It's not very often that umbrellas inspire a curator's vision for a new group show, but that's sort of exactly what happened when the Heide Museum of Modern Art's curator Sue Cramer came across Melbourne artist Belle Bassin's video work. In the video, Bassin is filmed moving around the Paris Metro system dressed in a bright flurry of umbrellas — and nothing else. These theatrics — as well as the elements of movement, light, surrealism and performance — have provided the basis for Heide's newest group show, Dancing umbrellas: an exhibition of movement and light. Along with Bassin's two-channel video installation, the exhibition will also include a range of film, performance, painting and object-based works from contemporary Australian artists, including Minna Gilligan, Peter Cripps and Michelle Ussher, amongst others. You'll notice a theme in their works — all of them have been selected for their ability to evoke a sense of otherwordliness through cultural references, artefacts and ideas. The exhibition will run at the charming Bulleen gallery until June 5.
When it comes to happy hours in Melbourne, Baby Pizza is always right up there with the best — with its autumn, winter and spring aperitivo sessions featuring discounted drinks and cheap (or free) snacks. But for summer this year, the crew has switched it up a little, swapping out aperitivo experiences for spritzes. Drop by any day from 4–6pm, and you'll be met with $9.50 cocktails, plus a $7.5o wine and $6.5o beer (Peroni Rossa). On the cocktail front, you've got the choice of three spritzes: Baby's elderflower spritz, limoncello and basil spritz, and Chandon spritz, which comes with sparkling wine and orange bitters. The food menu is the same usual — offering up some of Melbourne's best pizzas — but things do change up a little on Fridays and Saturdays. From 12–4pm on these days, guest DJ will be bringing some bigger vibes — best enjoyed out on the terrace. This deal is running all summer long, so you've got plenty of time to take advantage of Baby's spritz- and pizza-filled summer.
With their clean style, strong classics and kooky prints, Vanishing Elephant may as well be the uniform for all of Melbourne. Though the brand actually originated in Sydney, they chose the QV as the location for their very first stand-alone store. Catering to both men and women, it's been balancing high-quality, on-point fashion with prices that won't break the bank for the past three years now. Though you won't find a wide selection in store you can trust that each piece has been expertly curated for the collection. You're in good hands.
No one makes movies quite like the South Koreans, one of the powerhouse nations of international cinema. Celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2014, the Korean Film Festival in Australia will once again deliver the best of the Hallyuwood industry to our shores. The festival kicks off with Cold Eyes, a cat-and-mouse surveillance film that blitzed the Korean box office last year. Other thrillers (a genre in which Korean filmmakers seem to flourish) on the program include mafia movie New World, featuring Oldboy star Choi Min-sik, and big-budget action flick The Suspect. But there's more to Korean cinema than just bloody tales of crime and revenge. Fashion doco Nora Noh recounts the life and times of the Korean Coco Chanel, while animated kids film The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow has possibly the greatest title of all time. There's also a selection of comedies, including '80s-set high-school tale Hot Young Bloods and age-swap movie Miss Granny. For the full KOFFIA program, visit the festival website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=hZ4iPhhvAY4
Where productions of classic stories on Melbourne’s main stages all too often take a stale, museum approach, in Gary Abrahams’ adaptation of Emile Zola’s Thérèse Raquin every one of the production’s elements come together for a deeply satisfying piece of theatre. The story is fairly straightforward. Thérèse is trapped in a loveless marriage with sickly mother’s boy Camille. When her husband brings home their childhood friend Laurent they begin a clandestine relationship that wreaks havoc on those around them, and themselves. But Abraham’s direction and approach to the adaptation elevates this story above straightforward melodrama. The ensemble’s combination of boldly defined characterisation and largely natural accents transform the 19th century text into a form that’s thoroughly accessible and always engaging without sacrificing Zola’s rich language and images. Elizabeth Nabben fully embodies Thérèse’s devastating frustrated desire, and the care taken to drawing out her relationship with the unworldly and often thoughtlessly cruel Camille (Paul Blenheim) – "She’s not very bright; don’t pay her much attention" – and with the morose, drab world of the claustrophobic home itself makes Raquin’s descent all the more real, and terrifying. Aaron Walton’s Laurent is the perfect foil to Nabben — at once both her faithful co-conspirator and betrayer — but the entire ensemble are in excellent form, especially Marta Kaczmarek as Camille’s mother. The length of the play and its use of frequent, malevolent humour allows many offhand allusions foreshadowing its action to accumulate, filling the work with dread momentum — for instance, Laurent being crowned "King of the Bones" after a game of dominos. Christopher De Groot’s composition adds to this tension, alternating between sparkling, Satie-like piano and tuneless atmospherics, and having him playing onstage allows De Groot to weave sound seamlessly in response to the actors. Occasionally the transitions between scenes threaten to deflate tension and pace, but the director’s commitment to this dynamic allows the ambiguity of fleeting after-images to be left hanging over the next scene. Thérèse Raquin is only running until August 30, but it’s a production that deserves a long life beyond this wholly satisfying world premiere. Photo credit: Lachlan Woods.
Beer nerds and coffee snobs can both get something out of this special tasting at Preston brewery Tallboy & Moose. The fittingly named Beerspresso pairs local roasters with local brewers, resulting in eight unique coffee-infused beers. Red Bean, Maker Fine Coffee and Rumble Coffee Roasters are among those providing the beans, while the booze will come courtesy of the likes of 3 Ravens, Westside Aleworks and 7 cent. Your ticket entitles you to a taster of each coffee, followed by a 130ml sample of each beer. Image: Simon Shiff.
Whether you're currently teetotaling your way through Ocsober, or you're simply in the mood for a party that doesn't revolve around booze, here's a pub sesh to pop on your radar. On Saturday, October 29, Footscray's Victoria Hotel is throwing an alcohol-free fiesta, both in the spirit of inclusivity and in a bid to shake up the image of the classic Aussie pub. From 2pm, the venue will be reborn as Pub with No Booze, complete with a tasting market pouring non-alcoholic sips from the likes of Heaps Normal, NON, Mondays Distillery, Lyres, Clear Mind and Etch Sparkling. There'll be close to 100 different products to sample, with all tastings included in your $45 ticket. One of those will also score you a complimentary Heaps Normal beer or a Lyre's cocktail from the bar. And since no pub visit is complete without a solid feed, you'll catch Josh Murphy — chef and co-owner of nearby Harley and Rose — cooking up a storm on the barbecue all afternoon. Feeling inspired? Head to Brunswick East, where you'll find Australia's first non-alcoholic and hangover-free bar, Brunswick Aces.
Singaporean artist Sam Lo has been causing a bit of a stir for years now, offering up urban works that provide sharp social commentary and reimagine current political issues. Formally known as "Sticker Lady" due to her constant sticker pasting runs and graffiti works (which landed her in trouble with the Singaporean authorities), Lo's interactive work Progress: A Game of Leaders invites the audience to take on roles in the building of a hypothetical nation. Asking participants to consider how the newly founded country's funds should be spent and what should be prioritised, players fight to become the nation's leader – often leading to catastrophic outcomes.
'Tis the season for buying prezzies. And if you like your gifts green, we've found a one-stop shop for all your Christmas shopping needs. Online store Garner Plants has launched a bricks-and-mortar pop-up shop in Richmond, where it'll be slinging a huge array of leafy goodies from now until Thursday, December 23. In a win for those who love a package deal, every plant in the store comes with its own cute ceramic pot, which means no mucking about trying to choose something nice for your purchase to sit in. You'll find a diverse collection of leafy varieties for the green thumb or Secret Santa recipient in your life, from ficus to fiddle leaf figs, with prices starting from an easy $45. Also on offer is a range of plant accessories — think, foliage spray, clippers and plant food — and a bunch of other gift options. And if you can't get there in person, simply jump online to shop a hefty range of Garner goodies, which can be shipped speedily to your door. The Garner Pop-Up Plant Store is open from 9am–5pm weekdays, and from 10am–2pm Saturdays.
