Fuzzy's national electronic-meets-hip hop festival Listen Out is back for another round and this year's lineup is a humdinger, topped by California's inimitable Anderson .Paak, with his live band The Free Nationals. He's joined by UK beatsmiths Gorgon City, big trap fiend Baauer, AV-happy producer Claptone live, Harlem Trap Lord A$AP Ferg, LA young gun Jauz, grime newcomer Stormzy, Swedish rap phenomenon Yung Lean and more. There's plenty of homegrown love on the bill this year, as always, with festival favourites Rüfüs marking their final Aussie shows of 2016, alongside the likes of Cosmo's Midnight, Ngaiire, L D R U, JOY, Sui Zhen and Willow Beats. Listen Out tours nationally to four of Australia's capitals, and will make its way to St Kilda's Catani Gardens on Saturday, September 24. See the full slam dunk of a lineup below. LISTEN OUT 2016 LINEUP Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals A$AP Ferg Claptone Immortal Live Cosmo's Midnight Gorgon City DJ Set Baauer JAUZ JOY. L D R U Ngaiire Rüfüs Stormzy Sui Zhen DJ Set Tash Sultana Tchami Willow Beats Yung Lean Image: Listen Out.
Weren't lucky enough to wrangle an overseas summer holiday this year? Never mind – South Yarra is set to score its own sky-high paradise replete with European vibes, when the hotly anticipated Tetto di Carolina opens its doors this month. The luxe rooftop cocktail bar will be the newest addition to Joe Mammone's celebrated stable (Bar Carolina, Il Bacaro, Sarti), as the restaurateur joins forces with Joey Dee and James Sutherland. In the same vein as its siblings, Tetto is a study in sophistication, the intimate Chris Connell-designed space decked out with terrazzo tiling, warm polished timber and an impressive, six-metre-long walnut bar. Deep leather banquettes are nestled throughout, while an openair terrace overlooks the South Yarra rooftops. There's an Italian lean to the food and drinks, the booze selected by award-winning cocktail bartender, Alex Dyzart of London's Bar Three. You'll spy a stack of champagne and sparkling iterations, a tight range of wines from across Australia and Europe, and plenty of crafty signature cocktails like the Copacabana Fizz — starring aged rum, fig leaf and clarified almond — and the gin and and fennel flower Florence Revival. [caption id="attachment_732520" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] From the kitchen comes a smart lineup of plates designed to be enjoyed beside a drink. Think Italian-style fried chicken with fennel slaw on brioche, pine-smoked mussels in a sweet vermouth and butterbean sauce, savoury cannoli filled with duck liver parfait and Sicilian doughnuts crafted with chestnut flour and roasted hazelnuts. To round out your European adventure, there'll even be a program of live performances, headlined by some of Melbourne's most respected jazz musicians. Find Tetto di Carolina at Level 1/48 Toorak Road, South Yarra, from Wednesday, July 31. Images: Kristoffer Paulsen UPDATE: July 22, 2019 — The opening of Tetto di Carolina has been delayed by one week until Wednesday, July 31. The above article has been updated to reflect this.
Up your midichlorian count and get your eyes all over this new trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This is the second look we've had of the seventh Star Wars instalment, after the first trailer dropped in November. Don't get cocky. The film isn't out until Christmas — December 17, 2015. But never tell us the odds.
Hunt down a bargain or just enjoy some time in the sun at this year's Yarraville Festival. Since 1981, this close knit community soiree has been a favourite of the area's residents, showcasing the talents of local producers, musicians and artists. With market stalls, parades and seven — count 'em, seven — stages packed with live entertainment, it's the best place west of the city to spend your lazy Sunday afternoon. The fun takes place in the centre of Yarraville Village and, with stalls stretching along four separate streets, you'll want plenty of time to explore. Entertainment options are in plentiful supply with not just bands, but magicians, dancers and martial artists. There'll even be the chance for you to take the stage, courtesy of a Bring Your Own Vinyl session in which anyone can be a DJ.
Gird your loins for a week of gripping and provocative cinema on the World Movies channel this March. The only station in Australia permitted to show R18+ rated films, their latest marathon features five button-pushing flicks presented in their original, uncut form. From a groundbreaking Korean revenge thriller to a primo slice of bona fide Ozploitation, these are the sorts of movies that need to be seen to be believed. Here are five compelling reasons to tune in. GET A BIT OF THE OLD ULTRA VIOLENCE Director Stanley Kubrick made a career out of dividing audiences, but never to the same extent as he did with 1971's A Clockwork Orange. Adapted from Anthony Burgess’ controversial novella of the same name, this darkly comic dystopian crime film proved so shocking upon its release that the director himself had it pulled from UK distribution for close to 30 years. The violence looks positively tame by today’s standard, but the movie remains a classic all the same. One thing’s for certain: you’ll never think about 'Singin’ in the Rain' the same way again. EXPERIENCE THE NEW FRENCH EXTREMITY...IF YOU DARE As unsettling as the other four films in this marathon may be, none of them hold a candle to Pascal Laugier’s Martyrs. The poster child for a recent trend in French cinema characterised by unflinching violence that makes Hostel look like The Teletubbies, this traumatising thriller has been called “the new yard stick against which all forms of extreme genre films should be measured.” Whether that’s a good thing is up to you. Regardless, it's hard to imagine anyone watching this movie more than once. SEE A VERY DIFFERENT SIDE OF THE AUSTRALIAN FILM INDUSTRY Australian cinema during the early 1970s was a wild wild west of sleaze and cheap titillation. One of the most notorious examples of so-called Ozploitation is Alvin Purple, a ridiculous comic sex romp about a naive young man (Graeme Blundell) who for some inexplicable reason is simply irresistible to women. Full of gratuitous nudity and bawdy humour, the film was panned by critics but proved a hit with local audiences. We’ll leave you to figure out exactly why that was. WITNESS BLOODY VENGEANCE, KOREAN-STYLE A personal favourite of Quentin Tarantino, Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy is one of the most gripping tales of vengeance ever put to film. The movie tells the story of Oh Dae-Su (Choi Min-sik), a man held prisoner for 15 years and then released and given a week to uncover the identity of his captor. In addition to its horrifying twist ending, the film is famous for its incredible one-take fight sequence and a scene in which the lead actor eats a live octopus on camera. Spike Lee recently directed an English-language remake, but the less said about that version the better. GET A GLIMPSE OF MICHAEL FASSBENDER'S FASSBENDER Come for the full-frontal male nudity, stay for the searing portrait of loneliness and addiction in the modern world. Directed by Steve McQueen, who would later go on to make the Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave, this haunting story about a sex addict (Michael Fassbender) and his volatile relationship with his sister (Carey Mulligan) might well be one of the least sexy films in the history of cinema. Sounds like perfect Friday night viewing to us. World Movies Uncut is on from March 23 - 28, nightly at 9.30pm. Channel 430, only on Foxtel.
This March, French street artist and TED Prize winner JR exclaimed to the conference audience that he wished to "turn the world inside out." Well, he wasn't kidding. JR launched "Inside Out" immediately, a project aimed to inspire change in the world by teaching others to first embrace personal identity. He encourages anyone and everyone across the globe to send in pictures of themselves, which he will then put up in various places of significance. First stop: Tunisia, whose oppressive totalitarian leader Ben Ali was recently overthrown. Although the end of Ali's rule was a victory for the country's citizens, many are still left hopeless and the government is certainly still a mess. So, JR brought the photos of friendly faces to the troubled Tunisia, and pasted them over posters of Ali's face and all throughout the country to spark hope for the future in the hearts of the suffering community. This is just the beginning of JR's journey to inspire a worldwide whirlwind of change. We tip our hats to you, JR, because not only have you reminded thousands of people of the power of art, but you've certainly began to turn the world inside out in the most wonderful and inspiring way.
Maybe you've got a thing for boldly coloured blooms. Or perhaps your indoor plant addiction has inspired a green thumb that just won't quit. Either way, your horticultural side is about to get a big ol' dopamine boost when the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show returns this spring. Taking over Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building from Wednesday, March 29–Sunday, April 2, the long-running festival will once again serve up a jam-packed program of workshops, talks, product showcases, landscape installations and, of course, gardens galore. It's set to be the largest horticultural festival in the entire southern hemisphere. Browse the stunning Show Gardens to see plant-filled oases from leading international landscape designers, and hit the Boutique Gardens and Balcony Gardens to admire horticultural wonderlands created in the tiniest of spaces. There's a dedicated indoor plant zone where you can pick up plant care products, expert advice and a stack of inspiration, while The Diggers Club is running an array of workshops to level up your green thumb. Step inside the Great Hall of Flowers to lose yourself amongst countless floral displays, check out the student-led Floral Fashions showcase, and sip bubbly while you create your own flower-inspired artistic masterpiece. And on Friday, March 31, swap your usual knock-offs for a visit to Gardens by Twilight, where you can wander through the garden installations while enjoying botanically charged sips, devouring gourmet snacks and soaking up live tunes. Running until 9pm, there'll also be roving performers, a floral design workshop, a guided tour with horticulturalist Chloe Thomson, sculpture shows and exhibitions, to enjoy alongside prosecco flutes and an exclusive espresso martini concoction.
Having released their debut full-length studio album Eyelid Movies five years ago, New York duo Phantogram has slowly and steadily built a loyal following in dream-pop/street beat circles. In that sense, they're an antidote to an Internet-fuelled culture that has so many artists gambling on viral sensations. Mind you, teaming up with Outkast's Big Boi and The Flaming Lips has certainly helped to keep them well out of the shadows they so often sing about. "We gravitate towards sad art in general," Sarah Barthel (Phantogram's vocal half) told Indie Shuffle in a recent interview. "Whether it's songs or movies, I guess we gravitate towards emotional art. We always want to write emotional music." New album Voices continues on this melancholic trajectory, but it's too texturally complex to become dull, too melodic to become maudlin. Before taking their elegant grooves to the Grass, Phantogram will give themselves an Antipodean warm-up with side shows at Sydney's Metro Theatre on July 24 and Melbourne's Prince Bandroom on July 25.
