It's never a good idea to blast through your paycheque when it's just landed in your account. However, there's no need to stay cooped up inside when there's plenty of affordable ways to get out and enjoy Melbourne. With the help of Great Southern Bank and its clever banking tools, you can have a fun budget while still putting aside some funds to help you hit your savings goals. Take advantage of The Boost, a feature that transfers a small amount of money (between $0.01 and $5) straight into your savings account each time you use your debit card. And, you can hide your savings from sight with The Vault, helping you resist the temptation to dip in. Whether you're on a shoestring or have a bit saved you'll want to have a few fun activities up your sleeve for your next self-care moment. So, here are a few great Melbourne experiences that meet different spending criteria, so you can do the things you love without spending all your hard-earned dollars. [caption id="attachment_803852" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria[/caption] FREE Public spaces don't come much more serene than the Royal Botanic Gardens. If you're itching for an open green space where you don't have to spend a dime to sit down, there are few better places to hang out on a sunny day than the South Yarra park. It recently added an impressive arid garden that features over 3000 cacti and succulents, too. For a first-rate day out, pack a picnic basket and roll out your rug on one of the site's many expanses of lush lawn — with the gardens spanning over 38 hectares, you won't be short of places to park yourself. [caption id="attachment_691827" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Heide Museum of Modern Art[/caption] The grounds of Heide Museum of Modern Art is another striking outdoor destination primed for a day in the sun. Although entry to the museum costs $20 for adults and is well worth a visit, the surrounding gardens and sculpture park can be roamed for free. There are over 30 sculptures situated across the 15-acre parkland, with each vantage point as impressive as the next. [caption id="attachment_734240" align="alignnone" width="1920"] GoBoat[/caption] $20 AND UNDER A day sailing down the Yarra doesn't have to involve expensive tickets and even pricier food. Instead, grab seven of your mates, head to Southbank's Sandridge Wharf and pile into a Danish-designed GoBoat for an hour on the water for as little as $16 per person. You don't have to worry about boating licenses or sailing lessons, either, as these streamlined vessels are designed to be super easy to operate. Plus, you're welcome to BYO food, drinks and even pets — because, yes, your pooch deserves a treat, too. [caption id="attachment_622465" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James[/caption] Or, swap the boat for a car and head to the Coburg Drive-In. As one of Australia's few remaining drive-in cinemas, this much-loved venue has stood the test of time for a reason. For one thing, it's more cost-effective than a trip to a traditional cinema — entry is priced at $35 per car with a maximum of five people, so make sure every one of your seats is loaded with a film buff and, to cut costs even more, bring your own snacks. If you do feel like spending a little extra though, there's an on-site retro American-style diner serving hamburgers, onion rings, sundaes and shakes. With screenings of both blockbusters and classic films, the Coburg Drive-In is a great low-cost way to treat yourself. [caption id="attachment_824982" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Zoo[/caption] $50 AND UNDER At $40 for a standard adult ticket, visiting the adorable animals at Melbourne Zoo is a budget-friendly way to disconnect for a day — and get a serotonin kick. The park is home to a number of incredible enclosures and up-close experiences that offer a glimpse at wildlife from around the world. If you'd prefer to see what lies beneath the waves, tickets to Sea Life Melbourne start at $36.80. Here, you'll discover 12 enchanting zones that showcase life under the sea, ranging from the Penguin Playground to the vibrant tropical fish of Coral Atoll. [caption id="attachment_814550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Smash Splash[/caption] If you're looking to let off steam, a visit to Oakleigh's Smash Splash might just be the ticket. As the first venue of its kind in Melbourne, it offers paint-filled balloons, cups of paint and paintbrushes to unleash your creativity on its unwitting white walls. Each 30-minute session costs $100 for you and a friend, although you can spend a little extra for a canvas to decorate and take home. [caption id="attachment_803439" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sense of Self[/caption] MAKE IT RAIN (WITHIN REASON) Payday might have only just arrived, but you don't have to feel bad about pampering yourself every once in a while. After all, self care is important. If you've squirrelled away some spare coin (that is not in your savings account) and want to treat yourself with a mind, body and soul experience, look no further than Collingwood's Sense of Self. There are rejuvenating massage treatments for virtually every sore spot, with guests also welcome to customise their own rubdowns. This converted Easey Street warehouse also features a calming communal bathhouse which boasts sleek modern fit-outs and plush furnishings. [caption id="attachment_673938" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Estelle, Gareth Sobey[/caption] Now that you're suitably revitalised, a heavenly meal is a superb way to take your day to even greater heights. While there's no shortage of renowned fine-dining establishments in Melbourne, you don't have to break the bank to partake in a world-class dining experience. Lucy Liu's innovative pan-Asian cuisine can be enjoyed via a sumptuous vegan set menu for $55 per person. Elsewhere, Northcote bistro Estelle offers one of the best midweek deals in town — a dry-aged steak, side of chips and a top-shelf glass of wine will set you back just $35 on its popular Tuesday steak night. Great Southern Bank is empowering Aussies to get clever with their banking. Whether you want to stick to your savings goals with The Boost or hide your house deposit fund from yourself with The Vault, Great Southern Bank helps you get there. For more information on savings tools and home loan options, head to the Great Southern Bank website. Top image: GoBoat, Lean Timms
If it wasn't for composer and theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber, the world of musicals would've looked mighty different over the past half-century. His songs and compositions echo through everything from the Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar to Evita and Cats. (Yes, he's one of the folks who helped the word "jellicle" become lodged in everyone's brains for nearly four decades now.) In short, Lloyd Webber boasts quite the resume — and, while his musicals aren't treading any boards in the present circumstances, they are coming to a brand new YouTube channel called The Shows Must Go On. Starting from April 4, it'll release a different high-profile production each week, with the chosen show playing for 48 hours from 5am AEST each Saturday. And, unlike tickets to Broadway or the West End, these streams are free. It all starts with the 2000 adaptation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat starring Donny Osmond, Maria Friedman, Richard Attenborough and Joan Collins. The following week, over the weekend of Easter, the 2012 version of Jesus Christ Superstar will be available to watch — complete with Aussie comedian Tim Minchin as Judas and Spice Girl Mel C as Mary Magdalene. And, from April 18, The Phantom of the Opera will hit the stream, courtesy of the 25th anniversary staging of the famous musical. On the channel's penultimate weekend, By Jeeves will be available to watch from Saturday, May 9 till Sunday, May 10. Closing out the shows is Andrew Lloyd Webber's one and only Cats — let's hope this one is less of a catastrophe than last year's nightmarish film adaptation. Starring Elaine Paige and Sir John Mills and an eighty-piece orchestra, Cats will be available to stream from 4am AEST, Saturday, May 16 till Sunday, May 17. Plus, if you're eager to peek behind the scenes, you'll be able to take a gander at backstage footage and clips of famous performances as well. [caption id="attachment_766768" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] A scene from Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice @ O2 Arena, London. (Opening 20-09-12) ©Tristram Kenton.[/caption] The Shows Must Go On will release a different production each week for six weeks, with future shows yet to be announced. Top images: Cats; By Jeeves; Jesus Christ Superstar, Tristram Kenton; and The Phantom of the Opera. Updated May 11.
Marco Delgado and Nadine Fuchs are two extremely svelte performers whose brand of erotic dance-comedy is moist with ambiguity. Watching footage of their past work it’s clear they're out to mock the seriousness of their own artform, recognising that humour’s often the first emotion sacrificed on the altar of contemporary dance. At the same time their shows never appear like simple pisstakes of high art — it’s the tension between their obvious talent and their playful approach that’s characterised Delgado Fuchs’ work in the past. Arriving from their native Europe (where Delgado worked as a stripper in Brussels while training as a dancer), they’re hosted in Melbourne by Australia’s leading experimental dance venue, Dancehouse.
Melbourne's night owls and culture vultures will unite this autumn when a brand new event transforms the city into a late-night cultural playground. Announced over the weekend, Art After Dark will make its debut from Friday, May 13 until Sunday, May 15, taking over some of Melbourne's leading cultural institutions for an after-hours extravaganza. The event pulls inspiration from the European Night of Museums, which sees thousands of museums and other cultural landmarks open late for a special one-night, continent-wide affair each year. Here in Melbourne, the inaugural Art After Dark will deliver two jam-packed nights of art, music, food and drink, as iconic spots like The NGV, Fed Square, Arts Centre Melbourne, ACMI, State Library Victoria and Melbourne Museum all extend their opening hours and party late into the evening. The program is set to offer an array of free and ticketed experiences for people of all ages. [caption id="attachment_821536" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NGV Friday Nights, Eugene Hyland[/caption] Held in collaboration with Visit Victoria and some of the city's key cultural facilities, the event is expected to see thousands of punters descend on the city for a late-night culture fix — a move that's sure to be welcomed by Melbourne's hard-hit creative industries as they continue through their post-COVID recovery phase. And Art After Dark isn't the only big win for Melbourne's cultural scene this year. From June, NGV International will host a huge exhibition dedicated to Pablo Picasso and his contemporaries, called The Picasso Century. And also this winter, the UK's Tate galleries will descend on ACMI for Light: Works from Tate's Collection — another blockbuster showcase featuring over 70 diverse works from across the past 200 years of art history, including pieces by Kusama and Monet. Art After Dark Melbourne will take place across a collection of the city's key cultural institutions from May 13–May 15. Jump over here for more info and to sign up for early access to the full program. Top Image: Melbourne Museum
While Melbourne prepares to cop apocalyptic temperatures of up to 44 degrees today, most of you will have already plotted your day around blasting air-con or — if you're already on holidays — nice cool bodies of water. With parts of the state tipped to smash their maximum temperature records for December, and an expected low of just 19 degrees overnight, it's safe to say this is no day to be stuck outside. But for folks sleeping rough, cool-down options are few and far between. So, the City of Melbourne has announced it will again lend a helping hand to local homeless on this scorcher of a day — and others to come — by offering some sweet relief in the form of free movie tickets and complimentary pool visits. Lord Mayor Sally Capp explained the offer — which has run in previous years — is part of a long-term heat relief program for Melbourne's homeless, run across the hottest days of summer. "We know that it can be very hard to beat the heat for people who are experiencing homelessness," she said. "We offer free passes for our city pools or movie tickets to ensure people have somewhere to go to cool down when it is extremely hot outside." Extreme heat is forecast across #Victoria tomorrow, with many locations likely to break December max temp records. Much of the northwest including #Mildura and #Horsham are forecast to reach 47°C while 44°C is forecast for #Melbourne and #Warrnambool https://t.co/EgDcP4McRz pic.twitter.com/Z2g1XZ94kz — Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) December 19, 2019 During heatwave conditions, people experiencing homelessness will have access to free movie tickets (and the sweet cinema air-con that goes with it), with passes distributed by the city's homelessness service providers up until April 30, 2020. Free swim and locker passes are also being handed out, to be used at any of the City of Melbourne's four aquatic facilities: Melbourne City Baths, Carlton Baths, North Melbourne Recreation Centre and Kensington Community Recreation Centre. In anticipation of today's brutal conditions, The Salvation Army's Lighthouse Café on Bourke Street — which is usually closed in the afternoon — will also remain open for 24 hours, providing another cool place for disadvantaged locals to escape the heat. The free services will be available for those who need them during heatwaves — which the State Government defines as "a period of unusual and uncomfortable hot weather that could negatively affect human health" — until the end of April next year. Temperatures aren't going to cool down until early tomorrow morning — and you'll be relieved to know that tomorrow will only reach a top of 20 degrees. Until then, stay cool and hydrated and follow the City of Melbourne's heatwave tips.
