You've got a fresh excuse to wine and dine your way through the end of winter, thanks to a new feasting initiative by restaurant booking platform TheFork. The crew's inaugural Go Fooding Month is set to run right through August, offering a stack of exclusive three-course dining experiences at partner venues across the city. And don't be surprised if you're left a little spoilt for choice. In the lineup, you'll find a variety of $49, $79 and $99 set menus, with cuisines ranging from Middle Eastern, to Southeast Asian, to classic pub grub. Some feature shared dishes, others let you fly solo, and some even include matched wines. [caption id="attachment_863494" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tulum[/caption] Down the more budget-friendly end, you can enjoy a $49 three-course feed at the likes of Turkish restaurant Lezzet or Sydney Road's Sarah Sands Hotel, while for $99, you can find yourself enjoying a top-value feed at the likes of Jishan Garden and The Meat & Wine Co. The $79 lineup is equally filled with great deals, including a tempting spread at chef Adrian Richardson's Bouvier Bar, a wine-matched Asian feast at The George on Collins and a pasta-filled affair courtesy of Mister Bianco, plus more goodness at The Victor Wine Room and Balaclava's Tulum. You can book your Go Fooding Month experience via TheFork's website or by downloading their app. [caption id="attachment_708701" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The George on Collins[/caption] Top Image: Lezzet, supplied. Meat & Wine Co, by Giulia Morlando.
The difficulty with VAMFF is always the same — where to begin? With countless runways that are set to dazzle, an exciting cultural program, and some serious networking opportunities for those in the business, there’s something for all who are fashionably inclined. The Opening Event presented by David Jones, supported by Vogue Australia, is set to be the event for those wanting to be seen, and will feature some of Australia’s strongest talent. If you’re after high fashion you cannot go past the Grand Showcase featuring the stunning work of Camilla, which will also include musical accompaniment from percussion and string members of the MSO. If innovation is what you’re after, we recommend heading to either the National Graduate Showcase or Independent Runway. Both will feature work from emerging and established designers who are looking to push boundaries and make a name for themselves within Australia’s fashion landscape. If you’re looking to get really ahead of the times, the Future Runway will be featuring work from secondary students, any one of whom could be the next big thing. If you want a little taste of a few designers in one show, then the Premium Runways are the way to go. Each show is presented by a different magazine that reflects their style and personality. Runway 1 presented by Miss Vogue has some big names walking, including Josh Goot and Maticevski. We’ve also got our eyes on Runway 3 presented by Frankie, which looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun with the likes of Kuwaii and Livia Arena taking centre stage. For more information including further events and ticketing, see the VAMFF website.
If you're equal parts foodie and trivia nut, consider this MFWF event your true calling. With wine writer Max Allen and food writer Richard Cornish as the night's savvy hosts, teams will engage in a battle of culinary smarts, through an interactive, multi-sensory quiz. Feast on an offering of specialty libations and tasty snacks, as you and your crew work through a side-splitting series of questions, challenges and memory testers. Expect surprise appearances from some special guests and a swag of giveaways throughout the night, including a primo meat tray that'll guarantee your status as a barbecue master. Start hitting those cookbook and don't forget to bring your A-game — the champion team will be heading home with the coveted Golden Tongue Award. Tickets are available for individuals and groups of four or six. MasterQuiz is part of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Check out more of the festival's events here.
A few months ago, Federation Square's Skyline Terrace was a winter wonderland filled with pop-up igloos and an ice-skating rink. But come January 3, the openair space above Flinders Street Station's eastern railway tracks will be whacking on the sunscreen and shades, and transforming into a warm-weather paradise for the debut of Summertime Social. Sticking around until early April 2020, the huge al fresco summer playground will take over the rooftop space with whole swag of sun-soaked fun. For those after a break from their own backyard, Summertime Social's grassy communal lawn is the place to be. It'll host a stack of free lawn games, including giant Jenga, though it's also your go-to for picnics and sunny chill sessions, as you make the most of the pop-up's food and drink offering. On Sundays, punters can duke it out for prizes and glory at the lawn's weekly giant games battle, while Fridays and Saturdays promise a lineup of sunset DJs spinning from 5–10pm. More games, from bocce to shuffleboard, will be going down in the games lane. These ones you'll need to book and start from $30 per 20-minute session. For a more private summer do, nab your crew one of the comfy huts or converted caravans. The huts can be booked for up to 20 people, while the boho-style caravans have space for 10, customised with your choice of picnic eats, boozy ice cream, beer-filled eskies and board games. Pop-up bars throughout Summertime Social will be serving up tap cocktails, booze-infused slushies (including mango daiquiris and margaritas), beer, wine, spirits and even stocked mini-eskies. Meanwhile, a weekday happy hour means $6 Furphy, cocktails, rosé and prosecco from 4–6pm. As for the food, you'll be able to settle in with woodfired pizzas; Dirty Birdie's fried chicken, salad bowls and burgers; and boozy frozen treats from a pop-up ice cream cart. If you fancy making a day of it, a range of picnic baskets are also up for grabs, including the two-person Classic Basket, loaded with cheeses, party pies, chicken tenders and potato salad. On Saturdays, you can enjoy Summertime Social's bottomless brunch, offering 90 minutes of free-flowing beer, prosecco, mimosas and tap cocktails and your choice of brunch dish for $49. To eat, you can choose from a PBJ ice cream sanga, a BLT, a veggie burger or calzone. Find Summertime Social at Federation Square's Skyline Terrace from Friday, January 3 till April, 2020. It's open from 11am–10pm Monday–Sunday.
Surfing and gig-going have always been two of Australia's best-loved pastimes, and now we've scored a festival celebrating the best of both worlds. Debuting this autumn, The Drop festival will cruise around the country as it follows the Aussie leg of the World Surf League Championship Tour and it's bringing a banging little lineup of musical gold along for the ride. Surfing the festival wave for 2018 are Canberra favourites Safia, Indie pop darlings San Cisco and Brisbane rockers Dune Rats, along with other local legends Holy Holy and Ruby Fields. Held on the first weekend of each area's surfing event, The Drop's set to grace some of the Australia's most iconic surf spots, each outing featuring a locally-focused offering of food, drink and culture, to match the tunes. Catch it at Torquay Common on March 31.
If ever there was a dance party you could take your folks to, it's Hot Dub Time Machine. While they'll get their dose of Bill Haley and the Comets, you'll get your Swifty. Over the course of one long set, Sydney DJ Tom Loud spins, mixes and mashes his way through the story of dance music — since 1954. The catch is that the entire operation is 'powered' by energy generated by the crowd. Whether you're dancing, singing, talking or yelling, you'll be helping to keep the action rolling. But if, at any point, the people's contribution drops to a level lower than that of a "fully sick party", the Hot Dub Time Machine will come to a grinding halt, meaning you'll be stuck in time — repeatedly listening to "when-ever" you've landed. First performed at the Sydney Fringe Festival 2011, Hot Dub Time Machine has since been a hit at festivals and clubs in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. He's made several appearances at Sydney Festival, Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival and St Kilda Festival, then smashed the final set at Secret Garden Festival this year. You'd better come ready to throw shapes, because this ain't no stand-still gig.
Lovers of fizzy fun juice, rejoice. There's a New Year's Eve celebration for everyone and this one's for you. Footscray favourite Mr West is bringing back its NYE Pet Nat Party for another night of frivolity and fizzy natural wine, featuring some stellar drops that the crew has collected throughout 2019. What a way to celebrate the year that was. General entry to the shindig is free, and once inside there'll be three tiers of pet nat, costing you $12, $14 or $16 a glass. Or you can purchase by the bottle. If you want to play it smart and safe, pre-purchase a party package for $47, which gets you guaranteed entry, four glasses of pet nat and special deals from Slice Shop Pizza. As well as delicious vino and delicious pizza, Mr West is bringing in resident DJ Woli Wols, who'll be spinning hip hop, funk and soul party tunes to help you celebrate.
It's been five long years since the much-loved comedy variety (read: total pisstake) show The Chasers War on Everything has been on air. Since then, we've dealt with bits and pieces of the Chaser boys in the form of Yes We Canberra and The Hamster Wheel and The Hamster Decides, but rarely do these shows have the same spontaneity or gall of the original (well, except for that one time). To cure this, Chris Taylor and Andrew Hansen are taking to the stage for an Australia-wide tour of their particular brand of crazy. Because hey, Mark Scott can't make apologies for what happens in a theatre and Today Tonight are unlikely to report on it. In this live showcase of sketches and songs, Taylor and Hansen will be testing the limits of the live form and bringing all their craziest material into play. Fingers crossed for bits as good as 'The Eulogy Song' or that time Chris Taylor pretended to leave his wife on Sunrise. https://youtube.com/watch?v=dXHleozgQ18
There's no doubt Australian same-sex couples have had a pretty rough go of things this year, as the nation decides the future of marriage equality via a postal vote. But in a potential win for Sydney-based same-sex couples keen to get hitched, The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the City of Sydney has announced they'll be able to marry for free in some of the city's best-loved buildings and parks — if same-sex marriage is given the green light by the Federal Government, of course. In a motion passed yesterday, the council would allow gay couples to hire halls, parks and community facilities free of charge for 100 days after the government legislates gay marriage, and has also suggested it will make Sydney Town Hall available for a mass wedding ceremony. It has, however, promised that no existing bookings for straight couples would be cancelled or moved. Lord Mayor Clover Moore tweeted on the subject this morning. But if YES 🌈 then we will provide city spaces free for 100 days to welcome same-sex couples to civil marriage #marriageequality #postyouryes — Clover Moore (@CloverMoore) October 23, 2017 The City of Sydney has been a vocal supporter of the Yes campaign, gifting the likes of mailouts, the erection of banners and the use of office space. A result is expected to be announced on November 15. So if you haven't yet posted your vote, well, make sure you do it ASAP. Via The Sydney Morning Herald. Image: Letícia Almeida.
