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.
Sitting outside, getting comfy in a deckchair and watching a movie under the stars is a regular part of Melbourne's summers. It's also the kind of activity no one across the city has even been able to dream about during the past few months of lockdown. But, come the end of October, it's set to become a reality again. Under Victoria's just-announced roadmap out of stay-at-home conditions, outdoor cinemas will be permitted to reopen once 70 percent of eligible Victorians have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — which is expected around Tuesday, October 26. Two venues that are counting on that happening: the Lido and Cameo cinemas, which've just announced the reopening lineups for their respective rooftop and outdoor setups. Both sites will welcome in movie buffs again from Tuesday, October 26, with the Lido getting things started with a gala session of wild tweet-to-screen flick Zola, and the Cameo going the Marvel route with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Other flicks Melburnians can look forward to at the two openair spots include the excellent new Candyman movie, which'll screen on Halloween (obviously) at both venues; the Ryan Reynolds-starring Free Guy, where he plays a non-playable video game character who becomes self-aware; and Australian drama Nitram, the Cannes Film Festival Best Actor-winner that depicts the days leading up to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. There's also Disney's animated newcomer Ron's Gone Wrong, plus Adam Driver, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon-led medieval drama The Last Duel — all of which have tickets on sale now. Although they don't yet have sessions on sale, big-name flicks Eternals, The Many Saints of Newark, No Time to Die and Dune are all also slated to light up the big screen at Lido on the Roof and Cameo Outdoor Cinema. And if you're wondering about the third openair cinema run by the team behind these two venues, Classic Cinema's Rooftop Cinema, it's set to reopen again after lockdown as well — but a date hasn't been set as yet, as its screen needs to undergo some maintenance first. It will be reopening its rooftop bar on Tuesday, October 26 for drinks, however, so you'll be able to stop by from 4–8pm on weeknights and 2–8pm on weekends. Capacity-wise, Victoria's roadmap allows outdoor entertainment venues to reopen with a cap of 50 people at the 70-percent fully vaxxed mark. That'll increase when the state hits the 80-percent double-jabbed threshold, which is expected around Friday, November 5. That date is when indoor cinemas will be permitted to reopen, too, with a 150-person cap per space. Lido on the Roof and Cameo Outdoor Cinema will reopen on Tuesday, October 26, pending Victoria reaching the 70-percent fully vaxxed threshold by that date. For more information, or to buy tickets, head to the Lido and Cameo cinemas websites.
At the ungodly hour of 7am this morning, Vivid LIVE announced the rest of the 2014 lineup. We’re already excited about seeing The Pixies in rare intimate mode in the Opera House, the ACO and The Presets in collaboration, Giorgio Moroder and The Pet Shop Boys. And now (drum roll, please), here’s the rest of what’s in store. Ladies and gentleman, introducing the first lady of hip hop, Ms. Lauryn Hill. Known not only for her groundbreaking 1998 album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill but also for her subsequent ‘disappearance’ from the music scene, she’s back. With plenty to say. Two Opera House shows are scheduled for May 27 and 28. And next, art rock hero St. Vincent, hot on the heels of the release of her new, self-titled album. We’re expecting big harmonies, orchestral adventures and choreographed magic — at the Opera House for the first time ever. We’re just not quite sure how the stage dives will go in the Joan Sutherland Theatre. There’ll be one performance only on May 25. Two other international artists will also make their SOH debut: James Vincent McMorrow will be bringing his masterful songwriting, ethereal electronics, killer falsetto and full band over from Ireland, while English-Italian songstress Anna Calvi will be making the trip armed with tunes of cinematic proportions. Brian Eno has described her as "the biggest thing since Patti Smith". German pianist-producer Nils Frahm, who released his seventh LP, Spaces, last year, will be delivering his Einaudi-reminiscent melodies and dynamic jazz-influenced electronics, and Kate Miller-Heidke is set to present new album O Vertigo! Finally, Goodgod will be hosting an intercontinental revue with cult South African musician Penny Penny and his seven-piece band at the helm, Jonti & The Astral Kids will play a tribute to The Avalanches with a performance of Since I Left You and Studio Parties will make a return, led by Astral People, R.I.P. Society, Siberian Nights and Future Classic.
Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, The Mighty Boosh, Frida Kahlo: they're just some of the faces that've graced exhibitions around Australia in 2023. The next to join them is Amy Winehouse, in a showcase that's doing what documentary Amy also dedicated some of its frames to: stepping back a couple of decades to the beginning of the 'Back to Black' and 'Rehab' singer's career. When Winehouse was 19, photographer Charles Moriarty was requested by a friend to take some snaps of the then-unknown talent. They're the images that Amy, Before Frank will display. More than 30 will feature — and if you're wondering where the exhibition's name comes from, it references Winehouse's debut album Frank, with the photos covered hailing from before that record dropped. When Winehouse was in front of his lens, Irish photographer Moriarty didn't know what'd follow for the performer — the fame and success, nor her passing in 2011. The session clearly worked out well because Moriarty also shot the cover art for Frank, and became friends with the singer. To check out Amy, Before Frank, fans will need to head to Melbourne's @14 Gallery from Wednesday, November 1–Sunday, November 5. That timing couldn't be more perfect, given that Frank — which includes the singles 'Stronger Than Me', 'Take the Box' and 'In My Bed' — released two decades ago in October. Moriarty is also coming to Australia with the exhibition, chatting in Melbourne on Saturday, November 4. [caption id="attachment_917853" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The original photograph used for Amy Winehouse's debut album 'Frank', shot on Princelet St, London, 2003[/caption] Images: Charles Moriarty.
To say that Secret Garden Festival is improving with age is a deadset understatement. Next month marks the flamboyant forest party's tenth turn around the sun and it's celebrating with a music program and lineup of fun as good as any it's dished up before. Taking over its usual lush green home of NSW's Brownlow Hill Farm on February 23 and 24, the grassroots festival promises a weekend of dress-ups, dance floor antics and forest adventures to remember. Those lucky enough to snaffle one of this year's tickets (which are sold out, sorry) will find themselves in utter aural heaven, the bill sprinkled with exciting acts like Queensland dance-punk duo DZ Deathrays, powerhouse Melbourne artist Ecca Vandal, acclaimed indie rockers Holy Holy and soul-pop four-piece The Harpoons. Even more music goodness will be served up by hard-hitting hip hop artist Miss Blanks, Sydney singer-songwriter Alex The Astronaut, and Triple J's Unearthed Artist of The Year, Stella Donnelly. Of course, the live tunes and the 14 dance floors are just one part of this jam-packed weekend. Also helping Secret Garden ring in its first decade will be the Annual Feast, hosted by The Great Fatsby, appearances aplenty from the Camp Queen drag queens, the debut of the Shout Something Nice Bar, a kissing booth and a seated theatre flowing with a whole lotta Champagne. Last year a couple got married among the madness, so who knows what will happen this time round. As always, a festival-wide fancy dress theme will help kick everything off in style on opening night. This year, in homage to Secret Garden's tenth birthday, it's a throwback to your year ten formal — don your wildest old-school party duds and relive those teenage wonder years, with a little help from 11-piece Blink 182 cover band, Bris 182.
According to Goran Bregovic, what sets Balkan music apart is its propensity for insanity: "In other countries, just plain music is enough. In the Balkans, it's not only about the music – it has to be madness." In his sixty-two years, Bregovic has carried the gypsy craziness of his homeland to all four corners of the globe. After selling fifteen million albums as leader of Yugoslav rock band Bijelo dugme, he took to composing film scores. On this visit to Australia, his first since 2008, he'll be travelling with his Weddings and Funerals Orchestra, which he has described as "an unlikely mix of extremes". Featuring a string quartet, a six-piece male choir, five brass musicians, two Bulgarian vocalists and a drummer, the ensemble will play music from Bregovic's new album, Champagne for Gypsies, as well as some older material. https://youtube.com/watch?v=AKRCo3347fw
The dockless bike sharing phenomenon hasn't exactly proved a roaring success here in Australia, with rogue bikes clogging up footpaths, or winding up broken and abandoned in dangerous locations, and oBike withdrawing from Melbourne entirely. And still, yet another company is keen to give the concept a whirl locally — this time, featuring electric scooters. Aussie start-up Ride has announced it has launched a trial program of its ride share service, giving locals in Melbourne the chance to road-test its fleet of electric scooters. Riffing on the scooter systems that have been going gang-busters over in the USA, the local company is still nailing down its technology, launching the pilot program in St Kilda, before rolling out across CBD areas. At this stage, riders simply locate a scooter, scan and pay via the Ride smartphone app, before jetting off on their two-wheeled adventure. The company held a short trial in the area last month, which, according to founder Aaron LaLux, was a success, so it decided to re-launch for the busy summer holiday period. "We've decided to re-launch for the holiday season to gift St Kilda with this new way of getting around and to help get cars off the road. It's my wish that it won't be long before we see more clean energy alternatives to the carbon emitting vehicles that currently exist." Riders pay $1 to start the scooters then 25 cents per minute to use them. The only downfall of the service is the speed, with scooters going a maximum of ten kilometres an hour (to comply with Victorian road rules surrounding scooters) compared to Sydney's newly launched electric bikes, which go up to up to 23kmh. So, for example, a journey from St Kilda to the CBD would take about 45-minutes and cost around $12–13. When riding the scooters, be aware that Victorian rules also stipulate that you must wear a helmet and that the scooters can't be used on separated bike paths or on roads with a speed limit of more than 50kmh, but they can be used on footpaths. Well, for the moment. LaLux is hoping the extended Ride trial will give the State and Federal Government time to draft more comprehensive rules surrounding electric scooters. As the scooters are electric, they'll be picked up after 10pm each night by employees, charged and returned to designated spots around St Kilda. Ride's trial program is running now for an indefinite period. You can download the Ride app here.
