The NGV is pretty practiced in juxtaposing artistic styles, and it's set to do it again with its summer exhibition celebrating two of the late 20th century's most celebrated artists: Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. And with it, as is now custom with the gallery's blockbusters, comes a brand new season of NGV Friday Nights. To pay homage to the two artists, the 2019–20 gig series will use 80s downtown New York as its primary influence — curing a program that spans shows and DJ sets across disco, post-punk and new wave. It'll kick off on December 6 with a throwback set from New York-based producer Ge-Ology and run all the way through to a Friday-Saturday finale with Melbourne's own Yo! Mafia on April 10 and a Saturday party with DJ Jnett on April 11. As always, you'll get after-hours access to the gallery as well as the gigs. Rove between Crossing Lines and the giant Kaws sculpture in the foyer and, out in the garden, explore this year's NGV Architecture Commission to the soundtrack of local DJs. There'll also be nostalgia-heavy disco bar, with performances curated by queer party-starters Closet. Other bars will be slinging G&Ts, wine and Asahis for you to sip before you roam the gallery, and New York-style street snacks will be available, too. The gig series is now a quintessential way to end a steamy week in Melbourne, and something you should mark in your calendar once this summer. NGV FRIDAY NIGHTS SUMMER 2019 LINEUP December 6 – Ge-Ology (NYC) and Emma Stevenson (DJ Set) December 13 – Loure (DJ Set) and Paul Gorrie December 20 – Fei Pao (Hot Wax Sound System) and Sullivan (DJ Set) December 27 – Banoffee (DJ Set) and SPUNKGUNK January 3 – MzRizk and Danny Hotep January 10 – Noise In My Head and Jade Zoe January 17 – DJ Jimmy James and Edd Fisher (DJ Set) January 24 – Simon Caldwell and Shelley January 31 – Alexander Powers and DJ Cookie February 7 – Natasha Diggs (NYC) and 6am at the Garage February 14 – Alex Rita & Errol (UK) and Simona Castricum (DJ Set) February 21 – Rok Riley and C.FRIM February 28 – Ruby Savage (UK) and Soju Gang March 6 – Interstellar Fugitives and Merve March 13 – Beth Grace and A.Kid March 20 – Whiskey Houston and Lori March 27 – Memphis LK and CLIFTONIA April 3 – Nicole Misha (Detroit) and DJ Manchild April 10 – YO! MAFIA and River Yarra April 11 – DJ JNETT and Toni Yotzi
You don’t often see performance poetry sharing the limelight with big ticket theatre and dance acts, but when Luke Wright comes to town the humble ode holds its own. Wright has established himself as one of Britain’s most recognised poets, not least because of his ability to appeal to a wide audience with his laddish style and contemporary sensibility. This week he’ll be treating Melbourne Festival crowds to his singular way with words in Cynical Ballads. The show features a sequence of poems commenting on the shabby state of modern Britain, interspersed with a tongue-in-cheek history of poetry itself. Acerbic in its satire and bittersweet in tone, combining clever word-craft with artful obscenity and a visual backdrop of darkly humorous cartoons, Cynical Ballads has got British audiences all excited over poetry again since Wright started touring it last year. Thought balladry was old hat? Wright will make you think again.
Melbourne has added another independent cinema to its collection, with the Thornbury Picture House opening its doors. Making its home within a former garage on High Street, the art nouveau theatre and adjoining bar are the brainchild of Gus Berger, whose name you might remember as the one behind St Kilda's George Revival Cinema back in 2013 and 2014. For his latest project, Berger has created a moviegoer's dream: a 57-seat cinema rocking a big six-metre screen, a top-notch Krix 5.1 sound system and an expertly curated program of big screen gems. Open from Wednesday to Sunday each week, the venue's aims to showcase an impressive mix of documentaries, cult classics, festival favourites and international titles, with the first fortnight's lineup featuring Ai Weiwei's doco Human Flow, Oscar winner The Shape of Water, Aussie classic Death in Brunswick, New Zealand comedy What We Do in the Shadows and a session of iconic silent film The General with a live score. In addition, Thornbury Picture House will be giving plenty of screen-time to local filmmakers — it's the new home of Berger's long-running Red Hot Shorts event, and there are plans for it to host a new northside film festival in the not so distant future. Meanwhile, the site's interiors pay homage to the building's art nouveau origins, sprinkled with historic film gear and classic movie posters. The bar, too, is a nod to the good old days, with the original garage features brought to life alongside recycled wooden furniture and pops of green foliage. Here, you can chase a film with Aussie spirits, local beers from the likes of Stomping Ground and Hawkers, a tidy selection of independent wines and batch brew coffee by Padre. Of course, there's plenty of homemade popcorn to round out the moviegoing experience. Find Thornbury Picture House at 802 High Street, Thornbury, or visit thornburypicturehouse.com.au for session times and further details. Images: Tinny Tang.
Cult favourite Aussie basics label Bassike is hosting a big warehouse sale in Melbourne this month, selling its organic cotton jersey, Japanese denim and mainline collections at up to 70 percent off the regular price. Both men's and women's fashion will be up for grabs for three days from July 18–20 — the sale starts at 9am each day and stock will be replenished each morning. Expect to find everything from swimwear and footwear to accessories, denim and lots of quality basics. If you're struggling with the winter cold, you'll (thankfully) be able to find jackets and coats here, too. While exact prices have not yet been announced, previously warehouse sales have seen denim from $90, tees from $30 and jackets for $120 — no, these aren't basement bargains but they are reasonable prices for these fine organic pieces. The pop-up is also running a recycle program throughout the weekend. As part of the boutique's zero waste goal, customers are encouraged to bring any pre-worn Bassike jersey pieces to be recycled into fabric offcuts, rags and cleaning supplies. Those who partake get to skip the queue and gain express access to the sale. Bassike Melbourne Warehouse Sale will run from 9am–7pm on Thursday and Friday and 9am–3pm on Saturday.
Four years after opening its doors, The Calile Hotel keeps attracting holidaymakers to Fortitude Valley, including Brisbanites for staycations and out-of-towners for resort-style getaways — all right in the middle of the city. Come 2026, fans of the venue's sub-tropical look and feel will ideally have a second site to visit, this time in Noosa. Calile Malouf Investments CMI), the group behind The Calile, has announced plans for a second site on the Sunshine Coast. In fact, the company has just lodged development plans for a 2.4-hectare site at 3–7 Serenity Close in Noosa Heads, which'll feature 178 rooms, 12 suites and 15 villas. Yes, it's going to be a sprawling venue, which'll apply within the broader location and in the rooms themselves. That's one of the key points of focus for CMI's plans, alongside soaking in that sub-tropical vibe — complete with gardens, which have helped make The Calile in Fortitude Valley what it is. "The point of difference for the new resort will be the luxury of space. Embedded in a bushland setting, the large site allows for generously proportioned facilities, including multiple swimming pools, [a] tennis court, comprehensive wellness facilities, [a] cinema and function spaces," said CMI Director Michael Malouf. "All hotel rooms will be generously sized with the standard room being 45 square metres, and a range of larger suites. In addition, the three-bedroom villas (complete with private pool) will cater to families or groups of friends looking for a shared hotel experience." Accordingly, your future trip to Noosa should see you roaming around a coastal resort surrounded by lush bushland, taking a dip in several pools, picking up a racquet, chasing your bliss and watching movies — and then relaxing in sizeable rooms, suites and villas. CMI also hopes that guests will be able to get to Hastings Street easily as part of their stays. "We have commenced discussions with Noosa Council to enable hotel guests to be ferried to Hastings Street via a solar powered electric ferry. Not only will this strategy allow visitors to experience the tranquil beauty of the Noosa River, but this also successfully removes the transport burden from the road network," advised Malouf. Sustainability is another core focus, setting a carbon-neutral target for the Noosa hotel's operations and having large-scale worm farms for composting onsite. A benefit of the latter: feeding the soil nutrient rich worm-cast by-product for the rooftop culinary garden. CMI is aiming to commence work on the project in early 2024. Landscape architect Marc Conlon of Conlon Group will be looking after the planting, while the hotel itself will be designed by Richards and Spence, as Brisbane's is. Calile Malouf Investments' new Noosa resort is set to open in 2026 at 3–7 Serenity Close, Noosa Heads. In the interim, find Brisbane's The Calile Hotel at 48 James Street, Fortitude Valley. The Calile Fortitude Valley images: Sean Fennessy. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
Israel's Batsheva Dance Company returns to the Melbourne Festival with a pair of shows by acclaimed artistic director Ohad Naharin. Straight from its world premiere in Tel Aviv, Last Work is described as "an exploration of motion and emotion", complete with a dancer running on the spot for the duration of the performance. The second piece is the most recent update of Naharin's Decadance, wherein the choreographer reimagines pieces from Batsheva's back catalogue — creating what is essentially a live highlights package from the company's five plus decades on stage. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Festival. Check out the other nine.
During the first two weeks of March, Melbourne will transform into a gastronomic playground showcasing the best of the city's eateries, bars, and markets with tastings, demonstrations, and indefinable but delicious events, as part of the 2013 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Don't be scared, the MFWF isn't all $300 masterclasses and 35-course degustation dinners with world-famous chefs. If your budget is feeling stressed just thinking about it, then our hip-pocket-friendly guide is for you. But get in quick as events are selling out fast. Farm to Plate Lunch The glorious Abbotsford Convent is hosting a farm-to-plate seasonal lunch on Sunday March 3, presented by Bursaria Fine Foods. Snack on canapes as you listen to chefs discuss the local produce on offer, all of which will be sourced from within the convent and its surrounding areas, before feasting on a two-course meal served with matching wines. Chan's Dumpling Festival Also on Sunday March 3, dumpling lovers will be united by their devotion to the delicious oriental delicacy, in one of Melbourne's most iconic garden settings, Treasury Gardens. Festivities will include a five-course yum cha, live lion dancing, dumpling demonstrations, and a take-home pack of goodies (hopefully not a steaming dumpling lolly bag, for food safety purposes), all for a meagre $20. World Street Food Festival On Sunday March 3 (this day is bound to end face down in a food coma) the Queen Victoria Market will host the vibrant World Street Food Festival, a tantalising mix of Asian, European, African, South American, and Aussie street food, cheap eats, and live entertainment. This one's a freebie so get there early for a paella, samosa, mimosa, or kebab. Flesh and Bone Flesh and Bone is a high-energy dance performance that is sure to set tongues wagging (and in the one-off MFWF edition on Saturday March 9, jaws chewing). Although a little on the exxy side, for $100 guests can expect pre-performance food and wine by Cumulus Inc and a show that will surprise, delight, and ignite passions, leaving the audience to sashay home to the kitchen. Theatre of Ideas If consuming copious amounts of food, beer, and wine starts to make you bloated, weary, and emotional, then take a short hiatus to hear about other people doing the same. On Sunday, March 10, three legendary food personalities will descend on Hamer Hall to discuss their thoughts on food traditions, preservation, and the concepts and inspiration behind their approaches to growing, cooking, and eating. Images via melbournefoodandwine.com.au
Glen Waverley has long been a hub for food, thanks to a myriad of Asian grocers and small but tasty dumpling places on Kingsway. The last few years have also seen neighbouring shopping centre The Glen undertake a flashy development, extending the retail options to include the likes of Huxtaburger and a new fresh food market hall, and evolving the overall look of the place. The latest in this revamp is the news that the top floor of the centre will become a huge 4000-square-metre sky garden. The new space will be part of a new residential development named — you guessed it — Sky Garden. As well as topping off The Glen with some natural goodness and adding a bit of life to what can otherwise be a sterile environment, the garden will also be the bottom floor of a huge new residential complex of 555 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments that will be built above the centre. The garden will be designed by Aspect Studios and is another move towards utilising industrial space for a more natural and eco-friendly focus. According to developers the Golden Age Group, the 4000-square-metre space will feature "outdoor dining and entertainment amenities". And, as well as green views to the Dandenong Ranges in the east and the bay in the south, the garden will extend up the new apartment structure too — each apartment will come with a balcony with vertical greenery. Unfortunately, the gardens will only be accessible to residents of the new apartments. So, if you manage snag one, lucky you — but the rest of us will have to be happy knowing the city has received another much-needed injection of flora and chlorophyll. It follows in the wake of the news that Melbourne's south will soon see a 2000-square-metre rooftop farm and restaurant as part of the new Burwood Brickworks development, a sustainable shopping centre designed by eco-designer Joost Bakker. This one will be open to the public. There are big changes afoot over here — the apartment block and the new developments at The Glen are expected to cost $450 million and construction is expected to commence in late 2019. But don't panic: the dumplings on Kingsway are safe for now.
