Australia's most inclusive music festival hits Birrarung Marr for its next instalment on Saturday, March 25 — and the jam-packed lineup of artists it's bringing with it is an absolute cracker. Leading the talent at Ability Fest 2023 are Aussie hip hop legends Hilltop Hoods, dance duo Mashd N Kutcher and ARIA Award-winning songstress Sampa the Great, along with names like Paris, Meg Mac, DZ Deathrays, Linda Marigliano and dameeeela. Unfolding across two stages, the program has something for all kinds of music fiends — with SHOUSE, Telenova, Juno Mamba, Mulalo and Latifa Tee just some of the other artists who'll be heading along. [caption id="attachment_893575" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jayden Ostwald[/caption] The brainchild of 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott and Untitled Group (the crew behind Pitch Music & Arts and Beyond the Valley), Ability Fest is carefully designed to be completely accessible and as inclusive as they come. It'll feature ramps and pathways for easy access, Auslan interpreters working alongside the artists, and elevated platforms to give everyone a shot at seeing the stage. Plus: quiet zones, a dedicated sensory area, ticketing for companions and accessible toilets. During its life, the not-for-profit fest has raised close to $500,000 for the Dylan Alcott Foundation, while continuing to dish up primo live tunes and music experiences to Aussies of all abilities.
The story of the stunning Queen & Collins building runs deep into Melbourne's history. It started in the economic boom of the late 19th century, becoming a bustling gothic bank in no time at all. Almost 150 years later, it's evolved into a dynamic workplace and thriving dining hub. To celebrate this new phase of life, Queen & Collins is offering one lucky winner the chance to win a $400 dining experience at one of the precinct's many venues. What are your options? You can start your day with a visit to Rustica. Having opened in early 2022, this outpost of the legendary bakery brings brekkie to go with locally roasted coffee or supreme brunch, and lunch feeds to CBD workers until 4pm, Monday to Friday. For something more sophisticated, you can hit fine French eatery Reine & La Rue (which opened in August to massive acclaim) for a luxe experience or head underground to the basement bar Purple Pit (by Maurice Terzini of Icebergs) for a unique take on after-work drinks. A recent addition is A25 Pizzeria — sister to the famous South Yarra venue — dishing out beloved plates of pizza and handmade pasta. Then, in early 2024, the viral KOI Dessert Bar will open in the precinct for an extra sweet treat to finish. To find a full-on meal at any of the above venues, fill out the form below. [competition]931503[/competition]
Elwood's all-day tapas spot Repeat Offender is already a dream destination for the dietarily-challenged, with a bold Latin American-meets-Australian food offering that just happens to be entirely gluten-free. But come Wednesday, July 27, it'll be even more inclusive than ever, as it hosts a one-off vegan feast built on maximum flavour and absolutely zero animal products. The Vegan Fiesta will see you tucking into five courses of creative plant-based (and gluten-free) fare — think, creamy mushroom fricassee with garlic and thyme, a gratin-inspired riff on patatas bravas, and perhaps a rhubarb crumble with warm mezcal lime curd. The dinner clocks in at $60 per person; though for an extra $50 you can also add a drinks pairing, showcasing wines from across Central and South America. Or, you can choose your own adventure and check out the bar's offering of signature cocktails, featuring no less than nine margarita varieties.
Sure, you’ve seen plenty of films before — but have you smelled one? Well, here’s your chance. The inimitable Odorama experience sends all kinds of scents towards willing nostrils, and it’s coming to Sydney's Golden Age Cinema. The film to smell above all others? Why, it’s John Waters’ Polyester, of course! The cult film to end all cult films, and one intended to be as picturesque as it is pungent, Polyester is the ultimate scratch 'n' sniff movie. When it was released in cinemas in 1981, audiences were famously given numbered Odorama cards to scratch at specific moments, unleashing a wave of odours — some pleasant, some not so. The full bouquet of Polyester features smells ranging from dirty shoes to pizza to new car. Starring the one and only Divine, the film offers a frenzied tale to match its fun gimmick, delving into the anarchic lives of the Fishpaw family. Francine’s world is falling apart, and trouble just keeps on coming. Her husband, Elmer (David Samson), is a polyester-clad pornographer having an affair with his secretary (Mink Stole). Her daughter, Lu-Lu (Mary Garlington), is pregnant by her delinquent boyfriend, Bo-Bo (Stiv Bators). Her glue-sniffing son, Dexter (Ken King), could possibly be the sought-after ‘Baltimore foot stomper’. Francine’s sole ray of sunshine comes in the form a Corvette-driving suitor, the dashing Todd Tomorrow (Tab Hunter). Since 1981's screenings of Polyster, Odorama has had few outings, so this is an very rare treat. Seeing and smelling Polyester takes cinema to another level. Steel your senses for a trip to the movies like no other. Warning: this may not suit those with weak stomachs. Polyster screens at the Golden Age Cinema on Friday, November 7, at 9pm. For more information, visit the Golden Age website.
Keen to escape your house — and the summer heat — by heading to a cinema, but your wallet doesn't want to play ball? Call the return of Cinema Nova's weekly special great timing, then. After reopening its 16 screens post-lockdown back in November, the Carlton cinema is bringing back its popular Discount Monday from January 11. It's offering up discounted tickets every week, which means you can catch box office hits and award-winning Aussie flicks for just $7 before 4pm and $10 after. Either way, it's a bargain. At the moment, you can catch the Eric Bana-starring Aussie crime-thriller The Dry, award-winning drama Babyteeth, 2020's best film Nomadland, glossy culinary documentary Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles and Christopher Nolan's mind-bending Tenet. So, there's plenty to watch if you're keen to spend as much time in a darkened room as possible. With limited capacities ad allocated seating, the cinema recommends you book tickets in advance (either online or at the box office) if you want to head along. https://youtu.be/HwJhS4O_IdM
You won't be left wanting for anything after digging into this lavish, meat-free feast, held against the idyllic backdrop of thhe Yarra Valley's Rob Dolan Wines and The Farm. Get set for a sumptuous five-course spread that not only champions the humble veg, but flies the flag for locality. In fact, almost every ingredient on the menu was grown right there on the property, showcasing goodies plucked straight from both kitchen garden and vineyard, matched, of course, to a few of the Rob Dolan wines crafted onsite. The only thing that's travelled further is the cheese, though even the fiercest locavores are sure to approve — it's made and matured just a few hops away at the Stone and Crow Cheese Company. For full effect, be sure to indulge in a post-lunch jaunt through the vineyards, to see where that food all began. Take Five is part of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival. Check out more of the festival's events here.
Summer is in the air, and with it the smell of fresh popcorn, as starlight screenings return to the Lido Rooftop Cinema in Hawthorn. Perched atop the eight-screen picture house overlooking Glenferrie Road, the outdoor screen will light up from next week with a selection of new release movies in the open air. The season kicks off on Thursday, October 27, with a screening of contemporary western Hell or High Water complete with western-themed party. Bring your boots, your bolo ties and your ten gallon hats, and knock back bourbon cocktails on sale at the bar. It's one of a number of special events on the Lido Rooftop program, which also includes a Halloween screening of Rob Zombie's 31, a midnight showing of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and a throwback screening of 1992's Death Becomes Her presented by Taste of Streep. Other titles to make the journey skyward include Marvel movie Doctor Strange, ensemble comedy Office Christmas Party and Mel Gibson's new WWII movie Hacksaw Ridge. For more information visit www.lidocinemas.com.au.
Splendour in the Grass ain't all about dancing like a proper noob to That Song You've Been Waiting For and Only You Understand. There's plenty of brain food afoot, with a big ol' program announced for this year's colossal Splendour Forum. Opinionated tweeters, keep your pants on as the Silver Fox comes to Splendour for some hardcore hashtagged debate. Q&A's Tony Jones brings his hard-hitting swagger to the Forum for a special Splendour version of Australia's favourite "NO THEY DIII-IN'T" show on the Saturday. With an all-new Forum Twilight Film Festival, Tropfest live Q and A talks and the very first Splendour Late Night Comedy Club geared up to shake up the sets this year, you might even miss Interpol and Outkast this year. Dusk hours will see A Taste of Tropfest take over the Forum, a dandy little showcase of the film festival's most memorable awww and oooh moments. Comedy enthusiasts and those who enjoy a hearty, ugly-faced chuckle should stick around after dark, as Australia's top comedians (we're talking triple j favourites Matt Okine, Tom Ballard and Mel Buttle, Good News Week’s Claire Hooper, Spicks & Specks host Josh Earl, Greg Fleet and so many, many more) make y'all laugh until a little bit of wee comes out. Writers Marieke Hardy and Michaela McGuire bring their beloved literary salon 'Women of Letters' to Splendour with Lauren Mayberry (Chvrches), Courtney Barnett, Gossling, Jennifer Boyce (Ball Park Music), Nkechi Anele (Saskwatch), Liz Drummond (Little May) and musical comedians Alice Fraser and Genevieve Fricker — all narrating their "Letter to the Song They Wish They’d Written". Love a good keynote? You love a good keynote. Lindsay "The Doctor" McDougall chats to TED Talker Paul Gilding about our super messed up planet (or is it?) in 'Life on Earth in 2030 - Fun, Frazzled or F%*ked?'. There's a bunch more to squeal about at the Splendour website. The Forum is open 10am ‘til late daily at Splendour. If you haven't got tickets yet, the re-sale facility is open until 9am Monday 16 June through moshtix.com.au or phone 1300 GET TIX (438 849). Worth a shot.
The Carlton has always been known for their outlandish interiors, but it's safe to say they've really stepped things up a notch this month. Now, instead of being greeted by emus wearing pearls or elephants bursting forth from velveteen walls, you can party it up Christmas style inside a full-blown gingerbread house, an igloo disco, a raunchy xxxmas bar, a new cosy cocktail space, a giftbox karaoke bar, or an actual snow globe. Seriously. All set up on Level 4 of this infamously labyrinthine CBD watering hole, these six new spaces are sure to get you in the festive spirit. Full of big smiles, strong drinks, glitter and bright lights, The Carlton has created the perfect refuge from all that inevitable family bickering. Dance out that holiday stress in an igloo or sit back and sip on some eggnog while watching someone embarrass themselves singing 'Jingle Bell Rock'. We only get to act this strange once a year; embrace it.
