The lease is up, the music has stopped, and demolition seems all but inevitable — the fight to save the Palace Theatre is coming to a close. Much to the distress of Melbourne music lovers, this weekend marks the last for the city's iconic Bourke Street venue. Plans are underway to turn the site into a multi-million dollar hotel and apartment complex, and punters young and old are feeling a little raw. First operating in 1860, the Palace has an incredibly rich history. Over the years it's changed from the Metro Theatre to the St James to the Apollo, and it's housed world-class acts such as Sonic Youth, Arctic Monkeys and Florence and the Machine. With its three-tiered amphitheatre, ornate decor, and classic charm, the Palace has a special place in every local's heart. It held the stage where you finally got to see Nick Cave, it's the place you snuck into with that shitty fake ID, it's where you took that all-important first date. On a larger scale, the Palace played an important role in Melbourne's live music stakes. With a venue capacity of 1855, it was one of the few mid-size venues available for international tours. Without it, big acts are forced to choose between smaller gigs at venues like the Hi-Fi that don't cover the touring costs, or huge alternatives like Festival Hall that lose that sense of intimacy. The Palace struck the perfect balance for bands and patrons alike, and without it, many musicians may be discouraged from booking such tours in the future. The loss of this cultural institution is understandably enormous, and Melbournians have been pretty vocal about their feelings. Since the first announcement last year, the movement to Save the Palace Theatre has picked up the support of over 35,000 people. There have been petitions, letters to the council, protests, and vigils that continue to this day. Though the consultation period has officially closed, Melbourne City Council has reportedly received 791 objection letters about the site's redevelopment and efforts continue to get the venue on the Victorian Heritage Register. Melbourne music lovers prove time and time again that they never say die. Regardless, as of May 31, the owners have officially ceased control of the venue and the fate looks all but sealed. As the protests gradually descend into wakes, we asked some Melbourne musos to pen their thoughts on the much-loved venue. The wrecking ball may rise and the building may fall, but at least the music and the stories will always live on. Emily Lubitz - Tinpan Orange I have fond memories of lining up outside the Palace, waiting eagerly to see a show, coupled with memories of struggling to find the backstage entrance down a dark lane after eating too much at Pellegrini's before playing on the great Palace stage myself. I've sweated in the pit, and I've watched from on high, as the stage sparkled. I've had the honour of playing to a room of beautiful faces sparkling back at me from the three tiers, like a waterfall of Melbourne coolness. I have partaken in a dash of debauchery in some of those backstage rooms and one of my favourite photo shoots was taken backstage at the Palace, in the 20 minutes we had before we were due on stage. This urinal picture is from that. It's truly sad to lose this theatre, this precious gem in Melbourne’s cultural crown. For more than 100 years artists have been treading those boards and singing their tunes to happy punters and heaving crowds. RIP Palace Theatre. I hope the people who buy those apartments that they are turning you into can still hear the ghosts of the legendary artists, wild nights, ecstatic crowds and moments of pure joy echoing through their walls. Photo credit: Andy Hatton. Matt Darveniza - 8 Bit Love When asked about my experiences at the Palace, I thought 'Yeah I love that place! I've seen heaps of shows there. This will be easy". Then I thought about it and realised I'd actually only ever seen two shows there: riding a MySpace-fuelled wave of post/pop-punk in the forms of Jimmy Eat World and Death Cab For Cutie. While neither of these bands could be considered direct influences to the music we write in 8 Bit Love, I think they both really influenced the way I thought about how live shows should be delivered, with audiences completely hooked on every aspect of the performance. It made me aspire to one day have the same impression on our own audiences. The fact that a mere two shows have left me with such a fondness for the venue also speaks volumes. Each night was really special at the time, in a way shows at other similar-sized venues I've frequented have never quite matched, and the place feels far more familiar than it should. It was a great setting, the sound was always huge but also clear, and it had a certain unquantifiable charm. I'm super sad that I'll never have the chance to play there myself, and devastated that the Palace won't have the opportunity to share more amazing experiences and music with myself and the rest of Melbourne. All for more shitty CBD apartments no one wants to live in anyway. I suppose at least we've still got the memories, which is something. Thanks, you marvellous venue. Mitch Ansell - Northeast Party House In 2008, fake ID in hand and a body full of testosterone, I made my way with two of my buddies to see Queens Of The Stone Age at the Palace Theatre. I’m pretty sure we went straight from school to the venue which lead to us loitering around the city, flicking through the latest releases at JB Hi-Fi and most notably, our appearance at a near by $2 peep show. The latter was perhaps fitting for what our night's viewing would entail. I’m pretty sure it was their Era Vulgaris tour — an interesting album that I had debated with friends and my music teacher as we spoke of this new ‘industrial’ progression in sound. The album translated amazingly well live, everything hit so damn hard. Their encore was perhaps the perfect finish to the night playing ‘You Think I Ain’t Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire’ and ‘A Song For The Dead’ back-to-back, which saw the venue turn into a pool of compressed flannelette shirts. The sweaty, robust and commanding performance from Josh Homme provided me with weeks of emulation to the point where I purchased the same Maton guitar that he used. That night was up there with the best. Alex Lahey - Animaux The first and only time Animaux ever played at the Palace was by accident. We were lucky enough to be supporting The Cat Empire last year and due to a double booking, the final show of the Melbourne leg of the tour took place at the Palace. I remember when I first told my mum that we were playing at there and she got very confused about where the venue was. But when I started referring to it as The Metro, it all came flooding back to her. There are few live music venues in Melbourne that have managed to transcend generations and now that the Palace is gone, they truly are an endangered species. When we first got to the venue, I took a few minutes to do some exploring and climb the stairs to the highest point of the theatre. You couldn't name another place quite like it — there's nowhere else you could find regally embossed balconies with a sticky floor below! Of course, the show was killer too. The crowd were red hot and there to party, and I knew it wasn't just about the lineup. The vibe of the venue was undeniable. It was about having a good time with great music. Melbourne has lost a true live music icon with the closure of the Palace Theatre and it's a damn shame. Photo credit: Chantelle Elise. Declan Melia - British India It took me a few moments to remind myself just how many great shows I've seen at the Palace and looking at the names of the groups it reads more like a teenage rock fan's wishlist than notches on a venue's bedpost. Pavement, Arctic Monkeys, Brand New (my all time favourite band perhaps?). I was even able to pull some strings and get me and my brothers on the door to watch The Presidents Of The United States Of America perform their debut album. A feat that sounds awesome or embarrassing depending on your allegiance to faux-alternative '90s novelty music. Perhaps the first gig I saw there was Sonic Youth performing the Daydream Nation album in full. That album had been my soundtrack to the previous summer. The band were gods to me, far more than they are now and in the sea of nonchalance that made up the crowd I was able to get right up the front — there they were dude, right there, playing those songs just like on the record. I probably didn't even have a mobile phone in those days so social media will never know just how close I was, in spite (or because?) of this it's still absolutely embedded in my mind. It was the first warm night of the new summer and everyone crowded around outside after the show, bumping into old friends and discussing the show with either wide-eyed astonishment or over-earnest cynicism, 100 different groups of three or five or six all discussing the same thing at the same time. Each group alike. Each group completely different. Even then I was too cynical to believe in anything that a journalist might describe as 'the Melbourne scene' but here were all these people crowded on the footpath after the show and every sentence focused on Sonic Youth performing Daydream Nation at the Palace. You couldn't help but feel you weren't the only one after all. Lead photo credit: Scott Boelson.
To the uninitiated, the name Zymurgy might appear a little daunting. But Footscray's newest watering hole is anything but. In fact, if you've got a thing for craft booze, innovative eats cooked over charcoal and sun-drenched beer gardens, you'll want to waste zero time getting acquainted. Quietly opening the doors in late November, Zymurgy — pronounced 'zye-mur-jee', we know you were wondering — is a joint venture from Hop Nation Brewing Co owners Sam Hambour and Duncan Gibson, and chef-founder of Yarraville fine diner Navi Julian Hills. Hidden behind a former Sri Lankan restaurant on Barkly Street, the al fresco site is both kid- and dog-friendly, boasting shady umbrellas, an outdoor bar and an offering akin to an elevated backyard barbecue. The name Zymurgy references the chemistry behind fermentation, which is an art that's celebrated right throughout both the food and drink offering. Hills is cooking with wood and charcoal, but turning the familiar barbecue shtick on its head, lending an experimental touch to dishes like grilled pretzel with smoked wagyu butter, asparagus matched with a pepita crumble and brown butter emulsion, and a riff on the reuben sandwich crafted with ox tongue. Elements like miso aioli, sourdough and koji fly the ferment flag, while the grill is turning out plates like charcoal-crusted pork scotch teamed with pickled elderflower and salted cherries, and a warm smoked rainbow trout matched to potato and horseradish. The liquid side of things leans just as crafty, headlined by a ten-strong tap lineup of Hop Nation brews. Enjoy both familiar drops — think, the J Juice NEIPA and The Heart pale ale — and small-batch creations like the Candyland milkshake hazy IPA, alongside a tight rotation of tap wines and cocktails. If you'd rather crack open a bottle of something to share in the sun, you'll also find a local-leaning range of experimental wines, including releases from Hambour and Gibson's own vinous project Site Wine. Zymurgy will be sticking around in its current format until at least the end of the year, with some evolutions and expansions planned for 2021. Find Zymurgy at 561 Barkly Street, West Footscray from 3–9pm Thursday, 3–10.30pm Friday, 12–10.30pm Saturday and 12–9pm Sunday.
If you've ever been down the stairs at 1806, you'd have seen the wardrobe. Through the small gap in the golden door you can hear music playing, voices laughing and cocktail shaking. It's very enticing. But that's nothing compared to what you'll find when you venture inside The Understudy. Think Alice in Wonderland, the way the caterpillar would have seen it, just that little bit kookier. The Jester and the Hare sit perched, watching your every move, while 'drink me' and 'eat me' signs tempt. They have taken the finely honed cocktail making skills from upstairs and broken some of the rules. It's fun, it's adventurous, and it makes the real world feel a little boring. When it comes to the cocktails, either choose your own adventure, or for a true experience go for the cocktail degustation (three courses and matched amuse-bouche $70, five courses with matched amuse-bouche $90). You won't find classic cocktails on the menu down here. Expect things like the Hawaii Five-O, a mix of tequila, sherry, tomato, pineapple and coconut matched to tomato and passionfruit salsa with dehydrated pineapple chips. For something sweet to end on, the Mad as a March Hare is truly wonderful. Inspired by The Mad Hatter's tea party, it's a combination of vodka, tea, lemon, butter and strawberry jam, served with homemade mini banoffee pie infused with Ardbeg 10 Whisky. The menu is constantly changing, so go with an open mind but trust they will make something you've never tried before. For those who'd rather stick to beer and wine, they have a solid selection available as well as a small back bar of spirits. But if you make it through the wardrobe door, it would be a shame not to sip a unique cocktail creation.
