Mark your calendar: if you like free ice cream, as everyone should, then you have a date with a Ben & Jerry's store in April. Each year, the dessert brand chooses one day per year to give everyone a treat without paying a cent. In 2024, that day is Tuesday, April 16. If there's one thing this chain loves above all else, it's the obvious: ice cream in a huge array of ridiculously named flavours. It's the brand behind Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia, Phish Food and The Tonight Dough — and has been responsible for Liz Lemon Greek Frozen Yoghurt, Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream and Schweddy Balls, too. But, to the delight of your sweet treat-loving tastebuds, on Free Cone Day it loves giving away free scoops just as much. The occasion is exactly what it sounds like: a day where your ice cream is on the house. It ran annually since 1979 until the pandemic, then took a break for obvious reasons — returning in 2023 for the first time since 2019, and now backing it up in 2024. Here's how it works: if you adore ice cream as much as Ben & Jerry's adores ice cream, then you just need to hit up your local participating store (which is most stores) between 12–8pm. You can choose whichever flavour you like, and you can also line up for a free cone as many times as you like within that eight-hour period. Free Cone Day is happening Australia-wide — worldwide, too, in more than 35 countries — at both Ben & Jerry's Scoop Stores and its Hoyts outlets. Victorians have St Kilda, Flinders Lane and Burwood East stores to choose from, plus some Hoyts cinemas.
Two young lovers meet on the Mexican-Guatemalan border, where they negotiate their affair amidst white slavery, drug trafficking and the army. Two out-of-work actors are offered a high-paying gig, only to discover that they've been framed by a high-ranking military officer. An overweight wrestler collaborates with zombies in an attempt to fight depression. Hola! The Mexican Film Festival is coming to Sydney (as well as Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide) for its eighth incarnation. From the 70 films now coming out of Mexico annually, festival director Samuel Douek and his team handpick a special selection, representing the best in comedy, drama, independent filmmaking, documentary and "everything in between". Opening night will see the festival's renowned fiesta, featuring Mexican food by Los Amates, Sol beer, tequila and live music, and the Australian premiere of comedy blockbuster Nosotros los Nobles (We Are the Nobles). Released earlier this year, it broke box office records, selling 6.8 million tickets and becoming the highest grossing film in Mexican history. https://youtube.com/watch?v=O-8n670F53w
Leading a super-group of Australian musical acts, dreamy Melbourne-based pop artist Ella Thompson has joined forces with the likes of Clio Renner, Sui Zhen, Prue Stent and Honey Long to present Thompson's latest release: Like Running Water. Thompson has become one of Melbourne's most lauded musicians over the past few years, described as a chameleon of the scene with a series of eclectic releases alongside the likes of The Bamboos, Dorsal Fins, GL and through her own self-titled projects. For Like Running Water, the group unite their individual prowess, combining pop vocals, string and wood quartets, and thumping electronic compositions, while continuing their thematic exploration of water and its physical and figurative energy.
Forget Instagram — when it comes to peering at famous faces, portrait galleries have been serving up the goods since long before social media ever existed. Think of a well-known name not just in recent times, but going back decades, centuries and longer, and it's likely that someone somewhere once painted their likeness. The Beatles, David Bowie, Charles Dickens, the Brontë sisters, Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai: they've all been given the portrait treatment, and the results — or one painting bearing their faces, at least — are now on display at Shakespeare to Winehouse: Icons from the National Portrait Gallery, London. Showing at Canberra's National Portrait Gallery, this is the type of exhibition that arises when one portrait gallery teams up with another; think of it as the Inception of portrait showcases. There's a heavy British skew, naturally, covering people who have shaped UK history, identity and culture over the past 500 years. Accordingly, other famous folks gracing the NPG's walls include both Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II, Kate Moss, Mick Jagger and Princess Diana, as well as Lord Nelson, Sir Isaac Newton and Ed Sheeran, Darcey Bussell. As mentioned in the exhibition's name, both the Bard and Amy Winehouse obviously also feature, in an exhibition that's sorted by theme rather than year. And, by grouping portraits around fame, power, love and loss, identity, innovation and self, Shakespeare to Winehouse: Icons from the National Portrait Gallery, London also examines how portraiture has evolved over the years — all across a season that runs from Saturday, March 12–Sunday, July 17.
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day in the heart of the city with great food, live music, and artwork. Despite being a world away from Mexico, Melbourne has some excellent Mexican cuisine aficionados, many of whom will be out in full force for the festivities. Grab a bite from the good folk at Mamasita, Paco’s Tacos, Mesa Verde, South American BBQ, Chilli’s Gourmet Mexican and Guzman y Gomez. Tacos, tostadas and tequila, sounds terrific! To get the party going, mariachi band Los Romanticos will take the Viva Mexico Stage, as will live salsa band Orchestra La 45, The Mexican Music Man & Sin Frontera Band, Mexican rock band Los Mas Altos and the traditional ceremony of ‘El Grito’ to celebrate Mexican Independence. In between sets, feel free to wander the markets filled with crafts and jewellery, as well as popping your head into The Atrium to browse the Mexican artwork display.
International Margarita Day is indeed a thing and if its imminent approach has left you craving some quality Mexican cuisine, you'll soon have another restaurant to add to your hit-list (along with our picks for the best Mexican restaurants and bars in Melbourne). Long famed for its house-made tortillas, Kensington's Mexican eatery and grocer La Tortilleria is expanding and gearing up to open the doors to a new Bayside outpost. Chilpa by La Tortilleria is taking over the Highett space formerly home to Hot Lips Hacienda, welcoming diners with an offering of authentic eats and margaritas aplenty from Friday, March 10. The team's legendary nixtamal tortillas (made using a special corn preparation method) are set to be the stars of the show here on Railway Parade, featured throughout a menu of punchy classic dishes. [caption id="attachment_889285" align="alignnone" width="1920"] La Tortilleria Kensington[/caption] Signature tacos might come loaded with everything from birria to battered fish with slaw, showcased alongside a range of cheesy quesadillas and crisp tostadas. There'll be chilaquiles — think of it like the unbastardised version of nachos, plant-based options galore, and even a flan made from a family recipe from co-owner Gerardo Lopez's abuela (that's Spanish for 'grandmother' in case you haven't seen Coco). Expect margaritas in abundance, along with a slew of other cocktails, beers, Mexican sodas and horchata. Plus a solid lineup of mezcal and agave behind the bar. The site's makeover is currently underway, but you can look forward to a fittingly festive aesthetic with Chilpa embracing a similar feel to its colourful Kensington sibling. Find Chilpa by La Tortilleria at 2 Railway Parade, Highett, from March 10.
UPDATE Wednesday, June 29: The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia has reopen following Victoria's latest lockdown with ticketed sessions to ensure social distancing. For more details on Victoria's current restrictions, see the Department of Health and Human Services website. There are still a couple of months to wait before more than 100 French impressionist masterpieces arrive on our shores, on loan from Boston's renowned Museum of Fine Arts as part of the NGV's much-anticipated Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition series. But in the meantime, you'll be able to sink your teeth into an Aussie taste of this iconic 19th-century art movement, thanks to The Ian Potter Centre's new exhibition She-Oak and Sunlight: Australian Impressionism. Running until Sunday, August 22, the large-scale show features an impressive 270 artworks by Australia's most celebrated impressionists, as sourced from collections all over the country. Paintings from legendary artists like Frederick McCubbin, Jane Sutherland, Tom Roberts, Clara Southern and John Russell are on display, starring alongside lesser known pieces by the likes of Iso Rae, Jane Price and May Vale. [caption id="attachment_809095" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Frederick McCubbin, The pioneer (1904). Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Felton Bequest, 1906.[/caption] You'll see visions of familiar Aussie landscapes, homesteads and sheep shearers, while gaining insight into the ways in which place, people and global influences shaped the impressionist movement Down Under. A series of paintings on cigar box lids features works first shown way back in 1889's 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition, while Frederick McCubbin's 1904 creation The pioneer provides a glimpse into one of the great art mysteries of recent times. Top image: Tom Roberts, Shearing the rams (1890). Courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne. Felton Bequest, 1932.
Think you're a fiend on the flippers? This could be your chance to finally prove yourself and win a pretty delicious prize. To celebrating the installation of pinball tables at Mr Burger's South Yarra and Bentleigh locations, free games will be offered with any burger purchased — and there's also a free beer included with each burger, to fuel your confidence. Both locations will be offering the deal from 6–9pm on the night. And what's the prize if you end up with the most points on the pinball table at the end of the night? It's six months' worth of free burgers for you. In both food truck and brick-and-mortar form, Mr Burger has been serving burgers in Melbourne for six years with a focus on American-style cuisine. Late last year, they spruced up their premises and brought on Belles Hot Chicken talent Morgan McGlone to overhaul their menu. If you haven't had the chance to give the new dishes a spin, use this as your excuse.
Whether you're an early riser or perpetually out late with mates, Brisbane is a vibrant city with a jam-packed schedule of exciting to-dos — all year round. Sunlight or city lights, kid-friendly or up-past-bedtime, in 2023 you'll be more than set to explore the city your way. Early bird? Rejoice! You've come to the right place — it is the Sunshine State, after all. Sate your appetite for science with an intellectual festival feed. Be enraptured by song with a stellar calendar of music events. Take to the skies via artistic explorations of our earth's atmosphere in a world-class exhibition. Flock together for storytelling and cultural conversations. See your city habitat transformed by immersive installations that query the lines between art, science, human, nature and AI. There are tours and workshops, parties and playtime — all before the sun sets. Though, they don't call her Bris Vegas for nothing. Bright lights and late nights, baby. It's not the city that never sleeps — but there's more than enough to keep you occupied well into the night. In 2023, expect festivals and innovative cultural events, immersive experiences and guided night tours, groundbreaking theatre and augmented reality landscapes. Explore art, science and the space in between via pop-up installations; catch rare films in an art-gallery cinema; watch an epic opera al fresco; witness light shows and fireworks along the river; and feed your musical appetite at a huge urban festival dedicated to the most exciting, fresh talent in the Australian music scene. Whether you prefer to stay indoors or venture into the darkness, Brisbane will keep the lights on for you. Here, we've compiled a bunch of arty things to do and see in 2023, so that no matter what time you're heading out in Brisbane you're guaranteed to have a ripper time. Read on for all the daytime fun, then flick the switch above and we'll turn down the lights and show you the best events happening at night.
