UPDATE: AUGUST 20, 2020 — Following backlash around the no-drive rule, the DHHS has updated its guidelines and, as of Thursday, August 20, Melburnians are able to drive within their five-kilometre bubble to exercise. To read the updated rules, head to the DHHS website. Many Melburnians have been actively sticking to the stage four rules when it comes to that allowed daily hour of exercise, limiting their movements to within five kilometres of home as the state tries to curb its COVID-19 cases. But a post this week by Victoria Police's bayside-focused social media pages has highlighted confusion around some of the new regulations, mainly about the question: are you allowed to drive to a park or beach within your five-kilometre radius to exercise? On its Eyewatch - Port Phillip Police Service Area Facebook page on Monday, August 17, Victoria Police answered the question with a firmly worded post, saying, "Driving to exercise — not permitted". It goes on to say: "It has come to our attention that there is some misunderstanding in relation to whether or not it is permitted, under Stage 4 restrictions, to drive to a park within 5km of your home for exercise. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, travelling in a vehicle to exercise is NOT permitted." https://www.facebook.com/eyewatchportphillip/photos/a.125432814799143/587837825225304/?type=3&theater But the reminder has sparked a heated response from the public, attracting over 4200 comments in the space of just a couple of days. Many commenters seemed to be discovering the rule for the first time, while others voiced their disapproval, saying it was "ridiculous" people could drive five kilometres to shop, but not for exercise. Some questioned the level of risk posed by someone journeying in their car, instead of walking on the footpath. Regardless of the debate, Victoria Police confirmed it is patrolling to ensure Melburnians follow the stage four directives. It's probably worth a reminder here that you can be slapped with a $1652 on-the-spot fine if you're caught flouting the restrictions. If you jump on to the DHHS' Q&A-style factsheet regarding exercise during stage four, you'll see its own clear-cut response to the question, "Can I drive to a park within 5km of home for exercise?" The answer: "No. Travelling in a vehicle to exercise is not permitted." As outlined by Victoria Police in the above post and repeated by DHHS, there is one exception to this rule: "If is not reasonably practicable to exercise without driving somewhere, e.g. for mobility or safety reasons." For more information about exercising during stage four, and the Victorian Government's advice for metro Melbourne and Mitchell Shire residents, head to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website. Image: Albert Park via Jessica Cross/Flickr.
It's been just a couple of months since the State Library of Victoria first showed off its wild side, hosting a huge week of gigs and dance parties as Melbourne Music Week's 2016 hub. Now, punters again have the chance to party in the usually grave-silent library after hours, with 3RRR transforming part of the space into a lively pop-up bar for two Friday nights this month. Set to rock the book stacks on January 13 and 20, the event ties in with the library's latest exhibition, ON AIR: 40 years of 3RRR, celebrating the history and evolution of one of Melbourne's best-loved radio stations. Each night of the pop-up will see RRR favourites like Chris Gill (Get Down), Steve Cross (Beat Orgy), and Sarah Smith (Breakfasters) spinning the tunes in the library foyer, as you knock back RRR cocktails on the Mr Tulk terrace and browse vinyl in the onsite bookstore, Readings. Even the library's galleries will be throwing open their doors, allowing a rare after-hours sneak peak at the current exhibition program. 3RRR's ON AIR pop-up bar is happening on January 13 and January 20, open 7-10pm. ON AIR: 40 years of 3RRR will run until January 29. Image: Pascal/Flickr.
Sports movies tend to follow a fairly formulaic structure. We meet the competitors; we begin to see their strengths, weaknesses and that potential Achilles heel; we are introduced to their primary competitors; and then, after a couple of well-timed training montages, we watch, bated breath, as our hero manages to defy the odds and win miraculously/lose heroically. If you've seen Rocky, The Fighter, Remember the Titans or a hundred other sports films, then you already know the narrative arc of Ping Pong. Yet despite its predictability, this heartwarming documentary from little-known British director Hugh Hartford manages to sidestep the usual pitfalls of the genre, basically through the sheer strength of the characters. Ping Pong tells the story of the World Over 80s Table Tennis Championships in Inner Mongolia almost entirely through the perspective of the players themselves. There is 81-year-old Terry, who, prior to the tournament, was given a week to live; former bodybuilder Les, who, at 89, still uses weightlifting to prepare for the tournament; the trash-talkin', gun-toting Texan Lisa, whose 85 years have done nothing to diminish her wily competitive streak; and the championship's elder stateswoman, the 100-year-old Aussie Dot. Hartford does what many great documentarians have done before him, retreating from the role of writer. He is happy to simply leave the camera rolling and have the characters tell their own stories — their history, their motivations and what it means to be an athlete in the final chapters of their lives. Yet this picture is far more than simply a series of talking heads. Hartford takes great pains to capture the richness of these characters and their lives. The film takes us into their homes and training venues and watches as they cook strudel, show off old photo collections and, in one of the film's most touching scenes, guide us around the dementia ward that ping pong became a respite from. This level of detail gives the film an immersive quality. Even in a screening filled with cynical critics and hardened media-folk, a championship win from one of the octogenarians had the cinema quietly cheering. Despite the film's fixation on death and mortality, Ping Pong is a surprisingly hopeful and uplifting film. In one scene, Terry boasts that while bowel cancer could take away his penis, it couldn't take away his sex life. We come to see that while these characters may have accepted their impending death, that doesn't mean they're willing to go quietly into that cold night. Add to all this the fact that this may be the first film to show an 89-year-old doing a peck dance. That one was worth the price of admission on its own. https://youtube.com/watch?v=nwFVc2NAt94
This article is sponsored by our partners Red Bull. Why limit culture to bricks and mortar when you can put it on wheels? This year, we've seen a trans-American train carry masterpieces from New York to San Francisco and Melbourne Art Trams make an aesthetic journey out of our commute. Now, Red Bull is set to put Melbourne's music scene into motion. On the final day of Melbourne Music Week (November 15-24), the Red Bull Music Academy Tram Jam will transform three trams into mobile party venues. To mark summer's imminence, the carriage interiors will be redesigned as island paradises, complete with coconuts and palm fronds. Radio selectors Edd Fisher of PBS and Chris Gill and LA Pocock of RRR will be on board as afro-tropical hosts. Each tram will make a one-hour journey — with The Espy, Howler and The Corner Hotel as the three starting points — and finish up at The Residence, where Red Bull is planning to hold Melbourne Music Week's official closing party, Discolypso. Kicking off at midday, it'll feature international guests Awesome Tapes of Africa (USA) and Invisible Sound System (CANADA). The Tram Jam, which will be happening between 1pm and 4pm on November 24, is free to attend, but you do need to RSVP.
