Do you like the Melbourne Festival, but find you don’t fit in with the crowd? Are you a little too young and way too poor? Well, Mudfest may be the thing for you. Initiated in 1990 — where it basically consisted of a few drama geeks shouting Shakespeare across the quad — Mudfest has since grown into the largest student-run arts festival in the country. This year’s theme, Make it New!, has brought an impressive array of theatre, film, art, and music to the festival. Live art is an especially exciting feature of the lineup with interdisciplinary works such as Conjunct and Blindness exploring the experiential elements of performance and reception. Audiences can look forward to vibrant light shows in galleries, and engulfing darkness in underground carparks. The theatre on offer is equally as outlandish. The (very) original work Gaga & Assange will deliver an unexpected on-stage romance, and Man Zoo will tell the surreal story of a time when naked men are kept captive in enclosures. There may not be any actual mud at this festival, but there will be full-frontal nudity and cheap beer. When it comes to student arts festivals, what more could you want? Check out the full Mudfest program here. Image: Sarah Walker
This week, Narre Warren arts precinct Bunjil Place is showing off its night owl side, with the next instalment of its Night Mode series. Kicking off from 6pm on Thursday, April 7, Night Mode: Cycle of Life Edition is set to deliver a tasty after-hours program of food, drinks, music, art and talks. You'll score late-night access to the current exhibition One Foot on the Ground, One Foot in the Water, which offers a compelling exploration into the ways in which we hold onto or let go of death. From 6pm, you can unleash your inner creative at a jewellery workshop guided by designer Vivian Qiu, who'll show you how to craft sentimental pieces from rice fabric. Meanwhile, a live DJ set by Simona Castricum will have you grooving into the night; S.A Vandoort will showcase his surrealist portrait pieces in the Look Into My Eyes exhibition; and holistic funeral director Bonita Ralph sets out to break down taboos around talking about death with a reflective conversation pop-up, Death Cafe. Bunjil Place's cafe and bar will be serving until 9pm, but you can also pre-order a range of picnic packs and hampers to enjoy while kicking back in the plaza. Entry to Night Mode: Cycle of Life Edition is free, though you'll need to register online for a spot. Top Images: Paoli-Smith
There are a few different holy experiences you could choose to indulge in over the Easter break. But only one of them will find you getting good and weird with live tunes and party vibes in the central Victorian countryside. From March 31 to April 1, 2018, Boogie festival returns to its Tallarook farm digs for edition number 12, where it'll again deliver a three-day extravaganza of eats, drinks, music and shape-throwing. The just-dropped artist lineup is better than any Easter egg you'll unwrap, the one stage playing host to a truly mixed bag of musical goodies. There'll be sets from American alt-rockers Deer Tick, Melbourne punk outfit Clowns, local legends Cash Savage and The Last Drinks, and rising RnB star Thando, as well as a solo performance from iconic singer-songwriter Angel Olsen. Acts like Cable Ties, Good Boy, Fraser A Gorman and Indigenoise will add to the local flavour, with more artists set to be announced in the coming weeks. Of course, the tunes are just one part of the festival fun, backed by a tidy array of pop-up bars and food vendors to ensure your boogie games stays strong across the long weekend. BOOGIE 12 LINEUP Deer Tick Cash Savage and The Last Drinks Clowns Angel Olsen (solo) Cable Ties Frowning Clouds Fraser A Gorman PSsychedelic Porn Crumpets Michael Hurley Good Boy Thando Birdcloud Didirri Jess Ribeiro Indigenoise Crepes Hachiku Lowtide Luke Elliot Huge Magnet Bitch Diesel
The team from Pierogi Pierogi is taking over The Gasometer Hotel's kitchen to ring in International Workers' Day the only way it can: with lots of pierogi. As purveyors of Melbourne's finest handmade Polish dumplings, the market regulars will embrace the revolutionary spirit with parcels filled with kapusta (mushroom and sauerkraut), ruskie (potato and cheese), mieso (beef and veggies) and banan (deep-fried banana and coconut flakes). And pierogi isn't even all of it — hearty krupnik soup, pickled herring and goulash will be on offer too, as well as lots and lots of vodka. Best come with an empty stomach. Pierogi Pierogi promises to "put a tasty dumpling-shaped spanner into the machinations of an oppressive flavourless state". Plus, in addition to the Polish cuisine, the night will feature Turkish disco from DJ Baba Noir and French gypsy punk from Cyclo Timik. It all goes down from 5pm until late on Sunday, April 29.
Ironically enough, this year's been one gnarly ride for Urbnsurf Melbourne. After months of anticipation, Australia's first surf park finally made its grand debut in January, but was forced to take a hiatus from March thanks to the pandemic. The venue then managed to reopen for a few short weeks in June, before restrictions returned and shuttered operations again. Now, four quiet months on, Urbnsurf is gearing up for its long-awaited return, announcing it'll fire up the waves once more starting from this Wednesday, October 21. While the park won't be open in all its glory just yet, it's kicking things off by taking up to 30 surfing guests per hour, on each side of its two-hectare surfing lagoon. Spectator visits are on hold for a little while longer, as is the return of amenities like the kids' playground, lagoon-side hot tubs and that new eatery from the Three Blue Ducks crew. Of course, there'll be a few new rules to follow, in keeping with the Victorian Government's COVID-safe guidelines. Expect caps on numbers for lessons and surf sessions, boosted sanitation procedures, density limits on all indoor areas and enforced social distancing measures. Masks must be worn whenever you're not surfing and visitors need to live or work within 25 kilometres of the park. [caption id="attachment_756496" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy Urbnsurf and Ed Sloane[/caption] On the calendar, you'll find two new sessions joining the classic intermediate and advanced options of before. There's the Cruiser Sessions, aimed at novice riders looking for some pointbreak-style waves, and the Expert Sessions, serving up heavier barrels best tackled by experienced surfers. And if you're taking it easy, try the Play In The Bay whitewater sessions or sign up for a lesson. There'll be more events and surfing options to follow, as metropolitan Melbourne's restrictions continue to ease. Find Urbnsurf from Wednesday, October 21, near Melbourne Airport. It's open from 6am–10pm daily in spring, with slightly varied hours during the first week back. You can book in for surf sessions and surf lessons via the park's website. Images: Courtesy Urbnsurf, Ed Sloane and Adam Gibson.
