Just because The Boys loves satirising pop culture's superhero obsession, that doesn't mean that it can't spark its own franchise. So, when the series quickly proved a hit, of course a whole Vought Cinematic Universe started springing up around it. First came the animated The Boys Presents: Diabolical. Then, Gen V arrived to take on the 'We Gotta Go Now' storyline. Get ready for more of the latter — because Prime Video has just renewed it for a second season. Gen V's freshman outing debuted back in September and won't wrap up until November; however, the streaming platform behind it has already re-enrolled. "We couldn't be happier to make a second season of Gen V. These are characters and stories we've grown to love, and we are thrilled to know people feel the same! The writers are already working on the new season — sophomore year is gonna be wild, with all the twists, heart, satire and exploding genitalia you've come to expect from the show," said showrunner Michele Fazekas (Agent Carter) and executive producer Eric Kripke (The Boys) about the second season. There's no return date for Gen V as yet, just as The Boys' fourth season doesn't yet have a release date either. But when the former does get a second spin, it'll dive back into the chaos at Godolkin University, the college for superheroes that's meant to help prepare the best of the best for caped-crusader life — until exploding classmates, creepy secret facilities and untrustworthy professors complicate matters. Season one spends time with the blood-bending Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), who knows that attending God U is a pivotal opportunity. After a traumatic experience when her powers kicked in, this is her chance to completely change her life — and achieve her dream of becoming the first Black woman in The Seven. Then, nothing turns out as planned. Also, things on campus (and underneath it) get shady, fast. Also starring in season one: Lizze Broadway (Based on a True Story) as Marie's roomate Emma Meyer, who can change her size; Patrick Schwarzenegger (The Staircase) as Luke 'Golden Boy' Riordan, the school's literally hot number one-ranked pupil; Maddie Phillips (Teenage Bounty Hunters) as his persuasive girlfriend Cate Dunlap; Chance Perdomo (also Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as the magnetic Andre Anderson; and London Thor (Never Have I Ever) and Derek Luh (Shining Vale) as the gender-shifting Jordan Li. Check out the trailer for Gen V's first season below: Gen V streams via Prime Video, with a release date for season two not yet announced. Read our review of season one.
For nearly three decades, horror movie lovers have fallen into two categories: those who've dared to say the word 'candyman' five times while staring into a mirror, and those who haven't. That's the kind of impact this spooky supernatural franchise has had over the years, with the film about a fictional urban legend almost becoming an urban legend itself. To the joy of slumber party-throwing teens everywhere, the 1992 original sparked follow-ups in 1995 and 1999 — and, thanks to a new 22-years-later third sequel, that's no longer the end of the story. Given that everything old just keeps coming back again, and that 90s nostalgia is the gift that keeps on giving, another Candyman flick was always going to happen eventually. This one was supposed to release last year, in fact, but then the pandemic scared us all instead. If you're still a little wary — despite its cult status, the initial movie is hardly a masterpiece, and Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh and Candyman: Day of the Dead won the series absolutely zero new fans — Candyman circa 2021 has a few tricks up its sleeves. Firstly, it's directed by Nia DaCosta, whose Tessa Thompson-starring 2018 film Little Woods deserved more attention. Secondly, it's produced and co-written by Jordan Peele, who adds another frightfest to his resume alongside Get Out and Us. And last but by no means least, it features the OG Candyman, Tony Todd, among its cast. As the first trailer back in 2020 initially explained — and now the just-dropped latest trailer expands upon — the new flick focuses on an artist called Anthony McCoy (Aquaman and Watchmen's Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). He decides to start exploring the Candyman legend through his art, a decision that obviously isn't going to turn out well. His girlfriend Brianna (If Beale Street Could Talk's Teyonah Parris), who also runs a gallery, thinks the story is just that. But as Anthony starts investigating the tale, the bee-covered figure starts wreaking havoc again. We all already know why, because that's what happens when folks say his name while looking at their own reflection, but the new sneak peek does offer some more background to the on-screen legend. For Candyman aficionados, Anthony's own name should ring a bell — he's the son of one of the first film's main characters, which might explain just why he's so obsessed with the eponymous ghoul. That said, while he might think he knows what he's getting himself into, Candyman still knows how to unsettle and unnerve. Check out the latest trailer below: Candyman will now open in Australian cinemas on August 26, 2021.
How do you fill 18 Victorian winter days with movies? That's the glorious problem that the Melbourne International Film Festival is tasked with solving each year. 2025's solution for its 73rd event will span hundreds of pictures, brand-new local features and must-see international award-winners alike, as MIFF delivers every August. Some examples this time around: Jafar Panahi's Cannes Palme d'Or-winning It Was Just an Accident, almost-100-year-old masterpiece The Passion of Joan of Arc with a new score by Julia Holter performed live, an Australian time-loop comedy involving tequila, a Baker Boy- and Hugh Jackman (Deadpool & Wolverine)-narrated tribute to David Gulpilil, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind filmmaker Michel Gondry's latest and the world-premiere of natural disaster-focused virtual-reality documentary When the World Came Flooding In. Yes, it's MIFF first glance time, with the festival revealing its initial batch of titles for 2025 — and it's a hefty collection. While there's many more to come, 26 films are now officially on the lineup and set to hit Melbourne's big screens between Thursday, August 7–Sunday, August 24. Some will also play regional Victoria venues across two weekends, Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 17 and Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 24. Then there's the return of MIFF Online via the Australian Centre for the Moving Image's streaming platform Cinema 3, sharing selected fest titles with the rest of Australia across Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 31 (and with Melburnians, too, for a week after the physical festival ends for the year). Among the films mentioned above, the combination of Julia Holter and Carl Theodor Dreyer's 1928 silent great The Passion of Joan of Arc is taking over Melbourne Recital Centre for two evenings; One More Shot will get the spirits flowing amid temporal trickery with help from Emily Browning (Class of '07), Apple Cider Vinegar co-stars Aisha Dee and Ashley Zukerman, Sean Keenan (Exposure) and Pallavi Sharda (The Office); Journey Home, David Gulpilil charts the iconic actor's journey to be laid to rest; and Maya, Give Me a Title hails from Gondry. But even from the first-glance batch, they're just the beginning. Also on the bill, for instance: Richard Linklater's (Hit Man) Blue Moon with Ethan Hawke (Leave the World Behind), Margaret Qualley (The Substance) and Andrew Scott (Ripley); Carey Mulligan (Spaceman) in music-fuelled comedy The Ballad of Wallis Island; the Dylan O'Brien (Saturday Night)-led Twinless; and Dreams, with Jessica Chastain (Mothers' Instinct) reuniting with her Memory helmer Michel Franco. "It all starts here — the full MIFF 2025 program is soon to arrive; set to be a world-ranging, celebratory and all-out extraordinary collection of films," said Melbourne International Film Festival Artistic Director Al Cossar, announcing his team's debut picks for this year. "I'm excited to share some of our first announcement of titles, and incredible highlights, of this year's MIFF: beloved auteurs, festival blockbusters, the best of new Australian filmmaking, alongside the incredibly special and absolutely unmissable live-score cinema event Julia Holter: The Passion of Joan of Arc." Similarly on the way to Melbourne: A24's Sorry, Baby starring Naomi Ackie (Mickey 17), Harvest's pairing of actor Caleb Landry Jones (DogMan) and Greek filmmaker Athina Rachel Tsangari (Chevalier), actor Jay Duplass (Dying for Sex) making his solo directorial debut with SXSW Austin favourite The Baltimorons, and The Bear and Beef alum Alex Russell also doing the same with the obsessive Lurker. The 60s-era Bond-style homage Reflections in a Dead Diamond should be at the top of your list as well if you were a fan of Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani's Let the Corpses Tan when it played MIFF back in 2018, or Amer and The Strange Colour of Your Body's Tears in general. Or, catch Cloud, with e-commerce in the spotlight in Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa's (Serpent's Path) new thriller. Plus, Marlon Williams: Two Worlds — Ngā Ao E Rua is about its namesake New Zealand musician, while Fwends is set in Melbourne and marks Sophie Somerville's first feature. If you've been paying attention to Sydney Film Festival's 2025 program and you're spotting some familiar pictures, MIFF does indeed share some of the same films, as is the custom each and every year. [caption id="attachment_1002698" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Greg Cotten.[/caption] The Victorian capital's annual major film fest boasts its own premiere fund, though, which helps to finance new Australian movies. That's where not only One More Shot but a range of other titles come in, with 2025's haul also spanning the likes of Filipino Australian photographer James J Robinson's debut feature First Light, documentary Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke about the comedy icon, the competitive Microsoft Excel-centric Spreadsheet Champions and Nigerian stand-up comedian Okey Bakassi in Pasa Faho's window into being African Australian, MIFF's program already goes on from there, and already boasts oh-so-much to get excited about; however for even more, the full 2025 lineup will arrive on Thursday, July 10. [caption id="attachment_997749" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alistair Heap/Focus Features ©2025 All Rights Reserved[/caption] The 2025 Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 7–Sunday, August 24 at a variety of venues around Melbourne; from Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 17 and Friday, August 22–Sunday, August 24 in regional Victoria; and online nationwide from Friday, August 15–Sunday, August 31. For further details, including the full program from Thursday, July 10, visit the MIFF website. Top image: Ben King/Stan.
There is nothing like drenching yourself in (fake) blood, stalking your friends (and people you have never met before) and yelling whilst confidently charging your gun-wielding prey. That is why Zedtown, the University of Sydney Verge Arts Festival's version of a live-action game commonly known as Humans vs. Zombies, has grown from 80 players to 300 in just a single year. It is more than just a game; Zedtown is an arena for performance, a realm where fans can enact their favourite zombie fantasies. Under Zedtown's rules, humans must survive a zombie epidemic using only Nerf guns and balled-up socks as weapons. If tagged by a zombie, they must hunt their former kind either until all are undead or a human somehow survives. At the game on Saturday, October 12, 2013, almost 300 human survivors staked out quarantine in the hope of defeating three original zombies (OZs) and containing the virus. Like all epidemics though, this number snowballed despite the arsenal of balled-up socks and foamy ammunition fired by a group of adults holding toy guns. More precisely, a group of proud adult nerds holding toy guns. You see, whilst the game began with only a few hand-selected undead, the OZs did not have to reveal themselves immediately. Humans and zombies are generally differentiated by their respective orange and green headbands and regular zombies are not permitted weapons. However, at the beginning of play OZs are dressed and armed the same as survivors, waiting for their moment to tag survivors and infect them. Yours truly was zombified this very way, declaring that my friend was "too nice to betray us" before she infected my team and ran away. We were forced to yield our childlike artillery and begin hunting for brains. That was when the real fun began. "I think everybody has watched a zombie film at some point and wondered 'how would I do in that world?'", says event curator David Harmon. "Zedtown is a chance for people to live out all the tropes and cliches of zombie horror films. You form a ragtag group of survivors. You ration food and ammunition. You keep watch, you trust no-one. You build a movie story with you and your friends as the stars and you watch as the world goes to hell around you." Looking around the quarantined sandstone structures you can see these storyboards unfold. Survivors dressed in full army fatigues, cowboys sacrificing themselves to save their friends, an unstoppable zombie witch leaving terror in her wake and even a gun-wielding bride. People are performing, taking on characters, which is what the game is for. Renegades run rampant, heroes emerge and legends are born. "Zedtown is about storytelling", Harmon says. "It's about immersive multiplayer collaborative world building. We give players a very simple set of rules that govern how people can live, die and become zombies. After that it's up to them to take that framework and help us build a world out of it." The framework provided is incredibly immersive and significantly aids this construction. From survivor radio to ammo drops to missions to mad scientists, you cannot help but get lost in the world, survivor or zombie. You are pulled in — fear is genuine and you will find yourself peering around corners, back to the wall up to 28 days later. People love this game due to the oldest cliche in the book; it is not about winning, it is about taking part. Through participation, players create narratives they will discuss for years, narratives usually borrowed from films but this time lived. Thankfully we will not have to wait too long for the chance to do it all again. "We've just announced a game we'll be running at Secret Garden Festival 2014 — our first game outside of Sydney University," Harmon says. "That's in February ... and it's going to be a lot of fun." In the meantime, Harmon says that games are "all dependant on finding exactly the right location for zombie horror — so if you happen to own a deserted industrial park, run-down carnival or abandoned hospital please let us know!" Just remember rule number one: cardio. You need it. Words by Matthew Watson. Images by Lindsay Smith. Look out for the next game of Zedtown at the Secret Garden Festival in 2014.
