A raw and defiant portrait of femininity through movement, Sara Pheasant's No Punchline immediately jumps out as one of the most intriguing circus shows at this year's Melbourne Fringe. Combining rope, pole and trapeze work with an "evocative soundscape" and the intense physicality of boxing, the hour-long show features six circus performers alongside Oceania Bantamweight Champion Bianca 'Bam Bam' Elmir. 'Bam Bam', incidentally, might be the most perfect boxing nickname we've ever heard. Get ready to rumble. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Check out the other nine here.
A critical darling and the winner of numerous awards at festivals around the country, Yana Alana is used to baring her body as part of her daring cabaret performances. But this year at Melbourne Fringe, she's baring her soul instead. Yana Alana Covered will see Alana take to stage fully clothed with her regular band The Paranas, singing songs made famous by the likes of Shirley Bassey, Gnarls Barkley, the Scissor Sisters and Nina Simone. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Check out the other nine here.
This Saturday, February 8, Melbourne Recital Centre is turning five and they're throwing you a pretty sweet party to celebrate. From 10am-6.30pm, this beautiful goliath will be opening its doors for a full day of performances, talks and tours. The vacant lot next door will even be converted into a multi-purpose space to relax in featuring food trucks, local bands and miniature horses for kids (or everyone) to play with. Both the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Chamber Orchestra will be filling up the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall alongside local folk, indie, and jazz outfits. The Salzer Suite will be the intellectual heart of the operation with lectures, Q&As and panels with the industry professionals such as Gillian Howell, Richard Mills, and Benjamin Woodroffe. Then, from 4.30pm Jonathon Welch will be directing a 1,200-person choir to bring the day to a grand and extravagant close. For more information and a full timetable of events, check the website.
The last few months have seen Melbourne caught in the throes of David Bowie fever – so it's little wonder that the Fringe Festival is getting in on the action. Complimenting the massive David Bowie Is exhibition at ACMI, this late night party at the Fringe Club in North Melbourne is the perfect excuse to whip out the face paint and dance. Musician, comedian and Bowie fanatic Geraldine Quinn will headline a long list of guest performers, in a psychedelic celebration of all things Ziggy Stardust. This event is one of our top ten picks of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Check out the other nine here.
Pitch Music & Arts Festival is back for 2020, this time with an even bigger lineup of electronic acts and visual art on display. The event will again take over Mafeking — about three hours northwest of Melbourne — from Friday, March 6 to Tuesday, March 10. The BYO camping festival is brought to you by the team behind Beyond the Valley, who will set up a satellite community out in the bush and invite festival-goers to pitch a tent — camping is included in your weekend ticket, or splash out extra for a glamping setup — then fully immerse themselves in the weekend's festivities. Expect a bunch of house, techno and disco tracks over the four days, with 47 music acts on the bill. The international 2020 lineup features Russia's Nina Kraviz; Berlin-based DJ Objekt; Midland (UK); South Korea's cosmic disco DJ Shubostar; Aurora Halal (US) who'll be playing a live set; Canadian techno pioneer Richie Hawtin; Ben UFO (UK); and genre-defying selector Hunee (The Netherlands) of Rush Hour Recordings; and new label Lifetones. Local names like Kllo, Moopie, Hiatus Kaiyote, Fantastic Man, Collarbones and Late Nite Tuff Guy are also on the docket. On the art side of things, you can expect CGI, spacial design and light installations from a host of local and international artists and creative companies, all of which are arranged to interact with the festival at large. Images: Duncographic.
The name Knowles may be synonymous with Beyoncé — AKA Kween Bey— but her li'l sis Solange isn't standing in any shadows. The singer, songwriter, actress, model and fashion icon has won a Grammy, starred on the front covers of magazines and released a chart-topping album — and now she's coming to Sydney. It was announced this morning that Solange will be headlining Vivid LIVE 2018, performing four shows on June, 1, 2, 3 and 4. They will be her only Aussie performances this time round. This will be her first Australian performance since she toured back in 2014 (aside from a one-off performance at H&M in 2015). And she has released a tonne of sweet tunes since — including her award-winning album A Seat at the Table, which hit number one in the charts in late 2016. So, in June, expect to hear Solange belt out hits such as 'Don't Touch My Hair' — the lyrics of which the London Evening Standard's editors probably should've heeded — and 'Cranes in the Sky', which won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance. To get your hands on tickets, you'll need to enter a ticket ballot. To do so, head to the Opera House's website between now (Monday, February 26) and midnight on Sunday, March 4 and register. Successful applicants will be notified on Thursday, March 8. No other live music acts have yet been announced for Vivid LIVE 2018 — with the rest of the lineup expected to be announced in the upcoming weeks — but if it continues anything like it has started, this year is going to be a banger. Solange will perform four shows at Vivid LIVE 2018 at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall between June 1–4. Registrations for the ticket ballot are now open.
Ask just about any international visitor and they'll tell you how it is: Australia is packed full of creepy crawlies that are all dangerous and mostly deadly. We locals know the situation's not quite as sketchy as all that, but that there are plenty of native snakes, spiders and insects you probably wouldn't want jumping on your face. Well soon, you'll be able to determine the nasty ones from the nice ones with just a quick snap on your smartphone camera, thanks to new app Critterpedia. Currently in the beta testing phase with an artificial intelligence training platform being developed with CSIRO, Critterpedia is the brainchild of a regular Aussie mum and dad, Nic and Murray Scarce. The idea was spawned after fielding continuous questions from visiting British friends and family regarding our scary local wildlife population. So, how does this creature-identification app work? You simply use your device to take a photo of any snake or spider, then Critterpedia will call on its trained algorithm system to classify the beast, also offering details on its family, genus or species. It's designed to educate and raise awareness about our much-maligned Aussie creatures, while removing some of that fear factor. While Australia is home to more than 2000 species of spiders of 170 species, many of them don't pose a serious threat. As you can imagine, there's been a stack of AI work behind Critterpedia's hefty catalogue of info, with hundreds of thousands of images fed to the platform to help train its speedy identification function. CSIRO's digital specialist arm Data61 is collaborating on a special machine-learning engine that can sort through the masses of data to accurately classify species in just moments. While the app is in this development stage, users can do their bit to help train up the algorithm by submitting their own photos of local snakes and spiders. The extra imagery will assist in fine-tuning the platform's recognition systems in the lead-up to its launch. The Critterpedia app is currently in development. You can sign up here to become a tester and contribute photos to help train its algorithm.
From dead characters to killer plants, M Night Shyamalan's films are known for veering off in out-there directions, as everything from The Sixth Sense and The Village to The Happening and Split has shown. So, when a trailer for one of his movies drops, you can expect that it'll tease a strange twist. That's what the first sneak peek at Old did back in February, with the feature's new full trailer now fleshing out a few more details. As already established in the first 30-second clip, Old follows a family led by Gael García Bernal (Ema) and Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread) as they head off on a beachside holiday. Finding a particularly secluded spot online, they lap up their scenic surroundings — even when a few more people show up. But then a dead body is spotted floating in the water, putting everyone on edge. Next, the couple's kids disappear behind a few rocks, only to return looking much older than they did mere seconds ago. There's an eerie tone to both the initial sneak peek and the new trailer, unsurprisingly. If you're wondering where Shyamalan will take the concept from there, you'll have to wait until the thriller releases in cinemas in July. The filmmaker has penned the movie's script, too; however, he's based it all Pierre Oscar Lévy and Frederik Peeters' graphic novel Sandcastle. Hoping that it turns out more like Unbreakable and less like The Visit is understandable. As well as Bernal and Krieps, Old has amassed a hefty cast, including Rufus Sewell (The Father), Alex Wolff (Hereditary), Australian actors Abbey Lee (Lovecraft Country) and Eliza Scanlen (Babyteeth), and New Zealand's Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit) — the latter of whom will be hitting our screens a few times this year, given that she also stars in Last Night in Soho. If you're already getting big Lost vibes, Ken Leung (Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens) also features. And no, neither him nor any of his co-stars say "I see old people" in the new trailer. Hopefully that'll remain the same in the movie itself. Check out the new trailer below: Old opens in Australian cinemas on July 22. Top image: Universal Pictures.
They're two celebrated Melbourne chefs who probably couldn't be much more different and whose styles are worlds apart. But vegan maestro Shannon Martinez (Smith & Daughters, Smith & Deli) and Euro-focused Ian Curley (The European, Kirk's Wine Bar) are set to prove that unlikely pairings really can work a treat, when they launch their new collaborative venture next month. The powerhouse duo is embracing the world of plant-based fare, together heading up the culinary offering at new vegan and vegetarian bar and eatery, Lona Misa. Taking over a warm Luchetti Krelle-designed space within the new Ovolo South Yarra hotel, the 90-seat venue is set to be an all-day affair that'll cruise happily from lunchtime to those after-dinner drinks. Here, the two chefs have been busy creating a vegan- and vegetarian-focused menu designed to shake up all your preconceptions of plant-based dining. Vibrant and unapologetic, it's a share-friendly lineup that'll bear both the marks of Martinez's signature rebellious stylings and touches of Curley's fine dining flair. [caption id="attachment_802683" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Shannon Martinez[/caption] As with the eats, Lona Misa's drinks offering will see the pair heroing seasonal ingredients from their favourite local producers. Expect sips including house-made sodas, a range of innovative cocktails, and an adventurous wine selection featuring a healthy spread of natural, organic and carbon-neutral drops. All up, it sounds like a fittingly bold choice of resident for Ovolo's new South Yarra hotel — a 123-room, dog-friendly stay featuring 70s-glam styling and rockstar suites named after iconic musicians. The launch of Lona Misa also ties in with the hotel group's 'year of the veg' move, which has seen the full suite of bars and restaurants at its Australian and Hong Kong sites go plant-based for an entire year, starting from October 2020. Find Lona Misa within the Ovolo South Yarra, at 230 Toorak Road, South Yarra, from April 2021.
Melbourne Skydeck is no stranger to breathtaking experiences. This New Year's Eve, it's taking the party to another level — literally. If you're over the standard NYE party and are looking for a countdown worth telling your grandkids about, then you might want to snap up a ticket to Disco in the Sky — the hottest (and highest) New Year's Eve party in town. This NYE, the southern hemisphere's highest observation deck will transform into the ultimate dance floor. Melburnians will strut into 2024 with glittering lights, fun beats courtesy of DJ Baitz, and a breathtaking view that quite simply cannot be beat (in this hemisphere, at least). Picture making your way to the 88th floor, New Year's buzz in the air, the lit-up Melbourne skyline stretches before in all directions. You grab a drink, maybe you grab two, perhaps you're there with your favourite person, maybe you have the New Year's kiss of all time high in the sky. Wouldn't that be just the best? And while you wait for that magic moment, live life on the edge as you step out onto the glass platform that extends from the building, daring you to look down through the glass floor. Or immerse yourself in a world of wonder with state-of-the-art VR in the downstairs Voyager Theatre. Tickets to the Disco in the Sky include a drinks package with beer, wine and bubbles. Ticket holders also get gourmet canapés prepared by Eureka 89, access to the Voyager Theatre from 8pm to 9:30pm, access to The Edge from 8pm to 11pm, and a commemorative photo booth to capture the magic. No New Year's Eve party is complete without cocktails, and Bar 88 delivers the goods. Enjoy a selection from classic espresso martinis and cosmos to bespoke cocktails of the month. Although they aren't included in the package, cocktails can be purchased all night from the bar. Tickets to Disco in the Sky are available to purchase on the website.
