The term 'slaty cleavage' refers to the miniscule layers of grain that occur in rock under intense levels of heat and pressure. It's this geological phenomenon that provides the inspiration — and the title — for a brand new installation at Chapter House Lane. Created by Melbourne-based artist Isadora Vaughan, Slaty Cleavage sets out to explore the parallels between the natural world and everyday handmade objects. Vaughan's installation will consist of enamel on copper displayed in the middle window of the gallery. Over the course of the month-long exhibition, the work will be subject to various environmental changes, causing it to warp, buckle and blister — shifting and expanding on a molecular level until it resembles something entirely new. Image: Isadora Vaughan, Doing Mass, Matter Action, 2013.
Summer holidays might be over for most, but there's still plenty more sunshine and good vibes in store for Melbourne's balmiest season. And a bunch of those are coming at you courtesy of iconic LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural celebration Midsumma Festival, which returns this month for its biggest edition yet. Back for its 34th year, Midsumma is set to deliver a truly enormous program of 195 dazzling events as it descends on venues across the state from Sunday, January 23–Sunday, February 13. With live music, performances, exhibitions, theatre, visual arts, cabaret, film screenings, parties, forums and more in the mix — all championing queer arts and culture — this is set to be one crowd-pleasing affair. It all kicks off in a blaze of colour on January 23, with 11-hour-long al fresco party Midsumma Carnival at Alexandra Gardens. Then, on February 6, the Midsumma Pride March will transform Fitzroy Street with a roving celebration featuring over 8000 marchers — and the full-day Melbourne Pride fiesta will wrap things up on February 13, marking the 40th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Victoria. In between, you'll catch a diverse array of happenings and events, headlined by Midsumma Presents — a specially curated program championing the unheard voices of this era's queer intersectional communities. Expect everything from a whimsical cabaret about composting to a comedy exploring the complexities of coming out, as well as a Galentine's Day screening under the stars. [caption id="attachment_599516" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Coal Photography[/caption] Midsumma's major project for 2022, AND/OR, is dedicated to showcasing disability-led works, inviting audiences to experience a range of new perspectives through its own broad-ranging program. Here, a collection of LGBTIQA+ artists share their lived experience of mental health challenges in the Queer My Head exhibition, one-on-one performance Benched examines the portrayals of bodies with disability, and a panel discussion explores the complex realm of intersectional identities. Also on the bill, you'll find Friday night drag showcases headlined by three legendary First Nations artists, a rollicking queer day party hosted by Poof Doof, a glittery glammed-up gala celebrating the iconic David Bowie, and an interactive fashion show dedicated to the art of upcycling. Elsewhere, catch thought-provoking theatre shows, side-splitting stand-up and a whole swag of drag, plus exhibitions, markets, illuminating talks and parties galore. Midsumma Festival 2022 will run from Sunday, January 23–Sunday, February 13, hosting a program of events at venues across the city. For the full lineup and to book tickets, visit the festival's website. Images: Dean Arcuri and Midsumma.
Much-loved cellar door and restaurant Innocent Bystander is celebrating its sixth birthday by giving a little something back to the community. On Sunday, March 12, the Yarra Valley winery is throwing open the doors for a Country Fire Authority charity barbecue and party, complete with plenty of free tastings. Join in the fun from 12pm when the gardens will come alive for a relaxed al fresco affair, with lawn games to play while you soak up the weekend's live entertainment. They'll also be firing up the barbie for a classic Aussie feast, raising funds for the CFA in the process. Also on the menu is a roll-call of the restaurant's best-loved dishes and a birthday cake made on Innocent Bystander's renowned moscato, plus prosecco margaritas to wash it all down. Guests can also reacquaint themselves with the winemaker's signature range of vino, with complimentary tastings pouring across the weekend. What's more, you'll score a free Innocent Bystander beanie or cap on arrival — part of the label's new limited-edition merch range. Entry to the festivities is by donation, which will go to support the CFA's important work.