You don't have to look north when planning a winter escape. Though the sunny weather and warmer temperatures are undoubtedly tempting, Victoria is home to an enviable array of top-notch stays rich in winter-warming experiences. One of the best is Dunkeld's Royal Mail Hotel, which has just unveiled a brand-new outdoor wellness suite. Available exclusively to hotel guests, this is your chance to slide into a spacious magnesium-salt hot tub or sweat it up in a Finnish-inspired cedar wood sauna. And if you get too hot, there's also a refreshing openair cool-down shower. Following a strenuous trek up into the Grampians, you won't find a better spot to soothe your weary limbs. Beyond the suite's amenities, this outdoor addition to the Royal Mail Hotel offers uninterrupted views of Mount Sturgeon (Wurrgari). Meanwhile, the surrounding property is dotted with century-old river red gums and rolling lawns speckled with wildflowers — a bustling thoroughfare for roaming kangaroos, wallabies and emus. You're also invited to shelter from the chill inside a cosy lounge area, where hot tea is brewed fresh using ingredients plucked from the property's famed kitchen garden. If you're unfamiliar, it's Australia's largest organic kitchen garden at 1.2 hectares and provides up to 80 percent of the produce for Wickens and the Parker St Project — the hotel's acclaimed fine-diner and relaxed alternative. During your stay, you can partake in daily chef-led garden tours or enjoy cellar visits and premium wine tastings guided by the restaurant's sommeliers. You're also invited to link up with the conservation team, who present a feeding time tour to raise awareness for the region's native and endemic species, such as eastern quolls and fat-tailed dunnarts. With the outdoor wellness experience complementing the Royal Mail Hotel's accommodation, you can choose a deluxe suite with Mount Sturgeon views, a refurbished bluestone cottage or the six-bedroom homestead for something extra special. Priced at $190 per session for two, the outdoor wellness suite is available for 90-minute bookings from 9am–7pm, Thursday–Saturday. The Outdoor Wellness Suite at the Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld, is available for guest bookings from 9am–7pm on Thursday–Sunday. Head to the website for more information. Images: We Met in June
For much of his career, Ryan Gosling has perfected on-screen smouldering. He's the kind of actor who can utter few words and still convey everything, as movies such as Drive and Only God Forgives demonstrated so well. But Gosling is also exceptional at comedy, which Barbie reminded the world in 2023 with glorious ballad-crooning, beach-loving Kenergy. Next, cinema's baby goose is getting into action-comedy mode in the Sydney-shot The Fall Guy. Based on the 80s TV series of the same name, the film follows stuntman Colt Seavers (Gosling), whose career isn't what it used to be. After taking time off, he's back at work getting set on fire for a living — but the fact that his ex Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer) is directing brings chaos. That's just the first dose of the movie's mayhem. Also complicating matters: that megastar actor Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bullet Train), who Seavers is meant to be doubling for in Moreno's flick, has gone missing. So, the stunt professional now has another task: work out what's going on by solving a conspiracy. If you're thinking "wasn't Gosling in the stunt game in Drive?", you're correct; however, The Fall Guy couldn't be in more different territory tonally. That said, when Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham tells Gosling "you're a stuntman — nobody's going to notice you, that's your job", in The Fall Guy's just-dropped first trailer, you'll already know that his casting means that's never going to prove true. As well as finding a missing actor, getting immersed in action intrigue to unravel a criminal plot, saving his latest movie and doing his regular job, Seavers is on a mission to win back Moreno — but IRL stuntman-turned-filmmaker David Leitch, who also helmed Bullet Train, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2 and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, puts stunts to the fore as much as rom-com banter in the initial sneak peek. Written by Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw scribe Drew Pearce, The Fall Guy co-stars Everything Everywhere All At Once Oscar-nominee Stephanie Hsu, plus Winston Duke (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever). Also a big feature in the trailer: its Sydney shooting location, including the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Everyone in Australia knows that Gosling was in the country to make the movie — and we all know that any flick shot here will show off that fact in its footage, as seen in the trailer for the also Sydney-made Anyone But You recently as well. On the small screen, The Fall Guy ran for 113 episodes from 1981–86, starring Lee Majors after his best-known role in The Six Million Dollar Man. Check out the trailer for The Fall Guy below: The Fall Guy releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, February 29, 2024.
Returning for its second year, Sad by Sad West is a community focused festival that's all about embracing emotion in both music and life. It's taking things back to basics and helping locals to recognise and appreciate their immediate surroundings and the artists that occupy it. Presented by Lesstalk Records and Papaiti Records, the self proclaimed fringe festival is geared toward connecting the community through events that showcase shared ideas and values through art and music. The two-day Melbourne event will take over two Footscray venues on Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29. For the festival's first night, The Night Heron, will be rocked by a huge range of talented Aussie artists, including Allison Gallagher, and Superdevf. For the second night, the party will head on over to The Reverence Hotel where Foley, Diploid and Phillip Hall will be among the ten-act lineup. The artists will perform across different genres and mediums to portray artistic thought in a new light.
If you're looking to shop locally for your swimwear this summer, look no further than Active Truth, which is offering 20 percent off its Australian-made, sustainable swimsuits. Plus, you'll receive free express shipping, so even though we're already one week into February, you'll have your new swimsuit at your doorstep before summer ends. Active Truth is accessible to beachgoers of all shapes and sizes, with a wide range of swimwear from XS to 3XL. The brand is also committed to sustainability, supporting the Healthy Seas initiative and making its swimwear from reconstructed recycled fibres, such as discarded fishing nets. If you're keen to snag some new togs, have a look through the catalogue of one and two-piece swimsuits and order before the sale ends on Tuesday, February 9. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
This year, as we are wont to do, we ate a lot of meals. We ate mussels and Mexican in Sydney, sushi and salted caramel in Melbourne and fried chicken and Frankenstein foods in Brisbane, as well as some excellent meals on our travels. But, when it comes down to it, at the end of 12 months of noshing, there are only a few truly memorable meals that spring to mind immediately — the ones that were so good, we gushed about them for the next three weeks and nagged our partners/colleagues/friends to return with us ASAP. Here are the dishes burned into our taste memory — if their respective eateries still list them on the menu, book a table immediately. ROUGAMO (CHINESE BURGER) AT XI'AN BIANG BIANG, SYDNEY What if I told you one of Sydney's most memorable burger experiences can be found at a Chinese restaurant in Haymarket? That's right, this year Xi'an Biang Biang introduced us to 'rougamo', aka the world's oldest 'hamburger'. Originating in the Shaanxi province of China, this ancient meat sanga is made from a flaky pastry pocket stuffed with juicy pork shreds. It's soft. It's crunchy. It's everything. Expect warm fatty juices to run down your arm and awkward stares from strangers when you go to lick it off. Let's just say, we can see why it caught on. — Erina Starkey, Sydney food and drink reviewer KANGAROO AND CROCODILE, CALYPSO DREAMS AT MOMOFUKU SEIBO, SYDNEY Puffed kangaroo tendon and crocodile soup aren't things you'll usually see at Seiobo. But neither is Jock Zonfrillo. The native-ingredient wizard, from Adelaide's Orana, helmed the kitchen alongside head chef Paul Carmichael for one night in October, dishing up creative Caribbean dishes with Australian twists. The night began with the above — the broth was rich, the puffed tendon light and tangy — and ended with a dessert of buttermilk and eucalyptus. If you see this elusive pair on a lineup together anytime in the future, I recommend you make a reservation, tout de suite. — Samantha Teague, editorial manager A post shared by Marco Fanuli (@marco_fanuli) on Sep 24, 2017 at 12:41am PDT TEA SANDWICH AT AFRICOLA, ADELAIDE I had dreams about this sandwich on the night after I first tried it. It's a simple yet exceedingly delicious creation: crispy roasted chicken skin on crustless white bread with flat-leaf parsley and a generous lick of chilli mayonnaise. Served with a dish of hot drippings from Africola's signature peri peri chicken (usually spiked with Bourbon if chef Duncan Welgemoed is lingering behind the bar), no less. It's the ultimate hangover cure, which they need to start packaging up and shipping around the country. — Samantha Payne, Sydney contributor WAFFLE-COATED SATED CARAMEL ICE CREAM AT ANNAM, MELBOURNE Salted caramel remained as popular as ever this year and new Vietnamese restaurant Annam was all over it. When I visited in November I revelled in a glorious six courses finished with an an epic waffle and coconut-battered deep-fried ice cream, drizzled in salted caramel sauce. Achieving that moreish balance between salty and sweet this was the perfect way to finish the feast — the modern twist on a Chinese restaurant favourite has easily been one of my fave dishes of 2017. — Ashleigh Whitehill, Melbourne contributor A post shared by Samantha Teague (@teaguese) on Oct 23, 2017 at 4:33am PDT SCALLOP, HAM AND PEAS AT SASAKI, SYDNEY This is what happens when Yu Sasaki recreates pea and ham soup. The head chef and owner of our best new Sydney restaurant of 2017 used prosciutto jelly, scallops and pea shoots to create an Instagram-friendly, edible yin yang symbol that transported its eaters to snotty childhood winters. The restaurant's menu changes frequently, so this is no longer on offer, but there are many other next-level dishes — like the Japanese Madeleines — to enjoy. — Samantha Teague CHICKEN PARMA SPRING ROLLS AT LITTLE BIG HOUSE, BRISBANE Of all of the culinary hybrids cooked up by foodie Dr Frankensteins, Little Big House's might be the most unexpected: chicken parma spring rolls. They're also one of the tastiest, from the oh-so-crispy pastry to the succulent sauced-filled filling. And to think we've all been eating them separately for all of these years. — Sarah Ward, weekend editor KINGFISH SAN CHOY BAU AT ESTER, SYDNEY Most Ester regulars will be familiar with its famed kingfish and mandarin dish, but if you're lucky enough to see kingfish san choy bau on the menu, order it immediately. A recurring special on the menu, the Ester team basically pick the flesh off the roasted kingfish head (which would have gone into the bin otherwise) and then roll it up in a lettuce head with mint, cress and delicious spicy sambals. — Tahlia Phillips, business director A post shared by Jamie // JamJam (@jamjam.li) on Dec 9, 2017 at 6:32pm PST SMOKED MUSSELS AT DEAR SAINTE ÉLOISE, SYDNEY As overall winner of Concrete Playground's best new Sydney bar of 2017, it's no surprise I indulged in one of my favourite meals sitting at the long copper bar of Dear Sainte Eloise. The dish that, for me, carries the succinct menu selection is the smoked mussels on toast ($14). Like bruschetta from the sea, the briny broth is slurpable and the mussels are plump and succulent. The combination of crunchy carrots and fresh parsley with the shellfish is supremely well-balanced — much like Dear Sainte Éloise itself. Pair it with a expertly recommended glass of white from the extensive 350 plus wine list and you'll know exactly why this laneway spot has quickly secured a place in sydney