Whether it's a first or fiftieth, there's one element of a birthday that never gets old: the party. And cake. Okay, that's two, but cake is delicious. Saturday, September 1 marks a very special birthday indeed. Sophisticated all-day bar Cliveden Bar and Dining is celebrating one year since it opened as part of Pullman Melbourne on the Park's $6 million makeover. Sitting pretty opposite the MCG, The Cliveden was once the fine-diner The Cliveden Room, an A-list celeb haunt in the 80s and 90s. It's now throwing a party to rival those it used to have back in its previous life. To celebrate, The Cliveden will host a gin-infused high tea with gin drinks and eats. Think gin-cured salmon, scones with negroni jam and gin-infused lemon tarts, in a very spirit-soaked twist on a traditional high tea. Gin cocktails will be on the go all day with a Violet Maiden (gin, violet liqueur, egg white), Bloody Aussie Negroni (Four Pillar's Bloody Shiraz gin, sweet vermouth, Okar) and Vintage Cliveden (Cliveden gin, Peychaud's Bitters) all part of the mix. There'll be prizes up for grabs, and tickets are $60 (or $50 if you're an AccorPlus member). And, if you really want to go all out — which you probably do, because it's a birthday party and the first day of spring, too — you can add bottomless sparkling wine for just another $12. You certainly won't be leaving thirsty. To secure your spot, tickets can be purchased here.
A few years back, Casey Jenkins spent 28 days sitting in an art gallery in Darwin, knitting using wool loomed from her vagina. The video of the performance (NSFW, by the way) went viral online, generating thousands of horrified reactions. In Programmed to Reproduce for the Festival of Live Art 2016, the Melbourne-based artist responds to her attackers, creating a brand new knitted work, using wool soaked in her menstrual blood that reflects how people — and particularly women — are treated on the web. Audiences will also be invited to share their own experiences with online harassment, as Jenkins unravels complex notions of identity and judgement in the modern age.
It's been about three years since Brunetti split in two, becoming Brunetti Classico and Brunetti Oro — with brothers Fabio and Yuri Angele assuming sole ownership of each arm. Since then, both brands have maintained the same old-school Italian sensibilities that made the Brunetti name so beloved, while also expanding independently. Brunetti Oro now has sites in the CBD and Brunswick, and you can find Brunetti Classico in Carlton, Moonee Ponds, Melbourne Airport — and, as of this week, Coburg. This two-storey Newlands Road concept store is home to the brand's classic mini cakes, paninis, arancini, calzones and signature coffee. But unlike the Carlton flagship that has ample seating, this new venture is mostly a takeaway situation. Rather than easing into a long coffee and cake session with mates, drop by the new northside spot to grab a quick lunch or a box of small cakes to take back to the office or home. Alternatively, you can take your pick of large, ornately decorated cakes from the fridges that line the walls, ideal for last-minute cake-requiring events. But those seeking something more special are in for a real treat at the new Brunetti Classico store. Here, you can skip the pre-made celebration cakes and book your own cake consultation upstairs. During your session, a personal cake consultant will talk you through all the options, whether you want to keep it simple or go rogue with design and flavour combos. "This is a VIP-style service, our cake consultants are experts in their field, and can create custom cakes for any special occasion, including weddings and significant birthdays," says Fabio. Either drop by to simply nab your favourite Brunetti torta, or team up with an expert cake consultant to dream up your own delicious masterpiece. You'll find the new Brunetti Classico at 107 Newlands Road, Coburg, open 7.30am–6pm every day of the week. For more information and to book your cake consultation, visit the venue's website.
Abbotsford is about to gain a major addition to its beer scene when Bodriggy Brewing Co opens next month. The brewpub and bottle shop will sit in a converted mechanics warehouse along Johnston Street. It'll fit 400 all up and feature an impressive 64 tap bar, along with Latin American eats by an ex-Vue de Monde chef. The new venue is the work of the owners of Dr Morse (which is located just across the street), Jon Costello, Anthony Daniels and Peter Walsh, who have been brewing under the Bodriggy brand for two years now. Head Brewer Tristan Barlow is creating seven new beers for the venue's launch, including a New England IPA called Cosmic Microwave. The brewery's existing pale ale and lactose sour brews will also be included on the whopping 64 tap list — as well as wine and cocktails. In the kitchen, Chef John Dominguez (Vue de Monde, Dinner by Heston) will be serving up pulled pork tacos, whole grilled cauliflower with chimichurri and fried jalapeño tacos with smoked fish, pickled onions and cabbage. Plenty of tequila and mezcal will be on offer to complement the food, too — those are courtesy of the bar team: Mikey Braun (Black Pearl) and Max Hart (Boilermaker House). [caption id="attachment_731932" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jon Costello, Anthony Daniels and Peter Walsh[/caption] The warehouse reno has been led by builder, designer and co-owner Daniels, whose past projects have included The Aviary and Plug Nickel. Expect an airy space that uses organic and salvaged materials — old balustrades from the Melbourne Cricket Grounds have been used to frame the toilets, for example, and the dining lamps were recovered from the Palais Theatre. A large planter box also sits central in the space. And, if that isn't already enough, live music and DJs will play regularly at the brewpub, too. We'll see you there. Bodriggy Brewing Co will open this August at 245 Johnston Street, Abbotsford. Keep an eye on this space for exact opening date.
Funlab (Holey Moley, Hijinx Hotel and Strike Bowling) has a thing for competitive socialising, now operating over 50 game bars across Australia. And one of its most popular sites — Holey Moley on Little Bourke Street — is undergoing a huge expansion. Come Friday, October 11, the Funlab crew will unveil the new-look mini golf space, which has been decked out with new automated scoring and live leaderboards, bonus points scoring games, and a heap of other updated technologies. The main Caddyshack bar is also being expanded to accommodate guests visiting the new downstairs venue Holey Moley Funhouse. Here, putters will be invited to put down their clubs and participate in nine different challenge games — similar to those seen at the team's OTT Hijinx Hotel. These will include a ball pit, throwing challenges, an egg and spoon race full of obstacles, quick-fire memory games, and putt putt pong (we're not entirely sure what this is). Like the downstairs mini gold bar, these games can all be played with a drink in hand — or at least the drinks can be put down for a few moments while you compete with your mates at each different gaming area. Holey Moley Funhouse will also similarly embrace nostalgic 80s and 90s vibes but feel more like a carnival than a mini-golf course. "Holey Moley Funhouse combines two of our guests' favourite experiences; Hijinx Hotel challenge rooms and the competitive and nostalgic fun of Holey Moley. We think we've not only created the latest and greatest new Funlab concept, but also Melbourne's most playful new bar!", shares Funlab CEO Michael Schreiber. Holey Moley Funhouse will open on Friday, October 11, and can be found at 590 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne. For more information, you can visit the venue's website.
Fast cars, pulse-pounding action and plot holes bigger than the veins in Dwayne Johnson’s biceps: the seventh entry in the Fast and/or Furious franchise delivers everything fans have come to expect. And yes, to be clear, we mean that as a compliment. In an age where most Hollywood blockbusters do everything they can to seem dark and gritty, this souped-up seven-part soap opera drives straight in the other direction, delivering delightfully silly, self-aware thrills at every possible turn. The most over-the-top film in the franchise so far, Fast & Furious 7 doesn’t just jump the shark; it sails over the shark’s head at 245mph, in a $3.5 million Lykan Hypersport, in slow motion, while half a dozen strippers dance to a Wiz Khalifa song playing in the background. The 'plot' of the film sees Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his hetero life partner Brian O’Connor (Paul Walker) back on the streets of Los Angeles after earning a pardon for six movies’ worth of crimes. Unfortunately for them, their newfound tranquillity is short-lived, as Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham playing the same character he always does, only evil) shows up to avenge his brother Luke, aka the bad guy from Fast & Furious 6. Dom and Brian’s only option is to team up with Agent Frank Petty (franchise newbie Kurt Russell), who promises to help them deal with Shaw in exchange for rescuing a computer hacker (Nathalie Emmanuel) from a group of international terrorists. Of course, in order to manage such a mission, they’ll need their regular crew, including Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Tej (Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges). Think of them as being kind of like the Avengers, only more racially diverse, and marginally less bound by the laws of physics or common sense. If they’ve got time, they might even be able to solve the mystery of who keeps stealing the sleeves off Vin Diesel’s shirts. Australian director James Wan takes over from four-time franchise helmsman Justin Lin, and manages to capture the film’s many, many action scenes with similarly explosive aplomb. Silliness aside, one of the great things about this series is how it opts for actual stunt-work and stunt driving instead of just relying on digital effects. That said, we kind of suspect the scene in which a car is driven out the side of a skyscraper and through the side of another probably benefited from a little bit of computer-generated magic. To say that that sequence isn’t even the most ridiculous thing about Fast & Furious 7 should really drive home just how absurd this movie is. To their credit though, the cast still play it 100% straight, and in doing so have managed to get this franchise to that sweet spot where even its legitimately terrible moments — including maybe the most blatant moment of product placement in the history of modern cinema — still manage to be kind of entertaining. Well, almost. We’ve gotta say that Wan’s use of the Michael Bay ass-cam on any and all female extras gets creepy pretty fast. It doesn’t help that the once gender-balanced cast of heroes has basically been reduced to a bunch of bros plus Michelle Rodriguez. Definitely something they should correct in Fast & Furious 8. Apparently Helen Mirren has already put her hand up to play the villain. Now that would be amazing.
Australia's favourite fuddy duddy film critic is back in town. Returning to Cinema Nova for the second year in a row, the Great Britain Retro Film Festival will feature a selection of classic British films, each of which has been specifically chosen by the great David Stratton. So yeah, don't expect to see any handheld camerawork in these. Running from May 12 to 25, this year's festival features 15 iconic films with not a single dud in sight. Highlights include David Lean's A Passage to India and Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove, as well two films by acclaimed directing duo Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger: A Matter of Life and Death and The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp. Tick a few unseen titles of your watch list, or catch them for the umpteenth time. Even if you were normally on Team Margaret, you'll find plenty on the program to enjoy.
In the latest chapter of life imitating TikTok, Crown's all-day California-inspired bar and dining room Marmont is taking what is literally the hottest #DrinkTok trend of the moment and pouring it straight into your glass. That's right — jalapeño wine is now available in Melbourne. For the uninitiated, this riff pretty much does what it says on the tin: slices of frozen and seedless jalapeño are dropped into a glass of sauvignon blanc, creating a serve that's crisp, aromatic and surprisingly balanced. Think of it like the oenophile's take on the classic spicy marg. The Marmont version sees a handful of slices swimming in a glass of Motley Cru sauvignon blanc. The King Valley wine is an ideal candidate for the jalapeño treatment, thanks to its bright and aromatic nose that gives way to notes of tropical fruits, lime and gooseberries. It's being served up Monday–Friday from noon until late, for $19 a glass. Much like a TikTok trend, this one won't be around forever — so if you're looking to spice up your next get-together, you'll want to get in quick.
