Melbourne's getting another big serve of home inspo this November, with the return of The Design Files' hit Open House pop-up. After taking a break in 2016, the unique event is back with a bang, its next incarnation set to rock brand new digs within a Collingwood warehouse space, from November 23 to 26. If you're unfamiliar with the concept, it's basically the ultimate happy place for home styling aficionados — a four-day pop-up featuring one open-plan house, decked out from top-to-toe with a covetable collection of furniture, appliances and homewares, as curated by the experts at well-loved design blog, The Design Files. And it's all available to buy, right then and there. 12 months in the making, this year's home will feature a master bedroom, living and dining spaces, a kids' area, a Cantilever kitchen, a home bar and a custom-designed courtyard by Phillip Withers. For the first time, The Design Files Open House will also play host to a program of ticketed speaker events, inviting local makers, stylists and small business operators to share their snippets of home styling wisdom.
The program for 2018's Melbourne Food And Wine Festival has officially arrived. And even though it's more than three months until it all kicks off on March 16, you're going to need most of that time to plan your attack, because this is one chock-a-block lineup. In a fun new addition, MFWF 2018 will for the first time incorporate its own mini hotel experience, as festival hub the House of Food and Wine takes over the Hotel Lindrum. Punters wanting to really dig in deep can now opt for an overnight stay right in the MFWF epicentre, enjoying contemporary breakfast, mini-bar and room service menus designed by acclaimed chefs Jo Barrett and Matt Stone. As with its predecessors, next year's hub will also feature a bar offering curated by the city's top mixologists and sommeliers, and will play host to a series of dinners and one-off events. Highlights here include a March 25 laneway lunch dedicated to dumplings and wine, and a speed dating-style wine tasting called Vino Rapido, on March 21. The Bank Of Melbourne World's Longest Lunch returns for its annual group feasting session – though this time it'll grace the banks of the Maribyrnong River – as chefs Jerry Mai (Annam), Adam D'Sylva (Coda, Tonka) and Kay-Lene Tan (Coda, Tonka) pool their talents to deliver a multi-cultural, modern Australian lunch to 1,700 diners. There'll also be food for the mind, as the MFWF Theatre of Ideas talks series explores ideas about sustainability and community. Other festival fun might find you noshing on a Brutally Early Breakfast at Collingwood's soon-to-launch Congress; enjoying a BBQ block party starring eats from both Fancy Hanks and Smith & Daughters; embarking on a boozy trip through time with a specially curated cocktail journey at Dinner By Heston; and partying hard at Bouvier Bar's dedicated sausage festival.
When it comes to cinema, there's something rather cool about being ahead of the curve, watching the latest and greatest flicks unfold on the silver screen well before anyone else. Well, at Flickerfest Short Film Festival you can do just that. Yep, break out the popcorn, the internationally acclaimed festival is back. After its official launch in Sydney earlier this year, it's headed south, and there's a swag of world premieres on the bill. This year, the folks at Flickerfest received 2700 entries from more than 100 countries around the world. And on Wednesday, February 13, you'll get to see the best of the local bunch, with Kino Palace Cinemas screening a handpicked selection of nine shorts by Victorian filmmakers. Standout shorts from the homegrown lineup include All These Creatures — a 13-minute film shot in Dandenong, which picked up Best Editing in an Australian Short Film at the Flickerfest 2019 Awards ceremony in Sydney — and stunning documentary This is Yarra, which follows a South Sudanese community in Melbourne as they prepare for a national basketball tournament. Also on the bill are An Act of Love, which explores the sometimes-fraught connection between identical twins, and The Hunt, a dystopian thriller featuring a female hunting collective. For some more lighthearted content, look out for live action/hand animated hybrid film Troll Bridge, about an old barbarian and his talking horse, and Lost & Found, which tracks the adventures of an adorable knitted dinosaur. Tickets for the evening cost $25 and include drinks and snacks following the screening. To see the full Flickerfest Best of Melbourne Shorts 2019 program and grab tickets, head to the website. Plus, we've got five double passes to give away. Enter with your details below, cinephiles. [competition]706271[/competition]
The Helium 2014 program gets a little weird (in a good way, of course). In what's been described as a "multimedia This is Spinal Tap", Applespiel Make A Band and Take On the Recording Industry is a live-action rockumentary from Sydney performance group Applespiel. The show follows a fictional eight-piece indie band who crave success, complicated riders and "truckloads of cocaine". Needless to say, things don't work out for them, but an insight into their downfall will prove to be amusing nonetheless. Now in its third year, Malthouse Theatre's Helium is a celebration of independent theatre-makers and original ideas; the realms of high and low culture coming into proper alignment. Partnering up with Next Wave and the Melbourne Fringe for certain productions, this year's initiative from the highly respected Malthouse Theatre is quickly building momentum and looks to be a major player in this year's already bustling cultural program. Applespiel Make a Band and Take On the Recording Industry runs September 3 -13, tickets available via Malthouse Theatre. To check out the rest of the 2014 Helium program, we've got the wrap up over here.
In 2007, Dublin-born writer-director John Carney released his low-budget indie musical Once to widespread critical acclaim. Seven years later he returns to the genre with Begin Again, a similarly plotted follow-up, just with a far bigger budget and cast. The additional gloss and star power runs somewhat contrary to the film's subject matter, about two unlikely collaborators making music on the cheap. Still, with leads this charismatic, it's difficult to go wrong. In a role that recalls his likeable loser persona from The Kids Are All Right, Mark Ruffalo plays washed-up New York record executive Dan. Once a successful music producer, he's long become disillusioned with the biz, pissing off everyone who matters and getting fired from the company he helped found. His personal life is in a similar state of disarray — when you need to borrow beer money from your teenage daughter (Hailee Steinfeld), it's a sign that things aren't exactly going great. While drowning his sorrows in a bar in the East Village, Dan hears a melancholy performance from Gretta (Keira Knightley), who we soon learn is the recently ditched girlfriend of up-and-coming British pop-star Dave Kohl (played in a fun, self-deprecating turn by Maroon 5 front-man Adam Levine). Convinced that she's got what it takes, Dan approaches Greta with a record deal. The catch is that neither of them has any money, so they'll have to record it live on the city streets. More than once, there's a sense that Carney wants to have his cake and eat it too. The film is highly critical of the music industry — embodied by Levine's sell-out Kohl — and champions the DIY approach of independent artists for whom music is about a lot more than money. It's a message that felt perfectly suited to the micro-budget Once but seems a little bit at odds with the A-list names and glossy production values found here. Begin Again is also a far perkier film than Carney's previous work, gliding over more serious plot points, such as Dan's apparent alcoholism, with relentless, fairytale positivity. Yet only a cynic would begrudge the film its optimism. Even as you're aware of the script's somewhat hypocritical construction, it's hard not to be won over by its considerable warmth and charm. Ruffalo and Knightley have wonderful chemistry, and the fruits of their partnership are a joy to hear come to life. The songs, like the rest of the film, are cutesy but ultimately enjoyable. And who knew Knightley could sing? https://youtube.com/watch?v=zqRL2dY5-us
Surrey Hills is no longer the alcoholic 'dry-zone' it was a mere decade ago. If the presence of The Hills Wine Bar — from the team behind Milton Wine Shop and The Alps — isn't enough to prove it, maybe the bar's life-size graphic of Maria von Trapp prancing through the Austrian Hills with a bottle of wine in either hand will. The modest-fronted bar on Union Road opened in 2017, and winds back farther than the passerby would expect. That means it provides plenty of perfect spots to sit and catch up over a bottle of wine — and with 220 varieties choose from, that's no easy task. There's also a trusty list of beers, a few ciders and some staple cocktails to at least keep the front of a balanced drinks menu. As for food, the bar offers up solid pizza options, including the Milk & Honey with prosciutto, pork, gorgonzola, rosemary, and honey. It's also added classic bar snacks and an attractive DIY cheese and charcuterie board selection. In keeping with its wine-centric vibe, The Hills also provides wine experiences for those eager to learn more about what they're drinking. These range from What is Natural Wine ($49) to the Burgundy Masterclass ($390) — and can take place in-house, at the office or even in your home.
One minute Sydney's Johnny Took, Matt Mason and Tommy O'Dell were writing nostalgic garage pop in a Newtown bedroom. The next, they were on high rotation on triple j, applauded by Splendour in the Grass-goers and basking in Channel V praise along the lines of "terminally infectious". With comfortably breezy tunes that could rival Oasis, DMAs are Australia's answer to Brit-rock — and they have the wardrobe of Adidas to match. The trio's sweet acoustic sound first hit the ears of influential label I OH YOU (Violent Soho, DZ Deathrays) in September 2013. "A good friend (who I guess I owe a beer to now) called me up and began barking down my phone about an amazing young band from Newtown," explained I OH YOU director Johann Ponniah, who released the trio's debut EP earlier this year. Their debut single 'Delete' swept across social media and dominated radio rotation, then the lads were one of the highlights of Splendour in the Grass this year, prompting many a singalong to 'Feels like 37' and 'The Plan'. Living well up to the significant hype, DMAs played their Britpop-loving butts off, as frontman Johnny Took steered the crew with his Gallagher-like pipes and tambourine stick. After a few smaller, low-key shows to promote their debut EP, the Sydneysiders are now embarking on their first ever national tour; playing shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Fremantle. If you haven't seen DMAs live yet, get amongst it at Northcote Social Club on October 11 and 12. Adidas trackies optional. Supported by The Creases. Words by Molly Glassey and Jasmine Crittenden. https://youtube.com/watch?v=vKSWC5r1tYg
Port Melbourne is set to score its own taste of the 1950s jazz scene, when sophisticated cocktail lounge Clooney Kitchen & Bar opens on Bay Street later this month. Named not for the actor, but for his famous jazz musician aunt Rosie, it's a little dose of old-world Hollywood glamour down under. Heading up the bar are Shannon McFarland (The Rochester, Woodland House) and Will Crennan (Gin Palace, Collins Quarter), who have pulled together a collection of artisanal spirits, inventive signature cocktails, craft beers from across Italy and Australia, and a tidy, yet well-travelled lineup of wine. Dialling up the luxury will be lesser known Italian liqueurs, Scotch tasting trays and George Clooney's own Casamigos tequila. Meanwhile, McFarland's house-made liqueurs promise to add a unique edge to your drinking sessions. To match, Head Chef Leigh Stanicic (Melbourne Wine Room, The Fat Duck) has designed a menu of bar snacks and small bites drawing inspiration from across Europe and Asia, full of big, fresh flavours and boasting lots of raw dishes. Choose your own adventure, or settle in for the four-course food and cocktail degustation, a collaboration between McFarland and Stanicic. The space itself is dressed to impress, designed by Darren Kerf of Kerf Designs, with swanky plum velvet booths, art deco features and bold wallpapers full of 1950s elegance. To round out the experience, the team is matching that vintage sophistication with an old-school sense of hospitality, serving drinks carefully customised to guests' palates, and respecting the classics, while also embracing the new and innovative. Find Clooney Kitchen & Bar at 171 Bay Street, Port Melbourne, from late August.
