It's only February but already it might be possible to name both the worst film and least funny comedy of the year. Fist Fight, starring Charlie Day and Ice Cube, is a monument to stupidity. Its characters are amongst the thinnest and most derivative ever constructed, its plot is simultaneously ludicrous and entirely dull, and its capacity for comedy exists almost solely as outtakes in the final credits. The film's first-time screenwriters rely exclusively on a three-tiered approach of dick jokes, incessant swearing, and a female teacher's desire to have sex with a minor, forever backed by Day's high-pitched stammering whine. Story wise, Fist Fight takes place on muck up day in a US public school, where the students run riot, the teachers are powerless (or apathetic, or both), and the school board is laying off staff to meet budgetary requirements. When Day and Cube's characters clash over an incident in which Cube takes to a student's desk with a fire axe, Cube challenges the diminutive Day to a fist fight in the school yard after class to settle things once and for all. That none of the faculty, campus security or police department demonstrate any interest in properly addressing either the axe-on-student incident OR the imminent crimes of: assault and battery, disturbing the peace, affray or disorderly conduct, somehow represents the least implausible part of this entire abysmal experience. Alongside Day and Cube are various actors of note in roles that are completely beneath them. Tracy Morgan plays an incompetent sports coach, Christine Hendricks plays a butterfly-knife wielding French teacher, and Jillian Bell plays a meth-addicted guidance counsellor determined to get herself some 'teenis' (teenage penis). The whole conceit is so laughably unlaughable that it's astounding the script ever caught a studio's attention. That actors willingly signed on, well...let's just hope the money was worth it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aIzXYo6VCE
Hop on your bike and make your way down to Melbourne's new Ride-In Cinema. Lighting up the screen at the Coburg Velodrome every Saturday in February, this pedal-in pop-up picture house is combining a mix of new release blockbusters and beloved cult classics, with food and beverages to match. The season begins on February 4 with Star Wars spinoff Rogue One. Then on February 11 it's back to the '80s with E.T., followed by sci-fi staple Blade Runner on February 18. Finally, on February 25, kick back with The Dude for a screening of The Big Lebowski. But it's not just moviegoers spinning their wheels at the velodrome. Ride-In Cinema will also welcome a number of Melbourne's favourite food trucks to ensure that punters are well fed throughout the film. Even better, they've got their own custom-built cocktail bar. Anyone feel like a White Russian? Doors open at the Ride-In Cinema at 7pm for an approximate 9pm start.
Peel off your socks — it's grape-stomping time. The crew at Noisy Ritual, Melbourne's first urban winery, are celebrating the start of another wine season with their very own festival. We're talking five straight weeks of eating, drinking, live music and winemaking, otherwise known as four of the great things life has to offer. From Saturday, March 4, Noisy Ritual HQ in Brunswick East will throw open their doors to the wine-loving public. Join founders Alex and Cam for a free hands-on tour between 6pm to 8pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays throughout the festival, when you'll be able to help out with the winemaking process. Then swing by Saturday night for live music acts including Jess Ribeiro, Jess Cornelius, Leah Senior and Davey Lane. They're also extending their cellar door opening hours, giving you extra time to knock back the 2016 vintage. As for food, you can order pizza courtesy of Mankoushe up the road, or feast on cheese until you can barely get out of your chair.
Catch all seven-and-a-half hours of the newly minted Best Documentary Oscar winner on the big screen at ACMI this weekend. Screening just once, at 2pm on Sunday, March 5, as part of this year's Australian International Documentary Conference, O.J.: Made in America has been called "a masterwork of scholarship, journalism and cinematic art" by the LA Times. Directed and produced by Emmy Award winner Ezra Edelman, the ESPN documentary chronicles the rise of fall of O.J. Simpson, from his legendary career as a quarterback to his notorious murder trial, while also exploring what his life meant for race relations and celebrity culture at the tail-end of last century. Better yet, the screening is absolutely free and Edelman will appear in person to introduce the film. To secure your seat, go here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrB3rOcrJxg
On September 10, Sydney staged for a huge public rally through the city streets, flying rainbow flags (and dogs) to demand marriage equality and a 'Yes' vote. And now, on Sunday, October 22, Melbourne will do the same. It will be one last rally to urge the country to vote affirmative before the ballot closes on November 7. So send off your vote and get marching. Support group Equal Love is running the rally, urging Australians to campaign for a 'Yes' vote and support all LGBTI+ Australians. Starting at the State Library of Victoria at 1pm, the march will then snake up to Alexandra Gardens for a series of speakers and live performances. With the majority of Australians (a whopping two-thirds) supporting marriage equality, the rally should be stacked. Wear rainbow. Be loud. Images: Letícia Almeida.
When the Mr Black Festival of the Espresso Martini first hit Melbourne in 2016, caffeinated cocktail lovers rejoiced — and forgot all about sleep for a few days. It's far from surprising that the fest is back for another round of chilled coffee and vodka. Best get some rest now because you won't in November. After last year's event expanded from one to three days due to demand, the 2017 iteration knows it'll need to spread out its buzzing boozy fun from the outset. Taking over North Melbourne's Meat Market from November 3 to 5, it'll serve up six different bar areas, a range of workshops and classes, food aplenty, live music from Australian musicians and, yes, the drink in question. Thanks to the fine folks at NSW cold-pressed (and damn fine) coffee liqueur brand Mr Black, attendees can try espresso martinis topped with doughnuts, other variations on the tasty cocktail and even White Russian slushies. A garden tiki bar and hidden speakeasy will also boast their own drink menus, while a G&T bar will offer a reprieve from the coffee — if that's what you feel you need. Holgate Brewing's beer will also provide a non-espresso option. With Fancy Hank's, Zeus Street Greek Food, That Arancini Guy, Toasta & Co and Butter Mafia on food duties, there'll be a range of eats to help line the stomach (and soak up the caffeine). Tickets start at $30, with multiple sessions running each day. Entry includes a Mr Black tasting on arrival, and if you head along to the brunch slot from 10.30am until 2pm on November 4, you'll also get brunch and your first espresso martini included.
