If Moor's Head's Middle Eastern-meets-Italian pizza is one of your staples, but you wish you didn't have to trek to Thornbury for a fix, then we have some good news — especially if you live in Carlton. The popular pizza joint has opened the doors to a new outpost on Drummond Street. "People living closer to, and in, the city will now find it easier and more convenient to drop in or grab takeaway pizzas," says co-owner Joseph Abboud. "We particularly love that it is a stone's throw from Cinema Nova." The kitchen's bigger than the one at Thornbury, which brings a few new surprises to the menu, including haloumi fries with pomegranate-pepper sauce and 'turkamisu', a Middle Eastern take on tiramisu, with cardamom coffee, pistachio and green walnut liqueur. On the drinks list, look out for a bunch of local craft beers, boutique wines and arak, an anise-based spirit popular in the Middle East. Moor's Head has taken over the Drummond Street space once home to Markov and it's a location Abboud had been eyeing for quite a while. At one point, he was in talks with Markov's owners, Joseph and Guy David, about moving in next door. "We've been friends for a long time and often discussed how we could work together, so this opportunity seemed like a right fit at the right time," said Guy. Moor's Head Carlton is now open daily from 6pm till late at the rear of 350 Drummond Street, Carlton. For more info, visit themoorshead.com.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and discover the hidden wonders of the Macedon Ranges as it plays host to the Macedon Ranges Wine and Food Budburst Festival on November 9 and 10. Over the weekend, the 30 of the region's best wineries will fling open their cellar doors and put more than 100 different wine styles up for the tasting. Most of them are small and family owned, and you'll have the the chance to chat to the winemakers as you taste their drops. A festival pass will give you access to all of the wineries across the two days — and it's $23 (or $25 on the day). Most of the venues will have live music and some kind of food offering — Cleveland Winery in Lancefield will be slinging its woodfired pizzas, and Shadowfax will be serving up cheese platters at its Trentham winery. Situated between 350–700 metres above sea level, the Macedon Ranges is Australia's coolest mainland wine region. The area is known for the Macedon Sparkling, which is made using only locally grown pinot noir and chardonnay grapes. But, with more than 40 vineyards located in the region, there is lots of room for variation and plenty of diverse drops for you to try. If no one wants to be the designated driver, the festival has hop-on, hop-off buses buses departing from Woodend Station on the Saturday.
Although the weather outside is starting to tempt us with cosy nights in, Glenmorangie is giving us six reasons to toss a scarf on and head out to enjoy some fine single malt scotch. World Whisky Day is just around the corner (Saturday, May 18) and the Scottish distillery has partnered with six cocktail bars across Melbourne to celebrate. Each venue will revisit the classic highball — Glenmorangie Original 10 mixed with soda, tonic or ginger ale and fresh orange juice – and rework it, creating reinventions of the classic with a distinct flair. These cocktails will be shaken and stirred until the end of the month because let's face it, one day just isn't enough to applaud this fine spirit. Warm your belly up at Arlechin with a Pink Possum, which features fig, thyme and cabernet shrub, or enjoy the Tarlogie Tang, with notes of fino sherry and apple pulp soda, at Boilermaker House. Meanwhile, Attic at Black Pearl has concocted a spiced coconut, honey and vinegar number — The Pictish Highball — and Williamstown's Sebastian Beach Grill & Bar focuses on peach, fig and cinnamon flavours with its Basque on the Peach. If you're feeling adventurous with your whisky sampling, head to Trinket Bar and try the nutty The Danseur, made with peanut butter, hazelnut oil and orangeade. Or, to get nice and toasty, sip on Iki-Jime's Highball 16, featuring Glenmorangie 10 mixed with the house soda of toasted barley, chamomile, orange zest and leatherwood honey. Top image: Black Pearl
Although working from home has some solid benefits (such as track pants and sleep-ins), it can also be a real drainer. With no co-workers lurking in the communal kitchen ready to spill the tea or provide an ear for a good post-meeting vent, the days can drag on and the afternoon slump can impact us hard. However, there are plenty of ways to kick that plunge in the butt and take on the arvo grind with gusto. It's why we've teamed up with Oporto to bring you five ways to avoid the afternoon lull in activity when you're confined to your own home. Just be sure to stick within your five-kilometre radius, of course. [caption id="attachment_784751" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yarra Valley trail via Visit Victoria[/caption] MONDAY: PUMP YOUR CALVES ON A CYCLING TRAIL Ride away any afternoon Monday blues by saddling up and going for a bike ride on your lunch break. If you live close by, take advantage of the Main Yarra Trail, which runs along the Yarra River from the eastern suburbs through to Southbank. Or perhaps you live close to the Merri Creek Trail, running through the north and filled with daisies and local jasmine. Alternatively, spin around Albert Park Lake and enjoy the sites of Melbourne's inner city or pump those calves around St Kilda Beach and take in the salty ocean air. When you can venture farther, take inspiration from these ten best bike rides in and around Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_781550" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] TUESDAY: CHECK OUT SOME LOCAL MURALS TO SPARK YOUR OWN CREATIVITY Take a break from your computer and hit your local streets to check out some street art. It might inspire you to approach the afternoon grind differently. Melbourne has plenty of street art on show with the Keith Haring mural and the Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquit mural in Collingwood, the Everfresh mural on the side of The Night Cat in Fitzroy and the 1968 Mexico Olympics Human Rights Salute mural in Cremorne. Alternatively, if the CBD is more your neck of the woods, take a peruse of the Djirri Djirri Dancers mural on the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Caledonian Lane, Hosier Lane and AC/DC Lane. [caption id="attachment_784752" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] WEDNESDAY: GO FOR A WALK AND DEBRIEF WITH A MATE Sometimes you just need to let off some steam. Pick up your phone and give your mate or loved one a call and vent away. Or, be a listening ear to your friend's irritations. Go one better and arrange to take a walk around the block together (provided you live in the same area). As you get in your daily steps and move those muscles, try to find out something new about each other. If you have the time, combine your walk with a visit to your local cafe to grab a coffee first. Whether you talk politics, the weather or Selling Sunset, you'll be refreshed enough to take on the afternoon slog when you return to your desk. [caption id="attachment_784754" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] THURSDAY: EAT LUNCH IN THE PARK Feeling snowed under with emails? Frustrated at the excel spreadsheet that just won't do what you want it to do? Put the screen to sleep and head to the park for a proper lunch that will boost your afternoon productivity. If you're within walking distance of an Oporto, try the new Pulled Chicken Rappa, with hand-pulled chicken cooked in lemon and herb sauce, crunchy slaw, spicy rice and your choice of sauce, all wrapped in warm pita bread. Bored of your closest park? Here are the best picnic spots in Melbourne. [caption id="attachment_784843" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Visit Victoria[/caption] FRIDAY: TAKE A WALK AROUND THE RIVER TO SPOT LOCAL BIRDLIFE If working from home has got you feeling angsty or stressed, then getting out into nature might be the antidote you need. First, turn off those work notifications. Then, take a stroll around a Melbourne lake to clear your mind, which, depending on your area, could be the likes of the Yarra Bend, Merri Creek, Capital City Trail, Darebin Creek or Albert Park Lake. Plus, you might even spot some local birds while you're there, including woodland species like the tawny frogmouths or wetland natives such as grey teals — plus, everyone's favourite, the white ibis (AKA the bin chicken). Check out Oporto's full Rappa Range here, then make tracks to your closest store — or order online. Top image: Carlton Gardens courtesy Visit Victoria
Beer festivals are becoming increasingly common, but there aren't many that match the lofty standards set by Melbourne's Brewers Feast. Held in the lush surrounds of the Abbotsford Convent, Brewers Feast takes place on the last weekend of summer and will take your tastebuds on a hoppy tour with its expansive range of beers and ciders. There'll be over 80 different brews to try from across Australia and highlights include Sydney's Young Henrys, the Yarra Valley's Watts River, and the well-loved Stone & Wood. In addition, there'll be 20 beers brewed exclusively for the festival, made using rare ingredients and brewed in collaboration with malt, hops and yeast supplier, Bintani. The festival starts in the best possible way, with all attendees enjoying a free glass from Victoria's Grand Ridge Brewery on entry. When it's time to pause drinking for a well-earned feed, you can choose from Bigger than Texas BBQ, the solid burgs at St Kilda Burger Bar and vegan falafel from Dana's Falafel. Alongside food and drink, there'll be a stellar lineup of local music talent to keep you entertained throughout the festival. Local artists, performing across two stages, will take the novel approach of recommending a beverage to enjoy alongside their tunes. The festivities will run from 11.30am–8pm on Saturday and 11am–5pm on Sunday. You have to pay for general entry ($37.50 on Saturday and $29.95 on Sunday), and you'll have to pay for all your food and drinks on top of that.