Take a Melbourne artist who has collaborated with the likes of The Design Files and Gorman, add Modern Times gallery, a space that focuses on vintage furniture and modern Australian homewares and you have Ellie Malin’s first solo exhibition. Moonflower will open in Fitzroy on Thursday November 21 and exhibit a range of woodblock prints that explore the connection and beauty between nature and the manmade. Colour and texture come alive in what started out as offcuts of paper, that Malin then turned into woodblocks for printing. You can see the connection to Gorman when you look at the prints too. The shapes and colours are reminiscent of a beautiful shift dress or bucket skirt. Don’t blame us if you feel like wearing the artwork after.
If we look back to where we were in our early 20s, it was probably still skiving off our parents' health insurance and taking our washing back home every other weekend because we couldn't afford a washing machine. Charlie Carrington, on the other hand, is casually opening his own South Yarra restaurant, Atlas Dining — and he's only 22. Yep, you read that right. You still haven't bought a washing machine and this kid is opening his own restaurant. And if that wasn't work enough already, Carrington will be doing the cooking too. A trained chef, the 22-year-old has earned his stripes in the kitchens of Vue de Monde and Sydney's Firedoor, as well as a slew of international restaurants. His recent travels around the world is what's led to the decision to not tie Atlas Dining to one cuisine. Instead, it will change with the seasons; every four months the menu will switch to a completely different country of origin, beginning with Vietnamese when the restaurant opens on September 1. Starting with northern Vietnam and honouring dishes from regions like Hanoi and Sapa, the menu will move steadily down the country representing more southern regions as the weather warms up. Carrington picked the Southeast Asian country to kick things off, saying that it felt like a natural fit. "It really worked out well in terms of the fire-cooking we'll be doing," he says. The connection with fire will see him bring techniques he learnt at Firedoor to the plate — and it sounds like tasty, firey things are nigh. "We've got the same grills, raising and lowering grills, all the charcoal stuff, and we have a woodfire oven too," says Carrington. So bring your meat belly along. What comes after Vietnam? Well, he's heading to Israel at the end of the year, so we know what cuisine #2 will be come 2017. Next stop is Korea (North or South not specified, but probably South) and the rest of the trip is as yet unplanned. In the meantime, check out Atlas Dining's Vietnamese fare, continue feeling unaccomplished (we are), and heed his advice for young chefs: go and travel. Definitely words to live by — even if you've never cooked a thing in your life. Atlas Dining opens on Thursday, September 1 and will be open for dinner Tuesday through to Saturday at 133 Commercial Road, South Yarra. For more info and to make a booking, check out their atlasdining.com.au.
October is made for weird, wild and wonderful movies filled with shocks and scares. 'Tis Halloween season, after all. So, the world obliges, including on screens big and small — and, in 2023, via the return of Australia's genre film festival Monster Fest, which is dedicated to flicks of the spooky, dark, twisted, offbeat and out-there variety. Monster Fest doesn't always pop up in the month when everyone is worshipping pumpkins and thinking about costumes; however, the timing obviously couldn't be more perfect. As it always does, it'll run long in Melbourne, taking over Cinema Nova from Thursday, October 12–Sunday, October 22. Standouts titles on the 2023 program include Suitable Flesh, which stars Heather Graham (Extrapolations) as a doctor going mad, takes its inspiration from HP Lovecraft and boasts Joe Lynch (Creepshow) behind the lens; The Last Video Store, a horror-comedy set, yes, in one of the last video stores; and Norwegian flick There's Something in the Barn, about a gnome uprising that plagues an American family (including Party Down's Martin Starr) who've relocated to Scandinavia. Or, there's also sci-fi comedy Time Addicts, Australian slasher Bloodmoon getting a 4K restoration 33 years after its OG release and Trim Season's nightmarish trip to a weed farm. When Evil Lurks and its demonic infection will launch the Victorian capital's leg of the fest. From there, that's also where Red Rooms, which recently won Best Feature at the 2023 Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal, joins the program. And, so does the kung fu-filled The Invisible Fright, a 4K restoration of Jim Jarmusch's (The Dead Don't Die) Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai and a 30th-anniversary session of ninth Friday the 13th entry Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (screening on the appropriate date, of course). On the doco front, erotic thrillers are thrust into the spotlight in We Kill for Love, Satan Wants You looks back at 80s-era satanic panic and Enter the Clones of Bruce surveys the talents that endeavoured to replicate Bruce Lee after his death. Going all in on Bruceploitation, Monster Fest is also putting on a double of The Dragon Lives Again and Challenge of the Tiger, where Dracula and James Bond are among Bruce's foes.
No longer just the realms of year three excursions where your mum came as chaperone, Melbourne Zoo Twilights — the after-hours live music series that boasts perhaps one of the best summer nights out, as well as lots of adorable animals — has proven it's got some real cred when it comes to hosting outdoor gigs in the past few years. After all, the event has hosted headliners such as Kurt Vile, Cat Power and Ben Folds over the last few years. And this summer the event will return with a series of live sets every weekend from Friday, January 24 through Saturday, March 7. Last month, Zoo Twilights announced famed LA composer and singer Randy Newman — who has won two Academy awards and seven Grammys, and is behind songs in nine Disney and Pixar films — as one of its headline acts. And, now, it's just dropped the full 2020 lineup. Aussie pop royalty Missy Higgins, Twilight regulars The Cat Empire, seminal Jamaican reggae group Toots and The Maytals, Perth noir-pop band Methyl Ethel and dance floor starters Confidence Man will all taking the stage this season. A few big throwbacks are also on this year's program, including the pub-rock legends behind 'Great Southern Land' and 'Electric Blue' Icehouse, 70s English band 10cc — if you don't know the name, you'll definitely know their hit 'I'm Not in Love' — and US gospel queen and 99 Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Mavis Staples. UK-French avant-pop band Stereolab has also reunited after a ten-year break and will be treating to the crowd to its first live performance in a decade. Bringing your own picnic is encouraged, but there'll also be handy gourmet hampers available on-site, as well as a slew of food trucks to choose nosh from. Either way, it's one of the best dates in Melbourne. Plus, all proceeds from Zoo Twilights go back into Zoo Victoria's ongoing conservation work to help fight the extinction of the Mountain Pygmy possum. MELBOURNE ZOO TWILIGHTS 2020 PROGRAM Friday, January 24 — Confidence Man, supported by Wax'o Paradiso Saturday, January 25 — Icehouse, with special guests Friday, January 31 — Toots and The Maytals, supported by Systa BB Saturday, February 1 — An Evening with Randy Newman Friday, February 7 — Missy Higgins, supported by William Crighton Friday, February 14 — The Cat Empire, supported by Emily Wurramara Friday, February 21 — 10cc, supported by Russell Morris Saturday, February 22 — Methyl Ethel, supported by Hatchie Friday, February 28 — Julia Jacklin, supported by Weyes Blood Saturday, February 29 — Meg Mac, supported by Fergus James Friday, March 6 — Stereolab, supported by Mildlife Saturday, March 7 — Mavis Staples, supported by Emma Donovan and The Putbacks Tickets go on sale at 8am on Tuesday, October 22 at zootwilights.org.au. Updated October 16, 2019. Images: Ian Laidlaw
Housed within the heritage 1930s Equity Chambers at the Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, sits dapper destination eatery Luci. A contemporary Australian fine diner with an Italian-Euro twist, it's named after the Roman leader and famous gourmet, Lucias Lucullus. Here, chef Sam Moore (Pier in Rose Bay, Becasse, No.35 at Sofitel Melbourne) is serving a sharp, produce-driven menu across brekkie and dinner. The food strikes a balance between the classic and the modern, while the space boasts a grand, old-world fitout complete with original wood panelling, restored heritage elevators and stonework galore. The menu hits plenty of high notes. For breakfast, there's a fried duck egg paired with roasted squash, hazelnuts and duck ham ($22), along with the likes of a wattleseed bircher ($12) and the smoked ham hock on potato rosti with cabbage ($23). Come dinner, you might find plates like a goat's milk ricotta gnocchi ($22/36), Hiramasa kingfish featuring mango and coriander ($24), and a lamb saddle with cos lettuce and anchovies ($44). The wine list is also a winner, fully stocked with a broad mix of local drops and interesting low-intervention options. Meanwhile, the 1930s-style Douglas Club next door is your go-to for elegantly revamped classic cocktails, with a bar run by Gee Shanmugam (from Windsor's Galah Bar and Mya Tiger at The Espy). Images: Food and interiors by Kristoffer Paulsen; Hilton entrance by Paul Gosney
Enter the enchanting speakeasy-style cocktail lounge adjacent to Naught's gin distillery, and you'd be forgiven for assuming you're deep within the inner-city reaches. But in fact, the moodily-lit bar, with its elegant sense of drama and standout cocktails, makes its home around 25 kilometres northeast of the CBD, in the leafy suburb of Eltham. The brainchild of former teacher Chris Cameron, Naught has been quick to make a splash in the gin world, having scooped a swag of local and international awards since its first gin release in 2020. In December, the Australian Dry Gin scored both the Champion New World/Contemporary Gin and Champion Victorian Gin trophies at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards. Now, the label is proving itself as a serious player in Melbourne's cocktail bar scene, with this sultry drinking den kitted out by Studio Y (Lumé, Nick & Nora's and Pearl Diver). Designed to transport you well beyond its pocket of suburbia, the space is a glamorous one, featuring striking wallpaper, touches of velvet and an imposing sculptural work of dried native botanicals suspended from the ceiling. Pull up a seat at the bar or in one of the deep leather booths, and admire the gleaming copper of the attached distillery while you sample Naught's creations at play. The bar's signature cocktails are crafted on either Naught's Australian Dry, Sangiovese or Overproof Gin, with the much-hyped Classic Dry also set to join the menu upon its release. Here, there's a focus on the classics, backed by a lineup of subtle reworkings and clever signature sips. Take a trip back in time with an Aviation or a raspberry-spiked Clover Club, or re-energise with Naught's take on the espresso martini; made with macadamia and toasted wattleseed liqueur, and coffee by Eltham's Craftwork Roasting. Also earning buzz is the HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUA'A — a blend of the Australian Dry Gin, orgeat, fresh pineapple and bitters, named after the state fish of Hawaii. Elsewhere, you'll find a three-gin tasting flight, a couple of house G&T's and a top-notch martini offering. A tight crop of hyper-local beers and wines also make an appearance. Meanwhile, the share-friendly food menu will see you matching your sips with the likes of a loaded grazing board; the chicken, leek and truffle terrine; buffalo mozzarella with Pedro Ximénez balsamic and red-gum-smoked sea salt; and tins of caviar paired with crème fraîche and crisps. Find Naught Cocktail Bar & Distillery at 2/32 Peel Street, Eltham. It's open 5–10pm Thursday, 5pm–12am Friday and Saturday, and 2–10pm Sunday.