food-loving hearts. — Marissa Ciampi, Sydney contributor PORK BELLY SALAD AT AGRARIAN KITCHEN, HOBART They say you don't win friends with salad but when the salad in question has chargrilled pork belly and a perfectly poached egg, which, when broken, runs through the freshest mixed leaves I've ever eaten, you might want to rethink that statement. Everything the Agrarian Kitchen uses on their menu comes from their on-site garden and farm giving the food this incredible energy and life to it. A must-visit if you're in Tassie. — Samantha Payne HUITLACOCHE AT CHULA, SYDNEY Fungus fans, this one's for you. Potts Point eatery Chula is dishing up a superb "Mexican pizza" called the tlayuda de huitlacoche. This intriguing dish sees a crispy tortilla base topped with refried beans, Oaxacan cheese and blistery black clumps of corn smut (yep, smut). Both a disease and a delicacy, this unusual Mexican ingredient reveals pungent earthy flavours with a funky kick of blue cheesiness. If you like truffle, you need to give huitlacoche a try. — Erina Starkey PANI PURI AT TONKA, MELBOURNE By no means a new dish, but my first pani puri experience — and it delivered becoming something I continued to chase throughout 2017. Tonka's fragrant, slightly warm aromatic water is addictive poured into those crispy parcels filled with potato, mung bean, tamarind chutney and dates. — Quinn Connors, partnerships editor A post shared by Lauren Vadnjal (@lrnvdnl) on Mar 1, 2017 at 4:06pm PST GLUTEN-FREE LAMB RAGU PAPPARDELLE AT KINDRED, SYDNEY Back when I was diagnosed as coeliac in the early 2000s I used to eat rice cakes and tiny pieces of toasted gluten-free bread and think that this was my life now. Slowly, it got better; restaurants started to bring in sans-gluten supermarket spaghetti as an alternative and stopped serving burgers in lettuce cups (mostly), but we still hadn't hit the gluten-free golden age. So I personally don't think it was overdramatic to shed a tear when this bowl of pappardelle was placed in front of me at Kindred — not only was it GF, but the Cleveland Street restaurant makes it fresh in-house, just the same as its regular pastas and breads. It was a special pasta moment and I have returned to Kindred multiple times to relive it. — Lauren Vadnjal, deputy editor PORK BELLY CONGEE AT EITHER OR, SYDNEY Well thought out in design, drinks and food, Either Or serves a menu of Asian-inspired breakfast favourites. The pork belly adobo congee is a clear winner, featuring umami flavours and served with mushrooms, micro greens and a poached egg on top. — Quinn Connors A post shared by Vicky Hanlon (@vicsta.gram) on Dec 22, 2017 at 5:11pm PST CHOCOLATE SOUR CREAM LAYER CAKE AT BEATRIX, MELBOURNE When things get tough, eat cake. The best way to eat a takeaway slice of Nat Paull's infamous Beatrix chocolate sour cream layer cake is straight out of the box on the walk back to North Melbourne Station. It's an old favourite of mine that never, ever disappoints — the buttercream frosting is cloud-like in texture and moreish at the same time, while the dried raspberry crumble on top finishes off with a sharp, sweet aftertaste. — Nathania Gilson, Melbourne contributor VEGAN PATATE PIZZA AT GIGI'S, SYDNEY While Sydney's New York-style pizza scene is somewhat dwindling, rising from the ashes of the woodfire is a healthy crop of simpler pizza restaurants using fewer (but better) ingredients. Newtown's Gigi's has gone one step further and is making fully vegan Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana-certified pizzas in traditional Neapolitan style. Physical restraints would be required to hold me back from finishing the patate pizza with thin-sliced roasted potato, garlic, rosemary and black truffle pâté. Pair it with a natural wine and Gigi's rocket, radicchio, apple, pistachio and cinnamon salad. Plus, you can feel good about supporting the plant based ethical eating movement over pizza and wine. — Kitti Smallbone, Sydney photographer
A couple of Abbotsford favourites have teamed up for a new series of Sunday feasts that promise to take the edge right off that winter chill. You and your crew can now wrap up each weekend with a bottomless boozy pizza party, courtesy of Johnston Street bar Lulie Tavern and neighbouring Italian hot-spot Rita's Cafeteria. Venture into Lulie's between 12pm and 4pm on Sundays and you'll find a hearty food and drink fiesta awaits. For two hours, you'll get to down unlimited slices of Rita's famously good pizza, in both the margherita and pepperoni varieties. No one's going thirsty, either — the bar's got plenty in the way of liquid treats to pair with those pies, slinging bottomless beers, wine and spritzes to enjoy across the same 120 minutes. The best part? This whole Sunday lunch deal will set you back a tidy $45 per person. Bookings are a must, though, so shoot an email to hello@lulietavern.com if you're keen to head along. Lulie & Rita's Sunday Pizza Party runs from midday–4pm. Images: Jake Roden.
The National Gallery of Victoria is wrapping up this wild year in style, hosting the blockbuster second edition of its much-hyped NGV Triennial. Taking over the gallery from Saturday, December 19, the exhibition looks set to be the biggest art event to hit the city in three years, featuring works from over 100 artists, representing 30 different countries. Among them, you can expect a diverse response to this year's themes of illumination, reflection, conservation and speculation. With a lineup like this — and many months of missed art appreciation to make up for — it's hard to know where to even start. But we're here to help. We've delved into the program and pulled out five must-see artworks set to grace the gallery's hallowed spaces this summer. Start plotting your post-lockdown art gallery debut now, with this roundup of five captivating artworks to check out at the NGV Triennial. [caption id="attachment_795343" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dhambit Mununggurr, 'Can we all have a happy life' 2019-20, courtesy Salon Indigenous Art Project. Installation view at NGV International, photographed by Sean Fennessy.[/caption] DHAMBIT MUNUNGURR: CAN WE ALL HAVE A HAPPY LIFE If you've got a thing for hues of blue, this immersive work from Yolnu artist Dhambit Munungurr will surely resonate. While artists from her home of Yirrkala (Northeast Arnhem Land) traditionally paint using hand-ground ochres and other natural pigments, Munungurr was granted special permission to switch to acrylic paints after a 2005 car accident left her with ongoing injuries. She's since developed a special love for the colour blue and as such, her recent works have left a significant mark on Yolnu art as a whole. This NGV installation Can we all have a happy life (2019–2020) is the latest to embrace the artist's go-to colour palette, featuring a vibrant series of 15 bark paintings and nine larrakitj (hollow poles). [caption id="attachment_795344" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cerith Wyn Evans, 'C=O=D=A' 2019–20, courtesy White Cube, London. Installation view at NGV International, photographed by Tom Ross.[/caption] CERITH WYN EVANS: C=O=D=A Big and bold is the name of the game for Cerith Wyn Evans' latest work, titled C=O=D=A (2019–20). The London-based artist has created a large-scale, neck-tilting celebration of light and movement, with his series of neon 'drawings' suspended brightly together in mid-air. Among them, you'll spy frantic scribbles, carefully structured shapes and even doodles referencing chemical compounds, each design experienced in countless new ways from different angles as audiences move around the installation. The full display towers at up to six metres high, challenging viewers to continually switch their perspective as they explore how each shape interacts with the next. [caption id="attachment_795349" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atong Atem, 'Studio series' 2015, courtesy MARS Gallery, Melbourne. Installation view at NGV International, photographed by Tom Ross.[/caption] ATONG ATEM Atong Atem serves up some fresh cultural perspectives with her series of early photography works offering a vibrant exploration of identity. Born in Ethiopia in the 90s and now based in Melbourne, the artist has developed her body of work honing in on migrant stories and post-colonial practices in the African diaspora. For this portrait project she gives a nod to the old-school studio photography practices of her homeland, via a collection of staged shots dripping with colour. The vintage-inspired images are heady and impactful, featuring a festival of patterns and hues delivered through props, backgrounds, textiles and garments. [caption id="attachment_795351" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stuart Haygarth, 'Optical (tinted)' 2009 (foreground), Mark Rothko, 'Untitled (Red)' 1956 (left) and Sabine Marcelis 'Dawn XXXIII' designed 2015. Installation view at NGV International, photographed by Sean Fennessy.[/caption] STUART HAYGARTH: OPTICAL (TINTED) A collection of over 4500 recycled tinted prescription spectacle lenses are the unlikely heroes of this stunning piece by British artist Stuart Haygarth. Optical (tinted) (2009) speaks to ideas of consumption, time and loss, as a thing of beauty is hatched from a bunch of discarded objects. Best known for his work repurposing everyday items into unexpected lighting installations, Haygarth here puts together a layered, shimmering sphere of used lenses. The intricate work features a careful assembly of elements, with cloudier lenses at the core making way for clearer glass pieces towards the outer edges. It's then lit from within, creating a sort of dazzling disco ball that'll have you reassessing your thoughts about waste and trash. [caption id="attachment_795355" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Porky Hefer, 'Plastocene – Marine Mutants from a disposable world' 2020, courtesy Southern Guild, Cape Town. Installation view at NGV International, photographed by Tom Ross.[/caption] PORKY HEFER: PLASTOCENE — MARINE MUTANTS FROM A DISPOSABLE WORLD We'd imagine there won't be too many times in your life you'll get to admire a giant octopus crafted from hand-felted cigarette butts. But this supersized oceanic beauty will be just one of many featured in a new large-scale installation by Porky Hefer. Plastocene – Marine Mutants from a disposable world (2020) sees the South African artist and his collaborators create a series of handmade sea creatures plucked from some dystopian future. The work's built on the notion of species being able to transmutate, eventually adapting themselves to fit a world of polluted oceans and plastic waste. The NGV Triennial 2020 will be on show at NGV International from Saturday, December 19 until Sunday, April 18, 2021. For more info and to see the full program, visit the NGV website. Top image: Cerith Wyn Evans, 'C=O=D=A' 2019–20, courtesy White Cube, London. Installation view at NGV International, photographed by Tom Ross
After opening its first NSW store this month, Taco Bell is throwing open the doors to its long-awaited debut Victorian venue this weekend — on none other than Chapel Street. The South Yarra store opens on Saturday, December 7 — but if you're on the right tram on Friday afternoon, you'll be able to try some of the menu in advance (and for free!). The Taco Bell team will be commandeering the 78 tram, taking passengers on a 'drive-thru' to the new store to get some nosh. To get a seat on the taco tram, you'll have to be at stop #51 on the corner of Chapel and Malcolm streets between midday and 3pm. Once you board the tram, staff will take your order and — like magic — your food will be ready when you pass by the Taco Bell store a few minutes later. You can get off the tram once your food arrives, or continue on with your journey — it's just a regular passenger tram. The first 100 riders will even have their Myki fare covered. Here's hoping you get to try some of the chain's most-loved items: the Crunchwrap Supreme, tortilla chips with nacho cheese sauce and churros. You'll have to wait to try the frozen margaritas in store. Saturday will have lots of opening day action, too — if you head along between 10am and 30m, you'll be able to score some limited-edition merch, tastings and prizes. One lucky taco fan will even win a year's supply of food. As well as South Yarra, a Hawthorn store is slated to open by the end of the year as part of the chain's plans to launch 50 more Australian stores over the next three years.