There's nothing new about burgers and shakes — but then again, there's nothing new at Kustom Burgers. From the fit-out made of old car parts and the fifties swing tunes filling the air, to the retro lollies on the counter (hello, Milkos!) and the vintage Chevy pickup that owner Paul Hendrie can be seen driving around Thornbury in, everything is a throwback. At one point while waiting for my burger and fries, I was sure Frenchie would lift her head out of her banana delight milkshake and start singing to Frankie Avalon. Alas, not this time. Still, Kustom Burgers holds a distinct fifties American diner vibe, with a nod to everything retro automotive. There's even an entire pickup placed in one corner with a slot car racing track built into the tray. Car fan or no car fan, the burgers, fries and shakes are really what bring in the business. A steady patronage can be seen at all times of the day, especially on weekends – although, that might have something to do with the fact that this is perfect hangover fodder. Burgers range from the standard Kustom Burger ($13) with a beef patty, bacon, American cheese, pickles, onion, lettuce, tomato sauce and mustard to the Impala Southern fried chicken burger ($15) with fried buttermilk chicken, cheese, jalapenos, house-made chipotle mayo and slaw, with a few stops in between. There's also a Portobello mushroom burger for vegetarians, a 1kg rib eye steak for $70 (pre-order only), and a Hot Rod Burger that will bring the toughest chilli fiend to their knees — and keep them there for a good hour or two. The patties are made from pure beef and minced onsite, the fries are beer battered to ensure they hold a fair deal of crunch, and the milkshakes are sickly sweet indulgence in a mason jar. Don't count calories here, because it won't end well. And make sure you leave room for an ice cream sandwich, or a Redskin to go. This is a passion project by Hendrie, and it shows. What Kustom Burgers lacks in refinement, it makes up for in honest, unashamed vintage fanboy fun.
After bringing Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire back to the big screen with a live orchestra soundtrack, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is giving the fifth film in the franchise the same movie-and-music showcase. Across three sessions between Thursday, August 15 and Saturday, August 17, Hamer Hall will come to life with the sights and sounds of the Ministry of Magic, 12 Grimmauld Place and the return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, because JK Rowling's boy-who-lived and his pals are never far away from a theatre — or a concert hall. And tickets for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix live in concert are now on sale. This time around, viewers can expect something a little different. While the event will run as usual, it's the score itself that'll stand out. After doing the honours on the first three HP flicks, veteran composer John Williams stood aside, with two-time Oscar nominee Patrick Doyle (Hamlet, Sense and Sensibility) in charge of the fourth, and Nicholas Hooper whipping up wondrous wizarding soundtracks for the final three.
Enjoying its world premiere at this year's Melbourne Festival, Complexity of Belonging is piquing our interest on so many counts. First, it kills two birds with one stone. Both theatre and dance are looking like strong elements of the program this year and with this outstanding new work you'll get a taste of both. And the same could be said of its creators In a festival packed full of exciting Asian and European works, Complexity of Belonging is one of the few international co-productions with Australia. Our beloved MTC and Chunky Move have joined forces with German Falk Richter, director-in-residence at Schaubuhne Berlin (who've previously brought An Enemy of the People and Hedda Gabler to the festival). Exploring the age of social media with the help of five dancers and four actors, the show is shaping up to be an unique and dynamic experience on stage. Complexity of Belonging is on from October 6-25 at Southbank Theatre, The Sumner. Tickets are $40-79, but thanks to Melbourne Festival, we have two double passes to the show on Tuesday, October 7, to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email win.melbourne@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address.
This year's Melbourne Music Week is truly blanketing our city with good vibes. From November 14-23, the festivities are taking over the Queen Vic Markets, there are shows on trams, in laneways, and even jumping in and surprising you on random city elevators. And to follow suit in this full-blown takeover, the Carlton is inviting you onto a whole undiscovered level of their iconic and exotic watering hole. Just when you thought you'd figured your way around the giraffes in jewellery, watchful elephant heads and tree-lined rooftop spaces, they throw another thing in the mix. For six nights, the Carlton will be opening up an abandoned space that lies above the main bar but below Hasti Bala. Through labyrinthine corridors and hidden little rooms, you'll be treated to an array of secret gigs and intimate "plastic-coated" raves featuring a load of surprise acts. I know that's a whole load of craziness to hear with little to no context, but it's all we've got at this point. This very hush hush event is mysteriously titled Swell. "There's an appetite for discovery in the Australian music scene," says creator Janenne Willis. "People buy tickets out of curiosity... Now is the time for a fresh take on the live music experience." Though we may not know who will be playing on each night, we do have some insight on the people behind it all. We know that the space is being designed by New York-based architect Brooks Atwood and the music is being coordinated by local DJ Edd Fisher. With these details we can expect very, very good things. "The format of Swell is not the traditional headliner and support acts," says Willis. "We can reveal that the lineup will be a surprising and astounding mix of genres, including contemporary improvised jazz, cutting edge beatmakers, dreamy soundscapes, vocal harmonies and more." If you feel like taking a chance on this big bag of mystery and good times, snag an early bird ticket for $25 from the Melbourne Music Week website or support the cause with a $55 fundraising ticket via their Indiegogo campaign. If they're going to coat this space in cling wrap and deck it out for a full-blown rave, they're going to need a little help. Swell will be at The Carlton Club every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night form November 14-23.
Phillip Island is going to play host to more than cascades of fairy penguins this New Year's Eve. Victoria's inaugural festival Beyond the Valley has confirmed the first three names on the lineup (and it's already looking pretty badass). With the full lineup announcement set for next month, the brand new festival has confirmed Action Bronson, The Preatures and Peking Duk to play the NYE event. One of Australia's most talked-about fivesomes, The Preatures, were locked in by the BTV team after lead singer Isabella Manfredi let the performance slip to Beat. "It’s New Years Eve, on an island, with Victorians. What else could you ask for, a hangover spa?" New York's hypeworthy rapper Action Bronson has also been confirmed by the festival team, as well as Canberran duo Peking Duk. It's a pretty big (and on-trend) haul for a new festival, one apparently expected to draw over 10,000. Beyond the Valley promoters have said the whole lineup will be "a cohesive spread of genres and styles" which really gives nothing much away. With the camping festival set to snuggle into the shoreside fields of Phillip Island from December 30 – January 1, the site will also feature "a pop-up luxury hotel with its very own concierge and first class amenities including a daily hangover spa," (confirming Manfredi's hints). The team have confirmed cocktail bars, high quality food, two massive stages and probably enough portaloos for Action Bronson to do his entire set from. Beyond the Valley will take place on Phillip Island from December 30 – January 1. Watch the teaser for the festival here (with beats by AlunaGeorge... another hint?): Via Faster Louder.
Winter is not traditionally ice cream weather. However, when that ice cream is being served up by Gelato Messina — voted best gelato in Australia, officially by Good Food Guide and unofficially by our taste buds — seasons no longer matter, only taste and the chance to devour as much as you can. That chance just became a whole lot easier thanks to Uber. The on-demand private driver service has teamed up with that infallible cult gelato giant for Friday, July 18 only to deliver their deliciousness directly to your door. From 11am, Uber ice cream trucks will be transporting specially prepared packs of Messina around Melbourne (and Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide), all lucky spots who are in for a very good Friday. And you can enjoy this service with the simple flick of a finger. To order, download the Uber app, then just open it, move the slider to the 'Ice Cream' option and request a delivery to your door in minutes — $20 will get you a 500ml tub ($15 for a cheeky extra one) and some Uber merch. It's easier than serving your own ice cream at home, and definitely more delicious (no offence to your sub-par, store-bought ice cream, but this is pretty much the best there is). If you're a first time user, the tub is free. FREE. Just use the promo code ICECREAMMEL when you sign up for Uber and you'll nab $20 off your Messina purchase (covers the tub). You can keep up to date with all of the action on Twitter and Instagram at #UBERICECREAM and @Uber_Melbourne whilst devouring your mouthwatering treat but remember, this is for Friday, July 18, only (or Ice-Cream Christmas if you will), so take advantage of this offer whilst you can. Maximum of two tubs per customer, so maybe steer clear of your friends afterwards if you're precious with your Messina. Best of all, no queues.