If the smack-in-the-face chill of Melbourne town is getting you down — and we haven't even got halfway through winter yet — here is some small solace for you. Melbourne's new Boho Luxe Market (their words, not ours) is determined to make you remember those times when you could dip your toes in the ocean without them falling off and take you to a sun-dappled place of dreamcatchers and flower crowns. Because these things are apparently synonymous with Byron Bay, the market's goal is to bring "that Byron Bay vibe to Melbourne" — so expect all of the above except for the beach bit. It'll be in town on Sunday, July 9, when you can treat yourself to a day of 'winter wanderlust' in the Atrium at Federation Square. There'll be heaps of stalls featuring bohemian fashion, jewellery, homewares and kids stuff for tiny people too. There are even some complimentary workshops on offer for idle browsers and live music will amp up the anti-winter vibes.
You could probably make a mildly amusing SNL skit out of the idea behind The House. A full-length movie? Not so much. It's safe to say that no one wins big in this decidedly unfunny comedy, which marks the directorial debut of Bad Neighbours writer Andrew Jay Cohen. Not stars Amy Poehler, Will Ferrell, Nick Kroll and Jason Mantzoukas, and definitely not the audience. Poehler and Ferrell play Kate and Scott Johansen, proud parents to college-bound teen Alex (Ryan Simpkins) — until a town-sponsored scholarship falls through, that is. When their recently-separated gambling addict pal Frank (Mantzoukas) suggests turning his home into an illegal casino to cover Alex's tuition fees, they're wary. But helping their daughter pursue her dreams soon wins out, even with a suspicious local cop (Rob Huebel) and city councillor (Kroll) wondering just what it is they're up to. As anyone who's ever seen Parks and Recreation knows, Poehler is a comedic treasure, who frankly should be on our screens much, much more often. Ferrell's movie track record mightn't be stellar as of late, but when he's at his Ron Burgundy best, it's easy to forget his less successful efforts like Get Hard and Daddy's Home. Kroll and Mantzoukas, meanwhile, were both great on The League. The point is, if you're a fan of any of these funny folks, you'd have hoped that together they could deliver at least a handful of chuckles. On paper, it doesn't seem like much of a gamble. Sure, watching middle-aged suburbanites behaving badly doesn't sound particularly new or exciting, but skilled performers can make anything better, right? Yet, in a breezy, montage-heavy flick that thinks overt nods to Casino, The Sopranos and Terminator 2 are enough to garner giggles, there's little they can do. A hip hop heavy soundtrack can't liven things up, and neither can YouTube-like sketches or a big-name cameo in the final act, no matter how much the movie tries to prove otherwise. At one point in The House — immediately after the main trio ponders "what if we were the house?", in case the premise wasn't already clear — a character makes a speech about clichés. Unfortunately, it doesn't do anything to make the ones in the film any less obvious or infuriating. It's never a good sign when a movie's best moments come during the obligatory over-credits blooper reel, as viewers are left to wonder why the stuff that did make the cut was so routine and uninspired. Maybe the producers made a bet that they could squander their cast with as bland a so-called comedy as possible? If that's the case, then they've really hit the jackpot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx9s-jbSG2s
In this period of uncertainty, how can we come together to close societal divisions, share knowledge and increase production and organisation? These are the types of questions ACCA's Greater Together exhibition poses, suggesting our well-established ways of collaborating no longer fit the rapidly changing technologies, environments, societal and political landscapes. Utopian in its perspective, Greater Together brings together eight artist projects to consider ideas of collaboration and cooperation and how we might find solidarity in both the art world and broader society. To help in this exploration, Melbourne-based art collective Field Theory will hold a fortnightly series of workshops, where they've enlisted the minds of several obscure local groups — including ex-military survivalists, the Melbourne Anarchist Club and the Victorian UFO Club — to devise a survival plan if disaster strikes. Greater Together is open now and runs until Sunday, September 17. Be sure to head along to the Field Theory: Survival Sessions to ensure your survival bunker is well prepared. Images: Installation view, by Andrew Curtis.
Drawing on more than four decades of work from Belfast-born artist David Thomas, RMIT Design Hub hosts a major exhibition presenting in excess of 100 of the artist's 'deeply human' paintings. Presented together for the first time and displaying the evolution of Thomas' work from the 1970s until the present day, Colouring Impermanence conveys Thomas' belief in arts practice and paintings to convey empathy and displays his constant re-evaluation of colour, duration and time. Colouring Impermanence takes place in two interconnected spaces, with Project Room 1 showing contemplative works from Thomas' archives, as well as new works produced directly into response to the Design Hub space. Project Room 2 largely reflects a typical art studio and features early drawings, past collaborative works and art from Thomas' peers on display. The two rooms are also linked by a 'mobile monochrome' series entitled Taking a Line For a Walk. Drawing on his role as a professor of fine art at RMIT, throughout the exhibition Thomas will be holding a free eight-lesson 'micro-course' that explores the importance of teaching in Thomas' art practice, and considers how empathy can be encouraged through art. David Thomas: Colouring Impermanence runs from Friday, July 28 until Saturday, September 23 at RMIT Design Hub. Image: Tobias Titz.
If you haven't tried the savoury Japanese pancake okonomiyaki, here's your chance. For two weekends only, Hiroshima-born, London-based chef and okonomiyaki master Fumio Tanga will grace Northcote with his craft at the Broad Island Shokudo pop-up, giving you the chance to sample the Hiroshima take on what we typically know as a breakfast food. Following on from the pop-up's previous success in February, this time it will take over the indoor space at Welcome to Thornbury. Choose meat, seafood or vegetable toppings for your okonomiyaki, and layer it with a variety of additions, including kimchi, kelp, anchovies, cabbage and bean sprouts. Vegan okonomiyaki will also be available, as will Japanese snacks, such as kaki-fry (deep-fried oysters), gochujang-marinated tuna tacos, pickled cucumbers and 'Paradise Karāge'. Round off your meal with Japanese beer or your choice from a selection of local wine by Oscar Hermann of Monty's Bar and Combes Wines. UPDATE OCTOBER 3, 2017: The pop-up has just added an additional weekend and will be open from 5pm on Friday, October 6 and from midday on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8. Check out the Facebook event for more details. Images: Simon Shiff.
