It's starting to feel a lot like winter in Melbourne, and while that might mean hiding away indoors for some, Brunswick's Provincial Hotel is putting forth a pretty convincing argument as to why you should get outside. It's embracing the chill with a French Alps-inspired rooftop filled with plenty of boozy winter warmers. While the Provincial's rooftop has long been one of the inner north's quintessential summer session spots, this wintery offering means there's still an awesome reason to sit perched high above Brunswick Street in the cooler months. On top of the pub, you'll find a heated marquee — with plenty of blankets and a firepit — filled with warming cocktails and a crêperie serving up a whole heap of sweet and savoury dishes. Plus, on every Saturday Sunday throughout winter, from 11am–1pm, the Provincial is hosting a special bottomless crepe brunch. The crepes you'll be able to build yourself, and pile high with chocolate, fruit, cheese and more (maybe not all together). The drinks include two hours of unlimited bubbles, mimosas, beer, wine and a rotating (and generous) cocktail selection. Cocktails on the launch day, Sunday, June 3, are: long island iced tea, espresso martinis, Aperol spritzes and honeyberry sours — we did say generous. And how much will all of this set you back? $49. Less than a pineapple. We suggest rounding up the troops and booking a brunch table, tout de suite. The Provincial Hotel's winter rooftop will be open for the duration of winter. The bottomless crepe brunch will run from 11am–1pm every Saturday and Sunday, bookings are essential and can be made via the website.
The spirit of cabaret is alive and well in Melbourne, with one of the world's most-celebrated chanteuses lighting up Meat Market for a month or so. Her particular mix of debauchery, dark humour and biting social commentary make this one of 2025's must-see shows. German kabarett superstar Bernie Dieter — described as "an electrifying cross between Lady Gaga, Marlene Dietrich and Frank-N-Furter in sequins" —has unleashed her infamous gin-soaked haus band and her troupe of bombastic bohemians on the Victorian capital, kicking off Thursday, April 3 and running till Sunday, May 11. Gather your fellow deviants for this one. The show encapsulates the spirit of the notorious kabarett clubs of Weimar Germany, and features a vibrant lineup of international talent. The billing includes the dangerous art of fire and sword swallowing, hand balancing, gender-bending aerial performances, and plenty of strip teasing and pole dancing. The colourful show celebrates freedom and diversity in all its forms — Dieter herself describes it as "the ultimate party at the end of the world". Select images: Matthew Gelding.
Is your wardrobe in need of a new-season refresh? Leave it in the hands of Australia's next generation of fashion legends when you shop the range of sartorial goodness that's set to grace the racks at Melbourne Fashion Hub's 2023 Pop-Up Store. It's the third annual instalment of the showcase, which is just part of the independent organisation's work supporting fashion students and recent graduates as they make their start in the industry. On show at Emporium from Saturday, March 25–Sunday, March 26, the pop-up will feature pieces from 17 emerging designers, including alumni of Holmesglen, RMIT and Whitehouse Institute of Design. They'll each have their own mini collections on show for visitors to browse and buy, spanning an array of different styles but all built on a commitment to responsible practice. You'll also have the chance to meet and chat with the designers, scoring a glimpse into the future of Melbourne's fashion scene. Who knows what rising star labels you'll unearth here before anyone else? Tickets to the pop-up are free, though you'll need to register online to secure your spot. [caption id="attachment_893782" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Works by designer Emilia Lay[/caption]
After taking home an Oscar for his screenplay to 12 Years a Slave, writer John Ridley tries his hand at directing with Jimi: All Is By My Side. Starring Outkast's Andre Benjamin as legendary rocker Jimi Hendrix, the film attempts to break down narrative conventions in the same way that its subject broke down rock 'n' roll. Sadly, Ridley is no Hendrix, and soon finds himself struggling to keep his audience engaged. The film begins with a brief scene in London, where an impatient crowd sits waiting for Hendrix to take the stage. We then flashback to one year earlier, where the guitarist is still playing to half-empty nightclubs in New York. His one lifeline is Linda Keith (Imogen Poots), the girlfriend of Rolling Stone Keith Richard. It's she who introduces Hendrix to his future manager, former Animals bassist Chas Chandler (Andrew Buckley). By focusing specifically on Hendrix's early career, Ridley manages to avoid making the film feel episodic. The downside, however, is that there isn't really enough material to fill the runtime. As such, scenes tend to meander, making it difficult to stay fully invested. Ridley tries to spice things up from a visual perspective, making liberal use of archival footage at seemingly random moments throughout the film. It's an interesting gimmick at first, but the novelty quickly wears off. In the title role, Benjamin's performance is terrific. The problem, though, is that nothing is ever done to make us care about his character. Laid back almost to the point of catatonia, the truth is that Hendrix — at least as he's depicted here — just isn't very interesting. The film touches briefly on racial issues before pushing them to the wayside, along with any and all questions about the pervasive nature of fame. Still, at least you get to enjoy some quality music. Or rather you would, were it not for the fact that Hendrix's estate explicitly barred the movie from using any of his songs. Why they didn't ask permission before they started shooting is something we'll probably never know.
The Maribyrnong River Trail runs alongside the Maribyrnong River through the northwest suburbs of Melbourne and it's often populated with runners, walkers and cyclists. When you're taking the trail, you're on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong Country, which has a rich history dating back over 40,000 years. Today, there are plenty of places to stop while pacing the route, whether to rest, check out some community gardens or to grab a green juice or cup of coffee to keep you going. To help you make the most of it, we teamed up with Adidas to bring you seven rewarding pit stops to make when you're tackling the trail. Take a look, then plan your own adventure using the map below. [caption id="attachment_804268" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parks Victoria[/caption] BRIMBANK PARK Start off amid native grassland and wetlands at Brimbank Park, located in Keilor East. The expansive green space neighbours the Maribyrnong River, and it's home to diverse wildlife, including ducks, wallabies and native birds. There are plenty of picnic areas and open spaces where you can warm up with lunges, leg swings, arm circles and side shuffles. It's also right next to Horseshoe Bend Farm, a rural-farm space where, though there aren't any animals, you can peruse its original 1930s weatherboard cottage while you get blood flowing to your muscles. [caption id="attachment_804270" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Elaine Casap; Unsplash[/caption] AVONDALE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY GARDENS Make a pit stop at Avondale Heights Community Gardens to soak in some good community vibes and admire the local produce and plants. While you walk around the plots, take time to get some oxygen back into those lungs. You may even learn a thing or two about organic and sustainable gardening practices and principles. Or, if you're lucky, you'll find yourself at an open day with produce, preserves, seeds and seedlings on sale. PARTICLE CAFE Particle Cafe is the perfect spot to pick up a green juice or mid-run coffee. The eatery on Military Road, in Avondale Heights, is 100-percent vegan — with gluten free options available, too. It also has nut-based milks, like macadamia, cashew, hazelnut and almond. Alternatively, try a chia pudding, healthy choccy bowl, tofu scramble or a 'Vegan is Possible' burger. Whatever you choose, it'll be jam-packed with plants, which can only fuel your run ahead. [caption id="attachment_804692" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moonee Valley City Council[/caption] CANNING RESERVE LOOKOUT As you run on you'll reach Canning Reserve Lookout, just by Canning Reserve Playground. It's a great spot for a photo — or to stare out at the scenic views, including Melbourne's skyline in the distance. There's a walking dock so you can keep moving, or plenty of spots under gum trees to have a breather. Simply enjoy the fresh air while nodding to the other runners as they pass by. [caption id="attachment_803175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Samson Katt[/caption] FAIRBAIRN PARK Mix up your run by stopping off at Fairbairn Park. The wide-open space is ideal for interval training on the sports fields. The park also has access to the river and dogs are allowed off-leash here, so be prepared to share your space with some cute, furry friends. While you're in workout mode, try not to be swayed by nearby Highpoint Shopping Centre. [caption id="attachment_803451" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maribyrnong City Council[/caption] MARIBYRNONG AQUATIC CENTRE Take a break at Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre, adjacent to Thompson Reserve and Pipemakers Park. Take to a lane in the heated 50-metre pool and swim a few laps to get in some extra cardio, or hang out in the leisure pool for a while. Alternatively, head straight for the spa to start relaxing, followed by the sauna and steam rooms to sweat it out and unwind. Bookings are essential right now, so make sure to jump online and time your run to finish here. It's $12.90 for a spa, sauna and steam session. Access to the pool is $7. CAFE BOUTIQUE Reward yourself at the end of your run by heading to Cafe Boutique, on Cumberland Drive at the corner of Harbour Park. It's time for a pancake and a well-earned latte with waterfront and Flemington Racecourse views. If you're there for brekkie, enjoy the likes of yoghurt-layered muesli, french toast or eggs florentine. Or, if stopping in for lunch, sink your teeth into a salmon salad, carbonara or greek salad with lamb. You could also grab a takeaway sandwich and head to the park nearby for a snack and a nap in the shade. You've earned it. In need of a new pair of runners? Take a look at the new Adidas Ultraboost 21 runners here. Launch the map below to start plotting your own running adventure in and around Melbourne. Top image: Visit Victoria
If you like your fashion and homewares to be eco-friendly and handcrafted, well then do we have the market place for you. The Royal Exhibition Building will host The Wild Collective’s latest event displaying gorgeous artwork, acoustic music, a woodland environment to wander in and a pop-up pub for when it’s time to wind down. Whether you’re after some delightful soy candles, some pretty illustrations to adorn your walls, or a sick skateboard for your daily commute, this market will provide you with the goods. There are also quite a lot of stalls selling some adorable childrens garb, so if you or those nearest and dearest have little tackers this could be a sweet spot to pick up a prezzie or two. The Wild Collective's foodie offerings are pretty splendid too; hit up Boho Blends and Trailer Food for a spot of lunch, or if you’re a little bit more 'on the go' swing buy Luxbite for something sweet and Those Girls for a damn good iced tea.
