It's not like you really need an excuse for a cheeky Sunday session. But just in case you were looking for one, Daydreams is giving you a whole bunch when it returns for its 10th birthday edition next month. Every Sunday, from February 5 to March 5, the beloved day party is taking over the Everyday Coffee courtyard for a sparkling afternoon of food, tunes, wine and good times. Kicking off from 1pm each week, the festivities will involve a blissful soundtrack delivered courtesy of Daydreams' vintage Japanese hifi sound system and a stellar rotation of DJs featuring Otologic, Pjenné, Milo Eastwood and more. If the past decade is anything to go by, you can expect one heck of a lineup. Each Sunday's food offering will centre on a different guest chef and kitchen residency, with YumDogMillionaire, the Mauritian-accented Manzé and Fenton Food & Wine's African-Aussie farm-to-table fare just some of what's to come. And as always, the top-notch vino will be flowing. Get set for sips by Momento Mori, Party Mix, Curl Curl, VS&B and stacks more. Entry is free and it'll all kick on until 9pm each week.
Melburnians, if you've been seeing this fair town of ours in a completely different light this year, that's to be expected. After spending so much time at home and indoors during the city's two periods of lockdown, even the most familiar places around the place look a little different. So, you're probably paying them more attention than usual. Fancy doing some peering around the top of Bourke Street? If so, you'll spot some great art while you're there. As supported by the City of Melbourne, and curated by Fiona Scanlan and Robert Buckingham, Uptown: An Art Exhibition for Our City is turning the roadway between Exhibition and Spring streets into an outdoor art gallery. Expect a blend of art, architecture and streetscapes, with the works of 26 contemporary artists displayed across vacant shops, restaurants, store windows, building exteriors and laneways. From Tuesday, December 15–Sunday, February 28, you'll be feasting your eyes on an array of pieces. A 17-metre billboard will feature a Bill Henson image of a woman floating above the city lights, while Peter Atkins is turning the window of Mitty's newsagent into a celebration of 80s TV personalities and magazines, and the old Job Warehouse will see art plastered across its windows. There'll also be laneway posters, drawings that use wordplay heavily scattered around the place, and also disco costumes and mirror balls, too. It's all free, obviously, and it'll be on display 24 hours a day during its two and a half-month run. And yes, it's designed to get you scoping out the CBD again — and doing more than just looking at art while you're there. Images: John Betts
As one of Melbourne's largest Chinese communities, Box Hill's Chinese New Year celebrations always go off. Over 80,000 people are expected to turn out to party into the turn of the season with a marathon 14-hour festival that stretches from 11am right through to 1am the next morning. It'll take over Box Hill Central and spill out onto Whitehorse Road. Local vendors will serve some of the city's tastiest Chinese cuisine, while traditional lion and dragon dancers entertain the masses. The highlight will be the Parade of Choi Sun, the Chinese God of Fortune, which will give you a change to get in on some of the Year of the Pig's good fortune and prosperity.
Are you the kind of person who starts plotting your next meal before you've even finished the last? Love eating more than anything else? Well, you can get right to the guts of our global food obsession when culinary legend Nigella Lawson returns to Aussie shores for her new show, An Evening with Nigella Lawson. One of the most successful food writers of all time, cooking up more than ten million book sales worldwide with her 11 culinary bibles, Lawson was in the country last December for a series of talks discussing the concept of food and its link to pleasure, creativity and belonging, and now she's back — direct from London's West End. An Evening with Nigella Lawson is a new show where the celebrity chef shares her own culinary story, live on stage. The show has been floated as interactive and intimate. Culinary questions will be taken from the audience, while Nigella shares her thoughts about the role food plays in life, plus what she is eating and cooking. Before becoming a household name, Nigella worked as a book reviewer and restaurant critic, going on to become the deputy literary editor of The Sunday Times. She is responsible for numerous award-winning books, including How to Eat, How to Be a Domestic Goddess, Nigella Bites and At My Table. AN EVENING WITH NIGELLA LAWSON 2019 DATES Perth — Riverside Theatre, January 29 Sydney — Sydney Opera House, February 2 Canberra — Royal Theatre, February 4 Melbourne — Hamer Hall, February 9 Brisbane — QPAC Concert Hall, February 10 An Evening with Nigella Lawson tickets go on sale Monday, October 29. You can signup to be notified when they're released here.
As Melbourne's hospitality scene slowly shifts back towards normality, we're all enjoying a renewed appreciation for something that was all too scarce last year: the unplanned, spontaneous drinking session. And, handily enough, the northside has scored a new haunt dedicated to this very pleasure, with the launch of Poodle Upstairs in the heart of Fitzroy. The new first-floor sibling to Gertrude Street's Poodle Bar & Bistro, the intimate watering hole is open for walk-ins only, every Friday and Saturday night. As with the downstairs space, it's sporting an elegant fit-out by Wendy Bergman (Bergman & Co), filled with art deco curves, cushy banquettes and luxe gold accents. There's a private dining room with space to seat 20 and a fireplace primed for the winter months to come. For up here, Head Chef Josh Fry (Marion and Cumulus Inc) has created a separate snack menu to what's offered below, starring chic Euro-inspired bites designed to be enjoyed alongside a glass or two of vino. A strong charcuterie selection features both house-made free-range varieties and premium options sourced from across the globe, from a confit garlic and pistachio terrine, to the Juan Pedro Domecq Iberico jamon. There's also an impressive cheese list, a lineup of gourmet tinned and canned delights — plus sophisticated snacks like chicken liver parfait with mulled wine jelly and dainty house-made crumpets topped with salmon caviar and kefir cream. As for the booze offering, it's headlined by a 16-strong pick of classic and contemporary cocktails, with the venue's signature wet martini sitting alongside crafty pours like the Rosy Cheeks — a bright blend of Vida tequila, Aperol, lime and rosemary syrup. Meanwhile, a hefty wine list trips across Victoria and Europe, featuring bottles like the Patrice Colin Sec Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley, next to homegrown heroes like McLaren Vale's Ministry of Clouds Shiraz. Find Poodle Upstairs at 81-83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. It's open for walk-ins only, from 6pm–1am Friday and Saturday.
If you've got a mum or mama figure you'd like to spoil on Mother's Day, here's something fun you can both do together: on Sunday, May 14, Armadale's Willow Urban Retreat is running a day of free yoga classes. Across the day, the wellness hub and yoga studio is hosting four guided stretch sessions that'll iron out those kinks and leave you and your mum feeling pretty darn fabulous. You can choose from a flow class at 8am, a soft flow session at 9.30am, yin yoga at 11am, or a 5pm Rest & Reset class. [caption id="attachment_885507" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maegan Brown Photography[/caption] Simply jump online to book one of the limited May 14 class spots for free and to register your chosen sidekick using the promo code 'MOTHERFIGURE'. Classes run for an hour each (except for the 75-minute 5pm class), all led by the studio's expert yogis. And, if you want to maximise your quality time with mum, why not cap off your session with a lunch date at the onsite cafe or a session in the spa's infrared sauna?
