Keeping your emotions in check won't be easy as the next instalment of the Renegades Derby turns up the heat in the Big Bash League. As cross-town rivals Melbourne Renegades take on Melbourne Stars, these long-standing foes have gone toe-to-toe since the league's foundation. With bragging rights up for grabs and live music from Australian DJ Cyril, the Sunday, January 12 match is the best time to attend as the bowling gets faster and the swinging harder when local pride gets put on the line.
Even though the calendar may tell us it's so, it's all too easy to be in denial about the fact that summer, at least officially, is over for another year. If you're looking to extend those summer vibes this season, you're in luck: this March, The Glenlivet, legendary producer of single-malt whisky, will be bringing a summer-fuelled Social Club to CBD hangout Whitehart Bar every Thursday to Sunday. The Social Club is taking place to showcase The Glenlivet's new Caribbean Reserve, a non-age statement finished in former rum barrels. Inspired by the Caribbean and its legendary tradition of floating bars, the event will see rounds of five drinks served on water from bartender to guest — the serves will literally float from one end of the bar to the other — as well as a rotating lineup of live music to keep the good times rolling. You'll want to get there quickly, too — the first 100 punters to shout a round will also score a limited-edition The Glenlivet x Bianca Beers bucket hat. The Glenlivet Social Club is taking place from Thursday to Sunday, from 4:30pm, every week in March at Whitehart Bar. For more info, head to the website.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that St Jerome's Laneway Festival was being forced to find new digs, thanks to a boom in construction works — including the West Gate Tunnel project and a swag of new apartment buildings — around its current home, the Footscray Community Arts Centre (FCAC). Now, the festival has announced its new location for 2019 — and it's not too far away. After enjoying a nine-year stint at the FCAC, moving there in 2010 after outgrowing its original Lonsdale Street alleyway site, the festival will be heading to Footscray Park for 2019. While the festival's new home will be larger, the capacity will remain about the same, allowing for more flexible placement of stages, less lines for bathrooms and food stalls, and maybe even less jostling to get to the front of the stage. The new space has more shady spots under trees, too, for when you need a break from the fiery summer sun. [caption id="attachment_686533" align="alignnone" width="1920"] A map of the new Footscray Park festival site.[/caption] The lineup and dates of St Jerome's Laneway Festival 2019 have not yet been announced. You can sign up for pre-sales and announcements at lanewayfestival.com. Image: Anthony Smith
You don't need to tell us twice that beer and barbecue are a match made in culinary heaven, so the ultimate partnership this Good Food Month is the one between Footscray's Hop Nation Brewing and Up In Smoke. The American-inspired BBQ gurus have joined forces with their beer-brewing neighbours, curating a special food pairing that showcases some of the west's best. Across 13 days of the festival, you can swing by Up In Smoke to enjoy four craft beer samples, matched to four smoky snacks from the kitchen for 30 bucks.
Melbourne might currently be enjoying a mild start to 2018, with temperatures nearing the mid twenties on January 1 and forecast to stay below 25 degrees until Thursday; however a blast of hot, hot heat awaits come the weekend. Indeed, finding some frosty air-con or a shaded pool is recommended on Saturday, when the city is predicted to swelter through its hottest day since January 2016. The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting the mercury to hit 41 degrees to start the first weekend of the year, which will be 15 degrees above average according to Weatherzone. The last time Melburnians experienced 40 degree-plus temperatures was two years ago, with a 2016 high of 42.2 degrees. In 2017, the hottest recorded temperature was 38 degrees in January. Thankfully, the blast of scorching summer warmth will be short-lived. After a 35-degree Friday and a 41-degree Saturday, milder climes are expected to return on Sunday, thanks to a cloudy 20-degree forecast. Phew. That said, the sweat-inducing spell does come hot on the heels of the city's hottest November heatwave in 150 years, so yes, there's a reason you've probably been feeling a little heated over the last few months. The rest of southeastern Australia will also have a toasty time over the weekend, with Adelaide reaching 42 degrees, Canberra hitting 36 degrees, and Hobart and Sydney making it to 33 degrees. At the top end of the east coast, Brisbanites get off lightly, with a comparatively bearable 3o degrees predicted. Via Weatherzone. Image: udeyismail via Flickr.
When gallery owner Susan (Amy Adams) first rifles through a manuscript penned by her ex-husband Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal), the pages draw blood. Her finger bleeds from a simple paper cut, but another, unseen wound also opens — one caused by her actions 19 years earlier, that she thought her now-strained second marriage to the wealthy Hutton (Armie Hammer) had healed. Already an insomniac and riddled with stress about her latest exhibition opening, she's drawn to the dark tale told found within those pages. There, a man by the name of Tony (also played by Gyllenhaal) finds his family holiday with his wife (Isla Fisher) and daughter (Ellie Bamber) interrupted by Texan troublemakers (including Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Karl Glusman). Before long, the story segues from road rage terror to nightmarish tragedy to an account of violence that can only be solved with more of the same. As Susan reads, ravenously leafing through the novel at any moment that she can, it inspires memories of her younger, happier days with Edward. That's the film's second narrative within a narrative, one in which Susan earns the disapproval of her mother (Laura Linney) by wedding a writer of little means, and then struggles as their married bliss inevitably falters. And so Nocturnal Animals becomes a nesting doll of pain, heartbreak, betrayal, sorrow and, eventually, revenge. Alluring exteriors hide ugly depths on multiple levels. The film constantly juxtaposes beauty and horror; an opening sequence is filled with fleshy, scantily clad women dancing in a cloud of glitter. Who better than director Tom Ford to usher audiences into such a seductive, psychologically complex world? Nocturnal Animals is a bolder, blunter and more brutal movie than the fashion designer turned filmmaker's first effort behind the lens, A Single Man. In adapting Austin Wright's 1993 novel Tony and Susan, the writer-director proves that he still knows how to provoke a reaction. Still, where A Single Man heaved with emotion as it bewitched the eye, Nocturnal Animals seethes with emptiness. As shot by cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, the film's glossy visuals feel like vacant vessels, styled meticulously, and yet never containing more than the obvious. In a pulpy, throwaway thriller, that's fine, but Ford aims much higher than that. Ensuring that his feature wears his clear influences, from Alfred Hitchcock and Brian de Palma to David Lynch and Douglas Sirk, prominently on its impeccably dressed sleeves, he strives to craft a sensual, suspenseful exploration of regret, and the aches that mistakes can bring. Sadly, he comes up short. The cast of the work is expectedly first-rate, from the glassy-eyed Adams to the increasingly frantic Gyllenhaal to the ever-stellar, scene-stealing Michael Shannon as a cop helping Tony seek justice. Some play real characters within the world of the film, while others are literary manifestations of decades worth of pain. But then if there's one thing that Ford excels at as much as making his features look stunning, it's casting. Everyone's performance is perfectly pitched, which is perhaps why the overall lack of feeling behind the film's luxurious facade feels so very disappointing.
Preston Market is back with its beloved Greek Festival in celebration of Greek Day. On Sunday, April 7, the northside market's usual facade makes way for a lively Greek-themed atmosphere. From 10am–3pm, the Manasis School of Greek Dance will present live music and dance performances featuring traditional moves paired with authentic folk costumes. Of course, specialty food stalls and merch pop-ups, including St.Gerry's Greek Donuts, Twista Bros Potato Twists and more, will also be around to further immerse you in the Greek culture. If you're planning on bringing the little ones, there will be a selection of fun activities from 11am–1pm, such as pot decorating and seed planting. The event aims to bring the community together for a day of cultural immersion and enjoyment. Preston Market has been championing multicultural communities since 1970 and extends a warm invitation to all this Sunday, April 7.
It's time to put Dunkeld's Royal Mail Hotel back on your weekend getaway radar, as it has a new fine dining offering: Wickens at Royal Mail Hotel. Taking over a standalone space on the property, the remote restaurant is accessible by a bush trail the winds down from the hotel. It's been designed by Melbourne-based Byrne Architects to highlight its connection to its natural surroundings, with floor-to-ceiling windows capturing striking views of Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrupt. Inside it's a luxe fusion of sheepskin leather, sandstone and Australian hardwood. This respect for the land is mirrored in Executive Chef Robin Wickens' hyper-local menu, which'll change up regularly, dictated by the daily haul from the on-site olive groves, orchard and 1.2-hectare organic kitchen garden. The garden-fresh goodies inspire textural plate additions like soils, foams, purées and vegetable infusions. Diners can enjoy the spoils via an ever-changing chef's tasting menu ($220), with a special chef's table in the kitchen available to groups of up to four. Unsurprising, given the Royal Mail's award-winning 25,000-bottle cellar, the booze side of things sure isn't lacking, with three expertly curated wine matches on offer as well. Get a taste of the largest privately-owned collection of Bordeaux and Burgundy in the southern hemisphere with the French match ($200), celebrate locality with the all-Australian wine match, or mix things up with the cellar wine match ($130). The restaurant is a replacement of sorts for the two-hatted Royal Mail Hotel dining room, which closed in early 2017. The hotel's casual diner Parker Street Project — which is a good spot for lunch if you're staying the night — has now taken over the space, which is connected to the hotel.
If there’s one thing we’ve come to know about ourselves it’s that we love a good gimmick. Whether it’s a nautically-themed gastropub or an entire cafe built on Pantone colour palettes, we can’t get enough of the weird and the wonderful. And so it’s no surprise that we’re squee-ing in anticipation of the Brisbane Festival's bizarre food-meets-theatre offering Fear and Delight. Created by Strut & Fret, the theatrical culinary event has been making waves in the news for the last few days, mainly because of the inclusion of food artists Bompas and Parr's so-called G&T Cloud Experience, first opened in London last month. This, in layman’s terms, means 'a room filled with a cloud of humidified gin and tonic which is consumed through the skin and eyeballs'. Yep, breathable booze. As expected, some are delighted with the prospect and others are fearful, while some people are just downright ready to party. Health experts have been lining up around the block to offer their opinion on the phenomenon. Professor Jake Najman, of the University of Queensland’s Drug Research and Education Centre, told the Guardian that rapidly absorbing a carcinogenic chemical is a big no-no. To be fair to the Professor, downing six Jaeger bombs and a Big Mac every Saturday night could also be considered near to carcinogenic but that certainly doesn’t stop us. However Najman also admits that not too much is known about the effects of inhaling alcohol, so bottoms up! Or bottoms out or however it is you toast in this new landscape of possibility. Celebrated internationally for such foodie happenings as an anatomical whisky tasting, a DNA-matching cocktail bar and a huge pagan feast at this year's Dark Mofo, Bompas and Parr are no strangers to controversy. Parr told Bloomberg that humidified drinking is "a new way of experiencing drink, and it’s social because it’s an immersive shared environment. You all have the same flavour sensation. Alcohol tastes better, with more nuances. You can detect more subtle flavours when it is humidified". What a time to be alive! But don’t worry about overdoing it on the alcohol-infused vapour, as Fear and Delight director Scott Maidment says that patrons would have to stand in the cloud for 40 minutes to absorb the equivalent of a large gin and tonic. So even if you get naked and do laps of the room, you won’t end up too drunk to watch the show afterwards. It really adds a whole new layer of meaning to #vapelife. Brisbane Festival’s Fear and Delight runs 4-25 September at South Bank Culture Forecourt. Grab tickets here.