Sometimes, it's the little things that motivate us. That's why we savour a coffee when we get out of bed each morning, and love a Friday afternoon drink after a week at the 9-to-5 grind. And, it can work when it comes to getting vaccinated, too. Indeed, plenty of companies have been offering up small rewards to encourage getting the COVID-19 jab — and, if you like your meals with a side of chips, Deliveroo is joining them. The delivery platform's vaccination incentive is open to everyone, but there's a big catch: it only kicks in when 60 percent of eligible folks in your state or territory have received both their COVID-19 shots. When that happens, Deliveroo will add a free large serve of fries to orders from Hungry Jack's and other participating eateries for three days — on the following Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Yes, you would like fries with that. You do need to order something to get the freebies, so you can't just get a large fries by itself without buying anything else. But, hey, free chips makes every meal better. And, it'll be added to your order automatically, so you won't need to do anything. Exactly when this giveaway will kick in around Australia obviously depends on vaccination numbers in each state and territory. Keen to keep an eye on vax rates? We've rounded up the websites helping you do just that. Deliveroo will add a free large serve of fries to each order from Hungry Jack's and other participating restaurants in a particular state or territory when that state or territory hits the 60-percent double-jabbed mark. For further details, head to the Deliveroo website.
Thanks to Serial, Making a Murderer, Dirty John and Zac Efron's recent role as serial killer Ted Bundy, true crime might feel like a relatively new trend. With all manner of podcasts, shows and movies devoted to the topic these days, the genre is certainly enjoying an extended moment in the spotlight — but grim real-life tales didn't just begin with the case of Adnan Syed. Around the same time that everyone was obsessing over Serial's first season, Aussie television was turning one of the country's most notorious cases into a two-part drama, with Catching Milat the end result. Dramatising the NSW backpacker murders of 1989–1993, as well as the hunt of now-convicted killer Ivan Milat, it aired on Channel Seven back in May 2015. If you missed it, or you're a new true crime obsessive, it's now on Stan. You can revisit the mini-series — with Malcom Kennard as Milat, Sacha Horler as his ex-wife Karen, Leeanna Walsman as his sister Shirley, and Richard Cawthorne, Geoff Morrell, David Field and Craig Hall as the cops on the case. It's worth noting that Catching Milat is a work of drama — and while it's not as fictionalised as Wolf Creek, which writer/director Greg McLean noted was partly inspired by Milat, it's definitely not a documentary either. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_g7cHhCBCs You can watch Catching Milat on Stan here. Updated: May 9, 2019.
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? If 50 of the world's most renowned street artists transform a derelict, glamorous 19th-century bathhouse-turned-nightclub into a temporary gallery space but no-one sees it, does it even exist? Paris's historic Les Bains-Douches building is steeped in history — built in 1885 as a civic bathhouse where Marcel Proust reportedly enjoyed a morning dip, the grandiose space became a pumping discotheque in the late '70s, until some overzealous renovation attempts led to the iconic club's closure in 2010. It's set to reopen as a mystery venue in 2014, but for now owner Jean Pierre-Marois has invited a stable of prominent urban artists, commissioned by the Magda Danysz Gallery, to reimagine the soon-to-be demolished space. Les Bain's fleeting metamorphosis as a gallery space will never open to the public; instead it's memorialised exclusively in the online exhibition platform Un Artiste Un Jour ('One day one artist), as captured by photographers Stephane Bisseuil and Jerome Coton. Perhaps a throwback to the pleasure-seeking days of disco when Les Bains was a playground for the debauchery of Andy Warhol, Yves Saint Laurent, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Grace Jones, Kate Moss, Mick Jagger and Johnny Depp, the beautifully decaying artwork is here for a good time, not a long time. Hedonistic? Perhaps, but what is art if not beauty for beauty's sake alone. Take a sneak peek below, no fake ID necessary. Lek and Sowat Thomas Canto Jeanne Susplugas Joachim Sauter Sten Lex Zeer Image credits: Sambre, Lek and Sowat, Thomas Canto, Jeanne Susplugas, Joachim Sauter, Sten Lex, Zeer by Jerome Coton and Stephane Bisseuil. See more images here.
Don’t have anything planned for New Year’s Eve yet? Well you can stop stressing out because we've got you covered. Sure, Melbourne may not have a Harbour Bridge to light up with every firework and light-emitting device known to man but there are a whole range of parties, dinners and events to bring in the New Year with style. Remember, you have to spend your last few hours of the year letting loose before starting that dreaded New Years resolution. Fireworks and live entertainment at Fed Square If you are looking to start the New Year with a bang (sorry) then get down to Fed Square with thousands of other partygoers. True, nobody likes a crowd, but Fed Square is big enough to always find a little nook to call your own while still feeling like part of the action — and action there will be. There's going to be African drumming, funky tunes, DJs and dancing. If you have little people with you, the City of Melbourne family festival has a 9.30pm firework show, and for the rest of us Fed Square is a prime spot to watch the midnight firework show. Unfortunately it's an alcohol free zone, but fear not, there are heaps of bars nearby that will welcome you with open arms. Lets face it, what’s more exciting and romantic than making out on NYE under fireworks? Federation square events go from 8pm - 1am; Free; Firework show details here. Image via That's Melbourne Elevation at the Eureka Skydeck Are you sick of that friend in Docklands talking about their amazing balcony view of the fireworks? Well go one better on them and witness the show from the highest vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere. The Eureka Skydeck is usually the spot to take your out of town relatives but on NYE they will be holding an appropriately named party: Elevation. There will be DJs, roving entertainment, food and arguably the best fireworks view in Melbourne. Canapés and drinks are included with your ticket too, because when you’re up that high you shouldn’t have to worry about a thing. Eureka Skydeck, 7 Riverside Quay, Southbank; 8pm - 2am; Tickets $195 - $270; Image via Eureka 89 Gypsy New Year’s Eve warehouse party Not everyone gets off on being packed like a sardine into a club or spending your NYE countdown in line for the bar. Beer Gypsies Matt Bywater and Dan Cerra thought that sounded awful too and will be setting up shop at the Second Story Studios warehouse with a great selection of craft beers and ciders on tap and plenty of room to move. You won’t have to drink those delicious craft brews in silence either because musicians Owl Eyes, City Calm Down, Set Sail and Tully on Tully will be playing all night. Lots of craft beer, wine and cider will be provided from Napoleone and Co. Cider, Mildura Brewery and Six Foot Six Winery. Second Story Studios, 159 Sackville St Collingwood; 6:30pm - 1am; Tickets $98 including drinks; Image via Beer Gypsies Eau de Vie Are sick of waiting in line for the bar? Maybe you don't want drunk strangers spilling drinks on you? Does the idea of queuing for a port-a-loo make you feel queasy? Eau de Vie have your back. This NYE you could be sampling a carefully curated degustation menu of cocktails, all delivered to your table with matching food created by head chef John-Paul Fiechtner. Known for their impeccable service, Eau de Vie are sure to deliver a New Years to remember (and brag about to everyone that missed out). 1 Malthouse lane, Melbourne; Tickets $175 per person; Image via Eau de Vie Pure Silk at Silk Road Opening its doors way back in 2008, Silk Road has made a name for its self as an opulent, indulgent club of the rich and famous. Beyoncé, Jason Statham and Jay-Z are just some of the celebrities that have hung out here while in Melbourne. But after five years, Silk Road's doors are now closing, possibly to become something new entirely. If you are a fan of the venue or have just always wanted to try it out, NYE will be your final chance to sit in a booth once occupied by Queen Bey herself. This is a big operation. All eight themed bars will be running over the venue's three levels while roaming dancers and performers entertain the crowds. As you would expect from Silk Road, opulence and glam is the name of the game. Entry tickets include drinks and substantial canapés and you should dress to impress. 425 Collins St, Melbourne; 7:30pm – 5am; Tickets $160; Image via Indesign Live Old Hollywood glam party at World bar “Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and 50 cents for your soul, I’m still holding out for the 50 cents” — Marilyn Monroe. It’s time to unpack that diamond studded ball gown, faux-fur jacket or tux and bow tie because World Bar and Restaurant are holding an old Hollywood glam party at their Yarra River facing bar. Step into Tinsel Town for the night as Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, Fred Astaire, or Bette Davis. This riverside party package includes drinks, canapés, a live pop and soul band and DJ. Don’t be that guy who doesn’t make an effort — go on and dress up. 2 Riverside Quay, Southbank; Tickets $65 - 230; Image via AP The Emerson Rooftop Party One of Melbourne’s newest destination clubs is showing off what it can do with a massive NYE party. Open over three exapansive levels with luxurious bars, a big dance area and one of the best rooftops south of the river this will be a perfect spot to bring in the New Year. Each level of the complex has something going for it though our pick is to make your way to the rooftop well in advance for a great view of the midnight firework show over the city skyline. Tickets include cocktails, drinks, and canapés so the only thing you have to worry about is which cocktail to choose. 145 Commercial Rd, South Yarra; Tickets $250; Image via The Emerson Stokehouse Beach Party Australians have it good. While our Northern brothers and sisters have to rug up from the cold and watch awful Christmas episodes of Doctor Who, we get our peak run of music festivals, outdoor parties and plenty of trips to the beach. It only makes sense that someone combined the best of Australian summer into one amazing night. Stokehouse are hosting a party at their beach front bar and restaurant. The beachfront stage will be blown away by favourites Miami Horror DJs and Flight Facilities with support from some great Australian artists: Elizabeth Rose, Client Liaison and Graz. Tickets include an open bar of beer, wine, cocktails, oysters and other delicious canapés. 30 Jacka Boulevard, St Kilda Beach; Tickets $250; Image via CP Ding Dong Lounge NYE If paying hundreds of dollars seems a bit excessive for one night of antics or you have already blown that Christmas money at Boxing Day sales then check out the very affordable Ding Dong Lounge NYE party. Ding Dong know their live music so rest assured that seven piece psychedelic group with the best name in town, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard will bring in the New Year properly. Hearty support will be coming from other Melbourne kids The Murlocs who have made some big splashes lately on the festival scene at Meredith and Harvest. Coming all the way from Adelaide and Perth respectively, Bad//Dreems and The Love Junkies are set to warm the night up too. 18 Market Lane, Melbourne; Tickets $25; Image via band. Cosparty at Brown Alley Did you get a new Pokémon onesie for Christmas? Well you are in luck because this NYE all Melbourne cosplayers will be converging on notoriously loose club Brown Alley for Cosparty 2013. The night will be full of interesting costumes and with a tag line of “rock out with your cosplay out” you know it doesn't take its self too seriously. For those unsure about what to wear, you are advised to dress up as your favourite character from anything – the more elaborate the better. Maybe you'll find your own Nurse Joy or Sailor Moon; a Hermione Granger to your Ron Weasley or some new Adventure Time comrades. Cosparty will be one of the few places (only place?) you'll have a chance of making out with Princess Peach at midnight. 585 Lonsdale St, Melbourne; 8pm-1am; Tickets $55; Image via Cosparty
