"The play's about a group of actors in crisis... so art is imitating life." Actor Gareth Davies is in the middle of a manic final week of rehearsals for The Government Inspector ahead of its opening at Melbourne's Malthouse, before a Sydney season at Belvoir. "But manic's good," says Davies. "The plays I've done that have been bad have been slow, sedate, very careful and cautious things that we were all totally prepared for, and you get up there in front of an audience and it doesn't have a spark of spontaneity or panic." In the plot of the original Russian play by Nikolai Gogol, a low-level clerk is confused with an important bureaucrat and worshipped as a god. In this collaboration between director Simon Stone, writer Emily Barclay and the cast, the gormless pen-pusher becomes a bitterly unsuccessful actor (Davies). A cast of frantic actors who are desperately putting together a show mistake him for a famous auteur and worship him accordingly. Stone recently said that this play is "the furthest away I've ever gone [from a source text's foundations]". It's a big claim from a director who's built a career on adaptations that self-reportedly "rape and pillage" the classics. But Davies agrees that only the skeleton of the original work remains. "There's various character archetypes and a basic story structure that's there, but the setting's entirely changed," he says. "Thematically it's pretty similar — it's fraud, it's someone accidentally being placed in a position where everyone thinks he's someone else and then kind of enjoying that. Once he's realised that he's essentially being totally dishonest with everyone he starts to really wallow, to enjoy the free booze and the free food and the way that people talk to him." Like Gogol's story, Stone's choice of play was born out of misunderstanding: a sudden seismic shift prompted by the last-minute discovery of existing rights for Belvoir's scheduled production of The Philadelphia Story. I put it to Davies that the frustration of those events seems to have bled into this work, but he's more circumspect. "It is a starting point for our play, but it would have been pretty uninteresting to do an attack on that situation. With these actors, at the beginning, just like us, something that they knew and something that they wanted is taken away and then the story begins, but that's as far as it goes — it's just a crisis that sets off the story." As open as he is about its beginning, Davies is reluctant to give anything away about the latter parts of the play, especially the musical sections choreographed by Lucy Guerin and composed by longtime Stone collaborator Stefan Gregory. For Davies, this kind of mainstage production seems a little out of character, given his background in independent theatre as one of the founders of The Black Lung Theatre and Whaling Firm, whose work has terrorised audiences across Australia. Yet Stone's process has in many ways reflected the same kind of approach. "The way we're working here is much more similar to those shows. Often with mainstage work as an actor you're one of the last people to find out about anything — by the time you arrive, the vision for the play is already there." The world of The Government Inspector might be easy for the Malthouse and Belvoir to market to a theatre-savvy audience, familiar with the utter chaos that goes into creating a show, but Davies firmly believes in its wider appeal. "We've been really aware of this, of making it too in-jokey," he says. "It is about a group of people making a show, but in the end that's not what you're responding to. More than anything else, it's a play about characters responding to crisis. In the end, we're all human, and just as petty, and beautiful, and small-minded as everyone else."
No one ever likes saying goodbye to their favourite TV show. Thankfully, due to the non-stop array of revivals, spinoffs and movie adaptations that just keep reaching our screens, those farewells are often only temporary. And, if you're lucky, you get multiple new chances to step back into the on-screen world you've already spent so much time watching and obsessing over — which is exactly what's happening with Downton Abbey: A New Era. It's been more than a decade since Downton Abbey, the Yorkshire-set television drama, first made its debut — and creator Julian Fellowes isn't done with it yet. After the show spun its tale of aristocratic life during the 1910s and 1920s across six seasons, finishing up in 2015, the 2019 movie that's also called Downton Abbey then brought the Crawley family and their loyal staff to cinemas. It played out like a last hurrah, but it unsurprisingly proved a hit, so that's where this new movie sequel comes in. To answer the most important question: yes, Maggie Smith is back. She's a key part of the new film's just-dropped teaser trailer, in fact, because of course she is. This time, she's telling her loved ones about a villa in the south of France that she's just come into possession of, which is where this follow-up is headed — in Downton Abbey's usual lavish style, obviously. Narrative-wise, the feature — which is once again written by Fellowes, but has filmmaker Simon Curtis (Goodbye Christopher Robin) in the director's chair — will chart the Crawley's summer trip, all as Hollywood comes to the Abbey. And yes, to answer the other burning question, there's familiar faces aplenty in the trailer, with the returning cast spanning Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Harry Hadden-Paton, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Tuppence Middleton, Lesley Nicol, Imelda Staunton and Penelope Wilton. If you're a fan of the series and the first movie, you don't need any further explanation. That said, a few new actors join the Downton Abbey world in A New Era, too, including Hugh Dancy (Late Night), Laura Haddock (Transformers: The Last Knight), Nathalie Baye (The Guardians), Dominic West (The Pursuit of Love) and Jonathan Zaccaï (The White Crow). Check out the teaser trailer below: Downton Abbey: A New Era releases in Australian cinemas on March 17, 2022. Top image: Ben Blackall / © 2021 Focus Features, LLC.
Finding greatness in Bong Joon-ho's Parasite isn't difficult. The perceptive class-clash and eat-the-rich story, the array of pitch-perfect performances, the acclaimed director's stunning mastery of tone, the insightful and revealing production design: they're all examples in this Oscar- and Cannes-winning South Korean masterpiece. Another instance comes courtesy of composer Jung Jae-il's score, which soundtracks the film with tunes both disquieting and baroque. It's no wonder that accolades came Jung's way, too, including from his homeland's Grand Bell Awards. Hearing Jung's contribution echoing as Parasite screens is the best way to appreciate it, of course — and watching him perform it live in Australia with Orchestra Victoria will dial what's already a spectacular experience up a few notches. For the first time, the composer is heading Down Under, all thanks to 2025's Melbourne International Film Festival. The event's commitment to honouring the art of screen composition via screenings that pair live tunes and movies is continuing, and two Parasite in Concert sessions are set to be among this year's fest highlights. At 2pm and 8pm on Saturday, August 23 at Hamer Hall in the Victorian capital, Jung is taking to the keys. He's also conducting Orchestra Victoria as he plays. Seeing Parasite on a big screen is already a treat, no matter how many times you've watched it before; however, giving the picture the concert treatment is something extra special. Jung isn't just known for Parasite. If you've felt the tension emanating from Squid Game's score, then you've also appreciated the composer's efforts. Prior to Parasite, Jung collaborated with Bong on Okja, then did so again afterwards on this year's Mickey 17. The tunes in Hirokazu Kore-eda's Broker hail from him as well, as does the score for MIFF 2025 title Twinless.
From now until the end of July (there is potential for this to be extended), Dimmy Su has set up shop at The Hall at Welcome to Brunswick. Available every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the pop-up offers unlimited dim sims, steamed buns and dumplings for just $29. Guests can reserve spots for one of two 90-minute sessions, starting at 6pm or 8pm. The unlimited feast features a range of classic dumplings like pork siu mai, prawn dumplings and pork and prawn gyoza, as well as vegetarian selections like vegan gyoza and vegetarian spring rolls. To enhance the experience, local DJs will be spinning on the decks every Tuesday and Wednesday night. Bookings are highly recommended and are now open at the venue's website.
The North Fitzroy Arms Hotel has been sitting on Rae Street near Edinburgh Gardens for 150 years now, with the classic old-school boozer garnering generations of loyal fans. But when it recently changed hands and construction started inside, locals were understandably worried. In the last few years, too many Aussie pubs have undergone extensive refurbs that totally gutted the interiors, replacing their classic pub charm and warmth with cold, contemporary finishes. It can feel like a kick to the gut when this happens to your local. But we're glad to report that such a fate hasn't befallen the Arms. The front bar has mostly remained untouched. Carlton Draught remains on tap. You can still play pool. And the teles streaming footy have been reconnected. The 45-person beer garden is also set to get a retractable awning and outdoor heaters, so punters can hang outside no matter the weather, and a handful of tables line the street for those wanting to do a spot of people-watching. But it's the dining room out back that's had the biggest update. Therefore Studio (Marquis of Lorne, The Corner Hotel and Union House) was brought in to reinvigorate the space without making it too "high-brow". It did this by knocking down some walls, popping up some wooden-framed mirrors and adding a heap of vintage posters. The end result gives off classic bistro vibes. And when the sun goes down, waiters light tall candles on the white tablecloth-covered tables and dim the lights for some romantic moodiness. All up, it's a simple but effective redesign. The food offerings, however, have been totally overhauled. Sadly, you won't find your classic parma on the menu, but there are stacks of classic British and European plates. Head Chef Barney Cohen (ex-Bar Bellamy) is cooking up the likes of beef cheek and ale pie served with mashed potato and pea soup, whole crumbed garfish and chips with tartare sauce, house-made and woodfired pork and sage sausages with cabbage, mash and lashings of homemade gravy and more. If you're after a cheap dirty pub meal, this is no longer the place to get it. But it's far from being so posh that locals and regulars will feel alienated. Hayley McCarthy (ex-Ides) has also been brought in to run the bevs program, which includes plenty of by-the-glass options that won't make you wince when looking at the price. Victorian and European drops are the focus here, with plenty of new-wave skin contact and natty options also making the cut. At the front bar, you'll find a dependable selection of tap, bottled and canned beers, as well as an impressive selection of signature cocktails — we're particularly curious about the espresso martini that can be spiked with Guinness for an extra dollar. All in all, it looks like the North Fitzroy Arms Hotel has managed to pull off a fairly light-handed makeover. The team has focused on modernising the dining options while leaving most of the other classic pub features as they were. You'll find the North Fitzroy Arms Hotel at 296 Rae Street, Fitzroy North, open 4pm–late, Monday–Thursday, and 12pm–late, Friday–Sunday. For more information and to book a table, visit the venue's website. Images: Jana Longhurst
It happened with The Nutcracker, Mary Poppins Returns, Aladdin, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Frozen II, Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, just to name a few past Disney movies, and it's occurring again for Snow White: to immerse everyone in the world of the Mouse House's new film beyond cinemas, The Grounds of Alexandria in Sydney has given itself a temporary makeover. Expect social media feeds to be filled with snaps of this enchanted garden, plus the themed dishes now on the menu for the next couple of months — and expect Harbour City locals and visitors alike to flock in. How have all things Snow White taken over? With scenery that looks like it's been transported out of the film — greenery aplenty, plus woodland creatures as well — and everything from red apple mocktails to sweet treats inspired by the movie on offer. Yes, there's a magic mirror on the wall. And also yes, you'll spot more than a few apples. You've got until Sunday, May 25, 2025 to head by, and to sip that Evil to the Core drink (made with red apple, raspberry and citrus) at The Cafe, The Garden and The Potting Shed at The Grounds of Alexandria. Food-wise, Waiting on a Wish (a toasted almond sponge with pear cream and blackberry compote) is on the menu in The Cafe and the Poison Apple for two (spiced caramelised apple, dulcey crèmeux and mascarpone cream) is available in The Potting Shed over the same period. The film in the spotlight releases in cinemas on Thursday, March 20, starring Rachel Zegler (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes) as Snow White and Gal Gadot (Heart of Stone) as her evil stepmother. Marc Webb (The Only Living Boy in New York, Gifted, The Amazing Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro) is behind the lens. Remaking Disney's 1937 animated hit, Snow White joins list of the company's cartoon classics given a live-action or photorealistic do-over. See also: The Jungle Book, Maleficent and its sequel, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, Aladdin, The Lion King, Lady and the Tramp, Mulan, Pinocchio, Peter Pan & Wendy and The Little Mermaid so far, with Lilo & Stitch and Moana also to come. It's been a great time to be a pop-culture fan in Down Under of late, and to take that love beyond the screen, following multiple Squid Game pop-ups, plus a Stranger Things experience on the way. Snow White at The Grounds runs at The Grounds of Alexandria, Building 7A, 2 Huntley Street, Alexandria, Sydney until Sunday, May 25, 2025 — head to The Grounds of Alexandria's website for further details. Images: Scott & Co.
Words like 'hidden kingdom' and 'radio broadcast' don't often find themselves hanging out too often. But one of Nepal's most remote spots is now on air, broadcasting from one of the world's most stunningly designed stations to date. Nestled in one of Nepal’s most remote regions lies the 'hidden kingdom' of Mustang. Accessed on horseback via the old Salt Route of the Kali Gandaki River valley, Mustang sits on the border of Tibet and was one of the last parts of the country to encounter Westerners. Dubbed the best example of traditional Tibetan life in the world, Mustang’s surrounding Himalayan mountain range and isolation from major metropolises has kept things pretty traditional, centered around the kingdom’s Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. The old king’s palace hasn’t been used in years and is falling into disrepair. But this tiny Tibetan kingdom, who hasn't changed much since the 15th century, is about to leap into the 21st century with an unexpected new development: a radio station. Being cheap as chips to set up, broadcast and listen to, radio is a super democratic medium. Isolated regions can stay on top of things, access crop and weather details and get news bulletins much quicker than the ol' hand delivery. But if you’re 8,400 feet above sea level and surrounded by the Himalayas, radio frequencies might give your town a miss. You'll also be at a bit of an environmental and sociopolitical disadvantage without radio so, according to Gizmodo, nonprofits like the Center For Rural Technology are helping to establish radio stations all through the region, with 144 existing to date in Tibet and Nepal. Now, the Mustang town of Jomson has landed its very first radio station, a stunning, gneiss-walled establishment that looks straight from Grand Designs. Although radio is celebrated as a cheap medium to set up, South Korean communications heavyweight MBC fronted up a whopping $930,000 to build the station. Why would a South Korean bigwig blink an eyelid at a tiny Tibetan community? MBC stated that "the radio station has been established to enhance the awareness of Nepalis in the rural area and assist them to live a quality life". Then the company claimed the station would be the world’s most beautiful broadcasting center. Well, they kind of nailed it. Architect Kim In-cheurl and his firm Archium took on the project, working with extremely temperamental weather, steep hillsides and Mustang’s isolated location. The resulting station is an elegant, modern space that seamlessly corresponds with Jomson’s existing architecture. Gneiss stone walls, sunken courtyards and sleek wooden pegs seats. The studio and event spaces live downstairs, protected by stone walls from Mustang’s extreme weather. The antenna, the heart of the station, has been adorned with prayer flags. So what will Mustang be crankin' up? Broadcasts, which will be sent to about 2,000 people in 98.9 MHz frequency, will cover news, weather, health, culture and the odd trekking tip for the Annapurna circuit. We’ll just have to wait to see if it makes it online, so we can brag to our friends about our love for sweet hidden kingdom radio. Via Gizmodo and Karobar Daily. Images by Taylor Weidman/The Vanishing Cultures Project and Jun Myung-jin/ArchDaily.
