The product of a range of musical influences, Papa Pilko & the Binrats are taking their enormous sound around the country and and stopping in at The Workers Club for one night only. The Papa himself, frontman Cyrus Pilko, is a ball of kinetic energy on stage who is ably supported by his versatile cast of horns, drums, strings and guitars. The band throw themselves into their uniquely Australian country, blues and rock n' roll sound and their performances never drifts from the cowboy-boot-wearing image of bumpkins (in the best possible sense of the word) rockers that they cultivate. This swagger is then injected, like a lively pulse, straight into the audience, leaving them howlin' for more. Cherrywood and Max Savage & the False Idols will be joining in this aural feast so prepare yourself for a good ol' fashioned, barnstorming afternoon of Australian country rock and roll at its finest.
Melburnians, if shopping and hitting up Christmas events is on your agenda this festive season — and visiting galleries, seeing a show, playing tourist in your own city and heading out for a bite to eat over the summer, too — then you just might be able to travel into the CBD from home for free. The Victorian Government has just announced a huge public transport giveaway, handing out 250,000 vouchers for free travel into the city if you're making your way in for a number of specific purposes. All of the things mentioned above are covered, with the scheme set to run throughout December and January. There'll be 50,000 vouchers available in five different categories: for festive events, to hit up galleries and attractions, for dining, to go to performing arts shows, and for shopping. And, they'll be able to be used on Melbourne's trains, trams and buses, as well as on all regional trains, coaches and buses heading into the city. The aim: to get people out and about, just like all the different vouchers and rebates that've popped up in Victoria after lockdowns over the past two years. To nab a free public transport voucher, you'll need to head to the Public Transport Victoria website from Thursday, December 16. They'll be made available on a first in, first served basis. Your voucher will then be emailed to you and, to show station staff while you're travelling, you can either print it out or display it on your phone — on the date it's valid, of course, from Saturday, December 18. The free public transport vouchers will be available via the Public Transport Victoria website from Thursday, December 16. For further information, head to the Victorian Government website. Images: Josie Withers/Visit Victoria.
To the uninitiated, the name Zymurgy might appear a little daunting. But Footscray's newest watering hole is anything but. In fact, if you've got a thing for craft booze, innovative eats cooked over charcoal and sun-drenched beer gardens, you'll want to waste zero time getting acquainted. Quietly opening the doors in late November, Zymurgy — pronounced 'zye-mur-jee', we know you were wondering — is a joint venture from Hop Nation Brewing Co owners Sam Hambour and Duncan Gibson, and chef-founder of Yarraville fine diner Navi Julian Hills. Hidden behind a former Sri Lankan restaurant on Barkly Street, the al fresco site is both kid- and dog-friendly, boasting shady umbrellas, an outdoor bar and an offering akin to an elevated backyard barbecue. The name Zymurgy references the chemistry behind fermentation, which is an art that's celebrated right throughout both the food and drink offering. Hills is cooking with wood and charcoal, but turning the familiar barbecue shtick on its head, lending an experimental touch to dishes like grilled pretzel with smoked wagyu butter, asparagus matched with a pepita crumble and brown butter emulsion, and a riff on the reuben sandwich crafted with ox tongue. Elements like miso aioli, sourdough and koji fly the ferment flag, while the grill is turning out plates like charcoal-crusted pork scotch teamed with pickled elderflower and salted cherries, and a warm smoked rainbow trout matched to potato and horseradish. The liquid side of things leans just as crafty, headlined by a ten-strong tap lineup of Hop Nation brews. Enjoy both familiar drops — think, the J Juice NEIPA and The Heart pale ale — and small-batch creations like the Candyland milkshake hazy IPA, alongside a tight rotation of tap wines and cocktails. If you'd rather crack open a bottle of something to share in the sun, you'll also find a local-leaning range of experimental wines, including releases from Hambour and Gibson's own vinous project Site Wine. Zymurgy will be sticking around in its current format until at least the end of the year, with some evolutions and expansions planned for 2021. Find Zymurgy at 561 Barkly Street, West Footscray from 3–9pm Thursday, 3–10.30pm Friday, 12–10.30pm Saturday and 12–9pm Sunday.
This July sees the return of a packed IRL program from Open House Melbourne, after a two-year switch to the digital realm. If you're not familiar with the annual event, it opens up some of the city's most iconic buildings, new structures and urban environments for the public to explore and appreciate. And this year, it's back to regular programming, hosting a slew of in-person events, tours, exhibitions and talks, from Saturday, July 30–Sunday, July 31. You're invited to scope out architectural gems from across the Melbourne region, as the festival digs into the theme 'Built/Unbuilt'. This year's tour program will afford punters a rare stickybeak into spaces like the new Victorian Pride Centre, Collingwood Yards, the Melbourne Quakers Centre, the newly-rebuilt La Mama Theatre and the grand expanse of Studley Park's Villa Alba — an 1880s Italianate mansion bearing some of this country's most significant examples of late nineteenth-century decoration. [caption id="attachment_855968" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Quakers Centre, Nervegna Reed Architecture and pH architects, captured by John Gollings[/caption] You'll also have the chance to explore the recently completed Melbourne Holocaust Museum, designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects, and to walk through the site of the new library planned as part of the Queen Vic Market precinct's Munro development. Meanwhile, new exhibition Take Hold of the Clouds transforms the city into a gallery, with a curation of responsive works displayed across seven sites, each sharing their own stories about the urban landscape. Elsewhere, you'll hear from some of our leading spatial and creative practitioners as they hit The Capitol to share their ideas for speaker series This Is Public, architect and housing advocate Tania Davidge leads a series of events exploring the issues around affordable housing in Australia, and you can catch a short flick celebrating the life and work of award-winning architect Peter Elliott. [caption id="attachment_775300" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Villa Alba Museum by Russell Winnell[/caption] Top Image: Collingwood Yards, by Stefan Postles
Fancy rolling through the festive season without a care in the world — on eight wheels? You can do just that in Carlton's Argyle Square this month thanks to the Melbourne Christmas Festival's new pop-up Christmas Roller Rink. Yep, from Friday, December 16–Saturday, December 24, the precinct is being reimagined as an openair roller-skating arena, complete with giant neon decorations, a towering Christmas tree and plenty of room to show off your wheely good moves. Open daily from 11am until 9 or 10pm, the rink is free to ride, with skate hire available for $5 and bookings made online. There'll be classic tunes to soundtrack your spin, while local DJs like OMG Becky, Sophie Joy and Pixelton are set to grace the decks across the weekend of December 16–18. Meanwhile, the adjoining Piazza Italia is a primo spot for a post-spin picnic — especially since Carlton Inc will be running giveaways and handing out free Italian eats here right throughout the festive season.
Already dreaming of warmer days? Returning for its 67th year, the annual Tesselaar Tulip Festival is set to feature close to one million tulips planted across five acres of farmland, offering the perfect excuse to wander through endless fields of flowers to celebrate the start of spring. The tulip farm will come alive for its famous festivities from Saturday, September 10–Sunday, October 9, with a calendar of themed weekends promising something for all. Running September 10–11, Turkish Weekend will dish up a program of live art, music and food in honour of the country that played host to the first tulip festival over 400 years ago. Then, Dutch Weekend (September 16–18) will transport you straight to Holland, homeland of the festival's founders Cees and Johanna Tesselaar. Get set for clog dancing, sjoekbak (Dutch shuffleboard) and, in a recreation of Amsterdam's famed Alkmaar Cheese Market, a host of traditional eats — including oliebollen (Dutch dumplings), bitterballen (meatballs), poffertjes and Tesselaar's signature Double Dutch ice cream. More great eating awaits at Food, Wine & Jazz Weekend (September 23–25), where you'll enjoy local drinks and gastronomical delights among the tulips. There'll be live tunes by Dr Jazz featuring Ruby Rae, Apple Ida and Her Cider Press Band, and The Daryl McKenzie Jazz Ensemble, plus entry includes a couple of complimentary wine and beer tastings. Also on the bill: a couple of Children's Weeks, a weekend devoted to retro rock 'n' roll, and an Irish Weekend filled with craic. Tickets are available at the farm, but you can buy them online in advance (from August 1) to skip the queue.