Indian restaurant Mukka will hold a flurry of colourful celebrations in honour of Holi, throwing themselves a warehouse party in Collingwood on Sunday, April 29th. Holi, the festival of colours, will see Second Story Studios come to life as part of a raucous, music-laden, street food-heavy affair. Live music from classical Indian instruments such as the sitar and the tabla will get you stirring, and visitors will be greeted with a glass of chai and mithai, Indian sweets. There'll also be a street food stall serving samosas, dosa and bhel puri, as well as a storytelling of the origins of Holi. To fully partake in a Holi party, it looks like you'll have to get messy: Holi really is a celebration of colours, so prepare yourselves. Grab some of the (organic) coloured chalk, aka gulal, and go crazy: paint the town (or the warehouse and yourselves) red or any other variety of colours. "Colours mean everything but nothing at the same time," state Mukka — what better way to lose yourself on a Sunday afternoon and work out all the stresses of the week? Image: Steven Gerner via Flickr.
Knowledge is fun. And so is watching the dude on the tellie, who’s standing behind the antique in question. We can’t promise you could be that guy, but we can guarantee some fascinating history and valuations. Thunder Road will be keeping you thirst-free, so dust off those old beer bottles and brewing memorabilia you've been hoarding and get yourself a free assessment. This event is part of Good Beer Week's 2015 program, running from May 16-24. For more festival picks, click here.
One of Israel’s most celebrated writers, Etgar Keret, is joining the Wheeler Centre to discuss his new memoir The Seven Good Years and what it’s like to raise a child in Israel today. A major voice in Israeli literature, Keret knows how to weave his surreal stories around a reader's mind — and anyone who’s fallen under his spell knows he creates a fine fabric, often laced with playfulness and poignancy. Keret’s past work manages to offer this playfulness to purgatory, where the deceased somehow manage to fall in love on a beach that’s covered in used needles and curds of condoms (Kneller’s Happy Campers for those keen to dive in). It’s this ability to explore sensitive topics with creativity — and just the right touch of black humour — that makes Keret such an insatiable scribe. During the evening, Keret will discuss his career, covering his short stories, radio journalism, film and TV, graphic novels and children’s books. He'll also talk about his work The Seven Good Years, which charts the time between his son’s birth and his father’s death, with war as a constant backdrop. True to Keret's style, the memoir questions the conflict of war with family and fatherhood in Tel Aviv, while offering enough bizarre bursts to get us through those blinding shards of truth. So we're expecting some similar magic at this talk.
Spend some time at Two Birds Brewing, who have feathered their Nest (that is, their Spotswood tasting room) for the launch of their "west-side beer". Made using all-Australian malt and hops, Two Birds will launch this one-off batch as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival while showcasing the artwork, furniture and timber of local artists and craftsman who worked on building The Nest. The brewery itself is in an ex-tooling and machinery factory which, amongst other things, built equipment to fabricate and fill beer cans. Now it's home to Australia's first female-owned and operated brewery. Their house chef will create something special with the grain and wort from the beer, so sit back and relax to tunes from local DJ Larrabee.
Best-selling author and humourist David Sedaris is playing a much-anticipated third tour at Hamer Hall, and it's your chance to have a laugh while putting your smug, well-read friends to shame. Sedaris, you may recall — as your friends have been telling you — is the "man who writes funny books". Books that "you should have read". He is, in fact, very funny. And yes, you should read him. The evening is a prime chance to catch up on neglected literature, as it will feature a selection of readings from Sedaris' renowned essays, focusing on new, unpublished work and diary entries. Sedaris' diary is one you'd leave out for friends to find. His stories cover all manner of topics, from a season spent working as an elf to his time committed to learning a foreign language. But his droll assessments note more than 'foot fingers' as being a legitimate translation for toes (it is, by the way) — it's also a great example of Sedaris' ability to capture the essence of the everyday and make the mundane more meaningful. It forms a social documentary that leaves your mind reeling more than a summer jetty. It's not just his essays in The New York Times that have caught the imagination of fans, or even his best-selling novels such as Me Talk Pretty One Day that offer incisive social critiques. He also lends his talents to renditions of Billie Holiday songs on This American Life, as podcast enthusiasts will know. It's this unexpected voice in particular, that can flow from jazzy vocals to softly spoken sardonic wit, that adds a whole new element to understanding David Sedaris. Remarkably, there are still a handful of tickets left to An Evening with David Sedaris. Buy yourself a present. Or, kinder yet, buy two and take one of those smug friends of yours to show you've been listening all along.
Bernie Tierde is a kind-hearted and compassionate assistant funeral director from a small town community. He wouldn't hurt a fly, so how would he be able to murder a woman? Everyone in the town of Carthage, Texas has a very special fondness for Bernie (Jack Black), who spends his days comforting widows, bestowing gifts and singing at services. The townsfolk are shocked, however, when Bernie strikes up an unlikely connection with the richest, meanest old widow in town, Marjorie Nugent (Shirley Maclaine). The two travel the world together, shop, and gossip, until one day Marjorie goes missing and Bernie is the prime suspect for her murder. Based on events which really did occur about 15 years ago, much of the film is presented in documentary style, with interviews of the townsfolk and their comedic takes on the turn of events inserted into the film's narrative. Black gives an authentic performance as the complex character of Bernie, and Maclaine puts in a similarly strong showing as the impatient, overbearing old hag that everyone loves to hate. Concrete Playground has ten double passes to giveaway to see Bernie. To go in the running, subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email your name and postal address to us at hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Kafka gets an appropriate reimagining in The Second Cousins' META, the final show in Malthouse Theatre's Helium program. Dragging the classic surrealist tale Metamorphosis into the modern day, Samara Hersch and co. tell the story of Gregor Samsa — a family man whose mundane world unravels into a "multi-sensory nightmare". Spoiler (because you've now had 99 years to read the original): he might turn into a giant cockroach. Now in its third year, Malthouse Theatre's Helium is a celebration of independent theatre-makers and original ideas; the realms of high and low culture coming into proper alignment. Partnering up with Next Wave and the Melbourne Fringe for certain productions like this one, this year's initiative from the highly respected Malthouse Theatre is quickly building momentum and looks to be a major player in this year's already bustling cultural program. META runs October 22 - November 1, tickets available via Malthouse Theatre. To check out the rest of the 2014 Helium program, we've got the wrap up over here.