This July sees the return of a packed IRL program from Open House Melbourne, after a two-year switch to the digital realm. If you're not familiar with the annual event, it opens up some of the city's most iconic buildings, new structures and urban environments for the public to explore and appreciate. And this year, it's back to regular programming, hosting a slew of in-person events, tours, exhibitions and talks, from Saturday, July 30–Sunday, July 31. You're invited to scope out architectural gems from across the Melbourne region, as the festival digs into the theme 'Built/Unbuilt'. This year's tour program will afford punters a rare stickybeak into spaces like the new Victorian Pride Centre, Collingwood Yards, the Melbourne Quakers Centre, the newly-rebuilt La Mama Theatre and the grand expanse of Studley Park's Villa Alba — an 1880s Italianate mansion bearing some of this country's most significant examples of late nineteenth-century decoration. [caption id="attachment_855968" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Melbourne Quakers Centre, Nervegna Reed Architecture and pH architects, captured by John Gollings[/caption] You'll also have the chance to explore the recently completed Melbourne Holocaust Museum, designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects, and to walk through the site of the new library planned as part of the Queen Vic Market precinct's Munro development. Meanwhile, new exhibition Take Hold of the Clouds transforms the city into a gallery, with a curation of responsive works displayed across seven sites, each sharing their own stories about the urban landscape. Elsewhere, you'll hear from some of our leading spatial and creative practitioners as they hit The Capitol to share their ideas for speaker series This Is Public, architect and housing advocate Tania Davidge leads a series of events exploring the issues around affordable housing in Australia, and you can catch a short flick celebrating the life and work of award-winning architect Peter Elliott. [caption id="attachment_775300" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Villa Alba Museum by Russell Winnell[/caption] Top Image: Collingwood Yards, by Stefan Postles
Forget been-there-done-that road trips — this is the year you start taking the road less travelled. You need something new. Something special. Something delicious worth making the turnoff and tracking down. With a little inspiration from Empty Esky and Canadian Club, we've got your next off-the-beaten-track road trip all planned — right down to the coffee stops, long lunches and one-of-a-kind gourmet country pies. Starting in Canberra, your foodie stops will take you to Braidwood, Batemans Bay and Ulladulla before finishing up in Milton. Along the way, you'll eat local, drink well and get cosy in some hidden country gems. Best of all, you'll help independent venues in communities still recovering from the bushfires — and, you know, everything else that happened in 2020. These pretty little places haven't had the easiest time lately, but still have so much good country hospitality to offer. [caption id="attachment_750222" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Canberra[/caption] BARRIO COLLECTIVE COFFEE, BRADDON We're kicking things off in Canberra, and you can't leave the capital without visiting Barrio Collective Coffee in Braddon. Industrial chic meets Japanese modernism in this friendly neighbourhood coffee shop, with an eclectic and ever-changing brunch menu. Regular additions include fancy tacos and tostadas, chazuke, gooey Spanish tortilla, big toasties and baguettes stuffed with the best seasonal produce. And there are always freshly baked sweet treats, like cardamom buns and jammy donuts, which make for excellent car snacks. There's in-house roasted coffee all day, plus fine wines in the afternoon (for your passengers). Love Barrio's brew? Grab an Aeropress and a bag of freshly roasted beans to keep you going all journey long. [caption id="attachment_802004" align="alignnone" width="1920"] crissouli, Flickr[/caption] THE ALBION CAFE, BRAIDWOOD Forget the drive-thru, go locavore. In the charming country town of Braidwood, The Albion Cafe offers healthy, seasonal specials based on the best local produce. A stylish but cosy set-up in the historic Albion Hotel building, this family business welcomes everyone with good old-fashioned country hospitality. It's wholesome through and through, and it caters for all dietary needs. That means you can expect nourishing soups and slow-cooked stews in cold weather, an abundance of salads in summer and toasties all year round. Grab some gourmet tidbits or fresh meals to-go from the little shop for a picnic later — artisanal sourdough and homemade hummus will hit the spot better than a packet of chips. CLUB CATALINA, BATEMANS BAY Congrats, you've made it to the Bay. Now, it's time to think outside the seagull-swooping chip shop. Catalina Country Club has a hundred-year history serving the folks of Batemans Bay. Don't worry, you can still hit that craving for a pub-style feed, but with a bit more refinement. Enjoy panko-crumbed chicken schnitzel and parmas, juicy wagyu burgers and artisanal pizza, served fresh from a woodfired oven, with a refreshing Canadian Club and Dry. Or, live the seaside high life and opt for the signature seafood platter and fresh oysters. [caption id="attachment_802671" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emma Joyce[/caption] HAYDEN'S PIES, ULLADULLA What's better than a fast food cheeseburger? A gourmet cheeseburger pie. Turn off the Princes Highway for a pastry pit-stop at Hayden's Pies, which has been perfecting the pie since 2003. Choose from solid classics like chunky steak or hefty vego options like mushroom, spinach and goat's cheese — or take a chance on one of its intriguing specials. Give alpaca chilli con carne a go. Or, what about camel, chickpea and coriander? Even kangaroo, wallaby and the occasional croc make it into the oven. Stop by on Sunday for the roast-inspired pie, featuring pork or lamb with peas, potatoes and gravy. It even has dessert covered, with specials like vanilla slices and portuguese tarts. You owe it to yourself to make this epic pie pilgrimage. [caption id="attachment_801304" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Something's Wild Photography[/caption] SMALL TOWN, MILTON Celebrate the journey's end with a bit of Small Town charm. From the owners of former Milton fine diner St Isidore, this sleek bistro offers a prix fixe and a la carte menu, both designed to pair elegant snacks and share-style plates with (mainly) small-batch Aussie wines. Small Town spins clever twists on comforting classics, like yorkshire pudding with sea urchin and egg yolk sauce; delicate prawn, scallop and chicken skin dumplings; and sourdough pici pasta with corn, kale, manchego and sorrel. And, as always, it's hard to pass up a fresh lobster roll. After your meal, pop next door to Small Town Provisions, the restaurant's new deli and shop, which sells cheese, cured meat and fresh bread — basically, all the trappings for a next-level picnic. For more road trip inspiration, check out these guides from Canadian Club and Empty Esky. Top image: Barrio Collective Coffee, Visit Canberra
Thanks to your long-suffering folks, beach umbrellas were one of those childhood perks you enjoyed without any effort on your own part, like an endless supply of free snacks or piggybacks on demand. It meant you could spend the whole day at the beach in comfort rather than leaving, red and blistery, after two or three hours when endless dips in the ocean are no longer effective. Basil Bangs' beautifully designed beach umbrellas will allow you to spend a sensible day at the beach while still looking hip. The ‘Calypso’ and ‘Princess and the Pea’ umbrellas have pretty white fringing, or if you want yours a little more masculine, the ‘Chaplin Stripe’ is a classic black and white. If you're struggling to find something for Christmas for that fashionable friend with discerning taste, the umbrella that Missoni designed in collaboration with Basil Bangs will be sure to win brownie points. Concrete Playground caught up with Lauren Boyce and Mike Durante, the two talented halves of Basil Bangs, to find out what makes them and their business tick. Tell us about the name, Basil Bangs. We’re always being asked, “Who is this Basil Bangs character!??”. Well, Basil Bangs is the mysterious dude behind our loud and proud range of premium sun umbrellas. We joke that he’s related to James Boags (they’re cousins). We’re often revealing little clues to our Facebook fans about Basil’s world & who he is with his favourite gigs, dining experiences and of course his favourite places to hang out poolside or with sandy toes. What would be Basil’s perfect day in Sydney? Basil starts his perfect day in salt water. He rides his cruiser to the beach for a surf check. If the surf’s on, he’s out there. If it’s really perfect, no wetsuit’s required, it’s offshore & no-one’s out!! Basil loves the farmers markets at Bondi so he’ll often pick up some breakfast ingredients. Then it’s brunch and coffee time with papers and a picnic rug at the park, sharing the shade cast by a BB Mr Huckabee with his lady and his border collie. After that, there might be a BBQ with mates on the cards, or a cruise into town to check out the latest books, or pop into an exhibition at Object. A snack at Bourke Street Bakery is always on the cards if he’s in the neighbourhood (he’s got a sweet tooth that one!), otherwise a favourite spot to shoot the breeze or have a relaxed meal with mates is The Commons in Darlinghurst. For evening entertainment he’d catch The National playing at The Enmore or an emerging act at The Basement, or perhaps the end of the Bicycle Film Festival down at Bondi. Basil’s arm can always be twisted for a nightcap somewhere cosy…he’s currently enjoying a nice Cognac. Where do you get your inspiration from? We’re passionate travellers and really admire how Europeans do beach. So chic. We love the Slim Aarons’ work, how he captured the incredible summers in the 1960s and 70s is truly inspirational. That period was a time of such optimism and risk taking. Our friends and family are a happy and very funny bunch who always give us new ideas. It’s awesome to see the little-ies start to enjoy the shade these brollies offer. The sandcastles are going to get epic. It’s a much easier way to be sun smart than the beach tents – and let’s face it, far more beautiful! Our goal is to surpass the beach tent as the shade of choice this summer. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting out? Hmm, well, you can easily underestimate how long it takes to do things, especially when you’re doing everything yourself and sometimes learning from scratch. We also launched during the GFC, which was interesting timing! It made us really work hard to ensure value and quality so in the end it was a good thing. Basil Bangs isn’t about being the cheapest thing around. What we do want is to be long lasting, to be easy to use, and to wear with you. Everyone loves the vintage brollies you see at markets or the back of garages that have such personality. In 30 years we hope our brollies are a collector’s item too. We are really passionate about what Basil Bangs is and stands for, so when we see one of our brollies being used on the beach, or hanging out in a park, it makes all the hard slog worthwhile. How do you choose your materials? We choose our materials for durability, quality, the job they’re meant to do, and equally important, how great they look. How did the collaboration with Missoni come about? As massive fans of Missoni, we bandied around the idea of doing something with them when we first started. In the end we just approached them, and here we are. I think that having a high quality, design-led product that they don’t currently have in their range already was the trick. And how gorgeous is it? They make all the fabric in Italy in their own mills. We would love to keep on revealing a different Missoni Brolly each summer but we’ll see…. Can your umbrellas be used in places apart from the beach? Yes absolutely, anywhere you need some shade. We’ve seen them being used on little balconies above a small table and 2 chairs, in backyards, on patios and decks. They’re ideal for people in apartments because they’re not too big and can be easily stored away. We take ours pretty much everywhere we go; it’s always in the car for 'just in case'. The Chaplin Stripe has even been used for daytime weddings where some chic shade was required but they didn’t want a marquee. So many options : ) Any words of wisdom for people thinking of starting their own brand? Do your research, do your sums, make sure you have clear goals, and most importantly: HAVE FUN! How will you spending your summer? Morning swims and surfs, twilight dinners, on our bikes, at the markets, enjoying all the amazing exhibitions that come to town, eating…lots, seeing some of the many great gigs, cruising around Sydney Festival First Night… and of course we’ll be reading Concrete Playground for any ideas! What is the best thing about summer in Sydney? What a question! Hmm the best thing about summer is Sydney! It’s…that the ocean stays brisk…eating gelato from Messina or Pompei’s on a steamy evening… smiley, happy people around town…drinking shandies…the fireworks…barbeques…holidays… What’s your favourite Sydney beach? Well, we’re based in Bondi so of course we think North Bondi is pretty great. That said, we can’t narrow it down to just one beach. Our pick for harbour side swims are Parsley Bay Reserve and Redleaf, and for beaches it’s Bronte, Freshwater, and Palm Beach. Honestly though, there are just too many stunning spots to choose from. We’re pretty blessed here in Sydney!