They topped Triple J's Hottest 100 in 2002. They've featured Dave Grohl on drums. Their third studio album Songs for the Death is one of the all-time-great 00s records. They're Queens of the Stone Age, of course, and now they're bringing their latest tour Down Under in 2024, with the band heading our way for the first time in six years. The Josh Homme-fronted group's The End Is Nero tour is their first trip to Australasia since 2018, and comes after their eighth album In Times New Roman... released in June 2023. Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Michael Shuman, Dean Fertita and Jon Theodore are giving their latest shows an apocalyptic theme, which fans can look forward to seeing in Melbourne on Monday, February 19. [caption id="attachment_923130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andreas Neumann[/caption] Concertgoers can look forward to a setlist that steps through QOTSA's 27-year history, including their Hottest 100 winner 'No One Knows', plus everything from 'Go with the Flow' and 'Make It Wit Chu' to 'Emotion Sickness' and 'The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret'. In support at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl: Pond and Gut Health. Queens of the Stone Age formed in Seattle in 1996 after Homme's prior band Kyuss split up, is linked to the Palm Desert music scene and have seven Grammy nominations to their name. Despite the long gap since their last trip Down Under, they're no strangers to playing Australia, including a joint tour with Nine Inch Nails back in 2014. Top image: Wünderbrot via Wikimedia Commons
Socials have been abuzz for the past couple of weeks with the news that KFC, one of the most hallowed fast food institutions, is hosting an 11-course degustation dinner in collaboration with Surry Hills fine diner Nel. In the two weeks after the news broke, more than 24,000 hungry and curious Sydneysiders added their name to a lottery, in the hopes of scoring an elusive seat at the three-night dinner series. I was lucky enough to score an invite to the media preview for a first peek at the mad scientist-like creations of celebrated chef Nelly Robinson. Here's everything that happened. THE VIBE The dinner takes place in an airy warehouse space at the end of an unmarked Alexandria alleyway, at the entrance to which lies the most unobtrusive of red carpets. Already this isn't feeling like a typical dinner. Once inside, there's free-flowing pre-dinner sparkling in a staging area that is dominated by what your correspondent thought was a fluffy cloud hanging over the bar. Then it's pointed out to me that I'm looking at it from the wrong angle. It turns out that the focal point of the room is, in fact, an illuminated cloud that takes the unmistakable form of a KFC drumstick, because of course it is. We soon move into the spacious, elegant dining room, which is all dark tones and understated pendant lighting. Once seated, a candle is brought to the table, lit and glasses are topped up. It's showtime. THE FOOD Eleven courses of KFC with a wine pairing to boot? Challenge accepted. Course One: You Call That a Burger? This KFC burger-inspired take on Nel's signature savoury marshmallow is a mind-boggling delight. It's light, it's fluffy, it nearly falls apart in your fingers and immediately disintegrates on contact with your tongue — but it also hits the sweet, salty, umami notes of a burger. Course Two: Zinger Katsu Who would have ever thought that a micro Zinger could be so satisfying? But enough about my last Grindr date. Course two of this KFC feast is an immediate hit at the table, a two-bite appetiser featuring a finger-sized Zinger patty on a pillowy oblong of deep-fried potato finished in katsu jus, and then topped with a drizzle of curry mayo and a dusting of dill. I would very much like this in burger form. Course Three: Supercharged Wings Wicked wings, but light them on fire. Perfectly crunchy and juicy wings are presented on a bed of charcoal sticks that are lit on fire at the table — because who doesn't love dinner and a show — which makes them about 15 percent better than a normal KFC wing. Course Four: Potato and Gravy Remember that candle I mentioned earlier? By the time our beautifully brown, perfectly spherical potato buns are placed on the table after the amuses-bouche are cleared, the candle has melted. No, it's not a cheapo that couldn't even last until mains, but in fact made of KFC chicken fat (what else) which, now completely liquefied, is garnished at the table with a couple of rounds of gravy and into which the potato buns can be dipped. And they are. Liberally. Course Five: Zinger Kingfish The first of the mains is, in the very best way, an absolute mindfuck. Slightly torched kingfish is coated in a crumb of the eleven secret herbs and spices and served on a bed of ever-so-smoky yoghurt slaw — itself an elegant take on the classic KFC side. Though it could have very well been actual KFC coleslaw. At this stage up was down and left was right. In introducing the dish, Robinson told us that there was some resistance from team KFC around putting fish on the menu, but he stuck to his guns and the menu is all the better for him having done so. Course Six: Tongue Twister/Twister Sister I still remember when the Twister was launched. Wraps were having a moment thanks to the Atkins diet and variations incarnations thereof (the 90s were truly wild) and it was like Christmas had come early for this chunky, primary school-aged kid who could not get enough fried chicken. Any excitement I might have had about lower-carb KFC was quickly dashed, however, when my first (and to-date only) Twister led to a bout of gastro... So when I discover that the second main course of the evening was a two-part take on the KFC wrap, I'm a little sceptical. That is, until I see the Colonel's face on a plate — or at least a colourful interpretation of it made of emulsified fried chicken, lettuce, tomato and pepper mayo. Our task: pick up the plate and lick the Colonel right off it. Not in a million years did I ever think I'd be tonguing old mate Sanders, but now that I've had a chicken fat candle and KF-fish, I guess the rulebook is out the window. To accompany this surprisingly sensuous dish comes a jazzed-up take on a Twister in the form of a fried chicken taco on a soft spinach tortilla and finished with lettuce, pearl barley risotto, sundried tomato, pepper mayo and an edible flower. It's very, very good. Course Seven: Popcorn Chicken You know what's better than popcorn chicken? Popcorn chicken in a creamy celeriac and mushroom soup with fresh gnocchi and fragrant basil oil. Says my dining companion: "Next time I get popcorn chicken, I'm going to buy a tin of Campbell's cream of mushroom to go with it." Sure, it's a cheat version of this silky, umami-laden dish, but I suggest you consider doing the same. Course Eight: La Di Da Drumstick AKA Fried Gold A dramatic hush suddenly descends upon the room. From the moment the first tall, glass, smoke-filled cloche enters the dining room for the final savoury course, the anticipation for what we know is coming is truly palpable. Underneath, revealed in a hypnotically synchronised flourish, lies a single KFC drumstick. But, reader, this is no ordinary drumstick. This is a gently smoke-infused piece of original recipe resting on a bed of black garlic and cauliflower purée, quinoa and edible gold, and looked like something out of a fairy tale. It tasted as good as it looked. Course Nine: Chips for Dessert Facts: fries dipped in ice cream is a god-tier pairing. For me, this is usually happening when coming out of a drive-through with one hand trying to get my soft serve-to-chip ratio just right, while the other hand is actually trying to drive. No such theatrics are needed for this first of three desserts, however, as I practically inhale this delightful dish of a single dehydrated, de-starched potato chip with wattleseed ice cream and burnt pineapple and mead purée. Course Ten: Our Chocolate Mousse Here, generous nugget-sized serves of light and airy chocolate mousse are dipped in liquid nitrogen and topped with popping candy. I've never eaten chocolate mousse — or any mousse, for that matter — with my hands, but this is so finger lickin' good (you know I had to) that all decorum flew the coop (I'll stop now). Course Eleven: Petit Krusher This is a creative take on an after-dinner mint inspired by the gone-but-not-forgotten KFC Krusher. I'd tell you what this tasted like but, despite being told to have this truffle ball-looking morsel in one bite, I somehow forgot how to eat and ended up inelegantly spraying most of this all over the table. But after all, what's KFC without a bit of mess? THE VERDICT This dinner series might begin on April Fool's Day, but it's no joke. It's a clever, creative menu that serves as both a love letter to KFC and a truly fascinating exploration of the possibilities of fried chicken. A wanky take? Perhaps. But when I'm eating KFC with knives and forks and liquid nitrogen and, it must be said, an excellent wine pairing, the least I can do is get a bit extra with a review. I was asked by a colleague if the meal is as good as big bucket of KFC, and the answer is both yes and no. This dinner doesn't hit the same spot that only a Family Feast can, but that's not the point. It's pure escapism — fun for the sake of fun, an opportunity to just enjoy what's in front of you. And these days, who can argue with that?
Thinking about UK cinema's biggest names brings a wealth of famous talents to mind. Odds are that they're on the 2023 British Film Festival program in one way or another. When the Australia-wide cinema celebration returns for its latest tour, it'll do so with Olivia Colman's latest movie, Ian McKellen's as well, what might be Michael Caine's final role and an Alfred Hitchcock documentary. Ken Loach, Liam Neeson, Helen Mirren, Anthony Hopkins, Richard E Grant, Timothy Spall, Helena Bonham Carter, Gemma Arterton, Maggie Smith: they're all covered, too. In total, 28 films are on the British Film Festival's 2023 lineup, including both brand-new flicks and retrospective screenings. Audiences can see the results throughout November, with the festival kicking off on Wednesday, November 1 in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth — and on Thursday, November 2 in Canberra, Brisbane and Byron Bay. BFF will keep is projectors whirring for four weeks, wrapping up on Wednesday, November 29. Opening night's One Life will begin the 2023 fest, with the Hopkins (The Son)-starring biopic coming to Australia after premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival. It tells the tale of Sir Nicholas Winton, whose World War II story includes assisting in the rescue of hundreds of Jewish children, earning him the label of the 'British Schindler'. Johnny Flynn (Operation Mincemeat) plays the humanitarian in his younger years, with Bonham Carter (Nolly) also co-starring. Still on BFF's big festival slots, the Colman- (Heartstopper) and Jessie Buckley (Women Talking)-led Wicked Little Letters will close out the 2023 event. The two actors reunite after both featuring in The Lost Daughter, although this time they aren't playing the same character. Instead, they're in a mystery-comedy that's based on a real-life scandal dating back 100 years And, playing as BFF's centrepiece is The Critic, which is where McKellan (Cats) and Arterton (Funny Woman) come in, and Mark Strong (Tár), Lesley Manville (The Crown) and Nikesh Patel (Starstruck) as well. As the name makes plain, it does involve a critic — a theatre specialist, in a whodunnit that's based on the novel Curtain Call by Anthony Quinn. Also a huge inclusion: My Name Is Alfred Hitchcock, the new documentary from The Story of Film's Mark Cousins. This time, the filmmaker turns his meticulous attention to a director like no other, and to plenty of suspense, including featuring footage from the bulk of Hitchcock's classic films. Among the other highlights, war veteran tale The Great Escaper could be Caine's (Best Sellers) last performance; The Old Oak marks the latest from iconic filmmaker Loach (I, Daniel Blake, Sorry We Missed You); The Lesson features Grant (Persuasion), Julie Delpy (On the Verge) and Daryl McCormack (Bad Sisters) in a literary thriller; and musical Greatest Days features Take That's songs. Or, there's Sweet Sue from Leo Leigh, son of Peterloo and Mr Turner director Mike Leigh; the Irish village-set In the Land of Saints and Sinners, which features Neeson (Retribution), Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin) and Jack Gleeson (Game of Thrones, and also Sex Education); Samuel Beckett biopic Dance First, with Gabriel Byrne (War of the Worlds) as the playwright; Golda, starring Mirren (Barbie) as Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir; Mad About the Boy, a doco about Noël Coward; and Pretty Red Dress, which is set to the songs of Tina Turner. Plus, fans of movies about music can add Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis), which hails from Control's Anton Corbijn and hones in on the titular photo-design company and its contribution to record cover art, to their BFF schedule. And, among the retrospective titles, the Mirren-starring Caligula, rock opera Tommy and drama Howard's End are all playing in 4K restorations — with Smith's (The Miracle Club) Oscar-winning performance in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, plus The Remains of the Day, Women in Love and Morgan — A Suitable Case for Treatment also on the classics list. BRITISH FILM FESTIVAL 2023 DATES: Wednesday, November 1–Wednesday, November 29 — Palace Norton St, Palace Verona, Chauvel Cinema and Palace Central, Sydney Wednesday, November 1–Wednesday, November 29 — The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, The Kino and Pentridge Cinema, Melbourne Wednesday, November 1–Wednesday, November 29 — Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, Adelaide Wednesday, November 1–Wednesday, November 29 — Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Leederville and Windsor, Perth Thursday, November 2–Wednesday, November 29 — Palace Electric Cinemas, Canberra Thursday, November 2–Wednesday, November 29 — Palace Barracks and Palace James Street, Brisbane Thursday, November 2–Wednesday, November 29 — Palace Byron Bay, Byron Bay The 2023 British Film Festival tours Australia between in November. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
A fireworks display is often only as good as where you're watching the show from, and we think a rooftop party is an excellent vantage point. Campari House has themed their New Year's Eve bash 'Four Seasons', so slip on some cocktail attire and add a touch of your favourite season to your get-up. Tickets start at $110 for the party; for rooftop access and extravagant cocktails tickets go up to $195. Let's just hope that unpredictable Melbourne weather doesn't decide to take the theme too literally.
To choose the life of an artist means choosing canned tuna dinners, free beer at openings across the city and what is often a constant battle between maintaining artistic integrity whilst trying to put those aforementioned cans of tuna and that free beer on the (dirty share house) table every night. Each year, in association with the philanthropic Balnaves Foundation, the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art gives a handful of Australia’s most exciting emerging artists a massive leg up, inviting them to create site-specific pieces for the annual NEW exhibition. NEW 13 is curated by ACCA’s associate curator Charlotte Day and features the work of Benjamin Forster, Jess MacNeil, Alex Martinis Roe, Sanne Mestrom, Scott Mitchell, Joshua Petherick and Linda Tegg. The vastly divergent offerings include a sculpted weeping woman that cries actual tears, the ghosts of imaging technology captured and a piece that sheds sunlight on previously overlooked crevices of ACCA. Image — Alexis Martinis Roe, The Practice of Doing, 2013
ACMI is stepping into the world of haute couture, as part of this year's Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. Get the lowdown on high fashion, take a time machine back to the nineties, or go behind the scenes of a Vogue magazine photo shoot with the inimitable Lena Dunham. With five documentaries bolstered by a number of shorts, one thing about the Fashion on Film program is certain: it's probably going to make you feel seriously underdressed. The FOF season begins on February 21 with And Then There Is Naples, Gianluca Migliarotti's journey into the history of bespoke Italian menswear. Anchoring art in life, the film is paired with a two hour walking tour past some of Melbourne's own top quality tailors. Other films in the program include The Balmain Style, about the legendary French fashion house, as well as Pop Models, about the evolution of the supermodel.
