The Prodigy, Basement Jaxx, Fred again.., Skrillex and Happy Mondays have played it. De La Soul, Aphex Twin, Carl Cox and deadmau5, too. For dance-music fans, and just music fans in general, The Warehouse Project's fame extends far past its Manchester home. The event itself is now roaming further than Britain as well, including debuting in Australia in 2024 and returning in 2025. Yes, Manchester's rave scene is heading Down Under again — and to Melbourne for the second year in a row. This time, Partiboi69, Hector Oaks, X-Coast, Miss Bashful, Carla Martinez are hitting the decks at PICA on Friday, April 25. The Manchester institution first went international in 2023 in Rotterdam and Antwerp, before making the jump to Australia. It was back in 2006 that The Warehouse Project first unleashed its club nights on its birthplace, kicking off in a disused brewery and then moving underneath Manchester's Piccadilly station, in a space that's also been an air-raid shelter — and also to a warehouse that dates back to the 1920s. Now, it calls former railway station Depot Mayfield home when it's on in its home city. The Warehouse Project Australia 2025 Lineup Partiboi69 Hector Oaks X-Coast Miss Bashful Carla Martinez Images: Duncographic.
The humble Australian mud crab will soon be getting all the glory at Crown Towers thanks to the international fine-diner Ministry of Crab. Following a soldout run in 2022, the global seafood legends are returning to Crown's Evergreen events space overlooking the Yarra to serve up an exclusive five-course set menu for one month only. This is a rare opportunity for Aussies to try some of the best crab dishes in the world, made by Dharshan Munidasa, one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated chefs. He opened Ministry of Crab over a decade ago in Colombo and now has outposts in Bangkok, the Maldives, Shanghai, Mumbai and Chengdu. His spots also regularly rank in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, so it's fair to say he cooks a mean crab. From Thursday, March 28–Saturday, April 27, sustainably sourced Northern Australian Mud Crab (flown in live) will be used in the recreation of some of Munidasa's signature dishes: his pepper crab, garlic chilli crab and crab avocado salad. Mooloolaba king prawns will also feature in the set menu, which ends with a coconut creme brûlée. You'll be paying $155 for your feast — and for Melbourne seafood stans, this is a meal that's not to be missed. Find Ministry of Crab at the Evergreen event space at Crown Towers, open for dinner Wednesday–Saturday and lunch on Sundays, from Thursday, March 28–Saturday, April 27. For more information and to book a seat, head to the venue's website.
So, you manage to keep yourself pretty well entertained between the wine festivals, gallery exhibitions and bottomless brunches. But what about that four-legged mate of yours? Well, you'd better clear his or her schedule too, because an OTT pop-up doggy theme park is headed to Melbourne this spring. Descending on Port Melbourne Industrial Centre for the Arts (PICA) on Saturday, November 19, Theme Bark promises the dog's day out your pooch has been dreaming of all their life. So just what can Luna expect from this paw-some puppy playground? Well, there'll be a big ball pit playpen, complete with slide, and a giant obstacle course for ducking, diving and clamouring around in a floofy cloud of ecstasy. [caption id="attachment_861968" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Blue Bird via Pexels[/caption] Talented pooches can try their luck in the Pup Pageant or the Doggy Dash, while the afternoon's dog yoga sessions promise to fill up fast. And four-legged divas will find a slew of nail techs, grooming specialists and other pampering services to have them looking and feeling schmick, as well as free vet checks for added peace of mind. Meanwhile, the pop-up Barkery Lane market will have retailers slinging everything from dog accessories to toys, and there'll be rescue and adoption stalls for those wanting to expand their fur family — or simply enjoy some cuddles. What's more, a portion of all Theme Bark ticket sales will be donated to a local dog rescue organisation.
The term food precinct tends to make me think of overcrowded food courts, filled with overstuffed baguettes and suspiciously cheap sushi. But the Abbotsford Convent has one, and it's about as far away as you can get from bain-maries and plastic cutlery. Call it the Quadfecta, if you please. The Convent Bakery, Kappaya Soul Food Cafe and Lentil As Anything are all snuggled into the serene Kitchen Annexe space, with The Farm Cafe at the Collingwood Children's Farm just around the corner. Back in 1902, the Annexe was constructed as a key aspect of the Convent building, and the Sisters used to feed up to 1,000 people a day from its many kitchens. Convent Bakery You can still find the two magnificent masonry woodfired ovens used by the Sisters inside the Convent Bakery, where, on a daily basis, its artisan bakers now produce old-fashioned wood-fired bread — free from religious reference and baked straight on the oven brick floor. There is a beetroot sourdough that's the colour of red velvet, and they also make the best escargots in Melbourne (except for perhaps the flaky scrolls swirled with sultanas at Filou's). The glass display cabinet is packed with pre-made sandwiches, pastries, quiches, pies, croissants, tarts and cookies, and stands right beside the counter. It's nearly impossible to pay for an order without impulsively buying a treat or at least admiring the fluffiness of the strawberry cookies sittin’ pretty in the wheat-free section. The Bakery offers a full breakfast and lunch menu as well as the ready-to-go stuff, and the coffee is certified Fair Trade and organic. It's roasted in-house and available for purchase, and the Convent Bakery house blend means that local farmers get a fair price for their coffee harvest. Adjacent to the Bakery there’s a little hole in the wall known as the Boiler Room, where the nuns used to keep warm during the winter months. It now sells wine, spirits, liquors and cold, refreshing beer from midday. Like the rest of the Quadfecta, the Convent Bakery can get pretty crowded, especially during summer, so just close your eyes and think pious thoughts if people start to jostle and hustle around you. The goods coming to you are definitely worth the wait. Kappaya To the left of the Convent Bakery, underneath a spreading peppercorn tree, sits Kappaya Soul Food Cafe. It’s a quaint Japanese restaurant about the size of a Bento Box which offers simple, artful food at reasonable prices. The brown rice onigiri balls come with your choice of different fillings — think flaky salmon, pickled daikon, tempura prawn and walnut — and the green tea mousse is lightly drizzled with matcha syrup. Other highlights on the menu include the Breakfast Bento (order a creamy latte alongside it if early morning miso freaks you out; $9) and the mushi dori (steamed chicken and mushroom over broth; $7). Desserts at Kappaya are highly recommended, and the space is fully licenced with a melange of Japanese beers behind the bar. There is a staggering selection of green teas sourced outside Kyoto and served in gorgeous ceramic teapots. A particularly delicious fizzy pink moscato provides the perfect prelude to a list of organic local wines. Lentil As Anything To the right of Kappaya there is a small corridor leading down to Lentil As Anything, generally known as 'that hippy joint where you pay what you feel like'. The philosophy of philanthropy over profit has served Lentil As Anything well for over ten years — it's astoundingly popular and thriving in several inner-city suburbs. However, the Abbotsford outpost is the only one where you'll regularly find live music as well as local art. So to the food: Lentil As Anything is vegetarian, in case the name didn't give it away. Expect plenty of tofu, curries, dahl, stir-fried vegies, and pasta mixed with baby spinach. There's usually a green salad or two to go on the side and rounds of fresh white bread to mop up the sauce. The vegetarian tag means the spread is super-friendly to vegan and gluten-free eaters, but there is usually at least one dish at the buffet with feta lurking behind a stalk of broccoli. While the hippy ethos is in full effect, Lentils' management doesn't shove the meat-is-murder message down your throat. It's a peaceful place, though busy, and nobody stands over you when you pay — you simply slip whatever you feel the meal is worth into a large box with a slot in the lid. Nobody watches and the customers at Lentils are a friendly crowd; some are regulars who clearly just want a good feed, while others just find the experience priceless. The Farm Cafe The heritage and formal gardens at the Convent are beautiful at any time of the year and it's an easy wander past the main entrance to the Collingwood Children's Farm. Open 365 days a year, rain, hail or shine, the inner city haven is a much-loved Melbourne locus. In late 2005, two young volunteers had the genius idea of turning their pancake and coffee stall at the monthly Slow Food Farmers' Market into a cosy cafe with a paddock-to-plate ethos. The Farm Cafe is gorgeous, surrounded by veggie plots and 7 hectares of farmland. It's the kind of place where toddlers get up close and personal with roaming ducks while you sip a latte. Meals are made from scratch in the tiny kitchen and the food is sourced from just outside the kitchen door. The menu has a Kids and Adults section, and if you're one of those who prefers breakfast without baby-toting brunchers, you're in the wrong place. Live out your farmyard fairytale with the Ploughman's Lunch (ham off the bone, pickles, cheddar, apple, pork scratchings, bread and butter; $17.50) or try an organic beef sausage roll (served with herbed slaw and house relish; $12.50). Vegetarian food is far from an afterthought here, and the Green Eggs (caramelised fennel, silverbeet, quinoa, herbs, poached eggs and garlic aioli; $15.50) are a standout, second only to the Autumn Pear (poached William pear with nut granola, vanilla yoghurt mousse and sticky pear butterscotch; $10.50) The best thing about The Farm Cafe and the Abbotsford Quadfecta in general is the relaxed atmosphere and idyllic setting in genuine, earnest, down-to-earth nature. It just feels good to be there, and the therapeutic benefits of a visit last long after you've left the Convent grounds. Images thanks to eythian, Convent Bakery, Kappaya, s13n1 and Farm Cafe.
If you've ever had a sneaky little go with some small person's Lego blocks once they're all tucked up in bed, LEGOLAND sees you, tips you their hat… and raises you an adults-only night at its Melbourne Discovery Centre. With no children to get in the way (or outdo your creations), you'll be able to have free reign of LEGOLAND to check out the 4D cinema and rides, take a factory tour, and build to your heart's content in the brick pits. Challenge yourself by taking on the master builder or a speed build and vie for the prizes up for grabs — there'll even be a scavenger hunt so you can go full inner child mode. It all takes place from 7pm on Saturday, January 19 — and BYO shameless excitement, taste for glory, and creativity to enter the model of the month competition. It'll be a fierce one. This adults-only evening also doubles as an after party for Brickvention 2019. Yep, that's a fan convention dedicated to your favourite plastic blocks.
