This September, Malthouse Theatre's Helium and the Fringe front up some trademark strangeness; this time in the form of The YouTube Comment Orchestra. Presented by The Last Tuesday Society, this show represents months of sifting through the dark underbelly of YouTube for lyrical gold. Like a real-time, musical Google Poetics this stage spectacular will no doubt provide some srs lolz (and if you don't like it, I'm sure there's some kind of video platform you can anonymously criticise them on). Now in its third year, Malthouse Theatre's Helium is a celebration of independent theatre-makers and original ideas; the realms of high and low culture coming into proper alignment. Partnering up with Next Wave and the Melbourne Fringe for certain productions like this one, this year's initiative from the highly respected Malthouse Theatre is quickly building momentum and looks to be a major player in this year's already bustling cultural program. The YouTube Comment Orchestra runs September 17 -27, tickets available via Malthouse Theatre. To check out the rest of the 2014 Helium program, we've got the wrap up over here.
Long before Gone Girl started stirring up controversy, one man made a name for himself scandalising moviegoers time and time again. Over a career that spanned more than half a century, Alfred Hitchcock directed some of the most divisive, talked-about thrillers in the history of motion pictures. And for the next four weeks, The Astor is bringing a selection of them back to the silver screen. Hosted over four consecutive Sundays, the seven-picture retrospective kicks off with a screening of Suspicion paired with the director's out-of-character marital comedy Mr. & Mrs. Smith (not the one you're thinking of.) Saboteur and Rope plays on November 2, followed by The Trouble with Harry and The Man Who Knew Too Much a week later. The series wraps up with a single feature showing of the classic mistaken identity tale North by North West. So sit back, grab some popcorn, and get acquainted with The Master of Suspense.
George RR Martin is joining forces with art collective Meow Wolf to produce the most insanely magic art complex imaginable. Attempting to raise $100,000 on Kickstarter, the installation artists and the Game of Thrones mastermind want to build one epic art space: The Meow Wolf Art Complex in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Built within the site of an old bowling alley Martin bought specifically for the project, the complex will house 19 affordable artist studios, two rotating gallery spaces, and The David Loughridge Learning Center with arts education programming by local non-profit ARTsmart. But the real jaw-dropper here is Meow Wolf's plan for unprecedented 20,000 sq. ft. complex to be constructed by over 75 artists — dubbed The House of Eternal Return. Celebrated for their large-scale, immersive installation experiences, the Sante Fe-based collective Meow Wolf have just the ideas Martin was looking for when he bought the bowling alley. Following Meow Wolf's wildly successful interdimensional ship installation The Due Return in 2011, the team will likely be using most of the Kickstarter funds toward Meow Wolf's first permanent exhibition, The House of Eternal Return. Visitors will be able to crawl, climb and be immersed within the 'rooms' of the house, from trailer parks to crazy tree houses to spaceship-like condos. "The House of Eternal Return will be a radical new form of storytelling, where audiences are immersed within a multimedia art experience that unfolds through an interactive and magical narrative," says the team on their Kickstarter page. Here's their artist renditions of what's planned for the House: 'Crazy Tree Houses' 'Cactus Trailer Dream' 'Portals Bermuda' Martin and Meow Wolf have so far raised $45,654 of their $100,000 goal with 13 days to go. Martin intends to fully renovate the space ahead of Meow Wolf's 10-year lease on the property. Whattaguy. Check out the Kickstarter campaign here.
It's safe to say Gami Chicken & Beer has secured its status as one of Melbourne's go-to fried chicken joints, slinging its signature, Korean-style chook from 14 locations across the city. After opening two Sydney venues this winter, it's about to launch its fifteenth Melbourne spot, opening in Chadstone Shopping Centre in early December. And, to celebrate, Gami is giving Melburnians a few very good reasons to jump on board, handing out a whopping 1000 pieces of its boneless fried chicken — for free. These fried chicken morsels — RSPCA-approved and rocking Gami's signature blend of 17 herbs and spices — will be up for grabs from noon–12.30pm and again from 5.30–6pm, on both Thursday, December 6 and Friday, December 7 at the new location. The chain has yet to mention any restrictions, such as one piece per person, so we suggest heading in with an empty stomach. Once you're hooked, you're probably going to want to schedule a return visit pretty quick, to try other Gami favourites like the chicken spare ribs, the vegetarian chicken and the aptly named Potato Heaven, featuring three layers of cheesy potato goodness — all paired with beer from Brunswick brewery Thunder Road. Gami's fried chicken giveaway will run from noon–12.30pm and again from 5.30–6pm on both Thursday, December 6, and Friday, December 7.
With Preston Station finally reopened after a long year of removal works, Preston is back firing on all cylinders and ready to party. So it's celebrating the occasion with a huge free block party on Sunday, September 11. Swing by Preston Market from 11am for a big day of eats, drinks, tunes and general good vibes, served up by much-loved market traders and other Preston favourites. Food pop-ups will be slinging treats ranging from fairy floss to gelato, alongside sweet and savoury goodies from all the usual market vendors. Preston-based brewery Moon Dog will be serving ice-cold craft beer tinnies from its MD Land Drover, while The Drinks Swap pop-up will have an array of booze-free things to quench your thirst. [caption id="attachment_811005" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moon Dog, by Samantha Schultz[/caption] As with all good parties, there'll be entertainment — and plenty of it. Catch neo-soul and RnB sounds from songwriting duo Alex & Sophia, see a belly-dancing performance by Azura Oasis and cut some shapes of your own with a communal boogie lead by Brunswick's very lively Famous Love Heart Dancers. While you're there, be sure to check out the special live reptile show, and shop up a storm with a trip around the market, where you can stock up on everything from fashion and art to homewares and vinyl. [caption id="attachment_868219" align="alignnone" width="1284"] Famous Love Heart Dancers[/caption]
In the words of the illustrious Golden Girls: “Thank you for being a friend”. The School of Life has just released their winter program, and among the excellent classes that are on offer is the class ‘How to Be a Better Friend’. We’re all guilty of not getting in contact with our childhood friends as much as we should, or have some outstanding coffee dates with those nearest and dearest to us. Life coach and founder of The Main Protagonist Cece Ojany will lead this class and ask the big questions around friendship. It will explore insights and advice from key thinkers and philosophers at the promise of friendship, why we crave it and also the limits and perils of friendship that arise. They say that your friends are the family you choose, so here’s your chance to be the best family member of your friendship circle. Other interesting classes that you might want to look at include ‘How to Spend Time Alone’, ‘How Necessary Is a relationship?’ and ‘How to Face Death’. If a class may seem a little too heavy, or doesn’t really apply your personal interests, dropping into the Conversation Cafe is always a good start to meet people and get some great discussions going. Go forth and expand your mind.
Baker Bleu started life as a tiny Elsternwick storefront in 2016, but its long-fermented sourdough bread and seasonal pastries helped it quickly rocket to cult status. Now, it's one of the best bakeries in Melbourne, boasting sites in Caulfield North, Prahran and Sydney's Double Bay. Its bread and pastries are also carted off to a heap of Melbourne cafes every day. Having nailed the whole grab-and-go bakery situation, the crew's next venture will be an all-day cafe in Cremorne — slated to open this spring. Its much-loved baked goods will all be up for grabs here, but there's going to be so much more available. For one, folks can dine in, either inside the fresh new digs designed by IF Architecture (who've worked on luxe spots like Marion, Attica and Etta) or out on the street. Its savoury game will also be amped up. Expect a heap more freshly made sangas, plus a selection of sourdough pizzas. "We're thrilled to be opening a store in Cremorne," says baker and owner Mike Russell. "It's a slightly different market for us and marks an exciting new chapter for Baker Bleu, it's something bigger than anything we've done before." Baker Bleu's new cafe will be found at 65 Dover Street, Cremorne. We don't have an exact opening date yet, but we will be sure to keep you updated as soon as we find out more. In the meantime, feel free to head to the venue's website for additional information.
