Fancy prancing through fields laced with the charm of provincial France? It's just casual summer weekendery when So Frenchy So Chic is in town. The ever-popular one-day French festival is waltzing back to Melbourne's Werribee Park Mansion for its ninth year running on Sunday, January 12. If you haven't been before, expect an entire afternoon of French-inspired niceties, including (but not limited to) gourmet picnic hampers, tartlets and terrines, offensively good wine and croquet all to a chill French soundtrack. So Frenchy hinges around a solid lineup of eclectic artists you may be yet to meet — and ones you might've, too. If you haven't heard of Corine and her brand of French disco-electronica, consider this your introduction. And, while you've likely heard of French pop royalty Lou Doillon, given that she's been on the bill before, this time she'll be playing tracks from her latest album. Don't miss Nouvelle Vauge either, with the group bringing their chilled-out covers of new wave hits to town for their third So Frenchy appearance. Also on the lineup is up Senegal-born French folkster Tété, as well as a blend of beats, tango, bossa nova and jazz from Gotan Project co-founder Philippe Cohen Solal, who'll do a DJ set. If you're not the most organised of picnickers, So Frenchy is putting on the works again with fancy picnic boxes and cheese plates. Filled with brioche buns, gruyere tarts, crusty baguettes, quiche lorraines, parfait, cheeses and more, the picnic boxes are one to preorder if you don't want to miss out. But So Frenchy won't let you go hungry; there'll be a huge banquet of seafood, charcuterie, pastries and more available on the day. And of course, there'll be plenty of Laurent Perrier Champagne, French beer, and rosé, red and whites wines as well. Early bird tickets are now on sale for $84 a pop. If you've got kids, you'll be happy to know that the whole thing is very family friendly, and children under 12 can get in for free. Images: Liz Sunshine.
It isn't often you come across a band name that doubles as an appropriate review of the band's jaw-dropping performance. Thankfully, Holy Fuck are proudly flying the flag of that exclusive group and are about to plant it in Australia, as they are set to embark on a national tour to accompany their upcoming Groovin' the Moo appearances. The Canadian outfit is gracing our shores for the first time since 2011 and any readers who stood in awe at one of those shows will know that these are tickets not to be missed. Set lists are foregone as the band opt instead to thrive off their audience. Waves of energy cascade over the crowd, imbibing revellers with dancing urges that will continue for days as they relive the brilliance. Never has blaspheming and swearing been this fun, so grab yourself a ticket. https://youtube.com/watch?v=S2Y7TAtoAFk
Ever since cartography was first used in Ancient Babylonia in 2300BC, humans have relied on cartography to navigate, utilise, conceptualise and define geographical space. Modern digital technology allows us to produce and manipulate visual representations of geography in astounding ways, no longer limited to just geography. Benjamin Hennig at the University of Sheffield has created a series of innovative cartograms which illustrate new ways of seeing the planet, transforming our preconceptions of space and human impact. The population distribution of the globe, with the more densely populated areas such as Central Asia appearing much larger in comparison to the insignificant size of Australia. The world's major nuclear forces. The world's poorest health systems. The world's biodiversity hotspots. Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and Cluster Submunition Casualties in 2010. Immigration to countries around the world (which really puts the debate in Australia into perspective).
All right ramblers, let's get ramblin'. After packing the place tighter than Minnie's Haberdashery for the past three years, 24 Moons Bar's Tarantino Ball is back. For one night only, the Northcote watering hole will celebrate the work of one of modern cinema's most distinctive — and bloodiest — auteurs with an evening of music, beverages and fancy dress inspired by the movies of QT. Kicking off at 8pm on Saturday May 19 and stretching well into the hours of the following morning (not quite dusk till dawn, but pretty damn close), the fourth annual Tarantino Ball will feature $5 Sailor Jerry shakes, a Jack Rabbit Slims twist contest, foot massages by the Foot Fucking Master, and all the best tunes from Tarantino's iconic soundtracks played by Melbourne's very own Quentin tribute band, The Tarantino's. There'll also be a costume competition with some pretty epic prizes. So make sure you put in some effort — no guys, just wearing a black suit with a black tie and sunglasses isn't going to cut it.
If the humble hot chip is your side dish of choice, then oh boy, have we found your ultimate midweek feed. Windsor's Neptune Food and Wine have just launched a chip-tastic new weekly offering, involving all-you-can-eat fries. The restaurant is now celebrating each and every Tuesday with endless frites, dishing up free-flowing fries on a selection of its signature dinner dishes. Opt for the jus-drizzled duck breast or scotch fillet steak, and your plate comes teamed with those unlimited frites for an easy $35. Otherwise, you could have your non-stop chippies served alongside the fish of the day with house-made tartare ($30) or the vegan-friendly eggplant parma ($25). And if you're looking to wash down those crispy potato sticks with something equally delicious, the bar's popping magnums of wine to pour by the glass, in addition to its usual drinks offering.
Richmond's Meatmother has officially left the building, barbecue eats and all — but if its replacement Caddie is anything to go by, locals won't be noticing the loss for too long. A smart bar and eatery with a strong local focus, this one's headed up by chef-owner Dylan Evans, whose resume includes international hits like Chicago's Alinea, Manresa in LA and the iconic Noma, in addition to local haunts like Fargo & Co and State of Grace. Here, he's stripping things right back to deliver a dining experience simply centred on great food and drink. The menu is seasonal, share-friendly and small in an approachable way, and is set to change up constantly. Right now, you'll discover dishes like kingfish with burnt butter and capers; an assembly of chicken, tarragon, verjuice and grape; and even a dessert riff on the classic Welsh rarebit. The drinks offering also leans heavily local, featuring a considered curation of craft beers and wines from across Australia. Pop in after work for a glass of Mornington Peninsula chardonnay or a Chenin Blanc from WA, or settle in with a bottle of Lucy Margaux Pinot Noir over a long, lazy dinner. Find Caddie at 167 Swan Street, Richmond. It's open for lunch Thursday through Saturday, and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Images: Simon Shiff
Melbourne is pretty packed with excellent record shops, but Greville Records is one of the oldest, having stocked local and international independent albums for over 30 years. Digging around for records could be considered half the fun (even when you're purchasing it as a gift for someone else's collection), so in terms of shopping adventures, this is a good one. The friendly staff here are up for a chat, and they can even order something specific in for you if they don't have it in stock — all you have to do is ask. Whether you're after a new release or a golden oldie, it's a pretty sure bet that these guys will have it, no matter how obscure the request. Images: Parker Blain.