It may have been nice and mild today with temperatures in the city reaching a lovely 28 degrees, but all nice weather must come to an end — and, in classic Melbourne style, that's set to happen in the extreme. A cool change is on its way, and it's set to send the mercury plummeting this afternoon and into the weekend. According to Weatherzone, a southerly change is on its way over from South Australia and will see the temperature drop ten degrees before 6pm. It's not coming back up, either, with the chill sticking around through the weekend. In the city, the Bureau of Meterology is predicting a maximum of just 15 degrees (and a low of nine degrees) tomorrow — Saturday, March 30 — which would not only make it the coldest day of the year so far, but, according to Weatherzone, the coldest March day in 41 years. Oof. The cold snap (and some rain) will stick around until about Wednesday, when the BoM predicts the mercury will be back up to 23 degrees with a low of 15. This comes after an extremely hot weekend at the start of March and predictions that this autumn was going to be hotter than average. So you might need to pull out your winter coat for this weekend — but there's no telling how long you'll need it.
Buckle up, beach goers, because it's that time again — the sand delivery has arrived and Section 8 is transforming into tropical beach paradise. The outdoor CBD bar's annual Urban Oasis Beach Party series is back for five days and nights between Wednesday, January 8–Sunday, January 12, and the lineup will get you pumped. Along with five tonnes of sand and plenty of beach umbrellas, each night will feature a unique selection of beats. Beatnik Collective, Carlua and DJ Spell take the helm on Wednesday for an evening of surf and party tracks, before handing over to JPS, Nam, DJ Smilez, Lady Banton, Jade Zoe, Honeydew & Swerv on Thursday for a night of electronic music. Then, on Friday, it's time for reggae, dancehall and live drumming, all thanks to Rick Howe, Cassawarrior, Operator Andy, DD, Ethnik Futurism, Si Fixion and Mr Monk. The party comes to a head on Saturday, when an all-female lineup including KOBI SPICE, Louella Deville, Turbo Thot, Kaira Cuvee, Jade Zoe and Sofie Roze takes over — while Sunday it's El Blat, LIXXXTRADO, Crown Ruler's Jimi Dawg's time in the spotlight for some Brazilian-themed sounds. Brews-wise, prepare to sip tipples from Stomping Ground and Kelly Brothers Cider Co. The fun kicks off at 5pm on Wednesday and runs through until 11pm on Sunday. Images: Duncographic.
One of the most influential art movements of the 20th century, constructivism believed that art could be used for social purposes, becoming a widely-used ideal throughout architecture, graphic design, theatre, film and more. Heide Museum of Modern Art takes an extensive look at the movement with Call of the Avant-Garde: Constructivism and Australian Art, an exhibition that considers the work of over 60 Australian and influential international artists. With links back to the Russian Revolution of 1917, this exhibition considers how the movement made its way to Australia and how our artists adapted its utopian ideals to a distinctly Australian experience. Call of the Avant-Garde: Constructivism and Australian Art takes place from Wednesday, July 5 until Sunday, October 8 and features work by Australian artists such as Ralph Balson, Frank Hinder, Inge King, alongside works by members of the original Russian movement like Rodchenko, Malevich, El Lissitzky and British artists Ben Nicholson and Barbara Hepworth. Image: Justene Williams, The Worker.
If you're a true-blue Aussie KFC fan, you've probably felt a little miffed by the fried chicken empire's decision to completely overlook us when doling out its unique merch. Our mates in New Zealand got KFC candles, the USA scored chicken-scented sunscreen and Japan lucked out with fried chook-inspired bath bombs. Well, now it's finally our turn for a piece of the finger lickin' action, as KFC launches what might just be the most Aussie merchandise collection ever. Dropping as part of a month-long fundraising initiative by the KFC Youth Foundation the limited edition goodies will be up for grabs online from noon tomorrow, Thursday, August 16. All profits from merch sales will go towards supporting local youth-focused charities, including Youngcare, StreetWork and ReachOut. The unique haul includes cotton trackies in that famous KFC print, racy red KFC-inspired budgie smugglers, printed socks, a necklace and a '100% Original Recipe' tee. You'll also be able to get your mitts on the world's first-ever KFC-scented surfboard wax and — if you're extra quick and willing to part with $3000 — the single-edition 'Harland' surfboard, emblazoned with the Colonel's face. If subtlety's more your style, nip into any KFC restaurant across the country to show your love with one of their limited run enamel badges. The five-strong collection features a mini nuglife box, the Colonel's iconic black tie, an Original Recipe bucket, a tie-wearing chicken, and a tiny homage to the KFC drumstick. Catch the collection from 12pm, Thursday August 16, right here.
Melbourne Food and Wine Drink Victorian Month is kicking off in June, and craft brewery Molly Rose is getting in on the action with a booze-filled Sunday session. Dubbed the Booze Market, Molly Rose's event will feature a selection of Victorian producers — including Reed & Co. Distillery, Awesome Source, Morris Whisky and Black Arts Brewery — who will showcase a range of beers, spirits, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. There'll also be a series of masterclasses with Molly Rose founder Nic Sandery, along with three of Victoria's best drinks producers. Each tasting session will include four generous pours paired with a delectable dish from the Molly Rose kitchen. These intimate 45-minute sessions will allow attendees to meet the makers, learn about their craft and sample their latest creations. Each session costs $30 and there will be three slots throughout the day. Alongside Molly Rose, the 12.30pm session will feature Reed & Co. Distillery, Awesome Source and Defialy. At 1.30pm, Anther Distillery, The Gospel Whiskey and Black Arts Brewing will present their offerings. Finally, the 2.30pm session will highlight Morris Whisky, Pique and Little Lon Distillery Co. The event will run from 12–5pm on Sunday, June 2. Find out more about the event here.
Picture this: it's the middle of the work week, you're already exhausted and feel like you're crawling to the Friday finish line. Sound familiar? If you're considering taking the night off doing the dishes or you want to treat yourself to a midweek lunch out of the office but don't want to blow your budget, then listen up because EatClub's Feast Week will be right up your alley. EatClub is an app for people who love to eat and be fiscally responsible at once. It helps connect hungry humans with vacant restaurant tables to ensure you can enjoy the best food in the city more often and business owners can feed as many mouths as possible. And, from Monday, May 24 to Sunday, June 6, you can score $5 takeaway dishes from some of Melbourne's top dining destinations for breakfast, lunch and dinner for Feast Week. But, don't let the name fool you, this is actually a fortnight worth of tasty treats for the average price of a coffee. To get involved, all you have to do is order and pay through the app then pick up your food from the venue to tuck in to a delectable and affordable dinner. Grab $5 eats from places like Hunger Den and Pho Nung during Feast Week and then thank us later. Feast Week is running from Monday, May 24–Sunday, June 6. For more information and to see all the participating restaurants, visit the website here.
UPDATE, November 16, 2020: The Peanut Butter Falcon is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Playing a fisherman grieving for his older brother, barely scraping by and unafraid to skirt the law when necessary, Shia LaBeouf is at his soulful best in The Peanut Butter Falcon. Forget Transformers-era, phoning it in LaBeouf, or even his bag-wearing phase — here, he's as dynamic and textured as he was in 2016's American Honey, his last great on-screen role. And yet, LaBeouf isn't this indie comedy's main attraction. He's one of its leads, and he's surrounded by the similarly well-known likes of Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, Jon Bernthal, John Hawkes and Thomas Haden Church, but this little film with a big heart actually belongs to first-time performer Zack Gottsagen. In fact, writer/directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz created their first feature especially for Gottsagen, in order to showcase his acting talents. After Gottsagen has spent mere seconds on-screen as The Peanut Butter Falcon's wrestling-obsessed Zak, it's obvious why Nilson and Schwartz were determined to make this movie around him. The trio met at a camp for actors with disability, as Gottsagen has Down syndrome — and the way that adults with the genetic disorder are typically treated by society is key to this adventure. This isn't a message-driven feature, but a picture that places a man living with the health condition at its centre, letting his hopes, wants, needs and desires lead the story. Zak's dream couldn't seem more simple, with the 22-year-old so eager to attend his idol's wrestling school that he breaks out of the nursing home he's been forced to live in. But the reality of actually getting to his destination is far more complicated than it should be. As someone with Down syndrome — and someone housed in a care facility for the elderly because there's just nowhere else that caters for him — Zak's dreams, ideas, and general ability to do anything and everything are all constantly overlooked. His primary carer Eleanor (Johnson) treats him like a friend, but it's only after his roommate Carl (Dern) helps him to escape that Zak is really able to make his own decisions. With nothing but the underpants he's wearing to his name, he bunkers down in a boat, only to find himself caught up in its owner's mishaps. That'd be Tyler (LaBeouf), who is soon on the run from local crab trappers. Heading to Florida, he agrees to escort Zak to the only place in the world the runaway wants to go: the North Carolina wrestling academy run by faded icon Salt Water Redneck (Haden Church). Cue a series of Huckleberry Finn-style escapades, as The Peanut Butter Falcon's central duo ry to evade the folks on their tail while trudging through fields, building a raft to help them float along the coast and, eventually, unleashing Zak's wrestling persona — which gives the feature its name. Plot-wise, Zak and Tyler's exploits play out exactly as expected, but there's such a wealth of earnestness, affection, tenderness and charm to this movie that no one should mind that the story follows a predictable path. There's an enormous difference between films that stick to a template lazily, because it's easy and because they have no real reason to exist otherwise, and those that mould familiar parts into their own distinctive creation. Anchored by Gottsagen's effortlessly engaging presence, as well as by a protagonist too rarely given such a spotlight, this highly likeable picture falls into the latter category. Thoughtful, meaningful, realistic and empowering representation matters, which The Peanut Butter Falcon boasts in spades. That said, movies like this shouldn't be such a noteworthy occurrence — however addressing that imbalance is far from the film's only strength. So crucial to this warm-hued, good-natured feature is its breezy attitude and approach. This is a coming-of-age buddy comedy about two adults traversing America's south in often over-the-top circumstances, but every element is treated as though it's the most common thing in the world. A blind preacher shooting at Zak and Tyler, then baptising them, is just one of many components of the pair's journey that's simply part of their adventure. So too is a drunken night by a bonfire, a spirited service station encounter between Tyler and Eleanor and, most importantly, everything about Zak. Indeed, recognising that life's chaos happens to everyone is The Peanut Butter Falcon's remit — and showing that even the most ordinary events and extraordinary developments do as well. It's noticeable that, despite Johnson's efforts, Eleanor isn't afforded as much depth as the film's male characters. Actually, it's the feature's main disappointment. But when The Peanut Butter Falcon focuses on Zak's enthusiastic pilgrimage, the sincere bond he makes with another lonely soul, and the change it inspires in both him and Tyler, it's a warm-hearted hug of a movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkH7KUlInPg
Somehow, entirely inexplicably, we're already into the second half of the year; soon we'll be thinking about Christmas. This year, skip the typical department stores and instead pick out unique gifts for your family and friends at The Big Design Market. Coming to Melbourne for the seventh time this December, the three-day independent designer extravaganza features over 230 stallholders selling furniture, fashion, homewares, textiles, and much more. With such a wide range of products, you're sure to find something for even the pickiest people on your list. The Big Design Market also offers a series of creative workshops (create your own works of art with The Plant Society and designers Abbey Rich, Sandra Eterovic and Cat Rabbit), a beautifully-designed outback-themed kids play area, and a smorgasbord of food options from local favourites like Gelato Messina, All Day Donuts, Harper and Blohm, Earl Canteen, Mörk Chocolate, ACE Cookies, Sensory Lab Coffee and Starward Whisky. You'll also have the chance to catch a specially-commissioned floral installation of five-metre-high flowers in giant gold vases by designer and illustrator Pete Cromer. Each year the market also puts together a showbag of goodies from some of Melbourne and Sydney's best designers, including Georgia Perry, Champ Co., Leif, Kester Black, Kleins Perfumery and Little Veggie Patch Co. A limited number will be available to purchase for $30 ($190 value). So prepare your bank account, and get ready to have your Christmas shopping done earlier than you ever have before. The market will be open from 10am till 9pm on Friday, 10am till 7pm on Saturday and 10am till 5pm on Sunday.
