There's nothing quite like a great comeback story. Jordan in '95. Jobs in '96. Jesus in 33. We love watching long-lost enigmas return in dramatic fashion, punching critics in the groin while dazzling us with newfound glory. Such is the tale of ex-Blue-Mountainsiders Cloud Control, who were catapulted to domestic divinity by the success of their 2010 debut, Bliss Release. The psych-pop quartet garnered rave reviews, won shiny awards and then... disappeared. Vanished. Vamoosed. Now, three years after absconding to the UK, Cloud Control has rearrived on Australian soil. And, like a resurrected Goku, they are triumphantly punching everyone in the groin. They've sold out VIVID, dropped a much-hyped single, featured at a sold-out Splendour, dropped a much-hyped second album and are now musically pillaging our fine nation on the Australian leg of their international Dream Cave Tour. Dream Cave, their sophomore release, was masterminded by UK producer Barny Barnicott (The Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian) and exhibits the maturity that Cloud Control have developed through years spent living, writing and playing on the other side of Earth. Their current tour will celebrate this evolution, while harkening back to the blissful release that won them acclaim at the turn of the decade. Supported by Sydney bands Palms and Gang of Youths, this is the perfect opportunity for Cloud Controllers to revel in the band's brilliance before they bugger off back to the UK later this month. https://youtube.com/watch?v=SGSij0-cljI
One of the world's most iconic paintings has come to Australia, as part of a cultural exchange with the Musee d'Orsay in Paris. Painted by James McNeill Whistler in 1871, Portrait of the artist's mother, otherwise known as Arrangement in grey and black no. 1 or more commonly as Whistler's Mother, is on display at the National Gallery of Victoria, forming the centrepiece of an exhibition about the painting's social and historical impact. "Alongside Da Vinci's Mona Lisa and Munch's The Scream sits Whistler's Portrait of the artist's mother as one of a handful of artworks which enjoy universal recognition and admiration," said NGV Director Tony Ellwood in a statement that accompanied the announcement in January. The exhibition marks the first time the painting has travelled to Australia. In return, the NGV will loan the Musee d'Orsay Pierre Bonnard's 1900 work Siesta. The NGV exhibition, which will run until June 19, will aim to explore Whistler's iconic work from a number of different perspectives, chronicling its initially poor reception at the Royal Academy in London, its rise in popularity over the subsequent decades, and its influence on countless prominent artists including many here in Australia. It will also delve into the life of both the artist and his mother, Anna, who is depicted in the painting. The gallery has produced a short film about the significance of the work, and will also present a number of related public programs including a floor talk series and an illustrated panel discussion. Just whatever you do, when you're visiting the exhibition... try not to sneeze. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWqVoaYxgRs Image: Brooke Holm.
In Australia, it's common to think of theatre as a safe diversion for a small elite. Not so in Belarus, where theatre is dangerous, and the political ensemble Belarus Free Theatre is outlawed. Instead of performing for their countrymen, then, they travel the world, doing works like Minsk 2011, a combo critique of and love song to their home city. With a particular focus on underground subcultures and sexual policing under a dictatorship, their work is renowned for being inventive rather than polemic, and of striking a note of hope. This is theatre on the edge. Check out the rest of our picks for the Melbourne Festival here.
Calling all sleuths of Melbourne — and of Brisbane, too. If you haven't fulfilled your murder-mystery fix on the big and small screens over the past few years, then you'd best make a theatre date with the world's longest-running play. Here are three questions for you to solve before you get there: what is it, who wrote it and when is it coming your way? The answers: The Mousetrap, the one and only Agatha Christie, and this November in Brisbane — and next February in Melbourne, after first hitting up Sydney from October. Initially premiering in London's West End in 1952, The Mousetrap has been treading the boards in the UK ever since, only pausing during to pandemic venue closures. When theatres reopened in Britain, so did the show. Indeed, when it makes its way to Sydney's Theatre Royal from October, The Mousetrap will do so 70 years to the month that it first debuted. Unsurprisingly, that hefty run means that the show has enjoyed the longest stint for any West End production, and for any play anywhere in the world. So far, there's been more than 28,500 London performances. To answer the other obvious question, yes, it's a whodunnit. The murder-mystery starts with news of a killing in London — and with seven people snowed in at a guest house in the country. They're strangers, which is classic Christie. When a police sergeant arrives on skis, they're told that the murderer is among them (which, again, is vintage Christie). They all have wild pasts, too, and all those details are spilled as they're interrogated, and also try to work out who among them is the killer. Those guests at Monkswell Manor include a pair of newlyweds who run the house, a spinster, an architect who is handy in the kitchen, a retired Army major, a man who says his car has overturned in a drift, and a jurist. Naturally, there's another death as they'e all puzzling it over — and a twist conclusion, which audiences have been requested not to reveal after leaving the theatre for seven decades now. Again, it's all Christie all over, which'll be evident if you've seen the recent film versions of Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile — or the original cinema adaptations, or read the books, or devoured anything else that Christie ever wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Mousetrap Australia (@themousetrapau) The Mousetrap originated as a short radio play, which was written as a birthday present for Queen Mary. It aired in 1947 under the name Three Blind Mice, after which Christie rewrote it as a short story, then adapted it again for the stage as The Mousetrap. And no, there isn't a movie of it — because Christie stipulated that it can't leap to the screen until at least six months after the West End production closes. Clearly, that hasn't happened yet. In Australia, the play will hit the stage with Robyn Nevin directing and John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia producing. Cast-wise, Anna O'Byrne (My Fair Lady, Love Never Dies) will play Mollie Ralston, who owns Monkswell Manor, and Alex Rathgeber (Anything Goes, The Phantom of the Opera) will play Giles Ralston, Mollie's husband. Also set to feature: Laurence Boxhall (As You Like It, Jumpy) as Christopher Wren, a young guest; Geraldine Turner (Present Laughter, Don's Party) as Mrs Boyle, a former magistrate; Adam Murphy (Shakespeare in Love, Aladdin), as retired British military officer Major Metcalf; and debutant Charlotte Friels as the aloof Miss Casewell. Gerry Connolly (Cyrano de Bergerac, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui) will pop up, too, as unexpected guest Mr Paravicini, and Tom Conroy (Jasper Jones, My Brilliant Career) will play Detective Sergeant Trotter. THE MOUSETRAP AUSTRALIAN 2022–23 SEASON: From Saturday, October 8, 2022 — Theatre Royal Sydney From Thursday, November 3, 2022 — QPAC, Brisbane From Friday, February 17, 2023 — Comedy Theatre, Melbourne Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap will play Sydney's Theatre Royal from Saturday, October 8, 2022, then head to QPAC in Brisbane from Thursday, November 3, 2022 and to Melbourne's Comedy Theatre from Friday, February 17, 2023. Tickets for the Brisbane shows start pre-sales from Wednesday, August 24 and general sales from Friday, August 26, while tickets for Melbourne start pre-sales from Wednesday, September 7 and general sales from Friday, September 9. For further details, head to the play's website. Top image: Matt Crockett.
Roslyn Oades has built her theatremaking practice on a distinctive 'headphone verbatim' technique; wearing headphones in performance, actors attempt to replicate Oades’ constructed recordings of interviews with real life figures. While her 2012 work for Belvoir, I’m Your Man stuck closely to its origins, with actors whose physicality at least partially resembled the original characters they portrayed, Hello, Goodbye & Happy Birthday Oades dislocates these voices to stunning effect. With the text built from Oades’ interviews with 18 and 80-year-olds, the excellent ensemble cast (Matthew Connell, Jim Daly, Evelyn Krape, HaiHa Le, Roger Oakley, Diana Perini) inhabit a performance space that suggests the communal room of a nursing home, or the inside of suburban high school’s demountable. Designed by Christina Hayes, it’s the perfect, amorphous setting for a vivid assembly of rehearsed moments and memories. Although all the actors play different roles throughout the work, the typical set-up is a younger performer representing an older character, or vice versa. The best parts of the show are found in this divergence, especially when an older actor like Jim Daly perfectly captures an 18-year-old girl’s slightly tipsy, improvised birthday speech. Hello, Goodbye & Happy Birthday never once succumbs to trite sentimentality or didactic exposition of the issues that permeate its text, such as the treatment of the elderly, fears and dreams of death, and the relationship between music and memory. The work is utterly heartwarming, and often hilarious, and in its depiction of a man whose wife has slid into dementia — captured with exceptional sensitivity and skill by Matthew Connell — it harbours the kind of heart-rending depth that’s hard to find on any Melbourne mainstage.
At first it seems upsetting to be away from your family at Christmas. There's a definite lack of presents and no one's around to serve you pavlova or giant ham. Trust us, both of those things are far too depressing to eat on your lonesome. But if you are out on your own this year, there's a definite bright side: Christmas with friends is the best. With all the food and drink, and none of the persistant in-fighting, celebrating December 25 with some buds can be great. And, if you get a little bored chilling on a sharehouse couch and watching Home Alone for the 50th time, Federation Square are hosting a shindig of their own. From 9am you can swing down and score yourself a free buffet breakfast courtesy of the folks at Hopskotch, then you have the choice of settling in for a movie marathon on the big screen or burning off some of those Christmas calories with some games from Pop Up Playground. Of course, all films will be holiday themed with The Nightmare Before Christmas kicking off at 12pm, followed by The Santa Clause, and old classics like It's A Wonderful Life and White Christmas.
Though The Gaso opened all the way back in 2010 — after a much-hyped revamp of a previously dingy Irish-themed pub —you'd be forgiven for forgetting about it from time to time. It took a long leave of absence for further renovations in 2013 and often loses out to old standards like The Tote or hip new ventures like Forester's Beer Hall. But, after an exciting comeback earlier this year with different venue operators and a new 350-capacity band room to enjoy live music seven nights a week, there's never been a better time to discover this local gem. Recently, big bands like Arthur Penn and the Funky Ten have even spilled out across two floors, using the upstairs mezzanine in the reopened space for their overflowing horn section. Now, while you're free from work and have sufficient time each morning to nurse you dance-induced injuries and inevitable hangover, you have no excuse. Cult Aussie favourites Frente kick off the Gasometer’s sizzling season of live music on December 20, bringing a full band for a one-off Christmas show to showcase their distinctive brand of rock and folk-pop. Tully on Tully are playing both a Christmas Eve party and mini summer residency, coming off the back of the launch of their single ‘Two Birds’ (produced by Tony Buchen, who’s previously worked with both Andy Bull and The Preatures). Gasometer favourites Dear Plastic are returning for a stint in Janurary after launching their debut album at the venue back in October. They’ll be joined by artists like Nicholas Lam, guitarist in slick Melbourne disco outfit Vaudeville Smash and frequent Sex on Toast collaborator, playing under his solo moniker DX Heaven. Sex on Toast frontman Angus Leslie will also make a support appearance with Tanzer, his collaboration with chanteuse Hayley Foster. But, perhaps the highlight of the venue’s summer lineup is the latest single release from Mangelwurzel, a hectic, indescribable fusion of rock and punk. Long live The Gaso.