Melbourne, prepare to up your dining game to new and glorious heights – First Table has launched across the city. You'd be forgiven if you've never heard of it, though. First Table may be a new concept, but it's life-changing one at the same time. After launching in New Zealand two years ago, Sydney has enjoyed it for the last twelve months and now it's our turn. The premise is simple: get 50% off your bill when you book an early table. Restaurants often struggle to get diners into the early slot, so First Table have the solution. Each eatery decides how many tables get the deal and what time patrons have to dine, and then you secure your half-price table (for 2 to 4 guests) online beforehand. Everyone wins, and there's no surprises at bill time. Just to be clear, this isn't an early-bird special as you know them. There's no set menu, no watery promo cocktail to disappoint you and no corner of the menu that's off limits (apart from booze – that one you still have to pay for). "You want [new clients] to experience the restaurant how it really is," says First Table founder Mat Weir. "Then you've got a reason to get entrees, mains and desserts which they may not have ordered otherwise, and then you get to actually experience the restaurant how the chef would like, a full experience". And, making great news even better, more restaurants are being signed up in Melbourne every week. After a year of First Table fun, Sydney boasts some prestigious dining experiences on their list, as well as local eateries. As Weir says, a big drawcard for both customers and restaurants is allowing people to try new places and dishes they might not be able to afford otherwise. Half-priced dinners at fancy restaurants AND an early bed time? It's like Christmas come early. For more information about First Table, visit their website.
There's no denying that Melbourne's chilly winters test even the hardiest of us. But luckily, right in the heart of the city, the Duke of Wellington is giving us the perfect antidote to the cold weather blues. Set up on its rooftop is the pop-up Spiked Apple Cider Bar, running all winter long. From now until the end of August, enjoy a hot James Squire Orchard Crush apple cider, served as is for $7 or spiked with your choice of spirit for $18. For the added kick, take your pick between St Remy Brandy, the award-winning French drop; Fijian Bati Spiced Rum, which boasts spicy vanilla overtones; or the sweet and spicy whisky, Fireball. You won't leave hungry either. From the pub's kitchen, you can snack on a range of scrumptious treats, including grilled saganaki, Lygon Street-style lasagne croquettes and chargrilled tandoori chicken skewers. You'll also enjoy views of the Forum, Fed Square and Flinders Street from the Duke's weather-proof rooftop, protecting you from all the elements. Plus, there'll be chunky knits and plaid blankets to rug up under. Slot into a booth and get cosy. You'll probably be staying a while. The Spiked Apple Bar is located on The Duke of Wellington's rooftop and will run throughout winter. Bookings can be made here.
Sometimes, we're all looking onwards, upwards and forwards because we're thinking about the future. Given how normality as everyone knows it has changed and evolved rapidly over the past couple of years, that's hardly surprising. But don't forget to look up literally, too — especially when must-see sights keep gracing the night sky. When it comes to vibrant astronomical visions, this is the latest in the space of a few short weeks, after the Lyrids meteor shower lit up the night back in April. Every autumn, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower sets the sky ablaze, too — and it's that time now. This year, the shower will be at its most spectacular early on Saturday, May 7 — very early, in fact. If you're eager to catch a glimpse, even from just your backyard or balcony, here's how. WHAT IS IT The Eta Aquarids might not be as famous as Halley's Comet, but the shower is actually a distant relation — because the bits and pieces you see flying around were on Halley's path a really, really long time ago. And, rather than only being visible every 76 years (the next Halley's Comet sighting is in 2061), the Eta Aquarids come around every year, usually between April 19–May 28 every year. The shower's name comes from the star from which they appear to come Eta Aquarii, which is part of the Aquarius constellation. So, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. Luckily, being in the southern hemisphere, we get some of the best views in the world. On average, you can see up to 20–40 meteors per hour. [caption id="attachment_769233" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] WHEN TO SEE IT The shower will reach a peak in the early morning of Saturday, May 7, but will still be able to be seen for a few days on either side. The best time to catch an eyeful is just before dawn after the moon has set, so around 4am — but between 2am–6am is also recommended. At that time, you'll be in the running to see as many as 50 meteors every 60 minutes. Each will be moving at about 225,000 kilometres per hour, shining extraordinarily brightly and leaving a long wake. The shower's cause is, essentially, the Earth getting in the comet's way, causing stardust to fry up in the atmosphere. HOW TO SEE IT Usually, when a meteor shower lights up the sky, we'd tell city-dwellers to get as far away from light pollution as possible to get the best view. If you can't venture out of town at the moment, you can still take a gander from your backyard or balcony. To help locate the shower, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also has a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Eta Aquarids. It has been updating this daily. The weather might get in the way of your viewing, though, depending on where you live. Melbourne is set for showers until next Monday, and Adelaide is as well until Saturday — fingers crossed that the wet weather takes a break during the early hours. It's also forecast to be wet in Brisbane until Friday, so here's hoping that any rain doesn't hang around till Saturday. In Sydney and Perth, however, sunny conditions await.
Today, you might want to set aside some time to start plotting the quickest route from your work to Coburg, because Moreland Road's newly opened Stretched Pizza is dishing up free pizza from 5pm. From the same team behind foodie hot-spots like Pizza e Birra and Long Story Short (in Brunswick and Port Melbourne), Stretched has had locals salivating since opening its doors a few weeks ago, and today — Thursday, April 19 — it's celebrating by treating its first 100 customers to a few slices of pizza, on the house. This ain't your average pizza situation either. Here, expect fluffy hand-stretched bases, many carrying weird-yet-wonderful topping combinations and cheeky names to match. We're talking creations like The Hangover, with its burger-inspired mix of bacon, ground beef, ketchup, mustard and American cheddar, and The Un-Pho-Gettable, where Vietnamese soup meets pizza in a tasty explosion of steak, sprouts, Sriracha and Vietnamese basil. Other hits include the more traditional combo of mushroom, ham, artichokes and olives, and the Lobster With The Mobster, featuring garlic prawns and peas. Stretched is destined to win over the masses too, thanks to a hefty range of vegan and vegetarian options, and the gluten-free bases that come at no extra charge. A true pizza blessing. Stretched Pizza's opening party kicks off from 5–7pm on April 19, with one free pizza going to each of the first 100 customers through the door. After 7pm, all pizzas will be priced at $10 for the rest of the evening. Find it at 53 Moreland Road, Coburg. For more info, visit stretchedpizza.com.au.
Owning your first pair of R.M. Williams is like an Australian coming-of-age moment. The brand, first established in 1932 by Reginald Murray Williams, is a classic through and through. From a modest start in the Adelaide outback learning leatherworking from local bushmen, Williams built a following among the stockmen and women of the heartland, and eventually — over a highly prolific eight decades — gained global notoriety. 85 years later, fans are still wearing R.M.s — from farmers in the outback, to corporate businessmen, to the style set at fashion week. How has the iconic brand managed to stay relevant, and stand the test of time over eight decades? In partnership with R.M. Williams and in celebration of their 85th anniversary, we sat down with head designer Jeremy Hershan to discuss respecting your roots, honouring the craft and innovating from there. Oh, and never, ever forgoing quality. TIMELESS DESIGN NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE Jeremy Hershan earned his stripes in the fashion industry designing for high-end, heritage brands — he's worked with Kris Van Assche of Dior Homme, and set up on London's Savile Row at Gieves & Hawkes. Last year, the Melbourne-born designer landed the lead design role at R.M. Williams, bringing with him a respect for tradition, an appreciation for quality shoes and most importantly, contemporary insight — a necessity for keeping things fresh and captivating at a history-rich design house like R.M. Williams. A treasure trove of beautifully-crafted pieces, the R.M. Williams archive provides a huge source of inspiration. Reworking archival pieces to suit contemporary trends, Hershan explained how he looked to the archives to find relevant styles to reinterpret for the brand's future. Take the R.M. Williams signature Craftsman boot, for example. First created for the working men and women out in the Australian bush, the boots' design has barely changed during the brand's 85 years. Rather than reinvent the boots every season, modern touches and the use of alternative materials and treatments keep the iconic style fresh and contemporary. For the latest collection, R.M. Williams' master craftspeople worked and reworked the leather of the boots over several days, hand-staining with different creams to create a rich, burnished patina. This sort of attention to detail, and the quality of each and every pair has been key to the brand's 85-year survival. Every shoe is made with one single piece of leather and one integral seam, personally created by craftspeople at the brand's Adelaide workshop. KEEPING THINGS FRESH THROUGH INNOVATION Over the years, the Craftsman boot has evolved to incorporate new materials, cuts and fabrications. There are now Classic, Comfort, Signature and Natural styles — each with a different finish, sole style and fit. Originally available only in classic dark brown, the boots are now available in a range of colours including dark tan, chestnut and black, as well as leathers, like French veal calf, crocodile and even kangaroo (if you're feeling patriotic) among many other options. If you are more partial to lighter styles, there's also the women's Adelaide — a slimmer shoe to the Craftsman — and the pointed-toe Millicent, which gained popularity with the fashion crowd after Australian designer Dion Lee collaborated with the brand and dressed his models in custom boots for his runway at fashion week in New York and Sydney in 2014. By responding to trends through colour and material, the brand has managed to evolve, stay relevant and keep their boots fashionable. Small tweaks have made huge differences, and collaborations with high-end designers have opened the brand up to new customers, all while allowing them to keep their loyal customer base. They've even gone as far as expanding their reach into your home. You can now customise your very own bespoke pair of boots — literally creating those perfect, slightly out-of-reach shoes you've been searching for your whole life. THE ANTIDOTE TO DISPOSABLE FASHION With shops overrun by fast, disposable fashion, it's all too easy to buy designer imitations that only last a few months. Hershan urges the need to return to quality and reevaluate our view of fashion. Not mentioning the numerous social and environmental benefits that come from quitting fast fashion, if you invest in a quality pair of boots, they'll last you forever and only get better with time — you know when your boots start to scruff in exactly the right places, that's when they've truly become your boots. Follow Hershan's advice and spend your hard-earned money on a long-term investment, like the Craftsman, that remains stylish and cuts through the noise of ever-changing fast fashion. "It's about buying less, but buying better. A pair of boots is an investment that will last you a lifetime if you take care of them in the right way." Judging by the success of R.M. Williams over the past 85 years, they won't go out of fashion either. R.M. Williams Craftsman, Adelaide and Millicent boots are available online — head to the website to shop the latest collection or create your own bespoke pair. By Quinn Connors and Kelly Pigram.
It's the huge showcase that took the world by storm, sending David Bowie's lightning bolt-adorned face everywhere from London and Berlin to Tokyo and Melbourne. His Ziggy Stardust costumes, various handwritten lyrics, an assortment of album artwork, rare photographs and even the magic orb he fondled as Jareth in Labyrinth, too. Organised by London's Victoria and Albert Museum, David Bowie is exhibited hundreds objects from the David Bowie Archive, visiting 12 cities over six years and attracting more than two million visitors — and while it finished its final run in Brooklyn early in 2018, it's now back in a new format. Available since Tuesday, January 8 — aka what would've been the music icon's 72nd birthday — David Bowie is now exists as a digital recreation that you can access on your phone. As first announced back in July 2018, fans can tour the Bowie bonanza as an augmented reality (AR) experience, which features a sequence of audio-visual spaces highlighting artifacts from Bowie's life. Basically, it's like heading along without the crowds, and with Gary Oldman narrating your journey through the exhibition. Specifically, there's 56 costumes, 60 original lyrics sheets and design notes, 50 photos, 33 drawings and sketches, and seven paintings — plus 38 songs, and 23 music videos and live performances. The entire slate features more than 400 high-resolution captures, including 60 new objects that weren't included in the touring exhibition. [caption id="attachment_705202" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] David Bowie Is[/caption] Available on iOs and Android platforms, David Bowie is' AR version doesn't just involve looking at 2D representations, either, with 3D scans used to preserve and present the artist's costumes and objects in detail. And, there's more to come, with a virtual reality version still in the works. Here's hoping that Bowie obsessives will be able to virtually step into one of his out-of-sight outfits and see themselves in one — yes, this might be your chance to turn and face the strange or experience some ch-ch-changes. A collaboration between Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc, the David Bowie Archive and the V&A, "the augmented reality adaptation of David Bowie is enables you to explore the entire exhibition in the intimacy of your own environment, without glass barriers, vitrines or throngs of visitors," according to the exhibition website. It costs $12.99, with a portion of the profits to be donated the V&A and Brooklyn Museum. David Bowie is now available on iOs and Android platforms. For further information, head to davidbowieisreal.com. Images: David Bowie Is.
