A remote alpine village more than 300 kilometres from Melbourne is about to drift into a world of shadows, murmurs and dreams. Curated by artists Madelynne Cornish and Philip Samartzis in the foothills of the Alpine National Park, Phantasmagoria is a free, site-responsive festival and exhibition incorporating video and sound works, photography, installations and interactive art. Taking place over three days in Bogong Village, the festival portion of Phantasmagoria runs from Friday, April 7 through to Sunday, April 9. Visitors will interact with technology, including QR codes and FM radio transmitters, and will walk through a sound garden of embedded loudspeakers. Many of the works will draw on the history of the region, including dreamtime stories and folklore. The Bogong Centre for Sound Culture will also play host to a 'legacy exhibition' of video and sound art over the subsequent three weekends in April. Image: Charinthorn Rachurutchata.
Where in the world do you want to go shopping today? If you were asked that question a few years ago you probably would have scoffed. Now we do more and more of our shopping online, yet finding (and remembering) that little boutique that matches your personal taste from the other side of the world still isn't so easy. That's where District8 comes in. The site, which went live last week, is a compilation of boutiques from the best shopping districts in Sydney, London and New York City (Hong Kong and Paris coming soon). Want to see what the Upper East Side has to offer? No problem, you can browse through 30 different boutiques in the neighbourhood without getting out of bed. District8's fashion editor, Sara Kaplan, described the experience to Vogue as "that feeling you get when you spot a store while walking down a side street in Notting Hill, say, along with the ease of shopping online at one of the big e-boutiques". Clearly, this is no Amazon or eBay, as District8 is taking online shopping to the next, less mass-consumer level. District 8 creates a unique, online-meets-offline shopping experience. The easily navigable platform is a clever cross between Pinterest and Tumblr, which makes it totally tailor-able to the shopper. The motto? "The world has a new shopping district: yours." In a nutshell, District8 lets you digitally browse different locations, select your favourite shops, and add them to 'your district'. Conveniently for oft-frustrated Australians, you can limit your browsing to just shops that ship to your location. The site, which has scouted and sorted through hundreds of shops, includes detailed descriptions of every district and boutique so you know what you're getting into. Like the boho look? Go to Bondi. Want Trendy? Try Soho. By 'following' all your faves in a newsfeed-type setting, you can stay up-to-date on their latest news, collections and sales in one place. You can even safely unsubscribe from all those pesky mailing lists that clutter your inbox. The site also functions like a blog with tags and labels, so you can filter your search for shops based on categories like price, attire type and style. Sounds like it's time to build your dream district, whip out the plastic and get down to business.
Phone's ringin', Melbourne. The second annual Lebowski bash in Australia is bringing its beige bathrobes, purple jumpsuits, jelly shoes, horseshoe mustaches and Jesus wigs to the Astor on Saturday, July 13. Yep, there'll be a costume contest, White Russian bar, Lebowski bar, Kahlua afterparty and a trivia competition to pay tribute to the original Coen brothers 1998 film The Big Lebowski and Lebowski festivals worldwide. There'll also be a screening of the film itself, more Aussie Dudes than you can shake a stick at, and possibly a ruined rug. It's arguably the one occasion in a year when you can wear a pressed yellow and brown bowling shirt and be admired for it. Everyone from porn empire tycoons to amateur German nihilists will be at this Lebowskiïsm. Don't miss it. You'll be as frustrated as if you were trying to pay off a debt that you know nothing about if you do.
Dark matter and dark energy make up 95 percent of the universe, yet we're still not exactly sure what it actually is. Not knowing has never stopped humanity from imagining and probing through art, though — which is exactly what Melbourne University's Science Gallery is doing with the great minds at European particle physics lab CERN through new exhibition Dark Matters. Co-curated with Monica Bello, Head of Arts at CERN and running until Saturday, December 2, the exhibition presents a range of art and science projects, including from the organisation's international artists' residency program. Their combined purpose: exploring dark matter. Witness Yunchul Kim's awe-inspiring 50-metre-long sculpture Chroma V, which responds to invisible forces and finds subatomic particles. Or, enter the world of quantum magnetic levitation with Julijonas Urbonas' When Accelerators Turn Into Sweaters, featuring replicas of a section of CERN's Large Hadron Collider transformed into levitating knitting. UK artists Ruth Jarman and Joe Berhardt's The View from Nowhere combines theoretical physics discussions with footage filmed in CERN's workshops, and Suzanne Treister's Scientific Dreaming showcases science-fiction stories written by CERN and University of Melbourne scientists. Australian talent also shines with Jon Butt's µ Muography, a DIY particle detector and art generator that gets cosmic particles creating delicate artworks and soundscapes — plus, there's In This Room. Everywhere from writer Alicia Sometimes and engineer Andrew Watson, which immerses through sound while pondering dark matter's mysteries. Images: Science Gallery Melbourne.
If there's one event in Sydney that's turned speed dating into a fun, no-pressure affair that doesn't even feel like dating, it's Dear Pluto. And, now, you lucky, lucky Melbournians, it's coming your way. So, if you're single, you'd best get ready to mingle. "The atmosphere is super-casual," said Emma Daniels, founder of Dear Pluto. "There's a real focus on having a fun night – having a few drinks and talking to a bunch of people you've never met before." One of Daniels' tricks is the use of unconventional venues – from Dear Pluto's Sydney headquarters, which is a former coach house, to warehouses, rooftops and old theatres. In Melbourne, the host will be One Thousand Pound Bend in Little Lonsdale Street, which Daniels describes as her "dream speed dating venue". "It's down a lane way, with a big painted frontage and huge industrial doors. There's a café, which opens into a warehouse space with skylights and a bar, and out the back is a little old chapel with a disco ball." There'll be two speed dating events there – the first, on Wednesday 5 October, will be for straight singles and the second, on Thursday 6 October, will be for LGBTQI. Dear Pluto's crowd is usually made up of young creatives, aged between 20 and 35. "There's a half-hour arrival window, then I explain how it all works, which doesn't take very long," Daniels said. "Then, everyone sits down and you have ten dates, each of four minutes." After that, you take a 15-minute break, which gives you a chance to hit the bar or get some fresh air, before going in for a second round of dating. "Afterwards, we encourage people to stick around and listen to the DJ. If we're in a venue where we can't stay, we move onto a nearby bar." Previous DJ guests of Dear Pluto include Future Classic, Shantan Wantan Ichiban and Ariane Halls. Dear Pluto has been around since 2008. Daniels started out with the hosting of monthly vintage sales in Sydney's Hibernian House and has since expanded to makers' markets, workshops, exhibitions and talks, in addition to speed dating. The aim is to "promote a slower way of living, making thoughtful purchases and ditching the swipe, whilst keeping everything we do accessible, novel and, most importantly, fun." Dear Pluto pops up in Melbourne from October 5. For more information, visit their website.
Last time Hunx & His Punx were here — back in 2012 — they charmed many an Antipodean heart with their penchant for getting (nearly) naked, offers to autograph genitalia and expletive-rich expressions of self-desire. In short, they delivered nothing less than what you’d expect of San Francisco’s maddest and baddest bubblegum punk band. So it’s only natural that we’ve invited them back. And this time, they’re bringing Shannon and the Clams in their suitcases for a five-date April tour that will see the two bands smashing genres at Fitzroy's Copacabana on April 17. Since their previous visit, Hunx & His Punx have been busy blending ‘80s hardcore and ‘90s grrrl sounds to create nasty yet catchy tunes for their new album Street Punk, which was released in 2013 via Hardly Art. Meanwhile, co-tourers Shannon and the Clams have lately been spending time playing SXSW sideshows and Psych Fest and hitting the road via Burgerama tours. They mash ‘60s girl group sounds with West Coast garage rock, delivering “doo woppers, bomp stompers, punk rippers, country clippers and psych-o trippers”. Trying say that really quickly five times in a row. Tickets on sale on Friday, 14 March. Tickets via Oztix.
