout Asia. Malaysia's The Star reports that the mobile-only option is currently available for 17 Malaysian ringgit (approximately AU$5.58) per month, offering unlimited viewing on one handheld device only — be it a phone or a tablet. The content is only available in standard definition, which is good news for anyone with a low data plan but bad news for anyone who loves high-definition viewing. Malaysian residents can only access the new plan by signing up via the Netflix mobile app, or by accessing the Netflix website on a smartphone. Still, it's cheaper than Australia's three tiers, with the basic $9.99 per month package allowing viewing on one screen at a time, including a laptop, tablet or mobile; the standard $13.99 tier upping the simultaneous screens to two and including HD; and the premium $17.99 option including ultra-HD and four screens. Variety notes that the tests are designed to appeal to smartphone-centric users in Asia — so if you do all of your film and television viewing on the smallest of screens (that is, your mobile), then you'll be hoping that Netflix expands its trial Down Under. The company hasn't given any indication that that's the case, but it does love to toy with new options — including, at the other end of the scale, possibly getting into the bricks-and-mortar cinema game. Via The Star / Variety.
Has anyone checked if the team over at Gelato Messina HQ is, in fact, sleeping? Not only has it been whipping up sell-out cookies pies — with new flavours almost every month — it's been dropping specials so frequently you'd think its mantra was a chorus by Snoop Dogg. We've had an Iced VoVo gelato, a super-fancy Viennetta and, now, a collab with long-time friends Hoy Pinoy. Messina has previously teamed up with with the Filipino barbecue and street food experts for Messina Eats events and they're both frequent stallholders at the always-popular Night Noodle Markets. Whether or not the markets will go ahead this spring — with many restrictions on gatherings still in place — is up in the air, but the two food experts are letting you recreate a small part of it at home this winter. They're releasing Messina X Hoy Pinoy dinner packs for $65, which come filled with a heap of sweet and savoury snacks. Inside, you'll find two sticky pork skewers, chicken adobo and sticky rice and popular Messina dessert Coco Phangan. The latter comes with coconut and pandan sticky rice, mango sherbet, salted coconut sauce and toasted coconut flakes, and looks like this: You will need to finish off each dish at home, but there's nothing more difficult than a little boiling, a little baking and a little creative plating. The packs are available to pre-order from 10am on Wednesday, August 12 to pick up from select Melbourne and Sydney stores between Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15. The packs are available from Newtown, Parramatta, Penrith, Rosebery, Tramsheds and Bondi in NSW — and from Richmond, Windsor, Fitzroy and East Brunswick (Deliveroo only) in Victoria. If you're in Melbourne, keep in mind you are only allowed to travel five kilometres from your home. Gelato Messina X Hoy Pinoy dinner packs will be available to pre-order from 10am on Wednesday, August 12, for pick up between Friday, August 14–Saturday, August 15 — keep an eye on the Messina website for further details.
This review was written about the June 2014 run of this production in Melbourne. There's nothing quite like the big top. Entering that hallowed striped tent always feels like a form of transportation. No longer concerned with your workaday life, you're in a place where anything's possible — it's a snug little haven that promises hot cinnamon donuts, escapism and wonder. While Circus Oz definitely delivered on the donuts and the wonder, its brand of escapism strangely enough depends on your personal politics. For those not familiar with Circus Oz, social justice plays a big role in their performance. As much as they're out to surprise and entertain you, they're also concerned with imbuing each act with a specific political resonance. As such, But Wait... There's More gathers its story lines through political fodder. In the two-and-a-half hour performance, they cover indigenous rights, consumerism, commercialism, feminism, and 'infobesity'. It's a noble pursuit that is executed with mixed success — while you do feel more fulfilled by the experience, at times you can't help but crave the light-hearted frivolity of the circus you remember from your childhood. Outside of ideology, all the elements of the conventional circus are intact. On unicycles, hoops, and the trapeze, each member of the Circuz Oz ensemble brings an incredibly diverse set of skills to the table. Technically impressive feats are pulled off with an exciting amount of showmanship, and even a reluctant audience member will find themselves clapping and cheering. Particularly memorable moments include a delicate acrobatic dance played out on the unicycle by April Dawson and Kyle Raferty; a vivacious performance from Lilikoi Kaos with what must be close to 50 hula hoops; and an endearingly meek clown from Olivia Porter. Thankfully Circus Oz is an animal-free circus so, while your childhood memories may be tinged with lions and elephants, you'll have to make do with a particularly knowing gag with a BMX and a whip. As with all circus acts, it's not just the performers that deliver the show, and significant praise should also be directed towards the design and sound crew. The jazzy on-stage band provided a diverse and lively soundtrack to the evening, and in one impressive act we saw a performer battle mesmerising smoke rings through the darkness. Of course, it's all wildly entertaining — it's the circus, how could it not be? But in the tug-of-war between performance and plot, sometimes the blunt truths of the show take centre stage. While this works at times, for instance in the beautifully earnest Welcome to Country, at others it feels a little at odds with the performance. After all, the circus is a place of excess. It's hard to give yourself over to the joy of a finale spectacular while it's insistent on drilling home its critique of commercialism — particularly with your donuts and $10 program in hand. Photo credit: Rob Blackburn.
