April de Angelis’ Jumpy is an ode to middle-age anguish, with its central mother figure, Hilary (Jane Turner) caught up in a growing sense of disempowerment. It’s a play that taxis around the runway for hours, makes several abortive attempts at taking off, and returns its audience safely to the departure gate. What are the stakes at play here? Hilary’s fractious relationship with her daughter? Dissatisfaction with her mild, boring husband? The possibility of romance with another man, who’s somehow even more insubstantial and weak-willed than her own partner? There’s no reason that middle-class ennui can’t make for thrilling, vital and compelling theatre; after an hour I can’t escape the memory of Jumpy’s director Pamela Rabe performing in the same company’s 2009 production of God of Carnage. We’ve seen it before, we know it’s possible. At one point in Jumpy, a gun is brought onstage only to be accidentally fired and quickly taken off. Is the conflict here the absence of one? Is drama something that these characters (and this audience) want to fetishise and control; to parcel out and ingest in safe communion? As a comedy, the play’s banal humour trades in stereotypes that would be offensive if they weren’t so wilfully implausible: “Have you lit a barbecue before?” “I must have, I’m a man.” Beyond these interchangeable, Men are from Mars jokes, the play’s teenage characters are hollow caricatures, phones always in hand, and often impossibly frank with adults about fake IDs and underage drinking. Even the cheapest jokes can be forgiven. But Jumpy’s politics are just as painfully unconstructed. De Angelis’s female characters make wispy invocations of distant feminist protests in their youth, feelings that never run deeper than shoehorned references to Greenham Common. It all adds up into a two-hour long shrug; the characters’ lingering feeling that this was not how our lives were meant to be. Towards the end, the deflating revelation that explains the play’s title is enough to provoke physical despair for this text. It’s as if the emotional impact of Citizen Kane’s central "Rosebud" had been dissolved in a thousand parts of water like a homeopathic cure. But the audience is pleased, filling the theatre with murmurs, gurgles, and harsh intakes of breath. They repeat lines to their neighbours, either in cloistered disbelief, or because they didn’t quite catch them the first time around: “What was that?” “She said mental-pausal!” I know that Jumpy is not meant for me, not to my taste; that it’s catnip for these MTC subscribers. And all of this criticism is no slight against a solid cast who actually acquit themselves well. In particular, it’s great to see some of the city’s exciting young actors like Dylan Watson and Tariro Mavondo make compelling mainstage debuts. But when all those performances are in service to a turgid script, what’s the point? Menacingly, the company’s Artistic Director Brett Sheehy invites us to treat Jumpy as a “taster” of MTC’s season to come.
"I didn't want to simply be a socialite," Jep Gambardella (Toni Servillo) tells us. "I wanted to become the king of socialites." He has succeeded grandly in this most empty of ambitions; his life seems an endless parade of high-society gatherings, fashionable soirees and art gallery openings. A louche writer resting on the laurels of his lone novel and the occasional magazine piece, Jep has turned recently turned 65 and is shaken from his decadent torpor when he learns that his first love has died. The news acts as a reminder of his own looming mortality and is a chance to reflect on the gradual decline of Rome. Writer-director Paolo Sorrentino's last film was the somewhat divisive little gem This Must Be The Place; this is a much more elaborate affair, stuffing dozens of vignettes of city life into its 142-minute running length. It evokes comparison with his great countrymen Federico Fellini and feels like a belated companion piece to La Dolce Vita, in its ambition, sweep and affectionate but pointedly warts-and-all portrait of a decaying, decadent metropolis. The Great Beauty is in cinemas on January 23, and thanks to Palace Films, we have 15 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. Read our full review here. Sydney: win.sydney@concreteplayground.com.au Melbourne: win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au Brisbane: win.brisbane@concreteplayground.com.au https://youtube.com/watch?v=koxRDhAQOpw
Don’t let the name of Australian artist and performer Anthony Breslin’s Trybe: An Opera in Paint deceive you — his is no traditional libretto. In place of a tenor to rival Pavarotti, viewers can expect an all senses experience (or assault, depending on where your tastes sit) that encompasses art, dance, film and live music. Traditional conventions get a makeover to ensure the opera is not only palatable, but markedly challenging, for contemporary sensibilities. The absence of an operatic orchestra, replaced by a three-piece band that performs a score by Greg Long, is just one such attempt at modernisation. Subverting the role of the all-knowing conductor, Breslin assumes the (at least partially autobiographical) character of a tortured artist struggling to give life to a painting it becomes clear he is somehow spiritually compelled to produce. From the safety of their offstage seating audiences are led on an involving journey that even their brave guide is not sure will end in triumph. Breslin’s opera does not follow a conventional narrative structure, instead erratically blending depictions of the protagonist’s battle to overcome internal anxieties for the greater creative good with a series of high-energy, visually explosive dance and music sequences. This strong conceptual bent is likely to strike many viewers as jarring at some point in the just over an hour it takes for the artist to cultivate the canvas that will later come to define the performance. Audiences have been conditioned to expect certain things from entertainment — a chronological story, humanised characters and speech, to begin — none of which Trybe: An Opera in Paint delivers. Perhaps the intermittent alienation that comes with experiencing turbulent, uncertain artistic practice played out in real time is something to be celebrated despite its intrinsic, accompanying discomfort. Rather than feeling cheated by the lack of script, predictable character development and the general fulfilment of “normal” expectations, viewers must focus on what is gained from this cost — an honest insight into the customarily personal act of creation — in order to fully appreciate Breslin’s vision. The risk that Breslin runs by turning his studio into a stage and inviting perfect strangers to enjoy, or pass judgement upon his fraught artistic journey has to be admired, regardless of whether one “likes” the performance or does not. By privileging the communal the artist is able to abandon the constraints of the ego in order to create a work that is bigger than any singular reputation or internal vision can ever be. The needs of the tribe are favoured in another, less abstract way, as each resulting canvas will be available for sale post performance. All proceeds will be donated to the Lasaillian Foundation, an organisation that supports the education and empowerment of children, youth and their communities in the Asia Pacific. Will Breslin ultimately overcome the personally constructed version of success that shackles his ability to create for much of the performance? Will the audience, who develop a sense of ownership over the artwork, be left creatively satiated or wanting for something more? Like all truly great operas, all will be revealed in the final act, when the canvas will speak what the performers cannot. Image credit Jacqueline Barkla.
Us Aussies might not get to enjoy a white Christmas here on home turf, but that doesn't mean we can't indulge in all the classic wintery yuletide treats. Think, fruit mince pies, creamy egg nog and spiced gingerbread fresh from the oven. Or hey, how about a festive fusion of gingerbread and gin, like you'll find in the latest drop from The Craft & Co? The Collingwood distillery has just announced the return of its cult favourite Gingerbread Gin, a seasonal creation that's been steadily growing in popularity since debuting in 2019. Having just scooped another medal at last month's Australian Gin Awards, the spiced tipple is once again heading to a bottle shop shelf near you, with this year's edition now available to buy from The Craft & Co's online store and select booze retailers. The spirit is a nod to one of the classic food and drink pairings, inspired by stories from 18th-century England, when Brits would apparently warm the cockles with a combination of hot gin and gingerbread. The Craft & Co's riff on this concept takes the form of a rich, smooth gin, with warming flavours imparted by a mix of cinnamon, macerated ginger root, smashed nutmeg and tonka bean. It's unfiltered and clocks in with an ABV of 40 percent. So, how to put this Gingerbread Gin to good use? Apart from sipping it neat or on ice for a quick hit of Christmas cheer, the distillers recommend matching the drink with some blood orange soda or ginger beer. We're told it also works a treat in milky cocktails, and you can find recipes for a Gingerbread Gin Alexander and a Gingerbread Gin Egg Nog over on The Craft & Co's website. You can grab a Gingerbread Gin for $85 from The Craft & Co's online store or at its cellar door at 390 Smith Street, Collingwood. It's also available from select retailers including Dan Murphy's, BWS and Boozebud.
Whether you're in lockdown, working from home, social distancing in general or just in need of a pick-me-up, your day could always do with a few more cute animals. And, if you didn't realise this before the pandemic, you definitely will have over the past 18 months: the internet is always happy to oblige. Over the last year or so, Melbourne's zoos have live-streaming their penguins, leopard cubs and giraffes, while Sydney's aquarium brought us playtime with Pig the dugong — and the Wild Life zoo opted for cuddles with quokkas, and Brisbane's Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary went with a non-stop look at one of Australia's cutest native marsupials. The list of animal-focused streams has kept growing, too, including Melbourne Aquarium's own series of meditation and relaxation videos. And now, also from Melbourne, a den of small-clawed otters are getting in on the fun. Melbourne Zoo set up this webcam last year, actually, when it was trained on the venue's four Asian small-clawed otter pups. Now, it's still capturing the little cuties — and their parents — via two cameras. The word you're looking for? "Awwwwwwww," obviously. The pups were born in February last year to otter parents Paula and Odie, who became the first of their species to breed at the Victorian site since back in 2011. And, whether they're sleeping or playfully fighting — a type of behaviour that helps them bond — these little critters are immensely adorable. The otter webcam joins Melbourne Zoo's Animals at Home portal, where you can also peer at the aforementioned penguins, snow leopards and giraffes — and lions, too. As the otter live-stream runs all day, every day, we can't promise this won't put a slight dent in your usual plans — and, on weekdays, your productivity — but we can promise that it'll help brighten up your day every so slightly. Check out Melbourne Zoo's Animals at Home portal via its website. Images: Zoos Victoria
After more than a year of teasing — including initial hints in 2019, official confirmation in 2020, a first teaser a week ago and a full trailer a couple of days back — Friends: The Reunion will finally hit screens this month. HBO's US streaming platform HBO Max has gotten the gang back together, reuniting Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow to chat about orange couches, smelly cats and whether a couple is on a break. And, in just-announced news, Australian viewers will be able to get their own hefty dose of 90s sitcom nostalgia at the same time as folks in America. Local streaming platform Binge has just announced that Friends: The Reunion will hit the platform at 5.02pm on Thursday, May 27. Aussie fans were always going to be able to watch the special somewhere, and Binge was always the likely destination, but that has only been confirmed less than a week out from the show's airdate. Dubbed 'The One Where They Get Back Together' in the special's teasers, the reunion comes 27 years since the TV sitcom about six New Yorkers made audiences a promise: that it'd be there for us. And, as well as making stars out of Aniston, Cox, Perry, LeBlanc, Schwimmer and Kudrow, Friends has done just that. Sure, the hit series wrapped up its ten-season run in 2004, but the show has lived on — on streaming platforms, by sending an orange couch around Australia, by screening anniversary marathons in cinemas and in boozy brunch parties, for example. Friends: The Reunion promises to take pop culture's lingering affection for the show to another level, though. During the unscripted special, the actors behind Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Joey, Ross and Phoebe will chat about their experiences on and memories of the show — all on the same soundstage where Friends was originally shot, so expect to see some familiar faces and some recognisable decor. Aniston, Cox and the gang also have a few other famous pals for company, with the hefty guest lineup spanning folks with connections to the show and others that must just love it. On the list: David Beckham, Justin Bieber, BTS, James Corden, Cindy Crawford, Cara Delevingne, Lady Gaga, Elliott Gould, Kit Harington, Larry Hankin and Mindy Kaling, as well as Thomas Lennon, Christina Pickles, Tom Selleck, James Michael Tyler, Maggie Wheeler, Reese Witherspoon and Malala Yousafzai. Check out the Friends: The Reunion trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYB1HvwHnkg Friends: The Reunion will be available to stream in Australia via Binge, hitting the platform at 5.02pm on Thursday, May 27.
