I love a good rom-com as much as the next person. Austenland is not a good rom-com. The film tells the tale of Jane Austen-obsessed, 30-something singleton Jane Hayes (Keri Russell), who spends her life savings on visiting an Austen 'theme park' in England in her quest to find her own Mr Darcy. The foundations for a predictable and enjoyable rom-com are set. All we have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride as she battles obstacles before eventually learning that the fantasy exists in real life. Right? Right on all accounts except the most crucial: this film is not enjoyable. Actually, my apologies, there was one laugh, only it was so fleeting and unmemorable that I have already forgotten what induced it was. Likely it came from the repeatedly cumbersome attempts at a regal English accent by Miss Elizabeth Charming (played by Jennifer Coolidge in the same vein as every character ever played by Jennifer Coolidge). At least Austenland will not force you to think too much. It is predictable, which is a staple of most films of the genre — the protagonist will always find love. However, that is where we would like the predictability to cease. Unfortunately, the film's events and 'twists' are so glaringly foreseeable that you could sit at home and write the script in the time it takes you to watch it. In fact, just buy a Jane Austen novel with the money you would spend on seeing this. Perhaps the most frustrating element of this film is how unvisitable and inhospitable the actual resort it. From the instant Jane arrives she is treated horribly, due to purchasing the basic package. However, this unfathomable business plan destroys any realism in this resort, for me at least. It would have been better if this theme park had roller-coasters and fairy floss throughout. I will say that Russell is lovely to watch, and that JJ Feild will have ladies swooning as the film's resident Mr Darcy. However, that is it for the positives in this film. So use your sense and sensibility and give Austenland a miss, or at least wait until it ends up in JB Hi-Fi's bargain bin. Even then, save your $4.95.
Pizza. Pasta. Salumi. Gelato. And don't even get us started on the booze. The Italians have gifted the world with some pretty spectacular food and drink — and the good news is you'll find all that and more at the Italian Wine + Food Festival. Taking over the Royal Exhibition Building on Sunday, May 27, this all-day gastronomic bonanza will welcome the proprietors and chefs from some of the most beloved Italian eateries in town. We're talking 400 Gradi and Massi, to name but a few. There'll be cooking demonstrations and wine-tasting workshops. Those looking to put what they learn into practice can swing by the festival food market and find all the ingredients they need to cook an Italian feast at home — or stop by the free bruschetta station for some sustenance. And once you're done shopping you can kick back with a glass of vino, or perhaps a cocktail from the Aperitivi Bar.
Hudsons Road Wine & Beer out in Melbourne's west is celebrating the return of winter by serving its mulled wine (longingly known by locals as the Spotswood Latte) at a one-off sausage sizzle. On Saturday, June 1, from 10.30am until sold out, folks can head down to the bar and grab gourmet kranksy sausages right off the barbecue and cups of hot mulled wine. Sausages will be going for $11 each, mulled wine for $13 and a combo of both is just $20. This classic pairing of sausages and mulled wine is served up at most European winter markets — especially those in Germany and Austria — and is perfect for warming you up on a cold arvo. Either sit in and enjoy the feed with some mates or get the sausages and wine to go. The team's mulled wine became fairly famous during the Covid-19 lockdowns when locals would run down to Hudsons Road Wine & Beer during their lunch break or after work to score a cup of the hot spiced bev. Served in a takeaway coffee cup, it became known to locals as the Spotswood Latte. And while the kranskies are only on the menu for this event, the mulled wine will be served all winter long.
Physical navigation tools might've largely gone the way of landlines, cassette tapes and eating meals without taking a photo first, but one company has come up with a tasty alternative. You mightn't be able to navigate your way through London, New York or Tel Aviv with one of Tamtik's chocolate city maps, but you will have quite the eye-catching dessert, gift or both. A collaboration with online marketplace Nisnas Industries, the artisan creations combine three things everyone loves — aka travel, confectionery and art — into a melt-in-your-mouth package that proves the ultimate edible souvenir. Inspired by the geometric-shape heavy traditional Arabic patterns often seen in architecture, known as mashrabiya, the chocolates feature stylised designs depicting the streets of their chosen locations. And, lest you think they're too abstract, landmarks such as the Thames River and Central Park stand out among the curved lines of dark cacao. Indeed, to ensure that each map accurately reflects each city's landscape, they're made by local artisans. Tamtik are currently running a Kickstarter campaign to spread their wings to another city, with participants able to vote for their preferred destination. Rewards not only include chocolate, obviously, put copies of the moulds should you want to whip up your own at home. Alas, before you go dreaming about breaking a representation of an Australian or New Zealand city into chocolatey pieces, Tamtik only ship to the US, Canada, the UK and Israel at present. That said, just as they're planning to add more maps to their lineup, they're also planning to deliver to more areas in the future. Via My Modern Met. Images: Tamtik.
Melburnians, if you're already wondering how you're possibly going to make it through the next two freezing bloody cold months, here's some news to warm your cockles. The Queen Victoria Market has just announced it's Night Market Cinema will be making a return to this year's Winter Night Market — and it's free. Every Wednesday in July, between 5pm and 10pm, you'll be able to cosy up in a deck chair, armed with wine, cheese and sweet treats, and kick back to a bunch of short films. And while we're not 100 percent sure how this will work in the depths of Melbourne's winter, we're hoping the market has plans to keep us from freezing our butts off. Either way, blankets are definitely recommended. Kicking things off on July 6 will be VICE, who will take care of programming, presenting a combo of docos, investigative journalism and general wickedness. On July 13, the Victorian College of the Arts' Film and Television School will give you an insight into the future of Australian filmmaking, showing a handpicked selection of quality graduate works. On July 20, you'll be treated to a series of live 16mm film projections presented by Artist Film Workshop and, on July 27, RRR FM will hit the cinema, with a bunch of live-to-air performances by Aussie artists. In between screenings, you'll be able to take a wander through the market, stocking up on winter goodies and tucking into everything from Ethiopian stews to spaghetti from a parmesan wheel to those goddamn potato sticks that make an appearance every year.
If escaping into Australia's great outdoors, putting one foot in front of the other, and combining a leisurely walk — or an energetic hike — with soaking in the scenery is your idea of bliss, the past few weeks keep delivering welcome news. Firstly, the Snowy Mountains became home to a new nine-kilometre section of its Snowies Alpine Walk, complete with Australia's highest suspension bridge. Then, the New South Wales Government announced a massive 91-kilometre waterfront walking track from the Sydney Opera House to Parramatta. Now, still in NSW, the Gondwana Rainforests have been earmarked for a new excuse to get moseying, too. As part of NSW's 2022-23 budget, Treasurer Matt Kean has added the new Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk to the list of upcoming projects that the state's residents and travellers alike can look forward to. Scoring $56.4-million in budget funding, it'll span 46 kilometres, all through stunning rainforest surroundings on the state's mid-north coast. And, there'll be two- and four-day route options. Your starting point: a new Arc Rainforest Centre, which'll come complete with a stunning-looking hanging boardwalk that'll overlook the World Heritage spot. From there, as you roam along the trail, you'll wander over three suspension bridges. There'll also be four low-impact walkers' hut precincts, as well as new camping areas — because if you're committing to taking the full multi-day trek, you'll need somewhere to slumber along the route. That budget cash will also go towards the Arc Rainforest Centre, which is designed to be an attraction in itself thanks to its viewing platform. It'll also include a new treetop skywalk, which'll feature an upper and lower deck so you can still make the most of it when it's raining — and spiralling walkways that'll take you down into the rainforest, to the existing six-kilometre Wonga Walk as well as the new Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk. Back on the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk itself, it'll meander through the Dorrigo and Bindarri National Parks, with about half of the 46-kilometre stretch charting existing tracks and trails. Hikers won't be short on spectacular sights; expect to see waterfalls, giant old growth trees and wild rivers along the way. If you're excited about the huts and camping sites, they'll be operated, run and booked through NSW's National Parks and Wildlife Services. And, the walk will have another big aim: becoming a place for folks to learn about and connect with the culture of the Gumbaynggirr people, the area's Traditional Custodians. Exactly when the centre and walk will welcome in visitors hasn't been revealed as yet, however — so add this one to your future must-visit list, rather than packing your bags and popping on your comfiest walking shoes now. "Through the NSW Budget, we're investing $56.4 million to offer a new way for people to enjoy the ancient World Heritage environment," said Kean. "This project will drive increased nature-based tourism in NSW, further bolstering the contribution that national parks make to the state economy. For more information about the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk, head to the NSW Government website.
Fitzroy salon, Heading Out, has been Melbourne's home of all things hair and beauty for over 26 years. The Heading Out team offers the latest in hair technology and expertise across styling, colour (particularly reds and blondes) and hair extension work using Showpony extensions. The salon aims to remain at the forefront of the latest hair trends while creating beautiful and accessible styles for every client — but it doesn't stop at hair. The salon also provides a range of beauty services including manicures and sugar waxing. Feel like properly pampering yourself? Check out its spa services. The salon offers massage treatments, facials, LED light therapy and more. Plus, with a resident makeup artist, you can step out of the salon with a completely new look from head to toe.
