This year, acclaimed whisky-maker House of Suntory is celebrating its 100th anniversary with two elegant dinners at renowned restaurants in Melbourne. In honour of the brand's roots, the Suntory Time dinners will be held at Japanese restaurants Kisume on Tuesday, August 22 and Yugen on Thursday, October 5. Guests can expect a lavish multi-course menu with the chance to sample a selection of Suntory's premium whiskies, including the special 100th anniversary edition of their 18-year-old Yamazaki Mizunara and Hakushu Peated Malt, which retails for over $3000. House of Suntory actually dates back to 1899, when founder Shinjiro Torii started out selling wine in Osaka. In 1923, the brand pivoted to focus on creating whisky specifically suited to Japanese consumers and opened Yamazaki Distillery — the first malt whisky distiller in the country. One hundred years on, Suntory is now established as a leading purveyor of spirits recognised the world over, and has since expanded the offering to include the award-winning Roku gin and Haku vodka. Whisky connoisseurs who can't make it to the dinners should keep an eye out in bottle shops for the release of limited editions of the 18-year-old Yamazaki Mizunara and Hakushu Peated Malt, along with anniversary labels of the 12-year-old Yamazaki and Hakushu. As part of the milestone, House of Suntory teamed up with filmmaker Sofia Coppola to create a short film starring Keanu Reeves. The Suntory Anniversary Tribute was shot in Japan and explores the brand's journey through the century, while also featuring a nod to Sofia's Lost in Translation, which was released 20 years ago. Book your spot at Kisume for $595 on Tuesday, August 22 on the website. Register your interest for Yugen on Thursday, October 5 on the website.
It felt like the day would never arrive but, as of 11.59pm on Tuesday, October 27, Melbourne is slowly reopening. Under the state's new eased restrictions, thousands of bars, venues and events can now welcome back patrons — including paint-and-sip studio Cork and Canvas. If you've been indulging in arts and crafts during lockdown, you can now flex your newfound artistic skills while enjoying a glass of wine at Cork and Canvas' two South Melbourne studios. The doors are being thrown open from Wednesday, November 4, with both public paint-and-sip classes and private parties available for booking. Upon reopening, Cork and Canvas will be running sessions daily, including guided paintings of the Melbourne city skyline, as well as famous Van Gogh and Monet pieces. There's also a create-your-own-Banksy workshop. Bookings start at $55 per person and securing your place soon is recommended — as Melburnians will be eager for any public activity they can get their hands on over the next few weeks.
2017 was an action-packed couple of months for scripted storytelling. As we are wont to do, we made sure you knew what international and Australian films to watch before the end of the year, and we've just put together our list for the best films of 2017. But what about television? We may have gotten through the past 12 months on a steady diet of Stranger Things, the return of Twin Peaks, a dollop of BoJack Horseman, regular portions of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and late-night benders of Margaret Atwood-inspired dystopia. But how much Australian television do you remember watching? If none come to mind straight away, we're here to cure that case of pop cultural amnesia. So fire up your local streaming services, prepare your stash of Zooper Doopers, put your phone on Airplane Mode, get into your cosiest staying-in-for-the-summer outfit and settle in for some top-notch Australian-made series. Here's ten to get you started. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oZaOr5v9So KIKI AND KITTY What if your new best friend was also the human embodiment of your vagina? For some, that's a rhetorical question. For Nakkiah Lui, it's the beginning of a brand new series. Written by and starring Lui (who plays the lead role of Kitty), and directed by Catriona McKenzie, Kiki and Kitty is modern-day absurdist comedy at its best. Launched as one of the new short-form series for ABC Comedy earlier this year, each episode explores what it's like to be "the good black girl in a bad white world". It's fierce, funny and unapologetically explores the politics of race and gender in a way that few Australian television shows would dare. Available on: ABC iView. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5HSsrjoedk RONNY CHIENG: INTERNATIONAL STUDENT You may recall Ronny Chieng from his day job as a correspondent on Comedy Central's The Daily Show. Based on his real-life experience of being a university student in Melbourne, Chieng plays a version of himself on the show. Cultural stereotypes are both exploited, and interrogated, for laughs but also for thoughtful reflections on what it means to be a young person who switches countries, and cultures, full of hope and expectation. This is perfect viewing for anyone who appreciates a story from an outsider's perspective with a sharp comedic edge. Available on: ABC iView. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1UXO2uLH-s ROSEHAVEN Daniel and Emma are fictional best mates. So are real-life comedians Luke McGregor and Celia Pacquola, who also happen to be the co-creators and writers of the show. Exploring what happens between moving back home to help out with the family business and a failed marriage, this Tasmanian-made series is deeply endearing. Both seasons play like a love letter to rural life, and what happens when we decide to give up on ambition. Daniel/McGregor and Emma/Pacquola are about propping each other up just as much as they're about mocking the hell out of each other. For those of us who prefer to find gentle humour through genuine friendships. Available on: ABC iView. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swTlbwspBaE GLITCH Set in the fictional country town of Yoorana, Glitch explores what happens when seven people rise from the dead with no memory of who they are, or how they died. Sitting somewhere between supernatural mystery and sci-fi, the series was created by Tony Ayres (producer of The Slap) and Louise Fox (previously a writer on Broadchurch). If you were previously a fan of the 2012 French series Les Revenants, the first two seasons of Glitch offers an Australian gothic take on small town urban legends and unfinished business. Available on: Netflix Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjuXTD0m9Lc ROUND THE TWIST Totalling four magical seasons, Round the Twist was definitive in making strange the new normal on 90s Australian television. Galore with monsters, werewolves, human ice cream machines and the haunted lighthouse that started it all, the series is the equivalent of audio visual comfort food for old fans. Also guaranteed to be a cornucopia of oddball amusement for the yet to be initiated. It's now all on Netflix. Available on: Netflix Australia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pSChPGBFD4 THE OTHER GUY If modern break-ups and heartache need to be key story ingredients for your summer viewing, consider The Other Guy. In the long tradition of male comics playing versions of themselves on screen, comedian and Triple J life member Matt Okine is AJ, an aimless breakfast radio host who has just split up with his longtime girlfriend (Valene Kane). The show deals less with the heroics of finally accepting adulthood, and more about the funny, sad and inane aspects of getting older anyway. Give it a go if you loved Master of None, Love or Please Like Me. Available on: Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAKZYp9-MoM NO ACTIVITY Two cops on a nighttime stake-out, a methamphetamine shipment that never arrives, and mindless conversations form the basis of the first season of this slapstick improvised comedy. And if you want more, there's a second season to devour as well. For fans of Mike Schur's American workplace comedies (The Office, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parks and Recreation), No Activity is Australia's equivalent of the nothing-ever-happens type of comedy. Expect some sincere moments among the sly laughs too. Available on: Stan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoH1z7JetiM THE FAMILY LAW Adapted from Benjamin Law's book-length series of personal essays on his family, The Family Law deals with the aftermath of a family's breakdown in the wake of a divorce, and what it's like to grow up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland as an Asian kid who dreams of starring on Home and Away (spoiler alert: it's no walk in the park). It's rare that a series can be awkward, hilarious and heartbreaking all at once, but The Family Law manages to fictionalise Ben's coming-of-age without forgetting to look at weighty issues too, like coming out as a Chinese-Australian teen, the deportation of extended family, and the unexpected death of grandparents with grace and warmth. Available on: SBS On Demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsh_hVbkkcQ&t=25s OTHER PEOPLE'S PROBLEMS Boasting an all-female creative team (from the co-creators and writers to the starring roles), Other People's' Problems is a dramedy about reluctant copywriter Florence and the ever-enterprising Ann, who team up to ghostwrite letters for people in exchange for clothes. In a misguided attempt to prove they're both great at helping people, acting as agony aunts leads them to wondering if they're actually just rubbish at dealing with their own problems. As with all the best stories, this one is based on writers Penelope Chai and Jane Dickenson's experiences of starting a bartering project called Clothing for Correspondence (pen to paper in exchange for clothes from your wardrobe). A perfect snack of a series for the heartfelt snail mail letter writers and op-shop fiends among us. Available on: ABC iView. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bIpoZKt6Gs GET KRACK!N Kate and Kate, the co-creators of ABC's The Katering Show, are back to take on the world of Australian breakfast television. You can be guaranteed two things for every 30 minute episode in the series: these two do not know how to host a breakfast TV show, and it is too damn early in the morning (we're talking go-to-air-at-3am.-early) to have maintained one's A-game. For anyone who is resistant to the real thing, cosy up to this eye-wateringly hilarious time on the grey green couch of never-ending awkwardness. Available on: ABC iView.
While Sugar Mountain has been around for a few years now, it's safe to say that 2015 will be the festival's biggest yet. With the announcement that '90s hip-hop legend Nas was set to perform his seminal album Illmatic in its glorious entirety, this indie music and arts festival was instantaneously catapulted from boutique to BIG DEAL. Now, just a few days out from the main event, we wouldn't blame you if you've been caught up in the hype. While Nas is understandably a huge get for the local festival, he's not the only reason to jump on tickets quick smart. Of course, there are a bunch of other top notch acts lined up such as Ariel Pink, Swans and How To Dress Well, but music isn't the festival's only drawcard. The festival seeks to explore the intersection of music, visual arts and new media "focusing on the natural meeting points between different mediums". And as the proceedings have this year moved from The Forum to the VCA, there's an understandably much bigger focus on the latter two categories. Here's a few artsy reasons to head along this Saturday. Ash Keating Best known for his work in the NGV's landmark exhibition Melbourne Now — or more specifically, all over the gallery's north-facing wall — this local paint fiend is bound to put on a show to rival Nas himself. Often working with fire extinguishers, Keating creates expressive and transformative works in urban spaces that double as both beautiful objects and performative spectacles. Aside from the NGV, you may have caught one of his creations at RMIT's A'Beckett Urban Square last year. But if you've never had the pleasure of seeing this local boy in action, we highly recommend catching the show at Sugar Mountain. With extinguisher in hand, things are bound to get pretty messy. Confetti System You know an artist is good when they've been called upon by Beyonce. Confetti System are a duo out of New York consisting of Nicholas Anderson and Julie Ho — two people you definitely want to decorate your next birthday party. Specialising in all things fabulous, these crafty Americans create fantastical displays and incredible textural pieces out of tissue paper, silk, confetti and ribbon. While they've created installations for the likes of Beyonce — it deserves two name drop — Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Beach House, they really come into their own when they're working for a wider audience. The duo love the fact that they're works encourage a spontaneous installation with the viewer and crowds at Sugar Mountain will be wholly encouraged to interact with the works (read: frolic in confetti until you die of happiness). Robin Fox This local light wizard will be right at home at Sugar Mountain with his specialisation in lasers and theatrics perfectly complementing the music on show. Constantly interested in the intersection of light and sound, Fox has shared his work widely over the past few years. Like Keating, he also participated in Melbourne Now, but he's also collaborated with artists at the NGV's Friday Nights' series, and has worked with Chunky Move on multiple productions. At Sugar Mountain, he'll be treating us to a work he debuted at MONA FOMA last year, RGB Colour Organ. Like most crazy art times at the festival, it will be interactive as Fox invites us to play a piano keyboard hooked up to laser projectors and show light and sound all over everyone. Yes. Please. Cornelius Brown This Melburnian art collective may not have giant laser or famous friends, but they do have something pretty good — giant sneaky men made out of milk crates. Of course, this isn't the only thing they do, but it is the most memorable. You may have caught a glimpse of their original 'Crateman' in various awkward positions across the country in recent years — he's been spotted on a rooftop in Richmond and all the way up to Brisbane. But, the main goal of their work is to reinvigorate their audience's relationship with urban environments. Constantly re-purposing everyday objects to create something surreal and eye-catching, they'll no doubt be one to watch on the festival grounds (and buildings and skies). Abby Portner Surreal tends to be the taste d'jour of this year's offering and with that in mind Abby Portner will fit in just fine. Having previously produced work for Animal Collective, LA skate-royalty Alien Workshop and motherflippin' Jim Henson Studios (SHE ACTUALLY MADE MUPPETS), Portner basically works in a dreamland. Working across multiple art forms such as animation, set design, costume, paint and film, this US-based artist is somewhat of a wildcard to the festival. But, considering her online portfolio boasts a free-standing giant poop emoji, we're pretty excited to see what she'll bring up the Mountain. Sugar Mountain is hitting the VCA from 11.30am this Saturday, January 24. Grab your tickets here.