Meet Australian cinema's new heroine. Myrtle 'Tilly' Dunnage (Kate Winslet) wouldn't consider herself a star at anything other than making stunning dresses, nor does she try to conquer anything but her own doubts and cruel small-town gossip. However, she's the guiding force in a film that warmly embraces local flavour, deftly navigates everything from drama to mystery to comedy, and serves up an offbeat, engaging time at the movies. Tilly is the titular figure in The Dressmaker, which charts her homecoming to outback Australia after being driven away as a child. Scandal surrounds her return, linked to the death of a boy years ago. She can't remember all the details, yet is determined to do whatever it takes to put together the pieces. Her mother, 'Mad' Molly (Judy Davis), isn't much help, and most of the townsfolk barely offer a hello. Only the handsome, lovelorn Teddy McSwiney (Liam Hemsworth) and the secretly fashion-conscious Sergeant Farrat (Hugo Weaving) give Tilly a warm welcome, until the rest of her neighbours get wind of her winning ways with a sewing machine, that is. Soon, she's transforming the drab populace of housewives and shopkeepers' daughters with Parisian designs — but, as often proves the case in such insular, one-street communities, their newfound politeness can't always be trusted. If Tilly's scenario sounds like a bit of a mixed bag of figures and genres, that's because it is. The motley crew of characters she's surrounded by includes a stern schoolteacher (Kerry Fox), mean pharmacist (Barry Otto) and more, as played by a who's who of Australian actors (Sarah Snook, Gyton Grantley, Rebecca Gibney, Shane Jacobson, Alison Whyte, Shane Bourne and Sacha Horler among them). Her story flits between romance and revenge, laughs and long-held secrets, and standoffs and tears. Happy moments are followed by sad, with the film's tone veering in several directions. Thankfully, though, none of this mishmash of elements can be seen as a bad thing. Even when it threatens not to work, it still does — and in quite striking fashion. Skipping between seemingly mismatched parts is what The Dressmaker does best; this is a movie that introduces its lead with the words "I’m back, you bastards," then later has her stop a footy match by showing up in a jaw-dropping outfit, after all. There's always a bit of quirkiness, though not too much, to balance out the darker narrative threads, or some stunning sartorial sights to brighten up the frame, or a sympathetic exchange between Tilly, Teddy and/or Molly to temper the broader strokes of comedy. Accordingly, it's a fine return to film for writer/director Jocelyn Moorhouse — making her first feature since 1997’s A Thousand Acres — who brings Rosalie Ham’s 2000 novel of the same name to the screen with verve and then some. It's also a fine return to Australian shores for Winslet, who starred in the locally made Holy Smoke back in 1999, and hasn't lost her gift for our accent. That's not Winslet's only strength, nor the handsomely shot, 1951-set film's either. She perfects the mix of determined and vulnerable that Tilly radiates— though Davis, Weaving and Hemsworth do their parts, stealing scenes with one-liners, making a supporting player more than comic relief, and oozing allure and emotion respectively. Together, they make for a multifaceted bunch, as does The Dressmaker as a whole. And if the film encourages Australian audiences to see homegrown fare in a cinema — as it should — then it's a champion in its own right, alongside its shining protagonist.
Florence Foster Jenkins is a tale of talent and tenderness. The real-life American socialite might've infamously lacked the former, but the movie that shares her name overflows with the latter. Just as her ghastly attempts at singing sprang from her devotion to music, a "profound communion" as she called it, filmmaker Stephen Frears (The Program) is driven by affection and empathy for his eccentric subject. There's a reason that she packed out Carnegie Hall, earned a dedicated following, and inspired four plays, a documentary and now two feature films: Jenkins' passion is just that contagious. Her enthusiasm also explains why people clamoured to her shows, starting with private recitals for pals and graduating to the prestigious gala concert she was determined to stage. When the film first spies Jenkins (Meryl Streep), she's in her element, with an adoring crowd watching on and loving husband St Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant) waiting in the wings. It's only when she hires pianist Cosme McMoon (Simon Helberg) to accompany her operatic warbling that the extent of her inability to carry a tune becomes apparent McMoon can barely hide his dismay, let alone keep tickling the ivories as she croons, and viewers are expected to share his reaction. And yet Florence Foster Jenkins isn't actually about the fact that its namesake can't sing. It's about what drives this fascinating woman, and how those who love her help her chase her dreams. Unlike the cruel streak that troubled recent French film Marguerite, which told a fictionalised version of the same scenario, Frears' take on the story couldn't be warmer. Even Jenkins' many eccentricities, as illustrated via the extravagant outfits she wears, her distinctive taste in decor, and her obsession with eating bathtubs full of potato salad, are met with kind-hearted humour. Here, tone is key. There's a difference between laughing with someone as opposed to at them, which Frears understands even when he's highlighting the more farcical aspects of the story. With a critic (Christian McKay) determined to expose Jenkins' flaws, and Bayfield's mistress (Rebecca Ferguson) lurking around, there's certainly ample absurdity and drama on show. In one of his best performances in years, Grant proves the best indicator of how the movie chooses to treat each development, be it silly, serious or sweet. With the ideal balance of gracefulness and glossiness, nothing escapes his gaze — and whether he's being comforting or charming, he hits all the right notes. Of course, Frears' loving approach couldn't have proven as sincere as it does without the committed work of his leading lady, who's in screwball comedy rather than awards-chasing mode. Streep may have demonstrated her vocal talents in Mamma Mia and Ricki and the Flash, but now the applauded actress appears to be enjoying herself doing exactly the opposite. Indeed, while it might threaten to overstay its welcome slightly, and clearly favours broad appeal over intimate details, Florence Foster Jenkins achieves the synergy between its central figure, lead performance and guiding force that all biopics seek. And unlike it's protagonist, it barely misses a beat.
Jamming out in a church might not sound like your standard music festival experience, but for Melbourne Music Week (MMW) — a festival with a reputation for transforming urban spaces into unique live music venues — it seems the perfect fit. And indeed, organisers have today announced the festival hub for this year's MMW will be none other than St Paul's Cathedral. Just as last year's festival shook things up at the State Library of Victoria, the historic space will enjoy a pretty significant change of pace as it plays host to a program of live performances by both local and international artists from November 17 to 25. Kicking off St Paul's festival debut on November 17, the multisensory MMW opening night will feature acts like experimental US artist Juliana Barwick, along with singer-songwriter Kath Bloom and local up-and-comers Wilson Tanner, Kirkis, and Divide and Dissolve. Those lofty cathedral ceilings will also provide some epic acoustics for a futuristic November 18 show headlined by German DJ Helmut Geier, while on November 24, an Aussie artist showcase pulls together sets from the likes of Sampa The Great, Marcus Whale, neo-soul act The Harpoons and R&B duo Fortunes. Once again, two-day industry program Face The Music returns to the MMW lineup, hosting a program of talks, workshops and performances at the cathedral on November 23 and 24. The St Paul's lineup is just one part of the program, with a new all-ages event at Melbourne Town Hall, a performance by Ariel Pink and Ferdydurke and Section 8's ZOO street party announced last month. The full slew of events will be announced on October 17. Melbourne Music Week 2017 will take place across the city from Friday, November 17 to Saturday, November 25. Tickets are on sale now, with the full program set to drop on Tuesday, October 17. For the first announcement, visit mmw.melbourne.vic.gov.au. Image: Donaldytong via Wikimedia Commons.
Entering an Australian supermarket over the past month or so, you can be forgiven for thinking that you're walking onto the set of a post-apocalyptic film. People have been everywhere — until customer limits were put in place in-store — but the shelves are often bare, with shoppers panic-buying everything from toilet paper and hand sanitiser to pasta and milk. As the COVID-19 situation evolved, local supermarket chains were forced to implement item limits — and increase them when the hoarding kept happening, causing everyday staples to keep selling out. But, while some restrictions aren't going anywhere soon, Coles and Woolworths have started to lift caps on a range of items. At Coles, limits have been lifted on both UHT and fresh milk, all types of meat, plus tissues and nappies. The company currently only has one-pack-per-person limits on toilet paper and paper towels, and two-pack-per-person cap on eggs, sugar, frozen vegetables, frozen desserts, canned tomatoes, pasta, all dry rice regardless of size, flour, hand sanitiser, liquid soap and antibacterial wipes — although additional limits may still be placed on other items on a store-by-store basis, so it's best to pay attention to the signage while you're shopping. Over at Woolies, caps have now been removed on tinned tomatoes, canned legumes and all canned vegetables; longlife milk; oats; baby care items excluding wipes; and serviettes. A few weeks back, it was easier to list what wasn't restricted than detail what did have limits, with a two-pack-per-person limit applying in general to most products; however the chain's caps have been changing regularly. Still, before you head in to buy groceries, it's worth checking out the Woolies website for the latest details. Aldi's most recent limits are all still in place, including caps on toilet paper (one pack); dry pasta, dry rice, flour, paper towels, tissues, sanitiser and eggs (two packs); UHT milk, sugar and microwavable rice (six packs); and canned foods (ten packs). At IGA, it's still a store-by-store decision. "In the spirit of helping everyone in our local communities access essential items, stores have placed purchase limits on items that are critically low in stock. These limits are being managed on a store by store basis and are increasing day by day," the chain advised in a statement. For more details on Australian supermarket item limits, keep an eye on Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA's websites. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Vakrieger via Wikimedia Commons.