In Woody Allen's latest film, Cate Blanchett plays Jasmine, an unpleasant socialite who's fallen on hard times. Jasmine finds herself at odds with her adopted sister, Ginger (Sally Hawkins), whom she plans to stay with until she is back on her feet. Jasmine had little time for Ginger when she was living high on the hog in Manhattan and finds herself appalled at Ginger's working-class lifestyle and new boyfriend, Chili (Bobby Cannavale), a mechanic. The story flashes back and forth between Jasmine's glamorous New York life of polo matches and Hamptons holidays and her later comeuppance in California. Along the way, Ginger and ex-boyfriend Augie (Andrew Dice Clay) make a rare visit to New York, where Jasmine suggests husband Hal (Alec Baldwin) can invest money for Ginger and Augie. The flashbacks find Jasmine in wilfully ignorant bliss, raising the question of whether she should have taken more of an interest in his staggering accumulation of wealth. The prickly figure of Jasmine, a character who is by turns contemptible and pitiful, washing Xanax down with vodka as she endlessly recounts stories from better times, is perfectly realised, and Blanchett's compelling work lights up one of Woody Allen's darkest films. Blue Jasmine is in cinemas on September 12, and thanks to Hopscotch Films, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter (if you haven't already), then email hello@concreteplayground.com.au with your name and address. https://youtube.com/watch?v=BXnktqEWvGM
Philadelphia indie-rockers The War on Drugs have revealed they will play two sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne alongside their Australian debut performances at Falls Festival and Southbound. Devoted fans will no doubt be crossing their fingers that some material from their much-awaited third album will be unveiled during the tour. The War on Drugs emerged onto the scene back in 2005 as a musical collaboration between frontman and creative honcho Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile, who has since left to pursue a solo career with his backing band The Violators. If you've never heard of them but you like your rock and roll a little bit classic (think a bit of Petty, a splash of Springsteen and, vocally, a whole lot of Dylan), then you may want to grab tickets to a show. The War on Drugs plays Melbourne's Northcote Social Club on Monday, 28 December, and the Oxford Art Factory in Sydney on Monday, 6 January. Tickets are on sale now through Handsome Tours.
The year is 2113, you are about to embark on a walking tour that dissects the consumerism, ignorance and individualism of 2013. Well, sort of. It's not really 2113, but this comedic tour of our fair city (as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival) pokes fun at the rampant idiocy of contemporary living and the possible implications of living in an age of overconsumption and intolerance. The tour (led by Xavier the Penguin) takes in all the interesting artefacts of our time, including 'cars', 'mobile phones', 'beef', 'pop music', 'sport', 'the stock market', 'advertising' and 'reality television' and examines the pop culture obsession that threatens to dumb down our future. The tours depart the Lithuanian Club in North Melbourne daily (except Mondays) from 20 September to 5 October at 6.30pm, with an additional 2pm show on Saturdays and Sundays. The mixture of comedy, activism, archaeology and strolling is a rare one that prompted Artshub to call 2013 - When We Were Idiots"interactive theatre at its energetic best". Thanks to Graceful Productions, we have three double passes to 2013 - When We Were Idiots on 20-22 September to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to Concrete Playground (if you haven't already) then email us with your name, postal address and preferred dates at hello@concreteplayground.com.au.
Read more: Vivid Sydney 2015 overview The ten best gigs to see at Vivid Sydney 2015 The ten best events to go to at Vivid Ideas 2015
A smart, self-effacing send-up of the entertainment industry, Top Five, like most of Rock’s best material, feels at least partly autobiographical. Rock plays Andre Allen, a comedian turned Hollywood superstar and recovering alcoholic, best known for his role in the million-dollar Hammy the Bear franchise. Unfortunately, Allen’s funny bone has been blunted since going sober, and his first attempt at a ‘serious’ film — playing Haitian slave revolutionary Dutty Boukman — is shaping up to be a box-office bomb. Even more out of control is his upcoming televised wedding, to Kardashian-esque reality star Erica Long (Gabrielle Union). Enter Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson), a sardonic, whip-smart writer for the New York Times, who’s been assigned to profile Allen over the course of a single day. Although initially suspicious of Brown and the Times, whose resident film critic has made a career out of tearing his movies to shreds, Allen soon finds himself opening up to the writer, as the pair begin to trade stories while walking around NYC. Top Five (©2015 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.) is in cinemas on March 12, and thanks to Paramount Pictures, we have ten double in-season passes to give away. To be in the running, subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter and 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
Everybody wins — you, me, our fair nation — when six experienced winemakers join forces to create unique vintages out of the Hunter Valley and then take their finest drop on the road. Caravan of Courage, the ingenious pop-up wine bar creation of Next Generation Hunter Valley, enjoys its third incarnation this year with the apt title One More for the Road, boasting a selection of 24 wines to titillate the palette. Formerly setting out northwards from Melbourne in a big green bus to secret locations all over Australia, this time around Next Generation have taken to the skies. Having left Brisbane on May 3 and since visited Newcastle and Sydney, they will this week be pitching camp in Canberra on Thursday, May 16, and finally reaching their summit in Melbourne on Friday, May 17. What makes Next Generation Hunter Valley special? It's a collective of six prized stables (David Hook Wines, Thomas Wines, Meerea Park Wines, Mistletoe Wines, De Iuliis Wines and Margan Wines) that share a commitment to the future of the Hunter Valley, melding old, well-established vineyards with contemporary winemaking practices. In true Aussie style, Caravan of Courage embodies the larrikin spirit, and you can get to know the wines better by meeting the personalities behind them — David Hook, Andrew Thomas, Rhys Eather, Nick Paterson, Mike De Iuliis and Andrew Margan will be in attendance. Ever broadening the scope of their imperialist tipple agenda, they're rumoured to have their sights set on Adelaide, Perth and Tasmania for upcoming pop-ups. Tickets to One More for the Road are $35 (available here). The Melbourne event takes place on May 17, 6-9pm at 1000£ Bend (361 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne — access via Heape Court). Updates are available by following @nextgenhv #COC2013 on Twitter and becoming a fan on Facebook.
It seems we cannot get enough of the world's most famous inflatable yellow duck. After wowing Sydney Festival-goers at the turn of the year, the 16.5 metre giant then sailed into Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour. When it suffered from a minor deflation, the internet went into overdrive. Now Florentijn Hofman's colossus has become the victim of Chinese censorship after an edited image of the notorious 1989 'tank man' picture emerged this week, mocking Chinese censorship of the June 4 Tiananmen Square massacre. We are electing to call this controversy 'Duckgate'. Whilst the photoshopping may seem like a joke and draws a laugh worldwide, it is actually representative of the primary form of protest that internet activists can take against Chinese censorship of that day. The events of that tragic day are unsearchable in China on Weibo, the nation's most popular microblog, with the Chinese Communist party (CCP) having banned searchable number combinations associated with the events. They also blocked any other words even remotely associated with the Tiananmen Square massacre, including simple adverbs such as 'tomorrow' if one searched on June 3 and 'today' on June 4, the 24th anniversary of the tragedy. 'Big yellow duck' swiftly joined the censored list on Tuesday afternoon as Weibo became aware of the new 'duck man' image, joining 'lego tank', which was banned after this artwork surfaced. The censorship is all due to the CCP fearing a threat to their legitimacy, because apparently pretending that something never happened does not threaten your legitimacy at all. Protests like Duckgate are thus important stances taken by online users to circumnavigate censorship and commemorate that day and those who stood up for what they believed in, even if China would have you believe that nothing happened. Images: Twitter/weibo.com/weibolg
Download the free Apple iBooks version for iPad here, and the free printable PDF book version here. Well folks, it's that time of year again, when the rising mercury sends us outdoors en masse, pumping our concrete playground with an energy of revelry and renewal. The spirit of summer is a celebration of what it means to be alive. We rediscover our joie de vivre with sandy toes, burnished skin, BBQs by the beach, and one too many margaritas. But with so much going on at this time of year it's hard to know where to begin, and what is supposed to be some well-deserved chill time can become a full-blown panic attack. So, what do you do when overwhelmed with options? Welcome to the Concrete Playground Summer Guide, crafted in partnership with our friends at Old Mout Cider. It's a comprehensive shortlist of the best Melbourne has to offer over the next three months, from rooftop bars to outdoor dining and much more. With your printable PDF book in hand, you'll never be without access to the best of everything, because the year's too long and summer's too short to waste time on the mediocre. Now slap on your invisible zinc and get out there, blue skies wait for no one (and don't we know it). Summer, we salute you.
If you're a well-off manchild who's ever defiantly moved out of home all grown up-like, stole all your mum's tupperware and turned your old room into a storage space because you're great and responsible and have your own Medicare card, Bondi Hipsters' new Old Spice ad will strike a few chords. The Australian follow-up to the bang-up hilarious viral 'Mom Song' brought out by the deodorant branding geniuses in January this year, 'Old Spice Man Song' (or Mahn Song) has been crafted by Bondi Hipsters for our own market. Both focused on the fact that Old Spice apparently makes you an immediate Man, the 333-riders have put less focus on freaky couch-dwelling, son-clingy mums and more on dudes who move out of home and think they're big ol' grown ups. Bondi Hipsters Dom and Adrian play two dudes breaking the news to Dom's possibly North Shore-looking mum that he's moving because he's a mahn with a cool leather wallet and a Swiss-made watch, whose beard grows quicker and chest hair grows thicker because of Old Spice. Of course it does, you've seen what happened to this guy. Watch the Bondi Hipsters' Old Spice ad here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=TuiKdWz6IKo Then revisit the US-version 'Mom Song', just for kicks. https://youtube.com/watch?v=JEbpbNTkIdk Via Junkee.
