Which movie features multiple terrible sex scenes, a ridiculous plot and way too many spoons? Oh hi The Room. When the enigmatic Tommy Wiseau decided to write, direct, produce, fund and act in his own Hollywood breakthrough flick 14 years ago, he couldn't possibly have predicted the cult fame, plastic cutlery and branded underwear that would follow — although, if you asked him today, he'd probably claim otherwise. After all, he spends one of The Room's DVD extras explaining that yes, you really can play football with your friends while wearing a tuxedo and standing three metres apart. Trust him. If it sounds like Wiseau lives in his own absurd world, he'd likely be happy with that. In fact, he once told his pal and co-star Greg Sestero that he'd like to have his own planet. Based on Sestero's behind-the-scenes book about The Room's mind-boggling production, The Disaster Artist is the movie that brings Wiseau back down to earth. Directed by and starring a pitch-perfect James Franco, with supporting performances from his brother Dave as well as Seth Rogen, Jacki Weaver, Zac Efron and Alison Brie, it's a sidesplittingly funny and thoroughly heart-warming look at the man who unwittingly started a phenomenon. A wild true story about obsessively chasing a dream, finding a friend and yearning to belong, this Ed Wood-style effort will make you want to hurl spoons at the screen with sheer joy. With limp black tresses and a vaguely European (or is it New Orleanian?) accent, Franco plays Wiseau not as a joke, but as an eager, aspiring talent who'll climb the walls if he has to. When we first see him channelling his inner Brando in a San Francisco acting class, that's literally what he does. Self-conscious and wide-eyed, 19-year-old Sestero (Dave Franco) is drawn to Wiseau's confidence — enough to ignore the concerns of his mother and move to Los Angeles with his clearly middle-aged new buddy. But the film industry doesn't exactly welcome them with open arms, so Wiseau takes their fate into his own hands. Voila, The Room is born. Much of The Disaster Artist is concerned with revealing how The Room came to be. The now-iconic lines, the stilted performances, the odd non-sequiturs: they're all there, often recreated with shot-for-shot accuracy that'll tear both fans and newcomers apart with laughter. But Franco and writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (500 Days of Summer) are interested in more than just making in-jokes and poking fun at everyone's favourite bad movie. A relatable, genuinely moving and hilarious love letter rather than a lampoon, The Disaster Artist celebrates Wiseau's eccentricity and passion, even when he's sabotaging his own efforts. As such, while there's plenty of comedy, he's never the subject of mockery. When Franco adopts his distinctive mannerisms, it's with sincerity and affection. It helps that, in a different universe, Franco could've very well lived Wiseau's life. Driven by comparable levels of enthusiasm and determination, the Oscar-nominated actor might be one of Hollywood's biggest stars, but he's had more than his share of missteps along the way – including multiple movies that he's directed and starred in that barely saw the light of day. Whether he's yelling Wiseau's unforgettable dialogue or fixing a crooked stare on his co-stars, Franco's turn as Tommy is his best to date, with authenticity as well as earnestness shining through at every moment. His decision to cast his similarly-excellent sibling as Sestero likewise proves a smart one. Together, the Francos evoke an easy familiarity in a movie that is, at its core, about the bonds of brotherhood. With The Disaster Artist, Franco has crafted a riotous film about art imitating life, one that should amuse and inspire regardless of whether you're a fan of The Room or have never heard of Wiseau at all. Not only that, but as award season arrives, it might pull in a few shiny statues too. The older Franco has already won a Gotham Award for his performance, and if he collects a few more trophies, don't be surprised to see Wiseau grace the stage with him insisting he knew it'd turn out this way all along. Whatever happens, The Disaster Artist is one of the year's best movies – and features one of the best on-screen uses of '90s dance track 'Rhythm of the Night' as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DT41LF22ZA
After a false start earlier in the month (thanks, Lockdown 5.0), Fireside Yarra Valley 2021 kicks off this weekend celebrating the wine region's finest winter offerings. The timing couldn't be better if you're looking for the perfect excuse for a post-lockdown, out-of-town jaunt. Running from Friday, July 30–Sunday, August 8, the program is set to plate up a slew of events for all palates from dinner feasts and pizza parties, to overnight stays and fireside brunches. There will also be scores of opportunities to sample some of the Yarra Valley's finest vino. Settle into a French-style prix-fixe Sunday lunch at the renowned Dominique Portet Winery (August 1), join mates at Stefani Estate for an afternoon of sangiovese and sausage (July 31), and indulge in the chicest of brunch sessions courtesy of Domaine Chandon (August 2 & 3) complete with blood orange mimosas, sparkling wine and a lavish four-course spread. This year's fun wraps up on Sunday, August 8, with A Fiery Feast presented by celebrated wine labels Jayden Ong and Handpicked. Here, expect top local produce cooked over charcoal, live tunes and free-flowing wine, all enjoyed fireside at the Jayden Ong property in Healesville.
We probably don't need to remind you that two years of lockdowns equates to a whole lotta missed birthdays. But if you're one of the many Melburnians who got stiffed on one or more birthday celebrations due to a certain pandemic, the crew from Scratch Arts has your back. On Saturday, May 28, they're taking over the Abbotsford Convent to throw the ultimate do-over party, dubbed Lost Birthdays. This little shindig is out to make up for all those missed festivities, set to dazzle with an evening of tunes, drinks, performances and UV-lit antics. There'll be six different DJs hitting the decks, serving a dance-worthy mix of disco, house and techno. Meanwhile, a curation of circus artists and performers will be dishing up a program of roving entertainment, and there'll be craft stations for those looking to unleash some of their own creative energy. What's more, the same minds that brought us UV performance art party Blankë Pop will be putting together a neon-drenched blacklight playground for you to groove through in between dance floor sessions. You're going to want to curate your birthday party outfit accordingly.
Running events in the arts and hospitality industry can be tough enough at the best of times, let alone when your city is drifting in and out of restrictions and lockdowns. But despite the challenges served up by 2021, the year had plenty of shining lights. There was an avalanche of exciting new restaurant and bar openings to sink our teeth into outside of lockdowns, and some adventurous, thought-provoking and all-round joyous events took place over the last 12 months. From ground-breaking exhibitions to huge concerts, 2021 still managed to deliver the goods — and we've pulled together a list of six of the year's most memorable events. While many fantastic gigs, festivals and shows were cancelled due to the pandemic, these are the ones that managed to go ahead and fill our year with good food, music, art and culture.
Here's one for all of you culture-loving night owls — Melbourne Museum's famed after-hours parties are making their anticipated comeback this month, promising a suitably huge headline act in Aussie hip hop star Tkay Maidza. On Wednesday, November 30, Nocturnal returns for its first outing since 2020, set to transform the museum's exhibition spaces into a music-fuelled after-dark playground. Kicking off a fresh series of monthly summer sessions (further dates TBA), this next after-hours shindig is happening in conjunction with Victoria's statewide music program Always Live, and national hip hop and R&B radio platform CADA. [caption id="attachment_722270" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cesur Sanli[/caption] Gearing up the crowd for a big night of tunes will be acts like Western Sydney DJ Carolina Gasolina, and Melbourne's own Dijok and Soju Gang, before Maidza hits the stage from 9pm, promising to have the dance floor jumping. And as always, more after-hours revelry will come in the form of pop-up bars, tasty bites, hands-on workshops and curator talks. Plus, guests will have the rare chance to explore Melbourne Museum's latest exhibitions and installations by night — the current lineup includes newly launched exhibition Naadohbii: To Draw Water, interactive storytelling showcase Tyama (separate tickets required), and Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs.
Melbourne's much-hyped new rooftop pool club is kicking things off with a serious bang, set to launch with a rollicking New Year's Eve shindig, set high above the city. Guests at Reunion Island Pool Club's NYE pool party will score exclusive use of the sky-high oasis, from 7pm on December 31, until 1am the following day. And they'll be wrapping up 2018 in style, quaffing free-flowing Kirin beer and Paul Louis Sparkling throughout the night, and enjoying primo views of Melbourne's NYE fireworks. Party bites will come courtesy of the Easey's crew and their new poolside kiosk — think, tacos, burgers and club sandwiches to launch your evening, with an injection of barbecue wings and mac 'n' cheese bites to keep those late-night antics fuelled. Meanwhile, DJ Jade Zoe — of local crew The Operatives — will be throwing down the ultimate soundtrack to launch a shiny, new 2019. Feeling flush? You can also nab a private four, six or 10-person pool for the evening, for an extra $100 per head. After this banger of a NYE party, Reunion Island Pool Club will be open daily until April.