If Vincent van Gogh can do it, and Claude Monet and his contemporaries like Renoir, Cézanne and Manet as well, then Frida Kahlo can also. We're talking about being the subject of huge, multi-sensory art exhibitions — the kind that takes an artist's work and projects it all around you so you feel like you're walking into their paintings. First came Van Gogh Alive, which has been touring the country for the last few years. On its way next is Monet & Friends Alive, launching at Melbourne's digital-only gallery The Lume at the end of October. And, after that, Frida Kahlo: Life of an Icon is heading to Sydney as part of the hefty and just-announced Sydney Festival program for 2023. Frida Kahlo: Life of an Icon will make its Australian premiere in the Harbour City — and display only in the Harbour — from Wednesday, January 4, 2023. For two months, it will celebrate the Mexican painter's life and work, taking over the Cutaway at Barangaroo Reserve with holography and 360-degree projections. The aim: turning a biographical exhibition about Kahlo into an immersive showcase, and getting attendees to truly understand her art, persistence, rebellion and skills — and why she's an icon. Visitors will wander through seven spaces, and get transported into the artist's work — including via virtual reality. That VR setup will indeed let you step inside Kahlo's pieces as much as VR can, although the entire exhibition is designed to cultivate that sensation anyway, with digital versions of Kahlo's paintings expanding across every surface. The showcase hails from Spanish digital arts company Layers of Reality, alongside the Frida Kahlo Corporation, and will feature historical photographs and original films as well — and live performances of traditional Mexican music. As part of the interactive component, attendees will also be able to make their own flower crowns, and turn their own drawings into Kahlo-style artworks. And, you'll be able to immortalise the experience in souvenir photos, too. For Sydneysiders, Frida Kahlo: Life of an Icon is one of the most exciting announcements in Sydney Festival's massive 2023 lineup. For folks residing elsewhere, it's a mighty good reason to make a date with Sydney this summer. The exhibition comes to Australia after touring Europe and the US, and also displaying in Canada, Puerto Rico, Israel and Brazil. Frida Kahlo: Life of an Icon will run from Wednesday, January 4–Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at The Cutaway at Barangaroo Reserve, 1 Merriman Street, Barangaroo. For more information, or to book tickets, head to the Sydney Festival website.
John Nixon and the late Fred Williams have both been widely recognised as leading figures in the Australian art world, with each man creating works that have stood the test of time. Reducing Landscapes brings their work together in a seven-week exhibition at Hawthorn's Town Hall Gallery. Opening on Saturday, January 16, the exhibition will highlight the process of abstraction that was integral to both men's work. Williams, whose art has been featured in more than 70 solo exhibitions, worked with wash and impasto oil paint and brush. Nixon takes a different approach, using enamel paints, sponges and alternate methods of construction, building his paintings beyond the frame. Running alongside Reducing Landscapes will be a separate exhibition featuring work from the Town Hall Gallery's collection, including pieces by Helen Maudsley, Ian Armstrong and Noel Counihan. Image: John Nixon, Eltham (2014), courtesy Anna Schwartz Gallery, Melbourne.
What better excuse for a Sunday sesh than a bit of Melbourne spring sunshine and a 10th birthday? On November 5, Abbotsford's Aviary Hotel is set to host a good old-fashioned beer garden birthday bash, simultaneously celebrating its first decade of life and bringing a brand new monthly Sunday session series into existence. Infusing the Backyard Boogie celebrations with their trademark upbeat vibes, the crew from Positively Positive will be heading up the decks and guaranteeing non-stop party jams until long after the sun sets. Meanwhile, the kitchen will be firing up the BBQ for a special lineup of al fresco eats and the Young Henrys crew will be keeping things cool with a few tasty beer and cider specials. You'll also be able to get your hands on two-for-one espresso martinis and a range of $18 cocktail jugs.
A white Christmas might be out of the question for Melbourne, but that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on French-style Christmas markets and all the tasty treats that come with it. This weekend, Alliance Française de Melbourne are hosting their tenth annual French Christmas Market, and better yet, they're free! The markets will feature products sold or made by French designers living in Australia. Authentic French food and wine will be on offer, and there are heaps of activities during the festival for those who wish to properly immerse themselves in the French festivities. There will be French language trial classes, a cabaret show, film screening and a theatre performance, as well plenty of kids activities if you're having a family adventure day. There's also a grand raffle to be drawn which could win you a trip for two to Reunion Island, a Sofitel Melbourne stay, or 20 hours worth of free French language lessons. But you have to be in it to win it, so Joyeux Noël!
Concrete Playground recently caught up with Mexican-Canadian tech artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Lozano-Hemmer is famous for art that lurks in public spaces, galleries and even beaches, amplifying passers-by into new creatures with a city-sized will. He's taking over a slice of the as-yet unfinished Museum of Contemporary Art over summer, with his hands-on exhibition Recorders. Lozano-Hemmer mashes-up tech, art and his audience, with an effortlessness that would leave the mechanism invisible — if he didn't then go on to scrupulously explain, in-situ, how his works work. How would you describe what do you do? I work primarily with the intersection of architecture and performance art. Most of my installations are in the form of either displays or lights, or sounds that react to the presence of the public. And to do that there are things like sensors and tracking systems, and biometric scanners which allow the artworks to detect the presence of people. I like always to reveal the mechanisms by which these works function. So oftentimes in my work you get to see the tracking systems, or you get explanations about what equations are at work to make a project happen. I pretentiously call it a 'Brechtian moment'. You remember how in Brecht, all of a sudden all the actors stop and just look at the public and say "Well, you know, this situation is just make believe. This is just a simulation of reality. We are actors. You're the public." So there's this moment where you all get back, anchored in reality. You've said one of the things you liked about an outdoor work of yours was that you had people outside in public, just hanging around and not shopping. It must be very interesting for you, watching the Occupy movements around the world. When it first started in Spain in May it was just so exciting. I'm from Latin America, so oftentimes protests and so on turn out to be these ideology-based, adversarial kinds of movements. And that's not what I saw with the Occupy movement, when it started in Spain. With the indignados ('indignant ones') it was mostly professionals, architects, dentists, students, professors, whatever. And they were just taking over public space. And that was just such a beautiful statement, and they did so in such a sophisticated way. The indignados started in Madrid, where there's a tradition of young people going out and drinking in the streets. There's a sense of ownership of the street. Real estate was so expensive that everybody lives with their parents. And so you needed to go out in order to see your friends. And that produced very lively street life. But it's also just a sense of being seen. It's almost as if the actual protest is the message all by itself. Just a we're here. Yeah. Just this idea of just occupying space is radical. You know, you're there. You're existing. Just spending time, and connecting, and being present, is in my opinion extremely radical. Especially in Latin countries where people used to just disappear under the dictators, the idea of just being there.. That's a really good way to understand the sense of presence and absence, in terms of the political dialogue. It's like "Yeah, what are you going to do? You cannot wipe us out. We think these things, and therefore we are taking space. These ideas take space." I just came back from Art Basel Miami Beach. Which is this art fair. I mean, I'm not a moralist. And I love money. And I love champagne as much as the next guy, but there is something really absurd about a system that only reserves this sort of superior cultural production to this tiny fraction of the population. And I'm telling you this because there was an Occupy Art Basel Miami. There were all these artists. You know, local artists and so on, and educators, camping out of Art Basel Miami saying "We can't afford the 50 bucks it costs to go in. And, even if we could, we would never be able to afford any of the art that is on display here." Something else you try to bring to people's awareness is the surveillance around them all the time. These technologies come mostly from a desire to control the public, a desire to seek out, search and detect suspicious activity. The surveillance aspect of my work is more about acknowledging this kind of darker, predetorial side of where these things come from. But then creating critical or poetic experiences with these very same technologies. I would love people to come out of Recorders with a sense of inclusion, a sense that these technologies are neither this Orwellian, ominous threat — it's already happened — and also not like an infantile, fun, hands on science experiment thing. In between those two extremes, there's a whole range of different poetry that is possible. Image courtesy and © Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Photo: Ana Cristina Enriquez
Bluesfest has done it again. The annual event up in Byron Bay looks to have another stellar lineup on its hands, featuring artists from around the world across a diverse range of genres. There's truly something for everyone but if you're unable to schlep up the coast for the Easter weekend then there's no need to fret. Some of the biggest names on the bill are making the most of their trip Down Under by putting on gigs in Sydney and Melbourne, too, meaning April promises to be a bumper live music month across the country. With over 19 artists set to do sideshows this year, we've teamed up with Bluesfest Touring to help you decide what not to miss. Read on to discover seven sideshows that you should nab tickets to, then check out the rest of the sideshow lineup — Buffy Sainte-Marie, John Mayall, The Marcus King Band, Walter Trout, The War & Treaty, The Allman Betts Band, Amadou & Mariam, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles and Tal Wilkenfeld — on the Bluesfest website. DWEEZIL ZAPPA Sunday, April 12 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney and Monday, April 13 at The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne Since 2006, Dweezil Zappa has been the driving force behind the touring band whose main aim is to breathe life into the work of his father — avant-garde virtuoso Frank Zappa. Hot Rats, Frank Zappa's 1969 jazz-progressive rock-fusion album, is arguably his best-known work, and Dweezil Zappa is honouring his legacy by touring the record in its entirety. Hot Rats hit the shelves the same year that Zappa was born, so it holds a special place in his heart, and he's said that this is the best version of his touring band that he's ever had. Given previous iterations of his group are Grammy winners, that's some claim. PATTI SMITH AND HER BAND Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 16 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney and Tuesday, April 21–Thursday, April 23 at Forum Melbourne, Melbourne "I really thought that I wouldn't be able to come back, so I'm delighted that I was wrong," Patti Smith told Bluesfest Touring on her impending return to these shores. Smith — poet, author, singer, icon and 'godmother of punk' — has been an inspiration to millions since the release of her debut classic album Horses in 1975 and, despite now being in