If you're partial to a healthy dose of Mother Nature, here's yet another excuse to get out there and enjoy it. Victoria is on track to score a huge infusion of green space, with the State Government announcing that $154 million of the Victorian Budget 2019/20 will go towards creating a swag of new parkland across the inner city and outer suburbs. In fact, over 6500 hectares worth of new parks, walking tracks and bike trails are planned, equating to a space over 170 times the size of Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens. This hefty nature boost will see extra parkland created in growing suburban areas including Officer, Clyde, Craigieburn, South Morang and Carrum, while 16 existing green spaces and off-leash dog parks will score upgrades. That means your local patch could soon be in for improved playgrounds, toilets and picnic facilities. The much anticipated 355 hectares of green space between Moorabbin and Dingley Village, known as the Sandbelt Parklands, will also finally be delivered. In addition to this, 25 new pocket parks will be created in the more built-up inner city suburbs. Prahran, Richmond, Albert Park and Bentleigh are set to get two parks each, while Footscray, Brunswick, Northcote, Williamstown, Essendon, Oakleigh, Caulfield, and Ivanhoe will score one a piece. This map below shows which areas will score more green space. There's good news for local camping fans, too, with another $107.2 million in funding going towards building new campgrounds, upgrading facilities and improving walking tracks. And, while the Victorian Government's already scrapped camping fees at over 70 campgrounds across the state, it's now promised to go one better and halve all remaining fees in our state and national parks. That camping trip you've been plotting is looking more attractive than ever. The Budget is currently up for debate in the upper house, but is likely to be passed. The Andrews Government will then set about actioning the items in the budget. With all this new green space, it will be hoping to claw back its title as the most liveable city in the world. Image: Visit Victoria.
If you thought Rathdowne Records' $2 Garage Sale was a good deal, you'll love its latest gig. The Northcote record store is offering up a whole heap of vinyl for just 50 cents each. Head in any day until August 5 (during opening hours from 11am–6pm) and you can nab a wild variety of records for just a silver coin. A total of 5000 records will sold for this price, with 180 on the floor each day and stock rotating daily — meaning you could head in every single day and keep finding something new. You'll find everything from jazz and pop records to classics, movie soundtracks and folk records all on sale. This insane deal may sound too good to be true, but it is indeed a reality — so stop pinching yourself and get down there already.
On the hunt for some top-notch gifts for those cheese-loving mates of yours? Or maybe you just want to be stocked up on the good stuff for all the festive dinner parties to come. Either way, you'll find yourself in utter cheesy heaven at Cornelius Cheesemongers' Cheese Cave Pop-Up this month. Running every Saturday from December 2–23 and then daily between December 27 and 31, this temporary cheese shop is where dairy dreams come true. The online cheesemongers are opening the doors to their Brunswick cheese cool room from 10am till 2pm, offering tastings and showcasing a changing array of their favourite dairy-filled products. Those keen to take their cheese board game to the next level will find lots of limited edition, specialty goodies, like the J.J. Sandham Lancashire Bomb from Goosnargh in the UK and a Rogue River Blue Special Reserve out of Oregon. There's also a truckload of present ideas for the cheese obsessives in your life, from a personal raclette party set, to a four-piece cheese knife collection. There's even an epic goodie pack filled with cheese slates, Champagne and cheeses that's guaranteed to win you serious brownie points on December 25. Image: Kimberley Low.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s a pretty weird and wonderful story. Puck was the best. Right? Anyway, not the point. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra also think it’s pretty wonderful and are performing it at the Melbourne Town Hall. Nicholas Carter will conduct as the MSO present this orchestral favourite that has been described as ‘Blue sky in A major’. That sounds pretty good to us. Diana Doherty will also solo in Richard Strauss’ autumnal oboe concerto. Brought to us by the musical wonder, Mendelssohn – who composed the overture when he was just 16 – this is one for the classical music lovers (and those who still believe in fairies).
Usually, Australia's various film festivals only pop up once every 12 months; however, there's little that's been usual about the past few years. So in these chaotic times, the fact that the Jewish International Film Festival is returning for a second stint in 2022 doesn't seem all that out of the ordinary. Already enjoyed the fest during its March and April run? Get ready to do so all over again. JIFF will screen 50 features and documentaries at this iteration, alongside episodes from two TV shows and three short films — covering titles from 21 countries as it tours Australia between October–December. Leading the highlights, filling JIFF's biggest-ever lineup from Monday, October 24–Sunday, November 27 at Classic Cinemas and Lido Cinemas in Melbourne: opening night's Armageddon Time, which arrives after premiering at this year's Cannes Film Festival and will have its Aussie debut at the fest. Starring Anthony Hopkins (The Father), Anne Hathaway (Locked Down) and Jeremy Strong (Succession), and written and directed by Ad Astra and The Lost City of Z's James Gray, it tells a coming-of-age story in 80s-era Queens. Also among the standouts, Charlotte Gainsbourg (Sundown)-led French drama The Accusation tackles sex and consent; Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic World Dominion) narrates Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen, about bringing Fiddler on the Roof to the big screen; and Israel's Karaoke arrives after being nominated for 13 Ophir Awards. Or, there's doco The Art of Silence about mime Marcel Marceau — plus 60s-set comedy My Neighbour Adolf, featuring Udo Kier (Swan Song) as a Holocaust survivor in Colombia who thinks the German man who just moved in next door is Hitler. The full lineup includes closing night's As They Made Us, the directorial debut of directorial The Big Bang Theory's Mayim Bialik; Reckonings, about the negotiations between Jewish and German leaders that led to the 1952 Luxembourg Agreement; and three episodes of Bloody Murray, which follows the titular film lecturer, who specialises in romantic comedies.
If sparkling wine puts some extra fizz into your life, then you'll want to drink your way through this Melbourne event. Across Friday, April 29–Sunday, April 29, the Bubbles Festival is coming to town to celebrate the most effervescent boozy beverages there are. You'll sip, you'll chat, and you'll meet the folks who make and distribute the tipples in question as well. You'll also eat canapes — no one wants to down champagne, prosecco and other sparkling drinks on an empty stomach — while you're sampling and tasting across two hours. At least ten different wines will be on offer, and your $94 ticket also includes a champagne tasting glass to take home with you. The venue: Bells Hotel in South Melbourne. You can take your pick of three sessions: from 6–8pm on Friday, and at either 12–2pm or 3–5pm on Saturday. If you're feeling like really treating your sparkling-loving self, you can pay an extra $65 for a VIP ticket, which gets you access to a special cuvée tasting before the regular doors open — and two tasting glasses, rather than one.
