If it's ethereal indie folk you're after, Dustin Tebbutt is your man. His music is described by his record label as "the music for your autumns and winters" which, in our opinion, couldn't be more accurate. The haunting isolation that comes through his high echoey vocals and crisp acoustic guitar certainly create feelings of isolation and introspection. Well, it's a good thing he's coming to town as the temperature is starting to drop. Tebbutt's latest national tour is for his latest EP, Bones, and it's gorgeous. First single 'Bones' is much like what we saw on debut EP The Breach; incredibly entrancing music that has the ability to transport its listeners far away from anyone or anything. If you enjoy the thoughtful sounds of Bon Iver or Sigur Rós, then Dustin Tebbutt is a local boy you definitely shouldn't miss. https://youtube.com/watch?v=OysNiYXWga0
While seeing fruit mince pies in your local shopping centre in October feels downright disturbing, there's one Christmas treat that no one ever minds arriving early: Four Pillars annual Christmas Gin. The third iteration of the Healesville distillery's seasonal sip is coming in strong, set to hit shelves next Saturday, November 3. It's the delicious result of a yearly tradition that sees a bunch of Christmas puddings — handmade with the owner's family recipe — distilled with various festive botanicals to create a sought-after tipple that pretty much screams December 25. The flavours of an Aussie Christmas are captured in notes of cinnamon, star anise, juniper, coriander and angelica. The Christmas gin is then blended with some earlier gin that's been carefully ageing in old muscat barrels. It's all finished with a hit of Rutherglen muscat and some of Four Pillars' own matured muscat for a bit of added richness and complexity. Each year, a new unique label is chosen to wrap up this Christmas creation, setting out to evoke that same festive spirit. 2018's bottle design is the work of Stephen Baker, the Melbourne artist responsible for the mural outside Fitzroy Pool and one of the Art Trams currently rattling around the city. The bottle is decorated with his bold geometric shapes and bright hues of bathers by the pool, and pretty much nails the feel of a hot and summery Aussie Christmas. The distillers recommend you drink it in a Christmassy G&T with grapefruit sherbet and star anise, or a cobbler with lemon, muscat and a bit of sugar. Or you can just splash a bit of it on your Christmas pudding — Four Pillars is selling its own four-serve puds for $25 alongside the gin. If you want to nab a bottle, have your fingers poised over the 'buy' button when they go on sale online on November 3. Alternatively, you can stop by the distillery's CBD pop-up on level six of Myer, or Four Pillars HQ in Healesville. Bottles are $100 a pop and you can get it shipped in a copper gift box (with a stirring spoon) for an extra $15. Four Pillars Christmas Gin is available from November 3, in selected retail stores and online. But you'd best be quick — there's only a limited amount of bottles.
Bright Brewery is a mountain town brewery, so, naturally, it only uses fresh mountain water in its brews. Being able to say your brews are 'mountain crafted' is pretty badass, not to mention extremely picturesque. The brewery door is open daily and features a 24-tap bar, which is especially impressive — even for a brewery. The Fainters Dubbel or Razor Witbier are our recommendations. Take them out onto the brewery's sprawling terrace, where you can settle in for the afternoon with a pizza or snack from the bar's extensive pub menu. The brewery's proximity to Mount Buffalo and Alpine National Park also means you can make this one a double road trip and sneak in a hike between pints.
Imagine if your quick trip to the convenience store was even faster and more convenient? Well, this could soon be a reality, as 7-Eleven Australia launches its new cashless, cardless concept store, where transactions are all processed via smartphone. The app-based technology was first trialled alongside the regular point-of-sale system at the group's Exhibition Street store in the CBD, but this new Richmond store will be the first in Australia to rely on it entirely. Operating similarly to Amazon's groundbreaking, fully automated grocery store, which opened in Seattle last year, 7-Eleven's new process ditches physical checkout counters in favour of a smartphone app. Customers scan barcodes of their selected items as they move through the store, then pay via the 7-Eleven Mobile Checkout App, which is linked to their credit card. 7-Eleven launches Australia's first cashless and cardless convenience store in Melbourne's inner suburb of Richmond where customers use their smartphones to complete their transactions. https://t.co/AH8jNCtwjU pic.twitter.com/szMtsszQG9 — 7-Eleven Australia (@7ElevenAus) May 29, 2019 According to 7-Eleven, the payment process has been honed to be as quick and user-friendly as possible. And with zero queues, it means means less time waiting to sink your teeth into that late-night sausage roll. Like Queen Lizzie, we're guessing people will cheat the self-service system — putting pricey Ben & Jerry's tubs through as $1 Slushies — but 7-Eleven says there'll be plenty of staff on hand to greet, assist and keep an eye on the customers. While no more check-out free stores have been in Melbourne or interstate just yet, the company says it is exploring more "ultimate convenience" options, such as delivery and micro store formats. We'll let you know if it decided to launch any more. You can find 7-Eleven's new app-driven concept store at 2/658 Church Street, Richmond. You'll need to download the 7-Eleven store app from the Apple Store or Google Play before you shop.
Fancy an art experience that extends beyond looking at works on a wall? Then prepare to be impressed by Melbourne's new 3000-square-metre, 11-metre-high immersive digital art gallery. THE LUME Melbourne has opened the doors to its new permanent home at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), where some of the world's most celebrated artworks will be projected in large-scale format. Until October 9, THE LUME Melbourne's inaugural experience will be celebrating the work and life of Vincent van Gogh, allowing you to literally walk through his renowned masterpieces. The swirling hues of The Starry Night will be illuminated around you, and a mirrored infinity room filled with bold yellow blooms will have you immersed in Sunflowers. You can expect a reimagined Café Terrace at Night and a life-size recreation of Van Gogh's The Bedroom, too. A carefully curated fusion of colour, sound, taste and aroma will see you experience the works of the famed Dutch artist like never before. The exhibition is closing soon, so nab your tickets, stat! Van Gogh at THE LUME Melbourne is on until Sunday, October 9. Head to the website to secure your tickets.
It's been a while in the making but planning for the 'adult Triple J' is now well underway, with Myf Warhurst at the helm. After taking control of digital music channel Dig in October last year, Triple J today announced that the over-30s station will be rebranded as Double J and officially launched on April 30 with Warhurst as regular presenter. The new station name is a throwback to Triple J's early days as Double J — a time when listeners were introduced to The Ramones and Joy Division and the station became a landmark in Australia's music history. Now, Double J will focus on the nostalgia of the '80s and '90s "celebrating the iconic music you grew up with" (N.B. This means a lot of Nick Cave, Nirvana and INXS), while adding in some palatable new sounds. "We have wanted to build a station like this for a number of years and now, with your help, we are really proud to deliver Double J," says Triple J manager Chris Scaddan. "While it won’t be a throwback to the music of the original Double J, it will be a station that takes the best elements of triple j’s past - a name, a presenter and the incredible archives, thrown headlong into the future with the best new sounds around." The reaction on Twitter has been positive with a touch of needling. — Callum Wilson (@Cal___) April 8, 2014 HEY! Gen X (old people) stop listening to @triplej its sad & you're making it uncool.We made you another thing over here #DoubleJ #TripleJ — Michael Davis (@MikeyMikeD) April 8, 2014 Regardless, the move is a necessary step to satisfy those who have felt disconnected from the national youth broadcaster of late. Alongside the usual complaints — "The Doctor sucks"; "Dubstep sucks"; "I hate hipster music and banjos" — Triple J has courted some controversy in the past few months about the homogenisation of their playlists. Faced with the familiar, high-rotation airplay of young indie acts like San Cisco, upcoming bands and old favourites alike have been reportedly feeling pressure to conform to a specific sound. Double J will hopefully help to quell this unrest and provide a bit of diversity to the listening landscape. "One of the best things any of us working in the media can do is to deliver something that audiences genuinely want," says ABC director of radio Kate Dundas. "We recognise people want to stay connected to music and discover new artists as they go through life — that’s the simple aim of Double J." Double J will launch at midday on Wednesday, April 30, with a live broadcast from Warhurst. The former Spicks and Specks favourite will present a daily show from 11am–3pm weekdays. The full list of programs and presenters will be revealed on air and you can listen in via the ABC radio app, online at www.doublej.net.au, or on your digital radio or TV.
When October rolls around each year, there's really only one appropriate thing to watch. That'd be horror movies, horror movies and more horror movies — all leading up to Halloween, obviously. Australia's A Night of Horror International Film Festival clearly loves the genre no matter the time of year; however, in 2021, it's showcasing its lineup of fear-inducing flicks in the two weeks right before the spookiest day of them all. So, from Monday, October 18–Sunday, October 31, you can get your scares at its virtual fest. And yes, by jumping online, that means the event is accessible nationally as well. This is A Night of Horror's 13th fest, fittingly, and it comes with an unsettling program of shorts and features. From the full-length titles on the bill, highlights include the UK's Lair, about an occult expert and skeptic with a pal who thinks he's possessed; New Zealand's The Turn of the Screw, the latest big-screen adaptation of Henry James' novel; and the Aussie-made My Cherry Pie, which nods back to 80s slasher fare — plus dreamlike Austrian effort Memory, and the supernatural and sinister Sunod from The Philippines.