her 70s, shows no signs of slowing down. Her touring band includes both Lenny Kaye and Jay Dee Daugherty, who have been with her since day dot, plus her son Jackson on guitar. EAGLES OF DEATH METAL Thursday, April 16 at Metro Theatre, Sydney and Sunday, April 19 at The Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne Californian singer-songwriter Jesse Hughes and Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme have been recording as Eagles of Death Metal since 1998. The name comes from a literal imagining of what country-rock stalwarts The Eagles would sound like were they a death metal band. In mid-2019, the band released a record of covers featuring classics from artists as diverse as Guns N' Roses, George Michael and Mary J Blige, all played in EODM's own inimitable style. Their live shows have always been known for their raucous, OTT behaviour, and their Bluesfest sideshow promises to be no different. LARKIN POE Wednesday, April 15 at The Factory Theatre, Sydney and Thursday, April 16 at Corner Hotel, Melbourne Sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell celebrate a decade of performing psychedelic blues rock under their Larkin Poe moniker in 2020. Originally hailing from Georgia but now based in Nashville, as any self-respecting Americana outfit would be, Larkin Poe's close harmony take on roots music has earned plaudits from the likes of Elvis Costello and Keith Urban. Oh, and Russell Crowe, apparently. Dragging blues rock into the 21st century, the duo isn't afraid to throw horns and electronics at a genre steeped in tradition and, in doing so, breathe life into it, while simultaneously creating something vibrant and exciting. Be sure to catch them as soon as Bluesfest draws to a close. MORCHEEBA Tuesday, April 7 at 170 Russell, Melbourne and Thursday, April 9 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney Next year marks quarter of a century of Morcheeba, the downtempo duo who were instrumental in bringing trip-hop to the masses in the 1990s. Led by the sweet vocals of Skye Edwards, the London-based band have released nine albums in their career, cracking the Top 20 twice at the start of the century. Morcheeba must love playing over here — they played Bluesfest and a bunch of sideshows back in 2018. Clearly, we love them playing here, too, because those sideshows completely sold out. If you want an evening of warm, enveloping sounds to set your mind at ease, nab tickets to the show in your city. BRANDI CARLILE Monday, April 6 at Hamer Hall, Melbourne and Wednesday, April 8 at Enmore Theatre, Sydney Alt-country vocalist Brandi Carlile is certainly an artist on the up. She was the most nominated woman at the 2019 Grammy Awards taking home three gongs, including Best Americana Album for her latest record, By the Way, I Forgive You. It's been over ten years since she played in Australia, and she's certainly a bigger draw now than she was then. She's also part of The Highwomen, the country supergroup that features Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires, so there's every chance that some tracks from their self-titled debut could also make their way into Carlile's set. [caption id="attachment_753622" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Austin Hargrave[/caption] GEORGE BENSON Sunday, April 5 at State Theatre, Sydney and Thursday, April 9 at Palais Theatre, Melbourne Perhaps best known for the 1980 soft disco hit album, Give Me the Night, soul man George Benson is still going strong after more than 65 years in the business. He can still command a crowd, too — he's had to add a second date to his Sydney and Melbourne sojourns to accommodate public demand. His most recent record, Walking to New Orleans, is a tribute to the music of Fats Domino and Chuck Berry, but surely Benson has now earned the right to be listed among such greats. After all, it's not just anyone who gets their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. To book tickets to these sideshows, and many more — including Buffy Sainte-Marie, John Mayall, The Marcus King Band, Walter Trout, The War & Treaty, The Allman Betts Band, Amadou & Mariam, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles and Tal Wilkenfeld — visit the Bluesfest website.
If you've ever played along with McDonald's regular Monopoly promotion, then you'll want to watch McMillion$. The marketing campaign itself is rather simple — handing out Monopoly tokens with burger purchases, which corresponds to the game's squares and lets customers win big. But in the 90s in America, someone worked out how to rig it and handpick the lucky folks taking home $1 million cheques, as well as other prizes. Smartly, McMillion$ plays this 100-percent true tale as a whodunnit. If you don't already know the details, we'd advise you to keep it that way until you watch the docuseries' six very compelling and very bingeable episodes. You might not think that a show that spends so much time talking to FBI agents in nondescript offices would prove quite so gripping, but the case they uncovered is both complex and jaw-dropping. The interviews with the promotion's controversial winners, and with other figures involved with the scam, also have to be seen to be believed.
Operating out of St Kilda for over 30 years, Seagulls has been responsible for more than a few glamorous looks around town. Specialising in women's fashion that's just as suitable for the runway as your weekend drinks, the boutique's selection of high-end pieces is curated entirely by owners Chivy Chan and Chloé Holding. Showcasing brands such as Bianca & Bridgett, Eliya The Label and Elliatt, there's also a thoughtful collection of sparkly accessories to round out your springtime outfit. Images: Tracey Ah-Kee.
2024 is already set to be a huge year for Australia's most-inclusive music festival, after the Dylan Alcott-founded Ability Fest announced that it would not only play Melbourne but also hit up Brisbane as well. Mere days after revealing its expansion, the event has now dropped its lineup — and, with Ocean Alley, King Stingray, Cub Sport and Bag Raiders leading the bill, it too is massive. Ability Fest will first head to Alexandra Gardens/Birrarung Marr in Melbourne on Saturday, October 19, then to Victoria Park/Barrambin in Brisbane on Saturday, October 26. The roster of talent varies slightly per state, but the aforementioned four acts will take to the stage in both cities. So will Asha Jefferies, Boone, Brenn!, Dewbs, Eliza Hull and jamesjamesjames, alongside Jordan Brando, Jordz, Kita Alexander and a triple j Unearthed winner. From there, Melburnians will can catch ONEFOUR, Crybaby, DAWS, Floodlights, Kuzco, NayNay and Wax'o Paradiso. In Brisbane only, punters will see Middle Kids, Cheq, Eves Karydas, Mikalah Watego, Moss, Neesha Alexander and Xeimma. Across both locations, Ability Fest is splitting its musicians across two stages, one for bands and one for DJs. The fully accessible event, which launched in 2018, has been carefully designed from the get-go. It features ramps and pathways for easy access, Auslan interpreters working alongside the artists, and elevated platforms to give everyone a shot at seeing the stage. Plus, there's also quiet zones, dedicated sensory areas and accessible toilets. The Brisbane festival will cater to around 5000 people, and Ability Fest is committed to being financially accessible during the current cost-of-living crisis in both of its stops. Accordingly, tickets will only cost $60 plus booking fee, and carers will receive complimentary entry. The fest is also lowering the age of admission to 16 so more folks can head along. While dishing up primo live tunes and music experiences to Aussies of all abilities, the not-for-profit fest also raises money for the Dylan Alcott Foundation, with 100-percent of its ticket proceeds going to the organisation. [caption id="attachment_963990" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Chloe Hall[/caption] "Ability Fest is all about bringing people together through music — a celebration where everyone, regardless of ability, can have an extraordinary time," said Alcott. "I'm particularly excited about the diverse and talented artists we have lined up this year. Their performances will undoubtedly bring such a unique energy to Ability Fest, uniting our community and creating unforgettable moments." [caption id="attachment_963997" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Glenn Hunt[/caption] Ability Fest 2024 Lineup: Brisbane and Melbourne: Asha Jefferies Bag Raiders Boone Brenn! Cub Sport Dewbs Eliza Hull jamesjamesjames Jordan Brando Jordz King Stingray Kita Alexander Ocean Alley triple j Unearthed winner Melbourne only: Crybaby DAWS Floodlights Kuzco NayNay ONEFOUR Wax'o Paradiso Brisbane only: Cheq Eves Karydas Middle Kids Mikalah Watego Moss Neesha Alexander Xeimma [caption id="attachment_963996" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Chloe Hall[/caption] Ability Fest 2024 Dates and Venues: Saturday, October 19 — Alexandra Gardens/Birrarung Marr, Melbourne Saturday, October 26 — Victoria Park/Barrambin, Brisbane [caption id="attachment_963995" align="alignnone" width="1917"] Chloe Hall[/caption] Ability Fest 2024 will hit Melbourne and Brisbane in October 2024. Pre-sale tickets will be available from 12pm AEST on Wednesday, July 10 (register online), with general tickets selling online from 12pm on Thursday, July 11. Head to the festival website for more details. Top image: Chloe Hall.
Sound the trumpets and let the good times roll, because the Melbourne International Jazz Festival is back. Bustling into town for the start of winter, this year's ten-day festival will see more than 100 events (and 500 musicians) pop up around the city. As expected, the 2019 program is packed to the brim with concerts, interactive shows and late-night jams. Famed jazz musician Herbie Hancock, who started his career in the Miles David Quintet back in the 60s, will perform hits from his five-decade career alongside other standout guests like five-time Grammy Award winner Billy Childs and US powerhouse Ms. Lisa Fischer. Most events are ticketed, but there are a decent amount free gigs happening at bars and public spaces around the city — like the Jazz Out West program in Moonee Ponds and Maribyrnong and the free lunchtime sessions that are happening at Southern Cross on weekdays throughout the festival. If this is your first MIJF, this is a good way to dip your toe into the musical pool. Amateur singers can also take part in the en masse choir, named Jazz Assembly, that will take place at Fed Square, or head along to Melbourne Museum's special jazz edition of its after-hours Nocturnal party.
There's plenty of people who go around collecting art and putting it in their house. But how about turning your home itself into an artwork? That's exactly what Aussie-born, New York-based artist Ian Strange will be doing this weekend in Richmond. For this Saturday and Sunday only, he's projecting a site-specific illumination onto a family home on Clifton Street. Passersby will see a huge red dot covering the doorway, framed by concentric circles: a bit like an interpretation of the eye of a dartboard. Titled OPEN HOME, the work aims to explore ideas of suburban isolation. On one hand, the home appears as a shelter — on the other, it is vulnerable and at risk of demolition. The piece is one of many by Strange investigating the meaning and architecture of the buildings in which we live. While creating the illumination on Monday, October 2, Strange documented the process in detail. The result is a collection of photographs titled Twenty-Five, which will be on display in the home's front bedroom, next to another series called Forty-Eight. Meanwhile, spread across the other bedrooms, bathroom and living room, you'll find Shadows, a group of photographs and videos that Strange created in Western Australia during 2015 and 2016. The former explore changes to post-war red-brick dwellings, while the latter document Strange at work in the light of dawn. Rounding out the exhibition are two sculptures. Elliot Terrace (2013) features a cut from a New Jersey home that's since been demolished, while Framework (Kenyon 3) (2017) is from a series of site-specific installations that explore the role of frameworks and architectural drawings in the creation and imagining of homes. OPEN HOME is located at 25 Clifton Street, Richmond and will be open from 10am – 6pm on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8. For more info on the series, visit ianstrange.com.