It's a play about a king with a toilet-brush sceptre that takes place in a large pit of mud, but Ubu Roi's director Jason Cavanagh thinks the play just about sums up Australian politics and media right now. "It would be nice to think of Ubu as this ridiculous, grotesque, purile, simplistic, animalistic, infentile yet fictional creature," says Cavanagh. "But then you have a little look at the standard of our political debate, and the figures that are today held up as inspirational; people who are famous for being rich, or worse yet, famous just for being famous… and you realise that there are potential and actual Ubus everywhere." The play was originally written by Alfred Jarry as a send-up of French bourgeoisie, and when it debuted in Paris in 1896, the audience started rioting before they'd even made it past the first word. It's unlikely to have quite the same effect on a 21st-century Melbourne audience, but there will be literal as well as metaphorical mud-slinging, so you might want to steer clear of front-row seats for this one.
Unstoppable chef and restaurateur Andrew McConnell, whose hospitality empire includes Cutler & Co., Cumulus Inc. and Ricky & Pinky, is embarking on yet another project. This summer, for ten magnificent days, he'll be taking over the Garden Restaurant at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), and transforming it into Supernormal Natsu, a spin-off of Supernormal, his modern Japanese restaurant in Flinders Lane. The pop-up is part of Triennial EXTRA, a 10-day, one-off festival, organised to celebrate the inaugural NGV Triennial, a free exhibition featuring the works of 100 artists from 32 nations, which opens on December 15. Triennial EXTRA and Supernormal Natsu will run from January 19 to 28. Every day, from midday, McConnell's team will be creating dishes inspired by natsu, which is Japanese for summer. Many of them will be emerging from a hibachi grill, to be positioned on the restaurant's terrace. And although the details of specific dishes are yet to be revealed, we can tell you to expect fresh meats and seafood, grilled to perfection, and accompanied by summery ingredients. The dessert menu will include an array of sweet hits based on shaved ice. In addition to Supernormal Natsu, Triennial EXTRA will bring a bunch of free immersive and experiential events to the NGV, covering art, music, dance, live performance, design, fashion and ideas. Images: Ben Swinnerton and Kristoffer Paulsen.
The Village Belle is winning over locals with a whole swag of great weekly specials, though come Sunday lunch, it's all about that traditional, Mum-style roast. It'll set you back a mere $29, for the likes of Flinders Island salt grass lamb, or roasted Hazeldene free-range chicken, with an assortment of matched sides crafted on produce sourced from the St Kilda Community Garden. It's all best enjoyed against the cosy backdrop of the old-meets-new public bar, where there's footy on the big screens and live tunes to round out the weekend.
The Queen Vic's Winter Night Market has wrapped for another year and there's still months to go before its summer version kicks off. Thankfully, in the interim, the precinct is here to fill your Hump Day void with a mini nocturnal market series, when its Europa Night Market returns to brighten up Wednesdays from September 21–October 26. For six weeks, the market will play host to a vibrant Euro-style bazaar, with entertainment and wafting food aromas promising to transport you to a different European destination each week. You can feast your way through over 25 food and drink vendors, shop an array of market stalls, and catch roving entertainers and live tunes, all designed to whisk you away to some far-flung locale. Kicking things off on September 21, the market will be saying 'ciao' to the flavours and sounds of Italy, with bites like Sicilian-style fried arancini and woodfired 400 Gradi pizza, plus entertainment by Siesta Cartel and Elvira. The following week will take you on a trip to Central and Eastern Europe, by way of pierogi, stacks of handmade baklava and traditional dance performances; while October 5 is your ticket to Oktoberfest, with a German-inspired beer hall serving up scores of sausages and Oompah band entertainment to match Brick Lane Brewing's special-release Europa Lager. The Iberian Peninsula will get a look-in on October 12, with piles of paella, Casa Nata's Portuguese tarts and a spot of fiery flamenco, before the following week serves up a Mediterranean affair complete with Croatian-style cevapi wraps, Greek pastries and Turkish dancers. A celebration of all things French wraps up the series on October 26 — bid the Europa Night Market adieu with an evening of oozy raclette, decadent filled croissants and entertainment from classic beret-clad French mime artists. The Europa Night Market returns 5–10pm Wednesdays, from September 21–October 26. Find it at the Queen Victoria Market, corner of Queen and Therry Streets, Melbourne.
The Premier's Active April is here again — a whole month-long bonanza of free classes, discounts on sportswear and sport programs, and some pretty great two-for-one deals that'll have you rediscovering your inner kid and the energy you once had (you can go to Legoland, you're never too old). A yearly campaign run by the Victorian Government, Active April encourages Victorians to do 30 minutes of physical activity every day during the month of April. To take part, you just need to register online — it's free and you can download an app to log your progress and explore what's going on in your local area. Just to start, you get heaps of free stuff. Ten free passes to participating YMCA facilities, free tennis court hire and five free dance lessons at Dancesport Victoria. There are also a heap of discounts, including 15-percent off at Sportsmart — so you can stock up on activewear — and a two-for-one offer at Golf Victoria courses. Then there's the two-for-one Legoland scenario and two-for-one passes to the Melbourne Aquarium, too. By signing up and participating, you also go into the draw to win a slew of prizes, which include tickets to the 2019 Australian Open finals. As well as snaggin' some sweet discounts, you'll be able to prove your "drunk talking New Year's Eve post-midnight" self right – you will get more fit this year. Head here to register for Active April — you have until April 30 to signup — and start popping squats all over the place.
Prosecco, you've probably been drinking a lot of it in your Aperol cocktails this summer — we don't blame you, it's delicious — but there's so much more to the bubbly Italian wine than being a splash in a spritz. Indeed, prosecco is a tasty tipple in its own right. But, to fully experience its nuanced beauty, you must go directly to the source. That's where the King Valley comes in. Located in northeast Victoria, the region is known for its irrefutably fresh produce and first-rate vino — there's even a place called Prosecco Road that's packed with neat rows of prosecco vines and rivals Northern Italy when it comes to beauty. So, to help you plan your extra bubbly getaway, we've partnered with the purveyors of fizz at Dal Zotto Wines to bring you some top prosecco-filled experiences to have in the King Valley. Get ready for one helluva bubbly weekend. EAT AND DRINK First things first, you'll need to get your prosecco fix, so head to Dal Zotto Wines. Nestled among soaring gums and rolling hills, the charming cellar door is a real family affair. Patriarch Otto Dal Zotto planted the first prosecco grapes on the property back in the 90s (which just so happen to be the very first prosecco vines in Australia) and released Australia's first prosecco in 2004. Now his sons, Christian and Michael, continue to craft quality vino, while matriarch Nonna Elena maintains the on-site kitchen garden that provides seasonal produce for the trattoria. It's all about la famiglia here, and you can taste it in every bite and drop. Work your way through the five different styles of prosecco, before tucking into homemade pizza, antipasto and charcuterie. All the produce you'll taste is grown and handpicked from the garden and — alongside the knock-out prosecco — is the real hero here. Don't forget to grab a couple bottles of your favourite bubbly to-go; you'll need it over the weekend. Trust us. If you're after something a little more substantial — and we mean substantial — head to Gamze Restaurant and Smokehouse Door in Milawa. Occupying a converted 150-year-old tractor garage, the smokehouse slings all kinds of mouth-watering meat and deliciously stodgy food, as well as local wines and craft beer. Go straight for Felix the Dog, a footlong grilled kransky with fried onion, sauerkraut and barbecue mayo, which is sure to satiate even the hungriest of travellers. While there's no prosecco here, there is a juicy 2016 Dal Zotto Cuore Del Re available by the glass and bottle. Finally, be sure to stop by Milawa Cheese Factory for a cheese and wine flight. Located in the town's historic butter factory, Milawa Cheese Company has been slinging wedges of the good stuff since 1988 and only uses artisanal cheesemaking methods. Every wheel is made by hand and preservative free, so you can only imagine the incredible flavour. In addition to the comprehensive cheese offering, there's also an on-site restaurant Milawa Kitchen and the Walnut Tree Collection gift shop. But, really, who needs gifts when you can take away cheese? SEE AND DO While it may be tempting to spend the whole weekend wining and dining, there are also heaps of fun outdoor adventures to embark on in the King Valley. Not only will you be exposed to the idyllic countryside, but sweating it out will make you feel as though you've earned the prosecco to come. Plus, those feelgood exercise-induced endorphins never go astray. Start with a trip to Paradise Falls. True to its name, it's an idyl buried deep in the Alpine National park, just outside of Cheshunt. Misty falls, mighty rocks and Australian natives to boot, this peaceful oasis is the perfect place to while away a day. And, since there are picnic facilities, you can pack a bottle of Dal Zotto prosecco and some gooey cheese and have yourself a fancy little lunch. The best part? It's only a 20-minute return bushwalk to the falls and back. If you'd prefer to check out the sites on two wheels, take the Milawa Gourmet Bike Ride. The ten-kilometre 'Pedal to Produce' route will take you past some of the region's famed gourmet food stores and give you the opportunity to procure some local treats while, of course, sampling the goods at renowned local eateries along the way. The journey will take around an hour, depending on how leisurely you pedal, and can be tackled by people of all fitness levels. Next, stop by the King River for a spot of fishing. Now, we're not suggesting you go full Rex Hunt, but casting a line can be super relaxing. There's a top-notch fishing spot at Upper King River Road, where the river meets Lake William Hovell. While you're awaiting your perfect catch — a rainbow trout or redfin, perhaps — you can take in the lush forest surrounds. How's the serenity? Finish up with a picnic by the river's edge, featuring the gourmet goods from your bike ride, a bottle of bubbles and, who knows, maybe a fish? (BYO barbecue or sashimi knives.) STAY After all that eating, drinking and sightseeing, you'll need a place to rest your weary head. Luckily, there are plenty of twee country cottages to stay in around the King Valley — one of the cutest being Cortes Cottage. Set on one of Australia's oldest operating walnut farms Valley Nut Groves, this secluded weatherboard home exudes relaxed rural vibes and is a lovely place to unwind. Comprised of two bedrooms — one with a queen-sized bed, the other with two singles — the cottage has all the creature comforts, including a clawfoot bath, record player, fully equipped kitchen and that all-important rainfall shower. It's a house built for chilling — but if you're itching for an adventure, take a short 15-minute stroll through the paddock till you reach Ovens River. Go for a swim, skip rocks, cast a line — the choice is yours. To finish the weekend on a high, we suggest popping a bottle of prosecco and watching the sunset by the river Want to get a taste of the King Valley life right here in the city? Head to The Osborne Rooftop and Bar at 119 Commercial Road, South Yarra, on Wednesday, February 27. Dal Zotto will be taking over the rooftop bar from 6pm, with a bunch of prizes available, including $50 drink vouchers and a complimentary night at the Cullen Hotel in Prahran.
