Clear your mid-week calendars and dust off your scarves, Melbourne — one of the bright sparks of Melbourne's frosty winter has made its way back onto the social calendar. Queen Victoria Market's beloved Winter Night Market is heating up your hump day schedule from June 7–August 30. From 5pm every Wednesday, the QVM is transformed into the kind of winter wonderland worth getting excited about, tempting you off the couch with a cosy program of street food, pop-up bars, live entertainment and artisan market stalls. As always, it's serving up a tantalising assortment of street eats each week, with a huge array of food vendors repping dishes from all corners of the world. Get excited for the likes of That's Amore's cheese wheel pasta, 400 Gradi's woodfired pizza, choclate fondue, prawn dumpling soup, soups served in giant bread rolls, Casa Nata's famed Portuguese tarts and stacks more. All perfectly paired with warming sips like mulled wine, butter beer and spiked milo paired with chilli, maple syrup and whipped cream. As you're filling your belly with tasty winter fare, you'll be kept entertained with a rotation of live gigs, roving performers and open fires. Plus, the silent disco is also returning this year, because what better way to warm your cockles and work off a big serve of cacio e pepe, than a cheeky dance floor session?
With the weather starting to turn frosty, it's time to move those weekend activities out of the beer garden and into somewhere a little more cosy. So, on April 23, Raw Materials is opening up its Footscray warehouse space to the public, for an autumn-friendly Sunday session that promises a little something for everyone. Kicking off at 11am, it's set to be a jam-packed day, with an impressive lineup of live music from the likes of blues star John McNamara, Melbourne's high-energy Safari Motel, funk artist Andrea Marr, and Mike Elrington. Tastebuds are also in for a treat, as chef Robert Monteau takes over the on-site cooking demo kitchen to whip up a paella feast before your very eyes. Rounding out the fun, a menu of small bites will feature the likes of cheese boards and sliders, while local booze stars like Hop Nation and Two Birds Brewing will be on hand to quench your thirst. It's all happening from 11am till 6pm at the Cowper Street space.
The Apple iPod has been nipped and tucked since its original version to become the compact, nearly paper-thin music-playing masterpiece that it is today. We now have room for thousands of songs and videos on a piece of metal that's smaller than a playing card and lighter than a feather. Just when we thought there was no more improving the little guys, technology went ahead and proved us wrong. Scientists from Georgia University of Technology, lead by Dr. Zhong Lin Wang, are in the experimental stages of developing nanotechnology that will create self-generated energy that could power portable devices like iPods. In presenting their findings to the American Chemical Society, Dr. Wang explained that the devices would have a microchip made of zinc oxide nanowires (500 of them could fit on a human hair) that generate energy at any body movement, even just the beat of a heart. So far the human-powered technology has been used to power LCD screens and store radio signals. These advances may seem small, but Dr. Wang believes that the team's development of the microchip is a significant milestone in the creation of power that isn't battery-operated or plugged into an electrical outlet. "Their potential is only limited by one's imagination," he said. We're certainly looking forward to listening to beats powered by heartbeats. [via The Telegraph]
If you prefer to shop with a conscience, Melbourne CBD's new retail treasure trove will have you busting out the reusable bags and locking in a shopping trip ASAP. A new permanent showcase of products and services from local social enterprises has launched in the Queen Vic Market, dubbed The Purpose Precinct. Making its home along the market site's String Bean Alley, the new addition has been dreamed up in collaboration with well-known social enterprises, bike retailer and repair crew Good Cycles, and change-making cafe group STREAT. The new initiative's also being backed by the Victorian Government and Social Enterprise Network of Victoria. So just what will you find in this new haven of wares that care? Well, The Purpose Precinct is stocked with a rotating range of goodies and offerings from more than 20 different Victorian social enterprises; including beloved brands like streetwear label HoMie and the Indigenous-owned and -operated Clothing the Gaps. Next time you're hitting Queen Vic Market for your usual haul of fresh veggies and hot jam doughnuts, you'll be able to drop by The Purpose Precinct to shop pantry items, fashion, accessories, homewares and more — all crafted with a conscience from ethically and sustainably sourced materials. Good Cycles is also operating a new bike shop and service centre onsite, continuing its work helping to create employment pathways for young people. The new precinct's not just a win for shoppers, the planet and the ongoing work of our local social enterprises, but it's only set to get bigger and better. "Our ambition is to see hundreds of Victorian social enterprises represented in the Precinct over the coming years," explains Good Cycles CEO Jaison Hoernel. "All working together not only to create better cites, but also meaningful employment opportunities for Victorians." The Purpose Precinct isn't the only new addition the Queen Vic Market has welcomed of late. A bunch of venues and retailers have already been opening as part of the site's much-anticipated Munro development, while in August we scored a peek at the latest plans for its groundbreaking new community library and rooftop. Find The Purpose Precinct at String Bean Alley, Queen Victoria Market, Queen Street, Melbourne. You can see more details over on the website.
You may have 'going to the snow' on your list of winter things to do (and for obvious reasons why) but despite the name, the Snowy Mountains also has plenty to do outside of the chilly season. There are many adventures to take and some highly picturesque hikes to discover, plus there's a heap of regional epicurean delights to try. A five hours' road trip from Sydney, the Snowy Mountains is home to some of Australia's best snowfields, sure. But there's so much more to discover in the region when the days are warmer and the region flourishes. There are excellent hikes and plenty of itineraries to suit your interests. Here, we've got some top ways to eat and drink your way through the area all year round. [caption id="attachment_659674" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Destination NSW.[/caption] WINES IN COOL CLIMES Tumbarumba, located in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, is one of Australia's premium, though lesser-known, cool climate wine regions. It supplies grapes to some of the award-winning and recognisable wine brands in Australia. Want to try the wine that was awarded New South Wales' best sparkling in 2017? Then head to Courabyra Wines cellar door for a vineyard tour and wine tasting. Open Thursday to Monday, the cellar door's restaurant focuses on seasonal, local produce paired with sparkling, chardonnay and pinot noir from the vines a few paces away. For those wanting to really immerse themselves in a vinous adventure, private vineyard tours can be organised in advance with owner Cathy who will guide you through the history of the region — with a full glass of wine in your hand. SCHNAPPS FROM THE AUSSIE ALPS To have a real taste of the Australian Alps, head to Wildbrumby on the Alpine Way towards Thredbo to try its range of Snowy Mountains spirits. Australia's only schnapps distillery uses pure mountain water and homegrown organic fruit and botanicals. Combining traditional European methods with its organic Australian produce, the distillery is consistently innovating and pushing the boundaries with its flavours. It's also created a high-proof vodka, the Spirit of Chardonnay varietal and an award-winning gin. But the true heart of the operation lies in the schnapps, where Wildbrumby founders Brad and Monika Spalding use Monika's grandfather's original Austrian distilling recipe. Sourcing organic fruit from their neighbouring farm, they crush apples, pears, berries, stone fruit and the like into a pulp and ferment it in temperature-controlled vats for four weeks. The fermented pulp is then distilled, leaving a spirit roughly 80- to 90-percent in alcohol. This is then blended down with pristine alpine water and bottled onsite. Wildbrumby has daily al fresco tastings of the entire range at their lovely country restaurant in the warmer months, which has outdoor dining as well. There's also an onsite shop where you can buy your favourite flavours of schnapps to bring home. PALE ALE AT HIGH ALTITUDES Visit Australia's first mountain brewpub Kosciuszko Brewery at the Banjo Paterson Inn in Jindabyne. With the 600-litre brewing tanks directly underneath the bar, it's here where you'll get the freshest pour of the pub standard. As an added bonus, there is staff on hand to take you on a tour of the brewery so you can see the whole process of how their iconic brew is made. Made from pale and Munich malts, and brewed with Tassie Galaxy hops, the beer's malty flavours and fruity hop finish make it a good drop for any season. After a long day of exploring, it's an excellent spot to wind up your day with a couple of brews before tucking yourself in for the night down the hallway in the Banjo Paterson Inn. COOKIES 1020 METRES UP If eating at high altitudes is more your thing, grab a snack at 1020 meters above sea level at Snowy Mountains Cookies in Jindabyne. These cookie experts make all kinds of treats, from your favourites like ANZACs and triple chocolate to more unique flavours like spiced caramel and date, coconut and even savoury flavours. If you prefer salty over sweet, opt for their bite-sized rosemary and parmesan, crispy corn and chilli, cheese and native nigella seed cookies. Stock up the car with goodies to take home, but don't be surprised if you eat all your snacks on the trip home. APPLES FRESH FROM THE ORCHARD Every autumn, the annual Batlow Ciderfest fetes the harvest of one of Australia's most celebrated apple-growing towns. At the big street party, you'll be able to try an array of Batlow's boutique ciders alongside other regional ciders, craft beers and wines. You can also visit the various orchards to pick your own produce as well as try apples in every conceivable way — crumble, pie, toffee, chutney. Not visiting during May? That's okay, a lot of the growers and producers hold daily apple hunts for visitors to come and pick their own produce and learn more about the history of Batlow and the apple production in the region. Discover all that the Snowy Mountains has to offer outside of winter months, from jam-packed adventures to the most picturesque hikes and so much more.
This time last year, Sampa the Great was the first artist named on the Vivid 2021 lineup; however, due to the pandemic, the Sydney festival didn't go ahead. Now, the Zambian-born musician is giving her new stage show An Afro Future another run, including setting up a new Vivid stint — and hitting up Melbourne and Brisbane as well. Sampa will tour the east coast capitals this May and June, starting at The Tivoli in Brisbane. From there, she's headed to Sydney for two Vivid gigs in the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House, and then to Melbourne for two concerts at its own citywide arts festival, Rising. Joining her across all five shows will be Zimbabwe-born, London-raised, Australian-based singer KYE and Sampa's younger sister Mwanjé, plus sounds by C.Frim. And, while that's all mightily impressive, the tour will also mark the first time that audiences can see Sampa live with her full band from Zambia. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sampa The Great (@sampa_the_great) Sampa's 2022's tour marks her return to Vivid after supporting Hiatus Kaiyote in 2016 and performing as part of The Avalanches' Since I Left You Block Party back in 2017. It'll also finally let her show An Afro Future to fans, after it was originally set to premiere over the summer of 2020–21 as part of Live at the Bowl in Melbourne, Summer in the Domain in Sydney and Womadelaide, but was forced to cancel due to border restrictions. As for what's in store now that An Afro Future is hitting Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, attendees can expect to be treated to songs from Sampa's critically-acclaimed debut album The Return. Released in 2019, the album received universal praise at the time, winning Best Hip Hop Release and Best Independent Release at the 2020 ARIA Awards, and being named the eighth best Australian debut album of all time by Double J. And, Sampa will be playing new tunes, too — because a lot's been going on over the past few years. SAMPA THE GREAT 'AN AFRO FUTURE' TOUR 2022: Wednesday, May 25 — The Tivoli, Brisbane Friday, May 27–Saturday, May 28 — Vivid, Sydney Opera House, Sydney Wednesday, June 1–Thursday, June 2 — Rising, The Forum, Melbourne Sampa the Great's An Afro Future tour will head to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne in May and June. For more information or to buy tickets, visit Sampa's website. Top image: Sampa the Great, Lucian Coman.
