Anita Sarkeesian is one of the world’s bravest women. One of the key players taking aim at misogyny in the world of video games, Sarkeesian has been both applauded and attacked worldwide for her outspokenness about the gaming industry — she even explained #Gamergate to Stephen Colbert. Her blog Feminist Frequency and video series' Tropes vs. Women and Tropes vs. Women in Video Games have seen anti-feminist trolls sending serious threats her way — Sarkeesian even had to cancel a speaking appearance at Utah State University after terrorist threats. But haters be damned, the feminist critic at the forefront of gaming debates is finally coming to Melbourne. Presented off the back of her appearance at Sydney Opera House's All About Women festival, Sarkeesian will discuss the Gamergate firestorm, Feminist Frequency and her award-winning work within technology, art and pop culture. In conversation at RMIT Storey Hall Auditorium with Private Media editor in chief Sophie Black, Sarkeesian will speak at the Wheeler Centre's new series, The F Word. The new series of talks and events looks at where feminism is at right now, focusing on changing perceptions and speaking directly to the people in the centre of these developments. Needless to say, Sarkeesian is a perfect billing. Image: Alex Lazara.
It's time to air out the tent and throw those novelty gumboots in your backpack, Bluesfest is here for another music-filled Easter long weekend. While The Black Keys, Ben Howard and Lenny Kravitz are no longer heading to Byron this year, Bluesfesters can placate their blues (ugh) with Alabama Shakes, Jurassic 5, the Zac Brown Band, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Sticky Fingers, Boy and Bear, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Paolo Nutini, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Angus and Julia Stone, Steve Smyth, The Black Keys' replacement British India and more. There’s more of an emphasis than usual on young blood and recent charttoppers this year. That said, the legendary George Clinton with his Parliament/Funkadelic will be delivering an ample dose of '70s psychedelic, roller-skating-worthy funk and Paul Kelly (who seems perpetually both classic and contemporary) will be serving up some Merri Soul Sessions, in the star-studded company of Dan Sultan, Kira Puru and Vika and Linda Bull. Then there’s Train, Xavier Rudd and the United Nations, Trombone Shorty and New Orleans Avenue, Rebelution, Soja, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Beth Hart, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Mariachi El Bronx, G. Love and Special Sauce, Pokey Lafarge, Band of Skulls and Rockwiz Live. The only difficult news in all of this is that ticket prices have crept up (you can’t say you weren’t warned!). BYRON BAY BLUESFEST 2015 LINEUP: The Black Keys Angus & Julia Stone Boy & Bear Sticky Fingers Frank Yamma Delta Rae Wagons Skipping Girl Vinegar Marlon Williams & The Yarra Benders Kristy Lee Genevieve Chadwick Dewayne Everettsmith The Bella Reunion Luluc James T. Matt Andersen Shaun Kirk Eddie Boyd & The Phatapillars Hozier The Waterboys Switchfoot Hunter Hayes Fly My Pretties Music Maker Presents Super Chikan And Vasti Jackson Diesel Jeff Lang Phil Wiggins & Dom Turner Watussi (Final Performances) Nikki Hill The Rumjacks Lenny Kravitz The Gipsy Kings (feat. Nicolas Reyes & Tonino Baliardo) Rodrigo Y Gabriela Jurassic 5 (Now also performing on Thursday night) John Mayall Keb Mo Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin with the Guilty Ones JJ Grey & Mofro Tony Joe White Jon Cleary Trevor Hal Serena Ryder Jake Shimabukuro Music Maker Foundation (feat. Cool John Ferguson, Little Freddie King, Alabama Slim, George Stancell) Michael Franti's Soulshine Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals Paolo Nutini David Gray Ben Howard Counting Crows Jimmy Cliff Mavis Staples Gary Clark Jr Dispatch Ruthie Foster The Beat Keziah Jones Playing For Change The Black Keys Zac Brown Band Alabama Shakes Train Michael Franti & Spearhead George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic Paul Kelly Presents The Merri Soul Sessions feat Dan Sultan, Kira Puru, & Vika And Linda Bull Xavier Rudd and The United Nations Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Rebelution Soja The Chris Robinson Brotherhood Beth Hart Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls Mariachi El Bronx G. Love & Special Sauce Pokey Lafarge Band Of Skulls Rockwiz Live Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires Augie March Donavon Frankenreiter Melbourne Ska Orchestra Justin Townes Earle Declan Kelly Presents Diesel n’Dub (Featuring Emma Donovan, Alex Lloyd, Pat Powell, Radical Son, Tony Hughes) Ash Grunwald Blue King Brown The Beautiful Girls Steve Smyth Karl S. Williams British India Bluesfest 2015 will run April 2 – 6 2015 at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, Byron Bay. More details and ticket info here. Image: Bluesfest.
Get the bacon and whisky ready, and prepare your ears for some high-pitched laughter. They're the only things you can do — other than start making your own canoe, and generally squealing with glee — upon hearing the news that Nick Offerman is coming to Australia this week. Although initially slated to appear with partner in crime Megan Mullally to perform their Summer of 69: No Apostrophe, an unforeseen scheduling conflict has seen the show replaced with Offerman's solo show Full Bush. Mullally is no longer able to tour early next year as she starts a major film production overlapping directly with her Australian dates — but, luckily, Offerman is still able to make it. Just take a moment to let that sink in. Ron effing Swanson will be in the country. Described as a veritable smorgasbord of cautionary tales, tunes, and tips for prosperity, Full Bush looks set to make all your dreams come true: you'll get to sing a tune with Offerman while taking in his natural beefy musk. He'll be up on stage at Hamer Hall for two shows on Sunday, January 31 (at 8pm and 10.15pm), and an extra show on Tuesday, February 9. NICK OFFERMAN: FULL BUSH DATES January 28-29 — State Theatre, Sydney January 30 — Theatre Royal, Hobart January 31 & February 9 — Hamer Hall, Melbourne February 2-3 — Astor Theatre, Perth February 4 — Festival Theatre, Adelaide February 5-6 — QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
Melbourne’s favourite bake sale is on once again, providing you with expertly-made sweet and savoury treats for all budgets. The lineup alone for Melbourne’s 5th Flour Market is worth salivating over, including old favourites such as 5 & Dime Bagel, Agathe Patisserie, All Day Donuts, Bakewell & Co., Dr Marty's Crumpets, Citizen Cacao, Cobb Lane, Everyday Coffee, GF Precinct, Moonbeam Kitchen, Nora, Pierogi Pierogi, Pure Pie and Shop Ramen. If that epic lineup of baked goodness wasn’t enough, new stallholders Beatrix, Butterbing, Candied Bakery, Jo Barrett, Linh Dang, Loafer Bread, Pop Up Scroll, Raw Trader and Waffee have added their names to the list, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. In the past the Flour Market has drawn huge crowds lining up halfway around the block to get their mitts on some cream-filled, jam-glazed, artisan patisserie, so to make crowds more manageable they've offered early riser tickets for $10 a pop. While these have sold out, hopefully the battle for the best bombolone won’t be so horrendous, but we still advise you to arrive early. Entry is a sweet $2 donation, and doors open at 9am.
Drop everything you're doing right freaking now. Amy Schumer has just announced a one-off Australian stand-up show at Hamer Hall in Melbourne on Wednesday July 22. Tickets go on sale at 10am sharp on Friday July 17, but we're guessing they won't be available for long. Here's the ticketing page. Set your watch. You do not want to miss out. If you're not sure who Schumer is then wow, where have you been? Go here for a bunch of clips from her TV sketch show Inside Amy Schumer, which is easily one of the funniest, smartest and most subversive comedies on television today. Be warned though, once you click, you will spend the next three hours cackling like an idiot. Which, come to think of it, is a pretty excellent use of your time. Those of you who don't have quick enough fingers to nab yourself a ticket, take solace in the fact that you can see Schumer in just a couple of weeks, when her new movie Trainwreck hits the big screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM2RUVnTlvs
Celebrate the end of the working week in style, with the Bowie Late Nights program at ACMI. Part of the hotly anticipated David Bowie is exhibition, these free Bowie-inspired parties will invade the Federation Square gallery space every Thursday and Friday evening until the beginning of November – showcasing killer local DJs and bands with music inspired by the Thin White Duke himself. The artists tapped to perform in the program are a fittingly eclectic bunch. Highlights include The Bombay Royale, DJ Manchild, Mojo Juju and Total Giovanni, as well as audio-visual performers Cumbia Cosmonauts and theatrical mixologist Geraldine Quinn. A bar will be serving up drinks all evening long, so punters can enjoy a tipple with the show. Entry into Bowie Late Nights is free, although due to the limited capacity of the venue, priority entry will be given to that day's exhibition ticket holders. For more information visit the ACMI website.