Miss Mi is celebrating Filipino Food Month by teaming up with Adobros Australia. The duo will serve up a 'Flavours of the Archipelago' three-course share-style feast, taking your tastebuds on a gourmet voyage around the Philippines. This special evening will highlight the many bright and flavourful varieties of Filipino food, combining old and new methods to produce a memorable dining experience. Every course honours one of the three main Philippine islands: Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon. Miss Mi's Executive Chef Christian Corpuz and Adobros' chefs Michael Pastrana and Morris Danzen have expertly prepared the menu to help you thoroughly immerse yourself in the rich history and cultural legacy of the Philippines. There are only 40 spots available, so this is a unique chance to savour the 'Flavours of the Archipelago.' Reserve your table for just $95 per person and enjoy an evening of delectable cuisine.
It's been a decade since Open House began opening up some of Melbourne's most delightful buildings to the public. In honour of their tenth anniversary, this year's Open House Weekend just announced a huge program, featuring over 200 buildings across wider Melbourne. It's all going down on the weekend of July 29 and 30 with a series of talks in the weeks leading up to the open weekend itself. Some highlights of the program include a screening of Citizen Jane: Battle for the City at ACMI (a doco about a Jane Jacobs, a pioneering but untrained American city planner who championed sustainable activism, and whose work is seminal today in planning blueprints), a panel talk on 'high density happiness' discussing pedestrianising our cities, and a screening of Modern Melbourne, a series of interviews with and archival material from some of Australia's most prominent designers and architects. Also on the program is the Living Cities Forum, featuring award-winning architects and urban planners from around the world, and a free walking tour exploring the CBD's currently under construction metro tunnel. Not to mention the buildings. It might be a good idea to start planning your weekend now because it'll take some military precision to get around to all your favourites. You can plan you itinerary on the Open House website but here are our not-to-miss selections. Hassell Studio — a converted 1880s loft for the architectural firm. Old High Court of Australia — an art deco interior and Beaux-Arts exterior makes the old court very pretty indeed. RMIT Design Hub — designed by famous architect Sean Godsell, the unique façade of this alone makes it worth a visit. SIGNAL — the last surviving signal box of Flinders Street Station is now a creative arts studio for young people. State Library of Victoria — get up in the library's nooks and crannies before its big renovation starts. Substation 'J' — although it's been converted into a residential apartment, large elements of the substation remain. They're offering guided tours, but be warned: there's limited mobility access (meaning no prams, children under 14 or wheelchairs, unfortunately). Council House 2 — a world famous building, known for its sustainable functionality. The tour includes views from the rooftop. Cox Architecture Studio — it's the workspace of a premiere architectural firm, so you know it's going to be good. And while there's too many to list, don't forget to check out a few residential buildings as the weekend is probably the only time you'll be able to play house in someone else's beautiful, architecturally ambitious home. The Open House Weekend will take place across Melbourne from July 29-30. For more info, visit openhousemelbourne.org. Image: Earl Carter.
Slow motion drips, close-up pourovers, helicoptered overheads of sprawling plantations — Brandon Loper knows how to write a love letter to his favourite bean-shaped subject. Premiering his straight-up stunning A Film About Coffee in Seattle in April, Loper's celebrated project has been subject to pretty limited screenings worldwide. Lucky for coffee fiends and doco lovers, the film is now available to stream online (for a teeny fee, just over the price of a cappuccino). Created with adorably-named production company Avocados and Coconuts, A Film About Coffee is an indulgence for the eyes and a bit of a wake-up call (fittingly), meandering through the story of specialty coffee from its organic beginnings to your morning cup. Loper's jaw-dropping cinematography makes for some serious foodporn — any hardcore baristas or coffee tragics need to get over here — but also captures some intimate interviews with the world's top coffee aficionados (featuring Kent Bakke, Devin Chapman, James Freeman, Katie Carguilo, Chris Owens, Darrin Daniel, Peter Giuliano, Eileen Hassi Rinaldi, Kyle Glanville, George Howell, Michael Phillips, Ben Kaminsky and Kevin Bohlin). While the film is scheduled to screen throughout Europe, the UK, US and Canada, plans haven't yet been announced for an Australian screening. For now, you can rent the film at home and stream until your caffeine addiction's content. Just throw the team a measly $4.99 for a 72-hour streaming rental (or $12.99 to own it, if that's a Thing any more) and hold your own screening with all the cheaper-than-Event-Cinemas popcorn you bloody well want. Here's the trailer, so, so pretty. Via Daily Coffee News.
Is the type of film festival that dedicates an afternoon and evening to a killer clown your type of film festival? If so, you should be excited about Monster Fest's return. In just a few short years, the Terrifier movies have become horror must-sees if you can't get enough of slashers splashing about gore aplenty. With the latest flick in the franchise on the way, Monster Fest is screening all three Terrifier titles, old and new — so, giving audiences an extended date with Art the Clown — as a key part of its 2024 program. The Australian premiere of Terrifier 3 will follow the OG Terrifier and first sequel Terrifier 2 on Saturday, October 5 in Melbourne. The festival kicks off on Friday, October 4, running until Saturday, October 12 at Cinema Nova. While getting creeped out by cinema's most-sadistic clown is a big Monster Fest 2024 drawcard, it's The Rule of Jenny Pen from Coming Home in the Dark filmmaker James Ashcroft that's the event's opening-night pick. At the other end of the festival, horror-comedy Frankie Freako by Psycho Goreman's Steven Kostanski is in the closing slot. Both pictures embrace puppets, the first with help from John Lithgow (Killers of the Flower Moon) and the second featuring a dancing goblin. Other highlights include the latest Hellboy movie, Hellboy: The Crooked Man, which heads back to the 1950s; Azrael, as led by Australian actor Samara Weaving (Scream VI), and telling of a woman's attempt to escape from mute zealots; New Zealand body-horror film Grafted; and documentary Generation Terror, which focuses on the horror genre from the late-90s to mid-00s. Or, there's Occupation Rainfall filmmaker Luke Sparke's new film Scurry — plus Waves of Madness from The FP's Jason Trost, which brings sidescrolling to the cinema. Melbourne cinemagoers can also check out Estonia's action-horror-musical-comedy Chainsaws Were Singing, French black comedy Ultimate Chabite, documentary Children of the Wicker Man, and retrospective sessions of The Final Destination 3D and Critters.
