UPDATE, 3 JUNE 2021: Heathcote on Show has been cancelled due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria. For more information, head to the Heathcote on Show Facebook page. With its idyllic location on the fringes of the Great Dividing Ranges (and just 90 minutes' drive from Melbourne), the central Victorian town of Heathcote is fast becoming one of Australia's most loved wine regions. This Queen's Birthday long weekend (Saturday, June 12–Monday, June 14), the town is showcasing the very best of its world-class produce at Heathcote on Show, a three-day event that includes cellar door tastings, excellent food, live music, masterclasses and more. Heathcote's artisan winemakers, chefs, brewers and musicians are putting on over 30 events over the long weekend, so there'll be plenty to eat, drink and do. Highlights include wine tastings, woodfired pizza and live music at the award-winning Condie Estate; live music, vertical wine tastings and cheesemaking workshops at Sanguine Estate; and an on-site, three-course dinner with six wine pairings at Tellurian Wines. Closer to town, Heathcote Wine Hub, which stocks Australia's largest collection of wine from the region, will feature live music all day on Saturday and Sunday, as well as southern-style barbecue, vegan treats and grazing plates, which you can enjoy in front of the open fireplace or in the expansive openair wine garden. There will also be frequent shuttle buses between major stops, meaning you don't have to worry about getting around — or having one too many. For more information and to plan your trip, head to the official Heathcote on Show website.
If your pup has its own Instagram account and you refer to yourself as a 'fur parent', we're fairly certain you'll want in on this competition. Local pet food brand Ivory Coat wants to put your dog on the small screen. The luxe brand is currently running a Dog Search, which will see 20 lucky pooches featured in Ivory Coat's next TV commercial. All you have to do is enter your details here, along with a recent, personality-filled photo of your fur baby. All breeds and cross-breeds of all ages are welcome. Along with being featured on TV, your pup could win a portrait by a professional photographer, a pet profile on the Ivory Coat website and social media pages, and a one-year supply of Ivory Coat food. There is one catch, though: your dog needs to be an Ivory Coat consumer. So, if they've never tried the stuff, it's time to grab a bag online or head to one of your local stockists. If your pooch is a little hesitant about changing brands, Ivory Coat is made in Australia using locally sourced meat with no additives or fillers. Plus superfoods, fruits, veggies and wholegrains are mixed in or there's a grain-free option if you prefer. The pet food brand also has options for dogs (and cats) of every breed, size and age. The 20 lucky winners (humans and pooches) will need to be in Sydney for shoot between July 17–19. While NSW's borders are currently open to all domestic tourists, we suggest checking the Australian Government website before booking flights or locking in a road trip. Your doggo should be well-behaved and friendly, but it doesn't need to be dog show-level trained — understanding simple commands like 'sit' and 'stay' will do. If this sounds like your pup, now's the time to make 'em a star. Head to the Ivory Coat website for entry guidelines and T&Cs. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Round two of perhaps one of the most talked about event from last year's Good Food Month, the Night Noodle Markets is back — bigger and better than before. This year it's moved across the river to Birrarung Marr, but the old favourites from last year will return, including Chin Chin, Mamak, Izakaya Den and Longrain. There will be over 50 food stalls and trucks in action from November 14-30, so you're winning on that front. DJs will be spinning tunes during those balmy spring nights, and for post-dinner treats, get yourself some Messina or a coffee from the St Ali pop-up. This year you should give one of the new kids on the block a go: Kong, Charlie Dumpling and Mr Miyagi are just a few of the exciting new additions. This was chosen as one of our top ten events of Good Food Month. See the full list here.
McDonald's has been serving up Big Macs and soft serve cones to Australians for 50 years, and it's been celebrating that fact throughout 2021. That's why the chain gave our tastebuds a Birthday McFlurry earlier this year, among other specials — and now the fast food giant is one-upping that limited-edition treat with a new Caramilk McFlurry. Macca's is no stranger to one-off McFlurry flavours, of course. So, you've probably tried both the good (apple pie) and the bad (bubblegum) varieties before. But Caramilk dessert mashups always take things up a few notches. That's why you've probably already sipped Caramilk cocktails, and eaten the Caramilk dessert jaffles and Caramilk Krispy Kreme doughnuts — and why you've now mentally scheduled in a date with a Caramilk McFlurry (or several). Obviously, this new sweet treat's ingredients are immensely straightforward. We all know what a McFlurry is. We all know what Caramilk is. Combine the two and voila! When it comes to this cult-favourite caramelised white chocolate, there's absolutely no need to overcomplicate things. You'll find the Caramilk McFlurry on the menu at all Australian Macca's outlets from Wednesday, October 13 — and for delivery, too. That said, it really is a limited-edition special, so it's only on offer while stocks last. McDonald's Caramilk McFlurries are available in stores Australia-wide from Wednesday, October 13 while stocks last.
Co-presented with Midsumma Festival 2018, QueerTech.io requires you to take a leap into the queer digital realm with an art project that presents a range of tech-based artworks from queer-identifying artists around the world. Able to be viewed online entirely from the comfort of your home, QueerTech.io will also be taking over RMIT's Spare Room and Lightscapes galleries for a physical presentation of works that push the boundaries of digital art and creative practice. As the boundaries of digital art only expand and become increasingly obscure, QueerTech.io responds to the growing interest in the practice of "queer tech" seeing local and international artists come together — both digitally and physically — with provocative artworks and online projects to enact conversation in the budding medium. QueerTech.io is on now at RMIT's Spare Room and Lightscapes galleries until Thursday, March 22 – or you can check it all out online at QueerTech.io. Image: Xanthe Dobbie, Fuchsia Rose (2001), from the series 21st Century Greatest Hits Screensaver Pack.
2019 is flying by, and if the year's hectic pace is getting you down, here is some small solace for you. Melbourne's Boho Luxe Market (their words, not ours) is determined to make you remember those times when you could dip your toes in the ocean without a care in the world, and take you to a sun-dappled place of dreamcatchers and flower crowns. This year, it'll be split into two sections: one getting into the regular boho spirit, and another that'll only sell 100-percent vegan products. For the 2019 festive run, you can treat yourself to a day of Christmas wanderlust — including of the plant-based kind — in the Atrium and at Deakin Edge at Federation Square from 10am on Sunday, December 1. As well as the usual array of fashion, jewellery, art and design items, there'll be heaps of stalls featuring ethical activewear and accessories, skincare products and lots of yummy things that will keep you sustained over a vegan Christmas. Expect snacks, live music and festive vibes.