The Bell Shakespeare Company is celebrating 25 years of momentous performances all in the name of The Great Bard. While they have performed Hamlet in that time, they’ve never sent it on a national tour, which is not really that surprising – it’s a big, complex play that is incredibly demanding of its cast and crew. But when you have Damien Ryan (fresh of a killer season with Henry V) directing and Josh McConville (MTC’s Sublime, 2014) in the lead role, anything is possible. Hamlet is often described as the modern man; an existential anti-hero who asks the big questions and is paralysed with inaction when much is asked of him. The play contains madness, revenge, betrayal, and a whole lot of murder, all of which helps explain why it is one of Shakespeare’s most well known plays. The show will only run in Melbourne for a week and a half – so if you’re keen to see a Shakespearian classic brought to life by some of Australia’s finest theatrical talent, get on board.
Take the rocky road down to the Yarra Valley and get ready to stuff your face. Yes, the fiends behind the recent hot chocolate and ice cream festivals have concocted another month-long sugar extravaganza. This time, it's all about sweet, nutty, marshmallowy rocky road. By the way, to any dentists who are reading, go ahead and put down a deposit on that beach house you were looking at. We have a feeling your financial situation is going to be juuuuuuuuust fine. The Yarra Valley Rocky Road Festival will run through the entire month of May. That's 31 days, which means 31 different flavours. And it doesn't just stop at blocks and bars, either. There'll also be rocky road hot chocolate, rocky road ice cream, and even rocky road waffles. The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery will also be hosting Rock Around the Block tasting sessions three times a day, which can be booked via their website.
Have a tipple with Miss Fisher at the Old Melbourne Gaol. For one night only, the historical penitentiary turned unlikely function space will be transformed into a Murder Mystery Pop-Up Speakeasy inspired by the popular ABC TV series, complete with live entertainment and roaring twenties flair. Kicking off at 6pm sharp this Friday, June 12, entry for the event will cost you $40, and comes with two free Miss Fisher themed beverages as well as total unbridled access to the gaol. There will also be food available for purchase — although we’re not sure that the Mr. Burger Truck counts as period authentic. The Murder Mystery Pop-Up Speakeasy ties in with the Miss Fisher Costume Exhibition, which will be at the historical Rippon Lea House & Gardens until the end of September. For more information on either event, go here.
Chapel Street's Tokyo Tina popular boozy brunch sessions matched with a fun side of bingo can now be enjoyed at home. Running every Sunday at 2pm, from Sunday, September 20, the food, drink and bingo sessions are sure to help liven up your lockdown weekends. So, how exactly does it work? Like this: you order the bingo pack from Tokyo Tina via Providoor for $150. Yes, it seems steep, but it includes quite a lot — and it's enough for two. You'll get eight Aperol spritzes, bingo cards, bingo pens, a QR code linking you to a playlist and access to the one-hour bingo live stream with drag superstar Valerie Hex. Plus, you'll get a selection of Tokyo Tina favourites. You'll be swapping your standard smashed avo for more exciting brunch plates like okonomiyaki, karaage chicken, beef brisket and kimchi fried rice, cured kingfish and edamame. You do need to pick up the pack from Tokyo Tina on Saturday, which, sadly means only those within five kilometres of the Windsor store. The bingo itself promises a bit of raucous fun, especially those crowned bingo king or queen. Who knows — you could end this Sunday session with a sweet prize and serious bragging rights to your name. Either way, this is not the kind your nan plays. Just be sure to book online to make sure you can get a table.
Piccolina Gelateria is ditching its waffle cones and paper cups in favour of beautiful, handmade ceramic bowls at a Collingwood event this Saturday, February 1. And it's doing so to help raise money for the Australian Conservation Foundation — an environmental non-profit currently fighting for clean energy. The Potters in Protest fundraiser event will be held at Piccolina's Collingwood shop and here's how it works: purchase a handmade ceramic bowl for $30 and it'll be filled — for free — with gelato (vegan options available). It's a fairly simple idea but noble nonetheless, with 100 percent of the profits going towards the cause. [caption id="attachment_759175" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Lillie Thompson[/caption] Over 300 bowls will be available, donated by some of Australia's most talented potters, including Mud Australia, Clay by Tina, Oh Hey Grace, Leaf and Thread, Mountain Clay, Clae Studio, Kirsten Perry, Peta Armstrong and many more. Potters in Protest will run from noon to 3pm, unless sold out prior. We suggest you go early and scoop it out. Images: Lillie Thompson
Get up close and personal with Melbourne's Harts this week, at an intimate gig at the John Curtin Hotel. Presented by GiggedIn, the new live music subscription service that gets you unlimited access to gigs around Melbourne, this exclusive show on Saturday, May 28 will feature the homegrown multi-instrumentalist who received a personal invitation from the late, great Prince for a casual jam session at Paisley Park Studios in Minneapolis. Known for his Hendrix-like guitar solos and his debut album Daydreamer (with singles 'Leavn It All Behind' and 'Lovers In Bloom,' landing radio play worldwide), Harts is one of Australia's most successful new artists — he's just about to embark upon his first UK tour. Before he goes, let's remind him what a raucous home audience looks like. Tickets to the gig are free for GiggedIn members, one of the perks of having an all-access monthly pass to live music in Melbourne. If you're not a member, we've ten double passes to give away thanks to GiggedIn. And on top of that, they're giving you 30 percent off your first month if you sign up for a membership before June 28. Just enter the code CPFRIENDS at checkout. [competition]573941[/competition] By Tom Clift with Shannon Connellan.
Add another name to your list of must-try Melbourne burger joints. Opening February in Ascot Vale, Motorhome Majestic is the latest tasty project from restaurateur Josh Lefers. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he's the same guy behind Truck Stop Deluxe in Werribee and the Grand Trailer Park Taverna in the CBD. In other words, he really knows his burgers. Set to begin service on Thursday February 10, this new spot continues the automotive theme of Lefer's other restaurants, with booths and benches installed inside converted caravans and trailers. An outdoor dining area comes fitted with a retractable roof, so you can enjoy your food no matter the Melbourne weather. Speaking of food, the menu at Motorhome Majestic bears the mark of Dani Zeini, co-owner at the Grand Trailer Park Taverna and owner of the newly opened Royal Stacks. There are burgers, of course, as well as ribs and fried chicken, plus a dessert station with doughnuts, waffles, ice cream and an array of toppings. Their drinks menu includes beers, wines and cocktails – including margaritas and espresso martinis – on tap, as well as a selection of Grand Taverna-style spiked milkshakes. Motorhome Majestic will open on February 10 at 238 Union Road, Ascot Vale. For more information and opening hours, visit www.motorhomemajestic.com.au or check them out on Facebook. Via Beat. Image: Grand Trailer Park Taverna.
