A Sydney institution, White Rabbit Gallery has been running free exhibitions showcasing contemporary Chinese art for over a decade. But visitors to the Chippendale space between now and Sunday, August 1 can expect a particularly luminous experience, with its latest eye-catching multimedia exhibition centred around the wonders of light. Showcasing works from 30 artists, Lumen's lineup stretches from interactive light pieces and frozen copper sculptures to video projections and rooms full of LEDs. As well as grabbing attention, each work on display uses light in a thought-provoking, awe-inspiring or fully immersive fashion. The boundary-pushing Zhang Peili, dubbed the father of video art in China, is displaying 2012 Portraits, a series of 14 portraits in which the both the subject and the viewer are blinded by light. Or, there's Yao Chung-Han's DzDz, which invites the audience to stand under movement-sensitive beams of light and create music by using their bodies. And, thanks to Wu Daxin's Ashley's Heart, you'll see copper tubes suspended in the shape of a heart and gradually frozen over the course of the day, creating a unique ice sculpture. Art collective Luxury Logico is presenting two works as part of the exhibition. The first is Solar, a twinkling representation of the sun created using donated desk lamps — while the second, Miniature, is one of the exhibition's showstoppers. The display of LED lights draws upon images from a video reel, with each LED corresponding to a pixel. Both vivid and architectural in its appearance, the work is designed to remind viewers of celestial bodies in the sky, all while cycling through everything from reality TV and ads to soap operas and Adam Sandler movies. Lumen is running over all four levels of the White Rabbit Gallery. As usual with the site's exhibitions, entry is free and there are no bookings, so folks can just rock up and enjoy the art. And, free guided tours are available at 11am, 1pm and 3pm Wednesday–Sunday. Top image: Miniature by Luxury Logico.
Mother's Day is already coming at us — Sunday, May 12 this year. It's like we blinked in January, and suddenly, we're in April. It's now time to start thinking of breakfast-in-bed menus, cute gift ideas and afternoon tea outings. Because mums deserve all the love. And this year, Piccolina is gunning for you to gift your mumma some of its limited-edition gelato-stuffed bonbons. The pastry chefs over at one of Melbourne's best gelaterias have chosen some of their favourite Italian gelatos and hand-dipped them into different chocolate coatings for Mother's Day. They're like the team's famed gelato Easter eggs, but bite-sized. Five flavour combos are up for grabs up until Mother's Day — although there is a good chance they'll sell out well beforehand. Piccolina founder Sandra Foti named each one after an Italian mother she admires. Maria is the bonbon filled with both a peanut gelato and caramel ganache, surrounded by a peanut glaze and milk chocolate shell. Assunta is for the pistachio lovers out there. It's made up of pistachio gelato that's been layered with toasted pistachios, dark chocolate and a pistachio glaze. There's also the Enza, which has cinnamon gelato, apple compote, caramelised white chocolate and a toasted almond glaze. These bonbons are next level — something we've come to expect from all the limited-edition items made by the Piccolina crew. The bonbons are sold in a set of five, each in a specially designed box. The Festa della Mamma bonbons retail for $45 and can be pre-booked now from the Piccolina website. If you think your mum will love these — or potentially share them with you — be sure to pre-order a box or two as soon as possible. They're likely to sell out fast. You can pre-order a box of Piccolina's limited-edition Mother's Day bonbons now via the gelato store's website.
The CBD's much-loved Korean BBQ joint, Mansae, has made its way into the suburbs — with a new sibling venue landing in Burwood East earlier this month. To celebrate the opening of Mansae's second location, the team is hosting a meat-filled happy hour every weekday between 5pm-6pm, until Wednesday, May 31. Offering an expanded menu and bigger dining space for KBBQ lovers, patrons that head in from 5pm can nab a plate of $10 Australian wagyu beef belly. Other wagyu highlights on the menu include the buttery 9+ marble striploin ($43) and fan-favourite thinly-sliced short ribs ($43). Further down the menu you find free-range pork belly ($24), ox tongue ($28) and Wagyu yukhoe ($29), the Korean version of beef tartare. Hot pot ($45) is also available for those craving something seasonal to suit Melbourne's current arctic weather. Images: Griffin Simm.
The show opens with a disclaimer: those who’ve come expecting The Philadelphia Story are going to be bitterly disappointed. Those who’ve come for a faithful re-telling of The Government Inspector might be a little disappointed too. But despite all the determined attempts to lower expectations, the show that follows is in no need of such qualifications. All this confusion stems from the fact that the Malthouse were originally set to perform The Philadelphia Story, but following an issue with rights, director Simon Stone and his cast instead turned to a new adaptation of Gogol’s classic. The original story is a biting satire on bureaucracy — a Parks and Recreation for 19th Century Russia — whose plot revolves around a low-level clerk mistaken for a high-ranking official. But in this adaptation, Stone and his cast choose to transplant the confusion of their own rehearsal room onto the stage. Each member of the ensemble (Fayssal Bazzi, Mitchell Butel, Gareth Davies, Robert Menzies, Zahra Newman, Eryn-Jean Norvill, and Greg Stone) plays an exaggerated version of themselves. Newman also appears as the theatre’s Hispanic cleaner after Zahra bails on the other actors, and when Davies chokes to death on some activated almonds he returns as the hapless actor Frank. Without giving away any spoilers, the way that the actors manage to confuse Frank with the famous Uzbeki director they’ve hired is exquisite; from this perfect moment of misunderstanding The Government Inspector descends into ever-more excruciating farce. The cast are in excellent form. While much of the comedy stems from the actors’ willingness to eviscerate their own egos, choices like Fayssal Bazzi’s more understated performance create a well-rounded dynamic by contrast. Davies is devastatingly funny as the poor schmuck Frank, never more pathetic than caught in a car crash of a conversation with his ex-girlfriend, reduced to drinking vodka from his "water bottle”. However, many of the jokes rely heavily on an audience’s knowledge of the Australian theatre scene — whether it’s jibes at Menzies’ identity as an “elderly character actor”, or Butell’s fanciful acceptance speech at the Helpmann Awards. It’s difficult to tell whether these are in-jokes which could exclude a broader audience from the show because the generosity of these self-deprecating performances allows a comedy of ego and misunderstanding to transcend the play’s more obscure references. Although the work is hugely entertaining, elements towards its end hint at something more complex. In its third act (again, without giving too much away), the play is performed as a musical, in the style of a grotesque operetta. Some of the funniest and most beautiful scenes arrive here, like the “torch song” performed by Butell and stand-out singer Newman. But as entertaining as this musical sequence is there was a point where it almost felt deliberately over-long. Without an unfair amount of guessing at Stone’s motivations, the length of and commitment to this musical sequence came across like a comment on his own notoriety for adaptations that valorise entertainment at the expense of fidelity to an original text. Coming from someone who’s expressed his frustration with theatre that doesn’t live up to the possibilities of the form it’s difficult to overlook intentional irony in this dumb, fun, final section. But the beauty of this Government Inspector is that it defies and welcomes this kind of cerebral engagement, balancing its in-jokes with a comedy of sheer humanity, and making for deeply satisfying farce. For more background on the production, read our interview with actor Gareth Davies.
There are some things best left to the 90s, like those pukka shell necklaces and over-plucked eyebrows. But one thing that's here to stay is 90s RnB, especially teamed with good food, delicious cocktails and some of the most iconic 90s looks. If you're ready to relive your youth — or you'd rather re-do it — every Saturday this summer The Boatbuilders Yard at South Wharf will host new 90s RnB Mixtape Saturdays, beginning Saturday, November 13. Moon Dog Brewing are in charge of the 90s-themed drinks list and to say it's authentic is an understatement. Think a fizzy lime and Midori combination, lemon and Blue Curacao and plenty of other specialty cocktails on the agenda. There's even a seltzer-filled post-mix machine. Plus, a Smirnoff Ice or Passion Pop is promised on arrival to really bring back that hit of nostalgia. Food-wise think potato skins, tacos and sloppy joes so you can pretend you're eating in the cafeteria in your favourite 90s high-school rom-com. Apart from those aforementioned cocktails, of course. DJ Joey Lightbulb will be on the decks, and apparently, song requests will be taken, so dig out your old mixtapes for inspiration. Tickets are $65 per person and bookings are recommended to secure your spot at on one of the two, two-hour sessions held from 12-2pm and 2.30-4.30pm each Saturday afternoon. Don your Mytiko pants, finest beige Masseurs and hypercolour t-shirts and get ready to boogie like Y2K is imminent. For more information and to secure your spot at 90s RnB Mixtape Saturdays, check out the website.