Set amongst every food critic's favourite street is The Meatball and Wine Bar, Flinders Lane's artisan meatball venue. The past year has seen almost half a million beef, pork, chicken, fish and vegetable balls leave swilling with wine in the stomachs of satisfied customers, and now that a second venue has made its debut in Swan Street (and a third is in the works), it's time we showed thanks to the one-year-old. That's right, CityBalls has kept the ball rolling all year and is set to blow out the candles in celebration. Thursday, 26 September, will see 135 Flinders Lane in party-mode. $40 will get you through the doors from 6pm for a welcome drink and meal. But if you're lucky, you might just nab one of two double passes we're giving away. To be in the running to win tickets for you and a friend, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already) and email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. But the ball's in your court.
Written, directed by and starring Dax Shepard (Ashton Kutcher's wingman on MTV's Punk'd), Hit & Run is a romantic action-comedy that'll make you laugh just by watching dreadlocked Bradley Cooper as crazed gang member Alex Dmitri. Unable to escape their past, former getaway driver Charlie Bronson (Dax Shepard) jeopardizes his witness protection identity in order to get his girlfriend (Kristen Bell) to an important job interview. However, things don't go according to plan. Hit & Run is in cinemas from September 6. Concrete Playground has 10 double passes to giveaway to see Hit & Run. For a chance to win, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Perpetually moody rockers Sonic Youth are selling some of their vintage equipment and gear in order to raise money for Shelter Box USA, a charity devoted to responding "instantly to natural and manmade disasters by delivering boxes of aid to those who are in most need." The band has already put several items up for sale on eBay with more expected to come in the next few days. For those interested there is a xylophone that was used in the recording of Daydream Nation's 'Kissability', a 1970s Rhythm Ace Drum Machine, a very odd looking glockenspiel, an array of guitar road weary guitar cases complete with band stickers and even a custom-made mixer that was built for the band and used on stage by bass guitarist and vocalist Kim Gordon. So far the best buy looks like the xylophone, which is by far the cheapest item going for just $50. But then again it is hard to go past a vintage 1970s drum machine. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rK9QkjXm0I8
The coming together of the words Shebeen and Speakeasy sounds very underground and illegal, however we have it on good authority that association with this new collaboration won’t land you in any trouble. Shebeen, the newly opened not-for-profit bar on Manchester Lane, sends proceeds to projects in the developing world, while Speakeasy Cinema seeks out the weird and wonderful of the film world, offering viewers something not on offer at the local Village. It seems to make sense that these two are coming together for Moonshine Cinema, playing four films in February and March. Blank City, screening Tuesday, February 26, gives a raw depiction of the underground filmmaking scene in New York in the '70s and '80s. The documentary features interviews with filmmakers and really captures the spirit of DIY filmmaking in a tale that shows us how No Wave and the Cinema of Transgression began. Bombay Beach, screening Thursday, February 28, follows the journey of three protagonists through southern California — each with their own story, yet bound by their shared outsider status. Music from Bob Dylan and choreographed dances by Zach Condon are featured in the film. On Saturday, March 2, Girl Walk // All Day takes viewers on an unexpected ride through dance that sits somewhere between a music video, a recital and a musical, set to mash-up artist Girl Talk. A boogie is advised and in order to encourage this, seating will be minimal. The final screening for Moonshine Cinema, on Sunday March 3, will be the Australian premiere of Valtari Film Experiment, a collaboration of 16 directors' responses to Valtari, the latest album from band Sigur Ros. With a common budget 14 directors were asked to create a film in response to the sounds. Fans were asked to do the same and out of 834 submissions two were chosen to make up the 16 films featured. Image via speakeasycinema.com.au
Feeling poorly? A wee bit under the weather? Then strap on your straight jacket and check yourself into The Asylum. For three terrifying nights only, Ormond Hall on St Kilda Road will be transformed into a haunted house on steroids, complete with sadistic surgeons, murderous matrons and maniacs around every corner. Enter at your peril. Visitors to The Asylum will be guided down the corridors of one of Australia’s oldest insane asylums. Tickets cost $25 (or $20 if you’re a student) and should be booked in advance, particularly if you’re planning on visiting after midnight. Dressing up is encouraged, naturally, although make sure you wear appropriate footwear — just in case you have to run for your life. Those of you not too traumatised by the experience will be able to kick on at The Village Bar adjacent to Ormond Hall, where they’ll be serving food and Halloween cocktails long into the night.
Victoria's 61-day run of no new locally acquired COVID-19 cases has come to an end with the state recording three new cases in the 24 hours leading up to midnight on Wednesday, December 30. As a result, the Victorian Government has introduced new gathering and mask restrictions ahead of tonight's New Year's Eve celebrations. As of 5pm today, Thursday, December 31, gatherings at private homes will be limited to 15, which is down from the previously allowed 30. Which means, you may need to quickly reassess your plans for this evening. Additionally, masks will be mandatory in all indoor settings — except from when you are eating and drinking — from 5pm. "If you are planning to leave your home at the moment, we ask people to carry their masks with them, we are now asking them to wear a mask if they are indoors in any location which is not their private home," Acting Premier Jacinta Allen said in a press conference today. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1344398374485843973 The Victorian Government has also announced new border restrictions, with Victorians located in Wollongong and the Blue Mountains having until 11.59pm tonight Thursday, December 31 to return to the state. On return, they will need to get tested and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result of the test. After this time, Victorians that have visited these areas — as well as the previously announced Greater Sydney area, the Central Coast and the northern beaches — in the last 14 days cannot enter Victoria. You can find out more about Victoria's border restrictions at the Victorian Government website. The Government has also strongly urged Victorians to reconsider plans to visit NSW. "Do not go to New South Wales, if you are in Victoria," said Minister for Health Martin Foley. "If you are a Victorian in New South Wales, well beyond Wollongong and the Blue Mountains, come back. Do not want to be caught on the wrong side of a rapidly evolving situation." https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1344195448752406528 All three cases recorded yesterday dined at Smile Buffalo Thai restaurant in Black Rock on Monday, December 21, and anyone who visited the restaurant on that date must get tested and isolate until they receive a negative test result. The Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services has also released a list of additional venues that have been linked to positive cases on its Twitter page and website. More locations are expected to be added across the day, too. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1344429850933645315 For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Victoria and current restrictions, head to the DHHS website.