If Justin Gignac's success in selling garbage as art is anything to go by, doing something (and doing it well) because others thought you couldn't, actually works. Gignac's New York City Garbage is just that, except packaged nicely in transparent cubes and sold as art. Selling between $50 online and $100 at selected stores in the U.S, the handpicked NYC Garbage has owners in 29 countries, according to Gignac's website. The New York City-based artist and entrepreneur has been selling garbage since 2001 and has said he wanted to prove packaging could sell anything. Gignac has also sold commemorative editions of NYC Garbage cubes including St. Patrick's Day in Ireland and President Obama's inauguration. It sounds ridiculous but you’ve got to love a guy who can make a profit out of garbage at a time where newspaper sales are declining. Image: nycgarbage.com
Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. It stops a nation, it makes us spend ludicrous amounts on dresses, fascinators, suits, shoes, booze, you name it. Yet someone has to back a winner and to be honest we always think it's going to be us. Whether you win $1000 or leave with only a few pennies left to rub together, Concrete Playground's here to suggest 10 ways to spend your Spring Racing bounty. 1. $4 Glass of Bubbles at Charlie's Bar Charlie's Bar, a little bit swanky but nowhere near pretentious. Tasty snacks like mini burgers and secret alcoves for conversation make Charlie's a great spot for a drink or two. So you went to the races and are now left with no money. Don't worry, us too. But fear not, Charlie's Bar run cheap drink specials every night for those of us on a budget. Try a $4 glass of bubbles (no, it's not Champagne) on Friday nights between 5-8pm. Basement 71 Hardware Lane, Melbroune; 03 9600 1545; www.charliesbar.com.au/ 2. $8.50 Huxtaburger Huxtaburger, from the lovely crew that brought us Huxtable and Bill's bar make some of the best burgers in Melbourne. Moondarra Wagyu beef served pink between two soft and slightly sweet buns is just the beginning. It may only have a handful of seats, but these burgers will do just fine as take away. For $8.50 you can get your hands on their 'Huxtaburger' which is a delicious beef pattie, mustard, mayo, tomato sauce, cheese, lettuce and pickles. Perhaps the perfect Spring Racing hangover cure. 106 Smith Street, Collingwood; 03 9417 6328; www.huxtaburger.com.au/ 3. $13.20 Plate of pan-fried dumplings from HuTong Dumpling Bar It's no secret Melbourne loves dumplings. And HuTong, tucked away in a side street off Little Bourke Street, know a thing or two about the humble dumpling. You can get prawn dumplings and boiled pork dumplings, but it's hard to go by a plate of their famous pan-fried. 14-16 Market Lane, Melbourne; 03 9650 8128; www.hutong.com.au/ 4. $20 Buckets of Coronas from Campari House Campari House, on bustling Hardware Lane offers three levels of food and drink fun. On the ground floor the restaurant serves up Italian inspired dishes including a seriously good range of pizzas. On the middle level you'll find a cocktail lounge and if you keep going up the stairs you'll find the rooftop. For just $20 you can get yourself a bucket, yes a bucket of Coronas to enjoy with your friends. 23-25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne; 03 9600 1574; www.camparihouse.com.au/ 5. $45 High Tea at Friends of Mine Friends of Mine in Richmond, sister café to both Snow Pony and Porgie and Mr Jones is a brunching favourite for many. On Sunday afternoons, you can channel your inner socialite and partake in their High Tea. For $45 you will get both sweet and savoury delights along with a glass of bubbles on arrival. 506 Swan Street, Richmond; 03 9428 7516; www.friendsofmine.com.au 6. $66 'Feed Me' menu at Chin Chin If you've ever tried to eat at Chin Chin you will know they don't take reservations and the waiting time is often hours. Conveniently for us they have a great little bar downstairs, GoGo Bar. For $66 a head you can simply let them feed you. You might be treated to a salad of sticky pork belly with crispy fried barramundi, or a starter of roll your own rice paper rolls with lightly tempura tofu. A dry salmon curry or a moist beef massamum curry might follow. You will probably need to be rolled out of there, but it's worth it. 125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne; 03 8663 2000; www.chinchinrestaurant.com.au/ 7. $90 Odyssey at The Understudy The Understudy is the slightly kooky younger sister of cocktail bar 1806. Think Alice in Wonderland, a little confusing, but very intriguing. Cocktails are born here and they will surprise and delight. For $90 The Understudy guide you through a journey of the senses with a 5 course degustation with matched food ($75 a head for just the cocktails). It's a fun way to spend an evening and you'll be sure to taste something unlike anything you have before. 169 Exhibition Street, Melbourne; 03 96637722; www.1806.com.au/understudy/ 8. $199 Mixed Dozen from City Wine Shop City Wine Shop is a wine lovers heaven. For $199 you can take away a mixed dozen from the wise wine lovers behind the City Wine Shop. They might push you out of your comfort zone with their choices, but where's the fun in sticking with what you know. 159 Spring Street, Melbourne; 03 9654 6657; www.citywineshop.net.au/ 9. $500 Degustation for two at Vue de Monde Vue de Monde, a Melbourne institution is an enchanting mix of culinary brilliance and theatre. While it is expensive, the degustation is an experience. It is more than simply food. Palate cleansers crushed at your table and dry ice add to the brilliant food. You will also be sent home with a bag of delights for the morning. It might include a tiny brioche loaf or some granola. It's like a grown up lolly bag. The experience of Vue de Monde will stay with you long after your last bite. Rialto Tower, 525 Collins Street, Melbourne; 03 9691 3888; www.vuedemonde.com.au/ 10. $1050 bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label King George V at Eua De Vie Eau de Vie may be almost impossible to find. It was once suggested by an out-of-towner that I was making this place up, but once you have found it you won't look back. As you step inside it's like you step into another world where all that matters is which Whiskey or cocktail you should order. For those cashed up after a Spring Racing win, we suggest you indulge a $1050 bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label King George V to stash in your very own personal drinks cabinet. You even get a key, awesome. 1 Malthouse Lane, Melbourne; 0412 825 441; eaudevie.com.au/Melbourne/
New Zealand-born writer-director Andrew Dominik has amassed a stellar crime thriller line-up for his latest offering, Killing Them Softly, which opens in cinemas October 11. Brad Pitt heads up the the film's brutal 'heist movie gone wrong' plot alongside the best of small and silver screen bad guys: Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini (aka Tony Soprano) and Ben Mendelsohn, to name just a few. From the director who brought us Chopper and The Assassination of Jesse James, Killing Them Softly sees Pitt play Mafia hitman Jackie Cogan, who is called in to 'fix' the upset caused by a couple of amateurish criminals when they hold up an illegal card game. In an America on the verge of political and economical crisis, the 'enforcer' navigates between his indecisive bosses and the lowlifes behind the heist in order to maintain the status quo of the criminal underworld and take back control. Thanks to Hoyts Distribution, Concrete Playground has ten double passes to giveaway to see Killing Them Softly. To go in the running, just subscribe to Concrete Playground's weekly newsletter (if you haven't already) then email your name and postal address to hello@concreteplayground.com.au
It took a while but summer is finally here and the warm westerly breezes are infused with sweet juniper, bitter tonic and a hint of lemon. That's right, it's gin season and we couldn't be happier about it. The long, scorching days and gloriously warm, fragrant nights demand to be paired with gin. To make sure you don't miss a sight, sound or sip this summer, we've partnered with Tanqueray to bring you an itinerary of gin-based activities to get into this summer. Welcome to the season of balmy rooftop bars, lazy picnics and cultural richness. [caption id="attachment_700220" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Shiff.[/caption] DISCOVER A NEW SUMMER HANGOUT Melburnians know that when those late-30s, early-40s scorching days roll in, the best place to be isn't on the beach, roasting in the sun. It's adjacent to the beach, in the shade, sipping something cool. And the new Espy in St Kilda is the perfect oasis for days when all bets are off. Head over for lunch and grab a cool spot inside, among the emerald green booths, or head for the sunny atrium or balcony. The Espy is the kind of place where you can while the day away, flitting from one room to the next to discover the incredibly designed 12 bars, two restaurants and three live music stages it holds. The new venue has also introduced an arts program, so keep an eye out for creative happenings throughout the summer. Grab a house-bottled, barrel-aged negroni made with Tanqueray and settle in for a day of exploring — and taking in the waterside views. WANDER THE BOTANIC GARDENS WITH POETRY AS YOUR GUIDE Connect with the season by immersing yourself in nature poetry at the park. Throughout summer, the Royal Botanic Gardens and Red Room Poetry run an amazing initiative called New Shoots: A Garden of Poems. The self-guided tour will take you meandering around the gardens, reading the poetry that was written specifically for the ground you're standing on and the environment you're seeing. Once you've worked up an appetite, head to Richmond a few suburbs over and prepare for a summery feast. The Palm Royale do a mean gin and tonic. Pull up a chair to reflect on the poetry over a G&T, and if the mood strikes, decide to submit your own poetry about the day to the New Shoots program. SIP A SUMMER SPRITZ WHILE WATCHING SHAKESPEARE Shakespeare was a man of the people and we suspect he'd be tickled pink to see a crowd of lazy picnickers, drink in one hand and a hunk of brie in the other, reclining in the park and watching his plays under the stars. This summer, two of his most entertaining works are showing in the openair theatre in the Botanic Gardens. For an evening of dramatic twists, book in for Macbeth, or for something a bit more light-hearted (and for any She's the Man fans), there's Twelfth Night. Pack a rug and picnic basket (complete with all the ingredients you need for a summer spritz), and settle in as the sun sets over Billy's classic hits. GO BACK IN TIME TO SEE HOW TABLEWARE HAS EVOLVED Tableware may not be something you've ever given a seconds thought, but you'd be amazed by the vast and intricate history of the tableware industry. Head over to the NGV to check out A Modern Life, its free exhibition on the evolution of everything tableside: a history wrapped up in politics, feminism, war and economic machinations. If the unexpected spiciness of tableware has you parched, jump on the 86 tram from Bourke Street and head to The Everleigh in Fitzroy for a digestif cocktail. It's a truly atmospheric venue that will transport you back to the glamour of yore (tableware and all). We recommend ordering the Debutante for a little sugar hit. It's Tanqueray gin, pomegranate, lime and orange bitters and will go down a treat. [caption id="attachment_697481" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Ben Westoby.[/caption] EXPERIENCE THE MESMERISING CLOCK The last exhibition to hit ACMI before its renovations, Christian Marclay's internationally renowned film exhibition The Clock is showing at ACMI between January 23 and March 10 and it's definitely worth your time. To paraphrase, it's a collection of iconic moving image snippets of timepieces that run for a whopping 24 hours (don't worry though, you don't have to stay the whole time). Head over and enjoy ACMI (and it's powerful AC) one last time before it closes up shop for renovations. And once you're ready to clock out, head north on Swanston for a few blocks and turn right into Bourke Street, direction Madame Brussels. Climb the stairs and grab a table on the rooftop terrace; it's time to discuss what you've just seen at ACMI. Order a Gin Garden cocktail and watch the hot, balmy city pass by below you. Celebrate the return of summer with a Tanqueray tipple in hand at home or around your city. Top image: The Espy, Alex Drewnik..