Come October 2025 in Melbourne, Tomato Day will be back on the big screen, all thanks to Looking for Alibrandi's inclusion in this year's Italian Film Festival lineup. A quarter of a century has passed since the Pia Miranda (Invisible Boys)-starring Australian page-to-screen classic reached cinemas, so the nation's annual celebration of Italian movies has programmed the beloved picture based on Melina Marchetta's 1992 book in its closing-night slot. Audiences will get a particular filmic treat, too, given that the 4K restoration of the film will be gracing the screen. So, as well as surveying the latest in Italian cinema — as IFF does every year, 2025 being no exception — there's an Aussie flavour to the festival this time around. Another example: the Greta Scacchi (Darby and Joan)-narrated Signorinella: Little Miss, with the team responsible for Lygon St — Si Parla Italiano turning their attention to Italian women who helped make the Italian Australian community what it is. 2025's Italian Film Festival kicks off in mid-September, running across Friday, September 19–Thursday, October 16 at The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Church St, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Penny Lane, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and Cinema Nova in Melbourne. While Looking for Alibrandi is on closing duties, romantic comedy Somebody to Love will get IFF 2024 started, as hailing from Perfect Strangers filmmaker Paolo Genovese. In the festival's centrepiece slot is La Grazia, the latest from Paolo Sorrentino (Parthenope) — and, like The Hand of God, Loro and The Great Beauty, starring Toni Servillo. Its inclusion is quite the get for IFF, given that the movie will head to Australia direct from having its world premiere opening the 2025 Venice International Film Festival. Servillo is a significant feature of IFF's lineup this year, too, thanks to also appearing in Sicilian Letters and The Illusion, with the first focusing on Cosa Nostra boss Matteo Messina Denaro's time as a fugitive and the second heading back to Giuseppe Garibaldi's efforts in 1860 to unify Italy. In another highlight, Napoli — New York sees Gabriele Salvatores (Cassanova's Return) chart the path of two Neapolitan children to New York in 1949 — and continue, as also evident courtesy of Looking for Alibrandi and Signorinella: Little Miss, the festival's celebration of migrant stories. The must-sees keep coming from there, with IFF also screening 2024 Venice Film Festival Grand Jury Prize-winner The Mountain Bride — Vermiglio; Diamonds by Ferzan Özpetek; The Great Ambition, which won Elio Germano (Trust) the Best Actor Award at the David di Donatello Awards for portraying former Italian Communist Party leader Enrico Berlinguer; Italian box-office hit The Boy with the Pink Trousers; and the Valeria Golino (Maria)-led Fuori, a biopic about Italian feminist writer Goliarda Sapienza. Or, attendees can catch post-WWII-set drama My Place Is Here, as based on the novel by Daniela Porto; The Life Apart, which sports Vicenza as a backdrop; and Gianni Versace — Emperor of Dreams, as focused on the fashion icon. And, for its blast from the pasts for 2025, the fest is embracing giallo, to the delight of horror and thriller fans. Think: a new 4K restoration of Dario Argento's Deep Red, alongside Lucio Fulci's A Lizard in a Woman's Skin, Mario Bava's Blood and Black Lace, Pupi Avati's The House with Laughing Windows and Sergio Martino's All the Colours of the Dark.
Poof Doof knows how to throw a party, and Halloween is no exception. The organisers of Melbourne's top queer club night are taking over The Forum for one big, spooky gala ball on Saturday, October 26. Over the past eight years, the annual HalloQween event has outgrown Melbourne's clubs, so, for its ninth outing, it's heading to the (much) bigger recently renovated music venue. Brace yourselves for a Big Time. Hosted by Joel Creasey and Karen From Finance, featuring Sneaky Sound System, Owl Eyes and performances by YUMMY, the night will also see DJ sets, drag, dance and light shows. But don't even think about coming if you're not dressing to the nines — costumes are taken very seriously here. There's even a blood rep carpet where you can get papped in your goriest, most OTT outfit. HalloQween Ball runs from 8pm–1am.
"This is the captain…brace for impact". Of all the awful things you could hear while flying – crying babies, drunken tourists, Adam Sandler Movie Marathons – none come close to those seven simple words uttered by US Airways pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger on January 15, 2009. After hitting a flock of birds mere moments after takeoff that caused in a catastrophic and unprecedented dual engine failure, Sully and his co-pilot Jeff Skiles were forced to execute a note-perfect ditching of their aircraft on the Hudson River. Their heroics saved all 155 souls on board and turned Sully into an overnight sensation. Directed by Clint Eastwood, Sully is an examination of the man behind the so-called Miracle on the Hudson. As such, the film opts to focus almost entirely on the days that followed Sully's astounding water landing – including with the National Transportation Safety Board investigations and media frenzy it precipitated – rather than honing in on the crash itself. That's not to say Eastwood omits it entirely. The harrowing sequence, when it finally comes, is a gripping and well crafted as any seen in film. But by prolonging its delivery and focussing on the lesser known story, the veteran filmmaker delivers a far more engaging and balanced tale than the more conventional drama Sully might easily have become. In the title role, Tom Hanks brings understated grace and dignity , albeit in a performance far more clinical (even analytical) than we're used to. The style befits the protagonist, a man whose impossible levels of composure enabled him to do what had never been done before, and all with a calmness of voice that defies belief (if you've not heard the official cockpit recording, try to imagine saying "We may end up in the Hudson" with the same level of poise most people evince when ordering a pizza). Aaron Eckhart, meanwhile, puts in an endearing turn as Sully's faithful co-pilot, while a solid supporting cast including Laura Linney, Mike O'Malley, Anna Gunn and Jamey Sheridan ensure the script by Todd Komarnicki stays on the right side of schmaltz – no matter how close Eastwood veers towards its limits. There's no question that Sully is unashamedly sincere in its portrayal not just of the extraordinary pilots, but also their crew, the passengers, the air-traffic controllers and the selfless New Yorkers who raced to their rescue without a moment's hesitation. Thankfully, Eastwood is the master of underplayed tributes to everyday heroes, especially those who shy away from the very notion of their own valour. Few could be more humble, or deserving of such a treatment, than the man who gives this remarkable movie its name https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjKEXxO2KNE
When it comes to father figures, Darth Vader probably isn't winning any Dad of the Year awards. But that doesn't mean the iconic villain can't help take your Father's Day experience up a notch this year, thanks to an interactive encounter designed to mark the occasion. Taking over the immersive Star Wars Galactic Cafe at Melbourne Museum — running alongside Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition — I Am Your Father's Day is a chance for guests to meet and greet the Sith lord, snapping photos with the cinematic icon. Held across Saturday, September 6–Sunday, September 7, the leader of the Galactic Empire will be available for pics at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm on a first-come, first-served basis. Dress to impress and match his menace. As for the Galactic Cafe, now is the perfect chance to experience it. Designed to look like a Corellian Star Cruiser, this official Star Wars pop-up is serving food inspired by the space opera, from bright green burgers to Chewbacca cookies and dessert space stations.
That's right, it's already November. And after the year we've had, mental health amongst men, both young and old, definitely needs some attention. Whether it's an ironic 70s pornstar moustache or a cracking handlebar, sporting a bit of luscious lip hair for Movember is not just a fun way to be involved but it's also a great way to raise money and awareness for men's health. But if your ability to grow a mo is a little, well, lacking, there are plenty of other ways to get involved — from pledging to walk 60 kilometres to hosting a get-together with your mates. If you opt for the latter, you're going to want to brainstorm some creative ways to get your mates to cough up some cash, so we've put together some suggestions to get you started. HOST A NOSTALGIC KIDS' BIRTHDAY PARTY So what if you or your friends don't have kids? Eating fairy bread, getting your face painted as Spiderman, whacking a piñata and play a few rounds of good ol' pass the parcel never gets old. And after the year we've had, switching off and pretending we're little kids just playing with our friends sounds pretty good to us. Something else we loved doing when we were younger? Playing dress-ups. So combine your kids' party with Movember's Shit Shirt Saturday on November 28. Rally the troops, ask everyone for a donation to the cause, then hit the op shops and find a shit shirt to party in. [caption id="attachment_783596" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anna Shvets[/caption] HOST A (VIRTUAL) TRIVIA NIGHT Everyone loves a good pub trivia night. And it's much easier to be the host because you have all the answers written down. Invite a couple of mates round, divide them up into teams, grab a slab and put your thinking hats on. If iso has afforded you plenty of time to research a particular subject or subjects, now could be your time to shine. Be it film, music, history, general knowledge or sport, everyone is bound to have a good time flexing their brains and either showing off or learning new facts. Movember even has a six-round, mo-themed trivia guide ready to go. Recreate the pub atmosphere at home, or, like we did many a time in lockdown, host your trivia night online, so you can involve your mates from across the country (or globe). And, get creative. Award extra points for the best (or worst) mo of the evening — or get your mates to donate a certain amount of money for every wrong answer. HOST A BEACH GAME TOURNAMENT Summer is (almost) upon us, and after what feels like an eternity of being cooped up inside, we're finally allowed out to see each other. So why not take advantage of the countless beautiful beaches Australia has to offer and plan an oceanside hang? Recently-free Melburnians could make a trip to Brighton (don't worry, we're pretty sure Karen has moved) or St Kilda Beach. Sydneysiders are blessed with Manly, Redleaf or the quaint harbourside Balmoral. And Brisbanites could venture to Suttons, Margate or Pandanus for a day of beachside fun. And to get your mates donating cash, plan some beach games with a buy-in. Beach cricket, beersbie, and Finska in the sand are just a few games to while away a day in the sun and surf — or even a sandcastle building competition. If you're not near the beach or don't fancy braving the hordes of people flocking to them, host a barbecue. Most of these games can be easily adapted to suit a backyard or local park, too. HOST A PAINT AND SIP CLASS If you're after a great socially distanced event idea, grab a few friends to a smash few wines while flexing your artistic side to raise contributions for Movember. If the gang is feeling particularly confident and comfortable, try life or figure drawing. For something a bit more accessible you could do the classic bowl of fruit, or think outside the box and capture the fine detail and intricate angles of a case of your favourite beer. Or, of course, paint your mates' kooky Movember moustaches. The list goes on. If you can assemble some really talented friends, try a low-key art auction with the proceeds going to Movember. Even if you think you can't paint, you can still get involved, particularly on the 'sip' side of things. There's still time to sign up to Host a Moment for Movember, and change the face of men's health. To learn more or register as a host, visit the website.
By Their Own Hands is a startling contemporary take on Greek tragedy from The Hayloft Project. If you've seen previous shows from Hayloft (such as their excellent production of Thyestes) you'll know that startling contemporary takes on old stories are something they do very well. By Their Own Hands is another tour de force, unique in its approach and powerful in its effect. It's a two-hander, featuring Benedict Hardie and Anne-Louise Sarks, and seldom will you see two performers bring such warmth and empathy to the gruesome tales of the Old Greeks. It starts with storytelling. Audiences are invited onto the stage and Hardie and Sarks walk among you all, recounting a story about the people of an ancient city. Occasionally they will endow one of the audience with the role of a character in the story. Some are made major players — the night I go the man with the most impressive beard is given the role of king — while others are bit parts, servants or messengers or people on the street. Don't worry, there's no audience participation expected. The action is all in the performers' well-honed words, with thechosen audience members there to give face to these faceless characters of myth. It's a neat device to make characters who are obscure, because of the age of the story or their minor role in events or the outrageousness of their behaviour, seem like real and vital people. The text too is very personal, the focus on quirks of personality, secret thoughts, everyday events and personal moments. There is so much humour, pathos and romance in the story that it is easy to forget there is a tragedy brewing. Taking on a tale that normally gives people the squeams (you'll know it sooner or later, depending on how well you know your Greeks), it turns it into an unfortunate series of events happening to likeable people. It is very humanising and completely banishes Greek tragedy's usual overtones of the drear and bizarre. The impact of the tragic climax, when it happens, is far stronger for it. Later in the piece, we return to our seats and the performers depict key moments from the story again, once in full abstract shock mode and then again solely through snippets of conversation between the characters. We see events in turn at their most grotesque and then at their most gentle. We go from horror to humour to heartbreak. It is an unusual mix of elements that patch together into something very special and deeply affecting. Hardie and Sarks are both wonderful performers and their script, which they also wrote themselves, shows a keen eye for psychology and relationship dynamics. I haven't seen a show this acutely observed and powerful since... well, since the last time I went to see the Hayloft Project. This is a company with its finger on the pulse of human drama, and I'd need a dictionary of superlatives to tell you how much I love their work.
