Deaf dance works, feminist hip-hop, an ecosexual labyrinth and a 24-hour performance piece are among the most eye-opening works on the lineup for this year's Next Wave Festival. Melbourne's biennial celebration of young and emerging artists, Next Wave 2016 is set to kick-off in venues around town on Thursday, May 5, with 36 world premieres across a wide array of disciplines. Let's get stuck in. Diversity is clearly a major theme on this year's program, with a whopping 75 percent of projects led by women. Queensland artist Hannah Bronte will deliver a politically-charged musical vision of an alternate Australia led by an entirely female parliament, while Nat Randall will spend a whole day and night on a performance inspired by the cult John Cassavetes film Opening Night. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists will likewise be well represented. Katie West from WA will examine the impact of colonialism through a work that incorporates native plantlife, while writer and performer Maurial Spearim has created a darkly-comic one-woman show told partly in the Gamilaraay language. The festival has also partnered with the Victorian Aboriginal Council for Languages on a series on Indigenous language workshops. Further standouts include a dance work featuring both deaf and hearing performers, an audiovisual concerto from artist Dylan Sheridan, and a immersive, ecosexual (yes, eco) labyrinth in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Sweet tooths looking for the ultimate Instagrammable treat should look no further, brand new CBD ice cream parlour Aqua S is bringing your candy-fuelled search to an end. Opened just a few days ago at QV Melbourne, Aqua S is a soft-serve specialist — and one that could give Caulfield's Tuck Shop Take Away a run for its money. They've been cranking out $8 soft serve cones for Sydneysiders since January 2015 — and we know, that's a price point that may steer any punter right back to Micky D's. But hold up a second, this little ol' dessert escapade comes filled with sea salt-flavoured soft serve, topped with a pillowy bed of fairy floss, sweet popcorn, popping candy and a grilled marshmallow. And looks like an actual cloud. Take. Our. Money. Sea salt soft-serve is obviously not a new thing — you can thank Okinawa, Japan for it. If you're not down for sea salt soft-serve, you can choose from two others on tap — changing every two weeks. Who knows, you could be inhaling biscotti soft-serve (!), lemon squash, pandan, mint tea, mocha, peach iced tea, lemon cheesecake — anything. Keep things simple with a single soft-serve 'scoop', or blend up those flavours with mixed 'scoops' — and you can pick and choose from those ridiculous-sounding toppings. Find Aqua S at 16 Red Cape Lane, QV Melbourne. They're open Monday to Sunday, midday to 11pm.
Yesterday, the world was rocked by the horrific events that took place in Paris. With information on the attacks still coming to light, it will take a long time for the global community to fully come to grips with the tragedy. In the meantime, however, the outpouring of international sympathy has already begun. World leaders, including Barrack Obama and Malcolm Turnbull, have been quick to condemn the attackers and offer their condolences. But perhaps more moving has been the site of many of the world's most famous landmarks lit up in the colours of the French flag. Below, we've compiled some photos of familiar Australian landmarks that took part in the spontaneous display of support for the people of France. Je suis Paris. Sydney Town Hall has been lit in the colours of the French flag #PrayforParis pic.twitter.com/dTy38ATiMS — City of Sydney (@cityofsydney) November 14, 2015 pic.twitter.com/4LFei1TAxl — NGV (@NGVMelbourne) November 14, 2015 Story Bridge lit up last night for #ParisAttacks victims. Photo by Craig Capper. #9News pic.twitter.com/hS7KJqR6es — Nine News Brisbane (@9NewsBrisbane) November 14, 2015 Well played, @MCG #Paris #PrayForParis ?? ?? pic.twitter.com/zJm8yxAE9P — Clint Stanaway (@cstanaway) November 14, 2015 We'll be lighting Adelaide Oval in blue, white and red from 6pm tonight to show our support #Pray4Paris pic.twitter.com/c5LoGJGffi — Adelaide Oval (@TheAdelaideOval) November 14, 2015 .@LisaScafPerthLM @CityofPerth Looks stunning. #JesuisunParisien pic.twitter.com/QR8ZfK8Mbp — Matt Rosich (@subjectmattr) November 14, 2015 #Brisbane City Hall has also been lit tonight to show our support for the people of France #ParisAttacks pic.twitter.com/bvKtLgqxB1 — Team Quirk (@Team_Quirk) November 14, 2015 Melbourne town hall. ???? @LordMayorMelb @cityofmelbourne pic.twitter.com/hduJyWhYz5 — Sharnelle Vella (@SharnelleVella) November 14, 2015 Header image: Prudence Upton.
Next time you’re feeling peckish down near Southern Cross Station, do yourself a favour and pay a visit to The Archway. Home to the likes of 5 & Dime Bagels, T by Luxbite and Altius Coffee, this recently opened Flinders Lane food hub is already a primo lunchtime destination, and now they’ve added two more tasty vendors to the fold. Delhi Streets is a multigenerational affair, run by Charan Singh along with his restaurateur father Resham. Inspired by India’s bustling street food culture, the pair have opted away from heavy curries in favour of samosas, rice biryani and a selection of burgers and wraps, including one made with patties of spiced chickpeas and battered potatoes. They’ve also got sweet options, from hand-made Kulfi ice-cream pops to chocolate naan. To top things off, they’re fully licensed, serving Indian beers such as Kingfisher and Maharaja, with a spice-infused cocktail menu apparently on the way. Those looking for a healthier option down that end of the city can also find sanctuary at Hunters Roots. Husband and wife duo Jeffrey and Kerry Chew are serving a variety of fresh, organic breakfast and lunch options, including coconut yogurt parfait, homemade muesli slices and the intriguingly named ‘raw snickers bar.’ Accoutrements include almond milk, vegan coconut ice-cream, raspberry chia jam and cacao hazelnut ganache, all of which are made in-house. They also offer made to order pressed juices, to help wash everything down. The Archway’s final tenant, Mr Huang Jin Taiwanese Dumplings, is expected to open in the next couple of weeks — as if you weren’t already spoiled for choices. The Archway is located at 517 Flinders Lane. For more information visit The Archway’s website.
Jarryd James has had quite the year already. At the start of 2015, this quiet achieving Brisbanite released a tune by the name of 'Do You Remember'. Blending ambient beats with progressive R&B, and featuring James's mesmerising vocals, the single gained over five million cumulative streams, full rotation on triple j, peaked at #1 on the Australian iTunes chart, spent six weeks atop the Australian Shazam chart and achieved Double Platinum sales here as well. Boom. It's not really a big surprise though, the track was co-written with powerhouse, Grammy-winning producer Joel Little, who's worked with the equally bright-young-thing likes of Broods and Lorde. Six months later, the 31-year-old dropped a catchy little number called 'Give Me Something' (also produced by Little), with an Usher-meets-Flume vibe and set to feature on his forthcoming debut album, to be to be released independently in Australia via Dryden St and internationally via Interscope. Having shared stages locally with both Broods and Angus and Julia Stone and crushing it with his own headline tour in March, James is now heading out on another national tour to coincide with an anticipated Splendour appearance. He'll be appearing in his hometown of Brisbane at the Hi-Fi on July 3, at Sydney's Metro Theatre on July 10 and at Melbourne's Forum on July 11 before Splendour on July 25. By Jasmine Crittenden and Shannon Connellan.
Warm up like a Viking this winter, at Lucky Penny on Chapel Street. Spurred on by the chilly weather, the South Yarra cafe has just launched The Hunter’s Kitchen, a brand new dinner and drinks project inspired by the flavours of Scandinavia. Open on Friday and Saturday evenings until late, Hunter’s Kitchen will serve hearty, Nordic-style comfort food all throughout winter. Starters include in-house cured salmon, celeriac puree, cornichons, dill, celery leaves with Yarra Valley salmon roe; and smoked trout, cos, caperberry, apple coleslaw, and boiled egg. Offering a contemporary twist on traditional Danish appetisers, these dishes will be served with torn chunks of bread baked by the artisan bakers at Ed’s Breads. Main course, meanwhile, belongs to the slow cooked Hunter’s Stews, made and served to share in cast iron pans, with ingredients such as venison, sausage, confit red cabbage and homemade spicy pear chutney; and Bannockburn free range farmhouse chicken, bacon, roast celery and kale chips. Dessert options include ginger cake with treacle sauce and ice-cream, and a blueberry and elderflower crumble. Complementing the dining menu is a selection of Scandinavian-themed drinks, from traditional mulled wine with treacle, cinnamon and cloves, to bespoke cocktails like the Tom and Jerry (brandy, hot spiced milk and Italian meringue) and the Winter Julep (brown sugar syrup, peppermint tea and bourbon). The Hunter’s Kitchen at Lucky Penny is located at 481 Chapel St, South Yarra, and trades from 6pm until late on Friday and Saturday evenings. For more information visit www.theluckypenny.com.au.
