Underground, garage-rock royalty don't come much royaler than King Tuff. With a CV that includes stints with psych-folk pioneers Feathers, Sub Pop's Happy Birthday and the melodic metal of Witch, the man born Kyle Thomas has made a career out of crafting awesomely dirty and scuzzy guitar licks. Having decided to go it alone, King Tuff's debut solo album Was Dead showcases a performer who knows a thing or two about them blues. Sitting somewhere between a lo-fi version of The Black Keys and Wolfmother on an acid trip, the album is a filthy cocktail of straight-up guitar rock, stoner vocals and shout-along choruses. Then there's the man himself. With his matt of unkept hair and that middle-finger-to-the-system attitude, King Tuff is a beguiling and charismatic stage presence, with the ability to rouse a crowd into rabble and mayhem with little more than one of his Zeppelin-esque solos.
Melbourne cinephiles, prepare to spend plenty of time in yet another picture palace. Come 2019, Swanston Street's Capitol Theatre will reopen its doors and once again host cinema screenings. The RMIT-owned building will become a home-away-from-home for the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), which is closing down for a major refurbishment between mid-2019 and mid-2020. While ACMI's Federation Square base is completing its revamp, the organisation will partner with RMIT to bring its screenings to the Capitol. Festivals that usually use ACMI as a venue, such as the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Human Rights Arts & Film Festival and the Japanese Film Festival, will also make the temporary move. In readiness for getting the projector whirring, the Capitol is also undergoing a revamp of its own. The theatre's foyer will be restored, seats and carpet will be replaced, and upgrades will be made to its cinema projection, lighting and sound facilities. As well as revitalising a space that dates back almost a century, RMIT is eager for the Capitol to regain its place as one of Melbourne's cultural hubs. The university expects the venue to host more than 500 events and to welcome more than 100,000 visitors through its doors every year. RMIT will also use the space as a research and innovation hub in fields such as film, digital media, virtual reality, augmented reality and animation, for both educational purposes and for the broader industry. "We're creating a cultural and educational destination," said RMIT Pro Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President Professor Paul Gough in a statement. "A thriving centre where the creative community can interact, connect and collaborate." The news comes after the university launched a crowdfunding campaign to restore the Capitol and put it back into use, noting the building's significant historical value. First opening in 1924 — and initially hosting silent films that were preceded by live theatre productions before each screening, as well as being accompanied by Australia's first large Wurlitzer organ — the site was designed by architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, who also designed the city of Canberra. The Capitol's geometric-shaped light-filled ceiling is quite the striking sight, but one that's been seen intermittently by audiences over the past few decades. After initially closing in the 60s, being renovated to turn its stalls-level seating into the Capitol Arcade, and then undergoing remodelling again when RMIT took over in 1999, The Capitol has remained shut since 2014. We're looking forward to seeing it open once more. The Capitol Theatre is located at 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne and will reopen at a yet-to-be-revealed date in 2019. Image: RMIT.
Dig out those once-a-year novelty gumboots, Groovin the Moo has unveiled its 2018 lineup. Taking the large-scale music festival out of the city and into regional centres for another year, GTM will kick things off on Friday, April 27 in South Australia and travel through Maitland, Townsville, Bendigo and Canberra before finishing up in Bunbury on May 12. This year sees local talent new and established taking the stage, with the lineup spanning up-and-comers like Alex Lahey, Baker Boy and Winston Surfshirt right through to favourites Flight Facilities and Australian legend Paul Kelly. International talent like Portugal. The Man, Royal Blood and Duke Dumont will make their way to the Moo too. Here's the full lineup. GROOVIN THE MOO 2018 LINEUP Alex Lahey Aminé (USA) The Amity Affliction Baker Boy Ball Park Music Claptone (Ger) Confidence Man Cosmo's Midnight Dean Lewis Duke Dumont (UK) Flight Facilities Grinspoon Lady Leshurr (UK) Mallrat Ocean Alley Paul Kelly Portugal. The Man (USA) Public Service Broadcasting (UK) Royal Blood (UK) Sampa The Great Skegss Superduperkyle (USA) Tkay Maidza Vera Blue Winston Surfshirt GROOVIN THE MOO 2018 DATES & VENUES Friday, April 27 — Wayville (SA) Saturday, April 28 – Maitland (NSW) Sunday, April 29 — Canberra (ACT) Saturday, May 5 — Bendigo (VIC) Sunday, May 6 – Townsville (QLD) Saturday, May 12 — Bunbury (WA) Pre-sale tickets for GTM will go on sale at 9am local time on Wednesday, January 31. All other tickets for Wayville, Maitland and Canberra will go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, February 6, and Bendigo, Bunbury and Townsville will be released the day after at 9am on Wednesday, February 7. For more info, go to gtm.net.au. Image: Jack Toohey.
Two decades after Hae Min Lee's murder, the Baltimore high school student's horrific plight continues to dominate the true crime landscape. After featuring on the first season of Sarah Koenig's grimly addictive podcast Serial, it's now the basis for a new documentary series, The Case Against Adnan Syed. The four-part HBO series picks up where everyone's 2014 obsession left off — the trailers below promise to reveal 'a new chapter' — not only exploring 18-year-old Lee's death in 1999 and her ex-boyfriend Syed's conviction in 2000, but the latter's ongoing quest to have the extremely complex legal matter reassessed in the years since he was found guilty. Everything from Lee and Syed's relationship, to the original police investigation and trial, to the developments up until now will feature, with the film gaining exclusive access to Syed, his family and his lawyers. The series couldn't come at a more crucial time for Syed, who was convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to life in prison, and continues to fight his case through the courts. While he was granted a new trial in 2016, that ruling was subsequently appealed by the State of Maryland — only for the Court of Special Appeals to agree to vacate Syed's conviction and finally give him that retrial last March. A date for the actual retrial hasn't yet been set, however. Splashed across the small screen, it's certain to make for compelling viewing — but if you think you've spent too much time mulling it all over across the past five years, filmmaker Amy Berg has you beat. Unsurprisingly given how complicated the matter is, the director has been working on the project since 2015. And, with her excellent doco background — with Berg helming 2006's Oscar-nominated 2006 Deliver Us from Evil, about molestation in the Catholic Church; examining the West Memphis Three's quest for freedom in 2012's West of Memphis; and tackling the sexual abuse of teenagers in the film industry in 2014's An Open Secret — her new venture is certain to be thorough. Mere weeks out from launching the series, which airs weekly on HBO from Sunday, March 10, US time, the network has dropped a full trailer. It comes hot on the heels on the first sneak peek earlier this month, which mentioned the investigation of other suspects and new evidence — saying, "the closer you look the more you see". Watch them both here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQaTa5eTxnk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA1qzo2WEew As they did for West of Memphis, Nick Cave and Warren Ellis will provide the score. 'The Case Against Adnan Syed' will air on HBO from Sunday, March 10, US time — and then hit Foxtel for Australian viewers later this year. It's not clear yet if the show will air or stream in New Zealand. We'll update you as soon as further release dates have been announced. Image: Adnan Syed via Syed Family / Courtesy of HBO.
The Netherlands is championed for creating the first gin. And the UK is known for popularising the spirit — especially London dry gin. But the influence of Sri Lanka, Malaysia and other spice islands hasn't made it to the mainstream. This is something the Owner and Founder of Dutch Rules Distilling Co. Danny Perera is working hard to change at his distillery door and bar that opened in March this year. At the Mitcham site, he's distilling gins and making cocktails that hero the complex flavours of juniper, cardamom and coriander — coming from a broad range of spice islands. Apart from strongly featuring these main spices (that were historically transported back to Europe by the East India Company), his gin range is also enhanced with lemongrass, makrut leaves, chilli, Thai basil and ginger. They've won a handful of awards, and Perera has been praised for broadening the scope of what gins can taste like. These are all sold by the bottle, as tasting flights and in cocktails from his bar in Mitcham. A small selection of bar snacks are also available right now — sardines with bread, olives and charcuterie — but Perera is working to expand the food offerings. He brought on Dan Greenwood (Naked for Satan) to establish a new kitchen and dining menu. This won't be up and running until the end of the year, but we'll be sure to keep you posted when we receive updates. You'll find Dutch Rules Distilling Co. at 1/586 Whitehorse Road, Mitcham, open 4–10pm Wednesday–Friday, 12–9pm on Saturday, and 12–7pm on Sunday. For more information, head to the venue's website.
Melbourne's got a clear penchant for hot pot. The city's full of Sichuan-style spots pouring big bowls of spicy broth, but at the CBD's Jiyu, you'll find something a little different: classic Thai soup dishes. A contemporary seafood restaurant with a hefty hot pot offering, Jiyu has made its home in the heart of Chinatown on Little Bourke Street, right next to a Gotcha Fresh Tea. Across two levels, it's working a breezy fitout of pastel pinks and white tiles, finished with lots of foliage and bottle green banquettes. An express lunch menu encourages solo hot pot adventures. Start by choosing your base: tom yum, pepper chicken, creamy curry laksa or sour fish soup. Then, pimp it out with your choice of noodles, rice, fresh veggies and proteins, from $16.80 a bowl. Dinnertime brings a similar array of bubbling soup base options, though here they're made to share between two–four people, and can be enjoyed as an interactive group feast at the table. Seafood reigns supreme across the rest of Jiyu's menu, with plates like prawn pancakes ($12.80), Thai-style stir-fried pipis ($12.80) and a rich and lively prawn curry ($29.80). Dessert might bring treats like a bowl of mango-topped sticky rice ($6.80), while the cocktail lineup features creative fusions like The Lost Pearl — a blend of fresh lychee, popping yoghurt pearls, gin, tonic and blue pea flower ($22). See also a range of fresh juices and a booze-free collaboration line with the crew at Gotcha Fresh Tea. Appears in: Where to Find The Best Hot Pots in Melbourne for 2023
There aren't many protagonists in modern theatre much like Arty, the subject of the Melbourne Theatre Company's new production, Beached. Lazy and living at home, but with grandiose visions of one day becoming an explorer or even a movie star, Arty is a perfectly average hero. He's the sort of character Seth Rogen might play in a Judd Apatow film, with one one large difference — he weighs 400 kg, a fairly unsubtle metaphor for a man who is literally going nowhere. Written by Melissa Bubnic and directed here by Petra Kalive, Beached (yes, as in whale), takes the well-worn cliche of a man who has lost his way and gives it a decidedly modern twist by having him compete in a reality television competition to win life-saving surgery. Under the watchful eyes of the camera and with the help of his doting mother JoJo, Arty makes an extreme physical transformation, but at what cost? Cleverly incorporating puppetry and multimedia, Beached is a biting satire of the vacuousness and inhumanity of celebrity culture and reality TV. Much like Arty himself, this is one production that cannot be missed. Image via mtc.com.au
Leave the Doritos at home – a new spot in Ascot Vale is making your next board game night a little more gastronomic than usual. Situated in a heritage storefront on Union Road, The Collectivist pairs games, wine and gourmet snacks, perfect whether you're a serious Eurogamer or just after a sip and roll with friends. Designed by Melbourne architect Julie Sloane in collaboration with store owners James and Cameron Cahill and David McMillan, this might just be Melbourne's bougiest game shop. Gathered around a table, the night kicks off in thematic style, as guests tick their desired wine, snack and sweets from a menu echoing classic game scoring pads. Up for selection are cheese boards featuring Bay of Fires cheddar and Brillat Savarin, while charcuterie takes things up a notch with pickled goods, olives and more. Then, game-safe snacks like marinated olives and popcorn evoke the best of game-night cuisine, with a touch of class. When you need a fully fledged meal, place an order with next-door neighbours, Pizza Minded, to munch down at your table. The drinks menu is similarly thoughtful, with craft beers from Moo Brew and Stone & Wood served alongside wine from respected vineyards. Meanwhile, a selection of cocktails in a can are primed for keeping you refreshed as you work on deploying your strategies to perfection. Plus, there's plenty of non-alc options, like StrangeLove Soda and Naked Life. As for the game's list: expect the full spectrum of classics, cult favourites and modern gems that bring good-natured competition and levity to your get-together. Conceived as a top-quality bar – but with more dice – the venue is just as good for a low-stakes date as when you're seeking a new local with mates. Plus, there's no expectation to even play a game, if a quiet glass of wine and a cheese board is more your style. For those who want to get more involved, The Collectivist has also programmed an active events schedule that ramps up the community vibes. Kick the weekend off with Friday Night Games Night, or get your pals together for the monthly chess event. The crew will also go above and beyond for special occasions, like the recent launch of Catan's 6th Edition, which was met with a once-off menu inspired by the game. "It's about connection," says James Cahill. "Games help people switch off their phones and tune into each other. Add wine and snacks, and you've got the perfect night out." The Collectivist is open Wednesday–Sunday from 11am–8pm (open late on Fridays) at 225 Union Road, Ascot Vale. Head to the website for more information.