Whether you go all in for Valentine's Day or not, we've found a free activity that'll have you head over heels — literally — on Tuesday, February 14. The good folk at Armadale's Willow Urban Retreat are giving the gift of wellness, running a day of free V-Day yoga classes that you can hit with your lover, your bestie or even your mum. The wellness hub and yoga studio is hosting four guided stretch sessions that'll iron out those back-to-work kinks and leave you feeling pretty darn fabulous (especially since this Valentine's Day date won't cost you a cent). Choose from a flow class at 7am or 6pm, a soft flow session at 9.30am, or yin yoga at 7.30pm. [caption id="attachment_885507" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Maegan Brown Photography[/caption] Simply jump online to book one of the limited February 14 class spots for free and to register your chosen sidekick using the promo code 'LOVE'. Classes run for an hour each, led by the studio's expert yogis. And, if you're heading along during the day, why not cap off your session with a lunch date at the onsite cafe?
If you're big on making coffee and tea at home, Assembly is your heaven-sent special place. They've handpicked the best coffee and tea blends from around the country (and the world), and sell them alongside a whole heap of professional-level equipment. They've got everything from AeroPresses to filters to fancy kettles and teapots — basically, enough to make any coffee nerd squeal in caffeinated delight. Plus, it's also a cafe, so you can sit in and see (and taste) how it's done by the pros.
Combining the savage and the sublime, On Body and Soul enters a slaughterhouse to tell an unconventional love story. Here, animals become meat for humans to consume, while people become animals to live out their deepest fantasies. The first part is literal, as depicted in stark abattoir scenes that don't shy away from blood and butchering, and might make carnivores think twice about their eating habits. The second part doesn't really involve the movie's characters turning into actual critters, but to the film's star-crossed protagonists, their animal transformation might as well be real. Human resources manager Endre (Géza Morcsányi) and new hygiene inspector Maria (Alexandra Borbély) work at the facility in question, with chopped-up cattle an ordinary aspect of their everyday routines. Both are unfazed about the gory nature of their workplace, although neither are particularly happy in general, gravitating towards each other because they're each a little lost and more than a little lonely. During the day, their conversations are polite and restrained, but loaded with unspoken emotions. By night, it's another matter entirely. In their own beds and their own apartments, they both dream of deers running around a snowy forest, doing what deers do. More than that, they dream that their respective deers are frolicking together in a shared dreamscape. Everyone has had the experience of waking from their slumber feeling like they've just lived another life. Everyone has felt a bond with someone else that they couldn't quite explain. Everyone has felt detached from reality and much more at home in their own head. Combine all of the above, and that's still just the beginning of On Body and Soul's surreal, slow-building romance — the relatable starting point for a weird and wonderful exploration of what it means to be human. If the narrative had appeared to writer-director Ildikó Enyedi in her own dreams, that wouldn't be a surprise, but her blend of beauty and brutality burrows deep into weighty existential matters. Forget androids pondering electric sheep (sorry Blade Runner); this thoughtful movie wants to know if mankind can ever truly get a reprieve from our unforgiving world, or if becoming animals in our dreams is the closest we'll come to real happiness. The questions keep flowing, seeping into the audience's mind like a well-deployed Laura Marling track, although Enyedi is refreshingly unconcerned with serving up answers. Furthermore, her on-screen lovers are just as uninterested in finding them. While a contrived development takes Endre and Maria from colleagues to something more in their waking life, there's nothing convenient or artificial about their yearning to belong — or about the performances that breathe life into these restless souls. Quiet and unflashy yet nonetheless compelling, first-timer Morcsányi and the more experienced Borbély achieve what every actor strives for, offering a window into their characters' inner worlds. Of course, the film's entire premise does exactly that in its dreamy deer sequences, but its stars are crucial in making the fantastical concept work. If this moody, musing movie belongs to anyone, however, it's Enyedi. Nearly three decades after nabbing the Cannes Film Festival's Golden Camera award for her first feature, she has scooped up a spate of shiny trophies for On Body and Soul, and it's easy to see why. The winner of the 2017 Berlinale Golden Bear and the Sydney Film Prize, as well as a nominee at this year's Oscars, Enyedi's latest feature mightn't suit everyone's tastes, but it's an immersive, distinctive deep dive into familiar basic themes — love, life and loneliness — that looks and feels like it couldn't have been conjured up by anyone else. Pay particular attention to the director's exacting images, with every splash of blood, frosty field and clinical workspace making a statement both visually and emotionally. The way the film contrasts the horrors of slaughter with the serenity of nature, and uses them both as metaphors for life's difficult extremes, might all seem obvious on paper. And yet it couldn't be more affecting or arresting on the screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoQAm-E85bY&feature=youtu.be
It's the most obvious Game of Thrones line to quote. It's also been uttered more times than anyone can count over the past 11 years. When it comes to the arrival of the show's keenly anticipated new prequel series House of the Dragon, it rings oh so true if you live Down Under, too. Yes, winter is coming, as it does every year. In 2022, however, before the frosty season ends in Australia and New Zealand, this House Targaryen-focused new series is coming as well. Fans already knew that House of the Dragon would hit HBO at some point this year, but now the US network has dropped an exact date: Sunday, August 21 in the US, which is Monday, August 22 Down Under. Obviously, the show will hit locally at the same time, on Foxtel and Binge in Australia and SoHo, Sky Go and Neon in New Zealand — it's one of the biggest series of the year, after all. When that date rolls around, expect to spend more time with flame-breathing scaly creatures and the family that adores them. If you thought the Targaryens were chaotic already, delving into their history — and their love of using dragons to wage wars and claim power — is certain to cement that idea. We all know what happened to the last surviving members of the family in GoT, including Daenerys and her boyfriend/nephew Jon Snow; however, House of the Dragon, like Fire & Blood — the George RR Martin book that it's based on — jumps back 300 years earlier. Cast- and character-wise, House of the Dragon stars Emma D'Arcy (Misbehaviour) as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the first-born child of King Viserys; Matt Smith (His House) as Prince Daemon Targaryen, the King's brother; Rhys Ifans (Official Secrets) as Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King; Olivia Cooke (Pixie) as Alicent Hightower, Otto's daughter; and Steve Toussaint (It's a Sin) as Lord Corlys Velaryon, aka 'The Sea Snake', a nautical adventurer from a Valyrian bloodline as old as House Targaryen. These Westerosi folk will all grace a tale that harks back to Aegon I Targaryen's conquest of the Seven Kingdoms — which is what started the hefty 738-page first volume in Fire & Blood's planned two-book series — and then works through the family's history from there. Aegon I created the Iron Throne, hence the returning favourite's prominence. And you don't have to be the Three-Eyed Raven to know that this tale involves plenty of GoT's staples: fighting, battles for supremacy and bloodshed. Also set to pop up on-camera: Paddy Considine (The Third Day) as King Viserys, Eve Best (Nurse Jackie) as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon and Sonoya Mizuno (Devs) as Mysaria, Prince Daemon's paramour. Behind the scenes, Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal are acting as the series' showrunners. Sapochnik has a hefty GoT history, winning an Emmy and a Directors Guild Award for directing 'Battle of The Bastards', helming season eight's 'The Long Night', and doing the same on four other episodes. As for Condal, he co-created and oversaw recent sci-fi series Colony, and co-wrote the screenplay for the 2018 film Rampage. House of the Dragon's arrival has been a long time coming. Game of Thrones finished three years ago, and given how successful it proved for HBO — even after its eighth and final season caused plenty of uproar — the on-screen world inspired by Martin's books was never going to simply disappear. Indeed, before GoT even finished, there was chatter about what would come next. So, the network first announced that it was considering five different prequel ideas. It then green-lit one to pilot stage, scrapped it and later decided upon House of the Dragon. Next, it opted to give novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg the TV treatment, too, and to work on an animated GoT show. And, it's been reported that another three prequels are also under consideration. Now, after all that, House of the Dragon's ten-episode first season creeps closer and closer. Mark your diaries this instant — you've got a dance with dragons come August. Check out the first teaser trailer for House of the Dragon below: House of the Dragon will start airing on Monday, August 22 Down Under via Foxtel and Binge in Australia and SoHo, Sky Go and Neon in New Zealand. Images: Ollie Upton/HBO.
We often need to give ourselves a reason for a day at the zoo. Whether it be some friends from out of town visiting, or a babysitting gig you're unprepared for — it's rare we just allow ourselves the pleasure of eating fairy floss and staring at some monkeys. Now, to lure you in, Melbourne Zoo has announced a series of high-profile musical acts to perform in their beautiful grounds over summer. If you didn't already have a reason to go to the zoo already, you definitely do now. Over a six-week line-up, Melbourne Zoo will play host to a variety of performers including Xavier Rudd, Josh Pyke, Fat Freddy's Drop, Something For Kate, Dick Diver, Dan Kelly and Neko Case. With a recurring theme of dreamy summertime tunes, the Twilight Series will be a perfect destination for hot and lazy nights with the option of bringing your own picnic along and chilling out on the lawn. There will also be a number of food trucks and takeaway options to supply those who may be less prepared. Of course, your ticket cost also gets you entry into the zoo's exhibits and you'll have plenty of opportunity to roam wild among the animals. You can do so with a clear conscience too, as all proceeds from the shows go towards the zoo's work to fight wildlife extinction. For a full lineup go to the Melbourne Zoo website, and remember, don't bring any alcohol or glass in your picnic baskets.
It's a common peeve for many Melburnians: the fact that catching the train to another part of town often means hauling all the way into the CBD before you can switch routes and travel back out. Well, that headache could potentially be removed, if the Victorian Government's ambitious plan for a huge underground suburban rail network comes to fruition. In August last year (before he ran for and won the state election), Premier Daniel Andrews released a proposal for a brand new 90-kilometre Suburban Rail Loop, which would link all of the city's major radial rail lines with an intersecting orbital one, from the southeast in Cheltenham all the way to the west in Werribee. So how will it all work? Last year, Premier Daniel Andrews posted this video that details how and where the project will operate. The proposed new line would run a loop around Melbourne's outer suburbs, connecting the existing train lines at a point outside of the CBD. The current plans have it starting at Cheltenham on the Frankston line, connecting to the Cranbourne/Pakenham line at Clayton before running through Glen Waverley and to Box Hill on the Lilydale/Belgrave line. From there it will go underground to connect to Heidelberg on the Hurstbridge line, Reservoir on the South Morang, Fawkner on the Upfield and Broadmeadows on the Craigieburn before heading to the new Melbourne Airport station that we'll supposedly have by then. From there it will head down to Sunshine, which is on the Sunbury line, before finishing up at Werribee. Here's a new version of the map Daniel Andrews posted last week. All this work could include up to 12 new underground stations and would provide train services to suburbs that don't currently have them, like Monash, Burwood and Doncaster. If all goes as planned, the new network would carry 400,000 people a day, which the government hopes will reduce congestion on both roads and existing train lines. It's a huge undertaking, and one that's largely unfunded at the moment. Although the Andrews Government was re-elected in November, the project now has to find funding and be passed by parliament to begin on the proposed start date of 2022.. The State Government has only committed $300 million to it so far — but if a Shorten Labor Government gets elected at this year's federal election, it has pledged to match that amount. That takes the total to a potential $600 million, but, at the moment, the government only has $300 million to put towards a business case, design and pre-construction work. The Age has reported that, all up, the thing will cost around $50 billion; for comparison, the current Metro Tunnel project has been estimated at costing around $11 billion. So there is still a lot of work to go to prove that the project is viable (and that's not to mention finding the extra $49,700,000,000). It's not something you want to hold your breath for. That said, the Andrews Government has been the administration to actually make the Metro Tunnel happen, remove multiple level crossings in the city's east and commit to an Airport Rail Link (although that one's not quite confirmed yet), so we'll wait to see what happens in next 18 months. We'll keep you updated.