Acclaimed chef Shane Delia (Maha, Maha East) has just dropped a brand new cooking show called A Middle East Feast, available to watch over on SBS Food on Thursday nights and SBS OnDemand. Taking inspiration from the show, Delia is extending the culinary fun beyond what's on screen, hosting a series of weekend lunches inspired by the show's weekly-changing guest chef lineup. Over at Maha East every Saturday (except for July 31) and Sunday over the coming weeks, A Middle East Feast will bring the show's menus to life, via a multi-course feed that clocks in at $65 per person. Coming up is a menu inspired by Episode 6's guest, Ehud Malka (The Left-Handed Chef), available on Sunday, August 1. Expect dishes like grilled Iraqi flatbread, smoked hummus with mushrooms and almonds, roast lamb rump paired with a za'atar jus, carob-glazed carrots finished with toasted hazelnuts and an Israeli milk pudding for dessert. The following weekend's offering is still under wraps, though it'll be guided by whoever stars on Episode 7. Previous editions have centred around names like Tom Sarafian (Little Andorra, Bar Saracen) and Alimentari's Linda Jones, with plenty more masters of Middle Eastern cooking to come. Bookings are a must — you can check out the upcoming menus revealed each week here. [caption id="attachment_722638" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James[/caption]
Peering at art, whether it's at a seven-metre-high thumbs-up or Australian flowers and botanicals frozen into acrylic blocks, is all about broadening your perspective. As you look, you see how the artist surveys the world — and what awaits them as they observe. Checking out the 2023–24 NGV Triennial at night at NGV Triennial EXTRA adds another layer. Everything appears different after the sun sets, including this wide-ranging showcase of 75 works from 100-plus artists. Exploring NGV Triennial's latest wares after dark isn't the only part of NGV Triennial EXTRA, however, as it runs from Friday, January 19–Sunday, January 28 until 11pm daily. DJs, live tunes, talks about the weather, artist and curator chats, a tennis ball exchange and more are also on the agenda, with NGV International getting busy for ten evenings Entry is free — so if you're catching performances by the British artist Thomas J Price's sculptures in NGV's Federation Court from 6–9pm, which Candy Bowers has curated, you won't spend a cent. There's no need for your wallet for anything that you'll be feasting your eyes and ears on, including sound interventions by Chinese-Australian composer and Guzheng performing artist Mindy Meng Wang, conversations by artists such as the Indonesian-based Nadiah Bamadhaj and Malaysia's Yee I-Lann, and drop-in screenings. The same goes for enjoying the talents hitting the decks from 9–11pm, like Sui Zhen, RONA, C.FRIM and IN2STELLAR, who'll be getting you dancing. And, you can take part in David Shrigley's Melbourne Tennis Ball Exchange, where you can bring a ball then take a ball, with NGV Triennial EXTRA taking place during 2024 Australian Open. Funds are required if you're eager for a sip at the cocktail-slinging Four Pillars gin bar, some Moët in the Great Hall, or vino with oysters and charcuterie platters from Yering Station's wine bar. And, you'll need money for dining at the NGV Garden Restaurant, the Great Hall and NGV Garden, where everything from pork belly bao and wagyu beef sliders to gelato is on offer. Images: Installation views of Franziska Furter's work Liquid Skies/Gwrwynt and Richard Lewer's work on display in NGV Triennial from 3 December 2023 – 7 April 2024 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Lillie Thompson. // Alchemy Consort. Courtesy of the artists. // Sweet Mama by Candy Bowers. Courtesy of the artist. Photography: Teniola Komolafe.
If your fitness routine could use a little shake-up, we've found a winning new workout — combining pilates, vino and sweeping bay views. The folks from Pinot Pilates are hosting a special edition of their famed wine-fuelled exercise classes which'll see you getting stretchy while sipping chardy by the sea. On Sunday, May 16, the Port Melbourne Yacht Club will be the setting for this unique bayside fitness session, guided by Pinot Pilates' expert teacher and founder Laura Roodhouse. You'll work through an hour-long pilates practice, while soaking up those water vistas and sipping a bottle of pinot noir, rosé or chardonnay from the Yarra Valley's Tokar Estate. But the vinous fun doesn't stop there — as well as their own bottle of wine, each guest will also enjoy a personalised tasting of Tokar Estate's core drops after the class. And because you'll probably have worked up an appetite with all those exercise moves, there'll be a selection of nibbles and fresh fruit to graze on, too. Tickets clock in at $105 per person and you won't need to bring anything but yourself — mats, equipment and glassware are all provided.
Prefer to soak up Shakespeare while lounging on a lawn beneath the twinkling night sky? This month, The Australian Shakespeare Company is back with another round of Shakespeare Under the Stars, allowing you to do just that. This time, it's serving up a fun-loving adaptation of The Bard's timeless rom-com, Much Ado About Nothing, packed with giggles for audiences of all ages. Starring Anna Burgess, Nicholas Cameron and Alex Cooper, the production will pop up in the Royal Botanic Gardens' Southern Cross Lawn for a starlit season from Saturday, December 17–Saturday, February 4. Brimming with toe-tapping original pop tunes, the play reimagines Shakespeare's classic battle-of-the-sexes comedy with an infectious sprinkling of sitcom, pantomime and rock 'n' roll swagger. And you can enjoy it all from the comfort of your picnic rug — either while tucking into BYO snacks and drinks, or kicking back with a few goodies from the kiosk. Reserve tickets are also available.
Fancy spending your public holiday eve with a drink in hand, soaking up some breezy Mediterranean holiday vibes? You're in for exactly that when Tetto di Carolina throws open the doors for an Amalfi-inspired rooftop party on Wednesday, January 25. From 4pm, the South Yarra bar's rooftop terrace will whisk punters away to aperitivo hour on the Italian coast, including kicking back sipping limoncello spritzes and bergamot margaritas for $10 a pop. Also yours for a tenner, you'll find the now famous negroni sbagliato — a riff on the classic negroni that's finished with prosecco. [caption id="attachment_885240" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] The drink specials will be flowing until 7pm, while the Italo Disco tunes are set to kick on all night long — Mike Gurrieri is hitting the decks from 6pm and spinning until late. And of course, you can add on a few choice bites from the Tetto snack menu while you're there — including lamb loin arrosticini, octopus panzanella, roast scallops matched with finger lime, and beef carpaccio served with horseradish cream and aged comte. [caption id="attachment_742277" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] Top image: Jeff Anderson Jnr.
Perched on Sydney Harbour and boasting an iconic design, the Sydney Opera House always makes a stunning sight. That's especially true when the sun goes down, with the world-renowned landmark lighting up its sails every night. When the venue uses its evening light show for a cause, though, the luminous display is extra special. That proved the case last night, on Saturday, January 11, when the famed venue illuminated its sails to support bushfire relief. Images of firefighters were projected on the eye-catching structure, in a show of support to the communities affected by the blazes, as well as the men and women fighting the flames across the country. The striking photos were sourced from Agence France-Presse (AFP), Australian Associated Press and The Sydney Morning Herald. As Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron explained, "we are lighting the Opera House sails to show our collective support for everyone affected by these devastating fires and to express our deepest gratitude to the emergency services and volunteers for their incredible efforts and courage. As difficult circumstances continue, we want to send a message of hope and strength to the people of Australia." In a further effort to assist — and raise funds — the Opera House is also hosting a huge comedy gig on its steps and forecourt on Monday, March 16. Called Comedy Steps Up for Bushfire Relief, the outdoor gala performance will see Arj Barker, Tim Minchin, Becky Lucas and The Simpsons star Harry Shearer take to the stage, as well as Carl Barron, Urzila Carlson, Joel Creasey, Kitty Flanagan and Julia Morris — with more acts to be announced. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund, the NSW Rural Fire Service, Wildlife Victoria and WIRES Images: Ken Leanfore.