Is there anything Mx Justin Vivian Bond can't do? In a career spanning more than 20 years, the cabaret hero has played Huck Finn as a tranny prostitute; reinterpreted the likes of Radiohead, Kate Bush, and Tracy Chapman; and written an award-winning autobiography (Tango: My Childhood, Backwards and in High Heels). Along the way, Bond has picked up an Obie Award (2001), a Bessie Award (2004), an Ethyl Eichelberger Award (2007), and a Tony nomination (2007). On a return visit to Australia in late February, Bond will present a new show: Justin Vivian Bond is Mx America. Audiences can expect songs (both originals and classics), spoken word, poetry, audio-visuals, and, of course, Bond's curious mixture of outrageous humour and fragility. Needless to say, there's also bound to be a whole lot that we can't predict!
After its inaugural take in 2017, Pitch Music & Arts Festival is coming back in 2019, this time with an even bigger lineup of electronic acts and visual art on display. The four-day event will again take over Mafeking — about three hours northwest of Melbourne — from Friday, March 8 to Monday, March 11. The BYO camping festival is brought to you by the team behind Beyond the Valley, who will set up a satellite community out in the bush and invite festival-goers to pitch a tent — with glamping setups on offer — then fully immerse themselves in the weekend's festivities. Those festivities primarily centre around the live music offering, with 45 acts already announced (up from 30 in 2017) and more to follow. The 2019 international lineup features UK techno trendsetter Daniel Avery, the State's emerging techno heavy hitter Avalon Emerson and live electronica by Germany's David August. Denmark's DJ Courtesy, UK dance king Denis Sulta and warehouse techno DJ Eclair Fifi also make the docket, alongside local Aussie acts like Toni Yotzi, Banoffee and 30/70 live. You can check out the full lineup here. On the arts side of things, you can expect CGI, spacial design and light installations from a host of Australian artists and creative companies, all of which are arranged to interact with the festival at large. Pitch Music & Arts Festival will run from March 8–11, 2019, in Mafeking, Victoria. You can register for pre-sale tickets here — they go on sale at midday on Tuesday, October 30.
Victorians, if you're under the age of 40, Premier Daniel Andrews has just revealed some great news. As announced at the state's daily COVID-19 press conference today, Tuesday, August 24, Victoria's COVID-19 vaccination rollout will open up doses of the Pfizer jab to folks aged between 16–39 — at state-run vaccination hubs effective from Wednesday, August 25. Accordingly, under 40s across the state will be able to get booking from 7am tomorrow — and ahead of the nationwide rollout date for Pfizer to this age group — for appointments at more than 55 state-run centres. As announced last week, this specific jab is set to become available to everyone between the ages of 16–39 across the entire country from Monday, August 30, but Victoria is now getting in early. At present, there'll be about 450,000 first-dose Pfizer jabs available to this age group in Victoria. This isn't enough to cover everyone, the Premier advised, but it'll still start the Pfizer rollout to this age range. Also, if you're under 40 and you already have an AstraZeneca appointment booked — because it has been just over two weeks since Victoria broadened its vaccination campaign rollout and started administering the AstraZeneca COVID-19 jab to people aged between aged 18–39 — you'll now get asked if you'd like Pfizer or AZ when you turn up. So, you don't need to cancel your existing appointment and rebook, or do anything other than show up to your existing time slot. One other caveat: if you're over the age of 18, you can get either jab, but 16- and 17-year-olds are only eligible to get the Pfizer vax. The Pfizer vaccination is the recommended COVID-19 jab for all Australians under the age of 60, but the country's vaccination rollout has been targeting high-priority and high-risk groups first, and then working backwards in terms of age range. So, before now, Victorian residents under 40 who'd prefer the Pfizer vaccine have needed to fall into a specific group to access it. That means that adults aged up to 39 haven't been eligible to get the Pfizer vaccination unless you're of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent; work in quarantine, border or healthcare roles; work or live in an aged care or disability facility; work in a critical and high-risk job such as defence, fire, police, emergency services and meat processing; have an underlying medical condition or significant disability; are pregnant; or participate in the NDIS, or care for someone who does. Victoria's Pfizer vaccination rollout will open to all Victorians aged between 16–39 from Wednesday, August 25. For further information about Victoria's vaccine rollout, head to the Victorian Department of Health website.
If you're the sort of person who likes to eat meat until you start shaking with the meat sweats and can (m)eat no more, then a festival very relevant to your interests is coming to town. Meatstock Festival, a two-day celebration of all things animal, is setting up its smoky self in the Melbourne Showgrounds on the weekend of Saturday, October 23–Sunday, October 24. Not just your regular food festival, Meatstock also features live tunes. Sure, there'll be less music than there is at Woodstock, but there will be 200 percent more tasty meat-related foods. The food stars of the show usually span the likes of Burn City Smokers, Limp Brisket, Black Barrel BBQ, Hoy Pinoy and more. Try some of each, or make your way through all of the food stalls and then fall into a sweaty, cholesterol-heavy heap — don't say we didn't warn you. Finally, for a little old-fashioned rivalry, the festival will be running its Butcher Wars, which will basically be a bunch of hopefully unbloodied people running around competing and wielding various knives. There's also Barbecue Wars too, heating up the grill in more ways than one. What a weekend.
When Iron Man, Thor, Scarlet Witch, Black Widow, Captain America and their fellow caped-crusader pals all cross paths on-screen, they do so within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When it's Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Aquaman's turn, they populate the DC Extended Universe. But these kind of big-screen franchises aren't just the domain of superheroes. In the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters, for instance, a number of Spider-Man supervillains are getting their own interconnected movies. First came 2018's Venom, starring Tom Hardy (Dunkirk) as a journalist who is forced to share his body with an alien symbiote. Next year — delayed from 2020 — Morbius will see Jared Leto (The Little Things) play a figure also known as the "Living Vampire". In-between the two, Venom: Let There Be Carnage is also hitting screens. The initial flick about Hardy's Eddie Brock and his parasitic pal did ridiculously big business at the box office, so it was always going to get a sequel. Due to hit cinemas Down Under this October — after being delayed from its September release date — Venom: Let There Be Carnage signals its other main point of focus in its title. This time around, Venom isn't the only formidable figure that Brock has to deal with, with Woody Harrelson (Zombieland: Double Tap) joining the cast as Carnage. For those who haven't dived deep into Spider-Man's comic book history, Carnage is another of the web-slinger's adversaries. Inhabiting the body of a serial killer called Cletus Kasady, he's also Venom's nemesis. And while Eddie's life isn't all that straightforward as seen in both the original Venom: Let There Be Carnage trailer and the just-dropped new sneak peek — living in harmony with Venom is about as easy as it sounds — things get a whole lot more chaotic when Carnage enters the scene. As these two villains face off, here's hoping that Venom: Let There Be Carnage gives Michelle Williams (Fosse/Verdon) more to do than the first Venom movie did, with the four-time Oscar-nominee returning as Eddie's ex-fiancée. Also seen briefly in the trailers: Naomie Harris (The Third Day) as yet another Spider-Man villain, Shriek, plus Stephen Graham (The Virtues) as Detective Mulligan. And, behind the lens, Lord of the Rings actor-turned-Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle filmmaker Andy Serkis directs. Check out the latest trailer below: Venom: Let There Be Carnage opens in Australian cinemas sometime in October — we'll update you when an exact date is announced.
When Darth Vader told Luke Skywalker that they're more than just mortal enemies, it became one of the most famous lines of dialogue in movie history (and one of the most misquoted). If you've seen Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back, you'll know that it's a powerful, memorable moment that changes the shape of the entire space saga. Even if you haven't, you still know what we're talking about. Now, imagine just how epic it'll feel when you're watching the flick on a big screen and listening to John Williams' iconic score played by a live orchestra. Yes, The Force is strong in Melbourne once more, with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra staging the next in its series of Star Wars events: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert. This isn't the first time that the MSO has done the honours with this very film, but after returning to Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope already in 2023, it's clearly working its way back through the space-opera franchise. This time, there'll be multiple screens and performances over two weekends at Hamer Hall: from Thursday, October 5–Sunday, October 8 and Thursday, October 19–Saturday, October 21. Jedis, wookiees and droids alike can expect tussles between the Rebels and the Empire, Luke learning his true parentage, Han flirting with Leia and getting frozen in carbon, Chewbacca being awesome, R2-D2 being adorable and C-3PO being annoying (well, he is). Plus, it's the flick that marks the first appearance of Lando Calrissian and the first time 'The Imperial March' is heard. Conductor Nicholas Buc will be leading the charge again, and expect an energetic performance — it's his favourite Star Wars score. Updated: Friday, October 6, 2023.
