Put down your So Fresh CD. Crack open your teenage piggy bank. Keep practising your Janet Jackson shimmy. Because a full-blown R&B frenzy is set to sweep the nation this November as live party tour RNB Fridays returns for five mammoth shows. Descending on Marvel Stadium on Saturday, November 9 (no, not a Friday), the event has managed to pull a pretty serious lineup of international music legends straight from the 90s and early 2000s. Last year, the event saw tens of thousands of people snap up tickets to see Usher, Salt-N-Pepa and T-Pain. Heading the bill this time around is none other than singing, songwriting, dancing royalty Janet Jackson, in what will be the 30th anniversary of her award-winning album Rhythm Nation. Expect to hear bangers such as 'That's The Way Love Goes' and 'Got 'Til It's Gone'. She'll be joined by Brandy, who will be belting out 90s and 00s hits such as 'Never Say Never', 'Wanna Be Down' and, of course, 'The Boy Is Mine'. Then there's Grammy Award-winning group The Black Eyed Peas, 'In da Club' rapper 50 Cent, plus Jason Derulo, Keri Hilson, J-Kwon, Fatman Scoop and Sisqo — who will be performing his 90s smash hit 'Thong Song'. All of them. Together. In one show. RNB FRIDAYS 2019 LINEUP Janet Jackson Brandy The Black Eyes Peas 50 Cent Jason Derulo Keri Hilson Sisqo J-Kwon Hosted by Fatman Scoop Image: Mushroom Creative House.
With the recent launch of the Lido's first ever rooftop cinema, Moonlight Cinema's announcement of their huge summer program, and the continuing reign of the likes of Rooftop Cinema, Shadow Electric, Coburg Drive-In et al, Melbourne's furiously enthusiastic love for cinema under the stars isn't waning anytime soon. There's a new outdoor cinema in town: QV Cinema. Yep, usually the realm of hectic shopping sprees, QV Melbourne is launching its own openair cinema, with summer screenings every Thursday to Sunday night from December to February. It's an intimate 80-seat deckchair cinema on the astroturf outside the Queen Victoria Women's Centre, and the whole program is curated by Melbourne filmmaker and film programmer Gus Berger, who runs Red Hot Shorts at ACMI. Expect festive films in December (think Home Alone, Bad Santa, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Elf), Australian films around Australia Day, a focus on Melbourne independent films, alongside '80s favourites and selected special event films with pre-film live performances (there'll be a dog costume parade before Best in Show on December 12, and an Australian Shakespeare Company performance before Romeo + Juliet on December 10). With tickets at $12 each, it's a pretty budget-friendly date option for the summer. Opening night is happening on Tuesday, December 1, and it's pretty fittingly fashion-themed: The Devil Wears Prada. Best bit? Opening night is completely free, you just have to register on the QV Cinema website. 'Acrobatic elves' will be performing roving tricks to hurtle you face first into the Christmas spirit, and Melbourne DJ Chiara Kickdrum will be on the decks. QV Cinema screenings are happening at QV Melbourne on Thursday to Sunday nights, December 2015 to February 2016. Opening night is happening on Tuesday, December 1 and is free with registration. Tickets for all other screenings are $12. Tickets and full program available from November 23 via the QV Cinema website. Check out Melbourne's best outdoor cinemas over here.
It might be deepest winter here in Melbourne, but come July 23 and 24, St Kilda's Pontoon is set to enjoy a taste of that balmy European summer, when it hosts a fiery Spanish fiesta. Josephine Pignolet Young Chef 2018 award winner Kylie Millar, along with Stokehouse's own Marco Valcárcel Alonso, will take over the kitchen to deliver a lively $50 five-course feast, celebrating the bold flavours of Spain's Basque region. Experience the vibrancy of the area's traditional cuisine, as you journey through the pair's specially designed menu of gilda (Basque's take on the pintxo), tapas, shared mains and desserts. Expect dishes like jamon and Pyengana cheese croquettes, flame-grilled bocado de la reina (the tender cut of beef known as 'the queen's bite') with slow-cooked shallots and anchovy glaze, and a classic Basque-style cheesecake with burnt orange. To match, there'll be a full Spanish drinks offering, including wines, cocktails and plenty of crisp Estrella Lager. Images: Timothy Grey
Is your dad all stocked up on socks and silly gadgets? That'll make figuring out a gift for Father's Day a challenge. Luckily, Ardbeg Whisky is here to your rescue. On the Father's Day Weekend (Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1), you can get the premium scotch distillery to deliver a bottle of its smoky, peaty, complex whisky directly to your dad. And it'll arrive wrapped up in a gift pack and in the company of Shortie, the Ardbeg dog. He's travelling all the way from Scotland especially to celebrate Father's Day Down Under. For $99, this (adorable) gift includes a ten-year-old bottle of Ardbeg, packaged in a collectable tin, with a personalised card from you. Shortie will be making the rounds over the weekend. Your dad will also get some play time with Shortie to see his tricks in action and take a few pics. Yep, this is for real. The only problem is Shortie can't deliver to everyone. The service will be available on a first come, first serve basis via Dan Murphy's. So, when the offer opens on Monday, August 12, you'd better be quick. Before then, you can register your interest over here.
Skip the airfares, hefty ticket spends and get-to-the-front crowd panic, you can stream Chicago's Lollapalooza festival right from your own snuggly warm bed. Thanks to the legends over at Red Bull TV, you'll be able to stream the entire three days worth of live shenanigans from their exclusive channel. Chicago's historic Grant Park will play host to some pretty big ol' must-streams this weekend. With the recently Splendour-victorious OutKast headlining alongside Lorde, Arctic Monkeys, Foster the People, CHVRCHES, Interpol, Childish Gambino, Calvin Harris, Kings of Leon, Glen Hansard, Chromeo, The 1975, Jenny Lewis, Courtney Barnett and a severe bucketload more (over 100 woah-inducing names) on the lineup, that's the best excuse for staying home and cleaning your house to tunes we've ever heard. With three channels of ridiculously solid programming over five stages, you'll be the worst remote pest ever (but warranted). There's over 200 hours of exclusive content as well as the sets, so you can duck backstage for some Lolla tomfoolery, artist interviews, unique POV angles and festival highlight throwbacks. It's a new era for Lolla. Since Perry Farrell started the whole thing in 1991, they've regularly rivaled Coachella for lineup steeze and have now extended to Lollapalooza Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. Now they're teaming up with Red Bull TV to take Lolla global, we're pretty stoked to feel all included in the 'palooza festivities (and we don't even have to buy a token inappropriate headdress to get involved). The livestream will kick off at 5am AEST tomorrow morning until 1pm AEST on Monday. Red Bull TV is accessible via the web at www.redbull.tv and its Android and iOS applications, as a pre-installed channel on Apple TV, and as a free, downloadable app on Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, Kindle Fire, Xbox 360, Chromecast, and iOS and Android devices.
Thanks to multiple lockdowns, Vesper hasn't had much of a chance to open its doors to dine-in patrons this year. But this weekend, the Mediterranean restaurant is making up for lost time, hosting a three-day grand reopening party to welcome back its fans. From Friday, November 5–Sunday, November 7, chef Francesco Castellana (Vue de Monde, New York's Per Se) will be unveiling his new season creations across a five- and eight-course 'Vesperience' tasting menu. You'll get to treat your tastebuds to a Mediterranean adventure as you tuck into the likes of hiramasa kingfish crudo teamed with a spicy citrus salad; Corsican-style slow-cooked veal blade with pancetta, peppers and olives; and buffalo yogurt custard finished with baklava praline and date ice cream. The five-course spread clocks in at $99 per person, including a glass of local prosecco, while the eight-course showcase is $129, with a glass of champagne on arrival.