Proving that the Australian film industry isn't immune to the sequelitis that has plagued American horror franchises for decades, director Greg McLean has teamed back up with star John Jarratt for a follow-up to their stomach-turning 2005 sleeper hit, Wolf Creek. Not unsurprisingly, the result feels very much like a cash grab. A film no one was asking for, Wolf Creek 2 trades the raw, taboo-shattering violence of its predecessor for a cheaper, more predictable yet somehow nastier kind of carnage. The difference between the two films becomes obvious almost immediately. Although notorious for the graphic tortures inflicted on its backpacking protagonists, the original Wolf Creek actually runs for almost an hour before the first drop of blood is even spilled. Prior to that, McLean spends his time getting us to care about his characters, making their eventual demise, at the hands of Jarratt's Akubra-wearing serial killer, that much more distressing. In comparison, Wolf Creek 2 puts the villain front and centre, allowing him his first kill before we even see a title card. Focusing on the killer is a standard move for a horror sequel, and seems all the more logical here in light of Jarratt's fantastic performance. A blood-soaked ocker stereotype from hell (with a sick sense of humour to match), killer Mick Taylor is a cinematic sadist for the ages; his menacing chortle sends shivers down your spine, even as his profane, xenophobic rants strike savagely at the heart of so-called Australian values. But while Jarratt's performance is the sequel's best feature, his character's increased role is also its biggest problem. Unlike in the first film, McLean never bothers to flesh out Taylor's prey, which this time consists of two Germans and a Pom. Conversely, Taylor is clearly the character that viewers are meant to be most excited to see. At times, it even feels like we're meant to root for him, which I found difficult to reconcile with the fact that he's a murderer and a rapist. Wolf Creek was effectively shocking because it made no attempt to make its violence entertaining. Wolf Creek 2 does just that, making it a far more exploitative film. This might be less of a sticking point if the movie was actually scary. But it's not — just intermittently gory. Most of the film consists of Taylor chasing his helpless quarry through the outback, their capture or grizzly death (probably both) a glum inevitability. Things briefly get interesting in the film's final third, when McLean finally rediscovers the notion that terror comes not just from violence, but from the threat of it. But by then it's too little, too late. https://youtube.com/watch?v=s4bqeT5edbs
As part of ACCA's ongoing 'Big Picture' series of exhibitions, which considers how contemporary art interacts with social, cultural and political debates today, Unfinished Business: Perspectives on Art and Feminism presents a wide array of feminist art practices. Unfinished Business highlights numerous artists' approaches to gender identity, representation, intersectional politics, alongside the use of creative mediums such as performance, technology, humour, critique and text. The exhibition surveys these methods across the likes of painting, photography and film, plus wider ventures like community engagement and cultural activism. For this major exhibition, ACCA has commissioned new works, while also presenting recent work, notable historical projects, plus an extensive program of films and performances. Unfinished Business will also be supported by a publication with contributions by prominent artists, theorists and art historians dating back to the 1970s. Unfinished Business: Perspectives on Art and Feminism is a free exhibition at ACCA, running from Friday December 15 until Sunday March 25 2018. Image: Sarah Goffman, I am with you 2017; courtesy Andrew Curtis
This city is no stranger to the humble (and not so humble) doughnut. From Shortstop to Doughboys to the van at Queen Vic Market, Melburnians are spoiled for choice when it comes to deep-fried dough, be it glazed, iced, covered in cinnamon or bursting with piping hot jam. The organisers of the Flour Market even ran a doughnut-only event back in 2015. So, really, it makes perfect sense that our sweet, sweet obsession it about to be taken to its logical conclusion: a full-blown festival featuring beer, bingo and all the doughnuts you can eat. Set to take place at The Village on St Kilda Road, Donut Fest will arrive in Melbourne on Sunday, March 12 — although, despite taking the same name, it's not related to the huge Chicago-originated Donut Fest that we wrote about last year. From 2pm sugar fiends will be able to gorge themselves on freshly made doughnuts from a variety of local vendors, as well as coffee from Melbourne beanheads and a selection of boutique beers. There'll also be live entertainment – keep your eyes on the Donut Fest website for details as they drop. Entry into Donut Fest is free, although organisers are encouraging punters to bring a gold coin donation along for charity. If nothing else, it should help assuage the guilt you'll feel after eating yourself into a coma. Donut Fest will take place at The Village from 2pm on Sunday, March 12. For more info, visit donutfest.com.au.
UPDATE Thursday, March 9: Cucinetta's 29-cheese gnocchi creation is sticking around a little longer than originally planned, due to high demand. It's now on offer until Sunday, April 2. The following has been updated to reflect the change. Melburnians, you really love your cheese. You've tried a 150-cheese pizza, gone nuts for tasting festivals dedicated to the stuff, and have even entered cheese-fuelled comas in a cheese cave. Now, get set to dive into another ultra-cheesy experience: a 29-cheese gnocchi. South Yarra's Cucinetta is the eatery behind the wondrous creation, which it's bringing back for a fifth year. If you're amenable to lactose and keen to give it a try, it's available between Wednesday, March 1–Sunday, April 2 for both lunch and dinner. The handmade potato gnocchi is oven-baked with 29 cheeses sourced from Thomastown's That's Amore Cheese, with a lineup that includes buffalo mozzarella, truffled caciotta (a fresh cow's milk cheese), smoked scamorza, burrata and blue cheese. Setting you back $39.99, the smash-hit dish can be enjoyed with one of 29 wines on the regularly changing list and eaten inside the 29-square-metre restaurant. Sensing a theme? Cucinetta really likes the number 29. [caption id="attachment_818131" align="alignnone" width="1920"] That's Amore[/caption] If you, like us, fancy yourself a bit of a cheese fanatic, you're probably curious as to what the 29 cheeses are. Well, here's the full list: Fior di latte Buffalo mozzarella Burrata Scamorza bianca Caciotta Pepper caciotta Chilli caciotta Truffle caciotta Ricotta delicata Ricotta salata Mascarpone Squacquerone Buffalo bocconcini Buffalo ricotta Buffalo caciotta Buffalo mozzarella (smoked) Smoked bocconcini Smoked scamorza Smoked caciocavallo Diavoletto Secret of The Forest Drunken buffalo Lavato Panettone Panettone with truffle Caciocavallo Bufalotto Blue cheese Formaggio di vacca
As part of the flurry of new streaming services competing for our eyeballs, FanForce TV joined the online viewing fold during the COVID-19 pandemic. That's great news all year round, but the service is also going the extra mile for NAIDOC Week, which is when it's bringing back the Virtual Indigenous Film Festival. VIFF has already popped up once in 2022, for National Reconciliation Week in May — but this is obviously a fest that's welcome to hit screens to celebrate Indigenous stories and voices as often as it likes. For its second run this year, the event is hosting films between Monday, July 4–Friday, July 8, with four titles on the bill. Screening solely online, this returning festival boasts Araatika: Rise Up, Off Country, Where the Water Starts and Wash My Soul in the River's Flow on its lineup, showcasing First Nations talent both in front of and behind the lens. That means you can watch your way through an array of Aussie content focused on Indigenous stories, with each title showing twice on its allocated day — at 1pm and 7pm AEST. And, viewers can tune in on a film-by-film basis, or buy an all-access pass to tune into everything. Top image: Sandy Scheltema.