UPDATE, September 24, 2020: True History of the Kelly Gang is available to stream via Stan. Parched bushland. Roaring flames. Irate Australians rebelling against the status quo. It's a tragic coincidence rather than a case of making a purposeful statement, but True History of the Kelly Gang's bold, blazing imagery is timelier than director Justin Kurzel could've ever dreamed. It fits, though. It fits perfectly. Adapting Peter Carey's Booker Prize-winning novel via a sharp script by Kurzel's Snowtown screenwriter Shaun Grant, this a work of agitation. Made for a world where 'such is life' tattoos commit Ned Kelly's purported last words to slabs of Aussie flesh, this gritty, galvanising film sets fire to Australia's national identity and stares at the ashes of the country's troubled history — all by re-interrogating a man inescapably engrained in our iconography over the past century and a half. Australia came of age in thrall to Kelly, with the notorious bushranger's Robin Hood-esque story known by everyone. Accordingly, True History of the Kelly Gang needn't wonder what type of nation evolves as a result, because that's the Australia that we already live in. But what has the country mythologised about Kelly, and why — and what does that say about us today? They're questions that Kurzel, Grant and a first-rate cast led by soaring British talent George MacKay (1917) all ponder. Carey's literary work doesn't just excavate the past but toys and tinkers with it, mixing reality and fiction to mirror the present — a task that this wild and daring feature eagerly continues. "Nothing you are about to see is true," True History of the Kelly Gang announces at the outset. Reflecting the film's irreverent, impudent vibe, that's not strictly accurate. But the opening statement sets a playful mood and smashes any expectations of historical accuracy — because, here, anything can happen. So it is that Kurzel begins by peering through a letterbox-style slit in corrugated iron, as pre-teen Ned (excellent newcomer Orlando Schwerdt) watches his mother Ellen (Essie Davis) pay off local Sergeant O'Neil (Charlie Hunnam) by getting intimate. As lensed by cinematographer Ari Wegner (In Fabric, Lady Macbeth), shots recalling Kelly's famous armour keep recurring, peeking through gaps and offering rich and potent visual symbolism. In his boyhood, Ned adores yet also fears his Irish settler mum, who'll do anything for her family — including putting her husband Red (Ben Corbett) in his place. The Kelly patriarch is considered a disappointment by his wife, with Ned dubbed the man of the house instead. Indeed, Ellen has plans for her eldest son. When, through an act of heroism, Ned receives the chance to attend boarding school, his mother refuses. Rather, she gives him to bushranger Harry Power (Russell Crowe) as an apprentice. Learning he's been sold into a life of crime severely shapes Ned's perspective, understandably. Returning home a decade later following a stint in jail, Ned (now played by MacKay) makes a living through bare-knuckle boxing. He fights to entertain the law — such as the suspiciously friendly Constable Fitzpatrick (Nicholas Hoult) — and the upper classes, in a winking inversion of his future path. But his now-grown younger brother Dan (Earl Cave, son of Nick) has taken to horse-rustling, and soon crime is a family business. As their father previously did, they wreak havoc in the bush adorned in dresses, breaking both the law and societal conventions. Immortalised in the first feature-length movie ever made back in 1906, in a Mick Jagger-starring 1970 flick and with Heath Ledger donning the bandit's helmet in 2003, the nuts and bolts of Kelly's story have already been given the cinematic treatment — the Jerilderie letter, the Glenrowan siege and his 1880 hanging among them. While the same minutiae remains here, it's reshaped, reinterpreted and recontextualised, with Kurzel's uncompromising 2015 reworking of Macbeth the best reference point. Think equally ferocious and poetic imagery, an intensity bordering on operatic, a score that's both sparse and jittery, and an all-round punk-ish attitude. Framed through letters penned by Kelly, retelling an oft-told tale isn't True History of the Kelly Gang's main motivation, but rather re-evaluating the legend that's sprung up around him. In stripping bare the bushranger's story, Australia's colonial history and the nation we've become in the shadow of each, two other filmic frames of reference spring to mind: 2018's Sweet Country and 2019's The Nightingale. Ignoring the misstep that was Assassin's Creed, Kurzel's adds True History of the Kelly Gang to a resume already marked by Snowtown and Macbeth — and what an audacious and propulsive trio they make. All three also boast spectacular casts, with MacKay brawny, angry, anarchic and simply brilliant to watch here. Although he's well-supported by the formidable Davis, sly Hoult and raucous Crowe, he's nothing short of electrifying in this brutal yet utterly bewitching picture. The verve and spark in his performance is the same blistering energy that Kurzel burns into every frame of the film — a visually, emotionally, thematically searing movie that strides across the screen like an outlaw, aptly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE7YVZA5YVc
Cannoleria dreams up a fun new flavour every week, but the team is taking it to the next level later this month, teaming up with the legendary American Doughnut Kitchen to create a hot jam doughnut-inspired connolo. Both Cannoleria and American Dougut Kitchen sell their sweet treats at Queen Vic Market, but lining up for both cannoli and doughnuts can be a real chore — especially as the American Doughnut Kitchen has long-ass lines down the road every weekend. Too often, punters have to choose one or the other. Thankfully, from Friday, September 20–Thursday, October 3, you can get a mash-up of both iconic eats from any of Cannoleria's stories — at Queen Vic Market, South Melbourne Market, Preston Market and Lygon Street. For the collaboration, a doughnut- and jam-infused ricotta is piped into a crunchy pastry shell, and then garnished with crumbled doughnuts. These bad boys will go for $6 each, three for $15, and then any additional cannolo on top of that costs $5 a pop. "We can't wait for everyone to try this Flavour of the Fortnight," shares Co-Owner and Chef at Cannoleria Dario Di Clerico. "The Cannoleria team have wanted to work with the iconic American Doughnut Kitchen for a while, and we are so excited that the collaboration is nearly here. "When we were planning the flavours, we all thought about how doughnuts are perfect for the [AFL] Grand Final and that people will love the cannoli, and so we decided to make it a Flavour of the Fortnight that covers the big game." You can pick up these hot jam doughnut-inspired cannoli from any of the Cannoleria stores from Friday, September 20–Thursday, October 3 (unless sold out prior). For more information, visit Cannoleria website.
There's something about Kingswood's undeniably raw and blokey brand of indie rock that just makes you want to grow some hair on your chest and spend an afternoon in your shed, lovingly (in a manly way) toiling over your custom Harley. That's almost what this event is about. (Disclaimer: no bike included.) Presented by Harley Davidson's community customisation platform The Shed, this is an intimate, invite-only chance to catch the Melbourne four-piece. Kingswood have had a pretty decent year so far, cementing their ones-to-watch status with continued high-rotation Triple J play, an appearance at Splendour and the release of their debut album Microscopic Wars, which they recorded in Nashville, Tennessee. The band — who have a serious and somewhat surprising thing for First Aid Kit covers — are on an extensive national tour at the moment, but with only 40 tickets available, and only to competition winners, this gig is something special. Thanks to Harley Davidson and The Shed, we have two double passes to give away to see Kingswood at Kustom Kommune in Collingwood on October 12 at 8.30pm. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
This could be love: a classic 80s film that's been adored for decades, a new date with the big screen, and a live band and singers bringing its soundtrack to life as you watch. Dirty Dancing in Concert isn't new to Australia, but it keeps returning to tour the country because the movie at its centre is one that audiences can't get enough of. If you're a fan, you'll know which phrase fits: ideally, you'll have the time of your film-watching life. On Thursday, October 9, 2025, Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey will dance up a storm in the 1987 romantic drama at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne. While this event is clearly hoping that you've never felt like this before, that'll only apply if you didn't go to 2022's or 2023's shows. Whether you're a Dirty Dancing in Concert first-timer or returning after seeing it before, you'll not only see the movie — you'll also hit up the party afterwards. Accordingly, as you celebrate one of Swayze's biggest and most-charming film roles, you'll be immersed in the world of the picture from the moment that you take your seat. Although no one will be carrying watermelons or checking into Kellerman's Mountain House in the Catskills, the digitally remastered feature will grace the big screen, its iconic songs will get a workout live, then the musicians will stick around afterwards to headline a party that'll naturally have you singing and dancing. If you're feeling adventurous and inspired by the movie, you might even want to try to recreate the famous lift. Here, nobody will put you or Francis 'Baby' Houseman in a corner — and you'd be just a fool to believe otherwise. Your hungry eyes will soak in Baby's first taste of dirty dancing, her eager rehearsals and her growing infatuation with Johnny Castle, as well as her parents' bitter unhappiness about the entire situation. Dirty Dancing in Concert images: Zdenko Hanout.
As someone who spends a lot of time indoors (that's where the internet is), I can understand that leg itch, the twitch, that feeling of needing to go outside, and do something that really makes you feel alive. Some people jump out of planes, or wing suit down huge mountains. Those particular activities might be a bit much for some, but to celebrate the release of Berlin Syndrome, a film that really gets the blood pumping, we've come up with a list of activities to get you fired up without the risk of severe injury or death. GET OUT OF AN ESCAPE ROOM The premise of the escape room is simple enough. You're in a room, now escape it. The devil, as always, is in the detail. Escape room themes can be anything from an asylum to a gaol cell or a haunted house — anywhere that's going to get your brain imagining every possible outcome. And you're going to need your brain, if you ever want to get out of the room (jokes, of course you can leave whenever you want, if you're chicken). You and your team solve the clues, and break yourselves out.There are heaps of rooms around Melbourne, like Shutdown by Strike in the Melbourne Central, or Trapt on Lonsdale St. TACKLE A TEETERINGLY HIGH WALL While there are many who would argue that the point of climbing to the top of a cliff that you're just going to abseil down is a little counter productive, these arguments would tend to come from those who've never done it before. Rock climbing gets you going for a number of reasons — the fear of falling, the drive to push yourself to the top, and that feeling of the only other alternative, halfway up, is a leap of faith. Which we all know is a terrible idea. Melbourne Adventure Hub comes to the rescue again, with some great deals on climbs all within an hour from town. SEE A MODERN THRILLER IN A DARK CINEMA Based on a novel of the same name, the film follows Australian photojournalist Clare (played by Teresa Palmer) as she embarks on her first solo trip to Berlin. While travelling, she meets and begins a passionate romance with charismatic local man Andi. Their relationship soon takes an unexpected and sinister turn—she wakes one morning to discover that Andi has left for work and locked her inside his apartment, with no intention of ever letting her leave. Filmed on location in Berlin and Melbourne, the film is a thoughtful, psychological thriller written and directed by Australian Cate Shortland (who also directed the critically acclaimed Somersault). It examines tough topics such as emotional manipulation, gaslighting and Stockholm syndrome in a provocative fashion, leaving the audience with a new outlook on the relationship that can occur between captor and captive. Berlin Syndrome opens in Melbourne cinemas on April 20. GO WHITE WATER RAFTING WITHIN THE CITY There aren't many more things that'll get your heart rate up faster than careening down a choppy river at blistering speed in a boat that's made out of the same material as a raincoat. But don't worry, you get a helmet. While it might not be an activity for the faint of heart, white water rafting is a real thrill, kind of like canoeing but with an insane sugar rush. It's all about working in teams to overcome the problem which, in this case, is water that is trying to kill you (nah, you'll be safe, don't worry). Melbourne Adventure Hub puts private groups through their paces on the King River. GO CANYONING WITHIN A RELATIVELY QUICK DRIVE OF THE CBD There are many ways to the bottom of a canyon, but the fastest is by abseiling down with the assistance of some well placed ropes and a few sturdy carabiners. The real rush comes at the exact moment you step out, backwards over the precipice, and all over a sudden gravity has never been more apparent. Leaning back, you take that first step off the rock face and, boom, that's living. As usual, Red Balloon has some top experiences at Yarra Junction. Berlin Syndrome will be released in cinemas nationally on April 20 — watch the trailer here.