The Big Day Out has finally announced its replacements for pull-outs Blur. Not replacements that look or sound like Blur, but replacements all the same. Liam Gallagher's Beady Eye, The Hives and The Deftones are set to take to the BDO stages in the new year. Happy fans of those bands can hold on to their festival tickets; the still disgruntled can go ahead and claim their refund. Festival promoter AJ Maddah (the man behind Soundwave and the ill-fated Harvest) was originally set to make the announcement last Friday, but wanted to wait until he had all three of the bands' contracts in hand. In a move that shocked fans and festival organisers, Blur announced their decision to pull out of the festival last week via their Facebook page, citing "the constantly shifting goalposts and challenging conditions of the organisers" as the reason for the decision. Many fans took to social media to express their disappointment, with some blaming the festival, while others directed their anger at the band themselves, calling them a "bunch of sooks" and even rubbing in England's recent Ashes loss. Blur were one of founder Ken West's "white whales"; it took him 14 years to finally land them. The band even had their own purpose-built stage, called the Love Stage. The promoters disputed the claim that they were to blame. Big Day Out CEO Adam Zammit tweeted "22 years and thousands of bands, I don't think we are the issue."
It's been three long years since Melbourne Fringe Festival hosted its last IRL instalment — and you can bet it's not holding back one scrap when it comes to its glorious return next month. In fact, from Thursday, October 6–Sunday, October 23, Fringe is celebrating its 40th anniversary with what's set to be its heftiest program yet. The independent arts festival will this year dish up over 450 events from talent both established and emerging, covering dazzling performances, participatory art, groundbreaking theatre, immersive creative experiences and everything in between. All speaking to the theme: 'It's About Time'. Fringe even has some brand new goodies up its sleeve this time around, including Runaway Festival Park — a new festival hub and pop-up art park at Queen Victoria Market with a program of comedy, cabaret, circus and drag performances headlined by Bernie Dieter's Club Kabarett. Fringe-goers can also look forward to the return of an old favourite, as the Fringe Parade and Lygon Street Block Party descends on Carlton for a big, bold, inclusive shindig. Riffing on a long-running event that helped shape the festival's early years, the party will feature a colourful street parade, two outdoor stages, roving performers, and stacks of local eats and drinks. And popping up at the State Library Victoria is The Rest Is Up to You: Melbourne Fringe 1982-2062 — a major new, free exhibition and sound installation reflecting on Fringe's first 40 years, while also imagining its next 40. The rest of the program is packed with creative delights for all tastes; from a mesmerising contemporary dance installation in Docklands called Pendulum, to an all-night Meatloaf-themed communal karaoke session. Speaking to the impacts of climate change, Matthias Schack-Arnott's Groundswell takes the form of a giant percussive rain drum that passersby can 'play' by walking upon its surface. Meanwhile, Prahran Square plays host to a unique live music event, which sees unedited words from three local contemporary writers presented in four-part harmony by a mass choir. [caption id="attachment_823767" align="alignnone" width="1920"] YUMMY Deluxe, Melbourne Fringe Festival 2019, by Theresa Harrison[/caption] The return of the festival's First Nations program Deadly Fringe features everything from a group exhibition exploring Blak queer futurism, to an immersive event fusing music and talks that'll take you on a deep-dive into Fitzroy's Indigenous history. Fringe Focus Taiwan is set to present two envelope-pushing works from Taiwan's most innovative contemporary artists; while the long-running Fringe Furniture program is reborn as Design Fringe, featuring a month-long exhibition, talks and a 'designer in residence' program. Food-meets-art creatives Long Prawn will host a live yabby fishing — and eating — experience; free participatory public artwork Hexadeca will bring an installation of spinning musical bucket seats to Fed Square; and you can join in a four-hour line dance marathon at Coburg RSL. And of course, gracing stages throughout the festival will be a mega lineup of acts doing what they do best, including Geraldine Quinn, YUMMY, Jude Perl, Kween Kong (Drag Race Down Under), The Chaser's Andrew Hansen, Jordan Barr, Lou Wall and Sarah Ward. [caption id="attachment_867928" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 'Multiply', Melbourne Fringe 2020, credit Gregory Lorenzutti[/caption] 2022 Melbourne Fringe Festival runs from October 6–23 at venues across the city. For the full program and to book tickets, see the website. Top Image: Duncan Jacobs.
Check out the efforts of Melbourne's budding sculptors at a new exhibition hosted in the World Trade Centre atrium. Curated by MARS Gallery, the six week long Artists Emerge @ WTC exhibit will shine a spotlight on the works of talented local artists, with the chance of an extended solo show for the public's favourite piece. The Artists Emerge exhibit marks the second collaboration between the independent Melbourne gallery and the Yarra-side complex, following another sculpture exhibition, 25 Sculptures @ WTC, in August of 2013. Members of the public will be able to peruse the works at their leisure, submitted by more than 30 artists working in a variety of styles. From there, visitors can take to social media and cast their vote for the best entry on display. The winner will get the atrium space to themselves for a whole additional month.
Love art, or just need a hefty tome to decorate your coffee table? Either way, the Melbourne Art Book Fair has you covered. Following on from the considerable success of the last four events, the fifth edition of this literary luau will see more than 200 publishers take over the Great Hall at NGV International, showcasing art books, independent zines, limited edition prints and more. The fair begins on Thursday, March 14 with ticketed event the day-long Graphic Fashion Symposium, featuring a litany of local and international design practitioners. The main event will then kick off the following day with a ticketed Friday evening preview, complete with a "book exchange". What follows will be two straight days of free and ticketed workshops, book clubs, talks and book launches — all up there are over 20 events. For the complete program visit ngv.vic.gov.au. Image: Wayne Taylor.
It has been 13 years since Black Star Pastry's legendary Strawberry Watermelon Cake first made its way into the world, started lighting up Instagram feeds around the globe and began tempting tastebuds en masse. It's still a regular on the bakery's menu, and is available at its stores in both Sydney and Melbourne — but if you'd like to combine the multi-layered delight with a dash of romance, a limited-edition heart-shaped version is now available to order. Obviously, the special version of the cake is timed around Valentine's Day. Yes, it's almost that time of year already. This isn't the first year that Black Star has released this special take on its super-popular dessert, and it sold out in 2020, so if you're keen on sharing a few slices with your favourite person, you might want to get ordering sooner rather than later. As always, the cake contains two layers of almond dacquoise, rose-scented cream and watermelon, which is then topped with strawberries, pistachios and dried rose petals. This time around, it's just in the most romantic shape there. You can nab one for $40, with online pre-orders available now — for pickup between Friday, February 12–Sunday, February 14. If you want to chance it and order closer to the date, you do still need to give 48 hours notice. Black Star is starting 2021 with a couple of other limited-edition specials, too. For January 26, you can tuck into an Australia Day pavlova made with davidson plum in the meringue base and lemon aspen mixed into the chantilly cream, then topped with fresh, mixed berries and marigold flower petals. Orders are available for pickups between Saturday, January 23–Tuesday, January 26, with a small costing $10 and a large costing $40. Or, for Lunar New Year, you can opt for a pack of three macarons — made from almond-flavoured macaron shells, filled with red bean butter cream and mandarin compote, then dipped in strawberry and chocolate, dusted with gold and decked out with a message of good fortune. They'll set you back $12.50, and you can preorder them for pickups from Thursday, February 11–Sunday, February 21. Black Star Pastry's Valentine's Day heart-shaped Strawberry Watermelon Cake, Australia Day pavlova and Lunar New Year macarons are available to order via the bakery's website, for pickup at all Sydney and Melbourne stores.
Fed Square is looking super pretty this month thanks to The Light in Winter program. Lighting up the night and warming the cockles of our cold Melburnian hearts is Asif Khan's work, Radiant Lines. Described as an exploration of line, rhythm, velocity and volume, the work features a large circular aluminium installation that lights up at dusk via hundreds of LED lights. These lights are triggered by and mimic the pulsing nature of bioluminescence (to save you the Google definition, it means the production and emission of light via a living organism). As you step near the sculpture, you trigger its lighting pattern and set off the pulsations to circulate the piece, orbiting around you and passing above as you move further inside. Asif Khan is a world-renowned designer. He leads an award-winning London based design practice and is perhaps best known for his work turning selfies into giant 3D portraits made of light for the Sochi Winter Olympics. We're pretty excited to see his works light up right here in Melbourne.