Sometimes, time doesn't fly. If you're a Melburnian who has been waiting for a local El Jannah outpost, the past 14 months have probably felt like a drag, in fact. The Sydney-favourite Lebanese-style charcoal chook joint announced back in February 2021 that it was finally expanding into Victoria; however, it has taken a while for that poultry dream to become a reality. Come Saturday, April 30, your tastebuds will finally officially get what they've been clucking for — or, if you're new to the chain, you'll find out why it has become one of the Harbour City's beloved chook go-tos. First, there's the chicken, of course. But there's also the chips and garlic sauce that've similarly been earning Sydney fans since 1998. The place to head to: 600 High Street in Preston, with the chook chain taking over the old Hungry Jacks site. Originally, it was hoped it'd be up and running late in 2021 — but we all know how last year turned out. El Jannah's charcoal chicken comes in halves or quarters, on rolls and burgers, as part of a platter, on skewers and in salads. It also does fried chicken, too — in mixed pieces, tenders and wings, and also in boxes and on burgs. You'll also find shawarma on the menu, falafel rolls as well, plus tabouli and fattoush salad. And, among the sauces, the chain's own chilli version, hummus and baba ganoush sit alongside its coveted garlic option. Thanks to the new Preston digs, El Jannah now boasts 14 stores to its name, including 13 in New South Wales. When it revealed its plans to head south, the chain advised that it was planning to expand to include 30-plus venues in total across both Melbourne and Sydney, with at least five Melbourne stores operating over the next five years. Fingers crossed that all comes to fruition. And yes, if you're a Sydneysider already enamoured with the brand's dishes, you can now rest safe knowing you've got somewhere to get your fix on your next Melbourne trip. Find El Jannah's first Melbourne store at 600 High Street, Preston — open from 19am–11pm daily. For further details, head to the El Jannah website.
La Mama might be best known as the epicentre of independent theatre in Melbourne, but come September 18 the venue is shaking things up with Poetica, a night of spoken word and poetry. La Mama is showcasing the talents of writers who are already well established on the scene, as well as some emerging new faces. Nathan Curnow and Kevin Brophy have both collaborated in the past, publishing the joint work RADAR last year. Aside from crafting The Ghost Poetry Project after spending time in some of the country’s eeriest houses, Curnow’s been winning praise far and wide for his fearless performance style. He and Brophy are also both former editors of Going Down Swinging, a literary journal that punches above its weight on the international stage and which has championed the rise of spoken word. On the night they’ll be joined by Lia Incognita, a Shangai-born poet-provocateur, and novelist Lee Kofman.
Despite recently launching an all-day breakfast menu and ice cream sandwiches, we still think fries are the best thing about Lord of the Fries. And this Saturday, July 13, the vegan fast food joint is giving away free serves of 'em. Free. Fries. The chain is choosing this day to give them away because it's (supposedly) International French Fry Day. While we're not a big fan of 'food days', we are big fans of free food. So, to snag free fries on the day, just head down to any one of the LOTF stores around the nation between 1 and 2pm and you'll be gifted a bucket of deliciousness with a classic sauce of your choice thrown in, too. You don't even have to purchase any vego nuggets to redeem them. If you're in Melbourne — which we'll assume you are, reading this post — you have 13 LOTF stores to choose from. If you're in the CBD, you can head along to the ones on King, Flinders or Swanston — or, if you're further out in the 'burbs, make tracks to the Hawthorn, Windsor, Fitzroy or Chadstone stores. You can check out the full list here. Lord of the Fries is giving away free fries from 1–2pm on Saturday, July 13 at all of its Vic stores.
It's bands like Bloods that make you proud of the Australian music scene. Their crazy addictive fusion of pop and garage punk are just the kind of tunes for letting loose on the dance floor, with their catchy guitar riffs and gritty vocals calling back to an era of Joan Jett bad-assery. After previously supporting bands like the Dum Dum Girls and DZ Deathrays, it's great seeing Bloods embarking on a nationwide headline tour of their own to promote their debut album. While they've released a steady stream of singles and EPs since first coming onto the scene in 2011 – Golden Fang, We Are Bloods, among others — it was only this year that the trio have finally put together their first full-length, Work It Out. It has everything you'd expect from a Bloods record: hook-filled headbangers spliced with a couple of mellow slow burners (just to catch your breath a little). Bloods are one of the most loved local live acts around right now, and for good reason. Catch 'em in these cosy venues before they get snapped up by the big ones. https://youtube.com/watch?v=9QNxOsDeot8
Whether it's predatory behaviour, racial slurs or people being too pushy in a crowded space, there is always behaviour at music festivals that makes people — generally minorities or females — feel unsafe. Like day-to-day life, it's unfortunately part of the experience. But after five women reported being sexually assaulted at the Marion Bay leg of Falls Festival over the New Year period, Laneway Festival has announced it will instate a hotline that punters can call in real time to report harassment or disrespectful behaviour on its 2017 tour. It's the first time Laneway has provided such a service, but it's an extension of the boss ladies of Melbourne band Camp Cope's #ItTakesOne campaign, which they launched last year to call-out and end harassment at gigs. The idea is that it only takes one dickhead to do something to make someone feel unsafe, but it also only takes one person to call them out and stop it. In a video released this week — which also includes Julia Jacklin and Ella Thompson from GL — Camp Cope said they wanted "to ensure everyone at our shows feels valued and important — our music is for anyone to enjoy, and to feel safe and respected while they're enjoying it". If you've got a ticket to Laneway — which heads to Melbourne this weekend and Sydney the next — jot down the number 1800 LANEWAY (that's 1800 526 3929). If you see any shitty or disrespectful behaviour, give it a call. An on-the-ground operator will be able to help you and sort the situation out. Look after your mates and the people around you to make sure everyone has the opportunity to dance their heart out while feeling safe. Image: Andy Fraser.
It was a groaning, grimacing Timothy Spall who won the Best Actor Award at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, for a role in which his face is frequently scrunched, his posture is constantly hunched, and his voice is guttural when heard. His applauded performance leaves a lasting imprint, yet as primal as it proves, it only scratches the surface of a character and a film both called Mr Turner. Beneath the physicality sits a portrayal and a biopic that finds underlying beauty in brutality, while never equating both traits as opposite extremes. Such an approach matches the 19th-century subject, the titular J.M.W. Turner, who made his name painting vistas of land and sea. Some of his oil and watercolour pieces showed pastoral elegance, but for all his praised use of light, increasingly his pictures were tinted with the destruction and violence of nature. His command of technique remained untouched; however, the tone of his canvases evolved over the course of his career. This professional progression, venerated now, wasn’t well received during his lifetime. In Mr Turner, Spall inhabits the hulking figure of a reclusive and eccentric man in what amounts to slices of his existence over his final quarter-century. In his personal affairs, his ailing father (Paul Jesson), his dutiful housekeeper (Dorothy Atkinson), and his secret landlady turned companion and confidant (Marion Bailey) all influence this last difficult chapter, one also marked by the former mistress (Ruth Sheen) and daughters (Sandy Foster and Amy Dawson) he refuses to publicly acknowledge. Writer/director Mike Leigh is known for his fondness for and feeding off of the improvisation of his cast. His films — recently, Happy-Go-Lucky and Another Year – are a cooperative act between the auteur and his actors. Accordingly, his overarching narratives can be driven by the whims of individual scenes, as is strongly the case here. In Mr Turner, Leigh has crafted a pieced-together story that showcases the very best of everyone involved. Spall’s every action may monopolise the frame, but in this feature as in all of the filmmaker’s offerings, there isn’t a bad performance to be found amongst the sprawling yet subtly brushed tale. Indeed, it is with a painter’s touch that Leigh guides his cast, and that his actors enliven their characters, constructing the film layer by layer. The exquisite visuals by Cannes award-winning cinematographer Dick Pope perform the same creative task, further perfecting the feature’s evocation of its central vocation. From sequences following Turner traversing the countryside, to quiet conversations stolen indoors, every image tumbles from artistry – whether glimpsed alone or considered as a whole. As Mr Turner finds the humanity within the harshness of a life of winding down and of an extraordinary talent housed within a complex man, Leigh and his collaborators on-screen and off turn the corresponding account into its own masterly work.
Bringing together the work of over 50 Australian and international designers, NGV's latest exhibition explores how everyday objects can be transformed to enhance our lives and the planet. From fashion and food to health and technology, Making Good examines the tangible ways design is evolving to bring about a better humanity. Throughout the exhibition, you'll find trailblazing innovations like flushable, plastic-free pregnancy tests, as well as microbiome-safe, prebiotic-infused lubricant made in Melbourne. To tackle waste, check out Good-Edi's edible coffee cups and Loliware's seaweed-based biodegradable straws. Other standout designs include a leather alternative made from seafood waste and mushrooms by TômTex. And for those who keep saying they'll start running but never do, then eco-conscious running shoes designed to disperse seeds with every step might be the motivation you need. While Gush, a Singapore-based paint brand, offers a science-backed formula that actively purifies the air. There's even the Light Phone III, a minimalist smartphone offering only the essentials. Plus, Besley & Spresser's Oyster Terrazzo is a terrazzo-style building material created from Sydney Rock Oyster shells, recycled marble and local ochres. "The innovations presented in Making Good reflect a pivotal moment in how designers are conceptualising their work, going beyond function to consider the social and environmental impact of products," says NGV Director Tony Ellwood AM. Making Good: Redesigning the Everyday opens on Friday, August 29, at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. Entry is free, but make sure you check out this innovative exhibition before it ends on February 1, 2026.
There's no shortage of sandwich shops making waves these days. But a new limited-time special at Tombo Den has just hit the scene, ready to grab your attention with Japanese-inspired sandos. Served from midday Friday–Sunday, there are two loaded options bound to satisfy your cravings: prawn menchi-katsu with wasabi tartare and lettuce, and pork katsu with truffle mayo and barbecue sauce. With both served on fluffy white bread à la shokupan, these hearty creations are also presented with a handful of crisps to give you a little more crunch. Priced at $18.50 each, this lunchtime sando will leave you feeling stuffed until dinner comes around. There's also the option to level things up. For $7.50, add a side of ramen fries, or get the weekend started with a yuzu spritz priced at $13.50. If you want the entire trio, the so-called Tombo Combo is the ultimate lunch fix. Situated at the Windsor end of Chapel Street, Tombo Den is Chris Lucas' take on a throwback Japanese eatery, inspired by his time living and working in Tokyo in the 90s. Paying respect to the nation's street food and izakaya culture, expect casual fare and boozy nights. There's an expert team in the back-of-house, with Head Chef Dan Chan (Supernormal and Michelin-starred Yardbird in Hong Kong) spearheading the culinary offering. Meanwhile, Tokyo-born master sommelier Yuki Hirose has curated Tombo Den's tight but expressive drinks lineup. [caption id="attachment_971728" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: Michael Pham[/caption] [caption id="attachment_971729" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: Michael Pham[/caption] Tombo Den's weekend sando special is available for a limited time from 12pm Friday–Sunday at 100a Chapel Street, Windsor. Head to the website for more information.