Created by French artist, designer and master of audience interaction Antonin Fourneau, this Treasury Gardens experience is one for the creatives, young and old. The enchanting Waterlight Graffiti features a wall made up of thousands of LED lights, which illuminate when touched by water and revert to darkness once dry. White Night punters of all ages are invited to experience the mystical sensation of using water to draw light — scrawl a glowing message to that special someone, or have some fun with environmentally friendly graffiti. It's said that the lights shine brighter the more water is thrown on them, so pack a poncho and some gumboots and get ready to make a big of a splash. Hot tip? Rainy nights make for some pretty spectacular Waterlight Graffiti fireworks — we suggest keeping an eye on the weather forecast. Waterlight Graffiti is open Thursday–Friday 7pm–midnight and Saturday 7pm–2am.
UPDATE: THURSDAY, JULY 9 — Hot pot at home? You betcha. While David's many Melbourne stores are closed to dine-in customers, they're now delivering their Sichuan hot pot to homes across the city. Available to order via UberEats, the menu includes the chain's popular toppings, sides and — to complete the experience — even pots and accessories. On the off-chance you've already slurped your way through Melbourne's hot pot restaurants (think Panda Hot Pot and Jiyu Thai), here's yet another one to check off your hit-list. The boldly executed Chef David on Elizabeth Street is a vision of marble, metallics and neon blue — and it serves up some seriously spicy soups. Sibling to Melbourne's two David's Spicy Pot outposts, as well as Russell Street's David's Hot Pot, this restaurant's dishing up spicy Sichuan hot pot against a futuristic, multimillion-dollar backdrop. There are seats for 200 diners, ceilings hung with dazzling chrome chandeliers and a high-tech sound system for the program of live acts and DJs to come. The menu's handy 'how-to' guide is useful for both seasoned hot pot fans and novices alike, with the kitchen offering a hefty nine different soup base options to tempt all levels of spice tolerance. You can select up to three to fill your table's communal hot pot — perhaps the easygoing dried fish maw and chicken number, or the Signature Spicy Instagram Soup starring 130 herbs and spices, and an animal character shaped out of beef tallow. Then, pimp it out with your choice of high-quality meat cuts, plenty of offal, vegetables, tofu and market-fresh seafood, along with sausages, dumplings and various meatballs. Each is listed on the menu with a handy suggested cooking time. A range of dipping sauces lets you customise things further. But it's not all about the hot pot, of course — the kitchen's also whipping up grilled dishes, barbecued skewers and snacks that include everything from deep-fried pork belly to crisp sticky rice doughnuts. And, since this one's got a 4am licence (but is currently only open till 2am), we're guessing the lineup of tap beers, Japanese whisky and creative cocktails should get a solid workout of its own.
Every film festival has its highlights, and its events that make each specific fest special. For the Melbourne International Film Festival, its Hear My Eyes gigs are one such standout. With movies such as Drive, Girlhood, Suspiria and Two Hands, MIFF has brought beloved and classic flicks back to the big screen, accompanied by a live — and all-new, completely original — score that's played while film lovers sit, watch and listen. It's as unique a movie-going experience as you can get, even if you've seen the feature in the spotlight countless times before — and for MIFF 2022, another exceptional film is getting the Hear My Eyes treatment. Get ready to revisit the role that made Eric Bana an international movie star, and to dive back into one of the most infamous crime tales in Australian history. In other words, get ready for Chopper. Twenty-two years after it first hit cinemas, the exceptional Andrew Dominik (This Much I Know to Be True)-directed flick will grace The Astor Theatre's big screen for one night only, on Wednesday, August 17, with sessions at 6.15pm and 9pm. It'll also pair its visuals with a brand-new original live score, as spearheaded by Mick Harvey, member of the Bad Seeds, and the musician who originally gave Chopper its soundtrack. As well as composing the new score, Harvey will be joined by supergroup Springtime — featuring Gareth Liddiard from Tropical Fuck Storm and The Drones, Jim White from Dirty Three and Chris Abrahams from The Necks — to play it live. Tickets to this big-screen date with Uncle Chop Chop go on sale from 10am on Thursday, June 16.
With temperatures already stuck in the teens, Melbourne's cooler weather is settling in, which means that outdoor cinema season is long behind the Victorian capital for another year. Looking for a cold climes-appropriate alternative for seeing classic flicks on a big screen, other than the city's wealth of picture palaces? Meet Cozy Cinema Club, which has a feast of flicks headed to Abbotsford Convent for winter. Settling into the site's Magdalen Laundry on Wednesdays–Sundays between Wednesday, June 11–Saturday, August 2, 2025, Cozy Cinema Club is all about getting comfortable and keeping toasty while you watch a film — with everyone sinking into bean bags, and free blankets on offer to borrow and snuggle up in while you're there. Also available to warm you up: cocktails and wine. Movie snacks will be on the menu in the lounge as well, while heartier meals are an option at select sessions. To set the mood, there'll also be fairy lights. The lineup of flicks will equally help. Beloved movies aplenty are on the bill, curated into themed streams such as comforting classics, cult films, horror favourites, rom-coms and romance fare, and all-ages delights. Cozy Cinema Club is showing two pictures per night, one at 6.30pm and the other at 8.30pm. If you notice a nostalgic skew to the program, that's also by design from Arclight Event Co, who are also behind Sunset Cinema, Laneway Cinema and Botanica Festival. You don't call your movie pop-up Cozy Cinema Club if you don't want that vibe to seep through all aspects, including the roster gracing the silver screen. For its opening night, a Wes Anderson double of The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Darjeeling Limited will get the cinema started — and if that's not enough pastels and symmetry for you, The Royal Tenenbaums is on the lineup later in the season. Other highlights span Clueless before it gets a small-screen sequel series; Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and Ponyo; Ari Aster's Midsommar; and the 80s likes of Labyrinth, The Breakfast Club, Dirty Dancing, The Princess Bride and The Goonies. For its Christmas in July programming, Die Hard, Elf, Home Alone and Love Actually will all score a spin. Prefer a taste of the surreal and bittersweet with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? A Heath Ledger serenade in 10 Things I Hate About You? The walk-and-talk charms of Before Sunrise? Or everything from Donnie Darko, Moonlight, The Fifth Element, the OG Mean Girls and Almost Famous to Lost in Translation, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Brooklyn, The Shining and The Big Lebowski? They're also among your viewing options. Cozy Cinema Club runs Wednesdays–Sundays between Wednesday, June 11–Saturday, August 2, 2025 in Abbotsford Convent's Magdalen Laundry at 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford. Head to the event's website for more details and tickets. Top image: Redtree21 via Wikimedia Commons.
If you missed out on a seat at Heston Blumenthal's highly acclaimed Fat Duck, fear not. There's a new duck in town and he's ready for a party. (A party that won't cost you a week's salary, mind you.) The Sorrento Catering Company are setting up the cheekily named Skinny Duck for one night only on January 30 at St Kilda Town Hall. For $120 you will get 14 courses of decadent canapes from five of Melbourne's best chefs, including Jacques Reymond (L'Hotel Gitan), Adam D'Sylva (Coda, Tonka) and Scott Pickett (Saint Crispin, Estelle). Plus, you'll also get wine, beer and champagne to match. You'll be sharing an evening with like-minded people, listening to great music and comedian Dave O’Neill will be there to get you laughing. And the best thing? All proceeds will go to FareShare, an innovative organisation that provides over one million free, tasty, nutritious meals a year to Victoria's hungry using donated food not needed by supermarkets, markets and farmers. It'll feed your charitable nature, as well as your tummy.