We're used to seeing bars specialise in just one spirit — Gin Palace, Studio Amaro and Mejico — or simply focus on wine, dark spirits or beers. But rum and champagne? For us, that's a new and unlikely pairing. Yet for Huw Griffiths (Union Electric), these boozy bevs are meant to be together. He believes this so strongly that he has set up Lola Belle on Fitzroy's Brunswick Street, a cosy new bar that champions both champagne and sugarcane. In the back bar, you'll find one of Australia's largest collections of rum, which the team will gladly help you explore. There is a strong focus on terroir, highlighting unique flavour profiles from rums all over the world. But those who don't take their rum straight need not worry. Rum-based cocktails also feature here in spades, with a particular focus on daiquiris. Right now, there are three variations on the menu, including one made with light rum, another with dark rum and a third that features acid-adjusted grapefruit juice. "We want people to order their daiquiri like they order a martini – to know the style they like," Griffiths explains. Lola Belle also features an extensive champagne selection. We're not sure how mixing these two drinks throughout the night will pan out, but you're more than welcome to give it a go and let us know how you feel the next day. Pair your pour with simple eats like fresh oysters, and cheese and meat boards. This is a bar, first and foremost, so don't expect food to be plentiful or particularly lavish. You come here for the drinks, choosing to dine out in the area either before or after hitting Lola Belle. You'll find Lola Belle at 233 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, open 4–11pm from Monday–Thursday, 12pm–1am on Friday and Saturday, and 12–11pm on Sunday. For more details, visit the venue's website.
You may know Mike Mills for his music videos, posters, album covers, artist books - he's a man of many pursuits. Having directed his first feature length film Thumbsucker (2005), his new film, Beginners, is a considered and tightly-tuned autobiographical account of love, generation gaps and expectations. Tom Melick meets him in a beige-smothered hotel room. He wears a suit, looks overworked and speaks with a casual generosity. I was wondering, with the disciplines you seem to swim in (graphic design, illustration, music, film, graffiti, photography and so on) do you think of your output as one inter-connected 'total artwork' or are they distinct in your mind? Well, lots of themes and interests run across all the work I do – so in one very important way they are all interrelated – they kind of help each other. I guess I like being busy in my head because I'm happy when I have all these projects running concurrently. So there is definitely cross-pollination going on. Obviously making a film is so different from making a poster or a record cover. Film is such a public thing; you need so many people, you have to source all that money – it's a political affair. So they relate and they totally don't relate. Ok ok, so they sit on a similar conceptual ground but not on a practical one? Yes, my projects are linked through the deeper themes they explore…or just wanting to be creative, or simply wanting to talk to people. I mean the excitement I might have for a poster or a Fellini film is a similar excitement. I'm interested in joining these (not so) different realms. Elvis Costello supposedly said that his songs had to 'work' even when played through the cheapest transistor radio. I thought that a similar want is present in your work, where expressing the idea is paramount, with the medium being a result of the idea. Beginners is a film that contains a lot of other mediums – text, still images of presidents, stars and nature, graffiti, colour that fills the entire screen…does the idea come first for you, followed by the appropriate vehicle? I see. Well, I went to art school and studied with a conceptual artist named Hans Haake, so really I've always thought of myself as a product of those classes because Haake was all about [fingers jumping into action]: 1. That the idea comes first – the idea is primary and; 2. The medium is secondary, or serves the idea. If you think about it this enabled me to construct my own kind of career, giving me permission to do lots of things all at once. Haake was all about how to get out of the verified art world, since it really can be like contained theatre: you can do anything you want but you're not really sure what the impact is. It's exclusive, it's integrated with money – and not just any kind of money – rich people money. So from art school my friends and I looked for other outlets. So is that what drew you to film, in that it's less about speaking to the already converted and more about an immersive engagement? Sure, yeah, definitely. Film offers a much bigger discussion. I mean Beginners isn't exactly a huge blockbuster film but I've already been to many countries, I've been all over America, I'm talking to all kinds of people who may not be ready to see an older gay man on screen for example…people who have never thought about Fellini or the Situationists – so that's really powerful. Film offers an amazing opportunity. In the States when I'm on tour I do a lot of those morning breakfast shows…and I'm really proud that my Dad's story can be relayed via that kind of platform. Even the fact that my film re-looks at the 'all-American' family, or what constitutes a 'normal family', finds an unlikely audience through those shows. This platform is much more interesting for me then presenting the same idea in a museum or gallery. What interested me about Beginners was the father - played excellently by Christopher Plummer - who tells his son (Oliver) he is gay late in life. The father undergoes a kind of re-politicization – where suddenly he is going to gay nightclubs, has a boyfriend and begins writing papers as a gay activist…living a hyper-political life but at the same time nearing death from terminal cancer. Was this mix of politics couched in humour and sadness an intentional strategy, or did it come quite naturally? Hmm…a bit of both actually. I'm interested in asking how we got here. Which is very Marxist in a way. I like the idea of addressing a political position in an entertainment context, accompanied by humor or silliness. Like Situationist graffiti mixed with Groucho Marx. Humor is fantastically subversive, and why not? For me it's an awesome anti-depressant, it's just fun to laugh than to not, you can really undermine and reveal the false stories that we all pretend to believe in. Humour is great way to discuss bigger themes without needing to be explicit – when I show people my films they don't need to know about Guy Debord even though I was thinking of him at times during its making. I like that. I see, it reminds me of Charlie Chaplin's 1940 film The Great Dictator where he simultaneously plays both the lowly Jewish barber as well as a fumbling, insecure version of Hitler himself. Yeah exactly…but even that is more overtly political. I've just been reading about Chaplin actually. There is so much hunger in Chaplin's humor for example. There are so many food gags or just depictions of being hungry, of people trying to find or make food…so there is definitely a class consciousness embedded in Chaplin's humor – he's quite a punk in that way, always a vandal, always in prison, never cooperating. You focus a lot on the distance between generations in the film. We see Oliver [played by Ewan McGregor] dealing with his dying father and trying to understand love at the same time – both in his own life and in his father's. I wondered what you thought about how each generation re-invents what it means to be in a relationship, what it means to be in love at a certain time and so on. As historical beings the personal is political…the genesis of all of this comes from my real Dad having to grapple with social constructions of what constitutes a relationship. Being born in the 1950s meant that he faced certain challenges that no longer seem so ingrained…homophobia, a psychoanalyst telling him he had a mental illness, expectations of a married man and so on. He never really understood my ideas of love, why I was asking for so much, and I never understood his, since I thought he was asking for too little. The fact is that our idea of love is historical and it's codified. And that's really the fulcrum in which the story spans out of. It was me trying to understand my Dad; what was it like to be gay and born at that time? What was it like to marry my Mum in 1955 and be gay? That's when I devised those lyrical essays that you'll notice in the film – it's the voice of Oliver who guides you through the film and its the most 'me' element in the story. You'll find similar strategies are used by artists like Christian Boltanski and Sophie Calle to great effect. That's interesting because there is this literal but personalised tone in the film, where information is delivered flatly and succulently but somehow escapes your regular didacticism. That's a gag I'm fond of. A big influence is Jorgan Leth's 1967 film The Perfect Human. Being so straight that it…[pauses to think] So literal that it manages to go somewhere else… Exactly. I could do that shtick forever. In fact there is a scene where Ewan is dancing at a party and the dance is modeled off the one the man does in The Perfect Human. What about other influences? Big or small, direct or indirect. Tons. I did a blog on the Focus Films site, which lists a bunch of influences for the film, from the Milan Kundera's Unbearable Lightness of Being (the book not the film) to Istvan Szabos' Love Film. One last question. Arthur – Oliver's four-legged companion that he inherits when his father becomes unwell – plays a substantial role in the film. Explain? Arthur (whose real name is Cosmo) is a curious soul and good interlocutor despite being unable to speak. He and Ewan actually developed a great chemistry on screen, where Cosmo would respond to Ewan's gestures and vice versa. On set we'd treat him as though he was an alien visiting earth; he wasn't cute, he didn't speak our language but he was an intelligent being. Dogs have 220 million smell receptors and we have 5 million – who knows what the fuck they're smelling that we're missing. To win one of ten double passes, just make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=KplqiAHYnHo
One of Sydney's leading hospitality groups is set to venture outside of New South Wales for the first time, with Merivale announcing its upcoming entry into Melbourne. The industry giant, which is helmed by CEO Justin Hemmes, will take ownership of Tomasetti House at 277 Flinders Lane in the heart of the Melbourne CBD. The historic building, built in 1853, is located just off of Flinders Street — a five-minute walk from Federation Square. Merivale currently operates more than 60 venues across Sydney, including popular restaurants Totti's and Mr. Wong, Sydney stalwarts The Beresford and Vic on the Park, and expansive bars Ivy and Coogee Pavilion. Hemmes' collection of bars and restaurants has been growing in recent years, with the purchase of venues such as The Duke of Gloucester Hotel and Hotel Centennial. Earlier in 2021, Hemmes and co purchased waterside bar The Quaterdeck on the NSW south coast, marking Merivale's first venture outside of Sydney. "Melbourne's CBD has suffered terribly from the hardships of the past year. We are committed to doing everything we can to help reinvigorate the city and support it in its road to recovery," Hemmes said in a statement. "Its local hospitality industry is one of the best in the world; brimming with creative culinary talent and supported by a passionate community of diners." [caption id="attachment_702661" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Totti's by Nikki To[/caption] Originally opened as a warehouse, Tomasetti House has operated as everything from a warehouse to a bar and nightclub across its 150-plus years. Most recently, the building has been in the hands of hospitality and tourism group Millet Group who have operated The Mill House out of the building's ground floor. Merivale is set to receive the keys to the multi-storey building late this year, with further details and plans yet to be announced. Merivale will open its first Melbourne outpost at Tomasetti House, 277 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, with further details yet to be revealed. To keep an eye out for future announcements, head to the Merivale website. Top image: The Mill House
It's been a long time coming and a pretty rough road, but we finally have an answer to the Australian marriage law postal survey. And that answer is a big fat yes, pushing the nation, at long last, closer than it's ever been to marriage equality. As announced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in Canberra at 10am today, 61.6 percent percent of Aussie voters are on board with same-sex marriage being legalised — that's a tidy 7,817,247 people. A break-down of the votes for various electorates and the participation rates for different age groups has also been nutted out, and is live now, over at the ABS' survey results website. Of course, this 'yes' doesn't automatically ensure a smooth ride to marriage law reform. The issue will now be handed over to parliament, and while Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull promised he'd "facilitate a private member's bill to legalise same-sex marriage", if that's how the public voted, the bill still has to be passed. That said, if you were one of the majority hanging for a 'yes' result, it's time to cue the celebrations, and get along to one of the many post-results gatherings and parties happening across the country. In Melbourne, they're closing off part of Lygon Street in front of Trades Hall for a massive street party from 5.30pm, complete with food, booze and performances by the likes of Habits, Tanzer, MinnieTaur and The Ballarat Orchestra + LGBTIQ Choir. Sydney pub The Lansdowne will be letting its hair down with some loved-up celebrations featuring DJs from 2pm until late, plus shows by legendary tribute lip-syncing parody drag band The Magda Szubanskis. And in Brisbane, West End's Rumpus Room is teaming up with GetUp! and Equal Love for an evening of drinking, dancing and celebrating, from 6pm tonight. Image: Leticia Almeida.
Everyone's favourite 'candy man' hit Aussie shores in January, with the smash-hit musical production of Charlie And the Chocolate Factory hitting the stage in Sydney. And now, it's Melbourne's turn, with the announcement that the show will do a season at Her Majesty's Theatre from this August. Roald Dahl's classic sugar-dusted tale is being brought to life in its Australian debut by a collaboration between theatre producers John Frost, Craig Donnell, Langley Park Productions, Neal Street Productions and Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures. Following the worldwide popularity of both the original book and the 1971 Gene Wilder film of the same name, the musical has been confirmed a sweet success internationally, scoring rave reviews during its stint on Broadway last year and selling out a heap of shows in Sydney. With original songs like The Candy Man and I've Got a Golden Ticket featured alongside new tunes from the songwriters of Hairspray, this confection of a show promises to lure audiences of all ages into, shall we say, a land of pure imagination. It's directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, with music by Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Marc Shaiman, lyrics courtesy of Grammy and Tony Award winners Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, and choreography by Tony Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's Sydney season will kick off on August 9, 2019, with performances running on Wednesday to Sunday. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 15 at charliethemusical.com.au. Top image: Joan Marcus, the original Broadway cast 2017.