NGV International has just dropped the new Friday Nights lineup, and, as always, it's a cracker. A mix of local and international music acts make up the latest late-night roster, which will tie in with the NGV's new Melbourne exhibition The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture. Throw after-dark gallery access and killer food and beverage options into the mix, and the cold winter nights suddenly look a lot more appealing. Australia's Kate Miller-Heidke, Japanese pop rock outfit Shonen Knife and LA-based Nite Jewel are just a few of the names on the spring roster, which also features up-and-comers GL, ALTA and Airling. There'll also be a special Saturday night performance by Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble on November 4 to round out the season. NGV FRIDAY NIGHTS SPRING 2017 LINEUP 1 September – Lupa J 8 September – Kate Miller-Heidke 15 September – Claudio 22 September – Shonen Knife 29 September – GL 6 October – ALTA 13 October – Electric Fields 20 October – Nite Jewel 27 October – JOY. 3 November – Airling 4 November – Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble
Turns out eating an entire two sticks of buttery, bready garlic bread from the freezer section doesn't count as an 'appreciation conference', because one Melburnian is making this actual event happen. Garlic bread aficionado and straight-up boss Baxter Kirk is putting on the world's very first Garlic Bread Appreciation Conference in Melbourne. Set to descend upon the MCG (yep, the giant, giant MCG) on Friday, January 15 at the strange time of 3.07am, the conference will "discuss the underrated garlic bread," according to the Facebook event. With 47,000+ people supposedly 'attending' the event, this could be the biggest celebration of garlic breadery the world has ever seen. Whether this conference is real or a beautiful, beautiful troll, we'll be raising a glass of cheap cola to that beloved buttery, buttery side anyway, before, during and after the event. Via Pedestrian. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
The arrival of summer means afternoons spent in beer gardens and nights that run late on cocktail bar rooftops. But, what if you could have an equally stimulating experience while avoiding that tinge of regret that comes when checking your bank balance the next day? The wonders of BYO make this dream scenario possible! With countless booze-friendly destinations to discover throughout Melbourne, you can celebrate every kind of occasion with your closest pals and a carefully curated drinks selection from your own fridge or local bottle shop. Together with Mosey Fruity Beer, the hottest newcomer to the beer aisle, we've rounded up a collection of cracking BYO-friendly spots to hit up this summer. Ranging from much-loved restaurants to weekend escapes, all five picks are confirmed hot spots for taking a Mosey along. By stashing a can (or a four-pack) of the new brew in your bag, you're bringing a fruity take on the classic frothy — and an added level of freshness and 'crushability'. Our prediction? You'll be stinging for a sip by the time you're finished reading. [caption id="attachment_754751" align="alignnone" width="1920"] City of Port Phillip[/caption] PICNIC IN THE PARK It doesn't get much better than cracking an ice-cold tinnie in the park on a sunny day. If you're hanging in Melbourne's northside, Edinburgh Gardens is a go-to picnic haven with boundless space for slinging the frisbee or breaking out the Finska set between beers. Elwood's Point Ormond Reserve (pictured above) is also a stellar spot that's particularly appealing for those keen to soak up the waterfront on one of the sweltering arvos unique to Melbourne summer. Barbecues, a picnic shelter and shady trees all accompany striking city views — all you need to do is bring the beers on ice and you're sorted. [caption id="attachment_869922" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yutacar, Unsplash[/caption] AVOID THE RELOS BY HOSTING A FRIENDS-MAS PARTY The holiday season doesn't have to be spent exclusively listening to relos give their cold takes on the latest current affairs. Instead, fill the jolly time of year with your best pals. So — apart from your favourite beers — what should be on the agenda? You need a killer festive season spread with all the trimmings, a top-notch selection of lawn games and perhaps Die Hard loaded up on Netflix. Finally, a banging playlist to complete the event. (But, please, spare everyone the Christmas carols.) [caption id="attachment_763010" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tracey Ahkee[/caption] HIT A LOCAL BYO RESTAURANT The bring-your-own restaurant is a staple of students and budget-cautious dining innovators around the globe, and Melbourne offers an outstanding collection of venues where you're welcome to supply your own drinks. Jim's Greek Tavern is a Collingwood institution that fits the bill, renowned for its upbeat atmosphere and meaty banquets of lamb souvlaki, chicken and barramundi — and delightful staff who cheerfully put your brews in the fridge for you. A suburb or two over at the top end of Lygon Street, Brunswick's Teta Mona (pictured above) serves up Eastern Lebanese cuisine that puts the soul in soul food. The restaurant is beloved for its oddball furnishings, airy courtyard and stacked plates — and BYO wine and beer corkage is unlimited for $5pp. Bargain. SKIP TOWN FOR THE WEEKEND BYO doesn't mean SAH (stay at home). Book the crew in to incredible accommodation in one of Victoria's scenic regional areas — like the Mornington Peninsula. The Acorn is a superb spot for up to six guests, with the renovated barn serving as a great base for exploring the nearby beaches and nature walks. The Church at Lyonville (pictured above) is another spectacular option in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Built in the 1920s, this stylish conversion delivers guests maximum countryside charm and comfort. Bring along the brews and (respectfully) soak up the summertime weather from this idyllic spot. [caption id="attachment_869932" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gagandeep Singh, Unsplash[/caption] CRUISE OUT FOR A CAMPING TRIP If you're seeking a more bucolic experience, get out of town for a camping trip. The Grampians (pictured above) are home to one of the top spots within reach of the city where the best of nature is on show — from towering waterfalls to vibrant wildflowers. Plus, seven new hike-in campgrounds recently opened along the 160-kilometre Grampians Peaks Trail so you can complete the full epic journey or choose a section or two for an overnight BYO stay. Armed with a ripper BYO spot and a four-pack of Mosey Fruity Beers, you'll be ready to make summer yours. To find out more about the juicy bevs, head to the website. Top image: Chester Newling
Mark your calendars with a big red X, because the Ballarat Beer Festival is back. Taking over City Oval on Saturday, January 21, this annual event is one of the highlights of the drinking year, with some 40 independent brewers serving more than 200 brews. Combine that with music, food trucks and a range of "drinking-friendly" activities and games, and it's an event that beer-lovers won't want to miss. Coopers, Hawkers, Brooklyn Brewery, Pirate Life and Two Birds are just a few of the brewers who'll be pouring their wares, including several new concoctions you'll get to try for the very first time. There'll also be ciders and wine on offer if beer isn't your thing — although if that's the case, you might want to ask yourself what you're doing at the festival in the first place. Then again, despite the name, this isn't just a day for getting absolutely sloshed. Ticketholders will also be able to attend beer education classes, take in live music performances, and watch a human sized foosball game as part of the first ever Beerllarat Olympics.
