UPDATE April 28, 2023: Moonage Daydream is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video Ground control to major masterpiece: Moonage Daydream, Brett Morgen's kaleidoscopic collage-style documentary about the one and only David Bowie, really makes the grade. Its protein pills? A dazzling dream of archival materials, each piece as essential and energising as the next, woven into an electrifying experience that eclipses the standard music doco format. Its helmet? The soothing-yet-mischievous tones of Ziggy Stardust/Aladdin Sane/The Thin White Duke/Jareth the Goblin King himself, the only protective presence a film about Bowie could and should ever need and want. The songs that bop through viewers heads? An immense playlist covering the obvious — early hit 'Space Oddity', the hooky glam-rock titular track, Berlin-penned anthem 'Heroes', the seductive 80s sounds of 'Let's Dance' and the Pet Shop Boys-remixed 90s industrial gem 'Hallo Spaceboy', to name a few — as well as deeper cuts. The end result? Floating through a cinematic reverie in a most spectacular way. When Bowie came to fame in the 60s, then kept reinventing himself from the 70s until his gone-too-soon death in 2016, the stars did look very different — he did, constantly. How do you capture that persistent shapeshifting, gender-bending, personal and creative experimentation, and all-round boundary-pushing in a single feature? How do you distill a chameleonic icon and musical pioneer into any one piece of art, even a movie that cherishes each of its 135 minutes? In the first film officially sanctioned by Bowie's family and estate, Morgen knows what everyone that's fallen under the legend's spell knows: that the man born David Jones, who'd be 75 as this doco hits screens if he was still alive, can, must and always has spoken for himself. The task, then, is the same as the director had with the also-excellent Cobain: Montage of Heck and Jane Goodall-focused Jane: getting to the essence of his subject and conveying what made him such a wonder by using the figure himself as a template. Nothing about Bowie earns an easy description. Nothing about Bowie, other than his stardom, brilliance and impact, sat or even stood still for too long. Driven by themes and moods rather than a linear birth-to-death chronology, Moonage Daydream leaps forward with that same drive to ch-ch-change, the same yearning to keep playing and unpacking, and the same quest for artistry as well. Taking its aesthetic approach from its centre of attention means peppering in psychedelic pops, bursts of colour, neon hues, and mirrored and tiled images — because it really means making a movie that washes over all who behold its dance, magic, dance. That's the reaction that Bowie always sparked, enchanting and entrancing for more than half a century. In successfully aping that feat, Morgen's film is as immersive as an art installation. Exhibition David Bowie Is has already toured the world, including a 2015 stint Down Under in Melbourne; Moonage Daydream sits partway between that and a Bowie concert. This gift of sound and vision is as glorious as that gig-meets-art concept sounds — and yes, live footage beams and gleams throughout the documentary. Among the snippets of interviews, smattering of music videos, melange of clips from cinema touchstones that reverberate on Bowie's wavelength in one way or another, and scenes from his own acting career on-screen and onstage, how could it not? During his five years, fittingly, spent making Moonage Daydream, Morgen had access to the original concert masters, from which he spliced together his own mixes using alternative angles. Zooming back to the androgynous space-alien Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars tour is exhilarating, including when the feature's eponymous song explodes. Jumps to the 90s, to the Outside and Earthling tours, resonate with awe of a more grounded but no less vibrant kind. The Serious Moonlight segments, hailing from the 80s and all about pale suits and glistening blonde hair, see Bowie relaxing into entertainer mode — and, amid discussions about his wariness about making upbeat tunes, mastering that like everything else. When Bowie takes to the stage in Moonage Daydream, it plays as a concert film, in fact, even if there's always a new vintage chat with the man himself, compilation of movie images or video from one of his singles to swiftly follow in this musical mashup. The entire viewing experience is designed to feel like an event and a show; seeing it on the biggest possible screen, and sitting close enough to it so that all that's in front of you is that Bowie-adorned screen, is heartily recommended. Enlisting Bowie's longtime producer Tony Visconti, Moonage Daydream has the sound, not just the soundtrack, to both match and evoke that like-you're-there sensation. (Or, to make its audience feel like Bowie's here in the cinema in front of you.) Those tunes have also been remastered, aided by audio engineer Paul Massey (an Oscar-winner for Bohemian Rhapsody), and they're given the thunderous volume they deserve. Mesmerising fans comes easily in this Bowie mosaic's frames and tunes, with the doco edited as well as written and directed by Morgen; freak out in a Moonage Daydream indeed. For the casually interested, the film uses its style as part of its substance, and as an immersion technique — a tactic that Baz Luhrmann's Elvis also used in a just-as-vivid and expressively stitched-together manner. Understanding by feeling: that's the 2022 wave of modern music icon love for viewers to fall for, although Moonage Daydream and Elvis are clearly different features. The pair's subjects can be heroes, and that's a fact, and their directors want viewers to absorb why beyond merely being told. Among the time-defying jumps backwards and forwards throughout his life — channelling his always-futuristic air — Bowie's narration isn't about singing his own praises, instead flowing with insights into his processes, loves and challenges, and why he kept seeking the new and the bold. Hearing it as the movie's music and visuals work their magic is as revelatory as it's meant to be. Get your 'lectric eye on this and you'll slide through a multi-sensory ode — a multimedia extravaganza — that also includes looks at the Starman's paintings, which he was cautious about unveiling to the world; hops from the Brixton of his birth to his Los Angeles stint, and to his Berlin period and his tours through Asia; and buzzes with delighted-to-the-point-of-anxiety 70s-era crowds. Naturally, a refusal to be easily pinned down, to stop pushing itself and stop transforming also echoes, again paralleling Bowie himself. Morgen teases one song then layers in another, or sets up a segue but veers elsewhere: he is the propulsive documentary's DJ and he loves being playful. Every choice and surprise chimes with the utter Bowieness of it all, and how indefinable Bowie was and still is. Moonage Daydream is noticeably light on his last few decades, and on the reasons he stopped unleashing his inimitable presence upon stages, but perhaps that's another movie's job; this one is wondrous and wonderful anyway.
Melburnian pooches are in for the ultimate dog treat next month, when an experiential playground for pups arrives in the inner north. If you thought your very good boy or girl was spoiled before, just you wait until they find themselves living it up at Scratch Patch — the activity-filled pop-up dog park of their twitchiest doggy dreams. The brainchild of locally-based ethical pet food company Scratch, Scratch Patch is set to take over Edinburgh Gardens from Saturday, March 5–Sunday, March 27. And oh boy, is it a mood. The playground will be filled with fun obstacles and activities for the four-legged crowd, from high jump and agility poles to ball pits and totem tennis. A dog-friendly pop-up pool is sure to get a workout, too. If your pup is more of a book worm type, we're sure they'll be pretty stoked with a visit to the on-site stick library. No word yet on whether there'll be ruff fines for any late returns. Meanwhile, a tuck shop will be slinging an array of healthy Scratch pet food and treats, because all that excitement is bound to get the appetite going. And, since no pet parent can call themselves such without a camera roll full of adorable snaps to prove it, there'll be photo ops galore. Make sure Boswell is looking the goods, because there'll be a bunch of installations and activations designed for taking pawsome pics in front of. Each activity zone will be limited to five pups at a time, though there'll also always be a team of behaviour specialists on hand to facilitate harmonious playtime for all. Scratch customers and City of Yarra residents can enjoy Scratch Patch for free, with a $10 cover charge for everyone else. As you can imagine, bookings are required — you'd better snap up a play slot for Luna so she doesn't get left out and have to hear about it from all her mates forevermore. Find Scratch Patch at Edinburgh Gardens, Alfred Crescent, Fitzroy North, from March 5–27. It'll open daily from 8am–8pm.
Why drink at just one watering hole, when you can head to two, three, six or 11? That's always been the motivation behind everyone's favourite boozy journey, aka a pub crawl. And, it's exactly the same type of thinking behind the long-running Urban Wine Walk. Back for its next Melbourne wander this autumn, it's the bar-hopping excuse every vino-lover needs — if you need an excuse, that is. From midday until 4pm on Saturday, May 27, you can saunter around Collingwood — jumping between the likes of Hotel Collingwood, Molly Rose Brewing, Bad Frankie, Paradise Alley and more — sampling wines and having a mighty fine time. [caption id="attachment_891867" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Molly Rose Brewing, Collingwood[/caption] As for the tipples offered at each of the nine venues, they'll be curated by a heap of top local wineries such as Little Brunswick Wine Co, Pacha Mama, Philip Lobley Wine and Vallee du Venom, so prepare to get sipping. Tickets will set you back $75 and you'll get to choose which venue you kick off from, though spots are limited. Guests will enjoy a stack of wine tastings, a tasting glass to keep and a $10 voucher to spend on food, plus $25 redeemable for take-home wine purchases on the day.
Only a week after Sydney hospitality giant Merivale announced its foray into the Melbourne food scene, those expansion plans have been put firmly on hold. With 70 NSW venues in its stable, the group was scheduled to bring its newly launched delivery service Merivale at Home to Melbourne this August. But, after some less-than-enthusiastic responses from some of the city's already struggling hospitality businesses, it's decided to hit pause on a local launch for the time being, with a Merivale spokesperson telling Concrete Playground the move was "an oversight". The platform delivers dishes from some of Merivale's most popular restaurants for diners to enjoy at home. Sydneysiders can order rotating menus from the likes of Italian diner Totti's, renowned Cantonese haunt Mr Wong and farm-to-table favourite Fred's, dropped to their door "nearly ready to eat". And Melburnians were soon to be offered the same choices via a local rollout of the service. But given that COVID-19 restrictions and a second round of Stage 3 lockdowns have left much of Victoria's hospitality scene struggling, the interstate company's decision was called out by many as being tone-deaf. A since deleted launch announcement posted to Merivale's Instagram page drew plenty of ire from local operators. While a few fans showed excitement at the prospect, most gave it a resounding thumbs down, labelling the move "selfish and immoral" and "insensitive". https://www.instagram.com/p/CDF4n_7AXUm/ "It was a wak [sic] move and I'm glad they've pulled the pin on it," 1800-Lasagne's Joey Kellock told Concrete Playground. "Just so tone-deaf and out of touch with what is happening in Melbourne. A very poor reading of the room." Other local hospitality names echoed the sentiment, including chef-owner of Annam and Bia Hoi, Jerry Mai. "When I first heard, I was both angry and surprised," Mai told CP. "I know we are all trying to survive right now, but there is a delicate ecosystem in this industry that was overlooked." Mai also pointed out the potential impacts such a decision might have for local growers, farmers and producers, with Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes suggesting the Melbourne launch would support the group's existing suppliers. "I was saddened by not only Merivale's timing on this but the fact that produce from another state would be getting shipped into Victoria at this time, with our local producers doing it tough," Mai said. What is clear is that Melbourne's hospo industry sure could do without the extra interstate competition right now. Recent data from a City of Melbourne survey showed a worrying 15 percent of inner-city hospitality businesses either won't reopen or aren't sure they'll be able to, highlighting the industry's need for as much local support as possible. Merivale has heeded the response from down south and announced its Melbourne plans have been postponed, with the Merivale spokesperson telling Concrete Playground, "We didn't anticipate the unintended consequences of expanding into Melbourne at this time." "It was an oversight on our behalf and as soon as we heard from some of the local operators, we hit pause and decided to hold off launching Merivale at Home until Melbourne is back on its feet and hospitality venues are open again," the spokesperson said. A new launch date is yet to be determined. In the meantime, you can continue supporting local hospitality businesses by dining with them at home. Here's our latest round-up of takeaway and delivery options here in Melbourne. To find out more about Merivale at Home, head to the website. Top image: Mr Wong
Mondays can be rough. We know it. You know it. And the folks behind Newtown Social Club know it better than anyone, which is why they've devised a plan to make the start of your week that little bit easier to swallow. Kicking off on Monday, May 29, the bar is launching Wind It Up, a brand new free weekly Monday night live music session to help you cruise through the start of that week like a total boss. Just as you'd expect from one of northside's favourite live music haunts, there'll be tunes — and lots of 'em, with a trio of homegrown heroes taking the stage from 8.30pm each week. First up, it's Ausmuteants, The Faculty, and garage trio Constant Mongrel. Future lineups will be announced closer to the date. And in case you burnt through a little too much coin over that weekend, entry is totally free. Plus, there's also a few cheeky specials to get into, including $15 parmas of both the eggplant and the chicken variety. Throw in a couple of $15 jugs on the heated deck and those Mondays won't be looking too shabby at all.