Each year since 2014, Melbourne's Queen Victoria Gardens has scored an impressive new addition, all thanks to MPavilion. When the end of each year rolls around, a new, specially commissioned temporary structure pops up to host a summer-long festival of free events — with the pavilion itself designed by a top architect, and the accompanying community-focused cultural program covering talks, workshops, performances and installations that highlight design as well. In 2020, however, something different is happening. Yes, that's an easy way to sum up this strange and chaotic year in general; however, for MPavilion, it means that a new structure won't be commissioned. Instead, in a decision made in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will activate the six pavilions from previous years rather than build something new. Accordingly, if you loved 2019's white lantern-like piece by Glenn Murcutt, you'll get to see it again. The same applies to 2018's floating geometric building from Spanish architect Carme Pinós, 2017's inside-outside contemporary take on the ancient amphitheatre by Rem Koolhaas and David Gianotten, and 2016's huge bamboo structure from Indian architect Bijoy Jain as well. And, Amanda Levete's forest-esque 2015 piece and Sean Godsell's 2014 creation will also be part of the fun, which'll be spread around different locations across the city. [caption id="attachment_772470" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Rory Gardiner[/caption] Expect to find the six MPavilions around town from Thursday, November 12, 2020–Sunday, March 21, 2021, all as part of a program that'll contemplate sustainability and architectural reuse. The events lineup is being announced in stages, but it focuses on supporting emerging creatives and designers. Each month will highlight a different theme, too, with celebrating the power of community on the agenda in November, exploring both physical and virtual social spaces in December's spotlight, and preserving and propagating knowledge getting attention in January. February will highlight relationships of all kinds, while March will wrap things up with a month of temporal experimentation. Among the already-revealed highlights: a chat with British design critic and author Alice Rawsthorn about design in the time of COVID-19, livestreamed music from different spots around the city, weekly dance classes, morning yoga sessions and an online library curated by various guests. Chunky Move will also undertake a residency at MPavilion Monash, MPavilion Docklands will be transformed into an operating hair salon and London's Bombas & Parr will create an inflatable design work, called Happiness Now, that's meant to evoke that very emotion. Top images: Simon Terrill; Buckingham jelly by Ann Charlott Ommedal. Updated October 13.
With 15 months and a massive 300,000 rounds of mini golf under its belt, Melbourne's putt putt club-cocktail bar hybrid Holey Moley has scored an ambitious revamp. The Little Bourke Street space will reopen its doors today, sporting nine brand new themed holes, on top of the current 18-hole course that's been enjoyed by around 5,000 punters each week since it first launched. The supercharged offering includes fun additions like Zappy Go Larry, referencing the board game Operation, a curly situation dubbed These Pretzels Are Making Me Thirstee, and film-inspired hole, Ferris Wheeler's Day Off. The 18 holes on the venue's second level have remained the same. Holey Moley's ground-floor cocktail bar has also been given a hefty face lift, unveiling a new look and a new pun-filled lineup of libations to match. That post-putting drinks session now include sips like the Cherry Ripe for the Picking — featuring chocolate and cherry liqueurs, coconut rum, milk, whipped cream and a Cherry Ripe garnish — and the Austin Sours, crafted on Aperol and vanilla vodka. The Holey Moley stable currently includes ten venues across four states, with the next set to open in Wollongong, NSW, next month. Images: Eugene Hyland
The worlds of boutique brewing and high-end fashion will come crashing together at this swanky event during Good Beer Week 2016. Moo Brew have teamed up with Kirrily Waldron (aka The Beer Diva) and stylist Lara Reynolds to present a fashion show featuring chic new looks inspired by the Moo Brew brand. It all goes down from 6.30pm on Wednesday, May 18 at Madame Brussels in the CBD. Tickets get you in the door, and entitle you to a gift bag packed full of goodies.
UPDATE: AUGUST 20, 2020 — Following backlash around the no-drive rule, the DHHS has updated its guidelines and, as of Thursday, August 20, Melburnians are able to drive within their five-kilometre bubble to exercise. To read the updated rules, head to the DHHS website. Many Melburnians have been actively sticking to the stage four rules when it comes to that allowed daily hour of exercise, limiting their movements to within five kilometres of home as the state tries to curb its COVID-19 cases. But a post this week by Victoria Police's bayside-focused social media pages has highlighted confusion around some of the new regulations, mainly about the question: are you allowed to drive to a park or beach within your five-kilometre radius to exercise? On its Eyewatch - Port Phillip Police Service Area Facebook page on Monday, August 17, Victoria Police answered the question with a firmly worded post, saying, "Driving to exercise — not permitted". It goes on to say: "It has come to our attention that there is some misunderstanding in relation to whether or not it is permitted, under Stage 4 restrictions, to drive to a park within 5km of your home for exercise. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, travelling in a vehicle to exercise is NOT permitted." https://www.facebook.com/eyewatchportphillip/photos/a.125432814799143/587837825225304/?type=3&theater But the reminder has sparked a heated response from the public, attracting over 4200 comments in the space of just a couple of days. Many commenters seemed to be discovering the rule for the first time, while others voiced their disapproval, saying it was "ridiculous" people could drive five kilometres to shop, but not for exercise. Some questioned the level of risk posed by someone journeying in their car, instead of walking on the footpath. Regardless of the debate, Victoria Police confirmed it is patrolling to ensure Melburnians follow the stage four directives. It's probably worth a reminder here that you can be slapped with a $1652 on-the-spot fine if you're caught flouting the restrictions. If you jump on to the DHHS' Q&A-style factsheet regarding exercise during stage four, you'll see its own clear-cut response to the question, "Can I drive to a park within 5km of home for exercise?" The answer: "No. Travelling in a vehicle to exercise is not permitted." As outlined by Victoria Police in the above post and repeated by DHHS, there is one exception to this rule: "If is not reasonably practicable to exercise without driving somewhere, e.g. for mobility or safety reasons." For more information about exercising during stage four, and the Victorian Government's advice for metro Melbourne and Mitchell Shire residents, head to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website. Image: Albert Park via Jessica Cross/Flickr.
A television tie-in certain to leave a bad taste in people's mouths both popped up and vanished this week — an incredibly ill-advised range of Handmaid's Tale-themed wines. Unsurprisingly, the idea of drinking vino named after a dystopian series about oppression wasn't really what fans of the show, or anyone, was after. Similarly unsurprisingly, turning a program about women being forced into servitude and made to bear children for society's leaders isn't the kind of thing that makes you think 'yes, this persecuted character that's fighting for survival against institutionalised exploitation needs to have a wine named after her'. Unveiled and then cancelled in the same week, Lot 18's 'Handmaid's Tale Trio' was comprised of a pack of two reds wines and one white wine named after three of the show's main figures. "The bold characters of The Handmaid's Tale are celebrated in these three collectible wines, specially crafted to highlight the personalities of Offred, Ofglen and Serena Joy," states the wine's now-defunct online listing. Offred was badged as a "smooth, earthy, and similarly seductive" French Pinot Noir, Ofglen a Cabernet Sauvignon that supposedly offered "a daring testament to the heights that Oregon Cabs can reach" and Serena Joy a sophisticated, traditional and austere" Bordeaux Blanc. First reported by People Magazine, the wines were swiftly scrapped after being made public. Adapting Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel into a television series might make for compelling viewing — and might even make viewers keen for a few soothing drinks while watching the grimly gripping show — but using its female characters for merchandising purposes is a badly thought-out move to say the very least. And, unlike Sydney's forthcoming Gilead development, it was a marketing tactic undertaken with full knowledge of the show, its content and its themes. In the case of the masterplanned New South Wales community that shares its name with The Handmaid's Tale's dystopian society, the term Gilead springs from the bible and has been used in Sydney for two centuries — even if now trying to promote a site with that moniker is incredibly unfortunate.
Come hear the music play at the ninth annual Melbourne Cabaret Festival. Returning to Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran, this year's festival will feature 20 new shows from established and emerging cabaret performers across two weeks. The fun begins on Tuesday, June 19 with a opening night gala emceed by the festival's artistic director Dolly Diamond — tickets are $65 and get you a taste of six of the festival's standout shows. If you're looking to head to a few solo shows, you'll be spoilt for choice — there are up to ten shows on each day. Get a full rundown of The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson's music catalogue as performed by Drew Downing, see a James Bond cabaret, and hear the music of Twin Peaks performed in a haunting on-stage reimagining of the series. You can browse the full program here.
In a terrifying trailer for The Shadow King, Tom E. Lewis is hunted like an animal by a four-wheel-drive; its spotlights piercing the night. Just as the trailer draws upon the imagery of classic Australian cinema, this massive undertaking from Lewis and director Michael Kantor translates the story of Shakespeare’s King Lear into a theatrical retelling of Indigenous experience. A brief documentary on the background and process for the project sees Kantor outline how the framework of Shakespeare’s tragedy has shifted in their adaptation. “For millennia people have lived and existed with the land and on the land without claiming to own the land,” he says. “This story is about a man who believes he can own land, and therefore divides it, and give it to his three daughters.” The work will be performed in a combination of English, Kriol, and the performers’ own languages. “We’re taking Shakespeare’s story; not his words,” Kantor says. The ambition of the play and the scale of the production itself — with a large cast of Indigenous performers, as well as musician Bart Willoughby (Yothu Yindi) — makes this a difficult piece to overlook in the Melbourne Festival and beyond; it’s also set for seasons in Perth, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.