The government may have ditched the $7 GP co-payment, but Australia’s current health care system still leaves a lot to be desired. In fact it’d almost be funny, if your life didn’t literally depend on it. But you should at least get some laughs out of satirical musical Grey’s Lobotomy, a cheesy but high energy production set in a grim public hospital that skewers patients, doctors and administrators alike. Opening at St Kilda’s Alex Theatre on Friday, July 10, this new show from local writer-director Xavier Brouwer follows Nurse Victoria Grey as she fights off penny-pinching bureaucrats, lascivious coworkers, uncooperative patients and The Grim Reaper himself. The show features 14 original songs including a show stopping number about bed shortages, an all-singing all-dancing cast featuring at least one actual doctor, and earned strong reviews during an early run at RMIT’s Kaleide Theatre. That being said, anyone currently battling illness should probably steer well clear. For more information, visit www.greyslobotomy.com
Chunky Monkey, Clusterfluff, New York Super Fudge Chunk. These are just some of the more popular flavours of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, a leading cause of happiness around the world since 1978. While doctors in the future will no doubt tell me otherwise, I can’t think of many things better than gorging a giant tub of sweet, sweet ice-cream on a hot December day, except for maybe getting some friends together and going to the movies. Well, it turns out Ben & Jerry’s can help me there as well. Staring on December 1 and running until a few days before Christmas, Ben & Jerry’s Open Air Cinema, erected on St Kilda’s South Beach Reserve, will combine recent releases like Gravity, The Counselor and We Are The Millers with some more nostalgic picks, including Point Break, The Breakfast Club and sing-a-long screening of Grease. Festivities start daily at 6pm with live performances from local bands and DJs. The film program starts after dark, usually around 8.30pm, giving you plenty of time to suss out the bar and stock up on snacks. The exceptions are the Sunday ‘Sundae’ Sessions, which kicks off an hour earlier with additional music and free Ben & Jerry’s for all. For session times and more information, check out the website here.
Over the last few years, we've seen a certain literary crime-solver follow the action-packed route with Robert Downey Jr, then stalk around modern-day London as Benedict Cumberbatch, and head to America in the guise of Jonny Lee Miller. We've seen Sherlock Holmes in his prime, puzzling over clues and cracking cases. We've seen him save the day, struggle against a nemesis or two and even shoulder a few rough patches. What we haven't seen is the famous "elementary!"-exclaiming figure later in life — well, until now that is. Enter Mr. Holmes, an effort that explores what comes next for the cantankerous detective with the brilliant analytical mind. Set in 1947 and adhering to the original timeline for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's creation, the latest filmic take on the ace investigator sees him older, wiser and a little worse for wear. His deductive skills still put others to shame, but his 93-year-old memory is failing. After a trip to Japan, Sherlock (Ian McKellen) returns to his seaside farmhouse buoyed with hope that he's found the answer to his ailing state; yet even his great intellect can't conjure a solution to getting long in the tooth. As he attempts to gather his wits to write his own version of his last-ever case, he shares his knowhow with Roger (Milo Parker), the young son of his housekeeper (Laura Linney), with the boy eager to learn everything he can from his idol. Watson might be absent, and Baker Street isn't a primary place of interest, but no rendering of the legendary detective would be complete without a cryptic situation (or several) to unravel. Just don't expect a traditional whodunit, because that's what this film is not. Piecing together the tale Holmes is jotting down — as well as the secretive details of his recent overseas jaunt — actually prove the feature's least intriguing parts. In a film that's more character study than mystery, the real enigma in need of untangling is Sherlock himself. Other recent screen incarnations have fleshed out the person behind the reputation, though not in such a delicate and delightful fashion as McKellen's hobbling, grumbling curmudgeon. His super sleuth isn't just a formidable brain packaged with some unsociable traits; he's a fragile elderly man facing a short future while looking back on a life he's no longer all that certain about. It feels fitting, then, that director Bill Condon lets his star steal the show in their second collaboration after 1998's acclaimed Gods and Monsters. In adapting Mitch Cullin's novel A Slight Trick of the Mind and trawling through its driving theme of accepting mortality, the filmmaker hones in not just on matters of the busy head, but those of the unfulfilled heart — and he has the perfect lead for the job. Condon also boasts a fine eye for the warm hues needed to colour Mr. Holmes' interpretation of the icon's golden years, and a feel for the stately rhythm required for what amounts to a hero's last chapter. Yes, his film is old in its protagonist and old-fashioned in its nature, but it's also an elegant, enjoyable alternative to the recent spate of rousing revisionist takes. That dispelling myths about the fictional hero becomes the film's running joke speaks to the vibe he's going for — and when it comes to Sherlock on screen, it's a vibe that's more than welcome.
When you've adapted one integral part of everyone's childhood for adults, what do you do next? Set your sights on another, naturally. After serving up some of Caulfield North's finest burgers for the last couple of years — and offering up the type of jaffles and shakes you definitely didn't get at school from inside its retro-styled, blackboard-adorned interior — the Tuck Shop Take Away crew have now opened their own milk bar. Setting up shop at 261 Hawthorn Road just down from their first joint, Karton Milk Bar keeps things old school with fridges filled with frosty drinks, a focus on signature frozen treats and an NBA Jam arcade game in the corner. Now that should bring back some memories. So will the kind of sweet deal you probably haven't seen in decades: $1 bags of mixed lollies. The idea is that hungry folks can grab a burg up the road, then wander down to pick up a house-made slushie, basic pantry supplies, a hot pie if you're still hungry — and flavoured milk, of course. As for those chilled desserts, expect icy poles, ice cream sandwiches and take-home tubs of ice cream. Yep, that's what milk bars are for. Find Karton Milk Bar at 261 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield North, open from 10am to 9pm Tuesday to Saturday. Check out their Facebook page or Instagram feed for more details.
This year's edition of the Melbourne Writers Festival is headed to a device near you. Taking place entirely online, MWF 2020 is set to hit screens from Friday, August 7 to Sunday, August 16, with a roll-call of literary greats in tow. And, thanks to a new pay-what-you-can format, this annual celebration of words is as accessible as ever. The program is packed full of virtual events, ranging from talks and conversations to workshops and podcasts, hosted by voices both familiar and new. The MFW Gala takes the form of a women-led meeting of minds, with words from the likes of actor and screenwriter Michelle Law, award-winning novelist Favel Parrett and 2020 Stella Prize-winner Jess Hill, hosted by author and commentator Jamila Rizvi. Renowned writers, including Christos Tsiolkas (The Slap, Barracuda) and Helen Garner (Monkey Grip, Joe Cinque's Consolation), reflect on their own experiences of the last few months for new conversation series Read All About It, while former Prime Ministers Julia Gillard and Malcolm Turnbull each host a talk discussing their respective new books. Elsewhere, you'll dive into some real-life lockdown love conundrums courtesy of the Take It From Me panel (and, yes, you can submit your own conundrum), reflect on the Uluru Statement with Torres Strait Islander writer Thomas Mayor, hear from Gamilaroi/Dunghutti writer Marlee Silva on her book showcasing the voices of First Nations women, and enjoy a lively sit down with Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan. To access each MWF event, you'll need to book a ticket online for $0, $5, $10, $20 or $50 — depending on what you can afford.