It's around this time that the appeal of winter starts to wear off and we begin wistfully dreaming of warmer days. If you're currently counting down to sunshine and spring getaways, this is going to sound mighty appealing. After a standout debut year last year, Mornington Peninsula's VineHop Festival is due to return across November 17–18 with an even bigger event. The two-day festival invites you on a journey throughout the Mornington Peninsula's outstanding breweries, cider houses and wineries with the opportunity to partake in some boozy drops in the vibrant countryside. In addition, there'll be great food trucks, live music and DJs providing the soundtrack to each of the scenic locations. Plus, there's no need for designated driver as you can jump aboard the provided shuttle buses between venues. This year's venues remain yet to be announced, but we're not waiting around: we're giving away a tour package for you and three mates to enjoy the festival and its premium libations. Your group of four will each receive a one-day ticket to the festival plus transportation to four venues throughout the day. To enter, see details below. [competition]678390[/competition]
If your daily commute involves catching the train, you're set to get some free rides on Monday, August 12, and Monday, August 19, as Victoria's public transport union confirms dates for its much-discussed strike. After 99 percent of members voted last week in support of taking industrial action, the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) yesterday announced that its rail strike will go ahead. While Mondays are usually never fun, the next couple are set to be especially painful for Metro Trains...and a little cheaper for Melbourne train passengers. On August 12 and 19, RTBU members will keep ticket barriers open and refuse to sell, upload or check Myki cards, all day long. https://www.facebook.com/RTBUVic/photos/a.486088274788960/2534318813299219/?type=3&theater Commuter-facing employees will scrap their uniforms indefinitely from August 12, too, and workers will refuse to participate in any training for Melbourne's soon-to-launch high-capacity trains between August 12–18. Between these dates, drivers will also refuse to operate any train that doesn't have fully operational public address systems and passenger emergency intercoms. And there'll be no skipping stations, alternate services running, or announcements by drivers to alert when their trains are running late. The union, which supports over 35,000 members Australia wide, has seen months of failed negotiations with Metro Trains, while trying to secure a new enterprise agreement, cut a new wage deal and call for improved working conditions. "This industrial action is aimed at Metro's hip pocket, not the travelling public," explained RTBU Victorian Branch Secretary Luba Grigorovitch in a statement. With negotiations still under way, it's possible no strike will go ahead, though only if Metro and the RTBU reach a satisfiable agreement in time. Image: Josie Withers for Visit Victoria
By now, we're all pretty well acquainted with a little thing called lockdown. Being stuck with stay-at-home orders is mostly a drag — and if you want to spend the majority of your time slowly becoming one with your couch, there's absolutely no judgment here. Do what you need to do. But, if you happen to be looking for creative ways to keep yourself (and your housemates) entertained at home, there are plenty of options from Melbourne's clever businesses — and you won't even need to change out of your PJs. We've rounded up a few non-boring ideas for nifty new things you can learn over the weekend, ranging from therapeutic Japanese craft projects to boss-level renovation skills. Consider this your isolation inspiration. [caption id="attachment_767056" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Cork and Canvas[/caption] GET CREATIVE WITH CLAY AND KINTSUGI Dabbling in a new arts or crafts skill won't only see you reaping the benefits of creative therapy. It'll also likely land you with neat new handmade objects to pretty up your pad or gift to someone special. If you fancy having a crack at some pottery, you can get those hands messy and learn how to make your own ceramics with a DIY at-home clay kit from Crockd. It'll hook you up with some clay, tools, illustrated instructions and even conversation-starter cards, all delivered to your door. Local studio Ceramiques also has its own clay kit that it ships Australia-wide — they're currently out of stock, but keep an eye on the website or Instagram for future availability. Meanwhile, Cork & Canvas is offering on-demand paint and sip sessions, delivered virtually — of course. Select which masterpiece you'd like to create, then one of the company's professional artists will guide you through the painting process via an online tutorial. BYO wine. Shibori will get you hooked on the Japanese method of resist-dyeing with its offering of home-delivered craft kits, virtual how-to videos and downloadable technique guides. And, among Class Bento's hefty lineup of online creative classes, you'll find a hands-on workshop dedicated to the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi — a unique way of repairing broken pottery that celebrates imperfection. A DIY craft kit including all the necessary materials will be sent out to you, with the beginner-friendly two-hour class taught via Zoom. MAKE TIME TO DIY A TIPPLE Numerous lockdowns have left us all pretty well-practiced in the art of drinking, so now is the perfect time to take things up a notch and throw some knowledge behind the art. For example, you can add a few home-blended editions to that gin collection, with help from Gin Kit's range of artisan gin-making packs. They come filled with everything you need to transform a bottle of base spirits into a botanically-charged, sippable gin that you can call your own. Or, if you'd rather boost your whisky smarts, Brisbane's Malt Traders is hosting virtual guided tastings that'll take your tastebuds on a trip through Scotland. If you've got enough of a crew, it also offers virtual beer tastings, where an expert will guide you through a selection of brews that have been delivered to your house. And the National Wine Centre runs a series of Zoom masterclasses, exploring various Aussie wine regions. [caption id="attachment_771911" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Rob Palmer, from The Whole Fish Cookbook[/caption] COOK SOMETHING THAT'S NOT ANOTHER LOAF OF SOURDOUGH If you want to learn a few new culinary tricks to add to your repertoire, there are plenty of local kitchen maestros that are happy to help. If you're not tied down to a specific dish, you'll want to get acquainted with Maggie Beer's Instagram page. The chef's catalogue of how-to videos are fun, informative and easy to follow, plus she does a live cooking tutorial every Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, Sydney's sustainable seafood king Josh Niland (Saint Peter, Fish Butchery) is sharing his secrets to prepping and cooking fish via his online masterclass videos, which you can rent or buy. Marina Totta's live-streamed pasta-making classes will ignite your inner Italophile. And Atlas Dining's Charlie Carrington is simplifying the dinner rush with his DIY meal kits. Each one is centred on a different international cuisine, and comes stocked with all the ingredients (and recipe cards) to make three or four dishes. [caption id="attachment_818814" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Prudence Earl via Unsplash[/caption] MAKE YOUR HOME SPACE LOOK ACE If you're here looking for nifty things you can learn at home, then chances are that you're currently spending a lot of time between those four walls. And if that's the case, you might as well pick up some skills that'll help leave your space looking fabulous, inside and out. For plant-lovers and wannabe green thumbs, there's a jungle's worth of hot plant tips and gardening knowledge to be found over on Bunnings' Staying Grounded podcast. It's hosted by certified plant guru and horticulturalist Chloe Thomson, along with a suite of guest experts, covering everything from edible plants to lawn basics. Alternatively, head to the Plant Society's website and jump on one of its beginner-friendly virtual workshops, which will transform you into an expert green thumb in no time. Got a room, wall or piece of furniture that's begging for some DIY love? Embrace your inner handyman-slash-reno master and upskill with a little help from the Bunnings Youtube channel. It's a goldmine of how-to goodness, ranging from basic tool tips to full-blown makeover workshops. SORT OUT SOME SELF-CARE While a little self-improvement never goes astray, it's more important than ever to hone those self-care instincts. And you can do plenty of that without even leaving the house. Get bendy with some live-streamed or on-demand living room yoga, guided by experts from the likes of I Am That and Annie Belcher. Or, if you'd like to finally learn how to meditate, there's lots of handy digital tools that'll get you off to a flying start with minimal fuss. The popular Headspace app features a brief beginners course that teaches the basics in just a few minutes a day. If you'd like to shake up your screen time, the company has also recently released a new interactive Netflix special titled Headspace: Unwind Your Mind. Meanwhile, award-winning app Calm has a bunch of different meditation lessons, along with expert-taught masterclasses, guided exercises and relaxing soundscapes you can use in your future meditative endeavours. Top Image: Crockd
This July, it's all about the moon. Saturday, July 20 marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing — and museums across the state are throwing parties and hosting exhibitions to celebrate — and on Wednesday, July 17, the last lunar eclipse of the year visible from Melbourne is happening. Well, it's only a partial eclipse, but you won't have to shake yourself out of your warm bed at a super-early hour to catch this one. While the partial eclipse — which occurs when the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, but they don't form a perfectly straight line — will start around 6am, the maximum eclipse will occur at 7.30am. From here, you'll only have a very short amount of time to catch the main event, with the moon setting at 7.38am. The eclipse will also be taking place very close to the horizon, so it's suggested you find somewhere high-up to watch for maximum chance of catching it. For the full details, timeanddate.com has put together a handy to-the-minute schedule of when the eclipse will be happening in Melbourne. Unfortunately those in Sydney and Brisbane won't be able to see it very well, as the maximum eclipse will be taking place below the horizon for them. During the eclipse, part of the moon will also turn a shade of red thanks to sunlight that's filtered and refracted by the earth's atmosphere. Have your cameras at the ready, obviously — and see if you can outdo the previous big batches of supermoon snaps and super blue blood moon pics. If you can't get a clear view, The Virtual Telescope Project will be live-streaming the partial lunar eclipse from the skyline above Rome from 6.30am AEST.