Come Sunday, March 26, Melbourne's CBD is set to be the place to be for local seafood lovers, as Taxi Kitchen reels in diners for a one-off Melbourne Food & Wine Festival lunch celebrating some of the state's best wild-caught ocean-fresh goodness. Top Victorian fisheries will be thrown into the spotlight across a four-course feast featuring plates like freshly shucked sea urchin roe with sour plum and fried nori; San Remo octopus starring coconut, ginger and lemongrass; and crayfish rice finished with shiitake, lup chong and a son-in-law egg. There'll be snacks and a cocktail to kick things off, while the lunch is set to be paired with a curation of Victorian wines from the likes of Paringa Estate and Leura Park. You'll also be treated to tunes from a live funk and soul act as you dine. Tickets to the feast come in at $184, including matched vino, plus a glass of local sparkling wine and a cocktail on arrival. [caption id="attachment_680384" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Giulia Morlando[/caption] Top image: Carmen Zammit
The act of making a movie in Iran is saddled with restrictions; however that hasn't stopped the nation's filmmakers soldiering on regardless. From the late, great Palme d'Or recipient Abbas Kiarostami to A Separation's Asghar Farhadi to banned director Jafar Panahi, Iranian film is thriving. So is Australia's only festival dedicated to their output. For the sixth year, the Iranian Film Festival Australia shines a spotlight on the country's cinematic voices, and on contemporary life as well. Kicking off in Melbourne on Thursday, October 27, the six-day fest boasts yet another busy lineup of features, spanning opening night's highly anticipated drama Life and a Day, social-realist gang effort Lantouri and the award-winning Daughter. Elsewhere, Sound and Fury dives into the life of a pop singer who has an affair with a fan, Drought & Lies adapts a well-known Iranian play, and I follows a woman who acts outside the law under the police scrutiny. Add familiar faces and restored classics to the mix — including first Iranian New Wave feature The Brick and the Mirror — and audiences can explore both the history and the future of Iranian cinema.
If, when it comes to karaoke, you consider yourself a bit of a pro, you'll be damn pleased to hear that Melbourne is getting it's very own festival dedicated to your favourite pastime. Run by the same people who brought us last year's hugely successful Melbourne Dumpling Festival, the Melbourne Karaoke Festival is guaranteed to be a whole lot of fun — for singers and spectators alike. The festivities will kick off at 5pm on Friday, April 28, and will involve a series of sing-offs between karaoke hopefuls across three categories: solos, duets and bands. A panel of judges will award a handsome $1000 cash prize to the best competitor from each category, so start warming up your vocal chords to be in with a shot. For those who'd prefer to keep your singing skills confined to the safety of your shower (we hear ya), you can still have a chance at winning a sweet karaoke package worth over $1500. You just need to name your ultimate karaoke song and back it up in 25 words or less. Of course, liquid courage will be readily available, with Collingwood's Sample Brew at your service all night. If you're one of the first 400 to visit their pop-up, you'll even score a free beer. And what's karaoke and beer without dumplings? To complete the trifecta, take your pick from some of Melbourne's best CBD Chinese restaurants, including Tim Ho Wan, China Red, China Chilli and Dragon Boat. Follow it all up with limited edition disco doughnuts by St. Gerry's. If you don't feel like paying, don't — just hit the high notes and your dessert is on the house. The event is being held at 206 Bourke Street, which is the retail precinct Tim Ho Wan is located in and connects Bourke Street with Chinatown. The Melbourne Karaoke Festival will take place at 206 Bourke Street, Melbourne on Friday, April 28. For more information, visit their website.
Still sad because you missed The Avalanches much hyped comeback show at Splendour? Well, start saving your pennies because they're back for the Falls Music & Arts Festival. They're just one of the artists who have just been announced in the full 2016 lineup, alongside Childish Gambino, London Grammar, Grouplove, Broods, Jamie T, Parquet Courts and heaps, heaps more. As always, Falls will be heading to Lorne in Victoria for four nights, and Marion Bay in Tassie and Byron Bay on the NSW coast for three nights over New Year's Eve. They'll also be setting up shop in Fremantle for the first time with Falls Downtown, a two-day city festival slated to take place over the weekend of January 7-8. If you're seriously strapped for cash, it's time to warm up those vocal chords because The Falls Festival folks are giving you the chance to win VIP tickets for you and three mates. All you have to do is serenade the world with your favourite song from the 2016/17 lineup and upload it to Instagram with the hashtag #fallskaraoke. Get cracking. FALLS FESTIVAL 2016 LINEUP Childish Gambino (No Sideshows) London Grammar (No Sideshows) The Avalanches Violent Soho Matt Corby Alison Wonderland* Catfish and the Bottlemen* Fat Freddy's Drop* Ta-ku The Rubens* The Jezabels Ball Park Music Grouplove Bernard Fanning* Jamie T Broods Tkay Maidza Grandmaster Flash Illy MØ Hot Dub Time Machine DMA's AlunaGeorge Booka Shade Client Liaison Vallis Alps Parquet Courts City Calm Down LDRU* Modern Baseball Tired Lion* Remi* RY X Marlon Williams* Lemaitre Shura *Not Playing Fremantle Tickets for Falls Festival 2016/17 will go on sale at 9am on Tuesday, August 30 via their website.
Bottomless brunches are currently having a bit of a moment, with every man and his dog enjoying free-flowing Champagne and downing endless treats before midday. But Trinket is doing things a little differently with its bottomless lunches. Thank the Roman gods because now the Flinders Lane art deco haunt is serving all-you-can-eat pizza and bottomless cocktails every Saturday and Sunday. Head down on a weekend between 12:30–2.30pm and, for $49 per person, you can eat all the pizza and drink all the cocktails your stomach can muster. It's not just your average pizza either. You can make your way through 13 options, including meatballs and blue cheese, garlic sausage and mushroom, smoked eggplant and squash and smoked chicken and pesto. Of course, the classic margherita is on the menu, too. Drinks-wise, you'll be sipping on free-flowing cocktails, which will be a rotating list of four concoctions on the day — think mandarin mimosas and frozen bellinis. We recommended making a booking soon though — the place can get quite packed come the weekend. So, best make a group chat with your mates ASAP. Trinket's bottomless pizza and cocktail lunch sessions happen Saturday and Sunday, from 12:30pm–2.30pm. Bookings can be made via Trinket's website.