While Melbourne boasts no shortage of primo wineries located right on its doorstep, you'll also find plenty of reasons to take your vinous wanderings a little further afield. And the latest of these comes courtesy of All Saints Estate — a family-owned, heritage-listed winery in the heart of the Rutherglen region. Set amongst the rolling hills of Wahgunyah around three hours northeast of Melbourne, the longstanding estate has just unveiled its new flagship restaurant. It's named KIN in a nod to the relationship tying All Saints co-owners, siblings Eliza, Nick and Angela Brown. The trio has been at the helm of the winery's multimillion-dollar redevelopment, with the new 120-seat restaurant the latest part of the project to be completed. It makes its home within a 159-year-old heritage-listed castle, the indoor-outdoor space transformed into a light-filled dining oasis courtesy of acclaimed firm Technē. The views from here and the adjoining cellar door are pretty spectacular, too. With stints at the likes of Jackalope and Bistro Guillaume under his belt, KIN's Executive Chef Jack Cassidy is plating up a menu that champions regional produce and the estate's own wines, drawing inspiration from long-held Brown family recipes. It's also brimming with produce grown onsite. You'll experience it all via a two- or three-course set spread of modern Australian flavours. Perhaps you'll tuck into a kangaroo tartare elevated with black garlic and rye, rainbow trout paired with dill and smoked chilli, or an assembly of roast eggplant, bush tomato and kale. Bone marrow might be served alongside a top-quality piece of striploin with a marble score of four, while pumpkin is teamed with caramelised whey and ricotta salata. And dessert fiends can look forward to creations like the compressed strawberry matched with sorbet made on the All Saints Estate Durif. Wines come courtesy of All Saints' renowned catalogue, as well as fellow Brown family winery St Leonards Vineyard. A crop of local beers and booze-free drops rounds out the fun. Find KIN at All Saints Estate, 205 All Saints Road, Wahgunyah. It's open from 12–3.30pm Thursday–Sunday, and from 6pm Saturday. Images: Kate Shanasy
Melbourne Park might be the buzzing heart and soul of the grand slam action right now, but come 11am on Sunday, January 29, it'll be all eyes on the CBD as Bourke Street Mall becomes a lively tennis hub of its own. It's all thanks to the inaugural Match in the Mall — a doubles tennis match played right there in front of Myer, featuring some of the game's greats. Nab yourself a free ticket to see former world number one Ash Barty and Jim Courier, as well as Alicia Molik and Casey Dellacqua, battle it out for glory in a somewhat unlikely arena. [caption id="attachment_886137" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dellacqua, Molik and Barty[/caption] After that, you'll also catch Myer Ambassador Kris Smith showing off some racquet skills of his own as he hits the court, going up against more Aussie tennis legends. There are limited spots to see the debut Match in the Mall, with free tickets available online. But even if you miss out, there's no need to smash a racquet — you can catch the livestream over on the Myer Facebook page. [caption id="attachment_886139" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Philip Mallis via Flickr[/caption]
Dealing with some kid-sized meltdowns because of playground closures? Or perhaps you're a fully grown adult whose own inner child is in desperate need of a little pick-me-up. Either way, Brunswick East's Bellboy has whipped up the ultimate solution with its latest (and greatest) meal pack release: the Homeschooling Lunch Box. Clocking in at $45, one of these little beauties comes packed with a whole swag of goodies — a toasted ham and cheese bagel (cut in half for easy sharing), the Chop Chop Salad, a large serve of fries, two house-made crumpets with Nutella and a couple of small milkshakes. As the name suggests, it was primarily designed as a fun, easy lunchtime option for kiddos who are stuck doing their learning at home during lockdown. But we're betting there are also plenty of certified grown-ups out there who'd happily share one of these on their WFH lunchbreak. Of course, you could always opt for the Bellboy Brunch Box instead and leave with your adult pride intact. All of Bellboy's takeaway options are available to pre-order here for pick up (7.30am–3pm daily). [caption id="attachment_797125" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bellboy, by Julian Lallo[/caption]
Since Australia started easing out of COVID-19 lockdown, the country's internal border restrictions have earned plenty of attention. With tactics to stop the spread of the coronavirus implemented at a state-by-state level, each Aussie state has navigated the situation in its own way when it comes to letting non-residents visit. In Tasmania, that has meant some strict quarantine requirements — which, for non-Tassie residents who weren't classified as essential travellers, entailed spending 14 days in government-designated accommodation. But, for most of the country, quarantine is no more. Travellers from Queensland, the ACT, SA, WA, the NT and New Zealand, which are deemed low-risk areas, have been allowed to hop on a plane and head across the Strait since Monday, October 26. Sydneysiders followed suit soon after, being granted access to the state from Friday, November 6. Victoria remains the last state required to quarantine when entering Tasmania, however, this is all set to change later this month. An estimated date for Victoria to be marked low-risk and granted access to Tasmania was previously set for Tuesday, December 1. This date has now be pushed forward to Friday, November 27 — "subject to matters remaining on track in Victoria," Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein announced in a press conference on Wednesday, November 11. During this press conference, Gutwein also revealed that from Friday, November 13, Victorians entering Tasmania will now be allowed to complete their 14 days of quarantine at home or a "designated residence" instead of a government-mandated hotel. The announcement came after Victoria's 12th — now 13th — consecutive day without a new case of COVID-19. Gutwein's press conference also included some exciting news for Tasmanians (and those visiting the southern state), confirming that from Friday, November 13, Tasmanian venues will be permitted to serve standing patrons — or 'vertical drinking' as it's been labelled — and that gatherings in Tasmania households can increase from 20 to 40 people. All travellers to Tasmania are still currently required to fill out a Tas e-Travel form before they depart for the state. New Zealand residents are also legally required to complete at least 14 days of managed isolation or quarantine when returning to New Zealand. Keen to start planning an adventure south? Mona Foma has announced it'll return to Launceston and Hobart in January — and we've pulled together this list of exciting food and drink spots in the state's northeast. Visitors from low-risk areas (currently Queensland, the ACT, SA, WA, the NT, NSW and NZ) are allowed to visit Tasmania without quarantining. You must fill out a Tas e-Travel form a maximum of three days before you arrive. The state is set to open to Victoria from Friday, November 27. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Tasmania and the state's corresponding restrictions, visit its online COVID-19 hub. Top image: Bay of Fires via Lia Kuilenburg for Tourism Tasmania.
Self-described as the 'food lovers market', Prahran Market is the oldest continuous running market in Australia and is your go-to place for gourmet delights and fresh, heritage fruit and vegetables, local fish and meat. While the marketplace is open during the week, the real bargains are on Saturday after 3pm when $1 bags of fruit and veg are up for grabs. The market also hosts regular demonstrations and food festivals, celebrating delicious edibles like cheese, chocolate, sausages and more. Market Lane Coffee via Flickr.
With Victoria now in lockdown again until 11.59pm on Tuesday, July 20, home cooking and takeaway is back on the menu. Fancy the latter more than the former? Spent too much time baking during the other four similar stints at home? Eager to order in for any reason possible? If you fall into any of the above categories, and you're keen to both support local eateries and keep an eye on your bank balance, Deliveroo is ditching its delivery fees for orders from most restaurants. Until the current expected end of lockdown at 11.59pm on Tuesday, July 20, the service is doing free delivery from a range of Victoria eateries. More than 7800 places are taking part, with Royal Stacks, Misschu, Oriental Tea House and Danny's Burgers among the participating Melbourne eateries, and venues in Ballarat, Geelong and Bendigo also on the list. If your stomach is craving fast food at this chaotic time, Macca's, Guzman y Gomez, Grill'd and Oporto are all involved as well. The aim: to encourage Victorians to help local restaurants during this latest stay-at-home period and, because that's the world we live in, to help stop panic buying at supermarkets as well. To ensure that all of the eateries involved aren't missing out on revenue or left out of pocket, Deliveroo is footing the bill for the discounted amount, too. If you're suddenly hungry, you'll need to place an order via the Deliveroo app. There are usually caveats, with the free delivery deal not normally extending to bottle shops, KFC, Crust or Domino's, or to places listed in the app as 'delivered by restaurant'. When Deliveroo ditches its delivery fees, you also usually need to spend at least $10 at most eateries, $12 at McDonald's, Subway and Baskin-Robbins, and $15 if you're purchasing from Red Rooster. Deliveroo is doing free delivery across Victorian eateries until 11.59pm on Tuesday, July 20. To make an order, head to the Deliveroo app. Top image: Oriental Tea House.
Free doughnuts. There's not much else to say, really. Except that if you are anywhere near Dandenong Market (or can be) on Friday, June 2, you should make a beeline to Dandee Donuts in Market Square. That's where the free doughnuts will be. Between 8am and 4pm the soft pillowy balls of dough will be filled with hot jam and rolled in sugar and handed over with no questions asked. The only condition is that you can't be greedy — there's only one free doughnut per person.