You asked — and Cadbury has gone and delivered. The confectionary giant has responded to hordes of eager fans and brought one of its most beloved creations back onto Aussie shelves: the humble but widely worshipped Caramilk. Cadbury has confirmed the rumours that its former fan favourite, with that golden-hued concoction of caramel and white chocolate, will indeed be making a comeback, returning to local supermarkets across the country from tomorrow, Wednesday, October 2. And, if you fancy being one of the first to get your mitts on the relaunched Caramilk, you can even nab a freebie this Wednesday, October 2. Cadbury will be handing out 1000 free Caramilk blocks at Melbourne Central Station from 7am, and then at Flinders Street Station from 11am. Understandably, there are plenty of sweet-toothed Aussies who are salivating at the prospect — not least of all, those in the Facebook groups dedicated to requesting its return — and the blocks are expected to move quickly. The first 500 sold on eBay last week in just 28 minutes, so you better get to Woolies early tomorrow. They'll be available to buy for $4.80.
One of Sydney Festival 2017's most Instagrammed events was The Beach, an enormous ball pit inside a human-made cave, as created by Brooklyn-based design studio Snarkitecture. Tonnes of the city's residents spent at least some part of January diving, cannonballing and floating about in a sea of plastic bliss. Understandably. If you've been fretting about whether this kind of fun would ever come to Melbourne, here's your answer. Another ball pit, this time called The Ballpit!, is on its way around the country. It was first slated for Sydney, but now Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth have been added to the agenda. Like The Beach, it'll be a behemoth, made up of one million balls. Rather than filling up just a single space, they'll be arranged across several, creating a kind of playground — but for adults. On top of that, the balls are of the glow-in-the-dark variety, illuminated by LED lights that will pulsate to a soundtrack provided by some of Melbourne's best DJs. There'll also be an onsite cocktail bar, to let you rest and refuel in between dips and dives. Just when and where The Ballpit! will pop up is yet to be revealed, but expect it in early 2018. Entry will be via ticket, available online. Sessions are likely to sell out pretty quickly, so get in early by registering on The Ballpit!'s website. Image: The Beach, Sydney Festival 2017 by Shannon Connellan.
Already an enormous success on Broadway, in London's West End and in Melbourne, Tony and Olivier award-winning musical Come From Away is touring its remarkable true tale around Australia's east coast. Based on real post-September 11 events, the acclaimed production has been back in Melbourne since January 2021 for an encore season of kind-hearted charm — which runs through until Sunday, March 21 at the Comedy Theatre. If you aren't familiar with the musical's plot or the actual events that inspired it, it's quite the exceptional story. In the week after the September 11 attacks in 2001, 38 planes were unexpectedly ordered to land in the small Canadian town of Gander, in the province of Newfoundland. Part of Operation Yellow Ribbon — which diverted civilian air traffic to Canada en masse following the attacks — the move saw around 7000 air travellers grounded in the tiny spot, almost doubling its population. Usually, the town is home to just under 12,000 residents. To create Come From Away, writers and composers Irene Sankoff and David Hein spent hundreds of hours interviewing thousands of locals and passengers, using their experiences to drive the narrative — and, in many cases, using their real names in the show as well. The result is a musical not just about people coming from away (the term that Newfoundlanders use to refer to folks not born on the island), but coming together, all at a time when tensions were running high worldwide. Since being workshopped in 2012, having a run in Ontario in 2013, then officially premiering in San Diego in 2015, Come From Away has become a global smash hit. After opening on Broadway in 2017, it was still running before the theatre district closed due to COVID-19. The musical wowed crowds in the West End, too — and, when it first opened in Melbourne in July 2019, it became the Comedy Theatre's most successful musical in the venue's 91-year history. Along the way, the show has picked up a Tony Award for best direction of a musical, six other nominations, and four Olivier Awards out of nine nominations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zmvy1p2FOE&feature=emb_title Images: Jeff Busby.
If you're partial to a big, cheesy serving of gnocchi, you'll by happy to know that Mamma's Boy Trattoria is once again serving bottomless bowls of the stuff. Matched with free-flowing cocktails, no less. And this time around, it's got a stack of new vegan and gluten-free options also on offer. The Brunswick restaurant has brought back its endless gnocchi feasts across a series of two-hour Sunday sittings. Book in a table for 11.30am, 2pm, 5pm or 7.30pm each week, and you can tuck into unlimited helpings of the classic potato dumpling dish, plus bottomless drinks and garlic bread for an easy $69. If you're going for the vegan or gluten-free items, it'll cost you an extra $5 per person. With the gnocchi lineup, all palates are covered. It features Mamma's rich slow-cooked lamb ragu, alongside a simple napoli number, and a truffle mushroom and spinach bowl. With 120 minutes up your sleeve, you should be able to sample them all, no problem. During that time, you'll also enjoy unlimited cocktails, including tropical punch, mojitos and a variety of spritz. To get in on the bottomless gnocchi deal, you'll have to book online in advance. Everyone on your table will need to partake in the bottomless action, though we don't imagine it'll be too hard to rustle up a crew of eager gnocchi-loving mates.
The National Gallery of Victoria is known for bringing the best and most interesting art to Melbourne; however their latest exhibition is truly unprecedented. As part of Who's Afraid of Colour?, the gallery has compiled an extensive collection of extraordinary pieces created by Indigenous Australian women — 200 contemporary works by 118 talented ladies, in fact. Decking the walls of NGV's Ian Potter Centre from December 16, 2016 to April 17, 2017, the creative showcase takes over six gallery spaces. Among the highlights are photographs by Melbourne-based artists Destiny Deacon and Bindi Cole Chocka, who use photography and digital media to explore and challenge notions about and around Aboriginality. Mixed media efforts by interdisciplinary artist Julie Gough, and paintings by renowned Gija artist Queenie McKenzie also feature. Diversity, daring, jumping across disciplines, discarding expectations: it's all on display here. The entire exhibition ranges from traditional to experimental, existing to new, and includes painting, sculpture, drawing, weaving, ceramics, glass, video, photography, jewellery, textiles, design and installation. Image: Who's Afraid of Colour at NGV Australia, photographed by Wayne Taylor.
A new exhibition at the Ian Potter Museum of Art will pay tribute to two of Australia's most influential photographers. Arriving in Melbourne from the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, Max and Olive: The Photographic Life of Olive Cotton and Max Dupain will showcase the shared lives and methods of the eponymous artists, whose modernist work during the thirties and forties changed the face of Australian photography. Opening Tuesday, May 31, the free exhibition will feature 71 photographs from the NGA collection taken between 1934 and 1945. In addition to featuring a slew of iconic images, including Dupain's Sunbaker (pictured), the show will provide an insight into the working relationship between the pair, which included a brief marriage in 1939. Max and Olive will be on display until July 24. Image: Max Dupain, Sunbaker 1937, gelatin silver photograph, 37.7 x 43.2 cm, courtesy of the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Gift of the Philip Morris Arts Grant 198.