For over 20 years now, the annual Top Arts exhibition has brought together the stunning works of Victoria's emerging student artists in a showcase of the next generation of talent. Top Arts 2017 features the works of Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) students who studied Arts or Studio Arts with the exhibition highlighting the diverse skills of students through painting, drawing, sculpture, multimedia and installation works. Held at the NGV's Ian Potter Centre, the exhibition will run until July 16, and displays the art of 47 students to an estimated 200,000 visitors with Top Arts proving to be one of the NGV's most popular annual exhibitions. Each year approximately 2000 hopeful student artists from all across Victoria apply for the opportunity to exhibit at Top Arts, with a shortlist of the leading 150 reached before the final exhibiting selection is made. Image: Brendan Hartnett next to his work Ennui (2016), oil, synthetic polymer paint, cement and charcoal on canvas, 125.4 x 180.0 cm. Shot by Eugene Hyland.
Peer into the murky world of government surveillance and modern combat, with this season of eye-opening documentaries at ACMI in Fed Square. Running from October 13-25, the Lies and Secrets program features four fascinating non-fiction films that will leave you shocked, appalled and more than a little bit paranoid. The centrepiece of the season is Alex Gibney's Zero Days, a critically acclaimed tale about the unintended consequences of cyber warfare. Alongside it filmgoers will find Sonia Kennebeck's National Bird, which screened at this year's Melbourne International Film Festival and concerns the secrecy surrounding the US aerial drone program. The remaining films focus on the war on the ground. Jim: The James Foley Story tells the tale of the photojournalist of the same name, whose public execution signalled the emergence of the Islamic State. Finally, The Land of the Enlightened takes audiences on a seven year journey through war torn Afghanistan, where the actions of foreign fighters shape the lives of the next generation.
Thanks to streaming, you can basically watch a movie anywhere you like these days — but there's still nothing quite like feeling the grass beneath your feet and the breeze on your face as the silver screen lights up at an outdoor cinema. That's what Barefoot Cinema serves up, and has since first springing to life in Portsea in 2016. The event had to sit out the past two years due to the pandemic; however, this multi-venue setup is now making its return — including at a brand new venue. First up, from Wednesday, January 5–Saturday, January 29, Barefoot Cinema is kicking things off in Mount Martha on the Peninsula — which is where you can see old-school delights such as Dirty Dancing, Grease and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, as well as current releases like No Time to Die, The French Dispatch, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Licorice Pizza, The Matrix Resurrections, Encanto, West Side Story and House of Gucci. Then, from Tuesday, February 1–Saturday, February 26, the event will hit the St Kilda Botanical Gardens for the first time ever. There, you can once again recent and classic flicks aplenty, all under the stars — including some of the aforementioned titles, plus Ghostbusters: Afterlife, King Richard, Scream, Spencer and The 355. Finally, it's off to the Victorian State Rose Garden at Werribee Park between Tuesday, March 1–Saturday, March 19. The lineup there hasn't yet been revealed, so watch this space. Although movies are the main attraction, Barefoot Cinema isn't just about watching a film, of course — with the event also featuring live music, food trucks, lawn games, local wines and craft beers. Updated February 2.
Australia and Germany aren't so different, you know. We both have a rich history of meat-eating — we take our sausages very seriously — and we wear our beer bellies with a possibly misplaced sense of pride. While we usually just celebrate both these pastimes with a piss up on Australia Day, the Germans make a whole festival out of it. Jealous? Us too. That's why Munich Brauhaus has everything you need to bring the celebrations down under. The 900-seater, authentically styled German beerhall, just a short walk from the CBD, has an enormous list of beers on tap, enough schnapps to get your Bavarian grandmother excited, and most things on the menu are in some way related to seasoned pork. Here are a few of the events they have in store for you this Oktoberfest. Get into tradition with a keg tapping First off, despite what the name may suggest, Oktoberfest officially starts in September. Get kitted out in proper lederhosen from September 19 and embrace the full experience of a Bavarian beerhall at Munich Brauhaus. Here, you can spill half your drink while participating in a bier stein carrying competition, and get it filled up again with the traditional tapping of the keg. The venue is also playing host to an array of German games. Our favourite is hammerschlagen (nail hammering) — because what could be better than copious amounts of beer and untrained people swinging hand tools? September 19 Don't even think about not drinking beer Usually we're up for a full taste test of everything on the menu, but Oktoberfest is all about the beer. Don't be the person who orders a chardonnay or a single malt scotch. Your drink is going to look strange and miniature next to the 1L steins everyone else is swaying above their heads. But, if you really have no idea what to order — especially when everything on tap is invariably spelled with an umlaut — try a traditional bier flight. You can taste a little bit of all the rare German offerings and look like a real connoisseur of the craft to all the diehard bierheads out there. Bier flights throughout Oktoberfest. Go Pro in The Oktoberfest Hunt Not only are lederhosen good at keeping your pants up and fun to obnoxiously pull at, in this case they could also win you a prize! This year, Oktoberfest venues across the country are on The Hunt for the Prince and Princess of Oktoberfest. Deck yourself out in festival garb, head down to the Brauhaus and get set to compete in basic Bavarian trivia, some traditional games, stein drinking competitions and more. For your trouble, you could be looking at $5,000 worth of prize money when the national finals are held here on October 12. Do you have any idea how many hot pretzels you can buy with that kind of money? Melbourne finals September 28, national finals October 12. Pace yourself for the Oktoberfest Long Weekend Though traditional festivities kick off in late September, be mindful not to drink yourself into a Deutsch stuper too early on; the real party hits from October 3-6. Jägermeister are teaming up with the Munich Brauhaus to start the party on Friday, and thing are bound to step up a notch. See the season off in style, while singing with an elderly oom-pah band, downing a couple of schnapps of Jäger, and swaying your free stein of freshly tapped weissbier above your head. If at all possible, please drink responsibly/stay alive. October 3-6 For more Oktoberfest shenanigans, see the Munich Brauhaus website.
Crossing acclaimed restaurants off your dining bucket list is a little easier when they're within touching distance of the city. But one that some have yet to check off is Wickens at Royal Mail Hotel — a lauded two-hatted restaurant situated in Dunkeld at the foothills of the Grampians National Park. However, scratch any plans you had to head west, as the Royal Mail Hotel is coming to town to host a special winter dining series at the Rippon Lea Estate. Transforming its grand ballroom into an intimate fine-dining destination across four July and two August dates, Executive Chef Robin Wickens is bringing all his garden-to-plate ideas to the table for this three-hour experience. Featuring produce harvested directly from the Royal Mail Hotel's abundant organic kitchen garden, each multi-course menu will honour the richness of the Grampians' winter cuisine. Think slow-grown root vegetables, fragrant brassicas, cool-climate citrus and bitter herbs. Prepared with a minimalist approach, Wickens and his team let the ingredients speak for themselves. Not to be overlooked — it's one of Victoria's finest estates after all — guests will also receive a Rippon Lea-inspired cocktail or mocktail on arrival, with curated beverage pairings available. "This is about bringing the essence of what makes Royal Mail Hotel special — our connection to place, season and exceptional produce — to Melbourne diners who might never make the journey to Dunkeld," says Wickens. Images: Emily Weaving / Kristoffer Paulsen.
'Social distancing' isn't just a phrase that you might remember from watching Contagion years ago. As the world reacts to COVID-19, it's an important and crucial tactic to help stem the growing spread of the coronavirus. That means not only keeping your distance from other people if and when you do venture out of the house but, increasingly, staying home entirely. If communal viewing parties are part of your usual social routine, however, you don't have to completely adjust to watching Netflix alone. Thanks to a Google Chrome plug-in called Netflix Party, you can now stream movies and TV series on the platform simultaneously with your friends — with the browser extension synchronising everyone's playback so you're truly watching each and every frame at the same time. It also features an online chat function, allowing you to talk, laugh and otherwise comment while your film or show of choice plays. To use Netflix Party, everyone you'd like to watch with will need have their own Netflix account. They'll also need to use Google Chrome — and the plug-in is only available on desktop and laptop computers, so you won't be able to sync your television sets. After downloading the extension, you'll want to head to the Netflix website, select what you'd like to watch and hit the 'NP' button at the top of the browser next to the address bar. Then, select 'start the party', which'll create a URL for you to share with your mates. For those receiving a Netflix Party URL, you'll need to click on it to open it in Google Chrome, then hit the 'NP' button at the top of the browser next to the address bar. Once you've done that, it should automatically bring you into the communal viewing space. Of course, people have tried synchronising their streaming viewing manually ever since Netflix and other platforms emerged on the scene. If you've attempted that option, though, you'll now that it's tricky, involves a constant barrage of text messages asking "which part are you at now?", and just proves logistically frustrating. Netflix Party is available for Google Chrome on both desktop and laptop computers. To download the plug-in, visit the Netflix Party website. 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. Top image: Netflix.