Openair cinema might normally be reserved for the balmy evenings of summer. But this month, The Rooftop at QT is bucking the trend. The sky-high hotel bar is taking advantage of its newly 'Melbourne-proofed' all-weather space and hosting a four-week series of free movie nights. Running each Tuesday night from August 9 to August 30, Cinema Nights on the Rooftop will be tapping into your nostalgia with a program of 90s cult classics. Smash-hit flicks Fight Club, 10 Things I Hate About You and The Matrix have already been confirmed, while the August 30 session is yours to decide, via a viewers' choice poll on social media. [caption id="attachment_862769" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Kate Shanasy[/caption] Screenings kick off at 6.30pm each week and while they're free to join, bookings are encouraged. Plus, if you've nabbed a booking, you'll score free popcorn to enjoy while you watch. A menu of cocktails and snacks will also be available to order — think, pulled pork nachos, stone-baked pizzas and 90s sips including a classic Cosmopolitan. And if you fancy keeping the midweek fun rolling, stick around for the DJ tunes that'll kick off after each flick.
The Victoria Street precinct that links Abbotsford and Richmond is a vibrant little pocket of Melbourne's inner east. And this weekend, you can experience a taste of that colour and creativity, when the Victoria Street Alive association hosts its second Makers Market. Taking over Abbots Yard from 10am on Sunday, June 19, the market is set to dish up a wide-ranging curation of bespoke goodies from local artists, designers and creatives. Expect to find art, gourmet food products, ceramics, jewellery, fashion, beauty care and a whole stack more. There'll be plenty of food and coffee options also flying the flag for the local area. And while you shop up a storm, you'll be treated to live sounds from local funk-rock group The Barking Mad Bartosies, along with sets by resident DJs. Four-legged friends are welcome to join your Sunday shopping session, plus there'll be activities to keep littlies entertained.
Malaysian hawker chain Pappa Rich is spreading the love for its eighth birthday, with two weeks of banger deals across all 11 of its Victorian stores. You'll be able to try your Pappa Rich favourites, or taste something completely new, all for just $8. Dip roti canai in vegetarian curry, try stir-fried noodle dish char koay teow and tuck into a toasted hainan sandwich. Or go classic with chicken rice and steamed chicken. There'll be a different dish for $8 each day from March 16–29, including blended ice drinks, teh tarik and puddings. You can check out each day's deal below. Since 2012, Pappa Rich has opened 28 stores around Australia, with the 29th set to open in The Glen, Victoria, this month. The chain has developed a reputation for serving up a fusion of flavours from Chinese, Indian and Malay influences, as well as creating next-level limited edition bites, like this nasi lemak burger and a collaborative chicken sandwich with Belles Hot Chicken. PAPPA RICH $8 MEALS March 16 — three roti canai March 17 — nasi lemak curry (chicken, vego or mutton) March 18 — chicken curry laksa March 19 — two ice blended or two nasi lemak bungkus March 20 — six chicken wings and a drink March 21 — toasted hainan sandwich and two half-boiled eggs March 22 — deep-fried chicken skin and a drink March 23 — char koay teow March 24 — roti canai curry (chicken, vego or mutton) March 25 — nasi lemak fried rice (chicken, vego or mutton) March 26 — two drinks (lemon iced tea or teh tarik) March 27 — two puddings or three curry puffs March 28 — chips and nuggets or salt and pepper chicken wings with rice March 29 — chicken rice and steamed chicken Pappa Rich's $8 meals are available from March 16–29 at all 11 of its Victorian stores.
Forget Ferraris and therapy, SPOD has come up with an unbeatable fix for the good ol' mid-life crisis. Take a 2003 classic (i.e. SPOD opusTaste the Radness), update it with a decade's worth of wisdom and release a brand new incarnation (i.e. Taste The Sadness). That's right, SPOD's getting old. And slightly blue on occasion. And he's not afraid to admit it. Back in the early noughties, he thought that happiness was all about aiming champagne corks at innocent bystanders, tossing streamers around and cranking the odd slow-grind. But the combo just isn't cutting the mustard these days. "I thought I'd update the album, make it a bit classier, say sorry for all the naughty things I've done," he explains in the promo video. Taste the Sadness tells the story of rushing headfirst into the autumn of existence as though you were still a spring chicken, only to dislocate your hip and find yourself in an ultra cosy armchair. From that vantage point, you spend your time telling the world how much better everything was when you were able to enjoy it more. Released on August 22, the album will be officially launched in Melbourne on September 26 at The Old Bar. Featuring appearances by Justin Heazlewood and Alex Cameron. https://youtube.com/watch?v=z11wwNJ2aRM
The historic Queen Victoria Market precinct is set to score a new community library, adding to the suite of improvements the multifaceted site will welcome in coming years. The City of Melbourne approved the three-storey library earlier this week, which will form part of the $70 million Munro community hub. It's not just any stuffy old neighbourhood library, either. The proposed facility clocks in at around 3100 square metres, boasting an auditorium, community spaces, meeting rooms, a commercial kitchen and a rooftop terrace "for outdoor reading and activities". All spaces and programs are set to be designed in close consultation with First Nations peoples as well. It's hoped the new addition will boost visitor numbers to the evolving precinct while improving library access for locals and residents. "We're expecting 24,000 new residents in the area by 2040, so we want to provide additional community facilities to meet the needs of a growing population," Lord Mayor Sally Capp said in a statement. The new facility will join the existing City of Melbourne library network as a sibling to the likes of Flinders Lane's City Library, Library at the Dock, and the Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre. The council hopes the new library could open as soon as 2023. Making up a significant part of the ongoing Queen Victoria Market renewal project, the $450 million Munro Development will play host to a community hub featuring family services, shared work spaces and affordable housing units in addition to the new library. A series of retail outlets, a boutique hotel and residential apartments are also set to feature in the completed development. Further upgrades to the Queen Victoria Market's historic sheds and food hall were announced earlier this year, while work on a new pop-up park for the precinct is already underway. The City of Melbourne's new library has been approved for construction within the Munro Development, at 91–111 Therry Street, Melbourne.
If there's two things that the Japanese do well, it's whisky and food. So putting the two together is a bit of a no-brainer. Back for a second year, Japanese whisky house Suntory will once again take over Hihou for four Wednesday nights in July. The always great Hihou menu will be altered on the night to match the Suntory whiskies on show. This is your chance to wash down your sashimi with an award-winning whisky highball, or sip slowly on a nip of the Hibiki 17 year old while you nibble on some edamame. You can choose from three expertly-matched courses for $55, or go the whole hog with six for $120. In true Japanese style, it won't just be about the food and drink — no, it will most certainly be about the service and hospitality (or, the omotenashi) too. So strap yourself in for the full Japanese dining experience: delicate, delicious and utterly delightful. Bookings are essential. Book at info@hihou.com.au, through the event's Facebook page, or call (03) 9654 5465.
The 2014 Big Day Out lineup has been revealed, and it... sort of lived up to all those weeks of hype. Organisers spoke of their excitement at landing three "white whales", and the top of the ticket is pretty monumental. Pearl Jam is a classic choice for BDO headliner, Arcade Fire a welcome return visitor to the main stage, Blur a seriously impressive 'get' — and Snoop's good-natured, laaiiiiidbaaack style will be a nice counterpoint to the snarling grunge and indie-rock mania. And lucky Regine and that chick from The Lumineers — they'll have the backstage ladies loos virtually all to themselves! Here's the line-up in full: Pearl Jam Arcade Fire Snoop Dogg aka Snoop Lion Major Lazer Steve Angello Flume The Lumineers Tame Impala Dillon Francis Mac Miller Ghost Grouplove Flosstradamus Portugal. The Man Toro Y Moi DIIV The Naked And Famous Big Gigantic PEZ Mudhoney Cosmic Psychos Northlane The 1975 Loon Lake Kingswood Bo Ningen The Algorithm DZ Deathrays Peking Duk Ben Morris Rüfüs Gold Coast tickets are on sale on August 7; Sydney August 8; Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide on August 9 and Auckland on August 12 from the Big Day Out website.
