Collingwood's RVCA Corner Gallery and the Heavy Time Institute presents Party in The Back, a photographic exhibition from celebrated skateboarder Tino Razo opening on April 21. Razo's evocative images of sunset-drenched skate-sessions document the faded grandeur of South California's abandoned suburban pools. The same adventurous spirit that drove him to use word-of-mouth, satellite technology, and pure luck to track down deserted territories also permeates the tone of his art. Steeped in nostalgia for a thrill-seeking youth gone by and increasingly ungraspable notions of the American Dream, the exhibition, categorised as a 'lyrical photo eulogy', is a narrative of decay and discovery. Having skated for over 30 years, Tino Razo lives his photo project, and his perspective is accordingly authentic. His work is being exhibited in Australia for the first time, alongside an Anthology Editions book of all images, available to purchase alongside limited prints for the duration of the show.
Usually when the Easter long weekend hits, music fans descend upon Byron Bay for five days of live tunes. Both in 2020 and 2021, that didn't happen — with Bluesfest cancelled last year when the pandemic began, then scrapped again this year after a new COVID-19 outbreak saw NSW Health issue a public health order to shutter the event. Thankfully for music lovers and festival devotees, the 2021 festival hasn't been ditched completely. More than a month after it was originally due to take place between Thursday, April 1–Monday, April 5, Bluesfest organisers have announced that it'll move to October instead. So, mark Friday, October 1–Monday, October 4 in your diary. That's another long weekend, although the rescheduled fest will be one day shorter than normal. Once again, the long-running festival will return to Byron Events Farm (formerly Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm) just outside Byron Bay. Originally, 2021's event was set to be headlined by Jimmy Barnes, Tash Sultana, Ocean Alley, Ziggy Alberts and The Teskey Brothers, but organisers haven't made any new lineup announcements yet. The fest will unveil its full new bill sometime next week, and revealed in a Facebook post announcing the new dates that it has "been adding more of Australia's absolute best talent". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bluesfest Byron Bay (@bluesfestbyronbay) Bluefest also advised that season tickets for the festival will go on sale next week as well, with one- and three-day tickets available before that — but no specific dates were provided. Eager music fans can sign up for the waitlist now, and will be notified when tickets drop. Current ticketholders will be contacted by Moshtix with all the necessary information about the new dates, rolling your existing tickets over and getting a refund if you can no longer attend. And, because five-day passes were sold for the April dates, Bluesfest organisers are promising "something very special" for folks with those lengthier tickets during the October dates. Yes, that'll also be revealed sometime next week. Bluesfest 2021 will now run from Friday, October 1–Monday, October 4 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. The new lineup announcement is set to be announced sometime next week — to register for the ticket waitlist, head to Moshtix. Top image: Andy Fraser
'Tis the season for many things, though at one particular pop-up Christmas market, the festivities are entirely, deliciously gin-related. The Craft & Co's returning Gin Market is a one-stop pressie shop with a very distinct flavour. Taking place at The Craft & Co in Collingwood across the first weekend of December — from Friday, December 2–Sunday, December 4 — this market will showcase a careful curation of delights from an array of Aussie gin distilleries. As it's a sitdown event, they'll be going from table to table, speed-dating style, so you can hear all about the passion for their products. [caption id="attachment_876364" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rebekah Halls[/caption] Exclusive specials are promised, so if you're a real ginthusast, you'll want to stock up on presents — and, you know, a few treats for yourself. Tickets cost $35–40 depending on the session — each running for two-and-a-half hours, at 7pm on the Friday; 11am, 2pm and 5pm on the Saturday; and 11am and 2pm on the Sunday — and there'll be nine stalls on offer. And yes, tastings are included in the price, as is a The Craft & Co showbag. You do need to book in advance, too, as walk-ins won't be accepted. Images: Rebekah Halls.
Your 2023 getaways just got cheaper — and you'll have a new way to fly off on holidays, too. First announced in 2021, Australian airline Bonza will finally take to the skies in 2023, after securing regulatory approval. The soon-to-launch carrier's aim: opening up routes to more of the country's regional destinations, flying 27 routes to 17 locations, and offering low-cost fares in the process. Today, Thursday, January 12, Bonza CEO Tim Jordan announced that the airline received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). "This is an historic moment for Australian aviation as we get ready to launch the first high-capacity airline in more than 15 years, and the country's only independent low-cost carrier," said Jordan. "With the approval from CASA, 2023 is set to be the year of seeing more of your own backyard for less." With the required tick of approval now in place, Bonza can put flights on sale, starting with fares from its Sunshine Coast base — with flights from Melbourne, where it'll also have a base, set to follow. Passengers will hit the air in planes given names as Aussie as the airline's itself: Bazza, Shazza and Sheila. The airline hasn't yet announced when you'll be able to book, other than soon, but to do so you'll need to download the airline's app. One of Bonza's points of difference will be app-only reservations, unless you're booking via a registered local travel agent. Another: a previously announced all-Australian in-flight menu, spanning both food and craft beer. When it hits the air, the airline will service locations such as Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Townsville and the Whitsundays in Queensland; Albury, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle and Port Macquarie in New South Wales; and Melbourne, Avalon and Mildura in Victoria — with a big focus on regional destinations. The carrier's network will see it take passengers to places they mightn't otherwise been able to fly to, with Bonza advising that 93 percent of its routes aren't currently served by any other airline — and 96 percent of them don't presently have a low-cost carrier. Bonza is launching with the backing of US private investment firm 777 Partners, which also has a hand in Canada's Flair Airlines and the Southeast Asian-based Value Alliance. Its fares won't include baggage and seat selection, which'll you need to pay extra for — and it'll be cheapest to do so when you make your booking, rather than afterwards Bonza is set to start flying sometime in 2023 — we'll update you flights go on sale. For more information, head to the airline's website, or download its app for Android and iOS.
Positioned right on the bay, yet just seven kilometres from the CBD, and brimming with personality, St Kilda is the vivacious, creative kid you want in your friend gang. It's got colour, it's got coastline and there's a whole swag of different ways to experience its offerings — whether you're a food-lover, an adventurous spirit, a social butterfly, or some mix of all of the above. Lots of life here revolves around that enviable beachfront location, which is crucial for extending those summer vibes for as long as possible. So, we've teamed up with White Claw to pull together a dawn-to-dusk itinerary in the buzzing beachside 'burb. 6.30AM: STROLL THE ST KILDA TO PORT MELBOURNE COASTAL WALK There's nothing quite like kicking off an early morning with an energising bayside walk; especially when it's backed by the kind of sunrise scenes you'll clock on the track from St Kilda to neighbouring Port Melbourne. This northern section of the famed Bay Trail is an easy cruise that'll take you just over an hour, with some cracking water views along the way. Don't forget to stop by the dog beach at Port Melbourne for a few morning pats. 8AM: FUEL UP WITH A FEEL-GOOD FEED FROM MATCHA MYLKBAR A big day of activities calls for a solid AM feast, which just so happens to be where Matcha Mylkbar excels. Venture to Acland Street and you'll find this dedicated plant-based cafe whipping up a menu of nourishing fare that looks as good as it makes you feel. Go for a stack of vibrant matcha pancakes or the jackfruit 'chicken' and waffles, washed down with one of a multitude of rainbow-hued drinks. Perhaps a nutrient-packed blue algae latte or the acai smoothie? [caption id="attachment_843900" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Joppe Spaa via Unsplash[/caption] 10AM: GET BENDY ON THE BAY WITH SOME SUP YOGA Fancy a little switch-up from your usual yoga sessions? In St Kilda, you can swap the studio for open skies and the rubber mat for a stand-up paddleboard to have crack at SUP yoga. There are a couple of operators running regular lessons at St Kilda Beach — book in a class with the likes of SUP Yoga Melbourne or Stand-Up Paddle HQ and challenge your core to a memorable water workout. The backdrop's beautiful and the post-yoga dip is blissful. 12PM: GRAB A BEACHFRONT LUNCH AT PONTOON For lunch with a view, you'll find it hard to top a visit to the shorefront beauty that is Pontoon. Hugging the sand, the bar and eatery boasts an enviable outlook, and it's serving up some pretty stellar grub to match. Fittingly, seafood is the star of the menu. Get snacky with some of the cod croquettes, the chilli mussels and a garlicky white bean dip, before diving into the likes of handmade blue swimmer crab spaghetti or the pork schnitzel with capers and lemon. Pair with your favourite White Claw pour for full effect, of course. 2PM: FLEX YOUR CREATIVE MUSCLE WITH A STREET-ART LESSON After spending the morning rocking around one of Melbourne's most vibrant suburbs, it's time to show off a bit of your own creative spirit. This city is famed for its lively, art-filled laneways and here in St Kilda, you can take an expert-led class to see you tapping into your own inner Banksy and creating some Hosier Lane-worthy masterpieces. Celebrated local artist Rus Kitchin runs a regular stencil and street art workshop, where you'll learn the secrets to designing and cutting stencils, and then use them to make two spray paint works of your own. 4PM: DITCH THE SHOES FOR A SPOT OF LAWN BOWLS Soaking up some rays, kicking back with mates and indulging in a bit of friendly competition — you can do it all simultaneously when you take to the turf at St Kilda Sports Club. The club's bowling green is open and primed for barefoot bowls most days of the week, with two-hour session times available for groups large and small. Your crew will even get an instructor to show you the ropes before you begin. And, since battling it out against mates can be thirsty work, there's an onsite bar for pre- and post-game refreshments. [caption id="attachment_699804" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Drewnik[/caption] 7PM: HIT THE ESPY FOR A FEED AND A SERVE OF LIVE TUNES A true-blue St Kilda icon, The Espy is a quintessential stop on any local jaunt; a wining, dining and live music haven proudly overlooking St Kilda Beach. With myriad food and drink options, it's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of place, but if a feast of punchy modern Cantonese fare sounds like your jam, lock in dinner upstairs at Mya Tiger. This sumptuous space, filled with bright jewel tones and rich textures, offers a flavour-packed menu to impress. And what better way to cap off your night than catching a post-dinner gig downstairs? For more information on White Claw, head to the website.
The NGV is transforming into a teen-only zone for one night only on Saturday, August 9, hosting the latest instalment of its 'NGV Teens: Art Party' events. With the NGV International staying open after hours, the evening has been designed for teens by teens in collaboration with the NGV Teen Council, offering full access to both the French Impressionism and Kimono exhibitions. Activating numerous spaces throughout the gallery, guests can also expect a youthful combination of art, music, social connection and hands-on workshops. Setting the tone for the night, the NGV Great Hall will feature a boundary-pushing live DJ set by Rainbow Chan, a much-loved Hong Kong-Australian musician and visual artist. Meanwhile, several interactive experiences will level up the night. Leading textiles artist Louise Meuwissen will host a wearable beaded flower workshop inspired by flamboyant French fashion. Plus, a dedicated glitter station makes it easy for teens to customise their look, drawing inspiration from master artists like Monet, Degas and Renoir. There's also the chance to snap pics in a dreamy photobook set within Olaf Breuning's Plans for the Planet exhibition. Then, Alliance Française will build upon the evening's loose Francophile theme by hosting drop-in French friendship sessions. Here, guests can brush up on their linguistics and maybe even make a new pal in the process. Images: Nick Robertson / Eugene Hyland.