A woman obsessed with the search for extraterrestrial life. A man lost in poetry as he faces illness and immanent death. A marriage in decay. Add a lesbian love affair and a touch of mid-life sexual awakening and you have Dorothy Porter’s Wild Surmise. The baroquely literary verse novel was a Miles Franklin contender in 2003 and this week sees the presentation of a staged version at the Malthouse. Jane Montgomery Griffiths adapted the script and also stars as the female protagonist, Alex, with Humphrey Bower as her estranged husband. This is her second production with Malthouse AD Marion Potts in the director’s chair, following from their successful collaboration on 2010’s Sappho... In Nine Fragments. With the script drawn from Porter’s verse, expect this to be a cerebral and evocative night of theatre, exploring space both outer and inner and most poignantly the space between us and our loved ones.
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same day as possible. Last year, over 7000 garages opened their doors to bargain hunters, and they're doing it for the fourth time on October 26. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year, so register online to pick up some sweet new threads, make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood.
The Yarra Valley is set to score its first big name hotel, with IHG announcing plans to open one of its new 'voco' accommodation sites there in 2021. The 170-room hotel, which has nabbed a hillside address in Lilydale, will feature its own on-site gin distillery, natural amphitheatre, mirrored maze, lavender farm and a providore selling local produce. Across one quirkily designed main building and 20 standalone cabins, it'll boast a gym, a restaurant and multiple bars with views across the region. Less than an hour out of Melbourne, it's in a prime location for visitors hitting the Yarra Valley's famed wine region and is on the way to popular ski field Mt Buller. Launched in June, voco is IHG's newest brand, pitched at delivering accommodation options that are upscale, yet fun. The same group has announced it'll be opening a Holiday Inn in Coburg in 2020, and has plans for 22 more hotels to launch across Australasia. voco is slated to open at 486 Maroondah Highway, Lilydale in 2021.
In August 2023, Wicked will unleash its spin on The Wizard of Oz — and one of Broadway's biggest hits of the 21st century — upon Sydney, in what's set to be one of the Harbour City's theatre highlights of the year. But fans of faraway realms, yellow brick roads and toe-tapping songs in Melbourne can get their fix right here at home, all thanks to a new stage production of the show that started it all. This winter, from Thursday, June 29–Sunday, July 9, consider the Victorian capital's National Theatre somewhere over the rainbow. You'll be off to see the wizard there, too. There's never a bad time to pop on your ruby slippers, and hasn't been for the past 84 years since the page-to-screen hit first reached cinemas — including when theatre outfit Theatrical give The Wizard of Oz a whirl. More than 30 performers will tread the boards, led by Lyla Digrazia — a veteran of Theatrical's Freaky Friday — as Dorothy. Kael D'Alterio (Matilda) plays Scarecrow, Ashley Wilsnach (Spring Awakening) gets shiny as Tin Man and Leigh Roncon (Chicago) will seek courage as the Cowardly Lion. Also in key roles: Keyanna Burgher (Into the Woods) as the Wicked Witch, Isobel Smart (also Freaky Friday) as both Glinda the Good Witch and Aunt Em, and Jason Fabbri (Beauty and the Beast) stepping behind the curtain as the Wizard. As they act out the storyline for director Kim Anderson, audiences will also hear all of the tracks that everyone has stuck in their head forever, including Oscar-winner 'Over the Rainbow', 'We're Off to See the Wizard', 'Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead', 'If I Only Had a Brain' and 'The Merry Old Land of Oz'. But, this show isn't without changes, including moving the action forward in time. "The Wizard of Oz is a delightful classic, a musical I have directed once before. For this new production, we are shifting from the traditional look of the show, and making our female characters grounded and fiercely independent," said Anderson, announcing the production. "We will be setting the story in a time period not too far off into the future from our own. It's a bit steampunk; think of a cross between 1930s dustbowl and Jules Verne. The heartwarming story, loveable characters and iconic songs remain, woven into a new fantasy world." For those who've somehow missed the 1939 classic flick so far, it adapts the 1900 novel The Wonderful World of Oz by L Frank Baum. In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale (played by Judy Garland in the movie) and her little dog Toto are whisked off from her Kansas farm to the titular realm, where she needs to avoid the Wicked Witch of the West — and find the eponymous wizard to make it home. To locate the latter, a stroll down a certain golden path with the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion is on the agenda. Check out the trailer for the film below: The Wizard of Oz plays Melbourne's National Theatre from Thursday, June 29–Sunday, July 9, with tickets on sale now.
You've probably never seen anything like White Rabbit, Red Rabbit. Guess what? Neither have the actors. In this one-of-a-kind theatrical experiment, each night a different performer takes the stage having never seen the script, their only instruction beforehand to prepare an impression of an ostrich. Described by critics as everything from humorous to terrifying, it is the work of Iranian writer Nassim Soleimanpour. For years unable to leave his country — Soleimanpour was denied a passport for refusing national service — he created a play that needed no direction beyond what he could include in the script. The play has travelled the world and hopped languages since he wrote it in 2010. Soleimanpour himself only finally got to see it performed earlier this year. Now it's come to the Malthouse and an eclectic range of local performers — including actors, comedians and TV personalities — will take the plunge. It promises to be a journey deep down the proverbial rabbit hole.
Stieg Persson is an Australian contemporary artist who has been exhibiting since the early '80s and who, most recently, had work in the celebrated Melbourne Now exhibition at the NGV. Born and raised in Melbourne, Persson has contributed to many local group exhibitions and is a regular exhibitor at the Anna Schwartz Gallery. His work is recognised for its abstraction, realism, romanticism and decorative complexities. Often they critique contemporary society and the contradictions of middle-class rebellion, in a playful and effervescent manner. This exhibition features canvases of abstract graffiti-like lines and curling patterns, resulting in almost floral images.
Over the past few years, Melbourne's famed floating bar has become a summer staple — because soaking up the warm weather and sipping cocktails on the Yarra clearly go hand-in-hand. Thankfully, that won't change in 2020, with Arbory Afloat set to return once more. Arbory Afloat, which made its debut in 2015, is set to reclaim its prime position in front of on-shore sister venue Arbory Bar & Eatery on the Yarra from Monday, October 26, when it's expected metro Melbourne will move into step three of the roadmap and outdoor dining at restaurants and bars will be allowed. As part of its annual revamp, the temporary bar and restaurant is taking inspiration from beach houses in our own backyard, which means lush greenery, wicker furniture, lime-washed timber and lots of blues and greens. To complete the picture, the 69-metre floating venue has two bars, an upper deck and an undercover dining area — so plenty of space to social distance. And, if that's not enough, the onboard swimming pool will also be making a triumphant return. [caption id="attachment_754392" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Shiff[/caption] Chef Nick Bennett has again designed the menu, which will be packed full of local ingredients and inspired by all things Mediterranean. And would it be a visit to the floating bar without cocktails? We think not. Luckily, there'll be plenty. As well as Four Pillars pink gin, there'll be craft beers, wine and six cocktails on tap. Despite the return of the bar, summer in Melbourne isn't going to be all business as usual. So, expect there to be limited capacities, bookings and plenty of ticketed, seated events. Arbory Afloat is set to open at Flinders Landing from Monday, October 26, with opening hours from 11am–1am daily. Images: Simon Shiff
If you're partial to stuffed cannoli or some gnocchi of the ricotta variety, we've got the festival for you. That's Amore Cheese Ricotta Festival is returning in March for its fifth year, bringing ricotta-filled delights back to Thomastown. For just one day on Sunday, March 30, the lot will be flooded with cheese-slinging food stalls and a handful of bars, plus the team will host some prestigious Melbourne chefs as they demonstrate the best ways to cook with ricotta. The team behind That's Amore Cheese will serve gnocchi sorrentina, a certified Italian classic, alongside spaghetti cacio e pepe tossed in a 40kg Grana cheese wheel. There's also a tantalising selection of other food vendors, such as Pacelli Deli's melted caciocavallo on bruschetta, Cannoleria's freshly filled ricotta cannoli, and creamy tiramisu portions from TRMSU. Plus, there's great coffee, wine, spritzes, locally distilled spirits and cocktails ready for your refreshment. Beyond exceptional bites and sips, there's also a sprawling marketplace filled with fascinating goods. Head to Bippi for Italian-style chilli and condiments, Pistachio Papi for sweet spreads and desserts, and Ellenika Boutique for stylish fashion and jewellery. Then, stock up on local produce with Perino Tomatoes offering the richest, freshest tomatoes imaginable, while Puopolo Artisan Salumi presents some of the best cured Australian meats in town. The festival stage returns in 2025, with another stellar line-up of Italian culinary talent and live entertainers. Catch chefs and TV personalities like Adam D'Sylva, Pia Gava and Telina Menzies showing off their talents in live cooking demonstrations. Then, stick around for musical performances from the Siesta Cartel Band and Veneto Club Choir. If you're bringing the kids, face painting and a petting zoo are bound to keep them entertained as you dine the day away.
Love dessert? Not so good at sports? Keen on using the former to help the latter? Well, it could actually happen. In the kind of culinary development that oh-so-many dreams are made of, an Italian cardiologist has invented an ice cream he claims will improve your sporting ability. So, who do you thank? Science, and Professor Valerio Sanguigni from the University of Rome Tor Vergata. He has crafted his own secret recipe for a gelato that has antioxidant properties. And, as anyone that has ever seen an ad for skin care products or trendy supermarket health foods knows, they're so good for you that television commercials won't stop shouting their praises. Sanguigni's three types of ice cream draw upon his own research into the area — into antioxidants, not ways to justify eating more frozen sweet treats (that's just an added bonus, though he is apparently a lifelong enthusiast). In tests, he gave chocolate, hazelnut and green tea-flavoured gelato to groups of volunteers, and then noticed that they subsequently pedalled faster on an exercise bike than those who ate ordinary ice cream. In short, their vascular function and physical performance improved. No word yet as to what Sanguigni's plans are for his sports-boosting dessert, though it sounds like the type of thing he'd want to start selling quick smart. So, just think: if you've ever wanted to be a little more active — and actually be good at shooting hoops, hitting balls or whatever other sport takes your fancy — gelato might help. With a Korean convenience store also selling ice cream as a hangover cure, it seems that your favourite chilled confectionery just might be the sweetest and tastiest super food of them all. Via Munchies.