If you have dreams bubbling away of swanning about on the French Riviera and downing cocktails as a gentle wind caresses you, and then an irresistible French person arrives and sweeps you off your feet, we've got good news for you. Well, on the first bit — we can't control the weather or your love life, unfortunately. Grey Goose, purveyors of very fine vodka, have whipped up a very European-style summer pop-up for you: the Fountain of Goose. For five days this December, a white marble fountain will be set up in Melbourne's Federation Square, and it's going to be offering more than just a beautiful summer aesthetic. It'll be serving up complimentary vodka, lime and soda mini-cocktails — a classic, summery and simple concoction that requires the best quality ingredients, starting with the vodka. At the bar, you can also catch a glimpse at Grey Goose's collaboration with French fashion label Maison Labiche for its limited-edition 'Riviera' bottle. Plus, at the pop-up, you'll enjoy spontaneous entertainment and other experiences. You'll also be able to pick up a specialty cocktail coupon which you can redeem at Madame Brussels, Ludlow Bar & Dining Room or Spice Market to keep the good summer vibes going. The Fountain of Goose pop-up bar will be open from Saturday, December 7 through Wednesday, December 11. It'll be open from 4–8pm on Saturday and Sunday and from 3–7pm on Monday—Wednesday.
It's been a whole two years since the Garden State Hotel opened its doors on Flinders Lane and quickly became a go-to for after-work drinks, weekend cocktails and everything in between. And the modern, multi-level pub is marking the occasion with a proper birthday bash next Wednesday, July 25. The fun kicks off at 5pm, with a swag of drink specials that'll tempt you to knock off work early and run from your desk. For the first two hours, enjoy treats like $8 pints of Stone & Wood, $8 house wines and basic spirits, and $15 espresso martinis, plus free serves of birthday cake. One lucky punter will even score a birthday present of their own, as Garden State celebrates by giving away an after-work drinks package valued at a tidy $1000. To be in the running, simply give your details to staff between 5–7pm on the night. Images: Brook James
While a St Kilda may seem like a day trip in itself to those that live north of the river, on Saturday, 7 March, a visit to the Bayside suburb will take you all the way to South East Asia. As part of the 2015 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, the newly reopened St Hotel will be hosting the best Asian food of the south (of the Yarra). There will be stalls from the St, Hanoi Hannah, Saigon Sally, Banoi and the brand new Tokyo Tina, with the hotel set to get into the spirit of the occasion inside and out. Tickets are $40 and include five hawker-style dishes — one from each of the kitchens. St Kilda might seem like a bit of a trek, but it sure ain't as far as Vietnam.
Can you get much more rock 'n' roll than your band having its own signature Harley Davidson? The members of Dutch outfit DeWolff might have the answer: they received the honour last year. Like The Black Keys, with whom they've been invited to perform, DeWolff plays music that hearkens to another era — that of 1970s psychedelic rock. They're loud, highly energised and passionate about playing like they mean to be heard. "We put everything we have into our shows, so it's one hell of a psychedelic rock 'n' roll trip," vocalist Pablo Van De Poe has explained. It seems to be working: Rolling Stone named them European 'Must See Live Band' of 2012. To mark their 2013 Antipodean tour, DeWolff is releasing three albums: their new blues-rock project, DeWolff IV, and a double CD that includes Strange Fruits and Undiscovered Plants and Orchards/Lupine, to be released in Australia only. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gh-8lQbTUoY
The 90s are the decade that keeps on giving — to nostalgic Australians, at least. On any given weekend under regular circumstances, you can usually find a party dedicated to kicking it old school-style. And, at the moment, you can still get retro with Isolation Trivia's 90s Music Trivia edition. Know everything there is to know about the Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, grunge, 'Gangsta's Paradise' and chasing waterfalls? Then, come 6.25pm on Thursday, June 4, it's time to put your 90s-loving brain to the test. The Isolation Trivia folks will be asking the questions, your lounge room will be doing the hosting and you'll be slinging back your answers — if you wannabe the trivia champ, that is. No bookings or registrations are required — all you need to do it hit up the event Facebook page when it's time to strut your stuff. Our tip: prepare to channel Alanis when your competition gets something wrong — aka to have 'You Oughta Know' stuck in your head. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPcyTyilmYY
South Korean artist Jisun Kim examines the strange and sometimes violent world of online gaming in a bold, playful, provocative new installation at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. Climax of the Next Scene is a multi-screen video work featuring a pair of Teletubbies — yes, Teletubbies — reflecting on the carnage and futility of games from Minecraft to Grand Theft Auto. Screening at ACMI from February 2–5 as part of Asia TOPA, the work speaks to Kim's ongoing focus on systems and marginalised spaces, and shapes up as a truly mind-boggling viewing experience. Kim will also take part in a one-off Q&A session on the evening of Thursday, February 2.
Roll up, roll up, and step inside Drago’s Amazing Bona Fide Freak Show; a dark and dazzling one-man show from dancer, actor, writer and musician Ilan Abrahams. Inspired by his three-week pilgrimage walking the full length of the Yarra River, Abrahams' performance takes audiences back to 19th century Melbourne when circus and sideshows were the favoured entertainment of the day. In this world lives Drago, a mysterious travelling showman... with a 'freak' lurking in the shadows of his beat-up tent. Abrahams will revive his Drago character for four nights only at the Mechanics Institute in Brunswick, after the show played to sold-out crowds at La Mama in 2014. Combining theatre and song with a dark sense of humour, Abrahams is a consummate performer who vanishes into his role. Drago’s Amazing Bona Fide Freak Show plays at the Mechanics Institute from May 20 – 23. For more information, head over here.
Because you're reading this, we know you're not someone who received a pet for Christmas, only to decide it wasn't for you. We know you're one of the good folks. You're probably wishing that you did receive a loveable animal as a gift, even if you already have one — or several — that you adore. And now more than ever. We understand your yearning, and so does the RSPCA. And, to find permanent homes for pups, cats, bunnies and guinea pigs surrendered into its care, it's calling out to the community to help look after its many animal during this tough time. While more of us are working from home and practising social-distancing (and increasingly wanting a four-legged friend as a comforting companion), the RSPCA is encouraging Australians to foster or adopt. So, if you've been thinking about adding a pet to your fam (and have considered it thoroughly), now might just be the time. Last year, the RSPCA found new homes for 2654 pets Australia-wide. Right now, RSPCA NSW has 2577 animals in its care, ready for new homes full of love and pats — temporarily or forever. In a statement, RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman said, "As this pandemic escalates, we are asking for your help to find forever homes for the animals in our care." The Victorian and Queensland branches echo this sentiment, with one website saying, "our foster program is now more important than ever". If you're keen to foster a furry friend, you can register in NSW, Victoria and Queensland as usual; however, for adoption, the process has changed a bit in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As of today, Friday, March 27, you must make an appointment before visiting one of the RSPCA NSW's locations, which can be done by filling out this form. Once that's done, they'll arrange a time for a meet-and-greet with your potential new family member. A similar process is in place at RSPCA Queensland's locations — you'll need to fill out this pre-adoption form before heading in — and in Victoria, you must submit an application before you can set up a time. According to the RSPCA, at present there is no evidence that you can contract COVID-19 from a companion animal or that they can become sick if exposed to the virus. If you're thinking about adopting, you can check out all the good boys, kittens, bunnies and birds looking for new homes in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. For details about adopting and fostering animals, head to the RSPCA NSW, Victoria and Queensland websites. If you are going out to meet a potential new family member, have a look at the latest COVID-19 advice and social-distancing guidelines from the Department of Health.