FOMO — Australia's clash-free, one-day summer festival — is back for a fourth year. This year, it's making its return to Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, and bringing the full festival to Melbourne for the first time ever. Leading the program is famed American-Trinidadian rapper Nicki Minaj, who released her high-energy, highly acclaimed fourth album Queen just last month — which features everyone from The Weeknd to Ariana Grande, Eminem and Lil Wayne. Hot on her heels is Mississippi's Rae Sremmurd, the hip-hop trio best-known for its chart-topping hit 'Black Beatles' made in collaboration with Gucci Mane. Meanwhile, Florida's Lil Pump is heading Down Under for the first time, bringing hits 'Gucci Gang', 'Esskeetit' and songs from his yet-to-be released album Harvard Dropout, and electro music producer Mura Masa will break up the hip hop and rap with his disco tunes. Also on the schedule is Kali Uchis, making her Australian debut and performing hits off her widely acclaimed album Isolation, along with the mononymous avant-garde Sophie, Australia's own Anna Lunoe, and Dutch experimental artist San Holo, among others. FOMO will take over Flemington Racecourse on Sunday, January 13. $1 from every sale is going to refugee charity Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and, if you can't afford your ticket in one fell swoop, you can opt for a payment plan, which lets you pay it off via monthly instalments. FOMO 2019 LINEUP Nicki Minaj Rae Sremmurd Lil Pump Mura Masa Kali Uchis San Holo Anna Lunoe Sophie Cosha Carmouflage Rose Just A Gent MIMI triple j Unearthed winners Image: Mitch Lowe
There's no need to solve a puzzle box to gain entry to one of the highlights of RISING 2024 for movie lovers. All that you need is a ticket to the latest performance by Hear My Eyes, the screening series that pops up regularly — including in Melbourne — with beloved flicks treated to a brand-new score played live while viewers lock their eyes on the big screen. The latest film getting the Hear My Eyes treatment: the OG Hellraiser. If you're not a fan of horror, don't say that you haven't been warned. Novelist Clive Barker's first feature as a director adapted his novella The Hellbound Heart, introduced the world to Cenobites and started a franchise that reached its 11th instalment with the 2022 reboot also called Hellraiser. To make stirring music to go with the movie, Hieroglyphic Being aka Jamal Moss is heading from Chicago to the Main Hall in Melbourne Town Hall for four sessions: at 6pm and 9pm on Sunday, June 9, then again at 3pm and 6pm on Monday, June 10. Pinheads, that's how you spend a public holiday. As for the lasers, none other than Robin Fox of Constellation, Disapora, Quadra and Triptych fame — and Beacon at MONA, too — is helping to ramp up what's set to be a stunner (and a spine-tingler) of a multi-sensory experience.
Do you live in a dog-friendly house? Do you have some spare time on your hands? Do you fantasise about hanging around at dog parks with an actual dog? The good folk at Assistance Dogs Australia need you. They have an abundance of puppies running around the place at the moment, and they're in need of volunteers to raise them. In other words, they're giving away puppies — but you will need to give them back. If you put up your hand to become a puppy educator, you'll get a puppy for about a year — from around its eight-week birthday to when it turns turns between 12–16 months old. During that time, you'll be responsible for introducing the sights, sounds and smells it'll meet when it starts working as an assistance dog (and giving your new friend heaps of cuddles). Of course, it's not all just fun, games and cuteness. You'll have to be responsible enough to take care of regular grooming, house training and exercise, and be available to attend puppy classes. A fenced-in backyard or outdoor area is mandatory, too. In return, the organisation provides a strong support network, all food and supplements, training equipment, and flea, tick and worming treatment. Assistance Dogs Australia is looking for people in Sydney's North Shore and Sutherland shire, plus Wollongong and the Blue Mountains; in Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula area; and in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. You'll also need to be home most of the time — so you won't be leaving the puppy alone for more than four hours a day — and to be able to put effort into training and socialising the pup. Once the pups reach 12-16 months old, they'll move on to their advanced training at Assistance Dogs Australia's national training school in Sydney. And, after they graduate, the four-legged companions will provide support to people with disability. Keen? You can apply online. And send pics please. For more information about Assistance Dogs Australia's puppy educators, and to apply for the volunteer roles, head to the organisation's website.
The days of trying to fashion a full meal out of four ingredients a la Aristos The Surprise Chef (aka that guy that used to ambush unsuspecting shoppers in Coles and beg to cook them dinner) are over. You can do better than pasta with garlic and olive oil, and we all know it. Thanks to some great local suppliers, broadening your culinary horizons has never been so easy. These days, most local shopping strips have a speciality cheese supplier, organic food store and/or a fresh fruit shop — so you don't have to search high and low to find what you're after. And, to make it even easier, we've teamed up with American Express to create this list of grocery go-tos. So, bookmark this for the next time you're in need of some truffle oil/galangal/'nduja. These local spots will have what you need and, as an added bonus, they all accept your American Express Card. Next stop, Iron Chef.
Before 2020 rolled around, the Victoria–New South Wales border hadn't closed for more than 100 years. So when it shut last July, it was a rather big deal. In the months since, however, residents of both states have seen the situation change back and forth multiple times. After a COVID-19 outbreak hit Sydney's northern beaches over the Christmas and NYE period, the border closed again, with Victoria starting 2021 by shutting off to all of NSW. Since then, the latter state reopened to regional NSW, then to all but ten Greater Sydney local government areas and finally to all but one LGA. From 6pm tonight, Friday, January 29, it's reopening to that last LGA, Cumberland — which means that no one in NSW will be forbidden from entering. Victoria implemented a traffic light-style system earlier in January, which colour-codes different regions of the country depending on their COVID-19 cases — so, as part of this new change, Cumberland will move from a red zone to an orange zone. That'll mean that folks who've been in the LGA in the past 14 days can enter Victoria, but they'll need to isolate on arrival and get tested within 72 hours. And, they'll need to receive a negative result before they're free to leave isolation. They also have to apply for a permit before entry, too — like all Australians, because compulsory permits are now part of Victoria's process for anyone who wants to enter the state. If you try and enter Victoria without a valid permit, you risk being fined $4957. You can apply for one online. Cumberland isn't the only part of NSW that has been downgraded, either. Victoria is also moving all parts of the state that were previously classified as orange zones to green zones. On the list: the Greater Sydney LGAs of Blacktown City, Burwood, Canada Bay City, Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield City, Inner West, Parramatta City and Strathfield Municipality and Liverpool, plus Wollongong and the Blue Mountains. Travellers entering Victoria from a green zone still need to apply for a permit, but do not need to get tested or isolate on arrival, unless they develop symptoms. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1354985485140185093 The loosened border restrictions come as Victoria records its 23rd consecutive day of zero new cases of community transmission. Overnight, the state did record one new case in hotel quarantine. Announcing the change in a statement, Premier Daniel Andrews said that he is "extremely happy to see the last red zone in New South Wales be downgraded. We're reminding people to get tested if they're returning from an orange zone, so we can continue to enjoy an open and COVID-safe summer." For more information on Victoria's new permit system — or to apply for one — head to the Department of Health and Human Services website.
Bond and big-name festival hits. Everyone from Paul Mescal and Lily James and to Olivia Colman and Colin Farrell. Established and up-and-coming filmmakers from across the UK. That's the British Film Festival's 2022 lineup, which'll hit Melbourne's Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and The Astor from Wednesday, October 19–Wednesday, November 16. Get ready to catch Mescal's latest post-Normal People role, Aftersun, then check out a rom-com starring James (Pam & Tommy) with Shazad Latif (Toast of Tinseltown), before seeing the Australian premiere of Colman's (Mothering Sunday) newest movie Joyride. As always, it's a star-studded affair, including opening with Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, as set in the world of French fashion, with Oscar-nominated Phantom Thread actor Lesley Manville in the titular role. At the other end, that aforementioned rom-com What's Love Got to Do With It? will wrap things up, with James and Latif joined on-screen by Emma Thompson (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande). Other standouts include The Banshees of Inisherin, which reunites In Bruges writer/director Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) and his stars Farrell (After Yang) and Brendan Gleeson (The Tragedy of Macbeth); plus the Bill Nighy (The Man Who Fell to Earth)-starring Living, about a terminally ill man in the 1950s. Also on the complete bill, and a huge inclusion: Empire of Light, the new film from 1917, Skyfall and Spectre's Sam Mendes. Skyfall will also play as part of the Bond retrospective, but the director's latest has been called a love letter to cinema — because charting a romance in an old picture palace in the 1980s was always going to earn that description. An Emily Brontë biopic, aptly named Emily, and directed by Australia actor-turned-filmmaker Frances O'Connor (The End), also sits on the lineup — as do more sea shanties in song-filled sequel Fisherman's Friends 2: One and All. Or, there's Rogue Agent, which dramatises conman (and fake undercover MI5 agent) Robert Freegard's IRL story; In From the Side, about an affair between two members of a fictional South London gay rugby club; and Aisha, focusing on a young Nigerian woman seeking asylum in Ireland. As for that shaken-not-stirred contingent, it celebrates six decades since Dr No, the first movie in the 007 franchise, initially graced cinemas — and includes 14 films, with tickets $13 for each. The title that started it all is well and truly on the lineup, as are the fellow Connery-led You Only Live Twice, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger and Thunderball; Roger Moore-era titles Live and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun; On Your Majesty's Secret Service with Australia's Bond George Lazenby; Timothy Dalton in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill; Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough with Pierce Brosnan; and Daniel Craig's Casino Royale and Skyfall.
