Cosmo's Midnight is the playful moniker for the much-adored Sydney-based production duo made up of twins Cosmo and Patrick Liney. The pair have been writing and producing feel-good jams since 2012, with their ever-evolving sound and clear natural talent seeing them only continue to rise in popularity across the globe. For the uninitiated, their songs are eclectic and yet instantly recognisable: dance tracks heavy on the instrumentals, floaty lyrics and sky-high vibes. After a 2022 chock-full of buzzing festival crowds and tours here and abroad, Cosmo's Midnight are getting ready to take to the For The Love stage on the Gold Coast (Saturday, February 25) followed by legs in Wollongong (Sunday, February 26), Melbourne (Saturday, March 4) and Perth (Sunday, March 5) — along with a stacked lineup. Joining them are legendary pop and dance icons Charli XCX and Duke Dumont, plus Budjerah, Sonny Fodera and Snakehips to name a few. Ahead of their tour with For The Love (curated by renowned party-throwers from Untitled Group), we caught up with Cosmo and Patrick to chat about their summer highs, creative influences and how they're feeling ahead of the waterside gigs. First up, how are you both? Enjoying summer? You've spent the warmer months hitting festival stages here and abroad — there must be some exhaustion in there! "Doing very well, it's nice to finally have a summer where we aren't dodging flood waters. After pretty extensive touring for the last half of 2022, it's been so good to recoup and hit the beach in between writing sessions. We're currently writing some of the best music we've ever put together and can't wait to show some of the stuff Pat and I have been working on." On and off the stage, what have been your summer highs? "Hitting Hobbiton in New Zealand was a massive highlight, we've been massive fans of LOTR and Tolkien as a whole our entire lives. It was so magical walking through the set and having the opportunity to get turpsed at The Green Dragon, the pub from The Shire. Also just touring with our band is so fun, they've been good mates of ours since before we started doing shows together and we spent one torrential day in Auckland go-karting in inch-deep water. No one else was on the track so the people running it just let us have free reign, trying to destroy each other and doing our best to recreate Tokyo Drift." Amazing! What's it like touring with your sibling? "It's really easy despite the fact we have little sibling tiffs every now and then — they're always quickly resolved and never spiral into something sinister. Luckily we both enjoy the same general things outside of music, so there's no massive vote required to figure out what the band is going to do when we're not on stage." You both exude such a positive energy when performing, how does it feel to be on stage? "We both love performing, as far as music goes it's the biggest payoff of writing and developing a live show. Seeing how people respond to your music is the truest review you can get in this age of music streaming, where it's hard to tell what people think immediately — where we more so just watch the play counts rack up." For The Love is about to kick off its run of music events to see out Australia's summer, how are you both feeling ahead of taking the stage? "Really excited, we're keen to debut some new music and renditions of old songs to up the ante even further. It's been a while since we've hit a national tour in Australia so it will be great to see some familiar spaces and faces!" How do you prep for a gig? Any non-negotiables in the lead up? "Always rehearse really close to show day. Despite all the touring we did last year, we made sure to go through everything again with the band before we hit a tour. We all got so familiar with our live set last year after touring through Europe, UK, USA that I think we got a bit cocky and thought it might be okay to skip it... luckily we decided against it. Always gotta break out the WD-40 even when nothing sounds rusty." Whose set on the For The Love lineup are you most excited to catch? "I'm so excited to see Charli perform, we've been big fans of hers throughout her career and the ebbs and flows she's had as she explores different genres and styles. Unfortunately we've never caught her live, so it's going to be a massive highlight to see her at FTL — I hope we get to meet her!" I have everything crossed for you! Do you have a favourite track to perform? "It changes as time goes on but currently we have a really fun extended version of CUDI that is just so satisfying and exciting to play. I feel like if your song doesn't give you tingles when you're performing it, you've got to work on it until it does and we've reached that sweet spot with CUDI." You've got a unique and recognisable sound — inherently upbeat with a little eighties-disco edge. What are you influenced by creatively? "You're entirely right, we do listen to a lot of disco for inspiration. Before every new musical endeavour we do a massive amount of listening to kind of figure out the palette and sound for our next project. These last two years, we've extended our listening into more recent decades like the nineties and two-thousands to see both how the natural progression of disco leaned to house and pop — and what we can take from those eras that is so timeless and exciting." I've had a good old internet dig, and gleaned that your third album is well on its way to ears — how are you feeling about it? What can we expect from Cosmo's Midnight in the near-ish future? "Solid investigative work you've done there! It's well on the way, some would even say its getting wrapped up soon! We're feeling really excited and confident for the new project, it's some of the most upbeat and fluid writing we've done to date and we're really looking forward to dripping them out so everyone can get across them all." Are you taking any time off after the For The Love run? "We're going to take some time off to plan the rest of the year music and touring-wise. We're also going to use some downtime to work on other artists' projects, maybe do some writing camps and holidaying! It's always a good time mid-year to see what is happening up in the northern hemisphere." And finally, what are your three favourite places to eat and drink in Sydney? "Shameless plugs for friends: I love visiting my mates over at Baba's Place in Marrickville for a bite to eat! Then Naija Jollof has really good West African food just up the street from me, which is really hearty and spicy. Cafe Nho in Marrickville has the coffee with the closest taste to that in Vietnam, if you've travelled there and miss the coffee I'd strongly recommend trying it out!" Cosmo's Midnight are set to take the For The Love stage on the Gold Coast (Saturday, February 25) and in Wollongong (Sunday, February 26), Melbourne (Saturday, March 4) and Perth (Sunday, March 5). For more info and to nab your tickets, head to the website.
If there's one thing summer has in abundance it's activities. Whether you're heading on a trip or staying local, there's always plenty to do, see and explore when the sun comes out to play. Yet, somehow, we still seem to always do the same old things: quick dips in the ocean and having mates round for a Sunday session in your backyard. Don't get us wrong, they're both great. But, after a pretty rough year, why not take things up a notch and make this one more memorable? We've partnered up with Bacardi to help you be a bit more unconventional over the warmer months. Here are seven ways you can make the most of the glorious weather, without resorting to the predictable. Think underwater art museums, camping with the crew, multi-venue festivals and cocktail parties in parks. TAKE A HIKE Sure, it might not be the most original summer activity on the list, but getting out into nature is rewarding at any time of year. You'll want to avoid heatstroke, so it's best to get going early or in the late arvo when the temperature starts to drop — which means you'll see some mighty fine sunrises and sunsets. So, put on your best outdoor shoes, slap on some sunscreen and ready yourself for an adventure. If you're in Sydney, you can cruise along one of the city's many coastal walks or hike in a national park, where you'll find some swimming holes to cool off in. In Brisbane, you can conquer epic mountains, check out rushing falls and look out over stunning vistas, without having to venture too far from the big smoke — check out five of the best walks here. Down south in Victoria, there's everything from out-of-town seaside strolls to epic multi-day hikes, boasting idyllic views of pristine beaches, sprawling countryside and serene vineyards, plus plenty of local wildlife. [caption id="attachment_784354" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Disney+ Drive-In[/caption] CATCH A FLICK AT A DRIVE-IN CINEMA Looking for an idea for a date or fun night out with mates? Forget the recliner, keep to social-distancing requirements and catch a movie under the stars, while keeping cool in your car at a drive-in cinema. Head to Skyline Drive-In in Blacktown, Sydney, where you can catch something on the big screen every night of the week, whether it's a new blockbuster or cult classic. If you grew up in Brissy, you've probably already been to old fave Yatala Dive-In and, with such a great rotating program, who could blame you? If you'd rather do something different, though, head to The Tivoli Drive-In on a Saturday. Melbourne locals, you're spoiled for choice with Dandenong Lunar Drive-In and Village Cinemas Coburg Drive-In and, come December, a pop-up Disney+ Drive-In. HOST A COCKTAIL PARTY IN A PARK Know a good patch of green near you? Then, take your next event to the park and impress your mates with an impromptu cocktail party — with a dress code encouraged, of course. Grab some picnic blankets, portable speakers and fun snacks, then get ready to whip up some next-level bevvies. For tropical tipples, you'll need a few bottles of Bacardi, then check out these four super-easy rum cocktails. We recommend batch-making some frozen strawberry daiquiris to keep things simple — just make sure your party guests know to arrive on time. And, because no good cocktail party is complete without snacks, head to a park with a barbecue so you can throw on some snags, too. [caption id="attachment_770817" align="alignnone" width="2000"] White Rabbit 'And Now' by Kimberley Low[/caption] STAY COOL AT A BLOCKBUSTER ART EXHIBITION While being outdoors when it's sunny is ace, sometimes you just want to kick back in air-conditioning. If that's the case, head to an indoor art exhibition where you can get your cultural kicks — and stay cool. Check out contemporary Chinese art at White Rabbit Gallery, the MCA's landmark summer exhibition Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop or head to Eveleigh arts and cultural institution Carriageworks. Or, step into Brisbane's Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), with Unfinished Business: The Art of Gordon Bennett currently showing, or see some Bauhaus designs at the Museum of Brisbane. But, perhaps the most exciting of all is Victoria's NGV Triennial, running from December 19 till April next year. Expect to see marine monsters, giant mirrored sculptures by Jeff Koons and a multi-sensory walkway at this massive exhibition. The capital currently has a groundbreaking exhibition showing at the NGA, too, profiling prominent Aussie women artists. GO CAMPING WITH THE CREW No matter where you are in Australia, there's always a spot waiting nearby for you to set up camp. Whether your crew wants to be close to sandy shores or in a remote pocket of wilderness under luminous stars, camping is an awesome way to escape the daily grind. Because we're big fans of reconnecting with nature here at Concrete Playground, we've already sought out some of the top camping spots around the country, too. New South Wales has a bunch of free campgrounds — you can find our pick of the bunch over here, from riverside spots to mountainous getaways. If you're more into the high life, Queensland has plenty of luxe glaming stays. Otherwise, pitch your own tent in Lamington National Park or right by the beach at one of these ten spots. If you're keen to check out regional Victoria, there's beach camping galore as well as plenty of top-notch free grounds not too far from Melbourne. As most of us won't be travelling far this summer (or at least not overseas), many campgrounds are already starting to book out, so be sure to do your research before hitting the road. [caption id="attachment_792466" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mushroom Creative House[/caption] SEE A LIVE GIG If there's one thing Australia does well across the country, it's live music — even now amid a global pandemic. After months of catching live tunes from our living rooms, it's time to chair-dance at IRL gigs once again. Sydney's Enmore Theatre, Mary's Underground, The Vanguard and Oxford Art Factory all have stellar lineups over the next few months and the annual Sydney Festival never disappoints. If you're in Queensland, or can make it up to the Sunshine State over summer, there are a bunch of COVID-Safe festivals going ahead, including To The Point Festival, This That, The Tivoli's Open Season and Mountain Goat Valley Crawl. Although Melbourne is still waiting for live gigs to come back, punters can see a live comedy show at The Catfish in Fitzroy and be sure to keep an eye out for gig announcements likely to come to a heap of Melbourne live music venues. HIT THE HIGH SEAS There's nothing like diving into the ocean when the mercury is rising. But, rather than just splash about by the shore, there are plenty of other ways you can hit the highs seas instead. Think paddleboarding, kayaking and surfing Sydney seas, or swimming with turtles and scuba diving with manta rays, which are particularly grand on the Queensland coast. While you're there, you should check out the southern hemisphere's first underwater art museum, too. Melbourne may not be known for its beaches, but you can chase plenty of nearby waterfalls instead, or take a windsurfing lesson at St Kilda Beach. Do what moves you this summer with Bacardi. Once you've ticked off all the above adventures, check out Bacardi's competition, where you and 20 mates could win the chance to attend Australia's smallest music festival. Top image: Bec Taylor
No one loves choosing between two of their favourite foods. Also, everyone likes pies. They're two of the truths behind Banjo's Bakery Cafe's range of culinary hybrids, and it has just come up with another: the spaghetti bolognese pie. After introducing Australian tastebuds to the lasagne pie and the double cheeseburger pie — plus Tasmanian scallop pies, bangers and mash pies, and chicken parmigiana pies, too — the Banjo's team has launched another Frankenstein's monster of a snack. Pastry is a feature, as usual. This time, though, it encases angel hair spaghetti and meaty bolognese sauce, and is then topped with melted cheese and parsley. Yes, they're exactly what they sound like. Yes, your tastebuds now want to devour them ASAP. Yes, being unable to think of anything else until you eat one of these creations is completely understandable. The aim: to satisfy your cravings when you just can't bring yourself to pick between a pie and some spag bog, obviously. If you're a little indecisive when it comes to choosing what to eat in general, you're probably already a big fan of food mashups that find ways to combine two popular dishes — so this is an easy must-try. The spaghetti bolognese pies have joined Banjo's signature range, alongside the aforementioned other creative varieties — but only for a limited time. They'll be available from the company's stores from today, Wednesday, June 8, as well as via online click-and-collect orders and delivery services. In NSW, you'll need to head north to Glendale to get your fix. In Victoria, stores are located in Mornington, Traralgon and Mildura. Queenslanders can pick from ten spots, including Darra, Cleveland, Park Ridge and Redcliffe, while pie-loving SA residents can hit up Glenelg — and there's 27 stores in Tasmania. Banjo's Bakery Cafe's spaghetti bolognese pie is on the menu at the chain's stores nationally from Wednesday, June 8. To find your nearest location, visit the company's website.