The often-ignored film industry of one of Australia’s closest neighbours will get its moment in the spotlight at ACMI cinemas this April. Organised by the Melbourne University Indonesian Student Association, the Indonesian Film Festival will celebrate its tenth anniversary with a small but robust program of ten feature films. For Melburnians, it’s one of the best ways to get a glimpse of Indonesia’s many faces without the inconvenience of a seven-hour flight. The festival begins on Thursday, April 9 with a screening of romantic drama Likas’ Three Breaths, with director Rako Prijanto and lead actress Atiqah Hasiholan both in attendance for a post-film Q&A. Other standout titles include acclaimed indie drama Siti, relationship comedy When Will You Get Married?, horror flicks Haunted and Test of Fear and the politically-charged music documentary Streetside. For the full Indonesian Film Festival program, visit their website.
Legendary vocal-happy label 4AD (Bon Iver, Grimes, The National) has picked up its fourth ever Australian artist. Castlemaine's D.D Dumbo has just signed a big ol' deal to become one of the 4AD family. Celebrated for his minimalist style, mesmerising vocals and ridiculous ability with a 12-string guitar, D.D Dumbo has pricked the ears of the likes of Warpaint, St Vincent and Iron & Wine — picking up invitations for support slots along the way. The Victorian native has landed more support gigs for Daughter and Tame Impala in the UK, along with a debut headline show in London and a highly coveted slot at Latitude Festival. The Castlemaine local will return home in July to support the ever eclectic and straight-up magical Tune-Yards for her Splendour sideshows, working his way from Melbourne's Howler to North Byron Parklands and back to Oxford Art Factory. Jump wholeheartedly on the bandwagon this time around, this kid's going to get expensive. D.D DUMBO AUSTRALIAN DATES: 24 July - Howler, Melbourne (supporting Tune-Yards) SOLD OUT 25 July - Howler, Melbourne (supporting Tune-Yards) 27 July - Splendour in The Grass SOLD OUT 28 July - Oxford Art Factory (supporting Tune-Yards) https://youtube.com/watch?v=qG4DLc9Kotg
So, you love a good pub trivia night but you're also a fan of the thrilling murder mystery concept. Well, you'd better round up your best sleuthing mates and book in some midweek whodunit action, when the National Hotel returns with another brain-tickling session of its popular Murder Mystery-themed trivia. On Thursday, June 2, the Richmond pub invites you to put on your thinking cap and battle other teams for a taste of sweet, Sherlock Holmes-style glory. You'll navigate four rounds of pop culture questions while staying tuned for cheeky clues that'll help you crack the night's overall murder mystery puzzle. And you might want to play a few games of Cluedo to brush up those sleuthing skills in the lead-up — not only are there round prizes and jugs of beer up for grabs, but the winner will score a hefty $100 bar tab. Entry is free, with bookings made via the website, and you can have between four and six players on your team. [caption id="attachment_678307" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The National, by Gareth Sobey[/caption]
Lygon Street doesn't have any shortage of Italian wine bars, bit the latest one is still notable — if not due to its food and wine offering, then because of its history. Making its home in the strip's King and Godfree building — which recently reopened after a huge multi-year renovation and relaunch — Agostino has been named in a nod to one of the area's original Italian food pioneers. It's a homage to Vincenza-born Carlo Valmorbida, the man who originally opened grocery store Frank Agostino's and whose family has owned (and continues to run) the building since 1955. While the King and Godfree deli and coffee bar — and adjoining rooftop bar — opened at the end of last year, the 50-seat Agostino has just joined the party. In keeping with the overall refurbishment, the space itself boasts a rich riot of textures against clean lines, brought to life under the guidance of award-winning Melbourne architect Chris Connell. You'll spy further collaborative efforts in the commissioned collection of ceramics, featuring exclusive pieces by local artist Shari Lowndes. [caption id="attachment_721670" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Chris Connell-designed interior.[/caption] From the kitchen comes a food offering that's concise, yet punchy, starring drinking fare with a clear northern Italian lean. You might find plates like grilled octopus teamed with nduja, new potatoes and salsa verde; a roasted quail matched to white polenta, sprouts, sage and chestnuts; and a rabbit ragu pappardelle flying the flag for winter. But it's the wine program that takes centre stage, heroing a diverse spread of drops from across Australia and the homeland, including a rotation of tap wine. A solid retail selection offers bottles to enjoy in-house or at home, while the temperature controlled cellar plays host to a covetable reserve list, filled with rare labels that have been housed here for years. It's all backed by a classic-leaning cocktail lineup and a beer list offering both local brews and Italian craft labels. Drop by for an after-work drink, then finish off with a scoop of Pidapipo on the way home. Find Agostino at 297 Lygon Street, Carlton — it's open 12–10pm daily.
Pop a cork of your finest wine because the Grampians Fine Wine Festival is back, and it's safe to say this month-long festival is the most exciting event in any wine enthusiast's calendar. With wine tastings, trivia nights, vineyard celebrations and progressive lunches galore, there's no shortage of excitement for lovers of the grape. This October, sip and savour the best of Grampians / Gariwerd wine country, known for its cool-climate shiraz, historic cellar doors and boutique family-run vineyards. With more than 160 years of winemarking heritage, this year's festival celebrates that legacy with a dozen standout experiences. Highlights include a three-course progressive degustation lunch at Pomonal Estate starring a selection of gourmet dishes paired with hand-crafted wines. And if you're wondering what a progressive degustation lunch means? It's a tour of multiple wineries with gourmet dishes at each stop. As part of the Grampians Fine Wine Festival, you are also invited to a five-course degustation dinner headed by their in-house chef. Test your pop-culture knowledge with Mrs Smith's Trivia on Thursday, October 9 or round out the month with OktoberBEST (Sunday, October 26), a festival very akin to Oktoberfest, but with a wine twist. Meanwhile, wine buffs can explore a vertical shiraz tasting at Mountainside Wines, and sparkling fans can tour Seppelt's historic underground Drives for a sparkling and street-food dining experience. Finally, beware of Black & Ginger's Wine Shed as there's been a murder, one you'll have to solve along with a hefty glass of shiraz (Saturday, October 18). Pricing varies per event, so make sure to head to the Grampians Fine Wine Festival website to find out more about what's on offer this October.
There are plenty of ways you could celebrate World Doughnut Day, but an all-you-can-eat doughnut banquet has got to be among the most decadent. Especially when it's being served up by one of Melbourne's go-to doughnut spots, Goldeluck's. On Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8, the bakery is celebrating the world's favourite holey treat with a bottomless buffet feast at its Patterson Lakes and Ringwood stores. Book in for a one-hour sitting between 11am and 7.30pm on your chosen day, and you'll get to gorge on your fill of sweet treats for just $22. The menu includes unlimited serves of its signature doughnuts, HSP doughnut packs and croissant-doughnut hybrid, the 'dossant'. There's no word yet on exactly which flavours will be making it to the buffet table, but past hits have included the likes of raspberry and white chocolate, Golden Gaytime and a classic peanut butter and jelly number. To drink, there'll be free-flowing tea, coffee and milkshakes, too. Goldeluck's all-you-can-eat doughnut buffet is available at both its Eastland Shopping Centre, Ringwood and Lakeview Shopping Centre, Patterson Lakes stores. One-hour sessions are available between 11am–7.30pm each day.
For more than a century, watching a movie has involved staring at either a rectangle or a square. They're the shapes the silver screen is known for, and the small screen as well. But catch a film at the planetarium and everything becomes circular — which makes fulldome flicks, as they're called, something particularly special. Melbourne Planetarium plays movies on its dome via regular programs — films specifically made to take advantage of the different screening format — and the Melbourne International Film Festival includes a fulldome showcase in its annual lineup. But Australia only boasts one film fest that's solely all about hemispherical views. That event: the Dome Under Film Festival, which debuted in 2020 before the pandemic, and will return to the Victorian capital in February 2023. Running across Saturday, February 4–Sunday, February 5, Dome Under Festival's latest outing will once again see the best new fulldome releases from around the world head to Scienceworks. With sessions dedicated to family-friendly titles, children's movies, animation, experimental flicks, astronomy, science and world stories, the program features plenty of highlights — covering everything from dinosaurs, black holes and icy worlds through to visits to Akihabara in Tokyo, Indigenous songs and dances, and the Aurora Borealis. In total, 25 films from 14 countries will grace the dome, as handpicked by the Dome Under team. Each one will fill every inch of the planetarium's 16-metre domed ceiling — and play with 5.1 surround sound.
