Spoil your mum, or the mother figure in your life, this Mother's Day by taking them to the riverside restaurant Ludlow Bar in Southbank. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted with a glass of Chandon NV Brut which will set the mood of the lavish lunch ahead. The feast begins with a tapas platter of shucked oysters, grilled chorizo, bruschetta and tortilla. Then, choose from a seafood paella loaded with tiger prawns, snapper, loligo squid and green-lipped mussels or a 12-hour slow-braised lamb banjo with rosemary kipfler potatoes and confit garlic vichy carrots for mains. To finish, there's an indulgent dessert platter on offer or, if mum prefers, a cheese board. Spots are $79 per person — children can dine from the al la carte menu — and can be booked anytime from 11am on Sunday, May 9. Bookings are essential so head here to lock in your lunch. Plus, every online booking will go in the draw to win a Chandon Hamper valued at $500, which will be drawn on the day.
As if the first announcement wasn't kickass enough, OutsideIn have announced the second part of their festival lineup. Locked in to be held over three levels at Manning Bar in the University of Sydney, the boutique music festival cooked up by Sydney touring and management agency Astral People and record label Yes Please returns for its third instalment on Saturday, November 29. Forecast to sell out like its 2012 and 2013 events, OutsideIn will spread its super solid lineup over three stages. Joining an already solid lineup featuring '90s US hip-hop legends The Pharcyde, Sydney's beloved electronic trio Seekae, Germany's Pantha Du Prince, America's Giraffage and Melbourne duo Client Liaison is legendary Chicago house DJ/producer Roy Davis Jr and US R&B/housemaster Brenmar, alongside Melbourne’s Noise In My Head, Adelaide’s Late Nite Tuff Guy, and Sydney's own Collarbones, Chris Barker and Basenji. With a host of both local and international artists yet to be announced, OutsideIn is back for another year of beats-you-may-have-missed and downright shindigging. OUTSIDEIN 2014 SECOND LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT: Roy Davis Jr (US) Basenji Brenmar (US) Late Nite Tuff Guy Collarbones Noise in My Head Chris Barker FULL 2014 LINEUP: The Pharcyde (US) Seekae Pantha Du Prince (GER) Giraffage (US) Roy Davis Jr (US) Client Liaison Basenji Brenmar (US) HNNY (SWE) DJ SPINN (US) Tornado Wallace Collarbones Late Nite Tuff Guy Wookie (UK) Rome Fortune (US) Fishing Jubilee (US) Guerre Black Vanilla Retiree Sui Zhen Noise In My Head Preacha Andy Webb Moriarty Ariane Chris Barker OutsideIn is happening at Manning Bar, University of Sydney on November 29. General admission is $80 +bf. All tickets are available through Oztix. Photo credit: Voena.co
You mightn't usually be the kind of person who yells at the TV when you're watching something. In fact, you may have never exclaimed aloud during a streaming binge. But all bets are off when Curb Your Enthusiasm is on — because Larry David, playing a heightened and fictionalised version of himself, constantly behaves in a manner that'll make you shout an exasperated but still amused "Larry!?!?!?!" more than once. Across ten seasons since 2000, the series has followed the Seinfeld co-creator's life after that huge hit, including both his personal and professional ups and downs. Over that time, he's gotten the Seinfeld gang back together for a reunion, fallen asleep during Hamilton and starred in a Broadway production of The Producers — all within the show, that is. Larry isn't particularly fond of following social conventions, which is the source of much of Curb Your Enthusiasm's awkward comedy. There's no one better at it, actually, and much of the dialogue is improvised, too.
Watching a man painstakingly recreate an oil painting doesn't exactly sound like the basis for a winning documentary. Yet in the hands of popular TV double act Penn and Teller, that's exactly what it turns out to be. Told in clear, accessible terms that laymen can understand, Tim's Vermeer is a lively, intriguing look at the line between artist and inventor, one that challenges the very notion that the distinction should be made at all. Johannes Vermeer was a 17th-century Dutch artist, best known these days for Girl with a Pearl Earring. His paintings have been lauded for their photorealistic look. Various theories exist as to how he was able to achieve such detail, one of which suggests that he made use of optical aids — mirrors, curved lens and so on. One subscriber to this theory is San Antonian inventor Tim Jenison. Despite having no artistic training, Jenison believes that by following what he thinks were the Dutchman's methods, he'll be able to produce similar results. An unassuming project about an unassuming man, this film is an ode to quiet determination. Jenison pours years into his hobby, teaching himself the skills to build a life-size replica of Vermeer's studio, and even finagling a private viewing in Buckingham Palace of the piece he wishes to recreate. His painting technique, which involves matching colour to an image reflected in an elevated mirror, is rather difficult to do justice in writing. Rest assured though that it's fascinating to behold. Penn provides the narration — his verbosity and humour helping viewers follow the science behind the art. Teller, meanwhile, does solid work in the director's chair, keeping the movie moving at a reasonably rapid pace. If the film has an issue, it's that it leaves little room for viewpoints other than its own. Apparently the optics theory is quite controversial in the art world, but everyone in the movie dismisses the sceptics out of hand. Then again, it's rather hard not to be convinced by Jenison's hypothesis, particularly when you see what he's able to put on the canvas. Whether or not his was the same technique that Vermeer used, the final product is certainly remarkable. At the end of the day, that may be more important. This film doesn't work because you care about Vermeer. It works because you care about Tim. https://youtube.com/watch?v=cxVxti5Fnf8
This year, the heart of all the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival action can be found at The House of Food and Wine, a laneway haunt decked out with lounge areas, dining rooms, and even a gallery space. Across all ten days of the festival, this little spot will play host to a lively program of sit-down dinner feasts, rollicking parties, and tasting sessions. Meanwhile, as artist-in-residence, designer-illustrator of Good Food Crap Drawing, Anna Vu, will be plating up a feast for the eyeballs, showcasing her food drawing style, and each day adding a new work inspired by the festival dishes she's eaten. And of course, expect all kinds of culinary goodness from the on-site bar, which will open daily from midday until late. Here, chef Morgan McGlone (Belles Hot Chicken) will be dishing up a range of small plates that nod to some of the past festivals' food legends, while sommelier Mark Protheroe (The Recreation) has curated an all-Victorian wine list, including a couple of Patrick Sullivan low-intervention wines, crafted especially for this year's MFWF.
Easily spooked by things that go bump in the night? Can't bring yourself to sing "I ain't afraid of no ghosts" whenever you're belting out the Ghostbusters' theme? Not so fond of the concept of mortality? If so, you might want to stay away from Melbourne's next pop-up. Coming to Hawthorn's Glenferrie Road for four days only, A Ghost Store has one thing on its hangers: an outfit that will last an eternity. From July 27 to 30, customers will enter the shop, complete a questionnaire about their garment requirements and get kitted out in a minimalist, one-size-fits-all piece of cloth made to last for centuries (and supposedly suitable for inter-dimensional apparitions operating on parallel planes). If that hasn't given the game away, then the fact that the item of clothing in question comes in three colours (white, ivory and bone) might — yep, this store is offering up good ol' fashioned sheets so that you can get your ghost on in the afterlife. The store's moniker also gives away just why this pop-up is coming a-haunting right now — it's actually an inventive marketing idea to promote the David Lowery-directed, Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara-starring A Ghost Story, which hits Australian cinemas this week. In the film, which the trio shot in secret before it premiered at Sundance earlier this year, Affleck spends most of his screen time decked out in ghostly attire. To say more would be to say too much — but no, this isn't a comedy. Visitors to A Ghost Store can expect an interactive experience, though it comes with words of warning: "the transition from active participant to passive observer can be a difficult one", its website cautions. If you're keen on more details, Indiewire spent some time in the US version. Or, if you'd like getting fitted out for what comes next to remain a mystery — appropriately — just show up and try your luck. A Ghost Story releases in Australian cinemas on July 27. Melburnians can find A Ghost Store at Shop 12, 673 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn from 5pm to 10pm on July 27 and 28, and 12pm to 10pm on July 29 and 30.
Songkran is the national holiday celebrating Thai New Year in mid-April each year. And while you might not be jetting off to Thailand to partake in the 2022 festivities IRL, you can enjoy some Thai New Year fun right here in Melbourne. Throughout April, buzzy Southbank restaurant Ging Thai is getting into the festive spirit and marking the occasion with a raft of Songkran-inspired food and drink specials. Head in from 3–5pm every Thursday to Sunday until the end of April, and you can tuck into a range of tasty street food and cocktails for just $12 a pop. The lineup includes snacks like salt and pepper silken tofu, crispy school prawns with lemongrass and curry leaves, and a chicken gai yang salad. Wash it all down with some punchy $12 cocktails, including a Muay Thai Mule and the Spicy Tom — a fusion of lemongrass, chilli and sparkling wine.