Australian beaches are pretty damn beautiful whichever way you look at them, but the scene on Tasmania's northwest coast at the moment pretty much takes the cake. Not content with just being the only place in Australia to catch a glimpse of Aurora Australis, Tassie has had another inexplicably luminescent natural phenomena appear — but this time, in the sea. An appearance of bioluminescent phytoplankton (otherwise known as sea sparkle, which is much more fun to say) have caused parts of the ocean to light up in an otherworldly bright blue on parts of the coast. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the sparkle was spotted near the town of Penguin over the weekend, while this shot was taken by Leanne Marshall a few beaches west at Rocky Cape. A post shared by Leanne Marshall (@leannemarshall) on Mar 13, 2017 at 12:35pm PDT Apparently the phytoplankton turn bright blue when threatened, so it's hard to say how long they'll stick around for. If you can't go algae-chasing on the Tassie coastline, here's some photos of the phenomena. A post shared by Brett Chatwin (@brett.chatwin) on Mar 12, 2017 at 9:50pm PDT A post shared by Sarah Kubank (@sarah_the_explorer_76) on Mar 13, 2017 at 6:34am PDT Via The Sydney Morning Herald. Image: Leanne Marshall via Instagram.
Stuart Ringholt wants to get you naked. He wants a lot of people to get naked, and then he wants them all to dance. In one of the most ambitious and downright exciting artistic happenings of recent years, Stuart Ringholt is transforming MUMA into a nude, daytime disco called 'Club Purple', and we couldn't be more excited about it. If you've seen anything by this artist, you'll know this is kind of his thing. He has cheeky, naked portraits on exhibition in Melbourne Now, he led an art show at MCA with mandatory nudity for all gallery-goers, and now he wants Melbournites to get into it, drop trou, and boogie. Needless to say, this will be a pretty unique experience. There will be solo dance days, mixed events, 'ladies days'; and to accompany the disco, there will be an enormous temporarily askew clock to disorient you further while in your fleshy dancing haze. For those that wish to intellectualise the work, Ringholt claims it comes from "try[ing] to understand how fear manifests in the body and how it debilitates you”. For those that are at one with the idea — enjoy. This kind of fun usually winds you up with an awkward run-in with the cops and a fine. Image: Stuart Ringholt, Anger Workshops 2008/12, courtesy the artist and Milani Gallery. Photo: Nick McGrath.
Hurdle Creek is typically known for its gins, such as the Powder Monkey Navy Strength Gin. It's a distinctive rye character crafted from triticale, malt and barley, and loaded with locally sourced botanicals, including pink peppercorns, cinnamon and eucalyptus leaves picked from the ribbon gum outside their Milawa-based stillhouse. But we'd predict most bougie dinner party guests would welcome its local take on the iconic French aniseed aperitif, pastis. Traditionally made with the root of liquorice, star anise and oh-la-la botanicals, Hurdle Creek has adapted the classic spirit starting with its own grain spirit, and have given it a true Australian character with the addition of native aniseed myrtle and mintbush. The cellar door is open on the Milawa property every day except Wednesday.
Australians have a heap of weird traditions. We call footwear thongs despite the rest of the world telling us that's inappropriate, we think cricket is thrilling, and we have developed an inexplicable taste for the wad of black salty tar that is Vegemite. But the more damaging traditions are the those that lay under the surface. When American artists Amy Stein and Stacy Arezou Mehrfar discovered what 'tall poppy syndrome' was they were shocked. The very idea of it, the singling out and destroying of the talented and strong, goes against so much of what America and many other cultures teach from birth — if you work hard and try to succeed in life, nothing can hold you back. Setting off across NSW in 2010, the pair of photographers sought to explore the phenomenon from its source — the people themselves. Their resulting series of work on display at Edmund Pearce this month offers an incredibly striking and composed look at this troubling subject. From the young to the old, these stark photographs express a strange medley of repressed and refined emotion that gets across the complexity well. After all, tall poppy syndrome isn't just about singling out the strong, it's also about the trusted underdog.
This is one of those ideas so infuriatingly superb that it invokes anxiety at the fact you're not already signed up for it. Of course this exists! Of course! Just like the invention of the cronut or the fact that you can now order liquor to your house, the fact that there is now a class to teach us to dance like Beyonce exists means that we are moving one step closer to utopia. A utopia fairly ruled by our divine and ever-present Queen Bey. Just off Sydney Road in Broken Mirror Studios, this class is led three times a week by dance teacher Lizzy Cahalan, a lady with a completely bootylicious background having performed in Bey-themed shows at Melbourne, Adelaide and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. With full routines being taught in six-week blocks, you will have the opportunity to not only successfully learn all the 'Single Ladies' routine to the envy of all your friends, but also get some bonus exercise. Alternatively, for those that followed the madness that was Beyonce in Brunswick, this may be a little way to let her legacy live on. Classes run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays weekly at 8pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm respectively. For more details, check the group's Facebook page or contact Liz via email.
All fascinating true-crime tales double as mysteries, exploring murky cases, following thorny leads, and asking questions that don't have easy or obvious answers. With ten-episode Australian podcast Blood Territory, listeners are in for all of the above, with the new Audible release not only delving into the death of 24-year-old Northern Territory man Jimmy O'Connell, but also chronicling his parents' fight to prove his convicted killer's innocence. Back in 2006, it was a murder that sparked many a headline, as you'd expect when a body is found mummified, mutilated and missing clothes in a dry creek bed in the Northern Territory — all, apparently, because of a fight over an esky. After O'Connell's best friend and fishing companion, 33-year-old Philip Mather, was tried and convicted for his death, the case sparked even more attention. Mather insists that his confession was coerced, and that he only plead guilty to avoid spending his whole life in jail. Astonishingly, O'Connell's mother and father believe him. An examination of a grisly murder that also ponders potential police corruption, as well as possible judicial prejudice against the NT's Indigenous peoples (Mather is himself an Indigenous Australian), Blood Territory isn't short on twists — or material for journalist Mark Whittaker to draw upon. Following the O'Connells' desperate quest for the truth, his podcast chats with family members, witnesses and professionals involved in the original case, sifts through new evidence, and dives deep into the legal complications surrounding Mather's conviction. It also proposes its own theory about Jimmy's death. "The Top End of Australia is notorious for hiding people, and secrets that don't want to be found — it's the perfect backdrop for such a cryptic story," explains Whittaker. "As the sequences of events and unusual characters are revealed, it becomes clear this is one of the strangest Aussie mysteries I've ever encountered." Blood Territory marks Audible's second Aussie true-crime podcast, after exploring the tale of a ghost-hunting Sydney security guard in Ghosthunter. Blood Territory is available now on Audible — for free until November 20 with an Audible account.
Comedians are among the most difficult people in the world to make laugh, which is why we always pay close attention to the winner of the Melbourne Comedy Festival's peer award. This year, the hotly contested Piece of Wood went to Anne Edmonds for her show You Know What I'm Like, which she's bringing back to the stage for a six-night-only run at Melbourne Fringe. Sharp observational humour and killer impressions are Edmonds' speciality, along with an occasional poignant anecdote pulled from her personal life. A very easy show to recommend. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Check out the other nine here.
Calvin Seibert just took a ten-day holiday in Hawaii. The good news for us is that we now have a fresh selection of jaw-droppingly amazing sand sculptures to marvel over (we last marvelled here). The New York-based artist is gaining a bit of a following thanks to his striking geometric designs, and the staggering level of patience it takes to construct them. Sometimes his creations resemble castles, but more often they cross over into a more imaginative realm and we see strangely shaped mountains, mysterious walled cities and futuristic landscapes. "Building 'sandcastles' is a bit of a test," says Seibert. "Nature will always be against you and time is always running out ... I rarely start with a plan, just a vague notion of trying to do something different each time. "When they are successful they don't feel contained or finished. They become organic machines that might grow and expand. I am always adding just one more bit and if time allowed I wouldn't stop." Like what you see? You can follow Seibert's work at his Flickr account.
It's been less than a month since Sydney hospitality giant Merivale revealed plans to open its first-ever venue outside of New South Wales, snapping up Flinders Lane site Tomasetti House. But the next phase of the group's expansion into Victoria has already begun, with CEO Justin Hemmes announcing Merivale has also purchased the historic Lorne Hotel on Wednesday, May 19. The well-known Great Ocean Road pub has almost 150 years under its belt, with previous owners John and Paul Upham at the helm for the past 11 years. While Merivale will receive the keys in the coming months, Hemmes has indicated The Lorne Hotel will operate as normal over summer. So, if the group is planning one of its legendary makeovers, it sounds like it won't be happening until at least next autumn. "The Lorne Hotel is an iconic venue in a truly spectacular location," Hemmes said in a statement. "We feel honoured to continue [John and Paul's] legacy and help usher the pub into the next phase of its incredible 145-year history". Merivale currently operates more than 60 venues across Sydney, including popular restaurants Totti's and Mr. Wong, pub stalwarts The Beresford and Vic on the Park, and expansive bars Ivy and Coogee Pavilion. The group's growth has been especially noticeable in recent years, with high-profile purchases including the likes of The Duke of Gloucester Hotel, Hotel Centennial and most recently, Norton's Irish Pub. [caption id="attachment_705112" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Merivale's Coogee Pavilion[/caption] Last year, Merivale copped criticism locally after announcing plans to expand its Merivale at Home delivery service to Melbourne, right at the height of the city's winter lockdown. One week later, after attracting disapproving responses from many of Melbourne's local and struggling hospitality businesses, it put the plans on hold — conceding the plans were "an oversight" in a statement to Concrete Playground. Merivale will take over The Lorne Hotel at 176 Mountjoy Parade, Great Ocean Road, Lorne later this year. Further plans are yet to be announced, but you can keep an eye out for future details at the Merivale website.
One of the surprise hits of 2009 was Ruben Fleischer's offbeat black comedy Zombieland, a violent yet somehow delightful (and even romantic) parody of zombie horror movies that perhaps even bettered Shaun of the Dead. Zombieland brought together a diverse cast, a sparkling script, and gorgeous cinematography to create something quite unlike anything else seen that year. Four years later, those same ingredients seemed in place for Fleischer's next film Gangster Squad, particularly in the casting, where a covetable blend of old (Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, and Josh Brolin) and new (Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, Anthony Mackie, Robert Patrick, Michael Pena, and Giovanni Ribisi) created a credits reel almost as long as The Hobbit. And yet, to paraphrase Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park, the principle of tiny variations can vastly affect an outcome. Goldblum's character called it 'chaos theory', and while Gangster Squad might not quite be chaotic, its imperfections are far more noticeable than those on Laura Dern's wrist. Moreover, and not unlike the mindless flesh-eating hordes in Zombieland, this film tends to feed off a collection of other, better, films in a desperate attempt to survive. It tells the 'based-on-a-true-story' story of '40s LA gangster Mickey Cohen (Penn), a boxer-turned-kingpin whose ambitions saw him aspiring to control all gambling operations across the entire US west coast. Cohen's power and influence rendered him altogether UNTOUCHABLE, with police and politicians either too corrupt or too afraid to stand against him. One good cop, however — war hero Sgt John O'Mara (Brolin) — refuses to lie down and watch his city fall into darkness. Deciding that Cohen represents a CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, he LA CONFIDENTIALLY forms a secret team of vigilante law enforcers and together those MAGNIFICENT SEVEN to take on Cohen at his own game. In short, Gangster Squad apes several other great stories to tell its story of how the only honest cop in LA turns into a vicious vigilante murderer and is then lauded for it. With shootings, bashings, and blowings-up on both sides of the war, the moral compass swings around so fiercely in this film it's surprising it doesn’t wholly take off. Visually, it's a delight to behold, with elaborate set pieces, sumptuous period costumes, and grand architecture giving it a glamorous sheen; however, it can't gloss over the hammy script and one-dimensional characters whose journey only goes from A to A.