It's hard to get a true snapshot of a place you're holidaying in when you don't know a resident who can show you around. It can take years to truly get to know a place, and while tourist spots are the obvious starting point, they can also leave you wanting to dig deeper. We've teamed up with Pullman Hotels and Resorts to bring you a guide to Melbourne's less obvious but obviously fabulous experiences. It's not exactly a local's guide, because visitors are not exactly locals and we all want to treat ourselves while on vacay. But it is a round-up of the best of the best art, food and fun found in Melbourne. And as Melbourne has a lot to offer in the way of premium coffee, tasty treats and good times, this was no easy feat. Putting our heads together with Pullman Melbourne Albert Park's chief concierge, Rhett Constantine (a man who's been giving out recommendations for two decades), we've curated a list of must-dos that will leave you wanting more of Melbourne. Whether you're into cuisine, culture or cocktails, you'll find your perfect day out right here. Check out the rest of our Explore More content series to hone your itinerary for some of Australia's best holiday destinations. FOOD & DRINK MARKET LANE COFFEE AND QUEEN VICTORIA MARKETS Melbourne is a city that runs on coffee. It is a pillar of the economy as both a primary export and a productivity booster, and as a result, we've perfected it. And among some of the world's best coffee establishments is the king: Market Lane. The cute and efficient little operation has a few cafes in the city and inner-northern suburbs, but we recommend heading to their stall at the Queen Vic market. Pair your impeccable brew with something from their endless supply of varied baked goods. Don't miss: On Saturdays, have your coffee with a handful of doughnuts from the American Doughnut van. Some clichés make sense and coffee and doughnuts is one of 'em. CLAYPOTS SEAFOOD Melbourne's beaches may be a little frosty, but the seafood on the shores is exceptional. Claypots in St Kilda is one of the most well-known seafood eateries, so book in advance or you may miss out entirely. The menu is almost entirely seafood and changes depending on the haul of the day. You have to try their signature claypots ($20), with flavour profiles like the Orpheus (red wine, sweet pepper and capsicum) and the Singapore (chilli, coriander, and ginger sauce). We also recommend trying the king prawns and fresh fish dishes (prices vary) if you want to indulge. Usually, the atmosphere is romantic, warm and boisterous, thanks to live music and close quarters, making it the perfect destination for a special dinner. Don't miss: It's all in the name — at least one claypot is a must. MADAME BRUSSELS ROOFTOP BAR There's something hopelessly romantic about rooftop bars, and Madame Brussels is the queen of them all. Situated conveniently on Bourke Street, the iconic establishment is styled to look like a really fancy, if a little kitschy, garden party, with white lattice, fake flowers and wrought-iron chairs you might remember from your grannie's garden. The open-air deck is cosy, designed for reclining instead of standing. We recommend trying the (hilariously named) boards: the Rather Fancy and Slightly Smelly Old Cheese Plate ($28) or the Butch charcuterie board ($30). Don't miss: A jug of Pimms in the sun — it will have you feeling as fancy as the royal family. SUPERNORMAL FOR DINNER You're going to have make some hard choices when it comes to dining in Melbourne. There's just so many world-class venues and never enough evenings to explore them all. But, trust us, you don't want to miss Supernormal. Don't let the name deceive you; it's anything but normal. We recommend sharing a few smaller dishes so you can sample broadly from the menu. Try the tuna with perilla and kombu ($19) and the pot-sticker dumplings ($15), and make sure you don't overeat, because you're going to want stomach space to fit in their famous dessert. Don't miss: The peanut butter parfait ($15). It is known far and wide as Melbourne's most indulgent dessert. Seriously, this dish could run for mayor and win, it's so beloved. And it's no wonder: creamy PB parfait mixed with salted caramel and served with soft chocolate is a winning combo. ART & DESIGN VIVIEN ANDERSON GALLERY One of St Kilda's less obvious but most important art spaces, the Vivien Anderson Gallery showcases the work of prominent Indigenous artists. Over the last 20 years, the gallery has moved locations several times to accommodate for its growth, but all the while it's been dedicated to displaying and encouraging Indigenous art. It's a small and intimate gallery that lends itself well to introspection and quiet contemplation. They curate thoughtful, small-scale displays of individual works and artefacts or thematic group exhibitions, and the staff are all knowledge and passionate about Indigenous art. A must-do when visiting St Kilda. Don't miss: Picking the brains of the staff to get more insight into what's on the walls. NGV AND ACCA No trip to Melbourne is complete without a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria, the crowning jewel of Melbourne's art scene. All the big exhibitions that grace our shores can be found there, but the permanent collections are worth your time too. The international collection contains works from big names like Picasso, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Rubens, Manet and a host of Australian artists, so even if you turn up between key exhibits, there's always something pretty to stare at. And just over the way is the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, which is a work of art in itself. You'll be able to pick it a mile away for the stark, rusty steel facade and awkward angles. Don't miss: Stop at the Malthouse Theatre's cafe, which shares a courtyard with ACCA, and drink it all in. LANEWAYS TOUR (STOPPING OFF AT A FEW KEY COFFEE HOUSES) Melbourne is known for its street art scene, and nowhere is it more prominent and competitive than in the crowded laneways of the CBD. Start on Bourke Street Mall with Union Lane, a smelly but graf-heavy place. It's usually packed with tourist taking pics, so try to get in early. While you're skulking around the laneways, stop in at Dukes Coffee Roaster on Flinders Lane, one of the city's smallest but best coffee vendors. The City of Melbourne have a recommended route to hit all the best laneways and arcades, which is a good place to start. If you want to venture further afield, head to Fitzroy, where you'll the find the George Costanza mural near George's Bar and the work of renowned artist Ghostpatrol along Napier Street. Don't miss: Sniders Lane, home of the famous Kim K and Kendall mural. WELLBEING & LEISURE SOUTH MELBOURNE MARKET There are some incredible permanent markets in Melbourne that create a lot of competition for one another. On the southside, South Melbourne Market is the best of the bunch. It's a huge undertaking, so give yourself a whole morning to wander through the many stalls. Grab a coffee and almond croissant from Padre (Stall 33) to start you off right, then make your way over to Azalea, the florist and nursery in stall 49. It's always bursting with Aussie native blooms, gorgeous smells and reasonably priced plant-babies. Lunch at Proper and Son is always fresh (and realllllly well priced). We recommend the prosciutto, bocconcini and peach salad ($10.50) or field mushroom and haloumi with romesco sauce in a roll ($11.50). Don't miss: SO:ME Space, the permanent and semi-permanent installation for fashion and design. They rotate between pop-ups regularly, and you'll always find handcrafted, one-off pieces from Melbourne designers. STUDLEY PARK BOATHOUSE On a fine day, take an Uber to Yarra Bend Park. Follow the rolling hills and winding turns in the Yarra until you come to Studley Park. Over a bridge and alongside the river you'll find the Studley Park Boathouse, an idyllic little wonderland that backs onto the Yarra. At this point you can choose to rent a rowboat and cruise the river trying to look cool in a safety vest, or recline on the bank with a scone and beer and survey the rowboat carnage. Rowboat rental for two people is $40 an hour and you'll need some form of ID. And, word of warning, make sure you play nice with the duck families that cruise the waterway. Don't miss: You came all this way, so rent a rowboat and enjoy the Notebook-level romance. ACLAND STREET TO LUNA PARK WALK IN ST KILDA Even though it's only a 25-minute tram ride out of the city, St Kilda is like another world. There's a fine layer of sand on everything, people walk around with no shoes on, and everything is totally cowabunga. But the most cowabunga thing (are we using that right?) about St Kilda's main drag, Acland Street, is the bakery shop windows filled with treats. We recommend a cake crawl, stopping in at Le Bon Continental Cake Shop, Europa Cake Shop and Monarch Cakes, if you have the stamina. Don't miss: A visit to Luna Park and its rickety wooden rollercoaster — preferably before you eat all the cake. Explore more with Pullman. Book your next hotel stay with Pullman and enjoy a great breakfast for just $1.