If holidaying or staycationing puts your sweet tooth in a treat yo'self sort of mood, we've found the ultimate city getaway to sate those cravings. Flinders Street hotel DoubleTree by Hilton has transformed its two-storey Loft Room into an eye-popping, neon-hued homage to all things sweet. Created with the help of LED neon specialists Electric Confetti, the new Sugar High suite is as much a sugar rush for your eyes as it is for your tastebuds. Expect glittery wall tiles in various shades of musk stick and red frog, giant inflatable ice creams for sweet-toothed selfies, and a festival's worth of fun neon shapes splashed throughout — candy hearts with sweet messages, hundreds and thousands, and even a supersized Bubble O'Bill. The room is also stocked with the real deal, including jars brimming with classic lollies. Guests on the Sugar High Package will enjoy an assorted mini jar of sugary treats each, with additional jars available to purchase if you really want to dive in. There's even a huge 950-gram container of gumballs that might catch your eye. The hotel package also includes signature DoubleTree cookies on arrival, a pair of exclusive ice cream-print socks each and a daily buffet breakfast — if you're still hungry after all the sugar, that is. If you'd like to treat your sweet tooth — and camera roll — to a stay in the Sugar High Room, you've got until October 31, when it's set to morph back to its usual self. DoubleTree Hilton's Sugar High Package is available until October 30, with rates from $470. Book via the website using the promo code PR04MC, or mention the room when making a phone reservation.
If you've been mourning the absence of Red Hill's Montalto, then dry your eyes. The fourteen times-hatted Mornington Peninsula institution has reopened as a revamped, more relaxed version of itself, with an emphasis on cooking over fire, sharing plates, enjoying long conversations and soaking up rural views. On arriving, the first thing you'll notice is that the kitchen has gone through a stripped-back redesign. The new centrepiece is an asado grill, based on Argentinian parrillas. "The grill is a modern take on something very traditional; that's how I like to cook, so there's a connection there for me," said head chef Gerard Phelan. "This style of cooking requires great care and attention, so we give the produce the treatment it truly deserves, and it brings a refined rusticity to the dishes." Providing much of this produce is Montalto's kitchen garden, now expanded to a mighty four acres. To sample its goodness, order swimmer crab and white asparagus mornay or broad bean, globe artichoke, goats cheese and dill. Meanwhile, all meat on the menu is sourced from nearby producers. These include Mount Macedon's Milla's Farm Ducks, which contributes to the half duck with preserved mandarin dish, and Trentham's Milking Yard Farm, whose wares are found in the veal rib-eye, kohlrabi and miso. The linen tablecloths have disappeared and in their place are handcrafted tables, made of recycled and sustainable chestnut by Zac Pearton of ZP Woodworks. Overall, the space has a more relaxed, open feel, making the most of Montalto Estate panoramas, dotted with vines, olive groves and sculptures. Find Montalto at 33 Red Hill-Shoreham Road, Red Hill. Visit their website for further information.
So, you spent all the money during silly season last year and now feel the need to be frugal this month — cooking at home and spending most social time out in parks or at the beach. We are all for this, but you can still dine out this month without spending big. Thanks to the crew at Marameo, you can have your cake (well, pasta) and eat it too. Throughout January, the team at this CBD Italian restaurant is pumping out its famed cacio e pep for just $15 at both lunch and dinner. That's a proper bargain, with bowls of pasta often soaring well over $30 these days. Since opening its doors five years ago, Marameo has served over 26,849 bowls of its signature cacio e pepe, and the team plans to get that over 30,000 by the end of January. Why not help them get there? Images: Kristoffer Paulsen.
The Gold Coast isn't known for its subtlety. Forget things like schoolies, bikini-wearing metre maids and theme parks — when you're a city that boasts a coastline that big, you're going to flaunt it. And why not? Perhaps that's the thinking behind the new beach club slated for The Spit. Seems playing host to Australia's first six-star hotel wasn't enough attention for the Gold Coast. Open to the public, measuring 6000 square metres in size and catering for up to 3000 people, the beach club features pretty much everything you're imagining a huge new hangout space by the water should: a rooftop lounge, nightclub, restaurants, cafes, VIP cabanas, gardens and lawns for a dash of greenery, and an outdoor pool and beach area, of course, and hosting DJs and live performances is part of the plan. The beach club will form part of a proposed new development, which has been given the rather bland moniker of the Gold Coast Integrated Resort. The project aims to give the Goldie "a new global waterfront destination and world-class coastal icon" — complete with five buildings ranging from 20 to 45 storeys in height, multiple hotels, a casino, eateries, shops, apartments and a waterfront piazza with walkways, gardens, parks, amphitheatres and an outdoor cinema, all taking over the space between Sea World and the Gold Coast Fisherman's Co-operative. Don't go making travel plans just yet, though, with construction not expected to start until after the 2018 Commonwealth Games. And don't expect such a big change to such a well-trodden area to happen quietly. With the Gold Coast Broadwater — or large shallow estuary — quite a natural feature, plenty of other proposals have been mooted for The Spit and have been met with considerable outcries. For more information, visit the Gold Coast Integrated Resort website. Via Brisbane Development / Gold Coast Bulletin. Images: Gold Coast Integrated Resort.
The southern stretch of Collingwood's Smith Street has scored an inviting new arrival in vibrant, globally-inspired bar and eatery, Sixty Smith. Opening its doors in late 2020, it's the latest venture from Indy Weerakoon and Sam Silva, co-owners of Fitzroy Beer Garden. Sixty Smith is a warm, eclectic venue boasting four distinct areas. A cosy front bar greets you straight from the street, while further in, a light-filled dining room features cushion-filled banquette seating and an abundance of greenery. Out the back, a covered beer garden is filled with neon street art and upcycled pallet furniture. For quieter drinks and intimate, private celebrations, The Attic awaits upstairs — an old-world-inspired space with gold accents and inky blue hues. The Attic will also play host to a series of monthly dance parties. Sixty Smith's menu draws on a range of global influences, shaped by Head Chef Three Phadungkarn's own experiences — from growing up in Bangkok, to seven years spent cooking Spanish tapas at MoVida and more recently creating classic European fare in the kitchen of Syracuse. The lineup kicks off with lunch plates like the roasted spatchcock with potato salad, a mushroom, truffle and parmesan spaghetti, and a pulled pork burger starring pickled zucchini and spicy mayo. Meanwhile, the dinner offering features bites for appetites small and large, starting with 'graze' snacks like eggplant popcorn, school prawns matched with a tom yum mayo, and lamb spare ribs done with kipflers and capsicum salmorejo (a Spanish-style cold soup similar to gazpacho). The 'gorge' section of the menu might see ox cheek teamed with parsnip puree, braised onion and a hit of horseradish, while grilled broccoli is elevated with harissa and a sunflower seed mole. Otherwise, the decision-saving chef's tasting menu delivers a parade of seasonal hits for $65 per person. You'll spy a couple of rotating tap brews, a lineup of tinnies and a largely local wine selection with plenty of options by the glass. And if cocktails are the mood, there's an impressive rotation of crafty concoctions on offer, from an espresso martini made with vegan dulce de leche, to the fruity yuzu-spiked Tatsu Fizz. Complementing Sixty Smith's artfully plated food and beautifully executed sips is a rotating art exhibition called The Hook, curated by art collective Fort Heart. A dedicated wall within the venue will showcase diverse works from a lineup of local talent, available to buy, plus you can stay tuned for a calendar of supporting art events. Find Sixty Smith at 60 Smith Street, Collingwood. It's open from Tuesday–Thursday 4pm–11pm, Friday–Saturday midday–1am and Sunday 4pm–11pm.
If you're curating an exhibition about big names and what gives them that status, here's one that ain't nuthing ta f' wit: Wu-Tang Clan and their Once Upon a Time in Shaolin album. Almost no one has heard the record, but everyone should've heard of it. Only one physical copy was ever created, with the physical masters then deleted. The CD was sold — twice now — under the strict stipulation from RZA and company that it cannot be commercially exploited for 88 years. That condition means that the 2015 release can't be made available to the public en masse in any form until 2103. But trust Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art to do what it can to give fans a Once Upon a Time in Shaolin experience. During its gap year from Dark Mofo, Mona will get its hands on the album for ten days, put it on display for visitors to peer at and hold a select number of listening parties — eight in total, two daily across two four-day weekends — that feature a 30-minute mix from the record. Not only do albums not get much rarer than the hip hop collective's seventh studio record, but chances to get a glimpse of it and hear some of it don't, either. When it hits Namedropping, the site's exhibition about status, perception and trying to look good for others, Mona will become the first museum to receive Once Upon a Time in Shaolin on loan since the album was first sold. While the overall showcase, which spans 200-plus artistic works, will fill Mona for the better part of a year — from Saturday, June 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025 — Wu-Tang Clan's record will only feature from Saturday, June 15–Monday, June 24, 2024. To see the two-CD release, you'll need to make a date with the exhibition. To hear that curated half-hour selection, you'll need one of the limited free tickets to listening event Namedropping the Wu-Tang Clan, where the mix will play in Mona's Frying Pan recording studio off of a personalised Wu-Tang PlayStation 1. "Every once in a while, an object on this planet possesses mystical properties that transcend its material circumstances. Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is more than just an album, so when I was thinking about status, and what a transcendent namedrop could be, I knew I had to get it into this exhibition," explains Mona Director of Curatorial Affairs Jarrod Rawlins. "Ten years ago, the Wu-Tang Clan had a bold vision to make a single copy album as a work of fine art. To 'put it in an art gallery…make music become a living piece like a Mona Lisa or a sceptre from Egypt'," added digital art collective Pleasr, which now owns the record. "With this single work of art, the Wu-Tang Clan's intention was to redefine the meaning of music ownership and value in a world of digital streaming and commodification of music. Pleasr is honoured to partner with Mona to support RZA's vision for Once Upon a Time in Shaolin". Amid an exhibition that's set to drop names such as Ai Weiwei, Vincent Namatjira, Jacqueline Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Marie Antoinette, J Robert Oppenheimer, Pablo Picasso, Sigmund Freud, Charles Dickens, Andy Warhol and Hello Kitty — and also Victor Hugo, Greg Chappell, Heath Ledger, Jimi Hendrix, Alan Turing, Ned Kelly, Thomas Edison, John Lennon, William Shakespeare, Henry VIII, Chopper Read, Alexander the Great, Queen Elizabeth II, Romance Was Born and Vincent van Gogh, among a heap more — another big Namedropping drawcard is the original handwritten lyrics for David Bowie's 'Starman', which Mona owner David Walsh purchased in 2022. 'I like David Bowie. If you like Bowie, it's a pretty good bet you'll like Mona. That's why we namedrop," said Walsh. "So why might this rendition of only the lyrics (after all, it's the performance that made it famous) be worth the £40,000 that the auction house estimated? Well, it makes the point about Namedropping, so it has come in handy for this exhibition." [caption id="attachment_950179" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jesse Hunniford. Image courtesy of the artists and Mona, Tasmania, Australia.[/caption] Once Upon a Time in Shaolin will be on display at Namedropping at Mona, 655 Main Road, Berriedale, from Saturday, June 15–Monday, June 24, 2024. Namedropping the Wu-Tang Clan will run twice daily Friday–Monday across the same dates — and free tickets for the listening parties are available from 10am AEDT on Thursday, May 30. Namedropping displays at Mona from Saturday, June 15, 2024–Monday, April 21, 2025. Head to the Mona website for more details. Images: courtesy of the artist, Pleasr and the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona).
When Melbourne's acclaimed 400 Gradi achieves a significant feat, it doesn't rest on its laurels. It was true when the Italian joint whipped up a 99-cheese pizza, which it then bested with a 150-cheese pizza. And it has proven true at one of the pizza industry's night of nights: the 50 Top Pizza awards in Naples. At last year's gongs, 400 Gradi claimed the title of Best Pizzeria in Oceania. This year, it's done so again. It's only the third year that the awards have been held, with the Melbourne eatery now emerging victorious two years running over all other pizza places in the region. To anoint its winners, the event secretly judges almost 1000 pizzerias in Italy and around the world. While 400 Gradi topped the list in Oceania, it had some local company in the shortlist, including Melbourne's +39 Pizzeria, Doc Pizza & Mozzarella Bar, SPQR Pizzeria and Woodstock Pizzacheria; Sydney's Gigi's Pizzeria and Rosso Antico Pizza Bar; Brisbane's Pizzeria Violetta; and The Dough Room in Perth. It has been a big year for 400 Gradi, with the pizza joint also picking up another coveted prize this year at the Olimpiadi Vera Pizza Napoletana contest. Held by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (which is also known as The True Neapolitan Pizza Association), it compiles a ranking of the best pizzerias in the world — and while 400 Gradi didn't take the top spot, it did come in second. 400 Gradi Essendon eatery was the only restaurant outside of Naples to make the top five, in fact, and was joined by 400 Gradi at Brunswick and Gradi Crown at sixth and eighth place. To check out the 50 Top Pizza awards full lineup of award-winning pizzas, visit its website. To run through the Olimpiadi Vera Pizza Napoletana contest winners, head to its website, too.