Lock up your bowler hats and crack pipes, Babyshambles are coming to town! Already announced as part of a whopping Splendour in the Grass lineup, Pete Doherty and co have added a run of sideshows to take place in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. Originally a side project for Doherty when he took some time off from his first band, The Libertines, Babyshambles have had a tumultuous existence, releasing two occasionally brilliant albums while on a rollercoaster of substance abuse, no shows and lineup changes. But when they are at the top of their game, there are few better writers of Britpop than Pete Doherty — just listen to 'Fuck Forever' or 'Albion' for proof. Who even knows if they'll be able to keep it together throughout the tour, but with a new album planned and Doherty seemingly in good health (maybe living with Macaulay Culkin helps?), these sideshows could be something special. Thurs 25 July – Palace Theatre – Melbourne Fri 26 July – Splendour In The Grass – Byron Bay - SOLD OUT Sun 28 July – Enmore - Sydney Mon 29 July – HQ - Adelaide Wed 31 July – Metro City – Perth https://youtube.com/watch?v=IpeJFVvwz6A
If you are feeling like your wardrobe needs a bit of an update, then you're in luck. Australian clothing brand Assembly Label is hosting an online warehouse sale for a limited time, so you can buy some new linen pants, simple tees and easy breezy button-ups without going too hard on the wallet. Known for its timeless, minimalist pieces, Assembly Label is a go-to for top-quality staples that'll take you from your morning coffee to working in your living room (aka the office), lounging around on weekends and going out for lunch with mates — really, you won't need much else. The online warehouse sale kicks off Monday, March 7 with a wide range of both men's and women's wear on offer. If you've not quite accepted that summer's over — or if you're planning ahead for a mid-year trip to the northern hemisphere — you can stock up on Assembly signature summery linen dresses, swimwear, skirts and shorts. Best of all, the selection will be on sale at up to 70 percent off for a limited time only with free shipping across Australia, too. Shipping to New Zealand costs $15. Assembly Label's online warehouse sale runs from March 7-9. To check what you can nab for up to 70 percent off, head here.
In the spirit of NAIDOC Week, which this year runs from Sunday, July 3–Sunday, July 10, Arts Centre Melbourne is set to deliver a jam-packed program of special events paying homage to the history, culture and country of First Nations artists and communities. The lineup launches on July 3 with a Sunday market showcasing goodies from First Nations businesses including Clothing The Gaps, Haus of Dizzy and The Koori Circle. It'll also host a series of free workshops diving into arts like songwriting, hip hop dance and feather-flower-making — you can secure your spot online. Right throughout NAIDOC Week, the Arts Centre building will be graced with artworks by First Nations artists like Bri Pengarte Apma Hayes, Jacinta Keefe and Tiffany Garvie. And you can catch Ancestral Memory — a compelling digital projection about the Spirit Eel by Maree Clarke (Mutti Mutti/Yorta Yorta/BoonWurrung/Wamba Wamba) and nephew Mitch Mahoney (BoonWurrung/Barkinji) — lighting up the facade of Hamer Hall for the month of July. Also on the NAIDOC Week bill are a slew of sonic treats, including MSO-backed concerts with Electric Fields (July 7) and Spinifex Gum (July 9). And on July 10, Songlines' concert Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up & Shake a Leg takes over the Fairfax Studio, assembling music legends like Alice Skye, Soju Gang, Yung Warriors, Aunty Zeta and Bart Willoughby. [caption id="attachment_859302" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Spinifex Gum[/caption] Top Image: Archie Roach, by Jacinta Keefe (whose work will be displayed across the Arts Centre facade during NAIDOC Week).
When blissed out, soon-to-be-married American couple Nica (Hani Furstenberg) and Alex (Gael Garcia Bernal), set off on a hiking adventure in Georgia's remote Caucasus Mountains, they have little idea that their seemingly idealistic world is about to be profoundly challenged. To all appearances, the two share an unshakeable connection — spiritually at ease yet sexually charged. Nica is spirited and independent, and Alex adores her. They toy with language games, compete playfully over who is fastest or strongest, and are in free pursuit of their mutual wanderlust. Local guide Dato (Georgian actor and real-life expert mountaineer Bidzina Gujabidze) leads them through one breathtaking scene after another. Then, halfway through the film, a single event (not to be delineated here, for fear of giving too much away), corrupts the couple's bond, raising questions of trust, betrayal, and guilt. Russian-born, American-raised director Julia Loktev's intention is to carry us into the film's mental and physical world, one in which time seems to stretch on forever and all conviction has been thrown into doubt. Thanks to Palace Films, we have 10 double passes to give away to see The Loneliest Planet. To be in the running, subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email us with your name and postal address at hello@concreteplayground.com.au. Read our full review here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=SIIMFHcC1Fc
Tiny CBD drinks haven Yarra Falls is celebrating its first birthday this month — with not just one party, but a whole slew of celebrations. And next on the agenda is a special collaboration edition of its Silver Moon Sundays live music series. From 6pm on Sunday, February 26, it's teaming up with Fitzroy cocktail haunt Ends & Means for a tune-filled party that's heavy on 70s trash-country vibes. Which means you should bust out your finest tight denims and get set for sparkly disco balls aplenty. Catalonia-born guitarist Guillem Camós will be soundtracking the evening's fun, promising exactly the kind of danceable tunes you need to send out the final weekend of summer in style. Courtesy of Ends & Means, there'll be cocktail specials to match — including a rum slushie dubbed the Ocka Colada, a reworked Clover Club featuring strawberry gum, and a whisky highball pairing 78 Degrees with native curry herb. Entry is free — though, with space at Yarra Falls being tight, we recommend getting in early.
The Drones are one of those inexhaustible local classics that have come to characterise so many times in our lives. The grisly 14-hour road trip when you played Jezebel on repeat through barren farmlands, that summer house party that drenched you in Carlton Draught and got The Minotaur stuck in your head for a week. With their gritty rock sensibility and Gareth Liddiard's iconic Aussie twang, this is a band that always seem to sound like home. After touring internationally all year, this is the start of a home-run tour to launch their raucous second single, A Moat You Can Stand In off their sixth studio album, I See Seaweed. Like so many of their tracks, the brutal and unrelenting style of the garage-rock sound is offset by some surprisingly nuanced and finely-crafted lyrics. Surprising, only if you don't know the band, really. Liddiard has long been lauded as one of Australia's best storytellers, and this new album proves he hasn't lost his touch. Though it's been awhile between drinks — their last release was 2008's much-loved Havilah — it's great to see The Drones strike back with an album that takes their customary dark fables to a finessed and exciting new level. I See Seaweed is already nominated for the 2013 Australian Music Prize and the band's dance card is pretty full with this national tour followed by the Harvest Festival in November. Hype of the new album aside, when it comes down to it, The Drones are just an excellent band to see live. You should get a pint of the nastiest beer on tap, work your way to the front, and let Gareth Liddard's errant spit rain down on you as the band cements itself, once again, as one of the strongest forces in Australian rock.
Docklands is set to light up once again this winter for Firelight Festival, an annual celebration of flame-filled arts. Running from Friday, June 30–Sunday, July 2, the inner-city precinct is free to enter and will see Docklands come alive with a family-friendly, after-dark program of performance, entertainment, culinary delights and fire-inspired art. This year is set to be Firelight Fest's biggest edition yet, with over 125 talented flame-wielding artists and performers, 40 firepits and drums and 35 flame jets. The lineup promises plenty of reasons to yank yourself off the couch and into the night, headlined by huge light installations including an interactive sound activation that will transform Docklands' Central Park with supersized, luminescent flowers. Other works set to dazzle crowds nightly include a giant, neon mushroom that will sit atop Victoria Promenade, and a five-metre-tall LED, archangel puppet which will roam along Harbour Esplanade. More than 125 performers will descend on the precinct across the three-day festival, ranging from musicians and fire-twirlers to circus acts and flaming trumpeters. And with a collection of fire sculptures, flame jets and fire pits, things are sure to be super toasty as you're exploring the festival's offerings. Of course, appetites are sorted, too, with festival vendors slinging a menu packed with wintry delights. Think, smoked meats, woodfired pizza and roasted marshmallows, washed down with hot chocolate and mulled wine. Images: Supplied.