While we Southern hemisphere-bound folk have been digging out our cosy coats and clinging to our winter warmers, Fremantle's San Cisco have been blitzing the UK and the US, inspiring sun-kissed comparisons from the critics. The Guardian's Paul Lester introduced them as the 'New Band of the Day' on November 1, 2012, with "meet the new beach boys and girl." And if you've haven't heard, they've been signed. As in, to a major label. Fat Possum has picked them up in the US and they're with Columbia in the UK. 'Awkward's domination of the Aussie pop charts and 4 million+ YouTube hits may have had something to do with that. The good news is that San Cisco is home, to spend May and June on their nationwide The Beach Tour. Their first Sydney gig (May 31) is already sold out, but tickets are still up for grabs for a second show on June 9. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ukNOaKeUEQY
Crip Rave Theory is a Melbourne club night that draws on knowledge from members of the disabled community to create a wildly fun and safe space for everyone to party — focusing on intersectional access, self-expression, pleasure and community solidarity. While open to all, Crip Rave Theory centres around and celebrates all those who've traditionally been marginalised and de-prioritised in commercial nightlife spaces. Allies are more than welcome, but they aren't at the core of these parties. And for its RISING rendition on Saturday, June 15, the team is taking over Newport's The Substation with live performances and DJ sets late into the night. UK-Based Aisha Mirza, the creator of MISERY — a mental health-focused club night for queer, trans, intersex and non-binary Black people and people of colour — will have their own DJ set during the night. As will BAE BAE, who also runs a club night in Los Angeles called Hood Rave, which celebrates Black femmes and queer people. They're bringing their unique own unique blend of R&B, house, jungle, garage and dancehall beats to the Crip Rave Theory. There'll also be sets from Tinika, Enter and Aquenta (the founder of Crip Rave Theory), plus a heap of live performers and hosts that have yet to be announced. [caption id="attachment_624133" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Substation in Newport[/caption] It's important to note that tickets differ depending on your intersectional background. First Nations and/ or disabled people can get tickets for $19, queer and trans people for $25, and allies for $49. Those keen to speak to the team running the club night while learning the basics of DJing can also attend Crip Rave Theory's RISING workshop on Friday, June 14.
So Melbourne Now may have late-night art, but Arts House is bringing you a sleepover. From 11pm on Saturday, March 22 till 9am the following morning, Sydney artist Sarah Rodigari will be taking a leaf out of Wendy Davis's book by performing an awe-inspiring filibuster. No, it might not be all kick-ass lady power and reproductive rights, but it will surely be a thing of beauty as Rodigari talks about love, loss, honour and hope. Cheer her on through the fatigue and BYO blankets and pillows. This event was featured in our top ten things to see at the Festival of Live Art. See the full list here.
ACMI sure know how to deliver the goods. First they set us up with unlimited Mario Kart at Screen Worlds, then they delivered a huge DreamWorks showcase that saw Flinders Street decorated with a giraffe's butt, now this — free cartoons. ACMI are playing a selection of the world's best animated shorts in their Mediatheque, free of charge and on demand. The nine short animations on offer were originally compiled by Edinburgh International Film Festival in celebration of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. As all the featured animators are from nations within the Commonwealth, this unfortunately means there's no Pixar or Dreamworks fare, but don't worry, you won't be disappointed. Featuring work from as far as Trinidad & Tobago, Singapore and South Africa, the showcase is incredibly diverse. In one sitting you are treated to a story of a cyborg chicken, a struggling musician, and a man with terrifying social anxiety. No, it's not obnoxious giraffes or kind-hearted ogres, but it sure is entertaining. Head over to the ACMI website to see the full list of shorts.
How long has Charles Boyle been dreaming of Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago's wedding? What did Rosa Diaz do before she was a cop? Who keeps swooping in and taking the Nine-Nine crew's cases? Which one is Scully and which is Hitchcock? If you can answer all of the above — and name Captain Holt's dog, Terry's twins, Gina's dance troupe and Jake's favourite movie — then you're set for Supersmall Club's latest trivia night. Yes, it's all about the hit cop sitcom we all know and love. You know, the one that was cancelled and then resurrected in the space of 36 hours. We'd keep asking Brooklyn Nine-Nine questions and dropping tidbits, but we'll save some for the big night. Last time a trivia evening dedicated to B99 hit town, places were snapped up faster than Terry can snap open a tub of yoghurt. So nab a ticket ASAP and it mat be your night to shine (and that can be the title of your sex tape if you'd like). Entry is a slightly steep $40, but it includes unlimited cocktails or beers to sweeten the deal. For two hours you can cop endless cosmos, daiquiris, espresso martinis or Furphy. Just take your enormous bottomless cocktail glass that is given to you upon producing your entry ticket back up to the bar to keep on kicking. Updated: December 2, 2019.
Having said au revoir to the French Film Festival, it's now time to slip over the border into Spain. Returning to Palace Cinemas around the country, this year's Spanish Film Festival will once again showcase some of the biggest and most critically acclaimed Spanish and Latin American films from the past 12 months. How's that for a cinematic siesta? The festival — which will feature at The Astor, Chapel Street's Cinema Como, Northcote's Palace Westgarth and Kino in the CBD — begins with the highest grossing film at last year's Spanish box office: rom-com sequel Spanish Affair 2. Other comic standouts include espionage spoof Spy Time, madcap ensemble My Big Night, and dark domestic comedy Happy 140. Of course, not everything on the program is quite so light and breezy. Critically acclaimed drama Much Ado About Nothing confronts legal and political corruption in modern day Chile, while Ma Ma stars Penelope Cruz in one of her most nuanced roles to date, as a put-upon single mother diagnosed with breast cancer.
No one celebrates the nostalgic, old-school cool of regional Australia quite like the crew at OK Motels. The group not only captures the essence of Victoria's classic motels through its dreamy Instagram shots, it's also known for transforming these oft-forgotten spaces into unlikely party destinations. And you'll catch the next of these when OK Motels returns to the Charlton Motel — about a three-hour drive northwest of Melbourne's CBD — on Saturday, November 23. The rural town, which usually has a population of around 1000, will again play host to a lively night of tunes and dancing, as the likes of Amyl and the Sniffers, Batpiss, Moaning Lisa, Moody Beaches, Pinch Points and DJ Hot Wheels descend on the Charlton's 70s-era function room. Don your finest op-shop threads, nab a primo spot beneath the disco ball and get ready to tear the town's roof off. If you're quick, you can score a stay on-site in one of the Charlton's own rooms; otherwise, there'll be a handy shuttle bus servicing nearby camping, caravan park, hotel and motel options.
