Gravity promises to be the most stressful film of 2013. For those yet to hear about the Alfonso Cuarón-directed thriller, it features George Clooney and Sandra Bullock as astronauts separated from their spacecraft after a collision. They must then try to survive floating through space. Oh, and there has been absolutely no hint one way or the other as to if they live. Intense, right? As if imagining that or watching the trailer was not enough to whip us into a frenzy of tense anticipation, Warner Brothers has now released a truly terrifying film promotion tool. To simulate what Bullock and Clooney's characters experience, they have created an online 'game' that requires you to navigate through the vast loneliness of space. Free and playable on iPhone, iPad, Google play or through your browser, it's certainly worth a go. Given nothing but the instructions of "You are floating alone in the vastness of space. Use your thrusters to navigate", you are confronted with the scariness of this task. It is made all the more bleak by the incessant breathing of your character and static radio transmission. The tone of desperation and despair is set brilliantly and will certainly leave you wanting to see the film even more than you did already. Via Fast Co.Create.
Jackalope — the Mornington Peninsula's surreally luxe hotel — has declared Friday, June 13–Sunday, June 15 as Jackalope Weekend. This means three days of drinks, dishes and experiences that will transport you to some other, far-flung reality. The action kicks off at 6pm on Friday with a Starward whisky tasting beside a roaring bonfire. For a couple of hazy hours, you'll sip your way through several of the South Melbourne distillery's finest drops while watching the sun set over the neighbouring LL vineyard. Leading the adventure is Tanguy Charbonnet, Jackalope's Food and Beverage Director and top 100 World Class Bartender in 2024–25. Once you've tried all the whisky on the menu, he'll make you two bespoke cocktails. Tickets for the masterclass are $80 a pop. Keen to stay for a couple of nights and experience Jackalope Weekend in full? All-inclusive packages start at $3,099.
These days, you don't have to search too hard at all to find shining examples of females kicking serious goals in Victoria's food and drink scene. But come Thursday, March 30, you'll find yourself absolutely surrounded by them, as a lineup of high-flying talent comes together for the Victorian Female Excellence dinner. Taking over Victoria by Farmer's Daughters as part of Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, this is set to be a female-led feast to remember. [caption id="attachment_866646" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arianna Leggiero[/caption] The venue's own star female chefs will be taking the reins for the evening, including Iman Mohamed, Daniela Martinez and Raina Kadar. Together, they'll deliver an exclusive seasonal menu that also celebrates the work of local female producers — think, an autumnal salad starring Holy Goat Nectar cheese and toasted hazelnut, crispy goose fat spuds with guiso sauce, and a white chocolate dessert featuring lemon myrtle and finger lime. You'll have the chance to discover some of the talented women who've been making a splash within the state's winemaking industry, too, via an exclusive curation of vino set to be showcased on the night. Tickets to the five-course dinner come in at $150, with any drinks available to add on. [caption id="attachment_866644" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Arianna Leggiero[/caption] Top image: Thom Rigney
Canberra's light rail, the swish new(ish) north-to-south route that delivers passengers into the heart of the city, is more than a commuter line. It's an easy — and cheap — way for visitors to get around town between 6am and 11.30pm (or 1am on Saturday nights). Yep: no designated driver, no ridesharing, just you and the open rails. Well, 12 kilometres of them, anyway. Make your Canberra weekend away as simple as possible, and leave yourself with more money to spend on food and fun, by touring the capital via the light rail. Some of Canberra's best eats, well-stocked bars and intriguing curiosity shops (plus a surprising nighttime sports hub) are waiting to be explored along the light rail line. Here, we've got the ultimate hop-on-hop-off adventure for a day out in Canberra. Please stay up to date with the latest ACT Government health advice regarding COVID-19.
From stocking fillers to well planned and executed surprises, Christmas gifting is upon us and we again find ourselves searching for the best presents. If the person you've pulled out of the hat this year is a little more hands-on and a little more inclined towards new tech than gig tickets or a bottle of wine, peruse this list with growing joy. We've compiled some of our favourite gifts for exactly that kind of person. From gadgets to classes and big kid's toys (see: BrewArt's swish home brewing kit), we've done all the thinking so you can sit back and use this time to relax before the flurry of Christmas arrives. Whether it's a gift for a co-worker you've only just met, someone you've known all your life or anyone in between, this guide has got something for the tech-minded, urban hobbyist in all of them. SPROUT PENCIL This multipurpose tool is the perfect kind of stocking filler for the avid home gardener who dabbles with a little writing on the side — or for anyone who needs to write anything down at all, really. The Sprout Pencil begins life simply as a humble writing instrument. But when too many memos have been written, and its size begins to diminish, simply stick the end of the pencil in a bit of soil, add some water and the seeds in the capsule on top of the pencil will sprout into a variety of herbs, flowers and even vegetables. Sprout Pencil, $6.95. Available here. TILE MATE People lose things from time to time, sure. But for some people, the regularity at which it happens is a little more than annoying. So for these people, we give you the Tile Mate. For things that are a little harder to locate, like a wallet, for example, this annoyance is greatly reduced, all thanks to this lightweight Bluetooth tracker. Slide this little sucker in your wallet, and you can track it down, wherever it may journey to. There's also the option of a key ring tile, for those who are of the key-losing variety. It's the perfect gift for that friend who would lose their head if it wasn't screwed on. Tile Mate, from $25. Available here. LEGO ARCHITECTURE SET While dreams of building your own shed or, even more lofty, your own home are all well and good, unless you have architectural training or something of the like, these grand design dreams may remain just that — dreams. For the passionate wannabe (or actual) architect, then, consider a LEGO Architecture set, which is essentially just LEGO for adults. Instead of the colourful bricks and smiling little dudes, these sets put the construction of city icons in your hands. Build your very own Eiffel Tower, towering Burj Khalifa or the Sydney Harbour Bridge complete with the Sydney Tower Eye. Your architecture-loving giftee may never build a massive city icon for all to admire, but they can surely build something special for the family to 'ooo' and 'ahh' at around the Christmas tree. LEGO Architecture, from $49.99. Choose a city here. BLACKSMITH INTRODUCTION CLASS Even though technological advances allow building and crafting to become easier as time marches on, the art of creating doesn't necessarily hinge on the newest toys and fancy gear. For anyone who likes to work with their hands and get that pride from a successful DIY project, the opportunity to pick up a few tips on one of the most ancient crafts is precisely what they'd like under their tree this year. Eveleigh Works run regular courses in the basics of blacksmithing, running over a weekend. From the basic theoretical knowledge to learning the tools to practising the trade, the class covers all the bases to help you master one of history's fundamental professions. Or at least have a bit of fun while learning. Sydney: Blacksmith Introduction I, $490; book here. Melbourne: Beginners Short Course, $490; book here. Brisbane: Blacksmithing Basics, $410; book here. BREWART PERSONAL BREWING SYSTEM The ultimate stage of pursuing the dream of self-sufficiency is the ability to brew one's own booze — and doing it well. For many commercial producers, it's a subtle art, perfected over centuries and, while there is a slew of personal brewing options available on the market, and though a lot of them are pretty good, it's never quite the same as it is straight from the tap at the pub. Enter BrewArt. It's the first personal brewing system that is fully automated, making brewing easier than ever before. Using BrewPrints, the corresponding combinations of ingredients inspired by great beers, the BeerDroid controls every aspect of the brew and can be personalised and controlled by an app, available on your phone. It's a matter of pressing a button on the BeerDroid (or the app) and waiting until the app says that the beer is ready. The BeerDroid also has a partner in the BrewFlo, the state of the art keg-meets-beer-tap. Far from the battered metal bad boys that sit out the front of your local, the sleek BrewFlo looks more like a coffee machine with an authentic looking tap handle. While the BrewArt Kegs keep your brew fresh, the BrewFlo then chills your beer when you're ready to serve. BrewArt comes in two parts the BrewFlo ($699) and BeerDroid ($799). Available here.
Sometimes, you just need to lose yourself in the strange and the surreal — especially if you've just spent months and months at home during lockdown. Patricia Piccinini's artworks offer that experience, whether they're floating through the sky or filling cavernous rooms with intriguing creatures. So, the return of her latest exhibition to Melbourne really couldn't come sooner. From Monday, November 8, A Miracle Constantly Repeated will again take over the usually closed Flinders Street Station Ballroom. The installation was originally announced as part of this year's brand-new Rising Festival, but the Melbourne arts event was impacted by Victoria's late-May lockdown. Then, Piccinini's latest creation had its season extended back at the end of July; however, we all know that another lockdown kicked in not long afterwards. A Miracle Constantly Repeated will now display until Sunday, June 12, 2022. Expect it to prove popular — when it was able to welcome in punters before July, it attracted close to 20,000 visitors. It's easy to see why folks were flocking along, given that all of Piccinini's signature touches are evident in its rooms of twisted flowers and eccentric bodies — and, whenever you walk through the former, it really does feel like stepping onto another planet. A Miracle Constantly Repeated also marks the Melbourne creative's first hometown show in almost two decades, in a venue that hasn't been open to the public in more than 30 years until this exhibition. Both Flinders Street Station Ballroom and nine other surrounding rooms play host to Piccinini's pieces, with the overall exhibition designed to showcase the site. The artist has crafted the installation to respond to the space as an organic environment, in fact so expect to see her critters placed amongst peeling paint and sat next to left-behind filing cabinets. Images: Eugene Hyland.
It's no secret Melburnians are a passionate bunch about sport. So, when the Stars Derby descends on the MCG on January 4, it's bound to be a raucous affair both from the stands and on the pitch. With the underdog Renegades claiming two wins from two last season, the Stars are itching for a victory against their bitter rivals. Live entertainment at the event is none other than Synthony, the dance anthem act fantastically colliding a live orchestra with DJs, vocalists, and the biggest EDM bangers you know and love. With a huge crowd catching all the action, getting your closest friends organised and showing your loyalties in fiery Renegades red or bright Stars green means you're bound to get caught up in the excitement.