Whether you fancy yourself a green thumb or you just like collecting cute things in pots, we found an event that's sure to tickle your leafiest desires. Inspired by the London fest of a similar name, the Melbourne Houseplant Festival makes its debut next month, dishing up a verdant celebration of indoor plants. Taking over The Wool Mill in Brunswick East on Saturday, August 21, this foliage-filled fiesta promises a hefty dose of both inspiration and education, with talks, workshops and of course, a huge array of plant stalls. It'll be held across four sessions — 10am–12pm, 12–2pm, 2–4pm and 4–6pm. In between shopping for leafy new additions, you can load up on tips and tricks from local plant experts including Plant Runner co-founder Dominic Hooghuis, Instagram green thumb Alan (of Plant Jungle), and authors of Leaf Supply and Plantopedia, Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan. Alongside a curation of plants and pots from leading local retailers, you'll find books, planters, equipment, handmade potting mix and even botanical-inspired artwork to browse and buy. And if you're feeling inspired, unleash your creativity at one of the day's workshops, join the Plant Jungle team for a class on mounting staghorn ferns, or learn the secrets of terrarium building from Plant Whisperer. There's a range of ticket options available, depending on how many talks and classes you're in for — all starting from $9. Images: London Houseplant Festival, courtesy of the Garden Museum
The vixens from the Fox and cowboys from Cavalier want you to clue-in and come hunting. It's one of the longest running events, not to mention most popular. Be prepared for challenges as you search for great beer and collect points while roaming the streets of Collingwood. You'll work up a thirst, but the lads from Cavalier will reward your efforts with a drop or two at the end. This event is part of Good Beer Week's 2015 program, running from May 16-24. For more festival picks, click here.
Admit it, you're the sort who skins your empty beer bottles. Friends say you're frustrated, but we know you just need an outlet to unleash your inner artist. Learn how to put your idle hands to use by making 'beer-rariums' and turning bottle lids into earrings, while you spend the afternoon sampling beers with lady brewer Miryam Piechocinski, founder of the brand-new Kettle Green Brewery. This event is part of Good Beer Week's 2015 program, running from May 16-24. For more festival picks, click here.
Australia’s first ever gin festival, Juniperlooza, is coming to Melbourne for a two-day bonanza where spirits will be running high and pouring fast. Held across two bars at Federation Wharf, Pilgrim and Riverland will host the weekend event, showcasing the best in Australia's gin. For too long have we sliced cucumbers, slapped mint and squeezed limes into our glasses without truly knowing the perfect combination for our G&Ts. Now, eight of Australia's best gin producers will be creating and showcasing a signature gin cocktail — as well as the classic gin and tonic — over the weekend, just for you. There will be a whole branch of flavours to try, including some from The West Winds crew, who have grown a loyal following with their bush tomato-flavoured hit, The Cutlass. Juniperlooza's gin offerings will be complemented by gin inspired menus — think an oyster shucking stand, for a start — so really it would be rude not to drop in and enjoy some of the freshest from around the country. Consider it doctor's orders. Juniperlooza will run across Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29 from noon – 8pm. Grab your tickets in advance here.
Put down your milkshakes and cue-up because the brewers from Red Hill are joining the sharks from the Red Triangle for an evening of sharp round-robin shooting. You can choose to pot a ball or two while rubbing shoulders with professional players, or just happily sink a few hand-selected Red Hill beers while you heckle the night away. This event is part of Good Beer Week's 2015 program, running from May 16-24. For more festival picks, click here.
When one of Victoria's favourite bottled waters turns ten, you throw a party. And considering a glass of beer is at least 90 percent water, what better way to celebrate than by joining forces with local beer brewers. Over two nights at Ladro TAP in Prahran, they'll be hosting the ultimate keg-off. It will involve 3 Ravens Brewery, Cavalier Brewing, Holgate Brewhouse, Red Duck Beer and Two Birds Brewing, who will each create a Daylesford-Hepburn mineral water infused brew. Topping it all off will be six courses of food from the Daylesford region, so it promises to be an evening of sheer gastronomic delight.
When it comes to iconic drinks, Campari is most definitely one of them. Of course, that's mainly attributed to its vibrant red colour — but probably also because it's been around for over 150 years now. It's quite the established aperitif. If you're keen to pay your due respect to the Italian drink — or just want to pretend we're in the midst of European summer — you'd do well to get down to The Ludlow this month. For the four Saturdays in August between 8pm and 10pm, the Campari cart will roll into the Southbank venue and deliver complimentary Campari Tonic tasters (as well as some Italian snacks, naturally) to some very lucky aperitif lovers. It's called the Rediscover Red Lounge and, along with the signature drink — which perfectly blends the bitterness of tonic with the orange of Campari — you'll also be able to order a range of other cocktails expertly mixed with the enduring red liqueur. The lounge is being held in conjunction with Campari's Rediscover Red exhibition at QV's No Vacancy Gallery, which will display vintage Campari artworks and advertisements until Sunday, August 7. Plus, if you swing past on Friday, August 5 or Saturday, August 6 between 3 and 5pm, they'll even give you a Campari Tonic taster to accompany the artworks.
After a series of sell-out shows in 2012 as well as a brief tenure as a member of the Philosophy Department at the University of Woolamaloo, British comedian John Cleese is bringing his one-man show back to Australia. Combining classic clips with candid personal anecdotes, An Evening with John Cleese will cover the comedian’s entire life and career, from his experiences as a gangly, six-foot-tall 12-year-old to his work with the Monty Python troupe and the much-loved comedy series, Fawlty Towers. No word on whether he’ll touch on his role in the much maligned Bond flick Die Another Day. Presumably, he won’t be mentioning the war. Cleese’s solo Australian tour will precede the feverishly anticipated, live on-stage Python reunion in London this July. But there still hasn't been any announcement on whether the troupe is planning any international dates, with Cleese himself remarking that the problem with travelling to Australia is that “there are planets closer than that".
One of Melbourne's original laneway haunts, the multi-level Campari House has a space for every mood and occasion. Get comfy in the dining room with a feast of rustic Italian fare, unwind over cocktails and DJ tunes in the upstairs lounge, or venture to the astroturfed rooftop bar to team an Auchentoshan & Ale with sweeping city views. The Italian-inspired menu features fresh, modern dishes — from steamed local bay mussels ($18), roasted beetroot ravioli ($28), braised lamb ragu ($28), and a traditional Italian tiramisu ($14). All of which, should be aptly complemented by a glass of Campari, obviously. Images: Giulia Morlando.