To some she was a caregiver. To others, a recluse. Now, the world knows her as an artist. Vivian Maier had a lot of faces, all of which are revealed in a problematic new documentary releasing in cinemas this week. Directed by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel, the film pulls back the curtain on the life of its titular subject, a woman who, in the years since her death, has gone from a total unknown to one of the most acclaimed street photographers in history. That's the premise of Finding Vivian Maier. The problem is that it appears she never wanted to be found. The documentary begins in 2007, when Maloof, an author and amateur historian, was doing research for a book about Chicago. On a whim, he purchased a box of old, undeveloped photographs at an auction — photographs that just so happened to have been taken by Vivian Maier. Blown away by her talent, Maloof stuck her name into Google, only for his search to turn up a blank. So over the next few years, he continued to look, slowly uncovering more about the artist while shining an ever brighter spotlight on her work. As it turns out, Maier spent most of her life working as a nanny. Interviews with the children she cared for, now adults, paint an eccentric portrait of a bold, opinionated woman with combat boots and a phoney French accent, who would take them on outings to the rough side of town just so she could get an interesting picture. She was also a prolific hoarder, collecting not just photographs, but letters, receipts and stacks and stacks of newspapers. She never married, never had kids and, despite her remarkable body of work, appears to have died penniless and alone. It's certainly an intriguing story, one that Maloof and Siskel milk for everything it's worth. But, as the documentary goes on, it also becomes increasingly clear that Maier herself would have been uncomfortable with the attention she's being given. She never made any significant attempts to showcase her work while she was alive, and appears to have gone to great lengths to keep her private life hidden. Throughout the film, various people speculate, often rather tastelessly, about her feelings and state of mind. Ultimately, without the participation of Maier herself, it's simply impossible to know. Maloof, meanwhile, comes across as extremely unlikable; a self-congratulatory little hipster poking his nose where it doesn't belong. There are obviously a whole stack of moral issues at play here, but whether or not you can justify viewing Maier's work without her consent, it's pretty clearly not okay to rummage through her personal life just to satisfy a tawdry curiosity. Finding Vivian Maier smacks of gossip and exploitation. Let the poor woman rest in peace. https://youtube.com/watch?v=2o2nBhQ67Zc
This Malop Street bar — housed in a former bank — is like stepping into a house party in the 1970s. Swing by for good times and strong drinks like There There's Fruit Cup (available in a single serve or a jug), a positively retro mix of Plantation pineapple rum, Cointreau, Martini Rosso, orange and mint, or a velvety caramel espresso martini with Underground Spirits caramel vodka, crème de café, licor 43 and cold-drip coffee. There's also a great selection of beer and mocktails, as well a a tidy wine list of mostly Australian labels.
This Wednesday, November 23 ten of Melbourne's bars and pubs will be transformed into classrooms for a night of talks — 20 of them, to be exact, which means there are at least 20 new things for you to discuss and learn about. Raising the Bar will see academics deliver free talks around the city, bringing the concept that "good ideas are born at the bar" to life. Previously established a few years back by students from New York and Columbia Universities and having been hosted in Sydney twice already, this is the first year the event will come to Melbourne to showcase a range of speakers, ideas, and themes. Pick one that'll interest you, teach you something new, or get you animated, standing and gesturing dramatically with your beer glass. Hear what Mindfulness Everywhere's Rohan Gunatillake has to say about the 'trend' of mindfulness and meditation upstairs at Blue Diamond, or head to Lily Blacks to listen to barrister and writer Hilary Bonney talk about the role of storytelling in real (and unreal) court cases. If you want to get some fresh air, openair bar Arbory will host Monash University's Kate Burridge for a talk on swearing in Australian culture. It's a free event, but booking is required and recommended so you don't miss out.
On Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, Palace Balwyn and Dendy Brighton will become the most magical places in Melbourne. Split across the two days, all ten Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films will grace the two venues' screens, serving up a whole weekend of wizarding wonder. BYO time-turner if you don't think you'll be able to get through it all otherwise. Ten films, you say? Yep, this really is a celebration of every Potter-related flick there is, which means the eight movie versions of J.K. Rowling's original seven books, plus both Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Fantastic Beasts and the Crimes of Grindelwald as well. Watch Harry, Hermione, Ron and co. spend their first day at Hogwarts, play quidditch, search for the deathly hallows and battle He Who Must Not Be Named. And, then jump back several decades earlier to explore the exploits behind one of their textbooks. Potterfest: A Harry Potter Marathon kicks off at 10am on Saturday, runs through until 11.40pm that evening, and then screens again from 10am–10.45pm on Sunday. Dressing up in costume is always highly recommended, as is indulging in the whole two days of Potter nerdery — with tickets costing $50, or $40 for Palace members.
The Melbourne Art Fair is setting up shop this year at the grand Royal Exhibition Centre in Carlton, and from August 14-17 it will be home to more than 300 artists' work, presented by leading Australian and Asia-Pacific galleries. Contemporary art lovers have the chance to view, interact with and purchase work from both Australian and international artists, and trust us, there's plenty to get through. While much of the artwork is for sale, you don’t need a fat chequebook to check out the best artistic offerings. Here’s our pick of what you should feast your eyes on during this year's fair. Pop-Up Restaurant Angry Penguin Speaking of firsts for MAF, food and art will delightfully collide with a pop-up restaurant opening during the festival, located in the exclusive Collectors Lounge. The Angry Penguin is a collaborative effort between The European chef Ian Curley and Bay Leaf Catering’s head chef Derek Boath. The name is in reference to the Australian modernist and literary artist movement in the 1940s, and the angry young men who were determined to shake up the establishment, including Arthur Boyd, Albert Tucker, Sydney Nolan and Joy Hester. If only we could have a rowdy dinner conversation with that lot! Fairgoers who like a little nosh with their cultural activities are encouraged to pre-book online, as tables will be limited. The Supermarket Made Entirely of Salt Ken and Julia Yonetani’s large-scale art installation is a full-sized recreation of a supermarket of items made entirely of white salt. The piece is a nod to increasing issues with salinity in Australia’s farmlands and is called The Last Suppermarket. Every item stocked on the supermarket’s shelves is for sale; price is determined by weight, and you’re welcome to take anything from a single ‘banana’ to a whole fruit bowl. In theory this sounds like a logistical nightmare, but in reality we can’t wait to see it for ourselves. Tram Takeovers Commuters are in for a few pleasant surprises, with pop-up performances coming to a tram near you all throughout Melbourne Art Week, which MAF is a part of, from August 11-17. Expect flash musical and comedic performances as part of the public program, with more details yet to be revealed as to which tram lines you need to redirect yourselves to sharpish. We’re interested to see how the artists will pry the passengers’ attention away from their iPhones, but we welcome anything that makes the daily commute a little more colourful. Other gems on the public program include Art After Hours and an installation at Aesop for those less interested poking around the Royal Exhibition Centre. The Alien Pope Yes, that's right, alien pope. Artist Luke Roberts will appear as his alter ego 'Pope Alice' to perform at the fair. A lover of costume and the subversive power of dress-ups, Roberts is also a practicing Raelian, believing we have been placed on earth by aliens. All of which makes his pope persona serious business. Roberts is part of a wide program of performance art taking place during Opening Night Vernissage, where more than 500 artists will be in attendance to get this fair off to a cracking start. We also recommend looking out for Anastasia Klose, whose surprise art work could prove lucrative for you. A Fair Within a Fair Jason Maling and Lara Thoms have spent a good deal of this year attending Expos and trade fairs, jumping from one industry or subculture to the next. For this year’s Melbourne Art Fair they are bringing their installation piece called Exposition, which is essentially a tongue-in-cheek fake mini trade fair that visitors can interact with. Stalls within the mini trade fair include a dog enthusiasts' stand, alternative healing and a tattoo artist. Exposition is part of MAF Edge, where for the first time in the fair’s history, contemporary performance art is included in the events. The Melbourne Art Fair is on from August 13-17 at the Royal Exhibition Building and all around Melbourne. See the event website for more information.
It's been an explosive year for beer and brewing in Australia. Some old hands at the craft game sold to major international corporations, while new independent brewers continued to develop and expand. From fruit-infused sours to bold, hoppy IPAs, the discerning beer drinker has never enjoyed so much choice from both local and international markets. While there will always be a time and a place for a cold tinnie of VB, the following ten brews offer a range of flavours and unique styles to help you beat the heat this summer. The best places to find these beers, aside from the locations below, are specialist bottle shops. We've rounded up our favourites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. XPA, PHILTER BREWING The XPA style is still somewhat unclear, though the acronym stands for Xtra Pale Ale, but in the case of Philter's flagship brew — a pale yellow, slightly hazy session ale — the 'Xtra' refers to both the light colour and the depth of flavour. Head brewer Sam Fuss has put the myth to rest that brewing is a man's game with her brewing prowess. Packaged in retro blue and white cans, Philter XPA opens with a delicate bouquet of floral and summer fruit aromatics, notes of rockmelon, passionfruit and mango. On the palate expect little to no bitterness with some citrus and notes of freshly cut grass, balanced out by a subtle wheat and honey flavour from its malt base. Philter XPA won Best Pale Ale at the 2017 Craft Beer Awards, after only being on the market for four months. Available in cans at Liquor Emporium, St Peters, and as Beer of the Month at The Botany View Hotel, Newtown. EARL PEAR, MERCHANT BREWING COMPANY In the height of the Australian summer, a 6.9% ABV Belgian-style blonde ale seems like a strange choice. But the boys over at Merchant have taken some bold steps to create one ripper of a beer. Blending the toffee apple malt flavour with extracts of pear and earl grey tea, this beer is inventive and exciting without being gimmicky. The beer pours slightly cloudy, is dark orange in colour and has a strong aroma of pears, apricots and a touch of citrus. The immediate flavour is pear with a hint of tart funkiness, then the sweet malt flavour gives way to a light kiss of floral citrus rounded out by the herbaceous bitterness from the tea. Incredibly well-balanced and surprisingly delicate, this beer would make a fine match for seafood or a fruit-based summer salad. Just like the monocle-sporting sloth on the label, this is a sophisticated and fun slow sipper for those looking for something a little different this summer. Earl Pear is currently available on tap at Quarrymans Hotel, Pyrmont. PASSION OF THE PUSS, WAYWARD BREWING CO Between Parramatta Road and the backstreets of leafy Annandale, Wayward Brewing Co's tap room is the perfect place for those seeking shelter from the hot days. Housed in a converted wine cellar, the brewery boasts an impressive selection of vintage 70s-style couches, a wall-mounted Royal Enfield motorcycle and a labyrinth of rooms and spaces catering to crowds of all sizes. Passion of the Puss is a new spin on Wayward's incredibly popular Sour Puss Raspberry Berliner Weisse, but this time it favours passionfruit and yuzu. The result is a a bright, aromatic brew with plenty of passionfruit notes giving way to the acidity of the yuzu to round it out. This is a great beer for those looking to get into sours as it has enough complexity and balance to remain refreshing all the way through the pint. Sitting at only 3.8% ABV, it's great for session, and a reliable hangover cure. Passion of the Puss is currently available in 640ml bombers from Wayward Brewery Co, Camperdown. WEST COAST IPA, BATCH BREWING COMPANY Pioneers of the Sydney craft beer scene, Batch Brewing Company has maintained a steady rise to prominence in inner west Sydney, the cradle of brewing culture in Sydney. While the current trend among brewers seems to be about who can brew the biggest, hoppiest and strongest IPAs, this little gem from Batch's core range is a reliable and refreshing take on the classic American style. Over the years, Batch have made many IPAs, yet this is the only permanent fixture and with one sip you'll quickly see why. The blend of three hop varieties with three base malts achieves a beer that is supremely well balanced. Pale gold and ever so slightly cloudy, this beer is dominated by tropical fruit aromas of mango and pineapple, followed by fresh citrus notes. A subtle but firm bitterness rounds out the finish and leaves you wanting more, and as it sits at an approachable 5.8%, why not have another? Batch West Coast is currently available in cans, bombers, growlers and on tap at Batch Brewery Company, Marrickville. DIPA, HOPE BREWHOUSE When getting into the boozier side of brewing, some beers tend to almost drift into wine territory. With this in mind, it's incredibly comforting to know that Hope's head brewer, Matt Hogan, is indeed a former winemaker. This training