Over Easter, KFC spread some paschal cheer — and some of its finger lickin' good fried chicken — with free delivery. This weekend mightn't be a special occasion or include any public holidays, but now it's McDonald's turn to share the fast food love. If you're craving a Quarter Pounder or a box of chicken McNuggets and you don't fancy leaving the house, Maccas is offering free home delivery on orders over $25 via UberEats. The limited-time offer is available nationwide and runs until Sunday, April 19. To get your hands on a burg, some fries, a Happy Meal, McFlurry or a hot fudge sundae — or anything else on the chain's regular menu — with no extra delivery cost, head to UberEats' website or use the UberEats app and enter the code MACCASWEEKEND. The entire transaction will be contact-free, including when it hits your doorstep. And, if you're after a few household staples, Maccas is also delivering milk, plus six-packs of English muffins and its gourmet buns. Or, of course, you can ignore whatever time of day it is and go straight for a McMuffin, hash brown and some hot cakes. McDonalds is offering free delivery across Australia on orders over $25 made via UberEats, with the special available until Sunday, April 19. To order, head here and use the code MACCASWEEKEND. Images: McDonalds.
NAIDOC Week, the annual week-long celebration of the history, achievements and diverse culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples has kicked off a little later than usual this year. And, as with everything in 2020, this edition of NAIDOC Week is going down a bit differently. After originally being scheduled for its usual spot in the calendar in early July, the festivities were postponed to November due to COVID-19. It's now running from Sunday, November 8–Sunday, November 15. This year's theme is 'Always Was, Always Will Be', recognising that First Nations people were the first to step foot on this land and that they have occupied and cared for the land for over 65,000 years. As is now customary for 2020, a majority of this years NAIDOC Week events will take place online. Talks, art exhibitions and markets will happening across this country — and the internet — this week so clear your schedule. It's also important to celebrate and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples outside of NAIDOC Week. Every day is a good day to learn more about the country's history, support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses, and donate to important social enterprises and charities if you have the means.
Stepping into Ma Saj, Melbourne's newest wellness studio in Carlton North, feels like entering a realm where time slows down, and the noise of the outside world fades away. It doesn't feel sterile and clinical — it has a welcoming warmth, thanks to Founders Kate Cawley and Sonya Galenson, who have ditched the typical clean, white-surfaced spa vibe for something more akin to a cosy wine bar or a chic 70s lounge room. In collaboration with Ineke Hutter of Studio Co & Co (known for projects like Brunswick's The Sporting Club and Fitzroy's Rocco's Bologna Discoteca), Ma Saj stands out in its approach to design. The space features a soothing palette of neutrals and cool mauve and moss, accented by carefully chosen 70s furniture — notably the Kilimanjaro Table Lamp by Sergio Asti, a vintage piece from 1978 which lights the foyer, setting the mood alongside works from local ceramicists like Cassie Hansen and Hilary Green. "We knew that design was crucial to the client experience and that a physical space can make you feel good (or bad) instantly and wanted to curate a space that was minimal, yet warm and intentionally evoked a sense of calm, introspection and silence," says Co-founder, Kate Cawley. This vision materialised through attention to colour, sound, texture and scent. Every detail, from the aromatherapy to the curated playlists, is designed to transport visitors to a state of calm and introspection. Kate and Sonya, with 30 combined years of experience in natural medicine and osteopathy, ensure that their massages are more than just relaxing. The treatment menu ranges from the 'Euphoria' relaxation massage, blending reiki and meridian therapy, to the more targeted 'Deep Remedy' remedial massage. For expecting mums, the 'Babe' pregnancy massage offers a blend of euphoria and therapeutic touch. Soon, they'll also introduce a facial massage service. If life is feeling a like a lot at the moment, a visit to Ma Saj might just be the perfect rejuvenating break your body and mind have been craving. Find Ma Saj at 635 Nicholson St, Carlton North. It's open Monday, 2pm–8.15pm; Wednesday 3.30pm–8.15 pm; Thursday 2pm–8.15 pm; Friday 10am–6.30 pm; and Saturday 10am–3pm.
Honest, home-style Italian food is the name of the game at this all-day spot. A northside favourite for over a decade, the 200-seat diner exudes a warm old-world charm, and includes balcony and bar seating as well as private rooms where you can tuck into a range of excellent prepared classics for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Come in early for the likes of zucchini and sage scrambled eggs on ciabatta with spicy pork and fennel sausage and butter thyme mushrooms, or a little later for the daily rotating range of panini. The dinner menu also changes by the day, with recent specials including a tender osso bucco with polenta, but the house-made pasta is the must-try here. Wash it down with a selection from the neat wine list, featuring a considered selection of Italian and Australian labels. Images: Hi Sylvia Photography
Hello, sunshine and goodbye cold winter nights — that's right, summer is right around the corner, which means we can finally get our tan on at the beach or enjoy a sunny Sunday (boozy) brunch. There are a lot of things to take into consideration when planning a day out in the heat, so we've joined forces with Mr Black to compile a list of things for you to take note of to further elevate your summer experience. From revamping your picnic setup to stocking up on ready-to-drink Mr Black Espresso Martinis, here's your cheat sheet on how to be best prepared for the warmer days ahead. [caption id="attachment_870994" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chloe Smith[/caption] UPGRADE YOUR PICNIC GEAR WITH A MULTI-PURPOSE BASKET Picnics usually happen on the spur of the moment, so having a multi-purpose basket on hand — like one of these sturdy, insulated ones by Picnic Season — is always a good idea. Consider opting for one with sturdy straps to keep cutlery, cups, plates and more in place, as well as a built-in thermally-insulated cooler bag to store your cold drinks (like a pack or two of Mr Black Espresso Martinis). A good rule of thumb: have a basket on hand that looks bigger than what you think you'll need. [caption id="attachment_870827" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Declan Blackall[/caption] INVEST IN A PICNIC TABLE WITH DRINK HOLDERS If there's one thing more heartbreaking than dropping your picture-perfect sanga on the ground, it's spilling your drink all over your picnic setup. To avoid potential disaster (and clutter), consider investing in a picnic table that comes with drink holders. Whether it's for your canned espresso martini or – if you're taking a break from alcohol – iced latte, a table like this one from Temple & Webster will save you from cleaning up a mess. Trust us, you'll thank us later. CATCH THE SUN WITH A SUNSET APP — AND MAKE SURE THERE'S PLENTY OF SUNSCREEN Admit it, there's a 99% chance that you've got at least one sunrise or sunset photo on your phone or camera. To make life a little easier for you and not disappoint your next sunrise or sunset adventure, download the Sun Chaser app to keep track of when the next Instagram-worthy sunrise or sunset will happen in your current location. The platform provides details like the intensity of the clouds and how colourful the light rays will be on any given day. And if you're chasing the sun, don't forget the sunscreen, too! [caption id="attachment_870828" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Declan Blackall[/caption] OVERSTOCK ON THE ICE (ESPECIALLY TO KEEP YOUR CANNED ESPRESSO MARTINIS COOL) The weather has been exceptionally unpredictable recently, so you've got even more reason to be prepared for the unexpected. Despite what your weather app says, you'll never know how hot the day could get. So if you're at the beach (or basically anywhere outdoors) this summer, always bring more ice than you need — especially if you're storing drinks that are best consumed cold, like a Mr Black Espresso Martini. [caption id="attachment_870830" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Declan Blackall[/caption] KEEP IT INTERACTIVE WITH ACTIVITIES LIKE FINSKA, KUBB OR A FRISBEE While sunbathing, eating and drinking sound like the perfect combination, why not kick it up a notch by taking part in an activity with your crew? Stick to the classics like Finska or Kubb, which will without a doubt unleash everyone's competitive side while also getting the endorphins going. You could also go for a laid-back activity like frisbee to get your fur baby involved as well. [caption id="attachment_871154" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Supplied[/caption] SEATING, BLANKETS AND CUSHIONS KEEP THINGS COSY AND COMFORTABLE Don't neglect your comfort. Be sure to always have a quality picnic blanket if you plan to spend the day at the garden or beach — we love the colourful, waterproof and eco-friendly designs by Central Coast maker Saltwater Picnic Co (pictured above). Spruce your setup with cosy cushions and extra blankets in case you decide to extend your stay. [caption id="attachment_870834" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Declan Blackall[/caption] PREPARE ONE-BITE FOOD THAT'S EASY TO EAT Some of you might love to go the extra mile and prepare a hearty spread when you're out and about. However, if you aren't in the mood to go through a 12-step recipe, you could always put together something simple like a hearty, veggie-filled sandwich or wrap. After something sweet that won't melt? On the morning of your trip, chop up fresh seasonal fruit and store them in a reusable container, with an ice block or two to keep it cool. [caption id="attachment_870835" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Artur Lewandowski (Unsplash)[/caption] A GOOD SPEAKER TO CREATE THE PERFECT VIBE Music not only brings people together, but it's the easiest way to set a mood. Which makes a speaker an essential item to bring when you're out with your crew. If you want to go the extra mile, curate a playlist for the day, too. If you currently don't have a portable speaker, look into the Marshall Emberton Portable Bluetooth Speaker or a UE MEGABOOM 3, which bring both style and good vibes to any gathering. [caption id="attachment_870847" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Declan Blackall[/caption] MAKE SURE THERE'S REAL CUTLERY AND GLASSWARE (PERFECT FOR ESPRESSO MARTINI O'CLOCK) Sipping on an espresso martini out of a lovely glass just hits different and you can't deny that. Treat yourself and your crew by elevating your picnic setup with stainless steel flatware, ceramic plates and wine or cocktail glasses for an upgraded experience. This is where your multi-purpose basket will come in handy as you won't need to worry about your cutlery and glassware shattering into pieces during your commute. Looking for more easy ways to elevate your summer gatherings — especially when espresso martini time hits? Head to the Mr Black website. Top image: Declan Blackall
The William Angliss Institute has long been a secret spot for city workers and locals to score cheap eats made by budding chefs. The Bakeshop serves up whatever pastries, cakes and loaves of bread the students have cooked up that day. Cafe 555 is home to an affordable lunch menu that changes daily. And punters can still score an ever-changing $38 set menu from the Angliss Restaurant every week during term. If you didn't know about this already, now you do. (You're welcome.) And now, William Angliss — with the help of designers at Gray Puksand — has gone all out by transforming an old-school W-class tram into a charming (and surprisingly spacious) streetside cafe. The cafe allows baristas-in-training to perfect their coffee-making skills, as well as future hospo managers to learn how to run a venue. But the real drawcard: a brew will only cost you $3.60 — almost unheard of for coffee in Melbourne's CBD. Fresh pastries will also be available from the Tram Cafe, also prepared by students. As for where to enjoy your brew and baked good, you can either sit inside the refurbed tram, at one of the outdoor tables, or get it to go. Just make sure you're extra kind to the students. These folks are still learning and will be essential members of Melbourne's hospitality industry for many years to come. You'll find the William Angliss Institute's Tram Cafe at 555 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, open Monday–Friday between 8am–2:30pm. For more details, head to the school's website.
To ring in the year of the rabbit, dumpling master Din Tai Fung created cute chocolate and Biscoff bunny buns, continuing its annual tradition of welcoming the Lunar New Year with an adorable addition to its menu (see also: its tiger buns from 2022 and the ox buns it brought out in 2021). But creative dishes aren't just a once-a-year thing here. Now that Easter is almost upon us, the chain is serving up something else to tempt your tastebuds: hot cross bao. Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like, with the bao only available for a limited time. And, while you might be familiar with the concept from previous years' incarnations, Din Tai Fung has changed things up a bit for 2023. The treats are made to look like traditional hot cross buns, only they're crafted on fluffy steamed bread and filled with gooey molten chocolate lava instead of the usual raisins or sultanas. And this time around, the dough is also made on cocoa, so it's all as chocolatey as ever. The hot cross bao are available at all Aussie Din Tai Fung restaurants and food court outlets. Sydneysiders will want to hit up its World Square, Westfield Chatswood, Westfield Miranda, Westfield Sydney, Broadway Shopping Centre, Gateway Sydney, The Star, Greenwood Plaza and MLC Centre venues. In Melbourne, you have one spot to head to, with the bao on offer at Emporium Melbourne. If you'd rather have them brought right to your door, they're also available for delivery in frozen form. If you're keen to stock your freezer and enjoy them once Easter passes, that's an option as well. The only problem we can foresee with this Easter hybrid dish? Wanting to devour as many as possible. They'll cost you $8.90 for two in-store, and $12 for a three-pack of frozen dumplings. Hot cross bun bao are available for $8.90 for two at all Din Tai Fung stores. They're also available for delivery.