Four decades ago, the nephew of a famous film director took his first big-screen acting gig playing a character so minor, he didn't even get a name. Six years later, the star in question nabbed a Golden Globe nomination. Before the century was out, he won an Oscar. These days, he also has eight Razzie nominations, too. But if ever an actor has straddled the vast chasm between the ridiculous and sublime, it's the one and only, always-inimitable, ceaselessly fascinating Nicolas Cage. Cage has crooned Elvis songs for David Lynch, married Elvis's daughter in real life and acted opposite himself in Adaptation. He took to the skies with criminals in Con Air, named one of his sons after Superman, and starred into two of the worst Marvel-affiliated movies ever thanks to Ghost Rider and its sequel. The list goes on — and in his 40 years in the business, Nicolas Cage has amassed 100-plus screen credits. Sometimes, he's hunting down the person who stole his pet pig, and also turning in one of his best-ever performances. At other times, he's wordlessly fighting demonic animatronics. In his latest flick, he simply plays himself. We could continue, but everyone knows that talking about Nicolas Cage isn't anywhere near as great as watching Nicolas Cage, although both are mighty fun. Also, for some reason, it just feels better to use his entire name. Don't just take our word for it about any of the above, however — take Palace Cinemas', which is celebrating all things Cage across a 13-week retro season. Starting on Thursday, April 14, then running at 6.30pm every Friday from April 22–July 8, the chain's Pentridge venue is going all in on Nicolas Cage mania. As part of the Palace Encore program, this Cagefest has been dubbed the Calendar of Cage, and has amassed quite the showcase of Nicolas Cage's work. But, let's be honest — they really could've picked any of his flicks and it'd be amazing. Still, this is one peach of a lineup, all ready for fans to eat up for days. Attendees will get into the mood with the long-locked glory of newbie The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, then watch Cage think he's a bloodsucker in Vampire's Kiss, swoon over Cher in Moonstruck, get his Coen brothers on in madcap comedy Raising Arizona and go on the run with Laura Dern in Wild at Heart. Also included: jailbreak drama The Rock, unhinged thriller Mandy, and the sublime Martin Scorsese-helmed Bringing Out the Dead, plus the aforementioned Adaptation, Pig and Willy's Wonderland as well. Tickets cost $15 per film (and $10 for members) for all sessions except on Thursday, April 14 — which is when The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent screens as a sneak peek with a beer on arrival, and costs $24/$18 for members. Obviously, the memories you'll have seared into your brain forever will be priceless. And a word of warning: spending this long staring at Nicolas Cage's various crazy grins won't be easy to shake.
If you're of an age to remember burning your friend's So Fresh CD so you could stay up to date with the coolest songs of the season, congrats. You're old now. But also, congrats because you will seriously enjoy this festival – So Freshtival. So Freshtival is going down on Sunday, August 6 at the Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood. A slick line up of millennial DJs will be playing bangers strictly of the 2000-2009 vintage. You can expect a disturbing percentage of Channel 10 alums (Australian Idol winners/losers and ex-Neighbours actors) as well as way too much Nickelback for polite company. Also, just throwing this out there, we're desperately hoping for a timely comeback of the Duff sisters duet 'Our Lips Are Sealed.' DJs include Dr. Phil Smith, Flex Mami, Slick Slazenger, Sharon Von Mueller, Rottwield, DJ Crystal Ball Emoji (great stage name, mysterious friend) and Leni & Tobi. Tickets will set you back 10 dollarydoos and of course it's obviously 18 and over, because if you're under 18 you definitely don't know what So Fresh is. Or CDs, probably.
Do you live in a dog-friendly house? Do you have some spare time on your hands? Do you fantasise about hanging around at dog parks with an actual dog? The good folk at Seeing Eye Dogs Dogs Australia need you. They have 50 puppies running around the place at the moment, and they're in need of volunteers to raise them. In other words, they're giving away puppies — but you will need to give them back. If you put up your hand to become a puppy carer, you'll get a puppy for about a year — from around its eight-week birthday to when it turns turns between 12–15 months old. During that time, you'll be responsible for introducing the sights, sounds and smells it'll meet when it starts working as a seeing eye dog (and giving your new friend heaps of cuddles). Of course, it's not all just fun, games and cuteness. You'll have to be responsible enough to take care of regular grooming, house training and exercise, and be available for regular visits. A fenced-in backyard is mandatory, too. In return, the organisation provides a strong support network, and all food, training equipment and vet care. You'll also need to be home most of the time — so you won't be leaving the puppy alone for more than three hours a day — and to be able to put effort into training and socialising the pup. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (@seeingeyedogsaustralia) Seeing Eye Dogs Australia is looking for people in several Melbourne areas: in Kensington, Flemington, North Melbourne, Ascot Vale and West Melbourne; in the east to the Yarra Ranges (anywhere south of the eastern freeway); and southeast to Portsea (anywhere south of the eastern freeway). They're also looking in the Bendigo region and surrounding suburbs, too. In Queensland, the Sunshine Coast and north Brisbane are the priority areas. Once the pups reach 12-15 months old, they'll return to Seeing Eye Dogs Australia — and complete their journey to become four-legged companions for people who are blind or have low vision. Keen? You can apply online — and, at 10.30am on Friday, April 23, you can also virtually peek behind the scenes at one of Seeing Eye Dogs Australia's puppy centres. For more information about Seeing Eye Dogs Australia's puppy carers, and to apply for the volunteer roles, head to the organisation's website.
Bayside beauty Pontoon is diving headfirst into winter this Queen's Birthday long weekend, with an après-ski snow party on Saturday, June 9. The St Kilda spot is set to transform into a full-blown winter wonderland, which'll should help ease the pain of transitioning into the chilly season. There'll be ski accessories and dustings of snow throughout the venue, as you enjoy DJ tunes, beer pong and a winter-perfect lineup of warming eats and drinks. Head chef Rhys Hunter has put together a one-off menu of chicken wings, chilli dogs and pipping hot doughnuts, and you'll even have the chance to roast your own s'mores over one of the roaring open fire pits. Wash it all down with some mulled wine, a boilermaker, or one of Pontoon's winter-inspired cocktails, including the classic hot toddy. The bar's even slashing beer prices by half for the first hour — which means $3.5 pots and $6.50 pints — kicking off when the doors open at 3pm.
When you plaster giant, ornate portraits of beautiful women across the walls of nine-storey buildings, you're bound to get a name for yourself. Accordingly, Melbourne street artist Rone has become quite the sensation. Since bursting onto the local scene in the early 2000s, his work has been shown in London, New York, San Francisco, Miami and Hong Kong. Now, he's returning to where it all began for his first Australian show in two years. From October 24, Rone will present 11 new, large-scale portraits in — and on — an abandoned office building on Little Collins Street. The exhibition, Lumen, will be created with the help of lighting designer John McKissock, as the artworks will be illuminated from the building's decrepit, black walls. The artist will also create a 12-metre high mural on the building's ventilation tower. Adding to the creepy feel of the whole thing, the building has actually been slated for demolition, and it will presumably still be knocked down once the exhibition is over. Rone has an ongoing interest in transforming these kind of derelict and forgotten places. He's initiated similar projects in Mexico, Louisiana and New Orleans in the past. "Each of these places have, in recent times, been deeply affected by natural disaster, crime or debilitating economic situations," said the artist. "There is a genuine sense of community in these places, people embrace and appreciate what I'm doing." While Little Collins Street is a far cry from the Mexican city of Juarez, it's just as easy to understand Rone's fostering of local community in this latest Melbourne project. His mural at Rue & Co is still a much-loved icon of the CBD; people converge on it to take photos, drop their jaws in awe and meet friends for delicious Korean fried chicken. This support for the artist is evident in his other projects too. He's just been hand-selected by Jean Paul Gaultier himself to create installation works for the NGV's latest exhibition, and the Melbourne Festival has just plastered his art across one of the city's trams. Make sure you get a chance to check out this epic exhibition while it lasts — this guy's in high demand. Lumen will be on show on Level One, 109 Little Collins Street, Melbourne from October 24 to November 9. For more information, see the website.
The 25th annual Melbourne Food and Wine Festival draws to a close this weekend with Harveast, a one-day market and free event showcase celebrating the best produce, wine and talent in the Melbourne's east. Featuring some of Melbourne's biggest names in food, there's something for the casual foodstagrammer and industry professional alike. Eastland's Town Square will be transformed into a market brimming with produce and food from over 30 stalls. MoVida's Frank Camorra will be there cooking up a big vat of paella, George Calombaris will be putting together limited edition pork belly Jimmy Grants souvas, and Pope Joan's Matt Wilkinson will be tending to a whole-beast spit-roast in the Beer and Cider Garden. You'll also be able to taste drops from 20 boutique wineries and partake in a gin appreciation class by Healesville distillery, Four Pillars. On top of all that, Banjo Harris Plane, sommelier and wine importer from Fitzroy's Bar Liberty, is curating an outdoor cellar door, while Camorra will demonstrate how to create classic Spanish tapas, and Johnny Di Francesco of 400 Gradi will deliver a masterclass in Mediterranean cooking. With live entertainment kicking off in the afternoon, Harveast promises a festival vibe and straight-from-the-source quality in the eastern suburbs.