Forget about Ingmar Bergman, Stellan Skarsgard and Noomi Rapace. The cinema of Sweden has a brand new face — and by new, we mean very, very old. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Jonas Jonasson, The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is the single most profitable film in the history of Swedish cinema. What drove audiences in such numbers to such a singularly unfunny comedy we'll chalk up to cultural misunderstanding The film, to its credit, delivers exactly what it promises to. On the day of his centennial, geriatric explosives expert Allan Karlsson (Robert Gustafsson) decides he's had enough of life in his retirement home and promptly shimmies through the curtains for a stroll. While at the bus station purchasing a one-way ticket to wherever, Karlsson accidentally comes into the possession of a suitcase full of drug-money — the first in a series of hi-larious coincidences and knee-slapping misunderstandings that follow the senior citizen wherever he seems to go. Indeed, the addlebrained pensioner is no stranger to misadventure. As flashbacks soon reveal, Karlsson apparently met, and influenced, most of the major figures of the 20th century, including Franco, Stalin and both Eisenhower and Reagan. He was also the lynchpin in the Manhattan Project, served as a spy for both sides during the Cold War, and spent some time in a Siberian gulag for his troubles. The film's most obvious compatriot would be something like Forrest Gump, but frankly, the comparison doesn't flatter. Gump wasn't exactly the sharpest hammer in the cutlery draw, but he had a certain childlike innocence that helped endear him to an audience. Karlsson, on the other hand, is just plain dumb. As such, it's difficult to care about either his past or his present, the latter of which sees him on the run from some skinhead bikers, intent on getting their money back in whatever way they can. The comedy is broadly slapstick, but with an undertone of callous black humour. Putting aside the fact that Karlsson helped invent the atom bomb and apparently feels not the least bit bad about it, the film regularly sees him cause the deaths, albeit mostly accidental, of people who cross his path. As it turn out, stupidity and nastiness doesn't make for an entertaining mix. The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared can hardly disappear from cinemas soon enough. https://youtube.com/watch?v=6SEiaODjTZw
The 2014 Melbourne Fringe Festival program has launched (gorilla in tow), and it's a predictably bursting-at-the-seams feast of live theatre, music, comedy, dance, film and art that will make for three-or-so weeks of decidedly unabashed fun. Now in its 32nd year, the Fringe is sticking to its tried-and-tested mix of emerging artists and more seasoned acts, but building on the general themes of coming-togetherness and seeing cool stuff, the festival is also launching a brand new series of site-specific works called Uncommon Places. Pairing ten artists with ten not usually arty spaces, the idea is to explore the theme of "third places" — places that aren't work or home but where you do that good old-fashioned socialising stuff, where people meet and discuss art and politics, where creative ideas are born and civic engagement is fostered. In other words, places that aren't really uncommon at all, but maybe just places you wouldn't expect to travel to for an arts festival. Nice. The program has the artists talking to the people who usually use the spaces, and telling their stories through installation. Filmmaker and human rights' advocate Emily Dalkin will take over the City Baths, investigating their social history way back to pre-colonial times, when the site was a local watering hole, while designer Danny Pettingill will bring his exploration of light in space and architecture to Pellegrini's Espresso Bar. Other festival drawcards include the dine-while-you-watch Fringe Film program, now in its second year, which showcases emerging digital artists doing boundary-crossing things with screens; Fringe Furniture, for design nerds; and the mini festival-within-a-festival for the north side at Northcote Town Hall, presented by Speakeasy. If you're an emerging artist dealing in the, erm, less prudish side of art-making, check out FECK:ART — a participatory exhibition of "socially responsible erotica" for work the curators are kinda hoping will need a content warning. And back again, of course, is the perennial Festival Hub at North Melbourne Town Hall, with three different bars in which to sit around and organise your festival shenanigans. It also boasts a continually revolving program of more than 60 events including a series of shows by lady comedians, the high-energy late-night Fringe Club, and Flash!, a showcase of dance, music, art and comedy from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. All in all, there should probably be a veto on ever saying, hearing or thinking the words "I'm bored" for the duration of the festival, which runs, by the way, from September 17 to October 5. See the Fringe Festival website for the full program, tickets, all that good stuff.
Despite our country being stereotyped as 'always sunny', us Aussies know it can get pretty cold mid-year. So, if you're currently trying to warm up your toes next to your office heater, dreaming about the return of summer, you're in luck. We've teamed up with travel company Klook to give away a four-night getaway to a tropical oasis: Bali. If you're the lucky winner, you and your partner in crime will be heading off on a short flight headed for Bali's stunning beaches, hot weather and next-level food. As well as flights and four nights of four-star accommodation in Seminyak, Klook — being an activities and tours booking platform — will also organise day trips for you and your bestie, plus airport transfers to and from your hotel and SIM cards. So, all you'll need are your cossies, sunscreen and a good read. It won't be your typical Bintang-fuelled Bali trip, either. The folks at Klook work with local vendors to uncover hidden gems and offer trips to many of the surrounding islands (there are more than 17,000 in total). So, expect plenty of off the beaten track adventures and get ready to unearth some undiscovered parts around the island. One day, the two of you will be heading off to West Nusa Penida and its crystal clear waters, so you can expect plenty of swimming and snorkelling. The next, you'll be trekking up an active volcano — Mount Batur — to watch the sunrise over the island. An early morning start will reward you with sweeping mountain views and a visit to a coffee plantation afterwards. Plus, don't forget all the poolside cocktails and Balinese feasts you'll be having. You'll be on holiday, after all. You've got anytime before the end of the year to go, so you can escape Australia's cooler weather ASAP. If you're keen to head off on a trip to Bali — which obviously you are — enter your details below to be in the running. [competition]731537[/competition]
There's no wrong way to visit a winery, whether you choose to participate in a boozy fun run within the grounds, cycle between a couple of wine-slinging spots, or simply stop by for a few hours, taste some tipples and make a few purchase. Or, you can stay for the night, which isn't a new concept — but one South Australian vineyard is letting folks sleep right next to the vines in a luxury pod. Wineries from Queensland to Victoria boast glamping facilities; however The Vineyard Retreat McLaren Vale now has an Escapod. As the name suggests, it's all about escaping from the hustle and bustle, which is definitely on the agenda in what's essentially a luxury detached cabin right in the heart of the vineyard. Measuring 72 square metres, the pre-fab structure includes an open-plan dining and lounge room, a king-sized bed, an open fire and two small external decks, plus a fully functioning kitchen, a separate bathroom and a storage room. On the mod cons front, it also has the requisite appliances, under-floor heating, reverse-cycle heating and cooling, and automated blinds — although you'll want to keep them open to enjoy the vineyard views. Furthermore, the pod can be connected to the main power or can go off the grid via a solar power battery, rainwater tanks and a wastewater treatment system. Built off-site then brought to the winery, the Escapod can also be moved again in the future if needed. It'll be available for bookings from September — and it's one of two pods destined for the McLaren Vale spot, although just when the second will arrive is yet to be determined. If the pod has you planning a boozy getaway, there's some other good news — more are planned. In total, Escapod is hoping to roll out 20 pods across South Australian sites across the next year. Find the first Escapod at The Vineyard Retreat McLaren Vale, 165 Whitings Road, Blewitt Springs. Visit the retreat website for further details. Via The Lead. Images: The Vineyard Retreat / Escapod.
With shelves and shelves crammed full of options, wine buying can be a little bit daunting. But now there's a new kid in town that promises to make life that little bit simpler. Set to open its doors this Friday, October 12, Act of Wine is Southbank's new boutique bottle shop, heroing the small, the natural and the sustainably produced. It's from the same minds that brought you Broad Bean Organic Grocer next door, and boasts a similar passion for things well made. Here, the big name winemakers take a back seat, in favour of a carefully selected range that focuses on "smaller producers making honest wine". You'll find a solid selection of drops made with minimal intervention and are sure to discover plenty of less familiar names, covering the funky, the traditional, and everything in between. A discerning lineup of craft beer and artisan spirits rounds out the offering. But the wine selection isn't as expansive as what you'd encounter at your usual bottle-o, so you won't need to spend hours browsing — and you know whatever you do pick up will be quality and tasty. To complement the natural-driven booze philosophy, the award-winning Zwei Interiors Architecture have created a warm, organic-inspired fit-out, filled with lots of concrete, timber and natural elements. Be among the first to check out Act of Wine at its grand opening celebrations from 6-8pm this Friday, October 12. There'll be tastings from local brewery La Sirène, and wineries from across Australia. Find Act of Wine at 22 Fanning Street, Southbank, open from Friday, October 12.
