One of the local businesses that really came into its own during pandemic times was 1800-Lasagne. Specialising in home-delivered slabs of lasagne, Joey Kellock's niche drop-off service ticked a whole lot of boxes for Melbourne's carb-craving iso folk. But fans won't be limited to just delivery for much longer, with the news 1800-Lasagne will soon have its own permanent, bricks-and-mortar home. Kellock has revealed plans to open the doors to a new Thornbury bar and eatery, with a launch date pencilled in for late August. Yep — something extra tasty to look forward to post-lockdown 2.0. The team has cooled things off on the delivery front for a few weeks while it sets about transforming an old-school High Street pizza joint into a warm, character-filled Italian hangout. Brick archways and terrazzo floors are carryovers from days past, setting the scene along with lots of classic wood panelling and a big timber-topped bar gracing the front room. "We have always wanted to have a bar set-up so we can serve our lasagne in its finest form: straight outta the oven," says Kellock. "We wanted a place where people can come and drink some wine and be super comfy...and eat delicious lasagne in a gorgeous setting." While that signature lasagne is set to be the star of the show, with two different versions on offer, there'll also be plenty of other Italian-accented treats rounding out the menu. Think, snacks, buttery garlic bread, a couple of salads and a rotation of specials that could include favourites like spaghetti with meatballs and osso bucco. And, to match, the bar will be slinging a range of top-notch wines, classic cocktails and a beer list that trips between Italy and Australia. Those who aren't quite lucky enough to call themselves locals will still be able to get their mitts on 1800-Lasagne's namesake dish, with Kellock planning to continue with delivery runs from around July 29. Outer suburbs will be covered on specific nights each week, with instant delivery available to Thornbury's surrounding locales. 1800-Lasagne's new bar is set to open at 653 High Street, Thornbury, from late August. Keep an eye on the progress here.
Imagine that someone from the year 2007 or earlier — anyone who existed before May 2008, for that matter — suddenly reappeared today, happily oblivious about everything that's happened since, and immediately asked what was doing big business on the big and small screens. To answer that question, you'd need to explain the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which kicked off 14 years back with Iron Man and has shown zero signs of stopping from then onwards. The MCU hasn't just kept on keeping on over ever since Robert Downey Jr introduced the world to Tony Stark. It has grown and sprawled and taken over not only cinemas, but streaming queues as well. And if you're wondering what's coming next — after a busy 2022 already, which has seen Moon Knight, Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, Ms Marvel and Thor: Love and Thunder arrive so far — Marvel just unveiled its plans for the next couple of years at San Diego Comic-Con. 2022 still has two MCU titles to come: She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, which stars Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) as a lawyer who learns that it isn't easy being green, and the eagerly awaited Black Panther sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The first starts streaming from August 17, the second hits cinemas on November 10, and both dropped either new or initial trailers, too. And, they'll round out the Marvel Cinematic Universe's phase four, because this non-stop saga is broken into chapters that split its enormous story up into smaller parts. [caption id="attachment_862313" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chuck Zlotnick. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Obviously, this means that phase five is on its way. Marvel has also dubbed the story from the phase four through to the end of phase six 'the multiverse saga'. Given that everything from Spider-Man: No Way Home to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been dropping that m-word, that's hardly surprising. The MCU's fifth phase has 12 titles in store — some already announced, some newly confirmed. Come February 16, 2023 Down Under, the third Ant-Man flick — Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania — will continue the pint-sized superhero's story (and bring more Paul Rudd to the MCU). Alongside that, hitting Disney+ sometime during autumn 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, is Secret Invasion. It focuses on Samuel L Jackson's Nick Fury, and will also feature the return of Ben Mendelsohn (Cyrano) as Talos, as well as Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother), Kingsley Ben-Adir (One Night in Miami), Emilia Clarke (Last Christmas) and Olivia Colman (Mothering Sunday). On May 4, 2023, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 3 will reach the big screen, while The Marvels — which teams up Captain Marvel (Brie Larson, Just Mercy), Ms Marvel (Iman Vellani) and WandaVision's Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris, Candyman) — arrives in cinemas on July 27. In-between, newcomer Echo, a spinoff from Hawkeye focusing on Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox), will make its way to streaming in winter 2023, as will season two of Loki. [caption id="attachment_862338" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chuck Zlotnick. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] November 2, 2023 heralds the return of Blade, with the half-vampire vamp hunter played by Moonlight and Green Book Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali this time around — and sometime that spring, Disney+ series Ironheart will drop, too. First, that character (played by Dominique Thorne, Judas and the Black Messiah) will feature in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. During the summer of 2023–24, Agatha: Coven of Chaos will magic itself into streaming queues as well — giving the delightful Kathryn Hahn her own witchy WandaVision spinoff series, as first revealed in 2021. And, in 2024, phase five will also see a new 18-episode Daredevil series starring Charlie Cox (King of Thieves) and Vincent D'Onofrio (The Unforgivable) hit in autumn. They return to the roles of Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk following the 2015–18 Netflix series, and this go-around is called Daredevil: Born Again. [caption id="attachment_799400" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chuck Zlotnick. ©Marvel Studios 2020. All Rights Reserved.[/caption] Similarly arriving the same year: a new Captain America movie, called Captain America: New World Order, focusing on Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) with the cape and shield — on May 2, 2024. And, fellow flick Thunderbolts will release on July 25, 2024, wrapping up phase five, and focusing on a new team of characters. As for phase six, it currently has three titles in the works, with more to come. They're all massive, though, given that they start with yet another Fantastic Four film on November 7, 2024 (with no cast yet announced) and end with Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars on May 1 and November 6, 2025, respectively. Just announced in Hall H: Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four, in theaters November 8, 2024. #SDCC2022 pic.twitter.com/z4j7tsfKl9 — Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 24, 2022 For more information about Marvel's upcoming slate of films and TV shows, head to the company's website. Top image: Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2020. All Rights Reserved.
With 13 Academy Award nominations, Emilia Pérez has achieved a feat that no other film in a language other than English has ever managed before. The musical crime drama made history by earning the most amount of nods of any non-English movie, more than the ten received by both Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Roma in 2000 and 2018, respectively. When 2025's nominations were announced by Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live) and Rachel Sennott (Saturday Night), Emilia Pérez unsurprisingly topped the list of all contenders this year. By the numbers, competing to take home a shiny statuette on Monday, March 3, Australian and New Zealand time, The Brutalist, Wicked, A Complete Unknown and Conclave all sit next on the list, with ten apiece to the first pair, and eight each for the second duo. This year, the Academy loves post-war explorations of the impact of trauma through architecture, stage-to-screen musicals inspired by classic flicks, Bob Dylan and feuding cardinals, clearly. All five of the aforementioned films are in the running for Best Picture, a field that also includes 2024 Cannes Palme d'Or-winner Anora, sandy sci-fi sequel Dune: Part Two, body-horror gem The Substance, Brazilian political drama I'm Still Here and the page-to-screen Nickel Boys. Thanks to The Substance, this is the sixth year in a row that at least one Best Picture-nominee has been helmed by a female filmmaker. The creative force behind it, Coralie Fargeat, is also 2025's only woman in the Best Director category, somehow marking just the tenth time that a nomination in the field hasn't gone to a man in the Oscars' now 97-year history. From Down Under, The Brutalist's big bag of nods includes one for Best Supporting Actor for Guy Pearce, while cinematographer Greig Fraser is among Dune: Part Two's five nominations after winning for the first Dune. Equally huge local news: stop-motion delight Memoir of a Snail making Harvey Krumpet Oscar-winner Adam Elliot a nominee again, contending in the Best Animated Feature field. Among the other highlights, deeply moving animation Flow's two nods (for Best Best Animated Feature and Best International Feature), Demi Moore backing up her Golden Globe win with a Best Actress nomination for The Substance, Sebastian Stan getting recognised for The Apprentice, the latter's Jeremy Strong battling it out with his Succession brother Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) for Best Supporting Actor, must-see Japanese documentary Black Box Diaries scoring a spot and four nominations for Nosferatu all stand out. Chief among the surprise omissions is the Golden Globe-winning Challengers score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross not making the cut — but, as always, plenty of worth films don't make the cut every year and still remain worthy films. What and who else is hoping for some time in the spotlight at the Conan O'Brien-hosted ceremony in March? Here's the full list of nominations: Oscar Nominees 2025 Best Motion Picture Anora The Brutalist A Complete Unknown Conclave Dune: Part Two Emilia Pérez I'm Still Here Nickel Boys The Substance Wicked Best Director Anora, Sean Baker The Brutalist, Brady Corbet A Complete Unknown, James Mangold Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard The Substance, Coralie Fargeat Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Cynthia Erivo, Wicked Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez Mikey Madison, Anora Demi Moore, The Substance Fernanda Torres, I'm Still Here Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Adrien Brody, The Brutalist Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown Colman Domingo, Sing Sing Ralph Fiennes, Conclave Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Monica Barbaro, A Complete Unknown Ariana Grande, Wicked Felicity Jones, The Brutalist Isabella Rossellini, Conclave Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Yura Borisov, Anora Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown Guy Pearce, The Brutalist Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice Best Original Screenplay Anora, Sean Baker The Brutalist, Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg September 5, Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum and Alex David The Substance, Coralie Fargeat Best Adapted Screenplay A Complete Unknown, James Mangold and Jay Cocks Conclave, Peter Straughan Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard in collaboration with Thomas Bidegain, Léa Mysius and Nicolas Livecchi Nickel Boys, RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes Sing Sing, Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin, John 'Divine G' Whitfield Best International Feature Film I'm Still Here The Girl with the Needle Emilia Pérez The Seed of the Sacred Fig Flow Best Animated Feature Flow Inside Out 2 Memoir of a Snail Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl The Wild Robot Best Documentary Feature Black Box Diaries No Other Land Porcelain War Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat Sugarcane Best Original Score The Brutalist, Daniel Blumberg Conclave, Volker Bertelmann Emilia Pérez, Clément Ducol and Camille Wicked, John Powell and Stephen Schwartz The Wild Robot, Kris Bowers Best Original Song 'El Mal', Emilia Pérez, Clément Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard 'The Journey', The Six Triple Eight, Diane Warren 'Like A Bird', Sing Sing, Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada 'Mi Camino', Emilia Pérez, Camille and Clément Ducol 'Never Too Late', Elton John: Never Too Late, Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Andrew Watt and Bernie Taupin Best Cinematography The Brutalist, Lol Crawley Dune: Part Two, Greig Fraser Emilia Pérez, Paul Guilhaume Maria, Ed Lachman Nosferatu, Jarin Blaschke Best Film Editing Anora, Sean Baker The Brutalist, David Jancso Conclave, Nick Emerson Emilia Pérez, Juliette Welfling Wicked, Myron Kerstein Best Production Design The Brutalist, Judy Becker, Patricia Cuccia Conclave, Suzie Davies, Cynthia Sleiter Dune: Part Two, Patrice Vermette, Shane Vieau Nosferatu, Craig Lathrop, Beatrice Brentnerová Wicked, Nathan Crowley, Lee Sandales Best Visual Effects Alien: Romulus, Eric Barba, Nelson Sepulveda-Fauser, Daniel Macarin and Shane Mahan Better Man, Luke Millar, David Clayton, Keith Herft and Peter Stubbs Dune: Part Two, Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe and Gerd Nefzer Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Erik Winquist, Stephen Unterfranz, Paul Story and Rodney Burke Wicked, Pablo Helman, Jonathan Fawkner, David Shirk and Paul Corbould Best Costume Design A Complete Unknown, Arianne Phillips Conclave, Lisy Christl Gladiator II, Janty Yates and Dave Crossman Nosferatu, Linda Muir Wicked, Paul Tazewell Best Makeup and Hairstyling A Different Man, Mike Marino, David Presto and Crystal Jurado Emilia Pérez, Julia Floch Carbonel, Emmanuel Janvier and Jean-Christophe Spadaccini Nosferatu, David White, Traci Loader and Suzanne StokesMunton The Substance, Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon and Marilyne Scarselli Wicked, Frances Hannon, Laura Blount and Sarah Nuth Best Sound A Complete Unknown, Tod A Maitland, Donald Sylvester, Ted Caplan, Paul Massey and David Giammarco Dune: Part Two, Gareth John, Richard King, Ron Bartlett and Doug Hemphill Emilia Pérez, Erwan Kerzanet, Aymeric Devoldère, Maxence Dussère, Cyril Holtz and Niels Barletta Wicked, Simon Hayes, Nancy Nugent Title, Jack Dolman, Andy Nelson and John Marquis The Wild Robot, Randy Thom, Brian Chumney, Gary A Rizzo and Leff Lefferts Best Documentary Short Subject Death by Numbers I Am Ready, Warden Incident Instruments of a Beating Heart The Only Girl in the Orchestra Best Animated Short Film Beautiful Men In the Shadow of the Cypress Magic Candies Wander to Wonder Yuck! Best Live-Action Short Film A Lien Anuja I'm Not a Robot The Last Ranger The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent The 2025 Oscars will be announced on Monday, March 3, Australian and New Zealand time. For further details, head to the awards' website.