The Makers and Shakers Market will visit Melbourne again this April, bringing with it the whole kit and caboodle of bespoke ceramics, homewares and jewellery (as well as tasty food to rejuvenate you when you get the oh-no-I-just-spent-all-my-money sweats). Kick things off at 10am with a coffee, spend a few hours browsing, and then chow down on a toastie, cannoli, doughnut or meringue. The market gives space to local makers to sell their handmade wares, with everything from resin rings to tomato chutney to be found. Stallholders this time round include designer soaps from Fazeek, flowers from Little Jar of Happiness, granola from Humble Homies, whimsical lamps from Upswitch and linen homewares from Olioko Designs. And that's just the crust of the pie — there are many more to choose from when you take a full bite, and a free paper craft workshop as well. Images: Alana Dimou.
The Rochester Hotel, much loved provider of live music, trivia and oysters, will transform its upstairs space into a juke joint and furnish it with smooth blues sounds once a month. From September 1 there'll be finger pickin' and wailin' on the first Friday of every month. The inaugural night will be headlined by Rattlin' Bones Blackwood, a one-man band who boasts a kick drum and a guitar. Supports will be Dan Dinnen, Frank Bell and Jess Parker rounding off a night of old-style rollicking blues. The whole shebang will be fuelled by beer from nearby Bodriggy Brewing Co. and whiskey, so you'll be hearing and tasting the south — expect Deep South cocktails and a whale of a time. It kicks off from 7.30pm and entry is only five bucks.
If it wasn't for Violet Crumbles, the world wouldn't have quite a few things. Firstly, we wouldn't have the pleasure of biting into those chocolate-honeycomb bars themselves, and tasting that delicious flavour combination. We also wouldn't have the slogan "it's the way it shatters that matters", which is up there with the catchiest advertising lines of all time. And, Bertie Beetles wouldn't exist, because the showbag favourite was initially created to use the pieces of honeycomb left over from making — you guessed it — Violet Crumbles. Thankfully, no one needs to live in a world without either Violet Crumbles or Bertie Beetles — or, thanks to your next must-try cocktail, without Violet Crumble espresso martinis, too. The latter has just hit the market thanks to the Melbourne-based Feminaè Beverage Co, and it is indeed exactly what it sounds like. Now it's the way your caffeinated boozy tipple shatters that matters, too. Sold in hefty two-litre ready-to-drink casks, the VC espresso martinis are made with cold-drip coffee, vodka and Australian cream, and then infused with Violet Crumble honeycomb, caramel and chocolate flavours. A box will set you back $79.90, and includes 24 standard drinks — for parties, or just to keep in the fridge for when the urge strikes. You'll also get a Violet Crumble bar to shatter over the cocktails — or just to eat if you'd prefer. (Let's face it, if you're keen on this kind of espresso martini, you're already a fiend for the chocolate bar itself.) Feminaè is only releasing a limited run, which means ordering sooner rather than latter is recommended — and they're already shipping the casks out. The company also has a passionfruit and pavlova cosmo in its range — now sold out, sadly — if you're already thinking about what other sweet treats deserve to be turned into cocktails. Our suggestion: Bertie Beetles, naturally. Feminaè Beverage Co's Violet Crumble espresso martini casks are available to buy online for $79.90 while stocks last.
After a jam-packed summer, MPavilion is launching into the final month of its hefty five-month season. And to celebrate, it's throwing a good ol' party in the park, complete with live tunes and free vino. Don your dancing shoes and head along from 5pm to catch sounds and performances from the likes of DJ Brontesaurus Sex, hip hop act Roya the Destroya, hula-hooping troupe Marawa and The Majorettes, and master of illusions Kozo Kaos. Then, kicking you on into the evening will be the supremely danceable tunes of Imperial Leather and DJ JNETT. Along the way, expect plenty of dazzling costumes, roving performers and interactive hula hooping sessions. What's more, to help you limber up those hips, the folks from Shadowfax Wines will be pouring a selection of their local drops on the house. [caption id="attachment_835351" align="alignnone" width="1920"] John Gollings[/caption]
It's that glorious time of year again, when cherries are ripe for the pickin'. The Victorian cherry season has hit, which means that your next few months can be spent cruising through picturesque orchards and indulging in a diet of cherry-based everything. It's also the time when CherryHill Orchards hosts its annual cherry-picking festival, running from Sunday, November 10– late December at its Coldstream location, and from Monday, November 25 until early-January at its OG Wandin East orchard. Booking in for a cherry-picking timeslot means getting two hours to pick and eat your fill of delicious fruit straight from the tree, with any extra take-home haul charged by the kilogram. You can pack your own picnic to enjoy onsite, or let Mary Eats Cake take care of you with its high-tea picnic packs. Also hitting the orchard through the festival will be a rotation of food trucks and a program of live tunes, which you can enjoy alongside scoops of CherryHill's famed cherry ice cream. Looking to amp up your experience? CherryHill has teamed up with nearby Rochford Wines to offer a wine-tasting, cherry-picking and lunch package — and with Yarra Valley Dairy to bring fine cheese into the equation. Adult tickets clock in at $21.50 on weekdays, and $25 on weekends and public holidays, with packages and extras available to add on at the time of booking.
Australia's oldest public library is one of the many venues that has had to close again in a bid to contain COVID-19. So, you can't check out its new $88.1 million transformation, but you can still access its 4.1 million digital items, including books, music, photos, magazines and more. Part of that collection are the State Library of Victoria's 19,000 ebooks. The likes of Maxine Beneba Clarke's Growing Up African in Australia and Stranger Country by Monica Tan are available to read online or download for seven days for free — all you need to do is sign up for a free library membership over here. Once you've done this, you can also take part in the library's Instagram bookclub #SLVBookClub, where you'll find staff tips and book recommendations. Those interested in Victoria's history will find hours and hours of entertainment in the library's digital image pool. It's home to 170,000 historical pics, including some serious (such as Ned Kelly and architecture), some adorable (good dogs) and some hilarious (moustaches). Elsewhere on the library's website, you'll find online galleries, archival videos, family history research tools, music and magazines. Sign up to become a State Library of Victoria member over here and explore its digital collection. Top image: State Library Victoria Ian Potter Queens Hall by Patrick Rodriguez Updated July 9, 2020.
If the Scream franchise can make another comeback — and, come January 2022, it will again — then another late 90s horror series can pop up again, too. Both Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer were penned by the same screenwriter, they each followed slashers terrorising teens and, on-screen, they pushed Party of Five cast members to the fore. Now, as Scream already did between 2015–19, I Know What You Did Last Summer is heading to the small screen. We know what you'll be doing this spring, clearly. Once again, Lois Duncan's 1973 novel of the same name will come to life — and yes, a car accident will play a pivotal part here as well. This time, the show's group of teenagers find themselves being stalked by a killer a year after their graduation night turned bloody. You know how it goes from there, with I Know What You Did Last Summer's central characters forced to try to stay alive while they're also still attempting to hide their secret — and they need to work out who's swinging weapons their way, obviously. To flesh out the underlying concept over the course of the series, this version of the story is set to ponder everything else that lurks in the key figures' seemingly perfect town, so it's taking a few more cues from Scream there as well. On-screen, Madison Iseman (Jumanji: The Next Level), Bill Heck (Locke & Key), Brianne Tju (47 Metres Down: Uncaged), Ezekiel Goodman (Dragonfly), Ashley Moore (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping), Sebastian Amoruso (Solve), Fiona Rene (Underwater), Cassie Beck (Joe Bell) and Brooke Bloom (The Sinner) will be endeavouring to survive — or, maybe one of them is the killer? Australian director and horror genre hitmaker James Wan (The Conjuring, Saw, Insidious) executive produces the series, while Sara Goodman is in the writer's chair. Amazon Prime Video will start airing I Know What You Did Last Summer from Friday, October 15, with new episodes dropping weekly until Friday, November 12. The streaming platform has also just dropped an initial teaser trailer, if you're wondering how the premise shapes up almost a quarter-century after the original film. And no, there's no word if Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe or Freddie Prinze Jr will make cameos in the series. Check out the first teaser trailer below: I Know What You Did Last Summer starts streaming via Amazon Prime Video on Friday, October 15.
Serving up high tea in Melbourne for over a century, The Hotel Windsor is a true institution, complete with elegant, delicate ribbon sandwiches. Served out of its restaurant One Eleven Spring Street, the space is adorned with glittering chandeliers, velvety chairs and stretches of Victorian-style carpet. It's a brilliantly traditional space where you can sample cakes, scones, savoury bites and some of the many speciality teas — think peppermint and lavender herbal teas and The Hotel Windsor's famous afternoon blend. If you're there outside of that time between lunch and dinner and want to have, well, lunch or dinner (or breakfast), the restaurant also has an a la carte menu and a pre-theatre menu to order from. The Spring menu includes French sparkling wine on arrival, mushroom tarts with truffle oil, lamb and rosemary sausage rolls and a braised beef cheek tart with mashed potato. When it comes to the sandwiches, you'll experience smoked salmon with capers, curried eggs with aioli and a classic chicken Waldorf. For something sweet at The Hotel Windsor, you'll enjoy honeydew melon, milk chocolate mousse, lemongrass ganache and blueberry-baked cheesecake. Finish it all off with strawberry jam and cream scones, and feel like royalty.
Last year the State Government announced some ambitious (and unprecedented) plans to expand Melbourne's rail network — ones that we were, admittedly, unsure whether to get too excited about. But it's happening. The long-debated $11 billion Metro Tunnel project has been funded and the Andrews Government has just revealed who will design and build the project, along with a first look at what it will all look like. Just to catch you up, the Metro Tunnel will see two new nine-kilometre twin tunnels and five underground train stations added to Melbourne's inner city. These new stations will be located in Parkville, North Melbourne, CBD North, CBD South and the Domain, and create a new path into the city that doesn't rely on (but connects to) the City Loop. The idea is that it will ease congestion in the City Loop and allow more trains to be getting in and out of the city. In a media release published yesterday, the Andrews Government announced that, after an extensive tender process, they've created the Cross Yarra Partnership to build and design the tunnel and stations. This partnership will involve a number of companies, led by Lendlease Engineering, John Holland, Bouygues Construction and Capella Capital. Along with the announcement, the first station designs have been been revealed too. They look a hell of a lot different to the inside of Melbourne Central, with first renders showing a preference for arches and what most underground stations lack: natural light. At street level, some of the new stations will also add public space. Here's a quick look at the five stations. ARDEN If you're travelling via Footscray, you'll bypass North Melbourne to get onto the Metro Tunnel, and this will be your first stop. This new station will be located in the largely industrial area of North Melbourne on Laurens Street and will service the growing residential population there. Plans for Arden show lots of natural light and bike parking at street level. PARKVILLE This station will provide an easy connection to the Royal Melbourne, Children's and Women's Hospitals, as well the University of Melbourne — at present, people looking to get here either have to get a bus from North Melbourne Station or a tram from the CBD. Parkville Station will sit on Grattan Street. CBD NORTH Located at the north-end of Latrobe Street, this new station will provide an alternative for Melbourne Central, but will still be linked via underground walkways if you do need to change lines. The new entrance at Franklin Street will also include this new green space. CBD SOUTH CBD South Station will be located just near Flinders Street Station, and you'll be able to access it from City Square, Federation Square, Swanston Street and the Degraves Street underpass. If you need to access Flinders Street Station, you'll apparently be able to do so through an underground connection. Lots of white arches planned for this one DOMAIN This station will be a gamechanger for anyone who currently has to deal with the mayhem that is changing trams at Domain Interchange. And all with a floating timber canopy on top of it. Trains from here will continue to Pakenham and Cranbourne. Construction on all this is expected to begin next year and the target completion date is 2026. We'll keep you updated on any new plans for the Metro Tunnel. Images: Metro Tunnel.
