World Chocolate Day is nearly here, but as much as we love them, you don't have to settle for a fancy block or bar on Monday, July 7. Instead, mix things up by biting into a special sponge-based collaboration between Pana Organic and Tokyo Lamington, with a free giveaway making the occasion an unforgettable treat. Putting their minds together to craft the ultimate dessert, this dream team has created three limited-edition lamingtons, fusing the high-end chocolatier's handmade single-origin bliss with the light, fluffy sponge that has made Tokyo Lamington a hit from Singapore to Melbourne. So, what can you expect from this decadent lamington trio? The Golden Crunch features a delicious mylk mousse, golden comb and plant-based chocolate sponge lamington, while the Crunchy Hazelnut Chocolate blends hazelnut mousse and milk chocolate ganache with a plant-based chocolate sponge coated in delicious cake crumbs. Finally, Mint Crunch is a plant-based chocolate sponge, made with Pana Organic mint crunch cream dipped in chocolate sauce and coated with coconut. Best of all, these incredible creations are available for free if you swing by Tokyo Lamington's stores on World Chocolate Day. Available from the Newtown, Sydney and Carlton, Melbourne locations, there's even the chance to score a free Pana Organic chocolate bar. Just arrive within the first 100 customers at either store to secure a second complimentary treat. With flavours this enticing, there's a good chance you'll be rushing out to grab your own. This triple-threat of soft, chocolatey goodness is being served up throughout July at both Tokyo Lamington locations. Priced at $8 each or $24 for a box loaded with all three, pick up from your nearest spot or have them delivered to your door. This inventive collab isn't one to overlook. Founded in 2012 by Pana Barbounis, Pana Chocolate is a hugely respected name in the world of chocolate, pioneering a fully plant-based, gluten-free and organic-certified lineup. Meanwhile, Tokyo Lamington focused on impressing overseas tastebuds with Australia's humble sweet treat, making its mark in Singapore before launching the brand at home in Sydney and Melbourne in recent years. Tokyo Lamington and Pana Organic's limited-edition treats are available from Saturday, July 5, with a free giveaway taking place at Newtown and Carlton stores on Monday, July 7. Head to the website for more information.
The daily grind can really wear you down. Luckily, you don't always have to join the rat race on the commute home every day — you could have a few drinks instead. One major bonus of working in the CBD is that heaps of Melbourne's top-notch bars put on some serious drink specials — many of which can be enjoyed every day. The joyous tradition of happy hour is alive and well in many of the city's most loved bars and eateries — you just have to know where to go, and when, to take advantage of the best drink and food specials. So we've rounded up some great deals for when you're looking for a post-work tipple before heading home, with rooftop views, riverside locales, basement vibes and classic eateries all accounted for. There's cheap beer and wine aplenty, as well as chicken burgers, empanadas, tequila and a spritz or two, all sure to help you and your workmates shake off that nightmarish meeting that took up most of your afternoon. NATURAL HISTORY PUBLIC BAR Boasting one of the most interesting fit-outs in the city, Natural History Public Bar also has a killer happy hour, slinging affordable after-work beverages from 4–7pm each weekday. Alongside the regular deal of $7 wine, $8 spirits and $9 pints, the bar has a number of daily specials going on, such as half price bottles of wine on Mondays, and a carafe of wine and a cheese plate for just $35 on Tuesdays. On Thursday evening, pretend you're fancy with a $10 negroni, old fashioned or espresso martini. Or you can end the week being serenaded by, or enthusiastically singing along to, the musical stylings of the bar's resident in-house piano man every Friday and Saturday night. [caption id="attachment_705701" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] PEACHES Not all happy hours are created equal. The delightfully pastel-hued Peaches — up the pink stairs from Cheek — treats punters to not one, but two chances at nabbing a $7 chicken sanga. Although technically not available after the traditional nine-to-five work hours, this two-level rooftop bar deserves a mention for both its 12–2pm lunchtime happy hour, and its reprise from midnight till 2am on Friday and Saturday nights. As well the tasty sandwiches (which can also come filled with tofu), you can also throw back a $7 pickleback shot at these times. To cap it off, the bar's cocktails are as aesthetically pleasing as its pastel pink decor, and taste as good as they look. [caption id="attachment_740896" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mr Harry's[/caption] LELLO PASTA BAR If you like your drinks served with homemade pasta, or delicious Italian nibbles, Lello Pasta Bar has you sorted. Monday through Friday, from 4.30–6.30pm, the Italian eatery has a bunch of beer, wine and spirits on special, including tap beer, house wine and spirits for $7. If you're after something a little fancier, Lello will sling you an Aperol or Campari spritz for $12, any cocktail from the menu for $15, or wine and spirits from the next shelf up for a tenner. Hot tip: head to Lello at the end of the week for Aperitivo Fridays, where you'll be treated to a free small plate of snacks with the purchase of an alcoholic drink, just get there between 4.30pm and 6pm. PILGRIM BAR Right through the working week — from 4.30–6.30pm Monday to Friday — Pilgrim Bar will pour you a drink for mere pocket change with its $5 happy hour. The riverside bar and eatery has an all-Australian menu worth sampling, especially when you can pick up a beer, house wine, or spritz for a fiver. Championing seasonality and local produce, the list is always changing, so there's always something new to try, from wines from the Yarra and King valleys to Victorian and NSW beers. Plus, you can fuel up with warm toasties and locally sourced cold meats and cheese. PALERMO Empanadas and beers. How good does that sound for a post-work snack? Argentinean steakhouse Palermo — the little sister of Meyers Place mainstay San Telmo — is making knock-off time even better every Monday through Thursday with its $9 deal. From 4–6pm, you can grab a hot and crunchy empanada and a cold and crisp Patagonian Pilsner for less than a tenner. Once that deal has taken the edge off after a hard day of work, you may as well settle into one of Palermo's comfy booths for a pisco sour and dome dinner. Take advantage of generous share plates with your work mates. FATHER'S OFFICE When it's quittin' time, head straight to an office of a different kind: Swanston Street's prohibition-inspired bar, Father's Office. The specials are plentiful and frequent here, with happy hour running for four hours each night. Stop by between 5–7pm or 8–10pm any day of the week for a range of $12 cocktails, $5 wines, $7 schooners and $7 spirits. That's a lot to remember, but all you really need to know is Father's Office has so many specials that even your fussiest colleagues will be happy, and there's plenty of space for your whole work crew among the art deco-style dining room or out on the balcony overlooking the State Library. THE MILL HOUSE Escape the hustle of the crowded CBD streets and the post-work rush, and head down to subterranean Flinders Lane bar The Mill House. Budget-friendly drinks are served up here everyday from 4–7pm — including Saturdays — with a selection of spirits, wines and pints of beer down to $7.50. The kitchen also pumps out $12 daily food specials (from noon right through until close, so you can get a feed and a tipple for just under 20 bucks. Be sure to nab one of the large, circular booths up the back, for ultimate comfort, vibes and proximity to food. SPLEEN BAR Considering it's been cranking out drinks for thirsty punters until 5am since 1997, Spleen Bar must be doing something right. And it doesn't disappoint when it comes to happy hour specials, either. Monday through Friday, from 4pm–7pm, both Stomping Ground's pale ale and laneway lager drop to $5 a pot, or $9 for a pint, and house wines are just $8. You'll need food to get you through the week, so grab a cheeseburger or southern fried chicken slider for just five bucks from 4pm–11pm Monday to Thursday, and 4pm–1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Spleen has hump day covered, too, with southern fried and glazed chicken wings for just 5o cents each on Wednesdays. MESA VERDE We promise this one will make it worth the climb up the many stairs at Curtin House. Settled in on level six — before you make it to Rooftop Bar — Mesa Verde is known for an extensive food and drinks list championing Mexican influences, and its happy hour specials are no different. From 5–6pm, Monday to Thursday, you can nab $6 house wines and spirits, and $5 pints and tequila shots. While you're there, make sure to try some small plates to share, or some of the $7 tacos, with flavours like grilled ox tongue, queso oaxaca and tomatillo avocado salsa, or roasted pumpkin, kale, smoked cheese and pasilla salsa. On Mondays, margs are $10 all day.
It's time to bid farewell to 2024, and if you're seeking a celebratory rendezvous in Melbourne's southside, you've come to the right place. Some of the area's top venues will be hosting New Year's parties, from live DJs at The Espy to uninterrupted views of the midnight Fireworks from Public House Rooftop. Deciding what to do on New Year's can often feel like one of the hardest decisions of the year, so with some help from The Pass, we've rounded up some of the best New Year's Eve events south of the CBD. The Prince Celebrate New Year's Eve at the beach at St Kilda's The Prince. Arrive in the afternoon and kick back with delicious food and plenty of drinks before the DJ sets to start up at 7pm and into the evening. To book your spot to enjoy New Year's at one of St Kilda's coolest pubs, make sure to grab tickets. Plus, keep an eye on socials for the announcement of the rooftop deck party. The Espy Head down to The Espy in St Kilda for the full New Year's Eve experience. The lively pub will be offering a three-and-a-half-hour drinks package plus a spread of roaming canapés and grazing bites to keep you fueled. Each room will have DJs and guaranteed good vibes. Tickets and special early bird deals are available here. Louey's Farewell 2024 at Louey's with an Italian-inspired celebration. Housed within The Esplanade, this intimate haunt is perfect if you prefer to spend your New Year's indulging in a decadent Italian feast, paired with a four-hour drinks package featuring a classic Italian spritz on arrival. Plus, resident DJs will be spinning Italo Disco to keep you grooving into 2025. Tickets are available here. Fargo and Co Ring in the new year at Fargo and Co, a two-story bar nestled in a historic bank. Along with ambience, you can expect a 4-hour beverage package, delicious canapes to keep you fuelled and DJs spinning all night. FYI – this is not a seated event, so for tables, it's first in, best dressed. Tickets can be purchased online. Mya Tiger For an elegant evening, head to Mya Tiger. Sitting atop The Espy's grand staircase, Mya Tiger will be serving up a delicious Cantonese banquet in the Mya dining room, perfectly complemented by a four-hour drinks package to while the night away. Grab your tickets here. Village Belle Celebrate New Year's Eve at Village Belle Hotel. Choose from two exciting packages. Opt for the 'All Access Pass' where you can expect a three-hour bottomless beverage package with roaming canapés in the Atrium from 7pm to 10pm. Or, the 'Party Starter Ticket' offers access to the upstairs club and Mezzanine from 9pm, with DJ tunes and two complimentary drinks. Get your tickets here. The Ghost Do you love oysters? The Ghost may be the place for you. Against a backdrop of stunning views of St Kilda pier, this intimate cocktail bar will offer a mouth-watering spread of canapés and an oyster station, all paired with a three-hour drinks package. We recommend buying tickets for the VIP experience which gives you access to The Ghost's intimate space, along with entry to all other rooms at The Espy. Harlow Everyone's favourite rooftop, Harlow is another top pick to see out 2024, with a front-row seat to the fireworks at midnight. You can expect 4 hours of bottomless seltzers and tasty canapés, as well as roaming champagne for the countdown. Head down to the basement from 8pm for a killer DJ lineup to take you into the New Year. Buy tickets here. Public House If you want views of the midnight CBD Fireworks, you can't get much better than Public House. With four levels, including a rooftop, Public House is throwing one hell of a party. Enjoy a four-hour drinks package with roaming canapes while resident DJ spins tunes until 2am. Grab your tickets before they run out. The Gardiner Malvern's newest rooftop, The Gardiner is set to put on quite the show this New Year's Eve. Indulge in the full menu alongside exclusive Chef's specials, all while soaking up the good vibes that come with spending the final hours of the year at a pub with friends and family. Tickers can be purchased here. The Smith If there's one thing we know, it's that The Smith knows to throw a damn good party. Taking bottomless to the next level, Prahran's favourite local will be serving up two fierce bottomless sessions at 4pm and 7pm. The best bit? There will be jaw-dropping drag performances from legendary DJ duo, The Jawbreakers. All that's left to do is get your hands on the tickets before they sell out. Images: Supplied.