Fancy three-course meals and fine dining degustations are all good and well, but sometimes all you want is a nice cheesy, cheesy toastie — and that's where Toasta & Co. deliver. The operators behind two of our fave Melbourne food trucks — toastie vendors Toasta and schnitzel kings Von Crumb — have fired up the grill at their very first brick and mortar store. Follow the crumbs and listen for the sizzle of the sandwich press. Cheesy goodness awaits you. Located at 181 Adderley Street, West Melbourne, Toasta & Co. was born out of demand. "The trucks focus mainly on private events now, which has made it really tricky for the public to come see us," says Toasta & Co. creator Rebecca Feingold. "So the drive behind the brick and mortar was really the demand of the customers, which has been great." Our baby blue 😇 181 Adderley St, West Melbourne: 12-8pm. A photo posted by TOASTA (@toastafoodtruck) on Jul 26, 2016 at 5:26pm PDT Yes, you demanded it, and now here they are, with toasties ranging from the timeless cheese and bread combo to more extravagant sangas filled with tomato and kale cashew pesto, pastrami, dill pickle and sauerkraut, and pulled pork, caramelised onions, BBQ sauce and mac 'n' cheese. They also have a dessert option made with sweetened mascarpone and stewed rhubarb. Oh hell yes. But while the humble toastie is obviously their signature dish, Toasta & Co. is more than just a one-trick pony. They also offer various Von Crumb schnitzels, along with pastries, soups, salads, baguettes and desserts, which includes bread and butter pudding. Their coffee, meanwhile, comes courtesy of Proud Mary, while their bar is stocked with a small selection of wines as well as beers by Hawker, Feral and Bridge Road Brewers. "We're a one-stop shop," says Feingold. "Coming into the warmer months we'll also be having Bloody Mary and toastie mornings on the weekend." It's not the first dedicated toastie cafe to open in Melbourne either — a gourmet toastie drive-through, Cheese & Bread opened up in Preston back in May. When it comes to that simple combo though, the competition can never be too crowded. Toasta & Co. are open this week Wednesday to Sunday from noon until 8pm. From next Wednesday, their operating hours will expand to 7am until 8pm. Keep your eyes on their website and Facebook for more information.
Jimmy Hurlston, the burger fiend you know and love from Jimmy's Burgers and Collingwood's famous tram car nosh spot Easey's, is poised to take down Sydney and win hearts with his burgers. Hurlston has announced that come late April, his new venture, Guilty, will be opening in Darlinghurst. As well as bringing his Insta-famous burgs with him, Hurlston has suggested the new eatery, located in the Republic 2 complex, will encompass a broader American/South American-themed menu as well, including hot dogs and champagne. Guilty will be repping its hometown and showing off a range of Melbourne brewed beers on tap. No word yet on whether there'll include a genuine Melbourne tram car set up though. Sydney better ready itself because Hurlston has some ambitious ideas about burgers. An Easey's speciality, for the uninitiated, is the addition of creamy mac and cheese to an already towering burger. And the vegetarian option? Forget eggplant and grilled giant mushrooms, your burger pattie will be replaced with a crunchy potato cake. Jimmy Hurlston's burger creations are not for the weak of heart. Via Good Food. Images: Easey's. Guilty is slated to open late April on Burton Street in Darlinghurst.
Australian musicians, wish you could play for more people, more often? People with houses — or rooms or sheds or backyards — wish you could see more music, more often, and closer to home? Bingo. A new online start-up platform by the name of Parlour Gigs is making your wishes come true. That’s the both of you. And indie acts like Thelma Plum, Grand Salvo and Caitlin Harnett are already taking advantage of it. Here’s how it works. (Hint, if you use Airbnb already, you’ll have some idea). Musicians, jump on the site, hit the 'I want to play' button and fill out the form. People with houses, jump on the site, hit the 'I want to host' button and fill out a form. If the Parlour folks are happy with your superior form-filling skills (i.e. you sound pretty talented or your place looks music-friendly), they’ll hook the two of you up. Tickets are then sold to the general public via the Parlour website. The man behind the initiative is Matt Walters, a singer-songwriter from Melbourne. "[Parlour's] not dissimilar to the Airbnb model; cutting out the middlemen and allowing people to negotiate and stage gigs where they like,” he told Tone Deaf. "From being signed to a major label, to touring with some incredible international artists, I've certainly experienced all the ups and downs the music business has to offer. "But for some time now, I’ve felt a change coming on. Of course, with the traditional music model well and truly behind us, there is more emphasis than ever on playing live... For most musicians — especially those up and coming — it's hardly worth it. The experience of playing a great show can be a reward unto itself, but at the end of the day artists, like all working people, need to get paid for their work." Get started on Parlour over here. Via Tone Deaf. Images: Parlour.
Think you can dance? Whether you bust out offbeat dad moves or twerk better than Big Freedia, there's some pretty talented Aussies who'll give you a run for your money. They’ll be doing so at Dance Massive 2015, a four-way creative collaboration between Arts House, Malthouse Theatre, Dancehouse and Ausdance Victoria. This year's Dance Massive program once again brings together some of the finest dancers and choreographers in the country. Clear your calendar and get ready to be made aware of just how uncoordinated you are. The biennial dance event kicks off on Tuesday, March 10 and runs until Sunday, March 22. Major standouts include Sydney Festival hit Nothing To Lose, the powerful, unapologetic new work from dance company Force Majeure featuring larger bodied dancers; as well as Depth of Field, the latest piece from Melbourne-based Chunky Move, which has already generated plenty of buzz since entering previews late last week. The highlights don't stop there. Anthony Hamilton's Meeting sees two dancers share the stage with 64 robotic percussion instruments, while Natalie Abbott’s Maximum pairs a dancer with a bodybuilder. Indigenous choreographer Vicki Van Hout directs Long Grass,inspired by dance from the Top End, even as Catalogue, from dance ensemble Rawcus, shows off the abilities of dancers with and without disabilities. There are even ways for audiences to get in on the action themselves — such as with Fitter. Faster. Better., an exercise boot camp run by instructors between the ages of six and ten.
From award-winning Australian novel to sold-out mainstage production, Jasper Jones is now getting the long-awaited big screen treatment it deserves. Madman Entertainment has today released the trailer for the anticipated film version of Craig Silvey's lauded novel, a revisualisation directed by Rachel Perkins (Bran Nue Dae, Radiance, One Night the Moon) and produced by Vincent Sheehan (Animal Kingdom, The Hunter) and David Jowsey (Mystery Road, Goldstone). Jasper Jones follows the classic story of 14-year-old Charlie Bucktin, a wide-eyed, book-loving kid living in small-town Western Australia in the summer of 1969. When local mixed-race outcast Jasper Jones wakes him up in the middle of the night, one heck of a mystery starts for the pair (and the town). Who's in the cast? Oh, just Australian royalty Toni Collette and Hugo Weaving, alongside Levi Miller (Pan, upcoming Red Dog: True Blue), Angourie Rice (These Final Hours, The Nice Guys), Dan Wyllie (Offspring, Muriel's Wedding), Matt Nable (Riddick, Son of a Gun) and Aaron McGrath (GLITCH). Get your eyes all over the trailer, it comes with a new song from Sydney lad Dustin Tebbutt, 'Atlas in Your Eyes'. Jasper Jones will be released in cinemas on March 2, 2017.
With every year that passes Melbourne gains more history — and with every renovation, new stories. But it's not often you dig up the kind of gold that was discovered when putting together the CBD's new bar, House of Correction. At 264 Swanston Street, lie allusions to a colourful past — as a medical supply store in the early 1900s, a manufacturer of death masks for the Old Melbourne Gaol and, most recently, the home of Australia's longest-running porn cinema, Shaft Cinemas. The renovators even found pornographic silhouettes beneath the layers of paint downstairs. But while the raciest finds have been re-hidden for future tenants to discover, interior architects ZWEI have used others — like the heritage ceiling and concrete slab floor — as the highlights of a very unique space. Headed up by bartender David Smillie (ex-Eau de Vie Sydney), the 52-seater will be throwing down a monthly rotating cocktail selection, which is built around simplicity, top-notch ingredients and classic styling. Expect plenty of clever extras, too, with house-made shrubs, vinegars, and fermentations popping up throughout. Rounding out the offering is a hefty back bar, solid craft beer lineup. And though the building's history might be a bit sketchy, its future is looking anything but. House of Correction will be a sister bar to rooftop venue Goldilocks and Mr Kwok downstairs, which has just opened in replacement of Noodle Kingdom. Sad news for fans of the old venue, but this new noodle house is helmed by the old chef's daughter — and food can be ordered up until last drinks at 3am each night of the week. House of Correction is open daily from 4pm till 3am at Level 4, 264 Swanston Street, Melbourne. For more information, visit their Facebook page. Images: Georgia Verrells.
Peter Bibby’s debut album, released in November last year, is called Butcher/Hairstylist/Beautician. It’s unclear what this eclectic mix of job titles signifies. Perhaps Bibby is a self-styled jack of all trades, just as at home wielding a carving knife as an eyelash curler? Who knows? It’s a nice image. What we do know is that Perth-born, Melbourne-based Bibby, having recently returned from the USA (seems like Americans have a thing for earnest, self-deprecating Aussie guitarists at the moment — see Courtney Barnett), is about to kick off his first national tour. You can expect a damn fine show from the 'Hates My Boozin' spinner of VB-soaked yarns — not for nothing has he played Sydney Festival, Laneway and SXSW already. A ticket to this show will get you change from a twenty, so what are you doing? Get on it. Supported by Orlando Furious + Tanzer.