UPDATE, March 14, 2022: Sizzlefest will no longer be hosting an evening session on Friday, March 18 due to staff shortages. This article has been updated to reflect that change. Barbecue eats are set to reign supreme this month, when the annual Sizzlefest returns to the Prahran Market. The free event fires up the southside food precinct from Saturday, March 19, to Sunday, March 20, for two big days of flame-driven celebrations. Across various sessions — Saturday (12–5pm) and Sunday (12–3pm) — Market Square will come alive with pop-up stalls slinging an array of grilled delights from the likes of Berbeo Bros, Hoy Pinoy and The Que Club. Meanwhile, the Mezzanine plays host to a pop-up beer garden by Deeds Brewing, complete with live tunes and lawn games. And if you fancy levelling up your own skills, catch a program of workshops and cooking demos led by seasoned grill experts like Danish-born chef Bente Grysbaek (Pope Joan). As for the famed Sausage Tasting Competition, it'll make its return on the Sunday, once again seeing some of the market's top butchers battle it out for the title of champion snag, as voted by the public. To help pick the winner, grab a $5 ticket and you'll score a sample plate featuring each of this year's sausage creations, plus a Prahran Market shopping bag. All proceeds from these tickets will go to support food rescue organisation SecondBite. Hit the Prahran Market website for the full program and to buy tickets.
The Dromana 3 Drive-In is worthy of a trip down the Peninsula at any time of year, but it's busting out the big (and truly spooky) guns this year for Halloween. The cinema and the gang at HauntZone have built two mazes: 'Infected' and 'Darkness Manor'. It's probably safe to assume this won't be a casual amble through a hedge maze. From Wednesday, October 30, you can catch Halloween-appropriate flicks each night including a special 40th anniversary screening of The Amityville Horror, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Zombieland Double Tap and Ready Or Not. Come down with a carload, head into the two mazes before your flick and prepare to scream your guts out — bring a mate you feel comfortable holding on to for dear life because there's a whole list of disclaimers that come with maze entry. The haunted attractions will set you back $18, in addition to film tickets, and are only around until November 4.
Films about the holocaust will never be considered easy viewing. Revisiting one of the darkest chapters of human history is a confronting experience, as is facing the specific details of the atrocious deeds committed. Some movies try to temper their bleakness by honing in on unlikely heroism, like Schindler's List, or the comedy of tragedy, like Life is Beautiful, or offering a child’s view of events, like The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Hungarian filmmaker László Nemes does none of this. Son of Saul doesn’t just contemplate challenging material — it is designed to immerse viewers in the horrific ordeal that was life in a concentration camp. While charting the daily misery of Jewish prisoners might sound familiar, it's the inner workings of the Sonderkommando that are thrust into the spotlight here. Those unacquainted with the term may be startled to discover its meaning, referring to a unit of detainees that assisted the Nazis with the very worst aspects of their final solution. Sonderkommando workers escorted their fellow inmates into the gas chamber, then cleaned up the aftermath. Their compliance was coerced, unsurprisingly; by hastening the deaths of others, they avoided their own for a few months. In a film fictional in its specifics but inspired by actual testimonies in the book The Scrolls of Auschwitz, Saul Ausländer (Géza Röhrig) is one of many men caught in this unfortunate situation — but when he tries to help a boy that crosses his path, he stands out from the rest of the group. Over the course of a turbulent 24 hours in 1944, he attempts to find a rabbi to give the child a proper burial. As he's searching, endeavouring to evade the camp's guards in the process, other members of the Sonderkommando plot their own larger acts of rebellion. Though there's no doubting the powerful nature of this story, Nemes' stylistic choices prove just as potent as the predicament he explores. It is impossible not to notice the feature's boxed-in aesthetics and constrained atmosphere, nor its concerted efforts to ensure the audience feels as trapped and claustrophobic as the on-screen characters. The filmmaker shoots in the Academy aspect ratio of 1.375:1, and keeps the camera as close as possible to his protagonist. The parallels he's trying to cultivate might be obvious, but that doesn't lessen their intensity. For viewers and Saul alike, there is simply no escape. Nemes isn't the feature's only standout, however — and while the writer-director is forceful in his approach, his leading man offers an understated counterpart. In his first film role, and in a performance conveyed through mannerisms more than dialogue, Röhrig makes Saul's struggle seethe beyond its historical context. Striving to aid another, even in difficult circumstances; putting someone else's needs before our own; choosing empathy, not just endurance. Ultimately, aren't these the things that make us human?
Unfolding over 200 kilometres, the country's largest outdoor gallery will soon play host to the new Silo Art Hotel — a luxury, street art-themed pop-up getaway located in Sea Lake, near the northwest corner of the art trail's looped route. Announced today, Monday May 17, the Silo Art Hotel will give visitors an opportunity to spend the night just a short hop away from the trail's many spectacular visual offerings. Located beside the vivid pink waters of Lake Tyrrell, the hotel is crafted from three repurposed shipping containers, two of which have been transformed into luxe suites. The third has been reimagined as a heated open-air swimming pool, ideal for weary travellers after a long day spent exploring the region. It's all appearing for just one month, from June 11–July 12 this year. A joint effort from Visit Victoria and street art collective Juddy Roller, the Silo Art Hotel will offer some visual splendours of its own with the Matt Adnate Suite and Drapl & Zookeeper Suite each kitted out with never-before-seen artworks from their respective namesake artist. Adnate concepted and created the mural on the Sheep Hills silos in 2016, while Drapl & The Zookeeper are behind the collaboration that has graced the Sea Lake silos since 2019. A colourful mural by Rosebery silo artist Kaff-eine will adorn one side of the pop-up swimming pool. [caption id="attachment_812361" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Sea Lake silos, featuring artwork by Drapl and The Zookeeper.[/caption] The Silo Art Hotel design is the work of Contained — the same crew behind The Wine Down pop-up winery hotels. The two self-contained hotel rooms boast high-end features including fancy Cultiver linen and robes, Australian-made toiletry products and a mini bar stocked with local goodies. Each room will also boast a private deck, ensuite bathroom and reverse cycle heating and cooling. The Silo Art Trail has been slowly and steadily expanding since its conception in 2016. It currently features 10 large-scale artworks, painted onto towering silos dotted across the state's Wimmera Mallee region. The Silo Art Hotel will pop up at Sea Lake from June 11–July 12. Rooms are $275 per night Sunday through to Thursday, and $375 per night from Friday to Saturday. Head to the website to book your stay.
When blissed out, soon-to-be-married American couple Nica (Hani Furstenberg) and Alex (Gael Garcia Bernal), set off on a hiking adventure in Georgia's remote Caucasus Mountains, they have little idea that their seemingly idealistic world is about to be profoundly challenged. To all appearances, the two share an unshakeable connection — spiritually at ease yet sexually charged. Nica is spirited and independent, and Alex adores her. They toy with language games, compete playfully over who is fastest or strongest, and are in free pursuit of their mutual wanderlust. Local guide Dato (Georgian actor and real-life expert mountaineer Bidzina Gujabidze) leads them through one breathtaking scene after another. Then, halfway through the film, a single event (not to be delineated here, for fear of giving too much away), corrupts the couple's bond, raising questions of trust, betrayal, and guilt. The Loneliest Planet, loosely based on Tom Bissell's short story Expensive Trips Nowhere, continues the minimalist style established in Russian-born, American-raised director Julia Loktev's second feature, Day Night Day Night(2006). Dialogue is sparse and we learn next to nothing of the specific details that conventionally define character — history, family, education, career, values and so forth. Nearly everything that we do know, we discover through action and we interpret through the camera's positioning. Loktev is a big fan of the long shot. Numerous scenes portray Nica, Alex and Dato "together alone", united by their common journey yet divided, both spatially and emotionally. The deeper the trio move into Georgia's rugged, unpredictable wilderness, the more vulnerable and exposed they appear. Cinematographer Inti Briones successfully captures the striking undulations of the landscape, contrasting shadowy valleys with verdant grassy hills and creating ominous campfire scenes through single source lighting. Loktev's intention is to carry us into the film's mental and physical world, one in which time seems to stretch on forever and all conviction has been thrown into doubt. We identify Nica and Alex as representative of a 'type' — the earnest backpacker, keen to escape insular Western existence but overwhelmed when 'the wild' presents them with more than they'd bargained for. Nica demonstrates the behaviour of a self-sufficient, modern woman, yet Alex's failure to meet her expectations causes bitter disappointment. The film explores some of the grey areas arising from the breakdown of traditional dichotomies: West versus Other, male versus female, impulse versus duty. However, while Loktev's aims are admirable, her approach is risky. The limited development of the characters threatens to undermine our emotional engagement and the snail-paced tempo can seem laboured at times. Just as lovers ensconced in a romantic affair might potentially struggle with the vagaries of reality, a filmmaker engrossed in a concept may run the risk of occasionally losing sight of the viewer's experience at the point of reception. https://youtube.com/watch?v=SIIMFHcC1Fc
Which do you love more: picking up a haul of new plants at bargain prices or enjoying that much cherished weekend sleep-in? If your answer is both, you'll be pleased to know you can have your cake and eat it too when Ellis Street Studio plays host to a couple of after-dark plant sales later this month. Greenery-loving pop-up Wandering Jungle invites punters to drop by after work, pick up some lush new foliage for their collections and then party on into the night. Kicking off at 6pm on both November 28 and 29, the event will showcase a variety of indoor plant species for you to browse and buy, from devil's ivy to ponytail palms to the good ol' fiddle leaf fig. To round out the late-night shopping experience, the bar will also be serving a selection of tasty libations, while local DJ favourites work their magic on the decks.