If there's one thing that Melbourne knows how to do well, it's serving up good food-based experiences — especially in a pop-up setting. So to keep us all warm through the colder months, the city is welcoming a range of winter-inspired culinary pop-ups and events taking place across the city, all to keep bellies full and warm. From a night noodle market delivering tasty eats to your door to wintery igloos featuring warm eats and mulled wine in beer gardens, there's a lot to keep the foodie in you satisfied this cold one. Here's seven events that'll keep your tummy and your tastebuds satisfied this winter.
Prolific Melbourne artist Ronald Greenaway has been making a splash in the Australian art scene since the 1950s. Known for his bold use of colours and humour, Greenaway’s work is often considered surrealistic, while at the same time transcending genres to carve out a place of his own. To celebrate an excellent career to which he continues to contribute to every day, the Town Hall Gallery in Hawthorn are putting on a retrospective of his works. As well as featuring numerous artistic creations by Greenaway himself, the retrospective will include three new works by contemporary artists in various mediums. Justine Siedle pays tribute to Greenaway through her ceramic sculptures, Nicholas Ives has contributed a painting, and visual artist and filmmaker Ian Paradine has created a moving image piece which will be projected onto a light-box and be accompanied by a guitar piece by Pete Swanson.
If you're anything like us, you buy a lot of coffee, and odds are that means you burn through a lot of takeaway cups. But what you might not realise is that those cups contain a plastic liner that means they cannot be recycled. It's for this reason that the City of Sydney is throwing its weight behind a BYO coffee cup campaign – and a ton of local cafes are already on board. The aim of Responsible Cafes is to get cafes and customers to ditch takeaway coffee for good. "There are now over 2,500 cafes across Australia offering a discount to people with a BYO coffee cup," said founder Justin Bonsey. "It's great for our pocketbooks, great for cafes to bring in new customers and great for the planet." Cafes keen to get on board can sign up via the Responsible Cafes website. In return, they'll be added to a searchable map that, according to Bonesey, is visited by over 1 million people every year. Among the cafes that have already signed up include About Life Bondi Junction and Surry Hills, Darlinghurst's Infinity Bakery and The Royal, Surry Hill's BangBang Espresso and Soul Origin locations across the CBD and suburbs. The campaign will receive an injection of government funding via the City of Sydney's latest round of knowledge exchange sponsorships. "In our area alone, 100 million takeaway coffee cups end up in landfill every year – and each one takes around 50 years to decompose," said Lord Mayor Clover Moore. "Responsible Cafes connects and promotes cafes that encourage customers to refuse takeaway cups for good, and they're aiming to recruit another 100 new city cafes." It's not the first step that the City of Sydney has taken to address the issue. Last year they gave a $17,500 grant to Closed Loop, who installed standalone bins for coffee cups in office buildings in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. And it's also not the only bit of good environmental news we've gotten recently. Just last week, supermarket chains Coles, Woolworths and Harris Farms all pledged to stop using single use plastic bags as of 2018. Keep it up, Australia.
Call it the circle of cinema. Call it the movie that was always bound to happen once technology was rolled out to bring The Lion King franchise back to the screen with photorealistic visuals, too. After remaking its 90s animated hit with imagery that helps its animals to appear as if they've walked out of a documentary — well, almost — with 2019's The Lion King, Mufasa: The Lion King is hitting cinemas in 2024 to tell the story before the saga's beloved story. If you just can't wait to spend more time in the lifelike iteration of The Lion King's world, here comes a film about the lion that's king of the Pride Lands before Simba gets the job. As both the initial teaser trailer and just-dropped full sneak peek show, Mufasa: The Lion King is again styled to look like reality, not animation. It also shares Donald Glover (Mr & Mrs Smith), Beyoncé, Seth Rogen (Dumb Money), Billy Eichner (Bros) and John Kani (Murder Mystery 2) with its predecessor, reprising their roles as Simba, Nala, Pumbaa, Timon and Rafiki. As the feature's moniker makes plain, however, Mufasa: The Lion King isn't focusing on any of those characters' tales. Mufasa, aka Simba's father, sits at the centre of a picture directed by Moonlight Oscar-winner Barry Jenkins. The movie is presented as a story told by Rafiki, Timon and Pumbaa to Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala, who is voiced by Blue Ivy Carter. So goes a narrative about an orphaned cub who is taken in by a lion with royal blood, then set on a path that leads to the events of The Lion King. Among the voice cast, Aaron Pierre (Foe) does the honours as Mufasa. Kelvin Harrison Jr is Taka (Chevalier), the lion prince who takes Mufasa in like a brother. Tiffany Boone (Hunters), Mads Mikkelsen (The Promised Land), Thandiwe Newton (Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget), Lennie James (Genius), Anika Noni Rose (Pantheon), Keith David (Rick and Morty), Kagiso Lediga (The Umbrella Men) and Preston Nyman (A Small Light) also lend their vocals to the flick. As well as Jenkins, Mufasa: The Lion King boasts another huge off-screen name, with Hamilton great Lin-Manuel Miranda writing the movie's tunes. "Elton John. Tim Rice. Hans Zimmer. Lebo M. Mark Mancina. Beyoncé, Labrinth, Ilya Salmanzadeh. Beau Black, Ford Riley, the incredible music team on The Lion Guard, and so many musical contributors over the years. The Lion King has an incredible musical legacy with music from some of the greatest songwriters around, and I'm humbled and proud to be a part of it," said Miranda. "It's been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa's story to life, and we can't wait for audiences to experience this film in theatres." Check out the full trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King below: Mufasa: The Lion King releases in cinemas Down Under on Thursday, December 19, 2024. Images: courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Huge music festivals are back, and Australia has the ever-growing gig calendar to prove it — and it just got even bigger. Get ready to hop into the mosh pit like its the 90s and early 00s at massive alternative, metal and punk music fest Good Things, which is living up to its name with its just-dropped 2022 lineup. Headlining the tour are Bring Me The Horizon and Deftones, plus NOFX — who'll be playing 1994's iconic album Punk In Drublic in full. They'll also be joined by The Amity Affliction, Gojira and Millencolin, spanning everything from Queensland favourites to infectious Swedish punk. Oh, and just none other than Australia's own TISM playing their first live shows in 19 years. Will TISM take to the stage naked? That's now the question of the summer. 'Tis the season — and the times in general — for Ron Hitler-Barassi and company to drop their clothes but keep their masks, after all. Whatever they're decked out in, or not, expect plenty of legendary Aussie songs. Expect to have 'Greg! The Stop Sign!', 'Whatareya' and 'Ol' Man River' stuck in your head right now as well, obviously. Good Things' impressive bill also features Kisschasy playing 2005's United Paper People in full, fellow Aussie faves Regurgitator — because, just like the 90s and 00s, it wouldn't be a festival without them — and Lacuna Coil, Soulfly, ONE OK ROCK, 3OH!3, Cosmic Psychos and more. The fest is headed to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane across three massive early December days, from Friday, December 2–Sunday, December 4. And whether you're a yob or a wanker, you'll want to be there. GOOD THINGS 2022 LINEUP: Bring Me The Horizon Deftones NOFX (performing Punk In Drublic in full) TISM The Amity Affliction Gojira ONE OK ROCK 3OH!3 Blood Command Chasing Ghosts Cosmic Psychos Electric Callboy Fever 333 Jinjer JXDN Kisschasy (performing United Paper People in full) Lacuna Coil Millencolin Nova Twins Polaris RedHook Regurgitator Sabaton Sleeping With Sirens Soulfly The Story So Far Thornhill GOOD THINGS 2022 DATES: Friday, December 2 — Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne Saturday, December 3 — Centennial Park, Sydney Sunday, December 4 – Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Good Things will hit the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in December 2022. Pre-sale tickets go on sale from 10am, Tuesday, June 21, and general sales from 10am on Thursday, June 23. Head to the festival website for more info and to register for pre-sales.
Aussie artist and doughnut inspiration Spenceroni is back, baby, and more awe-inspiring than ever with his new solo show at No Vacancy Gallery. Spenceroni, or Spencer Harrison as his birth certificate can attest, is still working in his signature style — pop colours, cold, geometric shapes and perfectly balanced compositions — but his new works are a bit, shall we say, sexier. Starting on Tuesday, January 31, Intimate Encounters looks set to get more intimate than the Australian artist has before, exploring the human form and the lover's gaze alongside his pop aesthetic. For the new show, he's branched out into the realm of sculptures; his Instagram hints at sculptural pieces that bring his prints and patterns into the third dimension. The exhibition will run from January 31 to February 12 (with opening night on February 2), and Harrison will be giving a free talk on February 8 (reserve your tickets here).
The astroturf has been rolled out and the deck chairs have been prepped for those balmy January nights — it's the ideal time of year for an outdoor movie by the river. South Wharf's yearly cinema has been launched again, offering films like The Matrix, Crazy Stupid Love, Die Hard, The Lion King, 10 Things I Hate About You and Moana on a 7x4-metre screen with cinema-quality sound, while you wash down that choc top with a Pimms. Yes, there will be a Pimms Garden along with a pop-up Heineken Bar. And if you're hoping not to get out of your seat during the movie, you can also purchase 'cheese and bubbles' hampers from the candy bar, which will be also providing the popcorn and cocktail jugs. Running each Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday until February 28, South Wharf Pop-up Cinema will screen favourites along with a kids' movie each Sunday from 5pm.