Should we be willing to accept the happiness of the majority at the expense of the view? That's the question that St Martins' Youth Arts Centre will attempt to answer with For The Ones Who Walk Away, their new multidisplinary art installation at Siteworks in Brunswick. Presented in partnership with the 2017 Melbourne Fringe Festival, and featuring a cast of more than 50 young people between the ages of nine and 18, the ambitious work draws on the traditions of promenade theatre, installation and live performance art, as it invites audiences to journey through the multi-room space. There they'll find everything from song and spoken word performances, to video art and choreography, as they search for traces of the ones who walked away.
Now in its 19th year, Share the Spirit is an annual festival that takes place on January 26. The event is a celebration of the survival of Australia's First Nations people through music, art and culture. In previous years, Share the Spirit has taken place at Treasury Gardens, but it has been moved to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl this year as part of the Live at the Bowl series. Presented by Songlines Aboriginal Music and supported by Arts Centre Melbourne, the event features an impressive lineup of First Nations talent. Following an Opening Ceremony with Joy Murphy, N'arweet Carolyn Briggs and the Djirri Djirri dancers, musicians such as Archie Roach, Alice Skye, Andy Alberts and Kee'ahn will all take to the stage while Shelley Ware and Shiralee Hood co-handle the hosting duties. Due to having a limited COVID-safe capacity, Share the Spirit 2021 is already sold out, however, it will be live streamed in a few places so you have plenty of opportunities to tune in. Fed Square will be showing the festival live on its big screen — if you would like to head along to an in-person showing — or you can tune in on the Share the Spirit Facebook page or listen to a special broadcast of the festival from 2pm on 3RRR. [caption id="attachment_796726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Lau[/caption] Share the Spirit 2021 runs from 12–8pm. Top image: James Henry
Unfortunately, the Winter Gin Market has been cancelled by The Craft & Co crew due to unforeseen scheduled power upgrades on-site. We're sure they'll be back again next season for another go at it. If you need no excuse to partake in a gin or two, line up your gin-loving pals and clear your calendar. On Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27, Collingwood restaurant, cafe, brewery, distillery and workshop The Craft & Co returns with a two-day winter-inspired edition of its much-loved gin market. Across multiple sessions held in a sit-down format, the market will see some top-notch bottles of gin cracked open in the venue's upstairs event space. You can sample gins from Artillery, Boatrocker, Tiny Bear, Bass & Flinders, Brookie's and The Craft & Co as the producers move from table to table, speed-dating style. As always, a generously stocked retail store will be available for market-goers to purchase bottles of their favourite gins for home. Your $30 ticket includes access to your choice of one of the two-hour sessions, all of your tastings and a goodie bag. The eatery and bar downstairs will be operational for a pre- or post-market feed, but you'll need to book ahead for a spot.
If you thought it was impossible to improve on a Lune croissant, you may be wrong. This July, you'll be able to try one of its award-winning croissants stuffed with Koko Black chocolate, pistachios and marzipan. This special edition dessert, which will be baked in honour of World Chocolate Day for the second time, is a collaboration between luxury chocolatier Koko Black and Melbourne croissant queen, and founder of Lune Croissanterie, Kate Reid. This will be the second run for the croissant — last year it sold out in just half an hour. Available for three days only, the twice-baked croissant is stuffed with Koko Black pistachio marzipan, pistachio and toasted cacao nib frangipane, and a dark chocolate ganache. It's then sprinkled with chopped pistachios and shards of tempered dark chocolate. To get your hands on this show-stopping dessert, head to one of four Koko Black Melbourne store (not Lune) — Collins Street, Royal Arcade, Doncaster or Chadstone — between July 5–7. It's priced at $13 and you'd best hurry if you want to nab one — they probably won't last much longer than an hour. CORRECTION: June 28, 2019 — This article previously stated that the limited-edition croissants were available at all Melbourne Koko Black stores, but they're only available at four: Collins Street, Royal Arcade, Doncaster and Chadstone. The piece has been updated to reflect this.
Intrigued by the concept of collective behaviour and what it means to be part of a pack? Well, all the answers are waiting to be unearthed at Science Gallery Melbourne, within its latest exhibition Swarm. Running Saturday, August 13–Saturday, December 3, this interactive showcase doubles as a giant experiment, featuring 16 large-scale installations, all exploring various ideas around collective social behaviour. Ponder whether it's better to operate as part of a pack, or to fly solo, as you immerse yourself in highly creative works from around the world. Among them, you'll find an eight-metre-tall kinetic sculpture by performance artist Stelarc and Uni of Melbourne, which reacts in real-time to the presence of people using movements modelled on that of the human body. [caption id="attachment_865076" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of 'Sentiment Honk' by Rachel Smith (UK) in Science Gallery Melbourne's 'Swarm', captured by Alan Weedon.[/caption] Willoh Weiland's installation Scrape Elegy spits you out a personalised profile based on what's in your mobile phone using data-matching software, while Emmy Award-winning biomedical animator Drew Berry will wow you with the kaleidoscopic antibody swarms in his molecular visualisations of human viruses. Elsewhere, a kinetic sounds sculpture creates noises that are steered by real-time global population growth data, a karaoke-inspired work will see you singing to fruit flies, and there's a collection of robot trees that'll follow you around as you explore the gallery. [caption id="attachment_865078" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of 'Sentient Forest', by Bompas & Parr Studio (UK) in collaboration with Assoc Prof Monica Gagliano, Dr Claire Farrell and the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Melbourne (AU), in Science Gallery Melbourne's 'Swarm', captured by Alan Weedon.[/caption] Top Images: 'Ngapulara Ngarngarnyi Wirra (Our Family Tree)', by Adam Goodes, Angie Abdilla, Baden Pailthorpe (AUS) in Science Gallery Melbourne's SWARM; captured by Alan Weedon. 'Anthropomorphic Machine', by Stelarc (AUS), Dr Paul Loh, David Leggett, Psyche Hou, Quishi Zhou, Gabriele Marini, Dr Eric Schoof, Melbourne School of Design, School of Computing and Information Systems, LLDS Architects, Pelican Studios and Festo, in Science Gallery Melbourne's SWARM; captured by Alan Weedon.