Melburnians will get their first taste of South Yarra's $800 million Capitol Grand development (and its star-studded food precinct) when Omnia opens its doors this week. Launching on Friday, June 7, the pop-up restaurant will be a classic European bistro with an unmistakable Aussie edge. It'll also have a team helmed by award-winning chef Stephen Nairn (whose impressive resume boasts stints at Matilda 159, Vue de Monde and New York's three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park) and World Class Global Bartender of the year Orlando Marzo (Lûmé). From the kitchen comes a lineup of European-inspired favourites reimagined with a focus on top local ingredients. Expect sophisticated plates like steak tartare teamed with a smoked egg yolk and gaufrette potatoes, oysters mignonette and a stuffed quail with pine mushroom and sauerkraut. Desserts come courtesy of pastry chef John Demetrios (Vue de Monde), with combinations like bitter chocolate mousse with pears and caramel, and a modern reworking of a classic Gascony-style apple pie. [caption id="attachment_716271" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Capitol Grand[/caption] A matching 150-strong wine list shines a spotlight on producers from all corners of the world. But it's perhaps Marzo's cocktail offering that steals this drinks show, with botanically focused creations nodding to the venue's light-filled Garden Bar. Settle in here for upscale snacks — such as gougères, oysters and shellfish — matched to drinks like the All Spice (a blend of banana, Champagne and citrus oil) or the aged tequila, pear and riesling-infused riff on an old fashioned. As well as being a restaurant in its own right, Omnia will also be a testing ground for the Capitol Ground's food precinct. The pop-up will be open to the public for dinner and cocktails at night from Tuesday to Saturday, while during the day the kitchen team will develop menus to be unveiled elsewhere in the precinct later in the year and in early 2020. Find Omnia at 25 Toorak Road, South Yarra, from Friday, June 7. It's open from 5.30pm Tuesday–Saturday. Images: Harvard Wang
The Gertrude Street Projection Festival will light up the night for the twelfth year in a row, when it returns to Fitzroy this winter. Running for nine nights from July 26–August 3, the free community-driven event will once again showcase spectacular light compositions from local and international artists up and down the northside drag. Some of the glowing work you'll see around the suburb include a video installation by Papua New Guinean artist Taloi Havini; Voice, a piece by Yandell Walton with a focus on climate change; an eerie spirit person by printmaker Tom Civil; and a virtual reality 'cabinet of curiosities' that combines walking, touching and listening to stories. In addition to the 22 projections — which will illuminate everything from shopfronts to footpaths to the trees in the Atherton Gardens and even a skate crew — this year's festival will also feature a program of special events, including parties, pop-ups, and live music and DJ sets, plus a few culinary offerings to tempt you out into the cold from 6pm till midnight each night. Kicking off the festivities will be a free opening night party, complete with a krumping session, at Foresters Hall and it'll wrap up with a block party — with five projections and five hours of performances — at Atherton Gardens. Gertrude Street Projection Festival runs from 6pm–midnight.
The Dandenong Ranges has welcomed a newcomer to town, and it's serving up Mexican-inspired cafe fare and fine cuppas. Maria Cafe is run by partners Josh O'Brien and Omar Viramontes, who are also responsible for the nearby Lorna Cafe. While the duo's first venue is named after Josh's grandmother — and features her homemade crumpet recipe on its menu — Maria Cafe takes inspiration from Omar's grandmother. Drawing upon her Mexican heritage, the new cafe finds its culinary cues in Central and South American influences. Specialty dishes include pulled beef brisket tacos with Oaxaca cheese and salsa verde ($17), lamb or grilled tempeh tostadas with beetroot slaw and marinated feta ($19.50), and the incredibly decadent sounding churros waffles — served with chocolate fudge sauce, sugared hazelnuts, strawberries and mascarpone ($18.50). Other especially tasty sounding brekkie items include huevos rotos (fried eggs, chorizo ragu and potatoes with avocado lime crema and fried bread, $19.00) and croquettes benedict (panko-crumbed sweet potato and chorizo croquettes topped with red capsicum jam, poached eggs and hollandaise, for $19.50) — or the pina colada taco (made from fried dough taquitos, then filled with white rum custard, pineapple compote, coconut and salted caramel popcorn, for $18.50). For drinks, the cafe uses Industry Beans and offers a rotating selection of single origin roasts, alongside specialty beetroot, turmeric and matcha lattes, organic teas and Mexico's Jarritos soft drinks. The cafe is also licensed and offers wine, beer and specialty cocktails to boot.
Imagine a towering, 16-metre-high spherical structure with a breathtaking 41-performer acrobat show playing out in, on and around it, and you'll see why dramatic live performance Globe has proved such an international hit. Acclaimed Dutch performance company Close-Act is bringing its extraordinary show to Australia for the first time, debuting at Birrarung Marr across three nightly shows for White Night Reimagined. You'll step into an OTT fantasy, as Globe creates the world as seen through a child's eyes. Expect a cast of over-sized otherworldly characters starring in a riot of circus, music, dance and projection. After this one, the idea of humans flying is sure to feel that little bit closer to reality. Globe runs for 40 minutes and will kick off on Thursday and Friday at 7.15pm, 9pm and 11pm; and Saturday at 7.15pm, 9.30pm and midnight. Image: Gerard Dubois
The bourbon maestros at Woodford Reserve are inviting Aussies to raise their glass to a cocktail classic as Old Fashioned Week returns with a generous twist this November (and we're not talking about the garnish). Extending the celebrations from seven days to an entire month, Woodford Reserve is offering complimentary cocktails at its participating bars nationwide so lovers of Kentucky's finest dram can enjoy an expertly crafted drink without worrying about their wallet. Melburnians should head to Whisky & Alement or White Oaks Saloon in Prahran, where they can enjoy their first round of Old Fashioneds on the house, courtesy of Woodford Reserve. The celebrations don't stop with a quick cocktail. Woodford Reserve will be bringing in international expertise in the form of Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. During her visit, she will lead a series of bourbon masterclasses, offering bartenders and enthusiasts alike the chance to learn from her insights on the art of distilling and how Woodford Reserve has been crafted to be the perfect bourbon for an Old Fashioned. To add to the international flair of this year's Old Fashioned Week, the bourbon maker is also bringing back its Global Bar Exchange program. Florence's Locale Firenze — one of The World's 50 Best Bars — has put its own unique spin on drink service at Melbourne's Society. From Tuesday, November 12 to Thursday, November 14, Locale's world-class bartenders will collaborate with Society's award-winning team to bring visitors a cocktail-making experience that combines the best of Australian and Italian techniques. "We're thrilled to be bringing Old Fashioned Week back to Australia once again this year," says Richard Dredge, Woodford Reserve Senior Brand Manager at Brown-Forman. "And this time, we're making it even bigger and better than ever."
At the heart of Japanese hospitality there seems to be something so culturally inherent that, when you come face to face with it, you just can't grasp what 'it' is. The gracious interactions, the gentle presence — the exchange of goods using both hands. It's meticulous, considered and downright beautiful. Ocha has been bringing a slice of this generosity to Melbourne for over 15 years and, with it, has built a name synonymous with some of the best Japanese fare in town. Recognised as a one-hat restaurant for thirteen years by The Age Good Food Guide, Ocha focuses on a traditional Japanese offering with a contemporary twist. With the height of popularity forcing them out of their old digs in Kew (now home to Ora) the restaurant sits within the Bee Hive Hotel building in Hawthorn. For all good reasons the space is larger, with chic shimmering curtains creating private dining areas, while the white fit out brings a sense of modernity. Despite more tables bookings are still essential. Ocha's menu runs as a homage to shared dining. Traditional techniques are combined with sublime imaginative touches to make for a truly memorable meal. Don't be surprised if your sushi (starting from $16.50 for eight pieces) arrives at your table like it's been turned inside out or upside down. This playfulness extends to crowd favourites including the beef tataki ($18.50) and vegetable tempura ($22), with the gyoza ($15) finishing off a list of delectably light dishes. This aesthetic sensibility is what separates Ocha from the crowd; Japanese cuisine demands high quality ingredients and scrupulous attention to detail. For this, Ocha remains acutely serious, culturally relevant and as contemporary as ever. The restaurant also runs a ten-course degustation menu ($120 per person) on the last Monday of every month. For more casual occasions, little sister Ocha2Go (at 64 Burwood Road, Hawthorn) offers the full Ocha experience within Japanese canteen surrounds. Ocha offers a fine dining experience that is both lively and unforgettable. Handled with absolute ease of control but nowhere close to resting on its laurels, Ocha will impress with its finesse and modernity. Elegant Japanese fare never looked so good.
Each and every time that Melbourne has gone into lockdown — yes, all six instances — we've all given our streaming queues a hefty workout. There's still nothing like seeing a film in a cinema, though. Twitter doomscrolling and all of those Slack notifications can't bother you when there's nothing but the glorious cinema screen in front of your eyeballs. That's exactly what awaits Melbourne movie lovers from 6pm on Friday, October 29, which is when the city will launch into its next phase of eased restrictions. Outdoor cinemas were allowed to open when lockdown ended last week, but this'll mark the first time since the beginning of August that their indoor counterparts can get the projectors whirring. Expect picture palaces around town to return to their popcorn-munching business quite quickly, even with density and patron caps in place. One such spot that's opening the moment it can is Carlton's Cinema Nova, with a whopping 37-movie lineup — yes, 37 different flicks — that spans new titles that haven't yet played big screens in Melbourne (such as Icelandic thriller Lamb, free-climbing documentary The Alpinist, the Mads Mikkelsen-starring Riders of Justice, Nicolas Cage playing a truffle hunter in Pig, and the spectacular and surreal musical that is Annette) as well as movies that were screening when lockdown started (like the contemplative Nine Days, comedy Shiva Baby, Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights and fab music doco The Sparks Brothers). Also letting film fans back into darkened rooms on the same date are the Classic, Lido and Cameo cinemas, with the three sites showing some of the aforementioned titles, too. Other flicks on their lineups include new releases Halloween Kills and Ron's Gone Wrong, Anthony Bourdain documentary Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain, and the likes of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Candyman and Free Guy. And yes, the Lido and Cameo have actually already been playing a few of these movies already, since they all reopened their outdoor and/or rooftop cinemas last week. [caption id="attachment_799282" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charlie Kinross Photography[/caption] And, joining the relaunching bonanza on Friday night, too, are Reading's Victorian sites. They'll be among some of the state's cinemas that'll be screening flicks such as The Suicide Squad, Black Widow, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Malignant and The Last Duel. On that same date, Village Cinemas will reopen its Victorian venues as well — other than the Coburg Drive-In, which has already relaunched — and so will Hoyts and The Sun Theatre. Also jumping back into action that evening are Palace's Victorian sites. They'll do so with a lineup of new and recent movies — including horror movie Antlers, Port Arthur massacre drama Nitram, and plenty of the flicks already mentioned above. The Astor Theatre is reopening as well, starting with sessions of Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) — which'll make quite the big screen treat. Plus, IMAX Melbourne will relaunch on Saturday, October 30 — if you like seeing blockbusters such as Shang-Chi and The Suicide Squad on the biggest screen you possibly can. As everyone knows from the last few lockdowns, heading to the pictures during the pandemic comes with a few changes. Just like at plenty of other businesses that are reopening in the time of COVID-19, the movie-going experience now includes online bookings, allocated seating, capacity limits, gaps between patrons, contactless payment, social-distancing requirements and extra cleaning. For more information about what's screening in Melbourne from 6pm on Friday, October 29, or to book tickets, visit the websites for Cinema Nova; the Classic, Lido and Cameo cinemas; Reading; Village; Hoyts; The Sun Theatre; Palace and The Astor Theatre; and IMAX Melbourne.