UPDATE Thursday, July 28: Darkfield's Melbourne run has been extended until August 31 — you can nab tickets here. The following has been updated to reflect the change. The masters of immersive thrills behind Darkfield are back to give Melbourne some IRL spine tingles. Thanks to the pandemic, Realscape Productions had to hit pause on touring its smash-hit series of eerie shipping container installations, including Séance and Flight, pivoting to at-home experiences instead. But now, Darkfield is finally headed back to our city, with two unnerving new shows and a couple of return favourites in tow. The series is gearing up to make its Melbourne return from Thursday, May 26–Wednesday, August 31, where it'll deliver four different unsettling productions, each taking place in blacked-out shipping containers and promising to totally mess with your sense of reality. [caption id="attachment_852677" align="alignnone" width="1920"] From 'Eulogy'[/caption] Making its local debut, is the new (and oh-so-creepy-sounding) show, Eulogy. This one sees audience members transported through a dark, labyrinthine hotel under the guidance of a chaperone. 360-degree sound and speech recognition technology are used to lend an eerie dreamlike vibe, and we're told you'll want to stick to the correct path lest you befall some terrible fate at the end of your journey. Another Darkfield creation hitting us for the very first time, is Coma, which unfolds as you lie in a bunk bed and tumble into a dream state along with your fellow supine participants. The total darkness aims to impart a spooky sense of solitude, leaving you to be properly engulfed by the show's multi-sensory elements. Having earned a cult following on previous visits here and overseas, sell-out shows Séance and Flight will also be getting a run throughout Darkfield's visit. The former again plays on the concept of sensory deprivation, thrusting audiences on a journey into the supernatural realm as they join a medium in trying to contact the spirit world. [caption id="attachment_852678" align="alignnone" width="1920"] From 'Séance'[/caption] As the name suggests, Flight takes place on board an imagined plane, sending passengers tripping through dual worlds as they're forced to ponder the many possible outcomes if the cabin suddenly happened to lose pressure. A nerve-jangler, for sure; even for those who aren't afraid of flying. The four shows are set to make their home in Chinatown at 138 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, with multiple sessions of each running throughout Darkfield's two-month stint. You'll pay $25 for a ticket to Coma, Séance or Flight, and $30 to immerse yourself in Eulogy, while concession tickets all clock in at $20. 'Eulogy', 'Coma', 'Séance' and 'Flight' will appear at 138 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, with various sessions running from May 26–August 31. Tickets are available now via the website. Images: Mihaela Bodlovic and Alex Purcell
If you go nuts for doughnuts, there's only one place to pop on your itinerary for Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5: Queen Victoria Market is throwing a weekend-long celebration dedicated to the world's favourite holey treat. Returning for a huge 2022 edition, the Doughnut Festival is set to showcase a multicultural array of doughnuts and other closely-related sweet treats; from old-school US-style dough balls oozing hot jam, to choc-centred bites and sugar-coated churros. There'll be plenty of vegan and gluten-free goodies among the lineup, which stars names like Bistro Morgan, St Gerry's (syrupy Greek loukoumades) and Shortstop (think, cookies and cream or spiced apple cider). Of course, QVM's iconic American Doughnut Kitchen will also be on hand, slinging its famed sugar-coated, jam-filled creations. And if you're as adventurous as the chefs at Pasta Face, you can even try their savoury take on the concept — a special-release spaghetti doughnut. A matching drinks offering will feature the market's usual coffee and hot choccy lineup, alongside nostalgic 50s-style shakes and spiced apple cider. All to enjoy while feasting your ears on the day's live tunes and roving performances. [caption id="attachment_853638" align="alignnone" width="1920"] St Gerry's[/caption] Top image: American Doughnut Kitchen at the Queen Victoria Market. Shortstop. Bistro Morgan.
The curtains are raising in Melbourne this summer on one of the most magical musicals there is, with Mary Poppins flying into Her Majesty's Theatre from the end of January. And if you'd like a date with pop culture's favourite supercalifragilisticexpialidocious nanny without breaking the bank — for just $40 for a pop, in fact — digital ticketing service TodayTix is also sweeping in, complete with another of its famed (and cheap) lotteries. If you've tried to score super-affordable tickets to Hamilton ($10!), Moulin Rouge! ($30!) or Harry Potter and the Cursed Child before, then you'll know how it works. Otherwise, it's incredibly straightforward. To take part, you'll need to download the TodayTix app — which is available for iOS and Android — and submit your entry each week. Well, that and cross your fingers that you're selected. Melbourne's first Mary Poppins lottery opens at 12.01am on Friday, January 20, offering up those $40-per-person tickets, and closes at 1pm on Thursday, January 26. Winners will then be drawn from 1pm that same day — and if your name is picked, you'll have an hour to claim your tickets from when you receive the good news. You'll want to be glued to your phone that afternoon; if you don't get in within that 60-minute window, your tickets will be given to someone else. The debut lottery covers shows in the first week of performances. From then onwards, you'll be entering on each Friday, then hearing if you're successful on the following Thursday, all for performances that start the next week. And, if you need a reminder, you'll also be able to sign up for lottery alerts via Today Tix, too. "With Melbourne being the launch city for TodayTix in Australia, we are excited to bring the digital lottery technology that local theatregoers know and love to this production of Mary Poppins. The $40 digital lottery will expand access and enable more audiences to enjoy this truly magical production." said TodayTix Group CEO and co-founder Brian Fenty. "As Melbourne prepares to welcome the world's favourite nanny, we are thrilled to be partnering with TodayTix to give even more people a chance to experience the wonder," added Mary Poppins' Australian producer Michael Cassel. "Audiences around the country have fallen in love with Mary Poppins all over again, and I know Melbourne is going to be exactly the same." As for the production of Mary Poppins itself, it hails from Disney and theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh, and tells the same enchanting tale that everyone knows from the hugely popular, five-time Oscar-winning 1964 film — which, as well as inspiring this stage adaptation, also gave rise to big-screen sequel Mary Poppins Returns in 2018. Everything to do with the English governess harks back to PL Travers' books about the character, of course, and pop culture has been thankful for and downright delighted with her stories for almost six decades now. When it soars through its Melbourne season between Sunday, January 29–Sunday, April 30, local theatre fans can look forward to a new version of the show that last graced Australia's stages — and won eight Helpmann Awards — back in 2011. Since Mackintosh first teamed up with writer Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) to bring Mary Poppins to the theatre in 2004, the production has won four Olivier Awards and a Tony as well. Mary Poppins' Melbourne season kicks off on Sunday, January 29 at Her Majesty's Theatre. Visit the musical's website for further details. To enter the Today Tix $40 lottery, download the company's iOS or Android app, and head to the company's website for more information — and to set up an alert. Images: Daniel Boud.
This summer, Melburnians can enjoy a big dose of coastal cool without leaving the city. And all while cruising through the sky, peaking at around 40-storeys or 120-metres high. It's thanks to the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel's new season makeover, which has seen some of its private cabins transformed into colourful summer beach boxes, replete with deck chairs and pool toys, for a second year. The Docklands' tourist attraction boasts sweeping 360-degree views across Melbourne and its surrounds, from the Mornington Peninsula through to Geelong and Mount Macedon. And from December 14 until February 29, they're best enjoyed in a fun new light, as part of the Star's Summer Beach Box Experience. You can book in for a private 30-minute flight in one of the new temperature-controlled, beach-themed cabins, soaking up those panoramas while sipping rosé (or beer) and grazing through a selection of cheeses — all included in the ticket price. Round up the crew for an eight-person session priced at $29 each, or to share the experience with just one special someone, opt for the $200 two-person flight. The sky-high beach boxes are available to book between 11am–8.30pm, running daily except for Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and Australia Day.
The sights, sounds and flavours of Morocco are coming to Melbourne this Sunday. The latest endeavour from the team at Gallery One Three, Marrakech Magic Melbourne will see a laneway in the CBD transformed into an exotic North African marketplace complete with live entertainment, fortune telling and a smorgasbord of tasty Moroccan cuisine. This pop-up Casablanca, located just off Little Bourke Street, will be open for business from midday on January 25. Wander down at lunchtime and savour the aroma of exotic herbs and spices, before gorging yourself on sizzling Moroccan BBQ served with couscous and vegetable tagine. Afterwards, relax on plush Moroccan pillows and listen to the sounds of the city, filtered through a fusion of Moroccan electro, jazz and tabla. Those looking to immerse themselves a little further can get their future told via a coffee cup reading, or even get decorative with a traditional Henna tattoo. Photo: Dylan Passmore via photopin cc.