Port Melbourne has scored itself a taste of the 1950s jazz scene, with sophisticated cocktail lounge Clooney Kitchen & Bar opening its doors on Bay Street this week. Named not for the actor, but for his famous jazz musician aunt Rosemary, it's a little dose of old-world Hollywood glamour down under. Heading up the bar are Shannon McFarland (The Rochester, Woodland House) and Will Crennan (Gin Palace, Collins Quarter), who have pulled together a collection of artisanal spirits, inventive signature cocktails, craft beers from across Italy and Australia, and a tidy, yet well-travelled lineup of wine. Dialling up the luxury will be lesser known Italian liqueurs, Scotch tasting trays and George Clooney's own Casamigos tequila. Meanwhile, McFarland's house-made liqueurs — and the bar's opulent crystal goblets — will add a unique edge to your drinking sessions. To match, Head Chef Leigh Stanicic (Melbourne Wine Room, The Fat Duck) has designed a menu of bar snacks and small bites drawing inspiration from across Europe and Asia, featuring dishes such as Peking duck terrine with duck skin crackling, barbecue pig jowl and Davidson plum salmon crudo. You can go a la carte — and choose your own adventure — or settle in for the four-course food and cocktail degustation, a collaboration between McFarland and Stanicic. The space itself is dressed to impress, designed by Darren Kerf of Kerf Designs, with swanky plum velvet booths, art deco features and bold wallpapers full of 1950s elegance. To round out the experience, the team is matching that vintage sophistication with an old-school sense of hospitality, serving drinks carefully customised to guests' palates, and respecting the classics, while also embracing the new and innovative. And the music will, fittingly, feature plenty of old-school jazz. Find Clooney Kitchen & Bar at 171 Bay Street, Port Melbourne. It's open from Tuesday–Wednesday, 4pm–midnight and Thursday–Saturday, 4pm–1am. Images: Kevin Li.
Australian artist and filmmaker, Amiel Courtin-Wilson returns home to share his experiences in the United States with his latest solo exhibition, The American Experiment. Over the last 17 years Courtin-Wilson has worked in filmmaking in the USA, and the exhibition is set to feature a range of his works in a variety of mediums, including moving image installation, audio recordings and “diagrammatic endeavours to find new graphic representations of cinematic structure”. Gertrude Contemporary has recently been exploring interdisciplinary exhibitions, and Courtin-Wilson’s work fits the bill perfectly. The American Experiment specifically explores the intersection of contemporary art and documentary film. Emma Crimmings, director of Gertrude Contemporary, describes Courtin-Wilson’s work as “not strictly documentary in nature or form, but rather carefully contrived portraits of trauma and survival. "Straddling a space somewhere between the real and unimaginable, his work is characterised by its combination of highly authored realist narratives with imagery that is raw, fragile, violent, impressionistic — and often times staggeringly beautiful.” Well if that’s not a tick of approval, we’re not sure what is. Catch this acclaimed, multi-award winning filmmaker’s work while you can.
St Kilda is home to many of Melbourne's most iconic venues, but perhaps none are more totemic of the suburb than its foreshore. While this beachside promenade is popular all year round, it's when the warmer weather hits that the palm-lined boardwalk really comes to life with walkers, joggers and rollerbladers creating a hub of activity. Meanwhile, on the other side of the sand, it's not uncommon to see kitesurfers, windsurfers and swimmers in, on and above the glistening waters of Melbourne's most famous beach. The foreshore area is also home to the historic St Kilda Pier, a popular angling spot that dates back to 1853 and still offers some of the best CBD views from anywhere in town. If you head to the end of the pier, you'll be able to see the colony of resident fairy penguins burrowing in the rocks at the breakwater. Image: Visit Victoria
UPDATE, April 12, 2021: Knives Out is available to stream via Amazon Prime Video, Binge, Foxtel Now, Google Play, YouTube Movies and iTunes. Sharp, shiny and unafraid to leave a mark, Knives Out sticks a blade into the murder-mystery genre, gives it a good twist and has plenty of fun. The first post-Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi flick from writer/director Rian Johnson, who returns to the pulpier terrain of Brick and Looper, this movie knows how to slice through the familiar, toy with trusty tropes, and create a gloriously smart, subversive and entertaining whodunit. The setup: a death in a wealthy family. The deceased: a crime author who wrote books about this kind of scenario. Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) expires after his 85th birthday party, when all of his relatives happen to be in his remote mansion. And yes, as a cop (Lakeith Stanfield), trooper (Noah Segan) and private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) discover, everyone has a motive — even if the old man's passing looks like a suicide. Initially framed via interviews with the Thrombeys, Knives Out interrogates the possible culprits. Daughter Linda (Jamie Lee Curtis) became a real estate mogul without her dad's help, keeps her Trump-sympathising husband Richard (Don Johnson) in check and has an arrogant son, Ransom (Chris Evans), who's the picture of privilege and entitlement. Her brother Walt (Michael Shannon) is Harlan's publisher and has his own right-wing problem child (Jaeden Martell), while sister-in-law Joni (Toni Collette) is a lifestyle guru with a college-aged kid (Katherine Langford) hanging on grandpa's purse strings. As his closest confidante, Harlan's nurse Marta (Ana de Armas) also fields the detectives' enquiries. She tries not to vomit, too — a reflex whenever she tells a lie. As he makes clear in his slow southern drawl, Blanc is very intrigued by that physical reaction. It's a narrative that Agatha Christie could've penned a century ago, when she started writing Hercule Poirot stories. And yet, unlike the current revivals of the author's work — 2017's Murder on the Orient Express and next year's Death on the Nile — Johnson isn't peering backwards. Knives Out is steeped in America's present socio-political climate, and directs its most cutting commentary at folks filled with bluster but possessing little in the way of good ol'-fashioned human decency. It's not by accident that Marta, a Latin immigrant from a South American country that none of the Thrombeys bothers to remember, sits at the centre of this expertly executed film. Or, that she's the only one who isn't frothing over Harlan's money. Sometimes Johnson's scathing statements fall on the obvious side, but hey, a blunt knife can still cause considerable damage. Mostly, Knives Out is sleek, slinky and fascinated with its many secrets, which have been pieced together with precision. For viewers eager to sleuth themselves, it isn't overly difficult to start sniffing in the right direction — but the joys of seeing the plot spill open go far beyond simply discovering who did what among the rogue's gallery of shifty suspects. And anyway, another game is afoot, as Blanc keeps telling his offsiders (in a nod to Sherlock Holmes, of course). The private eye doesn't know who hired him, or why, and he's as obsessed with that question as he is with the Thrombey clan's petty yet incessant sniping. Oh, the sniping. One of the keys to Knives Out's genre is how quickly it always strips its players down to their base instincts and motives, which this nifty picture does extremely well. Not every character gains quite enough flesh over the top, but the entire cast is gleefully happy going along for the ride. That Craig, de Armas and Evans fare best is really just a matter of screen time, although all three earn the added attention. As loose as he often is whenever he ditches Bond's grim seriousness (as seen in heist caper Logan Lucky), Craig is having a ball — while de Armas proves sensitive but savvy, and Evans leaves Captain America's wholesomeness far, far behind. Johnson hasn't overlooked two other crucial elements of ace whodunits, thankfully. All those double-crosses, puzzles and arguments are great, but truly excellent murder-mysteries also engage the eyes and serve up a rollicking good time. With his now five-time cinematographer Steve Yedlin, the filmmaker easily takes care of the first aspect while his movie roves around Harlan's labyrinthine home (kudos to the production design team, too). As for the second part of the equation, that stems from the director's light but biting handling of his own material — and his knack for a hearty laugh. Some murder-mysteries try but fail, as Netflix's weak Adam Sandler vehicle Murder Mystery demonstrated earlier this year. Some find their nutty niche and prosper, as 80s cult classic Clue has over the years. It's a testament to Knives Out that it achieves everything it should, hits every target and firmly feels like its own highly enjoyable film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw6L1mu-Nss
Lasagne is a bit like lamingtons, even though the two delicious dishes taste and look absolutely nothing alike. Their one big commonality: if there's an inventive way to twist either in any way, whatever that new bite happens to be is definitely worth trying. Actually, the two foods share something else in common, because Australia's world-famous Lune Croissanterie has also given them both a whirl. It's served up lamington cruffins and lasagne pastries before, but they're both always welcome — and, to start winter 2023, the latter is back. Lasagne, but a pastry? Yes, that's now a real thing that exists — but only for this month, until Friday, June 30, at all Lune stores around the country. That spans Fitzroy, the CBD and Armadale in Melbourne, plus South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane. From Armadale, South Brisbane and Burnett Lane only, you can also order its June specials online. So, what are these instantly tastebud-tempting lasagne pastries? Prepare to meet, devour and love the lasagne escargot. It's the second time that Lune has whipped up this particular Frankenstein's monster of a bakery creation — and, as it did in 2022, it's bound to set your stomach alive with deliciousness. Yes, it comes stuffed with bolognese and béchamel. There's also shredded mozzarella cheese, because of course there is. And, that pastry is then topped with parmesan before it goes in the oven. Also on the month-long specials menu: pumpkin pie cruffins. Using a recipe from Lune co-founder Kate Reid's cookbook Lune: Croissants All Day, All Night, this snack fills a cruffin with pumpkin pie custard and maple syrup, then tops it with cinnamon cream and cinnamon sugar. Clearly, there's winter comfort foods, and then there's Lune's winter comfort foods. Ginger molasses croissants and chocolate banana rum pains au chocolat should also get stomachs grumbling. The former stuffs a twice-baked croissant with ginger molasses frangipane, with ginger molasses cookie and cream cheese icing on top. The latter is also baked twice, and benefits from chocolate frangipane, banana jam and rum caramel inside, plus rum-spiked whipped cream and toasted cocoa nibs to cap it off. Still hungry? The pear and chocolate danish pairs chocolate custard and slices of poached pear, while the Coconut Kouign Amann takes its cues from Filipino treat pane de coco, baking in a brown sugar syrup until its caramelised, and being piped with coconut cream caramel. Lune's lasagne escargot are available from all stores — Fitzroy, the CBD and Armadale in Melbourne, and South Brisbane and Burnett Lane in Brisbane — until Friday, June 30. From Armadale, South Brisbane and Burnett Lane only, you can also order them online. Images: Peter Dillon.
Contrary to popular belief, the best time to be at Revolver Upstairs is not 3am on a Saturday morning. The classic Chapel Street venue is not only home to a dance floor, but also to a pretty great Thai restaurant, Colonel Tan's by Karen Batson, of Cookie and Magic Mountain Saloon fame. From 5pm to 11pm, Tuesday to Saturday, grab a seat on those comfy couches and devour some spicy Thai food alongside a beverage. On Tuesdays, the venue hosts trivia, then DJs after 9pm. Get yourself down there, and discover a brand new side to the venue you most likely have a love-hate relationship with. Image: @jjaarrvviieess / Instagram.