As if Bill Murray's moustache wasn't excitement enough, the entire soundtrack to Wes Anderson's new film, The Grand Budapest Hotel, is currently streaming ahead of its release at Pitchfork. And true to the director's form, the 32 songs have enough whimsy and intrigue in them to knock Jude Law on his pipe-smoking, tweed-wearing back. Unlike Anderson's more gutsy early offerings like Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, the Grand Budapest soundtrack easily favours Russian folk songs over anything like The Ramones or The Velvet Underground. In that way, it's much more akin to the music found in Moonrise Kingdom or Fantastic Mr. Fox — one could easily imagine the characters scurrying around while looking at ornate objects from above. In fact, that's what the film looks like as a whole. From the trailers already released it seems much less like Wes's early, thoughtful character studies, and much more a madcap reunion of his on-screen favourites. Not that we're ones to complain about another opportunity to see Jason Schwartzman with cigarettes morosely hanging out of his mouth, or Bill Murray in high-waisted pants. Like all things Wes, this soundtrack is an acquired taste. If you're already a fan, the music has the ability to transport you — its folksiness is almost otherworldly. If you're not, we recommend you stay clear of it. If Wes couldn't win you over with The Beatles and Elliott Smith, I doubt the Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra is going to do the trick. The Grand Budapest Hotel will be released in Australian cinemas on April 10. Stream the soundtrack here.
Like an artsy Australian answer to an episode of Skins, Galore probes the tumultuous love lives of a group of reckless teens. Set in the fire-prone outer suburbs of Canberra, the film opens with Billie (Ashleigh Cummings) and Danny (Toby Wallace) lying naked in the sunlight. As they whisper sweet nothings into one another's ears, viewers may find themselves drawn back to their own breathless adolescence — to long, passionate summers and the dramas that inevitably catch aflame. And there's drama aplenty in writer-director Rhys Graham's script. Just as our hearts are set aflutter by the prospect of young love, it's revealed that Danny is actually the boyfriend of Laura (Lily Sullivan), Billie's life-long best friend. But even as Billie struggles with her betrayal, Laura finds herself drawn to Isaac (impressive newcomer Aliki Matangi), a troubled Pacific Islander trying to turn his life around. While Graham may be a first-time feature director, he has no shortage of local talent at his back. In addition to the wonderfully naturalistic young cast, of particular note is cinematographer Stefan Duscio, who captures the sun-soaked landscape beautifully. Galore is showing exclusively at Dendy Newtown (NSW), Palace Electric (ACT) and Cinema Nova (Vic) from June 19, but we're offering competition winners the chance to see it with a friend at an exclusive preview screening on Thursday, June 12, at 8.30pm at Cinema Nova (380 Lygon Street, Carlton). To enter, click here.
From slinging back a shot of whisky with a frosty lager to chase, to sampling a flight of single malts with paired craft brews, whisky and beer have walked hand in hand for years. But what is it about these two particular drinks that just works? What other possibilities exist on the horizon of adult beverages, beyond the humble boilermaker? We caught up with Michael Nouri, brand ambassador of single malt whisky, Auchentoshan (pronounced 'ock-un-tosh-un'), to delve deeper into the world of fermented grains. No stranger to the heavenly duo, Auchentoshan are serving up their own take on whisky and beer throughout June in Sydney and Melbourne with the Auchentoshan & Ale, a refreshing cocktail of Auchentoshan American Oak, pale ale, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup. So strap in, friends, to see why whisky and beer make up a power couple that rivals even the Underwoods. THE IRREFUTABLE FACTS OF CHEMISTRY While the idea of actually mixing whisky and beer together might seem a little counterintuitive, the result exposes a whole new level of flavours. By the very nature of their chemistry, the brew and spirit are simply destined to be partners in crime. "Whisky starts its life as beer," Michael explains, so from the get go, the two share characteristics that complement one another. "You're taking whisky back to its origins. The spirit has a great cereal-like, grain structure to its flavour profile, and so does beer," so putting the two together is a no brainer, like with the Auchentoshan & Ale, where the scotch's distinctive nut and citrus base notes match those of many pale ales. However, even though whisky and beer have so much in common, another important part of the pairing equation is the fact that they're also so different. As their shared characteristics are enhanced by combining the two, the differing aspects of their profiles are also accentuated. Since beer is so refreshing, it adds a nice counterbalance to the warmth and intensity of a straight spirit like whisky, Michael explains. Auchentoshan American Oak, for example, balances the sweetness of the oak with the subtle fruity hops and citrus acidity of pale ale; ice-cold frothiness meets with a slick heat, and that's where the magic happens. "You know what whisky tastes like, and you know what beer tastes like, but when you put them together, it's a completely different beast." AN ENDLESS WORLD OF POSSIBILITY When you've got two ingredients that both complement and contrast each other, you're left with a combination that's too great to fail, and what's even better is how there's an absolutely endless stream of pairing possibilities. From matching a young bourbon to a rich porter, to combining a crisp pale ale with a rounded scotch like in the Auchentoshan & Ale, there are endless whiskies and beers to try together, and the industry is always coming out with new variations. "The beer camp, just by virtue of the industry itself, is quite progressive," Michael says. And while the whisky world can be a little conservative, it is catching up with new trends and ideas. You have distillers like Auchentoshan who are challenging the norms, and triple distilling their whisky to create a delicate flavour that's great on its own, but also makes for an interesting drop to experiment with. "You've got a whole variety of experimentation happening now, with different grains, with rice, with quinoa and a whole variety of other stuff," and these new variations mean boundless products to pair up. BEYOND THE BOILERMAKER With these endless possibilities, comes a lot of experimentation. The boilermaker is almost old hat now that both brewers and distillers are trialling more and more combination styles. "That's the whole beauty of what we do, it's experimental. We're trying new things, we're discovering combinations, and we're finding new ways to bring something interesting to people that they've never thought was interesting before" — like combining scotch, pale ale, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup into one refreshing tipple. But when it all comes down to it, it's important to bear in mind that "ultimately, all you want to do is sit there, close your eyes and enjoy that drink." We couldn't agree more. Sit back, close your eyes and enjoy an Auchentoshan & Ale found around Sydney and Melbourne until the end of June.
The team behind Beyond the Valley are teaming up with boutique music agency Novel for a brand new camping festival set to hit Victoria this March. More than 30 international guests, including Dixon, Ben Klock, Gold Panda, Kristian Beyer (aka Ame), Toro Y Moi and Red Axes, will join a contingent of locals including Kllo, CC:Disco!, Andras, Big Words, No Zu, Otologic, Sleep D and Albrecht La'Brooy, for a three-day EDM bush doof. Running from March 10-13 at a location near Mafeking in country Victoria, Pitch Music & Arts Festival is being promoted as a "ceremonial daze" in the golden fields of Victoria. Needless to say, we're very on board. Final release tickets are on sale for $330, and they also offer luxury glamping packages if you're feeling especially fancy.
From global behemoth Netflix to the arthouse, indie and documentary-focused Kanopy, picking a streaming platform can take as much time as actually picking something to watch on a streaming platform. The latest to enter the market has quite the point of difference, however — and not just because it's free. If viewing the likes of Bronson, Drive, Only God Forgives and The Neon Demon has you on the same wavelength as filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, then you're in luck — the Danish writer/director has started his own streaming service. Called byNWR.com, it's a self-appointed "an unadulterated expressway for the arts", according to the site itself. After opening in beta in July, it's now officially up and running. A venture in conjunction with existing platform Mubi as well as the Harvard Film Archive, byNWR.com highlights a different restored cult classic each month, with the selection picked by a guest editor. Each film is supported by content themed around the chosen flick, such as essays, videos, photos and music. If you're thinking that you've probably seen the movies on offer (and that they're probably available elsewhere), think again. The site launched with three titles chosen by journalist Jimmy McDonough, and it's highly unlikely that you've watched and rewatched 1965 horror effort The Nest of the Cuckoo Birds, 1967's Hot Thrills and Warm Chills and 1967's Shanty Tramp endlessly, or even seen them on a big or small screen recently. The second volume will start rolling out from September, and will include 1961 thriller Night Tide starring Dennis Hopper, 1971's If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do?, and 1967's Spring Night, Summer Night — all curated by film publication Little White Lies. "I hope my site will inspire people to see the world a different way," Refn explained The Guardian, while also touching upon something fans of the filmmaker's own work will be more than familiar with: pushing people out of their comfort zones. If Refn's choices sound like the kind of thing you would like to see in a cinema, Little White Lies also reports that the streaming site will be accompanied by special screenings around the globe.
"I didn't want to simply be a socialite," Jep Gambardella (Toni Servillo) tells us. "I wanted to become the king of socialites." He has succeeded grandly in this most empty of ambitions; his life seems an endless parade of high-society gatherings, fashionable soirees and art gallery openings. A louche writer resting on the laurels of his lone novel and the occasional magazine piece, Jep has turned recently turned 65 and is shaken from his decadent torpor when he learns that his first love has died. The news acts as a reminder of his own looming mortality and is a chance to reflect on the gradual decline of Rome, the city he came to as a young man, at once drawn to its vibrancy and seemingly determined to be unimpressed with it. The film begins with an elaborately staged, gloriously shot party and doesn't reveal its immaculately dressed, glamorously jaded protagonist for several minutes, an approach in keeping with its interest in the colourful characters who inhabit his world. It is peopled with eccentric characters like Jep's combative editor, a spirited stripper who becomes involved with Jep, a centurion nun who eats only roots and a cluster of society wives, conmen and vacuous social climbers. Dispensing acidic observations a la Truman Capote, Jep surveys scenes of debauchery and hedonism with an air of slightly tired amusement. At times he seems the ultimate cynic — when he responds to a friend's taunt about his work and she calls him a misogynist, he corrects her: he is actually a misanthrope. Yet there is something melancholy about the character and the milieu he inhabits, something increasingly desperate about their pretensions and endless search for novelty, a sense that they live in the shadow of the city's great history. Writer-director Paolo Sorrentino's last film was the somewhat divisive little gem This Must Be The Place; this is a much more elaborate affair, stuffing dozens of vignettes of city life into its 142-minute running length. It evokes comparison with his great countrymen Federico Fellini and feels like a belated companion piece to La Dolce Vita, in its ambition, sweep and affectionate but pointedly warts-and-all portrait of a decaying, decadent metropolis. Filmgoers who like a sturdy narrative will likely be frustrated by The Great Beauty's structural looseness and epic sprawl, but those who can tap into its kaleidoscopic approach will find a dazzling, intoxicating feast of colour and life. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Dyt430YkQn0
Look, it was only a matter of time before this happened. Following on from the success of similar places in New York and Amsterdam, Australia's first avocado pop-up cafe is coming to Sydney. And it'll be avocado everything, seven days a week. Don't act surprised — we created this monster. The pop-up — named Good Fat, because everyone knows that's the best health benefit/justification for eating copious amounts of avo smash — will opens its doors on November 2 in Surry Hills with about 20 items on the menu that incorporate avocado. Sydneysiders will be able to indulge in creations such as the avocado breakfast skin (an avocado smoothie bowl served in its own skin) and a Cornetto-inspired avo ice cream cone. If you haven't already twigged, the whole thing is a promo for Australian Avocados, a non-profit representative body for the Australian avocado industry. But even so, avocados are a brand we're happy to support with our love and money. If you feel the same, the pop-up will be open will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner until November 30 and all dishes will be under $20. Good Fat will be open from November 2–30, from 7am to 9pm on Monday through Saturday and 8pm to 5pm on Sundays, at 355 Crown Street, Surry Hills.