There's a bandwagon riding around Hollywood at the moment, built on books of the young-adult sci-fi dystopia variety. Yes, contemplating teens in trouble in futuristic times is the current trend du jour, one that Insurgent happily mines. The second film based on the popular novels by Veronica Roth, Insurgent picks up where Divergent left off. As a refresher for those with short memories, the time is 200 years from now, and the place is a walled-in, post-apocalyptic Chicago. Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) scandalised the factionalised society by daring not to conform to type. Everyone is supposed to fall into one of five categories, but her personality just wouldn’t fit, branding her divergent. After attempting to hide her true nature, incurring the wrath of power-hungry wannabe leader Jeanine (Kate Winslet), romancing the sullen Four (Theo James) and threatening to expose a few frightening home truths, Tris is now an enemy of the state — but running can only get her and her pals so far. As Jeanine’s tactics of control over the populace become more violent, rebellion and confrontation becomes Tris’s only option Sound familiar? Of course it does, because you’ve seen this before. Not just in the first film, but in the growing pile exactly like it — The Hunger Games, The Giver and The Maze Runner, just to name a few. Disaffected youth, shady dealings, unscrupulous adults, hidden agendas and the pursuit of the bigger picture: it’s a checklist they all stick to, ticking off items one by one. Slight details change; however, for the most part, everything follows the formula. That feeling, not of deja vu or of second chapter-itis, but of seeing too much of the same thing over and over again, just can’t be shaken in Insurgent, not that director Robert Schwentke (RIPD) seems to be trying too hard. With a moody electronic score reminiscent of Tron: Legacy and bleak visuals of running, scowling and fighting that could be taken from any film, the filmmaker’s vision of events paints by the numbers as much as the material it is based on (a few dream sequences aside). Instead, it is left to the high-profile cast to spice things up. Seeing strong female roles on screen is always welcome, but Woodley’s fired-up heroine and Winslet’s cold villain aren’t given too much new to do but frown and argue. Octavia Spencer flits in and out, woefully underused. Though Naomi Watts joins the ensemble, she’s really just setting up the drama for the two films still to come. It’s actually Miles Teller, fresh from Whiplash and made to play a snarky comic foil, who adds some character to the blandness. He’s clearly the only actor having fun, with no one else looking remotely like they want to be in the movie. That's the problem with bandwagons — the more people jump on them, the more others just want to fall right off. That’s the problem with Insurgent, too, as it just keeps circling around the same old teen dystopian block.
The Wheeler Centre is firmly securing their place as the best in the business, with both their latest program and their newest storytelling act: Paul Kelly does Shakespeare. From very early on in his career, Kelly has been recognised as one of the most significant singer/songwriters in the country. And for a man often regarded as the bard of modern Australia, it shouldn't be all that surprising that his most treasured possession is, in fact, a three-volume collection of Shakespeare's works. Bringing the OG bard to our door with this one-off Saturday session, Kelly will be performing his own takes on Shakespeare's poetic explorations of love and lust through his latest album Seven Sonnets & A Song — a tribute to the legendary playwright. So gather your wits and woes about you, for as the clock strikes midnight in Stratford-upon-Avon — marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death — Kelly will be making sweet musical gravy to our ears with the forces of Alice Keath and Vika and Linda Bull. The morning session promises not only to be a special performance of Kelly's new album, but also a discussion of one bard's affinity for another — and thou dost be a fool lest you neglect a ticket.
When cinemas are running as normal, getting a glimpse of the other side of the world is as easy as stepping into a darkened theatre. While lockdowns have impacted picture palaces around the country, and Australia's huge lineup of film festivals have moved online, that experience has shifted into our lounge rooms. The latest virtual film fest to make the leap to digital: the Czech and Slovak Film Festival of Australia. In 2021, it's streaming a five-movie lineup via ACMI's online Cinema 3 platform — and it won't just evoke your travel yearnings for Central Europe, but for Antarctica as well. That look at frostier climes comes courtesy of the stunning Frem, with director and cinematographer Viera Čákanyová peering out over its icy expanse in a film that blends reality and fiction. No, you won't find sights this striking elsewhere on your normal streaming queue. Or, you can also watch book-to-screen adaptation Gump and its tale of canine companions; documentary Athanor: The Alchemical Furnace about acclaimed Czech filmmaker Jan Švankmajer; and 70s classics The Ear and Pacho, The Thief of Hybe. Top image: Hypermarket Film
As part of Craft Victoria's new Emerging Makers and Curators Program, Slice of Life is a group exhibition that sees everyday objects and still life works reimagined with modern craft-based vitality. Eight up-and-coming artists will showcase their light-hearted works inventively across ceramics, textiles and jewellery. Curated by contemporary artist Sophia Cai, the works depict commonplace experiences and objects seen daily, highlighting the resourceful nature of the exhibition's artists who use unlikely materials and mediums to reinvigorate the still life genre of art. The exhibition features some of Australia's most exciting newcomers, including Mechelle Bounpraseuth, Phil Ferguson (aka Chili Philly, the maker of wearable crochet art), Julie Burleigh, Scott Duncan, Katie Jacobs, Josephine Mead, Tricia Page, and Cat Rabbit. Slice of Life is on now at Craft Victoria and runs until May 27. Image: Christo Crocker.
Sweet tooths, assemble. Pastry chef Pierre Roelofs and his team of wicked enablers are resurrecting their legendary dessert evenings, shattering our halfhearted plans to cut down on the sweet stuff. Oops. After five years at Cafe Rosamond in Fitzroy and a short stint at Milkwood in Brunswick East earlier this year, Roelofs' dessert extravaganzas are making the move to a new home: Mina-no-ie. Hosted at the cosy Collingwood cafe for three nights in October, diners can expect a four-course degustation — the catch being that all four courses are dessert. The menu is top secret and changes every time. We can tell you that previous evenings have involved ridiculous concoctions of mascarpone, strawberry, honey, orange, cardamom and speculaas, as well as a deconstructed bread and butter pudding served in one of Roelofs' famed dessert test tubes. The dessert evenings will take place on October 26, 27 and 28 with sittings at 7pm and 8.20pm. You'll need to book in advance — so for the love of the dessert Gods, do so right away.
Whether you're a pro marathon runner or prefer to hit the pavement on a more casual basis, one thing is true: running is a lot more fun — and a whole lot easier — when you're soaking up some stunning views at the same time. It's what makes the Great Ocean Road Running Festival, which takes place along one of Australia's most scenic routes, such a treat. Returning to Victoria's southwest coast for its 2022 edition on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15, the long-running event offers races (and walks) for runners of all skill levels, along with a host of other happenings, including live music and yoga sessions. At one end, there's the 60-kilometre ultra marathon, which you'll need to be able to complete within 6.5 hours. At the other, there's the five- or 10-kilometre Great Ocean Road walk, looping through Lorne. Whichever race you join, your registration gets you free entry to everything else going on across the weekend. Head to the Apollo Bay Hotel to catch some live music, or Lorne Sea Baths for a post-run dip. Free yoga classes and pre-marathon warm-ups (for runners) will also be happening. And on May 14, you can catch the Pub to Pub Waiter's Race, to see local hospo staff battle it out for glory as they attempt to be the quickest carrying a tray of beer from the Apollo Bay Hotel to the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse and back.
Summer may be over, but that's no reason to stop having pool parties. And Melbourne's Pool Deck, located atop Rydges in Carlton, is ringing in autumn with a poolside Sunday session. On Sunday, March 4 the rooftop venue will be open for six hours of drinks, eats and beats. From 3pm, you'll be able to sip on frosé, Aperol spritzes and summer lagers and snack on hearty eats — including a whole pig on a spit, popcorn cauliflower and spicy chicken ribs — while floating in the sun-kissed pool. Meanwhile, a host of local DJs will be on the decks, spinning hip-hop and RnB as the sun goes down. Tickets, go one of two ways: $10 or $89. Ten dollars is standard entry (and includes two free drinks) and $89 per person will get you the five-hour VIP catering package. For a minimum of five people, it includes bottomless spritzes, frosé, lager and snacks to keep you going all day.
You can finally take those lung-belting ABBA sing-along sessions from the car to the next level, when the Singing Cinema dials up the volume for its ABBA-thon this July. Hitting a South Melbourne pub on Saturday, July 6, this party promises the ultimate vocal workout for fans of the Swedish pop superstars and their iconic tunes. It all kicks off with a screening of the ABBA-filled musical flick Mamma Mia!, where punters can jam along to favourites like 'Dancing Queen', 'SOS' and 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!'. First off, there'll be a matinee screening at 3.30pm, where your ticket includes bottomless popcorn. You can also add on two hours of unlimited beer, wine and bubbly for $37. The later session has already sold out. The fun continues with a post-film after-party, where we're sure you'll get the chance to flex some ABBA-inspired dance moves. The best costumes and performances on the night will also score prizes, so you'd best start sourcing some sparkly jumpsuits, stat. Updated: June 4, 2019.
Sure, we've still got winter to get through, but it's never too early to start dreaming about sunny spring afternoon G&Ts. And to help us get there, Brunswick-based gin producer Patient Wolf will open the doors to its Brunswick distillery for one day this Saturday, June 23. It's been almost 18 months since Matt Argus and Dave Irwin joined the growing ranks of Victorian artisan spirits producers, launching their first small-batch dry gin with the help of a Pozible campaign. And they've certainly been busy ones, with Cookie, Howler, and award-winning cocktail bar The Everleigh just some of the local venues quick to add Patient Wolf to their collections. But there's nothing quite like enjoying your gin-fix straight from the source, which you'll be able to do from 1–6pm, when the label's tasting bar opens to the public for the second time. Patient Wolf will deliver the full gin experience out of its Albert Street digs, where gin lovers can not only indulge in their favourite tipple, but enjoy free tastings, learn all about the botanicals that give this spirit its unique flavour and buy a bottle from the cellar door. All while marvelling at the boys' shiny 220-litre copper still, which was custom-made in Germany and takes pride of place in the distillery. Over 500 people turned up to Patient Wolf's last open day — so we reckon you'd best rock up early.