Life has been a cabaret for one of the world's inimitable designers since 2018, when Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show first premiered in Paris. Couture, colour, flair, excess, passion, a larger-than-life attitude: they're all channelled into this fashion show-meets-musical revue that steps through its namesake's career and promises a time at the theatre like nothing else. More than 200 original Gaultier pieces feature. His 50 years making threads are in the spotlight. Unsurprisingly, the whole thing also plays out like a party. So far, London, Tokyo, Munich, Porto, Lisbon, Milan, Barcelona and Osaka have also revelled in the Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show experience. Next, it's Brisbane's turn. The River City will welcome the Australian debut of the show — and the Aussie-exclusive season, too — during Brisbane Festival 2024. Donning attire that Gaultier would approve of isn't a prerequisite of attending the production, but you know that you want to dress the part if you're heading along. Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show will kick off with Brisbane Festival itself, starting on Friday, August 30. The Australian season runs until Sunday, September 15, taking over the South Bank Piazza — which forms part of the Festival Garden for the duration of Brisbane Festival. Of course Jean Paul Gaultier's Fashion Freak Show emphasises its titular figure's boundary-pushing work, his focus on individual expression, and his championing of queer aesthetics and LGBTQIA+ causes. Alongside the hefty range of outfits, it also features a suitable genre-defying soundtrack of disco, funk, pop, rock, new wave and punk tunes as actors and dancers — plus circus artists as well — take to the stage. The diverse cast of faces bringing the show to life spans even further, too, with celebrities and other special guests filming cameos that play during the production.
Youth of Australia are having wins across the board this week. For Sydneysiders, renowned party pooper Mike Baird has announced his retirement from politics. For Melburnians, a new government-funded inner city arts space. The City of Melbourne has announced it will transform 1000 square metres of vacant retail space in Southbank into a brand new hub for artists and creatives through their Creative Spaces program. Those among you who freelance will no doubt know of Creative Spaces. They began as a broker for leasing studio and co-working spaces for the creative sector. Which is jargon for 'their Australia-wide website lists all the studios and co-working spaces, big and small, that cater to artists and aren't overrun with money-grabbing suit-wearing corporates'. So they know what creative studios need to function, and have put all this wisdom into the new project, dubbed Creative Spaces: Guild. As well as your standard offices and boardrooms, the new space at 152 Sturt Street — located in the arts precinct right near the Malthouse, ACCA and the VCA — will offer a rehearsal space, a co-working space for theatre producers and creatives, a public gallery, and (of course) a cafe to fuel it all. The National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) and Melbourne Fringe are already on-board as tenants. The aim of the hub is to guarantee affordable (and central) spaces for small to medium creative teams, and will be designed by architects Archier. No word yet on an ETA for the project yet, but in the meantime you can check out the Creative Spaces site to find yourself a sick work studio.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is the latest installment from the empire of J.K. Rowling. It's the first in a series of prequels to the Harry Potter films, that start in New York City in 1926. The film relies on the classic Pandora's box trope to drive the superficial layer of narrative. A magical trunk full of beasts is released upon New York and, in this case, Pandora is Newt Scamander, an eccentric British wizard played by Eddie Redmayne. Scamander, just in case you aren't as obsessed with the Potterverse as we are, is referenced throughout the Harry Potter series as the author of a foundational Hogwart's text book titled, you guessed it, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them". Written by Rowling herself, the crust of the plot is a little bit slapstick. Essentially, after a series of bumbles in a muggle bank (or a 'no-maj' bank, as the Yanks would say), Scamander's trunk is swapped with the trunk of Jacob Kowalski, a typical, goofy muggle and aspirational baker played beautifully by Dan Fogler. When Kowalski unwittingly releases the cheeky beasties from the trunk, Scamander must team up with Porpentina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), a low-level Magical Congress employee scheming to get her Auror stripes back. This is where we dip down into the mantle of the plot and things get a bit more complicated. Turns out there are a faction of individuals in the community who believe magical beings are superior to muggles and that wizards should come out of hiding to enslave them. Without giving too much away, as the good guys race around New York collecting up their escaped creatures, Colin Farrell's character Percival Graves is lurking in the wings, trying to collect power. Also a church of fanatical, witch-hating muggles are seeking to expose magic. Also, a malevolent force is tearing around NYC ripping up side walks. Also, the evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald is on the loose. Fantastic Beasts' goblet truly runneth over with plot and this might not be a good thing. The difficulty with this particular film franchise is that it has to be ambitious, since they've slated another four films at least. So this first installment labours to lay the foundations for the series. But the audience has no road map as to what is and isn't significant. There are numerous scenes, and indeed entire subplots, that could have been cut, seemingly without compromising any of the story arcs. Perhaps they'll bear fruit in later editions, but until then they're just kind of...there. Fortunately, the film makes up for its pacing problems with cauldron-loads of charm. From the overtures of friendship between Scamander and Kowalski to the soft-core romance blossoming every-damn-where; from the timely Ron Weasley-esque notes of comedy to the practical use of magic, everything in this film is just so damn whimsical. Untethered from any pre-existing book, this film takes magic use to it's logical conclusion: domestic automation. For some unknown reason, Hogwarts students learned how to turn each other into teapots but never seemed to learn any practical spells that would make their lives any easier. This film rectifies that annoyance completely and for Potter fans it's immensely satisfying. Also, we can't leave without mentioning the beasts, which as the film's title suggests are truly fantastic. The strongest part of the movie are Scamander's creatures and their various quirks – it's a handy plot device that the protagonist carries around a trunk full of talented beasts, and the script uses them to it's full advantage. And ultimately, that's the key to the film's success. At times it does feel as though the cheesiness of the Potterverse doesn't quite translate into this rather more adult world. Nevertheless, the magic that's powered Rowling's creations until now remains as palpable as ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vso5o11LuGU
Sports fans of all ages and stripes will delight in a trip to this museum showcasing the proud history of the loveable AFL underdogs of Melbourne's west. After some ups and downs in recent years, the Western Bulldogs have managed a strong start to the 2021 season, so there's a chance you might even see a shiny new premiership cup on display on your next visit here. Outside of current achievements, this museum also boasts a number of displays detailing the club's rich history, dating back to the first reports of the code being played in Footscray in the mid-1870s. There are also trophies from past victories, club photos and more displayed across 12 themed cabinets on the ground floor of Whitten Oval. You'll also see a collection of art and memorabilia, as well as the Hall of Fame celebrating key club figures over its many years.