Before Barbenheimer became the biggest thing in cinema in 2023, moviegoers flocked to a film that featured a blonde wearing plenty of pink, and also clouds and mushrooms, all in the one flick. That feature: The Super Mario Bros Movie. It was a hit. It was a smash, in fact. At the global box office, the first-ever animated movie based on the Nintendo favourite came in right in the middle of both Barbie and Oppenheimer for the year — notching up more than $1.3 billion in takings. That an animated Mario movie would get audiences saying "let's go" to cinemas is hardly a surprise. Neither is the next piece of news: that a sequel to The Super Mario Bros Movie is on the way. The folks at Nintendo and animation studio Illumination are back doing the filmmaking equivalent of hitting blocks to unveil power-ups — aka crafting a second picture that's due to hit cinemas in 2026. The exact date in the US: April 3, 2026. Expect audiences in Australia and New Zealand to see the film at around the same time. Nintendo and Illumination announced the sequel as part of the annual MAR10 celebrations on March 10 — which would also make a great movie release date, but features don't usually hit the big screen on Tuesdays, which is when the occasion will fall in 2026. "By getting deeply involved in the movie production with the aim to put smiles on everyone's faces through entertainment, Nintendo will continue its efforts to produce unique entertainment and deliver it to as many people as possible," said the company in a statement. In a video, Shigeru Miyamoto from Nintendo and Chris Meledandri from Illumination also chatted about the news — but without going into much detail regarding what'll be in store in the film, other than the return trip to the Mushroom Kingdom. "This time, we're thinking about broadening Mario's world further, and it'll have a bright and fun story," said Miyamoto. The 2023 The Super Mario Bros Movie enlisted Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) to voice the Italian plumber, plus Charlie Day (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) as Luigi, Jack Black (Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood) as Bowser, Anya Taylor-Joy (The Menu) as Princess Peach, Seth Rogen (Dumb Money) as Donkey Kong, Keegan- Michael Key (Wonka) as Toad and Fred Armisen (Wednesday) as Cranky Kong. Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (Teen Titans Go!, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies) will return from the first film, as will screenwriter Matthew Fogel (Minions: The Rise of Gru). Check out the trailer forThe Super Mario Bros Movie below: The sequel to The Super Mario Bros Movie is set to release in cinemas in the US on April 3, 2026 — we'll update you with Down Under release dates when they're announced. Read our review of the first film.
The Conservation Ecology Centre of Cape Otway has some very worthy green goals, and you can help the environmental organisation get a little bit closer to fulfilling them — you'll just have to offer a set of hands this weekend. Running yearly, the Great Otway Tree Plant aims to re-green Cape Otway for the local wildlife, providing homes and habitats for future koalas and birds and protecting the ones that are already there. You can make a weekend of it, too — Bimbi Park has offered up its grounds, and all volunteers can camp there for free. There will also be a meal served on Saturday evening for those giving up their time to put a little green goodness back into the world. But, really, knowing you're making koalas safe and happy is enough of an incentive in itself. Before you head down to the Otways, make sure you RSVP here.
Arden V Arden is typical of The Hayloft Project’s approach to making theatre; bold, inventive, and prone to adaptation. In the hands of this company, the little-known Elizabethan work Arden of Faversham finds a strangely compelling resonance in a modern retelling which fractures between updated language and original text. The story is fairly straightforward: an unhappy wife convinces her lover to help kill her husband. Involving other conspirators in their plan only makes things worse, with a series of bungled murders punctuating a work that comfortably straddles tragedy and farce. Writer and director Benedict Hardie manages to draw on the company’s signature style of heightened naturalism and stark design without relaxing into familiarity. However, it’s an approach that juggles a lot of balls in the air, and not all land smoothly. In particular, the care that’s taken to flesh out each character in a large ensemble cast slows the pace in the first act significantly, even if it allows for some great moments from figures that could otherwise become tangential, especially true for the characters played by Tom Dent and Paul Blenheim. But it’s these kinds of decisions which make Arden V Arden so enjoyable. In the final scene, for example, James Deeth carries out a final direct address to the audience: a choice that foregrounds the artifice and threatens to completely deflate any satisfying tension. However, it's also evidence of the production's unpredictability, a quality that elevates the show far above a stock standard Shakespearean performance. Whenever the plot’s plausibility looks set to buckle under the strain of translation from Elizabethan England to modern day Perth, it’s Emily Tomlins’ utter commitment as the wife of Arden that papers over any cracks — especially in the closing stages, where she has to sell her character’s headlong reversal from certainty into unstable remorse. It's the combination of these individual performances, the cohesion of a talented ensemble, and the effectiveness of an effortlessly cool design that cap off a production filled with rich surprises, and allows Arden's story of betrayal to ring true in 2013. Unfortunately, Arden V Arden is Hayloft’s final show here before Hardie relocates the company to Sydney, although they're sure to return on tour. The success of this last Melbourne premiere might be a bittersweet reminder of their importance to the city's independent theatre scene, but don’t miss a chance to say farewell. Image: Sarah Walker.
Sydney's Taronga Zoo boasts its own glamping experience, as well as a luxe new eco-retreat. At Melbourne Zoo, you can stay overnight in the elephant exhibit. Next year, southeast Queensland's Australia Zoo will follow suit, opening a campground that'll also include glamping and eco cabins. Slated to launch in 2020 to celebrate Australia Zoo's 50th anniversary celebrations, the new addition to the Irwin family's Beerwah zoo has unsurprisingly been dubbed Camp Crocodile Hunter. It'll feature a combination of tent accommodation, powered sites for caravans and RVs, glamping-style tents and cabins — with 108 sites included in total. Wildlife lovers can also look forward to a new cafe, an entertainment and pool area, covered cooking areas and a mountain bike track. And, there'll be facilities for school camps, too. Expect all of the above to be put to frequent use, with Australia Zoo anticipating that Camp Crocodile Hunter will attract more than 39,000 visitors each year. Increasing both tourism and zoo patronage is clear aim of the $8 million project, which has received Queensland Government support alongside Australia Zoo's own funding. Just what else the "luxury bush camp experiences" will entail hasn't been revealed, but for folks keen to extend their trip to the famed zoo across at least two days — and avoid having to trek offsite to stay the night — that's obviously on the agenda. From the crocoseum and croc school, to the onsite wildlife hospital, to a lineup of animals that spans tigers, cheetahs, giraffes, lemurs, meerkats, otters, rhinos, kangaroos, koalas, emus, crocodiles and more, there's definitely plenty to see. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwRk7kkF1eZ/ Camp Crocodile Hunter was first announced back in April, but construction started just this month, after the completion of planning work for all of the campground essentials — aka electricity, water and public amenities. Australia Zoo's Camp Crocodile Hunter is slated to open in 2020. For further information, visit the venue's website. Top image: Andy Mitchell via Wikicommons.
Queer theatre company The Sisters Grimm have displayed their trashtastic aesthetic in shows with names such as Fat Camp and Cellblock Booty. Now they're marching into the heartland of Australian history, and into the heart of the Melbourne arts precinct in the MTC theatre, with The Sovereign Wife. It sounds like a classic enough tale — the story of a plucky Irishwoman who comes with her husband to the Ballarat Goldfields and under the rigours of colonial life becomes hardened, morally compromised and ultimately transformed. In the hands of the Sisters Grimm, this saga of frontier struggle become a wild romp, an exuberant parody of historical melodrama, with a bent sense of humour that underscores every element of the production. Gags fly thick and fast and contemporary pop culture intrudes at will. The design has a cobbled-together homespun feel, while the performances are outrageous. There are dances, songs and (naturally) a rave sequence. Gender, race and age are completely fluid. There are girls in fake beards and men in frocks. A Chinaman is played by a white guy, a black man by an Asian woman, a white woman by a black man. Cultural stereotypes are appropriated, then blurred and jumbled into a risible mess that mocks the very concept of stereotyping. There’s hilarity galore but underscoring it is a fiercely intelligent interrogation of the Australian identity. All the gender-switching and jumbling of racial stereotypes serves a purpose. Identity is presented as a muddled construct and the symbolic connection to the national psyche is clear. This is at its most salient in the character of the Sovereign Wife herself, who is played by a different performer in each of the three acts, the changes in casting reflecting the development of her character through time and hardship. For all the madcap trappings, for much of the show the story arc is that of classic tragedy and there is considerable narrative force keeping the circus moving. The vision of Australia that forms is unsettling, too uncomfortably close to the bone to be presented in any form other than comedy perhaps. The script, by head sisters Declan Greene and Ash Flanders (who also appears in the play, including one act as the Wife) has lavish helpings of wit and not a skerrick of shame. The diverse and energetic cast give the performance everything. If camp’s your thing, you’ll love the pants off it. If it’s not, well the Sisters might yet win you over. However, it is a very long show. By the third act, it’s starting to run out of storyline and some of the later scenes become stretched to the point of self-indulgence. It never fails to be amusing, though, and ultimately pulls together for an exuberant finale. The Sovereign Wife is also the finale to the NEON festival and it’s exactly the brash, outlandish, fabulous bang the festival deserves to end on. Hurrah, Sisters Grimm, hurrah!
Short of physically volunteering your time, there aren't many ways you can help those in need over lunch. But Sydney-based social enterprise food company Two Good is looking to change that, with their buy-one, give-one lunch delivery model. Having just expanded from Sydney to Melbourne this week, Two Good are delivering delicious salads through Deliveroo — and for every one sold, a meal is donated to domestic violence shelters in both cities. They're not just any old salads either. The Two Good guys — Rob Caslick and Cathal Flaherty — have worked with the most loveable man in the international food world Yotam Ottolenghi and renowned Melbourne chef Andrew McConnell to create two options that far surpass any soggy salad you were planning on making in your office's kitchenette this afternoon. Ottolenghi's creation is a poached chicken salad with chargrilled zucchini, sorrel, capers and pine nuts, while McConnell looks after the vego option with a cracked wheat and freekeh salad with preserved lemon and berries. The salads — available to order for lunch through Deliveroo — are $14 and $13 respectively, which is a pretty standard price for a salad in this town. And, considering for each salad you order the legends at Two Good will donate a meal to a domestic violence shelter in your city, it's an incredibly low cost way to food yourself and help someone who needs it. Meals are donated to ten shelters around NSW and to The Safe Futures and St Mary's House of Welcome in Victoria. What's more, Two Good also employ women from the shelters they work with in NSW, and are looking to do the same in Victoria in the next three months. If you want to buy a salad, you can place an order through Deliveroo from 11.15am in Melbourne and Sydney. For more information on Two Good, go to twogood.com.au.