As the title of a franchise, Insidious has already been taken. Which is unfortunate, because it would have suited the pictures of Michael Haneke perfectly. Although his movies don't comprise an interconnected series, they're linked by the filmmaker's continued obsession with the way people really behave. In the work of the acclaimed writer-director, seemingly ordinary situations become something else entirely, whether it's strangers knocking at the door in Funny Games, a family going about its normal business in Cache, or an elderly couple at the end of their lives in Amour. With considerable cunning, Haneke's stories unsettle by gradually exposing the facade behind which we all live — particularly when matters of love, loyalty and the complicated bonds of blood are involved. Sporting an ironic moniker, Happy End is no different. If you're onboard with the type of humour Haneke demonstrates in those two words, then you're well prepared for the sly comic social critique that follows. Setting the subject of social media firmly in its sights, the director's latest film doesn't hold back, tearing down humanity's contemporary fondness for screens over in-person interactions. What we're snapping, filming, uploading, posting, emailing, reading, watching, scrolling through and clicking on is one of Haneke's two main targets. How we treat even our closest relatives when we're more concerned with likes, shares and our own busy lives is the other. Opening with Snapchat footage, it's quickly apparent that something sinister is brewing. Although we don't initially know who's responsible, seeing a hamster being drugged doesn't paint a contented picture, and nor does vision of a clearly miserable woman. Then Happy End introduces 12-year-old Eve Laurent (Fantine Harduin), who is bundled off to stay with her father (Mathieu Kassovitz) and his incredibly wealthy extended family after her mother overdoses. Not that anyone in her new mansion home pays the girl much attention. They're as content to ignore her as they are her increasingly senile grandfather Georges (Jean-Louis Trintignant). As Eve's stepmother (Laura Verlinden) fusses over her new baby, her aunt Anne (Isabelle Huppert) prepares to take over the family construction company, and various family crises bubble up, the pre-teen and the octogenarian form a bleak kind of bond. Other than his new social media savvy (and a standout karaoke scene soundtracked to Sia's 'Chandelier'), Haneke ticks plenty of recognisable boxes with Happy End. A little too many, perhaps. He doesn't lose his ability to intrigue, but it's obvious that he's relying upon his established tricks and trademarks, almost as if he's making his own greatest hits package. In a way, keeping to his usual beats supports the recurring message in many of his movies: that life's woes and worries tend to repeat. That said, when spotting the filmmaker's familiar flourishes is more interesting than sections of the narrative, it's also a problem. Still, even when he's retracing his own footsteps with a knowing wink and smile, Haneke's work sits in its own category. The playfulness paired with grim scenarios, the long shots urging viewers not to tear their eyes away, the unease oozing from every scene and performance: it's all there, deployed with the requisite finesse. And while the final result isn't among Haneke's best films, when it comes to plunging into the chilling darkness behind carefully cultivated public personas, no one does it quite like the Austrian master. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Jn1AIzcBQ
Just when we thought we had enough yoga joints to never run out of free two-week introductory trials, a new studio has opened in Melbourne. Marketed as "bringing the essence of LA to Melbourne", r.a.w. studios (an acronym for 'ready and willing', for those who were wondering) is the CBD's new luxury wellness centre focused on both exercising the body and the mind. r.a.w. studios is something of a one-stop health and wellbeing shop, providing fitness classes, nutrition, education and even beauty services. The space consists of three yoga, barre movement and mobility studios in addition to a members' lounge where you can sip on a smoothie (complimentary for members), grab a book from the in-house library (yes, they have a library) and enjoy a nutritious meal once you've completed your workout. You can order in some sashimi from nearby Izakaya Den and in the coming weeks you'll even be able to grab a bite from their in-house kitchen. The concept and design of the studio is the result of a collaboration between hotel development group the Like Minded Group and Melbourne designer Travis Walton Architecture. Members will have access to a "360-degree multi-platform space", including international health experts, a range of fitness instructors conducting both group and one-on-one fitness classes, educational workshops (on topics like business and current affairs) and beauty amenities. Both meditation and philosophy classes will also be offered, meaning you can relax and question the meaning of life simultaneously. The studio has even developed its own signature scent to make your workout that extra bit memorable and tranquil — how's that for thinking of everything? There are only 500 spots available — so if you're keen, you best get in quick. Day passes start at $49, while a membership will set you back $79 per week. The studio will happily give prospective members a tour without charge, which is a good way to check out the place if you're broke but really want to know what the place smells like. r.a.w. studios is located at Basement, 118 Russell Street, Melbourne. For more info, visit raw-studios.com.au.
If you're fond of activewear, you better work some shopping time into your schedule this week. The Upside is hosting its first ever Melbourne warehouse sale, taking over Clifton Street Market from May 17–19. The Sydney-based activewear brand is offering up to 80 percent off for both men's and women's apparel, with pieces starting at just 25 bucks. Expect colourfully patterned sports bras for $30, legging for $50, hoodies for $50 and tanks and tees from $35. There'll also be pieces from the brand's swim and resort wear collections, including $50 bathers and dresses from $50. All samples will be $25. We expect there will be a queue — move around some yoga classes to get there early. The Upside Warehouse Sale will be open from 8am–6pm Friday and 9am–5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
A balmy afternoon spent hanging out in an historic garden, quaffing bubbly and playing petanque — it sounds like something out of some European holiday, though come Saturday, January 19, you won't have to go anywhere near as far to enjoy this very situation. The Macedon Ranges' Cleveland Winery is gearing up to host its inaugural Sparkling Pinot and Petanque event, delivering a fun summer session within its lush green grounds. You'll have a chance to show off your lawn games skills on one of the petanque courses, with experts from the Woodend Hanging Rock Petanque Club on hand to help polish those moves. And you can enjoy sparkling pinot and cheese boards while you play. The winery's famous underground cellar door will play host to blind tasting sessions throughout the afternoon, as well as offering a range of locally crafted Herbal Lore liqueurs and Tooborc Brewery craft beers. Tasty bites will come courtesy of both Donald & Tuck Food Truck and Cleveland's own woodfired pizza menu, and there'll be a grape-stomping championship if all that petanque has unleashed a bit of competitive spirit. Depending on the size of your crew, there are a range of ticket packages available, with adult single tickets starting from $20.
Now that dining and drinking out are back on the menu in Melbourne, you may want to branch out of the same ol', same ol' bar situation. Don't get us wrong, we love our trusty haunts, but sometimes you want to check out somewhere new. If that's the case, make tracks to Albert Park Lake Club Pop-Up stat. A collaboration between Albert Park venue Power House and locally loved Prahran pub The Smith, the two-month pop-up bar will take over Power House Deck, transforming the popular lakeside venue into a buzzy social space that'll serve up cocktails and fresh, summery bites. Celebrate the end of Melbourne's lockdown — and the glorious sunshine — by sipping cocktails and tucking in to the likes of calamari, wagyu katsu sangas and ice cream sandwiches. You'll be kicking back all while taking in views of Albert Park Lake. And, you can feel good while you imbibe, with $1 from every Lord Somers Spritz sold going straight to the Lord Somers Camp and Power House foundation. There'll be a $35 Bottomless Spritz special available every Monday to Friday from 5.30–6.30pm. On top of an hour of unlimited spritzes, you'll also get a red coral lobster and prawn roll to help line the stomach. Or, for a real treat, book in to The Smith's Brunch with Soul Lakeside Edition, which will include live soul tunes from the resident Gospel Choir, one brunch item and two hours of bottomless spritzes, house wine and select tap beer. The music-filled brunch will run on Sundays, from 11am–1pm and 2–4pm, and set you back $65 per person. Find the Albert Park Lake Club Pop-Up at Power House Deck, 34 Lakeside Drive. To book, head over here.
In October 2023, Karen Martini's restaurant Hero suddenly closed its doors to the public. It was a shock for the industry. But the author and celebrity chef wasn't gone for long. She soon became Culinary Director of Johnny's Green Room, and then took charge of all things food at Saint George gastropub in St Kilda. The transformed venue (formerly The Saint Hotel) now includes two distinct drinking and dining spaces: The Tavern and The Grill. The Tavern is home to some classic gastropub eats like a fried fish burger and veal cotoletta, plus a few fun and more interesting dishes like the potato cake topped with whipped cod roe. But it's within The Grill where Martini is really showcasing her signature contemporary Italian culinary stylings. For one, it is where she is bringing back her much-loved bistecca alla Fiorentina (from when she worked at Melbourne Wine Room). A slew of antipasti dishes and handmade pasta also feature in this more refined part of St Kilda's Saint George. The drinks menu includes a quirky wine list, along with plenty of Italian-inspired cocktails and some local beers. The backdrop to the food and drink lineup is the newly designed Saint George. Chris Connell Designs has kept things simple, restoring the exposed brickwork, while placing simple black tables throughout the two spaces and injecting a bit of colour with pleasing earthy hues. A few wall-sized David Band artworks from Martini's personal art collection have also been recreated for the pub, adding to its sleek and contemporary feel. Martini is leaving her stamp all over the Saint George gastropub in St Kilda, and we are all for it. Images: Kristoffer Paulsen.
When the Australian Open returns for 2023, it'll also serve up a few aces for local music-lovers — namely, as part of the inaugural AO Finals Festival, which is set to heat up Kia Arena with a program of live acts from Friday, January 27–Sunday, January 29. The music fest is dishing up a ripper lineup for its debut run, too, curated with help from the respected music-heads at Untitled Group — the brains behind Pitch Music & Arts, For The Love, Grapevine Gathering and more. The festival's first day coincides with global LGBTQIA+ event The Grand Slam, presented by Ralph Lauren. Legendary singer-songwriter and 'Absolutely Everybody' star Amorosi will help launch the musical offerings, joined by pop darling Montaigne and DJ Bertie. [caption id="attachment_842049" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Flight Facilities[/caption] Chasing that on January 28 (also the AO women's finals day), you'll catch New Zealand singer-songwriter Benee, renowned Gamilaraay artist Thelma Plum and party-starting six-piece Winston Surfshirt, along with dance favourite CC:DISCO!. And wrapping things up on AO men's finals day you'll have electro duo Flight Facilities, backed by Lastlings, Sydney's Willo and emerging Melbourne star Forest Claudette. The gigs will take place in Melbourne's Park Kia Arena, with tickets at $34 for each day. If you're already heading courtside during the AO, you'll just need to drop $5 to upgrade your existing ground pass or Rod Laver Arena stadium ticket to include entry to the AO Finals Festival on any given day. [caption id="attachment_789706" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Benee[/caption]
Gelato Messina loves a creative ice cream flavour, and an inventive dessert in general. It also adores something else almost as much: collaborations. Messina lube, sunscreen, festive treats, craft beer spiders, sneakers, body washes and balm all either do exist or have existed, to name just a few of the brand's team ups in the past couple of years. Next on the list: FELLR seltzers that taste like Messina's sorbets. If you like the dessert chain's yuzu, blood orange, and salted coconut and mango sorbets to lick in a cone or from a cup, and you like boozy seltzers, then we're betting you'll be keen on the FELLR x Messina Sorbet Series. Those three flavours will be available to sip from Friday, December 1 thanks to a new range that'll hit bottle-os such as BWS and Dan Murphy's, plus selected venues and festivals. For drinking at home, at parties, on picnics and the like, you'll be getting your sorbet-inspired tipples in a ten pack. Messina and FELLR's advice: get in quick because these are limited-edition beverages. The seltzers are launching with a series of festivities, too, whether you like dessert or drinks. Firstly, three new specials will arrive in Messina's cabinets at all stores for a week, or until stocks last: custard gelato with blood orange gel, baked sponge and whipped cream (from Thursday, November 30); mango and coconut gelato with salted coconut fudge and coconut biscuits (from Friday, December 1); and yuzu cheesecake gelato with baked cheesecake and dulce de leche (from Saturday, December 2). You can also enjoy yuzu sorbet from Friday, December 1–Thursday, December 7. The seltzers are also getting a Bondi launch party from 5pm on Friday, December 15 at Beach Road Hotel, with help from The Lazy Eyes and Gully Days. And, a heap of pop-ups are on their way across Australia's east coast, with FELLR and Messina heading to Manly Beach's New Brighton Hotel, Victoria's Brighton Beach Hotel, Breakfast Creek Hotel in Brisbane and Miami Tavern on the Gold Coast — with dates set to drop via FELLR and Messina's socials. The FELLR x Messina Sorbet Series hits BWS, Dan Murphy's, and selected venues and festivals on Friday, December 1.