It's safe to say legendary Scottish brewery BrewDog is having a bit of a moment in Australia right now. After opening its first local venue in Brisbane in 2019, it followed up with news of a bunch more Aussie outposts this year, announcing plans to expand into Melbourne, Sydney and further in Brisbane. That second Queensland bar threw open its doors this month. And now, it's Melbourne's turn, as the brewery's much-anticipated Pentridge bar gears up to welcome beer-lovers from 12pm on Friday, November 25. [caption id="attachment_856808" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Render of BrewDog Pentridge[/caption] We already knew it was going to be a hefty project, created in partnership with Australian Venue Co (Harlow, The Smith, State of Grace). Now, we've got an even better idea of just what that looks like. Namely, a $3 million beer bar spanning two levels within the E Division building of the historic prison site. At 12,000 square feet, it's got room for 500 punters; complete with a ground floor dining room and den, three upstairs function spaces, and a beer garden with its own container bar and dedicated games area. From the bar comes a 20-strong tap beer lineup, starring numerous BrewDog drops alongside a rotation of guest brews. Here's hoping favourites like the Dead Pony Club Session IPA, the Passionfruit Blitz sour and the American-style IPA they call Elvis Juice will be making an appearance. To match those sips, you'll find a sprawling menu of classic pub fare, featuring an impressive ratio of plant-based and gluten-free options, no less. It jumps from a range of schnitties, parmas and burgers — including one done with XPA-braised brisket — to pizzas and a whole stack of wing varieties. Grazing plates include the likes of buffalo chicken loaded fries, and haloumi with native pepper berry; while the Hoppy Meal option gets you a burger, a side and a beer icypole for $25.95. Like all good pubs, weekly specials abound here — from Monday's two-for-one vegan menu, to an all-you-can-eat wings situation each Wednesday. Sydney is also mere weeks away from having a BrewDog of its own, with today's news the South Eveleigh outpost is set to launch on Friday, December 2. [caption id="attachment_877698" align="alignnone" width="1920"] BrewDog Fortitude Valley[/caption] [caption id="attachment_856809" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Render of BrewDog Pentridge[/caption] Find BrewDog Pentridge at Pentridge Prison, E Building, T101/1 Champ St, Coburg, from 12pm on November 25.
Each individual member of How I Met Your Mother seems to do something cool. Jason Segel resurrected the Muppets. Neil Patrick Harris produces interactive theatre and dresses his adorable babies in adorably elaborate Halloween costumes. Alyson Hannigan was Willow freakin' Rosenberg. When you break it down, the omnipresent sitcom might be less than the sum of its parts. Josh Radnor, the personal pronoun of How I Met Your Mother, follows suit by being an indie film writer and director of some repute, having won the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award for 2010's happythankyoumoreplease. His newbie, Liberal Arts, is about a 35-year-old demi-achiever, Jesse (Radnor), who works a dull job as a university admissions officer and reads dead-tree books constantly, while walking even. When he visits his alma mater to honour his retiring former professor, Peter (Richard Jenkins), Jesse also starts a romance with sparky 19-year-old student Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen). Between her exuberance for new knowledge and the campus's leafy, Midwestern nourishment, he rediscovers some of the wide-eyed optimism of his own college days — and also learns why he can't have them back. Really, you can't blame anyone for falling a bit in love with Olsen. She elevates the whole movie, bringing a flood of beauty and intelligence to a character already written to be quite beautiful and quite intelligent. She's not a manic pixie dream girl, although the film pales from being made in an MPDG world. The story of 'unremarkable pre-middle-aged male seeks shaking up, via female, into remarkable life' is a little tired. Sure, seedy, equivocating men deserve our empathy, but arguably they've already had their time in the sun. We know you shouldn't sleep with the girl; we don't need to see your working out. There are other flaws in the film that follow on from all this obviousness: One character, Dean (John Magaro), a random student among thousands, appears in front of Jesse 'by coincidence' with such frequency he'd have to be a ghost stalking our protagonist (he's not), and his arc becomes too foreseeable. Perhaps Liberal Arts would have meant something more if all these other characters didn't so perfectly serve Jesse. They awaken him, confront him, absolve him, and release him. That said, arts graduates will nod in recognition of post-modern theory references, and Allison Janney fans will delight in her cameo as an ironically hard-hearted Romantics professors. There are several estimable bon mots. Liberal Arts may make a forgettable thesis, but you'd still find a couple of passages within it to highlight.
As it stands, Mornington Peninsula's Alba Thermal Springs & Spa is already epic — home to over 30 geothermal pools scattered across its 15-hectare property. But one of Melbourne's best spas and natural hot springs destinations is about to get a whole lot better, having just announced plans to build five new luxury villas and two studio rooms on the dunes overlooking the estate. Slated to open in early 2025, these new accommodations — collectively known as The Sanctuary — will have their interiors designed by Kate Walker of KWD in Mt Martha, and feature a heap of top-tier amenities. Get around Aesop products, a pillow menu, and a complimentary mini-bar stocked with wines from Ten Minutes by Tractor, specialty brews from St Andrew's Beach Brewery and Illy coffee. Those wanting breakfast onsite can head to the spa's Thyme or have it delivered to their room — eating in bed (or on the balcony) while looking out over the property and surrounding dunes. A night's stay in one of the private villas starts at $950, and a night in one of the rooms starts at $650. You can then add on spa treatments and hot springs access to make it a truly indulgent night or weekend away. The Sanctuary at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa is slated to open in early 2025, and can be found at 282 Browns Road, Fingal. For more information, you can check out the venue's website.
As much as we all love having our friends and family stay for Christmas, there comes a point where you just need a little ... space. The living room is still littered with crumpled wrapping paper, and your visiting cousin keeps hogging the couch. Everyone's nerves are frayed, and Mum's on the warpath to find out who ate the last slice of pavlova. That strange week between Christmas and New Year's Day can feel slightly confusing. That's why the internet is always flooded with 'what day is it?' memes. But things are different this year. Everyone in Victoria is still riding high on that post-iso freedom, so — even if you're staying in the city — you probably can't wait to get out and explore. With Jacob's Creek, we've put together a list of things for you to try. Grab those lingering relatives, and hustle everyone out of the house. It's time for a mini Melbourne adventure. [caption id="attachment_793547" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Fairfield Park Boathouse, Phillip Mallis via Flickr[/caption] TAKE A HIKE THROUGH INNER CITY BUSHLAND After being in sloth-mode over the festive season, strenuous exercise probably isn't on the cards. Instead, choose a local, leisurely route that is easily accessible, like Yarra Bend Park in Kew. Start at Fairfield Park Boathouse, wander through the park's lush green fields, and cross over the historic Kanes Bridge to have a picnic in Studley Park. We are fortunate in Melbourne that all of our public parks allow consumption of alcohol, so throw in some snacks and a bottle of Jacob's Creek Better by Half Rosé to enjoy after clocking some serious steps. CATCH A MOVIE UNDER THE STARS We've had limited opportunities to visit the cinema this year, and watching Netflix on the couch isn't quite cutting it anymore. Cameo Cinemas in Belgrave is the perfect way to jump-start your love of watching movies on the big screen again. Originally built in 1935, the cinema has retained many of its original art deco embellishments, with high-quality cinema facilities gradually added along the way. In summer, our favourite spot is the outdoor cinema, which has deckchairs and beanbags to settle into in front of the big screen — and a bar. The best part? You can even bring your pup along to share in the movie magic. [caption id="attachment_699808" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Alex Drewnik[/caption] CATCH THE BOXING DAY TEST AT THE ESPY There's something special about the Boxing Day Test. You might not usually be a big cricket fan during the year but, come December 26, almost everyone's glued to the game. If you aren't keen on trekking to the MCG, wander down to Hotel Esplanade in St Kilda. We all know The Espy as a historic live music venue, but the team is equally skilled at showcasing the biggest sporting events of the year. If you're really not into the cricket, but have been dragged along by your mates, enjoying a cheeky glass of vino while admiring the water views still sounds like a pretty good way to wind down after the Chrissy madness to us. [caption id="attachment_793548" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gem Pier, Visit Victoria[/caption] SOAK UP THE SUMMER VIBES ON WILLIAMSTOWN PIER Williamstown truly has it all: kilometres of coastal tracks, lush botanic gardens and no less than six ice cream shops. It's hard to pick our favourite, but The Ice Cream Shoppe gets the tick of approval for serving dog-friendly ice cream, too. Grab a scoop for you — we recommend the chilli chocolate — and one for your furry friend, then admire the yachts as you walk along the nearby Gem Pier. [caption id="attachment_793549" align="alignnone" width="1920"] I Love Pho, Visit Victoria[/caption] HAVE A CHEAP AND CHEERFUL FEED IN RICHMOND Blown your budget on Christmas presents this year, but still keen to head out for dinner? Wander down to Victoria Street in Richmond to discover some of Melbourne's best Vietnamese restaurants. There are dozens to choose from, with plenty of room for larger groups. I Love Pho, near the Church Street intersection, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Not only does it have an incredible menu, featuring rice paper rolls, banh mi and (unsurprisingly) pho, but it also allows guests to BYO wine. The Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir pairs exceptionally well with fresh and zesty salads. Reconnect with your friends and family this summer with a bottle of Jacob's Creek. Discover the Jacob's Creek range and purchase a bottle today from all good liquor retailers. Top image: Esplanade Hotel by Alex Drewnik Please drink responsibly.
Exploring the world in person isn't on anyone's agenda at present, but that doesn't mean you can't improvise from your couch. After hitting up online tours of the planet's best museums and landmarks, then checking out a heap of travel live-streams, you can now journey around the globe via a heap of Netflix documentaries screening for free on YouTube. Viewers can watch all eight episodes of 2019 nature series Our Planet, which is narrated by Sir David Attenborough — and ventures to 50 countries to explore the huge array of different habitats present across the earth. Or, you can feast your eyes on documentary feature Chasing Coral as it follows a team's efforts to invent the first time-lapse camera that's capable of recording coral bleaching events as they happen. In total, ten different Netflix titles have made the leap to YouTube — meaning that, even if you don't have an account with the streaming platform, you can still watch. The move is part of the company's efforts to help teachers and parents find informative and educational options for children; however viewers of all ages can take advantage of the free material. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wGZc8ZjFY4 Other freebies include Ava DuVernay's Oscar-nominated documentary 13th, which explores race relations in America; Knock Down the House, about the campaigns of four women — all progressive Democrats — running for US congress; and the first season of Abstract: The Art of Design, featuring profiles of illustrators, architects, shoe designers, photographers, stage designers and more. Or, you can check out select episodes of Explained, spanning topics such as music, the world's water crisis and cricket, and Babies, which covers the obvious subject — or view three short films, including Academy Award-winner Period. End of Sentence., about access to sanitary products in India; The White Helmets, following volunteer rescue workers in Aleppo, Syria and Turkey; and Zion, about Zion Clark, a wrestler born without legs. To view Netflix's free selection of documentaries on YouTube, visit the streaming platform's YouTube channel. Top images: Our Planet, Netflix.
Love mussels? Well, you're in luck, because March 11 and 12 sees the Port Phillip Mussel Festival return to South Melbourne Market. Feast on locally-sourced seafood with friends and family at this laidback, two-day seafood street party. Now in its fourth year, the free celebration of the tasty sea creatures and local culture has developed a cult-like following. Top restaurants will be flexing their muscles throughout the weekend, including market eateries Claypots, Köy, Paco Y Lola and Simply Spanish. They'll all be dishing up mussels every which way, be it fried, in a Thai red curry or straight-up. Dance away the early autumn afternoon — and your belly full of mussels — with the perfect mix of high quality, local wine, beer and cider, and a stellar line-up of Melbourne's best jazz bands.