It can be hard to keep up with the latest 'thing', but that's where we come in. Keeping you up-to-date with the best and most unique happenings in art, culture, design and technology is what makes us tick. And now we want to celebrate some of the people making these exceptional things happen — so we've partnered with Miller Genuine Draft to create the Miller Design Lab. Across six special nights, the Miller Design Lab will showcase projects from a bunch of creatives at Chapel Street's SoHigh Gallery, with food, beer and live music also on offer — and it's all completely complimentary. We're kicking it all off with an epic launch event on Thursday, March 21. At 5pm, world-renowned designer, creative genius and Miller Design Lab global curator Jeff Staple will begin proceedings with a special panel discussion, The Future of Design and Technology. He'll be joined by all of our featured creatives — artist Buff Diss, collective Dreamcatchersdreamtime and Think Positive Prints, Pitch Studios' director Christie Morgan, Brisbane artist Meagan Streader and Melbourne designer Nana Judy — so you can expect a pretty lively, and informative, discussion. The party will kick into gear at 6.30pm, with tunes from hip hop DJ Yo Mafia, R&B singer-songwriter Mojo Juju and Melbourne club fixture DJ Sunshine. Later, things will carry on deep into the night as Sunshine returns for the after party at The Emerson Rooftop Bar and Club. To RSVP for the after-party, head this way. The Miller Design Lab Launch Party is entirely free — but invite-only. For a chance to get you and a mate spots on the guest list, enter with your details below. And if you want to check out the rest of the Miller Design Lab events, head this way. [competition]709842[/competition] Follow @millergenuinedraftaus for more details.
3D imaging has come a long way since the first experiments in the early 1900s. Take James Cameron's Avatar, which used multiple cameras to produce a three-dimensional visual masterpiece. Plus a blue alien race and the beautiful world they inhabit. 3D doesn't just make for larger-than-life films. This innovation in 3D imaging could enhance scientific research. Researchers from Ohio State University have created the first single, stationery lens to create microscopic 3D images by itself. Usually multiple lenses are required to produce a 3D image, making the invention quite incredible. The prototype lens is around the size of a fingernail and was cut by a computer-programmed ultraprecision milling device. The lens will allow more accurate viewing of microscopic objects, Associate Professor of Integrated Systems Engineering at Ohio State University Allen Yi said. "For us, the most attractive part of this project is that we will be able to see the real shape of micro-samples instead of just a 2D projection." [Via Fast Company]
Sometimes, you can read a book and imagine exactly what a TV adaptation would look like. Anyone who thumbed their way through The Southern Vampire Mysteries before it was turned into HBO's True Blood can't make that claim, however. Created by Six Feet Under's Alan Ball, this undead-focused horror series drips with mystery, lust and gothic excess. And blood, obviously. It's a show set in a world where vampires aren't just a fantasy — and at a time when a synthetic product that shares the show's name has allowed them to live side-by-side with humans, in theory. At the centre of this vamp-fuelled intrigue sits small-town Louisiana waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who happens to be telepathic. She also happens to fall in love with 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). When their romance attracts the attention of the area's vampire sheriff (Alexander Skarsgård), that's when the drama begins.
Your novelty festival gumboots are going to get a big ol' workout this summer. Returning for its fourth year to the banks of the Murray River at Echuca-Moama, Riverboats Music Festival has Sarah Blasko, Dan Sultan and Tex Perkins at the top of their 2015 lineup. One of Australia's most laidback riverside festivals just 2.5 hours from Melbourne, Riverboats is a three-day camping, indulging and dancing affair running February 13–15. Melbourne's Dan Sultan and Sydney's Sarah Blasko headline a super rootsy local lineup: Tex Perkins and The Dark Horses will showcase their new album, legendary Sydneysiders The Whitlams follow up their 2013 sold-out national orchestra tour while unmissable festival favourites The Bamboos are sure to be a Riverboats highlight. Also on the Australian artist-only bill is Adalita, Mick Harvey, Diesel, Fraser A Gorman, Matt Walker and The Lost Ragas, Sal Kimber and The Rollin' Wheel, Stella Angelico and The Switch and Raised by Eagles. Snuggled within the natural amphitheatre of Echuca's Aquatic Reserve, Riverboats is one of the Murray River's most anticipated music festivals. Festival producer David Frazer sees the event as a more chilled-out alternative for festival enthusiasts and hardcore foodies alike. "Riverboats provides festival-goers with an opportunity to experience a truly beautiful part of Australia without the queues, ticket prices and hassle of larger events," he says. "We are particularly proud of the fact Riverboats has remained boutique in both its size and philosophy, yet continues to attracts artists of the calibre of Dan Sultan, Sarah Blasko, Tex Perkins and the Whitlams." Riverboats isn't contained to the river bank; there's also a bunch of side quests you can buy tickets for alongside the main festival. If you're keen to get entirely thematic with the festival's name, punters can hop on a two-hour river cruise aboard a century-old paddle steamer — with locally-sourced brunch and live music from Sal Kimber and The Rollin' Wheel. One of the best (and tastiest) bits of Riverboats will also return for another year: the Beechworth Bakery will host Sunday's Official Festival Breakfast on the top floor of their bakery with a live set from alt-country Melburnians Raised by Eagles. Break out the picnic rugs and cheese platters, Riverboats is a solid summer option for punters wanting the camping music festival experience without the drunken drongos. RIVERBOATS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2015 DATES AND LINEUP: FRIDAY 13 FEBRUARY Raised by Eagles Stella Angelico and The Switch Diesel SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY Fraser A. Gorman Mick Harvey The Whitlams Adalita The Bamboos Dan Sultan SUNDAY 15 FEBRUARY Sal Kimber and The Rollin’ Wheel Matt Walker and The Lost Ragas Tex Perkins and The Dark Horses Sarah Blasko Image: Riverboat Music Festival.
Handmade chocolate has a new Melbourne home, and everyone with Willy Wonka fantasies has a new spot to visit. Opening at South Melbourne Market, Atypic Chocolate combines two joys every sweet-lover can't get enough of: eating artisanal delights, and watching them come to fruition. The chocolatory is a labour of love for French-trained pastry chef-turned-chocolatier Charles Lemai and his business partner Chi, as inspired by the former's trip to Vietnam in 2016. There, he met a chocolate maker who introduced him to the bean-to-bar concept — and while all choccies make their way from raw cocoa beans to mouth-watering morsels, it's the fact that Atypic does it all in-house that makes it different. In the store's 42 square metre space, customers can treat both their tastebuds and their eyes as everything from single-origin chocolate tablets (in milk, dark and white options) to chocolate pastries (think brownies, of course, plus the mounds of meringue and praline that are hazelnut merveilleux) are made on the spot. And we don't just mean witnessing the finishing touches either. Whether Atypic's staff are roasting, dehusking, grinding the nibs, refining flavours and textures, or molding, it all happens through the stall's glass windows. Focusing on organic ingredients, and using direct-trade cacao beans sourced from small farms in the Solomon Islands, Haiti, Brazil and Madagascar, their menu also includes European-style hot chocolate in dark, spicy and matcha white chocolate varieties, with chocolate soft serve due to be added at a later date. As will new chocolate varieties, with Lemai eager to experiment with flavours, fillings and textures — and to share his choc creations with the hungry masses. Find Atypic Chocolate at Stall 170 in Aisle D, South Melbourne Market, corner of Coventry and Cecil streets, South Melbourne. For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.
March will see Melbourne Town Hall host Hermès at Work, an itinerant celebration of the artisans that make Hermès what it is. Creators from nine different métiers of the luxury brand will meet, greet, and demonstrate their individual areas of expertise. You'll be able to wander through the display areas and discover how exactly how Hermès' famous bags, saddles, gloves and silk squares are made. There will also be round-table discussions held throughout the festival for those who have even more questions. Admission is free, but make sure you book your ticket online in advance.
A thumping al fresco DJ set is one thing; but this month, Victoria's new music program Always Live is serving up something approximately 180 times better. It's hosting a massive free, 11-day celebration of dance music, soundtracked by more than 180 artists and spanning a hefty 200 hours of tunes. The inaugural Nonstop DJs will be taking over the Melbourne Museum Plaza from Sunday, November 20–Wednesday, November 30, centred around a see-through Spacecube that'll play host to a jam-packed rotation of DJ talent, from 7am–11pm daily. [caption id="attachment_878396" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Millú[/caption] International heavyweights like Toro Y Moi and Tony MF will be hitting the decks, alongside scores of homegrown legends including Andee Frost, Millú, DJ JNETT, Soju Gang, MzRizk, Crown Ruler DJs and PBS DJs. You'll even catch some familiar culinary names entering the cube, including Smith & Daughters' Shannon Martinez and Raph Rashid of Beatbox Kitchen. Speaking of food, you'll have a solid offering of eats and drinks to fuel your dance floor endeavours, thanks to the fest's pop-up refreshments precinct. Mornings are taken care of with baked goods and free filter brews courtesy of Everyday Coffee, while a roster of food trucks takes the reins each afternoon (12pm weekends, 4pm weekdays). You'll also find a pop-up bar from the folks at Four Pillars and Stomping Ground, stocked with an array of dance-friendly sips. [caption id="attachment_878395" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Torcasio, via Unsplash[/caption] [caption id="attachment_878397" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MzRizk[/caption] Top Image: Bongani Ngcobo, via Unsplash
There's a lot to explore around Canterbury, but visitors to Maling Road who love fashion and homewares can't forget to check out Coco & Chloe. Named after the owner and her sisters' puppies — who also happen to be siblings — the selection of products tend to be just as cute. Across clothing, accessories and an eclectic range of homewares, basically everything available is bursting with colour. From stylish portable speakers to planners, perfume and winter wear, Coco & Chloe truly embodies the timeless appeal of Maling Road.