There comes a point when buying something for your dad becomes impossible. He has the gadgets, the tools, the hobby gear, and the polo shirts. What he probably doesn't have is a day with you — phones down, full attention, doing something totally memorable. That's the real win this Father's Day. Not another thing for the shelf, but an experience you can both enjoy doing together. Whether he's still bragging about his first Commodore or just enjoys the great outdoors, these Adrenaline-approved experiences are designed to be shared. Here are seven ideas to help make that happen in and around Melbourne. Take a V8 Supercar for a Spin at Sandown Nothing says "cool dad moment" like seeing him behind the wheel of a proper V8 supercar. At Melbourne's Sandown Raceway, this Race Car Experience lets your dad live out his racing fantasy for six blistering laps. He'll be briefed by professional instructors, kitted up in proper race gear, and then let loose on one of Melbourne's best motorsport tracks. Even if he's never gone faster than the West Gate speed limit, he'll be buzzing by the end of it. And if you're up for it, you can join him for back-to-back sessions, resulting in twice the trash talk over lunch. Book a V8 race car drive experience here Go Off-Road with Rally Driving in Avalon For dads who prefer dust over tight cornering, Rally Driving at Avalon is a must. Located just outside Geelong, this off-road course is designed with long straights, loose gravel, and plenty of corners to slide through. Your dad will handle a fully spec'd Subaru WRX STi, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, Toyota 86 or Subaru BRZ for 16 fast-paced laps with a pro in his ear the whole time, guiding every drift. Then he'll jump in the passenger seat and let the instructor show off. It's intense, fun and the drive back home will no doubt be full of laughs. Book a rally driving experience here. Do a Track Driving Day in Your Own Car Some dads love their cars as much as they love you. If that sounds like yours, this Track Day at Sandown is the ultimate Father's Day activity. For one full day, he can take his own car out on a professional racetrack and experience what it's really made of — legally, safely and without speed limits. He'll get safety briefings, track etiquette guidance, and all the space he needs to push his driving skills to the max. If dad was the one who first taught you how to drive, this is the ultimate way to pay him back. Book a track driving day in your own car here. Visit Hector's Deli in South Melbourne For breakfast done right, head to Hector's Deli in South Melbourne, or one of their other locations in Richmond, Little Collins or Fitzroy. These guys have turned the humble sandwich into a cult item — messy, crunchy, flavour-packed and very, very satisfying. Choose from thick-cut pastrami, fried chicken and melty cheese layered between slices of golden toast. Pair it with a solid coffee and you've got the kind of fuel that sets the tone for a big day ahead. Come early as lines form fast, but it's worth the wait. Go on a Fishing Charter in Sorrento This Sea Fishing Adventure is the perfect option if your dad's more into calm mornings, good banter and the occasional bite. You'll spend a few hours cruising through Port Phillip Heads, soaking up the fresh air while you cast lines for snapper, salmon and flathead. Everything's sorted with your ticket, including rods, bait, snacks and drinks, so you can both focus on the important stuff: winding down and talking rubbish in the best way. Even if the fish don't bite, the time together is the real reward. And if they do? Just don't let him tell the same fishing story twice. Book a fishing charter here. Watch the Sunrise From a Hot Air Balloon If you're chasing something more peaceful (and photogenic) go for a Hot Air Balloon Ride over Melbourne. You'll meet your pilot pre-dawn, watch the setup, then float silently above the skyline as the city wakes up below you. After you touch back down, you'll sit down for a prosecco breakfast at Mansfield Coffee Merchant. It's stunning and something that feels like a genuine adventure you can do together. If all dad wants is to see you happy, this is the best gift you can give him this Father's Day. Book a hot air balloon here. [caption id="attachment_860199" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Earl Carter[/caption] Book a Dinner at Gimlet in Melbourne CBD If you want to finish up the day with something a little fancier, book a table at Gimlet at Cavendish House. It's decked out with polished timber and old-school charm. Whether you're there for lunch or dinner, the oysters, local and imported cheese selection, Gippsland beef tenderloin and perfect martinis are all a highlight. If your dad's a fan of great service, great cocktails and good conversation, this one will hit the mark. This Father's Day, don't get stuck trying to pick the "perfect gift". Choose something you'd love to do, then bring your dad along to experience it together. Book dad an adventure with Adrenaline — five-year validity, instant delivery and memories made together.
Maybe Sammy is no stranger to winning an award. It was named in the top 50 bars in the world in 2019, 2020 and 2021 — and named the Best Bar in Australasia at The World's 50 Best Bars in all three years. Back in 2019, it was also named the Best International New Cocktail Bar at the 2019 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards in New Orleans. The Spirited Awards recognises the best cocktail bars from around the world since 2007, and this year Maybe Sammy has one-upped itself taking out two honours at the 2022 ceremony. Firstly, the bar's staff have been crowned Best International Bar Team, while co-founder Martin Hudak has also been awarded Best International Brand Ambassador. Maybe Sammy beat out the Best International Bar Team shortlist which included Columbia's Alquimico, Greece's The Clumsies and Spain's Two Schmucks to be named the cream of the crop in the areas of experience, professionalism, hospitality and consistency of service. While the entire team was recognised, Hudak was singled out and named Best International Brand Ambassador for his work with the beloved local coffee liqueur brand Mr Black. Maybe Sammy was the only Australian bar to be recognised at the ceremony. Elsewhere in the world, London featured heavily in the international categories, with Tayer + Elementary taking out the Best International Cocktail Bar, Sexy Fish being named Best International Restaurant Bar and the confusingly named A Bar with Shapes for a Name winning Best New International Cocktail Bar. Plus, Katana Kitten out of New York was named Best US Cocktail Bar, New Orlean's Jewel of the South took out Best US Restaurant Bar and fresh Albuquerque face Happy Accidents won Best New US Cocktail Bar. [caption id="attachment_794856" align="alignnone" width="1920"] DS Oficina[/caption] You can find the list of winners for the Tales of the Cocktail 2022 Spirited Awards at the award ceremony's website.
Come summer in Melbourne, you won't just see stars on cinema screens — you'll sit beneath them while you're watching a movie. That's what Rooftop Cinema promises each and every year, and the first part of its 2019–20 program certainly delivers. First stop: Joaquin Phoenix in Joker. Kicking off on the first day of summer (conveniently a Sunday) and running through until March 2019 (with the second half of the program still to be announced), there's plenty more movie fun where that came from. Haven't had a chance to see Bill Murray and Adam Driver hunt zombies in The Dead Don't Die? Keen to check out Renee Zellweger's exceptional performance in Judy? Want pretend you're watching an 80s Elton John in Rocketman? You'll find them all on the lineup. Don't forget that checking out classics on the big screen is all part of the Rooftop Cinema experience as well, though. This year's retro contingent includes tributes (Good Fellas, The Shawshank Redemption, Spirited Away, Raising Arizona, Clueless) and all manner of Christmas hijinks (Love Actually, Home Alone and Die Hard) If there's ever been a reason to spend your evenings outdoors for the next few months, this is it. Rooftop Cinema takes place in the Melbourne CBD, on top of Curtin House, Swanston Street (between Little Bourke and Lonsdale Streets). The bar opens daily between 11am and 1am, with films starting at 9.30pm in December and January. The February and March program will be announced in late January.
If you're going to fork out an arm and a leg for candy bar concessions, the food may as well be good. That's the thinking behind the ever-popular Coburg Drive-In Food Truck Festival, which is back for a May run. On Wednesday and Thursday night you can sit back in your car and enjoy the latest Hollywood releases while chowing down on delectable offerings from Melbourne's leading mobile food vendors. Look out for the likes of Taco Truck, Smokin Barry's, Nem N Nem, Boss Burger Shakes, Yo India, Real Burgers, Those Guys' Food, Roadrunner Fried Chicken, Street Crepes and Senor Churro. Plus, your pooch is welcome to come along too.