Mischa Tropp's travelling South Indian kitchen is making a special cameo appearance to put a little pep in your step this week. This Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21, We Are Kerala is set to take over the CBD's Pope Joan while the eatery is closed for lockdown. The takeaway pop-up is set to hero a much-loved culinary favourite: butter chicken. Tropp will be firing up Pope Joan's woodfired grill to dish up a special $30 menu, starring his signature butter chicken curry along with a vegetarian-friendly paneer version. Also included with each feed are classic sides like saffron cumin rice, a dal makhani, raita, pickled onions and naan. To claim your curry, jump online and pre-order before Thursday night, August 19. You'll then be able to pick up your feast from the restaurant between 12–3pm on Friday and Saturday, or opt for $15 delivery to select local suburbs on Friday only. [caption id="attachment_822946" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Christensen[/caption] Top Image: Mischa Tropp, by Parker Blain
Visiting a vineyard is special. But getting to a winery has been somewhat challenging this year. So, to makes things a little easier for you, we're bringing wine country to your home this month with the help of our pals at Pfeiffer Wines. This September, you can join an online wine blending workshop with the expert team from Rutherglen winery Pfeiffer Wines. Throughout the 90-minute workshop, you'll get to try four classifications of internationally renowned Rutherglen muscat and two barrel samples. Then, you'll be guided through how to make your very own muscat blend with a flavour profile tailored to your taste. To ensure you've got everything you need, you'll be sent a sampling pack filled with all the essentials. Inside the kit you'll find four 30ml bottles of Rutherglen muscat, two 300ml bottles of barrel samples, a measuring cylinder, a 200ml bottle to build your own concoction in and everything else you need to make your own blend. Just make sure you book in ahead to ensure the pack arrives in time for class. Sound like a knockout way to spend knock-off drinks? Muscat Master Blender with Pfeiffer Wines will take place at 2pm, 5pm and 7pm on Weekdays throughout September. For more information and to book yourself a spot, visit the website.
Just when you'd thought you'd seen the last of flash mobs, someone makes it a '90s-inspired affair and KABLAM — they're back in fashion. Throw on some sweet kicks, overalls and flip your cap backwards with the Yo Let's Go '90s Flashmob Dance Troupe. Held every Saturday at Next Level Studios in Brunswick, Yo Let's Go is sure to help you feel like you've achieved something over the weekend, with more than a little inspiration coming from this lot. No dance experience is necessary to be part of this gang, so let your inner '90s dork run free and jump around. If partaking in a flash mob is something you vowed never to do again after the mid-'00s — but '90s pop and hip-hop beckons you to a dance floor quicker than a proverbial boom shaking the room — you're welcome to hang out just for the class. The first lesson is much like Jenny From The Block's love, it won't cost a thing. So get down, shake it loose and party like it's 1999. https://youtube.com/watch?v=TLGWQfK-6DY
Some exhibitions showcase the joy in the world and offer us a sense of wonder, but as you might have guessed from the title, that's not what's going on at Hope Dies Last. Presented at Gertrude Contemporary alongside the Margaret Lawrence Gallery at the Victorian College of the Arts, this gloomy event called upon artists to consider how a world completely devoid of optimism might look. Exploring themes of mortality, fatalism, failure and ruin, some pieces demonstrate an enduring sense of compassion, while others are simply resigned to a disastrous fate. Either way, you won't find much hope here. Proudly one of the most depressing exhibitions of the year, Hope Dies Last might just leave you more pessimistic than ever. However, the exhibition is free to attend — so that's nice. Image: 'Dead: 4 August 2027' by Mutlu Çerkez.
Whether they're delivering packages from Amazon or dropping bombs over the Middle East, drones are rapidly becoming a part of everyday life. Still, as far as we know, they've never been used in an opera — or at least they hadn't until now. Presented by Arts House and Experimenta Media Arts, Matthew Sleeth's A Drone Opera explores the social and cultural impact of unmanned aerial vehicles through an ambitious live endeavour that mixes the old with the new. On stage at Arts House for four nights only, this multimedia production features a pair of opera singers amid smoke, moving imagery and a full-blown laser show. But the most intriguing element of the show is undoubtedly the drones themselves. Designed and built by Sleeth, they'll whir around the theatre throughout the duration of the performance, a robotic presence hovering just above the crowd. Let's just hope the pilots are on top of their game.
Sometimes, your tastebuds crave something special. They hanker for the kind of dish you're not going to eat every day, aka a treat yo'self type of culinary experience. Here are three things that they'd likely demand in that situation: lobster, truffles and champagne. If that sounds like your idea of an indulgent meal, Lobster & Co has you sorted between Tuesday, May 31–Sunday, July 10, which is when it's returning to the Arts Centre Forecourt for a fresh season of decadence. As always, you'll only find those three aforementioned items on the menu, too; the Lobster & Co van is solely serving lobster rolls with truffle fries and flutes of champagne. You'll pay $50 for the food combo, which features a whole confit lobster tail sourced from The Geraldton Fishermen's Co-op in Western Australia, served warm on a caramelised brioche bun with buttermilk fennel slaw, plus a side of parmesan truffle fries. A chilled glass of the champers will cost you $20 extra. Pull up a seat at one of the umbrellaed tables on the forecourt to enjoy your lobster, chips and bubbles while gazing out over the Yarra, and send those winter blues packing. Images: Karon Photography.