Windsor's Singapore-inspired Hawker Hall is celebrating its reopening with a new lunchtime deal called Satay Club. Kicking off on Friday, June 26 and available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm thereafter, the midday offering includes saucy deals on both drinks and food. Shiki beers will be pouring for just $3 a pop and satay sticks — in a variety of flavours — will be going for four for $11 ($2.75 each). You'll be able to choose from turmeric and lemongrass chicken, sichuan and chilli salt beef, cumin and sesame salt pork, and spicy tofu and sweet potato. If you're still hungry after you've eaten your way through four (or more) sticks, you can also order prawn toast ($15.50), fried chicken wings ($14.50), steamed bao buns with spicy rendang beef ($14.50), curried beef spring rolls ($15.50) and fried rice ($10.50). With limits on capacity — Victorian restaurants can only have 20 — lunch sittings at Hawker Hall are currently limited to 90 minutes and bookings are essential. To make one, head over to the website. [caption id="attachment_773958" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Julian Lallo[/caption]
Put down the books. Step away from the screen. For your next history lesson, you're busting out your best fancy footwork. History of House commemorates dance music through the decades, covering tunes and beats from half a century. 70s disco? Check. Pop from the 80s? Tick there, too. All things house ever since? That's the star of the show. History of House boasts two big-name talents as well: Groove Terminator and the Soweto Gospel Choir. The Australia DJ and the Grammy-winning, world-famous choral group have been joining forces to break house music's origins and evolution down — and, yes, bring the house down — since the 2020 Adelaide Fringe, where it won the Best Music Show award. House music with the choir that've played with Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Queen — plus Bono and Celine Dion — isn't the type of gig that you get to see every day. Now, it's Melbourne's time to make shapes, with the concert hitting up the Victorian capital on Saturday, October 28. Your dance floor for the evening: Forum Melbourne on Flinders Street. Images: Helen Page / Brisbane Festival.
Easter in Sydney doesn't just mean chocolate, hot cross buns and whatever other sweet treats the city's eateries happen to come up with at this time of year — it also means the Sydney Royal Easter Show. And, while you won't find the latter at El Camino Cantina's Tex-Mex Mex joint in Melbourne, of course, the chain is getting into the spirit of the event nationwide with its returning limited-edition margarita menu, which it has dubbed The Greatest Rita Show in 2024. For its latest batch of creative flavours, El Camino Cantina is serving up cream'n soda, sour lemonade, bubblegum, sour grape cloud, cherry bomb and chilli triple-buttered popcorn versions, too. The six showbag-inspired ritas are on offer from Monday, March 18–Sunday, April 7, in both 15-oz and 24-oz glasses — and they also come with new drunken bears, which are gummy bears infused with tequila and Grand Marnier. If you'd like to pair your sips with tacos, you'll find The Greatest Rita Show food menu on offer as well. Ever had a puffy taco? It's also a fresh limited-time addition, features a puffed-out taco shell, and comes filled with your choice of steak, marinated prawns, brisket, pulled pork and grilled chicken. To round out the bites, banana fritters are your dessert choice. In Melbourne, you'll find The Greatest Rita Show tempting your tastebuds at El Camino in Fitzroy.
The Victorian Government isn't set to deliver the 2020–21 State Budget until Tuesday, November 24, but it has been revealing some of its details and funding plans in the lead up to that date. And, as the announcement of $200 vouchers for regional getaways made clear, it's focusing on getting Victorians to explore their own backyard — and the entire state — in a big way now that this year's two period of lockdown have come to an end. Also already revealed as part of the budget: a heap of cash directed towards projects in regional areas that Melburnians will want to visit. If you like moseying along the coast, camping by the water and heading to a hot springs resort — another one, in addition to Peninsula Hot Springs — then you're in luck. For folks keen to hit up the Great Ocean Road, that area of the state is set to receive $47.5 million in funding. From that money, $23.8 million will be used to build a coastal walking trail that meanders by the sea and through the hinterland, spanning from Fairhaven to Grey River. It'll extend the existing Great Ocean Road Coastal Trail, and will include up to five new swing suspension bridges with impressive views of the Surf Coast. Around $2 million will go towards creating more campsites along the Surf Coast, too, while $18.3 million is earmarked for upgrading visitor facilities and infrastructure in the area, like toilets, viewing platforms, trails, beach access and car parking — and installing free public wi-fi. [caption id="attachment_746191" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] In the Gippsland region, $18.5 million is being set aside for a number of projects — including several places to spend a hefty amount of time. Over at the Cape Conran Coastal Park, $3.5 million will go to building ten eco-pods to stay in, all from sustainable materials. Next, $1.5 million will be spent on Metung Hot Springs, to create a new year-round geothermal mineral spring that can welcome 250 guests. And, another $1 million is destined for the proposed Nunduk Spa and Eco-Resort at Lake Wellington. The Gippsland funding will also use $3.5 million to restore the timber trestle Snowy Rail Bridge so it can be used safely by pedestrians and cyclists, plus $2 million for additional camping spots in East Gippsland. Another $2.8 million will go towards making Mallacoota Inlet easier to access, and $3.85 million to do the same for the Point Hicks Lighthouse, with $350,000 earmarked for expanding the Raymond Island koala trail. [caption id="attachment_681271" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Nicole Reed[/caption] From an overall Victorian Tourism Recovery Package clocking in at $465 million, cash will also be allocated to a range of other areas — including the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing hiking trail, the Grampians Peak Trail, Mackenzie Falls, the Murray River Adventure Trail, Wilsons Promontory, the Mallee Silo Art Trail and the new National Centre for Photography in Ballarat. For wine-lovers, the funds will also be used to help expand the Prosecco Road winery district, and to establish accommodation at Dal Zotto Wines. Exact timing around all of the above hasn't been announced — and it's a hefty list, so it's safe to say it won't all happen quickly. Still, if you didn't already have a sizeable number of places to visit across the state, you will in the future. For more information about the Victorian Tourism Recovery Package, read the Victorian Government announcement. Top image: Great Ocean Road, Visit Victoria
With summer fast approaching, it is once again time to head out to Victoria's countryside and explore the region's orchards, wineries and small towns. The Yarra Valley is surely high on your list of places to explore, but getting around to all of the best bits can be tough. Thankfully, the Warburton Valley Community Economic Development Association (CEDA) is bringing together a stack of the region's top producers for its huge Road to Food Discovery Festival. On Saturday, November 9, you can head over to CherryHill's gorgeous Coldstream Orchard to sample food and wine from local independent producers while immersing yourself in the orchard experience. Rayner's Orchard, Millgrove Dairy, Silva Coffee, and Yarra Valley Gourmet Foods will all be at the orchard, selling their produce and chatting about what they do. You can also stop by for a scone-making class with Mary Eats Cake or level up your cooking skills with a regional produce cooking demonstration run by Balgownie Estate. Blowgoneie is also teaming up with Cuvee Chocolate to teach you what chocolate goes with what wine. Along with interactive experiences and entertainment, visitors can browse market stalls filled to the brim with fresh produce, artisan goods, and homemade creations sourced locally in Yarra Valley. And don't forget to get a taste of CherryHill with fresh, premium boxed cherries, cherry ice cream, and refreshing bevs.
Since the beginning of time, humans have always matched food with wine. Jesus broke bread with vino, the Vikings had their salted fish and mead, the French have cheese and champagne and the Italians cicchetti and aperitivo — a pairing we've all enjoyed more than a few times this summer. If you've spent the last few months like we did, cured meats, olives, vegetables in oil, cheese and the like have become a diet staple, especially when paired with a spritz or even simpler, a crisp glass of prosecco. As we move into autumn, there's no need to lose this little evening, pre-going out ritual — even if that summer sun starts to slip away. To help you take the magic of this molto buono pairing from the bar terrace and into your home, we've partnered with the wine aficionados at Dal Zotto and crafted five cicchetti to serve with the new Dal Zotto prosecco. Before your next night out, grab a few friends, a bottle of bubbles and kick back at your own at-home aperitivo hour. Red and white gingham tablecloths are entirely optional. CURED MEAT AND CHEESE TOASTS The zesty flavour of the prosecco cuts through the rich flavours of the meats and cheese. Plus, making it DIY limits prep time so you can easily plate, serve, eat and go. — preferred cured meats (spicy salami, salumi, prosciutto, bresaola, etc.) — preferred cheeses (provolone, parmesan, mozzarella, gorgonzola, etc.) — baguette, sliced about 2 centimetres wide and toasted Plate the meats, cheeses and bread together for everyone to construct themselves to their preference. Just make sure to keep the bubbles flowing. PANCETTA WRAPPED PRAWNS This upscale version of shrimp on the barbie is crunchy and rich and contrasts beautifully with the ripe fruit flavours and crisp acidity of prosecco. — 16 raw prawns, deveined — 8 pancetta rashers — aioli (serves four) Preheat the oven to 200°C and cut the rashers in half lengthwise. Wrap each prawn in a pancetta slice and place on a baking tray and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until fully cooked. Serve with aioli and well-chilled prosecco. BRUSCHETTA This classic is an oldy but a goody — and requires minimal effort. All you'll need is a toaster, chopping board and well-sharpened knife. Oh, and a glass of prosecco for while you're constructing. — 4 large slices of ciabatta — 4 tomatoes, roughly chopped — 2 garlic cloves, crushed — 2 red onions, diced — 3 cloves garlic, minced — 1/2 cup of basil, chopped — pepper and salt, to taste — balsamic and olive oil, to drizzle (serves four) Toast the ciabatta until almost burnt, then oil the bread. Combine the remaining ingredients in a bowl, then divide the mixture evenly onto each piece toasted slice. Top with a drizzle of olive oil and garnish with basil leaves. Serve alongside a glass of prosecco immediately. PESTO ESCARGOT No, we're not eating snails. It's just a tasty pastry which has a cute snail-like (spiral) appearance, and the bitey parmesan and pesto counter the bubbly prosecco perfectly. — 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, defrosted — 3 tablespoons basil pesto — 1 cups parmesan cheese, grated (makes about 12 pieces) Preheat the oven to 180°C, then line a baking tray with baking paper and set aside. Roll out the dough and spread the pesto and cheese evenly over the pastry. Then, roll the sheet tightly into a long scroll and slice evenly into 12 pieces. Lay each piece on the tray leaving 2 centimetres between each roll, and bake for 10–15 minutes. Enjoy at a snail's pace over the afternoon with a bottle of bubbly, of course. ANTIPASTI SKEWERS Prosecco and antipasto are like old-timey best mates; they're always better together. The acidity of the prosecco counterbalances the saltiness of the olives and the creaminess of the mozzarella. — prosciutto — bocconcini — pitted olives — grape tomatoes — marinated artichoke hearts, drained and halved — basil leaves — skewers Add each ingredient onto a skewer, alternating colour and taste as you go. Arrange all the skewers on a serving platter, drizzle with olive oil and serve with a glass of prosecco. Keen for more fizz? Visit The Osborne, Auburn Hotel, The Cove, Captain Melville, Jimmy Watsons, La Manna or Parkhill Cellars for a glass of bubbly perfection. Plus, as part of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2019, Dal Zotto winery is hosting an Italian lunch feast on Saturday, March 16. For more information and to book tickets, head this way.