in nuance and delicacy translates in the surprising form of a double India pale ale — a style famous for its in-your-face flavour. Hope's offering, however, is a joyously well-balanced beer; it has a pale straw colour with a beautiful floral nose, citrus aromas, big tropical fruit notes and a piney, resiny mid-palate. The light malts offer some sweeter notes of honey and biscuit, while a substantial bitter finish makes this big bold beer a truly dynamic flavour experience. Sitting at 9% ABV this DIPA would be suited to fans of Pirate Life Brewing's Double IPA. Hope DIPA is currently available in cans at Liquor Emporium, St Peters, and on tap at the The Local Taphouse, Darlinghurst. SAUCY SAISON, SAUCE BREWING COMPANY Starting a microbrewery in a warehouse in Marrickville is a tried and tested idea. With the craft cradle booming, however, offering something new and exciting can be a challenge. Enter Sauce Brewing Company, a strong team of brewers covering a broad range of styles with charm and reliability. Oh, and did we mention their converted warehouse space features a large, family-friendly beer garden? This beer is a modern take on the classic French/Belgian style where the yeast is the dominant flavour. A special Belgian ale yeast gives smooth notes of banana and clove with some light fruity esters, followed by a twist of citrusy hop flavour, all wrapped up in a smooth honey malt. For those seeking a less hop-driven beer, that still has a bit of a kick to it this summer, treat yourself to something a little different, after all, 'tis the 'saison'! Saucy Saison is available from Sauce Brewing Company, Marrickville in cans and growlers, and in cans at Red Bottle, Sussex Street. SERPENT'S KISS, GRIFTER BREWING CO Pilsner is a style that many beer nerds will scoff at, as it's often thought of as a bland boring lager. In the current game, however, the ability to produce an interesting lager-style beer is one hell of a trump card to play. This is exactly what the team at Grifter has done. With five-plus years in the Sydney brewing scene, their approach to this widely loved style of beer is sure to appeal to a wide range of drinkers. This light-bodied, easy-drinking brew is the perfect, refreshing drop for a sunny afternoon, it has a low level of bitterness complemented by a delicate fruitiness from the inclusion of real watermelon. The watermelon flavour is light, natural and not overly sweet, resulting in a beautifully sessionable beer with a fruity twist. Available in cans from the Grifter Brewing Co, and currently on tap at the White Cockatoo Petersham. OXYMORON, BRUNY ISLAND Traditionally, darker beers are reserved for drinking in the cooler months, but tradition goes straight out the window with this beer made by a cheese company from Tasmania. The aptly titled Oxymoron is a sort of Swiss-Army-knife beer, in that it's perfect for a multitude of occasions all year round. The style is billed as a 'dark pale ale' so expect some robust roasty notes of smooth cocoa and a touch of spice from the use of malted rye. This is wonderfully countered by a superb blend of four Tasmanian-grown hop varieties offering floral, citrus and light peach notes, rounded out by a firm bitterness. This is a beer that will serve as a refreshing, yet smooth and rich, alternative to the plethora of American-style pales dominating the market at present. A relative newcomer to the scene, even moreso the mainland, Bruny Island's beers are most reliably sourced through its online store, but keep an eye out for them in your local craft pub, bar or bottle-o. NORMAN AUSTRALIAN ALE, YULLI'S BREWS About halfway down Crown Street in Surry Hills there's a small, unassuming restaurant with a well-deserved reputation for serving some of the finest vegetarian food in town. To make it even better, they're also responsible for one of the finest local drops on the market. Created by bar staff seeking an approachable and casual beer that could also stand alongside fine dining, Norman is a light, refreshing summer ale with notes of apple and pear, followed by a gentle, clean, bitter finish. The green and gold cans adorned with a charmingly idiosyncratic cartoon character make for a staple in any Aussie fridge this summer. Perfect for a barbecue or beachside evening picnic, Norman is a friend you want to have around again and again. Available from Yulli's restaurant, Surry Hills, on tap and in cans at The Clock Hotel bottle shop. [caption id="attachment_648241" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA[/caption] TONIC, DOCTOR'S ORDERS The Sydney brewing scene's equivalent of the eccentric cartoon mad scientist Rick Sanchez (from Rick and Morty), 'Dr' Darren Robinson has been brewing weird, wacky and wonderful styles of beer since 2009. The latest seasonal prescription from the Doc is a sessionable witbier with an impressive array of botanicals including orange peel, juniper berries, lemon myrtle and cinchona bark. This inventive blend of flavours is enough to make for a beautiful summer drop all by itself, however, it is also a brilliant mixer with your favourite gin. This is the second seasonal release of the Tonic, which was a massive success last year and sure to become a summer favourite of both gin and beer enthusiasts. Available from the The Wine Cellar, Newtown, in cans.
As if Kendrick Lamar shows weren't already hard enough to nab tickets to, it's just been announced that the West Coast king will play an uber-exclusive/downright splurge-worthy show in the Bermuda Triangle. Performing this Halloween alongside Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding, Kendrick will take the stage in the spookiest place on earth as part of a three-day festival sponsored by Bacardi. Here's hoping he makes it back alive. Unless you're an heiress, Bruce Wayne or Tony Stark, The Bacardi Triangle festival is pretty completely unlike any festival you've ever been to. From October 30–November 2, 1862 guests will descend on the Caribbean via private chartered jet from London, New York and Los Angeles. And it's safe to say they won't be roughing it with a broken tent and goon bag. Festival patrons will be put up at the five-star Waldorf Astoria El Conquistador, treated to intimate poolside performances and then taken to a private island via boat for the main show. Usually we wouldn't even tell you about this kind of stuff. It just makes people feel bad. Who wants to hear about luxurious world-class performances on a private island while they're bunkered over a pint of draught watching young screamo kids at the local bandroom? It's cruel. But this time around, Bacardi Triangle are offering up free tickets. Bacardi are giving away all-expense paid trips and plane tickets to 12 Australian island-less peasants. The price of everything adds up to over $20,000 and the value of the stories you'll have is absolutely priceless. Just head along to their website, tell them in 25 words or less what the weirdest place you've ever partied is and you'll be in the running. Sure, the possibility of winning is sure to be smaller than the actual lottery, but you have nothing to lose and a literal boatload of free Bacardi and epic Kendrick times to gain. The full lineup is yet to be released, but rumour has that it will feature an Aussie electronic act. We'd tell you to keep your eyes peeled for further details, but if you're still reading this you've missed the point entirely. Kendrick Lamar. Bermuda Triangle. Private jets. Actual swimming pools full of liquor. Enter here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=B5YNiCfWC3A
"Once upon a time there was a little girl who was trapped. This is the story of her great escape." So begins the trailer for the latest version of a Roald Dahl classic, the book-to-stage-to-screen Matilda the Musical — and it's bringing its imaginative story about an extraordinary child, her impressive abilities and her horrible school to Netflix on Christmas Day. For the past few years, the streaming platform has been obsessed with one very particular golden ticket that Matilda the Musical springs from: the beloved works of British author Dahl. Back in 2018, Netflix announced that it was bringing 16 of the writer's classic novels to the service in animated form. And, it revealed that there'd be two new series from Taika Waititi based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, too. In 2021, it also advised that it had snapped up the Roald Dahl Story Company (RDSC) itself. So, plenty of Dahl-penned tales are now getting the Netflix treatment, with the service's library set to expand in a big way. That spans everything from Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Matilda and The Twits, all as animated television shows, plus The BFG, Esio Trot, George's Marvellous Medicine, The Enormous Crocodile, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, Henry Sugar, Billy and the Minpins, The Magic Finger, Dirty Beasts and Rhyme Stew. Yes, it's a long list — and yes, Matilda the Musical is obviously on it. [caption id="attachment_873641" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Alisha Weir as Matilda Wormwood in Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Cr. Dan Smith/Netflix © 2022[/caption] If you've seen the Tony and Olivier award-winning show in theatres since 2010 — complete with original music and lyrics by Tim Minchin — you'll know what's in store. If you read the novel before that, you'll also already have plenty of fondness everyone's favourite book-loving schoolgirl with telekinetic abilities. In the movie as onstage, the narrative remains the same as Dahl's original 1988 text, but with songs and tunes that are all supremely on its wavelength. Once again, Matilda Wormwood (Alisha Weir, Darklands) is a curious, bright, quiet, observant and imaginative girl — and tiny — but has terrible parents (Venom: Let There Be Carnage's Stephen Graham and Amsterdam's Andrea Riseborough). So, she escapes into novels as they feast on TV and try to stump up cash via dodgy schemes. But that isn't welcomed by her mum and dad, in her first lesson in being bullied — something that, at school, Matilda will no longer stand for. [caption id="attachment_873640" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Alisha Weir as Matilda Wormwood in Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Cr. Dan Smith/Netflix © 2022[/caption] At Crunchem Hall, Matilda finds a source of support and inspiration in Miss Honey (Lashana Lynch, No Time to Die), but it's also where the star student meets another foe. That'd be the villainous Miss Trunchbull (Emma Thompson, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande), who is as mean as can be — and needs Matilda to teach her a lesson. Minchin's songs and lyrics make the jump to the movie version, of course, while Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus — who did the honours with Matilda the Musical on the stage — helms. And yes, this is the second movie based on Dahl's Matilda, after a 1996 version initially adapted the book for cinema (not as a musical, though), and featured Mara Wilson as the titular character. Check out the full trailer for Matilda the Musical below: Matilda the Musical will be available to stream via Netflix on December 25. Images: Dan Smith/Netflix © 2022.
This summer, your nearest beach will transform into an international food market. And it doesn't matter where you live — be it near St Kilda, Bondi or Broadbeach. How? As of now, Deliveroo, the food delivery service that transports tasty meals from your favourite eateries directly to your door, can travel to the sand. And, more specifically, right to your beach towel. That's right, next time you're sprawled out on the beach catching some rays and hunger pangs, you won't have to go anywhere. Jump on your phone, make your order and, somehow or other, your faithful Deliveroo driver will be at your side. Yes, this is going to be very, very interesting to watch on Bondi Beach on a stinking hot day in January when beachgoers number in the thousands and thousands. The food delivery app is now delivering to 150 beaches around the country, having recently launched its services in Hobart, the Sunshine Coast, Cairns and Newcastle. Deliveroo is now delivering to 150 beaches around the country. To see if it delivers to you, check your app.
No one needs an excuse to get stuck into gnocchi. But as winter steadily creeps closer, the volume of pillowy potato dumplings Melbourne consumes follows an undeniable upwards trajectory. Luckily, the team running The Ascot Lot's beloved Gnocchi Festival is well aware of this fact. The event has been a fan favourite since 2019 — when over 10,000 pasta enthusiasts streamed in across the weekend. This April sees the return of the much-loved festival, with a slew of the city's gnocchi-loving vendors invited to plate up their unique versions of the classic potato dish from Saturday, April 30–Sunday, May 1. Head in from noon each day to catch a range of gnocchi-inspired creations from the likes of Pasta Face, Eat My Balls and Gnonnas Gnocchi, with vegan and gluten-free options in the mix. Meanwhile, both the indoor and outdoor bars will be whipping up Euro-accented cocktails in a nod to gnocchi's Italian roots — from spritzes to bellinis. A program of live tunes will soundtrack your gnocchi scoffing right through the afternoon and, as always, pooches are more than welcome to join in the fun. This year, the Gnocchi Festival will be staying COVID-safe and splitting the weekend up into three two-and-a-half-hour sessions per day so everyone has a chance to experience gnocchi heaven. Tickets are on sale now for $10, which includes a special spritz on arrival. [caption id="attachment_809656" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ardor Food Co.[/caption]
If you're in the mood for free live tunes to see out the rest of summer, simply get yourself down to Federation Square. The CBD precinct is dishing up an array of sonic treats with the return of its ever-popular music series Fed Live. This slew of free gigs kicks off on Saturday, January 21, with Aria Award-winning rockers King Stingray joined by surf-pop act The Moving Stills, Arnhem Land's Andrew Gurruwiwi Band and alt-country artist Babitha. [caption id="attachment_884407" align="alignnone" width="1920"] King Stingray[/caption] Next up, on Saturday, February 18, you can catch electro-pop legend Vera Blue, supported by Filipino Australian songstress Vetta Borne, indie-pop darling Gretta Ray and emerging Afropop star Jewel Owusu. Sydney-based rap star Masked Wolf helps wrap up the series on Friday, March 24, joined on the final bill by a bumper lineup of hip hop and funk acts — Big Twisty & The Funknasty, Kootsie Don, Agung Mango and Pookie included.