From continually churning out top professional surfers to scoring a mention in the best surfing heist film ever made, aka Point Break, Australia's surfing prowess is well recognised around the world. Now our island continent has another wave-riding feather in our cap, with a stretch of Sunshine Coast coastline being named the latest World Surfing Reserve. Spanning a four-kilometre area at Noosa — including the beaches and five surf breaks between Sunshine Beach and the Noosa River — it's only the tenth spot on the planet to earn such honours. And, as a land girt by sea (as our anthem reminds us), it's Australia's third entry on the list. Sydney's Manly beach was selected in 2010, while the Gold Coast joined the swell in 2016. World Surfing Reserve status is awarded by the Save The Waves Coalition, with partners National Surfing Reserves Australia and the International Surfing Association, after launching the initiative in 2009. As well as aiming to preserving wave breaks and their surrounding areas, the scheme recognises and works to protect the surfing reserves on an environmental, cultural, economic and community level. It was Noosa's "beautiful pointbreaks and visionary coastal conservation," that got it over the line, according to the WSR announcement made at the dedication ceremony for the ninth reserve in Punta de Lobos, Chile. If heading to the popular Queensland spot wasn't already on your summer itinerary, you now have another reason to channel your inner Johnny Utah and head north for a splash in the sun. Via the ABC. Image: Yun Huang Yong via Flickr
In a pleasant surprise for anyone who works in the arts, the Victorian Government this week had some good news for the creative industries. Instead of gutting arts funding (as the Federal Government did earlier this year with cuts to Australia Council funding), they've announced that they'll contribute a further $3 million to transform the Collingwood Technical School on Johnston Street into a creative hub — essentially ensuring the project's completion. Ahhh it's such a rare and delightful treat to be able to relay news about arts funding that doesn't suck. Let's take a second to drink this moment in. Okay, the details. Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley this week pledged a further $3 million to the already promised $4 million to the project, which will join another $4 million worth of philanthropic donations (totalling $11 million smackos) to make the hub a reality. The money will go towards developing an arts precinct in the unused and semi-derelict site on Collingwood's Johnston Street. Though the old school has been closed for over ten years, Circus Oz, which will share the site with the new creative hub, set up shop there in 2010. The brand new precinct will include 976 square metres of green public space, venues for exhibitions, community areas for artists to collaborate and affordable studio and rehearsal space. The site clocks in at 6400 square metres and will be open at the end of 2018. The project is being spearheaded by social enterprise entity Contemporary Arts Precincts (CAP), which was set up by Creative Victoria to deliver the project. CAP CEO Marcus Westbury says the new precinct will ensure the creative industries aren't forced out of the inner suburbs due to rising rents. "It will offer secure, affordable tenancies and innovative programs to incubate, support and showcase emerging to mid-career artists," Westbury said in a statement this week. Damn right. And a hot tip for local artists: they're running a tender process for permanent tenants in the next few months. So keep an eye on the Creative Victoria website for more details. Image: Heritage Council Victoria.
One of the beacons of light on Melbourne's event calendar in a fairly glum cold weather stretch is the Queen Victoria Market's Winter Night Market. And now it's set to return — and with the program just announced, it's bigger and gutsier than ever before. Kicking off on Wednesday, June 7 the market will pull together a global array of eats, a plethora of live entertainment, huge lighting installations and roaring open fires. Centred around the theme of 'fire and lights', this year's market promises to brighten up your winter Wednesday nights like nothing else, thanks to a collection of stunning light displays by creative studio John Fish. As usual, the 30-strong lineup of food stalls will send punters trekking across the world, this year featuring the likes of Austrian-style cheese delights from The Fondue Corner, Taiwanese pancakes from the folks at Butterlake, a debut appearance by MoVida's Paco's Tacos, and That's Amore's legendary pastas, which are tossed in a parmesan wheel before landing on your plate. Of course, there'll be mulled wine from ReWine and steaming hot cider from Coldstream to warm your belly and hands as you browse over 50 carefully curated design and specialty stalls. Top all that off with a dollop of live music and roving entertainment, and you've got one hell of a cosy winter situation. The Queen Victoria Market's Winter Night Market will run from 5-10pm each Wednesday, from June 7 until August 30. For more information, visit thenightmarket.com.au.
After three years without sugar, Damon Gameau has come off the wagon in a big, bad way. Intent on uncovering amount of processed sugar in an average Australian diet, the actor-turned-documentary filmmaker puts his own health on the line, consuming the equivalent of roughly 40 teaspoons of sugar a day. The result is a lively and eye-opening documentary on a subject that needs as much attention as it can get. Gameau’s most obvious compatriot is Morgan Spurlock, who likewise put his own health on the line back in 2004 with the Oscar nominated Supersize Me. The comparison is an obvious one, and you’d be right in thinking that That Sugar Film seems suspiciously similar. But where Gameau has an edge is that his focus is on so-called health food. When a man dines on McDonalds for a month, of course he packs on the pounds. But when you get the same results with vitamin water and low-fat yogurt, the story is suddenly very different. Behind the camera, Gameau does everything he can to keep his viewers entertained. Music and colourful graphics are in plentiful supply, giving the film an at times hyperactive quality that fits the subject matter to a tee. Information often comes delivered with the aid of unexpected celebrity cameos, including appearances by Hugh Jackman, Isabel Lucas and Stephen Fry. There’s an initial temptation to dismiss the movie out of hand; after all, Gameau’s diet doesn’t exactly constitute sound scientific method. Yet despite the film’s gloss and gimmickry, Gameau could never be accused of sugar coating the facts. That Sugar Film attacks its subject from every conceivable angle, including sugar’s effect on children’s learning habits, the correlation between high sugar diets and poverty, and perhaps most unsettling of all, the lobbying efforts of billion-dollar food corporations, whose strategies seem frighteningly similar to those of big tobacco. Still, the scariest thing about this doco is the way in which it confronts us with just how much sugar we all consume. In one of the movie's most memorable sequences, rather than eating a day’s worth of sugary food, Gameau simply eats the equivalent amount in white sugar crystals, providing viewers with a visual reference point that’s both funny and revolting. While its message can seem obvious at times, That Sugar Film has the potential to change the way people think and behave. What higher compliment can a documentary film be given?
St Kilda's lavish beach spot Captain Baxter is teaming up with French vodka distiller Grey Goose to bring a bit of the French Riviera to Melbourne's foreshore. Running from Friday, December 20 until Monday, March 9, 2020, the pop-up is the perfect way for you to embrace summer. The rooftop space will be decked out with Riviera-inspired decor, creating a chic Euro-summer vibes — think cabanas, a petanque green and picnic tables. Plus, you'll have panoramic views over St Kilda Beach, Port Phillip Bay and the city. So, be sure to head here for a sunset cocktail. Drinks-wise, you'll be sipping a range of speciality vodka cocktails. And, as Grey Goose is such a versatile spirit, you can bet the bartenders will be mixing up a range of drinks. So, whether you're into the classic vodka, lime and soda, an orange-flavoured espresso martini, a Le Grand Fizz or a zesty Pear Gimlet, the pop-up will be sure to quench your thirst. If you want to take things up a notch, round up the crew and book one of the six picnic tables which are available for bookings of eight people for $160 and include free vodka cocktails on arrival. There'll be a full calendar of events and summer parties, too. So, be sure to check Captain Baxter's website and Facebook for the latest details.
Haunting strains of bluegrass music flow through Belgium's tear-jerking entry to last year's Academy Awards. Such mournful melodies are a fitting accompaniment to the story, about two musicians whose marriage begins to crumble after their daughter succumbs to terminal cancer. Despite the miserable subject matter, writer-director Felix Van Groeningen manages to mostly strike the right chord, eschewing unchecked histrionics for honest, bittersweet emotion. Actors Johan Heldenbergh and Veerle Baetens have devastating chemistry as shell-shocked parents Didier and Elise. A banjo-playing cowboy and a music-loving tattoo-artist respectively, they're a free-spirited pair brought crashing down to earth by six-year-old Maybelle's unexpected diagnosis. In the film's opening scene, we seem them stranded helplessly by her hospital bed. We don't need the doctor to tell us the prognosis is grim. From there, Van Groeningen flashes back seven years, to Elise and Didier's first meeting. After bonding over Didier's love of American culture, the pair embarks on a whirlwind romance — only for Van Groeningen to abruptly bring us back to their heartrending present. Backwards and forwards we're torn, through courtship, pregnancy, marriage, parenthood, the onset of Maybelle's illness and the unimaginable pain of her passing. The non-linear structure only heightens the emotional maelstrom, as scenes of tenderness and love clash against anger, grief and resentment. A dying child is a tricky narrative device. Do it wrong and it seems cheap and exploitative. Do it right and you've still got a movie way too depressing for most people to want to watch. Where Broken Circle Breakdown succeeds is in focusing on Elise and Didier's relationship. Heldenbergh and Baetens are both phenomenally good, turning in performances that are both natural and on occasion frighteningly raw. Van Groeningen does overdo the melodrama at times, particularly towards the end of the film when viewers may begin to feel fatigued. To his credit, however, it never feels insincere or calculated. The same is true for some rather on-the-nose political commentary about stem-cell research and religion. It's preachy, sure, but the film's heart is in the right place. Ultimately, the earnestness with which it's delivered makes it a whole lot easier to swallow. But the best moments in the movie are undoubtedly the songs; a mix of classics and original compositions performed in key scenes by Didier, Elise and their band. In these moments in particular, Van Groeningen finds his harmony between beauty, sorrow and joy. https://youtube.com/watch?v=raaHRyBtIEo
This winter, online vintage treasure trove Hawkeye Vintage will let you into its covetable closet with a huge curated sale on clothing and accessories. You'll be able to get a feel of a Dior coat and fight over Chanel bags as a cavalcade of items take pride of place in a Fitzroy Warehouse on Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10. The pieces on offer will run from the affordable right up to the super expensive, but all will be going at a reduced price. Given some of the brands on offer — including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Hermes, YSL, Celine, Max Mara and Fendi — you'll be able to pick up some bargains, or opt for a few investment pieces. Covering fashion from the 90s onwards, the range will focus on handbags, gloves, scarves, hats, belts and coats, as befitting the season. Entry to the massive sale is free, but you will need to reserve a spot. We also suggest getting there early to snag the good stuff. The Hawkeye Vintage Super Sale will run from 10am–5pm.
When it comes to Melbourne's bars, there's a lot on offer, including glorious views of the water from various locations across the city. From the beach to the river, bars across the city have positioned themselves to take advantage of the stunning aquatic landscape while serving up some stellar food, drinks and chill vibes. To make sure you don't miss out on these marvels, we've put together a list of the best Melbourne bars offering cold brews and spectacular views.