This August, Melbourne's iconic Fed Square is shaking up its usual offering to deliver a dazzling program packed full of installations, activities and one-off events as part of its first Anything But Square Festival. One of these will see guests embark on a futuristic bunker feasting adventure, dubbed Sensory Underground. This mysterious dinner is being hosted by modern Japanese favourite Tokyo Tina across a series of 90-minute sittings from July 31 to August 11. And it will be anything but normal. First, you'll enter the space through Platform 13 at Flinders Street Station and make your way through to an unforgettable subterranean space deep below Fed Square. There, you'll be served up a four-course dinner, with each future-leaning dish inspired by current food forecasts for the year 2045, crafted around sustainable food practices, minimal energy use and seasonal, local produce. Think casual dining crossed with Blade Runner. While you're tucking into your innovative feast, you'll also be treated to a program of multisensory experiences, from some of Melbourne's hottest creative talent no less. There'll be lighting installations by artist Kit Webster, virtual reality elements from PHORIA Studio's Trent Clews-de Castella and Joseph Purdam, and visual delights from the team at Studio SPGD. Tickets to the dinners clock in at $120, including food, a welcome drink and all that sensory fun. Sessions will run at 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and at 6pm, pm and 9.45pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sydney's Wild Life Zoo may be temporarily closed to the public, but its keepers are continuing to feed and care for its many animals, big, small, scaly and slimy. And it's inviting you to get in on the action this week when it live streams the feeding of one of its biggest residents. At 2.30pm AEDT on Wednesday, March 25, you can watch Rocky the mammoth 365-kilogram saltwater crocodile splash around in his large pool, clamp his jaws around snacks and maybe even show off a death roll or two. Before the feeding kicks off, there'll be a Q&A with Rocky's keepers Caroline, Ashley and Sofia, who'll be answering all of your questions about the world's largest reptile. Thankfully, this isn't the only live-stream the zoo is planning. Keep an eye on its Facebook page for future cute and slightly scary content, including possible koala cuddles, snake feeding and after-dark hangs with the nocturnal animals. Live-Stream: Feeding Time with Rocky the Crocodile is happening at 2.30pm AEDT via Wild Life Zoo's Facebook page.
Well, it's not exactly a watch, because you don't actually have to look at it to determine the time. In fact, its creators are making a point of referring to it as a timepiece - "The Bradley" timepiece, to be precise. And it's promising to put an end to many an awkward moment. Once you're wearing The Bradley, you can tell the time simply by touch. That means there's no longer any need to peer at your mobile phone in front of clients or bosses or particularly verbose lunch buddies. "The Bradley" (watch) face is comprised of 12 raised marks and a side ball bearing, which, in combination, indicate hours, and a side ball bearing, which indicates minutes. Magnets connect the ball bearings to the timepiece's mechanics, hidden underneath its titanium casing. Watchbands are available in fabric and leather, coloured mustard yellow, olive green or blue; and in stainless steel mesh. Designers, engineers and individuals with vision impairment have all contributed to The Bradley's development. According to the team, it "changes the way we interact with our timepieces". The invention's title is a reference to Lieutenant Brad Snyder, who lost his sight in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan. A year later, in the 2012 London Paralympics, he won a gold medal in the 400-metre freestyle, as well as two silver medals in other events. With 20 days of Kickstarter campaigning to go, "The Bradley" has already reached its initial goal of $40,000 10 times over, with 2,602 supporters having pledged $395,501. [via Mashable]
Behind a sleek black facade in Geelong, you'll discover one of Victoria's most acclaimed regional restaurants, Igni. Here, chef and owner Aaron Turner (also the guy behind Hot Chicken Project around the corner), is fearless in pushing the culinary envelope, as he champions the best of the region's small, bespoke producers. No two visits promise the same experience, thanks to an oft-changing menu directed by whatever top farm-fresh haul Turner gets his hands on each day. This is where the term 'produce-driven' is taken to a whole new level. Offered via a six-course dining journey, the fare, like the space, is a celebration of simplicity, where serious technique is showcased with minimal fluff and fanfare. Prepare to be wowed by some revelatory flavour combinations, as everyday ingredients are driven to mind-blowing new heights. To match, you'll find a brief but diverse rotation of wines, with expertly curated pairing menus available with your degustation. Well worth the drive (or the train journey) to Geelong.
The white brick facade of the Post Office Hotel, or the 'Posty', is now home to The Postina — a new Italian-accented eatery from the crew behind House of Lulu White and The Hamptons Bakery. Helmed by executive chef James Turno (Grossi Florentino, The European), the family-style menu is a celebration of all things Italian. For those who live by the crust, there's a mammoth lineup of traditional pizza toppings, as well as the less classic 'McDowells big Mick sauce' for pizza dipping ($3). Handmade pasta options might include a pappardelle with slow-braised duck and porcini ragu ($32), and a pumpkin cappelletti with sage brown butter, toasted hazelnut and gorgonzola ($27). For those of a veggie persuasion, fresh choices abound, including vegan pizza options, a side of shaved cabbage with pea and preserved lemon ($12), and heirloom tomatoes with burrata and black olive crumb ($17). Eurocentric spritzes and cocktails will have aperitivo hour transporting you into holiday mode, while the wine list features Italian imports from regions like Chianti, Puglia and Campania alongside "Italian-inspired" drops from the Margaret River and Yarra Valley. Also Italian-inspired is the hotel's refurbishment, which includes a light-filled (and foliage-heavy) al fresco dining area and an intimate, wooden interior decor. A range of daily food and be specials will get you through to the weekend in good spirits, including Pasta & Vino Wednesdays — a glass of wine and plate of housemade pasta for $22 — Thursday's Boozy Bird — a schooner paired with a chicken cotoletta for $24 — and a 3–6.30pm happy hour running every weekday.
This High Street spot does what it says on the tin: quality souvas in a lively setting. Starting life as a roaming food truck around some of the city's busiest markets and foodie hotspots, this bricks-and-mortar site may be one of the best places in town to tuck into a hearty gyro. There's no reinventing the wheel here, with a selection of meat or veg-based wraps in fluffy pita bread, finished with tomato, red onion and chips and either mustard, house tzatziki or both depending on your choice of filling. The kitchen also plates up skewer platters, as well as Greek-style chips (chunky, deep-fried sticks of potato topped with oregano, feta or both), as well as a range of salads.
In the 'so bad it's good' genre of movies, one stands out, and that's Machete. The 2010 film — famously based on one of the fake trailers in Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's Grindhouse — was really, bang-on good, going beyond pastiche or send-up to create a modern Mexploitation film that was bags of fun. And since it's all so knowingly B-grade, it's completely fine — excellent, really — for it to spiral out to a sequel, Machete Kills. A further sequel is in the works, too: Machete Kills Again... In Space. Bless you, absurdist self-referential geeks of Hollywood. Machete Kills returns to the story of our laconic, near-immortal ex-federale Machete as he crusades for justice along the Mexico-US border. Lifelong character actor Danny Trejo is again backed up by a WTF cast of celebrities, including Charlie Sheen (or Carlos Estevez, as the credits introduce him) as the president of the United States, Jessica Alba, Sofia Vergara, Vanessa Hudgens, Amber Heard, Alexa Vega, Antonio Banderas, Cuba Gooding Jr., Mel Gibson and Lady Gaga. Expect one, two or all of them to die in comic and elaborate ways. Machete Kills is in cinemas on October 24, and thanks to Icon Films, 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
These days, whenever an old pop culture commodity comes back in a new guise, it's easy to feel complacent. It happens all the time, whether it's a classic franchise receiving its second reboot, a cult 80s movie making the leap to the small screen or a huge TV hit jumping into prequel territory to continue its story. But if you're a fan of a certain undead-killing late 90s and early 00s television show, you'll know that great things can start this way. It's the path that Buffy the Vampire Slayer took, after all. Based on the 1992 movie of the same name, the Sarah Michelle Gellar-starring series might just be the finest example of a film-turned-TV show — well, it's definitely the best example in the high school-set vampire genre — as the world came to learn across seven seasons that initially aired between 1997–2003. Buffy has remained a cult favourite ever since, and plenty of devotees still have the huge DVD collections to prove it. Now, binging your way through the whole show is as easy as heading to Australian streaming platform Stan. As part of a deal with Disney that's also brought How I Met Your Mother, Sons of Anarchy, Grey's Anatomy and Family Guy to the service, all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer are available to stream. Whether you now know what you're doing this summer, have your after-work viewing planned for the foreseeable future or are planning to devote many a weekend to a rewatch, it's all there — from Buffy's arrival in Sunnydale, to her romantic fondness for brooding vamps Angel (David Boreanaz) and Spike (James Marsters), to all the hijinks that the Scooby Gang got up to while living on top of a hellmouth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1v_q6TWAL4 Because this is a series that, fittingly, no one wants to die, a Buffy spinoff was announced back in 2018 — however, to date, it's yet to come to fruition. There's nothing quite like the original Joss Whedon-created show, though, even if it wasn't the very first take on the feisty character. Grab your stakes, line up a range of suitably garlic-flavoured snacks and get ready for a whole world of small-town, high school hell — with vampires, demons, witches, plenty of dark forces, wise watchers like Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) and Wesley (Alexis Denisof), and, of course, Buffy's besties Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Xander (Nicholas Brendon). All seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer are now available to stream on Stan.