If you're still sitting here thinking veganism meant foregoing all the fun stuff, it sounds like you're the one that might be missing out. Primo example: this month, Melbourne will play host to a downright fabulous all-vegan hip hop high tea. The event is the next iteration of Belleville's popular DJ-soundtracked high tea sessions. This one on May 26 is being headed up by Melbourne-based DJ and radio presenter MzRizk, who'll be working her magic on the decks, paying homage to the best of 90s hip hop and R&B. Groove along to those old-school throwbacks while feasting your way through a serious spread of all-vegan high tea fare. Belleville's head chef Jarrod Moore will be plating up an assortment of savoury bites and sweet treats, to match organic sips from local teahouse and apothecary Beit e'Shai. Tickets cost $70 and vegan drinks will be available to purchase too.
At this point in the lockdown tally, it can be easy to lose sight of what a solid job Melburnians have done of holding it together through the last 18 months. But if you need one, there's a timely reminder coming at you courtesy of the new t-shirt design that's commemorating lockdown while raising much-needed funds for mental health support. And, it's rocking colourful artwork by famed Melbourne-based illustrator Oslo Davis. The brainchild of local creative agency By All Means, the limited-edition Locktown t-shirts were designed as a positive tribute to the monumental effort by Melburnians throughout the pandemic. For those counting along at home, the city will today mark a cumulative 235 days under stay-at-home orders, a stint that's thought to be the longest endured by anyone in the world. Davis, a world-renowned artist whose works have regularly graced the pages of The New York Times and The Age, was invited to design the t-shirt's prints. The shirt's front features a green, black and yellow sketch depicting the intersection in front of the iconic Flinders Street Station, emblazoned with the words 'Greetings From Locktown', while the back has a lockdown tally commemorating the dates of Melbourne's six stay-at-home stints so far. 'Melbourne, Australia. World's Most Resilient City!' is printed at the top. The newly-dropped designs are for a great cause, with sale profits to be donated to Beyond Blue in support of the organisation's work in mental health and wellbeing. Recent stats from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that in June 2021, a huge 27 percent of Victorians said they experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress — a figure well above the national average of 18 percent. Beyond Blue itself said demand for mental health support has increased by 20 to 30 percent compared to pre-pandemic figures. Snap up a fresh tee for $50, support mental health and commemorate these crazy, crazy times we're living through. To order a Locktown t-shirt or to find out more, jump over to the website. If you or someone you know is in need of support, Beyond Blue is available 24 hours, 7 days a week on 1300 224 636.
If you've ever had a sneaky little go with a child's Lego blocks while their back is turned, Legoland sees you, tips you their hat… and raises you another adults-only night at its Melbourne Discovery Centre at Chadstone. And this one's fantasy-themed. With no children to get in the way (or outdo your creations), you'll score free rein of Legoland to check out its 4D cinema and rides, and build to your heart's content in the brick pits. Test your skills by taking on the build challenges or try a scavenger hunt — and vie for the prizes up for grabs. [caption id="attachment_878422" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaz Blom[/caption] Get into the spirit of the night by dressing as your favourite fantasy character — this is the time to dust off that Frodo get-up — and having a go at some themed challenges, involving skills like archery, Orc defeat and princess rescuing. It all takes place from 6–9pm on Friday, March 31 — and you should BYO shameless excitement, a taste for glory and boundless creativity. Entry will set you back $39.99, with food and drinks available to purchase from the onsite cafe until 8pm. [caption id="attachment_878421" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jaz Blom[/caption] Top Image: Jaz Blom
Leo is Vera's stepdaughter’s son. He turns up on her doorstep, fresh from a cross-country bike ride, at 3 in the morning, when she doesn’t even have her false teeth in. He’s just cycled all the way from Seattle to New York — hence the title of the play, 4000 Miles. He decides to stay with Vera rather than pitch a tent in the backstreets of Manhattan. Well, fair enough… we should all be lucky enough to have a grandma with a rent-controlled apartment near Chelsea. Over a couple of weeks of cosy cohabitation, Vera relates family stories to Leo, and reveals she's a lifelong communist. Leo is at first elusive about his own beliefs and backstory, but the mystery of what happened to his cycling buddy slowly unravels. Playwright Amy Herzog, just 33, achieved fame virtually overnight with 4000 Miles, dubbed "#1 Play of 2012!" by TIME magazine. It’s a family drama without sentimental shtick, exploring compassion, companionship, and our capacity for empathy. Come find out what Leo's secret is. BYO bike.
Bourke Street Mall's constant foot traffic probably won't be slowing down anytime in the near future, but it could soon be a little easier on the lungs to walk through the buzzy stretch, as Melbourne City Council considers a smoking ban for the area. The proposed smoke-free zone would be implemented between Russell Place and Elizabeth Street, covering all footpaths, roads and tramways. A report submitted to the Council's Future Melbourne Committee earlier this week has revealed there's strong support for the smoking ban. A month of community consultation earlier this year showed that 83 percent of over 3100 individual respondents and 169 businesses were keen to make the strip smoke-free. There was little opposition to the idea across the board — even from the smokers involved in the consultation — with 67 percent of smokers either for the ban, or neutral. The survey, which was undertaken by market research company Colmar Brunton, involved interviewing people on-site, as well as via online surveys and through social media. The City of Melbourne Council will vote on the ban at a meeting next Tuesday, September 17, with The Age reporting that it's tipped to get the green light. Lord Mayor Sally Capp told The Age, "If approved, the changes would help create a healthier, cleaner, more welcoming atmosphere for the 60,000 people who visit or work in Bourke Street Mall every day." If the ban is introduced, it's likely that there would be a period of education about the new smoke-free zone, then people could face a $100 fine. But, in an interview on ABC Radio Melbourne, the Lord Mayor revealed that vapers would be exempt from the ban, and subsequent fines, saying, "I think everybody is trying to catch up with vaping, it's not part of the policy at the moment". The City of Melbourne currently has ten smoke-free zones, including Howey Place, Block Place, Equitable Place, QV Melbourne, The Causeway, Fulham Place, Goldsbrough Lane, Collins Way, and the Tan and Princes Park running tracks. The Bourke Street smoking ban proposal comes just a couple of months after North Sydney made the move to become one of the first smoke-free CBDs in the country. Hobart and Brisbane also have designated smoke-free public places in their own CBDs. The Bourke Street Mall smoke-free zone will be voted on in a Council meeting on Tuesday, September 17. We'll let you know what the outcome is. Image: Josie Withers for Visit Victoria
A season change is as good a reason as any to restock that wine collection with some new goodies — and if you ask Bendigo's renowned Balgownie Estate, it's a pretty great excuse for a wine-fuelled party, too. On Sunday, September 18, the award-winning winery is embracing the new season by hosting its inaugural Spring Fair, featuring food, fresh produce, live tunes and a whole lotta wine. Specifically, there'll be a clearance sale slinging all the past vintages and bin-end wines your heart could desire, at discounts of 20-percent and more. As well as stocking up on vino, you'll be able to shop an array of produce, craft, jewellery, pantry goodies and other artisan wares at a pop-up market devoted entirely to local makers and retailers. On top of that, there'll be barbecue eats courtesy of the Maiden Gully Marong Lions Club, plus live tunes on the deck. Loving the vino? You'll find long-time winemaker Tony Winspear manning the Balgownie cellar door, should you fancy tasting a few pours throughout the day. And of course, if you're keen for a sleepover, you can spend the night under the stars with a stay in the winery's glamping retreat.
You probably recognise the above image of Daniel Kaluuya's terrified face, it's been floating around the internet in meme form over the past couple of weeks. It's also a still from Get Out—the highly anticipated new film from Universal Pictures released in cinemas on May 4. Watch the truly terrifying trailer if you haven't yet. The film has accrued a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and critics around the world are biding time until they get the chance to see this gripping thriller, also a timely, provocative commentary on the world's current state of race relations. The story follows a young, African-American man (Daniel Kaluuya) as he meets his white girlfriend's (Allison Williams) parents at their family estate. At first, Chris believes that the family's welcoming behaviour is a nervous attempt to deal with their daughter's interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses he discovers a number of disturbing things to make him think otherwise and becomes suspicious of the real reason behind his visit. Somewhat surprisingly, the gripping film is written and directed by Jordan Peele (one half of Key and Peele, the comedy duo known for classic skits such as Text Confusion and Continental Breakfast). We're hosting three advanced screenings of Get Out exclusive to Concrete Playground readers. The Melbourne screening will be at Village Cinemas, Jam Factory at 6.30pm on April 19. Fill in your details below to go into the draw to win one of 100 double passes. [competition]614566[/competition]
Like a Hump Day bright spot nestled in between the Queen Vic's Winter and Summer Night Markets, the precinct's springtime Europa Night Market is back to brighten up Wednesday nights from September 21–October 26. For six weeks, the market will play host to a vibrant Euro-style bazaar, with entertainment and wafting food aromas promising to transport you to a different European destination each week. You can feast your way through over 25 food and drink vendors, shop an array of market stalls, and catch roving entertainers and live tunes, all designed to whisk you away to some far-flung locale. Kicking things off on September 21, the market will be saying 'ciao' to the flavours and sounds of Italy, with bites like Sicilian-style fried arancini and woodfired 400 Gradi pizza, plus entertainment by Siesta Cartel and Elvira. The following week will take you on a trip to Central and Eastern Europe, by way of pierogi and traditional dance performances; while October 5 is your ticket to Oktoberfest, with a German-inspired beer hall serving up sausages, Oompah bands and European brews. The Iberian Peninsula gets a look-in on October 12, with paella and Casa Nata's Portuguese tarts, before the following week serves up a Mediterranean affair. A French celebration wraps up the series on October 26 with an evening of oozy raclette, croissants and entertainment from French mime artists. The Europa Night Market returns 5–10pm Wednesdays, from September 21–October 26.