Australia's just scored what looks set to be its most inclusive music festival yet, with sports and radio legend Dylan Alcott announcing a strong lineup for the debut of his event Ability Fest. Helping to launch the Paralympian's charity, the Dylan Alcott Foundation, next month, the festival's being co-helmed by Untitled (the entertainment group behind Beyond The Valley and Pitch Music & Arts) and it's one that caters to everyone, regardless of gender, disability, age or race. With Ability Fest, Alcott's set out to both normalise disability and help boost inclusivity across all areas of the music industry. With 20 percent of Aussies living with a physical or intellectual disability, it's high time an event like this was added to the festival calendar. A massive lineup — including Zimbabwean-born singer-songwriter Tkay Maidza, disco guy Harvey Sutherland and a back-to-back DJ set with Flight Facilities and Client Liaison — has dropped today, with all artists donating their time. Melbourne's Coburg Velodrome is being transformed into a fully accessible live music venue for the event, complete with a bunch of viewing platforms for those in wheelchairs and AUSLAN translators for all acts on the main stage. Ability Fest is hoping to raise $300,000 through ticket sales and donations, with all of it headed directly to the Dylan Alcott Foundation. This will then be used to offer mentoring, scholarships and grants to marginalised young Australians with disabilities. Ability Fest will take over Melbourne's Coburg Velodrome at 30 Charles Street, Coburg North, on Saturday, April 7. You can register here for discounted pre-sale tickets before 4pm on March 15 — otherwise general release tickets are on sale from 10am on March 16. Image: Freedom Time at Coburg Velodrome.
A Month of Sundays tells a familiar tale of middle-aged unhappiness. Think family struggles, work troubles, regrets and attempts at redemption. Yet there's an undercurrent of dry Australian comedy apparent in the latest feature from writer-director Matthew Saville (Noise, Felony). In the same way that other recent local releases The Dressmaker and Looking for Grace traversed darker territory with a wry smile, A Month of Sundays doesn't quite try to look on the bright side of life, but it does understand the way laughter can disarm bleak, tense and even routine situations. Here, amusement lurks quietly, always present in Anthony LaPaglia's lead performance. As Adelaide real estate agent Frank Mollard, the actor is rarely without a look of bemused resignation on his face or a droll tone in his voice. Frank is surrounded by the misery of a fresh separation from his actress wife (Justine Clarke), a strained relationship with his teenage son (Indiana Crowther) and a strong feeling of professional dissatisfaction. Perhaps that's why Frank believes he's talking to his deceased mother when a stranger dials a wrong number, and why he then forges a bond with the woman, retired librarian Sarah (Julia Blake), on the other end of the phone. It's the kind of situation that could only occur in a movie, though courtesy of the film's blend of empathy and comedy, it's never as far-fetched as it sounds. That's the film all over: slightly too convenient in its story, but still realistic in its emotions. More often than not, Saville finds the balance between the two, courtesy of a lighthearted touch and warm sense of humour. Indeed, as thoughtful as the movie's treatment of its gloomier themes proves, A Month of Sundays is at its best when it's cultivating chuckles. In fact, the entire film could've easily been set around Frank, his boss Phillip Lang (John Clarke), and their shared scenes. Their one-liners, about selling houses and installing Flash to view the company website, not only raise a few giggles, but also reveal plenty about their characters. The old adage, that every joke contains a grain of truth, clearly hasn't been lost on Saville. Neither has the need for a slow and patient approach in letting both the amusing and moving sides of every exchange play out. That it all builds slowly and subtly might feel a tad anticlimactic, but that's the point. Just as life creeps up on Frank Mollard, so to does this modest Aussie film creep up on all who watch it.
Victoria's world-famous collection of silo art is about to get even bigger, with the Labor Government announcing plans to help create five more of the large-scale, tourism-boosting artworks throughout the state. Six large-scale paintings already form part of the acclaimed Silo Art Trail — a 200-kilometre-long, regional 'outdoor gallery' project, that's been headed up by Yarriambiack Shire Council and international street art agency Juddy Roller over the past two years. Now, Premier Daniel Andrews has revealed five more silo artworks will be brought to life, having each scored funding and backing through the government's Pick My Project community grants initiative. The proposed installations were among 237 successful projects pitched by Victorians, that'll share in a hefty $30 million of government funding. New designs are set to grace silos in Colbinabbin, Nullawil, Sunshine — in conjunction with an outdoor cinema screening program — Goroke and Kaniva, near the South Australian border. It's hoped that, like with the original Silo Art Trail, the new projects will help boost visitor numbers through some of Victoria's quieter regional areas, support local business and help capture the spirit of rural life. Images: Kaffeine, Nicole Reed
Richard Mosse’s The Enclave was on display in 2014 at COFA in Sydney, and now it’s visiting the National Gallery of Victoria. The video installation explores the invisible war in the Democratic Republic of Congo which has claimed the lives of 5.4 million people since it begun in 1998. Mosse and his team spent years filming the rebel militants with 16mm infrared film, a process which turns the Congo’s green jungles into a surreal, startling pink bubblegum landscape. The hallucinogenic installation spans six screens and was initially inspired by Joseph Conrad’s melancholic literary work Heart of Darkness. It aims to shine a light on the conflict that receives so little media attention. The installation was commissioned for the Irish representation at the 55th Venice Bienniale in 2013, and wraps up at the NGV on February 28 — so get in quick before it’s gone. And best of all, you can catch the exhibition for free.
Surfing and gig-going have always been two of Australia's best-loved pastimes, and last year we scored a festival celebrating the best of both worlds. And, now, it's back for its second round of autumnal beachside festivals. Returning this March and April, The Drop festival will cruise around the country as it follows the Aussie leg of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour and it's bringing a banging little lineup of musical gold along for the ride. Surfing the festival wave for 2019 are brother-sister folk band Angus and Julia Stone, the perennially pastel indie pop duo Client Liaison and NSW surf rock band Hockey Dad, along with other local legends The Jungle Giants and Alex the Astronaut. Held on the first weekend of each area's surfing event, The Drop is set to grace some of the Australia's most iconic surf spots, each outing featuring a locally focused offering of food, drink and culture, to match the tunes. As well as heading to the official WSL events in Torquay, Margaret River and Coolangatta, this year, the festival will also kick off Surfest Newcastle and Vissla Sydney Surf Pro in Manly — both WSL Qualifying Series events. THE DROP FESTIVAL 2019 LINEUP Angus and Julia Stone Client Liaison Hockey Dad The Jungle Giants* Alex the Astronaut * Ball Park Music will replace The Jungle Giants in Newcastle THE DROP FESTIVAL 2019 DATES Newcastle, NSW — King Edward Park, Saturday, March 16 Manly, NSW — Keirle Park, Saturday, March 23 Coolangatta, Qld — Queen Elizabeth Park, Saturday, April 6 Torquay, Vic — Torquay Common, Saturday, April 20 Margaret River, WA — Barnard Park, Busselton, Saturday, June 1 The Drop tickets are currently on sale for $95. For more info, visit thedropfestival.com.au. Images: Miranda Stokkel.
The Royal Exhibition Building is set to be overrun with pooches of every shape and size. Returning for its sixth year, the Melbourne Dog Lovers Show will welcome around 250 exhibitors and upwards of 30,000 visitors. Whether you're in the market for a new family pet or are just looking for a bit of a cuddle, you won't find a more adorable event in Melbourne. Obviously, cat people need not apply. This year's show includes a number of special events for guests on two legs and four. For the first time the event will include the Common Woof Games, which will see chows and poodles come together as one species to jump over mini hurdles, play basketball (with their snouts!) and somehow throw a discus. There'll also be a doggy pool for belly flops and celebrity vets such as Dr. Katrina Warren and Dr Harry will run seminars on canine health. Several of Victoria's dog shelters will be there, with no shortage of rescued animals looking for permanent homes. Oh, and in case that doesn't make your heart melt, they've also got a dedicated puppy patting zone.
In Melbourne, the long winter can really take a toll. As spring rolls around and you realise that you've barely left the house for six months, it's time for some excitement. But don't reach for your passport just yet. Consider this, you probably haven't explored every intriguing corner of Melbourne. And, even if you have, new corners pop up every other day. It's time to make better friends with the city you live in. When you're surrounded by so much vibrancy every damn day, you can unintentionally take it for granted. But as the days get longer and warmer, you might find yourself venturing out with adventure on your mind. To help you out, we've teamed up with Mitsubishi in celebration of the new Eclipse Cross and curated a list of experiences to shake up your week. Try something new every day this week and get reacquainted with our great city. MONDAY, OCTOBER 8: ART TO START Begin the week with a wander through some stunning architecture. Get out of the office, and head to MPavilion in the Queen Victoria Gardens, just across from the National Gallery of Victoria. Today, the commissioned work by Barcelona-based architect Carme Pinos will be unveiled. For those of you who don't know, the MPavilion is a public design space that shows the works of prominent designers and architects. It's always a delight to wander through the exhibitions, and this year, it's particularly special. To contextualise just how special, Pinos is a renowned European architect, with her work spanning public architecture, social housing, urban refurbishment, furniture and object design. She's also won prizes for her work on gender advancement in the architectural field. Pinos' structure will be displayed from today until February 3, 2019. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9: QUEER TALK Celebrate the launch of Queer History month and attend a free panel discussion. Head to the Wheeler Centre on Swanston Street, and get ready for a history lesson they (sadly) don't teach in school. To celebrate the launch of Queer History month, the Wheeler Centre is hosting a free panel discussion, Past, Present and Future Queer Australia. The panel consists of academics, writers, and performers including Daniel Marshall, Dennis Altman, Laniyuk Garcon and Sally Goldner, who will discuss the contributions of Australians that have helped shape queer communities. It's a great way to show support for the LGBTQI+ movement and learn a thing or two at the same time. The event is free, but make sure you book your tickets to save a spot. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10: BACKSTAGE BALLET Tour the Australian Ballet's production centre to see props and sets from the past 50 years. Try something a little different this Wednesday. Book a tour of the Australian Ballet Production Centre. Located in Southbank, the centre is bursting with costumes, lace and colour. It contains stage pieces from 50 years worth of productions and is a veritable treasure trove of fancy things that will make you gush "oh" and "ah". A town car will pick you up and take you to the centre for the intimate tour. Groups are capped at 12 so you won't be shoulder to shoulder and can take it all in. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11: LUNCHTIME NGV Check out the International 50th Anniversary exhibition at the NGV. Break free of your lunchtime routine and head to the NGV for a quiet stroll through the exhibitions, cleverly avoiding the hordes of weekenders. On display at the moment: a show that documents the life of the NGV gallery itself. The building was completed in 1968 and has since had some major embellishments added by artists and architects alike. Peruse relics from the first ever NGV exhibition, a gorgeous — now quite retro — exhibition named The Field. The exhibition was all about colour field painting and abstract sculpture and was considered hyper-contemporary and rather controversial at the time. How things change, huh? FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12: THE ORIGINAL BLADE RUNNER Welcome the weekend with baby-faced Harrison Ford. If Blade Runner 2049 left you yearning for the original, treat yourself to a night at the Astor. Tonight, the cinema is going back to the 80s and playing the original Blade Runner, complete with a young Harrison Ford and kick-ass soundtrack. The viewing starts at 7.30pm, and you better strap in because it's the final cut. In 2007, for the 25th anniversary of the original release, Ridley Scott edited and released another cut of the film that he had complete artistic license over. The resulting masterpiece is right at home in the regal confines of the Astor. Once it's over, head to Chapel Street for a bite to ponder the question that will puzzle us forever: was Deckard a replicant? SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13: CANNOLI FEAST Start with a walk, then treat yourself to some magical Sicilian desserts. Kick your Saturday off right with a walk around the Maribyrnong. There are plenty of walking paths to suit whatever mood you're in, from a lazy Saturday stroll (try the Cruickshank Park loop at just 1.1 kilometres) to something more vigorous (the Chifley Drive and rowing club loop at 4.2 kilometres). Once you've worked up a light sweat, it's time to reward yourself with ridiculous treats. Head to the Cannoli Bar in Avondale Heights. Yes, that's right. It's an entire venue dedicated to the delicious cannoli. You can't really go wrong with ordering here, just ask the staff to keep 'em coming and relish every guilt-free mouthful. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14: MARKET FINDS Snag a Sunday bargain at the Round She Goes markets. Melbourne has so many incredible markets that permanently reside or pop-up around the place, it's hard to keep track. Some are ideal for a long morning of foraging, but if you want a market where it's all gold, head to Round She Goes in Coburg. It's been running in Melbourne for about a decade and features 60 stalls of incredible, curated vintage fashion. There's no need to forage here, every table is weighed down with gems at reasonable prices. Entry is $2 (so bring your spare change) and if you're already yearning, check out the website for an online store that sells the same great pieces 24/7. Where to next? Make the most of every week with Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and navigate to your next destination here. Top image: Julia Sansone.