Are you the kind of person who thinks the most important meal of the day is actually dessert? In that case, sink your sweet tooth into this. This Saturday, December 12, dessert designer Caroline Khoo of Nectar + Stone is hosting her first ever pop-up shop at Williams-Sonoma Chadstone. The Nectar + Stone pop-up will be selling the same sorts of bespoke sugary treats that are available on Choo's websites. These may include chocolates, macaroons, tarts and cupcakes as well as her signature creation: a cookie-filled chocolate pyramid. A chocolate pyramid. Filled with cookies. She'll also create a number of limited edition desserts using Williams-Sonoma's Original Peppermint Bark. Khoo has risen to prominence in the dessert world recently, having amassed close to 280,000 followers on Instagram alone – and you only have to have a quick browse through her photos to understand why that is. Something tells me you're going to have a good day. ( choc fudge, mousse, Nutella, cotton candy ) ????????? A photo posted by nectar & stone (@nectarandstone) on Dec 4, 2015 at 12:57pm PST Happy days ?????? - blush blush @neueblvd ottoman, mugs @aurahome & tray by @residentgp_homewares ?? A photo posted by nectar & stone (@nectarandstone) on Dec 2, 2015 at 3:52pm PST Happy Birthday Decem'bites' - we are eating cake for you this month and icecream too ????? A photo posted by nectar & stone (@nectarandstone) on Nov 30, 2015 at 12:44pm PST Daaaaaamn. And that's just from the past two weeks. The pop-up will be open for business starting at 10am, and will keep operating until all the sweetness as been gobbled up. Fair warning though... that may not take very long. Williams-Sonoma Chadstone is located near David Jones on the lower level of Chadstone Shopping Centre, at 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone.
There's a new face on Lygon Street that we can't wait to get to know. Now trading on the former site of pizza joint Jimmi Jamz, Lady Carolina is Brunswick's new Latin kitchen and rum bar, promising good food, communal vibes and a social conscience to match. Opening on Friday at 175-177 Lygon Street, Lady Carolina is owned by Alby Tomassi (Feast of Merit), who has recruited creative director Paul Wilson (Newmarket Hotel) to oversee the kitchen with the aid of Blair Williams (Bluebonnet BBQ) and Cameron Denning (Acland Street Cantina). The menu has been inspired by the flavours of Latin America and the Caribbean, with soft shell tacos, tapas and plenty of grilled seafood, as well as suckling pig and a modern take on traditional Peruvian ceviche. They'll also be making use of Australia's first ever crop of purple corn. The restaurant sits 160 people in total, and is split into two main sections. Indoors you'll find the dining room and pisco bar with a view into the kitchen, while the outdoor portion, opening September 25, consists of a beer garden complete with communal tables, cactus garden and its own separate kitchen and bar. There, you'll be able to snack on alpaca burgers, while knocking back rum, beer and tropical cocktails under the stars. We can certainly think of worst ways to spend an evening. Best of all, Lady Carolina has partnered with grassroots charity Pay a Sack Forward, and will donate a percentage of its profits to help feed and clothe Melbourne's homeless. Good call. Find Lady Carolina at 175-177 Lygon Street, Brunswick. For more information and trading hours, head to www.ladycarolina.com.au. Via Good Food.
Thought disco was just dance music? There's a whole lot of history behind breaking it down on a light-up d-floor. The School of Life's latest and greatest class, 'The Philosophy of Disco' shimmies through modern music's shiniest genre — and everyone from Adorno to Michael Jackson’s musings are up for discussion. Who would have thought something as fun and seemingly light could be something worthy of serious discussion? Craig Schuftan, that’s who. The Sydney writer, radio producer and public speaker will take you on a serious trip through where (and why) disco began. You'll never watch Saturday Night Fever the same again. After asking all the big disco dancin' questions, it will be time to make like Sister Sledge and get Lost In Music. Melbourne’s disco DJ darling CC:DISCO! will be spinning non-stop solid gold hits. The PBSFM Friday night favourite will cover everything from smooth slow jams and soulful house to '80s boogie and anything in between. Put on your thinking caps and dancing shoes, this is sure to be an evening to work out your body and your mind.
If you've been hanging out for the opportunity to go deep with virtual reality, we've got news that will delight you. This year Melbourne Fringe has announced a unique new program of virtual reality shorts as part of their lineup. The brand new Virtual Reality Fringe Festival will run from September 14 to October 1 and show a series of films in a small shopfront on Johnston Street in Collingwood. The program is a mix of local and international short films and documentaries, music clips and a group VR experience — so prepare yourself for some weirdness. The venue seats a dozen movie-goers at a time, straps them into VR headsets and 360-degree rotating swivel chairs. You'll then be transported to Rapa Nui (the enigmatic island better known as Easter Island), jump into the studio with Melbourne muso Didirri, cruise the streets with graffiti artist Adnate and take a terrifying ride on Joel Zika's Alabama ghost train amongst other weird and wonderful experiences. The program combines both live action and abstract motion graphics, covering a broad range of film techniques and styles. Get around it — literally.
Nakkiah Lui's comedy Black Is the New White has been nothing short of a smash hit since it debuted in 2017 — and now, after seasons in Sydney and Brisbane, it's finally getting a local run with Melbourne Theatre Company. Charlotte Gibson is a lawyer and going places, fast. Her parents are stoked, but they don't know that Charlotte's also procured herself a fiancé. He's white and unemployed, a composer. His upper-middle class parents are at the stuffier end of conservative and they're headed over for Christmas dinner. But Lui says the idea came from somewhere else entirely. "I just wanted to write something for Aboriginal actors that didn't have death in it. I wanted to write something that didn't come from a place of sorrow…This was actually something that had hope, that had happiness in it." Director Paige Rattray has the helm for this one with a cast that includes Top End Wedding's Miranda Tapsell. Christmas may still be a few months away, but there's enough cheer in Lui's work to make you forget all about that. The show will hit Southbank Theatre for a month-long season between Wednesday, October 2 and Saturday, November 9. Lots of shows have already sold out, so make sure you book in quick. UPDATE: OCTOBER 10, 2019 — Due to most shows being at capacity, four new shows have been added, extending the season until Saturday, November 9. Image: Rene Vaile.
Hope you're feeling hungry, because Taste is back. One of the biggest, tastiest gastronomic events in town, this four-day foodie festival, which starts cooking on Thursday November 10 in partnership with Electrolux, will once again welcome some of the biggest names in culinary culture to Albert Park. The lineup should more than whet your appetite. Fancy Hank's will be there, as will Lume and Om Nom dessert bar, alongside iconic local restaurants including Estelle Bistro, Cumulus Inc, Supernormal, Hotel Jesus and Mamasita. Talk about being spoiled for choice. When you're not busy stuffing your face (let's be honest, that's why you're there), visitors can also try their hand at cooking school, swing by the Jim Bean citrus highball bar, or take part in a virtual reality experience presented by Lume (the restaurant). We've got 2x VIP double passes, and 10x general entry double passes to give away. All you've gotta do to enter is say "yes!" to the terms and conditions then fill in your details. If you don't win, use the discount code 'concrete' to get 30 percent off until November 9 if you book online. Bon appétit. [competition]594922[/competition]
Handpicking some of the globe's best new artists for yet another glorious year, Sugar Mountain Festival has revealed one heck of a 2016 lineup, with homegrown boss Courtney Barnett, British electro crew Hot Chip and beats king Julio Bashmore at the top. Returning to Melbourne’s Victorian College of the Arts on January 23, 2016, Sugar Mountain has balanced international drawcards with local talent this year, from Australian rockers Dirty Three to New York-based, Honduran-American synth pop artist Empress Of. From across the seas, expect NYC rapper Le1f, Canadian post-punk band Viet Cong, Washington electronic R&B artist Kelela and more. From around the traps, Sydney garage rockers Royal Headache will burl out their latest album, alongside dream poppers Alpine, sharp-as-blazes groove outfit Total Giovanni, beatsmith Roland Tings and more. The Boiler Room stage will also return, live streaming around the world with a yet-to-be-announced lineup. Music isn't the only thing on the menu for Sugar Mountain this year. There'll also be local visual artists on the bill, including Melburnian Nic Hamilton, Japan’s NONOTAK, and SIBLING taking over the main stage design. Nosh-wise, don't just expect your regular festival fare — Sugar Mountain recently announced the opening of an immersive restaurant onsite called Sensory, a collaboration between Bomba, Tin & Ed and Cut Copy. Enough chatskies, here's that lineup you're after. SUGAR MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL 2016 LINEUP: Hot Chip Dirty Three Courtney Barnett Julio Bashmore Kelela Le1f Royal Headache Viet Cong Empress Of Dâm-Funk Tim Sweeney Tom Trago Kate Tempest Alpine Roland Tings Harvey Sutherland & Bermuda Total Giovanni Jnett City Calm Down Sampa the Great Pearls Kate Miller Laila Sakini Research & Development ARTISTS: NONOTAK (Japan/France – world premiere) Daniel Askill (Aust. exclusive) fuse* (Italy – Aust. exclusive) Nic Hamilton SIBLING Yahna Fookes x Martha Zakarya Prue Stent x Honey Long x Clare Longley Sugar Mountain Festival is happening at Victorian College Of The Arts, Melbourne on Saturday, January 23 2016. Tickets on sale 12pm local time Monday, October 19 via Moshtix.