In one of the most memorable opening scenes in movie history, American ballet student Suzy Bannion (Jessica Harper) arrives in Germany to study at a prestigious dance academy. As she's getting dropped off at the school for the first time — at night, as rain pours down in a huge storm — she spies another student fleeing in absolute fright. Yes, it's an omen of things to come. That's how 1977's Suspiria starts out. Naturally, Dario Argento's cult horror flick only gets moodier, creepier, bloodier and more suspenseful from there. And more stylish, too, given it falls into the giallo genre. Usually focusing on lurid murder-mysteries, these Italian films served up thrilling and vivid movies from the late 60s through to the 80s — and Suspiria ranks among the very best of them. Combining witches, killings and ballet into one unnerving package, it's a stone-cold classic — and, whether you're a first-timer to all things Suspiria, you've only seen the 2018 remake or you're revisiting the original for the umpteenth time, it's a treat to see on a big screen. As part of regular series Hear My Eyes, that's what's on offer on Sunday, March 1 at Hamer Hall, across two sessions at 4pm and 8pm. Hear My Eyes doesn't just screen fantastic flicks, though. It also pairs each film with a brand new score, as played live on the night. Giving Suspiria some new sounds — a huge task given how iconic its original Goblin score is — three members of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard will join forces with Leah Senior, Fia Fiell, members of Cold Hands Warm Heart and the Melbourne Chamber Choir for what promises to be a stunning combination of movies and music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPs2ExUL_bc
Whether you missed out on a Splendour ticket or are gearing up to see your fave acts twice, you'd better be quick if you want to get your mitts on some sideshow tix. Splendour has made its final gig announcements and sales to the general public kick off at 9am sharp on Wednesday, 27 April. In other words, right now. All up, eleven official shows are planned, mainly in Sydney and Melbourne (but there are a few locked in for Adelaide and Perth too). You'll be able to catch James Blake, who exploded onto global stages at the wee age of 22 with he debut EP CMYK and is now working on his third album, Radio Silence. For some post-hardcore action, you'll want a spot booked for when Texan titans At The Drive-In hit town. It was 16 years ago that Relationship of Command was released and these gigs are the band's first since 2012. You might well want to spend some time at the arenas (Sydney Olympic Park and Hisense Arena) finding out why The 1975 is one of the world's most sought after acts. Their second album I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It surmounted its extraordinarily cheesy title to top the ARIA and iTunes charts and secured the band gigs all over the place, from Coachella to Glastonbury. Next up is Jake Bugg, who became the youngest ever bloke to enter the UK charts at number one back in 2012 when he was just 18 — and four years later, is three albums into his career, with On My One due for release on June 17. Just lately, he's been on the road with Mumford & Sons. For some super smooth electro anthems, go see London-based Jack Garratt. This is the kind of guy you want to take camping with you – not only can he sing (in an incredible falsetto), he can also write, record, produce and play several instruments. You'll want your whistling skills handy for this next one. Peter, Bjorn and John (they're a Swedish trio, if you hadn't guessed), are responsible for one of 2006's catchiest tunes, 'Young Folks' and, in April 2015, they made a come back with 'High Up (Take Me To The Top)'. And for an escape from today's ubiquitous pop and electro, save your money for Mark Lanegan. He's 50 years of age and has been involved in the recording of just as many albums, nine of which are studio solo creations. You might well know him better as the front man of '90s rockers Screaming Trees. He brings his epic, Nick Cave-esque baritone to penetrating lyrics and bluesy melodies. So hop to it. SPLENDOUR 2016 SIDESHOWS James Blake SYDNEY: Tuesday, July 26, Hordern Pavilion MELBOURNE: Wednesday, July 27, Margaret Court Arena At The Drive-In SYDNEY: Sunday, July 24, Enmore Theatre MELBOURNE: Friday, July 22, The Forum The 1975 SYDNEY: Saturday, July 23, Sydney Olympic Park MELBOURNE: Sunday, July 24, Hisense Arena Jake Bugg w/ Blossoms SYDNEY: Tuesday, July 26, State Theatre MELBOURNE: Wednesday, July 27, Palais Theatre Jack Garratt w/ Kacy Hill SYDNEY: Thursday, July 21, Metro Theatre MELBOURNE: Wednesday, July 20, 170 Russell Peter, Bjorn & John SYDNEY: Wednesday, July 20, Metro Theatre MELBOURNE: Thursday, July 21, The Corner Hotel Mark Lanegan Band SYDNEY: Saturday, July 23, Factory Theatre MELBOURNE: Friday, July 22, Croxton Bandroom Beach Slang / Spring King SYDNEY: Wednesday, July 20, Oxford Arts Factory MELBOURNE: Sunday, July 24, The Corner Hotel For the full list of sideshows and to book tickets, visit secretsoundstouring.com.
With 12 days and 150 performances across 16 venues, the fourth annual Melbourne Cabaret Festival is set to deliver song, dance, cheek and sass. For a beautiful voice and a side of comedy watch Jersey Boys star Michael Griffiths as he takes on Annie Lennox in Sweet Dreams: Songs by Annie Lennox, or for a more current tribute, watch Moogy in Amy Winehouse's 'High' Tea, with tracks including 'Valerie' and 'Rehab'. If you're in the mood for a little sacrilege, head to How to be the Perfect Catholic School Girl and watch as Sachael Miller and Yasmin Mole present their own version of the Ten Commandments. There will, of course, be a cracker of an opening gala, featuring Mark Wilson and international acts such as Joey Aris and David Pomeranz, as well as a closing gala, which is raising money for Australian Marriage Equality. A little fun and a little cheeky; there will no doubt be something that takes your fancy. Image courtesy of www.jamesthomasphoto.com
Beat the winter blues with a weekend at Healesville Sanctuary for the Wine & Wildlife festival, which transforms the bushland location into an exciting cellar door experience. The cosy winter festival takes place on Saturday, August 30–Sunday, August 31, and will include giant tepees and crackling bonfires to keep you warm, as well as live acoustic performances. Plus, you can taste wines from 22 Yarra Valley wineries, breweries and distilleries, while you roam Healesville Sanctuary and admire Australia's wildlife. Sutherland Estate, Four Pillars, Steels Gate Wines, Zonzo Estate, De Bortoli, Hop Hen Brewing, Tokar Estate and Stag Lane Distillery are some of the drinks producers participating this year, offering a range of tastings to enjoy. If enjoying a few wines amidst beautiful scenery isn't enough, you can also feel good about making a difference — proceeds from ticket sales will contribute to the rescue and rehabilitation of injured animals. Make sure to plan ahead, though, as Healesville Sanctuary will only be open to Wine & Wildlife ticket-holders for the entirety of the festival. If you book early, you can score tickets for $45 instead of the usual $60. For members, early bird prices are $27 instead of $40, while those under 18 have free entry.
Can't make it to Venice any time soon? Don't worry — a taste of the Italian city is coming to Australia. At the beginning of every year, the canal-heavy locale erupts into a colourful festival complete with elaborate costumes and masks. It's a tradition dating back to the 12th century, and it's making its first trip to our shores. The Carnevale Australia Masquerade Ball will brighten up The Peninsula at Docklands on February 11, 2017, asking attendees to don their fanciest threads and best facial covering in the name of the most appropriate theme imaginable in mid February: amore, or love. Indeed, the event certainly plans to share plenty of affection, and not just through its elaborate theming and food. The ball will also include a live silent auction, with proceeds going towards earthquake victims in the Italian village of Amatrice. If that sounds like your kind of shindig (and who doesn't want to dress up, party and pretend they're in Venice?), be prepared: masks are mandatory, and with tickets starting at $450, your masquerade fun doesn't come cheap. In good news for anyone that doesn't have that kind of spare cash, it's also a taster for things to come, with the ball acting as a launch event for Carnevale Australia's full two-week celebration, slated to be held in late October / early November 2017. The Carnevale Australia Masquerade Ball takes place on February 11, 2017 at The Peninsula, Docklands. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the event website and Facebook page. Image: L G.