If farewelling winter has left you feeling like a spring chicken once again, there's only one real way to celebrate and that's with a day of chook-filled frivolity at Munich Brauhaus. Next Saturday, October 6, the Bavarian-inspired venue is dishing up some extra clucking good fun, as part of its monthlong Oktoberfest celebrations. Head along early from 12.30pm to battle it out for glory at one of the day's many competitions — show off your guns at The Great Rubber Chicken Toss, get vocal for the chicken-inspired 'cluck off', or feast your way to fame in the bar's annual hot wing eating championship. To refuel after all that cluckin', you'll find an array of food specials on offer from 3pm, including chicken wings for just 10 cents a pop (from 3–4pm) and $10 half serves of roast chook, teamed with chips and slaw. Then, at 2.30pm, punters young and old will have the chance to make history, during an attempt to break the record for Australia's Largest Chicken Dance... if that's your thing.
If you've seen director Joe Wright and Keira Knightley's subtle and affecting period dramas Atonement and Pride and Prejudice, you might think you know exactly what you're in for with Anna Karenina. And you could not be more wrong. This is an Anna Karenina full of risks. It's a melodrama with the zippy editing of a Guy Ritchie film, the Gallic filigree of Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and, above all, the flourish and symbolism of a work of theatre. In fact, pretty much the whole film has been transplanted to within the confines of a theatre, a conceit that brilliantly suggests a society ruled by pretence and observation. In this world, society balls play out on stage, affairs unfold within the wings, and when a character visits the poorer part of town, he climbs three storeys into the shaky rafters. When the St Petersburg elite sit down to watch a piece of theatre, the curtain lifts on the next scene in their lives. Does it hammer you over the head with this metaphor? Absolutely. Are we bothered? No. Anna Karenina is knowing in its heavy-handedness, and all power to it for embracing the brashness of what is, after all, culture's most populist medium. It doesn't always succeed, but where it takes you is mostly great and always interesting — and that's the bigger achievement. It's kind of extraordinary to read that the whole world-within-a-theatre idea only came 12 weeks before the shoot, because it's a striking marriage of theme and methodology. Wright already had two names known mostly for their imposing stage work attached to the project — screenwriter Tom Stoppard (indeed, many of the scene changes call to mind Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead) and choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, whose expertise informed the smallest gestures as well as an expressive waltz — alongside ever-intense film composer Dario Marianelli, and they each play their part in taking the movie one bold step further away from the expectedly realist to the dizzyingly theatrical. Leo Tolstoy's famously vast novel has of course been whittled down, so that everything that happens on screen elucidates the central theme of infidelity and whether it is an impulse "of the animal or the soul". By the time Anna (Knightley) dives into the arms of besotted military officer Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), desire and repercussion has been examined from every angle, and we feel for both the lovers and Anna's betrayed, dispassionate husband, Karenin (Jude Law, who's excellent here). It's also still a tale of two cities (St Petersburg and Moscow, in a Sydney-Melbourne-type rivalry) and the country, with their contrasting characters and morality. It's easy to conclude that this Anna Karenina is a superficial portrait of a superficial society, but that would be to dismiss how emotionally powerful it is in key moments, particularly an intricately choreographed society scene that communicates the oppressiveness of gossip. At other times, mainly when the campiness loses its originality and grabs at cliche, the film goes off the rails, and it sadly detracts from Anna's fate. Wright and co. should be applauded for having the guts to do things differently and birth an Anna Karenina unlike any of its predecessors. It's worth watching, and more than once.
Nuanced, enigmatic and thought-provoking, Young & Beautiful, the latest film from renowned French director François Ozon (Swimming Pool) is a portrait of 17-year-old Isabelle, a Parisian student. Set over a year and divided into four seasonal chapters, the film chronicles Isabelle's sexual journey from the awakening of her desires to embarking on a secret life. Driven by a transfixing performance from the incandescent Marine Vacth, Young & Beautiful is both psychologically probing and unerringly graceful in its nonjudgmental restraint. It fuels our emotions, captivates our intellect and leaves us wondering whether our motivations can ever truly be known. Young & Beautiful is in cinemas on May 1, but we're offering 66 competition winners the chance to see it with a friend at an exclusive preview screening we're hosting together with Incu on Wednesday, April 30, at 7pm at Kino Cinemas (45 Collins Street, Melbourne). To enter, click here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=cnaIFp_KrB4
20,000 Days on Earth is a documentary that's fiction. Though it's by no means the only documentary to question the form and take things meta, it is one of the most boldly experimental ones out there. It's a work that's highly constructed from start to finish — and since it's constructed with and about Nick Cave, there's plenty of fun to be had. The film imagines the 20,000th day on earth of the Australian-born, UK-based singer and raconteur. It's a day that includes him talking to his shrink, recording an album, helping archivists make sense of his historical record, lunching with his pals, driving Kylie Minogue around Brighton, and playing at the Sydney Opera House. A pretty great day, really, particularly for its impossibilities. Running throughout is, naturally, Cave's own music, rumbling out of the studio and guiding his path through the world. Instead of clarity and chronology, what you get in 20,000 Days on Earth is a fragmented sense of biography that is sometimes deeply insightful, sometimes electrifying and sometimes frustrating. Major characters in the life of Nick Cave, such as collaborator Warren Ellis and The Proposition star Ray Winstone, appear without context or label, meaning that to really follow this winding ride, you have to be au fait with the life of Cave. If you're not, just let it go; there are plenty of moments here that are plain entertaining regardless, while a live performance montage set to a frenzied, ever building version of 'Jubilee Street' is near rapturous to witness. The conversation between Cave and Minogue feels painfully intimate and revealing, despite all the scripting that frames it. Artists-turned-directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard have basically conjured a new format here, one that's wondrously poetic and imaginative. There's a sense that it could be applied to tell nearly anybody's fragmented, personal tale, though having the flair and flamboyance of Cave certainly helps. Eavesdropping on a conversation with Cave is right up there with the high points of cultural consumption. 20,000 Days on Earth gets points for pure brio. It's not like anyone would want every documentary to be made this way, but it sure is an interesting divergence. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ap0_y5EGttk
In 1956, the Corvin Cinema in Budapest became the home base for the unsuccessful Hungarian uprising against the USSR. The rebellion was short-lived, but had long-lasting repercussions — for Europe, of course, but also for the filmmakers who were due to premiere their movie at the theatre the very next week. Billed as a "performance lecture", and featuring interviews with the exiled screenwriter and other people involved in the film's production, History History History tells the story of the making of the movie, a comedy about football that doubled as a thinly veiled satire of the communist regime. The film itself will be screened even as the performers do their thing, as theatre-maker Deborah Pearson explores questions of history, censorship and imagination. History History History will be on stage at The Substation in Newport as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
If you're a sucker for all things Halloween, be sure to catch the ultimate fright night film festival, when The Astor Theatre hosts its annual 24-hour Halloween Spooktacular. Kicking off at 2pm on Saturday, October 28, the hit movie marathon features a whole 24 hours of back-to-back horror screenings with which to scare yourself silly. Grab some popcorn (and someone to cuddle during the really grisly parts) and settle in with films like The Hills Have Eyes on 35mm, A Lizard In A Woman's Skin, Halloween 2 and The Monster Squad on its 30th anniversary.
