Last month, McDonald's spread some lockdown cheer for a few days, offering burger-loving customers free delivery for an entire weekend. From now until the end of June, it's doing the same. Sharing the fast food love, the huge chain is doing free home delivery on orders over $25 via UberEats — every single weekend. If you're craving a Quarter Pounder or a box of chicken McNuggets and you don't fancy leaving the house, that's obviously great news. To get your hands on a burg, some fries, a Happy Meal, McFlurry or a hot fudge sundae — or anything else on the chain's regular menu — with no extra delivery cost, head to UberEats' website or use the UberEats app and enter the weekly code. This week's code, valid until Sunday, May 11, is MACCAS2U; however it will change each week. To get the new details every Friday, you'll need to head to Macca's Facebook page. The entire transaction will be contact-free, including when it hits your doorstep. And, if you're after a few household staples, Macca's is also delivering milk, plus six-packs of English muffins and its gourmet buns. Or, of course, you can ignore whatever time of day it is and go straight for a McMuffin, hash brown and some hot cakes. McDonalds is offering free delivery across Australia on orders over $25 made via UberEats, with the special available every weekend until the end of June. To order, head here and use the weekly code. Until Sunday, May 11, the code is MACCAS2U, with new codes announced every Friday via the Macca's Facebook page. Images: McDonald's.
New restaurants and takeaway joints open every week in Melbourne — so much so that it's hard to keep up, let alone determine which ones to visit. But you know what gets our attention? Free stuff. That's why we're pleased to tell you that, to celebrate the opening of their first Melbourne store, in Moonee Ponds, Zeus Street Greek will be giving out free souvas to anyone who visits the new location on Saturday March 17. All you have to do is walk into the Hall Street store between noon and 3pm on Saturday and you'll score yourself a free pita. These are ZSG's version of a souvlaki, which you can get filled with chicken, pork, lamb, falafel, haloumi or soft shell crab. Only chicken and lamb varieties will be available for free on the day, but for each pita given away, ZSG will donate $2 to TLC for Kids, a charity that supports provides assistance for sick children and their families. In case you haven't heard of ZSG, they've been taking over the rest of the country at a steady rate. Melbourne marks their 20th digs, with the chain boasting 14 stores in New South Wales, three in Brisbane, and others in Canberra and Perth. Zeus Street Greek Moonee Ponds is now open at 21-31 Hall Street, Moonee Ponds. To celebrate the opening, they will will be giving away free pitas on Saturday, March 17 from 12–3pm. For more info visit zeusstreetgreek.com.au. Images: Zeus Street Greek / Dominic Loneragan.
Electronic whiz kids don't come more stylin' than Sydney's multitalented Caitlin Park. With her 2011 debut album Milk Annual applauded Australia-wide and the 2012 Qantas Spirit Of The Youth Award under her belt, Park inked a deal with Create/Control in February this year (home to fellow Aussies Oliver Tank, Feelings, Go Violets and internationals Parquet Courts and Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros). Marking the team-up with the release of her second album The Sleeper, the smoky-voiced Sydneysider will bring her brand new tunes to Bella Union on Friday, August 1. Disarmingly catchy singles like 'Lemonade' are sure to get table-sitters up and toe-tappin'. (She's releasing a just-announced EP of instrumental tracks and spoken word on July 11, so she's a busy lady.) Park toured recently to promote the album's first single, 'Hold Your Gaze', but we're certainly not objecting to more of her brand of dreamy folktronic. Park has been cranking tunes aroundaboutown of late, dominating East Coast stages as well as the UK's Great Escape, New York's CMJ conference and support slots for Butterfly Boucher. Headlining her own tour aptly dubbed 'The Sleeper Tour', Park is proud to present her super slick electro-meets-acoustic album to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane crowds. The Sleeper is a sharpening of everything her first album, Milk Annual, was about — slick production, soothing sounds and deep vocals that make me wish I could use the word husky without feeling like a creep. Listen out for 'Lemonade', the album's second single. The video is a woozy, aesthetically and sonically-pleasing journey through the main character's gender identity that should appeal to anyone who appreciates good-looking people in technicolour garb dancing in slow motion (that's everyone, surely?). "I am so proud and excited about this release!" said Park. "It's louder, more rhythmic, more energetic and more complex than anything I have written before. It was made in a quiet place, so I felt like we had to fill the space. It was made with love and light and darkness. I can't wait for people to hear it." Words by Jessica Surman and Shannon Connellan. https://youtube.com/watch?v=AS1htl7smnk
New venues, a highly topical opening night film, eagerly anticipated premieres and plenty of festival circuit hits — that's the Melbourne International Film Festival's first major lineup reveal for 2019. While MIFF has been dropping small program hints for a few weeks — including a live movie-and-music performance by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, and a screening of fantastic French drama Girlhood with an all-new live score — the festival has saved plenty of excitement for this hefty initial announcement. Yes, it's time to start counting down the days until August 1, booking a couple of weeks off and preparing to spend a whopping 18 days in a cinema. Or cinemas, to be exact. MIFF always spreads itself across the inner city, and this year it'll be doing so at five new venues. Given ACMI's closure for renovations and temporary move to the Capitol Theatre as a result, it should come as no surprise that MIFF will be following suit. Also joining the festival fold are Plenary at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Arts House, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins Auditorium and Carlton favourite Cinema Nova. https://youtu.be/dCfSZIXqRHA As for what you'll be seeing, MIFF 2019 will kick off with documentary The Australian Dream. Written by award-winning Australian journalist Stan Grant, it focuses on Adam Goodes, not only exploring his decorated AFL career but also his passionate work as an Indigenous rights activist. It's the second doco on the former Sydney Swans player this year, with The Final Quarter screening at the Sydney International Film Festival in June. Also on the local front, MIFF will host the Australian premiere of zombie comedy Little Monsters in its centrepiece slot, with the Sundance-debuting film directed by Down Under's Abe Forsythe and led by Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o. Elsewhere in the program, the Melbourne-shot Angel of Mine brings Noomi Rappace back to the psychological thriller genre, Judy and Punch pairs Mia Wasikowska with Damon Herriman, and the Alia Shawkat-starring Animals delves into thirty-something malaise courtesy of 52 Tuesdays' director Sophie Hyde. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tpMAkDATfg Other high-profile standouts include Ai Weiwei's latest documentary, The Rest, which continues his activism-focused examination of the global refugee crisis; The Art of Self Defence, featuring Jesse Eisenberg as an accountant whose joins an off-kilter karate studio; Tilda Swinton and her daughter Honor Swinton Byrne in the stunning 80s-set drama The Souvenir; and close-up cinematic portrait Your Face from Taiwanese slow cinema great Tsai Ming-liang. Melburnians can also look forward to Japanese teens forming an electro-pop band in We Are Little Zombies, Peter Strickland's haunted dress thriller In Fabric, and the 14-hour (yes, 14-hour), six-part Argentinian epic La flor. Plus, there's a deep dive into New Orleans life with Venice hit What You Gonna Do When the World's on Fire?, Harvey Weinstein documentary Untouchable, four-hour Watergate investigation Watergate — Or: How We Learned to Stop an Out of Control President and a 25th-anniversary screening of Béla Tarr's 432-minute opus Sátántangó. And that's all before the full 2019 MIFF program drops on Tuesday, July 9. The 2019 Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday, August 1 to Sunday, August 18 at a variety of venues around Melbourne. For further details, including the full program from Tuesday, July 9, visit the MIFF website.
Ned's Bake and Bistro has been kicking around South Melbourne since 2017, pumping out fresh sourdough loaves, pastries, cakes, sandwiches and brunch bites. It's since expanded to Middle Park Armadale and Albert Park — making Melbourne's southeast its home. Earlier this year, the Middle Park venue experimented with opening for dinner service, and it's clearly been a success because the team is set to do the same with its South Yarra spot. From Thursday, October 10, the team will be extending Ned's opening hours, delivering a new bar menu from 3–5pm and a dinner menu from 5pm–late (Tuesday–Saturday). Leaning into its Mediterranean roots, Ned's evening offerings will be very similar to those at Middle Park, focusing on classic European comfort food served in a semi-casual setting. You can expect a selection of handmade pasta dishes, including the pappardelle with lamb ragu and pecorino cheese, and the tagliolini packed with spanner crab, chilli and lemon. A classic steak frites with Montpellier butter, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, grilled octopus and lobster-loaded croissant will also feature on the spring dinner menu. These are all set to be paired with local and European wines, plus a smattering of cocktails. Ned's Armadale and Ned's Albert Park will soon follow with their own dinner service, as the team plans to transform each of the venues into an all-day diner. These changes are all a part of the the Valarc Group's (The Meatball & Wine Bar, Tartine Bistro and Ines Wine Bar) ambitious plans for expansion. Not only did they recently acquire Ned's, but they also plan to open more Ned's sites soon, plus a slew of new venues — including a cocktail bar above Ines, a European restaurant in Middle Park Village, an Italian deli in Kyneton and a boutique winery in the Macedon Ranges. It's full steam ahead for these hospo heavyweights. Ned's South Yarra — found at 134 Toorak Road — will open for dinner service on Thursday, October 10, open 5pm–late from Tuesday–Saturday. For more details, you can visit the venue's website.
When The Simpsons first found its way into viewers' hearts, it also made its way to the top of the charts. Yes, back in 1991, 'Do the Bartman' hit number one in Australia. Both before and since, the hit animated sitcom hasn't shied away from crooning a tune or two — and if you've now got "Dr Zaius, Dr Zaius, ohhhhh Dr Zaius" or "Who holds back the electric car? Who made Steve Guttenburg a star?" stuck in your head, then you know what we're talking about. The show has sung many a song, and also released many an album — and it's 1997's Songs in The Key of Springfield that's in the spotlight at this Melbourne show of the same name. One night. One huge record. So many catchy songs. That's what's on the agenda from 9pm on Saturday, June 4. Sing along to everything from 'Can I Borrow a Feeling?' to 'See My Vest' to 'We Put The Spring in Springfield' as they're performed live by Boadz. Actually, sing along to a whole heap more — because the Melbourne-based guitarist and singer is promising to sing every song from The Simpsons live. Tickets cost $17.35 online, with the tunes going down at Fitzroy's Bar Open.