What's better than a new must-visit gallery filled with eye-catching art? A brand-new place to scope out the best and brightest in creative works that doubles as quite the spectacular site itself. That's what's set to join Melbourne's arts scene thanks to NGV Contemporary, the upcoming latest addition to the city — and exactly what it'll look like has just been revealed. NGV Contemporary itself should sound familiar, because it's been in the works for a while now. Indeed, it has been almost four years since Melbourne's — and Australia's — next big art gallery was first announced, and also three years since it was revealed that it'll also come with a huge public garden. And, it's been nearly two years, too, since the Victorian Government committed a hefty chunk of funding to both projects, and to the revamp of the Melbourne Arts Precinct in general. Now, a multidisciplinary team led by Australian architect Angelo Candalepas and Associates has been unveiled as the folks behind NGV Contemporary's final design, as revealed by the Victorian Government and the National Gallery of Victoria. Sprawling across 30,000 square metres, aiming to add a new landmark to Melbourne, and featuring a rooftop terrace and sculpture garden with views out over the city, it's certain to stand out when it opens — and to attract both locals and tourists. In fact, the winning design has been fashioned with celebrating the role of art and design in everyday life firmly in mind; think arched entryways, a spherical hall that reaches more than 40 metres in height, and over 13,000 square metres of display space. Walking into the NGV Contemporary will feel like making quite the entrance as a result. That arresting-looking hall, dubbed 'omphalos' (the Ancient Greek word for the centre of the earth), will spiral upwards through all levels on the building, too. So, visitors will then be able to walk around it to scope out art — like New York's Guggenheim Museum — and get up to the rooftop. Outside on that sky-high terrace, in addition to perusing the sculpture garden, you'll be scoping out vistas over the CBD, parklands and the Yarra Ranges — views never seen by the general public before. Also among the highlights: a large cafe that'll connect to an expanded public parkland, a multi-level veranda on the building's eastern side, a new NGV design store, a restaurant and member's lounge, and educational spaces, studios and laboratories focused on conserving artwork. And, of course, there'll be large and flexible exhibition spaces that'll allow the NGV to host international blockbuster exhibitions — although with Chanel and Picasso showcases at NGV International in 2022, it hasn't been doing too badly in that department. And, the new gallery spaces will also enable the NGV to present programs drawing upon its permanent collection of Australian and international contemporary art and design as well. Outdoors, pathways will connect the building and its surrounding parklands to Southbank — making the most of its triangular-shaped site, and making sure both it and Melbourne Arts Precinct around it are highly accessible. So, Southbank Boulevard and specifically the corner of Kavanagh Street are about to look a whole lot different. NGV Contemporary will be part of the NGV, which includes NGV International on St Kilda Road and NGV Australia at Federation Square, but it'll also be a standalone gallery. As for the site it's calling home, that's the old Carlton & United Breweries building. Back in a previous announcement, the Victorian Government said that it'll be the equivalent in size to the MCG — but focused on outdoor performances and public art, and featuring cafes and restaurants, rather than being dedicated to sports. Exactly when Melburnians and travellers alike will be able to walk in the doors hasn't yet been finalised, so don't go making plans just yet. Still, when it does open, NGV Contemporary looks set to be a must-see — regardless of which pieces of art grace its walls and halls. For more information about NGV Contemporary, keep an eye on the NGV website. Images: Renders of winning concept design for NGV Contemporary by Angelo Candalepas and Associates, by Darcstudio and Secchi Smith.
If you've been dreaming of a trip to Western Australia, this November could well be the time. For ten delicious days, Western Australia Gourmet Escape presented by Westpac, an extraordinary festival of food and wine, will take over three of the state's most popular regions: Perth, Swan Valley and Margaret River. The epic program is filled with more than 50 opportunities to dine with some of the best culinary rockstars from around the world, including the head chef of the newly crowned best restaurant in the world and the legendary David Chang (of worldwide Momofuku fame). But, what's more — you'll get to do it in some of the most picturesque locations in the country. You could find yourself cruising on a catamaran, feasting on foraged delights in a lakeside cabin or hanging out at a beach barbecue. There are plenty of exciting happenings to look forward to — here are six that should definitely be on your radar. GOURMET FEAST IN THE VALLEY WITH MARCO PIERRE WHITE UK celebrity chef Marco Pierre White described the 2015 WA Gourmet Escape as "life-changing" and "the greatest food event on earth". So, he's back for another round. Find him at Gourmet Feast in the Valley, taking place across Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10 in the idyllic grounds of Sandalford Wines. It's promising an extravaganza of local produce, culinary experiences, masterclasses, live music and theatre — in the form of the Feast Fire Pit, presented by Australian Good Meat. White will be joined by grill masters from around the globe, including Austin-based Aussie Jess Pryles (author of Hardcore Carnivore), to sear, sizzle and smoke locally sourced cuts over open flames. Also on the agenda are a number of workshops hosted by local makers and a jam-packed lineup of live music from The Rubens, Fergus James, Andrew Levins and more. Gourmet Feast in Valley will run from 11am–6pm on Saturday, November 9 and 11am–4pm on Sunday, November 10. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased here. OCEAN DREAM WITH MARK BEST If you ever ate at Sydney's Marque or Pei Modern, then you're familiar with the explosive creations of chef Mark Best. These days, he spends his time travelling, promoting Australia's food scene to the world, speaking at chefs' congresses and working with hotels. But, at Western Australia Gourmet Escape, you can dine on his masterful cooking while cruising around Geographe Bay — just north of Margaret River — on a 26-metre luxe catamaran called Ocean Dream. In between gazing at crystal clear waters, you'll be feasting on Best's exceptional cooking matched with top-notch local wines. Sail the Seas will run daily from 12pm between Friday, November 15 and Sunday, November 17. Tickets cost $270 and can be purchased here. INTO THE NEW AFRICA Travelling all the way from South Africa for the festival will be Kobus van der Merwe, head chef at South Africa's Wolfgat — which was named World's Best Restaurant 2019 at the inaugural World Restaurant Awards. He and Paul Iskov of Australian pop-up restaurant Fervor will host Into the New Africa, an eight-course dinner based on foraged ingredients and exploring modern South African cuisine. Set in Fermoy Estate's private lakeside cabana, this is going to be a cosy affair — and tickets are likely to sell out super fast. Into the New Africa will take place on Friday, November 15 from 6.30–11pm. Tickets cost $320 and can be purchased here. WESTPAC GOURMET BEACH BBQ This popular shindig brings together killer chefs, great produce, fine wines, live music and stunning water views for three giddy days. Among 2019's special guests is Momofuku legend David Chang, who will be bringing a taste of the worldwide empire to the beach. Meanwhile, hosting a lazy Sunday session will be Monty Koludrovic, from Bondi's legendary Icebergs Dining Room and Bar. And, representing the home team will be WA chefs Kenny McHardy (Manuka Woodfire Kitchen), Scott Bridger (Bib & Tucker) and Brenton Pyke (Market Eating House), who'll swap their wood ovens for an open-air kitchen. Westpac Gourmet Beach BBQ will run from Friday, November 15–Sunday, November 17. Tickets start at $235 and can be purchased here. SAFARI CLUB COOKOUT Safari Club Cookout isn't just a feast – it's an adventure. For a start, you'll have to find the venue — a hidden paradise deep within Leeuwin Estate, surrounded by towering jarrah and marri trees. The cookout will bring to this spot three days of delights inspired by the cuisine of Australia, Thailand and India. But, rather than sticking to your seat, you'll be invited to wander, as you graze on canapés, watch cooking stations in action, sip on Leeuwin Estate wines and soak up live performances. Chefs to look out for include Garima Arora of Bangkok's Gaa, Prateek Sadhu of Mumbai's Masque and Matt Stone of Yarra Valley's Oakridge Wines. Safari Club Cookout will take place across two daily sessions — 12pm and 6.00pm — from Friday, November 15 to Sunday, November 17. Tickets cost $180 and can be purchased here. Tickets to Western Australia Gourmet Escape presented by Westpac go on sale at 9am on Thursday, July 18. More information can be found here and, to check out the full program, head to the website.
Trekking is fun. But carrying heavy gear isn't. Next time you're contemplating a hike through the Macedon Ranges, consider getting a llama to help you out. Hanging Rock Llama Treks will hook you up with your very own personal four-legged friend. The eco-tours range from five to 12 kilometres in length. Plus, there's also an obstacle course that you and your llama can conquer together. Before you head out, you'll be taken through all things llama from how to care for them to what order they should walk in (to respect dominance in the herd). And if you're lucky, when you return to the farm, you may even get to meet some crias (baby llamas).
Head into any Woolworths store from today — Tuesday, February 19 — and you'll find its $1 a litre milk is a thing of the past. In an effort to do right by Australia's struggling dairy industry, the supermarket giant is boosting the price of its home-branded two- and three-litre fresh milk varieties by ten cents a litre, with the difference eventually heading back into our farmers' pockets. Two-litre milk products will now be priced at $2.20, with the three-litre version upped to $3.30, at Woolworths stores nationwide. Since 2000, Australian dairy farmers have operated in a deregulated industry. This means that they are able to export their products much more easily as they can compete with international milk prices, but it also means they are often at the mercy of the international market price, which is, on average, quite low at around 42 US cents per litre. This, along with cheap domestic milk prices and high feed prices because of the drought, might explain why farmers are doing it tough of late. The cheaper the milk on your supermarket shelf, generally, the worse off the farms that made it. So, while this latest Woolworths price change might sound minor, it has scope to be a significant win in the fight against discount dairy — especially as the supermarket has promised to pay the extra ten cents it's collecting per litre back to the suppliers. https://twitter.com/Dairy_Australia/status/1097305276556800001 "Removing $1 milk is not just intended to restore farmers' financial confidence, but it will also boost confidence in regional communities and small businesses that rely on the industry," Australian Dairy Farmers CEO David Inall said in a statement yesterday. While Woolworths, as well as Coles, don't have a great reputation for supporting Aussie farmers, they're making steps (albeit small) to change this. Both supermarket giants introduced Drought Relief Milk in late 2018, with ten cents from each litre sold going to drought-affected dairy farmers. There's no word yet on whether Coles and Aldi will also increase the price of their home-branded $1-a-litre milks, but we'll let you know if they do.
Articulate, enthusiastic, candid, and at least a little bit enamoured with the sound of his own voice — you only have to be in a room with John Landis for a few seconds to see he was born to be an entertainer. In town for a career tribute as part of this year's Melbourne Festival, the 63-year-old director behind beloved Hollywood films including The Blues Brothers, Trading Places and the music video to Michael Jackson's Thriller, seems totally at ease in a room full of journalists, as he recalls anecdotes from a career that spans more than 40 years. YOU CAN'T PICK WHICH WORKS WILL HAVE A LASTING IMPACT While we now look back at movies like Animal House and The Blues Brothers as era-defining comedies, when asked if he had any notion that his films would still be celebrated 30 years after being made, Landis shakes his head with a smile. "The truth is," the filmmaker explains, "you work the same on a successful movie as you do on an unsuccessful movie. [Peter] Bogdanovich was the one who said 'the only true test of a film is time'. And unfortunately we're in a very schizophrenic business, because according to the media and the industry, the only true test of success is money. So many great films come out and tank, and many terrible movies are huge hits. So there's no rule of thumb." "The one that surprised me the most was Thriller," Landis says. "The album was already the most successful album of all time when we made the short … The Thriller video, on Beta and VHS, was $29.95, and they sold 8 million of them. That amazed me. And I think what still delights me, because it's so nuts, is Thrill the World, where they do the thriller dance. And if you go online, they do the thriller dance at weddings and bar mitzvahs … I guess it's the power of Michael Jackson." BAD MOVIES DON'T ALWAYS START OUT BAD Of course, not all of Landis' films have been so successful. Asked about the woeful reception to Blues Brothers 2000, he grins and responds, "the biggest problem with Blues Brothers 2000 is that it's lousy. We had terrible interference from the studio. It was rewritten something like 17 times before they gave us the green light… it was a terrible script. But I'm very proud of the music." Another one of Landis' lesser known works is 1996's The Stupids, which sat unreleased on a shelf for years after the financing company went bankrupt. Upon release, the film tanked at the box office and was panned by critics, although as Landis points out, eventual distributor New Line Cinema bought the film for more than it cost to make, and so "we all made money." "It was mis-sold. It's a children's film, and they sold it as a teenage tits and ass comedy. It was a horrifying experience." IF YOU DOWNLOAD RATHER THAN GOING TO THE CINEMA, IT'S YOUR LOSS Perhaps it's in part due to his rocky relationship with the Hollywood studios that Landis has spent most of the last decade working in documentary and television. "Hollywood as it used to be hasn't existed for a long time", Landis reflects. "I started in the mail room at Fox in the '60s, and it was already dying then. The film business has changed just like every other business, because of globalisation and economics and all kinds of things. Now, Universal, Fox, MGM, Warner Brothers, they're small subdivisions of huge multinational corporations. And these giant corporations, they're their own nation states. They don't even fucking pay taxes! So it has changed, and it continues to change." Even so, Landis remains mostly optimistic about the state of affairs in the movie business. "I think good movies will always be made. One of the big ironies is that technology improved, so now literally anyone can make a movie. The only thing I don't like, the only thing that makes me feel like an old fart, is that it breaks my heart that generations will see Lawrence of Arabia on their cell phone. Because nothing can reproduce the theatrical experience. Big house; beautifully projected — and you know that film is communal. The more people you are with watching a movie, the better the movie works. Comedies are funnier. Scary movies are scarier. Sad movies are sadder. It's contagious." A retrospective of John's films will be screening as part of the Melbourne Festival during October. Check it out here.