Your next year of cheat days just got sorted. To celebrate its new Moonee Ponds location, we've teamed up with Yo My Goodness, aka YOMG, to give one lucky Concrete Playground reader the chance to win free burgers every week — for 12 whole months. That's right, once a week you can tuck in to a delicious, 100 percent grass-fed Aussie angus burger, sandwiched in a YOMG signature handmade bun, absolutely free of charge. Or, opt for one of its excellent chicken burgers, slow-cooked pulled pork or veggie options. Whatever you choose, there's no chance of getting bored. Each week, the winner will get a $20 YOMG credit to spend at the burger and frozen yoghurt expert's Pratt Street outpost. So, you'll have enough cash to pair your buns with a side of cheesy or loaded fries, a next-level thickshake or even an OTT froyo from the self-serve station. Sound too good to be true? Enter your details below to be in the running. [competition]804555[/competition]
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, as Arbory Afloat has returned once more. Arbory Afloat, which made its debut in 2015, has reclaimed its prime position in front of on-shore sister venue Arbory Bar & Eatery on the Yarra as of Monday, October 26. 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 has made a triumphant return. Chef Nick Bennett has again designed the menu, which is packed full of local ingredients and inspired by all things Mediterranean. You can snack on fried calamari ($19), pomegranate-studded baba ganoush ($10) and fried zucchini flowers ($6), or go big with minute steak and fries ($29) and one of nine different pizzas ($23–35), including a Nutella and strawberries ($16) number. And would it be a visit to the floating bar without cocktails? We think not. Luckily, there are plenty. As well as Four Pillars pink gin, there are craft beers, wine and six cocktails on tap. [caption id="attachment_754392" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Shiff[/caption] Arbory Afloat is open at Flinders Lane from 11am–1am daily. Bookings are free or you can claim a daybed package for $375.
How do you make an exciting Melbourne Writers Festival lineup even better? Keep adding impressive names, which is exactly what this year's MWF has done. As announced back in June, the 2022 fest will already host Parks and Recreation star Jenny Slate, Succession's Brian Cox, Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker and Exit West author Mohsin Hamid — and now that the full program is here, they're set to have plenty of company. More 270 authors, actors, journalists and poets will take part in 150-plus events at this year's MWF, which means that the bill is stacked with must-see talents. Among the highlights: Alice Oseman, the writer and illustrator responsible for the graphic novels behind Netflix hit Heartstopper, and the show's writer and creator as well; British Still Life author Sarah Winman; Sarah Moss, who has the pandemic novel The Fell on her resume; and law professor Anita Hill, who penned Believing about the harassment she received for decades after testifying against now-US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. [caption id="attachment_859191" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jarvis Cocker, Tom Jamieson[/caption] When it takes place over four days between Thursday, September 8–Sunday, September 11, MWF will also welcome everyone from Pure Colour's Sheila Heti and Talking about a Revolution's Yassmin Abdel-Magied through to Lapvona's Ottessa Moshfegh and Station Eleven's Emily St John. While some of the fest's big-name guests will appear in-person, others will stream in from overseas — and, some events are digital-only, and available to watch on demand nationally with pay-what-you-can prices. So, for instance, Melburnians will be able to see Slate, Cox and Hamid live, and catch livestreamed sessions with Cocker and Heti. And everyone can enjoy Oseman and St John's chats online. Other 2022 highlights include Hamid teaming up with this year's Miles Franklin winner and Bodies of Light author Jennifer Down, plus Talkin' Up to White Woman's Aileen Moreton-Robinson, to give the festival's opening address on the theme of ambition; Coronacast's Dr Norman Swan chatting about his new book So You Want to Live Younger Longer?; Wiradjuri poet and artist Jazz Money and Mununjali Yugambeh and South Sea Islander author Chelsea Watego talking through their experiences as First Nations creatives; and Boy Swallows Universe's Trent Dalton taking to the stage not once but twice. Or, there's Pulitzer Prize winners Jennifer Egan (A Visit From the Goon Squad) and Margo Jefferson (Constructing a Nervous System) among the digital program; ABC News Breakfast favourite Tony Armstrong on a panel about growing up in country Australia; and China's Murong Xuecun chatting about his book Deadly Quiet City: Stories from Wuhan, COVID Ground Zero. The jam-packed lineup also spans a debate about ambition-themed storytelling; discussions on partisanship in Aussie politics, mental illness and vulnerability, republicanism, the future of the ABC, and the global impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Melbourne Writers Festival 2022 runs from Thursday, September 8–Sunday, September 11 at a variety of venues around Melbourne. For more information and to buy tickets, head to the festival's website.
With the Beauty and the Beast musical on its way to Australia, a major exhibition focusing on fairy tales as well, and the live-action version of The Little Mermaid set to swim into cinemas, 2023 is shaping up to be a big year for enchanting stories. Here's something else to add to that list: MIDNIGHT — The Fairytale Begins..., a new Australian musical that's been in development for six years and will make its debut in Melbourne come winter. The onstage romantic comedy actually takes its cues from a well-known favourite, and one that's been doing the rounds of Aussie theatres in 2022, with Cinderella its inspiration. But MIDNIGHT — The Fairytale Begins... doesn't just tell the familiar narrative the same way as everyone already knows, instead giving it an update. In a production that'll feature Australian musical theatre stars Lucy Durack (Wicked, Legally Blonde, Shrek), Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary Poppins, Sweet Charity), Thomas McGuane (Frozen, Jersey Boys), Matt Lee (Mary Poppins, Frozen) and Kristie Nguy, MIDNIGHT — The Fairytale Begins...'s heroine Ella doesn't want a prince to sweep her off her feet, even an apparent Prince Charming. But the latter is besotted, and the clock is ticking — with plenty needing to click before the stroke of midnight. The aim: "to create a fully formed, funny, complex heroine for a new generation, and to create the definitive musical version of this magical, evergreen tale", explains co-director Dean Murphy (Charlie & Boots, The Divorce). "The Cinderella story has been retold for hundreds of years with the most widely known version being written in 1950 and reflecting the sensibilities of that era. So, a number of our team with young children felt it was time the world of Cinderella was freshly revisited to explore how this intriguing girl became an icon, but told through a new, empowering story that sees this force-of-nature fight for great change whilst still embracing the love, support and magic from those around her," he continued. "Whilst we still have some of the beloved fairytale characters, there are many new surprises that we know will delight audiences," said producer Spencer McLaren (Dive Club, Puffs the Play, Mother & Son). "MIDNIGHT has many Broadway-style showstoppers that people will be singing for years to come and a world-class cast including Lucy Durack as Ms Madrina, Verity Hunt-Ballard as Madame Bellington, Thomas McGuane as the Prince and Matt Lee as his trusted aide Andre. The coveted role of Ella is still being cast with a nation-wide search underway," he added. Originally slated to premiere in 2020 before the pandemic hit, the new musical will debut at Melbourne's Comedy Theatre from June 2023, and boasts music and lyrics by John Foreman (Aussie Pops Orchestra, Carols By Candlelight) and Anthony Costanzo (Life's A Circus, Cross Roads) — plus an additional song by Kate Miller-Heidke (Muriel's Wedding). Billed as an all-ages affair, it hails from Murphy and co-writer/director Pip Mushin (Resident: Book of Mormon, Fiddler on the Roof), and features choreography by Kelly Aykers (So You Think You Can Dance, The Wizard of Oz, Barnum) — with McLaren, Murphy and Craig Donnell (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Grease — The Musical, The Sound of Music) producing. Exact Melbourne season dates haven't yet been revealed, but tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, November 11. Whether MIDNIGHT — The Fairytale Begins... will head to other Australian cities after its premiere run also hasn't been announced, but that gives fairy tale, musical, theatre and rom-com fans elsewhere something to wish for to their fairy godmother. MIDNIGHT — The Fairytale Begins... will premiere in June 2023 at Melbourne's Comedy Theatre. For more information, or to join the waitlist for tickets before they go on sale at 9am on Friday, November 11, head to the production's website. Images: Wayne Taylor.
Usually, Vegemite gets spread across bread. It's simple, it's easy and, if you like the yeasty Australian staple, it's a classic. But that's just one way to enjoy the famed product, which has found its way into chocolate, milk shakes, icy poles, ice creams, burgers, popcorn and booze, too — and now, to the top of a pizza as well. In the type of new menu item that'll either have you ordering right now or rethinking ever eating a slice again, Vegemite and cheese pizza is a real thing that now exists at Domino's. It's a limited-edition addition to the chain's menu, however, so if you're currently somehow salivating at the thought of this new food mashup, you've got three weeks to get a taste — starting Monday, October 11. Yes, a Vegemite and cheese pizza is as straightforward as it sounds, with Domino's slathering the yeasty spread across a pizza base, then adding mozzarella. Yes, your tastebuds and stomach are definitely allowed to feel confused about the whole idea. Wondering why such a Frankenstein's monster of a pizza has come to fruition? Domino's asked its social media followers if they'd sink their teeth into this exact creation, and they responded with an overwhelming yes. If the new Vegemite and cheese pizzas prove so popular that they sell out quickly, they won't actually be on the menu for the full three weeks — if you need an extra incentive to give one a try. Price-wise, they start from $7.95 for pick up, and are available at all Aussie stores. Vegemite and cheese pizzas are available at Domino's from Monday, October 11–Sunday, October 31 — unless sold out earlier.
Another summer, another EDM sweatfest. While its more well-behaved, boutique festival cousins have been dropping off one by one over the last few years, Future has only upped the ante, with this year's giant lineup boasting more than 200 artists. And sure, wrestling with singlet-clad bros fistpumping to Avicii isn't everyone's idea of fun, but while you're waiting for the beat to drop there's a load of other international and local artists to check out in the meantime. There's Drake of course, who recently dropped his surprise mixtape, If You're Reading This It's Too Late, '90s legends The Prodigy, German techno pioneer Sven Väth, and irresistibly catchy pop artist Kiesza. Locally, watch out for Brisbane management company Mutual Friends, who manages producers along the likes of Young Franco and DJ Butcher, Sydney stalwart DJ Deckhead (whose Drake stunt exploded on social media), and house producer Acaddamy, who has played alongside Disclosure and Dusky. Plus, Darude's going to be there. So if you've ever wanted to see 'Sandstorm' dropped by the dude who created it, this is your big chance.