Melbourne has really thrown itself into Halloween festivities this year with a range of parties, gigs, film events, comedy and burlesque shows all being put on in honour of the spooky non-holiday. For most of us, Halloween is something we’re glad to get involved with, but rarely plan for. It always seems like a last-minute effort pulling together a costume or a happy accident that your favourite bar is throwing a horror-themed party. Whether you're putting the final touches on your ornately-crafted spooky outfit or have only just realised Halloween is actually this week, here are a few options. Gigs and Parties All right, ghosts and ghouls it’s time to bust out the bandages, pour on the fake blood, and work on your Count Dracula accent because the witching hour is nearly upon us. Our pick of the Halloween gigs for this year would have to be The Halloween Ball at The Forum, featuring local country lads Graveyard Train. For the uninitiated, Graveyard Train only sing horror-themed song such as 'Ballad for Beelzebub' and 'Even Witches Like To Go Out Dancing', which makes them the perfect choice for All Hallow's Eve. One band member even plays a hammer and chain for goodness sake. If you're after something a little more modern head down to the Liberty Social for I OH YOU & Converse Present: Halloween House of Hell. The night will feature indie bands and DJs including Straight Arrows, Sable, Bad//Dreems, UV Boi, City Calm Down, and Two Bright Lakes. It’s only 15 bones for entry, but there are no presales, so make sure you drop in at a decent time. Prizes are also up for grabs for best dressed so don’t hold back. While there are plenty of Halloween parties happening at bars all over the city, there are also a select few who have decided to celebrate the Mexican version, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). As part of Good Food Month, Howler will be transforming their beer garden with calaveras and piñatas for Howler Day of the Dead Mexican Takeover. Think tapas with a modern twist, slow-cooked meats, and cocktails. DJs and bands will also be pumping Mexican tunes to keep you in the festive mood. If you want to combine the best of both worlds, head to Fitzroy Beer Garden for Halloween VS Day Of The Dead. A dual celebration, Friday will be all about Halloween and Saturday will be Dia de los Muertos. Doors are open from midday both days, with $2 tacos, $2 tequila shots, face painting and plenty of DJs playing all weekend long. Even if you don’t come dressed like a zombie, you’re going to feel like one after this two-day bender. Movies, Comedy and Burlesque If you like to keep your festivities a little more low-key, there are plenty of shows you can attend without going the whole nine yards costume-wise. Cinema Nova are running fantastic movie marathons with Cultastrophe, and this Friday will bring the Halloween Creature Triple Feature. It includes John Carpenter’s In The Mouth Of Madness, '80s creature-feature Critters and Wes Craven’s cult classic Deadly Friend. There will also be a haunting pre-show, door prizes and scary movie trivia for those who know all about things that go bump in the night. Beyonce and Halloween finally come together at last with ZomBey Dance Fest. The night will feature Bey Dance girls doing their Mrs Carter thang for a spooky showcase and The Real Hot Bitches dance posse Yo Let’s Go '90s Dance Troupe. To keep the good times rolling, comedians Claire Hooper, Harley Breen, Luke McGregor, Backwards Anorak and Aunty Donna will also take the stage for some creepy comedy. If you feel like turning this night into an all-out rager, stick around for Andrew McClelland’s Finishing School and pull out your best Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance moves. Ticket money for the night will go to the Bey Dance crew finally funding the studio space of their dreams. For those looking to laugh until their sides spit, Joel Creasey’s Halloween Party at Newmarket Hotel is where it’s at. This is the fourth year Creasey has hosted a horror-infused comedy night for Halloween, and although costumes are optional there are prizes for best dressed. Halloween is notorious for bringing out the devil in all of us, so it’s no surprise there are a few burlesque events to coincide with October 31. The 86 are hosting two horrifyingly good things on Friday night, starting with Halloween Trivia at 7pm with Cherry Bites. At 10pm is Blood and Grind, a gore-filled burlesque show featuring Kerry X, Raven, Betty Blood, and plenty more. House Party Tips and Tricks Halloween house parties are the greatest for getting in the ghostly spirit without having to run around the CBD in your gory rags. If you need to organise a costume, or add the final touches, don't fret. There are a bunch of amazing places still stocked up to get you sorted. Rose Chong on Gertrude Street always has a fantastic selection of costumes and vintage pieces for any fancy dress occasion. If you have got an idea in your head tell the amazing team and they will help you assemble an outfit. Added bonus: on October 31, nail art whiz kids I Scream Nails will even be popping up in store to add that extra something to your scary/sexy outfit. If you're further up north, Centre Stage Costumes in Brunswick have accessories and makeup available as well as full costumes. They've put together some Zombie Make Up Kits with all the goods to make you look truly messed up. Alternatively, you can go nuclear at Costume Factory Melbourne (previously known as Fancy Dress Melbourne). These guys have everything from the kitsch to couture. Tucked away in Hardware Lane in the CBD, this is an excellent place to pick up a quick costume on the go. Once you've got the outfit sorted, it's time to turn to the haunted house. We suggest kicking it off with some bright green potion party punch. Mountain dew, lime cordial or Midori will start you off, everything else that goes in there is your call. Next is a killer playlist: don’t be afraid to get super cheesy and throw on 'Monster' by Kanye West, 'Ghost Town' by The Specials, the Ghost Busters theme song and of course, 'The Monster Mash'. Finish it off by splattering around some extra face paint, fake blood capsules and toilet rolls to make impromptu costumes for those who came unprepared. No one is too cool for Halloween. No one. Photo credits: danhollisterduck, the cherry blossom girl and --Mark-- via photopin cc.
Stranger Things is almost back, there's more than a demogorgon to battle and every aspiring monster fighter needs a little sustenance. For the series' heroine Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Eggo frozen waffles are the food of choice. For Australian fans who love the show and free sweet treats, ice cream waffle sandwiches will keep you going. With Stranger Things' third season set to drop on Netflix next week, Baskin-Robbins outlets around the country are marking the occasion by giving away freebies. Free ice cream waffle sandwiches, that is. To get your hands on yours, you'll just need to visit the chain's virtual Scoop Alley on Uber Eats on Thursday, July 4. It's an online recreation of the ice cream parlour that features in the show's new batch of episodes, where Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) works — complete with his towering head of hair, obviously. If you're one of the first 1985 people to hit the site on the day — 1985, because that's the year the third season is set in — a home-delivered 'Eleven's Waffle Sandwich' will be yours. And, while you won't need buy anything else to get your delicious dessert, you will need to pay for delivery. The giveaway also celebrates Baskin-Robbins' new Stranger Things-themed ice cream range, which will be available to devour from Monday, July 1. As well as the aforementioned ice cream waffle sando, you can buy concoctions called 'The Shadow Cone' (which comes covered in red sprinkles), 'The Mind Flayer Macaron' and 'The Demogorgon Sundae' (which, yes, actually looks like the creepy critter) — in-store, or via Uber Eats. Find Baskin-Robbins' Stranger Things-themed range in stores and on Uber Eats from Monday, July 1, or visit the ice creamery's virtual Scoop Alley on Uber Eats on Thursday, July 4 to nab a free ice cream waffle sandwich. To find your closest Baskin-Robbins store in NSW, Vic, Qld or WA, head to the website.
There are few things in life as good as a heaping bowl of pasta. And so, you'd best brush up on your fork-twirling skills because next month, Melbourne's getting an entire weekend devoted to the classic carb-based dish. Yep, pasta is the star of the show at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival's upcoming shindig, The Big Spaghetti. Taking over Queen Victoria Market for a full-blown pasta party on Saturday, April 2, and Sunday, April 3, the event's set to deliver a tasty mash-up of Italian street fair and bustling hawker market. You'll find food stalls from some of Melbourne's favourite pasta-slinging restaurants, including Tipo 00, Pastore, Marameo, Lagotto, Mister Bianco and more. Browse the offering and sample over 20 different smash-hit pasta dishes, plus Italian-leaning snacks, and desserts like Pidapipo's Crema and Nutella Colomba toast with hazelnut Croccante gelato. That's Amore will be doing a four-cheese spaghetti served in a 40-kilogram cheese wheel, and there'll be a 'pasta wheel of fortune' to spin if you're feeling lucky. Also throughout the day, you'll get to catch live tunes, enjoy guest chef cooking demos and sip Italian-wine varietals courtesy of Pizzini. Plus, don't forget to down a few Italian-inspired cocktails while you're there. Top Image: Marameo's crab spaghetti, by Kristoffer Paulsen
If you've been itching to up your live music quota after the year that was — and the year before that — the folks behind the long-running Brunswick Music Festival are more than happy to provide. The beloved northside event is back for a tune-filled 34th edition, taking over a whole stack of Brunswick's music venues, bars, pubs and parks. The festival returns for an eleven-day run this time, with a packed program of artists performing from Friday, March 4–Monday, March 14. Bank on a sparkling lineup of artists, relaxed vibes throughout and plenty of affordable tickets. Much of the magic will be happening at the festival's openair hub at Gilpin Park, with local acts like Kaiit, Adalita and Flyying Colours, plus Ziggy Ramo, Gordi and Didirri taking the stage. You'll also be treated to a diverse array of sounds from the likes of Sugar Fed Leopards, The Dacios, Birdz, The Merindas and Soju Gang, to name a few. As always, some of the suburb's favourite bars and pubs are transforming into live music venues for the duration of the festival. The Venues 3056 program features an expansive lineup of gigs at haunts like The Edinburgh Castle Hotel, The B. East, urban winery Noisy Ritual, Brunswick Ballroom, The Retreat Hotel and many more. Plus, catch some less likely transformations, as local landmarks like Barkly Square, Brunswick Mechanics Institute and Brunswick Library embrace the tunes and become temporary gig spaces. [caption id="attachment_802253" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brunswick Ballroom by Nicole Cleary[/caption] Top images: Gilpin Park, by Simon Fazio
Activewear fans, we've got some big news: P.E. Nation is bringing back its warehouse sale — and it's all online. The athleisure experts hosted their first ever sample sale in 2016, and everything sold out in the first day. But, luckily, you don't have to worry about being crushed in a throng this year. You just need to have your mouse at the ready. Whether you're stocking up your own balcony-gym wardrobe (or WFH outfit, if we're totally honest) or doing a solid for sporty loved ones, you'll find an extensive array of swim, activewear, accessories, sweaters and jackets now available — and all for up to 60 percent off. That spans tops from $49, bottoms from $59, hoodies from $69 and jackets from $129 (because yes, cold weather really is just around the corner). Remember the age-old advice of when it comes to sample sales: you need to get in quick. Given the following the label has amassed since General Pants Co. design director Pip Edwards and former senior Sass & Bide designer Claire Tregoning joined forces, its functional, fashionable bits and pieces are bound to be popular. So, keep an eye on the website — and you'll need to be signed up as a member to access the deals.