Jump on the #19 tram and head up to Sydney Road as the Brunswick Music Festival returns for its 31st year. This year's lineup is an absolute cracker, with more than 40 shows across two incredible weeks, featuring artists from all across the city, the country and the world. The needle drops on Sunday, March 3, with the Sydney Road Street Party, a massive event with more than 200 artists performing across seven stages, plus market stalls, food and more. Other standout events on this year's program include the inaugural Masquerade Ball at the Moreland Hotel on Saturday, March 16 and the return of the High Tide Pool Party on Saturday, March 9 — when djs, live performers and synchronised swimmers will take over the Brunswick Baths for a day of tunes and dance. There'll also be a a Dolly Parton tribute night, a day of wine tastings, food, art and music at Siteworks and a pumping festival hub — dubbed Mechanica — at the Brunswick Mechanics Institute, where there'll be panels, exhibitions, workshops, performances and parties. For the full Brunswick Music Festival program, head here.
Victorians are being given the chance to help shape the future of inclusive and respectful public spaces and facilities in their state, with the help of a new interactive online map where they can share both positive and negative experiences with gender equality. Currently being piloted in the council areas of Darebin and Melton, the new Gender Equality Map allows users — of all ages and genders — to anonymously drop a pin where they've encountered inclusive or exclusive infrastructure. This might include flagging locations for things like pram accessibility, baby change tables in women's and men's bathrooms, access to change rooms for all genders, or sexist advertising or street art around the neighbourhood. [caption id="attachment_695499" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Gender Equality Map[/caption] Developed in conjunction with CrowdSpot and Monash University, and with the backing of the Victorian Government, the Gender Equality Map builds on Plan International Australia's Free To Be map — an app which launched earlier this year allowing young women to pinpoint locations around Sydney where they felt safe or unsafe. Once the pilot is over in mid-February, 2019, the community's mapped results will then be analysed and used to help inform necessary policy and infrastructure changes — helping councils, town planners, architects and policy-makers make more gender-inclusive decisions in their designs, hopefully leading to safer, more respectful public spaces and facilities. While it's great that the government is looking to create more gender-inclusive spaces, we'd love to see a similar program rolled out for people of all abilities and disabilities, too. It has not yet been announced whether the Gender Equality Map will be released in other Victorian councils. The Gender Equality Map pilot can be found here. You can add to it up until mid-February, 2019. Image: Josie Withers, Visit Victoria
The roll call of food favourites setting up shop at 80 Collins Street continues to grow, with four final venues announced for the $800 million CBD development. Melbourne's already getting excited for new eateries from Chin Chin's Chris Lucas and Sepia's Martin Benn and Vicki Wild, Alejandro Saravia's new paddock-to-plate Farmer's Daughters restaurant and a Melbourne outpost of high-end cocktail and Champagne bar Nick and Nora's by the Eau de Vie team. Now, it's been revealed that Handpicked Wines, Glacé, Colours Bowls and Maverick will also be joining the party. Handpicked Wines will launch its first Melbourne urban cellar door, showing off its award-winning range of drops. The site is set to boast a retail space and wine bar, dishing up cheese, charcuterie and vino for taking away or enjoying in. There'll be wine flights, workshops and barrel tastings, as well as a rotation of tap wines, with nifty refillable bottles to minimise waste. The two-level Glacé venue will be a flagship for dessert queen Christy Tania's artisanal creations, complete with an open kitchen, a Parisian-inspired tea house and a dedicated dessert bar. This one's set to be a go-to for stunning cakes and sweet treats, lush high tea sessions and decadent dessert degustations. Colours Bowls is the latest from young gun chef Charlie Carrington, riffing on his well-known Colours by Atlas concept. Mediterranean-inspired plant-based fare will reign supreme here, in a space inspired by Carrington's recent jaunts in Tel Aviv. [caption id="attachment_634417" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Glacé[/caption] Fronting Little Collins Street, Maverick will be the next offering from the minds behind Richmond's Mayday Coffee & Food and the original Petty Officer in Albert Park. The contemporary cafe is set to deliver ethically sourced specialty coffee from Axil and a creative menu filled with local, seasonal produce. The space itself is a warm, playful setting, that comes courtesy of Pitch Architecture & Developments. Slated for completion in 2020, the 80 Collins development will also boast a futuristic new office tower, a 255-room boutique hotel and a luxury retail offering, alongside its star-studded hospitality precinct. 80 Collins Street is slated for completion in 2020.
When JK Rowling dropped those last terrible three words on us at the close of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, all was not well. It would never be well without Harry, Ron, Hermione and co. in our lives. But great things are bubbling in the wizarding world, with Supreme Mugwump Rowling announcing the release of an eighth Harry Potter book. If we look Petrified, it's because HOLY SHIT. According to Pottermore, Rowling's own kickass content website, 2016 will see a special rehearsal edition of the script book of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II — Rowling's first play on London's West End that picks up 19 years after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and that abominably cheery epilogue on Platform 9 3/4. Print and digital editions of the book will publish right after the play's world premiere in winter 2016. You'll be able to read the version of the script from the Cursed Child's preview performances (a Definitive Collector's Edition will come later). JUST. LOOK. AT. IT. What's in store for Harry and the gang? The Cursed Child is set 19 years after the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Harry is now a Ministry of Magic employee, and the play focuses on his youngest son Albus Severus Potter — the heart pangs. The official synopsis of the play (and now official eighth book) was released by co-writers J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany on October 23, 2015: "It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places." It's been 20 years since the UK publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Twenty. Re-read it, go see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them when the film comes out and sit on your sorting hats until the EIGHTH HARRY POTTER BOOK arrives. Oh god, I need a butterbeer. Via Pottermore.
It's been one heck of a tough year for the country's bar industry, as venues spent months navigating lockdowns, restrictions and, more recently, capacity limits. But despite all the craziness, Australia has still managed to make a splash at this year's edition of the World's 50 Best Bars Awards. Four local drinking establishments each nabbed themselves a spot among the 51–100 top bars in the world, as announced last week. Those voted in the top 50 will be revealed at a separate virtual awards ceremony held on Thursday, November 5. All four Aussie bars to make the 51–100 list are located in Melbourne, which has just lived through some of the world's toughest COVID-19 restrictions as part of its second-wave lockdown. Fitzroy bar The Everleigh snagged the 73 spot, while newer CBD haunt Byrdi came in at 80. Petite Collingwood bar Above Board followed not too far behind at number 84 and the long-running Black Pearl — which has scooped a spot in the Top 50 list numerous times throughout the award's 12-year history — was voted in at 98. [caption id="attachment_748362" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Byrdi by Kate Shanasy[/caption] Elsewhere on the list, London's Scout (by the now Sydney-based bartender Matt Whiley) came in at 51, while the USA had seven bars in the lineup, including The Dead Rabbit in NY and San Francisco's Trick Dog. The annual awards are voted on by over 540 bar industry experts from around the world, including bartenders, consultants, drinks writers and cocktail specialists. Australia will now wait to see if any more local venues make it into the World's 50 Best Bars list later this week. Last year's one–50 lineup featured just one Aussie bar, with Sydney's Maybe Sammy taking out position 43. Check out the full World's 50 Best Bars Awards 51–100 list at the website. The one–50 list will be revealed at 3pm UK time on Thursday, November 5, via Facebook and YouTube. Top image: The Everleigh by Gareth Sobey
A band whose name summons up parental fears and memories of legendary video nasties like 'Last House On The Left' and 'Evil Dead', Cannibal Corpse once had their records banned from sale in Australia, but now they’re here and ready to riot, with their 2012 Torture Tour. Back on our shores after three long years, Cannibal Corpse take their Torture Tour to Melbourne, bringing a relentless mêlée of nerve-rendering riffs, cataclysmic drums and guttural, razor-sharp vocals. Their new record proves that even after twenty-four years and twelve studio albums the Buffalo quintet remain the undisputed overlords of death metal. Friday’s gig will see a dark cloud of chaos hang over Billboard. Expect the wretched spawn to eviscerate your very consciousness, and drag your wretched soul into the very pit of despair where nightmares lie. Support will be provided by Entrails Eradicated, Disentomb and Psycroptic.
Many of Australia's annual cinema showcases focus on one particular country; however, that definitely isn't the Jewish International Film Festival's remit. Surveying the past year in movies with ties to Jewish culture, it fills its program with flicks from around the globe — in 2022, when it returns to Melbourne cinemas, with 31 feature films, 25 documentaries, six short films and even episodes from episodes a TV series, in fact. That lineup will hit the Classic in Elsternwick from Wednesday, March 2–Sunday, April 4 and the Lido in Hawthorn from Wednesday, March 3 through until the same ending date, and it clearly isn't short on highlights. That obviously includes its bookending titles, with the event opening with Simone Veil: A Woman of the Century and paying tribute to the French feminist icon, then closing with period melodrama Beauty Queen of Jerusalem from Israel. Other standouts and must-sees include The Painted Bird, as based on Jerzy Kosinski's novel and featuring Harvey Keitel and Stellan Skarsgård among the cast; Tahara, a coming-of-age story starring Shiva Baby's Rachel Sennott; the Cannes-premiering A Radiant Girl, which steps back to the Occupation in Paris in World War II; and satire Let It Be Morning, which picked up Best Film at the 2021 Ophir Awards (aka the Israeli Oscars). Or, there's also Haute Couture, which dives into French fashion; Tiger Within, about an unlikely friendship between a Holocaust survivor and a teenage runaway; the Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish-starring Here Today; documentary Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song, focusing on the singer-songwriter and that immensely popular song; and fellow doco Helmut Newton: The Bad and the Beautiful, which turns the lens on the prolific German Austrian photographer.