Looking for new threads? Sure, you can head to plenty of markets around town and trawl through food, homeware and other objects, or you can mosey along to Melbourne's dedicated ladies fashion get-together. Round She Goes does one thing, and it does it well. If it's clothing, accessories and jewellery you're after, you'll find it here. Filled with preloved designer and vintage fare, the one-day happening will take over Coburg Town Hall from 10am on August 13. This edition will boast 60 stalls, all specially curated by organisers to deliver reasonably priced, high-quality bits and pieces, and ranging from beloved brands to handmade items to clear-outs by some of Melbourne's most fashionable women. Entry costs $2, and when you're finding that shiny gold coin to get you in the door, make sure you did up some other cash as well. Cold, hard currency is preferred here, and parting with it will be worth it. Your wardrobe will thank you for it.
Embrace the icy weather at Madame Brussels Lane, which, for the fourth year running, will transform itself into a bustling European-style night market each Friday in August. Inspired by the picturesque Christmas markets in places like Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the UK, the market will feature some of Melbourne's most decadent food vendors, serving tasty European goodies to warm your insides and satisfy your sweet tooth. Kicking off on August 4, there'll be a selection of European eats to keep you warm from 4–10.30pm. That's in addition to the live music and entertainment, and, of course, many, many mugs of piping hot mulled wine and warm buttered rum. Short of actually taking a holiday to Europe, this is a pretty great way to finish a busy working week.
Excuse me. Excuse me. You need to get down to Supersmall on Friday, August 25 for a party celebrating everybody's favourite '90s MTV show. Or don't. Whatever. Hosted by the South Yarra club in celebration of the show's 20th anniversary, this Daria-centric shindig will feature music from the show and era (that is the late '90s and early '00s) along with cocktails like the Sick Sad Slushie and the *Sigh* Spritz. Plus, get there for 10–11pm and you'll be able to get in on free pizza because, as Daria wisely says, "there is no moment in life that can't be improved with pizza". Naturally, there'll also be a costume competition – so pull on your black combat boots and tap in to your inner Morgendorffer. Tickets are $10 and doors open at 10pm.
Cold weather and decadent cuisine go hand in hand; there's a reason the term "winter feast" just rolls off of the tongue, after all. With the middle of Melbourne's frosty spell fast approaching, The National Hotel are celebrating in seasonal style by putting that popular phrase into action. On July 20, the Richmond hangout is hosting a Winter Feast to end all winter feasts — or, to end your hunger for the evening, at least. The six-course banquet will take your tastebuds through a showcase of Asian eats, with each dish highlighting a variety of textures and flavours, all while you get toasty by the fire. Places are limited, so it's a get-in-quick affair — and two types of incredibly reasonably priced tickets are available. Munch your way to warmth for $45, or add matched wines as well for $95.
Vegans of the north, rejoice. The age of meat is waning and it's nearly your time to inherit the earth. To build your strength, head down to Welcome to Thornbury for the Vegan Vegout, an all-vegan food truck event that rolls into High Street on the first Wednesday of every month. For this month's event, Melbourne burger masters YOMG are going vegan. The burger joint (which started out just doing fro-yo before taking the next logical step towards burgers) has always had vegan options on their menu, but they're pushing the boat out on Wednesday, June 6. The menu is broad — no more having to choose the one weak vegan option and wishing you just went to Lord of the Fries again — with items including a burger with a veggie lasagne fritter (complete with vegan cheese), one with garlic-roasted pulled mushroom and cashew nut mayo, and another with sweet potato crisps. Other snacks on offer will include Polish dumplings from Pierogi Pierogi, dim sims from Woking Amazing, pies from YAY Foods and wraps from Taitas Falafels.
A drama released in 1989 that saw its premiere cut short because of the fall of the Berlin Wall. A tale of corruption in the sporting arena. A documentary about perhaps the greatest German director that ever lived. A lengthy father-daughter comedy that no one can stop talking about (us included). Yes, they're all part of the 2016 German Film Fest's 36-title lineup, which roams around Australia this month. In a nutshell, it's a great year to get your fix of the country's cinematic offerings. In fact, there's so much packed into the festival's heaving program that the aforementioned movies aren't even the only titles on our must-see list — though they provide a great indication of the wealth of choices available. Check some of them out when the festival comes to Melbourne's Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth and Kino Cinemas between November 17 and 30.
Lock up your teenagers! There's something funky in the air around Chapel Off Chapel and it's getting kids into all sorts of trouble. An over-the-top parody of the unintentionally hilarious 1936 propaganda film of the same name, Reefer Madness: The Musical is an all-singing, all-dancing, all-toking stage show about the unimaginable perils of pot. The show follows a group of young, wholesome, impressionable American teens as they fall victim to the dangers of the so-called demon weed. Crime, weird sex, religious epiphanies and foul language follows – just like in real life, kids. Running from November 24 until December 4, the outlandish show will be directed by Stephen Wheat, who previously brought the foul-mouthed Sesame Street send-up Avenue Q to the Melbourne stage.
When you've already mined the funny side of Irish law enforcement and contemplated the impact of religion, what comes next? If you're John Michael McDonagh, director of The Guard, Calvary and now War on Everyone, you take aim at crooked cops in the United States. Specifically, you focus your third feature on a duo who enjoy their rule-breaking ways, venture into bigger, badder territory than they're used to, and subsequently — surprisingly — start to feel a little conflicted about it. Terry Monroe (Alexander Skarsgard) and Bob Bolano (Michael Pena) are the pair in question: one quick to violence and happily single, the other somewhat contemplative and married with kids. They both like each other, cracking wise, the corrupt niche they've carved out for themselves, and little else ("you can shoot people for no reason," Terry explains when asked why he joined the force). First introduced running down a cocaine-dealing mime, they're soon trying to shake off scrutiny from their boss (Paul Reiser) while attempting to steal cash from a new group of criminals. Alas, as they beat and blackmail their way around Albuquerque — and to Iceland and back as well — their plan unwittingly places them in the path of a far-from-forgiving British aristocrat turned kingpin (Theo James). Spouting dialogue that eagerly, indiscriminately insults any group you can think of, Terry and Bob's war really is on everyone — including, in an extension of their self-destructive ways, themselves. Cue a film that combines irreverent misanthropy, a raft of cop clichés, and a partial journey of self-discovery. Thanks to McDonagh's dripping satire and cynicism, plenty of laughs spring from their antics, but the end result remains hit-and-miss. Think Starsky and Hutch remade for the post-True Detective age, complete with the back-and-forth banter and philosophising the blend suggests, and a dash of awkwardness too. When War on Everyone is good, though, it's very good. It's strikingly shot, energetically paced and extraordinarily well cast as far as its leads are concerned. Indeed, while co-stars such as Caleb Landry Jones and Tessa Thompson are asked to either rely upon caricature or given too little to work with, Skarsgard and Pena enliven every scene they're in, and even make their unsympathetic-on-paper characters somehow likeable. Viewed simply as a collection of buddy cop scenes written and directed by someone who has obviously watched a sizeable serving of '70s American cinema, and starring two actors with a clear feel for the material and a rapport with each other, War on Everyone entertains more often than it doesn't. Where the film struggles, however, is in piecing together anything substantial or cohesive beyond its stylish sights, spiky lines and impressive leads. At times, it plays like the kind of wannabe Quentin Tarantino flick that might have dropped in the mid-'90s. Fun, funny, but nothing to write home about.