Spend an evening talking about death in the company of a man who's trying to eradicate it. His name is Meow-Ludo Meow Meow and his dream is to make immortality possible. To that end, he heads the first biohacking lab in Australia and is a world-renowned expert in transhumanism, a movement that supports the use of extreme science in improving the human experience. While he and end-of-life consultant Annie Bolitho chat about dying and not-dying, chef Paolo Arlotta (ex-Vue de Monde, Tipo 00 and Kinfolk) will serve up three courses inspired by transformation. In between eating and drinking, you'll get to take part in formal Q&As, as well as more casual table chats, with Meow and Bolitho. And no aspect of death is taboo — you're invited to raise possibilities, options, fears and hopes of any kind. The Death Dinner Party, organised by journalist Ruby Lohman, is one of a death-related event series coming up in Sydney and Melbourne. The idea is to shed a light on a topic that we don't always find easy to talk about. Images: Tim O'Connor.
Vinyl lovers unite. For today is the day that the record stores of Australia really turn things to 11; bringing you rare RSD releases, great deals and the occasional live performance. The resurgence of vinyl has been gaining momentum year after year, with more and more stores getting involved for Record Store Day. There's more than a few performances going on around Melbourne for RSD. See Paul Kelly and Saint Jude at Greville Records, and Record Paradise will have the likes of ORB, Oh Mercy, Fraser A. Gorman. Rathdowne Records in Northcote will be serving up new releases and discounted prices, with musical performances by Tulalah, First Response, Caroline No, Henry Manetta, Adam Rudegeair, and DJ sets by Mike Gurrieri, Alter Ego and Knave Knixx. Expect a line out the front of Thornbury Records long before doors open, and drop by Northside Records for some funk and soul-laden good times. Check Record Store Day's website for more info, gig details and special record releases.
A couple hundred comedians walked into a bar. And then a theatre. And then a club. And then the Melbourne Town Hall. Brace your funny bone because it's Melbourne International Comedy Festival time — and this year's lineup down not disappoint. Alex Edelman, Arj Barker, David O'Doherty and Stephen K. Amos are just some of the big international acts who'll come flying into town (and, boy, will their arms be tired). They'll share the stage with high-profile locals acts including Becky Lucas, Anne Edmonds, Charlie Pickering and Lawrence Leung. And that's to say nothing of the endless amateurs and up-and-comers who'll by cracking jokes through the festival, which runs from March 28 right through until April 22.
Whatever lunch plans you have for the second week of June, cancel them immediately. To celebrate their first birthday, the legends at New Shanghai are giving out free pan-fried pork buns. And no, that’s not a typo. Free. Gratis. Without cost. As in you don’t have to pay for them. The complimentary parcels of golden brown, piping hot deliciousness will be available between 11am and 12pm on Monday, June 8 through to Thursday, June 11, with regular diners on Thursday also receiving an additional pork bun with every meal, no matter the time of day. No word on if there’s a limit per customer or what happens if they run out, so we’ll be queuing up early with an array of elaborate fake moustaches, just in case. Located on Level 3 of the Emporium Building on Lonsdale Street in the CBD, New Shanghai has done a roaring trade and garnered rave reviews since opening up this time last year — their traditional dumplings have been named some of the best in Melbourne. We even got some lessons in xiao long bao dumping-making from their veteran dim sum chef Yihua Wu back in February — and if this doesn’t make you salivate, then we don’t know what will. New Shanghai’s Melbourne restaurant compliments a number of locations in Sydney, as well as outposts in Brisbane and actual Shanghai. For more information about their pork bun giveaway, visit New Shanghai on Facebook and at their website.
If the novelty of getting your lunch delivered (via Foodora, Deliveroo and the like) has slightly worn off, you might be interested to know you can now get your afternoon tea shipped to to your desk too. During July you'll be able to treat yourself — or someone else — to a winter weekday reward, thanks to boutique gift delivery service LVLY. On the back of their recent Easter collaboration with Shortstop Donuts, the Melbourne-based start-up has announced a month-long partnership with Mörk to deliver warming hot chocolate and brownie bundles. Available throughout July, the gift pack includes a 125 gram tube of Mörk's super popular dark hot chocolate powder and a Mörk chocolate brownie. Orders placed before 1pm will be delivered that very same day (Monday to Friday only) — and if you're ordering it as a gift for someone else, you can add a flower arrangement on the side. Unfortunately the hot chocolate doesn't come pre-made and piping hot, but a recipe card is included in the pack. At $39 per order the service is fairly expensive for what is essentially a hot choccie and cake — although you know it'll be worth it for the look on your co-worker's faces when the delivery guy rocks up to your desk, brownie in hand. Now, if you'll excuse us, we've got an order to place. You can do the same by following this link right here.
Melbourne duo Hannah Lesser and Julius Dowson (aka ALTA) have created a brilliant experimental pop EP with Awake For Days, and to celebrate this achievement they’re throwing a launch party with special guests and guaranteed good times. If their new single 'Moves' is anything to go by, you can expect Dowson's playful, danceable and slightly unusual beats (is that an elephant we hear?) and Lesser's soulful, upbeat vocals — think Australia’s answer to Roisin Murphy. Word on the street is they have a whole new live set for us to get into, and considering their performances are already a pleasure to behold, we're expecting anything and everything. Also joining in on the evening’s festivities will be celebrated Melbourne hip hop duo Milwaukee Banks and a DJ set by Planete, so if you’re keen to check out some of Melbourne’s most exciting up-and-comers, get your booty to Boney this Saturday night.
Cinema Nova’s late night film stream is back for another season of strange and unsettling cinematic sideshows. Screening after sundown on select Friday nights, the Cultastrophe program will once again showcase a selection of spine-chilling horror flicks and themed double bills. The season begins on Friday May 8 with The City of Lost Children, a Lynchian sci-fi fairy tale from Amelie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Even creepier is occult thriller The Wicker Man (the '70s original, not the unintentionally hilarious Nicholas Cage remake), which screens in a double feature with the little-seen body horror film The Manitou. The program takes a break from horror at the end of May, for a pair of musically-infused coming-of-age films in Empire Records and Pump Up the Volume, before closing with a mechanical roar on June 26 with the quintessential slasher film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Cultastrophe takes place on select Friday nights, although precise start times vary. For more information visit the Cinema Nova website.