The stars are shining bright at the 2015 BBC First British Film Festival. Returning to Palace Cinemas around the country for another year, the three-week celebration features some of the most acclaimed and anticipated movies of the past 12 months, plus a look back at that most British of genres: the big screen romance. The festival opens with Paolo Sorrentino's Youth, an introspective buddy comedy about a pair of elderly artists, played by Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel, vacationing together in a luxurious Swiss resort. Other standout titles include Lance Armstrong biopic The Program starring Ben Foster and Chris O'Dowd; women's voting rights drama Suffragette starring Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep; and dark comic crime thriller Kill Your Friends starring Nicholas Hoult. Film buffs looking for a good date option can also check out the festival's retro stream, featuring ten iconic British love stories. Whether you're into lavish period dramas or just want to watch Andie MacDowell and Hugh Grant making out in the rain, we guarantee there's something on there to make you swoon.
Indian snacks, Bollywood dancing and the smell of spices are coming to Melbourne this weekend. On July 15 and 16, the Queen Vic Market will be somewhat transformed into the historic Chandni Chowk of Delhi. You'll be able to eat, shop and experience Indian culture without having to fork out money on an immediate flight to India. At the new two-day festival, you'll be able to sip on a cup of chai, learn how to blend Indian spices at a cooking demonstration and tuck into your pick of curries (dipping fresh roti into them, of course). And to work off all the food you're bound to consume? Try a free yoga class or join in on a Bollywood dance lesson. Your Henna hand art may not last very long, but you'll leave knowing a little bit more about India's rich culture.
Abacus Bar & Kitchen is hoping to take some of the sting out of Lockdown 6.0, with a tidy lineup of takeaway sambos and coffee now available from 8am–4pm each day. But when the weekend rolls around, the southside spot's lockdown pop-up promises to have you feeling extra fine, thanks to its special edit of tasty dishes and boozy treats to-go. The coffee machine will be cranking from 8am daily for all your caffeine needs, with hefty sandwiches to match. Then, from 10am daily, this Friday, August 13–Sunday, August 15, the kitchen is serving up limited-edition plates like a spanner crab macaroni with a roasted prawn sauce and parmesan crumb ($16), and a barbecue wagyu steak teamed with a three-cheese corn croquette and jalapeno ($18). To wash it all down, you'll find the bar's lemon myrtle margaritas and a winter spritz, available takeaway for $12 a pop. What's more, Abacus is sending out some extra love to the hospitality community, with free coffees and half-price margaritas for all hospo staff who pop by from August 13–15.
Fed Square has been a whole lot of things to a whole lot of people during its two decades of life — in fact, it's welcomed over 100 million visitors in that time. So it's only fitting that the CBD icon is celebrating its 20th birthday (October 26, if you're wondering) with a huge program of festivities featuring something for everyone. Cue, one entire month of anniversary celebrations, running from Saturday, October 1–Monday, October 31. On October 22, the precinct fires up for Garage Band — a new production from Always Live and renowned artist Joseph O'Farrell that'll see dozens of young aspiring garage bands hit the stage for a rollicking live show. Meanwhile, October 26 marks the world-premiere of A Score for Fed Square — a new orchestral work by groundbreaking artist and composer Mia Salsjö, featuring a musical composition shaped entirely by architectural drawings of buildings from across Melbourne. Also in the lineup, explore the Koorie Heritage Trust's futurism exhibition dedicated to queer First Nations artists' works, A Rainbow of Tomorrows (October 9–November 20); and catch a powerful art series by Joanna Dudley challenging history's portrayal of young women, dubbed We Will Slam You With Our Wings. You can also unleash your inner kid at the interactive musical playground installation that is Melbourne Fringe's HEXADECA (October 14–23). Throw in a bunch of giveaways and a hefty program of digital happenings, and you've got yourself one very busy October. You can check out the full program online. [caption id="attachment_866711" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Liam Neal[/caption] Top Image: Tanderum at Fed Square
If you've been making plans to revamp your style, but haven't been able to rustle up the coin, here's your chance. For two weeks, Hugo Boss will be hosting a mega sale at its outlet stores. You'll be able to score a further 50 percent off a massive range of premium clothing — from comfy t-shirts and soft sweaters to suave suits and women's dresses. Whether you're after a suit for a special occasion or looking to level-up your wardrobe, Hugo Boss's end-of-year outlet sale will have you sorted for a fraction of the fashion label's usual prices. You'll have to get in quick to score though, with the sale running from Wednesday, December 16 to Friday, January 1. Hugo Boss end-of-year outlet sale will run from Wednesday, December 16 to Friday, January 1. To find your closest outlet store, visit the website.
In New York City the afterparty for the World's 50 Best Restaurants award ceremony is wrapping up. We can only imagine (and dream of) how delicious the canapés would have been, how many recipes were swapped with slurred handwriting, and how cheery (read: boozy) all those chefs are right now. But perhaps one of cheeriest is Ben Shewry — his restaurant Attica was just named a very respectable number 33 in the world. The ranking is pretty consistent with last year's results, with the Melbourne restaurant dropping only one spot from 2015. It's a very good position for an Australian restaurant to be — and perhaps why the awards yesterday announced they'll be holding the 2017 ceremony in its hometown. Brae, which is located in regional Victoria, moved up to number 65, while Sydney's Quay went from 58 to 98. Taking back the number one spot is Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana — and if you've watched Chef's Table, you'll be nothing but stoked for the guy. He's swapped places with last year's victor, Spain's El Celler de Can Roca, which has moved back into second place, while Noma has slipped from third down to number five. Probably because it's been on sabbatical in Sydney for the last few months.
The often-ignored film industry of one of Australia’s closest neighbours will get its moment in the spotlight at ACMI cinemas this April. Organised by the Melbourne University Indonesian Student Association, the Indonesian Film Festival will celebrate its tenth anniversary with a small but robust program of ten feature films. For Melburnians, it’s one of the best ways to get a glimpse of Indonesia’s many faces without the inconvenience of a seven-hour flight. The festival begins on Thursday, April 9 with a screening of romantic drama Likas’ Three Breaths, with director Rako Prijanto and lead actress Atiqah Hasiholan both in attendance for a post-film Q&A. Other standout titles include acclaimed indie drama Siti, relationship comedy When Will You Get Married?, horror flicks Haunted and Test of Fear and the politically-charged music documentary Streetside. For the full Indonesian Film Festival program, visit their website.