See great movies in the great outdoors at Melbourne's most low-cost openair cinema. A free initiative of the City of Boroondara, Summertime Cinema will be popping up in parks around the eastern suburbs on Saturday evenings in the lead up to Christmas. Gather your friends, pack up a picnic basket and find yourself a spot on the grass. The season begins this Saturday, December 3 with a screening of Home Alone at Greythorn Park in North Balwyn. The following week, Riversdale Park in Camberwell will showcase the classic 1942 Fred Astaire/Bing Crosby musical Holiday Inn, before Central Gardens in Hawthorn will wrap up the program with '80s comedy A Christmas Story.
By 1976, David Bowie had achieved many things. He'd pondered whether there's life on Mars, transformed into both Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke, and rocketed up both the singles and album charts. So, he tried something different: a new place, a new sound, and a creative time that would result in three distinctive records. Spanning until 1979, it's what's now known as his Berlin period. This is when the idea that we could be heroes — even just for one day — was born. And when Bowie wrote one of his most famous songs in the shadow of a wall. It's this that Bowie in Berlin pays tribute to, obviously, with a selection of works from the great artist's Low, Heroes and Lodger albums. With this January marking Bowie's 70th birthday — as well as the 40th anniversary of Low's release — when better for musical director Mick Harvey to corral vocalists Kylie Auldist, Dave Graney, Ron Peno, Kim Salmon and Max Sharam into honouring one of most fruitful creative periods? There'll be sound and vision on this fantastic voyage, plus beauties and beasts, as the boys keep swinging and no one looks back in anger.
If hundreds of dollars seems a bit excessive for one night of antics or you've already blown that Christmas money on Boxing Day sales then check out 1000 £ Bend's converted warehouse party. Teaming up with techno party promoters Unfold, this marathon 13-hour 'multi-sensory' event will see you partying well into 2017. Some of Australia's top techno and house DJs will perform across two stages with audio-visual artists throughout the event. There is even a designated chill-out area if you just want to sit back, appreciate the beats with some good friends, have a bite to eat and a sip your glass of Champagne.
If you've checked out Arbory's swish outdoor riverside bar and restaurant, you'll already know it's going to make for one hell of a New Year's Eve venue. With the NYE midnight fireworks happening nearby, you'll be nice and close to some of the best vantage points to see the lights. Alternatively, you could enjoy the stellar performances happening throughout the night. Entertainment, including local DJs Agent 86, Daydreams and live performances from Melbourne legend, Karen from Finance will keep the mood light. Dance and performance artists James Andrews and Benjamin Hancock are also on board to liven up your night. If their previous work with Chunky Move, MONA FOMA and Dark MOFO is anything to go by, this will be a fascinating experience. Accompanying these performances is an all-inclusive food and craft beverage package. Also when you have had your fill of celebrations, Flinders Street Station is right next door to make your escape back home on Melbourne's free 24 hour public transport all the easier.
Love nostalgia? We do too. This New Year's Eve, flash back to the early 2000s when you were listening to So Fresh Hits of the Summer, because Ja Rule and Ashanti are coming to Melbourne. Turns out, when Ja Rule wasn't making time to awkwardly appear in The Fast and the Furious or Scary Movie 3, he was still making music with a whopping eight studio albums under his belt. Performing live at Promiseland, a mini-festival at Dockland's Shed 14, these singers will be performing all their tunes from the last decade. Listen out for Ja Rule's 'Ain't it Funny', 'Always on Time', 'Mesmerize' and 'Wonderful'. It makes sense to pair Ashanti up with Ja Rule considering the two have a lot of history together. There will be dancers, festival lighting and a lot of bubbly. If you have been waiting all year to dress to impress (or wear that dress that's been hanging in your wardrobe since 2002), this might be your time to shine. This will also be one of the best spots in Docklands to watch Melbourne's huge multi-million dollar midnight fireworks show.
The best festivals make you feel like you've stepped into another world as they treat your senses to a feast of sound, movement, colour and excitement. Add St Kilda's new event, The Pleasure Garden, to the top of your must-attend list then. Taking over Catani Gardens on December 10, it's an immersive explosion of creativity of the arts, performance and music variety — plus rides and a roller rink as well. At the top of the bill sits The Cat Empire, The Opiou Band and Blue King Brown, so that should give you an idea of the funk-infused vibe in store. They're joined by 15 other bands and DJs, seven performance artists and seven installation artists for over ten hours of outdoor fun. Alongside roving theatrical performers, themed stages and an all-round dress-up kind of atmosphere (including prizes, so break out your best garden fest, 'pompous and primped' or 'flora and fauna'-style threads), a range of gastronomical delights are also on offer. ChillBro Paletas and Billy van Creamy will keep things cool, while Kombi Burger, 400 Gradi, Dos Diablos Cantina, Sparrow's Philly Cheese Steaks, Vegilicious and Ironbark BBQ are on more substantial meal duty. And drinks-wise, pick from POPS' boozy Champagne icy poles, Green Coconut's straw-sipping wares, The Pineapple Brothers' fruity cocktails or brews from 4 Pines. Full lineup: The Cat Empire The Opiuo Band Blue King Brown Tash Sultana The Correspondents Dub FX Spoonbill Jakubi Mista Savona Boogs Steve Ward Kodiak Kid Dub Pistols Sound System OKA The Chicken Brothers JPS (Jerry Poon / The Operatives) Mortisville and Friends Beatrice
Choose life. Choose celebrating a movie that defined the '90s, made Ewan McGregor a star and instantly made everyone's favourite flicks of all time list. Choose spending 2017 revelling in all things Trainspotting. Film fans already have long-awaited sequel T2: Trainspotting (which is scheduled for a February release) to look forward to, and now theatre fans in Melbourne can choose something else: Trainspotting Live. Choose 75 minutes of intense, immersive page-to-stage antics, as based on Irvine Welsh's 1993 novel about Edinburgh heroin addicts, and first adapted for the theatre in the UK back in 1995. Yes, that means that Harry Gibson's award-winning original stage version was written before Danny Boyle's iconic 1996 movie — and you haven't really experienced the story of Renton, Begbie, Sick Boy and company until you've seen it acted out, live and in person, right in front of you. Transporting its all-Scottish cast and their distinctive accents to Melbourne's fortyfivedownstairs from March 22 to April 13, Trainspotting Live does more than that — it also brings the audience into the show, starting with an extended rave, and even including the infamous 'Worst Toilet in Scotland' scene. It's no wonder that the production has been selling out shows in London, and earning rave reviews for its no-holds-barred approach. The fact that it's being staged by In Your Face Theatre should give you an indication of what you're in for. Welsh — that is, the man who literally wrote the book, plus a sequel, prequel and Begbie-focused spin-off, and recently floated the idea of a TV adaptation — called Trainspotting Live the "best way to experience Trainspotting", in case you needed any more convincing. Just don't go confusing it with the BBC television program of the same name, which is actually about looking at railways.