The state's largest inland city will throw open its doors for the Ballarat Unlocked dining series as part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival 2022. This one-of-a-kind experience will have the region's best chefs take over Ballarat's historic buildings and showcase unique dining events from Friday, November 18–Saturday, November 26. Spots are limited, so be sure to book your experience of choice before it sells out. Events in the series include a feast in an art gallery, a degustation beneath the Ballarat Mechanics Institute and even a dinner that's set to recreate the 1927 opening of Australia's first Parliament House. This is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in Ballarat's community and explore what it has to offer. Head on over to the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival website for more information about Ballarat Unlocked. [caption id="attachment_871090" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld - Supplied[/caption]
Want to learn something new without falling into another YouTube black hole of not-quite-right how-to videos? A crafty, IRL workshop could be the answer. And The Windsor Workshop is just the place to find one. Nestled in the heart of Melbourne's inner southeast at the Windsor-end of Chapel Street, The Windsor Workshop is a creative hub for the arts, crafts and design movement. The brainchild of sisters Sarah and Bree Hankinson and friend Belinda Galloway, the idea for the workshop came after the three voiced their dreams of creating a co-working project together. So when space to rent came up in the historic Paterson's Cakes building in 2012, they decided to jump in headfirst — and they haven't looked back. But in October last year, they decided to move the co-working space next door and start doing some workshops in the original space. Now it acts as a studio for public classes, workshops and events. "It's a beautiful, inspiring space," says co-owner Belinda. "Think exposed brick wall, Japanese floorboards, lots of light." Their workshops have been described as "the craft version of a day spa", which is right on the money; the classes are just as much about gaining skills as they are about creative therapy. Their monthly Colour for a Cause nights aim to facilitate mindfulness through colouring in an artist's illustration alongside wine, snacks and good company — and a portion of each ticket sold goes to a charity of the artist's choice. They also bring in some of Melbourne's best artists to pass on to their skills in areas as diverse as Mexican Day of the Dead jewellery making, book binding, weaving and Japanese stoneware decoration. "We mainly use Melbourne-based artists who don't really need the exposure from us," says Belinda. "One of our main aims is supporting artists in pursuing their craft by providing this opportunity to share their skills with the public – and paying them correctly. We're big on treating artists right." If you've always dreamed of becoming a skilled collagist or making your own bespoke pieces of Japanese stoneware — or you didn't even know these crafts existed but want to get in on them — it's hard to not feel excited by their list of upcoming events. In April alone, they're hosting workshops on gift wrapping, watercolour illustration and beginners weaving. And the absolute cherry on top is that all workshops are accompanied by an epic food table and a glass of wine or two. Yep, that's our kind of creative day spa. The lovely ladies at The Windsor Workshop are giving one lucky CP reader a chance to join them at their Watercolour Forest Floor Workshop with Sarah. Just enter below. [competition]566104[/competition]
Whether you're on the lookout for some wicked vintage clothes or just want to stuff your face full of hot jam doughnuts, the Camberwell Sunday Market is the place to go — and has been for 40 years now. Yep, one of Australia's most beloved second-hand shopping spots is celebrating its ruby anniversary. There's never been a better time to find a bargain. The market has certainly come a long way since 1976, when stallholders brought in a grand total of $531. Since then, it's grown into a full-blown local institution, raising more than $15 million for community and humanitarian charities along the way. This Sunday's edition will feature everything you've come to love about the iconic market, from food vendors to live buskers and more than 350 stalls. Regulars will know the trick is to get there nice and early, with the proverbial doors opening at the crack of dawn.
The crew behind Pilgrim Bar and The Boatbuilder's Yard have kicked open their latest venue with a bang. Located in the old Caulfield Rifle Club building, the fittingly named Bang Bang at the Rifle Club is a cafe, bar and Asian-style eatery all rolled up in one. Open 6am 'til late, seven days a week, and situated within shooting distance of Elsternwick Station, Bang Bang is the brainchild of the Riverland Group's Richie Ludbrook and Dave Sharry. In turn, they've tapped ex-Longrain chef Matthew Dunbar to craft a menu inspired by the flavours of Southeast Asia. "Travelling through most of Southeast Asia has really simplified my approach to food," said Dunbar in a statement. The stripped back approach is on display in Bang Bang's selection of bar snacks, which include chargrilled king prawn with lime and roasted shallot, pork scratching with green chilli, lime and spring onion, and crispy chicken ribs with house spice and sriracha. Those after something a little more substantial can opt for one of the large share plates, such as the whole steamed snapper with Chinese cabbage, or the roasted pumpkin curry with cinnamon and kipfler potato. Bang Bang also offers a range of tasty desserts, including sago, coconut and pineapple with chocolate chilli crumble, and black sticky rice with pandan sweet cream, mango and coconut sorbet. Designed for sharing #datenight. 🙌 Ocean trout & crisp pork salad with lemongrass all inside a banana flower. 🍃 #BangBang3185 🌶 #coffeetococktails ☕️ #Elsternwick 🍹 #Indochine A photo posted by Bang Bang RC (@bangbangrc) on Jan 20, 2017 at 9:12pm PST The day menu, meanwhile, features a number of delectable breakfast and lunch options, including French toast with grilled banana, passionfruit ice cream, palm sugar caramel and freeze dried berries, a turmeric omelette with bean shoots, prawns and pork; and jasmine rice bowls with satay vegetables, tofu and egg. Finally, we get to the beverages. Bang Bang's coffee comes courtesy of Seven Seeds, and their tea courtesy of Larsen & Thompson. They also offer an array of milkshakes, in chocolate, strawberry, salted caramel and fresh young coconut. As for booze, they've got a variety of wines, beers and ciders and a small but impressive mix of summery cocktails. The basil cucumber smash includes Thai basil and cucumber (duh) along with Plymouth gin, pineapple juice and lime. We're also quite taken with a watermelon-based cocktail kicked with chilli salt and pepper-infused vodka. Find Bang Bang at the Rifle Club at 294 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick. For more information vist them on Facebook, Instagram or at www.bangbang.com.au.
What can anybody write about the impending arrival of a legend? What's left to say? If you're not sure whether or not you should buy a ticket to see Bobby Womack, one listen to 'A Change Is Gonna Come' should sort out your indecision without further ado. Of course, some people adopt the view that performers lose their edge with age and that is the case for some, but Womack ain't one of those. Last year, upon the release of The Bravest Man in the Universe, his first album of new material since 1994, the Guardian reviewed him as "at the apex of his game". Unbelievably, this visit will be Womack's debut headline tour of Australia, and to mark it, he'll be doing his thing thoroughly, with a 13-piece band. Last week he told Beat that the timing is perfect. "I'm coming to see everybody down there at just the right time," he said. "I was green before, but I'm well-seasoned now."
Ever wanted to learn how to make proper Nonna-worthy Italian tomato sauce? Of course, it helps to have an actual Nonna on hand, or maybe some long-held family recipes, but in the absence of either, the crew at Windsor's Tipico is happy to help. The contemporary Italian eatery is wrapping up tomato season with a big nod to tradition, hosting a series of hands-on passata masterclasses. Held at the restaurant on Saturday, March 2 (this is now sold out) and the following week, March 9, the sessions will see both Head Chef Daniele Colombo and pizzaiolo Davide Fumagalli whipping out their own Nonnas' recipes to guide students through the art of turning garden-fresh tomatoes into rich, red sauce — Italiano-style. As well as cooking up a storm, you'll sit down to a plate of house-made pasta and a glass of vino, before setting off home with two bottles of your very own passata and some enviable skills to wow your next dinner party guests. Best of all, it'll only cost you $55 each.
Summer in Melbourne pretty much screams for a crisp, gin-infused tipple, enjoyed in the sunshine, overlooking some water. And once again, local gin festival Juniperlooza is setting you up for success, taking over South Wharf's Boatbuilders Yard on Saturday, February 9, for its 2019 edition. The gin-soaked revelry will be in full swing, with 21 boutique producers from both overseas and Australia gathering to show off their wares. Locals Cedar Fox, Ink Gin, 4 Pillars, Patient Wolf and Archie Rose have already been announced, as well as the UK's Chase Distillery. The folks at Strangelove will be heading up the party's tonic situation. Gin-thusiasts will have the chance to meet the producers, sip G&Ts accented with carefully matched garnishes, and sample specialty gin cocktails from each brand. A series of Talk & Taste sessions will also be available to pre-book before the event. Meanwhile, the Boatbuilders Yard kitchen will be supplying a parade of bites designed to be downed with a gin in hand, roving performance artists will be doing the rounds and the DJ tunes will be spinning right through the afternoon. Early bird tickets ($39) to Juniperlooza are on sale from 10am, November 15 until November 30 or sold out. Then, $49 tickets will be available from December 1.