We can't think of a much better cure for those wintery midweek blues, than a quick trip to Japan. And if that's not quite feasible, you'll find the next best thing awaiting you at Supernormal Canteen this August. Andrew McConnell's St Kilda eatery has kicked off a new series of weekly food and beer sessions, running every Thursday from 5–11pm until the end of the month. The Yakitori & Biiru nights offer up a taste of Japan, without the hefty price tag. The kitchen's firing up the hibachi grill and turning out a rotation of $5 yakitori skewers, featuring combinations like king prawn with lemongrass butter and kaffir lime, and corn-fed chicken thigh with green miso. To match, there's a selection of beers from Abbotsford brewery Moon Dog, going for just $10 a tinnie. You can team those skewers with drops like the zesty Thunder Lips yuzu red IPA, the Old Mate pale ale and the moody Mack Daddy dark ale. Images: Nikki To
Is it your New Year's resolution to eat healthier? In that case, you should probably stop reading this story right now. January's only just started, and already chef Pierre Roelofs has unveiled his new belt-bursting endeavour. Teaming up with Jesse Gerner of Bomba, Roelofs will be serving sweet, sweet ice cream from a pop-up soft servery at Green Park Dining. Oh Pierre, why must you tempt us so? Best known for his now-finished extravagant (and we mean extravagant) dessert evenings, Roelofs has been teasing the pop-up on social media, promising a rotating lineup of flavours "hand crafted with love". They're set to include the Milli Vanilli — soft serve topped with vanilla meringue, jellies and pound cake — and the Puffed Daddy, a soft-serve topped with dulce de leche, puffed millet, puffed golden syrup corn and date balls. Housed at Green Park on Nicholson Street in Carlton North, Pierre's will open on Saturday January 9, and will operate from noon to 6pm on weekends all summer long.
In his third motion picture as writer/director/star, comedian Chris Rock is the funniest he’s been in years. But then again, that’s not saying much. While comedy fiends will always remember Rock for his fearless, foul mouthed stand-up routines, his movie career — particularly in recent times — has smacked of safer choices. Madagascar and Grown-Ups are hardly the best outlets for one of the greatest living comedians to work his magic — which is a big part of why Top Five feels like such a pleasant surprise. A smart, self-effacing send-up of the entertainment industry, the film, like most of Rock’s best material, feels at least partly autobiographical. Rock plays Andre Allen, a comedian turned Hollywood superstar and recovering alcoholic, best known for his role in the million-dollar Hammy the Bear franchise. Unfortunately, Allen’s funny bone has been blunted since going sober, and his first attempt at a ‘serious’ film — playing Haitian slave revolutionary Dutty Boukman — is shaping up to be a box-office bomb. Even more out of control is his upcoming televised wedding, to Kardashian-esque reality star Erica Long (Gabrielle Union). Enter Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson), a sardonic, whip-smart writer for the New York Times, who’s been assigned to profile Allen over the course of a single day. Although initially suspicious of Brown and the Times, whose resident film critic has made a career out of tearing his movies to shreds, Allen soon finds himself opening up to the writer, as the pair begin to trade stories while walking around NYC. In a lot of ways, Top Five feels like the work of an artist finally free to speak in his own voice. From Allen laying out his theory about the racist undertones of Planet of the Apes to debating his agent (Kevin Hart) about whether a black man can get fired for using the N-word, the writing here feels like vintage Rock: free-flowing, profane and absolutely hilarious. He also manages to insert two of the most gleefully obscene on-screen sex acts this side of Nymphomaniac. Without going into details, let’s just say you’ll never be able to look at a bottle of chilli sauce the same way again. Dawson makes for a worthy comic counterpart, the playfully antagonistic chemistry between her and her director/co-star helping keep the film on track. Beyond this central pairing, Rock stacks the deck with a ton of famous faces, from Tracy Morgan to DMX. The highlight, though, is at Allen’s ribald bachelor party, where he receives marital advice from Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg and Adam Sandler. Frankly, the site of a balding Seinfeld making it rain is worth the price of admission alone. If we have any complaint of Top Five, it would be a lack of internal structure; in a lot of ways the film feels more like a collection of scenes than it does a cohesive whole. Still, when they’re all this damn funny, it’s sort of difficult to object. Where Rock’s career goes from here is anyone’s guess. Regardless, it’s nice to have this reminder of just how good he can be.
The 2021 edition of Negroni Week has kicked off in Melbourne, running from September 13–19. And, while you can't celebrate by enjoying one of the event's namesake cocktails at your favourite local bar, this year's program is still serving up loads of negroni-centric goodness. The annual initiative sees venues across the globe whipping up signature negroni-inspired sips, raising funds for various charity partners. Of course, this time around, Melbourne is delivering a lockdown-friendly spin on the Negroni Week festivities, with specialty creations available for takeaway and delivery. Mjolner has crafted a Norse-inspired drink dubbed The Negrimnir, starring a burnt orange blossom honey mead infused with bilberry, while Bar Clara is coming to the party with a three-strong negroni flight pack. The Tipplers Bar is also doing a trio of negroni variations, available to order through its website, and Jimmy Rum distillery is delivering its rum-infused take on the classic drink across the Mornington Peninsula. That's Amore Cheese has assembled a Cocktail Hour Hamper packed with cheese, gourmet snacks and an Everleigh Bottling Co cocktail, to raise money for OzHarvest. Meanwhile, new Japanese grill restaurant Robata is serving a revamped negroni featuring Japanese gin and umeshu, available via the online store. And leading bars including Byrdi, Capitano and Bar Americano have teamed up with the Everleigh Bottling Co to create a limited-edition Negroni Week mixed pack, with $10 from each box donated to Aussie non-profit R U OK. Jump onto the website to see who's whipping up what drinks and where to get your hands on them. [caption id="attachment_825331" align="alignnone" width="1920"] That's Amore's Negroni Week Cocktail Hour Hamper[/caption]
From Lebanese rom-coms to Iraqi road movies, you'll find a remarkable mix of Middle Eastern cinema on the program at this year's Arab Film Festival. Return for its 13th year with stops in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Perth, the festival will once again showcase films from across the Arab world, while shining a light on the diversity and eccentricity of its people. The festival begins with an opening night screening of Halal Love, a romantic comedy about a group of devout Lebanese Muslims who find that love and religion don't always mix. It's one of a number of Lebanese films on the program, which also includes a new film version of the classic stage comedy Bennesbeh Labokra, Chou? that incorporates footage from performances more than 35 years ago. Also in the mix is El Clásico, about a pair of brothers trekking from Iraq to Madrid to deliver a pair of shoes to soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Roshmia, a documentary about an elderly Palestinian couple in a standoff with Israeli authorities who want to demolish their home. For the full Arab Film Festival program including session times, go here.