Iconic LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural celebration Midsumma Festival will serve up good vibes in abundance when it returns for its 34th edition from Saturday, January 21–Sunday, February 12. Featuring more than 200 events across eight major festival hubs and many more smaller venues, it's set to deliver a jam-packed offering of live music, performances, exhibitions, theatre, visual arts, cabaret, parties and more — all championing queer arts and culture. It kicks off on January 22 with the legendary Midsumma Carnival at Alexandra Gardens, before the Midsumma Pride March descends on Fitzroy Street for its annual roving celebration on February 5, and the full-day Victoria's Pride fiesta wraps things up on February 12. Making its debut is A Safe(R) Space — a program of works unpacking the concept of the 'safe space', and what that means for different artists and creatives. Meanwhile, Midsumma Presents is back with another curated lineup championing the unheard voices of this era's queer intersectional communities. It'll include theatre works, a Nocturnal dance party and lots more in between. Elsewhere, comedian Joel Creasey and RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under legend Kween Kong will hit the Sidney Myer Music Bowl for the star-studded fiesta that is Midsumma Extravaganza, joined by names like Nina Oyama, Rhys Nicholson, Courtney Act and Kira Puru. The Victorian Pride Centre will host a swag of happenings as a new festival hub — from a free exhibition delving into Victoria's LGBTQIA+ history and the creation of the centre itself, to a gender-diverse clothes swap and pop-up piano bar. Highlights across the other hubs include a First Nations drag festival, a citywide collection of interactive installations for Midsumma x Ignite Melbourne, rope bondage workshops, cabarets about composting, dance-friendly al fresco gigs, a stacked program of performances, and much, much more. [caption id="attachment_875626" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Midsumma Extravaganza by Suzanne Balding[/caption]
Bloody excellent news, gin lovers: Four Pillars' bloody season is back for 2023. Since 2015, the Healesville-based distillery has turned its winter sip into one of the most coveted tipples of the year, and this year is no different. But, instead of just one limited-edition wine-infused concoction, there's two on offer: the cult-favourite Bloody Shiraz Gin and new sibling Bloody Pinot Noir Gin. Spirits fiends familiar with the shiraz version will know that it is ridiculously popular for a reason. Also, it's gin infused with shiraz grapes. That blend gives the drop its cerise hue, and provides sweet undertones — but means that it avoids a higher sugar content. It is boozier, though, with an alcoholic content of 37.8 percent (compared to an average 25 percent in regular sloe gin). Initially it came about when Four Pillars came into possession of 250 kilograms of Yarra Valley shiraz grapes, did some experimenting, and bet that steeping those grapes in its OG Rare Dry Gin for eight weeks — then pressing the fruit and blending it with the gin — would end tastily. The 2023 Bloody Shiraz Gin follows that process again, while the Bloody Pinot Noir Gin sees Four Pillars try another grape variety. If the distillery is bottling it and selling it, clearly it turned out well, too. This newcomer also sources its fruit from Yarra Valley again. The end result is softer and lighter but with a heavier gin taste, and with aromas of rose petals, strawberries and cherries. Both gins go on sale on Saturday, June 10 for $88 each at the brand's website, and from Thursday, June 1 if you're a Four Pillars subscriber. The shiraz version will also be available at the Four Pillars Healesville Distillery and Four Pillars Sydney Lab, plus selected bottle-os. Bloody Shiraz Gin fans over the years will also know that it always comes in a limited-edition bottle, with year's featuring artwork by Australian illustrator Luke Lucas. Plus, the full bloody range includes gin and tonic cans and a Bandwagon booze-free shiraz option — so even if you're not partaking in alcohol, you can still enjoy a drink. Also bloody brilliant: to celebrate not one but two bloody gins, and bloody season overall, Four Pillars is hosting a midwinter gin fest. Running from Thursday, June 1–Sunday, July 31 in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the festival is actually 15 events, offering each city something a little different (while always heroing the two tipples in the spotlight, of course, and getting everyone saying "bloody" over and over). In Sydney, the Four Pillars Lab will celebrate World Gin Day with a weekend-long party filled with drinks, snacks, DJs, workshops and free tastings. The venue is also doing a Golden Century BBQ takeover, teaming pork, duck and dumplings with Bloody Shiraz Gin drinks; putting on a big feast with North Bondi Fish; popping up at North Sydney's Rafi and the Harbour View Hotel; and bringing back the Gin & Film Fest at Golden Age Cinema with a focus on slasher sirens. [caption id="attachment_902042" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Wes Nel[/caption] In Melbourne, the Healesville distillery is doing comparable World Gin Day festivities, and also hosting a Fireside Festival that's all about hot cocktails. Also, Yakimono is doing a feast, there'll be takeovers at Dessous and Goldilocks, and the Gin & Film Fest is back at Thornbury Picture House. Last but not least, Brisbane gets a feast as well at Newstead's Stratton. And, the venue is hosting a month-long takeover with a special Bloody Shiraz Gin drinks menu. [caption id="attachment_851598" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Anson Smart[/caption] The 2023 Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin and Bloody Pinot Noir Gin will go on sale around the country on Saturday, June 10, or on Thursday, June 1 if you're a Four Pillars subscriber. Head to the Four Pillars website to make a purchase — or hit up the Four Pillars Distillery at Healesville, Victoria and the Four Pillars Lab in Surry Hills, Sydney. Four Pillars bloody range images: Benito Martin.
Music festivals can happen almost anywhere — or so contends the crew behind Wine Machine, Snow Machine and Dream Machine. Tunes amid the vineyards? Yes please. Dancing in alpine climes between skiing and snowboarding? That's a winter treat in both New Zealand and Japan. Hitting a scenic resort for a huge party soundtracked by big music names? That's on the agenda as well — including in 2024. Dream Machine started in 2022 at a secluded beachside resort in The Whitsundays, after initially planning to go ahead in 2021 but getting waylaid by the pandemic. Then, in 2023, it moved to Nusa Dua in Bali. That's where it's returning next year, complete with a packed roster of talent. The dates: Thursday, May 30–Monday, June 3, 2024. The lineup: it starts with Genesis Owusu, Snakehips and Hayden James leading the charge. They'll be joined by everyone from The Jungle Giants and Kimbra to Poolside and Cosmo's Midnight, plus Cub Sport, Miami Horror, Lazywax and more. So, if you've been longing to hear your favourite tunes while surrounded by your friends and also taking a trip to a beachside resort in Indonesia, this fest has you covered — again. 2024's Dream Machine will take place over a five-day, four-night once more, too, for a party-forward good time. Other activities promised, apart from the music, include a 500-person long-table lunch on the sand and a poolside conga line. If the simple activity of grooving to tunes in tropical surroundings, including by the pool and ocean, isn't enough motivation for you, festivalgoers have ten resorts to choose from among the fest's ticketing packages — at The Grand Hyatt and other spots to slumber that are connected to the main site via a beachside path, such as The Laguna, Kayumanis Villas, Mercure Nusa Dua, Novotel Nusa Dua and The Grand Bali. Keen to treat yo'self to a waterfront stay? You can add that to your itinerary. Enjoying kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing and waterside cocktails is usually available as well. Unsurprisingly, this isn't a cheap festival to attend, starting at $799 per person. Accommodation, transfers and festival tickets are all included in the fest packages; however, you do still need to buy flights on top. Folks feeling particularly flush can also upgrade their tickets to gain VIP access, which includes a welcome party, plus VIP areas to catch the tunes that come complete with table service and access to private toilets — and start at $299 per person on top of your ticket. DREAM MACHINE 2024 LINEUP: Argonaut Cosmo's Midnight Cub Sport Dice Genesis Owusu Hayden James Jimi the Kween The Jungle Giants Kimbra Lazywax (DJ set) Leisure Mell Hall Miami Horror (DJ set) Old Mervs Poof Doof Poolside Shouse Snakehips Y.O.G.A Dream Machine 2024 takes place from Thursday, May 30–Monday, June 3, 2024 at Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, with pre-sales from 12pm AEDT on Tuesday, October 31 and general sales from 12pm AEDT on Wednesday, November 1 via the festival's website. Dream Machine images: Danny Clayton / Khan Ong. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
While you can get a simple and classic cheeseburger at Burger Road, it's certainly not what the Fairfield shop is known for. That'd be sky-high burgers oozing with cheese in a coloured bun. And ridiculously OTT freak shakes. Between epic meat-filled options (like the Sheriff's Burger with beef, double cheese, a chilli cheese kransky, bacon, jalapeños, black truffle mayo and hickory barbecue sauce, $16.90) and gourmet chicken burgers (think grilled pesto Chicken, provolone cheese, roasted peppers and pesto mayo, $13.90), there's a decent offering of vego stacks. Beyond Meat — the plant-based meat substitute that has the texture and mouthfeel of beef patty — has been a saving grace for many ex-meat-lovers gone vegan. And Burger Road has taken this saving grace product and turned it up a fiery notch with its Beyond 'Hot'ness Burger ($19.90). Here you'll find a beyond meat patty, vegan cheese, green oak lettuce, tomato, red onion, jalapeños and vegan Sriracha mayo. The menu also covers wings, onion rings, mac 'n' cheese bites, loaded fries, sweet potato fries, cheesecake shakes and waffles.
An actual romp through the wilds of Africa isn't exactly a low-budget adventure. But this summer, you can experience a taste of that safari magic right here on home soil, all thanks to the return of Werribee Open Range Zoo's after-hours wildlife adventure. Running Saturday evenings (5.30–9pm) from January 14–February 25, the Sunset Safari sessions will see you exploring the zoo's savannah as the sun dips, copping a peek at resident critters including zebras, giraffes, ostriches and lions along the way. This year, a brand-new route includes a special focus on the zoo's beautiful hippos and their behaviours. While you travel, zoo guides will talk you through the various species that call this habitat home, and teach you all about current conservation efforts aimed at helping them thrive. Also designed to transport you is a program of traditional African performances, featuring drums, dancing and songs. And if you fancy extending the adventure, you'll find a range of food and drink options available to add on, spanning from picnic hampers to an authentic, African village-style 'braai' (barbecue). Best of all, a portion of ticket profits go towards supporting Zoos Victoria's international partners, including the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre.