One, two, three, four: Sex Bob-Omb! are back, and everything Scott Pilgrim with them, thanks to upcoming Netflix animated series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. First announced earlier in 2023, the new take on a bass player fighting the object of his affection's seven evil exes is hitting the small screen as a streaming series, with the entire Scott Pilgrim vs the World cast returning to their roles. And if you're wondering what that all looks like, the show has just dropped its first teaser trailer. Obviously, a lot can happen in 13 years — and for the cast of 2010's page-to-screen favourite Scott Pilgrim vs the World, much has before Scott Pilgrim Takes Off reaches screens. Michael Cera kept returning to Arrested Development's George Michael, made a stunning appearance in the Twin Peaks revival and featured in Barbie. Mary Elizabeth Winstead added everything from Fargo and 10 Cloverfield Lane to Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) to her resume. Chris Evans became Captain America, Kieran Culkin killed it with insults in Succession and Anna Kendrick had the whole Pitch Perfect franchise. Brie Larson slipping into Captain Marvel's shoes, Aubrey Plaza's The White Lotus stint, Jason Schwartzman still showing up in Wes Anderson films aplenty — that's all occurred as well. Now, more Scott Pilgrim has come all of the above actors' way, too. The movie that started off as a series of graphic novels by Bryan Lee O'Malley, and also hit video games, will live on again from Friday, November 17. And, once more, Scott (Cera) will fall for Ramona Flowers (Winstead), and face off against her past loves. When a film becomes a streaming series, that doesn't always mean that the OG stars return with it — but it does in this case. As well as Cera and Winstead, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off boasts Culkin as Wallace Wells, Kendrick as Stacey Pilgrim, Larson as Envy Adams and Plaza as Julie Powers. And, yes, Evans, Schwartzman, Satya Bhabha (Sense8), Brandon Routh (The Flash) and Mae Whitman (Good Girls) are all back as Ramona's evil exes. The list doesn't stop there. Alison Pill (Hello Tomorrow!) as Kim Pine, Johnny Simmons (Girlboss) as young Neil, Mark Webber (SMILF) as Stephen Stills, Ellen Wong (Best Sellers) as Knives Chau are reprising their roles as well. While Scott Pilgrim Takes Off still sees its namesake swoon over Ramona, then tussle with her former paramours, this is more than just a do-over. "I knew that a live action sequel was unlikely, but I would usually defer by suggesting that perhaps an anime adaptation was an interesting way to go," the original film's director Edgar Wright told Netflix back when the series was first announced. "And then, lo and behold, one day Netflix got in touch to ask about this exact idea. But even better, our brilliant creator Bryan Lee O'Malley had an idea that was way more adventurous than just a straight adaptation of the original books," Wright continued — and he's back as an executive producer. Check out the first teaser trailer for Scott Pilgrim Takes Off below: Scott Pilgrim Takes Off will be available to stream via Neflix on Friday, November 17.
Even if you're on a strict 'no spend' budget, you'll want to check out this giant sale of some of Australia's most iconic labels this weekend — after all, it's for charity. From Friday, April 29 until Sunday, May 1, the Make-A-Wish Melbourne Warehouse Sale will see some of country's best-loved brands including Alias Mae, Apéro, Maurie and Eve, Sass & Bide and Dr Denim at absolute bargain prices. The best part? 100 percent of the proceeds are going directly to Make-A-Wish Australia, to help them keep granting life-changing wishes for critically ill kids. Celebrities and influencers are also getting in on the action, donating unopened beauty products, clothes, accessories and shoes. If you've ever been green with envy over an Instagram unboxing, this is your chance to get your hands on some of the goods. The sale can be found at the Clifton Street Market this weekend, with doors open on Friday from 8am-7pm, Saturday from 10am-4pm and Sunday from 10am-1pm. We'd recommend grabbing some fashion-loving friends and getting in line bright and early before work on Friday morning — as we said, it's for charity.
March will see Melbourne Town Hall host Hermès at Work, an itinerant celebration of the artisans that make Hermès what it is. Creators from nine different métiers of the luxury brand will meet, greet, and demonstrate their individual areas of expertise. You'll be able to wander through the display areas and discover how exactly how Hermès' famous bags, saddles, gloves and silk squares are made. There will also be round-table discussions held throughout the festival for those who have even more questions. Admission is free, but make sure you book your ticket online in advance.
Marty. De Niro. Leo. Enough said. That's the basic maths behind Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese's first film since 2019's The Irishman. Premiering at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival before hitting cinemas Down Under in October and then Apple TV+ after that, it's also his first feature to star two of his long-serving collaborators: Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio. De Niro and DiCaprio have been in so many of the legendary director's movies that it's rare for any of his titles to not include one or the other. The former's run gave viewers gangster masterpieces such as Mean Streets, Goodfellas and Casino; also spans the iconic Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and The King of Comedy; and covers musical New York, New York and thriller remake Cape Fear, too — and, of course The Irishman. The latter began leading Scorsese's films in the early 2000s, kicking off with Gangs of New York, then starring in The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island and The Wolf of Wall Street. Yes, that's a helluva resume for both actors, and for their favourite helmer. Enter Killers of the Flower Moon — which is actually the second time that De Niro and DiCaprio have joined forces for Scorsese, but their debut together in one of his full-length features (they played themselves in the director's 2015 comedy short The Audition). The actors have a past on-screen beyond that, however, thanks to the non-Marty helmed This Boy's Life in 1993, back when DiCaprio was still a teen. That's the Scorsese–De Niro–DiCaprio history, with Killers of the Flower Moon also jumping backwards into the real-life of murders of oil-wealthy members of the Osage Nation in Osage County, Oklahoma a century back. Scorsese also co-wrote the screenplay with Eric Roth (Dune, and an Oscar-winner for Forest Gump), adapting David Gann's 2017 non-fiction book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI. As the just-dropped first trailer for Killers of the Flower Moon shows, DiCaprio (Don't Look Up) and Certain Women standout Lily Gladstone play a couple caught up in the investigations surrounding the mounting killings. Also co-starring: not just De Niro (Amsterdam), but Jesse Plemons (Love & Death), John Lithgow (Sharper) and newly minted Best Actor Oscar-winner Brendan Fraser (The Whale). Check out the trailer for Killers of the Flower Moon below: Killers of the Flower Moon will release in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, October 19, then stream via Apple TV+ at a later date — we'll update you with streaming details when they're announced.
As winter enters its darkest weeks, Victoria's picturesque coastal town of Queenscliff launches its second incarnation of Low Light Queenscliff — a boutique fringe festival bringing the finest international and local arts, music and culinary talents in a celebration to stimulate the senses. Low Light will run across consecutive weekends in May and June, showcasing immersive art, performances and more. Think of it like Queenscliff Music Festival meets Dark Mofo (plus a bit of Burning Man). The town's public spaces, galleries, cafes, bars and restaurants will play host to a dazzling array of fringe-style art exhibitions (including Melbourne installation and miniature street artist Tinky), film premieres and screenings (like A Boy Called Sailboat, with the soundtrack played live by the Grigoryan Brothers at the Bellarine Lighthouse on Friday, June 28), spoken word and literary readings and eclectic musical performances. The pièce de résistance will be the planned, simultaneous burning of sculptures in the main streets on Saturday, June 22 — Winter Solstice Night. Other highlights will include the Queenscliff Music Festival concerts, featuring Dan Sultan, Archie Roach, Jen Cloher and Clare Bowditch, popular music documentary Her Story Her Sound screening, Winter Wonderland (a Queenscliff Harbour pop-up ice skating rink) and a winter-warming Japanese whisky masterclass at the Queenscliff Brewhouse. Degustation menus featuring locally foraged ingredients will be available to ease the bracing seas breezes as you explore a side of Queenscliff never seen before. And at just a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, Low Light can be enjoyed as a day trip, long weekend or returning adventure. Low Light events feature every Friday through Sunday across May and June. To view the full program and book tickets, visit the website. First image: Cameron Robbins.
Almost three decades ago, before he had the world saying "thank you, thank you very much" to Elvis, before he explored the birth of American hiphop in Netflix's The Get Down, and before gave The Great Gatsby a spin and made Moulin Rouge! spectacular (spectacular), too, Baz Luhrmann achieved two not-too-insignificant things with his film version of Romeo + Juliet. Not only did the Australian director's vibrant take on the classic tragedy completely change the way everyone thinks about Shakespeare adaptations — it also delivered one of the killer soundtracks of the 90s, and one that many a movie has tried and failed to top since. The track list speaks for itself, really, featuring everything Garbage's '#1 Crush' to The Cardigans' 'Lovefool' to Radiohead's 'Talk Show Host'. Everclear, Butthole Surfers, Des'ree and Quindon Tarver's 'Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)' also pop up, with Luhrmann turning the greatest love story ever told into the greatest soundtrack ever sold. If you were around and of a certain age back in 1996, you definitely owned a copy. You probably still do. Even if you weren't loving it before the turn of the century, you should now as well. It's no wonder, then, that not just the picture but the tunes keep being celebrated as Romeo + Juliet nears its 30th anniversary in 2026. In London for more than a decade, concert screenings of the movie with a live choir and band have been wowing audiences and selling out. More than half-a-million filmgoers have attended. Now, Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet: A Cinematic Experience is finally coming to Australia. Young hearts run free to The Astor Theatre in Melbourne, which is playing host to the Australian debut of this live experience from Tuesday, September 23–Sunday, September 28, 2025. New sessions have already been added due to demand. Images: Andrew Ogilvy Photography.
Melburnians have hotly anticipated visiting the very first Il Mercato Centrale outside Italy ever since the CBD site was first announced in 2022. At that time, it was expected to launch late the same year, but the highly ambitious venture encountered a heap of issues that pushed the opening back a couple of years. But all those woes are now in the past, as the team is officially opening the 546 Collins Street site at 4pm on Thursday, September 19. First off, the 3500-square-metre space, spread across three stories, truly is enormous. The first floor will have a market feel but with more flash, fun and tech. Each of the vendors will be slinging their own specialty goods, with none competing with the other. [caption id="attachment_856980" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mercato Centrale Milan[/caption] There'll be a bakery, patisserie, handmade pasta bar, pizza joint, cheese maker, butcher and seafood stall, to name a few. Here, you can get fresh produce to take away or order it to be cooked up right in front of you. That means that you can buy a steak to eat at home or ask them to pop it on the grill while you start on some wine that you ordered from the bar right in the centre of the ground floor. Want to make it a surf and turf? Order some grilled calamari from the seafood stall next door and create your own feast. Conveniently, you'll be able to order from any and all vendors all in one transaction by using a QR code — or even pre-order from your office to pick up when it's ready. It going to be one of the easiest Melbourne food halls to order from. Then, on the second floor of Melbourne's Il Mercato Centrale, you'll find a fine-dining restaurant, cocktail bar, pasta restaurant (all made by hand), pizzeria, gelateria, wine bar, a gin and vodka distillery, and live music stage. We told you, it's huge. Up here, you'll even be able to order some of the food from downstairs to be delivered to you. Say you're sipping on a negroni at the bar upstairs and get a bit hungry. All you've got to do is order a cheeseboard and perhaps some slices of pizza on your phone, and the team will bring it up to you. If it all works out how the crew wants it to, it will be a huge feat of tech and service ingenuity. The top floor of Il Mercato Centrale will then be dedicated to private events and masterclasses, where each of the vendors will run workshops on their particular trades each month. There will even be a big outdoor seating area right on Collins Street, something that was not easy for the Il Mercato Centrale team to secure. Taking Concrete Playground on a tour of the site, General Manager Gary Patikkis couldn't share the details about the outside area, but he noted that it is set to be unlike any other street-level drinking and dining space in the CBD. [caption id="attachment_856983" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Il Mercato Centrale in Turin[/caption] The venue will have a 3am liquor license (another rarity for new venues in Melbourne) and be open from 7am–midnight every day of the week. Patikkis commented, "We are beyond delighted by how the space is coming to life and are excited to share the authentic essence of il Mercato Centrale with Australia this September. "Our venue will not only bring a cultural experience never-before seen in Melbourne, it will celebrate the rich tradition of Italian cuisine and hospitality through our dedicated food and beverage artisans. "We look forward to unveiling il Mercato Centrale and becoming a cherished cornerstone of Melbourne's vibrant food and hospitality scene." [caption id="attachment_856981" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Il Mercato Centrale Rome[/caption] Il Mercato Central Melbourne will open at 4pm on Thursday, September 19, and will be found at 546 Collins Street, Melbourne. The Italian market and food hub will be open every day from 7am–midnight. For more details, you can visit the venue's website.