If blitzing the ARIAs and taking out the number one spot in this year's triple Hottest 100 wasn't enough for Sydney producer Flume, he's just landed himself a Grammy. The 25-year-old has just won Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 2017 Grammy Awards for his runaway May 2016 success Skin, beating Jean-Michel Jarre, Tycho and Louie Vega to the trophy. It's the first Grammy win for Flume, aka Harley Streten, who was also nominated for Best Dance Recording, for triple j Hottest 100 winner 'Never Be Like You', but was pipped to the post by The Chainsmokers with their popular single 'Don't Let Me Down'. Watch Flume's delightful acceptance speech here, which includes a mad shout out to Australian music: Check out Flume's exclusive anthem for Keep Sydney Open here. Image: Cybele Malinowski.
He's had his heart broken during a lusty Italian summer, romanced Saoirse Ronan in a Greta Gerwig film not once but twice, spiced up his life in a sci-fi saga and sported a taste for human flesh. The next addition to Timothée Chalamet's resume: a sweet time worshipping chocolate. Get ready for a big Timmy end of 2023, with Dune: Part Two hitting cinemas Down Under in November, then Wonka giving Roald Dahl's famous factory owner and candy man a Chalamet-starring origin story. First gracing the page almost six decades back, in 1964 when Charlie and the Chocolate Factory initially hit print, Willy Wonka has made the leap to cinemas with Gene Wilder playing the part in 1971, then Johnny Depp in 2005. The difference this time: not just Chalamet plunging into a world of pure imagination, but a film that swirls in the details of Wonka's life before the events that've already been laid out in books and filled two movies. As the just-dropped first trailer for Wonka shows, the picture's main man has a dream — and, after spending the past seven years travelling the world perfect his craft, he's willing to get inventive to make it come true. Starting a chocolate business isn't easy, especially when the chocolate cartel doesn't take kindly to newcomers. "You can't get a shop without selling chocolate, and you can't sell chocolate without a shop," the bright-eyed Willy is told early in the debut sneak peek. From there, brainwaves, optimism, determination and life-changing choices all spring, plus big vats of chocolate, chocolate that makes you fly — "nothing to see here, just a small group of people defying the laws of gravity," comments a police officer — and Willy's dedication to making "the greatest chocolate shop the world has ever seen". Also accounted for: a mood of wonder, and not just due to the umbrella-twirling dream sequences and cane-whirling dance scenes, or the leaps through fairy floss and chats with Hugh Grant (Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves) as an Ooompa-Loompa. Indeed, the magical tone doesn't just fit the tale; it's exactly what writer/director Paul King and his co-scribe Simon Farnaby have become known for on the Paddington films. King helmed and penned both, while Farnaby also did the latter on the second (and acted in each). The duo also worked together on wonderful and underseen 2009 film Bunny and the Bull, and on The Mighty Boosh, of which King directed 20 episodes. On-screen, Wonka's cast is as jam-packed as a lolly bag, with Chalamet and Grant joined by Farnaby (The Phantom of the Open), as well as Olivia Colman (Secret Invasion), Sally Hawkins (The Lost King), Keegan-Michael Key (The Super Mario Bros Movie), Rowan Atkinson (Man vs Bee), Jim Carter (Downton Abbey: A New Era) and Natasha Rothwell (Sonic the Hedgehog 2). Yes, you'll want a golden ticket to this. Check out the first trailer for Wonka below: Wonka releases in cinemas Down Under on December 14, 2023.
If you've done your dash with the dalgona coffee and all those failed attempts at sourdough, here's a little culinary project that might just revive your kitchen-weary soul. The minds over at global sauce company Heinz have released recipes for a series of unconventional ice creams — dubbed Creamz — starring some of the brand's most iconic condiments. Yep, mayo ice cream is a thing and it can be on the menu at your house this weekend. Over on its UK website, Heinz is now selling a range of ice cream-making kits, filled with all the ingredients and equipment needed to whip up a batch of these frozen 'Creamz', crafted on the likes of its salad cream and barbecue sauce. Unfortunately, the DIY packs are only available to UK locals, but the recipes themselves are free to download from anywhere in the world. Basically, all you'll need to do is stock up on milk, double cream and sweetened condensed milk, grab an extra bottle of your favourite Heinz condiment, and jump in the kitchen to give those crafty folk at Messina a run for their money. You can have a crack at variations like the Ketchup Creamz — which apparently works a treat topped with meringue and raspberry coulis — and a mayo-infused edition they reckon pairs well with apple and blackberry compote. Or perhaps the barbecue sauce number is more your speed, garnished with some maple syrup and crispy bacon bits. Wherever your sauce obsession lies, we recommend you clear some space in your freezer — things are about to get a little crazy. You can find all five of Heinz's Creamz recipes over at the website.
If you weren't aware, loveable hitmaker Post Malone has his own rosé. Created with award-winning Provence winemaker Alexis Cornu alongside music manager Dre London and Global Brand Equities' James Morrissey, Maison No. 9 is a classic Provencal pink wine, sporting a name inspired by Post Malone's favourite tarot card the Nine of Swords. The wine is crisp, dry and savoury, and comes in a sleek minimalist bottle sporting a tarot-inspired sword with a rose wrapped around it. The bottle also mirrors the theme of swords and knights, with a solid-glass cap shaped into battlements reminiscent of a historic medieval castle that's located near the vineyard where the wine is made. "Rosé is when you want to get a little fancy," says the diamond-certified, Grammy-nominated pop star. Following successful launches in the US and the UK that saw immense popularity — the wine sold 50,000 bottles in its first 48 hours in the UK — Malone has brought Maison No. 9 to Australia for a limited run of just 10,000 bottles. So, you're going to have to act quick if you want to get your hands on a bottle. Currently, the only way to order the rosé in Australia is through Dan Murphy's website, where you can nab a bottle for $42.99. Accompanying the Australian release of the wine is a line of merch available through the Maison No. 9 website. T-shirts sporting an image of Post Malone with the wine are available, as well as hoodies, crewneck jumpers, wine glasses, dog toys, socks and beanies, all with the wine's logo and signature sword printed on them. While you're at the website, you can also find recipes for a series of cocktails that you can make with the wine, including sangria, spritzes, rosé bloody marys and rosé palomas. 10,000 bottles of Post Malone's Maison No. 9 are available now via Dan Murphy's online.
If you're bored of holidays spent idling by a pool, sunbaking on a beach and ambling in a park, step up your holidays with these next-level adventures. With Intrepid Travel, we have selected six adventures that will take you to the planet's most extreme corners, from Antarctica's pristine icy beauty to the Himalayas' rugged peaks. Whether you seek the roar of cascading water or the silent majesty of remote landscapes, prepare to be immersed in experiences that redefine the meaning of epic. Antarctica There's nowhere on the planet quite like the extreme icy desert that is the unspoiled Antarctic wilderness. Spy penguins, whales and seals (oh my), snowshoe to the best viewpoints and learn from the talented expedition team. Start your adventure at the world's southernmost city, Ushuaia, Argentina, before boarding a vessel to the ends of the earth. Cross the infamous and unpredictable Drake Passage — it can be calm as a lake or rough and turbulent. Experience the temperature falling as you reach the Antarctic Peninsula. Daily excursions will take you to Anvers Island, Deception Island and the South Shetland Islands. Explore the icy wilderness, with backdrops of towering icebergs, impressive glaciers, imposing snow-capped peaks, and waters dotted with ice flats. Mt Everest If bushwalking and hiking are your usual weekend activities, take your excursions up a notch (or 50) with a trek to the highest peak on our planet. Tick the mighty Mt Everest off your bucket list with an expedition to Base Camp. This trip of a lifetime to Mt Everest Base Camp will take you past unfathomably high peaks, stunning alpine lakes, icy glacial plains, unforgettable vistas and to the limits of your strength. Hiking the mighty Himalayas is no walk in the park. This trip includes 12 days of hiking for up to eight hours a day, reaching altitudes of over 5000 metres. Are you up for the challenge? Iceland What's more extreme than a hike to the highest mountain? How about an island created by volcanic eruptions? Iceland is a geographical marvel — but there's more to this island than ice (and Björk). This Nordic island nation is defined by its dramatic landscape of actively rumbling volcanos, scenic fjords, natural hot springs, gushing geysers, massive glaciers and gigantic waterfalls. Iceland is frequented by volcano-loving tourists who love to take a dip in the famous Blue Lagoon, gasp at the giant Skogafoss and Detifoss waterfalls and spy the aurora borealis as they circumvent this North Atlantic island. Madagascar Madagascar isn't just a lush jungle island overloaded with cartoon characters who like to move it, move it. This lush island nation has white sand beaches, steamy, humid jungles and numerous lemur species. Connect with nature as you travel down bumpy roads bordered by baobab trees and explore the national parks, reserves and lush rainforests. This adventure isn't for those who love to watch wildlife from the comforts of sleek bedsheets and spa baths. This is for wildlife lovers who want to get up close and personal with local animals in the rainforest. Scotland Embarking to the Orkney Islands promises a captivating adventure through untamed landscapes and rugged beauty. Located off the tip of Scotland in the North Sea, these islands boast an otherworldly charm, where ancient history collides with the raw forces of nature. The Orkneys are a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering a sanctuary for diverse bird species, seals, and other marine life. As you traverse the untamed terrain, be prepared to witness dramatic sandstone cliffs, windswept beaches and ancient Neolithic sites, all contributing to the untamed allure of the archipelago. From the mysterious standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar to the ancient village of Skara Brae, the Orkneys tell a story of a wild, resilient landscape shaped by natural forces and its inhabitants' resilient spirit. Central Asia Kyrgyzstan's rugged mountainous terrain, including the formidable Tian Shan range, beckons adrenaline seekers with challenging trekking opportunities and high-altitude landscapes. Uzbekistan captivates with its ancient mosaic-tiled ancient cities and arid deserts. Explore both on the trip to these contrasting landscapes, encountering nomadic traditions in Kyrgyz yurt camps and exploring Uzbekistan's historic cities like Samarkand and Bukhara. Witness where the past meets the present, offering an unforgettable journey for those seeking a blend of adventure and history. Get out, explore, dive into adventure and find your WOW with Intrepid Travel. Find out more on the website.