With autumn clearly here, you may be tempted to knock off work, race straight home and get cosy on the couch. But Richmond's Baby Pizza is giving you reason to do otherwise. Throughout April and May, they're inviting you to join them after the office with Aperol hour every day from 4–6pm. On offer are cocktails for $9.50, wine for $7.50 and beer for $6.50. The drinks list includes Aperol Spritz, Fragola Spritz, Agrumato Fizz, Brokenwood Rosato and Peroni Rossa. While you're sipping away, do consider sampling one of Baby Pizza's 11 varieties of pizza – be it the Funghi with with portobello mushrooms, porcini, buffalo taleggio, fior di latte and truffle cream, or the San Daniele Prosciutto with San Marzano tomatoes, rocket, reggiano and fior di latte. You're welcome to secure your table by making a booking (make it a booth if you can), or take your chances and walk in. Either way, you can count on a warm welcome.
Descending on the city from August 30 to September 8, this year's edition of the Melbourne Writers Festival is set to be an especially amorous one, dishing up a jam-packed program that's all about L-O-V-E (yep, luuuuurve). From the sappy soulmate stuff, to all-important self-love, MWF has pulled together a diverse lineup of talent to help get to the heart of it all. Pulling inspiration from Raymond Carver's short story collection What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, the program sets out to explore our love for everything from people, sex, politics and country. And, no matter where you sit on that spectrum, it's got a little something for everyone. A slew of loved-up special events includes a rowdy rendition of a hen's night, helmed by comedy writers Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan (the Kates from Get Krack!n and The Katering Show), and a faux wedding reception for author and presenter Yumi Stynes. And we'll all be getting nostalgic about past heartbreaks, when the Museum of Broken Relationships exhibition makes its Aussie debut, bringing pieces from its permanent collections in Zagreb and LA and showing them alongside a few tear-jerking local contributions. [caption id="attachment_730607" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Museum of Broken Relationships[/caption] You'll also catch conversations with some heavy-hitting international talent, including the USA's Tayari Jones (An American Marriage), Canadian novelist Patrick deWitt (French Exit), Scottish crime-writing star Val McDermid and experimental rock writer and Sonic Youth co-founder Kim Gordon. Elsewhere, legendary singer-songwriter Tina Arena joins Yorta Yorta soprano, composer and educator Deborah Cheetham for the festival's popular Duets series; Cold Chisel's Don Walker chats with Paul Kelly, reflecting on a couple of impressive musical careers; Daniel Mallory Ortberg — host of Slate's Dear Prudence podcast and founder of The Toast — digs deep into all those occasions when love just hurts; and even a performance by Ben Folds. Book Club will see a group of broadcasters, comedians, former politicians and authors discussing their favourite tomes, or you can enjoy a selection of the city's cringiest DIY wedding vows, as performed by comics Anne Edmonds and Nath Valvo. In short, you'll have a lot of new additions to your Goodreads list. Melbourne Writers Festival will hit the city between August 30 and September 8, 2019. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10am, Thursday, July 11 here.
What's better than one new Edgar Wright movie in a year? Two new flicks by the Scott Pilgrim vs the World, The World's End and Baby Driver filmmaker, of course. And, that's exactly what 2021 is delivering. Neither of the British director's latest movies fits his usual type, either — as phenomenal documentary The Sparks Brothers has already demonstrated, and the trailers for Last Night in Soho keep showing as well. Wright does indeed have a comfort zone, as his fans well and truly know. He first caught the film world's attention with zom-rom-com Shaun of the Dead, after all, and also toyed with both horror and comedy in Hot Fuzz. But he hasn't ever dived headfirst into mind-bending psychological thriller territory before, which is where Last Night in Soho dwells. No one is set to kill the undead to Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' here. That said, Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen's Gambit) does play a singer in 60s-era London who appears to be a ghost. In the movie's initial teaser trailer, her character Sandie pops up when aspiring fashion designer Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie, Old) manages to venture back in time. Mysteriously travelling six decades into the past, Eloise looks in the mirror and sees Sandy's reflection, rather than her own. Both that initial sneak peek and the just-dropped new full trailer are filled with neon hues and an all-round trippy mood. In a feature that seems to take plenty of cues from horror and thriller flicks from the time it is set, things appear to get even more lurid as well. Impeccable period-appropriate set and costume design, vibrant pink lighting aplenty and an all-round dreamy feel also feature in the trailers so far, as Eloise finds herself coming face to face with her idol while plunged into a ghost story. Similarly playing a pivotal part: The Crown and Doctor Who's Matt Smith, who pops up alongside Taylor-Joy in the film's eerie 60s-set scenes. Whether following small-town cops in Hot Fuzz or jumping into the heist genre with Baby Driver — or directing late 90s/early 00s sitcom Spaced, too — Wright's work always stands out visually, and Last Night in Soho clearly promises to continue the trend. And, because the director loves his standout soundtracks, this one looks set to continue the trend. Expect glorious 60s-era tunes, obviously. Check out the full trailer for Last Night in Soho below: Last Night in Soho is slated to release in Australian cinemas on November 18. Images: Parisa Taghizadeh / Focus Features.
Pop quiz: what's 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, became breathable 2.4 billion years ago and is the focus of an upcoming exhibition at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art? If you guessed 'air', you'd be right. Over a delightfully lengthy five-month tenure — from Saturday, November 26 until Sunday, April 23 — Air will be transforming the ground floor of GOMA into an interactive exploration of the "cultural, ecological and political layers" of the air we breathe. It's not easy to make physical art from something invisible. Still, the collection works of Ron Mueck (the staggering In Bed), Jonathan Jones (the feathered and multifaceted Untitled (giran)) and Anthony McCall (the beaming Crossing), plus new (and floating) commissions from Tomás Saraceno and Jemima Wyman alongside a monumental chalk cliffscape by Tacita Dean and dozens of other prominent artists will do so. [caption id="attachment_878453" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Anthony McCall's 'The Crossing'[/caption] The exhibit has been organised around five key themes, each focusing on details we can take for granted: atmosphere (the space between us and the cosmos), burn (the mortality and vulnerability of clean air), shared (the collective need of humans, plants and animals for the element), invisible (an exploration of the unseen) and change (the nature of our vulnerable, ever-evolving world). What's certain is you're set to leave this cultural outing with a more concrete understanding of the ethereal and vital element. 'Air' will be open daily at GOMA from Saturday, November 26 till Sunday, April 23, 2023. Entry to last session is 4pm. Head to the website to secure your ticket. Top image: Ed Mumford
Art lovers are absolutely spoiled in Melbourne — on any given day, you can track down works by some of the best and most prolific artists in the world. But if your culture vulture tastes are at odds with your bank account, swinging the entry fee to a museum or gallery can be a little tricky. There's no need to fret, dear art fiends. All you have to do is pop on your comfiest pair of shoes and take a wander through the inner city, because Melbourne is filled with vibrant murals which you can see for free. Sure, you're not going to see anything by Picasso or Matisse, but if you look hard enough — or know where you're going — you'll come across works by some pretty famous street artists. Here are four works by well-known and celebrated street artists that you should get your eyes on. Some of these works have been around forever — and you've probably walked past them dozens of times without realising their significance. [caption id="attachment_748707" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dean Sunshine[/caption] FIN DAC – WAJAHBARU Where? Brunswick Inspired by the Aesthetic Movement of the 19th-century, London-based Fin DAC takes the genre, based upon the idea of 'art for art's sake', and gives it a modern twist. Recognised for his depictions of elegantly dressed women wearing eye masks with bursts of colour, the Cork-born artist unites contemporary stencil art with stunning portraits. On his vast tour of Australia earlier this year, Fin DAC unveiled this Melbourne artwork, Wajahbaru, which can be found tucked away in Brunswick's Sunshine Lane. The attention-grabbing work features local industrial designer Heidi Chaloupka dressed in beadwork from Indonesia's Toraja region, which is symbolic of her family's heritage. [caption id="attachment_748708" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dean Sunshine[/caption] KEITH HARING – JOHNSTONE STREET MURAL Where? Collingwood Melbourne's streets are undoubtedly alive with some wonderful examples of street and public art, but few are as beloved as Keith Haring's mural on Johnstone Street in Collingwood. In 1984, the world-renowned artist made his way to Melbourne to speak at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, but couldn't resist producing some of his iconic figures on the blank canvas adorning the old Collingwood Technical College. Haring has influenced countless street and traditional artists that followed in his footsteps, so this long-standing Johnstone Street mural is an indisputable Melbourne treasure. PHLEGM – CHAPEL STREET MURAL Where? Prahran Phlegm's wondrous black and white works of odd creatures have brought him worldwide acclaim. The basis of his works is comic-based, so his highly detailed illustrative style is distinguished against traditionally graffiti-based street artists. You can find these intricate hand-drawn murals in urban landscapes all around the world — including your own backyard. Following two years of planning, the UK-based artist made his way to Chapel Street for the 2017 Provocare Festival of the Arts, where he created this towering four-storey robot on the northern wall of the historic Love and Lewis building. [caption id="attachment_748709" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dean Sunshine[/caption] SMUG – WOOD STREET MURAL Where? Fitzroy When it comes to photorealistic graffiti, you won't find many artists more talented than Smug. Depicting a slightly crazed self-portrait positioned alongside an array of cute characters (that look a little worse for wear), this mural in the backstreets of Fitzroy pops a little more than most. You can find another of Smug's massive murals — a portrait of his own grandparents— near the corner of Lonsdale and Spencer Streets, gracing the huge wall of a former power station. Impressively, Smug's murals are always produced freehand; he paints using only aerosol cans for days or even weeks. Top Image: Smug – Wood Street via Dean Sunshine.