From Thursday, March 11–Sunday, March 14, Melbourne will once again host a huge celebration of Indigenous and First Nations filmmaking. First hitting the city back in 2019, the Birrarangga Film Festival is returning to the newly revamped ACMI for four days jam-packed with features and shorts, with more than 70 titles from Canada, New Zealand, the US, Chile, Greenland, Peru, Russia, Finland, Norway, the Solomon Islands and Australia on the lineup. It all starts with exceptional documentary Firestarter — The Story of Bangarra, which steps through the dance theatre's history and impact, and gives the fest a very memorable opening night flick. From there, Melburnian cinephiles can check out everything from Canadian horror film Blood Quantum, which charts a zombie plague that affects everyone on the Mi'kmaq reserve of Red Crow except its Indigenous inhabitants, to Eating Up Easter, about the struggle to balance cultural tradition and modernity on Rapa Nui. Fans of shorts can watch a number of different packages, including one dedicated to New Zealand shorts and a US-centric lineup curated by curated by Adam Piron, the associate director of the Sundance Institute's Indigenous Program. Talks and panels are also on the bill, which is how you can hear Leah Purcell and Bain Stewart discuss their new feature The Drover's Wife — which isn't playing at the fest, but will hit Australian cinemas later in 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxWrPr3XQjc&feature=emb_logo
Fresh from stacking its 2018 lineup with 43 titles straight from Cannes, this year's Melbourne International Film Festival has unveiled its entire program — that is, the full range of 393 films you'll be trying to feast your eyes on between August 2 and 19. Artistic director Michelle Carey final fest — with long-term programmer Al Cossar stepping into the top spot for next year — 2018's MIFF selection includes 254 feature films, 120 shorts and 19 virtual reality experiences. Numbers-wise, it also features 27 world premieres and a hefty 168 flicks making their Australian debut. As always, MIFF's program offers a smorgasbord of cinematic delights that span high-profile must-sees, under-sung gems, and weird and wonderful surprises. After kicking off with the previously announced Wildlife, starring Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal, cinephiles can catch computer-screen thriller Profile, Laura Dern-led childhood trauma drama The Tale, Nick Hornby rom-com adaptation Juliet, Naked, and inventive movie mashup The Green Fog. There's also Robert Pattinson trying to woo Mia Wasikowska in the comedic western Damsel, Yayoi Kusama documentary Kusama: Infinity, Ellen Page living in a post-zombie world in The Cured and the stunning doco Three Identical Strangers. In addition, Winter's Bone filmmaker Debra Granik is coming to town with her excellent new drama Leave No Trace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0uZ6QbFvKk Of course, it wouldn't be a MIFF without South Korean auteur Hong Sang-soo's next soju-soaked piece of sweetness, this time called Grass. Or, without this year's Palme d'Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda and his Cannes hit Shoplifters — his previous murder mystery The Third Murder is also on the bill. Other standouts include music docos about Elvis and contemporary America, boy bands and Melbourne's independent scene; five sessions of full-dome flicks at the Melbourne Planetarium; retrospectives on African cinema, fashion and film, French directing duo Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, and 60s and 70s Italian crime flicks. Plus, if you're after something more than just the usual movie screening, sessions of noodle western Tampopo and Prince concert film Sign O' The Times will take place at the Astor. Yes, the former includes a bowl of ramen. On the local front, MIFF will play host to more than 20 new Aussie features — including world premieres in its centrepiece and closing night slot. Aussie rules comedy The Merger, which is based on the stage show of the same name, will take the middle spot, while Melbourne-made documentary The Coming Back Out Ball, charting the real-life event that took place in October 2017, will finish out the fest. Other Aussie efforts range from Acute Misfortune, starring Snowtown's Daniel Henshall as Archibald Prize-winning artist Adam Cullen; to psychological drama Celeste, featuring Radha Mitchell; to Geelong-shot thriller Undertow. From the doco slate, Island of the Hungry Ghosts delves into both migrating crabs and political detainees, Undermined: Tales from The Kimberley explores the threats currently facing the titular region, and Happy Sad Man tackles men living with mental illness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9hYUhpuc2I Plus, as already revealed, MIFF 2018 will be big on special events thanks to an all-night tribute to Nicholas Cage, a one-off screening of Drive with a live score and Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat in conversation. Today's new titles join the fest's huge Cannes haul, as well as the other 32 films that were unveiled back in June. Think documentary The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Man, exceptional crime thriller You Were Never Really Here and devastating Chinese corruption drama Angels Wear White, alongside Gaspar Noé's Climax, Terry Gilliam's long-awaited The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, and Asghar Farhadi's Everybody Knows with Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem. The Melbourne International Film Festival runs from August 2 to 19, with tickets on sale from 11am on Friday, July 13. For more information, visit the MIFF website.
Good news for plant-based pizza fiends living south of the Yarra — the city's first and only all-vegan pizzeria has another big expansion in the works, with plans to bring its covetable meat-free slices to a new Prahran outpost. And southside fans don't have to wait too long, either, with the opening slated for this August. Red Sparrow has won plenty of fans — both of the vegan and carnivorous varieties — since opening in Collingwood in early 2017. So much so, that last year the owners bought the space next door, knocked out a wall and doubled the venue's size to cope with the crowds. [caption id="attachment_677657" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Red Sparrow Collingwood[/caption] Now, they're letting southside punters have a piece of the pie, snapping up a second space in the heart of Chapel Street. The new digs will be dishing up much the same as the original, heroing plant-based pizzas and a stack of local craft beer. Hit toppings made famous by the Collingwood outpost include the likes of the Patatas Bravas – a smokey tomato base loaded with potato, parmesan, meat-free chorizo and chipotle aioli – and another hearty combination of red onion, mock sausage, house-pickled jalapeños and mozzarella. Red Sparrow Southside is slated to open on Chapel Street, Prahran in late August. We'll let you know more details when they drop.
For more than a decade, Roomies Arts has supported artists with disability and mental health concerns — helping these artists to overcome the barriers presented by society and the arts world, and to achieve their goals and develop their creative skills. During the pandemic and Australia's transitions in and out of lockdown, the organisation decided to expand its workshops, creating sessions that would help reach more of the general public while people were experiencing increased mental health challenges. One way that the organisation is doing exactly that is through a series of online creative workshops. There are currently four workshops up on the Roomies Arts website — so, you can participate in a still-life drawing session with artist Anne Kwasner, make paper sculptures with visual and performing artist Jeff McCann, upcycle clothing with designer Holly-Jane Cohle, and create air-dry clay figures with mixed-media painter and sculptor Michelle Connolly. The sessions are designed to help you slow down and focus on something relaxing and mediative for a short period, which is something we could all benefit from this year. Each workshop is free to participate in, and comes with a list of materials and items needed to take part. Generally, those lists include household arts and craft items, so they can be easily purchased if you don't have them. To stay up to date with everything Roomies Arts does, follow along at the organisation's Facebook page. That's where you'll also find a live-streamed art class on Saturday, October 16.
If you're conscious of sneaking in a bit of 'me' time and self-care before the silly season starts, it could be the perfect time for a little jaunt to Daylesford. From November 16–18, the town, which sits just an hour and a half northwest of the CBD, will play host to the inaugural Live Love Life Weekend. It'll showcase Daylesford as one of regional Victoria's most celebrated wellness destinations, and some of the holistic, health-giving goodness it has to offer. The weekend's program is packed full of food, wine and immersive wellness experiences, from yoga classes and free daily meditation sessions, to a range of expert-led workshops. Break out of your comfort zone with a circus workshop, or let acclaimed chefs Sam Gowing and Alla Wolf-Tasker teach you the art of making meals both healthy and delicious, at the Food as Medicine cooking class. Elsewhere, Tivoli Road Bakery's Michael James leads a class sharing his secrets to crafting beautiful bread, historic local pub The Farmers Arms hosts a series of produce-driven lunches, and Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm is the setting for a day of springtime pampering, including massage, yoga, meditation, reiki, art and dips in the mineral springs.