The mercury is slowly rising again as summer nudges closer, Daylight Savings has kicked into gear and people's moods are altogether cheerier. Which means it's almost time for Melbourne to get its noodle on once again. Yep, the Night Noodle Markets are gearing up for another season, whipping Birrarung Marr into a frenzy of sounds, smells and street food from November 7 to 24. The markets' 2019 edition is dishing up a jam-packed culinary program that's as big as ever and with that comes with an eye-watering array of choice. If you're feeling a bit daunted by all that decision-making and wondering how best to navigate the smorgasbord of eats, we've got your back. Avoid any bouts of indecisiveness and squeeze the best out of your Night Noodle Markets visit with our lineup of top food picks worth checking out. Get excited for attention-grabbing noodle dishes, cloud-like soufflé pancakes and fried chicken buns that'll require both hands and a whole stack of napkins. THE BIG BOSS FLYING NOODLES, THE FLYING NOODLE Is it magic? Is it a feat of aerodynamics? No, it's simply the show-stopping signature dish from The Flying Noodle. Featuring a serve of chopsticked noodles suspended mysteriously in the air, this menu hit is designed to be devoured with your eyes, as well as your mouth. There are three gravity-defying variations on offer at this year's Night Noodle Markets, including The Big Boss, which teams those cascading egg noodles with seasonal veggies and marinated chicken in a rich red wine sauce. How do they do it? You'll just have to order one and find out. CHEESEBURGER PUFFLE, PUFFLE Everyone loves a quirky, cheesy food creation and this one's as fun to say as it is to eat. A return favourite from last year's markets, and a riff on the egg waffles you'll find at street stalls in Hong Kong, Puffle is a kind of savoury waffle cone crafted from cheese and filled with various flavour combinations. This month, Puffle is out to win you over with two different decadent versions of its dish, including the cheeseburger — an assembly of chopped bulgogi-style beef and extra melted cheese, finished with lashings of sweet and spicy ketchup, mustard and Japanese mayo — and a KFC option with spicy Korean-style fried chicken. But, whichever filling you opt for, just know you're in for a crunchy, oozy and delightfully messy ride. EYE OF THE THAI-GER, GELATO MESSINA Seventeen years on and national sweetheart Gelato Messina continues to throw down inventive frozen treats left right and centre. The purveyors of weird and wonderful dessert concoctions will be showing off their latest designs at this year's Night Noodle Markets and each is a modern reworking of some classic Thai flavours. For a tasty frozen snack you can hold in one hand, try the Eye of the Thai-ger — which looks a bit like a fluffy dessert taco. It's a satisfyingly creamy fusion of Thai milk tea gelato and cheesecake mousse cradled in a layer of tea sponge. The dessert is then dunked in soft meringue and finished with a healthy dusting of coconut. We doubt you'll want to stop at just one. CRÈME BRÛLÉE SOUFFLE PANCAKE, KUMOKUMO Master of airy-light, fluffy, Japanese-style soufflé pancakes, Kumokumo is gearing up to launch its first permanent Aussie stores soon. But Melburnians can score themselves a sneak preview when the brand descends on the Night Noodle Markets, slinging a selection of its decadent dessert creations. For a multi-textural hit, you'll want to get stuck into the crème brûlée soufflé pancake. This one stars those signature cloud-like pancake rounds, crowned with soft custard and a layer of crisp caramelised sugar, and served with a healthy splodge of mixed berry compote. KFC, BAO BROTHERS Food truck crew Bao Brothers has made a name for its clever Asian eats — namely its pillowy bao buns that come loaded with flavour combos like honey prawn and sriracha, and chicken katsu with curried egg mayo. The team's heading to this year's Night Noodle Markets with an equally creative menu in tow, slinging bites to delight vegans, meat-lovers and everyone in between. For a plant-based feed that packs a big flavour punch, see its riff on KFC: Korean-style fried cauliflower. Cauliflower florets are slathered in a Korean chilli glaze, fried till golden and crispy, and finished with a hit of lime and toasted sesame. No meat? Definitely no worries. The Melbourne Night Noodle Markets are happening at Birrarung Marr from Thursday, November 7, to Sunday, November 24. Check out the full food lineup here. Top images: Kimberley Moore
At this stage in the COVID-19 pandemic, we've all heard about social distancing, coughing into your elbow, avoiding physical contact with others and staying home if you display even the slightest symptoms. As championed by everyone from elected politicians to health officials, these messages have been stressed again and again for months now. But, if you suspect that you might be unwell and you're not in a financial position to miss work — because you simply can't afford to — adhering to the standard health recommendations isn't always simple. To assist those who've been tested for COVID-19 and don't have the money to take time off work while they wait for their results, the Victorian Government has announced a new support payment — in the form of a one-off $300 sum. It's specifically aimed at folks in insecure employment, to ensure that not only they get tested as soon as possible but also quarantine afterwards, all without having to worry about their bank balance. And, it's available as soon as a person is tested. In a statement on Thursday, July 23 — the same day that 403 new COVID-19 cases and five more deaths were reported in the state — the Victorian Government advised that "as many as nine out of ten people who later test positive are not self-isolating between the onset of symptoms and getting a test". It also explained that more than half of Victorians who end up with a positive result aren't isolating between being tested and receiving that news. https://www.facebook.com/DanielAndrewsMP/photos/a.149185875145957/3263782247019622/?type=3&theater The new $300 payment joins the state's previously announced $1500 hardship payment, which is available to workers who must isolate, won't have any income while they do, and aren't entitled to paid sick leave, special pandemic leave or other income support. To access the $300 amount, you also need to fit those eligibility requirements. So, you'll need to have been instructed to self-isolate or quarantine at home, have a continuing job that you'd be showing up to if you weren't required to self-isolate or quarantine, and have exhausted any sick leave and special pandemic leave entitlements. You can't be receiving the JobKeeper payment or other forms of Australian Government income support, either, or any income, earnings or salary from work during your self-isolation or quarantine period. While clearly targeted at casuals, the scheme is also open to permanent, part-time, fixed term and self-employed workers who fit the above bill. Although we've all been told plenty of times, take this as a reminder that anyone with any COVID-19 symptoms — such as fever, chills, sweats, a cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste — is asked to get tested. And, to stay home between the onset of symptoms and having the test, and again until you're informed of your test results. For further details about the Victorian Government's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Worker support payments, and about the status of COVID-19 in the state, visit the Department of Health and Human Services website. Top image: Julia Sansone
Overnight, the Victorian Government's latest public health directive came into effect, making face masks mandatory for those living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. While the two regions have been in Stage 3 lockdown since July 7, residents are now required to don a protective face covering whenever they leave home for one of the four government-approved reasons: for work or school (if you can't do this from home), for care or care giving, for daily exercise or for food and other essentials. As of 11.59pm yesterday, Wednesday, July 22, anyone over the age of 12 must follow the new face covering rule, or risk being hit with a $200 fine. The change was announced three days earlier at Premier Daniel Andrews' press conference, to give people some time to stock up on masks or alternatives. But it's also thrown up a bunch of questions for locals who now have to worry about a brand-new accessory whenever they venture out their front door. Are there any exemptions? What actually counts as a face covering? What the heck is the point? We've broken it down. What exactly is a face mask and why do I need to wear one? The Department of Health and Human Services has published a handy info sheet online that leads by saying: "A face covering needs to cover both your nose and mouth. It could be a face mask or shield." It doesn't need to be medical grade and you can make your own — from paper, scarves and old clothes — but we'll get to that in detail shortly. According to the Department, face coverings add an extra physical barrier between people, by limiting the spread of water droplets released by coughing, sneezing and talking. You should continue to follow social distancing guidelines and hygiene measures, too. Who has to wear one? And when? Everyone that lives in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire must wear a face covering when leaving their home. Under the current stay-at-home orders, which are set to be in place until Wednesday, August 19, you can only leave home for one of the four aforementioned reasons. When you do leave home, you must stay as local as you can — and visit your closest park, cafe, bottle shop, for example — and not travel across town. So, when you do leave home for allowed activities like buying groceries at the supermarket, going for a walk and grabbing a takeaway coffee you must wear a mask at all times, and the people working at those places should be masked-up, too. Phone, keys, wallet, mask — that's your new mantra. In what situations do I not need to wear one? Exemptions to the face mask rule apply to those with a relevant medical condition, those communicating with someone who is hearing impaired, kids under 12 and people whose job requires them to have clear enunciation or a visible mouth, such as teachers and live broadcasters. People are also exempt in instances when wearing a mask could cause OH&S issues. As for everyone else, there might be certain circumstances where you can go mask-free, though you'll still need to carry one with you at all times, ready for use, or risk copping a fine. For example, you're allowed to remove your face covering while eating or drinking, but you'll need to reapply it straight after. The same deal goes for people smoking or vaping. You can ditch the mask when driving in a car alone or with other members of your household, though you'll likely need to pop it on when you reach your destination. Those working from home can also do so without a face covering, unless caring for someone in their house that has COVID-19. Even when I'm exercising? If you're getting in a jog, or any exercise that leaves you out of breath or puffing, you can do so without a mask on your face. However, you'll need to have one on you to wear before and after the strenuous bit. According to the DHHS, walking doesn't fit the above category and requires a face covering to be worn at all times, even if you're social distancing. What should I do if I don't have a mask? If you don't have a legit face mask, you can use something like a bandana or scarf as an alternative. Or, get crafty and make your own version — the DHHS has handy instructions for whipping up a DIY mask here. There are also a stack of retailers and online stores selling both disposable and reusable options, many of which will deliver to your door. You can check out some we found here. Need some guidance on wearing the mask? The WHO has released a series of videos and infographics showing how to properly wear a mask, and covering the dos and don'ts. What happens if I go outside without a mask? If you don't have a valid reason for not wearing one, you could be slapped with a $200 fine. For more information about wearing face masks, and the Victorian Government's advice for metro Melbourne and Mitchell Shire residents, head to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website.
Did you turn green with envy when Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger played the ultimate scavenger hunt, aka hunting down horcruxes? Have you always felt that you could use your magical skills in the same way? The City of Melbourne understands and — given that it's already in the grip of wizard fever thanks to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — it's giving Potter fans quite the Christmas present. On Sunday, December 15, the Magical Christmas Quest will take over the CBD. At 9am, the first clue will be revealed on the quest website — and at 10am, it's time to start 'accio'-ing your heart out. You'll search your way around the city, heading to six Melbourne locations, solving riddles and completing missions at each stop. And as you've probably guessed, you'll be getting into the Harry Potter and the Christmas spirit all at once. [caption id="attachment_674451" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by Manuel Harlan[/caption] Expect to be rewarded for your efforts, too. Sorry, you won't win a trip to Hogwarts — but the major prize-winner will nab a hefty haul. On offer is a VIP Harry Potter and the Cursed Child experience, which includes a pair of tickets to the both parts of the show, backstage access, a night's accommodation and a pre-show dinner for two at Sofitel Melbourne, plus a $500 Myer gift voucher (which you can use at the magical new Harry Potter store). We can't all be the Boy Who Lived — or the Person Who Wins the Quest, more accurately — but ten runners up will score a $100 Gift Finder voucher. You can play as a team or individually and dressing up as your favourite HP character is, of course, encouraged. Everyone who participates will go in the draw to win. The Magical Christmas Quest takes place on Sunday, December 15, with the first clue revealed at 9am that day on the quest website. Image: Harry Potter & The Cursed Child at the Princess Theatre.