If you're hunting for a new staycation spot in Melbourne, here's good news: Victoria's first Hotel Indigo has just landed in Flinders Lane, following a sleek $20 million renovation. The global hotel chain originally launched in Australia last year with the opening of its design-led Brisbane outpost. Bringing the brand's signature focus on art and design to Melbourne, Hotel Indigo on Flinders will nod to its namesake location. Specifically, the hotel takes inspiration from internationally-acclaimed and controversial fashion photographer Helmut Newton across a sprawling 216-room property. The space is decked out with Newton's work and a wealth of commissioned pieces from local artists to pay tribute to fashion, art and runway photography in all its forms. "We're confident our intriguing Flinders Lane neighbourhood, the Helmut Newton inspired styling and stories of the city artfully weaved into everything we do will fascinate and inspire our guests to discover Melbourne in new ways," General Manager of Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders, Joseph Simmons says. Amenities run to the likes of Biology haircare, soft bathrobes courtesy of Seed & Sprout and spacious work areas. Breakfast and coffee are served in the lounge daily, while Spanish restaurant and bar BESO offers a contemporary take on traditional Spanish tapas. "After a multi-million-dollar transformation this exceptional property brings Hotel Indigo to life in Melbourne — the brand inspires creative design and unique guest experiences which our passionate team will embody for each and every guest," CEO of Asia Pacific of Pro-invest Group Jan Smits says. Hotel Indigo on Flinders is now open for bookings at 575 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Rates start from $225 per night.
You'd be forgiven for not even noticing the fact that tiny CBD bakery-cafe Kudo, with its wafting scent of freshly baked bread and tempting-looking pastries, is entirely 100-percent gluten-free. Nestled around the side of The Hotel Windsor's ground level, this hole-in-the-wall spot is the work of husband-and-wife chef duo Felix Goodwin and Elena Nguyen whose combined CV includes Saigon Sally, The European and Sunda. Two years in the making, Kudo was born out of the couple's desire to find reliably tasty baked goods they could both enjoy (Goodwin is a coeliac). Through extensive research, experimentation and taste-testing, the pair has created a daily-changing menu of creative cakes, pastries, breads and other gluten-free treats to star at their diminutive debut venture. Native ingredients get quite a look-in here, via creations like their take on a classic Taiwanese pineapple cookie finished with a vibrant coating of pink Davidson Plum powder, and the rye-style miche loaf featuring wattleseed and miso. Traditionally crafted canelés might come in flavours ranging from lemon brûlée to ondeh ondeh (a Southeast Asian dessert of glutinous rice balls flavoured with pandan). You can get a further sweet tooth fix with various choux puffs (perhaps an intriguing genmaicha version with Vegemite milk mochi and puffed rice), or the chewy Mars Bar-inspired cookie with chocolate and wattleseed. The rotating lineup of gluten-free breads could include anything from sesame rolls to a new take on a Danish-style seeded rugbrød. You can admire Kudo's timber-filled, terrazzo-floored fitout by architect Kei Kitayama as you wait for your Ona coffee. And stay tuned for a soon-to-launch online pre-order service. Images: Parker Blain
If seafood and wine is your idea of a perfect culinary pairing, then drop by South Melbourne's Lamaro's Hotel on Mondays to enjoy as many mussels as you can stomach for $30. The stuff-your-face food event may not be a Harry Potter or Willy Wonka-themed brunch, but hot and fresh mussels is a pretty great way to help cure the start-of-week blues. The Cecil Street pub is piling plates high with steamed Spring Bay mussels every Monday from 12pm. And you can keep ordering (endlessly) until you're full. Well, until the kitchen closes. But 12 hours should be more than enough time for you to get your mollusc fix. The endless molluscs are available for $30, which also includes a pot of beer or a glass of house wine. If you like cheap things, you'll be happy to know Lamaro's also does $5 rosé all day on Wednesday, burgers and pots for $20 on Tuesdays and steak and shiraz for $30 on Thursday.
If Cottesloe starts to feel a little too sharky for your liking, take a break from the beach and head to AGWA for Heath Ledger: A Life in Pictures before it wraps up at the end of January. Celebrating the Perth-born actor's charisma, exemplary career and passionate creativity, it's a must-see for all Ledger fans. Put together by AGWA, the WA Museum and guest curator Allison Holland, the exhibition follows Ledger's career from his teenage years up to his final role in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009). You'll get to see costumes — including the Joker suit from The Dark Knight and the shirts he wore as Ennis del Mar in Brokeback Mountain — alongside research journals (on display for the first time) that grant an insight into how Ledger developed his roles. Also included in the show are photographic portraits by the likes of Karin Catt and Bruce Weber, Ledger's Best Supporting Actor Oscar and BAFTA, and a chronological narrative of his career — including his own experimentation with image making and creative projects as a director. Promises to be a bittersweet reminder of just how talented Ledger was, and what even greater heights he would have gone on to achieve. Image: Brokeback Mountain, 2005, © Kimberley French, photographer.
The South Yarra skyline is about to score a soaring new addition, with the upcoming opening of a luxe $800 million development, dubbed Capitol Grand. Once complete, the site will boast Melbourne's tallest building outside of the CBD, which will be home to over 50 floors of six-star luxury residential apartments, gyms, pools, an elevated garden and even an in-house cinema. But what's even more exciting for locals, is that the building will also be home to a collection of exciting new restaurants, bars and cafes. Capitol Grand is promising options galore for all times of the day, from contemporary brunch spots through to late-night cocktail dens. And it'll be brought to life by a cast of big Melbourne hospitality names. While Capitol Grand itself is owned by prominent Australian property developer Larry Kestelman, the whole food precinct will be overseen by Scottish-born chef Stephen Nairn, whose impressive resume boasts stints at Estelle by Scott Pickett, Vue de Monde and New York's three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park. He'll be leading a star lineup of yet-to-be-announced culinary talent (we're promised) — and he'll be launching his own kitchen and restaurant, which is set to open onsite early next year. While we'll have to wait until deep into 2020 to see most of the development come to fruition, the precinct's first restaurant is slated to be up and running by October this year. An all-day, 100-seat dining spot and "transformative multi-use community hub", it'll plate up a Euro-inspired menu featuring plenty of French and Italian classics. In the meantime, Melburnians will be able to get a sneak peek of the new food precinct at a pop-up restaurant. Omnia, which will open at 25 Toorak Road in mid-May, will be showcasing dishes that have already been given the tick of approval by the development kitchen — and Nairn himself. We'll update you as soon as we know more. Capitol Grand is slated for completion in 2020. Omnia will pop-up at 25 Toorak Road in mid-May. Image: Samara Clifford
Situated on the banks of the Murray River, Tocumwal is the ideal destination for an outdoorsy getaway. With virtually endless opportunities for fishing, camping and hiking in the surrounding areas, you can spend your days bouncing between the riverside beaches or seeing the fascinating landscape from high above. With the help of Wild Turkey, we've selected a series of activities that'll take your visit to this lush Riverina district to the next level, whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure or a bit of both. [caption id="attachment_843939" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elliot Kramer[/caption] GO BEACH HOPPING The Murray River flows right through the heart of Tocumwal, and 24 riverside beaches within close proximity to town ensure you can make the most of every sunny day. With this stretch of Australia's longest river lined with shady red gums and native bushland, there's a quiet patch of shoreline with your name on it. For instance, Tocumwal Beach, Apex Beach and Finley Beach are all within a quick drive of one another. If you don't mind a quick drive, Bouchiers Beach and Smithers Beach are also top-notch options. No matter which beach you like the look of, the water is perfect for swimming and kayaking. [caption id="attachment_843057" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rob Blackburn - Visit Victoria[/caption] SEE THE SIGHTS FROM ABOVE Take flight above the countryside with Sport Aviation, one of the top attractions in Tocumwal. Courageous passengers can experience heart-pumping flights in both gliders and light sports aircraft, whether you're just looking for a thrill or keen to learn the basics of piloting. Leaving from the runway located just outside town, you'll soar high above the rolling hills and sprawling river system with an expert guide. Traversing across the landscape, these nimble aircraft provide a striking bird's-eye view, ensuring you have the best possible vantage point to soak up the scenery. [caption id="attachment_843062" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flicker (bkstreets49)[/caption] EXPLORE LOCAL TRANSPORTATION HISTORY It doesn't take long to wander from one end of Tocumwal to the other, but this historic part of the world is overflowing with fascinating history everywhere you look. Once you've touched down after your glider flight, you can head next door to the Tocumwal Historic Aerodrome Museum — once home to Australia's largest RAAF base — to learn about the town's wartime legacy. If you prefer trains to planes, the Tocumwal Railway Heritage Museum presents fascinating photos and railway memorabilia dating back to 1908. Meanwhile, Chrysties Classics and Collectibles Museum (pictured above) offers an eclectic mix of classic cars, tractors and vintage machinery that showcases the region's extensive farming legacy. [caption id="attachment_843066" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] HIT THE GREENS Handy with a set of clubs? Tocumwal Golf and Bowls Club is the ideal place to practise your swing, with not one but two 18-hole courses — and regular tournaments — revealing how you measure up. With the club also boasting a driving range, a chipping green and two putting greens, budding Shooter McGavins will find themselves in heaven. If you're new to golf, head to Finley Golf Club, around 20 kilometres outside of Tocumwal. With no bunkers or hills to worry about on this course, beginners can let loose on the fairways as much as they like. And with daily tee times available for non-members, getting involved couldn't be easier. Nearby Cobram, meanwhile, is home to one of the Murray's premier golf destinations. The Cobram Barooga Golf Club (pictured above) boasts 36 championship-level holes on which to test your skills, as well as lush lawn bowls greens, a full-service clubhouse and even a mini-golf course (that recently hosted the Australian Mini Golf Open) on its expansive grounds dotted with beautiful native flora and fauna. [caption id="attachment_843056" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emily Godfrey - Visit Victoria[/caption] GET OUTDOORS Tocumwal is the perfect place from which to set off on an outdoor adventure, with Barmah National Park recognised as particularly special for bushwalking and horse riding. Home to the world's largest river red gum forest, the expansive park also boasts stunning wetlands that provide critical habitat for over 200 bird species. Closer to town, you're welcome to admire the alluring Murray River from the shoreline, but it's even better when you hire a boat and drift along the waterway instead. With the area renowned among anglers in search of cod, perch and trout, it's the ideal way to find a quiet place to drop a line and spend a lazy day enjoying the calm waters of the mighty Murray. Find out more about Wild Turkey's Discovery Series at the website. Top image: Emily Godfrey, Visit Victoria