'Whip' Whittaker (Denzel Washington) wakes up in a hotel room, disentangles himself from last night's paramour, Katerina (Nadine Velazquez), surveys the wreckage of liquor bottles, does a line of cocaine, argues with his ex-wife, then heads to his day job. As a commercial pilot. While his co-pilot, the straitlaced Ken Evans (Brian Geraghty) thinks something is amiss with Whip, it is smooth sailing as Whip pulls off an audacious move to get the plane through some bad weather then rewards himself with a mid-flight vodka and orange juice. Then things start to go very, very wrong. In one of the most gripping set pieces seen on the big screen in years, the plane finds itself in trouble and not responding to any of the usual fixes. It is soon plummeting towards earth and the passengers and crew resort to panic and prayer. Whip, however, remains cool and in a brilliant piece of quick thinking, inverts the plane to take much of the force out of the landing. The manoeuvre mitigates what could have been complete calamity and when the wreckage is surveyed, only six people have lost their lives. After such a bold start, the film moves into the more familiar territory of addiction drama, but there is far too much complexity and moral nuance here for the film to be anything less than intriguing. It is revealed the plane wasn't properly maintained and was an accident waiting to happen. Whip's audacious actions were not performed in spite of his state of inebriation but actually because of it. Another pilot, one free of drugs and alcohol, could not have done what he did and saved as many lives as he did. He meets heroin addict Nicole (Kelly Reilly) in hospital, and the pair are soon shacked up at a secluded cottage, hiding from the world. But when the legal ramifications of the crash ramp up after Whip has a testy meeting with Hugh (an excellent Don Cheadle), a driven criminal lawyer who is confident he can have Whip's toxicology report thrown out as evidence, he falls back off the wagon, skulling vodka with a vengeance and hatching plans to escape to Jamaica in a small plane. Whip's actions become increasingly pathetic as his supporters try to curb his powerful self-destructive streak and keep him from having a public meltdown before the hearing that will hopefully clear his name for good. Still, he insists he drinks because he wants to. He's had years of practice at getting away with it and finds himself on the brink of freedom. If Flight loses its nerve somewhat in the closing minutes, it only serves to cast the truthful and arresting drama that has come before in an even brighter light. Featuring one of the best performances in Washington's career, it's a tough and taut film which asks questions that linger long after its closing credits.
Whether you're a green thumb or a total gardening novice, you'll score great tips and tricks for growing your own food when FareShare opens its Abbotsford kitchen garden to the public on Saturday, October 14. The food charity cooks as many as 5000 free meals across Australia each day using rescued surplus food, in addition to produce harvested from its own collection of urban kitchen gardens. That includes this lush, 70-bed veggie patch by Victoria Park railway station, a one-time dumping ground that's been given new life thanks to a tribe of volunteers and support from the RACV, Gandel Philanthropy and urban food-growing initiative 3000 Acres. The Open Garden day invites locals along to have a sticky-beak and discover how FareShare is transforming disused urban plots like these into vibrant, veggie-growing wonderlands. There'll be guided tours of the gardens as well as a program of guest speakers covering topics from bee keeping and composting, through to urban agriculture. And if it all leaves you inspired to do some gardening of your own, a range of seedlings will be available to purchase for a gold coin donation.
Fitz (Jason Priestly), a devilishly handsome low-life of a used car salesman, is missing something. After years of womanising and substance abusing, he's on the hunt for his long-lost conscience. Fitz just didn't think he'd find him sitting at the office desk opposite his. Never much concerned with ending his sleazy ways, Fitz has a change of heart when, during a test-drive he is sure will secure him 'Employee of the Month' status, he crashes. The accident unleashes something with Fitz, a twinge of guilt and emotion we didn't know he had, that comes embodied in his conscience-turned-business partner, Larry (Ernie Grunwald). Now forced to face Larry each and every day, Fitz must (unwillingly) reexamine his dodgy ways. The hilarious pair and their bickering antics lend a humourous twist to this black comedy of a 'buddy' TV series. To win one of four Season One Call Me Fitz DVDs, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=MKEZS6DoX3E
After a sold-out run at Perth’s Proximity Festival, theatremaker and dramaturge Hallie Shellam will be bringing her show home for its Melbourne premiere. Is This Somewhere You’ve Been Before? is, in many ways, not your average theatre piece. To start with, the performance is played out with one audience member at a time. A one-on-one discussion turns into an interrogation, in an attempt to remember an event that never even happened. Secondly, it plays with the olfactory senses, such as smell and taste, to explore where memory and imagination collide. By integrating these senses, the theatre piece takes on an unexpected dimension, as well as commenting on the effect of the ephemeral in the digital age. This part forensic interview, part dramatic reenactment is as innovative as it is interactive. Is This Somewhere You’ve Been Before? is part of Metanoia Live Works Program at Brunswick’s newest performance venue, The Mechanics Institute. Bookings are essential, so don’t delay.
Man of the moment Matt Bax is fresh from opening his cocktail concept bar Bar Exuberante and ready to teach you a thing or two about mixology at this Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Essentials Masterclass. For an hour on Saturday, March 7 Matt Bax is yours, and he'll teach you how to make a killer cocktail. Remember, this is the guy who started Der Raum; he's a cocktail legend (and all-round interesting dude), so come with a few questions ready. Can't promise that he'll teach you how to make that Hot Cold Pina Colada, but you can damn well ask. Image credit: Carmen Zammit
Following on from a killer season at Sydney Festival in 2014 and 2015 and sold-out shows in London, Edinburgh, Bogota, Auckland, Adelaide and Munich, LIMBO is making its Melbourne debut, taking up residence in the Spiegeltent during Melbourne Festival. With awe-inducing acrobatics, breathtaking manoeuvres and a serve of cheeky cabaret, LIMBO is circus with a grown-up and grungy twist. Presented by Strut & Fret (producers of La Soirée and Cantina), Underbelly Productions and Southbank Centre, LIMBO has all of the danger of — but much more sexiness than — your regular night at Cirque du Soleil. This is circus with grit, set against the funked-up, old-time jazz, oompah, rap and bossa nova of Sxip Shirey's electric live score. Look forward to performances from squirm-inducing fire eater Heather Holliday; "French gravity-defying Chinese pole master, beatboxer and clown" Mikael Bres; and a trio of acrobats whose routine has them hilariously swaying from poles into the audience. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Festival. Check out the other nine.
Pidapipo has heard your cries: the gelateria's famed hot chocolate has been given a plant-based twist, making it perfect for vegan and non-dairy drinkers. However, it won't last long, as it's available at the Fitzroy Laboratorio this long weekend only. With the OG becoming a much-loved winter tradition for many locals in recent years, this vegan-friendly alternative remains as indulgent as ever. Hitting much the same notes as the original, this new creation replaces the dairy base with soy milk. This decadent creation also goes a step further, topping the drink with Pidapipo's ever-popular vegan pistachio gelato. Then, a light dusting of Australian pistachios rounds out this winter-warming beverage. If you're keen to get a sip, know that Pidapipo's vegan hot chocolate is available for a strictly limited time and in strictly limited numbers. Served from Friday, June 6–Monday, June 9, the team is only producing 100 cups across the long weekend. So, if you've been hanging out for a taste since Pidapipo co-founder Lisa Valmorbida and head of production Nicola Totaro created this headline-grabbing hot chocolate in 2023, head along to the Fitzroy Laboratorio early to avoid missing out. Primed for a sweet treat on a chilly Melbourne morning, warming up is made easy with this steamy plant-based drink grasped firmly in your hands. Score a cup of Pidapipo's vegan hot chocolate and satisfy your curiosity for $10.50. Pidapipo's vegan hot chocolate is available at the Fitzroy Laboratorio store from Friday, June 6–Monday, June 9. Head to the website for more information.