The arrival of summer means afternoons spent in beer gardens and nights that run late on cocktail bar rooftops. But, what if you could have an equally stimulating experience while avoiding that tinge of regret that comes when checking your bank balance the next day? The wonders of BYO make this dream scenario possible! With countless booze-friendly destinations to discover throughout Melbourne, you can celebrate every kind of occasion with your closest pals and a carefully curated drinks selection from your own fridge or local bottle shop. Together with Mosey Fruity Beer, the hottest newcomer to the beer aisle, we've rounded up a collection of cracking BYO-friendly spots to hit up this summer. Ranging from much-loved restaurants to weekend escapes, all five picks are confirmed hot spots for taking a Mosey along. By stashing a can (or a four-pack) of the new brew in your bag, you're bringing a fruity take on the classic frothy — and an added level of freshness and 'crushability'. Our prediction? You'll be stinging for a sip by the time you're finished reading. [caption id="attachment_754751" align="alignnone" width="1920"] City of Port Phillip[/caption] PICNIC IN THE PARK It doesn't get much better than cracking an ice-cold tinnie in the park on a sunny day. If you're hanging in Melbourne's northside, Edinburgh Gardens is a go-to picnic haven with boundless space for slinging the frisbee or breaking out the Finska set between beers. Elwood's Point Ormond Reserve (pictured above) is also a stellar spot that's particularly appealing for those keen to soak up the waterfront on one of the sweltering arvos unique to Melbourne summer. Barbecues, a picnic shelter and shady trees all accompany striking city views — all you need to do is bring the beers on ice and you're sorted. [caption id="attachment_869922" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yutacar, Unsplash[/caption] AVOID THE RELOS BY HOSTING A FRIENDS-MAS PARTY The holiday season doesn't have to be spent exclusively listening to relos give their cold takes on the latest current affairs. Instead, fill the jolly time of year with your best pals. So — apart from your favourite beers — what should be on the agenda? You need a killer festive season spread with all the trimmings, a top-notch selection of lawn games and perhaps Die Hard loaded up on Netflix. Finally, a banging playlist to complete the event. (But, please, spare everyone the Christmas carols.) [caption id="attachment_763010" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tracey Ahkee[/caption] HIT A LOCAL BYO RESTAURANT The bring-your-own restaurant is a staple of students and budget-cautious dining innovators around the globe, and Melbourne offers an outstanding collection of venues where you're welcome to supply your own drinks. Jim's Greek Tavern is a Collingwood institution that fits the bill, renowned for its upbeat atmosphere and meaty banquets of lamb souvlaki, chicken and barramundi — and delightful staff who cheerfully put your brews in the fridge for you. A suburb or two over at the top end of Lygon Street, Brunswick's Teta Mona (pictured above) serves up Eastern Lebanese cuisine that puts the soul in soul food. The restaurant is beloved for its oddball furnishings, airy courtyard and stacked plates — and BYO wine and beer corkage is unlimited for $5pp. Bargain. SKIP TOWN FOR THE WEEKEND BYO doesn't mean SAH (stay at home). Book the crew in to incredible accommodation in one of Victoria's scenic regional areas — like the Mornington Peninsula. The Acorn is a superb spot for up to six guests, with the renovated barn serving as a great base for exploring the nearby beaches and nature walks. The Church at Lyonville (pictured above) is another spectacular option in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Built in the 1920s, this stylish conversion delivers guests maximum countryside charm and comfort. Bring along the brews and (respectfully) soak up the summertime weather from this idyllic spot. [caption id="attachment_869932" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gagandeep Singh, Unsplash[/caption] CRUISE OUT FOR A CAMPING TRIP If you're seeking a more bucolic experience, get out of town for a camping trip. The Grampians (pictured above) are home to one of the top spots within reach of the city where the best of nature is on show — from towering waterfalls to vibrant wildflowers. Plus, seven new hike-in campgrounds recently opened along the 160-kilometre Grampians Peaks Trail so you can complete the full epic journey or choose a section or two for an overnight BYO stay. Armed with a ripper BYO spot and a four-pack of Mosey Fruity Beers, you'll be ready to make summer yours. To find out more about the juicy bevs, head to the website. Top image: Chester Newling
Just ten short years ago, few people cared about Westerosi power struggles, how many times Sean Bean dies on-screen, if Jon Snow really does know nothing and whether winter is coming. Game of Thrones has existed on the page since 1991, but it was the first season of HBO's huge fantasy-drama series in 2011 that made that three-word title a household term, got everyone hooked on the fight to assume the Iron Throne and had us all watching along for seven more action-packed seasons. Over the past decade, no TV series was bigger — not only in popularity and pop culture impact, but when it comes to small-screen battles and bloodshed, plus labyrinthine plots filled with cunning plotting and double-crossing. Oh, and dragons, too. Whether you loved or hated how it ended, Game of Thrones is always going to sit high on everyone's rewatch list (because, let's face it, everyone has watched it once already).