If you're going to fork out an arm and a leg for candy bar concessions, the food may as well be good. That's the thinking behind the Coburg Drive-In Food Truck Festival, which after tantalising our tastebuds over the summer is back in time to ring in the chilly season. On April 22 and 23, you can sit back in your car and enjoy the latest Hollywood releases (Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron, Fast & Furious 7, Cinderella, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2) while chowing down on delectable offerings from Melbourne's leading mobile food vendors. Trucks on site include Dude Food Man, Caliko BBQ, Kurbside Kravings, Senor Churros , I Scream Sandwhich, Houston Hot Dogs and Speedy Gonzales on Wednesday, April 22, and Sliders on Tyres, Happy Camper Pizza, Oh My Grill, Potato Twister, Snagga’s Healthy Sausages, Jays Yogurt and Pappa Pita on Thursday, April 23.
Eggs, milk and animal products in general are officially off the ingredients list, at a brand new edition of the Flour Market bake sale. Launching in Melbourne next month, Wholey Day is the sweet, doughy spinoff that vegans have been waiting for: a seasonal market featuring the best local vendors of wholefood, raw, organic, vegan and gluten free treats. Let the face stuffing commence. The Flour Market team have been teasing the new initiative via social media, throwing up images of drool-worthy snacks such as ACE Mylkbar's raw cookies and an insane vegan cacao ganache brownie made by Citizen Cacao's Georgie Castle. Both vendors will be on the floor at the market, along with numerous others to be announced in the coming weeks. The Queen of Melbourne's raw choccy scene, Georgie Castle of Citizen Cacao never fails to bring the vibes w the likes of... Posted by Wholey Day on Saturday, 2 April 2016 In the meantime, Flour Market's latest regular edition to due to go down on Sunday May 15 at Collingwood Town Hall in Melbourne, from 9am until all the goodies have been gobbled up. For more information about Wholey Day check them out on Facebook.
Widely touted as Australia's most prestigious portraiture prize, the Archibald Prize is a curated collection of the year's best portrait paintings. This year, the lineup includes 51 talented finalists who were selected from a record 919 entries. After an obligatory stint at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the exhibition will move to TarraWarra Museum of Art. All the winning portraits and finalists will be on display from September 14 to November 5. The works depict an eclectic mix of subjects, from celebrities and politicians to artists and authors. Tony Costa's portrait of fellow artist Lindy Lee, simply titled Lindy Lee, took out the top gong — and $100,000 cash along with it. Meanwhile, Tessa MacKay was awarded the 2019 Archibald Packing Room Prize, chosen by the packing room team, for her hyperreal portrait of actor David Wenham, called Through the Looking Glass. Both of which will be on display, of course. Plus, you'll see a painting by Vietnamese-Australian artist, actor and writer Anh Do, a portrait of Paralympic champion Dylan Alcott by Sydney-based stencil artist Kirpy, Carla Fletcher's cosmic work of Del Kathryn Baron and a hyperreal self-portrait of a nude, pregnant Katherine Edney. After-dark artist talks will take place throughout the exhibition period, featuring panel discussions and drinks from TarraWarra Estate, Watts River Brewing and Four Pillars Gin. Top image: Lindy Lee by Tony Costa
Make sure you enjoy a good long sleep when you get home from work on Friday. Why? Because you won't be getting another wink until the sun comes up on Sunday. Come 7pm on Saturday, Melbourne will be pulsing with light, colour and sound. That's right nocturnal animals: White Night is back. This year's after dark arts festival will incorporate dozens of installations and spectacular light displays, as well as live music, performances and more. Revellers can catch a movie at the openair cinema on Lonsdale Street, before taking part in a dance marathon on Collins. And of course, no White Night would ever be complete without soaking up the air conditioning at ACMI. To help you get the most out of your moonlight adventure, we had a chat to artistic director David Atkins. In addition to giving us a behind the scenes look at how the festival comes together, he also had some tips for our walking itinerary. From fire-breathing organs to building-sized projections, here are ten things at White Night you can't afford to miss. Keep an eye out for giant inflatable rabbits too. STOP ONE: THE PYROPHONE JUGGERNAUT Anyone keen to avoid the hectic crowds would do well to start outside the CBD. Atkins recommends beginning your night in Carlton Gardens, and singles out The Pyrophone Juggernaut as one of the most explosive works north of the grid. Built from scrap metal and operated by a group of performance artists and musicians, the fire-breathing behemoth is billed as the world's largest hand-operated, multi-octave fire organ in the world. The Juggernaut will sail through the Melbourne Museum Plaza seven times throughout the night, with the first voyage set for 8pm. STOP TWO: RHYTHMS OF THE NIGHT Since you're already in the area, you should definitely make time to check out the façade at the Royal Exhibition Building. The southern side of the historic structure has previously provided the canvas for some of White Night's most impressive projections, so needless to say our expectations are pretty high. This time around, Atkins has tapped Artists in Motion, who lit up the Opera House at last year's Vivid Sydney. Rhythms of the Night promises to bind audiences together in a collective dream as it explores the four stages of sleep. [caption id="attachment_603012" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Sonic Light Bubble[/caption] STOP THREE: SONIC LIGHT BUBBLE Atkins also draws our attention to Sonic Light Bubble, a giant inflatable bubble dotted with LEDs set to invade the Carlton Gardens after dark. The clear synthetic organism is one of a number of interactive works on this year's program that audiences will be encouraged to go up to and touch. "The idea was to get a bit more interaction and audience participation into the event," says Atkins. STOP FOUR: LONSDALE LOUNGE CINEMA From Carlton Gardens, we recommend heading into the city via La Trobe Street before turning south down Swanston until you hit Lonsdale. There, you can put your feet up at the Lonsdale Lounge Cinema, where they'll be showcasing Australian made short films all night long. This year the lineup will include a number of Tropfest finalists, shorts from the VCA archives, and the inaugural winner of the Made In Melbourne Film Festival's Script to Screen initiative. Mostly though, we're just in it for the comfy chairs. STOP FIVE: REBEL ELDERS As you continue south along Swanston Street, it'd be worth taking a quick detour down Rainbow Alley off Little Collins. That's where you'll find another one of Atkins' favourite pieces, in Andy Ferguson and Rose Turtle Ertler's Rebel Elders. Designed to break down unfair stereotypes about elderly people, the large-scale projection features senior citizens engaged in all sorts of 'youthful' activities, from highwire walking to race car driving. "It's a piece that talks about ageism and perceptions and I think those things are really important," says Atkins. STOP SIX: SWING CITY Dance marathons are something of a White Night tradition (even if you're not much of a dancer). Located on Collins Street between Swanston and Elizabeth, Swing City will feature pretty much every form of social dance, plus big band music from the '30s, '40s and '50s. "That section of Collins Street hasn't really been activated before," says Atkins. "You've got a 13-piece big band, ballroom dancers, jive dancers, competitions, marathon dancing..." STOP SEVEN: HOME LESS Another big White Night tradition is the activation of St Paul's Cathedral, which this year will play host to a projection spotlighting the plight of Melbourne's growing homeless population. Created by local artist Chase Burns, who last year lit up Swanston Street with a breathtaking work about rising sea levels, Home Less will take viewers into the dreams of a rough sleeper as she escapes the harsh realities of her waking life. "I think it's going to be a beautiful piece," says Atkins. [caption id="attachment_610276" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bennett Foddy and AP Thomson.[/caption] STOP EIGHT: VIDEO GAME MIXTAPE While ACMI can sometimes get a little on the crowded side, the Fed Square cinema and exhibition space is still definitely worth a visit. This year, the ACMI Lightwell will play host to a retro video game installation that takes players and spectators back to the early days of arcade culture. Video Game Mixtape will merge live gameplay, interactive game art and music by 8bit DJs. Alternatively, you can relax upstairs in Cinema 1 where they're screening a mashup of classic films from Star Wars to Saturday Night Fever. STOP NINE: VIKTOR&ROLF – INSIDE OUT Once you're done in the city, you'll want to make your way across the Princes Bridge, following the tram tracks down to NGV International. As in previous years, the front of the gallery will be lit up with projected images from the current exhibition. In this case, it'll focus on the 'wearable art' of Dutch fashion duo Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren. "Bringing that exhibition out onto the façade is going to be another highlight," says Atkins. If you like what you see, the gallery itself will be open all night, although you will have to pay for a ticket. STOP TEN: UNPLUGGED At this point you'll probably feel like another little break. Fortunately, right across the road from the NGV are the Queen Victoria Gardens, home to the pop-up MPavilion. There you'll be able to enjoy a series of performances by musicians, singer-songwriters and other creative artists, including Katherine Hymer, The New Savages, Mana Moto and Rachel Caddy. "I think MPavillion, with the Unplugged performances, will be a really nice place to chill out," says Atkins. For set times, go here. White Night Melbourne is happening across the city on Saturday, February 18. For more weekend events, check out our handy round-up.
The team behind Chin Chin have announced their latest venture: a hawker food and beer hall in Windsor. Operating out of a renovated furniture shop towards the South end of Chapel Street, Hawker Hall is set to open its doors in July; serving a variety of Asian dishes along with at least thirty beers on tap. The space will be partially modelled after the Tiong Bahru Food Centre in Singapore, which Hawker Hall founder Chris Lucas visited earlier in the year. It’s the latest feather in the restaurateur's cap, who can already boast Chin Chin, Baby and Kong BBQ to his name. According to Good Food, the menu at Hawker Hall will include typical market-style favourites, including barbeque, dumplings, noodles and curries. The kitchen will be manned by head chef Damian Snell (formerly of Charlie Dumpling) under the watch of Lucas Group executive chef Benjamin Cooper. Drinks-wise, expect a rotating selection of craft and boutique options from around Australia and Asia. "We were inspired by the changing beer environment," Lucas told Good Food. "We can see that the big breweries with their standardised beers are becoming a thing of the past." Located at 98 Chapel St, Hawker Hall will seat around 180 people, although only one table will be held for bookings. Keep your eyes peeled for a full menu and operating hours later in the year. Via Good Food.