Bluesfest has done it again. The annual event up in Byron Bay looks to have another stellar lineup on its hands, featuring artists from around the world across a diverse range of genres. There's truly something for everyone but if you're unable to schlep up the coast for the Easter weekend then there's no need to fret. Some of the biggest names on the bill are making the most of their trip Down Under by putting on gigs in Sydney and Melbourne, too, meaning April promises to be a bumper live music month across the country. With over 19 artists set to do sideshows this year, we've teamed up with Bluesfest Touring to help you decide what not to miss. Read on to discover seven sideshows that you should nab tickets to, then check out the rest of the sideshow lineup — Buffy Sainte-Marie, John Mayall, The Marcus King Band, Walter Trout, The War & Treaty, The Allman Betts Band, Amadou & Mariam, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles and Tal Wilkenfeld — on the Bluesfest website. DWEEZIL ZAPPA Sunday, April 12 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney and Monday, April 13 at The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne Since 2006, Dweezil Zappa has been the driving force behind the touring band whose main aim is to breathe life into the work of his father — avant-garde virtuoso Frank Zappa. Hot Rats, Frank Zappa's 1969 jazz-progressive rock-fusion album, is arguably his best-known work, and Dweezil Zappa is honouring his legacy by touring the record in its entirety. Hot Rats hit the shelves the same year that Zappa was born, so it holds a special place in his heart, and he's said that this is the best version of his touring band that he's ever had. Given previous iterations of his group are Grammy winners, that's some claim. PATTI SMITH AND HER BAND Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 16 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney and Tuesday, April 21–Thursday, April 23 at Forum Melbourne, Melbourne "I really thought that I wouldn't be able to come back, so I'm delighted that I was wrong," Patti Smith told Bluesfest Touring on her impending return to these shores. Smith — poet, author, singer, icon and 'godmother of punk' — has been an inspiration to millions since the release of her debut classic album Horses in 1975 and, despite now being in her 70s, shows no signs of slowing down. Her touring band includes both Lenny Kaye and Jay Dee Daugherty, who have been with her since day dot, plus her son Jackson on guitar. EAGLES OF DEATH METAL Thursday, April 16 at Metro Theatre, Sydney and Sunday, April 19 at The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne Californian singer-songwriter Jesse Hughes and Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme have been recording as Eagles of Death Metal since 1998. The name comes from a literal imagining of what country-rock stalwarts The Eagles would sound like were they a death metal band. In mid-2019, the band released a record of covers featuring classics from artists as diverse as Guns N' Roses, George Michael and Mary J Blige, all played in EODM's own inimitable style. Their live shows have always been known for their raucous, OTT behaviour, and their Bluesfest sideshow promises to be no different. LARKIN POE Wednesday, April 15 at The Factory Theatre, Sydney and Thursday, April 16 at Corner Hotel, Melbourne Sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell celebrate a decade of performing psychedelic blues rock under their Larkin Poe moniker in 2020. Originally hailing from Georgia but now based in Nashville, as any self-respecting Americana outfit would be, Larkin Poe's close harmony take on roots music has earned plaudits from the likes of Elvis Costello and Keith Urban. Oh, and Russell Crowe, apparently. Dragging blues rock into the 21st century, the duo isn't afraid to throw horns and electronics at a genre steeped in tradition and, in doing so, breathe life into it, while simultaneously creating something vibrant and exciting. Be sure to catch them as soon as Bluesfest draws to a close. MORCHEEBA Tuesday, April 7 at 170 Russell, Melbourne and Thursday, April 9 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney Next year marks quarter of a century of Morcheeba, the downtempo duo who were instrumental in bringing trip-hop to the masses in the 1990s. Led by the sweet vocals of Skye Edwards, the London-based band have released nine albums in their career, cracking the Top 20 twice at the start of the century. Morcheeba must love playing over here — they played Bluesfest and a bunch of sideshows back in 2018. Clearly, we love them playing here, too, because those sideshows completely sold out. If you want an evening of warm, enveloping sounds to set your mind at ease, nab tickets to the show in your city. BRANDI CARLILE Monday, April 6 at Hamer Hall, Melbourne and Wednesday, April 8 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney Alt-country vocalist Brandi Carlile is certainly an artist on the up. She was the most nominated woman at the 2019 Grammy Awards taking home three gongs, including Best Americana Album for her latest record, By the Way, I Forgive You. It's been over ten years since she played in Australia, and she's certainly a bigger draw now than she was then. She's also part of The Highwomen, the country supergroup that features Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires, so there's every chance that some tracks from their self-titled debut could also make their way into Carlile's set. [caption id="attachment_753622" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Austin Hargrave[/caption] GEORGE BENSON Sunday, April 5 at State Theatre, Sydney and Thursday, April 9 at Palais Theatre, Melbourne Perhaps best known for the 1980 soft disco hit album, Give Me the Night, soul man George Benson is still going strong after more than 65 years in the business. He can still command a crowd, too — he's had to add a second date to his Sydney and Melbourne sojourns to accommodate public demand. His most recent record, Walking to New Orleans, is a tribute to the music of Fats Domino and Chuck Berry, but surely Benson has now earned the right to be listed among such greats. After all, it's not just anyone who gets their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. To book tickets to these sideshows, and many more — including Buffy Sainte-Marie, John Mayall, The Marcus King Band, Walter Trout, The War & Treaty, The Allman Betts Band, Amadou & Mariam, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles and Tal Wilkenfeld — visit the Bluesfest website.
When your last festival screened 48 films to 168,000 people around Australia, what comes next? It's a problem many events wish they had, however, in their 28th year, the Alliance Française French Film Festival is on the case. With the massive celebration of Gallic cinema continuing to draw huge crowds, the beloved annual festival is offering up more of the same. The lineup has changed, of course, but the eclectic nature audiences have come to expect of the event is back. Kicking off on March 7 in Sydney before touring to Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Parramatta and Casula until April 9, the 2017 program begins and ends with a bang — or, with two very different journeys. In pole position at the start of the fest sits The Odyssey, an adventure-filled biopic focused on famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, and co-starring Audrey Tautou as Cousteau's wife Simone. Then, after running through the bulk of its 45-film selection, the fest comes to a close with maternal comedy A Bun in the Oven, featuring The Bélier Family's Karin Viard as an unexpectedly expectant 49-year old. In between, the AFFFF delivers on two fronts: stars and a vibrant array of big screen stories. There's plenty of both. The former includes 2017 Oscar-nominees Isabelle Huppert and Natalie Portman, with Huppert showing up twice — playing a woman with a secret past in the rom-com Souvenir, and a philosophy professor in Things to Come — and Portman joining forces with Lily-Rose Depp (yes, Johnny's daughter) in Planetarium. Depp also stars with French singer-actress Soko in The Dancer, while Marion Cotillard does double duty too in romance From the Land of the Moon and the Xavier Dolan-directed family drama It's Only the End of the World. Inglourious Basterds actress Mélanie Laurent co-directs environmental doco Tomorrow, the great Gérard Depardieu takes a road trip in Saint Amour, and one of the last roles played by Amour's Emmanuelle Riva, as an elderly aunt in Lost in Paris, also features. Elsewhere, the 2017 fest tells the tale of the first popular Afro-Cuban artist of the French stage in Monsieur Chocolate starring The Intouchables' Omar Sy opposite James Thierrée (aka Charlie Chaplin's grandson), examines the real-life circumstances surrounding a pregnant nun in The Innocents, dives into coming-of-age affections with Being 17 and gets ghostly with the haunting Daguerrotype. Or, viewers can catch Juliette Binoche at her most slapstick in farcical detective effort Slack Bay, and enjoy the kind of moral dilemmas the Dardenne brothers explore so well in The Unknown Girl. Looking back as well as forwards, a two-movie retrospective steps into the court of Versailles courtesy of the Marie Antoinette-centric Farewell, My Queen and music drama Mozart's Sister. Plus, if all of the above isn't enough for the most eager film buffs, dedicated cinephiles can take A Journey Through French Cinema for 191 minutes of movie history. The Alliance Française French Film Festival screens at Melbourne's Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Kino Cinemas and The Astor Theatre from March 8 to 30.
If you're a fan of Gelato Messina and its sweet treats, the past couple of years have just kept on giving. That saying doesn't apply to much at all during the pandemic, but it definitely fits in this situation. The dessert chain has released all manner of one-off specials, launched a new range of chocolate-covered ice cream bars in supermarkets, dropped a merchandise line and brought back its Christmas trifle, for starters — and, as it did in 2021, too, it's also doing Easter cocktails. A collaboration with Cocktail Porter, Messina's DIY drinks kits let you whip up your own boozy beverages — and, because it's that time of year, you'll be doing so inside an Easter egg. Yes, you read that correctly. What's the point of being an adult at Easter if you can't combine sweet treats with alcohol? Basically, these kits answer a familiar dilemma, especially at this time of year. No one likes choosing between tucking into an orb of chocolate and having another beverage, after all. Flavour-wise, get ready to sip and eat a whole heap of salted caramel. These packs come with Messina's popular dulce de leche topping, as well as Baileys, cold-drip coffee and Mr Black Coffee Liqueur. You'll also receive chocolate Easter eggs, obviously, which you'll pour your mixed liquids into — as well as pieces of salted caramel popcorn to pop on top. You can pick between two different-sized packs, with the small kit costing $80 and making five drinks, and the large costing $145 and making 12. Fancy drinking Easter cocktails out of rabbit-shaped mounds of chocolate? That's on the menu as well. This kit doesn't actually feature Messina products, but espresso martinis served out Lindt milk chocolate bunnies should still tempt your boozy tastebuds. This one also comes with vodka, cold-drip coffee, sugar syrup and Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, and the prices for both small and large batches are the same as the salted caramel kits. Cocktail Porter delivers Australia-wide, if that's your Easter drinking plans sorted. It's now doing pre-orders for both packs, which'll start shipping from mid-March. To order Cocktail Porter's Easter cocktail kits, head to the Cocktail Porter website.