Heralded as the future of blues, Joe Bonammasa brings his fresh style and performance to the Palais Theatre. A fourth generation musician and son of guitar shop owning parents, Joe Bonamassa caught the attention of B.B. King, who described him as “one of a kind”, at age ten. By age twelve he was opening shows for King, and touring with people like Foreigner, Stephen Stills, Joe Cocker and Gregg Allman. Twenty-one years later and Joe Bonamassa is a sell-out sensation in his own right, filling arenas and famous venues like The Royal Abert Hall, and dueting with Eric Clapton. This Thursday Joe Bonamassa will show the sure-to-be-packed Palais Theatre just why he’s Slash’s favourite guitarist, has been awarded a host of awards, and regularly tops the US Billboard charts with his charismatic and mesmerising style, one full of depth and emotional resonance.
Celebrated American concept artist Joseph Kosuth heads to our shores this year as one of the featured artists for Melbourne Festival 2017. After emerging during the 1960s, Kosuth has been examining the nature of art with large-scale installations and text-based neon artworks for more than 50 years. Interested in the ideas behind art itself, Kosuth's work is held in virtually every major gallery in the world and has created site-specific installations for Musée du Louvre, The Hague and presented work at four editions of the Venice Biennale. Taking place at Anna Schwartz Gallery, A Short History of My Thought continues Kosuth's lifelong investigation of art's ability to provide insights into questions of existence, and how we art can better help understand how meaning is constructed and interpreted in our lives. Joseph Kosuth: A Short History of My Thought is on display now as part of Melbourne Festival 2017, showing until Saturday, November 25. Image: Neon, Joseph Kosuth (1965), white neon mounted directly on the wall, 12x40cm.
Back in the day, you could walk into any old saloon, tap the bar with two fingers and the bartender would pour you a top-shelf whisky — neat, of course. Sadly, such a suave scenario isn't possible at the moment, but just because bars across the country have been forced to temporarily close doesn't mean you must go without your Laphroaig. Keeping you suitably soused while you're stuck at home is Whisky Loot. And while it mightn't be new, there's never been a better time to get small-batch and hard-to-find whiskies delivered straight to your door. The monthly subscription service delivers a box of three 60-millilitre bottles, with a different theme every time, so you'll never drink the same tipple twice. The aim is to expand your palate and educate you along the way. So, if you're just entering the world of whisky or looking to sample something other than your go-to firewater, this is for you. This month, you'll get to sample three fine Australian whiskies: an award-winning one from Launceston Distillery; a rye by Melbourne-based distillery The Gospel; and the Whisky Loot Private Barrel made by Whipper Snapper Distillery, which is not available for retail sale. While we could go into the tasting notes of each, we reckon you should take the gamble and just drink 'em. Plus, you'll be supporting local businesses, the importance of which cannot be underestimated right now. As well as three tasty ambers, you'll receive expert tasting notes and a tasting journal (with your first box), both of which will help take you from whisky novice to aficionado. And although it's a subscription service, you can do it month-to-month, with no lock-ins. It makes for a great gift, too. Best of all, Whisky Loot is offering $10 off your first order if you opt for the subscription, making it just $49 for your first round, which includes free standard shipping across Australia. And for New Zealand, contact support@whiskyloot.com for shipping information. To get in on this sweet deal, just enter SUPPORT5 at checkout. Plus, it'll be donating $5 from each box to Hospo Voice in support of the hospitality industry, which is doing it pretty tough right now. So, you can cheers to a good cause. For more information about Whisky Look and to sign up, head here. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Adapting Mark Haddon's Whitbread-winning novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has finished chewing up Broadway and the West End, and is now on its way to Melbourne Theatre Company. When Christopher Boone discovers the corpse of his neighbour's dog, he immediately becomes a suspect and sets out to clear his name. But while he sees himself as a modern-day Sherlock Holmes, everyone else sees an autistic teenager asking awkward questions. Regardless, the question remains: who stabbed Mrs. Shears' poodle with a pitchfork? Haddon describes the book as "peculiarly internal", in that its protagonist struggles more than most to escape the bounds of his own head. Playwright Simon Stephens and the UK's National Theatre have made the most of this by having the audience see the world as Christopher does. A set consisting of a black grid and myriad projections evokes physical locations, as well as the ordered and fiercely logical flow of Christopher's cognitive process. A Holmesian whodunnit as investigated by an Adrian Mole-esque outsider, The Curious Incident is both a celebration of difference and a decent argument against offing yappy pooches with gardening implements.
With Australia's COVID-19 curve flattening, exactly how and when restrictions will be relaxed has dominated conversation of late. Last week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed that some social distancing and public gathering rules could be loosened in mid-May. Today, Thursday, April 23, Australia's Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy shed some light on when international travel could restart. But don't go packing your suitcase just yet. At a senate inquiry meeting into Australia's response to COVID-19, Murphy said that opening borders would be one of the last stages of easing restrictions. "At the moment, any relaxation of border measures would be very risky," Murphy said. "I wouldn't be envisaging any material changes [to border measures] in that three to four months." One exception to that, Murphy hinted to, could be allowing travel between Australia and New Zealand. The Prime Minister echoed this sentiment in a press conference in the middle of the senate inquiry meeting (yes, a busy day), saying that he'd already been in discussions with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern about potentially reopening borders. "If there is any country in the world with whom we can reconnect with first," Morrison said. "Undoubtedly that's New Zealand." [caption id="attachment_596427" align="alignnone" width="1280"] A PurePod in New Zealand[/caption] Some of the restrictions that could be eased before then, and possibly as soon as in three weeks, are those in small groups. In NSW, Victoria and Queensland at present, public gatherings are restricted to a maximum of two people or the members of your household. While Murphy said they "would not be contemplating large-scale gatherings" just yet, "some relaxation of the size of small groups is possible". Other restrictions Murphy says the government is currently looking into loosening include "things like community sport and some retail measures". But, as has been the message repeated in the past week, "we have to weigh up the public health risk versus the benefit to society and the economy". If you're wondering why we're hearing a lot from Murphy during COVID-19, and why his opinions hold weight, Murphy is not only the principal medical adviser to the Federal Health Minister, but also he's the chair of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), which makes big decisions in health emergencies — such as global pandemics. There's no exact date on when we'll be able to travel just yet — locally or internationally — but if you want to start dreaming, here are some of our favourite spots to visit in New Zealand. Top image: Mueller Hut Track in New Zealand by Corey Parsons.
It's no secret Melbourne's hospitality industry has been hit hard by COVID-19, between the impacts of social distancing regulations and now two long stretches of lockdown restrictions. Venues have had the tough gig of farewelling dine-in customers and pivoting to takeaway-only models, while others have had little choice but to close their doors completely for weeks at a time. As Victoria rides its second wave of Stage 3 lockdowns, the realities of a post-COVID hospitality scene are starting to sink in. According to numbers from a recent survey by the City of Melbourne, 15 percent of local hospitality businesses have either confirmed they won't reopen, or aren't sure they'll be able to keep running. During the first lockdown earlier this year, the council spoke with 725 hospitality business owners through its dedicated COVID-19 Business Concierge Hotline, which was set up to gauge the impact of the pandemic and highlight areas in need of support. And the data showed some pretty bleak results, revealing that over half those businesses surveyed had been at least temporarily shuttered by the lockdowns. "Only 45 per cent of our food businesses said they've been able to keep operating through the pandemic," Lord Mayor Sally Capp told Concrete Playground. "They've shown real innovation in being able to offer takeaway or implement physical distancing requirements." [caption id="attachment_738322" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] According to the numbers, 40 percent of hospitality businesses are currently closed, but plan on reopening when restrictions allow. On a less positive note, just over seven percent of those surveyed revealed they'll remain shut for good and another eight percent are unsure whether or not they'll be able to make a comeback — figures Mayor Capp has called "concerning". Some big-name venues have already announced their permanent closure. One of the first was Chinatown's 30-year-old Shark Fin House, which saw an 80 percent drop in customers back in February; and Ezard, with the Flinders Lane restaurant departing after 20 years. Little Bourke Street stalwart Longrain also announced it was shutting up shop for good back in May, but then Chef Scott Pickett swooped in and is set to revive the restaurant later this year. For hospitality businesses that are struggling, the City of Melbourne has range of economic support measures, including grants and rent relief, on offer. City of Melbourne data for 2018 showed the hospitality sector is worth a cool $2.5 billion to Melbourne's economy each year, employing over 38,000 people. Images: Julia Sansone
Have you ever thought to yourself, mid-croissant and café au lait, that perhaps you were destined to call the City of Light home? That the sleek fashion, buttery entrées and full-bodied Merlots of France are your true native roots? Well, you can save yourself the plane ticket, because from November 18 to 20, Paris to Provence Melbourne will bring all the best bits of France to you. Put on your best Parisian pout and sashay down to the Como House and Garden to sample traditional French delicacies, sip the many a wine and immerse yourself in that je ne sais quoi of French culture. This year the Francophile festival will hold an inaugural fashion show and some bal musette (a traditional style of village dance), as well as speed dating for any hopeless romantics looking to live out a real life scene from Amelie. They'll also have a Bordeaux wine bar set up, along with croissants from Gontran Cherrier and a $100 hot dog from the Maille Mustard van. Plus, there will be the traditional course de garçons (waiter races). If none of that tickles your fancy (did we mention there will be croissants?), the Paris to Provence marketplace also includes a veritable feast of 75 artisans, covering off all the food and wine, fashion, homewares, gifts, language, books and travel tips you could ask for.