At last, the air is starting to thaw and the clouds are starting to part. Winter has come and gone again, and it's time to enjoy that spring has, in fact, sprung. This October, Melbourne Quarter is playing host to a seasonal celebration to help you shake off the winter blues and spring into the coming months. For an entire week, the new neighbourhood along Collins Street will be playing host to celebrations of art and culture. From Monday, October 10, Scottish Melbourne-based illustrator and muralist Lynn Bremner will be creating a vibrant art mural in Gunpowder Walk. And on Wednesday, October 12, the lobby of One Melbourne Quarter will transform into a high-end runway that will showcase new pieces from the spring collection of sustainable First Nations label Ngali. [caption id="attachment_870871" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ngali Australia[/caption] Visitors will also be able to contribute to a floral installation. Simply look for a Melbourne Quarter representative handing out flowers to help add a touch of spring to the laneway, and score a voucher to use at participating Melbourne Quarter retailers for your efforts. And you can say goodbye to any midweek blues on October 12 and 13, when you can stop by the precinct during lunch to soak up live and local tunes and sit back on a bean bag as you chow down on a delicious meal from one of the nearby eateries. Melbourne Quarter's spring celebrations take place from Monday, October 10 to Friday, October 14. Entry is free and spaces for the fashion show are limited. The program is subject to change with weather conditions. For more details, head to the website.
Fancy rolling through the festive season without a care in the world — on eight wheels? You can do just that in Carlton's Argyle Square this month thanks to the Melbourne Christmas Festival's new pop-up Christmas Roller Rink. Yep, from Friday, December 16–Saturday, December 24, the precinct is being reimagined as an openair roller-skating arena, complete with giant neon decorations, a towering Christmas tree and plenty of room to show off your wheely good moves. Open daily from 11am until 9 or 10pm, the rink is free to ride, with skate hire available for $5 and bookings made online. There'll be classic tunes to soundtrack your spin, while local DJs like OMG Becky, Sophie Joy and Pixelton are set to grace the decks across the weekend of December 16–18. Meanwhile, the adjoining Piazza Italia is a primo spot for a post-spin picnic — especially since Carlton Inc will be running giveaways and handing out free Italian eats here right throughout the festive season.
One for the bargain hunters: Northcote Social Club's NS-Flea Market is back on Sunday, October 23. After the success of the first iteration back in May, the market's are working with even more local creators and collectors for this second edition. From 12pm-4pm, creators will be slinging their wares — hoping to help the upcycling revolution. Plus, it's all indoors, so there's no need to fear the rain in the usual flea market carpark setting. Browse in peace. We recommend coming here to swap the online shopping life for something far more fun and fruitful. Expect all manners of items, ranging from jewellery and clothes, to art, plants and handmade goods. Who knows what you'll find at an event like this? There's even grub available in between shopping. Head to Northcote Social Club's pub to get a classic Sunday roast for $25, alongside all the beers and pub feeds you know and love.
Pay whatever you feel like at Melbourne's favourite good-vibin', community-minded vegetarian eatery. Lentil as Anything have a few locations around town including spots in St Kilda, Footscray, Preston and Thornbury, but it's hard to go past the picturesque setting and atmosphere of Abbotsford Convent. Since their ingredients are often donated, the menu changes week to week, but you can just about guarantee that whatever they're serving will be tasty – and good for you as well. There's also a fairly high chance that lentils will be involved. Their unique payment method means that you decide how much your meal is worth, so please don't be a jerk. If anyone deserves your money, it's these guys.
There are a million mobile apps out there to help you take better care of your body. But what about one that helps you take better care of your planet? That's the idea behind TODAY, an app that'll let users "track and share the positive impact they have on the world". The homegrown app, which is currently being funded via a crowdfunding campaign, will provide users with information about their environmental footprint, and offer tips on how they can reduce it. It'll tell you how much clean air you create every time you walk to work. It'll tell you how much natural land you conserve every time you eat sustainable food. It'll even tell you how much pollution you save by cutting back on disposable coffee cups. "TODAY exists to inspire you and every single one of us to make the small changes, both individually and collectively, to create a better future for all," reads a description on the app's Start Some Good page. The plan is for the TODAY team to work with ethical businesses, "and engage with awesome environmental initiatives". For more information about TODAY, check out their website. If you like what you see, you can donate to their crowdfunding campaign here.
Already dreaming of warmer days? Returning for its 67th year, the annual Tesselaar Tulip Festival is set to feature close to one million tulips planted across five acres of farmland, offering the perfect excuse to wander through endless fields of flowers to celebrate the start of spring. The tulip farm will come alive for its famous festivities from Saturday, September 10–Sunday, October 9, with a calendar of themed weekends promising something for all. Running September 10–11, Turkish Weekend will dish up a program of live art, music and food in honour of the country that played host to the first tulip festival over 400 years ago. Then, Dutch Weekend (September 16–18) will transport you straight to Holland, homeland of the festival's founders Cees and Johanna Tesselaar. Get set for clog dancing, sjoekbak (Dutch shuffleboard) and, in a recreation of Amsterdam's famed Alkmaar Cheese Market, a host of traditional eats — including oliebollen (Dutch dumplings), bitterballen (meatballs), poffertjes and Tesselaar's signature Double Dutch ice cream. More great eating awaits at Food, Wine & Jazz Weekend (September 23–25), where you'll enjoy local drinks and gastronomical delights among the tulips. There'll be live tunes by Dr Jazz featuring Ruby Rae, Apple Ida and Her Cider Press Band, and The Daryl McKenzie Jazz Ensemble, plus entry includes a couple of complimentary wine and beer tastings. Also on the bill: a couple of Children's Weeks, a weekend devoted to retro rock 'n' roll, and an Irish Weekend filled with craic. Tickets are available at the farm, but you can buy them online in advance (from August 1) to skip the queue.
Acclaimed chef Shane Delia (Maha, Maha East) has just dropped a brand new cooking show called A Middle East Feast, available to watch over on SBS Food on Thursday nights and SBS OnDemand. Taking inspiration from the show, Delia is extending the culinary fun beyond what's on screen, hosting a series of weekend lunches inspired by the show's weekly-changing guest chef lineup. Over at Maha East every Saturday (except for July 31) and Sunday over the coming weeks, A Middle East Feast will bring the show's menus to life, via a multi-course feed that clocks in at $65 per person. Coming up is a menu inspired by Episode 6's guest, Ehud Malka (The Left-Handed Chef), available on Sunday, August 1. Expect dishes like grilled Iraqi flatbread, smoked hummus with mushrooms and almonds, roast lamb rump paired with a za'atar jus, carob-glazed carrots finished with toasted hazelnuts and an Israeli milk pudding for dessert. The following weekend's offering is still under wraps, though it'll be guided by whoever stars on Episode 7. Previous editions have centred around names like Tom Sarafian (Little Andorra, Bar Saracen) and Alimentari's Linda Jones, with plenty more masters of Middle Eastern cooking to come. Bookings are a must — you can check out the upcoming menus revealed each week here. [caption id="attachment_722638" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James[/caption]
Sometimes, you just need to let go of the present and dive into a big dose of nostalgia. And if you spent any of your childhood grooving through the 90s, you're about to enjoy some serious retro goodness when Ego Expo brings the Throwback Lounge to the District Docklands precinct this month. Running every Friday to Sunday from Friday, August 5–Sunday, 28, this time-tripping affair is paying homage to the best bits of the 90s, with nostalgic eats, vintage games and more old-school pop culture references than you can shake a Discman at. Star of the show is the cereal bar, stocked with over 30 varieties of brekkie cereal from across the globe. An all-you-can-eat cereal session will set you back $39, and you can add toppings such as syrups, Nutella, marshmallows, fruit, crushed Oreaos and fairy floss for an extra fee. Other classic 90s eats include the likes of spaghetti jaffles, Pop-Tarts and Hot Pockets. Tinnies come courtesy of Urban Alley, alongside seltzers by 5PM. In between snacks, you can get your kicks with a few rounds of Playstation, Wii and Nintendo Switch, as well as iconic arcade favourites like Daytona, Street Fighter and Mario Kart, plus a stack of 90s board games. There's also a retail fashion pop-up dedicated to emerging designers, if you're in the market for some new threads. What's more, there's a program of themed happenings to sink your teeth into while the Throwback Lounge is in town — think: a celebrity e-games live-stream (Friday, August 26), a sneaker paint-and-sip session (Saturday, August 13), and even a mini music fest (Saturday, August 27). Entry to the Throwback Lounge is free, but you're encouraged to register online. There's also separate ticketing for the programmed events.