This global pandemic might have us cooped up at home, but it sure hasn't dulled our penchant for online shopping. Without the bottomless brunches, bar hopping adventures and retail therapy sessions of regular life, many of us have a little extra in the savings fund and a whole lot more time for scrolling. And of course, those package deliveries are all the more thrilling when your social life is taking an enforced hiatus. An offshoot of Bendigo and Adelaide Banks that's built for the digital world, Up is one of the new kids on the banking block. Its focus is on offering a primo mobile banking experience — the kind that fits into your real life with minimal hassle, leaving you more time to worry about the important stuff (like which of the 19 items in your basket will be making it to the checkout). As an online shopping companion, Up's ticking plenty of boxes, thanks to a suite of features designed to keep things simple. For example, it'll show actual business names, locations and company logos in your spending history, so you're not left doing mental gymnastics trying to guess the story behind that $45.50 you dropped at 3am last Saturday. It's also got an automatic transaction categorisation function, to help keep your balances and budgeting in tip-top shape, without too much effort. https://www.instagram.com/p/Btw0EVqn2fE/ Shopping on international sites can normally be a bit fraught, what with the extra charges and conversion dramas. But Up is being a mate and passing on zero fees on all overseas purchases, both online and IRL. It displays both the local and foreign currency on your receipt and app, and will even send you an immediate purchase notification in Aussie dollars. Throw in a bunch of nifty savings functions — like the ability to instantly round up your spare cents — plus upcoming bill predictions and a 1.85-percent interest rate, and you've got yourself one nice, breezy banking situation. For more information about Up and to sign up for an account, jump over to the Up website. 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. General advice only. Please consider your personal circumstances before making a decision to join Up. Conditions https://up.com.au/hook_up_a_mate/. Product issuer Bendigo & Adelaide Bank.
It's been a busy first five months for Footscray's new temple to craft booze, Mr West. Since opening its doors in August, the venue's taps have poured over 250 different independent craft brews from across the globe, winning the affections of discerning drinkers the city over. The bar, lounge and pool room have become one of the west's best-loved new additions. And their offering has just got even greater, thanks to the launch of Mr West's next phase: an impressive new onsite bottle shop. This, my friends, is not a place for indecisive drinkers. Alongside a considered rotation of over 300 cold-stored craft beers, there's a solid selection of over 300 wines, with a focus on natural and minimal intervention drops. Also gracing the shelves, you'll find more than 150 spirits, including a good representation of homegrown sips and plenty of rare iterations from around the world. There'll be even more new tastes to sample by the end of the month, as the Mr West bar unveils its new seasonal cocktail list. Get ready for a mix of revamped classics and Aussie-inspired creations, shining the spotlight on native ingredients like rainforest cherries, blood limes, coastal rosemary, anise myrtle and cinnamon myrtle, as well as local spirits. Find Mr West Bar & Bottleshop at 106 Nicholson St, Footscray.
We're going to take a shot in the dark and say that this news will probably be relevant to your interests: the Westin Melbourne and cheesemonger Maker & Monger are pairing up to offer a tiered cheese experience this winter. A more dairy-fied version of a high tea, the High Cheese will feature both sweet and savoury cheese dishes, created and sourced by the Westin chef Michael Greenlaw and Anthony Femia of Maker & Monger. The whole shebang will set you back $70, which includes all the food as well as as many cups of coffee and tea as you want. There will still be scones, but they'll be served with creamed Reggiano — and there will also be a cheesy tiramisu, cannoli filled with cream cheese, and matched wines too. The possible pièce de résistance is an entire baked Normandy camembert served with mini baguettes to dip in it (if you don't resort to your fingers, that is). Many other cheese and cheese-themed dishes are on the menu (for example Carles Roquefort, the last of the handmade Roquefort in the world), but simply too many to list before dinner: we're already hungry. You can satisfy yours from 4–10pm every day between June 11 and August 31.
There are a few theories floating around about alt-pop Sydney singer-songwriter Andy Bull. The first (now proven) is that the shorter his hair gets, the more attractive he becomes. The man truly is a sort of mythical anti-Samson. The second is this: the reason Andy Bull hasn't become a household name in Australia has less to do with Andy Bull and more to do with the inhabitants of Australian households. You see, we don't quite know what to do with him. He's not shiny enough for our pop tastes; he's not weird enough for our alternative tastes. He's a little Regina Spektor/Ben Folds, but he's also just a little Justin Timberlake. The man refuses to be pigeonholed. But international superstars have ridden the Bull and concluded that it is an experience to be had. Music critics have done the same. He's been invited on the road with the likes of Joss Stone, Tim Finn and Duffy. When he wasn't busy touring with international superstars, he was releasing killer singles like 'Small Town Girl' and 'Young Man'. Then, upon dropping his debut album, We're Too Young, in 2009, Bull was showered with a Cyclone Zane of critical acclaim — including a 4-star review from Rolling Stone. Your chance comes on May 31. After 18 months off the road, Andy Bull is returning to this fine city to promote his newest Triple-J-dominating single, 'Keep on Running'. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JSGUxRWR_r8
With international borders reopening, it's time to start dreaming of your next overseas getaway. If you're looking for some next-level inspiration for a place to stay, Airbnb's Instagram has it in spades. Showcasing some of the most picturesque stays you can book through the platform, Airbnb's Instagram feed is full of awe-inspiring accommodation that'll see you checking out flights to the other side of the globe. If you don't have time to scroll through the account's thousands of posts, Airbnb has put together a list of the most liked images from its Instagram from 2021. Coming in at number one is a blissful wooden A-frame cabin smack-bang in the middle of the Zion National Park in Utah. The US accommodation boasts stunning views of the Zion Mountains, however it seems to be booked out for the foreseeable future. Plenty of other homes on the list have dates open if you're looking to head overseas for a trip that'll make all your friends envious. Coming in as the second most-liked post of last year, the Raven Rock Treehouse is perched high up on a 40-acre wilderness preserve in Fletcher, North Carolina. The idyllic treehouse stay is also reasonably priced, with one night setting you back $179. Further south in Mexico you'll find the Villa Amalfi. This five-bedroom spot can house up to ten people for a luxurious trip to Tulum. For $986 a night, you can enjoy this villa's unique outdoor pool, solar-powered in-room jacuzzi, garden swing and gourmet kitchen. And, over in Serbia you'll find the Mariner Boathouse, a floating home docked at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers in the country's capital Belgrade. You can check out the full list over at Airbnb's website, and if you're not ready to book a trip out of Australia just yet, Airbnb has plenty of places to stay in Australia's backyard. If you're looking for the most beautiful and interesting homes you can rent in Australia, browse through our bucket list of hundreds of lush getaways, from secluded cabins oozing with romance to enchanting stays scattered around Tasmania. [caption id="attachment_840722" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mariner Boathouse[/caption] All images courtesy of Airbnb. 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.
Melbourne is about to boast not one but two international airports, with Avalon welcoming Air Asia flights from the end of 2018. In good news for travellers, a new curfew-free terminal will be built — and is expected to service 220,000 international passengers each year. Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll and Minister for Tourism John Eren announced that twice-daily flights will begin between Avalon and Kuala Lumpur, in the latest expansion of Avalon's capabilities. The Victorian Government has invested $1.5 million in infrastructure works at the airport, including ensuring that Jetstar will continue to operate at the site 55 kilometres outside of the city. The move, which comes after the Federal Government amended Avalon's lease to allow a new terminal back in 2015, is expected to open up Geelong and the Great Ocean Road to a greater number of international tourists. "We're so proud to have secured the first ever international service for Avalon — attracting thousands more visitors and bringing more business to our region," said Eren.
When it comes to kicking back and relaxing, some people swear by a nice warm bath. Others prefer tapping their toes to their favourite tunes, having a boozy beverage or just switching off from their always-vibrating phone. And, for another group, there's nothing that induces bliss better than listening to the one and only Keanu Reeves. Actually, that last category should really apply to everyone. If you're someone who finds the actor behind John Wick, Neo, Johnny Utah and Ted "Theodore" Logan particularly soothing, then you'll want to make a date with A World of Calm. Announced earlier this year, made by HBO and now heading to Australia via SBS over the Christmas break, it's giving the world exactly what we want: Keanu's voice reading a narrative that has been scientifically-engineered to induce a feeling of tranquility, as paired with music and footage that's also designed to do the same. Ideally he'll say "whoa!" more than once. In HBO's first leap into health and wellness-style content, the ten-episode series is based on the popular Calm sleep, meditation and relaxation app, with the US TV network pairing up with the folks behind the latter. The two companies have really just found a way to bring Calm's Sleep Stories to the screen — which have been called "bedtime stories for grown ups", have notched up more than 250 million listens, and are all about calming and soothing listeners. Keanu only does the honours on one of A World of Calm's half-hour episodes, which is about a master woodworker carving a canoe. That said, the rest of the series definitely doesn't slouch in the star-power stakes. Joining him is a cast that'd do any movie proud, spanning not only Idris Elba, Oscar Isaac, Nicole Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, Kate Winslet, Lucy Liu, Cillian Murphy and Priyanka Chopra, but also two-time Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali. Kidman kicks off the series via an episode about bird migration, Chopra narrates an instalment about chocolate in Central America, and Winslet takes viewers into the world of horses. Also on offer: Isaac narrating an episode about making noodles, Murphy focusing on snow, Ali waxing lyrical about water, Kravitz focusing on glassmaking, Liu exploring coral and Elba heading into space. As for what you'll be looking at while your ears soak in the dulcet tones of all of the above A-list stars — who are basically guiding you through a televised relaxation session — HBO advises that the series serves up "mesmeric imagery". Created with Nutopia, the folks behind National Geographic's One Strange Rock and Disney+'s The World According to Jeff Goldblum, that includes visuals from the company's global network of cinematographers and filmmakers. Intrigued? Need to destress after 2020's challenges? Eager for whatever new slow TV event SBS serves up, after previously delivering extended train documentaries and tours of the Cadbury chocolate factory? The Australian network is dropping new episodes of A World of Calm daily from Friday, December 25–Sunday, January 3, airing at 7.30pm — and you'll find them on SBS On Demand afterwards. Check out the trailer below: A World of Calm airs on SBS daily at 7.30pm from Friday, December 25–Sunday, January 3, with each episode hitting SBS On Demand afterwards. Images: HBO Max.