When you're watching The Room, or reading behind-the-scenes memoir The Disaster Artist, or seeing the star-studded film the latter spawned as well, one big fact is always glaringly apparent. It's inescapable. It's as obvious as Tommy Wiseau's lanky hair and awkward demeanour. It's as plain as the spoons scattered throughout The Room. Yes, Greg Sestero went through one helluva experience. Of course, if it wasn't for The Room, Sestero mightn't have enjoyed his current fame. When you're in a movie that's so bad it's bad but also someone great to watch — but definitely not great itself by any standards — that's a particular kind of success. So, Sestero has made the most of it. He penned The Disaster Artist. He popped up in the flick based on it. He reteamed on-screen with Wiseau for the two-part Best F(r)iends. And he heads to screenings, doing Q&As to chat about all things The Room, too. It's been five years since Sestero last came to Australia to indulge the nation's The Room fixation, but for a week in February, he's back. His timing is perfect given that Wiseau's disasterpiece notches up 20 years in 2023. Spoons at the ready at Cinema Nova on Saturday, February 18, clearly. Sestero is doing two things: getting talking about The Room as part of 20th-anniversary sessions, and also showing his new horror film Miracle Valley. This one is a horror movie on purpose, rather than accidentally like The Room, and also marks Sestero's feature directorial debut. For newcomers to The Room — with your pristine minds currently untainted by its wonders, and your vocabulary free from constantly saying "oh hi Mark" — it tells the tale of a banker, his adulterous fiancée, his conflicted best friend, a local teen caught up in a drug deal, a mother with cancer, a particularly tense party, a bunch of guys playing football in tuxedos and the worst apartment decorating scheme you've ever seen. Wondering how all of these things come together? Even the wildest combination you can come up has nothing on The Room. As for Miracle Valley, it's about an obsessive photographer and his girlfriend, who head off on a desert getaway but get threatened by sinister forces. No — disappointingly or welcomely, depending on how you feel about The Room — Wiseau is not among the credited cast.
Baby, baby, baby, 2023 is looking better — funnier, too — with the news that one of the best comedies currently being made will return with new episodes. Come Tuesday, May 30, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson will drop six new instalments like coffins drop bodies on Corncob TV hit Coffin Flop. As always, the very real Netflix rather than the extremely fictional Corncob TV will be the place to see comedian and Detroiters star Tim Robinson unfurl his surreal sketch-comedy stylings — a sense of humour that's already gifted viewers hot dog suits, Garfield houses and sloppy steaks. If you've got slicked-back hair and babies know you used to be a piece shit, you'll be keen to see what this sidesplitting sketch comedy series serve up next. Here, literally anything can happen. I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson first arrived in 2019 when, on one otherwise normal day, folks sat down on the couch, switched on their televisions, started scrolling through Netflix and came across an instant cult-hit comedy. The best sketch comedy of that year, and one of the best TV shows in general, too, the series' first season was ridiculously easily to binge. You don't even need two hours to get through all six episodes but, once you're done, you'll wish that it went for at least twice as long. When season two arrived in 2021, it was just as phenomenal. Absurd, hilarious, finding gags about a secret excuse to help men explain away pee stains on their pants, plus quite the loud and lurid shirt, and then a daggy hat — that's this series. Absolutely no one excavates, explores and satirises social awkwardness with the gusto, commitment and left-of-centre viewpoint of Robinson, with his skits diving headfirst into uncomfortable and excruciating situations, dwelling there, and letting them fester. It's no wonder that the former Saturday Night Live comic has a hit on his hands. Just try looking away from his flexible face expressions alone. So far, Netflix hasn't spilled exactly what's in store for season three, or dropped a trailer, but it doesn't matter — whatever Robinson unleashes won't be like anything else. Haven't watched the first two seasons yet, and not sure I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson is for you? It is. Robinson has had plenty of recognisable co-stars by his side over the initial two batches of episodes, too — talents such as Sam Richardson (The Afterparty), Will Forte (Weird: The Al Yankovic Story), Steven Yeun (Nope), Vanessa Bayer (I Love That for You) and Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul). And, the series also boasts some big names off-screen too, with The Lonely Island (aka Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Andy Samberg and his regular comedy partners Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone) its executive producers. Check out the trailers for I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson season one and two below: I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson's third season will be available to stream via Netflix from Tuesday, May 30. Images: Terence Patrick, Netflix.
Niche eateries are the culinary trend no one seems to be able to get enough of, just like the food items they're devoted to. Add New York's upcoming cream cheese cafe to a list that already includes cereal, avocados, mayonnaise, cookie dough, peanut butter on toast and marshmallows. Sugary treats and spreadables — when it comes to dedicated restaurants, they seem to hit the sweet spot. Indeed, when it sets up shop in NYC's East Village over the American summer, Becky's Bites will offer both. Given that cream cheese is quite the versatile — and delicious — substance, the new venture will serve desserts and savoury snacks. Start off with a bagel filled with the good stuff, then move on to cream cheese parfaits, cream cheese tarts, cream cheese cookie sandwiches and even cream cheese-filled chocolates. A cream cheese-topped hot chocolate might also make an appearance. https://www.instagram.com/p/BVncD3cHEDo/?taken-by=beckysbitesnyc The store, which will be the bricks-and-mortar digs for the existing catering company of the same name, will also offer up cream cheese in more flavours than you might expect. Vanilla, strawberry, peanut butter and cookies n' cream might all sound standard, but apple pie, cappuccino and bacon and egg definitely aren't. For other creative concoctions, there'll also be a cream cheese flavour of the month. Via Gothamist.
If the words "stair climbing challenge" fill you with excitement instead of dread, read on. The MCG will again play host to Stadium Stomp, a fun-filled romp for your calves which involves climbing up and down the thousands of stairs (there are 100,024 seats, so there are also a lot of stairs.) As part of the challenge, you can climb up and down the stairs in the full course (7300 stairs), or the short course (a mere 1900). There's also a Stomp Unlimited option, which is stairs until the end of time or you collapse. There will be rest stops and drink stations to help ease the pain, and music playing to distract from the burn. Also, the rules are no skipping stairs, so no doing three at a time and calling it a day. The first wave kicks off at 7.45am, with waves following every 15 minutes after. Tickets are selling fast, so get in quick.
UPDATE Thursday, June 17: Under current COVID-19 restrictions in Australia, there are various interstate border restrictions in place. Check out the latest information regarding travel to Tasmania over at the Tasmanian Government's website. Melbourne's current 25-kilometre travel cap lifts at 11.59pm tonight, June 17. Victorians can find information on local restrictions over on the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website. Of course, even border closures don't mean you can't start dreaming — bookmark this for when you can explore freely once again. Winter is an area where Tasmania truly excels. While the rest of the country might shiver through a mild chill or a few rainy, foggy months, the island has the full snow-and-frost experience, the kind you can properly bundle up for in your thickest of woollen socks and jumpers. Enjoy the clear, sharp bite of winter on your skin during a brisk walk with soul-stirring views then thaw by a crackling fireplace with a dram of whisky in hand — Tassie is the perfect spot for getting toasty. So, we've compiled a guide for making your southern winter jaunt a heart-warming and cosy one. There's something for everyone — from the irrepressibly outdoorsy to the decidedly indoorsy folks who crave the convivial warmth of a great big gathering. Whether you prefer to get rosy-cheeked by getting your blood pumping or rely on good old fashioned firewater to do the job, Tasmania is an island of winter-warming opportunities. [caption id="attachment_721394" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eagles Nest Retreat and Summer Rain Photography.[/caption] STAY SOMEWHERE WITH AN OUTDOOR HOT TUB Stripping down to your birthday suit in the great outdoors may not sound like an ideal way to get warm, but hear us out. You can luxuriate comfortably in an openair spa bath at your own private retreat while immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of nature. A steaming, saltwater timber hot tub on the wilderness deck at Aerie Retreat offers a secluded view over Bruny Island and Storm Bay — perfect for eagle-spotting — plus, sauna and a firepit. Those looking for a little luxury (and seclusion) will find it at Thalia Haven, which has outdoor bathtubs overlooking Great Oyster Bay. If you yearn for mountain vistas instead, book one of the 'nests' at Eagles Nest Retreat near Cradle Mountain or head to Pumphouse Point, an adults-only wilderness retreat nearby. (Re)treat yourself this winter and make your hot-tubbing a little wilder. [caption id="attachment_619649" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dark Mofo festival.[/caption] PARTY AT A WINTER FESTIVAL Nothing's warmer than the collective heat of an enthusiastic crowd, so get yourself to one of Tasmania's great winter festivals. First up is Dark Mofo (June 16–22), the annual revelry of fire, feasting, music and challenging new art that takes over MONA and the city of Hobart is making its triumphant post-pandemic return. Catch world-class performers and avante garde acts or brave the naked solstice swim. The Festival of Voices (June 30–July 11) in Hobart is Australia's most significant choral festival, complete with performances, workshops and a huge bonfire sing-along in Salamanca. Plus in July, there's the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Fest, celebrating the depths of winter with costumes, warm apple cider and plenty of convivial gatherings. And finally, for lovers of firewater, Tasmanian Whisky Week (August 9–15) gives you a behind-the-scenes look, with distilleries opening their doors for tours and events, sharing their stories and offering exclusive tastings. [caption id="attachment_719392" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rocky Cape Circuit Track, Rocky Cape National Park by Jess Bonde.[/caption] HIKE YOUR WAY WARM IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS If you can't sit still inside and need to sweat out the cabin fever, there are winter-appropriate walking routes throughout Tasmania. The Three Capes Track is a three-day journey with well-appointed, insulated shared cabins along the way, so you don't have to haul along all your camping gear. Guided track walks can also take in the Port Arthur Historic Site, while Rocky Cape National Park has a number of short walks with varying levels of difficulty, taking you along the majestic, sweeping coastline overlooking Bass Strait. For Hobart daytrippers, it's worth heading to the Hastings Caves State Reserve to experience the misty winter forest, bathe in natural thermal springs and explore dolomite caves for a different adventure out of the weather. Because of the pandemic, some of the tracks require bookings, so check the website before you head out. HEAD INDOORS FOR A COCKTAIL OR WINE One of the special joys of winter is getting properly toasty, cosy and rugged up and popping into bars for a soul-warming cocktail or wine. And, happily, Tasmania has plenty of them. In Hobart, you can pop into Tom McHugo's for fun things (like confit albacore and zucchini) on toast and a locally made beer, to Dier Makr or sibling bar Lucinda for minimal intervention wines and to Sonny for a bowl of prawn paccheri and acoustic entertainment in the form of spinning vinyls. Just out of the city in New Norfolk, you'll find some of the country's best potato cakes (or scallops, if that's your preferred name for them) and a menu of other delicious locally grown produce, plus plenty of wine, at The Agrarian Kitchen. Over in Launceston, we suggest you head straight for Geromino and order a plate of cacio e pepe croquettes and a warming cherry-tinted manhattan. [caption id="attachment_719391" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shene Estate and Distillery's roadside stall by Samuel Shelley.[/caption] STOP BY A DISTILLERY FOR A TIPPLE TO SIP LATER Nothing puts a fire in your belly quite like a dram, and when it comes to spirituous liquors, Tasmania has some of the finest. The historic Shene Estate may channel old-world aristocracy with neo-gothic architecture and polo games, but it also welcomes visitors for tours and tastings of its award-winning spirits — including Poltergeist gin and Mackey single malt whisky. Southern Wild Distillery produces Dasher + Fisher gin from the snowmelt rivers that pass by to create their Mountain, Meadow and Ocean varieties with uniquely local flavours. For some country-style cooking to go with your whisky, head to Old Kempton Distillery for a cellar door experience in a heritage 19th-century coaching inn. Top image: Dark Mofo's Winter Feast, shot by Rémi Chauvin.