Since it opened its doors in June, modern Scandi diner Freyja has been impressing locals with its sophisticated looks, Michelin Star cred and standout offering of 'new Nordic' cuisine. But alas, the experience was only on the menu for nighttime diners, as the restaurant opted to stick to just dinner service while its team perfected its rhythm. Now, much to the delight of lunch-breakers stuck down the western edge of the CBD, Freya has expanded its offering to include a new daytime menu, running every Tuesday to Friday. And yes, it's a primo spot to keep in mind for this season's long festive lunches. As at dinner, the new lunch menu deftly fuses traditional Scandinavian sensibilities with contemporary techniques, across a range of small plates and mains, at once crafty and approachable. You'll find plates like a beef tartare featuring tarragon, quince and Tasmanian mountain pepper; rainbow trout matched with broccoli leaf and a sherry sauce; and a kingfish dish elevated with fermented tomato water, blackcurrant wood oil and yoghurt. The Scandi classic and Freyja favourite, smørrebrød — a traditional open-faced sandwich — also gets a look-in here at lunch, with toppings set to change seasonally. Right now, you can try combinations like school prawns atop egg salad with mustard greens and cayenne; duck paired with olive and rosemary; and brassica veggies with mushroom, buckwheat and a hit of biquinho chilli. Plus, down the spiral staircase in the subterranean dining space, you'll now also find two semi-private dining zones available to book for those end-of-year food gatherings. [caption id="attachment_879490" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Freyja's Downstairs Space[/caption] Find Freya and its new lunch menu at 477 Collins Street, Melbourne. It's now open 12–3pm Tuesday to Friday, and from 5.30pm–late Tuesday to Saturday. Images: Parker Blain and Jason Boucas
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in July, but KFC wants you to celebrate the festive season midyear not once but twice. First, it's dropping a heap of deals for the next month. Then, it's sending three groups to the Colonel's Lodge in August, where getting into the yuletide spirit with plenty of chicken while holidaying for two nights in the Blue Mountains is on the menu. The fast-food chain has previously slipped into the Christmas in July mood with ugly sweaters for humans and pets alike, which are back for another year alongside seasonal socks, hoodies, bucket hats and more. If you have some of those in your wardrobe or you buy them now, you know what to wear if you score one of the trips to the brand's latest pop-up. Whatever you don, the three winners will be heading to a wood-panelled mansion filled with red-and-white theming aplenty, a whole lot of KFC merchandise and also Christmas wares, with up to three mates. While you're there, you'll enjoy full KFC catering up to $2000 per day. Not in New South Wales but love the Colonel's finest? The prize also spans economy flights from your nearest capital city to Sydney. For people already in NSW, you might receive transport from your home to the Blue Mountains, but that's up to KFC's discretion. Three draws are taking place, each for those who hit up the KFC app to spend $30 or more on the chain's Christmas in July deals, which run from Monday, July 1–Wednesday, July 31, 2024. The first period covers purchases from Monday, July 1–Sunday, July 14, and will be drawn on Monday, July 15 for a stay between Thursday, August 1–Saturday, August 3. The second period covers eating KFC between Monday, July 15–Sunday, July 21, for a draw on Monday, July 22 and a stay between Saturday, August 3–Monday, August 5. And the third will reward those getting some finger-lickin'-good chicken between Monday, July 22–Wednesday, July 31, as then drawn on Thursday, August 1 for a stay from Monday, August 5–Wednesday, August 7. The deals that'll help you become eligible for winning a Colonel's Lodge getaway include half-price zingers on Monday, July 1, then the likes of nine pieces of original recipe for $9.95, $1 regular chips and $10 tenders. A different special will land each day. KFC fans will know that this kind of pop-up isn't a surprise for a brand that's also done 11-course fine-dining degustations, Peking Duk-led festivals, a nightclub, weddings, cocktails, a crispery that double-breaded and fried everything, and a soothing playlist of chicken frying and gravy simmering — which is genuinely relaxing — in the past. KFC's Christmas July deals run from Monday, July 1–Wednesday, July 31, 2024, with spending $30 or more via the KFC app getting you an entry to stay at the Colonel's Lodge. Winners will need to take their trips in August. Head to the brand's website for more details.
In the fashion world, Australia is the little engine that could. Due to our isolation from the major fashion centres in Europe and America and our extreme and out of sync seasons, the Aussie fashion landscape has always played by a different set of rules. To celebrate our identity and history, the National Gallery of Victoria are displaying 200 years of fashion with an exhibition that explores the history of Aussie style — and it goes way beyond the pluggers and footy short combo. Outfits by the contemporary greats that do us proud on the international stage — including Dion Lee, Ellery, Romance Was Born, Toni Maticevski, Pageant and more — will be displayed alongside a retrospective of historic design and a series of interactive pop-up talks to discuss the future identity of the industry. The exhibition runs over four galleries and will feature an assortment of footage, interviews, photographs and illustrations. It's the perfect exhibition to bone up on your fashion history so you can dominate any blue sweater-wearing plebs who snigger at your outfit, ala Miranda Priestly.
This very galaxy's next spell in the Star Wars universe is on its way, and it's teasing adventure, alliances, battling the dark side, and giving warrior, outcast, rebel and Jedi Ahsoka Tano her due. After dropping its first sneak peek back in April, Disney+'s aptly named Ahsoka has finally unveiled its full trailer ahead of its August streaming arrival. The attitude: "once a rebel, always a rebel". Since Disney got its lightsabers out again with Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens, this franchise has rarely been far from screens. That includes at home, where the force has proven particularly strong across three seasons of The Mandalorian, 2021–22's The Book of Boba Fett, and also 2022's Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor. Now, it's Ahsoka's turn to hit the queue, with Rosario Dawson (Clerks III) returning as the limited series' titular figure after playing the part in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. If you're new to the character, she was Anakin Skywalker's padawan before he became Darth Vader — and, here, she's an ex-Jedi Knight who is determined to battle a threat to the post-Empire galaxy. "Anakin never got to finish my training," she notes in the new trailer. "I walked away from him." When it hits Disney+ from Wednesday, August 23, Ahsoka will follow animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the TV series it spawned, too, plus fellow animated show Star Wars Rebels — because yes, this saga just keeps spreading far and wide. From the latter series, Star Wars aficionados will spot rebel crew member Hera Syndulla and former bounty hunter Sabine Wren. Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)) plays the former in Ahsoka, while Natasha Liu Bordizzo (Guns Akimbo) steps into the latter's shoes. Also among the familiar characters: fellow Jedi padawan Ezra Bridger from Star Wars Rebels, with Eman Esfandi (King Richard) doing the live-action honours — and Grand Admiral Thrawn, too, as played by Lars Mikkelsen (The Kingdom). Ahoska's cast includes Ray Stevenson (RRR) and Ivanna Sakhno (The Reunion), plus David Tennant (Good Omens). Also, reports have been bubbling for years about Hayden Christensen returning as Anakin, as he did in Obi-Wan Kenobi. This is Disney+'s first series focused on a female Jedi; indeed, as a character, Ahoska has long been one of the few women among the franchise's Jedi ranks, dating back to 2008. Off-screen, The Mandalorian writer/director/executive producer Dave Filoni writes and executive produces Ahoska, with Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Colin Wilson, and Carrie Beck also doing the latter — all seasoned Star Wars veterans. Check out the trailer for Ahsoka below: Ahsoka will stream via Disney+ from Wednesday, August 23. Images: ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd & TM. All Rights Reserved.
If The BFG had been written in the 21st century, Swedish fashion retailer Brothers’ vintage trunk is the suitcase he’d likely have carried. Not only is it enormous, it is filled with Brothers’ newest line of clothing. Titled ‘Travel’, the line boasts a combination of modern comfort and old-fashioned elegance hitherto outside of the jet setter’s experience. The suitcase is actually a pop-up shop. Built by expert prop-maker, Jean-Louis von Dardel, it opens to look like a closet, with compartments and drawers for every type of garment imaginable. Brothers has been moving the trunk all over Sweden, from airport to airport and station to station, displaying their wares for just a few days in each place. The clothing line features suits and business shirts that are not only well cut and stylish, but also soft and stretchable – gentle enough that wearers can relax during their flight, yet formal enough that they can head to a business meeting directly after landing, without the hassle of changing mid-journey. Brothers asked filmmaker Emil Klang to document the suitcase’s creation. Given the freedom to choose his team, Klang opted for composer Ola Tappert from Underton and animator Oskar Gullstrand from Naïve. The resulting film features on the landing page of the Brothers’ site.
The past year has been a bit of a disruptive one for Melbourne's public transport network, with train closures throughout 2019 and over the summer — and we're not over it yet. As construction continues on the the Metro Tunnel, more level crossings are removed and maintenance is performed, the Victorian Government has announced that sections of seven Melbourne train lines, a number of tram lines and some V/Line services will be closed at some point between March 6 and June 1. What does that mean? Replacement buses. If you travel on the Belgrave, Lilydale and Alamein, Cranbourne and Pakenham, Frankston, Glen Waverley, Mernda, Sandringham or Sunbury lines, you'll most likely have to switch from the train to a bus at some point on your commute. Here's what we know so far about what's happening on each of the affected lines. Belgrave, Lilydale and Alamein: Buses will replace trains between Parliament and Camberwell stations from March 6–9. Frankston: Buses will replace trains between Moorabbin and Mordialloc on weekdays and between Moorabbin and Frankston on weekends from March 20–27, between Mordialloc and Frankston/Stony Point from April 30–May 3, and again between Moorabbin and Mordialloc from May 23 until mid-July. Cheltenham and Mentone stations will also be closed from March 20–March 27, with Cheltenham Station closed again from April 15–August 1. Cranbourne and Pakenham: Buses will replace trains between Westall and Cranbourne/Pakenham stations from April 10–12. Glen Waverley: Buses will replace trains between Richmond and Glen Waverley stations from March 6–9 and between Burnley and East Malvern from April 3–12. Mernda: Buses will replace trains between Thornbury and Mernda from April 17–19. Sandringham: Buses will replace trains between Flinders Street and Sandringham from March 28–April 5. Sunbury: Buses will replace trains between North Melbourne and Sunshine from March 6–7 and again on May 14–20, and between North Melbourne and Sunbury on March 8. Works are already being planned into winter, as well, with buses scheduled to replace trains on the Upfield line between North Melbourne and Upfield from July 20 until October. If you're a tram traveller, you'll likely be affected as well. Buses will replace St Kilda Road trams between Commercial Road and Union Street from April 4–12, with a number of other disruptions planned throughout autumn to keep an eye out for, too. Also, V/Line services will be affected. Coaches will replace trains on the Ballarat, Ararat, Maryborough, Bendigo, Swan Hill, Echuca, Geelong and Warrnambool lines on various dates until June 1. Something to take into account before you make any big weekend plans. The train closures this time round will see crews remove three level crossings in Mentone and Cheltenham, build two new stations, remove the level crossing at Toorak Road and complete the new rail bridge. In addition, they'll upgrade the Sunbury line, start upgrading the Monash Freeway and continue works on the Metro Tunnel — building an underground pedestrian connection between Flinders Street Station and the new Town Hall Station, and impacting trams on Flinders Street in March. For up-to-date info, your best bet is to check the disruptions map on the government's Big Build website. Top image: Josie Withers for Visit Victoria.