Hot on the heels of opening a 'DIY' restaurant in London, IKEA has Sydney pegged for its next activation. Presumably trying to make shopping for flatpack furniture a little less relationship-ruining, the Swedish company is setting up their next showroom inside one of Sydney Harbour's iconic ferries — and giving two people the chance to spend the night there. The IKEA Harbour Home (as it's so called) will be transformed into a "home away from home" and will undoubtedly be fully decked out with all things IKEA. Depending on how much you frequent the store, some things might look familiar. But the main drawcard here is obviously the harbour — the ferry will give you the chance to go nigh nighs and wake up on the water. Here's hoping for calm seas. Only one lucky person and a mate will get to spend the night on the ferry in October — you can enter here. The prize includes flights as well as a night on the ferry and all meals and experiences as per the final itinerary. If you're in the market for some new Swedish furnishings, it's a pretty sweet way to shop. And for anyone who's made the trek out to one of IKEA's behemoth locations, we can probably all agree that Sydney Harbour is by far the most aesthetically pleasing of the lot.
What sits at the heart of European storytelling? That's a question that one of Australia's must-attend film festivals has been pondering for three years. It was back in 2022 that Europa! Europa initially started showcasing the breadth of cinema from across Europe — surveying as many countries as it can fit into each annual program, and swinging from the latest to the greatest pictures from across the continent. 2025's event kicks off in February to explore that idea again. Attending Europa! Europa's opening night this year means discovering what makes a French box-office hit, for starters. A Little Something Extra, directed by comedian and actor Artus, was its nation's highest-grossing homegrown movie of 2024. When it kicks off this Australian film fest in Sydney and Melbourne on Wednesday, February 12, it'll start the celebration of cinema with a tale about jewel thief and his son at a summer camp for young adults with disability. Returning to Classic Cinemas Elsternwick and Lido Cinemas Hawthorn in Melbourne for a month, running until Wednesday, March 12, Europa! Europa has compiled a roster of 44 movies from 26 countries. Accordingly, its latest program lets viewers dig into what drives filmmaking from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark and Estonia, and also Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and Ukraine. Titles from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Georgia, Montenegro, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom are on the list, too. Unsurprisingly, the largest contingent comes from France. Indeed, Gallic cinema provides Europa! Europa with its centrepiece film as well — and it's an Australian premiere, with Once Upon My Mother stepping back to the 60s. The festival's headliners bring big-name talents, as well as touching documentaries to Sydney and Melbourne. In Another End from The Wait director Piero Messina, Gael García Bernal (La Máquina) plays a mourning widower exploring tech-enhanced ways of facing grief, with Renate Reinsve (Presumed Innocent) and Bérénice Bejo (Under Paris) co-starring. The Dardenne brothers (Tori and Lokita) co-produce the Belgian tennis academy-set Julie Keeps Quiet, while Sweden's 2025 Oscar submission The Last Journey hails from Swedish journalists and TV hosts Filip Hammar and Fredrik Wikingsson, and focuses on a trip to France with the former's father. Still on familiar faces, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan Academy Award-nominee Maria Bakalova (The Apprentice) leads the satirical Triumph, French standouts Daniel Auteuil (An Ordinary Case) and Sandrine Kiberlain (November) get farcical in Love Boat, and Mélanie Laurent (Freedom) and Guillaume Canet (All-Time High) portray Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI in their final days in The Flood. Other highlights from the fest's slate of new titles include Spain's I Am Nevenka, about an IRL MeToo case; U Are the Universe, a Ukranian sci-fil film made during the current war; the Sundance-premiering Sebastian, about a writer who is also a sex worker; Anywhere, Anytime, a modernisation of Italian masterpiece Bicycle Thieves; and Loveable, from the producer of The Worst Person in the World — and the list goes on. Europa! Europa's annual retrospectives keep proving a drawcard, too. After shining the spotlight on Poor Things and Kinds of Kindness director Yorgos Lanthimos in 2024, the festival is jumping back into French film history by heroing the iconic François Truffaut. Four of the French New Wave filmmaker's movies are on the lineup, all showing as new 4K restorations: Shoot the Piano Player, The Soft Skin, Two English Girls and Finally, Sunday!.
No matter where you are in Australia, you've probably spent the majority of the year in your own state (if not the majority of the year in your own bedroom), with many states and territories keeping their borders firmly closed. But, the last of the interstate restrictions are starting to ease. With the exception of WA (which is currently open to only the ACT, Queensland and the NT and Tasmania, but is set to open to NSW and Victoria from December 8) and SA residents (who are still unable to visit Queensland), Australians can pretty much visit anywhere in the country without quarantining. To celebrate, Virgin Australia is selling over 60,000 fares to destinations around the country, starting from just $75 a pop. Hang on, Virgin? Yes. The same airline that, just months ago, entered voluntary administration. It has since been sold to US private investment firm Bain Capital, launched a comeback sale in early July and its voluntary administration officially ended on Tuesday, November 17. The 12-hour Happy Hour flight sale kicks off at 11am AEDT today, Thursday, December 3, and runs until 11pm tonight — or until sold out. In the sale, you'll find cheap flights on 25 routes to destinations across the country, with travel dates between December 5 and January 19, 2021. If you've been waiting to book Christmas flights home — or a summer getaway — now might be the time. Discounted flights are economy and include seat selection and checked baggage. Some of the routes on offer include Melbourne to Newcastle from $75, Sydney to Brisbane from $95, Adelaide to Sydney from $109 and Hobart to the Gold Coast from $169. [caption id="attachment_743607" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Whitsunday Beach by Tourism and Events Queensland[/caption] The discounted flights are part of Virgin's relaunched weekly Happy Hour sale series, which will take place every Thursday for the foreseeable future. As we are still in the middle of a pandemic, flying is little different to normal. Virgin has introduced a range of safety measures, including hand sanitisation stations, contactless check-in and face masks provided to all passengers (but wearing them is not mandatory). Virgin is also waiving change fees and allowed unlimited booking changes between now and January 31, 2020. You can read more about its new flexible options over here. Virgin's Happy Hour sale runs from 11am–11pm AEDT on Thursday, December 3. Find out more about current interstate border restrictions over here.
If you're thinking of heading to Tassie for Dark Mofo this year, this could be the clincher. MONA has just announced its next big exhibition, Zero — a celebration of Germany's radical artists of the 1950s and 60s. The show gets its name from the term the artists used, collectively, to describe themselves. They didn't identify as belonging to a movement, style or group, but instead felt connected by a "vision of the things", as explained by Otto Piene, one of the founders. "Zero's philosophical foundation was that art was not something to be painfully extracted in solitude, but assembled and constructed with others, using whatever materials came best to hand: metal, cardboard, glass, plastic, cloth, mirrors and smoke," says MONA's Senior Research Curator Jane Clark. "They banged nails, smashed bottles, poked holes and cut up each other's canvases." The show will feature artworks by original Zero artists, as well as those that have since absorbed their influence. These include Heinz Mack, Otto Piene, Günther Uecker and Adolf Luther from Germany; Lucio Fontana, Nanda Vigo, Grazia Varisco, Enrico Castellani and Gianni Colombo from Italy; with Marcel Duchamp, Yves Klein and François Morellet from France; Henk Peeters from The Netherlands; Christian Megert from Switzerland; Jesús Soto from Venezuela; and Yayoi Kusama from Japan. Given that these artworks were often ephemeral, many will be reconstructions. Expect sound effects, music, optical illusions, moving parts, shifting lights and reflective materials. There'll be a particular focus on vibration, which Mack described in 1958 as "resting restlessness…the expression of continuous movement, which we call 'vibration'…Its harmony stirs our souls, as the life and breath of the work." Taking care of curation is Mattijs Visser, founding director of the international Zero Foundation. "Zero is one of the most significant, yet largely forgotten, art movements since the Second World War...Zero needs to be discovered now, while several of their speakers are still with us," he says. Zero will open with a big party on Saturday, June 9 — and it's free for the public to attend (with registration). If you're in town for Dark Mofo — which will run from June 15–24 — it might be a good reason to head to Hobart earlier. The full lineup will be announced on April 6 — we'll keep you updated on that one. Zero will run at the Museum of Old and New Art in Berriedale, Hobart from June 9, 2017 until April 22, 2019. For more info, visit mona. Image: Gianni Colombo: Elastic Space, shot by Matteo Zarbo, courtesy of the Institute for Contemporary Archaeology.
Right on the foreshore of Elwood Beach, Elwood Bathers has one of the best beachfront spots in Melbourne. The venue is open from breakfast until dinner each day — so you can pop in whether it's for a post-swim coffee or a sit-down meal. With classic beachside fare — think fish and chips and fried calamari — and hearty mains including burgers, lamb rump and steaks. Plus, there are a few vegan and gluten-free options, including the cherry tomato pappardelle. Formerly home to seafood restaurant Sails on the Bay for two decades, the renovated venue boasts ocean views that can be enjoyed while tucking into your meal or simply sipping on a glass of wine from the extensive drinks list.
Games bars are only getting more popular in Melbourne — where you can play mini golf, do a spot of bowling, participate in carnival-style games or simply throw axes at a wall. And Melbourne's newest joint providing a space for competitive socialising (with plenty of food and bevs) is the international darts bar Flight Club. But unlike your usual bar that has a dart board located in some random corner (likely, with plenty of broken darts), Flight Club is a massive tech-filled space that offers a heap of different ways to play the classic game. These dart boards are digitally enhanced to track your scores and teach you how to play each of the different kinds of games, and they're surrounded by comfy booths that are all yours when you make a booking. Food and drinks are also easily delivered right to your booth, so you can stay focused on beating your colleagues or mates. When it comes to drinks, Flight Club will be serving up a decent selection of wine and beer, plus a slew of signature cocktails like the Passion Dart-a-Rita (passionfruit margarita) and trophy cocktails that are served in a legit trophy. Food is mostly shareable and made for the masses — think pizza paddles, popcorn chicken and sticky pork belly bites — so you can eat and play darts at the same time. One hand can hold a slice of pizza while the other chucks darts. There are already Flight Club bars in Perth and Sydney, but this will be Melbourne's very first when it opens in the CBD on Friday, November 22. Co-founder of Flight Club Steve Moore commented, "It's been an incredible journey, bringing the joy of social darts to millions across the UK and US, and we couldn't be happier to partner with NightOwl to continue this in Australia. We've had amazing receptions in Perth and Sydney, and we're expecting nothing less in Melbourne." Flight Club is slated to open on Friday, November 22, and will be located at 228 Russell Street, Melbourne. For more details and to book a dart board, you can check out the venue's website.
Make your way down the Princes Freeway to immerse yourself in a world of colour and sound at Geelong After Dark this autumn. Now in its sixth year, Geelong After Dark's exciting showcase of art, design and performance will return on Friday, May 3. As night falls, the Gateway City's laneways, hidden spaces and buildings will be filled with innovative art installations, projections, music acts and live performances. If ever there were an excuse to skip the end-of-week work drinks and head out of town, this is it. The festivities will take place across three zones in the CBD, from Johnstone Park, down Malop Street and stretching down to the waterfront. The full program is yet to be released, but this year's theme, 'heighten your senses', gives a small clue of what to expect. Artists have created a number of site-specific artworks to be unveiled on the night — all of which are designed to encourage spectator interaction via touch, sound, taste, sight or smell. One commissioned artwork that filled this brief, Sensory Portals, was built by the city's arts and culture team in conjunction with Deakin University. It involves three separate installations that visitors can step inside and immerse themselves within. Be sure to also keep an ear out for three original songs that will be sampled within a number of the After Dark installations. These songs were written and performed by local unsigned musicians under the Connecting Songs project as an homage to the area. As part of the scheme, these musical groups were also given mentoring opportunities with well-known Australian musicians, including Adalita (Magic Dirt), Mick Thomas (Weddings, Parties, Anything and Mick Thomas and the Sure Thing) and Mark Wilson (Jet). Geelong After Dark will take place from 6–10pm on Friday, May 3. For more information, visit the website. Image: Reg Ryan.
