Cumulus Up's City Cellar Door series returns for 2017, featuring a revolving door of Victorian wine producers all keen to show off their top-notch drops. The event is the perfect opportunity to taste delicious wine, chat directly to the makers and grab your fave bottles at cellar door prices — all without leaving the CBD. The next instalment in the series — which will run on the first Saturday of every month until November — kicks off at midday on July 1, this month paying homage to the Mornington Peninsula. Wine enthusiasts will be treated to stellar tipples from the likes of Montalto Vineyard, Moorooduc Estate, Prossimo and Taturry, alongside matched snacks available from the Cumulus clan. And what's wine without cheese? To make sure the event has all the trimmings, Prahran Market's Maker & Monger will be on deck dishing out delicious raclette. Entry is by gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to a different charity each month. This is a not to be missed event for anyone who loves wine (and cheese).
Cutting shapes. Busting moves. Throwing down. Whatever you call it, dancing is mandatory at the newly renovated Railway Hotel in Brunswick this weekend. The venue will host Cutting Shapes' latest party, where 12 hours of good times awaits you. Edd Fisher of Wax’o Paradiso will be at the helm for the evening, playing everything from disco, soul, hip-hop, afrobeat and jazz. Other musical guests for the evening include Matt Priddy (Raw Wax), a live performance from Sibling, Chris Kings and resident DJs. The party will begin in the Railway's outdoor area and will slowly move indoors as the evening progresses. Did we mention that entry is free before 7pm and there are $9 jugs all night long? Well, there you have it. In other fun news, the Cutting Shapes crew are implementing a name tag system where attendees must write their name down on entry. The reason? To encourage fellow partygoers to look after one another if they see someone in need of water or positive reenforcement. That’s the spirit.
Booking an interstate holiday is risky business right now. But, we still need to find a way to take a break from the grind to rest and recharge. The solution: book a local staycation (when it's safe to do so, of course). And, thanks to our mates at the City of Port Phillip, you and a mate (or date) can enjoy an urban escape — for free. First up, you'll check in for your overnight stay on Clarendon Street's swish Coppersmith Hotel. Then, take a stroll to a martini masterclass with the superb urban gin makers Patient Wolf Gin Distillery Co over on Market Street. When dinner time rolls around you'll tuck into handmade pasta and expertly matched Italian wines at neighbourhood osteria Park Street Pasta & Wine. And the next day, brekkie is sorted at nearby haunt Dead Man Espresso followed by lunch at Japanese cafe Kuu, too. Sounds pretty tasty, huh? Want to make this food and gin-fuelled staycation in South Melbourne yours? You can. To be in the running to win, tell us in 25 words or less what your favourite spot to visit in South Melbourne is and why. [competition]820121[/competition]
Australia’s oldest, largest and most celebrated queer film festival is back for another year, showcasing the very best of LGBTQ cinema from all around the world. With screenings at ACMI and Hoyts Melbourne Central, the Melbourne Queer Film Festival is the premier event for queer cinema in Australia, with dramas, comedies, documentaries, shorts and now, in its 24th year, a lesbian werewolf movie with a cameo by Kylie Minogue. There will also be speed dating, gay bingo and a 20th anniversary screening of that quintessential Australian queer film Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, complete with an audience costume competition. With such a variety of films to choose from, compiling a top five list is nearly impossible. Honourable mentions go to award-winning South Australian drama 52 Tuesdays which will be released in cinema in May, as well as the heartbreaking American documentary Valentine Road, about a transgender high-school student shot by his classmate, which placed second in the audience award poll for Best Documentary at last year’s MIFF. Shout-out also to the entire short film program, especially the Oz Shorts selection. BAD HAIR One of the festival’s Centrepiece Presentations, Venezuelan drama Bad Hair has drawn comparisons to 2012 festival favourite Tomboy for its honest portrayal of pre-teen sexual identity. Young actor Samuel Lange plays Junior, a nine-year-old boy whose desire to have his hair straightened for his yearbook photo seems to confirm his working-class single mother’s worst fears. A commentary not just on homophobia and youth sexuality, but also Venezuela’s grim socio-political situation, Bad Hair won the gong for Best Film at the San Sebastian Film Festival, and has been pointed to by MQFF director Lisa Daniel as one of the highlights of the program. BRIDEGROOM When Tom Bridegroom’s life was cut short in a tragic accident, it was only the beginning of the heartbreak for his long-term partner Shane Bitney-Crone. Without any protection from marriage laws, Bitney-Crone was ostracised by Bridegroom’s conservative family, prohibited from even attending his loved-one’s funeral. Linda Bloodworth-Thomason’s documentary recounts the relationship between the two men, while also shining further light on the importance of marriage equality. The film won the audience award at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival in New York, where it was introduced by former US President Bill Clinton. Bitney-Crone is expected to be in attendance at the MQFF screening. TEST A favourite at last year’s Outfest in Los Angeles where it was awarded the Grand Jury Prize for Outstanding US Dramatic Feature, Test takes place in 1985 San Francisco, when the AIDs crisis was at its peak. Scott Marlowe plays Frankie, the newest member of an up-and-coming dance troupe, who is agonising over the decision as to whether to take a blood test that will reveal if he’s infected with the disease. Set in the same era as Oscar-nominated AIDs drama Dallas Buyers Club, the film has been praised for its life-affirming approach to an obviously dark period of history. VICKY – THE GAY GENE COMES TO MELBOURNE Chosen by Barack Obama to deliver the invocation during the inaugural weekend of his presidential election, Gene Robinson is the world’s first openly gay Bishop. From director Sasha Hadden, this Australian-made documentary chronicles Robinson’s recent trip to Melbourne, where he butted heads with Reverend Fred Nile of the Christian Democrats Party. Released at a time when Australian politicians are coming under increased pressure from gay rights activists, the film explores the role religion has to play in reversing existing prejudices, for which religion is itself partly responsible. WHO’S AFRAID OF VAGINA WOLF? The last film on this list brings with it some much-needed frivolity, in the form of the award-winning comedy Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf? Described by one critic as a lesbian blend of Edward Albee’s title-inspiring play and the raucous adult humour of Judd Apatow productions like Bridesmaids and This is 40, the film tells the story of Anna, played by writer-director Anna Albelo, a single lesbian filmmaker in the midst of a mid-life crisis. The semi-autobiographical comedy is another favourite of festival director Lisa Daniel, who describes it in the program notes as a movie “not to be missed.” For the full festival program and to pre-book tickets, visit www.mqff.com.au.
Whether you like your bubble tea alcoholic, vegan or filled with creamy cheese, you'll want to make a bee line to Melbourne's newest festival. Taking over Melbourne Central, the inaugural Bubble Tea Festival will see six of the city's best bubble tea makers come together for four very-tasty days. Coinciding with Lunar New Year, the festival will run from Friday, January 24–Sunday, January 27. During that time, the CBD shopping centre's bubble tea retailers will be serving up weird and wonderful limited-edition flavours. You'll find honeydew frozen tea at Chatime, sakura lychee tea at Gotcha, taro smoothie at Gong Cha, strawberry cheese tea at Heekcha and an alcoholic lychee number at B. Lucky & Sons. [caption id="attachment_758003" align="alignnone" width="1920"] B Lucky & Sons[/caption] Joining the party is a pop-up Nuttea store — a Taiwanese vegan nut mylk tea store, which'll be serving up a ruby black tea made with plant-based cream — and a Bubble Tea Mart filled with adorable merch. To get your hands on the merch, you'll need to first buy a drinkable bubble tea from one of Melbourne Central's eight retailers and grab a Boba Token. You can then exchange this token for bubble tea-themed cups, keyrings, totes, straws, earring, Airpod cases and more. To round out the fun, there'll also be free tunes from the likes of Eurovision contender Jaguar Jonze, DJ Jade Zoe and DJ Small Fry. Images: Gotcha
If you like your liquor amber in colour, strong in taste and made from fermented grain mash — and you live in Melbourne — then you're probably a fan of Whisky and Alement. The type of secluded establishment that you'd walk right by if you didn't know it was there, the Russell Street bar has long been a whisky-lovers favourite. From this weekend, however, the bar's boozing fun jumps up a level. We mean that literally. Not content with serving up more than 500 varieties of the good stuff — and plenty of beer too — from their ground floor digs, the W&A folks have branched out into the space above their cosy hangout. That's where you'll find the Melbourne Whisky Room, which opened its doors on February 9. It's a watering hole within a watering hole, or inception for whisky drinkers. The 50-seat space boasts six times that number in tipples, with curated collectable, vintage and independent bottlings the focus. Teaming up with the Australian branch of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, it'll also feature a number of their exclusive drams — 50 to start with, plus an archive of 100 more and growing. Along with the usual W&A approach, aka knowledgeable staff on hand to answer all your whisky questions and make recommendations, the Melbourne Whisky Room will also offer table service and a focus on affordability. Yes, that means you can while away your nights in a quaint space sipping on rare drinks that won't break your bank account. Take our word for it, this hidden bar won't stay that way for long. Find the Melbourne Whisky Room at 270 Russell Street, Melbourne. For more information, visit the Whisky and Alement Facebook page.