These cats are the oldest and most established single malt distillery in Australia (well, as well as the mainland's concerned). Its drops are so good they've been exported from their central highlands base in Ballarat to France, Germany, Sweden and the UK. But unfortunately (for those overseas, that is), local demand has meant exports have been reduced to supply only the local market. And what lucky ducks we are. Our current favourite is the peated malt whisky: complex tobacco smokiness intermingles with toffee and honeycomb. A definite gold rush from beginning to end. If you want to visit the North Bayswater distillery, you'll have to book a tour. At the moment, they run every second Saturday and cost $55, which includes a tasting at the end.
If fossicking through vintage fashion and handcrafted ceramics is your ideal way to spend a Sunday morning, Melbourne's newest Sunday market might just be for you. Held at Brighton's Half Moon, the Social Market is a monthly event where you can browse and purchase handmade treasures from more than 25 stallholders. Unlike other markets across town, you won't need to wake up at the crack of dawn to snag a bargain, as the market doesn't kick off until 10am and it runs until sunset. Stroll through the market and check out the offerings as you enjoy live music and roving performers. For those who can't shop without coffee in-hand, Miss Fleur Coffee Van will set up shop each market day to ensure your caffeine needs are well looked after, while Colonial Brewing Co. will bring a mobile bar where shoppers can purchase an ice-cold brew. After shopping, pop into Half Moon for a bite to eat — the venue's Sunday roast option is an especially appealing way to finish the weekend. The Social Market launches on Sunday, 12 November and will run on the second Sunday of every month. Images: Harvard Wang.
"Get a little closer... Cut open my sternum and pull my little ribs around you," Megan James sings on Purity Ring's 'Fineshrine', a song so immaculate and pretty it takes a few listens for the darkness of the lyrics to come into focus. The Canadian duo revel in this kind of contrast: lush, manicured synth pop with a dark undercurrent that leaves a more unsettling afterglow. Initially formed out of Montreal indie band Gobble Gobble, Purity Ring's debut full-length Shrines ranks as one of the year's best, an immersive, swirling collection with pulsing rhythms and pockets of deceptive darkness. Touring for Golden Plains festival, the pair will also bring their live show (which includes a renowned light show courtesy of the other member, Corin Riddick).
There's a party coming to the Northcote Town Hall this summer. And honestly, it's about damn time. Curated by a team of Melbourne music lovers with their fingers in everything from Inner Varnika to Strawberry Fields, Something Unlimited is a brand new one-day music event, and the first of its kind to be held at the historic building on High Street. The homegrown lineup includes the likes of Wax'o Paradiso, Mildlife, Allysha Joy and Gregor, as well as international acts in Lady Blacktronika, Mori Ra and Urulu. In addition to the tunes, there'll be immersive visual art courtesy of Mikaela Stafford, and an array of food and drink options by Northcote traders. It all kicks off at high noon on Saturday, February 16, and wraps up just before midnight.
Once upon a time hunting down a food truck was hard work. Between following its movements through cryptic tweets, mapping the location and getting there before the spoils sold out, the food you so desperately sought was, by that time, well deserved; that taco was a beacon of achievement, something to be savoured — that is, if you weren't so damn hungry that you scoffed it in three seconds. The thrill of the chase was half the fun. But, as is often the case, we get tired of chasing. We just want our object of desire in our hands (and in our mouths) without the drama and exhaustion. Lucky for us (and our weary hearts), all our food truck dreams have come true once again as Trailer Park prepares to open for winter. After a super successful summer run, Trailer Park is reuniting Melbourne's best food trucks in one, non-roaming place for a series of winter weekends over June, July and August. I know what you’re thinking: it's cold. It is cold and that's presumably why this season's Trailer Park has a fully heated indoor dining hall, meaning that there'll be no raindrops in your Beatbox burger and the wind won't whip your Thai food into the garden bed (tragic). There will also be outdoor seating, DJs and a full bar stocking beer, wine and Lageritas. Held in the courtyard of Ormond Hall at Village Melbourne (just off St Kilda Road), Trailer Park will be running every Sunday in June, as well as the weekends of July 19-20 and August 16-17. The whole gang will be there, including Gumbo Kitchen, Chingon, The Brulee Cart, Beatbox Kitchen, Taco Truck and White Guy Cooks Thai, amongst others. Although the seasons have changed, Trailer Park remains perhaps the only place in Melbourne where you can down a fried catfish po' boy for dinner and order salted caramel creme brulee for dessert. And you don't even have to work for it. June 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29: Gumbo Kitchen, Lil Nom Noms, Chingon, The Brulee Cart July 19-20: Beatbox Kitchen, Korean Fried Chicken, Greek Street Food, Rue De Creperie August 16-17: Pizza Wagon, Taco Truck, White Guy Cooks Thai, Waffleworks
Market Week is back for its fourth year, ready to fill your quota of good old crafty, musical, educational and edible fun. They've gone for a global theme this year, celebrating the cultural and sensory diversity of a bunch of Melbourne institutions: the Queen Victoria, Prahran, Dandenong and South Melbourne markets. The schedule is bursting out of its hand-stitched seams with workshops, tastings, demonstrations, tours, masterclasses and performances. Revel in the festivities of the full moon and end of the harvest at the Mooncake Festival, take a dumpling masterclass, get your fromage on at a lunch composed solely of cheese and wine or treat your pooch to a goat's milk puppycino (yep) and an organic peanut butter dog biscuit at the Dogs of the World Morning Tea. For the two-legged among us looking for a teatime sweet fix, or a (literal) slice of Australiana, there's a daily CWA tribute stall. Think mini pavs, lemon meringue pies and lamingtons. We're not sure about their definition of week, considering it actually spans two weekends. But who's complaining? Foodies, DIY aficionados and general good-times-havers, take note. Market Week is on from September 6-14, 2014. Thanks to Markets of Melbourne, we have one Market Passport valued at $200 (that's $50 to spend at each market) to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
The Melbourne Marathon Festival started back in the 70s and is a favoured annual running event for many Melburnians. This adrenaline-filled event is open for both experienced runners that are hoping to set a new PB on the fast and flat course and those less-experienced or first-timers, too. The shortest event is a three-kilometre walk, with five- and ten-kilometre courses available, too. And then, there are the half marathon and the full slog — all 42 kilometres of it. The track spans the Melbourne CBD and gives runners an opportunity to experience the city's famous landmarks in a different context — from the St Kilda beach foreshore to Flinders Street to Albert Park Lake. All races start at Birrarung Marr and end with a victory lap inside the MCG, so you can finish with the roar of the crowd. Take part on your own, as a team or with colleagues, and help raise funds for the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre or a charity of your choice. Melbourne Marathon Festival will take place on Sunday, October 13. Early bird entries close on July 2. Register now to save and secure your personalised bib and have your race pack delivered straight to your door. To register, visit the website.
Last year, Melbourne’s first White Night was almost a victim of its own success. The CBD was stretched to capacity, swamped by unexpected crowds, and even if you had no interest in seeing The Cat Empire you were somehow forced to sardine yourself on Flinders Street regardless. This year, organisers have put a fix to many of these teething problems. Now, events are spread across the CBD (but never more than a brisk walk away) and most performances will be running repeatedly throughout the night. While it’s worth taking the time to browse the festival’s online program, we've plotted out one course of action for you. From 7pm till 7am — check out our guide to Melbourne's classiest all-nighter here.