It's always a good time for bagels, and with newcomer Hank's bagelry landing on Beatty Avenue, there are even more reasons to indulge in a weekly holey treat. Hank's comes from the minds behind Armadale favourite Mammoth and Copycat bar and restaurant in Elsternwick, promising authentic New York-style bagels and other breezy takeaway options. "A piece of my heart lies in New York, and every time I'm there I find myself heading for one of the city's iconic bagel shops, which serve them up fresh from the oven with a range of delicious fillings. I wanted to have that same experience right here in Melbourne," says co-owner and co-founder Nick Beerens. There are five bagel options to choose from: plain, seeded, onion, challah and gluten-free. Hungry patrons can DIY with Nutella, cream cheese, peanut butter or housemade jam, but we recommend looking towards the loaded options. Classic salmon and cream cheese is done up with red onion, herbs and fresh beetroot, while the No 4 combines pastrami, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, pickles and swiss cheese. Other options run to the likes of grilled mortadella and provolone with mustard mayo and pickles, or a vegetarian harissa-roasted pumpkin topped with almond feta, hummus and rocket. Pickles and crisps, as well as crinkle-cut hot chips, are available as sides, while homemade cookies and loaded shakes in peanut butter and jelly, malteser or biscoff can be ordered to wash everything down. For coffee lovers, filter coffee is just $2 with any bagel purchase. Hank's is open at 13 Beatty Ave, Armadale, 6.30am–4pm Monday–Friday, 8am–3pm Saturday–Sunday. Images: Griffin Simm.
The adorable Finders Keepers Markets have been home to Melbourne's most creative and quirky designers for ten years now. Keeping with tradition, the independent hip-fest returns to its home at Carlton's Royal Exhibition Building for 2017, this time kicking off earlier than before on Friday at 5pm, so you have more time to shop and explore. The autumn/winter edition of the market will take place over three days this July — just in time for the snuggly season. The biannual, designer-centric, come-one-come-all mini-festival has managed to bridge the gap between local market and exclusive exhibition, creating a space for independent designers to engage with the wider community. You'll be able to nab some marvellous treats difficult to find anywhere else. From bespoke, handmade leather goods by the likes of Truso to unique stationery by new comers Darling Paper Co., Blackbrail Atelier's wearable art and all manner of cute and kooky knick-knacks — like the Merchants of Nonsense 'impractical goods for the modern aesthete' — every stall will be a unique shopping experience that combines innovative design with grassroots feel-goodery. And even if you're a Finders Keepers regular, you're sure to discover something new. As usual, there will be live music, a cafe and heaps of other Melburnians celebrating independent art and design. Feeling a little overwhelmed? Finders Keepers are aware this cornucopia of new design can be a little large to navigate. So, they've got their own app with interactive maps to help you find out more info about stallholders, a personal itinerary tool and notifications to keep you looped in to what's happening on the day. You can download the app from the App Store or on Google Play. Finders Keepers A/W 17 market hours: Friday, July 14: 5–10pm Saturday, July 15 : 10am–6pm Sunday, July 16: 10am–5pm Entry is $2 for adults, and free for kids under 12.
Brick Lane Brewing tapped its very first keg at the Queen Vic Winter Night Market in 2018, and now — five years later — the team is set to launch its latest bricks-and-mortar restaurant and bar across the road from that very same spot. On Wednesday, November 29, on the second week of this season's Queen Vic Summer Night Market, Brick Lane Brewing's huge new venue — aptly named Brick Lane Market Upstairs — will open to the public. Brick Lane already has its brewhouse in South Dandenong, Brick Lane Shed on Queen Vic Market's String Bean Alley and Brick Lane Market located beneath the new venue — but the upstairs section will be altogether more impressive. Taking over the second floor of the former Mercat Cross Hotel, the totally renovated space will now boast a 120-seat dining room with an open kitchen, a 16-seat private dining room and a 150-seat wrap-around terrace overlooking the market itself. And this proximity to the market isn't just about foot traffic and views. The team is set to work collaboratively with vendors, featuring local produce throughout the site. This will most notably be seen in the Brick Lane Market's raw bar. Here, the team will serve up fresh oysters and seafood sourced directly from QVM's newly refurbed Food Hall, which is also set to open in November. Chef Ankit Padmani (ex-Indu, Mejico and Collins Quarter) will oversee the restaurant's main menu, pushing a market-to-plate ethos, serving up dishes chock full of local and seasonal produce sourced from the market itself. Of course, beer will be the star of the show at Brick Lane Market Upstairs. Thirty-six taps will be scattered throughout the venue, pouring the brewery's core range, seasonal specials and one-off Pilot Batches. These more experimental brews are for those wanting to try something a little different and are set to be inspired by Queen Vic Market itself. Brick Lane Market Upstairs will open on Wednesday, November 29, at 456 Queen Street, Melbourne, operating seven days a week from 11.30am till late. For more information, check out the venue's website. Images: Carmen Zammit.
Alright chinas, we need to have a rabbit and pork about Guy Ritchie's new $175 million rattle and clank buster: Kin Arfur: Jackanory of the Drum and Fife – an altogether pony and trap reimagining of the classic weep and wail that's light on the brass tacks, sore on the mince pies and pretty much tom tit. If you struggled to understand that, consider it our version of the "you must be this tall to get on the ride" sign for Guy Ritchie's calamitous take on the famous Arthurian tale. As with every Ritchie flick (see: Snatch, RocknRolla and Sherlock Holmes, among others), cockney banter flies thick and fast between Arthur's merry band of streetwise vagabonds, all of whom sport names like Goose-fat Bill, Wet Stick, Back Lack and Chinese George. Unlike Ritchie's previous outings, however, there's little wit or charm to back up the slang. Instead, we're given in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword a CGI-heavy romp that moves at such a frantic and disjointed pace that simply keeping up with the story feels like a greater test of character and strength than actually pulling Excalibur from the stone. Worse still, there's nothing new about any of it. Between the giant elephants (Return of the King), the 'bullet-time' slow motion (The Matrix) and an enormous killer snake (Harry Potter), it's all far too much like a video game we've played many times before and know exactly how to beat. There are, at least, a few notable highlights. Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law both put in commendable performances as Arthur and his evil uncle Vortigern, with Law in particular ensnaring the eye for every second he's on screen. Villainy suits the actor, whose charm and cheekiness take on a decidedly darker turn when given the right material with which to play. There's also a neat little twist on the sword/stone component itself, which – at least for a time – raises King Arthur: Legend of the Sword to a level worthy of its storied subject matter. Unfortunately, there's far too much style and not nearly enough substance to hold the film's loose narrative threads together. Snap cuts and fancy editing helped put Guy Ritchie on the map, but in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword there's no duck and diving the fact that it's all gone proper pete and tong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIM4-HLtUM0
The Makers and Shakers Market will visit Melbourne at the end of April, bringing with it the whole kit and caboodle of bespoke ceramics, homewares and jewellery (as well as tasty food to rejuvenate you when you get the oh-no-I-just-spent-all-my-money sweats). Kick things off at 10am with a coffee, spend a few hours browsing, and then chow down on a toastie or a gourmet pie. The market gives space to local makers to sell their handmade wares, with everything from resin rings to tomato chutney to be found. Stallholders this time round include botanical-themed resin wares by Nanna Woo, vegan treats by Von's Vegan Bakehouse, dreamy pastel ceramics from Alison Willoughby and crochet goodness from Full Tilt Nanna. And that's just the crust of the pie — there are many more to choose from when you take a full bite. Images: Alana Dimou.
At last, the gluten free gods have answered your prayers. The Gohil family — whose coeliac-friendly products have been gracing local supermarket shelves for 20 years — are making lives even easier, launching the country's first dedicated gluten free, ready-cooked meal delivery service. Just like the recently launched Freshara is doing for Australia's vegan contingent, The Gluten Free Meal Co is opening up the meal delivery game to a whole new group of foodies, with a collection of nourishing, ready-prepared dishes endorsed by Coeliac Australia. They've also done away with the whole subscription caper. Instead, users simply order by selecting from the lineup of $9.90 single-serve meals on The Gluten Free Meal Co's online menu. And, while there's a minimum spend of $65 for each order, you will score free delivery Australia-wide. All meals are whipped up in a state-of-the-art facility and undergo external gluten testing before arriving at your doorstep — although by the looks of that menu, they're designed to tempt taste buds just as much as any gluten-filled goodies. We're talking global-inspired main dishes like crumbed fish fillets and a country-style chicken pie, a solid range of vegetarian meals, and even a dessert selection featuring sweet treats like chocolate profiteroles. "The gluten free community deserves the same privilege of eating a wide variety of high-quality, nourishing food as everyone else," said Pran and Jitesh Gohil. "We're so excited that we can look after everyone with this fantastic range of delicious mains, finger foods and desserts that are indistinguishable from dishes everyone enjoys." For more information about The Gluten Free Meal Co visit www.gfmeals.com.au.
