If there's ever been a reason to jump out of bed early on a Saturday morning (or stay up until daybreak after a big night out), it's seeing cosmic history made before your very eyes. The longest lunar eclipse of the 21st century delivered just that when it put on its sky-high show from 3.14am AEST — with the partial eclipse starting at 4.24am, the total eclipse at 5.30am and maximum eclipse occurring at 6.21am. For anyone that missed the event — and the news in the lead-up — this lengthy event lasted 103 minutes in the total eclipse phase, a duration that won't be seen again until the 2100s. It was also the last total lunar eclipse of any length that is visible from Australia again until May 2021. And, thanks to sunlight that was filtered and refracted by the earth's atmosphere, the moon also turned a blood-red share as well. So, in addition to spying a total lunar eclipse and a full moon, sky-gazers also saw a blood moon as well. Last but by no means least, Mars was also seen twinkling in the sky right next to the moon, with the planet at its closest position to earth in 15 years. As always, social media is packed full of stellar photo from those who saw and snapped the astronomical event — so whether you saw it with your own eyes or blissfully slept through it, here are some of the best shots of the lunar eclipse from around the planet. https://www.instagram.com/p/Blv7VuFHds_/?taken-by=seathebreezee https://www.instagram.com/p/Blv6W6klmLn/?taken-by=bodrumlayasa https://www.instagram.com/p/BlwBF0PHUUk/?taken-by=dorpell https://www.instagram.com/p/BlwBAQRlHpR/?taken-by=imikov https://www.instagram.com/p/BlwFT2cntgc/?tagged=lunareclipse2018 https://www.instagram.com/p/Blv4yWnBsC7/?taken-by=daves_snippets https://www.instagram.com/p/Blv2RLhnqqB/?taken-by=evrensongun https://www.instagram.com/p/BlwEgD1H6jO/?taken-by=matthias.hangst https://www.instagram.com/p/BlwHTeTn207/?taken-by=mel_weber_photography https://www.instagram.com/p/BlwFhjXH5K1/?taken-by=milkyway_scientists
Summer in Melbourne means many things — outdoor cinemas, rooftop bars and balmy evening walks with gelato in hand. It also means it's time for the city's epic four-day celebration of food, drink, art and entertainment: Taste of Melbourne in partnership with Electrolux. The much-loved festival will return this December, transforming Yarra Park into a playground for all ages. With a host of new events, including collaborations between some of Melbourne's best chefs and artists, and masterclasses galore, you'll want to add this summer food festival to your calendar. During the day, meander through the marketplace and stop for a chat with one of the artisan producers — there are more than 100 to choose from. Later, meet up with friends for a gourmet picnic in the park to savour some street food, indulge in a drink or two and admire the glowing canopy of trees as the sun sets. If choosing from this year's line-up seems like too much — let us help. We've collated our top picks of the festival's new and exciting experiences, so you can relax and enjoy the full extent of what Taste has to offer. AFTER DARK PARTY While Taste is known for its daytime activities, workshops and masterclasses, this year's event won't stop there. In fact, on Friday and Saturday night, festival goers will be able to wine, dine and boogie well into the evening. The canopy of trees high above Yarra Park will sparkle with glittering neon lights while a killer line-up of musicians and DJs — including electronic duo GL and Melbourne soul singer Fraser A. Gorman — will come together to transform the festival into a late-night party destination below. Once you've worked up an appetite on the dance floor, you'll be able to dig into sophisticated snacks and sip on creative concoctions — including a complimentary welcome drink from Archie Rose. ARCHIE ROSE GIN BLENDING CLASS If you don't mind a cheeky G&T, head along to a blending class hosted by one of Archie Rose Distilling Co.'s gin wizards. Offering masterclasses across the four days, this is your chance to learn a little more about the history of the well-loved spirit and to blend your very own 200ml bottle from a range of botanical distillates. Archie Rose was founded in Sydney just three years ago as the city's first working distillery since 1853, as well as a cocktail bar. But what the young brand lacks in age, it makes up for in excellently handcrafted gin, vodka and whisky. Whether you're new to the gin scene, dabble in home distilling or simply want to expand your knowledge of the spirit, the Archie Rose team are keen to share a gin-spirational class with you. CREATIVE COLABS This exclusive collaboration project will unite local chefs and artists in arguably the most exciting new event to grace Taste 2017. Four of Melbourne's top chefs will team up with graffiti artists, designers and sculptors to create an iconic dish and limited edition artwork exclusively for the festival. Mamasita's Michael Smith is one of the four. He's pairing up with street artist Josh Muir (you might have seen his work at White Night 2016) to concoct offerings inspired by Mexico. Shadowboxer head chef Liz Contini will also take part, collaborating with illustrator and photographer Evie Cahir, while celebrity chef Scott Pickett, of ESP and Estelle Bistro, and artist Geoff Nees will share their love of minimalism to create something truly special. The Press Club's superstar owner and chef George Calombaris will also grace the festival, working with artist Ash Keating (pictured) on a creative passion project. OPENING NIGHT TENTH BIRTHDAY BASH Don't miss the chance to celebrate a decade of Taste at the Opening Night Birthday Bash. Both a celebration of Melbourne's food scene and a reflection of what it has produced over the past ten years — food trends, signature dishes and drink concoctions — the party will see some of the city's best chefs, bartenders and musicians come together for a night of fun. The celebration will be held in a boho sanctuary with Persian rugs, comfy couches and a spacious dance floor (so you can show off all your best moves). Alongside snacks and and free-flowing wine, there'll be sweets created by Glace's Christy Tania. Tania will be creating the dessert in collaboration with a clothing designer so assume it'll be equally wearable and edible. TASTE TIPIS For a more glamorous Taste experience, book a session at one of the festival's new Taste Tipis. These luxurious tents are arguably the most indulgent way to sample all the festival has to offer. Each tipi can fit up to ten people and each comes with a personal host to deliver drinks to your group. Savour the moment as you sit back and relax in your little piece of paradise overlooking the rest of the festival. BAKING CLASSES AT THE LURPAK BAKERY Want to know the secret to perfect pastry? Keen to refine your tart-making skills but don't know where to start? Book in for a class at Taste's Lurpak Bakery, and master the art of baking. At the intimate 30-minute sessions, you'll quickly learn that great baked goods start with premium quality ingredients — especially when it comes to butter. Instructed by professional bakers and pastry chefs, participants will have the chance to get hands-on in the kitchen and try out their new skills, then enjoy their freshly baked, buttery creations. Keen to taste more? Visit Taste of Melbourne from Thursday, November 30 to Sunday, December 3 at Yarra Park. Find tickets to these events and more on here.
For most of Australia, 2018 has been hot. Last weekend, Melbourne endured its hottest day for two years, while Sydney experienced its second hottest day ever. Temperatures have been toasty around the rest of the country too, with Brisbane expecting a top of 38 today. And although Tasmania hasn't been immune to the extreme heat — reaching 35 degrees earlier this week — the state also just dipped firmly in the opposite direction. Yesterday, while it was a rather warm 34 degrees in Sydney, 36 in Brisbane and 37 in Perth, eastern Tassie enjoyed storms, hail and even ice. In Hobart, yesterday's maximum only made it to 15.8 degrees, while the minimum was 13.5 degrees. That's rugging-up weather, not swimming temperatures. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd4Ob8oBD5b/?taken-by=tasmaniawhyweloveit https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd4CcbTHV-7/?taken-by=what_kat_did_next "I don't think we've seen that very often," the Bureau Of Meteorology Debbie Tabor told the ABC, explaining that the icy conditions were caused by the thunderstorms. "We had a series of thunderstorms move through the eastern half of Tasmania… and did produce some hail at various locations and that's what was seen at Orford." On Twitter, BOM also clarified that the visible whiteness wasn't snow, even if it might've looked like it. https://twitter.com/BOM_Tas/status/952077590453514240 That said, snow did reach the state's lofty peaks — at 1300 to 1400 metres, not on the ground. Today, a top of 21 is expected in Hobart, ahead of a week in the mid twenties. Via ABC. Top image: Katrina Ashton via Instagram.
Abbotsford brewery Moon Dog is enlisting the help of a few special four-legged mates to celebrate its two newest brews. The Jacket's and Vinnie's IPAs are the latest additions to the signature Bestest Brewery Doggo Mates series, and the two tipples are launching with a fittingly canine-filled party this Sunday, June 16. Head to the brewery from noon — with or without your own pooch in tow — to join in the fun. From 2pm, the crew from Amazing Greys will be there with a handful of very good boys (and girls) in need of forever homes. You might just meet your paw-fect match. You'll also get to meet some adopted greyhounds, and learn all about what it takes to adopt or foster one yourself. For the canine crowd, there'll be doggy beer (aka pooch-friendly broth) and a photo booth for happy snaps. Meanwhile, humans can spend the afternoon getting acquainted with the West Coast-style Jacket's IPA, the hazy East Coast-inspired Vinnie's IPA, and all the other top Moon Dog brews. Even better, $1 from each Doggo IPA sold will go to support Amazing Greys' work.
Ever tasted something that just whisks you away to a place? A memory, a feeling, a season? That's what Backwoods Distilling Co. and Scion Wine have achieved with their seasonal release of the small-batch 2022 Muscat Gin. Scion owner and winemaker Rowly Milhinch and Backwoods co-founder Leigh Attwood are part of a new wave of High Country producers making northeast Victoria one of the most exciting destinations for food, wine and spirits lovers right now. Many of Rutherglen's most well-known wineries are run by fifth-generation makers, and the area has long been regarded as one of the world's premiere muscat regions and home to some of Australia's best big reds. But there's a new crop of producers like Milhinch and Attwood who are championing new techniques and sustainable innovations. Indeed, Milhinch and Attwood's shared excitement for innovation and nostalgia saw these kindred spirits come together for a delicious — and collaborative — passion project in 2021. And the results were so impressive, they've come back for seconds this winter. As a winemaker, Milhinch's own practice is about taking the familiar in an unexpected direction. His wines offer a fresh twist on the traditional, with expected varieties from the region returning unexpected results and new expressions. "My approach is inspired by a love of exploring new ideas and learning through experimentation," he tells Concrete Playground. "People are always so surprised by what you can make from familiar grape varieties, I think because something familiar is so resolved on their palate and in their mind. This familiarity helps the experience of something unique really stand out." With the High Country's long history of winemaking, as well as the recent influx of craft breweries, Attwood saw Backwoods' inventive spirits as something of a natural progression for the region's drinks landscape when he launched the label in 2017 with his partner Bree Attwood. "We grew up in this region and have always been inspired by its local artisan producers," he says. "We have easy access to local grains, botanicals, casks — all the things we need to craft quality spirits." In just half a decade since launching, Backwoods has established a core gin range and also unveiled a number of special whisky releases. Attwood also sources bush food and native botanicals from ethical, respectful suppliers to create Backwood's signature (and award-winning) High Country Gin. "We wanted to capture the memory of walking through the High Country bushland, just after it's rained and the smells of the native trees are intensified," he says. "We are passionate about crafting distinctively Australian spirits and highlighting local grains and botanicals." That distilled nostalgia meets winemaking history in the Muscat Gin, in which handpicked Rutherglen brown muscat grapes, sourced by Milhinch, are steeped in Backwood's signature High Country Gin and then hand-basket pressed. "Muscat is the most famous grape variety grown in Rutherglen and occupies a special position on the global stage," Milhinch says. "It's known for being made into amazingly sweet fortified wines with unmatched levels of flavour." In the Muscat Gin, the distinct bush botanicals of strawberry gum, peppermint gum and wattleseed combine with the classic rose water and musk flavour of muscat (a mix, we're told, that resembles turkish delight and red fruit). "Our Muscat Gin represents a perfect harmony," Milhinch says. "It's a collaboration of the fruit we grow and gin distilled with local botanicals. It's a little piece of Rutherglen plus a little piece of Yackandandah, crafted for balance and expression of these places." One sip of the Muscat Gin can transport you to the rugged High Country, but there's no substitute for heading straight to the source. "Being able to taste a product in the place where it is made, with the people who made it, is an experience that people really value," Attwood says. "When people visit us at Backwoods, they can sip on a warming whisky or delicious gin right beside the beautiful copper stills. It is a complete sensory experience as we've always got something fermenting or distilling when people visit." You'll be able to cosy up to the Muscat Gin at both the Backwoods and Scion cellar doors when it's released this winter. Whether it's on the rocks or on a tasting paddle, over ice with tonic and dried orange or in a seasonal cocktail, there are plenty of ways to experience this limited-edition creation. After all, winter is the perfect time to swing by. And if there's one place that does winter well, it's Victoria's High Country. "It's all about open fires, cosy clothing, warming food and wine experiences," Milhinch says. For more great ways to experience the incredible food and drinks of Victoria's High Country this winter, head to the website.