In Melbourne we get a lot of things for free. With a thriving street art scene, and so many talented local artists happy to show their work in small galleries with no charge, we are frankly pretty spoilt. Our access to amazing photographers' work can sometimes be as simple as following them on Instagram. It's important to remember, however, that the arts deserve payment just like any other industry. The Centre for Contemporary Photography (CCP) is one of Melbourne's best exhibition spaces, and it relies on fundraising and community support for 60% of its income. But fundraising isn't always bake sales and Freddo frogs. From Thursday September 26, CCP will be showing a special exhibition of diverse photographic works for a limited three day period; all the works on display will be available for purchase with the proceeds going to both the gallery and the artist themselves. If you missed David Rosetsky True Self, a select few of his works will be on display alongside seven other artists: Ross Coulter, Siri Hayes, Eliza Hutchison, Paul Knight, Robert Rooney, Daniel von Sturmer and Lydia Wegner. From abstract neon forms to 1950s schoolyards, the photographs on offer should make for a diverse and striking exhibition experience. Prices range from $880 to $6,000, but if that doesn't sound like your budget, feel free to head along and marvel at the work before someone else takes it home forever. Image: 1 year, 8 months by Paul Knight.
Once again, German DJ legend Claptone is preparing to hit Aussie shores, returning to deliver the latest edition of his international smash-hit soirée, The Masquerade. Popping up in Melbourne for the third time, and returning Sydney for round two, the mysterious, multi-sensory event is being presented in collaboration with Untitled Group — the creative minds behind the likes of Ability Fest, Pitch Music & Arts and Beyond the Valley. Having toured a selection of cities worldwide over the past few years, The Masquerade's next stop is The Warehouse Collective in Sydney's Australian Technology Park on Saturday, April 6, followed by the Burnley Circus Park in Melbourne on Saturday, April 13. It's set to transform each space into a den of revelry for one afternoon, featuring a heady mix of performances, acrobats, sounds and quirky characters you won't forget in a hurry. Promising to ramp up the intensity levels, all guests will be given masquerade face wear as they enter the event — a reference to Claptone's own signature golden mask. The Masquerade is heading to Sydney's The Warehouse Collective on Saturday, April 6 and to Melbourne's Burnley Circus Park on Saturday, April 13. Tickets go on sale this Thursday, January 24, at 12pm AEDT. Melburnians can sign-up for pre-sale access here, and Sydneysiders here. CORRECTION: TUESDAY, JANUARY 22 — This article previously stated that Claptone's The Masquerade would be debuting in Sydney in 2019. It actually debuted in Sydney last year. The article has been updated to reflect.
The actual Olympics might have been postponed, but we've found a much cuter display of sportsmanship to fill the void this July. Namely, footage of four adorable guide-dogs-to-be participating in their very own paw-lympics. Yep, that's a thing and we're here for it. The folks at Seeing Eye Dogs have teamed up The Petbarn Foundation to host the inaugural Puppy Games, streaming on a device near you this Thursday, July 23. The event will see young trainee guide dogs Yaris, Meadows, Unique and Norris tackle a series of skill-testing challenges, with their every move captured on camera. Watch the pups hurtle through a time trial, take on a 'food bowl challenge' and battle it out for glory in the 'dogstacle distraction course'. The project aims to support fundraising efforts for the annual Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal, but also promises a much-needed boost of dopamine and general happy feels all round. Viewers can donate to the cause by hitting the link when they register to view The Puppy Games here. The appeal is shooting for a goal of $500,000 to help cover the costs of breeding, training and caring for at least ten Seeing Eye Dogs. Can't make Thursday's viewing? Fear not, the full event will be up on YouTube to rewatch any time you need a mood boost.
A much-loved corner cafe with a Turkish and Middle Eastern edge, Babajan has been a Carlton North staple for the past four years. Like many, it had to switch things up during lockdown, transforming into a bakery and shop. But, unlike many, it has decided to make this change permanent. When the Nicholson Street cafe first opened as a shop in lockdown 1.0 — all the way back in late March — owner Kirsty Chiaplias didn't expect it to be busy. But, it was. So, out came the tables, in went the shelves — and Babajan's quick pivot to takeaway-only became a long-term strategy. "The pandemic has brought on a lot of stress and pressure, but it also enabled me to change things in my business that I have wanted to for a long time," Chiaplias said in a statement. "I'm really excited to get this off the ground and for people to come and enjoy the new look Babajan." [caption id="attachment_779641" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arianna Leggiero[/caption] Now, when you visit the corner store, you'll be greeted by floor-to-ceiling timber shelves, stocked with Turkish and Middle Eastern pantry staples — such as harissa, za'atar, olive olive and olives — as well as freshly baked goods, including boreks, simits and other sweet and savoury pastries. Takeaway fish rolls with sumac onions and mint, bright bean salads and colourful cakes — including a pistachio and rose baked cheesecake — take pride of place on the front counter, while Babajan's dips and Aussie booze are found in the new refrigerated section. Those looking for something heartier can order hot meals, too, such as eggplant and lamb moussaka, 12-hour braised lamb shoulder and a weekly changing soup. With shopping for essentials limited to within five kilometres of your home under Melbourne's stage four restrictions, only those in the inner north can currently visit the new-look Babajan. But, luckily for those living a little further out, the shop is delivering to houses within 15 kilometres, and has free delivery for orders over $100. You can shop online over here. Find Babajan at 713 Nicholson Street, Carlton North from 8am–3pm daily. Images: Arianna Leggiero
Co-presented with Midsumma Festival 2018, QueerTech.io requires you to take a leap into the queer digital realm with an art project that presents a range of tech-based artworks from queer-identifying artists around the world. Able to be viewed online entirely from the comfort of your home, QueerTech.io will also be taking over RMIT's Spare Room and Lightscapes galleries for a physical presentation of works that push the boundaries of digital art and creative practice. As the boundaries of digital art only expand and become increasingly obscure, QueerTech.io responds to the growing interest in the practice of "queer tech" seeing local and international artists come together — both digitally and physically — with provocative artworks and online projects to enact conversation in the budding medium. QueerTech.io is on now at RMIT's Spare Room and Lightscapes galleries until Thursday, March 22 – or you can check it all out online at QueerTech.io. Image: Xanthe Dobbie, Fuchsia Rose (2001), from the series 21st Century Greatest Hits Screensaver Pack.