After 22 glorious years of late night live yazz, Bennetts Lane Jazz Club announced today that it will be closing its doors in June 2015. Over the last two decades over 10,000 performances have played it loose and loud in both the Jazz Club and Jazz Lab, making the joint stand out as Melbourne’s premier jazz venue for over two decades. The Bennetts Lane Jazz Club has already been sold, and club owner Michael Tortoni was quick to thank all those who have been involved past and present, the musicians that have graced the stage and audiences who supported the venue. As sad as the news is, our hearts hurt significantly more when the announcement was made on Facebook with the caption, "the heaviest button I've ever had to press was the one that said — 'press me to send!'" The pangs. Countless artists have graced the stage at Bennetts Lane, both national treasures and international stars including Wynton Marsalis, Harry Connick Jnr, Chick Corea and Kurt Elling. Some of the most memorable moments include when Prince played a post-concert show for close to three and a half hours in near darkness to a crowd of 70. It was also an important venue for The Cat Empire’s early days. Great, just when we were having a few victories for Melbourne's live music scene, with Cherry Bar's crowd funding campaign win, a new medium sized venue opening up in Flemington and those pesky noise complaints no longer being a drastic threat to venues, this happens. Via Tone Deaf. Image: Lake Sideris.
Pop on your helmet and cycle down to Cinema Nova, the purple home of Melbourne's greenest film festival. Returning for its fifth straight year, the Transitions Film Festival once again boasts a stellar lineup of sustainability-themed documentaries, tackling everything from climate change to activist octogenarians. The festival begins on February 18 with Catching the Sun, a doco about the race to lead the world in renewable energies. Other standout films include Poverty Inc. — about the damaging side effects of the humanitarian aid cycle — and The Price We Pay, about the methods used by big businesses to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. Those after something a little more optimistic can check out Two Raging Grannies, about a pair of senior citizens who set out to fix the global economy, or Capital C: The Crowdfunding Revolution, which explores how crowdfunding platforms are empowering an entire generation of artists. As per usual, festival-goers who present their bike helmets at the box office will be entitled to discount tickets. For the full Transitions Film Festival program visit transitionsfilmfestival.com.
The year was 1992. Aladdin, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Batman Returns, Lethal Weapon 3 and A Few Good Men ruled the international box office. Slipping into a habit and sliding in next on the list, becoming the sixth-biggest hit of the year: Sister Act. The film about singing nuns spawned a sequel, with word of a third movie floating around for years since — and, as everything from Mean Girls and Muriel's Wedding to Groundhog Day and Beetlejuice has also done, it inspired a stage musical as well. The theatre take on the Whoopi Goldberg (The Color Purple)-led film franchise debuted in California in 2006, then hit West End in 2009 and Broadway in 2011. Now, from November 2024, it's finally Melbourne's turn. Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy will hit the Regent Theatre from Sunday, November 3. [caption id="attachment_939236" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sister Act UK & Ireland Touring Production 2023/24, photography Mark Senior[/caption] The first movie was filled with songs like 'Rescue Me', 'My Guy' and 'I Will Follow Him', making its soundtrack a smash as well, so the film was always primed to tread the boards. The Sister Act musical features original tunes, with Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid) doing the honours. Among the show's rewards so far: five Tony Award nominations and six Olivier Award nominations. Story-wise, the production follows Deloris, who witnesses a murder and has to go into protective custody. Her hideout: a convent. It's there that the nightclub singer finds a struggling choir, which she begins to help. For the Australian run — which is answering prayers in Sydney, too — Casey Donovan (& Juliet) is leading the cast, while Genevieve Lemon (Billy Elliot) co-stars as Mother Superior. Top images: Benny Capp.
When Melbourne's latest round of restrictions eased this week, allowing hospitality and retail to reopen, much of the city was focused on finally being able to 'get on the beers'. But it seems a stack of locals had another important task at the top of their post-lockdown to-do lists: a midnight shopping session at Kmart. In fact, both 'get on the beers' and 'Kmart' were trending on Twitter just moments after the announcement. The resulting crowds that swarmed the retail giant's late-night stores for their 11.59pm opening on Tuesday night were so hectic that Kmart has gone and launched a new booking system. Yep — you can now secure a timeslot to go shopping. https://twitter.com/RustyLoL/status/1320590087445385216 Scores of eager punters hit the town late Tuesday night keen to make the most of freshly lifted restrictions by heading for a feed, a drink, or a shop. And Kmart proved an especially popular choice, with Kmart Group Managing Director Ian Bailey telling 3AW that a whopping 10,000 people passed through the chain's five local late-night stores before 6am. Of course, not everyone was enamoured by the shopping frenzy, with Kmart Australia's Facebook page copping plenty of less-than-impressed responses. Some comments labelled the company 'socially irresponsible' for allowing such huge crowds to gather, while others questioned why so many people had been so desperate to go shopping at the crack of midnight. Now, Kmart's hoping to manage the masses of shopping fiends with a new booking system via SocialQ. Rolling out across the group's busiest metropolitan Melbourne stores, the new setup is designed to save customers from lengthy queues, while limiting the number of people in store at any one time. Shoppers can now head to the website, click on their chosen store and book a preferred timeslot to visit. A booking confirmation is sent via SMS, which you'll then have to flash when you arrive in-store. While it's not compulsory, Kmart is recommending people book ahead in order to avoid wait times, improve social distancing and ensure a speedy shopping experience. Kmart's new booking system is now operating for select metro Melbourne stores. Head here to see the list of participating outlets and book a timeslot.
Late-night Lygon Street venue Bar Romantica is a go-to for pasta any night of the week, but you'll want to make sure you stop by on Sunday, March 31 when it hosts one of Sydney's best restaurants for a one-off dinner. The recently revamped eatery will join forces with Sydney's 10 William Street for a special four-course Italian feast. In the kitchen, Bar Romantica's chef Joseph Farrell will be joined by 10 William Streets' group chef Enrico Tomelleri and newly appointed head chef Trisha Greentree (ex-Brae). While the trio's menu has been kept under wraps, diners can expect fresh local produce and plenty of pasta as the two restaurants combine signature dishes. We hope 10 Williams's warm pretzel with whipped bottarga makes the cut. The Paddington restaurant's part-owner Giovanni Paradiso will also head down south and take charge of the wine list, while Romantica Studios' resident DJ Chico G keeps the tunes going all night long. The eats will cost you $70 per person, and drinks will be extra. Cheaper than a trip to Sydney, in any case. It's a ticketed event, so be sure to book ahead — the two-hour sittings range from 6–9pm, and many are already booked out. For those that want to kick on post-meal, the bar will be open until midnight. Image: Kate Shanasy.
In the trailer for Midsommar, a group of people trek through a forest, all saddled up with backpacks and sleeping bags. They're outside a Swedish town, with the locals putting on a mid-summer event. "It's like a crazy nine-day festival; it only happens every 90 years," visitor Dani (Florence Pugh) is told. As anyone who has ever seen a movie should know, this situation usually goes one of two ways: raucous festivities ensue, with friendships tested and lessons learned, or unnerving antics do instead. With Hereditary writer/director Ari Aster behind Midsommar, anyone who saw the 2018 horror hit will know that this flick is destined to fall into the latter category. The details are being kept scarce, even in the movie's just-released first trailer, with the film set to hit cinemas worldwide from early August this year. But if you're expecting another visibly dark and sinister flick from Aster, think again. Instead, Midsommar looks light, bright and filled with bohemian-looking folks — even as it seems to step firmly into creepy cult territory Story-wise, Dani is accompanied by her boyfriend Christian (Jack Reynor), a whole heap of people wearing white await their arrival and things aren't quite what they seem when the duo gets to their destination. The Good Place's William Jackson Harper and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch's Will Poulter also feature among the cast, and what this first sneak peek offers in the way of idyllic natural surroundings and flower crowns, it counters with glimpses of chilling rituals. Check out the nightmarish first trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0UWIya-O0s Midsommar opens in Australian cinemas on August 8.
You'll find big things in small packages at the St Kilda Film Festival this year. You'll also find some changes, too. Australia's oldest short film festival, this massive event won't physically descend on St Kilda for the 34th year in 2020 — with the lineup jumping online and screening to movie buffs nationally. Even better: it's screening for free. Showcasing some of the best up-and-coming filmmakers in the country, the festival runs from Friday, June 12–Saturday, June 20, with audiences at home getting the chance to see a selection of exciting films. It all kicks off with a virtual opening night, then features curated sessions, live online Q&As and webinars. As always, the backbone of the festival is Australia's Top 100, featuring filmmakers from every corner of the country competing for prizes. Other selections include the Australian Animation Explosion, highlighting Aussie animation; Shifting the Gaze: Focus on Women Filmmakers, presenting new films from female filmmakers; Dark Matter, showcasing on horror, thriller and dystopian tales; and Out of Range, Gods of Tiny Things and Home, which focus on being and becoming an Indigenous Australian. For the full St Kilda Film Festival program, or to watch online between Friday, June 12–Saturday, June 20, visit the festival website. Image: Jim Lee
Melbourne's been pretty much spoilt for choice when it comes to boozy bottomless brunches. But now, one of the city's OG burger joints is jumping on the brunch bandwagon and showing us how it's really done. Aussie favourite Huxtaburger has kicked off its new series of Bottomless Sundays, where it'll host up a weekly fried chicken party at each of its six Melbourne outposts. Running from 11am to 4pm every Sunday until September 15, these decadent brunch sessions promise to see you wrapping up your weekend on a very high note. For $35, you'll get to enjoy a 90-minute all-you-can-handle feast, featuring unlimited serves of fried chicken wings, classic Huxtaburger chips — sprinkled with chicken, dill pickle or regular salt — and gravy. The price includes 90-minutes of free-flowing booze, too, in the form of Furphy beer, shiraz and sauvignon blanc, and elegant tinnies of Sorrento Spritz and Bondi Spritz from Batch & Co. Bottomless Sundays are on offer at Huxtaburger's Collingwood, CBD, Prahran, Hawthorn, Eastland and Footscray stores.
