Unstoppable chef and restaurateur Andrew McConnell, whose hospitality empire includes Cutler & Co., Cumulus Inc. and Ricky & Pinky, is embarking on yet another project. This summer, for ten magnificent days, he'll be taking over the Garden Restaurant at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), and transforming it into Supernormal Natsu, a spin-off of Supernormal, his modern Japanese restaurant in Flinders Lane. The pop-up is part of Triennial EXTRA, a 10-day, one-off festival, organised to celebrate the inaugural NGV Triennial, a free exhibition featuring the works of 100 artists from 32 nations, which opens on December 15. Triennial EXTRA and Supernormal Natsu will run from January 19 to 28. Every day, from midday, McConnell's team will be creating dishes inspired by natsu, which is Japanese for summer. Many of them will be emerging from a hibachi grill, to be positioned on the restaurant's terrace. And although the details of specific dishes are yet to be revealed, we can tell you to expect fresh meats and seafood, grilled to perfection, and accompanied by summery ingredients. The dessert menu will include an array of sweet hits based on shaved ice. "The Garden Restaurant at the NGV is one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Melbourne," said McConnell. "I am thrilled with the opportunity to work with the NGV." In addition to Supernormal Natsu, Triennial EXTRA will bring a bunch of free immersive and experiential events to the NGV, covering art, music, dance, live performance, design, fashion and ideas.
You may have thought your days of hanging out in car parks were over, but this Melbourne music event aims to change that. Play On brings a unique combination of live classical and electronic music to the underground car park at the Collingwood Housing Estate and, after three successful seasons, it's back for three Friday nights on March 9, 16 and 23. The event presents classical music outside of traditional performance venues, making it both an accessible and pretty magical experience in a space that welcomes music lovers from all walks of life. The events will see the likes of Beethoven and Debussy played by the Play On Collective, followed by sets from local DJs, including Noise in My Head. Tickets are $20 presale or $25 on the door. Images: Alan Wheedon.
When Gelato Messina and Standard Procedure first joined forces back in 2022, the pair got saucy. Because getting sweet and slippery with Messina's frosty sweet treats wasn't enough, the two companies teamed up on gelato-flavoured lube — finger bun gelato-flavoured at that — as a limited-edition product. In 2023, the duo has reunited for another collaboration, this time focusing on the best weather to eat ice cream. Beach trips and ice creams have always gone hand in hand; however, mango, pineapple and vanilla gelato-scented Standard Procedure x Messina SPF50+ is new. Standard Procedure x Messina's sunscreen might be launching just in time for summer, dropping on Tuesday, November 21, but it's an all-year-round product. Stopping skin damage from the sun's rays isn't only necessary when the weather is warm. That said, like the lube, the new Messina merchandise is a limited-edition product — so nabbing some quickly is recommended. Each 250-millilitre bottle comes filled with high UVA and UVB protection, and adds to Standard Procedure's range of sunscreens. When you get slipping, slopping and slapping — and smelling like gelato — you'll be doing so with a non-greasy product that doesn't leave a white cast. Expect to feel hungry with those dessert scents emanating, with Messina's Summer Standard flavour — which includes mango swirls — the inspiration for the aroma. You can grab a bottle online now via both Standard Procedure and Messina, and also Qantas, plus at Messina and Sephora stores in the near future. Standard Procedure x Messina's sunscreen is available now via the Standard Procedure and Messina online stores, plus Qantas Marketplace. It's also on its way to Messina's physical outposts and Sephora's shelves.
It'll look like Christmas in a big way around Melbourne when the city's annual festival celebrating the jolliest time of the year returns for 2023. No matter whether you like staring at luminous lights and dazzling sights, hitting up every single festive market around town or soaking in as many Christmas-themed activities as you can find — including Christmas rollerskating, a Christmas maze and a Christmas cinema — that'll all be on the agenda from Friday, November 24. Once again, the city will have an array of methods to get merry this festive season, with the annual Melbourne Christmas Festival running for an entire month until Monday, December 25. If you weren't aware before, you will be now: Christmas in this city doesn't just mean buying gifts and roasting turkeys. Accordingly, from the end of November, you can make a date with spectacular projections and a whole heap of excuses to get shopping, among other festivities. Those nightly Christmas lights are a clear drawcard, and they'll beam across Melbourne Town Hall and and the State Library of Victoria. You'll also be bathed in seasonal vibes when you hang out at Federation Square's Christmas Square, where a 17.5-metre LED Christmas tree will take pride of place. And, a new river show will get Southbank all aglow ever evening. Other standouts around town include the Christmas-themed roller-skating rink making a comeback Carlton's Argyle Square; the Christmas maze at Docklands, which is also a returning favourite; and an 11-day Christmas carnival at Birrarung Marr with dodgems and a ferris wheel. Like Christmas movies? The Capitol Theatre is joining in with screenings of Elf, The Polar Express, The Grinch, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and The Santa Clause — all for $5 each. Or, Fed Square is showing movies for free outdoors, with Elf, The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life on its lineup. Elsewhere, you'll be able to take part in Christmas scavenger hunt and a treasure hunt, mosey along a festive walk that's all about knowing how best to mark the occasion in Melbourne, enjoy a comedic holiday pantomime show, see lights and lasers illuminate the Yarra, hear choirs sing carols and go cruising on a busking boat. If all the merriment makes you hungry and thirsty, you can also partake in a packed stocking's worth of food- and booze-focused Chrissie events. One highlight: Christmas on Afloat. Another: Chinatown's Christmas festival. Ice skating — not just roller skating — is on offer as well. And if nothing says Christmas to you like getting a snap of your pet all dressed up for the occasion, pictures with Santa are also part of the fun. Plus, from a clearly heaving lineup, market and festival devotees can take their pick, with boho, vegan, makers, German, Korean, Japanese and wine options. There's also the Koorie Krismas Market, selling arts and crafts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 'Tis the season to spend a month feeling the Christmas spirit all throughout the City of Melbourne, obviously, because there's more where all of the above came from, too.
Melbourne could use some good news in the live music department. Just this year we've seen beloved live music venues permanently shut their doors, noise complaint surveys threatening the venues still standing, and the cessation of one of Australia’s greatest touring music festivals. But in the wake of our beloved Palace closure and tumultuous Big Day Out rises a flicker of hope, in the form of the Melbourne Music Strategy 2014-2017. According to the Victorian Live Music Census (2012) there are around 120 clubs, bars and hotels offering live music in Melbourne’s CBD as well as 17 larger theatres and concert venues. Every Friday and Saturday night around 97,000 people attend popular music performances in the city, generating an average turnover of around $5.4 million per weekend in ticket sales, door entry, food, drink and merchandising. Yes, it’s pretty clear this is an industry worth investing in. The Melbourne City Council has worked closely with members of the music industry — including venue owners, promoters and musicians — to compile this strategy, which aims to make Melbourne the undisputed music capital of Australia. Here are five of the best proposals featured in the Melbourne Music Strategy that we're looking forward to becoming a reality. Music Events to Run Year-Round, Not Just Summer Festival Time While Melbourne certainly has its fair share of gigs and festivals throughout the year, we don’t really have an anchored program running all year long. Creating steadfast events happening all year is an attempt to make music significantly more visible in Melbourne, reminding more Melburnians that music is a part of every day inner-city life. A big ask, for sure (and maybe they could stop a few venues closing to help this bullet point along). The council are targeting families with this one; they plan to implement more family-friendly music events, also potentially starting up a busking and street performance festival in the future. More all-ages and alcohol-free events have been optimistically pitched by the council too. But after all-ages event Push Over Festival was cancelled this year due to low ticket sales, the council is going to have to think long and hard about making these events more appealing to younger audiences. Make Melbourne's Music Knowledge Known Melbourne wants to be up there with the greats, as they list music Meccas like Toronto, Austin, Nashville and Berlin as inspiration for the strategy. The City of Melbourne is looking to create musical alliances with these cities to further a global reputation as a unique music destination. Closer to home, the council are looking to strengthen Melbourne’s musical culture and identity by spreading the word of Melbourne’s musical history. They’re hoping to introduce a Melbourne Music City guide and app, a super useful tool for punters looking for a good gig. Keep Melbourne Music Week Going Strong Music festival lovers, rejoice! Melbourne Music Week continues to go from strength to strength — last year certainly put on an applaudable spectacle. Capitalising on existing MMW support and attendance, the new strategy aims to build a five-year vision for the festival; supporting and celebrating our local music labels and performers. The team are looking to continue staging performances in iconic Melbourne locations and unique spaces — the IOU party at Flagstaff Station last year was pretty awesome. Melbourne Music Week is a great way to discover new music, check out new venues or simply party for nine days; we have no objections to any of that. Potential Music Hub in Melbourne CBD A dedicated space for musicians in the CBD could be on the cards. While a space has not yet been found, they’re hoping to work with other industry and state-based initiatives to examine existing research into this possibility. It’s unclear as to what sort of access the public would have to this music hub, however it could provide an excellent opportunity for musical collaboration and community building. In the meantime, Melburnian musicians and the council alike will keep searching for new spaces for meeting, rehearsal and performance spaces in the city. Create Industry Toolkits for the Music Business Community Good news for those looking to open a venue or start up their own music business venture in Melbourne. The Music Advisory Committee are considering putting their heads together to create an easy-to-use toolkit for operators, musicians and new entrants into the music industry. It will include information on funding, business mentoring, opening a new venue, applying for planning permits, obtaining acoustic advice and the rules around serving food and alcohol. In addition to this, the council are hoping to raise awareness of the funding programs that the City of Melbourne currently have in place. Basically, they want to help you help yourselves. Photographs via The Tote, Melbourne Music Week and Melbourne Festival.