Healthy eating is so in vogue right now. People are activating almonds, eating raw lasagna, and drinking green things for breakfast. And sometimes you just want to give it a damn good go, right? Well, The Nutrition Bar is just the place. Located on Richmond's Swan Street, the bar has opened its doors to a very small, but virtuous spot for us to all get our healthy on. The Nutrition Bar serves nothing but the good stuff. Those afraid of gluten, dairy, and anything cooked are taken care of. The offering is tight and covers smoothies, juices, pre-made salads, acai and breakfast bowls, as well as raw, gluten free, vegan treats that are worth the trip alone. The juice and smoothie section of the morning can be overwhelming. The menu is huge and any supplement can be added. Some are executed better than others. A health nuts' version of iced coffee, Liquid Gold is one of the good ones. With chocolate almond milk, espresso, avocado and agave syrup ($7), it is like a thickshake that makes you feel good and fed rather than bad and bloated. If the smoothies are the entrees, the acai and breakfast bowls are the main event. An acai bowl made with frozen acai (a nutrition-filled South American berry) and coconut water, topped with bananas, blueberries and caramelised buckinis ($12), is a sweet and cold breakfast of champions. You can choose your liquids, fruits and toppings. When it comes to the sweet treats, they are as guilt free as the salads. A mix of nuts, cinnamon, dates and vanilla protein powder is rolled into a delicious ball and coated in coconut ($3), while raw carrots cakes, lemon slices and cacao cheesecakes rotate through the fridges. The Nutrition Bar is the perfect spot when you're looking for a healthy breakfast or lunch spot. You'll feel pretty smug drinking your Liquid Gold. Images by Lois Romer.
The silly season has come and gone, and people are already flocking back to work, but that doesn't mean the fun has ended. Especially as one of the city's biggest food and drink events returns in just over two months — the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. And this one is going to be a doozy. The organisers have packed a whopping 300 events into the ten-day festival, running from Friday, March 15 until Sunday, March 24. Plenty of international chefs will be participating in this year's festivities, but local talent is front and centre. Most prestigiously, Andrew McConnell (Gimlet, Cutler & Co, Supernormal, Builders Arms Hotel, Marion) is taking the reins of the annual World's Longest Lunch, creating a bespoke three-course meal for those lucky enough to nab a ticket. [caption id="attachment_934804" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shelley Horan[/caption] The World's Longest Lunch has been around for more than three decades, always hosted by a different chef. This year's iteration will see diners feasting along a huge 600-metre table that winds through Kings Domain. It will be followed up the next day by The World's Longest Brunch. This dining experience will take place at the same location, but the food offerings will be entirely different. Heroes of contemporary Indian cuisine, Harry Mangat, Helly Raichura and Mischa Tropp, will be running the show for this one, each creating a dish for the three-course brunch. Coffee and sparkling wine will also be on hand throughout the event. Stacks of the city's top restaurants will also be participating in the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival's Global Dining Series. This collection of collaborations sees local eateries open up their kitchens to international chefs, giving us Melbourne foodies the chance to try some outstanding food that we'd normally have to jump on a plane to try. All up, there are 25 separate collaborations and takeovers to choose from. Here's a few of the highlights: Wine lovers best check out the Noble Rot and Marion mash-up, taking place on Wednesday, March 20. The two teams have curated a wine list full of unique drops that will pair perfectly with eats made just for the night. We're also pumped to try Kanji Kobayashi's vegetable-forward feast at Atria up at the new Ritz-Carlton. Kobayashi's cooking has won Villa Aida two Michelin stars with his cooking, so this dining experience really shouldn't be missed. It runs from Tuesday, March 19 until Saturday, March 23. Rockpool Bar & Grill will also give control of its kitchen to alumni of the National Indigenous Culinary Institute on Sunday, March 17, for a lunch showcasing a new generation of First Nations chefs. [caption id="attachment_934803" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melissa Cowan[/caption] Fed Square will once again be a hub for the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival in 2024, hosting a bunch of special events. Folks can join pizza parties, watch celebrity sausage-making workshops and see some of the city's top bakers and pastry chefs create works of delicious art. The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is going to be huge this year, so you best start planning how you're going to spend the ten days now. [caption id="attachment_934802" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melissa Cowan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_894272" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Atria at Ritz-Carlton[/caption] [caption id="attachment_934801" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melissa Cowan[/caption] The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival will run across Melbourne from Friday, March 15 until Sunday, March 24. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, February 1 to the general public, with a pre-sale on Monday, January 29 for Melbourne Food & Wine Festival subscribers. Check out the festival's website for more details.
Laughter: it’s what separates us from the animals. Well, that and the ability to comprehend our own mortality, but that’s hardly the best way to open a story about a comedy festival. LOL! We’re all going to die! So ignore that. Just shy of 30 years old, this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival will be the biggest in its history, with more than 550 shows across 145 venues. Of course there’s no guarantee that all of them will be funny, which is why we’ve trawled through the lineup to bring you our hand-picked recommendations, from big names to intriguing newcomers. Check out our top 12 picks of the festival. Honourable mentions go to MICF staples including The Gala, RAW Comedy, The Great Debate and Upfront — consider our thumbs up there implied.
There's nothing quite like a Sunday spent quaffing top-notch wine and gorging on cheese. Throw the spotlight on local produce, too, and you've got something even better. In its eighth year, the locally focused Wine and Cheese Fest is taking over a new venue on Sunday, March 8, setting up at The Timber Yard in Port Melbourne for a day of celebrating some of the state's finest cheese, wine and artisanal goodies. Chat to producers as you enjoy in a parade of free tastings, learn how to make mozzarella at a That's Amore-run masterclass or even hone your squishing skills in the day's grape stomping comp. And there'll be DJ sets and live music providing the soundtrack to your epicurean adventures. Up for some extra indulgence? Splash out on a VIP ticket ($157) to score a bottle of boutique wine to take home and an exclusive masterclass with Mount Avoca's winemaker Matthew Barry, where you'll get to taste 100-year-old vino. [caption id="attachment_762878" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nino Photography[/caption] The Wine and Cheese Fest will run from 12–7pm, followed by an after party on the lawn until 11pm.
With its iconic steps sequence and distinctive use of montage, 1925 Soviet-made movie Battleship Potemkin changed the way the world thought about film. Making enduring efforts such as Solaris and Stalker, Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky also achieved the same feat during the '60s and '70s. And in 2003, roaming historical drama Russian Ark did too courtesy of a single 96-minute take. Yep, this was more than a decade before Birdman tried something similar. They're just some of the highlights of Russian film history, and there's more where they came from. In fact, that's the domain of the Russian Resurrection Film Festival, which brings future classics and beloved greats alike to Australian cinema screens for an annual celebration of Russian movie making. In its thirteenth year, the fest has curated a collection of twenty efforts that showcase just what makes the country's film output so stellar. Whether you're keen on diving into a duelling epic, going swashbuckling with a beloved animated pirate, or catching a glimpse of uncompleted relics from the past, you'll find plenty to watch here — plus our five must-see picks, of course. FLIGHT CREW Flight Crew falls into the disaster film genre — on account of its content, not its quality or performance. In fact, it's the number one movie at the Russian box office this year, as well as one of the top six of all time. Audiences sure do love watching efforts about earthquakes, volcanoes and trouble on planes, after all, and this one has all three. It's actually a remake of a 1979 Russian blockbuster disaster movie of the same name, because constantly rehashing the past isn't limited to English-language flicks, but boy oh boy does it sound entertaining. THE STUDENT Not every film is going to appeal to every member of the audience, but most people can recognise ambition when they see it. And that's the case with The Student, which some viewers will love and others won't — but honestly, it's genuinely hard to not be enthralled by director Kirill Serebrennikov's visual, thematic and storytelling confidence. Adapting a controversial play, he tells the tale of a teenager who starts questioning everything from his classmates swimming costumes to his biology teacher's lessons as he becomes more and more immersed in religion. The end result certainly got Cannes talking, and it's completely different to any other high school-set film you're likely to come across. ICEBREAKER You can probably count on one hand the number of movies you've seen about a ship striking an iceberg. Actually, to be precise, you can probably count it on one finger. Without a floppy-haired Leo in sight (or Celine Dion's warbling in earshot), Icebreaker might just join the fold as it recounts the real-life exploits surrounding a boat in 1985. Or, it might skirt the obvious and plunge into other polar catastrophes. You'll have to watch to find out, however, the film is made by the same folks behind train-based disaster flick Metro from 2013. That effort was cheesy and cliched, sure, but isn't that what disaster flicks are meant to be? MOSCOW NEVER SLEEPS An Irish filmmaker heads to Moscow with Moscow Never Sleeps — though that's the story behind the movie, rather than the movie itself. In his second Russian-made feature, writer/director Johnny O'Reilly dives into the nation's capital through the antics of five different people going about their daily lives over a 24-hour period. Yep, just about everywhere you can think of boasts a film like this (or a few), but there's a reason that they keep popping up. How better to get a glimpse into the reality of another city and country than through overlapping, intertwined narratives? ALEXANDER NEVSKY A word of warning: this historical drama clocks in at over three hours. But, unlike most lengthy efforts you see at the cinemas these days, there's not a superhero, hobbit or transforming car on screen. Instead, Alexander Nevsky hails from 1938, marks the first sound film directed by Battleship Potemkin's Sergei Eisenstein, is based on a real Russian prince, and has been named among the best movies ever made. As far as really getting a glimpse of the full scope of Russian filmmaking is concerned, there's nothing in the program like it. The Russian Resurrection Film Festival tours the country from October 27, screening at Sydney's Event Cinemas George Street Sydney and Event Cinemas Burwood from October 27 to November 5, Brisbane's Event Cinemas Myer Centre from November 2 to 9, and Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image from November 10 to 16. For more information, visit the festival website.