Dangerous thinkers, Damn the Man activists and controversial intellectuals will bring their rebellious tales to Sydney Opera House for the sixth year running, with Salman Rushie, Steven Pinkler and Pussy Riot at the fore of this year's Festival of Dangerous Ideas lineup. The annual hootenanny for controversial, groundbreaking and system-shaking thinkers, FODI annually fronts up a killer lineup of the names we consistently include in our opinionated tweets. "This year, we are looking at some of the major threats to life as we know it — mass extinction and existential risk — as well as politics, families and global issues,"says head of talks and ideas at Sydney Opera House and co-curator of Festival of Dangerous Ideas, Ann Mossop. "Our guests are both intellects and activists and this will definitely prove a lively mixture. The Festival gives audiences an opportunity to listen to some of the most important thinkers of our time. Ultimately it is the audiences who have the most interesting part to play at the Festival — the tough and absorbing task of deciding what to do with the dangerous ideas of our era." This year's lineup has drawn out some serious intellectual squeals Sydney-wide. Controversial, Booker Prize-winning Midnight's Children writer, Salman Rushdie, will speak about freedom, sticking to your guns and defiantly standing for untamed expression in his talk Freedom to Write. In one of FODI's most buzzworthy talks, dubbed Russia is a Penal Colony, former members of activist legends Pussy Riot, Nadya Tolonnikova and Masha Alekhina, will tell tales of activism, being jailed for 'hooliganism' and setting up their new not-for-profit charity, Zona Prava, while fighting for their own dangerous ideas. Russian journalist, author, and member of the democratic opposition to the regime of Vladimir Putin, Masha Gessen will delve further into Pussy Riot's activism in a predicted-to-sell-out conversation with the pair. Experimental linguist, psychologist and eternal nature-versus-nurture writer Steven Pinker will unravel the popular notion that violence is an inevitable consequence of human nature in his talk Stop Trying to Fix Human Nature — also arguing we're enjoying the most significant period of peace in our history. Challengers to underlying systems and Damn the Man enthusiasts like fearless journalist, feminist and human rights activist Lydia Cacho uncover some horrible truths in our messed up world. Cacho investigates the alive-and-well slave trade — something we see as a Civil War era past wrongdoing, but is a still a globalised, multi-billion dollar industry by way of the sex trade and international trafficking — in Slavery is Big Buisness. Writer and researcher, Kay Hymowitz will delve into women as breadwinners and the supposed decline of male culture in The Rise of Women Has Turned Men into Boys; and surrogacy as a global industry is put under the microscope in journalist, writer and activist Kajsa Ekis Ekman's talk Surrogacy is Child Trafficking. The full program is available on the website. Multipack tickets go on sale on Monday 30 June at 9am before single tickets on Wednesday 2 July at 9am. Festival of Dangerous Ideas 2014 Lineup: Salman Rushdie Pussy Riot Masha Gessen Steven Pinker Malcolm Fraser Lydia Cacho Bradley Garrett Alissa Nutting John Hewson Bettina Arndt Glenn Robbins John Pilger Jane Caro Elizabeth Kolbert Noelle Janaczewska Anne Manne Elizabeth Pisani Jaan Tallinn Ragip Zarakolu Kajsa Ekis Ekiman Dan Ilic Tim Flannery Kay Hymowitz Francesca Minerva Mark Latham David Baker Rebecca Newberger Goldstein Emily Nussbaum Huw Price A Rational Fear Festival of Dangerous Ideas runs 30 - 31 August at Sydney Opera House. Tickets available here. UPDATED WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25: Sydney Opera House have decided to remove Uthman Badar's talk 'Honour Killings Are Morally Justified' after a huge collective WTF from the public.
Winter might be on its way, but at least this year you'll have some fun new cocktails to get you there in good spirits. The legends at The Ascot Lot have been hard at work creating not one, but five new espresso martinis and they're launching them with a mini drinks festival on Saturday, April 27. Swing by the food truck park to sample all five varieties, including the coconut-heavy Bounty Hunter, the fruity Cherry Bite and, for the purists, an expertly crafted traditional version. They'll be going extra cheap at just $10 a pop, or you can grab a $40 Espresso Yourself Pass to try all of the cocktails in one sitting. As always, there'll be plenty of food trucks on hand and stacks of dogs to pat, plus DJ Lloyd Jones will be dishing up tunes from 3pm, right through till night. Espresso Yourself will run from midday till 10pm.
Because we've all been so good this year, the Melbourne Gin Company are partnering with Patricia Coffee Brewers to bring us a pop-up aperitivo bar, serving only gin and tonic concoctions. Every Friday until February 23, the MGC Summer bar will be open at Patricia from 5pm-8pm – a perfect window for wind-down drinks after a busy week at work. They'll be offering a range of four gin tipples on a rotating menu featuring mixers and syrups by local producers. They've also collaborated with Patricia to create the cold drip G&T, which we're particularly intrigued by. The point (not that a G&T pop-up really needs to justify its existence) is to teach gin lovers about the importance of garnish and tonic on the profile of your G&T. You can work out your perfect gin combo and, armed with this knowledge, never order a bad beverage again. Drinks are priced at $10 across the board.
We all know the Australian Open is the ideal time to road test your experimental sunhats, mix and match shorts and polos, and practice day drinking in a classy way. But Melbourne, being Melbourne, does the tennis a little differently. This year, you can't swing a racket around without hitting a gourmet food pop-up. A range of big culinary names are popping up in honour of the Aussie open. Shane Delia and his Collingwood fave Biggie Smalls can be found in Garden Square, George Colombaris's Gazi is popping up at the Grand Slam Oval alongside Mamasita (a mostly gluten-free modern Mexican restaurant that usually resides on Collins Street) and dessert favourite Doughnut Time. And if you want to get your fancy on, head on over to the Hisense Arena and try to nab a reservation for Neil Perry's Rockpool or Nobuyuki Matsuhisa's Nobu. Tennis has gotten a helluva lot fancier than your standard hotdog in a cardboard holder. In the same realm of fanciness, you can also book exclusive food experiences with Pastuso's Alejandro Saravia, Angela Hartnett from London's Murano, and Sydney's Peter Gilmore — but that'll cost a little more because Melbourne's doesn't mess around when it comes to fuelling up for the tennis. Start preparing your best tennis-themed food puns (anything about grand slammin' doughnuts will do just fine) and grab your tickets here.
For local food lovers, the month of March is a bit like a second Christmas. It's when the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival descends on the city, delivering its annual smorgasbord of culinary experiences. And from March 19 to 29, 2020, it's back for its 28th edition, as big as ever and with the Queen Victoria Markets named as this year's festival hub. Separated from its regional counterpart for the first time, MFWF 2020 is set to be an all-Melbourne affair, with regional Victoria scoring its own dedicated festival offering next spring. As always, the ten-day celebration of Melbourne food and drink culture is pulling a roll-call of food stars from near and far, from local legends like Josh Niland (Saint Peter), Andrew McConnell (Cutler & Co) and Ben Shewry (Attica), to international heavyweights including Michael Solomonov (Philadelphia's Zahav) and New York Times columnist and cookbook author Alison Roman (Nothing Fancy, Dining In). [caption id="attachment_752523" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alison Roman by Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott. Courtesy of Hardie Grant Books.[/caption] The Queen Victoria Market will play host to a slew of events to tempt just about all budgets and palates. The inaugural Welcome To The Jungle sees the Queen of Vegan Shannon Martinez (Smith & Daughters) helm a crew of chefs for a huge plant-based party that's full of surprises. Meanwhile, The Mixed Grill promises the ultimate fire-driven Middle Eastern feast, prepared the likes of Lee Tiernan (London's Black Axe Mangal), Israeli food icon Eyal Shani and Melbourne's own Shane Delia (Maha). A new offering dubbed the Sichuan Snack Fair will celebrate the mouth-tingling goodness of Sichuan cuisine, through a diverse showcase of Chinese dishes from the likes of Dainty Sichuan, Supernormal, Sun Kitchen and acclaimed food writer and Sichuan specialist Fuchsia Dunlop. The humble chip takes centre stage at the fun and casual Maximum Chips party, where you'll spy potato in all array of glorious forms. A series of free talks and demonstrations led by a lineup of industry legends will make up Shed X, while The Big Spaghetti party will showcase a menu of carby dishes from over ten of the country's top pasta masters. And you can prepare for a big ol' dose of nostalgia as Take The Cake celebrates 40 years of The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book with a lively exhibition at the NGV. Throw in a stack of other chef-led feasts, free events and Crawl + Bite's popular urban food trail series, and you've got a very busy ten days of eating ahead. Check out the full MFWF 2020 program and book tickets here. Image: Daniel Mahon
Spring is dating season. Winter's gloom has lifted, the air is noticeably lighter and the glorious sunshine has both flowers and people blooming. In celebration, we're giving away a bunch of $250 Mastercard cards to ensure that you lovebirds have a suitably romantic springtime soirée. It's entirely up to you how you splash the cash, you can splurge on one opulent night out — indulge in dozens of oysters at a top-notch fine diner — or opt for a more conservative approach and spread those five (virtual) pineapples across multiple dates. After all, you don't have to spend big to make a big impression. The late, great Robin Williams once said, "Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'". Well, enter the competition below and your springtime parties for two are on us. [competition]695105[/competition] If you're looking for inspiration in the meantime, check out our top five dates for less than $50 in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney and consider splitting the bill easily in under a minute with PayID (which uses the Osko payment service). Find out more here.