Hallmark know a thing or two about invented celebration — heck, they did quite the number on that Valentine's Day. But there's never been a better reason to squeal and toss the nearest confetti-like whatever than Hallmark's latest campaign, the greeting card giants have hired puppies to deliver your mail. Have. Hired. Post. Puppies. With tiny, tiny mailbags. This is not a drill. To celebrate the launch of Hallmark's new Australian-only app, HelloYou:), (smiley face included, not this writer's haphazard love of emoticons), Hallmark have employed a team of outstandingly squealworthy, smooshface, ohp-dohp-dohp puppies to act as posties. The campaign runs like this: you download the HelloYou:) app to your smartphone, create a personalised card with your big ol' face on it, send it to the person in your life you most need brownie points from and it could be delivered by a tiny puppy in a tiny personalised uniform wearing a tiny mailbag within a few days. Could be. You're going to be pretty disappointed if some puppyless dude just shows up on your doorstep. Post Puppies will be in action on nominated dates between July 21 and August 8 in selected Australian cities. We're not sure how Hallmark acquired these tiny, tiny postal workers, whether they're getting good rates (read: pats and treats) and if they're allowed sick leave after all those love cards have been delivered. We're also pretty sure people will simply send cards to themselves to take all the postal puppy love for themselves (you selfish, selfish geniuses). Check out Hallmark's disarmingly adorable video below, in which a HelloYou:) user disturbs a tiny sleeping Golden Retriever with her need for post. Luckily, this pup takes the postal service seriously. We take no responsibility for you becoming the Office Weirdo for squealing at your computer after this little escapade: https://youtube.com/watch?v=uZwvmOczk-8
Today, Tuesday, February 22, 2022, the twos clearly have it — on your calendar and, thanks to Jetstar, in your wallet as well. To celebrate 22.02.2022 like only a low-cost airline would, the Australian carrier has dropped 22,000 $22 flights. You shouldn't need to be told twice that that's a bargain. The Twosday sale is a one-day-only affair, running until 11.59pm AEDT today — so, obviously, getting in quick is a must. In fact, by the time you're reading this, you might find a number of routes already sold out. Thankfully, Jetstar is slinging cheap tickets across a hefty range of flights, so you you should find a cheap holiday option on offer. Destinations include everywhere from Cairns and Hamilton Island to Hobart and Uluru, depending where you're departing from. You can head from Sydney to Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast, Melbourne to Hamilton Island and Launceston, and Brisbane to Mackay and Adelaide, for instance. Other spots covered span Townsville, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast and Darwin. And if this is the inspiration you need for a weekend somewhere you wouldn't have planned a getaway to otherwise, consider that a bonus. Tickets in the sale are for trips this coming spring, between various dates in October and November, with exact days varying in each region. And there are a few caveats, as is always the case. The discounted flights are one way, and they don't include checked baggage — so you'll need to travel super light, or pay extra to take a suitcase. Jetstar's Twosday sale runs until 11.59pm AEDT on Tuesday, February 22, or until sold out.
Bourke Street Mall's constant foot traffic probably won't be slowing down anytime in the near future, but it'll soon be a little easier on the lungs to walk through the buzzy stretch. Melbourne City Council has this morning announced that a smoke-free zone will be introduced between Russell Place and Elizabeth Street — covering all footpaths, roads and tramways — from Friday, October 4. "We're creating a welcoming, safe and healthy environment for the 60,000 visitors, residents and workers who enjoy the shopping and fantastic atmosphere of Bourke Street Mall every day," said Lord Mayor Sally Capp in a statement. Once the ban has been introduced in October, there'll be $100 fines for people smoking in the zone. If you're caught littering butts, you could face even heftier fines of up to $660. The City of Melbourne currently has ten smoke-free zones, including Howey Place, Block Place, Equitable Place, QV Melbourne, The Causeway, Fulham Place, Goldsbrough Lane, Collins Way, and the Tan and Princes Park running tracks. Smoking in outdoor dining areas is also banned. The Bourke Street smoking ban comes just a couple of months after North Sydney made the move to become one of the first smoke-free CBDs in the country. Hobart and Brisbane also have designated smoke-free public places in their own CBDs. The Bourke Street Mall smoke-free zone will come into effect from Friday, October 4. Image: Josie Withers for Visit Victoria
"Never go back" should be the default mantra for any movie studio with a surprise hit on its books. Rare as it is to bottle lightning once, capturing it a second time is nigh on impossible – which is why the list of memorable sequels is usually countable on just one pair of hands. 2012's Jack Reacher was a better than expected offering from Paramount, combining top-notch action with a few well placed comedic beats. Unfortunately, it's part of a million-book series by author Lee Child, meaning that the moment it did decent business, a follow-up was all but inevitable.. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back sees Tom Cruise again assume the role of the celebrated soldier turned drifter with the habit of getting in trouble. This time around he finds himself coming to the aid of an army officer accused of espionage (played by How I Met Your Mother's Cobie Smulders). Everyone seems to want her dead, so the pair need to figure out who's behind the apparent setup before they're both executed by dogged assassins. An alternate name for the movie would be Cobie Smulders Gets To Run Alongside Tom Cruise: A Lot, because that constitutes a significant part of both the plot and the action. There are a couple of key problems with this film. Firstly, Cruise plays Reacher with preposterous amounts of simmering menace, something that proves entirely unnecessary given the character is already so ridiculously calm and capable against any number of threats. In the original movie they got the balance right – at times, Cruise even playfully gave advice to the people he was fighting. But here he just glares and threatens before beating everyone up, thereby robbing the film's action scenes of any personality. Apologists will say that's how Reacher is written, but even in the books he shows moments of dry wit amidst the bitterness. Secondly, there's very little here by way of interesting plot. It ultimately feels like a double episode of NCIS, only with even less action or intrigue. Add to that the frequent schmaltz, particularly between Reacher and a young girl whose life he saves, and you end up with a dull, predictable and corny piece of cinema that rolls back all the good work of its predecessor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoCP_JHzBUM
Every kid dreamed about stepping inside their favourite TV show or movie, whether you were an 80s child who wanted to dance magic, dance through Labyrinth, a 90s teen saying "as if!" to life outside of Clueless — or keen to stake vampires with Buffy — or a 00s Gossip Girl wannabe. Now that we're all adults, those kinds of fantasies keep becoming a reality, in a way, thanks to the seemingly non-stop array of immersive pop culture-themed installations and experiences that love popping up around Australia. So if you've recently been wishing that you could step into the twisted superhero realm shared by Gen V and The Boys, for instance, you'll soon be able to. Prime Video is taking Sydneysiders and everyone who happens to be in the Harbour City for the first-ever SXSW Sydney into the franchise's world from Tuesday, October 17–Saturday, October 21. How? Via Primeville, a small town-themed activation that's taking over Fratelli Fresh Darling and taking its cues from some of the streaming platform's popular shows — and one documentary. Primeville's spin on the Vought Cinematic Universe will involve a trip to Godolkin University, where you'll be shrinking down — well, pretending to — for games of Supe Shot. You can stay your regular size to give the prize wheel a spin to score freebies. If you're more fond of Reacher, there'll be a diner inspired by the series. For The Summer I Turned Pretty devotees, expect ice creams at Cousins Beach. And if you just like bites to eat themed around television shows, there'll be a milk bar serving up exactly that. In the town square: celebrating all things The Wiggles in the lead up to Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles debuting as part of the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival, before streaming via Prime Video from Tuesday, October 24. And yes, the Big Red Car will be in attendance, ready for plenty of snaps. If this all sounds a bit familiar, that's because Prime Video set up something similar at PAX Aus in Melbourne in 2022. In this case, the pop-ups aren't just open to SXSW Sydney badge holders, but to everyone. Entry is free, and you'll also score some Primeville dollars to go towards an ice cream, snack or drink. Primeville will pop up during SXSW Sydney at Fratelli Fresh Darling Harbour, 2/14 Darling Drive, Sydney from Tuesday, October 17–Saturday, October 21 — open from 12–6pm on the Tuesday and Saturday, and 12–8pm Wednesday–Friday.
J-horror fans, rejoice: Australia's Japanese Film Festival is back for 2023, and it boasts a couple of highlights for lovers of scary cinema. If you're a fan of Japan's contribution to frightening flicks, then The Forbidden Play is your first must-see. Behind the lens is Hideo Nakata, the director of 1998's iconic Ringu, aka the movie that helped spark a global obsession (and the American spinoffs, too). This time, the filmmaker tells of a son wanting to bring his mother back to life, so much so that he keeps chanting a resurrection spell that awakens something evil. This year's JFF isn't just about unsettling titles, but it does also feature Immersion, which hails from Ju-On: The Grudge director Takashi Shimizu (who also helmed the first US remake starring Sarah Michelle Gellar). In his latest effort, he's playing with grudges again, as well as traditional Japanese superstitions, virtual reality and a secluded island — which is never a good setting for a horror film. In Melbourne, the 2023 festival arrives in October and November — and in two parts. One of the delightful aspects about this film festival is its two-pronged approach, giving both recent and retrospective titles their own time to shine. So, new releases will get a spin at The Kino and Palace Balwyn from Monday, October 23–Sunday, October 29, then classics at ACMI from Thursday, November 2–Sunday, November 5. Officially opening the event for 2023: We're Broke, My Lord!, a character-driven story about an unexpected inheritance from director Tetsu Maeda (And So the Baton Is Passed). From there, audiences can also look forward to the aforementioned to J-horror pictures; the animated Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom; Citizen Kitano's tribute to actor, comedian and filmmaker Takeshi Kitano (Outrage Coda); and Yokaipedia, which is about three boys on a monster-filled quest. Fellow standouts include Yudo: The Way of the Bath, a comedy about bathhouse rituals; romance We Made a Beautiful Bouquet; Natchan's Little Secret, where three drag queens head to a funeral; and Single8, with director Kazuya Konaka's paying tribute to filmmaking before the digital era. And, in the special series — aka the fest's retrospective thread — post-war Japanese cinema figure Kо̄ Nakahira is in the spotlight. JFF will screen 1956's Juvenile Jungle and Milkman Frankie, 1957's Temptation, 1962's Danger's Where The Money Is!, and 1963's Mud Spattered Purity, as well as Flora on the Sand, Only on Mondays and The Hunter's Diary from 1964, plus 1965's The Black Gambler. Top image: © 2023 IMMERSION Production Committee.