Somewhere in Paris a marriage is unfolding. Portraying a nuanced and gripping relationship within the confines of a particularly ordinary Parisian apartment, this Red Stitch production simmers with guilt, betrayal and regret. Written by Pulitzer Prize nominated playwright Amy Herzog (After the Revolution, 4000 Miles), Belleville tells the story of Abby and Zach — American expats who have made the move to Paris to follow their increasingly disconnected dreams. In the space of a day, their marriage tips from domestically dysfunctional to intoxicatingly brutal. The shift is so subtle that we barely notice until it erupts in our face, despite the hints along the way. This subtlety is a testament to brilliant writing by Herzog as well as the well-paced performances by Red Stitch actors. It’s a chilly December, and Zach and Abby are approaching their "first grown up Christmas" overseas, away from family. Abby comes home to find Zach who, believing he was home alone, is at his computer "not checking emails". The awkwardness that ensues suggests a marriage not equipped to handle a relatively harmless indiscretion. As Zach proceeds to try and make up for the morning’s activities, Abby chats obsessively to their landlord Alioune about their wedding, her family and life in Paris. We discover, unbeknownst to Abby, that Zach has been mishandling their finances among other secrets. So begins his downward spiral, unfortunately taking Abby with him. Directed by Denny Lawrence, Belleville features outstanding performances by Christina O’Neill as Abby, and Paul Ashcroft as Zach. O’Neill is perfect as the nervous, anxiety-ridden wife. Her performance flawlessly shifts from a somewhat irritating and seemingly self-involved yoga instructor to a woman crippled by circumstance. Meanwhile Ashcroft’s impetuous character swings terrifyingly between endearing and pathological. The direction is understated and genuine, while the Americanisms of both characters are playful and faultless. Tariro Mavondo and Renaud Momtbrun are Alioune and Amina, the French-Senegalese landlords of the property. Their quiet performances providing much-needed contrast to the abrasive Americans and their destructive relationship that exists in the apartment next door. Despite a slow beginning (but one with a justified purpose), this is by no means a gentle play. The intimacy of the set and the theatre itself means we are cocooned with them, unable to escape. Belleville is superbly crafted from beginning to end. Image credit: Jodie Hutchinson.
For the past 37 years, everyone that's wanted good neighbours to become good friends has wished they were living in one spot: Ramsay Street. Since 1985, the cul-de-sac in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough has been beamed into homes around Australia, and further abroad, unfurling the always melodramatic, often chaotic, sometimes downright wild antics of residents named Charlene, Harold and Madge and more. Some folks don't have to dream about living on the nation's most famous TV street, though. For a small portion of Aussies, feeling like you're on one of the country's big soap operas just comes with the address. Indeed, if you happen to reside on a Ramsay Street somewhere across the country, the shadow of Neighbours has been inescapable — and now that the long-running series has been cancelled after almost four decades, with its final episode set to air on Thursday, July 28, Ramsay Street inhabitants nationwide can celebrate with a free meal. To mark the last-ever instalment of Neighbours — which is set to see a hefty cast of well-known Aussie names return, including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie and more — Menulog is giving away free food to folks who really do live on a Ramsay Street somewhere in Australia. If you happen to be in love with someone called Scott, that's obviously a bonus. No, you don't need to have been through an amnesia spell or a shock return from the dead, or know someone who has. [caption id="attachment_844968" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Manon van Os[/caption] You don't need to have been held hostage, been through more than one tumultuous wedding, or managed a bikini store called Bounce — all things, among oh-so-many others, that happened to the one and only Jarrod 'Toadfish aka Toadie' Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney). And if you're wondering why we're bringing him up specifically, that's because he's the face of Menulog's Ramsay Street giveaway, fittingly. Here's how it works: if you have the right address — with or without the Toadie-style Hawaiian shirt — you can head to Menulog between Monday, July 25–Monday, August 1. That's where you'll find a $20 voucher code in the 'For You' section if you're eligible, which you need to redeem within those dates. Also, you have to spend more than $20 in your order. Hey #Neighbours fans 👋 We wanted to confirm when you'll be able to watch the finale in the UK & Australia. Both us here in Australia and our friends @NeighboursTV in the UK will be a spoiler free zone until everyone has had a chance to watch our incredible final episode. pic.twitter.com/fBQRmU10ST — Neighbours (@neighbours) July 4, 2022 Obviously, if you were wondering what to eat at 7.30pm on Thursday, when the final-ever Neighbours episode goes to air on 10 and 10 Peach, now you know. And if you need a dose of Neighbours nostalgia in the interim, you can also check out Toadie revisiting the famed roadway below: Menulog is giving away $20 vouchers between Monday, July 25–Monday, August 1 to folks who live on Ramsay Streets around Australia. If that's you, head to the Menulog app and the Menulog website.
The latest Asian culinary venture to hit Melbourne aims to bring fine dining-quality dishes to a casual dining atmosphere. Opening on Friday, July 11, Lucy Liu draws influences from all corners of Asia; expect to see traditional Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine on the menu. Michael Lambie (The Smith and Circa), Scott Borg and Zac Cribbes are the masterminds behind Lucy Liu, and they’re excited to bring a fast and flavoursome menu that will suit the desires and dining trends of Melburnians. “I’ve worked with the flavours of Asia for many years. They inspire me, and sometimes they infuriate me, but they are my infatuation,” says Lambie. “Here I get to create upbeat street food with an intriguing mix of authentic Asian influences and flavours." Just to clarify, the name was apparently not influenced by the third of a Charlie's Angel currently playing Joan Watson on Elementary, though the association seems pretty unavoidable. All the dishes are new creations sprung from the inventive minds of Lambie and Cribbes. We’re licking our lips just thinking about crispy fried Szechuan duck with watercress salad and tamarind sesame dressing. Other dishes to look forward to include Korean crisp pork hock with apple, spring onion jam and spicy hoi sin, and a red curry of king prawns bouillabaisse style. The cocktail menu here will also be Asian inspired, so expect a lot of fresh and vibrant flavours. We’re certainly intrigued by the coconut mojito, and apparently they’ve got their own spin on the reliable Mai Tai. Lucy Liu opens Friday, July 11, at Oliver Lane (off Russell Street) in the CBD.
Blessed be your streaming queue: come mid-September, it'll start being home to the fifth season of The Handmaid's Tale. It's the batch of episodes we've all known is coming since 2020, when the hit dystopian series was renewed for this fifth season before the fourth even hit. And, thanks to that fourth season, it promises one helluva reckoning. Saying that anything to do with The Handmaid's Tale is stressful is like saying that Gilead looks like a terrible place to live. Praise be the obvious again and again. Still, if you want to call the show's sneak peeks at its upcoming fifth season tense, disquieting and unsettling, all of those words fit. Hulu, which airs the series in the US, has just dropped the full trailer for season five — and, unsurprisingly, nothing is well. If you're up to date on the series you'll already know why. Of course, things are never well in The Handmaid's Tale — but now June (Elisabeth Moss, Shining Girls) faces the fallout from her actions in the show's last go-around, and Serena's (Yvonne Strahovski, Stateless) in-mourning getup speaks volumes. In the new trailer, June doesn't just navigate more than a few consequences. Still fighting Gilead from afar, with Luke (O-T Fagbenle, Black Widow) and Moira (Samira Wiley, Breaking News in Yuba County), she admits how much she enjoyed her most recent choices. As for Serena, she's in profile-raising mode in Toronto, as Gilead's influence creeps into Canada — and Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford, Tick, Tick... Boom!) and Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd, Rebecca) are endeavouring to reform Gilead. Also returning among the cast: Max Minghella (Spiral: From the Book of Saw), Madeline Brewer (Hustlers), Amanda Brugel (Snowpiercer) and Sam Jaeger (The Eyes of Tammy Faye). With all of the above, blessed be the bleak dramas, too, which is exactly what The Handmaid's Tale has been serving up since 2017 now. Of course, on the page, this grim look at a potential oppressive existence has been drawing in fans since the 1985, when Margaret Atwood's book first hit shelves. A film followed in 1990, and opera in 2000 — plus a sequel novel in 2019. Yes, there have been many ways to dive into The Handmaid's Tale over the years, but only one keeps winning small-screen awards and stars a phenomenal Moss. The date to mark in your diary: Thursday, September 15, given that the show will return in the US on September 14. Down Under, episodes air weekly on SBS in Australia, and stream via SBS On Demand — and hit Neon in New Zealand — at the same time as in America. Check out the trailer for The Handmaid's Tale season five below: The fifth season of The Handmaid's Tale will hit start airing in Australia and New Zealand from Thursday, September 15 — on SBS TV, and to stream via SBS On Demand and Neon, with new episodes arriving weekly.
Pidapipo has heard your cries: the gelateria's famed hot chocolate has been given a plant-based twist, making it perfect for vegan and non-dairy drinkers. However, it won't last long, as it's available at the Fitzroy Laboratorio this long weekend only. With the OG becoming a much-loved winter tradition for many locals in recent years, this vegan-friendly alternative remains as indulgent as ever. Hitting much the same notes as the original, this new creation replaces the dairy base with soy milk. This decadent creation also goes a step further, topping the drink with Pidapipo's ever-popular vegan pistachio gelato. Then, a light dusting of Australian pistachios rounds out this winter-warming beverage. If you're keen to get a sip, know that Pidapipo's vegan hot chocolate is available for a strictly limited time and in strictly limited numbers. Served from Friday, June 6–Monday, June 9, the team is only producing 100 cups across the long weekend. So, if you've been hanging out for a taste since Pidapipo co-founder Lisa Valmorbida and head of production Nicola Totaro created this headline-grabbing hot chocolate in 2023, head along to the Fitzroy Laboratorio early to avoid missing out. Primed for a sweet treat on a chilly Melbourne morning, warming up is made easy with this steamy plant-based drink grasped firmly in your hands. Score a cup of Pidapipo's vegan hot chocolate and satisfy your curiosity for $10.50. Pidapipo's vegan hot chocolate is available at the Fitzroy Laboratorio store from Friday, June 6–Monday, June 9. Head to the website for more information.