The Australian Shakespeare Company celebrates 30 years of Shakespeare Under the Stars with the presentation of one of the historic playwright's best known and darkest tragedies: Macbeth. The play will take over Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens from December 21 until February 23, 2019, with performances every Tuesday through Sunday night. A story of the conflict between morality and power, the new production features an all-star Aussie cast, including Nathaniel Dean (Alien: Covenant, The Secret River) as Macbeth and Alison Whyte (Frontline, Satisfaction) as Lady Macbeth. The play follows the lead character as he becomes consumed by ambition, following a prophecy that he will become the King of Scotland. Together with his power-hungry wife, the murderous couple unravel into guilt and paranoia throughout the play. Patrons are encouraged to pack a picnic, nab a spot on the grass and enjoy the sunset before becoming silent witnesses to the gruesome fate of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth from 8.30pm. As an added bonus, tickets aren't too pricy, with general admission setting you back $45–50 and gold class packages costing $90. The latter gets you a low rise chair, picnic rug and souvenir programme, plus a pre-show beverage (wine or soft drink) and intermission tea or coffee.
Wunderbar! It's time to bring the haus down German-style this New Year's at South Wharf. At the epic Munich Brauhaus, the party's $75 entry fee gets you a three-course Bavarian feast and glass of sparkling at midnight, as well as a live Oompah band playing and a DJ later in the evening when the dancefloor requires your shapes-throwing presence. If you're after the best seat in the haus for the fireworks display, you can get a table in the riverside Bier Garten for $125 — which includes a cheeky bottle of bubbles. We'll raise a stein to that.
If you're of an age to remember burning your friend's So Fresh CD so you could stay up to date with the coolest songs of the season, congrats. You're old now. But also, congrats because you will seriously enjoy this festival — So Freshtival. After rocking the '00s once already, So Freshtival is returning on January 5 at the Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood for a summery edition. A slick line up of millennial DJs will be playing bangers strictly of the 2000-2009 vintage. You can expect a disturbing percentage of Channel 10 alums (Australian Idol winners/losers and ex-Neighbours actors) as well as way too much Nickelback for polite company. Also, just throwing this out there: we're desperately hoping for a timely comeback of the Duff sisters duet 'Our Lips Are Sealed.' DJs include Big Rig B2B DJ Emoceans, Kit Kat, Leni + Tobi, Martin King, Minorfauna, Shelley B2B Aperol Skitz and Slick Slazenger. Tickets will set you back 13 dollarydoos and of course it's obviously 18 and over, because if you're under 18 you definitely don't know what So Fresh is. Or CDs, probably.
The place movement holds in deaf culture — often used as a substitute for sound — will be the focus on a bold new dance work presented by KAGE and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. On stage at Chunky Move from May 31 until June 10, Out of Earshot is directed by KAGE artistic director Kate Denborough, who developed the show over two years in partnership with deaf dancer Anna Seymour. Along with a trio of hearing dancers, Seymour will explore the emotion and rhythm of non-verbal language, as she moves in tandem with a live drum score from acclaimed New Zealand percussionist Myele Manzanza. "Being a jazz musician I'm always looking to find new sounds, textures and ideas in real time and in the moment," says Manzanza of the unique collaboration. "I'm excited by the new paths we are discovering when musicians and dancers work together to find a new shared language."
Andy Harmsen’s new play Foreign Bodies is an attempt at unpacking the truth behind our society’s relationship with pornography. A young Australian journalist, Martin (Alan Chambers), arrives at the Mumbai hotel room of ex-porn star, Arizona Snow (Marika Marosszeky), to interview her for a profile. As they talk, the interview quickly spires out of control, before plunging into more fraught conflict between the pair. It’s difficult to find much to recommend in this production. Both the actors are obviously capable performers, even if the confines of the muggy, atmospheric space highlight many points where they overreach in volume and intensity. Director Chris Baldock has carved out an impressive career in Melbourne theatre, culminating in an acclaimed independent production of The Laramie Project. But just as Arizona is seen in a fleeting, intriguing image at the play’s beginning, attempting to contort her body into the shape of an Indian deity, the greatest sense is that the actors and director are working within confines imposed by the flawed text. The characters are intensely unlikeable but are drawn so inconsistently that it’s difficult to even root against them. At points, the characterisation appears almost arbitrary — in particular Martin’s sudden outbursts of casual racism, which are just as inchoate as the muffled banging and yelling of the play’s (offstage) Indian characters. As the play winds down, the clanking move towards pathos doesn’t humanise these figures. If anything, in the context of the action onstage, such a tonal shift just further debauches an otherwise tender moment. The program notes refer to Zizek's notion of "the tragedy of pornography" — its inability to be taken seriously. But shows like this are a reminder that the subtle inverse is true: that tragedy is pornography — that since Ancient Greece, playwrights have taken a female object and denied her agency to elevate a male subject. What Foreign Bodies doesn’t do is critique that dynamic with any sense of self-awareness. Instead, the level of engagement with ideas as complex as the conflict between our public and private persona skitters along an undisturbed surface. For all the talk of penetration, 70 minutes in the theatre leave us no more illuminated than when we entered.
Life is full of golden moments. An early-morning swim and sipping beers in the afternoon sunshine are some of our favourites. But what comes out on top for us is a long weekend. This April, we're being treated to two long weekends in a row. Luckily, we know a thing or two about making the most of our time out of office. Whether you're seeking luxury experiences in Victoria, a multi-day hike in the wilderness or an excuse to soak up the best of the harbour city, we've got your back. Our mates at Ferrero Rocher love a long weekend, too. So much so that the chocolate company has released a range of Easter treats including creamy hazelnut-filled Ferrero Collection Easter Eggs, an impressive Golden Easter Egg Gift Box and more (ideal for indulging in while on holiday if you ask us). To celebrate our mutual love of a long weekend, we've teamed up with the chocolate connoisseurs to give you a $1000 gift card to spend on a long weekend away. But it doesn't stop there. You'll also receive a stack of delicious chocolate from the Ferrero Rocher Easter range. Egg hunt anyone? If you miss out on the major prize, don't fret. We've also got 29 Ferrero Rocher chocolate prize packs up for grabs. The packs include one grand Ferrero Rocher, a boxed egg, three packs of Easter eggs and one dark chocolate grand Ferrero Rocher. To enter, simply tell us in 25 words or less what your ultimate long weekend looks like. Want to nab one of these incredible prizes? To enter, fill out your details below. [competition]849038[/competition]
If you're the kind of market-goer who beelines immediately for the ceramics stall at your local makers market — and dreams of Patrick Swayze's ghost every time your hands hit the potter's wheel — then do we have just the ticket for you. After launching in August, Melbourne's ceramics-only market is holding a summer event in Collingwood. Taking place over the weekend of November 25 (10am-6pm) and 26 (10am-4pm), Melbourne Ceramics Market, or MCM, costs a gold coin to enter, showcasing handcrafted creations from over 55 different ceramicists. You can expect unique pieces (with bespoke being ever the watchword in editorial). And, if you're big into the clay world, you may have already heard of the two founders, who are ceramic artists themselves. Daisy Cooper of Daisy Cooper Ceramics and Tina Thorburn of Clay by Tina are running the market to create a retail space for other artists to sell their pieces directly to the public. You'll also find coffee trucks, doughnut stalls and plants from Fitzroy Nursery to help fuel your ceramics-buying rampage.