Not be outdone by their neighbours, whose own festival du film celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the latest line-up at the Audi Festival of German Films is guaranteed to give the French a run for their money. Presented by the Goethe-Institut in conjunction with Palace Cinemas, the 2014 festival boasts a selection of more than 50 German language films, as well as parties, lectures, special screenings and Q&As. Just a few of the highlights include Marc Rothemund's The Girl with Nine Wigs, about a young woman struggling with a cancer diagnosis; Constanze Knoche's simmering family drama, Visitors, about the strained relationship between a father and his three adult children; and Jan-Ole Gerster's black and white, day-in-the-life dramedy Oh Boy, which scooped up the top prize at the 2013 German Film Awards. This year's program also has something of a historical focus, with 2014 marking an important centennial. As part of the Goethe-Institut's year long commemoration of the millions of lives lost during World War One, artist Justus Neumann will present a lecture on Karl Kraus's satirical play The Last Days of Mankind, followed by a screening of the acclaimed naval drama Odyssey of Heroes. A more joyous milestone is the quarter century that has passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The festival's evening-long celebration will include two documentaries, separated by a live multimedia performance piece by Berlin cabaret band The Beez. For the full Audi Festival of German Films program, see the festival website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Xlyt_IRWM30
Peer through a portal and experience a whole new perspective with this immersive exhibition at NGV Australia. Located in the gallery's Federation Square foyer, this unique piece consists of five distinct works ranging from film to hand-blown glass sculpture, all housed in an intriguing architectural creation of timber and steel. Visitors make their way around the structure, peering at each work through one of five seperate portals. Each portal shaping the visitor's experience in entirely new ways, as the act of viewing becomes warped and reflected by everything from mirrors to a long timber cantilever reminiscent of a Venetian mask. A collaboration between John Wardle Architects, filmmakers Coco and Maximilian and New York based Australian artist Natasha Johns-Messenger, Somewhere Other was first shown at the 16th International Architecture Biennale of Venice, and now makes its way to Melbourne as part of the third annual Melbourne Design Week. Image: Tom Ross.
Home to the biggest pizzas in town, the team at Shawcross bring a little slice of New York City to the streets of Fitzroy — pun very much intended. These are the gents behind Phat Brats the gourmet hot dogs, so they are tried and tested in taking something old and making it new again. Pizzas are available by the whole pizza (12") or by the ‘slice’ (from a massive 22" pie). Polish off a large one by yourself, and you can win yourself a free t-shirt. The Fat Tony is a classic, with tomato, mozzarella, and fresh basil, while the Bloody Vegans is hummus, spinach, tomato, red onions, green olives, and lemon. ‘Kick-ass’ salads see the carb-conscious diners among us sigh with relief with well, due to combinations like chicken, spinach, edaname, avocado, red onion, and quinoa.
Yabun — which means "music to a beat" in the Gadigal language — is an annual festival featuring a wide range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent. Held each year on January 26 in Camperdown, Sydney, on Gadigal Land, the festival consists of Corroboree, performances from First Nations musicians, a marketplace, discussions and speeches. After two COVID-impacted years, the festival is returning to its regular programming in Victoria Park. The musical lineup features a mix of up-and-coming and longstanding songwriters and performers. Heading up the musicians are Tia Gostelow, Aodhan, Denni and DRMNGNOW, who will be joined by Robert K Champion, Kyarna Rose and Matty Walker. In addition to the live music, there'll be traditional cultural performances, panel discussions and heaps of activities for adults and kids alike. There will also be a bunch of art, design and activist stalls for you to peruse. If you can't make it down, you can also watch via a live stream on the festival's website or tune into the yearly broadcast of the festival on Koori Radio 93.7fm. It all kicks off at 10am and will run until 10pm.
The Spartan Race is no joke. In a bid to transport participants back to ancient times, the race, a little sibling of the Spartan Death Race, is set on harsh terrain with obstacles of fire, water, mud and barbed wire. Spartan Races come in a few different forms: there are ‘Sprints’ of 7km, which progress to ‘Super’ of 14km and ‘Beast’ of 21km. People can fly solo or register as a team, and the Spartan Kids race allows children to experience some of the challenges. The race is followed by food, drink, and stalls.
There's no shortage of delicious Asian cuisine in Melbourne; however there's always room for more. Especially if it's street food, and even more if it dons the word 'hawker-style'. Enter Junk, a Queensland favourite that is making its first venture down south. Heading to Punch Lane from February 22, Junk is bringing its melange of flavours and styles to Victorian stomaches — and the menu looks a treat. Hungry diners will find a food lineup filled with Korean fried chicken wings, crispy Peking duck spring rolls, and four varieties of steamed bao (soft-shell crab, pork, pork gyoza and chicken katsu). Yes, one of those options really does include dumplings on bao. Dumplings. On. Bao. Crispy fried gunpowder chicken ribs and Vietnamese noodle salads will also be ready to treat tastebuds, as will Gangnam fries (covered in house-made kimchi, nacho cheese sauce, nori and spring onion, and certain to get a K-pop song stuck in your head). Basically, expect to be spoiled for choice. "Every single dish on the menu is prepared by world class cooks using only the best local ingredients available. Our sauces and curry pastes are all made from scratch in-house, and our broths are cooked for two days," says Scott Hoskins, one of the folks behind the venture. The Melbourne joint will be Junk's fourth, joining three in Queensland. Back up north, Hoskins and his business partner Tony Kelly have not only been slinging Asian street food, but doughnuts and burgers as well. They're the duo behind Donut Boyz and Hello Harry, two other brands that have made the leap to the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane and beyond. Junk opens on February 22 at 22 Punch Lane, Melbourne. For more information, check out their website.
Belgian artist Jan Fabre seems to have made a career out of being relentlessly strange, from burning money and drawing pictures with the ashes to encrusting a palace ceiling with glittering beetle shells. So it's hard to know exactly what to expect from one of his plays, but odds are it'll be, well, odd. Fabre's Wake Up Hate is being performed at La Mama by Paulo Castro, a Portuguese-born performer who has toured the show to various cities in Europe, including Berlin, Reykjavik, Lisbon and Paris. It’s a solo show, a fierce monologue from a protagonist who claims to have freshly come back from the dead. From an armchair in the ruins of a destroyed house, he launches a scathing attack on the voyeurism of contemporary society, a voyeurism he is part of because his eyes have become cameras. Yup, sounds odd alright. But perhaps, like a beetle shell ceiling, gloriously so. Image by Rodeo.