One of Melbourne's most controversial new building projects could be axed as Federation Square edges closer to having permanent heritage status. The Victorian landmark, which was granted temporary heritage protection in August, was today recommended for permanent inclusion on the Victorian Heritage Register by Heritage Victoria. Despite being only 16 years old, Fed Square has been recommended for heritage status on the basis of its "historical, architectural, aesthetic, cultural and technical significance" to Victoria. If it gets the heritage tick, Fed Square won't be the first 'young' building to receive protection. Both the National Gallery of Victoria and the Victorian Arts Centre were recognised as having state-level heritage significance soon after their completion — which does give some hope. The recommendation will be advertised for 60 days — allowing time for community feedback — before the Heritage Council of Victoria, an independent body, makes its final decision. If the permanent heritage protection does go ahead, it could thwart Apple's plans to build its first Australian flagship store in the Square. After being announced late last year, Apple's proposed Fed Square store has received considerable community backlash, with new designs revealed in July in response. The opposition to the store isn't just about how it looks, though, but the fact that it'll tear down and replace the existing Yarra Building and also displace the Koorie Heritage Trust in the process. Contentiously, it'll also see public land sold off to a commercial retailer. At present, the temporary heritage protection, which is in place until December 21, prevents any work on the new Apple store from commencing — and any work on another big change taking place in the vicinity, the Metro Tunnel. Fed Square's visitor centre is set to be demolished to build an entry to the tunnel, with work due to begin imminently. To proceed according to schedule, contractor Cross Yarra Partnership will need to apply for a permit or exemption to go ahead — something it has already done, according to The Age. The Heritage Council of Victoria is scheduled to make its final decision regarding Federation Square's heritage status on December 18, 2018. Until then, the square is still covered by its temporary protection. Image: Robert Blackburn, Visit Victoria
You're invited to get down and dirty when people-powered urban winery Noisy Ritual pops up in Docklands for this year's Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Hitting Victoria Harbour from March 20 to 30, the Pop-Up Fermentation Bar is the latest play in Noisy Ritual's mission to demystify the world of winemaking. In addition to a menu of tasting flights, wines available by the glass or bottle and Italian snacks from nearby Saluministi, the bar will feature real, working winery equipment. It's being brought over from Noisy Ritual's Brunswick headquarters to allow guests to experience the fermentation process close-up and first-hand. As well as sampling the goods at the bar, there'll be plenty of opportunity to get involved in making some of your own. Four Demystifying Winemaking workshops ($78) — at midday and 2pm on Saturday, March 23 and Saturday, 30 — will offer a hands-on exploration of winemaking, from grape-stomping right through to tasting. The Noisy Ritual Pop-Up Fermentation Bar is open 4–9pm Wednesday and Saturday, and midday–10pm Thursday and Friday.
In typical style of owner, bartender and artist Matt Bax, Bar Americano is doing things a little differently. This Negroni Week, the cocktail bar has been working on a special fermented Negroni Sbagliato in anticipation for the 100 year Negroni celebration. It has been aged for months and uses Champagne in addition to gin, so will be served as a typical Champagne cocktail. The rare drop will be available for a limited time, and a portion of the profits will go to OzHarvest. In addition to the special fermented Negroni Sbagiato you can still get your hands on the bar's range of batched negroni (in 200ml and 500ml bottles) which will still make a contribution to the charity donation. Campari has also donated some Negroni pins for the event, with all the proceeds going directly to Oz Harvest. Bar Americano's stand only venue has limited space, so get in early so you don't miss out.
After revealing its December and January programming late last year, Moonlight Cinema has unveiled the next part of its 2018–19 program. As always, one piece of advice bears repeating: pack your picnic basket and get ready to watch a heap of flicks under the summer evening sky. While the outdoor cinema runs until Sunday, March 31 in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, it's latest announcement focuses on February — so if you're keen to catch a movie under the stars while it's still officially summer, take note. As always, plenty of recent favourites are on the bill, plus a smattering of all-time greats and a few sneak peeks at new movies coming out soon. The March lineup will be announced in February. Tried-and-tested highlights include Aquaman, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Bumblebee and The Favourite, plus the return of A Star Is Born and a sing-along session of Bohemian Rhapsody. You'll also be able to catch retro titles such as Crazy, Stupid, Love, The Devil Wars Prada and The Princess Bride, and new nerve-wracking rock-climbing documentary Free Solo just as it hits regular cinemas. In the sneak peek camp, there's gender-flipped rom-com What Men Want, Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic On the Basis of Sex and Natalie Portman as a pop star in the must-see Vox Lux, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMCYE9hKP68 Moonlight's usual food truck and licensed bar offering will continue, as will its reserved bean beds. You can also BYO booze everywhere except Brisbane. And Brisbanites have been benefiting from two big changes, with Moonlight Cinema saying goodbye to Brisbane Powerhouse after a more than a decade and settling in at Roma Street Parkland instead. Even better — it's running all the way through until March 31 for the first time, like its interstate counterparts. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2018–19 DATES: Sydney: Nov 29–Mar 31 (Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Park) Melbourne: Nov 29–Mar 31 (Central Lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens) Brisbane: Nov 29–Mar 31 (Roma Street Parkland) Perth: Dec 1–Mar 31 (May Drive Parkland, Kings Park & Botanic Garden) Adelaide: Dec 8–Feb 17 (Botanic Park) Moonlight Cinema runs until March 31. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Moonlight website.
If you hadn't noticed, fermentation is a bit of a thing. One of the driving forces behind the movement is the fact that fermented food and drinks can help promote good bacteria in your gut. So it's not surprising that one of the more popular workshops at Cornersmith — who dish out hearty breakfasts and hold workshops in cheesemaking, pickling and fermenting among others — is the wild soda class, where you learn to make a fermented, fizzy fruit beverage that's both delicious and good for your digestion. On Thursday December 1 we collaborated with the fermentation geniuses at Cornersmith and hosted two wild soda workshops at the Stoneleigh Hotel in Chippendale. The workshops were inspired by our partnership with Stoneleigh, and their philosophy of using wild fermentation to make the wine in their Wild Valley range (it uses a similar fermentation process as wild soda does — read about it here). Head fermenter Jaimee Edwards taught two classes on how to make your own fermented, fizzy fruit drink using wild ingredients. We made a lemon verbena, dianella berry and mint soda which turned out a beautiful bright purple colour and tasted pretty delicious. Alongside Edwards was the Stoneleigh wine ambassador India Munari, offering her insight in the relationship between the process of making wild soda and Stoneleigh's range of wild fermentation wines. Take a look through our photos and see what went down on the night. For those who couldn't attend, you can go DIY and follow Jaimee's instructions in our wild soda feature here. Or, you can head to the Stoneleigh Hotel and sample some tastings of Wild Valley wine — it's open until December 11. Try some Wild Valley wild fermentation wine at the Stoneleigh Hotel, a sandstone house in Chippendale overrun by nature. It's at 48 Kensington Street, Chippendale from November 11 until December 11. Images: Kimberley Low.
Melbourne has welcomed yet another buzzy inner-city food destination, with Riverside Quay's reimagined dining and retail precinct officially open for business. Encompassing the recently opened Asado Bar and Grill — Argentinian sibling to San Telmo and Pastuso — along with nine other new eateries, this hub's been designed to inject some extra life into the existing sprawl of office buildings. Channeling the dynamic feel of Melbourne's iconic laneways, the precinct pulls together a diverse spread of culinary offerings, from casual sit-down restaurants to cult international eateries dishing up a hefty range of grab-and-go options. Diners can expect a strong Asian influence, with the likes of Old Man Pho, Jiaozi by Shanghai Street Dumplings and Thailander sitting alongside modern Japanese masters Infinite Wasabi. Dagwood Deli has the corner on classic NY deli sandwiches, Poked is slinging vibrant Hawaiian-style lunch bowls, and both Workshop Brothers and 30ml Coffee have those caffeine needs sorted. Another outpost for contemporary Italian star DOC is also on its way, slated to open in early 2019. The fun kicks off properly this week, with the precinct playing host to a series of public celebrations on Wednesday and Thursday nights until December 20. Head in from 5–8pm to catch live tunes from the likes of J&J Duo, Andrew Loadsman, Haybax and Jess + Christian, before checking out some of those new culinary gems. Find Riverside Quay's new range of restaurants at Southbank, Melbourne.
A third birthday party may not be your ideal Saturday night scenario, but we bet downing some bao with beer and ice cream is. If that just made you shiver a little, get your bao-loving self down to Wonderbao on Saturday. August marks three years since they started steaming buns in a city laneway, and they're holding a party to celebrate. This Saturday, instead of turning off the steamers and closing the doors at 5pm, Wonderbao will be cranking up the music and getting the party started. For one night only, the little laneway restaurant will be licensed, meaning you can enjoy your bao with some Mountain Goat beer or wine from Kooyonga Creek. The classic bao and gua bao will be available, as well as some special birthday creations. And because it's a birthday, there's cake too, in the form of bao ice cream sandwiches. Wonderbao's Cream Supreme creations — a deep fried gua bao filled with Messina ice cream — will making a special appearance, in flavours like black sesame, green tea and coconut. If you haven't managed to get your hands on one of these babies yet, now is your chance.
If your pup has its own Instagram account and you refer to yourself as a 'fur parent', we're fairly certain you'll want in on this competition. Local pet food brand Ivory Coat wants to put your dog on the small screen. The luxe brand is currently running a Dog Search, which will see 20 lucky pooches featured in Ivory Coat's next TV commercial. All you have to do is enter your details here, along with a recent, personality-filled photo of your fur baby. All breeds and cross-breeds of all ages are welcome. Along with being featured on TV, your pup could win a portrait by a professional photographer, a pet profile on the Ivory Coat website and social media pages, and a one-year supply of Ivory Coat food. There is one catch, though: your dog needs to be an Ivory Coat consumer. So, if they've never tried the stuff, it's time to grab a bag online or head to one of your local stockists. If your pooch is a little hesitant about changing brands, Ivory Coat is made in Australia using locally sourced meat with no additives or fillers. Plus superfoods, fruits, veggies and wholegrains are mixed in or there's a grain-free option if you prefer. The pet food brand also has options for dogs (and cats) of every breed, size and age. The 20 lucky winners (humans and pooches) will need to be in Sydney for shoot between July 17–19. While NSW's borders are currently open to all domestic tourists, we suggest checking the Australian Government website before booking flights or locking in a road trip. Your doggo should be well-behaved and friendly, but it doesn't need to be dog show-level trained — understanding simple commands like 'sit' and 'stay' will do. If this sounds like your pup, now's the time to make 'em a star. Head to the Ivory Coat website for entry guidelines and T&Cs. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Back when MySpace Tom was still a known person being we discovered that playing around with contrast and camera angles could remove pores, noses and any other unsightly facial features that made us look like normal humans. Then Instagram came along and retro-chic became the new high contrast, though this time the entire world was "enhanced": Skies were consistently a halcyon shade of blue, inner-city roads were somehow rife with beat-up Kombis and any annoying details, scenic or human, were happily obliterated. But if you ever find yourself frustrated that you find it hard to recognise your friends in real life because sometimes they have pimples and regular-sized eyes, the Normalize app might be of some assistance. Normalize was created by app developer Joe Macirowski after he became fed up of seeing already beautiful sights being distorted by the Valencia haze. The app, which costs $0.99, takes the Instagram picture and runs it through a series of complex algorithms to try to remove the effects and return the image to its original state. A shared picture manipulated with any of the effects on Instagram becomes stripped of its original information, making it otherwise impossible to view them normally without making tedious manual corrections. With Normalize you can upload a photo and use a simple sliding scale to clean up the colours, borders and brightness to see the image as it would have appeared to the naked eye. Apparently the app doesn’t always work perfectly, but it’s comforting to know that sunsets are sometimes pretty IRL too.