Music festivals and writers festivals have existed for years, but they rarely mix. Sure, you'll hear poetic lyrics at the former, and maybe attend a tunes-inspired session at the latter. A true fusion of the two, though, is an elusive beast. Well, it was, until a few smart-thinking folks decided to organise a rock and roll writers festival. In an Australian first, the weekend-long event will explore the relationship between the literary and musical worlds. It's an idea that's so great, we can't believe that no one has done it locally before. Come April 2016, some of Australia’s finest authors, songwriters, lyricists and music commentators will converge upon Brisbane for two days of discussions, interviews, panels and more. An initial lineup boasting stacks of talented speakers has just been announced, featuring performer Jackie Marshall, previous jMag editor Jenny Valentish, journalist and Australian Music Prize judge Kate Hennessy, former Time Off editor and owner Sean Sennett, Courier Mail music writer Noel Mengel, and Pig City: From The Saints To Savage Garden author Andrew Stafford, among others. They'll all natter on about everything that's great about words, songs and the combination of the two, while trying to surprise, entertain, enlighten and challenge attendees in the process. And they'll do at the Brightside, because if you're going to throw a rock and roll writers festival, you have to do it at a rock and roll venue. The Rock and Roll Writers Festival runs from April 2 – 3, 2016, at the Brightside, 27 Warner Street, Fortitude Valley. For more information, visit their website.
Listen to some of Australia's best emerging and early-career writers in a new podcast series produced by SBS. A tie in with the station's new crime-drama The Principal, which is set to premiere in the first week of October, True Stories consists of seven short stories written and performed by up-and-coming writers from all walks of life. Each story presents a different take on the Australian high school experience – and the six they've dropped so far have been really, really good. The young writers worked in collaboration with Sweatshop, a literary initiative by the University of Western Sydney founded by doctoral candidate and writer Michael Mohammed Ahmad. Ahmad also wrote one episode of the podcast, as did his fellow recipients of the SMH's Best Young Novelist award Luke Carman, Maxine Beneba Clarke, Omar Musa and Ellen Van Neervan. "I think the particular writers that SBS has engaged with are probably the best suited in the country to conform and adapt to the oral storytelling that these podcasts require," says Ahmad. "We're talking about the best up-and-coming writers in the country, and it just so happens that a vast majority of those writers represent traditions who come from rich oral storytelling practice. Omar Musa from a Malaysian background, Maxine Beneba Clarke an Afro-Caribbean background, Ellen van Neerven an Aboriginal background and myself an Arab background...if you look at our novels there is a strong oral technique that is being used most of the time, which is drawing from traditions that come from all over the world." You can certainly feel the influence of these different cultural backgrounds in the content of True Stories. Ahmad's episode, for example, was inspired by his time as a student at Punchbowl Boys High School during the late nineties and early two thousands, a time when the "Arab Australian Muslim community was one of the most stigmatised groups in the country." Loaded with profane language and instances of violence, his story reflects a troubled period in the school's history, yet refuses to indulge stereotypes about the students or their community. "I think if you listen to my story, there is undoubtedly an exploration of violence, sexism, misogyny, homophobia and classic cases of aggression and hostility that exist within certain underclass communities," Ahmad says. "But they're resilient spaces. They're not spaces that are miserable. The people in those spaces are intelligent, critical. They're aware of their circumstances, and most of the time they're responding, or even performing their underclass-ness, because that can be empowering." "It's very hard, I think, for the white imagination to see those places as joyful, resilient, critically conscious places," he continues. "I think there is an assumption that under every poor young man of colour is a middle class white boy yearning to break free." You can currently find the first six episodes of True Stories on the SBS website and on iTunes. The Principal premieres on Wednesday October 7 at 8:30pm.
It’s not often one says “let’s head out to Preston", since we've all pretty much accepted that there's nothing much to do past Bell Street. We have a suspicion that's all about to change though, with the recent opening of Stray Neighbour. This new bar and eatery has opened on Plenty Road, the culmination of a three-way partnership between Chew Burger co-owners Andrew Chew and Ben Stray, and Ben's brother, Daniel. Melburnians are most likely immune to the opening of a new hip eatery, since it seems to happen about once every twenty minutes. But even hardened veterans should be excited by Stray Neighbour, because they’ve got genuine soul. The aim of the venue is to give something back to Preston residents and showcase local farmers, butchers and producers. In their words, it’s an establishment for the locals, by the locals. Ben and Daniel Stray – a builder and landscape gardener, respectively – have turned their keen eye to kitting out the venue. Built inside a rejuvenated panel beaters, Stray Neighbour offers three different spaces for all variety of visitors, from bar hoppers to groups to serious diners. And we haven’t even mentioned the menu yet. Sous chef Romina Gagliardi has crafted a simple, compact and European-inspired menu that plays to the strengths of local produce. Think seared scallops, pea puree and guanciale crumb for starters, chicken with tarragon, sweet corn and sherry jus for mains, and vanilla creme brulee for dessert. The bar, meanwhile, has been built with 12 (yes, that’s right, 12) taps that will rotate with seasonal offerings, and is complimented with a predominantly Australian wine list. But I think we can agree the best part of the whole place is the custom built dog-head tap handles. Because we’ve always wanted to drink beer that streams forth from a cute doggy’s face (you heard us). With reasonable price points and oodles of integrity, we have a feeling that Stray Neighbour is going to become a favourite with more than just the locals. Stray Neighbour is located at 463 - 467 Plenty Road, Preston. For their operating hours, visit www.strayneighbour.com.au
A new chapter is being written in the annals of Melbourne cafe culture. Opening this week on High Street in Prahran, Fourth Chapter is serving up breakfast and lunch every day of the week, and boasts a menu we can't wait to try. The sunny new spot is owned by chef Sarah Whitfield, whose other venture, Trei Cafe, has become a Glen Waverly staple. This time she's teamed up with her sister, Jessica, and the results look absolutely stellar. Their all day breakfast menu includes such appetising options as baked rhubarb, apple and blackberry porridge, paleo toast with avocado and lemon, and that old Melbourne favourite, smashed avo, served on pumpkin sourdough with pesto and haloumi. Of course those all pale in comparison to the standout items: peanut butter s'more waffles with salted caramel, grilled banana and marshmallow. Peanut Butter S'more Waffle // Grilled bananas, marshmallow & salted caramel ✌🏼️ #Melbourne #Cafe #Lunch #Breakfast #BreakfastInMelbourne #Smores #FourthChapter A photo posted by F O U R T H C H A P T E R (@fourth_chapter) on Jun 3, 2016 at 3:05am PDT In addition to their sizable list of breakfast options, Fourth Chapter also offer a small number of lunch dishes from 11am. Think Southern fried chicken bao with pickled cabbage and sriracha aioli, and a pulled beef brisket cheeseburger with chilli mayo, American cheddar and sweet potato fries. Their beverage fare includes the usual mix of coffees and teas, along with kombucha and an array of extravagant smoothies. We're particularly taken with the strawberry shortcake variety, made with coconut mylk, almond crumble and strawberries, along with maca, chia, maple and whipped coconut cream. Fourth Chapter is located at 385 High Street, Prahran. For more information visit www.fourthchapter.com.au.
UPDATE: FEBRUARY 14, 2018 — This Saturday, February 17 the city will welcome White Night, an all-night arts festival that runs from 7pm till 7am. While the city stays up all night, so will Supafish — it's been granted an all-night licence so it can serve drinks and play tunes until the sun comes up on Sunday. Say g'day to the Yarra River's newest resident, Supafish — a 300-capacity floating pop-up bar in the form of a giant futuristic fish. It's the brainchild of DJ Grant Smillie (Melbourne City Brewing Co, and LA's E.P. & L.P.) and Andrew Mackinnon (from marketing communication agency The Taboo Group), and is set to drop anchor just metres from the boys' previous collaboration, Ponyfish Island. Launching early December, Supafish will be settling in for the long, hot months of summer, slinging cocktails and Mexican fare daily up until February 26. At 38 metres long, this one's a little smaller than The Arbory's just-launched floating summer bar Arbory Afloat, though there's certainly no missing it, what with the huge glowing eyes and neon ribcage made from galvanised steel and recycled materials. The team's set out to create an immersive experience, from top to toe. Nick Peters and Matt Lane — who are behind Mexican eateries Hotel Jesus and Mamasita — have taken the reins on the food offering, so you'll be noshing on punchy plates like ceviche and huitlacoche (which is a type of corn fungus) quesadillas. Meanwhile, a range of refreshing tap cocktails run from margaritas and espresso martinis through to signature kombucha infusions, and Smillie himself is curating the summer's music program. Supafish will open daily from 11am till 1am, until February 26.