French food is one of the most technical and sophisticated cuisines out there. Or is it? Resto BoBo, the latest haunt to join Chapel Street's restaurant lineup, is out to prove that simple (and unpretentious) French food exists with a menu that you can mostly eat with your hands. Resto BoBo's signature dish is tarte flambée, which is basically a French pizza. A traditional Alsatian offering, the crispy, pizza-like base is topped with crème fraîche or melted cheese and a simple smattering of meats, vegetables and herbs. Tarte flambée has a rich history in France, gaining popularity as a snack food at local village gatherings. It's about bringing people together, which is exactly what the folks behind Resto BoBo wanted to recreate with their Windsor eatery. Owner Dan Xerri spent four years living in Strausbourg eating his way through the city's many exceptional restaurants when he realised he wanted to bring a slice of the country's culinary culture back home. After three months working with local chefs and learning to perfect tarte flambée, Xerri returned to Melbourne to open BoBo. Dan hopes the simple space can provide an insight into lesser-known French foods and give punters a place to enjoy good conversation and great company. While tarte flambée takes centre stage at the venue, those who venture beyond the restaurant's signature dish will find a selection of gourmet salads, cheese and charcuterie boards on offer, with both French and Victorian ingredients making an appearance. Keeping on theme, the wine list consists of French and Victorian drops for the ultimate French feast. Resto BoBo is now open at 110 Chapel Street, Windsor from 5.30pm till late, Wednesday through Sunday. For more info visit restobobo.com.au.
Trust your nose to guide you to Queen Victoria Market this winter, as this culinary hub embraces truffle season. A go-to destination for the luxurious ingredient, this year's growing season is expected to be a seismic one, meaning more flavourful creations in your future. Best of all, the increased supply means getting a taste of this delicacy isn't quite so hard on your wallet. With the Queen Victoria Market serving up two ways to celebrate, the Truffle Treasures Trail is a free, self-guided adventure spanning the market's most cherished truffle products. Featuring over 30 truffle-laced items, there's cannoli, infused oils, cheeses, salamis and more to explore, with some bites available for as little as $7. Yet the headline act is RIPE Cheese's viral truffle toastie. Seek it out to feast on golden sourdough, melty mozzarella, cheddar and truffle honey, layered with 10 grams of freshly shaved Australian black truffle. Meanwhile, hunt down Cannoleria's truffle and dark chocolate cannoli or Big Vic Deli's squid ink truffle salami to discover the fungus at its most inventive. For truffle lovers keen for a deeper experience, the Ultimate Truffle Tour offers a two-hour, expert-led adventure through the market's food halls. Tasting truffle products from varied vendors every step of the way, it runs on Saturday, July 12 and Saturday, August 16. Tickets are $99 for adults and $59 for children, with bookings essential.
Science Gallery Melbourne's inaugural exhibition tackles a complicated subject, head-on. Running from Thursday, January 20–Saturday, June 18, Mental: Head Inside dives into a whole swag of different perspectives on the topic of mental health, aiming to unravel problematic societal biases and stereotypes. The interactive exhibition showcases more than 20 experimental projects from various artists and researchers, which use science, technology and creativity to really explore different ways of being. Among them, you'll find a space of reflection created by Wemba Wemba and Gunditjmara artist Rosie Kalina that looks at the mental health impacts of racism and colonisation; a sensory project by UK artist Nwando Ebizie that captures the effects of the rare neurological disorder Visual Snow; and a performance work by Melbourne's Mary Angley and Caithlin O'Loghlen offering a glimpse into the realm of the wellness influencer and just what goes into creating that perfect image. Through it all, Mental sets out to champion lived experience, created in collaboration with a cast of young people who've shared their own stories from right across the mental health spectrum. [caption id="attachment_840763" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Installation view of 'Hello Machine - Hello Human', Rachel Hanlon, from Mental: Head Inside at Science Gallery Melbourne, 2021. Photo: Alan Weedon.[/caption] Top Images: Installation view of 'Wheel', Hiromi Tango and Dr Emma Burrows; Installation view of 'Selfcare_4EVA', Mary Angley and Caithlin O'Loghlen; Installation view of 'Even in Fear', Zhou Xiqohu, and 'Kind Words', Ziba Scott. All from 'Mental: Head Inside' at Science Gallery Melbourne, 2021. Photos: Alan Weedon
Troye Sivan has something to give Melbourne: his Something to Give Each Other tour. The Grammy-nominated and ARIA Award-winning 'Rush', 'I'm So Tired...', 'My My My!' and 'Youth' artist has spent part of 2024 playing shows in Europe to sellout crowds, and hitting America for a co-headline arena tour with Charli XCX. After that, he's making an Aussie return. The Perth-raised pop star hits Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Thursday, November 21, with Nick Ward in support. Set to get a huge workout: the 2023 album that gives the tour its name, of course, which was Sivan's first since 2018's Bloom, earned a heap of placings on best-of-2023 lists at the end of last year and hit number one on the album charts in Australia. But given that his discography dates back to 2007's Dare to Dream — and includes fellow EPs TRXYE and Wild, plus his debut album Blue Neighbourhood — he has tracks from across almost two decades to bust out. It's been a huge few years for Sivan — as a musician, acting in Boy Erased and The Idol, being parodied by Timothée Chalamet (Dune: Part Two) on Saturday Night Live. Dance to this, obviously.
Who knew that the next great Australian film would actually be a constellation of 17 smaller ones? The term 'producer' seems insufficient for Robert Connolly, the driver of this daring and innovative cinema project. He has pulled together the most visionary creative artists, filmmakers, cinematographers, choreographers and theatre-makers to bring Tim Winton's The Turning to the screen. Connolly's brief to his collaborators was simple: choose a short story from Winton's book and develop it in any style you wish. It's a bold and crazy concept. A curated, anthology film shouldn't work, but here it is. This film is about the crossroads, the moments when we turn to face ourselves and force ourselves to change track. The returning patterns of self-realisation are alcoholism, Christianity, Indigenous culture and identity, our relationship with the land and air and water, and the inability to put the past to rest. Video artist Shaun Gladwell and actors Mia Wasikowska and David Wenham make their directorial debuts. Justin Kurzel (Snowtown) directs an especially creepy episode. And every story turns on sharp moments of awakening: Rose Byrne's battered, trailer-park wife encounters God, Hugo Weaving's alcoholic hermit reunites with his estranged son, Cate Blanchett's suburban everywoman finally clicks with her mother-in-law. Until these moments, our characters are moving forward, but still in the past, and they all come together with unexpected narrative unity that balances open-endedness with diamond-cut clarity. In these plaited stories, I found a film of rare adult complexity, and strands of hope and trauma woven together with a compassionate, humane thread. I found moments of astonishingly troubling beauty. And with a sensitive touch, The Turning does all this without overdosing on dark-night-of-the-soul melodrama. Rarely do we see a film with such a startlingly singular and confident mandate, and this is all the more courageous given the pressure on Australian filmmakers to dedicate themselves to producing more 'entertaining' commercial product. Some viewers will feel The Turning's three-hour length. I did at times, and I thought some of the early chapters could have been omitted with little impact. But what the hell, go with it. It's not easy viewing but it is beautiful viewing. While you're watching it, this is a film to zoom in and zone out to. After you're finished, it's a film to dissect and discuss and linger on. Yes, this is an art film, but it's not the one you think it will be. So bold is Connolly's vision, he's designed a new distribution strategy to accommodate it: The Turning will play for only two weeks in special-event screenings — some with Q&As with the creative contributors — and audiences receive a luxe little full-colour booklet to help make sense of the braided narrative structure. The Turning will probably make you cry and you probably won't know why. It will stay with you. And I think it will claim a place in cinema history — for the innovation of its style, and the frankness of its substance. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rGVweOZA2zg
Vintage fashion treasure trove Hawkeye Vintage is back for its first in-person event since 2020. From Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 3, you can take your pick from a wide range of pre-loved designer handbags, clothing and accessories from brands such as Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Fendi, Versace and Louis Vuitton at Ovolo South Yarra. Browse over a 1000 handbags under $1000, or go big with the premium selection starting at $1200. Seems too good to be true? Hawkeye Vintage will have authentication cards available for all bag purchases, and there'll be an Entrupy authentication machine for you to use on-site. Get in quick — the first 100 shoppers will receive a goodie bag worth over $500. You could also win $500 to spend by entering the giveaway on Hawkeye Vintage's Instagram page and dropping at least $750 at the sale. You'll need to register to attend, so reserve your spot for $10 at the event website. Happy shopping! The sale will run from 10am–7pm from Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 3. Head to the Hawkeye Vintage Facebook event page for more information.
A new player is stepping up to bat in the Australian hospitality scene, and in Melbourne. Introducing The StandardX, scheduled to open in Fitzroy in February 2024. The StandardX is the latest brainchild of Standard International, known for its lifestyle hotels in cosmopolitan hotspots like New York, Miami and London. But The StandardX is set to be a new direction for the brand, with the Fitzroy concept acting as "a rebellious younger sibling" of The Standard Hotels across the globe, distilling The Standard experience to its "x factor", and going for a more minimalist and cool approach. It seems that Fitzroy is the perfect location for the new concept. Melbourne's own Hecker Guthrie has infused the hotel's 125 rooms and public spaces with a contemporary yet unpretentious aesthetic. As for the food, don't expect the standard hotel restaurant. Led by Executive Chef Justin Dingle-Garciyya, the rooftop dining area will be exclusive to hotel guests, offering an array of Medellin-inspired dishes, including tacos and ceviche. The rooftop bar will be the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail after dinner, or before a night out, or at 10am — it's a hotel after all. With panoramic city views and the privacy that comes with exclusivity, it's set to be a pretty nice spot to have a sip and take in the majesty of the Melbourne skyline for locals and tourists alike. For those after a more casual bite, the all-day Thai diner and The Box, a retail concept offering on-the-go snacks and drinks, will ensure you're never far from curing a rumbling belly. With room rates expected to hover between $250–350, The StandardX is positioning itself as a premium choice for travellers and Melburnians looking for a unique hotel experience that blends luxury with Fitzroy's artistic and cultural heritage. Nick Cave, Ollie Olsen, Stuart Grant and Rowland S. Howard are even among the hotel's inspirations. The StandardX is set to open in February 2024 at 62 Rose Street, Fitzroy — head to the hotel's website for further details.