Winter is upon us, the gloves and beanies are out of storage, and it's time to start loading up on sweets and carbs. That's how every June starts — and, every year, Krispy Kreme wants to help with the latter. How? By giving away an extremely excessive number of doughnuts. You're probably now wondering what constitutes an excessive amount of doughnuts. No, polishing off a packet by yourself doesn't count, at least in this instance. Krispy Kreme's giveaway is going big, with the chain slinging 100,000 original glazed doughnuts in conjunction with National Doughnut Day. Whether or not you're a big fan of food 'days', we're guessing you are quite fond of free doughnuts. To snag yourself a signature glazed freebie, head to your closest Krispy Kreme store in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia on Friday, June 2. That gives you more than 40 places to flock to, with Sydneysiders able to hit up 15 stores stretching from Penrith to the CBD, Victorians needing to visit nine locations from Chadstone to Collins Street, and Queenslanders given eight different doughnut shops to pick from (with the most central in Albert Street in the CBD). And, in Adelaide you have eight stores to visit, while residents of Perth can make a date with one of four Krispy Kreme locations. The National Doughnut Day deal isn't available at BP outlets, 7-Eleven stores, Jesters or Woolworths, or via online orders or third-party deliveries. There's also a limit of one freebie per person, and the giveaway only applies to the original glazed variety. The 100,000 doughnuts will be spread across the participating stores, so you'll want to get in relatively early if you want to kick off your Friday with a free sweet and doughy treat. Obviously, whether you nab one or not is subject to availability. Krispy Kreme's free doughnut giveaway is happening in the chain's stores around the country on Friday, June 2. To find your closest shop and check its opening hours, head to the Krispy Kreme website.
Never-before-seen works by Aussie artist Mirka Mora are set to take over the Jewish Museum of Australia this December. The St Kilda gallery will unveil Mirka to the public at the end of the year, marking it's first major exhibition since COVID-19 began. One of Melbourne's most loved artists, Mora is responsible for the first Art Tram in 1978, along with heaps of well-known public murals. Her influence on Australian culture is well-documented, and the exhibition will present a comprehensive picture of the artist's 70-year-long career —specifically in the context of the Jewish Australian experience. Through her work, Mirka will trace Mora's early life in Paris, through to her escape during the Holocaust and eventual migration to Australia in 1947. [caption id="attachment_783056" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mirka Mora's In the Garden of Dreams (1975-81)[/caption] Presented in partnership with William Mora Galleries — run by Mora's son, who will also act as co-curator — the retrospective features pieces from the private collection of the Mora family, along with letters and diaries written by Mora. Interviews with the Jewish Holocaust Centre archives and works recently acquired by Melbourne's Heide Museum of Modern Art will also be on display. Works will include Mora's famed painting In the Gardens of Dreams, along with images from Mora's gallery circa 1967. The gallery itself will be transformed into an "immersive Mirka world" reflecting the bohemian nature and mischievous spirit that the artist is known for. Of course, exactly when the exhibition will open to the public is dependant on the pandemic. Under the Victorian Government's current roadmap, galleries and museums are set to open as part of step four on Monday, November 23. Mirka will open in the Jewish Museum of Australia in December 2020. For more information and exact opening dates, keep an eye on the website.
If you've seen our round-up of the best places to glamp around Melbourne, you'll know camping is no longer just for nature-loving adventurous types. And this latest pop-up proves just that. For the month of April, outdoor experience experts Under Sky will set up a temporary glamping hotel just next to the Grampians National Park. It's a chance to immerse yourself in one of Victoria's most picturesque regions and enjoy all the great outdoors has to offer without any of the rough aspects of camping. The hotel will be set up on the family-run Mount Zero Olives property, right next to the base of Mount Zero in an olive tree grove. $250 will score you a night in a bell tent, with many of the luxuries you could expect from a top hotel, including a comfy queen bed, linens and towels, toiletries and even a couple of deck chairs. Spend the night stargazing and fall asleep to the sounds of the rustling olive trees. There is a communal kitchen area and barbecue if you want to cook your own food, but the Mount Zero cafe will be reopening just for the pop-up. Come breakfast, you can stroll over for a hot meal or have a homemade breakfast hamper for two delivered to your door (for $45). If you're looking to explore the area, have a look at our 48-hour guide to the Grampians. You can also have a good night's sleep knowing that Under Sky takes environmental responsibility very seriously. When the pop-up is over, all traces of the campsite will be removed to allow Mother Nature to do her thing in peace. Image: Charlie Kinross.
Most of us have spent more time indoors this year than any other year. Which means, you might have been dreaming about upgrading your home — with a slightly comfier couch, perhaps, or a sleek dining table. Luckily, with Black Friday just around the corner, fancy furniture retailer Castlery is taking up to 35 percent off its range of furnishings for the rest of the month. At Castlery's online Black Friday sale, you can find beds, couches, rugs, tables and a whole range of goodies to help spruce up your home and achieve the aesthetic you've been envisaging in your head. Some of Castlery's best-selling items are included in the sale, such as the comfy Adams chaise sectional sofa, Theo round dining table and the Luna sideboard designed by award-winning Polish designer Krystian Kowalski. The sale runs from Monday, November 16 until Monday, November 30 and you can jump on now and start crafting a wish list of your favourite items as you plan your perfect pad. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
There is absolutely no denying that Lorde is the artist of the moment. And the hype surrounding today’s video release for her latest single, 'Team', is no different, with all the clicks causing Vevo to crash minutes after the clip was posted. 'Team', directed by LA director Young Replicant (The xx, M83), sees Lorde mostly sitting down — limiting her usually impressive dance moves. But she knows where she's going with it. "This video was borne from a dream I had a few months ago about teenagers in their own world, a world with hierarchies and initiations, where the boy who was second in command had acne on his face, and so did the girl who was queen," she said on her Facebook page. "I dreamt about this world being so different to anything anyone had ever seen, a dark world full of tropical plants and ruins and sweat. And of this world, I dreamt about tests that didn't need to be passed in order to be allowed in: sometimes the person who loses is stronger." The vid — plus several of Lorde's recent live performances, including a killer ARIA appearance in Sydney over the weekend — have come to prove that as she continues to gain ridiculous popularity, her style becomes more and more quirky. And we dig it — the 17-year-old, continuing to demonstrate the power of youth in her ironic music videos. 'Team' is the third single to be released from Pure Heroine. Lorde will return to Australia in February to perform at Laneway Festival.
When a cafe serves up a perfect baked eggs for under $20, you can't really be blamed for using a little aggression to get through its doors. Fortunately, to get a seat at Foxtrot Charlie all you have to do is stand and smile, but you can bet your bottom dollar this won't be the case for long. If its impending talk of the town status is anything to go by, the crowds will come — and the baked egg-lovers will be ruthless. It isn't super tricky to find this Sydney Road cafe, just jump off the 96 tram on Albert Street, and take a few paces back. Its shopfront is deceptive — only a few scattered tables lay out front — and from the outside it looks a little too cosy, but this space is about as wide and open as cafes get, with noise never exceeding a bother. From food, to architecture, to drinks, there's a fantastic balance of the familiar and obscure at Foxtrot Charlie. The walls are a grey, rendered cement; every wall is a feature with doses of brick, columns and textured wood panelling. A plane hangs strung from the ceiling and a large bouquet of lilies play centrepiece on their large, wooden communal table. The cafe's design combines futuristically foreign with the cosy and traditional — some of it could be plucked from The Matrix, the rest from your nanna's house. Food wise, the baked eggs in tomato sugo ($15.50) is the star dish of the menu. There are few surprises in the egg, tomato and cheese combo, and even less components, but it's simple, rich and tummy hugging, at a portion size that's hardly stingy. The eggs are bio-dynamic and the bread is organic, so eat away guilt-free. The sesame cod toast ($17) and sticky gingerbread brioche ($15.50) may not sound appealing on paper, but are just as beautiful to look at as they are to eat. And the baked goods will have you thinking there's a show off in the room — but, really, when it comes to sweets, a show off is never a bad thing. If you've got a full wallet, convert your breakfast into a three course feast: a pastry, a main and a treat to take home. And maybe some blood thinners to safeguard your cholesterol. You'd be brave not booking a table at Foxtrot Charlie now this not-so-secret addition is on just about foodie's to-do list. And you'd be even braver to come here for just a coffee — as far as indulging goes, gluttony is something you'd best befriend if you want to take full advantage of this star-laden menu.
Melburnians are about to score a sophisticated introduction to the concept of 'new Nordic' cuisine, with elevated all-day diner Freyja set to open its doors in June. The restaurant will make its home in Collins Street's 130-year-old heritage-listed Olderfleet building, as sibling to existing residents, co-working space Work Club and Scandi-inspired underground bar Valhalla. And not one, but two of its chefs boast Michelin Star experience. Named after the legendary boar-riding Norse goddess, the 130-seat Freyja will unfold over two levels, featuring minimalist interiors by designer Clark Bardsley (Head of Design for Work Club Global). Expect striking details throughout, with contrasting hues played cleverly against earthy-toned textiles, natural timbers and metallic elements. [caption id="attachment_808660" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Freyja's sibling and neighbour Valhalla[/caption] Head Chef Jae Bang is no small deal, coming to us via Norway's Michelin-Starred 21-seater Re-naa. Not only that, he'll be joined in the kitchen by former Lee Ho Fook Head Chef Daniel Gordon and yet another Re-naa alum, Aaron Caccia. Together, they'll be delivering a menu that fuses modern Australian sensibilities with a taste of new Nordic cuisine — a blend of traditional Northern European technique and more experimental new-school leanings. At breakfast, lunch and dinner, that'll be showcased across an offering of contemporary fare built around practices like pickling, smoking, curing and even lacto-fermenting. A matching drinks list is set to celebrate both local and international drops, including a range of Northern European craft brews. Beer fiends will hope the latter means appearances from the likes of Norway's own Lervig, Denmark's Mikkeller and To Øl, and Omnipollo out of Sweden. Find Freyja in the Olderfleet building at 477 Collins Street, Melbourne, from June. It'll open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
We're the country that gave the world Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie, to name just a few renowned Australian actresses owning the silver screen in recent years. Accordingly, we're no stranger to celebrating formidable women in cinema. It tracks, then, that Melbourne's Australian Centre for the Moving Image has curated a world-premiere exhibition dedicated to femininity across screen history — which is running from Wednesday, April 5–Sunday, October 1. Six-month-long showcase Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion declares its affection for ladies of the screen right there in its name. Examining how women are represented in cinema and television, it pays tribute to standout ladies, how depictions and expectations of femininity have changed, and what female talents have symbolised — and been forced to deal with — about and from the society around them. It's both a massive and a landmark exhibition. More than 150 original costumes, objects, artworks, props and sketches are now gracing the Federation Square venue's walls and halls, all championing oh-so-many women and their impact. Launched in-person by the one and only Geena Davis, who is also the exhibition's lead ambassador, Goddess fittingly includes outfits worn by her and Susan Sarandon in 1991's Thelma & Louise — and that's just the beginning of its treasures. Among a lineup that spans threads that've never been displayed before, various cinematic trinkets, large-scale projections and other interactive experiences, attendees can check out odes to Marlene Dietrich in 1930's Morocco, Pam Grier's spectacular Blaxploitation career, Tilda Swinton in 1992's Orlando and the aforementioned Robbie via 2020's Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Plus, there's Mae West's sky-high heels from 1934's Belle of the Nineties, as well as Michelle Yeoh's fight-ready silks from 2000's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The list goes on, clearly, covering Anna May Wong, Marilyn Monroe, Laverne Cox and Zendaya as well. And, everything from Glenn Close's Cruella de Vil in 102 Dalmatians to the Carey Mulligan-starring Promising Young Woman also gets time to shine. As it does with its big exhibitions, ACMI is pairing Goddess' wide-ranging display with soundscapes by Melbourne-based composer Chiara Kickdrum, and also hosting a sprawling events program complete with late-night parties, performances and talks — and film screenings, of course. Fancy taking an in-depth curator tour of the exhibition after hours? That's on the bill monthly. There's also a music program called Goddess Nights from late May, which'll focus on three femme-centric live music lineups with performances by DJ JNETT, CD, POOKIE and Ayebatonye — and a curated range of food and booze put together just for each evening. For film buffs, movie series Divine Trailblazers will focus on contemporary actors at the height of their powers, while the Goddess Sundays is all about on-screen personas. So, the first includes Angela Bassett's Oscar-nominated performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Academy Award-winners Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis in Everything Everywhere All At Once, Cate Blanchett conducting a masterpiece in Tár, Viola Davis in warrior mode in The Woman King, Filipino actor Dolly De Leon stealing every scene she's in in Triangle of Sadness, and Leah Purcell writing, directing, producing and starring in The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson. Images: Eugene Hyland Photography.