This global pandemic might have us cooped up at home, but it sure hasn't dulled our penchant for online shopping. Without the bottomless brunches, bar hopping adventures and retail therapy sessions of regular life, many of us have a little extra in the savings fund and a whole lot more time for scrolling. And of course, those package deliveries are all the more thrilling when your social life is taking an enforced hiatus. An offshoot of Bendigo and Adelaide Banks that's built for the digital world, Up is one of the new kids on the banking block. Its focus is on offering a primo mobile banking experience — the kind that fits into your real life with minimal hassle, leaving you more time to worry about the important stuff (like which of the 19 items in your basket will be making it to the checkout). As an online shopping companion, Up's ticking plenty of boxes, thanks to a suite of features designed to keep things simple. For example, it'll show actual business names, locations and company logos in your spending history, so you're not left doing mental gymnastics trying to guess the story behind that $45.50 you dropped at 3am last Saturday. It's also got an automatic transaction categorisation function, to help keep your balances and budgeting in tip-top shape, without too much effort. https://www.instagram.com/p/Btw0EVqn2fE/ Shopping on international sites can normally be a bit fraught, what with the extra charges and conversion dramas. But Up is being a mate and passing on zero fees on all overseas purchases, both online and IRL. It displays both the local and foreign currency on your receipt and app, and will even send you an immediate purchase notification in Aussie dollars. Throw in a bunch of nifty savings functions — like the ability to instantly round up your spare cents — plus upcoming bill predictions and a 1.85-percent interest rate, and you've got yourself one nice, breezy banking situation. For more information about Up and to sign up for an account, jump over to the Up website. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. General advice only. Please consider your personal circumstances before making a decision to join Up. Conditions https://up.com.au/hook_up_a_mate/. Product issuer Bendigo & Adelaide Bank.
2018 is off to a pretty stellar start in the love arena. Dozens of same-sex couples have already said "I do" following the historical marriage equality bill finally passing through Australian parliament in December, and there will be countless more to follow. Indeed, in Sydney, Sydney Festival held one heck of a wedding reception to celebrate. Unsurprisingly, many wedding vendors are probably rubbing their hands together in glee, excited at the prospect of all of the impending nuptials. In Carlton North, a generous bunch are having a different reaction. Putting their expertise to good use — and their happiness about the fact that all lovebirds can now get hitched — Park Street Dining has enlisted a number of local vendors to give away a free wedding. The giveaway, valued at $20,000, is open to all couples in Victoria. The wedding will take place on August 25, 2018, as a five-hour event for up to 70 people with all the trimmings. Celebrant Megan Thompson will make things official, while floral designer Pomp & Splendour and rental business SAS Events will help jazz up the space. As well as the venue, Park Street Dining will provide canapes, an open bar (with selected wine, beer and bubbles) and share-style dining — here's hoping the cicchetti and handmade pastas it's known for make an appearance. Finally, photographer Georgia Verrells will be on-hand to capture all of the special moments, and printing company Thirds Studio will turn six snaps into high-res prints. Really, all the lucky couple need to do is get dressed and turn up. Who said planning a wedding was stressful? Winners will be announced on March 15. To enter the giveaway, visit psweloveweddings.com.au. Make sure to also like Park St's Facebook page and follow the other vendors on Instagram (you'll want to simply for the killer wedding inspo). Images: Georgia Verrells
All hail the Keanaissance — for bringing him back to our screens, and often; and for giving everyone an excuse to shower his past hits with love as well. Before he was Neo and John Wick, he wasn't just one half of Bill and Ted or Point Break's surfing FBI agent Johnny Utah, but also a guy trying to stop the bus that couldn't slow down. We know you're a fan, because who isn't? Alongside the aforementioned Point Break, Speed is one of action gems of the 90s — and Keanu is at the heart of both of them. And, we know you've always wanted to relive the latter film's high-stakes action movie magic, so here's your chance. Melburnians, get ready to step onboard a vintage bus and prepare for the ride of your life. After thrilling fans and making plenty of new ones during several stints in Brisbane, Speed: The Movie, The Play is bringing its high-octane thrills back to Melbourne Fringe in 2023. It's taking on passengers between Tuesday, October 10–Sunday, October 22 at Prahran Square, with shows held Tuesday–Sunday — and this is one stint of public transport chaos (and 90s nostalgia) that you should willingly sign up for. Need to whet your appetite? Check out the trailer for the original film:
Ask any true Melbourne burger fiend and they're sure to have some fond, cheesy memories of the double patty smash creation from late Collingwood institution Rockwell and Sons. The long-running diner broke more than a few hearts when it shut up shop last year, and Chef and Co-Owner Casey Wall's famed beef burger bid farewell. But, you can thank your lucky lockdown stars, because the legend is back in our lives once again; at least for a limited time. For the next month, sibling venue Bar Liberty — which has transformed into a bottle shop during stage four restrictions — is slinging DIY kits so you can recreate the double smash patty at home. Or, whip up a vegetarian-friendly black bean alternative, if that's more your speed. Available in limited amounts Tuesday to Sunday, the Rockwell and Sons at-home burger packs have been flying out the door, offering Melburnians a glimmer of goodness as they wade through this current stretch of Stay At Home orders. [caption id="attachment_780954" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominic Xavier[/caption] Each solo-serve smash pack clocks in at $15, featuring two uncooked O'Connor beef patties, a couple of Kraft Singles, a Martin's potato bun and some of Rockwell's special sauce. The vego version is similar, but teams two black bean patties with 'jazz' sauce and pickled green tomatoes. The website's even got handy step-by-step photo instructions showing how to prepare your burger feast — from cooking those patties to assembling the bun. When you order online for in-store pick up, you'll also find a selection of add-ons, including creamy mac 'n' cheese ($9), Bar Liberty bottled negronis ($13) and four-packs of the bar's collaboration Table Beer made with Hop Nation ($20). And of course, there's a stack of interesting vino available on premises at the pop-up bottle shop. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, a reminder that as the burgers are pick-up only, you can only get them if you live within five kilometres of Bar Liberty, in line with the current stage four restrictions. The Rockwell and Sons At-Home Burger Packs are available Tuesday to Sunday for a limited time, for pick up from Bar Liberty, 234 Johnston Street, Fitzroy. Pre-order online via the website. Images: Dominic Xavier
I’ll never forget my original Magic Mike experience. In a packed cinema of some 750 people, I was one of just nine men, and of those, (probably) the only straight one. After a brief welcome, the film's promoters introduced two male strippers who danced, disrobed and lap-danced their way through the crowd like bejewelled beagles at Customs, singling out the most awkward and uncomfortable with astounding accuracy. Coupled with the trailer, everything seemed in place for a movie designed to entertain everyone but me, and yet — two hours later — I stood both corrected and utterly entertained. Armed with that memory, I approached Magic Mike XXL with a much more open mind, only to once again be surprised by a film whose suggestive marketing, racy trailer and heck, even its name, belied a film of far greater substance and maturity. Magic Mike XXL is not a story about male strippers entertainers, but an old-fashioned road movie about self-discovery and friendship, where it is souls and vulnerabilities — not bodies — that the men are dared to reveal. As it happens, it's also a cracking comedy. The story itself is as scant as a stripper’s costume. Mike (Channing Tatum, whose real life story provided the inspiration for both films), finds himself visited by his old dancing buddies on their way to the annual 4th of July Strippers Convention (yes, it’s a thing). Their former emcee and manager has skipped town with the young star Adam, meaning this is to be their swan song before retiring to whatever 'normal' jobs they can find. Recently single and finding his own furniture business low on the thrills, Mike joins them in the hope of purging his demons and starting life afresh. In some ways, it’s best to think of Magic Mike XXL like a musical, given the way its stars spontaneously burst into dance routines and, this time round, singing (showcasing the talents of both Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino, and Matt Bomer, whose voice is so remarkable it’s baffling we’ve not been treated to it sooner). Unlike most musicals, however, Magic Mike XXL navigates the almost impossible transition from acting to dancing without it ever feeling forced — the best example also being the film’s standout scene, featuring Joe Manganiello (True Blood) stripping in a gas station to a Backstreet Boys staple for no other reason than to elicit a smile from its store clerk. Funny yet provocative, childish yet heartwarming, it encapsulates everything Magic Mike XXL is about: honest desire, spiritual growth and — most importantly — intimacy. Almost every dance in this film is centred on one woman. Any woman. Every woman. No matter how large the crowd, someone is always singled out and treated to a publicly private performance, "a queen being reminded of her beauty", as Mike’s former flame Rome (played magnificently by Jada Pinkett Smith) puts it. Yes, the dancing is extraordinary (Tatum’s routines in particular are jaw-dropping in their athleticism and eroticism), but just as appealing are the ladies’ reactions — a blend of shock, lust and pure exhilaration that imbue each and every fantasy piece with a genuine sense of realism. There’s more sensuality in this film than fifty Fifty Shades of Greys, yet it never once feels sleazy, instead veering closer to something uplifting and sincere. By all means come for the bodies, but stay for everything else.