At first glance, this brand new cocktail created by Melbourne bartender Kayla Reid might look a little fancy for drinking at home on the sofa during lockdown, but that's exactly what it's made for. "I wanted people to be able to buy a few ingredients, shake it up at home and make themselves a delicious drink," says Reid, bar manager at Nick & Nora's on Collins Street. "All the ingredients are things you can find at a bottle shop, and I didn't want to create something that would be stressful for anyone to make at home." The Mi-To Shakerato is Reid's take on both a Milano-Torino (Mi-To) and a Shakerato. The Milano-Torino cocktail being an older sibling to the more commonly known Italian aperitif, a negroni. "I wanted to keep it as simple as a negroni, which is just three ingredients but still really complex," she says. "The Milano-Torino came before the negroni and it is just equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth. A Shakerato is essentially Campari and some people add saline solution, others add orange bitters. You shake it, then strain it out so it's nice and chilled, aerated and crisp." Reid's drink combines those two cocktails — with the classic negroni in mind — to make something altogether new: a rich but light aperitivo drink with a bubbly effervescent finish. The Mi-To Shakerato is one of 50 new takes on the classic bittersweet negroni featured in the new Negroni Cocktail Book, compiled by Campari for Negroni Week. Alongside other leading bartenders in Australia, Reid has played with the history and provenance of the negroni to craft something refreshing for Australians to make for themselves at home while bars wait patiently to serve customers again after lockdown. One of the ingredients likely to raise eyebrows is the Becherovka, which Reid says is "like a gingery, warm baking spice kind of liqueur" and it's nothing to fear. One other key difference is that you're shaking this cocktail, whereas you would traditionally stir a negroni. Her tip for home bartenders is that "anything that seals can be a shaker. You can use a tupperware container with some ice and shake it up." Though the drink is designed so that you don't have to work too hard to create it, one bartending tool that Reid recommends is a fine strainer. "You can use a lot of things to strain off ice in a drink, but if you want to have more clarity in your drink, without little shards of ice, it's good to invest in a fine strainer. Aside from that, if you've got a spoon and a glass to stir down ice, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg to get a good bar kit." For those without a decade of bartending experience under their belt like Reid, to make a saline solution, simply mix water and salt to your preferred ratio (80/20 is a good guide). Or, "just add a crack of salt to the cocktail and it'll give you a pretty similar outcome." To make it look as graceful as Reid's version, choose a coupette or stemmed glass for that golden era elegance. It's also a chic way to retain the bubbles in your drink for longer. HOW TO MAKE A MI-TO SHAKERATO 30ml Campari 20ml Cinzano Rosso 10ml Becherovka (herbal bitters) 3 small mint leaves 3 drops of saline solution 40ml sparkling wine Shake all ingredients (except for the sparkling wine) with ice. Strain into a coupette. Add sparkling wine. Express the essential oils of a lemon peel. Twist the peel into a fancy garnish. Best enjoyed as an aperitif. Negroni Week runs from September 14–20. Download the free Negroni Cocktail Book for 60 different negroni recipes to try at home. Remember to Drinkwise.
fortyfivedownstairs is one of the best performance venues in the city, and with a name like that, it's easy to find. It's hosted hundreds of exhibitions, music recitals, theatre performances and other exquisite events since 2002 and now the art of seduction is coming to this versatile and grungy space with The Burlesque Hour: The Glory Box. Oh my. Hold onto your knickers because Glory Box features jaw-dropping acts by Moira Finucane, Yumi Umiumare, Holly Durant and Ursula Martinez, the latter of whom performed at Salman Rushdie's stag night. Paul Capsis, Pamela Rabe and Rhonda Burchmore will also make appearances on select nights only. Within the unpainted brick walls of fortyfivedownstairs, a seductive spectacle will sweetly unfold. Produced by Finucane & Smith, the multi-award winning Australian company, Glory Box is going to present paradise like Pandora never knew it.
Let's face it, when life gives you lemons, you don't always feel like lemonade. For some of us, a bad day at work, an unexpected bill or the total wet blanket that is lockdown can see you reaching for something a little more heavy duty than citrus juice. If the standard Netflix and takeout self-soothing strategy has worn thin, we get it. And that's why we've put together a few strategies to try next time life tosses you a curveball. PRIORITISE YOUR SLEEP How many days of the week do you wake up and feel like you've actually had enough sleep? For us, it's minus three. So when everything hits the fan, one thing we like to focus on is getting a good night's sleep. If you have a hard time falling asleep, there are a few habits you can incorporate into your nightly routine to wind down more easily. NSW Health recommends doing an activity that you find relaxing for an hour or so before bed like reading or taking a bath. Or, you could try incorporating a sleep supplement into your routine to assist in de-stressing from the day and to help you hit the hay at a reasonable hour. TAKE A SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK When things have gone awry it can be easy to distract yourself with mindless activities to escape. One way you might do that is by spending hours doomscrolling on social media platforms. And while social media definitely has its positives, it's not like you can control what other people post. Typically, people use social media to make public declarations of wins they've had, and that's great. We love celebrating our friends. But, if you've just had a loss, no matter how big or small, seeing someone nailing life can send you into a tailspin. That's not to say you can't be happy for people in those moments — you absolutely can. But before you login after a tough day, consider checking in with yourself and figure out whether or not you're emotionally prepared to deal with the feelings that may arise while being online. TAKE YOUR VITAMINS When you're not feeling 100 percent, taking active steps to look after your physical health is a great way to lift yourself out of your slump. Getting on top of the basics like good sleep, a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water is key. And, if you want to go even further, we recommend stocking up on vitamins from JSHealth, too. Whether you need something to help with skin health, hormone balance, sleep or stress, JSHealth has an extensive selection of supplements to choose from to help you take care of yourself. Plus, you'll get access to the JSHealth app for free with any order of vitamins — just use your order ID to access recipes, workouts, meditations and more, so you can get yourself back on track. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FINANCES When you've had a doozy of a day, it can be useful to shift your focus to things that you actually have control over. One of those things is your cash. And while at times it may feel like your money controls you more than you control it, taking time to sort out your finances (and actually following through with your plan) is possible. It can be useful to think of your money like other parts of your wellbeing. For example, if you want to start running, signing up for a marathon may not be the best place to start. The same applies to your dollarydoos. If you need to pay off some debt, want to bolster your savings or have a desire to start investing, you've gotta make time for it. And like running, if you stick to your plan, you'll get closer to your goal every day. Check out the Australian Government's moneysmart website for free tips on how to make your cash make sense (and cents). GET TRIPLE CLEAN We're all fans of freshly washed sheets, right? Crisp, warm and straight of the line on a sunny day are the top-tier kind. But to boost your mood on a less-than-average day, you've got to step things up a notch and get yourself triple clean. Let us talk you through what we mean. Step one is to strip your bed sheets and give your mattress a makeover with a fresh set of threads. Step two is to strip yourself and get squeaky clean in the shower. Then, it's time for step three — fresh PJs. Yep, time to swap out last night's pizza-stained pants for a fresh pair and soon after you'll be feeling like a million-dollar triple-clean queen. DIY PAMPER NIGHT We've never had a bath that we later regretted — ever. So next time things feel like they're spiraling out of control, consider taking a moment to slow yourself down with an at-home pamper session. One of the great things about a DIY pamper sesh is you get to decide how extra you want it to be. If you feel like going all out, pick up a new face mask, bath salts, a candle and a cheeky bottle of something to take to the tub. Or, if you're more the spontaneous type, dig out that gift pack your Secret Santa gave you last year and actually use it. Whether you want to go all out with a foot scrub and at-home microdermabrasion or are stoked by the idea of a classic bubble bath, the whole point is for it to be relaxing — so don't stress over the set up. You can do a lot with dim lighting, a calming soundtrack and warm water. GET SOME FRESH AIR If you spend a lot of time working indoors, a quick whip around the block can do wonders to your mood after a wonky day. There's no need to rush your walk or worry about getting hardcore exercise in while you enjoy the outdoors, either. It's all about getting a change of scenery and a lil fresh air to take you far away from your desk for a moment. To heighten the experience, you can add your favourite podcast to soundtrack the stroll. Or, if you want to get really in touch with nature, go sans headphones and soak up the natural sounds of your surroundings. MAKE A CONNECTION When we're feeling down in the dumps, it can be hard to reach out to loved ones. It's easy to feel like you'll be terrible company and no-one wants to feel like the party pooper in the pack. But think about how many times you've gladly sat with a friend after a breakup. They weren't exactly the life of the party on those occasions but you still happily made yourself available in their time of need. And guess what? Your friends will absolutely want to do that in return. But, if being around people is a no-go for you in those moments of distress, consider making a connection with yourself, instead. You could do this by by journalling, meditating or engaging mindfully in one of your hobbies. CROSS SOMETHING OFF YOUR LIFE ADMIN LIST We all have a list of tasks we've been meaning to get to but for one reason or another it keeps getting put on the backburner. And even more unfortunately, as time goes on, the list keeps getting longer, too. Whether it's returning an online shopping purchase, consolidating your superannuation funds or finally booking your car in for a service — we've all got a thing or two we could cross off our lists. So next time you're feeling like you're in a funk, consult your mental to-do list and tackle one of its tasks for a lil pick me up. SET A BOUNDARY With work from home now a reality for a lot of us, the boundary between work and play has become increasingly blurry — which makes sense considering a lot of dining tables now double as work desks. With physical spaces melding together like this, it's more important than ever to create a healthy set of boundaries, and stick to them. One way to do that is to set times for when you'll respond to work questions (hot tip: try and stick to your regular work hours). Another boundary you may need to implement is knowing when to say no to social occasions so that you can schedule in essential alone time to recharge. Just remember, if your boundaries impact others (and they often do) it's a good idea to communicate what they are so that others can understand your limitations and respect them without trying to read your mind. CP readers can take advantage of a 15% discount on all JSHealth products by using the code: CPLAYGROUND. Learn more about JSHealth by visiting the website here. Images: Unsplash.