A woman enters a theatre, damp from wild weather and flustered from running late. The man she sees is polite but clearly put out from waiting, as his complaints make clear. She is actress Vanda (Emmanuelle Seigner); he is playwright Thomas (Mathieu Amalric); their shared purpose, an audition. From their meeting, Roman Polanski's Venus in Fur lays bare their dramatic tryout. But is a budding stage star simply showing her wares to the person who could make her dreams come true, or are their respective gender positions — sexual, societal and otherwise — on trial? That question and the film's complicated power dynamic stems from a complex, comprehensive history, most plainly its adaptation of David Ives' Tony Award-winning production. Ives took inspiration from author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's semiautobiographical novella, Venus In Furs, the 1870 work credited for coining the term masochism and making it stick. His book is the starting point for Thomas's material within the movie too, the characters attempting to interpret the text on stage in a feature based on a play that does the very same. The sensual themes of the source may shine through as the duelling duo of leads quite literally circle around each other, treading the boards, flitting through the aisles and weaving in and around the backstage ephemera; however, it is the second phase of its evolution that proves most influential to Polanski's film. Blatant describes the setting, and the structure as a dialogue-heavy two-hander more so. In the filmmaker's second effort in a row based on a stage property following 2011's Carnage, and third overall after 1994's Death and the Maiden, only a flurry of camera angles and flashes of visual trickery distinguish the tale as cinematic. Seigner and Amalric generate commandingly clashing energy worlds away from their last pairing in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, endeavouring to overcome the inherently staged nature of the content with their vivid verbal sparring. Fire burns between them in impassioned performances, but the spotlight truly belongs to the erratic wannabe turned formidable temptress, as the narrative demands. Whether the strength of her portrayal stems from a husband offering his wife an exceptional opportunity, or from her flowering under his loving gaze, the married team of Polanski and Seigner make a fine pair. By design, Amalric is cast into the shadows, a suitable everyman foil. In a work teeming with comedy, carnality and cleverness, what threatens to strip Venus in Fur of its potency is its repetitive persistence and overt theatricality. Though the point is entertainingly made, it is done so continually and without subtlety. Intrigue and inertia are the opposing results, contemplating the battle of the sexes in careening fashion yet cobbled by embrace of indulgence. https://youtube.com/watch?v=-gluI5-GLZLw
If you want to view dessert paradise, simply head to The Westin Melbourne until January 2020. In the venue's Lobby Lounge, fans of sweet treats won't just be taken to a world of pure imagination, but one of pure dessert indulgence. With Charlie and the Chocolate Factory hitting the city with its musical take on the Roald Dahl-penned great, the Collins Street hotel is celebrating with its own Wonka Bar. A collaboration between the onsite culinary folks and Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio, it's the place where sugar-fulled dreams come true — and get plenty of inspiration. Serving desserts and sweet, sweet cocktails, the Wonka Bar is your go-to decadent bites. When you're not enjoying the Black Forest & Chocolate River (which combines cherries and chocolate sponge on a biscuit base, then adds chocolate twigs, mushrooms and a warm chocolate river), you can have a Golden Ticket experience (aka a gold chocolate bar paired with dark chocolate mousse, smoked vanilla ice cream and salted caramel cream). Or, opt for a Fizzy Citrus Burp (a brulee lemon curd with fizzy white chocolate aero, orange jelly and dried lemon meringue). Cocktail-wise, start sipping your way through a Blueberry Gumball (vodka, blue curacao, raspberry balsamic, raspberry cordial and soda water, topped with an ice sphere, popping candy, fairy floss and a viola flower), or embrace the Pure Imagination (dark chocolate liquor, chocolate sauce and cream, all garnished with chocolate and gold edible glitter). They're just two of the four new concoctions on the menu. Also on display is an edible garden, spanning more than three metres — and including everything from chocolate lollipops, chocolate toadstools, chocolate mushrooms, chocolate bark and planks, and chocolate twigs and leaves, to a giant chocolate caterpillar, handcrafted chocolate flowers and chocolate butterflies. If you're keen to feel like a kid in a chocolate factory, the Wonka Bar is open daily from 12–9pm.
This latest work from Natalie Abbott is all about extremes. Big and small, toned and flabby — for something so diverse, it's nothing short of amazing that our bodies all operate in much the same way. In Maximum, Abbott is set to explore these differences and push them into the extreme. Joined on stage by a bulky male body-builder, this small lithe dancer will investigate the universal nature of the body and test its limits via the oh-so-gruelling medium of physical movement. Featuring dance, posing, lifts and even fake tan, Maximum seems more like a durational live art piece than a formal show. This is exacerbated by the fact it has nearly 10 performances in under two weeks. Yikes. Our muscles are hurting already (but we can't wait to see the results). This event originally appeared as one of our top picks for the 2014 Next Wave Festival. See the full list here.
The bad news: Melbourne's NYE fireworks will not be going ahead. It's not an unexpected announcement — with the annual event usually attracting 400,000 people to the city (a number that certainly doesn't scream 'COVID-safe') — but it's a little sad nonetheless. The good news: instead of fireworks, the city is getting a new two-day food and wine celebration run by the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (MFWF) team together with the City of Melbourne. New Year Street Feasts, as the new dining experience has been dubbed, will see the city filled with 11 food precincts inspired by Europe's piazzas and squares. More than 50 venues will be involved, with precincts popping up across Little Bourke Street, Little Collins Street, Lonsdale Street, Springs Street, Russell Street, as well as AC/DC, Hardware, Flinders and Market lanes, and Docklands. As well as being exciting news for the food-loving citizens of Melbourne, it's also great news for the city's hospitality venues, with bars, cafes and restaurants restricted to takeaway-only for the better part of seven months. It's been a particularly difficult seven months for venues in the CBD, too, as many Melburnians continue to work from home. According to a July survey by the City of Melbourne, 15 percent of the city's hospitality businesses were unlikely to reopen after lockdown. Some big-name venues have already announced their permanent closure. One of the first was Chinatown's 30-year-old Shark Fin House, which saw an 80 percent drop in customers back in February; and Ezard, with the Flinders Lane restaurant departing after 20 years. Little Bourke Street stalwart Longrain also announced it was shutting up shop for good back in May, but then Chef Scott Pickett swooped in and revived the restaurant. The MFWF itself was impacted by this year's pandemic, first postponing, then cancelling its March festival. [caption id="attachment_744121" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The NYE fireworks will not go ahead this year.[/caption] When announcing the new event, Lord Mayor Sally Capp mentioned the difficult year it has been for the industry. "This has been an incredibly tough year and we want to mark its end by celebrating and supporting Melbourne's wonderful cafes, bars and restaurants," the Lord Mayor said in a statement. "We are tailoring a program to safely encourage more patrons into our incredible and deserving hospitality businesses that have struggled through lockdown restrictions." While the events are under wraps for now, you can expect some pretty exciting announcements, if MFWF's 2020 program is anything to go by. The OG lineup included a tongue-tingling Sichuan Snack Fair, a party dedicated to hot chips and an homage to 40 years of The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book. We'll let you know as soon as they're announced. New Year Street Feasts will run from Thursday, December 31–Friday, January 1 at more than 50 venues across Melbourne. Tickets will go on sale to the public from Monday, November 23. More info will be available at melbournefoodandwine.com.au. Top image: MFWF by Daniel Mahon
Some film festivals whisk you away to far-off countries without leaving your cinema seat, or your home. Others expand your knowledge about the state of the world and what might be to come. Screening both in-person in Melbourne and online nationally from Friday, February 18–Sunday, March 13, Australia's annual Transitions Film Festival does both. And, after more than a decade of pondering the future of the planet, changing technologies and our evolving world, this film fest is showing no signs of stopping — with more than 20 titles on its 2022 lineup. Mostly, you'll be diving into docos, but German drama Ecocide takes a different route, putting world leaders on trial in 2034 for their inaction to combat climate change in our present. Other highlights include A.rtificial I.mmortality, about a life that might extend beyond our bodies; 70/30, following a quest in Denmark to reduce greenhouse gases by 70 percent by 2030; First We Eat, where filmmaker Suzanne Crocker bans grocery shopping for a year; Mountains of Plastic, where plastic pollution still finds its way to some of the earth's most isolated regions. Or, because the list goes on, there's also a movie-length economics lesson via Hot Money; Dear Future Children, about the new generation of global protesters; Forest for the Trees, which focuses on community of 100 tree planters; and Dream On, Yearning For Change, where five people endeavour to make the world better in their own ways. Top image: Dream On, Yearning For Change.
There's nothing quite like a Saturday spent quaffing top-notch wine and gorging on cheese. Throw the spotlight on local produce and you've got something even better. Melbourne's beloved culinary event, The Wine and Cheese Fest, is returning early next year for its ninth iteration, this time at the Timber Yard in Port Melbourne. Taking over the area for one gooey, cheesy day, the event will celebrate some of the state's finest cheese, wine and artisan goodies. Chat to producers as you indulge in a parade of free tastings, sit in on a couple of cheese masterclasses or even hone your squishing skills in the day's grape stomping competition. And there'll be DJ sets and live jazz providing the soundtrack to your epicurean adventures. Up for some extra indulgence? Splash out on a VIP ticket to score your fill of free-flowing local wine and cheese platters, as well as an elegant tasting set of Riedel glasses. But don't worry, all attendees will receive a festival glass and tote bag to take home, and you're encouraged to fill with all the wine and cheese that catches your tastebuds. I mean, the vendors don't want to drive it all the way home, do they?