Just when you finally upgraded to the Spotify premium package, Apple announces they're bringing iTunes Radio to Australia. In its first international release after a wildly successful run in the US, this goliath music streaming platform is throwing its hat in the ring against already popular services such as Pandora and Spotify. Boasting a wealth of scientific algorithms to curate personalised listening streams, Apple are basically asking you to, please, for the love of God, start using your iTunes again. The main drawcard Apple has here is its huge catalogue. No longer will the infuriating words 'artist not found' pop up under your search bar; iTunes has pretty much everyone on board. There are over 100 stations programmed including both basic genre offerings ('Dance Radio', 'Pop Hits Radio') as well as specific artist streams (the universal: 'Beatles Radio', the good: 'Yeah Yeah Yeahs Radio', and the meh: 'Bruno Mars Radio'). But, as Apple said in a statement yesterday, "The more you use iTunes Radio and iTunes, the more it knows what you like to listen to and the more personalised your experience becomes." That being said, the service still doesn't have the capacity for music on-demand that Spotify offers. Once you skip tracks, iTunes will take note and avoid that genre of music, but ultimately playlists are curated for you according to what's already in your music library. Like its competitors, the service is free with interspliced ads between tracks, with the option of upgrading. An annual subscription will set you back $34.99, as compared to $39 with Pandora or $11.99 per month with Spotify (although that also includes the capability to download music and listen offline). Also, you can guarantee that every track you listen to will have that guilt-inducing 'buy' button hovering right next to it. While many will stick to their current platforms, it's comforting to see a major player like Apple get on board with such services. At the very least, it's an acknowledgement that our listening habits have changed — a step in the right direction for an industry that's been failing for far too long. iTunes Radio was made available to Australians on February 11. You can access it via your iTunes account.
Good news has been in short supply in 2020, so when something positive comes along, it's worth celebrating. In Victoria, after two tough periods of lockdown this year, the state has just hit an impressive milestone — with no active COVID-19 cases present. That figure comes as the state also hits 25 consecutive days without any new COVID-19 cases or deaths, which is obviously also fantastic news. To put those achievements in context, when Victoria announced on October 26 that it had zero new cases or deaths that day, it was the first time it had celebrated that feat since early June — and that mid-year news was the first time since the start of the pandemic. By mid-August, the states cases had climbed to 687. That was the peak of the second wave, thankfully, and since then, the numbers have slowly been decreasing. The Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services has sent out its daily Tweet with yesterday's numbers and it's what we all want to see: a big fat zero in all four crucial fields. So there are no new cases, no deaths, no active cases and no cases from an unknown source across the past fortnight, either. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1330996503817703430 Of course, this doesn't mean the war is over, but it is great to hear as Victoria continues to open back up. It's also the first time that cases have hit zero in the state since February. Today's zero new cases places Victoria's total at 20,345, which includes 19,525 people who have recovered from the coronavirus, as per the state's last reported numbers on Monday, November 23. So far, Victoria has conducted more than 3.5 million tests for COVID-19. While restrictions have been easing across the state, the Victorian Government has continued to encourage the state's residents to get tested and respect the rules. The last round of eased restrictions came into effect on midnight this past Sunday, with Victorians no longer required to wear masks outside (as long as you can maintain social distancing) and venue and gathering limits increasing. At-home gathering sizes are set to increase again on Sunday, December 13 — just in time for Christmas. The state has been slowly progressing through a five-step roadmap to COVID-normal since mid-September. For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the Department of Health and Human Services website — and for further details about Victoria's steps for reopening, head to the roadmap itself.
Ever since The Great Train Robbery back in 1903, heist films have been a much-loved part of our moviegoing diet. There's something uniquely thrilling about watching a group of smooth-talking outlaws come together for a caper, especially as filmmakers keep finding new ways to inject new life into the genre. Whether it's crime meets comedy like in Snatch or A Fish Called Wanda, or high-octane action a la Heat and Mission: Impossible, Hollywood has shown time and time again that there's more than one way to separate a mark from their money. To celebrate the release of Logan Lucky, we've put together a list of five very different heist flicks. Consider this essential reading ahead of your next movie night… or if you're planning to rob a bank. LOGAN LUCKY The latest film from the chameleonic Steven Soderbergh, Logan Lucky has been billed as a 'hillbilly heist', and based on the trailer it's easy to see why. Channing Tatum and Adam Driver star as Jimmy and Clyde Logan, two dim-witted brothers attempting to pull off an elaborate robbery during a big money NASCAR race. They're joined by the likes of Riley Keough, Katherine Waterstone and Daniel Craig, whose performance as an eccentric explosives expert looks to be worth the price of admission all on its own. If nothing else, we know Soderbergh is adept with this kind of story, which brings us to the next film on our list… OCEAN'S ELEVEN A rare remake that eclipses the cultural cache of the original, Soderbergh's hugely entertaining 2001 hit remains one of the prototypical heist films of the modern era, as stylish as it is funny as it is wholly unpredictable. They say crime doesn't pay, but boy does Ocean's Eleven make it look fun. Oh, and it also features one of the most impressive, big-name casts in modern movie history. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle… need we go on? An all-female spinoff is in the works for next year, and we could not be more keen. RESERVOIR DOGS The low budget indie flick that launched the career of Quentin Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs is a rare kind of heist film in that we never actually get to see the heist. Instead, the story jumps backwards and forwards in time, between the planning stages and the disastrous aftermath of a diamond robbery gone wrong. The film's graphic violence, distinctive dialogue and non-linear timeline has inspired endless imitations of varying quality — it's not an exaggeration to call this one of the most influential films of the 1990s. And yet, like all of Tarantino's movies, it somehow feels utterly unique. INCEPTION "Your mind is the scene of the crime," teased early trailers for Inception, Christopher Nolan's blockbuster version of an M.C. Escher print. Rightfully celebrated upon release as a smart, original property in a sea of unremarkable franchise films, this epic sci-fi caper — about a group of professional thieves who ply their trade in their victims' dreams — confirmed Nolan as one of the most ambitious filmmakers working in Hollywood today. Sure, some of the exposition may be a little bit clunky, but what Inception lacks in nuance it makes up for in excitement, emotion and sense of scale. Most importantly, like all the best heist films, it totally stands up on second viewing. FAST FIVE The best film in the Fast and Furious franchise, it was Fast Five that helped transform this flagging series into a bona-fide global phenomenon. Street racing takes a backseat as Dominic Toretto and fam instead set their eyes on a $100 million score — one that is ultimately realised via one of the greatest action sequences of this decade, involving a massive bank vault being dragged through the streets of Rio at breakneck speed. Inventive and exhilarating, with a charismatic cast at the top of its game, Fast Five is popcorn entertainment at its absolute finest. Logan Lucky is now showing at cinemas nationally.
Much has happened in the world of Marvel this year. Black Panther started things off on a high, Spider-Man is about to return to its animated roots, and the man who started it all, Stan Lee, sadly passed away. Oh, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe completely changed the game with the snap of a few fingers. We know that you know what we're talking about — Avengers: Infinity War sits atop the box office Down Under for 2018. Of course, ever since the third Avengers movie hit screens, excitement for its follow-up has been feverish to say the least. Now, the first look at Avengers: Endgame has finally arrived — and yes, that's the film's brand new title. It all starts with a despondent Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), before giving a taste of how the remaining heroes are facing their new predicament. Check out the trailer below — and start counting down the days until Avengers: Endgame makes its way to cinemas on April 25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA6hldpSTF8 Plus, if you need a bit more excitement, Marvel also dropped the next Captain Marvel trailer earlier this week — with the first film featuring Brie Larson's superhero arriving prior to Avengers: Endgame, on March 7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LHxvxdRnYc
Unofficial Bridgerton balls have already popped up in Australia, but now it's time for the real thing: The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience, which comes with the backing of Netflix and Shondaland. After bringing regency-era vibes to Los Angeles, Washington DC, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver and New York in the US, and also to Toronto and Montreal in Canada, the event is finally letting Down Under fans unleash their inner duke and duchess. For a month between Friday, May 24–Sunday, June 23, Melbourne will be doubling for London high society in the early 1800s, in The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience's exclusive Aussie stop. Step inside Fever Exhibitions Hall on Dawson Street in Brunswick and you'll feel like you're stepping back in time — or into the huge Netflix hit series, at least. Lady Whistledown aficionados will be able to head along every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening to promenade around an immersive setup where a string quartet will be playing live tunes inspired by the show, dancers will accompany the music and live theatrical performances will keep you entertained. You'll also go for a spin in the ballroom yourself at the afterparty. Before then, you'll also hit up Madame Delacroix's modiste and an underground painting studio, then visit with the queen. Actors in period costumes will be wandering around, helping to set the mood — and yes, if you'd like to dress to fit the occasion, and the series, that's obviously heartily encouraged. The drinks list, including cocktails, will be Bridgerton-themed. While your sips aren't included in your ticket, a full bar will be available, as will snacks such as chips and lollies to purchase. Tickets for The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience will be available via presales from 6pm AEST on Monday, April 29 and general sales from 6pm AEST on Tuesday, April 30. The event unleashes its lavishness just after the show's third season arrives, with the first four episodes dropping on Thursday, May 16, then the next four on Thursday, June 13.
Following a massive five-year renovation, Hotel Sorrento has finally unveiled its completed look. The Mornington Peninsula's uber-cool, world-class boutique resort has expanded its offerings, marking a new benchmark for coastal luxury in Victoria. The pub has been in the hands of the Pitt family since 1981, and across three generations, it has undergone extensive transformations, including this latest multi-phase project. First, the development saw luxury accommodation, a pool, spa and wellness facilities added on to the venue. And now, the final upgrades have been unveiled to include a New York-style Lobby Bar, an openair wellness terrace, conference and event facilities, and several new luxury suites. "The completion of this development isn't just a milestone for us; it redefines what hospitality looks like on the Mornington Peninsula. We grew up in this hotel, and to now see it fully realised as a resort destination that offers world-class hospitality and wellness is something we're incredibly proud of," says Myles Pitt, Director at Hotel Sorrento. The new Lobby bar, designed by Six Degrees Architects, is inspired by globally recognised venues such as The Bowery Hotel in New York. Whether it's an early morning coffee, an afternoon aperitif, or a post-dinner cocktail, the low-lit space is an intimate and sophisticated place to slow down and unwind. The new openair terrace will complement the hotel's existing wellness offering, Marlo Spa. With seaviews, a travertine yoga deck wrapped in lush greenery and sun-soaked, laidback vibes, it'll be a great spot to settle in over summer. "As a family, we are thrilled to provide an offering that reflects what we love — not only spaces for people to connect and celebrate, but also an opportunity to invest in their health and wellbeing. We are passionate about balance, and Hotel Sorrento certainly now provides that," says Marcus Pitt, Director at Hotel Sorrento. Images: Supplied.