Melbourne isn't short on Mexican joints — we've got a heap of good 'uns already on high rotation. But, still, it's set to get a dose of unapologetic neon-lit Tex-Mex when El Camino Cantina opens in the old Fitzroy Social (and Little Creatures) space on Brunswick Street next month. El Camino comes from Sydney where is has two outposts, along with another in Brisbane, and is part of Rockpool Dining Group, which also owns Sake, Rosetta, Munich Brauhaus, Burger Project and, of course, Rockpool Bar & Grill. This loud venue is made for casual dining, but it's also and over-the-top with giant cocktails, rock 'n' roll jukeboxes, lively Tex-Mex fare and sprawling 400-seat dining room and bar. Slushie machines signal big nights and brain freezes. El Camino's margaritas come in many renditions, including a tropical Red Bull flavour, which really says it all. Other options include a host of beers from near and far, and a collection of over 100 mezcals and tequilas. The food lineup is as fun and casual as the drinks. Think fiery buffalo wings, sizzling fajitas, plump burritos, soft shell tacos loaded with punchy flavour combinations and unlimited complimentary corn chips and salsas. It'll all rounded out with a solid selection of daily specials, including 10-cent chicken wings on Wednesdays (when you buy a drink), $2 tacos on Tuesdays, brunch on weekends and a weekday happy hour from 4–6pm. The venue will launch on Friday, June 14 with free tequila shots on arrival and $7.50 giant margaritas and 'chalices' of beer continuing throughout the whole weekend. El Camino Cantina will open at 222 Brunswick Street on Friday, June 14. Images: El Camino Cantina Manly by Tom Ferguson. CORRECTION: JUNE 13, 2019 — This article previously incorrectly stated that 10-cent wings were available on Tuesdays and $2 tacos on Wednesdays, it's the other way round. We've updated the piece to reflect this.
UPDATE, MARCH 13: Due to concerns around the coronavirus, Disney has announced that The New Mutants will no longer release on its initially scheduled date of Thursday, April 9, 2020. At present, a new release date has not been announced — we'll update you when one has been revealed. When it comes to superhero cinema, quantity doesn't equal variety. A new caped crusader flick hits screens every month, or so it seems, but many of them follow the same formula. You know the drill, because you've seen it in everything from Captain America to Wonder Woman and several different iterations of Spider-Man: someone with special abilities grapples with their powers, learns how to put them to best use, then faces off against an evil nemesis — saving the world from destruction and devastation in the process. Accordingly, when something dares to break the mould in even the slightest way, it stands out. That's one of the reasons that Marvel's The New Mutants has gathered quite a bit of attention in recent years. Set within the X-Men universe and based on the comics of the same name, it follows a group of young mutants being held against their will in a secret psychiatric hospital, basically plonking them in horror movie territory. There's still plenty that's familiar about the premise, with the titular super-enhanced folks all learning to use their powers while trying to escape captivity — but the tone and approach of the film is definitely a welcome change. The darker, scarier mood is on full display in the just-dropped latest trailer, which also confirms an important piece of information: five years after it was first announced, four years since it was cast and three years after it was shot, The New Mutants finally looks set to hit cinema screens. That hasn't always been a given, with the long-delayed film originally due to release in April 2018, only to be pushed back to February 2019, then August 2019, and now April 2020. Along the way, it has been through cast member changes, script rewrites, reshoots and the Disney acquisition of Fox — aka the company behind the MCU flicks snapping up the company behind the X-Men movies — so if you were skeptical about it actually seeing the light of day, let this new sneak peek allay your fears. As well as its ominous tone and plenty of horror imagery, The New Mutants boasts an impressive cast — including Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams, Stranger Things' Charlie Heaton, and Glass and The Witch's Anya Taylor-Joy. Obviously, given how long ago the film was first shot, they all look quite a bit younger than their most recent screen appearances. And, behind the camera sits director/co-writer Josh Boone, who last helmed teen weepie The Fault in Our Stars. Check out the trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otomJ2gKHfQ The New Mutants was due to open in Australian cinemas on April 9, 2020; however it'll now release on a yet-to-be-revealed date — we'll update you when one is announced.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, you'll be able to track down a free KFC feast in the streets of Melbourne. And it'll feature a KFC dish Aussies haven't tried before. KFC is using the end of daylight savings as an excuse to host this feast, too, which means it's a great way to spend that bonus weekend hour. On Sunday, April 7, stay out in the city and stuff your face with free KFC Chachos (chicken nachos) between the hours of 2am and 3am. Well, the second 2am till 3am. The hour of free food will kick off once the clock has ticked over from 2.59am to... 2am. So, you'll need to stay cosied up in a bar nearby — with a cocktail in-hand, of course — till then. Here are 17 of our favourite CBD spots to keep you occupied (and warm) until the enchanted Chachos hour begins. The event will be the first (and only) time Aussies will be able to try the KFC Chachos, which are classic KFC tenders topped with avocado, Supercharged Sauce, nacho cheese sauce and tomato salsa. In addition to Chachos from the food truck, there will be music by local DJs and beanbags to lounge on. The KFC food truck will be serving free Chachos in front of the State Library, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne, from 2am to 3am (after the clock goes back) on Sunday, April 7.