Back in 2014, before he slipped into Black Panther's suit, Chadwick Boseman stepped into James Brown's shoes. Playing the iconic musician in Get On Up, Boseman lit up the screen — and while he'll forever be known for his time in Wakanda, the biopic ranks among his greatest performances. Although Boseman's career was tragically cut short due to his death to cancer in August this year, the actor has one more film set to reach screens — and it too sees him playing music. To be specific, he's playing the blues as an ambitious trumpeter called Levee in the new movie adaptation of August Wilson's play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. On the stage since 1982, and now in this new Netflix movie version, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom focuses on an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago. Ma Rainey, the "Mother of the Blues" (played by Viola Davis), is the star of the session, but she's running late as she fights with her manager over control of her music. As the band waits, Levee and fellow musicians Cutler (Colman Domingo, If Beale Street Could Talk), Toledo (Glynn Turman, Fargo) and Slow Drag (Michael Potts, True Detective) bide their time swapping stories in the rehearsal room. As helmed by Tony-winning playwright and theatre director George C. Wolfe (for Angels in America: Millennium Approaches and Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom hits streaming on December 18 — and, while this time of year brings awards speculation about almost every weighty drama with a high-profile cast, Boseman and Davis in particular have been the subject of plenty of predictions. As well as marking Boseman's final film, it's his second this year — and his second Netflix feature, too — following his potent supporting role in Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods. Check out the trailer for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ord7gP151vk Ma Rainey's Black Bottom will be available to stream via Netflix from December 18. Top image: David Lee, Netflix.
Thirty-four-metres long, more than twice as big as a regular hot air balloon and ripped straight from Patricia Piccinini's inimitable mind, Skywhale 2013 might just be one of Australia's most recognisable recent pieces of art. And, this morning at sunrise (Monday, March 9), Skywhale took flight once again as part of the Canberra Balloon Spectacular. She'll make her second (and final) solo flight this evening at 8pm from the North Lawns — so, if you happen to be in Canberra, keep an eye on the skies. Then, as of May, Skywhale will be joined by her new companion, Skywhalepapa. The new floating sculpture is designed to form a family with Skywhale, with the second bulbous sculpture commissioned as part of the gallery's Balnaves Contemporary Series. In total, the pair will take flight six times during the nearly three-month Skywhales: Every Heart Sings exhibition — with launch locations at Parliamentary Triangle and yet-to-be-confirmed sites in Woden and Tuggeranong. [caption id="attachment_751759" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Skywhalepapa, 2019/20 (artist's sketch), Patricia Piccinini. Courtesy of the artist.[/caption] The structures' first co-flight is set to take place on Saturday, May 2 from Parliamentary Triangle. As reported by The Guardian Australia, the new balloon will be around 30 metres tall, 37 metres wide and weigh a whopping 400 kilograms. While the two were meant to take to the sky together today, Piccinini told The Guardian that it was better to have a "staggered approach" and allow Skywhale to be reintroduced to Canberra before Skywhalepapa (and the duo's attached children) take to the skies together. If you can't make it to Canberra to see the growing Skywhale clan, they will also tour the country later in the year, with locations and dates still to be confirmed. https://www.instagram.com/p/B9fIa3xHmDu/ Apart from the Skywhales: Every Heart Sings installation, the NGA is offering up a whole heap of top-notch exhibitions in 2020. It'll welcome Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London in November, boasting over 60 works from European masters — most of which have never before travelled to Australia. Art lovers can also look forward to Know My Name: Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now, which'll shine a spotlight on the nation's female creatives; Belonging: Stories of Australian Art, a major collection of 19th-century Aussie pieces; a six-month focus on Chinese artist and activist Xu Zhen; and The Body Electric, a showcase of works by female-identifying creatives that are all about sex, pleasure and desire. Skywhales: Every Heart Sings launched today, March 9 at the National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes, ACT. Additional flight dates are planned for May 2 through July 25. For further information about the NGA's 2020 lineup, visit the gallery's website. Top image: Skywhale, 2013, Patricia Piccinini. National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. Gift of anonymous donor 2019, Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
If you've ever spent hours falling down the wildlife and nature video rabbit hole online late at night, this one's for you. National Geographic's Symphony For Our World will combine the best of the footage from the organisation's 130-year archives with a live orchestral performance, synchronising the triumphant moments of both music and nature under one spectacle. And, that soundtrack will feature a Hans Zimmer-flavoured score and feature a live choir as well. The natural history footage will be drawn from years of past images, drawing from Nat Geo's shots from all over the world. The accompanying symphony will be created by Bleeding Fingers Music, featuring the work of composers such as the legendary Hans Zimmer, as well as Austin Fray and Andrew Christie. Just like the recent Planet Earth II Live in Concert, Zimmer's score especially will make you feel things you didn't know you could about animals you'll never meet. A five-part composition that'll tour Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, Symphony For Our World will take the audience on a journey from the sea, along the coastlines, across the land, through the mountains and then finally into the sky, with differing orchestral movements for each world environment. It's the story of our planet, but brought to life in a different way — so why not get out of the house and off YouTube and go see some fully immersive nature. SYMPHONY FOR OUR WORLD TOUR DATES Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane – Sunday, August 26 ICC Sydney Theatre, Sydney – Friday, August 31 Hamer Hall, Arts Centre, Melbourne – Sunday, September 2 Symphony For Our World will tour Australia from August 26 to September 2. For more information and to buy tickets, visit natgeo-symphony.com.
In need of aesthetic inspiration? Fear not, dear friend, for the creative extravaganza that is Semi-Permanent is about to hit Melbourne — and you’re invited. The design festival is fresh from blowing minds in Los Angeles and Portland, and will make a stop in Melbourne from October 25 - 26 as part of its world tour. Featuring a smorgasbord of visionary thinkers and exhilarating speakers, Semi-Permanent combines presentation, exhibition and party into an artful orgy of visual delights. It’s a must-iCal event for any artist whose heart longs for authentic creative community. Or for those whose hearts love free tote bags. Attendees will be able to rub shoulders with the likes of Nicole Reed, Ant Keogh, Miso and Thomas Williams of Hunt & Co., while concurrently soaking up the fresh spring sun. Highlights from previous years include behind-the-visuals insights into Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, fiery expositions from crazed photographer Charlie White and onstage rail sliding from artist/pro-skater Ed Templeton. When inspired thinkers collide, good stuff happens. Tickets are on sale right now from the Semi-Permanent website.
Whether it's the roof at Curtin House, the grounds of the Abbotsford Convent, the Royal Botanic Gardens or the sands of St Kilda Beach, when it comes to experiencing films in the great outdoors, Melbourne is spoiled for choice. But there's only location you can watch a movie under the stars without fear of getting rained out. With sessions every Tuesday evening in the Southgate Centre atrium, patrons of Southgate Cinema get to have their cake and eat it too. And better yet — it's absolutely free. Highlights of the most recent Southgate Cinema program include the inspiring soccer documentary Next Goal Wins, about the attempts of the much-maligned American Samoa team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup; the gripping Oceanic survival tale All Is Lost, starring the great Robert Redford as a lone sailor lost at sea; plus the most recent X-Men and Captain America movies for anyone looking for a dose of Hollywood action. Given the attractive price tag, demand for seats is high. Ticket reservations can be made online and need to be collected in person an hour before the scheduled start time. For more information and to the view the full summer program, go here.
2030 will mark 28 years since one of the best zombie movies ever made first hit screens: 28 Days Later from filmmaker Danny Boyle (Yesterday). Before that milestone arrives, however, it's likely that you'll be watching a new flick from Boyle in the same franchise. It'll still be called 28 Years Later — and it's officially in the works. 28 Days Later has already spawned one follow-up thanks to 2007's 28 Weeks Later, but Boyle didn't direct it. Screenwriter Alex Garland, who also penned Sunshine for Boyle, then hopped behind the camera himself with Ex Machina, Annihilation, Men and TV series Devs, also wasn't involved with 28 Weeks Later. But they're both back for the third film in the series, which might become the middle chapter. Not only is a new movie locked in, but it's being talked about as the start of a new trilogy. As detailed by The Hollywood Reporter, Garland is writing 28 Years Later, Boyle is helming, and they're looking for studios or streamers to jump onboard. It's expected that Boyle will only direct the initial new picture, while Garland will pen the entire trio. There's no word yet if any of the OG film's stars will return, with 28 Days Later among the movies that helped bring Oppenheimer star, newly minted Golden Globe-winner and likely Oscar-recipient Cillian Murphy to fame. He played Jim, a bicycle courier who wakes up from a coma in a deserted hospital 28 days after a pandemic of the rage virus changed the world forever — and from Boyle and Garland to audiences everywhere, who wouldn't want him to reprise the role? Marking Boyle and Garland's first proper collaboration after Boyle adapted Garland's best-selling novel The Beach for the big screen two years earlier, 28 Days Later still ranks among the best work on either's resume — and on Murphy's as well, even if it didn't win him any of Hollywood's top shiny trophies. Set in the aftermath of the accidental release of a highly contagious virus, the film's images of a desolated London instantly became iconic, but this is a top-notch movie on every level. That includes its performances, with then-unknowns Murphy and Naomie Harris (the Bond franchise's current Moneypenny) finding the balance between demonstrating their characters' fierce survival instincts and their inherent vulnerability. If you wondering why 28 Months Later hasn't been made, it was talked about for years, but the time has now passed unless the new trilogy includes a flick set between 28 Weeks Later and 28 Years Later. [caption id="attachment_910048" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Oppenheimer[/caption] 28 Years Later and any following sequels don't yet have a release date — we'll update you when more details are announced. Via The Hollywood Reporter.
If we look back to where we were in our early 20s, it was probably still skiving off our parents' health insurance and taking our washing back home every other weekend because we couldn't afford a washing machine. Charlie Carrington, on the other hand, has opened his own South Yarra restaurant, Atlas Dining — and he's only 22. Yep, you read that right. You still haven't bought a washing machine and this kid is opening his own restaurant. And if that wasn't work enough already, Carrington will be doing the cooking too. A trained chef, the 22-year-old has earned his stripes in the kitchens of Vue de Monde and Sydney's Firedoor, as well as a slew of international restaurants. His recent travels around the world are what's led to the decision to not tie Atlas Dining to one cuisine. Instead, it changes with the seasons; every four months the menu switches to a completely different country of origin. The first region Carrington has chosen to tackle is northern Vietnam, honouring dishes from regions like Hanoi and Sapa before moving steadily down the country representing more southern regions as the weather warms up. Carrington picked the Southeast Asian country to kick things off, saying that it felt like a natural fit. "It really worked out well in terms of the fire-cooking we'll be doing," he says. The connection with fire will see him bring techniques he learnt at Firedoor to the plate — and it sounds like tasty, fiery things are nigh. "We've got the same grills, raising and lowering grills, all the charcoal stuff, and we have a woodfire oven too," says Carrington. So bring your meat belly along. What comes after Vietnam? Well, he's heading to Israel at the end of the year, so we know what cuisine #2 will be come 2017. Next stop is Korea (North or South not specified, but probably South) for May to August 2017 and the rest of the trip is as yet unplanned. In the meantime, check out Atlas Dining's Vietnamese fare, continue feeling unaccomplished (we are), and heed his advice for young chefs: go and travel. Definitely words to live by — even if you've never cooked a thing in your life.