When you can't venture to a crowded pub to watch your favourite sport on the big screen, recreate the best parts of game day in your own home instead. Whether you're into the AFL or NRL, you can take inspiration from these five suggestions to amp up the at-home viewing party to suit your code. We've partnered with leading bourbon brand Jim Beam to bring you tips on entertaining your mates without missing any of the highlights. [caption id="attachment_786097" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cassandra Hannagan[/caption] COOK UP YOUR FAVOURITE PUB CLASSICS First thing's first: food. Any good party host knows you need to plan ahead when it comes to feeding your guests, but that doesn't mean you need to spend heaps of cash or lean on the same-old chips and dips combo. Give yourself a theme and opt for handheld, small bites. For example, buffalo wings with blue cheese dipping sauce and loaded potato skins with bacon and sour cream for easy-to-serve snacks that you can prep in advance and your friends can graze on throughout the game. Make a classic hot dog more grown-up with fresh lettuce, jalapeños and mustard, or create a nacho topping station so everyone can serve themselves when they're peckish. [embed]https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7pS5D5MnYe11rtrRcjeMTk?si=d6yoaggsQnaTvog48eh0IA[/embed] CREATE A PUB PLAYLIST Channel the mood of your local, wherever that may be. If yours usually busts out Powderfinger, Crowded House and Paul Kelly, lean into the theme and create your own playlist that's two parts nostalgia and one part fresh Aussie hits. Or, if you want to pretend you're at the Gabba for this year's AFL Grand Final, pull together a playlist that honours the local acts taking to the stage come Saturday, October 24. Brisbane bands Sheppard and Cub Sport will be performing, along with singer-songwriter Thelma Plum and Rockhampton's blues duo Busby Marou. Plus, Sydney's DMA's and Adelaide-based duo Electric Fields. If you're short on time, head to one of the act's own selections, like DMA's Radio above. More of an Amy Shark fan? The indie-pop star is headlining this year's NRL grand final and the Gold Coast artist has a sweet playlist of equally cool Aussie acts like East, Lime Cordiale and Wafia that you can find here. [caption id="attachment_786936" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dan Burton[/caption] PULL OUT THE LAWN GAMES When you're drinking at the pub there's often time for playing games and getting competitive — whether that's around the pool table or facing the dart board. Bring a sense of playful competition into your get-together with bocce, giant Jenga, Finska, Twister — or whatever games you might have stored away at home. Create a break-out zone away from the TV so your friends can dive into an active game whenever the mood takes hold. Don't have any games at home? You'll find a good selection of outdoor games at Opus, which has free delivery if you spend over $75, and at Sunnylife, which has a $12 flat rate for delivery. [caption id="attachment_787026" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kaleidico[/caption] PLAN A SURPRISE PUB QUIZ FOR HALF TIME No one wants to listen to the game analysis come half time, so bring all your sports fanatics together over some brain teasing. Can you name the date of the very first AFL match? What's Daniel Ricciardo's driver number? How many times has Dylan Alcott represented Australia at the Paralympics? Who is Australia's fastest female bowler? No matter what sport you're celebrating on the big screen, you can test your collective knowledge in a quick quiz to lighten the mood. Create one of your own, or hit up the sports quiz of the week from The Guardian, or the ABC's news quiz for a mix of sport and general knowledge. Or, if you want to play along live, Jay's Virtual Pub Quiz runs weekly quiz sessions on YouTube. [caption id="attachment_784939" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steven Woodburn[/caption] STOCK UP YOUR BAR Rather than making sure there are enough glasses in the house, or having to fight over space in the fridge for cold drinks, make things easier on you and your guests by filling up your bath or a bucket with ice and stocking it with premixed drinks. That way everyone can dip into the bathroom or kitchen for a fresh bevvy when they like, and you don't have to worry about chopping citrus for cocktails, or smashing glasses you don't have time to replace. Jim Beam has a range of premixed drinks to suit all your mates' tastes. You can pick up a pack of seven Jim Beam & Cola cans for $29 at BWS stores. Or go one better and enter Jim Beam's competition to win your own Tiny Stillhouse, which comes decked out with bluetooth speakers, a mini fridge, four bar stools, an esky, bar mats, a Jenga set, a case of Jim Beam and Cola and a bottle of Jim Beam White Label to really up the ante for your next get-together. Top image: Cassandra Hannagan
Stephen Hawking is an extraordinary individual. The problem with that — with all extraordinary individuals — is that over time they come to be viewed not as people but as the sum of their accomplishments. The greater the endeavour, the less we tend to know about the beating heart and restless mind behind it. Often it's not until they're visited by tragedy or professional disgrace that we're reminded of their humanity, and yet, in Hawking's case, not even the onset of motor neurone disease or an extramarital affair could detract from his almost super-human status. The Theory of Everything, then, serves as a fitting reminder that beyond the maths lies a man, brilliant — yes — but still just a man: mortal, flawed and confounded by love. Adapted from the book Travelling to Infinity: My Life With Stephen, The Theory of Everything offers us a portrait of Hawking from the perspective of his first wife, Jane (Felicity Jones), and it is, in effect, a love story. Two love stories, rather: the conventional tale between a pair of enamoured Cambridge students, and the stranger yet better known one of Stephen’s infatuation with the universe. Both are heartwarming, exhilarating and profoundly complicated. In the role of Hawking’s wife, Jones is sublime. Her performance is an accomplished blend of fierce determination to see her husband survive, and private frustration at the professional sacrifices that selflessness wrought. As for Redmayne, perhaps the most fitting compliment is that it is now impossible to look at him and not see the professor. It is an extraordinary example of transformation, both physical and performative. Redmayne, like the man he portrays, is robbed of that which most actors find essential: movement, first, then sound. Yes, there is the iconic digital voice to accompany the performance, but voiceover is no more useful to an actor at the time of recording than a ping pong ball affixed to a green screen to denote what will eventually come to be. With the disarming smile of Redford and the ‘everyman-ness’ of Hanks, Redmayne is the acting equivalent of an unputdownable book, almost daring you to try to look away. For a film entitled The Theory of Everything, the story is, in the end, almost infinitesimal. Ours is a galaxy of some 400 billion stars in a universe roughly 13.8 billion years old. On such a scale, humanity is scarcely perceptible, an insignificant evanescent blip of history in which a single, unsettled romance between two people is as close to nothing as science will permit. And yet it is also everything, because it contains within it some of the finest qualities that define the human existence — that showcase the unconquerable spirit and boundless possibilities of the mind. Hawking’s accomplishments almost defy belief, even if they’d been achieved without disability, and while they’re acknowledged in this film, the focus is not on the ‘what’, but the ‘who’ and the ‘how’. Moving, astounding and, perhaps most of all, enlightening, The Theory of Everything is a sensitive yet unsentimental engagement with genius and the actualities of love.
The bevs are flowing freely at the Fitzroy Town Hall with the arrival of the 2016 Good Beer Week Gala Showcase. Sure, the main event isn't until May, but that doesn't mean they can't tap a few kegs early, right? On Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19, two dozen of the finest brewers in Australia will ply eager guests with the best booze available, launching the Good Beer Week program with frothy aplomb. Brewers from around the country will take part in the event, from the Morning Peninsula Brewery in Victoria to Feral Brewing in WA. Other standouts include South Australia's Clare Valley Brewing, and three-time People's Choice Award winners Boatrocker Brewery. The event will be run in three separate four-hour sessions, beginning at 5pm on Friday, and midday and 5pm on Saturday. Entry into the event costs $45 if you buy online and $50 at the door. Included in the ticket price are 20x 60ml beer samples, and a voucher for the on-site food truck.
There are many reasons first-time restauranteurs often fail. It might be that their management lets them down. Sometimes they're just not so great with the money side of it all. But occasionally their failure can be due to something much more simple. Take for instance, Brooklyn's forthcoming all-Nutella restaurant Nutelleria. They've timed their exciting culinary venture perfectly with a worldwide shortage of their primary ingredient. Good job, guys. Of course, we may be speaking prematurely. The restaurant hasn't even opened yet, and it's being met with considerable hype from local media — who wouldn't want a dedicated Nutella creperie around the corner from their house? And, a couple of weeks ago, we would have been totally on board too. On their upcoming menu, there's supposedly a sandwich made out of waffles crammed full of Nutella and bacon. You'd have to be either a dietician or a diabetic to be against such a heavenly creation. But all this was before the tragic news that hazelnuts will be in short supply for the foreseeable future. Due to devastating weather in Turkey — the product's main producers — most of the season's hazelnut crops were completely decimated. Now, hazelnuts are the most expensive they've been in the past 10 years and people all over the world are hoarding Nutella like the gooey, liquid gold it really is. Jamming an extraordinary 50 hazelnuts into every jar, Nutella in fact uses 25 per cent of the world's hazelnuts and would no doubt be hit hardest by the alleged shortage. And, although Ferrero has invested considerable money to ensure there are no halts in their hazelnut supply, Nutella fans are understandably sceptical. Even with a full global stock of the product, prices are expected to rise. While this is bad news for everyone, it's sure bank-breaking for the planned Nutelleria. Especially when that's combined with the fact its owners don't have any legal permission to launch a store around the copyrighted product. "[We're] simply Nutella® enthusiasts that decided to share our love for Nutella® with the rest of the world," their website states. All in all, we hope it works out for them. A world where everyone has access to Nutella and bacon waffle sandwiches is a world we want to live in. But if their new store and copycats like it end up being responsible for a worldwide Nutella shortage, we predict a riot. Via Grub Street. Photo credit: PG.NETO via photopin cc.
Summer might feel like it's flown by in a blink, but you've still got a chance to make the last of these balmy days count. Especially if you nab yourself a spot at one of Rosetta's upcoming Sicilian long lunches. On Saturday, February 25, and Sunday, February 26, the Southbank Italian restaurant invites you to soak up some rays on the openair terrace while digging into a seafood-heavy four-course feast, basking in the bright flavours of Sicily. Book a table between 12–2.30pm and settle in over the likes of Port Lincoln prawn crudo, garlicky clam spaghetti served with house-made focaccia, coral trout with capers and cherry truss tomatoes, ricotta-filled cannoli and fruity sorbeti. Coming in at $179, the lunch includes a different Sicilian-inspired cocktail paired with each course — just in case you needed any more of an excuse to kick back and really unwind. Expect sips like a white negroni, the Sprezzatura Spritz and a Positano-style martini.
The sky-high likeness of a child is set to land atop Melbourne's Hamer Hall, although you won't be able to spot it unless you know it's there. Soaring at a huge 100 metres tall, large-scale public art commission Child of Now is the work of multidisciplinary artist Robert Walton and First Nations author and activist Claire G Coleman — and, because it's an augmented reality piece, it will only be visible on digital screens and mobile devices. Fusing art and computer science, it's set to take to its rooftop perch in 2024. Across a cleverly executed ten-day performance — with dates yet to be revealed — the virtual being will appear to age from zero to 100 years, all while undertaking normal human activities like playing, walking, communicating and dreaming each day. As the installation wraps up on the tenth day, visitors viewers will watch the then 100-year-old character fall asleep for the final time, with the vision played out alongside an onsite candlelit vigil. Child of Now will also be available to watch online, so it can be experienced by people all over the world. The ambitious work is designed to glimpse into the future of an imagined child born in 2021; however, this isn't just any random kid. Child of Now is being created and shaped over the space of a few years, using input from a diverse group of 14,400 Melburnians. The artists, along with a crew of University of Melbourne tech specialists, will use volumetric body scanning and interactive technology to gather these public contributions, fusing all of the captured visions, thoughts and experiences together to generate the final product. And if you're wondering where they plucked that number from, 14,400 is the number of minutes that tick by in ten days. [caption id="attachment_807506" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Child of Now by Robert Walton. Concept image by Xavier Irvin.[/caption] If it sounds like a hefty project, that's because it is. That's why Child of Now isn't expected to be completed and ready for its Hamer Hall performance until 2024. In the meantime, the artists have been busy making a series of giant virtual holograms, which'll then be animated, and working on the artificial intelligence technology needed to do just that. Then, later this year, a Child of Now prototype will appear at Arts Centre Melbourne. That's when the team will call for assistance, too, giving the public the chance to participate. Child of Now is currently in production. The ten-day installation is slated to appear atop Hamer Hall in 2024 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced. Top image: Child of Now concept image by Xavier Irvine
In need of some new procrastination material? Well, you're in luck. Google image search 'Banff' and spend a few minutes (or half an hour) taking in the gorgeous pictures of snow-capped mountains, aqua water and towering pines. It's impossible to not daydream about holidaying somewhere far-flung and exciting while ogling these picture-perfect views, as we're sure you'll agree. Thankfully, you'll have the opportunity to slip into this magical world without ever leaving Melbourne. The River City's Brisbane Powerhouse is hosting Banff Mountain Film Festival's 2025 tour — the event's latest stopover, after beginning back in 1976. Its stunning cinematography attracts film buffs and adventurers alike, making the festival mighty popular across the world today. [caption id="attachment_997959" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pierre Vieira[/caption] Each year, hundreds of films enter the competition with the cream of the crop chosen to entertain and amaze festivalgoers. Some of the featured flicks battled it out in categories including Best Film on Mountain Sport, Best Film on Mountain Environment, Best Film on Mountain Culture, Best Film on Exploration and Adventure, and more. Check out seven of them in May around the Victorian capital, in a package featuring films about snowboarding on Antarctic icebergs, wingsuit flying in the Swiss Alps, ultra-marathon running, mountain biking in the Dolomites and more. The fest heads to The Astor Theatre across Tuesday, May 13–Wednesday, May 14, then to The Capitol on Friday, May 16. Top images: Christoph Thoresen Ofa / Tamara Susa / Jerome Tanon.