Wine lovers are getting a new hangout in the centre of the city, with the team behind Carlton favourite The Town Mouse cutting the ribbon on a brand new bar. Located in a two-storey building on Russell Street near the corner of Little Collins, Embla will serve up hearty, wood oven-cooked food alongside predominantly Australian wines. Originally slated to open in July, the bar finally opened to the public last night. According to Good Food, the menu will consist of wine-friendly dishes such as spiced lamb neck with chunky romesco, and whole rainbow trout with wild purslane and horseradish, along with plates loaded with terrines, charcuterie and cheeses. To that end, the open kitchen boasts a large wood-fired oven and grill. On the wine front, venue partners Dave Verheul and Christian McCabe have teamed with French natural wine producer Eric Narioo, with the intent of giving local drops the attention they deserve. The interior of the two-storey space was designed by New Zealand architect Allistar Cox. For the time being, only the ground level is operational, with a decor that features timber beams, brick walls and dark granite floors. There are two bars, one of which runs alongside the kitchen, and the venue seats around 60 people in total. The upstairs will be home to an additional restaurant space with a separate kitchen, along with a walk-in wine room — although it's not due to be completed for over a year. There are, however, hopes to begin serving coffee-and-pastry breakfasts from as early as February. Embla is located at 122 Russell Street, Melbourne. Their opening hours are noon until late Monday to Friday, and 4pm until late Saturday and Sunday. For more information visit their website. Via Good Food.
Melbourne's other gin festival is back. Back in 2016, Melbourne was faced with the happy problem of having not one, but two gin festivals on the cards. You might know the hugely successful Juniperlooza, a locally-organised festival. Well, this different festival — confusingly called Junipalooza (yes, that's an 'a' instead of an 'er') — came to Melbourne by way of the UK, and was unsurprisingly be dedicated entirely to gin. And it's back again for another year. The Melbourne version of the festival (the first to be held outside of the UK) is a twin event to Junipalooza London, which started back in 2013. The event will be held over two days this October at North Melbourne's Meat Market. It'll be hosted by founders of the UK's Gin Foundry, Olivier and Emile Ward — so you know you're in good gin-pouring hands. The award-winning brothers live, breathe and drink gin, compiling all their knowledge onto their comprehensive online gin directory. It makes sense then that the pair have teamed up with local gin expert, The Gin Queen (aka Caroline Childerley) to celebrate the noble spirit in Melbourne. Junipalooza will feature sampling stations, cocktails and gin masterclasses with some of the world's best distillers. Distillers from around the globe will be in attendance, giving punters the chance to take a bottle or two of their favourite gin home. The festival will take place over the weekend of October 21-22, and early bird tickets are on sale for $35 now. We see a lot of gin drinking in your future. Image: Steven Woodburn.
Fans of smoked meats, solid harmonica solos and all things Americana will love this; Melbourne's very own specialised twang-fuelled Americana-inspired shindig is back. Dubbed 'a celebration of Americana music, great food and fine booze' at Seaworks, Williamstown, Out On the Weekend saw its first waterside instalment last year. Developed from Love Police founder Brian 'BT' Taranto's fond country music memories and unfaltering love for Neil Young, the all-day, family-friendly October event hinges around a penchant for the dark desert highways of the US. A hearty combination of music, food and top notch booze, Out On the Weekend fronts up a solid lineup of country, folk and roots, all undeniably tainted by a love for 'Muuurica. LA group DAWES return to Australia off the back of their recently released fourth album All Your Favourite Bands. Australian rock 'n' roll royalty supergroup Tex Don & Charlie — Tex Perkins (The Cruel Sea), Don Walker (Cold Chisel) and legendary Australian guitarist Charlie Owen — will be there alongside South Dakota-born, LA-based newcomer Sam Outlaw, Nashville singer Robert Ellis, Texas buddy duo Jamestown Revival, the inimitable Jonny Fritz (formerly known as Jonny Corndawg), Australian Americana alt country artist Ruby Boots, Melbourne roots quartet Mustered Courage and so many more. But we promised food. With Melbourne's love for American cuisine in no danger of faltering any time soon, OOTW's nom lineup is quite the star-spangled menu. Sydney's leading renegade chefs Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz of Porteño/Bodega fame will be setting up a pop-up version of their acclaimed establishment, serving up all the smoked meats and potato salads you can fit in y'gob. Melbourne’s 'Mesoamerican' bar and restaurant Mesa Verde will also be there, alongside Sydney cult burger crew Mary's and street food legends Beatbox Kitchen, Taco Truck and All Day Donuts driving on in to satisfy every last taste bud. Out on the Weekend will take place Saturday, October 17 at Seaworks, Williamstown from 11:30am — 10:30pm. Free entry for kids under 12 years old. Head to the website for ticket packages.
If you've ever stared longingly at a DIY food video in anticipation of the inevitable gooey cheese pull, South Wharf spot The Boatbuilders Yard has a rather specifically themed event for you. Raclette Thursdays are a weekly night dedicated to cheesy, cheesy indulgence, set to warm you from the inside out during Melbourne's characteristically chilly winter. The recently launched event is delightfully focused solely on raclette — a Swiss cheese that is slowly heated until the top layer is deliciously gooey. This golden goop is then drizzled onto a selection of other, less godly food — what kind of food isn't made more impressive with the addition of cheese? Have your cheese tantalisingly draped over jacket potatoes and pickled vegetables, with the option of adding delicately sliced wagyu pastrami. It's $12 for a traditional serving, $17 with charcuterie. For the ultimate pseudo European winter vibe, pair your raclette with a glass of Boatbuilders' house-made mulled wine and snag a spot in front of the roaring fire. Raclette Thursdays run from 4pm every Thursday until the end of August.
The Melbourne Festival is back in all its singing, dancing and performative glory for another year. They've just official announced the 2016 program and all we can say is: start saving your simoleans now because you're going to want to see it all. As always, Melb Fest is delivering a lineup slammed with gigs, theatrical pieces, interactive installations, dances and so much more that defies classification. Over October 6-23 you can catch Singapore-born pianist Melvyn Tan's orchestral retelling of La Belle et la Bête (known to all of us as Beauty and the Beast), or a showing of the internationally acclaimed animated film The Triplets of Belleville. Paul Kelly is teaming up Camille O'Sullivan and Feargal Murray in their show Ancient Rain, a musical show based around the rhythmic poetry of W.B. Yeats. Or — and this is the one you won't want to miss — there's also a huge Melbourne Symphony Orchestra-backed David Bowie tribute show named David Bowie: Nothing Has Changed (*cries just a little bit*). The theatrical shows are going to be tough to choose between — there's so many phenomenal ones on offer. Director Enrique Vagras' The Echo of the Shadow is an interactive, solitary journey though the senses as you (literally) enter a labyrinth inspired by the mega-depressing Hans Christian Andersen tale of the traveler who lost their shadow. Ex Machina by writer/director/everything man Robert Lepage is showing for the first time in Melbourne at the Arts Centre's Playhouse, and we're intrigued by this offering from Scotland — Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, a play about six Catholic school girls and their trip to sinful Edinburgh for a choral competition (it's received consistently fantastic reviews). There's far too many to name individually but here's a wrap: a fluid stage production informed by the talents ofTourette's syndrome, a chilling, ambiguous play about the cultural significance of funerals, an interactive play, with money on the line, exploring altruism and greed, the story of two Chinese country boys moving to the big smoke…we could go but you might just have to read the full program. For those who're tightening the purse strings, Melb Fest have also scheduled some fantastic free shows. As well as the art trams you can catch trundling through the city, you can catch Tanderrum, an Indigenous dance ceremony that's part of the commencement address in Federation Square (October 5, 6.30pm) and Les Tambours De Feu, a display that's best described as 'drumming and fiery explosions' by Basque company Deabru Beltzak (October 6-8, also in Federation Square). Chiharu Shiota's The Home Within, a complex installation of red webbing, is also free to explore as it moves across various locations in the city. Or you can have your hair cut by an unsupervised child at Haircuts by Children (a risky comment on empowering youth) if you dare. Either way, it's going to be a big month. [caption id="attachment_582909" align="alignnone" width="1280"] The Home Within, Chiharu Shiota, by Yurrtas Tumer[/caption] Melbourne Festival 2016 will run from October 6-23. For the full program, visit festival.melbourne. Image: Les Tambours de Feu, by Raphael Helle.