"The mormons are coming", posters popping up in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane promised in the 2010s. If you spot something similar now, they might feature the words "the mormons are back" instead. After breaking records on its first Australian run, The Book of Mormon is returning Down Under, with the smash-hit musical's suitcases packed for Sydney. Written by South Park and Team America's notoriously puerile creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, together with Robert Lopez of genius grown-up muppet show Avenue Q, The Book of Mormon is probably one of the most-lauded comedies ever to have centred on the Church of Latter Day Saints and African missions — and to approach both with Parker and Stone's usual humour. If it wasn't so smart and so funny, few would forgive it. But since it is, The Book of Morman has picked up nine Tonys, four Olivier Awards and a Grammy since it debuted in the US in 2011, when it was called "one of the most joyously acidic bundles Broadway has unwrapped in years". Australia's OG date with The Book of Mormon also earned accolades, including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical at the 2017 Helpmann Awards. When the show premiered in the Victorian capital in 2015, it enjoyed the highest-selling on-sale period for a show at Melbourne's Princess Theatre. When it first went to Sydney, it also set a record for the highest-grossing musical in the city's history. A decade ago, Parker and Stone's hilariously irreverent hit production spent a year in Melbourne, then did the same in Sydney, then made two trips to Brisbane — because one wasn't enough. This time, The Book of Mormon is hitting Sydney's Capitol Theatre, starting on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. If missed it then or you're keen to see it again, you'll be plenty excited that you're getting a new chance to go learn all the idiosyncratic details of Mormonism, meet war criminal General Butt-Fucking Naked and know the true meaning of the hakuna matata-like saying 'Hasa Diga Eebowai'. Images: Paul Coltas, London Company. Updated: Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Winter is coming, as Game of Thrones has been telling us for years — but the show's final season is coming first. Before the weather turns cold again in the southern hemisphere, fans of the epic HBO series will be able to discover how the popular series wraps up, so mark your calendars accordingly. After leaving everyone hanging for the entirety of 2018, HBO announced in January that Game of Thrones' eighth and final season will hit the small screen on April 14, 2019, US time — so Monday, April 15 in Australia — nearly two years after season seven premiered in July 2017. And, today — just over a month out from the release date — they finally blessed us with a trailer. There's a lot crammed into the two short minutes, starting with Arya Stark running through the hallways of Winterfell and talking of ticking more names off her list, saying, "I know death. He's got many faces. I look forward to seeing this one". You'll also see the Targaryens on horseback leading the Unsullied, Jon Snow most likely about to fly a dragon, Tyrion Lannister hanging out somewhere not in the north and Cersei happily drinking wine (probably still naively refusing to believe that winter is, in fact, coming) and, ultimately, everyone preparing for one huge war with the White Walkers. But, that's just the start, we'll let you watch it for yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlR4PJn8b8I You can also check out the other season eight teasers here and here. If you're eager to get your fix of the series' staples — that is, battles, bloodshed, betrayal, bare chests, family bickering, Jon Snow knowing nothing (including about his long-lost aunt) and plenty of dragons — then you can keep ticking the days off your calendar — there are now 40 to go. Of course, we all know that this isn't really the end of the world created by author George RR Martin — and no, we're not talking about the now seven-year wait for his next book in the literary franchise, The Winds of Winter. A prequel TV series to Game of Thrones is in the works, set thousands of years before the events we've all be watching since 2011, with Naomi Watts set to star. Come next year, you'll also be able to tour original GoT filming locations in Northern Ireland. The first episode of Game of Thrones Season 8 will air on HBO on Monday, April 15, AEDT.
Daylesford and its surrounding villages will once again transform into a musical haven as Winter Sounds returns to the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. More than your average music festival, Winter Sounds will see a host of celebrated Australian musicians present their tunes in a series of intimate, unusual and atmospheric spaces. Taking place in the region's storied country halls, bush schools, historic churches and even aboard vintage trains from Thursday, August 14–Sunday, August 17, these weird and wonderful locations make the festival's lineup a unique experience for all attendees. For the third edition of the festival, expect a mix of legendary acts and rising names. For instance, Sarah Blasko will take over St Peter's Church, while rock 'n' roll icon Tim Rogers is one of many to perform at Bullarto Hall — be sure to catch a chartered train through the Wombat State Forest before the show. Then, you've got the likes of Cash Savage and The Last Drinks, Bad//Dreems, Maple Glider, Quality Used Cars and many more lighting up various venues across town. With individual tickets or three- and four-show packages available, tailor your ideal Winter Sounds festival and make the most of your time in the hills.
In food news that's not so #cleaneating #fitspo today, deep fried alcohol is a thing now. At first glance it looks like an unassuming fried doughnut, but rather than being filled with jam or custard, this brand new monstrosity has a gooey centre of potentially poor life decisions. Sure, Texas invented deep fried beer, but this is next level regret. Creators Corinne and John Clarkson, chip shop owners from Lancashire, UK, were influenced by a good ol' traditional sherry trifle when creating this beastly bar snack. The pair soaked sponge cake in Baileys, Sidekick strawberries and cream liqueur (the UK's liqueur equivalent of Passion Pop trashiness) or apple schnapps, then lowered those monsters into the deep fryer. Just look at these things: So, the biggest question, can you really get drunk from them? The answer is yes. Drunk, and fat. The levels are high enough on both counts. But despite the obvious health risks involved with making this product readily available, the deep fried alcohol has already started to establish a fan base. The couple have already tested out the alco-balls at a local event and sold them for £3 a pop. They sold out within hours. Now, the Clarksons want to sell the battered booze cakes from their fine establishment (although their humble chip shop might probably need an alcohol licence). Look, we’re not here to judge. If the opportunity ever arises and curiosity gets the better of you, by all means give those little problematic parcels a try — and tell us all about it. Just remember to, you know, consume responsibly. Via Business Standard and My Daily.
Like most of Melbourne's best, Corky Saint Clair is hidden from plain sight. Nestled beneath the cafe chatter of our busiest laneway and next to the ticket gates at Flinders, Corky Saint Clair is tucked away in the Degraves Street Subway. A local favourite for over a decade now, this quirky little jewellery store is the perfect place to pick up a special gift or a unique statement piece. Here you can find dangling pineapples, skeletons or monsters to hang around your neck or tiny little animals to keep watch from your earlobes. This is for the girls (and boys) who like trinkets but can't quite get behind the twee charm bracelets of Pandora.
When any city becomes home to a brand-new art gallery, it's big news. Thanks to the NGV Contemporary, that's about to be the case in Melbourne. First announced back in 2018, and unveiling how it'll look just last month, the new 30,000-square-metre site at Southbank is set to be huge — adding a new landmark to the Victorian capital, complete with over 13,000 square metres of display space, plus a rooftop terrace and sculpture garden. Also hefty: the cash donation the in-the-works gallery has just received, as gifted by trucking magnates Lindsay and Paula Fox. Building up almost 20 years of supporting the National Gallery of Victoria, the pair has pledged $100 million to the NGV Contemporary. Yes, that's an enormous sum — the largest cash donation ever made to an Australian art museum by a living donor, in fact. As a result, the gallery now has a new name: The Fox: NGV Contemporary. When it opens its doors at 77 Southbank Boulevard in the coming years — with an exact launch date yet to be announced — that's what you'll see gracing the walls. Well, that and a whole heap of eye-catching modern art, of course. "We are truly astonished by this extraordinary act of giving from the Fox family and we are overwhelmed by the incredible generosity and support of Lindsay and Paula Fox. The Fox family should be commended on their leadership in this sector and for the real, tangible impact that their giving has, and will continue to have, on the lives of so many," said NGV director Tony Ellwood, announcing the news. "This awe-inspiring donation will ensure that Victoria remains a centre of artistic excellence for many generations to come and that The Fox: NGV Contemporary will be a source of community pride for all Victorians, as well as a meaningful cultural legacy for the Fox family," he continued. The Fox family's donation comes after the Ian Potter Foundation also committed $20 million to the NGV Contemporary — and it is hoped that both gifts will encourage more philanthropic support. "Philanthropy can transform cities and NGV Contemporary will be a true game-changer — one of the largest galleries dedicated to contemporary art and design in the world and a global architectural icon," said Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson. That money will go towards giving Melbourne a new must-visit gallery filled with the best and brightest in creative works, and a space that doubles as quite the spectacular site itself. Thanks to a multidisciplinary team led by Australian architect Angelo Candalepas and Associates, the NGV Contemporary will feature stunning arched entryways, as well as a spherical hall that reaches more than 40 metres in height. That arresting-looking hall, dubbed 'omphalos' (the Ancient Greek word for the centre of the earth), will spiral upwards through all levels on the building, too. So, visitors will then be able to walk around it to scope out art — like New York's Guggenheim Museum — and get up to the rooftop. Outside on that sky-high terrace, in addition to perusing the sculpture garden, patrons will be scoping out vistas over the CBD, parklands and the Yarra Ranges — views never seen by the general public before. Also among the highlights: a large cafe that'll connect to an expanded public parkland, a multi-level veranda on the building's eastern side, a new NGV design store, a restaurant and member's lounge, and educational spaces, studios and laboratories focused on conserving artwork. And, of course, there'll be large and flexible exhibition spaces that'll allow the NGV to host international blockbuster exhibitions — although with Chanel and Picasso showcases at NGV International in 2022, it hasn't been doing too badly in that department. Also, the new gallery spaces will also enable the NGV to present programs drawing upon its permanent collection of Australian and international contemporary art and design as well. The Fox: NGV Contemporary will be located at 77 Southbank Boulevard, Melbourne. For more information, head to the NGV website. Images: Renders of winning concept design for NGV Contemporary by Angelo Candalepas and Associates, by Darcstudio and Secchi Smith.
Sorry Mario Kart. Move over Tetris. Forget Wii Sports, Pokémon Go, Street Fighter or whatever other title first springs to mind whenever you think about video games. They're all well and good, but they aren't about to take over the big screen at Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image. No, that honour goes to homegrown hit Untitled Goose Game. Made in Melbourne, and gaining millions of fans since it was released by House House in 2019, Untitled Goose Game is a puzzle game — and, yes, it's about a goose. You play as the bird, and your aim is to move objects and other characters, and just generally cause chaos in a small village. No description can really do it justice, though — you just need to play it. As well as filling oh-so-many video game-playing hours over the past few years, Untitled Goose Game sports an ARIA-nominated original soundtrack by Dan Golding — and that'll be played by an orchestra during ACMI's Untitled Goose Game Live shows. Make a date with the Federation Square spot on Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9, and prepare to see and hear one of the gaming phenomenons of the 21st century like you've never seen or heard it before. Orchestra Victoria will be bringing the music to life at this world-premiere event, playing a new arrangement of Golding's soundtrack that's been crafted just for the show and features tunes by classical French composer Claude Debussy. The musicians will also react live to what's happening on the screen, meaning that each gig will play out differently. Untitled Goose Game Live takes place at 3.30pm and 6pm on the Friday, and at 11am and 1pm on the Saturday. And yes, if you've been to orchestral shows featuring Harry Potter flicks, Studio Ghibli's delights, Toy Story and more before, the concept here is the same — just with a super-popular video game about a pesky goose. Check out the Untitled Goose Game trailer below: Untitled Goose Game Live plays ACMI on Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9. For further information and to buy tickets, head to ACMI's website.