Something delightful has been happening in cinemas in some parts of the country. After numerous periods spent empty during the pandemic, with projectors silent, theatres bare and the smell of popcorn fading, picture palaces in many Australian regions are back in business — including both big chains and smaller independent sites in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. During COVID-19 lockdowns, no one was short on things to watch, of course. In fact, you probably feel like you've streamed every movie ever made, including new releases, Studio Ghibli's animated fare and Nicolas Cage-starring flicks. But, even if you've spent all your time of late glued to your small screen, we're betting you just can't wait to sit in a darkened room and soak up the splendour of the bigger version. Thankfully, plenty of new films are hitting cinemas so that you can do just that — and we've rounded up, watched and reviewed everything on offer this week. SISSY Scroll, swipe, like, subscribe: this is the rhythm of social media. We look, watch and trawl; we try to find a sense of self in the online world; and when something strikes a chord, we smudge our fingers onto our phones to show our appreciation. If wellness influencers are to be believed, we should feel seen by this now-everyday process. We should feel better, too. We're meant to glean helpful tips about how to live our best lives, aspire to be like the immaculately styled folks dispensing the advice and be struck by how relatable it all is. "You saved my life!", we're supposed to comment, and we're meant to be genuine about it. The one catch, and one that we shouldn't think about, though: when it comes to seeking validation via social media, this setup really does go both ways. As savvy new Australian horror film Sissy shows, the beaming faces spruiking easy wisdom and products alike to hundreds, thousands or maybe hundreds of thousands of followers — 200,000-plus for this flick's namesake — are also basking in the glory of all that digital attention, and getting a self-esteem boost back in the process. Sissy starts with @SincerelyCecilia, an Instagram hit, doing what she does best. As played by Gold Coast-born Australian actor Aisha Dee of The Bold Type in an astute and knowing stroke of casting, she's a natural in front of the camera. Indeed, thanks to everything from The Saddle Club and I Hate My Teenage Daughter to Sweet/Vicious and The Nowhere Inn as well, the film's star knows what it's like to live life through screens out of character. She's been acting since she was a teenager, and she's charted the highs of her chosen profession, all in front of a lens. So, it's no wonder that Dee conveys Cecilia's comfort recording her videos with ease. The actor hops into the spotlight not only once but twice here, but she's just as perceptive at showing how the world crumbles, shakes and shrinks whenever there's no ring light glowing, smile stretched a mile wide and Pinterest-board background framing her guru-like guidance. "I am loved. I am special. I am enough," is Cecilia's kind of mantra. Through her carefully poised and curated videos, such words have sparked a soaring follower count, a non-stop flow of likes and adoring comments. But she's so tied to all that virtual worship that her off-camera existence — when she's not plugging an 'Elon mask', for instance — is perhaps even more mundane than everyone else's. It's also isolated, so when she reconnects with her childhood best friend Emma (co-director/co-writer Hannah Barlow) during a chance run-in at a pharmacy, it's a rare IRL link to the tangible world. Cecilia is awkward about it, though, including when Emma invites her to her out-of-town bachelorette party that very weekend. Buoyed by memories of pledging to be BFFs forever, singing Aussie pop track 'Sister' by Sister2Sister and obsessing over movie stars, she still agrees to go. Sissy's first act is a Rorschach test: if you're already cynical about the wellness industry and social media, unsurprisingly so, then you'll know that nothing dreamy is bound to follow; if you're not, perhaps the blood and guts to come will feel like a twist. Either way, there will be blood thanks to Barlow and fellow co-helmer/co-scribe Kane Senes' game efforts, reteaming for their second feature after 2017's For Now. There will be chaos as well, and bad signs aplenty, and a rousing body count. Hitting a kangaroo en route to their remote destination clearly doesn't bode well, and also kicks off casualty tally. Then the old schoolyard dynamics bubble up, especially when Cecilia's playground tormentor Alex (Emily De Margheriti, Ladies in Black) is among the fellow guests. Pre-teen taunts resurface — "Sissy's a sissy" was the juvenile and obvious jeer spat her way back in the day, and repeated now — and the @SincerelyCecilia facade starts to shatter. Read our full review. ARMAGEDDON TIME What's more difficult a feat: to ponder everything that the universe might hold, as writer/director James Gray did in 2019's sublime Ad Astra, or to peer back at your own childhood, as he now does with Armageddon Time? Both films focus on their own worlds, just of different sizes and scales. Both feature realms that loom over everyone, but we all experience in their own ways. In the two movies, the bonds and echoes between parents and children also earn the filmmaker's attention. Soaring into the sky and reaching beyond your assigned patch is a focus in one fashion or another, too. In both cases, thoughtful, complex and affecting movies result. And, as shared with everything he's made over the past three decades — such as The Yards, The Immigrant and The Lost City of Z as well — fantastic performances glide across the screen in unwaveringly emotionally honest pictures. In Armageddon Time, Gray returns to a favourite subject: the experience of immigrants to New York. With a surname barely removed from his own, the Graff family share his own Jewish American heritage — and anchor a portrait of a pre-teen's growing awareness of his privilege, the world's prejudices, the devastating history of his ancestors, and how tentative a place people can hold due to race, religion, money, politics and more. The year is 1980, and the end of times isn't genuinely upon anyone. Even the sixth-grader at its centre knows that. Still, that doesn't stop former Californian governor-turned-US presidential candidate Ronald Reagan from talking up existential threats using inflammatory language, as the Graffs spot on TV. Armageddon Time also takes its moniker from a 1977 The Clash B-side and cover; despite the film's stately approach, the punk feeling of wanting to tear apart the status quo — Gray's own adolescent status quo — dwells in its frames. Banks Repeta (The Black Phone) plays Paul Graff, Gray's on-screen surrogate, and Armageddon Time's curious and confident protagonist. At his public school in Queens, he's happy standing out alongside his new friend Johnny (Jaylin Webb, The Wonder Years), and disrupting class however and whenever he can — much to the dismay of his mother Esther (Anne Hathaway, Locked Down), a home economics teacher and school board member. He dreams of being an artist, despite his plumber dad Irving's (Jeremy Strong, Succession) stern disapproval, because the elder Graff would prefer the boy use computing as a path to a life better than his own. In his spare time, Paul is happiest with his doting, advice-dispensing, gift-bearing grandfather Aaron (Anthony Hopkins, The Father), who's considered the only person on the pre-teen's wavelength. Gray fleshes out Paul's personality and the Graffs' dynamic with candour as well as affection, as seen at an early home dinner. There, Paul criticises Esther's cooking, orders dumplings even after expressly being forbidden and incites Irving's explosive anger — and the establishing scene also starts laying bare attitudes that keep being probed and unpacked throughout Armageddon Time. Indeed, Paul will begin to glean the place he navigates in the world. Even while hearing about the past atrocities that brought his grandfather's mother to America, and the discrimination that still lingers, he'll learn that he's fortunate to hail from a middle-class Jewish family. Even if his own comfort is tenuous, Paul will see how different his life is to his black, bused-in friend, with Johnny living with his ailing grandmother, always skirting social services and constantly having condemning fingers waggling his way. And, Paul will keep spying how Johnny is at a disadvantage in every manner possible, including from their instantly scornful teacher and via Paul's own parents' quick judgement. Read our full review. THE WONDER "We are nothing without stories, so we invite you to believe in this one." So goes The Wonder's opening narration, as voiced by Niamh Algar (Wrath of Man) and aimed by filmmaker Sebastián Lelio in two directions. For the Chilean writer/director's latest rich and resonant feature about his favourite topic, aka formidable women — see also: Gloria, its English-language remake Gloria Bell, Oscar-winner A Fantastic Woman and Disobedience — he asks his audience to buy into a tale that genuinely is a tale. In bringing Emma Donoghue's (Room) book to the screen, he even shows the thoroughly modern-day studio and its sets where the movie was shot. But trusting in a story is also a task that's given The Wonder's protagonist, Florence Pugh's nurse Lib Wright, who is en route via ship to an Irish Midlands village when this magnetic, haunting and captivating 19th century-set picture initially sees her. For the second time in as many movies — and in as many months Down Under as well — Pugh's gotta have faith. Playing George Michael would be anachronistic in The Wonder, just as it would've been in Don't Worry Darling's gleaming 1950s-esque supposed suburban dream, but that sentiment is what keeps being asked of the British actor, including in what's also her second fearless performance in consecutive flicks. Here, it's 1862, and 11-year-old Anna O'Donnell (Kíla Lord Cassidy, Viewpoint) has seemingly subsisted for four months now without eating. Ireland's 1840s famine still casts shadows across the land and its survivors, but this beatific child says she's simply feeding on manna from heaven. Lib's well-paid job is to watch the healthy-seeming girl in her family home, where her mother (A Discovery of Witches' Elaine Cassidy, Kila's actual mum) and father (Caolan Byrne, Nowhere Special) dote, to confirm that she isn't secretly sneaking bites to eat. Lib is to keep look on in shifts, sharing the gig with a nun (Josie Walker, This Is Going to Hurt). She's also expected to verify a perspective that's already beaming around town, including among the men who hired her, such as the village doctor (Toby Jones, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain) and resident priest (Ciarán Hinds, Belfast). The prevailing notion: that Anna is a miracle, with religious tourism already starting to swell around that idea, and anyone doubting the claim — or pointing out that it could threaten the girl's life and end in tragedy — deemed blasphemous. But arriving with experience with Florence Nightingale in the Crimean War behind her, the level-leaded, no-nonsense and also in-mourning Lib isn't one for automatic piety. A local-turned-London journalist (Tom Burke, The Souvenir) keeps asking her for inside information, sharing her determination to eschew unthinking devotion and discover the truth, but the nurse's duty is to Anna's wellbeing no matter the personal cost. Lelio's opening gambit, the filmmaking version of showing how the sausage is made, isn't merely a piece of gimmickry. It stresses the power of storytelling and the bargain anyone strikes, The Wonder's viewers alike, when we agree to let tales sweep us away — and it couldn't better set the mood for a movie that ruminates thoughtfully and with complexity on the subject. Is life cheapened, threatened or diminished by losing yourself to fiction over fact? In an age of fake news, as Lelio's movie screens in, clearly it can be. Is there far too much at stake when faith and opinion is allowed to trump science, as the world has seen in these pandemic-affected, climate change-ravaged times? The answer there is yes again. Can spinning a narrative be a coping mechanism, a mask for dark woes, and a way to make trauma more bearable and existence itself more hopeful, though? That's another query at the heart of Alice Birch's (Mothering Sunday) script. And, is there a place for genuine make-believe to entertain, sooth and make our days brighter, as literature and cinema endeavours? Naturally, there is. Read our full review. If you're wondering what else is currently screening in Australian cinemas — or has been lately — check out our rundown of new films released in Australia on August 4, August 11, August 18 and August 25; September 1, September 8, September 15, September 22 and September 29; and October 6, October 13, October 20 and October 27. You can also read our full reviews of a heap of recent movies, such as Bullet Train, Nope, The Princess, 6 Festivals, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Crimes of the Future, Bosch & Rockit, Fire of Love, Beast, Blaze, Hit the Road, Three Thousand Years of Longing, Orphan: First Kill, The Quiet Girl, Flux Gourmet, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Moonage Daydream, Ticket to Paradise, Clean, You Won't Be Alone, See How They Run, Smile, On the Count of Three, The Humans, Don't Worry Darling, Amsterdam, The Stranger, Halloween Ends, The Night of the 12th, Muru, Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, Black Adam, Barbarian, Decision to Leave, The Good Nurse, Bros and The Woman King.