Jess Pryles, aka 'Burger Mary', is joining forces with the Precinct Hotel to bring America to us for the Superbowl XLVII. Burger Mary is known for her love and knowledge of southern cuisine and is designing an authentic menu to go along with the game. Inspired by the host city New Orleans, they'll be whipping up comfort food and football snacks like French fries, cheese and jalapeno dip served with tortilla chips, buffalo wings, shrimp po boys, and tater tots. New Orleans-inspired cocktails, buckets of Miller Beers, and traditional decorations will help to make it feel just like downtown America. And last but not least, the game will, of course, be played on the big screen.
They're perhaps the most mystical of all sea creatures, but you probably haven't had much of a chance to get up close and personal with real-life jellyfish. Well, all that's about to change. Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is shining the spotlight on these ocean enigmas with an interactive new $1.5 million permanent jellyfish exhibition. Spread across 300 square metres and three multi-sensory zones, and featuring thousands of jellyfish from a range of species, Ocean Invaders has made its home permanently at the aquarium. It's home to a range of exhibitions dedicated to these gelatinous critters — from lighting installations to hands-on activities and mesmerising, colourful displays of living jellyfish. Here, you can learn the ins and outs of jellyfish, watch them being cared for by Sea Life's ocean experts and even crawl through a cylindrical tank surrounded by them. In another zone, striking light projections lend even more magic to a range of living displays, including one transparent sphere that's packed full of floating creatures. Species like the blue blubber jellyfish (catostylus mosaicus), the upside-down jellyfish (cassiopea andromeda) and sea nettles (chrysaora melanaster) also feature in the Ocean Invaders collection, which also aims to school visitors on why some jellyfish populations are currently booming across our oceans. Melbourne Sea Life Aquarium has reopened as of Friday, November 13. It is currently open Monday, Thursday, Friday 10am–5pm and Saturday, Sunday 10am–5:30pm.
There are art fairs – and then there is The Other Art Fair. The celebrated global event returns to Melbourne for the third time this May. From May 2–5, the fair will showcase a lively collection of emerging artists in the stimulating surrounds of The Facility in Kensington. Presented by Saatchi Art, this year's fair is bigger than ever before. The creative works of more than 120 carefully chosen artists, each selected by a prominent panel of art industry experts, will be up for sale. From the ornate to the inexpensive, The Other Art Fair 2019 offers thousands of artworks starting at as little as $100. Plus, all of the artists will be on-site, so you can chat with them and hear the stories behind your chosen piece. The vast four-day event is complemented by an eclectic array of art activations, workshops and immersive performances, plus street food and DJ sets. And good news, art-lovers — we've got a bunch of tickets to The Other Art Fair Melbourne to give away. The massive first prize includes two tickets to the opening night of The Other Art Fair on Thursday, May 2, welcome drinks from 5–6pm and a tour with a Saatchi Art curator. But that's not all — you'll score a limited edition tote, Tania Matilda's original artwork Lounging ($890 value) and $200 to spend on art at the fair, plus a night's accommodation at Ovolo Hotel Laneways, so you can make a weekend of it. Plus, we've got double weekend passes to give away to thirty runners-up, too. To be in with a chance, see below. [competition]714144[/competition]
When it comes to planning the perfect office Christmas party, the struggle is real. Between considering dietary requirements, budget and the fact that Jenny from accounts was ghosted by the bartender at the place across the road and really wants to avoid going there, is it any wonder that you've hit November and still haven't found a place that suits? Here to solve your dilemma is Australian Venue Co. Not only does it own and operate some of the most popular pubs, bars and event spaces across Australia, but you'll find over 30 of them right here in Melbourne. And the best bit is that they're sprawled all over the city, making it super simple to select a location, wherever your office is based. Imperial Bourke Street is an excellent option for rooftop cocktails for those in the city. Otherwise, lock in a sit-down lunch or dinner with delicious food at Middle Park Hotel, enjoy a drink in the beer garden at Richmond's Prince Alfred Hotel, head to St Kilda's iconic Hotel Esplanade, or make your way to Yarra Botanica at South Bank — the impressive two-level floating bar in the heart of the CBD. With so many options to pick from, the only thing you'll have to double-check is just how far Jenny's romantic rendezvous have really extended. With over 30 spots around Melbourne to choose from, you should be able to secure a spot for your office Christmas party that will suit even the pickiest of your colleagues. To check them all out and make a booking, head to the Australian Venue Co. website.
Electro highflier Gold Panda (aka Derwin Powers) first popped onto the radar in 2009, and has constantly thrown EPs and 7"s at us since. He's dropped two critically praised albums, 2010's Lucky Shiner and 2013's Half of Where You Live. This latest album holds truth in its name. Half of Where You Live is an electronic echo of the producer’s experiences: having lived in Japan and travelled extensively, he's now based in Berlin. With tracks such as 'An English House', 'Enoshima' and 'My Father in Hong Kong 1961', our ears get an ambiguous, aural journey through Powers' experiences and geography.
You’ve seen him on Would I Lie To You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Stewart Lee’s Alternative Comedy Experience, and now you can see him in person. Paul Foot is so left field, he’s unlike any other comedian to grace the Brisbane Comedy Festival stage — and yes, that’s a good thing. If the unusual title of his show doesn’t let you know that you’re in for something special, perhaps his many awards — including Best International Act at both the Sydney and Perth Comedy Festivals in 2014 — will. And if you’re not familiar with his stream-of-consciousness collection of random thoughts, that might even be for the best. You can only discover him for the first time once, after all.
If you've ever had a sneaky little go with some small person's Lego blocks once they're all tucked up in bed, Legoland sees you, tips you their hat…and raises you an adults-only night at their Melbourne Discovery Centre. And it's not just any old evening for more mature Lego fans, but a special May 4th edition dedicated to Star Wars. With no children to get in the way (or outdo your creations), you'll be able to go full jedi and check out the 4D cinema and rides, take a tour, and build to your heart's content in the brick pits. Among the mini Melbourne attractions will be galactic activities, including a Star Wars characters and a themed speed-building comp. If you're lucky, you could win a Lego Millennium Falcon (which is amazingly worth of $1k). The party takes place from 7pm on May 4, with tickets costing $32.50. More of Legoland's regular adult nights will be announced soon.