Clear your diary, grab your sneakers and prepare to get busy, boombastic and nostalgic — Shaggy and Sean Paul are heading on a tour of Australia this summer. It was revealed earlier this year that the two reggae stars would be headlining Southeast Queensland's inaugural One Love Festival, and, now, it has just been announced that they'll also be hitting up Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in January and February. Yes, the shows will be taking place in the summertime, but if there is a storm, we're sure Sean Paul will be able to shelter you. Enough of the song puns, though, you know the hits and you probably already have them stuck in your head. If not, we suggest you listen to (and get ready to relive), Shaggy's 'Luv Me, Luv Me' and 'It Wasn't Me', and Sean Paul's 'Get Busy' and 'No Lie'. The two 90s and 00s stars will be supported by US reggae-pop singer Josh Wawa White, too. So get ready for a full evening of reggae come summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W5pq4bIzIw SEAN PAUL AND SHAGGY AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2020 DATES Melbourne — Wednesday, January 29, Sidney Myer Music Bowl Sydney — Friday, January 31, Hordern Pavilion Brisbane — One Love Festival, Saturday, February 1 (Sold Out) Perth — Sunday, February 2, Perth Convention Centre Tickets go on sale at 7pm on Wednesday, October 23 via mjrpresents.com. Top image: Jonathan Mannion
After creating an instant hit with inner-north food truck park Welcome to Thornbury, the 300 Burgers Group is back for round two. The team is continuing its northside foray with a new venture in collaboration with famed Sydney-based brewery 4 Pines. Together, the duo has grand plans to create the most sustainable food precinct, bar and beer garden in town. Nestled behind Sydney Road's Brunswick Mess Hall, 4 Pines Welcome to Brunswick will be a little smaller than its Northcote sibling indoors, but it'll still boast space for 450 visitors. Outside, however, you can expect a much roomier, park-like outdoor zone, decked out with loads of lush greenery and a solid spread of both sunny and shaded areas. And yes, it's all as dog-friendly as it sounds. The food offering comes courtesy of a curated food truck rotation, with up to four vendors on-site each night, backing up menus from the Mess Hall kitchen. Regular appearances from favourites like Mr Burger, Woking Amazing, Sparrow's Philly Cheesesteaks and Nem n Nem will ensure there's always a spread, with vegan and gluten-free options aplenty. Meanwhile, the beer lineup is set to feature entirely 4 Pines brews, with signatures like the summer ale, pale ale, pacific ale and kolsch starring alongside the brewery's seasonal Keller Door releases. That'll mean a constant rotation of beer styles, alongside a lineup of wines, spirits and cocktails. An environmentally sensitive design by Breathe Architects will be heavy on the recycled and reclaimed materials, though the planet-friendly ethos doesn't end there. "We want it to be the most environmentally-friendly pub in Melbourne," explains Co-Owner Scott Assender. As such, the venue is aiming to eventually produce all its own energy on-site and send zero waste to landfill. Visiting food trucks will be using only compostable packaging and an anaerobic digester will be used to transform any organic waste into energy and fertiliser. It's certainly not the first time 4 Pines has shown a passion for the environment. Forty percent of the electricity used at its Brookvale brewery and headquarters is now solar powered and, last winter, 4 Pines released its first carbon positive brew The Upcycle Ale crafted using surplus bread donated by Brasserie Bread. Find 4 Pines Welcome to Brunswick at 1 Frith Street, Brunswick, later this year.
UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 24, 2019 — Taco Bell promised us one Melbourne store, but, instead, it's bringing us two. By the time the end of 2019 rolls round, you'll be able to get your taco fix in both South Yarra and Hawthorn. No exact dates or locations have been announced just yet, but we'll let you know when they are. After opening five Queensland locations in the past two years and announcing plans to launch 50 more Australian stores over the next three years, Taco Bell's first interstate store is set to swing into operation this summer — in Melbourne. While details are scarce for now, the Tex-Mex giant has revealed it's opening a store in the city's inner east sometime this summer. The US chain teased the interstate opening on its Facebook page on Monday, with lots of locals hoping for a Melbourne opening. Their prayers have been answered. https://www.facebook.com/tacobellaus/photos/a.1461510760603853/2406824289405824/?type=3&theater Menu-wise, the usual Taco Bell range will be on offer, complete with burritos, quesadillas, nachos and, of course, tacos. For those dining in, frozen margaritas and a range of craft beers will also be available. Taco Bell's Australian arm currently includes stores in Annerley, Cleveland, North Lakes, Robina and Southport, but with promises of more than 50 across the country, we can expect a few more to open in Melbourne in the upcoming months and years. Taco Bell is slated to open in South Yarra and Hawthorn this summer. We'll let you know when more info drops. Images: Hugo Nobay.
There are no maybes about the Melbourne International Film Festival's major high-profile guest for 2018 — but, as fans of the Bluth and Fünke families will know, there is one Maeby. Best known for playing Arrested Development's resident teenage film industry executive, ignored daughter, slacker banana stand employee and alluring cousin, Alia Shawkat is headed to Australia as part of this year's fest, where she'll chat about her career and her life in general. Taking place on Saturday, August 18 as part of the 18-day film event, MIFF Talks: Alia Shawkat in Conversation will see the actor talk for an hour with writer and presenter Lorin Clarke — it will be her only Australian appearance. Considering she's officially attending the fest in support of her new film Blaze, a biopic about country and western songwriter Blaze Foley which Ethan Hawke directed, we're guessing there won't be any dancing like a chicken. Thanks to TV series Search Party and Transparent — plus movies such as Green Room, 20th Century Women, Nasty Baby, Night Moves and Whip It — Shawkat's resume spans much, much further than television's worst real estate family, and that's just on the screen. She's also a jazz singer, pianist, painter and illustrator, and recently starred in, co-wrote and executive produced the film Duck Butter. Plus, if Broad City has you wondering about Shawkat's doppelganger-like connection with Ilana Glazer, we have to point out that the latter was just in Melbourne this month too. MIFF Talks: Alia Shawkat in Conversation joins MIFF's growing 2018 program, which also includes an all-night Nicolas Cage marathon and a screening of Drive with an all-new live score. The fest has also announced its first 32 titles for this year, including Blaze, with the full program set to be revealed on July 10. MIFF Talks: Alia Shawkat in Conversation will take place at the Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne at 1.30pm on Saturday, August 18. Tickets cost $25, and are available online now.
Normally when the middle of the year hits — when Australia's weather is at its frostiest, aptly — the annual Scandinavian Film Festival rolls into cinemas around the country. In Sydney and Melbourne in 2021, that timing coincided with lengthy lockdowns, so the fest is bringing back its Nordic noir-heavy lineup for another spin before the year is out. Actually, the Scandinavian Film Festival Sydney run didn't even get to go ahead back in July, while Melbourne's was interrupted by stay-at-home stints. In both cities, the event will now help see out spring and welcome summer with a heap of films from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway. Sure, the warm weather won't make you think of cold Nordic climes, but the on-screen lineup is still impressive. Kicking off on Tuesday, November 23 in Sydney and Friday, November 26 on Melbourne, the returning 2021 fest launches with a must-see new entry in the Scandi-noir genre. Hailing from Denmark, opening night's Wildland stars Sidse Babette Knudsen (Borgen, Westworld) as the head of a family crime syndicate. She's charged with looking after her teenage niece and, in a movie that instantly brings Australia's own Animal Kingdom to mind, the latter soon learns more about the family business. Also on this year's Scandinavian Film Festival lineup: Knudsen again in Copenhagen-set psychological thriller The Exception; masterful and engaging Norwegian film Disco, about an evangelical dance champion who finds her faith tested; and surreal mother-daughter drama Psychosis in Stockholm. Or, for fans of Nordic cinema's big names, relationship drama Hope co-stars Stellan Skarsgård (Chernobyl), musical comedy A Piece of My Heart sees Swedish-born actor Malin Akerman (Rampage) back on home turf, and The County hails from Icelandic filmmaker Grímur Hákonarson — who directed Rams, which was remade in Australia last year. Other highlights include Icelandic box office hits Agnes Joy and The Last Fishing Trip, the latter of which has been compared to The Hangover; Finnish biopics Helene and Tove, about painter Helene Schjerfbeck and visual artist and author Tove Jansson, respectively; and Tigers, which tells the true tale of former Inter Milan player Martin Bengtsson. Or, there's also Diana's Wedding, which isn't actually about that Diana — plus closing night's 50th anniversary-screening of The Emigrants starring Max von Sydow and Liv Ullmann. The Scandinavian Film Festival will screen at Sydney's Palace Norton, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinemas from November 23–December 15 and at Melbourne's Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino and Pentridge Cinema from November 26–December 15. For the full program, visit the festival website.