With its iconic steps sequence and distinctive use of montage, 1925 Soviet-made movie Battleship Potemkin changed the way the world thought about film. Making enduring efforts such as Solaris and Stalker, Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky also achieved the same feat during the '60s and '70s. And in 2003, roaming historical drama Russian Ark did too courtesy of a single 96-minute take. Yep, this was more than a decade before Birdman tried something similar. They're just some of the highlights of Russian film history, and there's more where they came from. In fact, that's the domain of the Russian Resurrection Film Festival, which brings future classics and beloved greats alike to Australian cinema screens for an annual celebration of Russian movie making. In its thirteenth year, the fest has curated a collection of twenty efforts that showcase just what makes the country's film output so stellar. Whether you're keen on diving into a duelling epic, going swashbuckling with a beloved animated pirate, or catching a glimpse of uncompleted relics from the past, you'll find plenty to watch here — plus our five must-see picks, of course.
Jeff Wall, the grandaddy of modern photography, has been a trendsetter since he started taking pictures in the mid-'70s. His cinematically staged, technically impeccable style has been adopted by some of the world's most successful artists. But Wall has the diversity of any great genius. Though best-known for his incredibly staged tableaux, he also ventures into simpler, docu-verite territory with intimate portraits and more spontaneous work. This exhibition spans a career that has carried Wall through international high-art prestige to associations with musicians such as Iggy Pop. Don't miss this rare opportunity to see his breathtakingly enormous shots in the flesh, and to explore his gentler, more intimate side.
The Geelong Arts Centre is in the midst of an extensive, multimillion-dollar makeover which is set to deliver a suite of exciting new upgrades and refurbishments by the time it's completed in 2023. Now, that makeover will also feature a series of vibrant public artwork by First Nations artists. As part of the $140 million Little Malop Street redevelopment, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Acting Minister for Creative Industries Gabrielle Williams put a call out for expressions of interest from First Nations sound and visual artists. From these submissions, the program will select up to four works that explore and reflect on the significant Indigenous connection to Country, history and culture of the region. The successful bids will be developed in conjunction with building and architect partners and incorporated into the creative precinct's makeover. [caption id="attachment_819066" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Geelong Arts Centre's Ryrie Street Building Illumination, inspired by 2021 Reconciliation Week Artwork 'Action' by Jessica Johnson.[/caption] Potential site locations for the artworks have already been identified, with expressions of interest open until July 29. Submissions can be made here. Other key elements of the Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street redevelopment include box office upgrades, a suite of new performance spaces, and refurbishments to the administration and back-of-house facilities. Work kicked off last year, with the final project expected to be unveiled in 2023. Expressions of interest are open now for First Nations artworks to be part of the Geelong Arts Centre redevelopment. To find out more, check out the website. Top Image: Rory Gardiner
These days, you don't have to search too hard at all to find shining examples of females kicking serious goals in Victoria's food and drink scene. But come Thursday, March 30, you'll find yourself absolutely surrounded by them, as a lineup of high-flying talent comes together for the Victorian Female Excellence dinner. Taking over Victoria by Farmer's Daughters as part of Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, this is set to be a female-led feast to remember. [caption id="attachment_866646" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arianna Leggiero[/caption] The venue's own star female chefs will be taking the reins for the evening, including Iman Mohamed, Daniela Martinez and Raina Kadar. Together, they'll deliver an exclusive seasonal menu that also celebrates the work of local female producers — think, an autumnal salad starring Holy Goat Nectar cheese and toasted hazelnut, crispy goose fat spuds with guiso sauce, and a white chocolate dessert featuring lemon myrtle and finger lime. You'll have the chance to discover some of the talented women who've been making a splash within the state's winemaking industry, too, via an exclusive curation of vino set to be showcased on the night. Tickets to the five-course dinner come in at $150, with any drinks available to add on. [caption id="attachment_866644" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arianna Leggiero[/caption] Top image: Thom Rigney
Our beloved Aussie environment is still feeling the impacts of last summer's devastating bushfires. But there's a nifty new way you can help support our native animal friends through the recovery stage, involving bunches of beautiful local blooms. Wildlife Victoria has teamed up with flower delivery service Daily Blooms to launch the Natives Bouquet — a lush, seasonal floral arrangement filled with native foliage and flowers. Not only do they look good, but $2 from each bouquet sold will go towards the rescue organisation's animal protection and conservation efforts. With loads of animal habitats lost during last year's fires, this work is as important as ever. The hand-crafted arrangements are available for same-day delivery across Melbourne and Geelong, up until Saturday, January 30. They'll set you back $50 a pop, supporting local farmers as well as our precious Victorian wildlife.
The Spritz has taken over the city in recent years, with orange-hued beverages now found spread across tables at most Melbourne rooftops and beer gardens as soon as the sun's out. And it's not just Aperol that's getting a starring role in the mix. These days, the city is dabbling in limoncello, Campari and Montenegro variations. The latest spot to capitalise on this obsession is 400 Gradi. The team here is now running its All You Can Spritzza bottomless lunch every weekend at both its Brunswick and Mornington Peninsula locations. From 3–5pm, every Saturday and Sunday, diners will get unlimited spritzes and pizza for a very reasonable $59 per person. In the spritz department, the crew will be slinging Aperol Spritzes, Blue Spritzes, Limoncello Spritzes and Tropical Spritz for the whole two hours. Either stick to just one or try them all during the bottomless lunch. And we can't just brush over the unlimited pizza situation. 400 Gradi makes some of the best pizza in Melbourne, having won countless accolades for their doughboys over the years. So which pizzas are on the menu for this weekend lunch? 400 Gradi's famed margherita is up for grabs, alongside slices of marinara and spicy diabolo. With two hours of all-you-can-eat pizza, there's no way you're going to leave hungry. Just be careful with them free-flowing spritzes — on a sunny day when you're feeling thirsty, they can get you.
Take an educational outing during the school holidays at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024. The MHM is home rare historical artefacts and immersive exhibitions that share the powerful stories of Melbourne-based Holocaust survivors while honouring the loss of the lives of six million Jews. The Elsternwick institution was founded by Holocaust survivors in 1984 and has since become Australia's largest space solely dedicated to Holocaust education and remembrance. Its collection spans over 12,000 artefacts and 1300 testimonies. Plus, the museum hosts two exclusive exhibitions and a virtual reality experience which share raw first-hand accounts of this haunting chapter of world history. [caption id="attachment_963330" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: Simon Shiff.[/caption] The permanent exhibition, called Everybody had a Name, immerses visitors in the history of the Holocaust, beginning in pre-war Europe and ending in post-war Melbourne. Captivating testimonies and personal artefacts are displayed to present the dangers of indifference and prejudice. Hidden: Seven Children Saved centres around the experiences of seven children in hiding during the Holocaust. This multimedia exhibition stars rare artefacts, evocative interactive installations, projections and soundscapes which are also suitable for children aged 10 and over. Finally, Walk with Me is an immersive virtual reality film that follows the journey of John (Szaja) Chaskiel OAM z"l, returning to his hometown in Poland more than 70 years after the war ended. Each of these exhibits undertakes the important mission of remembering the past so that viewers can learn from its contents, which provides an engaging perspective on our collective past and is framed through a hopeful lens. [caption id="attachment_963327" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: John Gollings AM.[/caption] The museum's standard operating hours are from 2pm–6pm on Tuesday–Thursday and 10am–6pm on Sunday, and will be open for exploration during the school holidays from 10am–6pm Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday. Book tickets to these exclusive exhibitions now via the website.
Over the past year, things have been a little quieter than normal over at the Heide Museum of Modern Art and its famed sculpture garden. But the precinct is starting 2021 with a bang, launching a brand-new nine-week music and culture festival. Kicking off this Sunday, January 17, the inaugural Heide Summer Festival will see the parkland grounds come alive with a series of live tunes, performances and dance, held in collaboration with a range of local cultural organisations. A program of January Sunday sessions is being put together by the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, with gigs from the likes of star saxophonist Solomon Sisay (January 17) and Yorta Yorta musician Allara Briggs Pattison (January 31). Then, there'll be a two-week program by Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation (February 7 and 14), featuring Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, the all-female Djirri Djirri Dance Group and local Aboriginal storyteller Uncle Larry Walsh. A Midsumma collaboration rounds out February with an interactive dance experience by All The Queens Men! LGBTQI+ Elders Dance Club (February 27), and an afternoon of sounds from Diimpa and Forest Collective (February 28). And the festival wraps up with a dose of contemporary Balkan brass courtesy of Opa! Bato, on March 7. Some festival events are free, though you'll still need to register for all tickets via the Heide website. [caption id="attachment_796599" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Uncle Larry Walsh, by Beata Mazur, courtesy of NITV.[/caption] Top Image: Heide x Midsumma, courtesy of Heide Museum of Modern Art
Each month, Netflix adds a whole heap of new movies, shows and specials to its lineup. It's impossible to watch all of them, and if you tend to gravitate towards its big series and films — Stranger Things and The Witcher, plus features such as Marriage Story and The Trial of the Chicago 7 , for instance — that's understandable. But don't scroll your way past the service's comedy offerings. As with everything on every streaming platform, the selection can be a bit hit and miss; however, Netflix was responsible for one of the best sketch comedies of 2019, aka the sidesplitting I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. In 2020, Netflix is hoping that its latest addition to the genre will also strike a chord, this time with Aussie comedians Aunty Donna at its centre. The troupe's absurdist gags, satire and wordplay is heading to the streamer via the six-part Aunty Donna's Big House of Fun, which'll be available to watch from Wednesday, November 11. As the just-released first trailer shows, viewers are in for silliness galore, as led by Aunty Donna's Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane. The Office star Ed Helms also pops up, and executive produces the series — with Comedy Bang! Bang!'s Scott Aukerman and David Jargowsky also falling into the latter category. Since forming in 2011, Aunty Donna just keeps expanding its resume. It has played gigs everywhere from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to Edinburgh Festival Fringe, toured the country several times, made a number of web series and released an album. In a year where we could all use a genuine reason to laugh, Aunty Donna's Big House of Fun adds to that list. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BVoYKwTc4E Aunty Donna's Big House of Fun will be available via Netflix from Wednesday, November 11.