Australia's finest gin makers are on their way to Federation Wharf for a two-day celebration of that most sensational of spirits. Juniperlooza is a home-grown gin festival that should in no way be confused with Junipalooza (spelled with an 'a'), which took place in October and is a totally different thing. We know it's confusing, but are you really going to complain about Melbourne getting two events dedicated to gin? Yeah, we didn't think so. Held at Pilgrim and Riverland Bars on the weekend of November 19 and 20, Juniperlooza will showcase some of Australia's best gin, from the likes of Archie Rose, Adelaide Hills, Four Pillars and many more. There'll also be food to help line your stomach, music to get you moving, and special talk + taste sessions to fill your brain with gin wisdom. Hopefully you can still remember it the next day. UPDATE NOVEMBER 15, 2016: To kick things off a little early, Juniperlooza will be giving away free G&Ts from 4.30-6.30pm on Tuesday, November 15 at Riverland on the Yarra. All you have to do is get the Zomato app and bookmark Riverland.
Melbourne's one-to-watch designers will be hawking their wares on Sunday, November 6 at the latest edition of the much-loved Melbourne Design Market. A major event on the Melbourne design calendar since it launched back in 2004, this twice-yearly showcase of intelligent design is the perfect destination for savvy shoppers, or anyone just looking to drop some hard-earned cash. Hosted once again on level three of the Federation Square carpark from 10am till 5pm, this year's market will welcome 50 handpicked local merchants selling everything from clothing and fashions accessories to high-end stationery and furniture. We've got our eye on the Japanese homewares from Kocent, the predictably stylish items from Swedish Interiors, and these super nifty A6 memobottles that fit in your pocket. On the off chance that you have any money left over after your shopping spree, there'll be coffee and food available from The Bean Alliance.
Stay tuned. More info is on its way.
Ricardo Cortés, who illustrated the hugely popular adult bedtime reader, Go The F*ck to Sleep, has released a third edition of his previously sold-out book, It's Just a Plant. This book is for the kids this time, but it's just as controversial, telling the story of a young girl's educational journey as she comes to understand cannabis, explained to her by her parents, a doctor and a kind gang of Rastafarians. The book covers difficult concepts like crime and the medical use of drugs in a thoughtful, non-propagandist manner, with beautiful illustrations to accompany. It's also an excellent way to guide your way through the awkward conversation you'll have to have if your kid catches you enjoying a sneaky joint.
Russian cinema was relatively unknown in Australia until the Russian Resurrection Film Festival came along. This year the largest festival of Russian cinema outside of the mother country is celebrating a decade of cinematic offerings, returning to silver screens across the nation this July and August. Whilst originally appealing primarily to Russian expats, the festival has grown immensely in popularity, now fascinating a broad audience of cinephiles and Russophiles. The lineup for this year's anniversary event features a collection of Russian cinematic riches, intricately blending the contemporary and the classic. It will showcase 18 new films, including two world premieres, Marathon and The Geographer. Other contemporary highlights include the animated delight The Snow Queen — which tells the heartwarming tale of a quest to save family, art and the hearts of people everywhere — and Legend No. 17, the highest grossing Russian film in history, which explores the life of ice hockey legend Valery Harlamov and how he captivated a nation. If you prefer a classic take on Russian cinema, then check out the retrospective program on celebrated producer/director Valery Todorovsky. It features his cult hits My Stepbrother Frankenstein, Vice and Hipsters, among others. The Russian Resurrection Film Festival is in Melbourne from July 3-16, Sydney from July 24 to August 7 and Brisbane from July 26 to August 4 — and thanks to the festival, we have 10 double passes to give away per city (passes valid for a film session of your choice). To be in the running, subscribe to our newsletter (if you haven't already) and then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. https://youtube.com/watch?v=jpfcuU6taTE Image from Hipsters.
While Melbourne prepares to cop apocalyptic temperatures of up to 44 degrees today, most of you will have already plotted your day around blasting air-con or — if you're already on holidays — nice cool bodies of water. With parts of the state tipped to smash their maximum temperature records for December, and an expected low of just 19 degrees overnight, it's safe to say this is no day to be stuck outside. But for folks sleeping rough, cool-down options are few and far between. So, the City of Melbourne has announced it will again lend a helping hand to local homeless on this scorcher of a day — and others to come — by offering some sweet relief in the form of free movie tickets and complimentary pool visits. Lord Mayor Sally Capp explained the offer — which has run in previous years — is part of a long-term heat relief program for Melbourne's homeless, run across the hottest days of summer. "We know that it can be very hard to beat the heat for people who are experiencing homelessness," she said. "We offer free passes for our city pools or movie tickets to ensure people have somewhere to go to cool down when it is extremely hot outside." Extreme heat is forecast across #Victoria tomorrow, with many locations likely to break December max temp records. Much of the northwest including #Mildura and #Horsham are forecast to reach 47°C while 44°C is forecast for #Melbourne and #Warrnambool https://t.co/EgDcP4McRz pic.twitter.com/Z2g1XZ94kz — Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) December 19, 2019 During heatwave conditions, people experiencing homelessness will have access to free movie tickets (and the sweet cinema air-con that goes with it), with passes distributed by the city's homelessness service providers up until April 30, 2020. Free swim and locker passes are also being handed out, to be used at any of the City of Melbourne's four aquatic facilities: Melbourne City Baths, Carlton Baths, North Melbourne Recreation Centre and Kensington Community Recreation Centre. In anticipation of today's brutal conditions, The Salvation Army's Lighthouse Café on Bourke Street — which is usually closed in the afternoon — will also remain open for 24 hours, providing another cool place for disadvantaged locals to escape the heat. The free services will be available for those who need them during heatwaves — which the State Government defines as "a period of unusual and uncomfortable hot weather that could negatively affect human health" — until the end of April next year. Temperatures aren't going to cool down until early tomorrow morning — and you'll be relieved to know that tomorrow will only reach a top of 20 degrees. Until then, stay cool and hydrated and follow the City of Melbourne's heatwave tips.
Dance and classical aren't music genres you'd usually find swirling around in the same basket — unless you have a particular bent for the orchestral 'Sandstorm' covers found in the depths of YouTube. Synthony — A Generation of Dance Music is here to prove that the disciplines go hand in hand. Touring Australia since 2019, the event is returning to Melbourne from 6pm on Friday, February 17, 2023. It'll see a live orchestra join forces with a selection of DJs and onstage performers at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, all to play the biggest dance tracks of the last 30 years — think tunes by Disclosure, Eric Prydz, Flume, Calvin Harris, Wilkinson and more. Expect the venue to take a few cues from the nightclub scene, with lights, lasers and mapped video all part of the experience — and a selection of dance floor bangers note-for-note. Forming part of the Live at the Bowl summer event series, the lineup of talent includes the Synthony Orchestra; conductor Sarah-Grace Williams; and Rogue Traders' Natalie Bassingthwaighte, The Potbelleez' Ilan Kidron, Thandie Phoenix, Cassie McIvor, Greg Gould, Matty O, Mobin Master and host Aroha. Updated January 9, 2023.
Pidapipo Gelateria is at it again. Last year, the cult-favourite Melbourne gelato shop gave us this stunning range of gelato cakes. Now, it has teamed up Albert Park's Italian Artisans to bring Melburnians a stunning and delicious range of tartufo — a domed, gelato-stuffed chocolate truffle that originated in Calabria. This traditional Italian dessert is brought to you by Pidapipo owner Lisa Valmorbida and Italian Artisans owner Tony Nicolini (D.O.C Pizza and Mozzarella Bar), who are drawing inspiration from their heritage and childhood memories for this one. The collab is months in the making, and has come to fruition in the form of two classic tartufo flavours — available at just $7 a pop. The first is hazelnut gelato with a gianduja centre — a sweet choco-hazelnut spread similar to Nutella — that's been coated with a milk chocolate shell and covered in crushed hazelnuts. The second is a fior di latte gelato with a coffee centre, all covered in white chocolate shavings. These sweet treats will be available from April 5–April 12 at all three Pidapipo locations and on Uber Eats. They will also be sold at Italian Artisans Albert Park for the foreseeable future. Stocks are limited, though, so don't wait on it. The two tartufo are available from Italian Artisans at 135 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park, Pidapipo in Carlton, Windsor and the CBD and on Uber Eats.
For seven years, Melburnians have inhabited the world's most liveable city. But that reign has come to an end — the Victorian capital has been dethroned by Vienna for the top spot on the The Economist Intelligence Unit's global 2018 Liveability Index, which was announced today. The index ranks 140 cities on stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, culture and environment, giving each city a rating out of 100. Last year, Vienna (97.4) and Melbourne (97.5) were incredibly close, but this year the Austrian capital has pipped the reigning champions. While none of Melbourne's ratings dropped — its overall ranking actually climbed to 98.4 — Vienna's stability and culture and environment ratings increased, which The Guardian is attributing to downgraded threat's of militant attacks in western Europe and the city's low crime rate. The Economist said, "Although both Melbourne and Vienna have registered improvements in liveability over the last six months, increases in Vienna's ratings, particularly in the stability category, have been enough for the city to overtake Melbourne. While Melbourne dropped, Sydney managed to climb the ranks (huzzah) — coming in at fifth this year, compared to last year's eleventh. Rounding out the top five were Osaka at third and Calgary at fourth.
Julian Marley will bring his dreadlocks and infectious roots-reggae to the Corner Hotel this Thursday as part of an express pitstop tour. The son of the famous Bob, who recorded his first demo at the early age of five, will showcase his soulful voice and hypnotic beats in each capital city before continuing on around the world. Marley has music in his veins and experiments with the multitude of instruments that he can play until he creates something he likes. "I don't plan the next step, somehow things seem to just come together naturally that way", he says of the impulse and spontaneity that make his live offerings worth experiencing. Chant Down Sound and Natalia Pa’apa’a of Blue King Brown fame, performing with the Rumwaropen sisters, will join Marley onstage. The night promises to be an all round mammoth serving of soul that will set hips swaying and feet shaking. Just don't request 'No Woman, No Cry'.