In 2013, after 17 years on the air, Richard Mercer played his final love song dedication. Now, Tom Hogan and Bonnie Leigh-Dodds are picking up where the Love God left off. Billed as equal parts lecture, dance party and late-night cab ride home, Love Song Dedications (without Richard Mercer) is the ultimate love letter to a broadcasting icon, as Bonnie and Tom duke it out in their quest to find the perfect ballad. The pair also host a podcast on the subject. So, if nothing else, you know they're qualified to comment on it.
During 2020's lockdown, plenty of folks started burning through at-home workouts. You might've decided to work hard on your wine appreciation skills, too. And, if you were boss-level multitasking, you might've done both at once — including at virtual event series Pinot Pilates. A little bit of normality has returned in 2021, which means that Pinot Pilates is making a big leap this year and taking place as a physical, in-person event. So, instead of tuning in online, you'll head to La Ciel for a wine-fuelled pilates class helmed by seasoned instructor Laura Roodhouse. Two Pinot Pilates Live sessions are happening on Sunday, February 7 — from 4–6pm and 7–9pm. For your $95 ticket, you'll combine drinking vino with some muscle-toning moves, all while overlooking the Melbourne skyline. You'll be guided through a laidback series of stretches and core work — in between sips, of course. Classes run for two hours, with an hour of that dedicated to pilates, and equipment, mats and glassware are all supplied. You'll also receive a bottle of vino, and there'll be a grazing selection and seasonal fruits to snack on.
Some days, don't you just want to grab a drink, make a few shiny spheres zigzag around a table, and enjoy the soothing blend of booze and pinball? If so, Melbourne's Pinball Paradise is your new hangout — as well as Australia's first dedicated pinball and whiskey bar. Lighting up the first floor at 213 Franklin Street, and accessed via a secret entrance in ground-floor bar Island Somewhere, Pinball Paradise is basically a beverage-serving pinball arcade for adults. And if that sounds like the kind of space that every pinball lover dreams of, wait until you clock the themed machines you'll be flipping balls in. Prepare for a pop culture bonanza, including Game of Thrones, Dracula, The Wizard of Oz, Dirty Harry, Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Popeye, The Creature from the Black Lagoon and Maverick pinball. Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, The Addams Family, Star Trek — they're all likely to give your button-smashing, flipper-controlling fingers a workout as well, alongside a range of rare, classic machines. Drinks-wise, expect whiskey aplenty, with Japanese varieties a favourite. A selection of food is also on offer to help you keep up your pinball-playing energy levels. As well as becoming the new home of all of your spare change, Pinball Paradise might just be the future of your fun nights out. Indeed, with mini golf and arcade watering holes popping up around the country, simply going to a bar, grabbing a drink and chatting with your friends is quickly becoming a pre-2016 concept. Find Pinball Paradise on the first floor at 213 Franklin Street, Melbourne. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
Throughout summer, Welcome to Brunswick is hosting taco legends CDMX Taqueria out in its sun-soaked beer garden. The CDMX crew will be parking their food truck here every Friday to Sunday until the end of February, serving up tacos and summery bevs throughout the day and night. The famed birria tacos will feature on the menu alongside fish tacos, veggie tacos and simple totopo tortilla chips with house-made guac. It's not a huge menu but it hits all the right notes. Pair these Mexican eats with boozy slushies, classic cocktails, 4 Pines beer and a handful of wines by the glass. It's not a bad spot for your next summer daytime sesh out in the sun — especially if you head over on a Sunday from 3-6pm when live music will fill the courtyard. Plus, as always, you can bring your four-legged pal along with you to join the fun at Welcome to Brunswick's dog-friendly beer garden.
They've been responsible for serving many Melburnians their first taste of Polish fare, as a regular fixture at festivals, markets and events over the past few years. And now, the minds behind much-loved food business Pierogi Pierogi are going one step further, delivering the flavours of Poland to homes across the city. The newly launched Ring-ski Bring-ski has everything you need to pull off a central European food party at your house, from traditional smallgoods and pantry staples, to ready-made meals, and Polish vodka and beer. Oh, and let's not forget the main event: the brand's famed pierogi dumplings, with a variety of fillings for vegans, vegetarians and carnivores alike. There are packs of frozen dumplings that you can keep on hand for a quick fix, as well as a rotation of ready-to-eat pierogi, stuffed with the likes of asparagus and salmon, or a dessert-friendly sweet cream cheese. Elsewhere on the menu, you'll find classic Polish products like smoked trout, gingerbread biscuits and sauerkraut, alongside traditional dishes that could include kopytka (a riff on gnocchi) with mushroom ragu, or perhaps the sour-salty soup known as zurek. Plus, you can keep the good times rolling with boozy offerings including Żywiec IPA, Krupnik honey liqueur and Luksusowa vodka, and a range of merch proudly emblazoned with the words 'Eat Pierogi Make Love'. To shop the full Ring-ski Bring-ski range of home-delivered polish goodies, hit the Pierogi Pierogi website. You can find out all the delivery options here.
Lockdown's over, restrictions continue to ease and group catch-ups are flooding diaries everywhere. And if you're searching for a northside dinner destination that doesn't come with any pesky time limits, this one's for you. For a limited time, Fitzroy favourite Rice Paper Scissors has opened the doors to new pop-up dining room and function space, Aunty Kim's House. Here on Johnston Street, guests can book a table for ten or more and settle in to feast on the restaurant's renowned modern Southeast Asian fare — without having to worry about clearing out at a certain time. Set to stick around until the end of January, the set-up is primed for long, lazy festive catch-ups, with various menus starting from an easy $65 per person and a cheeky $40 drinks package also on offer. Expect signature plates like sugarcane prawns, roast duck banh mi, Thai-style beef cheek curry with grilled pineapple, and the chargrilled corn slathered in salted coconut cream. Got lots of mates? The entire venue can be booked out for groups of up to 80. Just note that deposits are required for all bookings and you'll need to give the team a heads up on your food and drink selections in advance. [caption id="attachment_833367" align="alignnone" width="1920"] C.Hawks[/caption] Images: C.Hawks
If your hopes of owning an affordable Kenzo piece were dashed when you missed out on nabbing something from its highly popular 2016 collaboration with H&M, this will be welcome news: the French fashion house is hosting its first Melbourne warehouse sale. And things will be discounted by up to 80 percent. Details on what will actually be up for grabs are scant, but there will be men's and women's pieces across multiple past collections in stock. We're crossing our greedy paws for big prints, signature sweatshirts and basically anything clad with The Tiger. Delay and — just like with the H&M collab — you might find only empty coathangers. The sale will run this weekend on Johnston Street Collingwood. It will be open 10am–7pm Friday, 10am–6pm Saturday and 10am–5pm Sunday.
You don't need a plane ticket to get a taste of Latin America. In fact, you only need to go as far as Fitzroy. This weekend, thousands of people will flock to Johnston Street for the annual Hispanic Latin American Festival, otherwise known as the Johnston Street Festival. We're talking two straight days of art, music, dancing and more food than you could possibly devour. And then there's the sangria. Good Lord is there sangria. The fiesta begins at midday on Saturday. The street will be packed to bursting with food stalls, so get ready to stuff yourself full of paella, Mexican BBQ and sweet, sweet Spanish doughnuts. Free dance lessons should help you salsa off some of the grub, while on the main stage you'll find live Latin bands and DJs. The fun continues well past sundown, with live music at nearby venues including The Old Bar, Laundry Bar and The LuWOW.
It's the main reason most of Melbourne has made their way to Good Food Month over the last couple of years, and in 2018, the ever-popular Night Noodle Markets are back — and they're bigger than ever. This year, the markets will standalone from Good Food Month for a second time — the four-week food showcase happened in June. More than 20 different stalls will converge on Birrarung Marr for a whopping 18 nights this November. Among the spoils will be all manner of noodles, dumplings, Korean tacos, savoury waffles and other delights from Wonderbao, Hoy Pinoy, Puffle, Mr Miyagi and Son In Law. For dessert, Black Star Pastry and N2 Extreme Gelato will both be returning, as will Gelato Messina (can it top last year's deep-fried gelato katsu sandwich?). There will be live music and entertainment, too, and a pop-up cellar door, which will host a series of 'paint and sip' sessions, a craft brew pop-up, a Pimm's garden bar and, for the first time, a kombucha bar offering festival-goers bottomless kombucha — for free. The Night Noodle Markets are once again at Birrarung Marr and will run from Thursday, November 8 until Sunday, November 25. They'll be open Monday and Tuesday 5-9pm, Wednesday and Thursday 5–10pm, Friday 5–11pm, Saturday 4–10pm, and Sunday 4–9pm. Entry is free but the place — if other years are anything to go by — will be packed. Image: Kimberley Moore.
To the uninitiated, the name Zymurgy might appear a little daunting. But Footscray's newest watering hole is anything but. In fact, if you've got a thing for craft booze, innovative eats cooked over charcoal and sun-drenched beer gardens, you'll want to waste zero time getting acquainted. Quietly opening the doors in late November, Zymurgy — pronounced 'zye-mur-jee', we know you were wondering — is a joint venture from Hop Nation Brewing Co owners Sam Hambour and Duncan Gibson, and chef-founder of Yarraville fine diner Navi Julian Hills. Hidden behind a former Sri Lankan restaurant on Barkly Street, the al fresco site is both kid- and dog-friendly, boasting shady umbrellas, an outdoor bar and an offering akin to an elevated backyard barbecue. The name Zymurgy references the chemistry behind fermentation, which is an art that's celebrated right throughout both the food and drink offering. Hills is cooking with wood and charcoal, but turning the familiar barbecue shtick on its head, lending an experimental touch to dishes like grilled pretzel with smoked wagyu butter, asparagus matched with a pepita crumble and brown butter emulsion, and a riff on the reuben sandwich crafted with ox tongue. Elements like miso aioli, sourdough and koji fly the ferment flag, while the grill is turning out plates like charcoal-crusted pork scotch teamed with pickled elderflower and salted cherries, and a warm smoked rainbow trout matched to potato and horseradish. The liquid side of things leans just as crafty, headlined by a ten-strong tap lineup of Hop Nation brews. Enjoy both familiar drops — think, the J Juice NEIPA and The Heart pale ale — and small-batch creations like the Candyland milkshake hazy IPA, alongside a tight rotation of tap wines and cocktails. If you'd rather crack open a bottle of something to share in the sun, you'll also find a local-leaning range of experimental wines, including releases from Hambour and Gibson's own vinous project Site Wine. Zymurgy will be sticking around in its current format until at least the end of the year, with some evolutions and expansions planned for 2021. Find Zymurgy at 561 Barkly Street, West Footscray from 3–9pm Thursday, 3–10.30pm Friday, 12–10.30pm Saturday and 12–9pm Sunday.