You can't get closer to the centre of Beechworth than The Hive Apartment. Owned and operated by Australian honey powerhouse Beechworth Honey, The apartment is the location to explore the historic town and learn about the lives of beekeepers and honeybees. The building that houses The Hive Apartment was originally built in 1856 — the apartment was actually the original residence of the bank manager of the Bank of New South Wales, one of the oldest bank buildings in Victoria. Beechworth played a large role in the Australian gold rush in the 1800s, and gold was often held here in the 'Gold Office'. Now, it houses a liquid gold: honey. The self-contained apartment is situated on the first floor, providing an impressive outlook across Beechworth's two main streets, its historic buildings and its original architecture. It features a fully equipped kitchen and spacious dining and living room. The apartment can accommodate up to six guests across three bedrooms. The spacious king room offers a view overlooking Beechworth's iconic clock tower. The queen room offers its own private ensuite while the third bedroom is made up of two single beds. You won't have long to walk to discover all the local attractions including the Beechworth Honey Bee School, and the Historic Beekeeping Archive & Museum. There are plenty of restaurants or bistros nearby but if you fancy utilising the generous kitchen, there's a supermarket across the road. Visitors can enjoy a honey breakfast basket courtesy of Beechworth Honey. The Hive Apartments' central location in the heart of Beechworth means you are only a short stroll from local attractions. The Hive Apartment is located 300m metres from The Beechworth Honey Shop, its flagship store with over 40 Australian single varietal honeys to taste plus a working bee hive to see the busy bees at work. There are plenty of restaurants or cafes nearby but if you fancy utilising the generous kitchen, there's a supermarket across the road. Visitors can enjoy a honey breakfast basket courtesy of Beechworth Honey.
UPDATE: MARCH 11, 2020 — Originally scheduled for this Friday, March 13, the official reopening of The Albert Park Hotel has been delayed until further notice due to health concerns surrounding COVID-19. While VicHealth has deemed the venue safe, the pub will remain closed as staff, who came into contact with a guest that's since tested positive for coronavirus, self-isolate for two weeks. The Albert Park Hotel will consult with VicHealth again before confirming a new opening date. 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. It's endured plenty of changes throughout its 137-year history as a pub, but The Albert Park Hotel is now about to unveil its grandest makeover yet. The long-running corner boozer officially throws open its doors this March, having sat dormant since being bought by new owners the Colonial Leisure Group in 2014. Joining a stable of popular venues that includes the likes of Lucky Coq, Bimbo Deluxe, Brunswick's The Penny Black and the Portsea Hotel, it comes as no surprise The Albert Park Hotel is jumping back onto the scene with a contemporary new look. Or that it's dishing up a modern Chinese food offering in place of the classic pub grub. Headed up by Six Degrees Architects and stylist Anna Roberts, the full revamp has seen the once dark and enclosed space transformed into something bright and upbeat, with light pouring through the windows of a new four-storey atrium. The interiors cleverly blend old and new, with modern finishes bringing new life to the pub's original brickwork and historic features — from the front bar and restaurant to the streetside beer garden and through to a cosy upstairs lounge. A sprawling artwork by Spacecraft pays homage to local flora and fauna, as well as to the suburb's past, while Roberts' careful selection of antiques and vintage artefacts mirror the Chinese angle of the new menu. That contemporary offering from executive chef Ken Yuen is available throughout the venue, but takes centre stage within the restaurant, Happy Valley. It's a menu heavy on familiar Chinese flavours, while celebrating modern technique and local ingredients. Expect dim sum aplenty, alongside the likes of san choi bao, peking duck pancakes, XO pipis and a kung pao chicken laced with facing heaven chilli. Crisp Eugowra quail is done with lashings of szechuan pepper salt; char siu salmon pairs with coriander, sesame and a soft fried hen's egg; and steamed Port Arlington mussels come bathed in an aromatic ginger soy broth. [caption id="attachment_764278" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Shiff[/caption] You can match your feed with a few crisp brews and some footy in the front bar, or perhaps take advantage of the Aussie-led wine lineup and a reserve list that's at once high-end and affordable. Meanwhile, a comfy hideaway awaits upstairs in the elegant lounge bar, where DJs spin through the weekends and crafty cocktails come courtesy of Bar Manager Asher Spitz (Boilermaker House). Settle in with some mod-Chinese snacks matched to sips like the 'Espresso Tropicale' — a reworked classic featuring vodka, szechuan spices, espresso, lime and coconut. The Albert Park Hotel will open soon on the corner of Montague Street and Dundas Place, Albert Park. We'll let you know as soon as an opening date is confirmed. Images: Simon Shiff
The Lona Group's late-night bar and restaurant Hotel Lona is tucked away in the centre of Frankston and is set up for big groups. The menu includes sharing dishes, pub classics, woodfired pizzas, tender steaks, and tempting vegan options. It's designed to satisfy most, so even your fussiest mate should find something that tickles their fancy. Every night, local acoustic musicians perform live at Hotel Lona, which comes alive with a vibrant energy as the night goes on. Under the stars, the rooftop turns into a dance floor where DJs spin tunes that extend the celebration until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. A calendar full of seasonal events also guarantees that there's always something to look forward to. In addition, this space is a destination for all types of celebrations, from sophisticated rooftop parties that can hold up to 200 guests to more intimate get-togethers in the private dining room.
Whether you love the olive garnish that comes with a classic martini, or opt for the dirty variety where brine goes straight in the drink, there's no doubt that olives play a big role in this enduring tipple's sharp, herbaceous appeal. To celebrate one of the world's most iconic cocktails, Four Pillars is bringing back its Martini Collective for the next month or so, teaming up with much-loved bars and restaurants across Sydney and Melbourne for an aperitif-style sip and snack pairing. Running until Sunday, June 22, at a host of stellar venues, the drink at each venue is the same wherever you decide to visit — a mini martini made with Four Pillars' bright and savoury Olive Leaf Gin. However, the snack that adorns your beverage changes up from place to place, ensuring you can explore the full spectrum of pairings to see which leaves the biggest impression on your palate. In Sydney, there are ten venues taking part in the third edition of the Martini Collective, with several returning favourites to explore. For instance, Shell House is serving up a cruller topped with whipped fish roe and white anchovy; The Charles is offering a white anchovy gilda; Le Foote is plating a tartine featuring smoked peppers, sheep's yogurt and sauce vert; and NOMAD is presenting a green olive and pumpkin seed tartlet. As for the Melbourne lineup, the series is back in town for its second year, with newcomers like Hazel, Society, Grill Americano and Bar Liberty joining previous hosts, including Bar Bellamy, LUI Bar and Reine. Head to Flinders Lane to see how Hazel's fish cake complements your mini martini, or wander up to Society on Collins Street to experience its smoked tomato sourdough crostini. Who knows — maybe this carefully balanced umami bomb will provide the dream pairing with your aperitif. With this first-class selection of venues getting in the mood for Four Pillars Martini Collective over the next month, there's plenty of time to sample each and every pairing. Plus, with the Martini Collective running through World Martini Day on Saturday, June 21, it's the perfect way to celebrate your love of this timeless cocktail. The Four Pillars Martini Collective is running now until Sunday, June 22 at various venues across Sydney and Melbourne. Head to the website for more information. Images: Declan Blackall / Chege Mbuthi.
Sometimes that creative spark just won't flicker into action. To help you recharge, former creative director and now leading breathwork facilitator Conor Rua is hosting an immersive one-hour event in the rejuvenating surrounds of Fitzroy Gardens' The Conservatory. Presented across two 60-minute sessions at 5.45pm and 7.15pm on Saturday, June 14, Breathe Into Creativity asks participants to lock in away from the desk. You'll spend the next hour engaged in gentle breathwork, creative visualisation and expression-based practices — helping to dissolve inner blocks and provide a powerful reset. "The creative process is not just about producing work — it's about presence. I created this experience to help people slow down and return to that deeper well of inspiration that's always there — under the noise," says Rua. With no prior experience necessary, The Conservatory's tropical blooms and tranquil architecture provide a welcoming space to take a moment for yourself. Following Rua's playful, body-led session, expect to leave with a refreshed nervous system flowing with creative ideas and purpose-driven motivation.
If you like music and you like trivia, TV shows such as Spicks and Specks and Never Mind the Buzzcocks likely sit high on your favourites list, with both combining tunes, musicians and questions about them. But in Melbourne on Thursday, November 2, you don't have to confine your music trivia fix to staring at a screen. One of Brisbane's most reliably entertaining evenings out returns to Victoria in the form of Not On Your Rider, the IRL quiz show that's also filled with well-known faces — but staged live, with attendees invited not only to watch but to also play along. This pop-culture delight has been doing the rounds in Queensland for a few years now — and testing its contestants via rounds of questions — and it's making its second trip down south for 2023. For one night only, Melburnians can show off their skills at Brunswick Ballroom. If you're not already acquainted with Not On Your Rider, it takes something that everyone loves, aka flaunting their music trivia knowledge, and dials it up a few notches. Here's how it works: the event is hosted by The Creases' Aimon Clark, and will feature The Grates' Patience Hodgson as a team captain. Also, while the two on-stage teams are always filled with musos, comedians, drag queens and other guests, anyone can buy a ticket, sit at a table and answer questions along with them. This Melbourne go-around's big-name guests: DJ Dooris from The Jungle Giants, Johnny Took from DMA's, Hayley Mary from The Jezabels, Aunty Donna's Mark Samual Bonanno, and comedians Josh Earl and Michelle Brasier. And as for the quiz itself, it's accompanied by chats about the music industry, plus other mini games involving attendees.