They started as an opening act for the Beastie Boys. They've been fighting the power for almost four decades. They're no strangers to big hats and giant clocks, or for fighting for a worthy cause. They've been in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2013. They'll forever come to mind whenever Def Jam and Long Island come up. They're Public Enemy, of course, and they're about to get Australia believing the hype when they bring the noise — and their latest tour — Down Under in October 2024. Chuck D, Flavor Flav and company are playing Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena on Saturday, October 5. Audiences, you're gonna get yours when the icons take to the stage to play through 37 years of tunes that began with 1987 singles 'Public Enemy No 1' and, yes, 'You're Gonna Get Yours', all from their debut studio album Yo! Bum Rush the Show. Expect tracks from 1988's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and 1990's Fear of a Black Planet — two of the most-influential records of the period, and home to 'Bring the Noise', 'Don't Believe the Hype', 'Rebel Without a Pause', '911 Is a Joke' and 'Fight the Power' — as well, through to songs from 2020's What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down?, their most-recent album. For company, Public Enemy have AB Original in support, pairing one classic duo with another in Briggs and Trials — and matching the US group's commitment to social rights activism with an Australian act just as devoted to standing up against injustice. Public Enemy last played in Australia a decade ago, on a 2014 tour that included Golden Plains, plus gigs in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Launceston.
Western Australia's Beerfarm brewery is a go-to for locals. Now, for the first time, you can get cases of its brews delivered straight from the farm to your door — even if you live on the other side of the country. And while there are things we shouldn't be stockpiling right now, if you're spending more time at home than usual, you may as well have some cold ones in the fridge. The environmentally focused, independently owned brewery is located on an old dairy farm in the Margaret River region and strives to do things a little differently. There are a few cows roaming around the property and it's almost entirely run on solar power. So, if you're a fan of funky, fermented tipples and the environment, this one's for you. And you'll be supporting a small homegrown business which, in these times, is more important than ever. It's got a tasty range of brews suited to any occasion and palate, from sessionable lagers to complex IPAs, sours, cider and saisons. Its Asam Boi Gose, which is a salted plum sour, took home a GABS award last year — so, if you've yet to try it, we recommend getting a case of it stat. Luckily, now you can. To celebrate its new farm-to-door delivery service, we've teamed up with Beerfarm to offer you $10 off your first carton. Just head here to make your purchase and enter the one-off code CPBFF20 at check out. Delivery is available nationwide, with varying shipping costs. This story includes affiliate links, which means Concrete Playground may receive a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. This does not influence our editorial recommendations or content. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Father's Day is coming up, meaning it's time to gather the family together and find a spot that'll fit and feed you all. There are stacks of restaurants that cater for big groups, but Molly Rose is gunning for the top spot this year with its Steins and Pork Knuckles Sunday roast. The Father's Day set menu will only cost you $45 a head, and it comes packed with hearty roast favourites — with plenty of Molly Rose's signature Southeast Asian influences. The crew will start you off with rice crackers, spring onion pancakes and betel leaves, before serving a huge pork knuckle to each diner (there are also vegan and vegetarian options available). This bad boy comes with a stack of condiments — a must for any good Sunday roast — including fermented chilli, ginger and garlic mustard, green onions in oil, and papaya with spring onions and daikon. This will be served alongside steamed rice and barley crumble, and a farm salad dressed with a sour beer and ginger dressing. A cheeky pandan sticky date pudding can also be added for an extra $5 per person. But this stacked set menu ain't all that up for grabs. This is a brewery after all, so you best expect some beer specials. First off, you and your dad can get $22 steins of the team's Lager #3 throughout the day, or two schooners of beer and a glass of wine for just $30. There's also a special kids menu available for the little ones who aren't interested in the massive pork knuckle.
Lockdown's over, restrictions continue to ease and group catch-ups are flooding diaries everywhere. And if you're searching for a northside dinner destination that doesn't come with any pesky time limits, this one's for you. For a limited time, Fitzroy favourite Rice Paper Scissors has opened the doors to new pop-up dining room and function space, Aunty Kim's House. Here on Johnston Street, guests can book a table for ten or more and settle in to feast on the restaurant's renowned modern Southeast Asian fare — without having to worry about clearing out at a certain time. Set to stick around until the end of January, the set-up is primed for long, lazy festive catch-ups, with various menus starting from an easy $65 per person and a cheeky $40 drinks package also on offer. Expect signature plates like sugarcane prawns, roast duck banh mi, Thai-style beef cheek curry with grilled pineapple, and the chargrilled corn slathered in salted coconut cream. Got lots of mates? The entire venue can be booked out for groups of up to 80. Just note that deposits are required for all bookings and you'll need to give the team a heads up on your food and drink selections in advance. [caption id="attachment_833367" align="alignnone" width="1920"] C.Hawks[/caption] Images: C.Hawks
When it starred Lindsay Lohan (Falling for Christmas) making her film debut in dual roles in the late 90s, and when Hayley Mills (The Wheel of Time) was doing double duty back in the 60s as well, The Parent Trap told of identical twins who were separated at birth when their mother and father divorced. Each parent gained custody of a baby, then raised the child separately. Never did the sisters cross paths until a summer camp years later, where they realised their connection, then hatched a plan to reunite their family by posing as each other back home. The tale springs from the page, with German novel Lisa and Lottie also inspiring adaptations in its homeland, Japan, the UK, India and Iran. The Olsen twins' It Takes Two owes it a debt, too. But there's never been a version of this story like Josh Sharp (Search Party) and Aaron Jackson's (Broad City) iteration, as first seen onstage in Fucking Identical Twins and now in cinemas as Dicks: The Musical. So absurdly its own ridiculous, raucous, irreverent and raunchy thing, calling Dicks: The Musical exuberantly unhinged — or anything, really — doesn't do it justice. Before this A24 release brought its sibling antics to the big screen with singing, dancing, Megan Mullally (Party Down) and Nathan Lane (Beau Is Afraid) as its long-split parents, Borat and Brüno director Larry Charles behind the camera, Brisbane-born Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang as drama-loving gay God and Megan Thee Stallion busting out a mid-movie tune, Fucking Identical Twins was a two-man production that premiered in 2014 to must-see success. Created at Upright Citizens Brigade, which was co-founded by Amy Poehler (Moxie), the then half-an-hour affair first filled a basement and now rises to share its delirium with the film-watching world. Leading the way in every guise: Sharp and Jackson, who definitely aren't twins let alone brothers, don't look a thing alike, yet know how to take audiences on a helluva wild ride. Sharp's Craig and Jackson's Trevor do have plenty in common in Dicks: The Musical's narrative, however, with both slick salesman slinging Vroomba vacuum parts who could slide into American Psycho, dripping with toxic alpha-male pride, bragging about their heterosexual prowess and, despite their professional successes and ample posturing, plagued by loneliness. As the feature kicks into gear, they're also new colleagues after their respective offices merge, which they're not initially happy about. Then the instant jostling to be seen as the company's top seller gives way to recognition when they glean that they're actually identical twins. Both yearning for the childhood with two parents and a brother that they missed, they plot to bring their mother Evelyn (Mullally) and father Harris (Lane) back together. But when Craig poses as Trevor, he doesn't know that their dad is obsessed with two creatures that he calls Sewer Boys, and has also recently come out. And when Trevor pretends to be Craig, he no idea that their mum doesn't leave the house or has a lusty penchant for inanimate objects. From the moment that Dicks: The Musical begins with a title card explaining that its two gay writers and stars are playing straight men in the movie, and also espousing their bravery for doing to, there's no room for mistaking Sharp and Jackson's film for anything but a gleefully OTT satire. Subtlety has no room when the first image that the feature shows is the faces of its orgasming protagonists. Nuance has no place when the picture's initial musical number is about having massive penises, as well as separate mansions for sex and masturbation, either. While writing both Fucking Identical Twins and Dicks: The Musical, if Sharp and Jackson — plus composers Karl Saint Lucy (returning from the stage) and Marius de Vries (Navalny) — were trying to one-up each scene, tune and joke with the next, it wouldn't come as a shock. Before the flick is out, there'll be genitals kept in a handbag, other than when they're flying, for instance. And those diaper-wearing mutants from below that even the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles would run from? Resembling demonic gremlins, with one voiced by SpongeBob SquarePants' Tom Kenny (so, yes, SpongeBob himself), they're fed regurgitated food from Harris like baby birds. Performative masculinity might be the obvious target, and a worthy one, but barbs are clearly and eagerly fired in other directions. Dicks: The Musical's own distributor isn't safe. Neither is queer culture, the film's second main subject for parody; "Lube is the word," one of the feature's gag posters for faux Broadway shows states (My Queer Lady and The Gay Odd Couple are others) in what might be the movie's tamest joke. There's a throw-it-all-in vibe to Dicks: The Musical, then, where that one-upping quest frequently seems as if it's driving the flick above all else. Dicks: The Musical only spans 86 minutes, but even viewers unfamiliar with Fucking Identical Twins will be able to spot how well the material would've worked at a third of that length — and, as a result, how forceful much of the movie can be, and not just because that's exactly what Sharp, Jackson and their cast are giving in every single moment. That said, when a comedy turns its outrageousness up to 111, it needs one thing first and foremost: committed players. Dicks: The Musical's actors don't even dream of holding back and couldn't have if they wanted to — that version wouldn't have made it to fruition. There was no chance of Sharp and Jackson not investing their all in their film debut, of course, or in bringing their creation to cinemas, just as they've done with the script's constant array of off-kilter and iconoclastic gags. Megan Thee Stallion not only steals her office-bound scenes, but also ensures that her tune 'Out Alpha the Alpha' is the highlight of the musical numbers. Yang is perfection. Lane and Mullally expectedly prove genius casting moves, because who else would anyone want to sing about critters from the deep drinking blood for fun and winking nipples — and with feeling? Surreal, silly, aiming for scandalous, always throwing another provocative surprise the audience's way, emphasising loving people (and Sewer Boys) for who they are above all else: that's the Dicks: The Musical approach. Still, it's apt that Charles energetically splashes an artificial look across the screen. Making the bit seem genuine might be the tactic with most of his Sacha Baron Cohen-led fare (not The Dictator), and while helming episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm, but it would've seen this film plummet down a grate. Accordingly, with its blatant sets and puppetry, at no point does Dicks: The Musical try to hide that this is a spoof world. There's a fabricated air overall, though; even when you're laughing, it's impossible not to spy the effort being expended like twins endeavouring to make a ploy a reality, this time on courting cult status.