There's a lot to love about regional Victoria. It has hidden gems in every corner of the state, from rugged coastlines to small towns with charming pubs serving up some good ol' grub and everything in between. Up in Victoria's High Country, known for its mountains, rich gold-mining history and ski resorts, is one lesser-known spot that's well worthy of a weekend trip — the historic wine region of Rutherglen. With over 20 wineries (many of them award-winning), plenty of restaurants and cafes, incredible produce and endless countryside, there's no better place for your next getaway. And, thanks to some up-and-coming new-generation makers and producers, there's some innovative stuff happening here that you won't find elsewhere. It may be a small community — the town has a population of around 2100 — but there's no shortage of activities to do, food to eat and, of course, wine to drink. From pristine beaches and bountiful wine regions to alpine hideaways and bustling country towns, Australia has a wealth of places to explore at any time of year. We've partnered with Tourism Australia to help you plan your road trips, weekend detours and summer getaways so that when you're ready to hit the road you can Holiday Here This Year. Some of the places mentioned below may be operating differently due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please check the relevant websites before making any plans. [caption id="attachment_773167" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jones Winery, Visit Victoria[/caption] A FINE (WINE) LEGACY The Rutherglen region is steeped in winemaking glory, dating back to the 19th century when Queen Victoria was in charge and the country was swept up in a gold rush. You can see its tannin-soaked heritage at some of Victoria's oldest vineyards and taste it in the quality of the area's crisp, cool-climate whites, robust reds and world-famous fortified wines. Head to Campbells of Rutherglen, which was established in 1870, for a spot of riesling or a limited-release fiano, then to All Saints Estate Winery (established in 1864) for an aromatic shiraz. Meanwhile, you can indulge in some rustic French fare alongside your tipple at Jones Winery, which dates back to 1860 — or enjoy a nip of muscat at one of the oldest vineyards on the block, Morris Wines, which was founded in 1859. Oh, and don't forget to take a snap at the town's locally adored Big Wine Bottle — it's actually the local water tower and holds up to 72,000 gallons. Ah, if only you could turn water into wine. [caption id="attachment_723444" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Morris Wines[/caption] NEW AND INNOVATIVE WINEMAKERS CHANGING THE GAME Along with the heirloom winemakers in the region, there are plenty of newer vineyards making their mark, too. Head to the newest member to the region, Valhalla Wines. It's an environmentally sustainable vineyard, so you can feel good about sampling a glass (or two) of its chardonnay or tempranillo. Also, pop over to Scion for a handcrafted, small-batch drop of durif (a rare red French grape variety). Or, you can head back to Morris Wines — while the vineyard may be the region's oldest, it is also one of the more innovative and is known for its contemporary styles of topaque (the lighter, finer cousin of muscat) and apera, which is a sherry-style aperitif. [caption id="attachment_722871" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Thousand Pound[/caption] TOP-NOTCH RESTAURANTS AND BARS Not only will Rutherglen quench your thirst for high-quality vino but it'll line your stomach for it, too. A bunch of the region's restaurants and bars serve dishes that'll rival anything you'd find in the city — using locally sourced and seasonal produce, of course. In an old farmhouse overlooking a century-old vineyard is Ripe at Buller Wines. Here, you'll find dishes inspired by Buller's world-famous fortified wines — and prepared with produce from the vineyard's market garden. For a feed on the fancy side, head to the hatted fine diner overlooking the vines of All Saints Estate, Terrace Restaurant. The restaurant, led by Simon Arkless, is a prime example of farm-to-table eating — everything from the meat, eggs and vegetables are grown on the estate, and all organic waste is fed back to the animals or used as compost on the vines. If you're after more low-key vibes, stop in at the slickest spot in town, Thousand Pound wine bar. This cosy spot wouldn't look out of place in a hip Melbourne suburb (that is, apart from the much more affordable prices). The bar enlisted Simon Arkless for this menu, too, which is served alongside a solid wine list celebrating family-owned estates. Meanwhile, The Pickled Sisters Cafe, which you can find at Cofield Wines cellar door, is a must-visit for brunch or lunch. Or, you can turn your meal into a roaming feast with The Pickled Sister's Seasonal Food Foray. For $85 per person, you'll get a luxe picnic hamper filled with four dishes. Each meal is designed to be paired with a glass of wine from one of the participating wineries on your wine hop — Cofield Wines, Pfeiffer Wines, Stanton & Killeen and Andrew Buller Wines. Plus, it wouldn't be a trip out of the big smoke without a country-made pie from Parker Pies. [caption id="attachment_662421" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pedal to Produce[/caption] WHEN YOU NEED A BREAK FROM WINE TASTING If you think you'll need to break up the wine tastings, turn your cellar door tour into a cycling expedition with Pedal to Produce. The self-guided route is just 12.5 kilometres in total and will take you to some of the region's best cellar doors — with some pretty picturesque sights and pit stops along the way. Another way to take a breather is by gazing at some art — the Aboriginal Exhibitions Gallery, based at De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate, is a good place to start. But, when you simply can't sip another drop of wine (if that's possible), Rutherglen has plenty to whet your cultural appetite. You can head to the Murray River for a spot of fishing or visit an olive estate while you're here: you have Gooramadda Olives and Wicked Virgin to choose between. Plus, if you're lucky to be in the area on the second Sunday of the month, enjoy the Rutherglen Farmers Market and pick up some local produce to take back with you. COOL SPOTS TO BUNKER DOWN FOR THE NIGHT After a long day of enjoying the treasures of the region and with your bellies full of wine, you'll need a cosy place to rest. Luckily, Rutherglen's got plenty of unique places for you to lay your happy head on a comfy pillow. You can sleep among the vines at Grapevine Glamping and enjoy camping without all the fuss at Cofield Wines. If medieval feels are more your vibe, you can sleep in an actual castle (yep) at Mount Ophir Estate with seriously luxe furnishings, or hit the hay in a rustic-chic cabin on a lake at Moodemere Lake House. Alternatively, book a room at the boutique art deco hotel and day spa, Circa 1936, and treat yourself to a pampering after a long day of wine tasting. Whether you're planning to travel for a couple of nights or a couple of weeks, Holiday Here This Year and you'll be supporting Australian businesses while you explore the best of our country's diverse landscapes and attractions. Top image: All Saints Estate.
In his latest project, Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy?: An animated conversation with Noam Chomsky, the highly original French filmmaker Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The We and the I) ventures into a hybrid territory of animation film-meets-documentary-meets-conversation. Based around several intimidatingly intellectual chats Gondry had with the American philosopher, political activist and linguist, the film cuts between documentary-style footage of their conversations and surreal animations drawn by Gondry himself. The self-proclaimed outcast admits he felt "pretty stupid" in Chomsky's toweringly brilliant company, and the hand-drawn doodles serve to render more accessible the complicated concepts they covered, such as human cognition and the nature of communication. The animation springs from an admittedly out-of-his-depth Gondry's own instinctive, colourful and at times childlike responses to Chomsky's thoughts rather than a know-it-all smugness. Gondry recently told BuzzFeed, "I don't assume that the audience is sophisticated or not sophisticated because I'm not sure I'm smarter than them. I'm probably less smart than most people." The feature-length film premiered at the closing night of festival DOC NYC, and has had positive, if sometimes bemused reviews. It seems well worth a viewing for Chomsky fans and, seriously, it's a bit of a novelty seeing a cartoon-version of the ideas zooming around one of the world's leading intellectual minds, isnt it?
Mazy night markets across Southeast Asia set your senses alight with incredible aromas and boundless activity. You can experience the same vibe at North Melbourne's EziStreat with the SingaMalay Festival – a one-day event held on Sunday, February 23 featuring a curated selection of food vendors, live cultural performances and interactive experiences. Celebrating hawker-style street food, culture and community, expect an array of much-loved dishes, like smoky satay skewers slathered in rich peanut sauce alongside the crispy goodness of prawn vadai. Plus, there's no shortage of sweet treats, like apam balik pancakes, soy milk puddings, peanut kueh and much more. Throughout the day, DJs will keep the atmosphere turned up by spinning Singaporean and Malaysian tunes. Once you've worked up a thirst in this hot and steamy market, exclusive cocktails and mocktails will deliver some refreshment. Order an iconic regional creation like a Singapore sling or delve into tropical flavours, such as the Coconut Kiss or the Golden Tropics Fizz. Rounding out this nostalgic showcase, there are artisan vendors spruiking creative goods, lion dancing performances, and face painting and henna for the kids.
Taylor Swift's Eras tour is the gift that keeps on giving, whether or not you're actually heading along in person when it finally hits Australia in February. Since October 2023, concert film Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour has let Swifties enjoy the show on the screen, first in cinemas and then via digital. Its next stop, if you're ready for it: Disney+ from mid-March. When the blockbuster movie hits the Mouse House's streaming platform on Friday, March 15, it will feature five extra tunes, including 'cardigan' and four acoustic tracks. So, Disney is calling it "the concert film in its entirety for the first time". You might be dubbing it reason enough to don your friendship bracelets in your lounge room. If your wildest dreams have been about getting in on Taylor Swift's Eras tour since it was first announced, then this is gorgeous and enchanted news, clearly. And if you missed out on tickets to the live shows, consider this the next best thing. Look what the world made Swift do: turn her current massive tour into a movie that's also proven a smash, taking in over $260 million at the worldwide box office. The film offers a money-can't-buy view of the 'Shake It Off', 'We Are Never Getting Back Together' and 'Bad Blood' musician's gig, working through her entire career so far by playing tracks from each of her studio albums in a three-hour, ten-act spectacular. The IRL Eras Tour kicked off in March 2023 in the US, then headed to Mexico and Brazil. Japan — around the Super Bowl — then Singapore, France, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Germany, Austria, Canada, a return to the US and, of course, Australia, are all on the itinerary in 2024. "The Eras Tour has been a true phenomenon that has and continues to thrill fans around the world, and we are very excited to bring this electrifying concert to audiences wherever they are, exclusively through Disney+," said Disney CEO Bob Iger, announcing the film's impending arrival on the service. If you fancy picking yourself up some Eras tour merchandise to wear at home while you dance along, and you'll be in Sydney or Melbourne in February, that's on the agenda as well — via merch presales and a one-day-only Melbourne pop-up. Check out the trailer for Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour Concert Film below: Taylor Swift: The 'Eras' Tour will stream via Disney+ from Friday, March 15, 2024. Read our review. Top image: Ronald Woan via Wikimedia Commons.
Do you need to be acrobatic to enjoy circus arts? Do you need to be especially athletic, have incredible strength or be particularly coordinated to have a good time? The answer is no. How do I know this? I went to the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) for its Come & Try Circus Day as a graceless, confused beginner and absolutely loved it. If you want to know more, read on to find out exactly how my first day at circus school went down. THE SCHOOL In addition to being the only institution in Australia that offers a Circus Arts degree, NICA also runs term classes and holds public open days four times a year — which is where I dipped my toe in the circus-school pool. The classes were led by expert trainers and explored a broad range of skills, apparatus and fitness activities for newbies and advanced practitioners alike. To be honest, I was terrified walking in, and fully prepared for a day of failure and falling over. But, once I met the instructors and shared a few smiles with my classmates, the first-day nerves disappeared. There was a range of abilities and ages at the adult open day, all checking out the venue and teaching style on offer. With enthusiastic beginners taking part alongside more advanced attendees, I am testament to the fact that you can approach circus arts as an absolute novice and still have a great time. THE SESSIONS There were three sessions on offer, with each featuring multiple circus skills for you to try. On offer was everything from trapeze and rope to tumbling, trampolining, juggling, hand balancing and more. Each session started with a quick warm-up activity and some stretching to get the group and your body ready for action. First up for me was aerial hoop. I wasn't perfect, but everyone in the class was supportive, which made me feel like I could give it a red-hot go without embarrassment. We started with exercises to prepare the shoulders for taking our body weight, followed by mounting and dismounting. To finish, we executed a few different shapes including mermaid, DreamWorks and pixie. Shockingly, I was able to do them all. It was the confidence boost I needed to carry me through juggling — at which I was, in fact, terrible. Despite not being able to nail a single 'cascade' juggle, I enjoyed learning about timing, how to arc my throws and the art of letting the balls fall without trying to catch them on impulse. Turns out it was pretty difficult for me to let things go (is this a metaphor for my life?). Regardless, I redeemed myself on the hula hoop by managing a few quick tricks. After lunch it was handstand time. I thought I had chosen something pretty basic and, even though I had never done a handstand in my life, was fairly confident I had the upper body and core strength to manage it. I did not. I did, however, get closer than ever before. Turns out it's important to spread your hands, look down and do your best to fight that fear of falling. Don't want to follow the advice of a writer who couldn't manage a single free-standing handstand the entire session? Go and learn from an expert at NICA instead. I'm told it takes a while to build up from nothing, but as a beginner, this was still an enjoyable and entirely embarrassment-free experience. THE VERDICT If the gym doesn't spark joy, or you want to diversify your physical activity, NICA's term time classes are a brilliant way to get your body moving in interesting and challenging ways. There are prerequisites for certain levels of the term time classes, so make sure to check the website or chat with the staff before enrolling. Then get prepped to unlock skills and talents you never knew you had. As for me, I've just signed up to the Aerial Preparation term course. The sky's the limit. Keen to turn your world upside down in the best way possible? The National Institute of Circus Arts run term time classes and open days throughout the year. The next Come & Try Circus Day will take place on Saturday, September 24. For more information and to find a class that suits, visit the website. Images: Julia Sansone.