Each year, we all anticipate the arrival of December 25. Because of the day off, that includes the promise of an afternoon spent dozing in a hammock — and for dessert fiends, it also includes Gelato Messina's annual Christmas cake. We hope you like a certain quintessential Australian dish, because that's what is on the gelato chain's menu again. Yes, Messina is bringing back its version of the trifle. The Christmas Coma will return for its fifth year running — and, although it seems like we say this every festive season, this time it's especially decadent. In fact, it's a choc-hazelnut trifle that's topped with choc gold sheet, as well as a milk chocolate hazelnut globe that's filled with Messinatella — aka Messina's version of Nutella — and it also comes in a pack with a bake-at-home gingerbread and dark choc chip cookie pie. First, the epic trifle. In 2021, the Christmas Coma will once again feature layer upon layer of everything that is good about Christmas — but instead of being soggy and slightly regrettable, this one will have you licking the glass bowl. So what's in it? Well, Messina is going with layers of Messinatella crémeux, chocolate mud cake made with Messinatella fudge, caramelised white chocolate mousse, choc-coated puffed rice and candied hazelnuts, vanilla cream chantilly, hazelnut semifreddo and choc-hazelnut crumble. Plus, it'll come with some Messina brandy custard to douse all over the mess. And, it all serves 20–30 (or less if you really commit). With the gingerbread and dark choc chip cookie pie, it's exactly what it sounds like. Messina has been slinging cookie pies for a few years now, and you'll just need to bake this one for 12 minutes before eating. All of the above comes in a Christmas Coma mega pack, which costs $2s0 and can be pre-ordered from Monday, November 22 — with times varying depending on your state, as the gelato chain has been doing with its specials this year. That said, if you sign up on Messina's website in advance, you'll get access to pre-sale window before pre-orders open to everyone, too. You'll then be able to pick up your Christmas Coma between Tuesday, December 21–Friday, December 24, all within regular store opening hours — and from all Gelato Messina stores across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. It comes in a Messina cooler bag and, if you keep it in there all sealed up, can survive for up to one hour. In each of the last few years, the trifle sold out super fast, so we suggest you don't wait on this one. The Christmas Coma will be available to order from Monday, November 22. Keep an eye on the Messina website for further details — or sign up to get access to a pre-sale window before pre-orders open to everyone.
Outdoor cinema season has descended upon us once again. With Malteser's Moonlight Cinema in the Botanic Gardens, Ben & Jerry's OpenAir on the St Kilda Foreshore, and Rooftop Cinema hitting up the city skyline, the average movie-goer is spoilt for choice. But what if you're not so into the big hits? Do you have no interest in the latest Richard Curtis film? Are you already bored with the idea of seeing Sandra Bullock in space? Speakeasy might have just the thing for you. Though Rooftop Cinema has already launched for the year with The Great Gatsby on December 4, their separate program presented by Speakeasy Cinema is about to kick off this Tuesday, December 10. Known for being the cheeky underdog of the local film scene, Speakeasy will be taking over the Tuesday slots at Rooftop for the next month or so with six select screenings of indie hits. These include Lena Dunham's pre-Girls breakaway flick Tiny Furniture, Noah Baumbach's goofy coming of age story Frances Ha, and the controversial documentary about animals in captivity, Blackfish. For a full program with tickets and times, check out the Speakeasy website.
Does your version of celebrating whichever occasion takes your fancy involve eating more of the things you love? Do pork belly, chicken schnitzels, chicken wings and German sausages fall into that category? If so, The Bavarian has an all-you-can-eat special that'll tempt your tastebuds — because a bottomless feast is on the menu. On Wednesdays, the German-themed chain is serving up all-you-can-eat meat platters. They come stacked with all of the aforementioned meats — and yes, the pork belly includes crackling — plus sauerkraut and gravy as sides. And, once you've finished your board, you'll get a whole new serving. On All-You-Can-Meat Wednesdays, there's a two-hour time limit to your eating — and it'll cost you $35 per person. There is a two-person minimum, too, so you'll need to take at least one meat-loving pal along with you. Feel like you can fit in fries, mash and salad as well? That'll cost you an extra $5 for each one, or you can get all three for $10. You'll find The Bavarian at Knox and Highpoint. And if you want to pair all that meat with German brews — which is understandable — you'll pay extra for the drinks.
As part of the flurry of new streaming services competing for our eyeballs, FanForce TV joined the online viewing fold during the COVID-19 pandemic. That's great news all year round, but the service is also going the extra mile for NAIDOC Week, which is when it's bringing back the Virtual Indigenous Film Festival. VIFF has already popped up once in 2022, for National Reconciliation Week in May — but this is obviously a fest that's welcome to hit screens to celebrate Indigenous stories and voices as often as it likes. For its second run this year, the event is hosting films between Monday, July 4–Friday, July 8, with four titles on the bill. Screening solely online, this returning festival boasts Araatika: Rise Up, Off Country, Where the Water Starts and Wash My Soul in the River's Flow on its lineup, showcasing First Nations talent both in front of and behind the lens. That means you can watch your way through an array of Aussie content focused on Indigenous stories, with each title showing twice on its allocated day — at 1pm and 7pm AEST. And, viewers can tune in on a film-by-film basis, or buy an all-access pass to tune into everything. Top image: Sandy Scheltema.