Content warning: sexual assault In the wake of revelations about rapper Riff Raff and a brave woman coming forward to tell her story, Richmond's Corner Hotel swiftly cancelled the rapper's show at its venue. The rapper's Australian tour was then also cancelled. The Richmond pub then scheduled a forum and fundraiser to replace it: a community-led discussion on sexual assault and predatory behaviour in the Australian music industry called Where To From Here? Music, Community and the "State of Play"'. The forum will be run by LISTEN, a group that aims to initiate change, inclusion and equality within the Australian music scene, and to promote visibility and experiences of marginalised people in the industry. Things will start at 6pm with a discussion with the sister of Eliza Stafford, the survivor who came forward against Riff Raff, then continue with a panel discussion, targeting the pervasiveness of sexual harassment and assault in the sphere of the live music environment. LISTEN will also provide a soundtrack for the night, with female, LGBTQI+ and gender non-conforming artists and DJs taking to the stage post-panel. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds (including $1 from each drink sold in the bandroom) will go directly to non-profit organisations. This event is designed to discuss and illuminate the unacceptable behaviour that occurs at live music events and within the industry, and will be dealing with subject matter that may be triggering – the organisers are working to create a separate space, as well as helpers, for those who may find it tough to hear and experience.
You've got a new reason to venture into the backstreets of South Melbourne this spring, as the ever-evolving, multi-faceted Half Acre opens its doors to the public. Named after the impressive size of the inner-city block of land it calls home, the new venue sits in the site of a former mill. Here, hospitality veterans Adam Wright-Smith (ex-Fat Radish, Silkstone NYC), Leigh Worcester and Asaf Smoli (of catering company food&desire) have transformed an unloved industrial site into an inviting assembly of indoor and outdoor spaces, that we're forecasting will get a serious workout in the months to come. Across its two buildings, it has an events space, bar and all-day eatery — and it's a design-lover's dream. Modern design blends effortlessly with nods to the past, exposed brick and reclaimed timber complemented by contemporary finishes, including handmade light fittings by the likes of Henry Wilson and Anna Charlesworth. A lofty events space breathes new life into the former mill, all stained timber ceilings and exposed beams, linking through to an open courtyard and the intimate front bar. Considering it's in South Melbourne, inside, it feel surprisingly secluded. At the site's heart, a greenhouse-inspired space holds the open kitchen and restaurant, where Head Chef Eitan Doron is turning out a share-friendly offering that slips easily from lunchtime to night. Expect fare that's approachable, yet elegant, in dishes like whole roasted cauliflower with dukkah and tahini, roasted pumpkin flavoured with blood orange and thyme, grilled king prawns with harissa oil, and a vanilla flan teamed with elderflower jam and almond tuile. A range of pizzas and house-made breads sail from the custom wood-fire oven, and you can watch (and smell) it all being baked from the comfort of your table. Half Acre is no open at 112 Munro Street, South Melbourne. It's open for good times Wednesday and Thursday nights, and from lunchtime through to late-night every Friday through Sunday. Imagery: Tom Ross
Do you remember the first time that you saw a pastel-hued facade, ornate interior detailing, or something gloriously symmetrical indoors or out, then thought "that looks like something out of a Wes Anderson film"? For almost three decades now, we've all done it. Since his feature debut Bottle Rocket, the Asteroid City and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar director has firmly established his stylistic trademarks, ensuring that a Wes Anderson movie is always immediately recognisable as a Wes Anderson movie no matter which of the filmmaker's regular actors is in front of the camera. Brooklyn-based husband and wife Wally and Amanda Koval shared this line of thinking to the point of creating an Instagram account around it in 2017. Accidentally Wes Anderson now has 1.9-million followers. The social media feed is a curated selection of images from real life that look like Anderson has staged, styled and shot them, but hasn't — and after taking films as inspiration for an online compilation of images, Accidentally Wes Anderson has taken the IRL route itself via an exhibition. At Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition, 200-plus images await — and they're all coming to Australia for the first time. Following past runs in Tokyo and Seoul, and present seasons in London and Los Angeles, the immersive art experience will make its Down Under debut in Melbourne from Wednesday, September 18, 2024, complete with ten rooms. Some of the exhibition's walls feature facades that Anderson must covet, others find landscape that'd make the perfect Anderson backdrop, and plenty highlight either vintage vehicles or enchanting hotels. Yes, pastel tones pop up frequently. So does symmetry, including in the exhibition's presentation. The idea is to make you feel like you're stepping into Anderson's flicks by showing how the world beyond his frames often conjures up that sensation anyway. To borrow from a different filmmaker, is this the Wes Anderson version of Inception? Attendees enter an exhibition of real-life pictures inspired by an Instagram account that's inspired by Anderson's moving pictures, particularly his aesthetic within them that takes cues from real life. Accidentally Wes Anderson has also been turned into a book, too, plus a website with a map spanning almost 2000 spots across the planet that fit the theme. At Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition, patrons arrive via the lobby, then explore a space dedicated to portals, then embrace an array of facades. Checking out sections devoted to coastal scenes, planes and trains (and automobiles, of course), sports, accommodation and nature is also on the agenda. There's a space that'll get you watching big-screen travel adventures, too — and, just for Australia, one about Aussie spots that evoke Anderson. For souvenirs, you'll exit through the Accidentally Wes Anderson shop.
There's no reason Christmas shopping should be hell. You don't have to stampede into Myer or David Jones at the last minute. No one's making you stuff those stockings with garbage no one wants. This year you have the opportunity to do things right. The QV are opening up their summery little grass oasis once more for a special kind of Christmas market. With 40 stalls on display, the Melbourne Designed Twilight Markets will be offering up the best of our city's independent artists and designers. There'll be mouth-watering fashion from EAT.ME.DO, original art from Neon Pear, and kooky jewels from Vicki Leigh. But that's not all, every Friday night from 5pm-10pm, this relaxed little space will also be served by a pop-up bar, music, and free picnic rugs for ultimate post-work chill sessions. Don't stress if you miss it either — this gift-giver's dream come true will also be open on weekends. Though you'll have to cope without the bar, the markets will be served with a pop-up cafe from 12pm-5pm on both Saturdays and Sundays.
Chef Tom Sarafian is opening his debut restaurant, ZAREH, on Smith Street in Collingwood next week — a 40-seat ode to his grandfather Zareh, whose journey from Egypt to Melbourne sparked a multigenerational love of hospitality. Expect the warmth of Middle Eastern hosting, filtered through a sleek and moody inner-north lens. "This restaurant is a new chapter in a story that began generations ago," says Sarafian. "My grandfather set the tone for all us Sarafians to follow a career in the food world. Some tried to steer away but we've all ended up working with food in one way or another." At ZAREH, the kitchen finds the centre of the room — fully open and built around a charcoal barbecue and woodfired oven by The Brick Chef. "I've worked in too many kitchens where the chefs are hidden away in basements or behind stainless steel walls," says Sarafian. "[The kitchen is] part of the dining room, because it is central to the experience." The restaurant's menu draws on a mix of Sarafian's family heritage, his stints in renowned Melbourne and London kitchens (Cumulus Inc, Rumi, Petersham Nurseries, St John, to name just a few) and travels through North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East — but is ultimately defined as Armenian-Lebanese. Expect fresh Victorian produce seasoned with 'Mouneh' (pantry goods sourced directly from organic farms in Lebanon) like high-quality za'atar, sumac and pomegranate molasses, plus pine nuts, cedar oak honey and fermented pepper pastes. ZAREH's wine list spotlights producers from Armenia and Lebanon, alongside thoughtful local and international labels. Bartender Matt Linklater leads the cocktail program, with a focus on arak (an anise-flavoured alcohol traditionally served in Middle Eastern countries) — including Arak Farid, discovered by Sarafian and partner Jinane Bou-Assi in Lebanon and now imported to Australia for the first time. Notable drinks include the Zareh Gilda Martini, an icy martini laced with arak and finished with Sarafian's take on the classic Gilda, plus a selection of world-class Armenian brandies. The space, designed with Min Tseng and MIC Projects, channels family nostalgia and Beirut's colour palette: soft green banquettes, pink-hued limestone walls and a flowing tahini-coloured curtain, anchored by a warm timber bar wrapped around the open kitchen. There are details nodding to Sarafian's grandparents' house, too — from bar tiles to a retro glass sliding door. ZAREH will also retail Sarafian signature pantry favourites alongside authentic Lebanese mouneh — distilled waters, vinegars, honey and jams, spices, za'atar and freshly ground sumac — via a partnership with Droubna, a mother-and-daughter team in South Lebanon preserving traditional farming practices and village food culture. It's an invitation to take the flavours home with you. ZAREH will open at 368 Smith Street, Collingwood, from Wednesday next week — dinner service only to start, with lunches added in early spring. Online bookings are now open. Images: Kristoffer Paulsen
If an indulgent Italian feast is on your agenda for Aussie Wine Month, then look no further than the Three Italians lunch. As the name explicitly states, the event will be an Italian smorgasbord, a celebration of the big Italian three — wine, food and opera. The frivolities kick off with Prosecco and canapés on the lawn, and it only gets better from there. Held outside on at the Pizzini Wines estate in Whitfield, Adam Pizzini of Casa Cucina in Wangaratta will prepare a four-course lunch using local produce and Italian wines. All the while, operatic duo Catherine Pendelich and Céd Le Mélédo will fill the country air with sweet music. Have you ever heard of anything more enchanting? We haven't.