Whip out the picnic rug, crack open a bottle of wine and make the most of the summer while you can. Over the next two weekends, January 10-11 and 17-18, Fitzroy Gardens will play host to a selection of live music performances and dance workshops. It’s the perfect place to hang out with mates and forget about the work year that’s already inconveniently underway. The 2015 Sunset Series kicks off each evening at 5pm. Saturdays are dedicated to local music acts, including Jakubi, Afro-Columbian outfit Madre Monte and nine-piece dub/reggae group Echo Drama, among others. Sundays are dedicated to dance workshops where you can practice your salsa moves, or learn how to twist like a Bollywood star. So kick back, relax and enjoy the sunset. BYO food and drink, or you can take advantage of the services of some of Melbourne’s favourite food trucks, who’ll be on site all evening for dinner.
It's only a few weeks young, but that's not stopping BrewDog's new Coburg venue from gearing up for a huge New Year's Eve. In fact, with room for 500 punters, the Pentridge Prison site might be one of the most spacious non-ticketed NYE party haunts going around. Come Saturday, January 31, BrewDog Pentridge will be opening the doors both for regular bookings (jump online now) and a limited number of walk-ins, from 12pm until 1am. With a super-sized beer garden, a multitude of indoor spaces, and plenty of tables and booths throughout, there's an option here to suit your crew, no matter how big. [caption id="attachment_880335" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Kucera[/caption] On the day's menu, you'll find the usual lineup of contemporary pub fare, from schnitties and pizzas, to XPA-braised brisket burgers and buffalo chicken loaded fries. And you can wash it down with a range of tap brews from both BrewDog and special guests, as well as spirits, vino and cocktails. The bar's even concocting a couple of special sips just for NYE — the Brown Snake Margarita made with Unico Zelo Mandocello (mandarin liqueur) and ginger beer, and the Strawberry Shortcake Shandy starring BrewDog's own Seven Day Vodka.
This summer, Melburnians can enjoy a big dose of coastal cool without leaving the city. And all while cruising through the sky, peaking at around 40-storeys or 120-metres high. It's thanks to the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel's new season makeover, which has seen some of its private cabins transformed into colourful summer beach boxes, replete with deck chairs and pool toys, for a second year. The Docklands' tourist attraction boasts sweeping 360-degree views across Melbourne and its surrounds, from the Mornington Peninsula through to Geelong and Mount Macedon. And from December 14 until February 29, they're best enjoyed in a fun new light, as part of the Star's Summer Beach Box Experience. You can book in for a private 30-minute flight in one of the new temperature-controlled, beach-themed cabins, soaking up those panoramas while sipping rosé (or beer) and grazing through a selection of cheeses — all included in the ticket price. Round up the crew for an eight-person session priced at $29 each, or to share the experience with just one special someone, opt for the $200 two-person flight. The sky-high beach boxes are available to book between 11am–8.30pm, running daily except for Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and Australia Day.
Can't be stuffed hitting the kitchen on Christmas Day? Or maybe you're hunting a spot to enjoy some post-lunch cocktails with the crew? Luckily Melbourne's got no shortage of cafes, restaurants and bars that are dishing up the goods — even on December 25. Here are a few spots that are open and ready to whet your whistle and fill your belly on Christmas Day, 2021. [caption id="attachment_755831" align="alignnone" width="1920"] St Ali[/caption] CAFES Tall Timber, Prahran: 7.30am–3pm Friends of Mine, Richmond: 7.30am–3pm Commonplace Coffee Brewers, CBD: 7am–4.30pm Juliette Coffee & Bread, Malvern East: 7am–12pm Glovers Station, Elsternwick: 7am–12pm Bentwood, Fitzroy: 7am–12pm BAWA Cafe, Hawthorn: 7.30am–3pm Auction Rooms, North Melbourne: 7.30am–4pm St Ali, South Melbourne: 7am–5pm [caption id="attachment_702888" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prince Dining, by Gareth Sobey[/caption] RESTAURANTS Panda Hot Pot, Carlton: 11.30am–2pm and 5–11pm (performances at dinner) JiYu Thai Hotpot, CBD: 5.30–10pm Hofbrauhaus, CBD: 12–3pm Prince Dining Room, St Kilda: three-course lunch, sittings from 12pm Mamak, CBD: 11.30am–2.30pm, 5.30–10pm David's Master Pot, CBD: 11.30am–5pm Chef David, CBD: 5.30pm–12am Cappo Sociale, Fitzroy: from 12pm (lunch only) Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya, Fitzroy: 5pm–late Da Long Yi Hotpot, CBD: 11am–2.30pm, 5–10pm Tim Ho Wan, CBD: 10am–8.30pm (walk-ins only) The Smith, Prahran: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11am and 2.30pm Mr Joe, Richmond: set lunch banquet, 1–3pm Taxi Kitchen, CBD: 12–4pm (five-course banquet) The Station Hotel, Footscray: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11am and 2.30pm Bistro Guillaume, Southbank: four-course lunch menu, sitting at 12pm; four-course dinner menu, sittings at 5pm and 8pm The Imperial, CBD: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11.30am and 2pm Bang Pop, South Wharf: Thai lunch banquet, sittings from 12pm O'Connell's Hotel, South Melbourne: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11am and 2.30pm Newmarket Hotel, St Kilda: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11am and 2.30pm [caption id="attachment_650668" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Section 8[/caption] BARS Arbory, CBD: 12pm–late (banquet available) Arbory Afloat, CBD: 12–10pm (various banquets available) Prince Public Bar, St Kilda: three-course lunch, sittings from 12pm State of Grace, CBD: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11.30am and 2pm Section 8, CBD: 12pm–1am (annual Orphans Xmas) The Espy, St Kilda: noon–late New Guernica, Collingwood: 9pm–4am (Eat the Beat Christmas Party) Colour, Carlton: from 10pm (Technoir's 17th Annual Christmas Party) Top image: Panda Hot Pot.
Rising Festival didn't quite get the grand debut it deserved after a lockdown cancelled much of the citywide arts festival's inaugural run in June last year. But as promised, we're still set to score a taste of some of those commissioned works and performances, delivered as breakout offerings — like the contemporary work from genre-defying dance company Chunky Move, which makes its Melbourne premiere this week. Originally slated to debut at Rising, Yung Lung will now take over Substation from Monday, February 1–Saturday, February 12. The work of the group's artistic director Antony Hamilton, it's a bold, high-energy performance piece that captures the craziness of the past two years. And it's quite a ride. Bringing the work to life, you'll see dancers stomping and raving atop a central god-like effigy created by celebrated visual artist Callum Morton. That's backed by a storm of visuals in the form of digital imagery plucked from the internet and manipulated by producer Kris Moyes. Bass-heavy sounds by Chiara Kickdrum and pulsating lighting works courtesy of Bosco Shaw round out the drama. [caption id="attachment_841255" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peter Tarasiuk[/caption] Top Images: Jacquie Manning
Exotic dance meets techno meets burlesque meets pop in a brand new dance work from Melanie Lane. An in-demand choreographer and performer who divides her time between Melbourne and Berlin, Lane's latest piece is billed as a sultry and transgressive effort, and is set to make its world premiere at Arts House in North Melbourne on Thursday, August 24. Lane will be joined on stage by dancers Lilian Steiner and Gregory Lorenzutti, in an hour-long show that examines "the physical experience of the nightclub". "As performers oscillate between entertainer and punter, lap dance and lip-sync, Lane shines a spotlight on the economy of entertainment," reads the event description. Nightdance will dim the lights and ask you to question how you dance the night away. Image: Jody Hutchinson.
One dollar usually doesn't get you much these days, but come June, Melburnians should be pretty chuffed with just how far they can make one of those little gold coins stretch. Albert Park Chinese fine diner Sun Kitchen is celebrating its first birthday by dishing up a selection of fan favourite menu items for just $1 each. Swing by for lunch or dinner between Monday, June 8, and Sunday, June 21, and you'll pay next to nothing to sample three of Sun Kitchen's best-loved plates. And these are no cheap eats, either. There's the crunchy golden prawns in creamy coconut ginger sauce (usually $68), the sizzling barramundi bathed in a fiery three-chilli oil ($58), and the luxurious sautéed milk with crab meat and dried scallop ($68). The only catch is that the meals are only $1 when ordered with any main course for dine-in and there's a limit of one $1 meal per table. The birthday celebrations were originally meant to take place in April, but COVID-19 lockdowns forced the restaurant to move them back to June. Sun Kitchen's $1 dishes are available at lunch and dinner.