Catharsis is crucial in filmmaking, as Jon Favreau (Iron Man) clearly knows. The writer, director and star emerges from big-budget cinema to return to the smaller side of Hollywood, seemingly purging his demons and addressing his disappointments in the process. In Chef, Carl Casper (Favreau) has toiled from humble beginnings to become Los Angeles' premier culinary artist, but a decade working for a profit-focused restaurateur (Dustin Hoffman) sees his menus branded safe, not daring. A scathing review by a prominent food blogger (Oliver Platt) calls out his creative malaise, swirling into a storm of negative press and social media that ushers him out of a job. At first, Carl resists the encouragement of his ex-wife (Sofia Vergara) to start his own food van. Soon, he's rediscovering his passion for cooking and reconnecting with his ten-year-old son, Percy (Emjay Anthony), in a road trip across the continent. https://youtube.com/watch?v=PZ6e51-ie7w Favreau's offering proves appetising in the undemanding manner of the food trucks it covets — and repeatedly invites the comparison. Fine ingredients abound, including finessed visuals of enticing meals on par with the best food-centric efforts; however, poise and polish are swapped for a handmade feel and celebratory outcome. Chef (Film © Sous Chef, LLC. All Rights Reserved) is out on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital with Ultraviolet on September 4, and thanks to Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and the release of Chef, you could win one of two Bodum EILEEN coffee press pack to deck out your kitchen. Included are: 1x Bodum 8 Cup Coffee Press 2x Bodum Pavina Glasses 1x Bodum Travel Press 1x Bodum Battery Operated Milk Frother 1x Bodum Vacum Travel Press 1x copy of Chef on DVD In addition, ten runners up will get copies of the Chef DVD. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Read our full review of the movie here. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
Growing up is hard to do, many a movie tells us, but often that glimpse at youthful perils comes with the male experience in mind. Girlhood's name gives away the fact that that's not the case here; however, what it doesn't clearly convey is how intimate and organic its look at its titular state is. A mere female-skewed take on Richard Linklater's Boyhood, this isn't. Sixteen-year-old Marieme (Karidja Touré) lives life on the outskirts of Paris, with her future looking as bleak as her present. Choice, control and agency are sorely lacking in days overseen by her hotheaded older brother (Cyril Mendy), so when she sees a chance at freedom through some newfound pals, she takes it. Soon, she's flirting with teenage trouble alongside fast friends Lady (Assa Sylla), Adiatou (Lindsay Karamoh) and Fily (Marietou Touré), including all the usual fun of partying, shoplifting and drinking, as well as dances with even darker territory. That the movie's French-language moniker actually translates as 'gang of girls' gives an indication of the kind of existence Marieme embraces. If such a coming-of-age tale sounds familiar, don't let the appearance of a well-worn plot temper your expectations. In her previous two films — Water Lilies and Tomboy — writer director Céline Sciamma came close to perfecting pictures of adolescence that not only felt genuine but also reached worlds away from the usual mainstream fare. In Girlhood, she achieves that feat. As Marieme attempts to carve out her identity and cope with the path she has chosen, Sciamma is more concerned about expressing her mindset and reflecting how she sees the world than documenting her actions. Accordingly, as the film tackles maturity on the margins by showing the harshness of the situation but never wallowing in it, Girlhood becomes as complex a look at a girl becoming a woman as cinema has seen, and as simultaneously energetic and patient too. It helps that newcomer Touré is the perfect vessel for the filmmaker to fill with age-appropriate angst, and then watch as the young actress paints a portrait of pubescent pain and problems on the screen. The remainder of the inexperienced cast also brings the same sense of authenticity, but the camera and the audience are always drawn to Touré as she works through Marieme's good and bad decisions. Consequently, prepare for a ride through the reality — not the cinema fiction — of coming to terms with the ups and downs of life from the perspective of a teenage girl. Prepare to get Rihanna's 'Diamonds' stuck in your head, too, with the track setting the tone for one of the film's most memorable scenes. For a few glorious minutes, Marieme and her friends shimmy away to the song in a blue-lit hotel room, blissfully escaping their troubles. In the midst of this moving film, that's what you'll want to do as well.
A family-run business with a focus on slow and steady fashion principles, High Tea with Mrs Woo boasts sustainable wear known for its longevity. Now, fashion-savvy Melburniates will have the chance to view and try on goods from the Australian-made design practice, with a pop-up coming to Melbourne from Friday, May 5 until Sunday, May 14. To celebrate its winter release, the ethical brand is also hosting two gold-mending kintsugi workshops for a bargain ticket price of $30. Sit down across this 1.5-hour session to learn kintsugi for clothing, including gold-mending techniques to repair holes in your favourite garments. Be quick though, spaces are limited to 12 guests per session, with the first session running from 10am and the second from 12.30pm on Sunday, May 14. Private viewings and personal shopping experiences are also available to book. Images: supplied.
UPDATE: JULY 30, 2020 — From 11.59pm on Sunday, August 2, face masks will be mandatory for all of Victoria. Find out more here. In Melbourne, the humble face mask has quickly become the number-one accessory, after the Victorian Government announced the protective coverings will soon be compulsory for residents of metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. At a press conference on Sunday, July 19, Premier Daniel Andrews advised that everyone over the age of 12 in the Stage 3 lockdown zones now must wear a face mask whenever they leave home for one of the four allowed reasons: for work or school (if you can't do this from home), for care or care giving, for daily exercise, or for food and other essentials. With the state's daily number of new COVID-19 cases continuing to rise — including 275 new cases reported on Monday, July 20 — it's hoped that the new measures will help minimise community transmission and avoid the need for further restrictions. The new face mask rules come into effect from 11.59pm from Wednesday, July 22, with a potential $200 fine handed out to anyone who doesn't comply. And, while Premier Andrews has okayed the use of scarves, bandanas and other fabric pieces as alternatives to actual face masks, people across the city are scrambling to stock up on both disposable and reusable options. Right now, you can pick up affordable, one-use face masks from major retailers like Officeworks, Chemist Warehouse, Kmart and Bunnings. Some are offering delivery and click-and-collect options, though you'll need to check individual stores to see what's available and who's got stock. Meanwhile, crafty folk Australia-wide are whipping up a variety of reusable cloth masks that you can buy online. Some may be experiencing slower manufacturing and delivery times thanks to the rush in demand, but most are restocking regularly. If you want to level-up your face mask game, here are a few local options to check out. [caption id="attachment_776560" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Heroes Wear Masks[/caption] HEROES WEAR MASKS An Aussie fabric signage manufacturer launched a side-hustle crafting reusable face masks in a range of funky prints — and the result is Heroes Wear Masks. All designed, printed and sewn at the brand's Carrum Downs HQ, the one-size-fits-all coverings come with adjustable tie fasteners. They're also especially affordable, starting from $30 for a pack of four. Heroes Wear Masks' four-packs are available for $30–45. YARLI CREATIVE Madison Connors, the artist behind Yarli Creative, has repurposed some of her contemporary Aboriginal art designs into a series of custom-printed, triple-layer, breathable face masks. There are four different prints to choose from, available in the one adult size. And 40 percent of pre-sale profits go to Indigenous community organisation Elizabeth Morgan House. Yarli Creative's masks are available for $35. SISTERWORKS Melbourne-based, female-focused social enterprise SisterWorks has created a trio of reusable fabric face mask options, including a Department of Health and Human Services-compliant version made with three different layers — cotton, poly-cotton and a water-repellent outer. You'll also find a range of muslin-lined masks, in various colours and patterns. SisterWorks' masks are available for $18–25. CULTURE KINGS Yep, even famed online streetwear retailer Culture Kings has some skin in the face mask game. The online store is slinging a hefty lineup of designs, from logo-adorned statement pieces to your standard disposable versions. There are plenty of sizes across the range, with some masks even available for in-store pick-up. Culture Kings' masks are available for $19.95–59.95. [caption id="attachment_776559" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Kinsman masks[/caption] BY KINSMAN Melbourne couture fashion label By Kinsman has expanded its collection to include a series of triple-layered, all-cotton face masks, as handmade to order. The washable coverings come in either a black or neutral colour, and are available in packs of four for adults and two-packs for kids. Orders will reopen from 4pm on Wednesday, July 22. By Kinsman's masks are available in $30 two-packs for kids and $60 four-packs for adults. THE ECO MASK This Aussie company is slinging an assortment of face masks through its online store, starting from just $15 a pop. You'll find options here for both kids and adults, with designs ranging from bold block colours to lively prints. They're made with two layers of cotton and feature a wire nose bridge for minimal face squishing. The Eco Mask's masks are available from $15. THE SOCIAL STUDIO The Social Studio's fashion retail arm has started making reusable cloth face masks featuring three breathable layers and adjustable elastic ties. They come in a range of reversible designs, with both small and large sizes available. Currently, the online store is being restocked at about 9am each morning. The Social Studio's masks are available for $11–12. For more information about wearing face masks, and the Victorian Government's advice for metro Melbourne and Mitchell Shire residents, head to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website. Top images: designs by Heroes Wear Masks
Need some inspiration to live a more sustainable lifestyle? You'll find plenty of it at Fed Square's RESET festival, which returns for another month of markets, film screenings, talks and art installations. From Sunday, September 1–Sunday, October 6, this celebration of planet-friendly living will feature a vegan market (September 7), a Zero Waste Festival (September 14) and a Big Toy Swap (October 2). The Plant Based Paradise vegan market will feature cruelty-free fashion, beauty products and home goods. There'll be plenty of food and coffee vendors slinging their wares as well, so visitors are encouraged to bring their reusable cups and containers. Stalls will also be offering reusable plates, cleaned onsite by the folks from Green My Plate. Expect to find panel discussions, installations and fun activations during the Zero Waste Festival, all designed to get you hooked on the idea of a waste-free future. You'll hear passionate zero-waste innovators chat tips, tricks and key topics, plus you can even join a guided tour of Fed Square's rooftop beehives. [caption id="attachment_970906" align="alignnone" width="2048"] The Slow Art Collective[/caption] There'll also be free outdoor film screenings from September 17–19, with each film celebrating and questioning society's relationship with the natural world. On Wednesday, October 2, towards the end of RESET, families can visit Fed Square to swap some of their lightly used toys, games and books with others — giving them another life. Other events throughout the festival include a two-day performance challenging the fast fashion industry (September 11 and 13) and an interactive art installation that the public will help create (September 23–October 6). Entry is free, but you can register online for certain events and talks. [caption id="attachment_866711" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Liam Neal[/caption] Top Image: Damien Raggatt
All too often, being vegan and being spoilt for choice are two mutually exclusive concepts. But at the newly hatched Vincent's Marketplace, they're cohabitating very happily together under the one roof, thank you very much. The latest venture from meat-free wholesalers Vincent Vegetarian Food, the new Brunswick Street site features both a comprehensive vegan supermarket and a cosy plant-based cafe to visit pre- or post-shop. The retail shelves carry a huge array of products, offering the kind of diverse range that's been synonymous with Vincent's since it started life as a vegetarian superstore in Footscray back in 1996. Here in Fitzroy, you'll spy plenty of plant-based goodies not found in too many other Melbourne stores — such as vegan condensed milk, whipped cream and honeycomb — as well as an exclusive line of signature Vincent's products that includes vegan fried 'chicken', dumplings, party snacks and faux bacon. Sitting next to it is a standing-room-only cafe pouring top-notch St Ali coffee and selling innovative pastries from the CBD's Weirdoughs. These guys are famous for whipping up wild and wonderful plant-based treats, from Aperol spritz-filled doughnuts to cube-shaped croissants. Vincent's Marketplace adds to Fitzroy's already thriving vegan and vegetarian scene, joining vegan bar and restaurant Smith & Daughters, sibling Smith & Deli, the long-running Vegie Bar, plant-based dessert bar Girls & Boys, and many more.