In the last few years, Melbourne has experienced what can only be described as an explosion of vegetarian options. Suddenly, it's not just about piecing together a meal from the sides; now, establishments have dedicated veggie sub-sections on their menus and countless eateries cook entirely with plant-based products. There's never been a better time to be meat-free. The other wonderful thing about veggie dining in Melbourne is that you don't have to be a strict vegetarian or vegan to get in on the spoils. Even if you're only going meat-free on Mondays, you'll still find plenty of casual mid-week options, from veggie-driven fine dining, sans-meat Mexican to vegan lunch break options. No matter what you're craving, there's an eggplant option for you. To help you form this healthy habit, we've teamed up with American Express to find Melbourne's best restaurants that make eating vegetarian deliciously simple. Really, it's not hard to do — when you live in Melbourne, it's as easy as a swipe of your American Express® Card. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
Last month we found out that Melbourne Music Week was planning to take over Queen Victoria Market, now we know their full plan: they want the whole city. Released this morning, the full MMW program will see 250 artists take part in 110 events over 10 days of festivities in 40 locations. While your usual bars and bandrooms are all accounted for, this year you'll also be seeing music in laneways and trams, at Rooftop Cinema, the NGV, MPavilion, and power stations. It'll even be in elevators. No kidding — elevators. This enormous reach comes in an effort to showcase not only Melbourne's music, but the city itself. "Melbourne is one of the world's greatest music cities," said Councillor Beverley Pinder Mortimer from the City of Melbourne. "[In this festival] the city becomes the stage." Kind of like in that film with Kiera Knightly and Mark Ruffalo... but better. This morning's announcement saw local favourites Midnight Juggernauts, Remi and The Harpoons added to a lineup that already included Architecture in Helsinki, Cut Copy, Tangerine Dream, The Church and World's End Press. Further international artists like longstanding Detroit techno collective Underground Resistance, German dance duo Pachanga Boys and Oneohtrix Point Never were also added to the bill. The latter are definitely shows you should jump on quick. Underground Resistance are presenting a night of techno jazz with label founder Mike Banks, and Oneohtrix Point Never is lighting up Queen Vic with the help of local legend Robin Fox. If you don't have the time to comb through the program for gems like that, we suggest heading along to the Live Music Safari on Thursday, November 20. Back for another year, this marathon event will offer you a whole night of amazing free gigs in 14 venues across the city. Or, if you're hesitant about heading out on a school night, there's always the Self-Made series. With impromptu performances popping up on trams and elevators, you might just encounter something great on your way to work. Whether you're having a quiet drink or simply walking around the city at night, music is bound to find you in one way or another. And, with over half the events in this year's program free of charge, there's no reason to not get involved. Even 90 per cent of the ticketed events are under $50. If you'd like to get your hands on some, ticket sales have just opened. Melbourne Music Week runs from November 14-23. Check out the festival website to see the full program.
Melbourne is a bit partial to a good citywide festival, as you might have noticed from the likes of White Night, RISING and Melbourne Fringe. The latest festival to join the party is Now or Never, a huge 17-day event that's set to make its debut this winter, serving up a bumper celebration of creativity, innovation and big ideas. Originally announced in November last year, Now or Never has just revealed the first of its hefty lineups, descending on Melbourne's historic Royal Exhibition Building. Underneath its spectacular cathedral ceilings, the World Heritage listed site will play host to some of the festival's biggest events. Excitingly, Now or Never's festival lineup will mark the first large-scale live music performances in the iconic building in over 20 years. [caption id="attachment_902936" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Ayebatonye[/caption] "For the first time in more than two decades, Now or Never will bring large-scale live music back to the spectacular Royal Exhibition Building — with an unmissable line-up that celebrates our incredible homegrown talent, alongside ground-breaking work from international artists," Lord Mayor Sally Capp says. Topping the bill: a cutting-edge club night co-hosted by Untitled Group, the same crew behind Beyond the Valley, Pitch Music & Arts and Ability Fest. This high-energy twilight party will be headlined by German house and techno producer Âme, along with renowned DJ, producer and creative director of Irregular Fit, Ayebatonye. Joining them: Stockholm's tech and house producer Axel Boman, Melbourne native CC:DISCO!!, and Brisbane mainstay and Yuggera woman, dameeeela. [caption id="attachment_902935" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: dameeeela[/caption] There is also an Australian-exclusive performance by legendary singer, songwriter and producer Kelela, who will be supported by R&B musician serpentwithfeet. Plus, a night of live electronic music in pitch-black darkness with English duo Autechre, joined by electronic music duo Actress and bass-heavy innovators Giant Swan. Finally, Orchestra Victoria is partnering up with avant-garde composer Steve Reich to deliver an intricate performance. In more huge news, the southern hemisphere's biggest and longest-running festival of ideas, Semi Permanent, is dropping into Melbourne for a one-day iteration dubbed Never Permanent. Expect a collection of industry-leading thinkers and doers, across creativity, tech and design. [caption id="attachment_902934" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image: Kelela[/caption] "Never Permanent brings together the best creatives and innovators from around the globe," Semi Permanent Founder Murray Bell says. "This lineup for Never Permanent is shaping up to be one of our best yet, and we're thrilled for this to be a part of Now or Never." This is Now or Never's first lineup announcement, which run from Thursday, August 17–Saturday, September 2. Further details are expected to drop in late June, with Now or Never teasing a hefty program of free and ticketed events spanning a diverse array of experiences, art, talks, installations, music, culinary delights and more. Expect a calendar of happenings running both by day and into the night, including everything from virtual reality experiences, live tunes and digital exhibitions through to multi-sensory feasts, thought-provoking talks and captivating visual art. Now or Never will run from Thursday, August 17–Saturday, September 2 at venues across the city. Tickets for the first lineup announcement are on sale now. We'll share more details as they come. Top image: Supplied.
How many bricks of Lego does it take to build a bar? It probably wasn't the first Lego-related question we were going to ask (or test for ourselves) but The Brick Bar is proof that there are tangible answers to life's most ambitious questions. According to the creators of Australia's first bar made entirely out of Lego, it's a million bricks. And while we don't actually know if anyone counted a million bricks, you can try and fact check this point it when it pops up in South Wharf between September 13 and 16. You can expect elaborate Lego sculptures placed around the adults-only space, including a Lego bath, a Lego water feature and a Lego throne. There will be DJs playing across the afternoon and night, and you can try your hand at Lego table tennis or a Lego building competition. And there's a ball pit for some reason. Brick-shaped burgers will come courtesy of Common Man chef Malcolm Williams, and bevs will be served in Lego keep cups. Punters will also be able to make use of a huge pile of surplus bricks to fashion their own Lego creations, in public, with no shame at all. Just don't walk around barefoot. Updated: September 14, 2018.
Celebrate the start of the four-day weekend by travelling back to the '90s. On Good Friday Eve, Ding Dong Lounge will ride a wave of nostalgia until the wee hours of dawn, with live DJs, dancing and lots of terrible, terrible music you’ve retroactively convinced yourself is great. Expect Aqua, Nirvana and maybe a little Vanilla Ice. Entry is $5 at the door. Fresh Prince-style Dungarees are optional, but highly recommend (although maybe that's just us).
Over the past year, things have been a little quieter than normal over at the Heide Museum of Modern Art and its famed sculpture garden. But the precinct is starting 2021 with a bang, launching a brand-new nine-week music and culture festival. Kicking off this Sunday, January 17, the inaugural Heide Summer Festival will see the parkland grounds come alive with a series of live tunes, performances and dance, held in collaboration with a range of local cultural organisations. A program of January Sunday sessions is being put together by the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, with gigs from the likes of star saxophonist Solomon Sisay (January 17) and Yorta Yorta musician Allara Briggs Pattison (January 31). Then, there'll be a two-week program by Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation (February 7 and 14), featuring Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, the all-female Djirri Djirri Dance Group and local Aboriginal storyteller Uncle Larry Walsh. A Midsumma collaboration rounds out February with an interactive dance experience by All The Queens Men! LGBTQI+ Elders Dance Club (February 27), and an afternoon of sounds from Diimpa and Forest Collective (February 28). And the festival wraps up with a dose of contemporary Balkan brass courtesy of Opa! Bato, on March 7. Some festival events are free, though you'll still need to register for all tickets via the Heide website. [caption id="attachment_796599" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Uncle Larry Walsh, by Beata Mazur, courtesy of NITV.[/caption] Top Image: Heide x Midsumma, courtesy of Heide Museum of Modern Art
The Baroque Room is one of the multiple venues located within The Carrington Hotel, the Blue Mountains institution on Katoomba Street. Soon, it will play host to Ngaiire. The singer is undoubtedly a creative force of nature, as well as the first Papua New Guinean to feature in Triple J's Hottest 100. Since her Australian Idol appearance back in 2004, Ngaiire has been working on her unique brand of R&B and neo soul, which has seen her tour alongside acts as diverse as Flume and Alicia Keys. Her live performances are renowned for their theatricality, attention-grabbing costumes and incredible vocals — it's no exaggeration to say the mountains won't know what's hit them this spring. If you're keen to head along, you best get in quick as her later performance has already sold out. For the latest info on NSW border restrictions, head here. If travelling from Queensland or Victoria, check out Queensland Health and DHHS websites, respectively.