If you're a fan of a pub roast — or just want the wintry vibes to stay around a little while longer — we've got some good news for you. Richmond's Harlow will be dishing up a different roast each Sunday — with bottomless wine. The roasts (as you may have guessed) are available every Sunday, for both lunch and dinner, until the end of October. For $20 per person, you can opt for a traditional meat roast, which will rotate between smoked beef short rib, chargrilled chicken or smoked brisket, and there's a veg option of blackened spiced eggplant, too. Of course, you'll get all the trimmings — think fat chips, peas with maple bacon, honey roasted carrots, Yorkshire pudding and the always necessary gravy. Or, you can turn it into a full-blown Sunday session with bottomless wine to go with your meal for $49 a head. You'll be sipping away for two hours, between 1–3pm for lunch or 6–8pm for dinner. Harlow's Sunday roasts, with the additional option of bottomless wine, is running every Sunday, from 12pm, until Sunday, October 27. To book a table, head here.
In response to Victoria's rising COVID-19 case numbers over the past few weeks, the State Government has implemented a number of measures in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The state has extended its State of Emergency until mid-July, launched a suburban testing blitz, tightened some gathering restrictions for all Victorians and reintroduced strict stay-at-home orders for Melbourne postcodes that are experiencing the worst community transmission of coronavirus. And, today, Saturday, July 4, it has also advised that it's locking down two more sections of the city. With 108 new cases of COVID-19 recorded over the past 24 hours — the biggest rise in numbers since Saturday, March 28 — Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the expansion of the state's reintroduced stay-at-home orders to include postcodes 3031 and 3051. In those areas, and in the suburbs of Flemington and North Melbourne specifically, 23 cases have been identified across more than 12 households in public housing estates, with the Premier advising that "this is not like an outbreak spread across multiple homes or multiple suburbs". He explained that "the close confines and the shared community spaces within these large apartment blocks means this virus can spread like wildfire. And just like fire, we need to put a perimeter around it to stop it from spreading". Accordingly, the new rules will come into place in the 3031 and 3051 postcodes from 11.59pm tonight, Saturday, July 4. https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1279299365543096322 For most residents of the two postcodes, the reintroduced requirements are very familiar. They're what were in place at stage three of the state's COVID-19 restrictions in late March. So, if you're in one of the ten originally announced or two newly added "hot zone" postcodes with stay-at-home lockdowns, you'll only be able to leave your house for one of four reasons: for work or school, for care or care giving, for daily exercise or for food and other essentials. You won't be able to have friends and family visit either — unless it's for care — but you can visit your partner and they can visit you. Plus, businesses in these suburbs will be reverting back to stage three rules, too. Which means, restaurants and cafes must offer takeaway only, and gyms, galleries, beauty parlours, swimming pools, libraries and theatres will need to close. These rules will also impact all Victorians who usually go into these suburbs — you won't be able to enter an affected suburb, unless it's for one of the four aforementioned reasons. For residents of the nine public housing estates in the 3031 and 3051 postcodes, however, a "complete lockdown" will come into effect — and will last at least five days at this stage. The nine sites will be closed and contained, and residents will be required to stay inside their homes. "Just as we've done with similar outbreaks in closely confined settings like aged care, the only people coming in and out will be those providing essential services," said Premier Andrews. The residents of the nine public housing towers will receive onsite clinical care, as well as food delivery and care packages. The two new postcodes that are required to return to stage three stay-at-home restrictions from tonight are: 3031: Flemington, Kensington 3051: North Melbourne, Hotham Hill The nine public housing estates that'll progress to a complete lockdown are: 12 Holland Court, Flemington 120 Racecourse Road, Flemington 126 Racecourse Road, Flemington 130 Racecourse Road, Flemington 12 Sutton Street, North Melbourne 33 Alfred Street, North Melbourne 76 Canning Street, North Melbourne 159 Melrose Street, North Melbourne 9 Pampas Street, North Melbourne They join the ten postcodes that returned to stage three stay-at-home restrictions tomorrow earlier this week: 3012: Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham and West Footscray 3021: Albanvale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans 3032: Ascot Vale, Highpoint City, Maribyrnong, Travancore 3038: Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens 3042: Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie 3046: Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park 3047: Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana 3055: Brunswick South, Brunswick West, Moonee Vale, Moreland West 3060: Fawkner 3064: Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickleham, Roxburgh Park and Kalkallo Premier Andrews said today's moves were announced because the recent COVID-19 figures show the state is "still on a knife's edge" and that "the need for targeted, swift action is stronger than ever before". "I know this is big. And I know this is unprecedented. But as always with this thing, an unprecedented challenge requires unprecedented action," the Premier noted. The Premier also said that Victorian Police will be actively enforcing the new stay-at-home orders, including the hard lockdowns. And, once again, if cases continue to rise, other Melbourne postcodes will also need to go back into lockdown, too. Stay-at-home restrictions will come into force in postcodes 3031 and 3051 at 11.59pm on Saturday, July 4. For more information, head to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website.
With COVID-19 testing ramping up in Victoria over the past few weeks, the state is relaxing some coronavirus-related restrictions from 11.59pm on Sunday, May 31 — just in time for the upcoming long weekend. From then, a selection of normal, everyday activities that have been off the cards since March will be permissible once again. Premier Daniel Andrews says the message has changed from "stay home" to "stay safe", with overnight trips allowed and dine-in service at restaurants, pubs, cafes, bars and clubs back on the cards from midnight on May 31. Galleries, museums, zoos and outdoor amusement parks will reopen then, too. You can also have up to 20 people in your home and outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people, which is a step up from the current five visitors and ten-person gathering restrictions. But there are, of course, some rules. These new restrictions are set to remain in place until at least 11.59pm on Sunday, June 21. So, what exactly can you do? We've broken it down. The below information is correct as of Monday, May 25. We'll update as any new announcements are made. Can I see my friends and family? Yes, visiting your friends and family has been considered a valid reason to leave your home since May 12. Under the new restrictions, you'll also be able to have 20 people in your home, including those you whom live with. Gatherings of up to 20 people outdoors, which includes picnics, yoga sessions and non-contact sport, will also be permissible. Social distancing measures should be followed at all times and 1.5 metres should be kept between you and other people. Can I have a dinner party? Yes, you can. At the moment you can have no more than five guests from outside your home, but from midnight on May 31, you'll be able to have up to 20 people in total. What about going out to restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes? Yep, parmas and pints are back on the table. From June 1, you can dine at Victorian bars, restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs, but according to the Department of Health and Human Services website, they will be required to take your name and details for possible contact tracing. Twenty patrons will be allowed indoors at once and the move only applies to food service, which means pubs and clubs can only reopen their dining areas. Bars and gaming facilities in general will remain closed — including standalone bars — and so will food courts. Provided all goes well, 50 people will be allowed in each establishment from 11.59pm on June 21. Then, come mid-July — with a specific date yet to be revealed — 100 people will be allowed inside. You can check out all the Melbourne venues that are reopening for dine-in service over here. [caption id="attachment_753705" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Old Palm Liquor by Julia Sansone[/caption] Can I exercise in a park? Yep, outdoor communal gym equipment and playgrounds will be open from 11.59pm on Monday, May 25, with a maximum of ten people. From June 1, you can exercise with a maximum of 19 other people as long as you keep your distance (at least 1.5 metres apart). Competitive sport is not allowed, but not-contact sport — such as kicking the footy, yoga, tai chi and bootcamps — are. All the City of Melbourne's parks and the Royal Botanic Gardens are currently open. Or taking my pet out for a walk in the park? You sure can. Taking your pet for a walk is considered exercise. What about going to the gym? Not yet. Gyms, health clubs and fitness studios will be open from Monday, June 22, with up to 20 people allowed per separate enclosed space. A four-square-metre rule and a limit of up to ten people per group will apply. Showers and change rooms will remain closed. What other exercise can I do? Canoeing, kayaking, SUP, rowing and surfing are all allowed, as is golf. Swimming pools — including ocean pools — will be open to a maximum of 20 people from June 1, with a limit of three people per lane. Saunas and spas will remain closed. What about driving to go for a hike or bike ride? Yes, you're currently allowed to travel to national parks for hiking and other recreational activities. From June 1, you'll be able to go with up to 19 other people and on overnight trips, too. We'll get to that next. Before you embark on a road trip, though, check what's open. Most of Parks Victoria's parks, reserves and historic places are now open for day-use activities. Some sites remain closed, including Buchan Caves Reserve, William Ricketts Sanctuary, Lower Glenelg National Park, Point Nepean National Park, Serendip Sanctuary, St Kilda Pier, State Coal Mine, Twelve Apostles lookouts and Werribee Park. Check for updates here. Can I go on a holiday to a coastal/regional town? Yes — and just in time for the Queen's Birthday long weekend, too. With the new eased restrictions from 