Games of Thrones is the world’s most pirated TV show, The Avengers made more than $1.5 billion at the box office and even the President of the United States once collected Spider Man comics. In other words, it’s pretty cool to be a nerd these days. Just ask avid Dungeons and Dragons player Vin Diesel. The ultimate celebration of everything geeky, the Supanova Pop Culture Expo hits the Melbourne Showgrounds April 11 - 13. From cosplay comps to comic book signings and photo opportunities with sci-fi and fantasy icons, it’s a three-day mecca of uninhibited, unironic nerdiness that attracts thousands of eager pilgrims every year. Of course such an event can seem overwhelming, especially to the uninitiated. So, whether you’ll be attending in your fully functioning Iron Man costume, or experiencing the convention for the very first time, here are our recommendations for getting the best out of Supanova 2014. Shop around for the zombie apocalypse A huge part of any convention experience is simply walking the floor and perusing the vendor booths. Browse through rare and classic comic books, hunt down elusive collectables, or arm yourself for the impending zombie apocalypse with custom designed swords and machetes. Just be sure to give the expo's weapons policy a read first. That’s right, there’s a weapons policy. Show your competitive side While it’s easy to stereotype con-goers as a mostly sedentary group of people, it turns out Supanova offers plenty of opportunity for rigorous physical exercise. Join an epic game of laser tag in a special inflatable arena, or get a crash-course in Harry Potter’s favourite pastime courtesy of the athletes at the Australian Quidditch Association. A pinball tournament probably doesn’t offer quite the same workout, admittedly, but an iPad to the winner is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Live out your '90s dream of meeting Xena Meet the men and women behind some of the biggest characters in geekdom. Faces on this year’s guest list include Xena’s Lucy Lawless, Game of Thrones’ Finn Jones, Doctor Who companion Freema Agyeman, Whedonverse alum Ron Glass and Tom Lenk, plus authors, voice actors and comic book artists aplenty. Just be aware, when it comes to a lot of the bigger names, autographs and photos don’t always come free. For a full list of guests and their signing fees, go here. Learn the creative side of things Although we all know names like Gandalf and Dumbledore, the true wizards of science fiction and fantasy are the unsung visual effects artists. The Imagineer’s Playground will be present to give fans a close up look at the craft of costuming, special effects makeup, video game design and more. You can even get some 'how-to' tips and compete in the Supanova Fan Art Competition. Come in character (if you've got the guts) At the end of the day, it’s easy to separate the hardcore fans from the nerd-curious newbies by a quick glance at what they’re wearing. Anyone sporting Jedi robes, a Super Saiyan hair cut or any kind of jetpack has probably done this before. Whether you’re game enough to dress up yourself, there are sure to be plenty of elaborate costumes on display, with the very best on the catwalk for the Madman National Cosplay Championships. For more information on the Melbourne Supanova Pop Culture Expo, visit www.supanova.com.au. Image credits: David Chau, Ruben Schade and Jessica Truscott via Creative Commons.
For the past two decades, flying between Sydney and Melbourne — or any major Australian cities — has meant picking between Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar and, for a period, Tiger Airways. After a particularly rough year for the airline industry, however, 2021 will see Aussies get another flight option. Regional carrier Rex is expanding its routes, and will start covering the country's capitals from March. First up, it'll travel between Sydney and Melbourne, kicking off on March 1, 2021. Three of the airline's Boeing 737-800s will fly back and forth from the two cities, doing nine services a day. And, while Rex's expansion was actually already flagged earlier this year, the airline has just launched tickets between the New South Wales and Victorian capitals today, Wednesday, December 2. Those keen to book a trip with the airline can now nab tickets for $79 each way as part of Rex's launch sale. There are 100,000 tickets currently available — although, given how popular flight sales have proven in 2020, getting in quickly is recommended. Rex, which has been hitting the skies for almost seven decades, is selling fares that include checked baggage, food, pre-assigned seating and online check-in. Economy passengers can also pay extra to access onboard wi-fi — or, if you opt for one of each plane's eight business class seats, you'll get internet access thrown in for free. The Sydney–Melbourne route is just the beginning, too. Flights to and from Brisbane are due to start taking off by Easter 2021 — and to other capitals as well. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rex Airlines (@rex.airlines) Rex will start flying between Sydney and Melbourne from March 1, 2021. For further information, or to book a flight as part of its $79 sale, head to the airline's website. Top image: Rex.
They're the masters of immersive thrills, such as smash-hit shipping container installations Seance, Coma and Flight — also known as the Darkfield series. But not even the folks at Realscape Productions are immune to the realities of pandemic life. They're currently locked down with the rest of Melbourne, putting their nerve-jangling real-life projects on hiatus until later in the year. Luckily, in the meantime, Realscape and Darkfield (UK creators) have teamed up for a brand-new audio experience fans can enjoy from the comfort of home. They did just that a couple of months back with Double, and now they're doing so again with Visitors — which, although delivered remotely once again, is still geared to be every bit as creepy and unsettling as its IRL predecessors. Launching on Tuesday, October 6, Visitors will be presented via the producers' new digital project Darkfield Radio. Like its siblings, it plunges participants deep into an immersive experience by perplexing the senses — this time, with the use of a 360-degree binaural sound, played through your own headphones. Visitors is aimed at groups of two, and starts with another two folks as well — a dead couple who invite themselves into the your home. They're eager to escape their current state, even if only temporarily. "We didn't know where else to go," they'll tell you — and then you'll each hear two different sides of the story. To listen along, you'll need a $22 two-person ticket, and to book a spot at 8pm, 9pm and 11pm AEDT on a Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. While this is clearly a great thing to add to your October must-do list — 'tis the spookiest time of year, after all — Visitors will run until the end of December. Visitors runs at 8pm, 9pm and 11pm AEDT on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Tuesday, October 6 until the end of December.
Celebrate the start of the four-day weekend by travelling back to the '90s. On Good Friday Eve, Ding Dong Lounge will ride a wave of nostalgia until the wee hours of dawn, with live DJs, dancing and lots of terrible, terrible music you’ve retroactively convinced yourself is great. Expect Aqua, Nirvana and maybe a little Vanilla Ice. Entry is $5 at the door. Fresh Prince-style Dungarees are optional, but highly recommend (although maybe that's just us).