When the weather's fine, and you want to celebrate making it through another nine-to-five, there's nothing better than sippin' a cocktail in the afternoon sun. So, we've got some good news: there's a new lush oasis in town that'll help the workday woes wash away and you'll find it right in the CBD. Tanqueray has taken over Garden State Hotel on Flinders Lane for one month, filling it with tons of hanging greenery and a bar that's slinging gin cocktails with an icy twist. The menu will feature four versions of the Tanqueray gin and tonic — using either London Dry, No. TEN, Flor de Sevilla or Rangpur — and they're all frozen. There's the classic G&T with tonic and orange ($14), the Clover Club with pomegranate and citrus ($14), a green tea gimlet with green tea and lime ($14) and the Salty Dog with pink grapefruit and salt ($15). The pop-up will be open every day from 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 11am, Friday to Saturday.
Anyone can conjure up a weird and wonderful story. But, finding a tale that's not only astonishing and surprising but drawn from reality, linked to topical subjects and reflective of the world we live in — that's a particular art. Truth is stranger than fiction, after all, which seems to be the mantra driving the best documentary filmmakers. This year's Melbourne Documentary Film Festival demonstrates that idea in action, with a program covering everything from world-changing technology and polarising filmmakers to a just-graduated lawyer tasked with defending one of America's worst serial killers. Throw in acclaimed chefs stepping out of the kitchen, dogs roaming the streets of India and the intersection of glam rockers KISS with Japanese pop, and the scene is set for an eye-opening 12 days of factual cinema between Friday, July 19 and Tuesday, July 30. And they're just some of our ten picks from the fest's 112-film lineup. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvohNgVWKvw TRUST MACHINE: THE STORY OF BLOCKCHAIN When he's not playing Bill to Keanu Reeves' Ted, Alex Winter has carved out a considerable documentary filmmaking career. Specifically, he's been unpacking today's technological landscape with Trust Machine: The Story of Blockchain. It not only follows in the footsteps of 2013's Downloaded and 2015's Deep Web but also marks the first-ever blockchain-funded, blockchain-distributed and blockchain-focused doco. All things cryptocurrency sit at its centre, including hacktivist and expert Lauri Love, who is fighting extradition for stealing data from US government computers. This isn't just a tale of blockchain's perceived negative side, however — it also shows how advocates are using it to make a difference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puE32LuxPz4 ANTHROPOCENE: THE HUMAN EPOCH The fact that the planet has been changed by human civilisation is beyond debate, even if some factions of society like to pretend otherwise. Because seeing is believing, Anthropocene: The Human Epoch travels the globe to show just how we have forever altered Earth with our behaviour, waste and utter lack of care. A message like this can't be conveyed often enough; however, if you are feeling eco-documentary fatigue, filmmakers Jennifer Baichwal, Edward Burtynsky and Nicholas De Pencier amass an array of visually astonishing sights. Narration by Alicia Vikander also assists, putting everything into context. KISS VS MCZ Back in 2015, something strange hit the Japanese music scene — a collaboration between the immensely popular all-female Japanese idol group Momoiro Clover Z (MCZ) and face-painted 1970s-era US rockers KISS. This odd team-up resulted in a single as well as an accompanying video. It's all as offbeat as it sounds, with KISS vs MCZ delving into the story behind it. Music, of course, is the great cultural leveller, as Toru Tokikawa's film shows. You can indeed rock 'n' roll all night and revel in bubblegum J-pop all day, or so it seems in this entertaining music doco. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3962T4ZZyUI CIELO The wonders of the night sky brighten up the cinema screen in Cielo, which stares up at the darkened heavens from the Atacama Desert. The Chilean spot is considered on of the world's best place for stargazing — and if you've ever wondered why, or wanted to see for yourself but haven't been able to make the trip, then Alison McAlpine's eye-catching documentary is here to help. Through stunning images that ponder the space above our heads in detail, the film explores the stories and questions that such a location inspires, complete with assistance from observatory workers and folks who dwell in the desert. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFhGpRJiC14 FUNKE What causes a hit chef to walk away from their career, especially when they're a pasta whiz in Los Angeles who's become the talk of the town? What motivates them to try again a few years later, singing the praises of handmade pasta in a tumultuous industry more obsessed with trends than age-old culinary arts? That's the tale told in food doco Funke, which hones in on its titular subject, as well as Evan Funke's various professional ups and owns. The usual advice applies, as it does to all cuisine and chef-centric films: don't watch it on an empty stomach. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhS7bRwq4K8 SHARKWATER EXTINCTION In the sequel to his 2006 film Sharkwater, Canadian filmmaker and conservationist Rob Stewart once again tackles an important topic: shark finning. Something that the eco-conscious have rightly been rallying against, it involves the removal of a shark's fins — without which they can't swim properly, sink to the ocean floor and become prey for other predators. This time around, Stewart focuses on the industry driving the cruel trend, with his findings evoking well-deserved outrage. The film also acts as a tribute to the documentarian, who died while diving during the movie's production. https://vimeo.com/316360791 PARIAH DOG In one of the great animal documentaries of the past decade, Kedi dedicated its frames to the street cats of Istanbul, as well as the people who care for them. Pariah Dog is the canine-loving, Indian-set equivalent, following four men and women who look after the pups and pooches scampering around Kolkata. Prepare for more than adorable dogs, although you're guaranteed to get your fill of four-legged cuties. These pups, and the folks who devote their lives to their wellbeing, paint a vivid and intimate portrait of a thriving city — the kind of snapshot it is so easy to otherwise overlook. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfXDJ5UA98M TEDDY PENDERGRASS: IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Teddy Pendergrass achieved what no other male African American artist had before by releasing five consecutive platinum albums. That story alone — and the Philadelphia-born and -raised singer's early years and immense talent — is enough for one documentary. But, Teddy Pendergrass: If You Don't Know Me ventures further. In 1982, the R&B and soul star was paralysed from the waist down after a car accident, with the incident understandably changing his life. While this film is a tribute, it doesn't shy away from the darkness that clouds Pendergrass' immensely complicated tale. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SIXHA7vQ4A&feature=youtu.be F*CK YOU ALL: THE UWE BOLL STORY When it comes to German filmmaker Uwe Boll, the title of this documentary really does say it all. Hardly the most popular or critically acclaimed director during his 32-feature career, Boll has always been determined to do things his own way. That attitude has resulted in widely derided movies such as the Rampage series, Alone in the Dark and BloodRayne, as well as petitions to stop him from making any more films. In 2006, he even challenged five of his critics, as well as fellow director Quentin Tarantino, to a boxing match. Now, Boll is a restaurateur. His is truly a strange story — as Sean Shaul's doco explores. JOHN WAYNE GACY: DEFENDING A MONSTER Based on the best-selling book of the same name, Defending a Monster spins a compelling true crime narrative, even if you think you've heard them all before. The documentary not only delves into the gruesome exploits of notorious serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who was convicted of killing 33 teenage boys and young men, but specifically focuses on his trial, which hasn't received as much cinematic attention. It also hones in on Sam Amirante, who was a fresh-out-of-school lawyer when he was asked by Gacy to defend him. The obvious question is why, of course. However, filmmakers Marc Menet and Scot Prestin find plenty more to query in this fascinating movie.
Immerse yourself in experimental and experiential art, as some of the most exciting creatives the country has to offer descend on Melbourne this March. Returning for its third year, the biennial Festival of Live Art is the largest event of its kind in Australia, dedicated to showcasing bold, intriguing participatory work across every conceivable discipline. Running from March 13–25 at venues around town, the festival's 2018 program is packed with highlights. Tanya Lee's Landing asks festival-goers to take part in a relay at the Melbourne City Baths, with participants collectively swimming the distance between Australia and Manus. Meanwhile, Cigdem Aydemir's The New National Sport will see the artist return the serve of a machine that ejects a tennis ball anytime anyone tweets the word 'terror' — something that happens about once about every 15 seconds. If you're looking for something a little less intense, Adele Varcoe's Wowzzzeee aims to bring audiences together through the sewing and wearing of onesies. Or you can take part in Caroline Garcia's one-on-one twerking workshop that doubles as a history lesson of the artform (yes, we called it an artform). Image: Twerkshop courtesy of Proximity Festival 2014, shot by Peter Cheng.
UPDATE, APRIL 4: Due to concerns around the coronavirus, Sony has announced that Ghostbusters: Afterlife will no longer release on its initially scheduled date of Thursday, July 2, 2020, with the film now hitting cinemas on March 25, 2021. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. There's something strange in the town of Summerville and a group of kids are calling upon themselves to bust it. That's the premise of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which swaps New York for Oklahoma and grown men (and women) for children — and jumps firmly on the Stranger Things-led 80s nostalgia bandwagon. Whether siblings Phoebe (Annabelle Comes Home's McKenna Grace) and Trevor (Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard) are seeing things runnin' through their heads or they'll catch an invisible man sleepin' in their beds is yet to be seen, but the film's first trailer does lay out the basics of this threequel's plot. The central duo has moved to the isolated locale with their mother (Widows' Carrie Coon), and into a rundown old house they've inherited from their grandfather. It's filled with ghost traps, containers of spores, mould and fungus, beige jumpsuits emblazoned with the name 'Spengler' and a very familiar car — which might come in handy when the ground starts shaking for no reason and a mysterious green light starts glowing. Paul Rudd also stars as teacher Mr Grooberson, who schools the kids in Ghostbusters lore — because this is a direct sequel to the original 1984 Ghostbusters and its 1989 follow-up Ghostbusters II. In the just-dropped sneak peek, the original characters appear in news footage, and Bill Murray's voice is heard; however, Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver and Annie Potts are all set to reprise their roles in the film. (Harold Ramis, aka Spengler, passed away in 2014). Because bustin' makes everyone feel good, the Afterlife trailer is filled with other nods to the first two films, with writer/director Jason Reitman (Tully, The Front Runner) making both obvious and subtle references to the movies originally directed by his dad Ivan Reitman. Still, let's not forget that a great recent Ghostbusters film already exists, thanks to Paul Feig's wrongly maligned all-female version from 2016 — although Afterlife seems to be glossing over that. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahZFCF--uRY After being delayed from its original release date of July 2, 2020, Ghostbusters: Afterlife will now open in Australian cinemas on March 25, 2021.