I'm of the firm belief that travelling somewhere new is best enjoyed with some local intel. As the resident writer hailing from Tropical North Queensland at Concrete Playground, I feel it is my duty to share my go-to ways to enjoy a balmy (and palmy) break in the tropics. And, if you feel like you missed out on some of your summer fun this year, this is your sign to book a holiday in the tropical north where summer lives on. Full disclosure: I'm based in Sydney now, however, I did spend the first 18 years of my life in this part of the world and head back to the truly idyllic region as often as I can to visit friends and family. So, if you're looking for a holiday that's brimming with immersive nature experiences, scenic drives and spectacular views, I've got you.
In the last few years, Melbourne has experienced what can only be described as an explosion of vegetarian options. Suddenly, it's not just about piecing together a meal from the sides; now, establishments have dedicated veggie sub-sections on their menus and countless eateries cook entirely with plant-based products. There's never been a better time to be meat-free. The other wonderful thing about veggie dining in Melbourne is that you don't have to be a strict vegetarian or vegan to get in on the spoils. Even if you're only going meat-free on Mondays, you'll still find plenty of casual mid-week options, from veggie-driven fine dining, sans-meat Mexican to vegan lunch break options. No matter what you're craving, there's an eggplant option for you. To help you form this healthy habit, we've teamed up with American Express to find Melbourne's best restaurants that make eating vegetarian deliciously simple. Really, it's not hard to do — when you live in Melbourne, it's as easy as a swipe of your American Express® Card. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
Our beloved Aussie environment is still feeling the impacts of last summer's devastating bushfires. But there's a nifty new way you can help support our native animal friends through the recovery stage, involving bunches of beautiful local blooms. Wildlife Victoria has teamed up with flower delivery service Daily Blooms to launch the Natives Bouquet — a lush, seasonal floral arrangement filled with native foliage and flowers. Not only do they look good, but $2 from each bouquet sold will go towards the rescue organisation's animal protection and conservation efforts. With loads of animal habitats lost during last year's fires, this work is as important as ever. The hand-crafted arrangements are available for same-day delivery across Melbourne and Geelong, up until Saturday, January 30. They'll set you back $50 a pop, supporting local farmers as well as our precious Victorian wildlife.
Edge of Tomorrow tells the story of a cocky, unlikeable man trapped in an inescapable temporal loop where he must relive the same day over and over again. From the trailer alone it was clear this new film by director Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity) had borrowed heavily from 1993's outstanding live-die-repeat karmic comedy Groundhog Day. The only questions were: how much, and how well? Over the past 20 years, a number of attempts have been made to match the Groundhog Day formula, with Source Code and Deja Vu perhaps the most on point, while Looper — though not specifically a 'repetition' film — offered the most refreshing perspective on what it called "that time travel crap [that] just fries your brain like an egg". In Edge of Tomorrow, the allusions to Ramis' film are at their most pronounced, yet — thankfully — they are also perhaps at their best. Tom Cruise, putting in his best performance in years, plays the spineless advertising exec turned military spin-doctor Will Cage, who's railroaded by his commander (Brendan Gleeson) and dispatched to the western front as a regular grunt on the eve of a major military offensive. The enemy is an alien species whose arrival, objective and anatomy most closely resemble those of the bugs in Starship Troopers. As the waves of troop carriers, aircraft and boats swarm across the English Channel towards France, it's hard not to think the timing of this film's release wasn't just a little bit strategic given this week's 70th anniversary of D-Day, yet it neither grates nor bears any significance to the wider implications of the compelling plot once Cruise dies and begins his seemingly endless loop. Edge of Tomorrow was written by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, whose background in IT and video games unmistakably impacted on both the visuals and narrative. For one thing, the soldiers resemble something between human Mech-Warriors and Titan Convertibles, yet it's in the nature of the temporal loop that the gaming analogy is most apposite. Every time Cage dies, he immediately restarts from the same time and place. It is, in effect, his 'save point', and — just as in gaming — he uses both the pain and knowledge from his previous deaths to extend the time before his next one in order to beat the eventual 'Boss'. In Groundhog Day, the main character taught himself piano. In Edge of Tomorrow, it's martial arts and weaponry. In Groundhog Day, he got to know a woman in order to sleep with her. Here, it's to keep her alive. That woman is Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), a war hero and propaganda darling whose nickname is either 'The Hero of Verdun' or 'Full Metal Bitch' depending on whether she's there to hear it or not. Blunt is spectacular in the role, playing an entirely plausible warrior without having to resort to hackneyed tough-talking or turning her body into a giant muscle in a sports bra. She's less a love interest than she is a trainer, motivator and ally, and the partnership is a delight to watch. Funny, suspenseful and terrifically imaginative, Edge of Tomorrow is a thinking-person's action film that will surely stand as one of 2014's best blockbusters. https://youtube.com/watch?v=vw61gCe2oqI
Four teenage boys divulge their relationships with pornography in a long overdue conversation at Malthouse Theatre. Conceived and created by St. Martins Youth Arts Centre director Clare Watson based on candid interviews with boys aged 12 to 18, Gonzo divulges in frank, uncensored terms just how ubiquitous X-rated content has become, while also exploring the shame and moral panic that seems to go along with it. On stage from September 21 until October 1, Gonzo will see actors Ari Maza Long, Sam Nugent, Jack Palit and Sol Rumble perform the words of Watson's anonymous teenage subjects, revealing the effects their consumption of 'adults only' material has had on their lives. "Gonzo aims to promote inter generational conversation and demonstrate that the children have the capacity, literacy and eloquence to lead this conversation," says Watson. "We just need to be prepared to listen."
The art world's love affair with Andy Warhol has lasted far longer than 15 minutes. Australia's fondness for the iconic artist definitely hasn't been fleeting, either. In 2023 alone, not one, not two, but three different exhibitions Down Under have showcased or are about to celebrate his work; however, only the just-announced Instant Warhol is solely dedicated to his skills with a polaroid camera. On the Gold Coast in autumn, Pop Masters highlighted Warhol's pieces alongside works by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. In Adelaide around the same period, Andy Warhol & Photography: A Social Media honed in on the artist as a shutterbug. Obviously, Instant Warhol has the same idea as the latter, but it will only be filled with polaroid portraits — 59 of them. [caption id="attachment_906816" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andy Warhol self-portrait in drag, 1980. © Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. Artists Rights Society [ARS]/Copyright Agency, 2023.[/caption] This time, Warhol's work is headed to Ballarat, displaying from Saturday, August 26–Sunday, October 22 at the Art Gallery of Ballarat during the Ballarat International Foto Biennale. The regional Victorian photography festival is never short on things to see, but Instant Warhol is quite the drawcard for the biannual event. The original snaps that Warhol himself took — when he wasn't painting Campbell's soup cans and images of Marilyn Monroe, of course — will be on display. Even if you haven't seen them before, some should be familiar. One of the reasons that the artist captured polaroids, other than loving them, was to turn some of the famous faces he snapped into his screen prints. [caption id="attachment_906817" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Top image: Andy Warhol, Sylvester Stallone, 1980. © Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. Artists Rights Society [ARS]/Copyright Agency, 2023.[/caption] Drawn from the thousands of photographs he took with the instant cameras between 1958–87, this selection of pictures will also feature images of Warhol himself. They're all coming to Australia thanks to The Brant Foundation, with founder Peter M Brant one of Warhol's early patrons, then a friend, and also the the producer of Warhol's films L'Amour and Bad. "Warhol had an unparalleled ability to chronicle the visual culture of his time. The Brant Foundation is delighted to share our collection of portraits including celebrities such as Mick Jagger, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Liza Minnelli for the Australian public to discover and enjoy," said Allison Brant, The Brant Foundation's current director. 'These original polaroids captured a moment in time and went on to identify our culture, our art form, our view of celebrity. Warhol was the inventor of the 'superstar' and it's fascinating to take a moment to absorb these tiny snaps within our fast and furious scrolling world," added Vanessa Gerrans, CEO of Ballarat International Foto Biennale. [caption id="attachment_906823" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Platon, Cate Blanchett, November 2004.[/caption] As revealed earlier in May, 2023's event will also feature People Power — Platon, which'll span 120-plus portraits by photographer Platon, including images of everyone from Cate Blanchett to the snapper himself. Also already announced: a showcase of Yvonne Todd and Erik Johansson's work, with Todd's The Stephanie Collection making its Australian premiere, and a suite of Johansson's surreal landscapes and optical illusions world premiering in Ballarat. [caption id="attachment_906824" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Erik Johansson, Above All, C-Type, 180 x 135cm.[/caption] Instant Warhol will be on display at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, 40 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat, during the Ballarat International Foto Biennale from Saturday, August 26–Sunday, October 22, 2023 — head to the festival's website for further details. Top image: Photograph of Andy Warhol taking a polaroid picture while sitting with Jack Ford and Bianca Jagger on the Truman Balcony, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration courtesy Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library via Wikimedia Commons.
The Spritz has taken over the city in recent years, with orange-hued beverages now found spread across tables at most Melbourne rooftops and beer gardens as soon as the sun's out. And it's not just Aperol that's getting a starring role in the mix. These days, the city is dabbling in limoncello, Campari and Montenegro variations. The latest spot to capitalise on this obsession is 400 Gradi. The team here is now running its All You Can Spritzza bottomless lunch every weekend at both its Brunswick and Mornington Peninsula locations. From 3–5pm, every Saturday and Sunday, diners will get unlimited spritzes and pizza for a very reasonable $59 per person. In the spritz department, the crew will be slinging Aperol Spritzes, Blue Spritzes, Limoncello Spritzes and Tropical Spritz for the whole two hours. Either stick to just one or try them all during the bottomless lunch. And we can't just brush over the unlimited pizza situation. 400 Gradi makes some of the best pizza in Melbourne, having won countless accolades for their doughboys over the years. So which pizzas are on the menu for this weekend lunch? 400 Gradi's famed margherita is up for grabs, alongside slices of marinara and spicy diabolo. With two hours of all-you-can-eat pizza, there's no way you're going to leave hungry. Just be careful with them free-flowing spritzes — on a sunny day when you're feeling thirsty, they can get you.