Peering at art, whether it's at a seven-metre-high thumbs-up or Australian flowers and botanicals frozen into acrylic blocks, is all about broadening your perspective. As you look, you see how the artist surveys the world — and what awaits them as they observe. Checking out the 2023–24 NGV Triennial at night at NGV Triennial EXTRA adds another layer. Everything appears different after the sun sets, including this wide-ranging showcase of 75 works from 100-plus artists. Exploring NGV Triennial's latest wares after dark isn't the only part of NGV Triennial EXTRA, however, as it runs from Friday, January 19–Sunday, January 28 until 11pm daily. DJs, live tunes, talks about the weather, artist and curator chats, a tennis ball exchange and more are also on the agenda, with NGV International getting busy for ten evenings Entry is free — so if you're catching performances by the British artist Thomas J Price's sculptures in NGV's Federation Court from 6–9pm, which Candy Bowers has curated, you won't spend a cent. There's no need for your wallet for anything that you'll be feasting your eyes and ears on, including sound interventions by Chinese-Australian composer and Guzheng performing artist Mindy Meng Wang, conversations by artists such as the Indonesian-based Nadiah Bamadhaj and Malaysia's Yee I-Lann, and drop-in screenings. The same goes for enjoying the talents hitting the decks from 9–11pm, like Sui Zhen, RONA, C.FRIM and IN2STELLAR, who'll be getting you dancing. And, you can take part in David Shrigley's Melbourne Tennis Ball Exchange, where you can bring a ball then take a ball, with NGV Triennial EXTRA taking place during 2024 Australian Open. Funds are required if you're eager for a sip at the cocktail-slinging Four Pillars gin bar, some Moët in the Great Hall, or vino with oysters and charcuterie platters from Yering Station's wine bar. And, you'll need money for dining at the NGV Garden Restaurant, the Great Hall and NGV Garden, where everything from pork belly bao and wagyu beef sliders to gelato is on offer. Images: Installation views of Franziska Furter's work Liquid Skies/Gwrwynt and Richard Lewer's work on display in NGV Triennial from 3 December 2023 – 7 April 2024 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Lillie Thompson. // Alchemy Consort. Courtesy of the artists. // Sweet Mama by Candy Bowers. Courtesy of the artist. Photography: Teniola Komolafe.
The regional town of Trentham, with a population of about 1200, knows how to draw in big crowds. Every year, the Great Trentham Spudfest attracts a whopping 6000 or so potato lovers from all over Victoria. And now, come Friday, August 2, the population will once again grow for a single night as it hosts Trentham Winterfest. From 4–8pm, Trentham's High and Market Streets will come alive with light displays, food and drink stalls, a campfire, live music, art exhibitions and plenty more. Hotel Trentham will be one of the main pitstops. It'll be covered in light projections, and will also host live gigs and plate up barbecued German-style street eats out the front. You can also sample vinos, spiced cider and baked potatoes from Trentham Food and Wine Company; pork and fries souvlaki and falafels from Annie Smithers du Fermier; burgers, beats and laser beams at Jinky's Food Truck at the historic Trentham railway station; and mulled wine, espresso martinis and pizzas at Trentham General. Elsewhere, The Green Store will become an Aurora Borealis-themed winter wonderland, featuring light displays, face painting, free infrared sauna sessions, s'mores and spiced tea. And Vic Market Square will have a roaming silent disco, a stall slinging warming hot choccies and a roaring campfire where you can toast marshmallows. As you walk around these two main strips in Trentham, you'll come across even more installations, food stalls and local retailers selling their wares. This big country winter festival is well worth the hour-and-15-minute drive.
So, you manage to keep yourself pretty well entertained between the wine festivals, gallery exhibitions and bottomless brunches. But what about that four-legged mate of yours? Well, you'd better clear his or her schedule too, because this OTT pop-up doggy theme park is descending on Melbourne once again for its second iteration. This winter on Saturday, August 12 at Port Melbourne Industrial Centre for the Arts (PICA), Theme Bark promises the dog's day out your pooch has been dreaming of all their life. So just what can Luna expect from this paw-some puppy playground? Well, there'll be a big ball pit playpen, complete with slide, and a giant obstacle course for ducking, diving and clamouring around in a floofy cloud of ecstasy. Talented pooches can try their luck in the Pup Pageant or the Doggy Dash, while the afternoon's dog yoga sessions promise to fill up fast. Meanwhile, the pop-up Barkery Lane market will have retailers slinging everything from dog accessories to toys, plus, they'll be puppacinos and pooch-friendly ice-creams for your bestie. Images: supplied.
There are a million ways to meet someone in 2023. The options range across physical and digital, making it easier than ever to find the right someone. One of the fastest ways to find the right person is the classic choice of speed dating. It's a great way to speed up the process if you want to cut out the endless swiping and waiting for a match. That's what Cheeky Events Australia is here for with its weekly speed dating series. Running in Sydney and Melbourne and about to launch in Brisbane, the events cater to anyone aged 25-35, 30-45 or 35-49 — Cheeky Events Australia aims to open it up to more age groups and cater to LGBTQIA+ customers in 2024. [caption id="attachment_922332" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] millann via iStock[/caption] How does it work? Simply book your sport at one of the many regular events via Eventbrite or the Cheeky Events Australia app (and use code PLAYGROUND15 to get 15% off). Once you arrive, your hosts (who are also former speed dating guests) will greet you and supply you with a complimentary beverage to enjoy while mingling with fellow daters before the action begins. Women will stay seated while the men rotate around, with a brief mingling break at the halfway point of the night. Once the time is up, participants will open the app to input their likes, and matches will be finalised via the app later that night. Any matches will be able to find each other's contact details in the app. The odds are in your favour — on average, everyone has one or two matches per night, with many finding a long-term partner by their third event. Keep an eye out for more than just the weekly series — there could be themed boat parties on your dating horizon. To get started with Cheeky Events Australia, follow them on Instagram, download the app or find the next event on Eventbrite. For more information, visit the website.
If your fitness routine could use a little shake-up, we've found a winning new workout — combining pilates, vino and sweeping bay views. The folks from Pinot Pilates are hosting a special edition of their famed wine-fuelled exercise classes which'll see you getting stretchy while sipping chardy by the sea. On Sunday, May 16, the Port Melbourne Yacht Club will be the setting for this unique bayside fitness session, guided by Pinot Pilates' expert teacher and founder Laura Roodhouse. You'll work through an hour-long pilates practice, while soaking up those water vistas and sipping a bottle of pinot noir, rosé or chardonnay from the Yarra Valley's Tokar Estate. But the vinous fun doesn't stop there — as well as their own bottle of wine, each guest will also enjoy a personalised tasting of Tokar Estate's core drops after the class. And because you'll probably have worked up an appetite with all those exercise moves, there'll be a selection of nibbles and fresh fruit to graze on, too. Tickets clock in at $105 per person and you won't need to bring anything but yourself — mats, equipment and glassware are all provided.
UPDATE, April 7, 2021: Weathering with You is available to stream via Netflix, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Amazon Video and iTunes. To watch as Weathering with You roams around Tokyo, wandering through its alleys and roving beyond its well-known tourist spots, is to almost feel like you're walking through the sprawling city yourself. That's an uncanny achievement for an animated film, however it speaks volumes about the level of detail evident in Makoto Shinkai's first movie since his huge 2016 hit Your Name. The luminous lights, towering structures and Shibuya's famous scramble crossing all feature, rendered as vividly as they demand. Also present: the rows of nondescript buildings that stretch across the Japanese capital, its maze of laneways, the blue vending machines on every block, and everything from everyday cafes to love hotels to small markets. While Weathering with You serves up a mix of romance, fantasy and drama in its narrative, it is fiercely determined to steep even its most fanciful narrative leaps in a realistic setting — and that choice has an impact not just visually, but emotionally. Three years after Your Name became the second-highest-grossing Japanese animated release ever around the globe — a feat that places it behind only Studio Ghibli's beloved Spirited Away — Shinkai's latest film once more ponders love, disaster and whether some things are just meant to be. Like the director's last movie, it also pits star-crossed teenagers against forces outside of their control, and aims for something offbeat yet insightful in the process. Themes of identity and self-exploration bubble to the fore again, albeit without Your Name's body-swap gimmick this time around. Instead, Weathering with You ponders societal and environmental changes, placing its high school-aged protagonists in the middle of both figurative and literal storms. If Hirokazu Kore-eda's Palme d'Or winner Shoplifters swapped actors for anime, added teen relationships and otherworldly elements, and examined global warming as well as life on the Japanese margins, it might actually look like this. Introduced on a boat approaching Tokyo just as a typhoon hits (and just as he's saved from a grim watery end by a stranger), 16-year-old runaway Hodaka (Kotaro Daigo) is a fresh-faced arrival in the big city. He has nowhere to stay, no job and no way to scrape by, failing to even find work in seedy bars or to get a moment's rest behind bins in an alleyway. When he first crosses paths with the orphaned Hina (Nana Mori), she's a fast food employee who gives him a free burger. When they meet again, he saves her from an exploitative new gig. A connection springs, but it's Hodaka's new place of employment that intertwines their fate. Hired as a live-in assistant to the jaunty Suga (Shun Oguri), who runs an occult-focused magazine out of his house, the teen is charged with tracking down people who can reportedly control the weather — and, following an eventful visit to a rooftop shrine during a time of trauma, that's a skill that Hina happens to possess. Writing as well as directing, Shinkai soon tasks his central duo with starting their own business to make the most of Hina's gift. As Tokyo's prolonged spell of unseasonable rain just keeps falling day after day, she brings sunshine to folks needing a reprieve — in small spots, only for short periods and for a fee. Of course, as many a movie has stressed, with great power not only comes great responsibility, but considerable consequences. It's here that Weathering with You starts weaving its various threads together — and although they don't all shine as brightly as the rays that Hina commands, the film still offers a smart and moving contemplation of one's place in, and impact upon, the world. That's true when it's poking into life at street-level and taking the planet's changing weather systems in a drastic direction, and remains the case when it's exploring individual decisions and influential relationships, too. As he did with Your Name, Shinkai packages his tale with an upbeat pace, expressive character animation, delicate voice work and music from Japanese pop band Radwimps, with the group's songs given pride of place across the picture's many montages. Indeed, while the filmmaker helms his sixth movie (with Children Who Chase Lost Voices and The Garden of Words also among his credits), Weathering with You often feels like it's following closely in its immediate predecessor's footsteps. That's where the film's finessed use of detail not only proves pivotal, but makes an immense difference. Its gorgeous frames serve up more than just something vibrant to look at, although they easily tick that box. A strikingly lifelike, never-romanticised vision of Tokyo anchors the narrative's Shinto-inspired spiritual and supernatural leanings. More importantly, it gives weight to both Hodaka and Hina's sizeable struggles, and to the movie's musing on where massive weather events could take today's society. Embracing fantasy, yet always ensuring that it remains equally enchanting and grounded, the result is a dynamic, stunningly animated outsider story with a heart and a conscience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouLO5iPc1yo
Prefer to soak up Shakespeare while lounging on a lawn beneath the twinkling night sky? This month, The Australian Shakespeare Company is back with another round of Shakespeare Under the Stars, allowing you to do just that. This time, it's serving up a fun-loving adaptation of The Bard's timeless rom-com, Much Ado About Nothing, packed with giggles for audiences of all ages. Starring Anna Burgess, Nicholas Cameron and Alex Cooper, the production will pop up in the Royal Botanic Gardens' Southern Cross Lawn for a starlit season from Saturday, December 17–Saturday, February 4. Brimming with toe-tapping original pop tunes, the play reimagines Shakespeare's classic battle-of-the-sexes comedy with an infectious sprinkling of sitcom, pantomime and rock 'n' roll swagger. And you can enjoy it all from the comfort of your picnic rug — either while tucking into BYO snacks and drinks, or kicking back with a few goodies from the kiosk. Reserve tickets are also available.