The Vegan Market of Melbourne (previously the Vegan Mini Market) has been our go-to for animal-free goods over the past year — and it's rightfully dedicating its September market to a job well done. The anniversary event will take place during the market's regularly scheduled programming on Saturday, September 1 — but the celebration will kick on with extended hours from 11am–7pm. Stall-wise, it's bringing out a brand new sausage sizzle that's slinging bacon and egg 'mock muffins', while claiming to give Macca's a run for its money. Other stalls range from dog treats to fashion items, along with your typical market array of eats and sweet treats. Some of the most popular stands are back-in-action too, including Bomba's wood-fired pizza and the Asian-inspired Woking Amazing — think meat-free chilli cheese nachos, Taiwanese eggy rolls and peking 'duck' pancakes. Live music is also on the docket, with local vegan artists playing an unusual set using a harp and steel drums. If you're planning to bring the young ones along, there's a kids activity corner to keep 'em busy. And they're still firming up possible yoga and qi gong sessions, so keep an eye on this space for further updates. Going forward, the market will continue to operate on the first Saturday of every month, bringing Melburnians all its plant-based goodness.
Purrfect news, feline fans: everything a dapper doggo can do, a cute cat can as well. While that's an accurate statement in general, as anyone who has ever shared their life with both a pooch and a kitty will know, it's also the thinking behind Melbourne's returning animal event. From the folks behind the Dog Lovers Show comes the mouser equivalent: the Cat Lovers Show. If you wear the 'crazy cat person' label as a badge of honour, stop to pat every moggie you meet while you're walking down the street or spend your all of your spare time watching cat videos (or all of the above), then you'll want to block out Saturday, June 4–Sunday, June 5 in your calendar. Expect the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to come alive with the sounds of meows, and expect pussy lovers to come out in force. On the agenda: feline-focused education and celebration. Before you go thinking about adorable kitties wearing glasses and sitting at desks, or popping streamers and wearing party hats (awwwwwwwww), humans will be doing the learning and rejoicing. Really, what's more informative and exuberant than entering the Pat-A-Cat zone and getting cosy with cats of all shapes and sizes — and possibly taking one home with you? Checking out surreal cat art or hitting up the Paws & Prosecco bar comes close, obviously. If that doesn't tickle your whiskers, attendees will also be able to take a purrfect match quiz to find out which type of cat suits them best, meet different breeds, listen to talks by experts such as TV vets Dr Chris Brown and Dr Katrina Warren, see My Cat From Hell's Jackson Galaxy beamed in to do a Q&A and browse a heap of stalls. And if you're motivated by knowing exactly how much cat antics there'll be, expect more than 300 kitties from 30-plus breeds, plus around 40 rescue group stalls. Also on offer: a cat-inspired food menu at the onsite cafe. Dough Truck, Black Pearl Bubble Tea, Pretzel Station, Crepes n Coffee, Little Schnitz, Sushi Box and Spiral Spuds will also be dishing up food and drinks. Just remember: there'll be plenty of mousers in the Cat Lovers Show house, so you'll need to leave your own moggie at home.
At last it feels like summer — by Melbourne standards at least. Any time there's a break in the weather, we recommend getting outside to see what's on across town. For starters, Melbourne Quarter is playing host to a series of pop-up activities across four days the middle of February. From Monday, February 13 to Thursday, February 16 you can head to the ever-growing Collins Street precinct for some casual putts on a pop-up mini-golf course in the forecourt between 11am and 4pm. Or practice your perfect swing in a pop-up golf simulator in the One Melbourne Quarter Lobby from 9am to 5pm. You'll be putting your way into the draw for some serious prizes from Catch.com.au or Melbourne Quarter's own First Nation fashion label Ngali – or vouchers to spend on the other retailers in Melbourne Quarter. Visitors will also be able to enjoy some sunshine and summer fun in the rooftop Sky Park, which boasts fantastic views and vibes year-round, but it's busting out free yard games for the limited-time celebrations from 11am to 4pm. And what's a seasonal pop-up without seasonal snacks? Pass by the forecourt between 11am and 2pm to get your hands on free fresh popcorn to complete the experience. Melbourne Quarter's summer celebrations take place from Monday, February 13 to Thursday, February 16. Entry to all activities is free, program is subject to change with weather conditions. For more details, head to the website.
Garlic bread — representing the holy trinity of bread, garlic, and butter — is something created by the gluten gods to make us mortals (sans coeliacs) very, very happy. Welcome to Thornbury is aware of this, as demonstrated by its whole day devoted to your fave carbohydrate situation: the Garlic Bread Festival. But Saturday, April 6 is not just for standard garlic bread, as you'll also find genius hybrids such as garlic bread burgers and garlic bread gozleme as the High Street digs. So prepare thy tummy — appearances from Mr Burger, Chef Calamari, Dr Sous, Pizza Pony, Gozleme Station and the Nothin' but Garlic Bread truck are also on the cards. So are garlic ice cream and savoury cocktails. There is an ATM on-site for emergency carb top-ups. Kids are welcome from noon until 8pm, doggos are welcome all day and all night, and both will probably lose their minds over the tasty scraps. Praise be to wheat.
It has been my personal experience that most galleries tend to have a pretty stringent ‘No Jumping On The Art’ policy. This seems unfair, I know, especially when so much contemporary art would probably improved by a good old double bounce, but I don’t make the rules! Fortunately, Melbourne based artists Brooke Williams and Henry Madin share our dismay at the un-jumpability of most art works, and have developed an installation piece to satisfy our taboo desires. Finding its home in Fort Delta gallery, JUMP relies on human interaction and movement to realise its full capacity. Fifty-five hand crafted wooden boxes are aligned in a semi-haphazard grid, and respond to weight bearing with a click-clack sound similar to the sound of wooden clapping sticks you probably last used in year 5 music class. Described by the artists as a facilitation of physical expression through movement and sound, the installation is designed to be navigated sock footed gallery goers, moving between coloured boxes to create a somewhat disjointed, yet undoubtedly cheery, soundtrack to the experiential piece. The exhibition runs August 9 – 23, so if you’d like to make sweet music with your body, hot foot it down to Fort Delta gallery (located downstairs at the back of the Capitol Arcade on Swanston Street). Take a friend or two along for the ultimate year 5 music class nostalgia.
If you're heading to Brisbane for a tropical weekend of indulgence, there are a few institutions you simply have to visit. A lot of the best food, drinks and company will take you off the beaten track, so don't be afraid to rent a car and hit the road. One such institution you must travel to is the Southside Tea Room on Wynnum Road, Morningside. Co-owned by couple Patience Hodgson and John Patterson, formerly of The Grates, the Southside Tearoom is known for its relaxed atmosphere, unusual events (including the incredibly popular Always Sunny in Philadelphia trivia night) and vintage tropical aesthetic. "We wanted to create a relaxed, unpretentious suburban oasis," Patience says. "When we lived in the States we fell in love with all the neighbourhood bars, and that's what we were dreaming of replicating in Brisbane." Like any loyal Brisbanite, she also loves to talk about the weather. "I love the weather," she says. "I'm so conditioned to good weather in Brisbane that I feel like I get micro-seasonal depression when it rains for stretches longer than two days. We all joke about it, but I think it's a genuine thing!" Patience and John have just welcomed a new baby into the fold, but that hasn't slowed them down. Here are Patience's five steps to the perfect weekend (even if you have a baby in tow). To experience them for yourself, head to the Visit Brisbane website and get booking. DIP YOUR TOES IN WYNNUM'S FAMOUS WADING POOL Well worth a day trip, Wynnum is a suburb just 30 minutes drive out from Brisbane's CBD. "The Wynnum wading pool is a rad glimpse into ye olde Brisbane," Patience says. "Basically it's a pool that fills with sea water that's been there for almost 100 years. It's still got loads of character even though they renovated it about ten years ago. The locals are a hoot, and there's plenty of classic fish & chip shops close by." While you're there, check out the quality op-shopping on offer along and just off Bay Terrace. EAT LUNCH AT PERRETT'S PIES "While in Wynnum go to Perrett's Pies," Patience says. "It's one of the oldest bakeries in Brisbane, dating back to 1970. They still use the same pie trays and cake moulds so you'll notice everything is a little smaller then modern times. It's run by a hilarious Irish man and their Neenish Tarts are to die for." There ain't nothing more Queensland than eating a sauce-slathered pie by the ocean, so tuck in. DINNER AT POPOLO IN SOUTH BANK When you get back into town, be sure to head down to South Bank, the precinct that boasts the famous inner city beach, Streets Beach. There are plenty of places to have dinner while gazing over the twinkly Brisbane river, but Patience recommends Popolo. "Popolo in South Bank is a must do. It's right on the river with spectacular views of the city. My mouth is watering just thinking about their truffle polenta and their chilli clams, and they also make great cocktails." ARCHERFIELD SPEEDWAY "Head down to Archerfield Speedway on a Saturday night," says Patience. This is one seriously decibel-raising, out-of-town adventure. "Super loud, and, once you've forked out your ticket price, super cheap inside. Heck, they serve beer out of a shipping container that's emblazoned with a faded 4XXXX Gold logo. Kids run around playing footy with empty coke bottles and lifers bring their own ice boxes filled with home-brand soft drinks even on nine degree nights. It's amazing. And yes, the chips are covered in chicken salt!" TREAT YOURSELF TO A PROPER HAIRCUT AT BAREBONES BARBERS "Barebones Barbers in Morningside is great," says Patience. "It's an original barber shop run by fresh young blokes. Steve, one of the owners, was the last man in Australia to actually get qualified through a barber course; they've since pushed it into the hairdressing accreditation. He was trained up by the old bloke who used to own the place, and a year ago, he retired and left the shop for Steve to take over. Even if you don't need a haircut, just get one because these guys are the real deal — ex-ship makers and tradesmen who now find satisfaction in other people hair." Book your own Queensland weekender at the Visit Brisbane website or follow them through the Visit Brisbane Facebook page or Twitter at @VisitBrisbane and hashtag #brisbaneanyday.