How do you make a day of summer tunes, art and sensory dining experiences even better? Get the party started the day before, and add some cute puppies to the mix. That's what the clever canine-loving folks at Sugar Mountain have done for the festival's 2017 iteration. Introducing: the Sugar Mountain x Visions Dog Show. A collaboration with the UK's Visions Festival, who launched their own offshoot for four-legged friends earlier this year, the pooch-centric parade takes place from 6.30pm on January 20 at MPavilion. And if that sounds entertaining enough, wait until you hear the competition categories. Yes, there's old favouries such as waggiest tail, best trick, best in show — and there's also RuPaw's Drag Race (aka dogs in drag) and a fancy dress component (which is an excuse to watch cute critters dressed up as Bowie, Kylie, Prince, Warhol and the like, really). Entry is free for humans and dogs who just want to watch — and while all furry participants will be charged a $10 fee, the proceeds will go to Guide Dogs Victoria. Whether you're enjoying the festivities or entering your pet pup, that's plenty of bark for your buck. Dog Haus DJs will provide the tunes, and yet-to-be-announced guest judges will preside over the action.
Winter's your chance to connect with uniquely Australian choreography, and the best place to start is Bangarra's powerful triple bill OUR land people stories. Featuring works from Stephen Page and Bangarra's emerging choreographers Jasmin Sheppard, Beau Dean Riley Smith and Daniel Riley, this world premiere work celebrates stories from our own backyard. Dedicated to the recently passed David Page, Bangarra's inimitable music director, OUR land people stories honours this iconic and beloved Australian's legacy, his dedication to mentoring emerging choreographers and his enduring place at Bangarra. Running in Melbourne from September 1-10, the show offers a fitting celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, togetherness, storytelling and community. The Melbourne shows are the last leg of OUR land people stories following the show's Sydney premiere and seasons in Brisbane Perth and Canberra.
Eddie Perfect invites you to take a seat at the table at the worst dinner party of your life. The writer, actor, comedian and composer — best known for his role in Offspring and as one of the new hosts of Play School — shows off his darker side in a blood-soaked black comedy about middle class Australia. Written by Perfect, who also stars, The Beast will be on stage at the Melbourne Comedy Theatre from August 25 through to September 4. The play tracks three tree-changing couples who find their (supposedly) enlightened attitudes challenged during a confronting nose-to-tail dinner party. What follows is a savage, tongue-in-cheek take down of bourgeois attitudes, as Perfect and director Simon Phillips sink their teeth into "social climbers, foodies, wine-snobs, helicopter parents, self‐serving do‐gooders and self-righteous gardeners". Of course Perfect is no stranger to taking the piss, having previously written Shane Warne: The Musical.
The Israeli film industry is in the spotlight once again at the 13th edition of the AICE Israeli Film Festival. Leaping onto the screen at Carlton's Cinema Nova, this year's festival program features films across a wide array of genres, from romantic comedies to horror flicks and a healthy contingent of docs. The festival begins with an opening night screening of Amir I. Wolf's Fire Birds, a murder mystery that was nominated for ten Israeli Academy awards. Similarly acclaimed is Ori Sivan's Harmonia, a drama set in the "inner sanctum" of a philharmonic orchestra. The film arrives in Australia direct from the Jerusalem Film Festival, where it won a pair of awards. This year's IFF also features plenty of non-fiction films, which is hardly surprising, given that festival director Richard Moore also coordinates Australia's documentary film festival, Hot Docs. One particular standout looks to be Who's Gonna Love Me Now?, which follows a gay Israeli man who decides to reunite with his estranged family after being diagnosed with HIV.
Eat, drink and dance your way from Spain to Argentina at Melbourne's first ever Latin Spring Festival. A dozen music acts will join food vendors and retailers at the Pentridge precinct in Coburg this weekend, for a two-day celebration of everything Latin culture has to offer. Featured at the festival will be some of Melbourne's best Latin musicians, playing everything from salsa and flamenco to Mexican folk, rock and pop. Naturally you'll want to bring your dancing shoes — and yes, they'll even have lessons for those with two left feet. The festival will also be home to a full-blown Latin food expo, which sounds perfect for when you've salsa'd up an appetite. Expect tacos, paella and Chilean-style hot dogs, along with cocktails and sangria to wash it all down. Image: Cel Lisboa.