If the Oppenheimer side of 2023's Barbenheimer phenomenon has you wanting to find out more about the atomic age, this year's Jewish International Film Festival has your next viewing option: documentary A Compassionate Spy about physicist Theodore Hall. His tale didn't make the cut in Christopher Nolan's blockbuster, but he was part of the Manhattan Project team at Los Alamos, and also passed intelligence to the Soviet Union, as Hoop Dreams' filmmaker Steve James explores in one of JIFF's must-see efforts at its latest fest. When the Jewish International Film Festival returns for 2023, it'll hit up Melbourne's Lido Cinemas and Classic Cinemas from Monday, October 23–Wednesday, November 29. On the full nationwide lineup is a hefty 55 Australian-premiere titles spanning both flicks and TV shows, including everything from box-office hits to new episodic efforts starring a big-name US talent. Israel's Matchmaking hits JIFF's opening night after success at home, following a Jewish Orthodox man's romantic ups and downs in a film that's been likened to Romeo and Juliet — but Haredi and a comedy. And that standout television series? Chanshi follows its namesake (Aleeza Chanowitz, Dismissed) in Brooklyn, with Barry's Australia-bound Henry Winkler as her father. Also on the 2023 program: Jack L Warner: The Last Mogul, a documentary focusing on one of Warner Bros' titular founders; The Engineer, about the manhunt for bombmaker Yahya Ayyash, as starring Emile Hirsch (Devil's Workshop); delightfully named black comedy Ducks, An Urban Legend; Tel Aviv-set rom-com Elik & Jimmy; and documentary Erica Jong – Breaking the Wall, about the Fear of Flying author. The complete Australia-wide program also includes gangster comedy Hummus Full Trailer, musicals Less Than Kosher and Victory, vino-fuelled doco Holy Wine and docudrama Munich '72 on its sizeable list. On offer in Melbourne only: a retrospective of movies based on Nobel Prize-winning writer Isaac Bashevis Singer's work, such as Barbra Streisand's Yentl. And, as is JIFF's custom, the program features a large contingent of movies that examine World War II, the Holocaust and their lingering impact. Expect to find Stella Goldschlag biopic Stella. A Life; the vengeance-laden The Jew; the Ukraine-shot, Yiddish-language SHTTL; Filip, which tells a tale of romantic pleasures amid the war; Delegation, about students visiting Poland's Holocaust sites and confronting their Jewish identity; and closing night's The Jewish Nazi?, a doco with Australian ties.
Powerhouses of Australian music and boss ladies of the local scene will combine for Stand By Your Woman, a night in celebration of the female instrumentalists who work hard to make the Australian music scene what it is. From opera to hip hop, a large array of genres will be covered via all-female house band, the SPIRE ensemble — 14 of the most talented ladies around will play through the night of Sunday, September 16. Joined by guest artists from across a whole bunch of various music types, SPIRE will accompany artists such as Mojo Juju, Kate Ceberano, Clare Bowditch, Mantra and Darren Middleton. SPIRE features violinists, a cellist, saxophonists and percussionists, and will groove along with the diverse line-up of guest artists, ending up in a huge night of music brought to you — mostly — by lady power. Read the full line-up of house band and guest artists online: it'll be a doozy having all of them in the one place.
Take advantage of the Sunday sunshine and gather your mates for an afternoon of bowls at the Fitzroy Victoria Bowls Club. Whether you're an aficionado or barely understand the rules of the game, you'll love this iconic spot that's the self-proclaimed unofficial home of barefoot bowls. This Melbourne institution offers lawn and ball hire in two-hour blocks for $20 per person, and has space aplenty for between-game picnicking and relaxation. If this century-old sport isn't really your thing, though, no worries. Just grab a bevy and some classic pub fare from the bar and watch your mates battle it out.
The Melbourne International Jazz Festival proper doesn’t kick off until June, but after the success of last year they’ve announced a six-night series of intimate, one-off gigs in late January at iconic inner-city venue Bennetts Lane Jazz Club. The Summer Series showcases the talents of some of our finest jazz pianists, such as virtuouso Australian player and composer Paul Grabowsky and Hue Blanes, who’s returning home after two years studying and performing in Miami. While Grabowsky is practically a national institution after founding and leading the Australian Art Orchestra, Blanes is perhaps best known for his work with bands like The Bamboos and The Melodics. There’s also a retrospective that will delight real jazz aficionados; a recreation and celebration of John Coltrane’s seminal album A Love Supreme to mark 50 years since its release. Image by Geoffrey Ketels.
Thinking about Irish cuisine may conjure up cravings for hearty, meaty dishes; however, don't go expecting the usual fare at Brunswick's The Snug Public House. In a venue first, they've launched a new vegan menu, giving the usual Irish staples a vegetable-focused twist. Bangers and mash, Irish stew and shepherds pie are still on offer, of course — but you won't find any animal products in these versions. The fresh, cruelty-free lineup also includes corn bruschetta, parmesan polenta, barbecue pulled jackfruit, fish-less fillets, beef-less burgers, Guinness chocolate mousse and other boozy desserts. In total, more than 30 vegan meals are now available. Different ingredients doesn't mean a change in taste, though, with traditional Irish flavours still reigning supreme. "I make it the way my Mum made it back in County Armagh," says The Snug's head chef and co-owner Kerri-Anne McConville, who has also cooked up a storm at The Quiet Man Irish Pub, The Celtic Club and The Fifth Provence. Anyone that can't drag themselves away from a meat-filled menu can still pick from The Snug's existing selection. Drinks-wise, prepare to pair your dishes with more than 120 different beverages, with three quarters of them vegan. Find The Snug Public House at 68 Sydney Road, Brunswick, or visit their website and Facebook page for more information.
If anything's going to get you geared up for the balmy summer months to come, it's a food-focused Sunday session, at Melbourne's shiniest new rooftop bar. Sitting atop Fancy Hanks' new Bourke Street digs, Good Heavens will launch with a baptism of fire, as Fancy Hanks' Mike Patrick joins Duncan Welgemoed (Africola), and Morgane McGlone (Belles Hot Chicken) on the grill, for one flame-driven afternoon for Good Food Month. On the day, you'll get to sample a dish from each chef, with Melbourne Moonshine cocktails, Coopers brews, and laidback tunes on hand to help nudge you into rooftop season.
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same day as possible. Last year, over 7000 garages opened their doors to bargain hunters, and they're doing it for the fourth time on October 26. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year, so register online to pick up some sweet new threads, make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood.
'You're a nut! You're crazy in the coconut!' Throw your head back to 2000, you're going to need all the lyrics to 'Frontier Psychiatrist' for this one. In tribute to The Avalanches' legendary album Since I Left You, Sydney's Astral People and Jonti are performing the entire thing live on stage. That might not sound like the most amazing of accomplishments, but it really needs to be put in perspective. This genius patchwork of an album was made from more than 3,500 samples. It's game-changing electronic music that was never meant to be performed live. But that won't stop these guys. Astral People and Jonti will be joined by a 17-piece orchestra. We've never been so pumped to hear some violins. This event was chosen as one of our top ten things to see at the Melbourne Festival 2014. See the full list here.