Scarf down ribs by the pound with tunes and whisky cocktails to match as a Brunswick East institution serves up the perfect Saturday night. Punters can pick from four different kinds of ribs, which the team in The B.East kitchen will be slinging from bang on midday. Memphis barbecue beef, lamb with maple and thyme, pork with pineapple and a dark rum glaze, and buttermilk fried chicken: no matter your preference, you won't be left feeling hungry (unless you're vegetarian, in which case you can order a mock chicken burger or some vego poutine from their regular menu). As for the bartenders, they'll be working overtime mixing drinks, including whisky-infused mint juleps, rye Negronis and honey sours. On the entertainment front, DJs will be on the deck from 7pm, while the bluesy Devil Electric and noise rockers Sleeper Service will hit the stage at 10pm.
Melbourne-based non-profit social enterprise and clothing label HoMie has been working tirelessly to create opportunity for the city's homeless contingent since it crowdfunded its way to a bricks-and-mortar clothing store in Melbourne Central back in 2015. Now located on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, HoMie has embarked on a new effort to halt the social disappearance of the city's homeless. HoMie founders Marcus Crook, Nick Pearce and Robert Gillies have curated HoMie StreetView, a photographic exhibition featuring the work of local homeless artists. Supported by Vinomofo and local charity St Mary's House of Welcome, the project saw disposable cameras given to seven homeless Melburnians to help them capture their everyday experiences on the streets. The resulting photographs are on display at Collingwood's Besser Space this weekend. All of the works are for sale too, with money going to the artists, via St. Mary's House of Welcome. Just call it art with heart.
With so much time on our hands during lockdown, many have turned to their kitchens in order to expand their cooking skills. Among the most popular isolation cooking projects is taking on homemade pasta, and who better to guide you through the process than two grandmas with a over 100 years' of combined pasta making experience, all the way in Italy? Nonna Live offers private and group pasta making lessons online. Classes usually go for $100 USD ($157 AUD/$166 NZD), but have been marked down to $60 USD ($94 AUD/$99 NZD). They take about two hours, and will take you through the entire pasta making process, with a delicious dish as your end reward. Nonna Live classes are led by two Italian grandmothers: 84-year-old Nonna Nerina, who has become well-known for her pasta making through her AirBnB experiences and lessons in Italy; and Nonna Giuseppa, owner of Pasta Cuomo, a pastaficio in the Amalfi Coast that has been in her family for 150 years. You'll get a list of ingredients and cooking equipment you need to make a delicious meal in their classes, a week out. https://www.facebook.com/nonnas.it/photos/a.864756793704541/1475787695934778/?type=3&theater
Melbourne's one-to-watch designers will be hawking their wares at the 2017 editions of the much-loved Melbourne Design Market. A major event on the Melbourne design calendar since it launched back in 2004, this twice-yearly showcase of intelligent design is the perfect destination for savvy shoppers, or anyone just looking to drop some hard-earned cash. Hosted once again on level three of the Federation Square car park from 10am till 5pm, the market will welcome 50 handpicked local merchants selling everything from clothing and fashions accessories to high-end stationery and furniture. On the off chance that you have any money left over after your shopping spree, there'll be coffee and food available too.
The holiday break might be over for most, but there's still a whole lot of summer left to enjoy. And, kicking off this weekend, there's also a brand new series of tune-filled beachside parties to see you living up the best of these balmy afternoons. Launching this Sunday, January 13, the Leisure Pleasure sunset sessions will be making their home among the blissful bayside digs of St Kilda's West Beach Bathers Pavilion. It all heats up from 3pm, as the openair marquee and waterfront deck come alive for an afternoon of house-soaked revelry, with tunes and vibe curated by the crew at Melbourne collective Red Moon and Don't Think Events. Gracing the decks will be the likes of Red Moon DJ's PG and Jedidiah, and Phil Napoli, with local legend Luke Vecchio serving up the all-important sunset slot. To match, expect a summer-worthy drinks offering, with a menu of bites, bowls and pizzas available from the venue's beachside cafe right up until sunset.
A 19-year-old woman was found unconscious and convulsing at yesterday's Harbourlife festival at 4.40pm. After being assessed by paramedics, she was taken to St Vincent's Hospital where she was later pronounced dead of multiple organ failure. It's believed that drugs played a role in her death. Though an autopsy is yet to be carried out, friends of the deceased teenager have told police she had taken one-and-a-half pills during the day. The coroner will attempt to find out what was in the pills, but police are taking the opportunity to warn people of the general dangers of illegal drugs. "There's little to no quality control in the production," said Inspector Stewart Leggat in a statement this morning. "Quite simply, you don't know what you are getting — seeking a synthetic high could result in a serious injury or death." Of the 5,200 people in attendance yesterday, 78 were arrested for drug offences. Police are urging anyone with information about illegal substances to come forward. "We don't need to know who you are; all we need is the information you have," said Inspector Leggat. "The information you provide could save someone's life." Via NSW Police and SMH. If you have more information contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the online reporting page.
Melbourne artist Sonia Payes' new exhibition Interzone draws on a theme that has inspired artists ever since one first hopped on a steam engine train: industrialisation. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Industrial Revolution was viewed by artists such as Monet (in his portraits of railways) and Maximilien Luce as a new enlightenment, with works that celebrated the innovation and majesty of man. Payes, during a recent residency in Beijing, watched on as China went through its own Industrial Revolution. Her resulting collection of photographs paint a far more sombre and haunting portrait of how vast areas of farmland have been torn down to make way for a world of quarries, steam factories and concrete. Payes' painfully beautiful photographs demonstrate not only how industrialisation has effected the Chinese landscape but how it has transformed the lives of the Chinese people and their centuries old relationship with the land. The exhibition officially opens on Saturday May 4, from 3pm to 5pm. Image Sonia Payes
The city's events calendar is slowly but surely returning to its former glory. In fact, this month you can make like the good old days and indulge in a truly Melbourne activity, wandering down a famous CBD laneway to scope out a dynamic, immersive pop-up art exhibition held in a cosy reading room. That's the multi-sensory feast that awaits you at Dystopian Bouquet — a free exhibition helmed by artist Jason Parker which descends on Madame Brussels Lane from Friday, September 30–Sunday, October 2. [caption id="attachment_868821" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shannyn Higgins[/caption] Packing a huge visual punch, the installation is both a love letter to Melbourne's creative energy and a response to the tumultuous times of the past few years. Parker has collaborated with a cast of photographers, stylists, artists, dancers and videographers to bring it to life, creating a dystopian wonderland made up of sculptures, paintings and moving imagery. Expect bold, sumptuous scenes featuring plenty of Parker's trademark 'pixelated' aesthetic, plus floral elements and strewn artifacts. Entry is free, though you'll need to reserve your spot online. The exhibition runs 5.30–9pm on September 30, and 12.30–5.30pm on October 1 and 2. [caption id="attachment_868817" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shannyn Higgins[/caption] Images: Shannyn Higgins