The NGV is pretty practiced in juxtaposing artistic styles, and it's set to do it again with its summer exhibition celebrating two of the late 20th century's most celebrated artists: Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. And with it, as is now custom with the gallery's blockbusters, comes a brand new season of NGV Friday Nights. To pay homage to the two artists, the 2019–20 gig series will use 80s downtown New York as its primary influence — curing a program that spans shows and DJ sets across disco, post-punk and new wave. It'll kick off on December 6 with a throwback set from New York-based producer Ge-Ology and run all the way through to a Friday-Saturday finale with Melbourne's own Yo! Mafia on April 10 and a Saturday party with DJ Jnett on April 11. As always, you'll get after-hours access to the gallery as well as the gigs. Rove between Crossing Lines and the giant Kaws sculpture in the foyer and, out in the garden, explore this year's NGV Architecture Commission to the soundtrack of local DJs. There'll also be nostalgia-heavy disco bar, with performances curated by queer party-starters Closet. Other bars will be slinging G&Ts, wine and Asahis for you to sip before you roam the gallery, and New York-style street snacks will be available, too. The gig series is now a quintessential way to end a steamy week in Melbourne, and something you should mark in your calendar once this summer. NGV FRIDAY NIGHTS SUMMER 2019 LINEUP December 6 – Ge-Ology (NYC) and Emma Stevenson (DJ Set) December 13 – Loure (DJ Set) and Paul Gorrie December 20 – Fei Pao (Hot Wax Sound System) and Sullivan (DJ Set) December 27 – Banoffee (DJ Set) and SPUNKGUNK January 3 – MzRizk and Danny Hotep January 10 – Noise In My Head and Jade Zoe January 17 – DJ Jimmy James and Edd Fisher (DJ Set) January 24 – Simon Caldwell and Shelley January 31 – Alexander Powers and DJ Cookie February 7 – Natasha Diggs (NYC) and 6am at the Garage February 14 – Alex Rita & Errol (UK) and Simona Castricum (DJ Set) February 21 – Rok Riley and C.FRIM February 28 – Ruby Savage (UK) and Soju Gang March 6 – Interstellar Fugitives and Merve March 13 – Beth Grace and A.Kid March 20 – Whiskey Houston and Lori March 27 – Memphis LK and CLIFTONIA April 3 – Nicole Misha (Detroit) and DJ Manchild April 10 – YO! MAFIA and River Yarra April 11 – DJ JNETT and Toni Yotzi
There's nothing like a spot of retail therapy to help blast away the winter blues, and with the Melbourne chill starting to take hold, Greener House's Indoor Winter Market plans to do just that. Along with neighbours Nordik Living, Greener House will turn its Collingwood nursery into a market over two days, showcasing its own plants as well as ceramics and homewares from a broad array of local makers. Designs from Elk & Horn, Melbourne Candle Company, Ed Pascoe Textiles and Adele Macer Ceramics, plus loads of others, will be on offer. What's more, Greener House will be swinging visitors a cheeky 15 percent off storewide across both days, meaning you'll be able to pick up bargains on a whole range of pots and plants, from calatheas and monsteras, to birds of paradise. Meanwhile, Nordik Living is also slashing prices, taking 10 percent off all in-store purchases, including its gorgeous line of homewares and ceramics. If your gaff's been craving a spruce-up, head down this weekend — the market will be open from 10am till 4pm on both Friday and Saturday.
Cinema doesn't just entertain. Crawling the globe to tell real-life tales that demand to be told — and to cover controversial topics that absolutely must be explored — film offers a window into different lives, subjects, issues and struggles. That's basically the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival's mantra. Showcasing the movies and documentaries that specifically aim to do just that when it comes to human rights, HRAFF has been bringing the latest and greatest in social justice-related efforts and moving human stories to Australian screens for ten years now. To celebrate hitting the decade mark, they've put together another huge lineup of thought-provoking flicks that won't provide a couple of hours of escapism — they'll ensure you broaden your horizons too. From land battles to making art in slums to preparing for a nuclear attack (and more), here's our five must-see films from the 2017 program. THE OPPOSITION The Opposition's path to Australian screens hasn't been easy. That might be true of most movies — making a film isn't simple, and getting it in cinemas isn't either — but Hollie Fifer's documentary really did attract some opponents. In the kind of tale that could make an interesting doco by itself — the flick was subject to an injunction last year, with a Papua New Guinean politician contesting her inclusion in the movie. Given that The Opposition relays the efforts of a PNG community to fight for justice when police bulldozed their homes to make way for a luxury resort, it's certain to make for a spirited and illuminating film. INTENT TO DESTROY When Joe Berlinger makes a movie, viewers should follow. His absolutely riveting Paradise Lost documentaries still rank among the best true crime coverage ever committed to the screen, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster has long been a must for music fans, and Crude shone a spotlight on oil in a riveting fashion. With Intent to Destroy, he tackles the Armenian genocide by stepping behind the scenes of the Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac-starring The Promise, the first mainstream feature made about the events of over a century ago. On-set action and an investigation into history combine in an effort that just premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. HAPPYLAND How do you attempt to turn Manila's slums into something much more vibrant? How do you give the impoverished and those struggling to survive a fulfilling creative outlet that makes a difference? They're some of the questions that must've been driving Australian street artist Kaff-eine when she set about creating an openair art exhibition that celebrates slum communities and gives them shelter. The film makes its world premiere at HRAFF, and screens alongside a showcase of the portraits seen on screen, as well as photographs of life in Manila and snaps of the finished installation. WAR BOOK It won't come as a surprise that HRAFF mainly trades in documentaries — but when a fictional feature makes its program, it's worth checking out. War Book might simulate a simulation, in effect, but it asks very real questions and is certain to leave audiences wondering what they'd do in the same situation. With The Dressmaker's Kerry Fox, Snowden's Ben Chaplin and The Slap's Sophie Okonedo among the cast, the film follows British civil servants practising their response to a nuclear attack. Yes, that's something that really happens — and it really couldn't be more timely. NOWHERE TO HIDE It's a sad reality that docos about conflict in the Middle East have become all too common. That doesn't mean that every factual account of the situation on the ground is similar, though — and Nowhere to Hide definitely stands out. Winning best feature-length documentary at the 2016 International Documentary Filmfestival Amsterdam, the film shows the perspective of a paramedic armed with a camera as he tries to go about his days. There's no such thing as ordinary here, as he endeavours to help the growing number of injured people and to keep both himself and his family safe. Want more? Check out our thoughts on Afghan rapper-focused documentary Sonita and Berlinale's 2016 Golden Bear winner Fire at Sea from last year's Melbourne International Film Festival, as well as Australia's recent best foreign language Oscar nominee Tanna, The Human Rights Arts and Film Festival screens at Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image from May 4 to 18. For more information, check out their website.
If you're in the midst of a mid-life crisis, you might want to skip over this news: it's been 20 years since Placebo released their debut album. Yep, 'Nancy Boy' has been around since 1996. The album Without You I'm Nothing (which included 'Every Me and Every You') was released in 1998, and even 'Running Up That Hill' is almost 15 years old now. It's been so long since these songs were released that fans band of the UK band probably never expected to hear them live again. But this morning Placebo has announced they will bring their 20 Years of Placebo tour to Australia this September. And yes, they'll be playing old stuff. The worldwide tour kicked off this late last year — the band is currently touring Mexico and will head to Europe before coming to Australia in September. As well as Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, they'll make stops in Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle and Canberra too. It will be their first Australian appearance since Soundwave in 2014. 20 years is a long time and the band has a huge discography (seven albums) to pull bangers from — and they've promised to play all those songs you listened to on repeat as a teenager. "Let's just say there will be songs in the set that I've sworn never to play again," said frontman Brian Molko. "I think it's time that we purposefully acknowledged what a lot of Placebo fans really want to hear. They've been very patient with us since we rarely play our most commercially successful material. A 20 year anniversary tour seems like the right time to do so. That's our intention. This tour is very much for the fans and a chance for us to revisit a lot of our early material." Tickets will go on sale at noon on Monday, May 29 through Ticketek. Or, if you're a Telstra customer, they have a pre-sale happening this week. 20 YEARS OF PLACEBO TOUR DATES Monday, September 4 — Perth Arena Wednesday, September 6 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre Friday, September 8 — Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne Saturday, September 9 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Monday, September 11 — Brisbane Convention Centre Tuesday, September 12 — Newcastle Entertainment Centre Thursday, September 14 — AIS Arena, Canberra
Fancy prancing through fields laced with the charm of provincial France? It's just casual summer weekendery when So Frenchy So Chic is in town. The ever-popular one-day French festival is waltzing back to Sydney's Bicentennial Park and Melbourne's Werribee Park Mansion in February 2022, and celebrating its tenth anniversary in the process. If you haven't been before, expect an entire afternoon of French-inspired niceties, including (but not limited to) gourmet picnic hampers, tartlets and terrines, and offensively good wine — all to a chill French soundtrack. So Frenchy hinges around a solid lineup of eclectic artists, with taking cues from France as much of a focus this year as showcasing French talents. Heading the 2022 bill is the YÉ-YÉ 2.0 project, which features Australian female artists performing new interpretations iconic 60s French pop music, and will see Ali Barter and Nadeah take to the stage. In another big highlight, Mick Harvey and the Intoxicated Men — which includes JP Shilo, Dan Luscombe, Glenn Lewis, Hugo Cran and Xanthe Waite — will play the songs of Serge Gainsbourg. Also on the lineup is up French Nigerian singer-rapper Féfé, who'll be supported by Melbourne's Cookin' on 3 Burners; French Australian singer, songwriter and producer Lili Alaska; and DJ sets by Mike Guerreri, DJ Frank Rodi and So Frenchy festival founder Jean-François Ponthieux. If you're not the most organised of picnickers, So Frenchy is putting on the works again with fancy picnic hampers, cheese plates and other French food fare; think: oysters, lobster rolls, croque monsieur, crème brûlée and crêpes. In Sydney, Rosebery French eatery Frenchies is packaging up charcuterie hampers, and you can also tuck into bites from Bellevue Cottage. In Melbourne, Frederic Bistro, Milk The Cow, L'Hôtel Gitan and chef Romu are doing the honours. And of course, there'll be plenty of Champagne Lanson, French beer, cocktails, and rosé, red and whites wines as well. Early bird tickets are now on sale for $82 a pop. If you've got kids, you'll be happy to know that the whole thing is very family-friendly, and children under 12 can get in for $22. SO FRENCH SO CHIC 2022 AUSTRALIAN DATES: Sunday, February 13 — Werribee Park Mansion, Melbourne Saturday, February 19 — Bicentennial Park, Glebe So French So Chic hits Sydney and Melbourne in February 2022. For more information or to buy tickets, head to the event's website. Images: Liz Sunshine.