When it comes to unearthing furnishings and bespoke goods from a bygone age, there aren't many better at it than Scout House owner Orlando Mesiti. Having long been a collector of weird and wonderful objects from vintage markets across Europe, his St Kilda shopfront should be your first stop when you're trying to hunt down something truly original. From furniture and fine works of art to homewares and peculiar knick-knacks, Scout House's offering is certain to have your home looking fresher than any coat of paint could manage. And, as an extra plus, Scout House also manufactures its own sofas, daybeds and other decorative goodies. Images: Tracey Ah-kee.
Goodbye traffic, hello impressive views while zooming around Brisbane: within the next decade, that might become a reality. Yes, it sounds like something out of a futuristic movie. Yes, it'd help you ditch the dreaded peak-hour crawl. And yes, there is indeed a plan to bring self-flying taxis to the Queensland city's skies — and within the next decade. As every Brisbanite knows and won't be able to forget in their lifetimes, Brissie is hosting the 2032 Olympic Games — news that was announced exactly a year ago, in fact. As a result, the city is set to get a whole lot busier, and there'll be plenty of people trying to get from point A to point B during the huge event itself. One potential solution: those automated aerial taxis. Back in June, southeast Queensland's Council of Mayors signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Wisk Aero, which has been developing all-electric self-flying air taxis in the US. It's now setting up an Australian base, and working with SEQ's Council of Mayors with a hope to introducing "safe, sustainable and scalable autonomous air taxi services" to the region. Exactly where those taxis could fly from and to, how often and what it'd cost haven't been finalised or revealed yet, obviously, with the arrangement still in the planning phase. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said that the world expects "to see the emergence of advanced air technology in places like Singapore, Paris and Los Angeles, and by 2032, I'd love to see it supporting new and innovative experiences for tourism and travel right here in southeast Queensland." "While there's still plenty of work to do around regulation and safety, the prospect of having autonomous air taxis operating throughout our region and between venues during the Brisbane 2032 Games is really exciting," Schrinner continued. Wisk Aero was created in 2019 as a joint venture between aviation companies Boeing and Kitty Hawk — and the latter has been exploring the self-flying air taxi space since 2010. In 2017, it tested and successfully flew an autonomous aircraft designed for passenger use in America. Kitty Hawk, which is supported by Google co-founder Larry Page, also did some testing in New Zealand in 2017 and 2018. Uber was also flirting with the same space via Uber Elevate, with plans to test flying taxis in Melbourne in 2020; however, the company was sold to Joby Aviation that year. In southeast Queensland, KFC has been trialling delivering chicken by drones — so people taking to the air to get around town was always the likely next step. For more information about Wisk Aero and the plans to bring self-flying taxis to southeast Queensland, head to the Wisk Aero and Council of Mayors websites.
Come the first sign of sunshine, Carlton locals flock to Johnny's Green Room. Negroni in hand, they angle for a perch overlooking the bustling Lygon Street. But since last year's facelift — which expanded the seating capacity and added a semi-retractable roof for the option of shade — there's been less jostling and a lot more room to soak up the gloriously warm afternoons to come. Now, it's upgrading its Sundays with a creative new series. Once a month, the rooftop bar shakes off the scaries with cheffy snacks from Melbourne's favourite restaurants and local winemakers cracking open unreleased lo-fi drops — which will be reimagined as Campari-infused wine spritzes for the day. The music program is curated by the pros at Hope St Radio themselves, so you're guaranteed a good boogie. This Sunday, energetic beats from Māori producer Kuzco will accompany bold Indian bites like skewer kebabs with mint chutney and housemade paneer and capsicum tikkas from Mischa Tropp of Kolkata Cricket Club and Toddy Shop, plus fresh riesling releases from Bridget Werkstatt. Can't make it? Pencil in October 12 for a taste of Fitzroy's hard-to-book backstreet restaurant Carnation Canteen — Audrey Shaw will whip up some spring plates to complement GUM's 2025 rosés, soundtracked to warm-weather sets from Ewan Sutardy. Or swing by on November 9 for Greek-inspired snacks from Stavros Konis of Kafeneion and Salona, washed down with a glass of Stefani Wines' signature sangiovese.
They're taking the hobbits to Isengard at The Astor Theatre this winter, with one movie marathon to rule them all. Round up the Fellowship, stock up on lembas bread for sustenance and hide your finest pipe-weed from the Southfarthing for one sitting of all three of Peter Jackson's beloved OG Tolkien film adaptations. Kicking off with The Fellowship of the Ring and ending with The Return of the King (with The Two Towers in the middle, of course), this cave troll of a marathon clocks in at over nine hours plus intermissions — with the journey starting at 1pm on Saturday, July 23. If you make it through breakfast and second breakfast to the final handful of endings, you can pat yourself on the back and smash a ringwraith screech at the nearest person on your way home (note: do not actually screech at people). Tickets are the precious and come in at $35 for the whole ordeal. And, you'll be watching all three films in remastered 4K versions of their original cuts — so expect to see Middle Earth in more detail than you've seen in before. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_WZxJpHzEE
No one likes leaving their pet at home when they go on holiday. No one loves moving interstate with them flying in the cargo hold, either. A solution might be on the way, however, with Virgin Australia announcing its intention to allow small dogs and cats in the cabins of its aircraft — as long as it gets the regulatory tick of approval to do so. At present, all pets except authorised service and assistance dogs can't join humans while they're soaring through the skies. Instead, they fly underneath amid the luggage. But everyone who shares their life with a pooch or mouser knows that they want to do everything that people can do. In fact, they think they're people. Here's one way they'll be able to, ideally within 12 months. If it is signed off by the aviation powers that be, this will be the first time that an airline in Australia has allowed pets in its cabins. There will be rules, of course, including the fact that only small dogs and cats will be permitted, that the option will only be available on selected domestic routes and that pets will have to stay in a Virgin Australia-approved pet carrier under the seat in front of you for the whole flight. There'll also be designated rows for folks travelling with pets — which mightn't suit your cat if it isn't fond of dogs, or vice versa. And, if you're dreaming of your pupper or feline sitting on your lap or walking around the cabin, that obviously won't be allowed either. On the ground before you hop on the plane, then once you disembark, your pet will need to stay in its carrier as well, other than at the relief areas that will be part of Virgin's terminals. There's no word yet which routes will soon allow four-legged friends for company, or how much bringing them onboard might cost — but there will be a fee. The current arrangement with service and assistance animals will continue, so they'll still be permitted to travel in the cabin without an extra cost. Virgin Australia also will still transport pets in the cargo hold. "We expect the pets in cabin concept will prove a popular offering and we look forward to working with Virgin Australia to make it a reality," said Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus. Tell your pet to pack their suitcase — and start asking them about their dream interstate holiday. Virgin Australia hopes to allow small dogs and cats in its cabins on select domestic flights within the next 12 months. We'll update you when more details are announced. For more information about Virgin Australia's current pet policies in the interim, head to the airline's website. Images: Alex Coppel.
Queen Victoria Market's sheds weren't able to host their famed soirees for much of 2020, with Melbourne's lockdowns hitting pause on the usual roster of weekly night markets and food festivals. But, after a four-week return during the festive season, the historic site is gearing up to deliver its next post-pandemic nighttime outing. Melbourne, get set for the multicultural delights of Food Truck Stop once again. Kicking off on February 3, and running across five Wednesday nights, the pop-up promises to fill your belly while sating a few of those international travel cravings. A rotation of the city's best-loved food trucks will be slinging their wares — think, goat curry and smashed samosas from Two Fat Indians; Nem N' Nem Viet signatures like noodle bowls and bao buns; and finger-lickin' wings and short ribs cooked low and slow by Bigger Than Texas BBQ. Most of the lineup has been to QVM before, but there will be a first-timer, so get ready to feast on lobster rolls, salt and pepper calamari and tempura-battered fish and chips from Twisted Fisherman, too. In true QVM style, the globe-trotting eats will be backed by a great lineup of libations, with The Beer Garden pouring an all-Victorian menu featuring Melbourne Gin Company cocktails, beers by Brick Lane Brewing, Coldstream ciders and a range of vino courtesy of Mitchelton Wines. Head on by from 5–10pm, with Food Truck Stop happening until Wednesday, March 3.