We all have a family story to tell, but we can't all tell it like Sarah Polley. The actor known for such films as Dawn of the Dead and Splice and director of quietly acclaimed features Take This Waltz and Away From Her has turned her hand to documentary with Stories We Tell, and it's been demanding attention from festival audiences around the world. Unfortunately, it's one of those films that it's best to know as little of as possible when you go in, so there's going to be little in the way of synopsis here. Suffice to say, Polley's primary interest is her mother, Diane Polley, a casting agent, thwarted actress and extrovert who relished the escape from home life that came with roles on the stage. She died in 1990, when Sarah was 11, leaving behind a web of secrets that lay hidden for many years — until her daughter grew up and started to pull at the threads. How a film with such an ostensibly narrow focus can be so compelling to so many viewers is one of those wonders of cinema. It just is. Polley has a great cast of characters in her life to work with (every member of her family is interviewed, at length), but the magic of this movie is ultimately in her storytelling. The film is wittily edited, warm and sensitive to all parties. It has a lightness of touch as might be expected of a distant observer, but all the unguarded reflection that comes from being intimate with her subject. There's a lot of technique to it. Polley reminds us of her own directorial presence constantly: Her father Michael is also the narrator, and we see her barking commands at him in the audio booth. The grainy '80s Super 8 footage that runs throughout cannot be trusted. The nature of 'truth' is being examined, and not just because it suits postmodern obsessions — in this case, it matters to people's lives. And yet (thankfully) these intellectual enquiries don't crowd out the human drama. The result is simply the most enthralling, idiosyncratic and entertaining family memoir around. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ytq4VZ2Nyxg
Boasting a storied past, and home to a melting pot of people and subcultures, Richmond has to be one of inner-city Melbourne's most eclectic pockets. And the suburb's newest accommodation offering gives a wholehearted nod to that diversity. Introducing The Motley, a five-star boutique hotel that's made its home on bustling Bridge Road and is unafraid to show off its colourful side. With 80 rooms across its eight floors, this stylish urban escape draws inspiration from the most famous of the building's former residents — a well-loved seamstress and theatrical costumier named Ms Mary Parker. The site has been developed by Amber Property Group and will be managed by La Vie Hotels & Resorts. The Motley's considered interiors come courtesy of leading design studio Chada, paying homage to Richmond's multifaceted culture and history. You'll spy nods to sporting icons, references to the arts and, inspired by the area's long ties to the textiles and design industries, an abundance of rich textural elements incorporated throughout. Accents of brass, terrazzo, leather and stone are played against bold patterns and playful hues, with an enviable collection of statement artworks gracing the walls. Five room styles are currently available, with a collection of individualised Motley Heritage Rooms launching soon — including one beauty decked out in animal print known as the Tiger Room. Meanwhile, the ground floor plays host to colourful eatery Ms Parker, which is slinging coffee and cafe fare by day, transitioning into a fine-diner from 5pm each night. Earlybirds can tuck into the likes of wattleseed sourdough, 'nduja shakshuka with dukkah, and even a brekkie pavlova paired with coconut sorbet. Dinner plates up elevated dishes like duck liver parfait profiteroles, a dagwood dog reimagined with crab and 'nduja, rainbow trout done with roe and a beurre blanc, and bone marrow paired with miso brûlée and fermented daikon. Find The Motley at 205 Bridge Road, Richmond, with bookings now open online. Ms Parker is open from 6.30am–12pm weekdays, 7am–12pm weekends and 5.30pm–late daily. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
If you thought Rathdowne Records' $2 Garage Sale was a good deal, you'll love its latest gig. The Northcote record store is offering up a whole heap of vinyl for just 50 cents each. Head in any day until August 5 (during opening hours from 11am–6pm) and you can nab a wild variety of records for just a silver coin. A total of 5000 records will sold for this price, with 180 on the floor each day and stock rotating daily — meaning you could head in every single day and keep finding something new. You'll find everything from jazz and pop records to classics, movie soundtracks and folk records all on sale. This insane deal may sound too good to be true, but it is indeed a reality — so stop pinching yourself and get down there already.
Are you a big shot professional with no time for trams and trains? Do you scoff at the mere mention of Myki or cringe whenever a commoner has the audacity to breathe on your Armani suit? Well, you're in luck. Melbourne's first business-class commuting service is here. No longer will you have to associate with our city's unwashed riff raff. Officially launched yesterday, SuitJet is a startup bus service for white-collar workers to commute to and from the city. Set to start operating next month, SuitJet offers its users a seat on a customised Mercedes-Benz coach and allows them more space and comfort in which to complete their Very Important Work en route to the office. "[It's] a club for people who wish to leverage modern transport and technology to upgrade and simplify their weekday travel," their website reads. Importantly, "Membership is open to all corporate dress city commuters." With a return ticket to the city setting you back $30, riding with SuitJet will cost significantly more than any Myki fare. However, with roughly an hour more time to work on board per day, they claim the long-term benefits will greatly outweigh the initial expense. "That's an hour of work you don't have to do after having dinner with the kids and a cup of tea with your wife," SuitJet co-founder Darren Heiberg told The Age. Many of the finer details are yet to be decided, with the pick up and drop off points to be dictated by consumer demand. However, registrations so far have elucidated something unexpected. Most members seeking entry to this exclusive club are not disgruntled suits seeking respite from the perils of the train lines from Brighton or Toorak, but those who have been overlooked by the public transport system entirely. Most registrations have reportedly come from suburbs without train stations at all. Despite outwardly naming it a 'business class' service, founders of the company reportedly deny the accusation that their service would create a class divide. Though Mr Heiberg is apparently considering changing the name to something that doesn't include the word 'suit'. Good idea. Via The Age.
This article is sponsored by our partners, Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinemas. With music by day, movies by night and all of the ice cream you could possibly inhale, St Kilda beach will be your go-to hangout all the way up until Christmas, thanks to the folks at Melbourne's most buzzworthy outdoor cinema. From a solid lineup of live gigs to your favourite Hollywood musicals, here are three ways to enjoy music at Ben and Jerry's Openair Cinema. LIVE MUSIC PROGRAM While the screen doesn't flicker to life until sundown, there are plenty of reasons to head down to the esplanade during daylight hours. Get there early for a kickass music program headlined by Melbourne's own Husky, who'll kick off the season's opening night on November 30 with a show in aid of WWF - Australia. Other must-see artists on the lineup include Sierra Jane, Iris, Reuben Stone and more. RETRO CLASSICS Dust off your spandex for a pair of '80s music-fuelled classics. David Bowie's codpiece stars in Jim Henson's Labyrinth on December 2, although in terms of sex appeal, the Diamond Dog might just be outdone by Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing on December 16. Either way, as movie soundtracks go, you can't get more iconic than these. SING-A-LONG SESSIONS Of course, true music lovers aren't content to just sit back and listen. Belt out your best rendition of 'Greased Lightning' at a sing-a-long session of Grease, and then 'Let It Go' with Frozen the weekend after. Just remember: we make no apologies for the musical 'talents' of the Idina Menzel imitator sitting next to you. Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema runs from November 30 to December 21 at South Beach Reserve, next to the St Kilda Sea Baths. For the full program see their website.
If you're walking through the aisles of raw meat, cheese slabs and miscellaneous Aussie paraphernalia at the Queen Victoria Market in June and happen to think 'gee, I could really do with some truffles', there's a chance you might be in luck. On the third weekend of the month, the market will host the Truffle Melbourne Festival. No longer just the terrain of your posh great aunt and people at fancy French restaurants, truffles are more accessible that ever (albeit, with a price tag). The Truffle Melbourne Festival has been the biggest event on the truffle calendar for the last four years, and after initially starting out at Prahran Market, it's returning to the Queen Vic Market for the second time — for two days on June 16 and 17. The free-to-attend festival will see live chef demos and all the truffle-related produce for sale you could think of, including truffle raclette, truffle pizzas, a truffle mac 'n' cheese doughnut, truffle beer, truffle sparkling and truffle cocktails. There'll also be sampling and tastings to be had — we'd be making the most of that.
If you're anything like us, you probably use pay day to book yourself a long-overdue dentist appointment, pay your rent and buy groceries that aren't on Manager's Special — y'know, the necessary stuff. But sometimes — especially if you've just got a bonus, pay rise or your tax back — you want to treat yourself to something nice rather than practical. We're talking holidays, massages and even just nights at the cinema with friends. But don't move too fast. You've still got to make your money last until the morning of pay day when you need to scrape together a few coins for a coffee. That's why we've teamed up with Westpac to find five ways to treat yourself when that slice of financial pie comes rollin' in hot to your bank account. Not only are they all awesome experiences — but, if you're a Westpac customer, you can nab them all at sweet discount on the Westpac Rewards Hub. And, best of all, none of them include gloves and drills rummaging around in your mouth. You're worth it. BOOK YOURSELF AN OFF-GRID CABIN RedBalloon has been around for a while, but it's still one of the best go-tos for finding experience-based gifts (a gift to yourself is still a gift) that you probably wouldn't have thought of yourself. If you've been hankering for a mini getaway for a while now and think it's time to fly the coop, tune in: RedBalloon have some whopper deals. Spend a romantic night in a French cottage in the Mornington Peninsula with a partner, or head to Tilba on the south coast of NSW to an eco pod for an experience a little more off the grid. The best bit? If you book through the Westpac Rewards Hub, you get a further discount when you spend $175 or more. BUY THOSE OVERSEAS FLIGHTS It's still a little cold and summer is still a whole month away, so you're more justified than ever for impulse-booking overseas flights. How about escaping to the Philippines or Portugal? They're both on our 2019 travel bucket list. If you're still unsure, take a scroll through Expedia's last-minute options or its destinations of the week. You'll also get 10 percent off if you book through the Westpac Rewards Hub. Then you just need to book in that annual leave. SCHEDULE IN A WEEKEND MASSAGE Is your happy place smack-bang face down on a table being kneaded by someone with strong-yet-soft hands while some sleep-inducing music plays and the smell of rosewater subtly wafts around you? Then you, my friend, need to book in a massage. Think of it as a way of neutralising your body after a long week at work. Try Endota Spa — its massages range from soothing relaxation and remedial through to the two-hour couples experience, while its extensive array of facials cater to all types and include Endota's Dermalogica, Glycolic, HydroPeptide and Hydro-microdermabrasion treatments. It's sure to turn you into a greasy (in a good way) ball of bliss. Top tip: buy a gift card from the Westpac Rewards Hub to save yourself a few dollars. TREAT YOURSELF TO A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES Perhaps one of the greatest personal (and relatively affordable) pastimes is heading to the movies for an evening, whether it's seeing the latest blockbuster or checking out something obscure and Latvian. It's also the only place that popcorn for dinner is fine. You can't put a price on treating yourself to a night out but, if you don't want that price to blow out, grab some discounted movie tickets via the Westpac Rewards Hub so you can spring for the extra large popcorn. [caption id="attachment_673026" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Trent van der Jagt[/caption] BUY THOSE ITEMS IN YOUR ICONIC CART Pay day is treat day, so there's no reason it can't be buy-that-dry-clean-only-suede-onesie-you've-had-in-your-Iconic-cart-for-two-months day, too. Grab yourself some new threads to say well done on making it through another week at work without crying at your desk or spilling soy sauce on your shirt again. Or, buy yourself some new clothes because you've spilt soy sauce on all your shirts — any reason works. With free delivery and returns, and over 20,000 products, we barely even need to mention that you'll also cop ten percent off a full-price purchase through the Westpac Rewards Hub. Enjoy this splurge and plan for the next one. Open your own Westpac Choice account here.