Already in 2021, fans of the DC Extended Universe — the interconnected franchise that started with Man of Steel, and also includes Wonder Woman and its sequel, Aquaman and Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) — have sat down to watch an extended new version of Justice League like it's still 2017. Next on the series' viewing list: The Suicide Squad, the confusingly named sequel to 2016's Suicide Squad (because no one has challenged themselves thinking of the upcoming flick's title). Margot Robbie (Dreamland) returns as Harley Quinn, Joel Kinnaman (The Secrets We Keep) does the same as Rick Flag and Australian actor Jai Courtney (Honest Thief) also makes a comeback as Captain Boomerang. As the government agent overseeing this band of world-saving supervillains, recent Oscar-nominee Viola Davis (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom) is back as well. But don't expect to see the rest of their original costars this time around. As seen in the film's initial trailer, and now expanded upon in its just-dropped new sneak peek, The Suicide Squad sees a new group of nefarious folks joins Harley and the gang — including Idris Elba (Cats) as Bloodsport, John Cena (Playing with Fire) as Peacemaker, Peter Capaldi (The Personal History of David Copperfield) as Thinker, Pete Davidson (The King of Staten Island) as Blackguard and Sylvester Stallone (Rambo: Last Blood) as the voice of King Shark. Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit) has a yet-to-be revealed role, and Guardians of the Galaxy alums Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn show up, too — which makes complete sense given that GotG filmmaker James Gunn is behind the lens and has also penned the screenplay. By hiring Gunn, DC is clearly looking for his sense of humour, as well as his lively and OTT style. In both clips so far, all of the above is on display. So yes, if The Suicide Squad feels more in line with goofier Marvel Cinematic Universe flicks than most of DC Comics' big-screen output, there's an obvious reason for that. When the film hits cinemas Down Under on August 5, it'll initially head to Belle Reve prison, where supervillains are kept. Asked by Task Force X to participate in a secret mission in exchange for time out of incarceration, Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, King Shark, Blackguard and their pals are more than willing to help. Their job: travelling to the island of Corto Maltese on a deadly quest. It's dubbed a suicide mission in the trailer, because of course it is. Check out latest The Suicide Squad trailer below: The Suicide Squad releases in cinemas Down Under on August 5.
"The people who come here, they come to heal," says Nicole Kidman in the latest trailer for Nine Perfect Strangers. There's a disconcerting tone to her words, however. She plays Masha Dmitrichenko, the wellness guru in charge of a high-priced retreat in a super-scenic spot, and she definitely isn't making anyone feel relaxed with her presence. Whether you're checking into a nearby spa for the day or heading further afield for a lengthier stint of bliss, visiting these kinds of venues is supposed to be calming. But that really doesn't seem to be the case in this upcoming miniseries. The star-studded Nine Perfect Strangers was shot in Byron Bay, which is why it looks the striking part — but the nine guests who turn up in search of a new lease on life all appear set to get much more than they've bargained for. That's how the show's trailers have been unfolding, at least, with the latest sneak peek offering the biggest glimpse at the series yet. Given the cast involved — including not just Kidman (The Undoing), but also Melissa McCarthy (Thunder Force), Michael Shannon (Knives Out), Luke Evans (Crisis) and Asher Keddie (Rams) — Nine Perfect Strangers is easily one of the big streaming releases of the year, and that long list of famous faces will be navigating quite the eerie and creepy situation. Also part of the show: Bobby Cannavale (Superintelligence), Regina Hall (Little), Samara Weaving (Bill & Ted Face the Music), Melvin Gregg (The United States vs Billie Holiday), Asher Keddie (Rams), Grace Van Patten (Under the Silver Lake), Tiffany Boone (The Midnight Sky) and Manny Jacinto (The Good Place), who'll all navigate a ten-day retreat overseen by Kidman's Masha throughout the drama's eight episodes. The latter oversees the resort that promises to transform nine stressed city-dwellers — but, clearly, things aren't going to turn out as planned for the show's titular figures. As with Kidman's last two miniseries — Big Little Lies, which like Nine Perfect Strangers, was also based on a book by Liane Moriarty; and The Undoing — David E Kelley (LA Law, Ally McBeal, Mr Mercedes) is leading the charge behind the scenes. He's the show's co-writer and co-showrunner, with Long Shot's Jonathan Levine directing every episode. And if you're wondering where and when you'll be able to see the results, Nine Perfect Strangers will stream Down Under via Amazon Prime Video, with the series set to debut on Friday, August 20. Check out the full trailer below: Nine Perfect Strangers will start streaming in Australia and New Zealand on Friday, August 20 via Amazon Prime Video — starting with its first three episodes, with new episodes then dropping weekly afterwards. Top image: Vince Valitutti/Hulu.
From Trading Places to The Blues Brothers to An American Werewolf in London, few filmmakers are as synonymous with the 1980s as John Landis. Now, as part of this year’s Melbourne Festival, the films that defined a decade will entertain audiences once more. A Tribute to John Landis will showcase some of the director’s most beloved works. In addition to the above films, highlights include his early gross-out comedies Kentucky Fried Movie and Animal House, his iconic music video for Michael Jackson’s 'Thriller', as well his lesser known documentaries Slasher and Mr Warmth, which will screen on the big screen in Australia for the very first time But what makes the retrospective particularly exciting for movie buffs is that Landis himself with be in attendance at select screenings to introduce the films and field questions from the audience. He will also participate in a special In Conversation event, to discuss a storied career that spans more than 40 years.
Bridge Road Brewers' Brunswick East taphouse is turning one this September, and the team is celebrating with a massive Sunday sesh party. On Sunday, September 22, the crew will fire up an outdoor grill (let's hope for good springtime weather), host a bunch of local DJs and give away free pints of its Village Pilsner — its signature beer that's brewed on-site. Sadly, these free pints won't be free-flowing throughout the entire day, so be sure to get in early before they start charging. Founder Ben Kraus shared, "We're excited to see the progress since opening and how the East Brunswick community has really embraced us in our first year. We've built a local run club that is 1,000 strong, regularly getting up to 100 members at our Wednesday night meets. "We've had great interest in our local ride club and Merri-creek clean-up sessions, plus we're now branching into other areas by hosting a monthly vintage market to support local vendors."
There's a reason our city has such a reputation for arts and culture — it's been run by hipsters for generations. Though they may not have been wearing custom skinny jeans and buttoned-up shirts, they were doing all the same kinds of great experimental work in music, art and performance that you can catch in our best galleries, theatres and shonky laneways today. This latest exhibition at the State Library of Victoria tells their story. Packed full of paintings, photographs, books, diaries, letters, costumes, posters, albums and films, Bohemian Melbourne delves into the city's alternative artistic world from the mid-19th century till the present day. There will be work on show from famous local creatives such as Nick Cave, Barry Humphries, Albert Tucker and Joy Hester as well as some small histories of our city's finest institutions — Heide, La Mama, and the Nicholas Building just to name a few. "Every generation feels nostalgic about its own unique bohemian legacy, but this exhibition shows how the spirit of bohemianism has endured through 150 years of Melbourne’s history," says curator Clare Williamson. As a bonus there'll also be a series of walking tours, a live showing of body art, and a ritzy nostalgic cabaret show. Failing that, you can just go and hunt for a photo of your hipster granddad hanging out with some kids from Fitzroy.
Just when you thought the celebrations were over, the Festivus pole keeps on giving with this beauty: a George Costanza-themed bar. Yep, the Seinfeld character and undisputed Lord of the Idiots himself has provided the inspiration for a whole damn Fitzroy bar, which officially opened last night. George's Bar reads exactly like those mates who have watched every episode of the NBC comedy six times, quote it constantly and emulate a Jerry Seinfeld-esque vibe. Unsurprisingly, co-owner Dave Barrett — who also owns Laundry Bar down the road — is one of those people, and told The Age that the idea to theme the bar arose because they just "really like Seinfeld". The bar is filled with signed Seinfeld memorabilia, paste-ups, and will serve well-named toasties and cocktails such as The Hand Model and The Art Vandalay. Expect many a Costanza quote. As far as themed bars go, this is definitely one of the most interesting — and pop culturally significant — to open for a while. Novelty factor is at an all-time high. Let the Summer of George commence. George's Bar is located at 120 Johnston Street, Fitzroy and is open 6pm - late daily. For more info, visit their Facebook page. Via The Age.
One of Melbourne's best-known food experiences might have served up its final dish, with the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant revealing it's been taken off the tracks after its famed vintage trams were deemed unsafe. In an announcement on the tourist attraction's Facebook page, CEO Paul O'Brien cites "a bureaucratic deadlock with Yarra Trams" as the reason behind the shutdown. After successfully passing weekly safety inspections by the transport body since 2010, the restaurant trams have now been labelled unsafe. The company has reportedly been told to upgrade its carriages in order to keep running, though is facing what it calls "an impossible deadline" of two weeks and is unable to schedule in for the necessary works until at least 2020. O'Brien is currently calling on the Victorian Government to step in and set a more manageable deadline for upgrade works, so the award-winning tourist trams can continue its daily jaunts through the CBD. The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant has been operating for 35 years, hosting more than three-million customers without any serious injuries to date. Before its suspension, the roaming restaurant travelled through Albert Park, St Kilda and South Melbourne, serving up breakfast, high tea, lunch and dinner. The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is not currently accepting bookings and any future reservations have been cancelled. We'll update you as soon as any further announcements are made.
To celebrate the launch of its new gelato cake created in collaboration with Natalie Paull of Beatrix Bakes, Pidapipo — home to some of the best gelato in Melbourne — is giving away 300 free slices on Wednesday, December 6. These will be handed out at the Fitzroy Laboratorio by Natalie Paull herself alongside Pidapipo co-owner Lisa Valmorbida. It's your chance to grab some free cake and meet two legends in Melbourne's dessert world. The new creation is a gelato-filled take on the Beatrix Bakes Peach Alabama sponge cake. It includes delicate layers of peach jam, mascarpone zabaione gelato and poached peach sorbetto — all encased within a marsala-drenched sponge cake. It's then topped with whipped mascarpone cream, slices of poached peaches and a sprinkling of crunchy amaretti biscuits. Peach perfection. The Peach Alabama Gelato Cake is also available for pre-order and will set you back $120. A cake creation this beautiful doesn't come cheap so why not try before you buy at the giveaway event?