Known for serving tasty pub meals with a few modern twists, Auburn Hotel has been a favourite among the stacked Hawthorn pub scene for many years. This winter, the venue is keeping things cosy, filling its beer garden with igloos. To celebrate this snug arrangement, Auburn Hotel has teamed up with much-loved Healesville brewers White Rabbit to host a party on Saturday, June 23, from 5pm. Attendees will get a free White Rabbit Pale Ale and a selection of delicious canapes between 7–8pm. You'll also get to watch an ice sculpture come to life, plus Melbourne acoustic outfit Tom Tuena will be in attendance to keep things lively until late. But if you can't make it on the night, never fear: the igloos will be hanging around all season. Availability is limited, though, so we recommend rounding up the crew for mid-week catch-up in this most unique setting. Each igloo houses up to eight people, and for $40 per person, you'll get a chef's tasting plate, chocolate fondue, plus your choice of an espresso martini, house wine or a frosty pint of White Rabbit Pale Ale. Decked out with fairy lights, plush cushions and blankets, these transparent igloos give stargazers a chance to check out the night sky — minus the winter chill. Secure your spot in the igloo here.
Running from October 16 through January 31, 2021, the annual Tarnanthi program brings together the best of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art from around the country and showcases it across multiple Adelaide venues — with the largest exhibition taking centre stage at the Art Gallery of South Australia. The guiding theme for this year's edition is Open Hands, which pays tribute to the role of senior artists who share cultural knowledge with the younger generations; it also calls attention to the unseen cultural work of women in Indigenous communities. Including works from 87 artists, the exhibition features mother-daughter collaborations, grand installations, talks and tours — all of which aim to fully immerse visitors in the rich culture of Australia. Online art sales and other AGSA activations are on the docket, too. [caption id="attachment_792442" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Saul Steed[/caption] Images: Tarnanthi: Open Hands installation by Saul Steed
This April, the banks of the Yarra will once again come alive for Melbourne's biggest food truck festival yet, thanks to the minds behind The Food Truck Park. Set to eclipse the collective's regular events in Preston and at the Coburg Drive-In, the Food Truck Festival will see the city's best four-wheeled food vendors descend on Birrarung Marr across five huge days. Running from April 24–28, the culinary lineup will feature the most popular food trucks from each corner of Melbourne. And you can expect to be totally spoilt for choice, with over 40 vendors slinging everything from fried chicken and Asian-inspired eats, to vegan fare and craft beers. What's more, sweet tooths will find their ultimate oasis in a precinct dedicated entirely to desserts. Rounding out the edible goodness will be a program of art, live music and other fun, with entry free across the entire festival. The Food Truck Festival will run from 5–10pm on Wednesday and Friday, midday–10pm on Thursday and 11am–10pm on Saturday and Sunday.
A memoir in one's 20s — not an unprecedented move. But with a majority of Australians participating in the mass autobiography project known as social media, one that also might be written off as millennial brattiness. It's not that Natalie Yang doesn't have a good story to tell, it's just not the one rural Victoria was expecting…or particularly wants to hear. Natalie's book Banana Girl is kind of about her migrant experience. But it's mainly concerned with her many and varied sexual experiences. It's also not selling particularly well. After hearing her read an excerpt, the residents of the small town of Nagambie are scandalised, bemoaning her omission of the clichés of more famous migrant stories. Stricken with the myopia of the critically scorned, Natalie sets out to consolidate her position with a new book entitled 100 Cocks in 100 Nights. The process is unforgiving, the way marked by dissipating friendships and noses pushed out of joint. Originally conceived as a culturally diverse riff on Sex and the City, Going Down is also writer Michele Lee's attempt to deepen our understanding of what it's like to leave one country for another. "There is more to my story than what happened to my parents," she says. But the show is foremost a comedy in the vein of Girls or Broad City. If you're keen to see how conservative Victorians respond to being read a detailed description of a penis, The Malthouse is the place to be this month.
Underling, you have been summoned. This April, Secret Squirrel Productions — the c̶a̶b̶a̶l̶ c̶o̶v̶e̶n̶ group responsible for Underground Cinema — are tearing open a portal to hell with an immersive dining experience at a secret location in Melbourne. Dinner will be six courses. Pray you aren't one of them. Secret Squirrel, Melbourne's kings of immersive theatre and film experiences, have flung previous audiences back in time to ancient Rome, flogged them through a crash-course in zombie apocalypse survival and set them free inside Hannibal Lecter's debauched mind-palace. And, after a sold out launch in September last year, they are once again creating — in the words of creative director Tamasein Holyman — a "world of raw, dark beauty and absinthe-fuelled dreams" with a six-course banquet. The Feast of the Deceiver is an ancient and secret ritual — but here's what would-be acolytes of the Order should know. The feast will run over three nights on June 15, 16 and 17 with b̶l̶o̶o̶d̶l̶e̶t̶t̶i̶n̶g̶s̶ performances lasting from 7-10pm. The six-course degustation will combine game-play, problem-solving and live theatre. The dress code is black formal. The location is secret and will only be revealed 24 hours prior to the event. If you've been looking for a way to make the voices stop, this could be your chance. But remember — the demon is a liar. He will lie to confuse you. He will try to trick you. Don't listen to him. But do go to dinner. Editor's note: This event was initially scheduled to take place in April, but has since been pushed back to June. Images: Daniel John Bilsborough.
At a train station in India, a young girl begins to sing while a man watches, rapt. He is a tea seller, but no one seems to notice the small stall where he brews chai. He begins to tell a story — an Indian fairytale. The station is crowded, but the stage contains only one performer. Guru of Chai is the latest work by New Zealand theatre company Indian Ink. Jacob Rajan performs the show solo, adopting 17 different characters and a good deal of shadow puppetry to tell the tale of seven daughters plotted against by their stepmother. This one's been doing the rounds for a few years now and picking up glowing reviews all along the way. Diving through layers of truth narrative and style, Guru of Chai is pure storytelling and by all accounts a completely transporting experience. Image: Robert Catto.
As so many excellent documentaries have before it, Baby God tells a tale so astonishing it can only be true. It also steps through a story that's harrowing, horrifying and downright nightmarish. For more than three decades, couples eager to start a family went to Dr Quincy Fortier, seeking his help to have children when they couldn't conceive. Alas, the Las Vegas-based fertility specialist assisted them in a thoroughly unwanted way: by secretly inseminating women hoping to become mothers with his own sperm. Directed and produced by documentarian Hannah Olson (whose next project is about the Diamond Princess cruise ship and its COVID-19 outbreak), Baby God really has to be seen to be believed. It dives into shocking circumstances, and isn't always easy to watch as a result, but it's gripping from start to finish. Olson explores her subject's history and the details of his crimes, and also surveys the aftermath through his biological children.
Sacrifice, of the kind where ideals clash with safety and responsibility, is at the heart of A Thousand Times Good Night. The film starts with a potent example, as photojournalist Rebecca (Juliette Binoche) snaps away in Afghanistan. Secreted to a secluded spot, she starts capturing a funeral; however, it is soon revealed that her subject isn’t dead. Instead, the prone pose is part of a ritual preparing a suicide-bomber for a mission that goes awry, injuring Rebecca in the process. Juxtaposing the struggle of a woman driven to chronicle the horrors of humanity with the plights of those whose daily lives exist on the precipice between life and death, this introduction makes a strong statement. The former clearly seems trivial in comparison to the latter, but both have costs and consequences. Rebecca has a husband (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and two daughters (Lauryn Canny and Adrianna Cramer Curtis) restless with worry when she is out in the field. Giving up her passion for her loved ones’ peace of mind doesn’t come easily, as she is troubled in her attempts to reconcile the need to make a difference with the comforts of home and the calling of family. Alas, following on from such a striking and tense opening was always going to be difficult. The focus swiftly shifts to an account of disturbed domesticity, and so does the A Thousand Times Good Night’s effectiveness and interest. Contemplating the professional versus personal divide is admirable, and touching upon the ethics of observing versus intervening sparks questions, although both areas have been traversed more thoughtfully in other films. Here, they’re just mechanisms to incite conflict in a marriage melodrama. In such rendering of the circumstances, much is left to rest on Binoche’s talented shoulders. Thankfully, it is never tiresome to see the actress on screen, even when a furrowed brow seems her standard expression. Coster-Waldau is sadly given little to do, other than rally against the protagonist’s choices. Instead, it is young newcomer Canny that offers the best depiction of the traumatic repercussions of living with and loving someone constantly drawn to perilous situations. A Thousand Times Good Night is inspired by the early photographer years of director Erik Poppe’s own career, as conveyed in a script co-written with his long-term collaborator Harald Rosenløw-Eeg, but it is easy to dismiss its content as fiction. Only the war-torn visuals seem taken from Poppe’s experiences; indeed, some of his own stills are used, and the handsome imagery certainly eclipses the strived-for emotion. That’s the issue: the story and performances are just too concerned with heavy-handed sentiments to ring true. It seems that the key sacrifice the film makes is in its approach, preferring the appearance of resonance to taking any thematic risks.