On January 30, the Royal Botanic Gardens will play host to one of the most innovative new events on the Melbourne fashion calendar. The Royal Botanic Runway is a compendium of fashion, flora, design, conservation and philanthropy. The runway will celebrate Australian fashion with collections presented by Aurelio Costarella, Collette Dinnigan, Martin Grant and Akira Isogawa; and proceeds from the event will go towards raising $3.5 million to drought-proof the Gardens, ensuring irrigation reserves are not subsidised with drinking water. Guilfoyle’s Volcano will serve as the spiral runway as well as the centrepiece for the conservation-minded occasion. The 'volcano', which was resurrected in 2008 from the original 1876 plans, is a water-storing triumph of landscape architecture, not to mention a vantage point for one of the most stunning views of the city. It’s enough to make Meryl Streep retract her cutting Devil Wears Prada remark, (“Florals for Spring… ground-breaking…”) don her sunglasses, take her front row seat and enjoy the show immensely. Beautiful people wearing beautiful clothes couldn't have a more appropriate setting.
Sweden's recent electro music success is enough to believe the likes of Lykke Li, Robyn, The Knife, Swedish House Mafia, Avicii, Adrian Lux and Rebecca & Fiona all hang out with each other, and swap industry tips over fika. Groups such as Little Dragon, however, have developed an international following with records characterised by smoothly evocative lyrics. Their self-proclaimed 'global sound' is experimental and consistently enjoyable. Their latest album, Nubuma Rubberband, is absolutely worth a listen. Hitting up the Corner Hotel with one of the week's most anticipated gigs, Little Dragon have now sold out every last ticket for the night without breaking a sweat. https://youtube.com/watch?v=UM--TtkGNa4
Always wanted to soar though the air, but never felt the need to jump out of a plane? That's where iFLY comes in. Open on the Gold Coast since 2016 and in Brisbane from last month, the indoor skydiving chain has officially opened the doors to its first Melbourne outpost The $15 million centre is located in a warehouse in Essendon Fields, just off the Calder near DFO. It's hoping to cater to daredevils who like their thrills a little closer to home (and closer to the ground) with a purpose-built vertical wind tunnel that gives you the sensation of free-falling from the sky. (You can also pretend you're reliving whichever skydiving-based movie scene takes your fancy — finding your inner Keanu, Point Break–style, is our pick.) iFLY BrisbaneHere's how it works: the vertical wind tunnel whips up wind from above, which is then pushed down the sides of the structure. Next, the air is channelled up out of the floor, into the enclosed glass chamber. Eager adrenaline junkies then float on the kind of cushion that no one can see — while supervised by a certified skydiving instructor, because safety still matters. You'll be fully briefed on what to do beforehand — and you'll end up riding the wind for around a minute, which is approximately one-and-a-half times the usual tandem skydive length according to iFLY. For two flights (and all the training and gear), you'll be paying $79 off-peak — or $99 on weekends between 9.30am and 5.30pm. For four flights, it's $119 (or $139 on weekends) and family packages start at $365. iFly is open every day of the week from 9am until 10am, so you can fly after work, too. Find iFLY Melbourne at 2 Burns Street, Essendon Fields. Top image: iFLY Brisbane.
A tall hunk of steel that appears to float at the back of the vast gallery space greets you as you enter Regional Modernities. Like all of Monika Sosnowska’s work Facade is as much about the space around it as the actual object. This complex mash of steel window frames twists and bends, changing its form as you get closer and walk around it. Sosnowska is a Polish artist who creates large-scale industrial sculptures specially designed for the gallery spaces they inhabit. Regional Modernities is her first major exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s great to see such a big name in international art at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in Melbourne. Sosnowska takes recognisable, functional elements of architecture and manipulates them to make them compelling, unusual and sometimes uncomfortable. Wall is a tiny concrete room, half painted in off-green with tiny enclaves, while Corridor is a very thin passage of doors facing each other. They are rough, uncanny and made me slightly claustrophobic. Her art is meant to be an exploration of post-Communist Poland, and the materials and colour palette she uses immediately evoke the old public architecture that ex-Soviet states are now trying to move away from. The works are also deeply personal, exploring the Poland she lived in as a child and what life’s like there today. The installations are raw and brutal but have important subtle features — doors slightly ajar, crumbling concrete, the play of shadows, and the diffused reflection of Facade on the concrete floor. For me Regional Modernities raises questions about how architecture intersects with our lives, sometimes working to alienate and confine us. It’s fitting then that to get to ACCA you have to walk through Southbank, which is full of the visually complex and sometimes hideous new towers that are changing the face of Melbourne. The steel and concrete Sosnowska uses in her art is the same stuff that’s constantly rebuilding our city skyline. The presence of Sosnowska’s work in the sparse ACCA exhibition space gives a visceral, intimate experience comparable to the work of great installation artists like Ai Weiwei. You should go, and take your time, maybe get a coffee and go through a second time, exploring different angles and viewpoints. Like everything at ACCA, there’s a bit of a reverse-TARDIS effect: the gallery seems big from the outside and smaller once inside. But it’s a great exhibition from an exciting artist, and it may leave you wondering how the buildings around us shape how we think and act.
Accustomed to digital deception across all types of visual media, it often takes us more than one look to realise that an effect has been achieved solely by the human hand. The new food-art stylings of Hong Yi, or 'Red' as she is nicknamed, almost look too perfect to be real. An artist/architect, Red set herself the task of creating a new artwork using only comestibles, every day for a month. From a serene cucumber landscape to a dragonfruit dragon in battle rapture, the resulting scenes are highly detailed, innovative and beautiful. Hong Yi loves painting "but not with a paintbrush"; her other works have included a painting made using a basketball, a portrait of Ai Weiwei in sunflower seeds, and another of Adele using melted candles. Check out her Facebook page to see deluxe Louis Vuitton mushrooms and more. Via Colossal.