Step into some of the most dangerous places on earth. Screening at ACMI as part of this year's Melbourne Writers Festival, Textures of Conflict is a program of five documentaries that showcase the power of the still image, as captured by photojournalists in conflict zones around the world. The films will screen at the Fed Square cinema throughout the week beginning Monday, August 24. Shooting Robert King chronicles the photographer of the same name, as he journeys from Bosnia to Chechnya and Iraq. Likewise, McCullin follows legendary English photographer Don McCullin, while the simply titled War Photographer concerns the exploits of American James Nachtwey. Under Fire: Journalists in Combat takes a broader view of war zone journalists, whose job has never been more dangerous than it is today. Rounding out the program is Wim Wenders' recent Oscar-nominated doco Salt of the Earth, about photographer Sebastiao Salgado, who has recently turned his lens from human conflict to the environment.
Well, folks, the rain is starting to subside and we're edging closer and closer to summer, so what better time for a wardrobe refresh. This Saturday, November 17, your pals at 91Vintage are coming to the party, hosting the last edition of their ever-popular vintage sportswear market for 2018. Head along to Fitzroy pub The Evelyn to check out this hefty haul of retro threads, sneakers and accessories, with 15 stallholders slinging old-school gems from the likes of Adidas, Fila, Nike, Fubu, Dada, Sergio Tacchini and Juicy Couture. This time around, the market's running from 10am to 5pm, with prices starting at a neat $5 and both racks and tubs filled with plenty of pieces for every budget. Head over to the 91Vintage Instagram page for a sneak preview of some of the gear that's set to make an appearance and start plotting some bangers for the festival season to come.
If you're on a sugar-free diet, close out of this window right now. Trust us when we say you do not want to know what's going down at the Food Truck Park in Preston from June 16–18. If, on the other hand, you're ready to embrace your diabetic destiny, then, by all means, read on. Kicking off at 5pm on Friday, June 16 before continuing from midday on Saturday and Sunday, the Sweet Tooth Truck Festival is bringing together all of Melbourne's best mobile food vendors for a chocolate-filled, sugar-glazed, ice-cream and crushed Oreo-topped dessert extravaganza. The full sweet, sweet food truck lineup is yet to be announced, but you can bank on all the ice cream, crepes, waffles and cakes you could ever need. Oh, and doughnuts. Lots of doughnuts. Look, it's not exactly the healthiest way to spend a weekend — but there's no way we're missing out on this feast. The festival will be open from 5–10pm on Friday, 12–10pm on Saturday and 12–9pm on Sunday.
In his first stripped-back solo shows since 2005, singer-songwriter CW Stoneking will be touring his much-loved old-timey blues for Heavenly Sounds in June. The short tour — which sees him playing in the grand cathedrals of Melbourne and Sydney — will definitely make for a unique experience. While Stoneking's music is already rooted in soulful storytelling, giving it an intimate reception in a church will no doubt add an extra bit of depth and meaning. For someone who has only two albums to his name, Stoneking has an incredibly dedicated following. Debuting with banjo-heavy blues album King Hokum in 2005, this Australian oddball set himself apart from the local talent by flawlessly delving into the music of America's deep south. Then, his 2008 release of Jungle Blues expanded into the 1920s realms of calypso, hillbilly and jungle jazz. These two shows for Heavenly Sounds will see him preview music from a yet unreleased album. Your guess of the genre is as good as mine. For this tour, Stoneking will be joined by soulful Novacastrian Kira Puru — the former vocalist for The Bruises — who has collaborated with the likes of Illy, The Preatures and Paul Kelly. Inevitably, though, all eyes will be on on the main act. Not only is it rare to see a blues artist take the stage, but Stoneking will be one of the only men on a tour which has so far hosted talented but similar songstresses such as Laura Marling, Sarah Blasko, Julia Stone and Lisa Mitchell. Tour dates: Sydney: Wednesday June 11, St Stephen's Uniting Church, 197 Macquarie Street Melbourne: Friday June 13, St Michael's Church, 120 Collins Street Tickets are available through Ticketek from Monday, April 14, for $62.50 + transaction fees. Members of the Heavenly Sounds mailing list can access pre-sale at 9am on Friday, April 11. Sign up at www.heavenlysounds.com
Despite recently launching an all-day breakfast menu and ice cream sandwiches, we still think fries are the best thing about Lord of the Fries. And this Saturday, July 13, the vegan fast food joint is giving away free serves of 'em. Free. Fries. The chain is choosing this day to give them away because it's (supposedly) International French Fry Day. While we're not a big fan of 'food days', we are big fans of free food. So, to snag free fries on the day, just head down to any one of the LOTF stores around the nation between 1 and 2pm and you'll be gifted a bucket of deliciousness with a classic sauce of your choice thrown in, too. You don't even have to purchase any vego nuggets to redeem them. If you're in Melbourne — which we'll assume you are, reading this post — you have 13 LOTF stores to choose from. If you're in the CBD, you can head along to the ones on King, Flinders or Swanston — or, if you're further out in the 'burbs, make tracks to the Hawthorn, Windsor, Fitzroy or Chadstone stores. You can check out the full list here. Lord of the Fries is giving away free fries from 1–2pm on Saturday, July 13 at all of its Vic stores.
If you were to see a fridge standing in the middle of Queensbridge Square, what would you do? And, perhaps more importantly, what would you hope to find inside? On Saturday, January 20, you can put this situation to the test IRL — and we can tell you now that gelato awaits, plus flavoured milks. Gelato Messina and Westinghouse are teaming up on a giveaway, so one of the latter's refrigerators will indeed be onsite. You'll need to head in front of the red steps between 10am–4.30pm, but getting in quick is recommended as the freebies are only available while stocks last (and any chance to grab some Messina for nothing is bound to be popular). On the menu: mini ice cream pops in choc jersey milk and coconut passionfruit varieties, as well as choc malt, dulce de leche and strawberry flavoured milks. One person will also win the fridge itself, so you might end up treating your kitchen as well as your tastebuds.
If Melbourne Spring Fashion Week has left you in a dizzy headspin of colours and fabrics and prints and jackets cut so perfectly your body simply aches for them — or if, y’know, you just like some fancy new clothes now and then — you might have already heard that the annual Big Fashion Sale is coming up pretty soon. The name pretty much says it all. This thing is big. You’ll find lush items from past collections, samples and one-offs from over 30 cult Australian brands, both well-known and emerging, including Karla Spetic, LP33.3, Elke Kramer, Gary Bigeni, Verner, Uniform, Benah, Celeste Tesoriero and many more. This latest instalment will also feature international designers Alexander Wang, Kenzo, Marni, Christopher Kane, Helmut Lang, Mary Katantzou, Opening Ceremony, Erdem, Stella McCartney, ALC, Elizabeth & James and Lanvin. With discounts of up to 80% off, this is one way of upping your street cred with designer threads that’ll leave your bank balance sitting pretty too. Prices this low tend to inspire a certain level of ruthlessness in all of us, though, so practise that grabbing reflex in advance. This is every man and lady for themselves. Opening hours are: Wednesday, October 21 — 3–8pm (VIP preview) Thursday, October 22 — 9am–6pm Friday, October 23 — 10am–7pm Saturday, October 24 — 10am–6pm Sunday, October 25 — 10am–5pm
Science Gallery Melbourne has just kicked off its latest immersive exhibition, Swarm, which dives into the concept of collective behaviour and what it means to be part of a pack. And just like the city's other cultural institutions, the gallery will be backing its usual daytime program with a series of fun after-hours happenings. The next Friday Night Socials will run the first Friday of each month for the duration of Swarm — September 2, October 7 and November 4 — and they're all free. Each instalment is set to serve a different after-dark lineup aimed at curious minds, though you can always expect eats, drinks, bands, DJs, performances and more, plus extended access to whatever exhibition is showing. Kicking things off on Friday, September 2, you'll catch a drag performance by Dandrogyny, a dance-friendly set from DJ Katie Pearson and some killer moves courtesy of a VCA student dance group. [caption id="attachment_867479" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dandrogyny[/caption] You can take a guided drawing session with artist Kari Lee McInneny-McRae, check out designer Morwenna Schenck's majestic seed propagation booth, take comfort in other people's tales of failure thanks to the F*ck Up Nights crew, and experience all sorts of spooky tricks at a show by magician and author Nicholas J Johnson. As with the exhibition, each Friday Night Socials event is free — though you'll need to book online to secure your spot.
A seminal piece of Australian gothic horror is coming to the Malthouse Theatre — but not in the way you might expect. Kenneth Cook's landmark novel Wake in Fright has been adapted a number of times over the past 50 years, captivating audiences as a famed motion picture as well a recent miniseries on Stan. Now, it finds new life as a one-woman show, with actress Zahra Newman taking centre stage in this grim tale of violent masculinity in the dark heart of the Australian outback. When bookish school teacher John Grant finds himself stranded in the isolated mining town of Bundanyabba, his ideas of polite society soon fall away as he descends into a haze of drunkenness and brutality. Under the direction of acclaimed theatre-maker Declan Greene, and aided by a score from art-electronica band, friendships, Newman will bring the oppressive menace of Cook's work to the stage, forcing us to look inwards in ways we might otherwise avoid.