Clocking in at two hours and 40 minutes, Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood isn't a short movie. Like the bulk of the acclaimed writer/director's films, however, it's one that viewers would be be happy to spend even longer with. Since the hit flick premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last year, Tarantino has even talked about returning to its world, revealing that he has written the scripts for five episodes of the Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio)-starring fictional TV western Bounty Law — and that he plans to make and direct them all. It might take some time for that to come to fruition, though, so a new, free documentary that peeks behind the scenes of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood will just have to do in the meantime. Called Once Upon a Time in Hollywood — A Love Letter to Making Movies, the half-hour doco lives up to its title. Not only does it step through the making of Tarantino's feature, but it explores how the filmmaker's obsessive love of cinema informed everything about the movie. QT's fondness for the medium he works in isn't new news. Neither is his tendency to fill his films with references to his inspiration, or his dedicated attention to detail. But if you want to hear more about how that all plays out on this specific 19169-set flick — a movie that's, among other things, a love letter to Hollywood's heyday just as it was fading — then here's your chance. Currently available to watch on Youtube, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood — A Love Letter to Making Movies features plenty of the movie's heavy-hitters, so expect to-camera chats from Tarantino — obviously — as well as DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Kurt Russell, Timothy Olyphant and the late Luke Perry. With the film industry's annual awards season currently in full swing, and with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood not only vying for ten Oscars, but hotly tipped to nab the coveted Best Picture prize —if Parasite or 1917 doesn't beat it, that is — the documentary's release is obviously extremely well-timed. Check out Once Upon a Time in Hollywood — A Love Letter to Making Movies below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AxkaueDxYM Top image: © 2018 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
If you're a fan of award-winning, post-apocalyptic flick Mad Max: Fury Road, there'll be a whole lot for you to love about this month's White Night Reimagined. The 2015 film is set to be brought to life in an immersive world-first experience as part of the art festival's extended program, lighting up Carlton Gardens from August 22 to 24. Expect to see some of the high-octane vehicles made famous in the movie at the event — including the Razor Cola, the Doof Wagon and even the Gigahorse, otherwise known as the Cadillac on steroids — and film footage projected across the facade of the Royal Exhibition Building. Boasting a dazzling mix of projections, video, sound, special effects and live performance, the Mad Max: Fury Road show is set to descend on Carlton Gardens' 'Spiritual Realm' (one of the festival's three key precincts). Multiple 15-minute performances will take place each night of the White Night Reimagined program. [caption id="attachment_728550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] White Night 2018[/caption] Elsewhere in the gardens, you'll catch a ten-metre-long lion puppet dubbed The Guardian, as it weaves through the trees and lights up the space with stories inspired by our First People. The three-day program will also see Birrarung Marr transformed into the 'Physical Realm', brought to life by a troupe of acrobats, aerialists and singers as part of a new work from Amsterdam-based street theatre group Close Act. And the five senses have inspired a multifaceted interactive showcase for Treasury Gardens' 'Sensory Realm'. Starting from 2020, White Night will also form part of a new and bigger winter festival, in conjunction with the Melbourne International Arts Festival (MIAF). Mad Max: Fury Road will take place nightly during White Night Reimagined runs from Thursday, August 22 to Saturday, August 24.
Tackling issues of modern Western theology may sound like a mean feat, but Melbournian Mia Salsjo proves she's up for the challenge. Weaving personal experiences abroad in Indonesia into mega graphite and pencil on paper prints, her latest exhibition New Age is a Cult is a bold attempt to shine light on some sticky spiritual situations. Salsjo's latest work stays true to her signature multi-disciplinary drawing style while proving she's still got a few more tricks up her sleeve. Armed with technical training in music and studies at the Victorian College of the Arts, this project offers a visual feast exploring cultural appropriations of Eastern cosmology. Across three weeks, the artist-run gallery space at Melbourne Art Rooms (MARS) will play host to this brave new project. Head along to this exhibition for an intriguing display of contemporary art, sure to spark some fiery dinner table conversation.
Since it first lit up Flinders Street back in 2013, White Night has quickly become one of the biggest events on the Melbourne cultural calendar. Last year, more than half a million people flocked into the CBD for a night of music, projections, installations and performances, from the spectacular to the downright strange. For Melburnians, the after-dark arts event represents a chance to see their city — quite literally — in a whole new light. But a single night of live art requires months of behind the scenes planning. There are sites to secure, routes to plot and transport to wrangle. Managing all that — while also recruiting hundreds of artists and performers and ensuring that everything runs smoothly on the night — is no easy feat. "There's a mountain of things that are taking place," Artistic Director David Atkins tells Concrete Playground, less than two weeks out from the main event. "The works that are being created for the program are all in various stages of being delivered. We're attending rehearsals and looking at digital content and looking at projection materials. We're looking at screens, fine-tuning some of the bands and the musicians, and looking at all of the risk and safety stuff." It's Atkins' first year at the helm of the festival; he previously worked on major events including the ceremonies for the Vancouver Winter Olympics and the New Zealand World Cup. Still, from the sounds of things, he seems to be more or less on top of things. "Frantic isn't the world I'd use," he laughs. "But it's busy." [caption id="attachment_609855" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Amanda Parer: Intrude[/caption] DESIGNING THE PROGRAM "With something like White Night you are inheriting expectations," says Atkins of the way he approached this year's lineup. "[You have] an audience that has an understanding of what they're coming to see, and an expectation around that. So we're not going to dramatically depart from that, but then we also want to give them new things to look at, and some installations and activities that they might not have experienced before." This year, says Atkins, there's a bit more performance and interaction than there might have been in previous years. Punters can also expect a slightly more political bent to some of the installations. "I think when you've got an audience of half a million people, it's really behoven on you to actually use that to bring some issues to attention," he says. "Not to make judgments, but to at least make people aware." Asked for specifics, Atkins points to Home Less, a projection on the exterior of St Paul's Cathedral inspired by "the dreams of homeless people", as well as Rebel Elders in Rainbow Alley which explores "ageism and perception". [caption id="attachment_609854" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Tilt: Peony[/caption] PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER Of course, it's one thing to commission the art. It's another thing to deliver it all simultaneously on the night. "As we get closer to [White Night] the focus changes and we get into the real detail," says Atkins. "We run a whole series of tabletop exercises and 'what ifs' in terms of running the control centre…we're [also] working with all the various stakeholders as we get closer in terms of event messaging for public transport, emergency services and how we interface with them." "It's about managing a whole range of different things on the night, and being sure that we're prepared for them," he says. "You work on the basis that you want everything to run smoothly, but you need to be really well prepared, and have everyone else well prepared in case something goes awry on the night." They even have a plan in case of bad weather. "There are lots of things that are still happening indoors, and we have safety measures to deal with inclement weather," says Atkins. "We're still in a really good part of the year, so it's not cold. And I think if you live in Melbourne and you're not prepared for the rain, then you've not lived in Melbourne very long." [caption id="attachment_603012" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Eness: Sonic Light Bubble[/caption] WHAT NOT TO MISS Alright, so now we have an idea of how the whole thing comes together. But the question remains: what are we actually going to get? Atkins was keen to share his recommendations for the evening, starting in the Carlton Gardens. "On the Royal Exhibition Building you've got a piece called Rhythms of the Night, which I think is going to be a really popular projection this year — the guys have gone to a lot of trouble mapping that building and I think it's going to be one of the highlights," he says. "In that same area, you've got Sonic Light Bubble which is an interactive dome, and then you've got Pixel Fruit which is an LED installation. So there's a lot up there to enjoy." Moving through the city, Atkins spotlights Swing City on Collins Street, a never ending dance marathon featuring a 13-piece big band, ballroom dancers, vintage cars and more. "Then you look at the southern end of the city where you've got Alexandra Gardens, and the White Knight Messenger, which is an automated puppet which involves projection, sound and performance," Atkins continues. "So that's a fantastic piece that's going to be down there, along with The Medusa, which is a huge jellyfish suspended from the trees." Still, of all Atkins' recommendations, we reckon his best one isn't about what to see, but when. "If you haven't got kids and you can come after midnight, then that's the time to come," he says. "If you go later, you can avoid the crowds, [and] if you can spend Sunday in bed, that'd be my advice. I'd make a night of it."
Gonna get 90s-style comedic pop tunes stuck in your head forever, again — or five-ever, to be precise. After proving one of the best new shows of 2021, Tina Fey-executive produced sitcom Girls5eva returns in May with a new season of sitcom antics about a former one-hit-wonder girl group who get back together to chase stardom again decades later. You know, that ol' situation. Fingers crossed that a whole heap of catchy songs are in the returning show's future, too. Its first season was filled with them, and wonderfully so. If you quickly binged its initial eight episodes, you instantly got its tracks lodged in your brain. In fact, even just reading the show's name now will have brought them all back. And, odds are there'll be more gems on the way given that Girls5eva's second season sees the group recording a new album. The setup, if you're a newcomer: more than 20 years after they split up, the four remaining members of a late 90s girl group decide that it's time to get the band back together. Now in their forties, they're all at different points in their lives, but rekindling their dreams is too enticing to ignore. Sara Bareilles (Broadway's Waitress), Busy Philipps (I Feel Pretty), Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) and the great Paula Pell (AP Bio) play Girls5eva's reunited members, while Fey pops up as a fantasy version of Dolly Parton — and yes, the latter is as glorious as it sounds. Also, the comic takes on 90s pop tunes are all 100-percent spot on. Just as pitch-perfect: everything about this immensely funny take on stardom, fame and the way that women beyond their twenties are treated. In season two, which hits Stan in Australia on Friday, May 6, the Girls5eva crew are still chasing their comeback — but they're determined to make their new album on their own terms. As the just-dropped trailer shows, that's an eventful quest, even spanning knee replacements. Even just from the brief sneak peek so far, expect more wannabe popstar chaos, more gags about the entertainment industry and more thoughtful jokes about the way both the music scene and the world in general regard women. Of course, Tina Fey hasn't starred in, created or executive produced a bad sitcom yet — and when the first season of Girls5eva arrived last year, it continued that trend. In its own way, it's another workplace comedy like 30 Rock, Great News and Mr Mayor, after all. And, albeit in a completely different manner to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, it also follows a group of women trying to navigate new lives years after they were thrust together under extreme circumstances. Check out the trailer for Girls5eva season two below: Girls5eva's second season will be available to stream via Stan on Friday, May 6. Read our full review of season one.