UPDATE, September 21, 2022: Red Rocket is available to stream via Prime Video, Binge, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. It might sound crazy, but it ain't no lie: Red Rocket's *NSYNC needle drops, the cost of which likely almost eclipsed the rest of the film's budget, provide a sensational mix of movie music moments in an all-round sensational picture. A portrait of an ex-porn star's knotty homecoming to the oil-and-gas hub that is Texas City, the feature only actually includes one song by the Justin Timberlake-fronted late-90s/early-00s boyband, but it makes the most of it. That tune is 'Bye Bye Bye', and it's a doozy. With its instantly recognisable blend of synth and violins, it first kicks in as the film itself does, and as the bruised face of Mikey Saber (Simon Rex, Scary Movie 3, 4 and 5) peers out of a bus window en route from Los Angeles. Its lyrics — "I'm doing this tonight, you're probably gonna start a fight, I know this can't be right" — couldn't fit the situation better. The infectiously catchy vibe couldn't be more perfect as well, and nor could the contrast that all those upbeat sounds have always had with the track's words. As he demonstrates with every film, Red Rocket writer/director/editor Sean Baker is one of the best and shrewdest filmmakers working today — one of the most perceptive helmers taking slice-of-life looks at American existence on the margins, too. His latest movie joins Starlet, Tangerine and The Florida Project on a resume that just keeps impressing, but there's an edge here born of open recognition that Mikey is no one's hero. He's a narcissist, sociopath and self-aggrandiser who knows how to talk his way into anything, claim success from anyone else's wins and blame the world for all his own woes. He's someone that everyone in his orbit can't take no more and wants to see out that door, as if *NSYNC's now-22-year-old lyrics were specifically penned about him. He's also a charismatic charmer who draws people in like a whirlwind. He's the beat and the words of 'Bye Bye Bye' come to life, in fact, even if the song wasn't originally in Red Rocket's script. Mikey's return after decades away isn't greeted with smiles or cheers; his estranged wife Lexi (Bree Elrod, Shutter Island), also his ex on-screen partner, is horrified when he arrives on her doorstep unannounced with $22 to his name. It takes him mere minutes to convince her and her mother Lil (Brenda Deiss) to let him crash on their couch, though — and just days to work his way back into Lexi's bed. The begrudging inevitability of their reunion echoes as firmly as Red Rocket's chosen anthem, and both keep repeating throughout the film. Unable to get a job despite his glee when explaining the big gap in his resume ("Google me," he exclaims, revealing his porn past to prospective employers), he's reluctantly given back his old weed-dealing gig by local dealer Leondra (Judy Hill), who clearly isn't thrilled. The two new connections Mikey makes — with a neighbour and a 17-year-old doughnut store cashier — also smack of the same feeling. Both relationships leave as much of an imprint upon Mikey's life as anything can — although, no matter what he contends about every bad turn he's endured, all the chaos plaguing his every waking moment is his own doing. With Lonnie (Ethan Darbone), he gets an adoring sidekick who thinks he can do no wrong and, most importantly, a driver to taxi him around town. With Strawberry (Suzanna Son, chief among the film's many first-timers), he hopes to turn his lust into a way back into the adult film industry, grooming her to make her own thrusts into porn. Both naive and aware of Mikey's brimming bullshit, Strawberry isn't quite as taken in with his promises as he imagines her to be, however. Still, she might quote "it ain't no lie, bye bye bye" about him, but she's also willing enough to go along for the ride. Played with spark and ambition by Son, Strawberry also sings 'Bye Bye Bye' herself, delivering a post-coital keyboard rendition — because, in soundtracking uninhibited jaunts into careening lives, Red Rocket, like Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers, enlists new versions of decades-old pop hits by former Mouseketeers. The film's stripped-down take speaks volumes about the movie it's in, too, because Baker's feature is as much about the sweet melodies we sing to ourselves about ourselves as it is about the clash between an alluring mood and the stark truth. Mikey has the spin down pat — in porn, he's proudest about winning awards for being pleasured orally, and doesn't waver when it's pointed out that he's not really doing anything by being on the receiving end — but Red Rocket exposes the reality behind his incessant chatter and swagger. Writing with three-time collaborator Chris Bergoch, Baker peppers the film's screenplay with devastatingly telling lines and comedic inclusions alike. When Mikey insists that "the universe is on my side", it smashes both targets. But even as Baker weaves in broader commentary about the US today — Red Rocket is set in the lead up to the 2016 presidential election, with snippets of campaign speeches heard and parallels between two different self-assured grifters easily spied — his smartest move is saying hi, hi, hi to Rex. It's a loaded choice, given the latter's own porn history as a solo player in the early 90s. Rex was then an MTV VJ, so he's also used to talking the glossy talk. Acting followed, plus rapping under the moniker Dirt Nasty, but it's safe to say that his career didn't pan out as planned until Red Rocket drew upon that history to cast him as its magnetic middle-aged dirtbag. Rex is so awards-worthily commanding — so seductive and sleazy in tandem, all while playing a livewire of a thorny character with so little self-awareness — that it's plain to see why the film was scripted with him in mind. Baker fills other key parts with non-professionals, as he has a history of doing, and there's zero weak links in what proves a riotous character study of an entrancing yet toxic and deluded hustler, and also a freewheeling snapshot of small industrial town lives that's fuelled by authenticity on several levels. It's little wonder, then, that cinematographer Drew Daniels (Waves) lenses the picture like it's caught between magic hour-hued fantasies and scrappy social realism. That's Baker's favourite aesthetic, and straddling juxtapositions is baked into his latest movie everywhere it can be. Perhaps that's why Red Rocket also feels like exactly what Baker was destined to do after the similarly phenomenal The Florida Project, but also firmly its own glorious journey. That ain't no lie, either.
Stop what you're doing (particularly if what you're doing is re-watching old Seinfeld episodes for the 33rd time), because Jerry Seinfeld, the man himself, is finally coming to Australia. The comedian will be gracing our shores with a five-date national stand-up tour of our capital cities — his first visit Down Under in almost 20 years. Yowsa. The Seinfeld Live tour will visit Melbourne's Hisense Arena this August for two shows. So hurry up and rewatch seasons one through nine ASAP. It's Seinfeld's first visit to Australia since 1998, when he toured the country just after the show wrapped. On that visit he called Melbourne the "anus" of the world — we'll see what he has to say about it this time round.
NGV International has just dropped the new Friday Nights lineup, and, as always, it's a cracker. A mix of local and international music acts make up the latest late-night roster, which will tie in with the NGV's new Melbourne exhibition The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture. Throw after-dark gallery access and killer food and beverage options into the mix, and the cold winter nights suddenly look a lot more appealing. Australia's Kate Miller-Heidke, Japanese pop rock outfit Shonen Knife and LA-based Nite Jewel are just a few of the names on the spring roster, which also features up-and-comers GL, ALTA and Airling. There'll also be a special Saturday night performance by Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble on November 4 to round out the season. NGV FRIDAY NIGHTS SPRING 2017 LINEUP 1 September – Lupa J 8 September – Kate Miller-Heidke 15 September – Claudio 22 September – Shonen Knife 29 September – GL 6 October – ALTA 13 October – Electric Fields 20 October – Nite Jewel 27 October – JOY. 3 November – Airling 4 November – Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble
Why is it the most controversial topics that make us laugh the hardest? Perhaps it's catharsis. Perhaps it's because we dare not make the jokes ourselves. In either case, Sacha Baron Cohen's latest film The Dictator requires no introduction. But let's just say, Baron Cohen's newest creation - supreme leader General Aladeen - is on a mission to safeguard his beloved (oppressed) nation from the clutches of democracy. That's right. The man behind Borat and Bruno is no stranger to controversy; to promote his upcoming release he famously turned up to the 2012 Academy Awards (despite being initially banned from attending) bringing with him "the ashes of Kim Jong-il". Later spilling those "ashes" (reportedly pancake mixture) over well-known American TV host, Ryan Seacrest. Don't call that funny? Then it's likely that The Dictator may offend. Starring Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley and John C. Reilly alongside Baron Cohen, and loosely based on Saddam Hussein's novel Zabibah and the King, the film is hitting cinemas on May 16. Concrete Playground has 20 double passes to give away. To get your hands on a pair of tickets, make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground, then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Sydney has had some fun with Mexican spirits this month and the revelry is set to continue when Surry Hills' Tio's Cerveceria brings its Mezcal Mini-Fest to Melbourne for the first time. Smith Street eatery Hotel Jesus will host the festivities on Sunday, March 25. The evening will celebrate the smoky agave spirit that — despite popular assumption — is more akin to whisky than tequila. It all kicks off from 4pm with a two-hour tasting session where you can try over 50 notable mezcals. The tasting is free so we recommend heading there early to secure a spot at the bar. The merriment continues from 6pm when the kitchen starts doling out tacos and DJs hit the decks. And a special drinks list put together by Tio's Hotel Jesus and Mamasita will help you wash it all down. Image: Carmen Zammit.