As a nation, Australians devour approximately 190,000 tonnes of meat per year. This equates to 120kg per person per annum, which is almost three times as much as the world average. Despite the phenomenal increase in meat consumption over the last few decades, particularly in pork and poultry, the number of pig producers in the country has reduced by 94 percent and there are only two major producers of chicken. This is largely why two-thirds of the world's meat now comes from factory farming. So what can you do about the animal cruelty and health problems this gross over-consumption is causing? Take part in Meat Free Week from March 18-24 to help spread the word and raise funds for this important issue. All money raised from the initiative goes to the animal protection institute Voiceless, who help protect factory farmed animals in Australia. And they're not trying to persuade you to become an avid vegan or vegetarian; it's simply about modifying meat consumption: limiting meat intake and only choosing free-range animal products in order to reduce the amount of factory farming in Australia. You could also improve your own health in the process as eating excessive amounts of meat can lead to heart disease, kidney failure or even cancer. Simply sign up and create your profile, read up and learn about factory farming so you can explain to others why it's so important, tell all your family and friends about it and get them to sign up as well or to sponsor you with a small donation, stock up on fresh ingredients and try out some delicious meat-free recipes designed by celebrity chefs, then go without meat for seven days and tell everyone how it's going through social media, particularly with the hashtag #meatfreeweek.
First, Australia got a Harry Potter-themed brunch and dinner. Now, we're getting a wizarding beer festival. If the boy who lived's flicks were still gracing cinemas, exploring his adult life, we're certain he'd be keen on this magical festival. Whether you're still not over Harry or you just wish you'd had the chance to attend Hogwarts because you know you're destined to be in Gryffindor (and to be seeker on the quidditch team, obviously), you'll want to make a date with this event. You'll sip brews in a wizarding wonderland, while making your way between wand-making classes, DJs and tarot card readers. There's no word yet on exactly what beers you'll be drinking — local numbers? international favourites? alcoholic butterbeer? — but your ticket does include a 12-ounce (355-millilitre) brew on entry, and five tokens you can use on beers and the aforementioned activities. The Wizard's Beer Festival is set to hit Sydney at a soon-to-be announced location on March 1, 2020, then do the same in Melbourne on March 8, 2020, before heading to Brisbane on March 15, 2020. Folks in costumes pretending to be Hermione, Dumbledore and others isn't really our idea of a magical HP experience, but perhaps a few boozy butterbeers will get you in the right mood. And if not, you can organise a trip to see the Cursed Child stage show in Melbourne, if you haven't already. The Wizard's Beer Festival will hit Sydney on March 1, 2020, then Melbourne on March 8, 2020 and finally Brisbane on March 15, 2020. You can sign-up via the website to be notified when tickets go on sale. Top image: Wizard's Brunch UPDATE, NOVEMBER 16: This article was updated to include details of The Wizard's Beer Festival's planned events in Melbourne and Brisbane.
Vegie Bar's grown-up, super stylish sister Transformer is making a name for itself as being one of the best fine dining vegetarian experiences available in Melbourne. Now they're taking things up an epic notch, with The Harvest dinners — evenings where chefs Luke Florence and Bryce Edwards serve up a specially-designed, seven-course, all-vegan tasting menu with matching vegan wines to impress. For first-timers to Transformer, expect a visual experience as well as a culinary one, with lush green vines wrapped around cages intersecting the walls and video art projected on the screens, cocktails of kombucha and beetroot with gin and mismatched cutlery like your granny might own. It's a little bit fancy, but with a quirky edge. Expect to take your tastebuds on a very pleasing, cruelty-free journey that is sure to impress even the meat-eaters among us. Say what you like about veganism — it still can be delicious.
Can a fourth wall be smashed if it's barely even a gauze curtain? For audiences, Deadpool & Wolverine plays out on sturdy IRL surfaces that can be shattered — cinema screens first, then home entertainment's TVs and computers and phones forever afterward — but the film's to-camera asides, self-reflective jabs, in-gags, sarcasm, meta references upon meta references and all-round superhero satire aren't breaking, busting through or saying bye, bye, bye to anything. There's nothing to destroy when the idea that movies are their own worlds separate to the reality that they're viewed in simply doesn't exist in the third picture with Deadpool in its title, 11th X-Men feature and 34th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This is still a flick spinning make-believe as it makes fun, but one that acknowledges how everyone interacts with pop culture: by knowing personal and industry goings-on tangential to the in-film action, such as that Ryan Reynolds (IF) is married to Gossip Girl's Blake Lively, Hugh Jackman (Faraway Downs) is Australian and newly divorced, Disney bought Fox in the battle of Hollywood studios and the MCU hasn't had the strongest of times of late. Deadpool & Wolverine may spend a fair portion of its duration in a wasteland-like place called The Void; however, viewers don't watch anything in a vacuum. This isn't the only feature to recognise that truth, nor the lone Deadpool movie to do so. That said, there's leaning into the fact that no one can completely split any art from their contextual awareness around it, and then there's this level of commitment. Comparing one of its major settings to the Mad Max realm within seconds of arriving there — and within months of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga releasing — is merely one further example. Nods, shoutouts and wisecracks go everywhere, including deep into the Marvel comics, their prior leaps to the screen, gripes about the latter, Tinseltown manoeuvrings, box-office fortunes, abandoned projects, stalled future flicks and actors' romantic lives. Reteaming after Free Guy and The Adam Project, Reynolds and director Shawn Levy co-penned the screenplay with Zeb Wells (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law), plus Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese (who return from 2016's Deadpool and 2018's Deadpool 2), but the internet may as well have earned a scripting credit. For those less head over heels with Deadpool's merc-with-a-mouth schtick than Reynolds visibly has been for the eight years and running, consider this the only-way-out-is-through approach: there's more stacked on top of more, then huge piles of more again, then more and more sprinklings as well, especially when it comes to jokes that can't occur without referring to details well beyond Deadpool & Wolverine's frames. Reynolds, Levy and company own the onslaught with the transparency of the film's absent barrier — and while that isn't the same as ensuring that the bit always works or avoids getting repetitive (on both, it doesn't), it firmly helps establish part of the feature's vibe. This probably should be named Deadpool with Wolverine, but adding James 'Logan' Howlett to Wade Winston Wilson isn't just about superheroes teaming up, then the bickering banter and frenemy frays that result. Deadpool & Wolverine also gains energy from the scowling, growling, unhappy-to-be there mutant with the adamantium skeleton, giving it what past Deadpool jaunts have deeply missed: some tonal balance. Spirit first, story second: that's also Deadpool & Wolverine's gambit. As it cracks the boundaries between Disney and Fox's respective Marvel domains, and endeavours to win over the naysaying Wolverine — two tasks with glaring parallels between what's happening in its narrative and for viewers — it spins a straightforward tale given stock-standard sprawling franchise complications. The