Camping is an excellent way to get away from the buzz of city living, to slow things down and reconnect with nature. While you may be stripping back to the very basics, that doesn't mean your menu has to be — even if options can feel limited when figuring out what to eat around the campfire. To help you out, we've whipped up a full menu of tasty camp cooking hacks and tips to make your next outdoor trip a culinary delight. With a little bit of prep and a few handy tools, these meal ideas won't make you feel limited by your outdoor camping kitchen. Treat yourself to these easy, delicious dishes no matter where you are. BREAKFAST Paper Bag Bacon and Eggs Love camping, but hate washing up? This is the perfect no-fuss breakfast for your next rendezvous with the great outdoors. All you need to do is rub the inside of a paper bag with bacon to grease it, then line the bottom with a few strips of bacon, creating a nest for your eggs. Crack one or two eggs into the bag, fold the top down a few times, then poke a hole through the fold and put a stick through to hold the bag over the fire — though not so close that your breakfast bursts into flames (which can happen, so take care). Your bacon and eggs should take around five to seven minutes to cook, depending on how crispy you like your bacon and how soft your eggs. Make sure you have a bit of paper towel underneath the bag as you eat, otherwise you may end up with a nice greasy patch on your pants. Hot tip: Take your eggs and bacon to the next level by adding add some mushrooms or spinach. Campfire Blueberry-Orange Muffins For something pretty special for your next camping breakfast, we recommend breaking out these special muffins. All you'll need is twelve oranges and some blueberry muffin pre-mix from the supermarket. Make up your muffin mix in a jug so it's easy to handle, slice the oranges in half and scoop out the flesh (which you can save for your camping sangria — more on that below). Pour the muffin mix into one orange cup, then top with the other emptied half. Wrap each orange in a layer or two of al foil, and rest them on some hot coals just next to the flames. Turn each wrapped orange over every minute or so for about ten minutes until they're cooked through. Unwrap and enjoy. [caption id="attachment_630716" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr/brenneman.[/caption] LUNCH Campfire Nachos The secret to making exceptional nachos is all in the layers. Making these nachos is super easy with a good camp oven and your preferred ingredients: tortilla chips, cheese, tinned black beans, tinned tomato, avocado, coriander, shallots, lime, salsa and more cheese. Start with a hefty layer of chips, followed by black beans, salsa, shallots, tomatoes and cheese, then repeat. Cook over the fire, so the cheese melts and the ingredients are warmed through. If you have an esky, bring some sour cream to add on top post-cooking, and unless you're a fan of warm avocado, top with avo and coriander as well. Finish off with fresh lime. Camping Toasted Sandwiches Few things hit the spot better than a gooey, melty toasted sandwich — especially when it's infused with some campfire smokiness. Bring a great jaffle iron, some bread and the fillings of your choice, and you're in business. If you don't have a jaffle iron, you can achieve similar results with foil and a skillet, or by cooking straight on the pan with some oil to stop your sandwiches from sticking. Filling options can range from roast chicken, swiss cheese and avocado to gruyere and blue cheese with fig jam. DINNER Campfire Potatoes Cold nights call for toasty warm, wintry food, and you can't go past campfire-cooked potatoes. As you fry up the spuds, the campfire will add a highly delicious smokey flavour. Warm up your camp oven by resting it over the fire on a tripod or straight on some hot coals. Slice brown onion into rings, and add them to your pan or camp oven with some minced garlic. Get those bits sizzling, as you cut your spuds into slices about half a centimetre thick. Toss the potatoes and a handful of diced bacon in with the onion and garlic, then pop on the lid, stirring every five minutes to make sure nothing sticks. Once everything's cooked, top your smokey, meaty, potatoes with that sour cream you brought for the nachos. Camp Oven Pizza Make sure you have plenty of hot coals for this one; it takes around 20 minutes to bake through. For ease's sake, grab some pre-made pizza dough — or prep some dough beforehand if you have a good recipe. Line the bottom of the camp oven with baking paper so that some paper sticks up on the sides, and press your dough in. Top with sauce, cheese and whatever toppings you fancy, put the lid on, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is golden and dough is cooked through. Using the extra baking paper on the sides, lift your pizza out, slice and dig in. [caption id="attachment_630717" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @racheena.[/caption] DESSERT Campfire S'more Cones Bring along some some waffle cones for an easier-to-eat, more decadent take on the s'more. Fill the cones with marshmallows, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, almond slices, coconut, peanut butter and anything else you can think of, and wrap each cone tightly in foil. Roasting them in the fire takes a bit of balancing skill, as you'll want to roast them upright if possible. Leave them near the fire for about five minutes. The al foil shouldn't get hot, but if the cones are too hot to hold, use tongs to hold them, or MacGyver some kind of cone holder. Ten points of the latter. Baileys Marshmallows This is straightforward excellence. Toast your marshmallows as usual, and once they're golden and gooey, dip them in Baileys. That's all there is to it — be warned though, things can get a bit messy. Best for each person to have their own little mug of Baileys for sipping and dipping. DRINKS Campsite Sangria Be the hero of the campsite with this boozy, fruity sangria. The night before you head off camping, add fruits like the orange flesh from the muffins, apples, peaches, strawberries and blueberries, plus a quarter cup of vodka to a large mason jar. Fill the rest of the jar with white wine, and leave to sit overnight. Once you arrive at the campsite, you'll have the perfect mix to combine with ginger ale and lemonade. Speedy Mulled Wine Mulled wine at a campfire is mighty fine, but there's a lot of fussing around with sugar, cinnamon and spices, plus the mulling time. Keep things simple with two easy ingredients: cinnamon tea and port. Use a billy can to brew up some of the spicy tea, which is as simple as steeping cinnamon quills in water. Once the tea is sufficiently brewed and hot, fill mugs halfway and top off with port. The sweetness of the port balances out the cinnamon tea to add some extra warmth at night.
If you've got zero resolve when faced with a room full of dreamy, artisanal chocolates, consider this South Yarra store dangerous territory. The new Como Centre flagship space for Victorian-born choccy brand Koko Black is simply brimming with smooth, cocoa-charged temptation. Decked out with Australian timber and a slew of custom-made lighting and furniture pieces, it's a lofty, light-filled space that's also home to a new concept for the chocolatier — the first-ever Koko Chocolate Bar, pouring a range of Belgian hot chocolates ($&), St Ali coffee and other signature drinks. A summery range of iced sips includes the espresso and salted caramel chill ($9), blending espresso, milk, ice cream and Koko Black's house-made salted caramel sauce, then finished with whipped cream. House-made ice creams, rich milkshakes and a selection of desserts are also up for grabs. Elsewhere in the store, you'll find a dedicated praline counter showing off Koko Black's collection of over 42 delicate, hand-crafted pralines. One wall makes a feature piece of more than 700 colourful chocolate blocks, in a huge range of 25 different varieties, while collections of other signature Koko Black goodies are showcased artfully on timber shelves and tables throughout the store.
Yarra Valley winery Helen & Joey Estate has just leapt into the world of dining and accommodation by setting up Re'em within its vast 200-acre property. The new Victorian site has been designed to take full advantage of the estate's rolling vineyard and ornamental lake, with the dining rooms and each of the 16 boutique rooms boasting views across the winery and surrounding region. In the 80-seat restaurant, guests can cosy up in booths by floor-to-ceiling windows or head to the shaded terrace to sample an impressive selection of contemporary Chinese dishes, each of which have been designed to match well with the estate's new-world wines. The menu honours owners Helen and Joey's Chinese heritage, but they've given culinary consultant Mark Ebbels (ex-The Fat Duck, Bacchanalia, TarraWarra Estate) and Head Chef Abe Yang (ex-TarraWarra Estate and Levantine Hill) plenty of room to leave their own mark on Re'em. This collaboration has resulted in plenty of raw dishes like the Sichuan beef tartare, plus dry-aged Buxton trout covered in a vibrant ginger, soy and star anise sauce. Hot dishes from the kitchen's woodfired grill also make an appearance alongside fried veggie dumplings, Hainanese chicken and crispy eggplant slathered in a capsicum doubanjiang (fermented bean paste and chilli sauce). The food offerings champion both traditional and contemporary Chinese cooking techniques while heroing seasonal Aussie produce. The team has also relocated its cellar door to the new site, where guests can sip their way through Helen & Joey Estate's new and aged drops — yet again boasting views across the winery. They've even set up a private wine-tasting room downstairs, so patrons can have a more intimate drinking experience surrounded by oak barrels and custom-made artworks. Stay at these two drinking and dining spots to catch the sunset over the vineyard, or sneak away to one of the boutique hotel rooms to stick around till sunrise the next day. Each of the 16 rooms has been designed to take advantage of the natural landscape — either through the floor-to-ceiling windows or balconies and patios. King beds, deep standalone baths, sleek kitchenettes and olive oil bath products add some luxury touches to the experience as well. Find Re'em Yarra Valley at Helen & Joey Estate, 12-14 Spring Lane, Gruyere, open every day of the week. For more information, head to the venue's website.
Care for a cheeky cocktail looking out over Melbourne's pretty, pretty skyline? Melbourne has a shiny new rooftop bar atop the just-opened QT Melbourne. This new addition to the CBD promises to serve up openair cocktails and brewskis every night of the week. To get to this high flying bar in the sky, just head to the hotel's front door and you'll be directed to the roof by staff. Best part? There's no door charge. Just know that, while the bar is open until 1am, outdoor seating will only be available until 11pm.
UK-born Michael Lambie (ex-Stokehouse, Circa, The Prince and Taxi Kitchen) has been a big player in Melbourne's restaurant scene ever since he landed here back in the late 90s. He's worked at some of the city's top restaurants and even co-founded Lucy Liu — before selling it in 2020 and running off to Queensland for a short break. But now he is back and ready to take on the CBD with a new venture: Juni. Slated to open in late November, Juni will be championing Southeast Asian cuisine, of course, with Lambie's own style of contemporary twists. The menu is built around the concept of 'Fire and Spice', so we can expect all kinds of heat. Most dishes are also made for sharing, like the Chinese roast duck, pot-roasted beef short rib, tuna tataki, crispy fried eggplant and vegan red curry. The full menu will be available across the main dining room, front bar and mezzanine-level events space — although the team expects the bar to have more of a sip-and-snack feel (for after-work or pre-theatre sessions). Carlton-based studio Techne has designed the 140-person venue, which features a bright colour palette that blends bold reds and pinks with soft green and maroon hues. Lambie shared, "I love the clean flavours of Thailand, Vietnam and Japan, and I am loving creating a menu that encompasses all of these factors that appeal to my customer base. The service will be fast-paced with a focus on wine, well-made cocktails and drinks. Again, I'm committed to building a fantastic professional team and an amazing restaurant. I'm very excited!" Juni is set to open in late November, and will be found at 136 Exhibition Street, Melbourne. For more details, you can check out the venue's website. Images: Dylan Kindermann.
Courting might have been sweet back in your grandparents' day, but with the advent of Facebook, relationships have taken on a whole lot more complexity. Admit it - if you like someone, you'll periodically check out their Facebook profile, click through their photos, ascertain their general whereabouts and any signs that their lack of obtainability might be about to take a turn for the better. This practice, commonly referred to as Facebook 'stalking' - with all the overtones of obsession and garbage-bin rifling the word implies - is perhaps coming closer to the world of real-life courting, with the release of the BreakUp Notifier, the app most likely to get you laid by someone on the rebound. Using the app, you can bookmark the profiles of people in a relationship, and then you'll be automatically notified should that status change in the slightest. As the app itself explains,"You like someone. They're in a relationship. Be the first to know when they're out of it." Woe betide the person chasing after someone with the enigmatic 'It's Complicated' relationship status. Or those who refuse to divulge their status at all. While the Breakup Notifier is perhaps another step down the road to normalising creepy behaviour, you know that thousands of people are going to be downloading this app and making damn sure their's will be the first attractive and available shoulder to cry on. BreakUp Notifier
The Commune Group has proved it's got the goods when it comes to contemporary Vietnamese and Japanese flavours, having gifted Melbourne with Tokyo Tina, the Hanoi Hannah stable and Windsor's flame-driven Firebird. But for its latest trick, the team's crossing the continent, embracing a modern Chinese angle to deliver its latest venture, Balaclava's Moonhouse. Opening Wednesday, June 1, in the heritage-listed art deco corner building formerly home to Ilona Staller, the two-storey restaurant is wearing a sophisticated new look steered by renowned studio Ewert Leaf. Heritage features have been carefully refurbished — or repurposed — across the 110-seat space, now complemented by colourful onyx marble counters, custom vinyl tabletops and pendant lights hung like tiny lunar spheres in a nod to the venue's name. [caption id="attachment_856125" align="alignnone" width="1920"] by Parker Blain[/caption] Climb the stairs to the upper level and you'll discover a 30-seat private dining room, alongside a separate cocktail bar complete with roaring fireplace and covetable window booth seating. The kitchen's playing to Melbourne culinary nostalgia by dishing up a contemporary reworking of some classic Chinese flavours. Come snack time, that means bites like the Hainanese chicken club sandwich, a Sichuan-spiced steak tartare and an addictive take on the familiar prawn toast served with a prawn bisque dip. You'll find dan dan noodles with mushroom and sesame, a crispy-skinned half chook paired with lemon pepper and sweet chilli, and grilled Murray cod in a shaoxing broth. Order the 'Duck Ceremony' and you'll get half a roast duck, with pancakes, plum salt, hoisin, confit duck leg ssam and everything else needed for a DIY peking duck feast. [caption id="attachment_856126" align="alignnone" width="1920"] by Parker Blain[/caption] And with Group Pastry Chef Enza Soto (Brae, Baker D. Chirico, Bibelot) heading up the dessert offering, expect to finish your meal on a high note — perhaps with five spice doughnuts and black pepper ice cream, or the coconut soy pudding matched with mandarin sorbet. The all-Aussie wine list is also a standout, pouring a mindfully-sourced selection of drops made with a conscience, and sitting familiar labels alongside newer, innovative finds. You'll also spy craft brews from the likes of Hop Nation and Stomping Ground; the latter's even teamed up with the venue for a collaboration Czech-style pilsner. Find Moonhouse at 282 Carlisle Street, Balaclava, from Wednesday, June 2. It'll open from 5pm–late Wednesday to Sunday, and for lunch from 2–4pm Saturdays and Sundays. Images: Parker Blain, Jana Langhorst and Leah Traecey.