Take an after-dark stroll along Gertrude Street in Fitzroy and you'll find your whole world lit up in lights. Returning to the northside thoroughfare from July 15 to 24, the Gertrude Street Projection Festival will once again see a stretch along the 86 tram route transformed into a dazzling outdoor art gallery. Now in its ninth year, GSPF has well and truly hit its stride, lighting up everything from shopfronts to footpaths to the Atherton Gardens. In total, this year's program features 38 different projections from new and established artists, on display from 6pm until midnight. Once you've wandered up and down the block a few times, you can also pay a visit to the festival hub – that is, The Catfish – where you'll find everything from immersive sound installations to rockin' late night dance parties.
In case you hadn't noticed, it's already December, and that means Christmas is just a few weeks away. And if you're anything like us, you were probably planning on leaving all your seasonal shopping until the last, panic-filled minute. Instead, why not check out the Craft Christmas Market this weekend? Featuring handmade items from some of the most creative makers from all over Victoria, it's the perfect opportunity to get ahead of the gift-giving time of year. For a change. Hosted in C Shed at the Queen Victoria Market between 9am and 4pm on Sunday, December 13, this year's Christmas Market will feature the very best of ceramics, jewellery, clothing, bags, accessories and homewares, as well as all manner of other trinkets and goodies that you don't necessarily need, but most definitely want. And since you're already out shopping for other people, you may as well pick up a few things for yourself, right? Tis the season, after all.
UPDATE, July 30, 2018: After selling out its return month at the Queen Victoria Market, Séance has announced it will hanging around — and unnerving brave guests — for longer. The spooky shipping container will be its every Wednesday (as part of the Winter Night Market), Friday and Saturday night throughout August. Tickets are still $20, but they're selling quickly, so head to the website to grab yours. After spooking participants in Federation Square last November, then in Sydney in December, the unnerving Séance installation is returning to Melbourne. The big, white container — with dark curtains and black letters splashed across its side — is popping up at the Queen Victoria Market this July. If you're not familiar with the installation, and didn't have the chance to visit last year, a word of warning: its aim is to mess with your senses. Participants take a seat inside the tiny space, put on a headset and are told to place both hands on the table. The lights go out leaving the container in absolute darkness and, for 15 uneasy minutes, participants are taken on an immersive journey led only by touch and sounds. Expect to feel confused, repulsed and struck with temporary claustrophobia. According to organisers, numerous participants bailed halfway through sittings during the recent Melbourne sessions. You're probably thinking that there's something dark or supernatural about the whole thing — and going by the name, we don't blame you. But the installation's organiser assures us that 'séance' is simply a French word meaning 'session' or 'sitting'. Did we mention that the velvet seats date back to 1913 and were pulled from an abandoned theatre? And so Séance is a sensory experience that looks at the psychology of both sensory deprivation and the dynamics of a group sitting together. It's a scary indicator of how easy it is for confusion, disorientation and information overload to affect our judgment. Artists David Rosenberg and Glen Neath of Darkfield (who have collaborated in other sensory deprivation projects before) are the creative masterminds behind the project, which has been described as 'disorienting' and 'deeply unsettling'. We're serious when we say it's not recommended for the claustrophobic, the easily frightened or those afraid of the dark.
The boffins at Australia's leading scientific institution are branching out into the art world, in an attempt to raise awareness about the need to invest in renewable energy sources. The CSIRO Infinity Swing is a giant light-up swing set powered by the momentum of its users, turning playtime into clean, sustainable power. According to its creators, the light and sound installation came about in response to one of the most challenging questions facing the world today: "how do we make sure energy stays affordable and available while protecting our planet?" The eight-person swing serves as a timely visual reminder of the importance of clean, renewable energy, as well as the things that can be achieved when people work together. It's also given us a great idea about connecting the nation's playgrounds directly to the power grid – although we suspect that child protection services mightn't be quite so keen. The pop-up swing will open to the public at Sydney's Custom House between Wednesday November 4 and Sunday November 8, before travelling down to Federation Square in Melbourne from Monday November 16 until Saturday November 21. Representatives from CSIRO will be on hand to discuss their ongoing research into clean energy – and if you're extra nice, they might even give you a little push.
As with every long weekend in Melbourne, the list of parties thrown over the three days is positively endless. If we have to pick a winner for bonafide boogie times, it's undoubtedly Around The Way. Brought to you by party-starter extraordinaires Funf, and stylish as all heck crew YSTRDAYBONE, the pair are are creating a music and lifestyle event like none other in Melbourne. Headlining the event is Scottish techno producer Sei A in his Melbourne debut. In terms of local DJ fun, Cutting Shapes DJs (specifically Jesse Young and Jean Pierre) will get that dance floor going. Speaking of Melbourne lads, legendary Cut Copy DJs will bring an infectious blend of disco and house, and Andras Fox will be doing his thing live — certainly worth keeping an eye and an ear out for. Also joining the list is Lovebirds, Tin Man, Myles Mac, Turkish Prison, Michael Ozone and Sleep D DJs. If you want in on this party, get your tickets now — last minute-ing is a fool's errand.
As far as Henry Miller was concerned, alone time is crucial to creativity. “An artist is always alone,” he wrote, “if he is an artist. What the artist needs is loneliness.” But spending day in, day out, with only your cat for company isn’t always a recipe for inspiration. Luckily, Etsy is well aware of the problem. So, every year, they host an enormous, worldwide Craft Party. Artists and craftspeople all over the planet are encouraged to get together to paint, draw, sculpt, sew and make — with like-minded others. This year, the gathering will be happening on June 6 and the theme is 'Kaleidoscope: Paper taking shape'. It's all about collages and paper cutting techniques this year, so come armed with scissors. Etsy Craft Parties will be held all over Australia. You can organise your own, or to attend one of Melbourne's major bashes, book a spot online. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
Picture this: you’re settled in for the night with your penne and personal tiramisu, pyjamas so fluffy it’s like wearing a cloud and none of your shitty housemates are home. You’ve got a tight lineup of trashy shows ready to go and a fat glass of wine in hand, but something is off — there’s not enough wine. There’s not enough wine in your glass, blood or on the television. There’s some wine on Masterchef, there’s demure wine on The Bachelor and there’s hardly any wine in Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. All that’s about to change with Baptism of Fire, a wine-making reality show that pairs amazingly with indulgent nights on the couch. Mojo Wine is once again bringing us Baptism of Fire, a reality web series that pits team of amateur winemakers against each other for the glory of the win (and $10,000 prize money). If you want to take it further than simply watching the wine be made, you can even make the wine yourself — Mojo is looking for entrants now, and the only catch is you can never have never been employed in winemaking (recreational wine drinking, however, is fine and recommended). The experience is fully paid for and, we would guess, involves a fair whack of delicious wine-tasting. The competition traverses the entire process that turns not-at-all fun grapes into a so-much-fun bottle of wine with a cute label. The six teams of two will design and market their wine and the winners receive the chance to take their brand further — what this literally means, we're not 100 percent, but it is an opportunity to drink wine for ‘educational’ purposes on a weeknight. Bring it on. To apply for Baptism of Fire, check out the website.
Westfield have just unveiled a huge program of free live music, taking over stores across Victoria throughout spring and summer. Partnering with entertainment leaders Live Nation, the exclusive event series will be feature over 20 performances across Westfield stores in Australia and New Zealand. Artists and performers teased across the program include Australian favourites Amy Shark, Jessica Mauboy, Thelma Plum and Stan Walker. The event series will kick off in Westfield Doncaster on Sunday, September 17 with soul and jazz singer Kate Ceberano. Come along for a free live performance, along with a dedicated fan meet and greet. "We're excited to partner with Westfield to provide customers with a new opportunity to access some of their favourite local artists, for free. The program also provides artists with rare opportunities to play in unique venues, making this partnership even more special," Live Nation ANZ President Brand & Marketing Partnerships, Greg Segal says. Westfield members will also be in the running for tickets, including VIP experiences, for a range of upcoming Live Nation concerts including P!nk, Blink182 and Post Malone. The full event lineup will drop in the coming weeks on the Westfield website. Run, don't walk. Images: Amy Shark, supplied.