If you've been oscillating between "alright" and somewhere south of "fine", here's a little story to brighten up your day. Like most businesses in Sydney's lockdown, the Art Gallery of NSW has been forced to close and get creative — a situation Melburnians know all too well. Its solution? Pair up artwork from its huge historical collection with Instagram captions that are so clever and on the nose that we here at Concrete Playground expect someone to get a pay rise after all this is over. Seriously. Check out some of the best memes below if you need a giggle. You can also follow the Art Gallery of NSW's Instagram page for more content. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Art Gallery NSW (@artgalleryofnsw) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Art Gallery NSW (@artgalleryofnsw) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Art Gallery NSW (@artgalleryofnsw) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Art Gallery NSW (@artgalleryofnsw) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Art Gallery NSW (@artgalleryofnsw) Top images: Wenceslaus Hollar, after Albrecht Dürer, A stag lying, after Dürer, 1649, etching, Art Gallery of New South Wales, purchased 1979. Photo: AGNSW. David Davies, From a distant land, 1889, oil on canvas, Art Gallery of New South Wales, purchased 1968. Photo: AGNSW. Roddam Spencer Stanhope, "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" St Luke 24 v5,1870s, oil, gesso, goldleaf, wax medium, on canvas, Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of Arthur Moon KC in memory of his mother, Emma, born in Sydney in 1860, the daughter of John de Villers Lamb 1950. Photo: AGNSW.
While so many hospo businesses are playing it safe right now, Mamas Dining Group (Hochi Mama, Straight Outta Saigon, Kiss and Tell) is executing its growth plans at a rapid rate. Just last month, the crew opened Windsor Wine Room on Chapel Street, bringing a contemporary sip and snack wine bar to the strip. And on Thursday, July 18, Mamas opened two-storey Chinese restaurant Suzie Q on the Prahran stretch of Chapel Street. The 150-seat site is the team's biggest venture to date, and it includes not only a large main dining room and bar, but also a private mezzanine level and karaoke room. Suzie Q takes its cues from an underground Chinese restaurant in San Francisco in the 1980s that went by the same name — and everything here is inspired by that very diner. Mitchell and Eades (Beverly, Grill Americano, Hawker Hall) was tasked with designing the space, which the team says embodies "the hedonism and rebellion of the underground nightlife scene in the 80s, re-imagined through a modern lens". Expect plenty of red accents, exposed brickwork, plush booths and a striking black marble-topped bar with green leather stools that you can park yourself on for a long boozy feed. Within these retro surrounds, punters will dine on nostalgic Chinese eats inspired by the food served at the original Suzie Q. Head Chef Michael Stolley (ex-Ish Restaurant, Eazy Peazy) is executing this all with playful contemporary flair, just as he has done with Windsor Wine Room's new menu. At Suzie Q, this kicks off with a bunch of yum cha bites, including candied pork buns, prawn toast and a selection of dumplings. With 12 options available on this side of the menu, you can easily build a sharing feast just out of these. But it would be a shame to miss larger dishes like Suzie Q's mapo tofu, roast duck, crispy egg noodles with mixed seafood and fried rice packed with sausages, prawns and spring onions. A few different set menus are also up for grabs, making group dining a whole lot easier. On the drinks side, you'll find signature cocktails, beers on tap, an Australian-leaning wine program and a sizeable back bar that includes a solid selection of sake. It's clear that the Mamas crew is having plenty of fun with Suzie Q, bringing the San Francisco diner back to life, but this time on Melbourne's own Chapel Street. You'll find Suzie Q at 247 Chapel Street, Prahran, open 5–10pm from Sunday–Thursday, and 5–11pm from Friday–Saturday. For more details and to book a table, head to the venue's website.
As part of this year's NEON Festival, The Myth Project: Twin by Arthur (the surrealist adventurers behind Cut Snake) is exploring the depths of the human psyche and the strength of blood ties. After the disappearance of her twin sister, Ana falls into a dark alternative reality, a world ruled by dreams and riddles. Ana is confronted with the dead, The Queen of Grief (who is practising her cabaret number. Obviously), and two tricksters leading a tribe of lost children, among others. Before she can save her twin, Ana must accept an inheritance she never thought was hers, and doing so won't be easy. Described as a mix of opera-noir, cabaret and naturalistic drama, The Myth Project: Twin is the first instalment of Arthur's multi-play episodic exploration of the Australian psyche. The production features a large ensemble from regional Australia as well as multiple writers.
Whether you're a Maha regular or have yet to experience the Melbourne icon, Shane Delia's Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant has a lunchtime special bound to prompt a visit. Just extended until October 31, a rotating lineup of $15 'Bowls of Goodness' hits the menu every week, perfect for an affordable lunch or high-end takeaway option. Returning after a successful debut in 2024, the special is bigger and better than ever before, now with nine more options to explore dine-in or takeaway. With each bowl crafted by a Maha kitchen team member, the series showcases each chef's gastronomic inspiration, from varied regional cuisine and travel experiences to personal memories. "The response to our $15 Bowls of Goodness lunchtime specials has been incredible yet again this year, so we're keeping them running until the end of October," says Delia. "We've brought back some of last year's most-loved dishes, the crowd-pleasers our guests just couldn't stop talking about! We're excited to continue to serve high-quality, flavour-packed lunches to dine-in or takeaway customers." In the weeks ahead, the Bond Street restaurant is serving up delights like biryani rice with tandoori chicken and cucumber raita; creamy navy beans with burnt tomatoes, winter vegetables and wagyu meatballs; and grilled Balinese chicken with fragrant rice and sambal matah. Stacked with creative combinations and seasonal flavours, organise a lunchtime trip to Maha this spring.
If you're the kind of Melburnian who dedicates the entire month of October to all things spooky, then you'll want to make a date with the latest acclaimed stage show that's heading Australia's way. Sure, Ghost Stories will start its local season in September, but it's definitely arriving at the right time of year for bumps, jumps and unleashing eerie tales. Hitting our shores for the first time, Ghost Stories will bring its thrills and chills to the Athenaeum Theatre between Friday, September 16–Saturday, October 22. And, it'll be doing so with the team behind a couple of other unsettling recent experiences: Melbourne-based Realscape Productions, who've been responsible for shipping container installations Seance, Flight and Coma, plus a number of horror audio experiences since 2020. Created, written and directed by Andy Nyman (Derren Brown) and Jeremy Dyson (The League of Gentlemen), and first staged in the UK back in 2010, Ghost Stories offers exactly what its name suggests. Leading the charge is fictional Professor of Parapsychology Phillip Goodman, who takes audiences through three of his cases. If it sounds familiar even though the production hasn't ever made it to our shores as yet, that's because Ghost Stories was turned into a film with The Office, The Hobbit and Sherlock star Martin Freeman a couple of years back — and also featuring Nyman as Goodman. This is the type of show where the less you know going in, the better. You want to experience those frightening tales afresh, after all. Audience members have been known to physically jump in their seats while they're watching, too, which is part of the point. "If people are paying their hard-earned money to see the show, we have a responsibility to give them more than they pay for," said Dyson in a statement when the show first announced its plans to hit Australia, with its initial 2021 dates postponed to 2022. "We knew that we wanted to craft a play that would deliver something of substance to an audience, some solid ground underneath the fun, that would leave a deeper, darker residue and be harder to shake off," continued both Dyson and Nyman. Yes, the show has been likened to watching a horror movie play out on stage — so if you that sounds like your ideal way to spend 80 minutes, prepare to be in your element. If you're easily scared, you probably already know to stay away. For its Aussie run — with a stint in Adelaide set to follow Melbourne — Ghost Stories will star playwright and actor Steve Rodgers (Savage River, Kenny) as Professor Phillip Goodman, and also feature Jay Laga'aia, Darcy Brown and Nick Simpson-Deeks. Check out Ghost Stories' Australian trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfabPFfTm6g Ghost Stories will hit Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre from Friday, September 16–Saturday, October 22. For further details and to buy tickets, head to the production's website. Images: Eugene Perepletchikov.
Cadbury, stahp. Cadbury, please staaaahp ruining everything we hold dear. We don’t know who keeps telling Cadbury that we want new, exciting and messed-up chocolate flavours, but they’ve released three new grotesque creations to the coveted Milk Tray lineup and it truly is a sign of the end times. Introducing Kale Crème, Wasabi Crunch and Beetroot Jelly, the next generation’s equivalent of Top Deck, Snack and Caramello. Let’s have a moment of silence to mourn simpler times. Apparently, Beetroot Jelly is meant to cater to health nuts (who will not be eating chocolate anyway, so why ruin it for the rest of us?), while Wasabi Crunch will capitalise on the popularity of "Asian flavours" (because there are apparently no more dessert-appropriate flavours in all of Asia to choose from). Then there's Kale Crème, the most vulgar flavour of them all, which is a response to a demand for savoury tastes. You guyyyys, we meant peanuts. Salt. Maybe chilli. These are the savoury flavours we want, and of all the savoury flavours you had to choose from kale was the winner? It’s not even tasty in its natural form (and don’t you dare pretend it is, health nuts) Unsurprisingly, it was reported that testers found the wasabi too sharp and the kale too bitter, although beetroot did pass (still doesn’t mean it should take up a whole pocket in a Milk Tray though). News.com.au were brave enough to see what lies beneath the new Milk Tray additions, here's their snap: Dramatics aside, Cadbury have been getting fairly… experimental with their flavours lately (need we remind you of Vegemite chocolate?) and this is not the first time the Milk Tray has been changed (RIP lime cordial). But after 100 years, the international confectionery giants are still trying to appeal to a younger audience who apparently can’t get enough of gimmicks. Well, you know what, they’re probably right. We need to try that Kale Crème. Goddammit, you’ve got our number Cadbury. Via The Vine. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Melbourne's Northbank will blossom on Sunday, September 1, with eco-warrior Joost Bakker unveiling 150,000 tulips along the Yarra River. The designer and activist — who has recently been involved in building the world's most sustainable shopping centre in Burwood Brickworks — has brought in the huge mass of tulips with him from his family's farm in Monbulk. They've been onsite at Seafarers since mid-August, but will be placed along the water, lining the wharf in front of the Riverlee display suite beneath the restored Malcolm Moore Crane and alongside the Goods Shed No. 5, come Sunday when the first day of spring arrives. If the move sounds familiar, that's because Bakker did something similar last year, but in Hosier Lane. It's part of his ongoing quest to raise awareness about the country's flower growers, as well as the impact of imported bouquets. Bakker has a particularly personal connection to the topic, and not just because his relatives have been connected to the tulip trade since the 1800s. Actually, 2019 marks the last year that anyone in the Bakker family will work in the industry, with Joost's brother giving it up this year because it's no longer economically viable. "For the last four of five years, flower growers have struggled to maximise their economic potential due to an industry facing headwinds; imported flowers now account for a large portion of the market, meaning a lot of growers in Australia have gone out of business," explained Joost. "We want people to come and visit the activation, learn about the industry and what they can do to help and take a beautiful tulip home with them." If you're keen to take a look at the sea of flowers — and grab a few beauties for yourself or your loved ones — then head over to the riverfront precinct from early Sunday morning. The installation will stay in place until all of the blooms have been given away, with collections available from Seafarers Bridge along the length of the wharf.
It's times like these that you can add a big summer gig to your diary, with Foo Fighters coming to Melbourne in December. The Dave Grohl-fronted rockers will embark on their first headline tour of Australia since 2018. It's also their first visit Down Under since drummer Taylor Hawkins passed away in March 2022. Foo Fighters were last in Australia that same month and year, playing a huge Geelong show to help launch Victoria's post-COVID-19 lockdowns live music program. The band unsurprisingly took a break from touring after Hawkins' death, only returning to live gigs in 2023. In Melbourne, they're headed to AAMI Park on Monday, December 4 with Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers and Hot Milk in support — and more tickets are going on sale at 3pm AEDT on Friday, October 13. [caption id="attachment_903613" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Scarlet Page[/caption] Picking up the sticks: ex-The Vandals, Devo, Guns N' Roses and A Perfect Circle drummer Josh Freese, taking on the likely-daunting task of being the touring drummer in a band led by Nirvana drummer Grohl. Freese's stint with the band was announced in May, ahead of their first tour dates. When they hit our shores, the new-look Foo Fighters will weave in tunes from their new record But Here We Are, which released in June. Of course, all the hits from across their career will get a whirl, with their current setlist including everything from 'This Is a Call', 'Big Me' and 'Monkey Wrench' through to 'Learn to Fly', 'The Pretender' and 'Best of You'. And, yes, 'Everlong', because it wouldn't be a Foo Fighters show without it. 'I'll Stick Around', which is also on the list, isn't just a song title from the group's first album. Given that their new tour comes 28 years after that debut release in 1995, it perfectly sums up Foo Fighters' longevity. Over the years, they've made it Down Under a heap of times, released 11 studio albums including the just-dropped But Here We Are, and made 2022 horror movie Studio 666. [caption id="attachment_903619" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mr Rossi vi Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Top image: Jo via Wikimedia Commons.