Got a thing for a good cuppa tea? The folks at South Yarra's contemporary tea bar Yugen sure do; which is why they're celebrating International Tea Day (May 21) with not just one event, but a whole swag of them. If tea is your cup of…well, tea…you won't want to miss this program of workshops and tasting events paying tribute to the world's most widely consumed bev. On Wednesday, May 18, Yugen's expert sommeliers will share their passion via a 90-minute Tea 101 session ($75), complete with tastings, sweet treat pairings from the pastry chefs and take-home goodies. On Thursday, May 19, you can celebrate two great loves at the Tea and Cheese Pairing, hosted in collaboration with Maker & Monger ($85). If rice-based booze is your thing, head along to the May 20 Tea and Sake Pairing, where you'll dive into the origins and intricacies of both drinks under the guidance of sake specialist Simone Maynard ($85). And on Saturday, May 21, Yugen is teaming up with Kyneton's Animus Distillery for a full-blown tea-matched feast ($150), which'll see you sit down to a six-course spread, with each dish paired carefully with either a fine tea or a signature cocktail made on Animus' Tea Gin. [caption id="attachment_853773" align="alignnone" width="1920"] By Sean McDonald[/caption] Images: Sean McDonald and H. Trumble
Despite the many different varieties of margarita available, only one is the undisputed best — no matter which tequila-soaked flavour it actually is. That type of marg: a free marg. And for three weeks from Wednesday, February 15–Tuesday, March 7, 10,000 of them are up for grabs around New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. International Margarita Day is upon us for another year, hitting on Wednesday, February 22, and tequila brand Altos is celebrating. That's where the hefty giveaway comes in, but starting early and running for a couple of weeks after the date itself. Days commemorating different foods are really just an excuse to sell more dishes, drinks and/or ingredients, but this is an occasion — and stack of freebies — worth saying cheers to. Exactly how many bars are pouring free 'ritas across the three-week period varies per state, but Sydneysiders can head to Employees Only, Watsons EQ, Coogee Beach Club, Marrickville Bowling Club, Club 77, Chula, Mejico, Kid Kyoto, Applejack Group's venues and more. For Melburnians, you'll want to make a date with places like Maeve Fox, Death or Glory, Fitzroy Beer Garden, Fable, Mejico, Public House and Common Man. Brisbanites, pop Emporium, Southbeach Social, Victoria Park, Brooklyn Standard, Pig 'n' Whistle West End and others on your list — and Adelaide residents, you're heading to Republic. [caption id="attachment_698575" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Employees Only[/caption] There are a few caveats, as always comes with these types of giveaways. You do need to sign up online first, which'll get you a voucher for that free marg and entry into a competition to win a trip to Mexico. Altos is calling the promo a Mexican wave, because if you get a friend to sign up as well, you'll score an extra entry in that contest. That — and those free cocktails — is excuse enough to get clicking and sipping. [caption id="attachment_869703" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mejico[/caption] Altos Tequila's margarita giveaway runs from Wednesday, February 15–Tuesday, March 7. For more information, to register for your free drink and to find your nearest venue, head to the brand's website.
Blue miles for the ocean, green miles through the palm trees, and yellow miles over sandy stretches. No, that’s not the tagline of my indie-beach-poetry fusion Tumblr blog; it's the title of Bus Projects' upcoming July exhibition, which brings together seven artists in conversation about the role that colour plays in their work and practice. From the sensual to the sensible, each artist has evaluated unique reasons behind the interaction with and use of colour through ongoing discussions, games and information sharing. The result is a mixed palette of styles and explorations in this group show, featuring work from experienced Australian artists including Jeremy Eaton, Minna Gilligan, Georgina Glanville, Jethro Harcourt, Annabelle Kingston, Cheralyn Lim and Max Lawrence White. The exhibition runs July 3–20, with the opening event at the Collingwood gallery on Wednesday, July 3, from 6–8pm. It might be a good idea to brush up on the Pantone Colour of the Year for appropriate banter purposes (it’s Emerald, FYI).
One of the Mornington Peninsula's hottest arrivals of 2017, Pt. Leo Estate has clocked up a whole year of life — and to celebrate, it's throwing open the gates for a weekend of art, entertainment and summertime revelry. Over December 1 and 2, the property's famed sculpture park will open to the public for free, allowing visitors young and old to wander the collection of over 50 large-scale works. To coincide with the birthday fun, the park will also unveil the newest additions to its ever-growing collection, including Mirri — the latest piece from contemporary indigenous artist Reko Rennie. Littlies will be kept entertained with a range of kid-friendly activities, while grown-up appetites are well catered for with a special barbecue menu from culinary director Phil Wood and his team. Plates like pork sausage sliders with braised cabbage and roast leg of lamb with Greek salad feature in a classic Aussie grill offering, with mains priced at around $25. You'll also find classic sausage rolls and house-made lamingtons with cream — perfect for capping off a spin around the sculpture park.
Every year when Easter rolls around, there's always a mad scramble to figure out which bars, restaurants and sites will remain open over the holiday. You don't want to stay cooped up at home all long weekend. So, we've teamed up with our mates at QT Melbourne to make things a little bit easier by creating a staycation guide to spending Easter weekend in Melbourne. Set on the historic site that used to house Russell Street's Greater Union Cinema, QT hotel is an excellent setting for a CBD getaway. The hotel boasts an impressive view from its rooftop bar plus the hotel's signature restaurant is certainly worthy of a meal or two. The one-hatted Pascale Bar and Grill somehow manages to seamlessly unite Parisian-chic with industrial cool, while also featuring a menu that uses produce fresh from the secret rooftop garden. While you're not digging into the various cuts of beef, spiced eggplant with green tomato chutney or the lemon verbena iced parfait with gin marshmallow and cucumber, head out for a weekend full of buzzing markets, cracking comedy shows and all sorts of activities that'll have you more than a little bit excited for the next time you can spend a weekend exploring the CBD. [caption id="attachment_672350" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eugene Hyland.[/caption] BE A GOOD SPORT AT HOLEY MOLEY If a neon-lit indoor mini-golf course complete with cocktails and a 90s soundtrack sounds like your idea of a good time, then plan a visit to Holey Moley. Found on Little Bourke Street and filled with an array of weird and wonderful decor, the venue's walls are just the beginning. Pick up a game of mini golf, and you'll find yourself tap, tap, taping your ball through The Simpson's living room and across an enlarged spinning turntable playing nostalgic hits like Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. Oh, and you can sip punny cocktails all the while. After you've made it through the 18 holes, keep the night going and head to the downstairs karaoke rooms to belt out some more nostalgic tunes. SIP COCKTAILS AT FANCY FREE Opened in February and only around for six months, Fancy Free on Collins Street has already become a local favourite. Slinging signature drinks like an iced coffee spider and a salty-sweet pink grapefruit and Campari number, the cocktail list is divided into three categories: 'No meaning alcohol-free, 'Low' equating to a slight buzz and 'Full' steering you towards a large night. Plus, the neighbourhood joint has a rotating roster of food on offer, with the kitchen currently graced by the team behind Mary's — one of Sydney's best burger places. So, take a seat at the narrow bar, order some food and drink, and watch the world turn for a while. GO ON AN EASTER EGG HUNT THROUGH QT MELBOURNE It's simply not possible to celebrate Easter without eating your weight in chocolate, and it's even better if you get said chocolate from an Easter egg hunt. So, as a guest of QT Melbourne, you'll awake Sunday morning to realise the Easter bunny has paid a visit and has hidden choc eggs all over the hotel's 11 levels. And these aren't your standard Easter eggs — these oblongs are from premium chocolate purveyors, Koko Black. Plus, there'll even be special prizes on offer for anyone who finds the special QT marked eggs. But if egg hunting isn't exactly your thing (bah humbug) or you just can't seem to find any, you can beeline it to The Cake Shop on the hotel's ground floor where Koko Black has taken over. And you don't need to be a hotel guest to treat yourself to fresh-baked sweets like a chocolate and hazelnut gateau, flourless orange cake, chocolate fudge brownies made with 73% dark chocolate and caramel choc chip cookies. Hot tip: if you're after a real chocolate hit, order one of Koko Black's signature hot chocolates, available in hazelnut, chilli and classic belgian chocolate. GET CRAFTY AT THE ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE SUNDAY MARKET Every Sunday, the sidewalk and lawn area stretching between the Arts Centre Melbourne and Hamer Hall transforms into a bustling market that showcases the wares of local artisans and craftspeople. Pop by early for some freshly cooked poffertjes (a type of Dutch mini pancake — you can thank us later) and take a gander at all the treasures the stalls have to offer. With handmade lime- and mint-scented soaps to colourful resin jewellery and moody photography prints, you'll be spoiled for choice when selecting something to take home from one of the talented makers. [caption id="attachment_661799" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Jim Lee.[/caption] CRACK A SMILE AT THE MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL For over 30 years, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has made sure that April is always the funniest month of the year — and the 2019 edition is no different. Having delivered a varied lineup of local and international acts that put the whole city in stitches, the festival's closing weekend — which just so happens to fall on Easter — is your final chance to catch some of these hilarious acts. From Alice Tovey's insightful and whip-smart Garbage Monster to the deadpan and unpredictable stylings of Aaron Chen's Piss Off (Just Kidding), there's something for every sense of humour. Treat yourself this Easter and book a staycation at QT Melbourne. Top image: QT Melbourne Rooftop.
As one of Melbourne's most lauded fine diners, Attica has become quite the shapeshifter of late. Earlier this year, Ben Shewry's Ripponlea restaurant executed a classic COVID-19 pivot, launching a pop-up bakeshop in the space next door and diversifying with its first-ever take-home food offering. Last week, it was announced its post-lockdown comeback would take the form of a month-long venue pop-up called Attica In Between, hosting intimate ten-person dining experiences with a brand-new menu. Now, the team's revealed plans for the biggest shake-ups yet: a whole new Attica restaurant. Embracing fresh air and open skies, Attica Summer Camp is set to descend on the Yarra Valley from this December. At this stage, the finer details are still being plotted, though we're told to expect a casual, all-day affair, popping up for a five-month stint at dedicated site in Seville. Labelled "a significant departure from Attica", the new venture will feature a playful, informal vibe, as well as a sprawling countryside setting that nods to the rural backdrop and camping adventures of Shewry's own childhood. "It's going to be a super fun, high-energy, casual place that's been inspired by this time we've all been through," Shewry told Concrete Playground. "And wanting to just break free from that feeling, and look towards something that's more optimistic and positive." Yes, it's worlds apart from the globally renowned fine-diner concept, and the chef admits, "I never would have done this before". But with hospitality restrictions and capacity limits posing a challenge to the OG Attica, he's accepted that rolling with the punches will call for some big moves. "It's another step in saving Attica, our restaurant and our staff's livelihoods," he says. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ben Shewry (@benshewry) Above all, Shewry wants Attica Summer Camp to be somewhere "playful and fun" — an out-of-town destination where people can bask in some goodness after a less than idyllic year. There'll be a feel-good lineup of simple food and drinks, with a menu full of local produce enjoyed across the site's various indoor and outdoor spaces. The wine offering looks set to feature some collaborative efforts from long-time Attica friend and renowned winemaker Mac Forbes, who Shewry says has been an integral part of the whole project. Huge covered outdoor dining pavilions are ready for whatever Melbourne's sketchy weather decides to throw down, and a vine-covered pergola sounds primed for private picnic lunches. An on-site retail store will even be slinging goodies like Attica merch, house-made produce and take-home picnic hampers, so you won't be leaving empty-handed. Rounding out the offering is what the team's calling "the best and most uplifting soundtrack that a restaurant has ever heard". After the year Melbourne's had, that all sounds like exactly what the doctor ordered. Find Attica Summer Camp at 45 Davross Court, Seville from this December. We'll share more details as they drop and you can register your interest over at the website.