Learning the ins and outs of wine isn't for everyone — some people simply don't care to know their syrah from their shiraz. But if you're the kind of drinker willing to decode numerous bottles' terroir, vintage and tasting notes to arrive at the perfect choice, Circl's Wine Masterclass Series might be tailor-made for you. On the back of big news — the venue just won the Wine List of the Year award for 2025 — this fortnightly series takes place on Friday evenings from 4–5.30pm, with each event on the schedule exploring different grapes, regions and producers. Plus, guests can expect sharp pairings with artisanal cheeses. Guided by Xavier Vigier, two-time winner of the Judy Hirst Award, awarded to the sommelier who curated Australia's Wine List of the Year, attendees will be learning from one of the best in the business. So, before long, you'll know how to identify standout wines and maybe even impress your pals (just don't overdo it). The next session in the series kicks off on Friday, October 17, with the magical white wines of the Loire Valley. Then, on Friday, October 31, you'll discover ever-diverse chardonnays from all over the globe. Looking ahead, the series wraps with unexpected yet outstanding burgundy varieties on Friday, December 5.
If riding home late at night in the cool air is your fave, you're in luck come the Saturday, January 28. It's the chosen date for the Melbourne's Ride the Night event, where you can pedal away merrily until the cows come home (or at least you get tired). Choose a 42-kilometre or 64-kilometre route around Melbourne's landmarks, deck yourself out in heaps of bright and loud-coloured things, and off you go — it's a long ride, but there'll be a sunrise brekky waiting for you at the end. You'll be riding to raise money and awareness for Youth Support & Advocacy Service, helping make futures of disadvantaged young people better. The ride officially starts at 11pm, but the Event Village in Albert Park will be buzzing with music and colour from 9pm. Not up to the ride that far past your bedtime? You can volunteer, too, and be in amongst the action without even working up a sweat. Image: Luca Campioni.
After boasting Australia's only run of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, then playing host to a natural history exhibition based on the Fantastic Beasts films, Victoria is set to enchant wannabe wizards and witches again — and muggles, too — with a new Harry Potter-themed experience in 2024. This time, you'll be walking around an illuminated woodland filled with nods to the Wizarding World, with Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience finally heading Down Under. Accio joy, clearly. Think: Lightscape, which is returning to Melbourne in 2024, but all about the world that's sprung up around the Boy Who Lived on the page, screen and stage. So, with Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience taking over The Briars, Mount Martha from Saturday, April 6, 2024, attendees will enjoy a nighttime stroll around a 230-hectare property an hour out of Melbourne. Entering the Forbidden Forest is clearly the big attraction, as lit up with dazzling lights, all while also spying creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies. A hippogriff will feature, as will nifflers and unicorns, plus the chance to pose for a photo mid-wand duel — and to summon up a patronus spell as well. Accordingly, you won't just be surrounded by all things Wizarding World after dark in a forest; you'll be joining in like every aspiring Hogwarts student has always wanted to. Sounds and special effects will also help bring the experience to life, as aided by award-winning behind-the-scenes folks. Expect to spend around 90 minutes being immersed in the all-ages event — plus however long you need at the onsite shop afterwards buying merchandise. That's part of the village at the end of the trail, where you'll also be able to grab a bite and something to drink. Wands crossed for butterbeer, obviously. Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience comes to Australia after seasons in the UK, Europe and the US, and a current stint in Singapore, with Warner Bros behind it just like the films and upcoming Harry Potter TV series. Also helping conjure up the fun is events platform Fever, adding to a recent Australian slate spanning Banksy and NBA exhibitions, plus the Unko Museum: The Kawaii Poop Experience. Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience will take over The Briars, Mount Martha, from Saturday, April 6, 2024, with tickets on sale from 9am AEDT on Wednesday, December 202, 2023 and the waitlist open now. Head to the event's website for further details.
Search for Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, The Jungle Book, Mulan and Cinderella on Disney+ and you don't just get one option. Thanks to the Mouse House's devotion to remaking its animated hits in live-action, viewers can watch versions brought to life with actors, too. Come April, search for Peter Pan and the same will apply, courtesy of the Jude Law (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore)-starring Peter Pan & Wendy. The first of Disney's do-overs for 2023, arriving before The Little Mermaid, this one is heading straight to streaming. There, it'll join Lady and the Tramp and Pinocchio, too, with both also bypassed cinemas. And, this take on JM Barrie's classic hails from a filmmaker with experience bringing animated fare to live with flesh and blood, with David Lowery also behind the gorgeous Pete's Dragon. Based on the just-dropped trailer, Peter Pan & Wendy's storyline goes heavy on the latter, as she meets that other titular figure, tiny fairy Tinker Bell and the Lost Boys. With her brothers, she's spirited off to Neverland, where Captain Hook awaits — listing off her full name like she's in trouble, in fact. Cast-wise, Ever Anderson — daughter of actor Milla Jovovich and filmmaker Paul WS Anderson, and also seen in the pair's Resident Evil: The Final Chapter — plays Wendy, while Alexander Molony (The Reluctant Landlord) gets flying as Peter. They're joined by Yara Shahidi (Grown-ish) as Tinker Bell, Joshua Pickering (A Discovery of Witches) and Jacobi Jupe (Cupid) as John and Michael Darling, and everyone from Molly Parker (Pieces of a Woman) and Alan Tudyk (Strange World) to Jim Gaffigan (Hotel Transylvania 4: Transformania). With Lowery coming to Peter Pan & Wendy fresh from The Green Knight, the first trailer for the former shares the latter's love of lush greenery — and memorable villains. Indeed, don't go expecting a dashing, debonair version of Law as Captain Hook. Lowery's version of Peter Pan aims to take cues from both the novel and Disney's animated adaptation. "We wanted to invigorate our retelling with emotional sincerity, an open heart, and a grand yearning for adventure. Hundreds of incredible artists spent many years bringing this film to the screen; I'm excited for audiences to see their work, to go on this ride, and to rediscover an evergreen tale from a new perspective," the filmmaker said. Check out the Peter Pan & Wendy trailer below: Peter Pan & Wendy will be available to stream via Disney+ from Friday, April 28.
Curating the perfect wine list is an oft-underrated skill. How do you balance pleasing the crowd while also pushing the envelope? Creating something far-reaching while still carving out an identity? Well, a group of Australian venues have been recognised at the international Star Wine List of the Year awards for 2023 for doing just that, with a Sydney bar taking out the top prize in one of the categories. The Star Wine List of the Year International Final took place in Stockholm in June, with Redfern's La Salut becoming the first-ever Australian venue to ever claim gold in one of its fields. The Cleveland Street haunt that specialises in Spanish and Catalonian wines, with an onus on minimal-intervention drops, was nominated for two different awards: Best Medium-Sized Wine List and the Special Jury Prize. While London's Michelin-starred Trivet took out the top mid-sized list gong for venues offering 200–600 wines, La Salut was crowned the champion in the Special Jury Prize. [caption id="attachment_860300" align="alignnone" width="1920"] La Salut, Dexter Kim[/caption] This award recognises "a venue that has done something extra with their wine list, such as the direction, the style or the value". La Salut beat out finalists from across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia to claim the prize, being praised for the exemplary spotlight it places on Spain's best vino and the storytelling it achieves through its curation. "It often feels like Spanish wine is largely ignored by wine-focused venues in Australia, which is a huge shame considering that Spain is currently producing some of the most exhilarating wine in the world," says La Salut co-owner Matt Swieboda. "I suppose our philosophy might be different to others in that we want to really push guests to try wine styles that they may never have had the opportunity to have tried." [caption id="attachment_658147" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Embla[/caption] Elsewhere, other Australian spots received nominations but didn't claim gold. Melbourne's Embla was nominated for the Best Short List for bars with under 200 wines, Bentley Restaurant & Wine Bar was nominated in the Grand Prix for bars with over 600 wines, and Perth's Rockpool Bar & Grill received nominations for both the best wine list with Austrian wines and Best Sparkling Wine List. A couple of regional favourites also picked up nominations, with Margaret River's Setter's Tavern recognised in the sustainability-focused category and Mornington Peninsula's Ten Minutes by Tractor earning some love in the Best By the Glass List category. You can start making plans for a few wine-fuelled nights around Australia — and abroad ‚ by browsing the full list of nominees and winners. [caption id="attachment_637744" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bentley Restaurant + Bar[/caption] For more information about the Star Wine List of the Year, head to the awards' website. Top image: Nikki To.
Just because you weren't alive when Woodstock left its mark on history, doesn't mean you can't help pay homage with a good old-fashioned revival. Which is exactly what's going down this Saturday, November 26, when Moorabbin's Morris Moor dives back in time for Woodstock Relived. A one-off music party fuelled by 60s and 70s rock classics, it'll have you partying out the day to hits from Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, The Who, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin and more. Reviving these retro tunes on stage will be a cast of local talent, including some legit legends — Frankie J Holden, Wilbur Wilde (of Jo Jo Zep and Ole '55 fame), The Two Man Band's Mike Brady ('Up there Cazaly'), Wendy Stapleton (Wendy & The Rocketts), Nikki Nicholls (Original John Farnham Band and Kylie Minogue backing vocalist) and Mick Pealing (Stars), just to name a few. Alongside the tunes, you'll catch live art installations, food trucks and pop-up bars, plus an array of market stalls to make your inner hippie swoon.
If you think it's too soon to start planning your New Year's Eve, you are sorely mistaken. There is no time to waste because nothing is as hot a commodity as a good view for NYE. You might think you have another week or two, but time is running out. So no more hesitation, no more delay. We have some inspiration for you right here, 13 venues, each with its own New Year's Eve celebration, each on sale now. Have a read to find the one for you, then get booking quicksmart. RIVERSIDE — YARRA BOTANICAL, HOPSCOTCH, THE WHARF HOTEL Should you fancy an evening by the river to close out 2023, there are three great picks by the Yarra we can recommend. First up is Yarra Botanical, the two-story eatery that quite literally rests upon the river. Book here and you'll get to enjoy four hours of bottomless bevs, canapés, charcuterie boards, live music and front-row seats to the fireworks. Tickets from $295pp. Tucked just behind Yarra Botanical is your second riverside option. Urban beer bar Hopscotch is also in a prime position to enjoy the explosive celebrations up close. Here you'll find a circus-themed soirée, with roaming canapés and charcuterie boards alongside bottomless drinks available from 8pm to midnight alongside roaming entertainment and live DJs. Tickets from $170pp. Our final pick for reveries by the river is The Wharf Hotel. Here, you'll find a truly epic riverside New Year's Eve shindig. Enjoy free-flowing drinks alongside the Yarra with a three-hour beverage package, plus roaming bites to snack on throughout the night. Feast your ears with live DJs from 9:30–12:30pm while being in a top spot to watch the fireworks. Tickets from $135pp. CBD — GARDEN STATE, STATE OF GRACE, MORRIS HOUSE, IMPERIAL BOURKE ST Away from the water but deeper into the heart of Melbourne lies institutions like Garden State — which is hosting a retro-themed party in the Rose Garden to close out 2023. With your outfit set to decades past, you'll enjoy bottomless bevvies, 90s-inspired canapés, live music and plenty of room to dance. Plus, once the fireworks have finished, you'll get VIP re-entry to boogie well into the new year. Tickets from $115pp. Head west on Flinders Street to the corner of King Street, and you'll find the State of Grace, a buzzing venue with a street-level restaurant, cellar bar and a rooftop space. The rooftop is where you'll find the celebrations. And what good is a NYE spent inside a cellar? With your ticket to festivities here, you'll enjoy a four-hour beverage package, roaming spritzes, complimentary canapés and roaming entertainment. Tickets from $170pp. Tracking northeast to Exhibition Street, you'll find Morris House, a multi-storey space that has reserved its leafy green rooftop for the evening. Doors open at 7pm, then DJs will bring the tunes all night, and free-flowing drinks will pour from 8pm. With the retractable roof, you can dance beneath the stars as the celebrations unfold. Your ticket includes four hours of selected drinks, plus a Bellini Hour from 8–9pm. Tickets from $180pp. Across the block at the Imperial Hotel is a similar arrangement. This is pub central, after all. The beloved Bourke Street pub is inviting guests to the rooftop for a front-row seat to the fireworks, a four hour drinks package of beer, wine and spirits with roaming canapés from 8pm–midnight. Listen to live music from 7–10pm, then a DJ from 10pm–1am to party like it's 2024. Tickets from $179pp. ST KILDA — HOTEL ESPLANADE AND VILLAGE BELLE Hopping across down into the bay, there are two great picks for NYE found within St Kilda that are perfect if you'd prefer to steer clear of the CBD crowds. First is Hotel Esplanade, where every corner is transforming into a haven of gourmet delights, craft cocktails, and endless entertainment. From 8:30pm to midnight, enjoy roaming snacks and unlimited drinks with the Main Bar Bites & Bevs package. Keep the night going with a stellar lineup of DJs and hit the dance floor. Tickets from $150pp. Across St Kilda is The Village Belle, the old-school bistro packed with 2020s charm. Here you can indulge in a three-hour beverage package that promises to keep your glass full and spirits high, complimented with delectable roaming canapés. And well suited to the spirit of the occasion, DJs and live entertainment will keep you partying all the way to 2024. Tickets from $89pp. RICHMOND AND SOUTH YARRA — THE SMITH, HARLOW, TERMINUS HOTEL, FARGO AND CO Heading east back into the heart of town, twin riverside suburbs Richmond and South Yarra have quite the list of offerings. The Smith on High Street might be hosting the sassiest event of the day with performances by the fabulous drag performers Jawbreakers & friends. The shows will happen in two-hour sessions at 2pm and 5pm. Enjoy a 2023-themed cocktail on arrival, then indulge in bottomless bevs and tasty tapas into 2024. Tickets from $85pp. Across the Yarra on Church Street is The Harlow, where you'll find four levels of fun for NYE. You'll get access to four hours of endless bevs and roaming canapés on the rooftop. The uninterrupted city vistas make this a top viewing spot for the fireworks. And of course, the DJ is spinning decks until 3am in the basement. Tickets from $179pp. Up on the north end of Richmond is a spot that's as classic as Melbourne pubs come. The Terminus has been serving the festive season since 1866. That celebratory spirit hasn't lost its shine over the years. Dive into 2024 with a three-hour drinks package and delicious roaming canapés from 8–11pm, sing along to live music from 7pm–10pm, and dance your way into the new year with the resident DJ. Tickets from $89pp. Finally, in the heart of Richmond, Fargo and Co, a cocktail bar with a crime caper aesthetic and killer attitude to match its namesake film (and television series). The offering to end your year with a bang stands tall at Fargo with a four-hour drinks package available from 7–11pm, giving you the chance to sip your way through the standout offering of tap beer, wines and cocktails. Tickets from $89pp. For more information on venues and events with Australian Venue Co, visit the website.