Pacific Overtures is one of Stephen Sondheim's most rarely performed musicals — this production at Theatreworks by Melbourne outfit Watch This is actually the work's first professional premiere in Australia. Perhaps its because it's set in 1853, with America and Japan on the brink of conflict, a story that demands the kind of diverse casting that mainstage musical theatre has traditionally done quite badly. The music, too, is challenging. Even if Sondheim himself rates some of its songs as those he's proudest of composing, the conflict between East and West is reflected in the score and setting, a fusion of chamber opera and Japanese kabuki theatre. What's refreshing about the work's outing at Theatreworks is that it's Sondheim on an independent scale, with none of the bells, whistles, and revolving stages of a commercial theatre. After the success of the group's 2013 production of Assassins at fortyfivedownstairs (which will reappear on tour later this year) Pacific Overtures looks like a chance for Watch This to stake their claim on a brand of music theatre that's full of risk.
It's hot, it's sizzling, and it's happening in East Brunswick Village. That's right, it's a Great Aussie BBQ – and it'll be bringing a whole lot more than the humble sausage to the table this Sunday, March 30. In fact, you'll be feasting on all kinds of grilled, smoked and tomato-sauced dishes with an array of international influences. We're talking lamb shawarma from Rumi, cooked a rotisserie and couched in a Lebanese pita alongside pickled onions and garlic sauce, as well as Bellboy Cafe's barbecued prawn roll, stacked with king prawns, coleslaw, chilli and lemon. But if for you a barbecue isn't a barbecue without sausage, you won't be disappointed. Hagen's will be sizzling up organic pork sausages lathered in its house tomato sauce and topped with organic grilled onions from Day's Walk Farm — and it'll be encased inside Dench white bread smeared with Schultz organic butter. The butcher will also be serving up its next-level pork rissoles, which are given a lift with butternut pumpkin, grana padano, sourdough crumb and bacon trimmings. If that's not enough to knock your grill-loving socks off, you can also treat your good self to an afternoon wine tasting at Blackhearts and Sparrows (that showcases local winemakers as well as no-alc pours), before hitting the chocolate-themed makers market where you'll be able to sample the handmade goods of 30 local artisans. Want in on the action? It's happening between 11am and 4pm this Sunday — and right by the 96 tram stop, too.
The silly season may be over, but that doesn't mean the country's (or your) cultural calendar is looking too bare. Some of the year's most exciting and immersive art exhibitions have opened their doors across the nation this autumn. Which is particularly exciting, because interstate borders are all fully open for the first time since the start of the pandemic — and there are cheap flights aplenty. So, get out your diaries and plan trips to walk over giant Monet artworks, visit Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' and explore decaying rooms filled with street art. We've rounded up the best art exhibitions happening across the country this autumn.
Triple j’s One Night Stand is ready to crank it for one night only for another year, this time heading to Mildura. It's an all ages show, so it promises to be some good, clean fun. Constantly high-fiving local talent, the gig's six artists featuring this year include Illy, Rüfüs, Violent Soho, Dan Sultan, The Jungle Giants, and WZRDKID. Known for bringing One Night Stand to a different regional town every year, triple j have chosen the Victoria/New South Wales bordering town of Mildura to play host this time. Take advantage of the downtime before the gig and enjoy some waterside vino at the meeting of the Murray and Darling Rivers, or head to the racetrack if you're feeling a tad more adventurous. If you can't make it to Mildura, the concert will be broadcast live on ABC TV and triple j. If you want to relive the whole shebang in your own time, the entire event will be up on iView afterwards.
In NGV International's Federation Court stands an imposing sculpture in a solemn pietà pose. At seven metres tall, Gone (2019) by Kaws is the world-renowned Brooklyn-based artist's largest bronze sculpture to date. It's part of the gallery's Kaws: Companionship in the Age of Loneliness exhibition, which you'll be able to get up close and personal with on Saturday, February 22. The gallery is hosting a one-off mass meditation right underneath the giant bronze sculpture. The morning will kick off at 9am with a meditation led by A-Space founder Manoj Dias — suitable for all levels of experience — which'll be accompanied by a live musical performance. After that, you'll get exclusive access to the exhibition from 9.45am. Explore Kaws' vivid murals and distinctive, pop culture-inspired characters before the rest of the riff-raff are let in at 10am. You're probably familiar with the artist's reinterpretations of iconic figures like Mickey Mouse, Snoopy and The Smurfs, all reworked with those signature Xs over the eyes — and you'll get to see them all here. Tickets will set you back $40, which includes meditation and access to the exhibition. [caption id="attachment_742493" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kaws, What Party (2019) photo by Tom Ross[/caption] Top image: Kaws, Gone (2019) by Tom Ross.
When Iron Man, Thor, Scarlet Witch, Black Widow, Captain America and their fellow caped-crusader pals all cross paths on-screen, they do so within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When it's Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman's turn, they populate the DC Extended Universe. But these kind of big-screen franchises aren't just the domain of superheroes. In the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters, for instance, a number of Spider-Man supervillains are getting their own interconnected movies. First came 2018's Venom, starring Tom Hardy (Dunkirk) as a journalist who is forced to share his body with an alien symbiote. Next year — delayed from 2020 — Morbius will see Jared Leto (The Little Things) play a figure also known as the "Living Vampire". In-between the two, Venom: Let There Be Carnage is also hitting screens. The initial flick about Hardy's Eddie Brock and his parasitic pal did ridiculously big business at the box office, so it was always going to get a sequel. Due to hit cinemas Down Under in September — and just releasing its first trailer overnight — Venom: Let There Be Carnage signals its other main point of focus in its title. This time around, Venom isn't the only formidable figure that Brock has to deal with, with Woody Harrelson (Zombieland: Double Tap) joining the cast as Carnage. For those who haven't dived deep into Spider-Man's comic book history, Carnage is another of the web-slinger's adversaries. Inhabiting the body of a serial killer called Cletus Kasady, he's also Venom's nemesis. And while Eddie's life isn't all that straightforward when the Venom: Let There Be Carnage trailer begins — as seen during a peek at his attempts to find a way to live in harmony with Venom, including their complicated breakfast routine — things get a whole lot more chaotic when Carnage enters the scene. As these two villains face off, here's hoping that Venom: Let There Be Carnage gives Michelle Williams (Fosse/Verdon) more to do than the first Venom movie did, with the four-time Oscar-nominee returning as Eddie's ex-fiancée. Also seen briefly in the trailer: Naomie Harris (The Third Day) as yet another Spider-Man villain, Shriek, plus Stephen Graham (The Virtues) as Detective Mulligan. And, behind the lens, Lord of the Rings actor-turned-Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle filmmaker Andy Serkis directs. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USAsr2i4jiQ&feature=youtu.be Venom: Let There Be Carnage opens in Australian cinemas on September 16.
When the Australian Government announced last week that pubs, bars and nightclubs would be closing the following day to help contain COVID-19, it led to the mass-buying of booze across the country. Bottle shops are not impacted by the closures, but it didn't stop Aussies stocking up just in case. Booze is just the latest item to be targeted by panic-buying, with toilet paper going first, then essential food items. Supermarkets across the country have since introduced strict two-pack-per-person limits on coveted items, such as eggs, sugar, white milk, frozen desserts and canned tomatoes, and now bottle shops are following suit. Australia's major bottle shops have today, Tuesday, March 31, introduced new temporary restrictions on alcohol. "In partnership with all major Australian alcohol retailers...we have applied moderate restrictions on the amount of produce customer can purchase," a statement on the BWS website reads. "Don't worry, supply isn't drying up, these changes have been made to ensure this is enough for everyone to responsibly enjoy their drink at the end of the day." Thankfully, the limits aren't quite as strict as those on food. In NSW, Vic, ACT, Qld, NT, SA and Tas, there are per person, per transaction limits on six categories, with customers able to buy from up to two different categories at a time: 12 bottles of wine two casks of wine (up to ten litres) two bottles of spirits (up to two litres) two cases of beer two cases of pre-mixed spirits/RTDs two cases of cider [caption id="attachment_766137" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Stephen Dann via Flickr[/caption] The above restrictions have been enforced at major stores around the country, both in-store and online, including Woolworths Group's BWS and Dan Murphy's; Aldi; and Coles's Liquorland, First Choice Liquor and Vintage Cellars. The new limits follow and supersede the restrictions introduced by the Woolworths Group last week. In WA, the purchase limits are stricter, to adhere to state regulations, with customers able to buy a maximum of two from the following categories: 11.25 litres of beer, cider or pre-mixed spirits; 2.25 litres of wine; one litre of spirits; and one litre of fortified wine. All the alcohol retailers are also encouraging social distancing, have introduced maximum capacities at their stores, and are offering pick-up, with some offering delivery. The temporary alcohol limits are now in place at stores across Australia. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
No one needs an excuse to get stuck into a big bowl of gnocchi. But as winter steadily creeps closer, cravings for those pillowy potato dumplings tend to strike a whole lot more regularly. Luckily, the team running The Ascot Lot's beloved Gnocchi Festival is well aware of this fact. The event has been a fan favourite since 2019 — when over 10,000 pasta enthusiasts streamed in across the weekend. Now, the much-loved festival is back for another round, with a slew of the city's gnocchi-loving vendors invited to plate up their unique versions of the classic potato dish on Sunday, May 7. Only this time, the event's grown so popular, it's had to move to an expanded space in the carpark of sibling venue Holmes Hall. Head in from noon to devour a range of gnocchi-inspired creations from the likes of Cafe Merenda, Pasta Face, Hole in the Wall and Gnonnas Gnocchi, with vegan and gluten-free options also in the mix. Meanwhile, the outdoor Gnoch-Tail bar will be whipping up Italian-accented cocktails in a nod to gnocchi's roots, alongside a slew of other libations. A program of live tunes will soundtrack your gnocchi-scoffing right through the afternoon. And, as is always the way over at The Ascot Lot, pooches are more than welcome to join in the fun.