Make a splash this Valentine's Day — or watch fish, penguins and plenty of other marine creatures literally splash about. On the day that everyone has romance on their mind, Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is hosting a luxe dinner for lovebirds who also double as lovers of marine life. Running from 7–11pm on Thursday, February 14, the Sea Life Valentine's Day Dinner combines escaping into an underwater world, a spread of food and drinks, and an intimate vibe. You can choose from one of three locations, so prepare to get cosy by the coral tank filled with vibrant tropical fish, next to the oceanarium with its shark and stingray inhabitants, or in the penguin-filled Antarctica section. Being the (supposedly) most romantic night of the year, tickets don't come cheap, ranging from $149–199. That said, if you want to serenade your date while surrounded by seahorses, they'll certainly remember it. Everyone will be tucking into a four-course dinner, plus unlimited beer, wine, sparkling, cider, soft drink, juice and mineral water.
The Queen Victoria Market is here to sate all your global food cravings, with a fresh summer edition of its popular Food Truck Stop sessions. On Wednesday, December 1, 8 and 15, it'll serve up a weekly showcase of street eats from around the world, courtesy of a hefty rotation of much-loved food vendors. From 5pm each week, you'll be able to explore the globe-trotting food truck lineup, feasting on goat curry and smashed samosas from Two Fat Indians, Vietnamese noodle bowls from Nem 'N Nem, Pasta Face's Tuscan-style beef ragu gnocchi, and traditional chicken and lamb yiros from The Greek Trojan Yiros. Elsewhere, there'll be lobster rolls, Texas barbecue, Jamaican jerk chicken, Tex-Mex street tacos, house-made gelato and more. If you find all that eating to be thirsty work, you can swing past the Beer Garden for a bev — the summer-themed pop-up bar is slinging an all-Victorian lineup featuring Mitchelton Wines, Brick Lane Brewing beers, Coldstream Brewery ciders and cocktails crafted on Antagonist Spirits. Entry to the pop-up is free, with food and drinks available to purchase. It all kicks on until 10pm each week.
As part of the flurry of new streaming services competing for our eyeballs, FanForce TV joined the online viewing fold during the COVID-19 pandemic — with the pay-per-view platform not only screening movies, but pairing them with virtual Q&A sessions as well. That's a point of difference all year round, but the service also goes the extra mile for National Reconciliation Week, which is when it hosts the Virtual Indigenous Film Festival. In 2022, that'll take place between Thursday, May 26–Monday, May 30, all solely online. The returning event will showcase five titles: the first two episodes of TV series Firebite; films My Name is Gulpilil, Off Country and Wash My Soul in the River's Flow; plus shorts by up-and-coming First Nations talent. That means you can watch your way through an array of Aussie content focused on Indigenous stories, spanning both dramas and documentaries — and exploring race relations in the process. Sessions will also feature guest speakers, with filmmakers Tanith-Glynn-Maloney, Molly Reynolds and John Harvey among those doing the chatting. And, viewers can tune in on a film-by-film basis, or buy an all-access pass to tune into everything. Top image: Firebite, Ian Routledge/AMC+.
On Saturday, September 2, Green Door Events is launching its Bakers United market at Yarraville Masonic Hall. Similar to their previous ventures, such as the Indoor Design Market and the Annual Children's Market, Bakers United will showcase seasoned and fresh Melbourne talent. There's one difference, however — this one-day event is strictly for baked goods only. Starting from 9am, lovers of all things sweet and baked can stroll their way through a variety of stalls offering an assortment of freshly baked goods ready to be devoured on the spot or taken home for sharing. Delicious fare from Butter Mafia, Sprinkles Spiced and Everything Iced, Shortstop, By Josephine, Love Eat Cake by Lisa, Take the Biscuit, Mum's Baklava and Flavour Station will be on the menu, meaning cakes, cupcakes, doughnuts, cronuts, biscuits, brownies and slices aplenty. It's no wonder they're predicted to be popular, or that further dates have been announced for the rest of the year. Prepare to browse and devour more baked goodies on October 7 and December 2.
Don't sweat it. Just don't. That's a great sentiment, but putting it into action isn't always so easy. Humanity has long wanted to care less about all of the things that really don't matter, including since before self-help was a book genre — and since before there were books. Nothing else has quite summed up that concept quite like The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, though, even just in its title. It sits among a seemingly endless array of texts about living your best life and forgetting pointless strife, but Mark Manson's 2016 hit perfectly captured the idea that we should all devote less attention to matters that simply aren't worth it. First came the book. Then came the film version of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. Since Manson's famous tome hit shelves, he's also popped up to chat about it and offer his brutally honest self-help advice — and he's returning Down Under in November 2024 to do exactly that again. Consider heading along to this The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck live tour as the next step in pursuing the ultimate goal: giving less fucks. More than 20-million copies of the book have been sold, so you're probably familiar with Manson's take on living more contented and grounded lives already, but there's something to be said about hearing about it in person. Couldn't be arsed reading the text? Then this is another way to soak in its contents. Of course, Manson's spin isn't about never giving a fuck. Rather, he knows that it's wise to choose where to direct our fucks, what to give a crap about and what genuinely bloody matters. The book's chapter titles are as telling as its overall moniker, boasting names such as 'Don't Try', 'Happiness is a problem', 'You are not special', 'You are wrong about everything (But so am I)', 'The importance of saying no' and 'And then you die'. Also the author of Everything Is F*cked: A Book About Hope, Manson will be onstage exploring this train of thought at the Melbourne's Hamer Hall on Wednesday, November 6. Attendees can expect a deeper dive into the principles stepped through in his book, plus practical tips and stories from real life. This is an event to give a fuck about, clearly.
Ready to go high? The classic high tea is getting taken up a few notches for a one-off feast at Quincy Melbourne this month. On Saturday, July 23, Sky-High Tea takes over the hotel's 28th-floor lounge bar The Q, plating up a sumptuous spread fusing flavours from across Japan, Hong Kong and Thailand. Across one two-hour sitting, guests will tuck into high tea with a tasty twist, swapping out the standard finger sandwiches for innovative bites like nahm jim chicken skewers, cauliflower and shiso fritters, tuna and prawn sesame cups with chilli jam, curried egg sandos, and chilli chocolate tarts. There won't be a dainty cuppa in sight — rather, the bar's using Tea Drop's fun tea blends to create a menu of limited-edition tea cocktails. Think, a reworked Tom Collins, the mandarin and Earl Grey caprioska, and a chai-infused milk-based whisky concoction. Tickets are $69 per person, which includes a goodie bag to take home.