If anything's going to help kick off your last month of summer in style, it's a few crisp gins, quaffed beneath the sun in one of Melbourne's newest CBD beer gardens. And that's exactly the situation you're in for when Melbourne favourite Gin Palace descends on new openair haunt Park Melbourne for the inaugural Summer Gin Fling. This three-day mini-fest is set to serve up a thirst-quenching celebration of local gin, from Friday, February 7, to Sunday, February 9. And with Gin Palace's expert curators at the helm, you know to expect a pretty banging booze lineup. Plus, entry is free. You'll have the chance to sip signature serves from the likes of Melbourne Gin Company, Poor Toms, Great Ocean Road Gin, Bathtub Gin Co. and Four Pillars, while artists spin tunes from within Park's glasshouse DJ booth (6–10pm nightly). The venue's latest collection of art installations will also be on show, including a work titled Bathtub created by Gin Palace itself. Images: Julia Sansone.
Australia's social-distancing restrictions and venue closures have gone and left a big ol' pub-shaped hole in our lives. Whether it's the parma nights, the midweek trivia sessions or those freshly poured pints you're missing the most, life's not quite the same when a cheeky jaunt down to your local is off the cards. Luckily, there are a few Melbourne venues serving up the next best thing — a pub fix you can enjoy from the comfort of home, socially distanced and with zero cooking effort required. From takeaway pub feeds to home-delivered brews, these local joints are dishing up the pub experience, to-go. Dial in an order and transform your living room into a front bar tonight. If you choose to pick up your pub goods rather than have them delivered, have a look at the latest COVID-19 advice and social-distancing guidelines from the Department of Health. [caption id="attachment_769616" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Brook James[/caption] THE EMPRESS HOTEL, NORTH FITZROY This northside gem might be closed to dine-in customers for now, but you better believe it's carrying on the strong tradition of weekly pub grub specials nonetheless. You'll still find classic deals like Wednesday's $15 burger and tinnie combo, and $10 pizzas each Monday, only they're now available to order online (or by phone), for pick up or for delivery within a two-kilometre radius. If you fancy a bit of booze to match, there's a fridge stocked full of takeaway wine and beer, plus a locally focused tap list that's getting quite the workout. And The Empress is even answering a few of those live music cravings, kicking off tonight with a virtual gig from Jack Poulson of local band Vic Park. He'll take the stage in front of the pub's darts board for a special solo show, streamed live on Instagram from 7.30pm. If that's a success, we're sure there'll be more tunes to come. THE EDINBURGH CASTLE HOTEL, BRUNSWICK If you're a northsider battling some fierce pub withdrawals, best put Brunswick's Edinburgh Castle Hotel on the radar. This long-running local is coming to the (iso) party, offering a stack of growler refills and a whole raft of weekly food specials, available for pick-up and delivery. You can replicate the pub magic at home with deals like a Wednesday night pie and stubby ($20) or Thursday's parma night ($20 including a beer), for which there's always a tasty vegetarian option on offer. The bar's also slinging a solid lineup of takeaway beer and wine, with combo packs and add-ons available if you're after the full pub meal experience. And, thanks to an impressive list of tap beer options, you can top up your one- or two-litre growler with drops like Coburg Lager and Jetty Road's XPA, starting from just $12. It's open from noon each day, taking orders by phone or via the website. THE CHERRY TREE HOTEL, CREMORNE It's safe to say the Cherry Tree Hotel has found its groove during these strange pandemic times, endearing itself to even more locals when it launched its upbeat, loo roll-toting, ute-back delivery service last month. The unconventional home drop-offs are still going strong, delivering pub meals, booze, merch, groceries and more to a stack of inner suburbs, on orders made through the website. Otherwise, you'll find a pick-up point and handy makeshift bottle shop operating out of the pub's front window. From cheesy parmas to local tinnies and bottles of Crittenden Estate pinot noir, this spot has all your cravings covered. There's even a cracking lineup of food specials for anyone missing their usual routine — think, $10 lunchtime counter meals, a smokehouse pop-up on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and $3 tacos each Tuesday. THE CURTIN, CARLTON This legendary live music haunt might be making a lot less noise these days, but it's still pumping out plenty of pub-related goodness for you to sink your teeth into. For hungry punters, resident kitchen Sonny's is cooking up its full menu of signature fried chicken, sides and burgers, available for delivery with Uber Eats and Door Dash. Live nearby? There's also a click-and-collect option which will save you a cheeky 15 percent off the bill, while the pop-up bottle shop has a tidy selection of takeaway beer and wine to round out your meal. And while The Curtin's bandroom is closed, stay tuned to its Facebook page for links to the odd virtual gig, best enjoyed while cosy at home, smashing some wings and fries. Last month, it was Mo'Ju playing a soulful live set for Couch Concerts. THE PLOUGH HOTEL, FOOTSCRAY Inner west pub-lovers will find plenty of solace in the Plough Hotel, which is now open for takeaway beer, wine and pub grub, Thursday through Saturday. The beloved Footscray local is whipping up a menu of signature pizzas, parmas and lasagne — in classic beef or duck and gorgonzola — which you can pre-order and then pick-up from the car park from 3.30pm on each day. Like any pub worth its salt, this one's also got a primo drinks offering to match, even if you've got to enjoy it on your couch instead of at the front bar. Nab a bottle of something like the 2011 Reschke cabernet sauvignon to-go or bring in a two-litre vessel to fill with top-notch tap beer from the likes of Hop Nation or Hawkers. Always big on community spirit, The Plough is also donating one meal to a local healthcare worker for every $30 spent on takeaway. THE PALACE HOTEL, SOUTH MELBOURNE This much-loved South Melbourne boozer is keeping the pub spirit alive every Thursday to Saturday, with a menu of eats, drinks and grocery boxes now available to-go. Order online or via Uber Eats to get your mitts on goodies like steak sangas, fiery buffalo wings, and beer battered fish and chips, along with a few select beer and wine options. Pick-ups are also available if you fancy a tiny dose of human interaction, or you can leave your licence plate details and have your order run out straight to your car. The Palace's famously crafty tap rotation is also helping to fill the void, with a weekly-changing lineup of draught beers available for growler and squealer refills. The team's even doing local home-delivered grocery packs — with optional drink add-ons — starting from an easy $55. THE GROSVENOR HOTEL, ST KILDA Normally filled with punters watching footy and tucking into weekend beers, this modern St Kilda pub has reinvented itself as a drive-through bottle shop, takeaway kitchen and food store. The supercharged Grosvenor Cellars has the goods when it comes to that at-home pub fix, slinging a full menu of classic pub-style eats alongside plenty of top-notch booze. A new daily delivery run is servicing surrounding suburbs for an $8 flat-rate fee (free for orders over $100), or you can phone in your order and swing past to pick it up. The kitchen's cooking up a storm from 5pm daily, offering favourites like porterhouse steaks and loaded Angus beef burgers, while the extensive bottle shop selection has your thirsty needs sorted from pilsner through to pinot. A tidy selection of groceries and pantry staples rounds out the offering. THE LOCAL TAPHOUSE, ST KILDA It's long been a favourite among Melbourne's craft beer aficionados and even during these strange times, The Local Taphouse is giving its punters what they want. The St Kilda spot is dishing up an alternative pub fix by way of takeaway food, beers to sip at home and a jam-packed program of virtual fun. Enjoy artisanal pies and Friday-only serves of fried chicken, ordered online and collected via the takeaway window. To match, there's a curation of takeaway tinnies and some heavily discounted cellar stock. Or you can bring along a sealable vessel to be filled from the beer taps, currently pouring gems like Firestone Walker's Bretta Weisse wild ale. The Taphouse also has a few treats in store for your social calendar, taking a bunch of its weekly events online. Catch live-streamed comedy shows, Sunday trivia delivered via Zoom, and even virtual beer appreciation sessions.
In the midst of Melbourne's COVID-19 second wave last year, two high-density public housing estates in North Melbourne and Flemington were sent into an abrupt hard lockdown in a bid to contain the outbreak. The government-imposed restrictions were considered so harsh they made headlines across the world and were eventually found to have breached human rights laws by the Victorian Ombudsman. Now, over a year on, residents of the nine towers have united to develop their own community-led cookbook — drawing on their own rich and varied culinary traditions. Available to download for free, Cooking, Recovery and Connections has been created with help from not-for-profit community health organisation Cohealth and is packed full of treasured recipes from all corners of the globe. The book is designed to celebrate resilience, reinvigorate community connections and give back some of the autonomy that residents lost during the lockdowns, via the simple but universally-cherished act of sharing food. It features 18 recipes, interspersed with illustrations and stories, all contributed by public housing residents with roots from South Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt, India and Somalia. You can learn how to whip up Jameia Mohamed's lentil fatteh, try making a batch of homemade falafel courtesy of Aisha Suliman's recipe, or impress your mates by mastering Sara Zakaria's Sudanese baklava. [caption id="attachment_822608" align="alignnone" width="1920"] An example of the Egyptian dish koshari, Omar Elsharawi,via Unsplash[/caption] Najat Abdullah, a resident and co-developer of the cookbook, called the experience of being involved with the project "empowering and joyful", saying: "I feel so proud because the project was ours from the very beginning. We came up with the idea as a group and we saw it through all the way to the launch." "I loved learning about the different cultures behind the recipes. I've cooked every single recipe in the book!," Abdullah says. "The stories that come with each have been a really special way to learn more about the people that we live side-by-side with. It's helped to break down barriers and started conversations." The cookbook is free to download here, but if you'd like to give back to the community, organisers encourage you to do so by donating to SisterWorks, with funds going to support the organisation's training programs. Awatif Taha's Sudanese Lamb Kofta Meatballs in Curry Sauce Ingredients: Juice and finely grated zest of one lemon ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil 1 white onion, thinly sliced 500g lean lamb mince 1 brown onion, coarsely grated 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1/3 cup (25g) fresh white breadcrumbs ¼ cup coriander leaves, chopped, plus extra leaves to garnish ¼ cup mint leaves, chopped 1/3 cup (100g) korma curry paste 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger 400g can chopped tomatoes 400ml coconut milk 1 cinnamon quill Method: In a bowl whisk lemon juice with 1 tablespoon oil. Add the sliced onion and set aside. Place mince, grated onion, garlic, zest, breadcrumbs and herbs in a bowl. Season and mix to combine. Rinse your hands under cold water and, without drying them, use your hands to share the mixture into 16 small balls. Place a deep non-stick frypan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil and when hot, add the meatballs and fry, stirring for one minute. Stir in tomato, coconut milk and cinnamon until combined. Season and bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 3 minutes. Return meatballs to the pan and cook for a further 10 minutes or until cooked through and the sauce is reduced. Add the cucumber to the white onion mixture, mix to combine and season. Find and download Cooking, Recovery and Connections via the website. Top image: Public housing residents who collaborated on the Cooking, Recovery and Connections cookbook, captured by John Tadigiri, Street Studio.