There's a Woi-wurrung phrase that we all ought to know: Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo, or "what is good for the Yarra is good for all." Those words guide the Birrarung Riverfest, a cultural and environmental showcase that has grown leaps and bounds since it launched three years ago. Now offering over 60 events spread across 23 days, these mostly free experiences are held along the entire stretch of the life-giving Birrarung, also known as the Yarra River. Running from Saturday, September 6–Sunday, September 28, there's no shortage of encounters that make the most of the Birrarung. Think platypus spotting and sunset paddles, upbeat live music and artist-led sensory walks. Plus, a host of family-friendly activities that bring everyone closer to nature. Presented by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association (YRKA), it's all about shaping a healthy, protected and loved river. In 2025, visitors are invited to attend numerous Wurundjeri-led events focused on First Nations knowledge and culture, like finding bush food and bush medicine at Collingwood Children's Farm. You can also plant habitat for critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater birds or gather for a morning stroll through Healesville's Liwik Barring Landscape Conservation Area. Plus, Birrarung Riverfest culminates with a massive party at Fed Square, featuring a boat floatilla, live music and cultural ceremonies. "After a cold Melbourne winter, Riverfest comes at the perfect time to spring us back to life," says Janet Bolitho, President of the YRKA. "From educational and cultural events to outdoor adventures, the Riverfest program has something for everyone".
The sounds of Dune, Interstellar, Gladiator, The Dark Knight, The Lion King, The Last Samurai and Pirates of the Caribbean will soon be echoing through Australia, with Hans Zimmer returning Down Under with his latest tour. If you've seen him live before, you'll know that this is quite the sonic experience, especially for movie lovers. And if you haven't caught him yet, you'll want to fix that at his April gigs — which have now doubled their dates in Sydney and Melbourne. Due to demand for presale tickets, second and final shows in the New South Wales and Victorian capitals have joined Zimmer's tour itinerary, on Sunday, April 27 at Qudos Bank Arena and Monday, April 30 at Rod Laver Arena, respectively. Both new dates are the day after the Oscar-winning composer's first gigs in each city. In Brisbane, he's still just playing one night, on Thursday, April 24 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. [caption id="attachment_990221" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Suzanne Teresa[/caption] Zimmer last performed in Australia in 2019 — and since then, his score for Dune won him his second Academy Award and his work on Dune: Part Two earned him his fifth Grammy. Over that period, he's also given everything from No Time to Die, Wonder Woman 1984, Top Gun: Maverick and The Creator to Prehistoric Planet and Planet Earth III their tunes. One of the biggest names in big-screen music, he's clearly been busy, but he's not too busy to also perform his compositions live. For more than four decades now, Zimmer has given screens big and small a distinctive sound. He's helped put the bounce in The Lion King's score and the droning in Inception's memorable tunes, and has loaned his talents to everything from Thelma & Louise to Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy to Blade Runner 2049. It's an impressive list that just keeps going and growing — see: above — and it sounds even more impressive when played live and accompanied by an orchestra. [caption id="attachment_990222" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lee Kirby[/caption] The latest trip Down Under for the man who has worked his music magic on a wealth of titles — Hidden Figures, The Boss Baby, Dunkirk, Widows, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, The Lion King remake and The Crown are just a few more of his recent-ish credits — comes not only after his 2019 visit, but after he toured his Hans Zimmer Revealed concert series in 2017, including to Australia. His 2025 shows see the return of his Hans Zimmer Live gigs, complete with a 19-piece live band and full orchestra, as well as a huge stage production that features a luminous light show and other eye-catching visuals. While the Oscar, Golden Globe, Grammy and Tony-winner obviously isn't going to perform every single one of his iconic film scores, expect to hear plenty of your favourites from a newly arranged lineup of tunes that includes Dune, Gladiator, Interstellar, The Dark Knight, The Lion King, The Last Samurai and Pirates of the Caribbean. Onstage, Zimmer will have Australian singer Lisa Gerrard for company, with some of the songs that she co-penned with him featuring in the set — so, tracks from Mission: Impossible, King Arthur, Black Hawk Down, Tears of the Sun and more. [caption id="attachment_724856" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frank Embacher Photography[/caption] Hans Zimmer Live Australian 2025 Dates Thursday, April 24 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre Saturday, April 26–Sunday, April 27 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Tuesday, April 29–Monday, April 30 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne [caption id="attachment_990220" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Suzanne Teresa[/caption] Hans Zimmer Live is touring Australia's east coast in April 2025. For more information, and for tickets — with general sales from 12pm local time on Wednesday, February 12 — head to the event's website. Top image: Suzanne Teresa.
The arrival of spring means you'll have more motivation to leave the house more — even if it's just to get into a gallery. Luckily, the array of exhibitions currently — or ones that will soon be— on display in Melbourne are anything but static. You'll be able to get your steps up as you wander through an inflatable labyrinth of tunnels and colours or testing your body at Lucy McRae's interactive NGV retrospective. Just remember to take a breather between each one as you gallery hop around the city.
Winter is no match for Tokyo Tina. You might think you want to head straight home at five o'clock on a weeknight, but what you really want to do is get along to happy hour. As the sun goes down over Chapel Street, Tokyo Tina is just waking up. Her twilight specials are bringing you beers and wines for $9, and sake for $12. Plus, take your pick of two signature cocktails for $15 each: the Cucumber Yuzu Sour or the Toki Highball. At the same time, a bunch of moreish, extremely drink-friendly bites will be doing the rounds. Try edamame for $4, fried nigiri for $9 and a fried chicken sando for $9. The only catch is that you have only one hour per day to make the most of all this — Tokyo Tina's happy hour runs from 5-6pm Monday to Friday. Once the specials have wrapped up, you could stay on for salmon tartare with compressed nashi pear and sesame crackers, followed by prawn katsu buns.
Room is by no means an easy film to watch. Based on the critically acclaimed novel by Emma Donoghue, which was in turn inspired by the crimes of Josef Fritzl, it's a tale whose existence is rooted in horror and misery, and the perverse fascination such stories tend to inspire. And yet despite its grim subject matter, Room never wallows in darkness, but instead stares defiantly into the light. It is a tale not of depravity but of resilience, and the incredible, unbreakable love between a parent and their child. Room is told from the perspective of Jack (Jacob Tremblay), a five year old boy who lives with his mother Joy (Brie Larson) in a small, dishevelled shed called Room. Jack was born in Room, and its meagre contents, including a bed, a bath, a sink, a wardrobe and a skylight, are all he has ever known. Joy tells him nothing of the outside world in order to protect him from the truth: that they are captives of a man named Old Nick (Sean Bridgers), and that Jack is the product of rape. Very few films ask as much of their lead actors as Room does of Larson and Tremblay. There's barely a frame of the film in which one, if not both, are not present, particularly during the initial harrowing hour. Larson is tipped to take home an Oscar, and it would be hard to fault the Academy for that decision. Her performance communicates with unflinching clarity both the years of abuse that Joy has suffered, and the lengths she is willing to go to to keep her son from experiencing the same fate. Tremblay is, if anything, even more impressive, capturing the optimism of a child unburdened by adult comprehension, without ever dipping into the kind of forced cutesiness that scuppers so many young performers. Tremblay's flawless performance also validates the risky decision to tell the story from Jack's point of view. In the film's bleakest moments, Jack's innocence is like a life preserver, and the only thing that keeps us from drowning in despair. Likewise, when he is finally exposed to the world outside his prison, we share in his sense of wonderment. So palpable is his emotion that it feels like we, too, are discovering the world for the very first time. Director Lenny Abrahamson is largely invisible behind the camera, and perhaps that's for the best. There's a lot he could have done, through camerawork and editing, to ratchet up the unease or foster a sense of claustrophobia, but to do so would run the risk of distracting from the performances – and ultimately, it's by the performances that the movie lives or dies. Even as the film ventures into more conventional narrative territory in its latter half, Larson and Tremblay make it impossible to look away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C6fZ-fwDws
If watching An makes you feel hungry, that's completely understandable. Named after a type of Japanese red bean paste, the film is set in a small bakery that specialises in delicacies known as dorayaki, and when it's characters aren't making them, they're wolfing them down. Chief among these folk is unhappy store owner Sentaro (Masatoshi Nagase), who makes the pancake sandwich-like desserts, which are stuffed with the titular paste. When the elderly Tokue (Kirin Kiki) answers his advertisement for an assistant, he's initially reluctant, but changes his mind after sampling her delicious version of the necessary filling. Cue two predictable elements: an array of scenes depicting the careful preparation and loving production of the tasty treat in question, and a narrative that charts the unlikely bond that blooms between the two colleagues. Both play out largely as expected, although that doesn't mean that An can't provide a few pleasant surprises. Just as the students who frequent Sentaro's shop find delight in his new and improved recipe, so too will audiences find delight in the film's earnest take on a recognisable formula. The film's biggest asset is the endearing Kiki, who brings texture and depth to a tale that is both bittersweet and hopeful. Her efforts are instrumental in elevating the movie beyond its well-worn plot. Indeed, filmmaker Naomi Kawase can hardly bear to tear the camera away from her leading lady, which could be why scenes focusing on Sentaro's troubled background, or teenaged customer Wakana (Kyara Uchida), don't feel quite as engaging. With the writer-director employing her trademark slow pace and lingering visuals, it's Kiki who gives the proceedings a noticeable burst of energy. Alas, while the film's star and style both serve it well, other aspects aren't quite as successful. Only some of the plot developments work, with the film assured in its patient first half yet less convincing when it becomes concerned with dramatic revelations. As Kawase tries to work in bigger and broader themes, including passing wisdom between generations and ignoring social conventions in general, her material veers further into sentimental territory. And then there's the accompanying score, which fires up the piano a little too mournfully at obvious moments. Of course, not just finding but perfecting the right balance of ingredients is as difficult for filmmakers as it is for pastry chefs. Though An marks Kawase's 24th film in 23 years, she's clearly still tinkering with her recipe book. Still, she does more than enough right to make her latest concoction appetising.
Clear your midweek calendars and dust off your beanies — one of the bright sparks that helps us get through the city's frosty winter has made its way back onto the social calendar. Queen Victoria Market's beloved Winter Night Market is heating up your hump day schedule from June 5–August 28. From 5pm every Wednesday, QVM will once again transform into the kind of winter wonderland worth getting excited about, tempting you off the couch with a cosy program of street food, pop-up bars, live entertainment and artisan market stalls. As always, it's serving up a tantalising assortment of street eats each week, with a huge array of food vendors repping dishes from all corners of the world. Get excited for the likes of That's Amore's cheese wheel pasta, The Black Sheep's spit-roasted lamb, pork and chicken platters, Lui Boss' Korean fried chicken and corndogs, Casa Nata's famed Portuguese tarts and stacks more. They'll all be perfectly paired with warming sips like mulled wine, butterbeer, spiced Milo and hot gin toddies. As you're filling your belly with tasty winter fare, you'll be entertained with a rotation of live gigs, roving performers, Korean-style photo booths and open fires. Plus, the silent disco is also returning this year, because what better way to warm your cockles and work off a big serve of cacio e pepe than with a cheeky dance floor session? If you're a longtime fan, you'll know market stalls are also a big part of the offering here. This year, expect as vast a lineup as ever, with over 60 vendors slinging everything from jewellery and art, to vinyl records, vintage fashion and books. The Winter Night Market will return to the Queen Victoria Market, corner of Queen and Therry Streets, Melbourne, running Wednesday nights from June 5–August 28. For more information, head to the market's website.