These days, Melbourne has more food festivals than you can poke a celery stick at, but Festival21, which returns to Melbourne's Meat Market next February, puts a different spin on the concept of culinary celebration. It's pulling together a lineup of inspiring guest experts from all walks of life, to explore the idea of creating change through food. Punters young and old will score a whole bunch of fresh food perspectives, with a program of free panels, talks, demonstrations and workshops. Actor and documentarian Damon Gameau (That Sugar Film) and CEO of global platform EAT Dr Sandro Demaio will be among those busting open myths surrounding diets and healthy eating for the What Should I Eat? session. Meanwhile, the solutions to food and plastic waste will be discussed in Can We Eat Our Way Out? with Greenpeace's David Ritter, Miranda Sharp from the Melbourne Farmers Markets and Tim Silverwood from non-profit Take 3 for the Sea. The final session, dubbed The Food Chain, will explore the five key stages of food production through a mix of comedy, film, music and discussions, led by the likes of Joost Bakker, I Quit Sugar's Sarah Wilson and renowned cook and food writer Stephanie Alexander. To keep you fuelled, there'll be eats from social enterprise Free To Feed and locally made drops from Noisy Ritual's pop-up wine bar. Festival21 events are free, though you'll need to register in advance to claim a spot at individual sessions. Early bird tickets have sold out. The final release will go on sale on December 1, 2018.
The 2020 edition of Melbourne Fringe is pencilled in for November, but in the meantime, organisers are serving up a little taster of things to come, by way of new digital arts celebration called Virtual Common Rooms (VCR) Festival. It's a smorgasbord of performance, music and conversation, mostly live-streamed out of Fringe HQ at Trades Hall's Common Rooms, from Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 2. Beamed to screens across the weekend will be an inclusive, diverse program of works from some much-loved local artists, complete with pay-what-you-can pricing. Comedy darling Zoë Coombs Marr will unleash her latest show, Born Slippy, delivering a wild mix of lecture, laughs and live musings. Then, you can sink your teeth into Biladurang 2.0 — a new solo play from First Nations artist Joel Bray, streamed live from a Melbourne hotel. Those in the mood for some tunes can catch a virtual music theatre sing-along with Marie's Crisis, played live from New York, or shed a few uninhibited tears with a high-voltage set from noise-pop favourites Cry Club. And a special edition of dance party series Mr McClelland's Finishing School promises to transform your living room into a sweaty indie-pop rave. [caption id="attachment_778310" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cry Club by Giulia McGauran[/caption] Elsewhere in the lineup you'll find comedy, cabaret, and a series of arts-focused chats and discussions, including a panel hosted by artist and activist Carly Findlay on the future of access in the arts space. VCR Fest will feature an interactive digital foyer where you can mingle with artists and other audience members between shows. You'll need to register online in advance for performances, but tickets are purchased via a pay-what-you-can format, after each act. Biladurang 2.0 image: Pippa Samaya
Harvest organic food, music and art in the secluded and relaxing grounds of The Ranch on the Mornington Peninsula. The Ranch-O-Relaxo Spring Gathering will host over 25 house, techno and electronica performances over two days, with Romanian electronica superstar Mihai Popoviciu headlining the special festival. Far from your standard bush-doof, Ranch-o-Relaxo creates a laid-back, safe and mindful environment for friends and families to enjoy. The event kicks off with a long lunch, where you can tuck into a delicious roast spring lamb, sourced from a nearby paddock off the property. With full bellies, attendees can meander and explore curious light and art installations, chill out in a 'hubby hot tub' and listen and dance along to one of the great acts. Or just simply lay back and enjoy a film in the open air cinema. Spring bliss.
There's something eternally interesting about Yoko Ono. It's got a little to do with her mind-bending artwork, a bit more to do with the fact that she's a raunchy eighty-one-year-old nutjob, and a lot to do with the fact that she may have single-handedly maybe kind of broken up The Beatles. The woman is so divisive her name can be used as a verb. 'Yo.ko (v) 1. to ruin a universally loved creative endeavour'. Awkward. Regardless, we can't get enough of her. Sydney had its fill earlier this year with the amazing War is Over! (If You Want It) exhibition at the MCA, and now Melbourne's getting their turn. From April 9 - 23, Mossgreen Gallery in Armadale will be hosting the Australian launch of her new book Infinite Universe at Dawn. Documenting her most important pieces of art and activism, the book will be available for purchase, and an accompanying exhibition of limited edition artworks will also be on show in the gallery. Of the new book, which documents her life of art and activism, Ono said: "Seeds of ideas, like pebbles, were raining through my life. Genesis Publications has captured those seeds and presented them to you here, for your observation, selection and experimentation, to make their destination entirely yours.” Okay Yoko, whatever you say. Various limited edition prints will also be available for purchase from the exhibition on show April 9 - 23. Check the Mossgreen website for more information.
Melbourne's notorious north-south rivalry is taking a break this week as the Best of Both Sides Festival returns for another year. Hosted by sister bars Lucky Coq in Windsor and Bimbo Deluxe in Fitzroy, this annual love-in will feature close to 100 local musicians and DJs across the two venues, so you can spend your entire Easter weekend grooving no matter which side of the river you're on. Running from Thursday, April 13 until Monday, April 17, the festival will feature the likes of — *takes a deep breath* — Big Words, Sunshine, Illo, JPA, Kiti, Kodiak Kid, Ezra Harvey, Tom Prefect and many, many more. On top of the music, both Lucky Coq and Bimbos will be offering menu deals, with food and bevs available for just $5 a pop.
Prepare to cancel all your Wednesday night plans (i.e. laundry and Netflix) because we've got something much, much better. The Queen Victoria Market is bringing back its Summer Night Market for its 21st season of balmy tomfoolery. This means that after a day of toiling in the diamond mines or hosiery department (whatever your poison) you can cool off with a free evening of international street food, vintage fashion and handcrafted homewares. This year, the 17-week season, kicking off on November 21, will see more than 160 stalls descend on the starlit market, as well as a rotating weekly lineup of free live tunes and street performers. There'll also be giant Jenga, totem tennis and large-scale chess if you like to game your way out of your food comas. And don't even think about eating at home because they've got food vendors to suit every whim, including arepas from Colombiantojos, Polish dumplings from Pierogi Pierogi, Greek doughnuts from Taki's Balls and cheese and crêpes from Little Paris. And if a face full of food isn't enough to take the edge off, there'll be new brews from Melbourne's Brick Lane Brewing Co and prosecco spritzes at Night Market's wine bar, and mojitos and cider at the Garden Bar. The Summer Night Market will run every Wednesday night from November 21 to March 20 (excluding December 26) from 5–10pm.