If you, like us, have been cooking at home much more frequently since the pandemic hit, you've probably also become more aware of your food-related waste. Luckily for us — and the environment — though, more and more companies are focusing on sustainability in the kitchen. Next on that list: Great Wrap, a compostable alternative to cling wrap that's made from 100 percent plant-based material. The Australian-owned, family-run business was co-founded by Julia and Jordy Kay, who spent 18 months developing the Great Wrap formula. While many compostable plastics can take ages to decompose, Great Wrap is made from plants and breaks down into non-toxic molecules in less than 180 days — faster than an orange peel. If you're already a sustainability warrior, you know that's an impressive feat. The cling wrap is (of course) food safe and durable as well. Each roll is 30-metres long and perforated in 30-centimetre intervals for easy tearing. And, most importantly, it's another way for home chefs to enjoy cooking while minimising their environmental impact. Apart from the cling wrap, the company also produces pallet wrap for businesses — something that's especially useful in breweries, bottle shops and other venues. It's currently out of stock, but will be back in September, so keep an eye out. For domestic use, you can buy three rolls for $29.90 or six rolls for $49.90, with free shipping on all orders — and a ten percent discount currently on offer for all new accounts too. Great Wrap has also garnered the support of online natural wine shop Drnks. If you're interested in trying the product out on a smaller scale, you can grab a single-roll order on the Drnks website for a tenner. To find out more about Great Wrap and order a three- or six-pack, head over to greatwrap.co.
UPDATE: Tuesday, January 20 — With a majority of the Melbourne Music Week events selling out, this year's extended program has been expanded again with six new events being added. Punk rockers Skeggs and Ruby Fields will be taking to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on Saturday, February 20 for Live at the Bowl, artists and musicians Atong Atem, Adolfo Aranjuez, Birdz and more will be taking over the Immigration Museum on Friday, February 26 and indie-rock groups Primo! and Floodlights will be performing across the city. Check out the full extended program here. With venues closing, gigs cancelling and festivals postponing, Melbourne's live music industry took a big hit during COVID-19. But, when restrictions slowly started easing, the City of Melbourne announced that the annual Melbourne Music Week is still going ahead — and that it will take place over three whole months. Originally set to take place in November (before Victoria's second round of restrictions), the aural celebration will now run from Wednesday, December 9–Sunday, February 28. As always, expect plenty of gigs in unusual Melbourne venues. Expect lots of local talent as well. The numbers paint an impressive picture — with more than 330 artists playing at more than 35 locations and venues, tallying up over 200 events and sessions. And that's just from the first program announcement, with more artists and gigs due to be revealed in January 2021. So, who can you see? In MMW's 11th year, the event will kick off with Wominjeka (MMW Welcome) — featuring a Welcome to Country and citywide smoking ceremony curated by Kee'ahn, a performance by Aboriginal dance group Dijirri Dijirri, additional live programming at four different city locations, and a show at Section 8. Also on opening night, the Music Victoria Awards will take over the Melbourne Recital Centre, which you can also watch via livestream. That's how it all starts — but, as for how MMW means to go on, there'll be shows by Baker Boy, Adalita, Cable Ties and High Tension, plus an audio-visual performance by Melbourne producers Ara Koufax and iconic DJ and academic Simona Castricum. Also on the bill: Blake Scott, Banoffee, Mick Harvey, Private Function and Allysha Joy. And, you can play techno bingo (which'll be seated, but otherwise it's exactly what it sounds like), take a tai chi class or learn how to vogue with Kiki Dévine. Venue-wise, you'll be hitting up the Capitol Theatre, The Forum, Max Watts, Colour, Cherry Bar, Curtin and more — and, unsurprisingly, outdoor gigs are a big part of the lineup as well. Can't make it to everything? Streaming is here to stay, and will help you check out plenty of MMW's shows. Updated December 2.
It’s interesting what happens when you throw a whole bunch of disconnected ideas into a skip and see what comes out. Let’s say you had an idea for a story about an isolated girl learning to connect with a family she’s never met before. Or you have an idea about what it’s like for a group of kids to survive in the country when nuclear war hits the capital. Or you have a forbidden love idea about cousins falling for one another. Or you want to write about a sullen teen with psychic abilities. Rather than writing four different books, why not just put them all in the same book and hope for the best? On the outside, How I Live Now looks like a mess. Part Tomorrow When the War Began, part The Shining, part 28 Days Later, it’s a hodgepodge of concepts that don't completely gel. So it’s weird that the film is actually quite good. Part of the reason it works is that it’s compellingly all over the shop. You genuinely don’t know where it’s going to go next, and that sort of haphazardness keeps your attention. Even when some of the storylines — hell, most of the storylines — remain unsatisfactorily unresolved, it still makes for a tale that’s far more than the sum of its parts. It’s directed by Kevin Macdonald, best known for 2007’s The Last King of Scotland, and he establishes an unsettling and powerful mood throughout. Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones, Hanna, The Host) is good as ever, creating a thoroughly unsympathetic moody teen and then making us sympathise with her. Young actors Tom Holland, George MacKay and Danny McEvoy acquit themselves very well, especially the exceedingly young Harley Bird (known to a very specific portion of the world as the BAFTA award-winning voice of Peppa Pig), who has to play an enormous range of emotions in increasingly difficult circumstances. The consequences of war — the violence, the sex, what happens when the rule of law collapses — are presented in an extraordinarily unvarnished manner. It’s almost difficult to believe this is based on a Young Adult book; it’s so intense at times that, were the protagonists all adults, this would surely be considered unsuitable for anyone under the age of 18. But make your characters teens, and it’s suddenly relatable. That’s the theory, at least. In practice, audiences will likely be divided. It will be an unsatisfying experience for those who require an explanation for some of the more outlandish setups this film gives us, but for others, the story’s uniqueness will overcome these issues. Its untainted look at the realities of war, and the suspense this creates, will make this a firm and enduring favourite.
The performance of Wagner’s Ring Cycle by Opera Australia is shaping up to be one of the most hotly anticipated events of Melbourne 2013 cultural calendar, inspiring a full-blown festival complete with art exhibits, lectures and even a boxing match. Not to be outdone, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image will present its own Wagnerian program consisting of two vastly different documentaries as well as a talk on the influence the composer has had on the movies. Lessons of Darkness, from director Werner Herzog, is a surreal 50 minute meditation on the first Gulf War that combines awe-inspiring images of Kuwait’s burning oil fields with Wagner’s evocative music. On the lighter side of things is Patrick McGrady’s Wagner & Me, wherein British comedian Stephen Fry chronicles the composer’s life, works and legacy. The third event on the program is a presentation by Dr. David Kram, musical director of the Melbourne Chamber Choir. An expert on Wagner, Kram’s talk will highlight the use of Wagner’s music in films such as Lars von Trier’s Melancholia and Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now.
2022 is flying by, but if the year's hectic pace is getting you down, here is some small solace for you. Melbourne's Boho Luxe Market is determined to make you remember those times when you could dip your toes in the ocean without a care in the world, and take you to a sun-dappled place of dreamcatchers and flower crowns. Hitting Federation Square on Sunday, December 11, it'll be split into two sections: a bohemian market brimming with Christmas gift ideas held in the Atrium, and another stocked with an all-vegan lineup of wares popping up at Deakin Edge. Across both markets, you're in for a day of complete Christmas wanderlust. Shoppers can expect to find a huge array of fashion, jewellery, art and design items, as well as heaps of stalls slinging ethical activewear, accessories and skincare products. Of course, there'll be lots of tasty things on offer, too, including all the pantry items you need to pull off a top-notch vegan Christmas. While you're there, you can unleash your creative side with a guided workshop on crafting Christmas wreaths or baubles. Plus, there'll be psychic readings, henna artists and hair-braiding pop-ups to further get you in the boho spirit.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, many Australians have turned to home baking for comfort. Scroll through your Instagram feed and you're sure to see an overexcited jar of sourdough starter, a misshapen loaf or a #squishvid. Head on over to your local supermarket, though, and you're likely to find empty shelves where the flour once sat. This isn't just the scenario in Australia, either. According to Miller Magazine, flour demand has doubled in the UK and French supermarket sales have tripled, and in an episode of Samin Nosrat's new podcast Home Cooking a desperate Angelean asks how to make their wife white cake without the hard-to-find white flour (hint: you can't). But, if you're keen to begin your own baking adventures, not all hope is lost. You might actually find the elusive powder hiding at your local restaurant or cafe. As restaurants have been forced to adapt during the closure of non-essential indoor venues, many have pivoted to providing their local communities with grocery essentials and produce boxes. And one of the essential products they're selling is — you guessed it — flour. [caption id="attachment_768410" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Emma Joyce[/caption] Many Sydney cafes, including Marrickville's Cherry Moon, Brickfields in Chippendale, St Peters' Sample Coffee and Surry Hills' Reuben Hills and Single O, now have flour on their shelves, available to pick up or (in some cases) deliver. If you're looking for the gluten-free version, Waverley's Wholegreen Bakery has you covered. Two pubs, The Tudor Hotel and The Royal Hotel, are now convenience stores, stocking toilet paper, hand sanitiser and, yes, flour. Some restaurants are also selling produce boxes, including Fratelli Fresh, which are filled with a heap of pantry staples. In Melbourne, non-profit cafe Sibling has its own online store with baking ingredients, including flour and yeast, while St Kilda East's Grosvenor Hotel and Lamaro's Hotel in South Melbourne both have their own a bottle-o and shop. Ted's Grocer — formerly all-day diner Theodore's — also has produce boxes and essentials. If you've already jumped on the baking trend and are looking at other quarantine cooking projects to start, we're rounded up six fun, tasty and time-consuming recipes you can try out here. If and when you do decide to head out to get groceries, remember to follow the Australian Government Department of Health's social distancing guidelines. Top image: Cherry Moon by Kitti Gould
If you're a fan of rooftop bars or barbecue (or, better yet, both) prepare to have your day made. As we announced back in June, the Fancy Hank's BBQ crew are planning to open a dedicated, two-storey barbecue joint on Bourke Street, and now they've unveiled their plans for the rooftop bar that will sit above it: Good Heavens. Set to open for trade in September, the new venue will feature a 100-seat downstairs restaurant and a brand new casual rooftop bar — unlike anything the Fancy Hank's guys have done before. The bar has chosen to champion brightly-coloured '80s-inspired cocktails (blue curaçao may be making an appearance) and barbecue snacks like spicy southern chicken ribs, chilli nachos and a seared and smoked lamb neck grilled cheese sandwich. While Good Heavens will be a whole new concept, downstairs, the restaurant will be a bigger, better version of their venue at The Mercat. Co-owner Michael Patrick says the menu will feature their signature smoked meats, as well as a rotating vegetarian main, such as a smoked eggplant or sweet potato, as well as a few more surprises. "The sides will be a bit more considered as well — a bit more seasonal, a bit more made to order, a bit more interesting," he says. "And mains will be served up on platters, family-style — that's the way to go. We'll be adding a dessert cabinet too." And when this new, heavenly door opens, the other one doesn't have to close. The Mercat will still serve your beloved Fancy Hanks, but it'll be a more casual, sandwich-based menu as the big smoker is moving over to the new Bourke Street kitchen. Fancy Hank's and Good Heavens are slated to open next month at 1/79 Bourke Street, Melbourne. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates. By Imogen Baker and Lauren Vadnjal.