Melbourne is getting a gin festival. Or should we say: Melbourne is getting another gin festival. In a turn of events that could only be a problem in our fine city, Melbourne is all of the sudden faced with the happy problem of having not one, but two gin festivals on the cards for this year. You might remember the hugely successful Juniperlooza, a locally-organised festival which was held in November last year. Well, this new festival — confusingly called Junipalooza (yes, that's an 'a' instead of an 'er') — is coming to Melbourne by way of the UK, and will unsurprisingly be dedicated entirely to gin. The Melbourne version of the festival (the first to be held outside of the UK) will be a twin event to Junipalooza London, which started back in 2013. The event will be held over two days this October at North Melbourne's Meat Market. It'll be hosted by founders of the UK's Gin Foundry, Olivier and Emile Ward — so you know you're in good gin-pouring hands. The award-winning brothers live, breathe and drink gin, compiling all their knowledge onto their comprehensive online gin directory. It makes sense then that the pair have teamed up with local gin expert, The Gin Queen (aka Caroline Childerley) and gin makers Four Pillars, Archie Rose and Poor Toms Gin (just to name just a few) to celebrate the noble spirit in Melbourne. Junipalooza will feature sampling stations, cocktails and gin masterclasses with some of the world's best distillers. Over 26 distillers from around the globe will be in attendance, giving punters the chance to take a bottle or two of their favourite gin home. Tonic water specialists Capi will be on-hand as well to bring the T to your G&T. The festival will take place over the weekend of October 22-23, and early bird tickets are on sale for $35 now. We see a lot of gin drinking in your future.
Bridget bloody Jones is back and, frankly, we couldn't be happier. No, Bridget Jones's Baby is not the most cohesive narrative of the year, and no, it's not going to spur any radical political movements. Still, hardcore Bridget fans can breathe a sigh of relief, because this threequel is still pretty damn good. Fans of Helen Fielding's book series may have already deduced that Baby is not based on the third Bridget Jones novel Mad About The Boy, in which (*mega spoiler alert*) Mark Darcy dies. It's devastating, v sad and not at all Hollywood. Thankfully this is not this story. Instead, this tale is about BJ (Renée Zellweger) getting knocked up, and the antics that ensue as she tries to figure out the identity of the father. Is it quintessentially British barrister Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) or the OTT American love professor Jack Qwant (Patrick Dempsey)? It literally doesn't matter, that's not the point. The point is enjoying the face-palming situations that Bridget creates for herself as she tries to negotiate between the two maybe-baby daddies. The film guns for the same mix of stuffy British and slapstick humour that fans of the series all know and love – but this time around, Bridget is actually doing things that will make you fist pump. She's more like us than ever before: shagging randos at music festivals, looking fierce, texting with emojis, being surgically attached to her phone, kicking ass at work, telling her mother to sod off and best of all, deciding to have a baby on her own. Like a fine wine, modern day Bridget has undoubtedly gotten better with age. The writers have stayed true to the quirks of the original films without being slaves to them, for which we give great thanks. The red PJ pants are back, as are the lonely apartment dance routines and awkward speeches, but as homage rather than easy imitation. The plot doesn't just lazily redo all the bits that worked from the last films, like we're idiots who won't notice. There's no Hugh Grant, although Emma Thompson as a put-upon obstetrician more than makes up for his absence. On the other hand (unfortunately, there's always another hand waiting to slap you down), Patrick Dempsey is completely outclassed by his costars – although to be honest, it doesn't really seem fair to put a very American American in the middle of the most British comedy ever and expect it to go down smoothly. Also the actual plot, which isn't super-duper to begin with, kind of…entirely falls over at the half way mark. When the jokes stop rolling in and the sappy emotional routine starts around the third trimester, things get incredibly cringey. This may be the biggest difference between the decidedly British and smaller budget originals and this rather more shiny update. We expect a few sappy moments from Bridge, made bearable by the presence of a large pair of granny panties or a stripper's bunny outfit, but the saccharine sweetness of this film's final act does get a bit off-putting. Then again, by that point you're already well and truly invested. So it's fine. Or as BJ would say, v good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nhGGQ_PYyE
Get in the spring spirit and shimmy your way over to the annual Meyers Place Latin Fiesta. A vibrant street party organised by the traders of Meyers Place, this much-loved Melbourne event will become a temporary home to all things Latin American for one afternoon this October. From dynamic live music to some of the best street food in the city, a visit to the Meyers Place Latin Fiesta is a must. Enjoy an emporium of Latin cuisine with empanadas from San Telmo, cocktails from Lily Blacks and Loop Roof, as well as 'Latin-inspired' cheesy slices from Pizza Pizza Pizza. Latin crafts, dances classes and a live Latin music and performance will be taking place in the CBD laneway from 11am until 6pm. For the first time, they'll be charging an entrance fee — either $6 online or $5 on the door (if it's not full already).
Contemporary jewellery and object biennial Radiant Pavilion will return to Melbourne at the end of August, bringing more Australian and international artists than you can shake a stick at — luckily, you'll have a whole week to try. With 80 events across 62 venues, you'd best start early. Expect to find a lane paved in gold leaf on Crossley Street, drink sake out of handmade cups in Flinders Lane, and peep jewellery in every arty way you can imagine across the streets and venues of the city. Street works, exhibitions, performances and masterclasses will make up the weekend from artists such as Robert Baines, Liv Boyle, Helen Britton and Yutaka Minegishi (and that's just a few). There's also New Colony, a public installation of an imagined swarm of unidentified insects who take up residence in Flinders Lane, and 2483 Melbourne Tailoresses' Union Triptych in which a number of resin pendants represent individual striking female tailors in 1882-83. Past, present and future will converge in the event, so don't miss seeing your old mate Melbourne in a new light from August 26 till September 3.
Having long impressed Melburnians with its tome-like beer list and impressive wine selection, Cookie is pulling together a few of its favourite recent booze finds for an Artisan Wine & Beer Market on Sunday, September 10. The iconic Curtin House bar has teamed up with wine gun and Rootstock Sydney co-founder Giorgio de Maria for the one-off tasting afternoon, which will shine the spotlight on newproducers from across the country, as well as a few of their international counterparts. Head along from 1pm to sample drops from the likes of South Australia's Gentle Folk, Castlemaine co-operative winery Boomtown, natural wine legend Patrick Sullivan, and de Maria's own Italian-focused distribution company, Fun Wines. Representing the local craft beer scene will be Tassie's Two Metre Tall brewery and Victoria's own La Sirene, while Cookie head chef Karen Batson works her own brand of magic to deliver a top-notch lineup of drinking snacks. $20 tickets to the event include a full wine tasting and snacks, plus the opportunity to pick the brains of some of the country's most exciting wine and beer producers.