If Polly were a real lady, this is what her home would look like: washed concrete floors, deep burgundy walls, and gold framed-paintings of long lost elders, royal velvet armchairs and a schmick bar fit out with a box of sneaky cigars for later use. Oh, and of course, her front garden would be a green paradise, with mythical Greek statues and the odd water feature or two. Except Polly isn't a real lady. She's a bar, and a damn fine one at that, too. Located right in the heart of Brunswick, Polly is a drinking hole with air of dark elegance. Think the eerie feeling of a haunted house crossed with a grand dame's estate, and you've got a quirky little place, perfect for pre-drinks or a night out in itself, right within the reaches of Melbourne's best bohemian suburb. Polly boasts an extensive drink list, and if you can't find what you want off the menu, the friendly, efficient staff will happily improvise to make something delicious. Cocktails are a premium here, and many top shelf liquors are also available upon request. Why not down a decadent Nutella cocktail? (Nutella, Drambuie, chocolate vodka, chestnut liqueur coconut syrup) Or, if you really want to channel your own inner Polly, a mature sip of 'Lusty Busty Maiden' (Frangelico, berry puree, raspberry liquor) or a classic mojito flow down the neck with ease. (All from $18) If you're looking for a drink that is a little more modest, Polly's extensive wine list will leave you spoilt for choice, with even selections of white, red and sparkling wines available. (Glass, from $8) A wide range of tap and boutique beers keep the lads happy, while the designated driver can even have a bit of fun with a mocktail or two (from $8). Polly also offers a range of bar snacks and nibbles. The 'Perfect P' pizza (sweet potato, caramelised onion, olives and feta cheese) ($7) makes for a delicious little supper. Don't come here if you are in a hurry, as the shirt and tie clad staff take the time to cut, blend, mix, shake and pour your drink to perfect. Besides, you wouldn't want to rush such a fine experience as this one. Be sure to get to Polly early on Friday and Saturday, because as the night goes on, patrons fill the place wall-to-wall, and on occasion is sometimes known to flow out into the plant covered foyer with locals and their friends.
The next dancefloor filler from 'Love Tonight' favourites SHOUSE is on its way, but it needs your help in the best possible fashion: by taking part in a huge music party that'll fill Melbourne's St Paul's Cathedral for RISING 2024. The Victorian capital's major annual arts festival has announced its first commission for next year, with Ed Service and Jack Madin overseeing Communitas — where hundreds of people will make tunes, then a single will be released. Free to attend, Communitas wants its participants to form a choir; however, not only using their voices but dancing and making sound vibrations will be on the agenda. Think of it as a huge gathering that's also a jam and a ritual, composing collectively and spontaneously as everyone parties and communes. There's no audience here, just folks joining in, connecting and chasing shared joy. The date to pop in your diary: Saturday, June 15, for what's certain to be a standout event on the full RISING lineup. Nothing else has been announced for the fest so far, but the entire program of art, music, installations and performances for its third year will run from Saturday, June 1–Sunday, June 16. Jon Madin is creating handmade instruments for participants to use, while Deep Soulful Sweats is in charge of the choreography. While the end result is something to experience, the single that springs will give everyone who is there a songwriting credit as it aims to share the fun beyond Communitas' one massive night. "Communitas is more than a musical event; it's a collective celebration of the human spirit, a symphony of shared joy that transcends boundaries," said Service. "We're thrilled to collaborate with RISING, and invite hundreds into the heart of St Paul's Cathedral to join us in forging connections through the language of music. Join us in the beat of drums, a chorus of voices, a mass of humanity, finally together in space and time." Getting its audience participating en masse, and not just passively watching, is one of RISING's focuses, including at 2023's fest when 11,000 people formed a kazoo orchestra. RISING 2024 runs from Saturday, June 1–Sunday, June 16 across Melbourne, with Communitas taking place on Saturday, June 15 at St Paul's Cathedral, Flinders Street. Head to the festival's website for further information and to register to take part in Communitas.
First it was the smartphone game no one could've guessed they'd get addicted to. Now it's a film that spins a story around a flightless flock of feathered friends, their unhappy attitude, and a posse of porky interlopers. We're talking, of course, about Angry Birds, an animated effort that not only brings the must-have app of 2009 to the big screen, but also comes up with an origin tale to explain its feuding characters. When we first meet Red (voiced by Jason Sudeikis), he's certainly far from chirpy, preferring to live on the outskirts of his island community. Despite working as a clown, he's more likely to incite rage than inspire laughs — and after doing just that at a hatch-day party, he's sent to anger management. There, alongside the speedy Chuck (Josh Gad) and explosive Bomb (Danny McBride), he's taught to control his temper, or at least try to. But then a ship bearing green pigs arrives, with their leader Leonard (Bill Hader) attempting to charm the birds with parties and presents. Instantly suspicious, Red soon discovers that his anger has other uses. Although there's certainly a message about accepting the good with the bad bundled into The Angry Birds Movie, if you're looking for a nuanced look at the emotional spectrum, you'd be better off sticking with Inside Out. This is a bright and busy effort that sticks to the usual all-ages recipe: slap together a breezy narrative, throw in a wealth of pop culture references to everything from The Shining to 50 Shades of Grey, add a soundtrack that's designed to appeal to ironic Rick Astley lovers as much as pre-teen Demi Lovato fans, and keep things moving as fast as humanly possible. Indeed, as questionable as making a movie out of Angry Birds may seem, its source of inspiration isn't the feature's main problem. A lack of energy and enthusiasm is — though given that the film remains bouncy and bubbly from start to finish, it might not initially appear that way. Alas, as The LEGO Movie proved, there's a difference between shoehorning in the required brand elements and demonstrating a true understanding of why people like the original product. Directors Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis don't concern themselves with that; they're content to plaster on the movie equivalent of a fake smile, and try not to make too much of a flap. That leaves the eye-popping visuals, along with a voice cast that includes Keegan-Michael Key, Maya Rudolph and Sean Penn, to do too much heavy lifting — and while everything looks and sounds the part, it also feels quite hollow. Perhaps two of writer Jon Vitti's past credits sum up the feature's fortunes best, with the scribe's background including episodes of The Simpsons along with a couple of the Alvin and the Chipmunks films. Sadly, The Angry Birds Movie has much more in common with the lazy cheesiness of the latter than the clever comedy of the former.
A fictionalised account of Grace Kelly's marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Olivier Dahan's glittery period drama arrives in theatres on a wave of bad publicity. Repeatedly delayed by its American distributor, publically disowned by the Monacan royal family and critically savaged after its opening night premiere at Cannes, the buzz around the film is nothing short of toxic. Yet the reality is that no amount of negative press could prepare you for how awful Grace of Monaco truly is. The film takes place in the early 1960s, five years into a marriage that has lost its fairytale feel. Stifled by the minutiae of her stately duties and neglected by the emotionally distant Rainier (Tim Roth), glamorous Grace (Nicole Kidman) yearns to return to Hollywood. Instead, she finds herself a pawn in a trade dispute with Monaco's French neighbours — one that threatens to erupt into the world's most one-sided war. Blending the tepid romanticism of a made-for-TV biopic with the most tedious political drama this side of The Phantom Menace, Arash Amel's screenplay is suffocatingly dull. The dialogue, when it's not dropping lead bricks of exposition, consists mostly of groan-inducing Hallmark quotations. There are a few unintentional comedic gems, thank God, but for the overwhelming majority it's just flat-out embarrassing. Equally weak are the attempts to connect Kelly's weepy personal crisis with the fate of Monaco at large. The entire second half of the film hinges on our heroine learning proper princess etiquette — via Miss Congeniality-style training montage — in the hopes that she can soften mean old Charles de Gaulle's heart. Of course, considering that the conflict basically boils down to whether or not Monaco gets to keep operating as a tax-free haven for wealthy Frenchmen, it's difficult to see why anyone should care. Dahan's direction is as ghastly as Amel's script, with sickly golden lighting and eye-watering soft focus making the film look like something between a daytime soap and a handbag commercial. His most baffling decision, however, is the one that led him to shoot key scenes of emotional dialogue in extreme close-up. As the frame roams aimlessly from Kidman's chin to her eyeball to her earlobe as she talks, the overwhelming impression (aside from a mild feeling of motion sickness) is that the guy operating the camera is every bit as bored as we are. It's a bit of a shame really. Kidman's performance is perfectly adequate, making it far and away the movie's greatest asset. She's certainly better than the wooden, chain-smoking Roth, who sports an unconvincing British accent as the decidedly not British Rainier. None of the film's normally respectable side players — including Frank Langella as Kelly's clerical confidant, Parker Posey as a hatchet-faced matron and Roger Ashton-Griffiths as a cuddly Alfred Hitchcock — fare much better. For a story about a woman called Grace, there are few films in recent memory as lacking in the virtue of the same name. Avoid this movie like the plague. https://youtube.com/watch?v=bFYmYWa348c
Get set for chuckles galore, as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival returns to kick off its 33rd edition. From March 27 until April 21, a cast of side-splitting comedic talent will take over theatres, bars and clubs for the annual citywide festival. This year's program delivers an impressive mix of local and international names, with the likes of big names Michelle Wolf (USA), the Stephen K Amos (UK) and David O'Doherty (Ireland) joining homegrown heroes including Hannah Gadsby, Judith Lucy, Ronny Chieng, Urzila Carlson and Tommy Little. Over 100 venues across the city will host a smorgasbord of stand-up, improv, musical numbers, mime and more. As always, you'll have the chance to catch the latest solo shows from acclaimed acts like Becky Lucas, Joel Creasey, Demi Lardner, Charlie Pickering, Rhys Nicholson and Nazeem Hussain. The festival's Comedy Zone Asia and Indian All-Star Comedy Showcase will shine a spotlight on some of the hottest emerging comedians from across Asia, while yet more comedic gold will be served up at special events like the annual Gala, which raises much-needed funds for Oxfam. Throw in the return of famed open mic competition RAW Comedy, the youth-focused Class Clowns program, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander showcase Deadly Funny, and you're set for a serious boost of dopamine over the next few weeks.