When Bob Dylan last toured Australia, it was billed as a 'once in a lifetime' experience. And, for all those who went, it was. It's just that now fans will be get the opportunity to have another such experience, because the legendary tambourine man will return to Australia for a national tour this August. This tour will be less exhaustive than his 2014 effort, with Dylan set to do eight shows — one in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle and Wollongong, as well as two back-to-back shows in Melbourne on August 13 and 14. He will draw on his incredible 60-year career — which spans 36 studio albums and countless hits — for the shows, so you better start praying to the music gods that your favourite makes it onto the setlist. Dylan may be 76 years old, but he has certainly showed no signs of slowing down as he approaches 80. In 2016 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature and, just this year, he oddly released his own whisky. But still, it could be the last chance you get to see this living legend perform live. His last tour sold out, so don't wait too long to get your hands on tickets.
If you're thinking about heading along to an industry event or panel discussion at Melbourne Music Week this year, this would be our pick. Face the Music industry conference is now in its eighth year, and conveniently coincides with the festival. The session we're most interested in is Music Journalism: The Critical Mass. Music journalism comes in many different shapes and forms these days, from independent music blogs to long form magazine essays, and too many interviews to count. While it's fantastic, we have so many enthusiastic voices wanting to share their passion and knowledge of the next big thing in music. So how can you make sure your voice is heard over the others? That's where the experts come in. This panel will include Fred Pessaro (VICE Music), Mathew Coyte (Rolling Stone Australia), Brodie Lancaster (Rookie, Pitchfork) and Marcus Teague (The Age, Rolling Stone, The Guardian), and will be moderated by author and journalist Jenny Valentish. Online ticket sales have now closed, but tickets will be available from the front desk on both days. A two day pass will set you back $120, while a single day pass is $80. Image credit: Alean Penaflor
"The punchline is true about me...I did the dumb thing. But I did a lot of other things too." So says Anthony Weiner at the beginning of the documentary that bears his name. His statement is both an admission and a reminder, as presented with a level of candour that mightn't be expected from a former New York congressman. Of course, Weiner isn't any old politician ,and there's a reason that everyone knows who he is. You saw the scandals play out, giggling about someone with his particular surname getting caught texting dick pics. Now we get to see his side of the story. Indeed, we already know why filmmakers Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg were keen to peer beyond the international headlines and discover the man behind the very public mockery. What isn't always clear is just why Weiner himself agreed to be involved. Why did he agree to subject himself to a warts-and-all look at his notorious indiscretions and their impact upon his career and marriage. And why did he agree to give the film crew such extraordinarily intimate access? That's the first of many questions that springs from this astute and insightful film, and most of them don't have easy or obvious answers. In fact, when Kriegman is heard interrogating his subject about why he was allowed to chronicle the minutiae of his life, Weiner doesn't really have a response, other than later stating his desire to be seen as more than just a punchline. His loyal wife Huma Abedin, an advisor to Hillary Clinton, and an increasingly distressed figure in the feature, doesn't know what to say either. Still, as the tabloids, news reports and late-night comedians prove relentless in dissecting her decision to stand by her husband, her deteriorating facade speaks volumes. By honing in on Weiner's comeback mayoral bid, which is soon derailed when another explosive revelation rears its head, the documentary does a great many things. It acts as an all-too-familiar twist on the American dream, contemplating not just the path to success, but trying again after falling so far. It examines the difficulty of living a life of incessant scrutiny while trying to put your past behaviour behind you. It offers disarming images of a man watching his world fall down around him yet again. It points the finger at the way the media treats those in their orbit. And it provides an utterly fascinating look at the real inner-workings of a political campaign. Here, the truth is absolutely stranger than fiction — and more compelling, too. Kriegman and Steinberg present rather than judge, and flesh out rather than assume. The end result is patient and observational as it follows Weiner on the campaign trail, yet remains infused with the urgency of his rollercoaster existence. Whatever your thoughts on the man, we're guessing they won't be the same when the end credits roll.
Israel's Batsheva Dance Company returns to the Melbourne Festival with a pair of shows by acclaimed artistic director Ohad Naharin. Straight from its world premiere in Tel Aviv, Last Work is described as "an exploration of motion and emotion", complete with a dancer running on the spot for the duration of the performance. The second piece is the most recent update of Naharin's Decadance, wherein the choreographer reimagines pieces from Batsheva's back catalogue — creating what is essentially a live highlights package from the company's five plus decades on stage. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Festival. Check out the other nine.
The awkwardness and clumsiness when two incongruous elements come together — that's The Danish Girl in a nutshell. The film tells the true tale of Lili Elbe, previously Einar Wegener, the transgender woman who became one of the first identified recipients of gender reassignment surgery, and is brought to the screen by The King's Speech and Les Misérables director Tom Hooper. Unfortunately, the importance of the former is overpowered by the prestige film sensibilities of the latter. That's not to say that Hooper doesn't realise the weight of the tale he's telling, nor that writer Lucinda Coxon's screenplay — based upon David Ebershoff's fictionalised novel of the same name — doesn't endeavour to do justice to Lili's story. The tone is always earnest, with the film looking lovingly and acceptingly at its central figure. Alas, any good intentions come across as laboured and overdone, packaged up a little too nicely and neatly in order to fit the Hollywood mould. The Danish Girl opts for a restrained approach, designed to carefully bring rarely seen subject matter into mainstream cinema. That's immediately apparent in the slow and stately narrative that charts Lili's (Eddie Redmayne) journey, beginning in Copenhagen in 1926. A raft of childhood feelings are reawakened when renowned landscape artist Einar Wegener dons women's stockings to pose for his portrait painter wife Gerda (Alicia Vikander). Soon after, Lili emerges. As Lili struggles with her identity, Gerda tries to remain supportive, even as their marriage is tested. Both find solace in the friendship of others, with Lili courted by the kindly Henrik (Ben Whishaw), and Gerda seeking out Einar's hometown pal Hans Axgil (Matthias Schoenaerts). He might've won an Oscar just last year for his work in The Theory of Everything, but here Redmayne proves as problematic as Hooper. The fragility he brought to his award-winning role is on display again — and indeed, that's what his performance leans heaviest upon. Yet for all his furtive looks and heavy breathing, he never really delves beneath the surface of an obviously complicated character. Thankfully, where Redmayne grates, Vikander soars, continuing her stellar run of roles and her ascent to certain stardom. There's no mistaking that her character is as much the woman of the film's title as Lili is, just as there's no mistaking that her nuanced yet open portrayal leaves the far greater impression. Vikander isn't The Danish Girl's only strength, courtesy of elegant, handsome imagery filled with intricate costumes and picturesque scenery. In fact, from the painted scenes that start the film to the many shots of Lili trying to find her femininity while looking in a mirror, Hooper crafts the feature to resemble a painting. At the same time, that mindset is also arguably the movie's biggest issue. While The Danish Girl might tell a tale that's vital, and touch upon a topic that's timely, it always does so from a distance, like it's glancing at something that's just too delicate to examine up close.
There's still time to nab tickets to this year's Broken Heel Festival, which takes over the historic mining town of Broken Hill for a weekend of drag, divas and disco from September 13–15. Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in this annual tribute to the iconic Australian film Priscilla Queen of the Desert by celebrating the movie's anniversary with a blowout party — that rocks for three days straight. Drag queens and kings from around the country will come together for a lineup of cabaret performances, comedy, opera and live music. Highlights include an opening night party featuring a Michael Griffiths' Kylie tribute band, plus a Priscilla-inspired party on Saturday. You can also join the locals along the main strip for the annual Drag Street Parade. An openair, interactive screening of the film will take place on the Sunday night, too.
After the downer that was 2020, we could all use a few laughs right now. And the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is happy to provide them, returning for a huge 2021 edition from Wednesday, March 24–Sunday, April 18. As always, it's dishing up a bumper program of stand-up shows, comedy showcases and other hilarious events — all featuring a top-shelf lineup of both local and international acts. You can catch global stars like Arj Barker, Carl Donnelly and Ross Noble working their magic in solo performances, or do a little globe-trotting at the International Comedy Showcase. The 31st Annual Great Debate will see six of your favourite funny folk duel it out in a battle of comedic critical thinking, while the undisputed queens of comedy take the stage for all-female extravaganza Upfront. There's also the Comedy Commutes series, inviting punters to enjoy some fresh talent right there in their own 'hood, starring Luke Heggie, Dolly Diamond, Claire Hooper and more. The Comedy Zone shines a spotlight on the next generation of stars, slinging laughs from the likes of Andrew Portelli, Tor Snyder and Floyd Alexander-Hunt. And of course, much-loved comedy venues across the city are firing up nightly for a smorgasbord of gigs and events, including the Comedy Theatre, the Butterfly Club and Chapel off Chapel. Top image: Jim Lee.