When Walt Disney Animation Studios had Dwayne Johnson sing a ridiculously catchy tune that was penned by Lin-Manuel Miranda in 2016's Moana, it gave itself the perfect response to all the love thrown the film's way. Adore the movie? You're welcome. Can't stop crooning its songs? You're also welcome. Excited about the just-confirmed sequel that'll hit cinemas in November 2024? What can the Mouse House say except... yes, "you're welcome" again. Disney has announced that Moana 2 is on its way to the big screen before the year is out, on November 27 in the US. Down Under, films usually release on Thursdays, which would make it November 28; however, the exact local date is yet to be revealed. It'll be another animated musical, and both Moana and Maui will return — and there's also a first-look announcement video. [caption id="attachment_940041" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moana[/caption] Story-wise, the feature will see its namesake take to the seas of Oceania to answer the call from her ancestors, which is where new characters will come in. Who they'll be and who'll be voicing them hasn't yet been revealed. Neither has whether Johnson (Fast X) will be back as Maui and Auli'i Cravalho (Mean Girls) as Moana. In the director's chair: Dave Derrick Jr, who was a storyboard artist on the original Moana. And on music duties this time are singer-songwriter Abigail Barlow, composer Emily Bear (Dog Gone), Opetaia Foa'i (returning from the first film) and Mark Mancina (also back from the initial movie). Whether Miranda is involved again also hasn't been mentioned. [caption id="attachment_940042" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moana 2[/caption] "This was originally developed as a series, but we were impressed with what we saw and we knew it deserved a theatrical release," said Disney CEO Bob Iger, announcing the sequel in the company's first-quarter earnings call for 2024. "The original Moana film from 2016 recently crossed one-billion hours streamed on Disney+ and was the most streamed movie of 2023 on any platform in the U.S." Moana 2 is one of two new Moana movies in the works, with a live-action adaptation of the first Moana also on the way — and with Johnson starring. "Along with the live-action version of the original film that's currently in development, Moana remains an incredibly popular franchise," continued Iger. Check out the announcement video for Moana 2 below: Moana 2 will release in Australian and New Zealand cinemas in November 2024 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced. Read our interview with Jemaine Clement about Moana.
When the pandemic started impacting events in 2020, Dark Mofo was one of the first to scrap its plans for the year. So, when festival organisers said that they'd be forging ahead in 2021, it was welcome news for fans of its weird, wonderful, distinctive and attention-grabbing programs. There's a difference between pushing boundaries and completely misjudging them, though, as the Tasmanian fest has discovered in the past few days. Accordingly, after revealing its first artwork for the 2021 festival, Dark Mofo has now announced that the piece will no longer go ahead. The backlash to the event's first program reveal for this year hasn't been surprising. In a piece called Union Flag, Spanish artist Santiago Sierra was planning to immerse a British flag in the blood of First Nations peoples from territories colonised by the British Empire. Yes, that sounds ill-thought-out, as well as immensely tone deaf and traumatic — as did the accompanying request for First Nations peoples to donate their blood for the artwork. Dark Mofo announced its plans for Union Flag on Saturday, March 20, and received calls for it to be cancelled the same day. Again, that should surprise absolutely no one. Nor should the fact that those calls have only grown since the weekend — as you'd expect given that the project asks First Nations peoples to literally spill their blood, and for a piece of art that purports to comment on a painful colonial history of being forced to do just that. Today, Tuesday, March 23, Dark Mofo Creative Director Leigh Carmichael has announced that Union Flag has been scrapped, and also issued an apology. "We've heard the community's response to Santiago Sierra's Union Flag. In the end the hurt that will be caused by proceeding isn't worth it," Carmichael said. "We made a mistake, and take full responsibility. The project will be cancelled. We apologise to all First Nations people for any hurt that has been caused. We are sorry." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dark Mofo (@dark_mofo) The news comes just a day after Carmichael issued a statement supporting the piece. Yesterday, on Monday, March 22, Carmichael said that Dark Mofo had "been overwhelmed with responses to Santiago Sierra's Union Flag by Indigenous and non-Indigenous people from around the world, but that "self-expression is a fundamental human right, and we support artists to make and present work regardless of their nationality or cultural background." Dark Mofo will announce its 2021 program — without Union Flag — in April. Dark Mofo will run from Wednesday, June 16–Tuesday, June 22 in Hobart, Tasmania. For further details, head to the festival's website. Top image: Lusy Productions.
For a country that's girt by sea, as our anthem reminds us, Australia has become rather obsessed with waves of the man-made kind of late. The Sunshine Coast was supposed to be getting a wave pool that hasn't yet come to fruition, work on URBNSURF's 2.1-hectare space near the Melbourne airport has already begun — targeting an April 2019 opening — and a 3.2-hectare Sydney spot was approved late last year. Indeed, 'who needs real beaches?' seems to be the current line of thinking. If a regional Queensland surf park that's set to become operational this year proves a success, we could all living out at Point Break dreams at more places — called Surf Lakes, it's actually a prototype facility designed to give a new kind of technology a whirl. Located near Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast, the park is built around a central mechanism that sends waves from the middle of the 200-metre by 150-metre lake towards the edge. With the water lapping over eight distinctive breaks, it'll produce 2400 surfable waves per hour. [caption id="attachment_676066" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Surf Lakes[/caption] Surf Lakes also has some high-profile support, with Aussie surfers Mark Occhilupo and Barton Lynch the park's two ambassadors. More than just lending his encouragement to the project, Occy is lending a hand on an attraction called Occy's Peak, The Morning Bulletin reports. It's a barrelling break that'll range up to 2.4 metres high — the park record — and span across 60 metres. The full-scale demo site is currently to slated to be up-and-running around August, according to Stab Magazine; however don't go booking a trip to central Queensland just yet. At present, it'll be run as a test facility for media and folks who might be interested in licensing the idea for other parks, although there are plans to open to the public at a later date.
Summer has to come to an end at some point, and for The Queen Victoria Market's ever-popular summer series — The Night Market — that end is just a few short weeks away. The food, the tunes and the nighttime revelry will all wrap up on Wednesday, April 11, rounding out a huge 21-week season for the warm weather favourite. And, having welcomed over half a million visitors since kicking off on November 15, The Night Market is going extra large for these final two iterations. Taking the stage on Wednesday, April 4, will be family-friendly crew The Mik Maks, and seven-piece brass outfit Horns of Leroy, while on April 11, you'll enjoy sounds from both Babaganoush and singer-songwriter Cooper Lower. A swag of free activities and a dedicated play zone will keep the school holiday set entertained on both dates, while the food offering will bring back some of the season's best-loved culinary gems. Expect to chow down on the likes of Southside Smokers' pulled pork, soft-shell crab rolls from Pickett's Deli & Rotisserie, and steamed buns from Wonderbao. As always, the bar will be repping an all-Aussie lineup, pouring treats from Coopers, Melbourne Gin Company, Pimm's, Running Bull Sangria and Coldstream Apple Cider. For more information about the market's last two weeks, head to the website.
We've said it before. We'll say it again. There really is an international day for every single food, and this time around, it's International Falafel Day. In the time-honoured cuisine-celebrating manner, that means a free lunch. While the actual occasion doesn't hit until Tuesday, June 15, Just Falafs is bringing it forward by a day to pair their giveaway with the public holiday. Drop by North Fitzroy between 2-5pm on Monday, June 14 and all your dreams will come true — as long as said dream involves chowing down on a classic pita stuffed with falafel (of course), plus pickled cabbage, Israeli salad, hummus and tahini. Yes, that makes it not only a free lunch but a free vegan lunch. Yes, your wallet and your stomach will thank you for heading along.
Two friends meet for a beer. Which are you? The one who pulls out a chair, sits down and starts checking who's been 'totes amazed' by your status update since you jumped off the train ten minutes ago, or the other, looking around, feigning fascination with the pub decor, muttering passive aggressive incantations under your breath? Whether you're the connectivity addict or the addict's tortured friend, you'll be pleased to know that a remedy is nigh. It involves drinking more beer and sitting close together. Brazilian beer company Polar has invented a beer holder that not only keeps your beverage cold but also blocks any 3G or 4G signal within a 1.5m radius. 'Share a Polar Beer, not a link', suggests the ad campaign. The product of collaboration with communications agency Paim, the device employs a scaled-down version of the technology that prevents prisoners from connecting via cell from their, ah, cells. Previous attempts to discourage mobile phone obsession have included an oddly shaped beer glass (also a Brazilian invention) and the designation of 'cell phone areas' in Los Angeles restaurant Bucato. The big question is: will the Polar 'cell phone nullifier' actually boost conversation, or merely cause people to stand further apart (at least 1.5m from their beers, that is)? Via PSFK.
When Shane Delia's celebrated CBD restaurant Maha reopens this week, it'll also show off an impressive new addition. Namely, a snacks and cocktails-focused outdoor pop-up known as Layla. Yep — the stretch of Bond Street outside Maha will temporarily close to traffic and be reimagined as a COVID-safe hospitality space, playing host to this playful marquee site that's set to become Melbourne's new Mediterranean and Middle Eastern summertime haunt of choice. Slated to make its grand debut as Maha reopens next Wednesday, November 11, Layla is here to cure a few of those travel cravings, serving up the kind of vibe you'd be revelling in on some far-flung overseas holiday. Expect a different focus and energy here to the classic Maha offering, or even to siblings Maha Bar and Maha East, beginning with a fixed-price Middle Eastern brunch, served yum cha-style from 9.30am on weekends. Doing the rounds will be small plates starring the likes of kataifi-wrapped haloumi with fennel seed honey, or perhaps an assembly of fried eggs, burnt sesame butter, challah and sujuk. Eats are matched with a rotation of fresh juices and luxe picks from an impressive champagne menu, plus four-legged pals are allowed to join the brunch festivities. Outside of brunch, the revelry continues with mezze showcasing that trademark Delia flair, along with upbeat tunes and Middle Eastern-inspired cocktails. Think, hibiscus spritz, a sumac-infused pink negroni, and the za'atar margarita blending Alipus mezcal with grapefruit, lime and spices. You'll be able to book a table at Layla via Maha's website (online from Wednesday, November 4), although there'll be some space set aside for walk-ins as well. Find Layla at Bond Street, Melbourne from Wednesday, November 11. It'll open from 5pm Wednesday–Friday and from 9.30am Saturday–Sunday.