What millennials lack in genuine outdoorsy skills, they make up for in kitsch, throwback hobbies. Everyone nowadays is seeking out hobbies that our grans and grandpas would be familiar with, hobbies that harken back to a simpler time. It's motivated by a combination of factors, like environmental concerns, chasing that organic life and wanting to know more about what we're consuming. However, unlike grandparents, our generation generally doesn't have a piece of land in the picturesque countryside to gallivant around on. Pursuing a rustic hobby in the inner city requires some strategic shortcuts. We've put together a list of the best DIY hobbies that are helped along significantly by technological innovations. PRESERVING Preserving isn't just something our grandmas used to do before supermarkets were invented, it's actually an incredibly fun and rewarding activity (when you have the right tools). However, there's an element of foraging and gathering that even technology can't help you with (but thankfully, it's also really fun). It's ideal to figure out what berries or veggies grow seasonally in your neighbourhood or surrounding farmlands and head out with a bucket to forage or, just buy directly from farmers. Alternatively, for city dwellers, take that same bucket down to your local farmers' market and start buying your fave produce in bulk. From there, the world is your canned oyster. Nifty gadgets like this mean you can make experimental, small-batch jams quickly without the mess. With a stack of empty jars, you can stock a pantry full of preserves for the whole year. BREWING BEER One of the main drawbacks to personal brewing is that it's a fiddly process. You can labour for months over your craft beer brew and still end up with an average drop that you're forced, from a combination of stubbornness and pride, to get through. But no more. For budding brewers, BrewArt have innovated a highly precise (and easy) personal brewing system. The system is temperature controlled (from your smartphone, might we add) and automatically brews ten litres of quality beer with no fuss. It then spits it out with the world's first temperature-controlled dispenser that doesn't require CO2. Even amateur brewers will know that messing around with CO2 levels is the difference between a grimace and a sigh of delight, so have a beer robot taking care of this step means you can guarantee a show-off grade batch of beer even if it's brewed in the stuffiest of apartments. INDOOR GARDENING Having access to fresh, homegrown fruit and veggies might seem like a distant dream for all of us living in apartments, but there's hope. Innovations specifically to address this problem (dubbed 'apartment gardening') have come a long way. Vertical gardens, artificial lighting and self-watering herb trays all make the dream a possibility. Smartphone-controlled plant pots, like Planty, will also monitor the humidity, temperature and light, and will make recommendations based on the plant species. Technology aside, herbs are your best bet and will give you the most return (and a big flavour hit, too ) for a smaller investment. If you have the luxury of a balcony, utilising your vertical space with trellises for climbing plants like tomatoes and passionfruit is a winner. SOAP-MAKING Making your own soap is an incredibly easy and rewarding exercise that'll make you think twice about throwing away your paycheque at The Body Shop. It's also great for those of you with sensitive skin — you'll know exactly what's going into your soap (no hidden nasties here). Soap is made by combining fats or oils with lye. You can even make it fancy, by simply adding fragrances or essential oils (and a swirl of colourant, if that's your thing). There are a few methods for soap-making, and the simplest involves melting down basic pre-made soap bars and 'seasoning' them to your taste — adding fragrance and oil and resetting until you have the perfect, rustic bars. It's not exactly technologically advanced, but it will cut down your soap-making time significantly. Or you can go from scratch with bulk fats and lye. This will probably require a bit of experimentation to get the perfect balance. Once you've got the base right, the rest is like icing a cake — the possibilities are endless. Experiment with forms, environmentally friendly glitter and essential oils, and voila — an endless supply of homemade Christmas presents. DIY FERMENTATION Fermentation isn't exactly a new hobby but it's quickly becoming popular, mostly because it makes you feel really healthy. Fermented products have almost-magical gut health properties thanks to the probiotics and good bacteria that develop in fermented foods. And it's incredibly easy and cheap to whip up a batch of fermented whatever-you-have-lying-around. Plus, thanks to the bacteria, it lasts for ages. Fermentation jars (sold at most kitchen supply stories) are a nifty invention that create the perfect environment for filtered airflow to get the good bacteria brewing. You can ferment all sorts of things — kimchi, sauerkraut, pickled veggies — and decant into any empty jars you have left over from your preserving sesh. If you want to go next level, try picking up a scobie on trade sites and brewing your own kombucha — your gut will thank you.Kick off your urban hobbying by tackling beer brewing with BrewArt, which comes in two parts the BrewFlo ($699) and BeerDroid ($799) and can be found here.
Summer's yet to kick off, but already you can get a jump-start on plotting your entertainment for the cooler months, as the NGV drops its jam-packed 2020 autumn/winter art program. Heading the lineup is world-premiere exhibition Pierre Bonnard, created in collaboration with famed Parisian museum the Musée d'Orsay. It offers a glimpse into the life and work of acclaimed 20th-century French artist Bonnard through a sprawling collection of pieces on loan from the likes of London's Tate and The Museum of Modern Art in New York, along with other renowned French museums. A close friend of the legendary Henri Matisse, the artist is best known for his stylised decorative works evoking scenes of everyday domestic life. The exhibition will see Bonnard's recognisable designs brought to life even further, with the help of famed Iranian-Egyptian-French architect and designer India Mahdavi. Mahdavi — who has designed eye-catching spaces like London's Red Valentino store and the famous all-pink Gallery at sketch — will use her signature colour palettes and love of textures to create an immersive, life-size version of one of Bonnard's domestic scenes. [caption id="attachment_747306" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Coffee (1915), Pierre Bonnard, Tate, London, presented by Sir Michael Sadler through the NACF 1941.[/caption] Another of the NGV's upcoming exhibitions is the first major Australian survey of contemporary artist and Venice Biennale Silver Lion winner, Camille Henrot. The now New York-based artist creates rich multimedia works that explore the idea of myth, while striving to capture the ways in which we humans try to make sense of existence. This season also sees the NGV pulling together the biggest ever retrospective of Melbourne-based artist Destiny Deacon, who explores their links to the K'ua K'ua and Erub/Mer peoples to create humorous works that confront the tougher parts of Australia's history. You'll catch a generous collection of over 100 installations, photos, sculptures and videos, including newly commissioned pieces and collaborations with fellow artist Virginia Fraser. Pierre Bonnard will run from June 5–October 4, 2020; Camille Henrot from May 22–October, 2020; Destiny from March 27–August 9, 2020. Images: The Gallery at sketch designed by India Mahdavi, London, 2014, photo by Thomas Humery; The Pale Fox (2014), Camille Henrot, copyright and courtesy of the artist and Kamel Mennour, Konig Galerie, Metro Pictures, photo by Anders Sune Berg; Smile (2017), Destiny Deacon, copyright and courtesy of the artist.
We’ve all had that moment on holiday where we wish we could stay forever. Lally Katz’s Timeshare, a collaboration with New York director Oliver Butler, pushes that desire to its breaking point in a play with music that draws heavily on a swag of getaway tropes and the strength of its cast. Carl (Bert LaBonté) runs Paradise, a rundown all-inclusive resort, where Sandy (Fast Forward’s Marg Downey) and her daughter Kristy (Brigid Gallacher) are nearing the end of their stay. While Kristy and her mum wait for the arrival of her brother Gary (Fayssal Bazzi), she’s fallen for resort worker Juan Fernando (also played by Bazzi), who seems more keen on practicing a traditional turtle dance with the fiery Maria (Gallacher), the other member of his 'entertainment squad'. Bazzi and Gallacher’s ability to shift between their characters combined with Butler’s deft direction makes for terrific physical comedy, while LaBonté effortlessly steals scenes as the pathetic, entirely humourless Carl. Through it all Downey provides the perfect counterpoint to their antics, becoming increasingly helpless but remaining defiant in the face of the plot’s sly twists and revelations. In Jethro Woodward’s subtle score that accompanies interludes between scenes we can see flashes of his brilliance as a composer for previous shows such as The Long Pigs, but overall the sound design in Timeshare is slick to the point of being workmanlike. It’s difficult — at times his music seems constrained by the awkward phrasing of Katz’s lyrics, and the biggest numbers suffer slightly by comparison with Meme Girls in the smaller theatre next door. Yet at the same time, it’s only by committing to this style that Timeshare’s music can give full voice to the awkward, helpless tenderness of these characters; from Carl singing ‘I Can Give You Time’ to the backing of an ultimately kitsch electronic organ track, or Kristy’s plaintive ode to Tinder, which helps to situate the world of the play firmly in the here and now. Up until the satisfying reveal of her 'character', the voiceover Katz herself provides throughout the show feels like a device with murky clarity and intention. But just like the music and the dizzying lighting from veteran Paul Jackson, this sense of mystery is a way of capturing the dislocation and disorientation at the heart of this world. As funny as the show is, Timeshare hinges on its treatment of mental health and dementia; the treatment of these topics by writer, director and cast is sensitive and affecting, and elevates the work above simple crowdpleaser into a fine and compelling new Australian work. Read our interview with Timeshare creator Lally Katz here. Image by Jeff Busby.