In I Am Not Your Negro, Samuel L. Jackson lends his voice to the words of American essayist James Baldwin. He does an outstanding job at capturing the tone and passion required, but it's the text itself, rather than the star uttering it, that's truly remarkable. Stepping through the state of race relations in the U.S. by focusing on the lives and deaths of civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr., every syllable spoken couldn't be more perceptive — or, even though they were written decades ago, still relevant today. It's little wonder that the film was nominated for best documentary at this year's Oscars, with director Raoul Peck matching the verbal content with an illuminating compilation of footage from the '50s and '60s. The film comes to ACMI for a limited season after screenings at MIFF, Sydney Film Festival and Queensland Film Festival.
Vegans of Melbourne, clear your calendars — you now have plans on the first Saturday of every month. From September 2 onwards, Vegan Mini Market is your new regular go-to for animal-free items, with the first event taking place at Abbotsford Convent from 8am. For its initial outing, the fresh addition to the vegan lineup has amassed quite the array of vegetable-loving businesses, so arriving with a full wallet is recommended. Munch on some plant-based Asian street food from Woking Amazing, eat your way through an array cruelty-free comfort nibbles from Yay! Food, or sign up for jam-packed lunchboxes from Good Freaking Food. Or, grab natural bath and beauty products from Polished Petals, stock up on handmade garments from Leo the Label and listen to the sounds of Futuro Vega*Pop. Sweet treats from Lady Rawsome and the organic cocoa goodness of Girl Made Chocolate are also on the menu, and the list goes on. The first market also falls on Vegan T-Shirt day, which is all about wearing appropriate attire to raise awareness about animals, so dress accordingly.
Poet Robert Frost once said "if we couldn't laugh we would all go insane." This idea is explored through the latest exhibition at MUMA, which features newly-commissioned and recent works by a selection of six leading local and international artists. Presented in association with Melbourne Festival 2017, The humours offers a range of works that use comedy and absurdity to explore deeper issues around race, work, gender and politics. More than just an exhibition of funny art, The humours is interested in the underlying strategies of comedy – how stand-up comedians and late-night TV hosts deal with serious issues using physical movement, dialogue, exaggerations of scale and absurdity.
Put on your dancing shoes and head on down to Lounge, where a group of Melbourne DJs are partying for social change. Kicking off on select Sunday afternoons, Out of Wind will feature top Melbourne music talent, including Misty Nights (July 3), Jennifer Loveless and Toni Yotzi (July 17) and Awesome Wales and Yooree (August 4), who'll all be donating their time and talents to raise money for progressive NGOs. In addition to the DJ wages, Lounge will donate ten per cent of bar sales to the chosen organisation – so you can totally justify buying that extra drink. The first beneficiary will be the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, with further NGOs to be announced. Lounge will even offset their carbon emissions by planting five trees after every gig.
Expect things to get steamy at The Toff in Town, with the latest edition of the Wheeler Centre's eternally popular Erotic Fan Fiction. Slipping into something a little more comfortable while their regular space undergoes renovations, The Toff should prove the perfect place for this night of orgasmic fiction, and will feature the oral talents of some of the best comic writers in town. Heating up the cold winter night on Monday, July 4 are a ménage à trois of cunning comedic linguists, each funnier and filthier than the last. Demi Lardner has been on a roll since winning RAW Comedy back in 2013, while Nath Valvo regularly sells out Fringe and Comedy Festivals around the country, and Deidre Fidge writes regularly for The Drum, Archer, The Vocal and SBS Comedy. Between the three of them, you're sure to leave feeling satisfied.
Are you on the lookout for a leafy little friend? You'll find plenty at the fittingly named Pea Green Boat Artist Studio in Brunswick, which this Saturday will be transformed into a massive plant sales floor. From towering ferns to teeny-weeny pot plants, you're sure to find something to liven up your living room. And with prices dipping as low as two bucks per plant, even the most budget conscious among you should be able to flex your green thumb. In addition to all the flora, they'll also be selling furniture — perhaps you'd like to buy a rocking chair from which you can admire your new cactus? Oh, and coffee! We mustn't forget the coffee. Doors open 9am to 3pm. Please bring cash. They can process EFTPOS, but would really rather not.
Stomping Ground Brewing Co. isn't technically finished yet — but that isn't stopping them from having a bit of fun. Located near the corner of Gipps and Hoddle Streets, Collingwood's new 250-seat beer hall still needs a few licks of paint, but the important stuff — i.e. the brewing equipment — is fully operational. And every Friday throughout July, they plan on putting it to good use. Doors to the bar (if you can even call it that at this stage) open at 4pm sharp, giving you just the excuse you need to knock off work that little bit early. Expect a food truck or two out front and brewery-fresh beer running through the taps. And don't worry — despite jumping the gun on the whole ribbon cutting thing, when it comes to the cold stuff, these guys know what they're doing. After all, they're the same team that brought us The Local Taphouse. Beer practically runs through their veins.
Melburnians, if you're already wondering how you're possibly going to make it through the next two freezing bloody cold months, here's some news to warm your cockles. The Queen Victoria Market's Night Market Cinema will be making a return to this year's Winter Night Market — and it's free. Every Wednesday in July, between 5pm and 10pm, you'll be able to cosy up in a deck chair, armed with wine, cheese and sweet treats, and kick back to a bunch of short films. And while we're not 100 percent sure how this will work in the depths of Melbourne's winter, we're hoping the market has plans to keep us from freezing our butts off. Either way, blankets are definitely recommended. Kicking things off on July 6 will be VICE, who will take care of programming, presenting a combo of docos, investigative journalism and general wickedness. On July 13, the Victorian College of the Arts' Film and Television School will give you an insight into the future of Australian filmmaking, showing a handpicked selection of quality graduate works. On July 20, you'll be treated to a series of live 16mm film projections presented by Artist Film Workshop and, on July 27, RRR FM will hit the cinema, with a bunch of live-to-air performances by Aussie artists. In between screenings, you'll be able to take a wander through the market, stocking up on winter goodies and tucking into everything from Ethiopian stews to spaghetti from a parmesan wheel to those goddamn potato sticks that make an appearance every year.