Time certainly does fly because award-winning butcher and artisan grocer Victor Churchill is officially celebrating its first birthday of its next-level slick Melbourne branch this month. So mark your calendars for Monday, November 7 and get ready for a week of celebrations. To commemorate the occasion, guests will be treated to complimentary canapés consisting of Victor Churchill's very-own charcuterie, parfaits and terrines. You'll also be given the chance to indulge in a delectable slice of Gateau Opera cake and, importantly, a glass of champagne. For those who have yet to pay a visit to the Armadale location on High Street, the space boasts a luxe interior featuring marble, copper, and glass. Some of the highlights include the charcuterie counter displaying exceptional cured meats and small goods, while the 'Pantry' is housed with a selection of locally sourced seasonal produce, condiments, wine and more. [caption id="attachment_832900" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Dillon[/caption] Top Images: Victor Churchill - Supplied
When SXSW Sydney first started revealing details of its 2025 lineup, it promised more free programming on this year's bill. If you're keen to head along to the event's third year — after making its Harbour City debut in 2023, then returning in 2024 — without spending a cent, you'll want to make a date with Tumbalong Park, then. Again, the spot is playing host to the fest's budget-friendly activities, including everything from live music to movies, as well as DJ sets, talks, fashion showcases, pop-ups and more. Free sessions have always been a component of SXSW Sydney, but adding more was never not going to be a welcome move. Accordingly, after outlining that there'd be a significant expansion of its free programming, the festival has upped its Tumbalong Park lineup to 85-plus hours of events. At SXSW Sydney Unlocked, as the hub has been dubbed, there'll be more than 200 options to engage in the fest between Monday, October 13–Sunday, October 19. This part of the lineup runs every day, but will feature extended hours from Thursday–Sunday. Weekday lunch breaks are a particular focus, spanning programming from 12–1.30pm Monday–Friday, as are happy-hour sessions from 4.30pm Tuesday–Friday. So, SXSW Sydney clearly wants the city to join in whenever suits everyone's daily schedules — and via everything from guest appearances to surprise hosts, too. Highlights include the return of FOMA: Fabrics of Modern Australia on the runway; gigs by Indonesian hip hop stars Tenxi, Filipino folk-pop singer Angela Ken, J-Pop boy band Psychic Fever and Chinese Tencent singer Tia Ray; and Blak to the Future: A Celebration of First Nations Creatives' celebration of Indigenous filmmaking. Or, hit up twilight gigs in the Seymour Centre courtyard, get line-dancing lessons and see a range of country talent — Max Jackson, The Washboard Union, Lewis Love and Big Wheels — at Tumbalong Honky Tonk, and explore the Australian Space Agency's space-themed hub. There's also Small Fry Rock for families, with Grinspoon's Phil Jamieson and Little Birdy's Katy Steele taking to the stage. The Rubens are set to celebrate ten years of 'Hoops', while K-pop is also getting a moment. On the Saturday, if you fancy attending the Games Showcase and Innovation Expo without bothering your wallet, that's also on the agenda. Images: Jess Gleeson, Paul McMillan and Ben Gibson.
Take an educational outing during the school holidays at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024. The MHM is home rare historical artefacts and immersive exhibitions that share the powerful stories of Melbourne-based Holocaust survivors while honouring the loss of the lives of six million Jews. The Elsternwick institution was founded by Holocaust survivors in 1984 and has since become Australia's largest space solely dedicated to Holocaust education and remembrance. Its collection spans over 12,000 artefacts and 1300 testimonies. Plus, the museum hosts two exclusive exhibitions and a virtual reality experience which share raw first-hand accounts of this haunting chapter of world history. [caption id="attachment_963330" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: Simon Shiff.[/caption] The permanent exhibition, called Everybody had a Name, immerses visitors in the history of the Holocaust, beginning in pre-war Europe and ending in post-war Melbourne. Captivating testimonies and personal artefacts are displayed to present the dangers of indifference and prejudice. Hidden: Seven Children Saved centres around the experiences of seven children in hiding during the Holocaust. This multimedia exhibition stars rare artefacts, evocative interactive installations, projections and soundscapes which are also suitable for children aged 10 and over. Finally, Walk with Me is an immersive virtual reality film that follows the journey of John (Szaja) Chaskiel OAM z"l, returning to his hometown in Poland more than 70 years after the war ended. Each of these exhibits undertakes the important mission of remembering the past so that viewers can learn from its contents, which provides an engaging perspective on our collective past and is framed through a hopeful lens. [caption id="attachment_963327" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Credit: John Gollings AM.[/caption] The museum's standard operating hours are from 2pm–6pm on Tuesday–Thursday and 10am–6pm on Sunday, and will be open for exploration during the school holidays from 10am–6pm Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday. Book tickets to these exclusive exhibitions now via the website.
UPDATE: AUGUST 4, 2020 — With metro Melbourne in stage four lockdowns and regional Vic in three, Common Ground Project has launched takeaway and delivery options catering to both the surrounding Geelong area and those in the inner city. It's selling biodynamic veggie boxed for $50 a pop, that you can either pick up (from various spots across Geelong and the city) or get delivered via Providoor. For more info, visit the Common Ground website. A social enterprise cafe with a community farm has launched just outside of Melbourne's southwest sister city of Geelong — and it's run by some pretty major hospo vets. It's all thanks to the Mulberry Group, the team behind beloved Melbourne cafes Top Paddock, Higher Ground and Kettle Black. With this new venture, the group is looking to promote more sustainable farming and hospitality practices — as well as serve up its usual standout cafe fare. The kitchen is run by the group's chefs, Simon Pappas and Sandy Melgalvis, and it's open to the public for breakfast and lunch daily. All the food is made with farm-fresh produce — grown bio-dynamically on the property where possible and sourced locally from around Victoria otherwise. Expect 'wellness' bowls with farm greens, house sauerkraut and turmeric cashew cream and topped with roasted sweet potato, cauliflower rice, avocado and a poached egg ($19.5). Other signatures dishes include poached pear hotcakes with vanilla bean custard ($20), breakfast gnocchi with local wild mushrooms ($22), and pulled pork and hash brown eggs benedict ($23), along with egg and bacon pizzas ($20). For drinks, there are coffees by Square One, beers by Prickly Moses and Blackman's and a few refreshing cocktails. Plus house made sodas with flavours like grapefruit, chilli and rosemary or lemon and bay leaf ($5). Set on a four-acre farm in Freshwater Creek, the space is more than just a cafe, too, it also provides local chefs with a space to plant, harvest and collect organic produce for use in their venues. Memberships ($230 per week) include daily meditation, a day of harvesting and a group lunch. And each member gets a share of all produce grown, too. All money raised at the farm and cafe goes to support regenerative farming practices, as well as improved access to mental health support for those in the hospo industry. Images: Timothy Marriage
Over the past year, things have been a little quieter than normal over at the Heide Museum of Modern Art and its famed sculpture garden. But the precinct is starting 2021 with a bang, launching a brand-new nine-week music and culture festival. Kicking off this Sunday, January 17, the inaugural Heide Summer Festival will see the parkland grounds come alive with a series of live tunes, performances and dance, held in collaboration with a range of local cultural organisations. A program of January Sunday sessions is being put together by the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, with gigs from the likes of star saxophonist Solomon Sisay (January 17) and Yorta Yorta musician Allara Briggs Pattison (January 31). Then, there'll be a two-week program by Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation (February 7 and 14), featuring Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, the all-female Djirri Djirri Dance Group and local Aboriginal storyteller Uncle Larry Walsh. A Midsumma collaboration rounds out February with an interactive dance experience by All The Queens Men! LGBTQI+ Elders Dance Club (February 27), and an afternoon of sounds from Diimpa and Forest Collective (February 28). And the festival wraps up with a dose of contemporary Balkan brass courtesy of Opa! Bato, on March 7. Some festival events are free, though you'll still need to register for all tickets via the Heide website. [caption id="attachment_796599" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Uncle Larry Walsh, by Beata Mazur, courtesy of NITV.[/caption] Top Image: Heide x Midsumma, courtesy of Heide Museum of Modern Art
Update Thursday, October 29: Stormzy has cancelled his Australian and New Zealand tours and will be replaced on the Spilt Milk lineup by Steve Lacy. This article has been updated to reflect this. Originally a flagship event in Canberra, Spilt Milk has now expanded to a three-show tour across Australia with stops in Ballarat and the Gold Coast — and it's finally making its return at the end of 2022. For its grand comeback, the festival has pulled together a world-class lineup geared towards heaving dance floors and big sing-a-longs. Leading the charge: Flume, Steve Lacy and The Wombats. Homegrown hitmaker Flume nabs one of the headliner slots fresh from playing Coachella, while California indie-pop singer-songwriter Steve Lacy has joined the lineup following a huge 2022. He's replacing Stormzy, who was originally on the lineup but has cancelled his entire run of Australian tour dates. Rounding out the headline slots in beloved British rockers The Wombats, who keep proving a hit on our shores — with 15 slots in Triple J's Hottest 100 over the years to prove it. Also on the bill: Ninajirachi, FISHER, G Flip, Genesis Owusu, Mallrat, Spacey Jane, A.GIRL and PEACH PRC, among others — and, from the art lineup, a heap of talent from long-running Spilt Milk partners Studio A. Also, because this fest is also about food, there'll be bites to eat from Firepop, Burger Head and more. Popping up in Victoria Park, Ballarat will be the second stop off on Spilt Milk's 2022 tour after kicking off in Canberra on Saturday, November 26. From there it'll be wrapping things up on Sunday, December 4 at Doug Jennings Park up in the Sunshine State. [caption id="attachment_851188" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jordan Munns[/caption] SPILT MILK BALLARAT 2022 LINEUP: A.GIRL Beddy Rays Billy Xane Fisher Flume G Flip Genesis Owusu Hayden James King Stingray Kobie Dee Latifa Tee Little Fritter Mallrat Mansionair Ninajarachi PEACH PRC Spacey Jane Stand Atlantic Steve Lacy Telenova The Wombats YNG Martyr Young Franco 1300 Guilty Pleasures by DJ Levins Coastal Jam DJs Gangz Lashes Mason Flint Sweat Dreams DJs Food: Firepop Blackbear BBQ Birdman Burger Head Empire Pizza Ryan Gozleme and more Art by Studio A: Emily Crockford Greg Sindel Katrina Brennan Jaycee Kim Meagan Pelham Thom Roberts Top image: Jordan Munns
There's only one thing in life that's almost as ace as a holiday: looking forward to a holiday. The planning, counting down the days, just having something to get excited about — they all help liven up the daily grind. So when a flight sale drops, like Virgin's latest round of discounted fares, it's an instant way to brighten up your mood. Start looking forward to trips around Australia and overseas, and for cheap. This new sale spans over 500,000 fares for both domestic and international legs. Prices start low, at the usual $49, which once again gets you from Sydney to Byron Bay — the normal cheapest fare in any flight sale — and vice versa. From there, the domestic side of the sale covers everywhere from Hamilton Island and Hobart to Darwin and Mt Isa. Virgin's Flight Frenzy sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Friday, August 25 — unless sold out earlier, with fares to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide also covered. That means paying $69 one-way from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast, $79 from Melbourne to Hobart, and $99 for a trip from Brisbane to Cairns or Canberra to the Gold Coast. Or, still on local deals, the specials also cover $59 from Melbourne to Launceston, $119 from Adelaide to Sydney, $179 from Brisbane to Darwin and $209 from Melbourne to Perth. Internationally, Tokyo visits are included, from Cairns only from $699 return. Among the other global return options: Bali (from $469 from Adelaide, $489 from the Gold Coast, $599 from Brisbane, and $629 from Melbourne or Sydney), Fiji ($499 from Brisbane or Sydney, and $539 from Melbourne), Vanuatu ($469 from Brisbane) and Samoa ($569 from Sydney and $579 from Brisbane). And, Queenstown is also on the agenda, with both one-way and return legs. One-way from Melbourne and Sydney starts at $265, and return from $425. From Brisbane, those prices are $309 and $539. If you're wondering when you'll need to travel, the fares cover select periods between Wednesday, October 11, 2023–Thursday, June 20, 2024, with all dates varying per route. Inclusions also differ depending on your ticket and, as usual when it comes to flight sales, you'll need to get in quick if you're keen to stack the rest of 2023 and the first half of 2024 with a getaway (or several). Virgin's Flight Frenzy sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Friday, August 25 — unless sold out earlier. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
After playing to sold-out arenas the globe over, the Black Keys will return to Australia this October. The Lollapalooza and Coachella headliners are bringing their latest album 'El Camino' to six Aussie locations. Though the Black Keys started out humbly as a two-member garage band, their rise to festival and arena headliners is a testimony to their music. Australian fans welcomed the band to Oz in 2003, and have since enjoyed five more Black Keys tours. This tour highlights the band's seventh album in a show which promises to be their best yet. The Black Keys will make appearances in Newcastle, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and at Perth's Rock It festival. Don't miss out: tickets go on sale after noon today here.