The government's restrictions and regulations for COVID-19 containment are changing at a rapid pace. But there are two words we're all hearing on repeat: stay home. As much as is possible within each person's specific set of circumstances (including their job and requirements around food, exercise and health), every Australian is being encouraged to avoid leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary. We're being told that minimising the time spent outside is vital in getting through this crisis. As a result, many of the services that contribute to the lifestyles of city dwellers have been temporarily suspended, including cultural institutions, cinemas, clubs, pubs and gyms. But we still need to be able to access the essentials: household essentials, booze and, of course, food. Up until now, delivery services have been viewed as merely a convenience or something to facilitate laziness. Now, they're more important than ever. IT'S ONE OF THE SAFEST WAYS TO GET FOOD Supermarkets are still open to purchase food and other household items, but we'd rather avoid them as much as possible right now. The stories of stockpiling — and subsequent product shortages and buying restrictions — paint a pretty dire picture of a simple visit to the shops. Plus, with many of our favourite activities currently on hiatus, we have to find fun where we can. Yep, you may not be able to go to a gallery or play team sports, but you can still shirk your cooking and cleanup duties and let someone else prepare dinner. In the wake of the restrictions on public gatherings, many restaurants and cafes have shifted their operations to takeaway and delivery, so you can eat well in the comfort of your own home. And, to put your mind at ease, it's worth remembering that commercial kitchens are held to extremely rigorous food safety and hygiene practices, and most have upped their cleaning and sanitation procedures as the COVID-19 situation unfolded in Australia. For Domino's, this means daily audit checks and no human contact with the pizzas after they leave the 265-degree ovens. IT'S KEEPING PEOPLE INDOORS Obviously, the increased availability of delivery services means there are fewer people out on the streets, which can only be a good thing right now. But some places have taken it one step further. For example, Domino's has introduced a zero-contact delivery for all delivery orders place through the app or over the phone. The person delivering your meal will leave it on your doorstep and call or text you to confirm it's there — and they'll wait until they can see you've picked it up, too. This is just another simple step, facilitated by technology, to limit person-to-person contact with those outside your household. It also means you don't need to leave your house for too long and miss that live-stream of furry koalas, a theatre show or a gig. IT'S KEEPING PEOPLE EMPLOYED As the restrictions continue in an effort to manage the COVID-19 outbreak, huge job losses are occurring over many sectors, including hospitality. Maintaining (and supporting) delivery services is vital to ensuring this number does not continue to grow. In fact, it could help minimise the issue. Some companies, including Domino's, are currently seeking out temporary workers to keep up with increased demand for delivery services. The company is also supporting other essential workers with its Feeding the Frontline efforts, which delivers pizzas to those working tirelessly to support the community during this time — think healthcare, supermarket, government, education and emergency workers — to keep morale up and more people in jobs. Domino's is now offering zero-contact delivery across Australia. To order, head here.
In the world of hospitality, Valentine's Day is notoriously one of the most hectic days of trade. But for Heston Blumenthal's Crown Melbourne restaurant Dinner by Heston, this year, it'll also be its last. A Dinner by Heston spokesperson confirmed the fine diner, which has been embroiled in a wage-theft scandal for months, will shut its doors at the end of business on Friday, February 14. Fronted by Blumenthal and owned by British company Tipsy Cake Pty Ltd, Dinner by Heston opened back in 2015 and entered provisional liquidation late last year after failing to meet a deadline to calculate and back pay entitlements to workers by December 20, 2019. According to a creditor's report leaked to the ABC, the restaurant owes staff more than $4 million in wages and another $400,000 in employee entitlements. [caption id="attachment_753262" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dinner by Heston's Meat Fruit[/caption] As a result of the restaurant's insolvency and provisional liquidation, Crown Melbourne moved to terminate Tipsy Cake's lease last week, with a Crown spokeswomen telling Concrete Playground: "Crown is working to provide assistance to Tipsy Cake employees looking for employment within Crown. The Provisional Liquidator of Tipsy Cake, however, will need to deal with employee matters at the first instance." Dinner by Heston's closure comes the same week another high-profile wage scandal reaches a head. Earlier this week, twelve eateries owned by former MasterChef Australia judge George Calombaris closed their doors as his restaurant group Made Establishment went into voluntary administration. Like Calombaris, Blumenthal, a regular guest judge in the cooking show, will not be returning for the upcoming series of MasterChef Australia. If you'd like to head along to Dinner by Heston before it shuts up shop, you've got two more days. If you have a gift card — and don't have time to use it — you can exchange it for a Crown gift card. Dinner by Heston will close its doors at the end of service on Friday, February 14.
If you make a trip down to Hobart next year, don't expect to find plastic straws, cups or takeaway containers at its many cafes and markets. The City of Hobart last night voted to pass a by-law banning the sale of all single-use plastics. The by-law targets straws, cutlery, cups and containers that are less than a litre in size, and sold directly to customers. Buying a plastic bottle of Coca Cola, for example, will still be OK. Businesses will be given six months-to-one-year to phase out single-use plastics, and, after that, will be fined. Tasmania implemented a statewide single-use plastic bag ban in 2013 and, according to the Council's research, a third of local businesses already use some form of compostable packaging. The city is also aiming to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030. https://www.facebook.com/CityofHobartOfficial/photos/a.1046261538728203/2315932898427721/?type=3&theater While the law has been passed by the Council, its exact start date depends on the outcome of a public consultation period to be led by the state government. Then, likely in late 2019 or early 2020, Hobart will become the first Australian state to ban single-use plastics. South Australia is considering a statewide ban, but this has not yet passed through state government. Overseas, Europe has pledged to stop using such items by 2021, building upon similar decisions in the UK and France, while Australia is working towards banning all non-recyclable packaging by 2025. Locally, Victoria is currently phasing out plastic bags, and Queensland enacted a plastic bag ban in 2018. NSW is the only state yet to commit to a statewide plastic bag ban. But, after the City of Hobart's decision, maybe the City of Sydney will consider taking matters into its own hands. The City of Hobart's single-use plastic ban will
UK singer-songwriter Olivia Dean will make her ARIA Awards debut in Sydney this November, performing live just one day before a special headline show. ARIA confirmed the news today, announcing that Dean will take the stage at the Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday, November 19. The London-born artist will stick around for a one-off Sydney gig the following evening, before returning in 2026 for a full arena tour. "I love Australia and I'm so excited to perform at the 2025 ARIA Awards," Dean said in a statement. "This will be my first time at the awards ceremony, it's going to be lots of fun!" The announcement follows the release of Dean's sophomore album The Art of Loving, which dropped last week and is already climbing the ARIA charts. Its third single, 'Man I Need,' is sitting at #2 on the Singles chart and is tipped to go Platinum within a fortnight. This year's ARIA Awards are shaping up to be a big one, with Ninajirachi, Dom Dolla and RÜFÜS DU SOL among the top nominees. The ceremony will stream live on Paramount+ and air on Channel 10. Check out the full list of ARIA Award nominees. Images: Getty
UPDATE, November 26, 2020: Diego Maradona is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Football god? Addict, scoundrel and swindler? Diego Armando Maradona has been called all of the above. From champion to crook and superstar to scum, he's been labelled better and worse, with his status as a walking contradiction rarely lost on anyone in his orbit. The famed Argentinian soccer player himself recognises it. During his playing heyday in the 80s and 90s, he was known to tell people that he was Maradona on the field but Diego away from the spotlight. In Asif Kapadia's probing documentary about the sportsman, Maradona's career is further summarised by another juxtaposition: "a bit of cheating and a lot of genius". While that sentiment applies broadly, the line refers specifically to his "hand of god" moment in the 1986 World Cup. During a quarter-final against England, he scored a pivotal goal by illegally using said appendage. Argentina won the game and went on to claim the entire tournament, all with Maradona as team captain. He knew what he'd done, as he admitted years later and again explains in Diego Maradona. Anyone under the misapprehension that sports players always stick to the rules — and never do whatever they can, testing the limits to see what they're able to get away with — might well be shocked. But that's Maradona, especially when he was the world's most acclaimed and expensive player, an international headline staple, and a hero not only on home soil, but in Naples where he ruled the turf for seven seasons. He describes his chosen sport as "a game of deceit", after all. In setting his sights on the polarising footballer, Oscar-winner Kapadia does what he's always done so expertly in his other celebrity-centric documentaries. In Senna and Amy, the British filmmaker trawled through a treasure trove of archival material to tell his subject's stories, knowing that their own words — and their own actions at the height of their respective success — will say more than anything else can. The same overall approach applies to Diego Maradona, but three crucial differences distinguish the director's latest picture. Maradona is still alive, firstly. His voice, not just from then but now, features prominently in the film as a result. Lastly and most importantly, his isn't a gone-too-soon tale of tragedy. If they were still here today, Ayrton Senna and Amy Winehouse's own contrasts might've become more evident, however their deaths gave their lives a recognisable narrative. Still kicking, even if he's long, long past his prime goal-scoring days, Maradona can't follow the same distinct trajectory. Faced with this predicament, Diego Maradona leans into the inescapable truth. It doesn't seek to celebrate, condemn, lionise or lament, but to present Maradona as he's been perceived by the world — both as one of the greatest soccer players of all time (if not the greatest player of all time), and as a womaniser, drug abuser and crony of the Italian mafia. Although the film focuses primarily on the decade surrounding his SSC Napoli stint, he's also seen as a stocky kid who grew up in absolute poverty, then a multi-millionaire living the life of luxury. He's the breadwinner from his teenage years onwards, and a man quick to squander a fortune. Colleagues, coaches, trainers and other industry folk lavish praise on Maradona's immense speed, skill and football smarts, then call out his arrogance, selfishness and swagger. He adores his family, but happily turns his back when scandal wafts through the air. In both his personal and professional lives, the list goes on; in fact, the doco can't cover it all. If his story was fiction, the endless incongruities would seem like overkill. If it was a soccer match, a commentator would dub it a game of two halves. As Senna and Amy have so grippingly demonstrated, there's something equally fascinating and relatable about famous figures whose plights have ended sorrowfully — stars who've soared and then crashed in the most final way, all while chasing their dreams. The same applies to someone as contradictory as Maradona, who embodies humanity's competing, fighting urges in one incredibly well-known package. Whether you're a diehard soccer fan, you flinch at the thought of calling the world game 'football' or you couldn't care less about sport at all, it's this truth that holds viewers' attention in Diego Maradona. As the movie delves into the eponymous Argentinian's life for two hours, it lays bare Maradona's labyrinthian nature. And, while his highs and lows have reached far beyond the levels that most will ever experience, who doesn't feel like they're multiple things all at once? Mirroring the grainy footage at his disposal, Kapadia doesn't smooth out Maradona's edges. The footballer is never a sympathetic hero in this entertaining and insightful film, nor a clear-cut villain. If maintaining that balance sounds like a significant feat given all that's known about Maradona and all there is to his tale, it's one that the director handles with his usual storytelling and technical prowess. Corralling the same crew that worked on his past two docos (particularly editor Chris King and composer Antonio Pinto), he weaves his audio and visuals together with silkiness reminiscent of Maradona's own on-field best. With revealing interview snippets heard rather than seen, and the picture steadfastly maintaining its gaze on its main man through both media clips and home videos, Kapadia crafts a jam-packed yet nuanced and thoughtful portrait. Yes, that's a juxtaposition again. Even decades after his career triumphs and subsequent fall from god-like standing, Maradona will never shake them, as Diego Maradona unpacks with aplomb. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjfeSdHP2ZQ