Pull out that old Discman, break out the cargo pants and start practising your smoothest early noughties dance moves — the pop tour of your wildest teenage dreams is hitting Aussie shores this summer and it's got more stars than a TV Hits sticker collection. Next January and February, the inaugural So Pop festival is set to deliver a huge serve of nostalgia to stadiums across the country, pulling together an extra juicy lineup of old-school icons, headlined by none other than Aqua and Vengaboys. Stages in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Auckland will be transported back to the 90s and 00s for one glorious night each, playing host to the pop-drenched soundtrack of your youth. Heading up the show are Danish group Aqua, who promise to leave tunes like 'Barbie Girl' and 'Doctor Jones' firmly wedged in your head, and from the Netherlands, Vengaboys, with party-starting smash hits like 'Boom Boom Boom Boom!!' and 'We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)' — and none other than Lou Bega with, of course, 'Mambo No.5'. Relive more of the glory days with sounds from Irish legends B*Witched — who gifted us with the likes of 'C'est La Vie' and 'Rollercoaster' — UK heroes Blue, of 'All Rise' fame. Italy's Eiffel 65, dance pop act Mr. President ('Coco Jambo'), the USA's Outhere Brothers and The Netherlands' 2 Unlimited ('No Limit', 'Get Ready') round out the throwback showdown. SO POP 2019 DATES Perth — HBF Stadium on Wednesday, January 30 Sydney — Qudos Bank Arena on Friday, February 1 Melbourne — Melbourne Arena on Saturday, February 2 Adelaide — Entertainment Centre on Sunday, February 3 Auckland — Spark Arena on Tuesday, February 5 Brisbane — Eaton Hills Outdoor on Saturday, February 9 So Pop pre-sale tickets are up for grabs — on the concert's very retro website — for 24 hours from 11am AEDT this Thursday, October 11, while the rest are on sale from 10am AEDT on Tuesday, October 16.
Lygon Street's Heartattack and Vine has become a firm favourite of Carlton's ever-evolving food scene, equally adored for its lunchtime sangas as for its cicchetti (Venetian-style snacks) and Euro-accented drinks offering. And now, the team behind it have unleashed another certain winner on this inner-city locale, today unveiling new venue Sunhands. Gracing the nearby corner site once home to IMA Project Cafe, this one takes the form of a cafe, wine bar, deli and grocer all rolled into one. It builds on the strong sense of support for local businesses and suppliers that co-owners Ishella Butler, Matt Roberts and Nathen Doyle honed while steering Heartattack and Vine through the pandemic. To that end, Sunhands promises to be not just a laidback local's haunt, but a staunch champion of local goodness; from the ingredients showcased through the menu to the products on the shelves. You'll even find commissioned artwork by Poppy Templeton (aka Duck Ragu) and many pieces by Melbourne ceramicist Kelly Grenhalgh featured throughout the venue. Currently open from 10am–3pm with plans to expand into a dinner service later in autumn, it's a relaxed spot for brunching, snacking and everything in between. A fuss-free fitout by Toby Hudson Carpentry and Sans-Arc works to keep the spotlight on the produce, while creating a light-filled space you'll be more than happy to settle into. Head Chef Pat Drapac (Bar Romantica, Old Palm Liquor) is behind the produce-driven menu, peppered with offerings from the likes of Day's Walk Farm, Chasney Estate, sustainable seafood supplier Two Hands and the ferment pioneers at Hobart's Rough Rice. It's an oft-changing lineup that might see you starting your day with a dippy egg and sourdough soldiers, or the loaded breakfast platter, while lunchbreakers will be lured by the daily range of salads and deli-style sandwiches. There's a rotating curation of cheese and charcuterie; drink-friendly snacks such as pickled octopus, baked ricotta and oysters with a mignonette; and an Afternoon Plate piled high with house pickles, ferments, bread and various goodies from the deli fridge. Of course, the same local love spreads throughout the drinks list, with a changing selection of vino to hero drops from the likes of Mise en Place, Patrick Sullivan, Jumping Juice and Doyle's own label, Upside Wine. Sit in over a glass or two, or grab a bottle for home. There's also coffee courtesy of Wide Open Road, a handful of considered non-alcoholic sips and a tidy crop of classic cocktails rounding out the fun. Find Sunhands at 169 Elgin Street, Carlton. It's currently open from 10am–3pm Tuesday to Sunday, with hours to be extended shortly. Images: Nicholas Wilkins
After a hefty two-year hiatus, one of the bright sparks of Melbourne's frosty winter has made its way back onto the social calendar. Queen Victoria Market's beloved Winter Night Market is heating up your hump day schedule from June 1–August 31. From 5pm every Wednesday, the QVM is transformed into the kind of winter wonderland worth getting excited about, tempting you off the couch with a cosy program of street food, pop-up bars, live entertainment and artisan market stalls. As always, it's serving up a tantalising assortment of street eats each week, with a huge array of food vendors repping dishes from all corners of the world. Get excited for the likes of That's Amore's cheese wheel pasta, 400 Gradi's woodfired pizza, piping-hot bao buns, loaded burgers, soups served in giant bread rolls, Casa Nata's famed Portuguese tarts and stacks more. All perfectly paired with warming sips like mulled wine, hot gin toddies, spiked Milo cocktails and spiced cider. You'll also be kept entertained with a rotation of live gigs and roving performers; after all, what better way to warm your cockles and work off a big serve of cacio e pepe, than a cheeky dance floor session? If you're a longtime fan, you'll know market stalls are also a big part of the offering here. This year, expect as vast a lineup as ever, with vendors slinging everything from jewellery and art, to skincare, homewares and books.
You can always count on Hunter S. Thompson for memorable epigrams and useful life lessons. The same man who pioneered Gonzo journalism, penned Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas and requested that he have his ashes fired out of a cannon has always been good for a bit of advice. And as an inveterate drinker and connoisseur of a range of substances, he tended to know what he was talking about. Since his suicide in 2005, various bits and pieces have posthumously emerged from the Thompson archive, most recently with Playboy's publication of its entire correspondence with him during the 1960s and 70s. This, of course, was when Playboy was a little bit classy, and included writings from Vladimir Nabokov, Kurt Vonnegut, Anne Sexton and Saul Bellow amongst its pictures of scantily-clad women. Found amidst the papers was Thompson's hangover cure, undated and scrawled on stationary from the Beverly Hills Hotel. The cure reads: "P.S. — inre: Oui's request for "my hangover cure" — it's 12 amyl nitrites (one box), in conjunction with as many beers as necessary. OK H." That's right kids, it's beer and amyl nitrate that will really kill that throbbing in your skull. According to Hunter S. Thompson, anyhow. If you want to check out the rest of his Playboy correspondence you can do it here. [Via Gawker]
Despite Australian supermarkets' current two-item limits, trying to get your hands on — and covered in — sanitiser is much harder than it should be at present. The liquid disinfectant is on everyone's must-buy list, leaving empty supermarket shelves seemingly everywhere. Luckily, a bunch of Australian distilleries are using their booze to make the now-essential product. It makes sense, because alcohol is a crucial ingredient in sanitiser — especially ones that are effective against COVID-19. So, next time you slather your hands with sanitiser, you could be covering them with your favourite booze, too. Meaning there's now no excuse not to clean your hands, you detty pigs. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. MANLY SPIRITS CO Normally, north Sydney's Manly Spirits Co makes gin, vodka, whisky and liqueurs. Of course, these aren't normal times, so it's using its high-grade gin to whip up its own sanitiser. So, if you're wanting to disinfect your hands and smell like botanicals, now you can. Understandably, that's likely to make you thirsty, so the company is making 50 millilitre bottles available for free with every Manly Spirits Co bottle of spirits purchased, which can be ordered here. To discourage stockpiling, however, there is a limit of one free sanitiser per person. Plus, it's supplying its Manly Spirits Hand Sanitiser with Gin Aroma to local community groups, charities and organisations in larger five-litre sizes, to assist with their crucial operations. MR BLACK COFFEE LIQUEUR Fans of caffeinated booze can look forward to freshening their fingers with their preferred tipple thanks to Mr Black's new hand sanitiser. The distillery has made thousands of bottles and you can grab a maximum of two 500 millilitre bottles, for $19.95 each, plus a $10 flat-rate national shipping fee. It's also donated bottles of its A-class sani to a bunch of charities, medical centres and COVID-19 testing clinics. The hand sanitiser is made using a World Health Organisation recipe with 80 percent ethanol, and as bottles don't come with a pump they're designed to be used as refills. While currently out of stock, Mr Black will be adding more early next week and you can join a waitlist over here. And if you decide to invest in some actual coffee liqueur while you're on the site — the OG ($60), single-origin ($75) and amaro ($80) versions are all for sale, as is the most adorable 50-millilitre bottle ($5.99) — or some sweet merch, and spend over $80, you'll get free shipping. BRIX DISTILLERS Sydney's only rum distillery has also jumped on the sanitiser wagon — and selling twin-packs of 300-millilitre bottles for $34. While you're on the site, you can nab a bottle of white, gold or spiced rum; a mix-your-own espresso martini pack; or barrel-aged rum negroni from these guys, too. Plus, Brix is offering $10 off and free shipping on its core range of rums. Nab your booze and sani over here. CAPE BYRON DISTILLERY Premium spirits slinger Cape Byron Distillery is turning its awarded Brookie's Byron Gin into a natural hand and surface sanitiser. Made with 70 percent ethanol, gin byproducts, filtered spring water, aloe vera and citrus, this hand cleaner is also scented with lime and gin botanicals, so your hands will smell like a G&T. As well as supplying large containers of the stuff to local medical centres, doctors, hospitals and care workers, 500-millilitre bottles are also available for purchase via Cape Byron's website for a reasonable $14.99. ARCHIE ROSE The much-loved Rosebery distillery has reallocated its spirits production capacity to hand sanitiser. And in doing so, it's been able to keep majority of its staff in a job. Unsurprisingly, Archie Rose's sanitiser sold out in an instant, but you can pre-order a 500-millilitre bottle via the website. The latest release will leave Archie Rose's facilities the week of April 27, so hopefully you have some in the cupboard for the meantime. ANIMUS DISTILLERY Located in Victoria's Macedon Ranges, Animus is known for its small-batch gins and is using its distillery to now make sanitiser. A 100-millilitre bottle will only cost you $10 and is available for purchase online or pick up in person at the distillery. To discourage hoarding, there's a six-bottle limit per person. You can feel good about buying it, too, with 50 percent of all profits being used to subsidise access to sanitiser for those in need. POOR TOMS GIN Need to restock your gin supply? Poor Toms is still delivering its goods — and it's throwing in a free bottle of its hand sani with any gin purchase. But only for a limited time, so best be quick. As the distillery is supplying frontline healthcare professionals, the botanical-scented sanitiser is not available for retail sale. So, nab yourself some of its classic, strawberry-infused or Fool's Cut gin and maybe throw in a bottle of its amaro, too, and you'll receive 200 millilitres of high-grade, limited-edition sanitiser. It's only $10 shipping across Australia. Available online.