Everyone loves a good laugh. And everyone really loves a good bargain. And right now, you've got a tiny window to enjoy both of those things, rolled into one. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) is just around the corner, kicking off in late March. But if you're quick, you can get a head-start on scooping up tickets to some of this year's shows at a very budget-friendly rate. From 11am today, Tuesday, February 1, MICF has launched its annual 24/24 offer — a 24-hour-only deal slinging tickets to a stack of shows for the low price of $24 a pop. The flash sale covers gigs from a whole host of big-name Aussie artists, including Becky Lucas, Wil Anderson, Nazeem Hussain, Geraldine Hickey, Zoë Coombs Marr, Aaron Chen and Sammy J. You can even catch some international acts on the cheap, with the likes of David O'Doherty, Ali McGregor, Mark Watson and Fern Brady also among the list of participating shows. To take advantage of the special offer, you'll need to be speedy — it ends at exactly 10.59am tomorrow, February 2. To check out the full list of cheap thrills available, see the website. Top Image: Jim Lee
UPDATE, March 30, 2021: Raya and the Dragon is currently screening in Australian cinemas, and is also currently available to stream via Disney+ with Premier Access (so you'll pay $34.99 extra for it, on top of your usual subscription fee). It'll hit Disney+ without any extra fee on June 4. Featuring a vibrant animated spectacle that heroes vivid green and blue hues, a rousing central figure who is never a stock-standard Disney princess and lively voice work from an all-star cast, Raya and the Last Dragon boasts plenty of highlights. The Mouse House's new all-ages-friendly release also embraces southeast Asian culture with the same warm hug that Moana gave Polynesia and Pixar's Coco sent Mexico's way — and it's always detailed, organic, inclusive and thoughtful, and never tokenistic. But perhaps its biggest strength, other than the pitch-perfect vocal stylings of Awkwafina as the playful, mystical half of the film's title, is its timing. Disney first announced the feature back in August 2019, so the company can't have known what the world would suffer through from early 2020 onwards, of course. But a hopeful movie about a planet ravaged by a destructive plague and blighted by tribalism — and a feature that champions the importance of banding together to make things right, too — really couldn't arrive at a more opportune moment. COVID-19 has no place in Raya and the Last Dragon; however, as the picture's introductory preamble explains, a virus-like wave of critters called the Druun has wreaked havoc. Five hundred years earlier, the world of Kumandra was filled with humans and dragons living together in harmony, until the sinister force hit. Now, only the realm's two-legged inhabitants remain — after their furry friends used their magic to create the dragon gem, which saved everyone except themselves. That's the only status quo that Raya (voiced by Star Wars' Kelly Marie Tran) has ever known. Her entire existence has also been lived out in a divided Kumandra, with different groups staking a claim to various areas. With her father Benja (Daniel Dae Kim, Always Be My Maybe), she hails from the most prosperous region, Heart, and the duo hold out hope that they can reunite the warring lands. Alas, when they bring together their fellow leaders for a peaceful summit, Raya's eagerness to trust Namaari (Gemma Chan, Captain Marvel), the daughter of a rival chief, ends with the Druun on the rampage once again. Directors Don Hall (Big Hero 6) and Carlos López Estrada (Blindspotting), co-directors Paul Briggs and John Ripa (both Disney art and animation department veterans), and screenwriters Qui Nguyen (Dispatches From Elsewhere) and Adele Lim (Crazy Rich Asians) mightn't have had much of a tale to tell if Raya and Namaari had gotten on without a hitch from the get-go. But the latter's early betrayal of the former, and her quest to steal the dragon gem, serves more than a key storytelling function. This is a movie about believing not just in yourself, but in others, and it doesn't shy away from the reality that trusting anyone comes with the chance of peril and pain — especially in fraught times where the world has taken on an every-person-for-themselves mentality and folks are dying (or being turned to stone, which is the Druun's modus operandi). If the narrative hadn't been willing to make this plain again and again, including when it picks up six years later as Raya tries to reverse the devastation caused by Namaari's actions, Raya and the Last Dragon wouldn't feel as genuinely affecting. Rolling around desert wastelands on her giant armadillo-meets-pill bug Tuk Tuk, Raya's mission involves collecting every part of the now-fractured gem — which has been scattered across Kumandra — as well as investigating a legend about Awkwafina's Sisu. It's rumoured that the aquamarine-coloured dragon still lives, and Raya is as intent on finding it as she is on piecing her homeland back together. Tracking down the perennially optimistic Sisu actually happens quickly (it's right there in the movie's buddy-comedy moniker, after all) and the film is all the better for it. So giddily buoyant that she's like a teenage girl, the friendly creature becomes the supportive, exuberant cheerleader encouraging Raya to be her better self and to see the best in others, and their match-up — and the meeting of stellar vocals behind them — works a treat. That said, there is an episodic feel to the pair's jumps from place to place, as they enlist the help of a baby pickpocket, plus orphaned ten-year-old and boat restaurant proprietor Boun (Izaac Wang, Good Boys) and lonely warrior Tong (Benedict Wong, The Personal History of David Copperfield). If you're cynical or even just practical, you can also see how all these characters and settings could give rise to their own toys, other merchandise and spinoffs, too. And yet, this is always a deeply moving feature, thanks to its commitment to recognising the risks as well as the rewards of placing your faith in others, its warmly beating heart, and the complexities of Raya and Namaari's relationship — which is never straightforward, and puts the one-note rivalries between young women so often seen in live-action high school-set movies to shame. A familiar Disney formula is at work underneath, and noticeably, but those easily spotted aspects provide Raya and the Last Dragon with its skeleton rather than driving every detail into well-worn territory. Also hitting the mark: the film's comic notes, especially through Awkwafina's voice performance; its balance of world-building fantasy and epic adventure, and of both hopeful and melancholy tones; and the way it equally plays like a fable and also feels ideally suited to the current moment. Tran, Chan and the rest of the movie's cast, including Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) as Namaari's mother, are just as wonderful, and the feature's finale leaves an imprint. Amid these fine-tuned elements and the always-breathtaking imagery also lingers another message, and one that's just as important as the flick's missive of unity. Clouds of familiarity linger over Raya and the Last Dragon, but they never hide the movie's many charms — because judging something based on its most obvious traits is ill-advised within this touching tale, and when it comes to the film as a whole as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T4GIqEYyNk&feature=youtu.be Top image: © 2020 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
When it comes to a fried chicken burger, Colonel Sanders has nothing on the chefs of Melbourne, who, lucky for us, know just how to prepare a damn fine piece of poultry between bread. Across the city, you'll find tender pieces of chicken coated in a variety of herbs and spices, and drizzled in sauces from blazing hot to garlic and herb-filled ranch. Whether you're after a 2am snack, a hangover cure of salty protein or just a big ol' bite to fill your hunger needs, some moments call for a deep fried bit of bird. We've journeyed everywhere from Chapel Street to East Brunswick, to put together this list of the best of the bunch. Sometimes, there's nothing that can fill your belly quite like a chicken burger.
This year, spend January 26 hanging out with some of the newest, hoppiest local brews as Beer Deluxe showcases a whole swag of homegrown talent at its annual Hop Quest showdown. Descending on the Federation Square beer oasis from 11am will be 20 of Australia's hottest craft breweries, each with a brand-new, hop-tastic beer release in tow. We're talking beers so fresh, their details will remain top secret until the big day. Guests will have a chance to sample all of these never-before-seen creations and to chat with reps from each brewery, enjoying $5 beer tasters throughout the day, before casting their vote for Hop Quest 2019's reigning champ. All of your favourites are coming to the party, including CoConspirators Brewing, KAIJU Beer, 3 Ravens Brewery, Wolf of the Willows, Mr.Banks Brewing Co, Sailors Grave and more. Entry is free, though you'll want to book a table to guarantee a chance to try these much-hyped new release brews. Images: Giulia Morlando
Melbourne Central's famed giant cone top looks pretty impressive from below... but just imagine the view from above. Well, soon enough, that might not be such a stretch of the imagination, as the centre reveals plans for a huge transformation, including the addition of a sprawling rooftop garden and cultural hub. Following the announcement of Melbourne Central's new ten-storey office tower Frame and the opening of its boutique food and drink precinct Ella, comes news the centre is planning a total reinvention by 2021. If it gets the go-ahead from council, it'll be the site's biggest transformation in twenty years. Under the most recent proposal, the crowning glory of the new-look Melbourne Central will be a 2000-square-metre open-air rooftop complete with large-scale art installation, hawker-style food stalls and a series of 'experiential spaces'. The vision for the rooftop shows plenty of greenery, along with sweeping views of the city skyline. Two new retail levels would be also added, while the existing Drewery Place will be revived with a new cafe and tower access. It's all set to be imagined by ARM Architecture, the same studio behind the original build. If you're getting deja vu, that's probably because this is just the latest in a string of new public rooftop spaces currently in the works. A 2000-square-metre rooftop urban farm is being built at the Burwood Brickworks site, Melbourne Skyfarm is set to grace the rooftop of a carpark within the Seafarers Place precinct, and a smaller urban farm helmed by Pastuso chef-owner Alejandro Saravia will also be featured atop the new 80 Collins development. If the proposed Melbourne Central designs get the tick of approval from Melbourne City Council, construction would kick off early next year, with completion slated for 2021.
Winter's coming to a close and we found one way you can end the chilly season on a very toasty high note, involving a lavish, three-course cheese-filled feast. On Wednesday, August 21, star cheesemonger Anthony Femia (Maker & Monger) is teaming up with Arbory Bar & Eatery to deliver a one-off winter dinner that's sure to warm those cockles and fire up those tastebuds. The menu kicks off with one seriously dreamy entree, featuring no less than three different kinds of cheese, alongside fresh baguette, Meatsmith charcuterie, cornichons and peppers. It's all matched to a pinot noir from Gippsland's Lucinda Estate. Next up, you'll be digging into a monster cheese fondue, with the likes of roasted parsnip, warm sourdough and veggies for dipping, and the 2014 Domaine Dupasquier Roussette de Savoie altesse for sipping. Cheese even creeps cleverly into dessert, which will be a modern reworking of the traditional madeleine with gorgonzola, paired with a serve of hot spiced cider. Tickets to the cheese feast will set you back $115, including three courses and all matching drinks.