After everyone went nuts over the Cheese Please Festival, it's pretty clear that Melburnians love some rare, stinky cheese. Add some delicious cider to the table and you’ve got one heck of an afternoon. Setting up shop at the magnificent Werribee Mansion for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Fromage a Trois will showcase Australian boutique cider producers and artisan cheesemakers, who'll be displaying their tasty wares for you to sample and inevitably take home by the wheel-load. For those particularly interested in the process behind the practice, there'll be a demonstration stage where you can get educated on cheese appreciation, as well as some more intimate masterclasses on offer. If you want to get the best tips for your own cider or cheesemaking adventures, we recommend having a chat to the stallholders — they'll undoubtedly talk your ear off about the good stuff.
If your idea of heaven is nigiri in both hands, you might want to sit down because we've got some fantastic news for you. Sake, one of Melbourne's swishest (and most delicious) Japanese restaurants, has announced plans to open not just one, but two expansions in the CBD. Kiss your disposable income goodbye because come April you'll be lining up with the rest of us to dine in the gorgeous new Sake restaurant in Flinders Lane and scoff down a seafood feast. The menu aims towards playfulness and innovation while showcasing the best of Victoria's local produce — and the teasers already have us drooling. (Content warning: may trigger intense need to eat All The Sushi.) Don't expect a cookie cutter version of the Hamer Hall restaurant. The Flinders Lane menu will include new dishes like the nihon braised wagyu short ribs with seared foie gras, asparagus and caramelised onion and the slow-cooked abalone with garlic lemon soy and taro crunch. There will also be some southern rock lobster sashimi, and Himalayan salt-chilled seared snapper with karazumi, lemon oil and dry soy. The new two-storey venue is being designed by Melissa Collison (who was shortlisted for the Australian Interior Design Awards last year) and will differentiate itself further with an interactive dining counter and live entertainment. Dinner and a show? Don't mind if we do. Even better, keep an eye open for the opening of Sake Jr. on Bourke Street. What is Sake Jr., you ask? Well, prepare to whip out the wallet again, friends, because Sake Jr. is a Sake-brand healthy fast-fine restaurant. It will feature create-your-own bowls, buns and rolls and takeaway versions of Sake's signature dishes. So even if you don't have the time to sit down and eat the popcorn shrimp tempura, you'll be able to get it on the run — ensuring you will never be with Sake eats again. Phew. UPDATE: April 12, 2016 Sake Flinders Lane will open at 11am on Friday, April 15 at 121 Flinders Lane in the CBD. Sake Jr. is slated to open in May at 555 Bourke Street, Melbourne. For more info, check their Facebook page.
Missed The Preatures on their huge sold-out 'Cruel' tour this spring? How'd you like to catch them live this summer, for free? The Sydney fivesome are gearing up for another national escapade, this time joining forces with Corona Extra for a huge free November tour. Locked in for 20 locations across the country, Corona Sunsets will see the Sydneysiders play unplugged shows everywhere from Bondi Beach's Bucket List to the Portsea Hotel. Kicking off in Yallingup, Western Australia on November 6, the tour will wind through some of The Preatures' favourite bars in WA, NSW and Queensland before finishing up in Victoria on the last weekend in November. Isabella Manfredi, Gideon Bensen, Jack Moffitt, Thomas Champion and Luke Davison will be careening through their 2014 debut album Blue Planet Eyes, from crowd favourite singles like 'Cruel', 'Somebody's Talking' and 'Is This How You Feel?' to lesser known album gems like 'Ordinary' and 'Whatever You Want'. Fingers crossed for a raucous pub singalong to The Preatures' go-to cover, The Angels' 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again'. All shows are free entry, over-18s only and it's first-in, best-dressed. If Corona Extra's previous free Australian tours, like Cloud Control, are anything to go by, you're going to want to get there pretty damn early. For details head to Corona's website. THE PREATURES' CORONA SUNSETS AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES: WESTERN AUSTRALIA November 6 Caves House Hotel, Yallingup, 7.30pm November 7 The Leftbank, East Fremantle, 2.30pm The Northshore Tavern, Hillarys, 7.30pm November 8 The Lucky Shag Waterfront Bar, Barrack Square, 2.30pm Ocean Beach Hotel, Cottesloe, 7.30pm NEW SOUTH WALES November 13 Towradgi Beach Hotel, Towradgi, 8.30pm November 14 Watson’s Bay Hotel, Watsons Bay, 3.30pm Manly Wharf, Manly, 7.30pm November 15 The Bucket List, Bondi, 2.30pm Mona Vale Hotel, Mona Vale, 7.30pm November 22 Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads, 8pm QUEENSLAND November 20 Beach House Hotel, Scarness, 8pm November 21 Sandstone Point Hotel, Sandstone Point, 3pm Noosa Heads S.L.S.C, Noosa Heads, 9pm November 22 Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta, 3pm VICTORIA November 27 Lambys, Geelong, 9pm November 28 The Deck est 2013, Frankston, 3pm Westernport Hotel, San Remo, 9.30pm November 29 The College Lawn, Prahran, 2.30pm Portsea Hotel, Portsea, 7pm
This January, Melbourne's Federation Square will play host to a fun new addition in Arboria — a huge, blow-up sculpture featuring a walk-through labyrinth of winding tunnels and lofty domes. On exhibition from January 6–28, the inflatable structure takes its inspiration from the forest, incorporating tree-like spaces, stylised leaf patterns and a soundscape from Ecuador's Mindo cloud forest, to create an immersive, multi-sensory experience for visitors young and old. A maze of pods and domes leads to a stunning central space, where massive columns and soaring Gothic-style windows mirror those of Chapter House at the UK's York Minster cathedral. It's the work of world-renowned group Architects of Air, who've created and exhibited a whole series of these 'luminaria' structures across the globe. Arboria will be open from 10am–8pm daily between January 6 and 28.
If you missed having your heart broken and lovingly repaired again and again this past winter by Sufjan Stevens, you're in luck. The Michigan-born songwriter is returning to Australia, announcing a huge national tour playing tunes from from his 2015 album, Carrie & Lowell as well as selections across his dreamy, dreamy back catalogue. Bringing a full band and an immersive lighting production, Stevens will be celebrating ten years since Illinois and five from his Age of Adz, so expect quite a few throwbacks between the album that made us cry every last salty, salty tear in our bodies this year, Carrie & Lowell. Tickets are on sale now. If you're not on it, you're probably an emotionless stone. SUFJAN STEVENS 2016 AUSTRALIAN TOUR Monday 22 February — State Theatre, Sydney. Tickets available via www.ticketmaster.com.au. Friday 26 February — Hamer Hall – Melbourne, Tickets available via www.artscentremelbourne.com.au. Wednesday 2 March — Red Hill Auditorium, Perth. Tickets available via www.oztix.com.au. Friday 4 March — QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane. Tickets available via www.qpac.com.au.
Master of all smooth tunes and poster child of Melbourne's enduring obsession with beards, Chet Faker is on his way around the country with a huge arena tour for 2015. And we really do mean huge — this local legend is returning from a string of massively successful European and American shows to play Sydney's Hordern Pavilion, Melbourne's Palais and the freakin' Brisbane Convention Centre. His shows are officially pulling the same numbers as the G20. This is no doubt welcome news for those that missed out on his national tour in 2014. With Hordern Pavilion holding roughly 4,000 more people than the Enmore where he played in June last year, tickets will be much easier to come by. Maybe. In Brisbane that difference will be even more pronounced. The Brisbane Convention Centre can host a whopping 8,000 rampant Chet lovers. All this hype comes after a stellar run of critical acclaim for the Melbourne musician. Faker took out five ARIA Awards last year, including best male artist and best independent release for his debut album Built on Glass (after a casual nine nominations) and his super single 'Talk is Cheap' took out the top spot in triple j's Hottest 100 this January, beating Peking Duk's tipped-to-win 'High'. Faker's arena setting is sure to affect the show itself too. Specialising in croony electronic ballads and music that makes you feel all warm and gooey inside, it's hard to see how Chet will translate well to the big stage. How are we supposed to snug up and get a little intimate around the stage where Barack Obama talked just a few months prior? Melbourne, on the other hand, may get treated to a rare glimpse of this intimacy. His show at the Palais — assuming it's still standing by then — will actually be smaller than when he played the Forum earlier in 2014. Get ready for some hometown lovin'; this will be one of the last tours Faker will likely embark upon in Australia for a while. Chet Faker will play February 25, 26 and 27, as well as March 5 and 7 at the Palais Theatre. To find out more about about Chet Faker and his killer debut album check out our interview a while back.