When you venture into Victoria by Farmer's Daughters, the multi-storey venue in Fed Square from Alejandro Saravia, you're set to be met with a culinary showcase of the state. A menu that brings farm-fresh produce from regions as varied as the Murray region and the stretch of land along the Great Ocean Road, all the way out to Mallacoota and the Pyrenees. Alongside the usual menu, the team is adding a plentiful end-of-weekend meal to the mix. On Sundays, between 11am–6.30pm, diners will be invited into the warm embrace of The Mighty Sunday Roast — a changing three-course set menu spotlighting a Melburnian twist on the pub classic. Starting off a little left of centre, you'll break bread, perhaps with salumi, buffalo ricotta and a crudo with kohlrabi and kelp. Or, maybe sweet mussels from Portarlington, smoked and served with chickpeas and fired peppers. Then, it's the crown jewel: the roast. It may be lamb shoulder or possibly beef shin, but it'll certainly be hearty and served with gravy, crunchy potatoes roasted in duck fat and housemade Yorkshire pudding. Rounding out the generous communal meal — which goes for $85 per person — is a sugar-sweet finisher. Perhaps the classic floating island: cloud-like poached meringue atop chocolate custard. Or, maybe, a creme caramel decked out with marinated plums and the fried crunch of crostoli. However your grand Sunday feast concludes, you'll be fuelled — and in the perfect location — for city explorations. Put the word out to your group, set a date and book your table. The Mighty Sunday Roast is available at Victoria by Farmer's Daughters every Sunday between 11am–6.30pm. For more information and to book your seat, head to the website. Images: Arianna Leggiero
If there's a great Mighty Morphin Power Rangers movie aching to be made, it's the one that Elizabeth Banks thinks she's in. Playing the villainous Rita Repulsa in the latest big-screen instalment of the franchise, she can barely contain her glee as she struts around the small Californian town of Angel Grove caressing faces, ripping out teeth, croaking lines about her love of gold and even devouring the shiny substance. If only the rest of the film enjoyed the same sense of fun. The '90s series didn't take much seriously – and how could it, when it featured overdubbed action footage from Japan's Super Sentai? Alas, the bulk of this reboot seems to have forgotten that. Admittedly, given that one of this new movie's first scenes involves a teenager chatting about pleasuring a bull, it initially seems that director Dean Israelite (Project Almanac) and screenwriter John Gatins (Kong: Skull Island) haven't ditched the goofiness entirely. Appearances can be deceiving, though. Just as a group of diverse high schoolers can turn out to be colour-coded superheroes, so too can a film that features a wise-cracking robot (voiced by Bill Hader), Krispy Kreme as the source of life on earth, and monsters fighting robot dinosaurs prove a bland addition to an all-too-familiar genre. Gritty origin stories — we've been there and done that over and over again. Adolescent angst, outcasts bonding in detention and kids learning that everything's better when they're part of a team — yep, we've seen that before too. That's what happens when troubled but charismatic quarterback Jason (Dacre Montgomery), "on the spectrum" nerd Billy (RJ Cyler), ostracised cheerleader Kimberly (Naomi Scott), show-off Zack (Ludi Lin) and perennial new girl Trini (Becky G.) cross paths at an abandoned mine, find glowing coins and acquire new superpowers. Thankfully, the former Ranger turned talking wall that is Zordon (Bryan Cranston) is on hand to fill them in on their mission to save the world from Rita, who has just been fished out of the ocean after 65 million years. Most of the movie is happy to watch the diverse new quintet hang out, talk about their problems, test out their skills and bond — because, if there's one thing that Hollywood loves more that zero to hero stories, it's setting the scene for future flicks. Even if it hadn't just been revealed that the producers have a six-film story arc ready and raring to go go, those intentions are evident from the outset. One day, making sure each movie is engaging on its own, rather than acting as filler for more to come, might become a priority again. Unfortunately, that's not the case here. Indeed, by the time the fighting rolls around, you could be forgiven for feeling like it's too little, too late. The final battle against Rita and her giant metallic minion Goldar offers a welcome albeit messily-shot burst of energy, as well as a glimpse of the type of tone the powers-that-be might want to adopt if five more flicks do come down the production line. It's just a shame you have to watch Power Rangers morph from The Breakfast Club to Chronicle to Fantastic Four to Transformers in order to get there. Still, at least it's better than 1995's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, which is only worth revisiting if you want to see the Rangers roam through Sydney.
This month ACCA will be taking its cues from Chunky Move across the road by delving into the ever-evolving world of dance. Like many shows at this year's Melbourne Festival, Framed Movements will combine art forms. They're bringing in the big guns to explore the intersection of dance and visual art. The centrepiece of the exhibition will be daily shows from New York performance artist Maria Hassabi. After rave reviews at last year's Venice Biennale, Hassabi will be showing her installation dance work Intermission — a slow, almost hypnotic performance that transfixes its audience. Berlin-based Kiwi expat Alicia Frankovich will also be performing briefly as part of the exhibition alongside regular shows from Helen Grogan and Brian Fuata. Though it makes sense that the concept of movement would be explored through dance and installation, photography and film will also be used. With works that are often surreal and unnerving, prepare to feel very aware of your movements through the gallery. For more information including performance times, see the ACCA website.
As Melbourne's legendary food scene embarks on a necessary shake-up to suit the post-lockdown age, we're set to see plenty of clever and out-of-the-box events landing on our culinary calendars. That includes Everleigh-After — a multifaceted, art-filled dining experience from new culinary concept SSIXX, which hits Melbourne from Friday, February 5 till Sunday, February 28. This envelope-pushing event serves up a multi-sensory fusion of visuals, sonic delights, food, drink, art and aromas, in a collaborative effort between famed cocktail haunt The Everleigh, Ides' renowned chef-owner Peter Gunn and SSIXX's founder Philip Bucknell (who has imagined creative experiences for the likes of The Met Costume Gala, MOMA and New York Fashion Week). Taking place across a limited run of sittings Tuesday-Sunday evenings, Everleigh-After features a series of intimate 14-person communal dinners, held within a futuristic cube at Fed Square. Yes, it's set to be an immersive, otherworldly affair, offering a simultaneous feast for all the senses. And, while it comes in at a cool $260 a pop, this one aims to blow all your previous food experiences out of the water. While the visual splendour, bespoke scents and aural offerings unfold, guests will also enjoy a lineup of specialty Everleigh cocktails, carefully matched to a four-course feast. Much is being kept under wraps for now, though you can expect to taste a masterful reworking of Gunn's iconic Black Box dessert somewhere along the way — a much-loved Ides creation made famous after an appearance on MasterChef Australia. It seems that Melbourne is just the beginning, too. The minds behind Everleigh-After have confirmed the concept is a "travelling experience", imagined "in collaboration with culinary experts, artists and designers Australia wide."
Winter is the time of year when after-dark events come out in force. That rule continues to apply in Melbourne's south, where Moorabbin Junction After Dark is lighting up The Station Street Precinct for a one-night-only all-ages extravaganza. On Saturday, August 10 from 5–9pm, the neighbourhood is staying up late. Led by neon light artist Volter International, the normally quiet street will transform into an interactive after-dark wonderland. Beyond the bright neon art pieces, local eateries will be open late with special offerings — such as boozy hot chocolate from Wilbury and Sons or a $49pp special set menu at Comma Food & Wine. As you wander, you'll catch sight of a silent disco, glow-in-the-dark face painting, photo booths, fairy floss and roving entertainers. For any aspiring creatives in your life, they can participate in workshops at the Kingston Arts Centre. This is just the tip of the neon iceberg, you'll have to go and see it yourself for the full scoop. Moorabbin Junction After Dark will take place from 5—9pm on Saturday, August 10. Visit the website for more information.