If you're anything like us, you've spent the last few weeks being bombarded with memes and videos about the day Marty McFly travelled to the future. Nike announced they'll be releasing actual self-tying sneakers, Universal Pictures put out a trailer for Jaws 19 and Ford offered people flux capacitors for their cars. It was all pretty cute, but at this point we're kind of sick of hearing about it. Still, we're willing to make an exception for an event as awesome as this. Hosted by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Back to the Future: Live in Concert will see Robert Zemeckis' 1985 classic light up the screen at the Melbourne ConventionCentre, accompanied by a live performance of Alan Silvestri's iconic score. The concert will also feature a new piece of music composed especially for the film's 30 year anniversary. Just make sure you're quick — tickets are selling fast and once they're gone they're gone. Well, unless you own a DeLorean. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0kZes9GO9A
Pull out that old Discman, break out the cargo pants and start practising your smoothest 90s and early 00s dance moves — the pop tour of your wildest teenage dreams is hitting Australian shores this summer and it's got more stars than a TV Hits sticker collection. Come Saturday, February 11–Sunday, February 12, the So Pop festival is set to deliver a huge serve of nostalgia to Melbourne's Forum Theatre, pulling together a juicy lineup of old-school icons, starting with none other than Vengaboys — celebrating their 25th anniversary, too. Heading up the show, Vengaboys will bring Cowboy Donny, Captain Kim, PartyGirl D'Nice and SailorBoy Robin to sing their party-starting smash hits like 'Boom Boom Boom Boom!!' and 'We Like to Party! (The Vengabus)' from the Netherlands — and yes, you now have both tunes stuck in your head from reading this. They'll be joined by Danish artist and producer Whigfield, who'll break out 'Sexy Eyes'; the UK's N-Trance, which means hearing 'Set You Free', 'Stayin' Alive', 'Do Ya Think I'm Sexy' and 'Forever'; and Reel 2 Real teaming up with The Mad Stuntman, which is where 'I Like To Move It' and 'Go On Move' come in. Dutch trance/pop outfit Alice DJ is also on the lineup, so get ready to hear 'Back in My Life', 'Will I Ever' and 'Better Off Alone'. And, Nick Skitz is on DJing duties — after releasing Skitmix 59 (DJ Mix) in 2021. SO POP 2023 LINEUP: Vengaboys Whigfield Alice DJ N-Trance Reel 2 Real featuring The Mad Stuntman Nick Skitz
Feast on top notch Sri Lankan cuisine courtesy of social enterprise Free to Feed. The Melbourne-based organisation, which provides hospitality training and work opportunities to asylum seekers and refugees, has teamed up with former Code Black Coffee chef Laura Neville for a pair of pop-up dinners at Firecracker in Thornbury. Set for three nights over July 20-22, the dinners will see Neville work closely with Free to Feed's resident Tamil cooking instructor, Niro, putting a twist on traditional Sri Lankan delicacies. The full menu is being kept under wraps for the time being, although we happen to know that Niro makes a mean vego curry. Incidentally, if you're vegetarian yourself, they'll be more than happy to cater to your needs – just make a mention of it in your booking. But with seats for just 14 people, you'd best make it quick.
There's no one quite like Frank, the person, and there's nothing quite like Frank, the film. The former, as played by Michael Fassbender while wearing a papier mache mask, is a soul seemingly eccentric but really just looking for the essence of creation and contentment. The latter is quirky by design but beautifully bittersweet by execution, revelling in all life's failures and flaws. Frank leads an experimental rock band with the fittingly unpronounceable name of The Soronprfbs, and that's exactly where Jon (Domhnall Gleeson) finds him. Downtrodden in his dismal everyday routine, Jon wants desperately to be a musician but lacks the opportunity and the ability to extend himself. His unlikely encounter with his new friend with the obscured face brings both, one fruitful, the other less so. As the reconfigured group ventures from the Irish wilderness to the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas in search of musical fulfilment, the solace they find comes from internal, not external, forces. Journalist turned screenwriter Jon Ronson, of The Men Who Stare at Goats fame, turns fact into fiction in Frank, taking his characters and narrative from his own experiences. With co-scribe Peter Straughan and director Lenny Abrahamson, he spins a story inspired by Frank Sidebottom, the comic persona of musician Chris Sievey, as fine-tuned and fleshed out where necessary. The basics remain, including the large and unusual headwear that demands attention in every scene that it appears in. Added in the tinkering with the tale is thoughtfulness that resonates like a homage while investing a layer of universality. That relatable spirit weaves through a film that ponders the oft-contemplated contrast between reality and perception in an interesting and endearing fashion. While Frank must resort to announcing his emotions on screen for the benefit of Jon, and to the disdain of his other avant garde band mates — Hysteria's Maggie Gyllenhaal and The Rover's Scoot McNairy among them — the sentiment of his every sentence is always clear, heightening the feature's commentary on communication and identity. Of course, much of the success stems from casting, including Fassbender in the titular role. Gleeson is wonderfully uncertain, Gyllenhaal convincingly curt and McNairy ever eclectic; however, it is the hidden figure that combines all their traits and more into a singular yet complex package. Again, it is his words that do all the talking, offbeat charm oozing from every wide-ranging conversation and progressive tune. Indeed, whilst shot with the same anarchic energy that adjusts to the mood of the story, Frank is a film to listen to as keenly as to watch — from every inflection in Fassbender's sometimes strange, sometimes touching dialogue to the diverse array of noisy, catchy, cute and unconventional songs. https://youtube.com/watch?v=IblHV2x64f8
Audible is the world's largest creator and retailer of audiobook content, so you can be sure they know a thing or two about great stories. During Vivid Sydney, Audible is hosting three separate events with some of the city's best names in audio entertainment. On Wednesday, June 1, former MasterChef Australia champion Adam Liaw will be speaking about how the food we cook and eat shapes the world around us. Wednesday, June 8, sees TV presenter Melissa Doyle examine how the world handles – or rather, doesn't handle – the concept of women ageing. Finally, on June 15, writer Laura Nagy and journalist Marc Fennell uncover some of pop culture's more unusual and niche trends.
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.