Room is by no means an easy film to watch. Based on the critically acclaimed novel by Emma Donoghue, which was in turn inspired by the crimes of Josef Fritzl, it's a tale whose existence is rooted in horror and misery, and the perverse fascination such stories tend to inspire. And yet despite its grim subject matter, Room never wallows in darkness, but instead stares defiantly into the light. It is a tale not of depravity but of resilience, and the incredible, unbreakable love between a parent and their child. Room is told from the perspective of Jack (Jacob Tremblay), a five year old boy who lives with his mother Joy (Brie Larson) in a small, dishevelled shed called Room. Jack was born in Room, and its meagre contents, including a bed, a bath, a sink, a wardrobe and a skylight, are all he has ever known. Joy tells him nothing of the outside world in order to protect him from the truth: that they are captives of a man named Old Nick (Sean Bridgers), and that Jack is the product of rape. Very few films ask as much of their lead actors as Room does of Larson and Tremblay. There's barely a frame of the film in which one, if not both, are not present, particularly during the initial harrowing hour. Larson is tipped to take home an Oscar, and it would be hard to fault the Academy for that decision. Her performance communicates with unflinching clarity both the years of abuse that Joy has suffered, and the lengths she is willing to go to to keep her son from experiencing the same fate. Tremblay is, if anything, even more impressive, capturing the optimism of a child unburdened by adult comprehension, without ever dipping into the kind of forced cutesiness that scuppers so many young performers. Tremblay's flawless performance also validates the risky decision to tell the story from Jack's point of view. In the film's bleakest moments, Jack's innocence is like a life preserver, and the only thing that keeps us from drowning in despair. Likewise, when he is finally exposed to the world outside his prison, we share in his sense of wonderment. So palpable is his emotion that it feels like we, too, are discovering the world for the very first time. Director Lenny Abrahamson is largely invisible behind the camera, and perhaps that's for the best. There's a lot he could have done, through camerawork and editing, to ratchet up the unease or foster a sense of claustrophobia, but to do so would run the risk of distracting from the performances – and ultimately, it's by the performances that the movie lives or dies. Even as the film ventures into more conventional narrative territory in its latter half, Larson and Tremblay make it impossible to look away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C6fZ-fwDws
Come June, you'll be able to enter the gateway to the Upside Down — if you dare. Keep an eye out for demogorgons, mind flayers and, maybe even, Hopper as you head into Melbourne's latest pop-up bar. If you haven't guessed, the new themed watering hole is inspired by Stranger Things, so expect plenty of 80s pop culture references, too, when the Upside Down Bar takes over a secret location on Sunday, June 14. You'll see upturned tables, Eggos on the roof and a room inspired by Joyce Byers' house (complete with an illuminated alphabet on the wall) as you sit down for Stranger Things-themed cocktails. Sip on the likes of the Eleven's Eggos and Demorgorgon slushies, a caramelised pineapple Mouthbreather number and the Snack Pack, made with mezcal and passion fruit. While the bar's location is firmly under wraps for now, we do know that the bar will also have DJs, arcade games and even a "dark and dangerous mission" that you'll have the possibility to complete. The pop-up bar's opening is happening ahead of the much-anticipated fourth season of Stranger Things, which does not yet have a trailer or release date. But, we'll let you know as soon as it does. You can pre-register for tickets to the Upside Down Bar over here.
On Saturday, September 3 from 11am, right through until Sunday, September 4 at 9.10am, three Melbourne cinemas will become the most magical places in the city. That's when and where all eight Harry Potter films will grace the big screen again, as part of a whole day and night of wizarding wonder. BYO time-turner if you don't think you'll be able to get through it all otherwise. On the bill at the Lido, Classic and Cameo cinemas: watching Harry, Hermione, Ron and co spend their first day at Hogwarts, play quidditch, search for the deathly hallows and battle He Who Must Not Be Named. They'll navigate potions classes, bust out spells, face off against evil and their classmates, and get plenty of enchanting help, too. You know how the story goes, of course — and now, 21 years after Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone first hit cinemas, you can revisit the whole saga in one big go. Potter Party — All-Night Harry Potter Marathon does include two breaks: 55 minutes for dinner between Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and 20 minutes for breakfast to split up Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Dressing up in costume is always highly recommended, as is indulging in 22 hours Potter nerdery — with tickets costing $50.
Following a five-year break, the Caulfield Whisky, Wine and Fire Festival will return with a bang this winter from Thursday, July 18–Sunday, July 21. Warm up from the inside out as you are treated to a feast for the senses, with whisky and wine tastings, as well as comfort food prepared over open flames by fine food vendors. The menu highlights roasted, smoked and spiced flavours, making for a cosy dining experience by the fire. The festival will set up camp at Caulfield Racecourse, with an outstanding roster of merchants that includes Penfolds, 19 Crimes, Bellarine Distillery, Chief's Son Distillery, Moët Hennessy, The Spirits Company, Laphroaig and Paringa Estate. Tickets are already on sale for $29, which includes a glass of whisky or wine. Kids have free entry. Learn more about the Whisky, Wine and Fire Festival at the official website.
UPDATE Thursday, July 28: Mya Tiger's Yum Cha series has been extended until the end of August. The following has been updated to reflect the change. As the temperatures start to dip, you're probably looking for some fresh ways to keep the chills at bay through Melbourne's frosty season. Well, we've found a banger — the Espy's contemporary Cantonese diner Mya Tiger is spicing up your life with a new limited-edition weekly yum cha offering. From 11am every Sunday, through May, June, July and August, this $58 feasting situation will see you dive into a shared spread of starters, followed by your choice of six yum cha dishes. Tick your selections off on the menu slip — a la all those old-school Chinatown joints — and get ready to chow down on the likes of truffle pork siu mai, sesame prawn toasts, chicken and vegetable gyoza, lamb spring rolls and more. There's a slew of add-ons available if you're feeling extra peckish, including soy egg noodles ($8) and a spanner crab fried rice ($23). Unlike your more traditional yum cha offerings, this one also features a soundtrack of DJ tunes. And, in addition to Chinese tea, you'll be able to pair your feast with an exclusive lineup of four-person teapot cocktails ($40), including a pear and spiced oolong number, and one teaming Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz with pomegranate and Thai basil.