Between an immersive dinner experience in a historic house, performances by The Flaming Lips and Kamasi Washington and a swag of captivating theatre experiences inviting audiences into parallel worlds, this year's Melbourne International Arts Festival (MIAF) will be tough to ignore. Unveiled yesterday, the festival's 2019 program is set to deliver a diverse, vibrant celebration of dance, music, theatre, visual arts and architecture from October 2–20, with the entire city as its stage. For one of 12 Australian premieres, famous illusionist Scott Silven will host multi-sensory dinners for 24 people inside Chapter House, combining magic and storytelling (and, hopefully, some food). Another Australian premiere that'll be equally captivating is Yang Liping's contemporary dance masterpiece Rite of Spring. Tokyo-based art collective teamLab — made up of mathematicians, architects, animators and engineers — will take over Tolarno Galleries with sculptures of light and "cascades of shimmering luminescence", which will make you feel as though you're standing on a floating wave of light. If you've been lucky enough to visit Tokyo's Digital Art Museum or Shanghai's pop-up digital waterfall you'll know what to expect — they're both works by teamLab. Over at the Arts Centre, Black Mirror actor Maxine Peake will lead 15 musicians in a captivating exploration of enigmatic artist Nico and her 1968 masterpiece The Marble Index, in an Australian exclusive. [caption id="attachment_724480" align="alignnone" width="1920"] The Flaming Lips[/caption] In terms of music, there are some big names heading Down Under for the two-week festival. Psychedelic rock legends The Flaming Lips will perform their ninth, and most celebrated, record The Soft Bulletin in full to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The band's performances are never run-of-the-mill either — so, expect confetti cannons, elaborate costumes and neon unicorns. Jazz king Kamasi Washington — who has collaborated with everyone from Herbie Hancock to Kendrick Lamar and St Vincent — will be performing his latest album Heaven and Earth, as well as other top hits. Grammy Award-winning string quartet Kronos Quartet will be heading to Melbourne, too, and if the name doesn't immediately sound familiar, you'll most definitely recognise their Requiem for a Dream soundtrack. Elsewhere on the program — which, yes, continues – will see the return of Melbourne's beloved art trams, Nakkiah Lui's new show Black is the New White, a thought-provoking look at (and questioning of) 2019 Melbourne in Anthem and a world premiere of Chunky Move's new contemporary show Token Armies. This will be the last MIAF in its current format, too. Starting from 2020, MIAF will also form part of a new and bigger winter festival, in conjunction with White Night. Melbourne International Arts Festival runs from October 2-20, 2019, at venues across the city. Tickets are available here, from Monday, July 22. Images: Borderless Tokyo Digital Art Museum by Sarah Ward; Yang Liping's Rite of Spring; Kamasi Washington.
Come March 2021, it will have been 12 months since the Australian Government implemented an indefinite ban on international travel due to COVID-19, only allowing Aussies to leave the country in very limited circumstances. Accordingly, just when jetting overseas will be back on the agenda has been the subject of much discussion. Last year's prediction that opening up to the rest of the world wouldn't happen in 2020 proved accurate, in fact — and now it looks like that could remain the case in 2021 as well. This isn't particularly surprising news; however, with a COVID-19 vaccine currently being rolled out around the globe — with the first jabs slated to hit Aussie arms sometime in February — there was hope that 2021 could see a slow return to normality. But Australia's ex-Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has now forecast that the travel situation is unlikely to change soon, even with the vaccine. Appearing on ABC New Breakfast on Monday, January 18, Murphy — who is now the Secretary of the Department of Health — said "I think the answer is probably no. I think we will go most of this year with still substantial border restrictions. He continued: "even if we have a lot of the population vaccinated, we don't know whether that will prevent transmission of the virus, and it is likely that quarantine will continue for some time". "At the moment, we have this light at the end of the tunnel — the vaccine — so we're going to go as safely and as fast as we can to get our population vaccinated," he also advised. "And then we'll look at what happens." https://twitter.com/breakfastnews/status/1350911014544449538 Murphy also said that, early on in the pandemic, he told Prime Minister Scott Morrison that he didn't want to "predict more than two or three months ahead" — because, "one of the things about this virus is that the rule book is being made up as we go". Eager travellers might remember that last April, Murphy advised that international travel wouldn't be back for at least three-to-four months. With COVID-19 cases continuing to spike elsewhere in the world, that timeframe just keeps extending. At the moment, Australia has implemented a 'travel bubble' with New Zealand — reinstating international travel just between the two countries before Australia's international border reopens to all nations worldwide. It's presently only one-way, though, meaning that New Zealanders can come to Australia, but Australians aren't yet able to holiday in NZ. It's worth noting, as everyone should be well and truly aware, that Australia's domestic border situation keeps changing with frequency, too — including recent updates in response to cases in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne — so travelling anywhere beyond your own city probably isn't guaranteed to be straightforward for the foreseeable future. To find out more about the status of COVID-19 in Australia and how to protect yourself, head to the Australian Government Department of Health's website.
Are you a David? Do you have a mate or relative with that name? Are you willing to stand outside a restaurant asking strangers named David to dine with you? If the answer to any of these is yes, then check this deal out. For all of autumn, David's in Prahran is serving up free yum cha on Saturday afternoons to anyone named David (or other iterations like Davide, Davito and Daveed). That means Davids can feast on unlimited food for two hours, filling the table with baos, dumplings, Peking duck, chicken ribs, pork belly, salt and pepper calamari and a stack of other classic yum cha dishes without paying a cent. The fine print? Davids, you will need to bring along at least one mate. If they're not a David, they'll have to pay the $64 for unlimited yum cha. But being the good bloke you are, you'll split it with your guest, so you both get half-price yum cha. This offer is a one-time thing per David, so no showing up every Saturday lunchtime for free dim sum. And don't forget, you'll need to book ahead of time to secure your spot. Other than that, you're free to feast. Wear roomy clothes and prepare to test your limits at David's in Prahran.
Some people wind down by watching Nicolas Cage movies. Others prefer getting whimsical with Wes Anderson, indulging in Studio Ghibli's animated delights or rustling up a few laughs. Or, there's the group of folks that finds nothing more relaxing than binging movies and TV shows about architecture, design, sustainability and outdoor living. If the latter applies to you — especially in a year that's seen us all spend far more time in our homes — soon there'll be a new streaming service for that. Joining the ever-growing online viewing ranks (and giving Netflix even more company than it already has), Shelter will launch on Friday, July 31 with a lineup focused on design-centric content. Think documentaries such as Tiny, which steps inside six super-small homes; Art House, about the abodes of 11 creatives and the way they reflect their craft in their surroundings; and Homo Sapiens, which gets philosophical about the impact — and fragility — of human existence. Or, you can explore the work of architects such as Eileen Gray, Kevin Roche, Harry Seidler and Tadao Ando via separate docos. Home-centric series Dream Build and Charlie Luxton's Homes by the Sea are also on Shelter's launch lineup — as is the six-part Inspired Architecture series, which explores six Australian structures. The platform is also teaming up with global publications like Design Anthology and Green Magazine to host and present new content. And, it'll be expanding its range with fresh additions each month. When it goes live at the end of July, Shelter will be available online and via iOS and Android apps — costing AU$7.99/NZ$8.99 per month, with a 14-day free trial period on offer, too. And, it's partnering with Eden Reforestation Projects to do more than merely serve up something new for design aficionados to watch. For each paid subscriber Shelter has each month, it'll plant a native tree via the not-for-profit reforestation organisation — which works to plant millions of trees annually in impoverished and environmentally devastated areas of the globe. Shelter launches in Australia and New Zealand on Friday, July 31 — visit the streaming platform's website to sign-up for updates.
Prepare to say "accio remote!" and get comfier than Hermione Granger in a library. In the latest news that'll keep you glued to your couch this summer — and your latest fodder for an at-home movie marathon — everyone's favourite boy wizard is now working his magic on Binge. You won't need the Marauder's Map to find these enchanting flicks. Since Thursday, January 21, all eight movies in the Harry Potter series have hit the streaming platform, bringing their Hogwarts-set adventures to Australian audiences. If you've watched your DVD copies from the 2000s so many times that they're showing a little wear and tear — or your laptop no longer has a disc drive — this is butterbeer-worthy news. Yes, everything from Harry's (Daniel Radcliffe) first visit to Platform 9 and 3/4, the Yule Ball, the Triwizard Tournament, many a fluttering snitch and He Who Must Not Be Named are now at your fingertips. Prime viewing for wizards, witches and muggles alike — all 19 hours and 39 minutes of it. The Fantastic Beasts films haven't joined them, though with wizarding journey keeping its focus on the original franchise. If you're thinking that a time-turner might come in handy over the next few months, we completely understand. And if this sounds like somewhat familiar news, all eight movies were also available on Netflix back in 2019. That's the thing about streaming services, though — unless they're making and funding a movie or series themselves, films and shows can switch platforms as the rights deals behind them change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG37G--drDs&list=PLnpIp0ksj4UlQWQlPaRd6WrI9XSmS6B4u Find Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2 are all now streaming on Binge.