Australians, if a trip across the ditch ranks high on your wish list, the New Zealand Government has delivered some great news: across the first half of 2022, the country will start reopening its borders to international travellers. Earlier in 2021, Aotearoa and Australia had a brief international travel bubble, which allowed Aussies and Kiwis to fly back and forth between the two countries without quarantine. It was then put in pause in July after COVID-19 outbreaks in Australia — and that suspension was extended following outbreaks in New Zealand. But, in a press conference on Wednesday, November 24, NZ COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced that the country's international travel restrictions are set to lift in January — beginning with vaccinated New Zealanders and those who hold NZ visas early next year. From Monday, January 17 NZ time, folks who fall into those categories will be able to re-enter NZ without quarantining in NZ's managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities — although a seven-day stint in self-isolation will be required. That move will then be extended to vaccinated travellers from other countries, including Australia, across a three-step process. Here's how it's going to work: STEP ONE From Monday, January 17 next year, double-vaccinated New Zealanders and other eligible travellers (such as visa holders) will be able to return to New Zealand from Australia, without a two week stay in MIQ facilities. This means Kiwis can travel to Australia, however briefly, and avoid MIQ on their return. However, they'll need to self-isolate for seven days after returning to Aotearoa, and must provide a final negative test before entering the community. STEP TWO From Monday, February 14 next year, double-vaccinated New Zealanders and other eligible travellers (such as visa holders) will be able to return to New Zealand from all other countries — not just Australia — and also avoid an MIQ stay, except after travelling to countries deemed "very high risk". The same safety precautions as above will need to be taken: they'll need to self-isolate for seven days and must provide a final negative test before entering the community. STEP THREE From Saturday, April 30, all other double-vaccinated international travellers will able to enter the country, without an MIQ stay. This might be staggered on visa levels, Hipkins added during his press conference. The requirement to self-isolate and provide testing upon return will be assessed during this period, but it's expected this will be probably be in place throughout May. So, it isn't time to go packing your suitcases for a NZ getaway just yet, but it will be soon — and just in time for ski season (if you're already thinking about your winter plans). Since the beginning of November, double-vaxxed Australians have been permitted to leave our shores for overseas holidays; however, exactly where you can head obviously depends on travel restrictions in other countries. More information about NZ's international travel three-step plan and Hipkins' full statement can be found on the New Zealand Government website. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Director Takashi Miike transports us back in time — not only into the cruelly executed hierarchy of the 17th century samurai but also into Japanese cinema's Golden Age. His expressive tale of solitary heroism moves with an arthouse patience and poise, and the violence is deeply affecting, rather than for effect. In this respect, Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai represents a departure from the spectacularly bloody epics for which Miike is known, such as 13 Assassins and Audition. This should come as no surprise, though, for those intimately acquainted with the prolific Japanese director's work, which includes at least 70 productions. His filmmaking has never been confined to creativity-crunching limitations — he's dabbled with comedy, children's films and period drama. A story-within-a-story structure propels the narrative. Hanshiro (Ebizo Ichikawa), an out-of-work samurai, seeks permission from the House of Li to commit seppuku (honourable self-disembowelment). Suspicious that Hanshiro might be another in a line of poverty-stricken warriors who have been attempting "suicide bluffs" for financial gain, the feudal lord, Kageyu (Koji Yakusho) regales him with the tale of Motome (Eita). A young man who came seeking a few coins to save his dying family, Motome was forced to self-disembowel on a bamboo sword, having already sold his own. What Kageyu does not realise is that Motome and Hanshiro knew each other well. Hanshiro is on a mission to avenge Li's lack of humanity and expose the lie beneath the front of "honour", which enables the condemnation of the lower classes to unemployment, sickness and death. Miike does not hold back in his critique of sadism. Putting aside broad-brush depictions of bloodletting, he reaches his viewers through specific experiences and emotional investment in character. Motome's horrendously slow suicide is depicted so viscerally, it's not easy to keep your eyes on the screen. As his increasing physical and mental agony is mirrored by the gradual snapping of his pathetic bamboo sword into impossibly blunt pieces, the feudal authorities seem to have no limits on their capacity for brutality. Cinematographically, Hara-Kiri inhabits a shadowy world. Symmetrically positioned characters and 17th-century architecture frame the drama. Contrast is subtle, rather than extreme, achieved through the natural rhythms of day and night and the passing of the seasons — bursts of spring sunshine, fiery autumn leaves and silent snow showers — intensified by Ryuichi Sakamoto's restrained yet haunting score. Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai is one of Miike's finest, saddest and most important films. It's a brave depiction of a brutal world whose romantic mythology has often curtained a pitiless and unjust reality. https://youtube.com/watch?v=R-sp6Xw0jJU
Vivid Sydney is no stranger to lights. In each year's program — including with 2023's set-to-dazzle lineup, complete with Lightscape in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney — filling the Harbour City with luminous installations is one of the citywide arts festival's main aims. Whether you're a local or a visitor, a wander around town in June involves stunning radiant sights awaiting at every turn. And this year, that glow will extend down to Wynyard's unused railway tunnels for the first time ever. This is the first time ever that the subterranean spot will be opened to the public, in fact — and turned into a light show beneath the streets. Meet Dark Spectrum, the ticketed installation that's world premiering at Vivid Sydney as a just-announced addition to the 2023 program. We hope you like lasers, secret passageways, bright colours and a one-of-a-kind experience, all on offer from Friday, May 26–Sunday, July 16. A collaboration between Vivid Sydney, Sony Music, Mandylights and Culture Creative, this underground spectacle features eight rooms, all heroing a different hue, with the entire setup inspired by raves and their dance floors. They're each meant to mimic the human experience through life, too, as helped by robotics, visual technology and a pulsating electronic dance music soundtrack. Accordingly, Dark Spectrum will take attendees through rooms themed around separation, constriction, pressure and the unseen, then spaces that are all about reflection, the unfamiliar and connection. The last one? It serves up an end with a revelation — which will obviously need to be experienced rather than explained. Vivid Sydney has given a few hints about what's in store, though. In Construction, 150 LED pipes will hang from the roof, while Pressure will feature 50 archways covered in lights and mirrors — and make Wynyard's tunnels look like a never-ending tunnel. Or, there's Interaction, a sea of hanging string lights and illuminated plants that respond to movement, which takes its cues from Avatar. "We're thrilled to announce this world-first experience for Vivid Sydney 2023. Dark Spectrum is a perfect fit for this year's festival theme, exploring the intersection between human emotions, our natural environment and the urban landscape and relics of Sydney's industrial past," said Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini. "Diving beneath the surface of what is now one of the city's busiest railway lines, Dark Spectrum is a truly mesmerising and engaging experience for visitors to explore Sydney in a whole new way. I am excited we get to shine a light on unknown spaces across the city". After its Sydney debut, Dark Spectrum will tour the world — so for folks outside of the Harbour City who can't make it along during Vivid, cross your fingers that it next comes your way. Vivid Sydney 2023 will run from Friday, May 26–Saturday, June 17. For further information and tickets — including to Dark Spectrum from Friday, May 26–Sunday, July 16 — head to the event's website.
Christian Thompson is one of the most celebrated contemporary Indigenous artists working today, and Ritual Intimacy represents the first major survey of the artist's extensive and diverse works. Through photography, video, sculpture, performance and sound, he explores notions of identity, race and history, often placing these themes against the backdrop of the Australian environment. Thompson's prodigious talents were recognised from an early age with his early career spent at the side of world-renowned artist Marina Abramovic, who became his mentor. Later, Thompson was accepted into Oxford University, making him one of the first Indigenous Australians to study at the institution in its 900-year history. Taking place at Monash University Museum of Art (MUMA), Ritual Intimacy features a never-before-seen major commission, while also highlighting Thompson's continued exploration of musical works centred around Indigenous language. The exhibition will be on display until July 8. Image: Christian Thompson: Ritual Intimacy installation at Monash University Museum of Art, shot by Andrew Curtis.
Residents of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, if you were looking forward to watching a Channing Tatum-starring movie about male strippers jump into real life right in front of your eyes, we have bad news. After the pandemic delayed Magic Mike Live's Sydney season, then interrupted its Melbourne run, the stage show has completely scrapped the rest of its Australian tour — so, if you haven't already, you won't be seeing it IRL anytime soon. In 2012, when the world discovered all things Magic Mike — and that it was based on Tatum's own experiences working in the field — everyone was a little sceptical. But the film boasts a great director in Steven Soderbergh, and a cast that also includes Matthew Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Olivia Munn, Riley Keough and peak McConnaissance-era Matthew McConaughey. Also, it's great. Alongside 2015 sequel Magic Mike XXL, the franchise takes a smart and sensitive look at men chasing the American Dream by taking off their clothes, with Tatum successfully turning what could've been a forgettable chapter of his pre-fame life into a hit big-screen series, and — unsurprisingly — then bringing it back to the stage. Yes, Magic Mike was always going to return to where it all began. As seen in Las Vegas, London and Berlin, Magic Mike Live sees real-life male dancers strip up a storm for eager audiences. And, in Australia, it has been doing so in a 600-seat spiegeltent called The Arcadia — but the struggles of dealing with the pandemic has seen the show's organisers call it quits on the Aussie tour. "Everyone at Magic Mike Live is heartbroken to have to make this decision but we have been left with no choice," said Executive Producer Vincent Marini in a statement. "After enduring four lockdowns and millions of dollars in refunds and cancellations, we simply can't sustain a tour that has no opportunity to perform. Our performers, crew, management team and local industry partners in Australia have constantly amazed us with their talent, dedication, and resiliency. Their hard work combined with the truly heart-warming reception we received from audiences in Sydney and Melbourne, make us hopeful that we can someday return to Australia and finish what we started." Accordingly, the remainder of the show's Melbourne season will no longer go ahead when the city gets out of its sixth lockdown — and stints in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide have been totally scrapped. Magic Mike Live was due to head to Brisbane in November, then move on to Perth and Adelaide throughout 2022. Fingers crossed that the show will eventually plan another Aussie run, with the cancellation seeing it join a lengthy list of live productions affected by the pandemic so far. Hamilton's long-awaited Australian premiere season is currently on hiatus in Sydney due to the NSW capital's ongoing lockdown, and Jagged Little Pill the Musical has postponed its planned 2021 Australian debut until yet-to-be-announced new dates, for instance. Also, Tony-winning musical The Phantom of the Opera has pushed back its Aussie seasons until 2022 and Moulin Rouge! The Musical didn't make its local bow in mid-August as slated — although the latter will hopefully hit the stage in Melbourne after lockdown lifts. Magic Mike Live will no longer be resuming its Melbourne season, or heading to Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide. For more information, visit the show's website. Images: Peter Brew-Bevan.
It's only been a few months since Polyester Records closed their CBD store, but we're already feeling the withdrawls. Where else are we supposed to go while killing time before a coffee date? As Flinders Lane makes its final transformation into a Bonsoy latte and Pieface dispensary, where can we turn for quality vinyl, books and CDs? Luckily Polyester Records still has its smaller Fitzroy store, but now they need your help to make it great. Polyester have long been champions of the local music scene. Hosting a series of live in-store gigs, their CBD store was always buzzing with the latest talent. Now they want to replicate that energy in their Brunswick Street abode. Though the store's been standing for 30 years now, it's always been too small to accommodate such events and they've launched a Pozible campaign to help crowdfund the renovation. As you can see, the store's already a tight fit — you'd be hard-pressed to fit a drum kit beside the bulky vinyl shelves let alone a whole band and audience. So, with a target set at $12,000, co-owners Simon Karis and Nathan Nott are planning to build new compact racks for the LPs, create a smaller sales counter and move it to the front of the store, then set up an appropriate performance space down the back. "Times have been really tough for us — and all record stores," Karis recently told Tone Deaf. "We definitely don’t just want to come off us as ‘hey, poor us’ and ‘give us money’. We want turn the money into something we can all share." As always, pledgers to the Pozible campaign will get a few perks of their own. Mid-range rewards include Polyester Records' t-shirts, vouchers and CD prize packs. Some big spenders have already snapped up the iconic neon smoking man sign and original screen-printed posters, but if you spend more than $1,000 you can commission your very own oil painting from Melbourne artist Tracy Ellerton! That being said, the main prize will be what you're getting back from the store. Think of your donation as a down-payment on those free gigs you'll be getting. This is a store who got Best Coast to perform an all-ages, in-store gig. They're pretty unlikely to let you down. The Pozible campaign ends Monday, July 21. Head over here to read more and make your pledge.
Was The Queen's Gambit on repeat in your Netflix queue? Were you engrossed in the chess scandals of 2022? Well, get ready to immerse yourself in a world of monochromatism at the Blanc Noir festival, coming to Chadstone – The Fashion Capital. Adding to Chadstone's retail, dining and entertainment offerings — including its new precinct The Social Quarter — Blanc Noir presents yet another reason to visit the shopping mecca. Running for a limited time only, Blanc Noir will feature cabaret acts, magic, street theatre and interactive performances. Take a stroll through the black and white precinct to partake in a game of giant chess — and be in with a chance to win a Chadstone gift card — or attend the interactive shows created exclusively for Chadstone. Two after-dark performances will be hosted on Fridays and Saturdays: The Curious Game and Chess Cabaret. The Curious Game promises an imaginative and humorous production where the world of fairy tales and chess collide. You'll find The Curious Game at 4.30pm and 6.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Chess Cabaret will showcase dynamic physical theatre, magic and circus acts that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It has showings at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Keen to keep your kids entertained during the school holidays? Chadstone is hosting a free school holiday program called Chess Mates as part of Blanc Noir. It features chess-inspired arts and crafts, whimsical performances, games and dance. There are sessions at 10am, 12pm and 2pm daily with an extra class at 4.00pm on Thursdays and Sundays. So whether you're looking for something different, something for your kids during the school holidays or an energetic and exciting circus act, put Blanc Noir in your diaries. Blanc Noir at Chadstone – The Fashion Capital runs from Saturday, April 8 until Sunday, April 23. For further details on the events in the schedule, head to the Chadstone website.