Aussie climate change protests have been happening in force over the past couple of months, but with a huge four-day mining conference hitting Melbourne this week, it's likely we're about to see some of the biggest strike action yet. The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) started yesterday at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), prompting 24 different activist, community and political groups to join forces in an effort to disrupt the proceedings as much as possible. Some of the groups involved in the protest include Extinction Rebellion, Uni Students for Climate Change and Frontline Action on Coal. A hefty 1300 people markedattending to the protest, called Blockade IMARC 2019, on its Facebook event, which has stated its ultimate aim is to shutdown the conference altogether. Blockade IMARC organisers are encouraging participants to use mass civil disobedience to "disrupt the 'business as usual' of major climate criminals". The group states that conference attendees "continue to profit from fueling [sic] climate change, stealing indigenous land, exploiting workers, displacing people and driving animal extinction". Protestors kicked off action yesterday, Monday, October 28, but an even bigger blockade has been planned for this morning (Tuesday, October 29), with protestors gathering from 6am at the Clarendon Street end of the MCEC. https://twitter.com/yarratrams/status/1188909555985592322 Yarra Trams took to Twitter to warn commuters about potential service disruptions in the area as a result, hinting there could be issues right through until Wednesday, October 30. VicTraffic has also tweeted about the action, confirming tram routes 12, 96 and 109 were affected following Tuesday's morning blockade. https://twitter.com/VicTraffic/status/1188907792700235788 Victoria Police have warned locals to expect disruptions to both public transport and vehicle traffic in the MCEC area for most of the work week, and urged punters to steer clear wherever possible. In a video posted to the Victoria Police Facebook page, North West Metro Region Acting Commander Tim Tully said we could expect to see "heightened tactics by the protest groups" compared to previous events. For further public transport and traffic updates, check Yarra Trams and Vic Traffic.
Prepare for a night of audio-visual immersion, as one of Melbourne's coolest film collectives returns for another year. Not content to simply replicate a typical cinema experience, Hear My Eyes combines little-seen films with new and original scores, performed live by local music acts in unique venues and bars around town. For their first event of 2016, they're pairing local synth pop duo GL with Heartbeats, the ultra-stylish sophomore drama from Québécois wunderkind Xavier Dolan. First released in 2010, the film explores the romantic rivalry that develops between best friends Francis (Dolan) and Marie (Monia Chokri) after they both become enamoured with the same man. It's a must-see film for lovers of world cinema, particularly those who've enjoy Dolan's subsequent efforts such as Laurence Anyways, Tom at the Farm and his recent masterpiece Mommy. GL, meanwhile, are no strangers to success themselves, having played Falls Festival, Meredith and Splendour, and supported the likes of Saskwatch, Shamir and Chet Faker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znpU_Aup-Bg
The program for next year's White Night is here to make night owls of us all. The folks behind Melbourne's dusk 'til dawn cultural festival have once again put together a doozy of a lineup, packed with music performances, light art and giant inflatable rabbits. You'll find the colossal conies bounding around Alexandra Gardens. They're among a number of major installations at this year's festival, which kicks off at 7pm on Saturday February 18 and runs until 7am the following day. As in previous years, the city has been split into four different precincts, allowing nocturnal travellers to better plan their evening out. Punters travelling from the southside might want to start in 'Innocence Returned', which includes not just the Alexandra Gardens, but NGV International, the Arts Centre and Southbank as well. Highlights of this section include Echinodermus, an illuminated tree-like sculpture on the Southbank promenade, and Convergence, an interactive display incorporating projections, smoke jets and music in the Arts Centre forecourt. On the other side of the Yarra, 'Dancing in the Streets' stretches from Birrarung Marr to Collins Street. The riverside park will play host to live music throughout the night, with a lineup of artists (to be announced in January) designed to celebrate Melbourne's cultural diversity. Other standouts include the pointedly titled More Than 1 Nation, which will see the Degraves Street entrance to Flinders Street Station lit up with Indigenous artwork, and a plethora of moving image works at ACMI including a big screen mashup incorporating everything from Star Wars to Saturday Night Fever. White Night revellers who find themselves in the section of the CBD between Melbourne Town Hall and La Trobe Streets – dubbed 'Precipitation and Enlightenment' – will have their run of a pop-up cinema on Lonsdale Street, a psychedelic Seadragon's Lair in the State Library, and a 12-hour dance marathon on Collins Street. Finally, the 'Flames and Fantasy' precinct covers the Carlton Gardens, the Royal Exhibition Building and the Melbourne Museum. The museum plaza will be temporary home to a number of enormous sculptures including a giant Sonic Light Bubble, a fire-breathing Pyrophone Juggernaut and towering Nebulus, while the exhibition building will as in previous years be illuminated by a series of breathtaking projections. 2017 will also see White Night take its first steps out of Melbourne, with a separate White Night Ballarat program set for March 4. For the full White Night program visit www.whitenightmelbourne.com.au. Image: Sonic Light Bubble, ENESS.
Maybe you've kicked off the new year with some changes to your usual work schedule — or perhaps your uni timetable is going to look a little different? Whatever the reason, if you're now catching public transport outside of the busy peak times, you'll soon score yourself a discounted fare, along with that improved shot at nabbing a seat. For three months starting Sunday, January 31, Public Transport Victoria is slashing the price of off-peak tickets for metropolitan trains, trams and buses by 30 percent. The aim is to encourage more passengers to travel during quieter times of the day. To automatically get the new reduced rate, you'll need to be using the pay-as-you-go Myki Money system — as opposed to the Myki Pass, which is paid up front — and you'll have to touch on and off on your bus, train or tram. The discount is only valid for weekday trips between 9.30am–4pm or after 7pm, and only applies if you're travelling solely within Zone 1, or both Zone 1 and 2. Weekend and public holiday fares will be charged at the usual rate, as will rides entirely within Zone 2. [caption id="attachment_706052" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Myki reader, Beau Giles via Flickr.[/caption] The off-peak discount comes after Public Transport Victoria announced last year that it would not be rolling out its usual annual fare price increase on January 1, 2021. That decision came in recognition of the tough year had by Victorians in 2020, with fares remaining at the same rate as last year for the next 12 months. Public Transport Victoria's temporary off-peak discount applies for three months from Sunday, January 31. For more details, head to the Public Transport Victoria website.
Stuff yourself full of truffles at the Prahran Market this weekend, as chefs and producers from all around town pay tribute to that most flavoursome of fungi. Returning for its second year, the Truffle Melbourne Festival will feature cooking demonstrations, market stalls and truffle tastings galore, celebrating what many call the diamond of the kitchen. Running 10am till 5pm on Saturday and 10am till 3pm on Sunday, the festival promises to be a truffle lovers paradise. Acclaimed local chefs including Paul Wilson, Guy Grossi and Philippe Mouchel will showcase their culinary prowess in a series of live demonstrations, while four-legged truffle hunters Spice and Arrow will be roaming around the market all weekend long. But the real selling point in the mouth-watering festival menu, featuring everything from truffle cheeseburgers to French crepes with truffle butter. There'll also be plenty of truffle products available to purchase, so you can recreate the experience at home. Image: FotoStazione.
Fitzroy music icon The Old Bar is truly living up to its name these days. Despite the punches of the past few years, the venue has defeated the odds and officially entered old age. It's gearing up to turn the big 2-1 — and it's throwing a music-filled rager of a party to celebrate. You're invited along for the ride on Saturday, December 3, as the Johnston Street mainstay ticks over this major milestone with a little help from legendary Melbourne-born band Cash Savage and The Last Drinks. Also hitting the stage to deliver a sonic nod to Old Bar's decades-long live music legacy and to rustle up a few of your own sticky-floor memories — acts including SPOD, Skyscraper Stan and The Commission Flats, Ute Root and Streetsweeper. [caption id="attachment_873374" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cash Savage and The Last Drinks, by Naomi Lee Beveridge[/caption] The party's being hosted in conjunction with the Victorian Government's music program Always Live, as well as Richmond brewery Mountain Goat — so you can bet on plenty of cold brews to see the celebrations kicking on into the night. Tickets are $25 and will only be available on the door, so get in quick on the night to ensure you're part of the action.
Melbourne Museum's after-hours party returns next month, with an especially jazzy lineup in tow. Coinciding with the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Nocturnal will showcase some of the country's best-loved musical talent, for its next adults-only celebration on Friday, June 7. Hitting the stage — or the museum — are New Orleans-inspired seven-piece Horns of Leroy featuring vocals from songstress Thando, along with local ensemble Jazz Party and improvising pop and soul powerhouse Tanya George. As always, the night's musical offerings will be backed by a program of guest talks and late-night museum wanderings. Catch a free session led by international music legend Don Was, dive into the late 60s with a jaunt through new exhibition Revolutions: Records and Rebels and join resident museum experts Deborah Tout-Smith and Hannah Perkins for a close-up glimpse at some covetable pieces from the jazz age and beyond. Sticking to the theme, a pop-up hair salon will also be styling beehives and The Beatles-inspired mop tops throughout the night. There'll also be pop-up bars throughout the museum, so you can explore with a cocktail in hand. Nocturnal x Melbourne International Jazz Festival runs from 7–11pm. Images: Cesur Sanli.