Good news for those of the hardcore punk generation — or those who wish they were. After the disappointment felt due to the cancellation of their scheduled 2013 tour, Dead Kennedys are returning with their Bedtime for Democracy tour, playing a comprehensive string of shows around the country. Dead Kennedys — in all their changing forms — have been galvanising the masses against political apathy since 1978. The current lineup is East Bay Ray, Klaus Flouride, D. H. Peligro and Ron 'Skip' Greer, who'll take tunes from the group's extensive back catalogue. Show them your support (and your utter disdain for The Man) at 170 Russell on October 1, and be more punk than anyone else you have met in your life. Supported by The Bennies. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ds_TRSoQkJ0
Who better to teach you the art of cooking a cracking dish of paella, than Melbourne's own maestro of Spanish cuisine? This winter, you'll have the chance to learn from one of the best, as Frank Camorra, acclaimed chef-restaurateur of MoVida, shares his passions at a special series of Spanish-inspired food events, called Mi Casa Tu Casa, From Our House To Yours. On a few dates this year, Camorra will host an intimate cooking class and lunch at MoVida sister venue, Bar Tini. He'll create a Spanish paella, offering plenty of tips and tricks along the way, before it's served up for all to enjoy, alongside a selection of classic tapas bites. Just be sure to leave room for dessert, and for the plenty of Spanish beers and wines flowing throughout the afternoon. Paella With Frank cooking classes will run from 2.30–5pm. The August class has already sold out, but there are still spots left for the October session. Image: Alana Dimou. Updated: August 4, 2018.
Undoubtedly some of the best fun (and best value) events of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, the Crawl 'n' Bite nights have been a highlight in previous years. The restaurant crawls have unfortunately (but predictably) sold out already, but you can still book for a night of cheese and wine — which sounds just good to us, because cheese. Starting at Bar Lourinha, you'll hear from the house sommelier and sample the best the bar has to offer, before moving with your small group to Punch Lane and, eventually, Florentino Upstairs. This special cheese journey is being held on one night only, with two crawls set to go ahead: one starting at 6pm and another at 8pm. And the best part? You don't even have to get on your hands and knees to take part.
In excellent news for anyone who loves scouting out new tunes from fresh local talent, the folks at Rare Finds have launched an east coast touring circuit, kicking off in January 2018. The Sydney-based PR and artist management company has long been a champion of emerging Aussie artists, hosting regular showcases in Brisbane and Sydney over the past two years. Now it's teamed up with Oporto and creative collective Pilerats to bring its latest musical finds to a stage near you. Touring once a month across Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, each Rare Finds circuit will feature a curation of up-and-coming acts, providing an all-important live platform for these emerging artists. Headlining the first tour in January 2018 is Sunshine Coast songstress Ayla, off the back of her second EP Let's Talk Monday. She'll be joined by a different lineup in each city — Otious, Magnets and British India DJs will be in-tow for the Melbourne leg. Catch the first iteration of the circuit for free on January 19 at Sydney Road's Penny Black.
Take a trip to the pictures with singer, pianist and cinephile Joe Stilgoe at this year's Melbourne Cabaret Festival. A smash hit at the Edinburgh Fringe where it has sold out the past two years, Songs on Film raids the soundtracks of some of the greatest movies ever made. Over the course of their hour-long show, Stilgoe and his band pay tribute to more than a century of Hollywood history, from golden age classics to Pixar and the jukebox of Mr. Quentin Tarantino. Two shows only.
South Yarra's Supersmall Club is pretty schmick at pulling off novelty themed parties — a Macklemore Thrift Shop party, an MTV VMA's party and a Beauty and the Geek Dress Up party have been on the cards, among others. They're also pretty darn good at giving the punters what they want, which in this case is bottomless drinks on weekends. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can head along for endless Furphys (or is it Furphies?), with a bunch of tasty beers putting the icing on the cake that was your week. A ticketed event, you'll need to pre-purchase a $35 ticket before entry, receive a wristband and then Bob's your uncle: just finish your can and take it up to the bar for another Furph. The sessions run for two hours between 6–8pm and 8.30–10.30pm, so you can't drink yourself into oblivion. There's also snacks on the go such as shoestring fries, cheeseburgers, and mac and cheese poppers (as well as a full $27 deli board). And, Supersmall runs the same special for other drinks too, if beers aren't your jam. There's also margaritas, cosmos, daiquiris and — if you're really brave and feeling a throwback to your teen years, fruit tingles.
The temperature might be starting to plummet here in Australia, but the European summer vibes are still in strong supply over at Melbourne Quarter. Across the tail end of April and right through May, the precinct is heating things up with a special Mediterranean-inspired offering of eats, drinks and tunes. Holiday mood, here we come. From 12–2pm on Monday, April 26 (and May 3), you'll be taking a trip to Greece, as you chow down on roving platters of authentic Greek fare from Bluebag Fresh and Peddler Espresso. Then, at the same time on Thursday, April 29 (and May 6), the sunny isle of Mykonos is your destination, as Sky Park serves up a soundtrack of live Laiko tunes to match free personalised mocktails from the bar. For something a little stronger, pop back from 4-6pm when the team's handing out complimentary ouzo. After that, it's onto Italy, when Gelato Messina joins the party with a pop-up ice cream parlour, dishing up signature scoops from 12–2pm on Monday, May 10 (and May 17). All that pretend holidaying will be thirsty work, so the folks at San Pellegrino will be giving out free sips on Thursday, May 13 and 20 (12–2pm). And from 4–6pm both days, you're invited to kick back and treat your ears to some live tunes, matched to a couple of chic Aperol spritzes. Other free activities during the faux European tour involve pottery classes, tasting Greek dips, wine-fuelled painting and a mozzarella masterclass.
Contemporary dance and digital technology collide in a critically-acclaimed show from French choreographer Mourad Merzouki. An international hit, Pixel arrives at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne after sell-out engagements in Europe and the U.S., and should in no way be confused with that terrible Adam Sandler movie with a very similar title. On stage for one week only from August 31 through to September 4, the immersive dance work sweeps audiences into an immersive world of light, movement and sound, as a team of dancers traverse the stage amidst breathtaking 3D projections. Influenced by circus, hip-hop and the concept of interactive performance, the 75-minute show has earned rave reviews around the globe and frankly looks absolutely stunning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isJ9bg4ouR8
A space for surrealist, figurative and highly imaginative artworks, Beinart Gallery houses three exhibition spaces in the heart of Brunswick. Beginning life as an Australian artist collective and online gallery in 2003 before quickly coming to include like-minded international creatives, Beinart opened its physical gallery doors in 2016 and has since hosted a number of exhibitions showcasing established and emerging artists from around the world. The Beinart space also includes a gift shop, which stocks a range of specialty books, artisanal jewellery and other curiosities. The online store, meanwhile, includes a wide selection of artworks and limited-edition prints.