If you're obsessed with Korean food and culture but a trip to Seoul isn't on the cards anytime soon, EziStreat's huge Seoul Sunday Market best be etched into your calendar, stat. For one day only, 11.30am-4pm on Sunday, September 15, North Melbourne's hawker-style food hall and beer garden EziStreat will be taken over by artisanal craft and clothing stalls and cultural performances. The venue's usual street food vendors will also be out that day, dishing up mostly pan-Asian eats. Seoul Bunsik will also be serving up Korean street food, including its much-loved Korean fried chicken, tteokbokki, kimbap and rice cake songpyeon — traditionally eaten as a treat for Chuseok in Korea. But the shopping side of things is where Seoul Sunday Market really shines. My Korean School and EziStreat have together curated an impressive lineup of local and international artisans who'll be selling their wares to Koreanophiles (or really just about anyone who loves handcrafted goods). Gori Kitchenware will provide a selection of ceramics and tableware from Korea. Melbeauty will be selling Korean skincare products. And MiranDay Designs will showcase some of its Korean women's clothes. There'll even be some live K-pop performances throughout the arvo, helping create the party vibes. Top images: Noah Sutherland
After a year spent getting very familiar with our own homes, it's safe to say we're all craving a bit of wow-factor from any future holiday escapes. And there's plenty of that to be found at Victoria's new alpine eco-glamping site, which has launched on the slopes of Mt Hotham, around 4.5 hours northeast of Melbourne. The latest offering from award-winning tourism operator Alpine Nature Experience, the new accommodation set-up features a series of comfy treetop tents, suspended above the ground. Here, you can sleep in luxury beneath the starry skies and wake to stunning sunrise vistas over the mountain. There are tents to fit two people (from $189 a night), as well as a family-friendly option with space for three, or for two adults and a couple of children (from $289 a night). Or, you can splash out a little extra for an indulgent stay in the two-person Premium Vista Tent, overlooking one of Mt Hotham's most impressive lookouts and featuring its own private outdoor bath ($289 a night). Each tent comes kitted out with cosy sleeping bags and insulated mattresses, as well as a phone charger and head torches. And yes, there's ample phone reception up here, in case you're a little wary about unplugging completely. In addition to the unique sleeping situation and premium views, eco-village guests can enjoy cooked breakfasts, activities ranging from hiking to bike rides, an assortment of outdoor games, a fully licensed bar offering and woodfired feasts for dinner. What's more, it's sustainably built and entirely off-grid, so you can rest easy knowing your getaway is being easy on the planet. All supplies are taken in and out by foot to minimise impact, plus Alpine Nature Experience is a member of global environmental initiative, 1% for the Planet. Find Alpine Nature Experience's Summer Eco-Village on Great Alpine Road, Hotham Heights. It's now open Thursday to Sunday — book your stay here. Images: Kate Hanton
Sweet birthday babies, the big dose of déjà vu you've long been waiting for is finally almost here. It's been three years since Russian Doll first brought its Groundhog Day-meets-The Good Place vibes to Netflix, proved a hit and got renewed for a second season — and if you've been hanging out to rehash the smart and twisty Natasha Lyonne-starring series all over again, it'll drop new episodes in April. Orange Is the New Black, Irresistible and The United States vs Billie Holiday star Lyonne plays New Yorker Nadia, who had a 36th birthday she'd never forget in Russian Doll's first season — although she desperately wished that she could. While getting stuck at a celebration in your own honour will sound like a literal party to most folks, that wasn't Nadia's path. So, after a couple of go-arounds, she went searching for answers. Indeed, being trapped in a loop featuring her closest pals (Sisters' Greta Lee and Werewolves Within's Rebecca Henderson), friendly ex (Yul Vazquez, Severance), wise aunt (Elizabeth Ashley, Ocean's 8), a cute roaming cat and a determined but neurotic guy (Charlie Barnett, You) who lives around the corner wasn't quite bliss for the show's acerbic, misanthropic lead character. Co-created and co-written by Lyonne, the one and only Amy Poehler, and filmmaker Leslye Headland (Bachelorette, Sleeping with Other People), the show's eight-episode first run was one of the highlights of 2019 — and fingers crossed that its second season proves the same in 2022. As well as announcing that Russian Doll's second season will drop on Wednesday, April 20, Netflix also released a first sneak peek at the new episodes, although little is given away story-wise. Examining fate, logic, life's loops and wading through limbo in a clever and compelling way is this show's wheelhouse, though — and proving dark, heartfelt, hilarious and inventive all at once, too, even though the do-over premise has become a well-established trope on both the big and small screens. So, if any series was well-placed to serve up a savvy second season — a do-over in a show that's already about do-overs — it's this one. NYC's subway system does feature prominently in the season two trailer, so there's one big clue. Also, Barnett is back as Alan. A graveyard is seen, too, as so is Nadia providing her latest advice: "when the universe fucks with you, let it." Plus, although they're not glimpsed in this first sneak peek, Schitt's Creek and Kevin Can F**k Himself star Annie Murphy and District 9's Sharlto Copley also join the cast. Check out the first teaser trailer for Russian Doll's second season below: The second season of Russian Doll will be available to stream via Netflix on Wednesday, April 20. Image: Netflix.
Whether you're a pro marathon runner or a casual jogger, running is a lot more fun — and a lot easier — when you're gazing out at beautiful views. To that end, the Great Ocean Road Running Festival takes place along one of Australia's most scenic routes. Happening for the 12th year in a row on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday May 20, the event offers a race for runners of every kind, as well as a host of other happenings, including live music, film screenings and yoga sessions. At one end, there's the 60-kilometre ultra marathon. At the other, there's the five-kilometre Lorne Hotel run/walk. Whichever race you join, your registration gets you free entry to everything else going on across the weekend. Pop into Lorne Theatre to see Simon Baker's directorial debut Breath, the Lorne Hotel to catch some live music, or Lorne Sea Baths for yoga classes and pre-marathon warm-ups. There'll also be festival hubs at both Lorne and Apollo Bay.
You climb the stairs to the rarely seen, abandoned rooms at the top of Flinders Street Station and push open the door. Inside is Shadow Spirits, the largest commissioned exhibition of contemporary First Peoples art in Victoria's history. Shadow Spirits is part of Melbourne's RISING festival for 2023, presented in partnership with Metro Trains, and it's been curated by leading Yorta Yorta curator and writer, Kimberley Moulton. Showcases like this don't come along very often. It's a chance to see 30 of the most exciting First Nations artists and collectives from across Australia, all in the one decked-out event space. According to RISING's brochure, Shadow Spirits "invites visitors to traverse time and Ancestral spirit worlds, reflect on the shadows of Australia's history, and be immersed in deep systems of knowledge". If you're going to make time for one RISING activation this year, Shadow Spirits should be top of your list. The exhibition will be running from June 7 to June 18, then kicking off again from June 21 to July 30. Tickets start at $18, and you'll have a full 75 minutes to soak up the magic. We highly recommend going after dark, if possible. It really adds to the atmosphere. Images: Supplied.
UPDATE: 2PM, FEBRUARY 5, 2018 — Due to a late shipment of boats, the date of the Inflatable Regatta has been changed to February 24, 2018. More info here. Now here's a good way to make an entrance to a party: float on in with a crew of 1500 boats. That's exactly what the Inflatable Regatta is all about. 1500 blow-up boats will take to a two-kilometre stretch of the Yarra on Saturday, February 10. In a single or double vessel, they'll paddle down the river for about two hours before reaching the destination party. Should you make it to the end, beers, food trucks and live music will be waiting for you (after all, what's a regatta without a cold bev afterwards?) — and you can pay an extra $10 with your ticket for your boat and oars, so you can even take them home with you. There are some rules though: you can't load your boat with beer (no booze on the river, and you may actually sink your vessel), no plastic water bottles (bring a reusable container to fill up instead), no DIY vessels (but you can bring an Inflatable Regatta boat from previous years) and you should wear shoes that can stand to get a bit wet. Tickets cost $60 for a single boat and $110 for a double, and include a life jacket and a waterproof bag for your stuff. Boats launch from Yarra Bank Reserve in Hawthorn from 10am — you can choose your launch time when you book. Image: Inflatable Regatta 2017.