There's a particular texture to Los Angeles after dark that suits stories of crime and self-interest to a tee. A desolate urban badland of freeways and fast food joints, there's this eeriness; this unnaturalness; this inescapable sense of menace; that seems to creep out of the concrete and set your nerves on edge. You can feel it in Michael Mann's Heat, or in Collateral a decade later. You can feel it in sections of Nicholas Winding Refn's Drive. And you can feel it in Nightcrawler, from writer-director Dan Gilroy, as it glides out of the darkness and seizes you by the throat. Always at his best when playing characters gripped by obsession — Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain, Robert Graysmith in Zodiac, or Detective David Loki in last year's masterful Prisoners — Jake Gyllenhaal is in career-best form as Lou Bloom, Gilroy's unsettled protagonist, and our tour guide through the sordid LA underbelly. Inspired after witnessing a car accident, Lou decides to carve out a career as a 'nightcrawler', videotaping crime scenes and selling them to a local TV station for broadcast on the 6am news. As a portrait of the ratings-driven news industry, Nightcrawler is scathing, and brutally unsubtle. "Think of our newscast as a screaming woman, running down the street with her throat cut." That's the advice of Nina (Rene Russo), Lou's tough-as-nails contact at Channel 6 News. The fact that LA crime stats are actually going down is of little concern to her. In fact if anything, it makes Lou's footage ever more valuable. Watching the two of them negotiate the price of video from a triple homicide scene is so sickeningly callous that you may find yourself driven to laugher. To that end, it's tempting to call Nightcrawler a satire; a pitch black comic exaggeration of reality. And yet you can't help but wonder just how exaggerated it really is. Likewise, it's frightening to consider whether or not people like Lou actually exist. In an era in which film producers and marketing executives stress 'likability' above everything else, Nightcrawler strides boldly in the other direction. It's hard to remember the last film featuring a protagonist as flat-out sociopathic as Mr. Bloom. Hell, even Travis Bickle had good intentions. Full of wisdom cribbed from online self-help guides, Lou's wide grin and friendly demeanour is a bad approximation of humanity; a mask that hides a monster incapable of compassion or remorse.
If you missed Gelato Messina's degustation bar the last three times, you're in luck because the gelato team is coming back to Melbourne this November. Messina's Creative Department is returning to the secret room behind its Windsor store to serve up seven-course degustations for eight nights. So what kind of gelato creations can you expect this time round? Spring flavours including seasonal fruits, herbs and Japanese aromatics. One course might see you testing your tastebuds with a savoury black garlic gelato while another might have you digging in to a strawberry-shaped sorbet mound with red wine and hibiscus jelly. Tickets are $130 per person and, with just eight seats available at each sitting, you can book for groups of two, four, six or eight of your gelato-loving mates. The dinners will run at 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and at 4.30pm, 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Saturday between November 1–11. And based off of previous events, you'll want to grab your tickets ASAP before Melburnians book out the event (most probably in record time again). Head to the Messina Creative Department page to nab a seat.
Take a seat. Please, I insist, just so that you can jump out of it and celebrate in true headbanging style at the news that Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age are heading Down Under in 2014 for a co-headline tour. Okay, now take a seat again and continue to read on. Two of the biggest acts in alternative rock are set to arrive on our shores in March next year. This is glorious news to Oceania fans who haven't seen Nine Inch Nails since 2009 and Queens of the Stone Age since 2011. Both bands have teased since May about heading this way, when Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme told triple j's Tom and Alex, "Everybody who knows me knows that Australia is my home away from home. I also think it's time that we come and tell our own stories, so we're gonna skip the round of festivals and see you in your fall." Nine Inch Nails lead Trent Reznor then revealed his band's intentions to head down under when they turned down Soundwave in favour of a "better scenario" for fans. Well, there is no better scenario than seeing them combine with QOTSA for a tour that is sure to go down in legend. The tour comes on the back of Nine Inch Nails' and QOTSA's recent respective releases, the much-heralded Hesitation Marks and ...Like Clockwork, and they will be joined on stage by Australian-born Brody Dalle, Mrs Josh Homme, of The Distillers and Spinnerette fame. Which one of the two bands will play first each night? That will be left to a flip of the coin. Seriously.
It's not just a tour. It's a mega-tour, starring three singer-songwriters and 29 dates. In October, Mia Dyson, Liz Stringer and Jen Cloher will depart their Melbourne homes for what's shaping up to be one really long road trip. They've released an EP on Milk Records to mark the occasion, of which only 500 hard copies (all signed) are available. Between them, the trio count ARIA Awards, several shortlistings for the Australian Music Prize and eleven albums in their collection. Dyson is still witnessing the impact of the international release of her 2012 album, The Moment; Cloher recently launched her third LP, In Blood Memory; and Stringer's just returned from a European tour on the back of Warm In the Darkness. "This is a once in a lifetime experience for me — touring with the finest songwriter-musicians who are also my best mates!" Dyson said. "I get to back them up while they sing and play their hearts out and they do the same for me. The road will not be tough and lonely on this tour."
What do you get when you combine two restaurants that love fresh food, funky wines and Asian fusion? You get K-Town Shik, which will take over Supernormal Canteen on Sunday November 25. For this one night dinner, Supernormal Canteen's head chef Tim Stapleforth will join forces with Restaurant Shik's owner, chef and sommelier Peter Jo (Berta, Momofuku Seiobo, Belles Hot Chicken) — better known in the industry as 'Kimchi Pete'. The seven-course feast focuses on the Korean flavours that Jo is known for. Expect a party atmosphere, pumped up tunes and a menu that features seasonal, produce-driven dishes. Think raw bar items, hibachi-fired ssam chilli sauce and, as expected, heaps of kimchi. Alongside the meal, patrons can purchase low intervention and one-off natural wines that are the custom at both Restaurant Shik and Supernormal Canteen. It'll cost you a relatively reasonable $85 per person, with sittings from noon–8pm. Spots can be reserved online — but this event isn't one for those with dietary restrictions, so be sure to call ahead if you have any questions on that front. Image: Kate Shanasy.
There is something fun-sucking about the classic 'white cube' gallery space. Pristine, freshly painted walls with evenly spaced photographs or paintings or little sculptures dot the walls, everyone slowly walking clockwise around the room and spending just the right amount of time looking at each work. Occasionally, it's nice to shake it up. Smokescreen's number one priority is fun; aka excitement, interest, joy. As thousands of foam beanbag balls fill the air around you, creating an artificial snowstorm, you may wonder why every exhibition isn't this awesome. A collaboration between Elizabeth Pedler and Jeremy Eaton, Smokescreen is a place to not only release your inner child and see something fresh and fun, it's also an example of great art that will leave you wanting more.
Cut through the crap with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, in an hour long presentation designed to help you tell fact from fiction. The latest in a series of 'secular sermons' organised by The School of Life, Dr Karl on Misinformation will see the beloved science broadcaster hold court on the lies and misconceptions that have become part of everyday life. Doors open at Fitzroy Town Hall at 10.45am. The event will begin with a musical performance at 11am, before Dr Karl takes the stage at 11:30am. Covering everything from antioxidant supplements to the correlation between mobile phone use and cancer, the good doctor will explore how misinformation affects the way we think and behave, while also demonstrating practical ways to fight back when bullshit rears its ugly head. Prepare to question everything you thought you knew about the world. Honestly, it's probably for the best. Image credit: Gronk Oz
Combining tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice, a classic margarita isn't all that complicated. But, this beloved cocktail can also be rather versatile. If you've grabbed a meal and a drink at El Camino Cantina, you've probably tasted one or several non-traditional varieties. And if you head by the lively Tex-Mex chain's Fitzroy between Tuesday, March 2–Sunday, May 30, you'll be able to sip a few beloved types. After running a Hottest 100 Rita poll — and receiving more than 3000 votes — El Camino has announced exactly which varieties Aussies love. Prepare to drink your way through mango, watermelon, passionfruit and grape Nerds flavours over the next three months. All four are available cadillac-style, which means they come with a float of Grand Marnier. You'll pay $20 for a 15-ounce drink and $24. Prefer El Camino's signature strawberry margarita? It also remains on the menu. Images: Michael Gribbin.