In space, no one can hear you scream. But the darkened aisles of the Astor Theatre are quite another matter. 35 years after changing the face of science fiction forever, the terrifying final journey of the star-freighter Nostromo will light up the screen once more, followed by a special Q&A with two of its ill-fated crew. Presented at The Astor on 35mm in its extended director's cut version, there will never be a better way to view Ridley Scott's masterpiece, a film that demands to be seen in a theatre. Only on the big screen can you fully appreciate the dark, twisting intricacies of the iconic set and creature design. And only as part of a rapt audience can you become immersed in the horror, as the monstrous alien Xenomorph first rears its ugly head. After the screening, actors Veronica Cartwright and Tom Skeritt, aka Lambert and Captain Dallas, will take to the stage to answer questions about their experience making the film. For more information and to book tickets, visit The Astor's website.
When the cold weather snaps, a short break is the ideal way to reset and recharge — and warm up. If you're craving a weekend away filled with an abundance of local produce, fresh seafood, breweries and endless drops of pinot, head to the East Gippsland Winter Festival happening across three weeks this June and July. The festival kicks off on Saturday, June 19, with an event celebrating the Winter solstice in Bruthen — expect fire sculptures, food trucks and a parade of lanterns — as well as a dining experience at Lindenow favourite The Long Paddock, featuring six courses of smoked, roasted and slow-cooked local produce. In the weeks that follow, explore art projections, murals by well-known local and international artists, food and wine events and entertainment in Bairnsdale's laneway. Then, head back to Bruthen on Saturday, July 3 to catch performances at the Winter Fringe Cafe. The Official Closing dinner is at Metung, at Kings Cove's Golf Course, with chef Rob Turner at the helm. Plus, there'll be a private tour of the Metung Hot Springs site with the opportunity to partake in the pop up hot tubs. Pack your winter woolies and head to East Gippsland for a relaxing weekend away filled with art, food and wine from Saturday, June 19 – Sunday, July 11. For the full program and information, head here. An Australian Government bushfire recovery initiative.
So often, when we think about Japan, we think of the kawaii side: Hello Kitties serving up cute looks and bento boxes. But South Yarra's new 'outlaw-Tokyo-biker-gang-themed' joint (their words) is less about throwing up a peace sign and more about throwing you through a glass window for not minding your business. The burger bar/sake den takes aesthetic inspiration from Tokyo's sleek and sexy club scene and the outlaw biker gang for which it is named. Bosozoku is the big, bawdy brainchild of Craig Kellerman, Dan Hansen (Lady Grange and the Mauer Brothers Bird Watching Society) and it's got a lot going on. First off, there's the bombastic burger menu, curated by chef Tomoya Kawasaki (ex-Wabi Sabi). It's a bit pricey for your average burger but, then again, they're not your average burger. The 'Die by the Sword' features a crumbed swordfish steak wrapped in a green tea brioche bun ($15) and the 'Road Rage' is sliced M57 wagyu on a beetroot brioche ($18). At the fanciest end of the spectrum is 'The Boss' — an indulgent, fresh lobster tail stuffed beetroot roll that will cost you a mere 42 dollarydoos. You can take your burger as a bento box, if you so choose, and add sides like chicken karaage ($14), gyoza ($8), edamame ($5) and katsu curry fries ($6 small, $9 large). This may sound meat heavy, and that's because it is, but there are also plenty of vego, GF and vegan options available and substitutions are welcomed. Remember, this is a sake den too and you'll find a tonne of the stuff at the bar. They're also serving up standard offerings with a Japanese twist — think wasabi Bloody Marys, cherry blossom infused gin, and an array of Japanese beers. Once you're fuelled up, the fun can really begin and Bosozoku has spared no expense in providing the entertainment for its 200-seater. In the sprawling club you'll find pool tables, Mario Kart battles, an outdoor firepit, karaoke rooms, Hitatchi train sets and a dry ice spa, which is an empty spa pumping out dry ice. Why not. Look, it definitely sounds weird but we reckon it works. Dust off your leathers because it's open now, but please don't actually throw anyone through a window — we're fairly certain that would be looked down upon. Bosozoku is located at 34 Bray Street, South Yarra. Open 5pm to midnight, seven nights a week.
Melbourne's own 17-year-old bedroom producer, Gab Strum, is probably more talented than you are. Strum, who otherwise goes under the moniker of Japanese Wallpaper, recently played Splendour in the Grass for the first time, won this year's triple j Unearthed High Competition and had his music featured on the soundtrack of Zach Braff's new film, Wish I Was Here. Now, he's embarking a mini-national tour of sorts, with a couple of shows spanning Melbourne and Brisbane. Japanese Wallpaper's ambient electronic-pop is a breath of fresh air in the Australian music scene, drawing similarities between other lo-fi artists like Washed Out or Teen Daze. His recent single, Between Friends, is a lush track of summer nostalgia, thanks to his collaboration with vocalist Jesse Davidson, who elevates his tunes with a splendid three-dimensionality. Tickets to his first two shows in Melbourne have sold out and this is the final additional show, so get on it before it's too late.
Summertime at High Street staple The Smith is all about hangs in the venue's lush courtyard, and every Aussie knows that an outdoor party isn't complete without a little (or a lot of) bubbly. Happy to oblige, The Smith is about to launch bottomless prosecco and spritz picnics, on offer every Sunday from January 27. And the restaurant isn't simply offering the standard two hours of bottomless booze, either. Instead of table service, patrons have unlimited access to an antique-looking stone fountain, which comes complete with a carved lion that has a prosecco and spritz tap for a mouth. You'll be able to pour-your-own bubbly — prosecco and Sicilian spritz with blood orange liqueur — from that tap throughout the two hours, while enjoying an extensive picnic spread and listening to live jazz. Once you've got your drink (important things first) nab a seat in the sunlit courtyard and enjoy a gourmet grazing board — it includes corn and blue cheese croquettes, fried chicken with caviar, along with chicken parfait doughnuts, cheese, smoked salmon and assorted charcuterie. Sides include hummus, pickled vegetables and olives, plus a selection of bread and crackers. There's no word yet how long these Sunday sessions will be running for, but we suggest booking in a visit sooner rather than later. Sparkling Springs Sundays costs $60 per person, for two hours of bottomless booze and a grazing board, and will run every Sunday from January 27 at 2pm. Bookings are essential and can be made through the website.
Your worst technological nightmares are returning to your streaming queue. No, we don't just mean forgetting your password, having trouble logging in, getting an error message that your account doesn't exist after you just used it yesterday or being stuck watching buffering instead of the program you're trying to see. First, Black Mirror's Twitter account broke a four-year silence. Next, Charlie Brooker's dystopian sci-fi hit has dropped a sneak peek at its next batch of technological nightmares — aka the first trailer for the show's long-awaited sixth season. This season is being teased as "the most unpredictable, unclassifiable and unexpected season yet", which is saying something given everything that Black Mirror has thrown at the screen in past seasons (and in choose-your-own-adventure-style movie Black Mirror: Bandersnatch). "I've always felt that Black Mirror should feature stories that are entirely distinct from one another, and keep surprising people — and myself — or else what's the point? It should be a series that can't be easily defined, and can keep reinventing itself," Brooker told Netflix about season six. "Partly as a challenge, and partly to keep things fresh for both me and the viewer, I began this season by deliberately upending some of my own core assumptions about what to expect. Consequently, this time, alongside some of the more familiar Black Mirror tropes we've also got a few new elements, including some I've previously sworn blind the show would never do, to stretch the parameters of what 'a Black Mirror episode' even is. The stories are all still tonally Black Mirror through-and-through — but with some crazy swings and more variety than ever before." Wondering when you might be staring at your own black mirror again to watch Black Mirror? The show will return to Netflix in June, ready to add some extra chill to winter Down Under — with an exact date yet to be announced. Cast-wise, the series makes a comeback with another stacked roster of familiar faces, including Zazie Beetz (Atlanta), Annie Murphy (Kevin Can F**k Himself), Paapa Essiedu (Men), Josh Hartnett (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre), Himesh Patel (Station Eleven), Rob Delaney (The Power), Rory Culkin (Swarm), Salma Hayek Pinault (Magic Mike's Last Dance), Aaron Paul (Westworld), Kate Mara (Call Jane), Michael Cera (Life & Beth), Danny Ramirez (Stars at Noon), Clara Rugaard (I Am Mother), Auden Thornton (This Is Us) and Anjana Vasan (Killing Eve). How exactly will the series manage to be even more dispiriting than reality over the past few years? That's increasingly been one of its dilemmas — and noting that something IRL feels just like Black Mirror has become one of the cliches of our times — but this'll be the mind-bending effort's first round of episodes following the pandemic. No one has ever watched the Brooker-created series for a pick-me-up, though. Since first hitting the small screen in 2011, Black Mirror has spun warped visions of where technology may lead us — and, no matter what tale the show has told so far across its 22 instalments (including that interactive movie), the picture has usually been unnerving. So, imagine what the program will cook up after what we've all been living through since it last aired. Brooker has already riffed on COVID-19 in two Netflix specials, actually: Death to 2020 and Death to 2021, which offer satirical and star-studded wraps of both years with mixed success. For something completely different, he also jumped back into choose-your-own-adventure content with animated short Cat Burglar, which hit Netflix back in 2022, has viewers play through it as a thieving feline called Rowdy and gets you to answer trivia questions to advance the story. Check out the first trailer for Black Mirror's sixth season below: Black Mirror season six will stream via Netflix some time in June. We'll update you when an exact release date is announced. Images: Netflix.
The Queen Victoria Market is adding a touch of je ne sais quoi with their French-themed vintage marketplace, the QVM Brocante Marche. Hosted on the first Sunday of every month, this Parisian-style bazaar features hundreds of second-hand dealers selling clothes, jewellery, memorabilia, furniture and everything in between. The market springs to life at 9am sharp, so get there bright and early to make sure you can grab a bargain. Once you've shopped yourself beyond the point of exhaustion, you can turn your attention to the food. Crepes, croissants and coffee will all be in plentiful supply, although the more decadent among you may prefer a pot of Nutella fondue. The April market will even include an Easter egg hunt — although much to our disappointment it's meant to be strictly for kids. For more information about the QVM Broncante Marche, check them out on Facebook.
Playing host to all-night, pizza-slinging sports bar Holy Moly, legendary party destination Untz Untz and a nifty 24-hour licence, the space at 660A Glenferrie Road is a hotbed of activity at the best of times. So just imagine the buzz it'll see when The Holy Weekender takes over on Saturday, November 18, delivering an all-day, all-night celebration of street art, fashion, food and tunes. A vibrant mingling of the local art and design communities, the free event will feature live art installations from a collection of local artists, a curation of market stalls, dance battles, and eats and drinks from the Holy Moly team. Plus, there will be an after-party where karaoke will be highly encouraged. As well as eating lots of pizza. The market will run from 10 till 5pm and the party from 5pm till late.