While much of this year's Australian Open action is going down at Melbourne Park, one special Grand Slam-themed celebration is descending on Melbourne's inner north instead. The Distiller, the new bar from local vodka label Grainshaker, is serving a whole lot of aces with its one-off tennis-inspired bottomless brunch. On Saturday, January 29, the new Northcote digs will fire up for the Get Served brunch, clocking in at $85 per person. For that, you'll enjoy two signature cocktails and a brunch grazing platter, plus two hours of free-flowing beer, wine, and basics and mixed drinks from the Grainshaker line. Guests will also have the chance to sample the distillery's new Australian Open creation, Fortylove — a summery vodka blending notes of mango, passionfruit, finger lime, Geraldton wax and eucalyptus, and coming in at 40-percent ABV. Stick around post-brunch to catch the AO women's finals on the big screen, while enjoying tastings and drinks specials. [caption id="attachment_839874" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Distiller[/caption]
While Yarra River pop-up bar Arbory Afloat kicked off its summer season a couple of months ago, the moment we've all been waiting for has finally arrived. Dig out those bathers, because the floating boozer's onsite pool is officially open for business. And with today's temperatures set to hit a hefty 38 degrees, this is one debut Melbourne's very much ready for. Sticking with the bar's breezy Miami theme, the eight-metre-long pool has made its home on Arbory Afloat's roomy upper deck, flanked by its own bar, sun lounges and five private cabanas, which can be booked out for your next poolside sojourn. Towels, hats and sunscreen are all available to purchase from the bar, and there'll be a lifeguard on patrol whenever the pool's open. The opening hours are set to vary depending on the weather, but you can jump over to Arbory Afloat's Instagram to keep an eye on the schedule and plot your visit. [caption id="attachment_754392" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Simon Shiff[/caption] Of course, the bar's new season lineup of eats and drinks offers some ideal accompaniments to that sun-drenched pool session. Settle in with some tacos, pizzas, empanadas and loaded seafood platters, alongside cocktails like the watermelon sangria — blending curacao, grenache, fresh fruit, white rum and lemonade. There's also a fittingly strong lineup of rum and gin, and a lineup of DJs — both homegrown heroes and international names — to get you in the zone. Find Arbory Afloat at 1 Flinders Walk, Melbourne. Images: Simon Shiff
The Lepidopters: A Space Opera is only touching down for a couple of Melbourne performances, and the insane amount of culture-mixing and genre-bending the work is cramming into Arts House this weekend makes it unmissable. Created by experimental Melbourne outfit Slave Pianos with European writer Mark von Schleegell, the centerpiece of The Lepidopters is a specially constructed electromechanial piano, fresh from a starring appearance in the National Gallery of Victoria’s exhibition Melbourne Now. This 'piano' contains no less than 56 gamelans, a traditional Indonesian instrument. In its NGV outing this machine played the audience’s choice of transcribed songs, but here in The Lepidopters it’s joined by a 40-member choir, punk-art musicians from Indonesia, as well as the solo pianist Michael Kieran Harvey, all backed by projected visual art and film.
On years ending in four in even-numbered decades, we watch new Mean Girls films. So goes the 21st century so far, as the hit 2004 teen comedy about high-school hierarchies returns to the big screen in 2024 as a musical, after breaking out the singing and dancing onstage first. Just like donning pink every Wednesday because Regina George (Reneé Rapp, The Sex Lives of College Girls) demands it, there's a dutifulness about the repeat Mean Girls. Tina Fey, writing the script for the third time — basing her first on Rosalind Wiseman's 2002 non-fiction book Queen Bees and Wannabes — seems to fear the consequences for breaking the rules, too. Cue a Mean Girls movie musical that truly plays out as those four words lead viewers to expect: largely the same down to most lines and jokes, just with songs. Anyone looking at the longer running time in advance and chalking up the jump from 97 to 112 minutes to the tunes is 100-percent spot on. The latest Mean Girls also resembles protagonist Cady Heron (Angourie Rice, The Last Thing He Told Me): eager to fit into its new surroundings after being perfectly happy and comfortable elsewhere. That causes some awkwardness, sometimes trying to break the mould, but largely assimilating. Penning her first film script since the OG Mean Girls was her very first, 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Mr Mayor creator Fey revises details and gags that were always going to need revising. Social media, the internet and mobile phones are all worked in, necessarily so, as is sex positivity. Mean Girls 2024 is primarily dedicated to making Mean Girls 2024 happen, though; here as well, it's exactly as those three words have audiences anticipating. Scrap the songs and choreography (other than the Winter Talent Show performances, of course), and directors Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez (Quarter Life Poetry: Poems for the Young, Broke & Hangry) would've just remade the first film two decades later. There's a message in the Means Girls cycle, as the initial movie closed with. No matter how many obnoxious and angsty young women learn to cope with their ire and embrace kindness, more will follow the same journey, then more again. Accordingly, Mean Girls could easily be restaged every generation with nothing but era-appropriate changes and the tale would still ring true, as proves the case with its second cinema telling — plus the musical angle. That's a testament to the strength of and insights in Fey's foundational screenplay. It's also a sad truth about human nature. But like Gretchen Wieners (Bebe Wood, Love, Victor) yearning for a life and acceptance that doesn't involve everything that Regina decrees, viewers can be forgiven for wanting more from each Mean Girls iteration. While this is a winking, nudging, self-referential take that's forcefully trying to get playful with its devotion to its source material, Regina herself might call it an obsession. Once more, Cady swaps the savannahs of Africa for Evanston, Illinois, then homeschooling for North Shore High School, entering a savage teenage jungle in the process. With talented artist Janis (Auli'i Cravalho, the voice of Moana) and the "almost too gay to function" Damian (Jaquel Spivey, a 2022 Tony-nominee for A Strange Loop) to steer her, she joins the world of cliquery, where the Plastics — Regina, plus Gretchen and fellow entourage member Karen Shetty (Avantika, also The Sex Lives of College Girls) — rule the school. Befriending the in-crowd is meant to be a social experiment. Cady's mum (Jenna Fischer, Splitting Up Together) is a zoologist, after all. But after Cady gets a maths class-sparked crush on Regina's ex Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney, The Summer I Turned Pretty), the newcomer's stint at the popular lunch table morphs into a vengeance mission. Opening with the Cravalho- and Spivey-sung 'A Cautionary Tale' — Janis and Damien are viewers' guides, too — the Mean Girls movie musical uses songs in place of the original's voiceover, and to plumb the characters' emotional and psychological depths. Composer Jeff Richmond (Girls5eva) and lyricist Nell Benjamin (The Sea Beast, and another Tony-nominee) rework their tunes from the stage production that debuted in 2018, then was locked in for a film adaptation in 2020, with additions and exclusions; rarely are they the most memorable parts of the movie. Collaborating with YouTube-famous choreographer Kyle Hanagami (Red, White & Royal Blue), Jayne and Perez opt for a more-is-more vibe; however, the musical numbers ape the overall feature in miniature. Some aspects shine, such as the pure energy of the plan-setting 'Revenge Party' and the sincerity in Gretchen's 'What's Wrong with Me?'. Others are catchy but perfunctory, like the Rice-crooned 'Stupid with Love', plus Cravalho and Spivey again with 'Apex Predator'. Karen's ditty 'Sexy' is an entertaining social-media riff. And whenever Rapp sings, she's electric, but better than the material. Rapp was always destined to be one of the new Mean Girls' highlights. She's been here before, stepping into Regina's shoes again after wearing them on Broadway (Only Murders in the Building's Ashley Park also returns from the theatre after originating the role of Gretchen, but as a teacher). In a film so infrequently willing to switch up anything substantial, Rapp's interpretation of Regina is one of its biggest alterations: where Rachel McAdams (Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret) was icily piercing, the IRL pop singer is fiendishly ferocious. That fits today's times where the entire online realm is a burn book, making nastiness virtually the status quo, and it's never one-note. Among her co-stars, Rice, Cravalho, Spivey, Wood and Avantika all ensure that no one is desperately pining for Lindsay Lohan (Falling for Christmas), Lizzy Caplan (Fatal Attraction), Daniel Franzese (Not So Straight in Silver Lake), Lacey Chabert (A Merry Scottish Christmas) and Amanda Seyfried (The Crowded Room) as their characters instead — with Cravalho making the second-biggest impression, and screaming for more non-voicework parts. Fey returning as Ms Norbury, Tim Meadows (I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson) similarly back as Principal Duvall, Busy Phillips (also Girls5eva) taking over from Amy Poehler (Moxie) as Regina's mother: they're all grool touches. It almost wouldn't be a Fey comedy without Jon Hamm (Fargo) popping up, although he's given little to do — but scrapping Coach Carr's sex scandals was among the essential updatings. Mean Girls has always known that striving to conform is a clunky task, though it didn't need to live it. While this isn't the first movie to become a stage musical and then return to film also as a musical (see: Little Shop of Horrors, The Producers, Hairspray and Everybody's Talking About Jamie) and won't be the last (the new The Color Purple will follow it into cinemas Down Under, for example), it's firmly an example of being too committed to doing what's expected to have enough of its own fun.