If you've ever seen a live orchestra performance, you'll know just how powerful it can be — and sometimes so much so that you worry your glass of vino will spill. It's an experience to say the least. Whether you're a regular orchestra attendee or just keen to experience that level of energy on stage, you'll want to check out the fantastically chaotic Meow's Meow's Pandemonium at Hamer Hall. On Friday, May 21 and Saturday, May 22, international siren and comedian Meow Meow is joining the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ben Northey, for two nights of musical mayhem. Not sure what to expect? There'll be renditions of songs by the likes of Piazzolla, Weill, Brecht and Radiohead, as well as some originals by Meow Meow herself, who'll be performing in a number of dazzling outfits. You can bet you'll be in stitches, too. Head here to get your paws on some tickets.
Fatima Fazal, founder of iHeart, has created the Heart Part, a clever contraption which can be used as a knife, fork and scoop. Heart Parts are 100% biodegradable and are made of 88% less plastic than regular utensils. Furthermore, when they're joined together they form a lovely heart shape that will bring a little happiness into your day. Sitting at $8.95 for a box of ten, these are conveniently small, environmentally friendly and easy on the wallet too. I doubt these will get you through a 500 gram rump steak, but they'll be a handy addition for light snacks and party foods. Grab one of these at the iHeart store and do your part to save the world. Watch the video below for a comprehensive rundown on how these work. https://youtube.com/watch?v=jAIVjmQKn0g [via PSFK]
Winery visits and weekend getaways are two things that were largely missing from our calendars in 2020. But if you'd like to make up for lost time now that restrictions have eased, you'll find both experiences rolled neatly into one at famed Nagambie winery Mitchelton. Of course, the property already boasts a luxury boutique hotel and spa, which opened in 2017. But they've now been joined by a very different style of accommodation, this time starring seven shiny, full-size Airstream RVs. Originally set to launch in late December, but now open for bookings, the new Airstream hotel has plans to stick around permanently, gracing the picturesque grounds just a short stroll from the original Mitchelton Hotel. Each of the vintage-style vehicles comes fitted with 20s-inspired interiors, styling touches courtesy of local boutique Harvest Moon Home, and a minibar stocked with gourmet snacks and Mitchelton wines. There are private ensuites, comfy beds and luxurious linens. Guests will also enjoy their own deck area and barbecue set-up, primed for sunset sips. A stay in one of the Airstreams will also get you full access to the rest of Mitchelton's many facilities, including the swimming pool, gym, day spa and the Gallery of Aboriginal Art, which is the largest of its kind in the country. You'll enjoy a breakfast hamper filled with goodies, while the onsite Muse restaurant is open daily from morning until dinner, serving contemporary fare in a newly refurbished space overlooking the Goulburn River. Those keen to do some exploring will also find a range of picnic options available to order from The Provedore. And of course, there's the winery's award-winning cellar door, where you can sample Mitchelton's finest drops, dig into the property's history and choose a few bottles to go. Find Mitchelton's Airstream Hotel at 470 Mitchellstown Road, Nagambie. Prices start from $400 a night for two guests. To find out more and make a booking, head to the website. Images: Brett Goldsmith.
New year, new plans to eat healthier. Yes, we all know how resolutions go. And if you're kicking things off by ditching meat — altogether, or just by trying to work more plant-based options into your meals — but you don't want to cook each and every dish that you tuck into, Deliveroo has announced a handy special to start 2022. Until Monday, January 31, the delivery service is offering Australians free delivery from more than 1500 local restaurants, but only if you're ordering plant-based fare. Looking for an excuse to munch on a fried cauliflower burger from Mary's, one of Zeus Street Greek's pitas with plant-based lamb, Katsu King's vegan katsu curries or a classic vegan burg from Betty's Burgers? We've just found it. Other eateries involved include Huxtaburger, MadMex, Fishbowl, Grease Monkey and Grill'd, plus Oriental Teahouse, Royal Stacks, Grassfed, I Love Pizza and Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers. Obviously, the list goes on. Odds are that if you can think of a dish that doesn't include meat, it's part of the deal somewhere around the country. Of course, whichever plant-based dish you choose, you'll still need to pay for whatever you'd like to eat; however, you won't have to fork out more on top to get it brought to your door. Deliveroo is calling the special 'veganuary' — and, as you usually do, you'll need to place your order via the Deliveroo app. Deliveroo's free delivery on plant-based dishes on offer until Monday, January 31 Australia-wide via the Deliveroo app.
2024 started with Donald Glover on-screen in the TV remake of Mr & Mrs Smith. 2025 Down Under will begin with Childish Gambino returning to Australia and New Zealand on his The New World tour. The rapper and hip hop star has announced five dates across the two countries, starting in January and running into February, on what will be his first trip to these shores since 2019. On the agenda, then: summertime magic, when the musician/actor/writer/director plays not just his latest album Atavista — the finished version of 2020's 3.15.20 — but tracks from a career behind the microphone that dates back to 2011. Accordingly, expect to hear 'This Is America', 'Redbone', 'Sweatpants' and other songs from his past records Camp, Because the Internet and Awaken, My Love!. The Down Under leg of the tour will kick off at Spark Arena in Auckland, Gambino's only Aotearoa show. From there, he's hitting up the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena, Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena and RAC Arena in Perth. When he last headed this way — complete with a headline spot at Splendour in the Grass — it was after initially announcing a 2018 Australian tour, then cancelling it due to an ongoing injury. Before that, he performed at Falls Festival in 2016. [caption id="attachment_955317" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Eli Watson via Flickr.[/caption] Gambino mightn't have been on Aussie and NZ stages for a spell, but Glover had the final two seasons of Atlanta — both in 2022 — reach screens since he was last Down Under. Voice work on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, producing TV series Swarm, the aforementioned Mr & Mrs Smith: they've all joined his resume as well. He'll also be heard as Simba again in Mufasa: The Lion King, the prequel to 2019's photorealistic version of The Lion King, before 2024 is out. On all Australian and New Zealand shows, Gambino will be supported by Amaarae. Childish Gambino 'The New World' Tour 2025 Australia and New Zealand Dates Tuesday, January 28 — Spark Arena, Auckland Saturday, February 1 — Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane Tuesday, February 4 — Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Friday, February 7 — Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Tuesday, February 11 — RAC Arena, Perth Childish Gambino is touring Australia and New Zealand in January and February 2025 — with ticket presales from Thursday, May 16, 2024 at staggered times, and general sales from Monday, May 20, 2024 at staggered times. Head to the tour website for further details. Top image: Eli Watson via Flickr.
The days are getting longer, the weather is improving, and Melbourne bars are stocking up on Aperol. This can only mean one thing: Melbourne rooftop season is fast approaching. Stacks of venues are preparing for the onslaught of people searching for rooftop hangs. Johnny's Green Room is reopening its rooftop soon, and Brick Lane Brewing's new wrap-around terrace overlooking the Queen Vic Market will open to the public in a couple of weeks. But those who want to drink in the sun right now can hit Skinny Dog Hotel's new rooftop space — it's already open to lovers of sunshine and summertime cocktails. The 400-capacity rooftop bar includes a light-filled atrium full of hanging plants and an openair terrace where you can soak up all the sun during a long day of drinking and eating. Nothing much has changed downstairs. The pub still serves classic parmas, pizzas and weekly specials — think Monday burger deals and Tuesday steak nights. Upstairs, dishes are somewhat more refined. Coconut chilli prawns, tofu chips and charcuterie tasting boards kick things off. A selection of gourmet pizzas, house-made pasta, a few roasts and plenty of seafood dishes round out the savoury dining options. The drinks on the Skinny Dog Hotel's new rooftop are also a step above those found downstairs. The extensive wine list features stacks of Aussie and New Zealand drops, and the team has dreamt up a few new signature cocktails. Beers, ciders and ginger beer are all on tap, plus plenty of fruity seltzers come in can form. It's ticking all the right boxes. From Friday to Sunday, the team hosts live music gigs and DJs up on the roof, transforming the space into more of a party destination as the sun goes down. The new rooftop at Skinny Dog Hotel, found at 155 High Street in Kew, is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 11:30am–late. Check the venue's website for more details.
Need a break from tired Hollywood blockbusters? In that case, try a visit to the Melbourne Cinematheque. For more than six decades now this close-knit film collective has been devoted to the presentation of rare and important films in the form that their makers intended. Simply put — if you like movies, then these are your sort of people. Cinematheque screenings take place every Wednesday night at ACMI in Federation Square. Standouts on this year's program include retrospectives on the films of New Hollywood legend Robert Altman, celebrated Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-Hsien, and beloved actress Barbara Stanwyck. They'll co-present a double bill of Rainer Werner Fassbinder films with the Melbourne Queer Film Festival in April, and partner with the Human Rights Arts and Film Festival on a showcase of influential African films in May. Screenings are open to members only. Annual memberships cost $155, while a $29 mini membership is good for three consecutive sessions. For the complete Melbourne Cinematheque program, visit melbournecinematheque.org.
Melburnians, if your late spring plans involve going out for a meal in the CBD, Lygon Street, North Melbourne, Southbank, South Wharf and Docklands — and your summer plans, too — then the Victorian Government and the City of Melbourne want to give you an extra incentive. For the second time in 2021, the two government bodies are teaming up on a dining scheme that's offering rebates for eating out in the city. Meet the 'Midweek Melbourne Money scheme', which follows on from 'Melbourne Money' initiative that was rolled out back in June. Obviously, that extra word this time around highlights one of the key differences. You'll need to head out for a meal midweek — or early in the working week, if you're opting for a Monday nosh — to score cash back, because this new program is all about eating out between Monday and Thursday. The initiative will kick off on Monday, November 15, and apply to food and drink purchases in-store anywhere that meals are sold — such as restaurants, cafes and pubs, as well as bars, clubs, breweries and distilleries — across the municipality. And, it'll cover 30-percent of your transaction total this time around (up from 20 percent in June), as long as you spend between $50–500 (including GST). That means you'll be able to claim up to $150. Further specifics are yet to be announced; however, given the focus is on eating out and the new scheme is being linked to the past scheme, it's expected that the same big caveat will remain. Back in June, you had to purchase something to eat to get the rebate, with your drinks only covered if you're buying food. There'll be $5 million available — totalling more than 200,000 rebates — which means there's another important thing to take into consideration: it works on a first in, first served basis. So, heading out as soon as the scheme starts and submitting your claim for a rebate immediately afterwards is recommended, as Midweek Melbourne Money will only run until the funds are exhausted. And, redemption-wise, you can likely expect it to run the same way as Melbourne Money did midyear. That involved getting cash back after you'd been to a hospitality venue, received an itemised receipt at the time of payment, then taken a photo of it and uploaded it to the Melbourne Money website. Within five working days, you then scored your rebate via a transfer to your bank account. The scheme falls under the Victorian Government and City of Melbourne's $200 million Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund, which is all about helping get the city back into gear following the latest lengthy lockdown — and in this case, boosting weekday foot traffic. As also just announced, another $10.4 million will go to other initiatives to support businesses, such as supporting outdoor trading and dining, and boosting the night-time economy. Also, $15.7 million is being put towards events, including an expanded Christmas Festival that'll start on Friday, November 12 — a fortnight earlier than usual. And, more than $14 million will be used to enhance public areas — refreshing them with pop-up libraries and creative spaces, for instance — and $3.6 million is going towards giving city businesses an enhanced Business Concierge service that'll offer greater support for new businesses and also assist existing city traders with operating in these post-COVID times. The Midweek Melbourne Money scheme kicks off on Monday, November 15. For more information, head to the City of Melbourne and Victorian Government websites. Images: Emily Godfrey, Visit Victoria.