Everyone's favourite melancholic hitmaker Post Malone is coming back to Australia later this year. The global superstar was just in the country in January and February supporting Red Hot Chili Peppers, but he must've enjoyed his time Down Under, because he's already announced a run of headline Australian shows as part of his If Y'all Weren't Here I'd Be Crying world tour. Diamond-certified multiple times over, Posty will be hitting Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne throughout November on this run of shows. You can catch him at the Brisbane Showgrounds on Thursday, November 23; The Domain in Sydney on Wednesday, November 29; and Melbourne Showgrounds on Thursday, November 30. He's also swinging past New Zealand beforehand for a show in Auckland on Tuesday, November 21. The fun, however, does not stop there. Live Nation's tour poster for the Australian run of dates includes four other yet-to-be-announced stops: Canberra, Gold Coast, Ballarat and Perth. Interestingly, these locations lineup with where and when the touring festival Spilt Milk usually pops up. The festival is set to drop its lineup this coming Tuesday, July 4 at 8am, so it looks like Malone may be a real possibility to headline this year's edition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXhTHyIgQ_U This tour is in support of Post Malone's fifth studio album Austin which is set to arrive on Friday, July 28 featuring recent singles 'Mourning' and 'Chemical'. You can expect a career-spanning performance dipping into his most recent album, 2022's Twelve Carat Toothache, and his catalogue of global smashes like 'Congratulations', 'Rockstar', 'Sunflower' and 'Circles'. Check out the poster for Post Malone's Australian tour below — featuring the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane shows, as well as the unannounced Canberra, Gold Coast, Ballarat and Perth dates. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Live Nation Australia (@livenationaustralia) POST MALONE: IF Y'ALL WEREN'T HERE I'D BE CRYING AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES Tuesday, November 21 — The Outer Fields at Western Springs, Auckland Thursday, November 23 — Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Wednesday, November 29 — The Domain, Sydney Thursday, November 30 — Melbourne Showgrounds Post Malone is touring Australia and New Zealand in November 2023. Tickets for Australian shows go on sale online on Monday, July 13 — at 1pm in Brisbane, 12pm in Sydney, and 11am in Melbourne, with pre-sales via Vodafone from Thursday, July 6 and from Live Nation on Tuesday, July 11. For more information, head to the tour website. Tickets for New Zealand shows go on sale online at 12pm on Thursday, July 13, with pre-sales via One NZ on Thursday, July 6 and from Live Nation on Tuesday, July 11. For more information, head to the tour website. Top image: Chrisallmeid
UPDATE, May 28, 2021: Free Solo is available to stream via Disney+, Google Play and YouTube Movies. Soaring 900 metres tall, its craggy edges and sheer surfaces jutting into the sky, El Capitan is one of earth's monsters. A granite cliff in Yosemite National Park, it's a formidable sight, striking fear into the heart of anyone averse to heights, making even the steadiest on their feet feel shaky, and casting a long shadow over the world below. To stand at the bottom of the mammoth monolith is to stand at the base of a giant. To scale its heights is to ascend into the heavens. But you don't need to have experienced El Cap's eye-catching expanse in person to feel its inescapable power. Even on the big screen, the glorious rock formation is staggering — and it gets plenty of screen time in Free Solo. In a film that can't stop looking at El Cap, Alex Honnold does more than stare at the cliff's lofty size and gaze at its vertical terrain. A professional climber with 20 years experience and the centre of this stellar documentary, he's determined to scamper up the intimidating structure. He's not the first to scale the sheet of rock, but he is the first to do so without any ropes or support — and, just to make the deed even more difficult, he does it alone. That's free soloing. While the outcome of his attempt is now common knowledge, Free Solo steps through the process from start to finish, chronicling his setbacks and successes in a methodical manner. From contending that the climb is just too scary, to training through an injury that'd make anyone else quit, to facing his girlfriend Sanni's fretful feelings about his death-defying dream, the movie delves deep into Honnold's quest. The latest high-altitude, high-stakes picture from Meru filmmakers Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin — and a newly minuted Oscar nominee for this year's best doco prize — Free Solo is the tale of a cliff, a climber, and the latter's desire to conquer the former. But it's the story of humanity's yearning to explore, interrogate and brush up against our environment as well. Charting Honnold's unwavering commitment to his task, it's also an account of his preference for hanging precariously above the world instead of planting his feet firmly on the ground. The film shows how the possibility of dying can't deter someone so dedicated from pursuing their passion, and that the thrill of a seemingly impossible challenge is as intoxicating as any drug. This nerve-wracking movie also details the intense preparation and planning required not just to make such a climb, but to capture it on camera. And, it examines the toll of documenting Honnold's feat, pondering whether the picture immortalises history or jeopardises his life. In short, Free Solo has as many angles as El Cap's ledges and crevices, however Honnold is the film's own towering presence. Vasarhelyi and Chin can't claim to lay bare their subject's psyche — he's a man of action more than talk — but they can and do reveal plenty about the wiry thirty-something. The documentary acts as a coming-of-age narrative of sorts, tracking Honnold's transformation from living in a van, eating slapped-together dinners out of a frying pan and dedicating every waking minute to climbing, to buying a house, finding room for someone else in his life, and experiencing the ups and downs of being in a serious relationship. And yet, it's never more revelatory than when it's simply staring at his face while he's gripping a slab of granite, his precariously placed fingertips the only things keeping him from plummeting down a nearly one-kilometre drop. Of course, that's not to say that Free Solo doesn't boast plenty of other spectacular sights. Seeing Honnold suspended against his surroundings will stick with audiences long after watching, as will the stunning Yosemite scenery. Indeed, the exceptional footage compiled by Vasarhelyi, Chin and their dedicated team (all mostly climbers themselves) proves nothing short of a technical and visual marvel, as edited to precision by veteran Bob Eisenhardt. But the calm, focused, assured gleam in Honnold's eye still says more than any other image can — and more than words as well. As counter-intuitive as it may seem, every second that the film spends on his zen-like expression paints a picture of pure intensity and exhilaration. What's more astonishing, dazzling and ultimately life-affirming than witnessing someone so relaxed and confident in the face of such extreme danger? What's more tense and thrilling, too? Butterflies in the stomach, fidgeting fingers and a near-unshakeable case of the jitters all spring from Free Solo as well, with the movie hitting several nerves. It's never easy to accept one's mortality. In fact, it's the hardest thing we're ever tasked with doing during our time alive, even when we're just sitting in a cinema watching someone else put their existence on the line. That's the crux of this equally insightful and scary documentary, which serves up more suspense than most horror flicks. As well as chronicling an awe-inspiring story, every frame of Free Solo offers a palpable, visceral reminder of life's enormous risks and immense rewards — and to the filmmakers' credit, you're all but certain to feel the impact in your constantly sweaty palms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XhsuT0xctI
For better or worse, you know what you're going to get at most gigs: a large chunk of the most recent album, old standbys and the biggest song during the encore. Not so Amanda Palmer, whose wildly unpredictable approach meant one of her last Australian tours included a beautiful Nick Cave cover, collaborations with the twisted cabaret troupe Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen, raucous versions of her own solo songs and a poem recited in her honour by husband Neil Gaiman. Palmer's now playing with a full band and touring Theatre Is Evil, the new record she funded through a ground-breaking and controversial Kickstarter campaign. Palmer has hit headlines lately with a nude protest song, with current sets have including Dresden Dolls classics as well as more recent work. Equally at home with novelty songs, dark cabaret and audience participation, her shows swing from the sublime to the ridiculous. She stands as one of the most eclectic and unpredictable live performers in contemporary music. The phrase 'expect the unexpected' doesn't quite cover it.
He wrote, directed, financed and starred in the best worst movie ever made, showed up as himself in the enormously funny making-of dramatisation of his biggest flick, and re-teamed with his best-known co-star for a two-part comedy-thriller based on their friendship — and now, like he was always destined to, Tommy Wiseau is saying "oh hi" to space. Once again working with The Room and Best F(r)iends' Greg Sestero, the distinctive Wiseau has loaned his voice to animated sci-fi series SpaceWorld, with the pair playing rival intergalactic bounty hunters. If you're naturally thinking the obvious, the company behind it has already made the blatant comparison, with Octopie calling the show "what happens when you merge The Room with Star Wars". In SpaceWorld's nearly six-minute pilot episode, Wiseau's TX battles it out with Sestero's Drogol, who — continuing a trend across their work together — happens to be his lifelong nemesis. Created by Brock LaBorde, the debut clip is suitably bizarre, even with its clear self-referential tone. As Wiseau's career just keeps proving, that's just what happens when he pops up. LaBorde is no stranger to Wiseau's orbit, having produced, co-written and starred in the 2011–12 series The Tommy Wi-Show — where Wiseau was abducted by aliens, shuttled off to a base on the mood and made to play video games. In addition to his better-known work, including his involvement with The Disaster Artist, Wiseau is no stranger to on-screen weirdness either. If you've ever come across his 2014–16 sitcom The Neighbours, which is set in an apartment building and combines the exact storylines you'd expect with his inimitable style, then you'll know exactly how odd his work can get. Whether SpaceWorld will progress beyond its pilot is yet to be seen, although it's definitely not the worst thing on Wiseau's resume. Check out the first episode below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAv4ceFJH3U SpaceWorld is distributed by Octopie, and is currently available via its YouTube channel.