This summer, Melburnians won't take spontaneity (or social gatherings) for granted. We're ready to revel in the freedom of last-minute plans, the excitement of everyday adventures and even the simple joy of running into friends on the street and saying, "Hey, I know a great spot". When you're dealing with changeable Melbourne weather, it also helps to have a few quick pivots ready to go. Luckily, there's a whole world of spontaneous summer opportunities to seize in this city. Whether you and your gang want cocktails and charcuterie, seaside afternoons or casual lobster breakfasts (yep, you read that right), there's a last-minute adventure waiting for you. We've teamed up with Jacob's Creek to share some fun spots to hit this summer. [caption id="attachment_793542" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Little Sky Gelato, Fiona Storey[/caption] FISH TANK AND LITTLE SKY GELATO, BRIGHTON Brighton's one of the easiest beaches to reach via public transport, so head down on the next sunny Saturday. Walk along the shore, admire the delightful bathing boxes, have a splash in the sea, then head to Fish Tank for top-quality, old-school fish and chips. Hot tip: sparkling wine is the perfect pairing for fried foods so, once you've nabbed a patch of grass to enjoy your takeaway feast on, pop a bottle of Jacob's Creek Better by Half Sparkling. Finish your jaunt by hitting the best gelateria in town, Little Sky Gelato, for small-batch, all-natural gelato. There's always a brand new experimental flavour to try. [caption id="attachment_763009" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tracey Ah-kee[/caption] TETA MONA, BRUNSWICK EAST Missed the mezze? Now's your chance to make up for it. Teta Mona in Brunswick East serves up Lebanese soul food fit for your whole hungry crew. Book a table in the courtyard, order one of the banquets and BYO your choice of Jacob's Creek to suit, be it a rosé with rez wa djaj (seven-spiced chicken with rice) or a pinot noir to match the fattè bi lahem (six-hour slow-cooked lamb with chickpeas). Don't skip the signature pea falafels and the secret-family-recipe toum — and save space for the grazing platter of dessert specials. GEM PIER SEAFOOD, WILLIAMSTOWN Head over to Syme Street, Williamstown to score some lobster rolls fresh off the boat — literally. On Saturdays and Sundays from 8am–2pm, Gem Pier Seafood sells them straight from the barge at the pier. While its seafood offerings can include everything from whole octopus to flounder, prawns and freshly shucked oysters, Gem Pier Seafood is especially famous for its made-to-order rolls of joy filled with lobster or crayfish, depending on the catch. Head there with your mates, grab a casual-but-luxe lobster brunch and gaze over the water at the Melbourne skyline. Afterwards, you can do a little more exploring along the bike paths, reserves and botanic gardens — or just go back for a second lobster roll. [caption id="attachment_749240" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julia Sansone[/caption] JOE FRANK, ASHBURTON Need a new brunch spot for the gang? Look no further than Joe Frank in Ashburton. It has the sleek post-industrial decor and sun-drenched courtyard for the ambiance-lovers, a luxe Brooklyn Black Out chocolate cake that's 'richer than Chris Hemsworth' for the sweet-tooths and plenty of brunch options — from fried chicken tacos to a classic burger and fries. Still need convincing? Three words: sriracha maple bacon. If you're not in the mood for a fresh juice, smoothie or specialty coffee, Joe Frank is now BYO, which is the perfect excuse to bring along a bottle of Jacob's Creek Le Petit Rosé. [caption id="attachment_741992" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gareth Sobey[/caption] PEPE'S ITALIAN AND LIQUOR, MELBOURNE CBD If you can't get enough of the spritzin' this summer, you should hit the bar that has its very own dedicated spritz station. Pepe's Italian and Liquor is an homage to mid-century Italian-American theatrical dining (think, The Godfather). Head here to enjoy a top-notch martini or vino and feast from a menu of time-honoured favourites. The terrace's set menu offers an elegant affair of two or three courses, or you can gather in the garden to pick and choose a la carte-style. Start with share platters of antipasto and arancini, then ramp up to meatball pizza or spicy vodka rigatoni. And, yes, there's tiramisu. EARL CANTEEN QV, MELBOURNE CBD Earl Canteen is packing some of the most luxurious picnics in Melbourne. Think salads, sandwiches, sweet little treats and individually packaged lunch boxes — all handmade and all gourmet. Luckily, Fitzroy Gardens is just a short walk away from the QV Melbourne store, so you have the perfect setting for your posh picnic. The fact that the Gardens are BYO-friendly means you can bring a bottle of Jacob's Creek Better by Half Pinot Grigio along, too. For something a bit different, and to make your spread look even bigger, set up near the mini Tudor Village. Yes, there's a tiny town tucked away in Fitzroy Gardens. You've gotta see it to believe it. [caption id="attachment_758267" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] THE PRINCE PUBLIC BAR, ST KILDA Craving a good pub feed? Go one better and take your mates to the Prince Public Bar's new rooftop beer garden. Catch the sea breeze while sipping brews and sharing a Roman-style deep pan pizza. With a DJ on hand and a walk-in-only policy, this will be a perfectly chilled-out go-to for you and your crew all summer long. Reconnect with your friends and family this summer with a bottle of Jacob's Creek. Discover the Jacob's Creek range and purchase a bottle today from all good liquor retailers. Top image: Pepe's Italian & Liquor, Gareth Sobey Please drink responsibly.
Now that we've been isolating for over a month, you may be wondering if those takeaway dumplings and home-baked cookies (as delicious as they are) are doing your body any favours? If you're craving something more nourishing as time goes by in lockdown, there is a healthy food delivery service that simplifies eating well. Macros delivers ready-made, dietitian-designed dishes to your doorstep weekly, so you can save time and money planning meals. They're prepared by chefs and delivered fresh, not frozen, so you can simply pop your meals in the microwave when you're ready to eat and you'll have comforting classics like spaghetti bolognese and shepherd's pie, or Mongolian beef and lemon barramundi, ready in a matter of minutes. How does it work? Just choose from one of six meal plans available that best suit your lifestyle. There are 'Everyday' plans, which can be ordered as single-serve or family-sized, and you can opt for meals that contain less than 350 calories if you're counting. There are 'Fitness' plans that include high-protein and low carb options (Sculpt), protein-packed and moderate carbs (Perform), or high calorie feeds (Gain) if you're bulking for the apocalypse. And, as you only order what you need, there's minimal food waste. You can also tailor your plan to suit your dietary needs, be it plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, paleo or nut-free. And, to top it off, it's a pretty affordable option in these wild times, with meals starting from $8.70. Select how many meals you'd like — from seven up to 24 a week — and you'll have a fridge full of fresh meals for when you're stuck in back-to-back work calls, or too tired from all those fitness Zoom classes you've been signing up for. Every meal can be frozen, too, which gives you an extra back-up plan when you're finding ways to save money. And, if you need to, you can also pause or skip a week of your subscription at no extra cost. Macros delivers across Australia and meal plans start from $73.50 per week. For more information, and to sign up, head to Macros' website.
Scattered around the city, Melbourne's laneways are one of its most famous features. They're usually a hive of activity, too. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, that obviously hasn't proven the case — but when life starts returning to normal, the Victorian Government has committed to sprucing up 40 Melbourne sites with new art, light installations and acoustic designs. Laneways in the CBD, North Melbourne and Carlton will all receive a revamp, as part of a six-month project. And if you're wondering exactly what's in store, the government will be launching a callout for designers, music producers, light specialists, production designers and technicians — plus maintenance workers — to help give these spaces a major makeover. Westwood Lane is the first site that'll get a revamp, courtesy of creative new lighting and new art, both of which are designed to help attract foot traffic. That's one of the main aims of the whole project, of course, alongside supporting workers in creative industries — and drawing attention to Melbourne's lesser-known laneway spots. Also earmarked for revitalisation are Tattersalls Lane, Heffernan Lane, Flinders Court, Healeys Lane and McKillop Street, as well as North Melbourne's Raglan Street, Little Errol Street and Bakery Lane. In Carlton, Kelvin Place, Beard Place and Canada Lane have been identified as prime spots, too. Announcing the project, Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley advised that the project will help "people from the creative industries to use their talents to create a legacy for the city that will be enjoyed by Melbourne's residents, workers and visitors for years to come". For more information about Melbourne's laneway makeover, check out the official announcement. Top image: Jacqui Szyrpallo via Flickr.
If you love cheese, but are sick of spending the bulk of your pay cheque on it, here's a solution: take a cheese-making class. Sure, it'll cost you pretty penny, but then you'll have the knowledge to make endless cheese at home, whenever you want. Also, thanks to Omnom Cheese Shop's new virtual burrata, bocconcini and ricotta workshop, you can learn along at home as well. The Sydney-based cheese outfit is adding a series of online classes to its repertoire, taking place at 6pm on Wednesday, September 23 and Wednesday, October 21. During the 80-minute class, you'll learn to how to make three types of cheese — in real-time, via Zoom, with plenty of live tips as you go. You'll also receive a DIY cheese-making kit delivered to your door as part of your $59 ticket. You will need to have some kitchen equipment on hand, and to pick up some milk and cream — with full details sent out a week before the class. Hot tip: in-person, Omnom's cheese-making sessions regularly sell out, so its online classes are certain to be popular. Another suggestion: if you want to pair your cheese-making with wine, well, that definitely isn't frowned upon. Omnom Cheese Shop's virtual burrata, bocconcini and ricotta workshop takes place at 6pm on Wednesday, September 23 and Wednesday, October 21.
"Not now, not ever." Thanks to former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, those words have been seared into Australian history forever. During her time in the nation's highest office — on October 9, 2012, in fact — Gillard uttered them as part of her groundbreaking misogyny speech, in response to then Liberal Opposition Leader and future PM Tony Abbott. It was a landmark moment. An unforgettable one, too. And, this October, it will have been ten years since it happened. To mark the occasion, Gillard is bringing the speech and its sentiments to the stage in two shows — one in Sydney and one in Melbourne. "A decade has passed since I first declared 'not now, not ever' in Parliament House, but our collective call for equity remains just as vital," said Gillard, announcing her Not Now, Not Ever live-on-stage gigs. "I am incredibly proud to be part of these special evenings that will celebrate passion and progress, reflect on how far we've come in the last ten years, but most importantly look forward to explore what comes next in the fight for equality." Not Now, Not Ever will head to Melbourne's Hamer Hall on Tuesday, October 4, before making a date with Sydney's Aware Super Theatre on Wednesday, October 5, with broadcaster and author Indira Naidoo playing host. Gillard and Naidoo will be joined by a yet-to-be-revealed lineup of guests, who'll all help reflect upon the former PM's speech. Indeed, the shows aren't simply about celebrating a historic event ten years later, but also continuing the discussion about sexism and misogyny in Australia today. How has Australia changed, if at all, since then? What does the country need to do to truly reach gender equality? How does the nation's political system, and just society in general, reinforce sexist and misogynist attitudes? Expect these questions and more to be addressed. For me, it is a personal and cathartic exercise looking back at THAT speech. But what has meant even more has been gathering the reflections and thoughts from others about then, now, and what next. In October, to mark the 10 year anniversary, I will share it all with you. pic.twitter.com/w5O1nS9KFd — Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) June 14, 2022 Gillard is also editing a book that's similarly called Not Now, Not Ever, and is due out on Wednesday, October 5, with proceeds going to the Global Institute for Women's Leadership. Also contributing to the tome: Cate Blanchett, Brittany Higgins, Mary Beard, Jess Hill, Jennifer Palmieri, Katharine Murphy, Wayne Swan, Anne Summers and more. Can't remember back ten years, or even what Gillard faced during 2010–13 spot in Australia's top job? Fierce and formidable documentary Strong Female Lead covered the details last year — and is available to stream now. And, you can watch Gillard's full speech below courtesy of ABC News: NOT NOW, NOT EVER WITH JULIA GILLARD 2022 DATES: Tuesday, October 4 — Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne Wednesday, October 5 — Aware Super Theatre, ICC Sydney Not Now, Not Ever with Julia Gillard will hit Melbourne's Hamer Hall and Sydney's Aware Super Theatre in October. Pre-sales tickets begin on Monday, July 18, with general sales from Monday, July 25. For more information, head to the Ticketek website.