Rarely has a film more perfectly encapsulated the notion of so close, yet so far. Directed by Neil Marshall, whose previous credits include the impressive horror flick The Descent and some major episodes of Game Of Thrones, Hellboy is an absolute mess of a thing, despite boasting a terrific cast, memorable set pieces, impressive CGI and one of the more intriguing and inventive protagonists in recent comic book history. Hellboy, of course, already has two films in his honour, both of them written and directed by Mr Monster himself: Guillermo del Toro. The question that loomed large over this 2019 version, then, was whether it sought to be a rebooted origin story or a semi-continuation of the pre-existing franchise. The schizophrenic patchwork of a story we end up with suggests the studio simply couldn't decide. Timelines leap from the Arthurian legend to modern day to WWII to the 80s, usually for the purpose of dumping massive loads of exposition. The entire film feels rushed and discordant; a fever dream of fight scenes and plotlines that neither link to what came prior nor have much relevance to what follows. In the lead, Stranger Things star David Harbour does his darndest to breathe life into what little script there is, imbuing his Hellboy with an admirable level of angst, sarcasm and unwieldy brawn. Credit, too, to the movie's makeup team, who've managed to wholly transform Harbour into a hulking creature from the underworld despite little to no CGI at play. Opposite him, Milla Jovovich puts in the film's most understated yet compelling performance as Nimue the Blood Queen, whose equal rights for monsters mantra offers a tantalisingly defensible motivation for her murderous ways. Sadly, Hellboy gives little time to ideas, opting instead for as many gory deaths, clanger one-liners and f-bombs that it can squeeze in. And on the gore front, Hellboy certainly makes full use of its R-rating, particularly in the film's final stages when Hell's assortment of nightmarish demons begin crushing, skewering and skinning the hapless inhabitants of London. The demons themselves are spectacularly imagined, as is the infamous Baba Yaga, the Slavic witch with an appetite for small children. Her scene with Hellboy is beautifully designed, genuinely well-written, and appropriately grotesque. But even then, there's one major ingredient missing: terror. It's a phenomenon repeated multiple times throughout the film, and one that's not easily diagnosed. Scenes that should be scary simply aren't, just as jokes that should be funny don't even come close. If you imagine the film as a piece of music, the levels are all out — as if the sound mixer dialled everything up that should be down, and vice versa. Which brings us back to so close, yet so far. Whatever forces were at play to screw this up, the fact remains the pieces were there to produce something great. Hellboy could have been any number of films: a comic book horror movie with genuine scares, a comedy action flick or even a compelling Maleficent-esque drama about misunderstood heroes and villains vying for their right to a place on this earth. Instead, it's an embarrassment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt5g5_1cKVk
Few labels have had the broad appeal and lasting success that Finnish design house Marimekko has enjoyed over the past six decades. Launching in a Helsinki restaurant in 1951, the label experienced a surge in popularity in the 1960s. Its bold prints and distinctive outfits were symptomatic of changes occurring at the time in both design and, more broadly, culture: liberation and defying expectation. Now, to celebrate this legendary brand, a large-scale exhibition is coming to Victoria. It will run from March 3–June 11, 2018, at the Bendigo Art Gallery — its only Australian stop. Original sketches, fabrics and other archival material will track the label's story. The exhibition will also highlight the revolutionary artists behind the brands unique aesthetic and feature many examples of the fashion and homewares designs including the iconic red 'Unikko' poppy print. For true enthusiasts, a number of events have been scheduled to coincide with the three-month residency, including talks by exhibition designer Megan Atkins and senior curator Leanne Fitzgibbon. On Saturday, April 14, the gallery will also host a 60s-themed party — BYO glad rags and groovy moves. Tickets to the exhibition are $15 and are available here.
We know what you're thinking. 'Low-carb' clothing? Are you serious? Nope nope nope. Call shenanigans, upturn tables, get on the tweets. Reformation's brand new ten-piece fashion line is indeed called the Low-Carb collection. But rather than being some form of low carbohydrate fashion (somehow), the eco-friendly fashion label has created ten items with a severely low carbon footprint. Yep, 'low carb'. We know, it's a straight-up, highly effective clickbaity fashion campaign. But one with a truly good heart. Created for yesterday's international Earth Day, Reformation's new collection intends to educate fashion lovers about the environmental impacts of their threads. Each Low-Carb item has an eco-gauge (or RefScale) that comes with it, allowing customers to read up on the garment's effect on the environment — we're talking manufacturing methods, impact on CO2 levels and water use for a start. The eco-gauge can be found next to each item on the Reformation website, so you can read up before you buy. In fact, Reformation makes clothes from just three different types of materials, new sustainable fabrics, repurposed vintage clothing and rescued deadstock fabric from fashion houses that over-ordered. Plus, the collection's pretty damn crisp. Sustainable fashion is becoming more and more en vogue, with Pharell launching his recent denim line for G-Star made from plastic bottles pulled from the ocean, to Melbourne's recently founded Hessian magazine, which focuses on eco-friendly fashion designers, collections and practices. Even if it's a little gimmicky, we're all for supporting sustainability-meets-fashion projects — depsite the clickbaity headlines. Via Who What Wear. Take five lessons in sustainable fashion with Hessian magazine over here.
When is a brewery more than just a brewery? When it's a regular roller skating disco as well. On the first Sunday of every month, Moon Dog Craft Brewery transforms its Abbotsford ballroom into a skate arena, with the next event scheduled for November 5. Held in conjunction with Malt Shop Be Bop Hop Roller Arena, Roller Disco Sundays boast everything you'd expect from a end-of-weekend session of rolling around a brewery — aka beverages of the yeasty kind, mirror balls brightening up the place, DJs and live performances setting the tone, and quite the array of outrageous fashion. Unsurprisingly, costumes aren't only encouraged but required, whether you've got some lycra burning a hole in your wardrobe or you're getting on theme. Yes, each stint has its own nostalgia-heavy flavour, with past themes stepping through the decades in '70s boogie oogie oogie, '80s electric boogaloo and naughty '90s style. BYO skates or hire some on the day — and keep your eyes glued to the Moon Dog Craft Brewery and Malt Shop Be Bop Hop Roller Arena Facebook pages for the specifics of each session
Spending more time at home is much easier to stomach with a hefty rage of desserts on hand, or at least that seems to be Gelato Messina's pandemic motto. Over the past few months, the gelato fiends have served up plenty of tasty specials, including cookie pies in choc chip, red velvet, choc-hazelnut, and peanut butter and jelly varieties; 40 of its best flavours; and full tubs of both Iced VoVo gelato and Messina's own take on the classic Viennetta ice cream cake. Up next: a lamington version of the brand's sticky snails. Basically, it's their interpretation of a Cinnabon-style brioche scroll, then combined with an Aussie favourite. It's another of Messina's limited releases, and it'll be available at all of its stores for a very short period. Wondering what exactly Messina's lamington sticky snail entails? Well, that sticky brioche scroll is filled with vanilla custard, chocolate chips, raspberry jam and chocolate caramel. And, yes, it's then sprinkled with desiccated coconut. If it didn't, the lamington label just couldn't apply. The sweet bake-at-home bite can only be ordered online on Monday, August 17. On its own, it will cost $20 — but to sweeten the deal, the cult ice creamery has created a few bundle options, should you want some of its famed gelato atop it (vanilla is recommended). You can add on a 500-millilitre tub for $28, a one-litre tub for $36 or a 1.5-litre tub for $39. Once you've placed your preorder, pick up will be available between Friday, August 21–Sunday, August 23 from your chosen Messina store. And, once you've got the lamington sticky snail safely home, you just need to whack it in the oven for 20–25 minutes at 160 degrees and voila. If you're in Melbourne, remember that you can only venture to shops within five kilometres of your house — and only once a day — to get essentials, including food. Gelato Messina's lamington sticky snails will be available to order on Monday, August 17, for pick up between Friday, August 21–Sunday, August 23 — keep an eye on the Messina website for further details.
It's Easter. Time to stuff yourself with baby animal-shaped chocolates and cross-covered baked goods while feeling absolutely zero shame. To help you make the most of it, here are the best holiday treats making up your Easter hunt this year — from hot cross doughnuts to handmade chocolate eggs and Easter gelato. HOT CROSS BUN DOUGHNUT AT DOUGHBOYS DOUGHNUTS You can always count on Doughboys Doughnuts to drop epic dough-y delights to suit the season. These hot cross bun doughnuts are packed with mixed spices and dried fruits and finished with an injection of apricot jam. The shop is already slinging these doughies from its Bourke Street store and they're as sticky and indulgent as ever — form an orderly queue. [caption id="attachment_661703" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Holly Engelhardt[/caption] HOT CROSS BUN GELATO AT PICCOLINA GELATERIA Summer might be over, but we're of the school that it's always gelato weather. If you're more interested in licking your Easter treats than chewing them, Piccolina Gelateria's limited edition hot cross bun gelato will be right up your alley. The creamy gelato is layered with crunchy hot cross bun croutons, which are baked in-house. This year, Piccolina has also created a limited-edition Golden Egg gelato cake for $28. A dulce de leche-filled golden egg sits atop a salted caramel gelato base that's been layered with chocolate butter biscuit and a dark chocolate nest. Both desserts are available in store at all three Piccolina locations (Collingwood, Hawthorn, and St. Kilda), and online until Sunday, April 21. MULLED WINE HOT CROSS BUNS AT GONTRAN CHERRIER French baker and pastry chef Gontran Cherrier is bringing an extra special treat to Melburnians this year: his mulled wine hot cross buns. Meant to remind you of France's traditional vin chaud, the buns combine all the essentials in a mulled wine recipe — including the spices, cinnamon, raisins and candied orange peel — but leaves out the wine bit. It's available now at all three boulangerie locations (Richmond, Collingwood and Hawthorn). EASTER CAKES AT LUXBITE Already overdosed on chocolate eggs and it's not even Easter yet? LuxBite is the place to look for sweet treats of a different variety. This patisserie is known for its crazy flavour combinations and Easter is no different. Owners Bernard Chu and Yen Yee have whipped up these cute little creations, including The Chick (white chocolate sponge with mango and passion fruit mousse, coconut panna cotta and pineapple compote) and the Easter Bunny (baked cheesecake with strawberry mousse and a chocolate chip cookie base). They're $10 each and are only single serve, so don't plan on sharing. To get your paws on these treats, hop along to the South Yarra or CBD store, or order online. TRIPLE CHOCOLATE HOT X BUNS AT MÖRK Normally we'd be more inclined to stick to traditional fruit hot cross buns, but we'd be absolutely bonkers to turn down one of Mörk's more adventurous versions. These triple chocolate bad boys (pictured here straight from the oven) are made on a chocolate bread base, studded with Madagascan chocolate pieces, candied orange and sour cherries and are amped up with a soft chocolate ganache centre. Get yours at the North Melbourne store or order them here. Pick up a six-pack of Mörk's lavish chocolate eggs ($32) while you're at it — they're available in flavours like macadamia and native herbs, raspberry and juniper sherbet and smoked salt and almond praline. THE EASTER BOMBE AT STOKEHOUSE Beachside restaurant Stokehouse has been re-imagining its signature dessert The Bombe for Easter for a few years now, but this sounds like its best version yet. Pastry chef Lauren Eldridge has used the traditional flavours of Easter to make the dessert: a dome of chocolate parfait sitting atop mandarin sorbet and covered with toasted meringue and fresh raspberries. This twist on a cult favourite — the Bombe Alaska — is available for $21 at the St Kilda restaurant from April 15–24, including during Easter Sunday lunch. roy. VEGAN HOT CROSS BUNS AT SMITH & DELI Easter hasn't always been a fun time for treat-seeking vegans, but since the arrival of plant-based lifesaver Smith & Deli, it's now a whole lot easier to experience the joy of tucking into a hot cross bun. These beauties are already on sale and will be flying from the oven for the entire month of April — but they'll likely sell out fast, so get down to the Fitzroy store in the early hours or miss out for the day. EASTER DREAM EGGS BY TREAT DREAMS While you're at Smith & Deli snacking on your bun, make sure you pick up another vegan Easter treat from the deli. Treat Dreams has been creating decadent sweets since 2015 and the entire range of chocolates and tarts is cruelty-free. The classic Dream Eggs, with gooey creme filling, are available all year round. But you'll want to get your hands on the limited edition Easter flavours —this year, these are passion fruit, cherry coconut and orange cream. Encased in a shell made using fair trade European couverture chocolate, these eggs are the definition of naughty-but-nice. You can also pick these goodies up from Prahran Convenience and The Cruelty Free Shop in Fitzroy. HOT CROSS DOUGHNUTS AT SHORTSTOP These rings of spiced, doughy goodness are the Easter creations from the ever-baking doughnuteers at Shortstop Coffee and Donuts. Brandy-soaked dried fruit is mixed through a sweet and spiced yeast-raised dough, before being fried, dunked in a honey glaze and striped with a cinnamon sugar cross. You can pick one up at its CBD store or pre-order online up until Easter Monday. They'll set you back $5.50 each or $30 for six. If that's not an Easter miracle, what is? INBETWEEN EGGS AT KOKO BLACK Melbourne's premium chocolate shop Koko Black is ringing in the Easter season with its limited-edition bunnies, eggs and pralines. Head chocolatier Remco Brigou is bringing back his ever-popular Inbetween Eggs — a grown-up selection of big eggs that combine toasty, salty, crispy and creamy elements. This year, the flavours of the $22 eggs includes salty cashew brittle, cookies and cream, caramelised coconut flecks and passion fruit. The full range is available in-store and online straight through the season. Check out all the Melbourne locations here.