If you're currently in wanderlust mode, currently waiting for a new travel deal to decide where you're going next, then we have some news for you — running off to Australia's iconic Red Centre has just gotten incredibly affordable, thanks to Qantas' latest flight sale. We think this part of Australia is always a worthy travel destination but it's just that much more appealing with cheap tickets. It's the perfect excuse to explore the extraordinary regions around or between Uluru and Alice Springs — full of quintessentially Aussie landscapes and wildlife. The sale launched this morning and runs until September 26 (or until sold out). During this time, Qantas is slinging tickets to the Red Centre for $199 each way. That's a saving of about $180 each way. But the discounted tickets are only available during specific dates in summer. Nab this deal for flights between November 1 and December 14, 2022, as well as between January 17 and March 30, 2023. This might be a quite specific period, but it's also one of the best times of year to visit. And are you wondering what to do once you get there? Uluru's incredible Field of Light installation is a permanent recommendation — and you can also check out our guide to visiting the Red Centre. Qantas' Red Centre sale runs until 11.59pm AEST on Monday, September 26 (or until sold out). Images: © Tourism NT
With a booming five-year stint and loyal crowd of regulars under its belt, unique party place Pawn & Co shocked plenty when it announced it was getting turfed from its Chapel Street home — at the hands of developers, no less. But, as promised fiercely to its fans, the bar-pawn shop hybrid has returned with a vengeance, moving to impressive digs around the corner, at 177 Greville Street. The new iteration is bigger and better than ever, with the original hidden bookshelf entrance now leading punters to a heftier two-level space, complete with cosy booths, a courtyard, and three separate bars. This time though, co-owner and designer Josh Lefers has dialled up the steampunk aesthetic to a whole new level, with the retro-futuristic reboot boasting such random treasures as a cryogenic chamber, a steampunk throne, and an old Victorian tram you can sit in. There's also a church organ mixing cocktails, a talking vending machine taking drink orders, and a host of bonus extra features, glimpsed only through special glasses given to patrons. Of course, Pawn & Co has stuck with the bar concept that put it on the map (it was once featured by Forbes back in 2013), so absolutely everything inside the space is up for sale. Best keep that credit card on a short leash though, unless you really want a cryogenic chamber for your house. Pawn & Co. 2.0 is now open at 117 Greville Street, Prahran. For more info, visit pawnandco.com.au. Images: Eugene Hyland.
Every film festival has its highlights, and its events that make each specific fest special. For the Melbourne International Film Festival, its Hear My Eyes gigs are one such standout. With movies such as Drive, Girlhood, Suspiria and Two Hands, MIFF has brought beloved and classic flicks back to the big screen, accompanied by a live — and all-new, completely original — score that's played while film lovers sit, watch and listen. It's as unique a movie-going experience as you can get, even if you've seen the feature in the spotlight countless times before — and for MIFF 2022, another exceptional film is getting the Hear My Eyes treatment. Get ready to revisit the role that made Eric Bana an international movie star, and to dive back into one of the most infamous crime tales in Australian history. In other words, get ready for Chopper. Twenty-two years after it first hit cinemas, the exceptional Andrew Dominik (This Much I Know to Be True)-directed flick will grace The Astor Theatre's big screen for one night only, on Wednesday, August 17, with sessions at 6.15pm and 9pm. It'll also pair its visuals with a brand-new original live score, as spearheaded by Mick Harvey, member of the Bad Seeds, and the musician who originally gave Chopper its soundtrack. As well as composing the new score, Harvey will be joined by supergroup Springtime — featuring Gareth Liddiard from Tropical Fuck Storm and The Drones, Jim White from Dirty Three and Chris Abrahams from The Necks — to play it live. Tickets to this big-screen date with Uncle Chop Chop go on sale from 10am on Thursday, June 16.
Fresh from winning the 2020 Australian Music Prize for their latest album, The Avalanches are hitting the road and bringing the acclaimed sounds of We Will Always Love You to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. Between late April and the end of May, the beloved Australian electronic act will be touring the east coast and doing one of the things it does best: filling live music venues with its inimitable sample-based tunes. If you haven't seen Robbie Chater and Tony Di Blasi do their thing live, you're in for a treat. If you have, you'll know what you're in for. Either way, you'll hear tracks from the group's latest record — which features MGMT, Rivers Cuomo, Denzel Curry, Johnny Marr, Neneh Cherry, Perry Farrell, Karen O, Mick Jones, Sampa the Great, Tricky and more, and released last December — and, obviously, tunes from 2000's iconic Since I Left You and 2016's Wildflower, too. The tour kicks off in Melbourne on Friday, April 23, which isn't actually new news. In fact, that show at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl — The Avalanches' first live gig since releasing We Will Always Love You — is basically sold out, with just private deck tickets still available. If you're in Brisbane, though, you'll want to mark Friday, April 30 in your diary. And, for Sydneysiders, you'll need to block out Thursday, May 27. The Avalanches will play the Brisbane Riverstage in the Queensland capital, and Enmore Theatre in NSW — with pre-sale tickets going up for grabs from 10am local time on Wednesday, March 24, and general public sales hitting at the same time on Thursday, March 25. If you now have perhaps the biggest and best Australian-made earworm of the past two decades stuck in your head — that'd be 'Frontier Psychiatrist' — that's understandable. Expect it to live there for at least a few days. And if you're now looking forward to a big live gig after a lean year for music fans, that falls into the same category. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvZpn322LxE THE AVALANCHES 2021 EAST COAST TOUR DATES Melbourne — Friday, April 23 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl Brisbane — Friday, April 30 at the Brisbane Riverstage Sydney — Thursday, May 27 at the Enmore Theatre Pre-sale tickets for The Avalanches' Brisbane and Sydney shows go on sale at 10am local time on Wednesday, March 24, with general public sales hitting at the same time on Thursday, March 25. Visit the tour website to sign up for pre-sale and for further details. Top image: Grant Spanier.
Plenty has happened across Brisbane for Melt Festival, the city's annual LGBTQIA+ celebration, in past years. Getting more than a thousand people singing together to support and champion the LGBTQIA+ community will be a first, however. After already locking in a a Brissie-only show by Broadway icon Bernadette Peters for its 2025 event, and also confirming the return of the River Pride Parade for this year, Melt has now announced 1000 Voices, which will see singers from queer and pride choirs — plus anyone else who wants to join in — get crooning. Set to take place on Sunday, November 9 to close out Melt 2025 — which runs from Wednesday, October 22–Sunday, November 9 — the choral event will feature voices from across both Australia and New Zealand. Already, participation by the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir and Brisbane Pride Choir is confirmed, but that'll be just the beginning. It's expected that folks from Melbourne, Darwin, Adelaide, Northern New South Wales, Perth, Canberra, Auckland and beyond will take part as well. Adam Majsay, Music Director of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, is leading the charge — which will also give the River City a preview the day prior. On Saturday, November 8, a flash mob featuring some of 1000 Voices' talents will hit up a Brisbane bridge (there's plenty to choose from) as a sneak peek before the main event. "There's nothing quite like the sound of hundreds of voices rising as one — it lifts the spirit, opens the heart and reminds us what true family feels like. I've had the privilege of leading large-scale choral projects that centre inclusion and visibility, and I've seen first-hand how music welcomes people in," said Majsay, announcing 1000 Voices. "1000 Voices at Melt Festival will be more than a performance — it will be a powerful moment of connection for LGBTQIA+ singers, allies and anyone who simply loves to sing. Whether you're part of a choir or stepping into something like this for the first time, there's a place for you in this sound. And what a sound it will be — joyful, bold and unapologetically full of pride." "I'm personally so excited to be coming to Brisbane for this extraordinary event, and I can't wait to stand together with voices from all over Australia and New Zealand. Come be part of it — lift your voice and help us share in something unforgettable." If you're keen to join in, whether with your existing choir or lending your solo voice to the event, registrations are now open via the Melt Festival website. Melt takes place in spring, and returns in 2025 after being reborn in 2024 as a fringe-style celebration of queer arts and culture that not only fills Brisbane Powerhouse, but spreads across the city. Last year, more than 120 events popped up in 70-plus venues across southeast Queensland, complete with a Wicked-themed Halloween ball, a pool party and plenty more. 1000 Voices is taking place on Sunday, November 9 in Brisbane, with registrations available via the Melt Festival website. Melt Festival 2025 runs from Wednesday, October 22–Sunday, November 9. Hit up the festival website for more details.