Seligman (Stellan Skarsgård) comes across Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg), lying broken and beaten in the street. She refuses an ambulance, so he takes her back to his house, where she tells him the story of lifelong obsession with sex. Nymphomaniac is, in many territories around the world, released in two separate parts. In Australia, we are getting the whole thing in one massive four-hour go, albeit with some of the more extreme material cut. Although it's hard to imagine they cut much, given what's left in. There's a good chance that Nymphomaniac will confirm your preconceived notions of director Lars von Trier. To his fans, it is a bold, funny, challenging film that dives headlong into a difficult subject. To his detractors, it is further evidence that von Trier's idea of provocative cinema is a rote combination of mental illnesses and genital close-ups. I should confess at this point that I am traditionally a von Trier detractor, but one who claimed his previous work, Melancholia, to be one of 2011's best films. Nymphomaniac, however, is a litany of his worst tendencies. He seems terrified of sincerity; every moment that comes dangerously close to a human emotion is immediately undercut with a cynical aside as we cut jarringly back to the 'present -day' story. What should be a clever framing device becomes a get-out-of-jail free card for von Trier. Joe and Seligman fall over themselves to acknowledge the extraordinary coincidences in Joe's story, as if von Trier thinks this makes up for lazy writing. Or is winking at us to show us the lazy writing is deliberate. Either way, he seems to believe a veil of self-aware cynicism insulates him against potential criticism. It does not. Now, it must be acknowledged that making fun of Shia LaBeouf these days is like shooting fish in a barrel, and must only be attempted when the situation absolutely calls for it. This is one such situation. Casting LaBeouf as one of the 'English' characters feels like von Trier's biggest prank, and LaBeouf enters each scene as if he was asked to try some sort of Britishy accent moments before 'action!' was called. I'm not saying it's bad; I'm saying nobody's allowed to make fun of Dick Van Dyke ever again. There's an adage in filmmaking that if you have a great ending, audiences will forgive any trespasses. And Nymphomaniac, I must confess, has a great ending. It went out on such an impressive note, it almost made me forget my problems with the proceeding four hours. Almost. Ardent fans of von Trier will find much to enjoy in this film, as he continues exploring the themes and styles of works such as Breaking the Waves, Dogville and Dancer in the Dark. If you do not count yourself as a fan, then I suggest you stay well away. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gdxzno5Xp2Y
Summer might be over, but there's another bright spark of sunshine waiting just over the horizon. Namely, the grand and glorious 2021 edition of Midsumma Festival, which takes over venues, spaces and screens across Melbourne from Monday, April 19–Wednesday, May 5. The long-running annual LGBTQIA+ celebration is gearing up for its biggest and boldest run yet, thanks to a program chock full of art, music, performance, conversation and parties promising to help reignite the city's soul. Featuring over 145 events — and 100-plus open-access events made for and by queer communities — it's set to serve up a little something for everyone. The theme: the art of the possible. Highlights include the sold-out Midsumma Live At The Bowl, a free, huge two-night concert series at Sidney Myer Music Bowl, featuring a roll call of Aussie queer icons — plus A Strange Space, an openair exhibition embracing the idea of resilience over at the newly revamped Collingwood Yards. In Williamstown, The Pier Festival serves up a diverse celebration for queer women and their allies, featuring a program of food trucks, market stalls and live entertainment. And, multifaceted show After Dark will see a lineup of leading drag performers take audiences on a lively trip back through the ages of cabaret. A stack of events will be firing up nightly at the many festival hubs, too, including Arts Centre Melbourne, Theatre Works, Gasworks Arts Park and Chapel Off Chapel. Loads of return favourites are also on the event bill, such as the unique variety show that is Dolly Diamond's Star for a Night, long-running female-led music showcase Goddess Grooves, and the Midsumma and Australia Post Art Award exhibition. Those playing along at home will find a whole crop of virtual events and live-streamed goodness as well. Check out screenings of Maxie Dara's award-winning digital short play Alone Together from your couch — or opt for a hilarious online storytelling series dubbed Drag Storytime. The fun continues post-festival on Sunday, May 23, as the Midsumma Pride March hosts its supercharged 26th anniversary edition, transforming St Kilda's Fitzroy Street into a rolling parade and party. COVID-19 has ensured a few changes to this year's run, but no one need miss out — audiences can live-stream the entire thing at home, or book a spot at one of the street's venues to catch the parade up close. Midsumma Festival 2021 runs from Monday, April 19–Wednesday, May 5 at various locations across Melbourne, with the Midsumma Pride March taking place post-festival on Sunday, May 23. Jump over to the website to check out the full program and grab tickets. Top image: Midsumma Pride March by Dean Arcuri .
After 12 years on Collins Street, The Long Room has been retired. The bar, which, during its time, was a go-to for after-work drinks in the CBD, has undergone a huge renovation — $4 million worth, to be exact — and is now The George on Collins, set to open its expensive doors today, Friday, June 23. The brand new space, which sits in the Georges Building, has been designed by the interior experts Hecker Guthrie (responsible for Ugly Duckling, Ruyi and Longrain, amongst others). Although it is a basement venue, it still manages to be surprisingly light, with bright ceilings and white marble tables. This is especially welcome as The George will be all-day operation, meaning you can head in for an early morning cup of joe from Padre Coffee and some brekkie, and then head back in later for a post-work Negroni. The centrepiece of the space is a long bar softly lit with pendant lighting, which boasts a cocktail list curated by Bad Frankie's Sebastian Costello. On it, you'll find the Collins Street Mule — a berry-driven Moscow Mule — and the Roguish Tendencies, a martini with savoury vermouth and thyme-infused honey. The wine list comes from sommelier Ainslie Lubbock (ex-Attica, The Royal Mail Hotel, Cutler and Co), and features some of the best winemakers in Australia, focusing on small batch, handmade wines. Keeping up its popular position in the business crowd, the venue will also feature nightly rotating DJs and a private dining room, which is concealed by frosted glass and includes custom-made furnishings for up to 80 of your nearest and dearest. The existing menu from chef Tom Brockbank spans breakfast through to late-night snacks and is accompanied by a weekend share offering, including antipasto, cheese and charcuterie boards, sliders, fish tacos and polenta fries. The George on Collins is now open in the Georges Building, 162-168 Collins Street, Melbourne. For more info, visit thegeorgeoncollins.com.au. Images: Earl Carter and Kristoffer Paulsen.