A night at the ballet is spectacularly unique — strong bodies moving with masterful technique, bejewelled costumes and magnificent orchestral compositions. The Australian Ballet exemplifies all of this theatre and artistry in the more traditional productions on its program, but it also showcases dance in a way that's wildly different to preconceived ideas of what ballet is and can be. This is particularly true for Instruments of Dance, the triple bill set to hit Melbourne's State Theatre on Friday, September 23. To get a look inside this performance, we sat down with Drew Hedditch, a coryphée (a rank above the corps de ballet — pronounced co-ri-fay for anyone who needs it) at The Australian Ballet. Fronting up part one, Everywhere We Go, this is the first time the dancer has taken a leading role with the company. What did Hedditch reveal? Reasons aplenty for this show being the one for you if you're green to the scene. PART ONE OF THE TRIFECTA Excitingly, Instruments of Dance brings three resident choreographers — and their bespoke compositions — from the world's top ballet companies to Australian soil. "It's not going to be like going to a full-length ballet, where you see the first act and know what you're in for for the next hour and a half," Hedditch assures. "There's definitely no tutus." Canberra-born Hedditch takes centrestage in part one of the eclectic performance, Everywhere We Go. The boundary-pushing piece was conceived by New York City Ballet's resident choreographer Justin Peck in collaboration with Sufjan Stevens, who delivers a score full of his trademark ethereal beauty and surprise. "Justin really has his own style," shares Hedditch. "A sharpness and understated movement of the arms, and then the fast pace of it all. I just keep reiterating to people that he choreographed the latest West Side Story [film] — having seen that, then doing this, I get it." The Australian Ballet is the first company to perform Everywhere We Go outside of the New York City Ballet. "The New York City Ballet has this amazing energy that comes through all of their works," explains Hedditch. "It's an energy and commitment that challenges no one else, it's almost a little bit unrefined at times." It's that Broadway energy that will define the piece. Rapid musical accompaniment from a live orchestra, nautical-striped costumes and the flurry of 25 dancers flowing on and off the stage. "It's really playful, no sets; just a projection on the back that changes like geometric shapes. It's just us and the audience — and that connection." INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS "Sufjan [Stevens] is a complete genius," Hedditch exudes. "The music keeps us on our toes — we're counting five eights of seven into a four, it's ridiculously fast. You can tell that Justin and Sufjan worked hand in hand to make this ballet, and it feels really nice on the body." Everywhere We Go illustrates the creative power of collaboration. In this case, providing new opportunities for both dancers and audiences Down Under. "It allows us to push ourselves to the point where we are playing risky. There's also moments that are just really real and humane, where we can look at each other, crack a smile or play. In a story ballet, you can really live the story and become a part of it. But in this work, without a narrative, you just get to live." ENDURANCE, COMMITMENT AND GETTING ON STAGE Just like anything, with challenge and commitment comes delicious fruit: "We're not going to be able to pull this off unless we dive into that commitment and bring the energy, too," Hedditch states. "To see the dancers that we know and look up to — who did these roles originally — to then perform it is so inspiring." As mentioned, these dancers are athletes at the top of their game. Months of rehearsals, pirouettes and pas de deux practised over and over, new ways of moving studied and then executed. "In the first movement, I don't really leave the stage," he continues. "I had tingling through my arms because they had literally just been going and going. It was day one! The tempo wasn't even at full speed yet. I'd never really felt that, and that's kind of exciting — like, where is this going to go from here? How far can we push this?" What's certain is that by the time Hedditch and the troupe hit the stage, audiences — both new and seasoned — will be about to witness a thrilling night of ballet that's fresh and focused. "As artists, everyone's willing to mix and collaborate. That's the beauty of it, that's how masterpieces are made." Instruments of Dance takes the stage at Melbourne's State Theatre from Friday, September 23 till Saturday, October 1. Head to the website for more information and to grab your tickets. Images: Kate Longley
Good Beer Week 2019 is nearly upon us. As usual, there are heaps of top-notch events on, but there's one party you really won't want to miss. Young Henrys is bringing its Rock & Roll Circus to Melbourne for the first time this year — the free blowout that sees some of Australia's best musical talent join forces for one night only. It'll take over the Northcote Social Club on Wednesday, May 15, with the specially curated band rocking the stage from 7.30pm until the wee hours. The annual event started in Sydney back in 2o16, and the 2019 instalment promises to be the best yet. This time around, expect a 'super band' of members from The Delta Riggs, The Preatures, BAD//DREEMS, The Panics, BATZ and 131's/King Cannons to take the stage. They'll perform rock 'n' roll covers and classic hits for the masses throughout the night. Of course, Young Henrys will take over the bar's taps with its brews and cider, too. There's no cover whatsoever — just show up on the night, but get in early as it's sure to be a packed-out gig.
Melburnian foodies, clear your schedule, Taste is back for another highly flavoursome year from November 10 to 13. We've pored over the jam-packed program for you, so you can spend more time making sure you get the most out of the city's delicious, delicious annual feast — the program is bigger than ever so a little bit of foresight will go a long way. Iconic local restaurants including Cumulus Inc, Supernormal and Mamasita (along with their just-opened venture Hotel Jesus) will all have a presence at the event, as will their respective chefs. Talk about being spoiled for choice. Plus, this year Deliveroo will be onsite to facilitate delivery of your must-try dishes if you don't want to lose your picnic spot, so pre-download the app and go hard. When you're not busy stuffing your face (let's be honest, that's why you're there), visitors can also try their hand at cooking, learn how to taste like a somm, or throw shapes at the Music Hub. To be honest, it was a difficult task to whittle Taste down to just five picks, but hopefully these handy hints will help get you started. To get 30 percent off a general entry ticket, use our special code 'concrete' until November 9 on the ticket page. Happy feasting. LEARN A THING OR TWO AT A COOKING CLASS Now, Taste wouldn't be the multifaceted food festival it is without a range of cooking classes to dig into. Meat and Livestock Australia in association with Food Network are running a series of demonstrations out of their Cooks' Corner where you can learn to master meat and get over your fear of uncommon or big cuts. They'll also run you through perfect meat and wine pairings (that you can test with a complimentary canapé). There's also the Electrolux Chefs' Secrets cooking class, a hands-on class taught by chef such as Scott Pickett of Estelle. You learn to cook, and then sit down to eat your meal with matched wine. Butter producers Lurpak will also be running cooking classes and hot damn do they sound delicious. Learn how to cook butter poached fish (butter poached? Since when was that legal?) with asparagus and miso apple puree and/or steak with beurre noisette hollandaise (that's hazelnut butter hollandaise just FYI). The classes are first come, first served so make sure you're there ahead of time so you don't miss out. And maybe take some napkins to wipe up the inevitable drool. LEARN HOW TO TASTE LIKE A SOMMELIER Now you don't want to turn up to a food festival, head to the bar and ask for the cheapest plonk they've got (importantly, you will not find plonk at Taste). You'll want to be able to pair your own wines and, most importantly, boast loudly about how you can pair your own wines. But wine learnin' is a broad topic, so prepare for The Wine Society to school you with a string of workshops throughout the festival covering literally everything you'll ever need to know about wine. Learn how to pour the perfect glass of wine and how to serve it up like a pro (we're guessing that no giant, novelty glasses will be involved), how to taste wine properly and expand your palate. You'll learn how to talk about wine's texture and aroma without sounding like a fool. Best of all, the workshops are free. TRY HATTED FOOD WITHOUT A HEFTY PRICE TAG Be militaristic in your schedule to make sure you don't miss out on star dishes because there is a lot on this year. There are more hats about than the Melbourne Cup this year. Supernormal is on sashimi, sushi and imported Japanese beers duty. Grab a taste of the Cumulus Inc. menu at a fraction of the normal price, catch our favourite MasterChef serving up the food of his homeland at Gazi, check out genuine Peruvian ceviche bar Pastuso, and try high-end tapas at MoVida (no reservation required for this iteration). Bigwigs Lûmé will be in attendance serving up their artful meals with a side of virtual reality. Newcomer Fancy Hanks will be there serving up American-style barbecue (they don't have a hat, but the food sure as hell deserves one). You get the picture, this is the best chance you'll ever have to 'taste test' hatted restaurants without paying through the nose for it, so you should grab it with both hands. PICK UP A PAIRED CHEESE AND WINE BOX Let's be honest. Wine and cheese are the backbone of the food industry/our fridge and, frankly, if we could live on a humble diet of the two we'd do it in a dairy-filled heartbeat. If you relate to this statement, beeline for the Milk the Cow tent and settle in for heavy lactose action. One of Melbourne's best fromageries, MTC have designed paired cheese and wine boxes for Taste that are perfect for enjoying as a picnic on the lawn (cheeseboard and knife included). There are four varieties, so get used to to-ing and fro-ing between cheeses. DANCE OFF YOUR FOOD COMA AT THE MUSIC HUB Once you're fully sated and content to the point of smugness, wander over to the live music hub run by Nepenthe Wines and Parlour Gigs. They're putting on a huge lineup of homegrown talent whose dulcet tones will ease your bulging tummy. It's the biggest line-up of live music Taste have ever incorporated. Jazz and blues feature pretty heavily thanks to Orlando Combo, The Scrims and the Hot Swing Club, as well as the folksy stylings of Alice Syke, Rowena Wise, Charm of Finches Jim Lawrie, the Mae Trio, and Nicholas Costello. That Gold Street Sound will be jamming out to Motown while Miles & Simone and Amistat bring the feels with their narrative lullabies. Taste of Melbourne in partnership with Electrolux runs November 10 to 13 at Albert Park. Tickets and more info on the website. To get 30% off a general entry ticket, use our special code 'concrete' before November 9.
Like a monkey with a miniature cymbal, get ready to dance over and over and over and over and over. This January, Hot Chip's adding to their Sugar Mountain appearance with headline shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Since their second album The Warning ignited floors worldwide in 2006, the British electropop five-piece have delivered one killer LP after another. In 2008 came the velvety Made in the Dark; then, in 2010, One Life Stand brought us yet more flawlessly smooth anthems, followed up by the more-ecstatic-than-Pharrell In Our Heads. When are these guys ever going to mess up? Keep waitin'. True career artists to the end (as opposed to the wave after wave of 'next big things' often flooding our radio stations), Hot Chip don't release till they're ready. So, Why Make Sense (currently out via Domino) is another cracker, with its blend of funk, punk and bittersweet lyrics.
Lighten your run with Mizuno, then lighten your spirits at the post-race Event Village. Whether you're there to beat Robert de Castella's 23-year-old record for the 10 kilometre race, blow your Personal Best out of Lake Burley Griffin or show off your onesie, the Canberra Times Fun Run team will welcome you at the starting line. Now in its 37th year, the run started as a celebration of the Times' 50th anniversary. Initially a 9.6 kilometre route starting at the Trademan's Club in Phillip, it was altered to its current 10 kilometre course in 1986 by renowned athlete Dave Cundy. There’s a 5 kilometre option for those who like to take things easy. This year, for the first time, a 14 kilometre event will form part of the program. Titled the Capital Run, it's being introduced as the City2Surf's sister run and is part of Canberra's year-long Centenary party. Parliament House, Federation Mall and Old Parliament House are all part of the landscape. Over 195 charities benefit from funds raised by participants in the Canberra Times Fun Run. Partner organisation the Heart Foundation ACT is hoping to see $75,000 worth of donations, which will go towards the continuation of the Warning Signs of a Heart Attack campaign. Runners are invited to create a fundraising webpage through Everyday Hero. Male and female winners of the the 10 kilometre and 14 kilometre races win cash prizes, with $500 going to the first place getter, $250 to the second and $125 to the third. Adidas and Rupert van Dongen are running training programmes for runners of all levels — beginners, intermediate and advanced. Early bird entry prices are available until August 23.