Every three years, the Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) and Queensland Art Gallery take stock of their place in the world. From their riverside stretch of South Brisbane, the neighbouring art institutions are keenly aware of the importance of celebrating not only the city's creativity, but that of the country and the Asia-Pacific region as well. That's exactly what the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art is all about, and has been since 1993. The huge multi-gallery exhibition highlights the wealth of artistic treasures crafted in our own backyard — from the skyscrapers to the suburbs, the outback to the ocean, and the heart of Australia to the sprawl of neighbouring Asian cities. Marking its ninth event and running until April 28, 2019, the latest APT takes its task seriously. There's so much excellent art from the region to showcase, and so many talented artists as well. Indeed, the numbers paint one of the exhibition's biggest pictures, with the 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art featuring more than 400 artworks by over 80 individuals, collectives and groups. If you're wondering which of APT9's pictures, paintings, sculptures, videos, installations and more that you should see at the free exhibition, we've singled out six must-sees. [caption id="attachment_700271" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Gary Carsley 'Purple Reign'. APT9 Kids. GOMA 1.4. Installation view.[/caption] 'PURPLE REIGN' BY GARY CARSLEY Ignore GOMA's Children's Art Centre at your peril. The home of Yayoi Kusama's Obliteration Room every time that it comes to town, it's a space where art and interactivity combine for big and little kids alike. For APT9, it's overflowing with something that (basically) everyone loves: jacarandas. Most of Brisbane has just been blossoming with the distinctive purple flowers, but here they're taking over the walls. This piece is called Purple Reign for a reason (and not just to make a great Prince pun). As inspired by R Godfrey Rivers's painting Under the jacaranda 1903, visitors play with touch screens and video to explore the gorgeous blooms, which brighten up nearly every surface in the room. [caption id="attachment_700275" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] ALBAIQUNI Zico. Indonesia, b. 1987. When it Shook - The Earth stood Still (After Pirous) 2018. Oil on canvas. 200 x 120 cm. Courtesy: The artist and Yavuz Gallery.[/caption] THE WORK OF ZICO ALBAIQUNI In a huge exhibition designed to catch many an eye — both as a whole, and via its individual artworks — some of APT9's most vibrant pieces take art aficionados to Indonesia. More than that, they delve into the country's landscape and history — but not quite how you might expect. That's what artist Zico Albaiquni does, with exploring his country's traditions, its time under Dutch colonial rule and the state of the environment today all part of his practise. Working at the larger end of the scale, his paintings envelop viewers with their size, their scale and with their use of design, as well as with their almost forceful (and definitely attention-grabbing) use of colour. [caption id="attachment_700270" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] CAO Fei. Beijing, China b. 1978. Asia One 2018. HD video installation: 63:20 minutes, sound, colour, ed. 2/7 (edition TBC). Collection: Queensland Art Gallery.[/caption] 'ASIA ONE' AND '11.11' BY CAO FEI Every room holds a treasure at APT9, particularly the darkened corner of GOMA where Cao Fei's video works play on a loop. The Chinese artist is particularly interested in a topic that's beginning to monopolise cinematic pieces from the region: the changing way of life that's accompanying China's rapid modernisation. For both narrative effort Asia One and documentary 11.11, she steps inside the logistics hub of online retailer JD.com, exploring today's daily reality and pondering the intersection of humanity and technology in the future. And while the videos are worth watching alone, the exhibition's staging helps draw you in — you'll feel like you're in a warehouse rather than a gallery. [caption id="attachment_700273" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] "On the second day, Saturday, your three minutes..."Art Basel HK Encounter, 2017, performance/installation[/caption] 'ON THE SECOND SATURDAY, YOUR THREE MINUTES' BY JOYCE HO Need a rest, art lovers? Fancy sitting down and contemplating everything that you've seen? Thanks to Joyce Ho's addition to the exhibition, you'll find two lines of seats ready and waiting. This isn't about getting cosy, however, with the seats set up in separate spaces that resemble waiting rooms. There are no magazines or muted TVs here, but rather a mirrored window between the two chambers. Plonk yourself down on either side, and you'll spy both your reflection and the ghostly image of whoever happens to be sitting opposite, with the two combining in quite the striking and memorable fashion. [caption id="attachment_700267" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, GOMA, The 9th Asia and Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT9), Exhibition no. 2018.05.Organisation Queensland Art Gallery, Start date 24 November 2018. End date 28 April 2019. Installation view.[/caption] 'UNTITLED (GIRAN)' BY JONATHAN JONES Nearly 2000 sculptures comprise Australian artist Jonathan Jones' piece, which spans across an entire wall. It's the kind of artwork that stuns from afar, making you step back to appreciate its full glory, while simultaneously inviting you closer to investigate its exceptional detail. Curved in appearance and with feathers featuring prominently, it's designed to resemble birds flying on the wind, although each individual element is actually one of six different types of tool. Made with family and Wiradjuri community members from raw materials, and crafted in collaboration with elder Dr Uncle Stan Grant Snr, it instantly conveys the movement and change that comes with the breeze — and turning an already evocative static piece into an immersive installation, it's also accompanied by sounds of the wind, bird calls, breathing and the Wiradjuri language. [caption id="attachment_700272" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. QAG Watermall. The 9th Asia and Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT9). Exhibition no. 2018.05. Organisation Queensland Art Gallery. Start date 24 November 2018. End date 28 April 2019. Installation view.[/caption] 'MY FOREST IS NOT YOUR GARDEN' BY DONNA ONG AND ROBERT ZHAO RENHUI A sea of green above a pool of water sounds like everyone's ideal of blissful eye candy. At APT9, it's Donna One and Robert Zhao Renhui's contribution to the fold, as found in QAG's already peaceful and serene Watermall. Walk across the platform above the indoor pond, and plenty of plants await, although these aren't any old potted pieces. They're actually a mixed-media assemblage that makes a statement about the use of nature in both Chinese and European art, with each one littered with tiny animals. Plus, while you're wandering through this leafy part of the exhibition, you'll also be able to see Kawayan de Guia's bright wall of works — a mashup of pop culture images and references to Filipino politics — in front of it. The 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art runs until April 28, 2019 at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, South Brisbane. Top image: CAO Fei. Beijing, China b. 1978. Asia One 2018. HD video installation: 63:20 minutes, sound, colour, ed. 2/7 (edition TBC) Collection: Queensland Art Gallery.
Francophiles know there's something inherently romantic about the Parisian lifestyle, shown to us Aussies through countless rom-coms and years of Instagram pics of proposals by the Eiffel Tower. Everyone knows at least one person who has spent their winter months chasing the European sun, coming home with tales of wandering the streets of Paris looking for the perfect croissant and weekenders in the French countryside. Alas, it's not that time of year right now and you're (presumably) not in that part of the world either. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to embrace the French lifestyle and make the most of the spectacular Australian summer in your own backyard. We've partnered with French vodka Grey Goose, to show you how to live like a Parisian in your own city this summer. [caption id="attachment_697085" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Marcie Raw[/caption] START THE DAY WITH CROISSANTS Of course, one of the best things about being in Paris is strolling down to a market in the morning and carefully selecting a fresh croissant made from an old family recipe. The flaky, buttery treats are perfect for an easy brekkie on the go before a day of sightseeing or shopping, or perched in a window table with an espresso accompaniment. Thankfully, we've got some truly talented pastry chefs down in this part of the world, too. In Melbourne, you'll find internationally renowned croissants at Lune in Fitzroy and on Collins Street in the CBD; head to Flour and Stone in Woolloomooloo for some of Sydney's best pastries; while in Brisbane you can find scrumptious croissants all around town at Le Bon Choix. [caption id="attachment_753173" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr/Creative Commons/Tim Green[/caption] SIGN UP FOR A FRENCH LANGUAGE CLASS Parlez-vous francais? Non? True Parisians won't speak English if they don't have to, so why not sign up for a French language class this summer (or as your 2020 goal) and become a worldly bilingual? Alliance Francais — a network of not-for-profit organisations aimed at promoting French language and culture — has chapters in all capital cities and major regional hubs, which all run a bunch of different courses that will have you speaking like a Parisian in no time. If nightmares of your high school language classes still haunt you, it'll be comforting to know that Alliance Francais' classes are small and casual, and they run a variety of social events and workshops, such as Melbourne's weekly Vin and Fromage night. [caption id="attachment_737107" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Formaggi Ocello[/caption] GRAB LUNCH FROM A FROMAGERIE Cheese, but make it fancy. Surry Hills' Formaggi Ocello has Sydneysiders covered, with the cheese specialist stocking more than 200 varieties, from French classics to lesser-known imports, plus everything you need for a truly impressive cheese board. Pop in any time for a nibble and a tipple, sign up for one its monthly cheese and wine tasting nights or stop by from 4pm for an aperitif, where you get a free cheese tasting plate with your glass of wine. In Melbourne, La Parisienne Pates is a French deli that has been specialising in traditional smallgoods for more than 20 years. At its Carlton and South Yarra cafes, you'll find rare cheeses that you'd struggle to find elsewhere in Australia, plus gourmet charcuterie delicacies and French pastries made the old-fashioned way. Up in Brisbane, market favourite turned Morningside store Le Fromage Yard will help make all your cheese dreams come true. TAKE YOUR GREY GOOSE X MAISON LABICHE TOWEL TO THE BEACH In honour of the small celebrations we have in the summer, such as catching up with friends, and making the most of the outdoors, Grey Goose and French fashion label Maison Labiche have extended their annual Riviera collaboration into a collection of fashion and travel pieces to help you live in the moment this summer. There's also a limited-edition French Riviera-themed bottle of Grey Goose that you can buy. Our pick is the Maison Labiche beach towel. Take it to the beach or a park and (if permitted — check your local council websites) make a batched Grey Goose cocktail for a boozy afternoon in the sun. [caption id="attachment_742671" align="alignnone" width="1920"] So French So Chic[/caption] LISTEN TO THE LINEUP FOR SO FRENCHY SO CHIC There's nothing like a good soundtrack to get you in a particular mood, so cue up some French vibes by the stellar artists taking the stage at the upcoming So Frenchy So Chic festival in Melbourne and Sydney. Say hello to disco-electronica queen Corine, who channels the glamour artists of the Parisian nightclub scene of the 70s and 80s with an erotic spin that is all her own; bow down to French pop royalty Lou Doillon (the daughter of actor Jane Birkin and director Jacques Doillon) and her 2019 album Soliloquy; celebrate new wave cover band Nouvelle Vague's 15th year as a group; and fall in love with the soulful voice of Senegal-born French troubadour Tété. [caption id="attachment_753163" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flickr/Erin Stevenson O'Connor[/caption] CHALLENGE YOUR MATES TO A GAME OF PETANQUE Make the most of a warm summer day with a little friendly competition and embrace petanque like you're holidaying in Provence. If you're wondering what the difference is between petanque and other boules games like bocce, it's all in the name. Derived from an old expression, pes tancats, meaning 'feet planted' — petanque is for the truly lazy, as you keep your feet firmly on the ground. The St Kilda Petanque Club welcomes curious visitors at its weekly social gathering on Fridays at 5pm. In Sydney, the Boules Artistes Petanque Club hosts weekly social games in Kirribilli and Coogee, while the Brisbane Petanque Club welcomes novices at Kalinga Park. Or you can borrow Nan's boules set and hit the local park or beach and make it up as you go along. [caption id="attachment_526669" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Incu[/caption] PICK UP A MAISON BALZAC CANDLE FOR A SENSORY THROWBACK French-born and Sydney-based Elise Pioch had the right idea when she created Maison Balzac — she wanted to develop a product that would take her right back to her childhood. Short of creating a time machine, she achieved that goal with her range of candles, or "signature objects that evoke olfactory memories or experiences". You can pick up one of her luxurious candles — with scents inspired by mornings in the Mediterranean, long summer days on the beach, roses from Pioch's grandmother's garden and spiritual havens in the villages of France — from Incu in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. MAKE YOURSELF A LE GRAND FIZZ To really make it feel like you're on holiday, you need a cocktail. Level up your beverage game with something ice cold with a refreshing taste, and just a little more sophisticated than your usual savvy b. Thankfully, you don't need to go out and buy a full bartending kit and a heap of ingredients. All you need for the Le Grand Fizz (find the recipe, and others, here) is Grey Goose vodka, elderflower liqueur, fresh limes and soda water. [caption id="attachment_751776" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Felix[/caption] TREAT YOURSELF TO A NIGHT OUT AT A FRENCH RESTAURANT Relive (or imagine) long afternoons that stretch into evenings, sipping wine and luxuriating over supper at a French bistro. There are plenty of spots around Australia serving authentic French food with all the trimmings — perfect for living like a Parisian on a night out this summer. Enjoy yellowfin tuna crudo at Felix or steak frites at Kittyhawk in Sydney, have oysters on the terrace at Entrecote or beetroot gazpacho Philippe in Melbourne, and sample the saucisson brioche at Montrachet or mille-feuille aux escargots at La Cache a Vin in Brisbane. Upgrade your summer by choosing premium vodka Grey Goose. Each bottle is distilled in France, and the high quality vodka has a 100-percent traceable production process, from crop to cork.