Riveting dissections of realistic situations: that's where siblings Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne have made their careers. Continuing in the same finessed, naturalistic vein, Two Days, One Night compels by rendering relatable circumstances without sentiment but with surprises. It follows the attempts of Sandra (Academy Award-winner Marion Cotillard) to convince her co-workers to save her job. To do so, they would need to forgo a cash bonus they've been offered and in many cases need. The precision with which the filmmakers present a feature almost solely comprised of conversations cannot be underestimated, nor can Cotillard's expert efforts in illustrating the fragility of her striving but uncertain protagonist. Small in stature yet striking in its statement, Two Days, One Night took out the Sydney Film Prize at this year's Sydney Film Festival. Two Days, One Night is in cinemas on November 6. Thanks to Madman Entertainment, we have two Dardenne Brothers DVD prize packs to give away, each including a double in-season pass to see the new film. Eight runners up will also get double in-season passes. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=qxLqaEGZiDY
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Melbourne is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you celebrate the little things that bring a sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Melbourne. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, eat the best pizza in the world, go barefoot bowling and try out a float tank. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the new few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
In Europe, it's called the Night of Museums: an annual evening when leading cultural institutions across the continent stay open long after they'd normally shut their doors, welcoming in patrons for after-dark art activities. In Melbourne, a new event is taking that idea, running with it and rolling it out across the city — with everything from gigs and movies to immersive dome projections and after-hours exhibition access on offer. That's all on the just-dropped program for Art After Dark, which was initially announced back in March. Back then, Melburnians heard the basics — that the city would be scoring an after-hours extravaganza in May, with State Library Victoria, the NGV, Federation Square, Arts Centre Melbourne, ACMI and Melbourne Museum all involved. That was all well and good and exciting, of course, but the actual lineup is even more dazzling. Set to run from 6pm–1am on both Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14, Art After Dark will feature limited-time-only experiences — both free and ticketed — that span live music, visual and performing arts, and food and drink. The Social Crew is producing the inaugural event, which is presented by Visit Victoria. And the aim, unsurprisingly, is to get both locals and visitors to the city to play tourist at Melbourne's cultural venues. At State Library Victoria, things will be particularly bright, all thanks to Midnight at Pink Lake. It's a 360-degree immersive projection that'll light up the La Trobe Reading Room — so yes, looking up is well and truly in order. And, it'll be paired with a themed program called Dream State, which features mindful workshops, music, roving performers, giant chess, and food and drinks. Basically, the venue is going all out on a visual and aural experience, calling it "part guided meditation, part poem, part chant, part song". Next, at NGV Australia, Ron Mueck's Mass from the 2017 Triennial will return — giant skulls and all — accompanied by pop-up poetry readings, choirs and DJs. And, at NGV International, light projections will transform its bluestone exterior thanks to QUEER: Stories from the NGV Collection. Also on the bill: Hannah Brontë's video installation EYE HEAR U MAGIK 2020, as well as access to the whole venue itself, with everything free to access across all levels. Over at Fed Square, BRIGGS is headlining Fed Square Live on the Friday night, with Kee'ahn, Soju Gang and Izy in support. And, that's where you'll be able to peer up at Aussie-first art installation Constellations — which'll see artist Joanie Lemercier's monochrome, vector-based aesthetics paired with an electronic soundscape by producer Paul Jebanasam. Also, for something sweet, Fed Square will also be doing free takeaway hot chocolates, coffees, s'mores and glow-in-the-dark fairy floss. Arts Centre Melbourne is also hosting live performances, going nostalgic with Human Nature on the Saturday night. DJs will play from the balcony, food trucks will pop up and the Australian Music Vault will stay open, complete with curators and tour guides diving into the local music scene. At ACMI, drop-in showings of Soda Jerk's phenomenal Terror Nullius will be a big highlight, as will free Oskar Fischinger exhibition Raumlichtkunst — featuring one of the first multimedia projections ever made. The screen-focused museum is teaming up with Collingwood's beloved Bar SK, too, for a room of innovative and interactive entertainment that's all about Aussie game developers. And, it's collaborating with PHOTO 2022 International Festival of Photography on Gillian Wearing: Editing Life, with the British artist in focus. [caption id="attachment_852016" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Triceratops at Melbourne Muserum. Photo by Eugene Hyland[/caption] Last but by no means least, Melbourne Museum is letting folks see its triceratops after dark, and doing projections, hosting food trucks, setting up pop-up bars and inviting DJs to spin tunes. Or, over at IMAX, you'll be able to dive into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with late sessions of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Art After Dark is expected to see thousands of punters descend on the city for a late-night culture fix — a move that's sure to be welcomed by Melbourne's hard-hit creative industries as they continue through their post-COVID recovery phase. Art After Dark takes place at State Library Victoria, the NGV, Federation Square, Arts Centre Melbourne, ACMI and Melbourne Museum from Friday, May 13–Saturday, May 14. Head to the event's website for further details and tickets. Top image: Performers sing with Mass by Ron Mueck, 2017 on display at NGV Triennial 2017 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Eugene Hyland.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all people of Australia to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In the past, the "National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee" were responsible for organising the events of NAIDOC Week, and since then the acronym has become the name of the event itself. The theme of NAIDOC Week this year is 'Heal Country!'. Grounded in Country, this theme calls for the recognition, protection and maintenance of all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. But in order to achieve this, it's essential that historical, political and administrative settings adapt in order to empower and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. On Friday, July 9, an evening of storytelling, poetry and music is coming to the State Library of Victoria. Taking part will be Tony Birch (Aboriginal, Barbadian, Irish and Afghani), Larissa Behrendt (Eualaya and Kamillaroi) and Kee'ahn (Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal and Badu Island). Tickets are $35 and entry is free for First Nations people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YNEiwZq0WI
In 2013, 300 people danced to Kate Bush's' 'Wuthering Heights' in a field — and in 2017, the idea is back and bigger than ever. Yes, The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever is happening in Melbourne on Saturday, July 15. Yes, everyone should be dressed as Kate Bush, complete with a red dress, red stockings and black belt (men, that means you as well). On the day, a clowder (that's the collective noun for Kate Bushes, just FYI) will descend upon the park and copy Bush's swaying, kicky dance in unison just for the pure joy of it. Support for this weird and wonderful outing has been widespread, and Kate Bush fans from around the world have been inspired to create events in their home cities. So get your gear together (dressmakers are being flooded with orders for the day, check it out here) and ready yourself to roll and fall in green, out on the wily, windy moors of Kings Domain. Registration is by donation.
The masterminds behind Dexter Meat & Buns are taking their 'no rules approach' to American barbecue to the next level. They're opening two new venues: a Preston cocktail bar, dubbed Take Away Pizza, and a three-level CBD location, named Dexter Meat, Liquor & Roof, within the year. Looks like co-owners Sam Peasnell and head chefs and co-owners Tom Peasnell (Pitt Cue Co, London) and Adam Goldblatt (Homeslice, London) are going to have their hands full. Take Away Pizza is up first, with construction already under way and completion planned for this spring. The small, casual joint will be located across the road from Dexter Meat & Buns, offering cocktails and, you guessed it, pizza-by-the-slice. The space will also feature a front courtyard and a late-night, 1am license on Fridays and Saturdays. This dive bar meets pizza den has been in the works for a while now. "We were actually going to do pizza at the first Dexter location, considering Adam's background at Homeslice, but Tom's barbecue idea won out," says Peasnell. Dexter's CBD counterpart, Dexter Meat, Liquor & Roof, was not exactly planned. "We found this Swanson Street location and just fell in love with it before we were really looking to do a second venue," says Peasnell. "Tom and Adam have always been really keen to test their product in the city, though — it's the ultimate challenge considering the competitive nature of the CBD." We're not sure if the crew are taking cues from fellow multi-storey CBD venue Fancy Hanks, but it appears levelled dining adventures are Melbourne's forte now. Dexter's three-storey venue will have a very different vibe from the Preston original and consist of a full-on restaurant on level one, a cocktail bar on level two and, as the name suggests, an outdoor rooftop bar on level three. The moody fitout of level one will be a distinct departure from the light, open space of Dexter Meat & Buns and the restaurant will somehow be even more meat focused — think in-house, dry-aged beef with an emphasis on steak and brisket. Patrons can expect a few signatures, like the short rib, but overall the menu will be specialised for the city and include more mains, provisions and sides. The bigger space will also allow the team to break down cuts in-house and control much more of the process from start to finish. The 'Liquor' piece of the puzzle will take the form of a high-ceiling cocktail bar on level two. Patrons can expect a distinct step up from the picklebacks of Dexter Meat & Buns, with a fully-stocked bar focused on American style spirits and stirred down classics that suit the food. The spot can cater to an after-dinner crowd or for late night drinks and nibbles, with a 3am license and a menu of bar snacks including fried chicken, loaded fries and the signature Dexter buns and meat doughnuts. "We love the idea of being able to have an old fashioned and pulled pork bun at 2am and want it to be a really inviting place to hang around," says Peasnell. The 'Roof' component will be an outdoor, super casual extension of the bar with picklebacks, beers by Preston local Hawkers and signature buns — all elevated with amazing views over the city. The Preston crowd shouldn't feel abandoned, though — the team is even installing a CBD loyalty program for people from the 3072 area code which will include perks like picklebacks on entry, cheap beers and doughnuts on the house. "The locals have been so amazing and loyal to us, so we want to make sure they feel just as at home in the city location," says Peasnell. "Because of this support, Dexter Meat & Buns will also stay as important to us as anything new we do." Take Away Pizza will open at 535 High Street, Preston this spring and Dexter Meat, Liquor & Roof will open by Christmas 2017, location TBC.
If there's one event in Sydney that's turned speed dating into a fun, no-pressure affair that doesn't even feel like dating, it's Dear Pluto. And, now, you lucky, lucky Melbournians, it's coming your way. So, if you're single, you'd best get ready to mingle. "The atmosphere is super-casual," said Emma Daniels, founder of Dear Pluto. "There's a real focus on having a fun night – having a few drinks and talking to a bunch of people you've never met before." One of Daniels' tricks is the use of unconventional venues – from Dear Pluto's Sydney headquarters, which is a former coach house, to warehouses, rooftops and old theatres. In Melbourne, the host will be One Thousand Pound Bend in Little Lonsdale Street, which Daniels describes as her "dream speed dating venue". "It's down a lane way, with a big painted frontage and huge industrial doors. There's a café, which opens into a warehouse space with skylights and a bar, and out the back is a little old chapel with a disco ball." There'll be two speed dating events there – the first, on Wednesday 5 October, will be for straight singles and the second, on Thursday 6 October, will be for LGBTQI. Dear Pluto's crowd is usually made up of young creatives, aged between 20 and 35. "There's a half-hour arrival window, then I explain how it all works, which doesn't take very long," Daniels said. "Then, everyone sits down and you have ten dates, each of four minutes." After that, you take a 15-minute break, which gives you a chance to hit the bar or get some fresh air, before going in for a second round of dating. "Afterwards, we encourage people to stick around and listen to the DJ. If we're in a venue where we can't stay, we move onto a nearby bar." Previous DJ guests of Dear Pluto include Future Classic, Shantan Wantan Ichiban and Ariane Halls. Dear Pluto has been around since 2008. Daniels started out with the hosting of monthly vintage sales in Sydney's Hibernian House and has since expanded to makers' markets, workshops, exhibitions and talks, in addition to speed dating. The aim is to "promote a slower way of living, making thoughtful purchases and ditching the swipe, whilst keeping everything we do accessible, novel and, most importantly, fun." Dear Pluto pops up in Melbourne from October 5. For more information, visit their website.
The Abbotsford Anglers are a lousy, Saturday morning, suburban cricket team, led by Ted (Stephen Curry), a sweet but kinda hopeless guy who lives in a mate's garage and works at a sports store. When his best mate, Rick (Brendan Cowell), announces his plans to marry and have children (which, to the boyish Ted, amounts to no less than treason), Ted can see his beloved cricket team will be overtaken by nappies, wives and all the other dreadful trappings of manhood. Oblivious to the inevitable fact that the times and the nature of his friendships are a-changing, Ted leads his D-grade team into the depths of India for a tour of glorified park cricket. It's here that tensions arise, friendships are frayed, life lessons are learned and Ted must finally man up, grow up and fondly leave his teenage dreams behind. Underlying all the beer and bravado, Save Your Legs! is about mateship and coming of age, with an affectionate portrait of everyday Aussie battlers that puts it in the same cinematic bracket as The Castle and Kenny. Cowell and Curry give endearing performances as man-boys who are forcefully and finally shoved out of adolescence and into adulthood at the ripe old age of thirty-five. As a lighthearted, nostalgia-drenched film, Save Your Legs! hits a six. Courtesy of Madman Entertainment, we have 15 complimentary in-season passes to give away to Save Your Legs, in cinemas February 28. To be in the running, subscribe to our newsletter (if you haven't already) and then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. You can read our full review here.
If you're a fan of LGBTQIA+ flicks, don't say that you don't have anything to watch between Friday, February 28–Monday, March 10, 2025. You're not just stuck with usual couch-viewing options, either. The return of Queer Screen's Mardi Gras Film Festival in Sydney also means the return of the event's online component, which is great news no matter where you live in Australia. As always, the roster of movies that Sydneysiders can catch at MGFF's in-person sessions is far larger than its online program — but joining in from home is still filled with highlights. Movie buffs eager to check out the online picks from their couch can look forward to the Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!)-starring Drive Back Home; Aussie effort Heart of a Man, about a closeted Indigenous boxer; a doco about activist Sally Gearhart; Unusually Normal's factual portrait of a family that includes two lesbian grandmothers, four lesbian mothers and one lesbian granddaughter; and a blend of fiction and reality with 2024 Sundance Special Jury Award-winner Desire Lines, among other titles. A number of shorts programs will be available to stream, too, with packages devoted to Asia Pacific, transgender and gender diverse, queer horror, queer documentaries, sapphic and more. Black Doves' Ben Whishaw pops up in one of the gay shorts, while Hacks' Megan Stalter appears in one of the films in the comedy lineup.