A one man show where the English artist spills the worst episodes of his own life, The Worst of Scottee begins with an arresting performance of Cry Me A River. Seated in a claustrophobic photo booth Scottee sings into the camera, his pathetic appearance is married with an incandescent, searing singing voice while he spurts black tears from his sunglasses. The performance conjures the image of a squid diffusing a cloud of ink to escape its predators, and this infuses the whole performance. It quickly becomes clear that most of Scottee’s stories stem from avoidance. He invariably confronts problems with deception, even when his outright, ludicrous lies only lead to even more painful situations; whether it’s pretending that his first girlfriend has killed herself, or telling a community theatre group that he’s been diagnosed with AIDS after they fire him for missing a workshop. The substance and content of these stories themselves — even if they are gripping, veering between harrowing and hilarious — aren’t enough to make a piece of theatre. But it’s the artist’s exploration of the confessional form itself, which houses these stories, that elevates The Worst of Scottee into an unforgettable, fascinating performance. The trope of the sacred Catholic confessional is well-established. By situating a similar narrative within the voyeuristic confines of a photobooth Scottee’s work carries the suggestion that our selfie generation’s tendency for endless oversharing and self-documentation is strangely a form of self-disguise — a bank of Instagram thumbnails every bit as murky as a squid’s cloud of ink. The stories are interspersed with more songs and music, as well as intercut footage of interviews with several women who’ve known Scottee in the past. The editing required in these vignettes to give anonymity to real-life figures invests these interludes with authenticity, and their scattered reflections on Scottee’s character help to round out his character in a way that would be impossible if he remained the piece’s sole narrator. Most of The Worst of Scottee is delivered straight to the photobooth’s camera, screened live on the outside for the audience. But paradoxically, where a lone performer could only make eye contact with audience members one by one, the effect of performing much of the show down the barrel of the lens means that we can actually all meet his gaze at once. Apart from occasional asides Scottee only engages with us directly when he’s singing. Taken with his background growing up as a gay, isolated young man on a council estate (the equivalent of our housing commissions) there’s an implication that he’s only really himself when he’s singing. Indeed, the only time he leaves the booth is for the show’s finale, a fragile rendition of Non, je ne regrette rien: "No, I regret nothing."
It's time to get schwifty, Rick and Morty fans — again. Last year, everyone's favourite interdimensional adventurers finally returned for their fourth season, with a certain eccentric scientist and his anxious grandson causing plenty of chaos throughout the multiverse across five characteristically anarchic episodes. To the delight of R&M fans everywhere, however, there's more where that came from. In fact, 2019's batch of episodes only covered half of the animated sitcom's fourth season — and the second set of five episodes is heading to the small screen this year. It'll start airing week-to-week in the US from early May, and hopefully Netflix Down Under will follow suit shortly afterwards. Of course, even if Australian and New Zealand viewers have to wait a few extra weeks, it'll be a much shorter delay than the gap between the show's third season in 2017 and its fourth in 2019. In the just-dropped trailer for the new episodes, Rick Sanchez and Morty Smith (both voiced by show co-creator Justin Roiland) are still doing what they do best: not just aping a concept straight out of Back to the Future (aka a lab coat-wearing old man, his teenage sidekick, and their time- and space-jumping antics), but wreaking havoc in as many universes as they can stumble across. Also back are Morty's mother Beth (Sarah Chalke), father Jerry (Chris Parnell) and sister Summer (Spencer Grammer). Watch the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPDqQDTnJKE As always, the new episodes will rejoin the smartest Rick and Morty-est Morty in the universe — and, behind the scenes, feature the smart comic writing of Roiland and Community's Dan Harmon. And, while five new episodes mightn't seem like much, there's still even more to come, with the show renewed for a huge 70 episodes by US network Adult Swim in 2018 (which is more than double the 31 that the comedy aired before season four started). If you're more excited about new R&M than Mr Meeseeks and Mr Poopybutthole are about just being themselves, then there's more good news, with Adult Swim also dropping a five-minute-long online mini-episode to tide fans over until the next full episodes hit. Prepare to meet Rick WTM-72 and Shogun Morty in Samurai & Shogun. Wubba lubba dub dub indeed. Check out Samurai & Shogun below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=BSF5yoD-vC4&feature=emb_logo The final five episodes of Rick and Morty's fourth season will start airing weekly from May 3 in the US. Down Under, the show airs on Netflix — and we'll update you with a release date for the new episodes when one is announced.
Riding bulls in Broome, empty pie shops, Western Sydney's total boss suit-wearing sapeur trend straight from the Democratic Republic of Congo — Australian life is pretty hard to pin down. Legendary Sydney artist Ken Done, The Messenger Group owner and creative director Lisa Messenger and award-winning Sydney photographer Stephen Dupont have come close to it, painstakingly trawled through a record 1250 entries in the City of Sydney’s 2014 Australian Life competition. Part of this year's Art & About program, the exhibition formerly known as Sydney Life has been expanded to include the whole country this time around — as well as Instagram. Unsurprisingly attracting a record wave of Australian photographers — both established and upcoming — Australian Life now has its 22 finalists, all of whom sought to capture their own little corner of Australia as intimately or vastly as possible. The resulting shortlist (notably mostly made up of NSW photographers) is a significantly diverse patchwork of Australian daily life in its weirdest, funniest and saddest moments. "We opened this iconic competition to all Australians for the first time and we are delighted with the result," Lord Mayor Clover Moore said. "We’ve received record numbers of entries providing unique glimpses into the lives of people from right across our country." The Australian Life competition is no small fry; the winner takes home a cheeky $10,000 prize. The top shot is set to be announced at Art & About Sydney’s free public launch party in Martin Place on Friday, September 19, after which you'll be able to stroll through Hyde Park's St James walkway and take in all 22 finalists in large-scale reproductions until October 12. Casual snappers, you've still got a shot at glory and fame. If you think you've nailed a moment of pure Australianness with one of your Instagrams, make sure you hashtag it #australianlife and enter the official Instagram part of the competition. Entries are open until September 18 and will be announced October 3. Australian Life 2014 finalists: Georgina Pope (Goulburn, NSW) — A great day for drying Berylouise Mitchell (Ashfield, NSW) — Anzac Day Tribute Godelieve Mols (Dee Why, NSW) — AFL Match in Ngukurr, Arnhem Land, NT Rodney Campbell (Lane Cove North, NSW) — Boarding Glenn Campbell (Darwin, NT) — Brothers in Boob Tubes Natalie Grono (Lennox Head, NSW) — Children of the tribe Rob Annesley (Lugarno, NSW) — ColourMeRad 5K Ivana Jovanovic (Botany, NSW) — Dinner Jon Lewis (Wombeyan Caves, NSW) — Farewelling Martin Sharp Desmond Kok Hui Ong (Redfern, NSW) — For Sale Paul Blackmore (Tamarama, NSW) — Icebergs Matthew Newton (Hobart, TAS) — I’m a fire starter Jewels Lynch (Tweed Heaqds, NSW) — Mutitjulu Dreaming Richard Payne (Manly, NSW) — PIES Brent Winstone (Bondi Beach, NSW) — Pondering in the tent of wonder Lisa Maree Williams (Bondi Junction, NSW) — Rio Station Warwick Kent (Crows Nest, NSW) — Rush Hour Tamara Voninski (Alexandria, NSW) — Saltwater Cowboys Louise Whelan (Avalon, NSW) — Sydney Sapeurs Dianne English (Round Corner, NSW) — The Doll House Andre Martin (Artarmon, NSW) — tin city John Goodridge (Newington, NSW) — Windbreak For more details and full stories behind the finalists visit Art & About.
Considering a boozy break in the national capital? Sounds like a magnificent idea. Canberra is home to loads of top-notch bars, wineries and distilleries where you can sip on locally crafted beverages — and meet their makers, too. Among them are Australia's first bar dedicated to reisling, a speakeasy that you need geographic coordinates to find and a brewery that specialises in traditional German techniques. So, it's time to grab your mates, open your diary and start planning. To save you time and help you get started, we've scoped out six of the best venues in and around the city that serve a quality drink. Please stay up to date with the latest ACT Government health advice regarding COVID-19.
Hospitality crew The Mulberry Group isn't just behind well-loved inner-city eateries like Hazel, Dessous and Lilac Wine. It also founded and runs Freshwater Creek's Common Ground Project — a social enterprise and regenerative community farm aimed at strengthening local food systems. And on Monday, May 8, that project will be making its way to the big smoke for a one-day pop-up food market held in collaboration with VicHealth. Head along to the atrium at Hazel from 2pm and you'll be met with a heaving array of fresh produce and other locally-crafted wares. [caption id="attachment_733363" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Common Ground Project, by Timothy Marriage[/caption] There'll be loads of fresh fruit, veg and herbs grown onsite at the farm, offering a first-hand taste of the work Common Ground Project is doing. A range of condiments and other goodies made in the Hazel kitchen will be on offer if you're in the market for more tasty things to stock your pantry, too. What's more, the team will be there to share more about their efforts and to chat about the regular programs and workshops they run — from masterclasses in backyard food production to community feasts.
The Melbourne International Film Festival is teaming up with Blackhearts & Sparrows for the second year of Wine Down, a day dedicated to some of the best locally made drops in town. The boutique bottle-o will take over The Forum Theatre on Saturday, August 12 for wine, chats and more wine. For $35, punters will get the chance to meet the makers and taste the booze from 15 of the region's top producers, including winemakers from Clonakilla, Jamsheed and Bobar; brewers from Mornington Peninsula Brewery, La Sirene Brewing and Sailors Grave Brewing; and liquor providore Maidenii Vermouth. The Wine Down tasting sessions will take place from 12.30pm to 2.30pm and 3.30pm to 5.3opm, with a free 'Not Serious Wine Chats' event happening from 2.30pm to 3.30pm — it deals with quality versus price of a bottle and how to tell what's worth buying. No ticket purchase is necessary for the chat, but it's not quite the same without the promise of wine before and/or after. Tickets are on sale now and prices include a fancy Riedel Ouverture Wine Glass to take home. The 2016 event sold out, so best get steppin'.