When The Simpsons first found its way into viewers' hearts, it also made its way to the top of the charts. Yes, back in 1991, 'Do the Bartman' hit number one in Australia. Both before and since, the hit animated sitcom hasn't shied away from crooning a tune or two — and if you've now got "Dr Zaius, Dr Zaius, ohhhhh Dr Zaius" or "Who holds back the electric car? Who made Steve Guttenburg a star?" stuck in your head, then you know what we're talking about. The show has sung many a song, and also released many an album — and it's 1997's Songs in The Key of Springfield that's in the spotlight at this Melbourne show of the same name. One night. One huge record. So many catchy songs. That's what's on the agenda from 9pm on Saturday, June 4. Sing along to everything from 'Can I Borrow a Feeling?' to 'See My Vest' to 'We Put The Spring in Springfield' as they're performed live by Boadz. Actually, sing along to a whole heap more — because the Melbourne-based guitarist and singer is promising to sing every song from The Simpsons live. Tickets cost $17.35 online, with the tunes going down at Fitzroy's Bar Open.
Dance is commonly viewed in two ways. An inclusive, informal gathering of friends, usually drunk, to whatever the DJ decides to spin, or a beautifully skilled choreographed performance that is limited to the stage — it's something untouchable. Private Dances is breaking down some of those boundaries, when they take over Northcote Town Hall in an immersive group of happenings curated by Nat Cursio Co and produced by Insite Arts. The audience will be confronted with intimate encounters. As they wander around the space there will be small dances, films about dance and most importantly some really high-quality performances. The acts take place in 10 tent-like spaces, making it a one-on-one environment. The styles will be varied, the dancers will be diverse and the audience's reactions will no doubt be different to what dance usually excites. And we hear there is full-frontal nudity. It's all there, folks.
If Polly were a real lady, this is what her home would look like: washed concrete floors, deep burgundy walls, and gold framed-paintings of long lost elders, royal velvet armchairs and a schmick bar fit out with a box of sneaky cigars for later use. Oh, and of course, her front garden would be a green paradise, with mythical Greek statues and the odd water feature or two. Except Polly isn't a real lady. She's a bar, and a damn fine one at that, too. Located right in the heart of Brunswick, Polly is a drinking hole with air of dark elegance. Think the eerie feeling of a haunted house crossed with a grand dame's estate, and you've got a quirky little place, perfect for pre-drinks or a night out in itself, right within the reaches of Melbourne's best bohemian suburb. Polly boasts an extensive drink list, and if you can't find what you want off the menu, the friendly, efficient staff will happily improvise to make something delicious. Cocktails are a premium here, and many top shelf liquors are also available upon request. Why not down a decadent Nutella cocktail? (Nutella, Drambuie, chocolate vodka, chestnut liqueur coconut syrup) Or, if you really want to channel your own inner Polly, a mature sip of 'Lusty Busty Maiden' (Frangelico, berry puree, raspberry liquor) or a classic mojito flow down the neck with ease. (All from $18) If you're looking for a drink that is a little more modest, Polly's extensive wine list will leave you spoilt for choice, with even selections of white, red and sparkling wines available. (Glass, from $8) A wide range of tap and boutique beers keep the lads happy, while the designated driver can even have a bit of fun with a mocktail or two (from $8). Polly also offers a range of bar snacks and nibbles. The 'Perfect P' pizza (sweet potato, caramelised onion, olives and feta cheese) ($7) makes for a delicious little supper. Don't come here if you are in a hurry, as the shirt and tie clad staff take the time to cut, blend, mix, shake and pour your drink to perfect. Besides, you wouldn't want to rush such a fine experience as this one. Be sure to get to Polly early on Friday and Saturday, because as the night goes on, patrons fill the place wall-to-wall, and on occasion is sometimes known to flow out into the plant covered foyer with locals and their friends.
If you're partial to stuffed cannoli or some gnocchi of the ricotta variety, we've got the festival for you. That's Amore Cheese Ricotta Festival is returning in March for its fifth year, bringing ricotta-filled delights back to Thomastown. For just one day on Sunday, March 30, the lot will be flooded with cheese-slinging food stalls and a handful of bars, plus the team will host some prestigious Melbourne chefs as they demonstrate the best ways to cook with ricotta. The team behind That's Amore Cheese will serve gnocchi sorrentina, a certified Italian classic, alongside spaghetti cacio e pepe tossed in a 40kg Grana cheese wheel. There's also a tantalising selection of other food vendors, such as Pacelli Deli's melted caciocavallo on bruschetta, Cannoleria's freshly filled ricotta cannoli, and creamy tiramisu portions from TRMSU. Plus, there's great coffee, wine, spritzes, locally distilled spirits and cocktails ready for your refreshment. Beyond exceptional bites and sips, there's also a sprawling marketplace filled with fascinating goods. Head to Bippi for Italian-style chilli and condiments, Pistachio Papi for sweet spreads and desserts, and Ellenika Boutique for stylish fashion and jewellery. Then, stock up on local produce with Perino Tomatoes offering the richest, freshest tomatoes imaginable, while Puopolo Artisan Salumi presents some of the best cured Australian meats in town. The festival stage returns in 2025, with another stellar line-up of Italian culinary talent and live entertainers. Catch chefs and TV personalities like Adam D'Sylva, Pia Gava and Telina Menzies showing off their talents in live cooking demonstrations. Then, stick around for musical performances from the Siesta Cartel Band and Veneto Club Choir. If you're bringing the kids, face painting and a petting zoo are bound to keep them entertained as you dine the day away.
For a few nights in May, Whitehart in the CBD will be taken over by bourbon cocktails and art from some of Australia's most impressive young artists. Sip on a Wild Turkey Kentucky Firebird — a bourbon cocktail combining bitter and sweet with Grand Marnier, Cinzano Rosso and Maraschino; live-smoked with American oak wood chips. There will be some barrels about, too — decorated with a unique gallery of artworks from Australian artists including skateboarding icon and artist Gareth Stehr, pioneering female street artist Klara and urban artist Adrian Doyle. It's all to celebrate leading Australian talent who embody the ethos of 'doing things your way', just like three generations of the Russell family have done in creating Wild Turkey American bourbon for over 100 years with their own traditional distilling process. Really, it's just a good chance for you to see some great art and try out a few bourbon cocktails at Whitehart. Preston's Dexter are popping up for the month at the venue, too — so you can snack on some of their famous burgers and fries while you're there.