If someone was to ask you to imagine a dinosaur, and to picture one type only, it's likely that the Tyrannosaurus rex would come to mind. The towering ancient creature is just that fascinating to kids and adults alike, and not solely because it's rarely far from screens. Head to any museum with a T. rex fossil on display and you'll be surrounded by crowds, whether or not they've seen King Kong, a Jurassic Park movie or Night at the Museum. Head to Melbourne Museum from Friday, June 28–Sunday, October 20, 2024 in particular and expect to have plenty of company, then. Thanks to the Victoria the T. rex exhibition, that's when the fossil of Tyrannosaurus rex Victoria will make its Australian debut in the state with the absolute best name for the occasion. The specimen dates back 66 million years, and is one of the world's largest and most complete T. rex skeletons. Showing exclusively at Melbourne Museum, it's also marks the first time that a real T. rex has ever been on display in Victoria. How big is big? Found in South Dakota in 2013, Victoria is comprised of 199 bones, including a skull that weighs 139 kilograms. The fossil reaches 12 metres in length and 3.6 metres in height. And, because the skull is so heavy, it has to be displayed separately as it can't be mounted upon Victoria's body. Victoria the T. rex will also feature interactive elements, such as multi-sensory installations that'll let you experience how the Tyrannosaurus rex saw and smelled, plus dioramas and a section where you can make your own customised 3D T. rex. Welcome to... the cretaceous period, then. The informative side of the showcase will step through recent palaeontological findings, so that you'll get an idea of what Victoria's life was like all that time ago — and also find out what brought about her end. If that's not enough dino action to make you feel like David Attenborough — or his brother Richard in Jurassic Park and The Lost World — Victoria the T. rex will display alongside Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs, which has been open at Melbourne Museum since 2022. The latter permanently features Horridus, the world's most complete Triceratops fossil, and entry to both exhibitions is included in one ticket. At IMAX Melbourne, 45-minute documentary T.REX 3D will also be showing — complete with footage of Horridus — from Friday, June 21. Images: Neon Global.
There's nothing better than receiving a "guys, you've gotta see this!" message in your crew's group chat. Have they found elusive cheap return tickets to Tokyo? Did they finally pop the big question? Is there a new puppy about to join their family? Big life milestones aside, heading off on a trip with your mates is the next most special thing. It's a chance to switch off, escape the big smoke and explore our beautiful backyard. And the cooler months are the time when we all need a break from the daily grind with a long weekend or a well-earned week away. If you've done the cosy cabin retreat to death, why not shake things up with a bit of adventure this winter? Hit the slopes, strap on your helmet and gear up for a chance to try something new, from thrilling aerial adventures over World Heritage sites to snowy escapes filled with snowshoeing and fondue-ing. Partnering with Hugo Boss, we've whittled down the endless list of Aussie adventures to just five that will leave you feeling amped up and ready to take on the world — much like its newest fragrance, BOSS BOTTLED Infinite. Go on, give these pulse-racing sports a go and you'll get a new perspective on the stunning land of Oz. [caption id="attachment_720491" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tourism and Events Queensland.[/caption] CAPE TRIBULATION HELICOPTER AND LAND ADVENTURE TOUR It's not every day you get to knock not one but two UNESCO World Heritage-listed areas off your bucket list. But then again, this ain't your average adventure tour. You'll spend a jam-packed day exploring the best of tropical north Queensland, including the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. The tour kicks off with a two-hour scenic helicopter flight over world-class reefs and cascading waterfalls before touching down in the oldest living rainforest in the world. Then, the choice is yours: spend your afternoon on horseback as you weave through the Daintree to the ocean's edge, or head straight for the treetops with a zipline experience. Head to Red Balloon to book. [caption id="attachment_720598" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Luke Tscharke.[/caption] CRADLE MOUNTAIN HUT WALK: WINTER OVERLAND TRACK It takes guts (and possibly a swig of gin) to sign up for a multi-day trek through the icy terrain of Tasmania's Cradle Mountain in the dead of winter. There's no wifi out here, friends. Just ancient landscapes, frozen lakes and long nights enhanced by a glass or two of Tasmanian wine. The eight-day Cradle Mountain Huts Walk winter overland track is one of the most challenging routes that the Tasmanian Walking Company offer, but it comes with plenty of rewards. Climb the peaks of Cradle Mountain, explore Lake Will and finish at Lake St Clair, Australia's deepest natural lake. [caption id="attachment_720745" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Skydive Noosa.[/caption] SKYDIVE NOOSA Jumping out of a plane at 15,000 feet is one way to get the blood pumping in the morning. But when you're freefalling over the sparkling Sunshine Coast, the terrifying drop can't be that bad, right? Strap in for an adrenaline junkie's dream with Skydive Noosa. The experience sees you spend 60 seconds in freefall — a minute the company describes as "life-changing" — before your instructor opens the parachute and you gently cruise your way to solid ground while soaking in the views. [caption id="attachment_720600" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kane Naaraat and Pinkbike.com.[/caption] BLUE DERBY MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDING TRAILS The historic town of Derby in Tasmania's north-east hasn't always been known for its 125 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails. It was tin mining that first put Derby on the map before the tragic bursting of Briseis Dam ended that. The town has been revitalised since the opening of the first section of the Blue Derby Trail Network in 2015. Today it boasts trails to suit every experience level, meaning it has something for you and all of your crew. HOTHAM SHOWSHOE TO FONDUE If exploring Australia's mountains and sleeping under the stars are on your to-do list, this is the tour to make it happen. Say hello to Alpine Nature Experience's Snowshoe to Fondue trip, an unforgettable overnight adventure set on the outskirts of Victoria's Alpine National Park. You'll snowshoe your way to your tipi-style eco-village accommodation before spending a night sipping hot glühwein, dipping your way through gooey French cheese fondue and soaking in the warmth of the outdoor campfire. When the sun comes up, the crew will make sure you leave fed and watered with a hearty warm breakfast. Hitting that work-life balance is hard. But shutting your laptop, splashing on some new BOSS BOTTLED Infinite and getting out in nature will help you seize the day and live your best life. Top image: Snowshoe to Fondue Experience.
There's a change ahead for South Yarra's food scene, with the announcement that Ramblr — the beloved restaurant from Nick Stanton, Guy Bentley, Mark Catsburg and Jon Harper — is calling it quits, set to close its doors for good on Saturday, March 2. The owners broke the news yesterday via Instagram, thanking both crew and fans for two great years as part of the Chapel Street family, and saying that the restaurant had far exceeded their expectations. "We would like to thank everyone who has been involved with Ramblr - it has been such an amazing experience," it said. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs7RgFsAfRi/ It has been a busy few months for the four, who launched their latest venture Leonardo's Pizza Palace in Carlton, just last December. Stanton, Bentley, Catsburg and Harper first opened Ramblr at the end of 2016, off the back of their ever-popular debut joint venue, Leonard's House of Love. The Chapel Street restaurant has been pulling in the crowds ever since, famed for its detail-driven fare and polished, yet casual vibe. And, of course, those pig's head fritters. It's not all bad news, however — the boys have hinted at some fun things ahead for the current Ramblr site, with plans for an "exciting new concept" to open there soon. Find Ramblr at 363 Chapel Street, South Yarra until Saturday, March 2. Images: Jo Rittey.
Do you love curry so much that you just need to sing about it? Do you like the spicy dish a regular amount, but love eating, drinking and belting out a song? Whichever category you fall into, Curryoke is your new once-a-month go-to, combining warm dishes, karaoke and booze. What's not to love? Happening on the last Sunday of each month — with sessions slated for May 26, June 30 and July 28 — Curryoake takes place at Heroes. Yep, you and your mates really can be heroes here, just for one evening, as the mic will be open from 6–10pm. You won't be singing for your supper, however. That'll cost $25, which gets you your choice of meat or vegan curry, a braised dish, stir-fried veggies, some pickles and that important staple: rice. Pay an extra $20, and you'll also nab a cocktail on arrival, plus two more drinks during the night. Just remember to book in advance as spots are limited.
Looking for a rainy day activity? Here are five. Five of the most electric and immersive exhibitions to hit Aussie shores, and they're all happening this winter. From 100 artworks by Picasso to a showcase of MoMa works — featuring Dalí, Andy Warhol and more — and a field of 3000 flowers to an electric ode to the radical artists of post-war Germany, it's all happening down under. The only catch is that they're spread across the country, so keep an eye on cheap flights or plan an epic road trip and hit them all up. It'll cost you much less than flights to Europe, but will still transport you to an alternative world — whether that's New York, post-war Germany, a fictional flower-filled land or Alice's Wonderland.
Luke Mangan is well known for serving up classic French cuisine in Sydney — with restaurants in the Hilton Hotel Sydney, Kimpton Margot Hotel Sydney and the Pylon Lookout inside the Sydney Harbour Bridge. And his latest venture Bistrot Bisou follows the same tried-and-tested formula. He has set up a contemporary French restaurant in another city hotel — but this time, in Melbourne's Hotel Indigo. Here, you won't find food that challenges or feels particularly playful. Instead, Mangan and his Head Chef Rory Kennedy (Vex Dining and Bar Romantica) have stuck to nailing the classics. You've got your steak tartare, cheese soufflé, confit duck legs, lobster thermidor, tarte tatin and crème brûlée. There might not be any real surprises, but the dishes are executed with great finesse and also showcase top local produce. The flamed-cooked steaks are a standout. These are cooked in the open kitchen over a roaring fire, which fills the room with a slight smokiness that makes the space feel incredibly cosy and welcoming. Those ready to brave the heat can even sit up at the bar and eat while watching the chefs do their thing. "We want this to feel like a second home for guests, whether they're Melbourne locals or visitors wanting a relaxed place to dine after a long day of sightseeing," says Mangan. "The French bistros of Paris have an ambience about them no matter what time of day or night it is, which is what we are creating here." [caption id="attachment_959622" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Glen Percival[/caption] And Mangan has lucked out with the 96-seat dining room, which was only fitted-out a few years ago for the Beso, former Spanish restaurant that once called this space home. The kitchen is mostly the same as it was before, as is the front bar. The space is full of cream and light brown tones, leather banquette seats, brass finishes, and a seperate nook for semi-private dining. At the front bar, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Spencer Street, folks can also sit up on a stool while they sip and snack. Tim Davey (French Saloon) has created the impressive cocktail list for Bistrot Bisou, which includes eight martinis, plenty of signature creations, and a hefty list of French aperitifs for those wanting a little pre-dinner sip. As expected, the wine list features a great selection of French and Victorian vinos, while Taittinger Champagne is also available by the glass. If you're a fan of classic French fare (with a slight modern edge), you're in for a real treat at Bistrot Bisou. Bistrot Bisou is located at 575 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, open for dinner from 5.30pm–late, Tuesday–Saturday. For more details and to book a table, visit the venue's website. Images: Jana Langhorst.