A scroll through your social media feeds can often leave you feeling like you're the only one not on holidays. While you're doing the same old nine-to-five slog, there are your peers inconsiderately boasting about all of the worldly arts and culture (and food) they're consuming. But, as it happens, you don't need to fork out the big bucks for a plane ticket to see some of the world's most important artworks. Come October, the Art Gallery of NSW will launch its next major exhibition Masters of Modern Art from the Hermitage. It'll see 65 artworks from some of the early 20th century's most revered artists — think Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso and Gauguin, plus their celebrated Russian contemporaries Malevich and Kandinsky — drawn extensively from St Petersburg's State Hermitage Museum. This landmark exhibition focuses on a revolutionary era in art history when these now legendary artists "freed themselves from tradition" and began to imagine art in previously untold vibrant, innovative and abstract ways. The collection acts a self-contained timeline tracking this defining period, with highlights including Monet's Poppy Field (1890), Picasso's Table in a Café (1912) and Kandinsky's Landscape near Dünaberg (1913). The exhibition also delves into the lives of visionary Russian art collectors Sergei Shchukin and Ivan Morozov — more than two-thirds of the exhibition has been drawn from their art collections. Realising the potential of the French modern masters, from the beginning of the 20th century, both Shchukin and Morozov acquired many of today's most acclaimed artworks. The Masters of Modern Art from the Hermitage is half of the 2018/19 Sydney International Art Series, with the Museum of Contemporary Art's David Goldblatt making up the other half. Master of Modern Art from the Hermitage will run from Saturday, October 13, 2018 to Sunday, March 3, 2019. You can purchase tickets now from the Art Gallery of NSW website. We also have double passes to the exhibition to give away. To enter, see below. [competition]687134[/competition] Images: Paul Cézanne 'Fruit' 1879-1880. Courtesy of The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg. Claude Monet France 1840–1926 'Poppy field' 1890/91. Courtesy of The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Pavel Demidov and Konstantin Sinyavsky; Henri Matisse 'Game of bowls' 1908. Courtesy of The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Vladimir Terebenin and H Matisse/Copyright Agency; Wassily Kandinsky 'Landscape: Dünaberg near Murnau' 1913. Courtesy The State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg and Vladimir Terebenin.
Following a rainbow by foot, and celebrating Sydney's — and Australia's — LGBTIQA+ community in the process, isn't hard around the Harbour City, no matter whether you're a local or a visitor. Darlinghurst is famously home to a rainbow crossing. In Surry Hills, the City of Sydney implemented a lengthy path in Prince Alfred Park decked out in the same multicoloured stripes, too. And Coogee also has its own cheerfully hued monument, turning part of the suburb's beachfront into a rainbow walkway. Expect those vibrant colours to blaze brighter in 2023, however — and in more places. WorldPride is coming to Sydney from February 17–March 5, taking place in the Southern Hemisphere for the first time ever, and it has dazzling plans to shower the Greater Sydney region with as many rainbows as it can. Sydney WorldPride will already boast the return of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade to Oxford Street, Kylie Minogue headlining the opening concert, plus MUNA and G Flip doing the same at the closing gig — and now around 45 free public artworks spanning everywhere from the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to the Scenic Skyway in Katoomba are also on the list. The full rundown of floral art and installations hasn't been unveiled, but the highlights so far are impressive. Even just the 50-metre-long floral rainbow wall made up of 18,000 bright plants is, naturally. That floral rainbow wall is coming to The Calyx inside the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and will be one of the largest living green walls in the Southern Hemisphere. It'll display during current horticultural exhibition Love Your Nature, which, fittingly, is all about diversity in plants. Up in the Blue Mountains, Scenic Skyway will be transformed giant Progress Flag, too — adding colour to its already stunning setup against the Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley's landscapes. And, back in Sydney, Coogee's rainbow walkway is expanding. Randwick Council will update the beachside path to feature the colours of the Progress Flag, to ensure that people of colour and the trans community are represented. This is a permanent feature, but will be unveiled in time for Sydney WorldPride. The 45 artworks will also include an evening rainbow mural that'll glow at the University of Sydney's Footbridge Gallery, at the Camperdown campus, during WorldPride. Designed by Dr Xavier Ho, it'll be comprised of rainbow LED lights, and will mark the 45th anniversary of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Around the city in general, the City of Sydney is set to put up floral installations, too, including planter boxes and a floral wall that'll be filled with plants and foliage in rainbow flag hues. To help Sydneysiders and folks in town for WorldPride to know what to see and where — the festival does span 17 days and 300-plus LGBTQIA+ festivities, after all, with more than 500,000 people expected to participate overall — a Rainbow City map will hit the streets in early February, plotting out where to catch this onslaught of celebratory colour. Sydney WorldPride is also open to hearing from public space holders interested in adding their own substantial artworks to the festival, as long as they're free to access and branding-free. Flowers, lights, water, sculptures, any interpretation of the rainbow: they're all welcome. [caption id="attachment_873469" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Katherine Griffiths[/caption] Sydney WorldPride will run from February 17–March 5, 2023. For more information, head to the event's website. Thinking about Sydney WorldPride's big opening gig, Live and Proud: Sydney WorldPride Opening Concert, too? General admission tickets have sold out, with only Sydney WorldPride's affordability option left — but you can still head along thanks to Concrete Playground Trips. The Sydney WorldPride package includes tickets to the Domain Dance Party and Live and Proud: Opening Concert, plus three nights at the PARKROYAL Darling Harbour Sydney.
Any exhibition boasting art by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Camille Pissarro and Berthe Morisot is always a must-see. When French Impressionism displayed at NGV International back in 2021, then, the Victorian venue should've had a blockbuster on its hands. But in a time of pandemic lockdowns, this feast of masterpieces on loan from Boston's renowned Museum of Fine Arts was plagued with a briefer-than-planned run. Bringing it back for a proper season might've taken a few years, but this showcase is just as huge in 2025 as it was aiming to be four years ago. When it comes to art exhibitions, second chances aren't common, of course. While a big-name showcase may display at several places around the world, it doesn't often hit the same venue twice. Between Friday, June 6–Sunday, October 5, 2025, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne is flouting the norm, then — an understandable move when there's 100-plus works from French impressionism's best-known talents to share with art lovers. This is one of the largest collections of the eponymous art movement to ever make its way to Australia, complete with works that've never been seen here before. As it was in 2021, it's again part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition series. One must-see: the presentation of 16 Monet canvases in one gallery, all in a curved display to close out the showcase — and focusing on his scenes of nature in Argenteuil, the Normandy coast and the Mediterranean coast, as well as his Giverny garden. In total, there's 19 Monet works in French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts' collection (Water Lilies among them), which still leaves the US gallery that's the source of the NGV's exhibition almost as many to display in Boston. Another section in Melbourne digs into early works by Monet and his predecessors, such as Eugène Boudin — and Renoir and Pissarro's careers also get the in-depth treatment. In addition, as the exhibition charts French impressionism's path across the late-19th century, visitors can enjoy three never-before-seen-in-Australia pieces, with Victorine Meurent's Self-portrait one of them. Ten-plus Degas works, as well as two pieces that were part of the very first exhibition of French Impressionism that took place in 1874, also feature. If you made it along to the showcase's first trip Down Under, you will notice changes, with the exhibition design reimagined for its latest presentation. That, too, is meant to take you back to Renoir and company's time, with interiors in Europe and across America's east coast in the era an influence. "More than 150 years after the first exhibition of French impressionist paintings were presented in Paris, the movement remains a beloved and powerful drawcard for audiences worldwide," said NGV Director Tony Ellwood, launching the exhibition for 2025. "French Impressionism From the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston offers Australians a rare opportunity to view 100 timeless masterpieces in person, and experience firsthand the bold brushwork and vivid colours synonymous with these artists." French Impressionism displays at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne, from Friday, June 6–Sunday, October 5, 2025. Head to the NGV website for more details and tickets. Images: Visitors in French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston on display from 6 June to 5 October, at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Dan Castano. // Installation view of French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston on display from 6 June to 5 October, at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Sean Fennessy.
In Martin Crimp’s Attempts on Her Life, 17 scenes encircle the play’s central character, Anne, a woman who is everyone; a child, a terrorist, an artist. It’s an unstable narrative that forms a seamless backdrop to the work’s meditations on 20th-century obsessions. Dennis Kelly’s The Ritual Slaughter of Gorge Mastromas shares some aspects of this focus, but where the “attempts” of Crimp’s title are efforts at capturing the impossibility of fully knowing a person, here the ritual at the core of Kelly’s play is a systematic process of dread certainty, building up and destroying every atom of a man’s soul. Ritual Slaughter opens with the ambiguous voices of a sustained, direct-address prologue, one that maps out the early life of Gorge Mastromas with painstaking clarity; each sentence another pin in a butterfly’s wings. Even here at the beginning, Kelly’s writing makes organic, dizzying leaps between clinical detachment and stylised poetry. Somehow, the scope of his vision is exhaustive enough to enfold both microscopic detail and grand epic. While actor Dion Mills’ obvious relish for the text helps to keep this first, long section dynamic, the writer slyly introduces the play’s vein of jet-black humour and the uncertainties that begin to infect its narrators’ voices; the patches of time that “history does not record”. The twists and turns of Gorge’s deceit would spoil any retelling of the plot beyond this point, as the play enters a more conventional series of scenes between the central figure and other characters which hinge upon his constructed persona. The initial restraint in the production’s AV design pays off in the wrenching impact of the play’s first real revelation, with Mills and Olga Makeeva’s faces projected onto the stage itself, throwing up the collision between the play’s increasingly contradictory worlds of narration and action in stark, simultaneous relief. Here and throughout this Australian premiere at Red Stitch, director Mark Wilson and his actors embrace the ebbs and flows of the text’s slow-burning build to devastating effect. All of the ensemble cast are excellent, with Mills, Makeeva, Elizabeth Nabben and Richard Cawthorne joined by the company’s new graduate Jordan Fraser-Trumble. As Gorge, Cawthorne manages to wrap utter pathos in a magnetic physical presence, a combination that makes his character’s degradation hypnotising to watch. It’s all too tempting to explain away a play where the ravages of mindless financial expansionism are intertwined with literal and abstracted violence as overt, didactic commentary. Nietzsche wrote that “whoever thinks that Shakespeare’s theatre has a moral effect, and that the sight of Macbeth irresistibly repels one from the evil of ambition, is in error … He who is really possessed of ambition beholds this its image with joy; and if the hero perishes by his passion this precisely is the sharpest spice in the hot draught of his joy.” In this way, Ritual Slaughter is much more than a stern parable about the morass of unknowable forces that govern the flow of power and wealth worldwide. Kelly puts that darkness inside a man, and he squeezes. This is an intoxicating show, and bitterly rare among Melbourne theatre for a willingness to treat an audience as its equal. Pictured: Richard Cawthorne and Elizabeth Nabben. Image by Jodie Hutchinson.
If listening to "Last Christmas" by Wham and watching Love Actually for the 100th time doesn't sound appealing, Australian streaming service Stan is providing viewers with an alternative. If you know you'll have festive fatigue by the time Boxing Day rolls around, the streamer is releasing all eight episodes of the new Australian dark comedy Sunny Nights on December 26. While some streamers have taken to releasing TV series weekly or even splitting seasons into two parts, you won't be held hostage by any cliffhangers while waiting for the next episode with this new show. Dreamt up by Nick Keetch and Ty Freer, the Stan Original series is directed by Trent O'Donnell (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place, New Girl, Hacks) and stars Hollywood comedians Will Forte (Four Seasons, Bodkin, Saturday Night Live) and D'Arcy Carden (The Good Place, Nobody Wants This, Barry). For fans of crime shows, Sunny Nights offers a twist on the genre. Forte and Carden play siblings Martin and Vicki Marvin, who move to Australia to start a new spray-tanning business. Additionally, Martin is determined to win back his estranged wife, Joyce (Ra Chapman), who just happens to reside in Sydney. After the Marvins get mixed up in an extortion scam, they get sucked into the city's criminal underworld with their lives on the line. While the two main characters are from the USA, this show is undoubtedly Australian. From crocodiles to the chokehold footy has on our country, there are inside jokes littered throughout the series that Aussies can appreciate. Plus the ensemble cast is made up of some established and emerging local talent, including Rachel House (Heartbreak High, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Kangaroo), Jessica De Gouw (Dracula, Kath & Kimderella, Arrow), George Mason (Home and Away, My Life Is Murder, The Survivors) and Ra Chapman (Five Bedrooms, Wentworth, Neighbours). The former NFL player Willie Mason also makes his acting debut as Terry Torres, a tough member of Sydney's criminal underworld. It all begs the question: Why aren't we embracing more local content? In an era where we have been constantly fed reboots, sequels and remakes, Sunny Nights is proudly local. Major scenes take place in and around Sydney, dry conversations are had with mortgage brokers, and there's even a Chemist Warehouse-esque pharmacy. So, if you're already dreading the holiday season, Stan Original Sunny Nights is something you keep an eye on. With the absence of cheesy Christmas storylines, this is an antidote to all of the festive films that have likely been clogging up your streaming services. So, grab yourself a plate of Christmas Day leftovers and tune in on Boxing Day to see the Sydney skyline and some Aussie talent instead. It's time to get sucked into the dark world of Sunny Nights. Stream the Stan Original 'Sunny Nights' Boxing Day, only on Stan. Image credit: Supplied
Around Christmas time, stories of goodwill and kind deeds seem to pop up more frequently, giving you that fuzzy feeling that humanity does indeed exist in our society. One of these stories came to Concrete Playground’s attention, and we thought we should spread the Christmas cheer. A bunch of Sydneysiders have got together and created the organisation The Philanthropic Foodie, a demiurgic thinktank that come up with ideas that marry Sydney’s love of fine food and worthwhile charities. These two elements suit each other better than Tim Tams and early gray on a rainy, summer day. Now you can indulge in your weakness for pricey jars of green olives or $9 bottles of San Pellegrino without getting that guilty twinge from thinking of the price of the equivalent product at Woolworths. Their first project is a gourmet hamper, with contributions from Simon Johnson, Campos coffee, Christine Manfield (Universal), Bourke Street Bakery and Gelato Messina, to name a few, as well as a Danks Street Depot cookbook and a Future Classics CD so you can get your groove on while you chop and stir. There are three different sized hampers at varying prices, with all profits going to charity Youth Off The Streets. Relax into a foodie coma knowing you’ve done a good deed - a pretty good deal if you ask me. Gourmet Hampers Sydney
Last night, Yarra City Council passed a motion to ban alcohol consumption from all public parks and spaces this New Year's Eve. Unsurprisingly, this move comes in response to the gargantuan, national news-making, free-for-all rave that took place in North Fitzroy's Edinburgh Gardens last year. A largely unorganised event that completely trashed the parklands, the party sent 20 people into the care of emergency services and gave 10,000–15,000 local residents an amazing night to remember. It also somewhat memorably gave the Herald Sun another reason to get mad at "hipsters". Though the motion was not passed unanimously, this New Year's Eve will see public alcohol consumption banned from 9pm until 9am the following morning in the areas of Richmond, Abbotsford, Collingwood and Fitzroy (AKA everywhere you were planning to go). Mayor Jackie Fristacky stated the ban will discourage "anti-social behaviour" and be a great step in ensuring the safety of all residents in the area. Though councillor Stephen Jolly who voted against the measure claims the motion is extremist. "It's outrageous and it's actually going to just drive the problem underground," he said. "What they're doing now is going from one extreme to another and they're treating the young people that go down to Edinburgh Gardens as if they're al-Qaeda." Al-Qaeda! Hey, we like drinking in the park as much as the next inner-city hipster but that's a big call. Regardless, a lot of this talk isn't new. NYE alcohol is already banned in all public spaces in the inner Melbourne region, Port Phillip, and all of the Mornington Peninsula and Surf Coast. It's safe to say people are well-trained at swigging from covert flasks these days. The main sticking point of the ban is the huge cost involved in implementing it. Though the cleanup for last year's disgraceful mess — don't get us wrong, it really was awful — cost a whopping $30,000, the Council has said this year's efforts including security, cleaning and ground staff are estimated to cost $180,000. The Age are even reporting this figure could go as high as $250,000. Both fearful residents and frustrated partygoers are now left to question if the new benefits now outweigh the monumental cost. If we're going to fork out that much money to create a safe and respectable environment on NYE, you'd think we'd at least deserve a cheeky glass of bubbles as the clock strikes midnight. Via ABC and The Age. Top image licensed under GNU Free Documentation License 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons.