Three months after closing its doors on the 55th floor of Rialto Towers, celebrated fine-diner Vue de monde is reopening with a whole new fit-out and menu. The adjoining Lui Bar is also back with a brand-new look and an expanded drinking area. During the break, Executive Chef Hugh Allen worked with his team to do a major update on the French-inspired food offering. "We've been working on the changes to Vue de monde and Lui Bar for a few years now, and it is wonderful to see everything come together. Taking a few months away from the day to day has helped us create what we believe are really special menus across the restaurant and the bar," Allen notes. Dishes from the opening menu are set to include grilled lamb sweetbreads with asparagus topped with a sauce made of fermented macadamia; padrón peppers filled with heirloom eggplant; and marron tail slowly grilled and served with a paste made from fried native herbs and accompanied by a warm marron roe custard. Wine continues to receive ample love here, as director Dorian Guillon and head sommelier Mathieu Gobin run Vue de monde's phenomenal, award-winning wine program comprised of 2,000 bins, hailing from both Australia and around the globe. When sitting down to eat, guests will still gather around the signature tables made by designer Ross Didier and kangaroo hide tabletops designed by Theo Hassett. But the rest of the interiors have been redone, mostly featuring luxe black and timber finishes. Restraint remains as the views across the city are the true star of the show up at Vue de monde. That goes for Bar Lui as well, which is now situated on the eastern and southern wings of the tower. The larger space is designed similarly to the Vue de monde dining room, yet with more natural finishes — think timber, marble, sheep skin and natural brass. Allen has developed a larger menu of snacks here, featuring Sydney rock oysters, Blackmore wagyu ribs and caviar service for the extra bougie folks out there. Lui Bar's manager Elisabetta Lupi has also curated a new cocktail list focusing on sustainability and native ingredients. Lupi's favourite new cocktail is the Margot — a spritz made with Davidson plums, rhubarb and lacto-fermented yellow tomatoes. It seems as if the same luxury French-inspired sensibilities of Vue de monde remain, but with a strong focus on local ingredients. Vue de monde is welcoming guests back from November 1, and Bar Lui will reopen on November 8. Find them both at Level 55 Rialto Towers, 525 Collins Street — open from Wednesday to Saturday.
What's the secret behind a great chair? Why does one design fail and another one flourish? Can you tell a replica from the real thing? How does architecture impact upon the success of high-density living? They're just some of the questions that Melbourne Design Week looks to answer in its first-ever program, which will take over the city from March 16 to 26. In fact, the entire just-announced lineup seeks to pose and respond to a provocation: 'what does design value, and what do we value in design?'. With that in mind, expect everything from talks to exhibitions and tours to panels and industry during the ten-day event at NGV International and other venues throughout Melbourne. For anyone who likes to not only get comfy when they're sitting, but park themselves on an impressive piece of furniture, Creating the Contemporary Chair is a must-see, showcasing 35 pieces including a stool coated in volcanic rock from Chile's Villarrica volcanos and a suspended chair that resembles a killer whale. Elsewhere, 26 Original Fakes asks Aussie designers to make their own version of a famous Jasper Morrison creation, innovative local efforts spanning everything from wifi to bionic ears will be on display, and discussions will cover thrones (not games of them, though), Indigenous-led design, the history of objects, and more. Both shopping and wandering are also on the agenda, the former courtesy of the 2017 Melbourne Art Book Fair and the presentation of South Korean jewellery makers Galley O's pieces in the NGV Design Store, and the latter including a guided tour through the Melbourne studios and galleries that craft shiny bling, as well as open houses at 15 businesses and institutions. Basically, if you're a design-lover, you'll be spoiled for choice — and overflowing with sources of inspiration. Melbourne Design Week takes place from March 16 to 26, 2017. For more information, visit: www.ngv.vic.gov.au/melbourne-design-week-2/ Image: Jacopo Foggini, designer, Italian, born 1966. Edra, Pisa, manufacturer, Italy est. 1987. Alice armchair, 2011 {designed}, 2016 {manufactured}, polycarbonate, LEDs, electrical components, 80 x 114 x 98cm. National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Purchased with funds donated by Gordon Moffatt AM, 2017.
The latest in the impressively long line of remarkable French-Canadian dramas, Louise Archambault's Gabrielle finds poignancy in an unexpected place. Produced by Luc Déry, who scored back-to-back Oscar nominations for Incendies and Monsieur Lazhar, the film follows the trials and tribulations of its titular character, a kind-hearted 22-year-old with significant developmental disabilities. Combining heartfelt storytelling with nuanced handling of issues rarely explored on screen, it's a tender, uplifting picture that marks another big win for the cinema of Quebec. The evanescent presence at the centre of the film is Gabrielle Marion-Rivard, a first-time actress who, like her character, suffers from a rare genetic disorder called Williams syndrome. It's a condition that manifests itself in the form of learning impairment, along with a high level of sociability. From the moment we see her, Gabrielle reminds us of a primary-schooler: cheeky, gregarious and eternally curious but also fragile and incapable of real independence. The film's naturalistic script focuses on two key relationships. The first is the connection Gabrielle shares with her elder sister, Sophie (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin), her protector and closest friend. The second is her romantic attachment to Martin (Alexandre Landry), a similarly challenged young man who sings with Gabrielle in a choir for the mentally disabled. They're an adorable couple, until things turn sexual, at which point Martin's protective mother abruptly pulls them apart. Archambault tackles potentially uncomfortable subject matter with both empathy and frankness. The extent to which people in Martin and Gabrielle's situation are capable of having an adult relationship is a difficult and thought-provoking question, one that most of us have probably never considered. The film's depiction of the pair's burgeoning physical intimacy is delicate and deeply moving; you want so desperately for them to be happy, but you also completely understand the desire of Martin's mother, to protect her son from consequences he cannot understand. Marion-Rivard seems utterly at ease in the front of the camera, bringing authenticity and charm to a truly wonderful character. Supporting her is Landry, a professional actor who is not learning disabled but never once falls into the traps that depictions of the mentally handicapped sometimes do. Perhaps the most heartbreaking performance is that of Désormeaux-Poulin as Gabrielle's sister. The love she feels for her sibling is palpable, yet with it comes a sense of responsibility. The question of how much personal happiness you can sacrifice for someone you care about is a difficult one. Yet it's something that almost everyone must at one time or another face. It's that emotional honesty that makes Gabrielle so powerful. Archambault never condescends to her characters, nor does she indulge in mawkishness or stifling political correctness. Everybody, be they disabled or not, has their limits. But they also have potential beyond what you might assume. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4l4cV6KjlxU
Malaysian eatery franchise PappaRich is known for its hawker food fare, sending out steaming hot plates of your favourite Malay specialities like nasi lemak, laksa and roti canai — aka good time winter food that's high in spice and higher in comfort. Their QV outlet sees your cold fingers and toes, and raises you their decision to give out hundreds of serves of their nasi lemak on Friday, July 27 between 11.30am–2.30pm. Nasi lemak is a rice dish cooked with coconut milk, served with sides like curried chicken, cucumber, egg and sambal. PappaRich will be giving them away for free, just as long as you download their new app. If a free hot lunch wasn't enough of an end-of-the-week win for you, the store will also comp a reusable PappaRich coffee cup to every person who downloads it as well. They're planning on giving away up to 800 free lunches and cups, so your chances aren't bad — just don't forget to take your phone and grab that app.
Back in June, we excitedly announced the reopening of cinemas. While, unfortunately, that excitement was short-lived, with cinemas closing a couple of short weeks later, we can once again announce some good news for cinephiles: Classic, Lido and Cameo are firing up the projectors for their outdoor cinemas from Monday, November 2. All three cinemas will be screening a selection of new flicks and concert films, as well as a 30th-anniversary edition of Goodfellas and a dog-friendly session of Lassie Come Home as part of the Children's International Film Festival (but kidults are definitely welcome, too). As part of the new lineup, you can catch an advanced screening of Sam Neill-starring Aussie flick Rams on opening night, excellent comedy Bill & Ted Face the Music, An American Pickle with two Seth Rogans and David Fincher's new black-and-white flick Mank. [caption id="attachment_783548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An American Pickle[/caption] Those itching to head back to a live gig can relive some of the best with Stop Making Sense, a 1984 film of a live Talking Heads performance, as well as Stevie Nicks: 24 Karat Gold the Concert and Idiot Prayer: Nick Cave Alone at Alexandra Palace, which are both new releases. Depending where you live, and how far you can travel come November 2, you can watch the above flicks at Hawthorn's Lido on the Roof, overlooking Glenferrie Road; at Cameo Cinema's magnificent outdoor movie screen in Belgrave; or atop Elsternwick's Classic Cinema, which has its own bar open every day of the week (usually). All three cinemas have started accepting bookings for the first two weeks of screenings, so, if you're keen to head along, we suggest you lock in a session ASAP. Classic Rooftop Cinema, Lido on the Roof and Cameo Outdoor Cinema are set to reopen on Monday, November 2. Tickets are now on sale for the first two weeks of sessions.