Bluesfest has been a firm fixture of Australia's Easter weekend music calendar since its inception in 1990. Well, give or take a couple of years of COVID cancellations, of course. But now, for the first time, Melburnians will be able to get their Bluesfest fix without the pilgrimage north, when the inaugural Bluesfest Melbourne delivers the goods from Saturday, April 8–Sunday, April 9 next year. Yep, the iconic blues and roots celebration is getting its very own southern spinoff, running the same weekend that the OG fest descends on its usual home in the Byron Bay region. The new instalment will take over the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for two days of live music, dancing, eating and drinking, headlined by renowned names like Lucinda Williams, C.W Stoneking and Buddy Guy. [caption id="attachment_877649" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kasey Chambers, by Sam Meuleman[/caption] The indoor setting is set to be a distinct change-up from the fest's not-so-weatherproof Byron base, with multiple indoor stages and theatre spaces ensuring not even Melbourne's erratic weather can throw a spanner in the works. The precinct will fire up with sounds from Aussie festival favourites like Xavier Rudd, Kasey Chambers, Henry Wagons and Ash Grunwald, along with the likes of The Doobie Brothers, Eric Gales, Paolo Nutini, Steve Earle, Melbourne Ska Orchestra and Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges. All up, you'll be able to catch more than 30 performances across the weekend. [caption id="attachment_877647" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ash Grunwald[/caption] There are a range of ticketing options on offer, from single-day passes to full weekend tickets. Buzz has also been building for the OG Bluesfest's next edition, with names like Beck, Elvis Costello, Mavis Staples and Gang of Youths set to make their way to Byron Events Farm at Tyagarah for a huge Easter weekend. [caption id="attachment_877646" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Doobie Brothers[/caption] Bluesfest Melbourne will run from April 8–9, 2023, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Grab tickets online from 9am on Monday, November 14. Top Images: Buddy Guy. Lucinda Williams, by Danny Clinch.
It can be difficult to unearth quality gifts for our paternal figures — especially when it's at a distance. No matter how many times your pops insists on "not wanting any presents" this year, you know that deep down he does. To take the guesswork out of gift giving on Dad's big day, we've compiled a list of six interesting presents you can send the father figure in your life. Whether you're near or far from the human you'd like to celebrate this September, these gifts will ensure you attain favourite child status from the comfort of your couch. THE BEER-LOVING DAD When Father's Day rolls around, the Beer-Loving Dad will want to spend it with a cold one in hand. But, being a special occasion, it's likely he'll want to go beyond his usual brew. To mix things up for your dad this Father's Day, consider sending him a BoozeBud Hops and Socks for Pops Gift Pack. Inside, he'll find 16 delicious types of beer to try, including pale ales, IPAs, lagers, sours and a comfy pair of socks to match. The pack includes independent brewery mainstays like Stone & Wood and Coopers, plus newer kids on the block such as Capital Brewing Co and Atomic Beer Project. THE ACTIVE DAD Know a dad that really loves being active? Like, a lot. You know the type — they're up at the crack of dawn for a lycra-clad, early morning cycle or a surf before they head to work. If you've got one of these in your life, then there's a good chance he could do with a new pair of running shoes because the Active Dad is known to keep a close watch of their step count. So, why not help them hit their daily 10000 strides in style with a pair of new Nike kicks. They're practical, versatile and, if you choose wisely, could elevate your dad's street cred tenfold. THE MASTERCHEF DAD Some dad's are famous for whipping up one-pot wonders. If you've never heard of this culinary creation before, lucky you. Typically, this dish consists of an assortment of limp vegetables tossed into a singular pot with stock and whatever herbs and/or spices happen to be in the pantry. Then, after being boiled within an inch of its life, dinner is served. Other dads, however, take their cooking much more seriously. Whether the father figure in your life is merely an expert in tinned things on toast or could be a serious contender on the next season of MasterChef Australia, sending a quality cookbook his way this Father's Day is top-tier gift idea. Not sure which one to buy? Try Cooking with Koori by Nathan Lyons or The Chin Chin Book bursting with recipes and intel from Benjamin Cooper. THE OUTDOORSY DAD Have a dad who's obsessed with the great outdoors? He's a loveable character who's a huge fan of getting out of town, off the grid and into good ol' fashioned nature. Perhaps this human is still reeling over the cancellation of the TV show of the same name back in 2009. If that's your guy, consider slinging him a lil something that'll level up his outdoor adventure set up and help fill the Ernie Dingo-shaped hole in his heart. We suggest sending a lightweight camping hammock or the latest cooking gear so he can test it out at home — even if the backyard is the furthest he can travel this Father's Day. THE DAD JOKE DAD A lot of dad's consider themselves comedic masterminds. Maybe there's an anonymous course they attend right before the birth of their children that instils a wacky sense of humour in them. Or, perhaps simply becoming a dad unlocks something that was within them all along. Either way, the Dad Joke Dad is a sucker for top-notch merch to help to show off his kooky personality. Thankfully, the BoozeBud Hops and Socks for Pops Gift Pack contains a pair of sidesplitting socks that dad will never want to take off. THE MUSO DAD The Muso Dad often considers himself as a rebellious type. But, despite his desire to be counter-cultural, he is somewhat easy to spot in the wild and typically exhibit one or more of the following behaviours: a history of taking you to live gigs; owning Rage merchandise; and unironically throwing around the phrase "back when music was good". Sorting out a few tickets to your muso dad's favourite band is a lil trickier this year, so we suggest taking his advice and digging into the music archives. Do your darndest to find that vinyl he's been chasing for years; sort him out with a Spotify membership complete with personalised playlists of his faves; or, if you've got a bit of extra cash to splash, send him a record player so he can dust off the record collection and put it to good use. We recommend checking out Sydney's Repressed Records, Melbourne's Discrepancy Records or Rocking Horse Records in Brisbane. Learn more about BoozeBud by visiting the website here. Top image: Discrepancy Records, Tracey Ah-kee
Your average punter can't just walk into the Cool Hand Coffee's roastery in South Melbourne to grab a freshly brewed cup of joe. And only a handful of Melbourne cafes use its beans. But for three days only, the team is setting up a pop-up cafe where everyday coffee lovers can try some of Cool Hand Coffee's blends. On Friday, March 15, it'll be open from 6.30am–2pm, and on Saturday and Sunday the public can drop by from 7.30am–3pm. Sample the team's quirky batch brews with strawberry yoghurt, lychee and raspberry candy tasting notes or keep it simple with your usual milky coffee. The pop-up shop, located at 28 Johnston Street in Fitzroy, will be decked out with artwork by Melbourne-based artists and host some DJs throughout each of the days. Either stick around for a bit and enjoy the temporary space, or get in and get out quickly with a takeaway caffeine hit. And if you time things right, getting there between 9am and 10am, you'll get your cup of coffee for free. This is a huge win for locals and workers in the area who want a free coffee on Friday or for visitors to the area on the weekend.
To launch her highly anticipated debut album Nightswim, Owl Eyes recently embarked on a national tour, the last show of which falls this Saturday night. Otherwise known as Brooke Addamo, Owl Eyes is no stranger to the stage, having supported the likes of The Wombats in the early years of her career, which began on the sixth season of Australian Idol. Standing in stark contrast to the cookie cutter style that often results when reality TV meets music, Addamo's mature and definitive sound has won her a strong allegiance of fans, with songs like ‘Raiders’, ‘It Can Wait’ (with Illy) and a cover of ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ by Foster the People widely celebrated. Sure to be a slice of homemade, synth-pop heaven, Owl Eyes will be joined on stage by Collarbones and Mammals.
With gathering and venue restrictions in place following Victoria's recent almost two-week lockdown, and Greater Sydney and southeast Queensland both currently in lockdown, it's currently a tricky time to host Australia's biggest film festival. The Melbourne International Film Festival kicks off on Thursday, August 5, and announced its full 2021 program back in mid-July; however, responding to the reality both in the city and nationwide at present, it's making some considerable changes to its format. In 2020, the event was forced to go digital due to the pandemic — a development that's part of this year's lineup, too, but in conjunction with physical screenings in Melbourne and Victorian cinemas. Initially, in-person sessions were set to span the festival's first week or so, before the event closed up online. Now, MIFF has announced that it's flipping that order and expanding its virtual component. Accordingly, for the full duration of the festival, MIFF will screen more than 90 features and a range of short films via its online platform MIFF Play. They'll be available to not only to Melbourne viewers, but to cinephiles Australia-wide, which'll make for handy viewing for those under stay-at-home conditions. Last year's jump to digital resulted in MIFF's biggest festival yet, audience-wise, in fact — and this year's online selection will now start the fest with 2021 Sundance hit CODA, a coming-of-age story about the daughter of adults who are deaf, which is also an English-language remake of French feature The Bélier Family. Which other movies will be added to the online lineup haven't yet been revealed, but MIFF has announced a number of new titles that'll screen in cinemas between Thursday, August 12–Sunday, August 22. That's when Melburnians will be able to see this year's Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or -winner Titane, which saw French filmmaker Julia Ducournau (Raw) become only the second female filmmaker to win the coveted prize. Also headed to MIFF straight from the prestigious fest: romantic-comedy The Worst Person in the World from director Joachim Trier (Thelma, Oslo, August 31st); JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass, a Donald Sutherland- and Whoopi Goldberg-narrated documentary from Oliver Stone; and Abdullah Mohammad Saad's Rehana Maryam Noor, the first film from Bangladesh to officially screen at Cannes. During the physical portion of the program, Leah Purcell's exceptional The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson will still take the opening night slot, just on Thursday, August 12. Due to gathering limits, MIFF will also screen the feature at a range of other venues, including The Astor Theatre, The Sun Theatre, Pentridge Cinema, Lido Cinema and CBD venues. The fest's already-announced lineup still remains in place, which means that Melburnians can also look forward to seeing Adam Driver-starring musical Annette; Memoria, which features Tilda Swinton in Cemetery of Splendour filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul's English-language debut; and Bergman Island, the Tim Roth and Mia Wasikowska-starring latest title from Mia Hansen-Løve (Things to Come). Other highlights include No Sudden Move, Steven Soderbergh's crime flick with Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro and Jon Hamm, and Pig, which sees Nicolas Cage play a truffle hunter (yes, really). The 2021 Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 5–Sunday, August 22 — screening online for the festival's entire duration, and playing at a variety of venues around Melbourne from Thursday, August 12–Sunday, August 22. For further details, visit the MIFF website.