If you fancy channeling a blissed-out European summer, without spending a cent on airfares, you're in luck. From its primo spot overlooking the Yarra, mod-Italian haunt Fatto Bar and Cantina is embracing those sunny season feels with a brand new series of bottomless rosé lunches, happening every Sunday throughout October. Fatto's riverside terrace will play host to these chic Italian feasts, running across two sessions each week (12-2pm and 2.30-4.30pm) for groups of four or more, and starring a new sharing menu by Head Chef James Kummrow. You'll get your Sunday kicks enjoying DJ tunes along with a parade of spring-appropriate dishes, such as citrus-cured king salmon tartare with basil cream and Yarra Valley caviar, an indulgent spanner crab spaghettini and Cone Bay barramundi teamed with asparagus and smoked yoghurt. Clocking in at $75 per person, each Sunday lunch features a shared feast of entrees, a pasta and a main, and two sides, plus unlimited rosé. Choose from Fairbank, made by Sutton Grange's Melanie Chester (Young Gun of Wine 2018 People's Choice Winner) or opt for an overseas jaunt, with the Coup de Genie from Saint Tropez in Provence, France. Images: Simon Shiff
Homegrown pop rock crew Ball Park Music are making the rounds in Australia (and probably shouting a few rounds along the way) with their wonderfully-named, national Trippin The Light Fantastic Tour. If you've never seen these Brisbanites live, you're missing out on one heck of a party. A longtime triple j favourite, BPM took home Unearthed Artist of the Year in 2011 and have been frequently nominated in the Hottest 100 countdown — most recently in 2012 with tunes 'Coming Down' and 'Surrender'. The past two years have seen the five-piece delight crowds at Aussie music festivals including Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Southbound, Homebake and Big Day Out, not to mention some pretty kickass US appearances. Hailing from Brisbane, BPM cite the success of their third album Puddinghead (released in April this year) to "twelve months sitting naked before a pedestal fan in a lucid, humid fantasy," having spent one year recording in a cheap tiny shack in the northern suburbs of Brisbane (which they lovingly refer to as a proverbial sauna). Ball Park Music will hit Melbourne on October 4 at the Forum with old favourites, latest singles 'Trippin' the Light Fantastic' and 'She Only Loves Me When I'm There' and dance moves you can only dream of. Counting Millions and Pluto Jonze as supports, BPM are set to crank out their energetic tunes with unpretentious gusto. A breath of fresh air in an often tightly-wound industry, this is music that doesn't take itself too seriously — especially from a band that cites its interests as "pizza and yelling at farm animals". Supported by Millions + Pluto Jonze. https://youtube.com/watch?v=aNZ6Tr3cTT0
Every phrase has to start somewhere, and "you had me at hello" started with Jerry Maguire. When it's uttered by Renée Zellweger to Tom Cruise, it's one of those big on-screen moments that lovers of romantic comedy-dramas will still be talking about decades from now — as they have been for the nearly quarter-century since the Cameron Crowe-directed movie first arrived on screens. Everyone knows that aforementioned piece of dialogue, and the film's other catchy line: "show me the money". You might recall that Cuba Gooding Jr won an Oscar for his supporting performance, too. But you may not always remember how astutely the feature steps through its narrative, spinning a story about a sports agent who has an epiphany about the ruthless business he's in, decides that both him and the entire industry should do better, subsequently gets fired from his high-paying job and then goes out on his own.
In Melbourne we get a lot of things for free. With a thriving street art scene, and so many talented local artists happy to show their work in small galleries with no charge, we are frankly pretty spoilt. Our access to amazing photographers' work can sometimes be as simple as following them on Instagram. It's important to remember, however, that the arts deserve payment just like any other industry. The Centre for Contemporary Photography (CCP) is one of Melbourne's best exhibition spaces, and it relies on fundraising and community support for 60% of its income. But fundraising isn't always bake sales and Freddo frogs. From Thursday September 26, CCP will be showing a special exhibition of diverse photographic works for a limited three day period; all the works on display will be available for purchase with the proceeds going to both the gallery and the artist themselves. If you missed David Rosetsky True Self, a select few of his works will be on display alongside seven other artists: Ross Coulter, Siri Hayes, Eliza Hutchison, Paul Knight, Robert Rooney, Daniel von Sturmer and Lydia Wegner. From abstract neon forms to 1950s schoolyards, the photographs on offer should make for a diverse and striking exhibition experience. Prices range from $880 to $6,000, but if that doesn't sound like your budget, feel free to head along and marvel at the work before someone else takes it home forever. Image: 1 year, 8 months by Paul Knight.
In Her's almost certainly near future, Joaquin Phoenix plays Theodore Twombly — a gentle, retiring man who works at BeautifulHandwrittenLetters.com penning heartfelt correspondence between people he's never met. In his personal life, his wife (Rooney Mara) has left him and now communicates exclusively via their lawyers. In short, nobody really talks anymore. Then one day he buys and installs a new operating system called 'OS1' — an artificially intelligent construct that names herself, or rather itself, 'Samantha' (voiced to perfection by Scarlett Johansson). At first Samantha simply streamlines Theodore's life, triaging his emails and encouraging him to get out more, but gradually, as she evolves and learns more from their interactions, they begin to fall in love. It seems ridiculous, yes, but thanks to Spike Jonze's masterful script and direction, it never really feels it, and that's what makes HER the first must-see film of 2014. it is a beautiful, imaginative and provocative offering by Jonze that asks some fascinating questions about the direction love is taking in the technological age. Read our full review here. Her is out on DVD, Blu- ray and digital download on May 22, and thanks to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, we have 15 DVDs to give away. 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=1awGTPsEmiU
Melbourne’s transportation system has become a little bit greener (and whole lot more fun) with the arrival of Melbourne Bike Cabs. They're the brainchild of industrial designer Tim Collins and artist Stephen Mushin, who are both passionate about rescuing the environment through innovative design. Many cities in the world including London, New York and Paris are home to rickshaws, and given Melbourne’s geography, it seems like a no-brainer. "Melbourne is well-known for being one of the most liveable cities in the world, but there are things that still need improving," explains Collins. "Traffic congestion in town is worsening, getting from A to B has never been so stressful and our air quality is deteriorating too. We simply use cars too much, especially for short trips and entering the CBD. With traffic lanes being removed to make way for wider bike lanes, driving is becoming less and less appealing." Melbourne Bike Cabs are here to counter all this. They're run on a combo of pedal power and tiny electric motors, which are driven by lithium batteries recharged with renewable energy. So they're faster than walking, more accurate and efficient than trams and trains, and more sustainable than taxis. In fact, if everyone used Bike Cabs for short trips (as opposed to taxis), we'd save up to twenty tonnes of carbon every year. That's equivalent to planting about two thousand trees. Collins describes his pedi-cabs as "a modern revival of the classic cycle-rickshaw from around the world." What’s more, they're surprisingly affordable. For quick trips, flag fall costs just $5 and each kilometre just $2.50 a pop. Tours are available at the cost of $30 per half-hour. That's looking like some serious competition for the Melbourne taxi industry. In start-up mode at the moment, the business currently has two vehicles cruising around the Melbourne CBD. "The response has been overwhelmingly encouraging," Collins says. "People from all corners of Melbourne and beyond are really getting behind us." Passengers have lauded the service's convenience, fun factor and the fact that it gets you from door-to-door. So Collins and Mushin are working hard to expand as quickly as possible. To do that, they've set up a Pozible campaign that aims, not only to raise funds, but also to connect with supporters. Money raised will be used to get more pedi-cabs on the road and pay for a bunch of logistical and administrative needs, including insurance, council permits and bike storage. The good news is that any pledge of $30 or more buys you a stack of Bike Cab rides. And by the way, Kimbra's a huge fan.