The guys who brought all three Human Centipede flicks to Aussie cinemas are back with a new late night lineup of weird and wonderful films. Returning to The Lido in Hawthorn, the now-monthly Friday Fright Nights program features an expectedly surreal selection of eye-popping genre cinema, and will serve as a teaser for the full-blown mayhem that hits once Monster Fest rolls into town in November. The first film on the bill is the evocatively titled Cat Sick Blues, a strange supernatural slasher film from Australian director Dave Jackson. Next up comes I Am Not A Serial Killer, a well received American thriller featuring Christopher Lloyd and Where The Wild Things Are star Max Records. And if you think those sound weird, just wait until you hear about Aaaaaaaah!, a British horror-comedy in which the entire cast speaks in animalistic grunts. Rounding out the program is a post-Monster Fest screening of The Eyes of My Mother, a critically acclaimed gothic horror film that took this year's Sundance Film Festival by storm.
This is poetry like you've never heard it before – and yes, we mean that literally. Presented by Arts Access, Victoria's leading arts and disability organisation, and the Australian Theatre of the Deaf, this free two-hour slam session will see some of the country's best deaf poets delivering their latest works via sign language. A truly unique way to experience poetry, the performance will be followed by a public work shop, where you can pick up a few new verses of your own. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Check out the other nine here.
Fitzroy’s Centre for Contemporary Photography is home to the first major survey of leading Australian artist David Rosetzky's work. True Self: David Rosetzky Selected Works is a curated culmination of 15 years of practice from one of our country's most prolific photo and video artists. Increasingly collaborating with artists from different fields and exhibiting across a range of mediums including photograph, video art, photo-collage and sculpture, a recurring theme of Rosetzky's work is the discrepancy between how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us. Allowing viewers to journey the transition from early lo-fi, singular portraits through to longer-duration pieces with cinematic tone, the exhibition covers a broad range from Rosetzky's personal and commissioned pieces. Included in the more refined spectrum of work is Portrait of Cate Blanchett, a 9-minute video work commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra in 2008. The video portrait is set against the simple background of an interior workshop of the Sydney Theatre Company, textured by a contemplative Blanchett as she navigates and manipulates her actions and movements in front of the camera. This introspective style of private and public exploration through the medium of video portraiture is relatively unknown terrain, at which Rosetzky is certainly a pioneer. Also featured in the exhibition is Half Brother (2013), a major new video work commissioned by the CCP.
BTS ARMY unite: you've got a new must-visit getaway spot, and Airbnb wants to make your dreams a reality. Fancy getting a dream glow because you're holidaying in the dynamite South Korean estate where BTS filmed season two of their reality show In the Soop? Of course you do — and, if you nab the overnight stay, you obviously have permission to dance. The series' second season dropped back in 2021, so if you always have 'Butter', 'Heartbeat' or 'Fake Love' on rotation in your head, you've probably been eyeing off a stay in PyeongChang for a while. Your chance now comes via Airbnb, with the accommodation service adding to its lengthy list of pop culture-themed one-off experiences — which also includes the Bluey house, the Moulin Rouge!, the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine and The Godfather mansion in the past few months. The idea with this listing: letting two BTS fans relax in the South Korean countryside like their idols did. Even if you're not a diehard devotee, it looks like a mighty luxe place to stay. Clearly, you'll get more out of it if you live, breathe and worship the band, given that it's largely decked out as it was during their time there. That includes some of the furniture seen on the show, so you can kick back with a book like RM, float on a unicorn in the pool like Jin and hit the trampoline like Jung Kook. Also included: a karaoke machine, sound system and all of BTS' songs and albums, right up to their latest record Proof; and a specially catered menu, including charcoal grilled Korean beef and tteokbokki. And, because there's seven BTS members, the one-night stay costs just US$7 — which is just over AU$10 / around NZ$11. Sadly, if you score the booking, you'll just miss out on the best spring day ever, with the trip taking place on August 29. If you're keen to make it right all night and stay gold in the scenic estate, you'll need to try to nab the reservation at 12pm AEST on Tuesday, August 2. As with all Airbnb special listings like this, you need to take care of your own travel costs there and back, including airfares — although this one does cover the round trip by car from KTX PyeongChang station to the BTS In the Soop property. For more information about the BTS In the Soop estate listing on Airbnb, or to apply to book at 12pm AEST on Tuesday, August 2, head to the Airbnb website. FYI, this story includes some affiliate links. These don't influence any of our recommendations or content, but they may make us a small commission. For more info, see Concrete Playground's editorial policy. Images: Time of Blue.
Fancy some grime? A Euphoria star? A mix of international must-sees and homegrown up-and-comers? A swag of folks making their first trips our way? Then consider yourself sorted at St Jerome's Laneway Festival in 2024 — starting with headliners Stormzy, Steve Lacy, Dominic Fike and Raye. When the beloved event hits Melbourne in February, Stormzy will top the roster after he was meant to head Down Under in 2022, but pulled out of Spilt Milk and his Australian and Zealand tour. At the Aussie fest, he was replaced by Lacy, in fact, but now the UK sensation and the 'Bad Habit' talent will share the same Laneway bill. [caption id="attachment_915848" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Boud[/caption] Fike heads from the screen to Laneway's stages, while Raye comes our way with 'Escapism' still stuck in everyone's heads. From there, the lineup also spans AJ Tracey, d4vd, Dope Lemon and Unknown Mortal Orchestra — and goes on from there. Stormzy and Fike are doing exclusive Laneway tours — so, of you want to see either (or both), you'll only catch them at the fest. Lacy is also exclusive in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. The date and place to pop in your diary: Saturday, February 10 at The Park in Flemington. [caption id="attachment_871106" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dave Kan[/caption] LANEWAY FESTIVAL 2024 LINEUP: Stormzy Steve Lacy Dominic Fike Raye AJ Tracey Cordae d4vd Dope Lemon Eyedress Faye Webster horsegiirL Nia Archives Paris Texas Skin On Skin Unknown Mortal Orchestra Blondshell DOMi & JD BECK Hemlocke Springs Pretty Girl Angie McMahon Confidence Man Teenage Dads JK-47 Miss Kaninna Vacations Images: Maclay Heriot, Daniel Boud and Dave Kan.
Are you planning a fancy weekend away in 2016? Forget glamping (seriously forget it, let’s pretend it never happened), we suspect 2016 is going to the year of the gallery getaway. This is a wonderfully alliterative way of saying that 2016 is shaping up to be an amazing year for Australian galleries and you owe it to yourself to spend a few glamorous and very grown-up weekends out of town taking in the exhibitions. To help you get started, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art have a slam dunk of a prize pack to giveaway to a lucky couple (platonic or otherwise) which is designed to bequeath unto you a weekend spent enjoying the cornucopia of art and culture available in Sydney right now. The full prize will include return flights for two (economy from Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart or Melbourne), a night’s accommodation in the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth and two art passes which grant you entry into The Greats: Masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and Grayson Perry: My Pretty Little Art Career at the Museum of Contemporary Art. If you need to bone up on the ins n outs of the current exhibitions, let us help you out: a review of Grayson Perry can be found here and a review of The Greats here. As if that wasn’t enough, they’ll also throw in a feasting voucher (glory of the gods!) for dinner at Matt Moran's Chiswick at the Gallery and drink vouchers for MCA's pretty, pretty Gin Garden. So if you win you can bank on two days of art, boozing, and artful boozing which pretty much sounds like the perfect weekend. Now go forth and enter the contest! Thanks to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and the Sydney International Art Series, we have one trip for two to Sydney from Melbourne or Brisbane up for grabs. The prize includes two return economy flights to Sydney, one night accommodation at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, two Art Passes (provides entry into The Greats at AGNSW and Grayson Perry at MCA), one dining voucher for CHISWICK at the Gallery, drink vouchers for the Gin Garden at MCA. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter by January 18 and then email win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. The winner will be notified by January 19. See competition Terms and Conditions.