When blissed out, soon-to-be-married American couple Nica (Hani Furstenberg) and Alex (Gael Garcia Bernal), set off on a hiking adventure in Georgia's remote Caucasus Mountains, they have little idea that their seemingly idealistic world is about to be profoundly challenged. To all appearances, the two share an unshakeable connection — spiritually at ease yet sexually charged. Nica is spirited and independent, and Alex adores her. They toy with language games, compete playfully over who is fastest or strongest, and are in free pursuit of their mutual wanderlust. Local guide Dato (Georgian actor and real-life expert mountaineer Bidzina Gujabidze) leads them through one breathtaking scene after another. Then, halfway through the film, a single event (not to be delineated here, for fear of giving too much away), corrupts the couple's bond, raising questions of trust, betrayal, and guilt. The Loneliest Planet, loosely based on Tom Bissell's short story Expensive Trips Nowhere, continues the minimalist style established in Russian-born, American-raised director Julia Loktev's second feature, Day Night Day Night(2006). Dialogue is sparse and we learn next to nothing of the specific details that conventionally define character — history, family, education, career, values and so forth. Nearly everything that we do know, we discover through action and we interpret through the camera's positioning. Loktev is a big fan of the long shot. Numerous scenes portray Nica, Alex and Dato "together alone", united by their common journey yet divided, both spatially and emotionally. The deeper the trio move into Georgia's rugged, unpredictable wilderness, the more vulnerable and exposed they appear. Cinematographer Inti Briones successfully captures the striking undulations of the landscape, contrasting shadowy valleys with verdant grassy hills and creating ominous campfire scenes through single source lighting. Loktev's intention is to carry us into the film's mental and physical world, one in which time seems to stretch on forever and all conviction has been thrown into doubt. We identify Nica and Alex as representative of a 'type' — the earnest backpacker, keen to escape insular Western existence but overwhelmed when 'the wild' presents them with more than they'd bargained for. Nica demonstrates the behaviour of a self-sufficient, modern woman, yet Alex's failure to meet her expectations causes bitter disappointment. The film explores some of the grey areas arising from the breakdown of traditional dichotomies: West versus Other, male versus female, impulse versus duty. However, while Loktev's aims are admirable, her approach is risky. The limited development of the characters threatens to undermine our emotional engagement and the snail-paced tempo can seem laboured at times. Just as lovers ensconced in a romantic affair might potentially struggle with the vagaries of reality, a filmmaker engrossed in a concept may run the risk of occasionally losing sight of the viewer's experience at the point of reception. https://youtube.com/watch?v=SIIMFHcC1Fc
Mates are great. They're there for all the highs and lows throughout our lives, from popping champagne when we land a promotion to bringing us ice cream in the middle of the night after a bad break up. With 2020 being such a dud, we've come to realise even more how important those close to us are. So, as Christmas is just around the corner, it's time to show your friends a big fat thanks for all their love and support this year. In partnership with Square, we've searched through Victoria's independent shops to help you do just that. Why? Because your pals deserve the world, not yet another book or pair of socks you picked up in a hurry. And, because we don't want you to go breaking the bank over these, we've put together a list of ten cracking gifts that each cost under $100. Plus, you'll be buying from local legends who, after a pretty tough year, need your support. If you are a small business owner, Square has the tools you need to take payments and maximise your sales, including an ebook with tips to help you get started this holiday season. BUCKET HAT, SECOND STITCH ($55) Social enterprise Second Stitch employs refugee and asylum seeker workers in its Coburg studio. As well as making a heap of cotton face masks during lockdown, it also peddles non-COVID-related accessories such as giant scrunchies, bags, cushions and purses. Now that the sun is coming out to play, we're sure your mate will want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. So, perhaps a fun bucket hat is the perfect way to say thanks and, in turn, have their back this summer. After all, nobody likes a sunburnt scalp. Second Stitch's hats come in four different colours — black, navy, khaki and blue check — so you're able to get them a hat that'll suit their style, too. Add in $8 for shipping, or pick up in store. HER BEST FRIEND PUZZLE, OKAY LADY ($79) If your mate sent you a bunch of fun activities to help you pass the time during lockdown (and lockdown 2.0), then it might be wise to return the favour. Chances are you have at least one friend who developed a penchant for puzzles this year and, if that's the case, a pressie from online jigsaw puzzle company Okay Lady will be a winner. Okay Lady puzzles champion Aussie women illustrators and come in environmentally friendly packaging — no plastic in sight. If you're gifting this to your bestie, get this super-cute 400-piece jigsaw by Queensland artist Sophie Beer that features two besties and some adorable pups. Shipping is free across Australia. 'STEAL THE LIGHT', THE CAT EMPIRE, COTTONMOUTH RECORDS ($37) If you've got a muso mate, there's no question a record makes for a great gift. But, with taste in tunes being such a personal thing, it can be hard to pick a piece of black gold. Enter Sydney's Cottonmouth Records. Sure it may be across the border, but you don't need to live nearby to take advantage of owner Zachery Williams' eclectic vinyl collection. Its online store has everything from the Pixies and New Order to Groove Armada and Action Bronson. If your friend is a fan of joyous, trumpet-laden tunes, we think a record by Melbourne-based musicians The Cat Empire will be a hit. We've picked the band's sixth studio album Steal the Light not only because it has some great tracks, but the cover art by Graeme Base is pretty sweet, too. Shipping is $15, or free for orders over $100. ONE-LITRE CANIMAL, THE MILL BREWERY ($15–22) We all know someone who loves a good craft brew. The one who plans the perfect brewery crawls, orders strange brews even at your local and scoffs at the idea of a schooey of VB. Luckily, Melbourne has craft breweries aplenty, so finding a top-notch tipple for them isn't all that hard. If you don't know where to start, though, The Mill Brewery is a great port of call. Mostly known for its ales, the Collingwood brewery sells one-litre tinnies of its brews for those wanting more than a stubby but less than a growler. Cheekily called Canimal, the one-litre can can be filled with any tap brew. If you're planning on ordering a few, shipping is a flat rate of $19.95, otherwise swing by and pick it up in person. ARC VESSEL SMALL, MILK WORKSHOP ($65) Milk Workshop is a small ceramic studio in Melbourne by a former fashion and graphic designer, so you can bet these wares are as beautiful as they are functional. It produces everything from planters to plates, mugs and vases, with every piece hand-built. Expect minimalist clean lines, organic textures and subtle detailing across Milk's products, including this beautiful (and watertight) vessel that's ideal for holding flowers. If you really want to show your friend how much you love them, you can pick up a teeny-tiny bunch of blooms to accompany this sleek ceramic vase, too. Shipping is a flat rate of $10, or you can drop by the workshop and pick it up for no extra cost. MAISON BALZAC LE BOIS CANDLE, THE PLANT SOCIETY ($70) French-born and Sydney-based Elise Pioch had the right idea when she created Maison Balzac: she wanted to develop a product that would take her right back to her childhood. Short of creating a time machine, she achieved that goal with her wonderfully fragrant candles, as well as colourful retro-chic homewares like wine goblets, tableware and vases. If you want to throw your support behind a local business, you can purchase her perfumed candles through The Plant Society's online store. Our pick is Le Bois, with notes of cedar wood, leather and smoke. The Plant Society offers free local shipping for orders over $50, too, or you can pick it up in store. COCKATOO CUSHION IN ROSE, COCKATOO COLLECTION ($69) Melbourne-based brand Cockatoo Collection is a one-stop-shop for cute, colourful homewares, from tea towels and trays to cushions and candles, that combine simple Scandinavian design aesthetic with bold Australiana nods. Most pieces are designed and made in Melbourne by the brand's owners Helena and Katarina, while the rest comes from other Aussie designers, illustrators and creators. Everything the brand touts is pretty cute, but we reckon your supportive soul mate will love a cushy pillow sporting a cockatoo, naturally, and available in pink, aqua and grey. Shipping is free for orders over $25. THE OG BLO BRUSH, BLO BRUSH ($89.95) For all the sophisticated glamour queens in your life, look no further than this three-in-one hair styling wonder from Blo Brush. Part-hairdryer, part-straightener and part-volumiser, this nifty machine lets you recreate a salon blow-dry at home in a fraction of the time. And, it's pretty portable, too. So grab it for your pal who is constantly on the go, but loves to look chic day and night. You can even opt to have it boxed in Christmas-themed packaging. Orders are shipped via express post, so it'll be on your mate's doorstep in a matter of days. ONE FINE SUNDAY TOWEL, THE SHEARER'S WIFE ($55) It's summer, which means there are many beach days on the horizon. If you've got a mate who's beach towel is looking a little threadbare, gift them a brand new one like this chic number from Aussie brand One Fine Sunday. Available in an array of colours and patterns, including mustard green, beige and white stripes and charcoal stonewash, these Turkish towels are made from high-quality cotton, traditionally loomed and hand tied in Turkey. Not only will your mate tout it at the beach, but it also makes for a great picnic blanket. Shipping costs $10 around Australia or you can pick up from The Shearer's Wife in Cooma. SCALLOP TASSEL LARGE, SEASHELLS & CO ($60) If you don't want to turn up empty handed at Christmas lunch with friends, these hand-painted scallop shells from Seashells & Co make for an excellent pressie. The decorative shells will liven up any interior, so perhaps nab one for your mates who'll be WFH for the foreseeable future. They're made in sunny Port Douglas and come individually gift wrapped, so you don't have to worry about picking up wrapping paper either. Find out how Square is supporting small businesses with the tools they need to grow, here. If you are a small business owner, Square has guidance on how best to maximise sales in the run up to the Christmas holiday period in its ebook, found here.
Shane Barrett adores wine. After shopping at specialty supermarket Terra Madre on Northcote's High Street one evening, the co-owner of Melbourne CBD Spanish tapas restaurant and rooftop bar, Bomba, was on the hunt for a bottle and found that the area was not awash in liquor stores. So, he teamed up with longtime Bomba business partners Jesse Gerner, Andrew Fisk and Kelly O'Loghlan to open his own. The four have opened a brand new bottle shop which focuses on boutique producers who practice sustainable, organic and biodynamic principals, alongside handpicked international wines. And they've named it for a fellow wine lover, Samuel Pepys. "Samuel Pepys was a naval administrator in London in the 1600s," says Barrett. "He was a diarist who loved good wine and food. If you read any of his entries they're quite entertaining — he was an old day foodie for lack of better words." The interiors (which the boys conceived themselves) are homely, welcoming shoppers with a cluster of suspended plants that overlook wire racks caressing bottles. Various wines are also available to taste, you'll find the daily offerings written on the chalkboard by the counter. "We want people to feel comfortable coming here and spend a bit of town browsing, we have products the general public won't be familiar with," says Barrett. "We all travel to Europe about two times a year and import a lot of wines ourselves," he adds, referring to their distribution company, Armada Imports. The store hosts about 400 wines, a 200 strong spirit list, a full Riedel glassware range and a selection of cigars (la-di-da). Local wines from Patrick Sullivan are available, as are bottles from the Mornington Peninsula's Polperro Estate. Find Samuel Pepys at 96 High Street, Northcote. Open from 12pm – 9pm daily. For more information head to the store's Facebook, Instagram or website.