11.59pm on May 31, there will be no limit on the distance you can travel and overnight stays will be permitted. So, Melburnians can now book an Airbnb, go camping or spend a night at a caravan park, provided these accommodations don't have shared facilities (bathrooms and kitchens). There are no restrictions on leaving or entering Victoria, but many borders remain closed so be sure to check before booking. What about a trip to the snow? Snow sports are allowed and the Victorian ski season will open from midnight on Sunday, June 21, but you should avoid sharing equipment where possible. Will art galleries and museums be open? Yep, galleries, museums, national institutions and historic sites will be allowed to have up to 20 customers per separate space and ensuring the one person per four-square-metres rule is applied. Also allowed to reopen: outdoor amusement parks, zoos, arcades and libraries. From June 22, these places will be allowed to have up to 50 patrons per separate space. [caption id="attachment_758772" align="alignnone" width="1920"] NGV[/caption] What about going to the cinema? Drive-in cinemas will be able to operate from Monday, June 1 and, from 11.59pm on Sunday, June 21, cinemas can reopen with a maximum of 50 people allowed to watch a movie. Those who are not from the same household will be seated at least 1.5 metres from others. Can I go shopping? Yes, you can go shopping. That said, not all shops are open and some have changed their opening hours, so we suggest giving them a call before you head out. The four-square-metre rule will apply to all retail spaces, with patrons advised to keep a 1.5-metre distance. Can I get my hair cut? Hairdressers and barbers are open, but under the new restrictions there'll be a maximum of 20 people allowed at any one time. They will be required to take your name and details for possible contact tracing, adhering to the Department of Health and Human Services website's guidelines. What about other beauty services? Beauty therapy, spray-tanning, waxing, nail salons, tattoo and piercing parlours will be allowed to open, as will spas and massage parlours. Can I go back to work? In short, no. Premier Daniel Andrews advises that if you can work from home — and have been doing so — you should not be going into the office until at least the end of June. "I understand there'll be questions about why you can go to the pub or the park – but not the office," he said in a statement. "We just can't afford to have millions of people moving around our state – taking public transport or using the communal kitchen. Let alone when you think about the logistical challenges of getting people in and out of lifts or lobbies." https://www.facebook.com/DanielAndrewsMP/posts/3102837846447397 I'm on my Ls, how about a driving lesson? Going for a drive, or a motorbike ride, are considered acceptable recreational and educational activities. Flying lessons are now even allowed. Can I go to church? Yes, all places of worship are now allowed to open for small religious ceremonies of up to 20 people. Weddings can also have up to 20 people, in addition to the couple and the celebrant. Funerals can have up to 50 mourners. If held in a home, a maximum of 20 people can be present. If you have more questions, the Victorian Government has an extensive list of FAQs on its website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Top image: Firebird by Parker Blain
Tragedy, deceit, treachery: these are all words associated with Bell Shakespeare's latest production, Julius Caesar. The Australian theatre troupe is stopping in Melbourne for ten performances of the Shakespearean tragedy, as part of its 2018 national tour. Led by the company's associate director, James Evans, the political thriller will appear at Arts Centre Melbourne from July 18–28. Julius Caesar explores the damaging effects of betrayal, as audiences witness how "mob violence erupts, relationships fracture and the republic crumbles" throughout the tense plot. Kenneth Ransom (Gods of Egypt) is set to present an emotional, encapsulating rendition of the title character alongside an ensemble cast. Since 1990, Bell Shakespeare has taken the words crafted by Shakespeare and presented them to spectators as eery commentary on the current state of the world. In speaking on this production, director Evans highlights the idea of dystopias and "the way in which yesterday's dystopia becomes today's normality". With tickets starting from $45 for under 30s, Julius Caesar is sure to be an enlightening, exciting production filled with takeaway lessons for today's society. For more information on tickets and shows, head to Arts Centre Melbourne's website.
Every city has one: an area littered with the usual eateries, convenience stores and variety shops, with a slightly grimy, ripped-from-the-'70s pawnbrokers nestled smack bang in the middle. In Melbourne, the suburb of Footscray offers up just that — and provides Pawno with its setting. Indeed, actor-turned-filmmaker Paul Ireland doesn't just stroll the streets to make his directorial debut, but endeavours to bring the thriving locale to the big screen. A diverse Aussie drama is the end result, offering a lived-in slice of neighbourhood life, its ups and downs, and its multicultural populace. Unsurprisingly, the titular cash-for-goods establishment sits at the centre of the action. Run by the gruff but kindly Les Underwood (John Brumpton) and his lovesick offsider Danny (Damian Hill), it's the kind of place that all of the locals drop by during the course of the day. Over a 24-hour period, a number of shoppers, pals and others stop in or loiter around outside. Some, like transgender woman Paige (Daniel Frederiksen), are after quick cash. Others, such as visibly upset mother Jennifer (Kerry Armstrong), are trying to track down both goods and people. And then there's Kate (Maeve Dermody), who works in the nearby bookshop, needs help fixing her glasses, and happens to be the secret object of Danny's affection. In addition to playing Danny, Hill also provides the low-budget indie with its screenplay. Despite this, his character is just one of many. Pawno proves less concerned with charting one person's journey, and more interested in weaving snippets of stories into a textured tapestry of the community. Alas, that choice proves both a strength and a weakness. While the unassuming feature boasts variety and vibrancy, its episodic narrative lacks a sense of cohesion. Fortunately, the talented ensemble of performers — which includes Malcolm Kennard and Mark Coles Smith as a duo of homeless hangabouts, as well as Holding the Man's Tony Rickards as one of Les' pals — keep things intriguing, especially when the script goes down many an expected path. They might all be playing thinly written characters, but they each make their respective roles feel real. Thanks to their combined efforts, the ample amounts of Aussie slang and swearing aren't the only aspects of Pawno that come across as genuine. As clichéd as it sounds, the suburb of Footscray also helps ramp up Pawno's atmosphere of authenticity. The graffiti-strewn streets are as significant a presence as Les, Danny and company, with cinematographer Shelley Farthing-Dawe finding the right balance between gloss and grit. Of course, that's the combination the feature aims for overall: candid but caring. It's an ambitious mix for an ambitious feature, even if the patchwork package doesn't always convincingly come together.
Call the team at Guinness and get them down to Speakeasy HQ. Over five nights in the lead-up to Christmas, Melbourne's home of cabaret and burlesque will present a 30-act vaudeville show with a twist in its tail: every evening, the performance will finish with a different, jaw-dropping world record attempt. People, this could be history in the making. The first attempt, on the evening of Friday, December 18, will see Miss Lucy La Parr try and top the record for most knives revealed in a single burlesque performance. On Saturday, Ryan Lovat will attempt to shatter the greatest number of twerks performed in under a minute, while on Sunday, Baroness Mischa will give swallowing the longest steel blade sword ever swallowed a red hot go. Next up is dancer Liberty Foxx, who will attempt to break the record for most pasties simultaneously worn and used for tassel propellers (we swear we're not making this up). Finally, Camilla Cream will attempt the record for highest number of fans used simultaneously in a burlesque performance, incorporating ten huge feather fans in an act inspired by the ballet Swan Lake.
When you think of French composer Claude Debussy, you're more likely to arrive at the dreamy, mellifluous 'Clair de Lune' than the melodramatic stampede of opera. But at the turn of the 20th century, the French composer decided to dabble. Adapting Maurice Maeterlinck's play about a woman found wandering in the forest by a prince, Debussy's Pelleas et Melisande added to his already burgeoning reputation as an innovator. It was written in part as a response to the popular operatic traditions of the second half of the 19th century — and, more specifically, Richard Wagner's Tristan and Isolde. In contrast to these dramatic works, Pelleas and Melisande favours subtlety. It is devoid of arias and has a libretto written in prose rather than verse, creating an ethereal atmosphere that is dark in its eeriness. It has made Pelleas and Melisande, Debussy's only opera, completely original and one that completely revolutionised the art form. To mark the 100th anniversary of Debussy's death, Victorian Opera is staging a two-night run of the opera at St. Kilda's Palais Theatre. Featuring Siobhan Stagg as Melisande, Angus Wood as Pelleas and the Australian National Academy of Music orchestra, this is a great chance to remember (or get to know) one of the seminal works of this symbolist composer. Tickets to Pelleas and Melisande start from $35. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Victorian Opera website.
In sweet, sweet news for southside pastry fiends, seasonal bake sale Flour Market is finally venturing across the Yarra, set to host its next pop-up pastry showcase at the Prahran Town Hall, on April 8. It's the first southside foray for the cult event's Melbourne arm, which assembles the most coveted of the city's emerging, underground, and artisan bakers for an all-out sugar fest every three months. This Southside Slice edition will offer a condensed version of the usual bake sale extravaganza, though with debuting vendors like Penny for Pound, Shortstop Donuts, and Cremorne Street Bakers joining old favourites like Butterbing, All Day Donuts, and 5 & Dime Bagels, it looks set to be as much of a crowd-puller as ever before. As always, entry to the Flour Market will cost just $2 at the door. That said, if you're keen to avoid the guaranteed queues, grab a $10 early bird ticket for skip-the-line privileges and an extra half-hour of pastry perusal before the event opens to the general public at 9am. Flour Market's Southside Slice kicks off at 9am on Saturday, April 8, at the Prahran Town Hall, 180 Greville Street, Prahran. $10 early bird tickets are on sale from midday on Wednesday, April 5.