Melburnians will have another excuse to hit the water this summer when GoBoat splashes into town. The Denmark-born company has been busy launching its eco-friendly picnic boats in cities all over Europe and, come January, it's set to make its Melbourne debut, giving punters a fun new way to cruise the Yarra. Aimed at making the whole boating caper more accessible for everyday folk, the Scandinavian-designed vessels are slow-moving, a breeze to operate and don't require a boating licence, making for some fun, fuss-free sailing sessions. In a win for the planet, they also run on silent, pollution-free, electric engines, and are crafted from a mix of reclaimed timber and recycled PET bottles. Each of the contemporary GoBoats clocks in at 18-feet long, boasting a central picnic table with room for eight people (and all the necessary snacks and booze). And despite what you might be thinking, they're even affordable enough to fit your post-holiday budget — simply BYO food and drinks, find enough eager sailors to jump aboard and a GoBoat session will cost you less than $15 per person, per hour. That's $109 hourly in total. A fleet of four Melbourne GoBoats will be setting sail out of Docklands from early January, with six more vessels to come. Oh, and did we mention they're pet-friendly? Surely you've got a very good boy who deserves a river jaunt this summer. GoBoat is slated to launch in January, 2019. We'll update you as soon as it has. Images: Lean Timms.
If you've always felt like you have a knack for doing creative stuff with your hands, but find yourself stuck in an office job, it's time to start flexing those knuckles, because there's a whole world out there for you and your restless fingers. Winter time in Melbourne comes with a raft of options for you to get involved in, with workshops and classes that you can fit in around your working hours. Work-Shop's branch in Fitzroy, in particular, has a wealth of useful, creative and novelty related sessions that'll have you hawking the most comprehensive LinkedIn skills section around. It's a good excuse to get out into the city and brave the chilly nights, plus with Samsung's new Galaxy S9 and S9+ and its low light camera, you'll be able to show off those newfound skills to all your mates. LEARN HOW TO USE YOUR SMARTPHONE CAMERA PROPERLY Gone are the days of blurry shots, bad lighting and angles that give you a double chin. Work-Shop will show you the fundamentals of using your Samsung Galaxy to take killer pics. Composition, focusing, exposure and using natural light and flash will all be included in your four hour Saturday morning workshop. Bring yourself, your smartphone, and your Instagram account ready to go. Run by fine-art photographer George Poulakis, you don't need to be an Annie Leibovitz to benefit from this course that'll have you snapping away in full sunlight, low light or no light like a pro in no time. $80 for a four-hour workshop. MAKE YOUR OWN PASTA Aside from our doonas, pasta could be the other single most important thing in getting us through the winter time. Forever our comfort carb of choice, why not get down to basics and learn how to make your wheaty friend from scratch. Craft and Co.'s pasta class masterclass will teach you the art of filled pasta, while you'll also learn the history of pasta shapes, regional differences, and sauces to suit different types. You'll get a beverage on arrival and a charcuterie and cheese board to snack on, too. Don't forget your phone — making pasta takes a lot of love and you're going to want to keep tabs on your progress (probably via your Insta story). $95 for a two-hour workshop. DIY DUMPLINGS The food you can eat in any weather (winter or summer), time (breakfast dumplings are fine) or state (you barely have to chew them if you've got a cold), dumplings are the gift that just keeps giving. Learn how to make your own in this three-hour dumpfest led by The Humble Dumpling's Angie Chong. Get a handle on how to prepare the dough, roll, fill and wrap it all up. Bite-sized parcels of love full of locally sourced and sustainable ingredients will line your stomach before the evening is done. It's a BYO event so grab a bottle of plonk and get to warming up those nimble fingers. $90–$95 for a three-hour workshop. Instead of spending your winter nights on the couch, discover all the after-dark happenings in your city here — and don't forget to document it all on the new Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, designed especially for low light so you can capture your best moments no matter what. Images: Cole Bennetts.
The Victorian Government isn't set to deliver the 2020–21 State Budget until Tuesday, November 24, but it has been revealing some of its details and funding plans in the lead up to that date. And, as the announcement of $200 vouchers for regional getaways made clear, it's focusing on getting Victorians to explore their own backyard — and the entire state — in a big way now that this year's two period of lockdown have come to an end. Also already revealed as part of the budget: a heap of cash directed towards projects in regional areas that Melburnians will want to visit. If you like moseying along the coast, camping by the water and heading to a hot springs resort — another one, in addition to Peninsula Hot Springs — then you're in luck. For folks keen to hit up the Great Ocean Road, that area of the state is set to receive $47.5 million in funding. From that money, $23.8 million will be used to build a coastal walking trail that meanders by the sea and through the hinterland, spanning from Fairhaven to Grey River. It'll extend the existing Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail, and will include up to five new swing suspension bridges with impressive views of the Surf Coast. Around $2 million will go towards creating more campsites along the Surf Coast, too, while $18.3 million is earmarked for upgrading visitor facilities and infrastructure in the area, like toilets, viewing platforms, trails, beach access and car parking — and installing free public wi-fi. [caption id="attachment_746191" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] In the Gippsland region, $18.5 million is being set aside for a number of projects — including several places to spend a hefty amount of time. Over at the Cape Conran Coastal Park, $3.5 million will go to building ten eco-pods to stay in, all from sustainable materials. Next, $1.5 million will be spent on Metung Hot Springs, to create a new year-round geothermal mineral spring that can welcome 250 guests. And, another $1 million is destined for the proposed Nunduk Spa and Eco-Resort at Lake Wellington. The Gippsland funding will also use $3.5 million to restore the timber trestle Snowy Rail Bridge so it can be used safely by pedestrians and cyclists, plus $2 million for additional camping spots in East Gippsland. Another $2.8 million will go towards making Mallacoota Inlet easier to access, and $3.85 million to do the same for the Point Hicks Lighthouse, with $350,000 earmarked for expanding the Raymond Island koala trail. [caption id="attachment_681271" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Nicole Reed[/caption] From an overall Victorian Tourism Recovery Package clocking in at $465 million, cash will also be allocated to a range of other areas — including the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing hiking trail, the Grampians Peak Trail, Mackenzie Falls, the Murray River Adventure Trail, Wilsons Promontory, the Mallee Silo Art Trail and the new National Centre for Photography in Ballarat. For wine-lovers, the funds will also be used to help expand the Prosecco Road winery district, and to establish accommodation at Dal Zotto Wines. Exact timing around all of the above hasn't been announced — and it's a hefty list, so it's safe to say it won't all happen quickly. Still, if you didn't already have a sizeable number of places to visit across the state, you will in the future. For more information about the Victorian Tourism Recovery Package, read the Victorian Government announcement. Top image: Great Ocean Road, Visit Victoria
When the new year rolls around, we like go all Nostradamus on you and make some predictions. Since January, we've guessed at where you'll be going, what you'll be reading and what you'll be watching. Now, we're going to have a crack at what you'll be putting in your mouth this year — and how you'll be doing it. In 2016, we put our money on inhalable cocktails, algae, goats and veganism, among other developments. This year, our crystal ball is giving us Star Trek-level craft beers, boozing on the sand (legally) and lots of eating naked. Here are ten tasty trends you won't be able to avoid in 2017. SCIENCE-INSPIRED CRAFT BEERS Gastronomers like the inimitable Heston Blumenthal have been infusing fine dining with science for years. And now, brewers are following in his footsteps. In the past few months alone, we've reported on a beer that glows in the dark created by a NASA biologist, a brewery in London that makes bespoke beer based on your DNA and a couple of Danish beer-loving buddies who figured out how to make instant craft beer by freeze-drying their favourite tipples. We're both terrified by, and excited about, what might be next. LEGAL DRINKING IN BARS ON THE BEACH We hope. Look, this one isn't exactly a new trend — it's done daily all over the world. But, here in Australia, despite having 10,685 beaches, we're hard pressed to find a bar where we can simultaneously feel the sand between our toes and knock back a cold one, without getting arrested. However, Fremantle's Bathers Beach House fought the law last year and surfaced with Australia's first liquor license for alfresco beach dining (and drinking). Let this be the beginning of something beautiful and nationwide. WILD FERMENTATION WINE Wild fermentation wine has been around for many, many years and is still a big thing in Europe. But, like many age-old agricultural methods, it's often been replaced in Australia with human intervention, usually for the sake of speed and quantity. Now, though, winemakers are winding back the clock, in the pursuit of better, more interesting flavour profiles. To cut a long story short, the wild fermenting of wine involves allowing the grapes' naturally occurring yeasts and bacteria do the job of breaking down sugars, rather than adding copious amounts of yeast to make it happen more quickly. You can read more about wild fermentation wine over here. CLOTHING-OPTIONAL RESTAURANTS When London's first naked restaurant, The Bunyadi, popped up in London in June, the waiting list for reservations hit 46,000 before you could disrobe. This prompted radio journalists Jo Stanley and Anthony 'Lehmo' Lehmann of Melbourne's Gold 104.3 FM to ask whether Aussies would get nude with the same gusto. After being inundated with willing naturists, the duo hosted a packed-out, clothing-free, pop-up at The Noble Experiment on May 26. While the weather's still warm, why not get some practice in with a picnic at one of Sydney's five best nudist beaches? 3D-PRINTED RESTAURANTS When you're not eating food in the nude, you'll be sitting on 3D-printed chairs at 3D-printed tables, holding 3D-printed cutlery, eating 3D-printed meals. This trend also kicked off in 2016, when Food Ink, the world's first 3D-printed restaurant popped-up in London from July 25-27. In 2017, the eatery is embarking on a world tour and, yes, Australia, is on the itinerary, with a visit to Sydney promised. Expect a multi-course, gourmet experience. [caption id="attachment_567134" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Butter.[/caption] RESTAURANT-STYLE EATING AT HOME Chances are you'll be treating your own home more and more like a restaurant this year. In other words, you'll be sitting at your own dining table, eating chef-prepared meals, without doing any dishes and paying for it. This trend is, of course, partly due to the launch of UberEATS, which happened in Melbourne in February 2016, in Sydney in July and in Brisbane in October. Meanwhile, you can't have missed those BMX champs disguised as Deliveroo cyclists dominating the city streets during the past little while. Mind you, they could well find themselves out of a job before too long, given that Domino's completed its first ever pizza delivery by drone in November. [caption id="attachment_601488" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Saint Peter by Nikki To.[/caption] ALL THE FISHY BITS If all the home delivery options in the world couldn't keep you on your couch and venturing out to proper restaurants is still high on your agenda, then we reckon you should get ready to face all the fishy bits. By that, we mean that more and more chefs are adopting a 'head-to-tail' philosophy. And, because fish, unlike cattle, don't have bits that can be turned into clothing, it'll be down to the customer to eat them more comprehensively. Silvereye (RIP) served up an impressive whiting skeleton, while, at Paddington's Saint Peter, the menu has lately offered salt-baked pumpkin with seeds and scales (yep, fish scales), as well as John Dory liver. PLASTIC-FREE DINING France made headline news in September 2016 when the Government officially announced its plan to ban all plastic plates, cups and utensils from 2020. Given that Australians use about one billion disposable coffee cups per year (and that's only coffee cups), it's probably time we followed suit. However, instead of waiting for legal changes, some venues have been taking matters into their own hands. In November, Brisbane's Crowbar announced its intention to phase out plastic straws, while, in January 2017, Sydney's This Must Be The Place invested in metal spoon-straws, to give drinkers an eco-friendly option. [caption id="attachment_608563" align="alignnone" width="1280"] 4 Pines.[/caption] BARREL-AGED BEERS When you're not drinking beers that could've featured in Star Trek, you'll be lingering over those given the most old-fashioned of treatments: barrel ageing. These brews are made in the usual way, then, for a year or so, popped into a barrel that's contained whiskey or muscat or some other beverage, infusing them with more complex flavours. Manly-based brewers 4 Pines are already onto this trend, having opened Public House — a venue entirely dedicated to barrel-aged brews — in Newport in December. And Young Henrys recently brought us Craic and Barrel, a limited release Irish Red Ale aged in Jameson whiskey barrels. [caption id="attachment_549443" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Project Botanicals.[/caption] MATCHING COCKTAILS WITH MEALS Matching wines with dishes is as old as the hills, of course, but cocktail matching is now becoming a thing. One of the biggest champions of this over the years has been Project Botanicals, which is bringing gin-based matches to Australians via a pop-up in Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden this March. Meanwhile, Sydney's Owl House offers an impressive, cocktail-driven degustation menu, with pairs including Pambula oysters and a cynar spritz (cynar, grapefruit, sparkling wine), as well skirt steak (potato, beer, egg, smoked chilli) and a "Buttered Fashion" (butter-infused Bulleit bourbon, honey, bitters).