world is in peril. Masses will die. Multiple villains have schemes. The ill-fated sphere needs a hero, and that hero needs aid from another. Or: told by the Time Variance Authority's Mr Paradox (Matthew Macfadyen, Succession) that his timeline needs pruning following the events of 2017's Logan, Deadpool can only save everyone that he loves from being snuffed out by finding a new Wolverine from across the multiverse. But, they'll also have to flee The Void where unwanted intellectual property is dumped, and where Charles Xavier's maniacal twin Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin, A Murder at the End of the World) controls and manipulates everything. Although the plot doesn't lack specifics, be it Wade's eagerness to join the Avengers to impress his ex-fiancee Vanessa (Morena Baccarin, The Flash), Logan grappling with trauma and mistakes, Paradox's machine that's due to eradicate Earth-10005 or Cassandra messing with minds, the tale itself never feels like the point. While the minutiae is engaging enough, when Deadpool mentions more than once that he's now Marvel Jesus, believe the intent behind those words. After Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was a flop, with the MCU's route towards the fifth and sixth Avengers flicks requiring reworking after off-screen developments, and as 2024's only film in the series, there's some world-saving needed for this saga, too. Deadpool & Wolverine's method of going about it is crashing well-known pieces together for fun — not just its titular characters, but also via more surprises than at a Kinder factory, with one reveal particularly wittily done. There's that favouring atmosphere above all else again; refreshingly, despite teasing several times that Jackman will likely keep playing his role till he's 90, no one can accuse this movie of solely or mainly trying to lay groundwork for the franchise's 35th entries onwards. There's no missing where Deadpool & Wolverine's strengths reside, though: in Jackman, Corrin and Macfadyen. That Reynolds can irreverently and acerbically snark the hell out of Deadpool and sell the meta-ness of it all has been plain for almost a decade now, and he rides Wade's emotional journey here effectively as well, yet his co-stars couldn't be more pivotal. Sometimes slicing and stabbing at each other's regenerative flesh in a Honda Odyssey, sometimes trading barbs for glares, sometimes dispensing with foes in a side-scrolling frenzy, the odd-couple act with Jackman gleams and wipes the dull clash that 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine flatly served up from memories. In addition to donning his character's yellow suit, Jackman himself wears weariness, anger, disappointment and regret like it too is fused to his framework, getting more and more moving the longer that he dons the claws. It's been 24 years now since the debut X-Men and if there's a potential Marvel messiah here for his Real Steel helmer, it's him. Also, memorable bad-guy alert not once but twice: Corrin is an unnerving delight as Cassandra gets into peoples' heads — not just figuratively — and Macfadyen hams it up superbly. Layered within the nudging and parodying, stream of inside-baseball shots, shiny display of Disney's new IP wares, OTT violence and retro-leaning tunes — Goo Goo Dolls, Avril Lavigne, the Grease soundtrack and Madonna all echo prominently — is a takeaway that life isn't a mystery, but rather is all about acceptance. It's worth fighting for. It deserves you giving a shit, not coasting. Nonetheless, learning to come to terms with missteps and mourning, and faded dreams and paths not taken, is inescapable no matter if you have adversaries to vanquish, universes to rescue, lost loves to woo, identities to reconfigure, reputations to salvage and caped-crusader squads to wow. Cue another instance of mirroring. Levy mightn't be actively aiming to tell viewers that looking past Deadpool & Wolverine's tussles with itself is also part of this package, yet it still sticks when some of the film's scenes struggle with blandness visually and in their effects, the corporate-synergy angle is laid on thick and, regardless of what Reynolds quips, there's also a sense of holding back now that Disney is pulling the strings. Looking for a devilishly self-aware Deadpool and Wolverine romp, though? Just like a prayer, this'll take you there.
Sorry Mario Kart. Move over Tetris. Forget Wii Sports, Pokémon Go, Street Fighter or whatever other title first springs to mind whenever you think about video games. They're all well and good, but they aren't about to take over the big screen at Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image. No, that honour goes to homegrown hit Untitled Goose Game. Made in Melbourne, and gaining millions of fans since it was released by House House in 2019, Untitled Goose Game is a puzzle game — and, yes, it's about a goose. You play as the bird, and your aim is to move objects and other characters, and just generally cause chaos in a small village. No description can really do it justice, though — you just need to play it. As well as filling oh-so-many video game-playing hours over the past few years, Untitled Goose Game sports an ARIA-nominated original soundtrack by Dan Golding — and that'll be played by an orchestra during ACMI's Untitled Goose Game Live shows. Make a date with the Federation Square spot on Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9, and prepare to see and hear one of the gaming phenomenons of the 21st century like you've never seen or heard it before. Orchestra Victoria will be bringing the music to life at this world-premiere event, playing a new arrangement of Golding's soundtrack that's been crafted just for the show and features tunes by classical French composer Claude Debussy. The musicians will also react live to what's happening on the screen, meaning that each gig will play out differently. Untitled Goose Game Live takes place at 3.30pm and 6pm on the Friday, and at 11am and 1pm on the Saturday. And yes, if you've been to orchestral shows featuring Harry Potter flicks, Studio Ghibli's delights, Toy Story and more before, the concept here is the same — just with a super-popular video game about a pesky goose. Check out the Untitled Goose Game trailer below: Untitled Goose Game Live plays ACMI on Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9. For further information and to buy tickets, head to ACMI's website.
All birthdays require some sort of celebration — it's the rules. Whether your idea of a celebration is a round of tequila shots, a weekend away, or a nice cup of tea a Woolies chocolate cake, it's the one day of the year you can do you and no one can even begin to begrudge you for it. Hawthorn's Muharam is certainly taking that to heart this year — the cafe is celebrating its 11th birthday in 2018, and it's decided to throw a bit of an all-year shindig to mark the occasion. Eleven years of going strong means that it's doing its regulars a solid, slashing everything on the menu down to a mere $11. That's right, approximately the price of three x lattes, one x fancy green juice, or half x the smashed avocado tomfoolery. And it's not just running for a day, or even a week — it's on offer until the end of this year. Yep, everything on the food menu will be just a blue note and a coin until December 31. Definitely doable on a Sunday morning — even if you've spent pretty much everything else in your wallet the night before. ✖11 years, 11 dollars✖ To celebrate 11 YEARS of Muharam Cafe, EVERY DISH on the menu will be $11.00 for the WHOLE YEAR 〰 Starting on the 1st of May! #11for11 A post shared by Muharam (@muharamcafe) on Apr 30, 2018 at 12:43am PDT So what can you get for your 11 bucks? The menu includes red velvet pancakes, spiced corn fritters with avo and bacon, and an acai smoothie bowl. The real star of the show might just be vegan black buckwheat waffles with activated charcoal, maple glazed banana, pitaya cashew cream and pistachio crumble — which is basically $1 per ingredient, so you've no good reason to not get yourself to Muharam immediately. You're welcome. Muharam is located at 97 Burwood Road, Hawthorn and is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week. For more info, visit muharam.com.au.