Cafe, designer's paradise and overall very cute space Cibi is expanding. Having spent the past decade on Keele Street in Collingwood, it has outgrown the original site — filling it to the brim with Japanese homewares and cafe customers — but it won't be moving far. Just a few hundred metres down the same street, actually. Taking up residence in a huge, 800-square-metre warehouse, which was once a garment factory, Cibi will be able to stretch out across a space four times the size of the original. Although the word "cibi" means "little one" in Japanese, little it won't be any longer. Sticking with the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi (acceptance of beauty in imperfection), the warehouse will have exposed beams, concrete and brick finishes, with owners Meg and Zenta Tanaka purposefully leaving things untouched. Previously focusing on Japanese homewares and a minimal Japanese-inspired cafe offering, Cibi will add a third notch to its belt at the new site, with the introduction of pantry staples. Using local seasonal produce, Meg will be bottling up a variety of goods in the new spacious kitchen and delivering them straight into your hands — expect pickles, sauces condiments and locally made tofu. The cafe will be expanding its cafe menu, too, with food available from breakfast through to afternoon tea. You'll also be able to try dishes for the store's recently published cookbook, Cibi: Simple Japanese-Inspired Meals to Share with Family and Friends, and its super-popular Japanese Breakfast — with grilled salmon, omelette, seasonal greens, rice and miso soup — will be now available every morning, instead of just weekends. In terms of the homewares, the brands exclusively imported by Cibi (such as Hakusan porcelain and Sori Yanagi cutlery) will be built on, with the addition of larger items — such as furniture — and more brands. And Zenta will explore one-off collaborations with local artists and designs, expanding on the popularity of the Cibi drinking glass. While you're in store, you'll be able to snag green babies for your home from The Plant Society or get a painting framed by United Measures, who'll both be taking up residency in the space. And for the future? Cooking lessons, Meg hopes, thanks to the larger kitchen, as well as other workshops and special events. Cibi will open at its new location at 31–39 Keele Street, Collingwood in early October.
Things are about to get existential at the Malthouse, with Fraught Outfit’s production of Persona opening this week. An adaptation of a classic Ingmar Bergman film, the show premiered at Theatre Works last year, getting an enthusiastic reaction from critics, including three gongs' worth of enthusiasm from the Green Room Awards. The original film, a regular on "best ever movies" and "see before you die" lists, is a masterpiece of 1960s Swedish weirdness about a nurse caring for an actress who has withdrawn entirely from her life to the point of never speaking. The nurse's interactions with the omnipresent but perpetually disengaged woman create a haunting rumination on identity and the ways people can be dehumanised by roles placed upon them. Working from an English translation of the screenplay, director Adena Jacobs has sought to create a uniquely theatrical version of this strange journey into the psyche. Judging by the reception the show got on its first run, the result is something remarkable. We recommend you see it for yourself, though we take no responsibility for any existential quandary or blowing of mind you may incur as a result.
The carols tell us to deck the halls with boughs of holly, and we do. We adorn trees and place wreaths on doors as well. But decking out your tastebuds with a feast of delicious goodies is just as much a part of the festive season as all of those decorations, plus the presents we give and receive. Is it really Christmas if you haven't treated yo'self and your loved ones to all of the baked goods? This year, your Yuletide joy definitely won't be the same if you're a Bennett St Dairy fan and you miss out on its limited-edition Christmas cookie dough. After getting everyone baking during lockdowns, and earning a hefty following in the process, the Sydney-based favourite has dropped a batch that's all about red velvet and white chocolate. 'Tis the season to head to your nearest Woolworths, then get cooking. This new flavour works cocoa and vanilla into Bennett St Dairy's signature dough, and then adds big chunks of white chocolate. Wondering what to pair it with, once those cookies are baked? Forget sticking to milk — vanilla ice cream is the recommendation. The Bondi cookie company actually soft-launched the festive dough a few weeks back, and received a huge reaction. "Almost immediately our socials were flooded with questions (and even a couple of very funny threats) demanding we reveal which Woolies stores would be getting delivery of our 'red velvet and white choc' dough next," said Bennett St Dairy cofounder James Meek. Now, the red, white and green rolls of dough have hit 900-plus Woolies around the country, marking Bennett St Dairy's first holiday-themed product since Valentine's Day this year. If you enjoyed its raspberry bullets and white chocolate flavour back then — a collaboration with Darrell Lea — you'll be ready for this new special. There is only a small supply, however, with around ten tonnes of dough made — which equates to around 20,000 rolls. So, it really is a first in, best dressed situation. A pack retails for $13 for 500 grams. Find Bennett St Dairy's red velvet and white chocolate cookie dough at Woolworths stores around the country for a limited time.
Games of Thrones is the world’s most pirated TV show, The Avengers made more than $1.5 billion at the box office and even the President of the United States once collected Spider Man comics. In other words, it’s pretty cool to be a nerd these days. Just ask avid Dungeons and Dragons player Vin Diesel. The ultimate celebration of everything geeky, the Supanova Pop Culture Expo hits the Melbourne Showgrounds on April 11 - 13. From cosplay comps to comic book signings and photo opportunities with sci-fi and fantasy icons, it’s a three day mecca of uninhibited, unironic nerdiness that attracts thousands of eager pilgrims every year. Of course such an event can seem overwhelming, especially to the uninitiated. So, whether you’ll be attending in your fully functioning Iron Man costume, or experiencing the convention for the very first time, check out our recommendations before you go.
Balmy summer afternoons are prime time for sipping gin — especially now that Brogan's Way has added a slew of new dates to its Bottomless Gin Sessions. Across five Saturday sessions from January 21–April 22, the Richmond distillery is your go-to for an arvo of free-flowing sips and picnic fare. Choose between the 1pm or 4pm sitting and you'll settle in to enjoy a Blue Frozen Gin Margarita, followed by two hours of bottomless G&Ts. There's a swag of options to take your fancy too, from Brogan's Way's Everyday Salvation Gin, to its Strawberries & Cream number. While you're enjoying the drinks, you'll also be tucking into a picnic box (standard and vegetarian available) full of good stuff — think, lamb fillet crostini with wild mushroom pâté, lemon za'atar chook served with harissa yoghurt and flatbread, and dainty passionfruit curd tartlets for dessert. Sessions are $72 per person and bookings are essential — though if you book before January 31 with the code BLUESUMMER23 you'll score a $5 discount.
Sydney Airport's next public art installation is a colourful reminder of Australia's roots, in a place where cultures and people from all across the globe converge daily. The work United Neytions by Kamilaroi artist Archie Moore will set a pretty striking scene, hung from the 17-metre-high ceiling of T1 International Terminal's Marketplace. Featuring 28 distinctive flags to represent the diversity of our country's Aboriginal cultures, the piece was chosen by The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) and Sydney Airport for their latest art commission, edging out works from seven other leading Aussie artists. According to MCA Director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE, the work, by "one of our nation's most important contemporary artists", is a fitting one to be shared with the 15 million passengers that flow through this part of the airport annually. "Archie Moore has approached this exciting opportunity with great flair and his visually striking installation will no doubt intrigue, engage and capture the imagination of the millions of passengers passing through the airport's International terminal every year," she said. Moore himself explained that the flags would help draw attention "to the histories, voices and presence of local Indigenous people on which land the airport – an international zone/'no man's land' – lies, but also the passages of cultures, pasts, territories, ages and cultural knowledges that airports foster." United Neytions is set to be completed and unveiled at Sydney Airport in 2018.
Devised in residence at The Australian Tapestry Workshop, Yarn is an evocative, site-specific piece of theatre that combines physical performance with poetic language. The work was created by Lily Fish (Inside A Mime's Compact, Alone, Isobel and Installation A), a member of the award-winning Fringe favourites The Dig Collective, who tease apart the mythology of the past to ground old stories in the here and now. Read the rest of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Fringe Festival here.
Is there any better way to spend summer than with an ice-cold gin cocktail in hand? The folks at Auburn Hotel certainly don't think so — and they've transformed the beer garden into a botanical oasis to prove it. Grab a friend or loved one and pop down to the bustling pub in the heart of Hawthorn to treat yourself to a GinBrella package ($110). Packages are designed for two — but additional guests (up to four guests) can be accommodated for an additional $55 per person. As you kick back and relax on your very own daybed, you'll be served all the goods necessary for a luxe summer afternoon: two Hendrick's cocktails (or a jug to share) and a decadent seafood platter featuring mini crab tarts, oyster yuzu and gin shots, swordfish skewers and more. And for dessert, there's a gin sorbet or gin and blueberry ice cream to choose from. If you're not up for the package, you can still beat the heat with the range of gin cocktails and gin-infused snacks on offer — the Hendrick's Gin popsicle ($6) is a must in this department. The Botanical Garden is open every day until the end of February, giving you plenty of time to plan that gin-soaked session in the sun. Bookings are essential and can be made through the website.
A hundred years from now, an astronaut named Chris travels through space on the search for a new world for the human race to call home. She's alone, save for two companions: a passive aggressive operating system and a plant name Terry. Created and performed by Rachel Perks and directed by Bridget Balodis, Ground Control is a dark, dystopian, experimental comedy about violence, technology and all the different ways we're stuffing up the planet for Next Wave Festival. Perks and Balodis previously collaborated on Angry Sexx, which was a highlight of the Fringe Festival back in 2014. We're expecting big things from their follow-up.
The war on waste isn't just about banning plastic shopping bags, recycling plastic drink containers, phasing out plastic straws and finding alternatives to disposable coffee cups. That's a great start, but humanity's reliance upon single-use plastics includes cutlery, plates, stirrers, cotton buds and more. Europe has committed to stop using such items by 2021, building upon similar decisions in the UK and France, while Australia is working towards banning all non-recyclable packaging by 2025 — but one Aussie state is now taking matters into its own hands. As originally revealed earlier this year, the South Australian government has been exploring the possibility of implementing its own ban on single-use plastic items. After a consultation period — which followed the initial proposal by SA Environment Minister David Speirs, who released two discussion papers and called for for public feedback — the plan is progressing towards legislation. The government will now draft applicable laws for further community input, with the aim of introducing them to parliament in 2020. If they're enacted, it'll become the first Australian state to take the step. SA Premier Steven Marshall has outlined the proposed ban, which'll occur across multiple phases. At present, the government is trialling plastic-free precincts. When the legislation comes into effect, plastic straws, cutlery and stirrers will be phased out immediately, then takeaway polystyrene containers and cups will follow 12 months later. As for takeaway coffee cups, plastic bags and other takeaway food service, further investigation and consultation will be undertaken before eradicating them from circulation. https://www.facebook.com/StevenMarshallMP/photos/a.334019693384086/2240955376023832/?type=3&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCgQEDNSaeZW-ix7RSmoon8MNPIMnKTQMdJynEovfagvk0Qc8FeIer17xgDJjo8GTsDkxiNJUMPUPgHPbwasO3fOkX2xwSuybsGzBQZOLx5UOxsgTghfVz4pOfoZ68issh_w_1scmiE6bNXV0QAATbBw8cQplg2d5CzUuCV7b9Ebh_j2toAPshn-xQpP4n76zaucK56WXfhmv58JzY-6HT4HzBgw5Et3NJo2Mg48O0BwM11PwniCfX4tEXlrSEvjnC_vRFqnNsYLNtyHP8KAUwGmKeqdbm8GzM8KaRu05zf-g8NHef-7Bg2Tf78LsmaweIMPp_lceUvUMOY-Qme8bp5qQ&__tn__=-R SA was the first state in the country with a container refund scheme, introducing its 10-cent refund for eligible items back in 1977 — and causing an entire generation of interstate dwellers to grow up making jokes about driving a haul of cans and bottles to Adelaide to collect some cash. It was also the first state to phase out lightweight plastic bags, a move that came into effect in 2009. In comparison, New South Wales only brought in container refunds in 2017 and is yet to commit to banning single-use plastic bags. Victoria doesn't have a container refund scheme on the horizon, but will phase out plastic bags this November. And Queensland enacted both container refunds and a plastic bag ban in 2018. While action at a government level continues to take its time across the country — apart from in Hobart, where takeaway containers will be banned either late this year or early next year — companies and venues have been stepping in themselves. McDonalds will remove plastic straws from its packaging by 2020, IKEA is phasing out single-use plastics by the same year, Melbourne's Crown Casino is cutting down its plastic usage, the Queen Victoria Market is banning plastic bags and straws and Coca-Cola Amatil is also getting rid of plastic straws from 115,000 Aussie venues. In the skies, Portuguese charter airline Hi Fly is committed to becoming the world's first single-use plastic free airline by the end of 2019, while Qantas is eradicating 100 million single-use plastic items from its flights and lounges each year from 2020 onwards.