No longer just the realms of year three excursions where your mum came as chaperone, Melbourne Zoo Twilights — the after-hours live music series that boasts perhaps one of the best summer nights out, as well as lots of adorable animals — has proven it's got some real cred when it comes to hosting outdoor gigs in the past few years. After all, the event has hosted headliners such as Kurt Vile, Cat Power and Ben Folds over the last few years. And this summer the event will return with a series of live sets every weekend from Friday, January 24 through Saturday, March 7. Last month, Zoo Twilights announced famed LA composer and singer Randy Newman — who has won two Academy awards and seven Grammys, and is behind songs in nine Disney and Pixar films — as one of its headline acts. And, now, it's just dropped the full 2020 lineup. Aussie pop royalty Missy Higgins, Twilight regulars The Cat Empire, seminal Jamaican reggae group Toots and The Maytals, Perth noir-pop band Methyl Ethel and dance floor starters Confidence Man will all taking the stage this season. A few big throwbacks are also on this year's program, including the pub-rock legends behind 'Great Southern Land' and 'Electric Blue' Icehouse, 70s English band 10cc — if you don't know the name, you'll definitely know their hit 'I'm Not in Love' — and US gospel queen and 99 Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Mavis Staples. UK-French avant-pop band Stereolab has also reunited after a ten-year break and will be treating to the crowd to its first live performance in a decade. Bringing your own picnic is encouraged, but there'll also be handy gourmet hampers available on-site, as well as a slew of food trucks to choose nosh from. Either way, it's one of the best dates in Melbourne. Plus, all proceeds from Zoo Twilights go back into Zoo Victoria's ongoing conservation work to help fight the extinction of the Mountain Pygmy possum. MELBOURNE ZOO TWILIGHTS 2020 PROGRAM Friday, January 24 — Confidence Man, supported by Wax'o Paradiso Saturday, January 25 — Icehouse, with special guests Friday, January 31 — Toots and The Maytals, supported by Systa BB Saturday, February 1 — An Evening with Randy Newman Friday, February 7 — Missy Higgins, supported by William Crighton Friday, February 14 — The Cat Empire, supported by Emily Wurramara Friday, February 21 — 10cc, supported by Russell Morris Saturday, February 22 — Methyl Ethel, supported by Hatchie Friday, February 28 — Julia Jacklin, supported by Weyes Blood Saturday, February 29 — Meg Mac, supported by Fergus James Friday, March 6 — Stereolab, supported by Mildlife Saturday, March 7 — Mavis Staples, supported by Emma Donovan and The Putbacks Melbourne Zoo Twilights will return to Melbourne Zoo from January 24 until March 7. Tickets go on sale at 8am on Tuesday, October 22 at zootwilights.org.au. Image: Ian Laidlaw.
Head interstate to see a big show, or cross your fingers that it comes to Melbourne? When it comes to huge theatre productions, that's the regular dilemma. Thankfully, the musicals and plays that don't premiere on our turf tend to make their way here eventually — and, just like Hamilton, West End and Broadway hit Girl From the North Country is one of them. For Bob Dylan fans, that name will be familiar. It's the title of one of the legendary folk singer's 1963 songs — a tune that features in this musical, naturally. Indeed, the entire show uses Dylan's tracks, including everything from 'Like a Rolling Stone' and 'Hurricane' to 'Slow Train' and 'I Want You', all weaved throughout a story of American life during the Great Depression. Girl From the North Country will make its Australian premiere at the 2022 Sydney Festival; however, to save you the trip north, it's coming to Melbourne as well from April. So, block out Friday, April 29 in your diary, as that's when its season will get started at the Comedy Theatre. Story-wise, the musical is set in a guesthouse in the US state of Minnesota in 1934. The narrative revolves around owner Nick, who is deeply in debt; his wife Elizabeth, whose mind is fraying; and their pregnant daughter Marianne — as well as a bible-slinging preacher and a boxer endeavouring to make a comeback. Overseas, Girl From the North Country has enjoyed sell-out seasons since it first debuted in London in 2017 — heading from The Old Vic to West End, next leaping to the US for an off-Broadway run, and then hitting up Toronto, returning to West End and premiering on Broadway before the pandemic in early 2022. Locally, the debut Aussie season will star Lisa McCune (The King and I, South Pacific), Zahra Newman (The Book of Mormon, Wentworth), Terence Crawford (Escape From Pretoria, 1984) and Helen Dallimore (Wicked, Legally Blonde). Girl From the North Country will open at the Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne from Friday, April 29, 2022. For further information or to buy tickets from Wednesday, December 15, head to the musical's Australian website.
Attention, Australia's aspiring novelists, budding journalists and up-and-coming writers. The Emerging Writers' Festival returns to Melbourne from June 14–23, bringing together over 200 new and emerging writers in their biggest program yet. Developed by new artistic director Izzy Roberts-Orr in collaboration with former artistic director Michaela McGuire, the festival boasts parties, performances, poetry slams, panels and networking events that all aim to promote and nurture developing storytellers. The jam-packed ten days will begin with an opening night storytelling session — titled Our Invincible Summer — by some of the brightest voices in the literary community. The evening will also include announcements of the recipients of the Monash Undergraduate Prize for Creative Writing and the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript. Stick around for the afterparty, hosted by publication/blog/podcast Hot Chicks with Big Brains. Other key events include a Looking for Alibrandi-inspired formal, Tipping Points — a particularly topical play about climate change which was created in 24 hours — and Love Show, a collective performance by Quippings, a disability performance collective that showcases performers of a huge variety of bodies and minds. If you're looking for an after-dinner show, check out Lost The Plot, which sees lit nerds battle on stage in a night of wacky word games. If you can only commit to one event though, the annual, two-day National Writers' Conference is not to be missed. Held at the State Library of Victoria over the weekend of June 17-18, the event is curated to inspire writers through industry-focused talks, masterclasses and information sessions hosted by some of Australia's top literary talent. Additional masterclasses will be held throughout the festival and span everything from pitching to publishers and freelancing to young adult fiction writing, as well as podcasting, YouTubing and even spoken word. The Industry Insiders series will showcase some of Australia's top emerging editors and field discussions on self-publishing and marketing your work, while foodies can even enjoy a five-course meal in an evening with some of Australia's best food writers on Monday, June 19. The Emerging Writers' Festival 2017 will take place across Melbourne from June 14–23. For the full program of events, visit emergingwritersfestival.org.au.
For many years St Michaels Grammar School and Red Stitch Theatre have sat next to each other with little interaction other than the occasional use of a hall, or the odd class excursion. That is, until recently. Students from the performing arts-centric school will collaborate with actors from Red Stitch in the upcoming production of The Flock and the Nest. Twelve students from St Michaels are pairing up with four Red Stitch actors under the direction of Gary Abrahams to present The Flock and the Nest, a drama about youth, family, grief and loss. When Ebony's sister-in-law, Niamh, visits her and her family on their rural property, all hell breaks loose. The production is a combination of scripted drama and improvisation, written by Melbourne playwright (and the 2013 writer-in-residence at Red Stitch) Glyn Roberts. Taking the age-old tension of blood ties, land entitlement and grief, The Flock and the Nest promises to be a gripping family drama.