The posters for what's tipped to be Lars von Trier’s masterpiece — his upcoming five-hour sexual epic, Nymphomanic — have been unleashed, with the likes of Charlotte Gainsbourg, Willem Defoe and Stellan Skarsgard showcasing their best 'O' faces. The squirm-inducing effect of the promotion, shot by photographer Casper Sejersen, is only a taster for what's to come. Doubtless, the film will not shy away from unflinching portrayals of erotic ecstasy. In a typical von Trier rejection of cinematic convention, reportedly the genitals of porn actors will be spliced onto the bodies of the cast in the production process. Although it's not the first film to use unsimulated sex, evidently the avant-garde provocateur is continuing to uphold his reputation for revelling in a taboo style of filmmaking and subject matter. For example, according to Shia LeBeouf, a disclaimer at the top of the script reads: "Everything that is illegal, we’ll shoot in blurred images." Indeed, producing audience discomfort and sparking controversy is not new terrain for von Trier. Take, for instance, his grotesque tour de force Antichrist, a hard-hitting arthouse horror film that caused uproar for its scandalous depiction of genital mutilation. (If you haven’t eaten lunch yet, perhaps don’t read up on it now.) Although his films strongly divide audiences and critics, he is without question a major powerhouse of contemporary avant-garde cinema. His work is thought-provoking, technically assured, aesthetically radical and forever pushing boundaries. It is the dream of actors and cinematographers alike to work with this enigmatic artistic visionary. Nymphomaniac is due to be released in December of this year. Via Fast Co.Create
Each month, Netflix adds a whole heap of new movies, shows and specials to its lineup. It's impossible to watch all of them, and if you tend to gravitate towards its big series and films — Stranger Things and The Witcher, plus features such as Marriage Story and The Trial of the Chicago 7 , for instance — that's understandable. But don't scroll your way past the service's comedy offerings. As with everything on every streaming platform, the selection can be a bit hit and miss; however, Netflix was responsible for one of the best sketch comedies of 2019, aka the sidesplitting I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. In 2020, Netflix is hoping that its latest addition to the genre will also strike a chord, this time with Aussie comedians Aunty Donna at its centre. The troupe's absurdist gags, satire and wordplay is heading to the streamer via the six-part Aunty Donna's Big House of Fun, which'll be available to watch from Wednesday, November 11. As the just-released first trailer shows, viewers are in for silliness galore, as led by Aunty Donna's Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane. The Office star Ed Helms also pops up, and executive produces the series — with Comedy Bang! Bang!'s Scott Aukerman and David Jargowsky also falling into the latter category. Since forming in 2011, Aunty Donna just keeps expanding its resume. It has played gigs everywhere from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to Edinburgh Festival Fringe, toured the country several times, made a number of web series and released an album. In a year where we could all use a genuine reason to laugh, Aunty Donna's Big House of Fun adds to that list. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BVoYKwTc4E Aunty Donna's Big House of Fun will be available via Netflix from Wednesday, November 11.
Remember Piccolina's epic Gelato Project? Well, it's back for an even bigger, better third iteration. If you missed this last year, it's an eight-week partnership between Melbourne's much-loved gelateria and eight innovative local chefs, inviting this group of kitchen heroes to take over the specials board. The Piccolina Gelato Project will once again see eight Melbourne chefs each have a crack at impressing the masses with their gelato game. A different name will step up to the plate each week, teaming up with Piccolina's Sandra Foti to create three special flavours that capture the spirit of their respective restaurant — along with a healthy dose of personal flair, of course. That's 24 new flavours dropping. [caption id="attachment_905508" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Chef Coskun Uysal[/caption] This year features a diverse line-up of culinary superstars, from Ross Magnaye (Serai) and Nornie Bero (Mabu Mabu) to Charley Snadden-Wilson (Clover Wine). Others on the lineup include Ella Mittas (Author Ela! Ela!), Nagesh Seethian (Manzé), Ellie Bouhadana (Hope St Radio), Coskun Uysal (Tulum) and Brigitte Hafner (Tedesca Osteria). Piccolina takes a bit of a punt with this one. They give each chef free creative reign to drop flavour bombs on unsuspecting customers. For Uysal, that involves tapping into his Anatolian-Turkish heritage, with creations like chicken and milk pudding, and melon Raki sorbet with feta cheese and mint oil. "I strive to entice people to step outside their comfort zones and explore something different," Uysal says. "Although the flavour combinations may be unconventional, they work harmoniously." [caption id="attachment_891171" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Piccolina, Social Quarter[/caption] Keep an eye out for Bero's week too: she's planning to use native ingredients like wattleseed, peppermint gum, rosella and quandong. "Given our core brand values of creativity, integrity and originality, we're thrilled with what the chefs have come up with and feel they have really taken it to the next level," says Piccolina founder, Sandra Foti. Roll into any Piccolina outpost to find these inventive desserts from Wednesday, June 21 to Tuesday, August 15. Images: supplied.