Come April, the eyes of the sporting world will turn towards the Gold Coast, with the Queensland city hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games. That's great news if you're a fan of athletes and nations vying for glory — and, while it might not initially seem like it, it's great news for arts and culture lovers too. As well as the expected competitive endeavours, the event will also feature a huge multi-arts festival, called Festival 2018. First announced last year, Festival 2018 mightn't boast the most exciting name, but it does promise a plethora of exciting programming across 12 days. Taking place from April 4 to 15, the fest will feature more than 1000 arts and cultural experiences, complete with 1440 artists from 50 countries, and including 35 world premieres and 15 Australian premieres. From the just-revealed full program, highlights include the inflatable labyrinth that is Arboria, which will take over Broadbeach's Kurrawa Park; plus Circa's world-first take on The Rite of Spring, but in circus form; and Dancenorth's 360-degree dance performance Surge. Elsewhere, Yothu Yindi and The Treaty Project will kick off the music offerings, while an evening of African tunes will mark what would've been Nelson Mandela's 100th year, and Courtney Act will host a celebration of LGBTQI pride. Also on the bill is the Gold Coast's own Amy Shark; the all-female Electric Lady, bringing together Aussie female-fronted acts; Hot Dub Time Machine 's latest stint; the seven-metre-wide, floating moon sculpture that is Museum of the Moon; and Holoscenes, the performance artwork which comes to Australia for the first time after wowing crowds in New York City's Times Square. Or, attendees can take part in a participatory dance performance featuring hundreds of people; and sing karaoke as they've never experienced it before — via a field of microphones on Surfers Paradise beach. Other standouts include a Champagne party, an extensive food program at Helensvale's NightQuarter, a silent disco tour, a seaside meditation zone and open-air short film screenings showcasing talent from across the Commonwealth. As previously announced, Kate Miller-Heidke, The Jungle Giants and Mau Power will also feature, as part of a lineup of art, music, theatre, dance and more spanning from from Coomera to Coolangatta. To deliver the massive event, The Festival has joined forces with the existing Bleach* Festival — and will also include satellite events held across the state. For Brisbanites not heading to the Goldie, that includes free music from Regurgitator, The Preatures, Bob Evans, Kev Carmody, Cheap Fakes, Airling, Major Leagues and more at South Bank's Cultural Centre Forecourt, a screening of Warwick Thornton's Aussie flag-focused doco We Don't Need a Map and the return of La Boite's refugee production The Village. Festival 2018 takes place from April 4 to 15 across the Gold Coast and other parts of Queensland. Visit the festival website for further details. Image: Dancenorth, Amber Haines
It's been 12 months since much-loved brewery Kaiju opened the doors to its first brewpub in the heart of Huntingdale. And, of course, that means it's time for some beery birthday celebrations. From 12pm on Saturday, February 11, you're invited to help the venue mark its first year of life with a huge free-entry, family-friendly birthday party. As you'd expect from a brewery with 16 taps and a stellar reputation, the brews will be flowing, complete with a brand-new beer release dropping on the day. Kaiju Cantina's legendary pizzas will also be flying from the oven, with hits like the barbecue chicken combo, the cheeseburger-inspired pizza and the classic capricciosa all on offer. There'll also be a new pizza creation unveiled especially for the occasion. What's more, there'll be giveaways running throughout the day, and they'll be pulling out the plinko table for some carnival game fun, offering a stack of great prizes for high scorers. Images: Kim Jane Photography
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants. Who stars in a movie that’s as much fun for the young-at-heart as it is for the young-in-years? And perhaps even more so? SpongeBob SquarePants. Yes, that absorbent, yellow and porous fellow is back for his second big-screen outing, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water. And yes, it really is entertainment for all ages. Here, the titular Bikini Bottom dweller and fast food fry cook (voiced by Tom Kenny) faces a familiar situation oft-seen in the TV series: stopping villainous rival restaurant owner, the pint-sized Plankton (Doug Lawrence), from stealing the secret formula behind the Krusty Krab's krabby patties everyone can't get enough of. Alas, more sinister shenanigans are also afoot thanks to the scheming of pirate Burger Beard (Antonio Banderas), who has his own plans for the recipe, as well as a magical, future-changing book. In its nine television seasons to date, SpongeBob has always tread that fine line between bright and bizarre, silly and surreal, innocent and absurd, and engaging audiences young and old. The first film based on the series, 2004's The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, did the same; however, the latest feature hoists the happy zaniness up another level. Perhaps it is the pedigree of the folks behind the scenes, sharing stints on Rocko's Modern Life and The Ren & Stimpy Show on their resumes. Perhaps it’s the combination of a big heart, an overwhelming sense of openness and a truly offbeat sense of humour. Perhaps, in this instance, it's also the inclusion of a rapping, time-travelling dolphin overlord called Bubbles, voiced by Matt Berry from Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, The Mighty Boosh, The IT Crowd and Toast of London. If it sounds so out-there that it just might be hilarious, you'll probably find it in the film, including a town turning apocalyptic in the absence of their favourite snack, a war waged with condiments dressed up as a tribute to Mad Max and a superhero whose special skill manifests in controlling ice cream. Think stoner comedy with no mind-altering substances required. Expect 3D antics of the most cheerful kind, interweaving joyful slapstick gags — often based around Patrick (Bill Fagerbakke), SpongeBob's starfish best friend — with pop culture references to The Shining and Sergio Leone that are certain to go over kids' heads. And, unlike most similar offerings, such meta musings feel genuine — and genuinely aimed at adults — amid the madcap mania. Living up to the Sponge Out of Water part of its name later in the game, a foray above ground and into live action doesn't fare anywhere near as well as the animated material, coming off unsurprisingly constrained in contrast to the freewheeling underwater revelry — but that's a minor complaint. For fans, spending more time with SpongeBob is always a treat. For the uninitiated, prepare for a cartoon trip that's the very definition of enjoyable, all-ages nautical nonsense.
In 2011's The Raid, a squad of 20 elite police officers took on a tower block ruled by a crime lord, making their way up the 30 floors through a mixture of gunplay and extreme martial arts. The film was a thrilling surprise, a fun and visceral action ride that we hadn't seen in some time. In the end of that film, our lead, Rama, limps off, after encountering his estranged brother — one of the criminals! — in a tantalising promise of a story that would continue later. That story does not actually continue in The Raid 2. Though it picks up immediately after the events of its predecessor, it tells a whole new story about criminals and corruption. In fact, this film was written before The Raid, and it was only later that writer/director Gareth Evans decided to create a link. It might not have been the wisest idea. Part of the joy of The Raid lies in its almost video game-like simplicity. A bunch of cops making their way up a building, defeating nefarious figures, until they finally reach the big boss. Easily digestible. The appeal of creating a story like Infernal Affairs (or, if you prefer, The Departed) is obvious, and there's certainly nothing wrong with Evans wanting to delve deeper into the world of gangs, corruption, loyalty, double-crosses and general intrigue. The problem is that action films such as these are essentially delivery systems for the action sequences, and so the convolution in this film after the relative simplicity of The Raid is a bit jarring. I'm not one to shy away from a complex plot, but it feels tonally wrong in this film, like someone crowbarred it in, amongst the scenes of actual crowbarring. Whether or not you like The Raid 2: Berandal will depend on which direction you're approaching it from. If you're looking for a crime epic in the vein of Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather or Kinji Fukasaku's Battles Without Honour or Humanity, you might find it a fairly unoriginal exercise. But if you're after an action film full of the visceral fight scenes that have been lacking in the recent spate of CGI spectacle, you'll get a lot of out this. Some of the sequences are truly awe-inspiring, particularly a martial arts-filled car chase. Some moments of reflective beauty demonstrate that Evans can go quiet when he needs to, and there's certainly no denying his ability to create memorable, distinctive characters. It may be missing the refreshing simplicity of The Raid, but The Raid 2: Berandal is a thrilling film that revives the visceral, tangible hand-on-hand tradition of action cinema. Get past the serpentine plot contortions and you'll have an absolute blast. https://youtube.com/watch?v=MG9uFX3uYq4
Across the second half of 2020, Melburnians have become accustomed to wearing face masks, with donning the coverings made compulsory back in mid-July. Now that Victoria's COVID-19 restrictions are continuing to ease — and with the state now hitting 37 days without any new cases, too — rules around covering your face have been slowly changing as well. In big news, they'll no longer mandatory in all indoor circumstances from 11.59pm on Sunday, December 6, with the Victorian Government loosening the requirements significantly. Back on Sunday, November 22, the mask rules loosened in outdoor situations — so you no longer needed to wear one outdoors if you can maintain social distancing. Now, when tomorrow hits, you will only have to don a mask at all in certain scenarios. You will always have to carry one with you, though — that's still mandatory. Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement about masks as part of his latest press conference, where he unveiled a whole heap of other changes — but changes to face mask requirements was one of the big ones. You'll now just have to wear them in specified crowded spots, with wearing them otherwise moving to "recommended, but not mandatory". First and foremost, Victorians will still be required to keep wearing masks indoors at shopping centres, and in retail stores inside shopping centres — including department stores, electronics stores, furniture stores, hardware stores and supermarkets. You'll also need to keep wearing them at indoor markets. So, basically, if you're shopping indoors at a large and busy establishment, you'll need to mask up. Masks are also still mandatory on public transport, and when using ride shares or other commercial passenger vehicles. That's hardly a surprise, given that social distancing is difficult in these situations. On that topic, you'll have to wear a mask when you're in a large crowd of people you do not know or where QR codes for contact tracing haven't been used. And, if you've been diagnosed with COVID-19, are suspected of having it, or you're a close contact of someone with it, you must wear a face covering if you're leaving the house, even if you're going to the doctor. https://twitter.com/VicGovDHHS/status/1335377715319492609 In general for everyone else, though, the new guidelines state that "face coverings are recommended, but not mandatory, when leaving home and physical distancing cannot be maintained". Premier Andrews noted that "while masks are no longer mandated in most circumstances, the evidence is clear wearing a face covering makes a real difference in slowing the spread of the virus — so masks continue to be recommended indoors or outdoors when distancing can't be maintained". If you're still wondering where to grab a mask, we've put together a rundown of local companies making and selling them. For more information about the status of COVID-19 and the current restrictions, head over to the Department of Health and Human Services website.
A soundtrack of wall-to-wall floor-filler classics will echo across Australia this autumn, featuring tunes by Daft Punk, Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers and Groove Armada — but not exactly as you know them. Joining the dance-meets-symphony trend is the just-announced Alive Garden Party, which has enlisted the UK's Club Symphony to head Down Under to give the country another event in the style of Synthony and Ministry of Sound Classical. The setup: having a symphony orchestra play tracks normally known for getting clubs pumping, not concert halls. The concept isn't new; however, it is popular. Australia's latest instance is heading to outdoor venues, including some wineries — taking queues from A Day on the Green and Grapevine Gathering as well. Songs by Faithless, Swedish House Mafia and Eric Prydz will also feature when Alive Garden Party debuts in South Australia at the end of March, then tours to Moss Vale Showgrounds in New South Wales' Southern Highlands, Swan Valley's Oakover Grounds in Western Australia, the Gold Coast in Queensland and Rochford Wines in Yarra Valley in Victoria. The lineup will expand as well, beyond the Steve Anderson-, Dave Seaman- and Cliff Masterson-led Club Symphony, including vocalists. Attendees aren't just in for a treat for the ears, but also for the eyes and tastebuds. With the latter, the focus will be on gourmet local produce that you can enjoy while picnicking the afternoon away — plus drinks, of course — before getting dancing beneath the stars when night hits. Bringing your own blanket to sprawl out on is encouraged, as is relaxing on the grass. If you'd like the VIP experience, it includes express entry, premium viewing and a bar with an expanded range. [caption id="attachment_936463" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Hildebrand[/caption] "This will be a visual and audible show that leaves audiences elated," said Jaylee Osborne on behalf of Alive Garden Party's organisers. "Alive Garden Party was born because music festivals aren't for everyone and concerts sometimes don't quite hit the spot. So we created a highly bespoke, beautiful and comfortable experience for every concertgoer." [caption id="attachment_936464" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Perry McLaughlan[/caption] [caption id="attachment_936462" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Daniel Hildebrand[/caption] ALIVE GARDEN PARTY 2024 DATES: Saturday, March 30 — TBC, Adelaide, South Australia Sunday, March 31 — Moss Vale Showgrounds, Southern Highlands, New South Wales Saturday, April 6 — Oakover Grounds, Swan Valley, Western Australia Saturday, April 13 — TBC, Gold Coast, Queensland Saturday, April 20 — Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley, Victoria Alive Garden Party will tour Australia in March and April 2024, with tickets on-sale now — head to the event website for further details.
Spoken word events are few and far between these days. Haunted by a sometimes cringeworthy past of beat poetry and undergrad creative writing workshops, storytelling is close to becoming another lost art form. But with Tell Me A Story recently selling out shows in Sydney, this new oral phenomena is a welcome addition the Midsumma program. For one night only, under the theme of 'GLBTI Family', comedians, experienced storytellers, and tenacious beginners will share personal experiences over ten minute blocks with a relaxed audience at Gasworks Arts Park. The event on January 17 will be hosted by Kathryn Bendall and will feature Adam Richard, Em Rusciano and Joel Creasey among others. For more information check out the website. This show was one of our top picks for Midsumma 2014, see our full list here.