Melbourne's beloved sister-duo, Saigon Sally and Hanoi Hannah, are about to welcome a new culinary family member: Tokyo Tina. Moving away from the Vietnamese delights preferred by her siblings, Tokyo Tina will bring the best of Japanese street food to the Windsor end of Chapel Street — opening today. Solidifying the group's status as the monarchs of modern Asian cuisine south of the Yarra, Tokyo Tina will be a 100-seater restaurant spilt into four distinct dining areas meant to embody Tokyo's diverse and ever-changing culinary identity. We're talking a holding bar, an elevated dining room with both snuggly booths and open dining tables, as well as a double shopfront meant for on-street dining on Chapel. So what can we nosh at Tina's? Think Izakaya and think modern — sake cured ocean trout with a chilled wasabi infused cucumber broth, teriyaki glazed ox tongue yakitori, and hot and cold soba bowls (picked Nashi, shredded woodear mushroom and Australian Wakami dressed with spicy ginger soy). Ramen's on the menu as well, with delectable-sounding dishes like the 'new Hokkaido' bisque inspired broth infused with miso, picked Australian blue swimmer crab meat, pickled bamboo, dressed with chilli oil and finished with corn. You're going to need something cold and frosty to wash it all down, and Tokyo's no stranger to an innovative cocktail. Designed by Saigon Sally’s head bartender Michael Forbes, Tokyo Tina's drinks menu features Japanese style cocktails with a whisky focus, alongside sake plum wine and shochu, as well as a sizeable beer menu. Tokyo Tina opens from Friday, February 6 at 66a Chapel Street, Windsor. Open for dinner seven days, 5pm until late, with lunches on offer from March.
There's nothing strange in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, even with the spirits of sewer dragons, Slimer and pre-Sumerian demons all lurking about. There's nothing unusual about the movie's neighbourhood, either, with the supernatural comedy franchise revisiting New York after Ghostbusters: Afterlife's detour to Oklahoma. No surprises are found among the characters, mixing OG faces from 1984's Ghostbusters and its 1989 sequel Ghostbusters II with cast members from the saga's last flick (and still sadly pretending that 2016's excellent female-led Ghostbusters didn't happen). But something unexpected does occur in this fifth film to ask "who ya gonna call?": its love of nostalgia is as strong as in Afterlife; however, Frozen Empire is welcomely absent its immediate predecessor's needy force. Afterlife didn't bode well for reviving a concept that initially sprang from Dan Aykroyd's (Zombie Town) fondness for the paranormal. Everywhere that it could blast in a wink, nudge and nod backwards, it did, with the subtlety of a proton-pack blast that's tearing up NYC, angering the mayor and sparking a campaign to stop the spectre-hunting gang. It also desperately wanted to be an 80s-era Steven Spielberg picture. Frozen Empire still brings back plenty that's familiar, including Aykroyd's Ray Stantz, Bill Murray's (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania) Peter Venkman, Ernie Hudson's (Quantum Leap) Winston Zeddemore and Annie Potts' (Young Sheldon) Janine Melnitz, but with noticeably less "did you see that, did you, did you?!?" kid-trying-to-get-someone's-attention energy. The last flick sported exactly that vibe for a reason: director Jason Reitman (The Front Runner), the son of the first two films' Ivan Reitman (Draft Day), was both following in his dad's footsteps and reliving his childhood. Handing over the helming reins to Gil Kenan (A Boy Called Christmas), with the younger Reitman co-writing, makes a difference. That said, simply being better than Afterlife is a low hurdle to clear. It's also what Frozen Empire achieves and little more. With his and Jason Reitman's roles behind the camera now reversed since their debut Ghostbusters collaboration, which he co-penned, Kenan ain't afraid of a by-the-numbers script that stitches together references to the franchise's past and as many characters as can be jam-packed in. From Afterlife, Paul Rudd (Only Murders in the Building), Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age), Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things) and McKenna Grace (Crater) all return as the Spengler-Grooberson crew. Celeste O'Connor (Madame Web) and Lucky Kim (The Walking Dead: Dead City) are back as well. New in Frozen Empire: Patton Oswalt (Manhunt), Kumail Nanjiani (Migration), James Acaster (Springleaf) and Emily Alyn Lind (Gossip Girl). Getting such a hefty list of players in the same flick isn't the same thing as giving them all something substantial to do. Frozen Empire begins with Callie (Coon), her teen kids Trevor (Wolfhard) and Phoebe (Grace), and their former science teacher Gary (Rudd) all in Ecto-1, in hot pursuit of an otherworldly wraith in Manhattan — and the fact that Callie parents, Gary yearns to be seen as a parent and Trevor reminds everyone that he's 18 now sets the scene for their parts moving forward. So does Phoebe taking charge, but Kenan and Reitman only make half an effort to push her to the fore. When Phoebe links up with Ray, who now runs a store that buys possessed possessions, the Ghostbusters saga gets its best path forward so far with this cast. And yet, possibly scared of the ridiculous backlash to Kate McKinnon (Barbie), Kristen Wiig (Palm Royale), Melissa McCarthy (The Little Mermaid) and Leslie Jones (Our Flag Means Death) in jumpsuits almost a decade back, Frozen Empire largely pads itself out with filler to stop Phoebe always being the main point of focus. The Phoebe-Ray dynamic was destined to shimmer. She's the new version of her grandfather Egon (Harold Ramis, who thankfully isn't resurrected with CGI as he ghoulishly was in Afterlife), while Ray remains as ever-passionate as ever. "This is how I want to spend my golden years. This is what I love," the latter notes partway in — and no one is as visibly pleased to be in Frozen Empire as Aykroyd. Ray and Phoebe are mostly stuck on side quests, though, after the aforementioned mayor (Bad Company's William Atherton, another returnee from 1984) gets the youngest Spengler taken off active bustin' duty due to child labour laws. Although the 15-year-old earns a romantic subplot, too, courtesy of a teen ghost named Melody (Lind) that she meets while alone and lonely when the rest of her family are chasing spirits, that thread also lacks wholehearted commitment by Frozen Empire's guiding powers. Name-wise, the film takes its cues from a being that can freeze people to death in NYC in summer, and has in the past. That's the big bad in need of vanquishing — a mission that brings in Nanjiani as a hawker peddling his recently deceased grandmother's relics, Oswalt as an expert in ancient languages (who conveniently works out of the New York Public Library) and Acaster as an engineer in Winston's new paranormal research lab. As it hits easily predictable beats, the overall plot jumps between routine and amiable; this is a movie of sporadic small pleasures rather than proving a big joy. Rudd uttering the Ghostbusters theme tune's lyrics as dialogue, a discman with a haunted Spin Doctors CD, a gramophone turned by a severed hand, a Mary Todd Lincoln gag, Nanjiani endeavouring to channel Rick Moranis (The Goldbergs): they're the feature's equivalents of mini marshmallow men, which also pop up again in an attempt to shoehorn in some cuteness. As Frozen Empire succeeds in topping Afterlife, and also in feeling far more like a Ghostbusters entry, there's an aptness about the picture becoming a case of taking the good with the average and worse. The messy editing, thin plot, unwillingness to enthusiastically champion Phoebe as the key protagonist, stretching its antics out to 115 minutes and bloated number of actors — if Aykroyd is the most excited of the bunch, Murray is the most weary — all get Frozen Empire mirroring one of the storyline's themes: that living, especially when surrounded by death, is about clinging onto what highlights you can. Perhaps that train of thought also explains splicing in clips from films gone by as well (not from 2016, of course), plus Ray Parker Jr's music video and even old ads for Ghostbusters merchandise. If the franchise gets another life from here, however, it's time to embrace being bold again, instead of comfortably doing just enough.
Ngaiire, Mojo Juju and Ali Barter will headline a diverse lineup of artists at this year's Gaytimes music festival. Set to take place over three days and two nights at the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort an hour and a half outside of Melbourne (where Paradise is held), the LGBTQI-friendly event will feature more than 35 local and international music acts, as well as art shows, film screenings, speed dating and more. As the organisers put it: it's the camping festival "of your big gay dreams". The 18+ festival runs from February 17 to 19. Other standout acts who'll take the stage include New York DJ JD Samson, Unearthed High winner Gretta Ray, Berlin House act Fritz Helder and psych pop group Broadway Sounds. In addition to the tunes, the festival will feature an array of additional action, from performance and visual art to yoga. The festival is BYO but will also boast an on-site cocktail bar, while food and coffee will also be on sale. In keeping with their inclusive approach, Gaytimes will offer gender neutral bathrooms, and will enforce a no tolerance policy for anti-social, homophobic, transphobic or racist behaviour. SO don't be a jerk, and you should be A-okay. Images: Jackson Grant/Gaytimes.