It might've hit our streaming queues way back in mid-2019, but we all remember how Stranger Things wrapped up its third season. Change swept through the 80s-set Netflix sci-fi series in a big way — seeing multiple characters head out town and venture towards several destinations will do that — leaving us all wondering how things will play out in season four. In 2022, we'll finally find out after a hefty delay due to the pandemic. And to help fill the gap, Netflix has dropped another teaser trailer that offers a glimpse of what's to come. Yes, another one. This time around, the brief clip heads to California, which is where Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown, Godzilla vs Kong), Joyce (Winona Ryder, The Plot Against America), Will (Noah Schnapp, Waiting for Anya) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton, The New Mutants) have washed up. Eleven is settling in as well as she can settle in anywhere, as she explains in a letter to Mike (Finn Wolfhard, The Goldfinch) — but she also can't wait until she can see him in person again. It's the latest Stranger Things season four trailer in a long line of them, starting back in February 2020. Since then, a couple more teasers dropped in May this year, then another one back in August, followed by yet another in September. So, we've now caught a glimpse of what happens to beloved police chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour, Black Widow) after season three's big cliffhanger and Russian-set post-script, and spent time with Steve (Joe Keery, Spree), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo, The Angry Birds Movie 2), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin, Concrete Cowboy) and Max's (Sadie Sink, The Last Castle) in a haunted house in Hawkins. We've also headed back to Hawkins Laboratory and its whole eerie setup and, now, seen a new Californian future as well. Of course, it's worth remembering that when Netflix announced the show's renewal for a fourth season back in 2019, it did so with the catchphrase "we're not in Hawkins anymore". That clearly applies in a number of different ways. If you're wishing it was 2022 already, you're not alone. Check out the latest Stranger Things season four sneak peek below: Stranger Things season four will be able to stream via Netflix sometime in 2022 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced.
Melbourne is fond of a good light show, particularly when the temperatures drop and the nights start to get a little darker. Here to add to the city's illuminated winter calendar is newly-announced Rialto Aglow. The free, after-dark lights festival will take over the Rialto Piazza, nestled in an intersection of Collins, Flinders and King Streets in the CBD. Head down from 5pm between 19 July–29 July to see the public precinct transformed with interactive light installations, large-scale projection artwork and appropriately themed food and bevvies. Highlights include Amigo & Amigo studio's Accordion, comprised of six interactive, oversized archways inspired by the instrument of the same. The same studio will pay tribute to the cycles of the moon with Lunar Lamp Posts, a brand-new large-scale installation with over 40 different sounds and illuminated animations. Beloved Melbourne-based neon light artist Carla O'Brien, whose previous works appeared at Burning Man and White Night, will also pop-up throughout the ten-day festival. Rialto Aglow will host works including Neon Play The Music, a fun and playful live instrument installation, and Double Rainbow Love Heart Archway, set to be an irresistible social media snapping opportunity. The Rialto Aglow Winter Lights Festival is part of the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund, granting funding for after-dark activities to all to give the night-time economy a hefty boost. [caption id="attachment_897494" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Amigo & Amigo's Affinity at Illuminate Adelaide[/caption]
The minds behind one of Melbourne's best-known rum festivals, I Hart Rum, are back for another boozy tasting party at Whitehart — only this time around, they're swapping sugarcane for the humble agave plant. And they're digging in deep. Across two sessions on Sunday, October 30 (12pm and 4pm), I Hart Agave will see the container bar transformed into a temple to tequila, mezcal and sotol, where you'll get to sample pours from more than 20 different local and international brands. Sip your way through both levels of the festival, then settle in with a few of the day's discounted agave cocktails, or drop by the dedicated frozen margarita bar. For those keen to learn more, there's a program of expert-led masterclasses and seminars, plus a Q&A panel where you can unpack any burning agave-related questions. As always, Whitehart will be dishing up DJ tunes, projections and a roster of food trucks. And if you taste something you love? Hit the pop-up takeaway bottle shop to stock up your home agave collection.
Melbourne's northern suburbs are set to ring in the New Year with an exciting new food and entertainment hub, as part of Westfield Plenty Valley's $80 million revamp. The Mill Park development – which is slated to launch in early 2018 – will pull together a juicy lineup of restaurants and eateries, including North Sydney's acclaimed Italian Street Kitchen making its Victorian debut. The vibrant Italian spot has become a firm favourite north of the border, renowned for its authentic eats and warm, Euro-style hospitality. It'll find itself in good companyt here, joined by the likes of Martini & Co, ENA Greek Food, Fukutontei Raman, Cielo Gelateria, Dosa Hut and that childhood classic, The Pancake Parlour. To complement the dining offering, the precinct will feature a mix of indoor and openair spaces, with a sprawling central lawn designed for year-round use. There'll also be a state-of-the-art Village Cinemas complex, complete with Gold Class, Vpremium, Vmax and Vjunior theatres. Westfield Plenty Valley's new dining and entertainment precinct will open early 2018, at 415 McDonalds Rd, Mill Park.
Put down your Kit Kat, for we’ve just discovered a break that's even better than snappable chocolate-covered wafers: smashing stuff. To be more specific, we mean smashing stuff with a baseball bat — and it's a legitimate, all above-board activity at new Brunswick pop-up, The Break Room. Currently housed in the back of Hope Street's new shoe warehouse-turned-espresso bar Kines, an appointment at The Break Room is a five-minute, sweaty task that puts you behind thick, plastic walls, wields you with a pink baseball bat and some protective headgear and lets you go to town on some very satisfyingly smashable items. For the moment, they’re using plates and glasses as collateral. But if anyone can produce it, our ‘ultimate smashable’ would be a ceramic Matryoshka filled with glitter. The Break Room was born in a moment of frustration (and through the efficacy of podcasts) by founder Ed Hunter, after he realised that everybody wants to blow off steam in their own way. And while some might prefer to hit the gym, Hunter is inviting you to hit some crockery off a stool instead. Speaking of the stools, notches of pink residue from the so-coloured bats have been passionately left on them; reminders that other members of the baseball bat cathartic club (do I hear badges?) have bashed their way to sanity before you. For anyone studying their swatch patterns, the pink is Baker-Miller, and has been used in correctional facilities across America to help calm violent inmates. Yet Hunter heeds that The Break Room’s goal isn’t violence, but rather to reduce stress and harness those destructive tendencies in a controlled and fun way. A video posted by The Break Room (@thebreakroom) on Feb 10, 2016 at 8:46pm PST At $50 to smash your way to calmness for five minutes, this emotional outlet may seem a bit on the spenny side, but the beauty is in the fact that you’re not breaking your own stuff — and some other guy will be picking up the pieces after you. These pieces are, in fact, added to the pile that hides further out back, where both shattered crockery and snapped pink swords from liberated brethren lay, which is a good indicator that the allocated time is probably ample. So wait until the shutters go down, don your best Joaquin Phoenix impersonation and swing away at those inner aliens of yours by taking your aggression out in some organised chaos. The Break Room is currently located at Kines, 11 Hope Street, Brunswick, and is open every day from 3pm every day. For more information, visit thebreakroom.com.au.
Whether TLC is singing about chasing waterfalls, Backstreet Boys are reminding us that they're back, Elton John is saying farewell again or Billy Joel is saying that it's still rock 'n' roll to him, Australia and Aotearoa's music venues are frequently alive with the sounds of nostalgia. Going retro is big touring business of late, and it's hip hop and R&B festival Juicy Fest's whole angle — with T-Pain, Ashanti and The Game on the bill for its just-announced 2024 events. Expect to hear auto-tune aplenty when the 'Buy U a Drank', 'I'm Sprung' and 'Can't Believe It' rapper hits the stage, performing tracks from a career that's also included featured appearances on Flo-Rida's 'Low', Akon's 'I Can't Wait', The Lonely Island's 'I'm on a Boat' and Snoop Dogg's 'Boom'. If it seems like a while since he's been our way, it has: this will be his first time in Australia in more than a decade, too. When Juicy Fest kicks off its January 2024 season in Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland, then heads across the ditch to Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast, it'll see Ashanti return Down Under after appearing on 2022's Fridayz Live tour in Australia and Friday Jams tour in New Zealand. As for The Game, who came to fame in the 00s in the West Coast scene, he was meant to tour Down Under in March 2023, but was replaced by AB Original. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony are also on the bill, as are T.I., Trey Songz, Fabolous, Mario and Keri Hilson. And, there's still one headliner to be announced down the line. Juicy Fest's 2024 run will mark its second, after debuting in January 2023 and attracting more than 100,000 attendees. The event has only announced a specific venue so far for the Gold Coast, hitting up Doug Jennings Park, with further details to come. JUICY FEST 2024 DATES: Wednesday, January 3 — Venue TBC, Christchurch Friday, January 5 — Venue TBC, Wellington Saturday, January 6 — Venue TBC, Tauranga Sunday, January 7 — Venue TBC, Auckland Friday, January 12 — Venue TBC, Melbourne Saturday, January 13 — Venue TBC, Sydney Sunday, January 14 — Venue TBC, Perth Friday, January 19 — Venue TBC, Adelaide Saturday, January 20 — Doug Jennings Park, Gold Coast JUICY FEST 2024 LINEUP: T-Pain T.I. Ashanti The Game Trey Songz Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Fabolous Mario Keri Hilson Juicy Fest will tour Australia and New Zealand in January 2024, with tickets on sale from Wednesday, April 26. Head to the festival's website to register for pre-sale access.
Nestled among the Coast Mountains, Whistler is a magical township located a couple of hours' drive north of Vancouver, Canada. The snow-laden village is best known for the mighty Whistler Blackcomb, which is by far and away the biggest ski resort in North America, made up of two majestic peaks joined by the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, the highest and longest cablecar of its kind in the world. Should you be planning a trip to this wintry wonderland, you'd be remiss not to involve some outdoorsy adventures, including a few days' skiing or boarding some of the world's most beautiful runs. Beyond carving and shredding your way down Whistler's mountains, however, there are bucket loads of other escapades to be had, from dog sledding in the stunning old growth forest of the Callaghan Valley and snowshoeing around ghost towns to ice skating on frozen lakes and ice fishing in secret water holes. There's plenty of adventure to be had in Whistler, so start planning your trip with our guide to the village's best outdoor winter activities. [caption id="attachment_630393" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Whistler/Eric Berger.[/caption] SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING WHISTLER BLACKCOMB At Whistler Blackcomb, you'll find 200 official runs, which means you can ski for days without covering the same ground twice. Plus, with over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain, Whistler and Blackcomb mountains offer something for every level and style of skier and rider. If you're a beginner, you're in luck, as 35% of Whistler Blackcomb's trails (covering almost 3,000 acres) have your name on them — the most beautiful being Burnt Stew Trail in the Symphony Zone on Whistler Mountain, which winds gently through open bowls and alpine forest. For intermediate skiers, 7th Heaven offers a suitably challenging terrain, with loads of trees and stunning panoramas. And if you're an expert on the slopes, then head to Couloir Extreme, rated as one of the planet's most terrifying (and thrilling) runs. There's also plenty of terrain accessible from the Peak Chair at the top of Whistler. Something to mention about skiing at Whistler Blackcomb is that the pedestrian-only Whistler Village is nestled right at the base of Whistler and Blackcomb, meaning runs feed right into the village centre off both mountains. The transition from shredding and carving to après-ski is a total breeze — especially with the many après joints loved by visitors and locals alike. CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Lost Lake doesn't just sound like something out of a C.S. Lewis novel, it looks like it, too. You'll find this magical spot 15 minutes' walk from Whistler Village, so when you feel like a break from downhill thrills, and are ready to move at a slower, more exploratory pace, take a cross-country glide. If you're after some exploration further afield from Whistler Village, then head to the extensive cross-country skiing trails out in the Callaghan Valley. The area offers picturesque, natural surrounds, and the Ski Callaghan Nordic centre is just a short shuttle ride from the heart of Whistler. [caption id="attachment_629729" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Whistler/JustaJeskova.[/caption] WALKING THE VALLEY TRAIL You might think of hiking as more of a summer sport, but the Valley Trail makes trekking through Whistler's natural surrounds possible all year round. This 40-kilometre network dedicated to walkers is paved, cleared of snow, car-free and provides a connection between the area's many villages, lakes and parks. How you go about experiencing it is your call. With plenty of walks to choose from, you can take in many amazing mountain vistas, discover a forest of giant cedars and even check out a few local craft breweries on the way. [caption id="attachment_630888" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Scandinave Spa.[/caption] SOAKING IN STEAMY OUTDOOR HOT POOLS After a day in subzero temperatures, there's no better way to wind down than with a dip in a hot pool. On the periphery of Whistler's Lost Lake Park forest, nestled among spruce and cedar trees, you'll find Scandinave Spa. Here you can hang out in a eucalyptus steam bath and Finnish sauna before plunging into a Nordic waterfall, then recovering in Hammock Haven. Any iciness left in your bones from a day in the snow will surely melt away. The spa also offers massages, plus has a cafe onsite just in case you need a little pick me up. WINTER ZIP LINING Yep, flying through the air at 100 kilometres per hour, 200 metres above the ground, in sub-zero temperatures is absolutely doable in Whistler; in fact, there's a stack of zip line tours to choose from. Go with Superfly, and you'll catch a 4WD up Rainbow Mountain, before taking off on a 1.3-kilometre long ride that spans deep valleys and old growth forests. Look to Ziptrek for several options, categorised according to adrenaline hit. For newbies, there's the Bear Tour, which covers five zip lines joined by treetop bridges, while hardened thrill seekers have the Mammoth Tour, which takes in ten zip lines, suspension bridges, boardwalks and trails. ICE CLIMBING BLACKCOMB MOUNTAIN Whether you're new to ice climbing or quite accustomed to hanging off of a glacier, suspended by just an axe, there's a frozen vertical trek for you in Whistler. Novices get an introduction to climbing techniques and a safety pep talk before starting, while the more experienced are able to choose from a variety of routes, according to their ability. Both multi-pitch and multi-day tours are available, plus, at Blackcomb you can begin with a lift ride, conquer a couple hours of ice climbing, then ski back to base. Tour companies include Mountain Skills Academy and Coast Mountain Guides. DOG SLEDDING SNOWY TERRAINS If you're keen to explore, but don't want to do all the work yourself, enlist a pack of huskies and a sled, then kick back like a Snow Queen and relax. Canadians have been getting around this way for more than four thousand years now, and there are a few tour operators that'll show you how, including Canadian Wilderness Adventures and Blackcomb Dogsled. Both will take you on a journey into Callaghan Valley, a wonderland of old growth forest and lakes just fifteen minutes south of Whistler. If the surrounds look familiar, that's probably because you saw them during the 2010 Winter Olympics. [caption id="attachment_631261" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pemberton Fish Finder.[/caption] ICE FISHING You haven't tasted fish until you've tasted it straight from the ice. On a Whistler ice fishing tour, your guide will pick you up, drive you to a remote alpine lake, frozen river or secret water hole, and take you through the tricky process of nabbing a bite. There'll be plenty of sitting about and admiring the scenery to be done, which also gives you a good chunk of time to learn more about the millennia-old art of ice fishing and how to improve your skills. Tours usually include transport and gear. [caption id="attachment_631259" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane.[/caption] ICE SKATING Smack bang in the middle of Whistler Village is a free, outdoor ice skating rink. All you need are your skates or six bucks to hire a pair — and if you're a beginner, maybe a push bar (or a friend's hand) to help you along. For a more exotic experience, head to a skate-able local lake, and maybe even pick up a game of hockey. Popular options are Alta Lake, with one square kilometre of ice to glide across, backdropped by mountain views, and to the north, the larger Green Lake at double the size of Alta. Lake ice skating runs informally only, so you'll need to take care safety-wise and bring your own pair of skates. Plan an adventure into the great Canadian outdoors and discover all Whistler has to offer here. Lead image: Tourism Whistler/David McColm.