Australia's local equivalent of NPR's Tiny Desk concerts has arrived. Store Sessions, hosted and released by Melbourne streetwear brand HoMie, are a new series of recorded gigs starring artists performing inside HoMie's flagship store in Fitzroy. The first-ever store session has already been released, and stars Australia's own Tash Sultana. It marks a return to Australian performances for the multi-instrumentalist, who is the first act in a series that is planned to run indefinitely, as part of HoMie's ongoing mission to support youth in Melbourne and combat issues in housing and employment for young people. [embed]https://youtu.be/-wGQKDE7TOU?feature=shared[/embed] It's a cause that comes with a calling. Sultana said: "I've been following HoMie's journey for a while now and I really love what they stand for, so getting to be involved from a music standpoint makes perfect sense. These store sessions are a really cool concept and I'm happy to be a part of it." That sentiment also runs true for the next artists to follow in the series. Soon to be released, in three-week intervals, will be recorded gigs from Bad//Dreems and local band Big Words. Alex Cameron of Bad//Dreems shared: "We've been admirers of the work HoMie have been doing for some time and are super excited to come in and play!" It's a bold initiative for HoMie, with its store presented as part performance venue, part streetwear store and part creative launchpad — all for an excellent cause. [caption id="attachment_1016400" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Melissa Cowan[/caption] HoMie Co-Founder Marcus Crook has plans for Store Sessions to become a staple series, with the store hosting everything from one-off shows to headline artists touring in Australia. Explaining the vision for the initiative, he said, "Store Sessions is about creating a space where artists from emerging talent to global names can get creative and connect with people in a different way. It's live, it's stripped back, and it's all tied back to our mission at HoMie. Every session supports the work we do at HoMie and brings our community closer through music." You can watch Tash Sultana perform their Store Sessions gig on YouTube now. Follow the HoMie Streetwear channels to catch the next gig when it releases.
Melburnians were delighted last year when it was announced that our favourite preserved historic steam train would be immersed in a modern-day light projection show. If you missed out on tickets last year, you're in luck — the immersive, illuminated light show spearheaded by the team that has led projections for White Night is returning once again. Running from Friday, June 23 to Sunday, July 9, the historic steam train will be transformed with Train of Lights, projected directly onto the Wright Forest. Passengers will be immersed in colours, patterns and native wild animal projections that spectacularly leap from Puffing Billy onto timber trestle bridges, into trees and onto the distant open countryside. The Puffing Billy team has partnered with Resolution X to deliver the unique light projections. The acclaimed lighting company's little black book of clients includes White Night, Vivid events and Melbourne Fashion week runways. One of the best-preserved steam railway lines in the world, Puffing Billy departs Emerald Lake Park on a 24-kilometre journey through the Dandenong Ranges to Gembrook, before returning to Lakeside. A visitor's centre and Railway Cafe are available from the departure point if you want to extend your trip. 'Train of Lights' will run from Friday, June 23–Sunday, July 9. There are a limited number of tickets available, with many dates already sold out. Head to the Puffing Billy website to book a spot.
Taking over the lush grounds of the Heide Museum of Modern Art sculpture park once a month, the Heide Market always makes for an idyllic Saturday session of shopping, eats and tunes. But this month, the pop-up marketplace is turning on the festive charms, hosting a special Christmas edition on Saturday, December 11. As always, there'll be a broad-ranging lineup of stallholders making an appearance, so you can put a big dent in your Christmas gift shopping all at once. Expect everything from fashion to food products, ceramics to art, and homewares to jewellery. There'll be coffee and food stalls to help fuel your shopping adventures, and as always, pooches are allowed to come along. You'll even spy some pet treats and doggy items among the lineup, should you wish to spoil a very good boy or girl. It all kicks off at 10am.
Like Netflix, but for actually going to the movies. That's the premise of CinemaClub Australia, a new subscription service offering punters access to bucketloads of movie tickets for a monthly fee. Due to launch in late 2017, CinemaClub aims to cut the cost of going to the pictures. Rather than paying $20 or more every time they head to the cinema, film buffs will instead be able to sign up for a CinemaClub membership that gets them access to a movie ticket every weekday of the month. Concrete Playground reached out to co-founder James Farrell, who said that CinemaClub would be partnering with a number of major cinema chains — as well as various independent cinemas — right around the country. Memberships are expected to cost between $40 and $60 a month — so if you're the kind of person who sees three or more movies a month, you could be about to save yourself a whole heap of money. "Millennials today are avoiding the cinema for cheaper alternatives due to high prices and inflexible offerings," said Farrell. "What we do is make cinema an easy-to-reach and regular activity again. Our members get incredible value and we hope this is something that can really propel the Australian cinema industry." CinemaClub isn't the first start-up attempting to alter the rigid cinema industry, either. It's extremely similar to US subscription service MoviePass, which has come under fire from the States' largest cinema chain AMC for their insanely low fee of just $9.95 USD per month. While this isn't profitable for MoviePass at the moment, it seems the company — of which data firm Helios and Matheson Analytics have majority ownership — will look to swap consumer data for discounts with AMC down the track. Earlier this year, Melbourne couple Sonya Stephen and Shane Thatcher launched Choovie, an on-demand movie ticket app that offers fluid ticket price based on the time of the screening and the popularity of the film. While the success of the membership will rely on participating cinemas, stakeholders and the confirmed monthly fee, we're still interested to see where this goes. You can register your interest via the CinemaClub website to receive more information about when memberships go on sale.
Dig out those once-a-year novelty gumboots, Groovin the Moo has unveiled their 2015 lineup. Taking the large-scale music festival out of the city and into regional centres for another year, GTM will kick things off on the ANZAC Day long weekend and travel through Oakbank, Bunbury, Bendigo, Canberra, Maitland, and Townsville. This year's lineup sees syper-hyped internationals like the legendary Peaches, 'Boom Clap'-per Charli XCX, A$AP Mob's A$AP Ferg US trap king RL Grime, UK indie-gazers Peace and NZ festival favourites Broods alongside one of the most Aussie-heavy lineups GTM has seen in recent years. High-fiveworthy locals like Flight Facilities, The Preatures, Sticky Fingers, Hermitude, DMAs, Tkay Maidza, Ball Park Music, Meg Mac and more will also make their way to the Moo. So enough lowing, here's that lineup you're after. GROOVIN THE MOO 2015 LINEUP: A$AP FERG (USA) BALL PARK MUSIC BROODS (NZ) CARMADA CHARLI XCX (UK) THE DELTA RIGGS DMAs FLIGHT FACILITIES HERMITUDE HILLTOP HOODS HOT DUB TIME MACHINE MEG MAC NORTHLANE ONE DAY PEACHES (CAN) PEACE (UK) THE PREATURES RL GRIME (USA) SAN CISCO SASKWATCH STICKY FINGERS TKAY MAIDZA WOLFMOTHER YOU ME AT SIX (UK) GROOVIN THE MOO 2015 DATES & VENUES: Saturday, April 25 – Oakbank Sunday, April 26 – Bunbury Saturday, May 2 – Bendigo Sunday, May 3 – Canberra Saturday, May 9 – Maitland Sunday, May 10 – Townsville For more info, head to GTM's website. Image: Joseph Mayers, GTM.
For a French fix without the international plane fare, you'll find it hard to beat Melbourne's annual Paris to Provence festival. And even more so this year, as the festival hosts its first Coco Chanel retrospective, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the life of one of history's most famous French fashionistas. Co-hosted by French blogger Caroline Voss, Étone Design's Caroline Rham and Paris to Provence founder Laura Rancie, this interactive event will see three of Como House's stunning rooms transformed to recreate various parts of Coco Chanel's life. With tours guided by self-described 'Chanelophiles' Rham and Voss, visitors will get up close and personal with original Chanel designs, which are on loan from Madame Virtue & Co and The Upstyler. Prepare to swoon over the dresses, the suits, the handbags, the jewellery and iconic perfumes. The Grand Ballroom will be decked out with couture and accessories from the peak of Chanel's career, while a recreation of the designer's Paris apartment features a selection of original photos and gorgeous French antiques. Tickets to Coco at Como start at $12, available to anyone with general admission to the Paris to Province festival.