Start saving your pennies and cordoning off your calendar. The team behind the Melbourne Festival have unveiled their chock-a-block lineup, and as always, there's a hell of a lot to like. Spanning music, dance, theatre, film, visual art and much, much more, this year's festival will take place from October 4–22 at more than two dozen venues around town. As in previous years, the festivities will begin with Tanderrum, a ceremony by the five clans of the Central Kulin Nation. It's one of several works by Indigenous artists on the program — others include The Season, a stage comedy by Tasmanian playwright Nathan Maynard, and Our Place, Our Home, a free music showcase featuring musicians from Indigenous and refugee backgrounds. Music is, as always, a massive part of the program. Victorian Opera and Malthouse Theatre will co-present the Australian premiere of Tom Waits' cult musical Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets, while Oscar-nominated film director Rithy Panh collaborates with composer Him Sophy on Bangsokol: A Requiem for Cambodia, an orchestral performance about life under the Khmer Rouge that combines song, film, dance and voice. Meanwhile the festival's centrepiece, A 24-Decade History of Popular Music, takes audiences on a decade-by-decade walk through the history of American music reinterpreted through a radical queer lens. On stage, standout works include already-announced headliner Tree of Codes, which combines the talents of choreographer Wayne McGregor, visual artist Olafur Eliasson, musician Jamie xx and the Paris Opera Ballet — it's the visually stunning ballet we really, really hoped would come to Australia. There's also 7 Pleasures, a sensual dance work from Danish choreographer Mette Ingvartsen featuring 12 dancers kitted out in nothing but their birthday suits; and Backbone, a frenetic circus show from Adelaide's acrobatic sensations Gravity and Other Myths. Other highlights include Under Siege, the Yang Liping Contemporary Dance company's critically acclaimed take on Farewell My Concubine featuring a blend of ballet, hip hop, kung fu and Peking opera; and a special screening of Voyage of Time, the highly anticipated new film from master auteur Terrence Malick narrated by Cate Blanchett with a live score by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. "We have searched the world for the most courageous, visionary and ambitious artists: artists who are actively taking on the biggest subjects with flair, excitement and drive," said artistic director Jonathan Holloway in a statement. "This year's Festival is the result of collaboration without compromise, of great people bringing out and amplifying the best in other great people." For the full Melbourne Festival program visit the festival website.
Queen Victoria Market is no stranger to livening up Wednesday evenings with midweek festivities. The venue frequently hosts night markets when hump day hits, so you can add some food truck dishes, treat food eats and beverages to your working week. But, when its latest event rolls around across four weeks in April, there'll be an out-of-this world theme. At Spaced Out on April 7, 14, 21 and 28, there'll even be an Infinity and Beyond Bar — and a silent disco playing appropriate tunes. First, the food: from 5–10pm each Wednesday, you'll be tucking into jerk chicken, paella, lobster rolls, popcorn prawns, truffle fries and American barbecue dishes. Fresh cannoli is on offer for dessert — and that's just a sample of the market's cuisine. As for drinks, the aforementioned bar will be serving up Coldstream Brewery ciders, Mitchelton wines, Morningstar Belgian Dark Ales and Supernova IPA. Or, opt for 'Drops of Jupiter' peaches and cream-flavoured gin cocktails, plus the blend of gin, spiced rum, grapefruit, pineapple and apple juice that's being called 'Space Rock Fizz'. That silent disco is the work of Guru Dudu, and The Thin White Ukes will also be doing their thing. If you're not aware of the latter, they play David Bowie tracks on ukulele. Obviously, 'Space Oddity', 'Starman', 'Ziggy Stardust' and 'Hallo Spaceboy' will feature.
SOAK aka Bridie-Monds Watson, first grabbed the attention of the music industry at age 14. Over the past four years this singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s musical skills have pricked the ears of fans worldwide — including CHVRCHES. SOAK’s debut album, Before We Forgot How To Dream, will be released in just a few months, and if her singles so far such as 'BLUD' and her latest 'Sea Creatures' are anything to go by, we have a lot to look forward to. If it’s good enough for CHVRCHES to sign her to their label, Goodbye Records, it’s certainly worth more than two minutes of your time. Generating comparisons to Cat Power, Laura Marling and Lykke Li, SOAK's songs contain observations of her external as well as internal world that many would assume were beyond her years. Don't underestimate this admittedly young but super talented alternative folk performer. She's already sold out shows in Sydney, so if you want to see SOAK before she heads home to Northern Ireland, get tickets from The Shadow Electric quick sticks.
There can't be many tasks more challenging for a performer than making an unlikeable character likeable, yet when done right, that character's humanity and compassion can often burst though — amplified and disarming — with a powerfully cathartic release. Such is the case in John Lee Hancock's tender-hearted tale Saving Mr Banks, which chronicles Walt Disney's 20-year effort to bring Mary Poppins to the big screen. Disney, however, is not the focus of the film. The man was far from saintly, definitely, but — when played by Tom Hanks — his likability was assured. Instead, Saving Mr Banks focuses on the author of that beloved children's story, PL Travers (Emma Thompson), who was every bit the unlikeable character: stubborn, terse and paradoxically impolite in her constant castigations of anyone who failed to observe common etiquette. Common British etiquette, mind you. Beginning in 1961, Travers had found herself in financial trouble when the royalties from Mary Poppins had all but dried up. Faced with the possibility of losing her London home, she finally acquiesced to the pleas of her exasperated agent and travelled to Hollywood to discuss selling the film rights. Her unease, one she'd staunchly maintained for two decades, was that the story and characters would be 'Disneyfied' by way of frivolous cartoons, childish singing and dancing animals. An author seeking creative control was nothing new to Hollywood, but nobody could quite understand why Travers guarded her story with such unyielding ferocity. That mystery is what lies at the heart of Saving Mr Banks. Presented as a dual narrative, the movie flicks back and forth between Travers' present-day obstinacy in the Disney Studios and her difficult childhood in the Australian outback, with the latter periodically informing and recasting our understanding of the former. It's no secret the true subject of Mary Poppins was not the children, but rather their father — Mr Banks — and the quiet crusade by Poppins to reconnect him with his family. Accordingly, Saving Mr Banks's early scenes focus on the relationship between the young Travers (whose real name was Helen Goff) and her alcoholic yet devoted father, played by Colin Farrell. The parallels are all a little too neat, psychologically, but very much contribute to both the story's greater meaning and the audience's eventual appreciation of Travers' hidden benignity. In the lead, Thompson is unsurprisingly sensational. What initially feels like an exaggerated and caricaturesque performance proves remarkably spot-on courtesy of some unmissable credits, and her ability to transform both mood and meaning with the tiniest change of facial expression demonstrates why she remains top of her game. Hanks is reserved in his turn as Disney, though still proves capable of stealing a scene — most notably during an exquisite description of his own father's strict approach to parenting. In supporting roles, Paul Giamatti offers a lovely turn as Travers' driver, while Bradley Whitford, Jason Schwartzman and BJ Novak are excellent as the bewildered creatives charged with appeasing Travers and adapting her book to the screen. There's a good chance you'll cry in this film, both in moments of tragedy and sentimentality — but really, that's always been the Disney formula. Sweet, heartwarming and consistently funny, Saving Mr Banks is every bit the opposite of its main character, but — just like her — ultimately surprises with some unexpected tenderness. https://youtube.com/watch?v=FvKcwNyOnWo
Sydney's home of perfect-for-every-occasion artisanal gifts Sorry Thanks I Love You (STILY) has been hosting free in-store yoga classes for the past four years. Now, with the closure of gyms across the country and increased social distancing, it's bringing them online. And, yes, they'll still be free. Running every Monday night at 6pm AEDT (for the foreseeable future), the Instagram live classes will be streamed on STILY's Instagram page and hosted by Misch Gomez. They'll run for an hour and give you a chance to wind down and get out of that Twitter hole (at least temporarily). If you don't have a mat, you can even roll out a towel — and get ready to get bendy. A benefit of doing the class at home, as STILY has pointed out, is that there's "no one noticing if you pause to take a sip of your gin and tonic". Well, except your cat, dog or green baby. [caption id="attachment_739127" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joey Clark[/caption] Top image: Rita Ince
If you've got a soft spot for local shiraz, the region of Heathcote is certainly already on your wine radar. And you'll have a pretty good idea of the vinous goodness that awaits you this spring at the Heathcote Food & Wine Festival. After a two-year hiatus, the long-running event returns to Heathcote Showgrounds for a weekend of flavour-packed festivities from Saturday, October 1–Sunday, October 2. Wine is set to be the headline act, as 41 local producers showcase their finest drops, new and old, for tastings and bottle sales. Plus, if you really want to hone your wine knowledge, you'll find a program of intimate workshops and seminars courtesy of The Tasting Table — where renowned wine podcasters Meg Brodtmann MW and Mel Gilchrist will have guests sipping their way through topics like wine and cheese pairing, and alternative whites. Once you've worked up an appetite, the festival's new Producer's Market will be championing top-notch Central Victorian produce; ranging from spit-roasted local meats cooked over charcoal by chef Luis Calandro (Merchant), to charcuterie from the Long Paddock Cheese and Salami Shack. Vendors like Porcupine Eatery, Big Zig & Co, Vietnam Food House and The Greek Stop will also be making an appearance. In between sipping, swirling and scoffing, you can hit the live music stage for tunes from the likes of Bill Barber, Mariah McCarthy and the Funk Junkies, as curated by Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival.