Pasta and parmesan are one of Italian cuisine's perfect pairings. Eat the former without the latter, and your tastebuds will know the difference. And while sprinkling your spaghetti with fine shavings of hard, granular cheese is all well and good and delicious, that's nothing compared to devouring a bowl of pasta that has been cooked in a parmesan wheel. If it sounds like all of your culinary dreams come true, that's because it is — and it's the dish in the spotlight at Cucinetta's Parmesan Wheel Week. From July 30 until August 3, the South Yarra restaurant is serving up the Italian traditional specialty pasta Cacio e Pepe straight out of a wheel of 18-month Grana Padano. Given that Cacio e Pepe is a spaghetti concoction already made with parmesan and pepper — think fancier, tastier mac 'n' cheese — the results promise quite the cheesy meal. Available for lunch and dinner for five days only, it's the kind of dish that has to be eaten to be believed. We'd tell you to arrive hungry, but we're sure you already are just thinking about it. Image: Naotake Murayama via Flickr.
When you peer at a can or bottle of Sample Brew's yeasty beverages, you'll notice the minimalistic, sleek design. In fact, you can't miss it. That's how this West Melbourne-based brand packages its brews — and, more than that, it's how it approaches making them as well. Across its pale ale, gold ale, lager and 3/4 IPA, Sample Brew is all about essential, natural ingredients (and additive- and preservative-free, too) that combine for a clean, refreshing, crisp taste. We'd call it a no-fuss beer, but that only applies to the flavour, not the brewing process. Founded in 2014, Sample Brew has fallen under East 9th Brewing's umbrella since 2019 — and you can purchase its brews online via the latter's The Daily Liquor store.
This Brunswick Street mainstay packs a visual punch from the moment you peek through the front window, lush and brimming with that renowned collection of greenery and fresh blooms. Founded way back in 1989, the business has won itself a stack of awards and pulled scores of high-profile clients, known both for its sharp curations and innovative work. Supplies from some of the country's leading specialist growers ensure some truly impressive bouquets and arrangements, whether you're shopping for something small or mighty — like the endlessly dramatic Rouge creation. Keep an eye out, too, for some unique floral species grown in founder Cherrie Miriklis' own grand Dandenong Ranges garden.
Cue prepubescent joy squeals: '90s R&B legends TLC are kicking off their first tour to Australia, stopping by the Palais Theatre this June. In a time when 'Genie in a Bottle' and 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' dominated the charts, Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins, Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas and Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes taught a whole generation about girl power, cargo pants and combat boots. These were the ladiez who told me not to waste my time with scrubs (FYI: a scrub is a guy who can't get no love from me). Although nearly two decades have passed since their standout hits 'No Scrubs' and 'Waterfalls', TLC will be hitting up the Palais on June 11. Of course, since the passing of Left Eye in a 2002 car crash, the band will be performing with just two of the original three members. Although TLC's reps have stated there will be some inclusion of Lopes through audiovisual means (though definitely not a hologram a la Tupac). Beaten only by the Spice Girls, TLC still stand as the second highest selling girl group of all time with a mammoth 65 million album sales recorded worldwide. The trio are also universally acknowledged as the number one iPod selection at both karaoke and horrifically late portions of house parties when everyone feels the need to rap terribly and grind on the d-floor like it's 1994. Although TLC have confirmed they are working on a new album set for release sometime this year, this is inevitably going to be a gig for pure nostalgia. Bonus points for anyone who rocks up in white diamantes or primary-coloured overalls, Converse trainers and condom badges. Also, if you don't know all the words and relevant sassy head bobs to 'No Scrubs', you're straight-up not allowed inside the Palais foyer. Tickets on sale 9am on Thursday, April 24 via Ticketmaster.
There was always that one kid in every primary school who was known as ‘the good drawer’. They could navigate a tray of Derwent pencils with their eyes closed, and their Wonky Vase with Sunflower still life made it into the annual school calendar three years in a row. Shaun Tan was this kid, except unlike the one from your primary school who probably didn’t sharpen their grey lead past grade six, he directed and developed one of his picture books into an Oscar-winning animated film. The logical next step from annual school calendar selection. Dealing with political and social issues illustrated in dream-like, surreal worlds, Perth-born artist and author Shaun Tan creates beloved books that delight both adults and children alike. ACMI will be hosting the world premiere of Shaun Tan’s The Lost Thing: From Book to Film, opening Tuesday, July 16, and running through to mid-January 2014. Divided into two parts, the exhibition will show Shaun's original sketches, collages and finished paintings from The Lost Thing, as well as documenting and examining the painstaking process of transforming the picture book into an animated film. I've made a few page corner flipbooks in my time, and I can tell you first hand what a laborious task this is. I assume the processes are somewhat similar.
Dexter is a 'non-traditional American BBQ' joint specialising in prime cuts of meat cooked low and slow and buns, served with a melange of pickled sides and experimental entrees. Get stuck into Dexter's famous hot meat doughnut this Tuesday — a light and fluffy batter stuffed with burnt brisket ends, deep-fried and dusted with sugar and paprika. Try one for $4.50 or three for $12 — a sweet and savoury delight.
If you've ever been (or tried to be) vegan, you'll know there's a certain bliss that comes with having a whole smorgasbord of plant-based products at your disposal. So we expect squeals aplenty at the news that the Big Vegan Market is expanding, and will grace the sprawling interior of Carlton's Royal Exhibition Building, on Saturday, May 13. Kicking off at 10am, the event pulls together a dizzying, all-vegan array of food, drinks, craft, beauty and fashion, with as many as 131 vendors signing up to showcase their cruelty-free wares. Head in to snack on treats from the likes of Fitzroy dessert bar Girls & Boys, vegan dude food masters Wings of Glory and Vietnamese eatery The Pham Sisters, while indulging in some guilt-free retail therapy. You'll spy sustainably-crafted threads from Velvety, snazzy vegan watches from Time IV Change, cosmetics from Little Vegan Makeup Shop, and Wildbag's superfood protein blends, to name just a few. Jump on the Facebook page for the day's full lineup of vegan vendors. Image: Girls & Boys.
Throw on your dancing shoes — the young legends at St Martins Youth Arts Centre are hosting a very different kind of bush dance. The latest project from the celebrated youth theatre company, Banjos, Boots and Beyoncé will take over The Substation in Newport from July 6 through July 8. In a hilarious subversion, kids will call the shots over three nights of rowdy dance and bants for grown-ups. This interactive performance is billed as a contemporary reimagining of an Aussie folk tradition and an examination of the conventions and relevance of social dance. Directed by Luke Kerridge and choreographed by Ghenoa Gela, the show will also feature sound by iconic local DJ MzRizk. The company has quite the resume, having previously presented works in partnership with Dance Massive, Dark Mofo and Melbourne Festival. In a cheeky effort to bring out your inner youth, guests will be treated to Iced Vovos throughout the night. For those who are not quite ready to jump on in, wallflower tickets are also available for five bucks — but the dancefloor will of course be where the party's at.