The hit rock musical based on Green Day's iconic album American Idiot is coming to Melbourne for the first time in 2018. Following a hit season in Brisbane in 2017, this next run of Green Day's American Idiot will see Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson reprise his lead performance as St Jimmy — a role played internationally by the likes of Melissa Etheridge, Chris Cheney and Green Day's own Billie Joe Armstrong. The acclaimed Aussie musician will again be joined on stage by Phoebe Panaretos, whose performance as Whatsername during the show's Brisbane run scored her a Helpmann nomination. Hailed as a bold and explosive production, the Tony and Grammy award-winning show features every song from the band's eponymous album, along with a number of tunes from Green Day's follow-up record, 21st Century Breakdown. It's the tale of three lifelong mates, torn between remaining in their safe, aimless ruts, and challenging the status quo to embark on a journey of self-discovery. The American Idiot 2018 tour will begin with a brief season at the Sydney Opera House, before runs in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane. Images: Dylan Evans.
When you consider the ever-inflating costs associated with owning your own patch of urban paradise, it’s little wonder that people are turning to a more compact way of living. In response, quirky micro houses are appearing in cities around the globe, as architects and owners turn their attention to designing houses with simplicity and sustainability in mind. Many designers have been influenced by Japanese architects like Yasuhiro Yamashita, who has responded to the challenge posed by space constraints by creating small but comfortable and functional living quarters like his Lucky Drops house in Tokyo. As more and more attractive alternatives to traditional homes pop up each week, we take a look at some of our favourite not-so-grand designs. Small House in Tokyo, Japan Tunnel Vision in Manhattan, New York Small House Surry Hills, Sydney Steel Life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Lucky Drops in Tokyo, Japan
Chunky Monkey, Clusterfluff, New York Super Fudge Chunk. These are just some of the more popular flavours of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, a leading cause of happiness around the world since 1978. While doctors in the future will no doubt tell me otherwise, I can't think of many things better than gorging a giant tub of sweet, sweet ice-cream on a hot December day, except for maybe getting some friends together and going to the movies. Well, it turns out Ben & Jerry's can help me there as well. Staring on December 1 and running until a few days before Christmas, Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema, erected on St Kilda's South Beach Reserve, will combine recent releases like Gravity, The Counselor and We Are The Millers with some more nostalgic picks, including Point Break, The Breakfast Club and sing-a-long screening of Grease. Festivities start daily at 6pm with live performances from local bands and DJs. The film program starts after dark, usually around 8.30pm, giving you plenty of time to suss out the bar and stock up on snacks. The exceptions are the Sunday 'Sundae' Sessions, which kicks off an hour earlier with additional music and free Ben & Jerry's for all. Ben & Jerry's Openair Cinema opens on Sunday, December 1, featuring a live performance from Gypsy & the Cat and a screening of the new Richard Curtis rom-com, About Time. Concrete Playground has three double passes to the launch to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address at win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au.
Four Pillars' bloody gin season is back for another year, which is one piece of bloody excellent news. There's more where that came from. In 2023, the Healesville-based distillery has two limited-edition wine-infused concoctions on offer: the cult-favourite Bloody Shiraz Gin and new sibling Bloody Pinot Noir Gin. Spirits fiends familiar with the shiraz version will know that it is ridiculously popular for a reason. Also, it's gin infused with shiraz grapes. That blend gives the drop its cerise hue, and provides sweet undertones — but means that it avoids a higher sugar content. It is boozier, though, with an alcoholic content of 37.8 percent (compared to an average 25 percent in regular sloe gin). The 2023 Bloody Shiraz Gin follows that process again, while the Bloody Pinot Noir Gin sees Four Pillars try another grape variety. If the distillery is bottling it and selling it, clearly it turned out well, too. This newcomer also sources its fruit from Yarra Valley again. The end result is softer and lighter but with a heavier gin taste, and with aromas of rose petals, strawberries and cherries. [caption id="attachment_851611" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anson Smart[/caption] Also bloody brilliant: to celebrate not one but two bloody gins, and bloody season overall, Four Pillars is hosting a midwinter gin fest. Running from Saturday, June 10 till the end of July in Melbourne, the festival is actually a heap of events heroing the two tipples (and getting everyone saying "bloody" over and over). So, the Healesville distillery will celebrate World Gin Day across Saturday, June 10–Sunday, June 11 with a weekend-long party filled with drinks, snacks, DJs, workshops and free tastings. It's also hosting a Fireside Festival that's all about hot cocktails on three Saturdays: July 8, 15 and 22. And, Yakimono is doing a feast on Tuesday, July 11; there'll be takeovers at Dessous and Goldilocks on various dates; and the Gin & Film Fest is back at Thornbury Picture House on Thursday, July 6 and Thursday, July 13. Top image: Kate Shanasy.
Everything is a multiverse these days, or so it increasingly seems. Marvel has one, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is currently in cinemas to remind us all of that fact if we somehow forgot after Spider-Man: No Way Home. Rick and Morty loves them as well. Even if the term isn't mentioned explicitly, everything from French delight Petite Maman to The Matrix franchise flirts with similar territory. And yes, the list goes on — but nothing else is quite like Everything Everywhere All At Once. Don't know why that's the case? There's a vast array of reasons, including star Michelle Yeoh getting to play multiple versions of the same character, earning a far worthier showcase of her talents than the likes of Boss Level and Gunpowder Milkshake have provided of late, and also working in a nod to her Crazy Rich Asians-era IRL self as well. Plus, there's the wonderful return to cinema by Ke Huy Quan, aka Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom's Short Round and The Goonies' Data, who makes a fantastic double-act with Yeoh. Also a highlight: a world where everyone has hot dogs for fingers; another where Ratatouille is real, but with raccoons; and another still that's a sparse realm where life only exists in sentient rocks. Weird, wild and wonderful from its first frame to its last, Everything Everywhere All At Once stands out in a heap of ways — and, if you haven't seen it yet or you're keen to give it a revisit, you can now watch one of the best films of 2022 so far from your couch via digital platforms from Thursday, May 26. Fast-tracking flicks big and small to digital is our new pandemic-era reality, and this gem is the latest to make the leap — while it's still showing in cinemas, too. It looks fabulous on the big screen, but if the ease of checking it out at home suits you better, that's also now an option, as it also has been with The Batman, West Side Story, Dune, The Matrix Resurrections and more in the past few months. Written and directed by the Daniels, aka Swiss Army Man's Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All At Once really does take its name seriously. Here, almost anything that can happen does, all while laundromat owner Evelyn (Yeoh) just wants to get the tax office off her back, save the family business and make the most of her dad's (James Hong, Turning Red) visit from China. In the middle of a punishing audit by IRS inspector Deirdre Beaubeirdra (Jamie Lee Curtis, Halloween Kills), and already feeling chaotic after her daughter Joy (Stephanie Hsu, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) brought her girlfriend Becky (Tallie Medel, The Carnivores) home, Evelyn learns that the fate of the universe is at stake. Of course, only she can save everything — and while that setup might sound familiar, this funhouse of a feature never takes the expected path. Check out the trailer for Everything Everywhere All At Once below: Everything Everywhere All At Once is currently screening in Australian cinemas, and is also available to stream online via video on demand — including via YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. Read our full review.