In between running one of Brisbane's favourite vintage cafe bars and teaching us where the best bits of Brisbane are, longtime Aussie music go-to The Grates are back for their first national headline tour since 2011. Brisbanites Patience Hodgson, John Patterson and Ritchie Daniell will be taking their Team Work Makes The Dream Work tour down Australia's east coast with Sydney punk garage band Straight Arrows and Brisbane punk/synth duo Pleasure Symbols. Described as "fun and thrashy pop punk at its best" by triple j, these three have a reputation for giving an incredible live show that'll have you on your feet. The Grates have been seriously productive over the last few months; after releasing their fourth celebrated studio album, Dream Team last year, they went on to absolutely crush it at Splendour In The Grass. The Grates' long-awaited return to the stage is sure to be one of those dance-till-you-drop affairs — here's hoping for a furious '19-20-20' throwback singalong to obliterate our vocal chords once and for all. Want to win tickets to see The Grates? Head over here.
If this is the first time you've seen a story about Harvest Rock on Concrete Playground, you're either a first-time reader or you need to pay attention, because we're quite excited. It's the delight of South Australians and visiting festivalgoers alike, and we're here to run you through it one last time — tickets are still available but going fast, so read on quickly to find your ideal package before someone beats you to it. HARVEST ROCK 101 Firstly, some context, in case you haven't been keeping up with the news. Harvest Rock isn't quite a festival mainstay. It's actually a newcomer in the game — this year's festival is only the second iteration. After seeing 15,000 guests per day in 2022, the Festival is returning to Murlawirrapurka, also known as Rymill Park, and Ityamai-Itpina, also called King Rodney Park, Adelaide. Both sites are inner city parks, so this isn't a festival that requires extra travel beyond your flight. When it comes to the lineup, it's all hit and no miss. Starring acts include Jamiroquai, who will be performing their first Aussie show in over a decade, Beck will bring a full band to belt out 90s Californian anthems alongside new hits (both Jamiroquai and Beck are coming to Australia exclusively for Harvest Rock), musical satire and comedy specialists Sparks will draw from 50+ years of repertoire and many more. Expect to be wowed by legends since Harvest Rock is a project of Secret Sounds, one of Australia's leading festival organisers. BUDGET-FRIENDLY Where else to start but good old fashioned general admission tickets? Available in either one-day or weekend options, this is the basic go-to ticket for any first-time or financially-conscious visitor. Single-day tickets for either Saturday, October 28 or Sunday, October 29, are $239.48 for 18+ guests or $169.13 for guests aged 13-17. Two-day passes grant entry for the full festival at $412.79 for 18+ or $290.45. To make the experience even more memorable, you can upgrade to a collector's ticket for an extra $15.29 on either age group ticket fee and get some exclusive Harvest Rock II merchandise — perfect if you're a big fan of Harvest Rock. General admission, of course, grants you entry to the festival precinct and all the activities within, from catching tunes from the 30+ acts, enjoying a celebrity chef experience at the HELLO CHEF stage, accessing food from top-notch South Australian restauranteurs and imbibing in bespoke drinks from SA cellar doors. To unwind between activities, head to The Grape Escape wellness centre, where you'll find hot drinks, tarot readings, massages and more. TREAT YOURSELF There's nothing wrong with a little bit of self-love, as living without an occasional treat is pointless. Treating yourself at Harvest Rock II means booking your experience via the VIP Village or Harvest Lounge tickets. These two tiers offer the same basic VIP experience, with a few minor upgrades on the Harvest Lounge end. Being a VIP at Harvest Rock means you have access to the following: An express entry lane, an elevated viewpoint of the main stage, a concierge, fancy toilets, a cocktail bar, premium food, shading and seating and a complimentary drink daily. That's the VIP Village, comfortable, elevated, worthy of a treat yourself moment. The Harvest Lounge offers all of the above, plus a private lounge bar, an exclusive lawn area by the main stage, exclusive drinks at the VIP cocktail bar, and perhaps most importantly — complimentary phone charging. VIP tickets are only available to guests aged 18 and older. VIP Village tickets start at $341.43, and Harvest Lounge tickets start at $514.74. FEELING LUXURIOUS If treating yourself isn't enough, if you must go absolutely all out for your Harvest Rock II experience, then you've come to the right place. We've arrived at the most luxe and exclusive ticket options. The highest-end packages start with Platinum tickets, perfect to hit Harvest Rock like a rockstar. Platinum tickets include full access to the VIP Village and Harvest Lounge plus a whole range of extra goodies: front row or elevated seats to the main stage, an air-conditioned private bar, complimentary food and drinks, the Wildwood Restaurant dining experience, wine tasting, an exclusive entrance, private parking, lockers and phone chargers. And then, there are the suites. These are luxurious but also quite exclusive tickets — available only to groups of 30 to 50 people. If you have a large group of fellow festivalgoers, this is the ticket for you. Each suite includes elevated views of the main stage, shaded lounge seating and a viewing deck, a private bar, screens and speakers connected to the stages and options for food and drink packages to add on. Both Platinum and Suites are enquiry only, as price varies on the number of guests per booking. For more information on Harvest Rock 2023, including the lineup, how to get there or to book your tickets, visit the website.
Since Australia started easing out of COVID-19 lockdown, the country's internal border restrictions have earned plenty of attention. With tactics to stop the spread of the coronavirus implemented at a state-by-state level, each Aussie state has navigated the situation in its own way when it comes to letting non-residents visit. In Tasmania, that has meant some strict quarantine requirements — which, for non-Tassie residents who weren't classified as essential travellers, entailed spending 14 days in government-designated accommodation. But, for most of the country, quarantine is no more. Travellers from Queensland, the ACT, SA, WA, the NT and New Zealand, which are deemed low-risk areas, have been allowed to hop on a plane and head across the Strait since Monday, October 26. Sydneysiders followed suit soon after, being granted access to the state from Friday, November 6. Victoria remains the last state required to quarantine when entering Tasmania, however, this is all set to change later this month. An estimated date for Victoria to be marked low-risk and granted access to Tasmania was previously set for Tuesday, December 1. This date has now be pushed forward to Friday, November 27 — "subject to matters remaining on track in Victoria," Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein announced in a press conference on Wednesday, November 11. During this press conference, Gutwein also revealed that from Friday, November 13, Victorians entering Tasmania will now be allowed to complete their 14 days of quarantine at home or a "designated residence" instead of a government-mandated hotel. The announcement came after Victoria's 12th — now 13th — consecutive day without a new case of COVID-19. Gutwein's press conference also included some exciting news for Tasmanians (and those visiting the southern state), confirming that from Friday, November 13, Tasmanian venues will be permitted to serve standing patrons — or 'vertical drinking' as it's been labelled — and that gatherings in Tasmania households can increase from 20 to 40 people. All travellers to Tasmania are still currently required to fill out a Tas e-Travel form before they depart for the state. New Zealand residents are also legally required to complete at least 14 days of managed isolation or quarantine when returning to New Zealand. Keen to start planning an adventure south? Mona Foma has announced it'll return to Launceston and Hobart in January — and we've pulled together this list of exciting food and drink spots in the state's northeast. Visitors from low-risk areas (currently Queensland, the ACT, SA, WA, the NT, NSW and NZ) are allowed to visit Tasmania without quarantining. You must fill out a Tas e-Travel form a maximum of three days before you arrive. The state is set to open to Victoria from Friday, November 27. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Tasmania and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub. Top image: Bay of Fires via Lia Kuilenburg for Tourism Tasmania.
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do you 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 few days as possible. Last year, more than 400,000 Aussies took part at this festival of pre-loved stuff, holding more than 14,000 sales. Will this year's Garage Sale Trail top those hefty numbers? It'll certainly try via a huge array of events that will open their doors to bargain hunters, selling millions of items across two big spring weekends: between Saturday, November 9–Sunday, November 10, and then again from Saturday, November 16–Sunday, November 17. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Garage Sale 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. There'll be a right slew of sales happening all around Melbourne, so keep your eyes on the event website — or register online to make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood.
It's hard to say where and when the whisky highball was first invented. The story goes that English actor E.J. Ratcliffe brought the concept to America in 1894, where a bartender at the Adams House in Boston dubbed it a 'highball'. The recipe — whisky and sparkling water in a tall glass — appeared in a book called The Mixologist in 1895, under the name 'Splificator'. But over the years, the name highball stuck — and the rules for making one vary as much as the story of its invention. Here to shake up the whisky highball this spring are two of Melbourne's leading bartenders: Darren Leaney from cosy Carlton bar Capitano and Michael Madrusan, bartender and owner at late-night haunt Bar Margaux. Each bartender is working with Johnnie Walker to take the well-loved drink to a new level — with twists like leatherwood honey or a dash of absinthe. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HIGHBALL During the late 19th century, there was a phylloxera epidemic that wiped out vineyards in Europe — and wine and spirits like brandy and cognac were not as readily available as they had been. The wealthier classes, who used to mix brandy and cognac with carbonated water, instead opted for blended scotch whisky with soda. And the whisky highball was born. To make it, some say the whisky and ice needs to be stirred 13 and a half times and soda water poured down the arm of the spoon, while others tell you to keep that spoon the hell away from it. What's not debatable is the tall glass, ice, whisky and carbonated water. [caption id="attachment_743080" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy.[/caption] Artisans of the craft know there are countless combos and garnishes available, from adding mint to a smoky whisky or introducing a lemon twist when you want to highlight the citrus notes. It's designed to have a refreshing taste, to accompany a nice meal and to bring out the flavours of the whisky. Today, Blended Scotch Whisky has become an increasingly popular base for the highball — thanks largely to its diverse flavour notes. Johnnie Walker Black Label, for example, has layers of vanilla and dried fruits with a subtle smoky finish. That's because Johnnie Walker has 29 distilleries in Scotland, producing roughly 11 million casks of whisky from which they make their blends. It makes it the perfect starting point for a whisky highball as there's a variation that suits lots of people's palates. WHO'S SHAKING THINGS UP? [caption id="attachment_743115" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy.[/caption] Capitano, the cosy Carlton bar from the folks behind Bar Liberty, is working with that concept to create a whisky highball that complements the killer pizzas it serves. Innovative bartender and all-round hospo legend Darren Leaney has teamed up with Johnnie Walker to take the well-loved drink to a new level. The Leatherwood Highball ($18) is made with leatherwood honey, barley tea, saline, soda and Johnnie Walker Black Label. And every night from 5.30–6.30pm you can pair a classic cheese or tomato pizza with the Leatherwood Highball for $30. [caption id="attachment_743081" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy.[/caption] Over at the French-inspired, late-night Bar Margaux, co-owner and bartender Michael Madrusan has come up with a deluxe, bespoke take on the classic whisky highball. It's a balanced blend of Johnnie Walker Black Label, Pommeau de Normandie (apple aperitif), lemon and a cheeky dash of absinthe. And the name? Madrusan is calling it the Tall, Dark and Then Some. To match Madrusan's creation, British-born head chef Daniel Southern has chosen panisse (chickpea fries) that'll bring out the flavours of the drink. Head to Bar Margaux between 4–6pm or after midnight on any day of the week to order a Tall, Dark and Then Some with panisse for just $20. Far from being just a scotch and soda, the highball is surprisingly versatile, creative and has a refreshing taste. Head to Capitano and Bar Margaux to try the creative takes on this classic drink. Top image: Kate Shanasy.