No matter what cuisine rules your annual Christmas feast, we bet it'll work a treat with a sweet Italian finish. Especially one that comes courtesy of Piccolina Gelateria. The local frozen treats expert has unveiled a new creation just in time for the festive season: an indulgent panettone con gelato. The new limited-edition treat is the ultimate mash-up of two traditional Italian desserts, teaming a handmade Christmas panettone with plenty of Piccolina's signature gelato. For the uninitiated, panettone is classically crafted on a sweet, buttery dough spiked with spices, sultanas and candied fruit peel. And it's certainly a labour of love, usually taking around three days to make if you're doing it properly. [caption id="attachment_753962" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tim Allen[/caption] Piccolina's chefs are whipping up two varieties of the gelato cake, each of which is big enough to feed 12–14 people. There's the Nutella version, featuring handmade panettone stuffed with Piccolina's Better than Nutella gelato, coated in a roasted hazelnut and dark chocolate glaze, and crowned with a hazelnut truffle. Or, you might fancy the vanilla number, which is filled with classic vanilla gelato, slathered in white chocolate, and bedazzled with candied orange, gold pearl crisps and a golden cherry topper. They're preservative-free and are bound to look pretty darn fabulous on your Christmas table. [caption id="attachment_753950" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Tim Allen[/caption] Clocking in at $85, each share-friendly cake comes hand-wrapped in a special edition canvas bag and finished with festive red ribbon. Piccolina's panettone con gelato can be pre-ordered via the website, otherwise a limited number are now available to buy in-store at Piccolina Collingwood, Hawthorn and St Kilda. Images: Tim Allen
Last week's Australian Interior Design Awards had us fawning over the most majestic new spaces and mentally redecorating our own little corner of the world. But they also seemed to capture something else — a more confident, unique sense of Australian style, all earth and light, outdoorsy and unfussy. The nature of the Australian aesthetic is fodder for an exciting mini-conference at this year's Vivid Ideas. In Australian Interiors, prominent voices in Australian design such as Sibella Court, Russel Koskela, Alice Blackwood and Rachel Castle will speak on their own practice, current style and future trends. Ahead of that, they talk to us about that big question, Australianness, and how it finds expression in design. Sibella Court Sibella Court is an interior stylist, product designer, historian, globetrotter and creative director who's designed some of our favourite Sydney spaces, such as Mr Wong, Palmer ? Co and The Fish Shop (pictured above). Do you think there is such a thing as a contemporary Australian aesthetic in interior design? Contemporary Australian design doesn't follow a trend; it is eclectic and a great mix of history and creation. Geographically, we are a shipping nightmare! Our lack of product access makes Australians more creative, resourceful and awesome. There’s an embracing of collaboration and a celebration of new and upcoming designers and artisans. Australian style is laidback, and our outdoors and surrounds are already so beautiful, we are a product of our landscape. What is the future for ‘contemporary Australian' interior design? What new trends do you see emerging? Australians have their finger on the (global and local) pulse when it comes to design. Perhaps due to our distance from the rest of the world we have a slight dose of FOMO! The lifestyle of Australia influences our design: a casualness and comfort to our style, as well as creatively experimenting with all sorts of different trends, without ever actually following a trend. Social media is a huge influencer of this, especially Instagram. It is a virtual portfolio, and everyone is watching. It’s a fantastic means of discovery of artists, designers and makers, and it lends itself to being the base of exciting collaborations. Russel Koskela Russel Koskela founded Koskela with his partner Sasha Titchkosky in 2000. They've become a fixture for minimal, sustainable, unique furnishings and Russel last year won both an Idea Award and Eat Drink Design Award for his designs. Do you think there is a contemporary Australian aesthetic in interior design? Yes I do, although I don’t think it’s completely definable. I think there is a relaxed casualness and playfulness to Australian interiors that reflects our climate and attitude. What is the future for ‘contemporary Australian' interior design? It’s very difficult to pick any trends as it’s almost like ‘anything goes’ at the moment. We really noticed this when we were in Milan earlier this year — there was something there for everyone. Even with colours it was almost impossible to pick trends. Alice Blackwood Alice Blackwood is Melbourne editor at Indesign Media, having last year completed a five-year stint as Editor of DQ (Design Quarterly) magazine. Do you think there is a contemporary Australian aesthetic in interior design? Absolutely there is. The way we live and the built environments in which we live directly reference Australia's unique natural environment, our climate, lighting, lifestyle, cultural habits and more. Our love for the outdoors, for example, is hugely influential on our approach to interior design, that creation of a seamless transition between indoors and out being a common element among most contemporary Australian spaces. If I had to apply a general descriptor to the Australian aesthetic, I would say, natural, honest materials; open spaces that allow for lots of natural light; clean, uninterrupted lines (moving away from poky, old Victorian spaces), and open-plan spaces that integrate kitchen and living into one. What is the future for ‘contemporary Australian' interior design? I tend to question, are we capitalising on our local vernacular properly? I've seen a real push-pull among furniture and interior designers — some are keen to 'own' the Australian vernacular, while some feel pigeonholed by it (we are, after all, constantly fighting our 'tyranny of distance') ... In terms of emerging trends, having just come back from the Milan Furniture Fair, I saw a profusion of mixed material use, as well as natural material use, which I think resonates very strongly with our Australian aesthetic. Marble was hugely popular, the cold, beautiful, elemental 'feel' of it resonating strongly with Aussie designers already. Do you have a personal favourite bar or restaurant interior that nails ‘contemporary Australian'? At Indesign Media, we're loving Mocan and Green Grout in Canberra, which we covered recently on Habitusliving.com. It’s located on Capital Hill, and does coffee and bicycles, (how cool!). The interior fit-out features lots of beautiful timber joinery, it receives lots of natural light during the day. The fact that it also specialises in bicycles resonates strongly, I think, with our love for health and wellbeing, and being active outdoors! As well, there’s no denying the growing popularity for cycling and bike culture in Australia. Rachel Castle Rachel Castle of CASTLE designs and manufactures her own bedlinen and homeware range that is full of colour, life and non-boringness. Do you think there is a contemporary Australian aesthetic in interior design? I think these days its really hard to pinpoint a definitive Australian aesthetic. Its like asking us to define our Australian fashion; it's so varied. I think the explosion of interiors blogs and online imagery banks such as Pinterest have allowed anyone and everyone to evolve their own unique aesthetic. I think in general though, we all try to keep it quite relaxed and uncontrived. I think people now are as interested in what they put in their homes as what they put on their bodies, so its wonderful to see such an engaged audience. It's no longer necessary to pick and look and stick to it. You can read the mags, the books, go online, and start to really hone your own aesthetic and source it online, from anywhere in the world. If I had to define a style I would say its a very personal mix of natural materials and products, lots of handmade product, with pops of colour and tons of white for backdrop, and am loving seeing a resurgence for indoor plants! My personal favourite. What is the future for ‘contemporary Australian' interior design? I think we're going to see everything start to pare back a bit. There has been a trend for pattern and pattern and more pattern, which I personally love, but I think it can become a little overwhelming, so am seeing a lot more recently, in the mags especially, a simplistic, cleaner look. Metallics and blush are everywhere, which hello we love, and a softer colour palette with the neutrals and greys and pastels starting to emerge. Do you have a personal favourite bar or restaurant interior that nails ‘contemporary Australian'? I would have to say Kitchen By Mike [designed by and sharing space with Koskela]. Utilitarian, communal, friendly, warm and earthly. Yummy food too. Sibella Court, Russel Koskela, Alice Blackwood and Rachel Castle are all speaking as part of Vivid Ideas' Australian Interiors: Objects, Furnitures, Textiles from 10am - 2pm on Saturday, May 24, at the Vivid Ideas Exchange on Level 6 of the MCA. It's one of our picks of the top ten events to see at Vivid Ideas — check out the rest here.
2022 marks 90 years since the ABC first started broadcasting in Australia, beginning as a public radio service all that time ago. Over the decades, it has also made the leap of television, and been a source of news, entertainment, after-school kids shows, oh-so-much Doctor Who and late-night music videos to keep you occupied after a few drinks. And, it's home to Spicks and Specks, the Aussie music quiz show that no one can get enough of. So, it's fitting that as part of the network's celebrations for its big birthday, it has confirmed that Spicks and Specks will return again this year for a new ten-episode season. What's better than watching a heap of top Australian talent sit around and talk about music? Watching them do all of the above while answering questions, competing for points and just generally being funny, too. Yes, that's the concept behind Spicks and Specks. It takes a few cues from the UK's Never Mind the Buzzcocks, pits Aussie musos and comedians against each other, and has proven a hit several times over. It was a weekly favourite when it first aired between 2005–2011 — and, as it keeps being resurrected. As fans will already know, Spicks and Specks has been enjoying more comebacks than John Farnham of late, although that has meant different things over the years. When the program was first revived back in 2014, it did so with a new host and team captains, for instance. And when it started to make a return with its original lineup of Adam Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough, it first did so via a one-off reunion special. That 2018 comeback proved more than a little popular. It became the ABC's most-watched show of that year, in fact. So, the broadcaster then decided to drop four new Spicks and Specks specials across 2019–20 and, for 2021, to bring back Spicks and Specks in its regular format. In 2022, ten more new episodes await. It's expected that Hills, Myf Warhurst and Alan Brough will settle back into their old chairs — new eps, same stars has been a big focus in recent years, of course — but plenty about 2022's run has yet to be confirmed. That includes exactly when it'll start airing, and who'll be hitting buzzers among the program's guests. Still, you can add playing along with the show from your couch — again — to your plans before 2022 is out. Spicks and Specks will return to ABC TV for ten episodes sometime in 2022. You'll also be able to stream the series via ABC iView. We'll update you when an exact release date is announced.
New York's Museum of Modern Art isn't the only major international gallery bringing its wares to our shores this year, with an exhibition from London's Tate Britain gallery heading to Australia from December. Entitled Love & Desire: Pre-Raphaelite Masterpieces from the Tate and displaying from December 14, 2018 until April 28, 2019, it'll bring more than 40 of the Tate's beloved works to the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, in an exhibition that'll focus on the artistic movement that started in 1848. Iconic pieces such as John Everett Millais' Ophelia and John William Waterhouse's The Lady of Shalott will be making the journey as part of the showcase. Part ode to early Renaissance efforts, part protest against the prevailing creative traditions of the mid-19th century, pre-Raphaelite art was sparked by a group of rebellious artists eager to create something different to the art of the time — and their preferred style, featuring detailed, colourful compositions painted in thin layers with small brushes, certainly managed that. In addition to the pieces from the Tate, the exhibition will also feature an additional 40 works loaned from other British and Australian collections. Each will help highlight the themes of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, examine the different styles adopted by the various artists adhering to its principles, stress the importance of draughtsmanship and emphasise the movement's fondness for collaboration. "This exhibition includes some of the most loved and visited paintings at Tate — some of which have never before been seen in Australia," said NGA director Nick Mitzevich. Love & Desire: Pre-Raphaelite Masterpieces from the Tate will be the NGA's major summer exhibition, although it's not the gallery's only new addition come the end of the year, with Yayoi Kusama's pumpkin-filled infinity room The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens set to join its permanent collection in December. Love & Desire: Pre-Raphaelite Masterpieces from the Tate exhibits at the National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes, Canberra between December 14, 2018 and April 28, 2019. Images: John Everett Millais, Ophelia 1851-2. Oil paint on canvas. Tate collection presented by Sir Henry Tate 1894. © Tate. / John William Waterhouse, The Lady of Shalott 1888. Oil on canvas. Tate. © Tate.
Since 2011, DJ Tom Loud's travelling dance party Hot Dub Time Machine has ripped up stages the world over, offering a rolling crossfade of the last six decades of pop-music. Now, ready to sink his teeth into a new chapter of music-infused revelry, Loud's announced his latest project, Hot Dub Wine Machine — a series of al fresco get-togethers that'll take over four of the country's best-loved wine regions. This Australia-wide tour follows the raging success of Hot Dub Wine Machine's inaugural event, which saw over 6000 wine and music lovers flock to McLaren Vale's Serafino Winery in December last year. This time around, the scenic vistas and rolling hills of wineries Australia-wide will play host to the festivities, including the Yarra Valley's Rochford Estate on Saturday, March 25. The boutique event will run from early afternoon through to after dark, and feature a hand-picked smorgasbord of Australian musical talent. This will all lead into one of Hot Dub's signature sets, which will see audiences dancing their way from 1954 to today, as the DJ mixes an iconic song from each year. Backing up the tunes, expect a careful curation of locally-sourced gourmet eats, craft beer, cocktails, and of course, some sensational vino from these iconic Australian wine regions. Safe to say, it's probably the rowdiest event these wineries will host all year. Images: Pat Stevenson.
With Tilda Swinton as the model, W magazine was sure to have a wild spread for their May issue. But this is probably Tilda's most striking photo shoot yet. The cover story, rightfully titled 'Stranger Than Paradise' is strangely insane (and totally surreal). The series of photos actually pays tribute to some of Swinton's favourite artists. The 52-year-old star of We Need to Talk About Kevin and glass boxes poses with everything from glamorous Chanel and Givenchy clothing to centipedes — yes, you read right, centipedes. And you know what? Even with centipede face, she's gorgeous. Check out some photos from the series below.