Weird food museums have plenty in common with everyone's favourite doughy Italian dish — there's a type for everyone, and no one can resist their charms. Quite a number exist around the world, celebrating everything from ramen to currywurst to jell-o, but the latest will revel in the deliciousness that is pizza. Who doesn't want to while away a few hours in a pizza cave, pizza fun house or at the pizza beach, then play some pizza games? No one, that's who. They're just some of the attractions on offer at the pizza-themed space, which is is popping up in New York at a yet-to-be-disclosed location. Like the city's other over-the-top ode to a food that everyone loves, aka the Museum of Ice Cream, it's a short-term affair, running from October 13 to 28. Other highlights include an artist's gallery, presumably showcasing plenty of ace pizza-making; an interactive exhibit exploring the history of pizza, as well as promising to tell the dish's untold story (if it reveals that pizza also tastes great cold, well, that's something that everyone knows); and something called 'pizza zen', which, if it's meditation involving pizza, we're sure everyone will be onboard with. There'll also be a pizza screening room — if you'd like to watch clips of pizza, perhaps? So far, few concrete details about what any of these attractions actually entail have been revealed, but they sure will involve pizza somehow. The Museum is being called an "artistic tribute to pizza", according to its website, while the event's ticketing listing describes it as "a place to take amazing photos" and "a space to bask in multi-sensory, psychedelic pizza joy." Expect Instagram to be overrun with pizza photos, basically. If you're wondering about actually eating pizza, yes, attendees will also get a slice with their $35 ticket, from a vendor outside the venue. But, as every pizza fiend knows, one piece is never enough, so "the Museum will do its best to make additional pizza available." Via Eater.
After 12 days, around 300 films and more hours spent sitting in cinemas than anyone might like to admit, the Sydney Film Festival wrapped up their 64th fest by naming On Body and Soul as the winner of this year's Sydney Film Prize. The Hungarian feature took home SFF's $60,000 cash award for 'audacious, cutting-edge and courageous' filmmaking, topping a 12-movie competition filled with an eclectic and interesting array of features — ranging from We Don't Need a Map's exploration of what the Southern Cross means to Australians, to The Untamed's blend of social realism and erotic sci-fi, to Sofia Coppola's Cannes best director winner The Beguiled. "It's a film that shows us that even in this divided world we are capable of sharing the same dreams, that amongst the ugliness of a slaughterhouse, kindness, gentleness can be found," said 2017 jury president Margaret Pomeranz. The unconventional romance follows two lonely workers in a Budapest abattoir who not only share the same employer and same sense of malaise, but drift into same animal-filled world when they slumber. It's the movie's second prestigious award this year, after picking up the Golden Bear at the Berlinale in February. That's not a bad haul for writer/director Ildikó Enyedi, particularly given that On Body and Soul is her first film in 18 years. She's also the first female filmmaker to win the competition in its ten-years — she joins Sofia Coppola in making history, who was this year the first female to win Best Director at Cannes in the festival's 56 years. The feature joins the hefty list of previous official competition winners, with Aquarius (2016), Arabian Nights (2015), Two Days, One Night (2014), Only God Forgives (2013), Alps (2012), A Separation (2011), Heartbeats (2010), Bronson (2009) and Hunger (2008) emerging victorious in the past. But it's not the only effort that picked up a gong at this year's closing night — SFF also awards the Documentary Australia Foundation Award for Australian Documentary, with $10,000 going to The Pink House's portrait of Kalgoorlie's last original gold rush brothel. Then there's the fest's short film prizes — the Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films — which have been running for a whopping 48 years. To date, the shorts awards have helped launch the careers of Warwick Thornton (2017 opening night flick We Don't Need a Map), Cate Shortland (Berlin Syndrome), Jane Campion (Top of the Lake) and Ivan Sen (2016 opener Goldstone), among others. In 2017, Dendy Live Action Short Award recipient Mirene Igwabi (Adele), and dual winner Daniel Agdag (Rouben Mamoulian Award for Best Director and Yoram Gross Animation Award, both for Lost Property Office) will be hoping to follow in their footsteps — plus Michael Cusack, who won the Event Cinemas Australian Short Screenplay Award for his stop motion animation After All. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B4hCzq7H70
Once you've self-proclaimed your next album as the "album of the life" (see tweet), the next logical step is to create an epic, worldwide premiere party for its release. Well, it is if you're Kanye West (and, really, Kanye is the only person who could pull this off). So for the release of his upcoming album Waves — which was, up until a few hours ago named Swish — he'll be debuting it with a show at Madison Square Garden in NYC on February 11. And he'll be broadcasting the performance live in cinemas around the world. Yep, Kanye is literally going cinematic — and if you're in Melbourne or Sydney, you can get in on the action. Hoyts Melbourne Central are screening Kanye West / Season 3 / Waves which, according Hoyts' synopsis, will feature the "world premiere of the album Waves in its entirety, live from Madison Square Garden". He's also expected to present his new fashion line, Yeezy Season 3 at the show. The screening will take place at 8am on Friday, February 12. On Monday, Kanye tweeted a handwritten page detailing the tracklist for the then-Swish, now-Waves album. It's set to be broken into three acts and include collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Sia, Ty Dolla $ign, Vic Mensa and Post Malone. Amazingly, there are still a few tickets left to the screenings, so head over to the Hoyts website to snap some up. This is the greatest album of your whole life, after all.
After another year chock full of closures and lockdowns, Melbourne's summer gig calendar is filling up joyfully fast. And here's another beauty to add to your hit-list: the return of Arts Centre Melbourne's concert series Live at the Bowl. Back for its second edition from Wednesday, January 5–Monday, April 25 after debuting in 2021, the event will see a diverse lineup of local and international artists descend upon the Sidney Myer Music Bowl for a jam-packed program of performances. It's set to deliver good stuff for punters of all ages, covering everything from live music and dance, to circus and comedy. Firing up the iconic openair stage with a solid dose of live sounds will be big-name international acts including London Grammar, Peggy Gou, Kings of Leon and Thomas Schumacher, along with local stars like Flight Facilities, Lime Cordiale and The Jungle Giants. Electronic fans can get their fix with concerts such as Piknic Électronik and Synthony, and the MSO's famed free gigs will also be making their return. Elsewhere in the program, Soju Gang and Footscray Community Arts will team up to present a showcase of exciting talent in SorBaes: Double Dip, Songlines hosts its annual celebration of the survival of First Nations people for Share the Spirit and a special all-ages booze-free gig will serve up sounds from the next generation of local artists. Freestyle dance battles and the family-friendly Shaun the Sheep circus show are also in the mix, with more to be announced soon. [caption id="attachment_835006" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Indigenous grazing box by Jason Lau[/caption] Most of the events will be operating at the full capacity of 12,000 guests, with punters invited to pack a picnic rug to lounge on the rolling lawn or venture down in front of the stage for a boogie. Yep — dancing is allowed once again, folks. That said, in keeping with government requirements, you'll need to show proof of vaccination or a medical exemption to head along to any of the events. Meanwhile, the bar will be slinging a menu of wine, beer, spirits, seltzers and cocktails, alongside alcohol-free options from the likes of Lyres and Sobah. A rotation of food trucks will be on hand for when you've worked up an appetite dancing, plus select shows will also offer a couple of curated hampers — a cured meat selection from Andrews Choice and an Indigenous grazing box courtesy of Pawa Catering. Live at the Bowl returns to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl from Wednesday, January 5–Monday, April 25. To check out the full program of events and nab tickets, head to the Arts Centre Melbourne website. Top image: Ian Laidlaw.
In need of some Friday fuel for a big weekend ahead? A coffee will do the trick. Of course, even better than that is a quality cup of coffee that doesn't cost you a cent. And even better than that is a free coffee that's also kind on the planet and leaves zero waste to clog up landfill. That's the kind of conscious caffeine hit you can enjoy this Friday, July 8, courtesy of sustainability-driven Collingwood cafe Into Coffee. From 9–11am, the team will be pepping up everyones' mornings, handing out free coffees made on the Industry Beans house blend and a choice of Minor Figures' oat milk or Schultz's dairy milk. What's more, you won't need to remember to bring your reusable cup, nor fret about disposing of a takeaway one. The free coffees will be served in Good-Edi's nifty single-use edible cups, which are made out of oats and can double as a tasty breakfast snack once you've downed your drink.
A basement on Russell Street seems like the perfect place to nibble on Japanese tapas-style dishes, right? Well, why the hell not? The long bar and small tables lining the walls make it feel like a cocktail bar-cum-Japanese restaurant — but hey, we're not complaining about that. Some of the Den favourites include the den chicken, sweet corn kakiage, tuna tataki and the grilled pork belly. Or, for the cooler months, go for the udon and a glass of sake. Cheers, friends.