Step into the light and embrace your own mortality at the unsettlingly-named Festival of Death and Dying. Curated by artist and scholar Peter Banki along with festival dramaturge Victoria Spence, this two-day event will feature a mixture of workshops, talks and performances in order to examine the western fear of death while celebrating all that life has to offer. Standout events on the program include Share My Coffin, a role-playing workshop in which participants will be cast in the role of both mourners and the deceased and End of Life Dreams, a discussion with palliative care physician Dr. Michael Barbato about the experiences of dying patients. Mortality Performance Night will see an evening of long and short performance works from artists including Alice Cummins, Alan Schacher and WeiZen Ho. The Festival of Death and Dying will be held at Dancehouse Studios in Melbourne on September 9-10. Image: 'Free falling No.1' from the series Death Suits Me Fine by Paula Mahoney.
After a tumultuous year that has included breaking the news of closure, closing and then reopening temporarily in its original AC/DC Lane digs, and then closing for good back in July, Melbourne's legendary live music hot-spot Cherry Bar has found itself a new home. This afternoon, the Cherry crew announced on Facebook, that it's signed the papers and gotten the keys for a little spot on Little Collins Street. You probably know it — until recently, it was home to another big name in the Melbourne late-night scene Boney (formerly Pony). It sadly closed its doors on November 2. Back in January, when it was first announced that the bar would be leaving AC/DC Lane after 20 years, co-owner and booker James Young assured us all the Cherry legacy would live on. "It is my intention to take the name, the staff and the sticky carpet to a new Melbourne address with a long lease and a safe and secure future for live local music and late night rock n roll revelry," Young stated on Facebook. And it seems as though the rock revelry will certainly continue in this new home, less than 500 metres down the road, which has space for 230 punters and one of the few seven-day, 24-hour licences in Melbourne. The Cherry Bar story has been as colourful as it is long, the space playing host to everyone from the Arctic Monkeys to Lady Gaga, and amassing an army of die-hard fans over its lifetime. Back in 2014, the venue took just three days to crowdfund $90,000 for necessary soundproofing works, following the threat of mass noise complaints from a new residential building erected next door. The new Cherry Bar is expected to open sometime in December, after the old nightclub is given a makeover befitting a live music venue known for its dingy rock vibes. Cherry Bar will open at 68 Little Collins Street, Melbourne next month. We'll keep let you know when we have an opening date and more details. Images: Cherry Bar/Visit Victoria/Jake Roden.
If you're watching a film in a darkened theatre without some sort of snack in your hand, are you really at the cinema? Lovers of popcorn and choc tops certainly don't think so. And while whipping up a bowl of popped corn kernels in the microwave is a rather easy way to help recreate that movie magic at home at the moment, enjoying a choc top — a proper cinema-quality choc top, not just your own attempt — isn't quite that simple while Victorian picture palaces are temporarily closed. To help satisfy the country's choc top cravings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bulla's choc tops range hit Australian supermarkets earlier this year — but only for a limited time. Now that Victoria is under strict coronavirus restrictions again, the ice creams are making a comeback from today, Wednesday, August 26. Again, it's a short-term arrangement; however if you'd like to grab a few next time you're doing your essential grocery shopping, now you can. This time, two different flavours are on offer, too — so you can lick your way through chocolate and boysenberry varieties. Old favourites vanilla and mint are also available and, to grab them, you'll need to head to Coles. Bulla and Coles haven't revealed just how long the choc tops will be on the freezer shelves, other that they're only there while stocks last. Prepare to eat a few — a four-pack will cost you $10. Find Bulla's choc tops in the Coles freezer aisle for a limited time. For further details, visit the Bulla or Coles websites.
Bored, retired American goth rock star Cheyenne (Sean Penn) is living in an enormous mansion in Dublin with his carefree wife of 35 years, Jane (Frances McDormand). When he learns of the death of his estranged father, Cheyenne returns to America, at which time he begins to find out information about himself and his family that he never knew. When asked about his father things begin to unravel. Cheyenne is told a story of an SS Officer who humiliated his father in Auschwitz, and who may still be living in America. This is where Cheyenne embarks on a journey across his homeland, now foreign to him, on an expedition of reconciliation where encounters with people and situations allow him to find himself. With a nod to The Cure's Robert Smith, Penn plays the complex character of Cheyenne as softly spoken and kind in a convincing and unique performance. The film draws charm and originality to the forefront with a stunning cast and compelling storyline, not to mention a remarkable soundtrack with music and lyrics by David Byrne and Will Oldham. This Must Be The Place is in cinemas April 5. You can read our full review here. To win one of ten double passes to see This Must Be The Place, just make sure you are subscribed to Concrete Playground then email your name and postal address through to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
With a design that wouldn't feel out of place in any modern Melbourne cafe, Ori Tea sports a slightly different vibe to most of its boba-slinging counterparts. It's a solo player, serving up a whole rainbow of concoctions to suit just about any sort of tea craving. Fans will find those chewy brown sugar pearls showcased in a range of drinks, from vibrant matcha lattes, to milky dragonfruit fusions. Though the caramelly goodness of the signature brown sugar pearl milk drink makes it a firm fan favourite, dense with boba and artful streaks of tea. Elsewhere on the menu, find fruit-forward blends topped with cheese foam and a tidy lineup of desserts.
After exhibiting in Sydney earlier this year, Chinese artist Chen Qiulin brings her first Australian solo show to the Shepparton Art Museum. Her practice draws upon her experience growing up in Wanzhou City in Western China and the confluence of natural and urban landscapes. In recent years, the rapid urbanisation of China has becoming central to her work, which explores the intricacies of city planning, architectural hierarchies as well as tensions between tradition and technology. The centrepiece and namesake of the show is the impressive One Hundred Names, consisting of the most common Chinese family names, carefully carved out of tofu. This edible artwork is designed to gradually decay over time, symbolising the material transformation that inevitably follows intensive labour. The exhibition will also feature a range of photographic, video and performance works. As part of the exhibition, SAM will also hold a one-off tofu banquet with the artist on Saturday, June 4 to coincide with the launch. You can book tickets here. Image: Chen Qiulin, Ellisis Series No.1 2001 58×86cm Photograph, Giclee Print, Ed.8 Courtesy the artist and A Thousand Plateaus Art Space, Chengdu © the artist.
It's been a challenging year for Australia's hospitality scene, but things are already looking up for 2021. Especially now that we've been given an opening date for the hotly anticipated project from restaurateur Chris Lucas (Chin Chin, Hawker Hall, Kisume), and Martin Benn and Vicki Wild of Sydney's now-closed three-hat fine diner Sepia. More than three years in the making, the trio's landmark collaboration Society is set to open its doors in the historic 80 Collins Street building from March. This grand, multi-faceted venue will boast 180-degree views over Collins and Exhibition streets, comprising the main Society dining room, an opulent lounge bar and a lush indoor-outdoor eatery named the Lillian Terrace, in honour of former Paris End resident Lillian Wightman. While each space is set to deliver a distinctly different offering, Benn's renowned flair for avant-garde cooking will shine throughout. The bar will be your go-to for pre-dinner drinks and snack-matched cocktail sessions alike, featuring a tight array of drinking fare to complement an elegant lineup of libations. Elsewhere, you'll be able to settle in for a luxurious meal beneath the lofty ceilings of Society, or pull up a seat on the terrace for an al fresco feed overlooking the former site of 'Luxury Lil' Wightman's legendary fashion boutique Le Louvre. [caption id="attachment_787570" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nick & Nora's by Brook James[/caption] Melbourne architects Russell & George have overseen the design of the site, tasked with creating a modern twist on mid-century style, while lending an intimate feel to the spacious venue. Lucas hopes that, once complete, Society will fill a void for locals and visitors alike. "Our society, our city has been through so much this year," he said in a statement. "It is with great pride that we can finally look to opening our exciting new dining destination and add another dimension to Melbourne's already incredible restaurant scene, that has been such a big part of my life." Society will join 80 Collins Street's growing list of hospitality venues, including already open champagne bar Nick & Nora's and coffee shop Maverick, and Farmer's Daughters — a three-storey, paddock-to-plate restaurant from Pastuso chef-owner Alejandro Saravia — which is set to open next year. Society is slated to open at 80 Collins Street, Melbourne, from late March 2021.
How better to banish those dreaded post-holiday blues than a sparkling summer Sunday spent frolicking on a rooftop? The ever-colourful Good Heavens has teamed up with its mates at Fixation Brewing Co, serving up a series of monthly Sunday sessions guaranteed to get your 2019 off to a very solid start. Head along on Sunday, January 6 — and the first Sunday of each month after that — to wrap up your weekend in true summer style. There's a $60 bottomless barbecue brunch to feast on, perfectly washed down with hoppy Fixation beers, plus green tea and mango mimosas. Further fun comes in the form of a holiday-worthy $10 spritz menu from 12–4pm, super-sized board games and activities, and DJs spinning those weekend beats all day long. There are two sessions available for each event — book in for the 12–2pm time slot, or round out your afternoon with a 2–4pm visit.