After a run of successful kitsch Disco Yoga events — Michael Jackson and Woodstock themed — pink-haired Disco Yoga Queen Nickie Harding is holding a Halloween-themed yoga night sporting her unique blend of novelty, Vinyasa flow and dance. It’s like a party, but rather than boozing you get amazing core strength. If you like your yoga classes silent, conservative and you like to hide in the corner, probably give this one a miss. If your idea of a good time is dressing up and finding your inner peace to the soothing sounds of ‘ The Monster Mash’, ‘Time Warp,’ and ‘Thriller' then this one's for you. In a recent Queen Victoria Market Week Disco Yoga event, Nickie encouraged strangers to hug, hold hands and support each other through poses. Massive balls bounced around the marketplace and a live DJ played Top 40 and classic dance tracks. Expect more of that in this two-hour event surrounded by zombies, witches and vampires on Saturday, October 31.
The World's 50 Best Restaurants for 2013 have just been announced, and it seems the trend towards all things natural and sustainable is here to stay, along with a speckling of Australian culinary talent working here and abroad. The Acqua de Panna award for Australasia's best went to Attica in Melbourne, a Ripponlea gem helmed by Patrick Shewry. The New Zealand-born chef has brought a certain sensitivity to his kitchen and earned a reputation for sustainable practice that showcases natural flavours and textures. Breaking into the list at no. 21, Attica was also honoured with the highest placed new entry. Peter Gilmore's usual suspect, Quay, came in at no. 48 to secure its fifth consecutive year on the list and rounded out our national presence. The result of 900 food journalist, restaurateurs, gastronomes and chefs working across the planet, the World's 50 Best Restaurants named Catalonia's El Celler de Can Roca as this year's premier international culinary destination. Run by the three Roca brothers — Joan (chef), Jordi (pastry chef) and Josep (sommelier), pictured — it has sat at no.2 for the last two years behind Denmark's Noma, which left the number one ranking for the first time in three years to slip to no.2. The United States and France confirmed their ascendancy with six restaurants in the top 50 each, including the celebrity-magnet Per Se in New York. Homegrown talent working abroad also nabbed a few spots, with Brett Graham's Notting Hill restaurant, The Ledbury, finishing at no. 13 and ex-Sydneysider David Thompson coming in at no.32 with Nahm in Bangkok. Thompson became the Sydney authority on Thai cuisine during the '90s with his well-remembered Darley Street Thai.
In completely unsophisticated terms, Albert Tucker's work is creepy. He was known for it. The gritty social realism of his iconic Victory Girls is still gyrating in my mind from year 12 art class. This posthumous exhibition, Explorers and Intruders, is set to be an exploration of his softer side. The artworks are still deeply unsettling of course, but as Tucker's lone figures leer out from barren outback landscapes, you can't help but feel a sense of compassion. Right away it's obvious this collection is one based on empathy rather than aggression. The trek out to Heide will also add to this experience. Whether you brave the cold in August or battle the heat in February, you're bound to get there looking a little like a subject of these paintings. You may not have the social conscience of Tucker and his Angry Penguin friends, but the feelings of isolation and desperation his work evokes are universal. It won't be the outback, but with a ticket in your hand and a gaunt expression on your face, you will have at least conquered the harsh terrain of the outer-Eastern suburbs. Explorers and Intruders is showing from 17 August. Image: Intruder and Parrots, by Albert Tucker.
When it was announced back in 2016 that Moulin Rouge! was being turned into a stage musical, fans around the world thought the same thing in unison: the show must go on. Since then, the lavish production premiered in the US in 2018, then hit Broadway in 2019, and also announced that it'd head Down Under in 2021 — and if you're an Aussie worried about whether the latter would actually happen after 2020's chaos, the same mantra thankfully applies to its planned Melbourne season. After the Australian production put out a casting call for auditions late in 2020 — and, in the process, revealed that it was working towards June rehearsals and August previews as part of its timeline — it has been confirmed that Moulin Rouge! The Musical will indeed hit Melbourne's stage in the second half of this year. So, from Friday, August 13, you'll be able to watch the spectacular show at Melbourne's revamped Regent Theatre. Based on Baz Luhrmann's award-winning movie, the stage musical brings to life the famed Belle Époque tale of young composer Christian and his heady romance with Satine, actress and star of the legendary Moulin Rouge cabaret. Set in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris, the film is known for its soundtrack, celebrating iconic tunes from across the past five decades. The stage version carries on the legacy, backing those favourites with even more hit songs that have been released in the two decades since the movie premiered. Indeed, when Moulin Rouge! The Musical makes its Aussie debut this year, it'll help mark the movie's 20th anniversary year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p68Q1G1A_k4&feature=emb_logo The musical is heading to Melbourne in the hands of production company Global Creatures, along with the Victorian Government. The Government is also a big player behind the Regent's upgrade works, having dropped a cool $14.5 million towards the $19.4 million project. It co-owns the site, along with the City of Melbourne. At present Moulin Rouge! The Musical's season will run through until at least December, with general public tickets going on sale from 9am AEDT on Friday, February 19 for performances up until Sunday, December 5. You might want to get in quickly if you're keen on heading along, though — when pre-sale tickets were put up for grabs on Monday, February 15, they broke the Regent Theatre's record for the most pre-sale tickets sold in a single day. Moulin Rouge! The Musical will hit The Regent Theatre, at 191 Collins Street, Melbourne from Friday, August 13. General public tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster from 9am AEDT on Friday, February 19 — and for further details, head to the production's website. Moulin Rouge! The Musical image: Matthew Murphy.
There's plenty to look at in Yves Saint Laurent, a new biopic of the legendary fashion designer. As well as giving the world the iconic Le Smoking women's tuxedo, he is credited with making ready-to-wear reputable in world of haute couture. His fashion journey — and personal one — is brought to life by director Jalil Lespert and gangly actor Pierre Niney in this French-language biopic. This film opens in 1953, as the 18-year-old Laurent wins a major fashion prize, which leads him to take over the Christian Dior legacy. Here he meets Pierre Berge, patron of the arts, future business partner and the love of his life. Three years later, they create the Yves Saint Laurent company and revolutionise the world of fashion. The film was made with the support of the Foundation of Yves Saint Laurent. The upshot of this is that the filmmakers were able to use all the original YSL designs. Get ready to feast your eyes. Read our full review here. Yves Saint Laurent is in cinemas on June 26, and thanks to Entertainment One, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=-ec-DQ_7EUM
The long weekend is here. And, as Monday is a public holiday, some of your regular spots will be shut. So, if you're on the hunt for a caffeine hit, long lunch or a few more beers, we've put together an extensive list of all the bars, cafes and restaurants that'll be open on Monday, January 28. There is something for everybody on this list, too — from Chin Chin's refined Thai fare to A1 Canteen's famed muffuletta and Continental Deli's tinned martinis. And if you're looking for further inspiration on how to spend your days off, head this way for our pick of the best long weekend happenings. [caption id="attachment_687465" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chin Chin, CBD. Image: Josie Withers.[/caption] RESTAURANTS Sebastian Beach Grill and Bar, Williamstown: 10am–late Piccolina, Collingwood, Hawthorn and St Kilda: 12–11pm Pontoon, St Kilda: 12–10pm 400 Gradi Yarra Valley: 11.30am–5pm Citrico, Fitzroy North: 5–11pm Baby Pizza, Richmond: 12–10pm Chin Chin, CBD: 11am-11pm Arbory Bar and Eatery, CBD: 7.30am–1am Smith & Daughters, Fitzroy: 6pm–late Hawker Hall, Windsor: 12–10pm Cornerstone Pizzeria, Coburg: 5pm–late Lucky Coq, Windsor: 11am–3am Movida Lorne: 5.30pm–late Park Street Dining, Carlton North: 7.30am–2pm [caption id="attachment_702375" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Portsea Hotel, Mornington Peninsula[/caption] BARS Reunion Island, CBD: 12–9.30pm The Espy, St Kilda: 11am–late Portsea Hotel, Mornington Peninsula: 11am–late State of Grace, CBD: 12pm–1am Harlow, Richmond: 12pm–1am Borsch, Vodka and Tears, Windsor: 9am–late Up in Smoke, Footscray: 12pm–late The Alehouse Project, Brunswick East: 12–11pm Stomping Ground Beer Hall, Collingwood: 11.30am–12am The Exchange Hotel, Port Melbourne: 12pm–late Middle Park Hotel, Middle Park: 12pm–late Station Hotel, Footscray: 12pm–late Newmarket Hotel, St Kilda: 11am–late The Duke of Wellington, CBD: 9am–1am The Smith, Prahran: 12pm–late Imperial, South Yarra: 12pm–late The Provincial Hotel, Fitzroy: 11am–late [caption id="attachment_671316" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bentwood, Fitzroy. Image: Kate Shanasy.[/caption] CAFES Tivoli Road Bakery, South Yarra: 7.30am–4pm Muharam, Hawthorn: 8.30am–2pm Fergus, Malvern East: 8am–12pm Short Round, Thornbury: 8am–3pm Trei Cafe, Glen Waverley: 8.30am–2pm Collective Espresso, Camberwell: 8am–4pm Axil Coffee Roasters, Chadstone: 9am–5pm My Other Brother, Camberwell: 7.30am–5pm Bentwood, Fitzroy: 7am–4pm Fourth Chapter, Prahran: 7am–4pm Dukes, CBD: 8am–4.30pm The Foreigner, Ivanhoe: 8am–2pm Industry Beans, Fitzroy: 8am–4pm Friends of Mine, Richmond: 7.30am–4pm Left Field, Carnegie: 7.30am–4pm Mr Tucci, Glen Iris: 8am–2pm Kettle Black, South Melbourne: 8am–4pm Top image: The Espy by Alex Drewniak.
The product of a range of musical influences, Papa Pilko & the Binrats are taking their enormous sound around the country and and stopping in at The Workers Club for one night only. The Papa himself, frontman Cyrus Pilko, is a ball of kinetic energy on stage who is ably supported by his versatile cast of horns, drums, strings and guitars. The band throw themselves into their uniquely Australian country, blues and rock n' roll sound and their performances never drifts from the cowboy-boot-wearing image of bumpkins (in the best possible sense of the word) rockers that they cultivate. This swagger is then injected, like a lively pulse, straight into the audience, leaving them howlin' for more. Cherrywood and Max Savage & the False Idols will be joining in this aural feast so prepare yourself for a good ol' fashioned, barnstorming afternoon of Australian country rock and roll at its finest.