The annual Australian Sake Festival is heading to Queen Victoria Market again this winter, seeking to warm us all up with sake samples. It's all happening across three sessions on Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21, and will include twice as many stalls as last year — highlighting the meteoric rise of sake in Melbourne. There are more than 200 different sakes on the menu this year, spread across more than 50 individual vendors. And, you'll be happy to know, your ticket gives you access to all of them. Food stalls will also be slinging plenty of noodles, yakitori, waffles and gelato, plus vegan and vegetarian options. There are also free sake seminars, pairing sessions and panel talks by industry professionals. Tickets start at $69, but that includes a fair bit. You'll get unlimited sake tastings, a sake glass to take home, free sips of fruit liquors and other spirits, and plenty of live entertainment. These will be boozy arvos, so plan your return journey accordingly.
One of the single greatest filmmakers in the history of the medium will get his due at The Astor over the next two weekends. The undisputed master of Japanese cinema, Akira Kurosawa shot a total of 30 motion pictures over his 57 year career, winning dozens of awards and influencing countless directors all around the world. Melbourne's favourite repertory theatre is highlighting two of his greatest masterpieces, made more than three full decades apart. Released in 1954, Seven Samurai is frequently described as one of the best films of all time, and with good reason. A three and a half hour epic about a village beset by bandits and the warriors they recruit to protect them, the film inspired several American imitators, from The Magnificent Seven to A Bug's Life. The tribute continues the following Sunday with Ran, Kurosawa's gargantuan adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear. So intent was Kurosawa on the film's completion that, when his wife of 39 years died midway through the shoot, production on the movie was halted for just a single day. Now that's commitment.
It attracted 2.03 million votes in 2014, is regarded as 'the world's greatest music democracy' and is pretty much the only thing on Australian radios on Australia Day between the odd 'Khe Sanh'. Whether you 'get into it' or not, triple j's Hottest 100 has some serious reach, and this year, they're putting that blanket coverage to bloody good use. As part of this year's Hottest 100, triple j have teamed up with Indigenous school mentoring program AIME, for some hardcore fundraising. Aiming to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian students, AIME and triple j are encouraging Hottest 100 voters to donate right after they've popped their favourite songs in the voting form — votes open this Thursday, December 10. On Australia Day, you can also use your Hottest 100 rager or hushed barbecue as a fundraiser for AIME. In the lead up to the launch of the 2015 Hottest 100, we're stoked to announce a new partnership with triple j. Posted by AIME on Monday, December 7, 2015 It's all for a damn good cause, and you'll still get to screech about your favourite artist being played too early dammit. By donating in the Hottest 100, you'll be helping the hardworking AIME crew help 10,000 Indigenous kids finish school at the same rate as non-Indigenous students by 2018. Now that's worth getting all flustered about — albeit alongside whether Major Lazer tops the lot or not. It's not the first time triple j has worked with AIME; they've given big love to the crew around events like Homeground and NAIDOC week in the past. Here's hoping it rubs off on their listeners. Kyran Wheatley and Gen Fricker on triple j breakfast for #NAIDOCweek Posted by AIME on Thursday, July 9, 2015 Voting opens this Thursday, December 10. Via triple j.
In late-night vibe, music scene and food mecca considerations, Melbourne and New York have been called sister cities by many. Well, now our city is making it official. MEL&NYC is a new winter program of multi-disciplinary events showcasing the influence that New York City has on the Melbourne arts and culture scene. The program will take over the city's cultural venues from June through August and see collaborations between leading New York-based institutions and talent with their Australian counterparts. In short: a series of top-notch conversations, live music, performances, educational talks, dinners and community outreach events are in store. The program is split into seven fairly self-explanatory sections: My New York Experience, A Taste of the City, New York Sounds, Art & Creativity, On Broadway, Professional Development & Exchange and Community. Plus, as an ode to our shared underground music scene, Melbourne's best laneways will come alive with secret pop-up performances throughout winter. In addition to Ilana Glazer's starring spot, with the Broad City star coming to town with her first Australian stand-up act, headline gigs include Arts Centre Melbourne shows by singer-songwriter Regina Spektor and contemporary ensemble Exo-Tech (featuring Kimbra and Sophia Brousa); a Melbourne Museum gig by soulful Harlem group The Rakiem Walker Project; and a jazz show by famed artist Gretchen Parlato. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will also present multiple tributes for renowned composer Leonard Bernstein, including a live-to-film performance of West Side Story. Food and wine experts from New York will take up residence in Melbourne restaurants and bars, too. Natural wine bars The Four Horsemen (by LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy) and Melbourne's Embla will team up, along with Momofuku Ko and Fitzroy's Marion. Plus, Starward Whisky is making five bespoke cocktails that embody what they consider to be Melbourne's five boroughs, and the Green Light Diner will transform itself into New York's Grand Central Station Oyster Bar for a night. Bringing the Big Apple to the big screen, in July The Astor will curate a program of classic New York films, including New York, New York, Ghostbusters and Do The Right Thing. On the other side of the spectrum, political speakers include an already sold-out conversation with journalists Ronan Farrow, who has spearheaded the reports into Hollywood sexual misconduct, as well as a panel discussion with The New York Times award-winning investigative reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones. The program also links up with with the National Gallery of Victoria's world-premiere exhibition, MoMA at NGV: 130 Years of Modern and Contemporary Art. It will see New York's MoMA take over the ground floor from June 9 and feature over 200 works from artists such as Picasso, Dalí, Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock and Georgia O'Keeffe, to name a few.
It was only a decade ago that fledgling market startup, Finders Keepers, launched with 20 stalls and a handful of eager design enthusiasts looking to score an artsy deal. Finders Keepers is now Australia's longest-running arts and design market and is celebrating 10 years of giving the city's artisan producers that much-needed exposure. And this season's going to be huge. The twice-yearly event hosts over 250 stalls for the multitudes of market-goers after a deal, amid a backdrop of live music, bars, coffee carts, food trucks, workshops and a dessert bar. With a friendly entrance fee of just $2 (kids enter free), you'll experience hand-crafted furniture from Huddle&Co, accessories from YippyWhippy, scarfs and sarongs by Mirador and other products from a huge number of local artists and fashion and accessory designers. Keep an eye out also for Sydney-based souvenir designer Megan McKean, of McKean Studio, signing her new book Hello Melbourne!. Finders Keepers runs from October 20-22, opening an hour earlier than previous years from 5pm-10pm on the Friday, staying open later on Saturday from 10am-7pm and 10am to 5pm on the Sunday.
With our festival scene more dire than ever, it might seem like a strange time to start up a brand new offering. But with world-class acts, a relatively small capacity venue just out of Melbourne, luxe camping options, and a motherflippin' hangover spa (yep, you read that right), Beyond The Valley is no ordinary festival. Kicking off its inaugural year from December 30-January 1, this ultra-boutique newbie is taking over the peak season and coming straight for your hearts. Filling the space that Pyramid Rock left out at Phillip Island, Beyond The Valley will be bringing in the new year with a lineup that jumps sporadically between electronica, hip hop and indie. Here, you can expect Action Bronson, Danny Brown, The Preatures, AlunaGeorge, D.D. Dumbo, Holy Holy and Midnight Juggernauts. And though the lineup is just as strong as any other festivals out there this season, this newbie still has tickets available. Grab a cheeky NYE day pass here or go all in after drooling over the luxury camping options. $100 for a hangover spa might seem steep, but trust us, after a big night out with Danny Brown that slice of ice-packed, oxygen-pumped, massage bliss is going to make all the difference.