The very beginning of Nick Broomfield's new Whitney Houston documentary features voiceover from one of the singer's friends talking about how she died. We all know the story: one of the most talented voices of our time succumbed to substance abuse and drowned in a bathtub. But her friend posits that while drugs were involved, perhaps they weren't the root cause. Perhaps Whitney Houston died of a broken heart, she says. This sad idea settles over the rest of the film like a cloud, as Broomfield recounts the story of a supremely talented yet obviously troubled young woman surrounded by people unable or unwilling to get her the help that she needed. The Whitney we first see is so young that it's difficult for us to believe she'll become the woman in the bathtub. She's bubbly and bright, singing in her gospel choir at church (led by her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston). That trademark smile is instantly recognisable. She's just a kid with a huge voice, and she's happy. But that huge voice soon proves to be both a blessing and a curse. Signed at the age of 19, Whitney was thrown into the deep end of an industry that had its own plans for her, moulded into a pop princess by a team of men who worked at Arista Records. Interviewing some of them in the present day, it seems the muscle memory of their puppeteering is still fresh. Her old management team still talks about her like an object rather than a person, and there's little doubt that their level of control over Whitney contributed negatively towards her mental and physical health. You're left feeling sad and frustrated, wanting to call these men into account. Why didn't they help her? Whitney: Can I Be Me uses a large amount of footage from the singer's 1999 world tour, some of which is absolutely staggering. At this point in her life her voice was still in prime condition – the effort she puts into every single song leaves her drenched in sweat; her calling card "I Will Always Love You" works the audience up into a frenzy; while her ability to "caress notes", as the Arista representatives say, is unrivalled. In a time where there was no Beyoncé and certainly no Janelle Monae or Nicki Minaj, Whitney's music was a carefully crafted brand of pop, and was often sent back to the studio for being "too black-sounding". The movie's title becomes a sad realisation that hits you mid-way through. As much as this is a story about Whitney losing her life, it's also about her losing herself. The sweetest parts of the film come from home video footage of Whitney just sitting around eating takeaway and watching movies, or acting out silly scenes with her husband Bobby Brown. In these moments, we're reassured that she has friends and family who love her. And yet ultimately, these relationships all fall apart. Even Robyn, her childhood friend who stuck with her for years, eventually fades away. A lot is made in the film about Robyn and Whitney's relationship, and whether it was more than just a friendship. But regardless of whether Whitney was gay, or bisexual, we get the feeling Robyn is one of the pillars in her life. That they parted ways mid-tour seems to just weaken Whitney's grip on her voice, her health, and her increasingly unhappy marriage. The footage of her being interviewed by Diane Sawyer in 2002 about her addictions is especially moving. When asked what her biggest devil was, she replies that it is herself. Whitney: Can I Be Me paints a tragic portrait of a woman who didn't have the right people around her, nor the drive to get herself the help she required. To add to the grey cloud, Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kristina lost her life in 2015 in eerily similar circumstances. Sadly, the film feels more like a story about this pattern of unhappiness than it does a celebration of the singer's talent – a shame for a woman who had so much. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G2fY0xci_c
No one alive today was living and breathing during Leonardo da Vinci's lifetime in the 15th and 16th centuries; however, Melbourne's The Lume is doing its best to help its patrons experience the Italian Renaissance-era great's existence. Opening on Saturday, March 16, Leonardo da Vinci — 500 Years of Genius sees the venue — which is Australia's first permanent digital-only art gallery — devote its surfaces to stepping into the artist and inventor's tale. His paintings grace the walls. His machines are dotted around its halls. Even original sheets from his notebooks, that boast his writing and sketches, are on display. Leonardo da Vinci — 500 Years of Genius was first announced in 2023, and is understandably The Lume's major 2024 exhibition, alongside a massive reason for folks living outside of Melbourne to head to the Victorian capital this year. Back in February, the venue also revealed that pages from da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus feature, displaying in Australia for the first time ever. Add them to the must-see list next to the world's most-famous enigmatic smile, The Last Supper, the artist's anatomical drawings and more. Attendees at the Grande Experiences-run Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre site can see what The Lume is calling its "most ambitious, immersive and breathtaking yet". That's quite the claim for a collection that follows a van Gogh celebration, a focus on Monet and his contemporaries and the First Nations-centric Connection. Given everything that's a part of Leonardo da Vinci — 500 Years of Genius, though, that statement also isn't surprising. No one will forget the Mona Lisa after heading to the exhibition. The artwork is almost everywhere within the 3000-square-metre space, and in a larger-than-life fashion — because that's how Grande Experiences' whole setup works. The iconic piece also links in with the segment of the showcase that's all about French optical engineer Pascal Cotte, who invented a multispectral camera and has peeled back the artwork's layers using his research. So, get excited about Mona Lisa Revealed, which includes an exact 360-degree replica — the only one in the world — as created thanks to Cotte's 240,000,000-pixel multispectral camera. The Last Supper also enjoys the spotlight in a big way, with emphasis on the 'big'. Similarly among Leonardo da Vinci — 500 Years of Genius' highlights: 40 of da Vinci's machine inventions, which are on loan from the Museo Leonardo da Vinci in Rome. Leonardo is just as well-known for his flying machine concepts, with his 15th-century vision of human flight scoring The Lume's attention. This part of the exhibition heroes recreations made in Italy from the artist and inventor's sketches, and also uses the materials and techniques that he would've at the time. Letting visitors check out pages from Codex Atlanticus is a huge coup. The 12-volume set is filled with da Vinci's drawings and writings, detailing his thoughts and featuring his sketches on a wide array of topics. It's priceless. It includes entries from its author from between 1478–1519, dating up to the year of his death. Since 1637, it has called Milan's Biblioteca Ambrosiana home — and it's thanks to a relationship between it and Grande Experiences, which is also behind Rome's Museo Leonardo da Vinci, that some of its sheets can display Down Under. Stepping through da Vinci's journey at Leonardo da Vinci — 500 Years of Genius also spans recreations of Florence's streets, Venice's canals and Milan — as brought to life via sight, sound, scent, touch and taste. Flying over Florence using virtual reality, dining at a Renaissance-themed experience where The Last Supper provides the backdrop, being turned into a da Vinci sketch thanks to AI, seeing how you align with the artist's Vitruvian Man drawing: that's all on offer, too. That said, Leonardo da Vinci — 500 Years of Genius isn't solely about its namesake's well-known works, with the 3000-square-metre multi-sensory gallery also exploring his inspirations and those creating their own masterpieces at the same time. Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling and works by Caravaggio can all be sighted, for instance. In Queensland, at HOTA, Home of the Arts, Grande Experiences's Italian Renaissance Alive will also take a broader look at the Italian Renaissance period from late March — but anyone wanting to be steeped in da Vinci's works in particular will need to head to Melbourne. Leonardo da Vinci — 500 Years of Genius opens at The Lume, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 5 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, Melbourne, from Saturday, March 16, 2024 — head to the venue's website for tickets and further information. Images: Alicia Taylor.
Dance meets activism at Off the Grid 2016, an all-day party where the environment is on the agenda. Featuring an eclectic mix of local DJs, musicians and performance artists alongside speakers and environmentalists, this "solar powered celebration" promises more than ten hours of eating, drinking, dancing and discussion. The fun begins at 9am this Wednesday, December 21 in the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art forecourt. The music lineup includes Andee Frost, Andras, Tako and J'Nett, as well as the internationally renowned Senegambian Jazz Band. Importantly, the sound system will be powered by a solar battery bank, while proceeds from the event will be invested in solar projects around town. Speakers, meanwhile, will include Bronwyn Johnson from Climarte, Paul Gorrie from the Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network, and State Member for Melbourne Ellen Sandell.
If you're after fresh and authentic homemade Thai cuisine, try Camberwell's Charntra, where everything is made from scratch — from the spring rolls and roti to the desserts. Pick up a six-pack of easy-drinking beer with fragrant citrus notes to pair with the sweet, spicy and sour flavours of Thai classics like tom yum prawns, spicy minced chicken larb seasoned with lime juice and fish sauce and pad see ew. There are also a few house specialties, including prawns in a coconut sauce with lemongrass, kaffir lime, galangal and Thai basil. The best bit part of the meal? Finishing it all off with a banana fritter and ice cream. Oh, and corkage is free. Charntra Thai offers BYO wine and beer.
Considering a boozy break in the national capital? Sounds like a magnificent idea. Canberra is home to loads of top-notch bars, wineries and distilleries where you can sip on locally crafted beverages — and meet their makers, too. Among them are Australia's first bar dedicated to reisling, a speakeasy that you need geographic coordinates to find and a brewery that specialises in traditional German techniques. So, it's time to grab your mates, open your diary and start planning. To save you time and help you get started, we've scoped out six of the best venues in and around the city that serve a quality drink. Please stay up to date with the latest ACT Government health advice regarding COVID-19.
Australia's picnic baskets have had quite the workout so far in 2021, but one of their biggest moments to shine is about to arrive for another year. When Moonlight Cinema starts setting up its outdoor screens in parks and gardens around the country from late November, it's officially cheese, snack and openair movie-viewing season. The end-of-year mainstay has already revealed its dates for summer 2021-22, and now it's unveiled the first batch of films that'll be gracing its outdoor setup. Get ready to catch a heap of recent blockbusters, a smattering of brand new flicks and a lineup of Christmas movies. You can't run an openair cinema at the jolliest time of the year without the latter, obviously. Moonlight Cinema's program varies city by city, with The Suicide Squad opening the bill in Brisbane on Friday, November 26, and Cruella doing the same in Adelaide on the same date, for instance. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings launches the season in both Melbourne and Perth on Thursday, December 2, while The Suicide Squad also airs first in Sydney on Thursday, December 9 — and Free Guy opens Western Sydney's run on Thursday, December 16. That said, all of the above films pop up in each city at some point, and so does Black Widow, Jungle Cruise, A Quiet Place Part II, Eternals, Red Notice and The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard. Also screening: Edgar Wright's new movie Last Night in Soho, animated sequel The Boss Baby: Family Business, Disney newbie Encanto, stage-to-screen musical Dear Evan Hansen and the family-friendly Clifford the Big Red Dog. Among the retro fare, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Greatest Showman and Dirty Dancing are all on the lineup; it would't be a Moonlight Cinema season without them, either. And, for your merry outdoor movie-watching pleasure, the Christmas selection includes Love Actually, The Holiday, Elf, The Grinch, Die Hard and Home Alone. It's also worth remembering that every city is BYO except Brisbane — but, wherever you're settling in for an outdoor cinema session, there'll be food, snacks, a bar and (if you'd like to pay for them) bean bags as well. And, in great news for movie-loving pooches, you can bring them along to all venues except Perth, too. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2021–22 DATES Adelaide: Friday, November 26–Sunday, January 16 (Rymill Park) Brisbane: Friday, November 26–Sunday, February 20 (Roma Street Parkland) Melbourne: Thursday, December 2–Sunday, March 27 (Royal Botanic Gardens) Perth: Thursday, December 2–Sunday, March 27 (Kings Park and Botanic Garden) Sydney: Thursday, December 9–Sunday, April 3 (Centennial Park) Western Sydney: Thursday, November 16–Sunday, January 30 (Western Sydney Parklands) Moonlight Cinema kicks off in November 2021, running through until April 2022. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the cinema's website.