We thought we'd hit peak Harry Potter fandom when a store dedicated to the wizarding world opened last year. Nope. With the latest Fantastic Beasts film just in cinemas and JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Cursed Child theatre production now playing, the magical realm's touch on reality shows no sign of fading anytime soon. Now, grandiose Melbourne institution The Hotel Windsor is continuing the craze by transforming one of its 180 heritage rooms into a wizarding wonderland — complete with rare collectibles from the Harry Potter franchise. Think wands, prints from the film's original illustrators and tonnes of official merchandise, along with many magical limited-edition items. Guests of the suites — which have also been decked out with Hogwarts-appropriate vintage trunks, leather furniture and plush rugs — have exclusive access to all of it. And can even buy the magical merch, if they so please. The suite's launch corresponds with the start of the Cursed Child performances at the Princess Theatre — located just down the block from the Windsor — and it will remain open for bookings through till December 31, 2019. This means that the magical world of Harry Potter doesn't have to end post-show, but will just keep on going back at your hotel room. Of course, the suite will cost a pretty penny, starting at $699 for mid-week bookings and $899 on weekends. But, if you're a 'live, breathe and (literally) sleep' kind of fan, it just might be worth it. The Wizards Suite at The Windsor is available to book from January 15–December 21, 2019. To secure your night's stay, head to The Hotel Windsor website.
YouTube's latest push to bump up revenue will see Google parent company Alphabet Inc. introduce a paid music service of its own, rivalling the likes of Apple Music and Spotify. According to Bloomberg Technology, the service, dubbed Remix, could be available from as early as March next year. It's suggested that YouTube is currently in talks with the big guns at Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, as well as independent music digital rights agency Merlin. YouTube pulls more than one billion users each month, and while its music videos are the ones that get the most hits, the site has long copped criticism for giving away those tunes for nothing. All that free content means little compensation for record companies and artists. It's far from Google's first foray into the music-streaming biz, with Google Play Music launching in 2011, and YouTube Red (formerly YouTube Music Key) offering ad-free videos to subscribers. But while neither have these have proved all that successful, the soon-to-launch Remix will play things a little differently, expected to incorporate both YouTube-style videos and on-demand streaming, a la Spotify. If you regularly use YouTube to listen to songs and mixes, this could drastically change that. Stay tuned and we'll let you know when it lands. Via Bloomberg Technology.
It's always a good idea to wear sneakers when you're walking around a gallery, but they're the only kicks that'll do when Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street arrives Down Under. First staged by The Design Museum in London, this exhibition pays tribute to the footwear's origins and evolution — through sports to fashion, surveying iconic brands and names, and obviously touching upon basketballers Chuck Taylor and Michael Jordan's relationships with the shoes. In total, more than 200 sneakers will be on display during Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street's Australian-premiere and Australian-exclusive season at the Gold Coast's HOTA Gallery. The six-level spot will give over its walls and halls to shoes, shoes and more shoes over the summer of 2023–24, starting on on Saturday, November 25, and marking the site's first major design exhibition since opening in 2021. While a hefty amount of trainers will feature, the entire showcase will span 400-plus items. The other objects at Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street include photos, videos, posters, artworks and process material, all helping to explore the journey that the footwear style has taken in its design and culturally. Expect to learn more about sneakers that were initially made specifically for getting sweaty, which is where the Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars and Nike Airs come in (and, with the latter, to add to a year that's already seen the movie Air step through the story behind them). Also set to feature: the shoes that've become cultural symbols (such as the Vans Half Cab and Reebok InstaPump Fury), future advancements in making kicks (as seen with Biorealize for Puma) and big-name collaborations (Jordan, of course, plus Run-DMC and more). Attendees will also check out sneakers that've made a splash on the runway (Comme des Carçons and A-Cold-Wall*, for instance), find out more about plant-based sneakers (such as Veja and Native Shoes) and customisable kicks (as Helen Kirkum and Alexander Taylor are doing), and dive into celebrity endorsements (Travis Scott with Nike, Pharell for Adidas and the like). Laid out in chapters called 'STYLE' and 'PERFORMANCE', the exhibition's first part goes big on aesthetics and its second on the act of making the best trainers — covering Chuck Taylor's basketball clinics, sneaker culture in New York City and everything that's happened since. Images: Ed Reeve, Design Museum London.
The 86 has always been Melbourne's coolest tram line (go on, prove us wrong), so dedicating an entire festival to the iconic route isn't strange or unfounded; it's a matter of course. From Monday, October 23–Tuesday, October 31, Melbourne's northern suburbs will buzz with electricity and the sound of music of all ilks thanks to The Eighty-Six festival. Running all along High Street, from Westgarth to Preston, the festival promises to be one hell of a party. Oh, and did we mention it's free? Just be sure to register for your ticket online as it's a first-come, first-served affair. The main event, Super Saturday on October 28, will be a 22-hour music odyssey spread across 40 venues along the 86 tram route. Expect a smorgasbord of live music and parties featuring over 200 artists including established names, emerging talents, and international guests. Okay, let's talk pasta. The folks at 1800 Lasagne are spicing things up with a dog-friendly street party complete with food, drinks and tunes. There's even going to be a pooch parade and costume competition to raise money for Pets Of The Homeless. Whether you dip in for an event or two, or try to ride out the full 22-hour marathon, one thing will be certain — Melbourne's vibrant, multifaceted music scene will be on full, proud display. This is a festival for everyone, from nonnas to toddlers, and everyone in between. See ya on the 86. Head to Visit Melbourne for the full rundown and to check out what else is happening in Melbourne this spring.
If American bourbon is your drink of choice, one of the finest distillers in the business, Maker's Mark, is giving you a feel-good reason to raise a glass until Sunday, August 31, 2025. The Kentuckian bourbon distiller has collaborated with Australian honey producers Beechworth Honey for a delicious rendition of The Gold Rush: a cocktail that celebrates the brilliant flavour pairing of honey and bourbon served with freshly squeezed lemon juice — a sweet and sour combo served on ice that can brighten up a cool evening. In addition to a focus on craft, sustainability is one of the pillars of the Maker's Mark brand. In fact, it is the largest distillery in the world to achieve B Corp certification. And in a bid to further its efforts to make bourbon that's better for the world, Maker's Mark is teaming up with a handful of Melbourne drinking establishments to donate $2 from every Gold Rush cocktail sold to the Wheen Bee Foundation. So, the next time you're heading out for cocktails, make your way to one of the following venues and order a Gold Rush, and you'll be making a contribution to a foundation dedicated to protecting and conserving the Australian honey bee simply by enjoying a very good drink. Geelong bar crawl, anyone? Participating venues: The 18th Amendment Bar in Geelong Deadwood in Dromana Le Bar in Beaumaris Beneath Driver Lane in the CBD Whisky and Alement in the CBD Marmont in the CBD Mr McCracken in Essendon Goodwater in Northcote
The sweaty summer season might be behind us, but the balmy vibes remain thanks to the return of W Melbourne's weekly indoor pool party WET Sessions. Come rain, hail or shine — or all three, knowing our city — the series promises to transport you to sunnier places, helping to banish those Sunday scaries in style. From 2pm each Sunday starting March 5, partygoers can live it up in the pool and the poolside bar, enjoying panoramic views of the city's skyline from 14 storeys up. There'll be DJs on the decks, too, with a rotation of local talent set to drop by. [caption id="attachment_889782" align="alignnone" width="1920"] C Hawks[/caption] Tickets come in at $45, which gets you entry, a cocktail on arrival and roving snacks to keep you going throughout the afternoon — whether that's to keep you energised for swimming some laps or just to have a poolside dance is up to you. Feeling a little more luxe? You can nab a day bed for the arvo for $80, or claim the 30-person VIP lounge for a cool $4500.
If a rollicking rooftop party is on your NYE wish-list, but you'd rather not go up against the hectic CBD crowds, here's one to put on your radar: a good-times extravaganza at Carlton haunt Johnny's Green Room. From 7pm on Saturday, December 31, the rooftop bar is wrapping up 2022 with an openair fiesta full of great tunes, snacks and drinks — plus, top-notch views across the city and those fireworks. Guests can kick things off with two hours of free-flowing canapes and bevs (8–10pm) included with their $130 ticket; from beer and vino, to spirits and house-made pizza. Further drinks can then be bought from the bar. Meanwhile, the tunes will be thumping, courtesy of an expert lineup of selectors curated by the legends at Hope St Radio, with the party kicking on until the wee hours of 2023. Best of all, with limited tickets available, you won't be fighting huge crowds just for a peek at the NYE fireworks — consider Johnny's your rooftop party haven. [caption id="attachment_883029" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sarah Pannell[/caption] Top Image: Sarah Pannell
Section 8 is throwing down a celebration of Melbourne's diverse and vibrant LGBTQIA+ community this Monday, October 31. Dubbed Hella Queen, the free-entry evening will see burlesque, dance and music performances taking over the openair CBD spot. We know what you're thinking…. Monday? But this will be the day before the Melbourne Cup, so it's expected to be a big one. From 3pm till late, some of the biggest names in Melbourne's LGBTQIA+ community will take to the Section 8 stage. This will include live performances from Jamaica Moana and Julai, R&B dancer Tony Oxybel and a burlesque show from Gina Stirling. DJ sets from MzRizk, Top Hun, Gay Roberto, 3rd Orbit and Chaotic Good will also keep the party going until late. And, if you're heading to Hella Queen, be sure to don your best frock. Make it as bright and beautiful as you can, because they'll be awarding the best-dressed patron with a gift pack from local streetwear label, Homie. [caption id="attachment_849269" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Duncographic[/caption]
Melburnians, if shopping and hitting up Christmas events is on your agenda this festive season — and visiting galleries, seeing a show, playing tourist in your own city and heading out for a bite to eat over the summer, too — then you just might be able to travel into the CBD from home for free. The Victorian Government has just announced a huge public transport giveaway, handing out 250,000 vouchers for free travel into the city if you're making your way in for a number of specific purposes. All of the things mentioned above are covered, with the scheme set to run throughout December and January. There'll be 50,000 vouchers available in five different categories: for festive events, to hit up galleries and attractions, for dining, to go to performing arts shows, and for shopping. And, they'll be able to be used on Melbourne's trains, trams and buses, as well as on all regional trains, coaches and buses heading into the city. The aim: to get people out and about, just like all the different vouchers and rebates that've popped up in Victoria after lockdowns over the past two years. To nab a free public transport voucher, you'll need to head to the Public Transport Victoria website from Thursday, December 16. They'll be made available on a first in, first served basis. Your voucher will then be emailed to you and, to show station staff while you're travelling, you can either print it out or display it on your phone — on the date it's valid, of course, from Saturday, December 18. The free public transport vouchers will be available via the Public Transport Victoria website from Thursday, December 16. For further information, head to the Victorian Government website. Images: Josie Withers/Visit Victoria.