Melbourne cinephiles, prepare to spend plenty of time in yet another picture palace. Come 2019, Swanston Street's Capitol Theatre will reopen its doors and once again host cinema screenings. The RMIT-owned building will become a home-away-from-home for the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), which is closing down for a major refurbishment between mid-2019 and mid-2020. While ACMI's Federation Square base is completing its revamp, the organisation will partner with RMIT to bring its screenings to the Capitol. Festivals that usually use ACMI as a venue, such as the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Human Rights Arts & Film Festival and the Japanese Film Festival, will also make the temporary move. In readiness for getting the projector whirring, the Capitol is also undergoing a revamp of its own. The theatre's foyer will be restored, seats and carpet will be replaced, and upgrades will be made to its cinema projection, lighting and sound facilities. As well as revitalising a space that dates back almost a century, RMIT is eager for the Capitol to regain its place as one of Melbourne's cultural hubs. The university expects the venue to host more than 500 events and to welcome more than 100,000 visitors through its doors every year. RMIT will also use the space as a research and innovation hub in fields such as film, digital media, virtual reality, augmented reality and animation, for both educational purposes and for the broader industry. "We're creating a cultural and educational destination," said RMIT Pro Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President Professor Paul Gough in a statement. "A thriving centre where the creative community can interact, connect and collaborate." The news comes after the university launched a crowdfunding campaign to restore the Capitol and put it back into use, noting the building's significant historical value. First opening in 1924 — and initially hosting silent films that were preceded by live theatre productions before each screening, as well as being accompanied by Australia's first large Wurlitzer organ — the site was designed by architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, who also designed the city of Canberra. The Capitol's geometric-shaped light-filled ceiling is quite the striking sight, but one that's been seen intermittently by audiences over the past few decades. After initially closing in the 60s, being renovated to turn its stalls-level seating into the Capitol Arcade, and then undergoing remodelling again when RMIT took over in 1999, The Capitol has remained shut since 2014. We're looking forward to seeing it open once more. The Capitol Theatre is located at 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne and will reopen at a yet-to-be-revealed date in 2019. Image: RMIT.
Outdoor cinemas are usually reserved for balmy summer nights once the season officially changes over to summer. But this year, American Express Openair Cinema is hitting Melbourne early for a special spring season at Yarra Park right next to the MCG. From Wednesday, October 9 until Sunday, November 3, you'll be able to catch one of many box office hits on the pop-up cinema screen. If you haven't seen it yet, pencil in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood for opening night; otherwise, you might want to book in a date to see the just-released Downton Abbey film. The program also gives you the chance to sneakily catch up on some of this year's most hyped films, including Rocketman, The Lion King, 2040 and the must-see Adam Goodes doco The Australian Dream. Fitzroy's Ladro will once again be slinging its woodfired pizza, and a bar, serving Urban Alley brews, Giesen wines and Pimm's will keep your thirst quenched all night long. Oh, and it's a dog-friendly space, so you don't need to leave part of your family at home. Plus if you're an Amex user you'll get 15 percent off select tickets, plus a lounger and bites for the movie.
Haunting strains of bluegrass music flow through Belgium's tear-jerking entry to last year's Academy Awards. Such mournful melodies are a fitting accompaniment to the story, about two musicians whose marriage begins to crumble after their daughter succumbs to terminal cancer. Despite the miserable subject matter, writer-director Felix Van Groeningen eschews unchecked histrionics for honest, bittersweet emotion. Actors Johan Heldenbergh and Veerle Baetens have devastating chemistry as shell-shocked parents Didier and Elise. A banjo-playing cowboy and a music-loving tattoo-artist respectively, they're a free-spirited pair brought crashing down to earth by six-year-old Maybelle's unexpected diagnosis. The best moments in the movie are undoubtedly the songs; a mix of classics and original compositions performed in key scenes by Didier, Elise and their band. In these moments in particular, Van Groeningen finds his harmony between beauty, sorrow and joy. Read our full review here. The Broken Circle Breakdown is in cinemas on Thursday, May 15, and thanks to Entertainment One, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email us with your name and address. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=raaHRyBtIEo
Our knowledge sector is responsible for new ideas, technology and Game of Thrones — i.e. all the important things. And now it's the time of year to give them a comprehensive look-in, check out what they've been up to and exercise our frontal lobes with the arrival of Melbourne Knowledge Week. Running over the first week of May, there'll be more than 70 different events on the agenda full of movers, shakers and thinkers under the themes of urban living, food, community sandbox, the body, future work and startups. Attend a rescue dinner using only food about to be discarded, witness a conversation about art by Indigenous people, for Indigenous people, or attend a #shehacks bootcamp especially for women entering startups and hackathons. If you've got a best-thing-since-sliced-bread kind of idea, throw it into the rink at the Melbourne Silicon Beach Pitch Night. Or find The Playground, an interactive treasure hunt-like art project created by artist Betty Sargeant — you can hunt for sculpture pieces scattered around the State Library and then use them to contribute to a community-created piece of art. And that's just the start of it. So do some lunges to warm up and peruse the program until you find something you've always wanted to know more about — those rusty bits of your brain will thank you. Image: Elleni Toumpas.
Sorry to break it to you, but your cab home tonight will be at least $6 more expensive. After a review from the Essential Services Commission and a subsequent ruling from the state government, Melbourne taxis this week see their first fare rise since 2008. Much to our tragic, drunken despair, the biggest price hikes are going to those late-night rides home on the weekend. Between 10pm and 4am on Friday and Saturday nights punters will now be paying $6.20 in flagfall fees alone. If you're after a maxi, expect that fee to rise to $14. Flagfall rates during the day will also be jumping to $4.20, and a ride on weeknights will set you back $5.20 from the get go. Across the board, the changes equate to a price rise of 12.5 percent. That is unless you're up for travelling short distances — then your fare has magically doubled. Yeouch. While any rise in prices is understandably easy to moan about, the changes may in fact help inner-city commuters in the long-run. Not only will there be more cabs on the weekends as drivers fight to get the bigger fares, but it may also be an incentive for taxis to drive you short distances. No longer do you have to bribe and convince drivers to take you from the CBD to Fitzroy! I think we all know that awkward (and illegal) Saturday night exchange that ends in them locking their doors, speeding away, and leaving you to begrudgingly make your way home in inappropriate walking shoes. However, it is interesting that these fees come at a time of flux for the industry. The controversial ride-sharing service Uber has secured most of its business in Australian cities on the fact that it's cheaper than local taxis. Though its Melbourne drivers have recently faced legislative action from the state government, it doesn't look to be disappearing any time soon. And, with these latest price rises, more and more commuters may be looking for alternatives. Either that, or you can stay out till 5am and avoid the hefty flagfall. Boney, anyone? Via The Herald Sun. Photo credits: Savio Sebastian via photopin cc and mugley via photopin cc.
St Kilda's newest hospitality addition will quickly make you forget that we're deep into another icy Melbourne winter. Overlooking the beach from the ground floor of The Esplanade's new Saint Moritz precinct, LOTI leans into its seaside location with breezy looks and a fire-driven Mediterranean-inspired offering. The moniker is an acronym for Lady of the Ice and a nod to the neon signage of a female skater that stood atop the nearby St Moritz ice rink until 1981. But unlike its namesake, there's nothing frosty about LOTI. Statement curves are a staple of the Mitchell & Eades interiors, backed by natural materials, and soothing hues of sand, peach and soft green. It's a warm, serene space, imbued with the energy of a coastal holiday. With a resume that includes names like Lûmé , NOMA Australia, Aria and Quay, Head Chef Elijah Holland is heroing the art of cooking over flames, along with ancient techniques like curing, fermenting and preserving. Native ingredients star throughout a seafood-heavy menu that's largely inspired by the local coastline. Down the lighter end, you'll spy bites like scampi skewers — butter-poached, grilled and finished with a kelp glaze — along with house-made seafood and meat charcuterie, yellowfin tuna mousse cornettos, and an artichoke tarte tatin. Barley-fed beef tartare features Davidson plum molasses, river mint and mustard greens; wild venison is matched with juniper and mountain pepper; and the rigatoni pasta with baked clams, bower spinach and gruyere promises one heck of a side dish. Led by co-owner Cameron Northway (founder of Cocktail Porter and owner of Bondi's Rocker) and developed in conjunction with World Class Bartenders from his drinks agency Sweet&Chilli, the drinks offering is equally strong. A cocktail lineup focuses on locally-accented interpretations of the classics — think, the Dirty Martini with uni butter vodka and vermouth, and the Cooler pairing cacao and white rum that's infused with river mint. Meanwhile, the wine list showcases a wealth of biodynamic and organic Aussie producers, giving special love to those making varietals that hail from the coastlines of Europe. Find LOTI at 14 The Esplanade, St Kilda. It's open 11am–late Wednesday to Sunday. Images: Parker Blain
When Uncle Tetsu arrived in Sydney it was known as 'the place with the very long line'. It also resulted in crowd control barriers and staff with clipboards to manage manic customers after a bite of soft fluffy cheesecake. The good news is here: everyone's favourite uncle is moving to Melbourne. According to a Facebook post, the Japan-based chain — which now has over 70 stores worldwide, including a new one in Auckland — will open not one, but two stores in Melbourne "really soon". Uncle Tetsu's is world renowned for its distinct light cheesecakes. You won't find a biscuit base or fresh cream cheese top layer; baked in a water bath, the sides are moist like pudding, they're eggy and pancakey, with little sweetness. Not: the cakes are vegetarian friendly but not gluten-free.  The menu is yet to be confirmed, but here's hoping we get the honey madeleines too. The locations haven't been announced either, so we'll keep you updated on that one. Image: Ryan La.