The kind of place where 18 degrees is considered freezing, Brisbane is hardly a snowman's natural habitat. But that'll change come summer, when South Bank's Gallery of Modern Art welcomes its own icy figure — and, yes, it'll be made out of real snow. GOMA's latest high-profile acquisition, Snowman is the work of artists Peter Fischli and David Weiss, and dates back to 1987. First conceived as part of a site-specific work at a German thermic power plant, the fairly typical-looking snowman is made from three balls of snow, with the top one boasting hand-drawn eyes and a mouth. What's not typical of this well-travelled snowman, however, is its ability to survive full summers. To protect Snowman from Brisbane's subtropical climate, it'll sit encased in a glass and metal industrial freezer — so, while GOMA visitors will be able to see the frosty sculpture, you definitely won't be able to touch it. But, lucky gallery staff members will be given the task of retracing its eyes and smile every few days, with the artwork's enigmatic expression expected to shift subtly over time from happy to quizzical to maybe even diabolical as a result. When Snowman brings its literal chill to Brissie, it'll mark the piece's first visit to the Southern Hemisphere. Understandably, it's usually exhibited in locations where it's much, much older — including a hit season at New York's Museum of Modern Art. [caption id="attachment_743010" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Snowman (1987/2017-19). Copyright: Peter Fischli David Weiss, Zurich 2019. Courtesy Spruth Magers, Matthew Marks New York and Los Angeles, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich.[/caption] The icy work will first go on display on December 7 as part of GOMA's huge summer showcase, which is completely dedicated to the theme of water. As well as marvelling at Snowman — because a snowman in Brisbane is definitely something worth marvelling at — visitors will also be able to walk across a massive indoor riverbed, with Olafur Eliasson's Riverbed installation another of Water's centrepieces. More than 40 works by international and Australian artists will be featured across the entire exhibition. Geraldine Kirrihi Barlow, Curatorial Manager of International Art at GOMA, hopes the sculpture will help inspire visitors to contemplate topical environmental issues. "In the context of Water, Snowman prompts us to think about issues such as global warming and climate change," Barlow said in a statement. While Water runs until April 26, 2020, Snowman will become a permanent feature at GOMA. The piece isn't just on loan to the gallery, but has been acquired thanks to philanthropic support — and, according to The Courier-Mail, may even eventually tour the state in its freezer. Snowman will display at the Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane as part of GOMA's forthcoming Water exhibition, which runs from December 7, 2019 to April 26, 2020. Top image: Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Snowman (1987/2016). Installation view: SFMOMA. Copyright the artists. Courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery. Photograph: Mary Ellen Hawkins.
There are few things in life that are better than pizza. That's an indisputable fact — but, as fantastic as pizza in general is, free pizza has it beat. And that's just what Small Print Pizza Bar is handing out at its Pizza in the Park Party. Taking place in Windsor's Victoria Gardens between 3–6pm on Sunday, October 28, the event will include free sourdough pizzas — including both vegan-friendly and meat-topped options — plus free house-made soft drinks and free games. Get cosy on a picnic blanket, try your hand at Finska or bocce, and, of course, eat pizza. The event will launch the return of Small Print Pizza Bar's pizza in the park delivery service, which is really exactly what it sounds like. If you're keen on having a picnic in Victoria Gardens over summer, you can order a pizza and the store will deliver it to you. It'll also loan you games or a frisbee for some added fun. Image: Small Print Pizza Bar.
The couple at the centre of relationship dramedy Before Midnight is one we know oddly well, Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy). In a typically Gen X act of slacker romanticism, they spent one night walking and talking around Vienna in 1995's Before Sunrise and were finally reunited for a further afternoon in Paris in 2004's Before Sunset. In the nine years since, it turns out they've stuck with each other, but the insouciance of those early encounters has gone now they're into their early forties. "When was the last time we just walked around bullshitting?" Jesse says in one beautifully self-aware moment, as they rediscover the pastime on holiday in Greece. With this series of films, dialogue is everything. In Before Midnight, it sparkles, dances and defies the bounds we expect of film. All three instalments are the product of a unique collaborative partnership between director Richard Linklater, Hawke and Delpy; from the start the actors have written parts of their own selves into the characters, and the possibility for honest exploration seems to have deepened with the passing of time. Before Midnight is in cinemas on Thursday, July 18, and thanks to Hopscotch Films, we have ten double in-season passes to give away to. To be in the running, sign up to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. Read our full review of Before Midnight here.
Chunky Monkey, Clusterfluff, New York Super Fudge Chunk. These are just some of the more popular flavours of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream — a leading cause of happiness around the world since 1978. While doctors in the future will no doubt tell us otherwise, we can’t think of many things better than gorging on a giant tub of sweet, sweet ice-cream on a warm summer day, except for maybe getting some friends together and going to the movies. Well, it turns out Ben & Jerry’s can help us there as well. Starting on November 30 and running until late December, the 10th Ben & Jerry’s Openair Cinema, erected right by St Kilda Beach, will combine recent releases like Interstellar, Whiplash and The Drop with some more nostalgic picks, including Labyrinth, The Breakfast Club and a sing-along screening of Grease. We're even presenting our very own session of Fury on Sunday, December 6. Having started out on top of the St Kilda Sea Baths, Openair Cinema has now moved down to the lawns by the water, allowing plenty more space for bean loungers, picnics and general unwindulaxing. Festivities start daily at 6.30pm, with live music squeezed in before the film (plus plenty of time to suss out the bar and stock up on snacks). Best of all are the Sunday ‘Sundae’ Sessions, which kick off at 5pm with additional music, games on the lawn and unlimited free Ben & Jerry’s for all. For session times and more information, check out the event website.
When you're looking to add something tasty to a humble slice of bread, plenty of toppings will do the trick. Even if you limit yourself to spreads and only spreads, everything from Vegemite and peanut butter to Nutella and Biscoff exists. But what if you're hankering for a doughnut and don't have any on hand, or you want to tuck into something more than a little healthier? To the delight of your tastebuds, that's where The Wholefoods Refillery's cinnamon donut spread comes in. A smooth concoction that features plenty of cinnamon — obviously — the spread has been available for around a year; however, since late June, The Wholefoods Refillery has been selling it online. That means that you can order a jar, or several, and have it sitting in your cupboard for whenever you need to turn any piece of bread into dessert. Then, just get slathering. The spread is vegan, as well as gluten free and dairy free. It isn't made from doughnuts, of course, but from cashews, peanuts and coconut. Sadly, if you have a nut allergy, that means you'll just have to stick to actual pastries. Because it uses birch xylitol, which is derived from birch, it isn't suitable for dogs either — so don't go sharing your spread with your four-legged best friend. A 375-millilitre jar will set you back $14 and, if you're wondering how else to put it to use, the folks at Wholefoods Refillery have whipped up recipes for apple rings and scrolls. The latter will help tame your Cinnabon cravings, too. And, if you'd like to try the brand's cashew coconut and Not Tella spreas as well, you can nab the trio in a three-pack. The Wholefoods Refillery's cinnamon donut spread is available to purchase for $14 per jar via its website.
If anyone can claim to be the voice of Melbourne’s soul, it is singer Paul Kelly. Like all great artists though, he knows how to stand on the shoulders of giants. In his concert for the Melbourne Festival, Conversations With Ghosts, Kelly will be paying tribute to past masters of the poetic art. From the canons of classical greats such as Yeats and Tennyson, and Australian icons Les Murray, Kenneth Slessor and Judith Wright, Kelly has taken poems that evoke a sense of loss and longing and, working with composer James Ledger, woven them into what promises to be a haunting musical experience. With accompaniment by Genevieve Lacey, a performer who can turn the simple recorder into an instrument of hypnotising beauty, and a ten piece orchestra of talented youth from the Australian National Academy of Music, this is a performance that will speak straight to your heart.
They're sticky, cinnamon scrolls, drenched in glaze and famous all across the USA. And at the end of last year, they finally became available Down Under when Seattle-born chain Cinnabon opened its first Australian store in Brisbane. Now, a second store is set to open next Friday, February 14. That store — sorry everyone else — is also in Brisbane. While the first one is located in Toombul Shopping Centre, this one will be on the other side of the city inside Westfield Garden City. So both north and south Brisbane will be in close proximity to the sticky baked goods. When it opens next week, Brisbanites will be able to grab a scroll from 8am seven days a week — but be prepared to queue. The Toombul store still regularly has a lengthy line, even two months after opening. Just like the Toombul store, this one will sling a trio of Cinnabon cult classics, including the classic cream cheese cinnamon roll, the popular chocolate-drizzled Chocobon and very extra Caramel Pecanbon. They're available in both mini and large sizes, along with packs featuring either four or nine 'minibons'. There's coffee and lots of sugary drinks to pair with your snacks, too, including a cinnamon bun frappe. [caption id="attachment_755764" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Cinnabon Toombul[/caption] If you're yet to get acquainted with the decadent dessert creations, prepare yourself for aromatic, cinnamon-spiked dough made to a long-held recipe, decked out with stacks of signature cream cheese frosting and loaded with extras. They're notoriously tough to replicate. The Australian launch was first announced in January 2019, when family-run Queensland company Bansal Foods scored the Aussie rights to Cinnabon. Cinnabon has been going strong in America since 1985, so it has already picked up plenty of Aussie fans along the way. But this is the first time that we're able to get our hands on those sticky, cinnamon-infused baked goods on home soil. And if you're not in Brisbane, you might just need to be patient. Since opening in December, Cinnabon has run multiple pop-ups around Brisbane and — according to Bansal Foods Group Director Gaurav Bansal — the group is "exploring opportunities to have more pop-ups around the country". In a statement, he also 'promised' to open more permanent bakeries in other cities soon. Cinnabon will open at 8am on Friday, February 14 on level two of Westfield Garden City, Kessels Road, Upper Mount Gravatt.
If we look back to where we were in our early 20s, it was probably still skiving off our parents' health insurance and taking our washing back home every other weekend because we couldn't afford a washing machine. Charlie Carrington, on the other hand, is casually opening his own South Yarra restaurant, Atlas Dining — and he's only 22. Yep, you read that right. You still haven't bought a washing machine and this kid is opening his own restaurant. And if that wasn't work enough already, Carrington will be doing the cooking too. A trained chef, the 22-year-old has earned his stripes in the kitchens of Vue de Monde and Sydney's Firedoor, as well as a slew of international restaurants. His recent travels around the world is what's led to the decision to not tie Atlas Dining to one cuisine. Instead, it will change with the seasons; every four months the menu will switch to a completely different country of origin, beginning with Vietnamese when the restaurant opens on September 1. Starting with northern Vietnam and honouring dishes from regions like Hanoi and Sapa, the menu will move steadily down the country representing more southern regions as the weather warms up. Carrington picked the Southeast Asian country to kick things off, saying that it felt like a natural fit. "It really worked out well in terms of the fire-cooking we'll be doing," he says. The connection with fire will see him bring techniques he learnt at Firedoor to the plate — and it sounds like tasty, firey things are nigh. "We've got the same grills, raising and lowering grills, all the charcoal stuff, and we have a woodfire oven too," says Carrington. So bring your meat belly along. What comes after Vietnam? Well, he's heading to Israel at the end of the year, so we know what cuisine #2 will be come 2017. Next stop is Korea (North or South not specified, but probably South) and the rest of the trip is as yet unplanned. In the meantime, check out Atlas Dining's Vietnamese fare, continue feeling unaccomplished (we are), and heed his advice for young chefs: go and travel. Definitely words to live by — even if you've never cooked a thing in your life. Atlas Dining opens on Thursday, September 1 and will be open for dinner Tuesday through to Saturday at 133 Commercial Road, South Yarra. For more info and to make a booking, check out their atlasdining.com.au.