How do you make a fun run extra fun? Just add a whole lot of pooches, a few ice-cold brews and a rollicking after party. And that's exactly what you'll find at the annual Run to The Dog event, which returns for its fourth edition on Sunday, March 3, promising a cracking day out for humans and pups alike. This one see competitors — both the two-legged and four-legged variety — hit the Yarra Trail for a run or walk through Kew, Richmond and Abbotsford, finishing up beside the river at Flockhart Reserve. Cross that finish line and you'll score a free Moon Dog beer for your efforts (or a wine or cider if you'd prefer), before everyone congregates for a good old-fashioned park party. There'll be post-run revelry aplenty, complete with a Moon Dog pop-up bar, free cold brew coffee from Supreme, a swag of pet-inspired market stalls and food truck eats from the likes of Gringo Paella and Sliders on Tyres. Shoot the Dog will also be there with a nifty dog photo booth, raising funds for not-for-profit animal welfare organisation Save a Dog. You can enter the two-kilometre ($20), five-kilometre ($30), or ten-kilometre ($50) course, or simply play spectator and cheer on from the sidelines. The Flockhart Reserve after-party is free for all to join.
When it comes to costumes, there are a few simple rules. Have fun. Be creative. Don't act like a twit. Unfortunately, some people still have trouble with that last one, with Native American headdresses and other culturally inappropriate garments still an all too common sight at festivals and dress-up parties alike. Thankfully, the team at Sydney's Secret Garden is here to clear up the confusion. Ahead of next weekend's festivities, they've released a short, helpful video about their costume policy, which you can check out below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ9Bhv1iJAk "Our happy place is in some elaborate costume, with a face full of glitter," festival director Clare Downes told Concrete Playground. "There are a ridiculous amount of costume ideas out there. We just want to make sure everyone feels welcome." Secret Garden takes place February 24-25, but bad luck if you don't have tickets because they're sold out.
If anyone knows how to celebrate World Tequila Day in style, it's the agave experts at Melbourne Mexican joints Mamasita and Hotel Jesus, and Sydney's legendary tequila bar Tio's Cerveceria. And indeed, the three are joining forces to mark the occasion with a Tequila MiniFest this Sunday, July 22. The free 2.5-hour tasting session takes over Mamasita's Collins Street headquarters from midday, showcasing over 50 different tequila creations, most of which aren't usually available on Aussie shores. You'll have the chance to chat with some of the country's top tequila suppliers and even purchase a bottle of something rare from the pop-up 'Mamasita Tienda' tequila shop. And of course, the Mamasita kitchen will be whipping up a menu of tacos and other Mexican snacks, especially for the occasion.
Celebrate youth in filmmaking at Melbourne's Bayside Film Festival, hosted over five days at the Palace Dendy in Brighton. Curated by former MIFF executive director Richard Moore, this year's — happily acronymed — BFF boasts a couple of seriously impressive titles, as well as director Q&As and short-form programs aimed at promoting up-and-coming talent from Australia and beyond. The festival begins on August 27 with the opening night screening of Texas-set crime thriller Cold in July; a pulpy, unpredictable flick that premiered nationally at the Sydney Film Festival in June and proved extremely divisive with audiences. French period romance A Promise and Argentinean dramedy The Mystery of Happiness stand out as other must-see sessions, as does Moore's selection of World Animation Shorts. In addition to the animated program, the Jump Cut line-up highlights the works of emerging filmmakers, with short form narratives submitted from all around the world. In a similar vein, albeit with a more local focus, the Youth Documentary Project screens short works from secondary school students across Victoria. Image: Cold in July.
Based on the classic novel by Jack Kerouac, On The Road follows Sal Paradise (Sam Riley), an aspiring New York writer, and Dean Moriarty (Garrett Hedlund), a young and dangerously seductive ex-con, as they hit the road in pursuit of freedom and life's greatest teacher: experience. Directed by Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries) and starring Kristen Stewart, Amy Adams, Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen and Steve Buscemi, the film is in cinemas from September 27. Concrete Playground has 10 double passes to giveaway to see On The Road. For a chance to win, make sure you're subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
Get up close and personal with some of Australia's biggest YouTube stars in this multi-venue video installation taking over the shopfronts of North Melbourne. As part of Next Wave 2016, artists Xanthe Dobbie and Tiyan Baker have collaborated with six YouTubers — including Andrew Ucles, Damielou Shavelle and Shyamali Sinha of Foodie's Hut — on a series of intimate video portraits showing a side of the internet celebrities that their subscribers don't usually get to see. The videos will be on display Tuesdays through Saturdays across the duration of the Next Wave Festival. Dobbie and Taker will also hold a walking tour on Saturday, May 7 and a YouTube workshop on Sunday, May 8. INSTALLATION LOCATIONS Kenny & the Sunshine Girls – 113 Errol Street Counter – 104 Errol Street Quirk & Co. – 466 Victoria Street Casa Verde Flowers – 40 Errol Street Crumbs Organic Bakehouse – 16 Errol Street North Melbourne Library – 66 Errol Street Joe Taylor – 7 Errol Street
Last year, Melbourne lost its beloved cake shop Beatrix Bakes, resulting in hundreds of devoted fans lining up around the corner to get their last slices during its final week. But owner Natalie Paull promised to return in one form or another. And while she is working on her new cookbook and making plans for 2024, she's also teamed up with one of Melbourne's best ice cream joints Pidapipo — the famed gelato chain in Melbourne that's celebrating its tenth birthday this year — to dream up a new ice-cold cake creation. For the new dessert, the Beatrix Bakes' Peach Alabama sponge cake has received a gelato makeover. It includes delicate layers of peach jam, mascarpone zabaione gelato and poached peach sorbetto — all encased within a marsala-drenched sponge cake. It's then topped with whipped mascarpone cream, slices of poached peaches and a sprinkling of crunchy amaretti biscuits. Peach perfection. This sweet summer treat will set you back $120 and can serve ten to 12 people. But if you want to try a slice of The Peach Alabama Gelato Cake before buying the whole thing, you best take advantage of the upcoming giveaway event. From 5pm on Wednesday, December 6, Pidapipo will be offering free slices of the new dessert to the first 300 customers who visit its Laboratorio in Fitzroy. These will be handed out by Natalie Paull herself, as well as Pidapipo co-owner Lisa Valmorbida. It's your chance to grab some free cake and meet two legends in Melbourne's dessert world. The Peach Alabama Gelato Cake is available for pre-order from Wednesday, November 15, or can be purchased in Pidapipo stores for pick-ups and walk-ins from December 7–31. Find more info at the venue's website.