Are you ready, Melbourne? Madame Truffles is opening her pop-up shop for the 2018 truffle season, bringing city folk black truffles sourced from Tasmania, Victoria, NSW and Western Australia. These 'gourmet mushrooms' will be available from June 14 until September 2 at the Madame's pop-up shop on Yarra Place. As well as straight-up truffles, the shop has an array of truffle-infused goods for you to fill your pantry with, this year using French black truffles. The 2018 store will be stocked with both ravioli of both the truffle and potato and truffle and porcini mushroom kinds, plus truffle salt, truffle ice cream, truffle butter and truffle honey. This is made with extra grade black truffle and pure Australian honey from Victoria that's good enough to eat straight out of the jar. If you live in a sharehouse, you might want to hide this from your housemates. Truffles sold in-store are harvested fresh each week, so you know you'll get that fresh truffle smell when you pull them out at dinner (or breakfast, for that matter). The Madame Truffles pop-up shop will open from 9am–5pm Thursday and Friday, and 9am–4pm Saturday and Sunday.
In Australia, we remember the devastation of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami even more than most of the world. It was right there, just over the Timor Sea, in places we've been to, or come from. Nearly 10 years later comes The Impossible, a film based on the experiences of a Spanish family who were holidaying in Khao Lak, Thailand at the time of the tsunami. They survive the impact but are separated and have to fight for their survival while trying their utmost to believe the rest of their family is alive somewhere, too. The film has earned Oscar and Golden Globes nominations for star Naomi Watts, and Ewen McGregor and newcomer Tom Holland are also said to impress. If drama doesn't sway you, go for the special effects, which use a stunning mixture of digital technology and real water surges created in a tank. The Impossible has not been without its controversy, specifically, for being a film about the South Asian tsunami that has basically no Asian people in it. And for making the Spanish family it's based on even whiter. But a bit of controversy just piques our interest at this point. See it and see it early, so you too can take a side. Concrete Playground has five in-season double passes to give away to The Impossible. To be in the running, make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter and then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. https://youtube.com/watch?v=HU4mXJRHIcQ
No, it's not a crazy quilt stitched by a mad granny. These are bird's eye views of Holland's tulip fields, blooming into life just in time for the annual Tulip Time festival. Throughout winter, tulip bulbs lie dormant in the freezing ground. When the first few blooms poke their coloured heads through the earth for a breath of sunshine, everyone knows that spring has very much sprung. The festival runs from May 7-14 and celebrates Dutch heritage, culture and hundreds of varieties of the tulip. Over one billion tulips are exported internationally from Holland every year, so you can see what the fuss is all about. Plus these rainbow flower formations are pretty damn gorgeous to boot. [Via Lost At E-Minor]
The changing of the seasons is a sure-fire way to make you feel like a tourist in your own city. Come October in Melbourne, you start to notice new blooms and fresh growth; days start to stretch out a little longer and coats are finally put away. Trees that only a month ago were bare are heavy with life again, and frozen Melburnians are adventuring back outside. If you're feeling that spring invigoration and want to try something a little different, check out our list of off-road activities for this week. We've teamed up with Mitsubishi, in celebration of the new Eclipse Cross, to help you discover a different side of Melbourne. Comedy roasts, dumplings and dancing in the dark are all on the cards this week as spring well and truly kicks into full swing. MONDAY, OCTOBER 1: DANCING IN THE DARK Channel Bruce Springsteen and do some dancing in the dark. Dance like no one is watching because, well, they can't at No Lights, No Lycra. It's no surprise to anyone who's been to NLNL that this concept has taken off around the world. The East Brunswick contingent is hosted in a large church and plays a great mix of cheesy chart bangers, 90s nostalgia and kitschy classics. For a neat $8, you can dance the stress of the week away and you'll be shocked to discover how liberating it can feel. And for those not in the know, while it's dark, it's not the can't-see-your-hand-in-front-of-your-face-type dark so you won't bump into anyone. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2: DUMPLING DE-STRESS Forget about your weekday woes with dumplings and a massage. Massage and dumplings — certainly an odd couple but one that feels so right. Horse Bazaar is a trendy little restaurant and bar on Little Lonsdale Street that is offering this combo on Tuesday nights. For $15, you get a ten-minute massage, a three-piece dumpling dinner and DJ beats to top it off. It's a tender little package to get you through the working week. The menu has plenty of veggie and vegan options if that's your thing, as well as some left-of-centre fillings like Aussie breakfast — egg, bacon and Vegemite — and Nutella and nuts (N'n'N). WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3: HUMP DAY HARRY POTTER Break up the week with a visit to the new Harry Potter store. Wednesdays are grim and need a little magic to sort them out. You might not have received an official letter but that doesn't mean you can't deck yourself out in Hogwarts merch at The Store of Requirement. Though it's situated on Smith Street in Collingwood, it'll transport you directly to a shop in Diagon Alley. Wander through a treasure trove of HP trinkets and amazing decorations. You can even grab a glass of butter brew while you peruse. It's open midday to 7pm on Wednesdays, which should be just enough time to choose your wand. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4: A SECRET SHOW Whisper the magic words to gain entry, then enjoy a fabulous Vaudeville show. The sign on the door may read "Bible Study", but that's just a front. Approach Speakeasy — in the Apollo Theatre Room on Flinders Street — on a Thursday night and whisper "Knuckles sent me". You'll be invited inside to a world of wonder. Speakeasy is the home of burlesque dancers, cabaret artists, circus acts, comedians, tap dancers, and magicians. Every week is different but the food is always top notch with Prohibition pizzas and Blind Pig nachos on offer. Once you've got your snacks, sit back and enjoy a feathery, glittery, fabulous Vaudeville display. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5: ROAST AND ROAST Tuck into a tasty roast while the folk at Kinfolk deliver a comedic roast. Head to Bourke Street for roast chickens and jokes, all served up with love from the good eggs at Kinfolk. The team is putting on a roast dinner with all the trimmings and a side of comedic genius with staff roasts. If you've frequented Kinfolk, you'll be familiar with the lovely volunteer vibes, and while we can't imagine any truly devastating roasts will go down, we're still excited for the spectacle. Vegetarian and vegan options are available for all, just make a note when ordering your ticket. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6: OUTDOOR YOGA Start the weekend right with open-air morning yoga. Sun, fresh air and stretching is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Head down to Docklands and join in on Roar Spirit's 9am outdoor yoga and meditation session. It's a one-hour session for all levels of expertise — from 'can't touch my toes' to 'I can stand on my hands' — that will step you through an invigorating Vinyasa flow under the watchful gaze of the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. If you've never taken an outdoor yoga class, it's definitely worth the investment to feel the grass under your toes and the wind in your hair. Plus, you can do as many yoga farts as you please, the great outdoors is the perfect place for it. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7: ART AND SPAGHETTI Peruse the 1000 Doors installation then finish the week with some crab spaghetti. The Melbourne International Arts Festival is on and there's one experience in particular that you shouldn't miss. Book a ticket to 1000 Doors, a surreal installation by Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney, showing at the Arts Centre. Why doors? The artists explained how "a door is a beginning and an end, a promise and a warning", which is both horrifying and intriguing. Once you've been sufficiently beguiled and have worked up an appetite, head over to Fatto for more sensual delights. The pasta at Fatto is the perfect dish to help you contemplate the meaning of all those doors, and we recommend the spanner crab pasta served with lemon and chilli ($29) to go with some of that contemplation. It's punchy but light and will definitely fill you up. Where to next? Make the most of every week with Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and navigate to your next destination here.
There'll be bottles poppin' and bubbles flowing at Northcote Town Hall come Saturday, February 23, as the space plays host to Melbourne's second edition of The Prosecco Festival. Held across two sessions — between 11am–3pm and 4–8pm — this bubbly oasis is being brought to life by a deadset expert, Melissa Brauer. She's organised a celebration to entice hardcore fans and novices alike, with a lineup of exhibitors that includes both Australian and Italian producers. Your $50 ticket will score you a goodie bag, a real crystal Plumm teardrop tasting glass and four solid hours of prosecco heaven. Sample some of the world's best-loved prosecco, chat to winemakers and importers from across the globe, and learn all about the wine's best food matches, while nibbling oysters, pizza, cannoli, gelato, cheese and arancini. Of course, there'll also be plenty of opportunity to grab a few bottles for your home collection.