Music, bicycles, and good coffee. Sounds like a Melbourne dream, right? But wait, it gets better. Add to that the fact that this event is carbon neutral and that the speakers the music will be played on will be powered by guests peddling bikes and you have Muscyle. Set up outside St Ali North, this gathering of earth conscious minds will include performances from Vika and Linda Bull, Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes/curator MONA FOMA), The Alan Ladds, The Black Jesus Experience and Wang Zheng Ting. If you lend a hand in keeping the music a-pumping, you could also win yourself a bike. It’s a free event, there will be great food and music, they're doing the planet a favour, and you might just get some exercise out of it as well. Not bad. There will also be valet bike parking and tune-ups from Velo Cycles next door.
The residents of Box Hill should be very pleased with themselves. Not only do they have some of Melbourne's best Cantonese food (among other cuisines) on their doorstop, but they've also just landed a brand new, insanely cute café — and we're already planning a pilgrimage to try it out. After operating as a takeaway coffee pop-up in the area, The Penny Drop last week opened a permanent 100-seat cafe-restaurant in the newly refurbished ATO building on Whitehorse Road. And hot damn is it good looking. We can't decide which part we like more — the experimental menu or the Pinterest-worthy interior, which has been seriously decked out by interior designers We Are Huntly. It manages to find a balance between minimalism and warmth (with the help of some pastel pink tones) and has a large circle feature that reminds us of The Kettle Black. But let's talk about the menu. At first glance it may look like your standard offering, but that's the charm — the menu puts an Asian-inspired take on your favourite staples. Breakfast dishes like plain old pancakes sound like heaven (buttermilk pancakes with coconut foam, black sesame and pistachio dukkah, raspberry compote and palm sugar caramel), and don't even get us started on the potato and garlic chive waffle with poached eggs, ham, hollandaise and wakame. Some dishes don't fit any breakfast stereotype but still make our mouths water, like the tea-smoked salmon with spring onion pancake, bean shoot salad, avocado and son-in-law eggs. The lunch menu (available from 11.30am till 3pm) is sparser, but burgers are prominent — the soft shell crab burger with Kewpie tartare, coriander, cucumber and lime takes our fancy — but the dinner menu (available after 5.30pm) really sparkles. Try the fried chicken wings with mandarin sauce and sesame ($13) or the coconut beef short rib with sweet fish sauce, pomelo and soft herbs ($39) and drift away to dream land. The Penny Drop is open for brekkie, lunch and dinner all week as well as servicing all your takeaway coffee needs. Another cute, tasty reason to spend more time in the 'burbs. The Penny Drop is located at 913 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill and is open 7am till 10pm Monday to Saturday and 7am till 3pm on Sunday. For more info, visit thepennydrop.com.au.
Tina Fey hasn't starred in, created or executive produced a bad sitcom yet — and when the first season of Girls5eva dropped back in May, it continued that trend. In its own way, it's another workplace comedy like 30 Rock and Great News. And, albeit in a completely different manner to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, it also follows a group of women trying to navigate new lives years after they were thrust together under extreme circumstances. The setup: more than two decades after they split up, the four remaining members of a late 90s girl group decide that it's time to get the bad back together. Now in their forties, they're all at different points in their lives, but rekindling their dreams is too enticing to ignore. Sara Bareilles (Broadway's Waitress), Busy Philipps (I Feel Pretty), Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) and the great Paula Pell (AP Bio) play Girls5eva's reunited members, Fey pops up as a fantasy version of Dolly Parton, and the comedic takes on 90s pop tunes are all both 100-percent spot on and so ridiculously catchy that they'll get lodged in your head for weeks. Also pitch-perfect: everything about this immensely funny take on stardom, fame and the way that women beyond their twenties are treated. In great news for everyone who has already streamed their way through the show's eight-episode first season and instantly found themselves wanting more — and for anyone who is yet to go through that process, too — Girls5eva has just been renewed for a second season. So, expect more earworm songs and jokes about the entertainment industry, although exactly when the next season will drop hasn't yet been revealed. Like its first season, Girls5eva's next batch of episodes will stream in Australia via Stan whenever they do release. For now, you can check out the trailer for the show's first season below: Exactly when the second season of Girls5eva will drop hasn't been announced, but the show's first season is available to stream now via Stan.
Melburnians, it's roadmap time — yes, again. It's also time to start getting ready to leave the house whenever you like. Today, Sunday, October 17, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced that the state's current (and sixth) lockdown officially has an end date. So, come 11.59pm on Thursday, October 21, the city's sixth stint of stay-at-home conditions will finally lift. In a press conference, the Premier confirmed that the state will hit the 70-percent double-vaccinated mark among over 16s earlier than expected, which is why lockdown will lift earlier than initially outlined in the state's previously announced roadmap. And, that's why the state's roadmap has been given a few tweaks, too, loosening a couple of extra restrictions at that 70-percent double-jabbed mark. "Today I am very pleased to announce that from 11.59pm this Thursday, when we get to the 70-percent mark, the lockdown lifts, there will be no restrictions on leaving your home or curfew. The roadmap will be delivered in full and there are a number of things we are adding to the road map as of 11.59pm this Thursday. Things we can bring forward, additional things, extra things we can do because the Victorian community has done so well in getting vaccinated so fast and in such great numbers," said Andrews. Bring forward the haircut and tell Mum you'll be round for dinner. Lockdown will end at 11.59pm on Thursday. 5 million Victorians have had a first dose, and we're well ahead of where we thought we'd be - meaning we can make the changes we promised in the Roadmap, and go further pic.twitter.com/17qohsFX6A — Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) October 17, 2021 Accordingly, as already outlined in the original plan, the reasons to leave home and the nighttime curfew will be completely ditched. Plus, that'll now be paired with scrapping the travel radius, after the initial roadmap included a 25-kilometre limit. You won't quite be able to go wherever you like, however, with movement between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria only allowed for permitted reasons. Also, having visitors over to your house will now be allowed, with up to ten people (including dependents) per day able to visit homes in both regional and metropolitan Melbourne. This is a big change to the initial plan, which didn't permit visitors to homes at all at this stage — and the new roadmap highly recommends that these visitors are all double-jabbed. Plus, 15 double-vaxxed people will be allowed to gather outdoors (up from the proposed ten), and pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes can open to 20 double-jabbed folks indoors (up from zero) and 50 double-vaccinated patrons outdoors (which was in the original plan). Outdoors, that covers not just cafes and sports facilities such as pools, but also outdoor cinemas. Weddings and funerals will operate under the same 20-person and 50-person indoor and outdoor limits, and the five double-jabbed people cap at hairdressers will kick in as initially outlined. And, masks will still be required both indoors and outdoors at the 70-percent double-jabbed stage. With Victoria reaching the 70-percent double-jabbed threshold earlier than expected, it'll also hit 80-percent double-vaxxed among over 16s earlier than initially planned, too, which Andrews advised will happen sometime around Melbourne Cup day (Tuesday, November 2). Exactly when the next phase of eased restrictions will kick in around then hasn't been confirmed as yet, but everything already announced in the roadmap for that 80-percent mark is still earmarked to happen. So, that's when groups of 30 fully vaxxed people can gather outdoors. Dining indoors at hospitality venues will go up to 150 double-vaxxed folks, and the cap outside will go up to 500. Instrastate travel will be back with no limits, indoor community sport will return as well, there'll be no cap on hairdressing for the fully vaxxed, and all retail stores will reopen. Also, entertainment venues, plus weddings and funerals, will follow those 150 and 500 caps mentioned above. And, masks will only be required inside from this point. In the final phase of the roadmap — which is still expected sometime around Friday, November 19, when 80 percent of Victorians over 12 are double vaccinated — the state will align with the rules under Australia's new 'National Plan to transition Australia's National COVID Response' that was announced in July. That's when double-jabbed Victorians are expected to be able to travel overseas again without restrictions, when there's set to be no lockdowns, and when vaxxed Aussies will be free from domestic restrictions anyway. The Federal Government is still expected to fully flesh out these rules in the coming months. Also, Victoria remains committed to letting 30 people inside homes for Christmas, . Exactly when that'll kick in — obviously before December 25 — hasn't been revealed. Wondering where you can currently get vaccinated? There's a handy online map that helps you find your nearest clinic. Keen to keep an eye on vaccination rates? A heap of online resources will help you do that as well. Metropolitan Melbourne's lockdown will lift at 11.59pm on Thursday, October 21. For further information about Victoria's reopening roadmap, head to the Victorian Government website. For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the Department of Health website. Top image: Ponyfish Island, Julia Sansone.