Delivery Man is not your typical Vince Vaughn film. Whilst we have grown accustomed to his formulaic comedic persona, here we are treated to a change of pace with a down-to-earth and likeable Vaughn. He plays David Wozniak, a perennial underachiever and incompetent meat truck driver for the family business (okay, so his stereotype remains to begin with). Triggered into bringing order to his life upon discovering his girlfriend Emma (Cobie Smulders) is pregnant, he is disturbed to find he is the biological father of 533 children, 142 of which are suing him to uncover his identity. This is all courtesy of a colossal mistake by the sperm donor facility a younger Wozniak anonymously frequented under the pseudonym 'Starbuck'. Delivery Man is the American adaptation of French-Canadian film Starbuck and succeeds largely due to the presence of Ken Scott, who wrote and directed the original. He ensures that the film retains its sincerity, allowing the exploration of the challenges of parenthood, albeit in farcically exaggerated circumstances, to bloom. Whilst the material provides plenty of opportunity for the film to descend into satire and farce, its decision to stay the course and explore the raw emotion of familial relationships is what makes this film worth giving a chance. It skips the diaper-changing staple of parenthood films and instead delves into the core of parenting: accepting your children no matter what. This allows for beautiful moments, the best of which is David visiting one of his sons who is severely disabled in a home. It is both touching and heart-warming, words I never thought I would write when discussing a film featuring Vaughn. Providing the comic relief is David's best friend and unsuccessful lawyer Brett, played brilliantly by Chris Pratt. Brett's attempt to single-handedly raise his four young children whilst pleading the case for his friend's anonymity provides the comic relief that frees Vaughn from his typical role of funny man. Pratt surely has a future of funny features ahead. Delivery Man of course has its faults, the largest of which is the injection of Wozniak's vegan hipster son Viggo (Adam Chanler-Berat); the writers clearly were unaware that these stereotypes were last funny three years ago. Viggo uncovers that David is the father of the list of plaintiffs (that includes himself) and yet saves nobody their suffering or legal costs by exposing him. Also, some of the connections feel short-lived, an inevitable product of suddenly trying to make a connection with 142 children in 100 minutes. This film won't win any awards, but it isn't trying to. Hollywood needs films like this to plug the gaps between the blockbusters and audiences need these films to watch in between the Harry Potters and Hobbits. Delivery Man fills this void and, if nothing else, should be a prime candidate for Cheap Tuesday. https://youtube.com/watch?v=yGAktL45XNQ
The chefs at Richmond's Kong are showing off their char grill skils, with the launch of their new weekly Sunday BBQ set menu. Starting off with pork on Sunday, November 5, the restaurant will be rotating meats and focusing on a different protein. After pork comes lamb, then chicken, then seafood, then Christmas ham for the holiday season and duck in the new year. To give you a bit more of an idea of what to expect, this Sunday's dishes will feature baby back pork ribs with Kong's Crazy Horse chilli or a soy and sesame glaze. For lamb week, you can expect BBQ miso lamb shoulder with charred lemon. And the week after, chicken will be roasted with gochujang and lemon butter. Vegetarians will also be catered for with options such as the wood-roasted pumpkin and edamame salsa with sweet soy and chilli. Another reason to check out this feast is Kong's banana split of caramelised banana, miso honey ice cream, peanuts and sesame praline – which will be available every week. Kong's Sunday BBQ will be available for lunch and dinner on Sundays, for a minimum of two diners at $40 per head. For more information and to book a table visit www.kongbbq.com.au/bookings.
In Nosedive, the first episode of the third season of Black Mirror, life's ups and downs are dictated by social media. Everything Lacie (Bryce Dallas Howard) does is rated by those around her, and she rates them in turn. Those rankings contribute to an overall score, out of five, which influences where she can live, hang out, travel, shop and more. Being Black Mirror, it's both a bleak and creepy vision of the future, and an idea that's not all that far removed from reality. If you watched the episode and thought "wouldn't that make a great game?", then you're not the only one. Five stars to you and to American game publisher Asmodee Group, we guess. The latter has turned Nosedive into a game that requires players to "create a 'perfect' life by collecting Lifestyle cards, while avoiding any dings to your Social Score that could cause everything you've worked for to come crashing down," according to its sale listing on the US version of Target's website. The strategy game is designed to be played by three to six people, and also has an app component. Each person's Social Score is based on how much other players like the experiences you give them via the app, with more than 1000 available. Nosedive will cost US$19.99, and whether it'll make the jump to Australia is yet to be seen. It's not the first off-screen chance that Black Mirror fans have had to feel like they're in one of the anthology series' episodes, thanks to an immersive London exhibition dedicated to the show last year. Via The Wrap.
Musicals are without a doubt one of the most divisive types of performance out there. When it comes down to it, you're either all for for spectacle and jazz hands or you ain't. But, where most musicals deal in nostalgia or novelty (think Jersey Boys or Wicked), Once is set in working-class Dublin with a modern, original soundtrack. With a Grammy and a whole swag of Tony Awards to its name, this unlikely Broadway hit makes its mark on audiences through the humble means of folk music. Based on John Carney's 2006 indie flick of the same name, Once follows the short and complicated near-romance of an unnamed man (Tom Parsons) and woman (Madeleine Jones). After hearing the man busking, the mysterious Czech girl — whose accent is frequently hammed up for comedic effect — takes an interest in his music and provides him with the support and inspiration he needs to get his life together. She's basically the closest the stage has seen to a manic pixie dream girl. With both characters conflicted by previous heartaches, the story is definitely one for romantics. But, without the intimacy and lo-fi realism that was offered in the film, Once comes off a little corny on stage. Emotions run very high very quickly, and if you're the least bit cynical your eyes are going to roll back in your head at least once. Luckily, the show isn't defined by its finer plot points but by its music. Packed with violins, guitars, a piano and accordion, the stage is constantly alive with likeable folk, and each of the actors effortlessly double as extremely talented musicians. Decked out as a fully-functioning Irish pub (open to the audience at interval), the set is truly a world unto itself and each member of the cast give incredibly high-energy, loveable performances that constantly impress. Seriously, at one point someone does a jig while playing the freakin' cello. It's impressive. Occupying a bittersweet ground with its upbeat tempo and downtrodden lyrics, the soundtrack of the performance is the real drawcard. Pocketing a Grammy from its run on Broadway, it came as no surprise to see copies of the CD being snapped up outside the theatre doors. Even those not familiar with the story would know the tune of its standout hit 'Falling Slowly'. Though it falls well within the bounds of your average romantic comedy, Once is somehow still enjoyable even if you don't like musicals. Give yourself over to the sentimentality of the story or mentally check out and concentrate on swaying your Guinness in time with the frenetic fiddling of the violin — either way, you'll leave with a smile on your face.
For the fifth year running, Fitzroy's Builders Arms Hotel will play host to the celebration of wine, food and associated good times that is Handmade. Held this year on Sunday, June 3, the annual wine party not only showcases some incredible drops and talented winemakers from across the globe, but it does so with the aim of making the whole experience fun and approachable for all. 2018's event will take over the entire venue and feature a lineup of 40–50 top producers and importers, who will be on hand for tastings, chats and general brain-picking throughout the day. Of course, the food situation will be equally impressive, with chef Chris Watson from neighbouring Cutler & Co. firing up the barbecue in the pub's courtyard and Hector's Deli supplying the sangas. All this while DJ Iron HandmadeN works magic on the decks in the public bar. Tickets to Handmade are $35 per person, and include wine tastings, some accompanying snacks and a beer on arrival. Images: Harvard Wang.
When a band is just starting out, with just one album to its name, you're treated to most — if not all — of it live in the early days. To get the full-record experience again, though, you normally have to wait for big anniversaries. Bloc Party are celebrating two on their 2025 tour of Australia: two decades of the group and the same since their debut album Silent Alarm. Hitting up Melbourne's John Cain Arena on Sunday, August 3, Bloc Party will play Silent Alarm from start to finish. 'Banquet', 'Helicopter', 'This Modern Love', 'Like Eating Glass': yes, they'll all be on the setlist on this seven-city trip. The band aren't leaving their other tunes out, though, with the tour featuring not just Silent Alarm's tracks but the group's greatest hits. They do have five other albums to their name, after all: 2007's A Weekend in the City, 2008's Intimacy, 2012's Four, 2016's Hymns and 2022's Alpha Games. If you're a fan, you'll know that it has been more than 20 years since the band first formed, and since the British group scored some hefty approval in 2003 via Franz Ferdinand's lead singer Alex Kaprano — but 20 is a nice round number to commemorate. This makes two Aussie tours in a row now with a point of difference for Bloc Party, after 2023 trip with Interpol. Before that, they last rocked Aussie stages in 2018. Supporting Kele Okereke and company this time are Young The Giant, who'll be playing Australia for the first time in 14 years. Live images: Bruce Baker via Flickr.