In late March, Australians were restricted to leaving their homes for four reasons: to buy essentials, for medical needs, to exercise or for work and education. A fifth reason was added in Melbourne in mid-May — to visit friends and family — and exercise was expanded to encompass a range of outdoor recreational activities, including golfing and kayaking. From Monday, June 1, however, you'll be able to leave your home for any reason at all. Premier Daniel Andrews announced today, Friday, May 29, that Victorians "have achieved something remarkable" and flattened the COVID-19 curve, and because of this more restrictions were being eased. "We've made sacrifices. We've missed loved ones. We've given up getting on the beers. And in doing so, we've helped keep one another safe," the Premier said in a statement. "Because of those efforts, we've been able to gradually ease restrictions. And from Monday, we'll no longer be giving Victorians a definitive list of reasons to leave home." Instead of a list, Melburnians have been asked to use "common sense" when deciding to leave the house. But, something that is not changing is working from home. The Premier said that if you're currently working from home you must continue to work from home, until at least the end of June. The primary reason for the push to keep WFH where possible is because of public transport and traffic, with the Premier warning that the usual number of people on transport would be unsafe and if Melburnians all started to drive into work in the city "we'll see commute times worse than anything any of us have ever experienced". "Two hours from Werribee to the city, 90 minutes from Reservoir and two and half hours from Mulgrave," the Premier predicted for commute times if Melburnians did not continue to WFH. https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1266147958963056640 On Monday, June 1, a whole heap of eased restrictions will come into play in Victoria, including the reopening of restaurants, pubs and cafes for dine-in service and indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people. We've broken down exactly what you can and can't do from Monday over here. For more information about the state of COVID-19 in Victoria, head to the Department of Health and Human Services website. Top image: Julia Sansone
Since Jessi Singh returned to Australia from a lengthy stint in the States running his two Babu Ji outposts, the chef-restaurateur has been busy. As well as opening Don't Tell Aunty in Sydney, Singh has open Daughter in Law in Little Bourke Street and, keeping it in the family, wine bar Mrs Singh around the corner on Flinders Lane. Now, he's just about to unveil his most extravagant venue yet: a multi-level British-Indian pub with a rooftop bar, a Punjabi-style deli, a bottle-o, a speakeasy and a dancing lounge — and a casual 500-strong beer list. Yes, there's a lot going on. So, allow us to break it down. Located on Clarendon Street, Mr Brownie Rooftop Hotel is split into three levels. Enter on the ground floor and you'll find the deli, serving up Singh's signature brand of rule-breaking Indian fare, which includes the likes of naan pizza, yoghurt kebabs and nachos-like papadi chaat. [caption id="attachment_774017" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] You can take this food home, eat it in the the pub or head out back to a 70-seat beer garden. If you decide to sit in, you can order one of the many brews of the hefty drinks list, or go for one of two pét-nats on tap. Those on the move, won't be short on choice for drinks, either, with the bottle-o stocked to the nines, and growler refills available from any of the 16 beer taps. Don't want to stay on the ground floor? Like a Goosebumps book, but less creepy, now is the time to choose your own adventure: down or up. The latter will take you through a wall of beer cans (that is, in fact, a hidden door) down a flight of stairs to a red-hued speakeasy and dance lounge called the Boom Boom Room. Expect cocktails, neon and tunes aplenty. [caption id="attachment_774027" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Parker Blain[/caption] Rewind back to your destiny-defining decision — this time, you choose up. Walk up a staircase and you'll find the main pub area with more British-Indian dishes, more beer and more comfy spots to sit. Ascend further and you'll reach the rooftop terrace complete with city views, tropical cocktails, DJs and brunch on weekends. With Victoria's current restrictions, Mr Brownie Hotel won't be running at full capacity when it launches on July 2, with just 20 people allowed in each space. Mr Brownie Rooftop Hotel is slated to open at 343 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne on Thursday, July 2. It'll be open seven days a week. Images: Parker Blain
Landlocked surfers of Melbourne, rejoice — Australia's first surf park has announced its reopening date. And, if you're looking to catch some waves, it's a whole lot closer to the city than Torquay or the Peninsula. After initially opening back in January this year, then closing in March due to COVID-19, Urbnsurf Melbourne will officially relaunch in Tullamarine, near the airport, just 16-kilometres north of the CBD, on Friday, June 19. The two-hectare space is powering up to 1000 waves per hour — day and night — with the waves coming from an 85-metre pier running down the centre of the lagoon. A series of pistons located on the pier push the water to the left, then to the right, to create the waves. Being ability to create waves means that the park is built for both pros who are looking for steep, barrelling waves and novices looking for a safe place to get their start in the surf. The waves are split into three sections: The Bays (beginner) with gentle rolling waves; The Point (intermediate) with 1-1.5 metre, mid-range turn waves; and The Point (advanced) with steep, long, barrelling waves up to two-metres-high with high-octane turns. At Urbnsurf, founder Andrew Ross predicts most novices will stand on their board within an hour and ride across the green face within two. And not only will you get guaranteed waves — you won't be fighting for them. The park usually holds a maximum of 24 riders in The Bays and 18 on each side of The Point; however, in line with Victoria's current COVID-19 requirements, it'll be limiting numbers to 18 per area. [caption id="attachment_756495" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Courtesy Urbnsurf and Stu Gibson[/caption] Urbnsurf will also be implementing other changes in response to the coronavirus — such as 1.5-metre social distancing between all surfers, including during surf sessions; keeping The Surf Academy closed, which means there'll be no surf lessons for the time being; and also shutting indoor showers and change rooms. The park will only allow surfing guests in, too, so you won't be able to just head by to watch. And, it'll be suspending sales on spectator passes as well. While the site's Surf Rental store and Lagoon Supply Co will reopen, they'll limit the number of people allowed inside at once, using the four-square-metre rule. Unsurprisingly, all hire surfboards and wetsuits will also be cleaned and sanitised between each use. Find Urbnsurf from Friday, June 19, near Melbourne Airport. It's open from 6am–10pm in summer and 9am–6pm in winter. You can't book in yet for surf sessions and surf lessons, but, if you're keen, keep an eye on the park's website. Images: Courtesy Urbnsurf, Ed Sloane and Stu Gibson.
Before donning a face covering became a regular part of life for everyone during the pandemic, one of the most famous mask-wearing figures in popular culture was doing it first. And, the fictional character will be doing so again in November at the Arts Centre Melbourne, with the venue set to play host to The Phantom of the Opera. Yes, the music of the night will soon be crooning its way into the venue's State Theatre, thanks to a new season of the acclaimed Tony-winner. It's being staged by Opera Australia, who is bringing Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit to the city after it first plays in Sydney. If you're fond of big anniversaries, the show arrives around the time the popular musical will mark 35 years since it first opened in London's West End back in 1986. The current production of The Phantom of the Opera comes to Melbourne after breaking records in the UK and touring the US for seven years, with Australia becoming just the third country to witness its take on the tale. Obviously, all of the familiar songs are part of it, such as 'All I Ask of You', 'Masquerade' and the titular number. You'll also be lapping up Maria Björnson's original costumes, too. But, if you've seen the show before, expect the chandelier to look a little different. When the musical takes to the Arts Centre Melbourne's stage from Sunday, May 14, Australian musical theatre performer Josh Piterman will be playing the Phantom, after first wearing the character's mask in London pre-pandemic. He'll be joined by a cast and orchestra of 65 people, which'll make The Phantom of the Opera one of the largest musical productions in Australia. If you need a refresher on the musical's story, it follows soprano Christine Daaé and the masked musical genius who lives beneath the Paris Opera House — and the latter's obsession with the former. Although first turned into a stage musical in the 80s, it's based on Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel. And yes, you might've seen the 2004 movie, which starred Gerard Butler as the Phantom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jpaw9dft2Y The Phantom of the Opera will hit the stage at Art Centre Melbourne's State Theatre from Sunday, November 14. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, July 6 — and to keep an eye out for further details, or to join the waitlist, head to the musical's website. Top image: Earl Carpenter as The Phantom and Katie Hall as Christine. Photo by Alastair Muir.
Historically, the inner northwest suburb of Moonee Ponds hasn't exactly been saturated with top-notch drinking destinations. But with a handful of recent bar openings and yet more in the works, things are suddenly looking a lot less thirsty for this unassuming pocket of Melbourne. Not least thanks to its latest addition: new craft booze paradise The Mighty. Taking over the former Sporting Globe digs, the venue is the latest project from Aussie craft drinks collective Mighty Craft. You're probably already well acquainted with some of the brands it represents, including Brogan's Way gin distillery in Richmond, the Mornington Peninsula-born Jetty Road Brewery, Torquay Beverage Company and Green Ant Gin. And The Mighty is focused on celebrating the whole stable. The sprawling, three-level space has room to seat 110, spread across a cocktail bar, terrace, bistro, public bar and atrium. It's been given a dramatic overhaul by architecture firm Studio Y, whose work you'd have spied at the likes of Nick & Nora's, Maha East and Stomping Ground. The space now boasts an abundance of natural light, with pops of foliage complemented by white tile, timber finishes and lush green accents. There's also a spot here for many occasions, from the intimate bistro booths to the sun-drenched terrace seating primed for summer spritzing sessions. As you'd expect, the drinking situation is front and centre here, with Mighty Craft's extensive portfolio delivering a diverse menu of boutique drops. At the bar, 14 taps pour cider, beer and seltzer from the likes of Jetty Road Brewery, Queensland's Slipstream Brewing Co and Sauce Brewing Co out of Marrickville. Guest brews will feature on rotation and there's a list of signature cocktails showcasing Mighty Craft spirits — like the Pirouette, blending Brogan's Way Hearts Afire gin with lychee, lime, apple and rose. That said, with The Fat Duck and Dinner by Heston alum Adrian Corigliano heading up The Mighty kitchen, food is certainly no afterthought. Here, expect gastropub fare that's casual, yet considered, across a menu showcasing plenty of local ingredients. Sticky pork belly parcels are cooked in master stock and teamed with tamarind caramel, a wagyu burger comes with smoked cheddar and onion jam, and there's a dish of salt-cured charred prawn sticks with chilli and lime. Or, you can smash those comfort food cravings with plates like the buttermilk chicken schnitzel and a boozy ice cream sandwich. An onsite retail space and tasting bar offers Mighty Craft drops to go, and there's a calendar of masterclasses, booze-matched dinners and drinks festivals to look forward to. And that's not all. The first edition of The Mighty opened in the Hunter Valley last month, with the group revealing its planning up to 12 more Aussie venues to launch in the next two years. Find The Mighty Moonee Ponds at 690 Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds. It's open from 11am–10pm Wednesday–Thursday, 11am–midnight Friday–Saturday and 11am–10pm Sunday.