When it comes to weekend getaways, Victorians are more than a little spoiled for choice. Whether you love exploring rugged cliffs and coves on hikes to hidden beaches or you prefer long spa days spent soaking in steamy hot springs, there are endless opportunities in Victoria for whichever mini-holiday you've been dreaming of. From the Great Ocean Road and Torquay to Cape Schanck and Inverloch, these three itineraries are jam-packed with enough food and drink, historical attractions and outdoor adventures to satisfy any weekend traveller. [caption id="attachment_716099" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Torquay Coast.[/caption] TORQUAY The little seaside town of Torquay might be known for its great surf, but it has a lot more to offer than just waves. Start your time there right, with a visit to the Pond Cafe. The laidback, open cafe has a friendly atmosphere and even better food and coffee. Hot tip: the pork belly tacos are to die for and the beef bibimbap is the post-surf feed you'll crave for weeks after visiting. Now that your stomach is sorted, why not get your blood pumping, too? The Torquay section of the Surf Coast Walk is the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with one of Australia's most treasured landscapes. For the full experience, you can start at Point Impossible and slowly trek the 5.7 kilometres all the way to Yellow Bluff, or you can tackle smaller sections, including Bird Rock to Bells Beach (3.2 kilometres) or Yellow Bluff to the Torquay Promenade (1.6 kilometres). And if you're after something more adventurous, you can catch the views from up high with Spring Creek Horse Rides. [caption id="attachment_704217" align="alignnone" width="1920"] MoVida Lorne.[/caption] However you choose to spend your day, you'll have certainly worked up an appetite again. Enter MoVida. Less than an hour's drive down the road, the Lorne outpost of this Melburnian favourite serves up its Spanish tapas and dishes to share, like the pulpo and gamba or adobo cazon and patatas bravas, alongside vast views of the ocean. After a feed, drop into local favourite Blackman's Brewery to sample a fine selection of local beers in the courtyard. [caption id="attachment_716053" align="alignnone" width="1920"] One Spa.[/caption] And when you're ready to rest and recoup, make tracks to the RACV Torquay Resort. With views of the coast, the resort has relaxation covered. Join a yoga class, zen out in the sauna or book into the spa. One Spa has an extensive menu of treatments that focus on all areas of the body. Opt for a calming facial, a hot stone massage or luxe pedicure; slip into three hours of hammam bathing with relaxation and vitality pools, thermal stone and steam rooms and 'experience showers'; or treat yourself to a the Bells Beach Body Bliss, offering two hours of full-body exfoliation, a body wrap, full-body massage, scalp massage and hammam bathing. And even if you don't have the time for a long experience, there are several treatments available under an hour. [caption id="attachment_716051" align="alignnone" width="1920"] RACV Cape Schanck.[/caption] CAPE SCHANCK The Mornington Peninsula's proximity to Melbourne means that the region has long been a favourite for weekend getaways. But even with a beautifully rugged coastline, phenomenal dining experiences and storied historical attractions, some parts remain quite secluded, like Cape Schanck. Set up your home base at the recently opened RACV Cape Schanck Resort. Here, you'll wake up surrounded by dramatic landscape and lovely sea views before enjoying breakfast at the Cape restaurant and maybe even a quick morning massage at the One Spa. Once you're ready for the day ahead, make tracks to the Cape Schanck Lightstation. Built in 1859 and made of limestone, the lighthouse is set along the Bushrangers Bay Nature trail, offering some of the best coastal scenery you can find near Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_659517" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Laura by Jason Loucas.[/caption] From there, it's only a short drive to Laura at Pt Leo Estate for an unforgettable dining experience. And it's not just the food that's incredible; along with the restaurant, the grounds feature a vineyard, sculpture garden and one of the most picture-perfect views of the entire peninsula. After a highly local meal that takes you on a culinary journey through the Mornington Peninsula, continue the epicurean exploration at the Bass and Flinders Distillery in Dromana. Sample gins made with Australian botanicals like mulla mulla flowers, sandalwood nuts and even native gravel ants or take a gin masterclass where you'll get to blend your very own gin recipe. [caption id="attachment_683431" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peninsula Hot Springs.[/caption] Finally, if you're after some more luxury to fill your day, spend time soaking away your city-bound worries at Peninsula Hot Springs. Book the Bath House package, and hop from thermal mineral pools to an ice cave to a hilltop pool with 360-degree views. Hot tip: if you book the stay and bathe package for RACV Cape Schanck Resort, a trip to the hot springs is included with your stay. Plus, after a long day of exploring and relaxing in equal measure, when you arrive back at the resort, you can refuel at the Cape again. Serving dishes that hero regional produce, chef Jeff Pelham heads up the kitchen with a wealth of experience gained at the two-Michelin starred London restaurant, The Square. Opt for the chef's four-course tasting menu paired with wines from neighbouring vineyards, and taste your way through the Peninsula via olive oil made just five minutes down the road, wagyu from a farm in Ballan and cheeses from Mount Martha, less than 30 minutes from the resort. [caption id="attachment_714285" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wilsons Promontory.[/caption] INVERLOCH Set at the mouth of Anderson Inlet, Inverloch is a picturesque beach town that more than lives up to its hype as one of Victoria's hidden gems, with a fantastic offering of cafes, wineries and bars — not to mention proximity to some of Gippsland's best walks and hikes. [caption id="attachment_650773" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eagles Nest Rock.[/caption] They say that The Local has some of the best coffee along the coastline that stretches between Phillip Island and Wilsons Promontory and, whoever 'they' are, they're right. Let the friendly staff and the Allpress Espresso put you in a great mood before taking in the Bunurong Coastal Drive – a 14-kilometre trail filled with stunning sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches and incredible vantage points like the Eagles Nest car park. And, if that's not enough action for you, you can always set out on foot to explore one of the world-renowned walks in Wilsons Promontory. If the weather's warm, there's more than a few coves to sneak a dip into along the way. [caption id="attachment_716052" align="alignnone" width="1920"] RACV Inverloch.[/caption] After exploring, head to Archies Couch because there's nothing like a cold frothy after a long walk. Not to worry though if wine is more your style — Dirty Three Wine has both pinot noir and riesling, but it's the pinot you'll want to try. The winery grows the same pinot grape but in three different dirts so you can sample the influence of terroir in each. For something a bit more substantial, Tomo's sushi always delivers. The eatery was opened by Tomo Ezaki (ex-Ocha) so you know the food will be top-notch — but here you won't have to wait three months to get a table. And when you're not trekking, sipping or chewing, you can relax in your own coastal cabin or villa at RACV Inverloch Resort to take in some truly incredible water views. Ready to go? We're giving away $10,000 in travel vouchers to spend at the Victorian RACV Resort of your choosing. Enter here and start planning your coastal escape to find your happy space in Victoria. For more inspiration, head this way.
UPDATE Wednesday, April 6: The format for New Crush has changed slightly and the event will now run across one extended session, from 12–6pm on April 9. The following article has been updated to reflect this. For more details, see the website. It's no secret that in the drinks department, Victoria knows what's what, churning out a whole stack of top-notch sips, both boozy and alcohol-free. But in case you needed a reminder, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is hosting a party dedicated to showcasing the state's latest and greatest drops. Across one glorious session at the Queen Victoria Market on Saturday, April 9 (12–6pm), New Crush will see you sipping your way through hundreds of the freshest homegrown bevs, while enjoying snacks, tunes and a bumping dance floor. There'll be liquid offerings to tempt all palates, poured across five dedicated zones: wine, spirits, beer, cider and 'nolo' — booze-free or low-alcohol — drinks. Get acquainted with new brews from the likes of Bodriggy, Stomping Ground, Tallboy & Moose and Molly Rose; and sate your cider cravings with drops from Napoleone and Fin. Vinous offerings come courtesy of favourites including Kerri Greens, Rob Dolan and Dal Zotto; while distilleries like Patient Wolf, Starward and Jimmy Rum will be offering a taste of the local spirits scene. You'll also be able to dabble in a range of tasting paddles, score surprises from a lucky dip tinny bar, and level-up your skills and knowledge at the pop-up Sip School. Tickets come in at $40, which gets you entry, plus one tasting at each of the five drink zones. Further eats and drinks are available to purchase on the day. [caption id="attachment_847107" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Charlie Hawks[/caption] Images: Charlie Hawks
By now you're across it: there's a storm coming and the end of the world may or may not be imminent. It probably isn't, but the weather conditions for this weekend are looking intense — and your weekend will be affected. If you're in a flood warning area, you should obviously keep your eye on the warnings from BOM and the SES (who are giving out sandbags in some areas), proceed with caution and act accordingly. Don't drive into water. If you have plans to get amongst one of the many things that are happening this weekend, then there's a good chance your parade is about to be rained on. A few outdoor events have already been cancelled and more might be pulled after this evening. So far, flights and trains are still running, but we'll update this with any new announcements over the weekend. CANCELLED TASTE OF MELBOURNE Organisers of the three-day outdoor food festival announced that they would cancel sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday due to the emergency warnings. All ticketholders will get a refund. MAZDA OPERA IN THE BOWL You might need to unpack your picnic basket. Opera Australia's free performance at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl has been cancelled. If you're looking for a cheap date idea, check out our reccommendations. MOONLIGHT CINEMA The 2017–18 season was meant to kick-off this weekend, but the Friday screening of The Mountain Between Us has been cancelled due to the weather. The cinema hasn't confirmed if the weekend's other session will run, but you can keep updated here. HORROR MOVIE CAMPOUT If you had tickets to this one, you're going to have to just creep yourself out at home. Organisers will offer a fill refund. UNCONFIRMED ROOFTOP CINEMA The summer season is slated to kick off this Saturday. No sessions have been cancelled yet, but keep an eye on the Facebook event for updates. ST KILDA OPENAIR CINEMA No word on this cinema either. If the others are cancelled, it's fair to say this one will be too. But check the website for cancellations. STILL GOING AHEAD WAX'O PARADISO X SOULFOR WINES This event is indoors — so you're all good. Online tickets have sold out, but a few will be available on the door. Get in at 4pm to nab one. BIG DESIGN MARKET Also indoors. Make a day of it by eating toasties, doing a workshop and getting your Christmas shopping done. OTHER ACTIVITIES If it's safe to travel, check out our rainy day guide for some ideas.
Cinco de Mayo – Mexico's annual celebration of its victory over France in 1862 – is coming up on Monday, May 5. And Melbourne is taking on the festival like is its very own, with a bunch of margarita-fulled parties, including Cinco Sounds at Yarraville's Hotel Mexico. Another spot getting into the spirit is La Cabra. Head along to any of the Mexican eatery's venues on Sunday, May 4, or Monday, May 5, and order any tasty bite to be in with a chance to challenge a staff member to Taco! Scissors! Rock! The game follows the same rules as the classic Paper! Scissors! Rock! But the prize is so much more than playground glory – it's a taco of your choice, be it beef, chicken or eggplant. On top of that, margaritas, including the agave, jalapeno and frozen versions, will be just 10 bucks on both days, and there's a limited-edition paella on the menu. Get in on the action in Ballarat, Carlton, Carnegie, Hampton, Hawthorn, Mordialloc, Mornington, South Yarra and St Kilda.
A film about abstaining from alcohol probably shouldn't make its audience want a drink, but that's exactly what Ruben Guthrie does. On one hand, perhaps the desire to knock back the hard stuff after watching the film speaks to its intended commentary about Australia's booze-friendly culture. On the other, maybe it's just the natural reaction to a movie that is both slickly packaged and self-pitying. Either way, Ruben Guthrie doesn't let the topic of drinking wander far from anyone's minds, whether its titular advertising wunderkind (Patrick Brammall) is guzzling champagne then jumping off the roof of his waterside mansion — and breaking his arm when he almost misses the pool below — or talking about past benders at the Alcoholics Anonymous meeting his mother (Robyn Nevin) swiftly drags him to. Often, he's just arguing about his consumption, first with his disapproving model fiancée Zoya (Abbey Lee), who gives him an ultimatum to stop, and then with his enabling father (Jack Thompson), boss (Jeremy Sims) and best mate (Alex Dimitriades), who can't accept his hiatus from partying. Transitioning from yelling "let's get smashed!" to looking longingly at half-filled bottles, it's the kind of scenario that feels like art imitating life — or a movie adapting a theatre production that was inspired by real experiences more accurately, because that's what it is. Brendan Cowell turned his own attempt to get sober after a big binge into a play, and now fashions it into his first big-screen full-length directorial effort. As a character, Guthrie's aim — and Cowell's before him — is to get through a year without beer, wine, spirits and other tipples. That's clearly a difficult feat for the ad man in the film, made more so by the brash manner in which both the situation and everyone involved in it is depicted. Guthrie feels sorry for himself and seeks redemption, but his behaviour warrants little understanding in return. He lives large, then mopes and yells, with Brammall doing his best to simultaneously channel Cowell and bring nuance to the role. The supporting players, meanwhile, become little more than one-note reminders of Guthrie's conflicting urges. Of course, the constant Aussie fondness for a pint, glass or shot that Ruben Guthrie highlights proves an interesting subject; here, it's just treated a little too superficially, and further suffers when the movie tries to conjure up too much sympathy. Stagey dialogue and travelogue-like shots of Sydney don't add any depth, nor do routine scenes of debauchery contrasted with outdoor activities. Also missing is comedy that does anything more than try to wring laughs out of stating the obvious — as well as the more satirical tone of the play, which might've made the feature and its protagonist feel like a statement. Instead, this cinema cocktail is shaken in its ingredients and, in its final blend of hedonistic excess, garnished with sober navel-gazing. You'll need a stiff drink will wash away the aftertaste.