We thought we were done with macarons, but the food universe says otherwise. Macaron masters Ladurée have made their way to Melbourne like it's 2009, with the world famous French patisserie opening in Chadstone. One of a number of new high-end food offerings at the recently renovated shopping centre, the store features a nine-seat marble bar decorated with mosaic artwork, along with a Parisian-inspired tearoom capable of seating 21. It's the brand's third Australian location, and first outside of Sydney. The standout item on the menu is obviously the macarons, sweet double-decker creations with which the name Ladurée has long been synonymous. Raspberry, salted caramel, rose petal, orange blossom — the question won't be which one, but how many of each. Customers can also purchase various other Ladurée items, including teas, chocolates, confectionaries and perfumed candles, along with various other items perfect for personal pampering and/or stuffing down your gob. Ladurée is now open at Chadstone. For more information, check out the Ladurée Australia Facebook page.
Dinner and a movie now has an entire cinema dedicated to it: FoMo Cinemas. The brand's name isn't about fearing missing out; instead, it refers to its blend of food and movies. Every one of the six screens in the new Melbourne picture palace is all about watching a film while having a meal. You'll pick between blockbuster, arthouse and retro flicks on the program, plus pizzas, burgers and deli sandwiches on the chef-designed menu. Before you take your seat, you'll also hit up the neon-lit Blade Runner-inspired bar. First announced in 2023, the 392-seat dine-in FoMo Cinemas opens its doors on Thursday, January 18 at East Brunswick Village — and adds something new not just to Melbourne's but to Australia's cinema scene. Co-owners Natalie Miller AO and Barry Peak, who co-founded Carlton's Cinema Nova, have taken their cues from two famed names in the global business: the Alamo Drafthouse chain across the US, plus Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn. "Barry and I have been partners in the Nova for 32 years, and Barry's always looking for new ideas and new ventures. And he was very anxious to do a cinema with food and movies based on the Nighthawk and the Alamo in America. So he went out on a survey over there and come back with all the ideas," Miller, who also spent 17 years running South Yarra's old Longford Cinema, tells Concrete Playground. "What very much appeals is the fact that people are time-poor and we are trying to encourage people to come 20 minutes earlier, sit down, they can order their food off an app and then the movie will start. Or if they want to, they can do it during the film. But the idea is to let people have their meal and their film together," Miller continues. "It's not a totally new concept because there's gold class and platinum and all those other cinemas, but ours are at standard ticket prices. So you can come at a standard ticket price and order your meal accordingly." As designed by Head Chef Darren Collier, food choices also include cheese and antipasto platters, as well as desserts — and, when it comes time to deliver your bites and drinks as the movie plays, the focus is on discreet service that doesn't disrupt the viewing experience. As is a drawcard at Alamo Drafthouse, all films are preceded by a pre-show presentation. Expect trivia, interactive quizzes and clips celebrating classic movie moments — and trailers, but no ads. The idea is that you peruse the menu while the pre-show plays, and that it's all part of the experience. And the films? Although Cinema Nova is known for its arthouse selections — and Miller is behind film distributor Sharmill Films, which has brought movies such as Triangle of Sadness and Compartment No. 6 to Australian screens in recent years — FoMo is combining those kinds of flicks with broader fare. So, in its opening weeks, you can see the Mean Girls musical, Sofia Coppola's Priscilla, Michael Mann's Ferrari, Golden Globe-winner The Holdovers, wrestling biopic The Iron Claw and Jason Statham in The Beekeeper. Among repertory titles, both Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 will have a date with the venue, as will Chef — all befitting the picture palace's look and focus. Specs-wise, two of FoMo's cinemas have a 3D setup, and the 114-seat biggest theatre with a screen that ten-metres-plus wide boasts 4K resolution. While the newly opened East Brunswick Village is the site of the first-ever FoMo, it won't be the last if the debut location proves a success. "If you ask Barry Peak that question, he'd say absolutely yes," Miller advises about the possibility of expanding the chain across Melbourne and even nationally. "We'll test it out and we'll see how it works. We feel that Brunswick's such a growing area with such a young population and student population, and probably a cross-section of the community. And we'll see how it works, and then take it from there." Find FoMo Cinemas at East Brunswick Village, 133 Nicholson Street, East Brunswick from Thursday, January 18.
They're words every hungry stomach likes to hear: all you can eat. And, they're words that echo a little bit louder when gyoza are involved. After all, who hasn't sat down to a plate of them, finished it quicker than they thought they would and wished someone would keep magically refilling it? We all have, and that's just what'll happen at Bosozoku on Wednesdays. It's all rather simple: you venture in after 5pm, choose from pork or vegetarian, and settle in for an hour of power. The best part? It'll cost you only $25. Usually the gyoza cost $2 each, so you'll have to eat at least 13 to get your money's worth. So come with an empty stomach.
Grocery shopping with Grandma just got real serious. It has just been announced that infrared shopping trolleys will be introduced at IGA stores in Brisbane in February, following successful trials over the past few months. These trolleys feature LCD screens which can locate items within the store, notify you of current specials, and scan your items so you can keep within your budget. If that wasn't enough, trackers in the supermarket ceilings can locate your trolley and let you know which aisle you're in. Keep your fingers crossed for these super-intelligent trolleys to appear at a store near you. Handling one of these four-wheelers means that choosing your cereal won't be a chore, it will soon become a hobby. [via Gizmodo]
Renowned Sydney designer Henry Wilson has joined forces with innovative Sydney-founded furniture website NOMI to design an exclusive, super sleek, flat-packed shelving system called the Chevron Shelves. Customisable online down to the individual panel, the Chevron Shelves are delivered flat-packed and assembled without any tools. No tools. At all. Au revoir, Allen keys. Pairing up with one of Sydney's most celebrated multidisciplinary designers is a big new project for NOMI — the Sydney company revolutionising customisable furniture online. Wilson is well-known for his minimalist, bragworthy furniture, lighting and interiors — usually featuring some kind of self-build component (meaning extra dinner party bragging points). With the no-tools approach and customisable colour being the biggest drawcards, NOMI and Wilson both see manufacturing technique and swanky aesthetic as equally important in the design process. "Our mission is to combine innovative design with efficient manufacturing and cutting edge online technology," says NOMI director and co-founder Henry Gresson (another creative Henry). "Henry's Chevron Shelf epitomize this mission and we are very excited to have him on board." Taking its name from an Ancient Grecian interlocking zig-zag pattern, each Chevron Shelf can be customised in both size and colour with NOMI's slick website. You can pick your desired shelf height, shelf width and pick different colours for every single side panel, shelf layer and back wall — kind of like Shoes of Prey for furniture. Each unit will set you back around $150 each, depending on the material you pick, the width and the amount of layers you add. With each shelf made up of four pieces of precision-milled Birch-play and available in all the shades you've envied in glossy interior design magazines (teal, olive, rose), you can tailor the shelves to suit whichever room needs serious organising. "Everything about the Chevron Shelf reflects its construction method," says Wilson. "It achieves maximum yield from the resources used in its production. It's exciting for me to see it within in the NOMI range where the full potential of its flexibility can realised." Check out NOMI and Henry Wilson's Chevron Shelf here and get customising.
After months of research, experimentation and taste testing (not to mention the Instagram updates that have left us all salivating), Shortstop Coffee and Donuts finally opened yesterday. Partners Anthony Ivey and Sinye Ooi chose a small space down a side street off Little Lonsdale for their new venture, where the sleek glass and blonde wood fitout lets the simple menu do the talking. They do donuts and they do coffee — promising to revolutionise our perceptions of both. Inspired by the simplicity of the American approach to coffee, and using a Market Lane blend, Shortstop has paired back their coffee menu to two options: white (with organic milk) or black (filter or espresso). In contrast, their donut menu offers up innovative and, at times, totally unexpected flavour combinations. Choose between the honey and sea salt, the rhubarb and ginger, the red velvet with beetroot and dark chocolate or the Earl Grey tea and lemon myrtle with rose water icing (both pictured), or go all out with the Bourbon spiked creme brulee. Though ridiculously Instagrammable, these confections aren't just pretty on the outside; Shortstop has perfected their dough-making technique so not only will you find a faultless 'raised' doughnut with its classic fluffy centre, but more unusual varieties as well. Think cake donuts and French cruller donuts, made from handpiped choux pastry. The word is already spreading about Shortstop. To avoid the queues, take advantage of their clever preorder service online the day before you drop in. Find Shortstop Coffee and Donuts at 12 Sutherland Street Melbourne, 3000. Open Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm.
Melbourne's Hotel Nacional has become a gluten-free haven on Hardware Lane, featuring five levels of Mexican-inspired food and drinks — with stellar panoramic views to match. Now, on the cusp of its first birthday, the venue is celebrating with a discounted fiesta from Monday, June 23–Friday, June 27, slinging the entire menu for half price. Moving into the former home of Campari House 12 months ago, each space within this sprawling operation has been designed to make a big impression on guests. Wandering from one floor to the next, a vibrant combination of earthen tones, arched walkways, textured walls and colourful cacti combines modern Mexican aesthetics with a breezy, beachside feel. As you might expect, it goes hand in hand with the venue's feel-good flavours. Head Chef Sergio Tourn's (Tino, The Vale) contemporary fusions combine fresh seasonal produce with native ingredients. Recently added to the winter menu are highlights like pumpkin tamales with zucchini and poblano peppers; Mexican chicken balls with chipotle and tamarind sauce; and chamoy-glazed pork with sweet potato, kale and hibiscus. Best of all, the entire menu is coeliac-friendly, making it a go-to choice for avoiding cross-contamination. "I always try to mix a bit of tradition with modern learning so I can honour both," says Tourn. "Each diner that walks through the doors of Hotel Nacional will not only enjoy our Mexican food offering but also taste the experiences I have had with flavourful and native ingredients. A standout dish on the menu is the chamoy-glazed pork, which is a mix between sweet and smoky, and my upbringing as an Argentinian child." Co-owned by Alex Greco, Hotel Nacional is not his only gluten-free establishment. Elwood's Repeat Offender and St Kilda's Rufio are also forward-thinking restaurants and bars, serving Latin-inspired flavours to those with special dietary requirements. All three venues feature numerous vegetarian and vegan options, ensuring diners have plenty of choice when it comes to indulging in a top-notch feed that aligns with their needs and musts. So, with this special birthday discount only happening for a few days, now is your chance to experience Hotel Nacional's laidback, accessible vibe. "The past 12 months have been an incredible journey for our team — from launching something so bold and unique to seeing it embraced by the Melbourne community," says co-owner Taylor Granchi. "We're proud of what we've built, and our first birthday is the perfect opportunity to say thank you." Hotel Nacional's first birthday discount is available from Monday, June 23–Friday, June 27 at 23–25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne. Head to the website for more information.