Whether you're planning a non-alcohol stint for a cause this July or just looking to cut back on booze in general, you'll find a hefty range of boozeless tipples to shop this month at Preston Market. From Wednesday, June 29–Sunday, July 3, The Drink Swap is hitting the precinct to host its next booze-free pop-up, showcasing an array of non-alcoholic drinks sourced from across Australia and the world. From beer and wine, to spirits and mocktails, and even sangria, you'll have the chance to taste, learn about and buy a whole bunch of new favourites. Expect to find sips from both familiar and emerging labels, including Heaps Normal, Sobah, UpFlow, Plus & Minus Wines and Monday Distillery. The Drink Swap was born out of the pandemic after founder Rianna Chapman made the decision to curb her own booze habits. The business also donates a portion of profits to charities that help keep women safe from family violence, including the McAuley Community Services for Women.
If George Clooney can float around in space in Gravity and Matt Damon can get stranded on Mars in The Martian, then Brad Pitt can race buggies on the moon in Ad Astra. Another Ocean's 11 star, another intergalactic movie — and another big-screen sci-fi spectacle, obviously. Pitt plays Roy McBride, an Army Corps engineer who is determined to soar into the stars and beyond, all to follow in his father's (Tommy Lee Jones) footsteps. His dear old dad went missing on his own space mission in mysterious circumstances, and if Christopher Nolan's Interstellar taught us anything a few years ago, it's that searching for family and blasting out of this world seem to go hand-in-hand. Donald Sutherland, Liv Tyler and Loving's Ruth Negga also feature, with Ad Astra marking the latest release from The Immigrant and The Lost City of Z filmmaker. The latter is definitely cause for celebration, with the director's previous movies proving thoughtful, detailed, exquisitely performed dramas. Take all that to space — in a film that's been delayed a few times due to the extensive visual effects work required — and hopefully it'll soar. For a while, it's been a good time to watch great movies about big-name stars in space; just this month, Robert Pattinson blasts off in High Life, too. But if you're a Pitt fan, the next few months are shaping up to be particularly exciting — before he rockets to the outer edges of the solar system in Ad Astra, he'll be stepping back to the 60s in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Watch the first trailer for Ad Astra below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm3h6iWmIEw Ad Astra releases in Australian cinemas on September 19.
It's been two years since a certain global pandemic came along and crashed the party, giving our realities the ultimate shake-up. A string of lockdowns began, routines were thrown off-script and a whole stack of everyday experiences were put on hiatus. It was earth-shattering and it sucked, hard. But it also gave me a new appreciation for my 12 years of memories in this city and all the quintessential Melbourne moments I'd — hopefully — soon enjoy once again. Here, we've teamed up with our mates at the AFL to pay tribute to all the classic bits we missed most — and what we're most excited about returning to now that life as we know it slowly creeps back. From a spirited footy match alongside thousands of fellow roaring fans at the 'G or Marvel Stadium, to a packed live gig — these are a few of our favourite things, Melbourne. Welcome back. [caption id="attachment_847588" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Fletcher for Aunty Meredith, via Flickr[/caption] A WEEKEND ENVELOPED IN MEREDITH MUSIC FESTIVAL Picture this: it's inconceivably early on a Friday morning in mid-December and you're travelling in convoy down the Princes Freeway, cars packed with camping gear and a tangible sense of excitement in the air. The annual pilgrimage to Meredith Music Festival has begun, and ahead of you is a weekend of open skies and live tunes. It's a warm, fuzzy memory for many locals, calling to mind blissful afternoon gigs in the 'Sup, communal sunset viewings atop Sunset Strip and long nights spent dancing in a happy crowd to sounds from a stellar lineup of acts. It's been an impossible two-year gap between visits; but that'll just make it all the more sweet when Aunty calls us up for the next edition of her wondrous summer musical escape. A SHOW-STOPPING AFL GAME — LIVE AND LOUD Your AFL team will always be your AFL team; whether they win or lose, and whether you cheer them on from the stadium or your couch. But oh boy, was it a shake-up not having the opportunity to see a game live for months on end. Now, after what feels like a lifetime, things are shifting back into balance and we've been gifted a whole new season of footy. And this time, we get to play spectator from wherever we fancy, be it the living room, the local pub, or right in the AFL heartland — the world-class stands at the MCG or Marvel Stadium, pie in hand and surrounded by fans. Give me a couple sessions of the latter and I'm betting the world will start feeling a whole lot closer to normal. MIDWEEK TRIVIA AT THE PUB When those temperatures start dipping and winter blues creep in, there's a surefire remedy to be found in a cosy night at the pub involving good company, a parma and a lively bout of trivia. And let's be honest — no amount of lockdown Zoom quiz sessions could ever come close to the real deal. Bring on some heated midweek fact-hurling as you and your (most competitive) mates battle it out at your local for trivial glory. And possibly a cheeky meat tray. For me, it'll be a Wednesday night Funky Bunch session at northside classic the Great Northern Hotel, where the prize is a bar tab, the parmas are generous and the beer list is always a winner. A LIVE, LOUD GIG Countless formative nights have been spent wedged among a mass of other music-lovers in front of a stage, reverberating to the sounds of a live act or DJ. And while restrictions hit pause on that beloved pastime for a hot minute, gigs are now, finally, back on the menu and many of the city's famed live music spots are back to doing what they do best. Bring on that next sweaty evening at the Corner Hotel (pictured above), sinking into some big, live sounds. And yes, it will be a late night complete with a post-show kebab, in honour of that long-forgotten lockdown curfew of yore. CELLAR DOOR-HOPPING THROUGH THE MORNINGTON PENINSULA Most Melburnians are lucky enough to live within a 90-minute drive from two celebrated wine regions, with both the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula on our doorstep. Which means it's totally doable to spend a solid day sipping your way between multiple cellar doors, enjoy a relaxed winery lunch and still be home in time for dinner. Last year, there was a point when a 'wine tour' involved shuffling from kitchen to living room — this year, I'm looking forward to hopping around the Peninsula between personal favourites like Kerri Greens, Montalto (pictured above) and Pt Leo Estate, and relegating that five-kilometre travel radius to a distant memory. A GROUP FEED TO REMEMBER Off the back of gathering restrictions, capacity limits and a whole lot of time spent not sharing meals with mates, the craving is real: I want a big group booking, a table full of folks I love and a night spent eating well while celebrating nothing in particular. After all, lively catch-ups over food are always the best kind. For a true Melbourne classic, opt for the loaded lazy susans and late-night vibe of Chinatown's Supper Inn, or lock