With vegan options galore, locally made gluten free bases available and a solid lineup of Victorian beers and wines, Brunswick's latest pizzeria is sure to please the whole family (and friendship group too). Located on Victoria Street, across the road from Small Axe Kitchen, Green Acre was scheduled to open right when the COVID-19 lockdown hit. Instead of hitting pause, though, co-owners Rob McKenzie (Hard Pressed Coffee) and Phil Gijsbers (Burnley Brewing, East End Wine Bar, Small Print Pizza in Windsor) ran a Small Print Pizza pop-up in the space until restrictions eased on June 1. Now, the duo has unveiled the OG idea for the space: Green Acre. Designed by Sash Design and built using mostly salvaged and upcycled materials, the space has cosy leather booths, a fairy light-lit courtyard, polished timber tables and rustic golden light fittings. Wherever you choose to sit, you'll be digging into stone-fired sourdough pizzas. Vegans will find joy in The Grass is Greener (roast zucchini, spinach, chilli and smashed peas) and the Shroom (flat and enoki mushrooms, truffle oil and rocket), as well as the various pizzas topped with dairy-free cheeses and vegan salami. Meat-eaters also have plenty to choose from, including the controversial ham and pineapple, a chilli chicken number and one topped with prosciutto and pear. If you prefer your pizza topped with neither vegetables nor meat but, in fact, sweets, we suggest you go straight for the dessert pizza, which comes with Nutella, smashed Oreos and strawberries. Plus, pizzas are just $15 on Tuesdays. As well as being built relatively sustainably, the pizzeria has a commitment to low waste and locally sourced produce. Wines are almost exclusively soured from Victoria — with a few numbers from across SA and WA — while beers feature Burnley (understandably) and other Brunswick locals, such as CoConsiprators and Foreigner. While the duo encourages dining in where possible (to help minimise packaging waste), if you do takeaway, you can do so knowing your pizza box is made from recycled cardboard and can itself be recycled thanks to a piece of 'sacrificial' paper that catches the grease.
Mirek Aldridge is one of a new breed of indie brewers: a ragtag bunch of beer nerds, home brew and craft enthusiasts whose love for beer has driven them toward turning pro. But brewing independently needn't mean recklessly. A vintage arcade machine sits in the corner. "I bought it from America, 10 years ago," says Aldridge, which was roughly around the same time he began home brewing. He'd bought the machine to one day go in his bar. "It actually came with a stack of quarters and a bible stashed inside of it, which was pretty weird." In the corner opposite, hidden behind a row of shiny chrome fermenters, is Aldridge's old 70L all-grain home brewing kit. All of the recipes being brewed at The Mill Brewery, Aldridge's first venture into commercial brewing, were captured initially on this 70L system. It's no match for the 600L system he's brewing on now and which dominates the rear third of the bar and brewery, but it's the perfect size to test out a new batch or to brew a limited one-off keg. "Because we're so small it makes it hard to lock in contracts," says Aldridge. "We're not asking for 100 kg of hops at a time, we're asking for maybe 5 kg. But in saying that, it opens up opportunities for us to go and talk to hop growers directly and actually go out to the hop farms and pick our own hops." The Mill will be running up to eight taps in total but upon opening with brews and food trucks over the weekend of March 25 and 26, Aldrige intends to keep things simple. Three taps pouring an American-styled pale ale, a black Indian pale ale and a vanilla porter will round out the offering in addition to another guest beer tap and a cider tap. Just as much attention has been poured over the wine list which features a bold selection of Victorian varietals, a pinot noir from New Zealand's North Canterbury, a Barossa GSM and Canberrian cool climate shiraz. The Mill, from the homemade red gum tables to the self-confessed obsession with hops and aromatics, has been a lifelong labour for Aldridge. The Mill is pet-friendly and will be serviced by a roster of food trucks on launching. Find The Mill Brewery at 40 Sackville St, Collingwood. For more information, head to their Facebook page.
Once upon a time, on suburban neighbourhood street corners across the nation, the most important decision of the day was made at the local milk bar — bubble o’ bill, hot jam donut or a packet of fads? In today’s increasingly “organically grown, locally sourced” food culture, quinoa salad and a tub of biodynamic yoghurt may be more the order of the day than a pie and a handful of sherbet bombs for your average lunch order, but we’ll always have those lazy sun drenched afternoons spent unwittingly spending our pocket money on dental fillings, right? As more and more of these nostalgic, decaying relics are edged out of business by slurpie day at the local 7-11, local artist, archivist and historian Eamon Donnelly has stepped in to memorialise the milk bar. His photographic exhibition, Shop Here for Value and Friendly Service, celebrates an Australian icon that might otherwise be doomed to join its friends the yo-yo, tamagotchi and Baby-G in the realm of forgotten childhood joys. Image by Eamon Donnelly.
Its biggest claim to fame is as the home of Australia's best pizza, but, as the name suggests, 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar has a few more tricks up its sleeve. With two southside outposts, the restaurant's offering is inspired by the authentic Italian flavours owners Fabio Biscaldi and Michele Circhirillo grew up with. That translates to a generous range of classic gnocchi dishes, most crafted on gluten-free flour for a lighter, softer finish. Though, with around 15 varieties on offer (most of them gluten-free), you're faced with pretty some tough decisions. Try the activated charcoal-infused pecorino gnocchi — tossed in a cheese wheel with cherry tomato sauce, pecorino and tomatoes — or perhaps the seasonal al tartufo, teaming porcini, asiago, house-made sausage and truffle paste. And, if you're hooked after that, sign up to one of the restaurant's popular monthly gnocchi masterclasses.
When Black Widow reaches both cinemas and streaming this July, it'll mark only the second film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that solely focuses on a female protagonist. Yes, really. Come September, when the franchise's next flick hits, it too will make history — because Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings is the MCU's first movie with an Asian lead. Hitting that milestone is obviously long overdue; Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings will be the 25th MCU flick, after all. Simu Liu is doing the honours, playing the titular martial artist and trained assassin, who has spent ten years living a normal life but is suddenly drawn back into the shady Ten Rings organisation. As the just-dropped first trailer for the new superhero feature shows, Kim's Convenience star Liu will have plenty of chances to show off his character's skills. He'll have impressive company, too. Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings's cast includes Awkwafina, following on from her voice work in fellow Disney release Raya and the Last Dragon; the great Michelle Yeoh, who was last seen on the big screen in Last Christmas and Boss Level; and the just-as-iconic Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, a mainstay of Wong Kar-Wai's films such as In the Mood for Love, 2046 and The Grandmaster. Fala Chen (The Undoing), Florian Munteanu (Creed II), Ronny Chieng (Godzilla vs Kong) and debutant Meng'er Zhang also feature, while Short Term 12 and Just Mercy's Destin Daniel Cretton is on directing duties. And, while watching the initial teaser, you can be forgiven for looking out for familiar sights amid the heavy martial arts action, with the movie shot in Sydney. Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings will be the second of three new Marvel flicks to reach cinemas this year, sandwiched between the aforementioned Black Widow and the Angelina Jolie-starring Eternals. The MCU is making up for lost time, after 2020 passed by without a new cinema release due to the pandemic — although the franchise has been busy on the small screen in 2021's first half, thanks to WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and the upcoming Loki. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzQbZjeBzHQ&feature=youtu.be Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings releases in cinemas Down Under on September 2, 2021.
Getting paid to do what you love is the ultimate employment dream. Finding a job doing something that everyone loves? That's a next-level kind of gig. When Gelatissimo turned taste-testing new gelato flavours into an actual position, it fell into that category. When Domino's wanted someone to eat garlic bread for cold hard cash, it did too. And over at hospitality group Australian Venue Co, there's a similar kind of job on offer. Fancy adding 'secret sipper' to your resume? That's the gig that AVC is currently advertising again, with 100 positions available around the country. You'll get assigned to cover some of the company's bars and pubs in your city, and you'll get paid for dining, drinking and then submitting a review once a month. If you've ever worked in retail and heard about mystery shoppers, then you know the drill. That's how these roles work, but in hospitality. So, you'll be posing as a customer and interacting with the venue's staff to scope out their service — and you'll be so discreet that they'll be unaware that you're on AVC's payroll, like they are. Members of the company's Secret Sipper Club, as the lucky wining-and-dining folks are called, will receive a $30 meal allowance for their monthly visit, plus $200 for each review. For that cash — which will make this a side hustle rather than your only gig — you do need to do more than offer a few words, completing a detailed written report after each meal. You don't need to have any experience in the field. Obviously, we're all veterans at eating and drinking, but you don't need to have done this type of job before. There are some pre-requisites, though, such as being over 18; having your own transport and access to a mobile device; being passionate about the industry; attentiveness and impartiality; and having time to do 12 visits each year. And if you're wondering which venues you might be visiting, it could be any in AVC's stable. In Sydney, that includes everywhere from The Winery, Cargo and Kingsleys through to BrewDog South Eveleigh, The Rook and Little Pearl. For Melburnians, you might be hitting up The Espy, The Duke and Sarah Sands Hotel, or BrewDog Pentridge, State of Grace and Trinket. Brisbane's venues include The Wickham, The Regatta, Crown Hotel and Riverland, plus the likes of Burleigh Town Hotel, The Local Tavern and Wallaby Hotel on the Gold Coast. In Adelaide, The Hope Inn, The Unley and The West End Tavern are on the list, while Perth residents could find themselves at Raffles Hotel, Sweetwater Rooftop Bar, The Globe and Wolf Lane. Find out more about AVC's Secret Sipper Club — and apply — by heading to the company's website.
Poet Robert Frost once said "if we couldn't laugh we would all go insane." This idea is explored through the latest exhibition at MUMA, which features newly-commissioned and recent works by a selection of six leading local and international artists. Presented in association with Melbourne Festival 2017, The humours offers a range of works that use comedy and absurdity to explore deeper issues around race, work, gender and politics. More than just an exhibition of funny art, The humours is interested in the underlying strategies of comedy – how stand-up comedians and late-night TV hosts deal with serious issues using physical movement, dialogue, exaggerations of scale and absurdity.