Backyard cricket, barbecues and water sports are all Aussie summer clichés for a reason: they're good, wholesome fun. Another one? Outdoor cinemas. And we're here to tell you the very good news that Williamstown's version of this al fresco activity is returning for another season. Sponsored by IMB Bank, Sunset Cinema will take over Commonwealth Reserve from January 24–February 17. Whether you're planning a cosy date night or easy family outing under the stars, this year's extensive program has something for everyone. The nostalgic lineup ranges from 90s cult films like Cool Runnings and Dirty Dancing to the latest Hollywood blockbusters including Bohemian Rhapsody, Holmes & Watson and Aquaman. Family-friendly options include Mary Poppins Returns and Ralph Breaks The Internet. BYO picnics are encouraged, but if you want to enjoy a sparkling or brew throughout the film, the on-site bar will be serving a range of Grant Burge wine and Young Henrys craft beer and cider. Didn't pack enough snacks? There'll be plenty of the requisite movie treats like popcorn, chips, chocolates and lollies, plus an on-site dining menu of bigger bites. Tickets start at $20 for adults, with a premium $40 lawn lounge package on offer, too — it includes entry, a prime-viewing bean bag reserved on the lawn, a beverage of your choice and a box of popcorn. To see the full program and purchase tickets, visit the Sunset Cinema website.
If you haven't watched season one of Yellowjackets, which made it one of the best new shows of 2021, the full trailer for season two is here to play catchup. "Once upon a time, there was a place called the wilderness," explains Van (Liv Hewson, Santa Clarita Diet) in the just-dropped sneak peek's opening moments, as a Florence and the Machine cover of No Doubt's 90s hit 'Just a Girl' plays. "It was beautiful, but it was also violent and misunderstood. And it waited and waited to befriend whoever arrived." Van offers the above words like she's telling a bedtime tale, but there's nothing cosy about this survivalist hit. The instantly intriguing (and excellent) series follows a New Jersey high school's girls soccer team in the 90s after they crash in the forest and possibly turn to cannibalism — plus the aftermath among the survivors 25 years later. Indeed, already in season one, life and friendship have proven complex for Yellowjackets' core quartet of Shauna (The Last of Us' Melanie Lynskey as an adult, and also The Kid Detective's Sophie Nélisse as a teenager), Natalie (Welcome to Chippendales' Juliette Lewis, plus The Book of Boba Fett's Sophie Thatcher), Taissa (Billions' Tawny Cypress, and also Scream VI's Jasmin Savoy Brown) and Misty (Wednesday's Christina Ricci, as well as Shameless' Samantha Hanratty). The full setup: back in 1996, en route to a big match in Seattle on a private plane, Shauna, Natalie, Taissa, Misty and the rest of their teammates entered Lost territory. The accident saw everyone who walked away stranded in the wilderness — and those who then made it through that ordeal stuck out there for 19 months, living their worst Alive-meets-Lord of the Flies lives. Season two will pick up with the 90s-era group still endeavouring to stay alive as the woods get snowier, and that eerie symbol that's always been at the heart of the series pops up in more places. Also in the works, as based on this new trailer plus not one but two glimpses before now: the adult Shauna, Nat and Tai facing the fallout from their season-one actions — IYKYK — and Misty and newcomer Walter (Elijah Wood, Come to Daddy) playing citizen detectives together. After getting picked up for a second season because its first was that ace, Yellowjackets will start unfurling its next batch of episodes from Friday, March 24 via Paramount+ in Australia and Neon in New Zealand, as announced in late 2022. Season two will pick up after a heap of chaos in both timeframes, and with new faces among the cast. Introducing more of the team in their adult guise is very much on the agenda, including Simone Kessell (Muru) playing the older Lottie and Lauren Ambrose (Servant) as the older Van. In their younger years, both characters are played by Australian actors, with Courtney Eaton (Mad Max: Fury Road) as Lottie and and the aforementioned Hewson as Van. Also, this won't be the end of the story, with the show already renewed for season three before its second season even airs. Check out the full trailer for Yellowjackets season two below: Season two of Yellowjackets will start streaming from Friday, March 24 via Paramount+ in Australia and Neon in New Zealand. Read our review of season one.
You'll soon be able to enjoy the Magnum + Queens Wine experience offline, as the sommelier-curated online wine shop unveil its first bricks-and-mortar store today. The Coventry Street space is being billed as an 'emporium of premium wine, drinks and accompaniments', set to boast a selection of over 700 wines from across the globe. It's a hefty, yet clever curation, focused on interesting new varietals and expert renditions of old favourites, food-friendly drops and those more textural creations. We expect, from the name, that there'll be a few magnums for special occasions, too. And while the Magnum + Queens online store is all about championing that wine, here, the vinous lineup is complemented by a selection of quality craft beer, cider and spirits, from the likes of Balter Brewing, Melbourne Moonshine, Custard & Co. and Japan's Hitachino Nest. There'll also be a small selection of snacks, included Ortiz anchovies and other cured and canned delicacies. A range of barware and glassware will help you keep your home bar in tip-top shape, while a series of regular wine tastings and food matching events is planned to kick off soon. The Magnum + Queens online store, which sells both individual bottles and monthly wine subscription packs, will expand its offering to coincide with the launch of the South Melbourne space. Find the Magnum + Queens Wine store at 274–276 Coventry Street, South Melbourne, from June 6.
They're the minds that transformed the underground car park at Marvel Stadium into thumping events space B3. Now, music agency Novel is at it again, taking over a Thornbury warehouse for its next heart-pumping edition of Smalltown. Another dazzling lineup of local and international musical talent will be coming to play on Saturday, May 11, headlined by Berlin legend (and Berghain resident) Ben Klock, French-born DJ Jennifer Cardini and Italy's brother duo Mind Against. And they're making the journey Down Under very worthwhile, each delivering a mammoth three-hour set. Meanwhile, home-grown support acts include favourites like Jennifer Loveless, Suzuki Drift, Edgework, Walter Juan and Marli. Of course, in true Smalltown form, the tunes and dance floor action will be just one part of the day's adventures. Expect some killer light displays by creative studio John Fish — whose work you've seen at the likes of Melbourne Music Week and Pitch Music & Arts — and a Funktion-One sound system to take it all to the next level. Smalltown will run from midday–11pm. Images: Duncographic
Seven years ago Dustin Hoffman, himself a former chemist, issued a stinging rebuke of the increasingly 'dumb' science fiction movies making their way onto our screens. Laziness was at the heart of his complaint, as he accused writers of opting for meaningless techno-babble instead of taking the time to invent intelligent solutions to their characters' scientific problems. Hoffman even went so far as to help sponsor the Science and Entertainment Exchange in order to promote films deemed to respect scientific principles and debunk those which are unrealistic. It wasn't that sci-fi movies couldn't have action in them, he explained, they just needed to ensure the sci remained the prevalent part. Arrival, the new film by Sicario and Prisoners director Denis Villeneuve, is a movie of which Hoffman would be proud. Beginning conventionally in the vein of an Independence Day or The Day The Earth Stood Still, the film opens with the sudden arrival of twelve mysterious alien spaceships in various locations around the world. Yet rather than launch an attack, they sit curiously idle, as the humans debate their origin and intent. Rather than focusing on action, Arrival instead veers much more towards the themes of Sphere (which starred Hoffman) or Contact, in that the world's scientists, rather than its soldiers, form the core team around which the story revolves. Fronting the US team are Dr Louise Banks (Amy Adams), America's foremost linguistics expert, and Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), a theoretical physicist. Their goal is singular, yet phenomenally complex: figure out how to communicate with the aliens and convey one simple, critical question: "what is your purpose here on earth?" What follows is a fascinating study in language, history and non-verbal communication, where variables and complexities in even the most rudimentary grammatical expressions become seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Add to that the paranoia of military and CIA liaisons (Forest Whitaker and Michael Stuhlbarg, respectively) whose focus rarely extends beyond fears of an invasion, along with the vicissitudes of international diplomacy wherein sharing and cooperation are considered hallmarks of weakness, and you find in Arrival an intensely engaging, cerebral and often gripping sci-fi thriller. Based on the cult novella "Story of Your Life" by Ted Chiang, Arrival blends sumptuous cinematography with weighty abstractions that, for the most part, land with an assured touch. Glimpses into Louise's personal life raise questions about time and our linear perception of it, and only rarely does the script indulge in the kind of corny musings traditionally found in freshman philosophy essays. Adams's performance is the clear standout, around which her supporting cast plays it with impressive reserve. The score by Jóhann Jóhannsson, meanwhile, shifts effortlessly between beautiful and bombastic. Intelligent and restrained, Arrival is a welcome addition to the sci-fi canon that wows you with its brains rather than simply its special effects. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFMo3UJ4B4g
Contemporary jewellery and object biennial Radiant Pavilion will return to Melbourne at the end of August, bringing more Australian and international artists than you can shake a stick at — luckily, you'll have a whole week to try. With 80 events across 62 venues, you'd best start early. Expect to find a lane paved in gold leaf on Crossley Street, drink sake out of handmade cups in Flinders Lane, and peep jewellery in every arty way you can imagine across the streets and venues of the city. Street works, exhibitions, performances and masterclasses will make up the weekend from artists such as Robert Baines, Liv Boyle, Helen Britton and Yutaka Minegishi (and that's just a few). There's also New Colony, a public installation of an imagined swarm of unidentified insects who take up residence in Flinders Lane, and 2483 Melbourne Tailoresses' Union Triptych in which a number of resin pendants represent individual striking female tailors in 1882-83. Past, present and future will converge in the event, so don't miss seeing your old mate Melbourne in a new light from August 26 till September 3.