They say eating cheese before you go to bed will give you nightmares, but that doesn’t seem to bother the people who’ve organised Cheese Please, a twilight cheese festival coming to Melbourne on Friday, February 19. OK so that was a cheesy (woo!) introduction to what is undoubtedly the best damn news you’ve heard all week — a cheese festival is coming, a festival of cheese, an event where you can go and eat cheese and drink wine all night, which is incontrovertible proof that we’re all dead and Melbourne is heaven. And it’s not just any home-brand cheddar block either. The Australian Grand Dairy Awards are presenting the festival and only the finest cheeses will be on display — not a Kraft single in sight. Small-scale, family-owned producers will display alongside your favourites (Mersey Valley, we’re comin’ for ya) and all the cheese on offer will be prize winners of the Australian Grand Dairy awards. As well as much cheese there will also be much like-cheese-but-not. Like-cheese-but-not goes by many names — dips, yoghurts, cream, butter, desserts — and there will also be some very-much-not-cheese like beer, wine and food trucks. Very good. The event is technically free but you do have to ‘win’ tickets by registering and applying for them. This is probably because they know if it was open to the public we’d swarm the place in seconds, like agile 28 Days Later zombies, and tear it apart looking for cheese (they’ve certainly got our number). To get you in the mood, check out their website (aptly named Legendairy) for some truly inspirational recipes and cheese pairings — spiced oatcake with sour cherries and camembert anyone? You can register for tickets here. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
For the past two years, Prahran's Toko has ranked among Melbourne's best Japanese restaurants. And with good reason — the Melbourne offshoot of the top Sydney and Dubai fine dining establishment, it served up everything from fairy floss cocktails to sashimi matched with pork crackling. Alas, the Greville Street favourite has now closed its doors, but Tokosan has popped up in its place. Dubbed as Toko 's cheeky little sister, Matt Yazbek's new venture focuses mainly on beverages, paired with a casual Japanese menu. The brand new interior design boasts neon lighting, a 16-metre-long street art mural, and DJ-spun tunes via the new sound system. Of note is the new karaoke room, bookable for functions of 20 people — so prepare to give your lungs a workout. The pub-style Japanese menu features sticky grilled pork ribs with a jacket potato, Japanese-style chicken burgers and popcorn shrimp with spicy aioli. Ramen and udon noodle soups also make an appearance, as does sushi, and the arrival of $20 all-you-can-eat Temaki Tuesdays is something to look forward to. We'll let you know when that one launches. Tokosan's cocktail list, named after Kill Bill characters, includes the gin, cucumber and passionfruit O-Ren Ishii, the Boss Tanaka with bourbon, apricot brandy, ginger ale and lemon juice, and the sake-infused Sofie Faale. Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday, Tokosan will keeps things bustling with its 100-person inside capacity. Outside, what was once a courtyard has been converted into a lounge garden, catering for up to 60 people — with heating in winter, of course. They'll look to host weekly Sunday sessions from 11am soon too. Jumping on the more-casual train, Tokosan is Matt Yazbek's answer to Melbourne's insatiable appetite for laidback establishments to eat and drink. And Toko isn't dead, either — a new CBD location is in the works. Tokosan is now open at 142 Greville Street, Prahran, Tuesday till Saturday 4pm till 1am. For more info, visit tokosan-melbourne.com. Images: Gareth Sobey.
If you love cookies, you've no doubt tried one of Butterbing's cookie sandwiches. The delicious morsels can be found in cafe cabinets across the city, but this weekend, Butterbing is bringing back its super-popular Flavour Frenzy pop-up to Brunswick's Code Black Coffeee. The crew has been busy whipping up a whole range of brand new flavours, which'll be showcased alongside the classics at the Flavour Frenzy pop-up this Saturday, October 6. There'll be a total of 50 tasty varieties up for grabs during the two-hour event, including a few wild and wacky concoctions born of recent fan requests. What's more, they'll be slinging each of them for more than 35 percent off the standard retail price. Also on the program is the one-off Code Black Coffee collaboration, featuring a scoop of Piccolina gelato and a Butterbing doused in coffee. What's more, these beauties are freezer-friendly — so bring a bag, stock up now and have sweet treats on hand for whenever you get a rampant cookie craving.
FOMO — Australia's clash-free, one-day summer festival — is back for a third year. After a Brisbane debut in 2016, this time, the event is hitting Melbourne for the first time too, with a new evening edition called FOMO by Night, as well as making a return to Sydney and Adelaide. Leading the program is California's RL Grime, who's been headlining festivals all over the world with his experimental, high energy mash-ups of sound, colour and texture. Hot on his heels is Montreal's Kaytranada, who was here last year and bass lines have had him topping hip hop and dance charts (that is, when he's not collaborating with Alicia Keys or Chance the Rapper). Meanwhile, New Jersey-based neo-soul singer SZA is making her Australian debut on the back of debut album CTRL, and Texan rapper-singer Post Malone is coming back, after winning a lot of love during his Australian tour earlier this year. Also on the schedule is Grammy nominee ZHU with a brand new show and a live band, performing tunes from his dark and mesmerising EP Stardustexhalemarrakechdreams, along with London-based Grammy winner Tourist, and LA's Drezo, whose underground house has won admiration from Diplo, Destructo and Porter Robinson, among others. As always, FOMO is lining up homegrown talent up next to international stars. Representing Australia are The Kite String Triangle, Nina Las Vegas and Sweat It Out signee Dena Amy. Plus, there's an Australia-wide competition on the boil, which will see four emerging local artists join the bill. FOMO will kick off on Brisbane's Riverstage on Saturday, January 6, before moving to Parramatta Park in Sydney, on Saturday, January 13. Melbourne will get a slightly smaller lineup at their FOMO by Night, which will take place at Festival Hall on Thursday, January 11. Pre-sales start at 10am on Tuesday, September 5 and general sales on Wednesday, September 6. $1 from every sale is going to music charity Heaps Decent and, if you can't afford your ticket in one fell swoop, you can opt for a payment plan, which lets you pay it off via monthly instalments. Here's the full lineup. FOMO 2018 LINEUP RL Grime Kaytranada ZHU Post Malone SZA Tourist The Kite String Tangle Drezo Stööki Sound Nina Las Vegas Dena Amy FOMO BY NIGHT 2018 LINEUP Kaytranada Post Malone SZA The Kite String Tangle Dena Amy Mimi FOMO 2018 DATES Saturday, January 6 — Riverstage, Brisbane Sunday, January 7 — Elder Park, Adelaide Thursday, January 11 — Festival Hall, Melbourne Saturday, January 13 — Parramatta Park, Sydney FOMO will take place in January 2018. Tickets go on sale this week. For more info, visit fomofestival.com.au. Image: Mitch Lowe.
Melbourne's cultural calendar is already bursting at the seams, but the city's namesake festival remains one of the headline events that can't be missed. Held throughout the city from October 4 to 22, Melbourne Festival returns with another immense program covering the full spectrum of creative pursuits. For 2017, the festival is loosely based around the idea of considering 'the big picture' — consider it encouragement to look up from your phone and take in all the wonder that surrounds you. A plethora of artistic superstars are present this year, with Taylor Mac's universally acclaimed queer interpretation of American music history headlining the event. Elsewhere, there are choreography legends, world-famous installation artists, celebrated musicians and much, much more. Below we've listed a few of our favourite events — lock in your tickets now.
Turns out eating an entire two sticks of buttery, bready garlic bread from the freezer section doesn't count as an 'appreciation conference', because one Melburnian is making this actual event happen. Garlic bread aficionado and straight-up boss Baxter Kirk is putting on the world's very first Garlic Bread Appreciation Conference in Melbourne. Set to descend upon the MCG (yep, the giant, giant MCG) on Friday, January 15 at the strange time of 3.07am, the conference will "discuss the underrated garlic bread," according to the Facebook event. With 47,000+ people supposedly 'attending' the event, this could be the biggest celebration of garlic breadery the world has ever seen. Whether this conference is real or a beautiful, beautiful troll, we'll be raising a glass of cheap cola to that beloved buttery, buttery side anyway, before, during and after the event. Via Pedestrian. Image: Dollar Photo Club.
This year's West Projections Festival is lighting up with the theme of 'synthesis'. Running every night from August 11–27, the annual after-dark festival will see an entire suburb bathed in breathtaking blue light as more than 28 unique spaces around Footscray play host to specially commissioned works of pop-up public art. Supported by Victoria University and Maribyrnong City Council, this year's festival promises to be the most expansive yet. Sites include Bar Josephine, Footscray Railway Station, gallery Trocadero and local hairdresser Le Tuan, while participating artists range from arts/engineering/science collective Skunk Control. Forming the spine of the festival are eight free hour-long art walks, each of which will take participants on a different route around the suburb and end at a participating bar. There'll also be spoken word performances, roving projections and a VR dance party – and don't be surprised to see a convoy of food trucks rolling around the neighbourhood, either. Images: Shuttermain.
The weather is getting colder, but Melbourne's film scene is heating up. That's right, folks, it's almost MIFF time. The Melbourne International Film Festival is only two months away, and they've unveiled a sneak peek at their 2015 program. If you weren't already excited about the city's annual 18-day celebration of cinema, today's announcement will rev things up for you. MIFF 2015 promises all the things film fans know and love: the latest festival hits, a few future cult potentials, an engaging retrospective, and a fondness for experimentation. Quite a few of the titles that had Sundance buzzing back in January rank among MIFF's standouts, such as Jason Segel taking on David Foster Wallace in The End of the Tour, and satanic psychological thriller The Witch. Other highlights include hazy drug addiction drama Heaven Knows What, based on the life of its star Arielle Holmes, as well as Alex Ross Perry's Queen of Earth, reuniting the director with his Listen Up Philip star Elisabeth Moss. There's also Portugal's dream-like Horse Money, which wanders through the dark passageways of an abandoned hospital, plus a look at the future of the planet in Racing Extinction. Yep, it's an eclectic program. MIFF is renowned for its retrospectives, and this year they're turning their attention to Australian screen legend David Gulpilil. Most of his iconic movies, plus some less well-known, little-seen work, will screen — and he'll be at the festival in person, chatting with Margaret Pomeranz at an in-conversation session. Anyone wanting something completely different should flock to the festival's special event: Vertical Cinema. Ever wondered why we watch films horizontally — and what movies would look if they were flipped 90 degrees? MIFF's program of ten specially-created 35mm short films, screening at Deakin Edge at Federation Square, will answer those questions. For those Melburnians suffering from a case of movie envy as the Sydney Film Festival approaches, MIFF has unveiled a healthy serving of films first playing further north, too. SFF's closing night film, the Australian made book-to-stage-to-film adaptation Holding the Man, has nabbed the coveted centerpiece gala slot. Other certain SFF favourites — including the iPhone-shot Tangerine, gym-set rom-com Results, disaffected youth drama The Smell of Us, and The Wolfpack, a documentary about family raised by cinema — also feature. The festival is calling today's announcement their first glance; however a few other titles have already trickled out of MIFF headquarters in recent weeks. Cinephiles can look forward to a strong local contingent of films supported by the festival's Premiere Fund, as well as their Next Gen program for movie-lovers of all ages. The Melbourne International Film Festival runs from July 30 to August 16. For more information, visit the MIFF website — and check back on July 7, when the full program is announced. Image: Pieces of Victoria.