Whether you're a Queenslander exploring your own backyard, or you're holidaying in the Sunshine State from another part of the country — including New South Wales and Victoria from Tuesday, December 1, once the border reopens to both regions — visiting the beach is probably on your to-do list. The state is known for its sun, surf and sand, after all, but that isn't the only attraction that Queensland holds. In fact, it has just added another big drawcard, which is particularly great news if you're fond of a few vinos. The Vine and Shine Trail is Queensland's first official wine trail, and it's rather hefty — covering more than 70 wineries, vineyards and cellar doors. It's a self-guided affair, so you can choose just how much of it you'd like to explore, and in which spots in the southern portion of the state. If you'd like to try to see 'em all, treating wineries like Pokemon, well, that's up to you. Fancy moseying through the Granite Belt or the Scenic Rim? Eager to see what drops the Gold Coast Hinterland has on offer? Prefer something in the Brisbane area? They're all on the trail. So is everywhere from the South Burnett and Wide Bay-Burnett regions, to the Sunshine Coast — and the Darling Downs and western Queensland as well. And they're split into six separate mini-trails, if you only have so much time to spend hopping between wineries. Just how you interact with the trail's many stops is also a choose-your-own-adventure-type experience, with some cellar doors hosting lunches, some vineyards letting you picnic beside the grapes, and plenty of places offering tastings. And, variety-wise, you'll be able to sip an array of types, whether you're fond of popular drops or you're eager to drink something you mightn't have tried before. The idea, like most things in 2020, is to encourage everyone to get out of the house, explore this area of the country and support local businesses. It's specifically part of a dedicated campaign in Queensland to get folks to do more than just hang out on the coast, enticing them inland to roam along the vines and enjoy a heap of wines. For more information about the Vine and Shine Trail, visit its website.
Melbourne, we have lift-off. Collingwood brewery Stomping Ground has officially opened the doors to Australia's first working airport brewery, located inside domestic Terminal 3 at the Melbourne Airport. And we'll happily snub the overpriced sushi in favour of some pre-flight beers and pub grub. The new 330-square-metre venue takes its cues from Stomping Ground's OG Gipps Street beer hall, even imagined by the same award-winning designers Studio Y. You'll find a big central bar at its heart, bold murals from local artist Justine McAllister adorning the walls and a six-hectolitre brewery system on show behind glass. Up to 30 beers will be brewed on-site each year, which means even the regular jetsetter should be able to find something new to sip each time they swing by. There are 24 taps devoted to house brews — such as the Hop Stomper West Coast IPA, sour Key Lime Smash, nutty Upside Down brown ale and nitro milk stout Bearbrass — and another six pouring wines, including drops like the Mornington Peninsula's Quealy pinot grigio. Mixed six-beer tasting paddles and takeaway tinnies are also on offer. An all-day food lineup from Stomping Ground Executive Chef Ben Isaacs features breakfast options (available 6am–12pm), alongside contemporary pub-style share plates and mains. Fuel up for that early morning flight with the likes of a passion fruit bircher or go large with the brewer's brekkie — a hearty serve of bacon, mushrooms, roast tomato, andouille sausage, kale and eggs. Later in the day, there are bites like a classic chicken schnitty, a twice-cooked lamb shoulder with tahini dressing, ricotta dumplings and grilled haloumi with figs. The new permanent venture follows Stomping Ground's popular summer pop-up beer garden, which graced a space in between Terminals 3 and 4 in both 2017 and 2018. It's also just one part of a major hospitality overhaul for Melbourne Airport's Terminals 2 and 3. Acclaimed chef Shane Delia will open his new concept Moors by Shane Delia here, Scott Pickett is set to unveil a new outpost of his produce-driven Pickett's Deli & Rotisserie and coffee favourites Cobb Lane, Axil Coffee Roasters and Proud Mary are also set to call the airport home. Over in the international terminal, you'll find a new outpost of St Ali, too. Find Stomping Ground in Terminal 3, Pier E (before Gates 4 and 6) at Melbourne Airport. It's open from 5am–9.30pm daily.
For its 2021–22 iteration, QT Melbourne's rooftop hideout has been reimagined as a vibrant, Italian-inspired oasis embodying the motto of la dolce vita. The new-look Secret Garden is now open for walk-ins, serving up Euro-inspired snacks, vino, tunes and a healthy dose of art until the end of summer. A collaboration with King Valley's Dal Zotto Wines headlines an all-Victorian offering of eats and drinks, with the celebrated winemaker pouring a selection of its Italian-leaning signature drops — sí, that includes plenty of prosecco. There are beers from Beechworth's Bridge Road Brewers, gin and limoncello courtesy of Bass & Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula, and salumi from The Meat Room in Kilmore, Central Victoria. While you're sipping and snacking beneath the festoon lights, you'll also get to soak up the large-scale artistic offerings of artist Rowena Martinich. There'll be bocce for those seeking some friendly competition, plus a soundtrack heavy on 1920s Italia from QT's music collaborator Andrew Lewis. Catch Secret Garden from 2pm–late, Thursday–Sunday. Images: Hayden Dib
The winter chill has set in across Melbourne, which means it's time to bust out your warmest winter woolies once again. Happily enough, to coincide with the start of winter, a heap of private igloos have popped up across the city so you can get your winter escape without even having to leave the big smoke. As part of the Winter Igloo Garden, these pop-up winter wonderlands have descended upon The Auburn Hotel's beer garden, Footscray's Station Hotel, Studley Park Boathouse and the banks of the Yarra at The Wharf Hotel. Each see-through structure can fit up to six people and comes decked out with twinkly fairy lights and winter-inspired furnishings. You can hire any igloo out for a two-hour time slot, which includes a different food and drink offering depending on the venue. The Studley Park Boathouse igloo is serving a winter high tea full of sweet and savoury bites with a glass of bubbly for $49 per person, with the option to add on 90 minutes of bottomless drinks for an extra $25. At The Auburn you'll be chilling out in your wintry bubble enjoying a shared three-course feast featuring the likes of mini lobster rolls, charred broccolini with toasted almonds, and a king salmon with saffron-braised fennel for $59. That'll also get you your choice of drink — think mulled wine, local beer, cherry spritz or a hot toddy. At the riverside Winter Igloo Garden at The Wharf Hotel, you'll part with $49 for your choice of wintery beverage, paired with a shared grazing board loaded with bites like southern fried chicken ribs, salt and pepper squid, and triple cheese pumpkin arancini. If you're looking for more soul-warming fare, The Station's igloos come with a meat-heavy set menu with options like short ribs, wagyu tartare and yakitori, teamed with your pick of drink for $69. Espresso martinis, house wines and boozy hot chocolate set the tone here. And while you're hanging out in any of the above igloos, further drinks can also be ordered via an app, so you don't have to leave your wintry lair.
Stories involving someone's testicles (especially engorged ones like this) usually aren't very heartwarming. But 31-year-old Thomas Cantley is currently proving that assumption wrong. Over the course of this month, Cantley has been rolling a giant inflatable testicle across the USA to raise awareness of testicular cancer. Relying on people's kindness and support, he is currently travelling from California to New York and has been raising a lot of eyebrows along the way. Diagnosed with a stage three testicular cancer in 2009, Cantley started his ballsy mission in order to break some of the taboo surrounding the topic. "It's a 96 per cent survival rate if caught early," he told KSBW. "I want to prove you don't need billions of dollars or the promise of a cure to make a difference in the fight against cancer." His mission is instead about creating conversation. With his own cancer currently in remission, he's travelled more than 750 kilometres over the course of the month. People are inviting him to stay with them, buying him meals, and writing their own cancer-related stories on his giant testicle as he goes. With the Ball Push project now nearing its end, he's even earned himself the nickname of Mr Ballsy. Ever since Forrest Gump began running for the sake of running, we've had a fascination with these novel acts of endurance. Frankly, we're personally fascinated whenever anyone completes a regular marathon. What would compel someone to do that to themselves? But in the case of Thomas Cantley, the reason is very clear. Taking advantage of the humour all young men seem to find in their balls, Cantley is tactfully asking guys between 15 and 35 to "go check their nuts". And hey, if a cancer survivor can trek all the way across the USA dragging a very annoying inflatable ball, you can probably muster a quick fondle or trip to the doctor. Follow the rest of the journey via the Ball Push website or Facebook page. For more on the issue, check out the Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation. Via A Plus and KSPW.