Having quite literally broken the internet within 24 hours of landing — thanks to an Australian designer dress and a baby announcement — the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (aka Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) are now deep into their Antipodean adventures. During the royals' 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, they're getting up to all kinds of shenanigans — from meeting koalas at Taronga Zoo to visiting socially conscious cafes in Melbourne to hopping over to picturesque Fraser Island. Even if you don't live according to a royal budget, the royal itinerary is a handy guide for showing first-time visitors around Australia. Here's the nitty-gritty of the itinerary, with a few extra suggestions from the Concrete Playground team thrown in for good measure. Don't worry, it's nice and accessible for us mere plebs. ROYALS IN SYDNEY After meeting the Governor-General, the royals' first port of call was Taronga Zoo, where they met their koala namesakes — two ten-month-old joeys, which were wedding gifts from the people of NSW — among other unique Aussie fauna. Harry asked if the koala was a "drop bear" — and we're really glad to see that local legend has made it all the way to the monarchy. For your visit, we recommend adding an adrenalin rush with the Wild Ropes course followed by a snooze among wildlife at Roar and Snore. From there, take a brief ferry ride to Circular Quay, to see a show at the Opera House. The royals couple sat in on Bangarra Dance Theatre's rehearsal of Spirit 2018, but you can choose from a multitude of other performances and live music events. After a few days in other states, Harry and Meghan returned back to Sydney and made tracks to Bondi Beach. The couple spent time in an "anti-bad vibes circle", met local surfers and talked about mental health with OneWave. The non-profit group meets weekly on a heap of different beaches, if you want to get involved. https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1053065957571092481 To channel those good vibes on your trip, we suggest you swing by one of Bondi's vegan-friendly cafes or treat yourself to some natural wine at Bondi Hall. Alternatively, make tracks to the Harbour Bridge — where later today Meghan and Harry will tackle the famous BridgeClimb (which has just relaunched with new owners) with Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Don't mess it up, ScoMo. Or, head to Cockatoo Island, where the duo will head to attend an event at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018. Terrifying ghost tours take place after dark, if you're looking for a something a little extra spooky to do. ROYALS IN MELBOURNE The couple's Melbourne escapades included a stop by South Melbourne beach — of course, it was overcast — and a cooking class at social enterprise restaurant Charcoal Lane. The forward-thinking eatery is also covered in colourful murals paying homage to the area's Indigenous identity. You can see the royals checking it out here: https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1052823771910832128 If you're keen to mirror this socially conscious agenda, Melbourne has added several new cafes to its already impressive collection this year — including a throng of social enterprise cafes from Kinfolk, where 100 percent of profits go to charity, to Wild Timor Coffee Co., where the coffee is bought directly from Timorese farmers, at fair prices. On the shores of Port Phillip Bay, Meghan and Harry learnt all about how to keep Melbourne's beaches and waterways clean, from both school students and grown-up volunteers. If you've been thinking about lending an eco-friendly hand, get in touch with Earthcare St Kilda. ROYAL ISLAND HOPPING With 8,222 Australian islands to choose from, there's no shortage of inspiration when it comes to island hopping. The royals have their sights set on the biggest sand island in the world, the legendary Fraser Island, whose magnificent giant dunes shimmer in 72 colours. It's a shame the two don't have more time on their hands, to embark on the epic, eight-day Great Walk, which visits many of Fraser's 100 freshwater lakes. If you've been contemplating an island hop of your own, check out this handpicked selection of paradises. [caption id="attachment_681271" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nicole Reed.[/caption] ROYALS GO REGIONAL As magnetic as Australia's major cities and beautiful coastline are, no visit Down Under is complete without a trip inland. Meghan and Harry also stopped by Dubbo, which is perched on the Macquarie River, 300 kilometres northwest of Sydney, to meet drought-stricken farmers and host a community picnic. We suggest returning by car, to explore some of the Central West's other friendly country towns. There's Parkes, home to The Dish and the annual Elvis Festival; Orange, where you can hike to the summit of Mount Canobolas and go truffle hunting at Borrodell Vineyard (in between tasting scores of wines); and Bathurst, for an innovative regional art gallery and woodfired pizza inside a candle-lit former church schoolhouse. Meanwhile, in Victoria, regional adventures should definitely include a journey along the Silo Art Trail, a 200-kilometre road trip through Australia's biggest outdoor art gallery. Top image: Sydney Opera House, Hamilton Lund
The City of Melbourne has today launched a brand new Urban Forest Fund, which will fuel a variety of greening initiatives on both public and private property. Announced today by Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, the fund will be put to a variety of uses, including the creation of parks, the planting of street trees and the construction of green walls, roofs and facades on buildings around town. The City of Melbourne will allocate $1.2 million to the fund to kick things off. Moreover, the council will partner with philanthropists, property developers, community groups and other Government organisations on further greening projects, while matching private investment in the new fund dollar for dollar. "Green infrastructure is fundamental to help cities respond to the challenges of climate change, urban heat, flooding and population growth," said Doyle. "As well as protecting us from extreme heat, our trees and parks are a major contributor to Melbourne's liveability." The City of Melbourne will place particular emphasis on supporting projects on private property. They've gone so far as to create a new online tool that maps rooftops in the municipality, to see if they have the potential to be transformed into green, cool or solar roofs. The announcement is the latest in a series of new green projects in Melbourne. Southbank Boulevard and the south end of Elizabeth Street are both getting a significant facelift, while a number of the city's laneways are also going green. Next year we're also getting our very first elevated park directly opposite Southern Cross Station. Image: City of Melbourne.
When it comes to street art exhibitions, it really doesn't get any bigger than this. A retrospective of Banksy's work has made its way to Australia, featuring more than 80 of the artist's off-street masterpieces. Opening today, Friday, October 7 at The Paddock in Melbourne's Federation Square, The Art of Banksy is a massive collection of pieces by the art world's chief enigma — including the darkly satirical, overtly political work that has turned the stencil-loving artist into such an infamous icon. Endeavouring to take audiences on a journey through Banksy's output and mindset, the exhibition includes the well-known Girl with Balloon, Flag Wall and Laugh Now pieces, as well as three efforts that have never before been displayed to the public. If it sounds epic, that's because it is. The art featured has been sourced from over 40 different private collectors around the world, and comprises the largest showcase of Banksy pieces to ever make its way to our shores. As curated by the artist's former manager Steve Lazarides, the exhibition is also a little controversial. While every piece is original, unique and authentic, The Art of Banksy proudly boasts that the entire show is 100 percent unauthorised. No, Banksy hasn't signed off on the event. As well as displaying Banksy's work in a custom-built enclosure, The Art of Banksy also shines a light on a range of pieces by well-known and emerging local street artists. Expect to find them on the surrounding external surfaces and the inside walls of the exhibition's own Circle Bar, which will serve craft beers and cocktails. Outside, the Welcome to Thornbury team will corral a heap of food trucks into an area called 'The Railyard'. Plus, on Friday nights and Saturday arvos, DJs will also provide appropriate tunes to suit the occasion. Of course, Melburnians will know that this isn't the mysterious figure's first dalliance with the city. The artist's stencils have popped up around the city previously courtesy of a visit in 2003, though many have been destroyed and damaged in the years since. The Art of Banksy will run from October 7 to January 22 at The Paddock in Federation Square, Melbourne. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the exhibition website. Images: Olga Rozenbajgier. Words: Sarah Ward.
Australia's most sinister festival, Dark Mofo, is back for its seventh year and is set to be as boundary-pushing as ever, with its full lineup announced today. As always, the festival will take place in the lead up to the winter solstice, exploring connections between old and contemporary mythology through art installations, performance, talks and music — all taking place in the darkness of Tasmanian winter. Hosted by the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Dark Mofo will takeover most of Hobart between June 6–23, showcasing a melting pot of artists, creatives and thinkers who dwell in the shadows of mainstream culture. Just-announced musicians include FKA Twigs — who's also bringing her experimental dream pop to Vivid Sydney this year — New York-based composer Nicolás Jaar, American singer John Grant and multi-instrumentalist Roger Eno. Other highlights of the music program include an audiovisual 'soundbath' by Sigur Rós; an international metal program, featuring Brazil's Mystifier; and the return of Night Mass — a ritualistic series of multi-venue, late-night parties featuring Sampa the Great, FAKA and Empress Of. These musicians and creatives join those announced in the first lineup drop last week, which included boundary-pushing speakers in the Dark + Dangerous Thoughts program, artists Ai Weiwei and Mike Parr, and singer and actor Sharon Van Etten. [caption id="attachment_716526" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Saeborg, Pigpen. Courtesy of Dark Mofo and the artist.[/caption] The festival's dark and quirky arts lineup has grown, too, with the addition of a latex-filled installation and performance by Japan's Saeborg and an immersive group exhibition — of ten international artists, including Canada's Cassils, USA's Paul McCarthy and India's Shilpa Gupta — inside the former Forestry Tasmania Building. The award-winning building — which once housed its own forest — is just one of many new venues to join this year's program. Come June, revellers will also be able to party inside the Old Hobart Blood Bank, the Avalon and Odeon theatres, the Old Davey St Congregational Church and aboard a floating natural wine bar, dubbed Natty Waves. Of course, all the festival favourites are set to make a triumphant return, too. You'll be able to drink and eat amongst inverted crosses and candles at the Winter Feast, try not to freeze during the very cold Nude Solstice Swim and absolve your sins at Night Mass. Dark Mofo returns to Hobart from June 6–23. Pre-sale tickets are available from 6pm on Monday, April 15 with general tickets on sale from midday on Tuesday, April 16. For more information, and to check out the full lineup, head to the festival website. Images: Andy Fraser; Meagan Streader, Response VII — Partition III, photo by Sam Whiteside; and All This Coming and Going, Terrapin.
Here's a scenario that, until now, you've probably never even imagined could happen. You go to press play on your favourite Spotify playlist, but accidentally click on a different batch of tunes — songs especially chosen by the service for the adorable animal that shares your life. Not content with limiting its lister base to people, Spotify is now creating curated playlists for dogs, cats, birds, hamsters and iguanas. The selection of tracks is personalised too, because the kinds of songs that your furry, feathered or scaly critter likes aren't necessarily the same as what some other barking, meowing or tweeting creature prefers. Here's how Spotify's Pet Playlists work: you visit the Swedish music streaming company's site, choose your type pet, pick from a list of traits that describes them best, then add a name and photo. Based on all of that information, plus your own Spotify listening habits, the service's algorithm will go to work, coming up with a lineup of tunes that'll apparently rock your animal's world. There are limitations to the new feature, though. Only the aforementioned five types of pets are catered for, so if your animal companion is a rabbit or other type of critter with ears, it'll miss out. And, as for the traits that you can pick from, you're presented a number of pairs on a sliding scale — so select between relaxed and energetic, shy and friendly, and apathetic and curious. Still, if you and your pooch, kitty, canary, rodent or lizard like listening to music together — or you've ever noticed them react to a particular song — you can now treat them to their own playlist. Spotify's online research, surveying 5000 music-streaming pet owners in the US, UK, Australia, Spain and Italy, indicates that 71 percent of people play tunes for their pets, with classical and soft rock the genre all those critters seem to like best. Fancy letting your woofer listen to a book instead? Audible also does audiobooks for dogs, too. To create a Spotify Pet Playlist for your dog, cat, bird, hamster or iguana, visit the Spotify pets website.