Over the first two weekends in April, Chapel Street is transforming into Art-Town. Returning to the southside precinct for the seventh consecutive year, this miniature art festival will once again feature an eclectic mix of creative practitioners — including painters, illustrators, photographers, projectionists and sculptors — in a public celebration of the city's endless artistic talent. Designed to bring artists and their audience together, Art-Town will wind along Chapel Street, through galleries, restaurants, markets and public spaces. If you're looking to do a bit of redecorating at home, many of the participating artists will have work on sale. And don't worry if you work weekends — Chapel Off Chapel will be hosting an exhibition, featuring many of the Art-Town artworks, from April 26 until May 14.
No matter how you feel about Game of Thrones' polarising eighth and final season, the epic HBO show will always hold a soft spot in many pop culture fans' hearts. It'll also always adorn a lengthy tapestry that's currently on display in Northern Ireland. In fact, the detailed piece of fabric has embroidered all of the show's ups and downs onto a massive, 90-metre-long artwork. Simply called the Game of Thrones Tapestry, the piece was inspired by the famous 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry — and while it has called the Ulster Museum in Belfast home since mid 2017, it'll head to Normandy to be displayed alongside its counterpart from September this year. Originally, the cloth reached more than 80 metres in length; however it has recently increased in size for a very important and obvious reason: to add the events of GoT's last season. Along the fabric's huge expanse, dragons, battles and blood sit side-by-side with well-known characters and lines of dialogue. Yes, "winter is coming" is one of them. If you've ever wanted to see Jon Snow in stitchery, the Iron Throne get a linen makeover, revisit Ned Stark's demise in cotton or get a completely different look at all of the series' standouts scenes, this is your chance. Daenerys' fiery rebirth, the Red wedding, the Night King's frosty reign, Hodor's touching end, the Battle of the Bastards and plenty of other deaths, fights, frays and phrases all feature, with the show's first first seven seasons all averaging around 10–13 metres of coverage each. [caption id="attachment_729913" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ulster Museum, Belfast[/caption] If you can't make it to either Northern Ireland or France to see the intricate piece with your own eyes, you can peruse an online version — although, at the time of writing, it hasn't been updated to include the eighth season as yet. Designed by hand, employing a machine to do much of the weaving, and then embroidered by a team of 30 stitchers, the tapestry doesn't just celebrate the show that kept people talking. In addition, it uses fabric from Ferguson's Irish Linen, it commemorates one of the last surviving linen mills in Northern Ireland. Much of the series was filmed in the area, and a new museum will also pop up there soon — which is great to know if you're not ready to say goodbye to GoT just yet, can't wait for George RR Martin's long-awaited next book to finally drop, and are biding your time until the TV spinoffs and prequels come to fruition. The Game of Thrones Tapestry is on display at the Ulster Museum in Belfast until July 28, 2019, before moving to the Hôtel du Doyen in Bayeux, Normandy, France from September 2019. Images: Game of Thrones Tapestry.
Saturday morning coffee and exercise rituals can set you back a whole lot of money these days. Gym prices are soaring. As is the cost of the holy flat white. But for the next few Saturdays, from August 24–September 14, Nobody Run Club is partnering with Oatly to pair your group cardio workout with a free oat coffee. Each week, a group of runners with varying proficiencies will meet at the big Hochgurtel Fountain in Carlton Gardens at 8am, and head off on a run that ends at a nearby Melbourne cafe. Here, you can score a free oat coffee from the Oatly crew, before getting on with the rest of your day. [caption id="attachment_754318" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] Joining the run club is free, but there are only 25 spots available each week, so make sure you sign up via the event's website to secure your free run and caffeine fix. The five-kilometre Strava run on Saturday, August 24 will spell out the word 'Oatly' and end at Gertrude Street's Calere Coffee. The eight-kilometre track workout on Saturday, August 31 will drop you off at Archie's All Day — where we highly recommend you stick around for a banging brunch. There's also a five-kilometre interval training session on Saturday, September 7 that ends at Plug Nickel in Collingwood. And the last event is a five-kilometre easy run that'll finish at Sonido. [caption id="attachment_637930" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Archie's All Day[/caption]
St Kilda's bar and food truck park Trinity has already been earning plenty of street cred, especially for the burgers being served from its vintage Airstream food van. But if you're yet to get acquainted with these buns, we've found the perfect excuse for your first encounter: free burgs. Yep, in honour of International Burger Day on Sunday, May 28, the venue will be giving away free cheeseburgers from 12–2pm. All you need to do to score one is purchase a drink from the bar menu, which just so happens to feature a hefty selection of cocktails, tap brews, vino and booze-free concoctions. The rest of the usual food menu will also be available to order on the day, in case that free burger puts you in the mood for a feast. [caption id="attachment_850271" align="alignnone" width="1920"] by Nicole Cleary[/caption] Images: Nicole Cleary
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