The stage is about to get saucy this weekend as finalists shimmy and sparkle away during the Miss Burlesque Australia 2012 Competition. Set to woo audiences and judges alike, Oz's brightest burlesque stars - one from each state - will take to the stage in a succession of themed performances. Each will show what they've got in a 'Classic', 'Gown Parade', and their choice of a 'Unique' or 'Neo' performance. Not brushed up on your burlesque lingo? Not to worry: these ladies will spell it out in feather fans and sequins. Not to be left out, burlesque-loving guys will compete in the pageant's first ever Mr. Boylesque Competition. Male entrants from around the country will perform their most outrageous 'Unique' routines in hopes of winning that crown. Regarded as one of the world's leading burlesque pageants, Miss Burlesque Australia 2012 promises to deliver the very best of this revived, tongue-in-cheek art form. Prepare for the finalists' one-two punch of sexy and sassy; it's bound to be one hell of a show. Further details can be found here. https://youtube.com/watch?v=yyfz6dJkx2s
Residents of Melbourne, here's some good news to buoy you in these dark times. Barkly Square in Brunswick will run a pop-up cinema throughout December and January. It'll go down in the laneway of the shopping centre and unlike other outdoor cinemas that have recently been announced — like Moonlight and Sunset — this one has a difference: it's silent. Kind of like when you go to the drive-in and attach the speaker to your car, they'll be transmitting the film's audio through dedicated headphones. The best part is that all proceeds from the event will be donated to the Victorian Deaf Society. And even better, tickets are only a tenner. Take that Hoyts. There's only 60 seats per screening though, so be sure to book early — especially for the spesh Christmas screenings. On the whole, the lineup is pretty decent and eclectic, with everything from Donnie Darko to Home Alone to Whiplash. BARKLY SQUARE OPENAIR CINEMA PROGRAM 2016-17 16 December — Home Alone 23 December — Elf 6 January – Whiplash 7 January – Amy 13 January – The Big Lebowski 14 January – Amelie 20 January – Guardians of the Galaxy 21 January – Dogtown and Z-Boys 27 January – Hunt for the Wilderpeople 28 January – Donnie Darko
Melbourne's annual winter festival RISING is back, taking over public spaces, theatres and galleries all around the city from Saturday, June 1–Sunday, June 16. All up, 105 events are running throughout the two weeks, featuring 480-plus artists. It's massive. And while it is great to have so much going on, it can easily be overwhelming. Where do you begin? That's where we come in. We've rounded up a bunch of the best Melbourne RISING events you can still book a spot at — or that you can simply rock up to enjoy at your leisure. Most of these are very reasonably priced, and plenty are totally free to enjoy. There's no excuse for missing out on RISING. Recommended reads: The Best Things to Do in Melbourne This Weekend The Best Things to Do in Melbourne This Week The best Things to Do in Melbourne This Month The Best Restaurants in Melbourne's CBD
Anyone who's been in Sydney over the last few weeks will have noticed that it's been unseasonably warm. Winter's usual chill has been swapped for mild temperatures and, instead of regular downpours, the city has seen a stream of clear sunny days — during the day, you barely even need a light jacket. And this weird weather all came to a head this weekend, with Sydney copping one of the hottest winter days it's ever had. Earlier in the week, Weatherzone has predicted that yesterday — Sunday, July 30 — would come pretty close to topping the highest temperature on record for July: 25.9 degrees (which was set back in 1990). And they were right. At 2.10pm, the mercury hit 26.5 degrees — making it Sydney's warmest July day ever. #Sydney sets new July heat record, 26.0 degrees. Last year it took until October to get this warm https://t.co/sbzHtvvHzG — Weatherzone (@weatherzone) July 30, 2017 It's pretty insane. But while Sydneysiders reaped the benefits of the warm day — and all the warm weather has been undeniably delightful — it doesn't bode well for us in the long run. In fact, if only adds to our ever-present anxiety about global warming, an increase in extreme El Niño events and what that might mean for Australia and the world.
Some really distinguished people pepper the RMIT University alumni roll call: Rove McManus, John Safran, and Jim Stynes, to name a few. None of those people are well dressed, but don't let that dissuade you from attending Alice Euphemia's launch of LEVEL TEN, the catalogue publication showcasing the work of RMIT's 2012 Fashion Design grads, because none of the aforementioned people studied fashion. Hell, they wouldn't know the beauty of a bespoke, hand-embroided, androgynous illusion sleeve if it grabbed them by the gonads. The crowd at Wednesday night's opening will be aspirational, the experimental designs of the young not yet stultified by the need to sell, sell, sell ‘dem clothes, and the drinks free flowing (disclaimer: this may not be true and if it is, it will probably only be true for the first half hour of the 6-8pm opening. Fash folk are thirsty creatures by nature). If you choke and can't put together a good enough outfit to attend, selected graduate work will be on show in the week following at Alice for your viewing pleasure.
See the film that many have tipped to clean up big at this year's Oscars, at one of a handful of gala previews on New Year's Eve. Set in New York City during the early 1950s, Carol follows two women — played by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara — who embark on a forbidden romance with drastic consequences for them both. The film is due to release in mid-January, however Palace Cinemas are hosting early NYE screenings at Brighton Bay, Palace Balwyn, Cinema Como, Dendy Brighton, Palace Westgarth and Kino Cinemas. Attendees with receive a glass of wine on arrival, as well as a complimentary ticket to see Brooklyn – another potential awards contender – when it hits cinemas on February 12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4z7Px68ywk Session times vary cinema to cinema. You can check the times here.
In the wacky family comedies you usually see at this time of year, everyone will come to accept the quirks and legacies of their kinfolk. They'll acknowledge that even a wacky family is better than no family, probably while laughing around a Christmas ham with all the trimmings. August: Osage County is not that movie. It started life as a play — in fact, probably the best play I have ever seen. Sydney was lucky enough to receive a visit from its original production company Steppenwolf in 2010, giving Australian audiences a chance to join the cacophony of praise already coming from the Tony Awards committee, Pulitzers, American critics and Broadway-goers. But what was amazing about the show seemed quite theatre-specific. At nearly four hours long and set across a three-storey, bisected house, Osage County feels momentous. And more than that, it relies entirely on the crackling chemistry of its taut ensemble, a feat that seems magical on stage but prosaic on screen, where you know it's the product of take after take, plus editing. Sure enough, the new film — adapted by its own playwright, Tracy Letts, and starring a cast so heavyweight as to tip the scale into ridonkulous — is good, but it's not quite great. The tone is spot on: it's dark comedy infused with the Southern Gothic. You will laugh, but you'll probably feel evil about it. The family in question is the Westons, who are all drawn back into their childhood home miles from any significant town in Oklahoma. It's not the festive season; rather, the family patriarch, Beverly (Sam Shepard), has disappeared without warning or explanation, leaving his abrasive, abusive, cancer-inflicted and pill-addicted wife, Violet (Meryl Streep), alone with only the new carer, Johnna (Misty Upham). Violet's children understandably have mixed feelings towards her, but they're also dragging their new problems into the house. Barbara (Julia Roberts) is there with her recently estranged husband, Bill (Ewan McGregor), and teenage daughter Jean (Abigail Breslin); lifelong adolescent Karen (Juliette Lewis) has pinned all her hopes on the shoulders of shifty new fiance Steve (Dermot Mulroney); and Ivy (Julianne Nicholson) feels emboldened by a clandestine romance with her timid cousin, 'Little Charles' (Benedict Cumberbatch). This all culminates in a couple of exquisite dinner table confrontations, during which a lucid and destructive Violet exercises her finest skill and favourite hobby, 'truth telling'. Streep is, of course, excellent to watch in these moments, although every one of the actors needs to be — and is — at their best in the rapid-fire, emotionally fraught verbal rallies. Even if their purpose is to poison, Letts' script is full of beautiful words, which might actually be a let down for the movie. It's lofty, alienating and artificial in a way that doesn't totally work on screen, and a fair few critics have taken the hatchet to it in return. Elsewhere, though, Letts and director John Wells have done well making a very theatrical work cinematic (and have, mercifully, cut down the length). In the absence of the 'character' played by the imposing set, plentiful landscape shots of the open yet unfriendly plains of Osage County make an impact. One of the best scenes has Violet, hit by withdrawals, run blindly, desperately into this landscape, and it's one of the few moments where you really feel for her, and for her inability to escape a prison that she has helped build. If the film doesn't quite stand on its own, it's at least a good approximation of a great play. And some kind of record for sheer quantity of acting. https://youtube.com/watch?v=4VBEZrkCT8Q
In an emotional sense, things aren't really looking up in Australia at the moment. 2020's horror show has continued into 2021, thanks to new outbreaks and lockdowns, because the chaos of the pandemic hasn't passed just yet. But, for one night, it's worth literally looking up with your eyes and your noggin — because a conjunction of Venus and Mars is about to happen way above our heads. Peer skywards tonight, on Tuesday, July 13, and you'll see the two planets in close proximity. How close? According to NASA, they'll appear a mere finger's width apart. They won't actually physically be that close, of course, but they'll sure look like it. If you're not familiar with the term 'conjunction' within the field of astronomy, it refers to two objects or spacecraft sharing the same right ascension or ecliptic longitude — so they're at the same angular distance in one way or another. Specifically, it's used to describe the moment that two objects are at their closest apparent point together in the sky. You might remember the term from last year, because Jupiter and Saturn went through the same thing in December. https://twitter.com/NASAAmes/status/1414660845557125120 For this conjunction, you'll want to find a spot where you can peer in a northwestern direction. That's where you need to look — but if you're wondering when you should take a peek outside this evening, The Conversation advises looking up between 6.30–7.30pm. You'll be able to see Venus before then, from dusk, but Mars will only be visible once it gets dark. In Australia, you'll spy Mars slightly above its neighbour, and to the left. Venus isn't hard to spot; it has been called "the evening star", after all. To get a glimpse of the red planet, you'll need to peer a little harder, as it is nowhere near as bright. To get the best view, you'll want an unobstructed vantage of the sky — and, to look even closer, to use binoculars or a telescope. If you do choose some optical help, you'll be able to see both Venus and Mars in the same field of view. 2021 has already delivered a few sky shows, via pink, blood and strawberry moons, so this is just the latest astronomical gift this year. But, at a time that hasn't been big on good news, it's definitely worth looking up for. The Venus and Mars conjunction will be visible in the evening of Tuesday, July 13. For further details, head to the NASA website.
Fashion runways usually feature models of the leggy variety, but don't expect to see any of those at the NGV's Kids Summer Festival fashion parade, which instead will star a drove of tiny-legged dapperly dressed dachshunds. Taking over the NGV's Great Hall on Australia Day, this pup parade will conclude the annual, 11-day festival of kid-friendly fun. Although 'technically' for 'kids', anyone can head along to see the four-legged fashionistas show off their threads for free. Take a little one along and let them run wild in the gallery afterwards — they can unleash their own creativity by crafting dog-inspired 3D paper designs under the guidance of illustrator Alice Oehr and artist group Soft Stories. The whole dog thing is a homage to three dog-lovers being celebrated in NGV's hottest summer exhibitions — David Hockney (Current), and design duo Viktor & Rolf (Fashion Artists). The rest of the Kids Summer Festival program is chock-full of legitimately awesome free events — think magic performances, kids yoga, dance classes and a swag of creative workshops hosted by local artists. Images: Wayne Taylor.