For over 20 years, the waterfront Steampacket Gardens has played host to a combined creative and gourmet market on the first Sunday of every month. Head to the shores of Eastern Beach for top-quality local produce, as well as beautiful art and handcrafts by makers from the region. There's also live music and delicious, ready-to-eat food, so be sure to make a morning out of it. It's all for a good cause, too: proceeds from the market go to the Geelong Central Rotary Club, and supports its community initiatives.
These days, Melbourne has more food festivals than you can poke a celery stick at, but Festival21, which returns to Melbourne's Meat Market next February, puts a different spin on the concept of culinary celebration. It's pulling together a lineup of inspiring guest experts from all walks of life, to explore the idea of creating change through food. Punters young and old will score a whole bunch of fresh food perspectives, with a program of free panels, talks, demonstrations and workshops. Actor and documentarian Damon Gameau (That Sugar Film) and CEO of global platform EAT Dr Sandro Demaio will be among those busting open myths surrounding diets and healthy eating for the What Should I Eat? session. Meanwhile, the solutions to food and plastic waste will be discussed in Can We Eat Our Way Out? with Greenpeace's David Ritter, Miranda Sharp from the Melbourne Farmers Markets and Tim Silverwood from non-profit Take 3 for the Sea. The final session, dubbed The Food Chain, will explore the five key stages of food production through a mix of comedy, film, music and discussions, led by the likes of Joost Bakker, I Quit Sugar's Sarah Wilson and renowned cook and food writer Stephanie Alexander. To keep you fuelled, there'll be eats from social enterprise Free To Feed and locally made drops from Noisy Ritual's pop-up wine bar. Festival21 events are free, though you'll need to register in advance to claim a spot at individual sessions. Early bird tickets have sold out. The final release will go on sale on December 1, 2018.
No one can ever accuse Adam Driver of not living up to his name. He's played a bus driver in Paterson, piloted a spaceship in the Star Wars sequel trilogy as well as 65, and will next zip through the Italian streets in his latest film Ferrari. For none other than Heat and Collateral director Michael Mann, Driver slips into the eponymous racing driver and sports car entrepreneur's shoes, in one of the most-anticipated new movies of the next few months. As the just-dropped first teaser trailer for Ferrari shows, Driver is indeed seen behind the wheel, although the film focuses on its namesake when he's an ex-racer. As adapted from Brock Yates' book Enzo Ferrari: The Man, The Cars, The Races, The Machine, Mann's movie hones in on specific chapter of Enzo Ferrari's life: 1957, as potential bankruptcy looms over his factory, his marriage is struggling after a heartbreaking loss and his drivers approach the Mille Miglia race. Accordingly, Ferrari promises to peer behind the Formula 1 facade, into Enzo's relationship with his wife Laura (Penélope Cruz, Official Competition), the death of their boy Dino, and the son Piero with Lina Lardi (Shailene Woodley, Robots) that he doesn't want to acknowledge. If you know your racing history, you'll also know that 1957's Mille Miglia — which spanned 1000 miles across Italy — was its last due to multiple deaths during the event. So, that race won't be an insignificant part of the film. As well as Driver, Cruz and Woodley, Ferrari stars Patrick Dempsey (Disenchanted), Jack O'Connell (Lady Chatterley's Lover), Sarah Gadon (Black Bear) and Gabriel Leone (Dom). Set to release at Christmas in the US and on January 4, 2024 Down Under, Ferrari marks the first (and long-awaited next) film for Mann since 2015's Blackhat — although he did direct an episode of Tokyo Vice's first season in 2022, as well as executive producing the series. Check out the trailer for Ferrari below: Ferrari releases in cinemas Down Under on January 4, 2024. Images: Lorenzo Sisti / Eros Hoagland.
With everyone spending our days, weeks and months inside due to COVID-19, we're all putting that extra time at home to good use in different ways. Perhaps you're streaming your way through anything and everything you can find. Maybe you're playing board games, doing jigsaws and building Lego. Or, you could be cooking up a storm, getting a workout or being practical by learning a new skill (or several). For many folks, home renovation is on the agenda — whether you're finally painting that wall, putting up that shelf, making over your garden or doing all the odd jobs around the place that you've been putting off for far too long. That means that Bunnings Warehouse has been mighty popular, and busy. And if you're eager to pick up hardware supplies while still maintaining social distancing requirements, you're now in luck. The chain has just implemented a new drive and collect service, which is available at 250 of Bunnings' larger stores around Australia — excluding Tasmania. The contactless option is an extension of its existing click and collect option, just adapted so that you don't have to get out of your car. DIY enthusiasts just need to complete their purchase online, wait for notification that their order is ready, and select their preferred pickup date and time. Then, when you drive to the store, you'll park in a designated drive and collect bay, and text or call the store to let them know you've arrived. All you need to do next is wait for a staff member to bring out your goods and put them in your car boot. [caption id="attachment_767993" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Bidgee via Wikimedia Commons[/caption] Sadly, drive and collect doesn't apply to Bunnings' sausage sizzles, which have been suspended since mid-March in response to the coronavirus. Drive and collect isn't available at smaller Bunnings stores, so check online to see if your local warehouse is participating. For further information about Bunnings' click and collect service — or to place an order — visit the chain's 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.
Like most things this year, Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW) is going to look a little different in 2020. As part of its virtual nine-day program, running from Saturday, October 3 till Sunday, October 11, it's hosting a Big Games Night In — encouraging Melburnians across the city to unpack the Scrabble, play a competitive round of Monopoly or log on to try up some free new games on the ACMI site. These games, created by Victorian developers, have been selected by the include Innchanted (Dragonbear), Wayward Strand (Ghost Pattern) and Intergalactic Space Princess (Geeiz), as well as the popular Necrobarista (by Route 59). The latter is set in a "magical Melbourne cafe" where the dead return for one night. Look out for goon-sack robots, alchemical coffee and Ned Kelly, too. Elsewhere on the virtual program, there's a MIGW edition of ACMI's Women and Non-Binary Gamers Club on Wednesday, October 7, and a Nordic Game Discovery Contest on Friday, October 9. You can check out the full lineup over here.
Earlier in 2020, when social distancing and public gathering rules were in place across the country, KFC did everyone a solid by offering up free home delivery for the first time ever Down Under. Life is slowly returning to normal now, but the fried chicken chain is bringing back the deal anyway — so you can round up your housemates again and tuck into those 11 secret herbs and spices. The reason this time: State of Origin. KFC's free delivery will be available across the next three Wednesdays to coincide with this year's postponed games — so on November 4, November 11 and November 18. The great news is that you don't have to care about the matches, or watch them, to get that chicken brought to your door without paying extra. The free delivery is simply available all day on each of those three days, from open till close at your local store. The limited-time offer is available nationwide, too — and there is no minimum spend required. To get your hands on some finger lickin' good chook with no added cost, you'll just need to head to Menulog's website or use the Menulog app. And while your food is on its way, you can meditate with KFChill, a wellness website that lets you unwind to the sound of chicken frying, gravy simmering or bacon sizzling away in a pan. Yes, it'll make you hungry. KFC is offering free delivery across Australia on all orders via Menulog, with the special available on Wednesday, November 4, Wednesday, November 11 and Wednesday, November 18. To order, head to the Menulog website and or use the Menulog app.
The Grand Hyatt is a Melbourne institution. It originally opened in 1986 and has since undergone several renovations to keep it at the top of the city's luxury accommodation scene. The 5-star hotel is located on Collins Street, surrounded by high fashion stores, fine dining restaurants and the all too impressive theatre district. It screams treat yo' self. But you don't even have to leave this place and explore the local area – the Grand Hyatt is a brilliant staycation accommodation for Melbourne residents looking for a little luxury and some major weekend escapism. Wake up and take full advantage of their epic buffet breakfast at the Collins Kitchen before spending the rest of the day getting pampered. Live in a plush towel robe for the day as you jump from the spa to the pool – either by yourself, with your special someone or with a group of mates. Get dolled up to enjoy a few cocktails at the Grand Hyatt's Ru-Co Bar (or head down for a glam afternoon tea a little earlier) before jumping right back into the towel robe to enjoy room service in bed. This is the staycation life we all dream about. And we all most certainly deserve. Appears in: The Best Hotels in Melbourne
She's a longtime icon of Melbourne's party scene and the fun-loving soul that brought us spots like the Carlton Club and the Windsor Castle Hotel. Now, Tracey Lester has unveiled her latest hospitality project, reimagining Fitzroy's Gertrude Hotel as a stylish party pub with a glam-rock edge. A destination for dining, dancing and memory-making, the corner site has taken a wild departure from its former self, rocking the same high-energy colour palette that's become something of a Lester trademark. [caption id="attachment_857810" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Sharp and Lester[/caption] The hospitality veteran herself is behind every aspect of the zingy interiors, from the dramatic pendant lights, to the flocked wall panels, to the mirrored glass bouncing bold jewel tones around the rooms. If an Aussie party pub had a lovechild with Studio 54, you'd imagine it'd feel a lot like this. Expect pumping dance floors upstairs and down, weekend DJ sets bringing the groove, and disco parties in abundance. A separate tropical-themed bar sits on Level 1, along with two private party rooms that open onto the rooftop. The new Gertrude Hotel is more than just a pretty, entertaining face, though. A menu by Serradan Sharp (ex-Press Club, Maze) sits modern pub classics alongside a slew of crafty snacks and shares you can hit before the dance floor. You'll find comte and tapioca fritters with a jalapeno relish, charcoal roasted Skull Island prawns elevated with a hit of nduja, and crumpets topped with macadamia butter and shiitake. There's a whole barbecued flounder to share; pork schnitzel done with apple sauce and a fennel salad; a veg-friendly rigatoni with mushrooms and leek; and a cheeseburger loaded with your choice of American-style or blue cheese. To match, the cocktail list boasts a classic party energy — think, Tommy's margaritas, a spicy mango daiquiri and the prosecco-topped Tequila Fizzer. You'll also find a crop of mostly Aussie wines, a familiar lineup of brews on the tap list, and drink specials that include half-price negronis from 5–7pm each night. Find the newly reimagined Gertrude Hotel at 148 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. It's open 4–11pm Wednesday and Thursday, 4pm–1am Friday and Saturday, and 1–10pm Sunday. Images: Amy Whitfield and the Gertrude Hotel
Jason Schwartzman as a private detective. That's it — that's the show. In Bored to Death, the Wes Anderson favourite plays Jonathan Ames, a Brooklyn-based writer who moonlights as a sleuth, pals around with a comic book artist played by Zach Galifianakis and sees a literary magazine editor played by Ted Danson as his surrogate father figure. Adding another layer of eccentricity: the fact that Bored to Death was created and written by an author also called Jonathan Ames, who later wrote the novella that excellent hitman thriller You Were Never Really Here was based on. But even without that nifty trivia tidbit, this is a delightfully offbeat three-season gumshoe series that deservedly amassed quite the cult following when it initially aired from 2009–11. Also, everyone from Jenny Slate and Kristen Wiig to Patton Oswalt and Isla Fisher co-star.