Ever been so caught up in work, sleep or staring blankly into space that you've missed a huge piece of breaking news, only to discover something big has happened when you later log onto Facebook and notice everyone's changed their profile picture and talking about something you definitely do not understand? Those are the times you wish a mate had just sent you a little nudge to say that, "hey, X world event is happening right now — you probs need to know about it" or "X is doing a free gig tonight" to save you looking like a fool at the water cooler the next morning at work. Well, ABC News is now that friend. All you have to do is start up a convo with them on Facebook Messenger and they'll keep you updated on the latest news through some sneaky text messages. It's called ABC News on Facebook Messenger (fitting, really), and it's the broadcaster's newest way to deliver personalised news to its audience on mobile. All you have to do is find ABC News on Messenger (you can just search for them) and start up a conversation. Then, they'll send you the latest news updates through short, snappy messages in a conversational format — just like a really, really informed friend. It's very similar to the Quartz's news service, which does basically the same thing but through their own dedicated app. The best thing about having a personal convo with the ABC — the news is put together by their digital editorial team and the service is powered by a third-party bot Chatfuel — is that you can choose what news you want to get notified about. If you want a summary of what's happened while you've been sleeping, you can choose to get one sent to you as your alarm goes off. Or, perhaps you just want to get alerts when the really big stuff happens? You can opt in for the too. You can also choose alerts for sport teams you follow, long-form news or stories that involve puppies. You can also just start up the convo at any time to see what's happening. The service was rolled out yesterday after a successful trial. You can find out more and sign up here.
Sydney's Taronga Zoo boasts its own glamping experience, as well as a luxe new eco-retreat. At Melbourne Zoo, you can stay overnight in the elephant exhibit. Next year, southeast Queensland's Australia Zoo will follow suit, opening a campground that'll also include glamping and eco cabins. Slated to launch in 2020 to celebrate Australia Zoo's 50th anniversary celebrations, the new addition to the Irwin family's Beerwah zoo has unsurprisingly been dubbed Camp Crocodile Hunter. It'll feature a combination of tent accommodation, powered sites for caravans and RVs, glamping-style tents and cabins — with 108 sites included in total. Wildlife lovers can also look forward to a new cafe, an entertainment and pool area, covered cooking areas and a mountain bike track. And, there'll be facilities for school camps, too. Expect all of the above to be put to frequent use, with Australia Zoo anticipating that Camp Crocodile Hunter will attract more than 39,000 visitors each year. Increasing both tourism and zoo patronage is clear aim of the $8 million project, which has received Queensland Government support alongside Australia Zoo's own funding. Just what else the "luxury bush camp experiences" will entail hasn't been revealed, but for folks keen to extend their trip to the famed zoo across at least two days — and avoid having to trek offsite to stay the night — that's obviously on the agenda. From the crocoseum and croc school, to the onsite wildlife hospital, to a lineup of animals that spans tigers, cheetahs, giraffes, lemurs, meerkats, otters, rhinos, kangaroos, koalas, emus, crocodiles and more, there's definitely plenty to see. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwRk7kkF1eZ/ Camp Crocodile Hunter was first announced back in April, but construction started just this month, after the completion of planning work for all of the campground essentials — aka electricity, water and public amenities. Australia Zoo's Camp Crocodile Hunter is slated to open in 2020. For further information, visit the venue's website. Top image: Andy Mitchell via Wikicommons.
For years, the Queen Victoria Market's night series has set two very different scenes — one of spiced mulled wine and barbecue smoke for its winter season, and of balmy evening air and sangria during the summer months. But what about the in-between seasons? Are we expected to go to restaurants on a Wednesday night? It appears the answer is, no, not anymore, as the historic marketplace prepares to launch a new spring edition of its popular hump day offering. The Hawker 88 Night Market sets out to fill that Wednesday night gap, and will for six weeks this spring, from September 19 to October 24. Riffing on the bustling hawker markets of Southeast Asia, it'll serve up a riot of flavours from across the continent, as imagined by 20 of the city's most popular vendors. From rich Indian curries and Filipino barbecue to Korean-style pork belly and Japanese karaage — if it's authentic, Asian street food, it'll probably make an appearance. Different weekly themes will give you the chance to explore various cuisines of the region alongside traditional entertainment, demonstrations and cultural experiences — get set for K-pop performances, noodle making masterclasses and plenty of karaoke. The lineup includes a Filipino Festival, a Mooncake Festival, a Bollywood Festival and even a Durian Festival if you're partial to the famously stinky fruit, although the exact dates are yet to be released. And while sangria isn't likely to be on the cards, you will find a swag of sips designed to complement Asian fare, including an exclusive H88 lager from newcomers Brick Lane Brewing Co. The Hawker 88 Night Market will run from 5–10pm over six Wednesdays from September 19 until October 24. Find more info here.
People do crazy things in the name of live art. They nail their testicles to roads in Russia, sew their own mouths shut, and get people to shoot them point blank. There's a reason artists have a reputation for insanity. But it's not all that often we talk about it in a cohesive way. Why does this happen, what is it for, and is there a future in it? Artists Moira Finucane, Natalie Abbott, Casey Jenkins and Stelarc will be joined in discussion with Julieanne Pearce at The Wheeler Centre for a debate on the topic. Finally, we have the chance to ask: was this really worth it? This event was featured in our top ten things to see at the Festival of Live Art. See the full list here.
Chocolates and flowers may be Valentine's Day staples, but they're also among the easiest gifts you can give your special someone. Booking a getaway doesn't require too much additional effort; however, it's certainly more exciting — and it doesn't have to fall on February 14. No one has been travelling far to take a romantic vacation over the past year, so you and your significant other have probably spent the majority of 2020 in your own state — and much of 2021 so far, too — thanks to interstate border restrictions. But if you're keen to take your date somewhere other than your own backyard, Virgin Australia is selling flight deals for couples. They're available to multiple destinations around the country, with the cheap flights starting at $69 each for a one-way ticket. Hang on, Virgin? Yes. The same airline that, less than 12 months ago, entered voluntary administration. It has since been sold to US private investment firm Bain Capital, launched a comeback sale in early July and its voluntary administration officially ended on Tuesday, November 17. Virgin's current Say 'I Do' to Valentine's Day sale runs until midnight AEST on Monday, February 17 — or until sold out. In the sale, you'll find cheap flights on a number of routes to destinations across the country, with travel dates spanning May and June this year. If you've been waiting to book your first getaway of 2021, now might be the time. The discounted economy flights include seat selection and checked baggage. Some of the routes on offer include Sydney to the Gold Coast, Byron Bay or Coffs Harbour; Melbourne to Launceston or Hobart; Adelaide to Melbourne; and Brisbane to the Whitsundays. [caption id="attachment_785976" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Whitehaven Beach in The Whitsundays[/caption] As we are still in the middle of a pandemic, flying is little different to normal. Virgin has introduced a range of safety measures, including hand sanitisation stations, contactless check-in and face masks provided to all passengers. Wearing masks on flights became mandatory in Australia in January. Virgin is also waiving change fees and allowing unlimited booking changes for reservations made before April 30, 2021 for travel before January 31, 2022. Virgin's Say 'I Do' to Valentine's Day sale runs until midnight AEST on Monday, February 17 — or until sold out. Find out more about current interstate border restrictions over here.
For decades, if you wanted to eat a burger patty topped with cheese, there was only one way to do it. Then a number of hybrid culinary creations started popping up — like cheeseburger spring rolls, that now-popular pub menu inclusion, as well as cheeseburger dumplings and even cheeseburger soup. Or, at Banjo's Bakery Cafe, you can opt for a double cheeseburger pie. Part of the Aussie chain's signature range, it's back on offer to help simultaneously satisfy your cheeseburger and your pie cravings. Yes, the double cheeseburger pie is exactly what it sounds like. Encased in pastry, you'll find layers of burger patty, cheese, onion, tomato sauce and mustard. And, if you're wondering about that most controversial of cheeseburger fillings — yep, that'd be pickles — they're sandwiched inside as well. This isn't the first time that Banjo's, which has stores in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania, has served up this foodie mashup. But when it does offer up items from its signature range — such Tasmanian scallop, bangers and mash, and chicken parmigiana pies — they're only available for a limited time. That's the case here, too, so you'll want to get in quick if you're suddenly, unsurprisingly feeling hungry. In NSW, you'll need to head north to Glendale to get your fix. In Victoria, stores are located in Mornington, Traralgon and Mildura. Queenslanders can pick from ten spots, including Darra, Cleveland, Park Ridge and Redcliffe, while pie-loving SA residents can hit up Glenelg — and there's 29 stores in Tasmania. Banjo's Bakery Cafe's double cheeseburger pie is currently on the menu for a limited time at the chain's store's nationally. To find your nearest location, visit the company's website.