Melbourne has embraced the humble picnic with a vengeance, making grassy patches of parkland the new dining destinations of choice. And this Saturday, October 23–Sunday, October 24, Vue de Monde will be following suit. The acclaimed fine diner is swapping its sleek 55th-floor Rialto Towers digs for the expanse of the Royal Botanic Gardens' Southern Cross Lawn for this pop-up weekend barbecue. Along with his crew, Executive Chef Hugh Allen will be firing up the barbie to serve a special menu of top-shelf snacks and high-quality barbecue fare, including iconic creations like the crab sausages and the signature lamington-inspired dessert. Joining in the al fresco fun will be Vue de Monde's sommelier team, with some top picks from the restaurant's 15,000-strong cellar selection in tow. They'll host a pop-up cellar door slinging a wide variety of drops, including a bunch of wines not normally available to the general public. Venue-exclusive wine The Forgotten Barrels is also set to make an appearance. It all kicks on until 4pm each day, or until dishes and drinks sell out. Top Barbecue Imagery: Harvard Wang
Frolic amidst the flowers in the picturesque Carlton Gardens before tucking into a feast fit for a king. Part of the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, Gardens by Twilight will welcome a convoy of food trucks to the grounds around the Royal Exhibition Centre for an after-dark picnic of the most spectacular kind. You'll need a ticket to the show (they're $29.90) — but if you're somewhat interested in checking it out, this is the night to do it. Instead of finishing up at 5pm, the show will stay open until 9pm, lighting up the gardens with live music, food trucks and a bar. Once you've eaten your fill, you can wander around some of the highlights of the show by night, including special installations designed to be viewed by twilight. Image: Jason Edwards Photography. UPDATE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 — The first version of this event listed an incorrect date. The correct date of this event is March 23, 2018.
By day, they climb cliffs and learn survival skills. By night, they sit around a campfire singing songs and discussing philosophy. They're the Cash clan — and if their everyday activities haven't convinced you that the six siblings aren't part of an ordinary family, the determination and dedication of their father, Ben (Viggo Mortensen), should do the job. There's a reason that the heartfelt film that tells his tale is called Captain Fantastic, after all. Whether he's running around the forest in America's Pacific Northwest, or making a scene by wearing a bright red suit to a funeral, the eccentric, affectionate Ben always seems larger than life, and much like a superhero to his kids. But, when tragedy strikes, he's forced to take them on the road out into the real world. With his oldest son Bo (George MacKay) also contemplating leaving his untraditional upbringing behind for a new college adventure, and his parents-in-law (Frank Langella and Ann Dowd) unhappy about his off-the-grid parenting methods, conflict soon begins to brew. As the offbeat brood treks across the country in a coming-of-age journey for both adolescent and adult characters, Captain Fantastic traverses territory that feels familiar and fresh all at once. Yes, the path it takes is sometimes a little predictable, but writer-director Matt Ross generates enough genuine emotion to ensure that it also feels authentic .This is a warm, rich and vibrant production, both visually and in tone. Continuing his spate of fantastic performances in under-seen fare like The Two Faces of January and Far From Men, Mortensen is more than partly responsible for the movie's charms. In fact, he's simply magnetic in a progressive, protective parent role that trades heavily on his gruff yet tender charisma. With much of Captain Fantastic dependent upon unpacking the many layers and contradictions of a man who gives his 6-year-old son a copy of The Joy of Sex but hasn't imparted his 16-year-old with enough practical wisdom to know how to talk to girls, the subtle complexity he brings to his protagonist couldn't be more pivotal. Around him, his young and experienced co-stars also shine, particularly MacKay and the veteran Langella. It helps that Ross knows a thing or two about unusual families, with the actor-turned-filmmaker having starred in the polygamous TV drama Big Love for five seasons. While Captain Fantastic directs most of its fondness towards its unlikely hero and his eclectic clan, it also explores the importance of not only difference but balance. That's not an easy feat given how endearing the main characters and their unorthodox lifestyle are, and proves a testament to how multifaceted this smart, sweet picture really is.
Experience a world without sight or sound as part of an immersive live theatre work at Arts House in North Melbourne. Developed over four years by artistic director Jodee Mundy in partnership with deafblind artists Heather Lawson and Michelle Stevens, Imagined Touch restricts the senses that most of us take for granted. This unique event — which will have its world premiere at Arts House on the Wednesday, September 7 — aims to replicate the sensory experience of deafblind people by having audience members wear headphones and light-altering goggles. Without the ability to see or hear, touch will become their primary means of communication, just as it is for the tens of thousands of deafblind Australians around the country. Isolation, access and the nature of personal boundaries are just a few of the difficult concepts participants will be forced to grapple with in what will surely be one of the most memorable theatre works they 'see' all year.
Melbourne's enormous Dandenong Market is a multicultural feast for the senses at the best of times, but come Sunday, March 28, it's taking things to the next level. Get those taste buds ready to experience the market's annual World Fare: a celebration of street food and culture, starring over 20 international vendors and a swag of the world's most exciting eats. Punters will have the chance to sink their teeth into a diverse menu of exclusive creations, from vegetarian manoushe served up by Why Not? Wooden Bakery, to Si Kat Pinoy Eatscetera's warm ube cheese pandesal — a purple yam-flavoured bread roll with a cheesy centre. And, of course, don't miss the globe-trotting array of dreamy dumpling varieties, including Kabul Kitchen's Afghan-style ashak and plump 'treasure pockets' a la San San's Dumpling House. From 10am–3pm, all those culinary delights will be matched by a program of live entertainment and cultural performances, journeying through most corners of the globe. Past outings have featured West African drumming, martial arts demonstrations, Bollywood shows, Maori Haka and plenty more. Dandenong World Fare runs from 10am–4pm.
Of all the ways to cool down on a scorching summer's day, beer and ice cream are up there with the best. So just imagine what sort of magic happens when their frosty powers combine. To help keep Melburnians nice and cool this long weekend, Preston brewery Tallboy and Moose and North Fitzroy's Billy Van Creamy have invented a special range of treats, teaming beer and ice cream in all sorts of imaginative ways. And they'll be showing off the best of these hybrid creations at the Tallboy and Moose brewpub all weekend. Headlining the beer-infused ice cream options is the Dark Side of the Moose — a Malteaser-y concoction of Russian imperial stout and cream — and the light, bright King Tang — a sorbet made on the brewery's kiwi fruit sour. Folks who prefer their beer in liquid form can opt instead for a refreshing, nostalgia-inducing spider. There's the Vanilla Moose Vader, featuring vanilla bean ice cream in a pint of Tallboy's Darkside RIS, and the Kiwi Van Gift, teaming that King Tang sorbet with the Late Gift hoppy lager. They're all limited edition treats that'll only be on offer this weekend. Get down to the brewery early to nab yourself a prime spot in the front beer garden. It's all happening at Tallboy and Moose, 270 Raglan Street, Preston, until Sunday, January 28.
Insta-worthy eats and drinks are one thing, but a world-class food scene isn't built on the edible stuff alone. There's also a stack of gorgeous design work behind the most memorable hospitality venues and it's this very aspect that's celebrated at the annual Eat Drink Design Awards. As Australia and New Zealand's only hospitality design awards program, the Eat Drink Design Awards recognise hospo design gems across both countries, from restaurants, bars, and cafes, through to temporary spaces. While the 2017 award winners won't be chosen by the jury until November, the shortlist was revealed today and, as expected, it's packed full of all those cafes, bars, and restaurants your inner style nerd has been drooling over this past year or so. Local nominees for Best Bar Design include Hecker Guthrie's revamp of The George on Collins, Studio Y.'s work on Stomping Ground Brewery and Biasol for Mordialloc's Bang Bang. Mim Design for Au79, Six Degrees Architects for Cromwell STREAT and FOolscap Studio's compact design for Sensory Lab are among the projects shortlisted for Best Cafe Design, while the likes of Uncle Collins Street, Anchovy, the new Wilson & Market and Architects EAT's all-day venue Abacus are being considered for the Best Restaurant Design gong. Other categories being selected include Best Installation Design, Best Identity Design, and Best Retail Design. The winners will be announced on Tuesday, November 14 in Melbourne. For the full list of nominees, visit their website.