For more than a decade, the Melbourne-based Human Rights Arts and Film Festival has been exploring human-rights issues through cinema. Exactly how this annual fest covers its subject matter and where it screens has varied over the years, however. Past iterations have included stints around the country, and some fests have solely remained in the Victorian capital. Across Thursday, May 4–Tuesday, May 9, 2023's lineup is only hitting cinemas in-person in Melbourne, but has a date with viewers elsewhere thanks to its online component. In its physical form, HRAFF opens with Kash Kash — Without Feathers We Can't Live, a documentary from first-time filmmaker Lea Najjar about her hometown of Beirut. For folks elsewhere, or for those who can't make it along on the night, it's one of the movies on the event's digital bill as well. From a lineup that includes work from Iran, Brazil, Ireland, Lebanon, Venezuela, South Sudan, Mexico, the US, Canada and more, Melburnians can also look forward to North Circular, which highlights the importance of music in culture in Ireland; Dark Days, telling the tale of a community living in New York City's underground train tunnels in the 90s; and Uýra: The Rising Forest, about trans non-binary Indigenous artist Uýra. From Venice 2022, Alice Diop's Saint Omer is an absolute must-see, with the documentarian drawing from true events to craft a drama about a young Parisian journalist and novelist attending murder trial, then wading through the complexities it surfaces within her own family history. In The Last Daughter, Wiradjuri woman Brenda Matthews charts her experience being taken from her family as a toddler, growing up with a white foster family, then being returned to her parents. And in closing night's Fashion Reimagined, designer Amy Powney's efforts to create a sustainable collection are in the spotlight. Viewers watching on from home can also enjoy The Endangered Generation?, which boasts narration by Laura Dern (Jurassic World Dominion) as it explores the fight against climate change — plus the world-premiere of We Eatin' Good, which sees Matisse Laida and Nisha Hunter get recipes for food and life alike from members of Melbourne's queer community. To take care of the 'arts' part of its name, HRAFF is hosting two exhibitions as well: Real Job, which ponders how the labour of visual artists is so often neglected; and A Wholesome Gang, a storytelling photo series by South Sudanese Dinka woman Awak Rech Kongor (and shot and edited by artist Joshua Sims).
It's no surprise that many of us are looking to upgrade our home comfort level at the moment. Aussie furniture brand Koala is keen to help you do just that with its cyber sale where you can nab up to 20 percent off mattresses, sheets, sofas, desks and armchairs to help you upgrade your pad or improve your night's sleep. A heap of products from across the brand's range are on sale from Monday, November 23 to Monday, November 30, including the popular Koala mattress, which you can score for up to $250 less than the usual price. Plus, if you order a bed today, you will be sleeping pretty tonight as Koala offers a free four-hour delivery service. Also on offer in the sale is the WFH desk, which is made in Ballarat from hand-sanded timber, easy to assemble and designed with home office use in mind. If you've found yourself working from home a lot more this year, you can pick up the desk for a sweet 15 percent off. Comfy Koala sofa beds, TV units, pillows, bed bases and more are going with a 20 percent discount, too, so you can give your whole house a makeover. And everything comes with a 120-night trial — though, it might be hard to give any of these up after four-months of comfort. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Step right up to the National Institute of Circus Arts, where this year’s graduates are giving new meaning to the term ‘dinner and a show.’ The fittingly-named Last Orders! will see NICA’s final year students embody the role of high-class Parisian waiters circa the early 1930s, in an evening of juggling, hula-hooping, clowning, acrobatics, trapeze, tumbling and more. Starting Wednesday, June 11 and running through to the following Friday, the two-hour extravaganza will take place at NICA’s National Circus Theatre in Prahran, showcasing the talents of 16 up-and-coming performers who have literally run away to join the circus. A fully-stocked bar should help complete the illusion of a hoity-toity French cafe. And besides, once you see the kinds of physical feats these students are capable of, you’ll almost certainly feel the need for a stiff drink.
Elwood's all-day tapas spot Repeat Offender is already a dream destination for the dietarily-challenged, with a bold Latin American-meets-Australian food offering that just happens to be entirely gluten-free. But come Wednesday, July 27, it'll be even more inclusive than ever, as it hosts a one-off vegan feast built on maximum flavour and absolutely zero animal products. The Vegan Fiesta will see you tucking into five courses of creative plant-based (and gluten-free) fare — think, creamy mushroom fricassee with garlic and thyme, a gratin-inspired riff on patatas bravas, and perhaps a rhubarb crumble with warm mezcal lime curd. The dinner clocks in at $60 per person; though for an extra $50 you can also add a drinks pairing, showcasing wines from across Central and South America. Or, you can choose your own adventure and check out the bar's offering of signature cocktails, featuring no less than nine margarita varieties.
Keen to escape your house — and the summer heat — by heading to a cinema, but your wallet doesn't want to play ball? Call the return of Cinema Nova's weekly special great timing, then. After reopening its 16 screens post-lockdown back in November, the Carlton cinema is bringing back its popular Discount Monday from January 11. It's offering up discounted tickets every week, which means you can catch box office hits and award-winning Aussie flicks for just $7 before 4pm and $10 after. Either way, it's a bargain. At the moment, you can catch the Eric Bana-starring Aussie crime-thriller The Dry, award-winning drama Babyteeth, 2020's best film Nomadland, glossy culinary documentary Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles and Christopher Nolan's mind-bending Tenet. So, there's plenty to watch if you're keen to spend as much time in a darkened room as possible. With limited capacities ad allocated seating, the cinema recommends you book tickets in advance (either online or at the box office) if you want to head along. https://youtu.be/HwJhS4O_IdM
Summer is in the air, and with it the smell of fresh popcorn, as starlight screenings return to the Lido Rooftop Cinema in Hawthorn. Perched atop the eight-screen picture house overlooking Glenferrie Road, the outdoor screen will light up from next week with a selection of new release movies in the open air. The season kicks off on Thursday, October 27, with a screening of contemporary western Hell or High Water complete with western-themed party. Bring your boots, your bolo ties and your ten gallon hats, and knock back bourbon cocktails on sale at the bar. It's one of a number of special events on the Lido Rooftop program, which also includes a Halloween screening of Rob Zombie's 31, a midnight showing of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and a throwback screening of 1992's Death Becomes Her presented by Taste of Streep. Other titles to make the journey skyward include Marvel movie Doctor Strange, ensemble comedy Office Christmas Party and Mel Gibson's new WWII movie Hacksaw Ridge. For more information visit www.lidocinemas.com.au.
Splendour in the Grass ain't all about dancing like a proper noob to That Song You've Been Waiting For and Only You Understand. There's plenty of brain food afoot, with a big ol' program announced for this year's colossal Splendour Forum. Opinionated tweeters, keep your pants on as the Silver Fox comes to Splendour for some hardcore hashtagged debate. Q&A's Tony Jones brings his hard-hitting swagger to the Forum for a special Splendour version of Australia's favourite "NO THEY DIII-IN'T" show on the Saturday. With an all-new Forum Twilight Film Festival, Tropfest live Q and A talks and the very first Splendour Late Night Comedy Club geared up to shake up the sets this year, you might even miss Interpol and Outkast this year. Dusk hours will see A Taste of Tropfest take over the Forum, a dandy little showcase of the film festival's most memorable awww and oooh moments. Comedy enthusiasts and those who enjoy a hearty, ugly-faced chuckle should stick around after dark, as Australia's top comedians (we're talking triple j favourites Matt Okine, Tom Ballard and Mel Buttle, Good News Week’s Claire Hooper, Spicks & Specks host Josh Earl, Greg Fleet and so many, many more) make y'all laugh until a little bit of wee comes out. Writers Marieke Hardy and Michaela McGuire bring their beloved literary salon 'Women of Letters' to Splendour with Lauren Mayberry (Chvrches), Courtney Barnett, Gossling, Jennifer Boyce (Ball Park Music), Nkechi Anele (Saskwatch), Liz Drummond (Little May) and musical comedians Alice Fraser and Genevieve Fricker — all narrating their "Letter to the Song They Wish They’d Written". Love a good keynote? You love a good keynote. Lindsay "The Doctor" McDougall chats to TED Talker Paul Gilding about our super messed up planet (or is it?) in 'Life on Earth in 2030 - Fun, Frazzled or F%*ked?'. There's a bunch more to squeal about at the Splendour website. The Forum is open 10am ‘til late daily at Splendour. If you haven't got tickets yet, the re-sale facility is open until 9am Monday 16 June through moshtix.com.au or phone 1300 GET TIX (438 849). Worth a shot.