When Uncle Tetsu arrived in Sydney it was known as 'the place with the very long line'. It also resulted in crowd control barriers and staff with clipboards to manage manic customers after a bite of soft fluffy cheesecake. The good news is here: everyone's favourite uncle is moving to Melbourne. According to a Facebook post, the Japan-based chain — which now has over 70 stores worldwide, including a new one in Auckland — will open not one, but two stores in Melbourne "really soon". Uncle Tetsu's is world renowned for its distinct light cheesecakes. You won't find a biscuit base or fresh cream cheese top layer; baked in a water bath, the sides are moist like pudding, they're eggy and pancakey, with little sweetness. Not: the cakes are vegetarian friendly but not gluten-free.  The menu is yet to be confirmed, but here's hoping we get the honey madeleines too. The locations haven't been announced either, so we'll keep you updated on that one. Image: Ryan La.
In sweet, sweet news for southside pastry fiends, seasonal bake sale Flour Market is finally venturing across the Yarra, set to host its next pop-up pastry showcase at the Prahran Town Hall, on April 8. It's the first southside foray for the cult event's Melbourne arm, which assembles the most coveted of the city's emerging, underground, and artisan bakers for an all-out sugar fest every three months. This Southside Slice edition will offer a condensed version of the usual bake sale extravaganza, though with debuting vendors like Penny for Pound, Shortstop Donuts, and Cremorne Street Bakers joining old favourites like Butterbing, All Day Donuts, and 5 & Dime Bagels, it looks set to be as much of a crowd-puller as ever before. As always, entry to the Flour Market will cost just $2 at the door. That said, if you're keen to avoid the guaranteed queues, grab a $10 early bird ticket for skip-the-line privileges and an extra half-hour of pastry perusal before the event opens to the general public at 9am. Flour Market's Southside Slice kicks off at 9am on Saturday, April 8, at the Prahran Town Hall, 180 Greville Street, Prahran. $10 early bird tickets are on sale from midday on Wednesday, April 5.
While the holidays are beginning to become a distant memory, you can still make the most of summer with Movies Under the Stars at Yarra's Edge in the Docklands. For three nights from Thursday, February 7, Point Park is hosting a free outdoor cinema showing a selection of blockbusters including Oscar-winning The Great Gatsby, Marvel's Black Panther and family-friendly Peter Rabbit. Gates open at 6.30pm — and if you're one of the first 100 movie goers, you nab a free bean bag to enjoy both the pre-film entertainment and the movie from. There will be food options on-site, or you can stop in at The Boatbuilder's Yard at South Wharf for a bite to eat beforehand. Otherwise, pack a picnic or and settle in with your kids, friends, or work buddies for a night by the river. Find out what's on and book your tickets here. Plus, you can leave your transport worries behind with trams, ferries, and street parking all available to take you there and back.
The Good Food & Wine Show will turn 25 this year – and, in one of the event's biggest editions yet, more than 300 exhibitors will converge on the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for three days. Head along between Friday, May 30–Sunday, June 1 for tastings, masterclasses, demonstrations and more. At the heart of the show is the Good Food Village, where you'll find stacks of mini-producers from all over Australia, including Noosa Black Garlic, Monkey Nuts, Kiwi Artisan Truffles and more. Once you've sampled your way through, head to the Harvey Norman Kitchen to a catch a cooking demo from the likes of Miguel Maestre, Georgie Calombaris or Shannon Bennett. Also on the program is a Cheese Lover's Ticket, which buys you a masterclass with Valérie Henbest from Smelly Cheese Co., plus other goodies. Or, if chocolate's your thing, drop into a chocolate appreciation class with Kirsten Tibballs. In between sessions, check out the Wine Selectors' themed tasting rooms, the VIP Lounge where chef Andrew Ballard will be serving lunch, the Sonos Sound Bar for soundtracked workshops, and the Cheese Corner to try some of Australia's best cheeses. You'll find out everything else you need to know over here.
Chocolates are often a last-minute gift option. You've forgotten a big occasion, your choices are limited and you know that the recipient of your present has a sweet tooth. Gelato Messina's Mother's Day chocolates don't fall into that category, however — and not just because you need to order them in advance. There's boxes of chocolates and then there's this annual box of chocolates, which puts the gelato chain's winning way with desserts into action without ice cream. In 2024, Mother's Day is happening on Sunday, May 12, in case it temporarily slipped your mind. And if you pick up this showstopper, you'll be vying for favourite-child status. An important note: back when Messina first started doing Mother's Day choccies, they came filled with gelato. That hasn't always been the case, though, and isn't this year. 2024's chance to win brownie points is a box of eight chocolate bars, each made in-house by the dessert brand's chocolatiers — and each sporting a brand-new flavour. Is your mum a salted caramel fan? Raspberry caramel? Passionfruit yuzu caramel? There's three bars covered. Other varieties include cannoli and hazelnut, strawberry cheesecake, chocolate brownie and cafe latte. And if your mother has always wondered what tea and biscuits would taste like in chocolate form, they can now found out. It's not just the filling that's different on each bar. So is the outer shell, ranging from 65-percent dark chocolate, light milk chocolate, raspberry chocolate and coffee white chocolate to passionfruit chocolate, strawberry chocolate, earl grey tea chocolate and milk chocolate with brownie crumbs. So, your mum will have quite the variety to feast on. And hey, if she doesn't like one of the flavours, maybe she'll share it with you. Each box costs $55 a pop, and will be available to order from 12pm AEST on Monday, April 29 for delivery, or for pick up at the brand's Marrickville store in Sydney. Gelato Messina's 2024 Mother's Day chocolate bars are available to order from 12pm AEST on Monday, April 29 for delivery, or for pick up at the brand's Marrickville store in Sydney.
Melbourne loves a good citywide festival, as you would have noticed from the likes of White Night, RISING and Melbourne Fringe. And now, it's getting another one to add to the collection — a huge 17-day event that's set to make its debut this winter, serving up a bumper celebration of creativity, innovation and big ideas. While the City of Melbourne festival was first announced in November last year, its name has only just been revealed. The inaugural Now or Never will descend on the city from Thursday, August 17–Saturday, September 2, taking the place of two existing events: Melbourne Music Week and Melbourne Knowledge Week. The festival is set to deliver a hefty program of free and ticketed events spanning a diverse array of experiences, art, talks, installations, music, culinary delights and more. And organisers are teasing a big lineup of boundary-pushing creatives and innovators from both near and far, who'll help bring it all to life. [caption id="attachment_876804" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lycheeart, via Unsplash[/caption] With a calendar of happenings running both by day and into the night, you'll be able to immerse yourself in everything from virtual reality experiences, live tunes and digital exhibitions through to multi-sensory feasts, thought-provoking talks and captivating visual art. "The inaugural Now or Never festival will celebrate the evolution of Melbourne's creative scene and provide an opportunity for Australians to experience experimental work from overseas," Lord Mayor Sally Capp said. She also confirmed the program would "be jam-packed with unmissable events and experiences for all ages". Further details about the fest are set to drop in May, with the full program to follow in June. [caption id="attachment_569528" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Melbourne Knowledge Week[/caption] Now or Never will run from Thursday, August 17–Saturday, September 2 at venues across the city. We'll share more details as they come. Top image: Melbourne Music Week.
Whether you're celebrating a promotion, another lap around the sun or just the fact that you can finally dine out again, an occasion often calls for a high-flying feed. Melbourne is the culinary capital of the country, after all — so there's no shortage of fine diners, top-notch bistros and chic Parisian-inspired bars for you to hit. But just because you're treating yourself, it doesn't mean you have to blow all your savings. In fact, if you change the game plan a little, you can have your cake and eat it too. In partnership with Great Southern Bank, we've uncovered some dining hacks that let you eat at Melbourne's top spots without having to fork out a fortune. And, if you're someone who tempts financial fate after a few glasses of wine, then Great Southern Bank's hidden savings account feature, The Vault, will help curb that temptation, so you don't dip into the funds that may just buy you a house one day. Result.
Summer is usually the time when we let go of our culinary pretension. Dirty fish and chips on the beach? Why not. Eat nothing but overripe mangoes all day? Sounds good. But this year, you won't have to sacrifice any of that trademark Melburnian foodie love. The guys behind Huxtable and Huxtaburger have teamed up for a mouth-watering new venture on Smith Street, and they'll be serving up cheap lobster rolls all summer long. That's right — not flake, not prawns, but lobster. Running next to the group's ever-popular Collingwood burger joint, Mr Claws will be slingin' rolls stuffed with pieces of lobster meat and dripping with your choice of three sauces: miso and wasabi, Sriracha spiced mayonnaise or buttermilk ranch. A single roll will set you back just $12, or $15 if you feel like adding straw potato chips and pickles. While the organisers say it's an idea they got while in London, we've seen a bunch of places take an interest in these small kinds of luxuries. It's no longer unusual for lobster to pop up on your local pub menu occasionally and restaurants in Sydney are all over it. It's definitely a trend we can get behind. Just like Huxtaburger there will be limited seating available in store, but if you do find the space they'll be serving a bunch of tasty drinks to wash down all that decadent goodness. We're talking craft beers, Pimms and Gordon's Elderflower Spritz. Proper lush stuff. Mr Claws was first tested out at Taste of Melbourne earlier this month and punters predictably loved it. In a press release this week they've stated the Smith Street store will be open "indefinitely", but "updates on the duration of the pop up can be found on the Mr Claws Facebook page". They're also scouting out permanent sites for 2015. But all that's besides the point — the sun is out and the smell of cheap lobster and Sriracha is in the air. Get down to Smith Street ASAP. Mr Claws is located at 104 Smith Street. It's currently open Monday-Friday 12pm-3pm and 5pm-9pm.