Whether you're a skier, snowboarder or hiker, New South Wales' Snowy Mountains are an adventure-lover's playground. But if you're fond of traversing the rocky region on two pedal-powered wheels, the Thredbo Valley Track has just upped the ante. While the beautiful mountain biking trail has long been one of the area's most scenic features, the Kosciuszko National Park spot is now more than twice as long thanks to a new extension. Increasing in length by 18.4 kilometres — to 35.1 kilometres in total — the lower Thredbo Valley Track extension winds from Bullocks Flat to Gaden Trout Hatchery. Mountain bike enthusiasts can now ride through mountain gum forests, pass by woodlands filled with snow gums, and cycle along open grasslands. In the process, you'll cross six bridges, enjoying alpine views and soaking in the splendour of this gorgeous patch of the country. Now open and welcoming mountain bikers from November to May each year, the extension connects to the existing 16.7-kilometre track at Bullocks Flat, with the original leg starting at Thredbo Alpine Village. Traversing tight bends, climbs and descents, the new section is particularly suited to experienced riders. In total, the whole thing should take around eight hours to complete one-way. [caption id="attachment_755080" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Robert Mulally, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service[/caption] Folks eager to take it easier will find milder sections of the total trail around the two tracks' midpoint at Bullocks Flat. And, whether you're up for the more manageable parts or the entire thing, guided tours are also available. Prefer rambling through the region on your own two feet? Come 2022, the Snowy Mountains will also be home to the Snowies Iconic Walk, 44-kilometre multi-day trail spanning from Thredbo to Lake Crackenback. The Thredbo Valley Track is open from November to May yearly. For further information, visit the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website. Images: Robert Mulally, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Local craft beer lovers have a tasty new pop-up to cosy up to this winter, with the launch of Central Beer District at the Queen Victoria Market next month. Taking over the market's A-Shed every Saturday and Sunday, from August 4 until September 9, the pop-up beer bar is out to celebrate some of the best drops our local craft beer scene has to offer. Headed up by emerging act Brick Lane Brewing Co, the event will hero a different guest brewery each week, with appearances by Hop Nation, Two Birds Brewing, Stomping Ground, Brewmanity and Coldstream Brewery already locked in. Punters will be able to meet the brewers, have beer-related chin wags, and of course, sample a stack of tasty drops, from old favourites, to experimental new creations. To match, there'll be musical delights from the likes of retro rockers Jukebox Racket and Chicago-style blues act Jules Boult, and a barbecue-heavy menu courtesy of food truck Digging For Fire. Dishes like a 12-hour pulled pork with lime mayo and a barbecue chilli chicken burger with harissa and fennel yoghurt promise to work a treat alongside those crafty brews.
Didn't manage to squeeze quite as much wine tasting and vineyard hopping into your Christmas break as you'd have liked? Fear not, because two local producers have teamed up to bring the cellar door experience to the heart of the city. From Friday, January 12, and running through to March, Number One Bourke Street will be transformed into the ultimate summer pit-stop for The Tap Project urban cellar door pop-up. It's being headed up by celebrated Mornington Peninsula winemakers Quealy and young gun Footscray brewery Hop Nation, with each producer set to showcase a rotation of four signature drops poured fresh from the taps. Visit to try the likes of Quealy's 2017 pinot noir and 2016 pinot grigio, alongside Hop Nation favourites like Australian IPA The Fiend. You'll even be able to grab a bottle of your favourite to take home for later. Backing up the liquid treats, there'll be funk, soul and disco tunes as curated by Wax'o Paradiso's Simon TK, and a Mediterranean-leaning menu of vegetarian plates from Cian Fenaughty (formerly of Cutler & Co. and London's Dinner By Heston). Highlights include the likes of a fried mixed veg pickle teamed with gorgonzola sauce, and a 'jerked' eggplant taco starring kimchi cucumber. The Tap Project will be open Monday to Saturday — head in from 4.45–10pm weekdays and 3–10pm on Saturdays.
In Japan there is a deep appreciation for the iconic cherry blossom (sakura) tree. The prevalence of the tree in the Japanese landscape signifies the commencement of spring, and is worthy of a national celebration. Festivities commonly include parties and picnics under the cherry blossoms. In Australia, it's Sake Restaurant and Bar that's leading the appreciation for the cherry blossom, the spring season and a bit of Japanese feasting. For the month of September, they have organised a special food and drink menu and exclusive events. The festival includes executive chef Shaun Presland's signature spring menu ($88 for the likes of salmon sashimi with ponzu, steamed 'Glacier 51' black cod, and crispy salt and pepper bug tails with yuzu kosho mayonnaise), a shorter spring lunch menu ($38) and a $15 sake flight with suggested food matches. Try the special cocktail, The Kimono Doll ($17), which shows off the tantalising flavours of ichiko shochu, cherries and coco. The highlight of the month, however, may be the Harajuku Pop-Up Bar, a fun and casual incarnation of the restaurant happening on Friday, September 26. The Sake space will be temporarily taken over by DJs, Harajuku girls serving izakaya dishes ($12-18) and sakura-inspired exclusive cocktails. Nab your spot on the guestlist here.
Don your communist red, grab a megaphone and possibly swipe some rotten fruit on your way there — this is exactly what it sounds like. Brought to Fringe by Joshua Ladgrove (AKA Dr Neal Portenza), this simple but genius work involves pinning a picture of the maligned Federal Treasurer to the front wall of the theatre, letting in a bunch of pissed off people, and watching the beautiful and inevitable unfold before your eyes. It's a concept he's tried before. At last year's Fringe, Come Heckle Christ appealed to the filthy heathens among us and made for quite the show. This one understandably has a broader appeal. As Ladgrove himself states, it's really for "anyone not earning $500,000 or more". This event was chosen as one of the top ten things to see at this year's Melbourne Fringe Festival. See the full list here.
Do you ever find yourself tuning in to your favourite podcast and then tuning back out again because you're fantasising about being on the podcast? Laughing along with the host, practising your hot takes on controversial topics, and, of course, planning your humble-brag post for when you announce it on social media? Come on, we all do it. If you're that passionate about your podcasts, you should consider turning that passion into a profession. Plus, it'll bring you one step closer to an invitation to speak on the podcast of your dreams. Sure, launching into unknown career territory can be daunting, but it can also be rewarding. Luckily, Open Universities Australia (OUA) helps you find a degree to fit your goals, and study it online. So, no matter your physical proximity to the university running the course, or your life commitments, you can make it happen. Whether you're a first-time student, an aiming-to-finisher, or just looking to extend your career options by adding another notch to your belt, we know that half the battle is figuring out what you actually want to study. So, why not use the hours you've already dedicated to your favourite podcasts? Chances are your favourite genre might give you a pretty good clue as to what you're into. Read on to discover eight possible careers based on what you love to listen to. TEACHER'S PET Consider studying: Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice with Griffith University or Bachelor of Criminal Justice with University of South Australia. First up: excellent taste in podcast. Secondly: you're not alone in your ghoulish interest in murders and whodunits. This Aussie crime podcast has taken the world by storm — we seem to be morbidly fascinated in murder, assault and a bunch of gory details. Basically, Teacher's Pet gives you an insight into humanity's dark side. And if that presses your buttons, it could make you a great candidate for criminology or a criminal justice degree. If you're into uncovering bloodthirsty crimes, consider studying a criminology or a criminal justice degree online through OUA. It'll open you up to career opportunities in areas such as policing, correctional services or intelligence analysis. 7AM Consider studying: Bachelor of Communication with Griffith University or with University of South Australia. This news and current events podcast, produced by the crew behind publications The Monthly and The Saturday Paper, is a surefire way to know what's up. If you're an avid listener, it's likely that you're keen to keep up with what's going on in the world. Plus, if you're drawn to its punchy interviews and alternate analysis of news events, then you should strap in for a wild ride in communications and journalism. You'll learn all the tools you need to hold your own in interviews and produce stories that are engaging and that matter. And, when you study online through OUA, any previous relevant work experience you have may be counted, too. SCIENCE VS. Consider studying: Diploma in Science with University of New England. If you were the kid who debunked Santa Claus with cold, hard reasoning, you probably now listen to Science Vs. And, if you get riled up by the hosts debunking science's greatest myths and fads, pitting them against scientists to get to the facts straight, then you should be firing up the bunsen burner. Or, you could start by studying a Diploma in Science. Studying will give you a broad understanding of all things science but, more importantly, train you to think with scientific reasoning. Once you've got that down pat, every day will be like an episode of Science Vs. And, when you enrol through OUA, you can get started on your tertiary path even if you don't have an ATAR or any relevant work experience. STARTUP Consider studying: Bachelor of Business or a Master of Business Administration (MBA), available from a range of universities. Longtime listeners of Startup will be able to appreciate that running a business is not as easy as having a good idea — it takes an amazing amount of grind, too. Sure, there are office ping pong tables, nap pods and fridges full of beer (sometimes). But when working at one, you'll often need to wear a lot of hats. From HR issues and strategic planning one minute to thinking outside of the box and crunching numbers the next, the roles in newer companies are often blurred, so finding the right hat stand can be hard. But, if you're serious about joining a startup or building something of your own, a great place to start is with a Bachelor of Business. Or, you can level-up and undertake a Master of Business Administration. Plus, if you study through OUA, you'll be studying online, which means more time for you to work on your main hustle: building your very own startup. TRAVEL WITH RICK STEVES Consider studying: Language subjects with Australian National University or a Graduate Certificate in TESOL with Bond University. We're very visual creatures — now more so than ever before. So, you wouldn't think a travel podcast would have a hope in hell of hitting 500-plus episodes, let alone have a huge following. But Rick Steves' unambiguously titled podcast, Travel with Rick Steves, tells such rich, practical and linguistically driven stories that virtually transport you to another country instantly. It's also far more informative (and interesting) than envying your mate at Yacht Week via Instagram. So, if this podcast gives you itchy feet, consider planning a more immersive travel experience by learning another language. Or, if you're a native language wiz, consider studying a Graduate Certificate in TESOL so you can help others learn English. Not only will you be able to teach English as an additional language in Australia, but it may also open up teaching jobs around the world. STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW Consider studying: Bachelor of Education in Primary, Secondary or Early Childhood Education with Curtin University. Stuff You Should Know has been around for a while now. Investigating everyday topics and ideas, it teaches you a lot. If you've been tuning in to this podcast, chances are you're a keen learner — and you know a bunch of stuff. So, why not apply all this knowledge by educating the future generation. Your mates are probably bored of you monologuing at them about esoteric topics by now anyway. That said, you'll need a degree to be a teacher. You can undertake a bachelor degree in primary, secondary or early childhood education and, if you struggle to decide between them, enrolling through OUA allows you to study single subjects and make up your mind once you've completed a few. GASTROPOD Consider studying: Bachelor of Food and Nutrition with La Trobe University. Hey, you. Yeah, you over there. The one listening to Gastropod while scrolling through food-based Instagram accounts and eating a cronut. Your love for food is commendable. Not only are you probably able to justify splashing some serious cash at a new restaurant or breaking the bank on your weekly grocery run, but there are also so many career avenues that food can lead you to — think careers in nutrition, public health, agriculture or government. To get there, you can start by studying a Bachelor of Food and Nutrition with La Trobe University online through OUA. Also, studying online means you're not bound to eat at an on-campus cafeteria, which can only be a good thing. Explore hundreds of degrees from leading universities, available online through Open Universities Australia. You could have a new skill by the end of the year. Hop to it.