Two years ago, Pappa Rich gave tastebuds across Australia the culinary hybrid they didn't know they were craving: a nasi lemak burger. They were originally sneakily trialled in Sydney stores in 2018, then rolled out for a limited time in 2019. Now, they're back. The burger takes the typical accompaniments in this Malaysian rice dish and sandwiches them all between two toasted burger buns. There are layers of crispy Malay fried chicken, spicy sambal, peanuts and anchovies, all topped with cucumber, lettuce and a fried egg. As a side? Expect Pappa Rich's deep-fried chicken skin, of course. You can also opt for chips if you prefer. The Malaysian hawker chain is returning the nasi lemak burger to its menu — at all of its 31 stores countrywide, but only for two months. If you're instantly hungry, you'll want to pop into one of Pappa Rich's outlets between Monday, March 29–Sunday, May 30. Or, if you just can't wait to sink your teeth into a burg, you can score one between Friday, March 26–Sunday, March 28, but only via Door Dash. The delivery service is selling 1000 nasi lemak burgers for just $1 across the three days, so you'll want to get in quickly. You'll also need to enter the code 'MALAYSIANBURGER' while you're ordering. Otherwise, if you're happy to grab a burger from next week onwards, you'll still have a couple of months to enjoy as many as your stomach demands. If you're in Sydney, you can nab one in Bankstown, North Ryde, Chatswood or on your lunch break at the express outlet in Ultimo; in Melbourne, pop by Chadstone, Southern Cross or QV; and Pappa Rich in Wintergarden, Garden City, Indooroopilly and Coorparoo Square will be selling them in Brisbane. Perth residents can head to Cockburn and Joondalup, while folks in Adelaide will want to make a trip to Gouger Street in the CBD. There are a heap more locations though, so check the website if you're looking for one closer to you. The nasi lemak burger will be available Monday, March 29–Sunday, May 30 at Pappa Rich locations across the country. There are also 1000 up for grabs for $1 via Door Dash between Friday, March 26–Sunday, March 28 by entering the code 'MALAYSIANBURGER' while you're ordering.
"Margot met Robert on a Wednesday night toward the end of her fall semester." So starts the only thing that everyone was reading, and also talking about, in December 2017. Published by The New Yorker, Kristen Roupenian's Cat Person is a short story unparalleled in its viral fame. A piercingly matter-of-fact account of a dating nightmare, the piece of fiction became a literary and online phenomenon. Cat Person didn't just spark discourse about modern romance, relationship power dynamics, 21st-century communication, age gaps and more; it monopolised them, as fuelled by the internet, of course, and arriving as the #MeToo movement was at its early heights. Releasing it as a book, still as a 7000-word piece, came next. Now there's the film that was always bound to happen. As a movie, Cat Person can count the Twitter-to-cinema Zola as a peer in springboarding from digital phenomenon to picture palaces, and it too aims for a specific vibe: the feeling that the world experienced while first roving their eyes over the details on their phone, tablet or computer screen. Cat Person and Zola have another glaring similarity: enlisting Succession's Nicholas Braun to infuse his Cousin Greg awkwardness into a wild tale. Here, he's the Robert that Margot encounters while "working behind the concession stand at the artsy movie theatre downtown when he came in and bought a large popcorn and a box of Red Vines", as Roupenian's story explains in its second sentence — and as filmmaker Susanna Fogel, the director of The Spy Who Dumped Me and one of Booksmart's writers, shows on-screen. Actors' performances don't exist in a vacuum for audiences. Unless you somehow missed the four-season Roy family shenanigans, plus all the rightly deserved attention around it, going into Cat Person unaware of Braun's best-known role is impossible. Self-consciousness, haplessness and discomfort are expected twice over of the man that Margot sells snacks to, then. Much follows. With Michelle Ashford (Operation Mincemeat) adapting Roupenian's text, Cat Person still starts unfurling as readers know it will, with Robert eventually asking Margot (Emilia Jones, CODA) out, then flirty missives bouncing back and forth via SMS daily across several weeks. She's 20 and he's 33, but she doesn't clock quite the size of that age discrepancy initially. She enjoys the banter, the thrill of connecting and the buzz of being wanted. Margot has a crush, patently, complete with telling her mother (Hope Davis, Asteroid City) and stepfather (Christopher Shyer, The Night Agent) about it when she's back at home over the break. In their exchanges, Robert advises that he has two cats, too — a tidbit worthy of a title because of what it says and softens about him, and what it also screams if those felines aren't real. Margot and Robert's rapport with their phones in their hands is natural yet often cringey, but only the latter translates whenever they meet in-person again. Still, the pair keep gravitating towards each other. Locking lips leads to "a terrible kiss, shockingly bad". The sex, which Fogel gives an out-of-body spin for Margot as a coping mechanism, is even worse. Regrets and ghosting then flow on Margot's part, while the rejected Robert floods bubbles of unwelcome anger her way. Roupenian's version is as well-known for how it ends as for everything that precedes its final word, but Fogel and Ashford had two options in making Cat Person into a movie: filling a film's running time by fleshing out its minutiae or building upon the once-in-a-decade short story, including its unforgettable ending. Their choice: doing both, actually, with their Cat Person spending 118 minutes to relay its narrative. In comes a Harrison Ford obsession for Robert, packaged with the telling revelation that he considers a Belgian bootleg of Working Girl to be the height of cinema sophistication. Margot becomes an anthropology major with a worshipped professor (Isabella Rossellini, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) studying ants — and the college student's roommate is now the feminist subreddit-moderating Taylor (Geraldine Viswanathan, Miracle Workers), still with firmly blunt thoughts on dealing with Robert's rebuffed behaviour. In wanders a lost dog in front of their dorm, too, plus imagined sessions with a therapist (Fred Melamed, Barry) who constantly verbalises the movie's subtext, an asexual ex and a Marilyn Monroe-aping singing stint. And, in drops a third act that swings big, even for a film that wants to be a thriller, a black comedy, a cautionary tale and then a horror flick all at once. Rossellini, Davis and Melamed lend presence more than anything else, but casting remains crucial to Cat Person's quest to recreate the sensations that swelled and swirled around the feature's source material six years back. As it incited conversation, debate, devotion and memes, Roupenian's story was an in-her-shoes read — and Jones' starring performance evokes the same reaction. With the rising Locke & Key talent playing savvy yet naive and interested yet cautious, it's easy to understand the emotions, joys, doubts and fears that cycle through Margot. Pivotally, it's easy to dive into Margot and Robert's projections, too, as Jones and Braun keeping bob towards and away from each other in a purposefully anti-chemistry match. Whether it goes smoothly, horrifically, embarrassing and something in-between, what's dating if not two people filtering their own thoughts and feelings through one another? And how often is ambiguity and clashing perceptions the outcome, as well as the realisation that what we want from and spot in the person we're seeing differs from their peek into and desires for us? As Cat Person takes this on-screen journey, it's guilty of doing what everyone desperately wants in a relationship but never gets: explaining everything. Accordingly, not every new inclusion works, especially when new characters largely spout metaphors or imaginings just state the obvious. That said, there's ambition in this tensely shot (by Manfuel Billeter, The Gilded Age) and edited (by Jacob Craycroft, Pachinko) film's additions and expansions to the text. Most beats, tonal shifts, sidesteps into neatness and descents into horror help flesh out an examination of ill-advised choices, clumsy hookups, jarring perspectives, and life's ever-present dangers and uncertainties — and relatably at that. Fogel tackled much the same as a director on The Flight Attendant; Promising Young Woman sprang from Saltburn's Emerald Fennell instead, but consider it another influence upon this intriguing rollercoaster ride of a movie.
For ten years, Royale Brothers has been known as the spot to go for burgers in Brighton. This hole-in-the-wall burger joint was started by the owners of The Pantry — more or less a local institution — who know a thing or two about running a cafe. And so, following such success, have decided to transform Royale Brothers into Royale, a contemporary cafe inspired by old-school Australian diners (not to be mistaken with American diners). Thankfully, most of its burgers remain on the menu. But the team is now also slinging breakfast dishes and classic Aussie diner fare. Kick things off with waffles or pancakes with a bunch of toppings; a brekkie bun, brekkie burger and brekkie sandwich; avocado on toast; and a big breakfast platter with bacon, hash browns and guacamole. For lunch, you've then got spaghetti bolognese, a range of different chicken schnitzels with chips, caesar salad, seafood basket and nachos. It's a really playful menu full of crowd-pleasing dishes. Thickshakes, coffee, juice and sodas round out the offerings here, all served up within newly designed digs. And we do hope booze will eventually make it to the menu, as it would make a stellar boozy brunch spot. You'll find the newly revamped Royale at 1 Church Street, Brighton, open 10am–8.30pm from Sunday–Thursday, and 10am–9pm on Friday and Saturday. For more details, you can check out the venue's website.
If you fancy celebrating World Whisky Day with something a little more exciting than a dram at your local, look no further. The monochromatic hues and striking curved ceiling of Archer's promise a suitably sleek backdrop for an evening spent sipping fine booze — especially given the restaurant is marking the occasion with a big whisky dinner on Saturday, May 20. Located within the Melbourne Marriott Docklands, Archer's is teaming up with award-winning local distillery Bakery Hill for an expertly curated feast full of complex flavours and belly-warming sips. As mainland Australia's first craft whisky distillery, Bakery Hill has more than a little street cred, and this is your chance to score a comprehensive taste of what they're doing right. Each of the night's four courses will be paired with a different signature whisky expression from the range, either on its own or in cocktail form. As for the food, you'll be tucking into a technique-driven lineup of plates by Executive Chef Ryan Flaherty — think chicken liver parfait married with cocoa and candied beetroot; koji-marinated beef short rib served with a marrow jus; and medjool date pudding finished with a whisky-spiked caramel sauce. Tickets for this one come in at $130, including four courses with matched drinks.