The world is grey and there are few absolutes. That slavery is abhorrent, however, is not a matter for debate. It is a black and white issue based on the black and white issue that ought never have been an issue in the first place. For some reason, though, cinema — so often the most effective form of public debate — has either largely steered clear of it or, at best, touched upon it with altogether reckless abandon (Django Unchained). Not so, 12 Years A Slave. In its own right, Steve McQueen's new movie is an extraordinarily accomplished and captivating piece, yet in the wider context of American history, both literary and filmic, it is nothing short of revelatory. Adapted from the 1853 memoir of the same name, it chronicles with undaunting authenticity the story of Solomon Northup, a free man of the north who was abducted under the pretence of observing the Fugitive Slave Act, then secreted across the Mason-Dixie line where he was sold into slavery for the next 12 years. Playing Northup is British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor in an assured and career-defining role. Subjected to countless closeups by McQueen, Ejiofor's every expression speaks volumes, with his near-impercetible parting of lips or minisucle tilt of his shoulders marking the difference between irrepressible joy and despairing submission into subservience. There are no weak links in the packed cast that also boasts Michael Fassbender, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano and Brad Pitt (who produced the film); however, it is newcomer Lupita Nyong'o who best supports Eijofor as 'Patsey' — his fellow slave and the subject of a violent, destructive infatuation by their master, Epps (Fassbender). This is an unquestionably difficult film to watch; uncomfortable and unsettling for reasons that extend far beyond what transpires on screen. The enslavement of Northup — an educated, respectful and respected family man — feels an affront at every stage: he is conned, drugged, kidnapped, blackmailed, transported in secret, beaten and betrayed — even by those who were smart enough to recognise he was clearly never meant to be there. And therein lies perhaps the most discomforting layer of all, because, of course, no one was meant to be there. Slavery was the affront, and the realisation that Northup's tragedy feels somehow more unjust than (for want of a less despicable expression) those of the 'normal slaves', is at once confronting and embarrassing. This imagined distinction between 'slavery' and 'unfair slavery' is as redundant as Todd Aiken's 2012 reference to 'legitimate rape', yet in 12 Years a Slave the sense that gradations of cruelty exist visits you repeatedly. There are good slavers and bad, you feel; cruel overseers and kinder ones, despicable racists and the just mostly despicable. In his short carrer McQueen has already established himself as a director both prepared and determined to capture honest and unflinching representations of life, no matter how unattractive. Both Shame and Hunger cast their lights upon dark areas of the human condition, yet in 12 Years A Slave McQueen somehow goes even further. One extended scene, for example, involves an uninterrupted and excrutiatingly graphic lashing that was so horrific it momentarily warranted turning away from the screen. As my eyes met those of my neighbour, it was clear we were far from alone in doing so, yet our temporary retreat from the film was in no way an indictment upon it. It should be unbearable to watch, and it is, but you must persist, because in 12 Years A Slave McQueen has crafted an enthralling, thoughtful and necessary modern classic. https://youtube.com/watch?v=z02Ie8wKKRg
To celebrate the passion and artistry of Italian cinema, we're giving ten lucky Playgrounders (and their mates) free tickets to one of the most anticipated films of this year's Lavazza Italian Film Festival: the Australian premiere of Bangla. And, not only will you be watching this fresh and witty rom-com on the big screen, but you'll also be treated to dinner and drinks beforehand — on us. It's called Culture Club. We've teamed up with Palace Cinemas to curate a (free) evening of food, drinks, film and conversation — and the next club meeting will take place next month, on Saturday, October 12. From 6pm, you'll be treated to dinner at Albert Park's well-loved pizza joint Italian Artisans. Expect a drink on arrival (spritz, beer or vino) followed by antipasto platters, mains (expect lots of pizza) and endless pours of wine. Geeky film chat with your fellow VIPs is encouraged. Once you've finished wining and dining, you'll be picked up and whisked away to Chapel Street's much-loved hidden speakeasy, Promise Bar, for a pre-film tipple at 8pm. Then, you'll be taking a (very) short stroll down to the plush Palace Cinema Como to watch the movie at 8.50pm. Movie snacks (a drink and a popcorn) will be there for you to enjoy — if you're not too full from dinner, that is. For a little taste of what to expect from Bangla, check out the trailer below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s69O1G1ZRAM If you're keen to nab free tickets to Culture Club, enter your details below to be in the running. [competition]741009[/competition]
When you're Australia's oldest film festival and you screen hundreds of movies each and every year, how else do you keep standing out after notching up seven decades of cinema celebrations? If you're the Melbourne International Film Festival, you start your own major accolade. That was MIFF's approach in 2022, when it announced the new $140,000 Bright Horizons Award. Adding the gong to its lineup annually, the Victorian capital's major film fest has just revealed its 2023 winner: Senegalese-French love story Banel & Adama. When you're such a long-running event and you show so many flicks year in and year out, how do you highlight newcomers worth knowing about? That's the Bright Horizons Awards' remit. In 2023, 11 titles were chosen to compete again as part of the festival's full lineup, but only one could emerge victorious. That winner hit Melbourne fresh from playing in-competition at Cannes, and marks the feature debut of Franco-Senegalese writer/director Ramata-Toulaye Sy. Banel & Adama follows it titular characters (Khady Mane and Mamadou Diallo), who are happily in love in a rural village in Senegal's north. But when Adama shies away from being the future chief, their romance — which has already been complicated by Banel being married off to Adama's older brother Yero first — sparks repercussions. Sy cast her star-cross'd lovers-focused film not only with first-time actors, but with non-professionals hailing from the region she uses as her setting. She also shot her movie entirely in the Pulaar language, a variant of Fulah from the area. To take out the 2023 Bright Horizons Award, Banel & Adama competed against features such Australian efforts Shayda (MIFF's opening-night film) and The Rooster (starring Hugo Weaving, Love Me); 2023 Cannes Un Certain Regard winner How to Have Sex, about three British teen girls on a boozy getaway; Earth Mama, an A24 release by Grammy-nominated music video veteran Savanah Leaf; and Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, which follows a musical journey across the Vietnamese countryside. Also, Disco Boy stars German talent Franz Rogowski (Great Freedom) and Animalia explores an alien invasion in Morocco. Fellow contender Tótem, which spends a single day with a seven-year-old, earned a Special Jury Mention for Mexican actor-turned-director Lila Avilés (The Chambermaid). Picking Banel & Adama as the winner, and showing Tótem some love: co-jury presidents Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman, who directed 2022's Bright Horizons-winner Neptune Frost; documentarian Alexandre O Philippe (Lynch/Oz, Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist); former Cannes Camera d'Or-recipient Anthony Chen (Wet Season); and Indonesian filmmaker Kamila Andini (Yuni). Announcing their selections, the jury said that Banel & Adama "is a film that speaks directly to the times with a cinematic language and landscape that challenges and confronts while drawing you into its immense beauty. A mysterious and strong first film from a young filmmaker with bright horizons". And about Tótem, it advised that "the rich subtleties and nuance of this circular story draws us in and makes us a part of its family". The MIFF jury also gives out another of fest's prizes: the $70,000 Blackmagic Design Australian Innovation Award. Also first arriving in 2022, it recognises an outstanding Australian creative from one of the festival's movies, and can span span a large number of roles, including the winning flick's director, technical or creative lead, or other craft positions. This year's recipients: Soda Jerk for their latest clip-based satire Hello Dankness, which the jury called "a clear-eyed, sharply satirical take on one of America's most troubling chapters, transformative use of existing footage, and groundbreaking manipulation thereof". The winner of 2023's brand-new First Nations Film Creative Award was also unveiled at the festival's closing night, with directors Adrian Russell Wills and Gillian Moody winning for autobiographical documentary Kindred. And, scoring 2023's MIFF Audience Award: This Is Going to Be Big, about Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School in Bullengarook staging a John Farnham-themed musical. The 2023 Melbourne International Film Festival runs until Sunday, August 20 in-person, and until Sunday, August 27 via MIFF Play, the fest's online platform.
Ever since The Great Train Robbery back in 1903, heist films have been a much-loved part of our moviegoing diet. There's something uniquely thrilling about watching a group of smooth-talking outlaws come together for a caper, especially as filmmakers keep finding new ways to inject new life into the genre. Whether it's crime meets comedy like in Snatch or A Fish Called Wanda, or high-octane action a la Heat and Mission: Impossible, Hollywood has shown time and time again that there's more than one way to separate a mark from their money. To celebrate the release of Logan Lucky, we've put together a list of five very different heist flicks. Consider this essential reading ahead of your next movie night… or if you're planning to rob a bank. LOGAN LUCKY The latest film from the chameleonic Steven Soderbergh, Logan Lucky has been billed as a 'hillbilly heist', and based on the trailer it's easy to see why. Channing Tatum and Adam Driver star as Jimmy and Clyde Logan, two dim-witted brothers attempting to pull off an elaborate robbery during a big money NASCAR race. They're joined by the likes of Riley Keough, Katherine Waterstone and Daniel Craig, whose performance as an eccentric explosives expert looks to be worth the price of admission all on its own. If nothing else, we know Soderbergh is adept with this kind of story, which brings us to the next film on our list… OCEAN'S ELEVEN A rare remake that eclipses the cultural cache of the original, Soderbergh's hugely entertaining 2001 hit remains one of the prototypical heist films of the modern era, as stylish as it is funny as it is wholly unpredictable. They say crime doesn't pay, but boy does Ocean's Eleven make it look fun. Oh, and it also features one of the most impressive, big-name casts in modern movie history. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle… need we go on? An all-female spinoff is in the works for next year, and we could not be more keen. RESERVOIR DOGS The low budget indie flick that launched the career of Quentin Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs is a rare kind of heist film in that we never actually get to see the heist. Instead, the story jumps backwards and forwards in time, between the planning stages and the disastrous aftermath of a diamond robbery gone wrong. The film's graphic violence, distinctive dialogue and non-linear timeline has inspired endless imitations of varying quality — it's not an exaggeration to call this one of the most influential films of the 1990s. And yet, like all of Tarantino's movies, it somehow feels utterly unique. INCEPTION "Your mind is the scene of the crime," teased early trailers for Inception, Christopher Nolan's blockbuster version of an M.C. Escher print. Rightfully celebrated upon release as a smart, original property in a sea of unremarkable franchise films, this epic sci-fi caper — about a group of professional thieves who ply their trade in their victims' dreams — confirmed Nolan as one of the most ambitious filmmakers working in Hollywood today. Sure, some of the exposition may be a little bit clunky, but what Inception lacks in nuance it makes up for in excitement, emotion and sense of scale. Most importantly, like all the best heist films, it totally stands up on second viewing. FAST FIVE The best film in the Fast and Furious franchise, it was Fast Five that helped transform this flagging series into a bona-fide global phenomenon. Street racing takes a backseat as Dominic Toretto and fam instead set their eyes on a $100 million score — one that is ultimately realised via one of the greatest action sequences of this decade, involving a massive bank vault being dragged through the streets of Rio at breakneck speed. Inventive and exhilarating, with a charismatic cast at the top of its game, Fast Five is popcorn entertainment at its absolute finest. Logan Lucky is now showing at cinemas nationally.
Immerse yourself in history and flora at South Yarra's iconic Como House & Garden with the launch of a new European-style dining venue, Como Lane. Led by the Scott Picket Group (Chancery Lane, Estelle, Longrain, Longsong), this community-driven space combines top-notch cuisine and cafe culture with a program of cultural activities and workshops, serving as an extension of the surrounding estate. Situated in the heart of Como House's grounds inside the former gardeners' sheds, Como Lane is reminiscent of storied Parisian cafes. It's set amid the property's botanical communal garden — which dates back to 1847 — and is a thoroughly charming addition to the estate, offering the ideal spot for meets with friends and family when the sun beams down. Split between an inviting indoor setting and an ample al fresco space, Como Lane forges a strong connection with its surrounds. A seven-metre green tiled counter is a striking centrepiece, and pistachio green and beige rattan chairs surround white marble-topped round tables. Yet this refined space has been conceived with flexibility in mind, featuring a market-style grab-and-go concept alongside a sit-down cafe experience. The menu is a nod to both classic cafe fare as well as Pickett's journey as a chef, with a number of dishes taking their cue from some of the chef's most well-known signatures. It's easy to imagine starting the day with breakfast highlights like buttermilk pancakes with stone fruit, whipped crème fraîche and lemon myrtle or chilli scrambled eggs with Longrain's signature XO sauce. For lunch, there's a thoughtful selection of fresh and toasted sandwiches alongside larger options like market fish with herb dressing; chicken schnitzel with celeriac and apple, horseradish and spiced butter sauce; and a classic Wagyu beef burger with fries. The menu showcases quality local produce, as well as ingredients from the surrounding garden. To drink, expect beans from Merchant Coffee Roasters alongside hot chocolate, chai latte, tea, and a selection of cold-pressed juices. Plus, a charming retail space offers the chance to stock up on fresh flowers, jams, preserves and provisions made in-house and by local producers — or even just a grab-and-go pastry and coffee. Operating in tandem with Como House & Gardens, Como Lane will also act as a community space throughout the year, with flower workshops, high teas and other community gatherings already on the agenda for the space. "We look forward to becoming part of the local community's daily routine," says Pickett. "Whether you're coming in for a takeaway coffee, a catered picnic in the garden, or settling in for a long lunch followed by a tour of the grounds, Como Lane will be a flexible venue with something for everyone." Como Lane is now open Monday–Saturday from 9am–3pm and Sunday from 10am–3pm at 20 Como Avenue, South Yarra. Head to the venue's website for more information. Images: Alex Squadrito.