It kicked off more than four decades ago with one of the best horror movies ever made; however, the Halloween franchise has been through quite a few ups and downs over the years. Clocking up ten follow-ups and 11 movies in total so far, the slasher series initially created by the great John Carpenter has delivered excellent and terrible sequels, veered into remake territory, both killed off and brought back its heroine, and completely erased parts of its own past several times. And, like its mask-wearing villain Michael Myers, it always finds a way to go on. Since 2018's Halloween, that's been especially great news — with the Jamie Lee Curtis-starring, Jason Blum-produced 11th flick in the franchise proving a smart, thrilling horror delight, and ranking second only to the movie that started it all. Indeed, the film was such a success that two more sequels are set to come from the same team (aka Blum, writer/director David Gordon Green and co-scribe Danny McBride): Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends. Originally, Halloween Kills was due to hit screens last year, in October — when else? — but, as announced in 2020 by franchise creator John Carpenter, it moved back its release to October this year. That's now fast approaching, with fans soon able to make a return trip to Haddonfield. Yes, that means that Curtis' spirited Laurie Strode will have another altercation with her lifelong nemesis, too — because, when it's at its best, that's what this franchise is all about. Picking up where its immediate predecessor left off, Halloween Kills will also take a few cues from another movie in the series, as its just-dropped first trailer shows. Not one but two sneak peeks last year set the scene for the saga's 12th entry, but this full trailer dives deep into the storyline. Following the events of the last film, Laurie ends up in hospital with life-threatening injuries just as Michael starts stalking through Haddonfield again — which is the same storyline that Halloween II followed exactly 40 years ago. Thankfully, if the last flick is any guide, Halloween Kills shouldn't prove a needless remake. Green and McBride did a stellar job of nodding to the past while finding a new way forward with 2018's Halloween, after all — and leaving horror fans definitely wanting more. This time, too, Laurie and her daughter Karen (Judy Greer, Valley Girl) and granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak, Son) team up with other survivors of Michael's rampages and decide to hunt down their attacker. Check out the full Halloween Kills trailer below: Halloween Kills will release in Australian cinemas on October 14, 2021. Top image: Ryan Green/Universal Pictures.
After eight years in business, Footscray's Hop Nation Brewing Co is giving its taproom a major makeover. The new space, which opens on Thursday, September 28, will feature a spacious open-plan brewhouse, room for events with up to 50 people and a new purpose-built kitchen helmed by ex-Figlia Pizzeria chef Alex Addams Williams. Called Good Pizza, the kitchen will focus on woodfired pizzas using a long-ferment dough process, with both thin and thick crust options available. Addams Williams and Hop Nation encourage you to get creative with your order, as they reckon that everyone has their own idea of a "good pizza" — so loading up with wild ingredients isn't frowned upon, but actually encouraged (just please leave the pineapple on pizza debate in 2012 where it belongs). Hop Nation closed its doors on Sunday, August 27 to allow for the renovation — but fans of the Hop needn't fret, as it is still around for takeaways in the interim. The revamp itself is being handled by Studio Y, with "Brooklyn warehouse-meets-Melbourne brewery" the ultimate vision. The made-over taproom will have 17 beers on tap, including seasonal brews such as Grapefruit West Coast IPA and Guava, Dragon Fruit & Toasted Coconut sour, as well as a few hard seltzers. Punters can also enjoy the newly released Footscray Draft, created to pay image to the brewery's home suburb. And of course, the full Hop Nation core range will also be available. Hop Nation's revamped taproom will also host a number of events, including a party on the AFL Grand Final (which falls nicely on opening weekend). Footy fans needn't worry about a subpar viewing experience either, as the game will be projected onto the walls. Other events to look forward to include a Oktoberfest-style shindig that will feature three European-style beers, such as a limited release Kellerbier and Czech pilsner. Regular events span new limited-release beers on tap every fortnight and "Hoppy Hour" drinks every Thursday and Friday from 3–6pm. "We can't wait to welcome our neighbours, beer lovers and pizza aficionados to the newly renovated Hop Nation Taproom for some good pizza, good times and obviously some damn good Hop Nation beer," says co-founder Sam Hambour. Hop Nation was founded by two former winemakers, Duncan Gibson and the aforementioned Hambour, with the pair releasing their first beer in 2015. When the brand took over a brewing site in Mornington in 2020, too, it created more room for renovations to occur in the Footscray taproom. Find Hop Nation Brewing Co at Unit 6/107–109 Whitehall Street, Footscray. It will reopen on Thursday, September 28, operating 3–9.30pm Thursday–Sunday
When your nine-to-five plays out like a well-oiled machine, it can sometimes feel like each week is a little same-same. But Melbourne is brimming with a fine bounty of things to experience and explore each and every day. So aside from casual laziness and a little lack of inspiration, there's really nothing stopping you from squeezing some adventure and spontaneity into your schedule. We've teamed up with Mazda3 to help you celebrate the little things that bring a sense of adventure to life. Shake things up, as we give you seven different detours to take each week in Melbourne. From Monday to Sunday, enrich your everyday with one completely achievable activity that inspires you to take the scenic route as you go about your daily routine. This week, dance in lycra, watch horror movies for 24 hours and count how many flaming hot wings you can eat in a sitting. Plus, we've got your future detours sorted for the new few weeks here. All require no more effort than a tiny break from the norm — what's your excuse for not trying them all?
Before writing anything else, we first want to promise that this article is spoiler free. So if you haven't yet had your weekly dose of Game of Thrones then you can still read on safely. Meanwhile, if you have watched Monday's harrowing episode, then you are probably in need of a pick-me-up. Whichever category you fall into, you will enjoy the following artworks from graphic designer Mike Wroebel, who this week provided us with a 20th-century reimagining of the epic HBO fantasy. "I grew up with Fresh Prince, Saved by the Bell," Wroebel says in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter. "I just thought it would be funny ... to appropriate the characters and turn them into something quirky that reflected their personalities". His contemporary appropriations are surprisingly uncanny, so if you are concerned about Joffrey suddenly becoming cool, then you need not worry. "I focused a lot on still making him look like a douchebag," says Wroebel. As you can see, he certainly succeeded. Other characters are also perfectly represented. The broody nature of Jon Snow is captured in his adoption of grunge, Jaime Lannister oozes cool in a Miami Vice suit, Brienne keeps her armour as she takes to the football field, and Sansa Stark portrays Saved by the Bell's Kelly as if she was her double. Our personal favourite, though, is Daenerys Targaryen. Of course there were no dragons in the 1990s, so obviously the Mother of Dragons becomes the Mother of Ferrets. Khaleesi? More like Cooleesi. Check out the others below. Via HuffPost Arts & Culture.
Those date night dinner plans have probably been given a right old shake-up, thanks to Melbourne's latest snap lockdown. If that's the case, Hemingway's Wine Room is here to help keep the magic alive, with a new limited-edition, at-home feast option. Available for pick-up and delivery to a range of nearby suburbs, you'll find two different five-course menus primed for that next cosy night in with your SO. Each is named after a classic Hemingway title, of course. A Moveable Feast features dishes like roasted quail with a truffle jus, a navarin-style lamb shank and fish done in Vadouvan spices. Meanwhile, To Have and Have Not stars salmon gravlax, chicken roulade and a beef cheek bourguignon that's been slow-braised for 12 hours. Freshly-shucked oysters, brioche rolls and fancy desserts round out the fun. Both at-home packs are available from Tuesday, July 20–Saturday, July 24 and clock in at $160, each with enough food to feed (at least) two hungry lockdowners.
After shining a spotlight on films that engage with social justice and human rights issues for the past decade, the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival has announced yet another packed lineup of topical titles for 2017. Screening in Melbourne from May 4 to 18 before touring a selection of highlights to Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart, HRAFF's tenth anniversary program boasts 32 features, 31 shorts, four forums and eight events in the festival's arts-focused component. HRAFF 2017 will open with The Opposition, the debut effort from Australian filmmaker Hollie Fifer — and a film tackling content so controversial that legal disputes and injunctions have attempted to block its release. Also screening at the Sydney Film Festival after its HRAFF berth, the documentary steps through the struggles of Papua New Guinea's Paga Hill community. In 2012, their homes were bulldozed by developers to make way for a luxury resort, sparking a battle of David vs Goliath proportions. Highlights from the rest of the program include closing night's Quest, which heads to HRAFF from Sundance to chronicle the efforts of the Rainey family to create a musical sanctuary for their North Philadelphia community, as well as the world premiere of the Australian-made, Manilla-set documentary Happyland, about street artist Kaff-eine and her team's attempts to turn slums into something creative. Elsewhere, Nowhere to Hide takes a paramedic's-eye view of Iraq, An Insignificant Man follows the politician becoming known as "the Bernie Sanders of India", Plastic China tells the tale of the recycling workshop workers and their families that literally live in mountains of plastic, and Tempestad goes on a road trip to explore the victimisation of women in Mexico. For those after a piece of gripping fictional filmmaking, War Book delves into British civil servants practising crisis protocol for a fictional nuclear attack on Mumbai. HRAFF also gives audiences the chance to catch up with other festival standouts that have already done the rounds, such as Berlinale's 2016 Golden Bear winner Fire at Sea, Cannes Film Festival's 2015 Palme d'Or recipient Dheepan, and the crowd-pleasing, Afghan rapper-focused Sonita. Going local, Australia's freshly minted best foreign language Oscar nominee Tanna, rousing documentary Zach's Ceremony and magical realist fable Satellite Boy also feature. With arts also part of the program, attendees can hear discover the experiences and knowledge of Koorie Elders, hear accounts from people detained while trying to seek asylum in Australia, and view portraits of the persecuted Rohingya people in Western Myanmar. The Human Rights Arts and Film Festival screens at Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image from May 4 to 18, Sydney's Dendy Newtown from May 23 to 27, and Brisbane's Palace Barracks from June 1 to 3. For more information, check out their website. Image: Zach's Ceremony.
Barbecue and smoked meat experts Fancy Hanks are at it again — after their highly successful pop-up, Majestic Hawker, where food was cooked over an open flame, they've brought their stoveless concept back to Bourke Street. The Fancy Hanks team (Kent Bell, Mike Patrick, Daragh Kan and Myles Munro) has named this huge new Chinatown establishment Heroes. Now open, it's inspired by their travels around the Malay Peninsula, as well as their experiences dining in Singaporean and Malaysian eating houses and beer gardens. Given that it's a barbecue bar, everything edible comes off the charcoal grill, in a culinary lineup that's overseen by chef and food advisor Alicia Cheong — who grew up in the region's Singaporean and Malaysian food culture, and previously worked at both Fancy Hanks and Majestic Hawker. Expect both familiar and creative hawker-style food on the menu, including wings with chilli vinegar and lime, a daily sambal, smoked beef tongue, soybean custard with fried dough fritters, and six types of skewers (chicken satay, beef rendang, lamb, duck heart, shiitake mushroom and eggplant). Plus, the special szechuan brisket comes with smoked garlic puree and pickled radish, and is smoked up the road at Fancy Hanks. Between devouring Cheong's dishes, you can sit back with a drink in the brightly coloured, rooftop beer garden, which boasts views over Chinatown. Beverages span six rotating taps of craft and international beer, including Asahi; more than 20 other brews by the bottle; a wine list paired with the Asian barbecue flavours; and both alcoholic and non-boozy cocktails — such as the Let's Pan-dance with pandan-infused gin, the Gold Finger with both Szechuan-infused vodka and chilli and lemongrass-infused sake, and the First Time in Singapore with pineapple, preserved mandarin, cherry and lime — as curated by Oscar Eastman of Loretta's and Eau de Vie. Plus, the venue has also filled its first lower floor with private dining rooms and karaoke rooms, perfect for group hangouts. Yep, it looks like you'll be able to enjoy your entire night out here without leaving the building. Meanwhile, the decor mirrors the high-energy design the crew fell in love with on their travels — very '80s, a little Blade Runner-esque, and old world-meets-new world, too. In fact, Munro, Bell and Cheong picked up many of the bar's interior elements in Kuala Lumpur, rummaging "through dodgy junkyards, thieves' markets, pawn brokers, basement vintage flea markets — all the way to an old lady's backyard toilet," says Bell. Find Heroes at 188 Bourke Street, Melbourne.