He’s hung out in Nevada brothels, suburban swingers’ clubs and high-security gaols in Miami. Does Louis Theroux have what it takes to survive Q and As across Australia? We’ll find out when the fearless filmmaker, journo and social commentator heads our way this September for a national speaking tour. In his first visit to the Great Southern Land, Theroux will be joining ABC’s Julia Zemiro for big chats in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth. You’ll be hearing all about how he’s survived dens of iniquity all over the planet without losing his sanity or moral sense. He’ll also be reminiscing about time spent with a nasty neo-Nazi gang in the United States and recounting his brief stint as a rap god on New Orleans radio. “For me, making my programs is quite a private process,” Theroux said. “They are about forging a human connection with people whose lives are at the outermost edge of what we as people experience: the most forbidden impulses, the most frightening lifestyles, the most traumatic turns of events. To get inside the lives of those people — criminals, sex workers, people with mental illness, ultra-committed religious believers — is a kind of high-wire act.” Theroux is looking forward to sharing the ins and outs of the filmmaking process with his listeners, while telling all the bizarre stories that didn’t make the cuts. In between talking, he’ll be screening footage from Weird Weekends, his famous series of one-off investigations and encounters with various celebrities and power brokers. When he and Zemiro are done, you’ll have loads of time to ask questions of your own. “In his documentaries, Louis Theroux finds the extraordinary in the ordinary," says Zemiro. "Through patience, stillness and rigour, he reveals so much about human nature. I'm delighted to be hosting this tour and intend to pick up as many tips as possible in the art of interviewing.” Catch Louis Theroux at Perth’s Riverside Theatre on September 22, Melbourne’s Hamer Hall on September 25, Sydney’s State Theatre on September 27, Adelaide’s Festival Theatre on September 30 and Brisbane’s QPAC on October 1. Tickets go on sale on March 21 via Louis Theroux's tour website. Image: Carsen Windhorst.
Cool ladies on skates who also dig a good dress-up, Malt Shop Rollers will cruise on down to Abbotsford's Moon Dog Brewery on Sunday, October 28, for a special spooky Sunday sesh. You'll spend your arvo rolling around on your four wheels — surrounded by zombies, vampires, aliens and who knows what. If co-ordination and grace aren't your forte, there'll also be DJ sets from Toni Pixelton, Chesh and others as well as piña coladas on the go — to help you forget all about work the next day. There are prizes for best dressed, too, so go HAM on the face paint and let your boss deal with it in the morning, we say.
When you lick a scoop of gelato, do you take a moment to let the flavour settle onto your tastebuds? Do you stop to contemplate the creaminess, try to pick out all of the different ingredients and, in the process, ponder how it feels on your tongue? Perhaps you spend too long thinking not only about how your dessert tastes, but how it smells. Or, maybe you're obsessed with how it looks, because a good ice cream is a truly glorious sight. If we've just described your usual thought processes every time you step inside a gelato joint, then you might want to throw your name in the ring for this Gelatissimo gig. As the dessert chain first did back in 2019, it has put out a call for a dream job — but only for a single four-hour shift. For one morning — from 9am–1pm on the morning of Tuesday, May 10, to be exact — the dessert chain will pay one ice cream-loving person $500 to taste-test its newest gelato flavours. That's it, that's the gig. Go on, try to find a more delicious way to spend four hours. Over the past few years, Gelatissimo has been responsible for frosé sorbet, ginger beer gelato and even a gelato for dogs, so you won't be licking your way through plain ol' vanilla or the usual mint choc-chip combination (not that there's anything wrong with those two stone-cold classics). Other special varieties that it has come up with in the past include Weet-Bix, fairy bread, hot cross bun, cinnamon scroll and chocolate fudge, Biscoff, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Hershey's Kisses, gingerbread cookie dough, Caramilk and bubble tea. Yes, you should be getting a sugar rush just thinking about it. Just what flavours the lucky taste-tester will be munching on hasn't yet been revealed, but whoever gets the gig will play a crucial part in evaluating them. As well as being mouth-wateringly appetising, this is serious business, requiring the utmost focus on the task at hand. That means first assessing the gelato's appearance, then enjoying a couple of scoops to get a feel for the flavour and texture. Then, after cleansing your palate with water, you'll do it all over again (and then again). If you're keen, as most people with tastebuds will be, just head to the Gelatissimo website to explain why you're the ideal candidate for the job. While the competition is open nationally, the winner will be required to get themselves to Gelatissimo's Sydney office in Rydalmere on Tuesday, May 10. If that still suits you, you have until midnight AEST on Friday, April 22 to enter. And, if you need any extra incentive, you'll also get to fill your freezer with gelato for your troubles. For more information, or to apply for the Gelatissimo gelato-tasting gig, visit the dessert chain's website.
If you feel like the general cost of living is on an endless journey upwards, well, you'd be right on the money (or lack thereof). In news that's surprising to pretty much no one, Sydney and Melbourne have again outdone themselves, both trumping their earlier positions on an index of the world's most expensive cities. The list, which is one of many that index cost of living, is put together by the world's biggest price aggregation website Numbeo. This year sees Sydney shoot to number 32, soaring past last year's ranking of 41, and Melbourne also surged ahead, moving from last year's 77th position to become the world's 64th most expensive city in 2018. The Gold Coast was the least expensive local city in the index, ranking at 180. To create the Cost of Living Index, Numbeo looked at a range of factors, surrounding things like food, lifestyle, housing, salaries and taxation. Hamilton in Bermuda topped the list, followed closely by five different Swiss cities. In the breakdown, Sydney's hefty rental prices were named the 16th highest in the world, with a one-bedroom city apartment averaging $2619 a month. If that makes you cringe, spare a thought for London (ranked 10th on the rent index) where the same sort of pad costs $2876 a month, or the top-ranking city of San Francisco, where you'd be forking out $4113. Meanwhile, Hobart was named Australia's most expensive city for dining out and 26th in the world, with a two-person feed at a mid-range restaurant averaging about $100. In this lineup, Perth ranked 46, while Melbourne and Sydney clocked in at numbers 79 and 80 respectively. When it comes to the average cost of a new set of wheels, Sydney ranked 188th in the world, with Perth edging in at number 202. Canberrans have it better than any other Aussie city in this department, taking out 226th ranking. To check out the full list, visit numbeo.com.
Since 2010, Sydney has been home to the Korean Film Festival in Australia. While 2025's main fest hits the Harbour City in August, you can also join in without leaving Victoria. Your destination: Benalla Cinema across Saturday, September 13–Sunday, September 14. One pivotal difference between the regular festival and the regional KOFFIA Touring Program, other than the fact that it's making the trip down south: head to the latter and everything that you see from its four-title lineup is free. Catch About Family, a dramedy about a chef discovering that he might have grandchildren — and The Noisy Mansion focusing on a tenant and her neighbours trying to discover why their building is plagued by strange sounds. Benalla audiences can also watch Forbidden Fairytale, about a children's book author who starts ghostwriting online erotica. Plus, Hear Me: Our Summer is one of the highlights, with the romantic drama co-starring former Iz*One member Kim Minju, remaking Taiwan's Hear Me and seeing a love story blossom via Korean Sign Language.
If you're like us, you're probably still not over the opening scene in Up. Or the closing scene in Toy Story 3. Or, to be honest, your weird but real crush on Sully from Monsters Inc. (how do they make the monsters so human?). But prepare to feel all the feelings all again because the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is putting on a Pixar-themed evening chock-full of your favourite moments, rendered spectacular by a live orchestral performance. You can expect montages from Finding Nemo, Wall-e, Toy Story, Ratatouille, A Bug's Life, Monsters Inc, Cars and Brave. The event will take place in Hamer Hall on April 7 and 8 and include a multimedia show of your fave Pixar gags (hello cheeky Pixar lamp, your exploits never cease to amuse us), along with a score that features music by the greats, including Randy Newman, Patrick Doyle, Thomas Newman and Michael Giacchino. Just remember to bring a backpack full of tissues for the when the You've Got a Friend In Me tears start to flow. Pixar in Concert will take place at Hamer Hall at 7pm on Friday, April 7 and at 2pm on Saturday, April 8. Book your tickets here.
Stephanie Lake’s last collaboration with her partner, and fellow artist and composer Robin Fox, was as recent as this year’s Melbourne Festival, where A Small Prometheus quickly sold out its run at the Arts House. It's easy to see why the work sold out too, as the interplay between the physical complexity of her movement and his dense, layered soundscapes was mesmerising to experience. Even though the Festival’s only just wrapped up there’s already another chance to see the work of this duo again. While Lake’s choreography in A Small Prometheus drew deeply on Fox’s self-propelling, vivid fire sculptures, the world premiere of Aorta for Melbourne dance outfit Chunky Move takes its inspiration from a different kind of metronomic, throbbing rhythm — the beating of a human heart.