Gone are the days when a trip to the movies involved little more than a choc top, a jumbo-sized Coke, and a couple hours of screen time. Now cinemas come with all sorts of added extras, from decent booze on offer at the Candy Bar, to on-site cocktail bars for wining and dining before and/or after the credits. The latest treat for Melbourne moviegoers comes in the form of the Astor Theatre's new neighbouring cafe and bar, Overlook. In true film nerd-style, yes, it is named after the eerie hotel from Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, whose dramatic art deco styling somewhat mirrors that of the historic, 80-year-old St Kilda cinema. But with its dapper fitout and walls of movie memorabilia, the Astor's Overlook is guaranteed to be a whole lot more approachable than the film version (and with much less attempted REDRUM). Rather, it looks like a pretty inviting spot for sipping pre-movie vino or dissecting plotlines over a post-film feed. The drinks list has a boutique wine, craft beer, or signature cocktail to complement any kind of feature, while the food is a collaboration with culinary favourites like Milk The Cow, DOC, and Doughboys. Overlook is now open right next to the Astor Theatre on Chapel Street, St Kilda. It's open early till late each night of the week. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
Glen Waverley might not be Melbourne's biggest food hub, but Trei Cafe's opening on Blackburn Road has got has foodies running southeast. Boasting a clean eating menu options and playful pastel features, order yourself a Snickers smoothie bowl and prepare for the healthiest bowl of chocolate ever. Made with almond mylk, cacao, peanut butter, banana, rice malt syrup and salted peanuts, it's almost certainly the best (and nuttiest) start to the day. It's also running a cracker of a special this year, offering all vegan dishes for only $13. Yep, for less than a lobster you can enjoy cookies and cream hotcakes, mushroom burgers, veggie bowls, curried lentils, sushi bowls and the aforementioned acai bowls. If you're an animal-loving coeliac, you'll be looked after, too. With five gluten-free vegan dishes also on offer for only $13 dollarydoos. If you stopped reading at cookies and cream hotcakes and are organising in a trip already we hardly blame you – however, there's no rush. The vegan menu special will be running through to the end of the year, plenty of time to get yourself there an enough times to try everything.
"Darling it's better down where it's wetter" isn't just a line The Little Mermaid fans have had stuck in their head for the last two decades. Come April 2019, it's also the first thing likely to pop into the minds of anyone heading to one particular Norwegian restaurant. Set to open in the coastal village of Båly in the country's south, Under will plunge hungry patrons into watery surroundings, offering more than just the usual scenic vistas. At this eatery, diners will be tucking into their dishes underwater. To be specific, they'll be feasting on seafood under the sea — if you're going to open a space underneath the ocean, you have to serve up the fish, which is just what head chef Nicolai Ellitsgaard will be doing. If that sounds like your idea of a memorable meal, Under is now taking bookings from April 2019 onwards. Visitors will descend down three colour-coded levels to sip sparkling tipples in a champagne bar that boasts views of the shoreline, before enjoying their dinner in the completely submerged dining room. The latter sits five metres below the water's surface, and is surrounded by panoramic acrylic windows for quite the aquatic view. For those wondering about pressure and safety, metre-thick concrete walls will keep everyone nice and dry, in a structure designed by architecture firm Snøhetta. Describing the space as "a sunken periscope", the building is being constructed not only to wow those stepping foot inside, but to fit in with its surroundings. The grey exterior colour scheme is designed to blend in with the rocky coastline, with coarse surfacing that encourages molluscs to cling on. Indeed, over time it's hoped that Under will become an artificial mussel reef. As well as offering quite the place to eat, the project also aims to champion biodiversity, functioning as a research centre for marine life. This will include informational plaques educating visitors about the area, helping to expand not only the list of places you've tucked into a meal, but your knowledge. Start planning your 2019 Scandinavian trip now. Images: Snohetta.
Jackson Pollock's Blue poles (1952), Sol LeWitt's Wall drawing No. 380 a-d (1982) and Jon Schueler's The first day (1956), as well as works by Andy Warhol, James Turrell, Yoko Ono and Mark Rothko will all be available for your viewing pleasure this spring. The world-famous works will take over Canberra's National Gallery of Australia for American Masters 1940–1980, a free blockbuster exhibition showing more than 150 works by over 70 artists. Every piece comes from within the NGA, which impressively holds one of biggest collections of post-war American art outside of the US. Most purchases were made back in the 1970s and 80s, under inaugural director James Mollison — before the gallery's 1982 opening — and, at the time, were considered rather controversial. The show takes you on a chronological journey, beginning with abstract expressionism, which spawned Pollock, Rothko, Willem De Kooning and Frank Stella, before moving onto its many progeny, from colour field and pop to photo-realism and conceptual art. Images: Jackson Pollock, 'Blue poles' (1952), oil, enamel, aluminium paint, glass on canvas, National Gallery of Australia, © Pollock-Krasner Foundation; Installation view.
For most of us, films are synonymous with food and drink. Okay, so we're talking about popcorn and paper cups of watery Diet Coke — but sometimes we do like to also dine out at some of Melbourne's fine establishments for a much needed pre-film feed or a post-movie nightcap and plot deconstruction. With the Melbourne International Film Festival kicking off on July 28, it's time to start planning your eating schedule as well as your screening times. And to make things easier in the mad rush from cinema to cinema, we've put together a list of the best eats and drinks conveniently close to the festival's main venues: The Forum, ACMI, Kino and Melbourne Central Hoyts. So whether you need sustenance in the 45 minute gap between your third and fourth screenings for the day or you want to sit down for dinner and cocktails before a 9pm screening, here's where you can drink and dine and still get there before the opening credits start rolling. DRINK LOOP ROOF MIFF time isn't traditionally rooftop season, but, luckily, Loop Roof has been fitted with gas heaters and a large awning shielding the seats from possible downpours, making it the perfect rooftop bar in-between films. Succulents line the edges of the rooftop oasis, perfectly framing the magnificent view over busy Meyers Place. Elbow your way into one of the tight booth seats with a group of friends or pounce on one of the many garden tables for a few drinks before making your way to Kino. MARY FORTUNE If you're dragging yourself out of the house to see a film in the cold, you may as well indulge in a cocktail or two too. Flinders Lane bar Mary Fortune has teamed up with Grey Goose to create a film-themed cocktail list especially for MIFF. Bibulous film lovers can swing by the upstairs bar any time after 5pm throughout the festival, where they'll find a number of cinema-themed cocktails, including the beef bacon and thyme-infused Dick Tracy, the Bloody Pulp Fiction (with spiced tomato juice, no less), a hazelnut and butter martini named The Man with the Golden Goose, and classy A Streetcar Named Desire, which stars the Amarena cherry. If you want the full fancy film-goers' experience though, order the classic Grey Goose Le Grand Fizz, which is a simple concoction of vodka and St Germain. UNION ELECTRIC Before (or after) you enter a dark room for two to three hours, tuck yourself away in one of Melbourne's cuddly little alcoholic concaves at Union Electric. Behind the mossy green door, Huw Griffiths runs a bar rich in charm and quirky ambiance. What makes Union Electric so great is that you can actually buy a few drinks without draining your wallet. Select from the creative cocktail menu or choose one of the local and imported wines, ciders and beers. Sip them all in the outdoor smoke-free courtyard, which, shielded by a mammoth four-storey brick wall on one side and the undercover bar on the other, is cosy day and night. EAU DE VIE If you can find it, Eau de Vie is one of the best cocktail bars in Melbourne. Down Malthouse Lane, next to a hotel car park, slip through the large wooden door and enter a new world. An intimate cosy space, it's the kind of world where you feel as though you could find yourself sitting next to Jay Gatsby or Mr Fitzgerald himself. Choose a spot at the bar, or perhaps retire to one of the more private booths towards the back. Just don't forget about your film — both The Forum and Kino Cinemas are nearby. MADAME BRUSSELS Everything at Madame Brussels, from the pink walls to the fabric flowers which line the white wooden arches of the bar, will have you turning your lips up in joy — even if you've been here a million times. And that's without even tasting one of their cocktails. Nab a seat in one of the curled iron chairs in the hedged bar, or brave the elements out on the AstroTurfed terrace. It's really the best place to do it. But while you're downing a teapot of cocktails, just remember you'll have to descend the stairs to make it to your movie in one piece. EAT SAKE FLINDERS LANE Because the walk from Hamer Hall to The Forum was just a few steps too far, we're real happy Sake have opened up shop on Flinders Lane. This latest incarnation takes over the former digs of the short-lived Woody P, and offers a good alternative to Chin Chin when their waitlist almost certainly means missing the movie (which is most of the time). The space boasts that trademark Saké wow-factor, incorporating a chic designer fit-out and sleek open kitchen, but it also a basement cocktail lounge perfect for a drink and some quick dins. Plus, you can grab a great bowl of ramen up until 2am, so you can drop in for a feed even after a super late screening. FONDA FLINDERS LANE If you're looking for something fun, fast, bright and loud, then Fonda fits the bill. While their 200-seat Flinders Lane restaurant is a little overwhelming, you'll be fed delicious tacos, guacamole and cheesy corn cobs and served up frozen margaritas at lightning speed. It's the perfect precursor to popcorn. LONGRAIN This one's for when you want to make a night of it. You've got a 9.30pm session? Book at a table for 6pm and take your time eating your way through the dynamite Thai menu. Despite the big windows, this place is cosy (especially on a rainy night) and only a short laneway walk from your table to the cinema. SHANDONG MAMA MINI Dumplings and a movie is a guaranteed ride to good time town. Especially when its ShanDong Mama dumplings and a MIFF film. These guys do some of the best vegan dumplings in the city. Unfortunately everyone knows this and the place is tiny, so getting a seat is highly contested. But worth it. So, so worth it. Only open until 8pm though — so you'll have to go before the movie. SUPERNORMAL If you're planning on coming for a full three-course meal, making a booking in advance. But if you find yourself on Flinders Lane looking for a snack (like, say, a lobster roll), a drink (some sake?) or dessert (peanut butter parfait, no doubt about it), try your luck for a seat at the bar pre- or post- film. To celebrate the 65th Melbourne International Film Festival, the generous guys at Grey Goose are giving away two double passes to the MIFF Opening Night Gala on Thursday, July 28. The event will kick off with a premiere screening of Melbourne director Cris Jones' The Death and Life of Otto Bloom, followed by a party at Hamer Hall. To enter, head over here. By the Concrete Playground team.