A literal underdog tale about scrappy canines, a plucky orphan and a pooch-hating politician with an evil scheme, Isle of Dogs isn't just Wes Anderson's latest movie. Filled with heart, humour and witty dialogue, this doggone delight is the most Wes Anderson-esque movie the acclaimed filmmaker has ever made. Anyone who's seen any of his previous flicks knows exactly what that means, with the writer-director's work almost comprising its own genre. Think quirky quests about spirited characters following their own paths, set in worlds that cleverly expose humanity's desires and fears. Then there are his signature visuals, complete with symmetrical compositions that look like they belong in a gallery, and distinctive colour palettes anyone would love to plaster all over their own walls. Constructed with the tail-wagging enthusiasm of man's best friend, all of these familiar components fall into place in the stop-motion animated wonder that is Isle of Dogs. And that's before Anderson trots out his other trademark: an A-list cast. For this walk around the block, he's joined by regular collaborators Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Tilda Swinton, Bob Balaban, Harvey Keitel, Frances McDormand and Edward Norton, plus Anderson newcomers Bryan Cranston, Greta Gerwig, Scarlett Johansson, Liev Schreiber, Yoko Ono and Ken Watanabe. Throw in a story written with The Darjeeling Limited co-scribes Roman Coppola and Jason Schwartzman as well as The Grand Budapest Hotel actor Kunichi Nomura, and the end product couldn't feel more like an Anderson movie if it tried. Set 20 years into the future, Isle of Dogs begins in the fictional Megasaki, as the Japanese city faces a difficult doggy dilemma. Its howling furballs are infected with dog flu and snout fever, sparking fears that the virus could soon spread to humans. Hailing from a long line of cat fanciers and hardly keen on pooches, Mayor Kobayashi (Nomura) decides to banish all canines to Trash Island. To demonstrate his commitment to the cause, he even exiles his own family pet: a short-haired oceanic speckle-eared sport hound by the name of Spots (voiced by Schreiber). That's the setup. But Anderson's film really starts barking once the action moves to its offshore garbage pile — the actual isle of dogs. There, abandoned pooches fight for food, form packs and try to survive, as the mayor's orphaned 12-year-old nephew Atari (Koyu Rankin) discovers on his mission to find Spots. He's assisted in his task by Rex (Norton) and a ragtag gang of misfit mutts, including ex-baseball mascot Boss (Murray), one-time dog food spokesdog King (Balaban) and admitted gossip Duke (Goldblum). Gruff outsider Chief (Cranston) isn't thrilled about helping the boy they dub 'the little pilot', but he knows a lost puppy when he sees one. With a former show dog (Johansson), an oracle pug (Swinton), robo-hounds, and a crusading American exchange student (Gerwig) also playing their parts, Isle of Dogs isn't short on antics. Anderson fills his narrative to the brim like an overflowing bowl of dog treats, spoiling viewers like he'd spoil his own animal companion. It's an approach that matches his lovingly detailed images, which surpass even Fantastic Mr Fox's animated splendour. Aesthetically, every second of the movie delivers something gorgeous and glorious — be it the lifelike puppetry of its central canines, a particularly meticulous sushi scene, or fond odes to Japanese filmmaking icons Akira Kurosawa and Yasujirō Ozu. Indeed, even if Isle of Dogs hadn't paired its eye-catching contents with smart, timely parallels — a power-hungry leader, discarded population and trash-filled land mass make it impossible to miss the film's political, social and environmental commentary — it'd still make an ace addition to Anderson's oeuvre. That said, there's one area where the director shows his own limits. While Anderson is a seasoned master at combining exquisite visuals, lively voice work, an engaging story and a memorable message, a couple of his choices give pause (not paws) for thought. Isle of Dogs oozes affection for its location in every intricate element and never uses Japanese culture as decoration – but translating canine chatter into English while offering Japanese dialogue without subtitles threatens to marginalise the country the film is paying tribute to. Similarly problematic is Gerwig's character, who swoops in to help Megasaki's residents battle the mayor's nefarious plan, and sticks a little too closely to the white saviour trope in the process. Thankfully, she's never the main attraction, in what proves an otherwise charming tale about a determined boy, his undying love for his beloved pet, and a whole island of adorable dogs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlakrjfzCig
I love a good rom-com as much as the next person. Austenland is not a good rom-com. The film tells the tale of Jane Austen-obsessed, 30-something singleton Jane Hayes (Keri Russell), who spends her life savings on visiting an Austen 'theme park' in England in her quest to find her own Mr Darcy. The foundations for a predictable and enjoyable rom-com are set. All we have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride as she battles obstacles before eventually learning that the fantasy exists in real life. Right? Right on all accounts except the most crucial: this film is not enjoyable. Actually, my apologies, there was one laugh, only it was so fleeting and unmemorable that I have already forgotten what induced it was. Likely it came from the repeatedly cumbersome attempts at a regal English accent by Miss Elizabeth Charming (played by Jennifer Coolidge in the same vein as every character ever played by Jennifer Coolidge). At least Austenland will not force you to think too much. It is predictable, which is a staple of most films of the genre — the protagonist will always find love. However, that is where we would like the predictability to cease. Unfortunately, the film's events and 'twists' are so glaringly foreseeable that you could sit at home and write the script in the time it takes you to watch it. In fact, just buy a Jane Austen novel with the money you would spend on seeing this. Perhaps the most frustrating element of this film is how unvisitable and inhospitable the actual resort it. From the instant Jane arrives she is treated horribly, due to purchasing the basic package. However, this unfathomable business plan destroys any realism in this resort, for me at least. It would have been better if this theme park had roller-coasters and fairy floss throughout. I will say that Russell is lovely to watch, and that JJ Feild will have ladies swooning as the film's resident Mr Darcy. However, that is it for the positives in this film. So use your sense and sensibility and give Austenland a miss, or at least wait until it ends up in JB Hi-Fi's bargain bin. Even then, save your $4.95.
Pizza. Pasta. Salumi. Gelato. And don't even get us started on the booze. The Italians have gifted the world with some pretty spectacular food and drink — and the good news is you'll find all that and more at the Italian Wine + Food Festival. Taking over the Royal Exhibition Building on Sunday, May 27, this all-day gastronomic bonanza will welcome the proprietors and chefs from some of the most beloved Italian eateries in town. We're talking 400 Gradi and Massi, to name but a few. There'll be cooking demonstrations and wine-tasting workshops. Those looking to put what they learn into practice can swing by the festival food market and find all the ingredients they need to cook an Italian feast at home — or stop by the free bruschetta station for some sustenance. And once you're done shopping you can kick back with a glass of vino, or perhaps a cocktail from the Aperitivi Bar.
Hudsons Road Wine & Beer out in Melbourne's west is celebrating the return of winter by serving its mulled wine (longingly known by locals as the Spotswood Latte) at a one-off sausage sizzle. On Saturday, June 1, from 10.30am until sold out, folks can head down to the bar and grab gourmet kranksy sausages right off the barbecue and cups of hot mulled wine. Sausages will be going for $11 each, mulled wine for $13 and a combo of both is just $20. This classic pairing of sausages and mulled wine is served up at most European winter markets — especially those in Germany and Austria — and is perfect for warming you up on a cold arvo. Either sit in and enjoy the feed with some mates or get the sausages and wine to go. The team's mulled wine became fairly famous during the Covid-19 lockdowns when locals would run down to Hudsons Road Wine & Beer during their lunch break or after work to score a cup of the hot spiced bev. Served in a takeaway coffee cup, it became known to locals as the Spotswood Latte. And while the kranskies are only on the menu for this event, the mulled wine will be served all winter long.
With autumn clearly here, you may be tempted to knock off work, race straight home and get cosy on the couch. But Richmond's Baby Pizza is giving you reason to do otherwise. Throughout April and May, they're inviting you to join them after the office with Aperol hour every day from 4–6pm. On offer are cocktails for $9.50, wine for $7.50 and beer for $6.50. The drinks list includes Aperol Spritz, Fragola Spritz, Agrumato Fizz, Brokenwood Rosato and Peroni Rossa. While you're sipping away, do consider sampling one of Baby Pizza's 11 varieties of pizza – be it the Funghi with with portobello mushrooms, porcini, buffalo taleggio, fior di latte and truffle cream, or the San Daniele Prosciutto with San Marzano tomatoes, rocket, reggiano and fior di latte. You're welcome to secure your table by making a booking (make it a booth if you can), or take your chances and walk in. Either way, you can count on a warm welcome.
Descending on the city from August 30 to September 8, this year's edition of the Melbourne Writers Festival is set to be an especially amorous one, dishing up a jam-packed program that's all about L-O-V-E (yep, luuuuurve). From the sappy soulmate stuff, to all-important self-love, MWF has pulled together a diverse lineup of talent to help get to the heart of it all. Pulling inspiration from Raymond Carver's short story collection What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, the program sets out to explore our love for everything from people, sex, politics and country. And, no matter where you sit on that spectrum, it's got a little something for everyone. A slew of loved-up special events includes a rowdy rendition of a hen's night, helmed by comedy writers Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan (the Kates from Get Krack!n and The Katering Show), and a faux wedding reception for author and presenter Yumi Stynes. And we'll all be getting nostalgic about past heartbreaks, when the Museum of Broken Relationships exhibition makes its Aussie debut, bringing pieces from its permanent collections in Zagreb and LA and showing them alongside a few tear-jerking local contributions. [caption id="attachment_730607" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Museum of Broken Relationships[/caption] You'll also catch conversations with some heavy-hitting international talent, including the USA's Tayari Jones (An American Marriage), Canadian novelist Patrick deWitt (French Exit), Scottish crime-writing star Val McDermid and experimental rock writer and Sonic Youth co-founder Kim Gordon. Elsewhere, legendary singer-songwriter Tina Arena joins Yorta Yorta soprano, composer and educator Deborah Cheetham for the festival's popular Duets series; Cold Chisel's Don Walker chats with Paul Kelly, reflecting on a couple of impressive musical careers; Daniel Mallory Ortberg — host of Slate's Dear Prudence podcast and founder of The Toast — digs deep into all those occasions when love just hurts; and even a performance by Ben Folds. Book Club will see a group of broadcasters, comedians, former politicians and authors discussing their favourite tomes, or you can enjoy a selection of the city's cringiest DIY wedding vows, as performed by comics Anne Edmonds and Nath Valvo. In short, you'll have a lot of new additions to your Goodreads list. Melbourne Writers Festival will hit the city between August 30 and September 8, 2019. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10am, Thursday, July 11 here.
With a booming five-year stint and loyal crowd of regulars under its belt, unique party place Pawn & Co shocked plenty when it announced it was getting turfed from its Chapel Street home — at the hands of developers, no less. But, as promised fiercely to its fans, the bar-pawn shop hybrid has returned with a vengeance, moving to impressive digs around the corner, at 177 Greville Street. The new iteration is bigger and better than ever, with the original hidden bookshelf entrance now leading punters to a heftier two-level space, complete with cosy booths, a courtyard, and three separate bars. This time though, co-owner and designer Josh Lefers has dialled up the steampunk aesthetic to a whole new level, with the retro-futuristic reboot boasting such random treasures as a cryogenic chamber, a steampunk throne, and an old Victorian tram you can sit in. There's also a church organ mixing cocktails, a talking vending machine taking drink orders, and a host of bonus extra features, glimpsed only through special glasses given to patrons. Of course, Pawn & Co has stuck with the bar concept that put it on the map (it was once featured by Forbes back in 2013), so absolutely everything inside the space is up for sale. Best keep that credit card on a short leash though, unless you really want a cryogenic chamber for your house. Pawn & Co. 2.0 is now open at 117 Greville Street, Prahran. For more info, visit pawnandco.com.au. Images: Eugene Hyland.