The energetic and soulful Jake Bugg made a name for himself with his self-titled debut album, becoming the first male artist to debut at the top of the UK charts with a first release. His unique blend of folk, pop and rock tunes has astounded audiences worldwide, and his shows in Australia last year lived up to the hype. This April, the 19-year-old rock star in the making is bringing his act back here to show off his sophomore album, Shangri La. The album recruited legendary producer Rick Rubin, as well as other stalwarts of the music industry, including Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. The sound is classic Bugg, with a renewed, revved up energy. Get in quick to make sure you see the prodigy who is sure to continue climbing the charts for a good while yet. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Veq6GQHU3is
Another week, another Gelato Messina special. That's been the dessert chain's contribution to making lockdown a little more bearable over the past year and a half, and it isn't changing that tactic now. So, if you're under stay-at-home conditions in Sydney and Melbourne, you now have another indulgent sweet treat to look forward to. And for folks in southeast Queensland, you've got an excuse to treat yo'self to a decadent dessert anyway. On the menu this time: the return of the brand's Basque cheesecake gelato, but without the sticky Cinnabon-style scrolls it came paired with when it made its debut back in August. You'll be able to buy a one-litre tub of the stuff, which comes filled with exactly what it says on the label — that'd be Basque cheesecake gelato — and is topped with a slice of toasted Basque cheesecake. The special can only be ordered online on Monday, September 27. It will set you back $35 — and, because Messina's specials always prove popular, the brand is staggering the on-sale times. Accordingly, folks in Queensland and the ACT are able to purchase at 9am, Victorians at 9.30am, and New South Wales customers split across three times depending on the store (with pies from Circular Quay, Surry Hills, Bondi, Randwick and Miranda on sale at 10am; Brighton Le Sands, Tramsheds, Parramatta and Darlinghurst at 10.30am; and Darling Square, Newtown, Rosebery and Penrith at 11am). The catch? You'll have to peel yourself off the couch and head to your local Messina store to pick up your order. They'll be available for collection between Friday, October 1–Sunday, October 3. Sydneysiders, remember to abide by lockdown restrictions when it comes to picking up your bavarian — which means sticking to your Local Government Area, or within five-kilometres from home. Melburnians, under new eased lockdown rules that come into effect in mid-September, you're permitted to travel within a ten-kilometre radius to pick up food. You can preorder a Messina Basque cheesecake gelato tub from Monday, September 27, to pick up from Friday, October 1–Sunday, October 3.
The oldest floral festival in Australia, the Grafton Jacaranda Festival focuses on the hundreds of lilac-blossomed trees that line the town's streets. First held in 1935, the festival brings together art exhibitions, live music, markets and parades for a week-long celebration from October 25 through November 3. While the jacaranda blooms are of course the main attraction, it's by no means the only event you'll have to look forward to during the festival — think hot air ballooning, and a carnival sideshow, along with buskers, fireworks and stallholders aplenty. Grafton takes its tree heritage seriously and currently holds the title for biggest jacaranda on the National Tree Register of Big Trees (yes, it is a real registry). While in town, visit 'The Gorge', a tree which measures at a massive 30 metres high with a six-metre circumference. It deserves a nice big hug, we reckon. For the full event program for Grafton's Jacaranda Festival visit their website.
Sometimes it feels as though all the weeks blend into one. With the leftover winter chill still in the air, it's easy to let the start of spring pass us by from the comfort and warmth of our own beds. The only problem here is that Melbourne has too much on offer to miss, including a banging nightlife and plenty to do during the day, too. And we guarantee you'll have a much better time exploring what's going on in this concrete jungle than curling up in a ball in front of a glowing Netflix screen. So, to help you carpe diem, we enlisted our mates at Mitsubishi, and its new Eclipse Cross, to put together a list of places for you to discover Monday to Sunday. From story slams and Indigenous design to fish and chips dumplings, it's time to put on some non-track pants and get exploring. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17: INDIGENOUS DESIGN Catch Australia's first national survey of Indigenous design before it finishes at the end of the month. Start your week off with a good dose of Aboriginal culture at Blak Design Matters at the Koori Heritage Building in Federation Square. Here, at the first national survey of Indigenous design, you'll find many extraordinary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, among them Lyn-Al Young, a Gunnai, Wiradjuri, Gunditjmarra and Yorta Yorta fashion designer and artist whose garments are soon to appear in David Jones, and TJ Cowlishaw, who specialises in sustainable, upcycled streetwear with her brand Aarli. Learn from, be inspired by and celebrate the oldest culture in the world with this remarkable walk through modern design pieces. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18: LIVE STORY SLAM Share your story to take down (or, better yet, make peace with) your nemesis. Head down to The Moth on Johnston Street in Collingwood for one of this month's story slams. Sit back and listen to some heart-wrenching stories, or get up and tell your own. This month it's all about your rival — you know, the Draco, or worse, Voldemort in your story. Digging deep into the depths of hearts, each storyteller will have five minutes on stage to share their feelings. It's a safe space, an inclusive one, and one that will leave you with some deep, deep feels. Get writing or prep your listening skills, as this month's going to be a good one. Just make sure to get there early as seating is on a first in, first serve basis — these events can bring a large crowd (and for a good reason). WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19: WEIRD, DELICIOUS DUMPLINGS Fill up on doughy parcels filled with the likes of laksa and fish and chips at Drumplings. For a midweek treat — or some gastronomic experimentation — head to Bourke Street and step inside Drumplings for a twist on the classic dumpling filling. While the classic char sui pork bao, xiao long bao and pork and chive can be found on the menu, you should really set your sights on the signature d(r)umplings like cheeseburger, beef rendang and chilli con carne. And make sure to leave enough room for dessert — we're talking Nutella and apple crumble d(r)umplings with cream and caramel sauce on the side. Plus, this lively venue won't break the bank, so you can wolf down a few serves of those laksa d(r)umps without a care. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20: END-OF-WEEK KARAOKE Let out any stresses from the week that was by belting out your best rendition of We Belong Together. It's a day after hump day and two away from the weekend — the end of the week is in sight. Celebrate another workweek (almost) finished by taking the mic at Benjy's Bar. Whether Celine Dion is your jam, or you're more of a Mariah Carey kind of person, there's a song just waiting for you to let all your work stresses out on. Choose from one of the 30,000-plus songs on offer and prep yourself for a performance, because at Benjy's there are no private rooms. You'll be singing for the whole venue, so you may want to prep some dance moves, too. We'd suggest booking a table. Thursday night also offers a $6 happy hour so you can surely expect an audience for your big show. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21: ELEVATED FRIDAY NIGHT See a jazz gig and ogle an Andy Warhol after hours at the NGV. Until October 5, Friday nights at the NGV will pair international and local jazz acts presented by the Melbourne International Jazz Festival with iconic works from the current MoMA at NGV: 130 Years of Modern and Contemporary Art exhibition. This week's lineup features Melbourne-based Let Them Eat Cake and is headlined by acclaimed Australian group Speedball. Channel those Big Apple vibes and elevate your usual Friday night with a bit of jazz and a little catch-up with your mates Vincent van Gogh, Frida Kahlo and Andy Warhol. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22: SATURDAY FLYING Road trip to the Great Ocean Road to soar down a five-kilometre-long zipline. Saturdays are not for wasting, so get out of the city and take on the open road on none other than the chief of them all: the Great Ocean Road. It's all in the name really. Drifting along where the ocean meets the road, you'll eventually reach Live Wire Park in Lorne, home to a five-kilometre-long zipline. The off-the-grid aerial adventure park also offers a suspended 120-metre walking circuit and even a "super circuit" of 53 physical and mental activities that test park-goers while suspended in mid-air. And all of these activities take place among the native blue gums. From hands on the steering wheel to holding onto your harness for dear life, this is an adventure you'll want for the memory book. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23: VR CINEMA See a round of shorts in virtual reality. The weekend may be fleeting, but there's still time to make the most of it with a trip to the Virtual Reality Cinema in Collingwood. You get what the label says with the newly opened digs encompassing a 12-seat theatre, supplying you with a VR headset and sending you on your merry way to another reality. The seats spin 360-degrees, too, so you can get a good look at everything going on around you — including your fellow cinemagoers thanks to the special Group VR system. Each session shows four to six back-to-back shorts in a seamless 20 to 30-minute experience. And there's a whole load of shorts lined-up by the cinema, which will take you right out of your chair on Johnston Street and make you feel you're somewhere else entirely. The future is now, people. Where to next? Make the most of every week with Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and navigate to your next destination here. Top image: Kate Shanasy.