Next time you crack open a can of BrewDog's Punk IPA, you might find yourself motivated to welcome a new four-legged addition into your family. Teaming up with Animal Welfare League Queensland, the Scottish brewery has brought its Street Dog initiative to Australia — profiling adorable dogs that are currently available for adoption across its cans. If you're the type of person that pats every pooch you see, and takes a daily walk past the local dog park just so you can get a glimpse of those adorable canines and their little faces, then you're also the kind of person who'd love to see pictures of puppers while you're sinking a brew. The photos adorn select Punk IPA packs, which have been badged 'Street Dog'. And yes, if you fall in love with the little fluffball staring back at you from the can, you can give it a home. By picking up a few Street Dog brews — which are on offer in eight- and 16-packs — you'll also be helping doggos in need another way. BrewDog is also donating all of the profits from sales of the beer to Animal Welfare League Queensland. And, although it's brewed at the company's Australian base in Brisbane, it's only making the beer available via its new online store, so everyone nationwide can stare at these canine cuties over their next cold one. Street Dog actually started in the UK earlier this year, as inspired by comedian Ricky Gervais. The comedian tweeted about his genuine fondness for Punk IPA, while also noting that businesses in general were better off giving their money to charities than paying for celebrity endorsements — and, taking his words to heart, BrewDog decided to start supporting homeless dogs, a cause that Gervais has been vocal about. Cue BrewDog cans covered with photos of dogs, which, when they launched in Britain, helped all of the pups featured on the tinnies to find homes. If you're wondering about the timing of bringing the Street Dog initiative to Australia, it's designed to help give the profiled pooches a permanent home before Christmas hits. The 375-millilitre cans will be available to purchase online until sold out. BrewDog's Street Dog limited-edition version of its Punk IPA beer is available to buy as an eight-pack for $40 and a 16-pack for $70.
Your local takeaway spot might be convenient when you've been stuck at work all day, but it's far from kind on the environment — or your wallet, for that matter. With the right know-how, you can spice up your midweek meals without too much hassle. We've partnered with Glad and its Glad to be Green range to bring you six simple, eco-conscious dinner ideas that'll not only keep more cash in your bank account, but also see fewer takeaway containers ending up in landfill. Roll up those sleeves and get ready to whip up feasts every night of the week. ADD MEAT-FREE MONDAYS TO THE DIARY After an indulgent weekend, you'll want to put your best foot forward when the new week comes. Regardless of whether you're consciously looking to go full vegan, starting the week off a plant-based dinner means you're cutting back on one of climate change's biggest contributors: the meat industry. If you're someone who likes numbers, according to this study beef has a carbon dioxide equivalent of 59.6 kilograms. To compare, tofu has an equivalent of three kilograms. These days, about 12.1 percent of Aussies eat a fully or mostly vegetarian diet. Don't know where to start? Treat yourself to a couple of cookbooks. Some go-tos include Hetty McKinnon's To Asia, With Love and Neighbourhood; Smith & Daughters' Shannon Martinez's cookbook Vegan with Bite; and, of course, Ottolenghi's newest title Flavour (or any from his Plenty series). Once you've cooked up your veg-packed feast, simply cover any leftovers with Glad to be Green cling wrap — made from 50 percent sugarcane and with a smaller carbon footprint — and consider tomorrow's lunch sorted. HAVE POTLUCK DINNERS WITH MATES Next time you're having mates round, organise a potluck dinner rather than hitting up the local pizza shop for a mediocre slice (and subsequent greasy box that can't be recycled). First up, it's a gamble as to what everyone will bring and, therefore, you'll be tucking into all sorts of delicious dishes. Plus, it's likely to save everyone some cash and your friends get to flex their kitchen skills. With everyone bringing a plate — and some quality stories — to share, this is a great way to add some more home-style cooking and community to your life, too. And, there'll be a lot of food going around the table, which means no one will go hungry. SLOW ROAST AS YOU WFH Many of us have come to know the pros and cons of WFH life. But one undeniable benefit of working from your home office (or couch) is that you can slink away from the computer to prepare a glorious dinner. Whether you're cooking for your partner who has to go into the office or prepping a feast for your friends, slow roasting is super easy — when you actually have the time to do it. So, as time is on your side when you're commute-less, you can try out new roast dinners each week. Whether you prefer sticky pork, rosemary-covered lamb shoulder or bourbon- and honey-glazed brisket, these slow-roasted meats are heartwarming meals for when the cold weather hits. Just be sure to layer your roasting pan with Glad to be Green compostable baking paper to cut down on the messy cleanup. It's certified home compostable, and it even breaks down in a worm farm. KEEP THINGS SIMPLE WITH ONE-POT WONDERS Replace the convenience of takeaway with an even more practical one-pot dinner. Although your meal might not get delivered straight to your door, there's not much cleaning involved when you throw all the ingredients into the same cauldron. Which, let's be honest, is a big reason why we often turn to delivery apps in the first place. From quick 'n' easy stir-fries and soups to veggie laksas and casseroles, there are plenty of one-pot wonders out there. Plus, you can put any leftovers in Glad's new plant-based resealable sandwich bags, which are made with 50 percent sugarcane (a renewable resource). These bags are also freezer safe, so you can store leftovers for longer, ensuring you have a quick, fuss-free dinner for the next time cooking from scratch is too much of a chore. MAKE A HOUSEMATE ROSTER Coming up with homecooked dinner ideas doesn't have to be harder than picking something on Uber Eats. But, sometimes inspiration is lacking after a day at your nine-to-five, we get it. If you live with others, why not come up with a roster? That way, it's easy to plan for, everyone gets a night off the pots and pans, and you don't have to cook those sad dinner-for-one meals. After all, food is better when shared, right? To make your new schedule a success, it's a good idea to liven up each night of the week with some broad themes, too. It'll also help ensure no one is stuck for ideas. Of course, you'll want to take into account your housemates' culinary and dietary preferences to avoid encountering any awkward dinner conversations. COME TO LOVE LEFTOVERS Leftovers are a godsend when you've got an itch for cheeky takeaways. Instead of having to dip into your savings (and even possibly impact your chances of a future homeloan), you can swing open your fridge or freezer and pull out a tasty creation cooked by yours truly. Not to mention, you're doing your bit for the planet, too. In fact, you can store your leftovers in Glad's plant-based snack and sandwich size resealable bags if you want to divvy them up into perfect portions. So, when you CBF to cook next week, you've already got yourself covered. Go green and visit the Glad website for more tips and tricks.
Is there a fluffy, cat-shaped hole in your life? Have you been looking for an excuse to fill it? If so, consider this your calling. With the annual kitten season in full swing and an influx of rescues on its hands, the Cat Protection Society of Victoria (CPSV) is putting the call out for feline-friendly homes, mainly for kittens, but also some Mama cats. Most of the animals are either surrendered as kittens or rescued by Council rangers and in need of TLC, medical attention and loving new homes. If you're keen to adopt one of these furballs, it'll cost you $120, which includes all the necessities — microchipping, desexing, vaccinations, parasite treatment, a full vet check and a two-week health cover. Recently desexed cats will also get free follow-up vet care and CPSV will be on hand to help out with questions and follow-ups long after each adoption is complete. You'll also need lots of toys for them to play with, proper food for them to eat and plenty of attention to give. In return, you'll score a new best mate and a whole lotta cuddles. "Kittens are highly interactive and playful so make a great new addition to the family," said Natalya Dundovic, Animal Behaviour Consultant at CPSV. "As they're easy to toilet train, are small, need less formal exercise and eat less than dogs, they can make the perfect pet." With the local kitten season running from September through to April, and cats able to give birth to as many as three litters in that time, the CPSV needs your help big time, hoping to find homes for more than 700 kittens this season alone. For more information on adopting and to see some of the animals that need rehoming, jump over to the CPSV website.
'Tis the season for many things, though at one particular pop-up Christmas market, the festivities are entirely, deliciously gin-related. The Craft & Co's inaugural Gin Market is a one-stop pressie shop with a very distinct flavour. Taking place at The Craft & Co in Collingwood across the first weekend of December, expect a careful curation of delights from nine Aussie gin distilleries. As it's a sit-down event, they'll be going from table to table, speed dating style, so you can hear all about the passion for their product, while maintaining a safely distanced environment. Exclusive specials are promised on the night, so if you're a real ginthusast you'll want to stock up on presents. And, you know, a few treats for yourself. Just don't forget to eat something during all that sampling — the bar will be open for snacks downstairs, but bookings are recommended.
Add three more names to the hefty list of big music stars heading Australia's way in 2023: Ice Cube, Cypress Hill and The Game. In what's basically a 90s and 00s hip hop and rap fan's dream come true, the trio are teaming up on the same bill for an Aussie arena tour, including hitting Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne in autumn. This isn't just any old nostalgia-dripping tour, either. It'll also mark the 30th anniversary of two influential albums: Ice Cube's Lethal Injection and Cypress Hill's Black Sunday. The former was the N.W.A member's fourth solo release, and included singles 'Really Doe', 'You Know How We Do It' and 'Bop Gun (One Nation)', while the latter gave the world 'Insane in the Brain', 'Hits from the Bong', 'When the Shit Goes Down' and 'I Ain't Goin' Out Like That'. Expect to hear plenty of those songs get a whirl on Thursday, March 23 in the Victorian capital. For Ice Cube, the tour marks his first visit to Australia since 2018, when he became the first-ever rap artist to headline at the Sydney Opera House. "I love performing in Australia. It's been four long years since my last visit and I can't wait to return for a couple of history-making shows in 2023," said the rapper, aka O'Shea Jackson Sr (and yes, his son O'Shea Jackson Jr did play him in N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton). Ice Cube and Cypress Hill will be joined by The Game, who came to fame in the 00s in the West Coast scene. The US talents will also feature Aussie talent in support, with exactly who else will take to the stage yet to be announced.
Things are getting chilly at ACMI cinemas, and we're not just talking about the air-conditioning. Presented as part of the Art + Climate = Change festival, which aims to draw attention to environmental issues through art, Poles Apart will showcase four stunningly photographed documentaries set at the two coldest and most unforgiving places on earth. The season begins on April 18 with Anthony Powell’s Antarctica: A Year on Ice. Ten years in the making, and presented mostly in timelapse, this mesmerising doco reveals not only the stark beauty of the Antarctic environment, but delves into the everyday lives of the community workers who man the continent's remote research stations. On the other side of the globe, meanwhile, Last Days of the Arctic follows famed Icelandic photographer Ragnar ‘Rax’ Axelsson, as he chronicles the tangible effects of climate change in the white wilderness of Iceland and Greenland. Rounding out the program, Art from the Arctic and Expedition to the End of the World both follow groups of artists and scientists as they travel deep into the frozen waters of the Arctic Circle. For exact screening dates, visit the ACMI website.
Pacific Overtures is one of Stephen Sondheim's most rarely performed musicals — this production at Theatreworks by Melbourne outfit Watch This is actually the work's first professional premiere in Australia. Perhaps its because it's set in 1853, with America and Japan on the brink of conflict, a story that demands the kind of diverse casting that mainstage musical theatre has traditionally done quite badly. The music, too, is challenging. Even if Sondheim himself rates some of its songs as those he's proudest of composing, the conflict between East and West is reflected in the score and setting, a fusion of chamber opera and Japanese kabuki theatre. What's refreshing about the work's outing at Theatreworks is that it's Sondheim on an independent scale, with none of the bells, whistles, and revolving stages of a commercial theatre. After the success of the group's 2013 production of Assassins at fortyfivedownstairs (which will reappear on tour later this year) Pacific Overtures looks like a chance for Watch This to stake their claim on a brand of music theatre that's full of risk.