If your commute to work usually involves a bus, we're sorry. Melbourne bus drivers with transport outfits Transdev and CDC Victoria will go on strike on Thursday, August 16 — for 24 hours, as part of their latest negotiations for better working conditions. The second strike in the last month, the move will leave many routes delayed or just not running at all — and, because two companies are involved, it's set to have a wider impact across the city. Services running in Ballarat and Geelong will also be impacted. Public Transport Victoria has advised that metropolitan and regional trains, trams and bus services not operated by Transdev and CDC will be running as normal. These are the metropolitan bus routes affected. For more details, a rundown of impacted regional routes and updates as they happen, check the Public Transport Victoria website. 150, 151, 153, 160, 161, 166, 167, 170, 180, 181, 190, 191, 192 200 ,207, 215, 216, 219, 220, 223, 232, 234, 235, 236, 237, 246 250, 251, 270, 271, 273, 279, 280, 281, 282, 284,285, 293, 295 302, 303, 304, 305,309, 318, 350, 364, 370, 380 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 414, 415, 417, 418, 419, 421, 423, 424, 425, 426, 439, 441, 443, 461, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498 600, 601, 605, 606, 612, 623, 624, 625, 626, 630 901, 902, 903, 905, 906, 907, 908, 922, 923 To keep up-to-date with service times, visit the PTV website. Image: CDC Victoria.
Contrary to popular belief, Melbourne is a great place to while away the colder months. Firstly, we get to watch the trees turn from gold to orange to brown and then jump in the giant piles of leaves in the park. Secondly, Melbourne becomes very cosy in the cold. Establishments are closing their shutters, stoking the fire and shifting to a stew-based menu. But the best part is getting reacquainted with the cultural delights you've been neglecting for months in lieu of hitting the beach. Summer is becoming a hazy memory and now it's time to bunker down, gather your friends close, and enjoy some indoor activities. We've teamed up with Tanqueray to hunt down some of the best autumnal things to do this season — all to be experienced with a gin in hand, of course. BOOK IN SOME GOOD BELLY LAUGHS AND POST-SHOW COCKTAILS The most wonderful time of the year isn't actually Christmas; it's Melbourne Comedy Festival season. The halls are decked with funny people from around the world and the city becomes an all-night laugh riot. Book in to see your favourite comedy acts, and once you've recovered from the belly laughs, seek out the extra advantages MCF has to offer. For two heady weeks over March and April, you'll find bars across the city packed full of performers and post-show audience members. Head to State of Grace if you want to rub shoulders with some funny people. Once there, we recommend the Little Hell cocktail — an oddly savoury and sweet combo of gin, Campari, apple, blood orange and rosemary — to give you the Dutch courage to try your own stand-up routine out on your friends. PLAN YOUR OWN STREET ART TOUR THROUGH FITZROY You can't swing a gourmet croissant in Melbourne without hitting a piece of beautiful, political street art. Fitzroy is the perfect street art hub as there's much more wall space to investigate. Don your comfiest sneakers and set off on a walking street art tour (the most Melbourne activity in the most Melbourne suburb). While wandering, make sure you look up (especially on Argyle Street) to see some stunning murals floating four storeys above you. The suburban back streets between Collingwood and Fitzroy are dense with little pieces of unintentional art too — shrines around forgotten soft toys, DIY front door murals, installation art in gardens — all flanked with colourful autumnal plane trees. Post-arty wander, try another beloved local: a cocktail at Little Odessa on Brunswick Street. Grab a classic negroni, a plate of pierogi and sit out at the street to observe the greatest street art of all: the people of Fitzroy. WRITE LOVE LETTERS TO EARTH AND THROWBACK A FEW DOZEN OYSTERS BY THE SEA It's been 50 years since Apollo 8 launched and ScienceWorks is commemorating the event with a cute initiative called Write a Love Letter to Earth. Head to the ScienceWorks website to scribe your fondest earth sentiments and prepare to tell the little blue marble how you feel. A selection of submissions is on display at ScienceWorks as part of its Museum of the Moon exhibition. So check to see if your admiration gets featured, and once you've fully taken in all of earth's wonders, taste her best work: oysters. Head to Sebastien Beach Grill and Bar close by in Williamstown, and have yourself a merry little feast as you watch the stars wheel overhead. Wash it down with a gin and tonic or two and conversations about the vastness of space. GET BOTANICALLY INSPIRED AT THE FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW Don your gardening gloves and prepare for some serious botanical inspiration at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show in Carlton Gardens. It's a huge show, with so much more than just plants for sale. You'll find floral fashion, art and sculpture stores, live music, flower arranging contests and, of course, both surreal and achievable garden displays. Once you've stocked up on rare orchids, stroll over to Black Pearl in Fitzroy for a tipple in its cosy confines. The Pearl is known for moody, atmospheric drinking nooks and a rich cocktail menu. We recommend the Bandersnatch, made with Tanqueray, manzanilla, pear and a healthy dash of Cocchi Americano. Decompress with a botanical cocktail in hand as you contemplate how you'll arrange your new flowering botanicals at home. FIND YOUR INNER PEACE AT A JAPANESE BATHOUSE IN THE CITY If you're dying to go to Japan but can't quite make it work this season, bring a cosy little slice of Nippon to you. Book in for a relaxing spa session at Onsen Ma in the city. You can opt for a self-guided, self-reflective onsen experience in the public baths or go the whole hog and zen out with a private bath, massage and steam, too. Once you're sufficiently warmed and unwound, glide across the city toward the other side of the spectrum of Japanese experiences: intense and mind-blowing food adventures. Supernormal needs no introduction and you can probably guess what we recommend: the famous peanut butter parfait. However, before you get to dessert you'd better eat some veggies. Try the tomato, white nectarine, yuzu and mozzarella for some fresh, original flavour combos, and you can't go past the classic New England lobster roll. Wash it all down with a Revival cocktail to bring you back to reality: gin, cherry, lemonade, and anise. Celebrate the return of autumn with a Tanqueray tipple in hand at home or around your city.
Music panel shows weren't invented when Spicks and Specks and Rockwiz started airing in Australia back in 2005, but the two series became Aussie icons quickly. Seemingly everyone watched one, the other or both, with the pair earning a devoted following by realising a pivotal fact: as well as seeing musicians live, audiences also love watching them banter, bust out their smarts and just generally connecting over music. Also taking that idea and running with it is Georgia Mooney's Supergroup, which originally debuted in Sydney in 2019 and is now taking its live variety show on the road. It's inspired by Spicks and Specks and Rockwiz, obviously; focuses on stellar songwriters; and also includes live music and interviews as well. If that sounds like your kind of night out, music fans in Sydney will get to rediscover Supergroup's wonders at the Factory Theatre from Saturday, August 13–Sunday, August 14, with an impressive lineup that includes Tim Minchin, Hannah Joy from Middle Kids and Ziggy Ramo on the first night, then Josh Pyke, Ngaiire and Martha Marlow on the second. But before that — and for the first time ever — Supergroup will also head to Brisbane and Melbourne for two shows in each city. In Queensland, from Wednesday, July 27—Thursday, July 28 at The Triffid, Ball Park Music's Sam Cromack will do the honours with Elizabeth and Seja, as will Jeremy Neale, Hope D and Evil Eddie from Butterfingers. In Victoria, Brunswick Ballroom will play host to Ruby Gill, Bob Evans and KYE on Thursday, August 4, and then to Mo'Ju, Maple Glider and Ryan Downey on Friday, August 5. Here's how it works: on each evening, the guests come together to form a band, with support from the Supergroup House Band. They'll only play together for that one night, with each high-profile songwriter taking turns to perform songs while their colleagues join in. And it's all spontaneous — with no rehearsals and absolutely zero prior planning. That means that guests get an experience that's never been seen or heard before, and won't ever happen again with the same songwriters and tunes, either. "There is something quite magical about it," says All Our Exes Live in Texas' Mooney. "It is communal and whimsical and musical in the purest sense. I have a feeling this tour will take that to a new level. It's going to feel incredibly poignant to connect again in this way, after the two years we've all had." SUPERGROUP 2022 TOUR DATES: Wednesday, July 27: The Triffid, Brisbane — with Sam Cromack (Ball Park Music), Elizabeth and Seja Thursday, July 28: The Triffid, Brisbane — with Jeremy Neale, Hope D and Evil Eddie (Butterfingers) Thursday, August 4: Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne — with Ruby Gill, Bob Evans and KYE Friday, August 5: Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne — with Mo'Ju, Maple Glider and Ryan Downey Saturday, August 13: Factory Theatre, Sydney — with Tim Minchin, Hannah Joy (Middle Kids) and Ziggy Ramo Sunday, August 14: Factory Theatre, Sydney — with Josh Pyke, Ngaiire and Martha Marlow Georgia Mooney's Supergroup tours Australia in July and August — head to Georgia Mooney's website for further information and to buy tickets.