The Emirates British Film Festival is back for another year, with more Benedict Cumberbatch than ever before. The Sherlock star gives a sure-to-be-Oscar-nominated performance in The Imitation Game, about mathematician Alan Turing, the man who cracked Nazi Germany's Enigma code and, in doing so, helped turn the tide of the war. The historical thriller is one of 15 recent films on the festival program, which kicks into gear at select Palace Cinemas this week. Other standouts include the Belle & Sebastian-infused musical God Help the Girl and the intense action-drama '71, set on the streets of Belfast during The Troubles in Northern Ireland. There are also new films from acclaimed directors including Liv Ullmann, Ken Loach and Mike Leigh, in the form of Miss Julie, Jimmy's Hall and Mr. Turner, respectively. The contemporary contingent is bolstered by a selection of six beloved classics from the 1960s. Get a dose of kitchen-sink realism with Billy Liar, go on the run with Michael Caine in The Italian Job or experience full-blown Beatlemania with A Hard Day's Night.
Melbourne's latest lockdown has hit the city's hospitality scene as hard as any before it, with venues forced to close their doors and rely entirely on takeaway and delivery trade for almost six weeks to date — and an unknown number more to come. That's seen a drop in income for a huge number of employees across the state, as the hours and shifts used to pay for essential bills are cut. And at this stage, no one has an end date. But, if Melbourne's hospitality scene is anything — it's resilient, even when its people wish they didn't have to be. In an entirely Melbourne show of solidarity, some of the city's most loved eateries are throwing their support behind the hospitality community — and many others — by giving back to those that have been hit by the lockdown the hardest. If you're a worker who's been impacted by lockdown, here's where to find a helping hand and a hot feed, no questions asked. Under metro Melbourne's current lockdown rules, you're required to stay within five kilometres of home. For more details on current restrictions, head to the DHHS website. [caption id="attachment_795681" align="alignnone" width="1920"] 1800 Lasagne, by Parker Blain[/caption] 1800 Lasagne, led by all-round champion of the people Joey Kellock, has been involved in a whole swag of community-focused initiatives during Melbourne's various lockdowns; from meal giveaways to giant posters declaring messages of support. Most recently, in one day the restaurant handed out 150 DIY pasta packs to those doing it tough, heroing donations from the likes of Mount Zero and Mediterranean Wholesalers. And we're told another community giveaway is in the works for this Sunday, September 19 — stay tuned on Instagram for the latest info. Over in Yarraville, family-run Greek restaurant Eleni's Kitchen and Bar received such an overwhelming response to an initial community cook-up it hosted, that the team decided to make it a weekly thing. "After we did the first giveaway I realised how many people were doing it tough, not only from a food perspective but also mentally," co-owner Eleftheria Amanatidis explained. "How often I got told that [it] made their day really stayed with me." The venue now runs a different food giveaway each Thursday, featuring ingredients generously donated by its suppliers and with showbags courtesy of the Western Bulldogs AFL team. Over 1000 meals have been handed out so far and they've got plans to continue as long as lockdown does. View this post on Instagram A post shared by GREEK RESTAURANT MELBOURNE (@eleniskitchenandbar) In Carlton North, the team at artisan food store Maria's Pasta have spearheaded a program of community dinners, serving up hot, handmade takeaway meals to those within their five kilometre travel bubble. Now running every Tuesday, the events have become an important neighbourhood fixture, with co-owner Kylie Italiano calling the initiative: "Essentially an extended family dinner table that expanded into the homes of those around our area!" The menu changes weekly, but almost always stars offerings from fellow northside mates like Sibling Cafe, The Empress Hotel and The Fishmonger's Son, along with Maria's own fresh pasta. The store is also home to a pay-it-forward wall, where people can prepay meals or vouchers for anyone who could use one. Last weekend, the folks behind iconic shipping container bar Section 8 (in collaboration with The Operatives and Crown Ruler) put together a virtual music festival to drum up donations for their own support program. The aim? To feed a stack of hospitality and music industry workers in need. Along with additional donations from Pernod Ricard, Dinnerly and Deliveroo, the money raised from the 12-hour live stream will now be used to assemble a whole bunch of care packages and ready-to-eat meals to be distributed to workers impacted by the ongoing lockdowns. If that's you, you'll find details on how and where to get involved released shortly on the Section Aid Instagram page. Otherwise, donations are still open — jump over here if you're able to throw some support behind the program. [caption id="attachment_825575" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Yeah Boy Windsor[/caption] No stranger to providing good vibes and community support during these crazy times, Windsor's Yeah Boy has been running some sweet initiatives to help make lives a little easier. A recent Pay It Forward promotion invited punters to nominate other deserving folk to win an all-inclusive dining experience, while the current Gym Keeper program is handing out free feeds to employees impacted by gym and fitness studio closures. If you could use a little helping hand from this last initiative, it's running 4–6pm each day the Windsor venue is open. Another community support project is in the pipeline, too — keep an eye on the Instagram page for details. Southside pub The Wolf Windsor has been hosting weekly hospo parma nights to help out anyone in that industry who's lost work due to the lockdown. These usually kick off from 5pm, with the venue shouting 50 free takeaway parmas per event, as well as offering one-litre beer growler refills for $12. Check out the socials for more details. Previous lockdowns have delivered plenty of other generous projects, too, including the 500 free hospitality meals handed out by the Lucas Group in June, Good Gnocchi's free spaghetti day, and the San Telmo Group's hospo-focused giveaway of 1000 free feeds back in Lockdown 5.0. Top image: Section 8, by Arianna Leggiero
If you fancy prancing through fields laced with the charm of provincial France, forget about booking a flight and lock in some casual summer weekendery at So Frenchy So Chic instead. The ever-popular one-day French festival is doing the can-can back to Melbourne's Werribee Park Mansion on Sunday, January 15, 2023, and celebrating its 12th anniversary in the process. Expect an entire afternoon of French-inspired niceties, including gourmet picnic hampers, très bon tartlets and terrines, and supremely good wine — all set to a blissed-out French soundtrack. So Frenchy hinges on an eclectic lineup of artists, both embracing the classic sonic stylings of France and showcasing top-notch French talent. Heading the 2023 bill is the 60s-accented pop sounds of Pi Ja Ma, award-winning singer-songwriter Rover and French festival favourite Kalika, as well as the fiery tunes and huge stage presence of globally-renowned artist Suzane. As always, the wine and food will be flowing just as easily, starring an abundance of bubbly courtesy of Champagne Lanson, one of France's oldest champagne houses. In Melbourne, Frederic Bistro, Milk The Cow and L'Hôtel Gitan will be putting together top-notch picnic hampers. If you're more of a mix-and-match kind of picnicker, you'll also find a huge array of food stalls slinging all the chic essentials — think, oysters, lobster rolls, croque monsieurs, cassoulet, crêpes and cheese upon cheese. And of course, there'll be plenty of French beer, cocktails and wines, too. There's a limited number of Premiere Pique-Nique group tickets for crews of 10 ($205), while regular early bird tickets are now on sale for $79.40 a pop. Images: Liz Sunshine and Tekni.