The picnic mecca that is Moonlight Cinema doesn't just show movies outdoors each summer. It does exactly that, obviously, but it's also fond of theming its openair film selection around different parts of its season. So, when it kicked off for summer 2022–23 in November and December, it featured a heap of Christmas fare, naturally. When February hits, it'll be time for love — whether you're heading along with a date or mate. Surrounding both Valentine's Day and Galentine's Day — yes, Leslie Knope would be proud — Moonlight Cinema's just-revealed February program includes a week of romantic pictures spanning new and classic titles. Magic Mike's Last Dance will get a whirl, as will the Lily James (Pam & Tommy)-starring What's Love Got to Do With It. And, if you're fond of movie blasts from the past, perennial favourites 10 Things I Hate About You, The Notebook and Muriel's Wedding are also on the bill, as are the Julia Roberts-led Notting Hill and Pretty Woman. Other highlights include Australian favourites The Castle and Strictly Ballroom among the other retro titles — the latter, from Baz Luhrmann, also getting romantic — as well as repeat sessions of A Man Called Otto, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody and Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. Because the exact roster varies per city — and because Brisbane and Adelaide's season wraps up mid-February — some venues will also get treated to creepy doll thriller M3GAN, plus sneak-peek sessions of the cinema-loving, Olivia Colman-starring Empire of Light and Bill Nighy drama Living. As always, one piece of advice bears repeating: pack your picnic basket and get ready to watch a heap of flicks under the summer evening sky. Nosh-wise, Moonlight Cinema is letting you bring BYO movie snacks and drinks (no alcohol in Brisbane, though), but the unorganised can also enjoy a plethora of bites to eat from food trucks — perfect, messy treats made for reclining on bean beds. There's also a VIP section for an extra-luxe openair movie experience, a beauty cart handing out samples, and dogs are welcome at all sites except Perth — and there's even special doggo bean beds, and a snack menu for pooches. And, on Sundays in February, Moonlight Cinema will host a Singleton Whisky cart in Melbourne and Sydney. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2022–23 DATES Brisbane: Thursday, November 24–Sunday, February 19 in Roma Street Parkland Sydney: Thursday, November 24–Sunday, March 26 in Centennial Park Perth: Friday, November 25–Sunday, March 26 in Kings Park and Botanic Garden Adelaide: Thursday, December 1–Sunday, February 19 in Botanic Park Melbourne: Thursday, December 1–Sunday, March 26 in Royal Botanic Gardens Moonlight Cinema runs through until March 2023, with dates varying per city. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the cinema's website — and we'll update you with further program details when they're announced.
May has the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, June boasts the Delta Aquariids and December welcomes the Geminids. In November, however, it's Leonids time. Arriving at the end of spring in Australia and New Zealand, the Leonids may not be quite as well known as some of its counterparts, but it's still a shower worth looking up for. And it's famous for one impressive reason: its spectacular meteor storms. It can feature more than 1000 meteors per hour, but that only occurs around every 33 years — and, sadly, the most recent occurred in 2001. Still, while you won't spy that kind of intense onslaught in 2021, you will still see meteors. The Bureau of Meteorology predicts there'll be around five per hour hurtling across the heavens on average. At its peak, timeanddate.com predicts ten per hour. In good news for those Down Under, the Leonids can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere. Although it runs from Saturday, November 6 until Tuesday, November 30, this year it'll be best detected between Wednesday, November 17 and Thursday, November 18. Like many astronomical shows, catching an eyeful after midnight is recommended (aka when the moon has set and its light will not interfere). Specifically, for the best view, mark the early hours of Thursday, November 18 in your calendar. Named for the constellation of Leo, which is where it appears to radiate from in the sky, the Leonids aren't just renowned for its huge showers approximately three times each century, but also for its place in history. During the storm of 1833, it has been estimated that more than 100,000 meteors streamed across the sky per hour — and, as a result, the Leonids helped play a part in the formulation of the first theory about the origin of meteors, NASA notes. The Leonids stem from the Comet Tempel–Tuttle, which was actually first officially recognised after the famous meteor shower of 1833 — in 1866, in fact. And, if you're wondering why the Leonids' storms only hit every 33 years or so, that's because that's how long it takes for the comet to orbit around the sun. [caption id="attachment_751114" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] The peak of the 2009 Leonids meteor shower. Image: Navicore via Wikicommons.[/caption] For your best chances of getting a glimpse, the usual advice applies. Get as far away from bright lights as possible — this could be a good excuse to head out of the city to a clear-skied camping spot — and pray for no clouds. And, given that the Leonids originate from the Leo constellation, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Leo, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). The Leonids meteor shower runs between Saturday, November 6 until Tuesday, November 30. Top image: Mike Lewinski via Flickr.
For nearly three decades, horror movie lovers have fallen into two categories: those who've dared to say the word 'candyman' five times while staring into a mirror, and those who haven't. That's the kind of impact this spooky supernatural franchise has had over the years, with the film about a fictional urban legend almost becoming an urban legend itself. To the joy of slumber party-throwing teens everywhere, the 1992 original sparked follow-ups in 1995 and 1999 — and, thanks to a new 22-years-later third sequel, that's no longer the end of the story. Given that everything old just keeps coming back again, and that 90s nostalgia is the gift that keeps on giving, another Candyman flick was always going to happen eventually. This one was supposed to release last year, in fact, but then the pandemic scared us all instead. If you're still a little wary — despite its cult status, the initial movie is hardly a masterpiece, and Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh and Candyman: Day of the Dead won the series absolutely zero new fans — Candyman circa 2021 has a few tricks up its sleeves. Firstly, it's directed by Nia DaCosta, whose Tessa Thompson-starring 2018 film Little Woods deserved more attention. Secondly, it's produced and co-written by Jordan Peele, who adds another frightfest to his resume alongside Get Out and Us. And last but by no means least, it features the OG Candyman, Tony Todd, among its cast. As the first trailer back in 2020 initially explained — and now the just-dropped latest trailer expands upon — the new flick focuses on an artist called Anthony McCoy (Aquaman and Watchmen's Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). He decides to start exploring the Candyman legend through his art, a decision that obviously isn't going to turn out well. His girlfriend Brianna (If Beale Street Could Talk's Teyonah Parris), who also runs a gallery, thinks the story is just that. But as Anthony starts investigating the tale, the bee-covered figure starts wreaking havoc again. We all already know why, because that's what happens when folks say his name while looking at their own reflection, but the new sneak peek does offer some more background to the on-screen legend. For Candyman aficionados, Anthony's own name should ring a bell — he's the son of one of the first film's main characters, which might explain just why he's so obsessed with the eponymous ghoul. That said, while he might think he knows what he's getting himself into, Candyman still knows how to unsettle and unnerve. Check out the latest trailer below: Candyman will now open in Australian cinemas on August 26, 2021.
For the past two years, heading off on holiday has been a matter of 'if' rather than 'where'. If and when border restrictions and lockdowns have allowed it, we've all been travelling to wherever we've been allowed, whenever we've been allowed — across Australia and, when the trans-Tasman bubble was open, to New Zealand as well. With Sydney and Melbourne now free of their stay-at-home stints, Queensland and Tasmania announcing their domestic border reopening plans, and the Australian Government allowing vaccinated Aussies to leave the country purely for a getaway from Monday, November 1, simply heading to whichever few spots will have you will soon be a thing of the past. You'll have options, in other words. And, ahead of all of those border changes, Virgin has just dropped a sale that's serving up a heap of cheap domestic and international flights. Called 'Yay for Holidays', this sale has 1.7-million discounted fares up for grabs — but you'll need to get in quick. They went on sale today, Monday, October 25; however, they're only available until midnight AEST on Monday, November 1 or sold out, whichever comes first. All one-way fares, the discounted economy flights cover 28 different destinations, starting at $49. Some of the domestic specials on offer include Sydney to Byron Bay for $55, Sydney to the Sunshine Coast for $75, Melbourne to Launceston from $59, Melbourne to the Gold Coast from $89, Brisbane to Hamilton Island from $85, Brisbane to Cairns from $89, Adelaide to Melbourne from $79 and Perth to the Gold Coast from $259 (and vice versa in all cases, naturally). Internationally, options span routes to Fiji, Bali and New Zealand. So, you can head from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Nadi for $229–239, to Bali from all three cities for $279 and to Queenstown from the trio from $287–302. If you're wondering when you can travel — depending on border restrictions, of course — you can book flights for trips between November 2, 2021–June 23, 2022. Only some fares cover seat selection and checked baggage, however, with the airline announcing back in August that it is now splitting its economy flights into three types. Economy Lite doesn't include checking any baggage or picking your seat, but Economy Choice does — and Economy Flex gives you extra flexibility (hence the name) if you have to change your plans later. As we are still in the middle of a pandemic, flying is little different to normal. Virgin has introduced a range of safety measures, including hand sanitisation stations, contactless check-in and face masks provided to all passengers. Wearing masks on flights also became mandatory in Australia in January. Virgin's 'Yay for Holidays' sale runs from today, Monday, October 25–Monday, November 1 — or until sold out. Find out more about current Australian border restrictions via the Australian Government's Health Direct website and its Smart Traveller website.
Returning for its second year, Sad by Sad West is a community focused festival that's all about embracing emotion in both music and life. It's taking things back to basics and helping locals to recognise and appreciate their immediate surroundings and the artists that occupy it. Presented by Lesstalk Records and Papaiti Records, the self proclaimed fringe festival is geared toward connecting the community through events that showcase shared ideas and values through art and music. The two-day Melbourne event will take over two Footscray venues on Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29. For the festival's first night, The Night Heron, will be rocked by a huge range of talented Aussie artists, including Allison Gallagher, and Superdevf. For the second night, the party will head on over to The Reverence Hotel where Foley, Diploid and Phillip Hall will be among the ten-act lineup. The artists will perform across different genres and mediums to portray artistic thought in a new light.
After three years in the brewing biz, Exit Brewing finally has a place to call home — but, in a distinct point of difference from every other brewery in the industry, the bar has a name all its own. Uitgang Bar, a collaboration between Exit co-founders Fraser Rettie and Craig Knight and their beer loving friend David Pike, officially opened its doors early April. "The name is Flemish for Exit and is an homage to where we were first inspired to brew in Belgium," says Rettie. "We fell in love with beer and first began to home brew there, and the name is just a little something different." All three owners are Richmond locals, and Rettie had specifically eyed the space enviously many times on previous occasions. "I used to walk past the space almost every day and I'd always stick my head in and think 'this would be a great place to showcase the Exit range," says Rettie. "When we found out it was becoming available, we moved fast." The space boasts exposed brick and arches, as well as a sizeable beer garden — a commodity along Bridge Road. They hope to grow a few hop plants in the garden, which will be used both for show and as ingredients in pilot brews only available at the bar. The bar features an extensive range of taps, including ten beer, one cider and one carbonated coffee tap, produced nearby at North St. Of the beer taps, four will be dedicated to Exit, one is reserved for Kaiju! Beer — who they share brewing facilities with — and the additional four will act as rotating taps for other Australian craft breweries. The venue's local focus goes deeper than most — all of the booze in Uitgang will focus on Australian producers, including independently made spirits and wine. Keeping with their community focus, the bar is offering takeaway food services from three of their favourite neighbourhood haunts — pizza and pasta from St Domenico, burgers from Three One 2 One and Vietnamese fusion from Mr Minh. "There are so many quality food places around Bridge Road and we chose to partner with restaurants we love and eat at ourselves," says Rettie. Having a bar doesn't mean you'll stop seeing Exit beer around town, either. "We have a lot of really loyal retailers and customers so we're very conscious that we don't want to hog all of the limelight with the new bar," says Rettie. Exit will even throw their third birthday at the nearby Royston Hotel, who have been loyal supporters of the brand and have hosted events for them in the past. Uitgang Bar is now open at 406 Bridge Road, Richmond; opening hours are Wednesday through Thursday from 4pm to 11pm, Friday through Saturday from noon to 11pm and Sunday from noon to 10pm.