Arts collective Field Theory is paying tribute to a Melbourne institution. A year after the iconic venue closed its doors, Cafe Romantica is being brought to life in this commemorative show. A 24-hour performance broadcast in which the audience will play an active role, Endless Romantica will feature discussions about what the beloved Italian diner meant to Brunswick locals, along with an array of other topics including gentrification, romance and late night culture. There'll be wine (of course) as well as Field Theory's best attempt at Romantica's famous 'Romeo and Juliet' pasta. If you can't make it in person, the broadcast will also be available online.
When Die Hard first appeared on screens back in 1988, it instantly set the new gold standard against which every action movie would be held. Sparkling dialogue, an intelligent plot and enormously charismatic leads, both as villain and (anti)hero, proved top-shelf action could absolutely exist alongside conventional storytelling elements rather than at their expense. Four sequels and 25 years later, Die Hard remains that gold standard, but sadly its latest manifestation, A Good Day to Die Hard, looks decidedly dull by comparison. Set in Moscow, it sees John McClane (Bruce Willis) team up with his son Jack (Aussie Jai Courtney) to take on a corrupt oligarch and his seemingly endless supply of expendable goons. That fact alone represents both a major and perilous departure from the franchise's initial winning formula. In the original Die Hard, even the minor henchmen were defined characters with names, looks and distinctive personalities. When it comes to A Good Day To Die Hard, the only name I can remember isn't even a name; it's just 'the Dancer' — and that's about as close as we get to knowing any of its characters, both good and bad. On the action front, things do at least begin well, with a tense and heart-thumping terrorist assault to set in motion the remainder of the day's chaos. From that moment on, however, while the action never slows down, it also fails to offer even a passing nod to plausibility. Again, in the original Die Hard, all it took were a few shards of glass to seriously impede its hero and imbue him with a genuine sense of fragile mortality. Here, now in round five, characters leap unprotected from 20-storey buildings and plough through countless panes of glass with little more than dust and one-liners to show for it. All signs point to the future of this franchise resting in the hands of Jai Courtney, with his Jack McClane taking over from John as the man who repeatedly finds himself in the wrong places at the wrong times. That raises the question, though: can it survive without Willis, whose charm and playful bombast cannot be overstated. Even in A Good Day To Die Hard, Willis exudes more charisma in a largely semi-comatose state than most of the cast combined. Courtney definitely looks, acts and sounds like a conventional action hero, and he plays the role well; however, it's John McClane's disarming smirk and New York swagger that will forever underscore much of Die Hard's enduring appeal. Without Willis at the helm, it's hard not to think this latest instalment may indeed be a very good day for the franchise to lay itself to rest and whisper 'yippee-ki-yay' no more.
Late night shopping has never been quite so al fresco. South Melbourne’s Style After Dark markets, which run from 5.30pm to 9.30pm every Thursday evening until December 20, bring together independent fashion, hawker-style food, live music and a great local shopping vibe. Found under the verandahs on Coventry and Cecil Streets, you’ll find stall holders like Pleasure Little Treasures, who create hand-made fashion accessories, and Captain Robbo, where you can pick up bright and bold handprinted leggings. Plus vintage-inspired home wares, cutesy crafts, and excellent food options from tapas to Teppanyaki.
Lee Ranaldo, one of the founding members of Sonic Youth, is performing some exclusive shows around Australia, and Melbourne is lucky enough to play host. Performing with his own band to promote his new album, Between the Times and the Tides, Lee is in the country as part of the Melbourne Festival. Hailed as one of the seminal musicians of his generation, Ranaldo was a pioneer for alternative indie-rock with his unique guitar playing and song writing ability. After stepping out on his own, he has collaborated with many notable musicians for his latest solo album, and is bringing his songs to Australian audiences. Supported by local veterans, We All Want To, this show is not to be missed, if only for the fact that Ranaldo is one of the greatest guitar players of the past two decades and is an incredible song writer in his own right.
Instrumental outfit Grails are bringing their enigmatic live show to the Northcote Social Club. The five-piece are known for skipping around genres, unable to be pinned to any certain classification and yet so eloquently filling many of them. They’ve found inspiration in unexplored terrain, from Japanese psychedelic drone to Turkish ‘60s rock; near-cinematic soundscapes have wooed audiences with playful unpredictability and pinpointed minimalism since the early 2000s. Tickets are still available to this alternative show that will surely prove unforgettable.
America's avant-garde pop group, Xiu Xiu, have returned to our town to celebrate the release of their latest album, Always. The band are fascinated with the horrors that bubble just under the surface of society and their disturbing visions of the world flicker through their music. Xiu Xiu are notorious for their unique electro-pop sound that has a distinct flavour of post-punk. Their latest musical offering, Always, features tracks that explore relevant topics such as pro-choice and immigration. Xiu Xiu aren't afraid of blending their political views with their music. These guys are a long way from home and are only playing one show in Melbourne for a power-packed 90 minute set. Xiu Xiu's performance is not to be missed. Strap yourself in for a night of experimental tunes, fresh lyrics and lush synths - it'll be one to remember!
Have you ever had that dream where you find yourself at the bottom of an empty swimming pool, waiting around with three other desperate, mercurial suitors for your fate to be decided upon by an Odyssean siren? Enda Walsh did and, fortunately for us, the Irish playwright turned it in to Penelope, an award-winning play directed by Alister Smith that has travelled the world to end up at St.Kilda's Theatre Works, as performed by Red Stitch Theatre. Penelope is, at first glance, a tragic tale of the last four remaining courters destined to perish at the hands of Penelope’s husband, Odysseus, upon his return from the Trojan War. In Smith’s experienced hand the play becomes a storm of words, giving the audience flashes of comedy, drama, philosophy, CCTV and even speedos, while exploring the still acutely pertinent facets of the male ego. Winner of the 2010 Edinburgh Festival Fringe First award, Penelope runs until April 13th. Image via showsforschools.com.au
Feeling cravings for salt spray, bourbon and sunburn, perhaps in that order? Wait no longer — over the next two weeks the Rip Curl Pro, located just a shimmy down the coast from Torquay at Bells Beach, will see the world's gnarliest surfers descend for competition, festivity and a fair bit of blonde, tousled hair. The Pro is the world's longest running surf comp and rolls in each year over the Easter long weekend. This year champs like Mick Fanning, Kelly Slater and Stephanie Gilmore will hit the waves for their chance to ring the famous bell trophy. Bells Beach has been used by surfers since 1939 and the Pro, which has been running since 1961, plays homage to its fierce heritage by playing AC/DC's Hells Bells every morning pre-comp. If you start to get intimidated by all the tanned people with skills you'll never have, don't worry, there's plenty to do nearby — rewind to the beginning of surfing at the world's largest surf museum, pick up a locally made board or get your kit off at Point Impossible, a clothes-optional beach. To get you into the swing of beach life we've found some surfy slang that might help you sound the part. While the rest is up to you, we suggest dressing like this guy. Image via live.ripcurl.com
Exhibition 53, c3 Contemporary Art Space's latest offering, will see six artists take on six vastly divergent concepts in the one gallery space, located in the basement of the Abbotsford Convent building. Exhibition 53 will see Sharon Billinge’s paintings and prints explore images of loved ones, how they fit into our world and what they mean to us, alongside drawings by Sarah Hendy that look at those places within Melbourne that remain untouched and yet to fully flourish. With a more specific focus, Emma Hamilton looks at the pink lakes of Victoria's Mallee region and seeks to better understand the concept of landscape. Work by Natalie and Pip Ryan (exhibiting as the Ryan Sisters) Laureen Lansdown, James Murnane and Justin Williams will round out the exhibition. One space and six artists all asking different questions means the viewer is likely to walk away with one or two of their own. Image by Sharon Billinge
Blue and green should never be seen without a colour in between. Or was that red and green? I can’t remember and judging by the preview image for his bluntly titled upcoming exhibition, New Work, which opens at Foot-us-crazy's Bruce Gallery on Thursday night, neither can local artist Max Lawrence White. I think that’s pink and red I spy right next to each other there too — a middle finger to the rules of artistic practice according to schoolyard rhymes or is White just an adventurous colour blocker, like this donkey? Either way, his three-dimensional canvasses offer an uplifting ode to colour and its ability to invoke an immediate, almost primal response. New Work is White’s second show for 2013, following the also informatively titled Forced Collaboration, which saw White share Dud Space with fellow artist Cheralyn Lim earlier this year. Image credit Max Lawrence White
Regardless of whether you're an Elaine or a Honey (with a really poorly dubbed voice over in this instance) on the dance floor, Dance Massive 2013 has something to get you krumping, twerkin', or if it's for the best, just sitting and observing quietly from the safety of your seat. Hosted by Arts House, the Malthouse Theatre and Dancehouse, the event is an extensive program of dance work held between March 12-24. Each venue is set to curate a separate program of performances, ensuring you’ll be privy to a specially tailored selection of flexible fun wherever you go. As tickets are sashaying out the door at the speed of Beyonce's booty, we've picked out a few shows for everyone to enjoy, whether your signature move is the sprinkler, the Harlem Shake or the pirouette. Behold, The Really Bad Dancer's Guide to Dance Massive 2013. Image via dancemassive.com.au
Playing host to over 200 local and international artists' work, Ballarat has transformed from a sleepy little town into a busy hub of photography over the past few weeks. Running until September 15, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB) is showcasing a vast selection of works — the core program is comprised of the best artists around and the Fringe exhibition encourages the general public to submit their own work to the festival. Over 73 venues and 206 events you can see anything from workshops on night photography to seminars on trends in traditional and alternative photography to guided tours that offer an insight to the history of the surroundings alongside the abundant artwork. The core program includes works from Erika Diettes, Elisabeth Zeilon, John Cato and Doc Ross. Showcasing many artists who might not be receiving the attention they deserve yet, this line up seems to offer an energizing and exciting combination of exhibitions that make it well worth the trip.