Therry Street, on the southern end of Queen Vic Market's Dairy Hall, has become a mini food and drink hub of its own. It recently welcomed a St Ali outpost, Brick Lane Brewery's new site overlooking the market, and the Japanese-inspired brunch spot Operator San. It's a really short street, but more shops are still popping up — most notably, Romanello. This Italian takeaway spot is baking Tuscan-style bread (schiacciata) and pizza by the slice from Tuesday–Sunday. The schiacciata bread is similar to focaccia, but it's thinner, airier and crispier. When used to make loaded sandwiches, it's a whole lot easier to eat and isn't quite as heavy. It's also baked fresh every day on-site. Be sure to watch the bakers do their thing through the street-side windows before heading in. The schiacciata slabs are then sliced up and stuffed with a stack of produce that's mostly sourced from the Queen Vic Market. The cotoletta sanga is a fan-favourite, coming with breaded chicken, creamy red peppers, pistachio pesto, onions, spicy provolone and rocket. The Cheeky Beef is another winner, loaded up with handmade beef carpaccio, stracchino soft cheese, truffle paste and rocket. Then come the pizzas, served on a very similar base to the sandwiches. Instead of being really doughy like your usual pizza, these are on the crispier side (but not super thin). Our favourite has got to be the Mortazza, topped with mortadella, pistachio paste, crushed pistachios and a mini burrata ball — that you rip open yourself. This is so satisfying to eat. Other classic pizza toppings and seasonal creations also grace the cabinet each day. You can grab these bites to go or sit at one of the tables on Therry Street, right across from the busy market. These might be pricier than your $5 market boreks, but these fresh sandwiches and pizzas are generously loaded with top-notch produce. Check Romanello out next time you pass by QVM. You'll find Romanello at 93 Therry Street, Melbourne, open 8am–3pm on Tuesday–Thursday and 8am–4pm on Friday–Sunday. For more details, visit the venue's Instagram page.
UPDATE, Thursday, February 29: The Nonnas at Ronnie's has sold out, but you can head to the venue's website to find out more about it to head by another time. Don't worry if you don't have a nonna of your own because Ronnie's in the CBD will be hosting a dinner run by a bunch of nonnas for this year's Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. On Wednesday, March 20, Ronnie's crew will host a few two-hour seatings (with only the 6pm and 7.30pm slots available at the time of publishing), during which diners can experience the love and warmth that only a nonna's hospitality can provide. Wholesome alert! [caption id="attachment_920567" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Pete Dillon[/caption] The Italian matriarchs hail from The Furlan Club, one of Melbourne's oldest Italian social clubs, and will share a heap of their generations-old dishes on the night as they take over the restaurant's kitchen. This will include a few different kinds of pasta and some of Ronnie's own focaccia and salads. A welcome drink will be included in the $94 ticket price and the bar will be open for all your additional beverage needs. Live music will also be on the cards to liven up this old-school Italian party in the city.
Yass, a small NSW town near Canberra received the signature Queer Eye makeover when the Fab Five descended on the town earlier in June. Well, the whole town didn't, but George — a cattle farmer and former rodeo cowboy — did. As did the local pub. A rundown of the show, for the uninitiated, the original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy show hit screens a whopping 15 years ago — running from 2003 to 2007 — and the reboot Queer Eye returned to Netflix this year. The general premise is that the Fab Five give less-fashion-savvy men (and it seems, establishments) much-needed makeovers. In Yass, while three of the Fab Five, Jonathan Van Ness, Tan France and Karamo Brown, were looking after George the cattle farmer, the remaining two — Antoni Porowsi and Bobby Berk — renovated the local pub's bistro and introduced a new signature dish to the menu. Fittingly, the five were also crowned — by Yass Mayor Rowena Abbey — Yass Queens. Yas, queen. If this reference is lost on you, it's a term said to have originated in the 80s ballroom community, but recently surged to popularity thanks to this YouTube video. The Australian mini-episode of Queer Eye will is now available to watch, with Queer Eye's second season also streaming on Netflix since June 15. Check out Yass, Australia! below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM2zD5FtrkQ&feature=youtu.be
What would you do if you were a little less freaked out by consequences? Would you talk to more new people, fear a bit less, dance a little more like FKA Twigs, quit your desk job and start that business you've always wanted to give a red hot go? Some sparkling young Australians are already flinging their inhibitions into a ziplock bag and seizing this little ol' life with both hands. Concrete Playground has teamed up with the Jameson crew to give you a sneak peek into the lives of bold characters who took a big chance on themselves. They've gone out on a limb and rewritten their path, encapsulating 'Sine Metu', the Jameson family motto which translates to 'without fear' — getting outside your comfort zone and trying something new. After all, we only get one shot at this. Take notes. Dreaming big is easy. Following through on that dream — that's where the hard work begins. Junky Comics' owner Vlada Edirippulige knows this, but a year after opening her own store, she wouldn't have it any other way. Also known as illustrator Junky and as a member of local band Major Leagues, her commitment to boosting Brisbane's arts scene shows just what can happen when you embody 'Sine Metu', set your mind to something and throw caution to the wind. We had a chat to Vlada about how taking a big chance has paid off in a big way. You can read the interview over here. Want to experience a little bit of 'Sine Metu' yourself? Vlada's being a total legend and helping us give away $1000 worth of rare comic books from her own Junky Comics collection, so you can see for yourself what happens when bold humans take big creative chances with big payoffs. This whopping prize includes the complete Walking Dead series 1-23, Hip Hop Family Tree by Ed Piskor, the complete Scott Pilgrim colour hardcover series and The Complete Wimmen's Comix. Enter here to win. And enjoy Jameson responsibly, folks.
UPDATE: MARCH 11, 2019 — Due to the show on Saturday, April 20 selling out, Palais Theatre has announced a second David Gray show on Friday, April 20. Tickets start at $99.50. UK singer-songwriter David Gray has ticked off more than a few achievements in his 25-year career. His breakthrough album, White Ladder, became the biggest-selling record in Ireland of all time and he has gone on to receive BAFTA, Brit and Grammy nominations, plus a slate of other awards. Gray's seventh album, Life in Slow Motion, debuted at number eight on the Australian charts, establishing a firm fanbase Down Under ever since. And in good news for both new and existing fans, Gray is heading back our way in April to play Bluesfest, plus a handful of sideshows. His tour will be timed around the release of his eleventh album, Gold in a Brass Age — the first record of new material in four years. Head along to Palais Theatre on Saturday, April 20 to hear the entire record played live, including the new single 'The Sapling', plus an array of Gray's smash hits including 'Babylon', 'This Year's Love' and 'Sail Away'. To purchase tickets, head this way.
When Virgil Oldman (Geoffrey Rush) celebrates his birthday, he does so dining alone in a high-end restaurant, staring disconsolately at a special cake baked in his honour as other patrons titter at the pitiful spectacle. Lonely as he is, Virgil has carved out a fine career as an art auctioneer and is widely respected as the best at what he does and valued for his fine eye and penchant for detail. In his fastidiously maintained home, he keeps a whole wardrobe full of top-end designer gloves, the perfect accessory for a man who likes to keep life at arm's length. The wardrobe leads into a sanctuary of his most treasured possessions, a secret stash of portraits of women. He has secured these valuable gems in league with his only real friend, Billy (Donald Sutherland), an art collector who conspires with Virgil to win valuable works at auction, sold under value to 'the best offer'. When he is engaged to value the collection of antique furniture owned by Claire (Sylvia Hoeks), a young woman whose parents have died, he goes to the spectacular but run-down old property but finds to his frustration that Claire is not there. He continues to visit the property to attend to his work, but Claire is a ghost, always finding excuses not to meet him. Eventually, he finds that a young woman has in fact been in the house all along, but is in hiding. Concealed behind a wall, she tells him she has not left the house since she a traumatic experience she had as a teenager. Sensing a kindred spirit, Virgil gets drawn into her life, against his better judgement. As Virgil becomes more familiar with the house, he finds scattered wheels and cogs of a mysterious machine, which he takes to Robert (Jim Sturgess), a twinkle-eyed, raffish young man with a busy love life and a flair for repairing old things. Increasingly Virgil comes to confide in Robert and seeks the younger man's advice on the twin mysteries of the contraption and the elusive Claire. Becoming entranced by Claire's ethereal beauty and isolation, Virgil's usually perfect work performance begins slipping, the sign of a man losing control of his ordered life as he grapples with the foreign emotional landscape of human connection. Writer/director Giuseppe Tornatore has made an exquisitely told story with a cruel sting in its tale. Rush delivers a beautifully judged and involving performance as a man whose austere and detached approach to life is thrown into disarray, while Sylia Hoeks is ideal as the mysterious Claire. While some elements of the story's final act probably don't stand up to closer scrutiny, the overriding impression as the credits roll is one of complete heartbreak, making The Best Offer one of the best feel-bad films in recent memory. https://youtube.com/watch?v=WCfXq3nFDUM
There's no better place to sample a region's top drops than at the wineries, breweries and cideries making them. So lovers of Victorian booze will be very pleased to know that the Peninsula VineHop Festival is set to return for its second year, having been awarded a Regional Events Fund grant by the Victorian Government and Visit Victoria. It'll showcase the best of the Mornington Peninsula this November 17 and 18. Imagine a local version of Rutherglen's long-running Winery Walkabout, only with equal emphasis on craft beers and ciders, and it's not hard to see why VineHop's 2017 debut proved so darn popular. This year, the two-day event runs to the same concept, with affordable shuttle buses allowing visitors to cruise between a stack of participating breweries and wineries, experiencing the best of each along the way. Yes, that's right, no designated drivers required. As well as the opportunity to sample premium libations just metres from where they were crafted, there'll be a program of food trucks, live music and DJs setting the mood at each location. Among the venues that will be open for visitors is the gloriously named Hickinbotham of Dromana. The family-run estate produces both wine and beer (via on-site microbrewery Hix) and will also host a Mornington Peninsula Brewery pop-up. To make the most of the stunning scenery, make a stop at Bayview Estate which offers vistas of rolling hills and lavender farms plus the opportunity for a hearty feed — think pig on a spit and Ploughman's platters — at its old English-style pub Pig and Whistle. Other venues include Mock Red Hill Cider, Stumpy Gully and Red Hill Estate, whose overwhelming popularity at VineHop 2017 has led to a different approach this year: Red Hill will be set up at historic homestead The Briars as the official festival hub. Tickets to Peninsula VineHop Festival go on sale at 5pm on Friday, August 3. For information on bus options and routes, visit the website.