Mamas Dining Group (Hochi Mama, Straight Outta Saigon, Kiss and Tell) brought Windsor Wine Room to Chapel Street in June 2024, adding to the precinct's growing number of stellar wine bars. Chef Michael Stolley (ex-Ish Restaurant and Eazy Peazy) is running the kitchen, plating up a mix of small and large sharing plates that are loosely inspired by a range of European cuisines — mostly Italian, German and French creole. Start off with small plates like mussels escabeche paired with a fennel aioli and potato crisps, kingfish crudo with kumquat, cucumber and mint and burrata served with a vodka-spiked sauce. Bigger bites include a reasonably priced $38 bavette steak with a roast tomato butter, jerusalem artichoke gnocchi with hazelnut, sage and pecorino and a hearty cauliflower pie with French onion gravy. As is in the name, wine is the star of the drinks list. And there's plenty to get through here. An impressive 23 drops are available by the glass, while the eight pages of bottles span Australian, New Zealand and European varietals. These cover a vast range of vinos, with plenty on offer for both traditional wine lovers and fans of new-wave natty numbers. Cocktails, beers, and a pretty far-reaching collection of spirits round out the booze options. Images: Threefold Social
It's bloody hard to get anywhere from Australia, so we Aussies tend to take our holidays seriously. A new survey from travel consultancy Forward Travel has analysed data from the Department of Home Affairs' Overseas Arrivals and Departures to reveal where Australians have been travelling since 2021. The report ranks global destinations, clearly outlining the winners and losers in attracting Australian tourists. Unsurprisingly, the top spots remained consistent. As expected, Indonesia continues to dominate Australian travel trends. With Bali's beautiful landscapes, proximity, and affordability, Indonesia remains one of the top travel destinations for Australians. Likewise, New Zealand maintains its strong standing due to family ties and its proximity to Australia, it would be shocking to see it fall from favour. Singapore also features prominently, serving as both a central transit hub and a destination in its own right. The USA, UAE, Thailand, and Fiji remain solid contenders. These destinations have remained relatively stable in rankings, serving as "comfort corridors" for Australians, places we trust and return to, even as other destinations gain popularity. Surging up the rankings, Japan, Vietnam, and India have emerged as some of the most-travelled destinations since 2021. Driven by culture, food, ski tourism, safety, and a favourable exchange rate, Japan has experienced the most dramatic rise, jumping from 20th in 2021–22 to fourth in 2024–25, attracting over one million Australian visitors. Vietnam has also seen remarkable growth, positioning itself as an affordable alternative to Thailand. From roughly 6,000 Australian visitors in 2021–22, the number skyrocketed to over 200,000 in 2024–25. Although Malaysia briefly overtook Vietnam in 2022–24, Vietnam reclaimed its lead by 2024–25, reflecting a developing rivalry between the two destinations. India represents the most unpredictable trajectory, dipping in and out of the top 20 before returning in 2024–25. As traveller confidence increased, many Australians chose India for its profound cultural immersion and transformative travel experiences. Australians continue to favour destinations that are familiar, affordable, and easily accessible, while rewarding countries that actively invest in tourism marketing and infrastructure. At the bottom of the rankings are countries such as Samoa, Syria, Guinea, Montenegro, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe. Political instability, limited flight connectivity, and inadequate tourism promotion pushed these countries to the bottom of the rankings. However, Uruguay and Zimbabwe have shown some improvement in recent years, climbing out of the lowest tier, suggesting signs of stabilisation. Countries that once held mid-tier positions but have since fallen into obscurity include Mexico and Peru, likely due to increased competition and a decline in their appeal to Australian travellers. Other countries such as Oman, Dominica, and Malawi have remained consistently in the lower tiers, showing minimal movement. Oman's ranking has fluctuated, particularly appearing in the bottom tier in 2021–22, disappearing entirely, then re-emerging in 2024–25. Across regions, African nations struggle due to a lack of direct flights, higher travel costs, and political instability. Latin America and the Caribbean face the challenge of long travel times and distance. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific's lesser-known destinations and parts of Central Asia have yet to capitalise on their transit potential and translate it into tourism demand. As a result, these regions remain anchored toward the bottom of the rankings. Now that we've entered spring, it's not too early to start planning for the travel trends of 2026. So the question is: where will you be headed next? Ready for your next getaway? Dive into Forward Travel's expert report and see which destinations are topping travellers' lists. Images: Suratman Alimuddin, RuslanKaln, Drazen Zigic, Mikolajn, Igor Kovalev, Wiley Wilkins
Splendour in the Grass is back this July, but not as we know it. The blockbuster Byron Bay music festival is packing its bags and road tripping down to Sydney to launch a new nine-day festival at the city's Overseas Passenger Terminal. Splendour in the City will run from Saturday, July 10–Sunday, July 18 in the lead up to Splendour's virtual festival Splendour XR, which will kick off the following week. Across the lineup, music fans will find an array of beloved Australian artists — plus two stacked nights of stand-up comedy and a whole heap of extras that are aiming to recreate as much of the OG Splendour in the Grass experience as possible. While you won't get caught knee-deep in mud or have to climb North Byron Parklands' heartbreak hill to reach the main stage, you'll still find art installations, a range of dining options and food trucks, specialty bars from the likes of The Winery and The Strummer Bar, markets, a Little Splendour kids program and a VR pop-up at Splendour in the City. Taking over the 900-person Customs Hall and 400-person Cargo Hall, the lineup ranges from Splendour in the Grass mainstays such as Violent Soho, Illy, Vera Blue, Dune Rats and Tash Sultana to fresher faces like Spacey Jane, Masked Wolf, Ziggy Ramo and Triple One. Some local Sydney and Wollongong artists will also be popping up including Big Twisty, A.Girl and The Lazy Eyes — with the latter launching their second EP at the festival. Then, across at the Comedy Club, you'll find the likes of Nazeem Hussein, Nikki Britton, Tom Ballard, Nath Valvo and Triple J's Michael Hing and Lewis Hobba. 2021 will be the second year in a row that Splendour in the Grass won't welcome patrons come July. The full-sized Byron Bay edition of the music festival is currently scheduled for November with headliners Tyler the Creator, The Strokes and Gorillaz; however, that's reliant upon COVID-19 restrictions allowing the event to take place. [caption id="attachment_788985" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ocean Alley[/caption] SPLENDOUR IN THE CITY Customs Hall Saturday, July 10 — Spacey Jane Sunday, July 11 — Tash Sultana Wednesday, July 14 — Ocean Alley and Clews Thursday, July 15 — Illy, Masked Wolf and A.Girl Friday, July 16 — Running Touch Saturday, July 17 — Vera Blue and Cxloe Sunday, July 18 — Violent Soho Cargo Hall Saturday, July 10 — Nikki Britton, Tom Ballard, Michael Hing and more Sunday, July 11 — Nazeem Hussein, Nath Valvo, Lewis Hobba and more Monday, July 12 — Big Twisty and the Funknasty Wednesday, July 14 — The Southern River Band and Vast Hill Thursday, July 15 — Ziggy Ramo and Alice Skye Friday, July 16 — Triple One Saturday, July 17 (Early) — The Lazy Eyes Saturday, July 17 (Late) — Ebony Boadu Presents Sunday, July 18 — Dune Rats and Totty Splendour in the City will run from Saturday, July 10–Sunday, July 18 at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, June 18.
Valentine's Day is just around the corner and we at Concrete Playground can think of no better way to celebrate the painful plethora of schmaltz to come than with a hilarious collection of love declarations gone awry, thanks to the miracle of autocorrect. Damn You Autocorrect, the collector of texting fails, have compiled ten of their favourite Valentine's Day autocorrect blunders, proving that despite the efficiency it provides the modern lover, texting away your affection is not necessarily the best way to keep your relationship afloat. Via Mashable Image byCalypsoCrystal.
Cumulus Up's City Cellar Door series returns for 2019, once again featuring a revolving door of Australian wine producers all keen to show off their top-notch drops. The event is the perfect opportunity to taste delicious wine, chat directly to the makers and grab your fave bottles at cellar door prices — all without leaving the CBD. And, while Victorian producers will sit in the spotlight, the series will also showcase Tasmanian wineries. The year's series — which will run on the first Saturday of every month until October — will kick off at midday on May 4, this month paying homage to the Mornington Peninsula. Wine enthusiasts will be treated to stellar tipples from the likes of Moorooduc Estate, Allies, Quealy and Balcombe Gin. And what's wine without snacks? To make sure the event has all the trimmings, there'll be plenty to eat, including oysters, duck waffles and cured meats. Entry is by gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to OzHarvest. This is a not-to-be-missed event for anyone who loves wine. If you'd like to sit down for a more substantial meal, the upstairs wine bar will also be hosting four-course lunches with matched wines on July 20 and October 19. Alternatively, you can get out of the city and join a behind-the-scenes tour of vineyards as part of a wine-filled day trip on August 24 and November 16. You can find out more info and book tickets via the website. City Cellar Door wine tastings run from midday–4pm.
Multiple lockdowns and public health restrictions have taken a heavy toll on the city, forcing some businesses to hang up their 'closed' sign for good. But, the streets in Melbourne's CBD could soon look a little livelier again, under a new initiative set to transform vacant shopfronts into new creative spaces and curated pop-up stores. As part of the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government's joint Melbourne City Recovery Fund, a $2.6 million shopfront activation program is designed to re-energise some of the city's quieter pockets by breathing new life into empty spaces. It'll activate more than 75 shopfronts located in areas with high vacancy rates, which includes Docklands, Carlton's Lygon Street and the eastern end of the CBD grid. [caption id="attachment_821801" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Artwork by Matteo Volpi[/caption] Building owners and leasing agents are invited to put forward any currently unused spaces as part of the program. A panel of suppliers will then help connect them with creatives and entrepreneurs, and arrange flexible, short-term licence agreements that'll allow the spaces to be temporarily reimagined. Expect everything from vibrant artworks and mini galleries; to retail pop-ups showcasing local artisan homewares. "This shopfront activation program will give free space to artists, budding entrepreneurs and artisan makers to test their business ideas and help attract Melburnians back into the city," explained Lord Mayor Sally Capp. Other initiatives already rolled out as part of the $100 million Melbourne City Recovery Fund include the outdoor dining permit scheme, the Docklands Dollars program and the Urban Blooms project — which saw giant floral works installed in laneways, streets and public spaces across the city during summer. Building owners and leasing agents can register their interest in the shopfront activation program by submitting a query online. Further details are available here. Top Shopfront Image: Supplied by City of Melbourne, artwork by Tara Whalley.