So, you've managed to talk yourself out of your plan to move to the Bahamas and become a famous Instagram influencer. Bummer. Sure, taking staged pics of your legs with palm trees in the background might've been a nice life for a while, but it would've become boring in due course — and think of the sunburn. To help fill that void, satisfy your wanderlust and populate your feed, we've partnered with Mitsubishi to find the best new experiences to keep you entertained. The beauty of it, you won't even need to stray too far from your city. In celebration of the new Eclipse Cross, we've curated a list of activities for each day of the week and best of all, they're easily accessible. Leave the Bahamas for next year, hey? MONDAY, OCTOBER 22: THE WORLD OF WESTWOOD Unleash your inner fashionista and learn about style icon Vivienne Westwood. Cinema Nova has long been the place for cheap movies and Monday is discount day. There are killer choc tops — tiramisu, we see you — and surprisingly good coffee on offer, plus the cinema gets a nice mix of big Hollywood bangers and smaller arthouse films. In October, the new Vivienne Westwood doco will be on show, Vivienne Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist, summing up the life and times of a fashion icon from the Brit punk times of the 70s. Still relevant as ever, go learn about the boss lady at Nova for a chill $10 on a Monday evening. Book your tickets first, so you don't miss out. And, no, unfortunately, you can't reserve a tiramisu choc top. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23: ALL THE CHEESE Hit up the Holey Cheese Festival and sample fromage from all over. If what's missing in your week thus far is a huge dose of cheese, look no further. The Holey Cheese Festival comes to town from Tuesday, October 23 to deliver you a spectacle of the stinky, creamy delights we so love. The Queen Vic Market will host this week-long cheese bonanza featuring fromage from all over, wine and live music. Tastings will take place en masse, and bigger bites will be available from food trucks, Melbourne chefs and market traders. If you're keen to delve a little deeper, there are cooking demos, too. Discovering is the name of the game here, that, and cheese. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24: GAMES NIGHT Hang with your old mate Donkey Kong at this retro arcade bar. Bartronica is Melbourne's answer to an old-school games arcade, albeit with a grown-up twist. The underground video parlour and bar — along a lane, past an unmarked door, down some stairs and in a basement because Melbourne — has everything from retro pinball machines to Donkey Kong, and even Nintendo 64s to really placate those craving a throwback. Keep in mind tournaments are played on the reg, so get working on your finger and wrist dexterity and gain gaming glory. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25: AUTHENTIC CREPES Do as the French do and enjoy a crepe in the park. Oh, crepes — those buckwheat slices of pure joy that we would wrap ourselves up in forever if we could. While that may not be possible, you can still get your hands on these bébés at Breizoz French Creperie. The Fitzroy eatery has the goods, in both savoury and sweet form, right on Brunswick Street. Grab one of each, then stroll over to Carlton Gardens and pretend you're in a Parisian park. The imagination works best when it's stimulated by hot, thin, cheesy pancakes — it's a proven fact. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26: INTERSTELLAR SHOWING Check out a flick about astronomy to learn about the galaxy and beyond. Planetarium Nights have hit Scienceworks and it's the perfect alternative to a boozy Friday night out. Let's face it, super loud music and $20 drinks can get a little tired. This is a much more wholesome way to kick-start your weekend. The adults-only nights at Spotswood's science museum will broadcast two screenings each night: one to do with astronomy and what's going on up in the sky, the other an art film about voyages into unseen worlds. You can get drinks from the bar, so you can mull over the big questions of the universe while sipping on a nice pinot. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27: FLOWERS AND CHOCOLATE While away the day in the Rhododendron Gardens then treat yourself to some choccie. Brace the day, get out of bed early and drive up to the Dandenong Ranges — that way, you'll beat the rest of the tourists (the road up is only one lane so it can be a slow crawl). Head to the National Rhododendron Gardens, where it'll be especially beautiful now that it's spring, for a walk around the 103-acre gardens. Keep your eyes peeled for colourful rosellas and lyrebirds, too. Then, once you've done the hard yards, treat yourself to a feast at new Olinda cafe and chocolate factory Only Mine. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28: TATTOOS FOR CHARITY Wind up the week with a spontaneous Sunday tattoo — hey, it's for charity. Always wanted a tat? Be spontaneous and get one this Sunday. Okay, so it might be wise to put a little more thought into it than that, but if you've had one on your mind hit up the Not Just A Girl Flash Day on Sunday, October 28. This charity tattoo day will be held by Australia's leading female-identifying tattoo artists, who will each have a sheet of original designs ready for walk-ins. The event will be cash only and all proceeds will go towards three charities supporting women in need: Women's and Girl's Emergency Centre, Stars Foundation and Full Stop Foundation. Where to next? Make the most of every week with Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and navigate to your next destination here. Top image: Letícia Almeida.
Just when you thought one night stands couldn’t get any more awkward, Oz outfit Unhappen arrive at the Fringe to present the Melbourne premiere of Rob Hayes’ Awkward Conversations With Animals I’ve Fucked. Unlike some of the more esoterically-titled offerings in the festival, here what you see is what you get. In a series of connected monologues, Bobby speaks to a succession of cuddly critters — from the domestic to the exotic — that have all been the object of his affection. Awkward Conversations is billed as a dark comedy, but the groundswell of critical favour that surrounded its first outing in Hayes’ native England speaks to the work’s deeper layers of meaning and sophistication. While the subject matter is fertile ground for crude humour, it’s also a situation that allows the writer to explore complex issues involving consent, zoophilia, and the role that sexual identity can play in isolating individuals from society.
This weekend as part of their ongoing showcase of the sick, the sinister and the surreal, Cinema Nova invites audiences to a twisted game of big-screen one-upmanship, one that poses the simple, arresting question: how far would you go for the right amount of cash? A smart, disturbing, thriller-cum-morality play with excellent performances and liberal lashings of dark humour, EL Katz’s Cheap Thrills is a rare genre film that delivers on all the shock and horror of its premise, while also providing far more brains than its title might initially suggest. Pat Healy plays Craig, a mild-mannered husband and father in dire straits after being “downsized” out of a job. Drowning his sorrows in a bar, Craig happens across Vince (Ethan Embry), a long-lost buddy from high school. They get to talking, but are soon interrupted by Colin (Anchorman’s David Koechner), a coked-up, middle-aged party-animal with a bored young wife (Sara Paxton) and more money than he knows what to do with. Before long, Colin starts offering his new friends cash in exchange for dares. At first its little things: $100 to provoke a woman at the bar into slapping them, for example. But as the night goes on and the amount of money increases, so too do Colin’s challenges grow more and more extreme. Katz relies heavily on his actors, none of whom let him down. Koechner, in particular, seems to relish the chance to work with darker material than his normal comedic roles, shifting from overbearingly friendly one moment to cold and calculating the next. As his wife, Sara Paxton likewise subverts our expectations, her stunning looks and air of amused indifference soon giving way to something far, far more intense. Embry and Healy, meanwhile, capture the confusion and turmoil of two very different men, both driven by desperation to lengths they never thought possible. Indeed, Katz’s script contains a delightful sense of escalation, as he slowly pushes his two unsuspecting protagonists into increasingly twisted territory. At the same time, even the film’s most outlandish and repellent moment possess an uncomfortable plausibility. As Craig and Vince demean themselves for the amusement of their wealthy benefactors, one can’t help but sense the spectre of the global financial recession. Ultimately, for all its moments of depravity and violence, the most shocking thing about Cheap Thrills may be the realisation as to where we would draw the line for ourselves. Cheap Thrills screens as part of Cinema Nova’s late night Cultastrophe stream and will be introduced by Katz and Healy via video. Other highlights on the current program include New York underground curio The Telephone Book and an Easter inspired, family friendly screening of the 60s stop motion classic Mad Monster Party.
The much-loved mash-up of art, music and food that is the NGV's Friday night parties is back for a huge summer season from Friday, December 16–Friday, April 14. And it's got a truly tempting lineup of artists in tow. While Aussie-first exhibition Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse graces the gallery's spaces with an exploration of one of fashion's greats (from December 11–April 16), Friday nights will respond with a fittingly glittery, creatively-charged program of after-hours fun and live tunes. On the stacked bill, expect renowned Aussie neo-soul star Nai Palm, as well as Electric Fields, Banoffee, Emma Volard, Kee'ahn, C.FRIM, The Belair Lip Bombs, Billy Davis, Zepherin Saint and stacks more. As always, Friday Nights guests will score late-night access to the NGV's current exhibitions — this time around, that'll involve swooning over more than 110 garments and accessories designed by McQueen himself, plus numerous more artworks that drove his inspiration. [caption id="attachment_879196" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tobias Titz[/caption] Friday Nights will also feature screenings of some of the fashion legend's most dazzling runway shows, during which you'll spy many of the gorgeous designs currently being exhibited. Meanwhile, the Moët Champagne Terrace Bar will be pouring Moët Impérial and Moët Rosé Impérial; the Great Hall's Yering Station Wine Bar will be offering wine tastings and a tidy range of Yarra Valley vino; and gin-lovers can get their fix with classic G&T's and signature sips courtesy of the the Four Pillars Gin Bar. And in the NGV Garden, don't miss the DJ sets being played live within the 2022 NGV Architecture Commission, Temple of Boom. [caption id="attachment_882159" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse' at the NGV, by Sean Fennessy.[/caption] Top Images: Tobias Titz
Writers and film buffs have their festivals, and art lovers are treated to spectaculars all year 'round, but it's not so often we get to stop and take stock of the music world. With very few panel-style events, our interaction with music mostly consists of late-night jaunts to the local bandroom under the influence of a few cheeky bevies. Enter BIGSOUND 2014: the Australian music world's equivalent of SxSW. This morning these Brisbane legends released their lineup for the 2014 festival and, at 80 bands deep, it's pretty impressive. Reading like a who's who of local up-and-comers, the bands involved include Sydney festival darling Alison Wonderland, Adelaide rockers Bad//Dreems, Melbourne '90s revivalists Client Liaison and 19-year-old Brisbanite Thelma Plum. Running for just two days from September 10-12, this annual music conference will be jam-packed with not only live performances but panels, interviews and talks from the world's best. This year's international speakers include James Minor from SxSW, Tom Windish from The Windish Agency, Ben Marshall from the Sydney Opera House, and Jerome Borazio and Danny Rogers from St Jeome's Laneway Festival — maybe the only Aussie festival that saw any success this year. Taking place as always in Fortitude Valley, this local love-in will run over 12 locations including new sites such as The Underdog, The New Globe, The Elephant, Crowbar, and a new outdoor venue by Brightside and Magic City. You'll have your work cut out for you to see everything, but luckily you can start planning now. Tickets have gone on sale today via Oztix with a 2-day pass only setting you back $69+bf. For a lineup of 80 stellar bands, you've gotta admit that's a pretty decent deal. Check out the full lineup: Airling Alison Wonderland APES Ash Grunwald Avaberée BAD//DREEMS Banoffee Baptism of Uzi Blank Realm BONJAH Brad Butcher Caligula's Horse Client Liaison Coach Bombay Crooked Colours D.D Dumbo Deep Sea Arcade Devon Sproule DMAs Ernest Ellis Eves Fieldings Flyying Colours Fractures Fraser A. Gorman Gold Fields Halfway Hayden Calnin HITS Holy Holy I'lls Indian Summer Jack Ladder & The Dreamlanders Jane Tyrell Jess Ribeiro and the Bone Collectors Jesse Davidson Jimblah Karl S. Williams KINGSWOOD Klo KLP LANKS Left. L-FRESH The LION Lia Mice Little May Lime Cordiale LOWER SPECTRUM Luca Brasi LUCIANBLOMKAMP Lurch & Chief Major Leagues Mansionair Milwaukee Banks Morning Harvey Oisima Okenyo Olympic Ayres Orphans Orphans PACES Panama Pikelet REMI Ruby Boots Sampology ft. Tom Thum & Jordan Rakei Scenic Steve Smyth Step-Panther Stillwater Giants Sweet Jean Sydonia Teeth & Tongue The Bennies The Creases The Harpoons The Murlocs The Phoncurves The Tiger & Me Thelma Plum Thrupence Tin Sparrow Tkay Maidza Tully On Tully wordlife Yeo
A destination for nearby residents and locals of the inner-west, The Premises is just as much of a fixture in Kensington as the leafy trees that line the streets. The eco-decor is carried on inside too, with a palette of timber and earthy green and flower arrangements atop tables. Of course, you can sit outside too (if you don't mind the rattling of trains across the street), but it's inside where you'll be doused in the smell of coffee and everyone else's meals. While the cafe space is quite large, its dual room design creates intimacy no matter where you sit. With two entrances, the two rooms of The Premises have now been extended to three, with Premises Jnr now occupying 200 Bellair Street — a space solely devoted to takeaway coffee and a colourful collection of cupcakes, breakfast cookies, bagels, ready-made sandwiches and even pantry supplies. It's a good thing too, because the bustling nature of the place — particularly on weekends — meant that the takeaway line could fill most of the floorspace in busy periods. It is some of the best coffee in the west, after all. This coveted coffee is a signature blend, created especially for The Premises by Seven Seeds ($3.50-4.80), which sits alongside their single origin espresso ($4) and pour over coffee ($5). With tea by Tea Corporation and an extraordinary hot chocolate by Mork there is a lot to choose from, but it's overleaf that the decisions become hard. With no distinction between breakfast and lunch, there are no limitations on what you can order and when — meaning you're free to indulge in the Bircher muesli with rhubarb, honey, lemon yoghurt and flaked almonds ($9.50) or the apple crumble French toast ($16) at any time of the day. For eggs, try 'The Premises Eggs' (two poached eggs with green olive tapenade, Persian feta & a zucchini salad on toast; $17) and the standout for home cooked heartiness is the Moroccan spiced beans with goats chevre, green harissa & ciabatta with chorizo ($17.50). The slow roasted pulled pork ($19) and hot salt beef roll ($15.50) are also favourites amongst patrons. Whether you're a Kensington local or reside on the other side of the city, The Premises is well worth the trip out west. With it being just an easy two stops from CBD or a tree-lined bike ride away, the only problem you'll have is trying to decide on what to order off the menu.