Imaginary friends should be seen, but people trying to survive an alien invasion should not be heard. So goes John Krasinski's recent flicks as a filmmaker. While IF, The Office star's fifth feature behind the lens, has nothing to do with 2018 horror hit A Quiet Place or its 2020 sequel A Quiet Place Part II, the three movies share a focus on the senses and their importance in forming bonds. When Krasinski's two post-apocalyptic hits forced humanity into silence for survival, they contemplated what it meant to be perceived — or not — as a basic element of human connection amid the bumps, jumps and tale of a family attempting to endure. With IF, the writer/director also ponders existence and absence. It skews younger, though, and also more whimsical, for a family-friendly story about a girl assisting made-up mates that are yearning Toy Story-style to have flesh-and-blood pals again. The horror genre still lingers over IF, however. It doesn't haunt in tone, because this isn't 2024's fellow release Imaginary; rather, it's a sentimental fantasy-adventure film, enthusiastically so. But from the moment that the movie's narrative introduces its IFs, as the picture dubs imaginary friends, it's easy to spot Krasinski's inspiration. In New York staying with her grandmother Margaret (Fiona Shaw, True Detective: Night Country) while her dad (Krasinski, Jack Ryan) is having heart surgery, 12-year-old Bea (Cailey Fleming, The Walking Dead) starts seeing pretend creatures. She then has a task: reuniting critters such as Blue (Steve Carell, Asteroid City), the purple-hued furry monster that, alongside Minnie Mouse-meets-butterfly Blossom (Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), is one of the first IFs that she spots, with the now-adults that conjured them up as children. Only Cal (Ryan Reynolds, Ghosted), who lives upstairs from Bea's nan, can also glimpse Blue, Blossom and the like. And although his past plans to aid the IFs in finding new kid buddies to get over their old ones haven't been successful, he's still along for the ride — somewhat reluctantly and crankily — as Bea spends the days that her dad is in hospital distracting herself with her new job. Krasinski mightn't have yet directed a film that hails from existing material, not here, in either A Quiet Place entry, his 2009 debut Brief Interviews with Hideous Men or in 2016's The Hollars, but he slips IF into familiar all-ages terrain. Take a kid or kids, whisk them off into a fanciful space either away from or that reframes their own world, then surround them with anything but the ordinary and everyday: everything from Mary Poppins and Labyrinth to Jumanji and also Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away has imagined it as well. A giant heart beats and a waterfall of sincerity flows in IF's exploration of how loneliness, pain, uncertainty and anxiety can dance away through companionship, and also through truly seeing someone and being seen. That's what it means to spot imaginary friends, after all, with children conjuring themselves up a pal that's always by their side unconditionally no matter what life throws their way at a young age. We might grow out of playing make believe to enjoy the company of a BFF, but no one moves past needing to be recognised and appreciated, and hurting if they aren't. Someone who certainly hasn't: a pre-teen who insists to her happy-go-lucky father that she's too old now for goofy pranks and spinning stories, and to her grandma that colouring in and painting aren't age-appropriate hobbies, as she grapples with her remaining parent's health after losing her mother (Catharine Daddario, The Tomorrow Job) in the movie's opening montage. Sweet almost to the point of corniness, patently unafraid of symbolism and giving all of the effort that it can, IF isn't a subtle film, including in deploying a glow from cinematographer Janusz Kamiński (The Fabelmans, and also Steven Spielberg's go-to since Schindler's List) in its retro aesthetic and heartstring-tugging melodies from composer Michael Giacchino (Next Goal Wins, and also Pixar's Inside Out, Coco and Lightyear) in its score as it takes its audience along with Bea's emotional journey. (Also obvious, and not just from Kamiński and Giacchino's involvement: the Spielberg and Pixar influences). But it's all so eagerly and unashamedly earnest, and so carefully constructed, that the movie itself resembles a kid with an imaginary friend — making viewers believe in it because it believes with such unwavering and wholehearted dedication. It helps that the various IFs bounding through the picture's frames look not only imaginative, but like the product of real imaginations, spanning bears, marshmallows, unicorns, spacemen, cubes of ice in glasses of water and more. Blue, all plush and tactile (and, yes, likely destined for the merchandise treatment), isn't the only imaginary friend that could've stepped out of a toy box. On voice duties, the cast is a look-who-I-can-call roster on Krasinski's part — see: Emily Blunt (The Fall Guy), George Clooney (Ticket to Paradise), Bradley Cooper (Maestro), Matt Damon (Drive-Away Dolls), Awkwafina (Kung Fu Panda 4), Bill Hader (Barry), Keegan-Michael Key (Wonka), Blake Lively (The Rhythm Section), Sam Rockwell (Argylle) and Maya Rudolph (Loot), for starters — yet IF doesn't enlist such a starry list of names for just-showing-up turns, getting both depth and laughs from the who's who lineup. With the impressive Fleming at its centre, a playful showpiece sequence arrives midway through the movie, with Bea guided to the IF retirement home beneath Coney Island. Here, imaginary friends endeavour to cope with life without their tykes, but Bea reshapes their space using (what else?) the power of imagination. Flourishes such as singing with the late, great Tina Turner and plunging into a painting only to come out all splattered with its hues are splendid touches (endearing as well), each alive with the spirit of childlike wonder that Krasinski so keenly wants to capture. One harking back to tunes with and cherished moments of significance to Bea, the other making the act of diving into creativity literal, they're sensory touches, too — because Krasinski knows that if we're not open to experiencing as much as we truly can, and connecting through it, we're not truly living.
Recharge your batteries at the latest biennial exhibition commissioned by Australia's leading media arts group, Experimenta. Housed in the RMIT Gallery on Swanston Street, Experimenta Recharge brings together the work of experimental practitioners from all around the world in order to explore notions of knowledge and technology across every artistic medium imaginable. Intent, as always, on pushing creative and technological boundaries, Experimenta's new show includes everything from painting and sculpture to photography and video, to 3D printing, sound art and robotics. Le Societe Anonyme, an anonymous European art collective, have produced a history book written in code, while local artist Maree Clarke chronicles the rituals and practices of her Indigenous ancestors via a multidisciplinary installation. On top of the main exhibition, the Recharge program also features a number of special events, including talks, panel discussions and film screenings. For more information about what's on, visit their website.
You know that Summer has arrived in Melbourne when the Night Market becomes your priority destination on Wednesday evenings. Now in its 16th year, the festivities will be kicking off on November 6 with all the usual goodies. The Night Market is all about the food and the sangria. This year there will be over 60 food stalls you can sink your teeth into, including crab burgers, peking duck, Jamaican, and Spanish cuisine. For those who can fit in some dessert, check out the macarons and gelati stalls. For those that are just into the sangria, see how many cups you can enjoy before the sun goes down. We promise it won't disappoint. If shopping is more your thing, the markets are bringing back all of your favourite stalls, and adding plenty of new ones to the lot. Whether you’re after locally designed jewellery and housewares, or treasure hunting for a vintage bargain, you're bound to find something to your tastes. This year the Night Market is also teaming up with Multicultural Arts Victoria to provide live music across three stages. This is a great way to check out Melbourne’s up and coming musical talent, and have a bit of relaxation in the summer sun while you're at it. The Night Market will be running every Wednesday from 5-10pm until February 26.
Playing fictional movie star Vincent Chase in eight seasons of Entourage — and in the forgettable Entourage movie, too — Adrian Grenier got pretty comfortable playing someone who was constantly in front of the camera. That trait remains in his latest project, twisty new Netflix thriller series Clickbait. This time, Grenier steps into the shoes of a man who disappears suddenly, leaving his loved ones distraught. Then, when he pops up afterwards, it's in an online video that makes a shocking claim. In the clip, Nick Brewer (Grenier, Stage Mother) holds a card that says "I abuse women. At 5 million views, I die." His sister (Zoe Kazan, The Big Sick) and wife (Betty Gabriel, Get Out) are already distressed, but their nightmare only worsens once the video starts doing the rounds — unsurprisingly. Across eight episodes, the show then follows their efforts to find and save him, as well as the information they uncover along the way about the man they thought they knew. Swapping between different perspectives throughout its run, and stepping up the stakes in the process as well, Clickbait ponders the big, broad, important and constantly relevant intersection between our identities and our increasing use of social media. Just how our online and real-life selves can differ — and what types of behaviours we might indulge virtually that we wouldn't IRL — is only going to continue to garner the world's attention, which this Melbourne-shot series clearly attempts to tap into. Yes, if you spot any familiar sights while you're binging Clickbait from Wednesday, August 25 — or while you're watching the suitably tense just-dropped first trailer for the series — that's because it was filmed in the Victorian capital. It's a big month for high-profile shows that were made in Australia and are now hitting streaming, actually, with Amazon Prime Video dropping the Byron Bay-shot, Nicole Kidman-starring Nine Perfect Strangers as well. Check out the trailer below: Clickbait will be available to stream via Netflix from Wednesday, August 25. Top image: Ben King/Netflix.