SBS has launched their newest cooking program, The Chef's Line, employing a competition format that gives an inside look at how commercial kitchens really operate. The nightly program follows four amateur cooks and four professional chefs over the course of a week as they battle it out to prove who does it best. Every week, the show features four chefs from a particular restaurant, ranging from the apprentices and the chef de parties, to the sous chef and the head honcho. Each night, the contestants go head to head with one member of the chef's line, and the contestant with the least impressive dish is graciously shown the door. On Thursday nights, the last amateur standing unleashes their skills against the head chef. The dishes are judged blindly by Australian food icons Dan Hong, Mark Olive, and Melissa Leong, who take turns each night to either taste and decide the winner, or get about the kitchen, having a chat with the competitors. The week culminates with program host Maeve O'Meara heading to the restaurant in the spotlight for a behind-the-scenes peak at their chef's line in action. It's a pretty interesting twist on something viewers have seen plenty of lately — aka the contemporary cooking competition — as there's less emphasis placed on drama and things going wrong. Instead, The Chef's Line has the kind of vibe you'd expect when a few mates cook up some wicked food in the kitchen. With the relatively small number of contestants getting a complete refresh each week, there's no time to develop a narrative arc of intrigue and cutthroat competition, so the show relies on simply showing some home cooks making rad dishes while hanging out with chefs who make the same dishes for a living. Which, really, is what a cooking show is all about: good food and good people make for good watching. With a multicultural focus, the program brings a new cuisine to the fore every week, ensuring a swathe of various challenges as contestants aim for authentic, global dishes. Week one ran from April 3, championed Vietnamese cuisine, and took its chef's line from the guys behind Dandelion in Melbourne, as led by Geoff Lindsay. "It's a really wonderful way to celebrate diversity," said the program's creator, Chris Culvenor, calling the unique format a "celebration of the diversity of Australian food culture." The Chef's Line airs on weeknights on SBS at 6pm. If you're keen on the great dishes whipped up on the show, recipes will be made available from sbs.com.au/thechefsline.
Remember that time we went to Virginia Plain? Awesome, right? Then that other time we went to the equally as awesome (and more casual) Mercy Bar & Eatery? Both of these great venues have sadly been and gone from 31 Flinders Lane, but don't cry — we've mourned and you must too. Luckily, the shiny light at the end of this tunnel is Fonda number three. Yes. Richmond, Windsor, and now 31 Flinders Lane in the CBD. The Fonda Mexican goodness, started in 2011 by David Youl and Tim McDonald, just keeps expanding with their newest venue. It's just as big as Virginia and Mercy were, but now it's bright, loud, and has that chilled Mexican vibe to it that we've come to love at the other Fonda outlets. If you didn't know, in Mexico 'fonda' refers to a local house with an all-important open kitchen. This is very much the inspiration for the new 200-seat city venue. While the old space was dark and moody, this is deliberately the complete opposite; a raised section at the front, an exposed kitchen and fairy lights help to achieve the brightness and comfort of a (not so) humble Mexican home. Techne Architects were behind this new atmosphere, and designer Luke Henley did the branding, just as he has with the other venues. The food menu is exactly what you'd expect when thinking of Mexican street food or if you've been to any of the other Fonda locations (the menus are the same). The tortilla crisps with guacamole and smoking salsa ($7) are a nice start, but the charred corn with chipotle aioli, ricotta salata, and lime ($4.5) is one of those must orders. You can move to either quesadillas, tacos, burritos, or salads. The chicken quesadilla with cheese, fresh tomato, rocket, and avocado crema is creamy and a very safe choice, while the braised pork tacos with fresh pineapple, onion, and coriander ($6) fulfils Melbourne's love of both tacos and pork. The burritos are slightly heartier and come with char-grilled mushroom, chopped beef, grilled chicken, or fresh market fish, and all served are with quinoa and spiced black beans. The drinks menu is heavy on tequila, featuring the gents from Tequila Tromba. The Basil, Darling? is a frozen margarita of Tromba Blanco, orange, pineapple, basil, and lemon, while the El Diablo! is a less frozen mix of Blanco, creme de cassis, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer. There are four beers on offer including the likes of the Mexican Negra Modelo for the dark larger lovers among us, while the wine list has eight drops all available by the glass. The likes of the 2012 Martin Codax Albarino from Spain ($11 glass), and the 2009 Free Fall Shiraz from Central Victoria ($9 glass) make an appearance, among other local and international wines. We're eager to see how 31 Flinders Lane goes with these new tenants. We wouldn't be surprised if it changed the luck of the space. Image thanks to @morrisclano via Instagram.
Get immersed in a world of sake as Chris Lucas' Tombo Den presents a one-night-only Sake Dinner, guided by Australia's first female Sake Samurai, Yukino Ochiai. Don't think that's just a fancy title — it's the highest honour bestowed by the sake industry, serving as a true sign that its holder has a nearly unparalleled appreciation for fermented rice wine. Held on Thursday, May 29, this is your chance to truly dive into sake, as Ochiai hosts a bespoke four-course menu thoughtfully paired with a lineup of sake and sake-forward cocktails. These drinks are poured using wares from some of Japan's most renowned sake breweries, like Yamagata's Dewazakura and Aichi's Houraisen. On arrival, guests will receive a sake martini alongside the first course — deep-sea Alfonsino Usuzukuri and prawn spring rolls. Next, relish salmon truffle maki, snapper nigiri, and Pure Black Wagyu flank steak with shiso relish and crispy garlic. Finally, the dinner rounds out with baked chocolate mousse with yuzu, white chocolate and buckwheat praline. Launched in September 2024, Tombo Den is Windsor's two-storey Japanese-inspired restaurant and sake bar influenced by Lucas' time living and working in Tokyo during the 1990s. Celebrating Japanese street food and izakaya culture, its upbeat atmosphere is primed for learning the ins and outs of sake, while drenched in neon light.
Blitz Bar is opening up its second self-serve açai bar, this time making Brighton its home — and it is celebrating by giving away 300 açai bowls across three days. From Friday, December 8–Sunday, December 10, the team will be giving away açai bowls to the first 100 customers each day from 11am. The Blitz Bar crew will also hand out a free jar of the chain's house-made peanut butter to every customer. Blitz Bar blends up the Brazilian-sourced açai berries to create its brekkie base and lets customers choose their toppings buffet-style. You can choose from some of Blitz Bar's 25 different toppings when nabbing your free breakfast across the three days — that includes unlimited fruit, crunchy granola and its house-made peanut butter.
Summer has just begun, and with it comes plenty of lazy days spent at the beach and park — and plenty of sunshine that warrants having drink in hand. With months worth of outdoor occasions to come, the usual cider, beer and chilled rosé might not cut it. That's where batched cocktails come in. The trend has only continued this year and makes classy sipping all too easy. At your next picnic, pick up one of these batched cocktails and make all of your mates jealous. [caption id="attachment_700587" align="alignnone" width="1920"] @bittersandtwists[/caption] THE BROADSIDE SALT AND PEPPERBERRY NEGRONI BY WEST WINDS If you've had enough of the classic negroni and want to bring something a little different to the picnic, grab a can of West Winds' salt and pepperberry negroni. The Margaret River distillery takes the classic Campari and sweet vermouth and combines it with West Winds 'Broadside Navy Strength' salted gin, then adds two Tasmanian pepperberries before canning. All you need is ice, and an orange for zesting if you're feeling especially fancy. Plus, the antique-looking can adds a bit of old-world class to the occasion. Available exclusively online, with each can priced at $10 a pop — and, if you order six, you get a complimentary vintage can opener to bring along to the party. How much? $10 for a 110ml can. Available online. [caption id="attachment_701670" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gareth Sobey Photography[/caption] MARTINI BY THE EVERLEIGH BOTTLING CO. The Everleigh is a Melbourne institution, and, lucky for us, the bar lets you enjoy its drinks wherever you fancy. The Everleigh Bottling Co is dedicated to batched cocktails, all of which come in sleek glass bottles. The core range includes a martini, negroni, old fashioned and Manhattan, while the Bartender's Choice collections change regularly. At the moment, we're most keen on the martini ($17 per bottle) — a 'wet' take on a martini, with a gin to vermouth ratio of at 2:1. It's best served chilled, poured it into a frozen cocktail glass and garnished with a lemon twist or an olive. Apart from over the bar at The Everleigh and sister venue Heartbreaker, the range is available in some Melbourne bottle shops, including Collingwood's Meatsmith, Harley & Rose in Footscray, and Prince Wine Store in South Melbourne. Plus, it's available online — and gift sets and mix-and-match packages are also available, so you can get plenty. How much? $17 for a 90ml bottle. Available online and at select bottle shops. (NEW) OLD FASHIONED BY STARWARD WHISKY Melbourne's Starward makes tonnes of ace whiskies, but the distiller is also slinging a classic batched cocktail with a twist. The (New) Old Fashioned is a collab between the bartenders and distilling teams and starts with Starward's signature craft whisky, which is then combined with bitters and wattleseed demerara syrup — both made in house. To top it all off, the cocktail is then matured in Australian red wine barrels before being bottled and sent off to you. It's designed as a barbecue favourite and just needs ice to complete. Get it online here, with free shipping on all orders, or in Dan Murphy's around Melbourne. It's $49 per 500ml bottle, so is ideal for sharing, too. How much? $49 for a 500ml bottle. Available online and at select Dan Murphy's. NEGRONI BY THE NEGRONI PROJECT The negroni's revived popularity shows no sign of slowing, and we think it's a must-have at pretty much every summer gathering. And you can feel even better about buying a few of them batched knowing that a some of your money will be donated to charity. The Negroni Project donates profits from each 250ml bottle sold to men's health charity Movember — and you can find it at Blackhearts & Sparrows stores around town. This year, the team has used gin from Melbourne Gin Company. BYO ice and orange wedge, and the drink is complete. How much? $40 for a 250ml bottle. Available at online and at Blackhearts & Sparrows around town. ANTICA FASHIONISTA X TEN PIECES BY MAURICE TERZINI AND BAR AMERICANO Barman and artist Matt Bax has already opened an art gallery this year, and now he's collaborated with Sydney restaurateur and fashion designer Maurice Terzini to launch a brand new cocktails. TheAntica Fashionista is an extension of Terzini's fashion label Ten Pieces, a designer's take on the old fashioned. It's available in 200ml ($35) and 500ml ($69) sizes online. Add ice and an orange twist and you're good to drink. And, if that doesn't take your fancy, you can always buy one of Bar Americano's batched negronis or amaros online. How much? $35 for a 200ml bottle. Available online. Top Image: The Everleigh Bottling Co's core range by Gareth Sobey Photography.