When you venture into Victoria by Farmer's Daughters, the multi-storey venue in Fed Square from Alejandro Saravia, you're set to be met with a culinary showcase of the state. A menu that brings farm-fresh produce from regions as varied as the Murray region and the stretch of land along the Great Ocean Road, all the way out to Mallacoota and the Pyrenees. Alongside the usual menu, the team is adding a plentiful end-of-weekend meal to the mix. On Sundays, between 11am–6.30pm, diners will be invited into the warm embrace of The Mighty Sunday Roast — a changing three-course set menu spotlighting a Melburnian twist on the pub classic. Starting off a little left of centre, you'll break bread, perhaps with salumi, buffalo ricotta and a crudo with kohlrabi and kelp. Or, maybe sweet mussels from Portarlington, smoked and served with chickpeas and fired peppers. Then, it's the crown jewel: the roast. It may be lamb shoulder or possibly beef shin, but it'll certainly be hearty and served with gravy, crunchy potatoes roasted in duck fat and housemade Yorkshire pudding. Rounding out the generous communal meal — which goes for $85 per person — is a sugar-sweet finisher. Perhaps the classic floating island: cloud-like poached meringue atop chocolate custard. Or, maybe, a creme caramel decked out with marinated plums and the fried crunch of crostoli. However your grand Sunday feast concludes, you'll be fuelled — and in the perfect location — for city explorations. Put the word out to your group, set a date and book your table. The Mighty Sunday Roast is available at Victoria by Farmer's Daughters every Sunday between 11am–6.30pm. For more information and to book your seat, head to the website. Images: Arianna Leggiero
Multi-storey Meyers Place venue Loop has already taken the concept of a vertical garden to soaring new heights, with a wall of greenery that extends from its street level alcoves right up to third storey rooftop terrace, Loop Roof. It's packed with over 100 species of plants. Now, Director and Co-Founder Adam Bunny has gone one step further, adding a whole new lush, green rooftop, up on Level 4. Launching to the public last month, Loop Top is the building's new crowning glory, with space for an extra 100 punters, on top of the existing 100-person capacity of Loop Roof below. The two have combined to create a split-level, sky-high oasis, boasting even more of those panoramic views across the city. [caption id="attachment_749975" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugene Hyland[/caption] Jazzing up Loop Top, you'll find a vast array of plant life, designed to evoke the feeling of an urban jungle and complement the existing vertical garden. A couple of majestic tree aloes join the two already presiding over Level 3, along with a riot of prickly pear, bottle trees, bougainvillea, Hollywood mint and Madagascar dragons. It's all accompanied by mammoth blue and yellow umbrellas, and more decorative pops of colour to match the set-up below. Fittingly, the new drinks lineup has a botanical focus, headlined by a healthy array of spritzes, including the Life's A Salty Peach – a fusion of Mathilde pêche liqueur, salted caramel Stolichnaya and peach bitters. Elsewhere, you'll find highballs and house creations — such as the Patient Summerthyme with gin, vermouth, lemon and thyme — plus a diverse spread of beers and largely local wines. And to match, a bar menu runs from buffalo chicken bites to vegan mushroom 'wings' and burgers, like the signature beef Big Loop. Find Loop Top at Level 4, 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne. It's open Monday–Thursday 3pm–midnight and Friday–Sunday midday–1am. Images: Eugene Hyland
Bummed you didn't get a Splendour ticket? Angry you bought dozens of Splendour tickets so you could scalp them, and now find yourself holding hundreds of dollars' worth of paper after organisers shut down the re-sale facility over the weekend? Decided not to go this year, thinking you could totally see all the bands you wanted to see when they did their sideshows? Well whoever you are, it's time to whip out those diaries and start making plans — we found the mother of all emails in our inboxes this morning, bursting with sideshow goodness. Listed below are all the details you need for nine bands — electronica wunderkind James Blake, old Splendour favourites Cold War Kids, so-hot-right-now sister act HAIM, MS MR (described to me as "Florence + the Machine, plus Lana Del Rey, with some Kavinsky thrown in"), the R&B-ish indie of Mancunians Everything Everything, Next Big Thing Jake Bugg, LA noise merchants FIDLAR, fast-rising Poms Palma Violets and kings of Florida chill Surfer Blood. And those are just nine of the eleventy-billion bands (we counted!) announced on the full Splendour lineup just a couple of weeks ago. More shows will be announced for the other bands as we get closer to the date. (Though sadly not for The National, Mumford & Sons or TV on the Radio, who are playing their only Australian shows at the festival.) Full ticketing information is on the Secret Sounds website. JAMES BLAKE Fri 26 July – Astor Theatre, Perth Tues 30 July – Sydney Opera House, Sydney Wed 31 July – Palais Theatre, Melbourne Fri 2 Aug – Town Hall, Auckland www.jamesblakemusic.com COLD WAR KIDS Monday 29 July – Metro Theatre, Sydney Tuesday 30 July – The HiFi, Melbourne Thursday 1 August – The Gov, Adelaide Friday 2 August – Capitol, Perth www.coldwarkids.com HAIM Wed 24 July – The Hi-Fi, Sydney Thu 25 July – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne www.HAIMtheband.com MS MR Fri 26 July – The Metro, Sydney Mon 29 July – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne www.msmrsounds.com EVERYTHING EVERYTHING Fri 26 July – The Corner, Melbourne Sat 27 July – The Metro, Sydney www.everything-everything.co.uk JAKE BUGG Thurs 25 July – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney Sun 28 July – The Corner, Melbourne www.jakebugg.com FIDLAR Mon 29 July – The Corner, Melbourne Wed 31 July – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney Fri 2 August – Spinoff Festival, Adelaide Sat 3 August – The Bakery, Perth www.fidlarmusic.com PALMA VIOLETS Mon 29 July – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne Tues 30 July – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney www.palmaviolets.co.uk SURFER BLOOD Wed 24 July – The Corner, Melbourne Fri 26 July – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney www.surferblood.com
Days are getting longer, and the nights are getting warmer. And we don't doubt that you've already seen Melbourne's pubs and bars flooded with rounds of the most summery of drinks: the Aperol Spritz. That's why we curated this list of excellent spots for a sunset spritz in partnership with Aperol. First and foremost, these guys all make a good Aperol Spritz — that's essential. But, beyond that, each spot offers a great way to experience the sunset, whether you're soaking it up from high on a rooftop bar or enjoying a spritz on the waterfront.
You might normally associate the rockstar lifestyle with big boozy nights and sure-fire hangovers, especially when you're talking about a band that actually owns a bar. But Peking Duk are completely bucking that trend with their latest project — the electro duo of Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles have just released their own booze-free brew, dubbed the Fake Magic Lager. Named after one of the ARIA Award-winning band's hit tracks, the new beer has been crafted in collaboration with the experts at First Nations non-alcoholic drinks company Sobah Beverages. "We've been riding the non-alcohol wave for a while now — especially when we're on tour and want to have a few pre-show drinks, without the headache," explained Styles in a statement. It's this lifestyle shift that inspired the pair to team up with Sobah, which has set out to destigmatise the art of socialising sober. Not only has it got some additional healthy connotations thanks to an infusion of lion's mane mushroom, but the limited-edition canned sip will be helping a great cause, with all proceeds going straight to supporting Sobah's work promoting First Nations' arts, culture, language and history. [caption id="attachment_874695" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Peking Duk with Sobah's Dr Clinton Schultz[/caption] If you're keen to try the booze-free beer, you've got just one place to head. The lager will be available exclusively via the new ING Good Finds Market — the banking company's new online store dedicated to social enterprises that are committed to doing good in the world. Think: The Social Outfit, TABOO Period Products, Juluqarly Art Group, Two Good Co, Kua Coffee and stacks more. Profits from all products sold on the site will be funnelled right back into the organisations' various causes and initiatives. It's designed to make it a whole lot easier for Aussies to shop from and support businesses with a conscience. Running across four Saturdays from October 29–November 19, the Good Finds Market will be launching three other exclusive collaboration products over the coming month. That includes a new limited-edition collection by Good Citizens Eyewear featuring all-recycled frames crafted from plastic bottles. Find the Fake Magic Lager exclusively online at the ING Good Finds Market from Saturday, October 29. It'll cost you $19 for a four-pack of tinnies, with a 24-pack coming in at $92.
While festivals and concerts around the world have been cancelled and postponed (Bluesfest, Dark Mofo, gigs at the Sydney Opera House and Splendour in the Grass to name a few), a bunch of Sydney mates have created their own virtual gig: Room 2 Radio. Dubbed Sydney's first online nightclub, this party is letting you get your groove on even if you're stuck at home. Bringing the club to your bedroom, this online boogie kicked off in March and sees local DJs perform on your screens every Friday. This week, the night is aptly dubbed Pretty over it and will see the likes of Johnny Lieu playing early 2000s garage and bassline bangers, DJ, R&B artist and FBi Radio host Latifa Tee and eclectic Sydney-based selector Papi Chulo. So, expect more than just a video of someone hitting play on Spotify. Room 2 Radio is scheduled to run every week until further notice, with each week's program being announced via Facebook. To add to the good times, there'll be disco lights, drink recommendations and a live chat going so you can socialise with other partygoers. Room 2 Radio even played a sneak peak set to get things started, which you can check out here. Is this the future of nightlife? Who knows in these wild times, but at least for now we can party together, at home. To check out upcoming programs, head here. Updated, July 31, 2020.
Blitz Bar is opening up its second self-serve açai bar, this time making Brighton its home — and it is celebrating by giving away 300 açai bowls across three days. From Friday, December 8–Sunday, December 10, the team will be giving away açai bowls to the first 100 customers each day from 11am. The Blitz Bar crew will also hand out a free jar of the chain's house-made peanut butter to every customer. Blitz Bar blends up the Brazilian-sourced açai berries to create its brekkie base and lets customers choose their toppings buffet-style. You can choose from some of Blitz Bar's 25 different toppings when nabbing your free breakfast across the three days — that includes unlimited fruit, crunchy granola and its house-made peanut butter.
While an airport's not usually the kind of place you scramble to spend time in, Singapore's Changi Airport has a knack for making the whole transit thing a little more fun. And right now, the major transport hub — which welcomes a cool 65 million visitors each year — is embracing the festive season, unveiling a new immersive Frozen-inspired winter wonderland pop-up. Running until January 5 in celebration of Disney's soon-to-be-released Frozen 2, the installation will see various parts of the airport transformed into snow-dusted fantasy worlds, evoking all those white Christmas feelings. The airport's new nature-themed retail and entertainment precinct Jewel will play host to a program of dazzling themed light and sound shows, splashed across its Rain Vortex: the world's tallest indoor waterfall. There'll also be a festive market selling a wide array of handmade goodies for last-minute Christmas present shopping, as well as an offering of workshops covering crafty endeavours like terrarium-making and ukulele-painting. Meanwhile, the T3 Departure Hall will feature an immersive enchanted forest pop-up, with four challenge zones inspired by the four elements of nature. Sure, it's a total kids' paradise, but there's also plenty to charm the young at heart, from jolly stilt-walkers to larger-than-life installations and roving carollers. The faux snow will be a-flying at regular intervals and Changi will even be graced by its biggest Christmas tree ever – a 16-metre-tall stunner, decked out head-to-toe in full festive finery and lit-up dramatically at 6.30pm each evening. Keep an eye out for it at the Jewel entrance near Terminal 1. Changi Airport sure knows how to keep a travel-weary person entertained between flights. During last year's Christmas period, it hosted an immersive Harry Potter-themed world, while earlier this year, it unveiled its new 14,000-square-metre Canopy Park, complete with mirror and hedge maze, topiary walk (which is currently filled with snow) and slide-filled sculptural playground. A Frozen Wonderland at Changi is located in Terminal 1-3 at Changi Airport until January 5, 2020.