For locals and tourists alike, Mt Coot-tha is one of Brisbane's must-see spots, particularly if you like peering down on cities from a great height. As first approved in 2017, then confirmed in 2018, visitors will soon be able to do more than drive up to the lookout to enjoy the view, walk along its trails or picnic in its parklands — by the end of 2020, they'll also be able to glide through the treetops and soar down from the summit via a zipline. Given the official go-ahead by the Brisbane City Council this week after a public consultation period late last year, the Mt Coot-tha zipline is set to start construction later in 2019. It'll consist of three parts, each of which will open in stages. Actual ziplines comprise two of the components — and yes, there'll be more than one piece of wire for you to zoom along, with nearly three kilometres of zipline included in the entire project. Firstly, a treetop canopy tour will span 1.5 kilometres between multiple platforms, starting at the west of the summit and finishing to the west of JC Slaughter Falls. As its name suggests, it'll zip through the trees to take riders on a tour of the site's flora, fauna and indigenous cultural heritage. It'll be the first to open to the public, from sometime towards the end of 2019. In 2020, it'll be joined by a two-stage 'megazip' tour that features six parallel lines between the summit and the Mt Coot-tha botanic gardens. As well as that 1.1-kilometre stretch — all in a single span, without any platforms along the way, and with users reaching speeds of around 60 kilometres per hour — there'll also be a second 340-metre run within the gardens, taking patrons zooming over the Melaleuca Lake. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjjtLfALN48 The final section of the project will involve a guided indigenous experience across a new 335-metre suspension bridge that'll be built above JC Slaughter Falls, connecting to the treetop canopy tour and the new arrival centre on Sir Samuel Griffith Drive. And, so that everyone can get between destinations other than via zipline, there'll also be a shuttle bus linking various points. Brisbane City Council will put $1 million towards the zipline, which will be built by Zipline Australia — and, once it's finished, it'll be the longest zipline in the country. Both before and during the public consultation period, the project has also attracted substantial criticism about its potential environmental and noise impacts, especially throughout Mt Coot-tha's vegetation-heavy area — which will likely require some amount of clearing. In response to concerns, Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk advised The Courier-Mail that "extensive independent expert studies have been undertaken as part of the project to ensure the Mt Coot-tha zipline design is sensitive to the environment, including the natural habitat and Botanic Gardens". Images: Brisbane City Council.
On the surface, Digital Gardens looks like the now 31-year-old Fringe trying to prove it's still got the new age tech savvy of a pimply teenager. But don't be put off by your first impressions — the program on offer doesn't just use digital media as a gimmick but actually engages with its possibilities for audience interaction and storytelling. One of the ways the project will work is by collaborating with artists who are presenting in the Hub so that audiences from those shows can recreate their live experiences of that work in a digital format. Melbourne's a city that punches above its weight in the world of independent game development, and the Fringe are inviting some of the city's talented digital designers to dream up some immersive, multiplayer experiences for visitors. Digital Gardens runs from September 19 – 21, City Square, Melbourne CBD; September 28 – 29 and October 5 – 6, Prahran Town Hall, City of Stonnington. Read the rest of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Fringe Festival here.
Ever wanted to be a groupie, but felt you just didn't have the stamina for it? Are you on first name basis with the bouncer at every Melbourne band room, but you've never been in a band? Well, in the coming weeks, the NGV is finally helping you sneak backstage. From September 28, the Ian Potter Centre at Fed Square will be decked out as a fully-functioning recording studio. For the next month the space will be home to a specially formed group called Batman Park as they write, record, and produce an original EP — and you have a VIP ticket. The group will be comprised of members from some of Melbourne's best indie bands: Alex Badham (Aleks and the Ramps), Jess Cornelius (Teeth and Tongue), Evelyn Morris (Pikelet), Thomas Mendelovits (Milk Teddy), Lachlan Denton (Ocean Party) and Pascal Babare (Pascal Babare and Teeth). And to celebrate the project, NGV Studio is hosting a free gig on Thursday October 3 featuring live performances by Pascal Barbare and Teeth, Teeth and Tongue, and The Ocean Party. Alongside the studio space, an exhibition of treasures from the local music scene will be on display too. There will be photographic essays, projected documentary footage, and vinyl cover art for those interested in the history of it all, and there will be a karaoke stage ready for those just wanting to get amongst it. The Batman Park EP will be launched as part of Melbourne Now, and the exhibition will be finishing up on October 27. This conveniently leaves us just enough time to recuperate for Melbourne Music Week.
A good Cuban sandwich is something dreams are made of. With layers of meats, cheeses and sauces, it's divinity between two slices of bread. And the Cuban sandwich made by the guys from El Paladar Melbourne — the food truck that services Los Barbudos on Smith Street — sure makes for one hell of a dream. These amazing sandwiches will be at Mr Wow's Emporium on September 15 along with a killer line up of bartenders making their version of the classic Mojito. Grab a sandwich — or two — and watch as Andy Strachan from The Rum Diary, Albert Chan from The Alchemist, Tasha Lu from Eau de Vie and Tom Ambroz from Los Barbudos mix lime and mint like nobody's business. A Sunday session has never looked so good.
The Daniel Schlusser Ensemble, headed by the 2012 George Fairfax Memorial Fellow, Daniel Schlusser himself, have a way of exploding classics into tiny pieces and then placing them back together in a hyper-realist format for a modern audience. What does that mean exactly? Usually it means lots of sex, violence and strobe lights used to create a potent, bold and contemporary re-telling of a story that often seems familiar to us all. In Menagerie, this story surrounds a family living in squalor, each harbouring personal desires that threaten to escape through the cracks in their inner worlds to permeate their collective exterior. It’s based on the life of Tennessee Williams, one of theatre’s greats, and will kick off the Melbourne Theatre Company’s NEON 2013 season. In it's first year, NEON invites Melbourne’s top five independent theatre companies into the renowned MTC space, allowing them complete curatorial control; something that sounds like a pretty wild ride in the hands of Daniel Schlusser. Image via Sarah Walker Photography
There’s something fundamentally kooky, even surreal, about small town tourism, especially where a Big Thing or a pageant themed after the local produce is involved. So a puppet variety show seems like an appropriately oddball way to go about the topic. Hey! Yeah! It’s Molly’s Travelling Worm Show! is a comedy about the grand and daggy dreams of regional tourism. Written and performed, with puppet assistance, by Melita Rowston, it tells the story of the Karmai worm festival, a quaint tourist initiative which is credited with saving the Gippsland town of Korumburra from financial ruin. Rowston’s brand of theatre, high on quirk and frequently venturing into dark comedy, has mostly been seen on Sydney stages. It doesn’t get much more Victorian than the celebration of a big worm though – the renowned Giant South Gippsland Earthworm no less - and this is a show sure to have a strong local resonance.