Just months after one Melbourne proposal claimed to be constructing the country's tallest building, another towering skyscraper has popped up to snatch its lofty crown. The latest super-tall contender is the $2 billion Green Spine, with UN Studio and Cox Architecture emerging victorious in the international competition to design the new addition to Southbank, all for developer Beulah International. Winning out over five other shortlisted proposals, the 356.2-metre-high Green Spine is actually two cantilevered towers that sport a noticeable twist — that is, the structures both physically twist in their geometric design. Terracing and glass also feature prominently, as does greenery. Indeed, as well as plant-filled public spaces along the ground and stepped lower levels, the building will include a 'future botanic garden' at its peak, which will basically be a garden in the sky that's accessible to everyone. Before you start looking up, however, The Age reports that a building application hasn't yet been submitted for the mixed-use development, which plans to feature apartments, offices, a hotel, retail spaces, an entertainment centre, restaurants, bars, a BMW showroom, a school and even a cinema. If it does come to fruition, Green Spine could possibly eclipse the previously announced Magic, also in Melbourne, which will span between 330 and 362 metres. The city's current tallest building is the 297.3-metre tall Eureka Tower, however the 319-metre Australia 108 residential tower at Southbank is in progress, and the 323-metre-tall One Queensbridge tower is also slated for the Crown precinct. Around the rest of the country, the Gold Coast's Q1 presently reaches 332.5 metres, with the new 328m Orion Towers in Surfers Paradise in development.
If you're ever uncertain about the massive contribution Italians have made to Australian society, just stop for a minute and think about your favourite foods. Pizza. Pasta. Salumi. Gelato. And don't even get us started on the booze. The good news is you'll find all that and more at the Italian Wine + Food Festival this weekend. Taking over the Royal Exhibition Building this Sunday, May 29, this day-long gastronomic bonanza will welcome the proprietors and chefs from some of most beloved Italian eateries in town. We're talking Bar Idda, 400 Gradi and Rosa's Kitchen, to name but a few. There'll be cooking demonstrations, pasta-making classes and workshops with Victoria's top sommeliers. Those looking to put what they learn into practice can swing by the festival food market and find all the ingredients they need to cook an Italian feast at home. And once you're done shopping you can kick back with a glass of vino — or perhaps an Italian aperitif of choice from the pop-up bar — and enjoy live Italian jazz in the wine garden.
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."
Located just a stone's throw from Footscray Park and the banks of the Maribyrnong River, this haven of green space offers a slice of tranquility away from the buzz of Melbourne's inner west. Over the past few years, the former quarry has been steadily transformed into a lush public open space complete with picnic areas, rolling green slopes and some top-notch views of the city skyline. But it's perhaps Quarry Park's mountain bike facilities that have earned it the strongest following of late, with a series of bike trails, a dedicated skills park and pump tracks for junior riders all completed in late 2019. A slew of other improvements and additions are also in the works including plans for a Korean War Memorial, which will honour the Australians who served in the Korean War from 1950–53.
Surfing and gig-going have always been two of Australia's best-loved pastimes, and in 2018 we scored a festival celebrating the best of both worlds. After returning this year, it's back for its third round of autumnal beachside festivals. Returning from February–April 2020, The Drop festival will cruise around the country as it once again follows the Aussie leg of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour — and it's bringing a banging little lineup of musical gold along for the ride. Surfing the festival wave are dance music legends The Presets, Aussie indie-rock chart-toppers Boy & Bear and Brisbane's Ball Park Music, along with other local acts Allday, DZ Deathrays, Kita Alexander and Graace. Held on the first weekend of each area's surfing event, The Drop is set to grace some of the Australia's most iconic surf spots, each outing featuring a locally focused offering of food, drink and culture, to match the tunes. As well as heading to the official WSL events in Torquay, Margaret River and Coolangatta as it has since 2018 — and forming part of WSL Qualifying Series events Surfest Newcastle and Vissla Sydney Surf Pro in Manly, as it did in 2019 — the fest will also hit Noosa as part of the WSL Noosa Longboard Open. [caption id="attachment_753214" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Ian Laidlaw[/caption] THE DROP FESTIVAL 2020 LINEUP The Presets Boy & Bear Ball Park Music Allday DZ Deathrays Kita Alexander Graace THE DROP FESTIVAL 2020 DATES Noosa, Qld — Dolphins Rugby Club, Sunshine Beach, Saturday, February 29 Newcastle, NSW — Empire Park, Saturday, March 7 Manly, NSW — Keirle Park, Saturday, March 14 Coolangatta, Qld — Queen Elizabeth Park, Saturday, March 28 Torquay, Vic — Torquay Common, Saturday, April 11 Margaret River, WA — Barnard Park, Busselton, Saturday, April 25 The Drop tickets go on sale from 6pm AEDT on Wednesday, December 4, with pre-sales available from 6pm, Tuesday, December 3 for folks who register in advance (prior to 6pm, Monday, December 2). For more info, visit thedropfestival.com.au. Images: Walk Wild Studio/ Miranda Stokkel / Ian Laidlaw.
Vegans, hold onto your tempeh — the team behind beloved vegan eateries Smith & Daughters and Smith & Deli are releasing their top-secret, work-of-genius recipes to the world. The Fitzroy restaurant and deli announced yesterday via Facebook that they'll be releasing their first ever cookbook, featuring a whole heap of Smith & Daughters' crazy how-did-they-do-that? creations from head chef Shannon Martinez. This might be your chance to get your hot little hands on their vegan doughnut recipe. Details about the cookbook are few and far between, although we know that it'll be released through Hardie Grant Books "later on this year". The reaction to the news has been predictably ecstatic, with the Facebook announcement garnering more than 500 reactions in less than half a day. It's the moment we've been waiting our whole lives for... It's really really really happening! Smith & Daughters, the... Posted by Smith & Daughters on Tuesday, 5 April 2016 Co-owners Martinez and Mo Wyse do a roaring trade in Fitzroy, and having launched lunchtime spinoff Smith & Deli around the corner from their Brunswick Street restaurant last year. They're one of our favourite vegan joints in Melbourne, so naturally we're pretty amped to try their recipes at home. We've got our fingers crossed for the recipe for their vegan mac 'n' cheese. The Smith & Daughters cookbook is slated to be released through Hardie Grant Books later this year. For more information as it develops, keep your eyes on their Facebook page.
If you've ever needed your texts in physical form, designer Joe Doucet has created a nifty little mobile printer that produces your text message conversations on paper. The 'Blackbox SMS Printer' simply connects to your phone through a cable to produce two identical records of any conversation, no matter how long, using a "standard, non-carbon receipt printing system." Importantly, the designer states that this printer is appropriate "whether the communique is of a loving or legal nature." So if you're keen on treasuring some heartwarming messages from your lover, and also scared of the inevitable cracking of your iPhone screen making them illegible, the Blackbox will be right up your alley. Furthermore, it's only a matter of time before these little text message scripts become evidence of communication between dodgy drug dealers in high profile court cases. [via PSFK]
Games of Thrones is the world’s most pirated TV show, The Avengers made more than $1.5 billion at the box office and even the President of the United States once collected Spider Man comics. In other words, it’s pretty cool to be a nerd these days. Just ask avid Dungeons and Dragons player Vin Diesel. The ultimate celebration of everything geeky, the Supanova Pop Culture Expo hits the Melbourne Showgrounds April 11 - 13. From cosplay comps to comic book signings and photo opportunities with sci-fi and fantasy icons, it’s a three-day mecca of uninhibited, unironic nerdiness that attracts thousands of eager pilgrims every year. Of course such an event can seem overwhelming, especially to the uninitiated. So, whether you’ll be attending in your fully functioning Iron Man costume, or experiencing the convention for the very first time, here are our recommendations for getting the best out of Supanova 2014. Shop around for the zombie apocalypse A huge part of any convention experience is simply walking the floor and perusing the vendor booths. Browse through rare and classic comic books, hunt down elusive collectables, or arm yourself for the impending zombie apocalypse with custom designed swords and machetes. Just be sure to give the expo's weapons policy a read first. That’s right, there’s a weapons policy. Show your competitive side While it’s easy to stereotype con-goers as a mostly sedentary group of people, it turns out Supanova offers plenty of opportunity for rigorous physical exercise. Join an epic game of laser tag in a special inflatable arena, or get a crash-course in Harry Potter’s favourite pastime courtesy of the athletes at the Australian Quidditch Association. A pinball tournament probably doesn’t offer quite the same workout, admittedly, but an iPad to the winner is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Live out your '90s dream of meeting Xena Meet the men and women behind some of the biggest characters in geekdom. Faces on this year’s guest list include Xena’s Lucy Lawless, Game of Thrones’ Finn Jones, Doctor Who companion Freema Agyeman, Whedonverse alum Ron Glass and Tom Lenk, plus authors, voice actors and comic book artists aplenty. Just be aware, when it comes to a lot of the bigger names, autographs and photos don’t always come free. For a full list of guests and their signing fees, go here. Learn the creative side of things Although we all know names like Gandalf and Dumbledore, the true wizards of science fiction and fantasy are the unsung visual effects artists. The Imagineer’s Playground will be present to give fans a close up look at the craft of costuming, special effects makeup, video game design and more. You can even get some 'how-to' tips and compete in the Supanova Fan Art Competition. Come in character (if you've got the guts) At the end of the day, it’s easy to separate the hardcore fans from the nerd-curious newbies by a quick glance at what they’re wearing. Anyone sporting Jedi robes, a Super Saiyan hair cut or any kind of jetpack has probably done this before. Whether you’re game enough to dress up yourself, there are sure to be plenty of elaborate costumes on display, with the very best on the catwalk for the Madman National Cosplay Championships. For more information on the Melbourne Supanova Pop Culture Expo, visit www.supanova.com.au. Image credits: David Chau, Ruben Schade and Jessica Truscott via Creative Commons.