Though the sun is still (mostly) shining high, we're sorry to say that cooler nights are just around the corner. But now is not the time to wallow. Instead, you've got to give these last licks of summer all you've got. This is especially true on the date front. We've put together a list of outdoor adventures for you and your date to enjoy before the hot days and balmy nights disappear. Go for a picnic by the water, a sunset cliff walk or a film under the stars. These aren't your usual go-to date destinations, and each and every single one is primed for BYO. Just don't wait on it — the autumn chill will be here before you know it.
Bourke Street Mall's constant foot traffic probably won't be slowing down anytime in the near future, but it could soon be a little easier on the lungs to walk through the buzzy stretch, as Melbourne City Council considers a smoking ban for the area. The proposed smoke-free zone would be implemented between Russell Place and Elizabeth Street, covering all footpaths, roads and tramways. A report submitted to the Council's Future Melbourne Committee earlier this week has revealed there's strong support for the smoking ban. A month of community consultation earlier this year showed that 83 percent of over 3100 individual respondents and 169 businesses were keen to make the strip smoke-free. There was little opposition to the idea across the board — even from the smokers involved in the consultation — with 67 percent of smokers either for the ban, or neutral. The survey, which was undertaken by market research company Colmar Brunton, involved interviewing people on-site, as well as via online surveys and through social media. The City of Melbourne Council will vote on the ban at a meeting next Tuesday, September 17, with The Age reporting that it's tipped to get the green light. Lord Mayor Sally Capp told The Age, "If approved, the changes would help create a healthier, cleaner, more welcoming atmosphere for the 60,000 people who visit or work in Bourke Street Mall every day." If the ban is introduced, it's likely that there would be a period of education about the new smoke-free zone, then people could face a $100 fine. But, in an interview on ABC Radio Melbourne, the Lord Mayor revealed that vapers would be exempt from the ban, and subsequent fines, saying, "I think everybody is trying to catch up with vaping, it's not part of the policy at the moment". The City of Melbourne currently has ten smoke-free zones, including Howey Place, Block Place, Equitable Place, QV Melbourne, The Causeway, Fulham Place, Goldsbrough Lane, Collins Way, and the Tan and Princes Park running tracks. The Bourke Street smoking ban proposal comes just a couple of months after North Sydney made the move to become one of the first smoke-free CBDs in the country. Hobart and Brisbane also have designated smoke-free public places in their own CBDs. The Bourke Street Mall smoke-free zone will be voted on in a Council meeting on Tuesday, September 17. We'll let you know what the outcome is. Image: Josie Withers for Visit Victoria
Indian snacks, Bollywood dancing and the smell of spices are coming to Melbourne this weekend. On July 15 and 16, the Queen Vic Market will be somewhat transformed into the historic Chandni Chowk of Delhi. You'll be able to eat, shop and experience Indian culture without having to fork out money on an immediate flight to India. At the new two-day festival, you'll be able to sip on a cup of chai, learn how to blend Indian spices at a cooking demonstration and tuck into your pick of curries (dipping fresh roti into them, of course). And to work off all the food you're bound to consume? Try a free yoga class or join in on a Bollywood dance lesson. Your Henna hand art may not last very long, but you'll leave knowing a little bit more about India's rich culture.
Rural Australia becomes a place of horror in Wake in Fright. John Grant, a young teacher on a bonded placement to the back of nowhere, is trying to return to Sydney for his holidays but finds himself stranded in a mining town where he becomes drawn into a nightmare spiral of boozing, gambling and competitive machismo that begins to erode his very sense of self. The savagely satirical 1961 novel by Kenneth Cook is perhaps best known for its film adaptation, which saw a revival in cinemas in recent years after its long-lost negatives were discovered. This stage version was produced by students at La Trobe University shortly after and, unlike John Grant, they got out of town in a big way. After playing at the Festival of Australian Student Theatre in 2010, they were invited to tour the show to Britain as part of the cultural program attending last year’s Olympics, an honour given to only a handful of non-British acts. Clearly they were doing something right. You can find out what when this repeat season of the show, featuring a mostly new cast, opens at La Mama. Just don't bet your tram fare home on a two-up game.
Summer in Melbourne means plenty of sunshine, temperatures reaching the 40-degree mark more than once, and everyone — and we mean everyone — complaining about the heat. It also means busy times at every air-conditioned hangout and refreshing body of water in sight. If the latter is your preferred method of keeping cool, then add the city's newest attraction to your must-visit list: an outdoor heated wave pool. The latest addition to Funfields in Whittlesea, the wave-filled space is called Volcano Beach — and the South Pacific-inspired spot not only holds more than 1.5 million litres of water, but also pumps out waves of up to one metre in height. Now open after being under construction since February 2018, the new place for a dip promises the bobbing and bouncing that comes with a dip in the ocean, just without actually getting into the ocean. Basically, if you like swimming in the surf but don't like the sea itself, then you're in luck. While the heated aspect of the pool might seem redundant at this time of year, the ability to turn the temperature up does mean that you'll still be able to splash around when the weather is cooler. Volcano Beach also features a wading area if you've got any kids in tow, plus sun lounge and relaxation zones. Fancy lazing around between dips? You can also hire poolside cabanas. Volcano Beach joins Funfields' three huge waterslides — including a super-long 137-metre slide — as well as its 21 other rides. And while the attraction might mark the city and state's first outdoor heated wave pool, it's just ahead of the tide in this particular watery arena. Urban surf park URBNSURF is also in the works, and is slated to open at Tullamarine this year. Find Funfields at 2365 Plenty Road, Whittlesea, and visit the theme park's website for further details.
If you need to sweat out the toxins from a solid winter's worth of comfort food and you can't be bothered with the gym or a hardcore detox, we got you. Forget about boot camp, sweating from super spicy food is a go. Luckily, in the culinary world of Melbourne, there are more than a few places with mouth-tingling offerings on the menu for you. These hotspots will have you huffing, puffing and releasing all manner of yucky toxins. So, where to? We've compiled a list of ten spice-centric spots guaranteed to make you sweat. Three chillies next to your menu item or bust, we say. Get ready for things to get hot, hot, hot. NUMBING PORK AT SPICE TEMPLE, SOUTHBANK All aboard the so-hot-it-makes-you-numb train, direction: Neil Perry's Spice Temple — an upmarket, modern Chinese eatery in Southbank. Perry has long been a hallmark of the Australian hospitality scene. His restaurants are stylish, popular, smoothly run and, apparently, sweat inducing. Focusing on different regions and cuisines of China, Spice Temple uses dried, fermented, fresh, salted and pickled chillies — yep, spice is taken very seriously here. For chilli fiends, look no further than the numbing pork, described on the menu as "hot, sweet, sour and numbing" — best prepare your mouth for the whole spectrum. REALLY F**KING HOT WINGS AT BELLES HOT CHICKEN, VARIOUS LOCATIONS Belles Hot Chicken has outlets across both Melbourne and Sydney, bringing the ultimate comfort food — finger-lickin' fried chicken — to the people. Apart from those who don't eat meat, you'd be hard pressed to find a person who doesn't love hot Southern-fried chicken. The founder brought the recipe straight from Tennessee, so you know you're getting the goods. What's more, Belles offer various chicken heat from 'Southern' (mild) all the way through to 'Really F**king Hot', which means you're free as a bird to decide on how badly you want to mess with your insides. REAPER BURGER AT YOMG, VARIOUS LOCATIONS With five locations now under its hat across Melbourne, burger chain YOMG has grown rapidly from its original roots in Mordialloc back in 2013. As well as burgers, YOMG pumps out shakes, fries, chicken and frozen yoghurt for full cholesterol marks. You've probably seen the joint's trendy, pink and black buns pop up on your social media feed occasionally, but you probably haven't seen any Instagram shots of people copping a dose of the Reaper Burger. Well, that's a good thing; they'd probably be a sweaty mess. The burger is served with a five-millilitre 'injecta' of hot sauce that's made from the Carolina Reaper chilli — which has a whopping 1.6 million Scoville heat units, yeesh. Fittingly, it has a skull and crossbones symbol next to it on the menu because, yep, it'll probably kill your will to live. BHUT JOLOKIA CURRY AT LE TAJ, WEST MELBOURNE West Melbourne's Le Taj does the standard tandoori offerings, as well as all the old faithfuls — vindaloo, masala, biryani, plus a satisfyingly large naan — but the real pièce de résistance is the Bhut jolokia curry. The staff at Le Taj are calling it the hottest curry in Melbourne, which is both terrifying and intriguing. Also known as 'ghost chilli', the lil hot guy that is the Bhut jolokia packs more than a decent punch and, evidently, is the hottest chilli in the world. And, well, this curry is full of 'em. Choose between lamb, beef or chicken, and maybe opt for a cooling house-made raita, too. FISH NADAN AT THE ROCHESTER HOTEL, FITZROY The good old Rochey has been a pinnacle of Fitzroy's pub culture for years now, and its recent rebirth in the kitchen has changed nothing — except for the menu with a top-notch offering of spicy food options. Helmed by chef Mischa Tropp, the kitchen now dishes out a Southern Indian-inspired menu, influenced by Tropp's Indian heritage (his family comes from coastal Kerala). While the bar menu is punchy, the dining menu spreads the spice even further thanks to the fish nadan. This traditional Keralan curry made with Kahmiri chilli sees even those with a high spice threshold challenged. Make sure you've got a pint handy to wash that burning spice away. GOD FIRE RAMEN AT HAKATA GENSUKE, VARIOUS LOCATIONS Hakata Gensuke is a chain of ramen restaurants — located in Russell Street (Melbourne's unofficial ramen strip), as well as QV, Doncaster and Hawthorn — that churns out big, hot bowls of tonkotsu ramen for the legions of hungry fans. Along with the tasty signature tonkotsu, you'll find the God Fire Ramen that has a house-made, secret blend of 'Spicy Fire' mixed through. Given it has 'God Fire' in the descriptor its no surprise that this ramen is a real tearjerker — it pulls no punches and leaves no tastebuds unscorched. Only for the very brave. TOM YUM NOODLE SOUP AT DODEE PAIDAN, CBD Despite what your usual UberEats Panang curry order says, Thai food isn't just all mild, creamy, coconut-based curries. Oh no, things can get real hot, too. Little Collins Street's Dodee Paidang knows this and, boy, does it provide with a heap of fiery dishes on the menu. The tom yum noodle soup is the pick of the bunch if you're craving the burn. The dish comes with a handy little numerical heat guide; you can opt for a soup from level zero to seven. Be warned: level three upwards is not for the faint-hearted and level seven might also correlate with the number of seconds it'll take for you to request a large glass of cold milk. HOT POT AT X J HOT POT HOUSE, GLEN WAVERLEY If it's the heat you seek, we suggest you head to a designated hot pot restaurant. And X J Hot Pot House is one of the finest (and spiciest) hot pot hang-outs around. While it's a little off the beaten track in Glen Waverley, it's definitely worth the trip out of the inner city. The area isn't short on small Asian eateries, but this one is the hottest one around, literally. The use of Sichuan spices in its fiery soups is the second best thing about this place — the first being that it's all you can eat for a very reasonable price. MOUTH-WATERING CHICKEN AT DAINTY SICHUAN, SOUTH YARRA The menu doesn't lie: Dainty Sichuan's Mouth-Watering Chicken will stimulate your sinuses and have your saliva glands working overtime. It'll probably have you frantically flagging down a waiter to top up your water supply, too. The South Yarra Chinese restaurant is well known for its hotpots, more-than-just-peppery Sichuan spices and Chongqing cuisine and has left many a diner with a numb tongue and rosy cheeks. The go-to for spice-cravers and thrillseekers is the chicken, with both the three-chilli rated Mouth-Watering and Chongqing chilli packing a real punch. Proceed with caution — Sichuan spices don't muck around. SPICY FISH AT SPICY FISH, CHINATOWN Thankfully, Spicy Fish — nestled within Melbourne's Target Centre in the middle of Chinatown — holds true to its name and is exactly what it says on the packet: spicy fish. The signature dishes of chilli-heavy seafood are served in large portions and the spice kick certainly matches the size. Go for the fish fillet in hot chilli oil or the deep-fried soft shell crab absolutely littered with dried chillies. Both have a three-chilli ratin, of course, so pack some tissues in your bag. Top image: Dainty Sichuan by Letícia Almeida.