The Carlton has always been known for their outlandish interiors, but it's safe to say they've really stepped things up a notch this month. Now, instead of being greeted by emus wearing pearls or elephants bursting forth from velveteen walls, you can party it up Christmas style inside a full-blown gingerbread house, an igloo disco, a raunchy xxxmas bar, a new cosy cocktail space, a giftbox karaoke bar, or an actual snow globe. Seriously. All set up on Level 4 of this infamously labyrinthine CBD watering hole, these six new spaces are sure to get you in the festive spirit. Full of big smiles, strong drinks, glitter and bright lights, The Carlton has created the perfect refuge from all that inevitable family bickering. Dance out that holiday stress in an igloo or sit back and sip on some eggnog while watching someone embarrass themselves singing 'Jingle Bell Rock'. We only get to act this strange once a year; embrace it.
This Wednesday, November 23 ten of Melbourne's bars and pubs will be transformed into classrooms for a night of talks — 20 of them, to be exact, which means there are at least 20 new things for you to discuss and learn about. Raising the Bar will see academics deliver free talks around the city, bringing the concept that "good ideas are born at the bar" to life. Previously established a few years back by students from New York and Columbia Universities and having been hosted in Sydney twice already, this is the first year the event will come to Melbourne to showcase a range of speakers, ideas, and themes. Pick one that'll interest you, teach you something new, or get you animated, standing and gesturing dramatically with your beer glass. Hear what Mindfulness Everywhere's Rohan Gunatillake has to say about the 'trend' of mindfulness and meditation upstairs at Blue Diamond, or head to Lily Blacks to listen to barrister and writer Hilary Bonney talk about the role of storytelling in real (and unreal) court cases. If you want to get some fresh air, openair bar Arbory will host Monash University's Kate Burridge for a talk on swearing in Australian culture. It's a free event, but booking is required and recommended so you don't miss out.
It's been an explosive year for beer and brewing in Australia. Some old hands at the craft game sold to major international corporations, while new independent brewers continued to develop and expand. From fruit-infused sours to bold, hoppy IPAs, the discerning beer drinker has never enjoyed so much choice from both local and international markets. While there will always be a time and a place for a cold tinnie of VB, the following ten brews offer a range of flavours and unique styles to help you beat the heat this summer. The best places to find these beers, aside from the locations below, are specialist bottle shops. We've rounded up our favourites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. XPA, PHILTER BREWING The XPA style is still somewhat unclear, though the acronym stands for Xtra Pale Ale, but in the case of Philter's flagship brew — a pale yellow, slightly hazy session ale — the 'Xtra' refers to both the light colour and the depth of flavour. Head brewer Sam Fuss has put the myth to rest that brewing is a man's game with her brewing prowess. Packaged in retro blue and white cans, Philter XPA opens with a delicate bouquet of floral and summer fruit aromatics, notes of rockmelon, passionfruit and mango. On the palate expect little to no bitterness with some citrus and notes of freshly cut grass, balanced out by a subtle wheat and honey flavour from its malt base. Philter XPA won Best Pale Ale at the 2017 Craft Beer Awards, after only being on the market for four months. Available in cans at Liquor Emporium, St Peters, and as Beer of the Month at The Botany View Hotel, Newtown. EARL PEAR, MERCHANT BREWING COMPANY In the height of the Australian summer, a 6.9% ABV Belgian-style blonde ale seems like a strange choice. But the boys over at Merchant have taken some bold steps to create one ripper of a beer. Blending the toffee apple malt flavour with extracts of pear and earl grey tea, this beer is inventive and exciting without being gimmicky. The beer pours slightly cloudy, is dark orange in colour and has a strong aroma of pears, apricots and a touch of citrus. The immediate flavour is pear with a hint of tart funkiness, then the sweet malt flavour gives way to a light kiss of floral citrus rounded out by the herbaceous bitterness from the tea. Incredibly well-balanced and surprisingly delicate, this beer would make a fine match for seafood or a fruit-based summer salad. Just like the monocle-sporting sloth on the label, this is a sophisticated and fun slow sipper for those looking for something a little different this summer. Earl Pear is currently available on tap at Quarrymans Hotel, Pyrmont. PASSION OF THE PUSS, WAYWARD BREWING CO Between Parramatta Road and the backstreets of leafy Annandale, Wayward Brewing Co's tap room is the perfect place for those seeking shelter from the hot days. Housed in a converted wine cellar, the brewery boasts an impressive selection of vintage 70s-style couches, a wall-mounted Royal Enfield motorcycle and a labyrinth of rooms and spaces catering to crowds of all sizes. Passion of the Puss is a new spin on Wayward's incredibly popular Sour Puss Raspberry Berliner Weisse, but this time it favours passionfruit and yuzu. The result is a a bright, aromatic brew with plenty of passionfruit notes giving way to the acidity of the yuzu to round it out. This is a great beer for those looking to get into sours as it has enough complexity and balance to remain refreshing all the way through the pint. Sitting at only 3.8% ABV, it's great for session, and a reliable hangover cure. Passion of the Puss is currently available in 640ml bombers from Wayward Brewery Co, Camperdown. WEST COAST IPA, BATCH BREWING COMPANY Pioneers of the Sydney craft beer scene, Batch Brewing Company has maintained a steady rise to prominence in inner west Sydney, the cradle of brewing culture in Sydney. While the current trend among brewers seems to be about who can brew the biggest, hoppiest and strongest IPAs, this little gem from Batch's core range is a reliable and refreshing take on the classic American style. Over the years, Batch have made many IPAs, yet this is the only permanent fixture and with one sip you'll quickly see why. The blend of three hop varieties with three base malts achieves a beer that is supremely well balanced. Pale gold and ever so slightly cloudy, this beer is dominated by tropical fruit aromas of mango and pineapple, followed by fresh citrus notes. A subtle but firm bitterness rounds out the finish and leaves you wanting more, and as it sits at an approachable 5.8%, why not have another? Batch West Coast is currently available in cans, bombers, growlers and on tap at Batch Brewery Company, Marrickville. DIPA, HOPE BREWHOUSE When getting into the boozier side of brewing, some beers tend to almost drift into wine territory. With this in mind, it's incredibly comforting to know that Hope's head brewer, Matt Hogan, is indeed a former winemaker. This training in nuance and delicacy translates in the surprising form of a double India pale ale — a style famous for its in-your-face flavour. Hope's offering, however, is a joyously well-balanced beer; it has a pale straw colour with a beautiful floral nose, citrus aromas, big tropical fruit notes and a piney, resiny mid-palate. The light malts offer some sweeter notes of honey and biscuit, while a substantial bitter finish makes this big bold beer a truly dynamic flavour experience. Sitting at 9% ABV this DIPA would be suited to fans of Pirate Life Brewing's Double IPA. Hope DIPA is currently available in cans at Liquor Emporium, St Peters, and on tap at the The Local Taphouse, Darlinghurst. SAUCY SAISON, SAUCE BREWING COMPANY Starting a microbrewery in a warehouse in Marrickville is a tried and tested idea. With the craft cradle booming, however, offering something new and exciting can be a challenge. Enter Sauce Brewing Company, a strong team of brewers covering a broad range of styles with charm and reliability. Oh, and did we mention their converted warehouse space features a large, family-friendly beer garden? This beer is a modern take on the classic French/Belgian style where the yeast is the dominant flavour. A special Belgian ale yeast gives smooth notes of banana and clove with some light fruity esters, followed by a twist of citrusy hop flavour, all wrapped up in a smooth honey malt. For those seeking a less hop-driven beer, that still has a bit of a kick to it this summer, treat yourself to something a little different, after all, 'tis the 'saison'! Saucy Saison is available from Sauce Brewing Company, Marrickville in cans and growlers, and in cans at Red Bottle, Sussex Street. SERPENT'S KISS, GRIFTER BREWING CO Pilsner is a style that many beer nerds will scoff at, as it's often thought of as a bland boring lager. In the current game, however, the ability to produce an interesting lager-style beer is one hell of a trump card to play. This is exactly what the team at Grifter has done. With five-plus years in the Sydney brewing scene, their approach to this widely loved style of beer is sure to appeal to a wide range of drinkers. This light-bodied, easy-drinking brew is the perfect, refreshing drop for a sunny afternoon, it has a low level of bitterness complemented by a delicate fruitiness from the inclusion of real watermelon. The watermelon flavour is light, natural and not overly sweet, resulting in a beautifully sessionable beer with a fruity twist. Available in cans from the Grifter Brewing Co, and currently on tap at the White Cockatoo Petersham. OXYMORON, BRUNY ISLAND Traditionally, darker beers are reserved for drinking in the cooler months, but tradition goes straight out the window with this beer made by a cheese company from Tasmania. The aptly titled Oxymoron is a sort of Swiss-Army-knife beer, in that it's perfect for a multitude of occasions all year round. The style is billed as a 'dark pale ale' so expect some robust roasty notes of smooth cocoa and a touch of spice from the use of malted rye. This is wonderfully countered by a superb blend of four Tasmanian-grown hop varieties offering floral, citrus and light peach notes, rounded out by a firm bitterness. This is a beer that will serve as a refreshing, yet smooth and rich, alternative to the plethora of American-style pales dominating the market at present. A relative newcomer to the scene, even moreso the mainland, Bruny Island's beers are most reliably sourced through its online store, but keep an eye out for them in your local craft pub, bar or bottle-o. NORMAN AUSTRALIAN ALE, YULLI'S BREWS About halfway down Crown Street in Surry Hills there's a small, unassuming restaurant with a well-deserved reputation for serving some of the finest vegetarian food in town. To make it even better, they're also responsible for one of the finest local drops on the market. Created by bar staff seeking an approachable and casual beer that could also stand alongside fine dining, Norman is a light, refreshing summer ale with notes of apple and pear, followed by a gentle, clean, bitter finish. The green and gold cans adorned with a charmingly idiosyncratic cartoon character make for a staple in any Aussie fridge this summer. Perfect for a barbecue or beachside evening picnic, Norman is a friend you want to have around again and again. Available from Yulli's restaurant, Surry Hills, on tap and in cans at The Clock Hotel bottle shop. [caption id="attachment_648241" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA[/caption] TONIC, DOCTOR'S ORDERS The Sydney brewing scene's equivalent of the eccentric cartoon mad scientist Rick Sanchez (from Rick and Morty), 'Dr' Darren Robinson has been brewing weird, wacky and wonderful styles of beer since 2009. The latest seasonal prescription from the Doc is a sessionable witbier with an impressive array of botanicals including orange peel, juniper berries, lemon myrtle and cinchona bark. This inventive blend of flavours is enough to make for a beautiful summer drop all by itself, however, it is also a brilliant mixer with your favourite gin. This is the second seasonal release of the Tonic, which was a massive success last year and sure to become a summer favourite of both gin and beer enthusiasts. Available from the The Wine Cellar, Newtown, in cans.