Finding a designated driver on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve is not an easy feat — nan is stuck into the boozy pud, dad has pulled a dusty one out of the cellar and you don't really want to carpool with that weird uncle. And no one's putting their hand up to find a park near the fireworks on December 31. Public Transport Victoria understands, and is easing the pain of commuting on the two big days (slightly) by offering all public transport for free. Over Christmas Day, all trains, trams, buses and V/line services will be free from 3am on Tuesday, January 25, till 3am on Wednesday, January 26. Most public transport services will be running to a Sunday timetable, and there will be limited V/Line coaches to regional cities. There will, however, be no Night Buses, Trams, Trains, so if you do spend too much time sipping sherry with your aunt, you might have to try your luck with a taxi or Uber. A few days later, over New Year's Eve, the same public transport services will be free from 6pm on Monday, December 31 until 6am on Tuesday, January 1. As there will most likely be hordes of people flocking to get home after the fireworks, metro trains will be running every ten minutes from midnight till 1.30am, trams running every five-to-ten minutes until 2am and 905, 906, 907 and 908 buses every 15 minutes till 2am. You can check out a comprehensive rundown of New Year's Eve services at the Public Transport Victoria website. For those located regionally, the first V/Line service to each regional destination on New Year's Day will also be free. If you do want to check out the midnight fireworks, they'll be four spots to catch them: Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens, Treasury Gardens and Kings Domain. The City of Melbourne has created this handy map pinpointing the closest train stations, too: To use the free public transport you just need to rock up, and you don't need to be carrying a valid Myki. Find more information on the free travel periods here and check for updates on the PTV website.
It's no surprise that many of us are looking to upgrade our home comfort level at the moment. Aussie furniture brand Koala is keen to help you do just that with its Boxing Day sale where you can nab up to 20 percent off mattresses, sheets, sofas, desks and armchairs to help you upgrade your pad or improve your night's sleep. A heap of products from across the brand's range are on sale from Thursday, December 24 to Sunday, January 3 including the popular Koala mattress. Also on offer in the sale is the WFH desk, which is made in Ballarat from hand-sanded timber, easy to assemble and designed with home office use in mind. If you've found yourself working from home a lot more this year, you can pick up the desk for a sweet 15 percent off. Comfy Koala sofa beds, TV units, pillows, bed bases and more are going with a 20 percent discount, too, so you can give your whole house a makeover. And everything comes with a 120-night trial — though, it might be hard to give any of these up after four-months of comfort. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy.
In a week already brimming with restaurant closures, yet another famed Melbourne eatery has called it a day, only this one's got nothing to do with wage theft. According to The Age, much-loved Chinatown restaurant Shark Fin House has been forced to shut its doors after fears surrounding coronavirus saw a huge dip in customer numbers. Despite the restaurant's 30-year history, co-owner and co-founder Gabriel Chan revealed they'd had no choice but to shut last Sunday, with diners seemingly too afraid to eat there. He told The Age that an 80 percent drop in customer numbers meant more than 50 Shark Fin House employees had been laid off and that it's highly unlikely the restaurant will be able to reopen. The restaurant's sibling venue Shark Fin Inn is also under threat of closure due to dwindling numbers, with Chan calling for support from locals to help it survive the coming weeks. Food writers Gemima Cody and Sofia Levin are rallying diners in an effort to fill the Bourke Street restaurant's dinner service on Monday, February 24, though dropping by any time for a feed will help make a difference. Of course, the Shark Fin restaurants aren't alone in their troubles, with plummeting patron numbers across the board prompting calls for diners to wise up and steer clear of misinformation surrounding coronavirus. As the ABC explained, "there are no reports of human-to-human coronavirus transmission in Australia: There's no sign anyone is catching it from anyone else." Politicians are also encouraging Melburnians to support their local Chinese restaurants, with Federal Parliament's first Chinese-born MP Gladys Liu telling The Age, "I will be going out this weekend in Box Hill and Glen Waverley to make sure that people know that it is safe." Victorian Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos also took to social media to remind everyone that Chinese restaurants across the state are open for business and safe to attend, saying, "the fact is that all Victorians that have been affected by the new coronavirus have recovered and are no longer contagious." And City of Melbourne councillors enjoyed a lunch in Chinatown earlier this week, with a Facebook post from Lord Mayor Sally Capp saying: "All the expert advice shows there's no increased risk from coronavirus in Melbourne. Keep coming to the city to support all the amazing businesses we have here." https://twitter.com/JennyMikakos/status/1227461526589788163 Within the industry, restaurateurs are also rallying support for each other with David Zhou from Oriental Teahouse and David's Restaurant telling Concrete Playground: "We all need to support each other where we can to minimise the impact of the challenges we face.The facts are out there, so if you have a favourite Chinese restaurant, the time to go visit them is now." To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website. Image: Chinatown by Josie Withers for Visit Victoria
It's becoming a trend these days for music festivals to make a big song and dance (pun, hoy!) about their food lineup — and, frankly, we couldn’t we couldn't be happier about it. Melbourne's Sugar Mountain Festival is stepping it up with an immersive 'sensory' restaurant, and St Jerome's Laneway Festival has announced a tight little food sched for their upcoming spots along the east coast. And it looks like it's going to be as good and as varied as the music. Here's what's going to be in your gob while you get down to Grimes in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. SYDNEY It's a real meaty affair in Sydney with LP’s Quality Meats on the smoker, Mary's doing their signature burgers, Porteno firing up the Argentinian barbecue, and Mexican snacks from Playa Takeria. Stuff from the sea will be provided by Oysters Unplugged and Zetland's Salmon and Bear. It's not all animals through; vegos and vegans can chow down on Yulli's cuisine. Of course, Gelato Messina will be there, alongside Knafeh, who'll be serving up their sweet and cheesy (and totally delish) Jerusalem street desserts. Plus, there'll be ice-cold Young Henrys and Stone & Wood on-hand to wash it all down with. MELBOURNE Melbourne Laneway is going to be a bonanza of classic Melbourne eats. Japanese food wizards Mr Miyagi (who are the feature restaurant partner of 2016) will be doing their nori tacos, Beatbox Kitchen will be pumping out those burgers, and beef short ribs will come by way of Burn City Smokers. You may have trouble choosing though, as they'll be joined by an army of food options, including Taco Truck, Slice Girls West, Gelato Messina, Gyoza Records, Juanita Peaches, Nuoc Mama's, Rice and Dice (for vegan dumplings!) and more. Beer-wise, it's going to be a choice between Byron's Stone & Wood, Sydney's Young Henrys, and local breweries, Footcray's West City and Brunswick East's Temple. Wear loose clothing. BRISBANE Punters at Brisbane Laneway will enjoy incredibly diverse food options from some classic Brissie establishments. Good luck trying to choose between homemade Greek food by Greek Street Grill, pizza by Pizzantica, and German sausages by Brat Haus. Or weigh up between vego fare by the legendary Govinda's, nachos by Sweethearts and Venezuelan by Fiery Deli. Throw Phatboys Food Truck, Puerto Taco and Mangia! Mangia! into the mix and it's going to be a tough choice. One decision is easy though: don't go past a local brew from Newstead Brewing Co. To check out the full Laneway food lineup (or the real lineup), go to their website.
Born in London in 1964, the same year his Turkish-Cypriot parents immigrated to Australia, Mutlu Çerkez was an influential, but often overlooked artist who's work had a lasting impact on the Australian and international art worlds. Based in Melbourne until his untimely death in 2005, Çerkez's work combined elements of printmaking, installation, minimalism and conceptual art in a style that defied any singular genre. A graduate of Melbourne's Victorian College of the Arts, Çerkez's reputation increased throughout an extensive career, holding exhibitions across Australia and internationally. Inscribing each of his creations with a future date signalling when he would remake his own artworks, Çerkez explored notions of time, the past and future across abstract designs and symbology. Held at Monash University's MUMA gallery, Mutlu Çerkez: 1988–2065 is the first career-survey of the artist's work. Image: Mutlu Çerkez, Dead 4 August 2027.
Ballarat might only dip into sub-zero temperatures a couple of times each winter, but that shouldn't stop you from embracing that white Christmas vibe. Whether you live locally or need an excuse to escape town, Sovereign Hill's Winter Wonderlights has become a beloved tradition over the past decade, with its dazzling display of lights and bites making for a snow globe scene brought to life. Running from Friday, July 4–Sunday, July 27, the town's historic streetscapes radiate warmth through luminous projections, while hand-warming open fires, live music and joy-filled theatre shows evoke an even merrier atmosphere. Enveloped in a canopy of light and faux snow, the headline display sees 20 kilometres of twinkling fairy lights illuminate Main Street. That impressive scale makes this light show one of the largest in the country beyond the big cities. Supported by the Eureka Brass Band, live festive carols make living out your dream Christmas in July celebration a reality. Plus, visitors will encounter a host of charming food and drink vendors, while the Charlie Napier Hotel presents a two-course winter dinner featuring roast turkey and glazed ham with all the trimmings, followed by dessert. You might even catch a glimpse of Saint Nick in full Santa Claus getup. Also on the agenda is plenty of stage-focused fun, as the Victoria Theatre presents a series of comedy shows set to warm your heart. There's also arts and crafts experiences perfect for little ones, with a pop-up toy-making studio encouraging kids big and small to choose, assemble and paint a traditional wooden toy. Attracting 90,000 visitors in 2024, Sovereign Hill's Winter Wonderlights is an experience worth getting rugged up for.