It's been a tough year for the Melbourne hospitality scene, but some good news is in play. As restrictions ease this week (and are set to ease further from November 22) and venues begin to reopen, a few exciting surprises are in store. One of those is a brand-new rooftop bar, which just opened atop Harlow in Richmond. After being closed for months, the much-loved pub has swung open its doors with a major $1.3-million addition in tow. The expansive, wraparound space offers sweeping city views, cocktails, late-night bites and bottomless weekend brunches to boot. For starters, the rooftop is pouring and shaking five signature cocktails that you can't get downstairs. Those include the Rockstar (watermelon-infused tequila, Cointreau and chilli salt), the What's Poppin (St Germain, Aperol and grapefruit) and the Dang! (mezcal, blood orange, agave and rosemary). There are also ten beers taps to choose from, plus a selection of tinnies and a good number of wines on offer. For food, expect pub classics like parmas, fish and chips, steaks and burgers — including a Beyond Meat variety with cheddar, pickles and special sauce. Plus late night bites like salt and pepper calamari, cheeseburger spring rolls, buffalo chicken burgers and haloumi with strawberry and balsamic. On weekends, stop by for bottomless brunch, with the two-hour package costing $49 per person. Choose from wines, house beer and cocktail in bags — think the Space Kitten (white rum, banana, coconut cream and pineapple) and the Salmon Dance (cinnamon-infused raspberry vodka, peach schnapps and cranberry juice). Alongside the drinks, you can dig into options like the caviar-topped lobster and prawn mornay roll or a chicken and smoked ham parma. The U-shaped bar offers a mix of high and low tables, alongside picnic bench-style seating. Expect neutral tones contrasted by colourful finishes, including the emerald green tiles behind the bar and the green stone bar top, as well as fruit trees and greenery aplenty. There's also a doggo mural that features the three lucky winners of Harlow's Puppy Pals competition. The rooftop has capacity for 200 people all up, though that won't come into play until COVID-19 restrictions have eased considerably. In the meantime, we suggest booking your table in advance. Harlow's rooftop bar isn't the only new venue to be unveiled, either. Calia and Layla in the CBD, The Commons in St Kilda and Atiyah in Federation Square have all opened recently, too. Here's hoping the good news keeps rolling in as summer approaches. The Harlow Bar rooftop is now open at 447 Church Street, Richmond. It's open from 4–10pm Monday–Thursday, 12pm–midnight Friday–Saturday and 12–10pm Sunday.
From The Muppet Christmas Carol to The Santa Clause to The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, Disney has long been fond of Christmas films. And now that the huge entertainment company is about to launch its own streaming platform, we can foresee plenty more festive Mouse House flicks in movie-lovers' futures — starting this November with Noelle. Vying to become your next seasonal favourite, Noelle stars Anna Kendrick as the titular character, who also happens to be the daughter of Kris Kringle. When her dad retires, her brother Nick (Bill Hader) is supposed to take over the reins (and reindeer). But, after he gets even colder feet than usual at the North Pole and heads south to become a yoga instructor, it's up to the perennially perky Noelle to save the day. Festive film fans can look forward to Kendrick being oh-so-bubbly, Hader in the slacker mode he plays so well and Billy Eichner as the Kringle siblings' sarcastic IT worker cousin Gabriel. Based on the trailer, this streaming flick is firmly aiming for feel-good territory — not just because it tasks one of Hollywood's most likeable actors with salvaging Christmas, but because it's directed by rom-com veteran Marc Lawrence (the filmmaker behind Two Weeks Notice and Music and Lyrics, and the writer of Miss Congeniality and its sequel). Get festive watching the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBDnQkQUTGU Noelle will be available to stream on Disney+ when it launches Down Under on November 19.
What do you do when a global pandemic cancels Melbourne's annual film festival? If you're the folks at MIFF, you move the show online. Like Sydney Film Festival, this year's Melbourne International Film Festival is going virtual. So if you usually spend most of August watching new movies from around the world, you can still look forward to doing just that. Running at the same time the physical festival would've — so, between Thursday, August 6–Sunday, August 23 — this socially distant fest has been dubbed MIFF 68 1/2. 2020 should mark the event's 69th year, but it's keeping that label for next year's in-person fest. Still, cinephiles across Australia will still be able to get a MIFF experience, complete with a ticketed program. On the bill: new flicks, fresh discoveries from emerging filmmakers, and a range of Australian, international, documentary and animation shorts. MIFF's regular Shorts Awards will also be given out. The lineup won't be announced until July 14 (again, MIFF is sticking to its usual timetable), so you'll have to wait to see what you'll be feasting your eyes on — although, given film fests have been cancelled around the world since mid-March, you can probably expect to see a healthy selection of titles from earlier festivals that did still take place, such as Sundance and Berlinale. MIFF 68 1/2 is being made possible thanks to the most significant philanthropic gift the festival has ever received from a private donor, all to ensure the fest still goes on this year — and it'll use streaming platform Shift 72 to screen its program. [caption id="attachment_769569" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Zan Wimberley.[/caption] The full program launch and ticket sales for MIFF 68 1/2 begin on July 14. Top image: Tony Zara / Dean Walliss.
If you're citybound and missing out on New Year's Eve festivals like Falls and Beyond The Valley this year, don't fret. Let Them Eat Cake is your inner city solution to satisfy those festival urges. Held on New Year's Day at Werribee Park, LTEC is not only great for the music, but also plays host to installation art, open-air exhibitions and some killer food offerings. But back to the music. This year's lineup includes the likes of Tourist, Kllo, Âme, Sam Weston and many others. Have your cake and eat it too, guys — you've earned it this year.
It's Australia's annual slice of Italian cinema, and it's back for 2018 in its usual jam-packed fashion. That'd be the Italian Film Festival, which not only returns for its 19th year, but does so with a hefty touring lineup of 37 features and two short films, including 33 Australian premieres. Bookending the festival are two movies that couldn't be more timely, one delving into a media tycoon who becomes a world leader (no, not that one), and the other a stone cold horror classic that has just been remade by one of today's best Italian filmmakers. Exploring the scandals surrounding former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Loro kicks off this year's fest with an epic, nearly two-and-a-half hour drama from The Great Beauty and The Young Pope's Paolo Sorrentino. Then, at the other end of the event comes Dario Argento's original 1977 giallo masterpiece Suspiria — just weeks before the new Tilda Swinton and Dakota Johnson-starring version from Call Me By Your Name's Luca Guadagnino hits cinemas. Elsewhere, IFF also boasts three of the biggest Italian flicks doing the rounds of this year's international festival circuit, courtesy of Dogman, Happy as Lazzaro and Daughter of Mine. A diverse trio from a diverse range of Italian talents, the first sees Gomorrah's Matteo Garrone spin a story about a criminal who loves dogs (winning this year's Palm Dog Award at Cannes for its canine cast), the second unravels a time-bending fable from The Wonders' Alice Rohrwacher, and the third offers a devastating look at two mothers and the daughter they share courtesy of Sworn Virgin's Laura Bispuri. Other highlights range across the entire spectrum of Italian offerings — think comedies based on off-Broadway plays, such as My Big Gay Italian Wedding; underworld dramas like Boys Cry; and an amusing mystery about an inspector investigating the death of a local prosecco wine maker, as aptly called The Last Prosecco. Or, there's also detective thriller The Girl in the Fog, based on the best-selling novel and starring Italian veteran (and Loro actor) Toni Servillo; plus Italian box-office hit Couples Therapy for Cheaters, which focuses on exactly the narrative you think it does. And, looking back at cinema history as film festivals crucially do, this year's IFF retrospective will showcase the work of Italian-Turkish filmmaker Ferzan Özpetek. If his name sounds familiar, that's because he had a hand in movies such as Naples in Veils, Facing Windows and Ignorant Fairies — and if his name doesn't ring any bells, here's your chance to discover his celebrated filmography. The 2018 Italian Film Festival tours Australia between September 11 and October 24, screening at Sydney's Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinemas from September 11 to October 7; Melbourne's Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Kino Cinemas and The Astor Theatre from September 13 to October 7; and Brisbane's Palace Barracks and Palace Centro from September 19 to October 14. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
The clever festive creations are coming in fast this year; from that decadent sticky date and toffee trifle courtesy of Messina, to the latest edition of Four Pillars' much-hyped Christmas pudding-inspired gin. And here's another limited-edition treat to add to your Yuletide shopping list — a creamy, frozen Italian take on the classic Christmas pud, by the masters at Piccolina. Yep, fresh off the back of a new range of nostalgia-fuelled gelato cakes, the local gelateria is getting into the festive spirit by unveiling the Budino di Natale — a seasonal dessert creation that's sure to steal the show at any Christmas lunch. Here, the classic Christmas table-topper has been given a makeover, reimagined as a multi-layer wonder featuring a whole bunch of different gelato flavours. First, there's an outer shell of panettone gelato, which encases a layer of Piccolina's Better than Nutella gelato that's been studded with a Biscoff crumble. Dig deeper and you'll find elements like the crema ricca (rich cream) gelato, a pain de gênes sponge (almond cake), dark chocolate glaze, and a layer of feuilletine and Biscoff. Top it all off with a generous drizzle of the accompanying chocolate sauce. But it's not just the cake itself that looks the part. Each Budino di Natale is set in a keepsake stoneware bowl handmade by Bendigo Pottery — Australia's oldest working pottery — and housed in a limited-edition Piccolina canvas bag. The Budino di Natale is designed to serve around 14 people; though that'll obviously depend on how hard everyone goes on Dad's Christmas barbecue spread. You can nab one for $120 by pre-ordering via the Piccolina website. Find the Budino di Natale available to pre-order online, for pick up after December 5. Limited numbers are on offer.