Prahran's interior design boutique and gallery Fenton & Fenton is putting on one big ole' sale this weekend from Friday, October 26 through Sunday, October 28. Head in to the Aussie designer's warehouse location in Oakleigh South to nab its range of furniture, decor and homewares at up to 80 percent off. The sale will include discounts on bespoke items from the Fenton & Fenton collection, with a focus on ex-display, imperfect and one-off pieces — think rugs, outdoor furniture, textiles, vintage items and lighting fixtures. They'll still be expensive but, if you're going to splash out, now's the time to do it. Don't forget to RSVP for a specific day over here and get in early to get the best picks of the day. The Fenton & Fenton Warehouse sale is open from 8.30am–5pm Friday, and 9am–4pm Saturday and Sunday.
Australia's latest environmental protests will span an entire week, featuring rallies, marches, flash mobs, sing-alongs and more. Organised by Extinction Rebellion Australia — which has been ramping up its actions around the country over the course of the year — the co-ordinated series of national events is once again designed to demand government action on climate change. Running until Sunday, October 13 in Australia's major cities, the protests form part of the group's international Spring Rebellion campaign. The rallies kicked off on Monday, with different activities planned each day in each location. Reports from the Spring Rebellion's first two days include inner-city road closures, groups of 'dead bees' blocking major thoroughfares and meditation sessions outside Victoria's parliament. They also include plenty of arrests — Victoria Police reports that, along with yesterday's arrests, 59 people were taken into custody in Melbourne today, as was a protestor who suspended himself from Brisbane's Story Bridge in a hammock. Like September's Global Climate Strike, which was overseen locally by School Strike 4 Climate, the current events aim to draw attention to the changing state of the global environment — drastic changes that've caused soaring temperatures, prolonged drought conditions, and the horrific bushfires that plagued Queensland and NSW last month. Extinction Rebellion's Aussie protestors are also focusing on three demands: that the government declares a climate emergency, and urgently communicate the need for change; that state and federal governments commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2025; and that a Citizens' Assembly on climate and ecological justice is convened. As always, disruptions and delays are expected as a result of the protest actions, including possible road closures and traffic diversions. If you're planning to join the crowds or need to consider your transport options for the week, here's how the events will go down in your city. [caption id="attachment_735589" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Extinction Rebellion SEQ[/caption] SYDNEY Extinction Rebellion's Sydney activities will change daily, with flash mobs meeting at Belmore Park at 9am tomorrow, Wednesday, October 9, before hopping on trains from Central Station and spreading their message through the rail network. From 12.30pm on Friday, October 11, protestors will literally place their heads in the sand (in holes that still allow enough room for them to breathe) on Manly Beach. At 9.30am on Saturday, October 12, they'll amass on the Coogee Beach Esplanade wearing blue and green, all to highlight the impact of climate change on the seas — and then, from 10.30am on Sunday, October 13, they'll descend on Bondi Beach to form a huge hourglass near the Icebergs end. For public transport and traffic updates each day, check Transport NSW and Live Traffic Sydney. MELBOURNE Melburnians can stop by the week-long family camp at Carlton Gardens, which forms Extinction Rebellion's local hub — it'll be holding arts and crafts, philosophy workshops, family-friendly Q&A sessions, music and performances throughout the week. From 3pm on Wednesday, October 9, they'll head to RMIT to rally, with traffic disruptions along Swanston Street likely. Then, from 7.30am on Friday, October 11, they'll perform a dress rehearsal for one of the group's next big actions — a blockade of the International Mining and Resources Conference between October 28–31 — by protesting outside of BHP's offices. The week culminates on Saturday, October 12 with the Nudie Parade, with folks stripping down to their underwear, painting their bodies with messages and marching from Carlton Gardens from 10am. For public transport and traffic updates each day, check Yarra Trams and Vic Traffic. BRISBANE Setting up shop in Queens Gardens on George Street, Brisbane boasts a jam-packed protest schedule — with flash mobs starting from outside the casino each morning until Friday, October 11. They'll gather from 7.30am, with sing-alongs taking place from noon each day, speakers hitting the microphone from 1pm daily, market stalls selling arts and crafts from 9am–5pm and a photobooth onsite as well. Live performances will also take place from 5pm, featuring bands on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a freestyle rap battle on Thursday. Tuesday will also see a public rally demanding action from the gas industry, which'll take place from midday at 32 Turbot Street, plus slam poetry in Queens Gardens from 7pm. On Wednesday, there'll be a weaving session at 10am in Queens Gardens, then a zero-waste gathering at the same site from 3pm. Come Thursday, protestors will stage a funeral procession down William Street to Parliament House from midday. And, on Friday, the group will occupy the William Jolly Bridge from 10am. For public transport and traffic updates each day, check Translink and Qld Traffic Metro. Extinction Rebellion's Spring Rebellion protests will take place at various times until Sunday, October 13. For further details, visit the organisation's website. Image: Extinction Rebellion Victoria
UPDATE: June 24, 2020: Mid90s is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube and iTunes. The skate movie is having a moment and it's doing so in perfect style, gliding into cinemas one leisurely film at a time. After the all-girl antics of Skate Kitchen and the insightful small-town musings of Oscar-nominated documentary Minding the Gap, Mid90s is the latest picture to profess its love for the board — and to roll along casually while making a big impact. All three kickflip-filled flicks are hangout movies, spending their time with friends who are both shooting and riding the breeze. They're also coming-of-age films, following kids navigating the reality of watching their childhoods slip by. Crucially, they're all slice-of-life pictures too, because nothing conveys the sensation of ollying in and out of adolescence like feeling as though you're right there with them. Thirteen-year-old Stevie (Sunny Suljic) wants nothing more than to join the local skateboarding crew. It's not just the thrill of idling down Los Angeles roads that appeals to the quiet teen, but having somewhere to belong. Ray (Na-Kel Smith), Fuckshit (Olan Prenatt), Fourth Grade (Ryder McLaughlin) and Ruben (Gio Galicia) are all older, however they instantly become family — the family Stevie can escape to when his elder brother Ian (Lucas Hedges) is giving him grief and his single mum Dabney (Katherine Waterston) is sharing her stress. When the quintet aren't tearing up the streets, they're partying as if there's no tomorrow, although you can't skate through life without more than a few stumbles. As summer ticks by, Stevie and his pals bide their time at the resident Motor Avenue skate shop, cruise around empty schools and test their luck with neighbourhood girls. They mouth off to security guards, stay out past Stevie's curfew, generally avoid going home and get in scraps amongst themselves. While they're getting into trouble, they attempt to forget their troubles — and it's this to-and-fro that makes Mid90s bubble along. Watching rebellious kids trying to fix their worries by falling into other woes isn't new or novel, but it keeps popping up on screen because that's how childhood works. Making his directorial debut as well as picking up his first scriptwriting credit, Jonah Hill understands this. In his hands, Mid90s is both an affectionate teenage dream and a devastatingly real reflection of youth struggles, tussles and hardships. As a filmmaker, Hill has two tricks up his sleeve: nostalgia and naturalism. They mightn't seem to be the most obvious combination, but the pair fit together like wheels sliding onto a set of skateboard trucks. Hill mightn't have strictly lived the same existence as Stevie and the gang, but he directs this blast from the past like someone who's been there, seen it all and knows exactly how every second of his film really feels. With his square-shaped frames, he serves up images so vivid that they could be memories. With his clear-eyed view, he doesn't shy away from the grit and grease that lingers behind even the happiest moments. Hill isn't just looking back fondly at his younger days. Rather, he's trying to capture the feeling of being a shy kid entering a new world and learning what getting older actually means. To do so, he needs the painstaking detail — the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sheets, Super Nintendo consoles, and the sounds of 'Kiss From a Rose', 'Pony' and 'Wave of Mutilation' — as well as the picture's stripped-bare performances. Hedges and Waterston might be Mid90s' biggest names, other than its director, but this movie is all about Suljic (The House with a Clock in Its Walls) and his first-timer co-stars. When Hill lets the camera sit and watch Stevie try trick after trick (and endure fall after fall) on his driveway, determination and desperation written across Suljic's face, that's Mid90s' heart. When the film roves around with the group, peering on as they do little more than skate away the hours with unbridled authenticity, that's Mid90s' oh-so-relatable soul. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoPYppF_e5c
When it's wombat spying season, there's no better place to see the little bundles than down Wilsons Prom way. A perfect detour for quenching the native thirst is a stop at Loch, a wee town of under 700 people in South Gippsland with its own distillery and brewery. The boozy establishment creates ales, single malt whisky and a few gins. The cellar door opens during weekends. But somebody has to drive, so take home The Weaver, a big gin that martini lovers will appreciate for its savoury finish. Think cinnamon myrtle, anise myrtle and wattle seed – the native botanicals are locally sourced and sustainably harvested. Image: Rob Blackburn/Visit Victoria.
If watching An makes you feel hungry, that's completely understandable. Named after a type of Japanese red bean paste, the film is set in a small bakery that specialises in delicacies known as dorayaki, and when it's characters aren't making them, they're wolfing them down. Chief among these folk is unhappy store owner Sentaro (Masatoshi Nagase), who makes the pancake sandwich-like desserts, which are stuffed with the titular paste. When the elderly Tokue (Kirin Kiki) answers his advertisement for an assistant, he's initially reluctant, but changes his mind after sampling her delicious version of the necessary filling. Cue two predictable elements: an array of scenes depicting the careful preparation and loving production of the tasty treat in question, and a narrative that charts the unlikely bond that blooms between the two colleagues. Both play out largely as expected, although that doesn't mean that An can't provide a few pleasant surprises. Just as the students who frequent Sentaro's shop find delight in his new and improved recipe, so too will audiences find delight in the film's earnest take on a recognisable formula. The film's biggest asset is the endearing Kiki, who brings texture and depth to a tale that is both bittersweet and hopeful. Her efforts are instrumental in elevating the movie beyond its well-worn plot. Indeed, filmmaker Naomi Kawase can hardly bear to tear the camera away from her leading lady, which could be why scenes focusing on Sentaro's troubled background, or teenaged customer Wakana (Kyara Uchida), don't feel quite as engaging. With the writer-director employing her trademark slow pace and lingering visuals, it's Kiki who gives the proceedings a noticeable burst of energy. Alas, while the film's star and style both serve it well, other aspects aren't quite as successful. Only some of the plot developments work, with the film assured in its patient first half yet less convincing when it becomes concerned with dramatic revelations. As Kawase tries to work in bigger and broader themes, including passing wisdom between generations and ignoring social conventions in general, her material veers further into sentimental territory. And then there's the accompanying score, which fires up the piano a little too mournfully at obvious moments. Of course, not just finding but perfecting the right balance of ingredients is as difficult for filmmakers as it is for pastry chefs. Though An marks Kawase's 24th film in 23 years, she's clearly still tinkering with her recipe book. Still, she does more than enough right to make her latest concoction appetising.
Melbourne is about to boast not one but two international airports, with Avalon welcoming Air Asia flights from the end of 2018. In good news for travellers, a new curfew-free terminal will be built — and is expected to service 220,000 international passengers each year. Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll and Minister for Tourism John Eren announced that twice-daily flights will begin between Avalon and Kuala Lumpur, in the latest expansion of Avalon's capabilities. The Victorian Government has invested $1.5 million in infrastructure works at the airport, including ensuring that Jetstar will continue to operate at the site 55 kilometres outside of the city. The move, which comes after the Federal Government amended Avalon's lease to allow a new terminal back in 2015, is expected to open up Geelong and the Great Ocean Road to a greater number of international tourists. "We're so proud to have secured the first ever international service for Avalon — attracting thousands more visitors and bringing more business to our region," said Eren.