No one needs an excuse to get stuck into gnocchi. But as winter steadily creeps closer, the volume of pillowy potato dumplings Melbourne consumes follows an undeniable upwards trajectory. Luckily, the team running The Ascot Lot's beloved Gnocchi Festival is well aware of this fact. The event has been a fan favourite since 2019 — when over 10,000 pasta enthusiasts streamed in across the weekend. This April sees the return of the much-loved festival, with a slew of the city's gnocchi-loving vendors invited to plate up their unique versions of the classic potato dish from Saturday, April 30–Sunday, May 1. Head in from noon each day to catch a range of gnocchi-inspired creations from the likes of Pasta Face, Eat My Balls and Gnonnas Gnocchi, with vegan and gluten-free options in the mix. Meanwhile, both the indoor and outdoor bars will be whipping up Euro-accented cocktails in a nod to gnocchi's Italian roots — from spritzes to bellinis. A program of live tunes will soundtrack your gnocchi scoffing right through the afternoon and, as always, pooches are more than welcome to join in the fun. This year, the Gnocchi Festival will be staying COVID-safe and splitting the weekend up into three two-and-a-half-hour sessions per day so everyone has a chance to experience gnocchi heaven. Tickets are on sale now for $10, which includes a special spritz on arrival. [caption id="attachment_809656" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ardor Food Co.[/caption]
In 2013, after 17 years on the air, Richard Mercer played his final love song dedication. Now, Tom Hogan and Bonnie Leigh-Dodds are picking up where the Love God left off. Billed as equal parts lecture, dance party and late-night cab ride home, Love Song Dedications (without Richard Mercer) is the ultimate love letter to a broadcasting icon, as Bonnie and Tom duke it out in their quest to find the perfect ballad. The pair also host a podcast on the subject. So, if nothing else, you know they're qualified to comment on it.
During 2020's lockdown, plenty of folks started burning through at-home workouts. You might've decided to work hard on your wine appreciation skills, too. And, if you were boss-level multitasking, you might've done both at once — including at virtual event series Pinot Pilates. A little bit of normality has returned in 2021, which means that Pinot Pilates is making a big leap this year and taking place as a physical, in-person event. So, instead of tuning in online, you'll head to La Ciel for a wine-fuelled pilates class helmed by seasoned instructor Laura Roodhouse. Two Pinot Pilates Live sessions are happening on Sunday, February 7 — from 4–6pm and 7–9pm. For your $95 ticket, you'll combine drinking vino with some muscle-toning moves, all while overlooking the Melbourne skyline. You'll be guided through a laidback series of stretches and core work — in between sips, of course. Classes run for two hours, with an hour of that dedicated to pilates, and equipment, mats and glassware are all supplied. You'll also receive a bottle of vino, and there'll be a grazing selection and seasonal fruits to snack on.
You don't need a plane ticket to get a taste of Latin America. In fact, you only need to go as far as Fitzroy. This weekend, thousands of people will flock to Johnston Street for the annual Hispanic Latin American Festival, otherwise known as the Johnston Street Festival. We're talking two straight days of art, music, dancing and more food than you could possibly devour. And then there's the sangria. Good Lord is there sangria. The fiesta begins at midday on Saturday. The street will be packed to bursting with food stalls, so get ready to stuff yourself full of paella, Mexican BBQ and sweet, sweet Spanish doughnuts. Free dance lessons should help you salsa off some of the grub, while on the main stage you'll find live Latin bands and DJs. The fun continues well past sundown, with live music at nearby venues including The Old Bar, Laundry Bar and The LuWOW.
It's the main reason most of Melbourne has made their way to Good Food Month over the last couple of years, and in 2018, the ever-popular Night Noodle Markets are back — and they're bigger than ever. This year, the markets will standalone from Good Food Month for a second time — the four-week food showcase happened in June. More than 20 different stalls will converge on Birrarung Marr for a whopping 18 nights this November. Among the spoils will be all manner of noodles, dumplings, Korean tacos, savoury waffles and other delights from Wonderbao, Hoy Pinoy, Puffle, Mr Miyagi and Son In Law. For dessert, Black Star Pastry and N2 Extreme Gelato will both be returning, as will Gelato Messina (can it top last year's deep-fried gelato katsu sandwich?). There will be live music and entertainment, too, and a pop-up cellar door, which will host a series of 'paint and sip' sessions, a craft brew pop-up, a Pimm's garden bar and, for the first time, a kombucha bar offering festival-goers bottomless kombucha — for free. The Night Noodle Markets are once again at Birrarung Marr and will run from Thursday, November 8 until Sunday, November 25. They'll be open Monday and Tuesday 5-9pm, Wednesday and Thursday 5–10pm, Friday 5–11pm, Saturday 4–10pm, and Sunday 4–9pm. Entry is free but the place — if other years are anything to go by — will be packed. Image: Kimberley Moore.
If anything's going to help kick off your last month of summer in style, it's a few crisp gins, quaffed beneath the sun in one of Melbourne's newest CBD beer gardens. And that's exactly the situation you're in for when Melbourne favourite Gin Palace descends on new openair haunt Park Melbourne for the inaugural Summer Gin Fling. This three-day mini-fest is set to serve up a thirst-quenching celebration of local gin, from Friday, February 7, to Sunday, February 9. And with Gin Palace's expert curators at the helm, you know to expect a pretty banging booze lineup. Plus, entry is free. You'll have the chance to sip signature serves from the likes of Melbourne Gin Company, Poor Toms, Great Ocean Road Gin, Bathtub Gin Co. and Four Pillars, while artists spin tunes from within Park's glasshouse DJ booth (6–10pm nightly). The venue's latest collection of art installations will also be on show, including a work titled Bathtub created by Gin Palace itself. Images: Julia Sansone.