Looking for an excellent wine to sip? Plenty of prizes, nods and gongs have you covered. Looking for a great bar to drink a few glasses in? That's the domain of the Wineslinger Awards — which announced its top 50 venues for 2020 back in August, and has now revealed its picks for the best four wine-sipping spots in the country. Wine lovers in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Geelong, rejoice — your patch of turf is home to one of 2020's top vino venues in Australia. Only one can boast the overall winner, though, and that'd be Melbourne. This year's Wineslinger award went to the Carlton Wine Room — and that's a particularly nice win given that the venue was closed for almost seven months of the year due to COVID-19 lockdowns. In the other fields, Adelaide's Leigh Street Wine Room nabbed the 'Best New Haunt' prize. Yes, that gong is rather self-explanatory. And in the 'Maverick' category — which is awarded to a venue that pushes the limits — Brisbane's Snack Man emerged victorious for defying food-and-wine pairing combinations (including matching Chinese snacks with European vino). The three aforementioned awards were all voted on by more than 100 industry experts; think sommeliers, winemakers, hospitality tastemakers and journalists. But for vino aficionados at home, there's also the 'People's Choice' prize — and that went to Union Street Wine in Geelong, which has been serving great drops since 2014. [caption id="attachment_789256" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Carlton Wine Room[/caption] For folks looking for your next drinking spot, you now have four places to add to your must-visit list — whether they're close to home or you're making travel plans for when life gets back to normal. If you need further suggestions, the 50-venue shortlist shared the love around the country, with 15 bars in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, 12 in Victoria, eight in Western Australia, and five each in South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland. The Wineslinger Awards were created in 2018 by Rory Kent, who also founded the Young Gun of Wine Awards. Where the latter prize aims to recognise stellar up-and-comers, the former is all about excellent and innovative places where vino lovers can enjoy an ace drop. Announcing this year's Wineslinger winners, Kent noted that "2020 has been the toughest year ever for Wineslingers in this country, and that's made it equally tough on cutting edge winemakers who rely on the passionate individuals and their brilliant venues to capture the imaginations of wine lovers". He continued: "we're so excited to celebrate the places and hospitality professionals serving up the best wine experiences in the country, and after months of lockdown and restrictions, getting back to supporting them in person." For further details about this year's Wineslinger Award winners, visit the awards' website. Top images: Carlton Wine Room, Snack Man, Leigh Street Wine Room, Union Street Wine.
More than just a simple cafe, Project281 has taken up residence on Albert Street in Brunswick. Owners Connell McGrath and Sargon Michael (of The Glass Den Cafe) have made a smart move by setting up shop in Melbourne's food and coffee-oriented north — but Project281 stands out from the crowd in terms of what it has to offer. A massive industrial looking, greenery-filled space on Albert Street, Project281 includes an in-house roastery — aka Founder Coffee Co. — as well as a kitchen and indoor 50-square-metre herb garden on their mezzanine level (with its products used in the food, of course). The team plans to open for dinner and add a rooftop bar, but there's plenty to see, eat and drink here to keep patrons going in the meantime, and McGrath says that it's been no mean feat. "To put it simply, it has been a massive team effort," he says of the process. "We've spent countless hours, day and night, creating a space that promises to be comfortable, convenient and exciting for all." The team effort he refers to includes part of Matcha Mylkbar's opening team, Lachlan Timms and Conrad Cheng, who run front and back of house operations. Then there's coffee roaster Anne Cooper, snagged from Equilibrium Master Roasters to oversee the coffee side of things. The fit-out was done by architectural firm Splinter Society, and it's all natural light, greenery and timber throughout the warehouse-like space. Designed by the team to be vegan-friendly, the menu features a mix of Korean, Japanese, and South East Asian fare — divided into chibi-sara (small plates), oki-sara (large plates) and ame-sara (sweet plates). Even if you're not a dessert-for-breakfast kind of person, the latter are well worth a gander, with the Japanese taiyaki (a filled waffle) is served with nashi pear custard, berries, brandy coral, vanilla ice cream and sweet herbs for $19. More of a savoury tooth? Perhaps the soft shell crab okonomiyaki ($24), served with poached egg, tonkatsu and slaw, will whet your appetite. That's without getting started on the liquids — from a triple hot chocolate ($7) to housemade smoothies full of goodness ($11), there's a lot to see around these parts even if you're not a coffee drinker. If you are a coffee drinker, try the iced coffee sphere with a side of hot milk, $8. Who said coffee culture was all the same? Find Project281 at 281 Albert Street, Brunswick, or visit the cafe's Facebook page for further details.
If there's a great Mighty Morphin Power Rangers movie aching to be made, it's the one that Elizabeth Banks thinks she's in. Playing the villainous Rita Repulsa in the latest big-screen instalment of the franchise, she can barely contain her glee as she struts around the small Californian town of Angel Grove caressing faces, ripping out teeth, croaking lines about her love of gold and even devouring the shiny substance. If only the rest of the film enjoyed the same sense of fun. The '90s series didn't take much seriously – and how could it, when it featured overdubbed action footage from Japan's Super Sentai? Alas, the bulk of this reboot seems to have forgotten that. Admittedly, given that one of this new movie's first scenes involves a teenager chatting about pleasuring a bull, it initially seems that director Dean Israelite (Project Almanac) and screenwriter John Gatins (Kong: Skull Island) haven't ditched the goofiness entirely. Appearances can be deceiving, though. Just as a group of diverse high schoolers can turn out to be colour-coded superheroes, so too can a film that features a wise-cracking robot (voiced by Bill Hader), Krispy Kreme as the source of life on earth, and monsters fighting robot dinosaurs prove a bland addition to an all-too-familiar genre. Gritty origin stories — we've been there and done that over and over again. Adolescent angst, outcasts bonding in detention and kids learning that everything's better when they're part of a team — yep, we've seen that before too. That's what happens when troubled but charismatic quarterback Jason (Dacre Montgomery), "on the spectrum" nerd Billy (RJ Cyler), ostracised cheerleader Kimberly (Naomi Scott), show-off Zack (Ludi Lin) and perennial new girl Trini (Becky G.) cross paths at an abandoned mine, find glowing coins and acquire new superpowers. Thankfully, the former Ranger turned talking wall that is Zordon (Bryan Cranston) is on hand to fill them in on their mission to save the world from Rita, who has just been fished out of the ocean after 65 million years. Most of the movie is happy to watch the diverse new quintet hang out, talk about their problems, test out their skills and bond — because, if there's one thing that Hollywood loves more that zero to hero stories, it's setting the scene for future flicks. Even if it hadn't just been revealed that the producers have a six-film story arc ready and raring to go go, those intentions are evident from the outset. One day, making sure each movie is engaging on its own, rather than acting as filler for more to come, might become a priority again. Unfortunately, that's not the case here. Indeed, by the time the fighting rolls around, you could be forgiven for feeling like it's too little, too late. The final battle against Rita and her giant metallic minion Goldar offers a welcome albeit messily-shot burst of energy, as well as a glimpse of the type of tone the powers-that-be might want to adopt if five more flicks do come down the production line. It's just a shame you have to watch Power Rangers morph from The Breakfast Club to Chronicle to Fantastic Four to Transformers in order to get there. Still, at least it's better than 1995's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, which is only worth revisiting if you want to see the Rangers roam through Sydney.
"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear," Buddy (Will Ferrell, The Boys) tells Jovie (Zooey Deschanel, Physical) in end-of-year staple Elf. The musical version of the hit festive flick takes that idea to heart. Debuting on Broadway in 2010, it brings the beloved movie to the stage with a swag of merry songs. Fourteen years later — and 21 years since cinemas first discovered Elf's seasonal fun — Elf: The Musical is finally making its Australian premiere. Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall is standing in for both the North Pole and New York City across Thursday, December 19–Sunday, December 29, 2024, as Buddy goes on a journey of self-discovery. If you've seen the film, as almost everyone has, you'll know the storyline already; however, unless you've caught Elf: The Musical overseas, including a West End season in 2015–16, you haven't seen it like this before. Buddy isn't an elf, but he was raised by them — and he doesn't realise that he isn't like Santa's other helpers until he grows up. Cue his trip to the Big Apple to discover who he is, and also who he wants to be, as first told in a movie directed by actor-turned-filmmaker Jon Favreau before he helmed Iron Man, The Jungle Book and the photorealistic version of The Lion King. The stage adaptation's Aussie debut comes courtesy of Sydney's most-famous venue and John Frost for Crossroads Live, with the pair serving up the ideal way to get jolly in the Harbour City this festive season (as well as a gift of an excuse to take a festive-season trip to the New South Wales capital if you reside elsewhere across Australia). Elf: The Musical boasts a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (who also helped bring The Producers, Hairspray, Cry-Baby and Young Frankenstein from picture palaces to theatres) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), plus songs by Tony Award-nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (more film-to-stage veterans courtesy of The Wedding Singer). Starring Gareth Isaac (Grease the Musical) as Buddy, Simon Burke (Wicked) as Walter Hobbs, Brianna Bishop (Grease the Musical) as Jovie and Lara Mulcahy (MAMMA MIA!) as Santa, the Australian run is being staged as a concert production, in a presentation designed for Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall. Images: Daniel Boud. Updated Monday, December 16, 2024.
This month ACCA will be taking its cues from Chunky Move across the road by delving into the ever-evolving world of dance. Like many shows at this year's Melbourne Festival, Framed Movements will combine art forms. They're bringing in the big guns to explore the intersection of dance and visual art. The centrepiece of the exhibition will be daily shows from New York performance artist Maria Hassabi. After rave reviews at last year's Venice Biennale, Hassabi will be showing her installation dance work Intermission — a slow, almost hypnotic performance that transfixes its audience. Berlin-based Kiwi expat Alicia Frankovich will also be performing briefly as part of the exhibition alongside regular shows from Helen Grogan and Brian Fuata. Though it makes sense that the concept of movement would be explored through dance and installation, photography and film will also be used. With works that are often surreal and unnerving, prepare to feel very aware of your movements through the gallery. For more information including performance times, see the ACCA website.