If there's one person audiences should happily follow into a haunted house, it's Guillermo del Toro. He played with spooky spaces in the Oscar-winning Pan's Labyrinth and told ghost stories in The Devil's Backbone. Actually, the Mexican filmmaker has danced with all things dark and sinister across his career, including vampires in Cronos, Blade II and TV's The Strain; giant insects in Mimic; a demon defender in the Hellboy movies; and monsters versus robots in Pacific Rim. In Crimson Peak, del Toro dives into gothic horror territory, telling the tale of a young woman (Mia Wasikowska) seduced into confronting the secrets of the titular house. Add Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain and Charlie Hunnam to the stellar cast, as well as a haunting mood and stunningly spooky imagery, and this frightening effort looks like something truly special. Plus, Crimson Peak even earned the approval of iconic horror author Stephen King, who compared it to Evil Dead. Consider us excited — and a little scared, to be honest — in anticipation. Crimson Peak (© 2015 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.) is in cinemas nationally from October 15, and thanks to Universal Pictures Australia, we have 10 double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter and then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
Summer music festivals are all about embracing the best things in life — good vibes, great friends, and epic tunes. But Secret Garden Festival turned the happiness factor up to out-of-control joy by hosting an actual wedding ceremony at Brownlow Hill Farm. The nuptials were held as part of the annual festival's February 24 - 26 celebration of music, creativity, and disco-infused fun, all held for 48 hours against a lush forest backdrop, just one-and-a-half hours outside of Sydney. Though renowned for its stellar lineup, with The Jezabels, Japanese Wallpaper, Oliver Tank, Urthboy and more on this year's bill, the main stage became the site of a very different kind of celebration at 4pm on Saturday, February 25 — the joining in matrimony of Sydneysiders Alexis and Jimmy. Here's how it went down (and you'd best prepare to say "awwwww" quite a bit). The main stage area was set up with chairs for the wedding party, giving them the best position in the fest. Once the formalities got underway, Alexis and Jimmy swapped Peter Pan-themed vows, because that's how you make tying the knot at a festival even more magical. A brass band played 'Sexual Healing' as the newlyweds were raised over the crowd in a cherrypicker — with confetti cannons also thrown into the mix — while the crowd came together to form a "tunnel of love" for the just-hitched duo to run through. When the wedding was announced, festival director Clare Downes said her crew was pretty stoked to be taking on wedding planner duties, and promised one hell of a party for the lucky lovebirds, their friends and family, and all other festivalgoers who'd be getting in on the loved-up fun. "Alexis and Jimmy sent us an email a couple of months ago and I had to rewrite my response about nine times because I was way too overexcited," she told Concrete Playground. "They had already locked in the February 25 for their wedding, but they were just really struggling to find a venue and a celebrant etc — so it was a no brainer. I'm just so stoked they are letting us organise their wedding." While past years have seen Secret Garden host kissing booths, faux weddings, and plenty of dance floor pashes, Alexis and Jimmy's knot-tying marked its first official wedding ceremony. If you managed to get an invite — aka a highly coveted ticket almost instantly sold-out even — it's certain to have been an event to remember. ❤️ Secret Garden's first ever REAL wedding... and they have asked us to plan it 😏💥🎉 A video posted by Secret Garden (@secretgardenfestival) on Dec 12, 2016 at 1:25pm PST Secret Garden Festival takes place on February 24-26, 2017. For more info on the festival, visit secretgarden.com.au. By Libby Curran and Sarah Ward.
Dwayne Johnson (aka 'The Rock') is an absolute Hollywood powerhouse. Just physically the guy's so strong he looks like he could bench press someone while they were bench-pressing. Yet there's so much more than brute force to this wrestler-turned-box office behemoth. In recent times he's had years (such as 2013) where his films have grossed more than US $1 billion combined. With more instalments of the unstoppable Fast and Furious franchise on the horizon, he's fast becoming the most bankable man in the business. No wonder, then, he's recently been hailed as the official heir-apparent to the king of action – Arnold Schwarzenegger. Then there's Kevin Hart, fast-becoming a movie-making powerhouse in his own right. Since just 2014 he's already churned out thirteen films, prompting Chris Rock to joke at the Oscars that not even porn stars make them as quickly as he does. Hart is increasingly being likened to Eddie Murphy for his style of comedy, his likability and his growing credentials as an action-comedy star. With all that said, the only thing surprising about Central Intelligence is how long it took to actually put Hart and Johnson together. And if you're wondering, yes, the film immediately went to no.1 on the US Box Office. Plot wise, there's very little to speak of. Johnson plays Bob Stone, an unflappable CIA operative who may or may not have gone rogue from the Agency, and who twenty years prior was the enormously fat kid subjected to relentless bullying by just about everyone other than Hart in his high school. On the eve of their school reunion, Stone reaches out to Hart's character, Calvin Joyner – the former class president and guy voted 'most likely to succeed'. Joyner is now a mid-level accountant in the throws of a mid-life crisis. Together, the pair quickly find themselves pursued by the CIA as they chase down some secret classified information. It's a classic odd-couple, buddy action comedy in the vein of the Schwarzenegger/DeVito movie Twins, only with far less class and only the most threadbare of storylines. Both Hart and Johnson throw themselves completely into their roles, without which the film would be a proper stinker. They're both terrifically funny actors, and Johnson's deadpan delivery of ridiculous lines is when the movie is at its strongest. It's just frustrating to see the current kings of action and comedy let down by a movie in which the action is entirely dull and derivative, and the comedy is so absent that the only real laughs come from the outtakes playing over the final credits. It all has a feeling of 'she'll be right, mate', relying far too heavily on the celebrity and charisma of its leading men instead of giving them a clever, considered script through which to showcase all that they're capable of. The film does also boast a handful of 'surprise cameos' that briefly recapture your attention, but they're not enough to cover up the gaping holes in plot or direction. Full of potential yet thin on substance, Central Intelligence is best seen as a challenge to the next writer-director to put this pair together. Imagine how brightly these two stars could shine if only they had a decent script. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxEw3elSJ8M
Spotlight is a 'deep breath' movie. The kind that holds you in your seat long after the final frame and leaves you staring at the credits lost in deep, uncomfortable thoughts. You find yourself at once furious and disconsolate, avoiding others’ gaze when possible, and offering mutual half smiles when not. Others simply cry. This is a film about child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, told through the eyes of the Boston Globe journalists who uncovered and exposed it in 2002. The name, Spotlight, refers to the Globe's long-term investigative unit, a four person team whose secretive research and day-to-day operations existed largely outside the newspaper’s conventional structure – a sort of journalistic special forces if you will. Directed by Tom McCarthy (Win Win), Spotlight is, in almost every respect, a masterclass in restraint. From the performances, to the writing, to the direction and, most importantly, to the actions taken by the reporters themselves, it is the definitive anti-clickbait film; an ardent dedication to both an age and institution when the priority of media outlets was not 'first' but 'right'. For the Spotlight team, the mere selection of a story might take months and its final form not see the light of day for more than a year. If something couldn’t be substantiated, the story would be held for a few more months until it could. To imagine that level of patience (and budgetary freedom) in the modern era of twenty-four hour news is all but inconceivable. Of the film's six Academy Award nominations, two are for best supporting performances by Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo, though more could (and perhaps should) have easily been spread across the entire cast. Michael Keaton, Liev Schreiber, Billy Crudup, John Slattery, Brian d’Arcy James and Stanley Tucci all contribute incredibly passionate and complex portrayals of the journalists and lawyers responsible for either exposing or protecting the church’s extraordinarily sordid past and practices. Indeed, there are no weak links in this confident, consummate picture, whose deft touch and understated approach neatly reflect the disciplined reserve of its characters. Powerful, absorbing and deeply moving, Spotlight is almost certainly the best film about journalism, and, specifically, print media, of at least the past decade. Probably more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg5zSVxx9JM
Built onto the disused Sandridge Rail Bridge, The Immersery is perhaps the most innovative festival hub the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival has ever seen. Tying into the theme of water, the multi-level temporary structure features a restaurant, bar and raingarden right on the banks of the Yarra. Open every night of the festival, food will be served by local chefs Florent Gerardin (Silo), Daniel Wilson (Huxtable and Huxtaburger) and Jesse Garner (Añada and Bomba), and the country's best bartenders will converge to create cocktails inspired by the three states of water — solid, liquid and gas. With the likes of Daniel Gregory from The Everleigh and Sydney's Shady Pines, the team from Lily Blacks, Eau de Vie and more, this is one bar you can't miss. This event was one of our top picks for the 2014 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. See the full list here.
Short film, animation and innovative video artwork will all come together at the open-plan Southgate Cinema in July. Presented by Project Quick and Dirty, Play Me highlights the works of some of the country's most talented filmmakers and artists. Best of all, it's absolutely free. Starting July 8, each Tuesday evening will feature a showcase of narrative shorts. This includes a one-off July 15 retrospective of the films of notable VCA alumni such as Adam Elliot (Harvey Krumpet) and Justin Kurzel (Snowtown). Tuesday night bookings are highly recommended to ensure that you don't miss out on a seat. Wednesday and Thursday nights, meanwhile, will be dedicated to works of a more experimental nature. The public can either pull up a deckchair or choose to wander through the atrium cinema, capturing glimpses of moving image artwork that might normally be restricted to play in galleries. For more information on the Play Me program, visit www.playmeprogram.squarespace.com Image: WTF Is Aussie Art? by Mimi Leung.