Nadine Labaki directs and stars in this amusing modern fable about a group of women in a remote Lebanese village who try to defuse mounting inter-religious tensions by finding obscure ways to distract their menfolk. Lead by the beautiful Amale (Labaki), the women of the village, both Muslim and Christian, band together to find various ways to stop the men from following in the civil strife that has engulfed their country. In an attempt to keep the peace, the women conspire to hire exotic dancers, lovingly drug sweet pastries and remove weapons from the village. However, not all of their extraordinary ideas go to plan, resulting in a serious of comic, and chaotic, incidents. Following on from Caramel, Labaki's second feature film in the director's chair made official selection at Cannes in 2011 and this year at Sundance, as well as making its debut on Australian screens at the recent Sydney Film Festival. Concrete Playground has ten double passes to give away to see Where Do We Go Now? To be in the running to win a pair of tickets, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Young, scrappy and hungry Melburnians have been waiting years to see blockbuster Broadway hit Hamilton head this way — as have Lin-Manuel Miranda fans, musical theatre buffs, Tony Award devotees and everyone who became a convert after seeing the phenomenal filmed version of the show, too. Finally, that moment has arrived, with the production gracing the Her Majesty's Theatre stage since Tuesday, March 15, and also set to celebrate its offical opening night on Thursday, March 24. And if you're eager to soak up as much Hamilton as you can while you can, you'd best add Australia's first and only #Ham4Ham event to your diary. Don't throw away your shot to get a sneak peek at the musical outside the Exhibition Street venue on Tuesday, March 22 — at 10.15am, but with a 10am arrival time. That's when the full Australian cast will be taking to the pavement to sing a Hamilton number for free to whoever happens to be around and watching. Yes, you'd best plan a coffee break mid-morning — or arrange to head in late to work. If you're eager to be in the room where it happens on the offical opening night on Thursday — and not just on the footpath where #Ham4Ham is happening on Tuesday morning — there'll also be 25 double passes up for grabs. To go in the running, you'll need to get your #Ham4Ham on, take a #Hamilfan snap while you're there, upload it to Instagram, tag @hamiltonaustralia and also use the hashtags #HamiltonAU and #Ham4Ham. Top image: Daniel Boud, Destination NSW.
A fireworks display is often only as good as where you're watching the show from, and we think a rooftop party is an excellent vantage point. Campari House has themed their New Year's Eve bash 'Four Seasons', so slip on some cocktail attire and add a touch of your favourite season to your get-up. Tickets start at $110 for the party; for rooftop access and extravagant cocktails tickets go up to $195. Let's just hope that unpredictable Melbourne weather doesn't decide to take the theme too literally.
'Success' in the music world isn't the easiest word to define (being only slightly less tricky than 'indie rock'), but it's hard to think of a description that Bloc Party would fall outside the parameters of. They've released four commercially successful albums (the most recent being last year's assertive Four), they defy decades with a unique blend of razor-edged sonics and catchy pop hooks, and they're still really cool. This March the East London art rock quartet are hitting Future Music Festival (where they sit directly opposite Steve Aoki near the top of the impressive line-up), and have just announced a string of satellite shows too. It'll be the band's first appearance following a hiatus in 2009 when singer/guitarist Kele Okereke moved to Berlin to focus on his solo work. Four marks a return to the sound that first shot Bloc Party to fame nearly ten years ago, which means angular guitars on top of anthems on top of anthems. https://youtube.com/watch?v=p1CSMdDIRGg
With a weekly listenership of 1.7 million and a strong following since 1995, the popular weekly hour-long radio program This American Life is due to make its debut in Australian cinemas. Filmed on a stage in New York City, This American Life — Live! is a packed show featuring stories by host Ira Glass, writers David Sedaris and David Rakoff, comic Tig Notaro and Snap Judgment host Glynn Washington, plus live music by OK Go. This live experience will encompass things you could never do on the radio, such as a new short film by Mike Birbiglia, dance by Monica Bill Barnes & Company, original animation, projected illustration and more. Glass is excited to see how it turns out: “We've built this line-up of stories mixed with super visual things," he says. "It's going to feel like the radio show but also totally unlike anything we've done before." A must-see event to be permanent-markered in, This American Life — Live! will screen in select cinemas around Australia.
Get ready rock fans, for the Arctic Monkeys are returning to Australia and New Zealand. The British band will embark on their biggest down under tour to date this autumn for their latest album, AM. The album, which was released this past September, is the band's fifth consecutive number 1 in the UK and also debuted at the top spot in the ARIA Albums Chart. So, Aussie and Kiwi fans, get stoked because you'll soon have the chance to hear their awesome collection of new jams, including chart toppers such as 'R U Mine?' and 'Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?' Original fans needn't worry, because the Monkeys never forget to pay tribute to their old school favourites. You'll probably still get your chance to belt out 'Fluorescent Adolescent's, "Oh the boy's a slag / The best you ever had / The best you ever had." https://youtube.com/watch?v=6366dxFf-Os
We bet you've at least got one Jamie Oliver cookbook in your cupboard — and, with all this home time lately, you've probably nailed most of the recipes. So, you'll need some new material. Thankfully, the affable UK chef is using his time at home to bring you a new cooking series: Keep Cooking and Carry On. How very British. The series covers everything from eggless chocolate cake to homemade bread, cauliflower mac 'n' cheese, dumplings and carbonara. Each is relatively quick and super-simple to make. It's heartwarming cooking, which is perfect as the weather's getting colder — plus aren't all need a little comfort right now? Keep Cooking and Carry On features the cooking whiz whipping up dishes in his home kitchen, offering up a bunch of handy tips and tricks along the way. While it airs on UK television, clips are also posted on the culinary legend's Facebook page. And, if you'd rather skip the preamble, you can access all the recipes in the series here. https://www.facebook.com/jamieoliver/videos/2623850727724925/
Drop everything. Nothing is as important as this Game of Thrones-themed wine tasting. Are you still recovering from The Red Viper versus The Mountain? Are you feeling a little nostalgic for the days when Tyrion could lay around boozing on vino? Perhaps you should be drinking your sorrows away with some like-minded Thrones fanatics. Confused? We’ll lay it down for you. Game of Rhones is a wine-tasting event touring Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne that's now in its second year. Featuring over 40 producers and 100 wines, this glorious day at St Kilda Town Hall will be an all-out trial by combat to determine the best offering of the grape varieties from the Rhone Valley in France — Shiraz, Grenache, and Viognier among others. There will be wines, ciders and beers from every corner of Kings Landing/Australia all of which have been confirmed to contain no poison and you, the humble commoner, will be entrusted to pick the victor. Of course, it wouldn't be Thrones-worthy if there weren't a few extra kickers. To accompany your wine, there will be a selection of feast-able treats available such as suckling pig and venison pie — if you’re a vego or a vegan you might have to BYO tofu — and there's also the option to come in costume. As far as we can tell, it appears that patrons have either gone all out, or rocked up in jeans. Obviously we suggest the former, because quite frankly it would be amazing to see a hoard of drunken Daenarys' walking the streets of Melbourne screaming "WHERE ARE MY DRAGONNNNNS??!" Your Game of Rhones ticket price includes a special wine chalice and all tastings from 1pm-6pm, however food prices are not included. For more information see the Game of Rhones website.