If you've been dreaming of a trip to Western Australia, this November could well be the time. For ten delicious days, Western Australia Gourmet Escape presented by Westpac, an extraordinary festival of food and wine, will take over three of the state's most popular regions: Perth, Swan Valley and Margaret River. The epic program is filled with more than 50 opportunities to dine with some of the best culinary rockstars from around the world, including the head chef of the newly crowned best restaurant in the world and the legendary David Chang (of worldwide Momofuku fame). But, what's more — you'll get to do it in some of the most picturesque locations in the country. You could find yourself cruising on a catamaran, feasting on foraged delights in a lakeside cabin or hanging out at a beach barbecue. There are plenty of exciting happenings to look forward to — here are six that should definitely be on your radar. GOURMET FEAST IN THE VALLEY WITH MARCO PIERRE WHITE UK celebrity chef Marco Pierre White described the 2015 WA Gourmet Escape as "life-changing" and "the greatest food event on earth". So, he's back for another round. Find him at Gourmet Feast in the Valley, taking place across Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10 in the idyllic grounds of Sandalford Wines. It's promising an extravaganza of local produce, culinary experiences, masterclasses, live music and theatre — in the form of the Feast Fire Pit, presented by Australian Good Meat. White will be joined by grill masters from around the globe, including Austin-based Aussie Jess Pryles (author of Hardcore Carnivore), to sear, sizzle and smoke locally sourced cuts over open flames. Also on the agenda are a number of workshops hosted by local makers and a jam-packed lineup of live music from The Rubens, Fergus James, Andrew Levins and more. Gourmet Feast in Valley will run from 11am–6pm on Saturday, November 9 and 11am–4pm on Sunday, November 10. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased here. OCEAN DREAM WITH MARK BEST If you ever ate at Sydney's Marque or Pei Modern, then you're familiar with the explosive creations of chef Mark Best. These days, he spends his time travelling, promoting Australia's food scene to the world, speaking at chefs' congresses and working with hotels. But, at Western Australia Gourmet Escape, you can dine on his masterful cooking while cruising around Geographe Bay — just north of Margaret River — on a 26-metre luxe catamaran called Ocean Dream. In between gazing at crystal clear waters, you'll be feasting on Best's exceptional cooking matched with top-notch local wines. Sail the Seas will run daily from 12pm between Friday, November 15 and Sunday, November 17. Tickets cost $270 and can be purchased here. INTO THE NEW AFRICA Travelling all the way from South Africa for the festival will be Kobus van der Merwe, head chef at South Africa's Wolfgat — which was named World's Best Restaurant 2019 at the inaugural World Restaurant Awards. He and Paul Iskov of Australian pop-up restaurant Fervor will host Into the New Africa, an eight-course dinner based on foraged ingredients and exploring modern South African cuisine. Set in Fermoy Estate's private lakeside cabana, this is going to be a cosy affair — and tickets are likely to sell out super fast. Into the New Africa will take place on Friday, November 15 from 6.30–11pm. Tickets cost $320 and can be purchased here. WESTPAC GOURMET BEACH BBQ This popular shindig brings together killer chefs, great produce, fine wines, live music and stunning water views for three giddy days. Among 2019's special guests is Momofuku legend David Chang, who will be bringing a taste of the worldwide empire to the beach. Meanwhile, hosting a lazy Sunday session will be Monty Koludrovic, from Bondi's legendary Icebergs Dining Room and Bar. And, representing the home team will be WA chefs Kenny McHardy (Manuka Woodfire Kitchen), Scott Bridger (Bib & Tucker) and Brenton Pyke (Market Eating House), who'll swap their wood ovens for an open-air kitchen. Westpac Gourmet Beach BBQ will run from Friday, November 15–Sunday, November 17. Tickets start at $235 and can be purchased here. SAFARI CLUB COOKOUT Safari Club Cookout isn't just a feast – it's an adventure. For a start, you'll have to find the venue — a hidden paradise deep within Leeuwin Estate, surrounded by towering jarrah and marri trees. The cookout will bring to this spot three days of delights inspired by the cuisine of Australia, Thailand and India. But, rather than sticking to your seat, you'll be invited to wander, as you graze on canapés, watch cooking stations in action, sip on Leeuwin Estate wines and soak up live performances. Chefs to look out for include Garima Arora of Bangkok's Gaa, Prateek Sadhu of Mumbai's Masque and Matt Stone of Yarra Valley's Oakridge Wines. Safari Club Cookout will take place across two daily sessions — 12pm and 6.00pm — from Friday, November 15 to Sunday, November 17. Tickets cost $180 and can be purchased here. Tickets to Western Australia Gourmet Escape presented by Westpac go on sale at 9am on Thursday, July 18. More information can be found here and, to check out the full program, head to the website.
We all need some time off with a poolside cocktail every now and then. Or just to hold on to the dream of getting it one day. But in reality, do we want to pass our whole holidays like that, while our children are off making a completely different set of memories? Not so much. A lot of family holidays aim for segregation: massages and mud baths for the big people; predictable 'kids clubs' for their offspring. But for those who are in the mood to get imaginative and adventurous, we've teamed up with Holden Equinox, the SUV for parents with nothing to prove, to round up five getaways to gratify you. If you want to share memorable — and, quite possibly, educational — experiences with your kids, then read on to find five of the best contemporary regional holiday ideas for families wanting to clear out of the city and have fun. Together. PHILLIP ISLAND Phillip Island isn't all about the penguins – although, of Phillip Island's many delights, these sand-dune waddlers will light up your kids' eyes most. It's a place of natural beauty that's made to be explored on foot. The tribe can witness koalas and fur seals in their natural habitat, and run barefoot on untouched white-sand beaches. If all that sounds a bit tranquil, you can unleash your inner rev-head at the go-kart track – a replica of the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. 2 hours' drive south of Melbourne via the Monash Freeway YARRAWONGA AND LAKE MULWALA Water sports, live music and country charm: it's hard not to enjoy yourself at Yarrawonga. Lake Mulwala pulls waterskiing enthusiasts from across the country and is a great spot to introduce your kids to the sport. Afterwards, the Ski Club is one of country Victoria's best sports venues in terms of space, views, food and drink, and live music for the whole family to get down to. Bushwalkers can take their pick of forest tracks, many of which end with the reward of a river swim, while the Bundalong Tavern, 10 minutes east of Yarrawonga, makes for a memorable country pub experience. 3 hours' drive north of Melbourne via the Hume Highway KYNETON BUSHLAND RESORT The phrase "going bush" often conjures up images of long and lonely northward drives to lands of silos, scrub and Kingswood utes. Not so in the case of Kyneton Bushland Resort, which brings the full outback experience to Melbourne's doorstep. After checking into your self-contained villa (the resort has 55 individual villas spread across 50 hectares of bushland), you can mingle with the abundant wildlife before a spot of canoeing, fishing or swimming in the lake. Unwind or go wild: it's your choice. 1 hour's drive northeast of Melbourne via the Calder Freeway BALLARAT AND SOVEREIGN HILL On the surface, it's just another city, but Ballarat comes with a rich history – literally, given it's the centre of the Victorian goldfields. A trip to Sovereign Hill, a stunningly recreated 1850s Gold Rush town, will cost the average family $140, but it's an unforgettable experience. The sound and light show, which tells the story of the Eureka Stockade, runs nightly, while Winter Wonderlights' Christmas in July is an immersive treat. Lake Wendouree, meanwhile, is very pleasant for a picnic. 1.5 hours' drive east of Melbourne via the Western Highway INVERLOCH AND BUNURONG MARINE PARK One beach tends to meld into another unless you're prepared to go off the beaten track. Cue Bunurong Marine Park: many of its suite of breathtaking beaches are only accessible via long sets of steps. Not great for prams, then — but therein lies the adventure! The area is also great for fishing, observing marine life, snorkelling, rockpooling and fishing. Inverloch, meanwhile, is your base, with its vibrant centre and seasonal produce-laden cafes — the Black Sheep Tapas and Wine Bar is a good starting point. 2 hours' drive southwest of Melbourne via the Monash Freeway Drive your family on adventures in and outside of town in the Holden Equinox, the SUV for parents with nothing to prove. Find out more on the Holden website.
One of Melbourne's favourite ride-by cafes, bars and restaurants Green Park is calling it a day, with owner and restaurateur Jesse Gerner forming somewhat of culinary supergroup to relaunch the space as Park Street. Gerner will bring in team members from his other Melbourne venues as co-owners of the new venue — Kelly O'Loghlen, chef Andrew Fisk and Shane Barrett are involved with Bomba and bottle shop Samuel Pepys (with Barrett also in on the newest opening, Nómada). Russell Hall — who's currently head chef at Añada — will also be coming in to head up Park Street's food offering, and Harry Fishman of neighbouring Velo Cycles is in on the action too. The eatery — which is situated on the section of the Capital City Trail that runs parallel to Park Street in Carlton North — will undergo a noticeable change in menu, rather than concept. Gerner, Hall and Fisk will continue to use locally-grown produce, including veggies grown in Park Street's own garden, with the introduction of an evening pasta bar Wednesday to Sunday. This will feature pasta dishes alongside a list of up to 200 wines, with a focus on small producers. The idea is to become a place for family dinners, a quick bite on the way home, or somewhere to share snacks with friends — which, to be honest, doesn't sound starkly different to the current incarnation of the space. The interiors will also experience a refresh, with plans to lighten the room with white walls, mirrors, tan leather couches, indoor plants and an open kitchen to expand the space visually. Green Park will close this weekend on Sunday, August 13, with Park Street set to open in early September. They'll continue to serve regulars from a temporary coffee cart that will be set up outside from August 14 for take-away coffees and snacks. Green Park will close on Sunday, August 13 with Park Street to open in early September at 815 Nicholson Street, Carlton North. We'll keep you updated when an opening date is announced. In the meantime, visit parkstreetdining.com.au.
Next time you're craving as much pizza as you can handle, don't go opting for the frozen supermarket kind. St Kilda's PB's Bar & Eatery is letting you feast on all the cheesy slices you can manage every Sunday. To top it off, it's serving up bottomless margaritas as well, which is surefire way to get the fiesta started. For $49, you'll be sitting down to two hours of all-you-can-eat woodfired margherita slices, loaded with tomato, mozzarella and basil. If you're vegan, you can opt for plant-based pizza for an additional $4; gluten-free pizza bases are available for no extra cost. The price also includes margarita cocktails, which come in three different flavours — with the selection rotating each week. Bookings are essential and must be made via the website, noting you are booking for the bottomless margherita and margarita deal. Walk-ins and phone bookings will not be accepted — and everyone sitting at your table has to participate in the deal. The Sunday sessions kick off at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm — so you can opt for a late pizza lunch, afternoon snack or dinner.
Collingwood's Into Coffee is swapping coffee beans for grapes as it hosts another inviting wine festival focusing on the next-gen of natural wines. Popping up in Melbourne's north on Thursday, July 25, Into the Vines will bring over 28 different drops of vino from five boundary-pushing winemakers and importers to the breezy zero-waste coffee shop for a midweek journey through some the most exciting wines right now. The lineup of producers includes Victorian makers Tellurian Wines, Blood Moon Wines and Pool Wines, NSW vintner Renzaglia Wines and Italian importers Godot Wines. There are two sessions that run for between 90–120 minutes, with your $20 ticket allowing you to chat with the winemakers and taste their wares. And those keen to learn how to choose the perfect bottle of wine when dining out at a BYO restaurant in Melbourne can even join a 45-minute masterclass led by wine educator Jay Bessell (City Wine Room) and Chef James Cornwall (Ruby Dining and Young Hearts) for an additional $25 per person. The approachable wine festival is great for any Melburnian who's keen to sample an eclectic mix of new-age winemakers all in one spot.