Action Bronson is one MC in Queens you might actually want to take home to meet your mum. Not only can he rap, he can cook. Before gaining attention of hip hop aficionados with his 2012 Party Supplies-produced mixtape, Blue Chips, he spent hours searing ahi tuna and whipping up frittata napoletana for New York gourmets. While you can still keep up with Action Bronson's culinary adventures in Action in the Kitchen, you'll be more likely to find him on a stage somewhere these days. In August 2012, he signed to Vice Records, who also have Snoop Lion on their books. Having released studio LP Rare Chandeliers in November, Action Bronson will bring his verbal agility, gonzo-style wit, and titanic vocabulary to Melbourne on January 18. https://youtube.com/watch?v=J2AHvZWojSc
Your next year of cheat days just got sorted. To celebrate its new Moonee Ponds location, we've teamed up with Yo My Goodness, aka YOMG, to give one lucky Concrete Playground reader the chance to win free burgers every week — for 12 whole months. That's right, once a week you can tuck in to a delicious, 100 percent grass-fed Aussie angus burger, sandwiched in a YOMG signature handmade bun, absolutely free of charge. Or, opt for one of its excellent chicken burgers, slow-cooked pulled pork or veggie options. Whatever you choose, there's no chance of getting bored. Each week, the winner will get a $20 YOMG credit to spend at the burger and frozen yoghurt expert's Pratt Street outpost. So, you'll have enough cash to pair your buns with a side of cheesy or loaded fries, a next-level thickshake or even an OTT froyo from the self-serve station. Sound too good to be true? Enter your details below to be in the running. [competition]804555[/competition]
Sydney trio Little May could be Australia's answer to folk warblers First Aid Kit. They've certainly been compared to the Swedish duo, and to New Zealand's Tiny Ruins, but at the moment they are carving out their own path. They've recently put out their debut, self-titled EP and just wrapped up an Australian tour with the legendary Rodriguez. But there's no rest for the wicked (or the wickedly charming, in this case). Little May are about to embark on a 12-date national headline tour to promote the EP. With hype following Little May wherever they wander — from appearances at Splendour and Laneway, to an intimate showcase in London, a string of shows at CMJ in New York, and now this tour back home — the trio know a thing or two about being on the road. With summer road trip season coming up, we thought we'd check in with Liz Drummond, Hannah Field and Annie Hamilton to get us all geared up for hittin' the ol' frog and toad. What's been your best road trip so far, whether with the band or on your own steam? Annie: When I was in Mexico a couple of years ago I hired a car and drove through the desert for a few days to a tiny town called Xilitla, where there is a magical rainforest filled with surrealist scultpures, towers, pools and waterfalls. I got lost in a maze and slept in a teepee that had teapots hanging from the ceiling. It was crazy and weird and amazing. Liz: The trip up to Splendour was probably the best. I always love road trips up to Byron, but having the excitement of playing Splendour was pretty unreal. Hannah: I went on a six-week road trip with my best friend, Kandis, when I was 19. We did a big chunk of Australia's East Coast in my old Nissan Pulsar 'Bruce'. At one point Kand vomited in her handbag, lost her wallet, replaced wallet, withdrew all her money from the bank as she didn't have an ATM card, then had said wallet stolen from the caravan park we were staying at in Coff's. It was so fun. Where are you heading on your road trippin' tour this time around? Liz: I think we will probably be flying to most places on this tour in November. On our last tour we drove everywhere. It was a bit touch and go at points, we left Brisbane and arrived in Melbourne just in time to go on stage. I think that was what was the most fun about it though. We will be driving down to Wollongong and Canberra though, which is always fun. Looking forward to any stop in particular? Annie: I've never been to the Sunshine Coast before, so definitely looking forward to that! We're up there in early December so will hopefully have a bit of spare time to go to the beach. Liz: I'm looking forward to driving down the South Coast, it's so beautiful. I love visiting Wollongong and playing there, and seeing friends and other bands we haven't caught up with in a while. We always play at Yours and Owls (it's now called Rad), which is the smallest but coolest venue. Hannah: I'm excited for Perth. We have a day off in between shows, so it will be really great to just hang out at the beach, explore and have adventures. https://youtube.com/watch?v=HwV2GCooJlg What do you drive on the road? Annie: Our amazing bass player, Mark, has a pretty awesome yellow troopie van from the 90s. He let us borrow it for the last few road trips, so fingers crossed we can use it again this time round! Then again, it has no air-con or radio, so we may not be too happy with it after a month-long summer tour... Hannah: It's the best. It hurts your bottom after a while though. What's on your road trip playlist? Liz: Cloud Control, Thom Yorke's new album, The National, Fink, Father John Misty. Hannah: You can't really go past Springsteen. He's my only necessity. Annie: At the moment it's the new alt-J album on repeat. What's your preferred road trip snack? Liz: Apples. And lollies. I am addicted to sugar. Hannah: Frosty Fruits and/or Nerds. Annie: After several long drives to Melbourne and Brissy earlier this year we all got pretty over Maccas and started packing hummus and carrots as car snacks. This is a great idea until you lose the lid and end up with warm hummus all over everything... Watch out for that. Know any good car games? Liz: We make up a lot of stupid games. Mark usually inspires something absurd. We have spent a lot of road trips listening to him make up characters, and then interviewing them. He is an awesome actor, so it can get really weird at times. It's not always funny — sometimes his characters are really sad, and we asked them really intense questions. Hannah gets really wigged out by it, it's pretty funny. Annie: All the classics. I Spy never gets old. If you're a tragic holiday Instagrammer like the best of us, got a favourite filter for roadies? Liz: I am pretty bad at taking photos, I don't take enough. But in all honesty, if I'm in the photo, I basically just go through the filters until I think I look the best. Everyone is guilty of doing that. Hannah: I am really bad at social media… But I think there is one I have used called Amaro? Quite nice. Nice vibes. Annie: After just browsing through all of the filters trying to decide I'm going to say anything except Kelvin (sorry Kelvin). Where would you like to road trip in the future? Hannah: Would love to do the States, that would be incredible. Annie: I would love to do a road trip around Europe. I've never been there before so hopefully we'll get a chance sometime in the future to tour there! https://youtube.com/watch?v=A1nnYFgidnI Catch Little May on their national tour this November/December: Fri 21 Nov Northcote Social Club, Melbourne With Winterbourne and HOWQUA. Tickets $15 through Northcote Social Club or 1300 724 867. Sat 22 Nov The Front Gallery & Cafe, Canberra With Winterbourne and HOWQUA. Tickets $15 through Oztix or 1300 762 545. Thurs 27 Nov Newtown Social Club, Sydney With Winterbourne and HOWQUA. Tickets $15 through Newtown Social Club or 1300 724 867. Fri 28 Nov Newtown Social Club, Sydney With I Know Leopard and HOWQUA. Tickets $15 through Newtown Social Club or 1300 724 867. Sat 29 Nov Gorgeous Music Festival, McLaren Vale Tickets through Oztix or 1300 762 545. Fri 5 Dec Solbar, Sunshine Coast With Winterbourne and HOWQUA. Tickets $15 through Oztix or 1300 762 545 Sat 6 Dec Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane With special guests Winterbourne and HOWQUA. Tickets $15 through Oztix or 1300 762 545 Little May's debut EP is available digitally now via Dew Process and UMA Recordings. Words by Jessica Surman. Interview by Shannon Connellan.
Highlighting stunning, smart and savvy creations is what Melbourne Design Week is all about; however, that doesn't just apply to the pieces on display, exhibitions gracing walls and other crafty bits and pieces in the program. Expect the same ideas to be put into action at the city-wide showcase's venues too, including their pop-up Collingwood hub. At 296 Smith Street, what once was a historic watchmaker's shop has been transformed into a mirrored space to house six of the week's standout events. It's reflective of MDW's spirit, and it's reflective in the literal sense. The walls and floors are covered in panelling that everyone can see themselves in, and offer quite the contrast with the otherwise rough and crumbling interiors. That's where attendees will find 26 Original Fakes, which steps through unique versions of widely-copied furniture designs, as well as Undervalued, which will help you reevaluate the beauty of usefulness of objects that you might see every day. Or, opt for Apparatus 4's, randomly rising and falling inflatable surface, Ovoid's egg-focused photographs or short film Untitled (with Gelato). Plus for those who like to gather, collect and keep things that they come across on their travels, The Found Object is a must-see. Put together by the Victorian Government and the National Gallery of Victoria, MDW features more than 100 events between March 16 to 26. While every venue mightn't boast such dazzling design, everything in the lineup will. Find Watchmaker at 296 Smith St, Collingwood. For more information about Melbourne Design Week, head to their website — or run through our ten picks of the program. Images: Installation view of 26 Original Fakes presented by Friends and Associates for the National Gallery of Victoria's Melbourne Design Week 2017 at Watchmaker, Collingwood. Photo: Wayne Taylor. // Installation view of The Found Object presented by Hub Furniture for the National Gallery of Victoria's Melbourne Design Week 2017 at Watchmaker, Collingwood. Photo: Wayne Taylor // Christie Petsinis and Tim Wilson of Folk Architects for the National Gallery of Victoria's Melbourne Design Week 2017 at Watchmaker, Collingwood. Photo: Wayne Taylor.