In need of plans this weekend? 1800 Lasagne is converting its restaurant into a pop-up bottle shop for the day and will be selling wines from its reserve cellar and everyday collection. The wine offerings range from pet nats to chardonnays, and pinot noirs to roses all sourced from Italy and Australia. To elevate the Saturday afternoon vibe, the Thornbury restaurant will offer free tastings and bites including a salumi board, house Giardiniera and marinated olives. Additionally, customers can purchase a variety of merch on the day. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 12 and head on down to 1800 Lasagne from 12pm—4pm for the wine market. Top image: Maksym Kaharlytskyi
Fly down the Princes Highway all the way to the moon with this expansive exhibition at the Geelong Gallery. Exploring our endless fascination with the brightest light in the night sky, the exhibition runs from mid-June until the end of winter — and coincides with the 50 year anniversary of the moon landing. It combines visual art with film, literature, music and science in order to fully transport visitors to the lunar surface. Incorporating works from galleries around the country, as well as a number of private collections, the exhibition features historical and modern works that demonstrate how the celestial body has shaped human art, mythology and our understanding of the universe for aeons. Look at photos of NASA trips to the moon and research centres, paintings by famed Japanese artists or sit back and watch the revolutionary 1902 French adventure flick, A Trip to the Moon. Stargazers will also be happy to know that the gallery will also transform into a pop-up planetarium on Saturday, July 20 to mark half a century since Neil Armstrong's famous trip across the Sea of Tranquillity. One our sessions in the planetarium will include a short film and a tour of the night sky's moons, planets, constellations and stars. Tickets for this will set you back $11. The Moon is open from 10am–5pm daily. Images: George Méliès, A Trip to the Moon (1902), courtesy of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image; Rosemary Laing, NASA — Dryden Flight Research Center #1 1998, courtesy of Tolarno Galleries and the artist.
While there are meat feasts aplenty on the Good Food Month program, nothing screams spring like a spread of lovingly prepared vegetables. So over in Brunswick East, Bar Idda is celebrating some of the season's finest offerings with a completely vegetarian dinner. The meat-free extravaganza will see chefs tapping into the restaurant's Sicilian roots, with four courses crafted around the freshest veggies, flowers and cheeses they can source. Meanwhile, the bar will be pouring a selection of crisp Sicilian vino that'll sit beautifully alongside your feed.
After the success of the inaugural Community Service in Downtown LA last year, founders Mike Krim and Paige Silveria are bringing the event — which is part-art market, part-zine fair and part-party — Down Under next month. Over two days, the event will bring international artists together with Australia's fresh new talent for one heck of a showcase. Everything from art books and zines to prints and clothing will be up for grabs across the weekend — all from a tight selection of artists, designers, labels, publishers, stores and galleries. Exhibitors include New York City's Paper Work bookstore, Californian zine Hamburger Eyes, Aussie publisher Knowledge Editions and locals Perimeter Books. You'll be able to browse the stalls coffee in-hand, or grab a glass of rosé or a Moon Dog beer from the bar. As evening rolls in, the live music will start with DJ sets from Oscar Key Sung among others. The event will run from 6–9pm on Friday, 10am–7pm on Saturday and 11am–7pm on Sunday. Entry is free, but it's recommended that you come with cash if you want to make some purchases as not all vendors will accept card.
This two-day event is the ultimate sweet-tooth heaven, featuring a line-up of masterclass presentations from top local and international sugar maestros. Get the lowdown from the likes of dessert wizards, Pierre Roelofs and Philippa Sibley, the soft-serve masters behind USA's Big Gay Ice Cream, and Sydney's Katherine Sabbath. The $20 ticket gets you into all masterclass sessions, a glass of Redbank Emily Brut Cuvée and entry to the Sweetfest marketplace: a magical spot where you can load up on take-home sweet treats, or enjoy cocktails and grown up spiders at the bar.
After shining a spotlight on films that engage with social justice and human rights issues for the past decade, the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival is back for another packed lineup of topical titles for 2017. Screening in Melbourne from May 4 to 18 before touring a selection of highlights to Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart, HRAFF's tenth anniversary program boasts 32 features, 31 shorts, four forums and eight events in the festival's arts-focused component. HRAFF 2017 will open with The Opposition, the debut effort from Australian filmmaker Hollie Fifer — and a film tackling content so controversial that legal disputes and injunctions have attempted to block its release. Also screening at the Sydney Film Festival after its HRAFF berth, the documentary steps through the struggles of Papua New Guinea's Paga Hill community. In 2012, their homes were bulldozed by developers to make way for a luxury resort, sparking a battle of David vs Goliath proportions. Highlights from the rest of the program include closing night's Quest, which heads to HRAFF from Sundance to chronicle the efforts of the Rainey family to create a musical sanctuary for their North Philadelphia community, as well as the world premiere of the Australian-made, Manilla-set documentary Happyland, about street artist Kaff-eine and her team's attempts to turn slums into something creative. Elsewhere, Nowhere to Hide takes a paramedic's-eye view of Iraq, An Insignificant Man follows the politician becoming known as "the Bernie Sanders of India", Plastic China tells the tale of the recycling workshop workers and their families that literally live in mountains of plastic, and Tempestad goes on a road trip to explore the victimisation of women in Mexico. For those after a piece of gripping fictional filmmaking, War Book delves into British civil servants practising crisis protocol for a fictional nuclear attack on Mumbai. HRAFF also gives audiences the chance to catch up with other festival standouts that have already done the rounds, such as Berlinale's 2016 Golden Bear winner Fire at Sea, Cannes Film Festival's 2015 Palme d'Or recipient Dheepan, and the crowd-pleasing, Afghan rapper-focused Sonita. Going local, Australia's freshly minted best foreign language Oscar nominee Tanna, rousing documentary Zach's Ceremony and magical realist fable Satellite Boy also feature. With arts also part of the program, attendees can hear discover the experiences and knowledge of Koorie Elders, hear accounts from people detained while trying to seek asylum in Australia, and view portraits of the persecuted Rohingya people in Western Myanmar. Image: Zach's Ceremony.
If you're looking for Australia’s freshest and best emerging artistic talent, then you can’t miss this free exhibition at the NGV. For the last 21 years, the StArt Up: Top Arts 2015 exhibition has handed the Ian Potter Centre space over to Victoria's outstanding art students; those completing Art or Studio Arts studies in the VCE. A perfect opportunity for young burgeoning artists to freely and creatively explore topical and personal issues, StArt Up: Top Arts 2015 accommodates works in any form, shape or theme. From street art to sculpture, collage to illustration, there's no limit to what mediums these bright young things use or the ideas they decide to explore — it's a free-for-all. Interestingly, it’s not only the final products that are on display; students also present their folios — often an artwork within themselves — as well as developmental material and preparatory work so viewers can experience their artistic process from start to finish.
Spiritualized premiering a tour of its back catalogue, Pussy Riot telling their own tale through theatre, a concert dedicated to the spiritual music of Alice Coltrane, and New York's Blonde Redhead playing a re-orchestration of their 2004 album Misery is a Butterfly. They're just some of the highlights on offer at Supersense when it returns for 2017. Every festival aims to offer audiences a sensory experience; however, as the name gives away, that's the entire point of Supersense. Celebrating the ecstatic in art, music and performance is on the agenda between August 18 to 20, with the fest delivering an immersive, hyper-sensory onslaught that transforms every space in Arts Centre Melbourne into a place of wonder and excitement. This is a festival that includes a day-long festival-within-a-festival of improvised music, after all. Indeed, there's only one thing to do at the event that's curated and co-founded by performer Sophia Brous: surrender. The lineup of punk, devotional music, free improvisation, dance and movement also features Brous collaborating on theatrical song cycle Lullaby Movement with multi-instrumentalists David Coulter and Leo Abrahams, and joining forces with Kimbra to bring their New York hit Exo-Tech to Melbourne. Tickets are available for Friday evening ($90), all day Saturday ($140) or for the whole three-day shindig ($270).