Are you sick of the dull winter weather that has taken over our southern skies? Is your skin turning pale from the lack of Vitamin D hitting your pores? Do you want to bring back the sun, sand and sea of glorious summer? For those who, like us, answered 'hell yes' to all three, we have collated ten of the best beaches in the Northern Hemisphere that are must-see destinations for people wanting to chase summer around the globe and see some exquisite, exotic foreign places in the process. 1. Shoal Bay, Anguilla With its pinkish-white sand and stunning turquoise water, this two mile stretch of beach is not only one of the most popular beaches in the Caribbean, but also the world. Despite its many villas and restaurants, this holiday destination has not yet been overrun by tourists, so you can still enjoy a relaxing day at this pristine spot before witnessing a dreamlike sunset, seemingly at the edge of the earth. 2. Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands Judged the 'World’s Leading Beach' at the World Travel Awards four years in a row, you can be sure that this spectacular beach will not disappoint. Along with white sandy beaches, Grace Bay is also home to some of the richest and most beautiful coral and aquatic life in the world. Unwinding doesn’t get much better than this. 3. Paradise Beach, Philippines Living up to its name, this spot really is a traveller’s paradise. It’s the perfect place to soak up the sun, sip on a coconut cocktail, munch on some delicious Filipino cuisine as you listen to the waves crashing gently on the shore whilst laying in your beach recliner. 4. Phi Phi Islands, Thailand The hype surrounding this picturesque island is not unwarranted. The looming fortress-like cliffs tower over approaching boats, and the beaches are simply beautiful. Of the two islands, Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don, the former remains completely free of inhabitants and the latter totally without roads. 5. Candolim Beach, India One of the longest beaches in the state of Goa, Candolim is a stark contrast to the populated centres of bustling India. It is just south of the famous Calangute Beach, but this beach is much more serene and peaceful. Candolim is a relaxed village containing only smalls inns and hotels, and has also been home for over 12 years to an immovable beached tanker, River Princess. 6. Costa Smeralda, Italy The southern tourist island of Sardinia, off mainland Italy, plays host to some of the most alluring and secluded coves and beaches in the world. The ‘Emerald Coast’ features 80 idyllic bays with pristine beaches, many of which are only accessible by boat. This northern coastline is ensconced in the unspoiled wilderness of Sardinia’s Lisa di Vacca and contains unique panoramic views of the surrounding national parks. 7. Baska Voda, Croatia Baska Voda is a major tourist resort situated along the astonishing Makarska Riviera in Croatia’s south. Lying at the foot of the incredible mountain Biokovo, this 2km long pebbly beach is rich in olive groves and pine woods, making for an interesting and dynamic holiday destination. 8. Maspalomas Beach, Canary Islands The beach comprises of enormous wind-sculpted dunes, located just behind the mesmerising blue sea and soft sand. Divided into four regions, Maspalomas caters for all tastes. The beach offers tonnes of sports and leisure facilities as well as beach bars, restaurants and shops, and though it sits off mainland Africa it is considered the westernmost point of the Sahara Desert. 9. Makena Beach, Maui The iconic Maui Island is one of Hawaii's most popular tourist destinations, and for good reason. Comprising all the qualities travellers crave in a classic Hawaiian beach holiday - surfing, volcanoes, family friendly activities, posh resorts and traditional culture - Maui encompasses the envisioned relaxing yet exciting Hawaiian vacation. Makena is considered by many to be the best stretch of sand on the island. 10. South Beach, Florida Last but certainly not least on the list, is the primary party coastal city, Miami Beach. Featured in countless movies and TV shows, this iconic strip is a must-visit location for those on the quest of following summer around the world. Miami Beach is home to myriad festivals, parties and events, including Art Basel and Winter Music Conference.
Don't give a shit about what Justin Bieber is tweeting these days? Stick it to social media by ordering toilet paper rolls printed with your Twitter feed. Matt Delprado, a creative director at Profero Sydney, along with David Gillespie, created Shitter. The company's motto, "Social media has never been so disposable", says it all. Place your online order and have four rolls delivered to your doorstep so you can literally flush all the hashtagging and online ranting down the loo. It's much better revenge for an obnoxious tweeter than an 'unfollow'. #dontgiveashit [via Lost at E Minor]
The latest production from the Melbourne Theatre Company takes the groundbreaking ideas of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House and injects them into a contemporary comedy about our views of modern motherhood. AACTA Award-winning actor Susan Prior stars as Bea, who returns to the UK after her marriage in Melbourne falls apart. At least she has her friends to support her. Or at least she does, until she reveals she wants her children to stay with their father on the other side of the world. Written by UK playwright Deborah Bruce and directed by MTC Associate Director Leticia Cáceres, The Distance probes the way in which our culture sanctifies mothers while condemning women who don't live up to our heightened expectations. The MTC season co-stars Martin Blum, Joe Klocek, Nadine Garner, Katrina Milosevic, Ben Prendergast and Nathan Page, and runs from March 5 to April 9 at the Sumner in the Southbank Theatre building.
Your flights are booked, your bags are packed and your holiday excitement/anxiety has begun. And the last thing you want to be doing is dropping a stack of spending money on getting to the airport, either in a cab or — for those lucky enough to have an airport rail link this century — on the train. So, you'll be happy to know that, on Friday, July 26, ride share service Ola is offering its customers a pretty sweet deal. It isn't just reducing the price of trips to major Australian airports, as it has done before. This time, it's making the journey for free, up to a total value of $30 per ride. Customers in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and the Gold Coast can score the budget-friendly trip all day, as long as you're one of the first 1000 rides booked using the Ola app. If your journey clocks in at over $30, the extra distance will be charged at the usual price. You'll be given an estimate of your fare when you book, and tolls will also be at an extra cost. Depending on how far away from the airport you live, the $30 deal mightn't get you all the way there; however it will still save some precious cash from your travel budget — or let you use those funds for something more fun than transport. It's worth noting that the offer only applies to journeys to the airport, so don't count on it after you disembark at the other end. To take advantage of the special, you'll need to sign up to Ola and download the app, and use the code OLAVFF. And if you're wondering why Ola is feeling so generous, that's because it has just teamed up with Velocity Frequent Flyer. If you're a member of the latter, you can now earn points on every Ola ride — one point for each $1 spent on everyday rides, and two points for every $1 you fork out on rides to and from the airport. Ola's airport offer is valid for the first 1000 rides booked on Friday, July 26.
Nick Cave remains one of Australia's most mysterious music raconteurs, maintaining an enigmatic presence on the music scene via a number of various band incarnations since the 70s. There's been The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Grinderman, not to mention his solo work and various collaborations with other artists. He also writes screenplays, scores films, and has popped up in acting roles too. There's not much the man can't do (he has seen some things and been some places) and Thornbury Picture House is ready and raring to celebrate this. Dedicating an entire week to the legendary man, the cinema will screen various tributes to his work between June 29 and July 6. Documentaries, film scores, music videos, short films will all feature, including The Proposition, One More Time with Feeling, Wake in Fright and a 90-minute 'visual mixtape' of everything from Grinderman to footage of his first high-school band. If you're a fan of his music, you won't want to miss some of the rare footage on display. Some sessions are already sold out, so best book tickets in advance.
The recently returned Aussie meme-page Brown Cardigan is celebrating all things hellish (like being kicked off Insta) this Halloween with a 'Hell-O-Ween' warehouse party in collaboration with Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. From 9pm–3am on Thursday, October 31, dancers, drinkers and sinners are invited to the twisted dance party at Melbourne's Rubix Warehouse. Barbariön will be hosting death metal karaoke and a mix of DJs — including Dunni, Yo! Mafia and Ben Hunter — will be setting the tone for the night. Sip from a hot menu of Fireball bevvies, such as cinnamon-y espresso martinis, while dancing alongside caged live performers. There'll even be an actual spinning "fire wheel of death" for those daring enough to have a go, and hidden confessional booths will pepper the dark corners of the venue for a chance to redeem your soul at this fireball inferno. To secure your spot on the grim reaper's boat, RSVP for a free ticket before the night — they won't be around for long. Keep in mind RSVPs don't guarantee you entry on the night (as the venue has a limited capacity) so make sure you arrive early to party inside one of Melbourne's fieriest Halloween parties.