Here at Concrete Playground, we thrive on bringing you the very best of Sydney's cultural happenings. So much so, we decided to get in on the action. To celebrate the start of summer — and the good times that come with it — we're throwing a one-day festival of music, food, drink and sun. On Saturday, November 16, we're taking over a luxe beachside location for a massive summer party, marking the beginning of many balmy nights ahead. Best of all? It's all going down by one of Sydney's most picturesque beaches: Manly. We've partnered up with BATI & RATU by RUM Co of Fiji, too, who'll be bringing a touch of Fijian paradise to our Aussie shores. So, expect plenty of sea breeze, lush decorations, dance-worthy live tunes and, naturally, lots and lots of rum. And, seeing as rum is the drink of pirates, mavericks and seafarers alike, we've decided to keep this summer shindig a bit of a secret. So, while there'll be no 'X marks the spot' business, we're keeping everything under wraps for now. We will, though, be giving away double passes to the party — head this way to be in the running. So, buckle up, beachgoers, because this party will be bringing summer vibes in spades.
By now, it feels like no stone has been unturned by Sydney's big developers. But you know where they haven't developed yet? Underground. So perhaps that's why the NSW Government has set its sights below street level — today it announced its plans to turn the St James tunnels, a large subterranean space that adjoins St James Station, into an underground attraction. The tunnel is, after all, just sitting there. It was built back in the 1920s as part of a plan to connect the CBD with eastern suburbs, but the project was never realised. Since then, it's been used as an air raid shelter during World War II, an operations bunker for the air force and as a location for The Matrix Revolutions. Tours used to run, but now there's no way for the public to access the tunnels. The NSW Government is opening this one up to the floor, and is seeking expressions of interest from both local and international developers. Ideally, it would like something that would turn the tunnel and its platform into a "world-renowned attraction" — perhaps restaurants, bars, shops, or cultural and entertainment spaces. "Spaces like the St James tunnel are rare," said Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance in a statement today. "Around the world, hidden spaces are being converted into unique experiences and we want St James Station to be part of that." Expressions of interest will close November 6 — after they've been received, the process will be managed by Sydney Trains and real estate company CBRE. We'll keep you updated on the next stage of the process.
Looking to unleash your creative side? This August and September, head to Ferdydurke to get arty at a life-drawing class — with a twist. The CBD bar is hosting more of its candlelit Drag 'n' Draw sessions (August 9 & 23, September 6 & 20), this time featuring none other than the newly-confirmed star of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season 2, Aubrey Haive. There won't be any nudity, but there will be artistic fun in abundance. The drag legend will model two different custom couture gowns on the night, created in collaboration with local fashion designer Bryn Meredith. Participants can show off their art skills as they sketch the dazzling costumes — while sipping a spot of vino, of course. Artists are encouraged to BYO their own gear if they've got some, otherwise, basic art materials will be provided. You'll also get a glass of wine on arrival, to help loosen those creative muscles.
Much-loved beer festival Pint of Origin is back for another round. For ten days, 23 venues around Melbourne will host tap takeovers, each showcasing beers from a different region, state or country. While some are staying close to home, others are venturing to the other side of the world. Head to Freddie Wimpoles in St Kilda to try an array of drops brewed south of the Yarra, or Heartbreaker Bar in the CBD to sip your way through neighbourhoods north of Yarra. Looking for a more exotic adventure? You'll find Scandinavian beers at Collingwood's Beermash, a mix of Japanese and Korean brews on the taps at West Melbourne's Benchwarmer, and Canadian crafties at the CBD's Whitehart. Then head to the Catfish Bar in Fitzroy for a New Zealand showcase or Mr West in Footscray for a bunch of beers from the UK. Wherever you go, you won't run out of new drops to try. All in all, Pint of Origin, which is organised by independent online magazine The Crafty Pint, will see more than 800 beers from more than 200 breweries hit taps across the city. It's one of the biggest beer collections at a single festival anywhere in the world.
What would you say to pinot noir with a possum? Shiraz with a snake? Or cabernet sauvignon with a cockatoo or two? If you'd like your next wine experience to be a little wilder, Healesville Sanctuary has a Queen's Birthday weekend (Saturday, June 8– Monday, June 10) treat for you. The annual Wine & Wildlife event will see the best vino producers in the Yarra Valley gather for three days of food, wine and good times amid the stunning sanctuary's bushland and fauna. Whether you're a serious gourmet foodie, wine enthusiast or dedicated koala fan, this is the perfect opportunity to get away from any winter woes with a mini-retreat unlike any other. Plus, we're giving away a VIP experience at Wine & Wildlife. Your prize will include entry to Wine & Wildlife (including general admission entry to Healesville Sanctuary) for you and three mates. You'll also score four passes to a kangaroo close-up encounter, giving you the chance to personally meet some of Australia's finest native animals. THE FINEST WINES IN THE VALLEY The Yarra Valley is renowned for a number of stand-out wines and top-notch vineyards. This long weekend will be a wine lover's paradise, with select wineries offering an all-day tasting selection included as part of the event. You can sample a drop (or few) from a range of celebrated wineries such as De Bortoli, Boat O'Craigo, Oakridge and the award-winning Rob Dolan vineyard, as well as unique low-intervention producers Payten & Jones. Whether you know your terroir from your tannins or you just like that magical grape juice, these passionate creators will happily talk you through their products and processes — or, if you'd prefer, just pour you a glass and let the wine do the talking. WILDLIFE (NATURALLY) Of course, the attendance of the furred, feathered and scaled residents of Healesville Sanctuary is the really special (creature) feature that makes this wine and food event a cut above your regular weekend tipple. Over this three day mini-fest, keepers will be roving among the guests with animal pals in tow. It's an opportunity to get up close and personal with various native fauna, as keepers chat about Healesville Sanctuary's animals and programs. In addition to being an adorable and delightful photo op, it's also a chance to ask questions and to learn, much like the wine tasting. MULLED, MIXED AND CRAFTY BEVS It's not all shiraz and chardonnay. If you prefer something steaming to warm you from the inside out, a mulled wine and gin bar will have just the tonic to cure a chill. The sweet mulled wine will chase away the cold and leave you rosy-cheeked and warmed through and through. For those who want to keep it cool, it'll also be slinging the refined garden party staple, the G&T. Be sure to also swing by the stalls of Yarra Valley beer and cider producers such as St Ronan's Cider and Napoleone brewery. Cherryhill Orchards is also offering an array of beverages, with its cherry wine, cherry porter and cherry cider. AN EPICUREAN DELIGHT OF FOOD POP-UPS All those spontaneous wildlife encounters will surely build up an appetite, so the on-site cafe, Sanctuary Harvest, will be cooking up a storm. Banish the winter shivers with hearty dishes such as a rich beef bourguignon, pork burgers, barbecue ribs and sausages, with all meats from local supplier K&B. Vegetarians aren't forgotten either, with jackfruit burgers, soup and some luxuriously loaded potatoes on offer. If you'd prefer to graze, they'll also be serving up steamed buns and dim sum as well as hot buttered corn. With food this good, you can satisfy your hungry bellies and highly-attuned gourmand taste buds all in one go. INDULGENT TASTINGS TO RAISE YOUR CHOC-APPRECIATION GAME For dessert, head straight to the Kennedy & Wilson chocolate bar. It's been crafting artisanal chocolate in the Yarra Valley for 25 years now — the longevity a testament to Kennedy & Wilson's skill and quality. Sample a range of unique-flavoured varieties or stick to its award-winning couverture, including a 48 percent milk chocolate which is rich enough to compete with that bold shiraz you picked up. You'll still be discussing texture, mouthfeel and aftertaste, but also melt, snap and gloss — qualities you can only judge in freshly made chocolate of the highest quality. Word of warning: after flavours like this, you'll never go back to supermarket chocolate again. PICNIC BY A FIRE You probably can't spend the whole time chowing down on gourmet goodies and drinking fine wine (joking — you can). And maybe you even need a break from interacting with fuzzy animal friends (again, joking — who could get tired of koalas?). For a bit of downtime, you can set up a picnic rug on the grass and cosy up by one of the roaring fires, melting away the June chill. If a convivial campfire isn't enough to keep you occupied, there will also be some live (non-wildlife-based) entertainment, with acoustic musical performances taking place throughout the afternoon. A HEART-WARMING GOOD CAUSE If you need a delightful winter's day out that also warms your soul, look no further. All proceeds from the Wine & Wildlife long weekend go towards saving the Tasmanian devils. Tassie devils are officially an endangered species and are facing a dangerous decline in numbers due to the devastating devil facial tumour disease and road mortality. There is already an 80 percent reduction in devils being sighted across Tasmania — so we could end up losing these special critters forever. Healesville Sanctuary is part of the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program, which includes a captive insurance and breeding program that raises healthy little devils for eventual release into disease-free wild locations. When the cost of your ticket can help save one of our native pals, the delicious food and local wine are really a wonderful bonus. Wine & Wildlife will take place across Saturday, June 8–Monday, June 10. To purchase tickets, visit the website.