When it's winter in Australia's southern states, Hamilton Island couldn't be more gorgeous. If you like the cold, a midyear trip to Tasmania might be high on your holiday list. Or, perhaps you're dreaming of a Byron Bay getaway, a vacation to Australia's best beach for 2023 on Kangaroo Island, an excuse to head to the outback or a date with the Red Centre. Whichever of the above applies, Qantas has a sale flight to fit during its latest batch of discounted domestic fares. The Australian airline is serving up more than a million one-way flights across a whopping 100-plus routes — covering everywhere from Queensland's tropics to the Apple Isle's cities, and from Perth to Sydney, too, as well as all the other state capitals, the Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, Mt Gambier, Broken Hill, Kalgoorlie and more. Get ready to explore your own backyard, with discounts around 30-percent below the normal year-round price on each route. The cheapest, as tends to be the case on all flight sales, is the Sydney–Ballina route, which'll get you from the Harbour City to Byron Bay from $99. The Melbourne–Launceston fare also comes in at $99. While the options from there do crack $100, more than 40 routes on offer during the sale boast flights under $150. That includes heading from the Gold Coast to Melbourne, or vice versa, from $135; from Melbourne to Sydney from $139; from Brisbane to Hamilton Island from $149; and from Perth to Sydney from $309. The sale runs until Wednesday, May 3, so you have some time to get a bargain. That said, if fares sell out earlier, you'll miss out. And, inclusions-wise, the sale covers fares with checked baggage, complimentary food and beverages, wifi and seat selection. Qantas' Australia red tail sale runs until Wednesday, May 3 — or until sold out. Feeling inspired to book a getaway? You can now book your next dream holiday through Concrete Playground Trips with deals on flights, stays and experiences at destinations all around the world.
As Melbourne's legendary food scene embarks on a necessary shake-up to suit the post-lockdown age, we're set to see plenty of clever and out-of-the-box events landing on our culinary calendars. That includes Everleigh-After — a multifaceted, art-filled dining experience from new culinary concept SSIXX, which hits Melbourne from Friday, February 5 till Sunday, February 28. This envelope-pushing event serves up a multi-sensory fusion of visuals, sonic delights, food, drink, art and aromas, in a collaborative effort between famed cocktail haunt The Everleigh, Ides' renowned chef-owner Peter Gunn and SSIXX's founder Philip Bucknell (who has imagined creative experiences for the likes of The Met Costume Gala, MOMA and New York Fashion Week). Taking place across a limited run of sittings Tuesday-Sunday evenings, Everleigh-After features a series of intimate 14-person communal dinners, held within a futuristic cube at Fed Square. Yes, it's set to be an immersive, otherworldly affair, offering a simultaneous feast for all the senses. And, while it comes in at a cool $260 a pop, this one aims to blow all your previous food experiences out of the water. While the visual splendour, bespoke scents and aural offerings unfold, guests will also enjoy a lineup of specialty Everleigh cocktails, carefully matched to a four-course feast. Much is being kept under wraps for now, though you can expect to taste a masterful reworking of Gunn's iconic Black Box dessert somewhere along the way — a much-loved Ides creation made famous after an appearance on MasterChef Australia. It seems that Melbourne is just the beginning, too. The minds behind Everleigh-After have confirmed the concept is a "travelling experience", imagined "in collaboration with culinary experts, artists and designers Australia wide."
For fans of distressed denim, the more unique the method of wearing them down the better. But these guys have taken things next level. A denim company in Japan has decided to outsource their distressing work to lions, tigers and bears for their latest collection. Before you get on a soapbox about any sort of animal exploitation, it’s only for a limited run of four pairs of jeans and it's all in the name of charity. Oh my! Zoo Jeans is an initiative by the Mineko Club of zoo volunteers who have partnered with Japan's Kamine Zoo in Hitachi City. The jeans will be auctioned off online and you'd better get in quick as the bidding started on Monday. Funds raised from the jeans will go towards the World Wildlife Fund and to the revitalisation of the Kamine Zoo. The favourite playthings of the bears, tigers and lions — rubber balls and tyres – were covered with sheets of denim and left in their enclosures for them to gnaw at, tear and generally muck around with. When the animal crew decided they’d had enough, the toys were retrieved and the denim — or what is left of it was removed. The denim was not altered further, except to be cut and sewn into jeans. At the time of writing this the current bid for the T1 Jeans (designed by tigers) stands at ¥121,000, which is roughly $AUD1,267. The two pairs of Lion Jeans, one women’s and one men’s, are currently sitting at ¥50,000. If fashion for you hinges around being the central topic of conversation, you’d be a hard one to beat in these threads. Via GQ and Zoo Jeans.
Winter is the time of year when after-dark events come out in force. That rule continues to apply in Melbourne's south, where Moorabbin Junction After Dark is lighting up The Station Street Precinct for a one-night-only all-ages extravaganza. On Saturday, August 10 from 5–9pm, the neighbourhood is staying up late. Led by neon light artist Volter International, the normally quiet street will transform into an interactive after-dark wonderland. Beyond the bright neon art pieces, local eateries will be open late with special offerings — such as boozy hot chocolate from Wilbury and Sons or a $49pp special set menu at Comma Food & Wine. As you wander, you'll catch sight of a silent disco, glow-in-the-dark face painting, photo booths, fairy floss and roving entertainers. For any aspiring creatives in your life, they can participate in workshops at the Kingston Arts Centre. This is just the tip of the neon iceberg, you'll have to go and see it yourself for the full scoop. Moorabbin Junction After Dark will take place from 5—9pm on Saturday, August 10. Visit the website for more information.
For Australian TV viewers, your familiarity with various US cable networks will depend upon which of their television shows you happen to watch. HBO has become a household name thanks to everything from The Sopranos and The Wire to Game of Thrones and Succession, for instance — and if you're a fan of Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and The Walking Dead, you'll have noticed AMC's moniker more than once or twice. Get ready to watch more of AMC's shows, actually, as the American network has just brought its AMC+ streaming bundle to Australia. Rather than existing as a separate platform, it's an add-on that's available via the Apple TV channels on the Apple TV app and, also for Prime members thanks to its Prime Video channels. You'll need to pay extra to access it — to the tune of $8.99 per month — but that'll add both new and classic AMC shows to your streaming queue. So, you'll be able to watch six-part series The Beast Must Die, which stars Chernobyl's Jared Harris and follows the aftermath of a hit and run; Swedish series The Restaurant, which kicks off with a kiss amid end-of-WWII celebrations; and Dutch miniseries The Swell, about the most powerful storm in history heading towards The Netherlands and Belgium. There's also stop-motion comedy Ultra City Smiths, which uses animated baby dolls to stand in for a grown-up cast of characters — and a heap of true-crime titles, including docuseries Cold Blooded: The Clutter Family Murders, about the chilling killings that Truman Capote turned into the acclaimed book In Cold Blood. In terms of new arrivals, the South Australian-shot Firebite might just be the most exciting show on AMC+'s lineup. It won't start dropping episodes until Thursday, December 16; however, it's created by Aussie Samson and Delilah, Sweet Country and The Beach filmmaker Warwick Thornton. Following two Indigenous Australian hunters who battle the last colony of vampires in the middle of the SA desert, it stars Rob Collins (The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson) and newcomer Shantae Barnes-Cowan (Total Control), as well as Yael Stone (Orange is the New Black) and Callan Mulvey (Shadow in the Cloud). Also set to hit in the coming weeks: dystopian drama series Anna, about a world plagued by a virus which kills adults but spares children; the first three seasons of documentary mockumentary series Documentary Now!; and sketch comedy Sherman's Showcase. Subscribers to AMC+ also get access to the network's two other forays into local streaming, horror platform Shudder and the British TV-focused Acorn TV — all at no extra cost. Plus, the streaming bundle will gain a heap of AMC's high-profile existing shows throughout November, such as Mad Men, Riviera, Portlandia, Comedy Bang! Bang! and Eli Roth's History of Horror, as well as of a number of indie movies from IFC Films and horror flicks from Shudder. If you're keen — and your streaming queue has a few gaps in it — AMC+ is doing seven-day free trials for Prime members, too. The AMC+ streaming bundle is now available via the Apple TV channels on the Apple TV app and, also for Prime members thanks to its Prime Video channels. For more information, head to the AMC+ Facebook page. Top image: Ian Routledge/AMC+.
Delivery Man is not your typical Vince Vaughn film. Whilst we have grown accustomed to his formulaic comedic persona, here we are treated to a change of pace with a down-to-earth and likeable Vaughn. He plays David Wozniak, a perennial underachiever and incompetent meat truck driver for the family business (okay, so his stereotype remains to begin with). Triggered into bringing order to his life upon discovering his girlfriend Emma (Cobie Smulders) is pregnant, he is disturbed to find he is the biological father of 533 children, 142 of which are suing him to uncover his identity. This is all courtesy of a colossal mistake by the sperm donor facility a younger Wozniak anonymously frequented under the pseudonym 'Starbuck'. Delivery Man is the American adaptation of French-Canadian film Starbuck and succeeds largely due to the presence of Ken Scott, who wrote and directed the original. He ensures that the film retains its sincerity, allowing the exploration of the challenges of parenthood, albeit in farcically exaggerated circumstances, to bloom. Whilst the material provides plenty of opportunity for the film to descend into satire and farce, its decision to stay the course and explore the raw emotion of familial relationships is what makes this film worth giving a chance. It skips the diaper-changing staple of parenthood films and instead delves into the core of parenting: accepting your children no matter what. This allows for beautiful moments, the best of which is David visiting one of his sons who is severely disabled in a home. It is both touching and heart-warming, words I never thought I would write when discussing a film featuring Vaughn. Providing the comic relief is David's best friend and unsuccessful lawyer Brett, played brilliantly by Chris Pratt. Brett's attempt to single-handedly raise his four young children whilst pleading the case for his friend's anonymity provides the comic relief that frees Vaughn from his typical role of funny man. Pratt surely has a future of funny features ahead. Delivery Man of course has its faults, the largest of which is the injection of Wozniak's vegan hipster son Viggo (Adam Chanler-Berat); the writers clearly were unaware that these stereotypes were last funny three years ago. Viggo uncovers that David is the father of the list of plaintiffs (that includes himself) and yet saves nobody their suffering or legal costs by exposing him. Also, some of the connections feel short-lived, an inevitable product of suddenly trying to make a connection with 142 children in 100 minutes. This film won't win any awards, but it isn't trying to. Hollywood needs films like this to plug the gaps between the blockbusters and audiences need these films to watch in between the Harry Potters and Hobbits. Delivery Man fills this void and, if nothing else, should be a prime candidate for Cheap Tuesday. https://youtube.com/watch?v=yGAktL45XNQ