Theatre maker Roslyn Oades spent 18 months following the journey of a boxer from Bankstown as he prepared for a world-title fight. Armed with a tape recorder to document the boxer’s preparation, Oades also came across past legends, up-and-comers, and even a few failed contenders. I'm Your Man is a dramatic look at these people and how the sport shaped them. Oades' script is entirely constructed of word-for-word accounts from the people she met at the gyms, dressing rooms and ringside. The actors wear earpieces and recite lines directly from interviews she conducted during her research. This may require some suspension of belief on the audience's part, for example a young gruff-looking character plays the role of an 82 year old at one point. However, it is the authenticity of the tales of courage, failure, and the cost of success that makes the performance raw and convincing. I’m Your Man is set to challenge pre-conceived notions of a brutal, testosterone-filled sport, by offering up a lot of heart. Read our review of the Sydney run of this production here.
It’s time to shimmy, shake, be-bop and dance till you drop at Anna’s Go-Go Academy. You might already be familiar with Anna from her fabulous stints at the Falls Festival — she was the one with the swishy dresses and infectiously boppy enthusiasm. If not, get ready to have a damn fun time learning the most energetic and ridiculous dance crazes from sock hops to the silver screen. Dances you will cover in Anna’s classes include Charleston, Watusi, Hustle, Thriller, Gangnam Style and many other classics. Who knows when a dancefloor may beckon you to break out your best Uma and Travolta twist performance? Or when the opening bars of a Michael Jackson tune will burst forth from the speakers at your next wedding/50th birthday party/Blue Light Disco? Bottom line: Anna will have you prepared for when your moment arrives, and the spotlight will be on you, baby. Anna encourages fun clothing (think rhinestones and fringing) and big hair when attending her class. The only thing she thinks you should be wary of is your fancy footwear — runners are not recommended to twist in, and thongs (as in the flip-flop variety) were never made for the scuffed floorboards of Trades Hall. So gear up and get down to either Bella Union on Wednesdays or The Victoria Hotel on Thursdays to unleash the dance beast within.
After 2009's piss-poor X-Men Origins: Wolverine, this latest instalment (now the sixth for Hugh Jackman's indestructible mutant) really didn't have a whole lot to live up to. That meant director James Mangold (Walk the Line) could take the story wherever he wanted, and it turns out, he wanted Tokyo. The Wolverine hence takes its plot from one of the character's better known comic book series, 'Wolverine', written by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller all the way back in 1982. It opens with a surprisingly unsettling scene just minutes before the bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, with Logan (Jackman) trapped nearby inside a Japanese POW camp. As the blast-wave spreads, he manages to save his captor's life and sets in motion a chain of events that will see the pair reunited decades later. That surviving soldier — now an elderly billionaire obsessed with his legacy — summons Logan to his deathbed in Tokyo. He craves Logan's healing powers whilst promising in return the one thing Logan can never have: death. "This is my gift, my curse" said Tobey Maguire's Spiderman back in 2002, enunciating the most compelling theme that underscores all good superhero stories. For Logan, immortality is now his torment, but he is not alone in his suffering. His Harajuku-girl escort, Yukio (Rila Fukushima), possesses the ability to foretell a person's death; a mutation that imbues her with a truly haunted existence and makes her character both tragic and engaging. Sadly, she's under-utilised by Mangold, and the only other mutant of note in the film is a statuesque blond known as Viper (Svetlana Khodchenkova), whose reptilian mutation is as forgettable as her scenes. Perhaps it's Mangold's background in drama, but the action in The Wolverine was remarkably dull, save for one entertaining sequence on the roof of a bullet train. The problem is, so long as Logan is invincible, the stakes sit at zero, yet when he's vulnerable, he loses the one thing that makes him interesting. By contrast, the quiet, intimate scenes in The Wolverine were much more enjoyable, effectively taking the Wolverine out of the movie and focusing on the man, Logan. And that's what it all boils down to: the Wolverine is a classic loner, a gruff recluse favouring the company of his own haunted memories to that of any other humans, mutant or otherwise. Throughout this franchise he has actively rejected the 'team' and only ever begrudgingly formed unions when circumstances required it. And yet, he is almost certainly that franchise's most popular character. His charmlessness is, in effect, his charm; however, the problem with movies focusing just on him is that his loner persona plays best as part of a wider ensemble. He is never more appealing than when sparring with other X-Men because it gives his isolation context. The promotional material for The Wolverine describes it as "The Wolverine movie fans have been waiting for", and certainly that is factually accurate, since it is the only Wolverine movie currently in cinemas, and until it came out, fans had to wait for it. But was it the one they'd been hoping for? Doubtful; however, if they stay beyond the credits, they'll find good cause to be excited about the next one: X-Men: Days of Future Past. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WEbzZP-_Ssc
The Korean Film Festival In Australia (KOFFIA) is back for its fourth year in 2013, promising unmissable films and the brightest stars in their latest offerings for the screen. This is your opportunity to experience an alternative movie-going experience. You have the choice of 17 feature and various short films, with 50 screenings in total gracing Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne cinemas. It has been dubbed "a must for fans of Korean culture" although just about anyone is sure to enjoy the films, all of which are subtitled in English. On the bill are 9 Muses of Star Empire, which documents the K-Pop phenomenon from the inside, and Architecture 101, a romance-themed session, ideal for couples. There are also a host of other cultural activities — be sure to check them out when planning your KOFFIA experience. https://youtube.com/watch?v=s3dZhCnV7ik