The Character is ostensibly about cinema — dissecting its construction, how we view it, and how it's absorbed and processed by an audience. The deeper you go down Candice Breitz's rabbit hole of mash-ups and remakes, however, the more depth you discover. Ultimately, Breitz is dissecting us societally, using cinema as a mirror that cuts surprisingly close to our collective core. Thankfully, though, she doesn't lose sight of cinema's first and foremost obligation: to entertain. Some of her works are conceptually identical to YouTube fan-videos, albeit executed on a phenomenal scale. Him + Her (2008 and 2009), for example, comprises two separate works that intercut over 20 different performances from the careers of Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep respectively, creating cacophonous symphonies (have you seen three Jack Nicholsons yelling at each other before? It's pretty special) of completely contextless dialogue. What do you discover about the American psyche from seeing 30 years of performances from their male and female idols? Well, Jack is a little worried about his sexual performance, and Meryl, it has to be said, is a bit quick to tears. Elsewhere, Breitz is imitating Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Lopez's performances from popular rom-coms in Becoming (2003). When we were kids, we didn't want to be actors, we wanted to be the characters from movies. Just watch King (2005), wherein 12 Michael Jackson fans imitate him in unison, each on their own screen. But something changed when we grew up. Being "in the movies" is almost more magical than being a fictional character, something explored in the epic video trilogy The Woods (2012), which features children auditioning to camera, desperate for your approval; successful child actors spouting inspirational acting quotes; and hugely popular adult actors discussing the fuzzy line between their fictional and real selves (they're very comfortable being referred to by their characters' names). The Woods is a real heavyweight piece, a recasting of the documentary form in an artistic context, an artwork without any available comparison. This is an enormously complex and accomplished exhibition, a fascinating and consuming body of work that would take days to completely consume. On one level, this is art for the YouTube generation — 20 screens to watch at once! — but it's also a sometimes disturbing meditation on the nature of screen entertainment that is hard to look away from.
After playing two balloted shows that sold out faster than you could say "Best New Music," The xx have made good on their promise that they would come back in 2013 to sate the appetites of everyone who missed out. Now that they've released their second album, Coexist, the buzz around the trio is only louder. But Jamie Smith, Romy Madley Croft, and Oliver Sim are capable of being heard above the din by turning up the volume on one of the most valuable (and most underrated) instruments of all — silence. Their strength is seen through the gaps between bone-chilling reverbs and papery vocals, and they're sexy because they don't specifically mention sex. That's not to say The xx don't get noise. They get much of their inspiration from London's dark techno dance scene, and Jamie and Romy both have thriving satellite careers as DJs. The trio's bankability is bigger than ever, so be sure your credit card is handy and your clicking finger poised when tickets go on sale at noon on January 15. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_nW5AF0m9Zw
On Wednesday November 28, Melbourne Central will be brimming with more than 150 fashion retailers offering discounts of up to 50% as part of the One Day Shopping Festival. Head to the centre from 10am to 9pm to catch the best deals, plus live music, street performers, massage stations (to relieve the stress from all that Christmas shopping, of course), speed dating, a furniture design exhibition from graduates at RMIT university – and food trucks Gumbo Kitchen, Taco Truck and Yogurddiction.
Last year saw Primal Scream performing their classic album Screamadelica in full. This was a rare treat for those who go to see it (me included), as the show was aurally and visually stunning. Primal Scream are back in Australia and will be performing at the Palace. The psychedelic influenced Brit-rockers have been at it for 30 years and show no signs of slowing down. Debbie Googe of My Bloody Valentine has joined the band on bass this time around and has reinvigorated the band for this tour. If you are looking for an otherworldly experience, check out Primal Scream. You won’t regret it.
Recent years have seen the rise of musical comedies making their way back to the big screen. Enchanted,The Muppets and even the selection of High School Musical films have led music back to being a key feature in cinema. Throw Glee into the pop culture mix, and spontaneous singing in public is once again normal. In the middle of this comes Pitch Perfect. Beca (Anna Kendrick), is a college freshman and far too cool for any college society. With a not very well-written inciting incident, Beca ends up joining the Barden Bellas a capella group and finds a collection of rag tag gals to become bosom buddies with. While the sentimental scenes are corny and the plot drivers are crazy obvious, this is still a hilariously self aware, sharp and perfectly harmonised film. Rebel Wilson hits heights not seen in previous Hollywood flicks as Fat Amy, and despite Anna Kendrick's terrible posture (for acting classes on not giving a crap, just slouch), she plays college age well. And she can sing. They all can sing. America (and Tasmania, as Fat Amy claims to originate from) must train their kids in the womb to hit the high notes. With a collection of playful winks at the audience (an Australian audience particularly will get a few kicks — stay for the credits) and some good old competition movie fun, this film was a surprisingly raucous rendition. I'm getting the soundtrack.
Queen Vic Markets is famous for its fresh produce and interesting goods. But for a few months, each Wednesday will see them extended into the Suzuki Night Markets, with over 200 stalls full of food, clothes, art and performances. The list goes on. This is the 15th year the Suzuki Night Markets have been put on, and in 2012 they are larger than ever. With an international theme, delicacies can be found from all five continents. The website suggests 'a trip around the world, one dish at a time'. It's not just food though; you can buy hand-crafted jewellery from the artisan who produced it, and clothes made by local Melbourne designers. And it gets better. Live performances from hip-hop duo Flybz, roots-reggae artist Bobby Alu, and lots of other Australian acts will be on each week for free. There's no plausible reason not to get to the Suzuki Night Markets this year. The Night Markets are on every Wednesday until February 27 from 5pm-10pm.
If we were to play the world association game with Instagram hashtags and I said "South Wharf Promenade", it would be normal for one to respond with: #flossy, #theglamorouslife, #cocktailswiththegirls or #richkidsofinstagram. What might not immediately present is #artinaction, or rather, #melbourneartiststakeovercargosheds. On Sunday that all changed, as some of Melbourne's finest emerging artists began what will be a just-shy-of-a-month-long residency in a group of vacant window boxes on the Yarra River and Duke's Walk, for the eyeballing pleasure of the public. Between them, the whipper snippers have produced work for ROOKIE magazine and Kimbra, modelled for Kinki Gerlinki, and exhibited everywhere from the Melbourne Art Fair to Chapter House Lane. Renee Cosgrave, Minna Gilligan, Andrzej Nowicki, Nick Ryrie, Raphael Rizzo and Rhys Mitchell are their names, making South Wharf better one cargo container at a time is their game (I'm trying ok).
Was your New Year’s less than aspirational? If you spent the strike of midnight shoveling a regrettable kebab into your mouth whilst searching for your friends in a sweaty, heaving mosh rather than swilling champagne and high fiving on the rooftop of a penthouse apartment, Chinese New Year is your chance to do it right and save 2013 from failure. Fed Square will see in the Year of the Snake with free and fun things, beginning with a screening of cult comedy All's Well, End's Well on Saturday, February 9, at 7pm. The next day, traditional lion dancing by the Hong De Lion Dance Association will amaze/amuse/confuse from noon, followed by highlights from the Lumens Festival, a photography and video art exhibition curated by RMIT University, on the main screen. Chinese New Year also makes it permissible to wear red and not be mistaken for a lady of the night, demand envelopes filled with money from your parents, and purchase new clothes in the name of a fresh start. Just call me Confucius. Image via Hong De Lion Dance Association.