While those big-name tennis stars spend the Australian Open battling it out on court for the world to see, you can enjoy some victories of your own with a visit to Supernormal. Andrew McConnell's modern Japanese restaurant has joined forces with the team at ACMI to host a neon-lit, pop-up arcade bar, dedicated to the game of Pong. One of the world's OG video games, the Atari release simulates a two-dimensional tennis match — only, unlike the real deal, it doesn't require slogging it out under Melbourne's hot January sun. Decked out with multiple game consoles, the Pong Grand Slam arcade is set to take over Supernormal's lower level from Monday, January 20, until Sunday, February 2, while in the upstairs restaurant, a projection of an actual 1972 Pong duel is sure to offer some pre-game inspiration. It's free to play and you won't even need to book ahead for a console. Of course, you're going to need some fuel for that Pong sesh and you'll find yourself in good hands with the bar's latest cocktail special. The aptly named Courtside boasts a blend of gin, ginger-infused elderflower syrup and dry ginger ale. The ACMI x Supernormal Pong Grand Slam arcade is open from 11am till late, daily.
2019 represents one giant milestone for humanity's space exploits, marking half a century since astronauts first walked on the moon. That's just one of the achievements that the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, aka NASA, is known for — and it's just one of the events that'll feature in a new exhibition chronicling the organisation's jaunts beyond the earth's surface, which heads to Australia this year NASA – A Human Adventure will display at the Queensland Museum in not only its first trip to our shores, but its only Aussie season. It's set to be huge in a number of ways. The exclusive showcase will bring more than 250 historically significant items to Brisbane, and it'll run for a whopping seven months. It'll also be the largest exhibition ever hosted by the newly refurbished South Bank spot, taking over two levels. Gracing QM's walls and halls between March 15 and October 9, NASA – A Human Adventure will feature everything from objects that actually have flown through space, to high-fidelity models, to both small-size and full-scale replicas. Think real rocket engines, space food, space suits, lunar cameras and moon boots, plus miniature versions of NASA's Space Shuttle, Lunar Rover, and Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space crafts. Touching on the Soviet contribution to space travel as well, it'll also display a replica of the robotic lunar rover Lunokhod. Australia is the latest stop in the exhibition's tour, which aims to showcase the story of space travel, as well as the history of rocket science and space flight. It comes to Brisbane after previously venturing to Milan, Singapore, Taipei, Seoul, Bangkok, Tokyo, Istanbul, Madrid, Utrecht, and both Stockholm and Norrkoping in Sweden. NASA – A Human Adventure displays at the Queensland Museum, corner of Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Brisbane from March 15 to October 9, 2019, with tickets on sale now.
Melbourne Music Week (MMW) is set to make up for this year's dire lack of live music, serving up a jam-packed program for 2021, featuring close to 70 events and showcasing over 300 artists. It'll take over 23 different venues across the city, from December 3–December 12. Curated by Bumpy, the opening night Wominjeka festivities will take over MPavilion, with a lineup including Emma Donovan & The Putbacks, Squid Nebula, the Murrundaya Yepengna Dance Troupe and more. This year's Live Music Safari series will see more than 70 artists gracing stages at 12 beloved venues for a full day and evening of glorious free gigs. Think, Press Club, Kylie Auldist, Soju Gang and others. Meanwhile, Max Watts plays host to the eight-night MMW Club showcase, featuring unmissable shows from the likes of Carl Cox, Akosia, Pinch Points and Billy Davis. An array of headline shows includes Georgia Maq's appearance at the Melbourne Museum; Butter Sessions' and Research Records' electronic showcase at The Forum; and a deep-dive into Lucianblomkamp's recent collaborative works at The Capitol. Elsewhere in the program, the Carlton International Jazz Festival takes over Colour Club and Alex Albrecht soundtracks a morning of mindfulness and yoga at MPavilion. And for the night owls, the Kick Ons series will fire up Sub Club for a bunch of after-party gigs led by some of your favourite MMW acts.
We can't think of a much more fitting way to celebrate International Doughnut Day than by tucking into a one that's cinnamon-sprinkled and — importantly — free. Especially one that's come fresh out of the oven at cult favourite bakery, Oasis. Yep, to mark the somewhat unnecessary but now global celebration of dough-based deliciousness this Friday, June 1, the Murrumbeena spot is serving up a whopping 10,000 of its signature doughnuts – all on the house. Choose from the classic jam-stuffed number, or the chocoholic's dream version, which comes oozing with Nutella. Whatever one you choose (and you can only choose one — there's a limit of one per customer), the freebies will be up for grabs from 8am, on offer through until 9pm...or that sad moment when they're all out. Basically, you'd better get in quick. There's a limit of one free doughnut per customer.
Film fans — pack your picnics, pillows and insect repellent, and prepare to spend your summer evenings watching the big screen under the stars. From December 1, Moonlight Cinema returns for another season of great viewing, great weather (hopefully) and great food. Yep — here, all three go hand-in-hand. Kicking off in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide at the very start of the month, then heading to Perth from December 2 and Brisbane from December 7, the first part of this year's program — covering December and January — features 21 advanced screenings of movies yet to hit cinemas, 25 new releases and a heap of old favourites. The February and March lineup will be revealed early next year, but rest assured, there's something for all tastes on the current bill. If you're after an early glimpse at an exciting upcoming flick, then Guillermo del Toro's gorgeous monster romance The Shape of Water, the Greta Gerwig-directed Lady Bird and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, the latest movie by In Bruges filmmaker Martin McDonagh, should all do nicely. Those who'd like to catch an openair session of efforts already screening in cinemas can pick from the likes of Justice League, Murder on the Orient Express, Detroit, Thor: Ragnarok, The Mountain Between Us and Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi (once it's released on December 14). And, if you've got the urge for something retro, make a date with Love Actually, Dirty Dancing, The Breakfast Club or Back to the Future. Also featured are sneak peeks of everything from Pitch Perfect 3, to new Pixar animation Coco, to Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks in Steven Spielberg's The Post. Or, if you're a fan of Australian cinema, check out Kylie Minogue and Guy Pearce reuniting post-Neighbours for Swinging Safari; the absolutely stunning new outback western Sweet Country; and what sounds like an Aussie-as comedy, The BBQ. Pairing your movie choice with something to eat and drink is all part of the fun, so BYO supplies (although bringing your own booze isn't allowed in Brisbane) or grab something tasty onsite. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2017-18 DATES: Sydney: December 1 – April 1 (Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Park) Melbourne: December 1 – April 1 (Central Lawn at Royal Botanic Gardens) Brisbane: December 7 – March 4 (New Farm Park at Brisbane Powerhouse) Adelaide: December 1 – February 18 (Botanic Park) Perth: December 2 – April 1 (Kings Park and Botanic Garden) Moonlight Cinema's 2017-18 season starts screening around the country from December 1. For more information and to buy tickets, visit moonlight.com.au.