If you're a dog person, being surrounded by wagging tails and beaming pooch faces is one of the happiest feelings in the world. Here's another: doing your part to assist animals in need. Each year — a pandemic hiatus aside — the RSPCA's Million Paws Walk combines the two, asking Melburnians and their puppers to go for a stroll to help raise funds for an obviously extremely worth cause. Come Sunday, May 26, this endorphin-sparking mosey returns for 2024, taking over the Pelican Lawn at Albert Park Lake. Whether you're keen to dress up for the occasion — in a matching outfit to your four-legged bestie, of course — or just pop on your sneakers and usual workout attire, you can join in from 11am (with registrations from 10am). Entry costs $17.50 for adults and $15 for concessions, with the money raised going towards RSPCA Victoria's work rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals. In addition to the exercise, you and Rover can browse a heap stalls and exhibits, and grab a bite from food trucks. Can't make it to Albert Park Lake? Check out the full list of venues around Victoria. Images: Call of the Wild Pet Photography.
Beermash ain't your standard grog shop. The industrial-style space has exposed brick walls and an impressive 20 taps built into the wall behind the counter. Although owner Kieran Hennessy and partner Shayne Dixon initially built the shop around take-home 'growlers' and 'squealers' (refillable bottles of 1.89 litres and 950 millilitres, respectively), there's never any shortage of people taking advantage of the drink-in options. There are a few stools set up inside, but since Covid the outdoor seating has almost doubled in size. That's a win for anyone seeking great beers out on Collingwood's Smith Street. Grab a seat outside when the sun is shining (or hide under one of the brollies when Melbourne decides to unleash it four-seasons-in-one-day tantrum) and take your time exploring some expertly curated beers. Don't be put off if you're not a beer connoisseur, either — there's also plenty of craft wine and cider options available alongside an eight-strong cocktail list at Beermash. Appears in: The Best Bars in Melbourne for 2023
If you love a good spud, Thorpdale Potato Festival is where you'll encounter a huge celebration dedicated to the humble root vegetable. Of course, there's no shortage of potato-based goods to munch on, with an assortment of food trucks and stalls putting their spin on this essential ingredient. Yet what has helped the Thorpdale Potato Festival stand the test of time since 1977 is how this event extends far beyond just a good feed. Instead, the schedule is jam-packed with old-timey fairground games centred around the spud. For instance, the Vin Rowe Spud Run sees competitors race around a course with 50 kilos of spuds balanced over their shoulders. Other challenges include growing a massive pile of spud bags higher and higher, alongside gruelling potato-picking games and mashed potato-eating competitions. There's even Hessians on the Field, where budding fashionistas take to the runway to see who wore the demure potato sack best. Also on the agenda are sheep shearing demonstrations, motorbike stunt shows, face painting, kids' carnival rides and live music featuring some of Gippsland's most foot-stomping bands. So, if you love all things potato, start planning your trip to Thorpdale on Sunday, March 9. Don't stress – there's still plenty of time to perfect your haute couture potato sack garment.
It's been less than a year since Scottish craft beer giant BrewDog made its much-anticipated Australian debut, opening the doors to its hefty Brisbane brewery DogTap last November. But already the team's looking to ramp up that local presence, announcing ambitious plans to open more flagship venues across Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney by the end of 2021. While the company's keeping hush for now on exactly where these new bars will be located, it has confirmed it's already started searching for sites between 300 and 1000 square metres, in each of the three above cities. It seems the choice to kickstart Aussie operations in the Queensland capital has proved a smart move for the brewery, especially given the extra COVID-19 fallout some other states have had to endure. "The continued success of our DogTap taproom has convinced us that the time is right to start the search and find exciting locations to join the fold," said BrewDog's Head of Australian Operations Calvin McDonald in a statement. Already operating in over 80 countries, the company plans on snapping up 25 more sites worldwide before the year's out. [caption id="attachment_751726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pandora Photography[/caption] BrewDog's ambitious expansion plans come off the back of a few news-filled months for the brewing company. Just recently, it claimed the distinction of becoming the first carbon negative international beer brand in the world, removing twice as much carbon from the air than it emits. BrewDog plans to open more sites in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in the coming 12 months. We'll share more details as they're confirmed. Images: DogTap Brisbane by Pandora Photography
Finding a designated driver on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve is not an easy feat — nan is stuck into the boozy pud, dad has pulled a dusty one out of the cellar and you don't really want to carpool with that weird uncle. Public Transport Victoria understands and is easing the pain of commuting on the two big days (slightly) by offering all public transport for free. Over Christmas Day, all trains, trams, buses and V/line services will be free from 3am on Saturday, December 25, till 3am on Sunday, December 26. All public transport services will be running on the regular public holiday timetable. If you are planning to catch a reserved V/line service you still need to book ahead but you'll be provided your ticket free of charge. A few days later, over New Year's Eve, the same public transport services will be free from 6pm on Friday, December 31 until 6am on Saturday, January 1. And, the first V/Line train services departing Melbourne that morning will also be free, even if they leave after 6am. If that's now made your NYE plans easier — and cheaper — metro trains will be running every 15 minutes from midnight till 1am, every 30 minutes between 1am and 2am and every hour after 2am. Most tram services will also be running every all night, every 15–20 minutes from midnight to 2am and every 60 minutes from 2am. On both days, you won't need to touch on (or be carrying) your Myki — if you do, you won't be charged. You do still need to check in, though, and wear a mask. For more information on the free travel periods, and for updates to services, head to the PTV website.
The kind of place where 18 degrees is considered freezing, Brisbane is hardly a snowman's natural habitat. But that'll change come summer, when South Bank's Gallery of Modern Art welcomes its own icy figure — and, yes, it'll be made out of real snow. GOMA's latest high-profile acquisition, Snowman is the work of artists Peter Fischli and David Weiss, and dates back to 1987. First conceived as part of a site-specific work at a German thermic power plant, the fairly typical-looking snowman is made from three balls of snow, with the top one boasting hand-drawn eyes and a mouth. What's not typical of this well-travelled snowman, however, is its ability to survive full summers. To protect Snowman from Brisbane's subtropical climate, it'll sit encased in a glass and metal industrial freezer — so, while GOMA visitors will be able to see the frosty sculpture, you definitely won't be able to touch it. But, lucky gallery staff members will be given the task of retracing its eyes and smile every few days, with the artwork's enigmatic expression expected to shift subtly over time from happy to quizzical to maybe even diabolical as a result. When Snowman brings its literal chill to Brissie, it'll mark the piece's first visit to the Southern Hemisphere. Understandably, it's usually exhibited in locations where it's much, much older — including a hit season at New York's Museum of Modern Art. [caption id="attachment_743010" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Snowman (1987/2017-19). Copyright: Peter Fischli David Weiss, Zurich 2019. Courtesy Spruth Magers, Matthew Marks New York and Los Angeles, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich.[/caption] The icy work will first go on display on December 7 as part of GOMA's huge summer showcase, which is completely dedicated to the theme of water. As well as marvelling at Snowman — because a snowman in Brisbane is definitely something worth marvelling at — visitors will also be able to walk across a massive indoor riverbed, with Olafur Eliasson's Riverbed installation another of Water's centrepieces. More than 40 works by international and Australian artists will be featured across the entire exhibition. Geraldine Kirrihi Barlow, Curatorial Manager of International Art at GOMA, hopes the sculpture will help inspire visitors to contemplate topical environmental issues. "In the context of Water, Snowman prompts us to think about issues such as global warming and climate change," Barlow said in a statement. While Water runs until April 26, 2020, Snowman will become a permanent feature at GOMA. The piece isn't just on loan to the gallery, but has been acquired thanks to philanthropic support — and, according to The Courier-Mail, may even eventually tour the state in its freezer. Snowman will display at the Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Brisbane as part of GOMA's forthcoming Water exhibition, which runs from December 7, 2019 to April 26, 2020. Top image: Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Snowman (1987/2016). Installation view: SFMOMA. Copyright the artists. Courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery. Photograph: Mary Ellen Hawkins.
Melbourne's oldest licensed pub, The Duke of Wellington has been entertaining locals for more than 160 years. Built in 1850, the two-storey venue is positioned close to much-loved city hotspots such as the MCG, Rod Laver Arena and The Forum, making it an ideal spot to get together with friends for a hearty meal and drinks. As summer wraps up for another year and we get ready for autumn, the pub is launching some extra special food and drink offerings. Stepping outside your standard Melbourne pub fare, two meal deals kick off the new season — the first being a tasty cooked-to-order whole suckling pig. It's big enough to serve ten people and need to be ordered four days in advance — but you'll need that time to prepare your stomach for what's to come. Speaking of needing extra space — the Duke is also serving up an audacious four-kilogram meat pie ($75), which, if you've got what it takes to finish it by yourself in under 45 minutes, they'll let you have for free. To help all that meat and pastry go down, you're going to need a drink. And, luckily, there are specials for those, too. Every Thursday there'll be half-priced bottles of wine at the Level One bar, and $19 wine flights are available all the time. The flights comprise of three glasses of wine and showcase a different theme or region each month. March kicks off with three of Mornington Peninsula's finest — a white, a rosé and a red.
UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 — Yarra Valley Chocolaterie's 31-flavour hot chocolate boxes will now be available to order in September until the end of lockdown. Victoria's Hot Chocolate Festival is back again this August. And, this time, it's bringing the decadence to you. To save Melburnians from these blustery days, Yarra Valley Chocolaterie is churning out boxes filled with 31 hot chocolate flavours. Fan favourite flavours like Tim Tam Slam and Golden Nutella Spoon will be included in the box, along with the more adventurous likes of If You Like Piña Colada, Zingy Chilli, Cherry Matcha and Movie Night, which comes with choc-coated popcorn and marshmallow choc top. You can check out all 31 flavours here. All limited-edition hot chocolates come with an extra shot of hot couverture chocolate and handcrafted marshmallow, too. Plus, some of the highlights arrivewith exploding marshmallows, melting chocolate discs and truffle balls. If the 31-flavour pack is a little much (or a little too expensive, at $160), you can also order a pick-and-mix 16-flavour box ($92) and individual varieties for $6.50 a pop. The boxes are available to order until the end of lockdown and there's a flat-rate shipping fee of $15 to anywhere in Australia.