With just a few weeks left of winter, you might have thought you'd survived the worst of it. But nope, the Bureau of Meteorology has announced a severe weather warning across Australia's southeast, saying the region looks set to cop the strongest weather system it's seen all season over the next few days. That means blustery winds, pouring rain and some very low temperatures, so you'd best start plotting a weekend of Netflix and couch time. SEVERE WEATHER UPDATE: strongest weather system this winter for SE Australia, with possible sleet/snow on #NSW #Qld border. Video current at 12 pm AEST, 7 August 2019. Check warnings at https://t.co/0iBm75CO79 & follow advice from emergency services pic.twitter.com/0rzydto2yC — Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) August 7, 2019 A severe weather warning for Victoria reveals the state's due for some damaging winds, with gusts of between 90 and 100 kilometres per hour developing across western regions today and moving into eastern parts by tonight. NSW is forecast to cop the same wild, windy conditions from this afternoon, with plenty of showers across the southern inland parts spreading further up the coast to Sydney tonight. https://twitter.com/BOM_Vic/status/1159081331378262016 A series of cold fronts are set to hit most of NSW through until Sunday, so you can expect blustery conditions for your weekend, with possible thunderstorms to match. Sydney's expected to dip to lows of 11 degrees tomorrow and to 8 degrees across the weekend, though that wind chill factor will make it feel a whole lot frostier. (It may be a little chilly at the City2Surf start line.) It's good news for snow bunnies, however, with solid snowfalls forecast for Thredbo and Perisher. https://twitter.com/BOM_NSW/status/1158583525051969537 Down south, Melbourne's in for even chillier conditions, with a temperature top of just 13 degrees today, 11 degrees on Friday and Saturday, and 12 degrees to round out the weekend. Rain is pretty much a given across all four days and there's a strong chance of thunderstorms. Alpine regions even look set to score blizzards tonight and again Friday morning, including snow fields Hotham, Falls Creek and Mt Buller. Between 50 centimetres–one metre of fresh snow is forecast to dump across those slopes. But even if you're not hitting the mountain, you could still see some of the white stuff — there's potential snow forecast for low lying areas across Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales. Top image: Thredbo
Federation Square will shine bright this June, with the latest edition of The Light in Winter. The three-week festival in the heart of the city will once again illuminate the works of local and international artists through forums, installations, performances and more. The centrepiece of this year’s program is the world premiere of 'Molecules of Light', a laser installation from UK artist Chris Levine commissioned especially for Federation Square. Other standouts include 'Luminous Intervention', a bioluminescent exhibition in The Atrium’s Fracture Gallery; as well as 'The Light Revolution', a public discussion event presented by Science in Public. A number of performances will take place around 'Leempeeyt Weeyn', the ceremonial campfire created by artist Vicki Couzens at the inaugural festival back in 2007. The festival wraps up on June 20 with the solstice celebration, a free evening of light, music, performance and dance. The North East Melbourne Chinese Association will choreograph a giant flash mob, while local band Amplified Elephants will rock out inside a giant knitted egg.
Get your fill of the best vegan food in town at the fifth annual Vegan Day Out. Come September 2 and 3, The Cruelty Free Shop is putting together a walking tour of vegan cafes, restaurants and retailers, many of which will be offering discounts, deals and free samples to anyone who stops by. For one weekend only, socially conscious eaters can stop by The Cruelty Free Shop on Johnson Street, and grab a map outlining their route. From there, it's all about making your way to to plant-based delights aplenty — and making a day (or two) of it. Whether you're a dyed in the wool vegan or just giving it a go, you'll find a whole world of retailers catering to animal-free eating, offering meal deals, two-for-ones, complimentary coffee, wine tastings and savings on vegan groceries. The Cruelty Free Shop will also be running its own tastings throughout the day, as well as offering discounts on more than 300 different products.
At Sydney's Don't Tell Aunty and Melbourne's Daughter in Law, chef Jessi Singh serves up Indian cuisine his way. He isn't flouting tradition; rather, he doesn't think there's any such thing as 'authentic' Indian food. "There are no recipes, and everything is passed on through the generations in the kitchen verbally," he explains about his rule-breaking dishes — which'll also be available in Byron Bay in mid-June. Singh is expanding the Daughter in Law brand to the beachside town, with the new 65-seat eatery setting up shop on Fletcher Street. Both locals and visitors to the scenic spot can expect to tuck into a seafood-heavy menu, which'll also place an emphasis on both vegan and gluten free fare. Ingredients from the Northern Rivers region will feature, too, with Singh calling his dishes "global food with an Indian twist". In Melbourne, the culinary lineup spans Indian fried chicken, tandoori tikka sliders and papadum platters — if you're wondering what kind of meals Singh classes as 'unauthentic'. The food menu will be paired with an extensive wine list curated by sommelier Bhatia Dheeraj, self-serve fridges full of beer and cider, and a range of cocktails. Sip the Indian spiced sangria, and you'll be tasting red wine, sweet vermouth and orange. Opt for the restaurant's namesake tipple, and you'll be enjoying Brookie's gin, a tandoori-fired pineapple and cardamom lime. Vibe-wise, the new Daughter in Law will take its cues from its location — think playful, vibrant and also relaxed. Patrons will get comfortable on green and blue velvet seating, drink from handmade glasses covered in rainbow peacocks, and sit amidst gold flourishes and under a pink neon sign. Scenes from Bollywood films will brighten up the walls, while DJs will spin 80s and 90s tracks daily. Daughter in Law's Byron Bay restaurant will mark the chain's third, after setting up shop in Adelaide earlier in 2021. Before launching Don't Tell Aunty in Sydney in 2018 — and going on to start its growing no-frills Australian-Indian bar and grill sibling — Singh spent a lengthy stint in the US running his two Babu Ji outposts. Daughter in Law will open at 22 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay, in mid-June — trading from 5pm–late seven days a week.