As our fear of global warming intensifies, major cities are coming up with all kinds of piecemeal solutions, from solar-powered bridges to train-powered heating systems. But always in our minds nags the persistent question, 'Will it all prove to be too little, too late?' So, a New York-based research group by the name of Terreform has taken matters further. They've envisioned the city as it would be, were every last block — from Manhattan to The Bronx — self-sustaining. In this green paradise, 147th Street would transmogrify into an urban farming block, Amsterdam Avenue would be free of cars and reclaimed rooftops would each provide food enough for 12,000 individuals. There are even plans for meat production towers, where chickens would range freely (sort of) on outdoor terraces. Terreform put six years of research into the project, which they've named 'New York (Steady) State'. If every detail were to be executed, it'd be possible for New York's citizens to meet every one of their needs without stepping (or trading) outside of the city's geographical boundaries. Food, water, waste disposal, air quality, climate regulation, construction, manufacturing and construction would all be taken care of. Sounds an awful lot better than slowly roasting while watching our coastal cities (Manhattan included) drown. Via PSFK.
Horror franchises like their doors to stay open: years may pass, stars and filmmakers may come and go, but every popular series eventually waltzes back onto screens. That's been true of Halloween, Scream, Candyman, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Friday the 13th and more. It's also accurate of Insidious, which is up to five features in 12 years and returns after its longest gap to-date. For viewers, half a decade has elapsed since this supernatural saga last hit cinemas in 2018's underwhelming Insidious: The Last Key, one of two prequels alongside Insidious: Chapter 3 (because that was the only way to keep bringing back MVP Lin Shaye). For Insidious' characters, though, Insidious: The Red Door takes place nine years after the events of Insidious: Chapter 2. That flick was the last until now to focus on Josh (Patrick Wilson, Moonfall) and Renai Lambert (Rose Byrne, Platonic), plus their haunted son Dalton (Ty Simpkins, The Whale) — and it's their tale the franchise leaps back into. Not only starring but debuting as a director, Wilson makes Insidious: The Red Door an answer to the question that no one, not even the most dedicated horror fans, has likely asked: how are the Lamberts doing after their demonic dalliances? The portrait painted when the movie begins is far from rosy, with Josh and Renai divorced, Dalton resenting his dad, and something niggling at both father and son about their past. Neither the Lambert patriarch nor his now college-bound boy can remember their experiences with unpleasant entities in the astral plane, however, thanks to a penchant for handy hypnotism. So, Insidious: The Red Door poses and responds to another query: what happens when that memory-wiping mesmerism stops working? Seasoned Insidious viewers already know what's in store: ghosts and evil spirits jump-scaring their way back into Josh and Dalton's minds and lives, and also into Insidious: The Red Door's frames. In the saga's mythology, such beings hail from a form of purgatory known as The Further and can't easily be suppressed. Accordingly, when Dalton's university art professor (Hiam Abbass, Succession) encourages him to dive into his subconscious, then splash what he sees onto a canvas, it's obvious where Scott Teems' (Firestarter) script is going. When the snappy Josh tries to glean why his brain is so foggy and his mood so peevish, he too has an unpleasant awakening. For the elder and younger Lambert men alike, first comes snippets of creepy visions, then unshakeable sights, then astral projection to get the Lipstick-Face Demon and The Bride in Black to stop. "If only this portal had remained shut" isn't only something that Josh and Dalton are thinking in Insidious: The Red Door. Early, often, and until the weary and creaky film comes to an end, audiences share that wish. The picture keeps its central pair largely apart, one navigating his cursed chaos in his otherwise empty home, then endeavouring to reconcile with Renai (although Byrne is still woefully underused), and the other at school with new pal Chris (Sinclair Daniel, Bull). Splitting them up just plays like a quest to lengthen the movie's duration — extra running time that isn't put to good use. This isn't a meaningful exploration of trauma's lingering impact, the current genre go-to, as much as it wants to be. Similarly, it doesn't cause Wilson or Simpkins to turn in anything but workmanlike performances, either. Plenty of horror franchises are resurrected with by-the-numbers instalments — that's become as much of a horror convention as constantly reviving spooky series again and again — but this is dispiritingly routine and repetitive, and also rarely even barely scary. It doesn't help that the better Insidious fare, aka the first two that sported Aquaman and Malignant's James Wan behind the camera, weren't ever exceptional. What they boasted was effectiveness in executing their bumps, capitalising upon their uneasy sights, slowly building their suspense and tension, and ramping up the unsettling atmosphere. Wan did start both the Insidious and Saw sagas with The Invisible Man's Leigh Whannell, and The Conjuring Universe solo. Whannell has penned every Insidious screenplay until now, and helmed 2015's Insidious: Chapter 3. The duo produces this time around, while Whannell came up with the story behind Teems' script. As a filmmaker, Wilson is happy to go through the motions rather than try much new. He's also fond of closeups, which might stem from spending the bulk of his career in front of the lens. As a horror veteran — on-screen, he's a mainstay of The Conjuring movies as well, as last seen in The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It; he popped up in Annabelle Comes Home, the third feature in that series' spinoff series, too — he's reluctant to attempt to put a new stamp on one of his franchises. He knows where and how to sprinkle in unnerving figures and faces in the peripheries, and to elicit jumps, but only by sticking to the Insidious template. His best fright? It plays with and preys on medical anxiety, because anyone that's ever had an MRI has harboured fears about getting stuck in the claustrophobic machine — no forces from The Further needed. Although it also doesn't work, the biggest and most interesting swing that Wilson takes comes over the closing credits, when Insidious: The Red Door busts out a version of late-80s track 'Stay' by Shakespears Sister. Swedish metal band Ghost are behind the cover, and Wilson himself sings on it. That truly is something that no other Insidious chapter has offered. Wan and Whannell genuinely couldn't have foreseen inspiring it, unlike sparking a wave of post-Saw torture porn, or the many movies about sinister kids, jinxed items and paranormal investigations that the Insidious films have influenced. Still, that isn't what any Insidious chapter should be best known for, let alone justify keeping the franchise's hatch open — but sixth flick Thread: An Insidious Tale, which'll broaden out the Insidious Universe with Mandy Moore (This Is Us) and Kumail Nanjiani (Welcome to Chippendales) starring, plus Jeremy Slater (Moon Knight) writing and directing, is already in the works.
Last summer, we scored a bright pink pool to wade through. A couple of years earlier, it was a sleek bamboo garden and deck, and before that, the very memorable pink carwash. And next up, for its 2022 iteration, the NGV's annual Architecture Commission is gifting us with something even grander — a reimagined version of Athens' famed Parthenon. Yep, the majestic ancient structure gracing the Acropolis is the inspiration behind this year's winning design, Temple of Boom, by Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang. The work will make its home in the NGV's Grollo Equiset Garden from November, the latest piece in an annual series that invites Aussie architects to create site-specific architecture for the gallery's grounds. Announced today as the Commission's 2022 winner, Temple of Boom celebrates The Parthenon as a symbol of Western civilisation, democracy and enduring beauty. Unlike the Greece original, however, it's set to be decked out in overlapping large-scale artworks by local artists, inviting visitors to ponder how society ties different meanings to architecture and how these change over time. Tsang and Newman's replica will be big enough for people to wander through and gather in, doubling as a community meeting place for the duration of its stay. As with its predecessors, Temple of Boom will also host a summerlong program of performances, live music and other NGV-led events. Melbourne's mini Parthenon will grace the Grollo Esquiset Garden from November 16 and stick around until the end of summer. 'Temple of Boom' will be on display from November. For more details, see the NGV website. Images: Renders of 2022 NGV Architecture Commission 'Temple of Boom' 2022, by Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang. Courtesy of Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang.
If you're in Sydney's CBD and can hear helicopters overhead, that's because Barack Obama is in town. According to 7 News, the former president of the United States touched down at Sydney Airport around 1pm and has since made his way — as part of a motorcade — up Oxford Street and into the CBD. .@barackobama at @SydneyAirport. The former U.S. President will be speaking at the @ArtGalleryofNSW tonight. https://t.co/0rfycPrrqA #7News pic.twitter.com/FJgJVxgpi3 — 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) March 23, 2018 Obama is in Sydney for an exclusive private event hosted by the New Zealand United States Council at the Art Gallery of NSW tonight, Friday, March 23. He comes via Auckland, where he spoke last night. At the moment, it doesn't look like there will be any road closures or changes to traffic. Unfortunately the talk is not open to the public, but if you head to the AGNSW, you might be able to get an IRL sighting of the former president. Although you may not be able to get very close — security will be understandably tight.