Here's yet another convincing reason to visit Brunswick warehouse bar, arts hub and live music venue Howler this summer: the northside spot has reopened its pop-up taco and tequila bar. Open from Friday–Sunday, the newly revamped bar-within-a-bar is serving up $6.50 brisket, achiote chicken and black bean tacos; $10 nachos loaded with guacamole, pico de gallo and crispy corn; and a whole heap of refreshing cocktails. The latter includes jalapeño margaritas ($18), a mezcal-heavy twist on a piña colada ($16), micheladas ($12) made with Moon Dog lager and pink grapefruit mimosas ($12). To help kick-start your night out, the bar has also brought back its $5 happy hour. From 5–6pm every Friday and Saturday, you can pick up $5 frozen margs and $5 tacos — we know where we're going for Friday night knockoffs. Taco & Tequila Bar is open from 5–9pm Friday–Saturday and 3–7pm Sunday.
The silly season is upon us and that means we're all geared up for a whole lot of eating and drinking. Which is good, because Camberwell's got a brand-new Sunday session you'll want to bring your appetite for. Neighbourhood Italian joint La Perla is getting into the swing of things by launching a lively new Sunday series — complete with bottomless pizza. From 12–5pm each weekend, starting from December 11, La Perla's Sunday Sessions are dishing up all-you-can-eat wood-fired pizza for an easy $20 per person. What's more, the menu's top-notch, with options like a classic margherita, a spicy nduja number with onion and scamorza, and a wagyu bresaola pizza finished with bitter salad greens and Grana Padano. If you're still feeling peckish, there are $5 salads and $10 fries to get stuck into, plus group-friendly cocktail carafes priced at $20. La Perla has some solid DJs and live acts on rotation, too, with DJ Hysteric kicking off the series launch on December 11.
If the first few months of the year have left you feeling overconnected, overstimulated and overwhelmed, it's time for a break. But what do you do when there's no time for a weekend away? Meet forest therapy. This Japanese practice, originally known as shinrin-yoku or forest bathing, is taking place right in the city — in the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, to be exact. And it involves more than just a walk through the woods. During a two-hour session ($30 per person), you'll not only immerse yourself in nature but take part in an array of calming and healing activities. Expect to slow right down, ease your beating heart, lower your blood pressure, reset yourself and generally feel much, much better. In the longer term, forest therapy can lead to improved physical and mental health. In fact, it's become a regular part of public health in China, Japan, South Korea and across Europe. The first release of sessions sold out almost immediately, but Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has introduced two more opportunities to give it a whirl at the Melbourne Gardens this autumn — Saturday, March 30 and Thursday, April 4. Accredited forest therapy guides from In My Nature will be running each session. To make a booking, head this way.
From fancy jigsaw puzzles to cheese and charcuterie sets and whisky subscriptions, we're (thankfully) able to get a whole heap of entertaining and edible packages delivered to our doors during lockdown. The latest to launch is a big win for boba fans across the country: The Bubble Tea Club. While lots of bubble tea shops are delivering ready-to-drink boba, these DIY bubble tea sets mean you can make yourself a tea — whenever the whim hits. The Bubble Tea Club is delivering packs in eight different flavours (and 14 different toppings) all across Australia. You can get the classic milk, taro or Thai tea or go fruity with honeydew, mango, green apple, passionfruit or lychee. Toppings include the likes of coconut jelly, grass jelly, lychee popping pearls, aloe vera and red bean paste — and tapioca pearls, of course. Packs start with five serves (from as little as $20.95) and ten ($34.95) and go all the way up to 50 ($99.95) and 365 serves ($800) — because, face it, who doesn't want a boba a every day. Inside the packs, you'll find premium tea leaves, flavourings, toppings and wide straws (with reusable options available). Depending on how many you buy, the packs work out to as little as $2.19 a serve. And shipping is a $9.95 flat rate or free if you spend over $59. You can, of course, attempt to make your own boba pearls at home, too, but this is a lazy (and easy) version if you're not feeling quite that motivated. You can now order DIY bubble tea set from The Bubble Tea Club website.
If you spend your free time binging on true crime, then you're probably familiar with the Golden State Killer. Between 1974–1986, the serial killer, rapist and burglar terrorised California, committing at least 12 murders, over 50 home-invasion rapes and more than 100 burglaries. Until 2018, however, the culprit hadn't been caught. Accordingly, it's the type of case that has kept more than a few folks wondering over the years and decades — including writer Michelle McNamara. HBO's new true-crime docuseries I'll Be Gone in the Dark chronicles McNamara's obsession with the case, as well as her hunt to find the perpetrator. Her tale is filled with intrigue, too, with her nights spent sleuthing through unsolved crimes while her family slept, as well as penning the blog True Crime Diaries. Fixating on the Golden State Killer led to an article for Los Angeles Magazine, plus a book deal. But before she could finish her manuscript, McNamara — who was also married to comedian Patton Oswalt — died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in her sleep. Based on McNamara's book I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer, which was published two years after her death (and before an arrest was made in the case), the six-part series steps through this whole scenario. When the series hits HBO in the US at the end of June — with dates Down Under yet to be revealed, but Australian airings likely to happen via Foxtel — viewers can obviously expect quite the detective story. On offer: archival footage and details from police files; interviews with detectives, survivors and family members of the killer; and McNamara's own words, via original recordings as well as excerpts from her book read by actor Amy Ryan (Late Night, Beautiful Boy, The Office). The series also doubles as an exploration of the handling of sexual crimes in the 70s and 80s, as well as an examination of true-crime obsession and pursuit of justice. Check out the trailer the below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTNHJETw0S8 I'll Be Gone in the Dark starts screening on HBO in the US on June 28. An air date Down Under is yet to be announced — we'll update you when further details come to hand. Top image: Robyn Van Swank/HBO.
Spring and outdoor festivals go hand-in-hand, and Melbourne has the packed calendar of events to prove it. Add another one to the list, with Collingwood's Peel Street getting in the action with their own fest — a new, free, day-long combination of music, arts, culture, food and markets. Given that it's called the Peel Street Festival, there's no prizes for guessing where it'll be taking place from midday until 8pm on November 11. As for what's on offer, attendees can expect a community celebration will boast live sets from Aussie legend Archie Roach and blues group Cash Savage and The Last Drinks, an array of stalls serving up edible fare, and even a record fare. In what's shaping up to be a jam-packed street party, further acts will be announced closer to event, which is being driven by Smith Street's The Grace Darling Hotel. In the interim, if you're eager for some spring fun in the sun — or beneath Peel Street's leafy trees — block out the second Saturday in November in your diary. Peel Street Festival takes place on Peel Street, Collingwood from midday on November 11. For further details, head to the festival website or Facebook page.
If you prefer an art experience that extends beyond looking at works on a wall, prepare to be impressed by Melbourne's new 3000-square-metre, 11-metre-high immersive digital art gallery. Originally set to open in late 2020, then postponed till autumn 2021, The Lume will make its home permanently at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) with projections of some of the world's most celebrated artworks splashed across various surfaces, backed by powerful musical soundtracks and complemented by aromas. The inaugural exhibition at The Lume will celebrate the works and life of Vincent van Gogh. So, you'll be able to walk through artworks like The Starry Night and Sunflowers while listening to a classical music score. If you were lucky enough to make it up to Sydney this year for Van Gogh Alive, expect something very similar. The project is the brainchild of Melbourne-based Grande Experiences, which, for the past 14 years, has hosted immersive exhibitions and gallery experiences in over 130 cities across the world. The company also owns and operates Rome's Museo Leonardo da Vinci. The Lume will open at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in autumn 2021. We'll let you know when more details are announced. You can check out some of Grande Experiences' other gallery experiences over here.
he high priestess of dark rock is coming to Australia — PJ Harvey has announced her first Australian/New Zealand tour since 2012. Hitting epic venues like Sydney's shiny new $1.5 billion International Convention Centre for Sydney Festival, Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Brisbane's Tivoli and Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre, Harvey will be backed by her ten-piece band for a career-spanning set. It's been a while between drinks — Harvey hasn't performed in Australia or NZ since 2012. It's a new live show for the UK indie rock legend, one that's already toured Europe and the US and features all your favourite early classics and newer material.