2013 is drawing to a close, and it’s safe to say that it’s been a pretty big year. We’ve had three prime ministers, a royal baby was born, there was a huge doping scandal in national sport, and of course, Miley Cyrus. So who better to reflect on the year that was than some of Australia’s finest writers, comedians, and musical talents? Casey Bennetto will be at the helm of this one night only cabaret performance. His sophisticated wit will be setting the tone for the evening, with guests jumping in with a song, a story, or some slam poetry about what 2013 has meant for them. Guests include Trevor Ashley, Maxine Beneba Clarke, Tony Birch, Alan Brough, Catherine Deveny, Hannah Gadsby, Sammy J, Lally Katz, George Megalogenis, Tripod, Maude Davey, Chloe Hooper and Henry Wagons.
If you fancy yourself a bit of a cocktail connoisseur, Lûmé is about to jump to the top of your must-visit list. Last night, bartender Orlando Marzo, from the South Melbourne restaurant, was crowned the world's best bartender. Which means Melbourne is now officially home to some of the tastiest cocktails in the world. Marzo took out the gong at the World Class Bartender of the Year competition in Berlin, where he beat more than 10,000 other bartenders from around the world for the prize. World Class, which is in its tenth year, is the biggest bartending competition in the world and culminates in four days of finals, during which Marzo impressed judges with a particularly notable Zapaca rum aperitif in a challenge called 'Before and After'. You might see this pre-dinner tipple pop-up on Lûmé's menu one day very soon. Before Marzo heads back Down Under to join the ranks of Australia's bartending elite — which includes Maybe Frank's Andrea Gauldi, who took out best bartender in Australia at last year's competition — he'll be travelling the world, making cocktails and judging competitions. When he's back, we'll let you know what drinks has plans to serve up at the South Melbourne restaurant and what pop-ups he plans to host. Who knows, he may even follow in Gauldi's steps and open a bar. You can check out the full list of past and present winners at the World Class website. Image of Lûmé: Josie Withers, Visit Victoria
It's the red neon signage that hails you down the depths of Crossley Street. This restaurant's distinct identity — created in collaboration with Studio Round and with a fit-out by Elenberg Fraser — and unique consideration for the fusion between contemporary food and design is what makes Gingerboy one of Melbourne's most exciting dining destinations. Since 2006, it's been the leader of the pack, quietly showing the rest how it's done. Like a beacon of light, there's nothing you can do but follow the red glow and go down the rabbit hole. Part opium den, part cosmopolitan outpost, Gingerboy is dark, seductive and thoroughly chic. Black tables juxtapose ghost chairs, whilst a tactile bamboo wall provides an element of the exotic. Dim lighting keeps your senses alert and, against this backdrop, Gingerboy's refined approach to South East Asian hawker-style fare bursts for attention. Gingerboy is an experience in new flavours and spices, making it particularly worth the visit if you're finding your own home fare a little bland. With the menu broken down into small and larger dishes that are ideal for sharing, it reads as a sharp and varied introduction to the buzz of an Asian hawker market. Ingredient combinations are individually delicate yet imposing when combined, including a moreish coconut chicken salad ($17) and a thoroughly impressive whole fried baby snapper, with roasted chilli lime dressing, mango and coconut ($38). Deboned before your eyes, it's likely to be devoured within minutes. Just like its dimmed interior, the deeper you dive into the darkness of the menu at Gingerboy, the greater your reward. Dessert cools the palette, but Gingerboy's sugar banana fritters with star anise ice cream ($16) are nothing like your local Asian takeaway joint. Airy and delicately sweet, appreciate the generous serving as you'll be licking your fingers for more. Finish this with service that is attentive, knowledgeable and beautifully inconspicuous, and suddenly, this den is yours. Gingerboy is energetic, exciting and bold. It's clear that a few years in the game has allowed for the ambitious concept to be refined to near-perfect practice. Gingerboy is one of the few places in Melbourne that hits sizzling style with class and character, merging the tastes of a global city with a distinctly Asian twist.
Alabama Shakes have been hailed as one of the most exciting bands in the world right now. They've earned glowing reviews from The Telegraph, Pitchfork and the New York Times, and not just because they're impossible to hate (fact). Tingle-worthily humble origins are one reason you can't help but fall in love with these guys, another is postwoman-turned-frontwoman Brittany Howard. Howard has ceased delivering mail and is now charged with the responsibility of delivering rapturously powerful vocals, which she does with a soul-heavy wail that has been compared to Howlin' Wolf and Janis Joplin. Backed by stomping swamp rock and woefully twanging guitar strings courtesy of her classmates-turned-band members, it'll move you in more ways than one. With their acclaimed debut Boys & Girls still running on high rotation, Alabama Shakes are heading to Australia for the first time in January for Big Day Out. They'll play one sideshow at the Forum Theatre. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Le-3MIBxQTw
If your interest in gardening is for the purposes of home-beautification, Mr Kitly in Brunswick is the shop for you. Hidden away in an upstairs studio, it's a mecca for plant people, boasting a large range of rare and reasonable indoor plants alongside darling ceramics, chic plant stands, weird crafts and beautiful artwork. Owner and operator Bree Claffey has even written a book named Indoor Green: Living with Plants (punctuated by beaut photography by Lauren Bamford), so you can trust that the Mr Kitly crew know their stuff.
When you're watching Blade Runner 2049, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and The Creator, or playing Cyberpunk 2077 and Saltsea Chronicles, possible futures unfurl before your very eyes. As these imaginings play out in cinemas and on televisions, how prophetic will they prove? No one can know for certain what tomorrow will bring; however, the tales told on screens big and small, and through games and comics as well, have delivered plenty of visions of what might come. At The Future & Other Fictions, these peering-forward works are in the spotlight. Will androids dream of electric sheep? Will a Keanu Reeves (John Wick: Chapter 4)-voiced rock star and terrorist make their presence known? Will Afrofuturist technologies transform life as we know it? These are some of the potential scenarios conjured up by beloved pop-culture titles — and they're all part of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image's world-premiere exhibition as well, which is filled with 180-pieces, such as artworks, sets, costumes and props, as well as scripts, clips and original design materials. Open since Thursday, November 28, 2024 and running until Sunday, April 27, 2025, this is a love letter to and deep dive into futuristic storytelling, including pondering the significance of humanity's thoughts about what could be in store. It's also the Melbourne screen museum big summer showcase. "Film, TV, videogames and art spark our imagination and help shift our thinking about how the future might, or should, be. The crafts of screen culture — visual effects, costume design, character creation and model building — are powerful tools that bring future visions to life," explained ACMI Director and CEO Seb Chan. "The Future & Other Fictions asks us to consider some of the worlds we're familiar with and imagine the worlds we'd like to see." "For thousands of years cultures have shared ideas through storytelling. It is an extraordinary common language. I hope a key takeaway of the exhibition is the importance of sharing stories about the futures we want to live in — be they greener, more sustainable, more harmonious or more diverse. Stories are products of culture and in turn produce it. As we write stories, we write the world," added director and artist Liam Young, who co-curated The Future & Other Fictions with ACMI's Amanda Haskard and Chelsey O'Brien. Before he was just Ken, Ryan Gosling (The Fall Guy) starred in the 35-years-later sequel to Blade Runner — and before he brought Dune and Dune: Part Two to the screen, Denis Villeneuve directed Blade Runner 2049. The Future & Other Fictions lets attendees follow in their footsteps via miniature sets, which are one of the exhibition's definite must-sees. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever gets the nod thanks to Academy Award-winning costumes by Ruth E Carter, while sketches from comic series NEOMAD also features — as does concept art showing The Creator and Cyberpunk 2077's cityscapes, plus more from Saltsea Chronicles. As it celebrates how screens imagine the years ahead, The Future & Other Fictions also features a film season focusing on Björk, complete with Björk: Biophilia Live on the lineup. Within the exhibition's halls rather than in ACMI's cinema, the Icelandic icon also pops up via the dress and headpiece from her music video for 'The Gate'. This showcase isn't just about well-known renderings of the future, though, thanks to work by Olalekan Jeyifous, Osheen Siva and Tāgata Moana art collective Pacific Sisters. Plus, via new commissions, DJ Hannah Brontë has her own take, and so do Young and Natasha Wanganeen (Limbo). The first, Birth of Dawn, is all about the circle of life. After the End, the second, muses on a future without fossil fuels. On The Future & Other Fictions' events program, visitors can look forward to four days of short films in February that highlight Australian cinema's future, a video-game showcase focused on emerging developers, the return of ACMI's annual symposium, and talks on topics as varied as artificial intelligence and pop-culture predictions. Fancy making your sci-fi movie — or, to be accurate, playing a text-based choose-your-own-adventure game about that very scenario? That's part of the exhibition, too, via INT. SPACESHIP — NIGHT, which you can access for free via the QR code in the ACMI foyer. The Future & Other Fictions is on display at ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne, from Thursday, November 28, 2024–Sunday, April 27, 2025. Head to the venue's website for more details. Images: Eugene Hyland.
Tis the season to hit up some top-notch festivals with your mates. The sun is shining, the drinks are on ice, and you've managed to get the whole crew together to seize the day — the local beer garden just won't cut it. There's plenty to do this summer, so with the help of Sunglass Hut, we've picked seven Melbourne festivals where you and all your mates can make the most of long, hot days and balmy nights. Sip gin on a boat, sample festival-exclusive beers at Abbotsford Convent, get down to local and international musos and say goodbye to the season at an arty warehouse party.