When it comes to whipping up Lego masterpieces, the sky's pretty much the limit; whether you fancy building a design based on Van Gogh's The Starry Night, or an un-killable plastic orchid. And here to remind us of that vast creative scope is Bricktionary: The Interactive Lego Brick Exhibition — Melbourne Museum's playful new showcase featuring a hefty one million plastic Lego bricks. Running from Saturday, September 3–Sunday, January 29, it's a hands-on exhibition for Lego enthusiasts young and old, based on Ryan 'The Brickman' McNaught's latest book, The Bricktionary: The Ultimate A-Z of Lego. Head along to check out more than 150 impressive Lego models; some of which have starred on TV's Lego Masters Australia and others that have never been seen before. And if wandering amongst giant brick animals, miniature worlds and other fantastical sculptures leaves you feeling inspired, you'll find six different 'build zones' on which to unleash your own creativity. You can design your own robot, or take on the challenge of knocking together a model that'll survive an earthquake. Images: Eugene Hyland
International Falafel Day is rocking around for another year and — thanks to Just Falafs — that means a free lunch for you. The Fitzroy North eatery is marking the occasion by handing out 1000 of its classic falafel pitas for free, from 12pm on Monday, June 13. A little long weekend lunchtime win, if you will. For the uninitiated, Just Falafs' signature vegan-friendly lunch feed features thick pita bread stuffed with falafel, hummus, pickles, tomato and cucumber salad, and pickled cabbage, finished with a generous drizzle of tahini. And if you fancy helping out a good cause while you're there, Just Falafs will also be taking donations, raising funds for Australia's first Indigenous youth-led climate organisation, Seed Mob. The free falafels are available only to pickup in store, with a limit of one per customer. [caption id="attachment_857111" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Nat Jurrjens[/caption] Top images: Nat Jurrjens and Emilio Scalzo.
If you want to view dessert paradise, simply head to The Westin Melbourne until January 2020. In the venue's Lobby Lounge, fans of sweet treats won't just be taken to a world of pure imagination, but one of pure dessert indulgence. With Charlie and the Chocolate Factory hitting the city with its musical take on the Roald Dahl-penned great, the Collins Street hotel is celebrating with its own Wonka Bar. A collaboration between the onsite culinary folks and Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio, it's the place where sugar-fulled dreams come true — and get plenty of inspiration. Serving desserts and sweet, sweet cocktails, the Wonka Bar is your go-to decadent bites. When you're not enjoying the Black Forest & Chocolate River (which combines cherries and chocolate sponge on a biscuit base, then adds chocolate twigs, mushrooms and a warm chocolate river), you can have a Golden Ticket experience (aka a gold chocolate bar paired with dark chocolate mousse, smoked vanilla ice cream and salted caramel cream). Or, opt for a Fizzy Citrus Burp (a brulee lemon curd with fizzy white chocolate aero, orange jelly and dried lemon meringue). Cocktail-wise, start sipping your way through a Blueberry Gumball (vodka, blue curacao, raspberry balsamic, raspberry cordial and soda water, topped with an ice sphere, popping candy, fairy floss and a viola flower), or embrace the Pure Imagination (dark chocolate liquor, chocolate sauce and cream, all garnished with chocolate and gold edible glitter). They're just two of the four new concoctions on the menu. Also on display is an edible garden, spanning more than three metres — and including everything from chocolate lollipops, chocolate toadstools, chocolate mushrooms, chocolate bark and planks, and chocolate twigs and leaves, to a giant chocolate caterpillar, handcrafted chocolate flowers and chocolate butterflies. If you're keen to feel like a kid in a chocolate factory, the Wonka Bar is open daily from 12–9pm.
UPDATE, July 10, 2023: On Monday, July 10, KFC is serving up $1 Zinger crunch twisters — and original crunch twisters. And on Tuesday, July 11, the $1 Zinger burger special is back for one day only. Who doesn't love to gift themselves a little treat meal on the weekend? Think: a pizza, a couple of scoops of gelato or a fried chicken burger. Well, KFC is here to facilitate just that last one with its ever-popular Zinger burgers available for just $1 for two hours on Saturday, July 1. The promotion is part of the chicken chain's 11 Days of Christmas, which will see it serve up a different finger-licking deal for the first week and a half of July. Kicking things off is the Colonel's classic burger for just a buck. If you want to claim your dollar Zinger Burger, just head to the KFC app and place your order between 3–5pm on July 1. So, what's in store for the rest of the month? $1 Twisters, 30 nuggets for $10 and a Double Zinger Feast featuring two burgers, ten nuggets and sauce for just $12. To check out each day's deal, just hit up the KFC app. Plus, the fast food chain's Christmas in July merch is also making a comeback. The viral ugly Christmas sweater, a KFC Christmas t-shirt, a corduroy bucket hat, socks, fingerless gloves and the line of matching pet sweaters — they're all available to purchase. Head to the KFC website to place an order.
Ever wanted to learn how to brew the perfect cuppa? Well good luck finding a teacher with better qualifications than Ayden Graham. The winner of the inaugural Australia Tea Brewer's Cup, he's a man who knows a thing or two about tea — and he's ready to impart his wisdom at a pair of free classes at Sensory Lab in the CBD. From 10am till 12pm on Saturday, October 29, and then again the following week on November 5, Graham will lead participants on "a guided walk through the complex subtleties, and the oft-misunderstood world of tea". Explore a spectrum of different flavours and learn tricks of the tea-making trade — it'll ensure that your cups at home are brewed for maximum relaxation. In addition to the demonstration (which is free, by the way), the class also includes breakfast and bottomless cups of tea.
Drum roll please: Groovin the Moo is here, and 2014 looks like a real crowd-pleaser. The big guns on the lineup this year include a few topnotch international acts, like electronica king Robert Delong (USA) and Dizzee Rascal (UK), as well as some of our well beloved locals like Karnivool, Illy and Architecture in Helsinki. The Naked and Famous (who we'll probably end up claiming as Australian soon) are making their way across the ditch, too. A fair slab of the artists announced have really proved their worth lately, taking out a number of spots in triple j's Hottest 100 of last year, including the winner of the coveted number one spot, Vance Joy. Rounding out the first announcement are Action Bronson, Andy Bull, Cults, Disclosure, Holy Fuck, The Jezabels, The Jungle Giants, Kingswood, The Kite String Tangle, Loon Lake, Parkway Drive, Peking Duck, The Presets, Thundamentals, Violent Soho, Wave Racer and What So Not. Groovin the Moo will hit Bendigo's Prince of Wales Showground on Saturday May 3. Over the last couple of years we've seen huge changes on the Australian music festival scene, losing some stalwarts and seeing some youngsters really come to fruition. Since its inception, Groovin the Moo has been one of those festivals that really looks like sticking around, bringing the best in Australian and international talent to the country, to the people who can't get to shows in the big smoke. Tickets are now sold out for Bendigo and there's more information available at the Groovin the Moo website. https://youtube.com/watch?v=uJ_1HMAGb4k
On the lookout for a dope new denim jacket? Or do you want to be rid of that weird-looking lamp taking up space in the living room? Then, by golly, you're in luck. The Garage Sale Trail works with local council partners Australia-wide to get as many trash-and-treasure troves happening on the same few days as possible. Last year, more than 300,000 Aussies took part at this festival of pre-loved stuff, holding more than 15,000 sales. Will this year's Garage Sale Trail top those hefty numbers? It'll certainly try via a huge array of events that will open their doors to bargain hunters, selling millions items across two big spring weekends: between Saturday, November 11–Sunday, November 12, and then again from Saturday, November 18–Sunday, November 19. Aside from the retro goodies up for grabs, the Garage Sale Trail is all about sustainability. Instead of ending up in landfill, unwanted clutter becomes a fantastic find. So get that tight pair of sunnies for peanuts and help the environment at the same time. The Garage Sale Trail began humbly in Bondi in 2010 and is growing bigger every year. There'll be a right slew of sales happening all around Melbourne, so keep your eyes on the event website — or register online to make a quick buck from your old junk and hang out with the friendly folks in your hood.