When it comes to picnics, as with all al fresco gatherings involving great food, company and libations: sharing is caring. Joining your besties for a communal feast of cheese, snacks and cocktails is one of life's simple pleasures we've been missing out on lately — and we're keen to make up for the lost time. So, if you've been put in charge of drinks for your next get-together, it's time to think big. Luckily, there's a stack of local bars and labels whipping up supersized liquid creations you'll be proud to share with your mates. To prep you for the season ahead, we've rounded up some of the best locally-made large-format cocktails going around from fruity spritzes made on native botanicals, to blockbuster-sized bloody marys. All are ready-to-pour with minimal packaging taking up precious room in your esky. After all, not all good things come in small packages. HOME GROWN'S SPRITZ COCKTAILS Spritz season is upon us, but before you reach for the Aperol, you might want to check out the crafty renditions made by local hospitality incubator Worksmith. The Home Grown label currently features three Aussie-inspired, ready-to-pour spritzed cocktails, served in 750-millilitre glass wine bottles ($45). There's the Creamy Soda Highball boasting hints of sarsaparilla and a touch of whisky, a Ginger & Mango Spritz starring Anther Gin, and the Strawberry & River Mint Spritz — a dry, yet fruity fusion of Grainshaker Rye Vodka, Økar Island Bitters and aromatic berries. Coming in at around the 9 percent ABV mark, they're ideal served over ice for sunny afternoon sips on the grass. Stock up: Solo bottles and three-packs are available online for regular shipping. You'll also find them at select local independent bottle shops. ZONZO ESTATE'S BELLINI DI CRISTINA The bellini is the ultimate boozy brunch sip, but thanks to all these lockdowns, the two of you are probably disastrously overdue for a catch-up. So make up for lost time with a generous shared serve of this classic Italian peach-infused aperitif, hand-crafted by a Yarra Valley winemaker. Zonzo Estate's new Bellini di Cristina is a fruity, refreshing blend of prosecco and peach nectar, starring chardonnay grapes grown in the Murray Darling. Full of bright peachy aromas and boasting a gentle fizz, it's a treat that's perfect for the picnic hamper, served in a classic 750-millilitre wine bottle ($25). Stock up: Order online to get a bottle — or a box of six or twelve — shipped to your door. Otherwise, find it at select boutique bottle shops around Melbourne. MR WEST'S BAGNUMS If you're a booze connoisseur located in the west, chances are you're already acquainted with Mr West's foray into the large-format drinks market. The bottle shop and bar earned itself plenty of new fans with the release of its 1.5-litre 'bagnums' ($99), featuring pre-batched house cocktails served in easy-pour bladder packs. Containing 12 serves, the espresso martini version is crafted on Mr Black coffee liqueur, cold drip coffee, stout and vodka. Or, if aperitivo hour's on the cards, there's the signature negroni made with Poor Toms gin, which packs enough for between 16 and 20 serves. Oh, and with no glass or cardboard to worry about, these are the perfect esky choice. Stock up: Jump onto Mr West's online store to order one of these bad boys for delivery or click-and-collect. ZSA'S MEGA MARY If you prefer your cocktails to be full of tomato and with a bit of a fiery kick, we'd like to inform you that Zsa's is currently whipping up your ultimate share-friendly park sip. Behold, the Mega Mary — a one-litre pop-top bottle of rich, truffle-infused bloody mary. A recent release from the Northcote bar and bistro, this feisty cocktail already has something of a cult following among northside spice fiends. It's made to a secret house recipe, with lashings of Truff hot sauce elevating it well beyond your basic bloody mary situation. One of the giant serves will set you back $60, though there's also a combo pack featuring twelve freshly-shucked oysters for $96. Stock up: The Mega Mary is available for pick up — order online. MR MIYAGI'S COCKY BOXES Fun-loving modern Japanese restaurant Mr Miyagi has put a cheeky, new-school spin on the humble goon box, starring blended house cocktails instead of cheap wine. Each of the $55 Cocky Boxes comes filled with six serves of drink (750 millilitres), with a tap for easy pouring and Mr Miyagi's signature black-and-pink branding signalling good times ahead. You can choose between the Charlie Does Tokyo — a blend of gin, umeshu, yuzu and lime — or the Sanchez Does Kyoto, featuring a gutsy fusion of tequila, yuzu and agave. All boxed up in easy-to-transport cardboard, ready to take from fridge to park. Stock up: The Cocky Boxes are available to pre-order for pick up and delivery from the Windsor restaurant. CAPITANO'S NEGRONUS MAXIMUS The drinks maestros at Italian bar and restaurant Capitano have created a supersized negroni pour with a beefed-up name to match: the Negronus Maximus ($90). Only serious cocktail-sippers need apply. Clocking in at a hefty 750 millilitres, this bottle of goodness features seven and a half serves of the venue's signature negroni blend, ready to infuse your picnic with all the Italian aperitivo vibes you could want. Just add one of the kitchen's pizzas or vodka pastas for full effect. If you're looking to downsize, the bar's also serving smaller pre-batched sips, including an olive oil martini and the Tiramisu Milk Punch. Stock up: A selection of Capitano cocktails are available for click-and-collect and local delivery — order here. Top Image: Mr Miyagi Cocky Box
For this year's Good Beer Week festivities, Taxi Kitchen invites punters to indulge in a little escapism at its sumptuous banquet inspired by a post-hunt feast. Think: long communal tables, merriment in abundance and a menu centred around a giant whole beast. On Wednesday, May 19, the Fed Square restaurant hosts its Good Swill Hunting dinner, celebrating hearty winter fare and some cracking beers from across Australia and New Zealand. Diners will be treated to a grand spread from executive chef Tony Twitchett, running from canapes and terrine, to a whole pig — with crackling — and an apple tart to finish. Each dish will be carefully matched to a tasty beer (or two), with the likes of Brooklyn Brewery's Pulp Art Hazy IPA, Panhead's Sucky Mon Mon Japanese lager and the golden sour ale by White Rabbit just some of those in the lineup. Craft Beer Ambassador Ryan Loft will play MC for the evening's festivities, and brewers from each label will be there to talk you through what you're drinking as you're drinking it. [caption id="attachment_680384" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Giulia Morlando[/caption]
When March arrives, the Murray River transforms into a wonderland of reds, oranges and golds. It's the ideal season to visit. While outdoorsy types can walk, cycle and paddle, wine aficionados can linger over autumnal releases, with rolling vineyards and river sunsets as their backdrop. Here are five dreamy ways to enjoy the Murray's changing colours, from drifting down the river on a houseboat to cycling along share paths scattered with sculptures and cantering on horseback through red river gum forests. SLEEPOVER ON A HOUSEBOAT To completely immerse yourself in the river – from dawn till dusk – stay on a houseboat. All you have to do is sit back, relax and watch the day roll by (unless, of course, you're captain). Or, you can get as adventurous as you like, mooring at riverside villages, stopping by wineries for tastings, embarking on kayaking escapades, jumping in the water for dips and trying your hand at fishing. Most vessels come with a variety of spaces, including sunny decks, glass-walled lounge rooms and outdoor spas. If you've cash to splash, go for a luxury model, such as Magic Murray Houseboats' Magic or Murray River Houseboats' Decadence, which each feature four queen or king bedrooms, luxurious linen, TVs galore, a spa and sun deck. Meanwhile, Mildura Houseboats' fleet ranges from back-to-basics to total extravagance, so there are options for any budget. Stacks more boats are listed on the Wander Victoria website. JUMP ON A BICYCLE It's possible to ride the entire length of the Murray, from its source on the slopes of Mount Kosciuszko to its mouth in Coorong, about 75 kilometres southeast of Adelaide. However, if you don't have weeks to spare (and Amazonian legs), then there are plenty of shorter cycle paths to explore. In Echuca, the Food and Wine Trail takes in numerous cellar doors and local producers, including Morrisons Winery and Cape Horn Vineyard, which both afford expansive views of the river. If you're heading to Albury, conquer the Wagirra Trail, a six-kilometre roll dotted with river-inspired sculptures created by local Indigenous artists. And in Mildura, you'll find several options, including the 12.5-kilometre Riverfront Highlights route, which passes Mildura Arts Centre, Old Mildura Homestead and Ornamental Lakes. PADDLE A CANOE, KAYAK OR STAND-UP BOARD Another way to see autumn from the water – apart from hiring a houseboat – is by canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. For red river gums, koalas and cockatoos, make tracks to Barmah National Park, where there are four paddling trails, between 2.7 and 17.4 kilometres long. Nearby lies Murray Valley National Park, home to the Edward River, a tranquil tributary of the Murray sprinkled with picnic areas and swimming spots. You'll find hire facilities in many riverside towns, including Echuca (Echuca SUP and Echuca Boat and Canoe Hire), Cohuna (Murray River Adventours) and Albury-Wodonga (Canoe the Murray). If you're not confident paddling on your own or would like someone else to take care of the organising, book an adventure with Southern Side Eco Tourism, who'll take you to remote terrain and put you up in a bell tent, or River Country Adventours, whose canoe safaris run on the Goulburn River. HORSE RIDING THROUGH RED RIVER GUM FOREST If reading Black Beauty changed your life forever, then make your equine dreams come true at Billabong Ranch. This 390-acre property just ten minutes' drive from Echuca is an adventure park, where you can jump on a horse's back and canter alongside rivers and through red river gum forest. There are four journeys to choose from: a one-hour bush and creek ride, a two-hour journey beside Goulburn River, a three-hour escapade taking in the Goulburn and the Murray, and a winery ride, which carries you to a local cellar door. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, then the latter can be turned into an overnighter, with extra activities, such as a longer ride to a local pub, a mini cattle muster, a cruise on a paddle steamer and a tour of the Great Aussie Beer Shed. GO WINE TASTING What better way to admire dazzling autumn leaves than with a glass of wine in hand? There are several places to sip and sample along the Murray. If you're Mildura-bound, then begin your explorations at the Sunraysia Cellar Door, where more than 250 wines await your review. Just 15 minutes' drive away in Trentham Cliffs is Trentham Estate, a family-owned winery and restaurant on the banks of the Murray. It's one of many waterfront wineries along the river. Drive southeast for two hours to reach Piangil, where you'll find Andrew Peace's cellar door, then another two-and-a-half to Echuca Moama, home to Cape Horn Vineyard and Morrisons Winery. While you're in the area, get off the beaten track with a trip along the Backroads Trail, stopping at The Old School to try some small-batch meads and Restdown for organic drops. For more ideas on how to spend your autumn getaway in the Murray River region and across the state, check out the Wander Victoria website.