The Passion Pop will be flowing on this very special night, as Melbourne Fringe invites you to relive your Year 10 formal. Hosted by Golden Gibbo-nominated comedy duo Michelle Brasier and Laura Frew (aka Double Denim), this free Fringe Hub shindig will take festival-goers back in time to an era of ill-fitting tuxes and emo dance tunes. Earlier this year, the duo threw it back to the noughties with their hilarious Denim Adventure Show, and now they're heading back even further — to the halcyon days of the eighties and nineties. OK, maybe your teens weren't the 'halcyon days', but the tunes were certainly on-point, and there'll be plenty of bangers at this high school formal, spun by DJ Barnie Duncan. So fire up your old MSN account and ask your crush to be on your arm. Just don't party too hard. It is a school night, after all.
If action-packed yet artful heist films are your thing — and why wouldn't they be? — Julius Avery's debut feature, Son of a Gun, is bound to tickle your armchair thrill-seeking side. Newcomer Brenton Thwaites is JR, a 19-year-old locked up for a minor offence. While inside, he is taken under the calculating wing of crime boss Brendan Lynch (Ewan McGregor). In an inevitably no-don't-you've-got-so-much-going-for-you! move, JR helps Lynch's crew orchestrate a daring prison escape — and is then invited to join in on the high-stakes heist they're planning next. Things, of course, turn progressively more dangerous. The film is all Aussie — written and directed by Avery (whose short film Jerrycan was a Jury Prize winner at Cannes), and shot in the disparate and desolate landscapes of Melbourne, Perth and Kalgoorlie. It's a nail-biting, chill-inducing thriller you'll need to psychologically prepare for. We warned you. We're offering competition winners the chance to see Son of a Gun with a friend at an exclusive preview screening on Monday, October 13, 8.30pm at Palace Como (Cnr Toorak Road and Chapel Street, South Yarra). To enter, click here. Son of a Gun officially releases in cinemas from October 16. See the film in style at Palace Cinemas. https://youtube.com/watch?v=eTOBcelRo9M
The Australian film world has a striking new talent. Scooping up a best director gong at the Sundance Film Festival in January and winning the prestigious Crystal Bear in Berlin the following month, Adelaide's Sophie Hyde has with her debut feature, 52 Tuesdays, produced a powerful and progressive piece of cinema that defies formal, social and narrative expectations. With memorable characters and exceptional performances helping to shore up an intriguing structural gimmick, it's a bold and original coming-of-age drama that discerning local audiences should hurry to the cinema to see. Newcomer Tilda Cobham-Hervey plays Billie, a 16-year-old high-school girl struggling to find her footing after her lesbian mother Jane (Del Herbert-Jane) announces her intention to become a man. The transition, which involves a regimen of testosterone along with surgery, will take a year, during which time Jane — now going by James — requests that Billie go and live with her father (Beau Travis Williams). Billie agrees, on the condition that she can still visit every Tuesday after school. Honest, insightful and bravely against the grain, 52 Tuesdays is a magnificent debut for cast and filmmaker alike. Expect big things going forward. Read our full review of 52 Tuesdays here. 52 Tuesdays is in cinemas on Thursday, May 1, and thanks to Vendetta Films, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. 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=Y5WcMzEYRGU
Ricky Gervais isn't one to do things by any ol' book, especially advertising endorsements. The creator of award-winning, shame tingle-inducing comedy The Office, professional Golden Globe crasher and 'World President of Entertainment' has created two videos to advertise the new partnership with Netflix, available in Australia today. The global communications giant has recruited Ricky Gervais to star in a Netflix advertising campaign that unveils the tie-up. In classic zero phucks Gervaisian style, the comedian has provided his own take on Optus's 'Yes' campaign, which is more like an 'Okay' campaign. Here he is accepting the sweet, sweet cash from a company he's "never heard of". With Netflix launching in Australia today, Optus customers can get among the streaming service filling your news feed right now — for free. Whut? Yep, new and returning Optus customers get a six-month subscription for free when they sign up to one of several eligible packages (before July 5). You'll be able to catch up on House of Cards in commute on your smartphone, sick out on the back verandah with some Orange Is the New Black on your laptop, and then retreat for some quality Derek time in bed on your tablet. For more information on how to get the free Netflix hook-up happening for you, visit the Optus website.
What do BHP Billiton, Dolce & Gabbana and Andrew McConnell have in common? Come next year they'll be housemates in 171 Collins Street, Melbourne. Big business and office space feels like an odd backdrop for Andrew McConnell to open a new restaurant. But as owner and operator of Cumulus Inc, Cutler & Co, Golden Fields, Moon Under Water and The Builders Arms Hotel, he is one of those lucky and talented few who seems to nail it every time. Maybe he's the guy who can make large corporations sexy. The McConnell effect, you might say. Early 2014 is the timeframe surrounding this new venture, and there is little in the way of information being released. But what is known is that 171 Collins Street is going to be the place to be come early next year. Tucked in the Flinders Lane tenancy of the space, maybe can we expect Melbournian charm alongside McConnell's known and loved modern produce-driven food. When it comes to the cuisine to expect, a trip to Tokyo is sparking rumours that Japanese may be on the cards, but this is just speculation. Development partners Cbus Property and Charter Hall are, unsurprisingly, thrilled at McConnell's involvement in this new project and hope it will secure the building as a place for quality and style. We’ll be watching this one with a keen eye. Drive-by of 171 Collins anyone? Images: Artist's renders of 171 Collins Street.
Sustainable Table is a not-for-profit organisation that wants to turn our money into a more sustainable and responsible system of food consumption. From October 7-14, they’re inviting you, and some big-name restaurants near you, to Give a Fork!. The inaugural event's focus ingredient is seafood, and over 150 dinner parties have been registered, at which each diner will donate what they would normally spend on food to Sustainable Table. Given that "60% of our personal eco-footprint [is] embodied in the food that we buy", a number of restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne are also throwing their hat into the sustainability ring, donating a portion of profit from selected dishes to the organisation. Some restaurants have even gone the whole hog, writing menus specific for the occasion. Participating eateries include The Commons in Sydney and Lamaro's in Melbourne. Longrain in both Sydney and Melbourne will be cooking up fishy delights and giving away a bit of dosh for the cause. By encouraging people to host their own sustainable seafood shindig, or enjoying a delicious meal at certain, ethically aware restaurants, Sustainable Table are inviting us to help save the environment, before it gets too forked up. To register, find out more about the restaurants involved or simply discover more about the cause, visit Sustainable Table's website.
When Geelong's 6Ft6 launched in 2003, it only made two varieties of wine: pinot noir and shiraz. Lovers of white vino will be glad that it expanded its range in 2015, with the winery's sauvignon blanc ideal for anyone keen on a lighter — but still fragrant, of course — splash. With this drop, you'll smell passionfruit curd, and taste gooseberry and lychee. And, while you're drinking it, you'll be supporting a family-owned vineyard that's now being run by a second generation. 6Ft6 makes 100-percent vegan tipples, too, if you're looking for a cruelty-free wine. Plus, for those feeling experimental or fancying something other than a plain glass of the good stuff, 6Ft6 recommends using its sauvignon blanc in a mojito spritz or watermelon sangria. The winery doesn't currently have a physical cellar door, but if you order online and spend more than $99, you'll receive free delivery.