A great trailer does two things: makes you want to run to the cinemas to see the film in question, and makes you hit replay on the preview itself the moment it's finished. Or, thanks to the rise of TV trailers, it inspires your next date with your couch. You'll want to get as comfy as possible to binge-watch the next season of your favourite show, after all. 2019 is almost over, but more trailers keep popping up for both big- and small-screen highlights due this year and next. And this fortnight is no different, with everything from True Detective to The Secret Life of Pets to How to Train Your Dragon dropping trailers for their next instalments — and the new Jungle Book-inspired film, the Andy Serkis-directed Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, too. That said, it's a great time for previews of films that aren't based on existing series or properties, although Norwegian disaster flick The Quake — the sequel to 2015 epic The Wave — still falls into that category. Elsewhere, however, High Life sends Robert Pattinson into space, Cam finds the horror in webcams, Blue My Mind steps into a dramatic teenage transformation and dystopian sci-fi effort Captive State battles with aliens. Animated efforts Missing Link and Spies in Disguise explore humanity's past and our penchant for espionage, respectively, while festival hit Capernaum follows a boy's tough fight for freedom — and his tough life on the streets that inspires it. On the small screen, Dogs, Dogs of Berlin (yes, they're diferent shows) and Kingdom are all headed to Netflix. The first is a docuseries about gorgeous canines from around the world, the second is a gritty cop show set in the German city that gives the show its name, and the third unleashes zombies in medieval Korea. Check out this week's full slate below — and prepare some busy viewing ahead. TRUE DETECTIVE SEASON 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btoZfxs0pE0 Coming to Foxtel in January. MOWGLI: LEGEND OF THE JUNGLE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVBjPpUlQrE On Netflix December 7. HIGH LIFE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WI49OA3BjU Australian release date TBC. DOGS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pLCmLgjiJ8 On Netflix November 16. CAM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN8xZ5WDonk On Netflix November 16. THE QUAKE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=094n7ami6N0 Australian release date TBC. MISSING LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM5VC7nCv_Y In Australian cinemas April 11, 2019. DOGS OF BERLIN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzcDBHjHePk On Netflix December 7. CAPERNAUM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULUo0048xZE Australian release date TBC. BLUE MY MIND https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yyf26VkZP0 Australian release date TBC. KINGDOM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdDKLeKiFaU On Netflix January 25, 2019. CAPTIVE STATE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESxrJtJfIFU Australian release date TBC. THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Dy6cIyOJg In Australian cinemas June 20, 2019. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBcIzV_eIJE In Australian cinemas January 3, 2019. SPIES IN DISGUISE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSSGHvzMY60 In Australian cinemas September 19, 2019. Image: Warrick Page/HBO.
It's been almost four years since Urban Alley opened the doors to its first inner-city brewery, making its home within Docklands precinct The District. Now, the award-winning brand is once again adding to the family, this time taking on the eastern suburbs with a new $5 million brewery and pub in Wantirna's Knox Westfield Ozone precinct. Spread over 1000 square metres across multiple levels, Urban Alley Brewery Knox not only features an array of indoor and outdoor spaces, but plays host to a dedicated gin distillery from renowned Tassie producer Dasher + Fisher. It's also got room for enough additional brewing operations to allow Urban Alley to double its current output of craft beer. Officially launching on Thursday, May 12, the venue is set to become a destination for beer-sipping, gin-appreciation, pub-style dining and live entertainment, with capacity for a hefty 750 people. The bar will be heroing drops from Urban Alley's award-winning range, pouring core creations like the Urban Lager and Slapshot Aussie-style pale ale alongside a rotation of limited releases. The brewery's even crafted a brand-new beer in honour of the new digs, dubbed the Ozone Pacific Ale. A row of shiny fermentation tanks takes pride of place behind the bar, while choose-your-own tasting flights allow you to sample five signature brews at once. Meanwhile, gin aficionados can get acquainted with a range of internationally-awarded Dasher + Fisher creations, also made on site. And if you've got a thing for both drops, try the Plummy Brew — a special-release collaboration cocktail crafted on both beer and the distillery's Ocean Gin. To match, the kitchen is set to serve a contemporary take on classic pub fare, though the exact menu is yet to be unveiled. And as for the entertainment, you'll find a diverse program of happenings ranging from Friday night gigs to Sunday afternoon acoustic sessions. DJs spinning until 3am each Friday should also prove a big highlight for the after-work crowds. Find Urban Alley Brewery Knox at Shop 2215, Knox Ozone, Wantirna South, from May 12. It'll open daily from midday until late.
More than a few times across the pandemic now, the Victorian Government has given the state's residents everyone's favourite thing: free money. It hasn't just handed out cash, of course, but provided vouchers and rebates to get Victorians out and about — and spending again. And, if you're keen for a meal at a restaurant somewhere other than the City of Melbourne, or to see a movie, head to a show or hit up a gallery, you're in luck in the next big round of incentives. Announced back in February and launching on Tuesday, March 29, the Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program covers exactly what it sounds like in its title. The one caveat: because the Midweek Melbourne Money scheme also exists, the food part of this new program doesn't apply in the City of Melbourne. Otherwise, get ready to enjoy up to $125 back in your bank account. On the dining side of things, $30 million has been earmarked for rebates on food and wine experiences in regional areas, and in suburbs beyond Melbourne's borders, all under the same rules as Melbourne Money. Accordingly, you need to spend at least $40, and then you can claim 25 percent back — on purchases at cafes and restaurants; bars and pubs (but only if you buy food); registered clubs; breweries, distilleries and wineries (again, food has to be purchased); and fast food and takeaway outlets. Also covered: food at restaurants and cafes within hotels; hospitality venues at sporting, arts and theatre precincts; food courts; at cinemas; and at mobile food trucks, vans, canteens and trailers. You do have to eat between Monday and Thursday, though — so, not on weekends — and, food deliveries via external companies such as Uber Eats and Door Dash aren't covered. Also, when you go to redeem your cash back from 10am on Tuesday, March 29, it's a first in, first served arrangement. [caption id="attachment_795683" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 1800 Lasagne, Parker Blain[/caption] With the entertainment part of the new program, which has also been funded to the tune of $30 million, it's all about seeing movies, theatre shows, live music gigs and exhibitions (and going to conferences and other events). It also spans anywhere in Melbourne and Victoria, and on any day of the week. So, you can make your way to cinemas, exhibitions, conferences, museums, galleries and zoos — and live performances such as theatre, music, comedy, literary events and fashion shows, plus theme parks, water parks and amusement parks. Sports and sporting events (which includes entry to sporting facilities, season passes, sport classes, personal fitness and any sport events) aren't covered, however. Whatever you attend, you need to again spend at least $40 — and then you can claim back 25 percent of your total cost. And redemption-wise, this one kicks off at 3pm on Tuesday, March 29, again, in a first in, first served arrangement Yes, you now have plenty of excuses to fill your social calendar — for a bite, a flick, a show or all of the above. Just remember that that $125 total rebate amount applies to both schemes combined, so that's the most that you can claim back across both all up. The Victorian Dining and Entertainment Program kicks off on Tuesday, March 29. For more information, head to the Victorian Government website. Top image: Lido Cinema.