Dance and classical aren't music genres you'd usually find swirling around in the same basket — unless you have a particular bent for the orchestral 'Sandstorm' covers found in the depths of YouTube. Synthony — A Generation of Dance Music is here to prove that the disciplines go hand in hand. Touring Australia since 2019, the event is returning to Melbourne on Friday, February 18. It'll see a 60-plus piece orchestra join forces with a selection of DJs and live performers at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, all to play the biggest dance tracks of the last 30 years. Expect the venue to take a few cues from the nightclub scene, with lights, lasers and mapped video all part of the experience — and a selection of dance floor bangers note-for-note. The lineup includes live performances from Savage, Emily Williams, Mobin Master and more — and The Synthony Orchestra, of course — with Madison Avenue's Andy Van on hosting duties.
Need some inspiration to live a life more sustainable? You'll find plenty of it at Fed Square's Zero Waste Festival, happening next month as part of the precinct's Sustainable September program. On Saturday, September 17, this celebration of planet-friendly living is set to feature talks, panel discussions, installations and fun activations, all designed to get you hooked on the idea of a waste-free future. You'll hear passionate zero-waste innovators chat tips, tricks and key topics; from the fight to shift our society's reliance on 'fast fashion', to easy everyday household changes that can help the planet. [caption id="attachment_866711" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Liam Neal[/caption] There'll be a premiere screening of new doco Going Circular, a Mending Circle that'll teach you skills to restore your old things to their former glory, and a hands-on puppet-making workshop using recycled materials. BYO pre-loved threads and hit the Clothes Swap to give your wardrobe a refresh; get old or damaged items fixed for free courtesy of the St Kilda Repair Cafe pop-up; and help keep the city looking fresh by joining clean-up group Beach Patrol for a morning litter collection session along the Yarra. There'll be plenty of food and coffee vendors slinging their wares, so visitors are encouraged to bring their reusable cups and containers. Stalls will also be offering reusable plates, cleaned onsite by the folks from Green My Plate. Entry to the festival and its program is free, though you can reserve your spot at the various talks and activities online. It'll cost you $10 to participate in the Adults Clothes Swap. Top Image: Vicky Rae Ellmore
While not every venue in Melbourne has made its courtyard a palace to pooches (yet), some places have realised that everyone loves a happy pupper — and they encourage you to bring your fur baby to eat, drink and get groovy with you. So even if your pooch is a cantankerous diva who guilts you for leaving them at home, demands their Instagram be updated every hour, on the hour, and simply cannot survive without a puppercino in the morning, you have options. One day we hope to live in a world where you can't eat a slice of pizza without a thousand baleful eyes staring at you, silently begging for a taste — a happy place where doggo and human co-exist on every dance floor. But, until then, you'll have to seek out the watering holes that explicitly welcome four-legged mates. We've hit the streets with poop bags and an American Express® Card in-hand, and — after many beers, pats, sloppy kisses and bequeathments of 'good boy' status — we've found Melbourne's best dog-friendly bars (which could really just be classified as Melbourne's best bars thanks to the high doggo quotient that makes up their clientele). Pro-tip: to maximise the number of dogs licking your face, just slip some bacon bits in your pockets to attract the attention. Works a treat. Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
Folks can't stop talking about Christy Tania. Not only did the renowned dessert chef bend minds with her 'Floating Ice Cream' creation on MasterChef earlier this year, but she has also launched her own permanent dessert shop. Opening its doors on Windsor's Peel Street, Tania's new sweet wonderland offers artisanal frozen treats for eating in and taking away. Fancy ice cream stores mightn't be a rare occurrence these days; however, as Tania's first permanent solo venture, Glacé is every bit as impressive as the rest of her artisan treats. The contemporary space offers a hefty range of frozen desserts and innovative flavours, crafted with local ingredients — such as her trademark ice cream push pops, with their layers of cake sponge and ice cream. Diners will find ice cream eclairs and ice cream macarons on the menu, because every dessert is better in ice cream form. When it comes to flavoursome scoops themselves, think creative concoctions such as boozy date (sticky date pudding soaked in rum with vanilla ice cream and salted butterscotch), coffee caramel (caramel milk chocolate ice cream with Kahlua and orange cinnamon crumble), and lamington (coconut ice cream and chocolate brownie with a swirl of raspberry sorbet), plus the zig-a-zig-ah-inducing ginger spice (vanilla ice cream with salted butterscotch and gingerbread crumble). Those keen on something more traditional can try the likes of 72% dark chocolate ice cream, strawberry passionfruit sorbet and coconut ice cream with pure coconut droplets. The fixed digs come hot on the heels of successful pop-ups in Sydney and Melbourne in May, which gave sweet tooths a taste of the flagship store's range. As for Tania herself, the chef first popped up in 2013, after famously steering Melbourne dessert bar Om Nom into its first chef's hat within just two months of heading up the kitchen. Since then, her inspired sweet treats have continued to dazzle and astound, both out of the Om Nom kitchen and during a host of MasterChef guest judge appearances, making jealous messes of audiences across the country. Find Christy Tania's Glacé at 1A Peel Street, Windsor. For more information, check out the eatery's website. By Libby Curran and Sarah Ward.
Meet Patriot, Potomac, Primrose, Poppet and Phil. They're each cute as a button, and they just might become America's next hard-working, helpful guide dogs. Born at the headquarters of US organisation Guide Dogs for the Blind, these labrador puppies will learn what it takes to become a seeing-eye companion for a human in need. While they won't all end up assisting the visually impaired to live fuller lives, they'll each try their best and look adorable in the process. That's the story behind Pick of the Litter, the documentary that'll make you want to hug your own doggo, get one, or volunteer to help train pooches that become guide dogs. The movie is part of this year's Melbourne International Film Festival lineup, screening on Sunday, August 5 and again on Sunday, August 19 — and it covers a program that's incredibly close to the way that Guide Dogs Victoria breed, raise and train their pups. If you've not only just added the film to your must-see list, but have started wondering how you can get involved, here's some good news — Guide Dogs Victoria staff and volunteers will be on hand at both sessions to let you know how you can assist. In even better news, they'll have company of the four-legged kind, so you can see a movie about gorgeous, life-changing guide dogs and pat a few before and after the screening.
With Preston Station finally reopened after a long year of removal works, Preston is back firing on all cylinders and ready to party. So it's celebrating the occasion with a huge free block party on Sunday, September 11. Swing by Preston Market from 11am for a big day of eats, drinks, tunes and general good vibes, served up by much-loved market traders and other Preston favourites. Food pop-ups will be slinging treats ranging from fairy floss to gelato, alongside sweet and savoury goodies from all the usual market vendors. Preston-based brewery Moon Dog will be serving ice-cold craft beer tinnies from its MD Land Drover, while The Drinks Swap pop-up will have an array of booze-free things to quench your thirst. [caption id="attachment_811005" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Moon Dog, by Samantha Schultz[/caption] As with all good parties, there'll be entertainment — and plenty of it. Catch neo-soul and RnB sounds from songwriting duo Alex & Sophia, see a belly-dancing performance by Azura Oasis and cut some shapes of your own with a communal boogie lead by Brunswick's very lively Famous Love Heart Dancers. While you're there, be sure to check out the special live reptile show, and shop up a storm with a trip around the market, where you can stock up on everything from fashion and art to homewares and vinyl. [caption id="attachment_868219" align="alignnone" width="1284"] Famous Love Heart Dancers[/caption]
In the lead-up to its tenth birthday, artisan cacao brand Mörk opened the doors to a second outpost for its much-loved range of fine drinking chocolates and other handmade sweet treats; this time taking over an old lift shaft in a CBD laneway. The new pint-sized digs in Equitable Place are slinging Mörk's signature hot — and chilled — chocolate drinks, along with a range of take-home products and sweet treats, all for takeaway. This tiny haven is also where you'll find the cult-favourite Swedish cinnamon buns from sister label, Söt by Mörk. The store's range of luxe drinking chocolate trips through varying degrees of cacao darkness, all ready to enjoy with your choice of regular, oat or coconut milk (from $6). Or, if you prefer coffee, the caffeinated lineup comes courtesy of a collaboration with Patricia Coffee Brewers ($4.5). That famed Campfire Hot Chocolate also gets a spin here, with its theatrical show of smoke, chocolate and toasted marshmallow ($9). The hole-in-the-wall is turning out a range of plant-based beverages, too, including a hazelnut and almond blend ($8), and a Bounty-inspired fusion of caramelised coconut and sea salt ($8). And should your sweet tooth need a little extra lovin', there's a cabinet full of goodies from the Söt line — gooey twice-baked chocolate cake, florentines finished with Rooftop Honey, and miniature pistachio bundts loaded with yuzu chocolate ganache, to name a few. [caption id="attachment_825088" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Mork's Campfire Hot Chocolate, by Kristoffer Paulsen[/caption] Images: Kristoffer Paulsen
This year, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival's ever-popular Crawl 'n' Bite series will provide even more opportunities for culinary exploration, with a whole new crop of roaming food and drink tours. Sink your teeth into the tastiest of Fitzroy and Collingwood, and discover just how diverse these foodie hotspots are, with the Smith and Johnston crawl. On Wednesday, April 5, this guided journey will have punters enjoying a bite and a drink at French-leaning Hell of the North, stylish gastropub Fitzroy Town Hall Hotel, and vivacious taqueria Hotel Jesus, across one adventurous evening. Six ticket options are available for the tour — choose the starting time and location that suits you best and get crawling.
By now, you've probably become well-accustomed to being shut up indoors, fantasising about dining out with mates and sipping drinks at buzzy bars. Well, here's another blissful image to add to your daydreaming montage: a summertime sipping session located 24 storeys above ground level, watching the sun set over the city. It's a dream that will soon become a reality — when the 627 Chapel Street building's luxury rooftop opens this summer. The yet-to-be-named bar and restaurant is the work of 627 Chapel Street developer Goldfields, which has also yet to announce an operator for the luxe sky-high space. It has, however, revealed it's considering "three well-known local groups", as well as an international bid out of Los Angeles. While mystery will continue to surround the plan for a little while longer, Goldfields has revealed a few key details about the design of the tower's rooftop bar. Taking cues from some of the world's most high-profile rooftop clubs, the 200-person terrace will look to fuse a modern Mediterranean aesthetic with a touch of sophisticated local flair. Fittingly, in a nod to its address, the site's footprint clocks in at 627 square metres. Across that, there'll be a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, with an open-sided pergola, relaxed lounge areas and lush canopy trees. As you can expect, the developer says the rooftop will be a prime spot to spend those South Yarra sunset sessions, with the site boasting panoramic views across Melbourne. As for exactly which studio or designer will be bringing this luxe vision to life, that'll be up to the operators nominated by Goldfields. The makeover of 627 Chapel Street is set to come in at an eye-watering $300 million and is slated to be ready for occupancy by November this year. The unnamed rooftop bar and restaurant is set to open at 627 Chapel Street, South Yarra in the summer of 2021–2022. For more details, see the precinct's website.
Founded by husband and wife duo Bec and Chris Lutz in 2006, Design A Space is where you'll find creative works by many of Australia's most admired independent designers. It as a rotating selection of artists each month, and more than 150 notable designers who have set about creating fashion and accessories for the entire family. Many of the works uncovered at Design A Space are limited edition pieces that you won't find anywhere else. Add something bright to your wardrobe this winter, while supporting some of Australia's most respected emerging and established artists. Design A Space is also located at 20 Manchester Lane, Melbourne and 212 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Images: Mark Lobo/Visit Victoria.