A staple of Melbourne's cultural calendar for 80 years and counting, the Sidney Myer Free Concerts are back for another year. Held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, the latest of this long-standing favourite will, as always, feature a trio of performances from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Whether you're a classical music buff or just want to stretch out with a picnic on the grass, there's a good reason these concerts have become a summertime tradition. After kicking off on February 7 and keeping the fun going on February 10, Melburnians can enjoy the last evening in the series on February 14. Making the most of the date, the MSO will perform a series of love-inspired music, opening with Richard Strauss, and followed by several pieces by Giacomo Puccini and others. Performances begin at 7:30pm however gates are open at 4:30pm — be sure to arrive promptly with your picnic basket in hand.
While we think record hunting with your crush makes for a particularly adorable date, it can also be pretty thirsty work. Thankfully, Kensington has the answer in the form of White Rabbit Record Bar, where you can either grab a coffee or an Alice in Wonderland-themed cocktail. As you can imagine, vinyl spins day and night, and food is available if you need sustenance between searching sessions.
According to The Guardian, Thumpers "make spiritual feelgood music for people who don't necessarily want to go to church". In January last year, the London-based indie-electro-pop duo made the UK media institution's prestigious 'new band of the week' page. Since then, they've released their debut studio album, Galore, in both the US and the UK via independent Seattle label Sub Pop Records. That's the very same legendary platform responsible for first bringing Nirvana, Soundgarden and Mudhoney to your ears. Now, in between major UK festivals Blissfields (July 4) and Secret Garden Party (July 24-27), they're going to make a lightning-quick trip our way for just a couple of gigs — one at Sydney's Newtown Social Club on July 10 and the other at Melbourne's Northcote Social Club on July 11. After that, they're off to the US for an exhaustive tour that'll carry them clapping into September. And just in case you're wondering, the name has nothing to do with Bambi.
MPavilion, Queen Victoria Gardens' pop-up building designed by Barcelona architect Carme Pinós, is hosting one of the year's largest collections of free events — 400 of 'em, to be exact. As well as architecture, events and a community space, MPavilion is also holding the Christopher Boots Halloween Ball VII. A free event, the theme this year is "bioluminescence" — aka, the production and emission of light by living organisms. Think glow-worms and weird sea creatures. The more creative your costume, the better, so best invest in some glow-in-the-dark paint. There'll also be live performers and DJs, and food and drink by the MPavilion kiosk, so you won't be going hungry or thirsty. Let the lights guide you to this (free) ball — but don't forget to register for a (free) ticket. Image: John Gollings
Mary Eats Cake celebrates the timeless tradition of pairing a nice cuppa with some delicious small bites, calling it a "high tea" and making you feel just that little bit fancy. With two teahouses — one in Brunswick and one in Montrose — Mary has hosted countless high teas, and now she's upping the ante by bringing them to your home while in lockdown. Available to pick up from either store from 9am–1pm Wednesday–Sunday (if you live within five kilometres) or via delivery within 35 kilometres (for $15–30), the to-go high teas include The Queen's High Tea ($75), with a bottle of bubbles, scones, macarons and house-blended teas; and the High Tea Experience ($49 per person), which comes with four savoury snacks, two scones, three sweets and house-blended teas. Mary also caters to dietaries and offers a range of tea paraphernalia — such as teapots and infusers — for takeaway, as well as pies, cakes, antipasto boxes, jams and even flowers. To order your fancy selection of savoury and sweet snacks, head on over to the website.
Shopping centres have taken a turn as of late. They've made the leap from somewhere your mum would drag you to as a teenager to a complex that's actually kinda cool. And the food courts. Don't even get me started on the food courts. With Christmas coming up, it seems almost inevitable that you'll need to embark on a gift-buying mission in the near future. And if you're going to do so, we recommend doing it with a glass of wine in hand. As luck would have it, you can sip some sparkling while shopping at Westfield Doncaster this week, during their five-day VIP Summer Series. Running from Wednesday to Sunday, the eastern suburbs shopping centre will be putting on a slew of events — and yes, one is a complimentary sparkling bar. You'll also be able to create your own custom fragrance, pick up some personalised leather goods from The Daily Edited pop-up, attend free style workshops, and take a breather with a 18-hour pulled pork slider from Street Feast food truck. Westfield Doncaster's VIP Summer Series will run from Wednesday, November 18 to Sunday, November 22. For a full list of event, visit their website.
Two-and-a-half hour's drive north of the city, Echuca's American Hotel will really be living up to its name when it hosts this free MFWF event loaded with deep southern charm. It's throwing open the doors and firing up the smokers for a good ol' car park party that's set to kick on all-day long. You'll find yourself chowing down on a menu of US-style barbecue fare, enjoyed outdoors on big communal tables. The bar boasts a famously great rotation of craft brews all year round, but for this meaty occasion it'll also be whipping up a range of sips made with small-batch bourbon — yep, you're in for the ultimate comfort food feast. The soundtrack's set to be a banger, too, with live R&B acts and DJ-spun vinyl tunes sprinkled throughout the day. Rhythm & Booze is part of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Check out more of the festival's events here. Image: American Hotel by Emily Godfrey for Visit Victoria.
Take the red pill and vanish down the rabbit hole, with the Valhalla Social Cinema this Saturday, September 6. North Melbourne's premier film collective will hold court for 14 hours of science fiction movie goodness, with titles from the '70s and '80s through to today. The marathon will take place at the Electron Workshop on Arden Street. The candy bar opens at 10am, with the projector set to whir into gear precisely half-an-hour later. Things kick off with the 1971 paranoid thriller The Andromeda Strain, based on the book by Michael Crichton. '80s comedy The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension comes next, followed by a trio of dystopian flicks in Moon, Rollerball and Robocop (the original, of course). The marathon closes out with The Matrix, a film whose mind-bending techno-philosophy should do nicely after more than half a day without sunlight or physical exercise of any kind.
Melbourne is a sucker for a good high tea, especially in winter when we'd rather be inside eating finger sandwiches than outside freezing to death. Throw in the Werribee Mansion and you've got one awfully elegant Sunday afternoon. If High Tea is your thing, The Refectory at Werribee Park has got you covered this winter. They're running a luxe high tea series on select Sundays throughout July and August. [caption id="attachment_791807" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Bob T via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] The menu is being handled by Bursaria Fine Foods, the same award-winning team that services the Abbotsford Convent, so expect the usual cakes, pastries, smoked salmon, muffins, crustless sandwiches and enough Earl Grey to sink a battleship. The cost is $75 for adults and $50 for kids under ten. You can book online over here. Got your diary out? There are only three dates remaining. You can pick from Sunday, July 9, Sunday, July 30, or Sunday, August 13. We'd advise snapping up your seat quick-smart. Images: Supplied
Bubbly and fashion have always gone well together. Bubbly and Spring Racing? Yes, that works too. The Millinery Association of Australia is bringing these two things together as they rally up of the countries best milliners and put them in the same room to showcase their art – these hats really are art – alongside drinks and canapés. The milliners on show include Felicity Northeast, Lyn Lim, Christine Martin and Robbie Rivett. Twenty-seven Australian milliners will have their own pop up store where guests can try on the designs while they sip their drinks. There’s also a hat parade lined up showcasing the latest trends as well as a jungle-themed performance from DANCENTRE. There’s word of animal inspired hats and all. With a nod to giving back, the events will support Australian Rotary Health’s Hat Day and a percentage of the ticket sales will go towards mental health research. Dress to impress, darlings.