Enjoying a glass of wine might come with plenty of medical benefits, but having a tipple isn't typically an exercise-heavy pastime. You sit. You drink. You get up, top up your beverage and repeat. You usually don't walk particularly far, let alone run. Then came the Grapest 5K run, a new series of wine-tasting fun runs that kicked off around Australia in 2017. Asking participants to put in the hard yards before getting some boozy rewards, it was such a hit that it's coming back for another round in 2018. How does it work? Grapest consists of two sections. First, you sprint, jog or set forth at whatever pace suits you best, making your way through scenic vineyard surroundings. Then, you walk another kilometre — yes, in addition to the first five, or ten if you're feeling extra energetic — while stopping at tasting stations along the way and sampling the good stuff. The latter part, they're calling a "wine waddle". Don't worry, if you're not up to the active stuff and you're simply keen on wandering and sipping, that's an option (although it does defeat the idea of combining fitness with throwing back drinks). 2018's events are scheduled for March 10 at Bendigo's Balgownie Estate and October 6 at Leura Park Estate in Geelong.
In today's unpredictable world of infighting, internets and readily available guitar tabs, it's more probable than ever before that the biggest fan of a band will end up actually in the band. Ron Wood joining the Rolling Stones, Robert Trujillo joining Metallica, and now Jon Davison joining English progressive rock legends Yes (that's right, Yes) as their latest vocalist. "I'm still a Yes fan," he says from somewhere in Los Angeles. "I can't help it, these things happen. In instrumental sections where I'm holding back, I get caught up in thinking 'wow, here are these amazing musicians I've always admired just a few feet away from me — and I have a better view that anyone in the audience!'" With the sprightly American as frontman, the 50-million selling princes of prog are heading to Australia to perform their two finest releases, Fragile and Close to the Edge, from start to finish. I've played with bands for which these albums were like holy texts, and Davison doesn't dispute it. "Close to the Edge is, I think, based on the teachings of Siddhartha — a soul's journey through many lifetimes. It's very beautiful but there's a lament in it, about what the soul must endure, the challenges and the hard lessons we face as we go on. That's how I interpret it." There has been a "touch of the metaphysical" in most of Yes' output, and Davison still decodes their evocative and often cryptic lyrics from the stage. "It's not always a clear meaning. I approach the lyrics more emotionally I guess, but there are parts of songs that I very much relate to. 'And You And I' is heart-expanding, and I love 'Starship Trooper'. Those uplifting ones." Dotted throughout Fragile, meanwhile, are tracks focused on individual band members, the vocal showcase being 'We Have Heaven' — a gloriously overdubby affair. "I'm working on my own version of it now actually, in my home studio. I won't do any of [founding member of Yes] Jon Anderson's tracks, but I'll loop my voice a lot, and possibly Steve and Chris will do some other vocals too. We're going to make it as much of a live track as it can be." Anderson was an expectedly huge influence for Davison while he was finding his own voice, though they haven't become acquainted at any Yes parties yet. "I haven't had the privilege of actually meeting him, but a few who know him quite well say we would be good friends. I hope it happens eventually." The upcoming album will be the band's first with Davison, and they're champing at the bit to keep being, well, progressive. "I was very much encouraged by the others not to try to reference anything in the past, because then you compare and end up restricting yourself creatively. We've been aiming to only move forward and break new ground. Even in their heyday the band were making mindblowingly distinct albums, and we're aiming for that now. There's a real freshness to it; it moves in a new direction and accurately reflects this five-member line-up, just as it should." Despite being the lone American in a band comprised of people old enough to be his English dads, Davison is unfazed. "It's surreal but I seemed to fit in right away. They're very accommodating. What we share in common, of course, is the music — we both speak that language, despite our ages." And in a perfect world, would he sing in any other of his favourite bands? "I'd love to be a part of early Genesis. I wouldn't mind being Freddie Mercury for a day either, that would be pretty exciting." Yes 2014 Tour Dates: November 12 — PERTH Crown Casino November 14 — GOLD COAST Jupiters Casino November 15 — SYDNEY State Theatre November 18 — MELBOURNE Palais Theatre https://youtube.com/watch?v=_RJYxDfsvdg
Bourke Street's home of slow-cooked, American-style barbecue fare is getting a little raucous this New Year's Eve. Come Thursday, December 31, Fancy Hank's is farewelling the year that was with a foot-stomping, inner city hoe-down. Guest chef Ross Magnaye (formerly Rice Paper Scissors) will be in the kitchen, lending his signature Filipino twist to a menu of party-style finger food. Meanwhile, the drinks will be flowing from 9pm until midnight, with a range of tap brews, house wines, soft drinks and celebratory bubbly included in your $118 ticket price. As for the entertainment, it'll be taken care of by Melbourne's own Pauly Main and Andee Frost, as they take over the decks to treat your ears to what the venue is describing as "a searing selection of saucy songs to get you moving". Get set for everything from Dolly Parton to Acid Cowboy, kicking on until 3am.
The party specialists at Innocuous are making the most of the summer weather, with a trio of Sunday shindigs at the Shadow Electric. Dolce, Dolce, as the series has been christened, will see an eclectic mix of music acts take over the grounds of the Abbotsford Convent, spinning chilled out dance tracks until well into the night. The inaugural event, which kicks off at 4pm on Sunday, January 24, will be headlined by Swedish DJ Anton Klint in his debut Australian show. Other artists on the bill include local lads Midlife, Sydney DJ Nite Fleit and Innocuous co-founders 6AM AT THE GARAGE, to name but a few. The lineup for future parties — to be held on February 21 and March 20 — will be announced in due course. But if you want to get down ASAP, tickets for this Sunday's party are available through the Shadow Electric website.
On a couple of occasions over the last year or so, McDonald's has spread some lockdown cheer by offering burger-loving customers free delivery. Now, with stores open for in-person dining around the country, it's doing something different — because there's a mighty big milestone to celebrate. Those golden arches have been towering over Australia for 50 years now, so of course Maccas is marking the occasion. On the bill: various different promotions, specials, deals and collaborations, starting with 50-cent Big Macs. You'll want to make a date with your local store on Friday, June 18, because that's when burger lovers can pick up the chain's best-known burg for just a dodecagonal coin at any of the brand's 1009 restaurants around the country. All you need to do is order through the My Macca's app, select the deal, then mosey on down to your closest McDonald's to pick it up. There'll be more promos to follow, too. This isn't the first time that the chain has run a heap of deals in a short span; however, these ones are hanging around for a while. When it comes celebrating a birthday, going big is the only option, so Macca's will be rolling out other yet-to-be-announced specials between right up until the end of August — with the details revealed each week from Friday, June 18.
The Koreans do violent. The Italians do romantic. The French do flowery and pretentious. But when it comes strange, no one make movies like the Greeks. Characterised by a deadpan, absurdist sense of humour often punctuated by moments of unsettling violence, the so-called Weird Wave has led to a renewed interest in Greek cinema in recent times — and what better place to get acquainted than at Australia's very own Greek Film Festival. Standout wave films on the program include Luton and the aptly named Miss Violence. The latter title caused quite a stir at the Sydney and Melbourne Film Festivals earlier this year for its extremely graphic content, which caused a number of audience members to walk out. It's a remarkably well-made film for anyone who can stomach it. Just don't say we didn't warn you. Thankfully, there's more to the Greek industry than brutality and existential angst. Opening night film Little England is a lavish period romance set during the Second World War, while Block 12 mixes Bollywood dance numbers into a comedy about the country's economic crisis — because really, they just seem like a natural fit. For the full Greek Film Festival program, visit their website.