in a date with Jim's Greek Tavern for its cacophonous dining room and waiters who won't let you leave until you're bursting. [caption id="attachment_793390" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Matthew Murphy[/caption] DINNER AND A SHOW The many couch-and-Netflix sessions of lockdown served us well, but there's just no comparing that setup to a night out on the town with dinner and a show. Luckily for us, the city's already switched on its theatrical charms once again, with runs of Hamilton, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and An American in Paris gracing our stages, and scores more to come. Of course, they're all best enjoyed with a pre-show bite or post-curtain feed at some fine establishment in Melbourne's theatre pocket — hit The European for its old-world charms and honest fare, or venture above street level for a seat on Siglo's famed terrace. [caption id="attachment_795370" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of Alicja Kwade's work WeltenLinie 2020 © Alicja Kwade, courtesy König Galerie, Berlin. Photo: Tom Ross[/caption] A PROPER CULTURE FIX It's safe to say that back-to-back lockdowns led to some very culture-starved Melburnians. Like most, getting extra familiar with the inside of my house left me with serious cravings for a proper art fix. Now, not only are our famed galleries and cultural spaces open once again, but we're lucky enough to have a calendar chock-full of blockbuster, buzzworthy new exhibitions heading our way. I'm more than ready for afternoons spent soaking up art while wandering the halls and grounds of the NGV, feeding my curious side with visits to Melbourne Museum and embracing the movie magic of ACMI. BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH For those who can cook eggs, brunch itself wasn't a true casualty of lockdown. But bottomless brunch? That, my friends, is a weekend tradition that can just never quite be replicated at home. You're already imagining it: a serve of smashed avo, a loaded brekkie roll, or maybe some chicken and waffles, paired with a few free-flowing espresso martinis or mimosas and a couple of your brunch-obsessed besties by your side. It's a mood, and when Melbourne is in fighting form, it does it oh so well. Make up for all those bottomless brunches that didn't happen last year and lock in a weekend date at the likes of Bodega Underground, Half Acre or Fargo & Co. The 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership season is finally here— and we couldn't be more excited. For more info, head to the website.
Supple Fox, the folks behind Dark Mofo's Ferris Wheel of Death, are hitting Melbourne for three weeks. And, thanks to riverside bar and eatery Arbory, they're bringing with them a living art installation. Titled The Ends, it'll be taking over the narrow slip of land between the Yarra and Flinders Street Station between October 5 and 23. Prepare for a steady stream of art, live performance and unexpected happenings on and around the river. Leading the project is the world premiere of artist Shaun Gladwell's latest work. Its star is Maddest Maximus, a new Aussie anti-hero who dresses in black, wears a helmet and floats high above the Tasman Sea. Gladwell's mixed media photographic pieces will be arranged around the site, in conversation with the landscape. Meanwhile, fellow Dark Mofo alumni The Huxleys have been commissioned to create a series of sculptures, which you'll find suspended in palm trees, growing out of roof tops and, every now and again, casually floating by on rowboats. And Melbourne-based performance artist Gabi Barton has choreographed a slew of unpredictable movements and happenings for the space. So, between riverside cocktails, keep an eye and ear out. "We very consciously looked to create something that felt human, breathing, absurd and curious," said Hannah Fox, who co-founded Supple Fox with Tom Supple. "And to directly reject the clean lines and endless triangles of the Melbourne design world." The Ends will happen at Abory Bar and Eatery every evening from 6.30pm till late between October 5 and 23.
On the surface, it may seem like food culture and gaming culture are literally worlds apart. But, dig a little deeper and you'll quickly see that they boast no shortage of similarities. Both inspire connection, both can offer a truly immersive experience, and both can instantly transport you to another place or time. And it's these very crossovers being celebrated this month for PlayStation to Plate — an innovative new dining concept that sees much-loved Aussie chefs bring virtual food from the PlayStation universe to life. From Friday, December 3–Sunday, December 12, three Aussie eateries will each create a limited-edition menu item that reimagines an iconic video game dish IRL. The restaurants are serving up their signature creations across all ten days of the pop-up, but you can also have any of the dishes dropped to your door courtesy of Deliveroo. Morgan Hipworth, the young gun baker behind Melbourne's Bistro Morgan, is no stranger to whipping up eye-popping, otherworldly desserts. His Windsor bakehouse is famed for its vibrant rotation of inventive doughnuts, cookies and sweet treats. And this month, Hipworth is unleashing that creative flair on the gaming world, to deliver an IRL recreation of Chef Tulio's Sirangian Honey Mousse from Ratchet & Clank: A Rift Apart. The game is a high-impact, dimension-hopping adventure through multi-coloured worlds, the energy of which the young chef has translated into an eye-catching dessert layered into a jar. "Ratchet & Clank is full of heaps of different dimensions, so I've created a multi-layered taste experience," Hipworth explains to Concrete Playground. "We start off with a layer of strawberry jelly and then top it with a house-made vanilla bean custard, a layer of strawberries and chocolate sponge cake, and then that all-important Sirangian honey mousse," he describes. "And it's green, because it's from another dimension!" [caption id="attachment_835418" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Morgan Hipworth, of Bistro Morgan[/caption] It was a fitting choice for Hipworth, who dubbed the virtual dessert 'a perfect match'. "This dish really brought out the fun of the Ratchet & Clank world, as well as the creativity of why I fell in love with baking," he adds. As for how he reworked an animated dish into an edible off-screen creation? "I wanted to channel the fun and spirit of the game, and bring the colourful world to life," Hipworth says. The chef selected flavours that he knew worked well together and then cleverly rejigged them in the form of a classic Aussie treat. "Trifle is such an iconic dessert," the baker explains. "Bringing a fun twist to it with some Sirangian honey seemed like the best choice." As with all of Bistro Morgan's dessert creations, this one aims to also deliver a serve of escapism. "I want my customers to be transported to another dimension, and you can do this with flavours, smells and colours," he shares. After all, for this dessert king, the leap between the worlds of hospitality and gaming is often not that huge. "One of my favourite things about food is how immersive it is — and the exact same thing could be said for gaming," Hipworth explains. "Both have the ability to connect and bring people together. Both have an innate ability to instantly transport you to another place or time." Catch PlayStation to Plate from December 3–12, in Sydney and Melbourne. You'll find each dish featured on the menu at its respective venue, as well as being available for takeaway via Deliveroo.