What do you call a movie filled with giant screaming goats, magic weapons vying for attention like romantic rivals, a naked Chris Hemsworth and a phenomenally creepy Christian Bale? Oh, and with no fewer than four Guns N' Roses needle drops, 80s nostalgia in droves, and a case of tonal whiplash as big as the God of Thunder's biceps? You call it Thor: Love and Thunder, and also a mixed bag. The fourth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to focus on the now 29-title saga's favourite space Viking, and the second Thor flick directed by Taika Waititi after Thor: Ragnarok, it welcomely boasts the New Zealand filmmaker's playful and irreverent sense of humour — and the dead-serious days of the series-within-a-series' first two outings, 2011's Thor and 2013's Thor: The Dark World, have definitely been banished. But Love and Thunder is equally mischievous and jumbled. It's chaotic in both fun and messy ways. Out in the cosmos, no one can swim, but movies about galaxy-saving superheroes can tread water. Thor Odinson (Hemsworth, Spiderhead) has been doing a bit of that himself — not literally, but emotionally and professionally. Narrated in a storybook fashion by rock alien Korg (also Waititi, Lightyear), Love and Thunder first fills in the gaps since the last time the Asgardian deity graced screens in Avengers: Endgame. Ditching his dad bod for his ultra-buff god bod earns a mention. So does biding his time with the Guardians of the Galaxy crew (with Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Bradley Cooper and company popping up briefly). Then, a distress call from an old friend gives Thor a new purpose. Fellow warrior Sif (Jaimie Alexander, Last Seen Alive) has been fighting galactic killer Gorr the God Butcher (Bale, Ford v Ferrari), who's on a mission to do exactly what his name promises due to a crisis of faith — which puts not only Thor himself but also New Asgard, the Norwegian village populated by survivors from his home planet, at grave risk. In MCU movies before Ragnarok, many of which Thor has smouldered and smiled his way through, he would've attacked the problem — this time literally — with enchanted hammer mjolnir. It's been in pieces since the last standalone Thor film. Courtesy of the god's ex, it doesn't stay that way for long. Love and Thunder nabs itself two Thors for the price of one, after Dr Jane Foster (Natalie Portman, Vox Lux) hears mjolnir a-calling following a stage-IV cancer diagnosis. Soon, the astrophysicist is also the Mighty Thor, brandishing the mallet, wearing armour and sporting flowing blonde locks. When the OG Thor finds out, he's overcome with post-breakup awkwardness, but there's still a god killer to stop and also kidnapped kids to rescue. Cue a couple of Thors, plus Korg and New Asgard king Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson, Passing), trying to prevent the worst from happening. Love and Thunder is a film where those yelling oversized goats pull a boat into the heavens; where Hemsworth is gloriously in the goofiest mode he has, aka the best mode; and where Russell Crowe (Unhinged) plays a tutu-wearing, lightning bolt-flinging Zeus with the worst on-screen accent this side of House of Gucci (Greek instead of Italian, though). The movie is rarely more than a few seconds from a one-liner or a silly throwaway gag, and it loves colour more than a rainbow does — except when it doesn't, including in the desert-set opening that introduces Gorr and his god-slaying necrosword, and when it follows him into an eerie shadow realm. Love and Thunder also adds Bale, an actor forever linked with helping bring superheroes back to the blockbuster realm via Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, to the ranks of terrific caped crusader foes. This Thor flick contains plenty, clearly; however, for everything that works, something else doesn't. It doesn't help that the narrative is so paper thin, even with so much going on, that either Thor or the Mighty Thor could blast it down with their gazes alone. Waititi and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Sweet Vicious) take on scripting duties, and jokes fly quickly and freely along with all the plot points, but little in Love and Thunder feels like it amounts to anything. That's not from a lack of trying, at least in a cursory way — which is how too much that's meant to dive deep, or merely nod in a more substantial direction, comes across. The worst case in point: Jane, her illness and her super-powered change. It's a treat to see Portman not only return to the franchise after sitting Ragnarok out, but also play a hero rather than just the love interest. Alas, some early advice from Star-Lord (Pratt, Jurassic World Dominion) to the original Thor establishes the real reason that her character is back: to push the latter to realise that it's better to have loved and felt shitty about losing it than not to have opened his heart at all. Yes, Love and Thunder primarily uses its female Thor as a catalyst for her male counterpart to learn life lessons. It also uses her battle with cancer in the same way. It's little wonder that nothing that's meant to be poignant lands or sticks — and that all efforts otherwise play like a genre merry-go-round. Sometimes Love and Thunder is a space-opera comedy, sometimes it's a family-friendly adventure, sometimes it dallies with horror. It's an arrested-development comedy, too, and a rom-com. Each swing in a new direction is anchored by weightier matters — spanning unpacking male saviour complexes, the taking of Indigenous children by colonisers, the need to pass traditional knowledge down through generations, the follies of blind religious worship and multiple struggles for identity — but never enough. Like the flying goats, every magic weapon and, in one scene, the OG Thor's clothes, every notion in Love and Thunder that's meant to be meatier zooms off oh-so-swiftly. Wanting to love Love and Thunder comes easily, of course. Ragnarok was an utter delight. Waititi's filmmaking career boasts more hits than misses, with Eagle vs Shark, Boy, What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople also sitting on one side and just Jojo Rabbit on the other. From Hemsworth to Bale, and including Portman and Thompson as well, Love and Thunder is brimming with great performances — albeit all on varying tonal registers, with Bale used too sparingly, and Portman and Thompson not given enough to do. When it's in gleaming, silly, hyperactive and hyper-colour mode, Waititi and cinematographer Barry Idoine (The Mandalorian) go big on all those things and don't hold back. That said, a heap of gags fall flat, the formulaic story choices are glaring, most action scenes prove stock-standard, there's an often-disjointed air and, unshakeably, there's a pervasive sensation that simply following in Ragnarok's footsteps is the only realm aim. Wanting to love something is different from finding something to love, obviously — and while Love and Thunder isn't quite something to thunder at, lightning doesn't strike twice, either. Top image: Photo by Jasin Boland. ©Marvel Studios 2022. All Rights Reserved.
Kumiko (Rinko Kikuchi) is a superfan. Joel and Ethan Coen's Fargo is the object of her excessive attention, and she doesn't just fixate over it, she believes it. In particular, she believes there's a briefcase filled with money buried in the Minnesota snow. To understand why she's so intent on thinking the movie is more than fiction is to understand her largely solitary existence in Tokyo. Kumiko is 29 years old and still working as an office lady, a position her boss thinks she should've well and truly outgrown. Her mother only calls to scold her about her dismal personal life, and her only friend is her pet rabbit, Bunzo. So when she happens across a VHS copy of Fargo, embracing its tall tale as truth adds purpose to her days, and trekking across America to find the stack of cash it tells of becomes her destiny. Filmmakers David and Nathan Zellner delve into an urban legend that sprang up around the death of a Japanese woman in the US, first chronicled in 2003 documentary This Is a True Story. Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter makes its own fable out of diving into the strangeness that can stem from both truth and fiction, as well as the tenuous relationship between the two. Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter is in select cinemas on April 29, and thanks to Palace Films, we have 15 double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter and then email us with your name and address. Read our full Kumiko review here. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au
It's no secret that the arts have suffered greatly in Australia's fight against COVID-19. With a ban on mass gatherings one of the first restrictions to come into place, festivals and live gigs were some of the first things to go. Dark Mofo was one of the first Australian festivals to cancel and, since then, events across the country have been cancelled and postponed. So, in order to keep a sense of connection going — between artist and audience, venue and punter — many have made the transition to digital platforms, including institutions such as the NGV and a group of housemates who created Sydney's first online nightclub. Now, the Victorian Government is jumping on the bandwagon. Yesterday, Friday, May 1, Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley launched online portal Victoria Together. Designed to help support local creatives and keep Victorians connected, the platform hosts everything from cute animal videos from Melbourne Zoo to comedy sketches, ACMI's film screenings, wellbeing resources, workout routines, recipes, digital art exhibitions, theatre shows — you get the idea. It's a one-stop-shop for the state's already exisiting online content. Best of all, it's completely free. https://twitter.com/MushroomGroup/status/1255995384653996032 In terms of new content, the state government has partnered up with independent music and entertainment company Mushroom Group to launch The State of Music: a weekly live-stream music series showcasing local artists. According to Aussie website I Lost My Gig, the loss of income in the music industry alone has equated to about $330 million and counting. This initiative hopes to help creators to digitise their content, supported by a grants and partnerships program of $2.35 million, as well as provide an A-class source of at-home entertainment. So, it's a win-win. "We're proudly the cultural capital of Australia and we'll do everything we can to support our creative industries through this pandemic, so they're in the best position to support the many thousands of jobs that rely on this sector," Premier Andrews publicly announced this morning. "It's a very, very important part of our city and state." The State of Music will run for six weeks, kicking off this Sunday, May 3 at 7.30pm AEST with some big names in the music industry. You'll catch performances by Diesel, Birds of Tokyo, G Flip and Michael Gudinski; an interview with James Reyne; and have Triple J's Rosie Beaton hosting the entire affair. Then, expect new content to be released every Sunday after. Victoria Together is now live and can be accessed here for free. The State of Music will kick off at 7.30pm AEST on Sunday, May 3 and will run every Sunday for six weeks.
Kiwis based in Australia hoping to see family across the ditch can start planning their sojourns home sooner than expected. New Zealand's planned five-step border reopening plan has been brought forward this week, with isolation requirements for double-vaccinated Kiwis returning home scrapped weeks earlier than expected. From 11.59pm on Wednesday, March 2, vaccinated Kiwis entering New Zealand from Australia will no longer need to self-isolate. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the change of plans amid New Zealand's current Omicron outbreak, which sees the country currently suffering the highest rates of COVID-19 transmission in the world. But Australians holidaymakers shouldn't get planning a quick weekend jump across the ditch just yet. Vaccinated Aussie citizens wanting a holiday in New Zealand still have to wait for step four of the original border reopening plan, which sees all travellers from Australia and from countries who don't require special visas able to enter NZ. While that is still currently proposed to happen around July this year, Aussies can cross their fingers they may be able to head across for an adventure holiday earlier. COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins advised last month that "the reopening to visa-free tourists is also likely to be brought forward, with July being the latest date we anticipate this happening." Of course, during all five steps, testing will remain critical. Every traveller will be required to undertake a rapid antigen test (RAT) on the day they arrive and on day five or six. All positive RATs must be registered and followed up with a PCR test. New Zealand had 19,599 new cases reported on Tuesday, March 1, with over 300 cases currently in hospital. Kiwis returning to New Zealand from Australia will not need to isolate upon arrival from 11.59pm on Wednesday, while Australian holidaymakers will need to wait to enter the country until later in 2022. For more information, head to the New Zealand Government's COVID-19 website.
200 years after his birth, and still causing a fuss. This Friday marks the beginning of a month-long celebration of Richard Wagner led by Opera Australia. While the centrepiece is a four-part, $15 million production of Der Ring des Nibelungen — sorry, tickets sold out months ago — the festival will in fact feature over 30 events including film, visual art, discussion panels and some more accessible operatic showings. Lyndon Terracini, Artisitic Director of Opera Australia, has described Wagner's Ring Cycle as "a life-changing work of art", and even if we can't see the piece itself, we may just get a good idea from the intensive program on offer. At 1pm on Saturday November 16, Federation Square will be taken over by actual valkyries on horseback for a free celebratory concert of Wagner's most famous piece. For the first week of the festival, ACMI will be showing two films about the man himself. The Arts Centre will be alight with a very interesting multimedia work, and the Town Hall will be alight with lively discussion as we debate that big problem — can we ever separate the politics from the art? If that all gets a little heavy for you, or perhaps the emotion of the music gets to be a bit much, you can always head down to Fed Square. Twice a day for the duration of the festival, the big screens will be delivering a classic rundown from Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd.
The beloved Cameo Cinema will once again showcase some of the summer's most talked-about films on its magnificent outdoor movie screen under the stars. From mid-November until April 2017, audiences will get the chance to nestle down in deckchairs and beanbags, with craft beer, homemade choc-tops and freshly popped popcorn in hand. If that's not worth the drive out to Belgrave, then we just don't know what is. The full Cameo Outdoor Cinema summer program has us pretty excited. The season begins with a midnight, moonlight screening of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Remember: if you don't come dressed as a wizard, you're doing it wrong. Other titles include new Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds doco One More Time With Feeling, the much-anticipated Trainspotting sequel, British Film Festival fave A Monster Calls and based-on-fact film Lion. Animal lovers will also be pleased with a pair of Bring Your Pet sessions, of A Dog's Purpose and Red Dog: True Blue. We're a little more sceptical about a Valentine's Day showing of Fifty Shades Darker, although the wine and ice cream giveaways should at least keep you partially distracted from the movie. It doesn't hurt that the Cameo concessions are a cut above what you'll find at your local shopping centre multiplex. They've got craft beer and boutique wines, edamame, and lollies from The Sassafras Sweet Co., to name but a few. Alternatively, you can bring a picnic of your own – this is one cinema where you won't have ushers pestering you about bringing in outside food.