Launched in 2010, Blackbird and Fox is not your average homewares and gift shop. Independent owner Kate's experience in both creative arts and museum studies ensures that the space is always filled with top-tier locally sourced products. Some of our favourite bits and pieces include bright art prints from Printspace, handmade and candy-inspired bracelets by Lauren Hinkley, and Angus & Celeste's elegant vases and vessels inspired by the flora and fauna of the Dandenong Ranges. The store's range is always changing, so there's something new to be found with every visit. Images: Tracey Ah-kee.
American football fans have a heap of Melbourne sports bars to choose from when looking for a spot to watch the 2025 Superbowl, but we are all about Le Bon Ton's offerings. From 9.30am on Monday, February 10 (you might want to book this day off), the Collingwood diner is playing the game live and loud, plus running a bunch of food and bev deals. This will include a $65 (per person) grazing board packed with USA-inspired gameday bites like its chicken and waffles with hot honey and jalapeno mayo as well as a pit-smoked wing bucket. Those wanting to get on the beers in the morning cal also enjoy $8 budweiser stubbies or $20 buckets that come with four bottles. And whilethe game is playing throughout the day, the crew will also be giving away a bunch of Budweiser merch. It'll be a big morning full of football, food and bevs — as well as the opportunity to watch Kendrick Lamar's halftime show live.
Everyone's favourite Fitzroy plant-based pub, Green Man's Arms, is embracing winter by celebrating one of the season's finest offerings — truffles. On Saturday, July 12, the pub will serve up a one-off, five-course lunch packed with truffle decadence, alongside other moreish, plant-based ingredients. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian or none of the above, the food here hits the spot, and you can expect nothing less from Chef Johnny Ly for the truffle lunch. Ly will dish up new and old creations, each with a truffle twist. Guests can expect faux gras canapés; seared king oysters with cauliflower white truffle emulsion and caviar; lion's mane short rib with truffle butter; and even a white truffle semifreddo complete with poached pear and puff pastry. To drink, there's an option to add beer or wine pairings — it is a pub, after all. If you can't make the lunch, the good news is that Green Man's Arms will also be serving truffle specials in addition to the regular à la carte menu throughout July and August. With limited spots, bookings for the Truffle Lunch at Green Man's Arms are expected to go fast. Head to the venue's website to book a spot. Images: Supplied.
Gumboots at the ready: after a pandemic-enforced break, then a smaller tour in 2022, Groovin the Moo is returning in 2023 with a full nationwide run. The large-scale touring music festival will head to six different states and territories across April and May, finally marking a comeback in Western Australia, South Australia or Queensland — and returning to New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria as well. In the Sunshine State, it's also stopping at a new location — one closer to Brisbane, which is ace news for southeast Queenslanders. That destination: the Sunshine Coast. When it hits the state, and WA and SA as well, GTM will host fests in each of those parts of the country for the first time since 2019. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Groovin the Moo (@groovinthemoo) For folks in Queensland's north, GTM is sad not to be coming to Townsville in 2023, but had to adjust to pandemic-era logistical challenges and increased financial pressures. "We are so happy to be able to do a full tour across the country in 2023. We have missed you terribly and can't wait to bring back the good times around the country, said GTM's Steve Halpin. "Whilst we are very sad not be returning to Townsville, we look forward to bringing GTM to the Sunshine Coast." [caption id="attachment_885444" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ash Caygill[/caption] It's a tad too early for a lineup announcement as yet, but cross your fingers for another impressive roster of talent when the festival bill does drop. For reference, 2022's included everyone from Peking Duk, Montaigne, Masked Wolf and Middle Kids through to Hilltop Hoods and Spiderbait, plus New Zealanders Broods and Chai, Germany's Milky Chance, and Wolf Alice, Thomas Headon, Riton and Snakehips from the UK. [caption id="attachment_885447" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] GROOVIN THE MOO 2023 DATES AND VENUES: Friday, April 21 — Adelaide Showground, Kaurna Country, Wayville, SA Saturday, April 22 — Maitland Showground, Wonnarua Country, Maitland, NSW Sunday, April 23 — Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Ngambri and Ngunnawal Country, Mitchell, ACT Saturday, April 29 — Bendigo's Prince of Wales Showgrounds, Dja Dja Wurrung Country, Bendigo, VIC Sunday, April 30 — Kawana Sports Western Precinct, Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country, Warana, QLD Saturday, May 6 — Hay Park, Wardandi Noongar Country, Bunbury, WA Groovin the Moo will tour Australia in April and May 2023. We'll update you with lineup details when they're announced. For more information in the interim, head to the festival's website. Top images: Ruby Boyland, Ash Caygill and Chloe Hall.
Dark Mofo might be taking a breather in 2024, but Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) will still be embracing summer at Mona Foma. The sunny counterpart to the Apple Isle's moody winter fest has locked in its 2024 return from Thursday, February 15 to Sunday, February 25 in nipaluna/Hobart and from Thursday, February 29 to Saturday, March 2 in Launceston. It has also dropped one helluva getaway-worthy lineup. [caption id="attachment_923130" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andreas Neumann[/caption] Back in October, Queens of the Stone Age were revealed as the first act on Mona Foma's program for the year. They're joined by Courtney Barnett, TISM, Paul Kelly, Mogwai, Shonen Knife and Cash Savage and The Last Drinks, for starters. If you don't know where to start, the quintessential Mona Foma experience is the Mona Sessions. On the evenings of Friday, February 23 to Sunday, February 25, you can catch live music from international artists on the sprawling museum lawns. Arrive on a camouflage ferry before exploring one of Australia's most innovative museums. Then, enjoy back-to-back performances by Scottish rockers Mogwai and Japanese band Shonen Knife, joined by fellow overseas talents Holy Fuck, Wednesday, Michael Rother + Friends (playing Neu! songs) and Lonnie Holley with Moor Mother and Irreversible Entanglements. Now that TISM are back playing live together, the Australian legends will bust out 'Greg! The Stop Sign!', 'Whatareya' and 'Ol' Man River' at Cataract Gorge. The Ron Hitler-Barassi-led band are part of a free one-day event at the stunning site during Mona Foma's Launceston weekend, as are Cash Savage and The Last Drinks. Head along and you'll also enjoy morning meditations to start the day and hear from Mulga Bore Hard Rock and FFLORA + Grace Chia. [caption id="attachment_926553" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Steve Cook[/caption] More on the music program: Darren Hanlon, Bree van Reyk and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra are teaming up; French Korean siblings Isaac et Nora will perform Latin-American songs they've learned by ear; and Barelona-based producer Filastine and Indonesian singer Nova will provide live tunes on a 70-tonne sailing ship to muse on the climate crisis. DJs will get spinning beneath James Turrell's Armana at Mona and artists will be hitting up the Frying Pan Studios to jam and record. Emeka Ogboh's contribution to the festival is another big highlight. In the immersive exhibit Boats, the Nigerian artist ponders migration in a sensory experience that boasts its own gin — made with native Tasmanian and West African botanicals — alongside snacks, conversation and a sound installation. [caption id="attachment_926554" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wei-Tsan Liu[/caption] Also set to impress: Taiwanese artist Yahon Chang will be painting on a 20-by-15-metre canvas at Princes Wharf 1 with a human-sized brush in a performance that'll blend calligraphy, art, meditation, kung fu and tai chi. Other program standouts include the world premiere of Justin Shoulder's Anito; Dancenorth's latest production Wayfinder, which includes Hiromi Tango on design duties and music from Hiatus Kaiyote; the return of party venue Faux Mo at The Granada Tavern; and a Street Eats food and drink market pop-up with a lineup of musical guests. [caption id="attachment_784488" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MONA/Jesse Hunniford, Robin Fox laser installation at the Albert Hall, Launceston, Mona Foma 2019[/caption] Nab your tickets now at the Mona Foma website. You can also book your getaway package through Concrete Playground Trips. Top images: Moshcam, Pooneh Ghana, Akira Shibata. All images courtesy of the artist and Mona Foma.
Camel racing in Oman. Whale diving in the Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico. A sauna at 2800 meters high in the heart of Dolomites. Chances are, without the world's top tier traveling shutterbugs, we'd never get to see these weird and wonderful parts of our eclectic, beautiful world. Luckily, globally-acknowledged cornerstone of publicising places-you've-never-been National Geographic brings the world's best travel photographers together, all vying for the prestigious blue ribbon in the annual National Geographic Traveller Photo Contest. This year, Nat Geo's Photo Contest judges reviewed nearly 18,000 photographs — and these ten are the top of the crop. Photographers entered their works into four categories: Travel Portraits, Outdoor Scenes, Sense of Place, and Spontaneous Moments. Have a flick through, we're pretty sure you'll be making at least one of these your desktop wallpaper immediately. Images: National Geographic.
Sitting in the Andaman Sea between the west coast of mainland Thailand and the island tourist mecca of Phuket, Ko Phi Phi Don is an idyllic island measuring little more than 8km in length. Ever since Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire, 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony) turned Alex Garland's famous 1996 novel, The Beach, into an even more famous film of the same name, this palm-fringed paradise has been on the to-do list of twenty-somethings around the world, with the neighbouring isle of Ko Phi Phi Leh providing the setting for much of the film's action. Hundreds of limestone karsts jut out from the turquoise waters as you near Phi Phi, with the islands' respective silhouettes providing a stunning vista. As the ferry drops anchor, those travellers seeking out the island's famous whiskey bucket-fuelled beach parties hop off at Ton Sai Bay, destined to dance the coming days and nights away in any number of open-air bars full of Scandinavian, European and Antipodean backpackers. This time though, we're heading for a calmer locale, another 45 minutes by longtail boat around the coast to the island's northernmost point. As the longtail pulls up to Laem Tong beach, Zeavola's exact location is not immediately evident. Set back in lush green vegetation that fringes a perfect white sand beach, this boutique eco-resort's scattering of hand-hewn teakwood huts have been cleverly disguised by an extensive network of palm-laden gardens, linked by meandering sand paths. The hotel's staff greets you on the sand to take your bags, insisting you carry your luggage no further. As you make your way up the beach, the rustic but luxurious architecture of Zeavola becomes apparent. Guests are encouraged to ‘step back to simplicity’ here. Zeavola is one half design hotel, one half beach shack. Each of the resort's 52 freestanding villas is carefully disguised by the surrounding gardens, so you feel like you have your own private beach house but can still enjoy the comforts that come with being part of a bigger, managed property. Open air showers give you access to the outdoors when you want it, and remote controlled shutters around the bungalows do the opposite when you need to sleep off your lunchtime Singhas. Zeavola's menus offer contemporary interpretations of traditional Thai cuisine alongside smatterings of western options at Baxil, the resort's main restaurant (where breakfast is served each day), and Tacada, a breezy restaurant and bar right on the sand. Closer to the water sits a line of bright yellow beach umbrellas with oversized pillows and triangle cushions, the perfect place to spend extended periods of time reading, sleeping, drinking and just being. Further down the beach at Jasmine, a simple restaurant owned by a charming young family from Phuket, you'll be served authentic Thai food for a smaller price in a jovial atmosphere created by some of the island's sea gypsies next door. Phi Phi's beaches, reefs and surrounding islands are the most popular attractions to see, and the best way to see them is to head down to the nearest cluster of longtails and bargain for the best hourly, half day or full day rental rates. The service is as basic as it gets, but the local boatmen will happily take you anywhere on the island at anytime of the day and night, including around to Ton Sai Bay and back in the wee hours if you want to join the heaving masses. If a trip to The Beach (Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh) or Monkey Bay is on your list, head there early before the tour boats arrive. But for something a little slower, hightail your longtail to Mosquito Island or Bamboo Island. If you're lucky, you'll even find your own private slice of paradise for a few hours. Double rooms from 8000 baht (AUD$240), +66 7562 7000, www.zeavola.com. The writer stayed courtesy of Zeavola.