Millions of Aussies flock to Sydney's sparkling shores each year — and, now that the borders are open, it's time to book your great escape to the city. But often, it seems, not many make it past the main attractions. That's why we're here to help. If you're considering a trip to the Harbour City, there's plenty to add to your itinerary beyond the usual highlight reel of CBD sights. Once you've made the pilgrimage to our cultural institutions and culinary heavyweights, make tracks to the neighbourhood watering holes, independent shops and small galleries locals love. We've joined forces with Destination NSW to show you how. Live like a local and uncover the hidden gems that make Sydney's inner city suburbs worth a visit. Please stay up to date with the latest NSW Government health advice regarding COVID-19. [caption id="attachment_652518" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Grounds of Alexandria, Destination NSW[/caption] WHERE TO BRUNCH You've probably been to: Visitors are known to flock to the beloved Grounds of Alexandria (as well as its city outpost, The Grounds of the City) and the well-known Bills establishments in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Bondi — and we don't blame them. Besides being the perfect spot for your next Instagram photo, The Grounds of Alexandria offers a cafe, restaurant, bar, bakery, patisserie, coffee roastery, florist and markets to explore. And at Bills, it almost goes without saying that those corn fritters, creamy scrambled eggs and ricotta hotcakes are huge drawcards. But when you're ready to try something new (and avoid the queues), join the locals for the morning meal. [caption id="attachment_708584" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Reuben Hills[/caption] Next, you should go to: Nestled in the leafy streets of Surry Hills (and just a ten-minute walk northeast from Central Station), Reuben Hills delivers South American-inspired eats and house-roasted specialty coffee. Its soft-baked eggs with ranchero and kale are made to warm bellies and the chorizo brekkie roll is possibly the best spin on a classic B&E sanga you'll find in the city. Or, head slightly further out to Redfern Station, walk five minutes down Eveleigh Street, and you'll find Henry Lee's, a charming courtyard cafe with an ever-changing menu of local produce. Don't miss Henry's Dream toast with avocado, pesto, heirloom tomato, pomegranate molasses and a poached egg, and make sure to nab a batch brew made with locally roasted beans from The Little Marionette. [caption id="attachment_785522" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lindy Lee 'No Up, No Down, I Am the Ten Thousand Things', 'Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop', MCA. Image credit: Anna Kucera[/caption] WHERE TO SEE ART You've probably been to: The Art Gallery of NSW brings together centuries of international and local talent to create one of the world's most beautiful art museums, while the Museum of Contemporary Art celebrates the work of modern artists from Australia and abroad. With rotating exhibitions, there's always something new to discover on a return trip, but if you're looking for something off the beaten track, read on. [caption id="attachment_770817" align="alignnone" width="2000"] White Rabbit 'And Now', Kimberley Low[/caption] Next, you should go to: On the hunt for something one-of-a-kind? Meet Firstdraft, Woolloomooloo's premier space for emerging and experimental art. Expect to be challenged and inspired here by ambitious art making. Next up is Chippendale's Galerie Pompom, a venue as playful as its name suggests. Stop by and explore mixed-media works from young and emerging Sydney- and Melbourne-based artists. Then from there, you can go on a gallery crawl of sorts to surrounding art spaces, including Nanda\Hobbs, Harrington Street Gallery, Goodspace Gallery at The Lord Gladstone pub and, of course, White Rabbit Gallery. [caption id="attachment_721571" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nikki To[/caption] WHERE TO DINE You've probably been to: When on the hunt for an indulgent feast in the inner city, the Sydney Opera House sails prove a popular destination. Bennelong offers a dining experience as unique as the building it sits within, with views across the harbour and a fine-dining menu from celebrated chef Peter Gilmore. Then there's Surry Hills' queue-inviting Thai eatery, Chin Chin. Its trademark neon glow, loud music and industrial design make it a go-to for visiting food lovers. But if you've tried these big names, this is your chance to explore Sydney's neighbourhood gems — and we've got a lot. [caption id="attachment_784794" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Sunshine Inn, Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] Next, you should go to: First and foremost, head to cosy Italian eatery Kindred in Darlington for a homely feed. It's as inviting as Nonna's kitchen, featuring house-made pasta, bread and cultured butter and it serves almost exclusively organic, bio-dynamic or natural wines. For a memorable feast in vibrant surroundings, make tracks to Surry Hills' rule-breaking Indian restaurant Don't Tell Aunty. Opt for chef Jessi Singh's set menu for $65 per person, and you'll get to try almost all the curries on the menu with the thali (curry platter). And, to really indulge in local flavours, head to The Sunshine Inn, Redfern's new restaurant and cocktail bar from the Golden Gully crew. Alongside a drinks list packed with nearby producers — including Yulli's Brews, Batch Brewing Co and Mr Black — it serves a selection of all-vegetarian, seasonal snacks. [caption id="attachment_637643" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frankie's, Katje Ford[/caption] WHERE TO DRINK You've probably been to: The laneways of Sydney's CBD are a goldmine for a post-dinner tipple. Revellers will be well acquainted with late-night, rocker joint Frankie's Pizza. It's part dive bar, part New York-style pizza parlour, part blast from the past in 80s metal form. Then, of course, there's The Baxter Inn, the underground bar known for its 800-plus whisky offering, endless bowls of free pretzels and speakeasy vibe. But as great as Frankie's and The Baxter Inn are, they're just the tip of the small bar iceberg. [caption id="attachment_725315" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arcadia Liquors, Kitti Gould[/caption] Next, you should go to: Down the road, you'll find one of the CBD's best courtyard bars, Since I Left You — which just so happens to hold one of the first small bar licenses ever issued in the city. Sip a hard lemonade, dig into a cheeseburger toastie and catch one of the many live gigs the bar hosts. Plus, every Saturday it offers beats, bottomless cocktails and themed brunches. A little further out in Redfern, you'll find neighbourhood stalwart Arcadia Liquors. Sample a selection of Sydney-brewed beers or sip a martini made with local gin. Continue on to Newtown, in the direction of Corridor. The name of this joint says it all — it's a slim, cosy bar with a rooftop area that offers an ace happy hour where you can sip $7 pints of local brews and $14 cocktails. [caption id="attachment_725960" align="alignnone" width="1920"] State Theatre[/caption] WHERE TO CATCH A SHOW You've probably been to: Seeing a show at Sydney Opera House is a bucket-list item. With shows ranging from cabaret and comedy to symphony and ballet — and everything in between — it's easy to find something to pique your interests. Beyond the iconic sails, you'll find Haymarket's historic Capitol Theatre, which often hosts world-class musicals, ballet and opera, as well as the heritage-listed State Theatre, which brings film, theatre and music performances to the masses. But, that's just the start of what Sydney has to offer. [caption id="attachment_637702" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Venue 505, Katje Ford[/caption] Next, you should go to: Live music comes alive at inner west gem Venue 505. Brimming with talented musicians, this spot plays host to excellent live jazz, roots, reggae, funk, instrumental and vocal entertainment Monday to Saturday — and often for free or less than $50. Down the road, the historic Vanguard has a full program showcasing local and international talents from a mixed bag of genres, including rock, soul, blues and tribute bands. When it comes to theatre, Griffin Theatre Company offers a celebration of local playwrights and actors. Stop by to see the next Cate Blanchett or David Wenham take the stage (both of whom started their careers with this iconic company). [caption id="attachment_739630" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Strand Arcade, Destination NSW[/caption] WHERE TO SHOP You've probably been to: You've probably roamed the ornate halls of the historic Queen Victoria Building, boasting 170 boutiques plus several drinking and dining options — including a spot dedicated entirely to champagne. And you've probably wandered through The Strand Arcade, with its high-end fashions. The heritage Victorian building is the place to go for something fancy and bespoke (like a hat steamed and fitted to your head) or for a swish meal at Pendolino, the decadent Italian restaurant on level four. But outside of these dazzling arcades, you'll get to experience the boutiques and purveyors the locals frequent. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Lunatiques, Kitti Gould[/caption] Next, you should go to: Venture out of the CBD and head to one of the many shopping streets around the inner city suburbs. Antique lovers will adore Mascot's vintage warehouse, Lunatiques. Brimming with pre-loved furniture, art, clothes and more, this is a destination for collectors and interiors aficionados alike. Trendsetters, head to picturesque Paddington and make a beeline for Di Nuovo, which offers racks of hand-picked, secondhand pieces from local and overseas high-end labels. And if you're looking for a good read for your trip, pay a visit to Glebe's Gleebooks to track down new and secondhand books. The bookshop has been a local favourite for over 40 years. You can also stop by neighbouring Sappho's, another secondhand bookshop with many hard-to-find or out-of-print titles, plus a cafe-bar in the courtyard out the back. Make your great escape to Sydney now and traverse it like a local. Discover more around the city here. Top image: Since I Left You
What is pickleball, you ask? Well, we had the same question before visiting the new National Pickleball League courts in South Melbourne. We discovered that pickleball is like a larger version of bat tennis — that dear old game we used to play back in primary school. The difference is that you use a plastic wiffle ball and the court is a bit bigger. But not nearly as big as a tennis court so you've got less chance of pulling a hammy. The sport was invented back in 1965 as a children's game in the US but has recently grown to be a hugely popular phenomenon. It's gone the way of ultimate frisbee and quidditch. According to the Pickleball Australia Association, there are now over 140 pickleball clubs all over the country, with that number rising. Yeah, it seems to be a thing now. Capitalising on that, the National Pickleball League has set up a heap of courts in its new pickleball space, The Jar. Here, you can now book a court with some mates or join the league itself, that's set to play its first 24-team season in March 2024. And this isn't your average community sports tournament. There is proper prize money up for grabs, with the winning team getting $50,000. But you don't have to be a pro to just rock up to the South Melbourne pickleball courts and hit a few wiffle balls around with mates. You'll find the National Pickleball League's The Jar at 29 White Street, South Melbourne. It's open 6am–10pm from Monday–Thursday, 6am–7pm on Fridays and 7am–6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Head to the venue's website for more info.
Here's news that no Usher fan will be saying "yeah!" to: the R&B singer is no longer touring Australia in 2025. After announcing his first solo headlining gigs in the country since 2011 back in May, then swiftly adding more gigs before general tickets had even gone on sale, the 2024 Super Bowl headliner has cancelled his entire trip Down Under. Usher was slated to play six concerts each in Melbourne in November and in Sydney in December. All 12 shows have been scrapped. A statement on the Ticketek website notes that the eight-time Grammy-winner's tour is cancelled, and that "the promoter of Usher's Australian tour regrets to advise that the scheduled shows to take place in November–December will no longer be proceeding". The Past Present Future tour's Aussie leg was set to hit Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, November 19–Thursday, November 20, then again on Saturday, November 22–Sunday, November 23 and then across Tuesday, November 25–Wednesday, November 26. At Qudos Bank Arena, it was slated for Monday, December 1–Tuesday, December 2, then on Thursday, December 4–Friday, December 5 and finally on Wednesday, December 10–Thursday, December 11. Ticketholders will receive automatic refunds via the payment method they used to make their purchase within approximately 30 business days, the Ticketek website advises. Usher was due to celebrate his three-decade career at his Australian shows — going all the way back to his first single 'Call Me a Mack' from 1993, also playing tracks off of his latest 2024 album Coming Home, plus working his way through plenty in-between. The initial US concerts on the Past Present Future tour were announced just days before Usher's Super Bowl set, which worked through hits from across his lengthy career itself. From August–December 2024, the Texas-born singer made his way across North American stages, before heading to Europe (including England, France, the Netherlands and Germany) from March 2025. Also popping up on his setlist across the tour: 'Yeah!', of course, plus everything from 'Can U Get Wit It', 'Nice & Slow', 'U Remind Me' and 'U Got It Bad' to 'Burn', 'OMG', 'Euphoria' and more. Usher's Past Present Future World Tour Australia 2025 Dates Wednesday, November 19–Thursday, November 20, Saturday, November 22–Sunday, November 23 + Tuesday, November 25–Wednesday, November 26 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne — CANCELLED Monday, December 1–Tuesday, December 2, Thursday, December 4–Friday, December 5 + Wednesday, December 10–Thursday, December 11 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney — CANCELLED Usher is no longer touring Australia in November and December 2025. Tickets will be automatically refunded via the payment method used for purchase— head to the tour website for more details. Images: Bellamy Brewster / Marcus Macdonald.
In true Fitzroy style, The Brunswick Street Bookstore is sandwiched between an Italian cafe and Vietnamese restaurant and sits on a footpath packed with foot traffic. By the time you get through the front door, you'll be desperate for peace and silence, which is exactly what this dreamy bookstore dishes up. It began trading in 1987, pre-Fitzroy renaissance, making it an artefact of a time before Brunswick Street was a trendy, slick hotspot. Despite the changing times, its reputation prevails as a bookstore that riles against the mainstream and stocks a huge selection of non-fiction titles, concentrating on history, politics, biography, science, literature and cultural studies instead. The top floor is devoted to visual arts, and fittingly, was designed by Melbourne architect Peter Brew.