Surfing and gig-going have always been two of Australia's best-loved pastimes, and in 2018 we scored a festival celebrating the best of both worlds. After returning this year, it's back for its third round of autumnal beachside festivals. Returning from February–April 2020, The Drop festival will cruise around the country as it once again follows the Aussie leg of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour — and it's bringing a banging little lineup of musical gold along for the ride. Surfing the festival wave are dance music legends The Presets, Aussie indie-rock chart-toppers Boy & Bear and Brisbane's Ball Park Music, along with other local acts Allday, DZ Deathrays, Kita Alexander and Graace. Held on the first weekend of each area's surfing event, The Drop is set to grace some of the Australia's most iconic surf spots, each outing featuring a locally focused offering of food, drink and culture, to match the tunes. As well as heading to the official WSL events in Torquay, Margaret River and Coolangatta as it has since 2018 — and forming part of WSL Qualifying Series events Surfest Newcastle and Vissla Sydney Surf Pro in Manly, as it did in 2019 — the fest will also hit Noosa as part of the WSL Noosa Longboard Open. [caption id="attachment_753214" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] THE DROP FESTIVAL 2020 LINEUP The Presets Boy & Bear Ball Park Music Allday DZ Deathrays Kita Alexander Graace THE DROP FESTIVAL 2020 DATES Noosa, Qld — Dolphins Rugby Club, Sunshine Beach, Saturday, February 29 Newcastle, NSW — Empire Park, Saturday, March 7 Manly, NSW — Keirle Park, Saturday, March 14 Coolangatta, Qld — Queen Elizabeth Park, Saturday, March 28 Torquay, Vic — Torquay Common, Saturday, April 11 Margaret River, WA — Barnard Park, Busselton, Saturday, April 25 The Drop tickets go on sale from 6pm AEDT on Wednesday, December 4, with pre-sales available from 6pm, Tuesday, December 3 for folks who register in advance (prior to 6pm, Monday, December 2). For more info, visit thedropfestival.com.au. Images: Walk Wild Studio/ Miranda Stokkel / Ian Laidlaw.
Can you feel a tingling in your toes as your feet start to defrost? That's the feeling of winter slipping away (or maybe you've been sitting cross-legged for too long) and with its demise comes the return of Australia's beloved Moonlight Cinema. Ahhh balmy nights on the grass, we have missed you. Heralding the coming of the warmer months, Moonlight Cinema is a summertime tradition that is thankfully making a comeback despite everything that 2021 has thrown our way — hitting up screens in Sydney (including western Sydney), Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth as usual. Nosh-wise, Moonlight Cinema will again let you BYO movie snacks and drinks (no alcohol in Brisbane, though), but the unorganised can also enjoy a plethora of bites to eat from food trucks — perfect, messy treats made for reclining on bean beds. The overall season runs from November through to April, although it varies city by city. As for what'll be screening, expect to hear what's on the bill later this month — before the season kicks off in Brisbane and Adelaide on Friday, November 26, obviously. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2021–22 DATES Adelaide: Friday, November 26–Sunday, January 16 (Rymill Park) Brisbane: Friday, November 26–Sunday, February 20 (Roma Street Parkland) Melbourne: Thursday, December 2–Sunday, March 27 (Royal Botanic Gardens) Perth: Thursday, December 2–Sunday, March 27 (Kings Park and Botanic Garden) Sydney: Thursday, December 9–Sunday, April 3 (Centennial Park) Western Sydney: Thursday, November 16–Sunday, January 30 (Western Sydney Parklands) Moonlight Cinema kicks off in November 2021, running through until April 2022. For more information, visit the cinema's website — and we'll update you with program details when they're announced later this month.
New experiences, new challenges, new collaborations: for people and organisations alike, no one should ever stop notching up firsts. In 2024, for instance, Bangarra Dance Theatre unveiled its first-ever mainstage cross-cultural collaboration after more than three decades of existence, with Horizon adding tales from across Oceania to the iconic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing arts company's remit. In 2025, the organisation is backing that up with another history-making production, Illume, which is Bangarra's first-ever visual arts collab. Hosting its world-premiere season at the Sydney Opera House in June, then heading to Melbourne in September, Illume sees Bangarra's Artistic Director Frances Rings team up with Goolarrgon Bard visual artist Darrell Sibosado. Featuring dance, visual arts and music, the end result focuses on light — and takes inspiration Sibosado's Bard – Bardi Jawi Country. Think of it as the next best way to experience being there. Why has light proven so pivotal in Indigenous culture? Why is it considered a connection between physical and spiritual worlds? What impact does artificial light pollution have upon the land and sky, and how does it affect First Nations people's links to sky country, celestial knowledge and skylore? These questions are all at the heart of Illume. Although every Bangarra production is stunning, it's easy to see why this kaleidoscopic addition to the dance theatre's repertoire is set to wow, all while also contemplating the climate crisis. In the Victorian capital, it's taking over Arts Centre Melbourne from Thursday, September 4–Saturday, September 13. Images: Daniel Boud.
Nearly two years ago, the Village Belle Hotel — a St Kilda institution built in 1890 — announced that it was gearing up for a mega makeover. That process, conducted to the tune of $15 million, is now done and dusted. And the results are open for business. Given that the hotel is heritage-listed, many of its features are protected, but there have been a few significant additions. Next time you head in for a drink, look out for the Garden Bar, the Balcony Bar, the Public Bar and the Doulton Lounge, which is open until late. In the kitchen, you'll find Mat McCartney (The Lake House, Daylesford, Chateau Yering) in charge. He's been busy sourcing local and sustainable produce to create a refreshing and ever-changing, yet accessible, menu. Current dishes include eggplant tofu with goats curd, ash bread, crispy kale and grilled vegetables; handmade pumpkin tortellini with sage beurre noisette, Persian fetta, spinach and pine nuts; and crema Catalana, which is like a crème brûlee, but with a thinner crust and a dash of extra zing, thanks to addition of orange rind. There's also a new cocktail menu to mark the revamp. Among the signature concoctions are the vanilla margarita, the belle-ini (with white peach reduction and sparkling wine) and the lemon meringue cocktail (with house-made lemon curd and meringue infused with Licor 43 and Agwa). The Village Belle Hotel is at 202 Barkly St, St Kilda. Opening hours are Monday to Wednesday, 9am to 1am; Thursday to Saturday, 9am to 3am; and Sunday, 10am to 12am. For more information, visit the pub's website.
International cocktail royalty is dropping into Melbourne this month — and you're invited for a taste. The renowned Bar Termini is transporting itself from London's Soho to Collins Street for an indulgent two-night appearance, taking over The Lounge at Society from Sunday, April 23–Monday, April 24. A love letter to the drinks and bar culture of 1950s Europe, this award-winning cocktail haunt boasts a serious rep, as you'll quickly discover when bartenders Maros Potucek and Leonardo Filipponi stop in for this exclusive residency. Running from 5–8pm each night, it's a no-bookings affair — simply walk in, nab a seat and settle in for some standout drinks. The duo will be whipping up five of their signature gin-and Campari-based cocktails for the occasion; including the pink peppercorn-infused Negroni Superiore, the Termini Spritz crafted with rhubarb and prosecco, and a Marsala Martini featuring pickled almond and vermouth. Drink prices range from $15 to $24, while the kitchen's serving a special snack menu to match starring bites like caviar, freshly shucked oysters and lobster. [caption id="attachment_896791" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tom Blachford[/caption]
Already one of the most scenic areas in Australia, the Whitsundays is giving visitors something else to look at: an installation of underwater and inter-tidal art. As part of the Whitsundays Reef Recovery and Public Art Project, six artists have created six artworks that sit beneath the sea, with the first four sculptures now in place. If you're heading to Blue Pearl Bay, Manta Ray Bay or Langford Spit, you can now check out the new attractions, as created by artists Brian Robinson, Col Henry and Adriaan Vanderlugt. Set up on Manta Ray Bay, Robinson's Migration of the Mantas is made from concrete and stainless steel, spans four metres by six metres and depicts six large manta rays, while Henry's Turtle Dream fashions a hawksbill turtle out of 15 tonnes of stainless steel at Langford Spit. As for Vanderlugt, he has two pieces in place: Maori Wrasse, which towers nearly four metres high in Blue Pearl Bay, and Manta Ray in Manta Ray Bay featuring indigenous markings from the Ngaro people, the Whitsundays' traditional owners. They'll soon be joined by another sculpture from Robinson, called Bywa, with the intertidal piece retelling a Dreamtime story about the reef, creation and marine life. It'll be put in place in Horseshoe Bay in Bowen later this month. Completing the set is a collaboration by Caitlin Reilly, Jessa Lloyd and Kate Ford, from the Arts Based Collective. Dubbed Anthozoa and headed to Blue Pearl Bay by late September, it "not only performs aesthetically in its sculptural form, but importantly doubles as a site for reef restoration," Lloyd explained when their piece was commissioned last year. "As the underwater form matures, visitors snorkelling and diving the site will see a sculpture festooned with a myriad of coral species, tentacles encrusted with soft and hard corals, marine animals sheltering in and peeking from small holes." [caption id="attachment_631230" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Lauren Vadnjal[/caption] Selected from 73 expressions of interest, the sculptures all sit in spots accessible to snorkelers and scuba divers — should you need something else to look at, other than marine life, on your next underwater adventure. Other than celebrating creativity, the Whitsundays Reef Recovery and Public Art Project aims give the region a new attraction, unsurprisingly. "This artwork will provide a new experience for people travelling to the Whitsundays and will help the marine tourism industry recover after Cyclone Debbie," said Queensland Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones in a statement in 2018. "Around the world — from the Caribbean, to the Maldives, Spain, Bali and Australia's west coast — underwater art has been used to lure visitors." Top image: Tourism and Events Queensland.
Colourful anime hits, intriguing murder mysteries and moody yakuza thrillers — they're all on the lineup at this year's Japanese Film Festival. Throw in a rom-com about renting a friend, a musical-comedy starring a former J-pop idol and a live-action version of a best-selling manga, and Melbourne viewers will have plenty to watch at the Treasury and Capitol theatres between Thursday, November 21 and Sunday, December 1. It all starts with opening night's Masquerade Hotel, which tasks a detective (Blade of the Immortal's Takuya Kimura) with going undercover at a swanky Tokyo establishment. The reason? He believes that a murder is about to take place within its walls, and he's determined not only to stop it, but to solve three other seemingly unrelated killings. From there, standouts include Little Love Song, about Okinawa high schoolers in a pop band; family reunion drama Born Bone Born, as set on the island of Aguni; and Melancholic, which follows a new university graduate who takes a job at a bathhouse, only to find himself working for dangerous mobsters. On the animated front, Ride Your Wave takes to the sea on a surfboard, because Japanese animators can make surfing movies too. Final Fantasy fans might want to catch Brave Father Online, given that it focuses on a father and son reconnecting through their love of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, while Dance With Me takes its characters on a singing and dancing road trip — and And Your Bird Can Sing gets atmospheric with three friends over a long Hokkaido summer.