If you're watching a film in a darkened theatre without some sort of snack in your hand, are you really at the cinema? Lovers of popcorn and choc tops certainly don't think so. And while whipping up a bowl of popped corn kernels in the microwave is a rather easy way to help recreate that movie magic at home at the moment, enjoying a choc top — a proper cinema-quality choc top, not just your own attempt — isn't quite that simple while Victorian picture palaces are temporarily closed. To help satisfy the country's choc top cravings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bulla's choc tops range hit Australian supermarkets earlier this year — but only for a limited time. Now that Victoria is under strict coronavirus restrictions again, the ice creams are making a comeback from today, Wednesday, August 26. Again, it's a short-term arrangement; however if you'd like to grab a few next time you're doing your essential grocery shopping, now you can. This time, two different flavours are on offer, too — so you can lick your way through chocolate and boysenberry varieties. Old favourites vanilla and mint are also available and, to grab them, you'll need to head to Coles. Bulla and Coles haven't revealed just how long the choc tops will be on the freezer shelves, other that they're only there while stocks last. Prepare to eat a few — a four-pack will cost you $10. Find Bulla's choc tops in the Coles freezer aisle for a limited time. For further details, visit the Bulla or Coles websites.
Bored, retired American goth rock star Cheyenne (Sean Penn) is living in an enormous mansion in Dublin with his carefree wife of 35 years, Jane (Frances McDormand). When he learns of the death of his estranged father, Cheyenne returns to America, at which time he begins to find out information about himself and his family that he never knew. When asked about his father things begin to unravel. Cheyenne is told a story of an SS Officer who humiliated his father in Auschwitz, and who may still be living in America. This is where Cheyenne embarks on a journey across his homeland, now foreign to him, on an expedition of reconciliation where encounters with people and situations allow him to find himself. With a nod to The Cure's Robert Smith, Penn plays the complex character of Cheyenne as softly spoken and kind in a convincing and unique performance. The film draws charm and originality to the forefront with a stunning cast and compelling storyline, not to mention a remarkable soundtrack with music and lyrics by David Byrne and Will Oldham. This Must Be The Place is in cinemas April 5. You can read our full review here. To win one of ten double passes to see This Must Be The Place, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
After exhibiting in Sydney earlier this year, Chinese artist Chen Qiulin brings her first Australian solo show to the Shepparton Art Museum. Her practice draws upon her experience growing up in Wanzhou City in Western China and the confluence of natural and urban landscapes. In recent years, the rapid urbanisation of China has becoming central to her work, which explores the intricacies of city planning, architectural hierarchies as well as tensions between tradition and technology. The centrepiece and namesake of the show is the impressive One Hundred Names, consisting of the most common Chinese family names, carefully carved out of tofu. This edible artwork is designed to gradually decay over time, symbolising the material transformation that inevitably follows intensive labour. The exhibition will also feature a range of photographic, video and performance works. As part of the exhibition, SAM will also hold a one-off tofu banquet with the artist on Saturday, June 4 to coincide with the launch. You can book tickets here. Image: Chen Qiulin, Ellisis Series No.1 2001 58×86cm Photograph, Giclee Print, Ed.8 Courtesy the artist and A Thousand Plateaus Art Space, Chengdu © the artist.
How better to banish those dreaded post-holiday blues than a sparkling summer Sunday spent frolicking on a rooftop? The ever-colourful Good Heavens has teamed up with its mates at Fixation Brewing Co, serving up a series of monthly Sunday sessions guaranteed to get your 2019 off to a very solid start. Head along on Sunday, January 6 — and the first Sunday of each month after that — to wrap up your weekend in true summer style. There's a $60 bottomless barbecue brunch to feast on, perfectly washed down with hoppy Fixation beers, plus green tea and mango mimosas. Further fun comes in the form of a holiday-worthy $10 spritz menu from 12–4pm, super-sized board games and activities, and DJs spinning those weekend beats all day long. There are two sessions available for each event — book in for the 12–2pm time slot, or round out your afternoon with a 2–4pm visit.
Melbourne cinephiles, prepare to spend plenty of time in yet another picture palace. Come 2019, Swanston Street's Capitol Theatre will reopen its doors and once again host cinema screenings. The RMIT-owned building will become a home-away-from-home for the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), which is closing down for a major refurbishment between mid-2019 and mid-2020. While ACMI's Federation Square base is completing its revamp, the organisation will partner with RMIT to bring its screenings to the Capitol. Festivals that usually use ACMI as a venue, such as the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Human Rights Arts & Film Festival and the Japanese Film Festival, will also make the temporary move. In readiness for getting the projector whirring, the Capitol is also undergoing a revamp of its own. The theatre's foyer will be restored, seats and carpet will be replaced, and upgrades will be made to its cinema projection, lighting and sound facilities. As well as revitalising a space that dates back almost a century, RMIT is eager for the Capitol to regain its place as one of Melbourne's cultural hubs. The university expects the venue to host more than 500 events and to welcome more than 100,000 visitors through its doors every year. RMIT will also use the space as a research and innovation hub in fields such as film, digital media, virtual reality, augmented reality and animation, for both educational purposes and for the broader industry. "We're creating a cultural and educational destination," said RMIT Pro Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President Professor Paul Gough in a statement. "A thriving centre where the creative community can interact, connect and collaborate." The news comes after the university launched a crowdfunding campaign to restore the Capitol and put it back into use, noting the building's significant historical value. First opening in 1924 — and initially hosting silent films that were preceded by live theatre productions before each screening, as well as being accompanied by Australia's first large Wurlitzer organ — the site was designed by architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, who also designed the city of Canberra. The Capitol's geometric-shaped light-filled ceiling is quite the striking sight, but one that's been seen intermittently by audiences over the past few decades. After initially closing in the 60s, being renovated to turn its stalls-level seating into the Capitol Arcade, and then undergoing remodelling again when RMIT took over in 1999, The Capitol has remained shut since 2014. We're looking forward to seeing it open once more. The Capitol Theatre is located at 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne and will reopen at a yet-to-be-revealed date in 2019. Image: RMIT.
Sorry to break it to you, but your cab home tonight will be at least $6 more expensive. After a review from the Essential Services Commission and a subsequent ruling from the state government, Melbourne taxis this week see their first fare rise since 2008. Much to our tragic, drunken despair, the biggest price hikes are going to those late-night rides home on the weekend. Between 10pm and 4am on Friday and Saturday nights punters will now be paying $6.20 in flagfall fees alone. If you're after a maxi, expect that fee to rise to $14. Flagfall rates during the day will also be jumping to $4.20, and a ride on weeknights will set you back $5.20 from the get go. Across the board, the changes equate to a price rise of 12.5 percent. That is unless you're up for travelling short distances — then your fare has magically doubled. Yeouch. While any rise in prices is understandably easy to moan about, the changes may in fact help inner-city commuters in the long-run. Not only will there be more cabs on the weekends as drivers fight to get the bigger fares, but it may also be an incentive for taxis to drive you short distances. No longer do you have to bribe and convince drivers to take you from the CBD to Fitzroy! I think we all know that awkward (and illegal) Saturday night exchange that ends in them locking their doors, speeding away, and leaving you to begrudgingly make your way home in inappropriate walking shoes. However, it is interesting that these fees come at a time of flux for the industry. The controversial ride-sharing service Uber has secured most of its business in Australian cities on the fact that it's cheaper than local taxis. Though its Melbourne drivers have recently faced legislative action from the state government, it doesn't look to be disappearing any time soon. And, with these latest price rises, more and more commuters may be looking for alternatives. Either that, or you can stay out till 5am and avoid the hefty flagfall. Boney, anyone? Via The Herald Sun. Photo credits: Savio Sebastian via photopin cc and mugley via photopin cc.
It's time to shed those layers of black because Melbourne's spring fashion festival is here to mark the end of winter and get you into some crisp whites and florals. The week-long event — which has ditched the 'spring' from its name and is now known as Melbourne Fashion Week — kicks off on the first day of the season, with Vogue American Express Fashion's Night Out and the Emporium Opening Night Runway setting the sartorial scene for a week of runway shows. Labels like local PAGEANT, Melbourne icon Gorman and the polished Michael Lo Sordo. RMIT's student runway returns to showcase emerging designers, and one show will be help in a car park. Ethical fashion is under the spotlight this year at the Ethical Clothing Showcase, proving that transparent production is on-trend. MFW has teamed up with the city's arts institutions to present the lives and works of two fashion heavyweights – the NGV's House of Dior retrospective is unmissable, while ACMI's screening of Yohji Yamamoto: Dressmaker, offers a rare insight into the world of the revered Japanese designer. No cash? No problem. Free i-D Magazine-curated live music from the likes of Jennifer Loveless and HABITS will keep you moving in your designer shoes, and the revolving Creative Collective Exhibition at Melbourne Town Hall will introduce you to the city's most exciting emerging artists and designers.