Tonight, tonight, there's only Steven Spielberg's lavish and dynamic version of West Side Story tonight — not to detract from or forget the 1961 movie of the same name. Six decades ago, an all-singing, all-dancing, New York City-set, gang war-focused spin on Romeo and Juliet leapt from stage to screen, becoming one of cinema's all-time classic musicals; however, remaking that hit is a task that Spielberg dazzlingly proves up to. It's his first sashay into the genre, despite making his initial amateur feature just three years after the original West Side Story debuted. It's also his first film since 2018's obnoxiously awful Ready Player One, which doubled as a how-to guide to crafting one of the worst, flimsiest and most bloated pieces of soulless pop-culture worship possible. But with this swooning, socially aware story of star-crossed lovers, Spielberg pirouettes back from his atrocious last flick by embracing something he clearly adores, and being unafraid to give it rhythmic swirls and thematic twirls. Shakespeare's own tale of tempestuous romance still looms large over West Side Story, as it always has — in fair NYC and its rubble-strewn titular neighbourhood where it lays its 1950s-era scene. The Jets and the Sharks aren't quite two households both alike in dignity, though. Led by the swaggering and dogged Riff (Mike Faist, a Tony-nominee for the Broadway production of Dear Evan Hansen), the Jets are young, scrappy, angry and full of resentment for anyone they fear is encroaching on their terrain (anyone who isn't white especially). Meanwhile, with boxer Bernardo (David Alvarez, a Tony-winner for Billy Elliot) at the helm, the Sharks have tried to establish new lives outside of their native Puerto Rico through study, jobs and their own businesses. Both gangs refuse to coexist peacefully in the only part of New York where either feels at home — even with the threat of gentrification looming large in every torn-down building, signs for shiny new amenities such as Lincoln Centre popping up around the place and, when either local cops Officer Krupke (Brian d'Arcy James, Hawkeye) or Lieutenant Schrank (Corey Stoll, The Many Saints of Newark) interrupt their feuding, after they're overtly warned as well. But it's a night at a dance, and the love-at-first-sight connection that blooms between Riff's best friend Tony (Ansel Elgort, The Goldfinch) and Bernardo's younger sister María (feature debutant Rachel Zegler), that sparks a showdown. This rumble will decide westside supremacy once and for all, the two sides agree. The OG West Side Story was many things: gifted with a glorious cast, including Rita Moreno in her Academy Award-winning role as Bernardo's girlfriend Anita, plus future Twin Peaks co-stars Russ Tamblyn and Richard Beymer as Riff and Tony; unashamedly showy, like it had just snapped its fingers and flung itself off the stage; and punchy with its editing, embracing the move from the boards to the frame. It still often resembled a filmed musical rather than a film more than it should've, however. Spielberg's reimagining, which boasts a script by his Munich and Lincoln scribe Tony Kushner, tweaks plenty while also always remaining West Side Story — and, via his regular cinematographer Janusz Kaminski (The Post) and a whirl of leaping and plunging camerawork, it looks as exuberant as the vibrant choreography that the New York City Ballet's Justin Peck splashes across the screen, nodding to Jerome Robbins' work for the original movie lovingly but never slavishly. From the famous first whistle that's always opened the tale, West Side Story feels like it's dancing through the narrative instead of merely telling it. The savvy realisation that gang struts and brawls suit balletic movements — a notion from when the idea first hit the stage — pairs marvellously with the peppier visuals, too. Spielberg's fluid and kinetic stylistic approach springs from the same source as many of his other touches, with the director aiming not just to finally make a musical, bring the playfulness of his action scenes to the genre, or to give a work he loves his own stamp, but to ground the story in notions that are pressingly relevant today. Viewers here see more of the west side, get a bigger sense of the place, tap into its energy, and glean a more grounded view of the poverty, racism, factionalism and violence that's always sat at West Side Story's core. Switching some of the film's Leonard Bernstein-composed, Stephen Sondheim-penned songs between characters and locations makes this a more thoughtful and textured movie as well. See: the on-the-street version of earworm 'America' led by Hamilton veteran Ariana DeBose as the new Anita, and transforming 'Somewhere' into a community-focused ballad sung by the returning Moreno as a new figure. Both are magnificent. Still, as delightful as almost everything about Spielberg's film is — its inspired changes and passionate tribute to the first feature alike — it has an Ansel Elgort problem. He's a bland island in a sea of spectacle, and the lack of chemistry between him and the radiant Zegler would be a killer if examining the place, time and struggles that give rise to Tony and María's love didn't take precedence over the romance itself. Make it a 1950s NYC R+J, but about why its tragedy unfolds: that's another of Spielberg and Kushner's clever choices. And, while it takes a lifetime of unfortunate moves to strand the Jets and Sharks in their bloody turf war, thankfully one bad casting decision can't taint everything that glimmers about their latest big-screen outing. Indeed, enough praise can't be slung Faist, Zegler, Alvarez or DeBose's way, in what deserves to be a movie star-making effort for all four. Faist's turn as Riff is sinewy, smooth and vulnerable all at once — the film is electric every time he's on-screen — and Zegler's woozy and hopeful performance as a woman in the throes of first love is equally revelatory. Bringing EGOT-recipient and all-round entertainment icon Moreno back is touching, as well as exactly the right kind of nostalgic; looking both backwards and forwards is another of this sublime achievement of a feature's many successes, after all.
Messina in a can. Nothing says novelty summer food quite like it. The ever-innovative team at Gelato Messina seem to be taking cues from Andy Warhol this season, launching their International Soup Kitchen exclusively at the Royal Croquet Club pop-up festival opening this Friday, January 16. While Warhol's original cans would send you into crippling debt, Messina's tins are little artworks in their own right that'll only set you back $9 each. Four tasty-sounding gelato sundaes will be on offer from Messina's own festival soup kitchen, adorably encased in a bespoke soup tin. Choose from Black Forest Bisque (chocolate fondant gelato, cherry jam, kirsch cream, kirsch soaked sponge), Faux Pho (Salted coconut sorbet, kaffir lime marshmallow, lychee coconut cream, chilli cashew crunch), Zuppa Duppa (Hazelnut gelato, wild strawberry preserve, pistachio crunch, amaretti biscotti), and American Chow Down (Peanut gelato, oreo custard, cream cheese mousse, pretzel crunch). You'll find the Messina International Soup Kitchen at the Royal Croquet Club, alongside fellow nosh wizards Meatmother, Mr Claws, Miss Chu and DOC. Opening Friday, January 16 and running until Sunday, February 1, the Royal Croquet Club is a pop-up food festival happening on the lower level of Birrarung Marr, Melbourne, along the banks of the Yarra River. Centred around a full-sized croquet pitch, the festival features themed bars, roving entertainment and live music from the likes of The Kite String Tangle, Norman Jay MBE, Miami Horror DJs and Japanese Wallpaper. Find the Royal Croquet Club at Birrarung Marr, Melbourne from January 16 - February 1. For trading hours and entry prices, head to the Royal Croquet Club website.
Watching television and subscribing to a streaming platform are both cheaper than going to the cinema. Should watching Netflix on your phone be even cheaper still? That's something that the international streaming behemoth is testing out, offering cut-price mobile-only plans — in Malaysia at present, although it has also flagged lower-price subscription options throughout Asia. Malaysia's The Star reports that the mobile-only option is currently available for 17 Malaysian ringgit (approximately AU$5.58) per month, offering unlimited viewing on one handheld device only — be it a phone or a tablet. The content is only available in standard definition, which is good news for anyone with a low data plan but bad news for anyone who loves high-definition viewing. Malaysian residents can only access the new plan by signing up via the Netflix mobile app, or by accessing the Netflix website on a smartphone. Still, it's cheaper than Australia's three tiers, with the basic $9.99 per month package allowing viewing on one screen at a time, including a laptop, tablet or mobile; the standard $13.99 tier upping the simultaneous screens to two and including HD; and the premium $17.99 option including ultra-HD and four screens. Variety notes that the tests are designed to appeal to smartphone-centric users in Asia — so if you do all of your film and television viewing on the smallest of screens (that is, your mobile), then you'll be hoping that Netflix expands its trial Down Under. The company hasn't given any indication that that's the case, but it does love to toy with new options — including, at the other end of the scale, possibly getting into the bricks-and-mortar cinema game. Via The Star / Variety.