If the meaning of life exists in the sweaty, jam-packed confines of a music festival, then Terrence Malick wants to find it. Partially filmed at Austin's SXSW, Song to Song features the filmmaker's trademark swirling imagery as he searches for substance among the crowds, takes us backstage with the likes of Iggy Pop and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and serves up glimpses of several live performances. The writer-director's ninth feature roves through the city's music scene more generally, but its use of the fest couldn't sum up Malick's central question better. Amidst chaotic circumstances, how does one find beauty and love? Through whispered words (another typical Malick flourish), various characters speak of ebbs and flows, of dream-like experiences, and of emotions that don't always feel quite right. In one of the voiceover's most overt moments, Rooney Mara's Faye discusses her relationship with Ryan Gosling's BV, explaining, "we thought we could just roll and tumble, live from song to song, kiss to kiss." Yes, she's saddled with clumsily making use of the movie's title, but she's also describing its quest to understand the ups and downs of human existence. So it is that Faye falls for musician BV, with all the joy that romance can bring. Complicating matters, however, she also falls for her arrogant but well-connected producer boss Cook (Michael Fassbender), who starts working with BV. Cook also has an affair with a waitress, Rhonda (Natalie Portman), while BV becomes involved with Amanda (Cate Blanchett). As snippets of their lives fill the film, a number of other characters filter in and out – including Zoey (Bérénice Marlohe), with whom Faye has a dalliance; BV's flirtatious mother Judy (Linda Emond); and Rhonda's mum Miranda (Holly Hunter), among others. Accordingly, we watch as a bunch of rather attractive people live, love, fight, sing, play, dance and more. They go on holidays, attend parties, see gigs and roam around mansions — sometimes acting as though they belong, sometimes contemplating how lavish their surroundings and exploits are. Depicting their intermingling relationships is as much of a narrative as Malick is interested in providing. Instead, as he did with the thematically and visually similar To the Wonder and Knight of Cups (and The Tree of Life before that), he prefers to immerse audiences in his familiar style, encouraging them to get caught up in individual moments while pondering the bigger picture. The end product is intoxicating and heartfelt, with Malick's desire to convey the complexity of being alive evident in every frame. That said, it also proves his most indulgent film, as he lets his directorial tics and traits run rampant. The movie couldn't look more gorgeous thanks to cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki's floating, sun-dappled lensing, but it also couldn't lean more heavily on Malick's fondness for hushed voices and random shots of nature — motifs that will entrance some viewers and enrage others. His insistence on improvisation also results in inconsistent performances, with each actor shining at times while coming off stilted at others. Perhaps it's best to think of Song to Song in the same way you would an actual song; a track on Malick's broader cinematic album. Within the tune itself, some parts engage and others lag, but there's always a clear melody making its presence known. Some viewers may prefer his older stuff, and that's fine. If you're on the film's wavelength though, plenty of its beats and rhythms will strike a chord. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cTenw8uVSw
UPDATE, August 14, 2023: Tickets are getting snapped up fast for Flight Facilities' tour, with new shows announced. This article has been updated to include the additional dates. Flight Facilities know how to get a party started. The Australian producer duo, aka Hugo and Jimmy, have spent more than a decade inspiring folks to make shapes to the pair's own tunes. Given that they began mixing other artists, it's hardly surprising that they're also playlist and mixtape maestros. See: their Decades Mix series, which has spoiled listeners with six hour-long, decade-spanning surveys. If it's a dancefloor filler from 1962 to 2022, the odds are that it has featured in one of Flight Facilities' odes, with separate mixes for 1962–72, 1972–82, 1982–92, 1992–2002, 2002–12 and 2012–22. And, if it's a track from the 1970s to now that's made the cut, it's also likely that it'll get a spin on Flight Facilities' just-announced latest DJ tour, which is all about its Decades mixes. Fuelled by crate digging, this trip around Australia will jump through hundreds of tracks across extended club sets throughout October. First up: Brisbane's Fortitude Music Hall, before Flight Facilities head southward from Byron Bay's Beach Hotel to Melbourne Pavilion. Also on the itinerary: going west over to Rechabite Hall in Perth and Freo.Social in Fremantle, a stint at Adelaide's Harvest Rock, and both Town Hall and Liberty Hall carpark in Sydney. Start guessing which tunes will get a whirl now. The 72–82 mix spans everything from Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition' to Queen and David Bowie's 'Under Pressure', while the 82–92 list includes New Order's 'Blue Monday', Madonna's 'Lucky Star', Prince's 'Cream' and Technotronic's 'Pump Up the Jam'. Among the 92–02 roster: Arrested Development's 'Mr Wendal', Beastie Boys' 'Body Movin'', 2Pac's 'How Do U Want It?' and The Avalanches' 'Frontier Psychiatrist'. And, from 02–12, the mix starts with Chemical Brothers' 'Star Guitar' and ends with Flight Facilities' own 'Clair De Lune'. The duo only dropped the 12–22 mix in July, so heading along to these gigs means hearing Flight Facilities' absolute latest blast from the past. FLIGHT FACILITIES — THE DECADES TOUR: Friday, October 6 — Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Saturday, October 7 — Beach Hotel, Byron Bay Thursday, October 12 — Sydney Town Hall, Sydney — NEW DATE Friday, October 19 — Melbourne Pavilion, Melbourne — NEW DATE Friday, October 20 — Melbourne Pavilion, Melbourne — SOLD OUT Saturday, October 21 — Rechabite Hall, Perth — SOLD OUT Sunday, October 22 — Freo.Social, Fremantle — NEW DATE Saturday, October 28 — Harvest Rock, Adelaide Sunday, October 29 — Liberty Hall Carpark, Sydney — SOLD OUT Flight Facilities will take The Decades Tour around Australia in October 2023. Head to the Secret Sounds website for further details, and tickets from 10am AEST on Friday, August 11.
"Writing, at its best, is a lonely life," mused Ernest Hemingway. A Nobel Prize winner who hobnobbed with Picasso, Gertrude Stein, James Joyce and Ezra Pound, the prodigal author and journalist had obviously never heard of the Emerging Writers' Festival. If Hemingway were around today, perhaps he would step away from his tattered manuscripts long enough to stop being so downright ungrateful and partake in 10 days of exciting workshops, conferences, performances, panels and collaborative events, designed to remind writers that they're all in this together…alone. The bookworm's answer to Woodstock turns 10 this year and to celebrate is hosting a real fiesta from May 23 to June 10, starting with the word party to end them all. From then it's a programme full of unexpected twists, outlandish characters and choose-your-own-adventure chapters — a real page-turner. Festival director Sam Twyford-Moore has enlisted the aid of five festival ambassadors — poet Khairani 'Okka' Barokka, literary critic Melinda Harvey, travel writer Walter Mason, fiction writer Jennifer Mills and screenwriter John Safran — to host a series of panels and Q&A's in which they will bestow their pearls of bookish wisdom on the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed next generation of upstarts. Reasons to step away from the comfortable glow of the laptop screen include the travelling independent pop-up market Page Parlour, Thousand Pound Bend's Festival Hub (go for black coffee, best accessorised with tattered paperback in hand), a book club with intimidatingly qualified members and workshops on everything from how learning to twerk might cure your writer's block to the relevance of poetry beyond Shakespeare's sonnets. See it all with the festival's equivalent to Charlie's golden ticket, see a lot at the weekend-long Writers' Conference or see a little by choosing your own individually ticketed (and free) standalone events. To quote another of the 21st century's great poets, no man is an island, not even a modern-day Hemingway.
For the next three months, the Sydney Opera House will not be home to any operas, Vivid Live performances, thought-provoking talks or podcast recordings, with all public performances suspended until at least June 17. But you will be able to relive many of the highlights from its 47-year history on the Sydney icon's new digital program, 'From our House to yours'. The program will see full-length performances, talks, long-form articles, podcasts and behind-the-scenes content brought to your screens. As well as a heap of footage that's never been seen by the public before. You'll also be able to access a bunch of free content on demand, plus new videos, recordings and articles will be released daily every Wednesday through Sunday, with each week's schedule announced on Tuesday. Kicking things off was award-winning Aussie musician Missy Higgins, followed by a conversation from this year's All About Women with writer Chanel Miller about her new memoir Know My Name on Thursday; footage of last year's Dance Rites; Sydney Symphony Orchestra performing Beethoven's Symphony No. 9; and a recording of The Writers Room with Celia Pacqoula (Rosehaven), Josh Thomas (Please Like Me), Luke McGregor (Rosehaven) and Dan Harmon (Rick and Morty, Community). Other highlights include the premiere screening of All About Women's panel discussion with fierce journalist Clementine Ford and DJ Flex Mami; world-renowned philosopher and author Alain De Botton discussing love; culinary legend Nigella Lawson talking about the joys of home cooking;Bangarra Dance Theatre's Bennelong; and Yotam Ottolenghi discussing simple cooking with Adam Liaw. For its fifth weekly season, the Opera House is streaming a recording of WikiLeaks whistleblower and trans activist Chelsea Manning at 8pm AEST on Thursday, April 30. Part of ANTIDOTE 2018, the recording features Manning in conversation with award-winning journalist Peter Greste via satellite, direct from LA. [caption id="attachment_768842" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Upton[/caption] Then, you can catch a recording of Bach's Golberg Variations on Friday, May 1 at 8pm AEST; a never-before-seen edit featuring musicians Glen Hansard, José González, Poliç, Conor Oberst and Nai Palm at 8pm AEST on Saturday, May 2; and celebrated author Fran Lebowitz on cultural nostalgia and leading a panel on women in the age of Trump, and Tarana Burke, the US-based founder of the #MeToo movement at 3pm AEST on Sunday, May 3. Its on demand content includes an interview with British comedian, actor and musician Noel Fielding, a video on first-wave feminism, a podcast featuring intimate interviews with First Nations artists and leaders, and an article on the Opera House staff's most memorable moments. From our House to yours will run from Wednesday, April 1 till at least mid-June, 2020. Each week's schedule will be announced on Tuesday.
After introducing its cookie pies to the world earlier this year, followed by serving up an OTT red velvet one, Gelato Messina is bringing the decadent dessert back again. This time, though, it's filled with a peanut butter and jelly. Yes, it's peanut butter jelly time. Hang on, a cookie pie? Yes, it's a pie, but a pie made of cookie dough. And it serves two-to-six people — or just you. You bake it yourself, too, so you get to enjoy that oh-so-amazing smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through your kitchen. On its own, the indulgent PB&J pie will cost $20. But to sweeten the deal, the cult ice creamery has created a few bundle options, should you want some of its famed gelato atop it. You can add on a 500-millilitre tub for $28, a one-litre tub for $36 or a 1.5-litre tub for $39. If you're in NSW or Queensland, these pies are available to preorder from today, Monday, July 13 — so if you missed out last time, here's your chance to get yourself a piece of the pie — with pick up between Friday, July 17 and Sunday, July 19 from your chosen Messina store. Victorians can get their pie from Messina's Fitzroy store (no preordering necessary) or via Deliveroo right now (while stocks last). The same bundle packs are also available. Once you've got the pie safely home, you just need to whack it in the oven for 20 minutes at 170 degrees and voila. Messina's peanut butter and jelly cookie pies are available to pick up from now from the Fitzroy store (or via Deliveroo). NSW and Queensland can preorder now with pick up available from July 17–19.