Every autumn, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower sets the sky ablaze. It might not be as famous as Halley's Comet, but the Eta Aquarids are actually a distant relation — the bits and pieces you see flying around were on Halley's path a really, really long time ago. And, rather than only being visible every 75 years (the next Halley's Comet sighting is in 2061), you can catch the Eta Aquarids annually. This year, the shower will be at its most spectacular early Tuesday, May 7 (very early) — here's how to catch a glimpse. WHEN TO SEE IT The shower will reach a peak in the early morning of Tuesday, May 7, but will still be able to be seen for a day or two on either side. The best time to catch an eyeful is just before dawn after the moon has set, so around 4am. At that time, you'll be in the running to see as many as 30 meteors every 60 minutes. Each will be moving at about 225,000 kilometres per hour, shining extraordinarily brightly and leaving a long wake. The shower's cause is, essentially, the Earth getting in the comet's way, causing stardust to fry up in the atmosphere. WHERE TO SEE IT Being in the southern hemisphere, we get some of the best views in the world. So, if you're living in the city, it could be time for a last minute trip to a clear-skied camping spot. The trick is to get as far away from light pollution as possible. For Sydneysiders who don't mind a long drive, this could mean a trip to the far south coast. We reckon Picnic Point campsite in Mimosa Rocks National Park might be a winner. Or, if that sounds too far away, Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay is pretty light-free. Alternatively, head west — after all, you'd be hard pressed to find better views than at The Dish, just outside of Parkes or at Australia's only Dark Sky Park at Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran. Melburnians might consider a journey to Wilsons Promontory or along the Great Ocean Road, as far as Killarney Beach. For somewhere closer, there's Heathcote, which is just a 90-minute drive from the city, but is an excellent vantage point. For a real escape, head to Snake Valley in the central west, where there's hardly a light in sight. For a quick trip out of Brisbane, try Lake Moogerah, Lake Wivenhoe or Lake Somerset, which are all rather dark, considering their proximity to the city. If you have a bit more time, head two-and-a-half hours' west to Leyburn, which has some of the busiest skies in Queensland, or eight hours' west to the tiny town of Charleville in the outback. HOW TO SEE IT The shower's name comes from the star from which they appear to come Eta Aquarii, which is part of the Aquarius constellation. So, that's what you'll be looking for in the sky. To locate Eta Aquarii, we recommend downloading the Sky Map app — it's the easiest way to navigate the night sky (and is a lot of fun to use even on a non-meteor shower night). If you're more into specifics, Time and Date also have a table that shows the direction and altitude of the Eta Aquarids. They've been updating this daily. If you struggle to get out of bed, NASA Apart from that, wear warm clothes, take snacks and be patient. Happy stargazing.
68 feature films from 19 different countries make up the program at this year's Jewish International Film Festival. Screening at select cinemas around Australia — and in Auckland, too! — the 27th annual edition of this celebrated festival will showcase films that explore every angle of Jewish history and identity through critically acclaimed dramas, side-splitting comedies, mind-blowing documentaries and more. JIFF 2016 will be bookended by a pair of films about one of the darkest moments in human history. Opening night film Denial stars Rachel Weisz as Professor Deborah Lipstadt, who in 1996 was sued for defamation by English holocaust denier David Irving (Timothy Spall). Closing night, meanwhile, will screen the provocative documentary The Last Laugh, featuring the likes of Sarah Silverman, Mel Brooks and Louis C.K. as they ponder how far comedy can go when tackling such a sensitive topic. Other standout titles include a new German adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank that premiered to critical acclaim at this year's Berlin Film Festival, as well as Jerry Lewis: The Man Behind the Clown, a documentary about the titular comedian's remarkable decades-long career. The Melbourne leg of the festival will run from October 27 until November 23 at Elsternwick's Classic Cinemas and Lido Cinemas in Hawthorn. For the full JIFF 2016 program, go here.
Sometimes, we all need to get a little lost. We need to leave our comfort zones and go wandering through an otherworldly realm. We need to play with echo light chambers, bound our way into giant bubbles, wander between shimmering digital vines and take a leap into a three-metre abyss, too, and just completely forget about our day-to-day troubles while we're moseying around a multi-sensory installation. If all of that sounds like your idea of heaven at the moment, it's now a reality in Melbourne again until Sunday, November 6. Imaginaria has brought its immersive playground for kidults and children alike back to The District Docklands, setting up shop through winter and the bulk of spring. Over past seasons, more than 100,000 people have caught Imaginaria — and it's always impressive. And, whether you made a visit during one of the installation's its past runs, there's plenty to tempt you along this time. Get ready for an echo light cave that responds to your movements, a giant bubble filled with hypnotic imagery, a secret garden and a light maze. Each one helps fill out a 900-square-metre space that's made up of different structures, each boasting lights, sounds and smells. And yes, you'll still take your shoes off first, before exploring Imaginaria's new otherworldly realm. Melbourne's latest dance with Imaginaria is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of experience again, so you can spend 15 minutes skipping through or take your time. Open to all ages, it has capacity limits and strict hygiene measures, with tickets starting at $23.95 a pop for adults.
Social enterprise cafe Sibling threw open its doors last week, marking the arrival of a venue that's little different to those in the surrounding streets of Carlton's northern edges. The cafe is run by Kinfolk, another social enterprise cafe and caterer in the CBD, with both venues aiming to counteract social isolation through their volunteer programs. With the waitlist to volunteer at Kinfolk stretching for months, the team decided they needed to open a second venue to meet demands. And, thanks to a robust crowdfunding effort — which raised almost $30,000 more than the initial $60,000 target — Sibling came to fruition. As a result, the volunteer task force, made up of people from more than 30 different countries and some of which are living with a disability, transitioning from prison or seeking asylum, was able to expand, with Sibling having room for 120 volunteers — double what Kinfolk could originally handle. So, you'll be able to enjoy tasty kimchi-spiked scrambled eggs from the volunteers, while they benefit from a friendly space, support and training. Which brings us to Sibling's second aim: to make tasty food as sustainably and with as little waste as possible. Along with coffee by Small Batch, the food menu is inventive and diverse. On the brekky menu, there's tahini-topped bread with salted cucumber, chickpeas and pickles ($17); asparagus, chilli, cashew, basil, mint and scrambled tofu ($19); and pan-fried chicken livers — from Trentham's Milking Yard — with peas, shallots and sorghum ($24). Lunch has the famously simple Roman pasta dish, cacio e pepe ($14) and a kangaroo tail braised with peas, labne and rice crisp ($22). And don't walk out without a sweet treat to finish things off — their truffles and cakes are mostly vegan and, from the sound of it, entirely tasty. As another added bonus, all of Sibling's distributable profits are redistributed to different charities each year. This year it's Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) and The Cathy Freeman Foundation. Find Sibling at 611 Nicholson Street, Carlton North. It's open Monday to Friday, 7am–3pm and Saturday and Sunday, 8am–4pm.
Located on the first floor of the original Fitzroy Post Office is Cream Melbourne — an absolute hair institution. Owners Lee Scott and Richard Tucker have been serving the eclectic Fitzroy community for the past 20 years, remaining always relevant with their simple yet effective ethos: 'Let's make it work'. Scott and Tucker, with their team of experts, strive to create a welcoming space in which clients are able to achieve their hair goals. Cream is all about passion and diversity while continuing to be at the forefront of technical skill and innovation. Blow-dries start from $72, while more complicated dos are $108 and up.
That ol' chestnut about old dogs and new tricks sure doesn't ring true when it comes to the Duke of Wellington. The historic boozer at the corner of Flinders and Russell Streets is thought to be Melbourne's oldest licensed pub, yet it's been through its fair share of reinventions over the decades. And now, it's just reopened following its latest extensive revamp. Reimagined at the hands of Australian Venue Co (Yarra Botanica, State of Grace, BrewDog Pentridge), the pub's showing off a multi-level makeover with something to offer footy-watchers, cocktail-sippers and casual diners alike. The new-look ground floor space is as much a haven for sports fiends as ever before, with a swag of big screens dialled into the latest action and a hefty tap-list to hit up on your way to or from a match at the nearby MCG. One floor up you'll find the revamped dining room, which is slinging a refreshed menu of modernised pub classics. To kick things off, there's a chunky pork and fennel sausage roll with cherry ketchup, kingfish crudo paired with grapefruit and finger lime, and oat-crumbed lamb cutlets done with sage and an anchovy butter. Traditionalists will get around the likes of a signature roast beef roll, the lamb and ale pie, and a range of burgers and parmas. Or, step things up a notch with plates like the garlicky crab linguine, an aged pork chop with crumbed heirloom carrots, and mushroom gnocchi finished with pumpkin seed pesto. You've got a handful of quality steak cuts and some soul-warming desserts, too. Sharing a level with the restaurant is the new cocktail bar they've dubbed Arthur's — a sophisticated sibling to the drinks destination downstairs. Up here, you can match a couple of classy tipples with elevated snacks — think, fried chicken with dollops of caviar, eggplant fritters with black garlic mayo, a lobster bun and the king prawn club sandwich. To sip, you'll find an extensive list of vino, a solid crop of beers, and cocktails running from a reworked French martini to a spicy watermelon marg made on Olmeca Altos. Arthur's is also exclusively slinging a range of tap cocktails including a strawberry passionfruit spritz and an earl grey-infused take on the paloma. Meanwhile, the Duke's all-weather rooftop bar remains unchanged, open daily for eats and drinks overlooking Russell Street. Find the newly revamped Duke of Wellington at 146 Flinders Street, Melbourne. The public bar is open from 11am–1am Monday to Saturday, and from 11am–11pm Sunday. The Dining Room and Arthur's are open daily from 12pm–late.
Have you ever felt like you just don't quite fit in? The team at Tight Pants Theatre know exactly how you feel. For two nights this week, this upstart collective of dramatists and thespians will present an anthology of short plays, each written by a different member of the company in response to notions of membership, exclusivity and belonging. Featuring loads of home-grown talent, No Vacancy shapes up as a suitably strange and boisterous affair, ranging from political satire to absurdist game show to sobering reflection on the global refugee crisis. Throw in a runaway Christmas cult and a funeral home run by a necromancer, and it's hard to imagine there won't be at least something in the show that strikes your fancy. Best of all, 100 per cent of profits raised will be donated to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Because nobody should be made to feel like they don't belong.