Picking up just seconds from where the last Muppets film left off, Muppets Most Wanted opens with a rousing song that explains: "Everybody knows a sequel is never quite as good". A few famous exceptions notwithstanding, the in-joke is right on the money, and even though it's definitely true of this film as well, thankfully the follow up to James Bobin's 2012 hit is only slightly poorer than its predecessor. This time round, the gang is talked into embarking upon a world tour by Ricky Gervais's smooth-talking yet unscrupulous talent manager, Mr Badguy ("Its...French. It's pronounced...Bad Geeee"). The tour is, however, just a front to enable Badguy and his boss Constantine (aka Evil Kermit) to conduct a series of high-end museum robberies and steal England's Crown Jewels. Key to the plan is Constantine's escape from a Siberian gulag and an ole switcheroo that sees him trade places with the real Kermit. "Eeets...dee Marrr-pet shaow" practices the heavily accented villain as he reviews file footage of Kermit in what's just one of dozens of charming imposter-Kermit based jokes. As always, the film is packed with self-referential humour (one Muppet complains that it's actually the seventh movie in the franchise), cameos (Usher plays an usher, Celine Dion takes the absolute piss out of herself and James McAvoy appears as a 'blink and you'll miss him delivery man', to name just a few), and — of course — musical numbers. None of the songs come close to matching The LEGO Movie's impossibly catchy 'Everything Is Awesome', but several of them are good enough to gets the toes tapping. Constantine's 'I'm Number One', for example, is amusing in its constant forcing of Gervais to reply 'I'm number two', and the disco-inspired 'I'll Get You What You Want' is just crying out for a Pharrell cover. The highlight of Muppets Most Wanted, however, is the subplot involving the partnership of Sam the Eagle and Interpol's Jean Pierre Napoleon (in an outrageously cliched swipe at the French by Ty Burrell). Their dogged pursuit of the thieves leads to some fantastic scenes involving muppet interrogations, crime scene analysis and police badge oneupmanship. Tina Fey also impresses as the gulag's warden Nadya, whose determination to put on the prison's annual revue sees Kermit end up directing a terrifically funny all-male A Chorus Line. I'm also told Ms Piggy's wedding dress (designed by Vivienne Westwood...no, seriously) is to die for. Based on the laughter of the kids attending the screening, kids will laugh at screenings of this movie, and so too will adults, though not in the same way or with the marked regularity of, say, a Pixar film. It's a little light on plot, and begins to feel a little repetitive by the end, yet the pacing is rarely in danger of lagging and the jokes come often enough to keep everyone entertained. Empire Strikes Back it 'aint, but it's not a bad sequel to what was always going to be a hard act to follow. https://youtube.com/watch?v=wXfLrt90CHM
If you're looking for a one-stop shop for luxury homewares, you need to explore Fenton & Fenton. This store has it all – from quirky monkey lamps (that surprisingly kind of work), to comfy armchairs, sheepskin rugs and beautiful side tables. That's as well as fine art pieces, bed linen and bird light holders. You name it, and Fenton & Fenton probably stocks the best version of it. As such, things don't come cheap here. But even if you're not ready to shell out $1250 for a side table, it's still worth a visit for inspiration. The store is full of colour and pieces will have you ready to start a full home makeover ASAP. In addition to its Collingwood store, Fenton & Fenton also has an outpost in Prahran.
There's only one Wes Anderson, but there's a litany of wannabes. Why can't David O Russell be among them? Take the first filmmaker's The Grand Budapest Hotel, mix in the second's American Hustle and that's as good a way as any to start describing Amsterdam, Russell's return to the big screen after a seven-year gap following 2015's Joy — and a starry period comedy, crime caper and history lesson all in one. Swap pastels for earthier hues, still with a love of detail, and there's the unmistakably Anderson-esque look of the film. Amsterdam is a murder-mystery, too, set largely in the 1930s against a backdrop of increasing fascism, and filled with more famous faces than most movies can dream of. The American Hustle of it all springs from the "a lot of this actually happened" plot, this time drawing upon a political conspiracy called the White House/Wall Street Putsch, and again unfurling a wild true tale. A Russell returnee sits at the centre, too: Christian Bale (Thor: Love and Thunder) in his third film for the writer/director. The former did help guide the latter to an Oscar for The Fighter, then a nomination for American Hustle — but while Bale is welcomely and entertainingly loose and freewheeling, and given ample opportunity to show his comic chops in his expressive face and physicality alone, Amsterdam is unlikely to complete the trifecta of Academy Awards recognition. The lively movie's cast is its strongest asset, though, including the convincing camaraderie between Bale, John David Washington (Malcolm & Marie) and Margot Robbie (The Suicide Squad). They play pals forged in friendship during World War I, then thanks to a stint in the titular Dutch city. A doctor, a lawyer and a nurse — at least at some point in the narrative — they revel in love and art during their uninhabited stay, then get caught in chaos 15 years later. Amsterdam begins in the later period, with Burt Berendsen (Bale) tending to veterans — helping those with war injuries and lingering pain, as he himself has — without a medical license. He once had a Park Avenue practice, but his military enlistment and his fall from the well-heeled set afterwards all stems from his snobbish wife Beatrice (Andrea Riseborough, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain) and her social-climbing (and prejudiced) parents. As he did in the war, however, Burt aids who he can where he can, including with fellow ex-soldier Harold Woodman (Washington). That's how he ends up lending a hand (well, a scalpel) to the well-to-do Liz Meekins (Taylor Swift, Cats) after the unexpected death of her father and their old Army general (Ed Begley Jr, Better Call Saul). The bereaved daughter suspects foul play and Burt and Harold find it, but with fingers pointing their way when there's suddenly another body. Two police detectives (The Old Guard's Matthias Schoenaerts and The Many Saints of Newark's Alessandro Nivola), both veterans themselves, come a-snooping — and Burt and Harold now have two tasks. Clearing their names and figuring out what's going on are intertwined, of course, and also just the start of a story that isn't short on developments and twists (plus early flashes back to 1918 to set up the core trio, their bond, their heady bliss and a pact that they'll keep looking out for each other). There's a shagginess to both the tale and the telling, because busy and rambling is the vibe, especially with so much stuffed into the plot. One of Amsterdam's worst traits is its overloaded and convoluted feel, seeing that there's the IRL past to explore, a message about history repeating itself to deliver along with it, and enough mayhem to fuel several romps to spill out around it. The pacing doesn't help, flitting between zipping and dragging — and usually busting out the wrong one for each scene. Among all of the above, there's also no shortage of characters; that lengthy list of well-known names has to get up to something, and that jam-packed story has to get as many cogs whirring as possible. Valerie Voze (Robbie) sweeps back in just as pandemonium kicks in, under her brother Tom (Rami Malek, No Time to Die) and his wife Libby's (Anya Taylor-Joy, The Northman) watch. Old war buddy Milton King (Chris Rock, Spiral: From the Book of Saw) warns Burt and Harold about helping Liz from the start, but autopsy nurse Irma St Clair (Zoe Saldana, The Adam Project) — who Burt is visibly fond of — dutifully assists. Also popping up: celebrated army buddy General Gil Dillenbeck (Robert De Niro, The War with Grandpa), as well as intelligence officers Paul Canterbury (Mike Myers, The Pentaverate) and Henry Norcross (Michael Shannon, Bullet Train). Russell uses his supporting players to inject as many quirks and as much energy as he can, including via Canterbury and Norcross' cover as purveyors of glass eyes — something that Burt needs, in dark hazel green — and their keen and genuine interest in birdwatching as a hobby. Those and other eccentricities are also sprinkled around heartily as flavour, setting up and deepening the madcap mood with more than a tad too much force, particularly given that the score by Daniel Pemberton (See How They Run), roving and Dutch-tilting cinematography from Emmanuel Lubezki (Song to Song), and intricate production and art design more than do their showy and flamboyant part. Still, there's little faulting the spirited actors circling around Bale, Washington and Robbie — Malek, Saldana, Riseborough and De Niro especially — or that lead threesome. Whenever Amsterdam lags or rushes, the performances bring viewers in. Alongside Bale's engaging sense of comedy, Washington wears understated charm as well as a suit, and Robbie is just as charismatic playing free-spirited yet tenacious. Lubezki's floating lensing truly is magnetic; if ever given the option to go large or go home, Russell is rarely known for holding back or getting his collaborators to. The filmmaker is fond of idealistic protagonists making their way through a trying world with their sizeable personalities, hopes and hearts shining bright, recognisably so — and contemplating what his boisterous bounces through fictionalised/dramatised blasts from the past say about America today. Being aware of how quickly fascism can infiltrate, and via whom, isn't a new or novel message for 2022. Amsterdam is never as simplistic in stating the obvious as Don't Look Up was about climate change, though, and it isn't patronising, insulting or irritating, thankfully. It's no The Grand Budapest Hotel or even American Hustle, either, but worse can happen, a notion that the screwball flick's characters keep learning.
Wander through French Impressionism, NGV International's big winter blockbuster exhibition, and visions of the natural world by iconic artists are among the many sights that greet attendees. There should be no better way to appreciate our planet than engaging with it ourselves, but sometimes art sees what we don't, as this showcase of masterworks helps demonstrate. Also open since Friday, June 6, 2025 and similarly displaying until Sunday, October 5, 2025, Plans for the Planet: Olaf Breuning for Kids takes the idea of embracing the environment through art and makes it the sole focus — playfully, and to get young visitors engaging with the topic. Swiss artist Breuning explores sustainability, conservation, pollution and wildlife, aiming to spark new generations to ponder a better future for the pale blue rock that we call home. The art here is interactive, as seen in the animated drawings of forests, lava and more that kids can activate via swipe card. This exhibition also wants children to get creative themselves, courtesy of their own drawings. For instance, a giant tree installation brings the woodlands indoors — and is designed to inspire little art lovers to draw homes for forest animals. Or, via the photobooth, attendees can snap self-portraits, decorate them with virtual objects, and use them to express themselves. At touch screens, too, kids are encouraged to add their ideas for the future, which then become part of the installation. Images: installation views of Plans for The Planet: Olaf Breuning for Kids, on display from 6 June to 5 October at NGV International Melbourne. Photo: Mitch Fong.
As part of their Australasian Tour rock legends Deep Purple will play at Rod Laver, alongside American rockers Journey. The band, who have sold more than 100 million albums, are set to emerge from an eight year hiatus to jam out with hits such as Black Night, Highway Star and Smoke On The Water.
Lobster lovers, brace yourselves. After six years on Bourke Street, Pinchy's, the neon-pink temple of lobster rolls and champagne has announced its closing its doors. Born from a series of vibrant pop-ups that captured attention across the city, the restaurant opened a permanent location in 2019, giving fans of its signature lobster rolls and tapas-style cuisine a permanent spot to get a bite. Decked out with a candy-coloured eatery and a sun-drenched terrace perched above the CBD, it proved a bustling destination for fun-loving encounters and easygoing seafood delights. Launched with a fully pescatarian and vegan menu, a bold concept for the time, the venue established a cult following for its buzzing atmosphere and intimate dining experience. Yet the good times must wind up eventually, with Pinchy's closure described as "deeply emotional" by Co-Founder Samara Schnick. "We poured our hearts into creating a space that celebrated great food, genuine hospitality and moments of joy ... Unfortunately, the reality is that we can no longer make the restaurant work sustainably in today's economic climate and at this location." Amid a challenging time for hospo venues across the country, Samara explained Pinchy's faced numerous hurdles, from the cost of living and high CBD rents to a lack of post-COVID government support, making it impossible for the business to succeed in the current climate. "Though this chapter is coming to an end, we are filled with gratitude and immense pride, and we carry with us beautiful memories and lifelong friendships," she adds. Likewise, Co-Founder Jeremy Schinck was proud of the business for putting lobster rolls on the map in Melbourne alongside vegan-friendly tasting menus — a rare offering in seafood-focused fine dining. "While this chapter is ending, our passion for hospitality remains strong. We're taking time to reflect and recharge, and though I'm not sure what's next, we're staying hopeful and looking forward to creating something special again in the future," says Jeremy. Pinchy's will remain open for the next month, with the team inviting guests to join them one last time to raise a glass and bite into a lobster roll. The doors are set to close on Sunday, July 20, so schedule a final visit with the crew to relish its buttery flavours and pink oasis. Says Jeremy: "We're endlessly grateful to every guest, team member, supplier and supporter who has been part of the journey. This is not goodbye forever — just goodbye for now." Located at Level 1/200 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Pinchy's closes its doors on Sunday, July 20. Head to the website for more information.