In Her's almost certainly near future, Joaquin Phoenix plays Theodore Twombly — a gentle, retiring man who works at BeautifulHandwrittenLetters.com penning heartfelt correspondence between people he's never met. In his personal life, his wife (Rooney Mara) has left him and now communicates exclusively via their lawyers. In short, nobody really talks anymore. Then one day he buys and installs a new operating system called 'OS1' — an artificially intelligent construct that names herself, or rather itself, 'Samantha' (voiced to perfection by Scarlett Johansson). At first Samantha simply streamlines Theodore's life, triaging his emails and encouraging him to get out more, but gradually, as she evolves and learns more from their interactions, they begin to fall in love. It seems ridiculous, yes, but thanks to Spike Jonze's masterful script and direction, it never really feels it, and that's what makes HER the first must-see film of 2014. it is a beautiful, imaginative and provocative offering by Jonze that asks some fascinating questions about the direction love is taking in the technological age. Her is in cinemas on January 16, and thanks to Sony Pictures, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Read our full review here. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=1awGTPsEmiU
In the 18 years that Gelato Messina has been in business, over 4000 special flavours have made their way through its 20 gelato cabinets around the country. To celebrate some of these oldies but goodies, Messina is dedicating an entire week to its top 40 greatest hits. From June 5–11, lucky Sydneysiders, Melburnians and Brisbanites will be able to treat themselves to an entire freezer-full of limited-edition gelato flavours. While last year's greatest hits were a buy-in-shop-only deal, this year it's all preordered tubs — so you don't have to worry about long queues and empty cabinets. You can preorder 500-millilitre tubs of the 40 flavours (we'll get to those in a minute) from 1pm on Thursday, May 21 and pick up from Sydney's Rosebery, Tramsheds, Bondi and Darlinghurst stores, Melbourne's Fitzroy store and Brisbane's South Brisbane store between the aforementioned dates. Individual tubs can be filled with just one flavour and will set you back $16, or you can get three for $45, six for $85, nine for $125 or — if you have the freezer space — 20 for $260. Now, we'll get to what you're all waiting for: the flavours. Jon Snow (white chocolate gelato with dark chocolate mud cake and almond praline), Fairy Bread (toast and butter gelato with 100s & 1000s), Mango Pancake (mango gelato with vanilla cream and pancake crunch), Old Gregg (Baileys and butterscotch sauce) and the Robert Brownie Jnr (milk chocolate gelato, chocolate brownie and chocolate fudge sauce) are all on the lineup. https://www.instagram.com/p/CAMtFiqA7Mp/ You've got two days to make a list of your favourites before preorders open, so we suggest you start making some hard decisions ASAP. Here's the full lineup: MESSINA'S 40 GREATEST HITS Fairy Bread Montgomery's Goldmine Triple Whammy Super Duper Dulce de Leche Hodor Twixed Gorgeous Dave True Romance Derelicte Cremino Old Gregg The Voicemail Have a Gay Old Time Lady of Winterfell Jon Snow The Hat Trick Drop It Like White Choc Mr Potato Head The Maltster Pavlova Super Flan Number Two Sticken To Me Date NYC Plus Milomiso Robert Brownie Jr Iron Born Just Like a Milkshake Musk Finger Bun Peach Bellini Baklava Oreogasm Duke of Earl The Boss's Wife Mango Pancake Messina's Momofukup Red Velvet Molto Bueno Alfajores Gelato Messina's Greatest Hits are available to preorder from 1pm on Thursday, May 21 with pick up between Friday, June 5 and Thursday, June 11 from Sydney's Rosebery, Tramsheds, Bondi and Darlinghurst stores; Melbourne's Fitzroy store; and Brisbane's South Brisbane store.
Ageing Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) is convinced that he's won a fortune. A piece of junk mail tells him he must travel to Nebraska to collect his million dollars, and he refuses to believe that it might be less than the truth. When his family finally accepts that he's going to go no matter what, they grudgingly agree to accompany him, with his son David (Will Forte) taking him on the trip. Along the way, they encounter family members and old acquaintances, all of whom feel Woody owes them something. Woody's imagined fortune becomes the talk of the town, as old grievances and closeted skeletons make themselves known. Director Alexander Payne, who achieved critical attention with his films Citizen Ruth and Election, hits his stride with a mixtape of his biggest hits. Like About Schmidt, there is a self-centred patriarch on a journey; like The Descendants, the countryside is innately tied to familial secrets; like Sideways, there is a sudden heist to reclaim lost property. Nobody does family secrets like Payne, and Nebraska sees him at the peak of his powers. Dern, who has been a reliable supporting actor for decades, finally gets his shot at a starring role, and it's impossible to overstate how astonishingly good he is as Woody. There's no self-consciousness as he plays a vague, alcoholic man in search of a fortune he decides he's owed. Forte, best known for his turns on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, nails the knowing pathos of Woody's suffering son, and the casting of Breaking Bad's Bob Odenkirk as his older brother is inspired. June Squibb, who is probably best remembered as Jack Nicholson's ill-fated wife in About Schmidt, shines as Woody's wife: gossipy and accepting, dismissive and loyal. The more you examine these characters, the more it becomes clear that they are riddled with contradictions in the way that human beings often are but movie characters are not. This is the film's biggest triumph, and a testament to the combined efforts of Payne, the cast, and writer Bob Nelson's confident script. Also notable is the brilliant score by Mark Orton, which echoes the film's pared-back simplicity with a low-key soundtrack that manages to stick in your brain in the best way possible. Filmed in black and white, and dwelling on the uglier, blander side of middle America, Nebraska should be a depressing experience draped in award-grabbing worthiness. But it's not. In fact, it's laugh-out-loud funny throughout, and unexpectedly uplifting. There's a joyful tension that infuses every moment and makes this one of the most compelling, memorable, essential films of the year. https://youtube.com/watch?v=YvW_DmfKfSk
This February, leafy Lilydale will come alive for a huge food truck festival yet, all thanks to the minds behind The Food Truck Park. Set to once again eclipse the collective's regular events in Preston and at Village Cinemas Coburg Drive-In, the Food Truck Festival will see the city's best four-wheeled food vendors descend on Melba Park across five huge days. Running from Wednesday, February 20 to Sunday, February 24, the culinary lineup will represent the most popular food trucks from each corner of Melbourne, with the full lineup set to be revealed closer to the event. And you can expect to be totally spoilt for choice, with a huge array of vendors slinging everything from burgers and Asian-inspired eats, to vegan fare and craft beers. Here's hoping for the return of Sweet Lane, too — a festival precinct dedicated entirely to desserts. Rounding out the edible goodness will be a program of art, family-friendly entertainment and other fun, with entry free across the entire festival. It will be open from 5–10pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 11am–10pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Nothing gets you out of a winter funk like a weekend away, and the crisp mountain air of Leura is particularly up to the task. This picturesque town, just two hours west of Sydney on the train, puts you at the doorstep of all the outdoor adventures of the Blue Mountains while nailing the kind of cosy indoor culture that wraps you in a big warm hug at the end of the day. Set up home base at the very scenic Fairmont Resort and Spa Blue Mountains, and spend your days trekking along ancient trails and your nights indulging in hearty meals, local wines and fireside chat. Here's our guide to a winter short stay in the area. EAT AND DRINK After the journey in, your first stop in Leura should be for a little sustenance. Fortunately, the cafe culture here is another part of what makes this town a winter dream. Among the best cafes in the region, the hidden Lily's Pad Cafe has just-baked breads and cakes — including gluten-free options aplenty — along with homemade toppings like chutneys, jams and curds. The courtyard is covered, heated and, best of all, dog-friendly. On Leura's main street, the leafy Red Door Cafe is a standout for healthy eating, with organic coffees and freshly squeezed juices. For eats, we're all about the zucchini and feta fritters, served with cumin yoghurt and mesclun salad, as well as the smoked rainbow trout with rocket and lentil salad, all topped with a poached egg. View-seekers should head to Solitary, set in a 100-year-old cottage overlooking the valley. Its fireplace makes this an ideal sanctuary after a winter's hike through the nearby Leura Cascades. For fireside dining in the evening, look no further than the appropriately named Embers restaurant at the Fairmont Resort and Spa. Enjoy views over the Jamison Valley along with the soundtrack of crackling flames and the flavours of a classic beef brisket given a contemporary twist. Back in town, unassuming North Indian restaurant Tamarin offers some serious eats in the most unlikely of places, just across from the station. The samosas trump most in Australia, as does its samosa chaat — a smashed and dressed version. For a dinner to remember, book yourself a table at the award-winning Leura Garage. Set in a repurposed mechanic's workshop (hence the name), the environmentally conscious restaurant focuses on locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. We suggest going with the surprisingly affordable tasting menu, which includes plenty of winter warmers, like 12-hour braised lamb shoulder and truffle mashed potatoes. Accompanying drops come from NSW wine regions like Orange and Mudgee. Your wine journey doesn't have to stop at dinner. Meander down the street to bar and bistro Bon Ton for after-dinner drinks. For winter, sip a martini in the protected comfort of the enclosed terrace. For a nightcap, stop in at the Sublime Lounge, another fire-warmed space within the Fairmont Resort and Spa. Their signature cocktail is the Berry Sublime, designed to evoke the nearby orchards with its mix of strawberry, tequila, lime, mint and an unexpected dash of white balsamic. DO If this isn't your first rodeo in the Blue Mountains, chances are you've already frequented the landmarks of Three Sisters and Wentworth Falls. And that's fine, because the region has much more to offer, with a seemingly endless number of bushwalks, lookouts, caves and valleys to explore. For a different mountain view, check out Evans Lookout, 20 minutes' drive away in Blackheath, then continue on the steep clifftop walk to Govetts Leap. If you'd rather a more leisurely stroll (and one walking distance from town), Leura Cascades is a serene canopy walk through tall eucalyptus trees. Take a short trek along the rapids on Leura Falls Creek down to Bridal Veil Falls and Leura Falls. Several walks can be accessed from here, including the Fern Bower Circuit, Echo Point and Leura Forest. Feeling like a serious adventure? Then book yourself into an abseiling and canyoning day trip. A few businesses in nearby Katoomba run tours, including the Australian School of Mountaineering and the Blue Mountains Adventure Company. They'll have you abseiling waterfalls and trekking through ancient crevices and canyons. For a more leisurely level of activity, stroll the boutiques along Leura Mall and do a spot of shopping at the likes of Quidditas General Store. If you visit during the first Sunday of the month, you can also hit Leura's flea market for everything from jewellery, clothes and homewares to local eats. For a full dose of the quirky and quaint history Leura is known for, drop by the Leuralla Toy & Railway Museum, Bygone Beautys' Teapot Museum or the National Trust property Everglades Gardens. In what might be the high tea capital of Australia, the latter two are good spots to partake. Once night falls, take a short drive over to Blackheath to catch an indie film at Mount Vic Flicks. The renovated 1930s movie theatre makes for a relaxing night out and offers house-baked treats. STAY While Leura offers an array of accommodation options, the Fairmont Resort and Spa Blue Mountains is an enduring classic. The hotel's boutique rooms and suites are individually decorated for that personalised touch, while its public spaces offer sweeping views across the Jamison Valley. It's close to the Leura Cascades, Inspiration and Sublime Points, and Empress, Gordon and Wentworth Falls, so you're well situated for many of the region's best hikes and treks. Taking time to relax within the vast gardens and grounds should also be on the itinerary. The resort houses a golf club, four luxury restaurants and a lounge. The new Ubika Day Spa opens on August 13, so now's your chance to be one of the first to lie across their massage tables and be pampered with local organic iKOU products. Don't miss the resort's signature high tea, where your miniature cakes and sandos come with a pretty spectacular view. A perfect preformed weekender comes in the shape of the MGallery Memorable Moment package, which includes one night accommodation, a full buffet breakfast and a wilderness experience for two. At the heart of the getaway is a four-hour bushwalk led by a tour guide dedicated to reconnecting you with nature — an experience exclusive to the Fairmont Resort and Spa. Go to the AccorHotels website to book your stay in Leura, and to discover more of regional NSW, check out Visit NSW.