In a couple of months, when it's time to see how 101 Dalmatians' Cruella De Vil came to be such a villain, moviegoers will have two choices. When the end of May hits, you'll be able to see the Emma Stone-starring Cruella on the big screen — or you'll be able to sit on your couch, jump onto Disney+, pay an extra fee and check it out from home. More of a Marvel kind of film fan? Been looking forward to Black Widow, which was originally supposed to release in cinemas last April but has been delayed several times due to the pandemic? You'll have the same pair of options when that flick releases in July, too — a couple of months later than was last slated, but still in the very near future. Disney has announced that the two big movies will go the same route as Raya and the Last Dragon, which made its way to cinemas and Disney+ at the same time at the beginning of this month. The news is hardly surprising, given that theatres in different parts of the world are at different stages of reopening — or, in some cases, still closed. Indeed, after over a year of holding off from making move with Black Widow, the Mouse House just might be setting the template for its releases moving forward. So, you can expect to see Cruella in cinemas on Thursday, May 27 and on Disney+ the next day, on Friday, May 28. As for Black Widow, it'll hit the silver screen on Thursday, July 8 and then become available to stream on Friday, July 9. Because neither film will be included in your regular Disney+ subscription, just how much extra you'll pay to watch them at home hasn't been revealed — but Raya and the Last Dragon costs $34.99 on top of your monthly or annual fee, so that's a good guide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmRKv7n2If8 If you'd been looking forward to Pixar's next flick, the Italian-set Luca, you'll also be able to watch that at home from Friday, June 18. In this case, though, it's completely bypassing cinemas, and it won't cost you anything extra to see on Disney+. The animation studio's last movie, the gorgeous and moving Soul, did the same last Christmas — so again, this isn't unexpected in the slightest. Last year, Disney moved Pixar's Onward to streaming when cinemas started closing, then did the same with the terrible Artemis Fowl, the phenomenal filmed version of Hamilton and the visually impressive live-action Mulan, too — so yes, this is becoming a trend. Recognising that viewers want choice when it comes to watching big-name new-release movies was always bound to happen, of course, but the pandemic has certainly sped up the process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdAIBlPVe9s Cruella will release in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, May 27 and on Disney+ on Friday, May 28. Black Widow will hit the big screen on Thursday, July 8 and then become available to stream on Friday, July 9. And Luca will hit Disney+ on Friday, June 18. Top images: Black Widow, photo by Jay Maidment. © Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved / Cruella, photo by Laurie Sparham. © 2021 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
It’s no secret that Melbourne’s street art scene is becoming one of the most prominent in the world. This top five collection is a shout out to the ladies whose work is whimsical, eye catching, and utterly awesome. Miso One of Australia’s leading ladies in street art, Miso made a name for herself with her distinct style of imagery. Her drawn works have been displayed on the streets and in art galleries around the world, and she shares a studio with her partner and fellow street artist Ghostpatrol. Her work often depicts pensive women and cityscapes. Miso also often uses a subdued colour palette with intricate patterns or cut-out details. She is about to have an exhibition in October at Blackwoods Gallery, which you can check out here. Vexta Vexta is another big name in street art, who is also displaying her insane talent on streets and galleries all over the globe. Often her work will include neon-coloured diamonds and triangles that often depict motion (a trail of colourful sparks behind flying people) or emotion (tears descending from a skulls empty eye sockets). Recurrent imagery includes mutated creatures, flying nymphlike people, skulls, and skeletons making out with each other. Ultimately it is the vibrancy of her work that is her trademark. Chase the neon rainbow to her current exhibition — a group show at MARS Gallery called Psychedelic Daze. Baby Guerilla If you’ve seen paste-ups of people flying around the Brunswick/Footscray area, chances are you have come across a piece by Baby Guerilla. These black and white illustrations are soaring all over Melbourne, with images of people either holding onto each others arms or ankles as they float above passers by. Baby Guerilla’s work is reminiscent of the children in Peter Pan who fly off to Neverland, giving the viewer a sense of adventure and whimsy. We had a chat to Baby Guerilla a while ago if you’re keen to know more. Kaff-eine If you like your street art vibrant, a bit child like, but also slightly morbid at the same time, then Kaff-eine is your girl. One of Kaff-eine’s most reoccurring images is of semi or completely naked women with dear skulls as heads and hoofs for feet. Also keep an eye out for her drawings and paintings of bunny kids, horses/deers/unicorns, and other mythical creatures. You can find Kaff-eine’s work anywhere from abandoned buildings to children’s books, and she is currently preparing to embark on her first international painting trip. Be Free Be Free’s images of young girls captures an innocence that makes her work instantly recognisable around Melbourne. The girls are often playing with, or surrounded by, playing cards either stuck to the walls or the ground around them. Sometimes they are adorned with colourful paint splatters, other times a red scarf or red stripy socks add a splash of colour. Either way they’re cute, feminine, liberating and lovely to stumble upon. Honorable mentions This list is barely scratching the surface of talented female street artists Melbourne has to offer. We recommend checking out the work of Klara, Suki, Precious Little, Doctor, Fresh Chop, and Shi Buffalo if you want to see more!
Name an adored Australian movie or book — or a film that was adapted to a novel — and, in plenty of cases, there's a theatre version as well. The same works vice versa, too. As a result, we've all had multiple ways to enjoy Muriel's Wedding, Moulin Rouge!, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Wake in Fright, Bran Nue Dae, Jasper Jones and more. And, before 2022 is out, the same will prove true of Looking for Alibrandi. Melina Marchetta's beloved book was initially published in 1992, and has been devoured by teenagers for three decades since. In 2000, it hit the big screen, with Pia Miranda as Josephine Alibrandi — and the movie has been given a workout for two-plus decades now. But this year marks the first time that Looking for Alibrandi will make the leap to the stage, with Malthouse doing the honours. Premiering in Melbourne at Malthouse's Merlyn Theatre from Friday, July 8–Sunday, July 31, Looking for Alibrandi will still chart the same multi-generational story it has always told no matter the format, with 17-year-old Sydney student Josie at its centre. She's in her last year of school, dreaming of a bright future and trying to navigate the clash of cultures that comes with being Italian Australian. She also gets to know her dad, and falls in love for the first time. Director Stephen Nicolazzo (Loaded, Merciless Gods) is guiding this stage version of the best-selling book to theatres, as adapted by Vidya Rajan — and starring Chanella Macri (Australian Realness), Lucia Mastrantone and Jennifer Vuletic (Because The Night) as the Alibrandi women. And if you need something to tide you over until the play hits Malthouse and Belvoir, check out the Looking for Alibrandi film trailer below: Top image: Kristian Gehradte.
Stunning acrobatic sights, but on ice: that's Cirque du Soleil's latest spectacular show. Usually when the Montreal-based circus company hits cities around the world, it has audiences rolling up to its big top to see aerial displays and contortionist feats. But CRYSTAL is different — and, sliding into arenas so that it can get frosty, it's proving popular with Australian audiences before it even gets here. Cirque du Soleil's first-ever ice show, CRYSTAL announced its debut Australia run for 2023 back in 2022. Haven't nabbed tickets yet? You now have extra chances. It won't arrive until winter — when else? — but the season has already become a hit, leading the circus to add an extra week of gigs in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth due to overwhelming demand. CRYSTAL still features all the trapeze, juggling, aerial stunts, acrobatics and more that fans have seen and loved across the company's past 41 productions — seven traditional circus acts, in fact, including banquine and hand balancing — but then adds a cold surface rather than its usual stage setup. And, it includes figure skating and extreme skating as well, two disciplines that've never been featured in a Cirque du Soleil production before now. When CRYSTAL heads Down Under, it'll mark Cirque du Soleil's first visit since KURIOS: Cabinet of Curiosities in 2019 and 2020, although that production's run was interrupted by the pandemic. Also part of CRYSTAL, and another Cirque du Soleil first: remastered pop songs, including Beyoncé's 'Halo', U2's 'Beautiful Day', Nina Simone's 'Sinnerman' and Sia's 'Chandelier', in the company's only touring show so far to use such tracks. CRYSTAL has been doing the rounds worldwide since 2017, with more than 1.8-million people in 115 cities in 12 countries checking it out over the past five years. The all-ages show takes its name from the production's protagonist, who acts as the audience's guide as she follows her destiny to become herself. CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S CRYSTAL — AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR 2023: Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 30 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre Thursday, August 3–Sunday, August 13 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Thursday, August 17–Sunday, August 27 — John Cain Arena, Melbourne Thursday, August 31–Sunday, September 3 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre Friday, September 15—Sunday, September 24 — RAC Arena, Perth Cirque du Soleil's Crystal tours Australia in July–September 2023. For more information, or to buy tickets, head to the show's website. Images: Matt Baker / Olivier Brajon.
Maybe you love nothing more than telling simulated people what to do. Perhaps a fantasy universe is your favourite place to escape to when you're mashing buttons. More than a quarter-century back, virtual critters might've been your go-to pastime. The Sims, World of Warcraft and Neopets have all made an impact on the gaming world, and on audiences. All three are also scoring plenty of love at Game Worlds at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne. For five months between Thursday, September 18, 2025–Sunday, February 8, 2026, this video-game exhibition is shining a spotlight on 30 iconic titles — and making attendees feel like they're stepping inside some of them, too. Expect everything from original concept art and never-before-seen designs to rare objects at the Federation Square site's Gallery 4. Expect to get playing, rather than just peering, as well. [caption id="attachment_997872" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Electronic Arts[/caption] Although the full lineup of games featured hasn't been revealed as yet, they'll span from the 70s until now, and 20 of them will be playable. Demos, games from years gone by, trying to break speed records: they're all part of the setup, which will include international hits, new Australian releases and everything in-between. ACMI has staged major video-game showcases before. This is its third, in fact, following 2008's Game On and 2012's Game Masters. Since the latter, the venue has also hosted smaller gaming exhibitions, such as 2017's Code Breakers — where women in the industry were the focus — and 2024's Honk! Untitled Goose Exhibition. Earlier in 2025, it celebrated 25 years of The Sims across one nostalgic weekend. As it regularly does with its showcases, the gallery will pair Game Worlds with talks, film screenings and other events, family-friendly activities among them. [caption id="attachment_997868" align="alignnone" width="1920"] World of Neopia[/caption] Top images: Blizzard Entertainment.
When Super Mario Kart first rolled onto Super Nintendo consoles back in 1992, it came with 20 inventive courses and endless hours of fun. Nearly three decades later, the game has become a beloved phenomenon — not just speeding through desert tracks and rainbow roads, but onto Google Maps and mobile phones, and also into reality. The hugely popular game's next stop? Theme parks. In the works since 2019, delayed due to the pandemic (like everything else), but finally opening its doors on March 18, Super Nintendo World is now a place that genuinely exists. And yes, you can enjoy a real-life Mario Kart experience as part of the first-ever Nintendo-themed theme park zone, which has joined Universal Studios in Osaka. There's no mistaking this space for anywhere else. Given that it features life-sized recreations of both Bowser's Castle — complete with spiked fences and heavy iron doors — and Peach's Castle, fans of the gaming brand will know exactly where they are. You also enter via a warp pipe, because of course you do. No other entryway would've done the park justice. For those keen to hop on Mario Kart: Koopa's Challenge, you'll be racing through familiar Mario Kart courses that've been brought to life. And yes, as you steer your way along the track, you're surrounded by characters such as Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. You can also throw shells to take out your opponents — because it wouldn't be Mario Kart without them. If you're wondering how it all works, it's a blend of physical sets, augmented reality, projection mapping and screen projection, all designed to make you feel like you're really in the game. As for Yoshi's Adventure, that lets you climb on Yoshi's back — and, as it sounds, it's very family-friendly. So, you hop on, then set off on an adventure. Specifically, you follow Captain Toad to find three coloured eggs, plus a golden egg as well. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン USJ (@universal_studios_japan) Across its multiple levels — fitting for a gaming-themed space — Osaka's Super Nintendo World also includes restaurants and shops. A certain highlight: the world's first Mario cafe, which launched ahead of the rest of the site. Here, patrons are surrounded by oversized Mario and Luigi hat sculptures, the whole space is kitted out with a red and green colour scheme, and Mario Kart-style checkered floors are a feature. As for snacks, there are Mario pancake sandwiches and cream sodas, plus other drinks available in 'super mushroom' souvenir bottles. The theme park also has wearable wrist bands, called Power Up Bands — which connect to a special app and allow patrons to interact with the site using their arms, hands and bodies. That mightn't sound all that exciting, but the bands enable you to collect coins just like Mario does in the Super Mario games. Like the red-capped plumber, you can also hit question blocks to reveal more coins. There are collectible items to gather, too, such as keys and character stamps, which you can only find after achieving various goals. The stamps also earn you even more coins, so you really will be basically playing Super Mario in real life. You do have to buy a Power Up Band separate to your entry ticket to enjoy that element of the park, though. While no one is venturing far at present — and Japan has just shut out international travellers from the Tokyo Olympics, so you're unlikely to be able to head to the country anytime soon — you can add Osaka's Super Nintendo World to your must-visit list once overseas travel does start returning to normal. You might also want to add ziplining into a life-sized version of Godzilla to the same list while you're dreaming about Japanese holidays. Universal Studios is also planning Super Nintendo Worlds for its other parks in Hollywood, Orlando and in Singapore, if you need to add more places to look forward to visiting sometime in the future. The latter was just announced last year, and is set to open by 2025. Super Nintendo World is now open at Universal Studios Osaka, 2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0031, Japan. Top image: Nintendo and Universal Studios.