Pork is the indisputable king of the menu at Windsor's cosy new tonkatsu restaurant, Ton & Co., where owners Jason How and Andrew Poon are giving this humble meat some very royal treatment. Ton & Co's menu pulls inspiration from Japan's traditional tonkatsu dish — a pork cutlet that's crumbed and deep fried — pushing the concept to new levels using specialist techniques chef How picked up heading famed Malaysian meat eatery ANTE. Cuts are selected based on the age of the animal, then carefully cured and aged for around four days to hit optimum flavour and juiciness. In the lineup, you'll find a pork striploin — topped with onion gravy or teamed with Japanese curry and rice — plus a super lean tenderloin and the signature 400-gram pork tomahawk, all coated in fresh panko crumbs for that must-have crunch. Main dishes include the likes of baby back pork ribs, poached honey miso salmon and a Hokkaido-style pork belly rice bowl, best matched to modern twists on Japanese sides, such as the chilled potato salad and furikake-seasoned fries. Meanwhile, the drinks offering is filled with drinks that beg to be teamed with some crispy fried meat — think sake, a tidy mix of local and Japanese brews, and a largely Aussie lineup of wines. Find Ton & Co. at 118 High Street, Windsor, open Tuesday to Sunday.
UPDATE Friday, December 23: Due to the delayed start to Victoria's balmy summer weather, the Cherry Picking Festival has been extended, now running until mid-January at the Wandin East location and until December 31 in Coldstream. The following has been updated to reflect the change. It's that glorious time of year again, when cherries are ripe for the pickin'. The Victorian cherry season is coming in hot, which means your next few months can be spent cruising through picturesque orchards and indulging in a diet of cherry-based everything. It's also the time when CherryHill Orchards hosts its annual cherry-picking festival, running from Saturday, November 26 until mid-January at its OG Wandin East orchard, and from Monday, November 14–Saturday, December 31 at its Coldstream location. Book in for a cherry-picking timeslot, and you'll have two hours to pick and eat your fill of delicious fruit straight from the tree, with any extra take-home haul charged by the kilogram. You can pack your own picnic to enjoy onsite, or let The Posh Palais take care of you with one of its all-inclusive 'Luxe Lounge in the Orchard' picnic set-ups. Also hitting the orchard through the festival will be a rotation of food trucks and a program of live tunes, which you can enjoy alongside scoops of CherryHill's famed cherry ice cream. Foodies can shop a range of packaged preserves (think, cherry vinaigrette, sweet cherry syrup and cherry barbecue sauce), and the bar will be stocked with an array of goodies to sip onsite or take home — from cider and shiraz, to cherry spritzers and cherry gin. And don't forget to try the cherry rosella bubble tea, made in collaboration with Top Tea. Looking to amp up your experience? CherryHill has teamed up with nearby Rochford Wines to offer a wine-tasting, cherry-picking and lunch package; while high-flyers can elevate their visit with a hot air balloon ride and champagne breakfast, thanks to a package offered in conjunction with Global Ballooning. Adult tickets clock in at $19.50 on weekdays, and $22.50 on weekends and public holidays, with packages and extras available to add on at the time of booking. [caption id="attachment_832415" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Posh Palais' Posh Picnics[/caption]
Christmas might be over and the arrival of 2019 might feel like yesterday's news now, but that doesn't mean that boring old adult life awaits. If you're still in kidult mode (or still want to be), this time of year is perfect for indulging your inner child. Just head to the movies. With the school holidays in full swing for the summer, the big screen is the place to find a whole heap of family-friendly flicks that are tailor-made for kidults and actual kiddos alike. Animated delights, nostalgic throwbacks, comedies based on true tales — they're all here. Specifically, they're all on the Sunset Cinema program when it takes over Williamstown's Commonwealth Reserve from Thursday, January 24 to Sunday, February 17. Think bean bags, beers and bubbles for adult viewers and a lineup of movies for audiences both young and young at heart. There's your next night out all planned — and to make things even easier, here are four all-ages flicks to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMe7hUb3TpI MARY POPPINS RETURNS 2018 was a great year for Emily Blunt. She tried not to scream in terror — all while her pregnant character gave birth — in A Quiet Place, and then picked up an umbrella and floated in a completely different direction in Mary Poppins Returns. In both, she's fantastic. In Poppins in particular, she's a treat in the most delightful way. Stepping into Julie Andrews' shoes is no easy feat, but the English actor nails the job, and so does this five-decades-later sequel to everyone's favourite childhood film. Heading back to Cherry Tree Lane to revisit the now-adult Banks siblings (Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer), as well as the next generation, the charming affair has future classic written all over it. Showing: Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCWHr6AUxwI INSTANT FAMILY With more than a dash of the Daddy's Home and Bad Neighbours films as inspiration — not to mention two of their stars — Instant Family features Rose Byrne and Mark Wahlberg as a thirty-something couple who decide to become foster parents. They bring three siblings into their home and navigate quite a steep learning curve — hijinks, of course, ensue. But the movie's real basis comes from real life, and from the story of filmmaker Sean Anders. The writer behind Hot Tub Time Machine and We're the Millers, as well as the director of Horrible Bosses 2, he drew upon his own experiences becoming a carer for children in need. Showing: Sunday, February 17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay2fTiEi-RY RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET It's been more than eight decades since Walt Disney Animation Studios made its first full-length movie, saying "hi-ho, hi-ho" to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. All these years later, it's still delivering hits — including Tangled, Frozen, Moana and Wreck-It Ralph in the last nine years alone. Now the latter gets a sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet, which jumps from bringing to life retro arcade games to visualising what the online world might look like. Once again, the titular character (voiced by John C. Reilly) is our guide through this bright and lively adventure — though, his small offsider Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) steals the show this time around. Showing: Friday, February 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_tYYwQbzvs HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD Since first premiering back in 2010, the How to Train Your Dragon films have been hugely successful — but now they're coming to an end. The third and final movie sees the plucky Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) now chief of his village and happily overseeing a town where vikings and dragons live in harmony. With the entire series acting as a coming-of-age story, Hiccup's next chapter involves making tough decisions to do what's best for both humans and their fire-breathing companions. The voice cast also includes Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Jonah Hill and Kit Harington, and if you're after a dose of animated spectacle, the film delivers in both soaring flight scenes and a colourful finale. Showing: Sunday, February 10. Sunset Cinema will take over Commonwealth Reserve at Williamstown from Thursday, January 24 to Sunday, February 17. Check out the full film program here.
It seems like every group has one person who knows how to host. With what can sometimes seem like zero effort, some people just know how to make nights in come together perfectly. But if you want to be the host with the most and don't know where to start, we've got you covered. We've teamed up with American Honey to ask Concrete Playground staff for easy tips for turning your pad into the designated group hangout spot. [caption id="attachment_862460" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Taryn Elliott (Pexels)[/caption] LIGHTING The importance of good lighting cannot be underestimated — it is, perhaps, the biggest mood-setter in any room. Which is also probably why so many of our staff nominated it as the most important thing to keep in mind when hosting. While it might take a bit of tweaking to get the balance between too bright and too dark exactly right, your efforts will be well worth it should you get it just right. Rule of thumb, according to Branded Content Manager Courtney Ammenhauser, is to "keep it low and warm". Our NZ Editor, Sarah Templeton, agrees: "Lamps and candles only. There's nothing worse than walking into a 1000W halogen-lit situ." Making sure your room is illuminated by lamps and candles is a surefire way to keep the vibe is cosy and intimate. And, let's be real, this is far more flattering than bright ceiling lights. Nobody wants to feel like they're in the office while hanging out with mates. Small table lamps like this Setago piece and this Hay number are easy to move around if you need to, while also making for interesting focal points. [caption id="attachment_862458" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Svitlana (Unsplash)[/caption] SCENTED CANDLES If you want your place to be the Monica and Rachel's for your crew, you'll want to create a full sensory experience. Sure, you could whip up a batch of cookies to have a toasty, heartwarming scent floating through your home, but scented candles are a far less labour-intensive way to up the olfactory factor. And for some of us, like Client Services Director Sami Zoratto, there are practical reasons for keeping things lit. "Because my house can smell of dog so I need to drown that out with candles. I am known for a nice-smelling house." As an added bonus, you'll also be hitting the low-and-warm lighting brief at the same time. We love the range by Sydney brand Hunter. GLASSWARE AND DRINKS Going for that mi casa es su casa energy? That's where a bit of prep — or at the very least, keeping on top of your housework — can go a long way. "Always have a good lineup of glassware ready to go, out of the cupboard," recommends Editorial Director Suz Tucker. "Set your glasses up at a table or bench or a bar so people naturally feel like they can make themselves a drink. It stops you having to be the bartender and really adds to the vibe being more casual." Whether it's a selection of tumblers for short drinks — like these from Sydney brand No.22 — or highball glasses ready and polished, a considered selection of drinking vessels shows that you're taking your hosting duties seriously. Having a good variety of drinks on hand can also do a lot of the work for you when it comes to creating the perfect entertaining-at-home moment — and if you want to go the extra mile, think about a simple signature serve that guests can make themselves, too. Our go-to: a deliciously smooth American Honey, soda and fresh lime — the perfect drink to enjoy over an intimate catch-up with close friends. [caption id="attachment_862459" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Libby Penner (Unsplash)[/caption] TABLE DECORATIONS A thoughtful table decoration or centrepiece is one of those things that really makes it look like you've got your shit together, even if the opposite is true. It doesn't take too much to add some colour and texture to your coffee or dining table — Partnerships Coordinator Lexi Wright recommends colourful tablecloths, placemats and napkins as subtle ways to establish a theme or colour palette, while Partnerships Manager Cinzia Giacchi makes sure her hang-out spaces feature candle stands and holders to add height and elegance. And an easy centrepiece of a fruit bowl, filled with fresh citrus fruits, adds a fresh pop of colour and shape. [caption id="attachment_862494" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarah Brown (Unsplash)[/caption] SEATING It goes without saying that when you're sitting down, you're generally more relaxed than when you're standing up. So, rather than having some people standing and others sitting like it's your Year 10 social, you need to make sure there are enough seats to go around. Tucker is a big advocate