When you head to a gallery or museum, peruse its walls and halls, and stare at a famous work of art, you spend time bathing in visible beauty. If you're peering at a painting, then colours, compositions and brush strokes grab your attention. Should you be looking at a sculpture, it's the lines, shapes and forms that stand out. Even if you're the most dedicated art fan, you're really only engaging one of your senses — that's why it's called visual art. You can't touch something as iconic as the Venus de Milo, for example. You certainly can't taste it either, and it doesn't emit a sound or aroma. But if you have ever found yourself wondering just what the ancient Greek work smells like, or how some of The Louvre's other notable artworks might tickle your nostrils, you can now douse yourself in perfume inspired by eight of the Parisian museum's pieces. For the first time, The Louvre has teamed up with French beauty brand Officine Universelle Buly to create a range of scents that draw upon the gallery's masterpieces — not only for art-lovers to spray over their body, but in scented candles, scented postcards and scented soap sheets too. As well as the world's most famous statue with missing arms — which apparently smells like lilies and musk — the lineup takes its cues from Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres' La Baigneuse and Grande Odalisque, Thomas Gainsborough's Conversation in a Park, Jean-Honoré's The Lock and Georges de La Tour's Joseph the Carpenter. You can also smell like Lorenzo Bartolini's Nymph with Scorpion or, still on sculptures, you can opt for the Winged Victory of Samothrace. If the latter sounds familiar, that's because it featured in Beyonce and Jay-Z's 'Apeshit' video last year. https://vimeo.com/347284474 Buly's collection of The Louvre-themed products doesn't come cheap — ranging from just under €6 for a postcard, to around €17 for soap, to €125 for a candle or perfume. If you don't have a trip to Paris in your future, you can order the artwork-inspired scented products online.
Vietnamese chef and restaurateur Kieu Phan has big plans for Australia. She already has eight restaurants scattered about Vietnam but plans to open three new sites in Melbourne and Sydney in the coming years. The first new venture Hoiana is set to open on Melbourne's Little Bourke Street on Friday, December 8, bringing refined Vietnamese eats and live music to the Victorian capital's CBD. During the launch, Kieu Phan will step into the kitchen as Executive Chef, working alongside Head Chef Dylan McCormack (ex-Red Spice Road). The duo has created a menu that plays with classic Vietnamese dishes and French cooking techniques, culminating in something altogether contemporary and fun. Design-wise, the 80-seater restaurant will feature art deco stylings, paying homage to the surrounding buildings on Little Bourke Street and Hardware Lane. There'll also be room for regular live music performances at Hoiana, breathing even more life into the space. But Hoiana isn't all that Phan is working on. She already has plans to set up a second Melbourne restaurant in 2024. Francis Thuan, winner of this year's Chef of the Year award at the Vietnam Restaurant & Bar Awards, is already on board to run the kitchen at the new site. His restaurant Esta in Vietnam received a Michelin star in Vietnam's first-ever Michelin Guide this year, so big things are expected for this spot. On top of this, Phan is also working on a new Sydney restaurant. But we are yet to get any extra details on this one. In the meantime, Hoiana is the first piece to slot into place in Phan's Aussie restaurant puzzle. Find Hoiana at 400 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne from Friday, December 8. It will be open from 11am–1am, seven days a week. Head to the venue's website for more info.
Food enthusiasts in Fitzroy are in for a good time at Bontempo Pizzeria. In fact, that's literally what the name of the restaurant means, 'good time'. The second venture from the team behind Fratellino in South Yarra, this Brunswick Street eatery is serving woodfired pizza alongside an array Italian staples, and is generally doing everything it can to deliver what it promises. "With the space we have we can cater to everyone, from couples to families and larger groups," says co-owner Joe Kavanagh. "We know that if we keep it simple by teaming good quality pizza and pasta with affordable drinks in a casual atmosphere, the rest will take care of itself." Kavanagh points to The Bont, the restaurant's signature pizza made with whiskey-infused Western Plains pulled pork, fresh basil, garlic, sage, tomato and mozzarella, as a menu highlight. Other standout options include the Salsicce e Funghi with pork and fennel sausage, mushrooms, garlic, parsley and mozzarella; and the Zucca, a vegetarian number with roast pumpkin, feta, basil, pine nuts, spinach, rosemary, garlic and tomato. All Bontempo's pizzas are made in a Valoriani clay wood-fire oven imported from Italy and custom-built on site. If you're not in the mood for pizza (although we can't fathom why that would be), you might want to try the Fettuccine Gamberoni made with king prawns, white wine, garlic, cream and a dash of napoli. Alternatively, you can sink your teeth into a chargrilled swordfish steak. For dessert, choose from classic Italian sweets such as affogato and chocolate calzone. As for beverages, Bontempo offers a wide range of local and Italian wines, as well as beers from Fitzroy Cellars and Thunder Road Brewing, and cocktails from The Everleigh Bottling Co. Images: Tom Ross.
A long-time fixture of Fitzroy North, family-owned Dench has been winning over northsiders with its natural artisan loaves for over 15 years. It's even opened up a bakehouse in Abbotsford to keep up with demand — both of which are on our list of the best bakeries in Melbourne. The bakery is known for its freshly baked cakes and popular pastries, including escargot, croissants and puffy Italian bomboloni. But the breads are the reason you'll want to go back again and again. Here, you'll find a bunch of organic sourdoughs, with everything from light rye to white, seeded, olive and rosemary and a grain loaf. You can also pick up a baguette, raisin loaf, some brioche and ciabatta. The onsite cafe is serving a selection of those freshly baked goodies, alongside coffee, brunch plates and sandwiches heroing the signature breads. And dietary issues aren't a drama thanks to Dench's swag of vegan and gluten-free options — it's even got a dedicated gluten-free room for whipping up coeliac-friendly fare. Appears in: The Best Bakeries in Melbourne for 2023
Forget about the five-star stay; OK Motels is bringing people together for a different kind of festival experience on Saturday, October 18. Rooted in small-town community spirit, these lovers of local live music and art have just announced one of their biggest lineups to date, with Rochester in Central Victoria this new-breed festival's next port of call. Live sets will roll out across Rochester's three local pubs throughout the afternoon, transforming the town into a musical pub crawl. Then, once the sun dips beneath the horizon, festival-goers and probably a large chunk of Rochy's 3154 population will gather in the central car park for the evening's headline performances. Taking to the stage is a stacked selection of local and international acts. New Zealand's Marlon Williams brings his velvet vocals and cinematic ballads, while Canadian duo, Kacy & Clayton, blend British folk rock, classic country, traditional songs and faded psychedelia. Alongside their solo performances, fans are in for a special treat as Williams and Kacy & Clayton also come together to perform their collaborative album, Plastic Bouquet, in full. Also on the lineup, Sylvie, hailing from the USA, will perform decades-old barn recordings, and Drifting Clouds, the solo project of Terry Guyula, will journey from the remote community of Gapuwiyak to perform his brand of synthpop, rock and Yolŋu storytelling — check out his recent single 'Bawuypawuy' for a taste. Besides the incredible musical talent, OK Motels is taken to the next level with fun-loving community encounters, from the chance to marry your friends (without the annoying legalities) to disco rodeo boot scooting. As for the accommodation, there's no shortage of options. There's comfy river camping alongside the picturesque Campaspe, or you can book a cabin in the Rochester Caravan Park. Meanwhile, the nearby hub of Echuca has plenty of motels ripe for a good night's rest. Yet if making it back to the big smoke without delay is on your agenda, the OK Sleeper is departing from Southern Cross Station on Friday night. Bound for Rochester, this party train will have you safely returned to the city once the festivities have come to a close. Images: Kyle Dobie.
Melbourne is about to boast not one but two international airports, with Avalon welcoming Air Asia flights from the end of 2018. In good news for travellers, a new curfew-free terminal will be built — and is expected to service 220,000 international passengers each year. Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll and Minister for Tourism John Eren announced that twice-daily flights will begin between Avalon and Kuala Lumpur, in the latest expansion of Avalon's capabilities. The Victorian Government has invested $1.5 million in infrastructure works at the airport, including ensuring that Jetstar will continue to operate at the site 55 kilometres outside of the city. The move, which comes after the Federal Government amended Avalon's lease to allow a new terminal back in 2015, is expected to open up Geelong and the Great Ocean Road to a greater number of international tourists. "We're so proud to have secured the first ever international service for Avalon — attracting thousands more visitors and bringing more business to our region," said Eren.
Looking for your next weekend getaway? There's no need to leave your four-legged fur baby at home anymore: Pullman Melbourne on the Park has just opened a dedicated pet suite dubbed Paws on the Park. One of the hotel's signature suites has been turned into a pet paradise, including doggy room service, a private courtyard, grass mat and kennel. It's designed for guests and the owners of guests. Pullman's Pet Suite is both cat- and dog-friendly, plus, 10% of all bookings will also be going to the Lost Dog's Home, which is a lovely touch. "We are constantly looking for ways to expand our offering to make our guests' experience more enjoyable, and what better way than being able to bring your pet on holiday with you?" Pullman GM Stephan Leroy says. "We have extended our five-star service to cater to the needs of both pets and their owners, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all." Pullman has even teamed up with pet accessory brand, Gummi, to produce a Paws on the Park capsule collection. The range is free for all guests and includes co-branded tote bags and doggy treats, poo bags and a frisbee to take home. There's also a bunch of Pullman X Gummi gear in the room, which you can borrow during your stay. Food-wise, your pet can settle in with room service items like Unleashed Puparazzi — diced, cooked Australian beef fillet with mixed veggies and braised barley or the Pawfectly Healthy, a mix of poached chicken with oats, olive oil, spinach and egg. They also offer a human room service menu, you'll be relieved to hear. It's fair to say, if you're the sort of person who enjoys pet-related puns of the 'pawfect' variety, Pullan's Pet Suite is right up your alley. You can make Pet Suite bookings directly through the Pullman website from June 25, but there's also a special Open Day on June 24, which anyone can attend for free. Paw-some activities are guaranteed. Images: supplied.
Weekends just got a little hotter, with the launch of a new bottomless brunch series from the team at Belles Hot Chicken. In celebration of the group's newly-opened outpost in Sydney's Darling Square and the debut of its new collaborative wine range, Belles is supercharging its regular weekend offering with a boozy brunch. And it will be available at all venues every Saturday and Sunday from this weekend. Pay just $50 and you'll sit down to a decadent two-hour feast featuring that famed chicken and crisp waffles, alongside unlimited cocktail jugs and bloody marys. The latter sees Belles team up with the crew at Sydney's own Westmont Pickles, to create the ultimate AM combo of pickle brine, fresh-pressed tomato juice and cayenne pepper. Other sips include The Southern Charm, made on sweet tea with a hit of Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon, and a lemonade, tea and Tromba concoction dubbed The Arnaldo. All of that is likely to see you rolling out the door, though if you can squeeze it in, the regular Belles menu of mains and sides will also be on offer. Bottomless brunch will be on offer at Belles' Richmond, Fitzroy and Hightail locations from 11.30am every Saturday and Sunday. For more info, visit belleshotchicken.com.au.