Melbourne has its fair share of arts and culture events — but none of them are quite like Vivid. Sydney's annual festival, which takes over the city's CBD in a flurry of vibrant light installations, live music, talks and design, is one everyone should experience at least once in their life. So, we want to help you get there. We've teamed up with the folks from The Streets of Barangaroo to give away a pretty amazing trip for two up to Sydney during the big event, featuring luxe dinners, shopping sprees and more — because if you're going to do Vivid, you should do it in style. As the lucky winner, you and a mate will be flown from Melbourne to Sydney on Friday, May 31 and return Sunday, June 2, courtesy of Flight Centre Barangaroo. For the duration of your stint, you'll be set up at West Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, located in the heart of the CBD. But the treats don't end there — you'll enjoy immersive dinner at 12-Micron on Friday and brunch at Wild Sage on Saturday. Prepare to then be whisked away on a harbour cruise that night to soak up Vivid's famous light projections in all their sparkling splendour. Oh, and you'll be frocked up for the occasion, too. You'll enjoy a luxury shopping experience at David Jones Barangaroo, including a glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival, one-hour personal styling session, a beauty consultation and mini makeup application, plus a $500 David Jones gift card to spend instore on the day. For your chance to be dazzled by the world's largest outdoor art gallery in style, enter your details below. [competition]718939[/competition]
Thought bingo was for your nan? Think again. It's also for you — or perhaps, if she's a groovy gran, for the both of you. Hijacking the traditional format of bingo with raves, conga lines and lip sync battles, Bingo Loco is 50 percent one of those strange dreams you get after eating too much cheese and 50 percent just a walloping good time. Comedian Andrew Stanley plays MC, while confetti showers and smoke cannons go off throughout the night (perhaps wear your glasses). Bingo ravers will compete for ultimate glory (and prizes) over the course of three rounds. In between the traditional bingo games, you'll be expected to groove to classic 90s rave bangers, partake in dance-offs, battle others for lip sync queen titles. Basically, be prepared for many high-octane, energetic activities — gone are the days of simply raising your hand when you've got a full sheet of numbers. Doing your stretches and vocal warm-ups first are advised. You'll vie for prizes, which in the past have included Coachella tickets, mobility scooters (nan, listen up), boats and lawnmowers (maybe for your dad), among other goldmines. Bingo Loco has been running across the globe for a few years and now will trumpet its way around Australia once more, with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Australia. Bingo Loco will hit 170 Russell Street on Thursday, May 23 and then return to The Prince Bandroom in St Kilda on Sunday, June 2. Tickets cost $44 per person and can be purchased here.
We know it's Thursday morning and you're just thinking about how you can get through to Friday, but take a little lunch break today. Maybe take the tram down Swanston Street. If you do, you might be lucky enough jump on one that's full of pups. To mark the year anniversary of Docklands' Dialogue in the Dark experience, a team of furry Guide Dogs ambassadors will be on-board for a 'pat and chat' until around noon today. Just look out for the Guide Dogs tram (it's #3532 if you want to put it into Tram Tracker) running between Flinders Street and Melbourne Uni. Dialogue in the Dark is an initiative that allows the public to experience one hour in pitch darkness, guided by a person with vision loss. So even if you don't get to the tram in time, you Plus, if you're keen to sign up to become a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs Victoria after your cuddles, head over here.
The impression I had of The Spectacular Now before seeing it was that it was another teen movie about a cool guy falling in love with a dorky girl — but this time genuine and refreshing. 'Not possible!', thought I, as I anticipated counting off all the ways that the film failed. Cool guys and dorky girls don't mix, and if they do, Hollywood filmmakers cannot be counted on to explain it. Now I'm forced to eat my words. The Spectacular Now definitely is that genuine and refreshing take on the cool-guy-falls-in-love-with-the-dorky-girl story. It succeeds by focusing secondarily on the romance, and primarily on the shambolic and troubled life of its protagonist, Sutter Keeley (Miles Teller). Sutter is cool not because he's a jock, a leader, a looker or a bully — he's just the most fun. He and his girlfriend, Cassidy (Brie Larsen), are the life of every party. And that's in good part because Sutter has no self-worth, no ambition and knows how to drink without cessation. The Spectacular Now is unique in its portrait of what alcoholism can look like in adolescence, beyond the usual hysteria over binge drinking. Cassidy leaves Sutter when she realises that, even though their chemistry is the stuff of legend, she wants more out of life. Sutter then meets Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley, last seen in The Descendants) — a quiet, swotty girl whose interests include manga and French club (the type who's going to own the college campus soon enough) — when she finds him passed out on a neighbour's lawn in the wee hours. Remember, Sutter is good and fun; he has no ulterior motive for hanging out with Aimee afterwards, besides that he likes her company. But, aided by his inebriation and her infatuation, that friendship quickly escalates. The Spectacular Now has ten times the nuance and complexity of the previous film from the writing duo of Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, (500) Days of Summer. It might be that they had strong source material in the book by Tim Tharp, or that they've simply matured as writers. The Spectacular Now is a standout achievement that makes you care for its characters and leaves you with plenty to think about afterwards. It's true the character of Aimee is sidelined, but she's not just a cipher; she's a multidimensional character who is only known to us through Sutter's eyes, because he's who the film is really about. The relationship between the two characters is strong, interesting and believable, with their complicated mothers being a particular source of commonality. Woodley and Teller really help to sell the roles with their incredible performances. "When you look at her, you really see her," Sutter tells his buddy at the halfway point of the movie, and much the same can be said of the two actors. They add so much depth with their mere presence. The Spectacular Now is a beautiful surprise package. High school has never looked so worth revisiting. https://youtube.com/watch?v=wceaLzbtuDY
Looking for a spot to catch the Australian Open finals this weekend? Take a wander down to The Boatbuilders Yard. To celebrate Melbourne's tennis fever, the riverfront bar has transformed into a tennis club this January, with the help of Aperol. You'll be watching all the hits on an outdoor screen, backdropped by the Yarra. Kick back in a deck chair with an Aperol spritz in hand (just $12 a pop) and a bunch of the Boaties' snacks. Among the menu's game-powering delights are haloumi fries with beetroot tahini ($13) and soft shell prawns with chilli jam, lime kewpie and togarashi ($16). But the Aperol Tennis Club isn't just about watching and feasting. It's also about getting in on the action yourself. When you're ready to dominate with your serve and dazzle with your forehand, jump on the ping pong table and do your worst. The club will be around until Sunday, January 27. Get there on Saturday, January 26 at 7.30pm for the Women's Singles Final and on Sunday at 7.30pm for the Men's Singles Final. For more information, head to The Boatbuilders Yard website.
After announcing its dates earlier this year, Moonlight Cinema has revealed the first part of its 2018–19 program. In short: pack your picnic basket and get ready to watch a heap of flicks under the summer evening sky. Kicking off on Thursday, November 29 in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and on Saturday, December 1 in Perth, this initial lineup boasts plenty of this year's favourites, a smattering of all-time faves and a few sneak peeks at new movies coming out soon. If you're wondering why it's just the first section of the program, that's because it covers the outdoor cinema's screenings until the end of January. A February and March lineup will be announced in January. Tried-and-tested highlights include A Star Is Born, A Simple Favour and Crazy Rich Asians, plus Halloween, Bad Times at the El Royale and Venom if you're after something darker. And it wouldn't be a movie season under the stars (or a pre-Christmas lineup) without Love Actually, Elf and Dirty Dancing, now would it? You can also catch pre-release sessions of twisted period drama The Favourite, from The Lobster filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, as well as Transformers spin-off Bumblebee. Or, opt for Viggo Mortensen-starring likely Oscar contender Green Book, or Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan battling it out in Mary, Queen of Scots. Heist flick Widows, amusing sleuths Holmes and Watson and the wizarding antics of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald are all also accounted for — as is Moonlight's usual food truck and licensed bar offering, and its reserved bean beds. You can also BYO booze everywhere except Brisbane. Brisbane's season is actually benefiting from two big changes, with Moonlight Cinema saying goodbye to Brisbane Powerhouse after a more than a decade and settling in at Roma Street Parkland instead. Even better — it'll run all the way through until March 31 for the first time, like its interstate counterparts. MOONLIGHT CINEMA 2018–19 DATES: Sydney: Nov 29–Mar 31 (Belvedere Amphitheatre in Centennial Park) Melbourne: Nov 29–Mar 31 (Central Lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens) Brisbane: Nov 29–Mar 31 (Roma Street Parkland) Perth: Dec 1–Mar 31 (May Drive Parkland, Kings Park & Botanic Garden) Adelaide: Dec 8–Feb 17 (Botanic Park) Moonlight Cinema kicks off on November 29. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the Moonlight website.
It's time to shed those layers of black because Melbourne's spring fashion festival is here to mark the end of winter and get you into some crisp whites and florals. The week-long event — which has ditched the 'spring' from its name and is now known as Melbourne Fashion Week — kicks off on the first day of the season, with Vogue American Express Fashion's Night Out and the Emporium Opening Night Runway setting the sartorial scene for a week of runway shows. Labels like local PAGEANT, Melbourne icon Gorman and the polished Michael Lo Sordo. RMIT's student runway returns to showcase emerging designers, and one show will be help in a car park. Ethical fashion is under the spotlight this year at the Ethical Clothing Showcase, proving that transparent production is on-trend. MFW has teamed up with the city's arts institutions to present the lives and works of two fashion heavyweights – the NGV's House of Dior retrospective is unmissable, while ACMI's screening of Yohji Yamamoto: Dressmaker, offers a rare insight into the world of the revered Japanese designer. No cash? No problem. Free i-D Magazine-curated live music from the likes of Jennifer Loveless and HABITS will keep you moving in your designer shoes, and the revolving Creative Collective Exhibition at Melbourne Town Hall will introduce you to the city's most exciting emerging artists and designers.