Things are pretty frosty in Melbourne, so the team at Welcome To Thornbury are bringing back one of their most intuitive event ideas to help warm your weekend — a mini festival dedicated to mulled wine and hot cheese. Following a successful first run in May, the party returns to the High Street food truck park from noon, Saturday, August 12, pulling together a selection of hot, gooey creations from some of the city's favourite cheese-slinging vendors. This is where all your cheesiest dreams come true, chowing down on lush cheese fondue from Frencheese, mulled wine donuts from Dip'd, ricotta cannoli from That's Amore, a raclette burger from the folks at Mr Burger, and other treats from the likes of The Cheese Rebels, That Arancini Guy, Sparrow's Philly Cheesesteaks, Brunetti Woodfired Pizza and Pasta Face. Of course, you won't find a better drink match to all that rich, melty dairy than some hot, spiced booze, so the bar will be rounding out its usual offerings with a special mulled wine, available all day long, along with tastings from Wimmera Hills Winery.
One of the beacons of light on Melbourne's event calendar in a fairly glum cold weather stretch is the Queen Victoria Market's Winter Night Market. And now it's set to return — and it's bigger and gutsier than ever before. Kicking off on Wednesday, June 7 the market will pull together a global array of eats, a plethora of live entertainment, huge lighting installations and roaring open fires. Centred around the theme of 'fire and lights', this year's market promises to brighten up your winter Wednesday nights like nothing else, thanks to a collection of stunning light displays by creative studio John Fish. As usual, the 30-strong lineup of food stalls will send punters trekking across the world, this year featuring the likes of Austrian-style cheese delights from The Fondue Corner, Taiwanese pancakes from the folks at Butterlake, a debut appearance by MoVida's Paco's Tacos, and That's Amore's legendary pastas, which are tossed in a parmesan wheel before landing on your plate. Of course, there'll be mulled wine from ReWine and steaming hot cider from Coldstream to warm your belly and hands as you browse over 50 carefully curated design and specialty stalls. Top all that off with a dollop of live music and roving entertainment, and you've got one hell of a cosy winter situation. The Winter Night Market will run from 5-10pm each Wednesday, from June 7 until October 4. Updated: August 16, 2017.
Charge the flux capacitor folks. Less than a month before The Astor is scheduled to shut up shop, its programmers are taking audiences Back to the Future. This Sunday March 14, Melbourne’s favourite repertory cinema is screening all three parts of Robert Zemeckis's iconic time travel trilogy, for the bargain basement ticket price of just $25. The afternoon begins, as you'd expect, with the original Back to the Future, one of the greatest movies to come out of the 1980s, and one of the most entertaining time travel movies ever made. After that, get a glimpse of the far distant future in Part Two: the year 2015! (Seriously, aren’t we all meant to be riding around on hoverboards right now?) Poor predictions aside, Part Two is a seriously underrated flick — it’s the rare sort of sequel that actually enhances your enjoyment of the first film. The same can’t quite be said of Part Three, unfortunately, although if you can make it past the whole Wild West shtick, it’s still pretty entertaining.
It's time to dig the gumboots out of the back of your closet — Splendour in the Grass is finally returning to North Byron Parklands for another year after a two-year hiatus that felt like an eternity. In 2022, Splendour celebrates its 20th year with what's set to be a memorable comeback after a string of postponements. The festival was originally announced with a mammoth lineup back in February 2020; however, that didn't come to fruition for obvious reasons. The rescheduled event will now land in across the weekend of Friday, July 22–Sunday, July 24 . At the top of the bill sits Damon Albarn's animated supergroup Gorillaz, chart-topping rapper Tyler, the Creator and New York indie legends The Strokes. And, they have plenty of company. The Avalanches and Liam Gallagher help lead the complete roster of acts for 2022, alongside Glass Animals, Kacey Musgraves, Violent Soho, DMA's, Tim Minchin and The Jungle Giants. As usual, it's a stacked and eclectic list. If you'd already purchased a ticket for SITG 2020 or 2021, you'll be happy to know that they're still valid for the 2022 edition. And if you don't have a ticket yet, you can head to the festival's website to nab a pre-loved ticket now. SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2022 LINEUP Gorillaz The Strokes Tyler, The Creator The Avalanches Glass Animals Liam Gallagher Kacey Musgraves Duke Dumont Live Violent Soho DMA's Yungblud Jack Harlow Dillon Francis Tim Minchin The Jungle Giants Mura Masa Amyl & The Sniffers Aitch G Flip Ruel Oliver Tree Jungle Tom Misch Grinspoon Orville Peck Parquet Courts Tierra Whack Cub Sport Jpegmafia Ruby Fields Sofi Tukker Methyl Ethel Julia Stone Baker Boy Stella Donnelly Genesis Owusu Hooligan Hefs The Chats Confidence Man Biig Piig Holly Humberstone Chillinit Alex The Astronaut Maxo Kream Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever Triple One Still Woozy Bad//Dreems Myd Northeast Party House Joy Crookes Wet Leg Mo'ju Pup Miiesha Mildlife Jarreau Vandal Brame & Hamo Shannon & The Clams Babe Rainbow Tai Verdes The Snuts Sycco Tom Cardy Sly Withers Hinds Dayglow Starcrawler Alice Ivy Budjerah JK-47 Jeff The Brotherhood Fazerdaze King Stingray Renforshort May-A The Lazy Eyes Banoffee Flowerkid The Buoys Moktar Stevan The Soul Movers George Alice 1300 Mickey Kojak Dro Carey & DJ Scorpion Pricie Mylee Grace Andy Golledge Charlie Collins Pink Matter Memphis Lk (DJ) Triple J Unearthed winners Mix-Up DJ's Dena Amy Jordan Brando Shantan Wantan Ichiban Luen Honey Point AK Sports Aywy Carolina Gasolina Munasib Pond Tasman Keith Top image: Dave Kan. Updated July 18, 2022.
They say home is where the heart is. If that's the case then we need to get our heart into one of these places as soon as physically possible. Houses Magazine has just revealed the winners of the 2015 Houses Awards, singling out some of the most innovative and extravagant homesteads in the country. The top prize, Australian House of the Year, went to Planchonella House in far north Queensland; the extravagant tropical abode that bears at least a passing resemblance to a villain's lair in a Bond film also won the gong for New House over 200m². The prize for New House under 200m² went to Sawmill House in regional Victoria, which combines more than 250 one ton concrete blocks with a timber screen and a nine metre long sliding glass wall. Best Apartment or Unit went to The Darlinghurst Apartment, a one-bedroom dwelling in inner-Sydney just 27m² in size. The competition also hands out awards for Outdoor and Sustainable residences, which this year went to the partially roofless (and bafflingly named) Cut Paw Paw in Seddon, Victoria and the QV8 apartments in the Melbourne CBD, respectively. The Houses Awards are decided by a panel of esteemed designers and architects. You can find the full list of this year's winners below. AUSTRALIAN HOUSE OF THE YEAR – Planchonella House by Jesse Bennet Architecture. NEW HOUSE UNDER 200M² – Sawmill House by Archier Studio. NEW HOUSE OVER 200M² – Planchonella House by Jesse Bennet Architecture. HOUSE ALTERATION & ADDITION UNDER 200M² – West End Cottage by Vokes and Peters. HOUSE ALTERATION & ADDITION OVER 200M² – Tower House by Andrew Maynard Architects. APARTMENT OR UNIT – Darlinghurst Apartment by Brad Swartz Architect. OUTDOOR – Cut Paw Paw by Andrew Maynard Architects. SUSTAINABLE – QV8 by Breathe Architecture. HOUSE IN A HERITAGE CONTEXT – House in House by Steffen Welsch Architects.
Australia's about to embark upon an entire month of parties, gigs and backyard shindigs, all raising sweet, sweet money to fight poverty around the world. Having run successfully in the UK for about ten years, Oxjam is a month-long, nationwide music festival aiming to raise money for Oxfam. Now it's launching in Australia, with goodhearted gigs coming to venues, garages and backyards nationwide. Even you can throw one. One of those star-studded fundraisers which has seen the likes of Hot Chip, Fatboy Slim, Coldplay and T.E.E.D. crank out a set for a good cause, Oxjam has been a long time coming for Australia. Teaming up with MTV Music and MTV Dance, Oxfam are launching the festival in August; with the main events happening across Sydney and Melbourne. Local venues, collectives and labels like I Oh You, Noisey, Goodgod Small Club, One Day, Motorik, UNDR CTRL and more are holding some of the official gigs — where of course, funds raised will go directly to Oxfam. Oxjam's major gig lineup will be collectively announced in June. But you don't just have to wait for Noisey's lineup, you can also host your own party wherever you are. Literally anyone can hold their own Oxjam, from existing venues to local bowling clubs, big time clubs to your very own home. So if you're deep house DJ in your crew you could set up the decks in your garage, put a collection tin at the door and throw down one humdinger of a fundraving do. (And if your neighbours complain, give 'em hell until they donate too.) First time at the event-throwing rodeo? MTV Australia are hosting an official event at MTV HQ in Sydney (date TBC), where budding venue managers, club promoters and regular shindig starters can get tips on throwing their own Gig For Good during Oxjam. If you can't make it to the how-to, Oxjam's website has a bunch of handy tips and DIY guides for party planners. Oxjam is happening Australia-wide over August 2015, with the main gigs happening in Melbourne and Sydney. But with one in three people around the world living in poverty, Oxjam's probably one of the best reasons to throw a local backyard gig we've ever heard. Head over here for more info and start planning. Image: Goodgod Small Club.