The National Gallery of Victoria International is putting a spotlight on female artists with its latest large-scale exhibition. Designing Women will open on level three from September 28, 2018 to March 24, 2019. The exhibit showcases nearly 40 years of work from 1980–2018 and focuses on the ongoing role of women in contemporary design culture. It will collate the NGV International collection to highlight over 50 pieces that span multi-disciplinary creative fields — including fashion, jewellery, product design, architecture and digital breakthroughs. Works from groundbreaking designers Zaha Hadid and Neri Oxman will be joined by those by local heavy-hitters Elliat Rich and Helen Kontouris. An NGV commission will also be showcased as part of the exhibition — Lee Darroch, a Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti, Boon Wurrung artist from Gippsland, has designed a 25-pelt possum skin cloak that depicts the enthralling history of her family and the region. Accompanying the exhibition is a discussion titled Curator's Perspective: Modern Day Trailblazers, which will take place at 12pm on Sunday, October 14. The talk will be hosted by Simone LeAmon (NGV's curator of contemporary design and architecture) and discuss how the female artists on display have succeeded in this male-dominated industry. Image: Carlotta de Bevilacqua, Yang Metamorphosis 2000 for Artemide, Italy. Courtesy of the designer.
This is about the time of year we start to really miss the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF). Remember those nights you'd hop from show to show? The plump dumplings you'd wolf down in-between? There was that guy who serenaded you with a ukelele outside Town Hall, he pleaded for you to come to his show... What does he even do with the rest of his year? Well, he may feature at Trades Hall this weekend. There's always a bubbling undercurrent of comedic talent in our fair city, and it doesn't always take a full-blown festival to figure it out. From October 5-11, Princess Pictures and SBS2 are putting together a showcase of young Australian comics at Trades Hall. With 30 comedians performing over just five days, there will be a diverse selection of talent on show including Nazeem Hussain and Aamer Rahman from Fear of a Brown Planet, Dan Ilic from Hungry Beast and Can of Worms, and exciting newcomers such as Khaled Khalafalla and Demi Lardner. It may not be a full month like MICF, but it could be just the thing to tide you over, and with every night costing just $15, you'll have leftover money for dumplings too. Check out the full lineup here.
Sunny summer days and the new year are (unfortunately) still a fair while away, but you don't need the clichéd calendar date to set some new goals. In fact, if the global pandemic has thrown a bit of a spanner in your routine, now may be just time to get back into gear. As they say, there's no time like the present — there you go, another cliché to follow instead. But rather than focusing on a singular aspect like diet or exercise, why not look at your health holistically? Yep, we're talking 'healthy living' and, no, it's not just for Byron Bay dwellers and yoga lovers (not that we're jealous or anything). Simply put, it's about balance — from what you eat right down to getting enough sleep. To help you kick-start — or restart — your health resolutions, we've teamed up with the folks at nutritious ready-made meal delivery service Macros to bring you six simple lifestyle changes. Because we all know healthy habits don't happen overnight. SIGN UP TO A SUBSCRIPTION-STYLE MEAL DELIVERY SERVICE First things first: food. No one's saying all those takeaway dishes and baked treats over lockdown weren't delicious, but, by now, you may be craving something more nourishing. Food is what fuels us, so changing your diet is one of the biggest hacks to the so-called healthy life. It may be obvious, but there's a reason it can be tricky. Not all of us have MasterChef-like skills and meal prepping takes time. Not to mention how pricey clean eating can be if you don't know where to begin. One way to cut out the guesswork and set yourself up with a fridge full of dietitian-designed and super-tasty dishes is by signing up to a meal delivery service. Macros, for example, ensures every meal is prepared by chefs and delivered fresh, not frozen, so you can simply pop it in the microwave when you're ready to eat. Think the likes of massaman beef curry, cottage pie, spaghetti bolognese and herb-crusted salmon, ready in a matter of minutes. Macros has seven different plans to cater to your goals, too. If you don't live at the gym, then Macros' 'Weight Loss' plan, with low-carb meals that have less than 350 calories (if you're counting), is a solid option. Otherwise, the 'Balanced' plan is great for those looking to switch to a cleaner diet, without shedding kilos. You can also tailor your plan to suit your dietary needs, be it plant-based, dairy-free, low-carb or paleo. And, to top it off, it's a pretty affordable option, with meals starting from $8.70. Right now, you can also nab $50 off your first order, too — just sign up here. GIVE MINDFULNESS A GO If you consider mindfulness a bogus pastime, think again. From simply soaking in the tub to daily meditation, taking time to clear your head and reduce stress is a solid base for a healthier lifestyle. Think of it like this: if food is your body's fuel, then mindfulness is your mind's tonic. And, to really achieve a healthy lifestyle, you need both, on top of physical exercise, of course. Plus, amid COVID-19, we're increasingly realising what it means to keep calm during a crisis. So, where to start? Mindfulness and meditation apps are both beginner-friendly and convenient — and these days there are plenty to pick from. Headspace is one of the better-known ones and for good reason; it makes mediation accessible, even if you're a bit of a novice. Or, you can be guided by neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris with his app Waking Up. If getting enough shut-eye is an issue, try Calm, which includes meditation sessions, audio snippets of Bob Ross's The Joy of Painting and stories narrated by none other than Matthew McConaughey. Practices such as tai chi and yoga can help improve mental clarity, too, by combining meditation with movement — so, if you find sitting still hard, maybe give these a try. You can even add adorable animals into the equation and get bendy with baby goats, or your pooch as you downward dog in your living room, both of which are a surefire way to get a quick serotonin hit. GET PICKLING Feel bloated or sluggish? It could be your gut telling you something — literally. While everyone's body is different, fermented foods can be great for most people's gut health and keeping everything regular. The age-old preserving technique naturally ferments food, creating healthy probiotics that help strengthen your gut microbiome. It's a good way of extending food's shelf life, too. Instead of raiding the health food store and splashing some serious cash, you can make your own with everyday fridge and pantry items. Beets, beans, cucumbers, onion, fennel, cabbage, zucchini, carrots... you get the idea. Most pickling involves vinegar (white or apple cider), salt, a bit of sugar, spices and the veg of your choosing. Alternatively, get yourself a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) and some black tea and try making your own kombucha. If you'd rather learn from the pickling pros, Sydney-based cafe and picklery Cornersmith runs a bunch of hands-on and, at the moment, live Zoom classes, where you can pick up tips on how to ferment, pickle and preserve pretty much anything. HAVE FUN WITH YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE No one said exercise had to be boring. You may have your go-to activity, but, sometimes, getting out of the bed in the morning or hitting up the gym after work can be a struggle. We get it, life gets in the way. However, to avoid fitness fatigue, why not inject some fun into your routine? Feel like a big kid again and bounce non-stop at an indoor trampoline park, or scale to new heights at a rock climbing gym. For the latter, you'll need a partner in crime, so you can socialise while you sweat, otherwise, for a more solitary climb, try bouldering. Martial arts is another great way to train, from karate to jiu-jitsu, taekwondo and krav maga, all of which have become increasingly popular over recent years. Keen to improve your rhythm? Dancing is a great way to get your heart pumping, as well as tone muscle, whether it's ballet, salsa, ballroom or hip-hop dancing. You can even get your groove on in your living room with 80s-style aerobics by way of Retrosweat or Aerobics Oz Style. And, if you're lucky enough to live near the ocean, stand-up paddle boarding is great for your core, or you could give surfing lessons a crack. Basically, there's no end to the fun you can have while also training and conditioning your body. GET OUTDOORS AND HIT THE TRAILS It's hard to beat a vigorous bushwalk or long-distance run along the coastline, with the sun shining, the wind in your hair and stunning surrounds to distract from your own panting. Plus, it leaves you feeling pretty rejuvenated. While, yes, the physical exercise plays a massive part, being outdoors is undeniably good for the soul. And, after spending more time indoors this year, many of us have a new appreciation for being surrounded by nature. So, next time you're thinking of jumping on the treadmill, why not run in your local park? Or, if you can, take a hike in a national park, do laps in an ocean pool, kayak down a river or head out on a scenic bike ride. If you're after something a bit more restorative, forest bathing or shinrin-yoku (nature therapy) is another way to get a dose of vitamin D, just with less cardio. You simply spend time in nature, whether it's taking a stroll in any natural environment or finding a lush and peaceful spot in which to meditate. The physiological and psychological activity has benefits such as improving your immune and nervous systems, reducing blood pressure and heart rate, and improving mental health, energy levels and sleep patterns. Combining mindfulness with nature, the Japanese practice is the perfect antidote to our tech-filled and often sedentary lifestyles. TREAT YOURSELF While pampering may seem a tad extra, giving your body a little TLC is also called self care. So, treat your body like the temple it is and give it a rest every now and again. From beauty therapies to relaxing remedies, there are plenty of ways you can look after your body — outside and in. Feeling a bit lacklustre? Mani-pedis, haircuts and facials are sure to give you a boost. Then there are massages, of course, with benefits including reduced blood pressure, easing migraines and headaches, aiding pain relief and stiffness, and lowering stress levels. But, different styles address different issues, so it's important to listen to your body. Swedish and aromatherapy massages, for example, are great if you're stressed out; whereas lymphatic ones help rid your body of toxins by draining your lymphs. If you've been upping your exercise or have muscular pain, then consider deep tissue, sports, reflexology or Thai-style massages, which will help alleviate aches, increase flexibility and reduce recovery time. A healthy lifestyle starts with the food that fuels you. To help make that part easy and fuss-free, Macros delivers nutrition-packed meals straight to your door. And, if you need to, you can also pause or skip a week of your subscription at no extra cost. Better yet, Macros is currently offering $50 off your first four deliveries. So, start your health kick ASAP and sign up here.