If you're the kind of Melburnian who dedicates the entire month of October to all things spooky, you'll want to make a date with the latest acclaimed stage show that's playing throughout the Halloween month. Ghost Stories kicked off in September but if you haven't had the chance to catch it and you're a lover of horror you better hurry because the show is wrapping up its run at Melbourne's Athenaeum Theatre with the final show on Saturday, November 5. Ghost Stories is from the team who specialise in unsettling experiences: Melbourne-based Realscape Productions, who've been responsible for shipping container installations Seance, Flight and Coma, plus a number of 360-degree audio experiences. Created, written and directed by Andy Nyman (Derren Brown) and Jeremy Dyson (The League of Gentlemen), and first staged in the UK back in 2010, Ghost Stories offers exactly what its name suggests. If it sounds familiar, that's because Ghost Stories was turned into a film starring The Office and The Hobbit favourite Martin Freeman a couple of years back, also featuring Nyman as the fictional Professor of Parapsychology Phillip Goodman. [caption id="attachment_873943" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Steve Rodgers as Professor Phillip Goodman - Charles Alexander[/caption] This is the type of show where the less you know going in, the better. Audience members have been known to physically jump in their seats while they're watching, too, which is part of the point. Ghost Stories has been likened to watching a horror movie play out on stage — so if that sounds like your ideal way to spend 80 minutes, prepare to be in your element. In its Melbourne run, Ghost Stories stars Steve Rodgers (Savage River, Kenny) as Professor Phillip Goodman, and also features Jay Laga'aia, Darcy Brown and Nick Simpson-Deeks. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5osuzmPcknU[/embed] Get your spook on with Ghost Stories this spooky season, with shows running every night (except Mondays). For showtimes, tickets and more information, visit the website.
Can you think of a better way to spend a muggy, summer night than heading down to St Kilda for an outdoor movie? From February 21 to March 17, American Express is letting you do just that when it brings its outdoor cinema to Melbourne's CBD for the first time. The new Yarra Park spot is the newest location for the pop-up cinema, which is hosting outdoor events in 12 locations across Australia and New Zealand this year. Movies on these big screens will include just-released hits like award-winning Bohemian Rhapsody, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's A Star Is Born, the Jason Momoa-led Aquaman and a beefed up Christian Bale as former Vice President Dick Cheney in Vice. Fitzroy's Ladro will once again be slinging its woodfired pizza, and a bar, serving Urban Alley brews, Giesen wines, Pimm's and Black Devil Cider, will keep your thirst quenched all night long. Champagne and Haagen Dazs will also be on hand in case you want something extra after your meal. In addition, there will be 25 events across the installation, including live music performances, DJs and trivia. Oh, and it's a dog-friendly space, so you don't need to leave part of your family at home. Plus if you're an Amex user you'll get 15 percent off select tickets, plus a lounger and bites for the movie.
Much-loved Fitzroy pub The Rochester is throwing its support behind Australia's bushfire victims with a whole, jam-packed long weekend of fundraising activities. From Thursday, January 23, until Monday, January 27, it's hosting a swag of events to raise funds for the Australian Red Cross and Wildlife Victoria via a huge raffle and the donation of all staff tips. Thursday, January 23 will feature a special edition of Rochey Comedy, January 24 promises a big night of tunes from DJ Amiee Lotus, and on January 25, DJ Obliveus will be dropping by to grace the decks while a sausage sizzle goes down. Then, on Monday's public holiday, you can help drum up even more donations, with $2 oysters and free pool up for grabs all day. From 7pm, boozy bingo starts and $10 cocktails hit the bar. The Rochey has also put the call out for artists that would like to donate pieces to an art show slated for Friday night. Updated: January 9, 2020.
Three days before the album is due for its official launch in Wee Waa, Daft Punk's Random Access Memories has been leaked in full right here on iTunes (if the streaming option doesn't appear at first, keep hitting refresh). Not a bad way to start a Tuesday, but will this album ever live up to its hype? [Via Gizmodo]
Mandala Wines' rolling green Yarra Valley property promises a cracker of a setting for this Italian-style, al fresco feast. The winery's DiVino Ristorante will be working its magic to transform a haul of super local produce into a sumptuous three-course lunch, enjoyed with a side of vineyard views from the lush gardens. Starring alongside a lineup of the estate's own celebrated wines, the food menu features only ingredients sourced from within one kilometre of the restaurant. Pull up a sunny patch of turf and tuck into house-made cold cuts matched to blanc de blancs, and succulent porchetta off the spit-roast, teamed with pinot noir poured straight from the barrel. You'll finish in true Italian style, downing goat's cheese panna cotta and limoncello in the sunshine. Bring the whole gang — this one's a family-friendly affair, with ample room for running wild. Yarra Valley's Italian-Style Pig Party is part of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Check out more of the festival's events here. Image: Mandala Wines, Visit Victoria.
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 Iced VoVo gelato. Up next: a Messina version of that vanilla and chocolate-layered ice cream cake everyone considered the height of extravagance as a child. Yes, we're talking about Viennetta. If you've been indulging your sweet tooth over the past few months — frozen desserts were subject to strict item limits back in March, so plenty of folks clearly went big on sugary comfort food — then consider your tastebuds primed for this super-fancy take on the nostalgic favouritte. It's another of Messina's limited releases, with tubs of the rippled gelato creation available at all its stores for a very short period. Wondering what exactly Messina's Viennetta — or Messinetta, as it has been dubbed — entails? It combines fior di latte gelato with choc chips and chocolate fudge, then covers it all with piped vanilla chantilly as well as a chocolate velvet spray. And yes, the end result looks like the dessert you know and love. If it didn't, it just wouldn't be as exciting. The latest release in Messina's new 'Hot Tub' series, Messinetta gelato can only be ordered online on Monday, August 10, with a one-litre tub setting you back $30. You can then go into your chosen Messina store to pick up your tub between Friday, August 14–Sunday, August 16. 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 Messinetta gelato tubs will be available to order on Monday, August 10, for pick up between Friday, August 14–Sunday, August 16 — keep an eye on the Messina website for further details.
Last autumn, the sweet fiends behind Victoria's hot chocolate and ice cream festivals launched a virtual month-long sugar extravaganza dedicated to sweet, nutty, marshmallowy rocky road. It replaced its usual Yarra Valley Rocky Road Festival, with the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery hosting online tasting sessions and shipping out giant boxes filled with 31 different flavours of rocky road. In 2021, the festival has been running physically — and, if you'd like to eat along at home, it's also doing deliveries again. With Victoria back in lockdown until 11.59pm on Thursday, June 3, ordering in a sweet treat might be just what Melburnians need at the moment. You have a few options — whether you're in Melbourne or elsewhere around the country. If you'd like to get the mammoth Ultimate Rocky Road Box delivered to your door, that'll set you back $110. Flavours include limoncello, Baileys, berry tiramisu, salted caramel macadamia, pretzel, neapolitan, rum and raisin and many, many more. You can check out all of them online. Elsewhere on the shop's delivery menu, you'll find pick-and-mix packs and a create-your-own option — where you can choose your favourite types of chocolate, nuts, extra nuts, marshmallows, jellies, extras and toppings. The boxes can be delivered anywhere within Australia for a flat rate of $15.