Before it all began, Poor Toms' Griffin Blumer and Jesse Kennedy knew a few things for sure — they had a shared hatred of fedoras, they didn't want to spend the best years of their lives working for the man and they loved drinking gin. Coming up to three years in the gin-making biz, the duo has created a well-loved, local business that's set to open its own bar by March — which we got the tiniest sneak peek of. We've teamed up with Squarespace to talk to Griffin and Jesse about why they started Poor Toms and how they've gotten to where they are today. TURNING DISILLUSIONMENT INTO INSPIRATION In 2015, the Canberran school friends lived in a sharehouse in Sydney's inner west. Jesse was working as a suit at Macquarie Bank, while Griffin was a budding actor trying to make ends meet. Both found their consumption of gin was proportional to their sense of disillusionment with spending the next 30 years living a predictable life. So, one evening over a few strong drinks, the two made the decision to kick their careers to the curb. "I was disillusioned by the idea of capitalism, and Jesse was disillusioned by the practice of it," says Griffin. Over breakfast in one of those aggressively twee converted warehouse cafes, the duo chatted about what they would do if they could get their mitts on an equally twee warehouse space. Griffin went highbrow saying he would open a performance space and put on plays with his pals, while Jesse just thought it would be pretty cool to have a place to hang out and make gin. Fast forward a few years and (fortunately for us) it was Jesse's idea that stuck. Together the two pooled their dimes and invested in a low-key warehouse space in the backstreets of Marrickville. WHAT'S IN A NAME? Despite not having any real professional chops when it came to the distilling process, Jesse and Griffin definitely had gumption and had sampled enough gins between them to have a clear idea of how they wanted their product to taste and how they wanted people to feel when they drank it. They admit, coming up with a name was a rough process."It's kind of like naming a baby, at first any name sounds bad but eventually people will accept it," says Griffin. They knew they wanted to include 'Tom' in their gin baby's name, as (adorably) it's both of their middle names. Serendipitously, Griffin was doing a reading of King Lear with Bell Shakespeare at the time, and, on the hunt for literally any 'Tom'-themed words, he came across the character Edgar, a kind of clueless aristocrat who — in a very small nutshell — was forced to cast off his riches and disguise himself as the charming philosophical vagrant Poor Tom in order to avoid being falsely accused of plotting to kill his father. The act of throwing off your fakery and pretension to reveal one's trueself became a guiding principle that informed Poor Toms creative direction and brand ethos, "most marketing advice is 'make something with broad appeal or something that is generically interesting to a lot people'" says Griffin, "but we decided to take the opposite approach by making something that appeals to us… and hoped other people would like it." HOW TO BECOME LEGIT Regardless of what you think of Mark Zuckerberg and his social network conglomerate, any business operating in this day and age needs to have some semblance of an internet presence. Before starting Poor Toms, both Jesse and Griffin used social media like any average millennial — "to look at people and not miss parties" — but, despite their shared hatred of photos of drinks on Instagram, they knew if they wanted Poor Toms to be successful they needed to up their online ante. "One of the hard parts was translating the very clear brand identity into an online voice...all of a sudden we had to have a social media presence and a website," says Griffin. "These days, having a website is like having a business card…you need one to be trusted." The two had been binge-listening StartUp, a podcast about starting a business, and as a result, were exposed to a world of audio ads from Squarespace. They elicited the help of a designer friend to whip up a schmick website using a Squarespace template, and started an Instagram account, which, according to Jesse, was "largely to demonstrate that they were normal enough that other people would take photos with them" and with that, Poor Toms became legit. THE MARKER OF SUCCESS IS NEVER FIXED As Poor Toms continues to grow as a business, the definition of success constantly evolves. There wasn't really an exact moment when the pair knew they made it, but they're now producing grade-A gin on a full-time basis, and don't even have to think about returning to those 9–5 jobs that they left behind. Though there's not a lot of time for them to pause and reflect, "you become addicted to the hustle," says Jesse. "There's so much hustle involved in stepping away from a consistent salary." They're busy working on a number of new projects and collaborations including opening a bar in their Marrickville distillery in Sydney, "we weren't ready to open a bar when we first started. We just weren't old enough," says Jesse. "It took six months to figure out how to make gin, and now we're finally ready to have people here." For Jesse and Griffin, starting Poor Toms was never about making bank; the pair is just happy to be working for themselves and producing something they're truly passionate about. "We created something new that people love," says Griffin. "We always wanted our gin to be loved — it's not about revenue or profit. We want to be Australia's most loved gin; we want people to be invested in our story." Discover more of the Poor Toms story here, and stay tuned for more news on the launch of their first bar. Looking to embark on an entirely new venture? You'll need to let people know about it. That's where Squarespace comes in. Kickstart your new biz with a website, and use the code CP for 10% off your first Squarespace purchase. Images: Kitti Smallbone
News just in that Melbourne is set to land a rebellious take on French dining in early 2026. Frenchie will bring classic French flavours, techniques and dishes, with one obvious difference — the price tag. Frenchie's big draw card is that everything on the menu will be priced at $14. Yes, you read that correctly. All the plates, as well as all cocktails, bubbles and beers, are all $14. Those plates will play into classic bistro dishes reimagined for a new generation. Share plates will be bold and flavourful, and tableside service and roaming trolleys will add a dramatic flair to the dining experience. The pair behind the new venue, Julian Diprose and Lucas Boucly, with many years of experience in the hospitality industry, were fed up with the dining experience often being overshadowed by formality. About Frenchie, Diprose says, "It's loud, social and a little chaotic. We wanted to create a space that takes the 'joie de vivre' of Paris without the price tag. A place where you can sip champagne in sneakers, maybe lose track of time and enjoy the night without having to worry too much about the rules." The owners want Frenchie to be a fuss-free, feel-good, late-night venue that is approachable and accessible. With red velvet and mirrored lighting, the venue design leans into the romance of Paris, the allure of the Moulin Rouge, and the grit of Melbourne's street culture. "Taking a lot of inspiration from Parisian bistros and late-night wine bars, the menu celebrates all your favourite French classics served in a way that feels unpretentious and full of energy," says Boucly. Images: Supplied. Frenchie is slated to open in early 2026 at 1/15 Collins Street, Melbourne, trading Monday to Saturday from 5pm to late. Subscribe to the newsletter now to keep up to date with details.
Three years might not seem like a long time between albums. But when your debut release hits as hard as Wet Leg's self-titled LP in 2022, fans feel like they've been waiting an eternity to sink their teeth into a new set of tunes. Fortunately, the wait is over, as Wet Leg's sophomore release, moisturizer, lands on Friday, July 11. To celebrate, the self-described "little country bumpkins" are taking over Collingwood Yards with a one-day pop-up that extends across the community. From 9am–8pm, pop into CY Space on the upper level of the Johnston Street hub to find an immersive fan experience stocked with exclusive merch. Here, you'll find the new album in rare formats, including some of the only Australian stock of the green vinyl, and a spot to recreate the band's attention-grabbing press photo. Plus, keen indieheads who get down early might score a bundle giveaway or a special surprise. Yet what sets this activation apart is how stores across the entire neighbourhood are getting involved. With a helpful map to guide you, you're invited to navigate 'moisturizer valley' — aka various spots around Collingwood Yards and the nearby streets of Collingwood — to discover Wet Leg-inspired food, drinks and experiences. At Dua Bakehouse — Collingwood Yard's 'Scandinasian' bakery — the team is whipping up moisture-icing cream buns, topped with hot pink frosting, and a pink soda matcha for your sipping pleasure. For even more drinking fun, take a trip upstairs to Runner Up Rooftop, where a moisturizer sour is the bespoke cocktail of the day. Then, it's just a short stroll back to Stefanino Panino, where it's time to bite into a moisturizer mortadella bologna and pink stracciatella speciale panini. Beyond food and drink, there's loads more for Wet Leg fans to explore. Secondhand vinyl specialists Licorice Pie have the album's exclusive vinyl and a goodies bag. At the same time, just around the corner on Smith Street, fans can't miss Happy Valley — the only Australian stockist of the album in green vinyl. Finally, Sound Merch on Oxford Street has sweet Wet Leg keepsakes and a photo booth for recreating the band's family portrait. Though the duo isn't in town for the pop-up, this above-and-beyond album release activation will give fans the engagement they've been craving. Serving as a cheeky extension of the band's offbeat spirit, getting down for the day is a great way to celebrate one of the indie scene's most significant successes in recent years. We just hope there's a chaise lounge and someone to butter our muffins. Wet Leg's Moisturizer Valley activation is happening on Friday, July 11, at Collingwood Yards and various nearby locations. Head to Instagram for more information.
Melbourne's rotating Asian market HWKR has revealed its next pop-up concept — and, boy, is it a good'un. The team has joined forces with Australia's favourite instant noodle brand Indomie to bring Melburnians the Jakarta-inspired Warung Stall. It's launching today, Friday, March 8. The menu is 'pimp mie goreng' themed, so Indomie's classic instant noodles will be used as the base for the dishes — but they definitely don't resemble what you would cook up at home at 2am. Expect mie goreng with fried chicken ribs, telur balado (chilli sauced egg), anchovies and peanuts; spicy mie goreng with Balinese beef, tofu, shrimp crackers and sambal; and corned beef and egg-topped noodles. [caption id="attachment_711030" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The loaded mie goreng.[/caption] There are also a few noodle soups on offer, like the curry chicken version with corn fritters, or the fried chicken ribs option with egg, Asian greens and homemade cabe ijo (pickled green chilli paste). If you're just after a snack, you can grab an egg-stuffed martabak (that is, a savoury crepe), mie goreng-dusted potato crisps and a chicken and potato pastel jadul — a street snack that resembles an empanada. Large dishes range from $10.50–13.50, and snacks are around $7–8. The menu is completely halal, vegetarian-friendly and some dishes can be made vegan, too. If you get in quick, Indomie is also giving out 100 vintage tote bags with any order. Best hop to it. The Indomie Warung Stall will pop up from March 8 through June 30 at HWKR, 137 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne. It'll be open daily from 11.30am–10pm and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Before anywhere else in Australia, Melbourne became home to a major annual celebration of movies. That was over 70 years ago, when MIFF debuted. Then in 1991, the Victorian capital made flick-watching history again, this time in the queer cinema space. Now, Melbourne Queer Film Festival is the nation's oldest such fest, and it too keeps delighting audiences, this year with the theme of Searching for Queer Utopia. Running from Thursday, November 13 to Sunday, November 23, this year's festival celebrates 35 years of joy, creativity and liberation in queer filmmaking, with more than 130 films and 100 sessions screening at Cinema Nova, Collins Place, Melbourne Town Hall and The Capitol Theatre. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_gUjCvASN4[/embed] Everything kicks off with an opening night extravaganza around the Victorian premiere of Queens of the Dead, directed by Tina Romero, daughter of the late pioneer of zombie filmmaking, George Romero. Lead actress Dominique Jackson will be in attendance, too, before leading a keynote discussion with FlexMami the following night. There's another keynote and Victorian premiere on Saturday, November 15 with Sophie Hyde, director of the Olivia Colman and John Lithgow-starring Jimpa, leading a keynote address ahead of the film's screening. [caption id="attachment_1034825" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] 'Jimpa', directed by Sophie Hyde[/caption] Other screenings include the Tehran-shot guerrilla-style film The Crowd (directed by Sahand Kabiri) about a queer youth-led resistance against patriarchal norms; Hot Milk, a Greek Island-set story of intergenerational desire starring Emma Mackey (Sex Education) and Fiona Shaw (Killing Eve); a documentary portrait of paralympian and veteran Angela Madsen in Row of Life and The Serpent's Skin, a blend of magic, romance and dark humour in goth-trans cinema from Australian director Alice Maio Mackay. There's also a tale of post-breakup chaos in Departures; a dive into the lives of young queer women in Greece in Bearcave; a trans-led reimagining of our favourite 90s movies in She's The He; a regional India-set, multi-award-winning story of grief and love in Cactus Pears, and Heightened Scrutiny, a documentary about the ongoing fight for transgender rights in the United States. [caption id="attachment_1034824" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] 'Hot Milk', directed by Rebecca Lenkiewicz[/caption] Like other film festivals, the Melbourne Queer Film Festival will also host awards shows and retrospectives for films that have passed their premieres, celebrating not just the new but also the endearing favourites and shining stars in queer cinema from around the world. Melbourne Queer Film Festival runs from Thursday, November 13 to Sunday, November 23. Discover the full program or get tickets via the website.
If you've been making an effort to be kinder to the planet, chances are your daily coffee habits have had a bit of a shakeup of late. Maybe you've said farewell to your last takeaway coffee cup, switched to drinking only fair-trade beans, ditched environmentally harmful coffee pods, or all of the above. Well, now local company Pod & Parcel could just see you change up your coffee game once again. The start-up is the brainchild of three Melbourne business consultants, Ben Goodman, Elliott Haralambous and Jai Felinksi, who wanted to combine the ease of a coffee pod with the quality of specialty coffee — without leaving a nasty impact on the planet. The trio developed a special plant-based pod that is fully biodegradable and compostable, taking just six months to break down, as opposed to the 500 years of its competitors. With an estimated two-to-three million coffee pods consumed daily in Australia alone, that's a whole lot of reasons to switch. Another is the coffee itself. Far from skimping on quality, the trio has collaborated with local coffee roasters to develop its product, so you can enjoy that cafe-level cuppa from the comfort of your home. Choose from a single-origin Guatemalan — with notes of creamy vanilla and blood orange — or a toffee-noted blend of Colombian and Tanzanian beans, among many others. Because it's specialty-grade arabica coffee, it has a back-story, too. Consumers can find out where it came from, how it travelled and exactly when it was roasted. Consider this a budget-friendly alternative to those exxy brews from your local specialty coffee shop, that also challenges big name pod manufacturers like Nespresso. Pod & Parcel's creations come in a swag of different flavours and intensities, available online from around 86 cents per pod. If you fancy saving even more, you can sign up to its Coffee Club, which delivers pods straight to your door.