From Swan Street to Bridge Road and the boutiques buried throughout the backstreets of Cremorne, Richmond is recognised as a pretty fashionable area. Since 2009, Royal Order of Nothing has been contributing its fair share to the region's stylish reputation, stocking a cool collection of men's, women's and children's clothing, plus accessories and gifts. Located near the bustling junction of Church and Swan Streets, snag yourself a coffee at one of many nearby spots before heading into RON and searching through the range. With brands such as The Assembly Label, Elk, Brixton, Status Anxiety and Happy Socks to choose from, a visit to Royal Order of Nothing will quickly get your wardrobe updated for the new season. Images: Tracey Ah-kee.
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Melbourne is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you celebrate the little things that bring a sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Melbourne. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, head out on a Monday for some free comedy, take time out to ride through Merri Creek and snag $1 oysters with a view over Smith Street. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the new few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
Pottery fans of the eastern suburbs, you're about to score a new ceramics studio — and it wants to indulge your love of clay. In fact, to celebrate its official launch this month, Céramiques Camberwell is offering up the kind of deal that'll make you want to rush to a potter's wheel. From October 22, Céramiques is offering two whole weeks free introductory classes to anyone who wants to give the pastime a go. All skill levels are welcome, as you'll learn the basics of throwing and working the wheel. After the launch, the studio will run both one-off classes and multi-lesson terms for those willing to take up pottery as a hobby. This is owner Guy Vadas's second Melbourne studio — you might remember that he also ran free classes when he opened his Elsternwick location earlier this year. They booked out super quickly, so you know what to do. To attend a free class, you'll need to visit the Céramiques website to register for the waitlist.
After two weeks in lockdown in a bid to stop the latest COVID-19 outbreak — including an initial seven-day circuit-breaker action, and a second week to keep cases under control — Melbourne emerged from stay-at-home conditions at 11.59pm on Thursday, June 10. The change came just in time for the Queen's Birthday long weekend, although it would've been excellent news even if an extra day off wasn't on the agenda. Gone are the five reasons to leave your home, and the ten-kilometre travel radius. That said a new 25-kilometre bubble is in effect, venturing to regional Victoria is of the cards and face masks are still mandatory. The list of restrictions can be a bit overwhelming, so we've broken down just what you can and can't do. This information is correct as of Monday, June 14. For what reasons am I allowed to leave the house? Remember those five reasons announced back at the end of May? They're no longer in effect. So, after two weeks of only being able to leave home to purchase groceries and other essentials, for care and caregiving, for permitted work, for outdoor exercise and recreation, and to get vaccinated, you can now leave for any reason you like. For how long can I leave the house? The two-hour limit on time spent out of the home has now been lifted. You may now leave your house for any amount of time — and for any reason — as long as you're abiding by all other restriction. Is there a curfew this time? No, there is no curfew. You are allowed out of your house at any hour — and for any reason and for as much time as you like, too. [caption id="attachment_776562" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Heroes mask[/caption] Do I still have to wear a mask? Yes, masks or face coverings are still compulsory whenever you leave home. Initially, the rules were going to be relaxed in outdoor spaces; however, the Victorian Government changed its mind based on new health advice — so masks must still be worn both indoors and outside whenever you're anywhere other than your own home. How far can I travel? You can now travel up to 25 kilometres from your home — more than double as far as you were allowed to venture during the second week of lockdown. However, if you live in Metropolitan Melbourne, you are still not allowed to travel into regional Victoria even if it is within 25 kilometres from your home. If this newfound freedom is a little overwhelming, there's a website that help you determine what fits in your 25-kilometre radius — and another that helps you work out where your 25-kilometre bubble overlaps with your mates'. Can I see friends and family? Yes, but there are a few caveats, so bear with us. You can catch up with up to ten people, but only outside of your home. You can exercise with them, have a picnic — socially distanced, of course — or do whatever else you like, but not at anyone's house. And, you cannot travel more than 25 kilometres from your home. Inside your home, the "single social bubble" rule is still in place — allowing a single person living alone or a single parent with children under 18 to nominate one person to be in their bubble. You are allowed to have this nominated person over to your home and you can go to their home — and you can travel more than 25 kilometres to visit them, but you must stay within metropolitan Melbourne. You can also stay overnight. The same rule still applies for intimate partners, too. Can I have a session with a personal trainer in a park? Yes, groups of ten — plus the trainer — are allowed to meet up for personal training and bootcamp sessions. Can I have a picnic in a park? Yes, as long as it's with up to ten people (including yourself) — and within 25 kilometres of your homes. Here are some of our favourite spots. [caption id="attachment_651722" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] St Kilda Beach by Josie Withers for Visit Victoria[/caption] Can I go to the beach? Yes, if there is a beach within 25 kilometres of your home. You can only go with up to ten people (including yourself). Can I drive to a park or beach? As long as it's within 25 kilometres of your home, yes. Can I go to a pool? Indoor? Now. Outdoor? Yes. Up to 100 people may swim in an indoor pool, but there's a one person per four-square-metre capacity limit. So, you'll want to check out the pool's website before throwing on your togs. You can check out some of our favourites over here. Can I visit a regional town? If you work or study in regional Victoria, or you need to visit the area for care or caregiving reasons, you can travel there — otherwise no. You can travel more than 25 kilometres from your home to see someone in your "social bubble", but you cannot enter regional Victoria for this reason. Can I go shopping? For any reason, yes. But not all shops are open and some have altered hours, so check before you head off. And do make sure you stay within 25 kilometres from your home. How about to a restaurant or cafe? Yes, you can head to a hospitality venue located within 25 kilometres of your home, but capacity and density restrictions are in effect. Only 50 people are allowed indoors per venue and 100 in total including outdoors, with a one person per four-square-metre capacity limit. And, the maximum group size is ten. If you're getting takeaway, you can also only travel to a venue within 25 kilometres of your house. Can I go to gyms or other recreational services? Indoor gyms are currently closed, but outdoor sports and recreation facilities can open with a one person per four-square-metre capacity limit and a 100-person cap. Can I attend a funeral? Yes, however funerals are limited to 50 mourners, plus those required to conduct the funeral. Can I attend a wedding? Yes, however weddings are limited to 10 people, including the couple and two witnesses. The celebrant and photographer don't count in the cap. If you have more questions, the Victorian Government has an extensive rundown on its website. Top image: Visit Victoria