Coburg Night Market, the much-loved northside summer pop-up, is back for a 23rd time, taking over Bridges Reserve from Friday, December 15–Sunday, December 17. Whether you're stocking up on prezzies or just want to soak up the start of those long summer nights, the free, dog-friendly market promises three nights and two days jam-packed with good stuff. Not least of which are the live tunes that go well beyond your stock standard neighbourhood p festival lineup. Pull up a picnic rug and treat your ears to sounds from the likes of Pirritu, Hooper Crescent, Muma Ganoush, OUZO!, Fonzie, Sunny Morris, Sunfruits and DJ Jas Moore from Triple R. The Coburg Night Market is also introducing the Mindful Mob Healing Market for the first time. First Nations songwriter and producer Maylene Yinarr has curated a stacked program featuring performances, a children's mindfulness workshop, cultural healing sessions, Elders stories and more. Visitors will be encouraged to enter this cultural space within Coburg Night Market of the broader market to learn more about the local First Nations community and their connection to land and Spirit. Shoppers will also find an impressive curation of 68 market stalls from local creatives and businesses. This will include a heap of food and drink vendors slinging a diverse range of eats throughout the weekend. The market will run from 5–10:30pm on December 15, 12–10:30pm on December 16 and 12–8:30pm on December 17. Images: Nic Cleary and Coburg Night Market
You can expect a musical celebration for all the senses, when the annual Darebin Music Feast kicks off its 2018 season this Thursday, October 18. The festival's ringing in its 22nd edition with a whopping 120 parties, gigs and industry events, showcasing venues all across this vibrant pocket of Melbourne's north. Unfolding across ten jam-packed days, the program launches with a Darebin Arts Centre opening party brimming with girl power. You'll catch a screening of powerful film Her Sound, Her Story, exploring the experiences of women in the Australia music industry, before settling in for an evening of art and music, headlined by legendary ladies Alice Skye, Girl Zone and Jesswar. Family-friendly daytime gig Sonic aGender: Shake the Tree descends on the Thornbury Bowls Club on October 21, dishing up sounds from the likes of The Pink Tiles and Ally Boom Boom & The Cool Bananas, along with an old-school sausage sizzle and meat tray raffles. An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music showcase hits the Northcote Town Hall on October 27, with a lineup that includes Bricky B, Maylene Slater Burns, Drmngnow and more, while on October 19, Jen Cloher delivers a keynote focused on ideas of gender, songwriting and wall breaking. And this year's Feast Films series celebrates some of music's most extraordinary women, as the Thornbury Picture House shines the spotlight on iconic female-centric flicks like The Punk Singer, PATTI CAKE$ and 20 Feet from Stardom. Images: Thornbury Picture House, Nicole Cleary.
One of the best things about Williamstown is its bayside location, which you can make the most of with dinner on the water at Pier Farm. Think Italian-style pizza, fresh seafood and Mediterranean-inspired eats, all enjoyed with a serene view. There's a maritime feel to the restaurant and its new seven-metre bar, without the over-the-top nautical theme that was once common at waterfront venues. Pier Farm even has 20 visitor berths for public mooring — meaning you can cruise right on in on your boat for dinner on the deck. Stand out bites include natural oysters with a raspberry vinaigrette, wagyu bresaola and woodfired pizza with San Daniele prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella.
More than just a simple cafe, Project281 has taken up residence on Albert Street in Brunswick. Owners Connell McGrath and Sargon Michael (of The Glass Den Cafe) have made a smart move by setting up shop in Melbourne's food and coffee-oriented north — but Project281 stands out from the crowd in terms of what it has to offer. A massive industrial looking, greenery-filled space on Albert Street, Project281 includes an in-house roastery — aka Founder Coffee Co. — as well as a kitchen and indoor 50-square-metre herb garden on their mezzanine level (with its products used in the food, of course). The team plans to open for dinner and add a rooftop bar, but there's plenty to see, eat and drink here to keep patrons going in the meantime, and McGrath says that it's been no mean feat. "To put it simply, it has been a massive team effort," he says of the process. "We've spent countless hours, day and night, creating a space that promises to be comfortable, convenient and exciting for all." The team effort he refers to includes part of Matcha Mylkbar's opening team, Lachlan Timms and Conrad Cheng, who run front and back of house operations. Then there's coffee roaster Anne Cooper, snagged from Equilibrium Master Roasters to oversee the coffee side of things. The fit-out was done by architectural firm Splinter Society, and it's all natural light, greenery and timber throughout the warehouse-like space. Designed by the team to be vegan-friendly, the menu features a mix of Korean, Japanese, and South East Asian fare — divided into chibi-sara (small plates), oki-sara (large plates) and ame-sara (sweet plates). Even if you're not a dessert-for-breakfast kind of person, the latter are well worth a gander, with the Japanese taiyaki (a filled waffle) is served with nashi pear custard, berries, brandy coral, vanilla ice cream and sweet herbs for $19. More of a savoury tooth? Perhaps the soft shell crab okonomiyaki ($24), served with poached egg, tonkatsu and slaw, will whet your appetite. That's without getting started on the liquids — from a triple hot chocolate ($7) to housemade smoothies full of goodness ($11), there's a lot to see around these parts even if you're not a coffee drinker. If you are a coffee drinker, try the iced coffee sphere with a side of hot milk, $8. Who said coffee culture was all the same? Find Project281 at 281 Albert Street, Brunswick, or visit the cafe's Facebook page for further details.
If you commute to work by train, you're looking at having a frustrating autumn. Well, at least a frustrating April. The Victorian Government has announced that sections of nine Melbourne train lines will be closed from April 1–23 to complete more work on the South Yarra side of the Metro Tunnel and make way for a shiny new fleet of high-capacity trains. What does that mean? Replacement buses. If you travel on any of the lines that service the southeast suburbs, you'll most likely have to switch from the train to a bus at some point on your commute. Plus, in the north, part of the Mernda line will be closed at the same time for a level crossing removal. If you were impacted by the train closures back in January, it's likely that'll you'll probably have your commute stuffed around again this autumn. According to The Age, the works will affect more that 1.5 million Melburnians. https://twitter.com/ptv_official/status/1106094153795096576 The lines that'll be impacted across the Easter holiday period are Cranbourne, Pakenham, Frankston, Sandringham, Glen Waverley and Mernda, as well as the Gippsland and Geelong/Warrnambool V/Lines. Here's what we know so far about what's happening on each of the affected lines. Frankston: Buses will replace trains between Mordialloc and Frankston stations from April 1–3, between Flinders Street and Caulfield stations from April 6–23, and between Flinders Street and Moorabbin stations from April 13–14 and April 19–21. Cranbourne and Pakenham: Buses will replace trains between Flinders Street and Caulfield stations from April 6–23, and between Caulfield and Westall stations from April 13–14, and between Flinders Street and Westall from April 19–21. Glen Waverley: Buses will replace trains between Burnley and Darling stations from April 13–14. Mernda: Buses will replace trains between Thornbury and Epping stations from April 3–9, and between Clifton Hill and Merda stations from April 13–14. Sandringham: Buses will replace trains between Flinders Street and Sandringham stations on April 6, and between Flinders Street and Sandringham stations from April 13–14 and April 19–22. Plus, V/Line services will be affected as well. Coaches will replace trains on the Warrnambool and Geelong line from April 6–21. Something to keep in mind if you're travelling home or out of the metro area over the holiday period. The Gippsland line is also expected to be affected, but passengers will, once again, receive free travel. You can find the full details on line closures here. The free tram zone will also be extended for games at the MCG throughout April — but sports fans are told to allow extra time for travel. The State Government is advising commuters to leave an extra 60 minutes for travel in the case of delays, so it's advisable that you plan your trip carefully. For up-to-date info, your best bet is to check the disruptions map on the government's Big Build website. Image: Josie Withers for Visit Victoria. Updated: March 29, 2019.