Standing atop Yosemite National Park's El Capitan after scaling it alone and without ropes, harnesses or any other safety equipment, Alex Honnold cut a surprisingly subdued figure. As the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo captured, he was obviously ecstatic, but he isn't the type to leap and scream with excitement. So, he smiled blissfully. He also advised the cameras that he was "so delighted". In the opening moments of new doco The Alpinist, however, he is effusive — as enthusiastic as the no-nonsense climbing superstar gets, that is. In a historical clip, he's asked who he's excited about in his very specific extreme sports world. His answer: "this kid Marc-André Leclerc." Zipping from the Canadian Rockies to Patagonia, with ample craggy pitstops in-between, The Alpinist tells Leclerc's tale, explaining why someone of Honnold's fame and acclaim sings his praises. Using the Free Solo subject as an entry point is a smart choice by filmmakers Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen — industry veterans themselves, with 2014's Valley Uprising on their shared resume and 2017's The Dawn Wall on Mortimer's — but their climber of focus here would demand attention even without the high-profile endorsement. Indeed, dizzying early shots of him in action almost say all that's needed about his approach to great heights, and his near-preternatural skill in the field. Scaling hard, immovable rock faces is one thing, but Leclerc is seen here clambering up alpine surfaces, conquering glistening yet precarious sheets of ice and snow. Any shot that features the Canadian twenty-something mountaineering is nothing short of breathtaking. Describing it as 'clambering up' does him a disservice, actually, and downplays The Alpinist's stunning footage as well. Leclerc is just that graceful and intuitive as he reaches higher, seemingly always knowing exactly where to place his hands, feet and axe, all while heading upwards in frighteningly dangerous situations. As Mortimer notes, narrating the documentary and almost-indulgently inserting himself into the story, alpine free soloing is another level of climbing. No shortage of talking-head interviewees also stress this reality. Protective equipment is still absent, but all that ice and snow could melt or fall at any second. In fact, the routes that the obsessive Leclerc finds in his climbs will no longer exist again, and mightn't just moments after he's made his ascent. Simply charting Leclerc's impressive feats could've been The Alpinist sole remit; Mortimer and Rosen certainly wanted that and, again, the film's hypnotic, vertigo-inducing imagery is just that extraordinary. Some shots peer at the mountains in all their towering glory, letting viewers spot the tiny speck moving amid their majesty in their own time, before zooming in to get a closer look at Leclerc. Other nerve-shattering scenes intimately capture every careful choice, every movement of his limbs and every decision about what to hold on to, inescapably aware that these are sheer life-or-death moments. But The Alpinist isn't the movie its makers initially dreamed of, because Leclerc isn't Honnold or The Dawn Wall's Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson. While affable when posed in front of the camera, he's also silently begrudging, because he'd visibly rather just be doing what he loves in total anonymity instead of talking about it, having it filmed and earning the world's eyes. Climbing documentaries frequently unfurl in layers, pairing character studies, astonishing feats and the history of the field, as The Alpinist does. But films about this risky pastime often need to grapple with their own existence and ethics, too, and the difficulties and complexities faced when making such features. Where Free Solo mused on how the act of filming might influence Honnold as he attempted his rocky quest, either putting him in more peril or encouraging him to do that himself because he was being watched, The Alpinist ponders how recording Leclerc's climbs impacts his mental experience. As touched upon again and again, including by the man himself, Leclerc sees alpinism as a transcendent mindset. It's where he's at his most free, where his body and mind work as one, and where he's firmly in the moment. He doesn't feel that with lenses pointed his way and camera crews right there with him, unsurprisingly. So, partway through the documentary's filming, he starts ducking the directors' calls and just mountaineering for himself again. Eventually, after months of chasing — and after Mortimer and Rosen's vocal frustration at learning about Leclerc's latest alpine achievements via other climbers' social media feeds — they all agree that he'll do his thing alone first, then he'll repeat it for the cameras. The footage is no less phenomenal as a result, and the tension no less gripping. This is an affectionate movie, complete with Leclerc's mother Michelle Kuipers looking back on his childhood and free-spirited teen years, and his girlfriend and fellow climber Brette Harrington also sharing her thoughts, but it also values immersing its audience in the vivid experiences at its centre. Sweaty palms are a side effect, as they are with all the best climbing docos — which is where this film easily fits. With his mop of shaggy hair, a mountain of enthusiasm even his camera shyness can't hide, a wide grin and a complete commitment to climbing (with Harrington, he spent years living in stairwells and tents because this type of life can take you everywhere and anywhere), Leclerc is still a dream doco subject. Although that description clearly didn't apply logistically while The Alpinist was in production, his love of reaching great heights radiates across the screen. Existing fans will already know where the film has to finish, and know why it can only have a celebratory tone, but that doesn't diminish the movie's thrills, joys, goosebumps, insights and intrigue. Similarly, it doesn't temper its interrogation of alpine climbing's frozen beauty versus its inherent dangers, or its thoughtful and compelling portrait of a person eagerly embracing both extremes.
With fresh flowers arriving daily from around the globe, Botanics of Melbourne is another must-visit store for flower lovers. Specialising in centrepiece designs and elaborate arrangements, there's also a delightful assortment of terrariums, ceramics, homewares, gifts, cards and gourmet foods to choose from. Spread across two massive levels in a prime Punt Road spot, the airy South Yarra storefront is overloaded with indoor plants and greenery as light floods in through the atrium. Owner Shane Sipolis opened his first florist when he was just 19 years old. Now, many years later, he has some special knowhow that'll ensure you find just what you need. Images: Parker Blain.
The national Flickerfest roadshow pulls into Melbourne on February 13 with its caravan of Australian and international short film hits. With their not-so-commercial prerogatives and YouTube-able length, short films are a very fun watch — and yet we rarely get to see them in public screenings. Flickerfest is one of the country's premier remedies for this. The festival is renowned for being Australia's only competition accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science and recognised by BAFTA, which means award winners here go on to be considered for Oscars. In 2013, this recognition has extended from the Best Short Film and Best Animation categories to cover the Best Australian Short, too. It's a huge badge of honour for Flickerfest, which had its humble beginnings 22 years ago at Balmain High School. Rock up to Kino Collins Street to see a 'best of' this year's competition, which ran in Sydney in January. Short films screening include Yardbird, winner of Best Australian Film at Flickerfest 2013; the Alexandra Schepisi-directed Lois, starring Jacki Weaver; and the newbie from former Tropfest winner Alethea Jones, Dave's Dead. International inclusions include Italian-made Tigerboy, winner of the Renault Award For Best Short.
Looking for a way to ease into the week? Well, you won't find it at Nora. On Monday, October 17 they're doing dinner — but it won't be a drop-in, drop-out affair. In collaboration with three of Melbourne's most exciting restaurants, the experimental Thai eatery will be hosting a special one-off French dinner — and it will span a massive 12 courses. Nora's Sarin Rojanametin will join forces with Lûmé's Shaun Quade, Amaru's Clinton McIver and Peter Gunn from IDES for this epic feast, which will be based upon the four chefs' interpretations of French neo bistro cuisine. The event comes off the back of the quartet's dessert collaboration last month, and a recent trip to Paris that saw the Nora team get right into the new wave of French bistro food. Each chef will be creating three courses, which adds up to a very substantial 12 courses all-up. Tickets are $180 each, which is pretty hefty, but potentially worth it when you consider you're getting four top chefs cooking you dinner in an intimate space (which will be matched to French wines, no less).
In the story of ACCA, right after NEW13 comes a first of another variety, with two concurrent exhibitions in the form of American, British based artist Daria Martin’s One of the Things that Makes Me Doubt and prolific Australian artist Mikala Dwyer’s Goldene Bend’er set to be unveiled at Friday night’s opening, to run until the end of July. The two female artists link ACCA’s multiple gallery spaces, offering parallel visual journeys that traverse dreams, the unconscious psyche, human form and revolution through 16mm film, performance and sculpture. If somehow the art isn’t to your taste, you can always take joy in watching Melbourne’s creative kids hob knob and your glass fill up with free champagne come Friday night’s dense throng of artistic activity. Image Mikala Dwyer, The Collapzars, 2012, via ACCA
The boss bitches of the local beer scene are taking over the taps of Collingwood's Fox Hotel. One of the absolute standouts on this year's Good Beer Week program, Girl Power will feature cold ones from some of Victoria's best female brewers, including the ladies from Beer Diva and Two Birds Brewing. There'll also be an all-women music lineup featuring Monique Brumby, DJ Blaberunner, Little Wise and Emma Wall and the Urban Folk. It all goes down from 2pm on Sunday, May 14, and, like the best things in life, entry is 100 percent free. Image: Simon Shiff.