It's official: for only the second time in the more than three decades that the country's professional Aussie Rules competition has called itself the Australian Football League, the AFL grand final will be hosted outside of Melbourne. The game will move outside Victoria for the second year in a row, too. After flagging last week that Perth's Optus Stadium would hold the biggest match of the 2021 season if the Melbourne Cricket Ground was unable to welcome in spectators, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has now confirmed that the grand final will indeed be held in Western Australia. Given that Melbourne is currently under lockdown for the sixth time during the pandemic, and that those stay-at-home conditions won't be ending this week as last outlined — and, even if Victoria's lockdown does end by grand final day, Melbourne's stadiums may not be permitted to host crowds under post-lockdown restrictions — the news comes as absolutely no surprise. The game will still go ahead on Saturday, September 25, although exactly what time it'll kick off is yet to be revealed. Moving the match to Perth does means that 2020's night grand final won't be repeated, due to the time difference between Australia's west and east coasts — and McLachlan said that the AFL is looking at an afternoon or twilight time slot. Also yet to be announced: the crowd capacity under Western Australia's restrictions. Optus Stadium can host 60,000 people, however. The move comes after the 2020 grand final was held at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, aka the Gabba, thanks to Melbourne's lengthy stint of stay-at-home conditions at the time. This year, Perth will also host a Brownlow Medal function in the lead up to the decider. Still, the grand final won't feature any Western Australian AFL teams, with both the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers failing to make the code's finals season. At the time of writing, Melbourne, Port Adelaide, the Brisbane Lions, Geelong, Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs remain in the running. [caption id="attachment_823646" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Optus Stadium, Government of Western Australia[/caption] Just like last year, it really shouldn't have taken three decades for a competition that's not only named after the entire country, but that changed its moniker in 1990 to reflect the fact that it was no longer just about Victoria, to host its deciders in other cities. Before 2020, the grand final had actually been played at venues other than the MCG before — but still in Melbourne. The MCG remains contracted to host the grand final for a significant period moving forward, however, with its agreement originally running through until 2057, then extended until 2058 as part of the arrangement to allow the game to be played at the Gabba in 2020. With the move to Perth, that contract with the MCG will be extended again until 2059. If you're a Victorian — whether you've been missing the footy over the past month, or you're not fussed about the sport at all — you might be wondering about the usual pre-grand final public holiday. Although an official announcement hasn't been made as yet, Victorian Sports Minister Martin Pakula said during the press conference about the move to Perth that he expected that the public holiday will still go ahead, as happened last year when the game was played in Brisbane. The 2021 AFL Grand Final will take place on Saturday, September 25 at Optus Stadium in Perth. For further information, head to the AFL website.
The Melbourne Festival is certainly living up to its big reputation with this one. Flying in 40 young singers from the Vocal Theatre Carmina Slovenica, When the Mountain Changed its Clothing is an epic international show which defies categorisation. Under the direction of legendary director and composer Heiner Goebbels, the show combines storytelling, dance, and song as it examines the transition from childhood to adulthood. Utilising texts from intellectual greats like Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Gertrude Stein and Marina Abramovic, the work is incredibly far from conventional theatre. With just four performances scheduled in this first Australian run, we suggest you jump on tickets now. This is a curious piece people will be keen to figure out. This event was chosen as one of our top ten things to see at the Melbourne Festival 2014. See the full list here.
A coffee cup you're actually encouraged to throw on the ground? Tossers, this is your moment. After acknowledging people are jerks and will continue to litter to their hearts content, Californian environmental organisation Reduce. Reuse. Grow. has created a biodegradable coffee cup, embedded with seeds from local native plants. So if you're one of those straight-up idiots who likes to chuck their cup, you won't be adding to the already existing waste in the natural environment. It's a brand new project sitting on Kickstarter, with Reduce. Reuse. Grow. attempting to raise a mere US$10,000 to fund the seed cups. So how does it work? Specific to the Californian landscape, the cups decompose within 180 days, letting the seeds of local redwood trees and poppy flowers find their way to the soil. So you're left with new seedlings and no remnants of a latte in sight. Although the concept is a purely American one — a little drawing of a state lets you know where the seeds are native to — here's hoping there's enough interest for an international range, or an Australian company picks it up. The Reduce. Reuse. Grow. team have created the cups in an a attempt to take recyclable cups even further. "In America we discard over 146 billion cups from coffee consumption annually," say the team on their Kickstarter page. "Even when we think we are recycling and doing a good deed, the paper itself within these products can only be reused two to three times before the fibres are unusable and discarded into local landfills without consumer's knowing. It is time to consume smarter." Importantly, not everyone is going bush just to throw a litter party. The Reduce. Reuse. Grow. team have already thought of this. The team have suggested cafes creating a designated bin for the seed cups, one the crew themselves would pick up and dump in spots in dire need of new vegetation. Or you can just plant the cup yourself, after soaking it in water for five minutes. Apparently the seeds from one cup could extract over one tonne of CO2, so we're hoping native Australian seeds are next for the plantable cups. Check out the Reduce. Reuse. Grow. Kickstarter page over here. Via Fast Company.
If you can't remember the last time you used a payphone, kudos to you. It means you haven't lost your phone, keys and wallet and had to call your mum with 50 cents you wrangled from some guy on the street. There aren't too many around these days, with Telstra either taking them down or (supposedly) converting them into Wi-Fi hotspots. But in Berlin, they've got a better idea — they're turning disused telephone booths into tiny rave caves. It's called Teledisko, and it's probably the smallest party you'll find in Berlin. At one square metre, the booth can only fit two or three people at one time.It's coin operated, but once you've paid your 'entrance fee', you'll be able to select your tunes from the touchscreen in the booth. You may find it a bit hard to throw shapes, but what it lacks in space it more than makes up for with special effects, including a smoke machine, strobe lights and a disco ball. There's even a photobooth inside that will print your photos or email you a video of your debauchery the next day. At the moment there are only three Telediskos — a pink one at Kater Blau nightclub, a gold one at RAW Flohmarkt (both in the Friedrichshain district) and a silver edition available for hire. However, high demand (and long lines) looks set to see more come into being. Image: Teledisko
Time really must be fleeting because The Rocky Horror Show is back in Australia after celebrating its 50th birthday in 2023. Since its debut in 1973 from maestro Richard O'Brien (and the beloved film adaptation in 1975), the show had a meteoric rise to icon status. Now, it's back in the Athenaeum Theatre by popular demand until Saturday, March 23. In case you're among those who haven't had the pleasure of viewing this high energy rock 'n' roll masterpiece: It follows a squeaky-clean young couple who experience car troubles while driving on a remote highway and walk to a nearby castle to find help. Waiting in the castle is a mad scientist, his mad staff and an even madder creation. This run hails the Neighbours legend Jason Donovan in the lead role of Dr Frank-N-Furter, plus Joel Creasey as The Narrator, Blake Bowden (The Phantom of the Opera) and Deirdre Khoo (Once) as the couple in question, Brad and Janet. The cast also includes Ellis Dolan (School of Rock) as Eddie/Dr Scott, Darcey Eagle (Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical) as Columbia, Daniel Erbacher (Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical) as Rocky, and Henry Rollo (Jagged Little Pill the Musical) as Riff Raff. So let's take a jump to the left, a step to the right, and then head to the website to secure tickets because the season is already underway. As a special offer The Rocky Horror Show is offering Concrete Playground readers A-reserve and B-reserve tickets for only $75, T&Cs apply*. The Rocky Horror Show is running in the Athenaeum Theatre until Saturday, March 23. Visit the website for more information or visit Ticketmaster to secure discounted tickets. *Valid for all performances excluding Saturday evening performances in Premium, A reserve and B Reserve. Not valid for previously purchased tickets. Handling fee of $7.95 per transaction applies. Subject to availability. Images: Daniel Boud
The Moon Dog crew is growing it's brewery bar empire in Melbourne at a rapid speed. Moon Dog World in Preston is as popular as ever and they've just opened the ambitious Moon Dog Wild West out in Footscray. But now, all eyes are on Doglands — its upcoming 1500-person bar within the revamped Marvel Stadium Concourse. This will be its biggest site yet, hopefully breathing some life into the Docklands. The team plans to do that by going big, in true Moon Dog fashion. The Preston site has its lagoon. Footscray is a three-storey saloon with a bucking bull and rooftop garden. And Doglands will be an enormous adventureland with an indoor volcano, live music stage, palm trees aplenty and an island. Those who follow the right paths inside the brewery bar might also stumble into the hidden karaoke room. We don't have full details on this new venture, but we do know that it's not the only Moon Dog opening to look forward to. Also on the cards is a waterside site in Frankston. All we know about this one is that it will be be in Franga, but you can guarantee the team will be pouring a heap of their award-winning beers and much-loved seltzers from each spot. We don't have an opening date for Doglands at Marvel Stadium Concourse, but will update you with more information once we have it. In the meantime, visit the brewery's website for details on its other sites.
Long-standing gastropub Lamaro's has seen plenty of changes in its time — and the evolution continues this week with the arrival of a new Executive Chef and a refreshed culinary offering to match. Taking the reins at the South Melbourne mainstay is none other than kitchen legend Phillip Davenport, who comes fresh from his time helming Seminyak's famed beachside restaurant Ku De Ta. You might also recognise him as the host of TV series The Toque 12, which sees the chef travelling the globe giving audiences a glimpse into the world's hottest fine-diners and restaurants. And back in the day, he was making magic as Head Chef at Bondi institution Hugo's. Here on Cecil Street, Davenport will be helping to guide Lamaro's into a new era of gastropub excellence with an all-new menu that blends elements of his own classic French culinary training with a sprinkling of influence from his travels. Longtime fans of Lamaro's can rest easy though — the new menu is grounded in the same Southeast Asian flavours and stylings for which the venue's known and loved, carrying on Geoff Lindsay's legacy. There's even a few familiar favourites that'll be sticking around, including the red duck curry and the legendary veal schnitzel. Joining them, you'll now find plates like wood-grilled scallops paired with tamarind and roasted pork belly, twice-cooked harissa octopus with fennel and a saffron orange dressing, and roast beetroot salad with goat cheese purée. There's an Indo-inspired riff on lamb navarin starring a rendang jus, and coconut and bean salad; a king prawn spaghettini with tobiko and a saffron tuille; and a range of primo steak cuts cooked over red gum. If you're dropping by for a casual bite, you'll also find a refreshed bar menu featuring newcomers like the skagen roll stuffed with prawns, celery, creme fraiche and trout roe. Lamaro's renowned wine list will continue kicking goals as is, along with the 12-strong craft beer taplist. Find Lamaro's Hotel at 273-279 Cecil Street, South Melbourne. It's open daily from 12pm–late.