If you're itching to head off on a long-awaited, well-deserved overseas getaway once Australia's borders reopen to international travel, then getting vaccinated is likely part of your pre-travel plans. And, once you get both of your jabs, you'll be eligible to receive an extra bonus to put towards your next holiday thanks to Australian airline Qantas. Via its newly launched 'Been vaccinated? Be rewarded' vaccination incentives initiative, the Aussie carrier is handing out flight discounts, frequent flyer points and status points to Australians who've been fully vaxxed. Everyone over the age of 18 who has received both jabs can score their choice of one of the three rewards — as long as you're a member of Qantas' frequent flyer program. You can pick between a $20 flight discount for a Qantas or Jetstar flight, 1000 Qantas points or 15 status credits (which you need to move up tiers in the airline's frequent flyer scheme). If you've already had both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and you're a member of the carrier's frequent flyer program, you can hit up the Qantas app from 8am on Tuesday, August 24 to claim your reward. Otherwise, once you've had both jabs — with Australia's vaccination rollout opening up to Aussies aged between 16–39 from Monday, August 30 — you can then do the same. Qantas frequent flyer membership is free, too, if you're not yet onboard. Also up for grabs: a year of flights, accommodation and fuel, worth around $85,450, which'll be given to eight people — one from each state and territory. To have your travel covered for a year, you'll need to win the prize draw. But, as soon as you hop onto the Qantas app to claim your other reward, you'll automatically be put in the running for the big giveaway, which'll let you jet between any destination that Qantas and Jetstar fly to and from once borders begin to reopen. Keen to nab a flight voucher, some points or credits? And to give yourself the chance to win a year of free flights, accommodation and fuel? You can claim away until Friday, December 31 — with just one claim per person, obviously — and then the mega prize winners will be announced in January 2022. Also, if you're wondering how you'll verify that you've been vaxxed in order to nab your Qantas reward, you'll need to use the Medicare app to access and upload your COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate before you're able to select your chosen option. The airline will then delete the certificate information once you've been through that verification step. Announcing the scheme, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said that "getting vaccinated is an important step that every Australian can take that brings us that little bit closer to life as we knew it. As the national carrier, we want to recognise those who have made the effort to protect themselves and the community." Virgin Australia has also announced that it'll be launching a new competition called VA-X & Win, which will hand out millions of Velocity Frequent Flyer Points and dozens of free flights to Aussie who've had the jab — and make one person a Velocity Points millionaire, with the lucky winner then able to put those points to plenty of use. It hasn't opened the campaign yet, or announced how you'll prove you're eligible, how to enter and exactly what prizes will be on offer, as it has opted not to do so until COVID-19 vaccines are made available to all Australian adults. If you're eager to look for vaccination clinics — to get vaxxed now, or to plan ahead for when you can get the jab — you can check out a handy online map that collates vaccination hub, clinic and GP locations. It covers all Australian states and territories, including New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. To redeem your reward from Qantas' 'Been vaccinated? Be rewarded' vaccination incentives campaign, head to the Qantas app from 8am on Tuesday, August 24. For further details about the initiative, head to the airline's website. Top image: Brent Winstone.
As technology and art continue to collide in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways, a new smartphone app called Smartify is out to make sharing and discovering art a whole lot easier. Working similarly to how Shazam identifies music, Smartify can be used to identify art — simply hold the app up in front of an artwork to discover its name, tap into a wealth of extra information about the piece and even access audio commentary. With this in your hand, there'll be no more battling the gallery crowds for a peek at that tiny wall plaque. Users can also save favourite artworks to their Smartify profile, creating a mini art gallery within their smartphone. The app was founded by a group of four UK friends who were keen to add another dimension to the art experience beyond simply looking at pictures on a gallery wall. To bring this to life while still protecting artist copyright, they've teamed up with museum and gallery partners around the world, who help generate and direct Smartify's content. The app's currently live at famed destinations like The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, London's National Portrait Gallery and the Museo San Donato in Italy, with lots more to come. Venues are encouraged to get on board here — let's hope some local additions are just around the corner.
Trips between Melbourne and Geelong could soon be a whole lot faster — and way less crowded — with the Victorian Government announcing it's kicked off work on a high-speed train between the two cities. It's revealed that planning work and technical investigations on the proposed rail project are set to launch soon, with the infrastructure promised $50 million out of the next Victorian Budget. Currently, the government's looking into a host of different options for the proposed line, including electrification along the existing rail corridor and brand new high-speed rail infrastructure. Also on the cards is a new fleet of trains, which run at speeds between 250 and 300 kilometres per hour. By comparison, the current V/Line Vlocity trains run at a speed of 160 kilometres per hour. It's hoped that the rail will be able to link to airport, via a new Melbourne Airport Link also proposed in the budget. "This vital work will help determine the best way to deliver high-speed rail to Geelong as part of the Melbourne Airport Link," explained Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan. The former Melbourne Metro Rail Authority will now become Rail Projects Victoria, and will oversee this proposed Geelong rail link, as well as both the Metro Tunnel and the $1.7 billion Regional Rail Revival project.
Designated drivers have been doing it for decades, but abstaining from a boozy beverage is no longer just for whoever agrees to ferry everyone home from the pub. And yet, heading out without hitting the drink isn't always easy. We're not talking about willpower — rather, we're referring to the paltry range of drinks usually on offer. Just because you're not keen on the hard stuff that night, for a short spell or even for good, that doesn't mean that you only want to down soft drink, sparkling water or juice. For years, they've been the main options if you're not hitting the sauce, but thankfully the booze-free scene is growing. Melbourne has its own alcohol-free bar, plenty of non-alcoholic options have been popping up in bottle shops — beers, spirits and wines alike — and now one big national hospitality chain is launching a sizeable new zero-proof menu. At 57 of its venues around the country from Thursday, July 1, Australian Venue Co will start serving its zero-proof lineup. Yes, the menu's launch is timed to start Dry July, but this range of non-boozy beverages is also here to stay. So, next time you don't feel like alcohol — or a hangover the next day — you can opt for low- and no-alcohol beers from Heineken, Heaps Normal and Nort; McGuigan's zero sparkling, rose, sauvignon blanc and shiraz; both Seedlip and Lyre's spirit range; and a number of non-booze versions of popular cocktails. AVC's espresso martino, nogroni, Amalfi spritz, berry tiki, dark and spicy, and smooth operator tipples all use Lyre's range instead of hard spirits, but don't skimp on the taste. If you're now keen to say cheers to a booze-free tipple next time you're at the pub, you'll have a few places to head, depending on where you live. In New South Wales, Bungalow 8, Cargo Bar, Kingsleys, The Rook and The Winery are among the places pouring the new menu — while The Duke, Imperial Bourke Street, Hopscotch, Harlow, Sarah Sands Hotel, The Smith and Fargo and Co are just some of the spots doing the honours in Victoria. Queenslanders, you can now add The Jindalee Hotel, Cleveland Sands, Bribie Island Hotel, Redcliffe Tavern and Brighton Hotel to your list. In South Australia, Parkside, Brighton Metro and Payneham Tavern beckon — and in Western Australia, choices include Wolf Lane, The Guildford Hotel, The Aviary and Sweetwater. These are just some of the venues that'll serve the zero-proof menu in each state, too. Yes, when it comes to drinking without the headache, you've now got options on multiple levels. Australian Venue Co's zero-proof drinks list will launch on Thursday, July 1. For further details, head to the hospitality chain's website.
Simple, local, and sustainable. That's the name of the game at this excellent Little Ryrie Street spot. The kitchen's ingredients are sourced as widely as possible from local farms — through sustainability and education, Little Green Corner wants to promote the idea that creating tasty, hearty food can still be kind to the planet. Some of the cafe's food waste, for example, goes straight to the chickens who produce the eggs. The produce-driven menu ensures that it's an ever-evolving one, but an excellent meal is all but guaranteed whenever you come. Little Green Corner is also behind The Good Meal Project, which was set up to further the mission of showcasing local produce, while also allowing customers to pay a meal forward to a family in need. The cafe also offers a range of regular workshops — upcoming sessions include salami making and guided mushroom foraging. Images: Julia Sansone
American company Momix describe themselves as "dance illusionists". What exactly does that mean? You can find out when they perform Botanica at the Arts Centre. The show, which first played in New York in 2009, is a stylised ode to nature, a trip through the four seasons represented by a series of visual set pieces crafted using movement performance, elaborate props, lush costumery, puppetry, projection and shadow theatre. Expect lots of billowing silk, abstract dance and New Age musical stylings, the emphasis heavily on spectacle. While critics in America have criticised Botanica for not turning any new ground for the company, Momix haven't toured to Melbourne since 2003 (Opus Cactus) so their signature style is likely still fresh for local audiences. At the very least, a stage full of dancers in giant flower costumes might serve to remind us poor winter-stricken Melburnians what spring feels like.
Anyone who lives in a teeny, tiny apartment will love this one. The 1900s-invented wall-folding bed (or 'Murphy bed') isn't new by any means — Charlie Chaplin fought one in the the 1916 comedy short, One A.M. and James Bond was surprised by assassins in one to open 1967's You Only Live Twice — but Latvia-based Boxetti designer Rolands Landsbergs has taken the old space-saving trick to a new slick level. Landsbergs' 'Bedroom in a Box' is the most compact, Fifth Element-looking design we've seen in Murphy beds yet — primarily because it's not just the bed that shuts away, it's the whole room. Containing all the elements of a regular bedroom, 'Bedroom in a Box' contains your bed, bedside table, reading spotlight, headboard ambience lighting, wardrobe space and bookshelf, all in one origami-like, wall-mountable rectangle. But why fold away just your bedroom? Landsbergs has developed a whole series of modules to make your whole home able to pack away, from the kitchen to the lounge room. So if you're living in a claustrophobic loft, awkwardly small sharehouse or just want more floor space for at-home yoga/YouTube dance lessons/fisticuffs with Corben Dallas, there's a setup for you. Via Inhabitat.