Fancy spending your public holiday eve with a drink in hand, soaking up some breezy Mediterranean holiday vibes? You're in for exactly that when Tetto di Carolina throws open the doors for an Amalfi-inspired rooftop party on Wednesday, January 25. From 4pm, the South Yarra bar's rooftop terrace will whisk punters away to aperitivo hour on the Italian coast, including kicking back sipping limoncello spritzes and bergamot margaritas for $10 a pop. Also yours for a tenner, you'll find the now famous negroni sbagliato — a riff on the classic negroni that's finished with prosecco. [caption id="attachment_885240" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] The drink specials will be flowing until 7pm, while the Italo Disco tunes are set to kick on all night long — Mike Gurrieri is hitting the decks from 6pm and spinning until late. And of course, you can add on a few choice bites from the Tetto snack menu while you're there — including lamb loin arrosticini, octopus panzanella, roast scallops matched with finger lime, and beef carpaccio served with horseradish cream and aged comte. [caption id="attachment_742277" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] Top image: Jeff Anderson Jnr.
Perched on Sydney Harbour and boasting an iconic design, the Sydney Opera House always makes a stunning sight. That's especially true when the sun goes down, with the world-renowned landmark lighting up its sails every night. When the venue uses its evening light show for a cause, though, the luminous display is extra special. That proved the case last night, on Saturday, January 11, when the famed venue illuminated its sails to support bushfire relief. Images of firefighters were projected on the eye-catching structure, in a show of support to the communities affected by the blazes, as well as the men and women fighting the flames across the country. The striking photos were sourced from Agence France-Presse (AFP), Australian Associated Press and The Sydney Morning Herald. As Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron explained, "we are lighting the Opera House sails to show our collective support for everyone affected by these devastating fires and to express our deepest gratitude to the emergency services and volunteers for their incredible efforts and courage. As difficult circumstances continue, we want to send a message of hope and strength to the people of Australia." In a further effort to assist — and raise funds — the Opera House is also hosting a huge comedy gig on its steps and forecourt on Monday, March 16. Called Comedy Steps Up for Bushfire Relief, the outdoor gala performance will see Arj Barker, Tim Minchin, Becky Lucas and The Simpsons star Harry Shearer take to the stage, as well as Carl Barron, Urzila Carlson, Joel Creasey, Kitty Flanagan and Julia Morris — with more acts to be announced. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund, the NSW Rural Fire Service, Wildlife Victoria and WIRES Images: Ken Leanfore.
Should we be willing to accept the happiness of the majority at the expense of the view? That's the question that St Martins' Youth Arts Centre will attempt to answer with For The Ones Who Walk Away, their new multidisplinary art installation at Siteworks in Brunswick. Presented in partnership with the 2017 Melbourne Fringe Festival, and featuring a cast of more than 50 young people between the ages of nine and 18, the ambitious work draws on the traditions of promenade theatre, installation and live performance art, as it invites audiences to journey through the multi-room space. There they'll find everything from song and spoken word performances, to video art and choreography, as they search for traces of the ones who walked away.
Now in its 19th year, Share the Spirit is an annual festival that takes place on January 26. The event is a celebration of the survival of Australia's First Nations people through music, art and culture. In previous years, Share the Spirit has taken place at Treasury Gardens, but it has been moved to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl this year as part of the Live at the Bowl series. Presented by Songlines Aboriginal Music and supported by Arts Centre Melbourne, the event features an impressive lineup of First Nations talent. Following an Opening Ceremony with Joy Murphy, N'arweet Carolyn Briggs and the Djirri Djirri dancers, musicians such as Archie Roach, Alice Skye, Andy Alberts and Kee'ahn will all take to the stage while Shelley Ware and Shiralee Hood co-handle the hosting duties. Due to having a limited COVID-safe capacity, Share the Spirit 2021 is already sold out, however, it will be live streamed in a few places so you have plenty of opportunities to tune in. Fed Square will be showing the festival live on its big screen — if you would like to head along to an in-person showing — or you can tune in on the Share the Spirit Facebook page or listen to a special broadcast of the festival from 2pm on 3RRR. [caption id="attachment_796726" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jason Lau[/caption] Share the Spirit 2021 runs from 12–8pm. Top image: James Henry
In the 22 years since they formed out of Melbourne's underground scene, Eddy Current Suppression Ring haven't ever played a free headlining show — until September 2025 rolls around, that is. Whether you're a fan of Aussie Rules football or you just like an excuse for a public holiday, here's one way to spend this year's AFL Grand Final eve: catching the iconic band taking to the stage in Federation Square, putting on their first gig in nine years and doing so without punters needing to pay a cent. Over the years, Melbourne's Fed Square has hosted free concerts by the eclectic likes of Robbie Williams, Kneecap, Caribou, Glass Beams and more. Now, Eddy Current Suppression Ring are jumping onto that list. They'll take to the stage for their first major appearance since the garage-punk group's last-minute Dark Mofo set in 2016, and for their first headlining Melbourne show since playing The Palace in 2010. Word of the Friday, September 26, 2025 gig follows Eddy Current Suppression Ring's release of their new split 7-inch Shapes and Forms — and sees the group, aka Brendan Suppression, Eddy Current, Danny Current and Rob Solid, keep adding to a career that started after a jam session at a Melbourne vinyl pressing plant's Christmas shindig back in 2003. For company in Fed Square, the Australian Music Prize-winning and ARIA Award-nominated band will be joined by New York's EDAN and the Melbourne-based Wrong Way Up.
Unfortunately, the Winter Gin Market has been cancelled by The Craft & Co crew due to unforeseen scheduled power upgrades on-site. We're sure they'll be back again next season for another go at it. If you need no excuse to partake in a gin or two, line up your gin-loving pals and clear your calendar. On Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27, Collingwood restaurant, cafe, brewery, distillery and workshop The Craft & Co returns with a two-day winter-inspired edition of its much-loved gin market. Across multiple sessions held in a sit-down format, the market will see some top-notch bottles of gin cracked open in the venue's upstairs event space. You can sample gins from Artillery, Boatrocker, Tiny Bear, Bass & Flinders, Brookie's and The Craft & Co as the producers move from table to table, speed-dating style. As always, a generously stocked retail store will be available for market-goers to purchase bottles of their favourite gins for home. Your $30 ticket includes access to your choice of one of the two-hour sessions, all of your tastings and a goodie bag. The eatery and bar downstairs will be operational for a pre- or post-market feed, but you'll need to book ahead for a spot.
All too often, being vegan and being spoilt for choice are two mutually exclusive concepts. But at the newly hatched Vincent's Marketplace, they're cohabitating very happily together under the one roof, thank you very much. The latest venture from meat-free wholesalers Vincent Vegetarian Food, the new Brunswick Street site features both a comprehensive vegan supermarket and a cosy plant-based cafe to visit pre- or post-shop. The retail shelves carry a huge array of products, offering the kind of diverse range that's been synonymous with Vincent's since it started life as a vegetarian superstore in Footscray back in 1996. Here in Fitzroy, you'll spy plenty of plant-based goodies not found in too many other Melbourne stores — such as vegan condensed milk, whipped cream and honeycomb — as well as an exclusive line of signature Vincent's products that includes vegan fried 'chicken', dumplings, party snacks and faux bacon. [caption id="attachment_697391" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Weirdoughs by Kate Shanasy[/caption] Sitting next to it is a standing-room-only cafe pouring top-notch St Ali coffee and selling innovative pastries from the CBD's Weirdoughs. These guys are famous for whipping up wild and wonderful plant-based treats, from Aperol spritz-filled doughnuts to cube-shaped croissants. Vincent's Marketplace adds to Fitzroy's already thriving vegan and vegetarian scene, joining vegan bar and restaurant Smith & Daughters, sibling Smith & Deli, the long-running Vegie Bar, plant-based dessert bar Girls & Boys, and many more. Find Vincent's Marketplace at 379 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. The retail store is open from Monday–Saturday 10am–6pm and Sunday 10am–5pm, while the cafe runs from Monday to Friday 7am–4pm and Saturday–Sunday 8am–3pm.
Been hankering to check out Lucia in South Melbourne, but can't quite squeeze a full dinner into your budget? We have the deal you've been waiting for. The Mediterranean-influenced restaurant has launched Lucia's Lunch Break. This excellent initiative gives you the chance to try the menu during the week for a fraction of the usual price. For just $40, you'll be able to take your pick of three dishes. Choose between gnocchi with osso buco tomato ragu and herb gremolata; the fish of the day with Sicilian caponata; or chargrilled flank steak with salsa verde. They're all creations of Head Chef Jordan Clavaron (ex-Society, Cutler & Co), who's drawn inspiration from his extensive travels around Spain, France and Italy. Plus, to make sure your dish of choice is in good company, you'll be treated a glass of red or white wine, or beer. Ready to try it out? Book in from Tuesday–Friday between midday and 3pm.