Twenty years ago, Melbourne animator Adam Elliot won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for Harvie Krumpet. This winter in his home town, he's opening the Melbourne International Film Festival with Memoir of a Snail. 2024's cinema celebration in Victoria's capital will kick off with the voices of Sarah Snook (Succession), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Elvis), Eric Bana (Force of Nature: The Dry 2), Tony Armstrong (Tony Armstrong's Extra-Ordinary Things), Nick Cave (The Electrical Life of Louis Wain), Jacki Weaver (Hello Tomorrow!) and Magda Szubanski (After the Trial) echoing from a new claymation feature, Elliot's second full-length stop-motion flick after 2009's Mary and Max. "After eight long years, producer Liz Kearney and I are a bit exhausted but thrilled to be asked to be the opening night film for MIFF 2024. It is truly a Melbourne film and MIFF is the perfect place for its Australian premiere," said Elliot about Memoir of a Snail launching this year's festival on Thursday, August 8. "About Melbourne, made by Melburnians and voiced by Melburnians, Memoir of a Snail is a handmade stop-motion film lovingly crafted by a team of local artists. Opening night at MIFF will be a celebration of their artistry and a celebration of this wonderful city in which we live." Spanning its usual 18-day run — this year from Thursday, August 8–Sunday, August 25 in Melbourne cinemas; from Friday, August 9–Sunday, August 25 online; and across both Friday, August 16–Sunday, August 18 and Friday, August 23–Sunday, August 25 in regional Victoria — MIFF's 2024 program will include more than 250 titles once Memoir of a Snail commences the annual excuse to spend almost three weeks in darkened rooms. The full lineup doesn't drop until Thursday, July 11, but the fest has unveiled 23 other flicks that'll feature when the projectors get whirring. And if you're a Melburnian feeling a taste of Sydney Film Festival envy to start off June, you'll recognise a few titles. Sundance sensation I Saw the TV Glow from We're All Going to the World's Fair's Jane Schoenbrun, Hunter Schafer (Euphoria)-starring thriller Cuckoo, the Sebastian Stan (Dumb Money)-led A Different Man and restaurant-set dramedy La Cocina featuring Rooney Mara (Women Talking) are among the movies that'll play MIFF after SFF. So are Frederick Wiseman's (City Hall) Menus-Plaisirs — Les Troisgros, which brings his observational gaze to a three-Michelin-starred French restaurant; the Taika Waititi (Next Goal Wins)-executive produced We Were Dangerous; and the Bundaberg-set Flathead. While an amount of crossover always happens between each Australian city's major film fest, MIFF also boasts a heap of pictures beyond Memoir of a Snail that'll be making their Aussie premiere — or even world premiere— in Melbourne. Thanks to the MIFF Premiere Fund, which supports local flicks, audiences an look forward to Justin Kurzel (Nitram)-directed documentary Ellis Park, about iconic musician Warren Ellis establish an animal sanctuary in Sumatra; Magic Beach, an animated adaptation of Alison Lester's children's book; and Audrey, starring Jackie van Beek (Nude Tuesday) as a mother who steals the identity of her teenage daughter, who is in a coma. There's also Queens of Concrete, a doco about three skateboarders balancing been teens with trying to score an Olympics berth — and fellow documentary Left Write Hook, where seven female survivors of sexual assault as children attend a recovery program. Similarly with local ties: Fungi: Web of Life, which is playing in IMAX in 3D, is narrated by Björk, and heads to Tasmania's Tarkine rainforest in search of a specific blue mushroom. After That Sugar Film and 2040, Australian actor-turned-filmmaker Damon Gameau helms Future Council, charting a cross-Europe trip with eight young minds to explore climate change solutions. Elsewhere among the just-unveiled flicks, MIFFgoers can check out Blue Sun Palace, which just won an award at Cannes Critics' Week for its tale of two Chinese workers in New York; Didi, the coming-of-age film that nabbed first-time feature director Sean Wang two prizes at Sundance; Grand Theft Hamlet, which is indeed about staging Shakespeare in Grand Theft Auto; documentary Look Into My Eyes, about psychics and their clients from Miss Americana and Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields director Lana Wilson; and Teaches of Peaches, which goes on tour with its namesake The list already goes on, with MIFF Artistic Director Al Cossar dubbing this year's full program "another extraordinary voyage through cinema". "MIFF is pleased to share our First Glance for 2024, a sneak peek of the program arriving this August — the marvellous visions, diversions, and cinematic surprises coming your way as over 250 films illuminate the screens this winter across 18 days of unbridled binge-viewing." "First Glance already sees us lifting the lid on some of the most anticipated films of the year, alongside films you won't find anywhere else — bold, thrilling, thoughtful, hilarious, terrifying, and essential new cinema, from Australia and all around the world," Cossar continued. The 2024 Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 8–Sunday, August 25 at a variety of venues around Melbourne; from Friday, August 16–Sunday, August 18 and Friday, August 23–Sunday, August 25 in regional Victoria; and online nationwide from Friday, August 9–Sunday, August 25. For further details, including the full program from Thursday, July 11, visit the MIFF website.
Glamping, you've had a great run, but another fancy camping alternative might be about to take your mantle. You can't carry a shipping container on your back like a tent, but you can move them around — and this new portable hotel was created with packing it up, transporting it elsewhere and setting it up in a variety of different places in mind. Designed by the Prague-based Artikul Architects, ContainHotel boasts all of the comforts of a hotel in a structure that's both demountable and portable. First and foremost, visitors will find all of the comforts they'd expect from a hotel, namely proper beds, rooms and facilities, plus windows and balconies, and custom-made plywood furniture too. Reaching 40 feet in height thanks to its two-level structure, with two 20-foot high shipping containers supporting a third on top, the space can sleep 13 guests in total. The three containers have been divided into five bedrooms, a bathroom, a technical room and a storeroom. Inside and out, they're decked out with reclaimed wood — and they're also built on railroad sleepers to cause as little impact to the hotel's surroundings as possible. With being eco-friendly and self-sufficient part of its moveable plans, complete with an inbuilt tank that takes care of the site's water needs, that's clearly important. ContainHotel can currently be found in Treboutice in the Czech Republic, but just where it'll pop up next is anyone's guess. Via inhabitat. Image: Michal Hurych.
Brick Lane Brewing tapped its very first keg at the Queen Vic Winter Night Market in 2018, and then — almost exactly five years later — the team opened its latest bricks-and-mortar restaurant and bar across the road from that very same spot. Brick Lane already has its brewhouse in South Dandenong and Brick Lane Shed on Queen Vic Market's String Bean Alley, but Brick Lane Market is an altogether bigger and more flash venue set within the former Mercat Cross Hotel. Spread across two floors, the downstairs area is open to everyone wandering around on market days and has more of a bar vibe, while the much bigger upstairs space lends itself better to long lunches and dinners. It's also where you'll find the 16-seat private dining room and huge 150-seat wrap-around terrace overlooking the market itself. And this proximity to the market isn't just about foot traffic and views. The team is set to work collaboratively with vendors, featuring local produce throughout the site. This is notably seen in the Brick Lane Market's raw bar. Here, the team serves up fresh oysters and seafood sourced directly from QVM's newly refurbed Food Hall. Chef Ankit Padmani (ex-Indu, Mejico and Collins Quarter) is overseeing the restaurant's main menu, pushing a market-to-plate ethos, serving up dishes chock full of local and seasonal produce sourced from the market itself. Either pop by for drinks and snacks like the tuna tostadas, sashimi and charcuterie boards, or get around some of the bigger plates. The massive grilled pork belly is an absolute banger, covered in a thick chilli caramel and gochujang, but you can also keep things simple with elevated pub grub — think schnitzels, burgers and steaks. Of course, beer is the star of the show at Brick Lane Market. Thirty-six taps are scattered throughout the venue, pouring the brewery's core range, seasonal specials and one-off Pilot Batches. These more experimental brews are for those wanting to try something a little different and are set to be inspired by Queen Vic Market itself. Don't know your beers but you're up for trying something new? The front-of-house team are there to make things easy for you. Compared to most brewery pubs in Melbourne, Brick Lane Market is offering up one of the most extensive range of food and drinks within some mighty glam surrounds.
This year, Northcote Social Club is celebrating two decades of beers, bands and big nights on High Street — and it'll be throwing an appropriately massive party to usher in its third decade. From Monday, June 30, the northside hotspot is kicking off a stacked birthday program dubbed 20 Gigs for 20 Years, with two months of shows and parties featuring some of the artists and communities who have helped to shape the venue's story so far. Since opening in 2005, the sister venue to Richmond's iconic Corner Hotel has transformed from an if-you-know-you-know neighbourhood bandroom to a bona fide Melbourne music institution. It's played host to everything from debut sets to secret shows (Pixies and Lady Gaga are among the acts to have graced the High Street stage), and also been a launching pad for headline Australian acts like Courtney Barnett and Camp Cope, among a heap of others. For its 20th birthday, the Club is inviting back old and new mates to light up the stage once more. Expect live sets from favourites like Kingswood, Nai Palm, Augie March (pictured below), Alice Ivy, Jazzparty, Briggs' new band Big Noter (pictured above) and a bunch more, as well as curated takeovers by PBS, Northside Records, Collective Artists and Poison City Records. The celebrations will conclude with a huge closing party on Friday, August 29 — the lineup for that night is still under wraps, but it'll feature a number of special guests. And because Northcote Social Club has always been about community as much as chords, it's inviting anyone who's enjoyed a drink or a dance floor moment to drop a note or a photo into its front-bar letterbox. Include your contact details with your memory and you could score a free double pass to the 20th birthday show of your choice, a $100 food and bev voucher or a merch pack. You don't just need to submit a memory to score a prize, though — buy a ticket to any of the 20th anniversary shows and you'll go in the running to win the NSC Golden Ticket: 12 double passes to any shows over the next 12 months. "A friend once told me that walking into the NSC feels like a big warm hug — and that's exactly the kind of place we've always strived to be," says Venue Manager Emily Ferris, who joined the team at Northcote Social Club in 2005. "I'm so excited to see familiar faces returning to the venue — artists and punters alike — to celebrate what this place has meant to so many of us over the years." Northcote Social Club's 20 Gigs for 20 Years is on from Monday, June 30–Friday, August 29 at 301 High Street, Northcote. For the full lineup and to buy tickets, head to the venue's website. Top image: Ian Laidlaw.
What's better: free KFC, or bites to eat other than chicken being double-breaded and fried just like the Colonel's finest? The answer: a place that does both. Australia is getting one, albeit temporarily and only in Sydney. But hit up The Original Crispery, as the two-day-only world-first pop-up is called, and you'll nab a burger without spending a cent — and also get the chance to enjoy an entire menu that's been given the KFC treatment. Have you always thought that vegetables such as broccolini and asparagus would taste better if they were coated and fried just like KFC chicken? Cheesecake, too? Peanut butter and jam sandwiches? They're some of the items on the menu at The Original Crispery — and, like the burgs, they're also free. The place: 118 Crown Street, Darlinghurst. The dates and times: 10am–7pm on Friday, May 17 and 10am–5pm on Saturday, May 18. Everyone who drops by will get one free original crispy burger and one other free item from the menu, as suitably "crispified" as the fast-food chain is calling it. Why? Whenever a pop-up like this happens, it's always to promote something. This time, the brand is spreading the word about its permanent new original crispy burger series being added to the menu at KFCs Australia-wide, where every burger fillet is double-breaded. It hits outlets on Tuesday, May 14. As for what else is on offer at The Original Crispery, you'll have to show up to find out. Until then, dreaming up a list of other foodstuffs that KFC can crisp up will pass the time and make you hungry. And yes, this is the latest pop-up from a brand that's done 11-course fine-dining degustations, Peking Duk-led festivals, a nightclub, weddings, cocktails, ugly Christmas sweaters for humans and pets alike, free international trips, and a soothing playlist of chicken frying and gravy simmering — which is genuinely relaxing. KFC's Original Crispery will pop up from 10am–7pm on Friday, May 17 and 10am–5pm on Saturday, May 18 at 118 Crown Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney. Head to the brand's website and Facebook page for more details.
Melburnians were delighted last year when it was announced that our favourite preserved historic steam train would be immersed in a modern-day light projection show. If you missed out on tickets last year, you're in luck — the immersive, illuminated light show spearheaded by the team that has led projections for White Night is returning once again. Running from Friday, June 23 to Sunday, July 9, the historic steam train will be transformed with Train of Lights, projected directly onto the Wright Forest. Passengers will be immersed in colours, patterns and native wild animal projections that spectacularly leap from Puffing Billy onto timber trestle bridges, into trees and onto the distant open countryside. The Puffing Billy team has partnered with Resolution X to deliver the unique light projections. The acclaimed lighting company's little black book of clients includes White Night, Vivid events and Melbourne Fashion week runways. One of the best-preserved steam railway lines in the world, Puffing Billy departs Emerald Lake Park on a 24-kilometre journey through the Dandenong Ranges to Gembrook, before returning to Lakeside. A visitor's centre and Railway Cafe are available from the departure point if you want to extend your trip. 'Train of Lights' will run from Friday, June 23–Sunday, July 9. There are a limited number of tickets available, with many dates already sold out. Head to the Puffing Billy website to book a spot.
Once an alleyway where literal beans were sold, the Queen Victoria Market's String Bean Alley has today reopened as a bustling shopping hub home to 26 stalls. Making their homes in quirky and colourful shipping containers, the stalls are a combination of new and old, with 14 existing and 12 sparkly new shops. Wander through the fairy light-lit laneway on Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Wednesday nights (during the Night Market) and you'll find novels at Mary Martin (a 75-year-old bookshop), vintage cameras at the just-opened Retro Mamma, 90s fashion at Miss Brown Vintage and hemp skincare at The Hemp Superstore, as well as everything form Japanese homewares to Akubras, fresh flowers and vegan and organic skincare. [caption id="attachment_732059" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Market City[/caption] The little laneway isn't short on food and drink options either, with Melbourne Cocoa's truffles and hot chocolates, Market Espresso's cheesy toasties and buttery pastries, Little League's coffee and Ronnie Z's juices, acai bowls and soups. And, if you can't find something that'll quite hit the spot, you have the rest of the market's 600 retailers just next door to explore. The relaunch of the alley is part of the $250 million revitalisation of the newly heritage-listed market, which also includes a new $70 million community hub, replacing the current car park with a 1.5-hectare public open space and the restoration of existing structures, such as the food hall facade and sheds. You can read more about the QVM's makeover here. String Bean Alley is now at the Queen Vic Market on Friday–Saturday 8am–3pm, Sunday 9am–4pm and Wednesday 5–10pm during Night Market events.