Well, folks, Melbourne's hitting 24 degrees this week for the first time since we can even remember — and what better time for a cheeky springtime wardrobe refresh? This Saturday, September 15, your pals at 91Vintage are coming to the party, hosting the fourth edition of their ever-popular vintage sportswear market. Head along to Fitzroy pub The Evelyn to check out this hefty haul of retro threads, sneakers and accessories, with 15 stallholders slinging old-school gems from the likes of Adidas, Fila, Nike, Fubu, Dada, Sergio Tacchini and Juicy Couture. This time around, the market's running from 10am to 5pm, with prices starting at a neat $5 and both racks and tubs filled with plenty of pieces for every budget. Grab a $1 raffle ticket at the door and you could even win a $200 voucher to spend at any stall on the day. Head over to the 91Vintage Instagram page for a sneak preview of some of the gear that's set to make an appearance and start plotting some bangers for the festival season to come.
It's been 13 years since Danny Rogers and Jerome Borazio decided to fill a Melbourne alleyway with tunes in 2005. Thankfully, Laneway Festival has just confirmed it will be heading back to its collection of unconventional venues for another year, revealing it's 2018 dates and first two headliners. Returning to Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Fremantle, Auckland and Singapore next January and February, Laneway will raise a plastic cup to the middle of summer with what looks to be one heck of a lineup. Following on from the announcement of two of 2018's headliners — California's inimitable Anderson .Paak with his live band The Free Nationals, and Canada's Mac DeMarco — the festival has dropped the full lineup. On it is a slew of exclusive sets, which will see you get down to BABADNOTGOOD, Odesza, The Internet, and sway along to The War on Drugs and Father John Misty. The full lineup was initially slated to be announced tomorrow, but has been brought forward after it was leaked online this morning. Visa pre-sale tickets go on-sale this Thursday, September 14 and the rest of the tickets going on sale at 9am on September 18. But, enough chit-chat — here's the full 2018 lineup. LANEWAY 2018 LINEUP Aldous Harding Alex Cameron Amy Shark Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals BABADNOTGOOD (exclusive to Laneway) Billie Eilish Bonobo (exclusive to Laneway) Cable Ties City Calm Down Dream Wife Father John Misty KLLO Loyle Carner Mac DeMarco Miss Blanks Moses Sumney ODESZA (exclusive to Laneway) Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever (Sandy) Alex G Shame Slowdive Sylvan Esso The Babe Rainbow The Internet (exclusive to Laneway) The War On Drugs TOKiMONSTA Wolf Alice (exclusive to Laneway) Image: Andy Fraser.
The legacy of the legendary blues musician Muddy Waters runs deep, from influences on Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love and ACDC's You Shook Me All Night Long, and even to Westmont Pickles—an Australian picklery named after the town where Muddy died. His deepest influence, however, can be seen in his son, Mud Morganfield, and his career that carries the blues-rock torch that Muddy held aloft for over three decades. Although Morganfield was raised away from his father, he's been following in his footsteps for his whole adult life. Morganfield started out in life hauling trucks across the USA, just like his old man did before he found his music. When his father passed in 1983, Morganfield picked up the old familiar instruments and took to creating his own soulful blues ballads, and has been at it ever since. Despite the soulful style and rich vocal timbre Morganfield shares with his father, Mud's sound contributes to the intersection of Chicago Blues and Delta Rock in his own right. With the benefit of intervening decades of musical progression since Muddy Waters left the blues, Mud's sound incorporates modern styles into his oeuvre, but never strays too far from the track his old man beat before him. Catch Morganfield at Bluesfest 2017 in Byron Bay, or at his Melbourne sideshow at Northcote Social Club on Monday April 10.
Last week, KFC offered 25 percent off its entire menu for three days. Not one to be outdone, Korean fried chicken joint Gami has just launched its own finger licken' good offering. From now until 11.59pm on Wednesday, May 20, it's offering 20 percent off all orders of $20 or more. To get your hands on its tasty fried chicken morsels — RSPCA-approved and rocking Gami's signature blend of 17 herbs and spices — you'll need to download its app (available for both Android and iOS) and enter GAMIATHOME at checkout. And it's also offering free delivery, too, from participating venues through DoorDash. With 26 stores across Australia — including 17 in Melbourne and four in Sydney — Gami has secured its status as one of Australia's go-to fried chicken joints. As well as its signature Korean-style chook, it's serving spicy seafood soup, chicken katsu burgers, kimchi pancakes, tteok bok ki and cheesy corn. Gami's 20 percent off deal is available until 11.59pm on Wednesday, May 20. Use GAMIATHOME at checkout. You can use the code five times.
Summer in Melbourne pretty much screams for a crisp, gin-infused tipple, enjoyed in the sunshine, overlooking some water. And once again, local gin festival Juniperlooza is setting you up for success. This time, for its 2020 edition, the festival is taking over South Wharf's Boatbuilders Yard and Polly Woodside (yes, the boat) for two full days on Saturday, February 15 and Sunday, February 16. The gin-soaked revelry will be in full swing, with 23 boutique producers from both overseas and Australia gathering to show off their wares. Archie Rose, Four Pillars, Never Never Distilling CO, The Botanist and Flinders Distillery are some of the labels that have already been announced, as well as the UK's Chase Distillery. And the folks at Strangelove will be heading up the party's tonic situation once again. Gin-thusiasts will have the chance to meet the producers, sip G&Ts accented with carefully matched garnishes, and sample specialty gin cocktails from each brand. There'll be a slew of musical talent, too, including Agent 86, J'nett and four local DJs. Tickets ($30–45, depending how quickly you snag one) include a free G&T, a reusable store and lots of gin tastings. Early bird tickets ($30–35) go on sale from November 18. General sale ($40–45) then starts on November 20. You can sign up for early access over here.
First Nations filmmakers from around the globe will be in the spotlight at ACMI in April as part of the inaugural Birrarangga Film Festival. Taking its name from the Woiwurrung word for 'river location', and curated by Wurundjeri (Woiwurrung) / Yorta Yorta writer and actor Tony Briggs, the festival will showcase more than 40 feature and short films from Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Mexico, Russia, Greenland, Peru and, of course, Australia, as well as panel discussions, filmmaker Q&As, industry events and more. The festival kicks off on Friday, April 26 with opening night feature Sgaawaay K'uuna (Edge of the Knife), the first film made entirely in the Native American Haida language. The screening will be accompanied by a Welcome to Country with a special performance by the Djirri Djirri dance group, as well as the official afterparty. Other highlights over the course of the weekend-long festival include Toyon Kyyl (The Lord Eagle), a drama made by an Indigenous cast and crew from the Sakha Republic in Russia, Akornatsinniitut (Among Us), a sci-fi adventure film from Greenland, and a program of short films celebrating Victorian Indigenous stories on screen.
Tony Nicolini continues his mission to create delicious Italian cuisine — not reinventing pizza, but doing it better. The former part-owner of DOC brings decades of experience to his latest Albert Park venture, Italian Artisans, which has taken over the spot of the old DOC Albert Park. Nicolini's Dad opened his first pizzeria way back in 1969 and this latest restaurant aims to continue the family's passion for the craft of pizza making, with fresh, organic ingredients from, as the name suggests, celebrated Italian artisans. Family producers from Italy and Australia provide the tomatoes, olive oil, mozzarella and more, while the pizza bases are made using traditional methods with alternative grain flours thrown in to make it all easier to digest. The menu is simple — a bunch of traditional pizzas ranging from the classic margherita to tiger prawns, anchovies and the cornuto, with tomato, provolone, soppressa, roasted red pepper and 'nduja ($24). The selection is rounded out with salumi and mozza bars, antipasto, meatballs, lasagne and salads. For those craving something sweet, there is a hazelnut gelato collaboration between Italian Artisans and Pidapipo, dessert pizzas and calzones, and modern takes on the traditional cannoli and tiramisu.