Melburnians won't be heading back to Docklands' Central Pier for a wine, dine or a dance by the water any time soon, with the century-old pier remaining closed indefinitely. After evacuating the site back in August 2019, then undertaking engineering evaluations to determine the extent of the structure's safety risks, Development Victoria has now revealed that it won't be reopening the spot as it currently stands. Central Pier — and all the businesses located on it — were initially deemed off limits after engineers advised the structure had suffered significant deterioration and was unsafe for use. Popular residents including gastropub The Woolshed, artisan breadhouse Mill & Bakery and Middle Eastern eatery Mama Rumaan were evacuated on the spot, while nightclub Alumbra and the pier's numerous events spaces were also declared no-go zones. At the time, Geoff Ward, spokesperson for Development Victoria — the pier's landlord — revealed the site had undergone structural stabilisation in the past two years and had consistently been given the safety tick of approval."Engineers have been inspecting the pier every two months since November 2018 and had previously provided certification that supported the ongoing occupation of the pier," he confirmed. But August's assessment saw immediate closure of the pier, as well as the implementation of fencing and signage across the front of Central Pier, preventing any access — and the beginning of a 15-week assessment process. [caption id="attachment_644027" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The Woolshed[/caption] The results of that investigation are now known, with Development Victoria deciding that "due to the complexity and age of the structure of the pier, repairs required to bring the pier back into service would be extensive". The move comes after engineers found that "despite previous repairs, the rate of deterioration to the piles that support the pier is accelerating due to rot, marine borer and termite attacks". Explaining the decision, Angela Skandarajah, Development Victoria's CEO, advised "even if we were to invest significant funds and time in repairs, our engineers advise the issues will continue to resurface without ongoing specialist maintenance work. This investment would still not guarantee that the pier can be made safe for public access in the medium to long term due to its ongoing deterioration." Just what the future holds for Central Pier is now unclear — it won't be reopening in its current form, but Development Victoria says that it "will work closely with Heritage Victoria, the community and a range of other stakeholders to identify opportunities to rebuild the pier so it can be safely used by the community." In a Facebook post, Atlantic Group (which leases and operates several venues and event spaces on the pier, including nightclub Alumbra) expressed disbelief at the decision, as well as its timing during the current bushfire crisis — and advised that it'll be postponing any press conferences about the news until after the natural disaster subsides. Top image: Giulia Morlando.
Good news Melbourne: there are now twice as many places for you to gorge on hand-churned soft serve laden with ridiculous toppings. After putting down roots in Swanston Street, South Korean ice creamery Milkcow has opened a second location in the city's newest retail and dining precinct, St Collins Lane. And yes, we admit, it's not exactly ice cream weather right now. But you might want to make an exception for these guys. Located on the second level of the high-end shopping centre alongside other gastronomic offerings including The Burger Project and Sake Jr, Milkcow will serve signature soft serve made instore each day from locally-sourced organic milk. Topping combinations include doubled glazed caramel popcorn with caramel syrup, French macaroon with toasted coconut chips, jelly beans with fairy floss and fleur de sel, and oreo crumbs with chocolate rocks and apple. They also offer a number of similarly decadent milkshakes flavours, including Cherry Ripe, Oreo and burnt toffee caramel. Yes, it's all as good as it sounds. Ice cream is always better in pairs! Credits to @lipstemptations for sharing! A post shared by Milkcow Australia (@milkcowau) on Mar 30, 2017 at 5:02pm PDT Find the new Milkcow store at St Collins Lane, 260 Collins Street Melbourne. For more information check them out on Facebook and Instagram, or visit their website.
'Tis the season for many things, though at one particular pop-up Christmas market, the festivities are entirely, deliciously gin-related. The Craft & Co's inaugural Gin Market is a one-stop pressie shop with a very distinct flavour. Taking place at The Craft & Co in Collingwood across the first weekend of December, expect a careful curation of delights from nine Aussie gin distilleries. As it's a sit-down event, they'll be going from table to table, speed dating style, so you can hear all about the passion for their product, while maintaining a safely distanced environment. Exclusive specials are promised on the night, so if you're a real ginthusast you'll want to stock up on presents. And, you know, a few treats for yourself. Just don't forget to eat something during all that sampling — the bar will be open for snacks downstairs, but bookings are recommended.
Sydney ambient electro darlings Seekae have just dropped news of their third album and a national tour in August. Luckily they haven't done so silently. They've also gifted us with a new single, 'Test & Recognise'. Picking up the tempo and embracing the power of the synth, it could signal a new direction for the group — from classic chillout sessions to the dancefloor. With past releases, The Sounds of Trees Falling on People and +DOME, Seekae have made a name for themselves in the past few years, playing local festivals like Harvest and Golden Plains. Known for hypnotic electro-pop such as 'Void', 'Crooks' and 'Blood Bank', their name is synonymous with late night drives through the city or relaxed midnight hangs with friends. In the bigger picture, their debut was named one of the albums of the decade by FBi Radio, and their follow-up earned them four nominations at the Australian Independent Music Awards. Since then they've been touring internationally and even took to the stage at this year's SxSW. Seekae's third album, The Worry, is openly described as their most ambitious work to date. Bringing vocals to the fore and losing some of that distinctive ambient haze, it definitely marks a departure from their past sound that may not win over all fans. However, the shift will make for an entertaining live gig. Caught somewhere between blissful oblivion and classic electro these new tracks are sure to get people awkwardly shuffling around the dance floor nationwide. Seekae National Tour Dates: Saturday, August 9 - Darwin Festival, Darwin* Tuesday, August 12 - The Zoo, Brisbane Friday, August 15 - The Gov, Adelaide Saturday, August 16 - The Villa, Perth Friday, August 22 - 170 Russell St, Melbourne Saturday, August 23 - Metro Theatre, Sydney Tickets are on sale this Friday, June 30. *Tickets for Darwin Festival go on sale June 26.
Enough of the Dan Brown franchise. It was fun while the going was good, but, please…no more. The original film, The Da Vinci Code, ended up being surprisingly watchable, with director Ron Howard combining rollicking pace and genuine intrigue to keep audiences' hearts pumping from go to woe. Even the sequel, Angels and Demons, proved solid enough, albeit a film distinguishable from its predecessor more by scale than originality. By Inferno, however, it's more than clear that the well has truly run dry. Again we find our hero Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) in Italy, accompanied by a much younger female companion (Felicity Jones). Together they solve riddles and anagrams as they scramble from monument to monument, whilst dodging assassins from a mysterious organisation and passing implausibly through both heavy security and lines of queueing tourists. It's Dante this time, not Da Vinci, but the rest feels far, far too familiar. Even the film's ticking time bomb is again an actual time bomb, with only its contents (a world-destroying virus instead of anti-matter) being the point of differentiation. Hanks, fresh off his fantastic work in Sully, oscillates between looking bored, tired and confused – and not just because the script calls for it. The rest of the cast, meanwhile, seems far too blasé for a group possessed of the knowledge that the end of the world may be just a few short hours away. So are there any redeeming features? No, not really, although the film does raise one interesting idea: international audio guides for tourists narrated by Academy Award winner Tom Hanks. The only moments of note in the movie are those where, once again, Hanks's character offers clumsily inserted pieces of historical trivia into the narrative. They're crow-barred in, but remain undeniably interesting, and when coupled with Hanks' avuncular tone you can't help but indulge in the ad hoc history lessons. If Ron Howard needs a new project, we'd suggest just strapping a go-pro to his favourite leading man and letting him roam wild in the galleries and gardens of the world's grandest estates, pointing out tidbits and factoids as they arise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH2BD49sEZI
It marked the filmmaking debut of Orson Welles, took inspiration from the life of US media tycoon William Randolph Hearst and received nine Academy Award nominations — and, since first hitting screens back in 1941, has long been regarded the greatest movie ever made. That feature, of course, is Citizen Kane. And while David Fincher isn't daring to remake it, his new film will take audiences behind the scenes of the famed production. Called Mank, Fincher's 11th directorial effort is named after screenwriter Herman J Mankiewicz — a drama critic for The New York Times and The New Yorker who is co-credited with writing Citizen Kane with Welles. As shot in inky, evocative black and white, Mank spends time with its titular figure as he's trying to finish penning the iconic script, and follows not only his clashes with Welles over the material, but the general ups and downs of 1930s Hollywood. Gary Oldman plays Mankiewicz, while the rest of the star-studded cast includes Amanda Seyfried as actor and Hearst mistress Marion Davies, Lily Collins as Mank's secretary Rita Alexander, Game of Thrones' alum Charles Dance as Hearst himself and The Souvenir's Tom Burke as Welles. Also adding to the movie's high-profile names, Fincher has recruited The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Gone Girl's Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor (yes, Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor) to compose the score. As the just-dropped first full trailer for Mank shows, Fincher has set himself quite the task; "you cannot capture a man's entire life in two hours — all you can hope is to leave the impression of one," the clip itself tells viewers. But this is clearly a passion project for the acclaimed Fight Club and Zodiac filmmaker, as it's based on a script by his late father, Jack Fincher. In fact, the younger Fincher was originally slated to make the film back in the 90s, but it didn't come to fruition until now. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSfX-nrg-lI&feature=youtu.be Mank will release in select cinemas from November 19, before hitting Netflix on December 4.