It's named after an Italian dog breed that's famed for its truffle-hunting abilities. So it's only fitting that Carlton North eatery Lagotto is embracing truffle season with a series of Italian feasts dedicated to the famed fungus. Held across four Thursday nights (July 14, July 28, August 4 & August 11), each of the Truffle With Friends dinners will serve up a generous shared spread centred around seasonal produce and premium fresh truffles. They'll also offer an insight into Lagotto's new winter menu. [caption id="attachment_860811" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anson Smart[/caption] Expect to tuck into some clever reworkings of classic Italian dishes, courtesy of Head Chef Matteo Fulchiati (ex Osteria Ilaria). We're talking, fermented potato bread matched with malted truffle butter; eye fillet done with egg yolk and a truffle jus; fried potatoes in wagyu fat and thyme; and tortellini starring fontina, chestnuts and truffle foam. You'll even find a truffle and amaretti tiramisu for dessert. Tickets to the dinners come in at $125, with bookings available from 6.30pm each night. Top Image: Jana Langhorst
Inner West Sydney brewery Philter is coming to town this week with a special treat for its local fans, launching a brand-new brew made in collaboration with late-night rock bar Heartbreaker. And the duo is celebrating with just about the most fitting party you can imagine — a rock 'n' roll prom featuring DJ tunes and plenty of Philter beer. From 5pm on Wednesday, May 25, Heartbreaker will be firing up for a raucous evening, complete with a Philter tap takeover pouring popular drops like the original XPA, the Old Ale and the recent birthday release dubbed the Cold IPA. Star of the show, however, will be the new collaboration, All Hearts Break Loose — a classic American-style pale ale that'll only be pouring at Heartbreaker. Alongside the beers, you'll catch heavy-hitting sounds from DJ Stevie Whatever (Clowns), plus a few cheeky giveaways and prizes. They'll even be crowning a Prom King and Queen, so be sure to dress in your rock 'n roll finest. [caption id="attachment_854878" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Philter's XPA[/caption]
We're about to slide speedily into summer — and if that's put you in the mood for a wardrobe shakeup, well, you're in luck. The treasure trove of vintage threads that is the Round She Goes Fashion Market is returning to Melbourne, taking over Coburg Town Hall on Sunday, October 22. This time around, the ever-popular market is treating shoppers to around 60 stalls heaving with quality pre-loved designer fashion, vintage pieces, retro accessories and handmade goodies. And as always, there'll be a whole stack of affordable items in the mix. Get your stylish self along from 10am to score covetable finds from big-name labels that usually range from Prada to Phillip Lim, and from Balenciaga to Bianca Spender. Grab yourself a bit of Gucci, score some Christian Dior, and splash out on threads from Romance Was Born, Jean Paul Gaultier, Mister Zimi or Gorman. There'll be specialty coffee and baked treats from Coffee on Cue to fuel your rummaging, too, and entry costs $4.
The Vincent family is passionate about showcasing the best work from some of the world's most talented designers. From furniture and lighting, to homewares and clothing, Vincent Design champions quality and craftsmanship. Most recently, the fam has developed of its own range, which includes a stunning timber dining table, among other beautifully crafted pieces. If you're after a few smaller purchases to elicit a greater sense of hygge in your home, check out the shop's selection of artisan vases, pendant cord lamps and mosaic floor rugs. To keep you and your newfound sense of hygge protected from the chilly Melbourne winter, Vincent Design also sell raincoats from Danish company Rains.
Don't let Melbourne's winter gloom keep you stuck indoors. Instead, put a little more pep in your weekend step, as Hawker's Boozy Feast takes over every Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon throughout the entire cold season. Serving as an exciting twist on Hawker Hall's usual bottomless lunch series, this much-loved Windsor venue has got an extra-special lineup to share. Kicking off from 12pm, expect highly shareable dim sum-inspired plates paired with 90 minutes of free-flowing drinks. Think crispy beef dumplings and numbing chilli, Dan Dan noodles, and salt and pepper flathead. Meanwhile, the free-flowing beverage pairing doesn't miss a beat, featuring pandan coconut slings and pink hibiscus spritzes alongside prosecco, pinot gris, craft beer and more. For the ultimate experience, each Saturday sessions take things up a notch from 1–3pm with live entertainment, as renowned artist Jarrad Lees amps up the atmosphere with his unique combo of saxophone and DJ sounds. When you've clued in your pals and you're ready to book, the basic 90-minute session is priced at $66 per person. However, those looking to take their weekend to the next level can extend their fun with the two-hour Boozy Feast session for $88 per person.
We're guessing Jerome Borazio has a bit of a soft spot for Melbourne's inner west. His famed St Jerome's Laneway Festival has called Footscray home for close to a decade, and the nearby warehouse that holds his bar Back Alley Sally's and his pizza joint Slice Girls West has become one of the area's favourite destinations. And in almost the same week as announcing plans to transform the Melbourne Central rooftop into a pool and leisure club, Borazio has lifted the lid on yet another Footscray venture, with the opening of new-school general store Harry and Larry's. Also making its home in the aforementioned well-loved warehouse on Yewers Street, this little charmer is a one-stop pantry shop for the discerning westsider, showcasing local produce and ingredients beneath a glittering, oversized disco ball. It's rocking a cosy fitout of reclaimed timber, similar to its neighbours, the shelves stocked with goodies either sourced from the west or from down on the Mornington Peninsula. The selection features the likes of local fruit and veggies, Meredith Cheese, Remedy kombucha, milk from St David Dairy (inner Melbourne's only micro-dairy), fresh pasta, vegan Jonny condoms and even toilet paper supplies from Who Gives A Crap. Plastic has been given the boot in favour of complimentary brown paper bags, and there are plans in the works to team up with Boomerang Bags — a group that makes reusable bags out of recycled, donated fabric. While you're at Harry & Larry's, you can also grab an Allpress coffee and one of the toasted focaccias and sandwiches named in honour of legendary Footscray folk — maybe the Franco Cozzo, the Captain Katie (named after the Western Bulldogs' captain) or the Julia Gillard. Find Harry and Larry's General Store at 4 Yewers Street, Footscray. It's open daily from 11am–9.30pm. Images: Brendan Coghlan
For those of you in the audience who love a movie adaptation, there's one that should be on your roster in 2024. The Color Purple is set to make a resounding return to the silver screen, and this time, it's been reimagined as a musical. The decades-spanning tale tells an extraordinary story of love and resilience, and a woman of colour's journey to independence and the bonds of sisterhood. Before you head to a cinema to see it for yourself, here are the five things you should know about The Color Purple — which is poised to captivate a new generation of viewers. 1. THE CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT STORY WAS FIRST A PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING NOVEL Penned by American writer Alice Walker, The Color Purple made its mark as a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel when it was published in 1982. Told through letters, the narrative explores the complexities of race, gender and sexuality — themes that weren't widely written about at the time, let alone in a piece of popular fiction. The story follows the life of Celie, a Black woman in the early 20th century in Georgia in the USA's south, as she navigates oppression from society and patriarchal family structures and discovers the power of sisterhood. Merely two years after the novel was published, movie producers were knocking down Walker's door to adapt it for the big screen. This would mean the story would be brought to the attention of even more people, highlighting the struggles of women of colour. This latest version aims to bring a more hopeful and lifted atmosphere to the story. It has already been certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and smashed the US box office when it was released on Christmas Day. 2. STEVEN SPIELBERG AND OPRAH WINFREY RETURN TO BRING THE STORY TO A NEW GENERATION Alice Walker herself was highly involved in the first movie adaptation; she wrote the initial script draft and insisted on the film being produced with mostly Black talent in front of and behind the camera. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg in a departure from the blockbuster adventure and sci-fi flicks that had made him famous. It was also only the second movie that Spielberg made without his regular musical collaborator John Williams (who had composed the legendary scores for Jaws and the Indiana Jones movies), instead working alongside pop legend Quincy Jones on The Color Purple's musical score. Walker was initially sceptical, as was Spielberg, as he lacked the life experience of a person of colour in the deep south. But he did know how to make a damn good movie. The rest is cinematic history. This iteration of the story also saw the big-screen launch of Whoopi Goldberg and featured the first cinematic role for Oprah Winfrey. Winfrey has been a staunch supporter of The Color Purple and has been involved in most adaptations of the story for stage and screen. The trio of Spielberg, Quincy Jones and Oprah are all returning to breathe new life into this classic, this time as the film's producers (but keep an eye out for a brief onscreen return for one of the original film's main stars). 3. IT TELLS A POWERFUL COMING-OF-AGE TALE OF SISTERHOOD At its core, The Color Purple weaves a poignant and universally meaningful coming-of-age tale centred around the bonds of sisterhood. As Celie navigates her challenging journey, the connection she has with women in her life — her younger sister Nettie, the songstress Shug and the outspoken Sofia — becomes a source of strength, resilience and empowerment. In every adaptation of the tale, each of these women goes on their own journey. They each struggle and overcome their struggles with help from one another, help that is unasked for but gratefully received. Celie faces unfathomable hardships in her life, but through her relationships with these women, she finds her own way and, ultimately, her independence and sense of self. 4. THIS VERSION IS BASED ON THE BROADWAY STAGE MUSICAL Prepare to be swept away by soulful melodies because this adaptation is based on the acclaimed Broadway stage musical. Director Blitz Bazawule — a Ghanaian multimedia artist who was co-director of Beyonce's Black Is King and made his feature debut with the Afrofuturistic The Burial of Kojo — takes Walker's original novel and the screenplay by acclaimed playwright and WGA Award winner Marcus Gardley (I'm a Virgo), and incorporates elements from Spielberg's film adaption including an original song sung by the character Shug in the juke joint. The film's other songs woven throughout come from the hit musical, which debuted on Broadway in 2005 and won two Tony Awards for its revival in 2016. 5. YOU'VE SEEN ITS STARS BEFORE — AND YOU WILL AGAIN The ensemble cast of The Color Purple boasts a lineup of wildly talented familiar faces that have graced both stage and screen. Grammy- and American Idol-winner Fantasia Barrino is making her major motion picture debut and reprising her 2005 role from Broadway as lead character Celie. Joining her from the Broadway production is Danielle Brooks as Sofia (you'll probably recognise Brooks from her role as Tasha 'Taystee' Jefferson on Orange Is the New Black). She received a Tony nomination for her portrayal. Grammy-nominee Halle Bailey joins as the younger version of Nettie, Celie's younger sister. Bailey made literal waves as Ariel in the Disney live-action retelling of The Little Mermaid. The film also stars Oscar-nominee Taraji P Henson (Hidden Figures) as songstress Shug Avery, Tony-nominee and Emmy Award-winner Colman Domingo (Euphoria, Rustin) as Celie's abusive husband Mister and the film's main antagonist, and Tony Award-nominee Corey Hawkins (The Walking Dead, Straight Outta Compton) as Sofia's husband Harpo. Finally, rounding out the central cast is Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. (Judas and the Black Messiah). Other notables on the roster include Oscar-nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard), the legendary Louis Gossett Jr (An Officer and a Gentleman) and Oscar-winner Jon Batiste (Soul). Book your tickets now to see The Color Purple — only in cinemas from Thursday, January 25.
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 celebrate the landmark 40th anniversary of their iconic small cars, and in turn, help you celebrate the little things that bring that 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, treat yourself to an opulent, choc-peanut butter dessert you won't want to share, meet the creative practitioners of Melbourne and dabble in some Friday night culture with Van Gogh. 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?