Sick of waiting in line to pick up a coffee? Have a drone fly one to you instead. Costa Coffee in the UAE has trialled "coffee-copter" delivery, ferrying caffeinated beverages to Dubai beachgoers. If there's an occasion that calls for aerial beverage service, it's lazing on the sand getting some sun. Coffee-loving customers had iced versions of their drink of choice in their hands within 15 minutes of ordering, with Costa's Jumeirah Beach Drive-Thru store stepping into the future to test out the concept. The move came after a survey of their patrons revealed 82 percent were open to getting their brews via drone. Really, the most surprising part is that 18 percent said no. Delivering food, drinks and more by drone is a concept that isn't going away, so prepare for more such instances in the future. Sushi, burgers, slurpees and pizza have all received the same treatment in the past, while Amazon wants drones to bring its packages to your door, and Aussie beaches will deploy the technology to patrol the beaches for sharks over summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S3OiTOemxY Via The National.
The Astor's latest retrospective will be served shaken, not stirred. Over five consecutive weekends starting Saturday, October 18, Melbourne's iconic repertory theatre will screen nine classic James Bond adventures featuring insane gadgets, bad puns, unfortunate chauvinism and all. The marathon kicks off back at the very beginning, in an era in which Britain's greatest secret agent still possessed a distinctly Scottish inflection. The early Connery films still stand out as some of best in the franchise, as double bills of Dr. No and From Russia with Love, along with Goldfinger and Thunderball, will attest. In comparison, Australia's own used car salesman turned actor George Lazenby never quite cut the mustard, although his sole film as Bond, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, holds up in spite of his performance. As for Roger Moore, it's safe to say that his tenure was somewhat hit and miss. The Spy Who Loved Me and For Your Eyes Only are both pretty strong. Octopussy and View to a Kill, not so much.
For loved ones that prefer their flowers edible, Gelato Messina is once again happy to oblige. It has created a new frozen floral creation, dubbed The Tart Breaker: a limited-edition gelato rose cake, which will be released exclusively for Valentine's Day this year. The red rose cake is complex inside and out — in true Messina fashion. It's a chocolate tart shell filled with layers of Basque cheesecake gelato and dulce de leche, topped with petals made from hand-piped burnt vanilla chantilly. Yes, it's as decadent as it sounds. The rose cake will cost you $69 — likely less than a big bouquet of (non-edible) V-day roses — and can be cut into 6–8 slices, which can serve 6–8 people or just you and your partner; the decision is yours, we're not here to judge. Orders are only available for pickup on the days leading up to Valentine's Day. The Tart Breaker is available to pre-order from all Messina outposts except The Star from Monday, February 1 for pick up between Friday, February 12–Sunday, February 14.
Melburnians, if you're currently reading this from somewhere dry, warm and cosy, we suggest that you keep it that way for the rest of the day. After two days of wet weather that's caused flash flooding across the city, the rain is set to stick around. And not just any old wet weather, either. The Bureau of Meteorology is reporting that intense storms are on their way to Melbourne, and "heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely". A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued not only for Melbourne, but for most of Victoria. https://twitter.com/BOM_Vic/status/1073789720168140800 Like the huge downpour earlier in the week, wild weather is a result of tropical cyclone Owen moving across the country, creating a low-pressure system. Stay dry out there. And remember to check Vic Roads, PTV and BOM for warnings and updates.
With its wealth of European stalls, eateries and delis, Preston Market is like a culinary wonderland for salami-lovers. And when National Salami Day rolls around on Saturday, September 7, we can't think of a much better place to locate yourself. The historic marketplace is celebrating the occasion with a one-day program of offerings and specials to delight your inner Italophile and reignite your love of the humble salami. You'll find salami specials at Slavonija, Lemnos and Farinacci Delis, embark on a salami tasting journey at Gerry's Deli, and even give vegan salami a whirl, with tastings of a plant-based version at Rhubarb Rhubarb Organics. Then, once you're done with the eating, you can have a crack at the making, as Sara Grazia from Sausages Made Simple guides a free salami-making demonstration from 11am. She'll run you through everything from meat selection, to maturing, and will be doling out plenty of tastings along the way. Still hungry? You can wrap up your day with a salami-topped pizza, from resident pizzerias Peter's or Vinnie's.
Lorde is back. After five years away from music, the New Zealand pop sensation returned in 2021 with third studio album Solar Power. And, if you've been hanging out to hear it live, her delayed tour is finally heading our way in March. The Solar Power World Tour was meant to hit in 2022, but was postponed due to New Zealand's COVID-19 situation and border rules at the time. When it makes its way to Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Friday, March 10–Saturday, March 11, fans will still be in for a treat, of course — and three albums worth of Lorde tunes. [caption id="attachment_816623" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Come Up Show[/caption] On the Solar Power tour, expect to have plenty of company belting out all the words to 'Ribs' and 'Green Light'. The last time that Australia was treated to Lorde's live set was her headline set at Splendour in the Grass 2018, a full-circle moment for the singer as she returned to the stage of one of her first ever performances as a last-minute replacement for Frank Ocean back in 2013. A year prior, in 2017, Lorde also toured some of Australia's largest and most iconic outdoor venues including the Sydney Opera House Forecourt. Top image: Liliane Callegari via Wikimedia Commons.
A Francophile is many things. They are passionate about France, bang on (and on) about French food, French wine and French country houses, and seem to know exactly how to piss everyone off with their incessant French-ness. It's enough to ruin friendships — except when it comes to Bastille Day. Commemorating the storming of the Bastille, the 14th of July is a celebration of everything French that everyone can get on board with, particularly foodies. And all you have to do its travel to Brunswick, not Bordeaux. This year Albert St Food & Wine is celebrating Bastille Day on the Sunday prior with a hunter's feast, inspired by chef Jason Rodwell's own travels through regional France. A wine-marinated boar (apple in mouth and all) will form the centrepiece of the feast, complete with Albert St's hors d’oeuvres and champagne. The evening will, of course, be topped off with dessert: L'Artisan's The Authentic cheese washed in-house with Chablis and poached pears and hazelnuts, with a warm waffle and salted caramel ice cream. You don't have to be a Francophile to appreciate this feast.