UPDATE 29 July, 2021: Brush By the Vines Paint n Sip has reopened and is offering special discounted tickets post Victoria's laster lockdown with $45 tickets for all sessions. One of the most popular mate-dates over the last few years has been paint and sip studios. If you haven't gotten around to letting your artistic vision flow over a glass of vino, you're in luck as Melbourne has a brand new studio running classes out of Mill Park. Brush By the Vines was started by events director Mayuri Naidoo and siblings Natasha and Jamie Totino at the beginning of 2020. The North Melbourne studio is Australia's largest licensed paint and sip studio and runs themed classes three to four days a week. Throughout the week, you can find classes teaching you to paint everything from sunflowers to flamingos with a glass of wine in hand. Or you can head to an RnB Fridays session where you'll paint famous musicians accompanied by a live RnB DJ set. Brush By the Vines session are often booked out days or weeks in advance so organise your crew early to nab a spot. "We've even had people travel two hours to attend a session. It's crazy, we never thought that in our first months we'd make such an impact on Melbourne, I guess we are doing something right," Jamie Totino said. You can browse all the upcoming classes via the Brush By the Vine website and plan a trip to reveal your inner Monet.
In today's art world, it's hard to establish yourself as an emerging artist. Galleries will rarely take the risk of featuring your work, and investors won't even know you exist. Equally tough for wannabe art buffs is to develop a reputation of being a seasoned collector, known for having your proverbial finger on the pulse of the next big thing. The solution could be Artsicle — a try-before-you-buy art rental program based in New York which provides much-needed exposure to artists and affordable art pricing options for art afficionados. The site allows first-time investors to road test art before handing over the big bucks. Simply select from Artsicle's online catalogue, which largely features the work of young artists, and the original art is delivered to your doorstep. $50 a month gets you the pleasure of hanging new works on the walls of your home or office on regular basis. If you love the art enough you can buy it for your very own; if you don't you're under no obligation to purchase and can simply swap it for a new work. [Via PSFK]
Located in the lush backstreets of Prahran, College Lawn Hotel (known colloquially as The Lawn) has become a favourite on the south-side for its laid-back atmosphere, great pub fare and outdoor Sunday sessions. Every Sunday, its leafy beer garden fills with humans and pups and lots of $15 espresso martinis — that'll help you see the weekend out in style. It's here that you can forget about the impending Monday morning or recover — in the garden oasis — from last night's antics. There are relaxing live tunes, too — the pub has just launched a series of Sunday-afternoon acoustic sessions, Unplugged Sundays, which feature some of the city's best local talent. Sets kick off each week at 4pm and continue late into the evening, wrapping up around 11pm (so you don't feel too horrid come Monday morning). Alongside the sun-speckled beer garden, the venue also has two bars, a dining area and a bottle shop (so your options certainly aren't limited). And the menu delivers a hearty lineup of hungover specialities (bacon and egg burger, I'm looking at you) and classic pub meals — such as steaks, pies and parmas — that'll put you in good stead for the week ahead. College Lawn Sunday Sessions kick off every Sunday at 3pm. For more information, head to the website.
You didn't do any cooking last night, did you? You had plans to meal prep for the week, but instead you went to the pub and ate chips and now you're sitting at your desk, broke and hungry, wondering what you can get for lunch for under $10 today. Well, my unorganised friend, you're in luck. If you work/live near a Roll'd, you can wander in there and get yourself a free rice bowl. Yep, free. And you don't even have to be one of the first people into the shop — you just have to fill out this form. The while-stocks-last giveaway is in celebration of the chain's sixth birthday, and is happening at all Victorian Roll'd stores excluding the ones at Knox, Eastland and the airport. There are nine in the CBD (including Melbourne Central, Collins Place and QV) and 14 more in Chadstone, Barkly Square, the Jam Factory, Monash Clayton and Malvern (to name a few). If you can't make it for lunch, some of them are also open for dinner.
Sydney breakfast royalty descends on Melbourne this week, as A1 Canteen heads to Belles Hot Chicken for a one-day-only brunch pop-up. The Chippendale all-day eatery has earned a cult following up north for its hefty rolls and loaded sambos, especially the muffuletta — a New Orleans-style (highly Instagrammable) stacked sandwich that's stuffed with mortadella, salami, olive salad, spinach, peppers and artichoke. And now, Head Chef Clayton Wells and his right-hand-man Scott Eddington are bringing A1's greatest hits to breakfast-obsessed Melbourne, taking over Belles' Fitzroy store from 9am until noon, this Tuesday, October 9. There'll be only 60 of each A1 favourite sailing from the kitchen — so you'll need to get in early for the likes of curried scrambled eggs; the fried eggplant, provolone and romesco sandwich; the fried egg and grilled mortadella roll; and, of course, that legendary muffuletta.
It's the kind of thing nightmares are made of. You arrive on day one of your dream job, but everyone is watching — including ever-present cameras. It's also the type of situation good documentaries can be born of, taking the fly-on-the-wall technique to its extreme. Trailing a fresh-faced new arrival in the hope that fireworks follow could be a waste of time, or it could result in something special. Both scenarios met Raf Simons when he commenced his latest post as artistic director for the House of Christian Dior in April 2012. His appointment was huge news in fashion circles, with the Belgian designer better known for his minimalistic ready-to-wear lines for his own label. Taking over the creative reigns of one of the biggest clothing houses in the industry, he had just two months to put together his first-ever haute couture collection. Observing in the atelier, director Frédéric Tcheng captures the chaos of Simons' trial-by-fire — though the dramas are few and the designs are many. From the moment he meets his new colleagues, to his reaction at the star-studded unveiling of eight weeks' worth of hard work, Dior and I charts his journey with an insider's perspective. It's that peek behind the high-pressure scenes that lifts the documentary, looking further than you might expect. Simons is focused on the massive mission at hand and reluctant to share much about his vision or processes, though he's not the only important figure to consider. The many others toiling away night and day, some mainstays in the workroom for decades, are just as crucial — and are treated accordingly. That's not just Tcheng's approach in trying to make a more interesting movie, but reflective of the status quo at Dior, where collaboration is essential. Also influential is that other figure, the legendary Christian Dior himself. The man who started the brand is worked into the film through snippets of his diary read aloud, his presence felt elsewhere in every shot bearing the label's name — and there's plenty — and discussion about its operating philosophy. Despite the title, however, what the documentary offers is an insight into the way those carrying on his legacy handle that task. Here, it's the I that has it. Tcheng is no stranger to the world of fancy frocks, celebrities and catwalks, having worked on Valentino: The Last Emperor and co-directed Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel, with his affection for the industry evident. It would've just been something to catch a crisply shot glimpse of the hallowed halls responsible for some of the greatest looks of the last 70 years, especially for the already converted — but in his hands, Dior and I delivers more than that. With clear eyes, it shows the mania behind the magic and the team behind the icon. That, folks, really is fashion, beyond the parade of beautiful dresses.
Lix's new pen enables you to create 3D objects in the air. The pen is powered off a USB port and melts and cools plastic, as it makes your visions come to life. Although there are other handheld printing devices, Lix have shrunken it down to a size that really symbolises the technology, daring people to think outside the box. To really analyse the gravity of this new technology, it helps to at least think about how much we draw in the air with our fingers, when trying to explain things. The pen brings the opportunity of easily communicating ideas between each other by quickly rendering a 3D image with the comfort and ease of a simple pen. [via thisiscollosal]