If you go down to the NGV this October, you'll get to take a flower home with you. But on two conditions, says Taiwanese-American artist Lee Mingwei: "First, to make a detour from their intended route when leaving the museum for their next destination; second, along this detour, to give the flower to a stranger who they feel would benefit from this unexpected act of generosity." It's part of the artist's new work, The Moving Garden, opening at the National Gallery of Victoria on October 15. Mingwei and NGV have teamed up with Melbourne florist Flowers Vasette, who'll provide 1000 fresh flowers for each day of the exhibition — that's 106 days, totalling 106,000 flowers. One of the world's leading artists in audience participation, Mingwei made headlines this year at the Biennale of Sydney by recreating Picasso's masterpiece Guernica in sand before letting audiences walk all over it. "Lee's artwork inspires contemplation of social themes like trust and self-awareness, by encouraging one-on-one interactions between strangers," says NGV director Tony Ellwood. "The Moving Garden will also challenge the traditional relationship between art and audience, with each flower picked adding the story of the participant to that of the artwork." The Moving Garden is part of Melbourne's major new Asian arts festival, Asia TOPA: Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts, announced just this week. Mingwei will be conducting a free artist talk on Saturday, October 15, with bookings not required. Lee Mingwei: The Moving Garden will be on display at NGV International from 15 October 2016 – 29 January 2017. Open daily, 10am-5pm. Entry is free.
Looking for a pet-friendly apartment? A new Melbourne high-rise will do you one better. Opening at 5 Elgar Court in Doncaster next year, GardenHill Apartments will become the first residential apartment block in the country with its own private off-leash dog park. Construction on the 11-storey building is set to begin in September, but if you and your four-legged friend are interested, you might want to get in quick. 80 percent of the 136 one- and two- bedroom apartments have already been snapped up, at a cost of between $380,000 and $745,000. The dog park will be located on the ground floor, enclosed by secure fencing, and will include seating, a drink station and a clean-up station. Development director Adelene Teh told Domain, "By offering our Gardenhill residents a designated place they can take their dogs for exercise, socialisation or even mental stimulation, we're encouraging responsible pet ownership and, hopefully, paving the way for other developers to follow suit." Teh also confirmed that the dog park had been a drawcard with purchasers. A number of apartment blocks in the United States already boast on-site dog parks — and it's easy to see why the concept would be popular with tenants. Dogs and small apartments aren't exactly natural bedfellows, which can be a real bummer for animal lovers. Sure, you could get a goldfish, but they just don't offer the same level of affection. And don't get me started on cats. Via Domain.
After one heck of a year in 2015 with Conor Oberst, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, and the motherflippin' Village People, Melbourne Zoo Twilights are bringing the after-hours concerts back for another summer. This summer's lineup is another slam dunk for the zoo, with beloved local and international artists every weekend from January 29 to March 12. Set amongst the bilbies and kangaroos of Melbourne Zoo, Twilights will see the likes of international dreamboat José González, supported by Tiny Ruins, alongside a solid crew Australian favourites like Tex Perkins and The Tennessee Four's Johnny Cash tribute Far from Folsom, the ever legendary Jebediah, C.W. Stoneking with Marlon Williams, Birds of Tokyo with Fractures, Josh Pyke with Winterbourne, San Cisco with Last Dinosaurs, John Butler Trio with Tinpan Orange, The Waifs and 'Heaven Is a Place on Earth' pop diva Belinda Carlisle with '80s new wave heroes Pseudo Echo. Tickets are $65, and that price not only includes the concert but full admission to the zoo itself. All profits also go towards the fight to save the near-extinct Eastern Barred Bandicoot. Of course, you're welcome to bring along your own picnic basket with loads of food, but you'll have to leave that bottle of wine at home. The event is fully licensed, but there's no BYO — an important measure to keep rubbish and glass away from those poor little animals. MELBOURNE ZOO TWILIGHTS 2016 LINEUP: January 29 — Far From Folsom Featuring Tex Perkins and The Tennessee Four with Rachael Tidd, supported by Vic Simms January 30 — The Waifs, supported by Ruby Boots February 5 — José González, supported by Tiny Ruins February 6 — John Butler Trio, supported by Tinpan Orange February 12 — Josh Pyke, supported by Winterbourne February 13 — Birds Of Tokyo, supported by Fractures February 19 — Jebediah, supported by Glenn Richards February 20 — Mark Seymour & The Undertow, supported by Ben Salter February 26 — San Cisco, supported by Last Dinosaurs February 27 — Kasey Chambers, supported by Karise Eden March 4 — Colin Hay March 5 — C.W. Stoneking, supported by Marlon Williams March 11 — Björn Again March 12 — Belinda Carlisle, supported by Pseudo Echo Melbourne Zoo Twilights runs January 29 to March 12, 2016. Tickets on sale 8am Thursday, October 22 from Melbourne Zoo, and zoo members receive a 10 percent discount. By Shannon Connellan and Meg Watson. Image: Ian Laidlaw.
Spirits fans, this one's for you. One of Melbourne's best bars, Beneath Driver Lane, is joining forces with award-winning WA distillery, Republic of Fremantle for an exclusive pop-up. Republic of Fremantle is taking over the bar as a special guest, until 25 June, with new bottles, a limited-release cocktail menu, live blues music and the first sips of their multi-award-winning product on the east coast. Until now, if you wanted to taste this stuff, you had to either fly to Perth or buy online. This pop-up is the official launch of the brand in Melbourne, and it sounds extremely delicious. Republic of Fremantle is Western Australia's leading producer of spirits, and one of only a handful of distilleries in the country to produce their own base spirit from wine (in this case, Verdelho grapes harvested from 100-year-old vines in the Swan Valley). This gives Republic's spirits a unique flavour, and it's seen them scoop plenty of awards, including a gold medal at the coveted ADI International Spirits Competition. [caption id="attachment_902981" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Head Brewer Tom Hutchings from Republic of Fremantle[/caption] "We're excited to be working with Republic of Fremantle on this exclusive preview of their range of spirits. The Republic Gins have a distinctive flavour profile, while their Signature Vodka has a really good texture and backbone," Beneath Driver Lane's Venue Manager Kealan Brady says. The pop-up will be running every day until 25 June, and cocktails will be shaken to the sound of live blues on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Entry is free, booze costs extra. Images: Supplied
Kicking off with a light-hearted caper, ending with happy tears — that's what we look for in an Italian jaunt. And even if you're not heading over to Europe anytime soon, sitting in a cinema this September might be the next best thing, in the form of the 2017 Italian Film Festival. Marking its 18th year, Australia's annual celebration of Italy's filmmaking finest will kick off with screwball effort Let Yourself Go!, which won the 2017 Italian Golden Globe for best comedy, stars The Great Beauty's Toni Servillo, and follows a tightly wound psychoanalyst's dalliance with an upbeat personal trainer. Bookending the festival is a 20th anniversary screening of Roberto Benigni's bittersweet Life Is Beautiful, an Academy Award winner for best foreign language film. One of the more popular film events in Australia, IFF's 28-film, six-week national tour features brand new highlights, excursions off the beaten track, jaunts all over the country and an ode to coffee. Yes, there really is a film called Coffee in the program, which intertwines three tales about everyone's favourite caffeinated brew, and was inspired by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's 2006 Oscar-winner Babel. As for the rest of the fest, highlights include the tender portrait of conjoined twin sisters that is Indivisible (the festival's centrepiece), to Sea Girls Dreaming, a documentary about carefree grandmothers living in the tiny Italian mountain village of Daone. Plus, Italian movie buffs can also enjoy romantic comedy Emma, which comes to Australia straight from the Venice Film Festival, and the based-on-a-true-tale Sicilian Ghost Story, about the disappeared teenage son of a Mafia informant. There's more where they came from, including Roman ex-cons attempting to start a new life, broad Christmas comedies and topical accounts of ex-terrorists fleeing extradition — and a special guest and a new initiative. This year's festival will welcome Australian-Italian actor Greta Scacchi, who'll attend screenings of her latest effort Tenderness, and sit on IFF's first jury. The Looking for Alibrandi star will help pick the festival's best from a six-film competition, with help from The Space Between's Ruth Borgobello, actor Daniela Farinacci, actor Damian Walshe-Howling and Radio National's Jason di Rosso. The 2017 Italian Film Festival tours Australia between September 12 and October 25, screening at Sydney's Palace Norton Street, Palace Verona and Chauvel Cinemas from September 12 to October 8; Melbourne's Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Kino Cinemas and The Astor Theatre from September 14 to October 8; and Brisbane's Palace Barracks and Palace Centro from September 20 to October 8. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the festival website.