Are you ready, Melbourne? Madame Truffles is opening her pop-up shop for the 2017 truffle season, bringing city folk black truffles sourced from Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and Western Australia. These 'gourmet mushrooms' will be available from June 15 until September 3 at the Madame's pop-up shop on Yarra Place. As well as straight-up truffles, the shop has an array of truffle-infused goods for you to fill your pantry with. This year, they're stocking truffle and mushroom ravioli — the ultimate comfort food — along with truffle salt, truffle ice cream and truffle honey. This is made with extra grade black truffle and pure Australian honey from Victoria that's good enough to eat straight out of the jar. If you live in a sharehouse, you might want to hide this from your housemates. Truffles sold in-store are harvested fresh each week, so you know you'll get that fresh truffle smell when you pull them out at dinner (or breakfast, for that matter). The Madame Truffles pop-up shop is open 9am till 5pm, Thursday to Sunday.
Is there anything better on a hot summer day than a refreshing beverage? Sippin' on a 7-Eleven Slurpee is a time-honoured tradition for surviving a road trip, beach day or really any day when the mercury skyrockets. So, however your 2019 is going so far, it's time to celebrate all that is good in the world — and by that we mean limited edition Slurpee flavours that'll give you all the nostalgic feels. Slurpee has partnered with the much-loved lollipop brand, Chupa Chups, to release two classic lollipop Slurpee flavours. You can sip the strawberry and cream flavour, or lose your mind with refreshing watermelon. And if you thought the news couldn't get any sweeter, guess again, because they're completely free. Yep, zero dollars for these flavour-filled treats. There's just one small catch — you've only got four hours to hunt these babies down. The limited-edition flavours will be available exclusively from the Collins Street store this Saturday, February 23. Get in there quick. 7-Eleven's Free Chupa Chups Slurpees will be available from 12–4pm at 7-Eleven Collins Street. One free large Slurpee per customer.
Tarantino fans, here's the event you've waited your whole Pulp Fiction-loving lives for. Northcote’s 24 Moons and Sailor Jerry are bringing you a night to remember with their first ever Tarantino Ball. It goes without saying that fancy dress of your favourite Tarantino character is essential, the tricky part is choosing just one. We’re expecting plenty of love from the Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs department, but we think dressing up outside of the box could go a long way in landing you one of many prizes for the night. The bounty for a couples costume is particularly ace, so think about pairing up for the evening — again, there's likely to be plenty of Travolta/Thurman couples, so think niche. To get you up and moving on the dancefloor, cover band The Tarantinos will be playing all your favourite songs from the auteur’s famous flicks. They’ll also be a Jack Rabbit Slims Twist Competition, a Kill Bill burlesque show by Miss Friby, a Reservoir Dogs show by Evie Red, and $5 Sailor Jerry shakes. Tickets are $20 individually, but they'll do you a good deal if you bring 87 of your crazy mates. Seriously.
Melbourne Music Week has once again delivered a delicious program of events to satisfy all musical cravings. With 110 events, 230 artists, in 60 different locations all over this musically gifted city, there sure is a lot to see over just 10 days. For lovers of local music, over 75% of the musical acts are from Victoria, which makes us both immensely proud and also excited to find a new favourite artist. With such plentiful offerings, it can be a bit tricky to know exactly where to start when sifting through the program. Our guide is here to help you choose events depending on what you want to get out of this year’s MMW, whether you want to find new music, rub shoulders with industry folk, or just party somewhere you might never get the chance to again. Party Somewhere Unusual MMW throws parties that think outside the box, and it’s a three-way tie for best party venue this year. As part of the Label Series, I OH YOU’s fourth birthday party is going to be held at Flagstaff train station, and is sure to be an underground dance party to remember. We only hope you’ve already secured yourself a ticket, this one has already sold out, and with acts such as Yacht Club DJs, Goldfields and Indian Summer DJs it’s not hard to see why. Speaking of Melbourne’s illustrious public transport, the Red Bull Music Academy Tram Jam is set to take us on an incredible musical journey too. Trams will be departing from The Espy, Howler and The Corner, and will all travel to the city to arrive on time and in style to the MMW Official Closing Party, Discolypso. Finally, the Aarght Records Swallowed By The Future party is going to be held in the Melbourne University Underground Car Park, which has a striking resemblance to Bruce Wayne’s batcave and was also featured in Mad Max. Here, you can check out Tyvek (USA), The Ooga Boogas, and just generally run amok on campus. Be Part of the Performance MMW’s Self-Made section is all about interaction and participation. We cannot go past C’mon Everyboney! where members of The Harpoons, Open Swimwear and Monnone Alone are joining forces to make one excellent super-group. The fun doesn’t stop there, they are bringing a hoard of musicians and percussive instruments along with them, and everyone in the crowd — no matter what level of musical skill you posses — will be joining in to cover some classics. Another event we won't be missing out on is the Hip Hop Hotties party, with the rap-blastin' babes dropping it like it’s hot all night long. Again, the fun doesn’t end there, the event will also include hair braiding and nail makeovers, a zine stall, secondhand clothes stalls, and a sneaker swap. This is a block party not to be missed. Rub Shoulders with Industry Folk If you want to take this opportunity for some professional and creative development, we recommend you check out the Face The Music events to meet tastemakers, radio presenters, and record label gurus. Two events in particular that have us in a tizzy include Small Rooms, Big Dreams and The Sounding Board. Small band rooms have played a big role for many of Australia’s biggest acts, and Small Rooms, Big Dreams features booking agents from venues such as Old Bar, Boney, and the Gasometer hotel discussing the importance of these venues. The Sounding Board will host a gaggle of radio presenters and record label folk, who will listen to your music and discuss how you can better your chances at being picked up by a station or label. Grab a Bite (and a Slice of the Action) The flagship venue for this year’s MMW will be The Residence, located at the lower terrace of Birrarung Marr and constructed by The Peoples Market. The Residence will host a number of events this MMW, including The Lunchbox Series, presented by Mess+Noise. It will feature tasty acts performing lunchtime jam sessions during the festival, and it won’t cost you a single cent. Check out Banoffee, Jimmy Tait, Ross Maclennan, Wintercoats and Early Woman while chowing down on some delicious grub from The Peoples Garden. Melbourne Music Week is on from November 15-24, 2013. All the details are on their website.
Hello Sailor Vintage Fair has once again teamed up with Crate Diggers Record Fair to bring you all the treasures of the 1950s to 1980s. Featuring classic clothes and records, this bi-monthly vintage fair is for those seeking quality vintage pieces without the fuss of wading through the rubbish. This is no recycled garage sale, this stuff is gold. Each of the stall holders at Hello Sailor are carefully chosen and their wares are inspected before going on sale to make sure that shoppers are getting the best gear at a very reasonable price. Everything from coats, dresses, shoes and accessories are up for grabs, as well as vintage trinkets and homely bits and bobs to give your living quarters a retro revival. Crate Diggers will be located on the second level of Bar Open, where you can find rare and original vinyl from some of Melbourne’s best collectors. They stock every musical genre including punk, soul, kraut rock, blues, bluegrass, jazz, post-punk, metal, 60s psych, garage and more. No matter obscure your taste is, they’ve got you covered.