UPDATE, August 12, 2022: Drive My Car is available to stream via Stan, Google Play, YouTube Movies, iTunes and Prime Video. More than four decades have passed since Haruki Murakami's debut novel reached shelves, and since the first film adaptation of his work followed, too; however, the two best page-to-screen versions of the author's prose have arrived in the past four years. It's easy to think about South Korean drama Burning while watching Drive My Car, because the two features — one Oscar-shortlisted, the other now the first Japanese movie to be nominated for Best Picture — spin the writer's words into astonishing, intricately observed portraits of human relationships. Both films are also exceptional. In the pair, Murakami's text is only a starting point, with his tales hitting the screen filtered through each picture's respective director. For Drive My Car, Japanese filmmaker Ryûsuke Hamaguchi does the honours, taking audiences riding through another of the Happy Hour, Asako I & II and with Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy helmer's layered, thoughtful and probing reflections on connection. Using Murakami's short story from 2014 collection Men Without Women as its basis, Drive My Car's setup is simple. Yes, the film's title is descriptive. Two years after a personal tragedy, actor/director Yūsuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima, Silent Tokyo) agrees to bring Chekhov's Uncle Vanya to the stage in Hiroshima, and the company behind it insists on giving him a chauffeur for his stay. He declines— he'd asked to stay an hour away from the theatre so he could listen to recorded tapes of the play on his drive — yet his new employers contend that it's mandatory for insurance and liability reasons. Enter 23-year-old Misaki Watari (Tôko Miura, Spaghetti Code Love), who becomes a regular part of Yūsuke's working stint in the city. Drive My Car doesn't hurry to its narrative destination, clocking in at a minute shy of three hours. It doesn't rush to get to its basic premise, either. Before the film's opening credits arrive 40 minutes in, it steps through Yūsuke's existence back when he was appearing in a version of Uncle Vanya himself, married to television scriptwriter Oto (Reika Kirishima, Japanese TV's Sherlock) and grappling with an earlier heartbreak. His wife is also sleeping with younger actor Takatsuki (Masaki Okada, Arc), which Yūsuke discovers, says nothing about but works towards discussing until fate intervenes. Then, when he sits in his red 1987 Saab 900 Turbo just as the movie's titles finally display, he's a man still wracked by grief. It's also swiftly clear that he's using his two-month Hiroshima residency as a distraction, even while knowing that this exact play — and Oto's voice on the tapes he keeps listening to — will always be deeply tied to his life-shattering loss. This prologue does more than set the scene; there's a reason that Hamaguchi, who co-wrote the screenplay with Takamasa Oe (The Naked Director), directs so much time its way. Where tales of tragedy and mourning often plunge into happy lives suddenly unsettled by something catastrophic or the process of picking up the pieces in the aftermath — typically making a concerted choice between one or the other — Drive My Car sees the two as the forever-linked halves of a complicated journey, as they are. The film isn't interested in the events that've forever altered the plot of Yūsuke's life, but in who he is, how he copes, and what ripples that inescapable hurt causes. It's just as fascinated with another fact: that so many of us have these stories. Just as losing someone and soldiering on afterwards are unshakeably connected, so are we all by sharing these cruel constants of life. The reality that anyone can have a history as complex and as coloured by pain is a lesson for Yūsuke to learn. Although he makes a living plumbing the depths of human emotion through art, and cathartically so, reading those same feelings into the people around him — recognising the same highs and lows in their experiences, as in his own — is a thornier path to chart. But in his daily treks to and from his theatre rehearsals, he starts making the trip towards that realisation as Misaki sits behind the wheel of his trusty Saab. Initially, neither speaks, with Oto's line readings via cassette breaking the silence. Yūsuke saves his words for the International cast he auditions and then directs, each relaying Uncle Vanya in their native tongues (or, in one instance, by an actor who is deaf and signs her dialogue). Slowly, though, the drives find their own language, as Misaki opens up about her past and vice versa. Forget Green Book and Driving Miss Daisy, American Oscar-applauded films similarly about drivers, passengers and unexpected camaraderie — Drive My Car is in a lane of its own, and not just because it isn't a simplistic and saccharine attempt to weave a heartwarming story out of racial reconciliation. Hamaguchi takes his central pair and his audience on a patient, engrossing and rewarding trip that cuts to the heart of dealing with life, love, loss, pain, shame and despair, and also sees how fickle twists of chance — a recurrent topic in the director's films — unavoidably dictate our routes. Another thing that the filmmaker does disarmingly well: ponder possibilities and acceptance, two notions that echo through both Yūsuke and Misaki's tales, and resonate with that always-winning combination of specificity and universality. Drive My Car is intimate and detailed about every element of its on-screen voyage and its character studies, and also a road map to soulful, relatable truths. Sitting — while driving and during rehearsals — is a recurrent sight in Drive My Car. It's fitting; this is a film to sit with. The movie's lengthy duration lets viewers take in its gorgeously shot visuals as they might revel in landscape spied from a car window, whether cinematographer Hidetoshi Shinomiya (Ju-on: Origins) is lensing the road as it winds by the Seto Inland Sea, spending time with the feature's core duo or chronicling Yūsuke's efforts at the theatre. Crisp, poetic and revealing even in a visit to a waste treatment facility, Drive My Car's naturalistic imagery provides a striking canvas for its affecting performances, too, with Nishijima and Miura as quietly expressive as any film — and any Murakami adaptation — could hope of its actors. In one of the picture's most stunning sequences, they chat by steps near the ocean, and the camera sees everything about their characters, and simply existing, and also tussling with life's pain, in each emotionally loaded closeup and sweeping, waterside wide shot. These are moments that drive a movie to greatness, and this moving and perceptive masterpiece is filled with them.
They say your body is a temple, but it can be hard to find your inner sanctuary without being in an actual sanctuary. A trip to Port Douglas could fix this, with the Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa giving you all the calm and relaxation time you need, with a generous serve of beautiful Port Douglas surroundings thrown in. This far-north Queensland holiday spot is right on the doorstep of two of Australia's biggest natural attractions — the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing and seaplane tours regularly set off from here out onto the reef, and while most people explore the Daintree on foot through its hikes, you can get a different view via 4WD, horseback or zipline. Don't discount the pleasure of spending time in Port Douglas itself, either; the holiday town has an upmarket feel, with restaurants serving high-level contemporary cuisine and a local microbrewery, Hemingway's, producing pilsener from the freshwater of nearby Mossman Gorge. With one of the biggest lagoon pools (3000-square-metre) this side of the earth, the 5-star Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa resort is situated smack bang on Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas' trump card when it comes to sand and sea. Guests can stay in studio spas, swim-out apartments, or go all out and stay in apartments that feature their very own plunge pool. On-site restaurant AQUA has you covered for contemporary food made from fresh local produce, and the resort also has a day spa, Vie Spa, with eight treatment rooms – which means there's a whole lot of pampering to be had. When you're all pampered out, head on over to the adjacent 18-hole golf course, or venture out a little further to explore Mossman Gorge and the Daintree Rainforest – or add a tick to your bucket list and hop on that boat to the Great Barrier Reef. Most people come here during the Australian winter, avoiding the rain and humidity that is at its worst from January to March.
New experiences, new challenges, new collaborations: for people and organisations alike, no one should ever stop notching up firsts. In 2024, for instance, Bangarra Dance Theatre unveiled its first-ever mainstage cross-cultural collaboration after more than three decades of existence, with Horizon adding tales from across Oceania to the iconic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performing arts company's remit. In 2025, the organisation is backing that up with another history-making production, Illume, which is Bangarra's first-ever visual arts collab. Hosting its world-premiere season at the Sydney Opera House in June, then heading to Melbourne in September, Illume sees Bangarra's Artistic Director Frances Rings team up with Goolarrgon Bard visual artist Darrell Sibosado. Featuring dance, visual arts and music, the end result focuses on light — and takes inspiration Sibosado's Bard – Bardi Jawi Country. Think of it as the next best way to experience being there. Why has light proven so pivotal in Indigenous culture? Why is it considered a connection between physical and spiritual worlds? What impact does artificial light pollution have upon the land and sky, and how does it affect First Nations people's links to sky country, celestial knowledge and skylore? These questions are all at the heart of Illume. Although every Bangarra production is stunning, it's easy to see why this kaleidoscopic addition to the dance theatre's repertoire is set to wow, all while also contemplating the climate crisis. In the Victorian capital, it's taking over Arts Centre Melbourne from Thursday, September 4–Saturday, September 13. Images: Daniel Boud.
Lighting up the Goldfields region this spring is Town Folk Festival — a one-day music bonanza taking over Djaara/Castlemaine, on Saturday, November 15. Now entering its fourth edition, this year's event is presented across three dynamic venues — The Bridge Hotel, Boomtown Winery and Shedshaker Brewery — alongside the main stage situated amid the green expanse of Sunken Oval. In 2025, the top-billed act is Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory. Returning to Australia for the first time since 2022, the much-loved singer-songwriter will perform her recently released seventh album, this time made in collaboration with her backing band, alongside a host of her crowd-pleasing indie hits. Also on the lineup is genre-defying phenom Meg Washington, Yolngu surf-rock powerhouse King Stingray, and cult Zambian psychedelic rockers WITCH. For a special treat, legendary Indigenous Australian band The Pigram Brothers will journey from Broome to Victoria for their first shows in the state in 15 years. Meanwhile, Dan Kelly's Regional Crisis, JAZZPARTY, and Jenny Don't and the Spurs serve up everything from narrative-driven grooves and eight-piece soul-psychedelic bangers to rowdy honky-tonk tunes. With all stages within close proximity, catching all the music is simple. Heading to Town Folk Festival is also hassle-free from Melbourne, with the festival operating express bus services from Thornbury, Richmond or Brunswick to Castlemaine and back again. If the late-night ride home doesn't appeal, you're welcome to pitch a tent amid the scenic surrounds of Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve or book a local hotel for the night. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, May 30, so don't wait to get your crew organised.
Due to the laws of nature, 16-metre-high fibreglass pineapples aren't capable of growing — but Queensland's favourite towering attraction is expanding anyway. As part of a $150 million redevelopment, the space around The Big Pineapple is about to look a whole lot different. As well as viewing the giant tropical fruit, you'll soon be able zoom down a zipline, cool off in a water park, sink a few beers at a craft brewery and even stay for the night. For those keen on climbing and soaring, TreeTop Challenge's new course will be a big drawcard. It'll feature 120 activities across eight acres, including a two-kilometre stretch of high ropes and the 120-metre zipline — all up, it'll take half a day to complete. Alongside the water park, it'll form part of an 'adventure precinct', which is bound to get busy during peak tourism periods. Across The Big Pineapple's 170-hectare site, other additions range from a major concert event space — which means more ongoing music gigs like the Big Pineapple Music Festival — to a food hub, which will feature cafes and other eateries down the line. It will also be the new home of Sunshine Coast yoghurt company Coyo, and a new craft brewery and major distillery. [caption id="attachment_698027" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anne and David via Flickr[/caption] For those keen to not only make the trip 90 minutes north of Brisbane to Nambour, but to truly make both a day and night of it, you'll soon be able to stay onsite too. Glamping was first mooted back in 2017, when proposals to reinvigorate the huge attraction were originally floated, and it looks set to be featured alongside an RV park, an eco resort and a hotel. In total, there will be 793 different accommodation options according to the Queensland Government's funding announcement. While the high-ropes course and zipline are due to launch in March this year, exactly when the other fresh additions will open also hasn't been confirmed. The Big Pineapple's existing attractions, such as the heritage-listed train, the Wildlife HQ zoo and the lure of snapping a selfie next to the enormous piece of fruit, will all remain. For more information about The Big Pineapple's redevelopment, visit the attraction's website. Top image: The Big Pineapple.