Tasmania may sit forgotten and ridiculed on the outskirts of our borders, but every January it truly shines. Attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all over the country, MONA's annual Festival of Music and Art is a cultural icon. Now, in its seventh year, it's still bringing in the goods. The 2015 lineup will include legendary post-punk outfit Swans, Dan Deacon, Amanda Palmer, Paul Kelly and — because why not — author Neil Gaiman. And that's not even mentioning the art. Curated by Brian Ritchie of the Violent Femmes, the musical program is incredibly eclectic — a tasting plate of genres for those not quite so fascinated with predictable summer festivals like Laneway or Future. In their 2015 festival you can relax while Neil Gaiman reads you a story accompanied by the ambient sounds of Jherek Bischoff, go local with Paul Kelly's Soul Sessions featuring Dan Sultan and Kira Puru, or melt your brain with some Dan Deacon goodness. MOFO caters to all. The art on display will be just as strange. UK group Architects of Air will be bringing their giant inflatable sculpture — read: artsy bouncy castle — EXXOPOLIS down south from the Brisbane Festival. Melbourne artist Atticus J. Bastow is acting as maestro to an orchestra of iPhones. Johannes S. Sistermanns will be wrapping thing (and possible people) in cling wrap to create terrifying sound art. Then, Alvin Curran will combine both art and music while mobilising rafts and dinghies to make music on the Derwent River. "We are thrilled that the audience for MOFO has developed to the point where we can present this dazzling array of creativity and know the people are ready, willing and able to come along for the ride," said Ritchie. "It’s a party with brains, heart and soul." For a little look at what you're missing, check out our write-up from last year's Dark Mofo. January's festivities are bound to be about the same with 100 per cent more sunshine. What's not to love? MONA FOMA will run from January 15-18, 2015 in Hobart. Tickets are on sale now via the festival website. Full lineup: Alvin Curran Allan Halyk And Adam Wojcinski Amanda Palmer & The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Amir Farid Anna Von Hausswolff Architects Of Air Ava Mendoza Atticus J. Bastow Ben Frost Brendan Walls Chordwainers Dan Deacon David Francey Trio Debashish Bhattacharya Emma Dean And The Hungry Truth Faux Mo Francesca De Valence Gabriella Smart Genevieve Lacey Jim Moginie Johannes S. Sistermanns Li Binyuan Marduk Martine Corompt And Philip Brophy Melisandre Michael Kieran Harvey MOFI Eastern Sho MOMA (mona Market) Neil Gaiman Omar Souleyman Paul Kelly Presents The Merri Soul Sessions – Featuring Dan Sultan, Clairy Browne, Kira Puru & Vika And Linda Bull Phillip Johnston Rektango Robyn Hitchcock Ruth Roshan And Tango Noir Senyawa & Lucas Abela Shonen Knife Speak Percussion Swans The Clean Tim Hecker Xylouris White Young Wagilak Group & Australian Art Orchestra Zammuto
Sydney craft beer dukes Young Henrys have teamed up with the Marrickville Council to create a beer that tastes like ANZAC biscuits — just in time for the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli. The new ale's been dubbed 'Winged Victory', after a World War One memorial statue created in 1919 the council has resurrected. On Sunday, April 19, you’ll get to taste the biccie brew for the first time and see the statue's glorious unveiling at Marrickville Town Hall. "The Council approached us," Richard Adamson, co-owner of Young Henrys, said. "We thought it sounded like a really good community project. The statue is an amazing part of the area’s local history and a gift for the people." Young Henrys were given creative licence to conjure up an appropriate flavour profile. It turns out that using ANZAC biscuits for inspiration was the obvious choice. "We thought it would be a lot of fun," Adamson said. "We smoked the malt ourselves and then burned rosemary, which is a symbol of remembrance. Getting them all to balance well with spices was a bit of a challenge, but we threw caution to the wind." In addition, the hops came from both Australia and New Zealand, in honour of the soldiers who fought at Gallipoli. The statue is the work of Gilbert Doble, a local sculptor. It depicts the Goddess Nike, who, in Greek mythology, symbolised victory, success in battle and peaceful competition. And it commemorates 457 soldiers from Marrickville who died during World War One. The Winged Victory ale launch will happen at Marrickville Town Hall on Sunday 19 April at between 11am and 3pm. There's also going to be a parade and a photography exhibition on the day as part of the event. Entry is free. Image: ANZAC biscuits from Low FODMAP.
It's the society wedding of the year, and you're invited. Melbourne socialites Jasper and Jasmine are going to tie the knot at St Kilda's West Beach Bathers Pavilion this May; trotting down the aisle, barking their vows and sniffing each other's butts. Yep, they're pugs. It's a pug wedding. A real life pug wedding. Seems there's a Leslie Knope living in Melbourne. Raising much-needed funds for Pug Rescue and Adoption Victoria Inc. (a volunteer-run, foster care-based animal welfare charity with a focus on pugs), this wedding doesn't have the happiest Disney backstory. Jasmine and Jasper came into the care of Pug Rescue in April 2013, after they were found to be so morbidly obese they could hardly breathe. They were taken from their former home by the rescue team and apparently were turning blue on the car ride, poor little things. But just one year later, Pug Rescue have nursed the pair back to health so they can enjoy a newfound pug life with each other and their new family — together. Take a hike, The Notebook; this is a true love story for the ages. Now, let's get these pugs married already. On Sunday, May 17, Pug Rescue are putting on the works for these pups. Get ready for this; Jasmine will wear an exclusive couture bridal gown designed by renowned Australian designer and Project Runway runner-up Craig Braybrook. A pug in couture. As if you're not locking this in already. Jasper's outfit is yet to be confirmed, but we're predicting mini bowtie at the very least. The whole event will be styled by Christian Wagstaff of Melbourne’s famed Creative Production and the venue will be decked out with flowers by Virginia Chorley of The Bouquets of Ascha Jolie. Tickets to the Wedding of the Year are $60, which we reckon is a straight-up bargain considering all funds raised go to Pug Rescue; helping to fund future pug psychological and physical rehabilitation along with the vet care and specialty surgery. And apparently they're selling fast, so get on it. If you can't make it, make sure you raise a water bowl to Jasper and Jasmine next Sunday; overcoming terrible odds and living a brand new #puglyf together. Jasper and Jasmine's pug wedding ceremony is happening from 1pm on Sunday, May 17, West Beach Bathers Pavilion, 330A Beaconsville Parade, St Kilda. Tickets are $60 per person from jasperandjasmine.com, or 'virtual tickets' are $19.95 — an invitation-only live video stream of the wedding online. Video of the wedding will also be available online for two weeks post-event for virtual ticket holders. Images: Ragamuffin.
Bake sales truly are the best. Top-quality, baked, sweet and savoury treats that don't have to cost you the earth is certainly something we can get down with, and the Flour Market brings all of Melbourne's best bakers together. For those who have attended before, there will be more than a few familiar faces returning, with the likes of 5 & Dime, Aunty Peg's, All Day Donuts, Bakewell & Co, Beatrix, Butterbing, Candied Bakery, Citizen Cacao, Cobb Lane, Everyday Coffee, Loafer, Linh Dang, LuxBite, Chez Dre, Pure Pie, Moonbeam Kitchen, Oregano Scrolls, Tuck Shop Takeaway and 14-year-old doughnut whiz Bistro Morgan all set to make an appearance. Plus, this time round, every baker has created something special just for the market. Early Riser tickets have once again sold out in a heartbeat for this round of the Flour Market, but we still recommend jumping out of bed early to make sure you get the pastries of your dreams. The queue has been known to be notoriously long, so if you don’t want to spend half your life huddling outside of Collingwood Town Hall, get organised, get caffeinated, bring a $2 coin for entry, and try not to eat all of your bounty before you get home.