These days, Pokémon GO might just be another unused app on your phone; however the game's cute little pocket monsters aren't staying confined to a small screen. Animated Pokémon movies have been around for almost as long as the animated Pokémon television series, but now the game-to-TV-to-cinema franchise is getting a distinctive new addition: a live-action flick featuring a particularly realistic-looking Pikachu, who happens to be voiced by Ryan Reynolds. While playable Pokémon titles date back to 1996's Pokémon Red and Green for Game Boy, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu is based on the 2016 game of the same name — where, as the title suggests, everyone's favourite yellow, furry creature solves mysteries. He also talks, exclaiming more than "pika!"; is addicted to caffeine, like most of us; and has arrived to help former Pokémon trainer Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) track down his missing dad. The result: basically a Pikachu-and-human buddy cop movie, jam-packed with other Pokémon, of course. Two trailers have been released so far, and if you've spent to much of your childhood catching 'em all when it comes to Pokémon — and, thanks to Pokémon GO, plenty of your adult years as well — you'll be in heaven watching the newest sneak peek, which just dropped this week. As well as lending his acerbic attitude and vocal talents to what's certain to be the world's most adorable detective, Reynolds performed the role via motion-capture, and is joined by Kathryn Newtwon, Suki Waterhouse, Omar Chaparro, Chris Geere, Ken Watanabe and Bill Nighy among the cast. The first live-action Pokémon flick, Detective Pikachu is directed by Robert Letterman, who has Shark Tale, Monsters vs Aliens, Gulliver's Travels and the first Goosebumps film to his name. Catch the Pokémon: Detective Pikachu trailers below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8CKgQFo5U8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzvbzYoQE5o Pokémon: Detective Pikachu opens in Australian cinemas on May 9. Image: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
From gripping war stories to feel-good suburban romances, the 2015 Turkish Film Festival Australia once again promises a program full of cinematic delights. Now in its fifth iteration, this year’s festival has been brought forward to April to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Anzac campaign. Fittingly, the festival will open with WWI film Last Letter, a drama about a nurse and a fighter pilot drawn together on the Gallipoli battlefield. Other standout films include the sizzling romantic drama Let the Music Play, as well as the sweet coming-of-age tale Mixtape. Melbourne audiences will also get the chance to check out actress Melisa Sozen, star of the critically-acclaimed Winter Sleep, in her latest feature Once Upon a Time. For the full program and session times, visit the festival website.
More than a decade after making its off-Broadway debut, critically-acclaimed play The Exonerated will have its first ever Australian performance, courtesy of an independent Melbourne theatre company driven by an honourable cause. Written by husband-and-wife duo Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, the play consists of six harrowing tales of death row inmates convicted of crimes they didn’t commit. It's grim stuff, particularly when you consider that all six stories were based on actual cases, whittled down from more than 40. The Melbourne show, at Chapel Off Chapel, is the latest production by The Sol III Company — a group which raises money for prison programs and to help overturn wrongful convictions in both Australia and the US. Money made from ticket sales will be donated to Innocence International and Liberation Prison Yoga. The Exonerated runs from May 20 to June 7. For more information, head over here.
Victoria's Hot Chocolate Festival is back again this August. And, like last year, it's also bringing the decadence to you. Whether you're a Melburnian who can't make it to one of the three venues outside of town, or you're located elsewhere and you really love hot chocolate, Yarra Valley Chocolaterie is churning out boxes filled with creative hot choccie flavours. Like this year's physical fest, the flavour range is being released weekly — so you have an excuse to order more than a few boxes. To kick things off, there's the Tim Tam caramel bomb, which turns caramel Tim Tams into a ball and serves it with a caramel hot chocolate. Also tempting: the Devonshire kronut version features a berry hot chocolate topped with — you guessed it — a kronut. And, the Snickertini includes shots of Baileys and vodka, while the Dreamtime hot chocolate features lemon myrtle. Fingers crossed that fan favourite flavours like Tim Tam Slam and Golden Nutella Spoon will pop up throughout the month, along with the more adventurous likes of If You Like Piña Colada, Zingy Chilli and Cherry Matcha. All limited-edition hot chocolates come with an extra shot of hot couverture chocolate and handcrafted marshmallow, too. Plus, in previous years, some of the highlights arrived with exploding marshmallows, melting chocolate discs and truffle balls. If the eight-flavour pack each week is a little much — it'll set you back $49.95 — you can also order individual varieties for $6.50 a pop. The boxes are available to order until the end of August, and there's a flat-rate shipping fee of $15 to anywhere in Australia.
Lost Paradise is back for the fourth year in a row, after selling out its past three incarnations. Returning to Glenworth Valley from December 28 to January 1, the event will host 76 local and international artists, including local electronic goalkickers RÜFÜS, Sweden's Little Dragon, Aussie folk favourites Matt Corby and Meg Mac, Sydney lads DMAs, dynamic Melburnian duo Client Liaison and more. There'll be two new stages this year, My Mum's Disco, where, in between retro beats and '80s kitsch, you'll be playing bingo and banging out karaoke, and K-Sub Beach Club, to be run by Kraken, a collective dedicated to all things Victorian. Main stage Arcadia will host what's been designated as 'indie', while techno and dance will settle into the Lost Disco stage. Meanwhile, the Paradise Club will take care of late night shape-throwers with DJs and surprise guests. If you've blissed your way through previous New Year's Eves at Lost Paradise's Shambala Fields, you'll be glad to know they're making a return, with their cornucopia of yoga classes, dance workshops and meditations. Teachers on the schedule include Ana Forrest, Jose Calarco, Mark Whitwell, Simon Borg Olivier, Nicole Walsh and Mark Breadner. In between dancing and getting mindful, you can fuel up in Lost Village, where a herd of food trucks will be dishing out all sorts of tasty morsels. Look out for Eat Art Truck's hot smoked pulled pork buns, Agape's organic goodies, The Dosa Deli's handmade samosas, Maverick Wings' crispy chicken and kimchi coleslaw, Harvest Life as Tsuru's poke bowls and Cuba Cantina's street food from Havana. Here's what you're in for this year: LOST PARADISE 2017 LINEUP: RÜFÜS Little Dragon Matt Corby Meg Mac DMA's Client Liason Cut Copy San Cisco Tourist Stephen Bodzin Cigarettes After Sex Patrick Topping Jon Hopkins (DJ Set) Jackmaster FKJ Middle Kids Âme (Live) Skeggs Palms Trax Apparat Nadia Rose Sampa The Great Koi Child Mall Grab Dean Lewis B.Traits Roland Tings My Nu Leng Cut Snake Human Movement Billy Davis & The Good Lords CC:Disco GL Tiny Little Houses Alex The Astronaut Nyxen Sloan Peterson Mammals The Ruminators Motorik Vibe Council Robongia Krankbrother Thunderfox Gypsys of Pangea Uncle Ru Ariane Ben Nott Brohn Dibby Dibby Soundsystem DJ Gonz Elijah Something Foreigndub Inner West Reggae Disco Machine Kali and more... Lost Paradise returns to Glenworth Valley from December 28 to January 1. Tickets are on sale now from the festival website. Image: Dave Anderson and Boaz Nothham.
Surfing and gig-going have always been two of Australia's best-loved pastimes, and last year we scored a festival celebrating the best of both worlds. And, now, it's back for its second round of autumnal beachside festivals. Returning this April, The Drop festival will cruise around the country as it follows the Aussie leg of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour and it's bringing a banging little lineup of musical gold along for the ride. Surfing the festival wave for 2019 are brother-sister folk band Angus and Julia Stone, the perennially pastel indie pop duo Client Liaison and NSW surf rock band Hockey Dad, along with other local legends The Jungle Giants and Alex the Astronaut. Held on the first weekend of each area's surfing event, The Drop is set to grace some of the Australia's best surf spots, each outing featuring a locally focused offering of food, drink and culture, to match the tunes. As well as heading to the official WSL events in Torquay, Margaret River and Coolangatta, this year, the festival will also kick off Surfest Newcastle and Vissla Sydney Surf Pro in Manly — both WSL Qualifying Series events. THE DROP FESTIVAL 2019 LINEUP Angus and Julia Stone Client Liaison Hockey Dad The Jungle Giants Alex the Astronaut Images: Miranda Stokkel.
Sydney's rambunctious leotard-loving lads, Bluejuice, are calling it a day. The beloved pop/rock/dance/errrthang ratbags Jake Stone, Stavros Yiannoukas, Jamie Cibej and James Hauptmann have announced their final national tour and an upcoming greatest hits tour to wrap everything up by the end of 2014. "After 13 years of broken bones, broken hearts, sore heads, passive aggression, regular aggression, several arrests, questionable skin infections, and a busload of infuriated tour managers, Bluejuice are announcing they are calling it quits at the end of 2014," says today's press release. Abercrombie-going Purple Sneakers alumni are shedding many a tear today. Since 2001, the beloved Sydney outfit have had one heck of a ride, keeping the chin of Australian music up with three celebrated albums (Problems, Head of the Hawk and Company) on the shelf and still holding the position of most played track on triple j ever ('Vitriol'). https://youtube.com/watch?v=ldBhDmvWFXE Bluejuice have decided to part ways to test the waters in other projects, with the sad intention of giving those leotards a rest. Before they take their final bows, the team will release a big ol' greatest hits album — a retrospective ride dubbed Retrospectable, with all your favourite mid-2000s sticky-floored party go-tos, best bits from their three albums, extra rare content and new single 'I'll Go Crazy', produced by Dann Hume (Sticky Fingers/Alpine). Bluejuice will kick it on their final national tour this September/October. Starting at Adelaide's Uni Bar, the pair will meander through the capitals and rural centres before finishing up where it all started — Sydney (at the Metro Theatre, where many a drunken Bluejuice escapade has roamed before). In one of the most emotionally-charged press releases we've ever seen, Bluejuice's legacy is laid down. "They shall leave behind a body of work of which they are all very proud, and they look to the future with a mix of hope and fear of starvation, not unlike the chick at the end of Children Of Men." Top notch. Bluejuice — Retrospectable: The Farewell Tour (with special guests to be announced) Tickets on sale August 9 THU 25 SEPT — Uni Bar, Adelaide. Tickets via Oztix. FRI 26 SEPT — Capitol, Perth. Tickets via Oztix. SAT 27 SEPT — Red Earth Arts Festival, Karratha. Tickets via REAF. THU 02 OCT — Hi-Fi, Brisbane. Tickets via Oztix. FRI O3 OCT — Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta. Tickets via Oztix. SAT 04 OCT — Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay. Tickets via Oztix. FRI 10 OCT — Hi-Fi, Melbourne. Tickets via Oztix. SAT 11 OCT — Hi-Fi, Melbourne. (Under 18's only Matinee show 12-3pm) Tickets via Oztix. SAT 11 OCT — Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave. Tickets via Ticketmaster and Village Green Hotel. SUN 12 OCT — Barwon Club, Geelong. Tickets via Oztix. FRI 17 OCT — Waves, Wollongong. Tickets via Moshtix. SAT 18 OCT — ANU Bar, Canberra. Tickets via Ticketek. THU 23 OCT — Bar on the Hill, Newcastle. Tickets via BigTix. FRI 24 OCT — Metro Theatre, Sydney. (LIC/ALL AGES)? Tickets via Ticketek.