Chef Jerry Mai has been bringing Melburnians top-notch Vietnamese food for years now. She's responsible for the upmarket eats at Annam and casual CBD diners Pho Nom. It's no surprise her restaurants are so good (and popular), having cut her teeth at the likes of Gingerboy and Longrain, as well as London' s Zuma and Michelin-starred Nahm. As of August 1, Mai will be launching her latest venture: Bia Hoi. It'll pay homage to the beer halls of Vietnam, which pour fresh, locally produced brews — just like this new restaurant will. The 100-seat venue is set to open at The Glen's new outdoor dining precinct and will offer Vietnamese bar bites, a daily happy hour and bottomless brunch. The beer list will feature both local and Vietnamese brands, including Dandenong's Kaiju! Beer and Seaford's Mr Banks Brewing Co, along with 333, Bia Hanoi and Saigon Special. Apart from all the brews, there will Vietnamese-inspired cocktails and over 20 wines on offer, primarily sourced locally from small-batch producers like Billy Button, Pinemount and Cloak & Dagger. Head in from 5–7pm daily, when you'll find $4 pots and $6 wines during happy hour. [caption id="attachment_730158" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Render by Architects EAT[/caption] For eats, there will be bar snacks like crispy pork skin, house-made salted peanuts and dried squid, along with a range of rice paper rolls and skewers. The space will also include four barbecue tables, where guests to grill their own meats and build their own rice paper rolls — among the options are wagyu beef and shellfish, served with sauces, herbs, salads and rice noodles. On those cooler winter nights, you'll be able to opt for a 'steamboat': large hot pots for groups of two to four. Choose from the hot and sour canh chua, made with tamarind and pineapple broth and served with barramundi, prawns, rice noodles and greens; or the beef pho steamboat with wagyu sirloin, brisket, beef balls and rice noodles. If you want to try a bit of everything, stop in during the Sunday bottomless brunch. For $55 per person, you'll be treated to two hours of all-you-can-eat snacks — delivered by yum cha-style roving trolleys — along with unlimited beer, wine, mimosas and spritzes. You can enjoy this unlimited eats and drinks in either the large dining room, the U-shaped bar or the outdoor beer garden. Designers Architects EAT are responsible for this multi-space fit-out, which will include colourful hanging lanterns and old wooden shutters, plus red brick walls, rattan and terracotta finishes and concrete floors. Bia Hoi will open on Thursday, August 1 at The Glen, 235 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley. Opening hours will be 11am–late daily, with happy hour 5–7pm each day and bottomless brunch 11am–3pm on Sundays. Images: Architects EAT
UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 — Melburnians will need to wait until next year to head back to Docklands' Central Pier for a wine, dine or a dance. The century-old pier will remain closed until at least January 2020, Development Victoria has revealed in a statement, with initial assessments by engineers expected to take 15 weeks. After the assessments are complete, it'll be known how much repair work is required — which means it could be closed far beyond January, too. In a Facebook post, Atlantic Group (which leases and operates several venues and event spaces on the pier, including nightclub Alumbra) said that it was working hard to relocate all functions to other venues. You can read the group's full statement below. This weekend's party plans could be in for a bit of a shake-up, especially if you like wining, dining, or dancing by the water. Docklands' Central Pier — and all the businesses located on it — was yesterday completely evacuated due to safety concerns and reports suggest it'll be off limits and out of action for a good, long while. The 100-year-old pier's landlord, Development Victoria, confirmed the century-old pier and its venues were forced to close immediately on Wednesday, August 28, after engineers advised the structure had suffered significant deterioration and was unsafe for use. Popular residents including gastropub The Woolshed, artisan breadhouse Mill & Bakery and Middle Eastern eatery Mama Rumaan were evacuated on the spot. The pier's numerous events spaces were also declared no-go zones — a bummer especially for organisers of last night's Deakin University commerce ball, which was forced to move location at the last minute. Geoff Ward, spokesperson for Development Victoria, revealed the pier had undergone structural stabilisation in the past two years and had consistently been given the safety tick of approval."Engineers have been inspecting the pier every two months since November 2018 and had previously provided certification that supported the ongoing occupation of the pier," he confirmed. But yesterday's assessment saw immediate closure of the pier. As of this morning, fencing and signage across the front of Central Pier has gone up, preventing any access while Development Victoria waits on further engineering advice about its future. There's no word yet as to how long the precinct will be off limits, though we do know it won't be hosting any of its usual partying this weekend, as confirmed by popular Central Pier nightclub Alumbra. Alumbra posted to the Facebook page for its Saturday club night 9th District, confirming that "9th District and any other business on central pier will not be running this weekend". The venue has "a move in place that will be unveiled in the next few days". https://www.facebook.com/atlanticgroupv/photos/a.209219019106336/2856382844389927/?type=3&theater Images: Giulia Morlando.
There's a lot you can do for $50. A single yellow note can get you two tickets to a movie or a tank full of petrol. But what a pineapple can also get you is a decent amount of food and drink — especially when you think outside of the square a little. Bargain set menu deals can be found around town if you know where to look and what the passwords are (hint: generally it's "feed me"). Melbourne has a staggering number of food and drink options. And, narrowing it down a bit, it also has a heap of set menus for those who like to live fancy but spend less. Live your best eating life and treat yourself to a set menu or a banquet — we've compiled a list of venues for when you feel like a veritable feast. So the next time your stomach is at its very emptiest, browse through. Plus, all these venues accept American Express so you won't even need to fiddle about with cash money at all, just pull out your Amex Card and you'll be good to go. Can't wait to start travelling the world again? American Express has the card for you. Sign up for the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card and you'll score 55,000 bonus Qantas Points, plus $450 of Qantas Travel Credit and two passes to the American Express Lounge every year. And you'll earn 1.25 Qantas Points for every dollar spent. T&Cs, minimum spend and eligibility criteria apply.
One of Melbourne's best new restaurants has suddenly closed its doors. The closure of Restaurant Shik, run by owner and chef Peter Jo, was announced today on Instagram. Opening just over a year ago, the laneway restaurant was known for pairing ambitious Korean fare with an impressive list of natural wines. Jo — who's affectionately known as Kimchi Pete — worked as a sommelier in some of Sydney's top restaurants before he moved into the kitchen. Restaurant Shik was highly reviewed across the board, our reviewer called it "constantly evolving" fare that "can't be pigeon-holed by tradition", and it was nominated for Concrete Playground's Best New Restaurants of 2018. In a post on the chef's personal Instagram, Jo revealed that he had been evicted from the Niagara Lane space and the building repossessed. But, it doesn't spell the end for Shik — instead, it's the "beginning of the next chapter". "Thank you for all the support to all guests, suppliers and friends," says Jo. "Shik will continue." https://www.instagram.com/p/BwGQwvZgifF/ While there's no word yet on what this next venture may be, you might see Jo return to one of his previous stomping grounds — which include Belles Hot Chicken and Sydney's Momofuku Seiobo — or bring back one of his ever-popular collabs and pop-ups. Restaurant Shik is now closed. Images: Kate Shanasy.
It's the film that first made the world fall in love with Hugh Grant, screenwriter Richard Curtis and their brand of British rom-coms — and, just like everything else with a well-known name in the entertainment game, Four Weddings and a Funeral is coming back. This time around, the hit flick has been remade as an American TV miniseries. If you're unsurprisingly a little skeptical, the news that Mindy Kaling is one of the show's creators and writers should change that. Kaling's six-season sitcom The Mindy Project was basically a long-running ode to the romantic comedy genre, complete with plenty of references to plenty of classic flicks. As a result, reworking one of the huge rom-com successes of the past 25 years really does feel like the logical next step. Across a ten-episode series made for US streaming service Hulu, the new Four Weddings and a Funeral will follow four American friends who meet up in London for a wedding. Clearly, given the title, three more ceremonies are in their future, as is a tearful farewell to someone they know. The show tracks a year in their lives, their romantic escapades and even political scandals — all with a cast that includes Game of Thrones' Nathalie Emmanuel as Maya, plus Rebecca Rittenhouse (The Mindy Project), Brandon Mychal Smith (You're the Worst) and John Reynolds (Search Party) as her best buddies. Nikesh Patel (Doctor Who) also features as Maya's potential love interest, who she first encounters in an airport meet cute, naturally. And while Hugh Grant doesn't show up in the trailer — sorry, 90s obsessives — original Four Weddings star Andie MacDowell does. Because Kaling isn't averse to nodding to other rom-com favourites of the era, My Best Friend's Wedding's Dermot Mulroney also makes an appearance. Watch the charming first trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=604JeF9RNu8 While Four Weddings and a Funeral drops on Hulu in the US on July 31, it doesn't yet have an Australian platform or airdate — we'll update you if and when that changes.
We rang in the year of the pig (goodbye year of the dog, go sleep it off) on February 5, but the festivities are continuing throughout the month. And what's the best way to partake in the celebration? We've got it right here and it'll make you happier than a pig in mud. Dumpling master Din Tai Fung is offering new limited edition 'Piggy Buns' for the first half of February and they are some the cutest dumplings we've ever seen. Just look at them. Din Tai Fung is famous for its dumplings and is known to release beautiful and novelty dumplings for special occasions (check out these adorable little monkey buns from 2016). The pig bao buns are steamed-to-order, stuffed with a sweet filling of chocolate and served on a bed of Oreo 'soil'. The pig buns are available at most Din Tai Fung restaurants and food court outlets in Sydney and Melbourne (full list below) and through Deliveroo in both cities— so you even order them straight to your desk. The only problem we can foresee is that eating those sweet little pig faces may be hard… but we'll probably manage it. If you're in Sydney and decide to head down to the World Square location on your lunch break, you'll also be able pat real life pigs while you're there. Three little piglets will be available for pats on Level 1 between 11am–2pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (February 8–10). Piggy Buns are available for $8.80 for two until mid-February at seven Din Tai Fung Sydney stores — World Square, Westfield Chatswood, Central Park Mall, Broadway, Westfield Miranda, The Star, Gateway and Greenwood Plaza — Melbourne's Emporium store and via Deliveroo.