Everyone has an opinion about Aaron Sorkin. Whether it's a gushing adoration for imagining Josh Lyman and Jed Bartlet, an intense frustration for his silver-tongued yet repetitive Sorkinisms, or a disbelief in the fact he can't write a decent female character to save his life (barring CJ Cregg, of course). We've all had arguments about the 52-year-old screenwriter at some point, and his highly criticised HBO drama The Newsroom only intensified the debate. Now, in a discussion at Tribeca Film Festival, Sorkin finally (if not a little begrudgingly) acknowledged its faults. "I’m going to let you all stand in for everyone in the world, if you don’t mind," said Sorkin to a live audience. "I think you and I got off on the wrong foot with The Newsroom and I apologise and I’d like to start over." If only that were possible. The show, soon entering its third and final season, has faced harsh scrutiny since its 2012 premiere for its overt preachiness, malformed relationships between characters, and ultimately for the fact that it's nowhere near as good as The West Wing. “I feel like I’m just now starting to learn how to write it,” Sorkin said. "I wish that I could go back to the beginning of The Newsroom and start again... but I'm feeling really good about how the third season is going." The bulk of his 'apology' went out to the journalists offended by the show's seemingly overt criticism of the modern press. “I think that there’s been a terrible misunderstanding," Sorkin said, sounding a little too much like Gob from Arrested Development. "I did not set the show in the recent past in order to show the pros how it should have been done. That was and remains the furthest thing from my mind. I set the show in the recent past because I didn’t want to make up fake news... I wasn’t trying to and I’m not capable of teaching a professional journalist a lesson. That wasn’t my intent and it’s never my intent to teach you a lesson or try to persuade you or anything.” Every scene from the show ever, would beg to differ. #sorrynotsorry Via Huffington Post.
If you've ever wondered what the chefs behind some of Australia's top restaurants are really like, that lust for knowledge can now be slaked with the launch of new Australian food podcast, The Pass. Having launched this week, each weekly episode will take listeners behind the scenes with restaurant icons including chefs, food critics and other food-related personalities. The podcast's guests — which will this season include Kylie Kwong, Matt Moran, 4fourteen's Colin Fassnidge, blogger and author Sarah Wilson, wine hero Mike Bennie, Dave Pynt of Singapore's Burnt Ends and Josh Niland of Saint Peter — delve into their own personal favourite dishes, ingredients, and restaurants, as well as dishing out answers to burning questions like what they would choose as a death row meal. Broadcaster and meteorologist Magdelena Roze hosts the podcast, which goes all over the country, from quickfire interviews on the streets to in-depth discussions inside secret locations that the guests have chosen themselves. Each episode will also include a bite-sized interview with another food personality at the end, where they endure a barrage of questions about their most (and least) favourite things. It's produced by Roze alongside the podcast's creative director Sam Kennedy and founder Jeanine Bribosia. The podcast itself is perfect to wolf down on the way to work, at the gym or, fittingly, while eating lunch — each episode clocks in at 20 minutes. Episode one of The Pass launched this week, with an episode to be released each Tuesday for the next eight weeks. You can listen to it here.
Technology has made many of the household items we once relied upon redundant. The Yellow Pages, CD players, and shopping lists are all rapidly becoming relics of a pre-smart phone, pre-digital era. And if designer and inventor, Andrey Kokorin has anything to do with it, the kitchens of the future will also replace knives with electromagnetic lasers. The 'Innovative Laser Device For Cutting Of Foodstuff' uses a series of rotating rings fitted with electromagnets and controlled by an internal microprocessor to slice food into whatever shape your appetite desires. Simply place the food in the spherical pod, customise the shape and size of your slice (with anything from spirals to smily-faces available) and press 'Go'. This groundbreaking, and ecologically friendly, creation was submitted by Kokorin for the James Dyson Award, an internationally renowned competition for young innovators to come up with problem-solving inventions. For Kokorin the inspiration came from a study of kitchen knives and discovering that they can be a hotbed for infectious disease. Peer into your kitchen of the future with this video of the pod in action.
Melbourne, we know you love a good food collaboration, so here’s a doozy: the boys from Rockwell and Sons are teaming up with some ex-Attica fellows to open what will no doubt be the coolest new venue in Fitzroy. The new wine bar has been christened Bar Liberty, presumably because it will liberate you from ever having to think about where to drink or eat out again. Rockwell and Sons co-owners, chef Casey Wall and front of house manager Manu Potoi are in on this new venture — and they're coming from a good place. Their incredibly popular Smith Street eatery specialises in every type of meat you can imagine, with a menu that is hearty, salty and will probably give you a heart attack (but will assure you die happy). Wall is curating a 'non-negotiables' menu for Bar Liberty that's based on the basics of local ingredients and big flavours. So you know it’ll be fly. The other half of the dream team includes sommelier Banjo Harris Plane and manager Michael Bascetta, both formerly of Attica. The Ben Shewry-headed Ripponlea restaurant was ranked the 32nd best restaurant in the world in the latest poll, so you can see why we're very, very excited about this match. Bar Liberty is now open at 234 Johnson Street, Fitzroy. For more info, visit their website. Image: Raphael Recht. Via Good Food. Updated: Thursday, February 24.
Legendary electronic music duo Groove Armada are returning to Australia for their hotly anticipated November tour taking them across the country from Sydney to a billing on the excellent Harvest Rock festival lineup and over to Perth. The tour has completely sold out — until today with the announcement of one final show. Bringing their full live band experience as part of their 25 Years farewell tour, the British duo have added a second Sydney show on Wednesday November 16 at the Horden Pavilion. That's your last chance to catch them and experience their sensational live shows... possibly ever. If you miss out again, we might just have your back but you'll need to move fast. Groove Armada are also headlining Spring City in Auckland at the Auckland Domain on Saturday, November 26. We've got some of the only remaining tickets as part of an incredible curated trip that includes VIP access to watch the band from side of stage and entry to the VIP tent, staying in one of Auckland's most primo hotels and a gin tasting tour by helicopter. Numbers are extremely limited and are selling fast, so get your hands on one here. If you need a little music history 101, Tom Findlay and Andy Cato established Groove Armada while at university in the 90s. Since then, they've become one of the world's biggest dance acts and have gone on to have three UK Top 10 albums, three Grammy nominations, a BRIT nomination and a succession of hit singles. They've been taking their farewell tour around the UK this year. The tour comes off the back of new single 'Hold A Vibe' and the forthcoming release of GA25, a box set featuring all their iconic jams out November 11. For tickets to the final Groove Armada show in Australia head to the Secret Sounds website or preorder GA25 here.
Almost two months has passed since Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness first hit Netflix, sparking a worldwide obsession with Joe Exotic, Carole Baskin and the duo's strange intertwined story. Over that time, Tiger King-related news has just kept coming, including details about competing dramatised series — one with Kate McKinnon as Baskin, another with Nicolas Cage as Exotic. And now, in a hardly surprising development, another season of the Tiger King docuseries is also reportedly on the way. As revealed by The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix is reteaming with the filmmakers behind the popular documentary. This time, though, they're turning their attention to a different big cat-related tale. Audiences are already going to be hearing about Joe Exotic and his blonde mullet in various guises for years and years to come, so the next Tiger King series will focus elsewhere: on the 2003 mauling attack at a Siegfried and Roy show. The incident happened in Las Vegas on Roy Horn's birthday, when a seven-year-old white tiger named Montecore attacked Roy during a performance. It left the magician and entertainer with permanent injuries, with the tiger biting his neck and dragging him off stage. The news comes just days after Horn passed away on May 8 at the age of 75. [caption id="attachment_770551" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Carol M Highsmith via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] No firm details have been announced by Netflix as yet, so when more Tiger King might hit your streaming queue isn't yet known. And yes, it's likely that wild documentaries about tigers, as well as other big cats and exotic animals, will become the next big viewing trend. Via The Hollywood Reporter. Top image: Netflix.
You may have missed it, but The Rochester Hotel (The Rochey) is now under new management — sporting a new menu, updated look and stacked live music program. The team has enlisted Castle Events to run Upstairs @ The Rochey, its live music series running every Saturday night in the small 150-person bandroom. For $20 a pop, you can party at intimate gigs led by local electronic musicians like dameeeela, Hybrid Man, DJ PGZ from 11pm–3am. Yeah, these are gonna be big late nights, so make sure you have very few things planned for the next day. A sleep-in will be well deserved after dancing all night long at this Johnston Street gem.
Dig out the Thai fisherman pants from the back of your closet, Woodford Folk Festival is back for another year. If you've never been, Woodford is the perfect place to disconnect from the daily grind, become one with nature (read: mud) and check out some of Australians best musicians with a chilled and festive vibe. This year's offering is no exception; the recently released lineup has 'best summer ever' written all over it. Festival mainstays like The Cat Empire and Lior will be back once again. They will also be joined by an A-list crowd of Australian ladies like Kate Miller-Heidke, Bertie Blackman, and Mia Dyson. But the real crowdpleaser will come from The Violent Femmes. Who wouldn't want to listen to 'Blister in the Sun' while dancing in the wilderness in the height of summer? Bliss. Though The Violent Femmes may be a little past their prime, there will also be a bunch of up and coming musicians on stage. Husky and Hiatus Kaiyote will be representing Melbourne talent and The Cairos will be playing to what's basically a home crowd. With over 400 acts jammed into the full program, Woodford is all about discovering new sounds. As well as music, the festival covers visual arts, circus, comedy, vaudeville and dance. Set up camp, let your hair get knotty, and roam the makeshift tarpaulin towns of this super chilled festival. It's time to channel your inner hippy. Woodford Folk Festival is on from December 27 - January 1. Tickets are on sale now. Lineup highlights Archie Roach Bertie Blackman The Cairos The Cat Empire Christine Anu Darren Middleton (ex-Powderfinger) Del Barber The East Pointers Hiatus Kiayote Husky Jeff Lang Jenn Grant John Smith Kate Miller-Heidke Lau Led Kaapana Lior Matt Anderson Mia Dyson Nahko and Medicine for the People Shooglenifty Sticky Fingers Tiny Ruins The Topp Twins Violent Femmes We Two Thieves Via Music Feeds.