What will open with the Australian premiere of one of this year's Sundance hits — an Aussie movie that won one of the prestigious fest's audience awards, no less — and also feature a huge music celebration right at its centre? The 2023 Melbourne International Film Festival. Just under three months out from the Victorian capital's annual cinema showcase, MIFF has revealed its first two titles for this year, both with strong local connections. Launching the festival for 2023 is Noora Niasari's Shayda, which is set and shot in Melbourne, marks the Tehran-born, Australian-raised writer/director's feature debut and tells an autobiographical tale. Seeing Niasari leap from participating in the MIFF Accelerator Lab for short film helmers to opening the fest, the movie follows an Iranian woman and her daughter who seek refuge at a suburban Melbourne women's shelter. Cate Blanchett's Dirty Films executive produces, while 2022 Cannes Best Actress-winner Zar Amir-Ebrahimi (Holy Spider) and Australian great Leah Purcell (The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson) star. Since returning to in-person fests after two pandemic-affected virtual-only years in 2020 and 2021, this is MIFF's second homegrown opener in succession. In 2022, Goran Stolevski's coming-of-age feature Of an Age did the honours. Of course, Shayda will have ample company when it comes to local titles in 2023, including the also just-announced Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story. The documentary will enjoy its world premiere at MIFF, as the festival's first-ever gala screening from its regular Music on Film program. Celebrating the late Australian record executive and promoter, who passed away in 2021, Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story steps through its namesake's life and career. Unsurprisingly, it has plenty of well-known names joining in to pay tribute, with featured interviewees spanning Kylie Minogue, Dave Grohl, Sting, Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Jimmy Barnes. And, when the Paul Goldman (Suburban Mayhem)-directed doco plays MIFF mid-fest, it will score red-carpet events across multiple Melbourne venues. As for what else will screen in the festival's 71st year, the rest of the program will start being revealed in early June, ahead of the full 2023 MIFF lineup drop in July. Whatever ends up on the bill after Shayda and Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story, they'll join a fest that'll continue its 2022 format of playing in cinemas in Melbourne (from Thursday, August 3–Sunday, August 20) and at regional Victorian locations (from Friday, August 11–Sunday, August 13 and Friday, August 18–Sunday, August 20), and also once again expand its audience by bringing back online platform MIFF Play (from Friday, August 18–Sunday, August 27). Shayda's opening-night session will screen on Thursday, August 3, with tickets for MIFF members available from 8am on Tuesday, May 23 and general public sales from 10am on Thursday, May 25. If you're keen to see Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story, it'll premiere on Thursday, August 10, with tickets available at the same times as Shayda. The 2023 Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 3–Sunday, August 20 at a variety of venues around Melbourne; from Friday, August 11–Sunday, August 13 and Friday, August 18–Sunday, August 20 in regional Victoria; and online nationwide with MIFF Play from Friday, August 18–Sunday, August 27. For further details, including the full program from Tuesday, July 11, visit the MIFF website.
Anything humans can eat, dogs think that they can munch on as well. But as every responsible pet parent knows, that isn't actually the case. So, we've all weathered those adorable, yearning, pleading looks from our beloved pooches as we've tucked into something that they'd like to taste as well. And, we've all felt the heartbreak at letting our cute critters down — even though it's for their health. Does your doggo get a twinkle in their eye whenever there's a doughnut around? It wouldn't be the first — and, until Monday, September 18, it's in luck. For International Dog Day on Saturday, August 26, Krispy Kreme has announced the return of its limited-edition range of "doggie doughnuts". They're doughnut-inspired dog biscuits, actually, but they sure do look like the real thing. First introduced in 2021, the eye-catching bikkies are a collaboration with Sunshine Coast-based pet treats business Huds and Toke, and they come in six different varieties. If you love Krispy Kreme's original glazed doughnuts, perhaps your pupper will adore the dog biscuit version as well. Or, you could let then go barking mad over choc iced, choc cookie, choc cheesecake, choc sprinkles and strawberry sprinkles varieties. The biscuits aren't made from doughnuts or from chocolate, of course; instead, they use a hard-baked cookie base, as well as frosting made from ingredients like carob that's been designed specifically for dog jaws. The bikkies are also meant to be good for chewing and for dental cleaning — and they're designed to last longer than your usual dog treat. If these round delights will get your four-legged friend's tail wagging, you can buy them in six-packs (for $14.90) while stocks last at Krispy Kreme stores — including via drive-thru. And, they are just for pets. So, just like how Fido or Rover can't have your doughnut, you can't have their version either. Grab some on the weekend of Saturday, August 26–Sunday, August 27 and you'll also score a complimentary pup cup. Krispy Kreme's doggie doughnuts are now available from the chain's stores in Australia and New Zealand until Monday, September 18. Images: Michael Leckie / PinPep.
If you've seen and loved the show Girls, then you know what a character Lena Dunham is. Her work on the big screen is equally amusing. The one-woman-wonder wrote, directed and starred in Tiny Furniture, a clever and amusing coming-of-age dramedy about a bright but lost young woman coming to terms with her stagnant life. In Tiny Furniture, 22-year-old Aura (Dunham) moves back into her artist mother's Tribeca loft after graduating from university. With a useless film degree, a boyfriend who's left her for Burning Man, a dying hamster and no job, Aura is a desperate for someone to tell her what to do. Luckily, her imprudent childhood friend (Jemima Kirke from Girls) and some feckless love interests (including Alex Karpovsky, also from Girls) are thrown in the mix for plenty of roguish escapades. Through gritted teeth and a forced smile, Aura puts her self out there, lands a job at a crummy restaurant and tries to make something of her life like any other twenty-something in New York City. With a witty cast of characters — including her real-life mother, sister and best friend — Dunham's story hits close to home (and was actually filmed in her parents'). Winning Best Narrative Feature at South by Southwest and Best Screenplay at the 2012 Independent Spirit Awards, this indie darling has all the salty, satirical and sardonic humour that captivated us even before Girls. Tiny Furniture is available on DVD and digital download on October 23. Thanks to Transmission Home Entertainment, we've got five DVD copies 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. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=GuD6wF_GPOY
There's no shortage of sandwich shops making waves these days. But a new limited-time special at Tombo Den has just hit the scene, ready to grab your attention with Japanese-inspired sandos. Served from midday Friday–Sunday, there are two loaded options bound to satisfy your cravings: prawn menchi-katsu with wasabi tartare and lettuce, and pork katsu with truffle mayo and barbecue sauce. With both served on fluffy white bread à la shokupan, these hearty creations are also presented with a handful of crisps to give you a little more crunch. Priced at $18.50 each, this lunchtime sando will leave you feeling stuffed until dinner comes around. There's also the option to level things up. For $7.50, add a side of ramen fries, or get the weekend started with a yuzu spritz priced at $13.50. If you want the entire trio, the so-called Tombo Combo is the ultimate lunch fix. Situated at the Windsor end of Chapel Street, Tombo Den is Chris Lucas' take on a throwback Japanese eatery, inspired by his time living and working in Tokyo in the 90s. Paying respect to the nation's street food and izakaya culture, expect casual fare and boozy nights. There's an expert team in the back-of-house, with Head Chef Dan Chan (Supernormal and Michelin-starred Yardbird in Hong Kong) spearheading the culinary offering. Meanwhile, Tokyo-born master sommelier Yuki Hirose has curated Tombo Den's tight but expressive drinks lineup. [caption id="attachment_971728" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: Michael Pham[/caption] [caption id="attachment_971729" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: Michael Pham[/caption] Tombo Den's weekend sando special is available for a limited time from 12pm Friday–Sunday at 100a Chapel Street, Windsor. Head to the website for more information.
There are all sorts of bad movies. Some, like Palo Alto, smack of pretention and self-indulgence. Others, like Grace of Monaco, are poorly written and incompetently made. Yet others, like The Rover, fail on a level that is more difficult to quantify, unable to deliver a satisfying experience in spite the qualities they possess. Then there are movies like Yves Saint Laurent. For them, the word 'bad' seems inappropriate, because it suggests that they are in any way noteworthy. A French-language biopic on the eponymous fashion icon — a man whose name and designs altered the world of luxury clothing forever — Yves Saint Laurent is so bland, conventional and boring that it barely registers as a movie at all. Actor-turned-director Jalil Lespert follows the biopic playbook to the inoffensive letter. Guillaume Gallienne plays Laurent's long-time lover and business partner, whose wistful voiceover gives a rose-coloured tint to the already obsequious treatment. YSL himself is played by the gangly Pierre Niney; the competent enough actor saddled with a totally uninteresting role. And therein lies the film's biggest problem: Laurent's arc — from youthful prodigy to cocksure rebel to lonely, introverted genius — is one that we've seen played out literally hundreds of times before. So we watch, with utter indifference, as he alienates his friends and turns an industry on its head. Or so we're told, anyway. Thinly drawn side characters flit in and out as the years go by, each there to remind us that Laurent is changing the game. At a certain point, you just have to take their word for it. To be fair, even a layman can recognise the beauty of his designs, which Lespert trots out in montage after golden-hued montage. For fashionistas, at least, the film gives you plenty nice to look at. But clothes, despite what the old adage says, do not make the man. Laurent's work was remarkable, but his life, unfortunately, was not. So we're left with a film that is purely surface level, and that fades from your memory the second the end credits role. In some ways, you actually wish it were worse, because at least then there'd be something more to say about it. If nothing else, Grace of Monaco was fun to make fun of. Yves Saint Laurent doesn't even give you that. https://youtube.com/watch?v=-ec-DQ_7EUM
One of the northside's best-loved beer gardens has been transformed into a beach-inspired oasis primed for the scorching temperatures hitting Melbourne left, right and centre. The Fitzroy Beer Garden's sprawling courtyard now boasts an extra ten cubic metres of sand, vibrant tiki styling and a pop-up beach bar, to help you keep your keep cool right through until the end of summer. To match its snazzy new looks and Mikey XXI wall art, the bar's also whipping up a fresh range of summery cocktail creations. Snag a spot on one of the daybeds or kick back in a beach booth and enjoy sips like the Summerside — a blend of gin, strawberry puree, lemon and balsamic — or the share-friendly Princess Peach jug, featuring vodka, Chambord, peach schnapps, apple juice and mint. Of course, the Gertrude Street bar's weekly lineup of specials and parties continues, too, only now with a blissed-out beachy backdrop. Catch taco night every Tuesday, DJs and $10 burgers every Friday and $5 tinnies from the new beach bar from 6–7pm daily. You can check out all the daily specials over here. The Fitzroy Beach Garden is open from midday–1am daily. Images: The Fitzroy Beer Garden