What's the deal with trivia nights based on pop culture commodities? They're great, that's what — and, even with everyone staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic, they're clearly a hit. Accordingly, Isolation Trivia is busting out another virtual session, and this time it's Seinfeld's turn in the quizmaster's spotlight. The show about nothing has inspired an evening about everything that made its nine-season, 180-episode run so great. The fun unravels online from 6.25 on Saturday, May 9. Playing along is free (just as George Costanza would like it), so all you need to do is head to the event Facebook page at the appropriate time. Lock in some mates who think they know every conceivable detail about the hit 90s sitcom — and about Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine — and you can all play along from your own homes. The quizmaster will put your affection to the test, potentially covering everything from soup to sponges, puffy shirts to Pez dispensers, and even the parade of famous faces that played Jerry's girlfriends. Yada, yada, yada — you get the picture. Best check your drinks supply first, in case those pretzels make you thirsty.
With both the Indie Beer Showcase and Good Beer Week sadly axed from our calendars this year, organisers have headed online to host a series of virtual beer events instead. And these ones you can enjoy anywhere, any time — heck, even pants-free, if you fancy. Streamed via the Independent Brewers Association YouTube channel, each of these online tasting parties celebrates a different Aussie craft brewery, led by a brewer or key member of the team. They'll chat about a few signature beers, discuss what goes into making them, give an insight into the world of brewing and maybe even offer a sneak-peek at some future releases. The Good Beer Week Facebook page gives a heads-up as to who'll be hitting screens next, so you can stock up in advance at the bottle shop or get that beer delivery sorted. The live stream schedule is fairly loose, though videos are mostly run during prime drinking times like after work on Fridays and Saturday afternoons. That said, the sessions are all kept up on YouTube so you can revisit later at your leisure — tune in any time you're in the mood for a tipple and some beer talk. Image: Simon Shiff
This Friday, April 17, set your alarm for 5pm. Why? Gelato Messina is giving away free cookie pies — and delivering them to you. Hang on, cookie pie? Yes, it's a pie, but a pie made of choc chip cookie dough and topped with hazelnut crumble. And it serves two–six people — or just you. You bake it yourself, too, so you get to enjoy that oh-so-amazing smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through your kitchen. It's a novel concept, but one we're sure Gelato Messina will execute well — and one we're sure Dean Martin would possibly even approve, too. To score yourself one of these, you need to log on to Deliveroo from the aforementioned time — 5pm, Friday, April 17 — and spend at least $32 on Gelato Messina. And, boom, free cookie pie. You'll need to get in quick, though, as it's only on offer while stocks last. The free cookie pie deal is available at all NSW, Vic and Queensland Gelato Messina stores (except The Star, Circular Quay and Coolangatta) and Deliveroo pop-ups in Manly, Brighton-Le-Sands, Canterbury and East Brunswick.
It's been long eight months since the Queen Victoria Market's sheds last hosted one of their famed soirees, with Melbourne's lockdowns hitting pause on the usual roster of weekly night markets and food festivals. But now, the wait is over and the historic site is gearing up to deliver its first post-pandemic nighttime outing. Melbourne, get set for the multicultural delights of the Festive Food Truck Stop. Kicking off on November 25, and running across four Wednesday nights, the pop-up promises to fill your belly while sating a few of those international travel cravings. A rotation of the city's best-loved food trucks will be slinging their wares — think, goat curry and smashed samosas from Two Fat Indians; Nem N' Nem Viet signatures like noodle bowls and bao buns; and finger-lickin' wings and short ribs cooked low and slow by Bigger Than Texas BBQ. In true QVM style, the globe-trotting eats will be backed by a great lineup of libations, with The Beer Garden pouring an all-Victorian menu featuring Melbourne Gin Company cocktails, beers by Brick Lane Brewing, Coldstream ciders and a range of vino courtesy of Mitchelton Wines. Festive Food Truck Stop runs from 5–10pm.
Of all the country-specific film festivals that reach Melbourne's big screens each year, the British Film Festival might have the weakest reason to exist. Rather than showcasing flicks from a particular part of the world that viewers probably won't get the chance to see in cinemas otherwise, it screens a number of movies that are destined for a bigger release — and a heap of films with very well-known stars, too. But if you want to spend a few weeks immersed in the latest and greatest that UK cinema has to offer, all at once, it's definitely the event for you. And, in 2020 as it does every year, it features a jam-packed lineup. Hitting Palace's Balwyn, Brighton Bay, Como, Westgarth and Kino sites from Thursday, November 12–Sunday, November 29, this year's BFF boasts one of the most anticipated movies of 2020: Ammonite, the Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan-starring romance set in 1840s England, as directed by God's Own Country's Frances Lee. The tender tale only premiered overseas in September, so it's coming to Australia rather quickly — and yes, it's already garnering awards buzz. From the 22-film lineup, other highlights include Misbehaviour, in which Keira Knightley helps recreate the true story of feminist protesters at the 1970 Miss World competition in London; thriller The Nest, with Jude Law playing a British entrepreneur who moves his American family to an English country manor; and Summerland, a World War II-set romantic drama led by Gemma Arterton. There's also Blithe Spirit, based on the Noël Coward's comedy and starring Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher, Judi Dench and Leslie Mann — plus folk-horror thriller Fanny Lye Deliver'd, about a woman in 17th-century Shropshire whose unhappy marriage gets a shake up by a younger couple on the run. The British Film Festival also looks back at British greats gone by, so expect to check out 80s sci-fi flick Flash Gordon, and watch Sir Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers in The Ladykillers for its 65th anniversary. Something extra special: a 40th anniversary screening of David Lynch's The Elephant Man, which earned him the first of his three Oscar nominations for Best Director, and is a movie that everyone genuinely needs to see at least once. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp3WjuJJYB8
Melburnians haven't had much to say cheers to this year — but with the city slowly reopening after the most recent COVID-19 lockdowns, that's changing. And if you're looking for something to sip while you gather the gang (responsibly, while socially distancing and adhering to the requisite rules, of course), Richmond's Baby Pizza is doing an aperitivo special every single day. From 12–5pm daily, you can head by for $6.50 drinks — whether you're keen on sipping Aperol spritzes, Nastro Azzuro beers or Stefani Estate rosé. Spend a tenner, and you can choose from a couple of different cocktails instead, including a sgroppino with lemon sorbet, limoncello, vodka and prosecco, and a frosé lambone with rosé and Chambord. If you're also feeling peckish, Baby Pizza's usual menu will be on offer. As a soundtrack, there'll be DJs spinning tunes on weekends. You will need to reserve a table if you'd like to sit indoors — without al fresco dining available for walk-ins. You'll have a 90-minute slot, and you will also need to spend $45 per person while you're having your drinks over lunch.