There's nothing strange in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, even with the spirits of sewer dragons, Slimer and pre-Sumerian demons all lurking about. There's nothing unusual about the movie's neighbourhood, either, with the supernatural comedy franchise revisiting New York after Ghostbusters: Afterlife's detour to Oklahoma. No surprises are found among the characters, mixing OG faces from 1984's Ghostbusters and its 1989 sequel Ghostbusters II with cast members from the saga's last flick (and still sadly pretending that 2016's excellent female-led Ghostbusters didn't happen). But something unexpected does occur in this fifth film to ask "who ya gonna call?": its love of nostalgia is as strong as in Afterlife; however, Frozen Empire is welcomely absent its immediate predecessor's needy force. Afterlife didn't bode well for reviving a concept that initially sprang from Dan Aykroyd's (Zombie Town) fondness for the paranormal. Everywhere that it could blast in a wink, nudge and nod backwards, it did, with the subtlety of a proton-pack blast that's tearing up NYC, angering the mayor and sparking a campaign to stop the spectre-hunting gang. It also desperately wanted to be an 80s-era Steven Spielberg picture. Frozen Empire still brings back plenty that's familiar, including Aykroyd's Ray Stantz, Bill Murray's (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) Peter Venkman, Ernie Hudson's (Quantum Leap) Winston Zeddemore and Annie Potts' (Young Sheldon) Janine Melnitz, but with noticeably less "did you see that, did you, did you?!?" kid-trying-to-get-someone's-attention energy. The last flick sported exactly that vibe for a reason: director Jason Reitman (The Front Runner), the son of the first two films' Ivan Reitman (Draft Day), was both following in his dad's footsteps and reliving his childhood. Handing over the helming reins to Gil Kenan (A Boy Called Christmas), with the younger Reitman co-writing, makes a difference. That said, simply being better than Afterlife is a low hurdle to clear. It's also what Frozen Empire achieves and little more. With his and Jason Reitman's roles behind the camera now reversed since their debut Ghostbusters collaboration, which he co-penned, Kenan ain't afraid of a by-the-numbers script that stitches together references to the franchise's past and as many characters as can be jam-packed in. From Afterlife, Paul Rudd (Only Murders in the Building), Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age), Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things) and McKenna Grace (Crater) all return as the Spengler-Grooberson crew. Celeste O'Connor (Madame Web) and Lucky Kim (The Walking Dead: Dead City) are back as well. New in Frozen Empire: Patton Oswalt (Manhunt), Kumail Nanjiani (Migration), James Acaster (Springleaf) and Emily Alyn Lind (Gossip Girl). Getting such a hefty list of players in the same flick isn't the same thing as giving them all something substantial to do. Frozen Empire begins with Callie (Coon), her teen kids Trevor (Wolfhard) and Phoebe (Grace), and their former science teacher Gary (Rudd) all in Ecto-1, in hot pursuit of an otherworldly wraith in Manhattan — and the fact that Callie parents, Gary yearns to be seen as a parent and Trevor reminds everyone that he's 18 now sets the scene for their parts moving forward. So does Phoebe taking charge, but Kenan and Reitman only make half an effort to push her to the fore. When Phoebe links up with Ray, who now runs a store that buys possessed possessions, the Ghostbusters saga gets its best path forward so far with this cast. And yet, possibly scared of the ridiculous backlash to Kate McKinnon (Barbie), Kristen Wiig (Palm Royale), Melissa McCarthy (The Little Mermaid) and Leslie Jones (Our Flag Means Death) in jumpsuits almost a decade back, Frozen Empire largely pads itself out with filler to stop Phoebe always being the main point of focus. The Phoebe-Ray dynamic was destined to shimmer. She's the new version of her grandfather Egon (Harold Ramis, who thankfully isn't resurrected with CGI as he ghoulishly was in Afterlife), while Ray remains as ever-passionate as ever. "This is how I want to spend my golden years. This is what I love," the latter notes partway in — and no one is as visibly pleased to be in Frozen Empire as Aykroyd. Ray and Phoebe are mostly stuck on side quests, though, after the aforementioned mayor (Bad Company's William Atherton, another returnee from 1984) gets the youngest Spengler taken off active bustin' duty due to child labour laws. Although the 15-year-old earns a romantic subplot, too, courtesy of a teen ghost named Melody (Lind) that she meets while alone and lonely when the rest of her family are chasing spirits, that thread also lacks wholehearted commitment by Frozen Empire's guiding powers. Name-wise, the film takes its cues from a being that can freeze people to death in NYC in summer, and has in the past. That's the big bad in need of vanquishing — a mission that brings in Nanjiani as a hawker peddling his recently deceased grandmother's relics, Oswalt as an expert in ancient languages (who conveniently works out of the New York Public Library) and Acaster as an engineer in Winston's new paranormal research lab. As it hits easily predictable beats, the overall plot jumps between routine and amiable; this is a movie of sporadic small pleasures rather than proving a big joy. Rudd uttering the Ghostbusters theme tune's lyrics as dialogue, a discman with a haunted Spin Doctors CD, a gramophone turned by a severed hand, a Mary Todd Lincoln gag, Nanjiani endeavouring to channel Rick Moranis (The Goldbergs): they're the feature's equivalents of mini marshmallow men, which also pop up again in an attempt to shoehorn in some cuteness. As Frozen Empire succeeds in topping Afterlife, and also in feeling far more like a Ghostbusters entry, there's an aptness about the picture becoming a case of taking the good with the average and worse. The messy editing, thin plot, unwillingness to enthusiastically champion Phoebe as the key protagonist, stretching its antics out to 115 minutes and bloated number of actors — if Aykroyd is the most excited of the bunch, Murray is the most weary — all get Frozen Empire mirroring one of the storyline's themes: that living, especially when surrounded by death, is about clinging onto what highlights you can. Perhaps that train of thought also explains splicing in clips from films gone by as well (not from 2016, of course), plus Ray Parker Jr's music video and even old ads for Ghostbusters merchandise. If the franchise gets another life from here, however, it's time to embrace being bold again, instead of comfortably doing just enough.
Ngaiire, Mojo Juju and Ali Barter will headline a diverse lineup of artists at this year's Gaytimes music festival. Set to take place over three days and two nights at the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort an hour and a half outside of Melbourne (where Paradise is held), the LGBTQI-friendly event will feature more than 35 local and international music acts, as well as art shows, film screenings, speed dating and more. As the organisers put it: it's the camping festival "of your big gay dreams". The 18+ festival runs from February 17 to 19. Other standout acts who'll take the stage include New York DJ JD Samson, Unearthed High winner Gretta Ray, Berlin House act Fritz Helder and psych pop group Broadway Sounds. In addition to the tunes, the festival will feature an array of additional action, from performance and visual art to yoga. The festival is BYO but will also boast an on-site cocktail bar, while food and coffee will also be on sale. In keeping with their inclusive approach, Gaytimes will offer gender neutral bathrooms, and will enforce a no tolerance policy for anti-social, homophobic, transphobic or racist behaviour. SO don't be a jerk, and you should be A-okay. Images: Jackson Grant/Gaytimes.
It kicked off more than four decades ago with one of the best horror movies ever made; however, the Halloween franchise has been through quite a few ups and downs over the years. Clocking up ten follow-ups and 11 movies in total so far, the slasher series initially created by the great John Carpenter has delivered excellent and terrible sequels, veered into remake territory, both killed off and brought back its heroine, and completely erased parts of its own past several times. And, like its mask-wearing villain Michael Myers, it always finds a way to go on. Since 2018's Halloween, that's been especially great news — with the Jamie Lee Curtis-starring, Jason Blum-produced 11th flick in the franchise proving a smart, thrilling horror delight, and ranking second only to the movie that started it all. Indeed, the film was such a success that two more sequels are set to come from the same team (aka Blum, writer/director David Gordon Green and co-scribe Danny McBride): Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends. Originally, Halloween Kills was due to hit screens last year, in October — when else? — but, as announced in 2020 by franchise creator John Carpenter, it moved back its release to October this year. That's now fast approaching, with fans soon able to make a return trip to Haddonfield. Yes, that means that Curtis' spirited Laurie Strode will have another altercation with her lifelong nemesis, too — because, when it's at its best, that's what this franchise is all about. Picking up where its immediate predecessor left off, Halloween Kills will also take a few cues from another movie in the series, as its just-dropped first trailer shows. Not one but two sneak peeks last year set the scene for the saga's 12th entry, but this full trailer dives deep into the storyline. Following the events of the last film, Laurie ends up in hospital with life-threatening injuries just as Michael starts stalking through Haddonfield again — which is the same storyline that Halloween II followed exactly 40 years ago. Thankfully, if the last flick is any guide, Halloween Kills shouldn't prove a needless remake. Green and McBride did a stellar job of nodding to the past while finding a new way forward with 2018's Halloween, after all — and leaving horror fans definitely wanting more. This time, too, Laurie and her daughter Karen (Judy Greer, Valley Girl) and granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak, Son) team up with other survivors of Michael's rampages and decide to hunt down their attacker. Check out the full Halloween Kills trailer below: Halloween Kills will release in Australian cinemas on October 14, 2021. Top image: Ryan Green/Universal Pictures.
Before writing anything else, we first want to promise that this article is spoiler free. So if you haven't yet had your weekly dose of Game of Thrones then you can still read on safely. Meanwhile, if you have watched Monday's harrowing episode, then you are probably in need of a pick-me-up. Whichever category you fall into, you will enjoy the following artworks from graphic designer Mike Wroebel, who this week provided us with a 20th-century reimagining of the epic HBO fantasy. "I grew up with Fresh Prince, Saved by the Bell," Wroebel says in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter. "I just thought it would be funny ... to appropriate the characters and turn them into something quirky that reflected their personalities". His contemporary appropriations are surprisingly uncanny, so if you are concerned about Joffrey suddenly becoming cool, then you need not worry. "I focused a lot on still making him look like a douchebag," says Wroebel. As you can see, he certainly succeeded. Other characters are also perfectly represented. The broody nature of Jon Snow is captured in his adoption of grunge, Jaime Lannister oozes cool in a Miami Vice suit, Brienne keeps her armour as she takes to the football field, and Sansa Stark portrays Saved by the Bell's Kelly as if she was her double. Our personal favourite, though, is Daenerys Targaryen. Of course there were no dragons in the 1990s, so obviously the Mother of Dragons becomes the Mother of Ferrets. Khaleesi? More like Cooleesi. Check out the others below. Via HuffPost Arts & Culture.
Those date night dinner plans have probably been given a right old shake-up, thanks to Melbourne's latest snap lockdown. If that's the case, Hemingway's Wine Room is here to help keep the magic alive, with a new limited-edition, at-home feast option. Available for pick-up and delivery to a range of nearby suburbs, you'll find two different five-course menus primed for that next cosy night in with your SO. Each is named after a classic Hemingway title, of course. A Moveable Feast features dishes like roasted quail with a truffle jus, a navarin-style lamb shank and fish done in Vadouvan spices. Meanwhile, To Have and Have Not stars salmon gravlax, chicken roulade and a beef cheek bourguignon that's been slow-braised for 12 hours. Freshly-shucked oysters, brioche rolls and fancy desserts round out the fun. Both at-home packs are available from Tuesday, July 20–Saturday, July 24 and clock in at $160, each with enough food to feed (at least) two hungry lockdowners.