There's no better way to brush off the many months spent at home than with a trip to Victoria's High Country. While you might think the state's alpine peaks are only worth a visit during winter, we're here to tell you that there are adventure activities, cultural experiences and all-round summertime beauty to be found when the weather is warm. This is particularly true of Falls Creek — so plan a summer trip and discover a different side to the popular winter destination. And with plush accommodation in the alpine village and beyond, there's no need to rush these excellent warm weather experiences. [caption id="attachment_833444" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria's High Country[/caption] EXPLORE THE DEPTHS — AND HEIGHTS — OF ROCKY VALLEY LAKE Australia's mountainous regions are home to numerous alpine reservoirs, but few are as impressive as Rocky Valley Lake. At 1600 metres above sea level, this aquatic wonderland is the highest significant body of water in Australia, and can be easily explored thanks to a great variety of activities, including fishing, swimming, kayaking and more. While it's just a 10-minute drive from Falls Creek Village or the Pretty Valley campground, carting your own kayak or boat to the lake isn't required. Just see the team at Peak Adventure to rent kayaks and paddleboards for all your on-water needs. Plus, the company also hosts guided tours and private lessons, so you can get an inside perspective on this striking part of the world. [caption id="attachment_833921" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria's High Country[/caption] VISIT HISTORIC CATTLEMEN'S HUTS Victoria's High Country has a long and storied past when it comes to cattlemen. Following the landmark Hume and Hovell expedition of 1824, these rugged landscapes became some of the country's prime pastoral terrain. Today, visitors to Falls Creek can still explore the historic cattlemen's huts that sheltered livestock farmers from the harsh conditions. These huts date back to the 1860s, with each one linked to a fascinating tale. To make the experience even more unique, head out on an e-bike tour with Falls Creek Guides and set your sights on existing monuments such as Wallace's Hut (pictured above) and Cope Hut. [caption id="attachment_833939" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lauren Bath[/caption] CHASE WATERFALLS Falls Creek's alpine location helps keep the temperature more bearable than the sweltering city, even on the hottest of summer days. To keep you even more refreshed, head to one of the area's several highland waterfalls that provide the perfect spot to keep cool. Fainter Falls is the most renowned in the region, situated just a short trip from Bogong Village. As you complete the easygoing trek through dense ferns, superb views stretch along the Kiewa River and its majestic falls. If you're in the mood for more sightseeing, the nearby Falls Creek Falls is also worth a visit. [caption id="attachment_833458" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria's High Country[/caption] GO MOUNTAIN BIKING The snow might have melted away, but you can still get your downhill thrills by completing some of the mountain bike trails surrounding Falls Creek. If you consider yourself quite adept on two wheels, the Falls Creek Mountain Bike Park features 40 kilometres of top-notch gravity trails that highlight some incredible vistas. For a trip that'll test the heart rate and provide views of remarkable natural beauty, the Cope Hut Return loop is a breezy ride that takes travellers to some of the region's most scenic and historic spots. Meanwhile, the world-class Fainter Trail features a myriad of challenging obstacles en route from Falls Creek to Mount Beauty's township. [caption id="attachment_833448" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Victoria's High Country[/caption] HAVE A MEAL AT THE FRYING PAN INN Situated in Falls' Village Bowl, the Frying Pan Inn was one of the first eateries in the area when it was established in 1965. Having undergone several evolutions over its years as a bustling après-ski favourite, this spot is just as popular during summer thanks to a woodfired menu featuring sustainably sourced ingredients. There's a great selection of tasty burgers, ranging from soft-shell crab to miso-glazed vegan options. Plus, delectable barbecue dishes, including pork ribs, lamb shoulder and scotch fillet, make for a hearty American-style lunch. Alongside a seasonally rotating menu of local craft beers on tap, a meal at the Frying Pan Inn never disappoints. UNWIND IN STYLE AT DIANA ALPINE LODGE Set within Falls Creek Alpine Village, Diana Alpine Lodge is the ideal base for your holiday if you're exploring the region with pals. You can also relax in the cosy lounge with an ice-cold drink from the bar or crank up the barbecue on the balcony and take in sprawling mountain views. Heading to Falls Creek with your mountain bike? You can lock it securely inside the lodge's bike storage facility. Plus, bike wash facilities will no doubt be much appreciated if you're planning to conquer the area's epic trails. For more information on things to see and do at Falls Creek this summer, head to the Victoria's High Country website. Top image: Victoria's High Country
It's that time of year again, you guys. A glorious season when we cancel all plans, diets and PT sessions and flock joyfully to Birrarung Marr for a smorgasbord of noodley wonder. The menu is exceptional this year with several exciting trends popping up. One such trend is gourmet loaded fries — and not just the kind piled with meat and cheese. Loaded fries have existed in various forms for a while. We, as a society, are always looking for ways to legitimise our french fry consumption by dressing them up in toppings. But at the Night Noodle Markets, they're going gourmet and getting even more extreme — these aren't your standard poutine or chilli fries. We've compiled a list of the best-loaded fries going round (and beer pairings from Beer The Beautiful Truth to wash 'em down with) so you can beeline straight for the good stuff. CLOUD THIEF (FORMERLY BAO STOP) Duck might not be something you would naturally pair with fries, but peking duck-loaded fries take the concept of 'chicken and chips' to the next level. This year Cloud Thief, previously Bao Stop, have brought us a rich serve of duck slathered with peking sauce and served on crispy fries. And we mean crispy. The crunch of the fries really works with the duck fans of Bao Stop will not be disappointed with this dish. To complement the rich Peking sauce, we recommend indulging in an equally rich beer. White Rabbit Dark Ale is one of Australia's best dark beers, and the caramel and toffee notes work perfectly with the duck. [caption id="attachment_645210" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Moore.[/caption] POKLOL Poklol has decided to do what they do best (Korean barbecue meats) and combine them with everyone's favourite potato staple. They beer-battered their fries and deep fry the heck out of 'em before topping with the choice of bulogi beef, chilli chicken or chili pork. And as if that's not enough to sell you, they smother the fries in cheese, kimchi, shallots, Japanese mayo and sweet Korean barbecue sauce. A Little Creatures Pilsner will finish the combo off with a not-too-heavy, not-too-light flavour profile and cool down that chilli burn. MR MIYAGI Now, some of you might question the logic of a sushi and french fry hybrid, but dare to be different with Mr Miyagi. His fries are like nothing you've had before — they're made from rice. He takes rolled seasoned sushi rice, batters and deep fries it into thick-cut fries served with creamy, spicy sauce and a ramen dressing. To balance this carby, crispy, gooey mess, we recommend a light bev. Go for a Little Creatures Pilsner, a light but slightly bitter brew, to cut through the intensity Mr. Miyagi has wrought. HOY PINOY Hoy Pinoy knows that if you only eat fries for dinner, your mother will appear out of thin air and start berating you about not eating right. So to transform their fries from a snack to a semi-square meal, they've pushed the limits with a cheeky protein addition. Their crispy fries come topped with wholesome roasted chicken smothered in a soy, pepper and vinegar glaze — they're so tasty you'll have trouble sharing. We recommend a mild Hahn SuperDry so as not to overwhelm the delicate balance of the glaze and to counterbalance the peppery element. [caption id="attachment_645213" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kimberley Moore.[/caption] BOSOZOKU Bosozoku is a relative newcomer on the scene, but don't let that fool you — their Night Noodle menu is up there with the big names. They've started with shoestring fries (already winning) and smothered them with katsu curry sauce. Then they add seaweed salt, fresh spring onions and fried shallots, and bang — you'll never be able to eat chicken katsu curry again without wishing it was a pile of fries. It's a rich and moreish dish, we recommend pairing it with a Little Creatures Pilsner, a distinct but light lager that'll pull all the flavours together nicely and compliment the sweet/salty dynamic of curry sauce and seaweed salt. Hungry for more? See the ten dishes to try at the markets here, and feed all your cravings at the Melbourne Night Noodle Markets with expert beer pairings presented by Beer The Beautiful Truth from November 9–26. Entry is free.
Can't be stuffed hitting the kitchen on Christmas Day? Or maybe you're hunting a spot to enjoy some post-lunch cocktails with the crew? Luckily Melbourne's got no shortage of cafes, restaurants and bars that are dishing up the goods — even on December 25. Here are a few spots that are open and ready to whet your whistle and fill your belly on Christmas Day, 2022. [caption id="attachment_671311" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bentwood, by Kate Shanasy[/caption] CAFES Tall Timber, Prahran: 7.30am–3pm Friends of Mine, Richmond: 7.30am–3pm Juliette Coffee & Bread, Malvern East: 6am–12pm (takeaway only) Prior, Thornbury: open for limited bookings — enquire online Glovers Station, Elsternwick: 7am–12pm (takeaway only) Bentwood, Fitzroy: 8am–12pm (takeaway only) St Ali, South Melbourne: 7am–5pm Clubhouse Malvern, Malvern: 7.30am–12pm (takeaway only) [caption id="attachment_755809" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Panda Hot Pot[/caption] RESTAURANTS Panda Hot Pot, Carlton: sittings at 11.30am, 5pm, 7.15pm and 9.30pm Hofbrauhaus, CBD: 12pm–late Chef David, CBD: 5.30pm–10pm Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya, Fitzroy: 5pm–late Maha, CBD: set-menu Christmas lunch, bookings online The Smith, Prahran: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11am and 2.30pm — bookings online Tim Ho Wan, CBD: 10am–8pm Botanical Hotel, South Yarra: shared Christmas banquet, bookings online The Station Hotel, Footscray: four-course lunch menu, sittings at 11am and 2.30pm — bookings online The Imperial, CBD: three-course lunch menu, bookings online Bang Pop, South Wharf: from 12pm Newmarket Hotel, St Kilda: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11.20am and 2.30pm, bookings online [caption id="attachment_807470" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Molly Rose, Amanda Santamaria[/caption] BARS Molly Rose, Collingwood: 11–11.30am — owner Nic Sandery is opening the brewery bar and spreading Christmas cheer with free pots for all Arbory, CBD: 12pm–late (limited dining packages also available) Arbory Afloat, CBD: 11am–late State of Grace, CBD: three-course lunch menu, sittings at 11.30am and 2pm, booking online Section 8, CBD: 12pm–11m (annual Orphans Xmas and barbecue) The Espy, St Kilda: noon–late, (various banquets also available) New Guernica, Collingwood: 9pm–4am (Eat the Beat Christmas Party, tickets online) Top Image: Arbory Afloat, by Arianna Leggiero
Christmas Day is stressful enough without hovering by the oven waiting for your pavlova to rise. So it's a good thing Melbourne gelateria Pidapipo are swooping in to save the day with a limited-edition gelato cake, known in Italy as the Tronchetto di Natale. Tronchetto di Natale is what some people might call a Yule log. We've decided to call it a Gelato Finger. It's a cylindrical layer cake, covered in a milk chocolate glaze and house-made chocolate ganache. Inside you'll find Pidapipo's signature cherry sorbet and raspberry cream gelato, wrapped in a chocolate almond sponge. If this thing doesn't have you groaning on the couch at 3pm on Christmas Day, we don't know what will. Pidapipo's co-founder, Lisa Valmorbida, says she wanted to cut out a lot of that Christmas stress by offering a ready-to-eat dessert. There's no prep and no cooking time with this one. You simply unwrap the Tronchetto di Natale and gobble it up as quickly as possible. "Christmas is such a happy time and I love making things as festive as possible. This is reflected in the cake and I'm excited for everyone to taste and enjoy the Christmas flavours," Lisa says. "It represents having something to celebrate, which is a nice change, especially for us here in Melbourne." Pidapipo's Tronchetto di Natale is $95 and serves around 8-10 people, depending on how much turkey they've already consumed. You can pre-order it online from Friday, November 5. If you want to play things fast and loose with Christmas dessert, Lisa says there will be a limited number of cakes available for collection in-store each day (starting from 1 December). You can pre-order your Pidapipo Tronchetto di Natale via the website, or pop into your local Pidapipo to pick up.
Dance parties are back on the menu for 2021, so Untitled Group is pulling together the tastemakers and boundary-pushers of the Australian dance music scene for one of its famed day parties. Taking over Port Melbourne's The Timber Yard from 2–10pm on Saturday, April 17 is New South Wales producer, Rüfüs Du Sol collaborator and king of the buzzy electronic ballad Willaris K. Joining him are hyped up-and-comers Pretty Girl and Slam Ross 1000 on the DJ decks, while Melbourne locals Purient will do a live set. The 6000-square-metre warehouse venue is primed for COVID-safe events, with roomy indoor and outdoor areas, and plenty of room for socially distanced dancing. That said, the venue will be operating at a reduced capacity for the eight-hour party, so you'll need to move quick if you want tickets. This will be Willaris K's first full-sized Melbourne show in over a year, following a few warm-up shows he performed at Fitzroy's Night Cat last week. Untitled Group hosted virtual day parties throughout lockdown, featuring the likes of Willaris K, Hayden James and Dom Dolla performing live-streamed sets. Now, it's taking the day party and the dance floor back to the people. Images: Ben Jones
"Luke, I am your father" might just be one of the most famous line ever uttered in a movie — except, of course, that's not actually what Darth Vader said. If you're pedantic about the exact phrasing of iconic Star Wars dialogue, or just brimming with Jedi-focused tidbits, then here's your chance to put those skills to the test. Come Monday, May 4 (when else?), Isolation Trivia is hosting an evening of fun that no one can have a bad feeling about. The live-streamed quiz night is delving into the series that has not only spanned 11 films to date — including last year's The Rise of Skywalker — but also inspired a host of new instalments yet to come. If you have a Chewbacca costume in your wardrobe, you're destined to hop online and play along. Sure, your house isn't quite the Mos Eisley Cantina, but you can pretend — may the force be with you, and all that. The night gets underway from 6.25pm, which is when you can start arguing over whether Han shot first. And playing along won't cost you a cent.