The world has witnessed pizza spinoffs aplenty since the first pizzeria supposedly opened in Naples back in 1738. But if there's one thing most pizza lovers can agree on, it's that cheese makes everything a whole lot better. So, you can imagine the cheesy grins all over Melbourne as 400 Gradi this week announced it was bringing back its world-famous 154-cheese pizza to its Melbourne menus for four glorious days. Don't go assuming that the number 154 is hyperbole — this pizza has literally 154 cheeses of varying textures and tastes in both the cheese base and the extra cheeses on top. Created by 400 Gradi owner and winner of the world's best pizza title Johnny Di Francesco, the hallowed pizza will only be available from Thursday, September 5, to Sunday, September 8 in celebration of America's National Cheese Pizza Day (apparently that's a thing). It's officially the world's cheesiest pizza, after being recognised by Guinness World Record for its extreme cheesiness earlier this year. It's not the first time Di Francesco has brought an over-the-top cheese pizza into reality, either — he's previously created a 99-cheese pizza, once in 2016, and once in 2014 to coincide with the release of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (the animals who dreamed up the idea of the 99-cheese pizza) movie, and a 150-cheese pie, too. Since then, he's been hard at work, nipping, tucking and experimenting with cheese ratios to ensure this latest iteration is truly a cheese lover's dream personified. The 154-cheese pizza will be gracing menus at Gradi restaurants across Melbourne until Sunday, September 8, including the original 400 Gradi, Brunswick East; Gradi Crown, Southbank; Gradi Eastland, Eastland Shopping Centre, Ringwood; and 400 Gradi, Essendon. To make a booking, head to the 400 Gradi website.
Section 8, Melbourne's original shipping container bar, is celebrating the arrival of Christmas with a Festivus. Unlike the one in Seinfeld, however, this won't have an 'airing of grievances' or 'feats of strength', but live music, Afro-Colombian dance classes, a pop-up market and art projections. From Friday, December 18–Saturday, December 19, the famed CBD beer garden will be filled with more than 30 female-identifying artists and musicians from across Victoria for A Femme Festivus. The bar will open at 12pm on each day, with live music from the likes of Thando, Elle Shimada and DJ Ingrid, art from Nomadic Static and brews from female-owned brewery Two Birds. The pop-up market will run from 12–5pm on Sunday — with stalls from Snakebird Designs, Drugstore Love and 2nd Hand Streetwear — and Karen Bravo will host the dance class at 2.30pm on Friday. Entry is free across the whole weekend, with $1 from every drink sold from 12–5pm each day going to Melbourne charity Sister Works, which supports refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. A Femme Festivus will run from 12pm–1am.
If you're trekking around Sydney Road and Melbourne's inner north this weekend, you'd best be prepared for a few changes to your usual transport routine. From 12.30am this Saturday, April 21, until the final tram on Monday, April 23, Route 19 trams are set to be replaced by buses, as construction begins on a new accessible platform at Stop 19, on the corner of Brunswick Road and Sydney Road. The buses will run in place of the usual trams between Stop 7 at The Queen Victoria Market and Stop 27 at the Brunswick Tram Depot, picking up travellers at temporary stops and existing kerbside tram stops. Public Transport Victoria has also warned that services could experience delays, and is urging passengers to leave a little extra time for their travels. The Route 59 service between the CBD and Flemington Road will feature extra trams during peak times this weekend to help take off some of the pressure — but if you've got a bike, this might be a good weekend to get some use out of it. Jump over to the PTV website for more information about the changes. Image: PeterChickenCampbell via Wikimedia Commons.
From luminous coral to majestic jellyfish, the deep blue ocean is home to no shortage of natural masterpieces and some of its most luminous critters are now being celebrated with their own dedicated digital exhibition at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium. Running until December, Submerged is an immersive all-ages exhibition that explores the fascinating depths of the bioluminescent underwater world where organisms produce and emit light using chemical reactions. Expect breathtaking, hyperrealistic displays of colour and light depicting phenomena like glittering beaches scattered with spawning creatures and the tiny firefly squid that light up the deep waters off Japan. This is where science and nature show off their artistic side. The interactive exhibition is taking centre stage while Sea Life's sprawling Oceanarium display is closed for renovations — though it's not the only underwater magic you can catch right now at the aquarium. Other displays let you get up close and personal to creatures like fish, turtles, penguins, jellyfish and sharks. Pinjarra the saltwater crocodile also remains on show for those who want to say g'day. Access to Submerged is included in the cost of a general aquarium ticket.
When you've won over one of television's most cynical characters with a serenade, what comes next? Taking the tunes on the road. During his time on beloved and hilarious Emmy-winning sitcom Schitt's Creek, Noah Reid did far more than sing Tina Turner's 'The Best' to Dan Levy's David Rose, of course. When he joined the show from season three onwards as Patrick Brewer, he helped bring balance to the Rose family's fish-out-of-water antics, and became one half of its big love story. But the series kept finding ways to get Reid singing, including having Patrick star in the comedy's version of Cabaret — and now he'll be taking to the microphone Down Under. Off-screen, Reid is indeed a musician, releasing his first album Songs From a Broken Chair back in 2016 before joining Schitt's Creek. Since then, he's dropped two follow-ups: 2020's Gemini and 2022's Adjustments. Next, he's bringing his live gigs to Australia for the first time ever. Yes, 'The Best' usually features on his setlists overseas. Beyond that, the Canadian actor and musician will be playing tracks from across all three of his records when he heads Down Under this spring. In Melbourne, Reid will play The Forum on Monday, October 2. Since Schitt's Creek, Reid has popped up on sci-fi western Outer Range — and also has past appearances on Degrassi: The Next Generation, Alphas and House of Lies on his pre-Schitt's Creek resume.
"Your nose like a delicious slope of cream / And your ears like cream flaps / And your teeth like hard shiny pegs of cream." Le Diner en Blanc — like Howard Moon's poem — will have you in all white. But sorry, Booshers: this Melbourne event is just for the sophisticated. Now popping up all around the world, the Diner en Blanc began in Paris more than three decades ago thanks to François Pasquier and friends. And in 2023, Melbourne's creme de la creme will once again dress in all-white on Saturday, February 18 and flock along, with the event held at a predictably stunning location — which remains secret until the very last moment. Following an evening of elegance, fine dining and live music, the 2000-plus foodies then pack up their crystal, dinnerware, tables, chairs and litter. Like ghosts (white 'n' all), they leave behind no sign of their rendezvous. That said, don't get any ideas — a white sheet thrown over your figure will not do for an outfit. Le Diner en Blanc guests must either be invited by a member from the previous event or get on the waiting list for a ticket — with the latter open for registrations now. And, if you're wondering what the event entails — other than eating, drinking, and wearing white and white only — you'll need to bring a table and two white chairs with you, as well as your own picnic basket, glassware, white tablecloth and white dinnerware. You can order a catered picnic, though, if you'd prefer to travel a little lighter. Drinks-wise, you'll either need to opt for wine or champagne ordered via the event's e-store, or be content with bringing your own non-alcoholic beverages. Wondering where Le Diner en Blanc might pop up this time? In past Melbourne outings, it has brought its all-white setup to Docklands, Treasury Gardens, Melbourne Museum and Birrarung Marr. [caption id="attachment_866541" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Balvin Productions[/caption] Images: Mark Peterson Photography.