Red Bull Flying Bach is a serious clash of cultures, a performance where Bach meets breakdancing, two things most would never dare to put together. But hey, as well as wings, Red Bull gives you crazy ideas for collaboration and, from all of the reviews this show has received to date, it also gives you an incredible artistic spectacle. When you look past the preconceptions that say this show shouldn't work, it is really no surprise it has been so successful; it features music from arguably the greatest composer of all time (who happens to be German) expressed physically by four-times breakdancing world champions Flying Steps (who are also German). No coincidence, just a collaboration that shatters the suggestion that breakdancing and Bach don't blend and thrusts the cohesion of the classic and the contemporary into the present. Set against Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Well-Tempered Clavier' — led beautifully by opera director Christoph Hagel — the breakdancing troupe create something truly memorable that challenges conventional constrictions placed on cross-era and cross-cultural collaboration.
In late 2015, after a $10.5 million makeover, the Albury Regional Gallery reopened as the Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA), with a 14-metre-high curved wall and a visionary director named Jacqui Hemsley, who's passionate about getting people excited and engaged. To that end, MAMA is currently hosting its first blockbuster: Marilyn: Celebrating an American Icon. The exhibition, which has come via the USA and Brazil, features a survey of more than 100 works by 50 leading contemporary artists who have celebrated Marilyn Monroe over the last two decades. Being the enduring cultural phenomenon she is, the works span both privately and publicly owned paintings, photos and video from artists such as Andy Warhol, Cecil Beaton, Henri Cartier-Bresson and more. As well as the artworks — which will be on display until Sunday, May 8 — MAMA will be hosting a whole heap of events, including lectures, bus tours, drinks and even a Marilyn lookalike competition. Marilyn: Celebrating an American Icon was organised by Sairally Fine Arts & Consulting, Hamburg, Germany and toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC. Image: Cecil Beaton, Marilyn Monroe (1956/2005), Silver gelatin print, © Cecil Beaton Archive / Sothebys.
Melbourne has been practically overrun with American-style restaurants for years now, but this week things are finally getting turned up a notch. Melbourne's first ever competitive barbecue tournament is here. Kicking off on January 29, Melbourne Barbecue Festival will take over Queen Victoria Market with classes and competitions inspired by the carnivorous creatures of America's deep South. Groups will learn the art of cooking the perfect brisket, ribs, pork shoulder and chicken, then have their work judged by a panel of experts in an effort to take home $15,000 worth of prizes. Unfortunately, all the masterclasses have sold out and registration has now closed to enter the main competition. Fortunately, they're still going to need a bunch of taste-testers. Once everyone's perfected their art, the entire market will open up for an official Barbecue Food Festival on Sunday, February 1. If you'd like something a little more formal, Fancy Hanks will also be opening up their doors for a special BBQ Dinner on Thursday, January 29 with a Texan feast from Melbourne's best. Photo: joshbousel via photopin cc
It's been a whole two years since the Garden State Hotel opened its doors on Flinders Lane and quickly became a go-to for after-work drinks, weekend cocktails and everything in between. And the modern, multi-level pub is marking the occasion with a proper birthday bash next Wednesday, July 25. The fun kicks off at 5pm, with a swag of drink specials that'll tempt you to knock off work early and run from your desk. For the first two hours, enjoy treats like $8 pints of Stone & Wood, $8 house wines and basic spirits, and $15 espresso martinis, plus free serves of birthday cake. One lucky punter will even score a birthday present of their own, as Garden State celebrates by giving away an after-work drinks package valued at a tidy $1000. To be in the running, simply give your details to staff between 5–7pm on the night. Images: Brook James
The winter solstice is on our doorstep and Melbourne's about to stumble through the darkest weekend of the year. But one South Yarra bar will be lighting things up, with a two-day celebration of life's best things: mates, booze and music. Leonard's House of Love is teaming up with Tell Your Friends You Love Them (TYFYLT) — a not-for-profit organisation raising awareness for mental illness — to host a weekend-long 'love in' friend fest, on June 22 and 23. Across both days, the bar will be slinging a range of crisp brews from Sydney's Young Henrys, with 100 percent of those beer profits going to support TYFYLT's work. None of your mates free this weekend? No worries. On Saturday, June 22, you'll have the chance to meet some new besties, at a live tune-backed Speed Metal Speed Friending session. Think speed dating, only for mates instead of dates (if you went to Boogie this year, you might have seen it in action). The following day, Leonard's will offer up max Sunday vibes, brunch cocktails and a banging Black Sabbath soundtrack. A specialty bloody mary bar will be stocked with loads of garnishes and extras to really pimp out your Sunday session, with all profits from the spicy cocktails going to TYFYLT. There'll also be 80s metal tunes spinning throughout the afternoon, a stack of drink specials and a fundraising raffle that'll see one lucky punter walk away with a loaded pub hamper.
If VAMFF has left you in a dizzy headspin of colours and fabrics and prints and jackets cut so perfectly your body simply aches for them — or if, y’know, you just like some fancy new clothes now and then — you'll be pretty pleased to know that the Big Fashion Sale is coming back to Melbourne for four days this March. The name pretty much says it all. This thing is big. You’ll find lush items from past collections, samples and one-offs from over 40 cult Australian and international designers, both well-known and emerging, including Marni, Dress Up, Pageant, Stella McCartney, Alexander Wang, Karla Spetic, Christopher Kane, Kenzo and more. With discounts of up to 80% off and items for as little as $20, this is one way of upping your street cred with designer threads that’ll leave your bank balance sitting pretty too. Prices this low tend to inspire a certain level of ruthlessness in all of us, though, so practise that grabbing reflex in advance. This is every man and lady for themselves. The Big Fashion Sale opening hours: Thursday, March 17: 8am - 7pm Friday, March 18: 8am - 7pm Saturday, March 19: 10am - 6pm Sunday, March 20: 10am - 5pm
Letting the likes of Little May, Aldous Harding and Boy and Bear take the backyard folk reins for a while, Australia's ARIA-dominating folksters Angus and Julia Stone are heading back to the stage to take back the wooden throne. Four years after their huge runaway hit 'Big Jet Plane' and their Everyone Should Just Stay at Home ARIA-blitzer Down the Way, the Sydney Stone siblings have announced a colossal Australian tour to mark their triumphant return. Teaming up with pop production legend Rick Rubin (Jay Z, Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adele), the duo have recorded their third studio album at Malibu's Shangri La studios. The pair's self-titled effort is set for release on August 1, timed perfectly for triple j Hottest 100 dominance. Having spent the last couple of years touring internationally and dropping solo material here and there, it seems high time for the Stones to head home for some epic shows — stopping by the Palais Theatre on September 25 and 26. For their first national tour since 2011, Angus and Julia Stone will be joined by 18-year-old Brisbanite Tim Bettinson, aka super-internet-hyped falsetto wonder Vancouver Sleep Clinic. Fusing synthetic instrumentation with vocals sure to generate All the Feels, VSC will hop on tour with the Stones for all national shows except Canberra. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WTsinsfY6dk
Tatiana An (Rascal) and Ilya Apukhtin (Bandwagon Beverages) are two Melbourne-based hospitality veterans with Russian heritage who've been watching as the war unfolds overseas. So, they've teamed up with some much-loved local hospo mates to plan a special fundraiser that'll see Melburnians putting their weekend drinks towards a great cause. From Friday, April 8–Sunday, April 10, Drink for Ukraine will raise important funds for two charity organisations — Razom for Ukraine (a group that assists displaced Ukranians) and OVDinfo (an organisation that's been helping Russians being arrested for speaking out against the war). Across all three days, a group of participating venues will be running charity taps and slinging drink specials in support of the cause, with the help of product donations from the likes of Hawkers Beer, West Winds Gin, Mismatch Brewing and Anther. Joining the effort are: the CBD's Bar Clara and Miscellania; The Lincoln and Good Measure in Carlton; Collingwood brewery The Mill; Footscray favourites Bar Josephine and Baby Snakes; Rascal and Inner North Brewing in Brunswick; Preston's Takeaway Pizza; Fitzroy bars Catfish and The Elysian; and House of Plants in Abbotsford. [caption id="attachment_774393" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Lincoln[/caption] Top Image: Baby Snakes