Hard to believe Melbourne fromagerie Milk The Cow (MTC) turns ten this year. What did we do for deep-fried camembert before this place? To mark the occasion, Milk The Cow is running a special $10 for Ten Years Winter Menu at its flagship St Kilda outpost. It features a range of past favourites and new dishes, including a croque monsieur that MTC fans have been demanding for a long, long time. "We've always resisted adding a sandwich to the menu, despite everyone telling us we should. We wanted to be very true to our wine bar sensibilities, but after a decade, it finally felt like the right time to put on this classic French sandwich – just don't call it a toastie!" says owner Daniel Verheyen. The $10 menu has a bunch of options, including two-cheese cheeseboards, goats cheese madeleines with Meredith chevre, and Dutch Bitterballen (croquettes stuffed with a three-cheese mix, camembert, Provolone Piccante and Parmigiano Reggiano). You'll also be able to get $10 Glühwein (mulled wine), French onion soup and Kronenbourg on tap. Milk The Cow's $10 menu is available weekdays between 3–6pm until Thursday, August 31. Images: Supplied
Maybe your house needs the kind of colour and flair that only art can bring. Perhaps you're keen on supporting artists. If the first applies, the second should as well. Whichever fits, one event has you covered without requiring you to bust your budget to enjoy art on your walls. Even better: Affordable Art Fair is doing the rounds of Australia's east coast again in 2025, including popping up for a four-day run in Melbourne in winter. Everyone should be able to fill their home with art no matter their bank balance. That's the idea behind this event, and has been since 1999. Back in the 20th century, Affordable Art Fair initially popped up in London to share eye-catching pieces with the world at manageable prices, and then started spreading its art-for-all ethos around the world. Clearly Melburnians are fans, given that it's returning again in 2025. This year, you'll be heading to the Royal Exhibition Building from Thursday, August 28–Sunday, August 31. On offer: original artworks by the thousands, with prices starting from $100. If you do happen to be flush with cash, however, costs will max out at $10,000 per piece. Alongside London and its three Down Under host cities, Affordable Art Fair has brought its budget-friendly wares to Brussels, Hamburg, Stockholm, Amsterdam and Berlin in Europe; Singapore and Hong Kong in Asia; and New York and Austin in the US. Unsurprisingly, democratising art has been proving the hit as Affordable Art Fair notches up the years. Up to 2024 across its stops worldwide since 1999, the event had sold 568,000 artworks at a value of over AU$820 million.
When Secret Sounds, the crew behind Splendour in the Grass, gave Australia another massive multi-day music festival in 2022, it did so with a big aim: to get everyone dancing in a park in Adelaide each spring. That event is Harvest Rock, and it keeps putting on travelworthy lineups. 2023's second spin already features Jamiroquai and Beck doing Australian-exclusive shows, plus everyone from Sparks to Bright Eyes — and it just scored a few new additions. Joining the bill at Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina, Adelaide, on Saturday, October 28–Sunday, October: Tash Sultana, Bernard Fanning doing his last Australian show for 2023 and Jade Bird making her first trip Down Under. And, Babe Rainbow, Charlie Collins, Floodlights and Surprise Chef are hopping onboard, too. So, festivalgoers can expect to hear everything from 'Jungle' and 'Wish You Well' to 'Houdini' and 'Juice of the Sun' in the South Australian capital. Harvest Rock II, as 2023's festival has been dubbed, already boasted Rodgers & Chic, Santigold, Chromeo and Ladyhawk as well, plus Flight Facilities, Baker Boy, Julia Jacklin, Chet Faker, Ocean Alley, Bad//Dreems, Thelma Plum and Vera Blue. Paul Kelly was also part of the first lineup announcement, as was The Rolling Stone Revue featuring Adalita of Magic Dirt, Tim Rogers of You Am I and Tex Perkins — yes, all teaming up to play The Rolling Stones' greatest hits. A two-day blend of music, food and wine — well, it is in SA — Harvest Rock instantly proved a success upon debut last year, attracting 15,000 attendees per day. In addition to live tunes, the fest spans Adelaide's top restaurants and eateries serving up food at the Feastiville precinct, onsite eatery Wildwood led by arkhé's chef and co-owner Jake Kellie, a culinary-focused stage and wine tastings. There's also a wellness centre doing tarot readings and massages, and mini festival Little Harvest for kids. HARVEST ROCK II LINEUP: Babe Rainbow Bad // Dreems Baker Boy Beck (Australian exclusive) Bernard Fanning Bright Eyes Built to Spill Charlie Collins Chet Faker Chromeo Flight Facilities — Decades DJ set Floodlights Jade Bird Jamiroquai (Australian exclusive) Julia Jacklin Ladyhawke Nile Rodgers & Chic Ocean Alley Paul Kelly Sam Barber Santigold Sparks Surprise Chef Tash Sultana The Lemon Twigs The Rolling Stone Revue Thelma Plum Vera Blue Warpaint Harvest Rock 2023 will take at Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-itpina, Adelaide, on Saturday, October 28–Sunday, October 29, 2023 — with tickets on sale now.
If you're looking for new activewear from a local brand, look no further than Active Truth, which is offering big promotion as part of the Boxing Day sales. The Aussie retailer is offering $50 off your shop when you spend over $200, or $100 off when you spend over $300. If you order now you'll also nab free express shipping, so you'll have your activewear at your doorstep and be ready to hit the gym in no time. Active Truth is accessible to gym-goers of all shapes and sizes, with a wide range of activewear from XS to 3XL, as well as a selection of active maternity wear and swimwear. The brand is also committed to sustainable business practices, including using locally sourced Merino wool. The promotion will run up until Wednesday, December 30. Jump onto the Active Truth website to browse the catalogue and score an end-of-year deal to help motivate you to stick to your 2021 fitness regime. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
Prepare yourself for a night of whimsy, wonder and a weird, scaly, hermaphroditic fish man named Old Gregg. Noel Fielding, the androgynous co-lead of the surreal British comedy series The Mighty Boosh, is bringing his live show, An Evening with Noel Fielding, to a capital city near you. Combining stand-up comedy with animation and original music, as well as special appearances from some of Fielding's most beloved and baffling characters, including Fantasy Man and The Moon, the April 2015 show marks Fielding's first time in Australia since his sold-out tour in 2012. This time he'll also be joined by his younger brother Michael, best known for his recurring role on The Mighty Boosh as Naboo the Enigma, an alien shaman from the planet Xooberon. Fielding previously played the part of Richmond in The IT Crowd, appeared as a team captain on the music comedy panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and helped create the comedy sketch program Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy. He is also a member of the band Loose Tapestries along with Kasabian guitarist Sergio Pizzorno, whose music will be featured in the tour. Tickets to An Evening with Noel Fielding go on sale at 9am on Wednesday, December 17. The show begins in Auckland on Monday, April 6, following by Wellington on Friday, April 10, and Christchurch on Sunday April 12. Fielding then crosses the ditch, first to Melbourne on Wednesday April 15, then Adelaide on Friday April 17 and Canberra on Monday April 20. He'll be at the State Theatre in Sydney on Wednesday April 22, before finishing up with Perth on Friday April 24 and Brisbane on Monday April 27.
Fans of things between bread will be familiar with the bright red Saul's Sandwiches drive-thru that graces Kings Way. Well, this month, that beacon of bread is taking a walk on the sweet side as it plays host to a three-day takeover dedicated to a different kind of sanga — Maxibon's new waffle-inspired ice cream sandwich. Dubbed the Maxibon Waffle On, the new sugary spinoff sees the treat's usual biscuit end reimagined with a couple of golden waffle pieces. It's around for a good time, but not a long time, so if the new creation sounds like your jam, you'd best hit the Waffle On Drive-Thru from Friday, August 12 to Sunday, August 14 to nab a freebie. The pop-up will be handing out thousands of free Waffle Ons to everyone who drives through across the weekend, as well as exclusive Maxibon merch for those who get in quick each day. I mean, ice cream sandwiches totally count as a breakfast food if there's waffles involved, right? The Maxibon Waffle On Drive-Thru will be open 12–10pm on August 12 and 13, and 10am–4pm on August 14.
Masters of putting unlikely things together, Ikea, have kicked off a smart design initiative to connect thousands of homeless dogs with potential families. Shelters are overcrowded and homestarters want that little extra addition to their pad, so the US-based Animal Lovers League and Singapore's Save Our Street Dogs have teamed up with the Swedish furniture giants for a very simple marketing project. Dubbed Home for Hope, the campaign uses the ol' cardboard cut out routine in the best possible way. Home renovators wander through Ikea displays picturing every thoughtfully-placed item in their own abodes (we've all entertained 'friends' around an Ikea display kitchen once, right?), a state of mind the furniture heavyweights are harnessing with life-size cardboard cut outs of the adoptable dogs merrily chillin' out in the lounge room. Customers visualise themselves 'completing their home' with throw rugs, patterned curtains and kitchen blackboards, then attach the same sentiment to a scruffy little face. https://youtube.com/watch?v=tBka2eF4OAI Ikea's team headed to the involved shelters, photographed the homeless pooches and created life-size cardboard cut outs of legends like Momo, Lady and Pampam. Then the team went to work, perching the 'dogs' on lounge chairs, begging at dinner tables, snuggling at the end of beds. Shoppers can scan the QR codes on the cardboard dogs' collars to register their interest in adoption, with each scruffy mutt having their own bio and individual video on the Home for Hope website (watching dogs have their own photoshoots is actually The Best Thing Ever). Alongside Ikea, Home for Hope will work with other big furniture players like Grafunkt, Foundry, Commune, Journey East and Noden Collective. The idea was borne from a lack of budget and a subsequent need to market the poor pooches creatively. "Home for Hope was borne out of a pressing issue," the foundation says. "With a limited budget, most animal shelters can only afford to voice their messages using social media. Problem is, their followers are pet lovers, and most already own pets. Hence, adoption rates are low." Via Fast Co.Design.
Hi Italy is a cosy hole-in-the-wall slinging out some of the best pizza Reservoir has ever seen. Head chef Lucio hails from the island of Sardinia and is passionate about all things Italian. The pizza is freshly made to order in their small wood-fired oven, ensuring every single base is perfectly charred and slightly crispy. Like all Italians, stingy is not a part of Lucio's vocabulary — expect generous amounts of Prosciutto di Parma (lovingly shaped into roses) and freshly grated parmesan cheese by the handful. Expect classics like the Mortadella with tomato, mozzarella, gorgonzola and mortadella ($22.50), along with new school favourites like the signature Hi Italy with mozzarella, Proscuitto di Parma, cherry tomatoes, parmesan and rocket ($25.50). Remember to book in advance, their dining area is intimate and tends to fill up quickly.