There's an astonishing story at the heart of I, Daniel Blake, the latest film from veteran director Ken Loach, and the winner of the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival. After suffering a heart attack while standing on scaffolding on a building site, the titular character (Dave Johns) seeks government assistance. Alas, despite his doctor's advice that he needs rest to recover, a series of bureaucrats deem him fit to work, and refuse to listen to his pleas about his health. His situation isn't unique; at the local benefits office, he meets a single mother, Katie (Hayley Squires), similarly battling an uncaring system. Exposing the punitive barriers those in need are forced to face when they're looking for help, the movie has been garnering a strong reaction as it travels around the world. However, there's another incredible tale driving I, Daniel Blake. Lead actor Johns is a stand-up comedian who has appeared on British panel TV shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks and 8 Out of Ten Cats, and now makes the leap to film to star in his first feature at the age of 59. His is a devastatingly naturalistic performance in a heartbreaking piece of social realist cinema, and one that lingers long after viewing. With I, Daniel Blake releasing in Australian cinemas after playing at the British Film Festival, we chatted with Johns about making his first movie, receiving the script page-by-page as shooting progressed, and the responsibility of making a film that hits so close to home for so many people. ON MAKING THE JUMP FROM STAND-UP TO STARRING IN A KEN LOACH FILM "I was aware of Ken's work — and just to meet Ken, I said to people, friends of mine, 'If I could just get in and do the improv with him, that'd just be a great experience'. So I never dreamt that I would be offered the part. We shot it for ten weeks up in the northeast of England, around the area where I was brought up as a kid. And I remember the first day, I mean, I'd done plays and stuff like that, but I hadn't walked on set and seen the enormity of what I'd taken on. 'Oh my god, I'm the lead of this film,' I remember thinking. 'Oh, have I bitten off too much?' And now people say to me, 'You know, what's it like, your first film?' — and I go 'Well, if it's my first film and it's won the Palme d'Or, I think I've set my bar a little too high'. Now I'm up for best actor at the European Film Awards this year in Poland. I'm up for best actor and best newcomer and the British Independent Film Awards. Variety magazine in America have tipped me as number 20 to win an Oscar behind Jake Gyllenhaal and Colin Farrell, so it is pretty surreal. I think your career should be a bit of an adventure. And if you do one thing in your life that you can be proud of, to be in a Ken Loach film that has made such an impact and won the Palme d'Or, I'm very proud and very honoured to be in this position." ON DISCOVERING THE STORYLINE AS HE WENT "The thing with the way Ken works is he doesn't tell you much about the film. You don't get the full script, you only get a couple of pages each day — and he shoots chronologically, so basically you are thrown into this life where you're just living this life everyday. And you don't really know what's coming until you get the two or three pages of script in the evening that you go away and learn and bring in the next day. I think that's so you don't have that sort of [situation] where you and the other person you're doing the scene with, you can't look at page 26 of the script, and go, 'Oh look, this is our big scene'. Ken doesn't want you to pre-empt what's going to happen. He wants it all to be in the moment. A lot of people think there's a lot of improvisation in Ken's films — I mean all that script is all scripted, it's just that Paul Laverty [Loach's long-time screenwriter] and Ken, they give you the chance to own the words. That's how it comes across. And because he shoots chronologically, and because he has no closed sets — he puts you in real situations — it has that gritty, real feel about it." ON REACTING TRUTHFULLY RATHER THAN ACTING "I think you rely on truth. You rely on your true emotions, and you actually respond truthfully. You don't have any chance to pre-empt how you're going to feel. The first day, Ken said to me on set, 'When you're in scenes with Hayley, when you're in the scene together, if you just listen to each other and you find the truth, it will look like that on the screen'. So that's the notes I got, so I just took that on board. Just basically, like, he would say to me, 'You're getting a phone call today on set'. And I'd go, 'All right, who's it from?' And he'd go, 'You'll find out when you get the phone call'. It's a very fascinating process. It makes you rely more on your gut reaction rather than any technique you might have as an actor, I would imagine. In any of the scenes I had with the kids or the neighbours or with Hayley, I think I was reacting to and responding to how she was playing it to me, you know. I think it was just being honest if something touched you, and then you brought the honest emotion to it. I think that's the only way you can do it when it's like that." ON FORGETTING THAT HE'S MAKING A MOVIE "The way Ken shoots, he doesn't have loads of people on set. There's no makeup touching you up before the scene, there's no checking your costume before every take, it's basically, you leave the unit and that's it. And basically, if we were in my flat, it'd just be the camera in the corner of the room — he never tells you what lens he's got on the camera, so you don't know how close the shot is. And there were times when in scenes I forgot I was in a film, really. I was just reacting to what Katie, the character, was telling us. And that was a pretty amazing feeling, when there were times when you forgot you were making a film and you were just talking with this person." ON THE REALITY BEHIND THE FILM "The first thing Ken said to me when we did preparations — I had to learn how to carve the wooden fish, did a little woodwork course, just a couple of days — and then he said to me, 'Fill that 52 page assessment form in.' And I was like, 'What?' And I came back and went, 'I can't do this, this is insane'. And then it got me thinking, imagine if you were sick, and you had to fill that in, and if you filled it in wrong. And so it was revealed to me how unjust the system is. And I think it is because it is a system that is spread by this austerity which has been played around the world. I mean, every film festival — I took the summer off to go to film festivals with this — and at every film festival I went, at Locarno in Switzerland, in Spain, in Italy, in Slovakia, everywhere we went with this film, people came up afterwards and said 'This is happening in our country as well'. Because of the big banking crash and because of the finances, the way globalisation is going, you see the poorest and the less able are taking the biggest burden. And that's what's happening with the welfare system. I think they've lost sight of the person and they are just trying to save money, and it is bureaucracy, and it is outsourced to a company, and these questions are insane." ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PLAYING A PART THAT HITS SO CLOSE TO HOME FOR SO MANY PEOPLE "You can't just do this film and go, 'Well, that's it, I'm done.' You go on and you do other work, but you still come back to it because you do feel a responsibility to it. I mean, I spoke at the Labor party conference this year — I've never done that in my life before, you know. So I do feel a bit that we have to see this film through, you know, and I don't think it is the sort of film that is going to go away. I think it's going to change things, because people here are angry, and people in America. People have said it will speak to the working poor who're in America. And it has already been mentioned in the House of Commons here by the opposition to Theresa May, so it is having an effect. I'm very pleased for Ken and for Paul, who, you know, thank the heavens that we have people like Paul Laverty and Ken Loach who are still making films that give a voice to people who don't have one." I, Daniel Blake is now screening in Australian cinemas. You can read our review here.
This month, a lucky bunch of Sydneysiders were treated to the second event in a series of secret suppers hosted by Red Rock Deli. The exclusive supper series — running until September at secret locations across Sydney and Melbourne — sees some of Australia's most talented chefs whipping up mouth-watering, three-course feasts inspired by Red Rock Deli's new limited-edition range. And when we say exclusive, we mean it — only 20 lucky guests get to tuck into each lavish dinner. On Thursday, June 20, Duncan Welgemoed put up a firey three-course feast reminiscent of the smoky bites his popular Adelaide restaurant, Africola, is known for. After guests were picked up from North Sydney Station and whisked away to the Coal Loader. This space formerly functioned as an industrial coal bunkering site, and guests were given the rare opportunity to dine in one of the historic underground tunnels. There, Welgemoed dished up plates inspired by Red Rock Deli's flame-grilled steak and chimichurri flavour. In the first course, Welgemoed served slow-roasted and smoked peppers, thoum (garlic dip) and cucumbers with charred flatbreads, while his dessert was a delightful comination of tahini ice cream, baklava and mandarin oil. But it was the slow-roasted beef ribs with chimichurri, slow roasted cauliflower and tahini that was the real winner — to recreate it at home, check out the recipe here. Chris Yan, of Sydney's lauded dumpling den Lotus, is up next. The dinner will take place on Thursday, August 8 and will be inspired by Red Rock Deli's red chilli and creamy coconut chips. To nab tickets for Sydney's upcoming Red Rock Deli supper, enter the ballot here to be given the chance to purchase tickets. Images: Kitti Gould
Summer in Melbourne pretty much screams for a crisp, gin-infused tipple, enjoyed in the sunshine, overlooking some water. And once again, local gin festival Juniperlooza is setting you up for success. This time, for its 2020 edition, the festival is taking over South Wharf's Boatbuilders Yard and Polly Woodside (yes, the boat) for two full days on Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16. The gin-soaked revelry will be in full swing, with 23 boutique producers from both overseas and Australia gathering to show off their wares. Archie Rose, Four Pillars, Never Never Distilling CO, The Botanist and Flinders Distillery are some of the labels that have already been announced, as well as the UK's Chase Distillery. And the folks at Strangelove will be heading up the party's tonic situation once again. Gin-thusiasts will have the chance to meet the producers, sip G&Ts accented with carefully matched garnishes, and sample specialty gin cocktails from each brand. There'll be a slew of musical talent, too, including Agent 86, J'nett and four local DJs. Tickets ($30–45, depending how quickly you snag one) include a free G&T, a reusable store and lots of gin tastings. Early bird tickets ($30–35) go on sale from November 18. General sale ($40–45) then starts on November 20. You can sign up for early access over here.
With all this time spent at home, you might as well make it interesting. Maybe throw in some problem-solving, clue-cracking and a spot of mystery? If any of the above takes your fancy, strap yourself in for the latest at-home escape room experience from the masters of intrigue at Ukiyo. The Brunswick-based escape room studio has been delivering locals their lockdown puzzle fix via a series of interactive online experiences. And the next one unfolds over four brain-teasing days, kicking off next Wednesday, September 16. Dubbed Bird Cage, this new virtual game takes its cues from the likes of Stranger Things, The Ring and Slender Man, serving up an Aussie twist on the retro sci-fi thriller. The story's set deep in the outback, pulling players into a paranormal mystery involving a creepy scientific institute, its prized specimen and a very unwanted escape. Delve into this immersive head-scratcher solo, or with your housemates, cracking clues and solving puzzles as the game unfolds. All you'll need to play is a computer with internet access, though there's also a Stranger Things-inspired pillow fortress competition to enter if you fancy a shot at winning a $200 Ukiyo voucher. Tickets for Bird Cage are just $5 per person, or you can nab a household ticket for $15 (for three or more players).
Sound the trumpets and let the good times roll, because the Melbourne International Jazz Festival is back. Bustling into town for the first ten days of June, this year's festival will see more than 100 events (and 400 musicians) pop up around the city. As expected, the 2018 program is packed to the brim with concerts, workshops, panels and late-night jams. Standout guests include American saxophonist Maceo Parker, who'll join forces with Melbourne's own soul-jazz-blues outfit The Meltdown in a special tribute to the music of Ray Charles, and French-American jazz singer Madeleine Peyroux, who's been hailed as an heir apparent to the legendary Billie Holiday. Most events are ticketed, but there is a decent amount free gigs happening at bars and public spaces around the city. If this is your first Jazz Fest, this is a good way to dip your toe into the musical pool. Amateur musicians can also take part in the fittingly named Jazz Massive, where members of the public will be invited to join players from the Horns of Leroy, Melbourne Ska Orchestra and Papa Chango on the lawn outside the State Library. BYO instrument.