He's an Australian treasure, he's one of Hollywood's recent villainous go-tos and he definitely isn't in Voyagers. That'd be Ben Mendelsohn, who comes to mind anyway while watching this sci-fi thriller. In a softer mode, the Rogue One and Ready Player One star could've played Colin Farrell's part here. That's not why Voyagers makes him pop into viewers' heads, though. Rather, it's because his brand of slippery menace still slinks through this space-set flick, all thanks to its most vivid performance. Should an upcoming movie ever need a fresher-faced version of Mendelsohn's latest bad guy or next morally complicated figure, Dunkirk, The Children Act and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch's Fionn Whitehead needs to be on speed dial. He channels Mendo perfectly as Zac, one of 30 test tube-bred teenagers who are rocketed into the heavens as humanity's last hope for survival. In the latter half of the 21st century, Earth is near-uninhabitable, so he's on an 86-year mission to a newly located planet. The young Humanitas crew's main purpose is to beget the next generations who'll colonise their new home — but, after learning that he's being drugged into obedience, Zac decides not to play nice. Ten years in, when the quieter Christopher (Tye Sheridan, X-Men: Dark Phoenix) realises that the drink they all call 'blue' contains an unidentified compound, the decision is easy. First Christopher, then Zac, then the rest of their shipmates all stop sipping it and start letting their hormones pump unfettered for the first time in their intricately designed and highly controlled lives. Richard (Farrell, The Gentlemen), the lone adult and the closest thing any of the crew have ever had to a father, is suddenly treated with suspicion. Christopher and Zac begin testing boundaries, indulging desires and flouting rules, too — and realising that they're both attracted to dutiful Chief Medical Officer Sela (Lily-Rose Depp, Crisis). Then an accident changes the dynamic, with the two pals challenging each other while fighting to lead. Factions are formed, chaos ensues and the very folks entrusted with saving the species are now simply trying to outlast each other. The fact that Whitehead's performance recalls Mendo as strongly as it does is fitting; almost everything about Voyagers brings another movie or story to mind, actually. When it comes to warring youths, Lord of the Flies, The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner all get a nod. In the space film genre, Solaris, Passengers and High Life do as well. The list goes on, increasing with each of Voyagers' foreseeable twists and turns. When the infighting starts revolving around a potentially mysterious presence, for instance, the feature nudges its audience to think about Alien and Prometheus. In spacewalking beyond the Humanitas, Gravity and The Midnight Sky get a look in (among a hefty roster of past flicks that've also stepped into the inky sky, of course). When the picture simply lingers within the spaceship's stylish but restrictive walls and ripples with unease, 2001: A Space Odyssey casts a shadow. And, in its musings on parenthood, Interstellar and Ad Astra spring to the fore. Still, as it shuffles, jumbles and reassembles much of its bulk from recognisable parts pilfered from elsewhere, a number of interesting ideas sit at the heart of Voyagers. Yes, they've been tackled in various ways before, but they still leave an imprint. Writer/director Neil Burger has both Limitless and Divergent to his name, so he's no stranger to big-thinking science fiction flicks that contemplate intriguing ideas while also following in other footsteps. Here, he wonders not just if life has any meaning, but if there's any genuine meaning to life when a person's function in the bigger picture has already been determined from their first breath right up until their last. He also ponders exactly what humans have spent our entire existence as a species surviving: whatever external forces have come our way, or the ongoing, never-ending repercussions of our very worst impulses? It doesn't offer up any new answers to these trains of thought, or give themes and topics like paranoia, claustrophobia, toxic masculinity, nature versus nature and free will a particularly fresh spin, but Voyagers remains resonant enough. It has a timely relevance, arriving after the globe has spent a year indoors trying to stay alive, and its picture of easy self-destruction is both undeniably blunt and unmistakably effective. Films like this keep hitting screens because we're all aware that humanity's worst enemy is itself. That's a truth we'll never stop grappling with, in fact. As a result, predictability always comes with the territory — because humans have proven such predictable creatures. Accordingly, it isn't the least bit surprising that Voyagers sticks to the familiar, and doesn't provide much of a different take on the age-old realisations at its core (even as Zac tries to lie, bully and manipulate his way to power in a manner reminiscent of recent world leaders). Nonetheless, the feature's ruminations still hit home, even amid all of its winks to other movies. Also convincing is the film's set design, which weaponises its grey surfaces and seemingly endless corridors, transforming every corner and passage into a maze literally of humankind's own making. Voyagers' gleaming overall look wavers between sterile and slick, in another canny touch — this is a movie about finding middle ground between lives of unthinking compliance and primal hedonism, after all. And, cast-wise, Sheridan, Depp and Farrell do what they need to with their straightforward parts. Like Whitehead, Sheridan also helps sum up the movie overall, too. He already faced off against the real Mendo in Ready Player One, so he leaves viewers enjoying his calmly commanding efforts and remembering other flicks. In a picture that's both derivative and engaging, that seems to be Voyagers' chosen mission. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zadWJ8tPmnU
Melbourne's annual celebration of all things hoppy is very nearly upon us. Well, sort of. This year's Good Beer Week isn't happening until May — but, as is tradition, they're tapping a few kegs early for the GWB Gala Showcase. Returning to its founding site at The Atrium in Federation Square, the 2017 Gala Showcase will take place over two days: Thursday, March 16 and Friday, March 17. In addition to giving punters their first official look at the GWB program, the event will be attended by more than 30 local breweries and will feature masterclasses, brewer meet and greets, and plenty to eat and drink. Entry to the Good Beer Week Gala Showcase costs $50 per person and includes a GWB branded tasting glass and 20x 60mL samples from more than 100 different beers on offer. You'll also get a $10 food voucher to use at vendors including Pambula Oyster Company and Fancy Hank's.
2023 ain't nuthing ta f' wit: it's the year that Wu-Tang Clan are returning Down Under, after all. After the hip hop legends kicked off their NY State of Mind tour with Nas in 2022, they're bringing the 2023 leg to Melbourne — and it's still a joint affair. Two of the biggest names in the business since the 90s — with Wu-Tang Clan first making a splash with their 1993 debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), and Nas doing the same with 1994's Illmatic — will play one show at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday, May 14. These Aussie dates are the first gigs in the 2023 tour, too, after its 2022 leg hit up more than 25 cities. This year's run is just as epic — after its stint Down Under, it heads through Europe and then back to the US. Along the way, fans can enjoy Wu-Tang Clan's RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck and Cappadonna taking to the stage three decades after they first came to fame — and Nas sharing the mic as well. Over that time, Wu-Tang Clan have dropped seven further albums from a fill discography that, including solo records by its members, notches up more than 85 full-length releases. Their tours pull from the whole lot, as set against that ever-present Wu-Tang 'W' — and honours the deceased Ol' Dirty Bastard as well.
When Table 19 begins, it would have you believe that there's nothing worse than being stuck at the random table at a wedding. There is. It's watching a film about being stuck at the random table at a wedding. Sure, in both situations you're stranded in a place that you mightn't want to be. But at least one has food, drinks and dancing to help pass the time. For those sitting in the cinema, prepare for an experience that's awkward, tedious, cliched and sappy, as the newly single Eloise (Anna Kendrick) heads to her oldest friend's nuptials. She was once slated to be the maid of honour, but dropped out when she was dumped via text message by the bride's brother (Wyatt Russell). Relegated to the worst berth on the seating chart that she helped plan, she's soon sharing a table with a bunch of guests that "should have known to send regrets, but not before sending something nice off the registry". Eloise's fellow undesirables include an ageing former nanny (June Squibb) thrilled to have even been invited, a hormone-fuelled teen (Tony Revolori) whose mother has told him to look for love, the obligatory weird cousin (Stephen Merchant) who's kindly but has a secret, and a bickering couple (Lisa Kudrow and Craig Robinson) who don't know why they're there. Obvious revelations and cheesy life lessons follow, flowing as freely as champagne and hors d'oeuvres. We suppose you could commend director Jeffrey Blitz (Spellbound) and writers Jay and Mark Duplass (Jeff Who Lives at Home) for their effective recreation of an unpleasant situation, right down to the stylistic and structural choices that give the audience the same limited view of the main celebrations as the characters. No one should be rewarded for laziness, though, and if Table 19 excels at anything, it's that. The fact that everyone spends much of the movie arguing about what their table assignment means isn't the least bit amusing or entertaining, nor does it offer any real commentary about America's obsession with status. Instead, it simply feels like an attempt to pad out a by-the-book script that jumps between misfit comedy and rom-com, but doesn't stray from the familiar path with either. It won't come as a surprise that this slice of supposed hilarity peddles a message about the joy that can arise from unexpected connections and making the most of a bad situation. Alas, as great as Kendrick, Merchant, Squibb and company have proven in the past, here they're average at best, and in some cases downright awful. Without any signs of character development, Kendrick's signature persona wears thin; you really have seen her do this all before. She fares better than some of her co-stars, however, who might find themselves wishing they didn't RSVP for their parts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BrKGHl5EXQ
Victoria's stunning Inverloch region is an epicurean haven, with plenty of top-notch local produce and cool-climate vino. If you find yourself atop Gippsland's rugged cliffs in the small regional town of Kilcunda, be sure to visit Udder & Hoe. This quaint little tin-shed store, set behind Kilcunda General Store, is packed to the brim with goods, heroing local producers and farmers. Here, you'll find tubs filled with fresh produce, stacks of freshly baked sourdough, olive oils and buckets filled with nuts and grains.
Just because your bank account is looking a little empty, doesn't mean you've got to resort to sad, uninspiring lunchtime fare. At least, not this week, with food app Ritual dishing up tasty meals for just $1 a pop. Having launched in Sydney late last year, the mobile order and pay app is now available in Melbourne — and it's offering a very sweet deal to celebrate. It's dropping the price of select menu items from 150 of its CBD restaurants to just $1 a pop until November 8. In this budget-friendly lineup you'll find feeds from some of your favourite CBD vendors, which normally clock in at around $15. We're talking classic burgs from Betty's Burgers, cream cheese bagels from 5 & Dime, salami toasties from The Meating House and rice paper rolls from Roll'd. There are also $1 ice bubble teas from Coco Fresh Tea & Juice, coffees from Mister Munro, croissants from Weirdoughs and Chunky hot dogs from Chunky Town. Just remember that you do need to pick up your drink or meal, so make sure the eatery is in walking distance. [caption id="attachment_737291" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Chunky Town by Julia Sansone[/caption] Download the app and you'll be able to tap into three of these $1 deals over the week the offer is running. Which means a few mornings of extra shut-eye, thanks to not having to whip up lunch yourself. You'll also get to road test some of Ritual's nifty features, including a 'skip the line' function that allows you to order ahead and avoid queues, and 'skip the trip', where you can group together multiple orders from the one office to save everyone from making the same trek. There are a couple of restrictions, though. The deal is only valid between 5am and 5pm daily, and you can only order once per day and once per restaurant. You can check out all the nitty-gritty details over here. Ritual is offering three $1 meals or drinks per user through its app (for Android or iOS) until 5pm on Friday, November 8. Top image: Betty's Burgers