Jed Kurzel boasts one of the most-enviable recent resumes in Australia's film industry. It was back in 2011 that the founding member of The Mess Hall added a haunting layer to Snowtown, the first feature directed by his elder brother Justin, via its score. The pair have worked together on every one of Justin's films since. But Jed doesn't just have the sounds of stunning Shakespeare adaptation Macbeth, game-to-screen flick Assassin's Creed, the dark-but-playful True History of the Kelly Gang, the complicated Nitram and the upcoming The Order to his name. Jennifer Kent's The Babadook and The Nightingale, Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant, Dev Patel's feature directorial debut Monkey Man: he has scored them all as well. With a filmography that also hops from The Turning, All This Mayhem and Slow West to Overlord, Seberg and Encounter — plus Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities on the small screen — it might seem an impossible task to pick favourites. Even whittling down what to talk about at Kurzel's Screen Commentary session at SXSW Sydney 2024, where he's chatting through his work, might sound difficult. But ask him which of his projects stand out, as Concrete Playground did, and he has answers, even if he notes that his responses differ over time. "There's a few. But then they start to change as I go on, because I guess you learn more things, and some films follow a particular style that you might have gotten onto, or a particular thing that I've discovered and I will push that through a few films," he explains. "Snowtown for me is the one that that really stands out, I think because it's the first one and I still get offered films today that have put Snowtown in their temp music, which is the music they put in while they're editing — it's kind of crazy that's it's still being used. So that one particularly, it still pops up. Macbeth as well, I think just because it was the first real string score I've done, orchestral score, and I did it all over in the UK, so I met a lot of people that I'm still collaborating with then and I felt like we were all jumping into this thing together," Kurzel advises. "I think those two stand out for me, and The Babadook." His fruitful career composing for the screen might've come about as one could expect when your brother is a filmmaker — Justin asked him to have a go at scoring Snowtown — but working together and taking this path wasn't a long-held childhood plan. "Never. No, I don't think that we have ever spoken about it. It was just how it worked out," Kurzel notes. "We'd been working together before that, in that he'd been doing the video clips for us and all that kind of stuff. We were always doing things together. So it wasn't like it felt like an 'oh, here we go' kind of thing. It was really just one of those things where we're always a part of what the other was doing." Viewers can be thankful for sibling bonds and the route it has taken Jed down. As brilliant as everything they each splash across the screen is, Snowtown, Macbeth, Nitram, The Babadook, The Nightingale and more wouldn't be the films they are without Kurzel's scores. Ahead of his session at SXSW Sydney, we also chatted to the composer about what sparked his contributions to some of the above films, how collaborating with Justin is different to working with other filmmakers, ensuring that his music isn't commenting on the content of the movies, the influence of genre, challenges he'd like to take on and plenty more. On How Kurzel Began Composing for the Screen "I was touring around with The Mess Hall and I had some time at home. Then Justin, my brother, was doing his first film Snowtown, and he asked me if I'd like to have a go at scoring it because, outside of the things I was doing with the band, I was always messing around with stuff at home. I guess it was more in the film soundtrack kind of land, but I was just doing it for my own enjoyment. And he said 'oh, you know, some of that stuff could work well, all that kind of thing could work well'. And I said 'I've never done that before, so'. And he said 'look, it's fine if it doesn't work, I'll get someone else. But you have a go with it'. So I did and then that was kind of it, it just it snowballed from there. It wasn't something that I had set out to do really. At that point, I was really happy playing music — and playing, actually. But I was missing just being in the room and making music. We were out playing a lot, and it's very hard to make music when you're doing that. So I was missing that at that time — so it came at a perfect time, I think." On Collaborating with Justin on All of His Features So Far — and How It's Different to Working with Other Filmmakers "It is different now, because I think we've developed — I mean, we always had a shorthand, but it feels like it's become even shorter now. We almost hardly ever discuss it while we're doing it. It just happens, in a way, now. We used to take a long time. I'd start really early on his films and it would be this drawn-out process, and sometimes the process could get quite difficult as the edit changed and things like that. I think just through experience, we've started to work out an efficient way to work that is still as creatively rewarding. And the last couple of things I've done with him, like The Order, it was all very free-flowing and it came quite quickly, and it wasn't something that we laboured over. I think we've discovered that the more we labour over things, it doesn't help anything." On What Sparked the Score for a Film as Complicated as Snowtown "With that one, we always talked about that hitting the bullseye was a very slim chance in some ways, because we found that with most music that we put on it, it felt like it was commenting on it. So immediately it was like 'well, we don't want to do that' because that just wasn't what the film was doing — and it didn't want it anyway. So it became a really instinctive thing about what it wanted, and there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing of changing the edits to suit where we were taking it. So a lot of back and forth between us. And then, I always feel like if you just listen to the film, it'll eventually tell you what it wants. You throw things on it and just sort of shrug it off, and then there'll be something that starts to stick. And as soon as it starts sticking, you're on your way." On Whether Working on Films Like Snowtown, Nitram and The Nightingale Brings a Sense of Responsibility Given the Historical Details They're Diving Into — and How to Avoid a Score That Comments "I think so. But, I mean, I think with those projects, you're well-aware of that before you've even started them. There is a certain responsibility, I think, not to — I guess what it is musically, I'm always aware of not commenting, and that you're adding. I feel like you're just adding another layer and energy to the film, rather than going 'this character comes on and they've got a theme' or anything like that. It's just different, it's adding a feeling. It's what the film wants — and if you start commenting with some of these films, it just doesn't work. It just feels wrong. But on other films, you can go into those areas and the film absolutely wants to have that. I think it just depends on what you're working on. I always love to look at the film itself, and how it feels and what it looks like, and where it's set and those kind of things, because I think with music, you can actually add to that even more so. Even cinematography, I think, is really a big one for music, too, that maybe gets overlooked a little bit, because we are responding to images, so that's the first thing you're looking at." On Adding Playfulness to a Score That's Also Quite Dark, Such as True History of the Kelly Gang "That one, I'm glad you said that, because actually that's what I wanted to achieve with that score — that there was a playful quality to it. I always really loved the Sidney Nolan paintings, and I was sort of taking a cue from that. And also I love the old Hanna-Barbera cartoons and things like that. So for me, they were the influences that I was grabbing. I guess if you've got a concept or an idea that you want to launch things off of, that's always helpful." On How to Find the Score for a Shakespearean Adaptation Like Macbeth When There's So Many Past Big-Screen Versions —Including Initially Skewing Electronic "I remember doing that and both of us [Jed and Justin] feeling a lot of pressure because it's been done. There's not many times when you do a film that's like 'well, this has been actually been done before word for word'. When films are made, I think there's some directors who've got it all in their head and then they go out and make it, and what happens in the edit is the film just wants to be something else — and if you fight against that, usually you'll end up with something that's probably nowhere near your vision, and that frustrates you. Whereas if you follow what the film wants and then listen to it, and just go with where it wants rather than trying to hold onto your initial idea, then I think you can end up in really interesting places. In that case, yeah, it started out as an electronic score, that's what we wanted to do, but the film just, again, didn't want it. So we had to change tact a little bit, and we got something completely different, but I think it's the same sort of idea that we started out with. We had an initial idea, and then we just followed our gut while we were doing the edit." On How Working on Something Smaller, or More Character- or Mood-Driven, Differs From a Big-Budget Sci-Fi Sequel Like Alien: Covenant "I think there's similar pressures with both. On a smaller film, even though it's a smaller budget, there's almost more at stake because a lot of the times that might be someone's first film that they've directed. So they're kind of like someone's baby. Whereas the big-budget films, there's so many people involved, and they keep changing and they tend to have a lot more time to sit with things. The smaller budgets, the smaller films, they don't, they have to finish by a particular time because they don't have the money to keep editing or keep doing things. So I think there's different pressures with both. But in terms of scoring them, I just I think they just different hills to climb." On the Way That Genre Has an Impact on How Kurzel Approaches Scoring a Movie "We all grow up watching films, so we've all got that language. So whether you like it or not, you're aware of genres, and what those genres are and what's come before you, which I think is great because it can set benchmarks for you. If you're looking at something and going 'I want to do a horror film' and 'what are the films that I really like in this sort of genre?', you can go back and have a look, and just see the way they've been approached — which may make you go 'well, I don't want to approach it like that, I want to approach it like this'." On What Drives an Unnerving Score Such as The Babadook "That's a good question because that score, the inspiration for that — I think I wrote this in the sleeve of the vinyl — when I was scoring that, I was living in Erskineville and there was a possum on my roof or in the tree above me. And it was knocking things down through the night, and it would jump off the tree onto the roof. So I was always listening to what sounded like people throwing bodies on my roof. On top of that, it would make these strange noises, or there'd be strange noises outside. So a lot of the time, I was keeping the door open and making music, and just letting those sounds come in as well — and going 'okay, that's interesting. I could kind of do something'. So I think what I'm listening for is what's unnerving me — and particularly late at night, if I'm doing something, you can hear things. The world really is making music all the time. So the environment's always really great, if you've got your ear out, you can always hear really interesting stuff. But in terms of horror, I like to be unnerved. I'm not that much into the jump scares and things like that. I like an eerie, unnerving kind of feeling." On the Response to The Babadook — Then and Now "Even internationally, you mention it and everyone knows it, and the characters. It's pretty amazing. I'm really proud of the work we all did on that and how much Jen stuck to her guns with the film. I think it's just been re-released on screens in the US, it's doing a tour of America at the moment, which is amazing. And that was a film that if you told us that's what was happening, and most of the things that happened with that film, we would have laughed at the time because it just was not on anyone's radar. Even when it was released here, it had such a tiny release, I don't think anyone even knew it'd come out." On Being in Action Mode with Monkey Man, But Using the Score to Build an Emotional World "That was really different, because Dev already had, for a lot of the action scenes, there was already a lot of source music placed in there as music that already existed. And he had a definite thing for me, which was 'I want the film to be the emotional underground of the character'. So a lot of it, we talked a lot about memory, and the music was representing his memory of his mother. And so it was really strange, I was doing an action film but I wasn't really doing the action side. There's a few chase scenes and things like that. But in terms of that being the focus, it really wasn't, it was this whole other world that Dev was after which I found really appealing and exciting when we first spoke about the film." On the Most-Important Task for a Film Score to Achieve "I always feel like I'm there to add a layer that's almost not even music — it's another layer to the film that wasn't previously there, that if you took out, you would really notice it. A lot of people talk about watching films and not noticing the music. But I feel the other way. I want to notice it. And I want it to give me another layer on there that I know wouldn't exist otherwise — the performances wouldn't get it, the editing, it's adding something that's unique and almost impossible to describe, which is what to me that music is. It feels like some sort of magical language." On the Ultimate Challenge in Composing for the Screen That Kurzel Hasn't Taken on Yet — But Would Like To "I really don't know, because I find everything that I do, there's a new challenge and it usually rears its head pretty quickly. You get into something and you think 'oh yeah, I know how to do this' — and suddenly the film, like I said, the film starts to move into a direction and that tilts everything. Being aware of those things, I think that's the exciting part about it. If you're living in the moment and scoring things for the moment, listening out for really happy mistakes — which I call those things that you kind of go 'ohh, I'm going to try this' but something else happens that was a mistake, and you think 'that's actually better than what I was going to do. I'm going to go down that path for a while'. They're the things that I love about composing. In terms of feeling like there's something I haven't done yet, I haven't really done any romantic comedies. But I just, for some reason, I don't think I'm the go-to guy for those." [caption id="attachment_875685" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy of Netflix © 2022[/caption] Concrete Playground: "I chatted with Justin about Snowtown and he told me at the time that the next film he had in mind was a tennis rom-com." Jed: "Yeah, yeah, yeah." Concrete Playground: "So maybe if he does end up doing one, you'll get one." Jed: "I keep saying to him, because he's very funny, so I keep saying 'you need to do a comedy. That has to be your next one'." Screen Commentary: Jed Kurzel takes place at SXSW Sydney from 11am–12pm AEDT on Friday, October 18, 2024 at Fortress Sydney. Head to the SXSW Sydney website for more details.
It wouldn't be a September in Sydney without the Sydney Underground Film Festival, the city's annual roundup of strange, surreal and subversive cinema. This year, though, it's doing things differently. Yes, it's a familiar story, because SFF and MIFF have already taken this course of action — but SUFF 2020 will be held completely online, and will also be available to stream nationally. This isn't just a case of SUFF transplanting its usual program to the virtual realm, though. In its digital guise, the fest will run more than twice as long as usual, screening online from Thursday, September 10–Sunday, September 20. And, it's purely comprised of shorts. In other words, get ready for some mighty out-there flicks in small doses. Highlights include the latest work from The Killing of a Sacred Deer and The Favourite director Yorgos Lanthimos, and from acclaimed Canadian The Forbidden Room and The Green Fog filmmaker Guy Maddin and his regular collaborators Evan Johnson and Galen Johnson as well. From the former, you can check out Nimic, which stars Matt Dillon as a cellist who experiences a life-changing confrontation on the subway. From the latter, there's Stump the Guesser, which is an absurdist silent flick about a carnival psychic. With more than 100 films from over 20 countries on offer, SUFF's lineup is screening in specific packages — so you can decide whether you want to binge on Aussie shorts, go for films that'll mess with your mind or opt for the absolute trippiest of cinema offerings. Short documentaries are have their own category, there's an entire program dedicated to horror shorts and another is all about OTT animation for adults. Sydney Underground Film Festival screens online from Thursday, September 10–Sunday, September 20, with tickets available now — for $10 per session, or $55 for a full festival pass. Top image: Nimic.
Returning for its second year, The Little Food Market will take over the Royal Exhibition Building for three delicious days in July, spotlighting over 200 of Australia's top tastemakers. The celebration of bold flavours, passionate producers and culinary creativity will kick off on Friday, July 18 and run until Sunday, July 20. Drop in to find producers showcasing their wine, cheese, beer and spirits, alongside stalls run by some of the state's best makers. This year's event features a refreshed design and a new $10 general entry ticket, with every guest receiving a reusable Bettercup to use for tastings throughout the day. There will also be limited-edition wine glasses and tote bags designed by Alice Oehr up for grabs, included in the entry fee, which will have different tiers at $10, $15 and $35. If you're a wine lover or beer fan, you can sip, sample and shop directly from the producers. This year's lineup features names like Zonzo Estate and St Hubert's, alongside emerging stars like NON and Departed Spirits. For cheese lovers, there will be a dedicated cheese precinct to sample a curated lineup, including Milawa Cheese Company, Stone & Crow, Long Paddock, Grandvewe, That's Amore Cheese, and Giorgio's Artisan Cheese. Expanding its regional offering in 2025, there will also be regional hubs offering immersive showcases celebrating the rich food and drink culture of three standout Victorian regions, including Bendigo, Gippsland and the Mornington Peninsula. If all the browsing gets you hungry, head to the feasting precinct to find some of Melbourne's most beloved kitchens serving up full-sized signature meals to enjoy on the spot. Think woodfired pizza from D.O.C Gastronomia Italiana, crispy banh mi from Ca Com Banh Mi, and handmade pies from Wonder Pies, just to name a few. There will also be live cooking demonstrations where chefs, producers and flavour-makers share their skills and recipes, from fresh pasta techniques to creating the ultimate cheeseboard. Whether you're a home cook, seasoned foodie, or just looking for something fun to do, head to The Little Food Market to experience some of Melbourne's thriving culinary culture and standout Aussie producers. The event will run from 12–8pm on Friday, July 18; 10am–7pm on Saturday, July 19; and 10am–5pm on Sunday, July 20. Tickets start from $10 and are now on sale at the website. Images: Supplied.