They say that if you follow a galah, it'll lead you to the nearest watering hole. And while bar-filled Windsor might not be the best place to test the theory, you won't be going thirsty if you head for its newest drinking spot, named after those pink native birds. Launching last month on High Street, Galah is out to celebrate top Aussie produce, native ingredients and locally crafted drinks, though with minimal gimmickry served on the side. Greeting you at the street-level entrance is a boutique bottle shop, curated to focus on homegrown spirits, local craft beers, and both natural and new-world wines from across Australia. Take something home, or grab a bottle to enjoy at the bar above. Up there, a loft-like space is decked out with velvet booths, moody timber panelling and splashes of foliage, courtesy of co-owner Billy Staughton's other venture, Abbotsford's Native Home House of Plants. The cocktail list is a highlight, with signature creations heroing native ingredients. Try the Bush Pepper Man — a blend of 666 Tasmanian vodka, Ambra Limoncello, ginger beer and a house-made syrup of hand-foraged bush pepper. Backing up the booze, there's a tidy rotation of seasonal drinking-friendly fare, starring lots of Aussie cheeses and cured meats. Plus, Galah will also host a jam-packed live music lineup that'll cover a range of genres throughout the year. Find Galah at 216a High Street, Windsor.
Two decades ago, a new Christmas tradition was born: watching a whole heap of stars revel in romance, comedy and the festive spirit in what's now the quintessential British seasonal rom-com. It was back in 2003 that Love Actually debuted on the big screen, bringing with it familiar faces, songs and eight intertwined tales. Everyone knows how that went, especially given that no one has stopped talking about it since. When the end of the year hits, if you get 'Christmas is All Around' sung by Bill Nighy (Living) stuck in your head, then you're definitely aware of Love Actually's popularity. If you've ever held up a piece of cardboard to tell the object of your affection that to you they're perfect, you do as well. Missed it on the big screen 20 years back, whether you gave it a pass or weren't old enough to be interested in English romantic comedies? It's now returning to cinemas in December to celebrate its anniversary. Getting festive watching Nighy, Hugh Grant (Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre), Liam Neeson (Retribution), Colin Firth (Empire of Light), Laura Linney (Ozark), Alan Rickman (Eye in the Sky), Emma Thompson (Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical), Keira Knightley (Boston Strangler), Martin Freeman (Secret Invasion), Chiwetel Ejiofor (The Man Who Fell to Earth) and Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead) in the same movie on the silver screen hasn't been absent from anyone's calendars of late. Outdoor cinemas give Love Actually a spin at this time of year, and an in-concert version does the rounds. But instead of getting one-off sessions here and there, the film is heading back to picture palaces in general release from Thursday, December 7. Accordingly, your December routine — one that's shared by many — can now include hitting up your local like it's 2003 again to revisit the Richard Curtis-written and -directed flick. Love Actually marked Curtis' first effort as a helmer after penning the screenplays for the Grant-starring Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones' Diary, and also writing for Blackadder and French and Saunders. On offer: interweaved Yuletide stories of romance, with Christmas and love all around everyone from rock 'n' roll singers, the Prime Minister of the UK and long-married couples to film stand-ins and school kids with crushes. Love Actually's anniversary season will screen the movie in a new 4K presentation, and feature ten minutes with the feature's cast and crew as they look back on their involvement in the film. Check out the trailer for Love Actually below: Love Actually will return to cinemas from Thursday, December 7, 2023.
Those who tuned into MasterChef last night, Tuesday, May 19, would've watched with bated breath as contestants attempted to construct a wildly difficult dessert. Those who didn't should maybe stop here — and go watch it — as there will be, yes, spoilers. You have been warned. The aforementioned dessert is called The Black Box and is a fixture on the menu at Peter Gunn's Collingwood restaurant Ides. While the restaurant is currently closed to dine-in customers — like the rest of Melbourne's hospitality businesses — it is offering takeaway and delivery. And on that to-go menu? The Black Box. https://twitter.com/masterchefau/status/1262678713004679169 It might look unassuming, but this small dessert is actually made from 11 different elements, which include a black box of tempered white chocolate, yoghurt pearls, gingerbread biscuits, chocolate soil, grilled mandarin custard, isomalt wafer, chocolate-dipped mandarin, honeycomb and sherbet. Unless you want to spend 45 minutes attempting to temper said chocolate — and have a dry ice guy handy — we don't suggest you try and make this one at home. Well, not from scratch, anyway. When you order the $25 dessert from Ides, you are warned that 'assembly is required' — hopefully not so much to induce a Sarah Tiong-like panic, but just enough to make you feel like the MasterChef champion you could be. If you'd like to get fancy, the restaurant also offers a paired cocktail with the dessert for $17, which is called Vines in the Orchard and is made with umeshu, calvados and topaque. Elsewhere on the to-go menu: oysters, mandarin cake, baby cos salad and a four-course set menu for $65, which changes weekly but currently includes The Black Box. All of the dishes need some level of preparation, including cooking, reheating and plating. With the recent announcement that Melbourne's restaurants, cafes and pubs are allowed to reopen their doors for up to 20 customers from June 1, Ides is planning to reopen from Thursday, June 4. You can make a reservation over here. To order takeaway from Ides, head over to the website. The restaurant is offering same-day delivery within 10 kilometres of Collingwood for orders placed before 12pm.
Gather 'round, chilli fiends. If the high that you chase is the capsaicin-induced burning sensation best achieved by ingesting spice, then prepare to enter your spiritual headquarters. Mat's Hot Shop is opening its doors in the heart of Collingwood on Wellington Street — the first bricks and mortar iteration of the online chilli playground which will boast a dedicated hot sauce 'tasting room'. As of this Saturday, November 6, Mat's will be welcoming you into the playfully laboratory-style concept store to try and buy an enormous lineup of sauces, ranging between 100 and 150 options from around the world at any given day. For those who prefer a more hands-on retail experiences, patrons can taste the full gamut of sauces available at Mat's courtesy of Australia's first-ever hot sauce tasting room. "It's not only about heat about blowing people's heads off... although if that's your thing, we stock that too," Mat assures us. "Every sauce we carry is thoughtfully made from ingredients you could find at your local farmers market - no additives, no thickeners, no preservatives. We enjoy all levels of heat, from mild to scorching, but only as hot as nature allows." So if you're struck by a case of the heat sweats or uncontrollable dribbling, that's just nature taking its course. Mat's Hot Shop is located at 204A Wellington St, Collingwood, Victoria and is open Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm to 6pm. Images: Charlie Hawks
The sun is staying out longer, and it's time to start utilising all our glorious parkland again. Whip out the picnic rugs and get the wine cooler at the ready — Moonlight Cinema is back for another year. From December until March, this local favourite is the place to be for the most explosive action-packed blockbusters, the latest comedy releases and even the odd sing-a-long. The December–January portion of the program which has just gone on sale is basically a hit list of the summer's biggest flicks. Guardians of the Galaxy and Interstellar will make for perfect viewing under the vast night sky. Ladies will be taking a leading role for a fair portion of the action with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt 1, Lucy, and the controversial Gone Girl. Then the latest comedy will be lightening the mood with Dumb and Dumber To, Horrible Bosses 2, and The Interview which sees Seth Rogen and James Franco basically going to war with North Korea. There are a few lesser known titles to watch out for too. The yet-to-be-released Birdman will see Michael Keaton poking fun at his days as the caped crusader alongside a stellar supporting cast, the heartbreaking Still Alice has Julienne Moore tipped for a Best Actress nomination, and The Gambler sees Mark Wahlberg front an adaptation of a '70s classic. Like every year, the gates open at 7pm and screenings kick off at 8.30pm when the sun goes down. Make sure to bring your own picnic blanket — and a full picnic while you're at it. While the cinema is totally BYO, there will also be an LA-style food truck on site boasting burgers with pulled pork brisket or Southern fried chicken. You can even go all out and get a New York-style chilli cheesedog. Check out the full program at the Moonlight Cinema website. Tickets are $15-35 depending on whether you opt for the 'Gold Grass' option (where you are given the best spots and beanbags in the house).
Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre has announced a 2014 season that celebrates artistic diversity and risk in all its forms. Artistic director Marion Potts and her team have committed to a program that combines original Australian work with international direction, injects the energy of some of the city’s unique independent collectives, and features Australia's up-and-coming and established onstage talent. "In 2014 we at Malthouse Theatre will continue our quest to provoke and challenge in our own irreverent way," says Potts, "It's going to be a fantastic season, the breadth of which is only supported by the depth and currency of the issues that will be raised." Simon Stone's attitude to pillaging older texts for his own adaptations has been a hot topic of conversation in Australian theatre circles recently. Malthouse add fuel to the fire, programming a "Stoned" version of classic Hollywood film The Philadelphia Story that draws heavily on the modern cult of celebrity. But while there’s some theatre that explodes older work into something new, Malthouse is also continuing its rich tradition of supporting Australian voices, with new plays by Roslyn Oades (Hello, Goodbye & Happy Birthday) and Peta Brady, whose poetic work Ugly Mugs captures the world of Melbourne's sex workers. Another highlight is the visiting Meng Jinghui (director, National Theatre of China), who'll take on Brecht’s The Good Person of Szechuan as part of the theatre’s Directors Exchange Program. After sold-out, uproarious shows in the Melbourne Theatre Company’s NEON Festival of Independent Theatre, THE RABBLE comes on board as the Company in Residence, and Sisters Grimm present an end-of-year spectacular, Calpurnia Descending, starring the sensational Paul Capsis and Ash Flanders. Also announced is a significant new partnership with Coopers that will see Malthouse Theatre's venue renamed the 'Coopers Malthouse', a moniker that harkens back to the building's history as a brewery. More importantly, the corporate sponsorship represents a valued source of funding for more ambitious artistic projects. Full details of the program and subscription packages can be found on the Malthouse website.