of considered seating arrangements. "Have a selection of seating at different heights and configurations. A stool anyone can pull up anywhere. A couch for three. Dining chairs that can easily be moved. An ottoman. The best parties involve changing seats, swapping your conversation partners and literally and figuratively taking in different perspectives. It creates a lack of symmetry in a good way — it helps people loosen up." [caption id="attachment_862495" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Godfrey (Unsplash)[/caption] FLOWERS AND PLANTS If it's freshness you're after in your hangout space, it doesn't get much fresher than flowers and indoor plants. Not only do they add colour, natural scents and liveliness to any space, but greenery has also been shown to boost mood, energy and creativity while purifying the air. And because they come in all shapes and sizes, flowers can also complement the design elements of a room, or create all new talking points. There are plenty of incredible florists in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, but these aren't your only options. A tip from Branded Content Producer Grace Mackenzie: "If you're looking to be thrifty, go for a walk with secateurs and sneakily snip foliage to pop in vases." [caption id="attachment_862472" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luisa Brimble (Unsplash)[/caption] SOFT FURNISHINGS Sure, a comfortable couch or armchair is great, but soft furnishings can take the comfort to the next level thanks to their ability to bring relaxation, warmth and volume to a space through different fabrics, colours and patterns. We're talking cushions, blankets, throws and the like — basically anything that can help you and your mates get as cosy as can be. Branded Content Manager Nik Addams reckons it's not just about the comfort factor, though: "Rugs can also be a great way to demarcate different zones, especially in a smaller space" he says. [caption id="attachment_862479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Noman Shahid (Unsplash)[/caption] INSTANT CAMERAS Those of us of a certain age would remember that a digital camera was a must-bring item on any night out — and still have the cringy Facebook albums to prove it. And while we still love a little photo moment, you don't need to dust off the old Canon PowerShot to help your crew create a keepsake of a great night in. Instant cameras by the likes of Polaroid or Fujifilm are an easy way to add an element of interaction and keep the vibes high. Or, as Tucker says: "It's like a silly alternative to a photo booth at an event, except it's a bunch of your favourite people making faces in front of the fridge." [caption id="attachment_864739" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cottonbro (Pexels)[/caption] GAMES Whether you're hosting mates who've known one another for years or people who don't know each other too well, games are "natural conversation starters in any home social setting", according to our National Branded Content Editor Melanie Colwell. And even if the whole night doesn't revolve around the wheelings and dealings of Monopoly or deciphering the scribbles on a Pictionary board, breaking up an evening with a round of cards is a great way to keep things flowing, while also providing an opportunity to create new memories with your people. Need some ideas? Opus has a heap of games that are guaranteed crowd-pleasers. For more inspo on how to create your own golden moments with mates, head to the American Honey website. Top image: Cottonbro (Pexels)
Sydney artist Emily Hunt is bringing her latest exhibition das schwerste Gewicht (The Heaviest Weight) to Melbourne, featuring new examples of dioramas, drawings, etchings and ceramics. Hunt’s art focuses on both the grotesque and the ornamental, as she builds from her incredible piece from last year, ‘Doctrine of Eternal Recurrence’. That work featured a giant kinetic train set that from a distance appeared to be a saccharine coloured utopia. On closer inspection, however, the story is considerably darker, and in some instances brutally damning. Hunt works primarily in printmaking (specifically, etching), watercolour, collage and ceramics. Her new pieces for Chapter House Lane will refer back to the train set, in a response to what she sees in the world around her – from great injustices to the disappointingly bland. Get lost in Hunt’s miniature worlds, if you dare. Image: Emily Hunt, Doctrine of Eternal Recurrence, 2014, plaster, ceramics, plastic, found objects, enamel paint, 2.4 x 2.4 metres. Image courtesy the artist and The Commercial, Sydney. Photo by Brenton McGeachie. Emily Hunt is represented by The Commercial, Sydney.
You know the end of the year is nigh when Melbourne Music Week starts reeling off its yearly list of explosive announcements. In years past it's transformed derelict inner-city buildings, taken over railway stations and even packed out the underground carpark of Mad Max fame at Melbourne Uni. Now, this week of secret synth-laden bliss is making its presence known at another iconic location — the Queen Victoria Market. From November 14–23, this legendary marketplace will be transformed into a dynamic all-ages music hub. And, as is common in their daily trading of fruit and veg, the site promises to deliver a stellar load of quality local produce. Architecture in Helsinki will be kicking off proceedings on opening night beside fellow Melburnians Total Giovanni and Rainbow Connection DJs. Then, Saturday, November 15 will see QVM open all day and night to the likes of Cut Copy, No Zu, Speed Painters and Worlds End Press among others. Though the full lineup is set to be announced on Wednesday, October 8, today we nabbed these small morsels to tide us over. Over the ten days of festivities, Melbourne will be packed with 250 artists, 75 per cent of which will be from Victoria. Aside from the phenomenal flagship venue at QVM, other events will be held around 39 other locations including Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne Town Hall and ACMI. Big name acts announced so far include German electro pioneers Tangerine Dream and Australian alt-rockers The Church, showcasing the diversity of the musical program. Both acts will actually be quite unique as The Church provide a live score to a special film screening at ACMI, and the ageing krautrockers bid auf wiedersehen to the stage altogether with the official leg of their Phaedra farewell tour. The first tickets for Melbourne Music Week go on sale at midday today, but keep tuned for more news on the lineup. If this is just one-fifth of the full list, we can't wait to see what's yet to come. The Melbourne Music Week lineup so far: Architecture In Helsinki Tangerine Dream The Church Total Giovanni Rainbow Connection DJs Cut Copy (DJ Set) Andras & Oscar Roland Tings No Zu World’s End Press Sleep D Speed Painters Nile Delta AllDay L-Fresh the Lion Baro The D.Y.E Dusky Ten Walls Tickets are on sale from midday today over here. Via Tone Deaf.
Commune Group (Firebird, Moonhouse, New Quarter, Tokyo Tina, Hanoi Hannah and Studio Amaro) is helping hungry folks out this month by giving diners gift vouchers worth 25% of their total bills. Yes, a simple 25% discount would be easier, but let's not be greedy while Melbourne hospo businesses are struggling. Instead, this offer allows you to have more nights out while saving a few bucks. And the venues aren't totally screwed over in the process. [caption id="attachment_959167" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tokyo Tina[/caption] All you've got to do is dine in at any of its restaurants between Monday and Thursday in June — excluding Studio Amaro — and then send a photo of the bill to the team via Commune's online portal. You'll then get a voucher that you can use at any of its other sites — again, not including Studio Amaro. Most of these spots are ideal for group bookings, having great set menus and buzzing vibes. We're also huge fans of New Quarter's unlimited noodles special — one of the best bottomless food deals in Melbourne. So, gather a bunch of mates together for a night out this month and score a big gift voucher to use for your next group hang. [caption id="attachment_936366" align="alignnone" width="1920"] New Quarter[/caption]
Things are getting spicy up at Mt Buller this August as Chin Chin takes over the kitchen at The Whitt — the Ski Club of Victoria's on-mountain dining room — for a weekend-long winter pop-up. Over three nights from Friday, August 1–Sunday, August 3, Chin Chin's Executive Chef Benjamin Cooper and his team will be plating up a multi-course tasting menu of the restaurant's greatest hits in a snow-capped, ski-in/ski-out setting. The menu includes signatures like Chin Chin's caramelised sticky pork and sour herb salad, butter chicken curry, and the much-imitated (yet still unrivalled) kingfish sashimi with lime, chilli, coconut and Thai basil — all served with a generous side of snow-dusted scenery. Kids can get in on the action with a $30 Feed Me menu of their own, and there'll be options for gluten-free and vegan diners, too. You can pair your meal with a frosty Snow Bunny Sour. Created exclusively for the pop-up, the cocktail features gin, lychee, ginger and sake, and has been designed for après-ski sipping. Bookings for this one-off alpine adventure are essential — and to do so, you can phone The Whitt on 5777 6024 or email reservations@skivictoria.com.au. Whether you're a snow junkie, a spice lover or both, Chin Chin at The Whitt is shaping up to be one of winter's hottest reasons to hit the slopes.
If peering at an artist's work is the same as peering into their soul, then staring at a self-portrait is like peeking through a wide-open window. Perhaps Rembrandt believed this? The 17th-century artist certainly loved putting his likeness on paper, whether he was picking up a brush or pencil, or getting etching. Perhaps you can ponder this very notion at Rembrandt — True to Life, which is bringing the Dutch Golden Age master's works to Melbourne's NGV International to brighten up Australia's winter. From Friday, June 2–Sunday, September 10, the St Kilda Road gallery will be home to a wide-ranging exploration of Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn's work — so expansive, in fact, that it's the most-comprehensive Rembrandt exhibition to display Down Under in 25 years. On loan from the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, 1659's Self-Portrait is one of the star attractions, and one of around 80 images of himself he's thought to have made. Created when the artist was 53 (and three years after he'd declared bankruptcy), it sits alongside ten etched self-portraits. Combined, they let True to Life attendees chart how he saw himself, and conveyed his soul to the world, over three decades. Etchings comprise a significant portion of the NGV's ode to Rembrandt, with more than 100 from its own collection at the heart of the impressive retrospective. In addition to helping to detail his self-perception, they showcase his innovations as a printmaker and also illustrate how widely and deeply he splashed around his artistic talents. If you're heading to a Rembrandt exhibition, you want to see his paintings, of course, an instinct that the showcase capitalises upon. Thanks to pieces borrowed from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Louvre in Paris, the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and the Teylers Museum in Haarlem as well, the artist's prints are placed in context with his paintings. You'll see how they're connected no matter the subject or theme as True to Life steps through not just his portraits, but also his landscapes, scenes of daily life, depictions of religious motifs and nudes. Among his scenery-focused works, his largest landscape etching The three trees, which dates back to 1643, is a drawcard. From his pieces that hone in on the human form — never idealising them — Diana at the bath, an etching from 1631, is another highlight. Taking its cues from passages from the Gospel of St Matthew, 1648's well-known piece The Hundred Guilder Print is also on display as part of the exhibition's survey of Rembrandt's fascination with faith. His two largest prints similarly fall into the same category: The three crosses from 1653 and Christ presented to the people from 1655. Because the artist transformed them both by making continuous adjustments, True to Life shows them in two different states — early and late side by side. Images: Installation view of Rembrandt: True to Life on display from 2 June-10 September at NGV International, Melbourne. Photos: Tom Ross.