At the start of 2023, Cate Blanchett scored her seventh Oscar nomination for conductor drama Tár. Next, she'll be towering over Melbourne. The Aussie acting giant will grace a historic space built in 1867, across a film installation spanning an array of huge screens, and in one mighty impressive 360-degree display. As part of RISING, Melbourne's major annual arts festival, Blanchett features in her latest starring role for artist and filmmaker Julian Rosefeldt. The duo reteams for Euphoria after working on 2015's stunning installation Manifesto together. Taking over Melbourne Town Hall from Friday, June 2–Sunday, June 18, their new multichannel work doesn't just focus on the acclaimed Australian actor playing multiple parts, however, instead honing in on the weighty topic that is capitalism. The Berlin-based Rosefeldt tackles his current topic — aka two thousand years of greed and the effect that unlimited economic growth has — via a spiral of screens that'll sit throughout the venue. On the ground floor, 24 screens will showcase a life-sized choir of Brooklyn Youth Chorus singers, while five jazz drummers will duel on the screens above them. There'll also be five theatrical vignettes looping above, too, which is where Blanchett playing an anthropomorphic tiger stalking supermarket aisles comes in. Those drummers? They include Grammy Award-winning drummer and composer Antonio Sánchez, who also composed the score for 2014 film Birdman. And those vignettes? They'll also feature Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul favourite — and recent Kaleidoscope star — Giancarlo Esposito among a cast that'll speaking thoughts penned by economists, writers and thinkers like Warren Buffett, Ayn Rand, Angela Davis and Snoop Dogg. As well as Blanchett as a jungle cat, RISING's first major international commission — which hits this year's fest as an Australian exclusive, and enjoyed its world premiere at the Park Armory in New York back in November 2022 — features homeless men chatting about economics, executives getting acrobatic in a bank lobby, and an all-round unpacking of capitalism via its own excess. Paired with it, Euphoria's original score by Canadian composer Samy Moussa and British saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi goes big on jazz, the tunes sung by the children's choir and those uttered ideas. Befitting the theme, the installation will run with a pay-as-you-can pricing model, and welcome in visitors for free on Fridays during its season.
News of an extended lockdown might have left a bitter taste in your mouth, but here's something to help sweeten the deal: two of your culinary favourites are joining forces for one mouthwatering partnership this weekend. From Friday, July 23–Sunday, July 25, Sydney-born cake maestros Black Star Pastry are landing at Bentleigh's Good Times Milk Bar to sling some of their most-loved creations from a special pop-up window. Bayside-based sweet tooths — and anyone else within a five-kilometre radius — will be able to get their mitts on a selection of Black Star signatures, including the Insta-famous Strawberry Watermelon Cake, the multi-layered Chocolate Mirage and the Raspberry Lychee Cake. Also making an appearance is the elaborate Japanese Forest cake, sporting layers of umeshu-infused cream, hojicha (roasted green tea) sponge and confit ume fruit. Single-serve slices will be going for $10 a pop, available until sold out each day. Pre-orders for these are available online, along with pre-orders for larger portions of the Strawberry Watermelon Cake (to serve four, six or ten people). And of course, Good Times will have the other element of your coffee-and-cake session sorted, pouring its usual lineup of caffeinated treats. Images: Simon Shiff
At Little Prince Wine, there's one food-and-drink match that reigns supreme, and that's the perfect pairing of cheese and vino. So it's only fitting the St Kilda wine bar is getting into the spirit of International Wine and Cheese Day — yep, it's a thing, July 25 — with some extended festivities involving special offers and treats of both the grape and dairy variety. From Friday, July 22–Monday, July 25, you can mosey on in and get your fix with a freshly made serve of cacio e pepe, loaded with lashings of parmesan and pecorino. The limited-edition special's going for just $30 a pop, and the team reckons it's best paired with a glass (or two) of soave. [caption id="attachment_789784" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Little Prince Wine, by Jana Langhorst[/caption] Also on offer across all four days is a curation of wine and cheese pairings, digging into Little Prince's 4000-strong collection of rare, unique and interesting drops. Pick a wine, then have it paired with one, two or three cheeses, as selected by the expert staff. Prices start at an easy $24 per pairing, so you might as well settle in and try a few different matches. For practice's sake, of course.
This January, the sun is shining and music is in the air — with the latter courtesy of the team at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Now, technically, this year's festival isn't set to take place until June. But to tide you over until then, they've programmed five unique summer sessions, featuring an eclectic mix of musicians from around the world. The sessions begin on the evening of Saturday, January 9 at the Bennetts Lane Jazz Club, with a performance by the Vince Jones Quartet. Next up is improvised jazz trio Swooping Duck in Shebeen's Bandroom on Thursday, January 14, before the program heads back to Bennetts for a night with trailblazing Ethiopian jazz performer Hailu Mergia on Friday January 15. A group of local musicians will pay tribute to recently deceased Australian saxophonist David Ades on Saturday, January 16, before the program concludes with an evening of collaboration between Japanese duo Kaze and French collective Muzzix on Sunday, January 17. Starting times vary. For more information on the summer sessions, visit melbournejazz.com. Image: Kaz Harada.
If you're a Harry Potter fan keen to relive the wonder of your favourite book-to-film series, you don't need to cast a spell or wind your time turner to get some wizarding fun. Pottermore, Fantastic Beasts spinoffs and The Cursed Child might've followed the original franchise, but JK Rowling's boy-who-lived and his pals are never far away from a big screen — or a concert hall. After doing the honours with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, it's hardly surprising that this piece of prime movie and music magic for muggles has now turned its wand to the third flick in the series. Across November 8–10, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will be heading to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the film screening while the score is played live by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Prepare for John Williams' Oscar-nominated music to echo through your ears as you watch Harry, Hermione, Ron and company meet Sirius Black, realise that they shouldn't believe every dark tale they hear, learn something new about their new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and tussle with Peter Pettigrew. That means dogs, wolves, rats and Dementor's Kisses are all part of the action, plus Buckbeak the hippogriff, and trips to The Leaky Cauldron and the Shrieking Shack. It's arguably the best movie in the series, as directed by a pre-Gravity Alfonso Cuarón, and it's certain to prove even more enchanting with live music. We've said it before and we'll say it again — will sell like pumpkin pasties, so get in quick or spend eternity griping about it like some Moaning Myrtle-type character. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban™ — in Concert will run from Thursday, November 8 to Saturday, November 10. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit the MSO website.
Think of all the best things in life: the beach, beats and booze. They're all essential to a pre-game beach party (and, coincidentally, all start with B for some reason). So last weekend we teamed up with Sonos and got a pretty little beach house in Byron, loaded up on Stone & Wood beers, set up Banoffee on the balcony and got her to sing out towards the bay. It was Concrete Playground's own Beach Break. Duo-to-watch Kllo were there too, and we got to listen to their sweet electronic tunes with the Saturday arvo sun sky-high over Byron Bay. While Banoffee played 'Let's Go to the Beach' — and we basked in the glory of the fact that we were indeed already at the beach — we sipped on wines from Jacob's Creek and Stoneleigh Wild Valley and G&Tea cocktails made with Four Pillars gin, Earl Grey tea and Fever Tree soda. Also being shaken and stirred was Baron Samedi spiced rum punch and an Aperol and watermelon concoction that made it feel like summer all over again. Here's some snaps we took of the festivities. We're keeping these on-hand for gloomy days stuck in the office. Video: Andy Fraser.
Fittzroy's OKO Rooftop and Cafe is best known for serving up Med-inspired brunch and incredible meatball subs, but for one night in September, the team is championing all things Sudanese. OKO's Chef and Co-Founder Seb Pasinetti has teamed up with social enterprise Welcome Merchant, and Sudanese artist and activist Bakri Mahmoud to host a three-course dinner on Sunday, September 29. Your feed will include Sudanese-style falafels with a side of peanut butter salad, yoghurt dip and bread; okra stew with aseeda and chilli dip; plus a sweet treat to finish. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available, while booze can be purchased from the bar. There'll also be a bunch of raffle prizes up for grabs during the night, including artwork, jewellery, cookbooks and skincare products. The dinner will cost a cool $70, and all ticket proceeds will go to Khartoum Aid Kitchen and the Sudanese American Physicians Association. OKO is a fairly small venue, so tickets are highly limited. Be sure to nab them quickly. [caption id="attachment_973110" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Bakri Mahmoud[/caption]