UPDATE: June 18, 2020: Queen & Slim is available to stream via Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. Queen & Slim starts with a Tinder date in a diner, as a criminal defence attorney (Jodie Turner-Smith) and a Costco employee (Daniel Kaluuya) exchange small talk. Sparks hardly fly but, when the next day breaks, they've gone from swiping right to driving across the country together — after a ripped-from-the-headlines altercation with a white police officer (Sturgill Simpson) that turns them into fugitives, complete with their faces splashed across newspapers and televisions. So, having fled from Ohio to New Orleans with every cop in the area on their trail, of course the titular characters are greeted with an obvious comparison. When Queen's uncle Earl (Bokeem Woodbine) agrees to give the pair a temporary place to hide, he comments, "well, if it isn't the black Bonnie and Clyde". From a stranger, another reference is slung the duo's way: "are y'all the new Black Panthers?". The debut feature by music video director Melina Matsoukas — a Grammy-winner for her work on Rihanna's 'We Found Love' and Beyonce's 'Formation' — Queen & Slim wears its nods on its sleeves, and its topicality as well. Combining an all-too-frequent real-life situation with cinema's "lovers on the run" genre, it's a statement piece that not only conveys an attention-grabbing story, but explores the constantly relevant issue of race relations in America. The movie's big-screen predecessors haven't been short on societal and political commentary. Whether charting true events in Bonnie and Clyde or skewering mass media sensationalism in Natural Born Killers, this field is full of films with something to say. And Queen & Slim joins a long line of recent features interrogating subjects such as racism, prejudice and police brutality in the US, too, including the Kaluuya-starring Get Out, plus The Hate U Give and If Beale Street Could Talk. But in blending its various parts into one provocative and passionate package, this is a supremely stylish and powerful addition to its various filmic folds. They're never actually called by the eponymous names — and their real monikers aren't revealed until late — but Queen and Slim's fortunes change when they're pulled over for a minor traffic infringement. As the script by Master of None star Lena Waithe makes clear, their troubles also begin because of their skin colour. Soon the cop has been shot, Queen is injured and Slim is driving away as fast as possible. He actually wants them to turn themselves in but, thanks to her job, she's adamant that they'll never be treated fairly no matter what they do next — which means that they may as well abscond. Initially, Queen and Slim are ordinary folks victimised by institutional discrimination, then forced to fight back. Soon, they're public enemy number one to law enforcement but heroes in the black community, which helps as they attempt to escape to Cuba via Florida. Given that it focuses on two people dashing across the US, Queen and Slim is a road movie; however it has as much time for the many faces the central pair meets along the way as it does for the scenery, and for their growing bond with each other too. With this in mind, some choices don't completely work — crosscutting a sex scene with a "black lives matter"-style protest in support of the two fugitives, for example — but generally, Matsoukas and Waithe convincingly capture how racial prejudice makes an imprint. From the inciting incident and panicked neighbours calling the cops on people of colour, to riots and other displays of solidarity, Matsoukas and Waithe cover a broad and necessary spectrum of scenarios. Perhaps 'cover' isn't the right description. It's accurate, yet Queen and Slim never feels like it's assembling its array of episodic escapades by ticking its way through a list. Rather, this is a feature that wanders through a snapshot of African American life in a feverish and heightened fashion, all while seething with anger and intensity, pondering trauma and history, and never forgetting that, in its own way, it remains a date movie. In mood rather than meaning or political substance, Quentin Tarantino-written 90s crime flick True Romance casts a shadow. Queen & Slim exudes the same kind of cool, and the same type of affection for its thrown-together couple. And, as sleek and expressive as anything she's done before, Matsoukas's glossy visuals — as lensed to dream perfection by Tat Radcliffe ('71), and paired with the film's velvet, tiger stripe and snakeskin-heavy fashion choices — feel cut from a similar cloth. To some, it might seem jarring to see Queen & Slim's story unfold with such eye-catching, intoxicating imagery. Earl's scantily clad girlfriends certainly stand out, but they also encapsulate one of the movie's main messages: about judging based on appearances only. The same can be said of the white couple (Flea and Chloë Sevigny) who help Queen and Slim. Actually, the same applies to the entire film. Telling an outrage-filled tale in a visually gleaming way, Queen & Slim's potency never falters, with no small amount of credit due to British model-turned-actor Turner-Smith and the always impressive Kaluuya. They're not just dynamic but dynamite as the reluctant outlaws — and, crucially, they turn in raw, textured performances that ensure their characters are people first, and victims, heroes, potential martyrs and countercultural symbols second. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRMPdhQBlWs
With the government encouraging social distancing, and enforcing mandatory 14-day self-isolation periods for everyone arriving from overseas, in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19, plenty of us are staring down the barrel of a whole lot of time spent at home. By now, you're probably all stocked up on toilet paper, are armed with a banging Netflix queue and have sussed out all the best delivery options for decent food and booze. But, alongside the streaming services and board games, you're also going to need a pretty solid collection of reading material to keep you entertained. And luckily, some local bookstores are more than happy to help. If you're keen to support the little, local guys, there's a bunch of indie book retailers that are now offering free delivery services, to hook isolated readers up with some much-needed literature. In Melbourne, long-running North Carlton spot The Little Bookroom has kicked off free same-day delivery for its online orders, servicing Carlton, Fitzroy and a heap of surrounding suburbs. Sibling store Neighbourhood Books in Northcote is following suit, though with an even bigger delivery area. And if you're cooped up at home over on the westside, Yarraville's Sun Bookshop has you covered. It's offering free same-day book delivery (for online orders placed before 2pm) to readers in Kingsville, Seddon and Yarraville, and next-day delivery for those in Spotswood and Newport. They'll drop your book order in the letter box or at your front door, and shoot a text message to let you know it's arrived. https://www.instagram.com/p/B9n100rAhcz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Meanwhile, Sydneysiders can get books delivered for free by the likes of Avalon Beach's Bookoccino (if you live between Narrabeen and Palm Beach) and Glebe's Gleebooks, which has launched free book delivery across the inner west and City of Sydney council areas, and Australia-wide for orders over $50. Newtown favourite Better Read Than Dead has cast the net even wider, offering free shipping across the whole of Australia for the foreseeable future. And up in Brisbane, Wynnum cafe-bookstore Little Gnome is doing daily delivery runs of books, brownies and even coffee, from 8–10am this week (check its Instagram for updates and details on how to order), while Avid Reader Bookshop is swinging free delivery for select inner-city suburbs, and Australia-wide if your order's over $50.
No longer just the realms of year three excursions where your mum came as chaperone, Melbourne Zoo Twilights — the after-hours live music series that boasts perhaps one of the best summer nights out, as well as lots of adorable animals — has proven it's got some real cred when it comes to hosting outdoor gigs in the past few years. After all, the event has hosted headliners such as Kurt Vile, Ben Folds, Paul Kelly and Warpaint over the last few years. And this summer the event will return with a series os live sets every weekend from Friday, January 25 through Saturday, March 9. At this stage the Zoo Twilights team has only announced one act on the 2018 bill: Cat Power. In her return to Melbourne (she was last here in 2016), the American musician will perform hits off her new album Wanderer — which will be released on October 5 — on a yet-to-be-announced date, as the sun sets over the zoo. Picnic-bringing is encouraged, but there'll also be handy gourmet hampers available on-site, as well as a slew of food trucks to choose nosh from. Either way, it's actually the one of the best dates in Melbourne. Plus, all proceeds from Zoo Twilights go back into Zoo Victoria's ongoing conservation work to help fight the extinction of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot. Melbourne Zoo Twilights will return to Melbourne Zoo from January 25 until March 9. The full lineup will be announced on Wednesday, October 24 (we'll let you know when it's up) and tickets go on sale at 8am on Tuesday, October 30 at zootwilights.org.au. Image: Ian Laidlaw.
The CBD's lunch landscape just scored a major boost with the opening of a second outpost for northside legend Babajan. The Carlton North eatery, launched in 2016, has brought its much-loved Turkish-inspired fare to the top of Little Collins Street. Just like its sibling, Babajan's new city store is a haven for grab-and-go treats with morning coffees, Middle Eastern lunch eats and pantry goodies. And of course, handmade sweet things also abound. Chef-owner Kirsty Chiaplias has stuck to her winning formula for this cheery, takeaway-only spot, celebrating generous Middle Eastern flavours across a rotating lineup of fresh, handmade fare. Cabinets heave with a mix of Babajan classics and exclusive new creations. Flakey boreks are stuffed with combinations like lamb and potato, and spinach and feta, while show-stopping sandwiches hero fillings including confit ocean trout with a green zoug dressing, and roast chicken is studded with pinenuts and preserved lemon. There's a range of house-made simits (a traditional ring-shaped bread) starring the likes of eggplant aleppo and cheddar, or scrambled egg with pastirma and harissa. And giant bowls showcase each day's selection of sensational salads — maybe a broccoli and zucchini number with zoug and avocado, or a pilaf spiked with braised fenugreek and roast carrot. Dessert is basically a must, once you lock eyes with treats like Chiaplias' chocolate halva tarts, walnut baklava, and date and white chocolate lamingtons. You can even maximise your lunchbreak by ordering ahead via the Babajan app, which is available via the App Store. Meanwhile, the shelves are stocked with a tidy curation of signature pantry products, alongside other Middle Eastern classics ranging from condiments and sauces, to spices and pulses. Find Babajan at Shop 5, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne. It's open weekdays from 7am–3pm. Images: Pete Dillon
